We Need To Talk with Paul C. Brunson

Lorna Luxe opens up about the love story she shared with her late husband, John - from meeting him by chance on a night out in Brighton to marrying him just a year and a half later. Lorna reflects on their 21-year age gap, why she trusted him instantly, the childhood experiences that shaped what she needed from love, and the moment she realised this relationship felt different to anything she had known before.

She speaks honestly about marriage, loyalty, emotional safety, grief, and why she would choose the same love story all over again.

We're Talking: Love Stories

(00:00) Intro

(00:32) How Lorna and John First Met

(03:02) How Their Relationship Quickly Developed

(08:38) What Friends and Family Really Thought About the Relationship

(10:32) The Truth About Age-Gap Relationships

(12:09) Inside Lorna and John’s Marriage

(16:39) The ‘Father Hunger’ Theory Explained
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Akon reflects on the life behind some of the biggest songs of the 2000s, and the choices, controversies and turning points that shaped him long before global fame.

He opens up about growing up between Senegal and the US, the criminal world he entered before music, and the prison sentence that he believes saved his life. Akon shares how ‘Locked Up’ began behind bars, why music became his way out, and how he learned to turn pain, business instinct and controversy into worldwide success.

The conversation also explores his views on polyamory, having multiple wives, and why he believes honesty, rules and communication are essential in that dynamic. He also reflects on his friendship with Michael Jackson, the side of him the public rarely saw, and the questions he still has about his passing.

Akon looks back on the moments that made him, the mistakes that nearly ended him, and the legacy he is still trying to build.

Akon, We Need To Talk

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(00:00) Intro
(01:38) Akon Addresses The Hamster Ball
(06:29) Touring With Ne-Yo
(07:52) Why Akon’s Audience Isn’t Who You’d Expect
(15:11) Opening The Door For Artists Like Wizkid
(20:15) Every Song Had To Be Ringtone Friendly
(22:26) Mr Lonely Changed Everything
(26:53) The Blackout That Changed Akon’s Purpose
(30:53) ID Mobile Ad
(33:06) Akon’s Relationship With Michael Jackson
(45:20) Growing Up Between Senegal And America
(48:13) Selling Stolen Cars To Fund Music Career
(55:50) How Jail Changed Akon’s Life Forever
(01:04:58) Huel Ad
(01:06:06) What Still Pains Akon Today?
(01:08:12) “I Say Ignorant Things On Purpose”
(01:11:32) What Is Akon’s Real Name?
(01:16:43) Akon Explains His Polyamorous Life
(01:32:22) Akon Talks About His New Album
(01:36:46) Most Memorable Conversation
(01:42:32) Paul’s Takeaways

Sponsored by:

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Huel - http://Huel.com/WNTT with code WNTT for £10 off

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For Mental Health Awareness Week, we speak with Charlie Mackesy about anxiety, grief, loneliness and the quiet struggles so many of us carry alone. The bestselling author of The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse speaks openly about anxiety attacks, loss, vulnerability, male loneliness and why asking for help matters.

In this open and honest conversation, Charlie reflects on the dark periods that shaped him, the friends he has lost, and the inner critic so many of us live with. He also shares the practical tools that helped him through anxiety, and why connection, honesty and feeling loved matter more than perfection. We're Talking Mental Health

If you’re struggling, you don’t have to face it alone. We’ve included support charities below:

Samaritans - call on 116 123 or visit https://g2ul0.app.link/xghDmmYV4Wb

Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM): https://g2ul0.app.link/npaQKXUV4Wb

(00:00) Intro

(00:42) Charlie Breaks Down the Darkest Period of His Life

(04:36) How Paul and Charlie Actually Deal With Anxiety

(12:48) Charlie’s ADHD Diagnosis and What It Changed

(14:39) How Drawing Became Charlie’s Escape

(16:12) Paul and Charlie on Grief and What Actually Helps

(20:39) Charlie on the Loneliness Epidemic and Why It’s Growing

(23:17) How to Silence Your Inner Critic and Build Gratitude
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Michelle Heaton reflects on the reality of 2000s fame, from competing on Popstars to forming Liberty X and stepping into a pop world that was often chaotic and intense. She opens up about what was really happening behind the headlines: the pressure to look a certain way, the shame she carried around her body, and the early patterns of addiction that followed her long before she could name them.Michelle speaks candidly about alcohol and drug addiction, hiding the truth from her husband and children, and the painful moments where part of her wanted to be caught. Michelle also reflects on the friends who tried to help, the conversation with Katie Price that helped lead her to rehab, and the impact her addiction had on her marriage, motherhood and sense of self.Michelle also shares the emotional toll of her BRCA2 diagnosis, preventative double mastectomy and early hysterectomy, and what it meant to go through menopause in her early 30s while losing her sense of identity.Now five years sober, this is a conversation about fame, shame, survival, family, recovery and learning to give yourself grace.Michelle Heaton, We Need To Talk

This conversation includes discussion of suicide, addiction and eating disorders. Please watch with care. Support resources are linked below:

Samaritans: https://linkly.link/2dx7Z  

CALM: https://linkly.link/2dx8H  

MIND:  https://linkly.link/2dx8b  

Beat Eating Disorders https://linkly.link/2dx8y 

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Follow Michelle here:

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https://www.tiktok.com/@michelleheatonofficial

(00:00) Intro

(01:26) What Makes Someone a Geordie?

(06:28) Body Image Struggles

(08:44) Being Cast on Popstars

(12:53) Going Back to a Normal Job After Popstars

(16:47) How Liberty X Was Formed

(23:53) Hear’Say vs Liberty X

(27:04) The Highs & Lows of Life in Liberty X

(35:02) Paul Surprises Michelle With a Letter

(37:40) ID Mobile Ad

(38:53) Relationship With the Press

(42:00) Relationship With Andy Scott-Lee

(47:58) ID Mobile Ad

(50:45) First Experiences With Substance Abuse

(56:10) Addiction to Alcohol and Binge Eating

(01:04:33) Impact of Hysterectomy

(01:11:55) Hiding Addiction From Everyone

(01:15:19) How Addiction Affected Her Marriage

(01:28:53) How Michelle Eventually Went to Rehab

(01:40:24) The Reality of Mastectomies & Hysterectomies

(01:57:11) Surprise Message From Her Children

(01:58:14) Paul Reads a Letter From Michelle’s Husband

(02:01:34) Most Memorable Conversation

(02:06:32) Paul’s Takeaways

Sponsored by:

iD Mobile: Ditch the texts and ‘Make it a Call’ - your voice is more powerful than you think: https://www.idmobile.co.uk/make-it-a-call?affiliate=marketing%7CYouTube_Display%7CMakeItACall_Brand&utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=Display&utm_campaign=MakeItACall&utm_content=Brand

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AJ McLean and Cody Simpson open up about the darker side of the music industry, from exploitation and manipulation behind the scenes to the personal fallout of becoming famous too young.

AJ reflects on Lou Pearlman, the betrayal at the heart of the Backstreet Boys’ rise, and what it cost the band to break free, while Cody shares how early fame, unlimited access and pressure on a young brain pushed him into a period of partying, substance abuse and psychosis.

Together, their stories reveal the real cost of fame when success comes before you’re ready for it. We're Talking The Cost of Fame

This conversation includes discussion of addiction and mental health. We've included support charities below:

MIND: https://g2ul0.app.link/gbuRaxjM3Nb

Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM): https://g2ul0.app.link/npaQKXUV4Wb
(00:00) Intro

(00:37) Lou Perlman’s Hold on the Backstreet Boys

(02:50) The Real Dynamic Between the Backstreet Boys and *NSYNC

(04:45) What Is Lou Perlman’s Legacy?

(09:14) Cody Reflects on the Dark Side of Fame at a Young Age

(16:42) Cody Opens Up About the Darkest Period of His Pop Career

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