Mad, Sad and Bad with Paloma Faith

TW: This episode contains discussion of suicide

Romesh Ranganathan is known for his BAFTA Award winning show, Rob & Romesh, presenting across TV and radio and his hallmark cynical comedy - but really, what shines through is his generosity, openness and vulnerability, particularly around the subject of mental health. 

We talk about how hard it is to tell when someone’s really struggling with their mental health, talking therapy with your children, what it’s really like going to Centre Parcs when you’re in the public eye and Romesh makes a big, BAD confession. 

Plus – Romesh’s Mum, Shanthi pops by for a chat with me and my mum, Pam; we talk all about Shanthi’s incredible sacrifices, the impact of Romesh’s relationship with his Dad on his mental health – and Romesh and I bond over what it’s like having Mums that will fight for you on social media comments but also humble you more than anyone. 

Hope you all enjoy x

If you would like support on any of the issues mentioned in the episode, please head to CALM - www.thecalmzone.net

#ROMESHRANGANATHAN #PALOMAFAITH #MADSADBAD

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Credits:

Exec Producer: Jemima Rathbone

Producer: Magda Cassidy

Video: Josh Bennett & Lizzie McCarthy

Sound: Shane O'Bryne

Mix: Shane O'Bryne

Original music: BUTCH PIXY

Social Media: Laura Coughlan

Exec Producer for JamPot: Jemima Rathbone

Exec Producers for Idle Industries: Dave Granger & Will Macdonald

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

Amy Jackson is Bollywood royalty - she's also a Scouser, so when she said she'd pop by, jut a few weeks after giving birth to her second child, I was delighted!

Anyone who's ever had a baby knows the utter madness and hormonal chaos in the weeks following the birth; however Amy turned up looking like a movie star - apparently it just takes a blow-dry and some Spanx! We chatted about bullies who sadly still exist in every industry, and Amy shared a story of an uncomfortable work situation which reminded her to never go against her gut instinct.

We were also rather rudely interrupted by my neighbour Nicky, who was back causing havoc (you can follow him on IG @nickyjohnstone)

I adored chatting to Amy - but I’m still convinced that she’s more ‘Bad’ than she says she is…

#AMYJACKSON #PALOMAFAITH #MADSADBAD

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Find us on: Instagram / TikTok / YouTube

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Credits:

Producer: Jemima Rathbone

Assistant Producer: Magda Cassidy

Video: Grisha Nikolsky & Josh Bennett

Sound: Shane O'Bryne

Mix: Miles Wheway

Original music: BUTCH PIXY

Social Media: Laura Coughlan

Exec Producer for JamPot: Jemima Rathbone

Exec Producers for Idle Industries: Dave Granger & Will Macdonald

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

People always tell me that Jordan Stephens is the kind of man we need more of in the world—and honestly, I couldn’t agree more.

You might know Jordan as one half of the iconic hip-hop duo Rizzle Kicks, but he’s since grown into a powerful voice across multiple platforms. He’s a podcaster, actor, and now a Sunday Times bestselling author with his raw and brilliant memoir Avoidance, Drugs, Heartbreak and Dogs.

Jordan opens up about the damage we do in relationships - how he’s confronted his own past, learned from his mistakes, and worked to heal from the pain he’s caused and the pain he’s carried.

We also explore love, masculinity, and why acts of hatred towards an entire gender might be a mirror for something unresolved within ourselves. Jordan holds a type of vulnerability that’s powerful and raw, and his commitment to honesty is both disarming and inspiring.

It was a privilege having Jordan on, even though he may have stolen my mum’s heart in the process...

#JORDANSTEPHENS #PALOMAFAITH #MADSADBAD

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Find us on: Instagram / TikTok / YouTube

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Credits:

Producer: Jemima Rathbone

Assistant Producer: Magda Cassidy & Ceyda Uzun

Video: Grisha Nikolsky & Josh Bennett

Sound: Shane O'Bryne

Mix: Dan King

Original music: BUTCH PIXY

Social Media: Laura Coughlan

Exec Producer for JamPot: Jemima Rathbone

Exec Producers for Idle Industries: Dave Granger & Will Macdonald

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

I have always admired Munroe Bergdorf and love putting the world to rights with her when everything feels like it’s going up in flames around us. I wish there were more people like her in the world!

Munroe opens up about the dangers of apathy, how she’s staying hopeful, the impact that current world politics are having on the trans community and the importance of both speaking up AND speaking out. We also chat about perfectionism, her new book and her relationship with her Mum – plus, my Mum joins us too!

I adored speaking to Munroe – she gives me so much hope during tricky times – but I’m slightly worried she’s going to be better friends with my Mum than me now...

Hope you all enjoy this episode x

#MUNROEBERGDORF #PALOMAFAITH #MADSADBAD

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Find us on: Instagram / TikTok / YouTube

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Credits:

Producer: Jemima Rathbone

Assistant Producer: Magda Cassidy

Video: Grisha Nikolsky & Josh Bennett

Sound: Shane O'Bryne

Mix: Shane O'Bryne

Original music: BUTCH PIXY

Social Media: Laura Coughlan

Exec Producer for JamPot: Jemima Rathbone

Exec Producers for Idle Industries: Dave Granger & Will Macdonald

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

People have always likened me to Ruby Wax - I suppose because she says it like it is and isn’t afraid to speak her mind. For those exact reasons I couldn’t wait to have her over, and let her loose in my house…

Ruby is a world-class interviewer, from smashing up a hotel room with Jim Carey, being attacked with a banana by OJ Simpson, to getting kicked off Donald Trump’s private jet - she’s done it all! She’s also spoken openly about her depression, earning an OBE for her services to mental health. We spoke about how she always thinks the worst of people and the sadness of unrequited love.

I loved having Ruby over but I would quite like my hat back!!

#RUBYWAX #PALOMAFAITH #MADSADBAD

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Find us on: Instagram / TikTok / YouTube

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Credits:

Producer: Jemima Rathbone

Assistant Producer: Magda Cassidy & Ceyda Uzun

Video: Jake Ji & Lizzie McCarthy

Sound: Shane O'Bryne

Mix: Shane O'Bryne

Original music: BUTCH PIXY

Social Media: Laura Coughlan

Exec Producer for JamPot: Jemima Rathbone

Exec Producers for Idle Industries: Dave Granger & Will Macdonald

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

Vogue Williams is a queen of podcasts; she's a mother with a great sense of humour and is incredibly beautiful. She's also recently released her first book - honestly, the comparisons between us are too numerous to mention.

Vogue opened up about her fear of death and how losing her dad sent her into a spiral of being wild and reckless. She shared the story of the worst thing she's ever done - it involves stealing, lying, and it made my jaw drop... We joked about posh people, and Vogue told me about the depths of her anxiety which can make her feel mad at times.

I absolutely loved chatting to Vogue - we laughed from start to finish - even if my neighbour Nicky did try to sabotage the interview to talk about the bin collection!

If you'd like to read Vogue's new book, Big Mouth you can find it here: www.amazon.co.uk/Big-Mouth-hilarious-heartwarming-hyperactive/dp/0008743371

And thanks to my neighbour, Nicky, for popping by - you can follow him on IG @nickyjohnstone

#VOGUEWILLIAMS #PALOMAFAITH #MADSADBAD

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Find us on: Instagram / TikTok / YouTube

—

Credits:

Producer: Jemima Rathbone

Assistant Producer: Magda Cassidy & Ceyda Uzun

Video: Josh Bennett & Grisha Nikolsky

Sound: Shane O'Byrne

Mix: Miles Wheway

Original music: BUTCH PIXY

Social Media: Laura Coughlan

Exec Producer for JamPot: Jemima Rathbone

Exec Producers for Idle Industries: Dave Granger & Will Macdonald

Vogue photo by Ruth Rose

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

Samuel L Jackson is one of the most well-regarded and iconic actors of his generation. From catching the attention of Hollywood in Spike Lee’s Jungle Fever to playing Nick Fury in the the Marvel franchise and of course his continued career collaboration with Quentin Tarantino, Sam has become one of the most loved actors in Hollywood, and a friend no one ever believes I have!

Sam very kindly agreed to pop over to mine when he was last in London for his first ever podcast appearance (and his last!). He spoke to me about growing up in segregation and being on the right side of history - appearing in Kendrick Lamar's iconic Super Bowl Half Time Show. We chatted about his career, from being a high functioning addict and raising his daughter Zoe, to how he makes such evil characters so real and likeable. We talked about therapy and near-death experiences, road-rage and the key to a successful marriage...

We didn't leave a stone unturned - it was a JOY! And it will also be the only time you'll ever hear Sam on a podcast - lucky me!

#SAMUELLJACKSON #PALOMAFAITH #MADSADBAD

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Find us on: Instagram / TikTok / YouTube

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Credits:

Producer: Jemima Rathbone

Assistant Producer: Magda Cassidy

Video: Josh Bennett & Grisha Nikolsky

Sound: Joe Richardson

Mix: Jay Beale

Original music: BUTCH PIXY

Social Media: Laura Coughlan

Exec Producer for JamPot: Jemima Rathbone

Exec Producers for Idle Industries: Dave Granger & Will Macdonald

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

I absolutely love making this podcast so I thought I'd make another season...

Join me round mine every Tuesday for some truly amazing guests - they'll be chatting to me all about being mad, sad and bad - oh and glad!

COMING TUESDAY 3RD JUNE 2025

#PALOMAFAITH #MADSADBAD

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Find us on: Instagram / TikTok / YouTube

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

As we come to the end of the first series of Mad, Sad & Bad, I've been lucky enough to chat to some amazing people - from discussing madness with Mel B, to chatting about great sadnesses for Elizabeth Day and laughing with Eve about being naughty and - I think - a bit of a badass, I feel like I've learnt a lot, so thought it would be nice to sit down and reflect on all these fantastic conversations.

So this is me, after the guests have gone, the kit's been packed away, and the crew have left, having a quiet look back at the series.

Thank you so much for joining me on this journey - whether you've listened from the start, or just tuned into the odd episode - it means so much, and who knows, we could be back for more soon....

#PALOMAFAITH #MADSADBAD

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Find us on: Instagram / TikTok / YouTube

—

Credits:

Producer: Jemima Rathbone

Assistant Producer: Magda Cassidy

Edit Producer: Pippa Brown

Editor: Shane O'Byrne

Video: Jake Ji & Grisha Nikolsky

Video Editor: Josh Bennett

Original music: BUTCH PIXY

Social Media: Laura Coughlan

Marketing: Eleanore Bamber

Exec Producer: Jemima Rathbone

Exec Producers for Idle Industries: Dave Granger & Will Macdonald

Senior Exec Producer: Holly Newson

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

AJ Tracey is rapper and producer notably from Ladbroke Grove; he's also an incredible voice for younger generations and social justice so obviously, I couldn't wait to have him over to chat...

AJ and I discuss being cheeky kids, how having ADHD would get us into trouble and how our mums have supported our careers - from giving us an example what it is to work hard, to buying our music and tickets at full price quite late into our careers.

We also talk about how the rising price of a pint is killing our British culture and we're joined by a *very* special guest, who has some important questions to ask AJ...

This conversation was everything I hoped it would be, deep, authentic, and great fun!

#AJTRACEY #PALOMAFAITH #MADSADBAD

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Find us on: Instagram / TikTok / YouTube

—

Credits:

Producer: Jemima Rathbone

Assistant Producer: Magda Cassidy

Edit Producer: Pippa Brown

Editor: Shane O'Byrne

Video: Jake Ji & Grisha Nikolsky

Video Editor: Josh Bennett

Original music: BUTCH PIXY

Social Media: Laura Coughlan

Marketing: Eleanore Bamber

Exec Producer: Jemima Rathbone

Exec Producers for Idle Industries: Dave Granger & Will Macdonald

Senior Exec Producer: Holly Newson

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