Bryony Gordon's Mad World
Intimate conversations about mental health during unprecedented times. From household names to nurses on the frontline. Because even when you’re isolating, you are not alone.
Jane Gordon is a celebrated journalist and author, and she's also... Bryony's mum.
She talks to Bryony about surviving lockdown on her own, why life drawing keeps her feeling young and the importance of making time to call your loved ones. And in proof that all parents are as embarrassing as each other, she manages to fit in a fair bit of that too.
Jane Gordon - The day I realised I was living a lie - and wasn't immune to the ageing process: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/life/day-realised-living-lie-wasnt-immune-ageing-process/
‘How Not To Get Old: One Woman's Quest to Take Control of the Ageing Process’ by Jane Gordon is out now (Trapeze, £16.99 in hardback; also available in audio and ebook)
Follow Jane on Instagram: @janegordon5100
Watch Bryony in Conspiracy theories, panic buying and scapegoats: what coronavirus tells us about human behaviour here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8KJlsVihI4&feature=emb_logo
Check out the Telegraph's You Are Not Alone page for stories of support, optimism and social connectivity during the pandemic: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/you-are-not-alone/
We're giving all of the wonderful staff on the NHS a free, six-month digital subscription to the Telegraph. Just email NHS@telegraph.co.uk from your NHS email address.
For everyone else, get 7 days' free: www.telegraph.co.uk/madworld
Getting to the end of some days in lockdown can feel like an Olympic effort, even for gold medallist Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill. She tells Bryony why the lockdown could help more people realise that even the smallest forms of exercise still count, why it's okay to live in lycra, and how even she struggles to get out of bed sometimes.
Jessica's fitness app, @wearejennis, also posts short workouts on their Instagram page.
Watch Bryony in Conspiracy theories, panic buying and scapegoats: what coronavirus tells us about human behaviour here.
Check out the Telegraph's You Are Not Alone page for stories of support, optimism and social connectivity during the pandemic.
We're giving all of the wonderful staff on the NHS a free, six-month digital subscription to the Telegraph. Just email NHS@telegraph.co.uk from your NHS email address.
For everyone else, get 7 days' free here.
Therapist Donna Lancaster helps people come to terms with loss. She tells Bryony why it's okay to be mourning your old way of life and why she's running grief workshops to help people cope. Donna shares some of those tips with us, but says there's one battle she's yet to conquer - not eating a packet of Rolos in one sitting.
For information about Donna's grief events, follow @thebridgeretreat on Instagram.
If you have Amazon Prime, you can watch the documentary about the Bridge Retreat that Donna mentions by searching for 'Love(d)'.
Check out the Telegraph's You Are Not Alone page for stories of support, optimism and social connectivity during the pandemic.
We're giving all of the wonderful staff on the NHS a free, six-month digital subscription to the Telegraph. Just email NHS@telegraph.co.uk from your NHS email address.
For everyone else, get 7 days' free here.
Actress Daisy May Cooper is taking the time to reflect on a busy year. After the third series of her hit show, This Country recently came to an end, she found herself facing the loss of a close friend. She tells Bryony why lockdown has brought her some much needed time to grieve.
Plus, Daisy opens up about how growing up in poverty pushed her towards success, and why she'll be celebrating when nurseries reopen.
To find out more or seek help around hoarding: https://www.helpforhoarders.co.uk/
Check out the Telegraph's You Are Not Alone page for stories of support, optimism and social connectivity during the pandemic: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/you-are-not-alone/
We're giving all of the wonderful staff on the NHS a free, six-month digital subscription to the Telegraph. Just email NHS@telegraph.co.uk from your NHS email address.
For everyone else, get 30 days' free: www.telegraph.co.uk/madworld
Bake-off star, Nadiya Hussain is learning that it's okay not to be okay. But social isolation isn't always easy for those who suffer with anxiety, and Nadiya tells Bryony Gordon why she's struggling in lockdown. She opens up about the "hamster wheel" in her head, why she wishes she could live in the present and what she's most looking forward to at the end of it all.
Read more about Nadiya's relationship with anxiety: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/04/10/nadiya-hussain-battle-anxiety-coronavirus-crisis/
Get 30 days' free access to the Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/madworld
Infection prevention nurse Natalie Mounter and mental health nurse Katy Lowe know what it's like to face a pandemic.
In the first episode of this brand new mini-series of Mad World, they tell Bryony Gordon how working in Sierra Leone during the 2014 Ebola outbreak taught them the importance of team support, avoiding burnout and why they feel the burden of being 'superheroes'.
Read more from Bryony: https://bit.ly/2X6zXwj
Get 30 days' free access to the Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/madworld
Since the last series, the world really has become a bit… mad. Bryony Gordon returns for a mini series to help guide you through these unprecedented times. She'll sit down with household names, frontline healthcare workers and mental health staff to remind you that even when you’re isolating, you are not alone. Expect honesty, practical advice and maybe even a little bit of cheer.
CAUTION ADVISED - STRONG LANGUAGE.
CEO and founding member of Mental Health First Aid England, Poppy Jaman OBE speaks to the Telegraph’s Bryony Gordon in the tenth and final episode of the second series of Mad World, where she interviews guests about their mental health experiences. Poppy details her struggles with prejudice and racism growing up in Portsmouth in the 80s, and how these experiences spurred her on in both life and career.
CAUTION ADVISED - STRONG LANGUAGE.
Cook and food writer, Melissa Hemsley, speaks to the Telegraph’s Bryony Gordon in the ninth episode of the brand new series of Mad World, where she interviews guests about their mental health experiences. Melissa discusses how she's been dealing with her father's death from cancer three years ago, as well as how she manages her own relationship with food, having struggled with it in her pre-teenage years.
CAUTION ADVISED - STRONG LANGUAGE & ADULT THEMES.
Comedienne and social media star, Bella Younger, speaks to the Telegraph’s Bryony Gordon in the eighth episode of the brand new series of Mad World, where she interviews guests about their mental health experiences. Better known as 'Deliciously Stella', her remarkable rise to fame saw Bella become an overnight Instagram sensation and ultimately resulted in a mental breakdown and treatment at the Priory; all whilst trying to pull together a show for the Edinburgh Fringe.
CAUTION ADVISED - STRONG LANGUAGE.
Former professional boxer Frank Bruno speaks to the Telegraph’s Bryony Gordon in the seventh episode of the brand new series of Mad World, where she interviews guests about their mental health experiences. Having competed for over a decade, Frank's illustrious boxing career saw him win 40 off his 45 professional fights; but some of his biggest battles were to come from outside the ring. Frank opens up to Bryony about how it felt to suffer a mental breakdown so publicly, and the steps he now takes to ensure his wellbeing and happiness are a top priority.
CAUTION ADVISED - STRONG LANGUAGE.
Reality TV star Rebekah Vardy speaks to the Telegraph’s Bryony Gordon in the sixth episode of the brand new series of Mad World, where she interviews guests about their mental health experiences. Wife of England and Leicester City football player Jamie, Rebekah discusses her recent trials and tribulations as a campmate on 'I'm A Celebrity', as well as her struggles with post-natal depression and managing her own mental health as a mother of four.
CAUTION ADVISED - STRONG LANGUAGE.
Television and radio presenter Fearne Cotton speaks to the Telegraph’s Bryony Gordon in the fifth episode of the brand new series of Mad World, where she interviews guests about their mental health experiences. Well-known as a mental health ambassador, Fearne talks to Bryony about how she manages her own issues alongside her young family and career.
STRONG CAUTION ADVISED - SOME LISTENERS MAY FIND THIS EPISODE DISTRESSING AS IT INCLUDES GRAPHIC DESCRIPTIONS OF CHILD ABUSE.
British concert pianist James Rhodes speaks to the Telegraph’s Bryony Gordon in the fourth episode of the brand new series of Mad World, where she interviews guests about their mental health experiences. James discusses in harrowing detail how he was sexually assaulted as a child and discusses how he copes with his mental health issues arising from those events.
CAUTION ADVISED - STRONG LANGUAGE & ADULT THEMES.
Professional photographer and nephew of Sir Paul McCartney, Sonny speaks to the Telegraph’s Bryony Gordon in the second episode of the brand new series of Mad World, where she interviews guests about their mental health experiences. Having lost his lower left leg in a road traffic accident in 2016 Sonny speaks to Bryony about the highs, lows and how his humour alongside the support of friends and family has helped his through.
CAUTION ADVISED - STRONG LANGUAGE & ADULT THEMES.
President of Mind and all-round national treasure Stephen Fry speaks to the Telegraph’s Bryony Gordon in the first episode of the brand new series of Mad World, where she interviews guests about their mental health experiences. Recorded at The Arts Club, Dover Street, London, in association with the mental health charity Mind, Stephen speaks very candidly about his own mental health, how he manages it in the limelight and world of social media, as well as the stabilising influence of his family.
CAUTION ADVISED - STRONG LANGUAGE.
Mental health campaigner and new-mother Sue Baker speaks to the Telegraph’s Bryony Gordon in a special edition of her podcast, Mad World, where she interviews guests about their mental health experiences. During the discussion, Sue talks about the remarkable part that mental health has played in her life and how she is dealing with a terminal illness diagnosis.
CAUTION ADVISED - STRONG LANGUAGE.
Acclaimed singer-songwriter Will Young speaks to the Telegraph's Bryony Gordon in the seventh episode of her new podcast, Mad World, where she interviews guests about their mental health experiences. Will opens up about his ongoing battle with PTSD - the reason behind his very public exit from Strictly Come Dancing last year.
CAUTION ADVISED - ADULT THEMES.
Best-selling author Matt Haig speaks to the Telegraph's Bryony Gordon in the sixth episode of her new podcast, Mad World, where she interviews guests about their mental health experiences. Matt details the story behind his novel 'Reasons to Stay Alive' and how he copes with his ongoing mental health issues.
Good Morning Britain and Country file presenter Sean Fletcher and his 14-year-old son Reuben speak to the Telegraph's Bryony Gordon in the fourth episode of her new podcast, Mad World, where she interviews guests about their mental health experiences.
CAUTION ADVISED - STRONG LANGUAGE.
'Mummy' bloggers and best-selling authors the Unmumsy Mum, Sarah Turner, and Giovanni Fletcher speak to the Telegraph's Bryony Gordon in the third episode of her new podcast, Mad World, where she interviews guests about their mental health experiences. The pair open-up about miscarriage and the loss of a parent, as well as the pressures felt by modern mothers.