What Happens When You Get Famous Young

For Mental Health Awareness Week, we speak with Charlie Mackesy about anxiety, grief, loneliness and the quiet struggles so many of us carry alone. The bestselling author of The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse speaks openly about anxiety attacks, loss, vulnerability, male loneliness and why asking for help matters. In this open and honest conversation, Charlie reflects on the dark periods that shaped him, the friends he has lost, and the inner critic so many of us live with. He also shares the practical tools that helped him through anxiety, and why connection, honesty and feeling loved matter more than perfection. We're Talking Mental Health If you’re struggling, you don’t have to face it alone. We’ve included support charities below: Samaritans - call on 116 123 or visit https://g2ul0.app.link/xghDmmYV4Wb Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM): https://g2ul0.app.link/npaQKXUV4Wb (00:00) Intro (00:42) Charlie Breaks Down the Darkest Period of His Life (04:36) How Paul and Charlie Actually Deal With Anxiety (12:48) Charlie’s ADHD Diagnosis and What It Changed (14:39) How Drawing Became Charlie’s Escape (16:12) Paul and Charlie on Grief and What Actually Helps (20:39) Charlie on the Loneliness Epidemic and Why It’s Growing (23:17) How to Silence Your Inner Critic and Build Gratitude Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Michelle Heaton reflects on the reality of 2000s fame, from competing on Popstars to forming Liberty X and stepping into a pop world that was often chaotic and intense. She opens up about what was really happening behind the headlines: the pressure to look a certain way, the shame she carried around her body, and the early patterns of addiction that followed her long before she could name them.Michelle speaks candidly about alcohol and drug addiction, hiding the truth from her husband and children, and the painful moments where part of her wanted to be caught. Michelle also reflects on the friends who tried to help, the conversation with Katie Price that helped lead her to rehab, and the impact her addiction had on her marriage, motherhood and sense of self.Michelle also shares the emotional toll of her BRCA2 diagnosis, preventative double mastectomy and early hysterectomy, and what it meant to go through menopause in her early 30s while losing her sense of identity.Now five years sober, this is a conversation about fame, shame, survival, family, recovery and learning to give yourself grace.Michelle Heaton, We Need To Talk This conversation includes discussion of suicide, addiction and eating disorders. Please watch with care. Support resources are linked below: Samaritans: https://linkly.link/2dx7Z   CALM: https://linkly.link/2dx8H   MIND:  https://linkly.link/2dx8b   Beat Eating Disorders https://linkly.link/2dx8y  Follow us here: https://www.instagram.com/needtotalk   https://www.tiktok.com/@weneedtotalkpod   Sign up to our newsletter https://linkly.link/2eXHX Follow Michelle here: https://www.instagram.com/wonderwomanshel/ https://www.tiktok.com/@michelleheatonofficial (00:00) Intro (01:26) What Makes Someone a Geordie? (06:28) Body Image Struggles (08:44) Being Cast on Popstars (12:53) Going Back to a Normal Job After Popstars (16:47) How Liberty X Was Formed (23:53) Hear’Say vs Liberty X (27:04) The Highs & Lows of Life in Liberty X (35:02) Paul Surprises Michelle With a Letter (37:40) ID Mobile Ad (38:53) Relationship With the Press (42:00) Relationship With Andy Scott-Lee (47:58) ID Mobile Ad (50:45) First Experiences With Substance Abuse (56:10) Addiction to Alcohol and Binge Eating (01:04:33) Impact of Hysterectomy (01:11:55) Hiding Addiction From Everyone (01:15:19) How Addiction Affected Her Marriage (01:28:53) How Michelle Eventually Went to Rehab (01:40:24) The Reality of Mastectomies & Hysterectomies (01:57:11) Surprise Message From Her Children (01:58:14) Paul Reads a Letter From Michelle’s Husband (02:01:34) Most Memorable Conversation (02:06:32) Paul’s Takeaways Sponsored by: iD Mobile: Ditch the texts and ‘Make it a Call’ - your voice is more powerful than you think: https://www.idmobile.co.uk/make-it-a-call?affiliate=marketing%7CYouTube_Display%7CMakeItACall_Brand&utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=Display&utm_campaign=MakeItACall&utm_content=Brand Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

AJ McLean and Cody Simpson open up about the darker side of the music industry, from exploitation and manipulation behind the scenes to the personal fallout of becoming famous too young. AJ reflects on Lou Pearlman, the betrayal at the heart of the Backstreet Boys’ rise, and what it cost the band to break free, while Cody shares how early fame, unlimited access and pressure on a young brain pushed him into a period of partying, substance abuse and psychosis. Together, their stories reveal the real cost of fame when success comes before you’re ready for it. We're Talking The Cost of Fame This conversation includes discussion of addiction and mental health. We've included support charities below: MIND: https://g2ul0.app.link/gbuRaxjM3Nb Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM): https://g2ul0.app.link/npaQKXUV4Wb (00:00) Intro (00:37) Lou Perlman’s Hold on the Backstreet Boys (02:50) The Real Dynamic Between the Backstreet Boys and *NSYNC (04:45) What Is Lou Perlman’s Legacy? (09:14) Cody Reflects on the Dark Side of Fame at a Young Age (16:42) Cody Opens Up About the Darkest Period of His Pop Career Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

James Sexton is one of the world’s most famous divorce lawyers, and in this conversation he explains what divorce, cheating, marriage and prenups really look like behind closed doors. He speaks openly about why marriages fail, why every couple already has a prenup, and why most people wait too long to understand what they are really signing up for. James also shares what it means to be a high-conflict divorce attorney, why he calls himself “a weapon in court”, and how he protects clients through some of the most painful moments of their lives. He reflects on infidelity, custody battles, domestic abuse cases, and the brutal psychology of what really happens when love turns into war. But this conversation is also about love. James explains why marriage should be harder to get into and easier to leave, why disconnection starts long before divorce, and why the real work of a relationship is choosing each other again and again. James Sexton, We Need To Talk Follow me here: https://www.instagram.com/needtotalk   https://www.tiktok.com/@weneedtotalkpod   Sign up to our newsletter https://linkly.link/2eXHX Follow James here:https://www.instagram.com/nycdivorcelawyer/ https://www.tiktok.com/@nycdivorce (00:00) Intro (02:03) The World’s Most Famous Divorce Lawyer (03:14) “I Hope Your Marriage Ends in Death” (06:30) Should I Get A Prenup? (10:54) The Patriarchal History of Marriage (14:42) James’ Definition of Divorce (22:18) James Opens Up About His Own Divorce (24:38) Representing Clients Who’ve Done Terrible Things (27:25) How to Know If a Couple Should Divorce (33:31) Shopify AD (34:42) How and When to Start the Divorce Conversation (39:45) When Should You Speak to a Divorce Lawyer? (44:22) Three Things to Consider Before Getting Married (51:43) James’ Most Memorable Case (55:39) The Main Reason for Divorce (57:16) Likelihood of Marrying After Divorce (01:03:47) Paul and James on Love and Relationships (01:14:41) Why Checking In With Your Partner Matters (01:20:16) Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce (01:37:48) Most Memorable Conversation (01:45:47) Paul’s Takeaways Sponsored by: Shopify: www.shopify.co.uk/needtotalk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Motherhood can feel beautiful, overwhelming and deeply isolating all at once. In this episode of We’re Talking, Cher Lloyd, Georgia Kousoulou and Mel Robbins open up about the side of motherhood no one talks about enough, from postnatal depression and loneliness to shame, identity loss and the pressure to keep going when you don’t feel like yourself. From not bonding with a baby straight away to feeling alone in a house full of people, this is an honest conversation about the hidden struggle so many new mothers face. It is a reminder that motherhood does not always feel the way you expected, and that asking for help can change everything. If anything in this episode brings up difficult feelings, there is support available. We’ve included links below: CALM: https://linkly.link/2dx8H MIND: https://linkly.link/2dx8b (00:00) Intro (00:33) How Cher Balanced Motherhood With Life as a Popstar (02:25) Cher Opens Up About Postnatal Depression (07:10) How Motherhood Changed Georgia’s Life (09:33) The Reality of Postnatal Depression by the Numbers (10:20) Georgia Reveals the Symptoms She Faced (15:27) Why Postnatal Depression Needs to Be Normalised (17:59) Filming a TV Show While Struggling With Postnatal Depression (19:27) An Emotional Message From Mel’s Daughter (21:35) Mel Gets Honest About Motherhood and Marriage (24:02) Mel’s Advice to Parents Supporting Big Dreams Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Paul Kemsley, music manager and former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills cast member, opens up about what really happened behind the headlines, why protecting his children matters more than defending himself publicly, and how he is trying to rebuild his life after divorce, reality TV, and public scrutiny. He reflects on life inside one of the biggest reality television franchises in the world, The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, and the impact it had on his marriage, his family, and his identity. PK shares what it felt like watching private pain become public entertainment, why he believes reality TV can create stories that are not always true, and why he now wants to step away from the noise. Paul also shares the story behind his rise in business, from growing up in North London and chasing money, status, and success, to building a fortune, losing control, and going bankrupt in public. He reflects on ambition, ego, failure, and the moments that forced him to confront who he had become. He opens up about managing Boy George, rebuilding after public setbacks, giving up alcohol, and the clarity that came when he stopped blaming everything around him. PK reflects on fatherhood, accountability, divorce, and why, after losing so much, he still believes in getting back up. Paul Kemsley, We Need To Talk Follow me here: https://www.instagram.com/needtotalk   https://www.tiktok.com/@weneedtotalkpod   Sign up to our newsletter https://linkly.link/2eXHX Follow Paul here:https://www.instagram.com/paul_kemsley_pk/  (00:00) Intro (01:46) Why PK Is Sharing His Story Now (02:41) PK’s Upbringing in 1970s Stanmore (04:14) PK’s Experience of Antisemitism (05:57) How PK Built His Early Career and Rock (12:31) What Drove PK’s Business Ambitions (13:49) PK’s Relationship With Sir Alan Sugar (15:54) The 2008 Crash and the Collapse of Rock (21:18) Saily Ad (22:40) PK on His Public Divorce From Dorit (28:21) Why PK Joined The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills (43:36) PK’s Darkest Moment on RHOBH (46:10) The Emotional Toll of Online Backlash (51:32) Why PK Bought the New York Cosmos (54:03) The Story Behind Signing Pelé (56:07) How PK Ended Up Managing Boy George (01:00:28) PK Reads a Letter From Boy George (01:05:40) Most Memorable Conversation (01:08:24) Paul’s Takeaways Sponsored by: Saily - Download from the app store and use code WNTT at checkout for 15% off. For more details: https://saily.com/wntt ⛵ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What does secure love actually look like? Dr Amir Levine explores what it really means to build a relationship that feels safe, flexible and deeply connected. Amir goes beyond the labels of anxious, avoidant and secure to explain how security is created in everyday relationships. In the final part of this three-part series, Amir challenges one of the most debated ideas in modern relationships, shares why even secure people can shift depending on who they’re with, and reveals how a secure partner can help reshape the way we see the world. We’re Talking Attachment Styles with Dr Amir Levine (Part Three) Follow me here: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/needtotalk⁠⁠   ⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@weneedtotalkpod⁠⁠  Take the We Need To Talk quiz to discover your attachment style and get personalised episode recommendations: ⁠⁠https://linkly.link/2g3t4⁠⁠ Support Amir here: Website: ⁠⁠https://linkly.link/2g2xk⁠⁠ My Attachment Topography Calculator: ⁠⁠https://linkly.link/2g2xl⁠⁠ Secure at Waterstones https://linkly.link/2g8vz Enter 'Secure26' for 25% off (00:00) Intro (01:43) Dr Amir Levine Breaks Down Why Relationships Don’t Need Boundaries (04:50) Can One Shift From a Secure Attachment to an Unsecure One? (07:08) Dr Amir Levine Describes His Childhood Environment (09:39) Saily Ad (10:48) How Did Dr Amir Levine's Upbringing Affect the Man He Is Today? (11:48) What Is Dr Amir's Attachment Style to the Different People in His Life? (14:12) What Is the Best Strategy as a Parent to Raise a Secure Child? (16:37) Most Memorable Conversation (18:33) Paul’s Takeaways Sponsored by: Saily - Download from the app store and use code WNTT at checkout for 15% off. For more details: https://saily.com/wntt ⛵ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Love Island star Dami Hope gives his first sit-down interview as he speaks openly about Love Island, Indiyah Polack and the cheating allegations involving Inside UK star Marlon Garcia. He also reflects on heartbreak, grief, masculinity and growing up Nigerian in Ireland. In this conversation, Dami revisits what really happened in the villa, why he felt misunderstood after Love Island, and how the villain narrative followed him long after the show ended. He also opens up about his relationship with Indiyah, the sudden breakup that followed, and the betrayal he says changed everything. Dami shares the painful reality of watching the viral video alongside his friends and how he’s navigated the public fallout. Dami also speaks about losing his father, the pressure of stepping up for his family, and how grief reshaped the way he sees himself. From identity and race to fashion, friendship and self-expression, he explains why he is finally ready to tell his side. Dami Hope, We Need To Talk This episode includes discussion of grief. If you’re struggling with these themes or your own mental health, remember you’re not alone. You can find help and resources at the links below: CALM: https://linkly.link/2dx8H   MIND:  https://linkly.link/2dx8b  Follow me here: https://www.instagram.com/needtotalk   https://www.tiktok.com/@weneedtotalkpod   Sign up to our newsletter https://linkly.link/2eXHX Follow Dami here: https://www.instagram.com/damihope/?hl=en  https://www.tiktok.com/@damihope  (00:00) Intro (03:09) Moving to Ireland: Dami’s Childhood Experience (08:31) Being Black in Late-90s Ireland (10:10) Why Dami Changed His Name as a Teenager (14:56) From Science to Microbiology: Dami’s Early Career (17:06) How and Why Dami Applied for Love Island (23:27) Who Caught Dami’s Eye First in the Villa? (28:20) Dami’s Experience of Casa Amor (33:27) Rekindling With Indiyah After Casa Amor (35:09) Saily Ad (36:16) What Didn’t Make the Edit on Love Island? (38:10) Did Dami Fall in Love With Indiyah in the Villa? (41:22) When Dami and Indiyah Became a Real Couple (45:02) How Much Dami Earned From Brand Deals After the Villa (48:56) What Dami Loved About Indiyah (58:25) Why Dami and Indiyah Broke Up (01:09:15) Dami’s Response to Online Haters (01:09:49) Do Dami and Indiyah Still Speak? (01:10:21) Does Dami Watch Inside UK? (01:11:35) Is Dami Dating Now? (01:15:25) Dami’s Experience of Bullying and Violence at School (01:26:30) How Dami’s Father’s Passing Affected Him (01:34:45) Dami Reads a Letter From His Best Friend (01:37:53) What Healthy Masculinity Looks Like (01:40:14) Dami’s Love of Fashion and Its Evolution (01:47:27) Dami on His Accent and Code-Switching (01:52:02) Paul’s Takeaways Sponsored by: Saily - Download from the app store and use code WNTT at checkout for 15% off. For more details: https://saily.com/wntt ⛵ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Amir Levine dives deeper into the dynamics of attachment styles in relationships. He explains why anxious and avoidant individuals often find themselves stuck in a never-ending cycle, and how these patterns can impact the way we choose and connect with romantic partners. Amir offers insightful tools to help both anxious and avoidant types navigate their relationships more effectively, and shares how being with a secure partner can change the way we experience love. With practical advice and eye-opening truths, this episode uncovers the path to breaking free from destructive patterns and creating healthier, more secure connections. We’re Talking Attachment Styles with Dr. Amir Levine (Part Two) Follow me here: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/needtotalk⁠   ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@weneedtotalkpod⁠  Take the We Need To Talk quiz to discover your attachment style and get personalised episode recommendations: ⁠https://linkly.link/2g3t4⁠ Support Amir here: Website: ⁠https://linkly.link/2g2xk⁠ My Attachment Topography Calculator: ⁠https://linkly.link/2g2xl⁠ Secure at Waterstones https://linkly.link/2g8vz Enter 'Secure26' for 25% off (00:00) Intro (01:09) What Do Different Attachment Styles Look for in a Partner? (05:01) What Is the Gender Split on the Various Attachment Styles? (06:51) Is It a Problem Being in a Relationship With Someone Who Has the Same Attachment Style as You? (09:05) Dr Amir’s Tools for Changing Your Brain and Attachment Styles (13:41) Not Texting Back and Being Avoidant With Your Friends (15:00) The Myths Surrounding Attachment Styles (17:14) Having Different Attachment Styles With Various People in Your Life (19:29) Saily Ad (20:39) How Does Social Media Affect Attachment Styles? (23:03) Social Exclusion and Its Effect on the Brain (30:06) How to Set Expectations in Your Relationships Sponsored by: Saily - Download from the app store and use code WNTT at checkout for 15% off. For more details: https://saily.com/wntt ⛵ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kathy Griffin cancelled, controversy, losing everything overnight, and rebuilding after 7 years out of work. Kathy opens up about what really happened behind the headlines, why she regrets apologising, and how she survived losing her career, friendships, and identity overnight. Kathy reflects on the fallout that followed, from being investigated and publicly condemned to losing 75% of her friends. She speaks about the anxiety that came with it, the pressure of being constantly judged, and why she believes the narrative around her story is only now starting to change. Kathy also shares her journey into Hollywood, breaking through later than most and facing years of rejection about her looks and worth. From being told she wasn’t “pretty enough” to building a career on her own terms, she explains how she carved out success in an industry that often pushed her out. She opens up about addiction, recovery, and the period where everything caught up with her. Kathy reflects on rebuilding her life, finding new friendships, and why she continues to speak out despite the risk of backlash. Kathy Griffin, We Need To Talk This episode contains discussion of addiction and suicide. We’ve included links to support charities below: Samaritans: https://linkly.link/2dx7Z   CALM: https://linkly.link/2dx8H   MIND:  https://linkly.link/2dx8b  Follow me here: https://www.instagram.com/needtotalk   https://www.tiktok.com/@weneedtotalkpod   Sign up to our newsletter https://linkly.link/2eXHX Follow Kathy here: https://www.instagram.com/kathygriffin/ https://www.tiktok.com/@kathygriffin  Sponsored by: Saily - Download from the app store and use code WNTT at checkout for 15% off. For more details: https://saily.com/wntt ⛵ 00:00 Intro02:16 Kathy’s Childhood in 1960s Chicago 03:52 Racial Tensions in 1960s Chicago 06:23 Kathy’s Relationship With Her Parents 12:07 The Beginnings of Kathy’s Comedy in School 15:13 How Kathy Convinced Her Parents to Move to LA 18:44 Kathy and Her Family’s First Years in LA 21:56 The Beginnings of Kathy’s Acting Career in LA 26:25 Kathy’s Early Auditions and Break on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air 32:52 Kathy’s Relationship With Quentin Tarantino 37:54 Suddenly Susan and Kathy’s First HBO Special 53:55 Statistics on Gender and Comedy 59:05 Saily Ad 01:00:30 The Context Behind Kathy’s Relationship With Donald Trump 01:06:09 The Story Behind ‘That Photo’ 01:09:52 The Media Backlash and Kathy’s ‘Cancellation’ 01:15:16 How the Backlash Affected Kathy’s Mental Health 01:23:04 Paul Surprises Kathy With A Letter 01:25:19 How Kathy Bounced Back 01:31:17 Kathy Breaks Down Her Relationship History 01:36:23 Kathy’s Self-Esteem and Cosmetic Procedures 01:40:54 Kathy on Her Relationships With Famous Friends 01:43:44 Most Memorable Conversation 01:45:52 Paul’s Takeaways Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices