472 episodes
My OCD gave me existential dread! Finding meaning in difficult times, with poet Lucas Jones
2026-08-17 | 1h 1 mins.We’re all looking for meaning in life in our own way. Poet 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 Poulter
Tuppence Middleton
Poppy 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-Bextor
Richard E Grant
Tess Daly
Clara Amfo
Sara Cox
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. - Have you noticed that your memory and rational thinking disappear when you’re anxious? Ruby Wax wants you to retrain your focus and attention in a digital world that’s always trying to steal it.
In this chat with Fearne – live from the Happy Place Festival – Ruby explains the difference between mental health and mental illness, and why she calls meditation ‘mind gym’. She also explores why laughing – getting into your body – is one of the greatest things you can do for your mental health.
Ruby also tells some raucous stories about the celebrities she’s interviewed. Why did Trump want her kicked off his plane? And what was her read of OJ Simpson?
You can get tickets for Ruby’s tour Absolutely Famous here.
Join Ruby’s Frazzled Café here.
If you liked this episode of Happy Place, you might also like:
Ruby’s first Happy Place episode
Ruby’s second Happy Place episode
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Feeling stressed? You’re probably dehydrated! Make hydration a habit, with Phizz
2026-08-06 | 38 mins.You know how your mood dips when you’re hangry? Well, being thangry is a thing too! Thirst – being dehydrated – can have a very real impact on everything from your stress levels to cognitive function and physical performance.
We’re heading back to this year’s Happy Place Festival, where the Talk Stage was sponsored by Phizz, the UK’s number-one selling hydration brand.
In this chat with Fearne, Dan Cray, CEO and Co-Founder of Phizz, and Dr Paul Anastasiades, Head of Product Development and Co-Founder, explore what hydration really means, why it’s so easy to overlook, and how getting it right can help us feel more energised, focused and more like ourselves. They also explain why effective hydration isn’t just about drinking more water, but about getting the right balance of electrolytes and nutrients to help your body perform at its best.
Plus, how much water should you actually be drinking each day?
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.Making sense of big feelings and busy brains, with Paul Whitehouse & Dr Mine Conkbayir MBE
2026-08-03 | 44 mins.Are you aware of what can trigger big emotions in you? How to do you act on those difficult emotions? Comedian Paul Whitehouse and his wife Dr Mine Conkbayir MBE – who has a PhD in neuroscience – talk about learning to emotionally regulate.
In this chat with Fearne – live from the Happy Place Festival – Mine explains what led to her late ADHD diagnosis, and the childhood trauma that plays into her own behaviour. Meanwhile Paul’s had physical health scares, and explores how his lifestyle has changed as a result.
They all talk about how the education system needs to change for neurodiverse children, why labels might be useful for some and not for others, and how to calm others with your own behaviour.
Plus, why do this married couple choose not to live together?
Listen to Paul and Mine’s podcast I’m ADHD! No You’re Not! wherever you’re listening to this right now!
If you liked this episode of Happy Place, you might also like:
Lucinda Miller
Alex Partridge
Jordan Stephens
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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About Happy Place
Fearne Cotton talks to incredible people about life, love, loss, and everything in-between as she reveals what happiness means to them. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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