Begin Again with Davina McCall cover art

Begin Again with Davina McCall

Begin Again with Davina McCall

By: Begin Again
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Begin Again with Davina McCall is your reminder to live a life that you love! We’re all guilty of staying inside our comfort zone. We’ve convinced ourselves to settle, to accept our lot in life, that it’s too late, too scary, too much. But what if you could approach change in your life differently? What if you could be excited about stepping outside of your comfort zone? What if you gave yourself permission to reinvent yourself? Every week, Davina grabs you by the hands and sits you down on the big green sofa for honest, personal conversations with the people who chose change. These are national treasures, everyday heroes, and leading experts, who help you step outside of your comfort zone, embrace reinvention, and get excited about what comes next. Begin Again is a space where both big changes and small shifts are celebrated as a chance to grow, rediscover yourself, and start again. So come on in, get comfortable, and join Davina in Britain’s living room where you get to begin again and again and again! Instagram: @beginagain LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/davina-mccall-82204a19b/ Hygiene & Healthy Living Personal Development Personal Success Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Richard Bacon: Headlines, Addiction & Love “I Wouldn’t Be Alive Without Her”

    Richard Bacon: Headlines, Addiction & Love “I Wouldn’t Be Alive Without Her”
    Aug 6 2026
    What if your worst moment is actually your biggest gift? In this episode of Begin Again, broadcaster and television producer Richard Bacon joins Davina for a funny and deeply moving conversation about public failure, addiction, ADHD, love and building a new life after everything changes. Richard reflects on landing his dream job at Blue Peter, the betrayal by a close friend that turned his private life into a national headline, and what it felt like to lose everything so publicly at just 22 years old. He shares how unexpected people rallied around him, why the chaos that once got him into trouble later became one of his greatest strengths, and how he learned to keep moving forward when others believed his career was over. Together, Richard and Davina explore his relationship with addiction, his ADHD diagnosis in his forties, and the relief of finally understanding the way his mind works. Richard explains how that diagnosis helped him make sense of both his scattered attention and extraordinary ability to hyperfocus, and why the qualities he once struggled with have become central to his creativity and success. But this conversation is about much more than headlines. Richard speaks movingly about his wife Rebecca, the excitement of falling in love, and the grounding force she has been throughout their marriage. He recalls being told by his doctor that he might not be alive without her, and the terrifying moment, one year later, when he was placed into a coma and his family were warned that he might not survive. This is a conversation about love, public failure, second chances and finding the people who help you stay grounded when life becomes chaotic. If you’ve ever felt defined by a mistake, struggled to understand your own mind, or wondered whether it’s possible to rebuild when life goes completely off script, this episode is for you. ✨ Discover Richard’s podcast, Why Are You More Successful Than Me:Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/why-are-you-more-successful-than-me-with-richard-bacon/id1895025167 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WhyAreYouMoreSuccessfulThanMe Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6yWlm1mVITUj5DBDo15YAg 🌟 Like, comment and subscribe for more honest conversations about purpose, resilience, love, loss and beginning again. Tap the bell so you never miss a new episode. Follow us here: 📸 www.instagram.com/beginagain 🎥 https://www.tiktok.com/@beginagainpod ✨ Sign up for the Begin Again newsletter for behind-the-scenes access, recommendations and much more: https://linkly.link/2g2xm We'd love you to share your Get Busy Living stories with us at https://getbusyliving.beginagainshow.com/ (00:00) Intro(01:14) Intro to Richard Bacon(08:49) Richard's parents, their relationship, and his upbringing(11:10) Fidning Broadcasting(12:47) First job in live TV(17:08) How Richard got banned from the State Opening of Parliament with Newsbunny(20:09) Richard talks about some of the crazy shows he worked on early in his TV career(21:36) Getting banned from McDonalds for life(22:55) ADHD diagnosis in his 40s(27:21) Meeting his Wifem Rebecca(28:21) Monzo Ad(29:23) Ancient & Brave Ad(36:54) Landing Presenting Slot on Blue Peter(42:49) The Scandal that got him Fired(43:51) His Best Friend Leaking The Story To The Press(48:40) Shopify Ad(53:54) The Aftermath of Getting Fired(58:16) Getting into Radio and deciding to move to LA(01:05:50) Richard's near death experience and going into a coma(01:07:28) Richard's relationship with alchohol(01:11:02) What's next for Richard, how much he loves change Sponsored by: Monzo - Download Monzo. Monzo Current Accounts are for 16+ and UK residents. Ts&Cs Apply. Ancient + Brave - https://ancientandbrave.earth/pages/planet and use code BEGINAGAIN for 20% off your order Shopify - https://shopify.co.uk for £1 a month trial Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 15 mins
  • Moments: Living Under the Spotlight | Jason Dovan & Amanda de Cadenet

    Moments: Living Under the Spotlight | Jason Dovan & Amanda de Cadenet
    Aug 4 2026
    Episode Description: In this episode of Begin Again Moments, two powerful conversations explore the hidden cost of life in the public eye. Jason Donovan and Amanda de Cadenet reflect on the intense scrutiny that comes with fame, sharing the personal impact of media attention, public judgement and press intrusion. Together, they reveal what it takes to protect your identity, your relationships and your peace when your life is constantly under the spotlight. To hear the full conversations, watch the complete episodes on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    11 mins
  • Professor Brian Cox: Life After Death & Finding Your Purpose in The Universe!

    Professor Brian Cox: Life After Death & Finding Your Purpose in The Universe!
    Jul 30 2026
    What if understanding the universe could change the way you live? In this episode of Begin Again, Professor Brian Cox joins Davina for a conversation about existence, consciousness, mortality and the extraordinary improbability of being alive at all. Brian explains why the atoms that make us have travelled across billions of years of cosmic history, why the universe gave rise to conscious life, and how understanding our place within it can completely transform the way we see ourselves. Together, they explore what happens when we die, whether science leaves room for spirituality, why curiosity matters more than certainty, and why accepting that life is temporary can make it infinitely more precious. But this conversation is about much more than science. Brian reflects on the book that changed his life, the teachers who shaped his thinking, his unexpected journey from rock musician to world-renowned physicist, and why saying "I don't know" may be one of the most important things we can learn. Davina and Brian also discuss grief, fear, hope, the search for meaning, and why seeing the bigger picture of the universe can make us feel more connected to one another, not less. This is a conversation about awe, curiosity, purpose and the remarkable privilege of being alive. If you've ever looked up at the night sky and wondered why we're here, questioned what gives life meaning, or wanted to see the world with fresh eyes, this episode is for you. 🌟 Like, comment and subscribe for more honest conversations about purpose, resilience, love, loss and beginning again. Tap the bell so you never miss a new episode. Follow us here: 📸 www.instagram.com/beginagain 🎥 https://www.tiktok.com/@beginagainpod ✨ Find out more about Brian Cox's live shows and work: https://briancox.org/ ✨ Sign up for the Begin Again newsletter for behind-the-scenes access, recommendations and much more: https://linkly.link/2g2xm (00:00) Intro (01:25) Introduction to Brian and his new show Emergence (11:04) The Book That Changed Brian's Life (16:14) Monzo Ad (17:44) Spiritual beliefs & The Universe (21:10) How The Universe was Formed (23:13) The recent discovery of where Gold comes from (25:34) How Carl Sagan's TV show 'Cosmos' inspired young Brian (32:07) Getting into music and playing in Dare (38:58) Monzo Ad (39:58) The importance of hard work and luck in forging your path ( 41:49) What happens when we die? (47:31) The importance of space travel and scientific research (59:24) The Hadron Collider (01:04:10) Why Brian Became A Teacher (01:07:53) Quantum Mechanics and Quantum Computers (01:13:08) How Astronomy can give people a better perspective on life (01:16:44) A letter from a student (01:23:12) A letter from Dare bandmate Darren Wharton (01:27:51) What Brian wants for the Future Sponsored by: Monzo - Download Monzo. Monzo Current Accounts are for 16+ and UK residents. Ts&Cs Apply. We'd love you to share your Get Busy Living stories with us at https://getbusyliving.beginagainshow.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 32 mins
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All stars
Most relevant
Great guests n topics. I've listened to all so far and each of them I felt like, noooo don't end, I wanted them to go on. like a fab house guest or friend that you don't want to leave because your so engaged with listening to their life story, plus I learnt so much. keep them coming please!!!. love you Davina xxx

Great topics

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Amazing conversation very interesting and inspirational and uplifting. Davina openly shares her story whilst talking to her guests which makes it all so real

Alain de Boton

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My partner suffers terribly from addiction and is very much alcohol dependant so hearing these wonderful stories does give me hope! Thanks Davina! ♥️

Addiction and alcohol

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Listen to this episode if you have a addiction problem to anything. Gives you the reason why you are an addict. Gives practical advise if you are ready to listen.

The best Podcast

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