The Life of Bryony

This week I’m joined by Dr Sian Williams – former BBC news anchor turned NHS counselling psychologist – who has swapped the newsroom for the therapy room to sit with people living through complex trauma, anxiety and stress. She talks about what she’s learned from reporting on some of the world’s worst days and now helping people survive their own, and why so many of us feel we don’t “deserve” our feelings. We get into anxiety as a full-body, thinking-feeling-doing experience, why trying to out-think it only makes it louder, and how to stop self-silencing and people-pleasing at the expense of yourself. Sian shares her “orchids and dandelions” way of understanding highly sensitive people, and why changing your environment – not who you are – is the key to finally feeling like you’re enough. If you’ve ever been told you’re “too sensitive” or wished you could grow a thicker skin, this episode is your reminder that you have always mattered, and your feelings really do count.

BOOKS DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE
Sian’s new book, The Power of Anxiety, is available to buy now.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU
Got something to share? Message us on @lifeofbryonypod on Instagram.

If this episode resonated with you, please share it with someone who might need it – it really helps! Bryony xx

CREDITS:
Host: Bryony Gordon

Guest: Sian Williams

Producer: Laura Elwood-Craig

Assistant Producer: Tippi Willard

Studio Manager: Mitchell Lias

Production Manager: Vittoria Cecchini

Editor: Luke Shelley

Exec Producer: Jamie East

A Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

People‑pleasing psychotherapist extraordinaire Emma Reed Turrell is back! In our main episode we talked about why so many of us are terrified of letting people down; now Emma is sharing the three things she personally leans on to keep her own people pleaser in check. We talk about the tiny nudges that help her move from “whatever you like” to “this is what I want”, how she spots the early warning signs in her body, and why the right friendships and family dynamics make all the difference. It’s gentle, honest and weirdly reassuring – like eavesdropping on your therapist’s real life. If you struggle to say no, or slow down, this one’s for you.

BOOKS DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE
My new book, People Pleaser, and Emma’s book, Please Yourself, are both available to buy now.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU
Got something to share? Message us on @lifeofbryonypod on Instagram.

If this episode resonated with you, please share it with someone who might need it – it really helps! Bryony xx

CREDITS:
Host: Bryony Gordon

Guest: Emma Reed Turrell

Producer: Laura Elwood-Craig

Assistant Producer: Tippi Willard

Studio Manager: Mitchell Lias

Editor: Rowan Jacobs

Exec Producer: Jamie East

A Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week I’m joined by psychotherapist and author Emma Reed Turrell, the woman I basically tried to blag a free therapy session from. With my new novel, People Pleaser, out this week, I’ve asked Emma to help me – and you – untangle our chronic urge to keep everyone else happy. Emma specialises in people pleasing: that paralysing fear that someone’s cross with you and that you’ve let the whole world down. Together we dig into why people pleasing is actually a survival response, why it’s not as kind as it looks, and why it might even be selfish not to put yourself first. Emma shares why it’s essential that some people are annoyed with us, how to let others be “wrong” about you, and why co‑regulation (not bubble baths) is what our nervous systems really crave. If you’ve ever lost sleep over a throwaway text, casual email or simple work critique, this episode is for you.

BOOKS DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE
My new book, People Pleaser, is available to pre-order and is out on 23rd April. And Emma’s book, Please Yourself is available to buy now.

LINK FOR SPA VOUCHER
To be in with a chance to win a £200 spa voucher to celebrate the release of People Pleaser, enter the competition here.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU
Got something to share? Message us on @lifeofbryonypod on Instagram.

If this episode resonated with you, please share it with someone who might need it – it really helps! Bryony xx

CREDITS:
Host: Bryony Gordon

Guest: Emma Reed Turrell

Producer: Laura Elwood-Craig

Assistant Producer: Tippi Willard

Studio Manager: Mitchell Lias

Editor: Rowan Jacobs

Exec Producer: Jamie East

A Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, makeup artist and internet star Genevieve Turley is back, and this time we’re tipping out her handbag to find the three beauty essentials she cannot live without. From quick hair fixes to glow-giving skincare and a clever multitasking makeup staple, Genevieve proves you don’t need a 27-step routine to feel like your best self. We talk about real-life beauty for women our age, how to feel good in the skin you’re in, and why simple products can be genuinely transformative on busy days, school runs and nights out. If you’ve ever stood in front of the mirror feeling overwhelmed by products and expectations, this one’s for you.

LINK TO TICKETS
Genevieve’s debut show, Laughter Lines, is at the Leicester Square Theatre on 10th May 2026. Grab your tickets here.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU
Got something to share? Message us on @lifeofbryonypod on Instagram.

If this episode resonated with you, please share it with someone who might need it – it really helps! Bryony xx

CREDITS:
Host: Bryony Gordon

Guest: Genevieve Turley

Producer: Laura Elwood-Craig

Assistant Producer: Tippi Willard

Studio Manager: Mitchell Lias

Editor: Luke Shelley

Exec Producer: Jamie East

A Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, I’m joined by the utterly brilliant Genevieve Turley – former military burns nurse turned bridal makeup artist and accidental Instagram sensation. Genevieve talks about swapping the Air Force and life‑changing injuries for a career helping women feel genuinely comfortable in their own skin, and why seeing real trauma means she no longer sweats the small stuff about ageing. We get into toxic beauty culture, Botox pressure, and why she’d rather invest in SPF than fillers. She shares properly useful, affordable skincare basics: how to work out your skin type with a post‑shower test, why double cleansing matters, and the simple routines that actually fit around kids, chaos and real life. If you’ve ever felt invisible at a makeup counter or confused by beauty trends, this one will make you feel seen, represented and a bit less alone.

LINK TO TICKETS
Genevieve’s debut show, Laughter Lines, is at the Leicester Square Theatre on 10th May 2026. Grab your tickets here.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU
Got something to share? Message us on @lifeofbryonypod on Instagram.

If this episode resonated with you, please share it with someone who might need it – it really helps! Bryony xx

CREDITS:
Host: Bryony Gordon

Guest: Genevieve Turley

Producer: Laura Elwood-Craig

Assistant Producer: Tippi Willard

Studio Manager: Mitchell Lias

Editor: Luke Shelley

Exec Producer: Jamie East

A Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.