Alan Cumming's dad told him he was worthless, and his mum told him he was precious. Figuring out how he feels about himself has been a life’s work.

In this chat with Fearne, Alan’s open about the ways he’s allowed people to treat him badly, and how he’s learnt to get comfortable with confrontation and setting boundaries. He also explains why the rage in the script of his new TV show triggered painful childhood memories.

Fearne and Alan share their experiences of oscillating between relentless, excited creativity (constantly manifesting bigger and better jobs) and a desire to rest (Alan’s fantasies about becoming a tradwife...!)

Plus, what really happens on the Traitors’ set and how on earth does Alan manage to keep that poker face all the time?

Alan will be creatively involved in four different productions at the Pitlochry Festival Theatre this year, and you can watch Alan in Channel 4’s new show Tip Toe from May 31st.

If you liked this episode of Happy Place, you might also like:

Nicole LePera

Shauna Tiffany

Zayn

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 episode

Estelle Bingham

Adele Roberts

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

One in six women arriving at Dr Louise Newson's menopause clinic have suicidal thoughts. 92% see those thoughts reduce with natural hormones, so why are women still being prescribed antidepressants instead?

In this chat with Fearne, Louise explains why women are being misdiagnosed with depression or anxiety when the root cause is hormonal. Fearne admits she's the woman with her head in the sand about perimenopause, so Louise walks her through what the many (many!) different symptoms could look like, and how to talk to a GP about how you’re feeling mentally and physically.

Plus, is there any truth to the myth that HRT causes breast cancer? Why is testosterone the most misunderstood hormone in women's health? And would the contraceptive pill be approved if it was created today...?

Louise’s new book, The Power of Hormones, is out now.

If you liked this episode of Happy Place, you might also like:

Liz Earle

Cally Beaton

Naomi Watts

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 Southgate

Pippa Grange

Jack Whitehall

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fearne isn’t a massive fan of the relentless pressure to reach a definitive state of happiness. It’s just not realistic, so she’s dropping into your feed every week for some chat about what’s making her – and you! – feel great, and what’s making us feel completely crap.

This is the cosy corner where there’s no judgement allowed! 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:

-Why walks are the best for deep and meaningfuls

-Going clubbing and feeling 18 again

-Why you’re only ever as happy as your unhappiest child

-How to make the ‘sexiest salad’ ever (according to Fearne)

-Coping with The Fear that comes with a hangover

-A plea to stop chatting on speakerphone on the train

-How to say goodbye to your child when they leave home

-Dealing with triggers when you’re trying to heal

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fearne’s answering your professional life, parenting, and health dilemmas, exclusively on Amazon Music!

In this episode Fearne covers:

-How to be a more confident public speaker

-How to find your old self again after becoming a parent

-How to talk about embarrassing health problems

Want Fearne to answer your dilemma? Slide into our DMs @happyplaceofficial

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 Byrne

Leigh-Anne Pinnock

Afua Hirsch

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Everyone deserves the chance at a fulfilling life. Shauna Tiffany grew up in foster care, feeling ashamed of and responsible for her parents’ choices. Creative play therapy helped her work through her childhood trauma, and now – with the support of The King’s Trust – she’s built her own business doing the same thing for other children and families.

In this chat with Fearne, Shauna explains how she’s learnt to believe in herself because of the way others have chosen to believe in her. Emotional support has made her feel worthy of great opportunities, and practical advice has empowered her to turn ideas into reality, so they chat about how to gently chip away at increasing self-confidence.

Plus, Fearne’s got a big surprise for Shauna...

Check out Shauna’s work at Lighthouse Therapy Hub.

Find out more about The King’s Trust.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.