What if success is not the end of the story, but the beginning of becoming yourself?

In this episode of Begin Again, bestselling author Jojo Moyes joins Davina to talk about rejection, reinvention, and the story behind becoming one of the world’s most loved writers in midlife.

Jojo opens up about the years before Me Before You, when books were rejected, sales were low, and she wondered whether she would have to find a new career. Then everything changed. Her work went on to sell millions around the world, but success brought new challenges: emotional responsibility, pressure, and the painful realisation that she had no boundaries.

Davina and Jojo also explore childhood loneliness, becoming fiercely independent, learning to ask for help, and the cost of always saying yes. They discuss why achieving the life you once dreamed of does not protect you from having to begin again.

Jojo speaks honestly about divorce, and how even when it is messy and complicated, handling it with kindness can bring a clarity you never expected. They talk about identity, midlife loneliness, dating again and motherhood. How ambition and trusting yourself are the secrets to protecting your peace after years of pushing through.

At its heart, this is a conversation about what happens when the life you dreamed of finally arrives, and you still have to learn how to live inside it.

Jojo Moyes reminds us that beginning again is not about starting from nothing. It is about learning to honour who you are now, not just who you had to become to survive.

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(00:00) Intro

(02:07) What Is A Narcissist?

(09:26) Identifying A Narcissist

(15:48) The Different Types Of Narcissists

(21:57) How Narcissistic Parents Affect Their Children

(30:08) What Is Gaslighting? Narcissism In Relationships

(34:18) Shopify Ad

(35:19) Why Some People Are Attracted To Narcissists

(43:47) Why It’s So Hard To Leave A Narcissistic Relationship

(53:15) Narcissism In Kids

(01:03:29) Why People Go Back To Narcissists

(01:06:04) Narcissism In The Workplace

Sponsored by:

Do Health - The waitlist is open. Begin Again listeners get fixed early access pricing when they sign up today at dohealth.co/beginagain use code BEGINAGAIN

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In this Begin Again moment, Seann Walsh reflects on his childhood, his relationship with his dad, and the small family rituals he missed growing up, from sitting around a table to having clear boundaries at home.

Alain de Botton then explains how childhood instability can shape the way we see ourselves, our relationships and our sense of worth, and why adulthood is about learning to stop giving other people power over who we are.

This is a 'moments' episode, taking some of the best moments rom the show so far; for the full episode search ‘Begin Again’ followed by Seann or Alain wherever you get your podcasts.

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What happens when the world knows your story, but you’re still trying to understand it yourself?

Malala Yousafzai has lived a life the world thinks it knows. But behind the headlines is a young woman who lost her childhood, was forced to grow up too fast, and then had to discover who she was beyond everyone else’s expectations.

In this episode of Begin Again, Malala joins Davina for a deeply personal conversation about courage, identity, freedom and love. She reflects on growing up in Swat Valley, the father who taught her to use her voice, the Taliban’s ban on girls’ education, and the attack that changed the trajectory of her life at just 15.

But this conversation also reveals a different side of Malala: feeling lonely at school in the UK, trying to make friends, searching for who she wanted to be at Oxford, and learning how to reclaim the childhood she never got to have.

Davina and Malala also talk about love and marriage, including why Malala once believed she would never marry, and what changed when she met the person she couldn’t imagine life without.

At its heart, this is a conversation about losing yourself, finding your voice, and beginning again on your own terms.

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Finding my way available here:https://www.waterstones.com/book/finding-my-way/malala-yousafzai/9781399619349 

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(00:00) Intro

(01:10) An Introduction To Malala’s Story

(04:39) Growing Up In Pakistan With A Supportive Father

(12:07) Watching Her Mother Sacrifice Her Own Dreams

(20:01) Why Education Became So Powerful For Malala

(23:25) Losing Her Childhood And Becoming A Voice For Children

(30:50) The Day Everything Changed For Malala

(35:21) Reclaiming Her Childhood In Her 20s

(41:40) School In The UK And Meeting Alice

(47:26) Studying At Oxford And Finding Freedom

(54:19) Balancing Personal Life, Education, And Advocacy

(57:50) Why Malala Wrote Her Memoir

(58:46) Living With PTSD And Trauma

(01:04:51) Getting Therapy And Asking For Help

(01:07:12) Finding Love With Her Husband, Asser

(01:16:30) Staying Focused On Her Mission

(01:19:09) The Malala Fund And Its Mission

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In this deeply moving episode of Begin Again Moments, we bring together two powerful conversations exploring spirituality, grief, intuition, and the signs that can guide us through life’s hardest moments.

Elizabeth Day shares the extraordinary psychic reading that helped her finally let go of her long journey through fertility struggles and miscarriage. She reflects on the emotional release that came from feeling truly seen, and how trusting something beyond logic gave her permission to find peace and move forward.

In the second moment, Dr Tara Swart talks about grief, signs, and healing explores how nature, dreams, community, and intuition can help us stay connected to those we’ve lost. From white feathers and robins to long walks and lucid dreaming, this discussion looks at the comfort many people find in feeling that love continues beyond loss.

Together, these moments invite us to consider the unseen forces that shape our lives, and the possibility that healing can come from places we don’t fully understand.

To hear the full conversations, watch the complete episodes on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts.

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Narcissism doesn’t just damage relationships,  it can make you lose trust in yourself.

In this episode of Begin Again, psychotherapist and narcissism expert Kathleen Saxton joins Davina to explain what narcissism really is, how gaslighting works, and why the damage can be so hard to recognise when you are still inside it.

Kathleen breaks down the hidden patterns of narcissistic relationships: the charm, confusion, silent treatment, public/private switch, and the slow erosion of your confidence.

Davina and Kathleen also explore narcissistic parents, trauma bonds, why leaving can feel impossible, and how growing up around narcissism can make you lose sight of who you really are.

At its heart, this is a conversation about gaslighting, self-doubt, identity, and the long journey back to trusting yourself again.

Kathleen Saxton reminds us that beginning again after narcissistic abuse is not about becoming harder. It is about finally learning to believe yourself.

🌟 Follow for more honest conversations about identity, growth, and beginning again.

Buy 'My Parent the Peacock': https://www.amazon.co.uk/Parent-Peacock-Discovery-Narcissistic-Parenting/dp/1399822594

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(00:00) Intro

(02:07) What Is A Narcissist?

(09:26) Identifying A Narcissist

(15:48) The Different Types Of Narcissists

(21:57) How Narcissistic Parents Affect Their Children

(30:08) What Is Gaslighting? Narcissism In Relationships

(34:18) Shopify Ad

(35:19) Why Some People Are Attracted To Narcissists

(43:47) Why It’s So Hard To Leave A Narcissistic Relationship

(53:15) Narcissism In Kids

(01:03:29) Why People Go Back To Narcissists

(01:06:04) Narcissism In The Workplace

Sponsored by:

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Richard E. Grant and Prue Leith share their stories of life after losing the loves of their lives in this weeks Begin Again moments.

For the full episodes just search 'Richard E. Grant Begin Again' or 'Prue Leith Begin Again' wherever you get your podcasts💚

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What happens when everyone thinks they know you, but no one sees what you’re really carrying?

In this episode of Begin Again, Trinny Woodall opens up about the moments that shaped her life, her identity, and the woman she has become. Known for her energy, style, honesty and reinvention, Trinny reflects on the public version of herself people thought they understood, and the private struggles that were happening underneath.

Trinny shares the truth about addiction, recovery, and the moment she realised she had to want to change her life for herself. After years of trying to hold everything together, she speaks about taking responsibility, starting again, and learning who she really was when everything else had been stripped back.

This conversation also explores one of the most painful chapters of Trinny’s life: grief after losing Johnny, the father of her daughter. Trinny speaks honestly about the emotional and practical fallout of loss, becoming the person who had to keep things moving, and how selling her house became part of both survival and a new beginning.

She opens up about ageing, energy, beauty, menopause, and why she refuses to disappear as she gets older. For Trinny, how we present ourselves is not about vanity, but about agency, identity, and asking: who do I want to be today?

At its heart, this is a conversation about change, grief, self-worth, and finally refusing to live as the version of yourself other people expect. Trinny Woodall is proof that beginning again is not about becoming someone else. It is about finally becoming yourself.

🌟 Follow for more honest conversations about identity, growth, and beginning again.

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(00:00) Intro

(03:06) How Trinny Became “Trinny”

(08:07) Trinny’s Upbringing And Relationship With Her Parents

(11:59) Starting Her First Business At School

(13:39) Working In The City In A Man’s World

(19:02) Drug Addiction And Rehab

(26:49) How Trinny Rebuilt Herself After Rehab

(29:26) Shopify Ad

(31:21) Why Self-Image Matters To Trinny

(35:02) Meeting Susannah Constantine

(37:53) Miscarriages, IVF And Fertility Struggles

(41:18) How Trinny Fell Pregnant With Lyla

(44:43) How Trinny Met Her Husband Johnny

(52:56) Losing Johnny And Coping With Grief

(01:01:35) How Trinny London Helped Rebuild Her Life

(01:08:14) Ageing Disgracefully

(01:14:02) Trinny’s Advice For Women To Live Happier Lives

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In this powerful episode of Begin Again Moments, we bring together two standout clips from full Begin Again conversations, edited back-to-back around one vital theme: your health matters.

Julia Bradbury opens up about her personal health journey, sharing how her cancer diagnosis forced her to completely rethink the way she was living, from stress and sugar to the pace of everyday life. She reflects on the changes that helped her rebuild her relationship with her body, her wellbeing, and her future.

Dr Rangan Chatterjee then explores the importance of preventative medicine, explaining why symptoms are often the result of what’s happening across our nutrition, movement, sleep, stress, environment, and relationships. He shares why knowledge alone isn’t enough to create lasting change, and why understanding the role our habits play is the first step to transforming our health.

To hear the full conversations, watch the complete episodes on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts.

Do Health - The waitlist is open. Begin Again listeners get fixed early access pricing when they sign up today at dohealth.co/beginagain use code BEGINAGAIN

Full episodes available wherever you get your podcasts!

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What happens when the dream you built your life around begins to fall apart?

In this episode of Begin Again, singer, actress, and British soul icon Beverley Knight opens up about the moments that shaped her life, her career, and her purpose. Beverley reflects on the faith, music, resilience, and family foundations that made her who she is.

Beverley shares the truth behind her journey through the music industry, including the backlash she faced when she refused to stay in one lane. After years of success, how it felt being judged, dismissed, and slowly pushed aside by parts of the industry that once celebrated her. But even in the face of rejection, Beverley kept going.

This conversation explores one of the most painful chapters of Beverley’s life: losing her best friend Tyrone to HIV. Beverley speaks movingly about their bond, the grief of watching him die, and how his activism inspired her to continue fighting for LGBTQ+ rights and visibility. His loss became her purpose.

She opens up about reinvention, and the career pivot to musical theatre became a new beginning, leading to acclaimed West End roles, Olivier nominations, and a second life on stage.She shares how she almost lost everything to an illness that led to a hysterectomy.

At its heart, this is a conversation about purpose and refusing to let other people define your ending. Beverley Knight is proof that sometimes the moment people think you are finished is actually the moment you begin again.

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(00:00) Intro

(01:22) Why Beverley’s Life In Music Still Matters

(02:19) How Beverley First Fell In Love With Music

(05:14) How Faith Shaped Beverly’s Childhood

(13:01) What Her Parents Faced After Coming To The UK

(20:52) Why Music Can Still Bring People Together

(23:07) What Really Happened When Beverley Performed With Prince

(26:29) Do Health Ad

(27:44) Saily Ad

(30:44) Why Beverly’s Pop Album Sparked Backlash

(38:23) How Tyrone’s HIV Battle Changed Beverly’s Purpose

(42:44) Why Beverly Kept Fighting For LGBTQ+ Rights Despite The Hate

(45:13) Shopify Ad

(47:14) How Musical Theatre Led Beverly To Her Olivier

(57:22) The Health Scare That Changed Everything

(01:07:53) What’s Next For Beverley

Sponsors:

Do Health - The waitlist is open. Begin Again listeners get fixed early access pricing when they sign up today at https://dohealth.co/beginagain use code BEGINAGAIN Saily - Download from the app store and use code DAVINA at the checkout for 15% offShopify - https://Shopify.co.uk for £1 a month trial Join the Begin Again community - https://linkly.link/2eoNP

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In this powerful episode, Gillian Anderson opens up about what women really want; exploring the hidden world of female fantasy and the surprising truth about how little we’ve progressed when it comes to openly talking about desire. Drawing from thousands of anonymous submissions to her book, she reveals the shame, curiosity, and untapped honesty that still surrounds women’s inner lives.

Sex expert Cindy Gallop then takes the conversation one step further, sharing practical, empowering advice on how to actually ask for what you want in the bedroom, and just as importantly, how to express what you don’t. From navigating awkward conversations to turning communication into something genuinely exciting, she breaks down how owning your voice can transform not just your sex life, but your confidence everywhere else too.

Together, these moments explore desire, communication, and the power of knowing, and asking for, what you truly want.

Watch the Full Episode With Cindy Here: https://youtu.be/PAnPAbVZvmg

Watch the full episode with Gillian Here: https://youtu.be/XKQOTwY7TRk 

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Why Do Relationships Really Fall Apart?

In this episode of Begin Again, couples therapist and Netflix’s Blue Therapy relationship expert Karen Doherty opens up about what really causes couples to drift apart, lose intimacy, and stop feeling connected. With over 25 years of experience working with couples, Karen explains why so many relationships do not end because of one dramatic event, but because of a slow, quiet disconnect that grows over time.

Karen explores the hidden patterns that can damage a relationship: unresolved triggers, contempt, poor timing, emotional shutdown, infidelity, loss of trust, and the everyday resentments that slowly wear away at love. She explains why couples often fight about the surface issue, like the dishwasher, sex, money, or tone of voice, when the real problem is usually feeling unseen, rejected, criticised, or misunderstood.

This conversation also dives deep into intimacy, and why it is about far more than sex. Karen breaks down the different forms of intimacy, from emotional and physical closeness to humour, curiosity, micro-connections, and the small daily gestures that help couples feel chosen again. She also shares why scheduled intimacy, honest conversations, and understanding each other’s triggers can be powerful tools for rebuilding connection.

At its core, this is a conversation about love, repair, and what it really takes to keep a relationship alive. Whether you are in crisis, quietly drifting, rebuilding trust, or simply trying to understand your partner better, Karen offers a hopeful and practical reminder: relationships need care, attention, and intention but there is almost always a way back to connection.

Sometimes, the choice to begin again is the clearest sign that love is still there.

🌟 Follow for more honest conversations about identity, growth, and beginning again.

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(00:00) Intro

(01:03) Karen's Background: 25 years of couples Therapy

(02:07) The biggest problem facing couples

(04:55) Working with couples and Beginning the process

(07:17) Is hope for couples in crisis? Couples who come to therapy to break up

(08:56) "independence vs autonomy"

(12:16) 4 essential components of love

(13:40) Contempt in relationships, and managing couples who are breaking up

(17:50) the different forms of intimacy, and the importance of "micro-connections"

(22:16) 5 love languages and managing each other's differences

(24:49) The external pressures Facing Your relationship

(27:04) Saily Ad

(28:00) Shopify Ad

(29:02) Different types of triggers in relationships

(34:29) Why You Should Be scheuduling intimacy

(36:57) Managing differing sex drives, and negotiating "couple deals"(40:21) Understanding each other's triggers

(45:07) Karen's rules for arguments

(47:19) infidelity and can male/female friendships work

(53:24) Karen answers questions from viewers about relationships

Sponsored by:

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