Happy Place

For Ashley Roberts, dance was her self-expression and meditation. Then, at the height of her Pussycat Dolls fame the art she loved became tangled up in extreme burnout and body shaming.In this chat with Fearne, Ashley explains how discovering breathwork brought her back to herself after a period of intense anxiety and physical ill-health. Now, the Pussycat Dolls are making a comeback in their 40s, and this time round they’re doing it with a bigger focus on having more fun and giving fewer f*cks.There’s a lot of mental illness in her family, so Ashley talks about the mental health toolkit she’s creating for herself, as well as the grief of losing her dad to suicide. Plus, she and Fearne both suffer from insomnia, so share what works – and what really doesn’t – for each of them.The Pussycat Dolls will be touring Europe in summer 2026.If you liked this episode of Happy Place, you might also like:Leigh-Anne PinnockLeAnne RimesPaloma Faith  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mary Berry has been married for 60 years and says she and her husband have never had a cross word. Her secret? Do a lap of the garden before saying the thing you might regret.In this chat with Fearne, Mary shares the simple principles that have guided her life: be kind, contribute to community, and prioritise time in nature.Mary’s 91, and her mum lived to 105. She believes a busy mind makes a happy person, so offers advice for getting into your gardening era (Fearne’s not quite there yet) regardless of how much outdoor space you have.Mary also reflects on the wartime childhood in Bath that saw her school being bombed and her family needing to grow their own food. Plus, how do you move through the grief of losing a child?Mary’s book, My Gardening Life, is out now.If you liked this episode of Happy Place, you might also like:Mary Berry’s first Happy Place chatRuth LangsfordLiz Earle  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ever looked in the mirror and told yourself “I am enough” ...and not believed a word of it? Psychologist Dr Julie Smith reckons affirmations only work to boost confidence if – deep down – you already believe them.In this chat with Fearne, Julie explains why your brain needs evidence, not mantras, to change your critical inner voice and build self-worth. She also talks through why criticism from others can hit so hard, and why the discomfort felt is often an echo of a much older wound. Julie breaks down how the patterns we developed in childhood keep replaying in adulthood.Julie also talks about her breast cancer diagnosis, and how it tested everything she’d been teaching everyone else about fear, agency, and mental health.Plus, what’s the simple therapy exercise that could change how you carry pain?Dr Julie’s best-selling book, Open When, is available now in paperback.If you liked this episode of Happy Place, you might also like:Dr Julie’s first Happy Place episodeEstelle BinghamAdele Roberts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Without something creative to pour himself into, actor Joseph Fiennes says he'd eat himself alive.In this chat with Fearne, Joseph thinks about why if he doesn't have a challenge to wear him out, restlessness and doubt will take over entirely. They also explore the strange duality of loving your craft... but dreading the judgment that comes with it.Joseph has played England football manager Gareth Southgate on stage, and now on TV; he draws parallels between their principles around negotiating fear and encouraging vulnerability in men.Plus, Joseph explains what struggling with reading and writing taught him about knowing who he is, and reveals the hilarious reality of forgetting your lines mid-Shakespeare...You can watch Joseph in Dear England on the BBC from May 24th.If you liked this episode of Happy Place, you might also like:Gareth SouthgatePippa GrangeJack Whitehall Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sex scenes involve a lot more padding and tape than you might expect! Rivals actress Nafessa Williams has found being at the centre of one of TV’s sexiest shows both nerve-wracking and incredibly liberating.In this chat with Fearne, Nafessa explores what it means to play the only black woman in a white man's world in 1980s Britain, and why she sees her acting as her contribution to activism and representation.Do you consider yourself to be ambitious and driven? Nafessa wonders if you rest as hard as you work... because you should! Plus, how to manifest the life you want, without forgetting the key component: action!Watch Rivals series 2 on Disney+ from May 15th.If you liked this episode of Happy Place, you might also like:Rhonda ByrneLeigh-Anne PinnockAfua Hirsch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

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.