Ruth Langsford: “We all go through sh*t!” My life with divorce and dementia

How do you cope when you’re going through a really rough time? Broadcaster Ruth Langsford has needed a balance of big cries, therapy, and just choosing to dust herself off and get to work.In this chat with Fearne, Ruth talks through the ways counselling and female friendships are moving her through the grief of her divorce. She also shares what she’s learnt about caring for parents with dementia, without overwhelming yourself in the process.Fearne and Ruth compare their experiences of mum guilt, and why it’s so important for young boys in particular to see the women in their life working.Plus, Ruth reveals the sliding doors moment that led her to her TV presenting career...Ruth’s book, Feeling Fabulous, is out now.CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains conversations about grief after suicide.If you liked this episode of Happy Place, you might also like:Kate WinsletBen WestElizabeth Gilbert 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 not realistic gang! So Fearne’s dropping into your feed every week for some candid chat about what’s making her feel great, and what’s making her feel completely rubbish ...and this episode is brought to you by new original Paramount Plus show The Madison.This is the cosy little corner where all of us can 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 covers:-The joy of having a great TV series on the go-Dreaming of escaping to a hazy golden farm in Montana-The small but delicious joy of beautiful stationary-The frustration of waking up too early at the weekend-The debate about whether to feed foxes or not-How to toilet train kittens-The madness of how much we all rush through the day-BTS of some of the roles on Team Happy Place Episodes 1-3 of The Madison are available to stream now on Paramount Plus. Episodes 4-6 will be available to stream on 21 March. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Have you ever changed yourself to fit in with other people? Or dulled your character so they don’t think you’re ‘too much’? Do you compare yourself a lot or sacrifice your own needs so not to cause a fuss?Fearne has done all these things and more over the years in a bid to be more likeable. But it’s time to stop shapeshifting to make ourselves palatable to others!Sugababes Keisha Buchanan, Love Island’s Megan Barton-Hanson, and The Traitor’s Jade Scott join Fearne to reflect on their own experiences of people pleasing and being disliked.They share advice on being okay with people not ‘getting’ you, allowing yourself to be multifaceted, and speaking up for yourself. This is all about building the confidence to live life on your own terms, not the life others want you to live.Fearne’s new book, Likeable, is out now.If you liked this episode of Happy Place, you might also like:Natalie LueEmma GannonPoorna Bell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are you a bit of a people pleaser? Wish you could care a little less what people think about you? To celebrate her new book, Likeable: How I Broke Free From The Need To Please, Fearne’s looking at all the ways she sacrificed her needs and self-expression in order to be more palatable to others... In this chat, Fearne covers:-The real personal impact of people pleasing-How exhausting it is showing up as a performative version of yourself-Catching yourself feeling like a saintly martyr when you’re putting others’ needs first-Peer pressure making you change yourself to fit in-Why differing opinions don’t have to mean conflict-How to be both kind and boundaried-Prioritising and voicing your own needs-Being ok with some people not liking you Fearne’s new book, Likeable, is out now!Want to join the chat? Send us a voicenote, DM, or comment on Instagram @happyplaceofficial!Listen to Fearne and Friends Christmas special Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You wouldn’t talk to your best mate in the critical way you talk to yourself. For Radio One DJs Matt Edmondson and Mollie King, their friendship has made them both believe in themselves more.In this chat with Fearne, Matt and Mollie talk about the insecurities they have, and how freeing it is to realise no one else thinks those things about you. For Mollie, having children has helped her be a lot kinder to herself too.Fearne is less bothered about ruffling feathers in the workplace than she used to be, and shares advice on how to confidently speak your mind, and they all wonder why everyone’s trying to be ‘cool’. What does that even mean?!Plus, was it Matt or Mollie who put Fearne and her Radio One show on their vision board back in the day...?You can listen to Matt and Mollie’s new podcast, Novel Idea, now!Get your tickets for Fearne’s book tour here.If you liked this episode of Happy Place, you might also like:Matt’s first Happy Place chatNick GrimshawAnnie Mac  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sometimes the braver thing isn’t trying to keep going. Writer Emma Gannon hit real burnout, admitted she was overwhelmed, and embarked upon a year of doing... nothing.A Year of Nothing was our Happy Place Book Club pick for February. In it, Emma charts stepping away from the noise and rediscovering joy in life’s simplest pleasures, from dog borrowing and dopamine dressing to relearning how to swim and embracing a child-free life.In this chat with Fearne, she explains how to stop being so mean to yourself, and how to rebuild your identity when you feel you’ve lost it. Often, she says, it’s not about ‘finding yourself’... it’s about unlearning all the stuff everyone else has heaped on top of you!Emma wants to be strong and do big things with her life, but appreciates she had to stop in order to grow.If you liked this episode of Happy Place, you might also like:Emma’s first Happy Place chatBook Club Meets: Maggie O’FarrellBook Club Meets: Nussaibah Younis Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s time to stop being filled with jealousy and judgement of others! Boy George admits he used to love hating people, but now actively chooses compassion and kindness.In this chat with Fearne, Boy George explains how this philosophy has helped him celebrate his own and other peoples’ successes more fully. He also talks about why he loves fame now, but would have done his early fame differently, and about the solace he gets from talking to his late mum.Plus, he’s writing songs about everything from global war to scrubbing his floors with ChatGPT, so does Boy George see a future where art and AI co-exist?If you liked this episode of Happy Place, you might also like:Samantha RenkeZandra RhodesLulu 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 feel great, and what’s making her 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 covers:-The delights (or not) of the sauna / ice plunge combo-Rewatching old episodes of 90s TV shows-Why she’ll not be going skiing any time soon -(And what happened last time she went skiing with James Blunt)-Being in your era of not caring what people think of you-What happens when you’re solo parenting at Centre Parcs- How to look for the silver linings but also admit when life’s crapWatch Fearne’s TV show with James Blunt here! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What more do you want from life? What more do you want for yourself? Award-winning journalist and author Poorna Bell reckons it’s time to start really asking ourselves these questions.In this chat with Fearne, Poorna explains why it’s important to aim for goals you set for yourself, not the ones set by society. They talk about why challenging the narrative that women become invisible as they age is so important, and why we should be turning to elders for life wisdom.Poorna also reflects on what she wishes she’d known about marriage before her wedding, and how we can all strengthen our relationships with our parents and children.Poorna’s book, She Wanted More, is out now.If you liked this episode of Happy Place, you might also like:Poorna’s first Happy Place episodeAshley JamesPaloma Faith Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How are we feeling gang? What are you happy about, and what’s making you not so happy? Fearne’s back with more chatter about what’s putting her and the Happy Place team in a good mood this week, and what can absolutely get in the bin.This is a lovely little space for all of us 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 covers:-Feeling stupid when you’re with really clever people-Why we should properly get into tree hugging-Painting by numbers to get away from screens-Not RSVPing being rude... but also don’t say yes if you’re not going to go-Bringing back letter writing-One of Team Happy Place reckoning Harry Hill is fit* *watch the Stewart Lee episode of Harry Hill’s podcast on Spotify to see the moment in question Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.