Begin Again with Davina McCall

One big dream could be all it takes to begin again.

In this awe-inspiring episode, Dame Maggie Aderin shares how growing up as a dyslexic Black girl in 1970s London, at a time when racism was overt and dreams were small, sparked her wildest ambition: to reach for the stars, literally.

A world-renowned space scientist, Maggie opens up about the personal journey behind the lab coat, from watching the moonlight with her father as a child, to falling in love with astronomy through cartoons, to dreaming of becoming the first woman named Maggie to walk on the moon.

She explains how science gave her purpose, how curiosity became a lifeline, and why believing in something bigger than yourself, like the universe, can change your life on Earth. From working on some of the world’s most powerful telescopes to inspiring over 650,000 children through her talks, Dame Maggie shows us what purpose really looks like.

Whether you're searching for meaning, battling self-doubt, or trying to find your place in the cosmos, this conversation will leave you inspired to dream bigger, and keep looking up.

💫 Like, comment, and subscribe for more fearless stories of growth and purpose. Tap the bell to stay connected.

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Pre Order “Starchild”: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/468362/starchild-by-aderin-maggie/9781785949449

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00:00 Intro

00:09 Who Is Dame Maggie Aderin and Why She Matters

00:46 What Sparked Maggie’s Passion for Science

02:04 How the Moon Secretly Shapes Our Lives

08:07 How Maggie Makes Complex Science Feel Simple

09:07 Why Having a Dream Can Change Everything

13:07 What Ikigai Teaches Us About Purpose and Balance

17:57 What Telescopes Reveal About the Universe—and Ourselves

22:04 Could Life Exist Beyond Earth? Here's the Scientific Take

23:12 Why the Future of Space Exploration Is Both Thrilling and Terrifying

26:06 How Far Can Humanity Really Go in Space?

29:27 What Breakthroughs Are Coming in the Next Decade of Space Discovery

32:57 Airbnb Ad

34:01 How Maggie’s Complicated Childhood Shaped Her Strength

42:07 Why Maggie Wrote 'Starchild'—And What It Means to Her

50:39 Maggie Opens Up About Facing Racism in the UK

54:44 What It’s Like to Find Purpose in the Public Eye

57:22 What It Meant to Be Made Into a BarbieSponsored by:

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Grief is something we all face at some stage.

In this bonus "Begin Again Moments" episode, Andi Oliver opens up about the deep loss of her brother Sean, reflecting on his life and the impact of his passing.

Buddhist Monk Gelong Thubten shares his wisdom on processing grief, offering a compassionate perspective on how we can approach life's impermanence.

Together, they explore the power of making space for both love and loss, offering profound insights on navigating the complexity of grief.

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New episodes every Thursday 7am 💚
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This is what it takes to begin again when you feel like you’ve lost everything.

In this powerful episode, comedian Seann Walsh opens up about the reality behind the laughs, his turbulent childhood, addiction, and public shaming, and how hitting rock bottom forced him to rebuild his entire life from scratch.

Seann shares how sobriety became the turning point that reconnected him with the version of himself he lost in the chaos: the ten-year-old boy who just wanted to make people laugh. He talks honestly about feeling like a failure at the height of success, the deep shame that followed and how he slowly found his way back, not to who he was, but to someone stronger.

From becoming a father to falling in love with Grace, Seann reveals the real moments that brought him peace, purpose, and a new path forward.

Whether you’re navigating addiction, public failure, or just trying to start over, this episode will show you what it really means to heal.

Seann Walsh will be on tour across the UK with his brand-new show This Is Torture from 13th February, with tickets on sale now at https://www.seannwalsh.com

💚 Comment and follow for more honest conversations.

Follow Seann: https://www.instagram.com/seannwalsh/

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(00:00) INTRO

(02:15) Seann on His Chaotic Childhood and His Dad’s Heroin Addiction(07:20) The Moment That Brought Seann and His Dad Together(12:55) Seann on Family Dysfunction (15:30) Seann on Setting Boundaries and Finding Sobriety(19:36) How Comedy Liberated Seann From a Young Age(22:25) Overcoming Expectations and Dealing with Feelings of Failure(30:11) Lindt Chocolate Ad(31:20) Airbnb Ad(32:25) Seann on Moving Forward After Controversy (36:02) Seann on Meeting Grace and the Proposal Story(43:44) Seann on the Joy He Finds in Parenthood(48:18) Seann on the Life-Changing Advice From His Father(52:02) Seann’s Vision for the Next 10 Years(54:53) A Special Letter From Grace

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Join Deliciously Ella and Davina McCall for a 10-minute kitchen reset 🍅🥦
This is your invitation to take the overwhelm out of healthy eating.

In this Reset Month bonus episode, Ella shares the top 10 ingredients she always keeps on hand, and how to use them for quick, delicious, family-friendly meals.
No fancy gadgets, no complex recipes, just real food, real fast.

🌱 This is the episode for you if:

You want to eat better but don’t know where to start

You’re tired of wellness advice that feels overcomplicated

You’re looking for simple wins in the kitchen

✨ Ella's Essentials include:

Easy pantry staples (like tins, grains, and frozen veg)

Quick flavor boosts with minimal effort

The mindset shift that makes weeknight cooking doable

🎁 Don’t miss our RESET giveaway!
Sign up for the Begin Again newsletter for exclusive tools and a chance to win over £750 in wellness prizes:
http://beginagainshow.com

🎥 This episode is part of our RESET MONTH series, your invitation to simplify, nourish, and begin again.
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What if asking for help is the one thing you’ve been avoiding that could change everything?

Reset Month 5: HAPPINESS

This month, we dive deep into a powerful and often overlooked tool for healing: asking for help. In this episode of Reset Month, Nadia and Katia, renowned for their work on nervous system regulation and self-care, share how the simple act of vulnerability can be life-changing.

Many of us are stuck in “fight or flight,” constantly feeling like we’re running on empty and unable to truly connect with ourselves or others. Nadia and Katia explain why you are not broken, you just need to learn how to reset your nervous system, and that starts by letting go of the need to do it all alone.

Through personal stories, including their journey to self-awareness and the profound lessons learned from their own relationship dynamics, they reveal how co-regulation, the act of supporting and being supported by others, can bring us back to a place of safety, connection, and peace.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

- How to recognise the signs of an overwhelmed nervous system

- Why asking for help is the first step to healing

- The surprising benefits of co-regulation and how it transforms your relationships

- How to embrace vulnerability without fear or guilt

- The simple daily practices that reset your nervous system and bring you back to balance

- How tiny moments can change your life

Whether you’re dealing with stress, emotional overwhelm, or simply want to live a more connected and fulfilling life, this episode will guide you to a path of self-compassion and mutual support. Nadia and Katia’s insights are a must-watch for anyone wanting to break free from constant tension and start living with ease and love again.

Like, comment, and subscribe for more Reset Month episodes. Tap the bell to stay updated! 💚

🎁 Don’t miss our RESET giveaway!

Sign up for the Begin Again newsletter for exclusive tools and a chance to win over £750 in wellness prizes: http://beginagainshow.com?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=reset

Follow us here:

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(00:00) INTRO(01:31) What is the Nervous System & Why It Matters(05:58) Signs of an Unregulated Nervous System(08:27) The Importance of Safety, Asking for Help, & Letting Go(20:20) Shared Experience & the Power of Co-Regulation(29:18) Lindt Chocolate (Ad)(30:27) AirBnB (Ad)(31:35) Ancient & Brave (Ad)(32:43) What Are Glimmers & How to Spot Them(41:39) Journaling & Self-Assessment(43:27) Navigating New Relationships & Understanding Love(46:53) How Your Nervous System Shapes Relationships(50:06) How Noticing Glimmers Transforms Your Life(53:44) Navigating Life Changes in Midlife(58:56) Nadia on Finding Love Later in Life(01:04:35) Embracing Aging with Self-Awareness(01:07:33) Setting Boundaries in Tough Relationships(01:09:57) Prioritising Yourself(01:14:56) Glimmer Check-In

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