This week on The Life of Bryony, I’m joined by my wonderful friend Millie Mackintosh to talk about something so many of you have been asking for – how to survive and actually enjoy the festive season without alcohol. Millie shares her honest and heartfelt experiences of giving up drinking, the challenges of those first few Christmases sober, and practical tips for navigating parties, family gatherings, and the pressures of December without drowning out your feelings with booze. We discuss how to plan your social calendar, finding your tribe, and the small wins that make all the difference. If you’re sober curious or newly sober, this episode will remind you you’re not alone. Bryony xx

BOOKS DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE

Millie’s book, Bad Drunk, is available in paperback on 9th January 2026.

LINKS TO SUPPORT GROUPS

If the content of this episode resonated with you today, and you would like support, please consider the following:

DRINKLINE – For anyone who is concerned about their drinking, or someone else's.

To speak to someone call 0300 123 1110 (weekdays 9am–8pm, weekends 11am–4pm)

ALCOHOL CHANGE UK – For anyone seeking help with their own or someone else’s drinking.

Visit https://alcoholchange.org.uk/

THE FORWARD TRUST – For anyone needing support to recover from addiction.

Chat to someone online at https://forwardtrust.org.uk/talk-to-us (weekdays 9am-5pm)

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS - For anyone who feels their drinking is causing problems or who has a desire to stop drinking.

Call 0800 917 7650 visit https://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk/

IF YOU LIKED THIS EPISODE, YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY:

Bad Drunk: Millie Mackintosh on Sobriety, Motherhood, and Healing

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU

Got something to share? Message us on @lifeofbryonypod on Instagram.

If this episode resonated with you, please share it with someone who might need it – it really helps! Bryony xx

CREDITS:

Host: Bryony Gordon

Guest: Millie Mackintosh

Producer: Laura Elwood-Craig

Assistant Producer: Tippi Willard

Studio Manager: Sam Chisholm

Editor: Luke Shelley

Exec Producer: Jamie East 

A Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular.

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

In this episode, psychotherapist Sophie Scott joins me again to answer listener questions on supporting loved ones with mental health challenges: How do you step back from a parent’s mental health needs when guilt keeps pulling you in? What’s the best way to help a sibling with OCD, beyond just managing their rituals? And how do you avoid feeling completely drained by a friend who’s is struggling? Sophie shares how setting boundaries can actually be an act of love, and why “detaching with love” might be the healthiest thing you can do – for you and for them. If you’ve ever wondered how to balance caring for others while protecting your own wellbeing, you are absolutely not alone – this chat is for you.

BOOKS DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE

Sophie’s book, You Are Not Alone in This, is available now.

LINKS TO SUPPORT GROUPS

If the content of this episode resonated with you today and you would like support, please consider the following charities:

Mind – Mental health charity that has resources for managing your own wellbeing whilst caring for someone else.

Call 0300 123 3393 or visit https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/helping-someone-else/carers-friends-family-coping-support/support-for-you/

OCD Action – for people with OCD, their families, carers and friends.

Call 0300 636 5478 or visit https://ocdaction.org.uk/

Al Anon – for anyone whose life is or has been affected by someone else’s drinking.

Call 0800 0086 811 or visit https://al-anonuk.org.uk/

FamAnon – for family members and friends affected by another’s abuse of mind-altering substances, or related behavioural problems.

Call 0207 4984 680 or visit https://famanon.org.uk/

Samaritans

Call 116 123 or visit https://www.samaritans.org/ for free, 24-hour support.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU

Got something to share? Message us @lifeofbryonypod on Instagram.

CREDITS:

Host: Bryony Gordon

Guest: Sophie Scott

Producer: Laura Elwood-Craig & Jonathan O’Sullivan

Assistant Producer: Ceyda Uzun

Studio Manager: Sam Chisholm

Editor: Luke Shelley

Exec Producer: Jamie East 

A Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular.

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

This week, I sit down with integrative psychotherapist and author Sophie Scott to talk about what it really takes to support loved ones through mental health challenges without losing yourself along the way. Sophie shares her personal story of growing up in a family touched by OCD and loss, and how those experiences shaped her approach to mental health. We explore the power of listening over giving advice, why boundaries are essential for everyone’s wellbeing, and how burnout affects caregivers who often feel unseen or unsupported. Sophie offers practical strategies – from the 4-7-8 breathing technique to finding individual purpose and accepting messy emotions that can help you care for others and for yourself. If you’re navigating relationships affected by OCD or other mental health issues, this episode is packed with compassion, relatability, and genuinely helpful advice.

BOOKS DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE

Sophie’s book, You Are Not Alone in This, is available now.

LINKS TO SUPPORT GROUPS

If the content of this episode resonated with you today and you would like support, please consider the following charities:

Mind – Mental health charity that has resources for managing your own wellbeing whilst caring for someone else.

Call 0300 123 3393 or visit https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/helping-someone-else/carers-friends-family-coping-support/support-for-you/

Al Anon – for anyone whose life is or has been affected by someone else’s drinking.

Call 0800 0086 811 or visit https://al-anonuk.org.uk/

FamAnon – for family members and friends affected by another’s abuse of mind-altering substances, or related behavioural problems.

Call 0207 4984 680 or visit https://famanon.org.uk/

OCD Action – for people with OCD, their families, carers and friends.

Call 0300 636 5478 or visit https://ocdaction.org.uk/

Samaritans

Call 116 123 or visit https://www.samaritans.org/ for free, 24-hour support.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU

Got something to share? Message us @lifeofbryonypod on Instagram.

CREDITS:

Host: Bryony Gordon

Guest: Sophie Scott

Producer: Laura Elwood-Craig & Jonathan O’Sullivan

Assistant Producer: Ceyda Uzun

Studio Manager: Sam Chisholm

Editor: Luke Shelley

Exec Producer: Jamie East 

A Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular.

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

After one of the most powerful conversations we’ve ever had on The Life of Bryony, Rhian Mannings returns to share the three things that helped her survive unthinkable loss and begin to find her way through grief. She shares how small acts of kindness, tough love from friends, and the courage to keep showing up made all the difference in her healing. And we laugh about lasagnas left on doorsteps, reflect on how grief changes what really matters, and talk about the simple, surprising things that can carry us through the darkest days. It’s a tender, funny, and deeply human conversation that reminds us there’s no right way to survive loss – only small glimmers that light the way forward.

LINKS TO SUPPORT GROUPS

If the content of this episode resonated with you today and you would like support, please consider the following charities:

Rhian’s charity, 2wish:

https://2wish.org.uk/

Sue Ryder

https://www.sueryder.org/ for expert grief support, including an online bereavement community available 24/7.

Samaritans

Call 116 123 or visit https://www.samaritans.org/ for free, 24-hour support.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU

Got something to share? Message us on @lifeofbryonypod on Instagram.

If this episode resonated with you, please share it with someone who might need it – it really helps! Bryony xx

CREDITS:

Host: Bryony Gordon

Guest: Rhian Mannings

Producer: Laura Elwood-Craig

Assistant Producer: Tippi Willard

Studio Manager: Sam Chisholm

Editor: Luke Shelley

Exec Producer: Jamie East 

A Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular.

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

This week I’m joined by the extraordinary Rhian Mannings – a woman whose story of loss, resilience, and purpose has touched hearts around the world, even moving Prince William to tears. At 33, Rhian lost her baby son George and, just five days later, her husband Paul, took his own life. In this deeply moving conversation, she talks about surviving the unimaginable, the loneliness and stigma that accompany suicide, and how she channelled her pain into founding the charity 2wish, which supports families facing sudden bereavement. We also discuss the physical impact of grief, navigating motherhood after trauma, and the importance of speaking openly about mental health and suicide. Rhian’s honesty and openness shine through every word – a reminder that even in our darkest moments, there can be light, love, and purpose again.

LINKS TO SUPPORT GROUPS

If the content of this episode resonated with you today and you would like support, please consider the following charities:

Rhian’s charity, 2wish:

https://2wish.org.uk/

Sue Ryder

https://www.sueryder.org/ for expert grief support, including an online bereavement community available 24/7.

Samaritans

Call 116 123 or visit https://www.samaritans.org/ for free, 24-hour support.

IF YOU LIKED THIS EPISODE, YOU MAY ALSO WANT TO LISTEN TO:

'I never thought I'd be happy again in my life.' Lottie Tomlinson on Accepting Grief

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU

Got something to share? Message us @lifeofbryonypod on Instagram.

CREDITS:

Host: Bryony Gordon

Guest: Rhian Mannings

Producer: Laura Elwood-Craig

Assistant Producer: Tippi Willard

Studio Manager: Sam Chisholm

Editor: Luke Shelley

Exec Producer: Jamie East 

A Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular.

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

Ore Oduba is back to share the three things that have helped him become the truest version of himself. He opens up about how childhood fear and a need to please others once shaped his world, and how discovering Mel Robbins proved to be a genuine game-changer – so much so that her words now live with him in a way that’s hard to miss. Ore also reflects on rediscovering parts of his youth, from faith to the power of movement, and how these have given him a whole new lease of life. If you’re searching for a spark of inspiration, or perhaps wondering how to finally break free from old fears, this episode is for you.

LINKS TO SUPPORT GROUPS

If the topics discussed in the episodes with Ore impact you in any way and you’d like to seek some support, please consider contacting the following charities:

The Naked Truth Project, a charity helping those affected by unhealthy relationships with porn: https://nakedtruthproject.com/

Pivotal Recovery, a charity offering guided online programmes to help people overcome porn, sex addiction, and compulsive sexual behaviours: https://www.pivotalrecovery.org/

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU

Got something to share? Message us on @lifeofbryonypod on Instagram.

If this episode resonated with you, please share it with someone who might need it – it really helps! Bryony xx

CREDITS:

Host: Bryony Gordon

Guest: Ore Oduba

Producer: Laura Elwood-Craig

Assistant Producer: Tippi Willard

Studio Manager: Sam Chisholm

Editor: Luke Shelley

Exec Producer: Jamie East 

A Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular.

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

This week, I’m joined by Ore Oduba – the wonderfully warm presenter whose career has spanned everything from covering the Olympics to lifting the glitterball trophy on Strictly. But today, he’s here for one of our most vulnerable conversations yet. Ore opens up about his addiction to online pornography, a topic so rarely discussed yet one that impacts so many lives. Now nearly 18 months clean, he shares how shame and secrecy blighted his life, and why speaking out is the first step towards change. We talk about the childhood roots of addiction, the challenges of growing up in a digital age, and why removing shame is essential to recovery and self-acceptance. If you’ve ever struggled with an aspect of mental health or addiction, or you’re worried about your own children growing up online, Ore’s honesty about his journey will resonate deeply.

LINKS TO SUPPORT GROUPS

If the topics discussed in today’s show impact you in any way and you’d like to seek some support, please consider contacting the following charities:

The Naked Truth Project, a charity helping those affected by unhealthy relationships with porn: https://nakedtruthproject.com/

Pivotal Recovery, a charity offering guided online programmes to help people overcome porn, sex addiction, and compulsive sexual behaviours: https://www.pivotalrecovery.org/

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU

Got something to share? Message us on @lifeofbryonypod on Instagram.

If this episode resonated with you, please share it with someone who might need it – it really helps! Bryony xx

CREDITS:

Host: Bryony Gordon

Guest: Ore Oduba

Producer: Laura Elwood-Craig

Assistant Producer: Tippi Willard

Studio Manager: Sam Chisholm

Editor: Luke Shelley

Exec Producer: Jamie East 

A Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular.

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

Iskra Lawrence joins me again to reveal the three absolute essentials she simply couldn’t do without in her daily life. From family, to wellbeing routines, to the community that lifts her up, Iskra’s approach is both refreshingly real and inspiringly joyful. Whether you’re feeling a bit lost, looking to shake up your own daily rituals, or just want a healthy dose of positivity, this bite-sized episode is for you. Come be part of our inclusive community, and discover what really matters to one of the most uplifting people I know. Tune in, share, and let us know what your own essentials are!

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU

Got something to share? Message us @lifeofbryonypod on Instagram.

If this episode resonated with you, please share it with someone who might need it – it really helps! Bryony xx

CREDITS:

Host: Bryony Gordon

Guest: Iskra Lawrence

Producer: Laura Elwood-Craig

Assistant Producer: Tippi Willard

Studio Manager: Sam Chisholm

Editor: Luke Shelley

Exec Producer: Jamie East 

A Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular.

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

This week, I sit down with the unstoppable Iskra Lawrence – model, entrepreneur, and advocate for body acceptance – to explore how she transformed the fashion and beauty landscape. Iskra shares how she broke into modelling, weathered rejection in a ruthless industry, battled body dysmorphia and eating disorders, and redefined her self-worth on her own terms. We discuss the realities of performative inclusivity, why brands get it wrong - and how her own beauty company, Saltair, is fighting to make everyone feel welcome, and worthy. Iskra opens up about postpartum experience, finding the power to pivot when doors slam shut, and how self-care can be simple yet truly transformative. If you’ve ever felt ‘not enough’ in a world obsessed with size, or wondered how to bounce back from rejection, this conversation will spark hope and practical wisdom. Don’t forget to subscribe, share, and keep being unapologetically you!

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU

Got something to share? Message us @lifeofbryonypod on Instagram.

If this episode resonated with you, please share it with someone who might need it – it really helps! Bryony xx

CREDITS

Host: Bryony Gordon

Guest: Iskra Lawrence

Producer: Laura Elwood-Craig

Assistant Producer: Tippi Willard

Studio Manager: Sam Chisholm

Editor: Luke Shelley

Exec Producer: Jamie East 

A Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular.

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

This week, the wonderful Kate Lawler returns to tackle listener questions on everything from finding creative purpose and podcast inspiration to navigating the realities of postnatal depression. Expect candid conversation, practical advice, and a heartfelt dose of hope as Kate shares her personal journey, her strategies for getting through anxiety and self-doubt, and why being open about struggles matters so much. If you’re searching for answers on creativity, parenthood, or mental health, or just want to hear women supporting women with no filter, this chat is for you.

LINK TO SUPPORT GROUP

If the content around perinatal mental health resonated with you, please consider contacting PANDAS, the charity Kate discusses in the episode:

https://pandasfoundation.org.uk/

BOOKS DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE

Kate Lawler’s book, Maybe Baby: On the Mother Side, is available in all good book stores.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU

Got something to share? Message us on @lifeofbryonypod on Instagram.

If this episode resonated with you, please share it with someone who might need it – it really helps! Bryony xx

CREDITS:

Host: Bryony Gordon

Guest: Kate Lawler

Producer: Laura Elwood-Craig

Assistant Producer: Ceyda Uzun

Studio Manager: Sam Chisholm

Editor:  Alex Graham

Exec Producer: Jamie East 

A Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular.

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