How to Fail

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Channel • 2 Shows

Society & Culture

Society & Culture

Updated weekly
Society & Culture

Society & Culture

Weekly series

11 DEC

Kirsty Young - ‘The great benefit of age? You give less of a f**k.’

When I started How To Fail, I had a list of dream guests. Kirsty Young was on it. Not only because she’s one of the greatest interviewers of all time but also because her style of broadcasting (especially during her time on Desert Island Discs) is the standard I aspire to every week on this podcast. Her intelligence, warmth and ability to listen - both to what is being said and what isn’t - are what mark her apart. It was an honour to be allowed to ask her the questions for a change and a delight to spend time in her company because she’s FUNNY too. Truly, the ideal woman. We talk about her self-stated failure ‘to excite her birth father enough for him to stick around’, her failure as a quiz-show host and her failure to meditate. Along the way, we touch on her experiences interviewing the great and the good…and some who were neither. We talk about her anchoring of the late Queen’s funeral and Kirsty’s ability to sum up the mood of a nation. We discuss step-parenting, the liberation of age, clickbait, living with a chronic illness and why she wishes she’d run off with a Guatemalan tribesman (but settled for love at first sight with her husband, Nick Jones, instead). HOW TO FAIL PRESENTED BY HAYU LIVE TOUR tickets: www.fane.co.uk/how-to-fail Have something to share of your own? I'd love to hear from you! Click here to get in touch: howtofailpod.com Production & Post Production Coordinator: Eric Ryan Studio and Mix Engineer: Matias Torres Sole and John Scott Senior Producer: Selina Ream Executive Producer: Carly Maile Head of Marketing: Kieran Lancini How to Fail is an Elizabeth Day and Sony Music Entertainment Production. Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

11 Dec

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52 min
22 JUL

1. IDEA (Part 1)

In this first episode of How to Write a Book, Elizabeth Day’s new podclass series, hosts Sara Collins, Sharmaine Lovegrove and Nelle Andrew discuss coming up with ideas. Just where do ideas for books come from? How do you know if they’re any good, or even if they’re right for you to pursue? Our expert podclass provides answers to all of this - and even a lesson in how to know when your idea might be ready to send to an agent. And we could not have a more experienced bunch to guide you on this journey. Sara Collins is the bestselling novelist and screenwriter currently serving as a judge for the 2024 Booker Prize. Her debut novel, The Confessions of Frannie Langton, won the Costa book awards in 2019 and she later wrote the TV screenplay. Nelle Andrew is a literary agent and former Agent of the Year at the British Book Awards, and Sharmaine Lovegrove is the co-founder and managing director of Dialogue Books, an inclusive imprint at a major publishing house. Each of them is an expert in one stage of the publishing journey…. and all are literary nerds (in the best possible way). Together, Sara, Sharmaine and Nelle are your on-hand writing community giving you the push you need to get started on that novel, memoir, or piece of non fiction you've always dreamed of writing. We hope you enjoy our part 1 & part 2 on IDEA. If you don’t want to wait for next week’s episode, you can subscribe now and binge them all at once by tapping ‘subscribe’. You’ll get to listen to all episodes ad-free and get exclusive subscriber access to How To Fail and Failing With Friends. Books discussed in these episodes include: • The Confessions of Frannie Langton by Sara Collins • The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett • Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden • Sacred Hunger by Barry Unsworth • The Color Purple by Alice Walker • Scissors, Paper, Stone by Elizabeth Day • Paradise City by Elizabeth Day • Magpie by Elizabeth Day We also talk about Christopher Booker, Kit de Waal, The Seven Basic Plots and Michael Crichton’s Jurassic Park. Executive produced by Elizabeth Day for Daylight Productions and Carly Maile for Sony Music Entertainment. Produced by Imogen Serwotka. Please do get in touch with us, your writing community, with thoughts, feedback and more at: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

22 Jul

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35 min
2 DAYS AGO

Failure Throwback: Phoebe Waller-Bridge

I’ve hand-picked some of my favourite episodes of all time to revisit this Christmas, so today’s a very special one. Phoebe Waller-Bridge was my first EVER guest on this podcast when I launched in July 2018. A year after that, almost to the day, I welcomed her back to talk about how her life had changed in the interim [spoiler alert: she’d become a global superstar]. Phoebe talks about the craziness of those 12 months, during which she wrote and starred in Fleabag 2 (described as a televisual masterpiece by...well...almost everyone), made Killing Eve (described as a televisual masterpiece by...well...almost everyone) and worked her magic on the new James Bond movie. It was a year that, from the outside, seemed to many of us to be the epitome of success. But what failures lay underneath the surface? What about those private moments of vulnerability and self-doubt we are so rarely privy to? Phoebe joined me to talk about three failures from that year, including her failure to connect with her family, her failure to speak up for herself and her failure to Marie Kondo her bedroom. Along the way, we discuss what makes the perfect water bottle, filming THAT final scene in Fleabag (apparently the foxes were total divas), sexuality, exhaustion and why female creators are often unfairly assumed to be writing autobiography. And yes, the Meryl Streep apple crumble anecdote makes an(other) appearance. HOW TO FAIL PRESENTED BY HAYU LIVE TOUR tickets: www.fane.co.uk/how-to-fail Have something to share of your own? I'd love to hear from you! Click here to get in touch: howtofailpod.com How to Fail is an Elizabeth Day and Sony Music Entertainment Production. Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

2 days ago

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1h 2m
29 JUL

2. IDEA (Part 2)

In this episode of How to Write a Book, Elizabeth Day’s new podclass series, hosts Sara Collins, Sharmaine Lovegrove and Nelle Andrew continue their discussion of IDEA. Just where do ideas for books come from? How do you know if they’re any good, or even if they’re right for you to pursue? Our expert podclass provides answers to all of this - and even a lesson in how to know when your idea might be ready to send to an agent. And at the end, you’ll hear Elizabeth provide her own reflections on how the lessons discussed relate to her own writing journey. We hope you enjoy our part 1 & part 2 on IDEA and stay tuned for next week’s chat on…VOICE. Books discussed in these episodes include: • The Confessions of Frannie Langton by Sara Collins • The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett • Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden • Sacred Hunger by Barry Unsworth • The Color Purple by Alice Walker • Scissors, Paper, Stone by Elizabeth Day • Paradise City by Elizabeth Day • Magpie by Elizabeth Day We also talk about Christopher Booker, Kit de Waal, The Seven Basic Plots and Michael Crichton’s Jurassic Park. Executive produced by Elizabeth Day for Daylight Productions and Carly Maile for Sony Music Entertainment. Produced by Imogen Serwotka. Please do get in touch with us, your writing community, with thoughts, feedback and more at: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

29 Jul

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31 min
16 OCT

Miranda Hart - 'I always knew I’d get married at 51'

It’s been ten years of ‘bear with.. bear with’ but *finally* we’ve got our beloved Miranda Hart back. Due to a long-term undiagnosed chronic illness (which we talk about, of course) Miranda has been largely out of the public eye for the past decade. I was so touched to be the first person she spoke to on her return to work. We covered writing her new book (full of amazing life advice), being an introvert, medical gaslighting, body image and…wait for it... her new husband. Miranda and I had a ball - her failures include not being a farmer’s wife, not being an athlete and not making the school choir (it turns out there was a reason for this but she only found out years later and has never spoken about it before…). So if that’s not tantalising enough for you then, quite frankly, I don’t know what is. In my subscriber episode ‘Failing with Friends’, Miranda stayed on to answer your questions including one about farting in front of your partner. Yes, we went there. Thank you, Miranda and welcome back, we missed you! ‘I Haven’t Been Entirely Honest with You’ by Miranda Hart is out now. Have something to share of your own? I'd love to hear from you! Click here to get in touch: howtofailpod.com Production & Post Production Manager: Eric Ryan Studio and Mix Engineer: Matias Torres Sole and Josh Gibbs Senior Producer: Selina Ream Executive Producer: Carly Maile Head of Marketing: Kieran Lancini How to Fail is an Elizabeth Day and Sony Music Entertainment Production. Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

16 Oct

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58 min
23 OCT

James Blunt - ‘The Iraq war lost me my GRAMMYS’

TW: miscarriage and pregnancy loss You’ll probably have heard of James Blunt. And if you haven’t, you’ve almost definitely heard his most famous song, You’re Beautiful. There was a time in the early 2000s that it was EVERYWHERE. And that’s because James Blunt was absolutely huge. His debut 2004 album, Back To Bedlam, was the biggest-selling album of the decade in the UK, shifting over 12 million copies. I know!! TWELVE MILLION. He has released another six albums since then, every one of them a top 10 hit, winning two Brit Awards and two Ivor Novellos along the way. But Blunt faced an astonishing cultural backlash for his ubiquity - eventually choosing to fight back in his own words on Twitter, where he rapidly became known for his acerbic put-downs and self-deprecating humour. He joins me to talk about the ‘honour’ of being a ‘one-hit wonder’, his rejection by every single major record label and his failure to win any Grammys, despite being nominated for five in one night. We also talk about his friendship with the late Carrie Fisher, whether he bears a grudge against any of the musicians who slagged him off (looking at you, Damon Albarn and Noel Gallagher), the absurdity of fame and - in a moving exchange - the male experience of miscarriage. At points, his humour was so dry it took me a couple of seconds to realise he’d made a joke. Listening back, I can confirm I find him utterly hilarious. Back To Bedlam is about to be released as a remastered 20th anniversary edition. Have something to share of your own? I'd love to hear from you! Click here to get in touch: howtofailpod.com Production & Post Production Manager: Eric Ryan Studio and Mix Engineer: Matias Torres Sole and Josh Gibbs Producer: Hannah Talbot Executive Producer: Carly Maile Head of Marketing: Kieran Lancini How to Fail is an Elizabeth Day and Sony Music Entertainment Production. Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

23 Oct

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52 min
2 OCT

Rupert Everett - 'Everyone is my Professional Nemesis'

Rupert Everett is the best type of A-list guest. He’s been through the highs and the lows of fame and come out of the other side wiser, stronger, and with no qualms about speaking his mind. Plus his new book ‘The American No’ was born from failure (a collection of brilliant short stories that were TV and film ideas). We talked about: ‘learning to die’ professionally; his love for fragile but strong women such as Paula Yates (with whom he had a 6-year affair); coming out in Hollywood; Madonna; My Best Friend’s Wedding with Julia Roberts and Cameron Diaz; why Oscar Wilde is a Christ figure, how drugs have ruined his brain and using hyper-sexuality as an escape. See, told you he didn’t hold back. Rupert’s new book ‘The American No’ is available now in all the usual places. Have something to share of your own? I'd love to hear from you! Click here to get in touch: howtofailpod.com Production & Post Production Manager: Lily Hambly Studio and Mix Engineer: Gulliver Tickell and Josh Gibbs Senior Producer: Selina Ream Executive Producer: Carly Maile Head of Marketing: Kieran Lancini How to Fail is an Elizabeth Day and Sony Music Entertainment Production. Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

2 Oct

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51 min
02/10/2019

S6, Ep2 How to Fail: Alain De Botton

This week on How To Fail, we are doing something slightly different. I know, I know, we don't like change, but sometimes IT'S GOOD FOR US. It's especially good for us when it comes in the form of Alain de Botton, one of the most intelligent, eloquent and thoughtful people on the planet.And because it's Alain de Botton, modern philosopher, founder of The School of Life and bestselling authors of life-changing books such as Essays In Love, I decided to allow him a little leeway. Instead of choosing personal failures, Alain wanted to talk about three philosophical 'failure concepts' and I'm so glad he did, because it led to one of the most fascinating and enlightening discussions I've ever had on the topic.We discuss the idea that we can be good people and yet fail, and the concept (which I'm forever banging on about) that failure is the norm, and that we should find contentment in the average rather than constantly expecting the exceptional. He also has brilliant insights into why romantic break-ups are not, in and of themselves, tragic, because each relationship teaches you something you need to know, and when the time is right, it is ok to move on. Along the way, I also ask him about X Factor, so fear not, I'm there to pepper his brilliance with my usual lowbrow content, as per.It was such a delight to meet Alain. An hour in his company left my brain fizzing with new (and reassuring) ideas, and I hope it has the same effect on you.*The new book from The School of Life, co-authored and introduced by Alain de Botton, is out now and available to buy here. *I am thrilled to be taking How To Fail on tour around the UK in October, sharing my failure manifesto with the help of some very special guests. These events are not recorded as podcasts so the only way to be there is to book tickets via www.faneproductions.com/howtofail* The Sunday Times Top 5 bestselling book of the podcast, How To Fail: Everything I've Ever Learned From Things Going Wrong by Elizabeth Day, is out now and is available here.*This season of How To Fail With Elizabeth Day is hosted by Elizabeth Day, produced by Naomi Mantin and Chris Sharp and sponsored by Sweaty Betty. Sweaty Betty are offering listeners 20% off full-price items with the code HOWTOFAILTo contact us, email [email protected]* Social Media:Elizabeth Day @elizabdayAlain de Botton @alaindebotton Sweaty Betty @sweatybetty Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

02/10/2019

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55 min
18 DEC

Sir Chris Hoy - ‘There’s no cure but I still find hope’

It was an honour to record this episode. We overuse words such as ‘hero’ and ‘inspiration’ but Sir Chris Hoy is both. Not only is he one of Great Britain’s most successful Olympic athletes (during a record-breaking career as a sprint cyclist, he won six gold medals, one silver medal, and 11 world championships) but he’s currently living with a Stage 4 prostate cancer diagnosis. In September 2023, a seemingly routine trip to the doctor’s turned into a waking nightmare when he was given between two and four years to live. His beloved wife Sarra was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis a month later. And yet, these two extraordinary people say they are lucky. Listen to this episode if you want to feel joy, hear wisdom and learn how to live with love in the face of death. Sir Chris - you’re an amazing human being. Thank you for spending this precious time with me. If you or someone you love is going through a mental or physical health challenge, as Sir Chris Hoy says: you are not alone. You can call the Samaritans 24/7 on 116 123.` All That Matters by Sir Chris Hoy is out now. Have something to share of your own? I'd love to hear from you! Click here to get in touch: howtofailpod.com Production & Post Production Coordinator: Eric Ryan Studio and Mix Engineer: Gulliver Lawrence-Tickell and Matias Torres Sole Senior Producer: Selina Ream Executive Producer: Carly Maile Head of Marketing: Kieran Lancini How to Fail is an Elizabeth Day and Sony Music Entertainment Production. Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

18 Dec

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58 min
5 AUG

3. VOICE (Part 1)

In this third episode of How to Write a Book, Elizabeth Day’s new podclass series, hosts Sara Collins, Sharmaine Lovegrove and Nelle Andrew discuss finding your voice. What constitutes an authorial voice? And how does it differ from a narrative voice, or a character’s voice? Do they require vulnerability to cultivate? And how can they come together, like a perfectly pitched symphony? Our expert podclass provides answers to all of this, as well as how to make your voice stand out; and even where to find it. Together, Sara, Sharmaine and Nelle are your on-hand writing community giving you the push you need to get started on that novel, memoir, or piece of non fiction you've always dreamed of writing. Books and authors discussed in these episodes include: • The Confessions of Frannie Langton by Sara Collins • Rainbow Milk by Paul Mendez • Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn • Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov • The Bonfire of the Vanities, Tom Wolfe • Vanity Fair, William Thackeray • Bronte sisters • Jane Fallon We also talk about: Margaret Atwood, James Baldwin, Tony Morrison, Marian Keyes, Jojo Moyes, John le Carré, Emily Henry, Jane Fallon, Dorothy Koomson, Beth O’Leary, Kit de Waal, Grace Paley and the Brontes. Executive produced by Elizabeth Day for Daylight Productions and Carly Maile for Sony Music Entertainment. Produced by Imogen Serwotka. Please do get in touch with us, your writing community, with thoughts, feedback and more at: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

5 Aug

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35 min

How To Fail with Elizabeth Day is a podcast that celebrates the things in life that haven’t gone right and what we might learn from them along the way. Every week, Elizabeth’s guest explores three failures, and what these failures have taught them about how to grow and succeed, better. We’d love to hear from you! Get in touch with Elizabeth to share your failures, problems or questions - anonymously or otherwise. She'll go through these each week with the help of her very special guests. And remember: a fail shared is a fail halved. https://forms.sonymusicfans.com/campaign/how-to-fail-uk-2023/ An Elizabeth Day and Sony Music Entertainment Original Production. Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts and follow @sonypodcasts To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email [email protected]

5.0 (3)

SOCIETY & CULTURE
We all have a story in us. But how do we get it out there? How To Write A Book is a 12-week podclass that guides you through the writing process: from developing ideas to experimenting with your voice and getting your finished manuscript ready for publication. Packed full of frank, funny and practical insights as well as listener exercises to help your creative juices flow, we offer a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the world of books. Hosted by bestselling author Sara Collins, powerhouse publisher Sharmaine Lovegrove and superagent Nelle Andrew (with additional reflections from executive producer, Elizabeth Day) this is the podcast for anyone who wants to write a book or simply wants to know how great books get written. A Daylight and Sony Music Entertainment production. Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts and follow @sonypodcasts To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email [email protected]

5.0 (1)

SOCIETY & CULTURE

Welcome to the How to Fail channel - the home of How to Fail and How to Write a Book from Elizabeth Day. How to Fail with Elizabeth Day is a podcast that celebrates the things in life that haven’t gone right and what we might learn from them along the way. Every week, Elizabeth’s guest explores three failures, and what these failures have taught them about how to grow and succeed, better. How to Write a Book is a 12-week podclass that guides you through the writing process: from developing ideas to experimenting with your voice and getting your finished manuscript ready for publication. Packed full of frank, funny and practical insights as well as listener exercises to help your creative juices flow, we offer a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the world of books. Subscribe to How To Fail More to unlock weekly subscriber exclusive 'Failing with Friends' the episodes where Elizabeth tackles your failures and questions each week with her guests. Plus you'll receive all episodes right now of 'How To Write a Book' before they launch. And if that's not enough you'll get all episodes completely ad free. Ready to join us? Just click on ‘try free’ at the top of the page to start your free trial.

How to Fail

Ad Free + Extra Eps + Binge All of 'How To...'

Top Shows

Kirsty Young - ‘The great benefit of age? You give less of a f**k.’

1. IDEA (Part 1)

Failure Throwback: Phoebe Waller-Bridge

2. IDEA (Part 2)

Miranda Hart - 'I always knew I’d get married at 51'

James Blunt - ‘The Iraq war lost me my GRAMMYS’

Rupert Everett - 'Everyone is my Professional Nemesis'

S6, Ep2 How to Fail: Alain De Botton

Sir Chris Hoy - ‘There’s no cure but I still find hope’

3. VOICE (Part 1)

Ad Free + Extra Eps + Binge All of 'How To...'

Infertility and meaningful friendships - with Katie Price

Being comfortable with your body and the perils of modern dating - Will Young

Dancing your way to confidence and how to change a negative mindset

Adeel Akhtar on career changes and navigating friendships

Surviving hen-dos and listening to your inner voice

‘Get out of your head - you need an attitude adjustment’

I wear tinted moisturiser - but careful, no f***ing shimmer

AJ Odudu: Failing With Friends

How to take disappointment and reframe it

How to cope when the world seems overwhelming

About

How to Fail

Ad Free + Extra Eps + Binge All of 'How To...'

Top Shows

Top Episodes

Kirsty Young - ‘The great benefit of age? You give less of a f**k.’

1. IDEA (Part 1)

Failure Throwback: Phoebe Waller-Bridge

2. IDEA (Part 2)

Miranda Hart - 'I always knew I’d get married at 51'

James Blunt - ‘The Iraq war lost me my GRAMMYS’

Rupert Everett - 'Everyone is my Professional Nemesis'

S6, Ep2 How to Fail: Alain De Botton

Sir Chris Hoy - ‘There’s no cure but I still find hope’

3. VOICE (Part 1)

How to Fail More

Ad Free + Extra Eps + Binge All of 'How To...'

Top How to Fail More Episodes

Infertility and meaningful friendships - with Katie Price

Being comfortable with your body and the perils of modern dating - Will Young

Dancing your way to confidence and how to change a negative mindset

Adeel Akhtar on career changes and navigating friendships

Surviving hen-dos and listening to your inner voice

‘Get out of your head - you need an attitude adjustment’

I wear tinted moisturiser - but careful, no f***ing shimmer

AJ Odudu: Failing With Friends

How to take disappointment and reframe it

How to cope when the world seems overwhelming

About