The Life of Bryony

• Author Abigail Dean: ‘Fiction Lets Me Test How People Survive the Unthinkable’

  QUICK SURVEY – TELL US WHAT YOU'RE LOVING: We’re running a short survey to get to know you better—so we can keep making the kind of episodes you actually want to hear. Takes 2 mins, promise: https://ex-plorsurvey.com/survey/selfserve/550/g517/250305?list=3 MY GUEST THIS WEEK: ABIGAIL DEAN This week, I’m joined by Abigail Dean—bestselling author of Girl A, Day One, and now The Death of Us, a gripping psychological thriller that explores trauma, trust and romantic fear. But this conversation goes far beyond fiction. Abigail opens up about her teenage battle with anorexia and her time in the Priory. We talk about the long road to recovery, the decision to leave a high-flying legal career at Google, and how motherhood helped her finally make space to write. We also explore what it means to live with the threat of relapse, the emotional weight of writing dark stories, and the power of teenage friendship to save a life. If you’ve ever wondered how to rewrite your own story—or if it’s too late to do so—Abigail’s honesty and insight might be the answer you’re looking for. LET’S STAY IN TOUCH 🗣 Got something to share? Text or send a voice note on 07796657512—just start your message with LOB. 💬 Use the WhatsApp shortcut: https://wa.me/447796657512?text=LOB 📧 Prefer email? Drop me a line at [email protected] If you enjoyed this episode, share it with someone who might be looking for inspiration—it really helps. Bryony xx BOOKS DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE 📚 The Death of Us by Abigail Dean - Out Now! A chilling but tender psychological thriller about trauma, love, and what it means to trust someone—including yourself. 📚 Girl A by Abigail Dean A bestseller about the long shadows of childhood trauma and the complicated bonds between siblings. 📚 Day One by Abigail Dean An exploration of collective grief, conspiracy theories, and community resilience in the aftermath of tragedy. CREDITS 🎙 Presenter: Bryony Gordon 🎙 Guest: Abigail Dean 🎧 Content Producer: Jonathan O’Sullivan 🎥 Audio & Video Editor: Luke Shelley 📢 Executive Producer: Mike Wooller A Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  --------  

  50:11
• The Life of YOU: How to Be There for a Friend with Cancer – With Ben James & Sarah Wieczorek

  QUICK SURVEY – TELL US WHAT YOU'RE LOVING: We’re running a short survey to get to know you better—so we can keep making the kind of episodes you actually want to hear. Takes 2 mins, promise: https://ex-plorsurvey.com/survey/selfserve/550/g517/250305?list=3 WELCOME TO THE LIFE OF YOU! The bonus series where we tackle your dilemmas and share advice for life’s trickier moments. April is Bowel Cancer Awareness Month. This week, I’m joined by Ben James and Sarah Wieczorek - siblings of the late Dame Deborah James, also known as Bowelbabe. In this special episode, we talk about how to support someone going through cancer, what grief has taught them about showing up, and the real emotions behind running for someone you love. Together, we answer your questions on: 💬 How to stay motivated when you’re running in memory of someone you love 🤔 What to do or say when your best friend has just been diagnosed with cancer 💡 The power of small actions—like dropping off dinner, picking up kids, or just being there ⸻ 🚽 TOILET TALK – THE VIDEO SERIES Toilet Talk is a bold new video series from the Bowelbabe Fund and Cancer Research UK—featuring celebs on a neon-lit loo, smashing taboos one laugh at a time. 🎥 Watch now: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_C_mAqiC58 ⸻ 💩 CHECK YOUR POO! https://www.bowelbabe.org/ Debs saved lives by saying the unsayable: check your poo. It’s not weird. It’s not embarrassing. It’s just good sense. Know the signs, trust your gut—and if something feels off, talk to your GP. It could save your life. ⸻ WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU 🗣 Got a question or a story to share? Text or send a voice note on 07796657512—just start your message with LOB 💬 Use the WhatsApp shortcut: https://wa.me/447796657512?text=LOB 📧 Prefer email? Drop us a line at [email protected] If this episode resonated with you, please share it with someone who might need it—it really helps! Bryony xx ⸻ CREDITS 🎙 Presenter: Bryony Gordon 🎙 Guests: Ben James & Sarah James 🎧 Content Producer: Jonathan O’Sullivan 🎥 Audio & Video Editor: Luke Shelley 📢 Executive Producer: Mike Wooller A Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  --------  

  12:04
• ‘She Lived Life Loudly, and We Want to Keep Doing That’: Remembering Dame Deborah James

  QUICK SURVEY – TELL US WHAT YOU'RE LOVING: We’re running a short survey to get to know you better—so we can keep making the kind of episodes you actually want to hear. Takes 2 mins, promise: https://ex-plorsurvey.com/survey/selfserve/550/g517/250305?list=3 MY GUESTS THIS WEEK: BEN JAMES & SARAH WIECZOREK April is Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, and I’m joined by Ben James and Sarah Wieczorek—siblings of the late, great Dame Deborah James. Deborah, also known as Bowelbabe, broke taboos, inspired millions, and changed how we talk about cancer—one brutally honest Instagram post (and poo emoji outfit) at a time. Since her death, Ben and Sarah have kept her legacy alive through the Bowelbabe Fund and are now training for the London Marathon in her honour. We talk about why so many of us still feel too embarrassed to talk about poo, how early detection of bowel cancer can save lives, and the bittersweet joy of remembering someone you love and miss every single day. Together we celebrate Debs, whose motto was clear: live life, loudly. ⸻ 🚽 TOILET TALK – THE VIDEO SERIES Toilet Talk is a bold new video series from the Bowelbabe Fund and Cancer Research UK—featuring celebs on a neon-lit loo, smashing taboos one laugh at a time. 🎥 Watch now: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_C_mAqiC58 ⸻ 💩 CHECK YOUR POO! https://www.bowelbabe.org/ Debs saved lives by saying the unsayable: check your poo. It’s not weird. It’s not embarrassing. It’s just good sense. Know the signs, trust your gut—and if something feels off, talk to your GP. It could save your life. ⸻ 📲 WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU 🗣 Got something to share? Text or send a voice note on 07796657512—just start your message with LOB. 💬 Use the WhatsApp shortcut: https://wa.me/447796657512?text=LOB 📧 Prefer email? Drop me a line at [email protected] If you enjoyed this episode, share it with someone who might find it helpful—it really makes a difference! Bryony xx 🎙 CREDITS 🎙 Presenter: Bryony Gordon 🎙 Guests: Ben & Sarah James 🎧 Content Producer: Jonathan O’Sullivan 🎥 Audio & Video Editor: Luke Shelley 📢 Executive Producer: Mike Wooller A Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  --------  

  45:24
• The Life of YOU: Calum Scott on Rejection, Self-Worth & Asking for Help

  QUICK SURVEY – TELL US WHAT YOU LIKE (PRETTY PLEASE): We’re running a short survey to get to know you better—so we can keep making the kind of episodes you actually want to hear. Takes 2 mins, promise: https://ex-plorsurvey.com/survey/selfserve/550/g517/250305?list=3 MY GUEST THIS WEEK: CALUM SCOTT Welcome to The Life of YOU! The bonus series where we tackle your dilemmas and share advice to help with life’s tougher moments. This week, I’m joined by singer and songwriter Calum Scott, whose voice may be familiar but whose vulnerability and insight might just surprise you. Together, we talk about rejection, perfectionism, and why asking for help isn’t weakness—it’s wisdom. CALUM’S NEW MUSIC – GOD KNOWS Calum’s got new music out now - https://calumscott.lnk.to/godknows LET’S STAY IN TOUCH 🗣 Got something to share? Text or send a voice note on 07796657512—just start your message with LOB. 💬 Use the WhatsApp shortcut: https://wa.me/447796657512?text=LOB 📧 Prefer email? Drop me a line at [email protected]. If you enjoyed this episode, share it with someone who might find Calum’s story helpful—it really makes a difference! Bryony xx ⸻ HELPLINES If you’re struggling or need someone to talk to, you’re not alone. 📞 Samaritans – Call 116 123 (free, 24/7) or visit samaritans.org 📱 Shout – Text SHOUT to 85258 for free, 24/7 mental health support 💬 Mind – Call 0300 123 3393 or visit mind.org.uk for advice and support Please reach out—you matter. CREDITS 🎙 Presenter: Bryony Gordon 🎙 Guest: Calum Scott 🎧 Content Producer: Jonathan O’Sullivan 🎥 Audio & Video Editor: Luke Shelley 📢 Executive Producer: Mike Wooller A Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  --------  

  17:21
• Calum Scott: “Therapy Saved My Life”

  QUICK SURVEY – TELL US WHAT YOU LIKE (PRETTY PLEASE): We’re running a short survey to get to know you better—so we can keep making the kind of episodes you actually want to hear. Takes 2 mins, promise: https://ex-plorsurvey.com/survey/selfserve/550/g517/250305?list=3 MY GUEST THIS WEEK: CALUM SCOTT This week, I’m joined by singer, songwriter and mental health advocate Calum Scott. You might know him from Britain’s Got Talent, but behind that viral moment is a powerful story of shame, self-worth, and survival. Calum opens up about coming out at 12, living with body dysmorphia, and how therapy—and his mum—helped him through his darkest moments. We talk about social media, self-acceptance, and what it meant to sing with Take That for the King. If you’ve ever felt like you didn’t belong, this one’s for you. CALUM’S NEW MUSIC – GOD KNOWS Calum’s got new music coming out on Friday 4th April. You can pre-save it here: https://calumscott.lnk.to/godknows LET’S STAY IN TOUCH 🗣 Got something to share? Text or send a voice note on 07796657512—just start your message with LOB. 💬 Use the WhatsApp shortcut: https://wa.me/447796657512?text=LOB 📧 Prefer email? Drop me a line at [email protected]. If you enjoyed this episode, share it with someone who might find Calum’s story helpful—it really makes a difference! Bryony xx ⸻ HELPLINES If you’re struggling or need someone to talk to, you’re not alone. 📞 Samaritans – Call 116 123 (free, 24/7) or visit samaritans.org 📱 Shout – Text SHOUT to 85258 for free, 24/7 mental health support 💬 Mind – Call 0300 123 3393 or visit mind.org.uk for advice and support Please reach out—you matter. CREDITS 🎙 Presenter: Bryony Gordon 🎙 Guest: Calum Scott 🎧 Content Producer: Jonathan O’Sullivan 🎥 Audio & Video Editor: Luke Shelley 📢 Executive Producer: Mike Wooller A Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  --------  

  49:09

More Health & Wellness podcasts

Trending Health & Wellness podcasts

About The Life of Bryony

The Life of Bryony: Podcasts in Family