Podcast appearances and mentions of poorna bell

The health secretary Wes Streeting has appointed senior midwife Donna Ockenden to lead a review into maternity and neonatal services at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. The appointment came after a sustained campaign by bereaved and harmed families who said that she was the only one they trusted to lead the review into failings in Leeds. Donna Ockenden joined Nuala McGovern to discuss her new appointment as well as her ongoing review into Nottingham university hospitals.How would you feel if everyone in your household forgot your birthday? After a woman's social media post saying her family had forgotten hers went viral, Anita talked to the author Poorna Bell and the journalist Nell Frizzell about whether forgetting a spouse's birthday is simply a careless moment or the sign of something deeper.Dr Amy Blakeway, Senior Lecturer in 16th Century Scottish History at the University of St Andrews, talked to Nuala about the history of the term 'rough wooing', and why she thinks it's time we stopped using it.Ashley Dalton, the MP for West Lancashire, announced last week that she was stepping down from her role as Health Minister to focus on constituency work and her health. Last year she revealed that her breast cancer had returned, and metastasised. This means living with advanced breast cancer everyday – it can't be cured, but it can be managed. She joined Nuala to discuss her decision.Maimuna Memon is an actress, singer, composer, and playwright. Last year, she won a Laurence Olivier Award for her performance in the musical Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 at the Donmar in London. Maimuna talks to Anita about the real-life stories behind her latest show Manic Street Creature.Presenter: Anita Rani Producer: Annette Wells

Ahead of the 30th anniversary of the Dunblane massacre on Friday, presenter Anita Rani speaks to three women whose lives changed for ever that day; Melanie Reid, a journalist who was one of the first at the scene in Dunblane that morning, Rosemary Hunter, one of three women leaders of The Snowdrop Campaign that changed UK gun laws and Anna Hall, who grew up in Dunblane and is the director of a Channel 4 documentary about the shootings, The Dunblane Tapes.How would you feel if everyone in your household forgot your birthday? After a woman's social media post saying her family had forgotten hers went viral, Anita talks to the author Poorna Bell and the journalist Nell Frizzell about whether forgetting a spouse's birthday is simply a careless moment or the sign of something deeper.Catfishing is the act of creating a fake online persona to deceive others for romantic, financial, or malicious reasons. This happened to 19-year old Sasha-Jay Davies, from Aberdare in Wales who for almost four years has been accused of leading men on, arranging to meet them and not showing up, and been harassed by complete strangers, all because someone else has been using her photos without permission on social media. BBC Wales reporter Eleri Griffiths has been covering the story and joins us along with Reagan Brien, a solicitor at Cohen Davis who has worked on similar cases.New research carried out by the University of California in the US has revealed that a blood test can detect dementia in women, years before they have symptoms. Dr Sheona Scales, director of research at Alzheimer's Research UK, explains the research findings and what it could potentially mean for women's dementia diagnosis in the future.Presenter: Anita Rani Producer: Rebecca Myatt

When she turned 40, journalist and author Poorna Bell decided she'd had enough of being told her best years were behind her – not least because she was seeing so many older women absolutely killing it in their various and varied arenas. With that in mind she set about looking at the rules set for women by society, questioning how and why they'd come to be, which in turn became the basis for her new book: She Wanted More: Reimagine your future and live by your rules. Jen chats to Poorna about why society writes off older women, our fears around ageing, and the art of not giving a shit. Want to support us and enjoy additionalcontent? Of course you do. And you can: patreon.com/standardissue. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“For most of our lives, women have been told that if we look a certain way and behave a certain way, the world will unfold for us. Only to reach midlife and find that, for most of us, it isn't true, and the booby prize is that apparently we now have to spend yet more time and money obsessing about how to claw our way back to a place of acceptance that never existed.”   In this episode I speak to Poorna Bell — award-winning journalist, author, and former UK executive editor for HuffPost — to talk about her new book She Wanted More, the cultural shift happening among women in their 40s, 50s, and 60s, and why the conversation around midlife needs to change. Poorna describes the atmosphere before her 40th birthday as apocalyptic, with friends talking about it like the end of the world, and society treating 40 as a cliff edge. Surprisingly, to her, the world didn't end. In fact, things got better. Over the five years since, she's watched her life move on an upwards trajectory, something society never told her was possible. She Wanted More is her response to that gap between what women are told about midlife and what actually happens when you're in it. Poorna noticed women all around her in their 40s, 50s, and 60s making fundamentally different choices than previous generations. Whether that was questioning relationships, redefining career success, opting out of motherhood, or choosing to remain single after divorce. The traditional markers of success (money, power, nuclear family structures) are being interrogated. Women are asking: What do I actually want? What is purpose for me? This isn't a book prescribing one way to live. It's about creating agency — doing an inventory of your life and asking yourself: What do I need to feel power and intention in my own life? Poorna advocates for reclaiming the word ‘climacteric' because it better captures the magnitude of what's happening in the menopause transition. It sounds dramatic because it is dramatic. She describes her own symptoms as "giant stingrays carrying dread, despair, and fear" — a visceral image that will resonate with anyone who's experienced perimenopausal anxiety and that pervasive sense of doom. Poorna surveyed around 1,000 women for the book, and one surprising finding was the fear younger women now have about perimenopause. Media coverage has skewed heavily negative, and many women in their 20s and 30s are genuinely terrified. Poorna's response? We need balance. Yes, some women have brutal experiences. But many don't. The goal isn't to sugarcoat it or pretend it's all wonderful, but to give women the full picture so they can prepare without catastrophizing. Poorna quotes Ashley Kelch in the book: "The most disruptive act in midlife isn't leaving your job or your relationship. It's leaving behind the version of yourself that you created in order to survive." For Poorna, that meant shedding the version of herself that was palatable, agreeable, and constantly performing. She describes younger Poorna as someone who would say yes to everything, who prioritized being liked over being authentic. Midlife gave her permission to stop. She's learned to listen to her body's signals, to say no without guilt, to recognize when she simply doesn't have the spoons for something, and to honour that without shame. The global anti-aging market is set to be worth $80 billion in four years. Poorna calls it "the same shit, repackaged" — a relentless marketing machine selling women the idea that looking young is the only way to remain valuable. And yet, when she asked the women she surveyed what getting older meant to them, not one mentioned looks. They talked about freedom, contentment, peacefulness, having options. So how do we opt out of this pressure? Poorna's advice: stop engaging with the narratives that don't serve you. Unfollow accounts that make you feel inadequate. Surround yourself with images and stories of women who are thriving in midlife on their own terms. Representation matters — and we have more control over our media diet than we think. One of the most moving parts of the book is Poorna's conversation with her own mother about her early life before becoming a mother. Her mother had a place at university. Everything was paid for. But her grandfather wouldn't let her go because it would have meant living with a family he didn't approve of. Later, when her mother's employer suggested she take auditor exams, her father dismissed it: "You're going back to India to get married soon, so there's no point." Listening to her mother recount this, Poorna felt rage. She could see the brightness, the potential, the intelligence — and the loss of what could have been. That conversation made Poorna softer and more compassionate with her mother. She now asks anyone whose mother is still around: have that conversation. Ask about their life before you were on the scene. Their answers won't be defensive because they're not connected to you as a person — they're just telling you their story. It's precious. Key Takeaways: Midlife isn't a cliff edge. Society lies. Your 40s, 50s, and 60s can be an upwards trajectory if you let them be. Question the definitions of success you've inherited. Money and power aren't the only measures. What does success mean to you? Let go of the version of yourself you created to survive. Midlife is permission to stop performing and start being. Listen to your body's signals. If you don't have the spoons, you don't have the spoons. Honour that. Opt out of anti-aging narratives that don't serve you. Curate your media diet. Surround yourself with images of women thriving in midlife. Talk to your mother about her early life. If she's still around and you have a relationship with her, ask about who she was before you existed. You'll learn something profound.   Instagram, Threads, and TikTok: @poornabell She Wanted More https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/she-wanted-more-reimagine-your-future-and-live-by-your-rules-poorna-bell/2eea99431a408200?ean=9781785122835&next=t&next=t&affiliate=11357  Also check out her previous book Stronger — pairs beautifully with this one Ways to work & connect with me: Coaching 1-1 http://www.thetripleshift.org   Menopause in the workplace support at www.managingthemenopause.com  Subscribe to my newsletter at https://middlingalong.substack.com/   Connect with me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmacthomas/ 

Send a textMy guest this week is Poorna Bell, an award-winning author, journalist, public speaker and former executive editor at the Huff Post. Her sixth book, (and fourth non-fiction book) She Wanted More, came out just last month, and shines a much-needed spotlight on the lives of women in their 40s, 50s, 60s and beyond, challenging the stagnation narratives that society tries to force upon us. The book explores various themes including the distinction between motherhood and otherhood, diving into the reality that women can be childfree and still live lives of purpose and meaning. Our conversation includes: the tragic loss of Poorna's husband Rob; how society still sees marriage as the superior path; her thoughts on the viral Vogue article, 'Is Having A Boyfriend Embarrassing Now?'; Poorna's current outlook on dating; decentering men, i.e. removing them as the focal point in our lives; the impossible standards placed on women when it comes to ageing; and Poorna's new book, She Wanted more. 05:28 Poorna's Story: Losing Her Husband & Rethinking the 'Life Script'09:25 10 Years On: Grief, Healing, and Finding Joy & Peace Again16:06 From Wife to Widow to Single: Status, Stigma, and Solo Travel22:23 Dating Pressure25:25 Viral Vogue article ‘Is Having A Boyfriend Embarrassing Now?' + Why Women's Lives Get Harder with Men34:20 Why She Wrote ‘She Wanted More': Aging, Reinvention, and Rejecting the Decline Narrative38:13 Older Women Athletes & Rewriting the ‘Frailty' Narrative40:07 Aging as Liberation: Social Media Role Models in Their 60s43:17 Letting Go of the Male Gaze47:53 Desire, Menopause & the Many Realities of Midlife Sex49:49 Heidi Clements, HRT, Money & Why Friendship Matters More Than Romance52:54 Decentering Men: Putting Yourself Back at the Center55:50 Are We Escaping the Patriarchy? Measuring Progress (and What's Missing)59:50 Dating Burnout, Quitting Drinking & Dipping a Toe Back Into Dating01:05:12 Online Dating Reality Check: Hybrid Dating, Expectations & Efficiency01:08:46 Final Words of AdviceBuy Poorna's book, She Wanted More: https://www.amazon.co.uk/She-Wanted-More-space-dream/dp/1785122835Follow Poorna on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/poornabell/?hl=enFollow Poorna on TikTok:  https://www.tiktok.com/@poornabell Support the showBuy my book, SHINY HAPPY SINGLES (UK) / THRIVE SOLO (US & Canada) at: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/book Join my membership community for single women, Thrive Solo: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/thrivesolo Download my FREE PDF 'Top 10 Comebacks for the MostAnnoying Questions Single Women Get Asked' Go to: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/comebacks Check out my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thrivesolowithlucymeggeson Join my private Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1870817913309222/?ref=share Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thrivesolowithlucymeggeson/ Email me: lucy@lucymeggeson.com And thank you so much for listening!

What more do you want from life? What more do you want for yourself? Award-winning journalist and author Poorna Bell reckons it's time to start really asking ourselves these questions.In this chat with Fearne, Poorna explains why it's important to aim for goals you set for yourself, not the ones set by society. They talk about why challenging the narrative that women become invisible as they age is so important, and why we should be turning to elders for life wisdom.Poorna also reflects on what she wishes she'd known about marriage before her wedding, and how we can all strengthen our relationships with our parents and children.Poorna's book, She Wanted More, is out now.If you liked this episode of Happy Place, you might also like:Poorna's first Happy Place episodeAshley JamesPaloma Faith Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome along to Crushed by Margaret Cabourn-Smith; the podcast about unrequited love.  This episode I talk to awesome writer and speaker POORNA BELL.  I'm a big fan of hers and have been trying to track her down for a couple of years since I was too shy (I know) to approach her at Crushed alumnus Dolly Alderton's book launch. My persistence paid off and I loved talking to her and getting an advance copy of her excellent new novel This Is Fine which is out now and highly recommended. I love that instead of doing a reading from that, she read from her teenage diary. Thanks for downloading and supporting us. If you can bear to go and tap out a 5 star review for us, that'd be dreamy. Come and find us... On Substack at crushedbymcs; where if you subscribe, you'll have access to the podcast ad-free and exclusive content from me as well as a lot of gushy love from me. On Instagram @crushedbymcs where I occasionally dress up and lip-synch to Chappell Roan. On email, where you can send us anecdotes, adoration and arguments  crushedbymcs@gmail. Who doesn't love post!? And if you want to do nothing but gratefully chuck me £4 to buy myself some sellotape and a copy of the Radio Times to make a collage, head for ko-fi.com/crushedbymcs Just out of interest: you can currently see me in Not Going Out on the iplayer, if you fancy seeing me being pedantic in a pencil skirt.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we sit with journalist, public speaker, powerlifter and author Poorna. We discuss normalising getting out of relationships that no longer serve you, making friendships intentionally in your adulthood and the mainstream trivialisation of mental health.  We also discuss Poorna's latest novel ‘This Is Fine', the process of writing it, the motivation behind the themes in it and what she hopes her readers will take out of her writing. She also gives us a glimpse into her plans for her next novel.

The current conflict in Lebanon has forced thousands of women and children in refugee camps to once again leave their homes for their own safety. Kylie Pentelow is joined by the BBC's Senior International Correspondent Orla Guerin to get the latest on the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, and speaks to CEO and co-founder of the Alsama Project, Meike Ziervogel, to hear what impact it is having on women and children.Woman's Hour listener Fran Blackett got in touch with us because she wanted to talk about fell running, and why she wants more women involved in the sport. She joins Kylie to explain what fell running is, why she's so passionate about it, and more about her women's running group, Run Like a Haggis.Are you in your 'protective hag' era? That's what the author and journalist Poorna Bell calls the position she finds herself in. Recently she's written about feeling an increasing sense of protectiveness towards younger women. Poorna joins Kylie to talk about this stage of life and what it means to her.It's being reported that Melania Trump - the wife of former President Donald Trump - has expressed explicit support for abortion rights - one of the key dividing lines in the US presidential election. Her stance appears to be in sharp contrast with the position of her husband, as he enters the final leg of the US presidential race. Gina Yannitell Rheinhardt, Professor of Government and an expert in US politics at the University of Essex, joins Kylie to discuss.When Cathy Hollingworth was first diagnosed with breast cancer two years ago, she decided to document her journey through poetry. Now she's publishing a collection of 22 poems called Getting It Off My Chest. She joins Kylie to discuss the poems and how they helped her get through her treatment, as well as what she hopes others can learn about talking to people with cancer.Presenter: Kylie Pentelow Producer: Lottie Garton

In this week's episode of Therapy Works, we sit down with Poorna Bell, esteemed freelance journalist, author, and broadcaster, as she shares her profoundly moving story. Poorna discusses the challenges of feeling worthy of romantic love, primarily as the result of her husband's suicide, and how she found strength through powerlifting and jiu-jitsu. We'll also discuss her decision not to have children, as Poorna offers insights into navigating cultural expectations and personal fulfillment. Join us as we explore vulnerability, resilience, and the journey to self-acceptance. Resources: You can find out more about Poorna Bell from her website - https://www.poornabell.com/home And you can check out her latest book, “this is fine” here - https://amzn.eu/d/brni7ju Otherwise, we mentioned Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide. You can find them here - https://uksobs.com If you'd like to connect, I post regularly on Instagram, with more thoughts and some Monday Top Tips - http://instagram.com/juliasamuelmbe/ And for more info, check out my website - https://juliasamuel.co.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week's book guest is I'm Sorry You Feel That Way by Rebecca Wait.Sara and Cariad are joined by award winning writer and journalist Poorna Bell to discuss family dynamics, happy endings, siblings and girls schools.Thank you for reading with us. We like reading with you!I'm Sorry You Feel That Way by Rebecca Wait is available to buy here or on Apple Books here.This is Fine by Poorna Bell is available to buy here or on Apple Books here.You can find Poorna on Instagram: @poornabellSara's debut novel Weirdo is published by Faber & Faber and is available to buy here.Cariad's book You Are Not Alone is published by Bloomsbury and is available to buy here.Follow Sara & Cariad's Weirdos Book Club on Instagram @saraandcariadsweirdosbookclub and Twitter @weirdosbookclub Recorded and edited by Naomi Parnell for Plosive.Artwork by Welcome Studio. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Journalist, Author and Powerlifter, Poorna Bell gets into writing the South Asian representation she wants to see in her new novel This Is Fine, choosing not to have children and her thoughts on ultimatums in relationships. She talks through the expectations vs the reality of her life's biggest milestones including turning 40 and how she believed it would change her sense of style and why she thought no one would date her if she was single in her 40s (obviously, that didn't happen). Raj is embarrazzed about a car parking situation LOL.Send me your hot takes on ANYTHING we discussed on the episode...Email almost40thepodcast@gmail.comFollow @almost40pod @_rajpander @poornabell and check out This Is Finexoxo Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Poorna Bell is a gladiator. In her real life, and also in the way she courageously handles her most painful and confronting emotions. In this conversation, we explore Poorna's experience of her own rage, from the smallest transgressions related to parking spaces and the crush to exit planes, to the heartbreaking anguish of losing her partner to addiction. Poorna shares how her relationship with exercise, and particularly wrestling, challenges conditioned bonds of femininity, and offers her psychological release. About our guest: Poorna ia an award-winning journalist, author and former UK Executive Editor and Global Lifestyle Head for HuffPost. Poorna has published three non-fiction books, and her second novel, This Is Fine, is out this month! We were lucky enough to be sent early copies, and absolutely devoured it. We know that you will love this woman and her work as much as we do. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rhianon Bragg was held hostage at gunpoint by her ex-boyfriend, Gareth Wyn Jones, for eight hours. He was sentenced in 2020 for stalking, false imprisonment, making threats to kill and possession of a firearm. Now, despite a parole board panel saying they are not satisfied it would be safe, he is being released from prison. Rhianon tells us about how her relationship with Wyn Jones developed, what happened at the end, and how she feels about him coming out of prison.Ambika Mod stars as Emma in the new Netflix adaptation of David Nicholls' much-loved novel One Day. She acts opposite Leo Woodall as Dex, and their comedic romance plays out over 14 episodes and 20 years. You may have seen Ambika as Shruti, the junior doctor with a pivotal plot line in the BBC labour ward drama This is Going to Hurt. She tells us about taking on this lead role.On Thursday Kate Garraway returned to Good Morning Britain following the death of her husband, Derek. She spoke about her reaction to being called a widow for the first time, by a delivery man, apologising for her loss. We hear from Poorna Bell, a journalist and author who lost her husband in 2015, and Karen Sutton, host of The Widow Podcast, who became a trained grief coach after her husband died in 2016.New sonar images from deep in the Pacific Ocean might have located the wreckage of Amelia Earhart's missing plane. Has Earhart's disappearance finally been solved, or has the obsession with this mystery distracted us from the pioneering woman herself? Pilot Katherine Moloney and historian Dr Darren Reid discuss Amelia Earhart, her legacy, and women in aviation today.Emma Grede, a native East Londoner, now a thriving businesswoman in the US, is known for her entrepreneurial prowess and successful collaborations with the Kardashian sisters. Emma is a driving force behind iconic brands like Good American and Skims. She will soon be making her mark as a guest investor on an upcoming episode of BBC's Dragon's Den.Presenter: Anita Rani Producer: Rabeka Nurmahomed

Yesterday, Kate Garraway returned to Good Morning Britain following the loss of her husband, Derek. She spoke about her reaction to being called a widow for the first time, by a delivery man, apologising for her loss. Anita Rani speaks to Poorna Bell, a journalist and author who lost her husband in 2015, and Karen Sutton, host of The Widow Podcast, who became a trained grief coach after her husband passed away in 2016. Anita Rani talks to a woman who says a cosmetic surgery clinic tried to silence her after she reported concerns about her eye operation. Signature clinic is taking five people in total to court after they posted negative reviews or comments on support groups. A judge has thrown out an attempt to get a gagging order against one of them. BBC reporter Melanie Abbott speaks to the woman concerned. And that woman's solicitor tells Anita what she thinks this judgement means for free speech. A trend is surfacing on social media, where women reach out to one another with a request - Can you find out if my partner is cheating on me? Anita speaks to Becky Hayes from The Laura and Becky Show podcast, who is creating social media content out of these requests and a journalist who has researched the subject, Beth Ashley, for a discussion on the morality of social media investigators. Although payments are not taken for these requests and identities are kept secret, some might ask whether it's appropriate to make humorous content, out of what could possibly be very devastating news for someone. And without the context of the relationship to inform them, whether the trend invade people's privacy. Fans are eagerly waiting to see if Taylor Swift will make it from Tokyo to Las Vegas in time to support her American footballer boyfriend Travis Kelce at the US Super Bowl this Sunday. Many in the Trump camp are watching closely too, as right-wing conspiracy theories run wild that the pop megastar might use the event to influence the presidential elections. What is going on? Anita talks to BBC reporter Holly Honderich, based in Washington.Presenter: Anita Rani Producer: Rebecca Myatt Studio manager: Emma Harth

Kiri chats to the incredibly chic and stylish author and journalist Poorna Bell. Indie biz of the week is the kemist Email us whoyouwearingpod@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, we're joined by award-winning journalist and author Poorna Bell to discuss the importance of letting go of one-sided friendships.We discuss how it can feel daunting when friends' lives splinter off in different directions, and why it's okay to be selective with your friendships.We also talk about the myth of finding “the one”, the importance of writing South Asian stories into popular culture, as well as Poorna's debut novel, In Case of Emergency.You can also read Poorna's writing at her recently launched Substack, It's As I Was Saying with Poorna Bell https://poornabell.substack.com/Catch Love Lives on Independent TV and YouTube, as well as all major social and podcast platforms.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/millenniallove. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's bitesize episode Clemmie talks about expectations and more importantly, how to manage them, with award-winning journalist, author and power lifter Poorna Bell. Poorna is the former Executive Editor and Global Lifestyle Head for HuffPost. She won Stylist's Rising Star award for 2019, Red Magazine's Big Book Award for 2019. Poorna has published three works of non-fiction: Chase The Rainbow, In Search of Silence and Stronger, which won a 2022 Sports Book award. Part memoir, part manifesto, Stronger explores society's pressures and expectations where women's fitness is concerned. She tackles everything from toxic environments and self-esteem to ageism, sexism, desirability and why choosing between your potential and social acceptance can be limiting. In Case of Emergency is Poorna's first work of fiction. Find Clemmie on Instagram @Clemmie_Telford and Poorna @Poornabell. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Could you pay Poppy and Rubina to go back to their 20's? What does growing older and evolving actually feel like? Poppy and Rubina joined by Poorna Bell chat about the different stages (and ages!) of life and if they'll ever reach a moment of absolute contentment and if it's even possible. Have a message for Poppy and Rubina? If you're over 16, you can message the BGDIT team via WhatsApp for free on 07968100822. Or email us at browngirlsdoittoo@bbc.co.uk New episodes released every week. If you're in the UK, for more BBC podcasts listen on BBC Sounds: bbc.in/3UjecF5

Eighty-one-year-old Martha Stewart has made history by becoming the oldest woman to grace the cover of Sports Illustrated. Chanté talks to model Nicola Griffin, who appeared in Sports Illustrated in her 50s, and speaks with journalist Poorna Bell about the different expectations for older women of colour.

Author, journalist and powerlifter Poorna Bell discusses love, loss, the depiction of South India in literature and female representation in the male-dominated world of sports. Poorna Bell is an award-winning journalist, author and powerlifter(!) who writes across mental and physical wellbeing, women and diversity. Poorna has published three works of non-fiction: Chase The Rainbow, In Search of Silence and Stronger, which is part memoir, part manifesto about women's strength and fitness. In 2019 she won Stylist's Rising Star award, Red magazine's Big Book Award and secured a Sunday Times Sports Book Accolade in 2022. Her debut novel In Case of Emergency is out now. Poorna's book choices: The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy Beloved by Toni Morrison My Fight, Your Fight by Ronda Rousey Luster by Raven Leilani Mermaid of Black Conch by Monique Roffey Vick Hope, multi-award winning TV and BBC Radio 1 presenter, author and journalist, is the host of season six of the Women's Prize for Fiction Podcast. Every week, Vick will be joined by another inspirational woman to discuss the work of incredible female authors. The Women's Prize is one of the most prestigious literary awards in the world, and they continue to champion the very best books written by women. Don't want to miss the rest of Season Six? Listen and subscribe now! This podcast is sponsored by Baileys and produced by Bird Lime Media.

Authors Poorna Bell and Eva Rice go head to head in a War of the Words! They discuss their love of the 90s and why it's such a rich decade to set fiction in. (*warning - Joe and Eva geek out a little on the music of the 90s just fyi!) We also get some brilliant book recommendations AND some very useful writing tips too. THE BOOK OFF 'Kitchen' by Banana Yoshimoto VS 'The Buddha Of Suburbia' by Hanif Kureishi Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's bite size episode Clemmie talks about expectations and more importantly, how to manage them, with award-winning journalist, author and power lifter Poorna Bell. Poorna is the former Executive Editor and Global Lifestyle Head for HuffPost. She won Stylist's Rising Star award for 2019, Red Magazine's Big Book Award for 2019. Poorna has published three works of non-fiction: Chase The Rainbow, In Search of Silence and Stronger, which won a 2022 Sports Book award. Part memoir, part manifesto, Stronger explores society's pressures and expectations where women's fitness is concerned. She tackles everything from toxic environments and self-esteem to ageism, sexism, desirability and why choosing between your potential and social acceptance can be limiting. In Case of Emergency is Poorna's first work of fiction. Find Clemmie on Instagram @Clemmie_Telford and Poorna @Poornabell. And get more podcast content @butwhy_podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hey Podulters! Welcome to Adulting 2.0: The Timelines.Poorna Bell is an award winning journalist, author and public speaker and specialises in women's issues, diversity, fitness and mental health.In this episode we talk dating, how timelines are nonsense, getting off the relationship escalator, feeling comfortable in your age, turning 40 and so much more.Poorna's novel 'In Case of Emergency' is out in paperback on March 30th.I hope you enjoy, and as always please do rate, review and subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Cariad talks to...well, actually the amazing Poorna Bell is talking to Cariad about her new book, You Are Not Alone, which is out on Thursday 19th January. As ever we talk being grief elders, anger + laughing at the things people say. You can follow Poorna on Instagram @poornabell and Twitter @poornabellYou can follow the Griefcast on Twitter + Instagram @thegriefcast. Griefcast is hosted by Cariad Lloyd, edited by Kate Holland, recorded remotely in Cariad's living room, artwork is by Jayde Perkin, stop motion social media clips by Alice Loveday and the music is provided by The Glue Ensemble. And remember, you are not alone.Cariad's book, You Are Not Alone, is published in January 2023, by Bloomsbury Tonic and available for pre-order now.https://www.waterstones.com/book/you-are-not-alone/cariad-lloyd/9781526621832Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/griefcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Over the Christmas period and into January I'm going to be replaying some of my quiet favourite episodes of 2022. This week's, journalist, power-lifter and body image and mental health activist, Poorna Bell, is just the tonic if you're having a January moment. This episode first aired in July.---By her own admission, today's guest, award winning journalist Poorna Bell, wasn't looking forward to 40. She feared, as society had taught her, that it might be the beginning of the end. And so, she set out to prove herself wrong. Poorna has written two memoirs about grief and mental health in the wake of her husband, Rob's death by suicide. And followed those up with Stronger, an inspiring reevaluation of women's strength interwoven with her own discovery of power lifting (I kid you not. This woman could bench press Johnny Depp - but I fear she'd have to join the queue.) It's no surprise that Poorna has become an advocate for diversity, mental health and body image. Now she's turned her hand to fiction. Her debut novel, In Case Of Emergency is a warm, funny, immensely entertaining story of friendship, sisterhood, being single in a couples world and a brown woman in a white world.Poorna joined me to talk about taking back power, finding her strength and how fitness changed her. Why she's all in favour of marriage but has no plans to get back on the relationship escalator, why ageing is her superpower, finding clarity post-40, her search for midlife role models as a brown woman and embracing being a 40something goddess.You can buy all the books mentioned in this podcast at Bookshop.org, including IN CASE OF EMERGENCY by Poorna Bell, and the book that inspired this podcast, The Shift: how I lost and found myself after 40 - and you can too, by me!And if you'd like to support the work that goes into making this podcast and get a weekly newsletter plus loads more content including transcripts of the podcast, please join The Shift community. Find out more at https://steadyhq.com/en/theshift/• The Shift (on life after 40) with Sam Baker is created and hosted by Sam Baker and edited by Emily Sandford. If you enjoyed this podcast, please rate/review/follow as it really does help other people find us. And let me know what you think on twitter @sambaker or instagram @theothersambaker.podchaser token: 0XeeihrspYQYlmZOFLzt Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“Who’s a strong South Asian woman? Meet Poorna Bell who talks about getting into powerlifting and how that helped her see her body and herself differently.” We’re talking about strong women on this episode of the fiercely feminist Masala Podcast. Sangeeta Pillai chats with Poorna Bell, an award-winning journalist & author who is also a powerlifter. Poorna won her first powerlifting competition aged 40. Poorna and Sangeeta talk about the concept of womxn being physically strong. Masala Podcast, winner of British Podcast Awards 2020, 2021 & 2022 is a Spotify Original created & presented by Sangeeta Pillai @soulsutras For show notes & transcript, please visit: Poorna Bell Masala Podcast

“Who’s a strong South Asian woman? Meet Poorna Bell who talks about getting into powerlifting and how that helped her see her body and herself differently.” We’re talking about strong women on this episode of the fiercely feminist Masala Podcast. Sangeeta Pillai chats with Poorna Bell, an award-winning journalist & author who is also a powerlifter. Poorna won her first powerlifting competition aged 40. Poorna and Sangeeta talk about the concept of womxn being physically strong. Masala Podcast, winner of British Podcast Awards 2020, 2021 & 2022 is a Spotify Original created & presented by Sangeeta Pillai @soulsutras For show notes & transcript, please visit: Poorna Bell Masala Podcast

Award-winning journalist, motivational speaker, published author and powerlifter, Poorna has shifted the direction of her life since turning 40. In this episode, she explains how she rebuilt her life mentally and physically following trauma, the role powerlifting has played in helping with her grief and why it's vital to challenge the stereotypes which often hold other women back. She also explores the culture of silence around suicide, mental health stigmas, gender equality and racial discrimination.

This week's guest is journalist, author and powerlifter Poorna Bell. We discuss the challenges of breaking into the journalism and publishing industries as a south Asian woman, why she decided to become a competitive powerlifter and navigating dating in your 40s. Original music by Matt J Brown.

By her own admission, today's guest, award winning journalist Poorna Bell, wasn't looking forward to 40. She feared, as society had taught her, that it might be the beginning of the end. And so, she set out to prove herself wrong. Poorna has written two memoirs about grief and mental health in the wake of her husband, Rob's death by suicide. And followed those up with Stronger, an inspiring reevaluation of women's strength interwoven with her own discovery of power lifting (I kid you not. This woman could bench press Johnny Depp - but I fear she'd have to join the queue.) It's no surprise that Poorna has become an advocate for diversity, mental health and body image. Now she's turned her hand to fiction. Her debut novel, In Case Of Emergency is a warm, funny, immensely entertaining story of friendship, sisterhood, being single in a couples world and a brown woman in a white world.Poorna joined me to talk about taking back power, finding her strength and how fitness changed her. Why she's all in favour of marriage but has no plans to get back on the relationship escalator, why ageing is her superpower, finding clarity post-40, her search for midlife role models as a brown woman and embracing being a 40something goddess.You can buy all the books mentioned in this podcast at Bookshop.org, including IN CASE OF EMERGENCY by Poorna Bell, and the book that inspired this podcast, The Shift: how I lost and found myself after 40 - and you can too, by me!And if you'd like to support the work that goes into making this podcast and get a weekly newsletter plus loads more content including transcripts of the podcast, please join The Shift community. Find out more at https://steadyhq.com/en/theshift/• The Shift (on life after 40) with Sam Baker is created and hosted by Sam Baker and edited by Emily Sandford. If you enjoyed this podcast, please rate/review/follow as it really does help other people find us. And let me know what you think on twitter @sambaker or instagram @theothersambaker. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

On this episode of When Harry Met Daphne  we interviewed Suswati Basu, winner of the Emma Humphries Memorial Prize in 2007, shortlisted for the Guardian Mary Stott Prize the same year, and longlisted for the Guardian International Development Journalism Award.  Suswati has written for the Guardian, Huffington Post, and the F-Word blogs, and has worked for various media outlets such as the BBC, Channel 4 News, and ITV News. As a survivor and thriver from trauma, living with both mental health and physical disabilities, she began the How To Be... podcast looking at helping mental well-being through reading and interviewing authors.  Speaking to 36 authors in 2021, including powerhouse women such as powerlifter and journalist Poorna Bell, and the Year of Living Danishly author Helen Russell, Suswati gained huge insight throughout the year and has been developing and creating a like-minded community who discuss these topics on Twitter Spaces and Clubhouse on a weekly basis. Specialties: Specialties in women in technology, DEI, gender, social model of disability, race, and social politics; British, Chinese and Indian politics, mental health, eating disorders, nonfiction books.Connect with Suswati Basu:   Instagram   |  WebsiteSupport the show

In this week's episode Clemmie talks about expectations and more importantly, how to manage them, with award-winning journalist, author and power lifter Poorna Bell. Poorna is the former Executive Editor and Global Lifestyle Head for HuffPost. She won Stylist's Rising Star award for 2019, Red Magazine's Big Book Award for 2019. Poorna has published three works of non-fiction: Chase The Rainbow, In Search of Silence and Stronger, which won a 2022 Sports Book award. Part memoir, part manifesto, Stronger explores society's pressures and expectations where women's fitness is concerned. She tackles everything from toxic environments and self-esteem to ageism, sexism, desirability and why choosing between your potential and social acceptance can be limiting. In Case of Emergency is Poorna's first work of fiction. Find Clemmie on Instagram @Clemmie_Telford and Poorna @Poornabell. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Suswati Basu is a multilingual disabled journalist, mental health books show podcast host, and award-winning activist.She has written for the Guardian, Huffington Post, and the F-Word blogs, and has worked for various media outlets such as the BBC, Channel 4 News, and ITV News. She has worked in China, India, and the UK and currently writes on a freelance basis. As a result, she speaks multiple languages including Mandarin, Spanish, Hindi, and Bengali. Suswati has also appeared on BBC Radio's Woman's Hour with Jenni Murray as well as BBC News, speaking in regard to feminist issues. As a survivor and thriver from trauma, living with both mental health and physical disabilities, she began the How To Be... podcast looking at helping mental wellbeing through reading and interviewing authors.   Suswati joined me today to talk about Albert Camus' “The Stranger,” a classic of Existentialist literature, featuring a disconnected main character who faces consequences for a violent action he committed, even though he evidently has no concept of consequences, violence, or feelings. If you're my age and you grew up in the States, you probably read this in your high school English class, and all I can tell you is that it's a totally different book now.     Follow the Best Book Ever Podcast on Instagram or on the Best Book Ever Website   This episode is sponsored by Lover's Moon by Mark Leslie and Julie Strauss   Do you have a book you want to tell me about? Go HERE to apply to be a guest on the Best Book Ever Podcast.   Host: Julie Strauss Website/Instagram     Guest: Suswati Basu Podcast/Website/Facebook/Instagram/You Tube/Twitter Discussed in this episode: The Stranger by Albert Camus The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte 1984 by George Orwell Haramacy: A Collecgtion of Stories Prescribed by Voices from the Middle East, South Asian, and the Diaspora by Zahed Sultan Energize: Make the Most of Every Moment by Simon Alexander Ong How to Be Sad: Everything I've Learned About Getting Happier by Being Sad by Helen Russell The Year of Living Danishly: Uncovering the Secrets of the World's Happiest Country by Helen Russell Stronger: Changing Everything I Knew About Women's Health by Poorna Bell   (Note: Some of the above links are affiliate links, meaning I get a few bucks off your purchase at no extra expense to you. The charity links are NOT affiliates, but they are organizations I trust and personally donate money to. Anytime you shop for books, you can use my affiliate link on Bookshop, which also supports Indie Bookstores around the country. If you're shopping for everything else – clothes, office supplies, gluten-free pasta, couches – you can use my affiliate link for Amazon. Thank you for helping to keep the Best Book Ever Podcast in business!)

Suswati Basu is a multilingual disabled journalist, mental health books show podcast host, and award-winning activist.She has written for the Guardian, Huffington Post, and the F-Word blogs, and has worked for various media outlets such as the BBC, Channel 4 News, and ITV News. She has worked in China, India, and the UK and currently writes on a freelance basis. As a result, she speaks multiple languages including Mandarin, Spanish, Hindi, and Bengali. Suswati has also appeared on BBC Radio's Woman's Hour with Jenni Murray as well as BBC News, speaking in regard to feminist issues. As a survivor and thriver from trauma, living with both mental health and physical disabilities, she began the How To Be... podcast looking at helping mental wellbeing through reading and interviewing authors.   Suswati joined me today to talk about Albert Camus' “The Stranger,” a classic of Existentialist literature, featuring a disconnected main character who faces consequences for a violent action he committed, even though he evidently has no concept of consequences, violence, or feelings. If you're my age and you grew up in the States, you probably read this in your high school English class, and all I can tell you is that it's a totally different book now.     Follow the Best Book Ever Podcast on Instagram or on the Best Book Ever Website   This episode is sponsored by Lover's Moon by Mark Leslie and Julie Strauss   Do you have a book you want to tell me about? Go HERE to apply to be a guest on the Best Book Ever Podcast.   Host: Julie Strauss Website/Instagram     Guest: Suswati Basu Podcast/Website/Facebook/Instagram/You Tube/Twitter Discussed in this episode: The Stranger by Albert Camus The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte 1984 by George Orwell Haramacy: A Collecgtion of Stories Prescribed by Voices from the Middle East, South Asian, and the Diaspora by Zahed Sultan Energize: Make the Most of Every Moment by Simon Alexander Ong How to Be Sad: Everything I've Learned About Getting Happier by Being Sad by Helen Russell The Year of Living Danishly: Uncovering the Secrets of the World's Happiest Country by Helen Russell Stronger: Changing Everything I Knew About Women's Health by Poorna Bell   (Note: Some of the above links are affiliate links, meaning I get a few bucks off your purchase at no extra expense to you. The charity links are NOT affiliates, but they are organizations I trust and personally donate money to. Anytime you shop for books, you can use my affiliate link on Bookshop, which also supports Indie Bookstores around the country. If you're shopping for everything else – clothes, office supplies, gluten-free pasta, couches – you can use my affiliate link for Amazon. Thank you for helping to keep the Best Book Ever Podcast in business!)

Poorna and Priya or 'Poobles' and 'Preebles' were born in Kent but spent a chunk of their childhood apart, with Priya in India and Poorna in the UK. the pair are very close and work on being friends as well as sisters - providing support to each other through bereavement, motherhood and their careers. In this episode they talk about sibling separation, manky gym kit, last minute packing and daily voice note habits. Priya's book on motherhood, race and identity is out in Spring 2023 and Poorna's award winning book Stronger is out in paperback now. TW: suicideOur sponsor for this third season of Relatively is Findmypast, the exclusive online home of the 1921 Census. Joining Findmypast gives you access to a unique snapshot of life one hundred years ago. Plus, with extensive British and Irish records and fascinating newspaper archives, you can answer those burning questions you have about your family, your past and yourself. Where will your past take you? Join Findmypast to find out. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

To celebrate Women's History Month, Jess and Lauren are reading books written exclusively by women. And in today's episode they are joined by Poorna Bell. Jess and Lauren read Poorna's book Stronger for IWD last year and have not stopped raving about it since, so tune in for an empowering discussion on the topic of women's strength. This episode is brought to you by Wild, the UK's number one natural deodorant company that focuses on performance, sustainability and style! Their long lasting deodorants are free of aluminium and parabens, whilst also be cruelty free and vegan. For 15% off your order head to Wearewild.com and use code BOOKS at checkout. Books Mentioned in this Episode: Stronger and In Case of Emergency by Poorna Bell and Luster by Raven Leilani. Competition Time: We have partnered with Books That Matter to gift one lucky listener a free Books The Matter gift box! To be in with a chance of winning, all you have to do is subscribe, rate and review this podcast. If you're listening on Apple Podcasts leave a review and put your Instagram handle as your 'Nickname', if you're listening on another platform, subscribe then share our podcast on your instagram story and we'll track your entry that way. Each month a winner will be selected at random and informed via Instagram. Get in Touch: Instagram: @bookreccos Email: bookreccos@gmail.com Jingle written and produced by Alex Thomas licensed exclusively for Book Reccos

I chat with children's author Rashmi Sirdeshpande about her favourite books, her discovery of narrative poetry, beautiful books, and what gives her inspiration for her own writing.Rashmi writes non-fiction books for children to inspire them and also be fun.We chat about Rashmi's giant fact checking tables and how she found writing her first fiction book. Rashmi's non-fiction often covers important and heavy issues and we discuss how difficult this can be to write as well as to keep hopeful for the children reading it.Rashmi's websiteRashmi's TwitterThings mentioned in the episode:Lucy CuthewManjeet MannElizabeth AcevedoBlood Moon by Lucy CuthewBeowulfSir Gawain and the Green KnightMichelle HarrisonCloud Busting by Malorie BlackmanDom ConlonThis Rock That Rock by Dom Conlon & Viviane SchwarzRikin ParekhThis Book Has Alpacas and Bears by Emma Perry, illustrated by Rikin ParekhCash by Rashmi SirdeshpandeNever Show a T-Rex a Book by Rashmi SirdeshpandeNever Teach a Stegasaurus to do Sums by Rashmi Sirdeshpande Diane Ewen Stronger: Changing Everything I Knew About Women's Strength by Poorna Bell

We explore why so many of us want to put our lives on the page. Can writing stand in for therapy? What are the ethical and moral considerations of such sharing. Julia Samuel is a psychotherapist and the author of Grief Works. Dr Lin Berwick MBE has cerebral palsy quadriplegia and became totally blind at the age of 15. She also has partial hearing loss and is a permanent wheelchair user. Now in her seventies, she has been a fierce advocate and ambassador for people with disabilities and their carers, and has written a new book On A Count of Three all about what it's like having a carer - and what she thinks carers should know. Military mums rally in protest at the decision to award former Prime Minister Tony Blair a knighthood. Hazel Hunt, whose son Richard died in Afghanistan, is considering sending back the Elizabeth Cross that her family had received as a mark of protest. Many of us will be thinking about making a change for the better now that we're in a new year. Poorna Bell, author and journalist, gives us some inspiration and talks about getting stronger, both emotionally and physically. Poorna took it literally and started weight lifting after illness and bereavement. 'Collector culture' - the swapping, collating and posting of nude images of women without their consent - is on the rise. To understand why Anita is joined by Professor of Law at Durham University, Clare McGlynn and Zara Ward, senior practitioner at the Revenge Porn Helpline. Southall Black Sisters was founded in 1979 to address the needs of Asian, African-Caribbean and minority women and to empower them to escape violence. Pragna Patel was one of the founders of Southall Black Sisters and Wednesday was her last day as Director. We talk to Pragna about her 30 years in activism.

Many of us will be thinking about making a change for the better now that we're in a new year. Poorna Bell, author and journalist, gives us some inspiration and talks about getting stronger, both emotionally and physically. Poorna took it literally and started weight lifting after illness and bereavement. We hear from Dr Ann Olivarius a lawyer who specialises in sexual abuse, harassment and discrimination. She explains the technicalities of the civil claim against Prince Andrew, the Duke of York. We speak to Detective Inspector Lucy Thomson and Jackie Sebire about the murder of 12 week old Teddie Mitchell. The investigation is covered in a new two-part special of Channel 4's 24 Hours in Police Custody. We have episode 4 in our series about scars. And Adele Parks' latest novel called Both of You is a 'missing persons story' with a twist. We find out that the female protagonist is leading a double life as a bigamist. The book looks at what leads someone to have two marriages on the go, and the complexities around it.

This is a replay episode! Poorna Bell is award-winning journalist of 15 years and a digital expert having worked as UK Editor and Global Lifestyle Head for Huffington Post. Her debut non-fiction book Chase The Rainbow came out last year; a moving memoir about how Poorna's life was affected —but not defined—by the suicide of her husband Rob. Poorna's second book In Search Of Silence is out now, all about her deeply personal journey which asks us all to define what 'happiness' truly means to each of us. In this episode, we discuss the inspiration behind this second memoir, her wariness of self-help books, and what she's learned along the way. Since this recording she has also released the brilliant book Stronger: Changing Everything I Knew About Women's Strength which is part memoir, part manifesto. Stronger explores old-fashioned notions and long-held beliefs about getting strong. Hope you enjoy this conversation :)Check out Poorna's books here: https://uk.bookshop.org/contributors/poorna-bell See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Our guest today - and the first on the Books of their Lives series - is Brita Fernandez Schmidt, a woman who wants us all to know that we are so much more than our job titles, but to give a *little* bit of context we'll share that she's an activist, a coach, author of Fears to Fierce: A Woman's Guide to Owning Her Power and an advocate and promoter of women's power, women's rights and equality, most recently as Executive Director of Women for Women International (2008-2021). IN THIS PODCAST: How we all carry wounds but we also all have the power to heal them (and which books help) Why we shouldn't aim to be fearless Why self-help is self-care Why ‘being without becoming' is Brita's new mantra - and how you can get there too Why we are not our job titles and why achieving loving acceptance for ourselves is so tough in a high powered job Why Brita is moving away from her Executive roles to training in collective healing and holding space as a coach BOOKS REFERENCED: Fears to Fierce by Brita Fernandez Schmidt > https://amzn.to/3GtE7BT Sensuous Knowledge by Minna Salami > https://amzn.to/3y8VWTV An Unspoken Voice by Peter Levine > https://amzn.to/3lOFOlv Healing Collective Trauma by Thomas Hübl > https://amzn.to/3Gr0PKU Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman > https://amzn.to/3IDgo3S Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway by Susan Jeffers > https://amzn.to/3rQGRVG The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz > https://amzn.to/31A3GCF From Girl to Goddess by Valerie Estelle Frankel > https://amzn.to/30ddK3G Stronger by Poorna Bell > https://amzn.to/3DyGAsU How to do the Work by Dr Nicole LePera > https://amzn.to/3IDgQPC The Genius Myth by Michael Meade > https://amzn.to/3rMZqdy SHOW NOTES // OTHER REFERENCES: Mooji meditation - Seeing without eyes: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=475708760313871 https://mooji.tv/freemedia/ Women for Women International > https://womenforwomen.org.uk/ FIND OUT MORE ABOUT BRITA: website > https://www.britafs.com/ Step Into Your Power group coaching programme (starts Jan 2022) > https://www.britafs.com/step-into-your-power

Welcome to "How To Be...", exploring how to gain life skills, whilst attempting to gain some myself. men are complex and muscles are not the monopoly of men.” The female body is one of the most scrutinized subjects in contemporary culture, so why are portrayals of physical strength so lacking? Looking into what the 'experts' say about women and non-binary people's strength and whether it is truly helpful? And also hearing from others who have gained some mastery over themselves. Please hit subscribe to hear the whole series on life skills! It should be short and sweet. I look forward to journeying with you through this maze of hacks.

Hello lovely,  It's Vicki here, with a gorgeous podcast episode for you! I had the privilege of sitting down with a fellow lover of love, Natasha Lunn, to talk about her new book Conversations on Love (which is INCREDIBLE!) I love every single second of reading it. No exaggeration! Each page offers a deeper understanding of what it means to love and be loved and what it means to live a life of meaning. I felt so in love reading it, which Natasha tells me was one of her aims with the book. The book features interviews with the likes of Alain De Botton, Phillipa Perry, Esther Perel, Candice Carty Williams, Poorna Bell, Dolly Alderton, Roxane Gay, Diana Evans and many many more. It's centered around three main questions (which we talk all about in the episode): How do we find love? 
 How do we sustain it? 
 And how do we survive when we lose it?
 I first met Natasha back in 2018 and I learn something new about love every time I talk to her. She speaks about love with such reverence and wisdom. Speaking with her is always SUCH a treat. And I just know you're going to love this episode ❤️❤️❤️ As well as being a writer and author, Natasha is also the features director at Red magazine.  Conversations on Love is available now (it actually just came out today!!!) and you can grab your copy here. I know I'm going to be buying it for so many friends this Summer! I love love loved this conversation with Natasha and I can't wait for you to listen to it.   To find out more about Natasha, head over here and she is on Instagram here. As always, if you loved this episode, please do let us know by leaving a 5 star rating wherever you listen to your podcasts. So much love,  Vicki x

This week, Jess and Lauren are going back in time to chat about the books that defined their teenage years and the books they wish they'd read as teens! Books Mentioned in this Episode: Dial A for Aunties by Jesse Q. Sutanto, Early Morning Riser by Katherine Heiny, Watermelon and Grown Ups by Marian Keyes, The Shopaholic series by Sophie Kinsella, Dustlands series by Moira Young, Noughts and Crosses by Malorie Blackman, Gone series by Michael Grant, The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas, Full Disclosure by Camryn Garrett, Stronger by Poorna Bell and An Ordinary Wonder by Buki Papillon. And if you're interested to hear more info on Poorna Bell's Book Stronger, you can watch our IGTV here: https://www.instagram.com/tv/CMKxU6mpwIr/ Competition Time: We have partnered with Books That Matter to gift one lucky listener a free Books The Matter gift box! To be in with a chance of winning, all you have to do is subscribe, rate and review this podcast. If you're listening on Apple Podcasts leave a review and put your Instagram handle as your 'Nickname', if you're listening on another platform, subscribe then share our podcast on your instagram story and we'll track your entry that way. Each month a winner will be selected at random and informed via Instagram. Get in Touch: Instagram: @bookreccos Email: bookreccos@gmail.com Jingle written and produced by Alex Thomas licensed exclusively for Book Reccos - you can visit his website here: https://www.alexanderthomasmusic.co.uk/

Website/Blog, Twitter, & Instagram HandleTwitter: @CarrieALightleyhttps://www.carrieannlightley.com/Name *Carrie-Ann LightleyWhat is your disorder? *Cerebral PalsyAt what age did your disorder become a daily issue? *0Who were you before your illness became debilitating? *I've always been disabledWhat would you do if you were not dealing with your disorder and/or disability? *I wouldn't be me!What would you like people to know about your daily life? *I LOVE my life – wonky, uncooperative, wheelchair-using body and all – I wouldn't be the person that I am without Cerebral Palsy, and I wouldn't want to be anyone else.What would make living and moving in the world easier for you? *More detailed, accurate accessibility information for venues, transport and services.Do you have any life hacks? *Maternity jeans! I'm not (and not planning to be) pregnant but have been wearing maternity jeans for a while now and I'll never go back. Like many wheelchair users I have poor muscle tone in my stomach, so my tummy sticks out. Wearing 'normal' jeans when I'm sitting all day is really uncomfortable.What kind of support do you get from family or friends? *I live with my husband and he helps me with all the day to day life things I need assistance with - housework, cooking, driving. I'm also lucky to have a lot of supportive family and friends who step in when need be.Have you ever had someone, or a medical professional, not believe you have an invisible illness because of your appearance and if so are there any examples that stand out? *NoHow has your chronic illness affected your relationships? *I feel like being visibly disabled makes me an excellent judge of character. I can tell within minutes of meeting someone, whether they're my kind of people.Is there anything you are afraid to tell people in your life? *No, I try to be very open.What is your best coping mechanism? *Reading. It helps me to relax physically, allowing my body to recover, and mentally it gives me an escape.What are you the most concerned about and the most hopeful for in the future? *I'm both hopeful and concerned about traveling again.Is there anything you want to make sure we talk about during the interview? Like an organization you want to promote or something specific that you deal with.I'd like to be able to promote my blogWhat makes you energized or enthusiastic? What drains you?Exercise and creativity energize me. Overworking drains me, but is a coping mechanism that I'm trying to let go of.Any favorite books or shows?Henry Fraser's Little Big Things and Poorna Bell's In Search of Silence are my favorite recent reads. Grey's Anatomy is my all-time favorite show!What is the hardest and/or best lesson your condition has taught you?Both the hardest and the best - resilience What is the best purchase under $100 that helped your lifeA laptop case/travel bag that hangs on the back of my wheelchair

Website/Blog, Twitter, & Instagram HandleTwitter: @CarrieALightleyhttps://www.carrieannlightley.com/Name *Carrie-Ann LightleyWhat is your disorder? *Cerebral PalsyAt what age did your disorder become a daily issue? *0Who were you before your illness became debilitating? *I've always been disabledWhat would you do if you were not dealing with your disorder and/or disability? *I wouldn't be me!What would you like people to know about your daily life? *I LOVE my life – wonky, uncooperative, wheelchair-using body and all – I wouldn't be the person that I am without Cerebral Palsy, and I wouldn't want to be anyone else.What would make living and moving in the world easier for you? *More detailed, accurate accessibility information for venues, transport and services.Do you have any life hacks? *Maternity jeans! I'm not (and not planning to be) pregnant but have been wearing maternity jeans for a while now and I'll never go back. Like many wheelchair users I have poor muscle tone in my stomach, so my tummy sticks out. Wearing 'normal' jeans when I'm sitting all day is really uncomfortable.What kind of support do you get from family or friends? *I live with my husband and he helps me with all the day to day life things I need assistance with - housework, cooking, driving. I'm also lucky to have a lot of supportive family and friends who step in when need be.Have you ever had someone, or a medical professional, not believe you have an invisible illness because of your appearance and if so are there any examples that stand out? *NoHow has your chronic illness affected your relationships? *I feel like being visibly disabled makes me an excellent judge of character. I can tell within minutes of meeting someone, whether they're my kind of people.Is there anything you are afraid to tell people in your life? *No, I try to be very open.What is your best coping mechanism? *Reading. It helps me to relax physically, allowing my body to recover, and mentally it gives me an escape.What are you the most concerned about and the most hopeful for in the future? *I'm both hopeful and concerned about traveling again.Is there anything you want to make sure we talk about during the interview? Like an organization you want to promote or something specific that you deal with.I'd like to be able to promote my blogWhat makes you energized or enthusiastic? What drains you?Exercise and creativity energize me. Overworking drains me, but is a coping mechanism that I'm trying to let go of.Any favorite books or shows?Henry Fraser's Little Big Things and Poorna Bell's In Search of Silence are my favorite recent reads. Grey's Anatomy is my all-time favorite show!What is the hardest and/or best lesson your condition has taught you?Both the hardest and the best - resilience What is the best purchase under $100 that helped your lifeA laptop case/travel bag that hangs on the back of my wheelchair

With countless television documentaries dedicated to true crime cases, why do women make up the majority of the audiences? We hear from Julia Davis editor of Crime Monthly Magazine, Jacqui Hames former police officer and presenter of Crimewatch and criminologist Dr Gemma Flynn.Parental alienation is the process, and the result of psychological manipulation of a child into showing unwarranted fear, disrespect and hostility towards a parent. We look at whether there is a growing understanding of this concept with Charlotte Friedman a psychologist with a background in family law and mediation and with Paula Rhone Adrien a family law barrister.What is the best way to support a partner who is suffering from depression? The journalist and author Poorna Bell, psychiatrist Linda Gask, Nicole Krystal Crentsil a public speaker and couple Alan and Karen Phillips discuss.It's six years since the Rana Plaza collapse in Bangladesh which killed more than a 1000 garment workers. How do we raise awareness of where and how our clothes are made and how do we all learn how to consume less? Fashion industry insiders Alice Wilby and Bernice Pan explain.The author Jennifer Eberhardt, Professor of Psychology at Stanford University talks about her years of research into unconscious racial bias.When Josie Rourke became the artistic director of the Donmar Warehouse she was one of the first female theatre directors to be appointed to that role in a major London theatre. Eight years on she tells us why she has picked the musical Sweet Charity as her swan song and how theatre has changed in the last 10 years.And the food writer Alissa Timoshkina joins us to Cook the Perfect... borsch.Presented by Jenni Murray Produced by Rabeka Nurmahomed Edited by Jane Thurlow

If you have a common mental health problem such as depression or anxiety what effect does it have on your relationship? What should you expect from your other half? Equally, if your partner has depression, what is the best way to support them? Linda Gask has had 30 years of clinical practice experience as a psychiatrist in the NHS. Poorna Bell is a journalist and author. She has written about her late husband's struggle with depression and suicide. Nicole Krystal Crentsil is the co-founder of Black Girl Festival and a public speaker on culture. Nicole has spoken openly about her own mental health and the importance of a strong relationship. Alan Phillips has experienced severe depression in the past - his wife Karen has been hugely supportive.Henrietta Green, founder of British charcuterie Live, tells Tina why British charcuterie is worth sampling and celebrating.In her new book Biased - The New Science of Race and Inequality, Jennifer Eberhardt, Professor of Psychology at Stanford University, draws on years of research looking at how unconscious racial bias is ever present in our lives and tells us what we can do to counter it.Presenter: Tina Daheley Interviewed guest: Poorna Bell Interviewed guest: Nicole Krystal Crentsil Interviewed guest: Alan Phillips Interviewed guest: Karen Phillips Interviewed guest: Linda Gask Interviewed guest: Henrietta Green Interviewed guest: Jennifer Eberhardt Producer: Lucinda Montefiore

A film about the stigma of menstruation in rural India has just won an Oscar – we hear from three British Asian women about the stigma in the UK. Psychologist Dr Sunny Kleo, journalist Poorna Bell and the writer Sonal Sachdev Patel. The world has been built by men, for men and, according to Caroline Criado Perez author of 'Invisible Women', we've struggled to do anything about it because we've been using biased data that excludes women. She explains why and what she thinks we can do about it.Seventeen year old national youth champion boxer Simran Kaur has just won her her fifth consecutive National ABA crown. What does she love about the sport? Elli Radinger gave up her legal career to study wolves. She's written a new book 'The Wisdom of Wolves'. She tells us about the wolves she's encountered and why she-wolves make the key decisions in the pack. Getting a business started if you're a black, Asian or minority ethnic woman – how difficult is it to find investment? Charmaine Hayden, senior partner at GOODsoil Venture Capital and Mariam Jimoh, founder of Women in the City Afro-Caribbean Network discuss. A new play 'The Son' is about a teenage boy whose parents have separated and he is skipping school, self-harming and is depressed. How accurate a reflection is the play of a troubled teenager? We speak to the actress Amanda Abbington who plays the boy's mother and to Dr Bernadka Dubicka, Chair of the Faculty of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry from the Royal College of Psychiatrists. The Michelin starred chef Tom Kerridge who famously lost 12 stones - Cooks the Perfect Roasted Winter Sprout Curry.The violinist Madeleine Mitchell found some of the unpublished work of Welsh composer Grace Williams who died in 1977 - why has she put together an album of her Chamber Music?Presented by Jenni Murray Producer: Dianne McGregor