Is the world ready for free women? Paloma Faith feels society grooms girls and women to make themselves smaller, to take up less space, and to dismiss their own needs... and she’s calling bullshit on it.

In this chat Fearne and Paloma discuss the exhaustion that can come with being a nurturer – whether you’ve got children or not. They also talk about how over-achievers are often preoccupied with being seen as everything – smart, funny, caring, sexy, independent – and why it’s too much for one person to take on. How can we learn to ask for and accept help from others?

Paloma opens up about why she chose to carry on working while miscarrying, and the pressure that miscarriage put on her relationship.

Plus, why does Paloma really hate the expression “you’ve got this”?

Paloma’s book – MILF: Motherhood, Identity, Love, and F*ckery – is published by Happy Place Books, and is out now.

TAKE PART IN OUR HAPPY PLACE SURVEY HERE: http://bit.ly/happyplacesurvey2024

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Fearne’s written a novel! It’s called Scripted, and it tells the story of Jade – a thirty-something who, out on a run, stumbles upon a script that seems to predict likely scenarios and relationship dynamics in her life. Having been given a sneak peek at her future, can Jade now speak up, and rewrite her own destiny?

You’ve been DMing and voicenoting Fearne, asking her questions about the writing process, who inspired her characters, and whether she’s included her wealth of mental health knowledge in the novel...

Plus, there’s an exclusive listen to the entire first chapter of the Scripted audiobook!

Scripted is out now.

The audiobook, read by Erin Doherty, and brought to you by Penguin is also available: https://adbl.co/3U7EP1P

TAKE PART IN OUR HAPPY PLACE SURVEY HERE: http://bit.ly/happyplacesurvey2024

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How big do you let yourself dream? BBC broadcaster Ashley John-Baptise grew up in care, and knows all too well that love can help cultivate aspiration.

In this chat with Fearne, Ashley talks through his childhood, from being bounced between foster parents and care homes, to ending up with a history degree from Cambridge University.

He explains how he became a colder and more detached child as protection against constant rejection. Ashley also talks about the very real impact not having access to touch and attachment to a primary care giver can have on a person’s future outcomes.

Fearne and Ashley chat about the huge influence kind and persistent adults can have over a child’s life. You don’t have to be a parent to positively impact a child; teaching, mentoring, and community work will make a huge difference to an individual, and as a result, society too...

Ashley’s memoir, Looked After, is out on June 13th.

TAKE PART IN OUR HAPPY PLACE SURVEY HERE: http://bit.ly/happyplacesurvey2024

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