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 chat

Book Club Meets: Maggie O’Farrell

Book 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 Renke

Zandra Rhodes

Lulu

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 crap

Watch 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 episode

Ashley James

Paloma Faith

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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.

Why do we change our hair when we want to start over? Celebrity hair stylist Chris Appleton knows that when someone sits in his chair, he has their future confidence in his hands.

In this chat with Fearne, Chris explains that everyone from the Kardashians to cancer patients have opened up to him about their insecurities, and he’s seen the profound impact that looking more like yourself on the outside can have on how you feel about yourself on the inside.

He’s also fascinated by the self-limiting beliefs people have about who they are. Think you’re not classy enough for a sleek bob? Not cool enough to dye your hair? Chris says think again!

Chris has dealt with a lot of his own shame and fears too. He was bullied at school, struggled to acknowledge his sexuality, and had huge imposter syndrome when he first arrived in Hollywood, so has lots of thoughts on finding your true self again.

Plus, Chris gives Fearne a little consultation, and he reckons she can go much bolder with her hair...

Chris’ book, Your Roots Don’t Define You, is out now.

CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains frank conversation about suicidal ideation, so take care while listening.

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

Afua Hirsch

Caroline Hirons

Olivia Atwood

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

Fed up of constantly striving for ultimate happiness? Fearne’s dropping into your feed every week for some far more realistic chat about what’s making her feel great, and what’s making her feel rubbish.

This is a safe space for all of us to get stuff off our chests. No judgement here! Want to join the chat? Send us a voicenote, DM, or comment on Instagram @happyplaceofficial!

So, what’s putting us in our happy place this week... and what things really are not?

In this chat, Fearne covers:

-Why changing your mind and opinions is a good thing

-How to make cervical screenings less scary

-Why trying new things is important even if you can’t really be arsed

-Boxing being a fun outlet for a bit of anger

-Being ok with saying “I don’t know”

-Moving through extreme panic and anxiety

-Coming to terms with it not being warm in the UK for A WHILE yet

...plus Fearne gets an unexpected call from her son Rex!

Not seen the cervical screening Instagram post? Here it is!

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Fearne’s answering your dating, lifestyle, and mental health dilemmas, exclusively on Amazon Music!

In this episode Fearne wonders:

-How to let a date down gently when they’ve given you the ick

-How to stop comparing the milestones you have – or haven’t – hit

-How to know when you’re fulfilled happy ‘enough’

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

Mentioned in this chat:

Happy Place with Ant and Dec