Begin Again with Davina McCall

What does it really feel like to lose someone… while they’re still here?

In this powerful Begin Again Moments, Jamie Theakston opens up about his father’s dementia, the quiet grief, the role reversal, and the heartbreak of watching a parent slowly change. He speaks candidly about the anxiety of caring for someone who wants to stay independent, and the complicated emotions that come with loving someone who is still physically present but gradually slipping away .

Then psychologist Kimberley Wilson explains the science behind dementia and Alzheimer’s, including why women are at higher risk, the worrying rise in young-onset diagnoses, and the surprising lifestyle factors that could prevent up to 45% of cases. From hearing loss and social isolation to brain stimulation and stress, she shares what we can actually do to protect our brain health.

This short episode features powerful clips from their full conversations, both available to watch or listen to now.

If you’re caring for a parent, worried about your own risk, or navigating the complicated emotions of dementia, this conversation is for you.

Watch the full episodes with Jamie Theakston and Kimberley Wilson now.

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One mother’s journey to self-love, resilience, and reinvention.

In this powerful and heartfelt episode, Dearbhla Mescal, mother of Oscar-nominated actor Paul Mescal and singer-songwriter Nell Mescal, shares how a life dedicated to her children’s dreams transformed into a life of self-discovery and strength after a life-changing cancer diagnosis.

For over three decades, Dearbhla prioritised her children's needs, guiding them through their own ambitions while silently putting herself last. But when cancer entered her life, everything shifted. Through her personal battle, Dearbhla explains how facing mortality became the catalyst for her to finally embrace herself, her body, and her own dreams.

From navigating motherhood with three children chasing their dreams, to witnessing the highs and lows of a 30-year marriage, Dearbhla reflects on the lessons of love, sacrifice, and resilience that have shaped her journey. This episode reveals the profound transformation that can happen when we start prioritising ourselves , even after years of putting others first.

This is a beautiful testament to the power of reinvention, the strength of family, and the importance of loving yourself, no matter what life throws your way.

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Finding Joy out now: https://www.waterstones.com/book/finding-joy/dearbhla-mescal/steve-doogan/9781804442876

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(01:32) Intro to Dearbhla Mescal, Her New Book and Her Kids(03:46) How to Finding Joy in the Everyday(08:11) Dearbhla on Her Time in the Police Force and Finding Her Voice(11:40) Authenticity and Finding Joy in the Small Moments(15:25) Becoming a Parent and Facilitating Your Kids’ Dreams(27:59) Airbnb Ad(29:00) Lind Ad(30:06) The Turning Point(30:53) Discovering Her Cancer Diagnosis(38:24) Telling Her Kids About Her Diagnosis(42:54) Facing Cancer and Having Deep Gratitude for Life and Love(47:07) How Cancer Brought Loneliness, Grief, and a Gift(53:00) Beginning Again After Cancer(55:58) The Greatest Gift We Can Give Our Children(01:02:25) Learning to Take Up Space and Pursue Your Passions(01:05:23) Discovering Anxiety in Midlife(01:07:12) Paul, Nell and Donnacha's Reaction to Her Book(01:09:12) An Emotional Rendition of 'The Kiss' by Her Daughter Nell(01:13:46) A Special Gift for Dearbhla

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What happens when you have to re-enter the dating world after years in a relationship?

Paloma Faith reveals the unexpected emotional challenges of dating in her 40s, from feeling out of place on apps to redefining what she truly wants. Instead of seeing it as a setback, she chose to see it as a chance to Begin Again.

Alongside her, Paul C. Brunson shares the practical roadmap for midlife dating, how to approach it differently, how to protect your confidence, and how to turn fear into possibility.

Dating again isn’t about going backwards. It’s about stepping into a new chapter, with more wisdom, clarity and courage than ever before.

These golden nugget moments are taken from Begin Again with Davina McCall, the full episode with Paloma & Paul are available now. Follow us for more and your chance to Begin Again.💚✨

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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.

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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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