In this episode of What I Wish I’d Known, former Prime Minister Tony Blair shares how the challenges he faced in his younger years shaped him into the man we know. From the devastating stroke his father suffered, to his mother’s death when he was in his early 20’s and how he managed anxiety whilst he was Prime Minister. 

WARNING: contains some strong language and discussion of sensitive topics.

Series producer: Anya Pearce

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

In this episode of What I Wish I’d Known, entrepreneur Richard Branson shares how despite his success with his business ventures from the Virgin Group, he has come up against challenges just like you and I. From living with severe dyslexia, to leaving school at 15 years old with teachers doubting his potential and how he’s learnt to manage his ‘yes man’ personality- Richard reflects on how the adversity he faced in his life shaped his success. 

WARNING: contains some strong language and discussion of sensitive topics.

Series producer: Anya Pearce

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

In this episode of What I Wish I’d Known, TV Presenter Kirstie Allsopp shares how she lived in the shadows of her mothers impending death for several years. From nurturing her siblings from a young age, to attempting to carry out her mum’s final wish of being buried in the family garden, Kirstie explains how the hardships she faced in her early years have helped her to now give to others what she has always yearned for herself- a perfect home. 

WARNING: contains some strong language and discussion of sensitive topics including: Death, illness, bullying, grief

Series producer: Anya Pearce

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

In this episode of What I Wish I’d Known, actor Brian Cox shares his memories of growing up in poverty in Dundee after his father died when he was just eight years old, and how witnessing his mother’s attempted suicide made him know he could survive anything. 

WARNING: contains some strong language and discussion of sensitive topics including: Suicide, death, illness

Series producer: Anya Pearce

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

In this episode of What I Wish I’d Known, one of the UK’s most successful rappers Professor Green, Stephen Manderson, talks candidly about being brought up on an East London council estate by his grandmother, struggling with anxiety and how his father's suicide made him re-evaluate his own life.

WARNING: contains some strong language and discussion of sensitive topics including: Suicide, death, illness, abuse

Series producer: Anya Pearce

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

In this episode of What I Wish I’d Known, we hear renowned poet Lemn Sissay OBE share the harrowing but compelling story of his childhood. Stolen from his birth mother and rejected by foster parents, Lemn endured years of mistreatment within the UK care system.

WARNING: contains some strong language and discussion of sensitive topics including: Death, illness, abuse, racism 

Series producer: Anya Pearce

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

In this episode of What I Wish I’d Known, we hear British politician Bridget Phillipson’s first hand account of growing up in poverty on a council estate in Sunderland. From house burglaries, to school bullies and feeling ‘caught between two worlds’ as a student at Oxford university. 

WARNING: contains some strong language and discussion of sensitive topics including: Death, abuse

Series producer: Anya Pearce

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

In this episode of What I Wish I’d Known, we hear the novelist, Maggie O’Farrell, reflect on the misfortunes and sliding door moments that have put her life at risk. From a fatal illness she suffered with as a child, to nearly drowning as a teenager and her encounter with a stranger on a dark night- who she later found out was a murderer. 

WARNING: contains some strong language and discussion of sensitive topics including: Death, illness, injury, abuse

Series producer: Anya Pearce

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

In this episode of What I Wish I’d Known, we hear the champion British diver, Tom Daley, share the impact of his childhood stardom. From battling school bullies, to navigating the devastating loss of his father. Tom reveals his deeply romantic side, his passion for parenthood and, astonishingly, his lifelong fear of diving off the top board.

WARNING: contains some strong language and discussion of sensitive topics including:

abuse, mental illness, grief, injury

Series producer: Anya Pearce

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

In this episode of What I Wish I’d Known, we hear businesswoman and former civil servant Suzanne Heywood share her life story. At the age of six she embarked on ten years of sailing around the world with her family. From threatening pirates at gunpoint, to undergoing brain surgery after their boat was shipwrecked and many more jaw-dropping moments, Suzanne reflects on how these early events shaped the rest of her life.

WARNING: contains some strong language and discussion of sensitive topics including: abuse, mental illness, grief, injury

Series producer: Anya Pearce

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