Begin Again with Davina McCall

What if your worst moment is actually your biggest gift?

In this episode of Begin Again, broadcaster and television producer Richard Bacon joins Davina for a funny and deeply moving conversation about public failure, addiction, ADHD, love and building a new life after everything changes.

Richard reflects on landing his dream job at Blue Peter, the betrayal by a close friend that turned his private life into a national headline, and what it felt like to lose everything so publicly at just 22 years old. He shares how unexpected people rallied around him, why the chaos that once got him into trouble later became one of his greatest strengths, and how he learned to keep moving forward when others believed his career was over.

Together, Richard and Davina explore his relationship with addiction, his ADHD diagnosis in his forties, and the relief of finally understanding the way his mind works. Richard explains how that diagnosis helped him make sense of both his scattered attention and extraordinary ability to hyperfocus, and why the qualities he once struggled with have become central to his creativity and success.

But this conversation is about much more than headlines.

Richard speaks movingly about his wife Rebecca, the excitement of falling in love, and the grounding force she has been throughout their marriage. He recalls being told by his doctor that he might not be alive without her, and the terrifying moment, one year later, when he was placed into a coma and his family were warned that he might not survive.

This is a conversation about love, public failure, second chances and finding the people who help you stay grounded when life becomes chaotic.

If you’ve ever felt defined by a mistake, struggled to understand your own mind, or wondered whether it’s possible to rebuild when life goes completely off script, this episode is for you.

✨ Discover Richard’s podcast, Why Are You More Successful Than Me:Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/why-are-you-more-successful-than-me-with-richard-bacon/id1895025167 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WhyAreYouMoreSuccessfulThanMe

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6yWlm1mVITUj5DBDo15YAg

🌟 Like, comment and subscribe for more honest conversations about purpose, resilience, love, loss and beginning again. Tap the bell so you never miss a new episode.

Follow us here:

📸 www.instagram.com/beginagain

🎥 https://www.tiktok.com/@beginagainpod

✨ Sign up for the Begin Again newsletter for behind-the-scenes access, recommendations and much more: https://linkly.link/2g2xm

We'd love you to share your Get Busy Living stories with us at https://getbusyliving.beginagainshow.com/

(00:00) Intro(01:14) Intro to Richard Bacon(08:49) Richard's parents, their relationship, and his upbringing(11:10) Fidning Broadcasting(12:47) First job in live TV(17:08) How Richard got banned from the State Opening of Parliament with Newsbunny(20:09) Richard talks about some of the crazy shows he worked on early in his TV career(21:36) Getting banned from McDonalds for life(22:55) ADHD diagnosis in his 40s(27:21) Meeting his Wifem Rebecca(28:21) Monzo Ad(29:23) Ancient & Brave Ad(36:54) Landing Presenting Slot on Blue Peter(42:49) The Scandal that got him Fired(43:51) His Best Friend Leaking The Story To The Press(48:40) Shopify Ad(53:54) The Aftermath of Getting Fired(58:16) Getting into Radio and deciding to move to LA(01:05:50) Richard's near death experience and going into a coma(01:07:28) Richard's relationship with alchohol(01:11:02) What's next for Richard, how much he loves change

Sponsored by:

Monzo - Download Monzo. Monzo Current Accounts are for 16+ and UK residents. Ts&Cs Apply.

Ancient + Brave - https://ancientandbrave.earth/pages/planet and use code BEGINAGAIN for 20% off your order

Shopify - https://shopify.co.uk for £1 a month trial

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode Description:
In this episode of Begin Again Moments, two powerful conversations explore the hidden cost of life in the public eye.

Jason Donovan and Amanda de Cadenet reflect on the intense scrutiny that comes with fame, sharing the personal impact of media attention, public judgement and press intrusion. Together, they reveal what it takes to protect your identity, your relationships and your peace when your life is constantly under the spotlight.

To hear the full conversations, watch the complete episodes on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if understanding the universe could change the way you live?

In this episode of Begin Again, Professor Brian Cox joins Davina for a conversation about existence, consciousness, mortality and the extraordinary improbability of being alive at all.

Brian explains why the atoms that make us have travelled across billions of years of cosmic history, why the universe gave rise to conscious life, and how understanding our place within it can completely transform the way we see ourselves. Together, they explore what happens when we die, whether science leaves room for spirituality, why curiosity matters more than certainty, and why accepting that life is temporary can make it infinitely more precious.

But this conversation is about much more than science.

Brian reflects on the book that changed his life, the teachers who shaped his thinking, his unexpected journey from rock musician to world-renowned physicist, and why saying "I don't know" may be one of the most important things we can learn. Davina and Brian also discuss grief, fear, hope, the search for meaning, and why seeing the bigger picture of the universe can make us feel more connected to one another, not less.

This is a conversation about awe, curiosity, purpose and the remarkable privilege of being alive.

If you've ever looked up at the night sky and wondered why we're here, questioned what gives life meaning, or wanted to see the world with fresh eyes, this episode is for you.

🌟 Like, comment and subscribe for more honest conversations about purpose, resilience, love, loss and beginning again. Tap the bell so you never miss a new episode.

Follow us here: 📸 www.instagram.com/beginagain 🎥 https://www.tiktok.com/@beginagainpod

✨ Find out more about Brian Cox's live shows and work: https://briancox.org/

✨ Sign up for the Begin Again newsletter for behind-the-scenes access, recommendations and much more: https://linkly.link/2g2xm

(00:00) Intro

(01:25) Introduction to Brian and his new show Emergence

(11:04) The Book That Changed Brian's Life

(16:14) Monzo Ad

(17:44) Spiritual beliefs & The Universe

(21:10) How The Universe was Formed

(23:13) The recent discovery of where Gold comes from

(25:34) How Carl Sagan's TV show 'Cosmos' inspired young Brian

(32:07) Getting into music and playing in Dare

(38:58) Monzo Ad

(39:58) The importance of hard work and luck in forging your path (

41:49) What happens when we die?

(47:31) The importance of space travel and scientific research

(59:24) The Hadron Collider

(01:04:10) Why Brian Became A Teacher

(01:07:53) Quantum Mechanics and Quantum Computers

(01:13:08) How Astronomy can give people a better perspective on life (01:16:44) A letter from a student

(01:23:12) A letter from Dare bandmate Darren Wharton

(01:27:51) What Brian wants for the Future

Sponsored by:

Monzo - Download Monzo. Monzo Current Accounts are for 16+ and UK residents. Ts&Cs Apply.

We'd love you to share your Get Busy Living stories with us at https://getbusyliving.beginagainshow.com/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

She was given just 18 months to live. They got 12 more years together.

In this episode of Begin Again, motivational speaker and bestselling author Pete Cohen joins Davina to share the extraordinary love story that changed his life forever.

Pete opens up about meeting his wife Hannah by chance, falling in love as she was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumour, and why leaving was never an option. Together, they faced impossible decisions, raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for life-saving treatment, and defied every expectation to build another twelve years together.

But this conversation is about much more.

Pete reflects on the regrets that still stay with him, why he wishes he'd been more present with Hannah, and how grief transformed the way he thinks about love, fear and what really matters. He shares how watching Hannah embrace life in the face of death changed him forever, and why her legacy continues to shape the way he lives today.

Davina and Pete also explore the fear of losing the people we love, what it means to truly show up for someone in their darkest moments, and how grief can become a reminder to live more intentionally rather than something we simply survive.

This is a conversation about love, loss, resilience and the extraordinary impact one person can have on your life, even after they're gone.

If you've ever loved someone deeply, lost someone you couldn't imagine living without, or wondered how to carry on after heartbreak, this episode is for you.

🌟 Like, comment and subscribe for more honest conversations about grief, love, resilience, purpose and beginning again. Tap the bell so you never miss a new episode.

Follow us here:

📸 www.instagram.com/beginagain

🎥 https://www.tiktok.com/@beginagainpod

✨ Watch Pete's award-winning documentary, Team Hannah, and learn more about Hannah's extraordinary story: https://www.teamhannah.com/

✨ Sign up for the Begin Again newsletter for behind-the-scenes access, recommendations and much more: https://linkly.link/2g2xm

(00:00) INTRO (01:14) Pete Cohen and Team Hannah (01:53) Growing Up With Learning Difficulties (03:12) Struggling at School (04:17) Becoming a Fitness Coach (05:12) How Pete’s Parents Shaped Him (07:32) How Pete Met Hannah (09:45) Hannah’s Brain Tumour Diagnosis (12:31) Chronic Fatigue and Finding a Mentor (14:32) Raising Money for Cancer Treatment (16:14) Falling in Love Through Cancer (17:05) Experimental Cancer Treatment in America (19:48) Ancient & Brave Ad (20:50) Do Health Ad (22:00) Why Pete Filmed Hannah’s Journey (24:14) Grief and Celebrating Through Suffering (27:16) Pete’s Biggest Regret (31:33) Hannah’s Love of Quilting (36:50) Ten Years Cancer-Free (37:47) A Gift From Hannah (39:32) The Team Hannah Documentary (43:23) Davina’s Mission for Begin Again (44:07) Pete’s Next Chapter (47:44) Advice for Grief and Caring for Someone

Sponsored by:

Ancient + Brave - https://ancientandbrave.earth/pages/planet and use code BEGINAGAIN for 20% off your order

Do Health - The waitlist is open. Begin Again listeners get fixed early access pricing when they sign up today at dohealth.co/beginagain use code BEGINAGAIN

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this uplifting episode of Begin Again Moments, Melanie C shares the love story she never expected to find.

After ending a long-term relationship, the Spice Girl turned solo artist found herself navigating dating apps for the very first time. She opens up about meeting her partner, Chris, the calm and safety he brought into her life, and how finding love in her 50s has transformed the way she lives. From being a self-confessed workaholic to discovering joy beyond her career, Melanie reflects on why she's happier, more confident and more creative than ever before.

She also shares why it's never too late to start something new, embracing new challenges, finding love later in life, and redefining what happiness looks like.

To hear the full conversation, watch the complete episode on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices