How To Fail With Elizabeth Day
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411 afleveringen, van nieuw naar oud
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Failure Throwback: Glennon Doyle
20 augustus 2025 · 1 uur 7 min
Author of Untamed and fierce truth-teller Glennon Doyle joins me for a raw and revelatory episode, first recorded in July 2020. We dive into: Lees meer
Why we chase approval instead of trusting our inner voice
Her struggles with body image, love, and emotional resilience
The failures that shaped her—from family breakdowns to learning self-protection
Every moment is unscripted and packed with wisdom. No edits. No filters. Just Glennon, exactly as she is.
Listen when you're ready for honesty that hits like a lightning bolt.
✨ IN THIS EPISODE:
00:00 Intro
01:59 Glennon Doyle's Early Life and Struggles
02:11 The Journey to Sobriety
02:35 Meeting Abby Wambach and Life Transformation
03:01 The Impact of 'Untamed' and Pandemic Challenges
07:47 Writing 'Untamed' and Embracing Wildness
12:54 Personal Transformation
17:11 Redefining Success and Family Dynamics
35:52 Generational Differences and Parenting
36:38 A Mother's Transformation
38:04 Struggles with Thick Skin
38:58 Navigating Feedback as an Artist
51:10 The Scarcity Mindset Among Women
55:52 Body Image and Control
💬 QUOTES TO REMEMBER:
"If a cheetah can be tamed to forget who she is, so can a woman."
"This life is mine alone, so I have stopped asking people for directions to places they’ve never been."
"The point of being human is not to feel happy—it’s to feel everything."
🔗 LINKS + MENTIONS:
Elizabeth’s upcoming one-off show at Cadogan Hall on 21 Sep for her new novel One of Us: https://www.fane.co.uk/elizabeth-day
Elizabeth’s Substack: https://theelizabethday.substack.com/
Join the How To Fail community: https://howtofail.supportingcast.fm/#content
📚 WANT MORE?
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie – On feminism, failure, and the power of storytelling to reshape identity: https://link.chtbl.com/wqGlGUPi
Mo Gawdat – Former Google exec turned happiness expert, sharing his journey through grief and self-discovery: https://link.chtbl.com/fnA5IzTi
💌 LOVE THIS EPISODE?
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Failure Throwback: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
13 augustus 2025 · 1 uur 8 min
This week we revisit one of my all-time favourite guests: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, recorded in July 2021. Best known for Americanah and her globally resonant TED Talks, Chimamanda opens up about the profound grief of losing both her parents within a year—and the raw journey of coping in its aftermath. Lees meer
We talk candidly about:
Her essay Notes on Grief
Being a daughter and the complexities of motherhood
Fertility struggles and writing through pain
Her cultural influence and, yes...Kim Kardashian
It’s heartfelt, honest, and deeply moving. Listen when you're ready to feel.
✨ IN THIS EPISODE:
00:00 Intro
03:18 Chimamanda's Background and Family
04:39 Exploring Feminism and Dissatisfaction
06:09 Navigating Sexism and Racism
08:29 Cultural Observations and Gender Roles
14:52 Academic Journey and Career Shift
18:12 Grief, Guilt, and Family Memories
35:04 Delight in Simple Pleasures
35:54 A Mother's Determination
38:11 Medical Malpractice and Loss
41:10 Coping with Grief
42:51 Seeking Comfort in Faith
51:20 Struggles with Writing
53:51 Motherhood and Creativity
01:01:44 Fashion, Individuality, and Social Media
💬 QUOTES TO REMEMBER:
"I didn’t really intend to become this person who talks about feminism and political things… but my anger and my dissatisfaction just propels me."
"It seems to me that I’ve always known… the world simply does not give women the same dignity it gives men."
🔗 LINKS + MENTIONS:
Elizabeth’s upcoming one-off show at Cadogan Hall on 21 Sep for her new novel One of Us: https://www.fane.co.uk/elizabeth-day
Elizabeth’s Substack: https://theelizabethday.substack.com/
Join the How To Fail community: https://howtofail.supportingcast.fm/#content
📚 WANT MORE?
Danny O’Donoghue on navigating grief: https://link.chtbl.com/Fvd4L7ei
Julia Stiles on grief and her directorial debut: https://link.chtbl.com/0RdPCiip
Dorinda Medley on grief, identity and The Real Housewives: https://link.chtbl.com/Lf44HTRS
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Sir Tony Robinson - ‘I learned comedy as a defence mechanism’
6 augustus 2025 · 50 min
Recorded with a live audience in Cambridge, this captivating conversation delves deep into the life and career of a cultural force of the last half-century. Known of course for his iconic role as Baldrick in Blackadder, Sir Tony's sharp intelligence and dry humour have had a formative influence on generations. Lees meer
In this candid discussion, he opens up about the unexpected turns and profound challenges that have shaped his extraordinary journey as an actor, presenter, documentary maker and writer.
You'll hear his deeply personal reflections on fatherhood, insights into the creative process behind his recently announced novel, and the powerful lessons learned from a lifetime of experiences, both public and private.
Prepare for an engaging, wise, and moving conversation that explores the transformative power of vulnerability and the importance of finding meaningful connection. This is a unique opportunity to hear a national treasure like never before.
✨ IN THIS EPISODE:
00:00 Intro
00:45 Tony Robinson's Early Life and Career
03:13 Fatherhood and Family
04:55 Writing and Publishing a Novel
10:50 The Impact of Blackadder
13:16 Challenges and Conflicts in Blackadder
16:33 Height and Personal Insecurities
20:42 Childhood and Adolescence Struggles
22:41 Growing Up in the Shadow of WWII
24:49 The Ups and Downs of Gambling
27:28 Early Career and Poker Lessons
29:29 Child Actor Earnings and Capitalism
34:23 Dealing with Alzheimer's in the Family
37:03 Reflecting on Personal Failures
44:56 Finding Meaningful Relationships
💬 QUOTES TO REMEMBER:
“The trick is to minimise when you’re losing.”
“If someone gouges the oak tree when it's young, it's almost obscene. When you look at it, it's horrible. But gradually, as the oak grows older and wider and bigger, and the bark becomes more twisted and more sophisticated, that gouge becomes not only a thing of beauty, but probably the most beautiful and defining thing about that oak tree."
🔗 LINKS + MENTIONS:
Sir Tony’…
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Fern Brady - ‘I make more money in comedy than I ever did from stripping‘
30 juli 2025 · 44 min
In this searingly funny and deeply affecting live conversation, Elizabeth speaks to stand-up comedian, author and Taskmaster favourite Fern Brady about her autism diagnosis, her working-class roots, and the failures that shaped her award-winning memoir Strong Female Character. Lees meer
Fern opens up about late diagnosis, social masking, and stripping to fund her education - all delivered with the brutal honesty and whip-smart humour that’s made her one of the most exciting voices in comedy today. A powerful exploration of identity, feminism, and finding your voice.
What stood out for you in this episode? Leave us a comment.
✨ IN THIS EPISODE:
00:00 Intro
01:58 Autism Diagnosis and Masking
04:40 Experiences on Taskmaster
11:40 University Struggles and Stripping
17:33 Challenges of Writing a Memoir
20:03 Reflections on Edinburgh
21:49 Struggles with Mental Health and Misdiagnosis
22:35 University Challenges and Autistic Shutdowns
23:25 Extreme Stress and Physical Symptoms
24:34 Breaking into Comedy and Facing Limitations
26:05 Overcoming Self-Limiting Beliefs
27:55 Navigating the Comedy Industry
34:02 Rejecting Mainstream Entertainment
37:21 Celebrity Bakeoff Experience
💬 QUOTES TO REMEMBER:
“Even when people don’t know you’re autistic, they know you’re autistic. They pick up on something different about you.”“Comedy radicalised me as a feminist. And so did working in a strip club.”“I was told I had the wrong energy for QI. I think that was a coded way to say I was too common.”“Autistic people are always learning to speak neurotypical. All we’re asking is for a bit of that in return.”
🔗 LINKS + MENTIONS:
Fern’s memoir Strong Female Character is out now! @fernfrombathgate
Fern is a the Edinburgh Fringe: fernbrady.co.uk/gigs
Elizabeth’s upcoming one-off show at Cadogan Hall on 21 Sep for her new novel One of Us: https://www.fane.co.uk/elizabeth-day
Elizabeth’s Substack: https://theelizabethday.substack.com/
Join the How To Fail community: https://howto…
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Dorinda Medley on Grief, Identity and The Real Housewives: ‘I was angry. I was lost. I felt like I got cheated.’
23 juli 2025 · 44 min
What happens when the life you thought you’d built - the one with love, money, recognition - seems to slip away? This week, Elizabeth speaks to Dorinda Medley, author, TV personality and iconic former Real Housewife of New York, about reinvention, resilience and learning to be okay with not being liked by everyone. Lees meer
Dorinda opens up about the loss of her husband, the loneliness that followed fame, and why her departure from Housewives was both painful and necessary. This is a raw, funny, emotional conversation with a woman who’s lived many lives - and isn’t afraid to talk about all the ways they’ve fallen apart.
✨ IN THIS EPISODE:
00:00 Intro
02:12 Life After Reality TV
03:30 Authenticity and Public Perception
06:37 Dealing with Grief and Loss
14:06 Finding Strength in Vulnerability
19:14 The Impact of Fame
21:56 Housewives' First Visit to Blue Stone Manor
23:03 Behind the Scenes Drama
23:32 Staying Connected with Castmates
25:36 Dealing with Trolls and Haters
29:00 Coping with On-Screen Conflicts
31:19 Reflecting on the Housewives Experience
32:48 Blue Stone Manor Tag Sale
35:57 Life Lessons and Moving Forward
💬 QUOTES TO REMEMBER:
“A lot of people mourn by crying. I was angry. I was lost. I felt like I got cheated.” “If you want to love me, great. If you don’t, I’m okay with that.” “There’s a difference between missing Housewives and wanting to do it again.”
🔗 LINKS + MENTIONS:
Join our community of subscribers here: https://howtofail.supportingcast.fm/#content
Have a failure you’re trying to work through for Elizabeth to discuss? Click here to get in touch: howtofailpod.com
Join Elizabeth at an upcoming one-off show at Cadogan Hall on 21 Sep for her new novel One of Us: https://www.fane.co.uk/elizabeth-day
Watch How To Fail on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HowToFailPodcast
Instagram: @howtofailpod / @elizabday
TikTok: @howtofailpod / @elizabday
Elizabeth’s Substack: https://theelizabethday.substack.com/
💌 LOVE THIS EPISODE?
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Vanessa Williams - ‘It would be hard to be married to me!’
16 juli 2025 · 51 min
As a recording artist, Vanessa Williams has earned 13 Grammy nominations and racked up over 212 million digital streams over the course of her eight albums. Her most popular hit, Save The Best For Last, was Number 1 for five weeks in 1992. Lees meer
She is also a highly successful stage and screen actor, appearing in Desperate Housewives and Ugly Betty. She is currently starring on the West End stage as Miranda Priestly in the musical adaptation of The Devil Wears Prada.
It’s all a long way from her historic crowning as the first African-American Miss America in 1983 - she was later forced to resign after unauthorised photos taken when she was a student were leaked without her consent.
Vanessa joins us for an honest, hilarious and no-holds-barred conversation about her childhood, her romantic relationships, and - in a How To Fail first - why she regrets sending her daughter to boarding school.
Elizabeth and Vanessa answer YOUR questions in our subscriber series, Failing with Friends. Join our community of subscribers here: https://howtofail.supportingcast.fm/#content
00:00 Intro
02:47 Overcoming Scandal and Achieving Success
06:24 The Joys and Challenges of Stage Performance
10:31 Reflecting on Miss America
18:30 Family and Personal Reflections
23:40 Looking at Transparency and Shared Struggles
24:11 The Impact of Losing a Mother
26:00 A Mother's Influence on Trust and Relationships
28:51 Navigating High School Friendships and Trust Issues
30:07 Romantic Relationships and Parental Approval
34:58 Coping with Parental Loss and Family Dynamics
43:41 Musical Legacy and Family Bonds
Have a failure you’re trying to work through for Elizabeth to discuss? Click here to get in touch: howtofailpod.com
I have an upcoming one-off show at Cadogan Hall on 21 Sep for my new novel One of Us. Full show details here: https://www.fane.co.uk/elizabeth-day
Production & Post Production Coordinator: Eric Ryan
Studio & Sound Engineer: Matias Torres
Assistant Producer: Suhaar A…
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Suzi Ruffell - ‘I didn’t know I was gay until I saw Titanic’
10 juli 2025 · 48 min
In this special live edition of How to Fail, Elizabeth is joined by comedian Suzi Ruffell. Suzi has performed five sellout runs at the Edinburgh Fringe, as well as appearing on live at the Apollo and filming an Amazon special of her show ‘Dance Like Everyone Is Watching’. She was nominated for Best standup show in the National Comedy Awards and has just written her first book Am I Having Fun Now?’, an instant Sunday Times Bestseller. Suzi opens up about her sexuality, her Kate Winslet obsession and talks about her totally relatable failures in this entertaining and hilarious, but moving episode. Lees meer
Elizabeth and Suzi answer YOUR questions in our subscriber series, Failing with Friends from a live audience in Cardiff. Join our community of subscribers here: https://howtofail.supportingcast.fm/#content
Have a failure you’re trying to work through for Elizabeth to discuss? Click here to get in touch: howtofailpod.com
I have an upcoming one-off show at Cadogan Hall on 21 Sep for my new novel One of Us. Full show details here: https://www.fane.co.uk/elizabeth-day
Production & Post Production Coordinator: Eric Ryan
Live Sound Engineer: Will Kontargyris
Studio & Sound Engineer: Matias Torres
Assistant Producer: Suhaar Ali
Senior Producer: Hannah Talbot
Executive Producer: Carly Maile
How to Fail is an Elizabeth Day and Sony Music Entertainment Production.
Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts
To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices -
Pamela Anderson - ‘It wasn’t about being pretty, it was about being brave’
7 juli 2025 · 53 min
I can’t believe I get to say this but…PAMELA ANDERSON! ON HOW TO FAIL! The one and only! Lees meer
A woman I grew up watching on TV, Pamela was an icon of a generation…But the second act of her career has been the most powerful and Anderson joins me for a vulnerable chat about her long journey of embracing beauty on her own terms, understand her self-worth, embracing self-acceptance and how it was never about being pretty for her - it was always about being brave.
Together, we unpack the beauty ideals of early 2000s that continue to shape how women view themselves today. Backed by Dove’s Self Esteem Project body confidence science and exercises, this episode dives deep into Pamela reflecting on being the poster girl of an era and shares how she’s reclaimed her image, her narrative and what beauty means to her.
✨ IN THIS EPISODE:
00:00 Intro
02:08 Second Act and Self-Discovery
06:01 Embracing Natural Beauty and Challenging Norms
13:11 Reflections on Beauty and Self-Worth
18:41 Journey to Self-Acceptance
23:16 Relationship with Her Parents and Personal Growth
27:54 The Early Days of Styling
28:35 Creating Iconic Looks
29:10 Rockstar Wife Persona
32:05 Impact of Y2K and Social Media
33:07 Body Image and Self-Acceptance
35:36 The Dove Self-Esteem Project
38:54 Embracing Natural Beauty
42:01 Reflections on Fame and Identity
Have a failure you’re trying to work through for Elizabeth to discuss? Click here to get in touch: howtofailpod.com
If you want more support, Dove has created a journal designed to help you reflect, reset, and take control of how you engage with beauty and your body. You can find it at dove.com/why2k.
Production & Post Production Coordinator: Eric Ryan
Mix Engineer: Matias Torres
Studio Engineer: Gulliver Tickell
Assistant Producer: Suhaar Ali
Senior Producer: Hannah Talbot
Executive Producer: Carly Maile
How to Fail is an Elizabeth Day and Sony Music Entertainment Production.
Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at…
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Melinda French Gates - ‘Just because you’re smart doesn’t mean you’re wise’
2 juli 2025 · 50 min
Melinda French Gates studied computer science and economics and completed an MBA before joining a tech start-up called Microsoft, in 1987. She rose through the ranks to become Manager of Information Products and married the boss in 1994. His name was Bill Gates. Lees meer
Together, the couple founded and co-chaired the Gates Foundation, where, for more than two decades, she set the direction and priorities of the world’s largest philanthropic organisation. Today, a divorced French Gates heads up Pivotal, which works to advance women’s power and influence in the U.S. and around the world.
Along the way, she has raised three children and written two bestselling books - The Moment of Lift and her latest, The Next Day: Transitions, Change, and Moving Forward.
It is an astonishing journey: from the normality of a middle-class childhood to becoming one of the wealthiest women in the world and one of our most influential philanthropists.
French Gates joins me for an open conversation about her divorce, ensuring her children never became spoiled, being strict about smartphones and surviving the death of a friend. Plus: the importance of empathy in the workplace and whether we should be scared of AI.
Elizabeth and Melinda answer YOUR questions in our subscriber series, Failing with Friends. Join our community of subscribers here: https://howtofail.supportingcast.fm/#content
✨ IN THIS EPISODE:
00:00 Intro
01:50 Philanthropy and Personal Growth
03:49 Reflections on Grief and Friendship
14:41 Parenting Challenges and Lessons
23:26 Cultural Context in Philanthropy
23:39 Vaccine Distribution Challenges
25:19 Vaccine Shortage and Initial Mistakes
25:39 Treadle Pumps and Cultural Missteps
26:45 Learning from Failures
28:58 Empathy as a Superpower
30:13 Personal Anecdotes and Relationships
32:03 The Power of Friendship
36:33 Microsoft Bob and Technological Failures
39:55 Reflections on AI and Personal Growth
Have a failure you’re trying to work through for Elizabeth to d…
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Monica Lewinsky - ‘I would have liked a more normal life’
25 juni 2025 · 48 min
Monica Lewinsky is an activist, podcaster and producer. At the age of 24, Lewinsky, a White House intern, found herself in the eye of a global scandal. She was subjected to a mass public shaming - losing her livelihood, her anonymity and the future she had once imagined for herself. Lees meer
Now, 51 Lewinsky has garnered a new generation of admirers, who with the advent of social media and shifting cultural tides, have rightly reinterpreted the shocking way she was treated. Her podcast, which launched earlier this year, is called ‘Reclaiming’ and features interviews with guests who are in the process of reclaiming their own narratives, just as she was forced to do. She joins us to talk about her experiences with shame, her perfectionism and why the pain she went through has given her purpose.
Elizabeth and Monica answer YOUR questions in our subscriber series, Failing with Friends. Join our community of subscribers here: https://howtofail.supportingcast.fm/#content
✨ IN THIS EPISODE:
00:00 Intro
01:32 Early Life and Career
03:12 Reclaiming Her Narrative
06:17 Reflections on Turning 50
11:19 First Memory of Failure
18:40 Struggles After the Scandal
23:12 Navigating Post-Scandal Job Search
23:58 The Fragility and Vulnerability of Public Scrutiny
25:03 Media Obsession and Public Perception
25:59 Surviving the Media Onslaught
27:16 Reflections on Love and Power Dynamics
30:22 The Impact of Betrayal and Somatic Therapy
35:50 The Handbag Business Venture
40:12 Lessons Learned and Final Thoughts
Have a failure you’re trying to work through for Elizabeth to discuss? Click here to get in touch: howtofailpod.com
All episodes in June are brought to you by @arlalactoFREE - all the taste, easier to digest. Listen to our bonus episode brought to by ArlaLactoFREE with Vicky Pattison here: https://link.chtbl.com/VickyPattison
🌎 Get an exclusive 15% discount on your first Saily data plans! Use code [howtofail] at checkout. Download Saily app or go to to https://saily.com…
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AJ Tracey - ‘Buying my mum a house will always be my proudest achievement’
18 juni 2025 · 51 min
Rapping phenomenon and Tottenham Hotspur superfan AJ Tracey joins us this week to talk about supporting his mum through her cancer journey, the pressures of staying an independent artist and what football has taught him about failure. Lees meer
AJ Tracey has been rapping since the age of four. He dropped out of his Criminology degree at London Metropolitan University and started uploading tracks to SoundCloud in 2011, achieving five Platinum singles and over two billion Spotify plays as an independent artist. His first studio album debuted at number three in the UK Albums chart and his breakthrough hit, Ladbroke Grove, became the unofficial summer anthem of 2019.
Now, after a three-year hiatus, marked by leaked songs and pandemic delays, Tracey has just released his third album, Don't Die Before You're Dead. It’s his most vulnerable and personal work yet and as well as being a love letter to the UK, the album fuses grime, garage, and R&B with themes of trauma, mental health, faith and love.
✨ IN THIS EPISODE:
00:00 Intro
01:11 Early Life and Career
03:04 The Making of 'Don't Die Before You're Dead'
07:10 The British Influence in AJ's Music
09:00 School Days and Influential Teachers
12:34 The Challenges of Being an Independent Artist
18:18 Faith and Personal Mission
23:02 Family and Personal Struggles
24:52 Mom's Health Scare and Recovery
25:40 Proudest Moment: Buying Mom a House
27:44 Growing Up with Responsibility
30:53 Struggles and Sacrifices
33:46 Name Change and Fresh Start
38:12 Grenfell Tragedy and Community Impact
41:58 Reconciliation with Dad
43:43 Football, Family, and Life Lessons
Elizabeth and AJ answer YOUR questions in our subscriber series, Failing with Friends. Join our community of subscribers here: https://howtofail.supportingcast.fm/#content
Have a failure you’re trying to work through for Elizabeth to discuss? Click here to get in touch: howtofailpod.com
All episodes in June are brought to you by @arlalactoFREE - all the taste, easie…
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How To Cope With A Friendship Break-Up - with Cynthia Nixon - Special Release
12 juni 2025 · 27 min
Cynthia Nixon joins Elizabeth to answer YOUR questions and failures including: whose failures would you most like to hear (dead or alive) how to cope with a friendship break up and how to know when to have kids. Elizabeth then takes a moment to reflect on meeting Cynthia, and everything they covered. Lees meer
To hear Cynthia tackling your failures join our community of subscribers here: https://howtofail.supportingcast.fm/#content
Do you have something to share of your own? Click here to get in touch: howtofailpod.com
Production & Post Production Coordinator: Eric Ryan
Mix Engineer: Matias Torres
Studio Engineer: Sam Bair
Senior Producer: Hannah Talbot
Executive Producer: Carly Maile
How to Fail is an Elizabeth Day and Sony Music Entertainment Production.
Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts
To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices -
Cynthia Nixon - ‘Being brave is feeling scared and doing it anyway’
11 juni 2025 · 52 min
Whilst Cynthia Nixon’s versatility is beyond question, it's fair to say that she has become permanently associated with one character, Miranda Hobbs, in Sex and the City and its companion piece, And Just Like That. She won an Emmy for her performance and a generation of fans who identified with the ambitious type-A lawyer whose cynicism disguised as vulnerability has grown markedly through the decades. Lees meer
Nixon is also a political activist and vocal advocate for progressive causes. She even met her wife at an education rally in 2002. In 2018, she ran unsuccessfully for the governorship of New York. More recently, she has repeatedly spoken out in support of a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. Nixon's political conscience recalls perhaps the legacy of her journalist Father Walter, who won awards for his coverage of the Civil Rights Movement.
An uplifting, smart and enlightening woman - what a joy it was to meet her.
✨ IN THIS EPISODE:
00:00 Intro
03:12 Miranda Hobbs and Lessons on Failure
04:53 Controversial Storylines in 'And Just Like That'
12:38 Political Journey
15:43 Running Against Andrew Cuomo
18:03 Gender and Politics
21:34 Early Political Influences
26:58 Missed Opportunities in Acting
28:24 Influence of Family on Career
30:18 Quiz Show Memories
32:22 Truth and Pretense in Acting
35:15 Filming Amadeus
40:10 Thanksgiving Preparations
44:58 Family Dynamics
48:52 Gratitude and Hope for the Future
Elizabeth and Cynthia answer YOUR questions in our subscriber series, Failing with Friends. Join our community of subscribers here: https://howtofail.supportingcast.fm/#content
Have something to share of your own? Click here to get in touch: howtofailpod.com
All episodes in June are brought to you by @arlalactoFREE - all the taste, easier to digest. Listen to our bonus episode brought to by ArlaLactoFREE with Vicky Pattison here: https://link.chtbl.com/VickyPattison
🌎 Get an exclusive 15% discount on your first Saily data plans! Use code [howtofail] at ch…
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Christine McGuinness - ‘I don’t want to hold back anymore - I date women! So what?’
4 juni 2025 · 51 min
TW: discussions around anorexia and sexual abuse. Lees meer
In an incredibly powerful episode (and a How To Fail first), Christine McGuinness speaks publicly about her sexuality for the first time. She reveals she had a long-term relationship with a woman before her marriage to comedian Paddy McGuinness and that she’s now dating women again. She refuses to label her sexuality - as she puts it: ‘I want love for me’. What an honour to be part of Christine’s journey to live her truth!
You will already know Christine as a TV personality, author, businesswoman and prominent autism advocate. The mother of three autistic children, she has made critically acclaimed documentaries including Our Family and Autism, with her then-husband, as well as penning a series of autism-inclusive children’s books and launching a range of sensory-positive clothing.
Despite serious adversity (her father was a heroin addict, she endured bullying at school and suffered sexual abuse at the hands of a family member), Christine is a total inspiration and has achieved so much.
She’s about to launch her first podcast, Situationships, in which she and her co-host Sophie Gravia delve into listeners’ dating and relationship dilemmas.
✨ IN THIS EPISODE:
00:00 Intro
00:52 An Inspiring Journey
02:30 Challenges and Triumphs of Motherhood
05:01 Raising Neurodivergent Children
08:03 The Importance of Asking for Help
12:52 Reflecting on Childhood and Autism
20:23 The Journey of Self-Discovery
23:41 Navigating Public Attention
24:35 Discussing Divorce and Public Perception
26:07 Challenges of Sexuality in the Public Eye
28:09 Living Authentically
31:13 Reflections on Relationships
41:40 Friendship and Trust Issues
43:28 Motherhood and Personal Growth
45:47 Concluding Thoughts and Future Hopes
Elizabeth and Christine answer YOUR questions in our subscriber series, Failing with Friends. Join our community of subscribers here: https://howtofail.supportingcast.fm/#content
Have something to share of y…
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Vicky Pattison - ‘You don't become old and wise if you haven't been young and daft’
2 juni 2025 · 56 min
Vicky Pattison was 22 when her life changed and she was cast in reality TV show Geordie Shore. She was on the show for nine seasons between 2011 and 2014, during which time the cameras followed her falling in love, becoming engaged, then breaking up. Lees meer
Now 37, Pattison has rarely been off our screens - whether it’s as a finalist on Celebrity Masterchef or winning I’m A Celebrity in 2015. She’s a radio presenter on the Heart network, is fronting a new Channel 4 dating show called The Honesty Box and has a new podcast, Get A Grip, which she co-hosts with Angela Scanlon.
In this candid episode, Vicky talks openly about her lifetime struggle with PMDD and how it affects her every day, fighting the fear of becoming an alcoholic and how so much has changed since the days of Geordie Shore.
This bonus episode is brought to you by @arlalactoFREE - all the taste, easier to digest.
✨ IN THIS EPISODE:
00.00 Intro
02:00 Fame and Geordie Shore
05:00 Growing up and getting married
07:00 First failure - failing her driving test
12:00 Ex boyfriends and resilience
14:30 Dad and alcoholism
22:00 Vicky on having children
25:00 Egg freezing
29:45 Second failure - a failure to be still
34:00 What wellness is for Vicky
38:00 Self-worth
41:00 Handling social media as an over-sharer
43:30 PMDD and how it impacts her
46:00 The affect of PMDD
53:00 Final thoughts on Geordie Shaw
Have something to share of your own? I'd love to hear from you! Click here to get in touch: howtofailpod.com
Production & Post Production Coordinator: Eric Ryan
Studio and Mix Engineer: Matias Torres Sole & Gulliver Lawrence-Tickell
Senior Producer: Hannah Talbot
Executive Producer: Carly Maile
How to Fail is an Elizabeth Day and Sony Music Entertainment Production.
Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts
To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com
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Dannii Minogue - ‘I hit low points where I thought: “I just can’t take this any more.”
28 mei 2025 · 57 min
In her most revealing interview to date, Dannii Minogue talks openly about the pressures of fame, the relentless comparisons with her sister, Kylie, and navigating a divorce that left her broke. Lees meer
It’s an extraordinary conversation with a woman who found fame as a 10-year-old in her native Australia. As a teenager Dannii, signed a record deal and acted in Home and Away. In her early 20s her debut album went Gold in the UK, and she went on to have 9 top 10 singles. Over the course of her music career she has spent over 200 weeks in the official UK chart, sold in excess of seven million records worldwide, and scored a record-breaking 19 Number One dance singles. After a four year stint on The X Factor UK, she now hosts her own queer dating shows ‘I Kissed a Girl’ and ‘I Kissed a Boy’, on BBC3 and iPlayer.
✨ IN THIS EPISODE:
00:00 Intro
01:57 Dannii's Journey in the Entertainment Industry
02:49 The Importance of Allyship
03:44 Hosting 'I Kissed a Boy'
05:18 Personal Reflections
15:10 Failed Marriage and Lessons Learned
26:00 Reflecting on Family Support
26:22 Encountering the Ex
26:56 First Marriage Reflections
27:23 Failing at Living Up to Expectations
27:51 Struggles with Media and Comparisons
32:24 Body Image and Confidence
41:28 X Factor Challenges
50:19 Defining Success and Final Thoughts
How to recover a broken heart - Elizabeth and Dannii answer YOUR questions in our subscriber series, Failing with Friends. Join our community of subscribers here: https://howtofail.supportingcast.fm/#content
Have something to share of your own? I'd love to hear from you! Click here to get in touch: howtofailpod.com
🌎 Get an exclusive 15% discount on your first Saily data plans! Use code [howtofail] at checkout. Download Saily app or go to to https://saily.com/howtofail ⛵
Production & Post Production Coordinator: Eric Ryan
Mix Engineer: Josh Gibbs
Studio Engineer: Mathias Torres
Producer: Hannah Talbot
Executive Producer: Carly Maile
How to Fail is an Eliza…
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Julia Stiles - ‘I ran in the other direction from fame’
21 mei 2025 · 53 min
For many of us who grew up in the the 90s, Julia Stiles was an integral part of our coming of age. Her portrayal of the clever, acerbic Kat in 10 Things I Hate About You was a radical reinvention of the blonde teenage female rom-com lead. Her roles in Save The Last Dance and Mona Lisa Smile spoke to our adolescent feminist awakenings and catapulted Stiles to stardom. And, just like the heroines she played, Stiles chose to do things a bit differently. At the height of her teenage fame, she went to study English at Columbia University, continuing to act throughout her degree, most notably in the first of four Jason Bourne films. Lees meer
Her latest project is her directorial debut - the feature film, Wish You Were Here, which Stiles also produced and co-wrote. As a mother of three, Stiles said that her parenting informed her ability to direct.
Wish You Were Here is available now to rent or own on digital platforms.
✨ IN THIS EPISODE:
00:00 Intro
02:08 Directorial Debut: Wish You Were Here
03:40 Balancing Comedy and Drama
08:48 Friendship and Fame
13:39 College Life and Career Choices
21:58 Dancing Through Life
26:03 Landing the Role in Save the Last Dance
26:35 Reflecting on the Audition Scene
27:07 Challenges and Triumphs of Filming
27:50 Looking Back as a Mother and Director
29:48 Directing and Casting Jennifer Gray
31:22 Dancing with the Stars and TikTok Memes
35:56 Body Image and Self-Acceptance
45:30 Meeting Taylor Swift and Final Thoughts
Grief, how to stop caring what everyone thinks and discussing the most difficult times in their lives - Elizabeth and Julia answer YOUR questions in our subscriber series, Failing with Friends. Join our community of subscribers here: https://howtofail.supportingcast.fm/#content
Have something to share of your own? I'd love to hear from you! Click here to get in touch: howtofailpod.com
🌎 Get an exclusive 15% discount on your first Saily data plans! Use code [howtofail] at checkout. Download Saily app or go to to http…
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John Bishop - ‘I’ve always wanted someone to say: you’re good enough’
14 mei 2025 · 55 min
John Bishop has been a hugely successful stand-up comedian for 25 years. Yet that wasn’t his first dream, which was to play football. We discuss his failure to do so professionally, his challenges at school, the working-class upbringing that shaped him and how comedy saved his marriage when he and his wife were at the ‘decree nisi stage’ of divorce. Plus: skincare tips and why making people laugh is like stripping. Yes, really. Lees meer
✨ IN THIS EPISODE:
00:00 Intro
01:48 The Art of Standup Comedy
06:52 Reflecting on Past Failures
12:30 Class and Injustice
13:50 Family and Personal Struggles
16:47 Balancing Career and Family
26:11 School Days and O Levels
26:44 Sixth Form Struggles
27:49 Balancing Work and Education
31:15 Dyslexia and English A Levels
34:22 Comedy and Confidence
35:17 Parenting in a New World
38:24 The End of the TV Show
47:19 Skin Care Secrets and Final Thoughts
Tickets - priced at £25 - for ‘John Bishop: 25’ UK tour, 1 Oct - 8 Nov: johnbishoponline.com
‘Those four letters - love - are loaded with so much’ - Elizabeth and John answer YOUR questions in our subscriber series, Failing with Friends. Join our community of subscribers here: https://howtofail.supportingcast.fm/#content
Have something to share of your own? I'd love to hear from you! Click here to get in touch: howtofailpod.com
🌎 Get an exclusive 15% discount on your first Saily data plans! Use code [howtofail] at checkout. Download Saily app or go to to https://saily.com/howtofail ⛵
Production & Post Production Coordinator: Eric Ryan
Mix Engineer: Matias Torres Sole
Senior Producer: Selina Ream
Executive Producer: Carly Maile
How to Fail is an Elizabeth Day and Sony Music Entertainment Production.
Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts
To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcast… -
Simon Cowell - ‘I often think: what gives me the right to judge people?’
7 mei 2025 · 1 uur
Simon Cowell has built an entertainment empire on his ability to say exactly what he thinks and an uncanny ability to judge the public mood. Lees meer
From launching Pop Idol in 2001, The X Factor in 2004 and the cultural behemoth Britain’s Got Talent in 2007, he has been at the helm of primetime around the world for over a quarter of a century. His TV shows and Syco record label have shaped the careers of everyone from One Direction to Little Mix, Susan Boyle and Leona Lewis.
But his success hasn’t come without its struggles. For the first time, Cowell opens up about his biggest failures and regrets - an extraordinary thing to hear from one of the most successful men on the planet. We chat about fame, bankruptcy, loss, being ‘obnoxious’ and whether he has any regrets. Plus: what breaking his back and a near-death experience taught him and why he thinks we needs another referendum on Brexit.
✨ IN THIS EPISODE:
00:00 Intro
01:46 Early Life and Career
06:52 The Impact of a Life-Altering Accident
18:19 Facing Bankruptcy and Lessons Learned
22:16 The Influence of Simon's Parents
28:29 Reflections on Wealth and Success
29:37 Reflecting on Wealth and Happiness
30:27 The Impact of COVID-19 on Production
31:58 The Birth of Britain's Got Talent
33:29 The Struggles and Success of BGT
38:20 Understanding Fame and Its Challenges
40:35 The Formation of One Direction
47:20 Lessons from Professional Failures
56:10 Final Thoughts and Advice for Success
Britain’s Got Talent is currently airing on ITV, and America’s Got Talent celebrates its 20th year this summer on NBC.
‘The biggest risk is being safe’ - Elizabeth and Simon answer YOUR questions in our subscriber series, Failing with Friends. Join our community of subscribers here: https://howtofail.supportingcast.fm/#content
Have something to share of your own? I'd love to hear from you! Click here to get in touch: howtofailpod.com
🌎 Get an exclusive 15% discount on your first Saily data plans! Use code [howtofail] at c…
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Celeste Barber: the FUNNIEST woman on the internet
30 april 2025 · 52 min
My guest today has been an integral part of my feminist awakening. Celeste Barber’s instagram posts - which parody the unattainable standards of the fashion and beauty industry - are both hilarious and revolutionary. Her work has helped a generation of women to feel better about their bodies - and made her a star in the process. (Plus she’s been blocked by a few celebrities. Lol.) Lees meer
Barber began her account in 2015 as a jobbing actor. She now has almost 10 million followers, including Reese Witherspoon, Chelsea Handler and designer Tom Ford who ended up hiring her for a fashion campaign. We talk about imposter syndrome, ADHD, standing up to bullies and her Janet Jackson obsession.
✨ IN THIS EPISODE:
00:00 Intro
01:54 Journey to Fame
04:30 The Tom Ford Campaign
05:47 Creating Relatable Instagram Content
14:25 Challenges of ADHD
17:57 Touring and Family Life
20:34 The Importance of Purpose and Resilience
27:47 Self-Hatred and Imposter Syndrome
28:32 Failing to Fit In
30:10 Family Dynamics and Meeting Her Husband
33:39 Being a Stepparent
36:55 Raising Sons as Feminists
40:04 The Janet Jackson Obsession
41:03 Meeting Janet Jackson
48:37 Final Thoughts and Listener Questions
Toxic relationships, dealing with a narcissist and how to come back from ‘rock bottom’ - Elizabeth and Celeste answer YOUR questions in our subscriber series, Failing with Friends. Join our community of subscribers here: https://howtofail.supportingcast.fm/#content
Have something to share of your own? I'd love to hear from you! Click here to get in touch: howtofailpod.com
🌎 Get an exclusive 15% discount on your first Saily data plans! Use code [howtofail] at checkout. Download Saily app or go to to https://saily.com/howtofail ⛵
Production & Post Production Coordinator: Eric Ryan
Mix Engineer: Richie Lee
Producer: Hannah Talbot
Executive Producer: Carly Maile
Head of Marketing: Kieran Lancini
How to Fail is an Elizabeth Day and Sony Music Entertainment Production.
Find more g…
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Emma Dabiri - ‘We are still so obsessed with how we look’
23 april 2025 · 43 min
This episode of How To Fail was recorded in front of a live audience at Dublin’s Bord Gáis Energy theatre. Lees meer
Emma Dabiri is a broadcaster, historian, and bestselling author whose work delves into the complexities of identity, culture, and race through art history and current affairs. She's now written a number of books - culture shifting works which are a radical re-imagining of what we consider to be beauty. Her first book was an Irish Times bestseller and inspired a conversation around race that led to change regulations in schools and in the British Army. It was later adapted into an award-winning documentary. She's a fellow in African studies at London, SOAS and is the mother of two boys.
Over on Failing with Friends, Emma talks about advice for someone in the audience who feels their singleness is a failure; what success looks like; when to know when to stop fertility treatment, and Elizabeth and Emma’s thoughts on Botox among other things!
To hear Emma tackling your failures join our community of subscribers here: https://howtofail.supportingcast.fm/#content
Have something to share of your own? I'd love to hear from you! Click here to get in touch: howtofailpod.com
🌎 Get an exclusive 15% discount on your first Saily data plans! Use code [howtofail] at checkout. Download Saily app or go to to https://saily.com/howtofail ⛵
Production & Post Production Coordinator: Eric Ryan
Mix Engineer: Richie Lee
Live Engineer: Will Kontargyris
Producer: Hannah Talbot
Executive Producer: Carly Maile
Head of Marketing: Kieran Lancini
How to Fail is an Elizabeth Day and Sony Music Entertainment Production.
Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts
To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit
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Sally Phillips - ‘I saw Colin Firth and thought - he’s mine!’
16 april 2025 · 50 min
This episode of How To Fail was recorded in front of a live audience at London’s Barbican Theatre. Lees meer
Sally Phillips has appeared in a string of the most influential and hilarious comedy series of all time - from Smack The Pony, Miranda, The Thick of It and Veep. Not forgetting, of course, her star turn as Bridget Jones’s best friend, Shazza, in the hugely popular movie franchise. Alongside her professional success, Phillips has also been an important voice in the neurodivergent community. Her eldest son, Olly, has Down syndrome and Sally is a tireless campaigner for disability rights.
So why, then, does she never feel she’s made it as a ‘serious’ actress? And why is she so obsessed with Clown School? And - pressing question - why have she and Colin Firth never been a thing?
✨ IN THIS EPISODE:
00:00 Intro
02:39 Bridget Jones Memories
07:26 Veep and Women in Comedy
09:19 Smack the Pony: A Revolutionary Comedy
10:45 Clown School and Its Life Lessons
12:55 Failures of Courage
19:06 Reflections on Marriage and Divorce
22:55 Reflecting on Mutual Support
23:16 Aspirations of a Serious Actress
24:14 Comedy vs. Serious Roles
24:50 Auditioning for Terrence Davis
30:56 Embracing Weaknesses and Comedy
32:57 Ethical Review of NIPT
36:16 Ollie's Impact and Parenting
43:25 Ollie's Adventures and Lessons
Over on Failing with Friends, Sally answers questions from the live audience at the Barbican: they discuss red and green flags in partners, and what Hugh Grant is REALLY like and whether Sally and Renée Zellweger really are friends or whether she might just be making it up?
To hear Sally tackling your failures join our community of subscribers here: https://howtofail.supportingcast.fm/#content
Have something to share of your own? I'd love to hear from you! Click here to get in touch: howtofailpod.com
🌎 Get an exclusive 15% discount on your first Saily data plans! Use code [howtofail] at checkout. Download Saily app or go to to https://saily.com/howtofail ⛵
Pro…
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Mae Martin - 'Everything I do is about proving those high school bullies wrong.'
9 april 2025 · 51 min
Over on Failing with Friends this week, Mae Martin talks about self-care, how to stop pushing people away and we tackle a listener’s failure to be messy in their twenties. To hear Mae Martin's brilliant advice, join our community of subscribers: https://howtofail.supportingcast.fm/#content Lees meer
Canadian comedian, writer, producer and singer/songwriter Mae Martin joins Elizabeth to talk about making music, the importance of pronouns and being diagnosed with ADHD. We also discuss their hit Netflix show Feel Good, going to rehab as a teenager and their borderline addiction to escape rooms (they've done 50 in three years...absolutely zero judgement here).
Mae Martin’s new album ‘I’m a TV’ is out now.
✨ IN THIS EPISODE:
00:00 Intro
02:08 Creative Journey
04:22 Discussing the Album 'I'm a TV'
10:01 Failures and Life Lessons
11:19 Childhood and Family Influence
17:54 Struggles with Identity and Addiction
34:33 Diving into Troubled Teen Industry
35:43 Importance of Pronouns
38:13 Standup Comedy Struggles
39:03 Bombing at Edinburgh Fringe
42:12 Comedy Community Support
🌎 Get an exclusive 15% discount on your first Saily data plans! Use code [howtofail] at checkout. Download Saily app or go to to https://saily.com/howtofail ⛵
Have something to share of your own? I'd love to hear from you! Click here to get in touch: howtofailpod.com
Production & Post Production Coordinator: Eric Ryan
Studio and Mix Engineer: Matias Torres Sole & Gulliver Lawrence-Tickell
Senior Producer: Selina Ream
Executive Producer: Carly Maile
Head of Marketing: Kieran Lancini
How to Fail is an Elizabeth Day and Sony Music Entertainment Production.
Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts
To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices -
Jonathan Van Ness - 'I was one wrong thing away from losing everything'
2 april 2025 · 48 min
Over on Failing with Friends this week, JVN and I get into relationship therapy and the perfect length of shorts on a man. To hear JVN tackling your failures, join our community of subscribers here: https://howtofail.supportingcast.fm/#content Lees meer
Jonathan Van Ness, one fifth of Netflix’s hit show Queer Eye, three-times New York Times bestseller, podcaster, business magnate and all-round icon is on the pod this week. JVN joins us to talk about TV show cancellations, almost getting cancelled, business failures and learning that validation is an inside job. Plus: the Queer Eye makeover they still regret. And: what would JVN do to Donald Trump's hair?
To check out JVN’s hair products go to: https://www.spacenk.com/uk/brands/j/jvn-hair
✨ IN THIS EPISODE:
00:00 Intro
01:40 Journey to Fame
02:23 Struggles with Self-Acceptance
06:02 The Floater Story and Podcasting
08:54 Marriage and Personal Growth
10:22 Queer Eye and Cultural Impact
14:01 Challenges in Trump's America
25:09 Navigating Business Challenges
25:15 The Overwhelming Process of Fundraising
25:56 Learning the Business Side
26:14 Facing Bankruptcy and Finding a New Partner
27:25 The Stress of Transition
28:18 Lessons in Business Growth
31:16 Dealing with Media and Public Perception
33:52 Reflections and Moving Forward
Have something to share of your own? I'd love to hear from you! Click here to get in touch: howtofailpod.com
Production & Post Production Coordinator: Eric Ryan
Studio and Mix Engineer: Matias Torres Sole & Gulliver Lawrence-Tickell
Senior Producer: Selina Ream
Executive Producer: Carly Maile
Head of Marketing: Kieran Lancini
How to Fail is an Elizabeth Day and Sony Music Entertainment Production.
Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts
To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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How To Date: BONUS EPISODE - Your dating questions answered…
31 maart 2025 · 40 min
For this bonus episode, Elizabeth and Mel open up the post bag to answer the burning questions YOU have when it comes to dating… And, let’s just say, we cover A LOT of ground. Lees meer
After you’ve listened, you can get all the resources and worksheets discussed at www.thepodclass.co.uk
Mel and Elizabeth are on a mission to revolutionise the world of dating! We want to make it a safe, fun and rewarding experience for everyone. If you’d like to join us, we’ve put together our very own How To Date Good Dating Pledge, consisting of 10 simple ‘Dating Commandments’. Have a look and sign up for free now at www.thepodclass.co.uk
If you don’t want to wait each week for new episodes join our wonderful community of subscribers where you can binge all episodes now, ad free, all at once. Follow the link to sign up:
https://howtofail.supportingcast.fm/
A Daylight and Sony Music Entertainment Production.
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Sam Ryder - ‘Fame is like giving a dog a treat every single day. You get used to it.’
26 maart 2025 · 53 min
Over on Failing with Friends - Sam Ryder talks about panic attacks, how to forgive, and (in a How To Fail first) why he likes to cut his toenails outdoors. To hear Sam tackling your failures join our community of subscribers here: https://howtofail.supportingcast.fm/#content Lees meer
Sam Ryder is a British singer-songwriter who started posting covers on TikTok during the pandemic that ended up catching the eye of Sia, Elton John and Justin Bieber. He represented the UK at the Eurovision Song Contest in 2022, placing second only to Ukraine. It was our highest-scoring entry in 24 years. In one of my favourite ever episodes, Sam talks about the pressures of fame, the challenge of keeping ego in check, the transformative power of gratitude and why he thinks Dolly Parton is ‘the supreme being’.
We also talk about tracks from Sam Ryder’s upcoming album, including his single ‘White Lies’ out 21st March.
✨ IN THIS EPISODE:
00:00 Intro
01:08 Early Life and Career
03:26 The Wedding Singer Years
08:20 Rising to Fame
18:36 The TikTok Breakthrough
23:56 Failures and Reflections
24:58 The Illusion of Positivity
26:35 Groundedness and Realistic Thinking
27:56 The Role of Faith and Spirituality
30:48 Ego and Gratitude
33:44 Navigating the Music Industry
40:45 Family and Personal Life
43:36 Reflections on Success and Failure
46:00 Famous Encounters and Final Thoughts
Have something to share of your own? I'd love to hear from you! Click here to get in touch: howtofailpod.com
Production & Post Production Coordinator: Eric Ryan
Studio and Mix Engineer: Matias Torres Sole & Gulliver Lawrence-Tickell
Senior Producer: Selina Ream
Executive Producer: Carly Maile
Head of Marketing: Kieran Lancini
How to Fail is an Elizabeth Day and Sony Music Entertainment Production.
Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts
To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcas…
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How To Date: The most important relationship you’ll ever have
24 maart 2025 · 58 min
For the final episode of How To Date (sob!) Mel and Elizabeth look at the most important relationships any of us can have in our lives: the one with ourselves. Lees meer
We unpack what this means in practical terms. How do we nurture a healthy sense of self-respect - and why can this sometimes feel so challenging? How can we ensure interdependence rather than co-dependence? We explore why being clear about your own worth is a fundamental building block in any sustainable relationship with another person. And we are joined by two VERY special guests who offer unique insights into what Mel and Elizabeth are actually like in a relationship…
After you’ve listened, you can get all the resources and worksheets discussed at www.thepodclass.co.uk
Mel and Elizabeth are on a mission to revolutionise the world of dating! We want to make it a safe, fun and rewarding experience for everyone. If you’d like to join us, we’ve put together our very own How To Date Good Dating Pledge, consisting of 10 simple ‘Dating Commandments’. Have a look and sign up for free now at www.thepodclass.co.uk
If you don’t want to wait each week for new episodes join our wonderful community of subscribers where you can binge all episodes now, ad free, all at once. Follow the link to sign up:
https://howtofail.supportingcast.fm/
A Daylight and Sony Music Entertainment Production.
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Wine or Fizz offer excludes Scotland and Morrisons Daily. Majority of stores, max 36. More Card/app required. Selected 75cl bottles. Online varies. Ends 30/3. Please drink responsibly.
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Olivia Attwood - ‘It’s either vodka and a gay club until 5am, or hyperbaric oxygen’
19 maart 2025 · 49 min
Olivia Attwood first appeared on our TV screens in 2017 as a contestant in the third series of Love Island, and instantly became a star due to her dry humour and gobby relatability. You might also know her as a regular panellist on Loose Women or from her hit documentaries for ITV. Last year, she launched her podcast, Olivia Attwood’s So Wrong It’s Right, which promptly went to Number 1 in the UK charts. On today’s episode, we talk about everything from reality tv to her diagnosis with ADHD; from her love of gay clubs and medi-spas to failed relationships, the lessons friendship has taught her, the fact she hasn’t always loved being the centre of attention (no, honestly) and why she’s never watched herself back on Love Island. An absolute gem of an episode with a true woman’s woman. Lees meer
✨ IN THIS EPISODE:
00:00 Intro
02:09 Early Life and Overcoming Shyness
03:38 Dealing with Dyslexia and ADHD
08:19 Navigating Relationships and Codependency
13:08 The Importance of True Friendships
18:20 Finding Independence and Self-Worth
23:36 Body Image and Self-Care
26:24 Discovering the Power of Weight Training
27:24 Balancing Health and Lifestyle Choices
28:30 Embracing Workaholism
29:47 Navigating Emotional Vulnerability
30:20 The Struggle with Crying
37:17 Family Dynamics and Expressing Love
41:32 Coping with Loss
44:04 Final Thoughts and Gratitude
Have something to share of your own? I'd love to hear from you! Click here to get in touch: howtofailpod.com
Production & Post Production Coordinator: Eric Ryan
Studio and Mix Engineer: Gulliver Lawrence-Tickell
Producer: Hannah Talbot
Executive Producer: Carly Maile
Head of Marketing: Kieran Lancini
How to Fail is an Elizabeth Day and Sony Music Entertainment Production.
Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts
To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Learn more a… -
How To Date: How to cope with heartbreak and rejection
17 maart 2025 · 45 min
Elizabeth and Mel face one of the most challenging parts of dating: heartbreak and rejection. Lees meer
We are joined by life coach and author Michelle Elman who went through a devastating, public break-up after being notified via an Instagram DM that her fiance of 24-hours had been cheating on her. Michelle, Mel and Elizabeth explore the impact an experience like this can have and how best to cope with it. We discuss surviving rejection and the lessons that heartbreak can teach us, in time. Plus: how to feel hopeful again and embrace the ‘what next?’ stage of self-discovery.
After you’ve listened, you can get all the resources and worksheets discussed at www.thepodclass.co.uk
Mel and Elizabeth are on a mission to revolutionise the world of dating! We want to make it a safe, fun and rewarding experience for everyone. If you’d like to join us, we’ve put together our very own How To Date Good Dating Pledge, consisting of 10 simple ‘Dating Commandments’. Have a look and sign up for free now at www.thepodclass.co.uk
You can find out more about Michelle Elman by visiting her website here.
If you don’t want to wait each week for new episodes join our wonderful community of subscribers where you can binge all episodes now, ad free, all at once. Follow the link to sign up:
https://howtofail.supportingcast.fm/
A Daylight and Sony Music Entertainment Production.
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Erin Doherty - ‘Lean Into Your Truth’
12 maart 2025 · 46 min
To hear more of Erin offering advice on listener failures, join our community of subscribers here: https://howtofail.supportingcast.fm/#content Lees meer
Erin Doherty’s big break came playing Princess Anne in The Crown. She’s now back on our screens as Mary Carr, the leader of a real-life Victorian female crime gang, in A Thousand Blows (written by Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight). Erin talks about acting rejections, struggling with social anxiety, her approach to friendships, how she was *almost* a professional footballer and why dating a woman for the first time felt like ‘coming home.’
✨ IN THIS EPISODE:
03:48 Portraying Mary Carr in 'A Thousand Blows'
06:59 Reflections on Playing Princess Anne
08:18 Personal Insights and Reactions to the Queen's Death
12:08 Failures and Lessons from Drama School Auditions
21:43 Reconnecting with Old Friends
22:58 Romantic Relationships and Love
25:51 Embracing Sexual Identity
28:32 The Impact of 'Chloe' on Friendship
30:52 Childhood Friendships and Their Endings
32:03 Commitment to Characters
36:02 Navigating Fame and Friendships
40:23 Trumpet Tales and Final Thoughts
Have something to share of your own? I'd love to hear from you! Click here to get in touch: howtofailpod.com
Production & Post Production Coordinator: Eric Ryan
Studio and Mix Engineer: Matias Torres Sole & Gulliver Lawrence-Tickell
Senior Producer: Selina Ream
Executive Producer: Carly Maile
Head of Marketing: Kieran Lancini
How to Fail is an Elizabeth Day and Sony Music Entertainment Production.
Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts
To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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How To Date: Taking it to the next level
10 maart 2025 · 49 min
Things are going well… So Elizabeth and Mel are taking it to the next level where they are getting just that little bit more serious. Lees meer
In this episode, Mel and Elizabeth look at exclusivity and commitment and what it takes to build a strong foundation for a lasting relationship. Plus: how a partner’s past plays into your future together.
After you’ve listened, you can get all the resources and worksheets discussed at www.thepodclass.co.uk
Mel and Elizabeth are on a mission to revolutionise the world of dating! We want to make it a safe, fun and rewarding experience for everyone. If you’d like to join us, we’ve put together our very own How To Date Good Dating Pledge, consisting of 10 simple ‘Dating Commandments’. Have a look and sign up for free now at www.thepodclass.co.uk
If you don’t want to wait each week for new episodes join our wonderful community of subscribers where you can binge all episodes now, ad free, all at once. Follow the link to sign up:
https://howtofail.supportingcast.fm/
A Daylight and Sony Music Entertainment Production.
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Gugu Mbatha-Raw - ‘Have I ever worked with an awful co-star? Maybe one or two’
5 maart 2025 · 46 min
Friendship advice: ‘Are you a radiator or a drain?’ To hear more from Gugu tackling your failures join our community of subscribers here: https://howtofail.supportingcast.fm/#content Lees meer
Gugu Mbatha-Raw is an actor who firmly resists typecasting: her West End debut was as Ophelia in Hamlet; while on-screen she has tackled everything from Belle, to a victim of sexual assault in the hit drama The Morning Show. Her co-stars have included Jennifer Aniston, Matthew McConaughey, Kiefer Sutherland and Will Smith. Now, Mbatha-Raw returns to Apple TV+ with the second season of psychological thriller Surface. Although consistently a high-achiever, Gugu’s failures have shaped her in important ways - including one failure she shares in common with a former HTF guest, namely Mr Jamie Dornan…
✨ IN THIS EPISODE:
00:00 Intro
03:20 The Empathy Discussion
04:51 Navigating Fame and Criticism
06:54 Running Point and Glorious
12:56 The Fear of Failure
15:01 Music and Personal Growth
19:33 Relationships and Self-Discovery
28:12 Self-Validation and Personal Growth
28:28 Understanding and Processing Trauma
29:57 Therapy and Taking Breaks
30:57 Finding Love with Dani
34:00 The Importance of Family Values
40:19 Parenting Challenges and Lessons
46:49 Navigating Infertility and Step-Parenting
50:24 Business Failures and Lessons Learned
Have something to share of your own? I'd love to hear from you! Click here to get in touch: howtofailpod.com
Production & Post Production Coordinator: Eric Ryan
Studio and Mix Engineer: Matias Torres Sole & Gulliver Lawrence-Tickell
Producer: Hannah Talbot
Executive Producer: Carly Maile
Head of Marketing: Kieran Lancini
How to Fail is an Elizabeth Day and Sony Music Entertainment Production.
Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts
To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com
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How To Date: Red and Green Flags
3 maart 2025 · 57 min
Mel and Elizabeth look at the subtle (and not-so-subtle) signs that can help us understand whether a potential partner is right for us. That’s right, we’re exploring the red flags that should have us running for the hills, the green flags that signpost a healthy relationship and the amber or pink ones that lie somewhere in-between. Lees meer
We are joined by an expert in the field - social worker and bestselling author, LalalaLetMeExplain - to discuss how to spot these flags, what they really mean in the early stages of dating and how to embrace the positive signs when they appear…
After you’ve listened, you can get all the resources and worksheets discussed at www.thepodclass.co.uk
Mel and Elizabeth are on a mission to revolutionise the world of dating! We want to make it a safe, fun and rewarding experience for everyone. If you’d like to join us, we’ve put together our very own How To Date Good Dating Pledge, consisting of 10 simple ‘Dating Commandments’. Have a look and sign up for free now at www.thepodclass.co.uk
You can buy a copy of Lala’s book, Block, Delete, Move On: it’s not you, it’s them here
If you don’t want to wait each week for new episodes join our wonderful community of subscribers where you can binge all episodes now, ad free, all at once. Follow the link to sign up:
https://howtofail.supportingcast.fm/A Daylight and Sony Music Entertainment Production.
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Kate Hudson - ‘Fame is a tumultuous machine’
26 februari 2025 · 59 min
Kate Hudson’s comedic turn in How To Lose A Guy in 10 Days made that movie one of the greatest romantic comedies of the noughties, and her performances in everything from Bride Wars to Glass Onion have each been totally scene-stealing. Lees meer
This month, she stars in Running Point, a new Netflix comedy from Mindy Kaling, and she has just released her first album, Glorious. Her failures are open, honest and so very wise.
✨ IN THIS EPISODE:
00:00 Intro
03:20 The Empathy Discussion
04:51 Navigating Fame and Criticism
06:54 Running Point and Glorious
12:56 The Fear of Failure
15:01 Music and Personal Growth
19:33 Relationships and Self-Discovery
28:12 Self-Validation and Personal Growth
28:28 Understanding and Processing Trauma
29:57 Therapy and Taking Breaks
30:57 Finding Love with Dani
34:00 The Importance of Family Values
40:19 Parenting Challenges and Lessons
46:49 Navigating Infertility and Step-Parenting
50:24 Business Failures and Lessons Learned
Have something to share of your own? I'd love to hear from you! Click here to get in touch: howtofailpod.com
Production & Post Production Coordinator: Eric Ryan
Studio and Mix Engineer: Gulliver Lawrence-Tickell
Producer: Hannah Talbot
Executive Producer: Carly Maile
Head of Marketing: Kieran Lancini
How to Fail is an Elizabeth Day and Sony Music Entertainment Production.
Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts
To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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How To Date: Communication - dating dos and don’ts
25 februari 2025 · 53 min
The first date has gone well for Elizabeth and Mel (the chemistry was sizzling, quite frankly) so now we turn our attention to the murky waters of early-stage communication in dating. Lees meer
Psychotherapist, author and podcaster Emma Reed-Turrell joins Elizabeth and Mel this week to break down how to communicate with clarity and kindness, without ever losing our power. We explore why self-esteem plays a crucial role in shaping the way we communicate, the pitfalls of people-pleasing and how blind spots in our own behaviour often spill into our connections with others.
After you’ve listened, you can get all the resources and worksheets discussed at www.thepodclass.co.uk
Mel and Elizabeth are on a mission to revolutionise the world of dating! We want to make it a safe, fun and rewarding experience for everyone. If you’d like to join us, we’ve put together our very own How To Date Good Dating Pledge, consisting of 10 simple ‘Dating Commandments’. Have a look and sign up for free now at www.thepodclass.co.uk
You can buy a copy of Emma’s book, What Am I Missing? here.
If you don’t want to wait each week for new episodes join our wonderful community of subscribers where you can binge all episodes now, ad free, all at once. Follow the link to sign up:
https://howtofail.supportingcast.fm/
A Daylight and Sony Music Entertainment Production.
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Simon Callow: ‘Scottish reeling almost killed me.’
19 februari 2025 · 41 min
Simon Callow is a critically acclaimed actor, director, author and star of classic movies such as Room with a View, Shakespeare in Love and Howards End. However, it’s his part as Gareth in Four Weddings and a Funeral that many took to their hearts. Lees meer
Callow’s failures include a childhood rejection that still haunts him, a play he directed which was savaged by the critics, painting and how he was ‘very annoyed’ not to get the movie part of Amadeus despite having played it on stage.
✨ IN THIS EPISODE:
00:00 Intro
01:35 Childhood Aspirations and Influences
02:12 Coming Out and Its Impact
02:46 Reflections on Being Openly Gay in the Industry
06:34 Iconic Role in Four Weddings and a Funeral
08:16 Challenges and Fun of Filming
09:11 Amadeus: Stage to Screen Transition
12:31 Failures and Rejections
17:26 Personal Life and Family Background
20:12 University Days and Discovering Acting
22:10 Directing Challenges at the RSC
31:19 Artistic Pursuits and Painting
35:31 Modern Acting and Final Thoughts
Do you have something to share of your own? Click here to get in touch: howtofailpod.com
Production & Post Production Coordinator: Eric Ryan
Studio and Mix Engineer: Matias Torres Sole and Gulliver Tickell
Senior Producer: Selina Ream
Executive Producer: Carly Maile
Head of Marketing: Kieran Lancini
How to Fail is an Elizabeth Day and Sony Music Entertainment Production.
Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts
To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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How To Date: The first date
17 februari 2025 · 52 min
Mel and Elizabeth continue their dating journey and today, we’ve reached one of the most nerve-wracking, yet potentially thrilling, milestones: the first date. Lees meer
Our guest is the fabulous Ryan Lanji, cultural producer, winner of Netflix’s Big Flower Fight and all-round icon. Ryan joins us to break down everything from the lead-up to the date, how to navigate the date itself and the immediate aftermath, as well as dating in the queer community. He also shares his own first-date stories, tips, and lessons learned - with hilarious results.
After you’ve listened, you can get all the resources and worksheets discussed at www.thepodclass.co.uk
Mel and Elizabeth are on a mission to revolutionise the world of dating! We want to make it a safe, fun and rewarding experience for everyone. If you’d like to join us, we’ve put together our very own How To Date Good Dating Pledge, consisting of 10 simple ‘Dating Commandments’. Have a look and sign up for free now at www.thepodclass.co.uk
If you don’t want to wait each week for new episodes join our wonderful community of subscribers where you can binge all episodes now, ad free, all at once. Follow the link to sign up:
https://howtofail.supportingcast.fm/
A Daylight and Sony Music Entertainment Production.
_______________________________________________________________________
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Jessel Taank - ‘Real Housewives? It’s like Game of Thrones’
12 februari 2025 · 51 min
Jessel Taank is the first South Asian housewife and the breakout star of her debut season of The Real Housewives of New York in 2023. In this episode we speak openly about the challenges of conceiving her twin sons through IVF and the misplaced shame she felt at not being able to have children naturally. Lees meer
Her failures include failing to overcome Indian beauty ideals, a failure to balance motherhood with personal ambition, and a failure to understand the mechanisms of reality TV (and yes…we get INTO it).
✨ IN THIS EPISODE:
00:00 Intro
02:38 Navigating Reality TV and Conflict
03:17 The Dark Turn of Real Housewives
05:31 Upbringing and Family Background
08:59 Struggles with Indian Beauty Ideals
11:06 Facing Racism and Inherited Trauma
16:50 Balancing Motherhood and Personal Ambition
24:26 Freezing Eggs and Meeting My Husband
24:39 The Struggles of Miscarriages and Procedures
24:57 The Journey to Acceptance
25:51 The Reality of Raising Twins
27:26 Balancing Motherhood and Personal Ambitions
31:10 Impact of Fertility Treatments on Intimacy
36:19 Navigating Reality TV
40:16 Coping with Social Media Criticism
Have something to share of your own? I'd love to hear from you! Click here to get in touch: howtofailpod.com
Production & Post Production Coordinator: Eric Ryan
Studio and Mix Engineer: Gulliver Lawrence-Tickell
Producer: Hannah Talbot
Executive Producer: Carly Maile
Head of Marketing: Kieran Lancini
How to Fail is an Elizabeth Day and Sony Music Entertainment Production.
Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts
To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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How To Date: How to meet someone
10 februari 2025 · 52 min
Elizabeth and Mel get into the exciting, terrifying and sometimes overwhelming world of how on earth to meet someone. We discuss online dating and IRL encounters and how to navigate it all without losing our self-esteem. Lees meer
Our guest this week is the brilliant Sharmaine Lovegrove, whom many of you might already know as one of the hosts of our previous podclass, How To Write A Book. Sharmaine went through a marital separation in her early 40s and threw herself into the apps. She joins us to share her many anecdotes and first-hand accounts of dating/meeting people post-break-up. Plus: what it means to attract what you put out into the world and how to stay resilient when facing the rejection that is an inevitable part of dating.
After you’ve listened, you can get all the resources and worksheets discussed at www.thepodclass.co.uk
Mel and Elizabeth are on a mission to revolutionise the world of dating! We want to make it a safe, fun and rewarding experience for everyone. If you’d like to join us, we’ve put together our very own How To Date Good Dating Pledge, consisting of 10 simple ‘Dating Commandments’. Have a look and sign up for free now at www.thepodclass.co.uk
If you don’t want to wait each week for new episodes join our wonderful community of subscribers where you can binge all episodes now, ad free, all at once. Follow the link to sign up:
https://howtofail.supportingcast.fm/
A Daylight and Sony Music Entertainment Production.
_______________________________________________________________________
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Nick Grimshaw - 'I told The Guardian I was gay before I told my parents'
5 februari 2025 · 51 min
Broadcaster and author Nick Grimshaw joins Elizabeth to talk about failing his maths GCSE, failing his business and communications degree, his failure to be present, and failing at New Year’s resolutions. Lees meer
✨ IN THIS EPISODE:
00:00 Intro
01:25 Rising to Fame at BBC Radio 1
02:47 The Importance of Authenticity
03:58 Struggles with Sexuality and Acceptance
08:38 Family Dynamics and Parental Expectations
11:23 University Challenges and Career Aspirations
15:09 Balancing Creativity and Academic Pressure
27:11 Discovering a Passion for Radio
28:50 Transition to Breakfast Show Host
31:19 Facing Criticism and Changing Media Landscape
33:25 Youthful Image and Career Evolution
39:25 Struggles with Being Present
40:36 Meditation and Mindfulness Journey
44:04 New Year's Resolutions and Personal Growth
Have something to share of your own? I'd love to hear from you! Click here to get in touch: howtofailpod.com
Production & Post Production Coordinator: Eric Ryan
Studio and Mix Engineer: Gulliver Lawrence-Tickell
Producer: Hannah Talbot
Executive Producer: Carly Maile
Head of Marketing: Kieran Lancini
How to Fail is an Elizabeth Day and Sony Music Entertainment Production.
Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts
To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Introducing How To Date: Am I ready to date?
3 februari 2025 · 50 min
Elizabeth and Mel look at one of the most important yet daunting questions: “Am I ready to date?” Lees meer
Whether you’re returning to the dating world after divorce, heartbreak, loss or simply wondering if it’s the right time to put yourself out there, this episode explores what it really means to be ‘date ready’.
After you’ve listened, you can get all the resources and worksheets discussed at www.thepodclass.co.uk
Mel and Elizabeth are on a mission to revolutionise the world of dating! We want to make it a safe, fun and rewarding experience for everyone. If you’d like to join us, we’ve put together our very own How To Date Good Dating Pledge, consisting of 10 simple ‘Dating Commandments’. Have a look and sign up for free now at www.thepodclass.co.uk
Let’s make dating better - for all of us!
If you don’t want to wait each week for new episodes join our wonderful community of subscribers where you can binge all episodes now, ad free, all at once. Follow the link to sign up:
https://howtofail.supportingcast.fm/
A Daylight and Sony Music Entertainment Production.
_______________________________________________________________________
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Dame Harriet Walter - ‘I wish I’d had all this attention when I was 40’
29 januari 2025 · 54 min
Olivier and Emmy-award-winning Dame Harriet Walter must have acting in her blood: her uncle is the legendary horror star Christopher Lee, she turned down a place at Oxford in favour of drama school, and began her career at the Royal Shakespeare Company. On screen you’ll know her from Killing Eve, Ted Lasso, The Crown or as Lady Caroline in Succession - plus films including Sense and Sensibility, Atonement and The Last Duel. On stage she’s embodied everyone from Prospero to Elizabeth I. Lees meer
Her failures include failing to master the piano or music theory, failing to get roles that she auditioned for, and finally failing to cook. I absolutely loved talking to this unbelievably smart and astute woman. Enjoy!
She Speaks by Harriet Walter is out now.
✨ IN THIS EPISODE:
00:00 Intro
01:25 Acting Journey
04:38 Exploring Shakespeare's Women
08:22 The Challenges of Acting
09:29 Family Background and Influences
14:17 Succession and Intimidating Roles
17:59 Failures and Reflections
25:38 Pursuing Drama School Dreams
26:34 Influence of Family and Early Inspirations
28:04 Facing Rejection and Audition Failures
31:58 Portraying Historical Figures
33:45 Playing Margaret Thatcher
37:56 Personal Loss and Love
41:45 Fear of Loneliness and Self-Reliance
45:53 Struggles with Food and Anorexia
Have something to share of your own? I'd love to hear from you! Click here to get in touch: howtofailpod.com
Production & Post Production Coordinator: Eric Ryan
Studio and Mix Engineer: Gulliver Lawrence-Tickell
Senior Producer: Selina Ream
Executive Producer: Carly Maile
Head of Marketing: Kieran Lancini
How to Fail is an Elizabeth Day and Sony Music Entertainment Production.
Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts
To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Sharon Horgan - ‘My marriage failed but it had such a positive impact on my life’
22 januari 2025 · 47 min
Sharon Horgan is a writer, actor and director. She has an uncanny ability to craft complex, compelling and heartfelt characters who find comedy even in the darkest of situations: just like in her hit series Bad Sisters - which has won a Peabody Award and four Emmy nominations. You’ll also know her from the BAFTA-nominated show Pulling, plus starring and writing in the critically-acclaimed shows Catastrophe and Motherland. Lees meer
Her failures include dropping out of art college and drama school, a failed audition and finally - a big one - her marriage.
✨ IN THIS EPISODE:
00:00 Intro
02:48 Balancing Work and Life
05:04 Making People Laugh
06:20 Portraying Eva in Bad Sisters
11:46 First Failure: Art College
17:10 Struggles and Resilience
21:03 Grief and Catharsis in Bad Sisters
24:13 A Beautiful Goodbye
24:37 The Wild Boyfriend and the Audition
26:33 The Audition Experience
28:12 Pursuing Acting and Writing
29:13 Building Confidence in the Industry
32:15 The End of a Marriage
35:30 Parenting After Divorce
40:29 Looking Forward: New Projects and Reflections
Have something to share of your own? I'd love to hear from you! Click here to get in touch: howtofailpod.com
Production & Post Production Coordinator: Eric Ryan
Studio and Mix Engineer: Gulliver Lawrence-Tickell
Producer: Hannah Talbot
Executive Producer: Carly Maile
Head of Marketing: Kieran Lancini
How to Fail is an Elizabeth Day and Sony Music Entertainment Production.
Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts
To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices -
Stephen Merchant: ‘Most famous people are f**cked up’
15 januari 2025 · 49 min
Actor, writer and director Stephen Merchant joins How To Fail this week and is reflective, fascinating and - yes - even funny. We talk about what he learned from Ricky Gervais when co-writing The Office, on feeling rattled turning 50 and how it’s hard to fail as a stand-up comedian (but he got over it). Lees meer
✨ IN THIS EPISODE:
00:00 Intro
17:16 Height and Humor
17:50 Reflections on Failure and Success
22:12 Stephen Career Journey
30:50 The Office and Ordinary Lives
32:46 The Comfort of Rewatchable Comedies
33:53 Exploring Dark Roles in Acting
35:42 Embracing Height as an Advantage
37:37 School Experiences and Early Ambitions
45:18 The Journey to Comedy and Stand-Up
52:41 Lessons from Stand-Up Comedy
58:48 Realizing No One Has Life Figured Out
01:03:39 Reflections on Success and Happiness
Have something to share of your own? I'd love to hear from you! Click here to get in touch: howtofailpod.com
Production & Post Production Coordinator: Eric Ryan
Studio and Mix Engineer: Gulliver Lawrence-Tickell
Senior Producer: Selina Ream
Executive Producer: Carly Maile
Head of Marketing: Kieran Lancini
How to Fail is an Elizabeth Day and Sony Music Entertainment Production.
Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts
To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Failure Throwback: Geena Davis
8 januari 2025 · 1 uur
The final episode in our run of throwback episodes is the one and only Geena Davis - this one went out on 9th November 2022. This is what I wrote at the time: Lees meer
I am obsessed with today's guest and I'm not even going to pretend otherwise. Geena Davis, the star of such seminal movies as Tootsie, Beetlejuice, Thelma & Louise, A League of Their Own and the underrated classic, The Long Kiss Goodnight, TURNED UP AT MY ACTUAL HOUSE to record a witty, warm and fascinating conversation.*
We talk about her feelings of imposter syndrome and self-doubt in the early days of her career, the fact that her failure as a model led to her first film role alongside Dustin Hoffman (who gave her incredible advice on how to defend herself against the amorous advances of her male co-stars) and the revelation of being diagnosed with ADD in her 40s. Along the way, we touch on height (she's 6ft! A tall woman like me!), the #MeToo movement, representation, almost becoming an Olympic archer, being an older mother and the seismic impact her friendship with Susan Sarandon had on Davis's life. I can't wait for you all to listen.
*yes, she met my ginger cat Huxley and they got along famously.
HOW TO FAIL PRESENTED BY HAYU LIVE TOUR tickets: www.fane.co.uk/how-to-fail
Have something to share of your own? I'd love to hear from you! Click here to get in touch: howtofailpod.com
How to Fail is an Elizabeth Day and Sony Music Entertainment Production.
Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts
To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Failure Throwback: Jamie Dornan
1 januari 2025 · 1 uur 8 min
I’m revisiting some of my favourite episodes this Christmas. This week it’s Jamie Dornan, whose episode went out when we were in deepest, darkest lockdown, on 24th November 2020. This is what I wrote at the time: Lees meer
You’ll know Jamie from starring on our screens in The Fall, Fifty Shades of Grey, and more recently The Tourist. He joins me to talk about failures in acting, failures at school and a failure to sit still. We also discuss growing up in Northern Ireland at the height of The Troubles, male objectification, the death of his beloved mother from cancer at the age of 16 and the loss of four friends in a car crash shortly afterwards. We talk about grief, therapy and what it means to be a father. And we talk about why he walks on his tiptoes.
HOW TO FAIL PRESENTED BY HAYU LIVE TOUR tickets: www.fane.co.uk/how-to-fail
Have something to share of your own? I'd love to hear from you! Click here to get in touch: howtofailpod.com
How to Fail is an Elizabeth Day and Sony Music Entertainment Production.
Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts
To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices -
Failure Throwback: Phoebe Waller-Bridge
25 december 2024 · 1 uur
I’ve hand-picked some of my favourite episodes of all time to revisit this Christmas, so today’s a very special one. Phoebe Waller-Bridge was my first EVER guest on this podcast when I launched in July 2018. A year after that, almost to the day, I welcomed her back to talk about how her life had changed in the interim [spoiler alert: she’d become a global superstar]. Lees meer
Phoebe talks about the craziness of those 12 months, during which she wrote and starred in Fleabag 2 (described as a televisual masterpiece by...well...almost everyone), made Killing Eve (described as a televisual masterpiece by...well...almost everyone) and worked her magic on the new James Bond movie.
It was a year that, from the outside, seemed to many of us to be the epitome of success. But what failures lay underneath the surface? What about those private moments of vulnerability and self-doubt we are so rarely privy to?
Phoebe joined me to talk about three failures from that year, including her failure to connect with her family, her failure to speak up for herself and her failure to Marie Kondo her bedroom. Along the way, we discuss what makes the perfect water bottle, filming THAT final scene in Fleabag (apparently the foxes were total divas), sexuality, exhaustion and why female creators are often unfairly assumed to be writing autobiography. And yes, the Meryl Streep apple crumble anecdote makes an(other) appearance.
HOW TO FAIL PRESENTED BY HAYU LIVE TOUR tickets: www.fane.co.uk/how-to-fail
Have something to share of your own? I'd love to hear from you! Click here to get in touch: howtofailpod.com
How to Fail is an Elizabeth Day and Sony Music Entertainment Production.
Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts
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Sir Chris Hoy - ‘There’s no cure but I still find hope’
18 december 2024 · 55 min
It was an honour to record this episode. We overuse words such as ‘hero’ and ‘inspiration’ but Sir Chris Hoy is both. Not only is he one of Great Britain’s most successful Olympic athletes (during a record-breaking career as a sprint cyclist, he won six gold medals, one silver medal, and 11 world championships) but he’s currently living with a Stage 4 prostate cancer diagnosis. In September 2023, a seemingly routine trip to the doctor’s turned into a waking nightmare when he was given between two and four years to live. His beloved wife Sarra was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis a month later. And yet, these two extraordinary people say they are lucky. Lees meer
Listen to this episode if you want to feel joy, hear wisdom and learn how to live with love in the face of death. Sir Chris - you’re an amazing human being. Thank you for spending this precious time with me.
If you or someone you love is going through a mental or physical health challenge, as Sir Chris Hoy says: you are not alone. You can call the Samaritans 24/7 on 116 123.`
All That Matters by Sir Chris Hoy is out now.
Have something to share of your own? I'd love to hear from you! Click here to get in touch: howtofailpod.com
Production & Post Production Coordinator: Eric Ryan
Studio and Mix Engineer: Gulliver Lawrence-Tickell and Matias Torres Sole
Senior Producer: Selina Ream
Executive Producer: Carly Maile
Head of Marketing: Kieran Lancini
How to Fail is an Elizabeth Day and Sony Music Entertainment Production.
Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts
To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Kirsty Young - ‘The great benefit of age? You give less of a f**k.’
11 december 2024 · 49 min
When I started How To Fail, I had a list of dream guests. Kirsty Young was on it. Not only because she’s one of the greatest interviewers of all time but also because her style of broadcasting (especially during her time on Desert Island Discs) is the standard I aspire to every week on this podcast. Lees meer
Her intelligence, warmth and ability to listen - both to what is being said and what isn’t - are what mark her apart. It was an honour to be allowed to ask her the questions for a change and a delight to spend time in her company because she’s FUNNY too. Truly, the ideal woman.
We talk about her self-stated failure ‘to excite her birth father enough for him to stick around’, her failure as a quiz-show host and her failure to meditate. Along the way, we touch on her experiences interviewing the great and the good…and some who were neither. We talk about her anchoring of the late Queen’s funeral and Kirsty’s ability to sum up the mood of a nation. We discuss step-parenting, the liberation of age, clickbait, living with a chronic illness and why she wishes she’d run off with a Guatemalan tribesman (but settled for love at first sight with her husband, Nick Jones, instead).
HOW TO FAIL PRESENTED BY HAYU LIVE TOUR tickets: www.fane.co.uk/how-to-fail
Have something to share of your own? I'd love to hear from you! Click here to get in touch: howtofailpod.com
Production & Post Production Coordinator: Eric Ryan
Studio and Mix Engineer: Matias Torres Sole and John Scott
Senior Producer: Selina Ream
Executive Producer: Carly Maile
Head of Marketing: Kieran Lancini
How to Fail is an Elizabeth Day and Sony Music Entertainment Production.
Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts
To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices -
Luke Evans - ‘If I didn’t have to take my top off on a movie set, I’d let myself go’
27 november 2024 · 55 min
Lovely, lovely, LOVELY Luke Evans. I think he’s quite possibly one of the nicest men in Hollywood - a bona fide A-Lister after star turns in Beauty and the Beast, The Hobbit, Fast & Furious, to name but a few. And yet, his early life was challenging. Raised as a Jehovah’s Witness, he was unable to be open about his sexuality for fear of banishment from the church and rejection by his parents. He left home at 16, moved to Cardiff to study singing, and eventually became a successful musical theatre actor before finally landing a movie role at the age of 30, which would change his life forever. He hasn’t stopped working since. Lees meer
Luke and I talked about being gay in Hollywood, his physical insecurities (despite being the embodiment of a certain kind of masculine perfection on-screen) and how his early days of knocking on doors with his Jehovah’s Witness parents prepared him for rejection in his career. His failures? To find a soulmate until his 40s, accepting success and a failure to learn what his dad knows. I also get to study his tattoo and ask him who his favourite Hollywood co-star is and why…
NEW HOW TO FAIL WITH ELIZABETH DAY PRESENTED BY HAYU LIVE TOUR DATE
Friday 28th March 2025 – The London Barbican
Go to: www.fane.co.uk/how-to-fail
Have something to share of your own? I'd love to hear from you! Click here to get in touch: howtofailpod.com
Production & Post Production Coordinator: Eric Ryan
Studio and Mix Engineer: Matias Torres Sole and John Scott
Senior Producer: Selina Ream
Executive Producer: Carly Maile
Head of Marketing: Kieran Lancini
How to Fail is an Elizabeth Day and Sony Music Entertainment Production.
Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts
To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices