179 episodes
Rickey Thompson on His Rise & Fall, Toxic Relationships, Going Broke, & Finally Being Accepted
2026/10/27 | 1h 39 mins.Vine made Rickey Thompson famous overnight, taking him from a bullied high school underdog to a sensation. But what really happened when he moved to Hollywood and the initial hype faded? Years later, he revisits his viral rise, the promises of LA, and the moments that changed his life in ways he never expected.
Rickey looks back at the trauma of growing up gay when his own father told him it was against the Bible, and the relentless bullying he endured while desperately dreaming of becoming an actor. He reflects on the whirlwind of sudden wealth, cashing a $50,000 check right out of high school, and the devastating reality check that followed when a four-year acting job came to an end. From being completely dropped by his agency and manager, to running out of money and being forced to move in with a friend, Rickey opens up about the darker reality of life after going viral. He reveals the moments he felt completely "over life," and how he had to lock himself in a room to rebuild his career from scratch on Instagram. Looking back at the videos where it all began, this is a raw and vulnerable look at the true cost of internet fame, told with the hindsight he never had at the time.
Rickey Thompson, We Need To Talk
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Follow Rickey here:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rickeythompson
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rickeythompson
(00:00) Intro(02:08) Rickey Thompson's Childhood in North Carolina(03:42) Rickey's Childhood and Family(05:53) Rickey's Experience With Childhood Bullying(12:26) Rickey's Relationship With Religion(15:11) Advice to His Younger Self(17:01) Rickey's Childhood Dreams(18:44) Growing Up and Finding His Identity(22:38) How Rickey Became Famous on Vine(29:04) Touring and Moving to Los Angeles(36:10) Rickey's First Acting Role(38:44) Rickey Thompson's Coming Out Story(41:36) The Lowest Point of Rickey's Career(45:13) Rickey's Social Media Comeback(50:17) How His Parents' Divorce Affected Him(56:06) Huel Ad(57:16) Anthropic Ad(58:06) Cometeer Ad(59:10) How COVID Changed Rickey's Career(01:05:18) Rickey's Upcoming Film Role(01:09:20) Rickey's Dating History and Ex-Boyfriend(01:24:33) Rickey's Love of Fashion(01:27:55) Rickey Thompson at the Oscars(01:30:18) Most Memorable Conversation(01:33:08) Paul's Key Takeaways
Sponsored by:
Huel - http://uk.huel.com/WNTT use code WNTT for £10 off
Cometeer: https://cometeer.com/PAUL for $20 off your first order
Anthropic - https://www.claude.ai/talk
Sync-ID: MB01MZIO5KQM7XF
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices- Katie Price opens up about the childhood experiences that shaped her life before becoming Jordan, one of Britain's most recognisable celebrities. From growing up in Brighton to facing traumatic experiences and difficult early relationships, Katie reflects on how her past influenced her understanding of love, trust and self-worth.
She also revisits her unexpected journey into modelling, her search for validation, and the beginnings of a career that would change her life forever.
Raw, personal and revealing, this is a conversation about the girl behind the headlines and the experiences that shaped the Katie Price we know today.
We're Talking Katie Price!
This conversation includes some sensitive subjects that some audience members may find difficult to listen to. Find support charities below:
Samaritans: https://g2ul0.app.link/qcJLJLhBjTb
Women's Aid: https://g2ul0.app.link/WyCdvWWjJOb
Refuge: https://g2ul0.app.link/pmZkBsOjJOb
MIND: https://g2ul0.app.link/Ne9MpdtBjTb
(00:00) Intro(00:34) Katie's Childhood and Upbringing in Brighton(11:04) How Katie's Early Relationships Shaped Her(16:00) The Story Behind Katie's Modelling Career(20:41) How Katie Became a Household Name in the UK
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices - The X Factor made Lucy Spraggan, Jahméne Douglas and Rak-Su’s Myles Stephenson famous overnight, but what really happened behind the scenes of Simon Cowell’s hit TV show? Years later, they revisit their iconic auditions, the promises of fame and the moments that changed their lives in ways they never expected.
Lucy looks back at a decision that changed the course of her music career, the pressure she faced behind the cameras, and why she feels she lost herself for a decade. Jahméne reflects on having his painful childhood turned into a television storyline, and the struggle of watching millions of people form an opinion of someone he didn't recognise. Myles revisits Rak-Su’s whirlwind rise to fame, Simon Cowell’s plans for the band, and the darker reality of life after winning The X Factor. Together, they reflect on the relationships, manipulation and difficult experiences that shaped their time on the show, questioning how much of what viewers saw was ever real.
Returning to the auditions where it all began, this is a raw and nostalgic look at the true cost of fame, told with the hindsight they never had at the time.
Lucy, Jahméne & Myles, We Need To Talk
This episode includes discussions of domestic abuse and sexual assault. If you or someone you know has been affected, please explore the support resources below and consider donating to help these organisations continue their vital work:
Women’s Aid: https://linkly.link/2xInX
Refuge: https://linkly.link/2xIqZ
MIND: https://linkly.link/2dx8b
Follow us here:
https://www.instagram.com/needtotalk
https://www.tiktok.com/@weneedtotalkpod
Sign up to our newsletter https://linkly.link/2eXHX
Brand partnerships enquiries: partnerships@flightstory.com
Follow here:
Lucy: https://www.instagram.com/lspraggan
Jahméne: https://www.instagram.com/jahmeneofficial
Myles: https://www.instagram.com/mylesraksu
(00:00) Intro(02:18) X Factor: What We Gained and Lost(06:15) The X Factor Audition Process(37:57) Organised Ad(39:17) Who Owns the Songs?(45:41) Watching Our X Factor Auditions(52:32) How X Factor Created Characters(01:06:11) X Factor Contestant Welfare(01:14:39) The Truth About the X Factor Judges(01:23:58) Classism on The X Factor(01:28:57) X Factor Contracts Explained(01:30:49) Dealing With the Press(01:38:26) The Best Moments on X Factor(01:43:35) Behind the X Factor Final(01:47:24) Nicole Scherzinger's Mic-Snatch Moment(01:53:09) Viral X Factor YouTube Clips(01:55:42) Why Lucy Left X Factor Early(02:07:51) X Factor Blacklisting and the 'Curse'(02:16:02) Myles' Life After X Factor(02:33:21) Life and Future Projects(02:37:12) Would We Do X Factor Again?(02:38:28) Should The X Factor Return?(02:43:27) Paul's Key Takeaways
Sponsored by:
Organised - Use code TALK for 15% off at https://www.organised.co/talk
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices The Pain of Baby Loss Nobody Talks About with Olivia Bowen and Georgia Kousoulou
2026/10/15 | 25 mins.In honour of Baby Loss Awareness Week, Olivia Bowen and Georgia Kousoulou discuss their deeply personal experiences of pregnancy loss, miscarriage and grief.
They open up about the impact of baby loss on their relationships, the difficult decisions they faced, and the emotional toll of navigating pregnancy after loss. They also share why speaking openly about their experiences can help others feel less alone.
This is an honest and compassionate conversation about grief, motherhood and the importance of feeling seen and supported through loss.
This episode centres on miscarriage and baby loss - please take care while watching. We have included support resources here:
MIND: https://linkly.link/2dx8b
Tommys: https://linkly.link/2feiZ
(00:00) Intro(00:39) The Complications Behind Georgia's Second Pregnancy(08:19) What Is Triploidy and How Does It Affect Pregnancy?(10:31) How Georgia Coped With Her Loss(13:07) Olivia Opens Up About Vanishing Twin Syndrome(15:01) The Facts and Statistics Behind Vanishing Twin Syndrome(16:50) How Sharing Olivia's Story Has Helped Others(18:54) Olivia's Journey to a Successful Second Pregnancy
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices- Fab Morvan opens up about the rise and fall of Milli Vanilli, winning a Grammy while hiding the truth behind their success, and the scandal that changed his life forever. He reflects on becoming a global superstar alongside Rob Pilatus, the pressure to maintain their image, and the decisions that would ultimately bring everything crashing down.
Fab revisits his relationship with producer Frank Farian, the moment their secret was exposed, and the devastating impact of going from worldwide fame to public humiliation overnight. He also speaks candidly about his childhood, how his search for love and belonging shaped his life, and the struggles that followed the scandal.
He opens up about his friendship with Rob, the addiction that took hold of his bandmate, and the heartbreaking reality of watching someone he loved struggle. Fabrice reflects on the lessons he has taken from their story, how he rebuilt his life, and what he wishes people understood about Milli Vanilli.
Fab Morvan, We Need To Talk
This episode includes discussion of mental health. If you’re struggling, remember you’re not alone. You can find help and resources at the links below:
MIND: https://linkly.link/2dx8b
Samaritans: https://linkly.link/2dx7Z
CALM: https://linkly.link/2dx8H
Follow us here:
https://www.instagram.com/needtotalk
https://www.tiktok.com/@weneedtotalkpod
Sign up to our newsletter https://linkly.link/2eXHX
Brand partnerships enquiries: partnerships@flightstory.com
Follow Fab here:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fabmorvan
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@fabmorvan_off
(00:00) Intro(01:56) Fab Morvan's Childhood in Paris(07:41) How Therapy Fuels Creativity(09:04) Fab's Early Love of Dance(10:27) Why Fab Moved to Germany(12:22) Being Black in 1980s Germany(17:38) Rob Pilatus' Childhood(18:38) How Fab and Rob Met(20:44) Fab and Rob's Early Performance Style(25:56) Fab and Rob Before Milli Vanilli(28:56) Creating Milli Vanilli's Signature Look(34:31) How Milli Vanilli Was Formed(40:22) The People Behind Milli Vanilli(41:48) Why Milli Vanilli Didn't Sing on Their Records(44:41) Signing the Milli Vanilli Record Deal(54:44) When Fab and Rob Discovered They'd Lip-Sync(59:11) Preparing to Perform as Milli Vanilli(01:01:18) Milli Vanilli's Sudden Fame(01:09:52) Milli Vanilli's Global Success(01:12:55) Anthropic Ad(01:13:48) Milli Vanilli at the 1990 Grammys(01:22:47) Fab and Rob at the Grammys(01:31:20) Fab and Rob's Relationship During Their Rise to Fame(01:33:54) Winning a Grammy: Fab's Experience(01:38:08) The Downfall of Milli Vanilli(01:48:11) Life After the Milli Vanilli Scandal(02:00:32) Fab Morvan's Family(02:03:03) Fab's New Projects(02:05:05) Most Memorable Conversation(02:09:03) Paul's Key Takeaways
Sponsored by:
Anthropic - https://www.claude.ai/talk
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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About We Need To Talk with Paul C. Brunson
The most powerful conversations are the ones we usually avoid. Hosted by Paul C. Brunson, We Need To Talk is a show that empowers people to have the conversations they avoid by creating a safe, supportive, and insightful space that encourages vulnerability, self-discovery, and real-world connection.
From breakups to breakthroughs, conflict to connection, we go beyond the headlines to uncover the human experiences and relationships that define us.
Instagram: @needtotalk
TikTok: @weneedtotalkpod
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