Begin Again with Davina McCall

In this episode of Begin Again, Davina McCall sits down with the fearless and refreshingly honest Cindy Gallop to dismantle the myths, taboos, and outdated narratives around sex. Cindy, the powerhouse behind Make Love Not Porn, reveals the crucial lessons we aren’t taught about intimacy, desire, and how to build a truly great sex life—at any age. From unlearning shame to embracing open communication, this conversation is an eye-opening deep dive into pleasure, empowerment, and why it’s never too late to rewrite the rules. Bold, insightful, and utterly liberating—you won’t want to miss this.

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(00:00) Intro

(00:46) Who Is Cindy Gallop?

(02:44) Cindy Gallop on Her Upbringing & Sexual Awakening

(05:43) Why You Don’t Need to Find "The One"

(11:37) Why Cindy Dates Younger Men

(13:55) How to Find the Right Dating Site for You

(17:23) Unlocking Your Sexual Confidence

(26:37) Cindy Gallop’s Guide to Successful Online Dating

(36:52) Adobe Ad

(37:58) Marriage vs. Sex Life – What You Need to Know

(46:50) The Story Behind Make Love Not Porn

(54:42) The Truth About Sex Education

(1:08:38) Masturbation & How to Reach Climax

(1:13:26) The Language of Sex & Porn

(1:15:49) How Porn Affects Young People

(1:16:40) What You Can Do to Make a Difference

(1:20:11) Menopause, Lubrication & Intimacy

(1:23:48) Cindy’s Hopes for the Future

(1:27:00) Davina’s Final Thoughts

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In this episode of Begin Again, Richard E. Grant opens up about his turbulent childhood—growing up with a narcissistic mother, an alcoholic father, and the lasting impact of both. He reflects on finding true love with his wife Joan, their deep connection, and the grief of losing her four years ago. A raw and moving conversation about survival, love, and navigating life after loss.

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(00:00) Intro

(02:34) Childhood and Early Life

(03:18) Guilty Pleasures

(04:41) How to Find Excitement

(06:22) Overcoming a Difficult Childhood

(19:28) Growing Up in Apartheid South Africa and Taking Risks

(26:33) Meeting His Wife, Joan

(32:16) Mother, Relationships, and Reconciliation

(40:23) Forgiveness and Coping With His Wife’s Passing

(1:09:00) Life Lessons From Richard E. Grant

(1:11:03) Falling in Love

(1:20:05) Living With Grief

(1:24:22) What's Next? A Pocketful of Happiness

(1:26:33) Davina's Final Thoughts

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In this episode of Begin Again, Davina is joined by Professor Sarah Berry, a leading researcher in nutrition and menopause. Together, they unpack the myths surrounding diet and its true impact on menopausal symptoms. Sarah reveals how small, science-backed changes can lead to big improvements, helping you take control of your health with confidence. Whether you're navigating menopause yourself or want to better understand its effects, this conversation will challenge what you thought you knew—and leave you feeling empowered to make positive, lasting changes.

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00:00 Intro

(03:10) The Truth About Protein: How Much Do You Really Need?

(06:49) The Hidden Impact of Processed Foods on Your Health

(10:24) Rethinking Nutrition: A Balanced Approach

(27:09) Understanding Inflammation & How to Reduce It

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(31:15) Sponsored: Adobe Ad

(32:12) How You Eat Matters: The Key to a Healthy Diet

(36:59) Home Cooking & Its Powerful Impact on Your Health

(38:09) Menopause & Diet: What Really Helps?

(50:47) Menowashing: What Is It & Why Should You Care?

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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.

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(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?

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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.

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(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 Book

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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.

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(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-Up

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In this episode of Begin Again, Davina is joined by Gail McNeill, founder of Fifty Sister and a beacon of inspiration for midlife transformation. Gail shares her powerful personal journey of navigating midlife challenges, overcoming destructive behaviours, and embracing a more authentic life. Through her story, Gail offers invaluable insights and practical steps to help you find your "why" and create a life filled with purpose and joy.

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(00:00) Intro  

(01:02) Early Life & Career  

(01:19) Letting Go of Material Things  

(03:34) Change of Career  

(05:22) Social Media  

(08:28) Weight Loss  

(13:40) Finding Your Why  

(17:37) Becoming Plant-Based  

(22:30) Do You Feel Like You’re Restricting Yourself?   

(23:22) Gail's Exercise Routine  

(25:40) Zoe Ad  

(27:07) The Menopause  

(28:54) Did Gail Grieve Not Having Children Anymore?  

(31:37) What Being a Woman Means to Gail  

(34:59) Approaching Diet   

(38:10) Gail’s Spiritual Journey  

(42:28) Conquering Anxiety and Stress  

(44:22) Gail’s Book  

(46:28) What Is a Soul?  

(49:22) Davina's Round-Up  

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In this episode of Begin Again, Davina is joined by Ruari Fairbairns, founder of One Year No Beer. Ruari challenges the myths society perpetuates about drinking, and is on a mission to transform the way we think about alcohol. Through his insights, listeners are encouraged to reevaluate their relationship with alcohol, empowering them to break free from societal norms and embrace a healthier, more mindful approach to life.

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(00:00) Intro

(01:08) Ruari’s Journey: Overcoming Alcohol Dependence

(03:10) How Alcohol Impacted Every Aspect of Ruari’s Life

(04:41) The Moment Ruari Realized Alcohol Was Too Much

(06:09) Ruari’s Life-Changing Meditation Journey

(07:28) The Connection Between Alcohol and Menopause

(10:10) How to Recover from Alcohol Addiction: Ruari’s Story

(17:50) Managing Anger: Steps Toward Emotional Healing

(18:57) Breaking Free from Societal Expectations

(21:17) The Hidden Truth About Peer Pressure: Statistics Revealed

(24:55) Ruari’s Experience with the ‘One Year No Beer’ Program

(26:59) What It’s Like to Meet the Dalai Lama

(29:45) ZOE Ad

(31:13) Ruari’s Encounter with Richard Branson

(33:09) Creating Hope and Changing Lives: Ruari’s Mission

(37:05) Understanding the Root Causes of Addiction

(41:16) Is Drinking Occasionally Better Than Not Drinking at All?

(49:04) What Percentage of People Actually Take Action?

(53:08) The Fear That Trauma Is the Secret to Success

(54:12) Why Men Avoid Confronting Their Emotions

(56:23) Five Key Lessons from This Conversation You Can’t Miss

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In this episode of Begin Again, Davina is joined by Julia Bradbury, broadcaster and passionate advocate for health and wellness. Julia opens up about her breast cancer diagnosis, sharing how the experience reshaped her approach to life and health.

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(00:00) Intro

(01:28) Mind, Body, and Mindfulness

(02:53) How Meditation Can Transform Your Life

(08:26) Tips to Prevent Health Issues Before They Start

(12:38) Julia's Breast Cancer Story

(17:07) The Moment Julia Learned About Her Cancer

(23:22) How Cancer Ended Up Saving Julia's Life

(25:13) The Shocking Truth About Sugar and Your Health

(30:17) Fiverr Ad

(31:02) ZOE Ad

(32:28) How to Tell Loved Ones About a Cancer Diagnosis

(38:08) The Link Between Stress and Sugar: What You Need to Know

(41:25) What Remission Really Feels Like

(42:45) Does Cancer Take Over Your Entire Life?

(44:05) Lifestyle Changes That Make a Difference

(47:41) Julia's Journey With Alcohol

(51:07) Is Everything Fun Really Bad for You?

(52:39) Key Takeaways

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In this episode of Begin Again, Davina sits down with Gelong Thubten, a Buddhist monk, meditation teacher, and author. They explore the core principles of Buddhist philosophy, how to apply this in our modern lives, and how to find inner peace, resilience, and balance amidst life’s challenges.

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(00:00) Intro

(01:20) Discovering Your Life's Purpose

(02:34) Meditation Tips for Beginners

(05:22) The Benefits of Meditation Explained

(08:51) My Life Before Joining the Monastery

(10:48) From Burnout to Finding Peace in a Monastery

(11:52) Why I Chose the Monastic Life at a Young Age

(12:46) How to Embrace Self-Acceptance

(17:49) The Power of a Retreat for Inner Peace

(22:43) Overcoming Technology and Distractions

(25:12) Creating Mindful Micro-Moments Daily

(27:11) Managing the Stress of Modern Life

(32:10) Understanding the Fear of Abandonment

(34:06) Transforming Anger Into Love

(35:35) Are We Living in a Crisis of Comfort?

(37:36) Coping With Grief Effectively

(40:33) Healing From Trauma

(45:31) What Holds People Back From Happiness?

(47:13) Simple Daily Check-Ins and Micro-Meditations

(51:01) Exploring Celibacy and Its Purpose

(53:51) Guided Meditation With Davina

(59:27) Davina's Key Takeaways

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