You will have seen Faye Marsay in so many incredible movies and TV shows, including my favourite movie Pride, playing Maisie William’s arch nemesis, The Waif in Game of Thrones and Ten Pound Poms but it’s her latest TV show that has got millions of people talking. 

In case you have missed it, Faye plays DS Misha Frank in Netflix’s limited series, Adolescence which follows a family and society turned upside down after 13-year Jamie is arrested for murdering a female schoolmate. 

In this episode Faye drops some many insightful and interesting stories about filming the show and the overdue conversations the show is starting about incel culture, misogyny and how social media is raising our children. Faye also opens up about her own horrific experiences with social media whilst she starred in Game of Thrones and one of the moments on a set that shows we need more vocal male allies for women. 

Faye also talks about dealing with clssisim as a northern working class actor, exploring her sexuality and just how meaningful it was to play one of the first openly queer characters in the 50 year long history of the Star Wars franchise, in the Disney+ show, Andor which is back for season two on 23rd April. 

We really pack a lot into this episode and if you love this conversation as much as I do get in touch with me across socials @joshsmithhosts as I always love hearing from you. I’ll see you next week for another episode of Reign. Love, Josh x

P.S I am so happy that today’s episode is brought to you with the support of Pandora. Both Pandora and Reign are all about celebrating love in all its forms - be that romantic love, love for our friends and family or the practice of self love. This episode, like every episode of Reign, hopes to give you a loving dose of positivity, and to serve as a reminder that love - whether we give it, receive it or feel it has the power to uplift and heal. That’s why we’re empowering you to BE LOVE through these conversations - get out there and feel love, embody love and pass it on because you never know how much it could change your life or someone else’s. Head to pandora.net to discover the latest jewellery collections and more.

P.P.S. If all this self-love chat has left you wanting to improve your relationships and build new ones check out my self help book, ‘Great Chat: Seven Lessons for Better Conversation, Deeper Connections and Improved Wellbeing’ which is out now! The book gives you so much advice on how to have incredible conversations with everyone, and how you can turn everyday conversations into a self development practice so you can improve your relationships and mental health in the process. You can get your copy here https://geni.us/GreatChat and I really hope you love it! 

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Cowboys and cowgirls hold onto your hats because I am joined by the biggest female artist in country music right now, Lainey Wilson. 

In this episode Lainey reflects on her journey to the top of country music from growing up in a small town in Louisiana where she was a Hannah Montana impersonator (we do our own mini rendition of See You Again - you are welcome!), to moving to Nashville at 19 years old and living in a trailer for three years whilst trying to make it. 

Now Lainey is a Grammy Award Winner and has six county number ones and you are going to learn so much about the power of self belief in this episode! 

Lainey joined me ahead of headlining the Country To Country Festival at the 02 Arena and she also opens up about dealing with body shaming online, overcoming misogyny in the male dominated world of country music, and how experiences in her family taught her to look after her mental health.

If that wasn’t enough to fill you (cowboy) boots with, Lainey also shares some life advice she got from THE Dolly Parton and walks me through the ultimate night out OUT itinerary in Nashville. Pack your bags, we are going and if you love listening to Lainey as much as I did please get in touch with me across socials @joshsmithhosts as I always love hearing from you. I’ll see you next week for another episode of Reign. Love, Josh x

P.S I am so happy that today’s episode is brought to you with the support of Pandora. Both Pandora and Reign are all about celebrating love in all its forms - be that romantic love, love for our friends and family or the practice of self love. This episode, like every episode of Reign, hopes to give you a loving dose of positivity, and to serve as a reminder that love - whether we give it, receive it or feel it has the power to uplift and heal. That’s why we’re empowering you to BE LOVE through these conversations - get out there and feel love, embody love and pass it on because you never know how much it could change your life or someone else’s. Head to pandora.net to discover the latest jewellery collections and more.

P.P.S. If all this self-love chat has left you wanting to improve your relationships and build new ones check out my self help book, ‘Great Chat: Seven Lessons for Better Conversation, Deeper Connections and Improved Wellbeing’ which is out now! The book gives you so much advice on how to have incredible conversations with everyone, and how you can turn everyday conversations into a self development practice so you can improve your relationships and mental health in the process. You can get your copy here https://geni.us/GreatChat and I really hope you love it! 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As this series of the podcast is all about celebrating love in all forms, and especially the relationship we have with ourselves, I am so excited to welcome Hayley Atwell to ‘Reign’ because she shared an incredible piece of advice with me earlier in my career which completely changed my relationship with myself and my confidence. So, get ready for more nuggets of wisdom! 

As well as being very wise, Hayley knows a thing or two about starring in a blockbuster movie. Hayley has played Agent Carter in six Marvel films including Captain America and two TV series spin-offs - most notably the namesake series, Agent Carter - and most recently you will have seen her dangling from a train, or driving a Fiat 500 at breakneck speed in Rome alongside Tom Cruise in the Mission Impossible franchise. 

As Hayley returns to her first love of theatre, in the Jamie Llyod’s West End production of ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ opposite Tom Hiddleston, she joins us to talk about how the play raises some serious questions about cancel culture and our society’s gender double standards. 

Hayley also talks about learning to walk into rooms as your autentic self, how she wishes she was more compassionate to her younger self and about the lack of male allies for women in Hollywood and beyond. There are a lot of Heartstopper fans who listen to this podcast so we of course chat about her incredible cameo in the Netflix show as Nick’s (played by Kit Connor - if you missed his episode of the pod, scroll back and listen after this episode) aunt - which makes me cry every time - and she shares the best piece of advice for learning to manage social anxiety that she learnt from THE Tom Cruise. 

This episode is packed full of advice and if you love listening to Hayley as much as I did please get in touch with me across socials @joshsmithhosts as I always love hearing from you. I’ll see you next week for another episode of Reign. Love, Josh x

P.S I am so happy that today’s episode is brought to you with the support of Pandora. Both Pandora and Reign are all about celebrating love in all its forms - be that romantic love, love for our friends and family or the practice of self love. This episode, like every episode of Reign, hopes to give you a loving dose of positivity, and to serve as a reminder that love - whether we give it, receive it or feel it has the power to uplift and heal. That’s why we’re empowering you to BE LOVE through these conversations - get out there and feel love, embody love and pass it on because you never know how much it could change your life or someone else’s. Head to pandora.net to discover the latest jewellery collections and more.

P.P.S. If all this self-love chat has left you wanting to improve your relationships and build new ones check out my self help book, ‘Great Chat: Seven Lessons for Better Conversation, Deeper Connections and Improved Wellbeing’ which is out now! The book gives you so much advice on how to have incredible conversations with everyone, and how you can turn everyday conversations into a self development practice so you can improve your relationships and mental health in the process. You can get your copy here https://geni.us/GreatChat and I really hope you love it!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Grab your passport, bikini (and your SPF of course) because we are off to The White Lotus with the show’s star, Michelle Monaghan! 

I, like so many of you, have been obsessed with The White Lotus since season one and season three is not holding back on the drama is it?!? I am OBSESSED with the dysfunctional dynamic between Michelle’s character Jaclyn and her two childhood friends Laurie (Carrie Coon) and Kate (Leslie Bibb). That is the girls trip I want to be on, even if it’s just for a front row seat for the drama. 

As the series continues Michelle joins us to talk about the juggle that comes from trying to be everything to everyone all at once - especially as a mother - the power of sisterhood, how female competition has changed in the entertainment industry and how good things come from a no! If you are struggling to build boundaries or want to reframe your relationship with rejection, that is a piece of advice you need to hear. 

Michelle also reflects on her 25 year long career that's seen her star in Mission Impossible, True Detective and Family Plan and reveals a producer once told her she would never work again after she simply said no to doing some publicity she didn’t feel comfortable doing. It’s a story which reminds us all that using your voice and facing your fears always pays off and always improves your relationship with yourself, too! 

If you love listening to Michelle as much as I did, please get in touch with me across socials @joshsmithhosts as I always love hearing from you and I’ll see you next week for another episode of Reign. Love, Josh x

P.S I am so happy that today’s episode is brought to you with the support of Pandora. Both Pandora and Reign are all about celebrating love in all its forms - be that romantic love, love for our friends and family or the practice of self love. This episode, like every episode of Reign, hopes to give you a loving dose of positivity, and to serve as a reminder that love - whether we give it, receive it or feel it has the power to uplift and heal. That’s why we’re empowering you to BE LOVE through these conversations - get out there and feel love, embody love and pass it on because you never know how much it could change your life or someone else’s. Head to pandora.net to discover the latest jewellery collections and more.

P.P.S. If all this self-love chat has left you wanting to improve your relationships and build new ones check out my self help book, ‘Great Chat: Seven Lessons for Better Conversation, Deeper Connections and Improved Wellbeing’ which is out now! The book gives you so much advice on how to have incredible conversations with everyone, and how you can turn everyday conversations into a self development practice so you can improve your relationships and mental health in the process. You can get your copy here https://geni.us/GreatChat and I really hope you love it! 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is only the second time we have welcomed back a guest and of your favourite guests ever, it’s Simone Ashley. Who I am pleased to report is not only in her ‘strong queen era’ but her ‘f**k that era’ too! 

The last time Simone joined us Bridgerton season two had just dropped and her role as Kate Sharma, the love match for Jonathan Bailey’s Anthony, was providing the long overdue south asian representation we needed on her screens. If you missed that episode go back right now and listen to episode 42 for a very inspirational chat about the power of determination. 

Now Simone rejoins us as she takes on the rom-com genre in Prime Video’s new movie Picture This opposite Hero Fiennes Tiffin where she plays Pia whose family decide to play matchmaker with hilarious and heartwarming results.  

In this episode Simone talks about BS social pressures to tick boxes by certain ages, feeling othered in rooms full of men and why we need to start throwing as many promotion parties as we do weddings and baby showers. It’s a big yes from me! 

I have learnt so much from Simone about the power of self belief and I hope this episode shows you how much cutting out the external noise and working on your relationship with yourself can help YOU achieve your dreams. If you love this episode too as always please get in touch as I love talking to you. You can find me across socials @joshsmithhosts and I’ll see you next week for another episode of Reign! Josh x

P.S I am so happy that today’s episode is brought to you with the support of Pandora. Both Pandora and Reign are all about celebrating love in all its forms - be that romantic love, love for our friends and family or the practice of self love. This episode, like every episode of Reign, hopes to give you a loving dose of positivity, and to serve as a reminder that love - whether we give it, receive it or feel it has the power to uplift and heal. That’s why we’re empowering you to BE LOVE through these conversations - get out there and feel love, embody love and pass it on because you never know how much it could change your life or someone else’s. Head to pandora.net to discover the latest jewellery collections and more.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We are back with a brand new series which is all about celebrating LOVE in all forms so consider this episode a gift from me to you as we are joined by everyone’s favourite, Leo Woodall. 

You will have seen Leo as the Essex bad boy who was caught by Jennifer Coolidge in a very compromising position with his ‘Uncle’ in ‘The White Lotus’ and breaking our hearts in ‘One Day’ along with one our favourite ever Reign guests, Ambika Mod. 

Now he’s playing the world’s greatest genius, Ed in Apple TV’s show ‘Prime Target’ - it’s very ‘Good Will Hunting’ meets ‘Bourne Identity’ - and even ‘Bridget Jones’ is now mad about the boy as Leo plays Bridget’s new love interest. If you haven’t seen the new Bridget movie yet make sure you take an entire pack of tissues, I cried the entire way through it. 

If you loved Leo already, prepare to love him even more after this episode as we get deep! We talk about going to therapy, learning to embrace yourself, what it takes to be a (non-toxic) leading man and why giving kindness to others is the best manifestation of self love. 

Plus we chat about navigating intimacy scenes and for the first time ever on this podcast I attempt lad banter. There really is something for everyone in this episode, see I told you it was a gift! If you love listening to Leo or just need an emotional support group to talk about the new ‘Bridget Jones’ movie get in touch and let me know what you think - you can get me at @joshsmithhosts across socials. Love, Josh x

P.S. I am so happy that today’s episode is brought to you with the support of Pandora. Both Pandora and Reign are all about celebrating love in all its forms - be that romantic love, love for our friends and family or the practice of self love.

This episode, like every episode of Reign, hopes to give you a loving dose of positivity, and to serve as a reminder that love - whether we give it, receive it or feel it has the power to uplift and heal. That’s why we’re empowering you to BE LOVE through these conversations - get out there and feel love, embody love and pass it on because you never know how much it could change your life or someone else’s. Head to pandora.net to discover the latest jewellery collections and more.

P.P.S. If all this self-love chat has left you wanting to improve your relationships and build new ones check out my self help book, ‘Great Chat: Seven Lessons for Better Conversation, Deeper Connections and Improved Wellbeing’ which is out now! The book gives you so much advice on how to have incredible conversations with everyone, and how you can turn everyday conversations into a self development practice so you can improve your relationships and mental health in the process. You can get your copy here https://geni.us/GreatChat and I really hope you love it!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We are starting 2025 on Reign with a guest you have been desperate to hear from on the podcast and today it finally happens, say hello to THE Florence Pugh. 

Over the last decade Florence has been the definition of booked, busy and blessed with roles in ‘Dune’, ‘Oppenheimer’, ‘Black Widow’, ‘Don’t Worry Darling’, and her Oscar nominated performance in ‘Little Women’. 

Now she’s breaking our hearts into a million pieces opposite Andrew Garfield in ‘We Live In Time’, which tells the story of a couple, Almut aka Alma and Tobias. who are brought together by a chance encounter and find time is running out after a devastating diagnosis. It’s ‘P.S I Love You’ levels of tears, so take your tissues. 

We recorded this episode just after Florence came to a premiere I hosted and she gave me THE best pep talk beforehand, so expect plenty of inspiration and deep moments from her as we tackle the under- discussed topics of death and grief, plus we talk about Andrew Garfield shaving her head, and the pressures of being a young woman in the entertainment industry. 

The moment I love most though? Florence talking about a random act of kindness she received when she most needed it. So I hope this episode inspires you to take life by the horns and go out there and spread kindness. If it does please get in touch, as always please get in touch as I love hearing from you. You can get me at @joshsmithhosts across socials. Love, Josh x

P.S. It's a new year, new me central at the moment and if you are in the market for a self help book… In this episode you will have heard me talk about my book, ‘Great Chat: Seven Lessons for Better Conversation, Deeper Connections and Improved Wellbeing’ which is out now! You can get your copy here https://geni.us/GreatChat and I really hope it inspires you to start using conversation as a self help practice, empowers you to be a better communicator and helps you build the connections you are deserving of. 

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Today’s episode is empowerment for the soul as we are joined by THE Kerry Washington.  

Kerry hit the big time playing the political fixer Olivia Pope in ‘Scandal’ (IfF you haven’t watched it yet it is truly one of the greatest TV shows ever) alongside roles in the movie, ‘Django Unchained’ where she starred alongside Jamie Foxx and Leonardo DiCcaprio, and the epic TV show 'Little Fires Everywhere’ with Reese Witherspoon. 

Now Kerry has us standing to attention in the Netflix movie, ‘The Six Triple Eight’ which brings the real life story of World War Two’s only Women’s Army Corps unit of colour, who were given the seemingly impossible task of sorting through a three-year backlog of mail that hadn’t been delivered to American soldiers. In the face of discrimination, Kerry’s real life character Major Charity Adams ensured they delivered hope when no one else could and the movie serves YOU the hope we all need right now. 

Today Kerry talks about the gender double standards in leadership and the transformative power of inclusive leadership after being told by a male co-star, “you aren’t here to think,” earlier in her career. Plus aside from serving us so many life lessons she shares the moment she felt so satisfied by proving people wrong. 

Listening to Kerry is like being an incubator of empowerment so I hope she inspires you to see the hurdles in front of you, and jump right over them, just like she has done! If you love this episode, as always please get in touch as I love hearing from you. You can get me at @joshsmithhosts across socials. Love, Josh x

P.S. In this episode you will have heard me talk about my book, ‘Great Chat: Seven Lessons for Better Conversation, Deeper Connections and Improved Wellbeing’ which is out now! You can get your copy here https://geni.us/GreatChat and I really hope it inspires you to start using conversation as a self help practice, empowers you to be a better communicator and helps you build the connections you are deserving of.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we are sharing a VERY special live recording of the podcast with none other than a true national treasure, Richard E. Grant. And trust me when I say this episode is packed full of incredible stories! 

You will of course know Richard from his extensive TV and Movie career, from the iconic 1980s movie, ‘Withnail and I’ to the bathwater slurping smash, ‘Saltburn.’ If you are a big ‘Saltburn’ fan, you have to listen to our episode with the movie’s creator and director, Emerald Fennell, after this episode. 

But it’s not just this Oscar Nominee’s on screen performances that have made him an icon, it's also his joyful Instagram content of frolicking in fields and his beautiful book, ‘A Pocketful of Happiness’ which details his life story and his one true love story with his wife, Joan Washington. 

Today Richard talks very movingly about losing his wife to cancer, grief and why we need to speak about it more, his foray into fragrance with his own perfume brand, Jack and shares some hilarious stories from his career INCLUDING FROM SPICE WORLD THE MOVIE. SCREAMS!!! 

What I really took away from this conversation was just how powerful talking about our struggles can be, so I hope this encourages you to open up about your life, your experiences, your pains and losses because we are all the better for doing so. 

If you loved listening to our great chat as much as I did, please get in touch, I always love hearing from you. You can find me across social media @joshsmithhosts and I can’t wait to share next week’s episode with you too. See you then, Josh xx

P.S. In this episode you will have heard me talk about my book, ‘Great Chat: Seven Lessons for Better Conversation, Deeper Connections and Improved Wellbeing’ which is out now! You can get your copy here https://geni.us/GreatChat and I really hope it inspires you to start using conversation as a self help practice, empowers you to be a better communicator and helps you build the connections you are deserving of. 

P.P.S. This episode is sponsored by Bicester Village which I am so excited about as it’s one of my favourite go-to day trips for great chats and great bonding time with my loved ones - especially during the holiday season! If you need a little retail therapy with a pal, Bicester Village is home to more than 150 fashion and lifestyle boutiques, renowned restaurants and five star service - and we all deserve a bit of five star service don’t we - AND it’s so festive there at the moment!! Luxury also doesn’t have to come with a hefty price tag, as Bicester Village offers up to 40% off the original retail prices ALL YEAR ROUND. Race you there? It’s only an hour from London Marylebone station if you are based in London! 

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I am so excited for you to listen to this week’s incredible guests, Will Ferrell and Harper Steele. 

You will of course know Will for his movies, ‘Anchorman’, ‘Elf’, ‘Zoolander’, ‘Blades of Glory’, ‘Step Brothers’ and ‘Barbie’ - to name just a few! But this might be the first time you have heard of Will’s long-term comedy writing partner, Harper Steele.

Will and Harper met on the set at ‘Saturday Night Live’ in 1995, when Will got his big break and Harper was in the writers room. Fast forward 30 years and after collaborating on so many comedy sketches and movies including ‘Eurovision’, their friendship entered a new chapter when Harper sent Will an email saying she was coming out as transgender. 

After years of being each other’s allies - including joint early failures at SNL - Will came up with the idea of filming ‘Will and Harper’, a Netflix documentary movie which follows them going on a road trip across the USA to talk about Harper’s experiences, and see how Harper now navigates the former bro-heavy environments she used to love, as transgender woman. The movie is incredibly funny, moving, and essential viewing for everyone, so please watch it during the holidays with your family for some much needed education on the trans lived experience. 

Today their road trip rolls into London, and we talk about the power of vocal allyship (and finally we have found a male ally willing to speak up!), how Harper became very aware of her safety for the first time, the universal nature of body image concerns, and the alarming anti-trans policies Donald Trump promises to impose in his second term as President. 

This episode is a real testament to the power of friendship, and the true joy that can come from being your authentic self so I hope this chat encourages you, no matter how you identify, to live your life the way you want to and find the people who encourage you to live that life proudly! If anything in this episode resonates with you, as always I would love to hear from you, you can get in touch across social media @joshsmithhosts - I always love talking to you. Love, Josh x

P.S. In this episode you will have heard me chatting about my book book ‘Great Chat: Seven Lessons for Better Conversation, Deeper Connections and Improved Wellbeing’ which is out now and you can get your hardback/ digital or audio book here: https://geni.us/GreatChat Whether you are already confident at chatting or are socially anxious this book really is for everyone and I hope it inspires you to turn even everyday conversation into a self development practice for your wellbeing and the good of those around you, too. 

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