• 41. Tuppence Middleton: The Dark Truth About OCD & Fear That Controlled Her Life
    Feb 24 2025
    Welcome to The Life of Bryony Where we explore life’s messy, beautiful, and challenging moments. MY GUEST THIS WEEK: TUPPENCE MIDDLETON This week, I’m joined by Tuppence Middleton—actor and author of Scorpions. In her book, Tuppence explores her lifelong experience with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and emetophobia (a debilitating fear of vomiting). We discuss how OCD isn’t just about cleanliness or order—it’s about fear, control, and mental gymnastics that can take over your life. Tuppence opens up about her constant battle with intrusive thoughts, the exhausting need for reassurance, and how her emetophobia has shaped so many aspects of her life—from acting, to motherhood, to even deciding what foods to eat. She shares how OCD and phobias can make everyday experiences—like travelling, touching objects, or even interacting with people—deeply distressing, and how she’s learned to live with what she calls the ‘scorpions’ in her mind. If you’ve ever struggled with anxiety, intrusive thoughts, or an overwhelming fear that controls parts of your life, this episode is a must-listen. LET’S STAY IN TOUCH 🗣️ Got something to share? Text or send a voice note on 07796657512—just start your message with LOB. 💬 Use the WhatsApp shortcut: https://wa.me/447796657512?text=LOB. 📧 Prefer email? Drop me a line at lifeofbryony@dailymail.co.uk. If you enjoyed this episode, share it with someone who might find Tuppence’s insights helpful—it really makes a difference! Bryony xx BOOKS DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE 📚 Scorpions by Tuppence Middleton A deeply personal and powerful exploration of OCD, emetophobia, and intrusive thoughts, and how they shape our lives. Buy from Waterstones SOME GREAT RESOURCES 🧠 Mind UK – Mental health support and information: www.mind.org.uk | Call 0300 123 3393 or text 86463 💭 Anxiety UK – Support and resources for anxiety and panic: www.anxietyuk.org.uk CREDITS 🎙️ Presenter: Bryony Gordon 🎙️ Guest: Tuppence Middleton 🎧 Content Producer: Jonathan O’Sullivan 🎥 Audio & Video Editor: Luke Shelley 📢 Executive Producer: Mike Wooller A Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    45 mins
  • 40. The Life of YOU: Why You Cancel Plans Last Minute – The Hidden Cost of Anxiety
    Feb 14 2025
    Welcome to The Life of YOU! The bonus series where we tackle your dilemmas and share advice to navigate life’s trickier moments. Today, I’m joined by the brilliant Dr Alexandra Shaker, psychologist, researcher, and author of The Narrowing, for an insightful Q&A on anxiety, mental health, and breaking the cycle of overthinking. Today: 💬 Simon struggles with anxiety making him socially withdrawn—cancelling plans, avoiding messages, and feeling guilty. 💔 Niamh can’t stop seeking reassurance in relationships—how can she break the habit? WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU 🗣️ Got a question or a story to share? Text or send a voice note on 07796657512—just start your message with LOB. 💬 Use the WhatsApp shortcut: https://wa.me/447796657512?text=LOB. 📧 Prefer email? Drop me a line at lifeofbryony@dailymail.co.uk If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with someone who might need it—it really helps! CREDITS: 🎙️ Presenter: Bryony Gordon 🎙️ Guest: Dr Alexandra Shaker 🎧 Producer: Jonathan O’Sullivan 📢 Executive Producer: Mike Wooller A Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    13 mins
  • 39. Why You’re Not a Mad Woman – and Why Everything You Know About Anxiety Is Wrong
    Feb 10 2025
    Welcome to The Life of Bryony Where we explore life’s messy, beautiful, and challenging moments. MY GUEST THIS WEEK: DR ALEXANDRA SHAKER This week, I’m joined by Dr Alexandra Shaker—psychologist, researcher, and author of The Narrowing. Alexandra’s work rethinks our understanding of anxiety, not as a weakness, but as a strength—something we can learn from rather than fight against. We discuss how anxiety manifests in the body, why quick fixes don’t work, and how we can reframe our relationship with mental health. LET’S STAY IN TOUCH 🗣️ Got something to share? Text or send a voice note on 07796657512—just start your message with LOB. 💬 Use the WhatsApp shortcut: https://wa.me/447796657512?text=LOB. 📧 Prefer email? Drop me a line at lifeofbryony@dailymail.co.uk If you enjoyed this episode, share it with someone who might find Alexandra’s insights helpful—it really makes a difference! Bryony xx BOOKS DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE 📚 Mad Woman by Bryony Gordon Bryony’s latest memoir, now available in paperback, offers an insightful and fearless reflection on mental health. Buy from Waterstones 📚 The Narrowing by Dr. Alexandra Shaker A transformative exploration of anxiety, examining the connections between our emotional, psychological, and physical lives. Buy from Waterstones SOME GREAT RESOURCES Mind UK – Mental health support and information: www.mind.org.uk | Call 0300 123 3393 or text 86463 Anxiety UK – Support and resources for anxiety and panic: www.anxietyuk.org.uk CREDITS 🎙️ Presenter: Bryony Gordon 🎙️ Guest: Dr Alexandra Shaker 🎧 Content Producer: Jonathan O’Sullivan 🎥 Audio & Video Editor: Luke Shelley 📢 Executive Producer: Mike Wooller A Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    52 mins
  • 38. The Life of YOU: Is Monogamy for Everyone?
    Feb 7 2025
    Welcome to The Life of YOU! The bonus series where we tackle your dilemmas and share advice to navigate life’s trickier moments. Today, I’m joined by the brilliant Ruby Rare, sex educator and author of The Non-Monogamy Playbook, for a candid Q&A session on love, relationships, and exploring non-monogamy with confidence. Today: 💬 Jealous Jo wonders how people in open relationships find the time for it all. 💔 Ben fears his monogamous relationship is at risk as his partner considers opening things up. 🤔 Tom asks how to explore non-monogamy without reducing it to just sex. WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU 🗣️ Got a question or a story to share? Text or send a voice note on 07796657512—just start your message with LOB. 💬 Use the WhatsApp shortcut - https://wa.me/447796657512?text=LOB 📧 Prefer email? Drop me a line at lifeofbryony@dailymail.co.uk. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with someone who might need it—it really helps! CREDITS: 🎙️ Presenter: Bryony Gordon 🎙️ Guest: Ruby Rare 🎧 Producer: Jonathan O’Sullivan 📢 Executive Producer: Mike Wooller A Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    13 mins
  • 37. Could Opening Your Relationship Make It Stronger? Ruby Rare on Non-Monogamy & Modern Love
    Feb 3 2025
    Welcome to The Life of Bryony, where we explore life’s messy, beautiful, and challenging moments. MY GUEST THIS WEEK: RUBY RARE This week, I’m joined by Ruby Rare—sex educator, speaker, and author of The Non-Monogamy Playbook. Ruby is on a mission to help people explore and embrace their sexuality without shame, offering a refreshingly open and non-judgmental perspective on relationships, intimacy, and pleasure. LET’S STAY IN TOUCH 🗣️ Got something to share? Text or send a voice note on 07796657512—just start your message with LOB. 💬 Use the WhatsApp shortcut: https://wa.me/447796657512?text=LOB. 📧 Prefer email? Drop me a line at lifeofbryony@dailymail.co.uk If you enjoyed this episode, share it with someone who might find Ruby’s insights helpful—it really makes a difference! Bryony xx SOME GREAT RESOURCES Brook: A leading charity supporting young people’s sexual health and education. Visit www.brook.org.uk. CREDITS Presenter: Bryony Gordon Guest: Ruby Rare Producer: Jonathan O’Sullivan Executive Producer: Mike Wooller A Daily Mail Production. Seriously Popular. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    43 mins
  • 36. The Life of YOU: TikTok, Teens, and Mental Health
    Jan 31 2025
    Welcome to The Life of YOU, the bonus series where we tackle your dilemmas and share advice to navigate life’s trickier moments. In this bonus episode, I’m joined by the brilliant Christie Watson and Rowan Egberongbe, co-authors of No Filters, for a candid Q&A session. Today: Sarah’s struggle with her 14-year-old son’s TikTok obsession and Fiona’s son is paralysed by climate anxiety WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU 🗣️ Got a question or a story to share? Text or send a voice note on 07796657512—just start your message with LOB. 💬 Use the WhatsApp shortcut - https://wa.me/447796657512?text=LOB 📧 Prefer email? Drop me a line at lifeofbryony@dailymail.co.uk. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with someone who might need it—it really helps! MY WEEKLY RECOMMENDATION: 🛍️ Joanie Clothing – I recorded this episode in my new favourite T-shirt, which says Bring Snacks. Joanie is a brilliant, size-inclusive brand, and their clothes are the perfect mix of comfort and style. Bryony xx SOME GREAT RESOURCES: • YoungMinds UK – Support for young people struggling with mental health: www.youngminds.org.uk • Mind (Mental Health Support) – Help for anxiety, addiction, and stress: www.mind.org.uk | Call 0300 123 3393 or text 86463 CREDITS: 🎙️ Presenter: Bryony Gordon 🎙️ Guests: Christie Watson & Rowan Egberongbe 🎧 Producer: Jonathan O’Sullivan 📢 Executive Producer: Mike Wooller A Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    12 mins
  • 35. The Youth Mental Health Crisis: What Every Parent Needs to Know
    Jan 27 2025
    Welcome to The Life of Bryony, where we explore life’s messy, beautiful, and challenging moments. MY GUESTS THIS WEEK: CHRISTIE WATSON AND ROWAN EGBERONGBE This week, I’m joined by Christie Watson—former NHS nurse, bestselling author, and professor—and her daughter, Rowan Egberongbe. Together, they’ve co-written No Filters, a deeply personal and poignant exploration of Rowan’s mental health crisis during her teenage years. Their story is one of unconditional love, resilience, and finding connection in the darkest moments. In this episode: • How Christie and Rowan navigated the loneliness and chaos of parenting and mental illness. • The power of humour and “loud love” in rebuilding trust and connection. • Insights into the youth mental health crisis and how social media plays a complex role. A gentle warning: This episode contains discussions about self-harm, eating disorders, and suicide. We’ve included resources below for those who may be affected. LET’S STAY IN TOUCH 🗣️ Got something to share? Text or send a voice note on 07796657512—just start your message with LOB. 💬 Use the WhatsApp shortcut: https://wa.me/447796657512?text=LOB. 📧 Prefer email? Drop me a line at lifeofbryony@dailymail.co.uk If you enjoyed this episode, share it with someone who might find Christie and Rowan’s story helpful—it really makes a difference! Bryony xx SOME GREAT RESOURCES • Young Minds: The UK’s leading charity for children and young people’s mental health. Visit www.youngminds.org.uk or call their helpline at 0808 802 5544. • The Mix: Free, confidential support for people under 25. Visit www.themix.org.uk or call their crisis line at 0808 808 4994. • Mind (Mental Health Support): Help for anyone struggling with their mental health. Visit www.mind.org.uk or call 0300 123 3393. Presenter: Bryony Gordon Guests: Christie Watson and Rowan Egberongbe Producer: Jonathan O’Sullivan Executive Producer: Mike Wooller A Daily Mail Production. Seriously Popular. Let me know if you’d like any changes or additional details! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    50 mins
  • 34. The Life of YOU: How to Break the Anxiety-Alcohol Cycle with Millie Mackintosh
    Jan 24 2025
    Welcome to The Life of YOU, the bonus series where we tackle your dilemmas and share advice to navigate life’s trickier moments. In this special episode, I’m joined by the wonderful Millie Mackintosh for an honest Q&A session. Today: • Adam’s struggle with anxiety and alcohol as a social crutch: how to break the cycle and find confidence. • Amara’s challenges with comparison and imperfect parenting: how to embrace your own rhythm and let go of guilt. • Advice for a listener worried about addressing their partner’s drinking habits without causing conflict. WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU 🗣️ Got a question or a story to share? Text or send a voice note on 07796657512—just start your message with LOB. 💬 Use the WhatsApp shortcut - https://wa.me/447796657512?text=LOB 📧 Prefer email? Drop me a line at lifeofbryony@dailymail.co.uk. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with someone who might need it—it really helps! MY WEEKLY RECOMMENDATION: Netflix’s Dubai Bling: perfect for a light-hearted, brain-numbing binge. Bryony xx SOME GREAT RESOURCES: • Alcohol Change UK: Find advice and resources to help reduce alcohol-related harm. Visit www.alcoholchange.org.uk for free tools and support. • Mind (Mental Health Support): Get help for mental health concerns, including addiction and trauma. Visit www.mind.org.uk, call 0300 123 3393, or text 86463. CREDITS: Presenter: Bryony Gordon Guest: Millie Mackintosh Producer: Jonathan O’Sullivan Executive Producer: Mike Wooller A Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    14 mins