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WARNING: This episode contains strong language.

Comedian, presenter, and author, Dara Ó Briain, joins Gabby to talk about how midlife is treating him; how it has expanded his comedy and allowed him to become more of a storyteller; and what it’s like touring alongside being a dad and getting usurped in popularity by their new dog. Co-author of Ravenous, Henry Dimbleby, also joins to discuss the state of our national food system and why it needs to radically change to protect our future health and the environment. But fear not, despite the severity of the outlook, Dara reassures that we’ll never run out of things to laugh about!

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This week’s guest has been compared with the Vicar of Dibley, and she doesn’t mind one bit! This week, the Reverend Kate Bottley brings all the warmth and humour that Dawn French’s character was famous for, and then some. Gabby and Kate discuss all the big topics in this episode: love, death, and skinny dipping! Professor Mike Tipton also joins them to talk about best practices for those who are new to wild swimming, and Kate shares why it’s the one hobby she has stuck with. 

Below are some links to studies Mike references in this episode:

The Physiological Society - Cold water immersion: kill or cure?

British Journal of Sports Medicine - Cold water therapies: minimising risks

BMJ Case Reports - Open water swimming as a treatment for major depressive disorder

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Property expert and broadcaster, Sarah Beeny, chats with Gabby this week about the opportunities that you can unlock in midlife, the joy of being a groupie mum, and the breast cancer diagnosis which she refuses to let define her. Sarah’s new book, The Simple Life: How I Found Home, charts her life through the properties she’s restored, renovated, and loved, and they discuss the importance of making a house a home. They also discuss all things property finance and pensions with host of the Financial Times' Money Clinic podcast and author of What They Don’t Teach You About Money, Claer Barrett.  

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Gabby and Kenny get together for a wee debrief after completing Kenny Logan’s Rugby World Cup Challenge, in memory of their great friend Doddie Weir and in aid of My Name’5 Doddie Foundation. They talk about the highs and lows of the weeklong cycle-walk challenge, carrying the Ireland v Scotland Rugby World Cup match ball from Edinburgh to the game in Paris, as well as what it meant to them to meet so many people affected by Motor Neuron Disease along the way.

You can still donate to this great cause by clicking here.

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

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Trigger Warning: Miscarriage is discussed in this episode, so please take care whilst listening.

We are finishing our mini-series featuring extraordinary people with inspiring stories to tell by hearing from former RAF fast jet pilot, Mandy Hickson.

Mandy always dreamed of following in her grandfather’s footsteps and becoming a pilot, but in her early adulthood, this was simply not an option: women were not allowed to be pilots in the RAF. But as soon as that rule changed, there was no stopping Mandy! She became only the second female to fly a Tornado GR4 on the front line, and in her career, she completed 45 missions over Iraq and three duty tours.

In this episode, Mandy speaks about how difficult it is to become a fighter pilot (regardless of gender), what it was like knowing she was a test case and how she overcame that, what the military taught her about unselfish behaviour and how there is always more to be gained from working as a team, as well as what it was like juggling being a mum with a high-pressure role in the air force, and the issues this still poses for female fast jet pilots today.

Since leaving the RAF, Mandy has set up her own business and travels the country speaking at schools and businesses and sharing all she’s learned. Mandy has also published a memoir, An Officer Not A Gentleman.

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Trigger Warning: This week's episode contains a conversation about the loss of a child.

This is the second instalment of our special mini-series focusing on extraordinary people with remarkable stories to share. Gabby was inspired to break away from the usual roster of celebrities and experts, and instead spotlight ordinary people who have real insight when it comes to overcoming adversity; Fiona Spargo-Mabbs has exactly that.

In 2014, Fiona’s worst nightmare became a reality when a police officer stood on her doorstep in the early hours of the morning and informed her that her youngest son, Dan, was in intensive care. This was the start of the worst few days of her life, as specialists raced against time to counter the effects of an extremely strong dose of MDMA (ecstasy) which Dan had consumed whilst at a rave with his friends. All of them had taken the drug, but Dan had been the one who had unknowingly taken the dose which was twelve times stronger than had caused deaths in the past.

Dan never came home, and in the years since, Fiona has had to come to terms with her family’s new reality. She talks about this, and how she and her husband, Tim, have thrown themselves into making sure that teenagers and parents have the drug education they need in order to avoid any other young person dying needlessly. You can find out more about The Daniel Spargo-Mabbs Foundation here, and purchase Fiona’s book I Wish I’d Known here.

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