Caitlin Moran: "I’m two years anxiety-free!” How I finally calmed my nervous system

Writer Caitlin Moran's anxiety started when she was 13, when she accidentally let a family secret slip. That anxiety kept her wired for the next 30 years.In this chat with Fearne, Caitlin explains how choosing to be hopeful and see the good in life means she’s now two years anxiety-free.They also talk about how social media has drastically altered our perception of reality, and just how unkind (or kind!) a place the world really is. Angrily posting on Instagram at 3am? It’s not going to change society, but volunteering to pick letter... well... that might!Caitlin talks about the severe dread she feels when meeting up with her best friends; do you have that social anxiety too? Because Fearne does... Plus, how could presuming everyone’s having a really bad day make you a happier person?Caitlin’s book, How To Be Hopeful, is out on September 17th.If you liked this episode of Happy Place, you might also like:Todd RoseLucas JonesNicole LaPera Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There’s probably a bit too much pressure on reaching a definitive state of happiness isn’t there? It’s just not realistic. So Fearne’s dropping into your feed every week for some honest chat about what’s making her (and you lot) feel great, and what’s making us all feel completely rubbish.This is a cosy little corner for all of us to explore what’s been on our minds, what’s been getting us down, inspiring us, and making us laugh. Want to join the chat? Send us a voicenote, DM, or comment on Instagram @happyplaceofficial!In this chat, Fearne explores:-Why being middle aged is actually ace-The iconic TV show that is Below Deck-Loving having grown up kids-How to lean into the cosiness of autumn-Dressing like a teenage boy in a 90s American TV show-Coping with imposter syndrome at work-Why on earth there have to be so many school Whatsapp groups-How to block out chronic pessimistsPs, you heard Fearne, if anyone has a contact for Below Deck’s Captain Sandy… slide into our DMs @happyplaceofficial! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Do you ever feel like the universe is trying to tell you something? Call it spirituality, intuition, or science... we’ve all had moments that feel like a bit of a sign – a gentle nudge in a certain direction.In this episode, Fearne looks at the Happy Place moments that have explored the things we can't always explain… This is a curious dive into what happens when we leave a little room for mystery, wonder, and the possibility that there might be more to life than meets the eye.In this episode –-Poet and actor Lucas Jones’ take on why whether we call it religion, spirituality, or science, we’re all ultimately searching for meaning-Spiritual leader Gabby Bernstein is clear that the best thing you can do to change the world is tend to your inner world first-Musician Charlotte Church reflects on why she turned to nature to heal from trauma-Moon mentor Kirsty Gallagher explains how to live in tandem with the moon’s cycles-Holistic therapist Estelle Bingham explores the magic and the science behind the energy in your heart-Intuitive guide Sonia Choquette chats about how to trust your own gut instinct more-Entrepreneur Poppy Jamie shares a beautiful story that explains why she puts her faith in the universeCONTENT WARNING: This episode contains a number of conversations about trying to conceive and baby loss.A FESTIVAL ANNOUNCEMENT! Early Bird tickets for our London and Tatton Happy Place Festivals 2027 are out now. Head to happyplaceofficial.co.uk to get your Early Bird tickets.Listen to the full Happy Place episodes –Lucas JonesGabby BernsteinCharlotte ChurchKirsty GallagherEstelle BinghamSonia ChoquettePoppy Jamie Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does a truly restful holiday look like to you? Do you want novelty or routine? Horticulturalist Monty Don relaxes most when he knows the drill: same Greek island, same terrace for breakfast, same collapsable travel kettle packed!Welcome to The Happy Place Guide To Holidays! In this chat with Fearne – brought to you by British Airways Holidays – Monty explains the difference between all the globe-trotting he does for work, and a proper switching-off holiday.They chat about the excitement of stepping off a plane into an entirely different culture, as well as why you won’t find either of them staying up late for a social dinner.Monty also explores why it was important to be one of the first people to talk about his mental health in the media decades ago, and what more still needs to be done to support those with depression. Plus, how does Seasonal Affective Disorder manifest for Monty?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.Listen to other episodes of The Happy Place Guide To Holidays:Fearne’s holiday likes and dislikesChris McCauslandSophie Ellis-Bextor Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How do you feel the morning after drinking the night before? For Millie Gooch the hangxiety was huge, so she stopped drinking and founded Sober Girl Society.In this chat, Fearne and Millie explore how to recognise when the silly, lols-in-the-group-chat stories from nights out have morphed into moments that are risky, dangerous, and not really you.For Millie, she had to be honest with herself about what she was trying to forget or avoid by drinking. She talks through how to get comfortable with sitting in uncomfortable emotions.Millie also explains why she didn’t know she was neurodivergent until she stopped drinking; how do the effects of alcohol get mixed up with symptoms of menopause, ADHD, and OCD?Millie’s book, Hangxiety, is out on the 8th of September.CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains frank chat about sexual assault.If you liked this episode of Happy Place, you might also like:Millie MackintoshProfessor David NuttLouise Newson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For 20 years Maggie and Will have spent idyllic summers in the south of France with their friends Lydia and Roland. This year though, tension is brewing and loyalties are being tested. Their young kids are all there too, and they might end up stumbling upon secrets that were being kept from them...August’s Happy Place Book Club read is Family Friends. In this chat with Fearne, author Chloe Ashby explains why she wanted to explore relationship dynamics around the age of 40. Each character has brought a bit of extra baggage to this year’s holiday, so through them Chloe wonders at what point doing one bad thing makes you a bad person.Plus, why was it controversial to include a teenage holiday romance?Thank you to Penguin for the use of the Family Friends audiobook, narrated by Sally Scott.If you liked this episode of Happy Place, you might also like:Book Club Meets: Candice Carty-WilliamsBook Club Meets: Caro Claire BurkeBook Club Meets: Josie Lloyd and Emlyn Rees Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Do you find yourself cringing at your younger self? Did you lose yourself in the early part of parenthood? Do you wonder if who you’re being is who you really are? It’s check, check, and check for comedian Joe Lycett.In this chat with Fearne, Joe reflects on how much of his stage persona has become who he actually is, why paternity leave triggered a lot of existential crises all at once, and how he’s come out the other side caring a lot less about what anyone thinks.Fearne and Joe also wonder if the art of losing your inhibitions is gone forever thanks to camera phones, and why playing around and making mistakes is so important as an adult.Plus, how have Ant and Dec accidentally changed how Joe behaves at hotels? And, why is it you can always trust that you'll find community at the pub? Joe loves the human chaos of it, so he’s opening his own, but only for one hour a week...The Lycett Arms airs live on Channel 4 on Friday nights at 10pm, starting Friday 4th September. If you liked this episode of Happy Place, you might also like:Alain De BottonAnt and DecPhilippa Perry Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What’s been going on for you this week? What are you happy about, and what’s making you not so happy? Fearne’s here with more chat about what’s putting her, Team Happy Place team, and you lot in a good mood, and what’s feeling a bit heavier.This is our space to explore what’s been on our minds. Want to join the chat? Send us a voicenote, DM, or comment on Instagram @happyplaceofficial!In this chat, Fearne explores:-Why the regular mates getaway is so vital-Why – contrary to popular advice – it’s important to talk to strangers-Sitting on a train without looking at your phone-Just bloody wearing the outfit you think is too extra-Coping with ill parents-Trying not to get frustrated with older people taking things slow-Young kids being obsessed with slime (???!) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re all looking for meaning in life in our own way. Poet and actor Lucas Jones reckons it doesn’t really matter whether we call it God, The Universe, spirituality, or science, we all want to believe in the wonder in our world.In this chat, Fearne and Lucas bond over not being able to do small talk, instead wanting to deeply connect over their big feelings. They also both share their different experiences of having OCD.Lucas feels therapy is a brilliant thing – he’s really benefitted from CBT – but wonders if the rise in therapy comes from a loss of real community. How can we truly listen to and connect with each other again?You can buy Lucas’ book of poetry, I Still Believe In Miracles, now.If you liked this episode of Happy Place, you might also like:Will PoulterTuppence MiddletonPoppy Jamie Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What ratio of planned activities to spontaneity do you love when you travel? Comedian Chris McCausland has to know some top tier activities have been booked ahead of time.Welcome to The Happy Place Guide To Holidays! In this chat with Fearne – brought to you by British Airways Holidays – Chris explains how holidays have changed since he lost his sight. He thinks hard about everything from communicating in a foreign country, to how dependent he’ll need to be on his loved ones. He also chats about getting into his daughter’s favourite holiday hobby: rollercoasters!Plus, Chris reveals why he reckons being a maths geek has helped him in comedy, and why he initially turned Strictly down a number of times...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.Listen to other episodes of The Happy Place Guide To Holidays:Sophie Ellis-BextorRichard E GrantTess DalyClara AmfoSara Cox Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.