Live Life Better

Whether you believe there's something 'out there' or not, there's no disputing many of us have experienced gut-feelings or tingling sensations when something's wrong. Melissa Hemsley finds out from this week's guests. Joining her in the studio this week are Dr Tara Swart, a neuroscientist and leadership coach, Amy Thomson, founder of Moody Month, and Jayne Wallis, from the Psychic Sisters to discover more. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

What your signature scent? Smell is important to all of us, as Melissa Hemsley finds out from this week’s guests. Joining her in the studio this week are Lizzie Ostrom, an author and perfume expert, Niko, Earl of East, a multi-sensorial lifestyle brand, and Annee de Mamieel, an acupuncturist, aromatherapist and skincare expert. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Are you a hugger or a handshaker? Touch is important to all of us, as Melissa Hemsley finds out from this week’s guests. Joining her in the studio are Alice Vincent, author of How to Grow Stuff, who has been gardening from her balcony in London over the last few years, and Tony Riddle, The Natural Life-Stylist, who has spent 18 years developing a way of life based on the principles of a natural lifestyle. Melissa also spoke to Adrienne LDN, a fitness and wellness influencer, about embracing touch. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We all have a favourite song, or an album that we turn to when we need a boost. But how do the music we listen to and the sounds that we hear affect our everyday wellbeing? Melissa Hemsley finds out from three sound experts: Dr Kelly Snook, former NASA scientist who is now reimagining the solar system as an immersive musical instrument, Nick Ryan, multi-award winning composer, sound designer, artist and audio specialist, and Trevor Cox, author of Sonic Wonderland and Now You’re Talking, and one-time holder of the Guinness World Record for the world’s largest whoopee cushion, share their insights on a world of sound. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We’ve all had a first sip of a drink or a bite of a meal which transports us to a different location, another time or a familiar emotion. But how can we harness the power of taste to open up different experiences and improve our lives? Melissa Hemsley invites three food and drink experts into the studio to find out some answers. Vegan cook and author Rachel Ama, chartered psychologist and Great British Bake Off finalist Kimberley Wilson and ‘king of the cocktails’ Ryan Chetiyawardana - aka Mr Lyan - provide us with unique insights and unforgettable flavours for you to try out. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

How can the visual world make our lives better? This week we explore the power of colours, light and how immersing our eyes in new experiences can lead to a happier, healthier and more fulfilled existence.Melissa Hemsley is joined Nina Ryner, founder of ChromaYoga – a new approach to yoga combining light and colour therapy techniques, innovative photographer Vicki King and Karl Ryberg – architect, psychologist and the author of Light Your Life, a book that explores the art of using light to promote health and happiness. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

On this preview edition of Live Life Better series three Melissa Hemsley is joined in the studio by a true sensory guru, Sam Bompas, one half of the highly acclaimed multi-sensory design and experience studio Bompas & Parr. The pair take us on a whistle-stop tour of our senses, explaining how we can stimulate each one of them in a unique and fulfilling way in 2019. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Feeling lethargic? A little sluggish even? Perhaps you wish you were fitter, but those trainers only surface when popping to the shops – If so, join us, in this last episode of the season, where Melissa asks how physical fitness can be used to shape our bodies and minds alike. Psychotherapist William Pullen (Run for Your Life) demonstrates how running with purpose can be used to exercise our inner demons, whilst tennis coach and author Judy Murray (Knowing the Score) shares her thoughts on cultivating resilience through sport. Plus, we hear from Ruby Wax, a monk and a neuroscientist, who think that the mental and physical stresses of body and brain are one in the same – and that mindfulness holds the key to overall contentment. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Late night yesterday? Feeling sleepy? Turning to the caffeine? Stop and listen up! In this episode of Live.Life.Better., Melissa is joined by the only Professor of Sleep Science in the whole world, Jason Ellis. Together with the life-style writing extraordinaire, Kate Faithfull-Williams, they explore the mysterious world of sleep. With extracts from the best selling book by Matthew Walker - Why We Sleep - the show looks at why sleep is so important to our health and how we can regulate our night-time rhythms to combat the challenges of insomnia, restless babies and late nights. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Melissa Hemsley presents a special podcast for International Women’s Day, recorded live at Penguin’s pop-up book shop in East London. She is joined by Holly Branson (Chair of Virgin Unite and author of, WEconomy), Rukmini Iyer (former lawyer turned food stylist, and author of The Roasting Tin) and Alice Olins (author and co-founder of Step Up - a career coaching platform for women). Together they share thoughts on redefining success, breaking stereotypes, and fulfilling potential in the modern business world. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week’s episode is dedicated to clutter busting and spring cleaning – but how can we make a clutter-free life something that we cary through the whole year round? To help find the answers, Melissa Hemsley is joined by authors Sheila Chandra (Banish Clutter Forever) and Emma Gannon (Ctrl, Alt; Delete) who share practical tips. Plus we hear from Japanese bestseller Shoukei Matsumoto, with excerpts from his audiobook, A Monk's Guide to a Clean House and Mind. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week Melissa Hemsley hosts a special podcast focusing on the art of interaction. She is joined by authors Dolly Alderton (Everything I Know About Love) and Jean Smith (Flirtology) to discuss love, rejection, and self-sabotage. And from romance to relationships of a different kind – Daniel Coyle digs in to the secrets of successful teams – with top tips from his book The Culture Code. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Authors Neil Shah (The 10 Step Stress Solution) and Emma Cannon (Fertility) join Melissa Hemsley to discuss the theme of resilience – sharing tips and tricks on overcoming obstacles and living a more relaxed life. We also hear from Sara Milne Rowe who introduces her new book The SHED Method, detailing a series of practices and personal routines to help you make better choices. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week Eat Happy author and mental health ambassador Melissa Hemsley meets authors Megan Jayne Crabbe (Body Positive Power) and Roman Krznaric (Empathy: Why it Matters And How To Get It / Carpe Diem Regained) to discuss breaking out of your comfort zone and building a positive mindset. Roman introduces ideas such as the ‘daily death pause’, whilst Megan shares her own incredible story of overcoming body image issues.Plus, we hear tips from Dr Rangan Chatterjee’s new book The 4 Pillar Plan – explaining how health, happiness and lifestyle are more closely linked than we ever thought. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

New host Melissa Hemsley (author of Eat Happy), introduces series two of Live.Life.Better. and is joined by Nadia Narain and Katia Narain Phillips – the authors of Self-Care For The Real World – to discuss ways to feel good in the new year. They explore strategies for creating healthy habits, clearing your mind and how to break free from social media. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Dominic Frisby is joined by three authors discussing approaches to anxiety, stress and mindfulness in a special programme for Mental Health Awareness week. Ollie Aplin explains how his book ‘Mindjournal’ is helping men build strength through journalling, whilst therapist Chloe Brotheridge draws from the female perspective to talk about her guide to a quieter mind in ‘The Anxiety Solution’. Plus, ‘Five Deep Breaths’ author Genevieve Von Lob gives gives tips on surviving the exam season, from a parent’s perspective. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Are you suffering from creative block? Do you have trouble communicating your ideas? Graphic artist Anthony Burrill (Make It Now!) joins Dominic Frisby to talk about unleashing our inner creative genius, alongside pitch coach Michael Parker (It’s Not What You Say, It’s The Way You Say It) with thoughts on how to deliver under pressure. Plus we hear from Paul Lindley - founder of Ella’s Kitchen baby food brand - on the huge power of thinking like a toddler. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Spring is in the air and it’s time to breathe some fresh air into the areas of your life that have been gathering cobwebs over the winter season. Is your wardrobe filled with clothes you don’t wear? Clutter making the walls close in? Don’t fear, because James Wallman – author of ‘Stuffocation' – is here to save you from your stuff. He talks with Dominic about the value of experience over material things. And it’s also time to spring clean your beauty routine with a trailblazer of the Clean Beauty revolution, Elsie Rutherford. Dominic gets some beauty advice and delicious DIY cosmetics recipes from her new book. Plus, we hear from Professor John Kotter (That’s Not How We Do It Here!) on how to spring clean your business. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In the week of International Women’s Day, guest presenter Vanessa Sanyauke talks politics, business and life with three inspirational guests. Entrepreneur Edwina Dunn shares the stories behind her book The Female Lead, and is joined by Melanie Eusebe, the executive producer of the Women of the World Festival. Plus we hear from the country’s longest serving female MP, Harriet Harman. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Dominic Frisby is joined by elite sleep coach and author Nick Littlehales to talk about the importance of mental and physical recovery. Addressing everything from ‘the eight-hour myth’ to the ‘perfect’ mattress, Nick offer his top tips and sleep hacks based on his pioneering approach used by stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo. Author Chris Baréz-Brown, also explains how you can get more out the day by increasing your ‘conscious time’ – the theme behind his book ‘Wake Up!’. Plus we hear from Arianna Huffington author of ‘The Sleep Revolution’. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

What does it mean to be happy? That's the golden question but is it really 'happiness', or instead 'purpose', that we're actually all searching for? Discussing the topic, Dominic Frisby is joined by authors representing happiness from positions of mind, stomach and wallet – The Mindfulness Project's Alexa Frey (I Am Here Now), chef and author Melissa Hemsley (Good + Simple) and finance guru Damien Fahy (The 30 Day Money Plan). Plus we hear from positive psychology expert Emily Esfahani Smith (The Power of Meaning), who shares her theory on the 'four pillars of meaning’. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In our first episode of Live.Life.Better. we've a range of tips, hints and practical advice for getting fitter, healthier and generally feeling good for 2017. We'll hear from author of 'Running Like A Girl and ‘Leap In’ Alexandra Heminsley on what made her first don a swimming cap and why there’s more to exercise than just strength and aesthetics. 'Leaner, Fitter, Stronger’ co-author James Exton from LDN Muscle also joins the conversation on how to get the most from your exercise routines, plus we've advice from Dalton Wong, superstar personal trainer on how 15 minutes a day spent on something that makes you feel good can result in a world of difference. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Ahead of episode one, launching on 27 January 2017, Dominic Frisby introduces Live.Life.Better. – the all-new podcast from Virgin Books in association with Penguin Living. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.