The news can be pretty overwhelming at times and the politics of it all can be confusing too but there are people who make it understandable and possible to engage with; Munya Chawawa’s satire is smart, it’s funny and it gets people talking. He, himself is smart and funny and I was keen to get him talking - he’s a guest I’ve been eager to speak to for a while so was delighted when he came into the studio to chat!

At the start of his career, Munya was told he needed 30K followers be taken seriously, so he made it his mission to do that, putting out video after video, and accrued millions of followers along the way. He never set out to become a social media sensation but its influence on his career is notable, leaving him with a sense of imposter syndrome in spaces he absolutely belongs. Growing up in Zimbabwe, Munya’s drive to do well is something that came into conflict on arriving in the UK where he was branded a ‘boffin’ for wanting to achieve. Munya also opens up about the men who shaped him and his determination to break the emotional stoicism passed down from his father.

This conversation is a good example of how humour can help us tackle difficult topics and open our minds.

If you enjoyed this episode, please click follow - we have so many great guests like this one, you won't want to miss out!

You can also follow us on Instagram and Tiktok @greatcompanypodcast or email us at [email protected]

And if you like Munya and want more of him, you can find him on @munyachawawa on IG and TT, and his show, 'How To Survive A Dictator' is here: www.channel4.com/programmes/how-to-survive-a-dictator

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THE CREDITS

Exec Producer: Jemima Rathbone

Assistant Producer: Gurlina Heer

Video: Jake Ji

Social Media: Laura Coughlan

Great Company is an original podcast from JamPot

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From increased risks of chronic diseases to sleepless nights and even leaving workplace, menopause can have a profound impact on women's lives —but what exactly is it? I’ll admit, I was embarrassed by how little I knew, despite knowing the word. That’s why I’m delighted to have leading expert and Chief Scientist at ZOE, Professor Sarah Berry, joining me for this special expert episode.

Professor Berry breaks down the truth about HRT, debunking common myths and shedding light on the surprising symptoms women experience during menopause. She also shares her groundbreaking research on how diet can help manage these symptoms, and even answers a personal question from my mum about her own menopause journey and how it affected her.

This is an essential conversation for everyone—men and women alike—packed with insights that will help break the silence around menopause and provide better support for women navigating this stage of life.

If you enjoyed this episode, please click follow - we have so many great guests like this one, you won't want to miss out!

You can also follow us on Instagram and Tiktok @greatcompanypodcast

And if you want to know more about Zoe's Menoscale Calculator, you can find it here: zoe.com/menoscale

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THE CREDITS

Exec Producer: Jemima Rathbone

Assistant Producer: Gurlina Heer

Video: Jake Ji

Social Media: Laura Coughlan

Great Company is an original podcast from JamPot

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Imagine being scouted to be in one of the biggest bands of the 00s, going on to tour the globe and have thousands of fans worldwide, and then one day it all just stops. S Club 7 was a band I grew up with and until now, I’d ‘Never Had A Dream Come True…’

Rachel Stevens has topped the charts in both a band and as a solo performer, but the imposter syndrome she was battling never faded. Speaking candidly about her experience in the industry and being constantly reduced to just her looks, she opens up about how this has affected the way she raises her daughters, her divorce and the tragic loss of her ex-bandmate Paul Cattermole.

This conversation reminded me how appearances can be deceiving and the importance of opening up.

If you enjoyed this episode, please click follow - we have so many great guests like this one, you won't want to miss out!

You can also follow us on Instagram and Tiktok @greatcompanypodcast

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THE CREDITS

Exec Producer: Jemima Rathbone

Assistant Producer: Gurlina Heer

Editor: Steve Melia

Video: Jake Ji

Social Media: Laura Coughlan

Great Company is an original podcast from JamPot

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

‘How are you?’ - a question we don't ask enough, but one Simon Gunning wants us to ask more often. Ahead of World Mental Health Day, I’m joined by Simon, CEO of CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably), a charity dedicated to suicide prevention, raising awareness, and offering practical support. As an ambassador for CALM and someone who has had struggles with anxiety myself, this conversation means a lot to me, and one that is important to share.

TW - this conversation contains discussion of suicide which some listeners might find distressing.

There are some staggering stats about death by suicide in recent years and yet it’s still such a difficult thing to talk about but charities like CALM are breaking down barriers and really shining light into a topic which can sometimes feel intolerably dark. Simon and I reflect on our relationships with our fathers, how a handshake was his only physical connection with his dad, and why these generational silences shape men’s aptitudes of emotion.

This episode is about why leaning into the uncomfortable can be life changing - or indeed, saving.

If you, or anyone you know is affected by anything in today’s episode, you can speak to Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) in confidence. Find out more about CALM's helpline, tools and resources at thecalmzone.net

One of the ways to support CALM's life-saving work is through the latest Omaze Million Pound House Draw - offering the chance to win a luxurious home in Devon worth over £2,000,000 - plus £250,000 in cash - with paid entries starting from £10. Draw entries are available now at @omazeuk.The Draw closes at midnight on Sunday 27th October.

Link: https://goto.omaze.co.uk/3N1t8oJ

If you enjoyed this episode, please click follow - we have so many great guests like this one, you won't want to miss out!

You can also follow us on Instagram and Tiktok @greatcompanypodcast

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THE CREDITS

Exec Producer: Jemima Rathbone

Assistant Producer: Gurlina Heer

Video: Jake Ji

Social Media: Laura Coughlan

Great Company is an original podcast from JamPot

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Posh, tall and hilarious - believe it or not, I’m not describing myself - this week I have the wonderful Jack Whitehall joining me on the show. Jack and I have known each other for years, but in that time, his rise has been astronomical: from a gigging standup to the big screen, Jack is one of the most successful British comics of our day.

Getting a friend on the show is always an interesting experience as I get to discover things I never knew - for instance Jack’s failed career in textiles, the reality of working so closely with family (both the joys and challenges) and how becoming a father himself, has changed Jack's outlook on life.

We also discuss his latest show, Fatherhood with My Father, and reminisce on some hilarious moments from the show.

If you enjoyed this episode, please click follow - we have so many great guests like this one, you won't want to miss out!

You can also follow us on Instagram and Tiktok @greatcompanypodcast

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THE CREDITS

Exec Producer: Jemima Rathbone

Assistant Producer: Gurlina Heer

Video: Jake Ji

Social Media: Laura Coughlan

Great Company is an original podcast from JamPot

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alain de Botton views the world in a way that is profound yet easy to understand; a modern-day philosopher and essayist, he set up the School of Life, which explores self-understanding and aims to educate people on the aspects of life we don’t get taught at school - like relationships, careers, anxiety, ageing and so much more. I had the honour of sitting down with Alain to chat, and am so pleased it was recorded as I’ll be listening back to this episode aplenty.

What is love? How do we navigate heartbreak? Why is our childhood so informant on the rest of our lives? How do we sit with ourselves? And while we’re at it - what actually is the meaning of life? Alain talks me through why we experience the ‘ick’, the emotional burdens parents project onto their children, and how breakdowns can be breakthroughs. He also helps me understand better my own relationship, examining how attachment styles and past experiences can shape the way we love.

This conversation is rich in kindness and full of appreciation for the complexities of being a human. 

If you enjoyed this episode, please click follow - we have so many great guests like this one, you won't want to miss out!

You can also follow us on Instagram and Tiktok @greatcompanypodcast

And if you want to read Alain's latest book, A Therapeutic Journey: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Therapeutic-Journey-Lessons-School-Life/dp/0241642558

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THE CREDITS

Exec Producer: Jemima Rathbone

Assistant Producer: Gurlina Heer

Editor: Steve Melia

Marketing: Eleanore Bamber

Video: Jake Ji and Ryley Kirby

Social Media: Laura Coughlan

Great Company is an original podcast from JamPot

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The fastest-selling male album debut of the 2010s, winning two BRITs and touring with Shania Twain, you might expect Rag’n’Bone Man to be arrogant but Rory Graham is shy and self deprecating, seemingly unaware of his star - and therefore immediately likeable.

Before the astronomical success of “Human”, Rory spent years in the underground music scene, alongside being a carer - the best job he’s had besides being a popstar. Rory and I chat about school bullies, and he opens up about losing his mum and how the grief hits differently being a parent himself. We also chat about blended families and shares the story of how he met his fiancé.

Joking about how he was tired of moving people to tears with his music, Rory’s third album, 'What Do You Believe In?' is a new sound and shows he’s much more than just that incredible voice - he’s a man who’s lived, loved and learned to appreciate every step of his journey.

If you enjoyed this episode, please click follow - we have so many great guests like this one, you won't want to miss out!

You can also follow us on Instagram and Tiktok @greatcompanypodcast

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THE CREDITS

Exec Producer: Jemima Rathbone

Assistant Producer: Gurlina Heer

Video: Jake Ji and Ryley Kirby

Social Media: Laura Coughlan

Great Company is an original podcast from JamPot

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I'm not a big reader, but last year, I read a book called The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari and was so moved by it, I DM’d the author, never expecting a reply… Robin Sharma is an internationally renowned author and motivational speaker, who responds to DMs with kindness and time. This is the conversation that followed that DM…

Finding your joy, embracing suffering and how constant optimism can come at a cost, Robin challenges conventional notions of success: having coached billionaires, he shares how his personal journey, particularly a transformative visit to Nelson Mandela’s prison cell, led him to redefine his life’s purpose and share that with others. Robin also explains to me how valid the excuse of not having time for what matters is, and whether we all have, in fact, the power to reshape our lives and find the time for the things we love.

This is an uplifting conversation with plenty of takeaways and inspiration for a better way of looking at life.

You can also follow us on:

Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/greatcompanypodcast/

TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@greatcompanypodcast

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THE CREDITS:

Exec Producer: Jemima Rathbone

Producer: Ewan Newbigging-Lister

Assistant Producer: Gurlina Heer

Video: Jake Ji & Ryley Kirby

Social Media: Laura Coughlan

This is a JamPot Original podcast

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What is ADHD? Are you born with it? How can it affect your life and the people around you? Nicole Vignola, neuroscientist and ADHD expert joins me for an expert special episode of Great Company to talk all things ADHD.

Branded as a naughty child, with difficulty regulating emotions and concentrating, I was diagnosed with ADHD while at school, and later in life struggled with chasing thrills which left me feeling empty. With Nicole, I ask all the questions I've ever wanted answered about Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and discover the reason behind the rise in adult diagnoses. Nicole also shares with me what’s happening in our brains when we fall in love, or go through a break up, and how we can help ourselves when we’re in a cycle of overthinking.

This episode is a fascinating listen for anyone who’s ever felt they’re wired a little differently…

And if you want more of Nicole, you can find her on IG: @nicolesneuroscience or grab a copy of her latest book, Rewire here: https://www.waterstones.com/book/rewire/nicole-vignola/9780241661833#:~:text=CHANGE%20YOUR%20MIND%20TO%20CHANGE,to%20achieve%20peak%20mental%20wellbeing

If you enjoyed this episode, please click follow - we have so many great guests like this one, you won't want to miss out!

You can also follow us on:

Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/greatcompanypodcast/

TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@greatcompanypodcast

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THE CREDITS:

Exec Producer: Jemima Rathbone

Assistant Producer: Gurlina Heer

Video: Jake Ji & Ryley Kirby

Social Media: Laura Coughlan

This is a JamPot Original podcast

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Growing up in a space you don’t fit in; feeling like a fish out of water around your own family, Rob Rinder’s polished accent and loquacious tone might not point to his working class roots. We're often mistaken for brothers, but Rob’s background is starkly different from mine…Opening up, Rob discusses his attitude to privilege and the undeniable love he felt from parents who perhaps didn’t fully understand him.

Concerned his sexuality might disappoint his single mother and Tottenham Hotspur obsessed father, Rob trained as a barrister, working across a vast array of cases which led to burnout and ultimately leaving the law, and turning to television, appearing on our screens as Judge Rinder, and more recently with new best friend, Rylan, exploring the art world in Italy.

This conversation is a reminder that we all carry wonderful complexities that make us unique, and despite appearances and differences, to experience love is the greatest privilege of all.

If you enjoyed this episode, please click follow - we have so many great guests like this one, you won't want to miss out!

You can also follow us on:

Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/greatcompanypodcast/

TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@greatcompanypodcast

—

THE CREDITS:

Exec Producer: Jemima Rathbone

Assistant Producer: Gurlina Heer

Video: Jake Ji & Ryley Kirby

Social Media: Laura Coughlan

This is a JamPot Original podcast

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.