The Good Girl rebellion: How to stop caring if you’re likeable

The Good Girl rebellion: How to stop caring if you’re likeable

Author: Fearne Cotton May 30, 2025 Duration: 44:36

Fearne’s been thinking a lot lately about how much of her life she’s spent people pleasing as a result of wanting to be liked. So today, how to break free from the ‘good girl’ your family, friends, colleagues, and society expect you to be...


In this episode –


-Louise Redknapp clarifies why being described as ‘nice’ isn’t a compliment and how she’s gone about making people see her as a multi-faceted human


-Paloma Faith pinpoints the ways women make themselves smaller in order to make others feel more comfortable


-Sophie Ellis-Bextor explains how she’s learnt to navigate mum guilt while not minimising the importance of her career


-Natasha Bedingfield talks about the powerful effects of physically speaking your truth and voicing your needs


-Afua Hirsch reflects on how colonisation in her native country Ghana has affected her notions of what it means to be good, pure woman


-Florence Given explores not letting outside opinion dictate who you are and how to stop feeling the need to defend or explain yourself


-Dawn French waxes lyrical about the joy of getting things wrong and embracing imperfection


-Emily Atack explains how online abuse almost broke her, but ultimately strengthened her resolve to be an even bolder version of herself


Listen to the full episodes here –


Louise Redknapp


Paloma Faith


Sophie Ellis Bextor


Natasha Bedingfield


Afua Hirsch


Florence Given


Dawn French


Emily Atack

 


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In a world that often feels loud and demanding, Happy Place offers a different kind of conversation. Here, Fearne Cotton sits down with a wide range of fascinating people-from artists and athletes to experts and everyday heroes-to explore the nuanced realities of human experience. These discussions gently peel back the layers on topics like mental resilience, physical well-being, cultural shifts, and the complexities of our relationships, moving far beyond simple soundbites. The core of this podcast lies in its authentic curiosity about how individuals navigate life's inevitable highs and lows. Rather than prescribing a single path to joy, each episode uncovers personal definitions of contentment and peace, often found in unexpected moments or hard-won perspectives. Listening feels like being part of a thoughtful, intimate dialogue where vulnerability is welcomed and stories are shared without pretense. Whether the conversation touches on overcoming loss, finding creative inspiration, or building a healthier society, Fearne guides it with empathy and a genuine desire to understand. This collection of interviews provides a quiet space for reflection, reminding us that happiness is not a constant state but a deeply personal and evolving journey. Tune in for a sincere exploration of what it means to live fully across all facets of life.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Happy Place
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