Should I have children? Ellie Simmonds on genetic disability diagnoses

Identity has become tribal, and it’s stopping us understanding each other’s humanity. Activist, writer, and model Munroe Bergdorf explains how fear and anger for society’s issues have been misdirected towards trans people. In this chat with Fearne, Munroe talks through what the recent UK Supreme Court ruling on biological sex and gender means for trans women, cis women, and society more widely. How, for example, are trans rights intimately connected to abortion rights? Fearne and Munroe chat about how to practice self-acceptance, particularly around body image, and how to use your voice to create positive change. They also cover grief, and numbing out as a way of dealing with poor mental health. Munroe’s new book, Talk To Me, is out on June 5th, and you can watch her documentary, Love and Rage, in cinemas from June 10th. This episode also contains an exclusive first listen to a chapter of Kirsty Gallagher’s new book, Your Cosmic Purpose, which is published by Happy Place Books on June 5th. If you liked this episode of Happy Place, you might also like: Emma Dabiri Olly Alexander Kirsty Gallagher Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fearne’s been thinking a lot lately about how much of her life she’s spent people pleasing as a result of wanting to be liked. So today, how to break free from the ‘good girl’ your family, friends, colleagues, and society expect you to be... In this episode – -Louise Redknapp clarifies why being described as ‘nice’ isn’t a compliment and how she’s gone about making people see her as a multi-faceted human -Paloma Faith pinpoints the ways women make themselves smaller in order to make others feel more comfortable -Sophie Ellis-Bextor explains how she’s learnt to navigate mum guilt while not minimising the importance of her career -Natasha Bedingfield talks about the powerful effects of physically speaking your truth and voicing your needs -Afua Hirsch reflects on how colonisation in her native country Ghana has affected her notions of what it means to be good, pure woman -Florence Given explores not letting outside opinion dictate who you are and how to stop feeling the need to defend or explain yourself -Dawn French waxes lyrical about the joy of getting things wrong and embracing imperfection -Emily Atack explains how online abuse almost broke her, but ultimately strengthened her resolve to be an even bolder version of herself Listen to the full episodes here – Louise Redknapp Paloma Faith Sophie Ellis Bextor Natasha Bedingfield Afua Hirsch Florence Given Dawn French Emily Atack   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How have you come back from your rock bottom? Ashley Walters has reinvented himself over and over again, through music, acting, directing, parenthood, prison, and addiction. In this chat with Fearne, Ashley talks through the mindset that allows him to take accountability for his actions instead of falling into victimhood, and why failure shouldn’t be viewed as an end point. He explains why you should want to be the “dumbest person in the room”, and why if you feel you want to run away from a challenge, it’s exactly the challenge you should take on. Fearne and Ashley tackle the big topics that have come out of Netflix show Adolescence, including online misogyny and male violence. Plus, Ashley reveals what his six year old daughter said to him that broke his heart and made him stop drinking... If you liked this episode of Happy Place, you might also like: Kate Silverton Pete Doherty Chiwetel Ejiofor Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is there a reason so many comedians can struggle with their mental health? Mo Gilligan knows all too well that finding the funny in everything can sometimes mean having to suppress sadness.   In this chat, Fearne and Mo talk about how a single passing comment can stay with you and eat away at your self-esteem over time, and why we need to be better at celebrating our talent and achievements.   Plus, can scrolling through memes be a positive form of escapism when you’re low...?   Mo Gilligan: Beginning, Middle, and End is available to listen to now! If you liked this episode of Happy Place, you might also like: How to Laugh When You’ve Been To Hell and Back Fats Timbo Zayn   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

At age 43 Liberty Mills was told she had a 0.7% chance of having another baby with her own eggs – and that was with the assistance of IVF. But she and her partner decided to continue their fertility journey with the help of integrative medicine, and after a lifestyle overhaul, she conceived her daughter naturally, and gave birth two weeks before her 45th birthday. In this chat with Fearne, Liberty explains how her own experiences inspired her to become a Certified Integrative Health and Nutrition Coach, helping other individuals and couples to amend their lifestyles to optimise their ability to conceive. Liberty talks through how everything from vaping, to stress, to the plastics in your kitchen are affecting both female and male fertility. Not planning on having a baby? All these lifestyle changes are still important for our overall health and mental wellbeing. Plus, Fearne and Liberty do a deep dive into negative self-talk, body image, and the shame that can be attached to infertility. Liberty’s book, 360 Fertility, is out on May 22nd.   Some extra reading you might find useful:   Nutrient depletion from prescribed medications   Nutrients depleted by the contraceptive pill   How prescriptions deplete nutrients   If you liked this episode of Happy Place, you might also like:   Estelle Bingham   Holly Bourne   Paloma Faith Dynamo   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.