Book Club Meets: Soulmates, swiping culture, and difficult decisions, with Holly Gramazio

We can learn a lot from scientists about getting comfortable with being wrong, says physicist Professor Brian Cox. In this chat with Fearne, Brian explains the difference between ‘having an argument’ and ‘making an argument’. The latter gives us confidence to ask curious questions, come to our own conclusions, and remain open to being wrong, without letting ego get in the way of connection or progress. Brian talks through what the physics behind the universe says about the meaning of being human, including finding personal motivation and purpose, and whether there’s life after death. Fearne and Brian also wonder how we can make sure young girls aren’t discouraged from pursuing science, and Brian tells the story of being on the set of a famous alien movie... Tickets for Brian’s 2026 world tour – Emergence – are available now.   Brian’s reading list: Richard Feynman – The Value of Science Carl Sagan – The Demon Haunted World Johannes Kepler – Harmonice Mundi Arthur C. Clark – 2001 Erwin Schrödinger – What is Life? Sir Paul Nurse – What is Life?   If you liked this episode of Happy Place, you might also like: Jane Goodall Bjorn Natthiko Lindeblad Major Tim Peake Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Broadcaster and entrepreneur Jamie Laing had big fears about having kids... and yet he’s about to become a dad any day now. In this chat with Fearne, Jamie’s honest about the pros and cons he deliberated over before deciding to have children. He talks through how his parents’ divorce expanded his world in beautiful ways, as well as why he chose to re-kindle his relationship with his dad as an adult. Jamie also talks for the first time about his body image and eating disorder. Given Fearne has been through her own experience of bulimia, Jamie looks to her for advice on how to break free from the shame that’s gripped him for much of his life. Jamie can now say he genuinely likes himself, but explains how throughout his teens and twenties he felt a real need to be popular, liked, and validated by others. How did he learn to cultivate self-compassion in his thirties? And what does he reckon is the best way to get men to open up to their mates? Jamie’s book, Boys Don’t Cry, is out now. If you liked this episode of Happy Place, you might also like: Erling Kagge Emily English Ben West Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Blame isn’t helpful. Illustrator and author Charlie Mackesy thinks learning to forgive yourself and others will lead to more peace. In this chat, Fearne and Charlie talk from personal experience about just how physical shame can feel. Charlie explains how fear of abandonment keeps us silent about our insecurities, but that in reality the moment we start talking about our shame is the moment real human connection is made. Charlie and Fearne also chat about how polarised the world is becoming, and offer advice for how to cope with fear, as well as why it’s important to disagree respectfully. Plus, why did Charlie feel he needed to hide away in the toilets at the Oscars? Charlie’s latest book, Always Remember: The Boy, The Mole, The Fox, The Horse, and The Storm, is out now. CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains some conversation about suicidal ideation. If you liked this episode of Happy Place, you might also like: Teddy Swims Will Poulter Olly Alexander Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What did you love doing when you were 10 years old? Broadcaster Greg James reckons we all need to prioritise fun and silliness more, and thinking about your childhood passions is a great place to start. In this chat, Fearne and Greg talk about how bleak, boring, and anxiety-inducing being a responsible grown up can be sometimes, and why that means it’s vital to choose to laugh every day. Greg also explains why it’s important to stop and ask yourself if you really want to get married, have kids, or earn lots of money, or if you’re sleepwalking into someone else’s vision of a perfect life. Plus, why did 21 year old Greg think he had a chance with Fearne when he first arrived at Radio 1...? Greg’s book, All The Best For The Future, is out now. If you liked this episode of Happy Place, you might also like: Scott Mills Nick Grimshaw Annie Mac Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Loved Ones – the Happy Place Book Club pick for September – tells the story of Julia, whose first love Gabe dies aged 29, launching her into a world-wide quest to recover the possessions he left with friends and acquaintances across the world. It also brings her into contact with the last woman Gabe loved... In this chat, Fearne and author Aisha Muharrar wonder what would happen if you met others who had dated the same person as you. Would you get on and have loads in common? Or would there be intense jealousy? They also explore the strange idea that different people know and love very different sides of you. Aisha was a script writer on TV show Parks and Recreation, and she brings that comedy and levity to the messy topic of grief in Loved Ones. Writing her debut novel was very much a new challenge though – Aisha explains to Fearne why she pretty much had to re-write the whole book! Enter our competition with Bookshop.org to be in with a chance of winning books for life here: https://woobox.com/9jfwes Thank you to Fourth Estate for the use of Loved One audiobook, narrated by Emma Ladji. If you liked this episode of Happy Place, you might also like:   Book Club Meets: Cally Beaton   Book Club Meets: Emily Henry   Book Club Meets: Lorna Tucker Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.