Paddy McGuinness: “I was drowning and needed help!” Raising autistic kids and clinical depression

Men are starting to open up. Presenter and comedian Paddy McGuinness used to work on building sites where vulnerability would have been seen as a weakness, but he’s seen things changing...In this chat with Fearne, Paddy talks about his own clinical depression, and what he’s learnt from therapy about keeping his mental health in check. He explains that understanding why you’re reacting a certain way will give you the power to change your behaviour.Paddy’s three children all have autism, and he’s frank about how he felt when he first got the news. He talks through the common misconceptions, and what he wishes more people understood about the realities of raising autistic children.If you liked this episode of Happy Place, you might also like:Kate SilvertonLucinda MillerMo Gilligan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cally Beaton spent much of her career in male-dominated board rooms. She, in her own words, was a ‘boring businessperson’. Now? She’s a stand up comedian!Namaste Motherfuckers was the Happy Place Book Club pick for August. It’s Cally’s manifesto for embracing the radical change that comes with midlife and menopause, proving it’s never too late to reinvent your life.In this chat with Fearne, Cally explains that she’s particularly passionate about better understanding perimenopause after being misdiagnosed with bipolar disorder, and is candid about being a single mum to an autistic child.Thank you to Headline Home for the use of Namaste Motherf*ckers audiobook, narrated by Cally Beaton. If you liked this episode of Happy Place, you might also like: Book Club Meets: Emily HenryBook Club Meets: Lorna TuckerBook Club Meets: Lisa Jewell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Have you noticed your body changing with age? Vogue Williams has suddenly become aware that she needs to make a point of staying physically and mentally strong.In this chat with Fearne, Vogue explains why having a drink and having fun are just as important as exercising and sleeping well when it comes to feeling good. She talks through how her health anxieties have manifested in the past, and how she’s used medication and therapy to move her through difficult periods of heartbreak and grief.Vogue explores why she and husband Spencer Matthews are so good together. Plus, why she got kicked out of a yoga class, and why Big Brother’s Nasty Nick lives in her head rent free...Vogue’s memoir, Big Mouth, is out now.If you liked this episode of Happy Place, you might also like:Spencer MatthewsJoanne McNallyMillie Mackintosh Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Can women have it all? Renowned restauranteur, cookery writer, and Great British Bake Off judge Dame Prue Leith doesn’t think so.In this chat with Fearne, Prue explains why she’s glad she built her career before having children, and why no one should feel ashamed of asking for help with their business or family in order to keep everything afloat.Prue – who had the confidence to found a restaurant when she’d never worked in one – gives advice on never letting a lack of knowledge get in the way of starting a new passion project.She also tells the story of finding love again at 70 after being widowed, and explains why she’s so passionate about legalising assisted dying.The Great British Bake Off returns to Channel 4 on Tuesday 2nd September.If you liked this episode of Happy Place, you might also like: Zandra Rhodes Davina McCall Richard E. Grant Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fearne’s been loving the UEFA Women’s EUROS, so this episode celebrates the huge summer of sport we’re having by listening back to some brilliant sportspeople who’ve told their stories on Happy Place. Plus, if you’ve been inspired to move your own body more, how can you set your own fitness goals and – most importantly! – enjoy the process?In this episode – -Broadcaster Gabby Logan reflects on just how momentous it was when the Lionesses won the EUROs in 2023-UFC fighter Molly McCann explains what happens when you’re on your period as an athlete-Olympic rower Helen Glover chats about how motherhood made her even more ambitious for herself-DJ Adele Roberts inspires with her story of setting the world record as the fastest female to run the London Marathon with a stoma bag-Comedian Joel Dommett laughs about his own marathon attempts going tits up-Psychologist Pippa Grange shares what she knows about goal setting from working with England’s football teamListen to the full episodes here – Gabby LoganMolly McCannHelen GloverAdele RobertsJoel DommettPippa Grange  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Do you notice your body telling you when your brain is struggling? We’re headed back to this year’s Happy Place Festival in Gunnersbury Park, where loads of our guest speakers took to the Talk Stage to talk about the power of the mind-body connection... In this episode – - Breath and mindset coach Richie Norton explores the mind-body connection and how you can always start over with your physical and mental health-Broadcaster Julia Bradbury explains how nature has a very real impact on how healthy our bodies are, and how she approached her cancer diagnosis-Rizzle Kicks Jordan Stephens and therapist Donna Lancaster team up to talk about the groundbreaking physical effect one of Donna’s retreats had on Jordan’s body-Midlife wellness author Liz Earle talks through the best immunity-boosting morning routine-Olympian Dame Kelly Holmes chats about how to set (and stick to!) physical goals that will influence your mind too Get your tickets for the Happy Place Festival in Tatton Park 2025 here!If you liked this episode of Happy Place, you might also like: Seasons will change, so will youTell self-limiting beliefs to bugger offHow to stick two fingers up to beauty standards Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are you obsessed with finding the best books – yes, multiple – to read on holiday? Broadcaster Sara Cox is!Welcome to The Happy Place Guide To Holidays! In this chat – brought to you by British Airways Holidays – Fearne and Sara share their thoughts on how to take your holiday reading more seriously. They natter about the joy of reading a novel set in the country you’re holidaying in, and whether the vivid descriptions of a location have inspired them to travel there themselves.They also swap their own experiences of writing books, and reveal the beautiful locations that have informed elements of their own novels. Plus, Sara explains why she’s trying to stop writing about characters who are useless and dysfunctional in her books, and why she’s re-living her party-girl days...You can find a list of all of Fearne and Sara’s recommended reads below!British Airways Holidays are ATOL protected, offer a 24hr holiday helpline, and allow you to book with a low deposit. All holidays include a generous baggage allowance per person. Go to Ba.com/holidays to find out more.Fearne and Sara’s reading list:Remarkably Bright Creatures – Shelby Van PeltGirls – Kirsty CapesMemoirs of a Geisha – Arthur GoldenButter – Asako YuzukiThe Convenience Store Woman – Sayaka MurataThe Island – Victoria HislopDaisy Jones And The Six – Taylor Jenkins ReidThe Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo – Taylor Jenkins ReidCarrie Soto Is Back – Taylor Jenkins ReidGirl On A Train – Paula HawkinsThe Compound – Aisling RawleMa’am Darling – Craig BrownLady In Waiting – Anne GlenconnerChocolat – Joanne HarrisThe Thousand Lights Hotel - Emylia Hall Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Getting lost in anxiety, shame, or self-loathing? Spiritual leader Gabby Bernstein wants you to acknowledge all the messy parts of your true character. Spoiler: you’re not going suddenly to like yourself overnight, but acknowledging the uncomfortable bits will get you there sooner!In this chat with Fearne, Gabby explains how ‘protector parts’ like perfectionism, people pleasing, and numbing out can spiral into extreme self-soothing behaviours like drug or porn addiction if they’re not dealt with.Fearne and Gabby chat about anxiety as a protection mechanism, exploring why being focused on the heart palpitations and hyper-vigilance is stopping you dealing with your deeper wounds.Plus, Fearne notices that her OCD is back so Gabby takes a moment to help her check in with her current stress levels – you can follow along with this exercise too!Gabby’s latest book, Self-Help, is out now.If you liked this episode of Happy Place, you might also like: Mel RobbinsNatalie LueTell Self-Limiting Beliefs To Bugger Off Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Do you love a true crime scam documentary? Our latest Happy Place Book Club read is for you! Iconic author Lisa Jewell has written Don’t Let Him In, a thriller about a perfect man... who’s a fraudulent liar.In this chat with Fearne, live from The Happy Place Festival, Lisa explains how she got into the mind of a psychopath despite being a very honest person herself. They explore how people fall for charming romance scammers, and how Lisa has become a relentlessly happy person.Plus, Lisa’s written 24 novels but has given up on trying to be a ‘professional’ kind of person – she explains how to sod the rules and build confidence in your own process.If you’re new to Happy Place Book Club episodes, don’t worry, there are no spoilers here! If you want to join the Book Club, we’re on Instagram @happyplacebookclub, and Book Club episodes are released the first Friday of every month!Thank you to Penguin Audio for the use of Don't Let Him In audiobook, narrated by Richard Armitage, Joanna Froggatt, Louise Brealey, Gemma Whelan and Tamryn Payne.If you liked this episode of Happy Place, you might also like: Book Club Meets: Emily Henry Book Club Meets: Lorna Tucker Book Club Meets: Clare Leslie Hall  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are holidays for switching off... or for fun activities? Broadcaster Clara Amfo is big into travelling solo so she can unapologetically indulge her own passions, like live music and salsa dancing.Welcome to The Happy Place Guide To Holidays! In this chat – brought to you by British Airways Holidays – Fearne and Clara share their thoughts on how to take your holiday hobbies and passions more seriously, including signing up for local classes, and swapping partying for fitness retreats.They also reminisce on the moment Fearne passed the Radio 1 Live Lounge over to Clara, and chat about how to know when you’re ready to move on from a chapter in your life. Plus, do you find your personality getting lost so you’re more palatable to others? Clara has some advice to stop that happening...British Airways Holidays are ATOL protected, offer a 24hr holiday helpline, and allow you to book with a low deposit. All holidays include a generous baggage allowance per person. Go to Ba.com/holidays to find out more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.