We Need To Talk with Paul C. Brunson

Backstreet Boys star AJ McLean opens up about fame, fatherhood, recovery and the work it takes to rebuild your life while you’re still living it. Alex reflects on the early days of building the Backstreet Boys, the brotherhood that sustained them through global fame, and the hidden cost of growing up in the spotlight. He speaks candidly about living a double life, but also about sobriety, creativity and rediscovering pride, especially after the moment his daughters told him they were proud of him. Today, Alex shares how doing the inner work helped him reconnect with music, purpose and joy on stage again.

Alex also discusses reconciling with his wife, learning boundaries, managing ego inside a legendary band, and honouring the legacy of Liam Payne. This is a conversation about accountability, growth and becoming a better man.

Alex shares:
◽ How the Backstreet Boys were built and why their bond still works
◽ Living a double life and what finally forced change
◽ The moment his daughters shifted how he sees himself
◽ Wanting to get back together with his wife and rebuilding trust
◽ Managing fame, ego and longevity
◽ Remembering Liam Payne and lessons from shared struggles
◽ Why putting himself first helped him show up better for everyone

AJ McLean, We Need To Talk

Support charities: MIND: https://g2ul0.app.link/gbuRaxjM3Nb

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(00:00) Intro

(02:17) What’s the Difference Between Alex and AJ?

(06:27) The Root of Alex’s Addiction

(07:32) Alex’s Complicated Relationship With His Father

(11:59) The Importance of Boundaries

(12:48) How Alex Got the Nickname “Bone”

(15:59) When Alex Knew He Was a Performer

(17:22) How the Backstreet Boys Were Formed

(20:26) Lou Pearlman’s Hold on the Backstreet Boys

(22:02) The Dynamic Between the Backstreet Boys and NSYNC

(27:58) Backstreet Boys’ Early Success in Europe

(30:38) How the Backstreet Boys Redefined the Boy Band Genre

(32:17) The High Points of Backstreet Boys Fame

(37:09) The Enduring Popularity of the Backstreet Boys

(38:53) “Yes Men” and the Band’s Darkest Period

(41:31) Backstreet Boys at The Sphere in Las Vegas

(46:26) Huel Ad

(47:34) WNTT LA Trailer

(48:29) Alex’s Rock Bottom

(52:55) Alex’s Relationship With His Daughters

(01:01:06) Alex’s Relationship With His Wife and Their Ongoing Reconciliation

(01:05:59) The Meaning Behind the Epilogue of Alex’s New Album

(01:09:29) How the Backstreet Boys Manage Their Egos

(01:14:00) Building the Band and Alex’s Relationship With Liam Payne

(01:22:15) Alex’s Mantra for Self-Acceptance

(01:26:21) Paul Shows Alex a Photo

(01:29:20) Most Memorable Conversation

(01:36:10) Paul’s Takeaways

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Holly Hagan and Chloe Ferry reflect on their time on Geordie Shore, sharing the challenges of navigating body image, fame, and the pressures of growing up on camera. They dive into the mental health impact of reality TV and how they struggled with self-esteem and public scrutiny while learning to find their true selves.

Holly and Chloe also open up about their experiences with surgery, the overwhelming influence of social media, and the journey to accepting their bodies. This candid conversation is a powerful reminder of the importance of self-love, personal growth, and resilience in the face of constant public judgment.

(00:00) Intro

(00:31) How Chloe Joined the Geordie Shore Cast

(07:23) Welfare on Geordie Shore During Chloe’s Time on the Show

(09:27) How Chloe Dealt With Negative Online Comments

(12:19) Holly’s Experience Filming the First Series of Geordie Shore

(18:46) Welfare Then vs Now in Reality TV

(22:47) Why Holly Signed Up for Series 2 of Geordie Shore

(25:21) Geordie Shore’s Popularity Peak in 2016

(26:17) Class in the UK and How Reality TV Represents It
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Dancer and TV personality Louie Spence opens up in one of his most honest and emotionally revealing interviews to date. From growing up in a working -class household where love was present but rarely shown, to the sacrifices his parents made to support his talent, Louie reflects on the early experiences that shaped his independence, anxiety and drive to perform.

Louie speaks candidly about living with panic attacks for most of his life, how anxiety followed him through fame and success, and the private battles behind his larger-than-life public persona. He opens up about touring the world with the Spice Girls, sudden celebrity, family addiction, and the grief of losing his mother - sharing moments he’s never spoken about publicly before.

Now, Louie reflects on what it’s taken to slow down, sit with difficult emotions, and keep going - even on the days when the fight feels internal.

Louie shares:

◽ Growing up feeling loved, but rarely shown affection

◽ The sacrifices his parents made - and the pressure that came with it

◽ Living with panic attacks and anxiety from a young age

◽ What life on tour with the Spice Girls was really like

◽ How fame amplified his anxiety rather than fixed it

◽ The impact of addiction inside his family

◽ Losing his mum and processing grief years later

◽ Why the most important conversations he’s had are with himself

Louie Spence, We Need To Talk

Support charities: 

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Support Louie

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/louiespence/

Watch Louie's YouTube series Louie Spence In Care: https://youtu.be/i8jbDXpzJE8

Subscribe to the channel: https://www.youtube.com/@LouieSpenceInCare

(00:00) Intro

(01:36) Louis’ Working-Class Upbringing and His Relationship With His Parents

(10:41) Louis’ Experience of the 1980s and Article 28

(15:28) Gay Life Today vs the 1980s

(17:41) The Beginnings of Louis’ West End Career

(18:59) Louis’ Experience as a Backing Dancer for the Spice Girls

(25:25) How Louis’ Anxiety Limits His Life

(31:34) Where Louis Believes His Anxiety Comes From

(36:30) How Louis Manages His Anxiety

(41:14) Why Louis Started Working at Pineapple Dance Studios

(42:49) The Pineapple Dance Studio TV Show and Louis’ Rise to Fame

(43:58) Does Louis Know How Many TV Shows He’s Been On?

(44:38) Is Louis’ TV Persona His True Personality?

(45:33) Shopify Ad

(46:36) Louis’ Experience on SAS: Who Dares Wins

(53:50) Why Louis Left SAS

(57:32) Louis’ Experience of His Mother’s Alcoholism and Her Passing

(01:15:08) Most Memorable Conversation

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Paul reflects on the conversations that stayed with him most - the moments, lessons and advice that genuinely changed how he shows up in his relationships.

From the Gottmans on how to pause an argument before it spirals, to Jordan Stephens on masculinity and emotional regulation, Dr Julie Smith on realistic self-care, and the letters that moved us most with Tyler West, Scott Galloway and Paul himself, this episode brings together the wisdom that matters.

This is a reflective, emotional and practical conversation about love, conflict, fatherhood and connection - and how small shifts can make a big difference in the year ahead.

We’re Talking: Real Advice for 2026

(00:00) Intro

(00:28) The Gottmans Break Down 'Flooding' in an Argument and How to Resolve It

(07:05) Jordan Stephens on Masculinity and Emotional Regulation

(10:49) Dr Julie Smith Demonstrates How to Achieve Better Self-Care

(17:10) Tyler West Reads a Letter From His Brother

(20:39) Scott Galloway Reads a Letter From His Son

(23:07) Paul Reads a Letter From His Son

(24:24) Paul’s Final Thoughts
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After being shut out of Hollywood, Rose McGowan explains how she was forced to step away - and slowly rebuild her life on her own terms.

Rose speaks openly about her experiences in Hollywood, the cost of refusing to stay silent, and how leaving the industry became part of reclaiming her creativity, identity and sense of self. Rose was one of the first to go public with claims of sexual assault against Harvey Weinstein, and she explains how she was allegedly raped by the movie producer at the age of 23 - and what it cost her to speak out. She reflects on the severe personal and professional consequences that followed.

Content warning: this conversation includes discussion of sexual assault.

From being raised in a cult in Italy to navigating Hollywood, she reflects on how early experiences shaped her instincts around control, belonging and survival. She also speaks about what came after: the unexpected support she found through fans and Comic-Con, stepping away from the US to recover in Mexico, reconnecting with creativity through music, and why reclaiming her real name - Rosa - feels like coming home.

She shares:
◽ What it was like growing up inside The Children of God
◽ Being alone at 13 and realising no one was looking for her
◽ Why speaking out about Harvey Weinstein meant career death
◽ What was really happening behind the scenes on Charmed
◽ The truth behind the VMA dress and what people misunderstood
◽ Nearly losing her life, leaving the US and starting again
◽ How fans, creativity and music helped bring her back to herself

Rose McGowan, We Need To Talk

Support charities:

Survivor’s Trust: https://g2ul0.app.link/HOj44LvWZUb

CALM: https://g2ul0.app.link/uULaUXcM3Nb 

MIND: https://g2ul0.app.link/gbuRaxjM3Nb 

Follow me here:

https://www.instagram.com/needtotalk 

https://www.tiktok.com/@weneedtotalkpod

Support Rose here:Website: https://www.rosemcg.com/

Instagram: www.instagram.com/rosemcgowan/ 

(00:00) Intro

(02:23) How Does Rose Identify?

(03:39) 'The Children of God' and the Circumstances of Rose's Upbringing

(04:31) How Do You Define a Cult?

(06:47) Rose's Father and His Role Within 'The Children of God'

(09:31) The Beginnings of Rose's Career in Performance

(12:05) The British Court Ruling on 'The Children of God'

(14:22) How Rose Left 'The Children of God' and Her First Experiences in the USA

(19:32) Rose's Friction With Her Mother's Partners

(22:42) Rose's Experience With Her Father in the USA

(24:35) Rose's Perspective of Herself as a Teenager

(26:12) Being Forced To Go To Rehab at 13

(29:59) How Rose Left Rehab and What She Did Afterwards

(33:22) Rose's Attraction to Performing

(34:25) How Rose's Relationship With Her Father Developed During Adolescence

(38:42) Paul Surprises Rose With a Photo

(41:51) Adobe Express Ad

(43:11) How and Why Rose Moved to Hollywood

(52:19) Rose's First Featured Film Role

(55:35) Rose's Early Experiences of Hollywood's Inner Workings

(58:29) How Rose Met Harvey Weinstein

(01:01:52) Rose Details Her Encounter With Harvey Weinstein

(01:07:11) How Weinstein Covered His Tracks

(01:16:45) Sexual Assault and Its Prevalence in Society

(01:23:35) Rose's Relationship With Marilyn Manson

(01:32:11) How Rose Joined Charmed

(01:40:00) Fame During Charmed and How Rose Dealt With It

(01:42:27) Rose's Relationship With Robert Rodriguez

(01:49:47) What Led Rose to Activism and the MeToo Movement

(01:59:24) How Rose Felt When Harvey Weinstein Was Convicted

(02:03:39) Rose on Public Perception of Her

(02:04:54) How and Why Rose Moved to Mexico

(02:07:40) How Rose Bounced Back From Health Issues During Covid

(02:08:17) Rose's Unexpected Entry Into the UK Music Scene

(02:12:39) What Rose Would Tell Her 12-Year-Old Self

(02:13:59) Most Memorable Conversation

(02:18:34) Paul’s Takeaways

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