
Hosted by Begin Again · EN

What does it really feel like to lose someone… while they’re still here? In this powerful Begin Again Moments, Jamie Theakston opens up about his father’s dementia, the quiet grief, the role reversal, and the heartbreak of watching a parent slowly change. He speaks candidly about the anxiety of caring for someone who wants to stay independent, and the complicated emotions that come with loving someone who is still physically present but gradually slipping away . Then psychologist Kimberley Wilson explains the science behind dementia and Alzheimer’s, including why women are at higher risk, the worrying rise in young-onset diagnoses, and the surprising lifestyle factors that could prevent up to 45% of cases. From hearing loss and social isolation to brain stimulation and stress, she shares what we can actually do to protect our brain health. This short episode features powerful clips from their full conversations, both available to watch or listen to now. If you’re caring for a parent, worried about your own risk, or navigating the complicated emotions of dementia, this conversation is for you. Watch the full episodes with Jamie Theakston and Kimberley Wilson now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One mother’s journey to self-love, resilience, and reinvention. In this powerful and heartfelt episode, Dearbhla Mescal, mother of Oscar-nominated actor Paul Mescal and singer-songwriter Nell Mescal, shares how a life dedicated to her children’s dreams transformed into a life of self-discovery and strength after a life-changing cancer diagnosis. For over three decades, Dearbhla prioritised her children's needs, guiding them through their own ambitions while silently putting herself last. But when cancer entered her life, everything shifted. Through her personal battle, Dearbhla explains how facing mortality became the catalyst for her to finally embrace herself, her body, and her own dreams. From navigating motherhood with three children chasing their dreams, to witnessing the highs and lows of a 30-year marriage, Dearbhla reflects on the lessons of love, sacrifice, and resilience that have shaped her journey. This episode reveals the profound transformation that can happen when we start prioritising ourselves , even after years of putting others first. This is a beautiful testament to the power of reinvention, the strength of family, and the importance of loving yourself, no matter what life throws your way. 🌟 Comment, and follow us for more inspiring stories of strength, transformation, and growth. Finding Joy out now: https://www.waterstones.com/book/finding-joy/dearbhla-mescal/steve-doogan/9781804442876 Follow Dearbhla:https://www.instagram.com/dearbhlam/ Follow us here: 📸 www.instagram.com/beginagain 🎥 https://www.tiktok.com/@beginagainpod (01:32) Intro to Dearbhla Mescal, Her New Book and Her Kids(03:46) How to Finding Joy in the Everyday(08:11) Dearbhla on Her Time in the Police Force and Finding Her Voice(11:40) Authenticity and Finding Joy in the Small Moments(15:25) Becoming a Parent and Facilitating Your Kids’ Dreams(27:59) Airbnb Ad(29:00) Lind Ad(30:06) The Turning Point(30:53) Discovering Her Cancer Diagnosis(38:24) Telling Her Kids About Her Diagnosis(42:54) Facing Cancer and Having Deep Gratitude for Life and Love(47:07) How Cancer Brought Loneliness, Grief, and a Gift(53:00) Beginning Again After Cancer(55:58) The Greatest Gift We Can Give Our Children(01:02:25) Learning to Take Up Space and Pursue Your Passions(01:05:23) Discovering Anxiety in Midlife(01:07:12) Paul, Nell and Donnacha's Reaction to Her Book(01:09:12) An Emotional Rendition of 'The Kiss' by Her Daughter Nell(01:13:46) A Special Gift for Dearbhla Sponsored by: Airbnb: Your home might be worth more than you think. Find out how much at Airbnb.co.uk/Host Lint: Discover Lindt Excellence… Expect Delicious. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What happens when you have to re-enter the dating world after years in a relationship? Paloma Faith reveals the unexpected emotional challenges of dating in her 40s, from feeling out of place on apps to redefining what she truly wants. Instead of seeing it as a setback, she chose to see it as a chance to Begin Again. Alongside her, Paul C. Brunson shares the practical roadmap for midlife dating, how to approach it differently, how to protect your confidence, and how to turn fear into possibility. Dating again isn’t about going backwards. It’s about stepping into a new chapter, with more wisdom, clarity and courage than ever before. These golden nugget moments are taken from Begin Again with Davina McCall, the full episode with Paloma & Paul are available now. Follow us for more and your chance to Begin Again.💚✨ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One big dream could be all it takes to begin again. In this awe-inspiring episode, Dame Maggie Aderin shares how growing up as a dyslexic Black girl in 1970s London, at a time when racism was overt and dreams were small, sparked her wildest ambition: to reach for the stars, literally. A world-renowned space scientist, Maggie opens up about the personal journey behind the lab coat, from watching the moonlight with her father as a child, to falling in love with astronomy through cartoons, to dreaming of becoming the first woman named Maggie to walk on the moon. She explains how science gave her purpose, how curiosity became a lifeline, and why believing in something bigger than yourself, like the universe, can change your life on Earth. From working on some of the world’s most powerful telescopes to inspiring over 650,000 children through her talks, Dame Maggie shows us what purpose really looks like. Whether you're searching for meaning, battling self-doubt, or trying to find your place in the cosmos, this conversation will leave you inspired to dream bigger, and keep looking up. 💫 Like, comment, and subscribe for more fearless stories of growth and purpose. Tap the bell to stay connected. Follow Magge: https://www.instagram.com/scienceinnovationmea/ Pre Order “Starchild”: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/468362/starchild-by-aderin-maggie/9781785949449 Follow us here:📸 www.instagram.com/beginagain🎥 https://www.tiktok.com/@beginagainpod 00:00 Intro 00:09 Who Is Dame Maggie Aderin and Why She Matters 00:46 What Sparked Maggie’s Passion for Science 02:04 How the Moon Secretly Shapes Our Lives 08:07 How Maggie Makes Complex Science Feel Simple 09:07 Why Having a Dream Can Change Everything 13:07 What Ikigai Teaches Us About Purpose and Balance 17:57 What Telescopes Reveal About the Universe—and Ourselves 22:04 Could Life Exist Beyond Earth? Here's the Scientific Take 23:12 Why the Future of Space Exploration Is Both Thrilling and Terrifying 26:06 How Far Can Humanity Really Go in Space? 29:27 What Breakthroughs Are Coming in the Next Decade of Space Discovery 32:57 Airbnb Ad 34:01 How Maggie’s Complicated Childhood Shaped Her Strength 42:07 Why Maggie Wrote 'Starchild'—And What It Means to Her 50:39 Maggie Opens Up About Facing Racism in the UK 54:44 What It’s Like to Find Purpose in the Public Eye 57:22 What It Meant to Be Made Into a BarbieSponsored by: Your home might be worth more than you think. Find out how much at Airbnb.co.uk/Host Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Grief is something we all face at some stage. In this bonus "Begin Again Moments" episode, Andi Oliver opens up about the deep loss of her brother Sean, reflecting on his life and the impact of his passing. Buddhist Monk Gelong Thubten shares his wisdom on processing grief, offering a compassionate perspective on how we can approach life's impermanence. Together, they explore the power of making space for both love and loss, offering profound insights on navigating the complexity of grief. Follow us here: 📸 www.instagram.com/beginagain 🎥 https://www.tiktok.com/@beginagainpod New episodes every Thursday 7am 💚 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is what it takes to begin again when you feel like you’ve lost everything. In this powerful episode, comedian Seann Walsh opens up about the reality behind the laughs, his turbulent childhood, addiction, and public shaming, and how hitting rock bottom forced him to rebuild his entire life from scratch. Seann shares how sobriety became the turning point that reconnected him with the version of himself he lost in the chaos: the ten-year-old boy who just wanted to make people laugh. He talks honestly about feeling like a failure at the height of success, the deep shame that followed and how he slowly found his way back, not to who he was, but to someone stronger. From becoming a father to falling in love with Grace, Seann reveals the real moments that brought him peace, purpose, and a new path forward. Whether you’re navigating addiction, public failure, or just trying to start over, this episode will show you what it really means to heal. Seann Walsh will be on tour across the UK with his brand-new show This Is Torture from 13th February, with tickets on sale now at https://www.seannwalsh.com 💚 Comment and follow for more honest conversations. Follow Seann: https://www.instagram.com/seannwalsh/ Follow us here:📸 www.instagram.com/beginagain🎥 https://www.tiktok.com/@beginagainpod (00:00) INTRO (02:15) Seann on His Chaotic Childhood and His Dad’s Heroin Addiction(07:20) The Moment That Brought Seann and His Dad Together(12:55) Seann on Family Dysfunction (15:30) Seann on Setting Boundaries and Finding Sobriety(19:36) How Comedy Liberated Seann From a Young Age(22:25) Overcoming Expectations and Dealing with Feelings of Failure(30:11) Lindt Chocolate Ad(31:20) Airbnb Ad(32:25) Seann on Moving Forward After Controversy (36:02) Seann on Meeting Grace and the Proposal Story(43:44) Seann on the Joy He Finds in Parenthood(48:18) Seann on the Life-Changing Advice From His Father(52:02) Seann’s Vision for the Next 10 Years(54:53) A Special Letter From Grace Sponsored by: Discover Lindt Excellence… Expect Delicious. Your home might be worth more than you think. Find out how much at Airbnb.co.uk/Host Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join Deliciously Ella and Davina McCall for a 10-minute kitchen reset 🍅🥦 This is your invitation to take the overwhelm out of healthy eating. In this Reset Month bonus episode, Ella shares the top 10 ingredients she always keeps on hand, and how to use them for quick, delicious, family-friendly meals. No fancy gadgets, no complex recipes, just real food, real fast. 🌱 This is the episode for you if: You want to eat better but don’t know where to start You’re tired of wellness advice that feels overcomplicated You’re looking for simple wins in the kitchen ✨ Ella's Essentials include: Easy pantry staples (like tins, grains, and frozen veg) Quick flavor boosts with minimal effort The mindset shift that makes weeknight cooking doable 🎁 Don’t miss our RESET giveaway! Sign up for the Begin Again newsletter for exclusive tools and a chance to win over £750 in wellness prizes: http://beginagainshow.com 🎥 This episode is part of our RESET MONTH series, your invitation to simplify, nourish, and begin again. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this exclusive and deeply personal episode of Begin Again, Davina McCall steps into the guest seat as Steven Bartlett takes over hosting duties for a powerful role reversal like never before.For the first time, Davina opens up about the life-changing moment she discovered a 1-in-3-million brain cyst, the fear of undergoing surgery and the difficult decision to keep her diagnosis private until the day of her surgery. She shares the raw reality of waking up from major brain surgery, the emotional letters she wrote to her children, and the long road to reclaiming her sense of self. Steven Bartlett, entrepreneur, bestselling author, and host of The Diary of a CEO, guides this emotional conversation with care, as Davina reflects on the anger, uncertainty, and gratitude that shaped her recovery. This is a story of resilience, vulnerability, and the power to begin again—even when life takes an unexpected turn.Follow me here:www.instagram.com/beginagainhttps://www.tiktok.com/@beginagainpod (00:00) Intro(01:22) A Message from Davina(04:54) How Does It Feel to Be Back?(06:40) Telling People About the Diagnosis(10:26) Finding Out About the Tumor(15:31) The Official Diagnosis & What It Means(17:11) Deciding to Have the Operation(24:35) It Can Happen to Anyone, No Matter How Healthy(27:31) Telling Friends(31:47) The Day of Diagnosis(35:33) Confronting Death(39:24) The Children & Motherhood(43:56) Adobe Ad(45:05) Rebuilding Her Relationship with Her Stepmum(58:26) Davina’s Relationship with Michael(01:01:22) Fear After the Operation(01:10:46) Public Reaction(01:13:14) Friends & Family(01:15:19) Gratitude(01:20:28) Coming Back to Work(01:27:18) Beginning Again(01:36:47) How Are You Feeling?Adobe - https://www.adobe.com/uk/express/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this transformative episode of Begin Again, Davina McCall is joined by acclaimed journalist and author Eleanor Mills to explore the powerful concept of renewal and reinvention after 50. Eleanor shares her wisdom on how women can overcome societal expectations, navigate the fear of change, and embrace midlife as an opportunity for growth and joy.Drawing from her personal experiences and the stories of others, Eleanor redefines what it means to thrive in later life, offering actionable advice for finding purpose and creating a vibrant, fulfilling future. Whether you’re seeking inspiration or practical guidance, this empowering conversation will leave you energised and ready to embrace the possibilities of a new chapter.Follow me here:www.instagram.com/beginagainhttps://www.tiktok.com/@beginagainpod (00:00) Intro (02:02) Changing The Perception Of Aging For Women (04:55) Made Redundant In Midlife (11:33) Eleanor's Organisation (12:29) Psychedelics Changed My Life! (17:22) Rebirth After Redundancy (21:55) How To Make The Changes You Need(24:43) Zoe Ad (28:46) The Impact Of The Patriarchy On Women In Midlife (40:18) Eleanor's Vision For The Future (42:30) What Can Businesses Do To Change Perceptions Of Women In Midlife? (48:40) How Can Women Reframe The Way Society Looks At Women? (55:00) Eleanor's BookSponsored by:ZOE - https://zoe.com and use code BEGIN10 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Begin Again, Davina is joined by Andrew Steele, scientist, author, and advocate for unlocking the secrets of human longevity. Andrew delves into the fascinating science of ageing, challenging the notion that growing older as we know it is inevitable. Drawing on cutting-edge research and groundbreaking developments in anti-ageing science, he explores the transformative potential of extending not just lifespan but health-span. Through this eye-opening conversation, Andrew reveals how small changes today could lead to a future where we age better, and perhaps even slower, offering the knowledge and inspiration to rethink our approach to ageing and well-being.Follow me here:www.instagram.com/beginagainhttps://www.tiktok.com/@beginagainpod (00:00) Intro(01:32) Andrew's Interest In Aging(05:14) What Is The End Goal?(07:06) Life Span vs. Health Span(10:16) Menopause And Aging In Women(21:06) The Anti-Aging Miracle Drug(25:05) How Close Are We To Having An Anti-Aging Drug?(25:46) What Other Anti-Aging Drugs Are Being Developed?(27:31) The Truth About Inflammation(32:13) Holistic Medicine(32:50) Funding Research(35:22) Andrew's Dream For Your Future(36:58) What Will Death Look Like With Anti-Aging Drugs?(38:42) Misconceptions About Aging(42:50) Zoe Ad(44:20) Longer Life Spans And Overpopulation(47:54) Spreading The Word(52:05) How Would We Take An Anti-Aging Drug?(54:48) Artificial Intelligence (AI)(57:16) The Hallmarks Of Aging(1:00:11) Societal Changes(1:02:11) The Best Advice For A Long And Healthy Life(1:14:50) Andrew's Book(1:19:15) Davina's Round-UpSponsored by: ZOE - https://zoe.com and use code DAVINA10 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices