As we come to the end of the first series of Mad, Sad & Bad, I've been lucky enough to chat to some amazing people - from discussing madness with Mel B, to chatting about great sadnesses for Elizabeth Day and laughing with Eve about being naughty and - I think - a bit of a badass, I feel like I've learnt a lot, so thought it would be nice to sit down and reflect on all these fantastic conversations.

So this is me, after the guests have gone, the kit's been packed away, and the crew have left, having a quiet look back at the series, just for you.

Thank you so much for joining me on this journey - whether you've listened from the start, or just tuned into the odd episode - it means so much, and fingers crossed, we could be back for more soon....

#PALOMAFAITH #MADSADBAD

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Find us on: Instagram / TikTok / YouTube

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Credits:

Producer: Jemima Rathbone

Assistant Producer: Magda Cassidy

Edit Producer: Pippa Brown

Editor: Shane O'Byrne

Video: Jake Ji & Grisha Nikolsky

Video Editor: Josh Bennett

Original music: BUTCH PIXY

Social Media: Laura Coughlan

Marketing: Eleanore Bamber

Exec Producer: Jemima Rathbone

Exec Producers for Idle Industries: Dave Granger & Will Macdonald

Senior Exec Producer: Holly Newson

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

AJ Tracey is rapper and producer notably from Ladbroke Grove; he's also an incredible voice for younger generations and social justice so obviously, I couldn't wait to have him over to chat...

AJ and I discuss being cheeky kids, how having ADHD would get us into trouble and how our mums have supported our careers - from giving us an example what it is to work hard, to buying our music and tickets at full price quite late into our careers.

We also talk about how the rising price of a pint is killing our British culture and we're joined by a *very* special guest, who has some important questions to ask AJ...

This conversation was everything I hoped it would be, deep, authentic, and great fun!

#AJTRACEY #PALOMAFAITH #MADSADBAD

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Find us on: Instagram / TikTok / YouTube

—

Credits:

Producer: Jemima Rathbone

Assistant Producer: Magda Cassidy

Edit Producer: Pippa Brown

Editor: Shane O'Byrne

Video: Jake Ji & Grisha Nikolsky

Video Editor: Josh Bennett

Original music: BUTCH PIXY

Social Media: Laura Coughlan

Marketing: Eleanore Bamber

Exec Producer: Jemima Rathbone

Exec Producers for Idle Industries: Dave Granger & Will Macdonald

Senior Exec Producer: Holly Newson

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

Aisling Bea is a comedian, actress, and the BATFA winning writer of This Way Up; she's witty, honest, and extremely talented, so of course, I was very excited to have her pop by for a chat...

Aisling and I discuss identity post-motherhood, Catholic guilt and the wild politics of leaving a WhatsApp group. Aisling also shares the story of the unlikely friendship she struck up with a neighbour during the pandemic, and why she'll never forgive herself for not being there in his final days.

We also talk about the impact Sinead O'Connor's death left on Aisling and the importance of standing up for what is right and having a community to support you.

This conversation was everything I hoped it would be, deep, authentic, and absolutely hilarious!

#AISLINGBEA #PALOMAFAITH #MADSADBAD

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Find us on: Instagram / TikTok / YouTube

—

Credits:

Producer: Jemima Rathbone

Assistant Producer: Magda Cassidy

Edit Producer: Pippa Brown

Editor: Shane O'Byrne

Video: Jake Ji & Grisha Nikolsky

Video Editor: Josh Bennett

Original music: BUTCH PIXY

Social Media: Laura Coughlan

Marketing: Eleanore Bamber

Exec Producer: Jemima Rathbone

Exec Producers for Idle Industries: Dave Granger & Will Macdonald

Senior Exec Producer: Holly Newson

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

TW: This episode contains discussion of pregnancy loss.

Not only is Katherine Ryan an esteemed comedian, actress, writer, podcaster, and one of the most glamorous women on television, she’s a fiercely outspoken powerhouse of a woman.

In this conversation we discuss motherhood, raising girls to have high standards, and how there’s no such thing as being too confident. Katherine also opens up about her experience of miscarriage, the nonlinear nature of pregnancy, and how she processed the grief of her pregnancy losses.

Katherine also shares some wild stories from her past relationships and talks frankly about why she’s not sorry she cheated on her ex-partner.

Katherine’s energy and zest for life is absolutely infectious – I absolutely loved having her round to chat!

#KATHERINERYAN #PALOMAFAITH #MADSADBAD

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Find us on: Instagram / TikTok / YouTube

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Thanks to my mate Catherine for joining us!

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Credits:

Producer: Jemima Rathbone

Assistant Producer: Magda Cassidy

Edit Producer: Pippa Brown

Editor: Shane O'Byrne

Video: Jake Ji & Grisha Nikolsky

Video Editor: Josh Bennett

Original music: BUTCH PIXY

Social Media: Laura Coughlan

Marketing: Eleanore Bamber

Exec Producer: Jemima Rathbone

Exec Producers for Idle Industries: Dave Granger & Will Macdonald

Senior Exec Producer: Holly Newson

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

Afua Hirsch is an activist, writer, broadcaster, and an incredible storyteller who exudes inspiration. Her ability to express herself with diplomacy while never compromising on her convictions is seriously impressive, so I was thrilled to invite her round for a chat!

In this conversation, Afua opens up about making sense of her dual-heritage identity, and how challenging western beauty standards has helped her to reconnect with her own body, beauty ideals, and culture. Afua also discusses her experiences as a TV news reporter; from being told her afro was too big for TV, to hearing that racism doesn’t exist from an all-white panel, and why she’ll never seek approval from industry gatekeepers.

Through her activism and writing, Afua has helped countless people to understand and articulate the black-British experience. She is a true inspiration and a force to be reckoned with!

#AFUAHIRSCH #PALOMAFAITH #MADSADBAD

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Find us on: Instagram / TikTok / YouTube

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Credits:

Producer: Jemima Rathbone

Assistant Producer: Magda Cassidy

Edit Producer: Pippa Brown

Editor: Shane O'Byrne

Video: Jake Ji & Grisha Nikolsky

Video Editor: Josh Bennett

Original music: BUTCH PIXY

Social Media: Laura Coughlan

Marketing: Eleanore Bamber

Exec Producer: Jemima Rathbone

Exec Producers for Idle Industries: Dave Granger & Will Macdonald

Senior Exec Producer: Holly Newson

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

Rupert Everett has had an expansive career, from Prince Charming in Shrek, to Oscar Wilde in The Happy Prince; more recently the fabulous Giorgio in Emily in Paris, and less recently, my old Headmistress at St Trinian’s.

In this conversation, Rupert reminisces about his early years, from his melancholic birth, to his magical experiences of the gay London party scene in the 1970s. Rupert also shares how his experience of growing up in a Catholic school ignited a naughty streak which now sees him questioning some of his behaviour as a younger man.

Rupert has been a dear friend of mine for many years so it was a real pleasure to have him over - as expected with him, there are no holds barred - we chatted about religion, sexuality, narcissism, national identity and everything in between - plus plenty of cackling laughter too!

#RUPERTEVERETT #PALOMAFAITH #MADSADBAD

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Find us on: Instagram / TikTok / YouTube

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Credits:

Producer: Jemima Rathbone

Assistant Producer: Magda Cassidy

Edit Producer: Pippa Brown

Editor: Shane O'Byrne

Video: Jake Ji & Grisha Nikolsky

Video Editor: Josh Bennett

Original music: BUTCH PIXY

Social Media: Laura Coughlan

Marketing: Eleanore Bamber

Exec Producer: Jemima Rathbone

Exec Producers for Idle Industries: Dave Granger & Will Macdonald

Senior Exec Producer: Holly Newson

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

Not only is Eve a multi-talented actress, singer, rapper and songwriter, she’s also a trailblazing entrepreneur and a gorgeous Mum. I’ve been a fan of Eve since the Ruff Ryders days, and even begged my Mum to let me get Eve’s iconic paw-print tattoo, so it was a bit of a pinch me moment having her in my home...

In this conversation, Eve shares childhood memories of being a class-clown who thrived off attention and laughter, but there was a period of darkness in her life where she struggled with the music industry and her relationship with alcohol. Eve opens up about the accident which forced her to turn her life around and take back the power in her career.

Eve also talks about fertility and motherhood; from the ectopic pregnancy which she kept secret for years and her experiences of IVF, to the love she feels for her son and step-kids. I loved chatting with this amazing woman, not only is she beautiful inside and out, but she’s also an absolute icon and inspiration.

#EVE #PALOMAFAITH #MADSADBAD

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Find us on: Instagram / TikTok / YouTube

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Credits:

Producer: Jemima Rathbone

Assistant Producer: Magda Cassidy

Edit Producer: Pippa Brown

Editor: Shane O'Byrne

Video: Jake Ji & Grisha Nikolsky

Video Editor: Josh Bennett

Original music: BUTCH PIXY

Social Media: Laura Coughlan

Marketing: Eleanore Bamber

Exec Producer: Jemima Rathbone

Exec Producers for Idle Industries: Dave Granger & Will Macdonald

Senior Exec Producer: Holly Newson

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

Paapa Essiedu is not only an incredible actor, lighting up our screens and London’s stages, he’s also a great friend and probably the most emotionally intelligent man I know.

In this conversation, Paapa opens up about losing both his parents by the age of 20, and what it taught him about love, grief, and how sadness creates the imperfections of our character which allow us to be authentic and unique individuals. We also discuss spirituality, Christian guilt, and how growing up going to church shaped Paapa’s ideas of what it means to be a good person. Paapa also shares his experiences of racial profiling as an actor, and how he’s learned to channel this anger into action.

I deeply admire Paapa and his ability to express himself calmly and eloquently in the face of injustice – I really loved this thought-provoking and inspiring chat and hope you do too!

#PAAPAESSIEDU #PALOMAFAITH #MADSADBAD

—

Find us on: Instagram / TikTok / YouTube

—

Credits:

Producer: Jemima Rathbone

Assistant Producer: Magda Cassidy

Edit Producer: Pippa Brown

Editor: Shane O'Byrne

Video: Jake Ji & Grisha Nikolsky

Video Editor: Josh Bennett

Original music: BUTCH PIXY

Social Media: Laura Coughlan

Marketing: Eleanore Bamber

Exec Producer: Jemima Rathbone

Exec Producers for Idle Industries: Dave Granger & Will Macdonald

Senior Exec Producer: Holly Newson

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