The Life of Bryony

Have you already “failed” at Dry January? If that’s the case, welcome to the club. In this episode, I’m joined by the brilliant Catherine Gray to unpick why you can’t just grit your teeth and get through a month off booze – and why resolutions in general are so hard to keep. We talk about what is really going on in your brain when you suddenly remove your usual drink, why your nervous system kicks off, and how shame and self‑loathing make you more likely to reach for the thing you’re trying to quit. From Dry January to doom‑scrolling, biscuits, vapes, porn, shopping and phone use, Catherine explains how our “stone age” brains are trying to survive in an ultra‑addictive modern world.​ We dig into dopamine, “little addictions”, friction, and tiny cogs of change – so you can feel informed and be a little bit kinder to yourself. If you’ve ever wondered “What’s wrong with me?” around addiction, this episode will help you realise: absolutely nothing. BOOKS DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODECatherine’s new book, Little Addictions, is available to buy from the 29th January 2026.WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOUGot 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 xxCREDITS:Host: Bryony GordonGuest: Catherine GrayProducer: Laura Elwood-CraigAssistant Producer: Tippi WillardStudio Manager: Sam ChisholmEditor: Luke ShelleyExec Producer: Jamie East  A Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular.

Matt Cooke is back with me to reveal the daily non‑negotiables that keep him grounded, sane and able to show up for his life. He shares the simple practices that support his body, brain and energy, and explains how you can start building your own versions, even if you think you’re too busy, too “all over the place”, or too burnt out to begin. We talk morning and evening routines, movement that calms a racing mind, and how to protect your energy from the people and situations that drain you.​ If you’ve ever wondered what really underpins a “high‑vibe” life, this chat is your sign to find your own three things.BOOKS DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODEMatt’s book, Beyond Wanting, is available to buy now.WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOUGot 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 xxCREDITS:Host: Bryony GordonGuest: Matt CookeProducer: Laura Elwood-CraigAssistant Producer: Tippi WillardStudio Manager: Sam ChisholmEditor: Luke ShelleyExec Producer: Jamie East  A Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular.

My guest this week is manifestation coach, speaker and author Matt Cooke, whose book Beyond Wanting genuinely shifted how I think about this stuff. Matt was once a stressed‑out estate agent and total sceptic, until grief, a strange spiritual experience and a deep dive into quantum physics blew his world open.​ We talk about how manifestation really works, why it is not as simple (or as cruel) as “your thoughts create your reality”, and how to use it safely if you live with anxiety, OCD or intrusive thoughts. Matt explains the science of observation, neuroplasticity and why your brain always drags you back to the old path, plus the simple daily tools he uses – journaling, affirmations, meditation and “gratitude for what isn’t here yet”.​ If you’ve ever thought, “Manifesting is for other people”, this episode is for you. BOOKS DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODEMatt’s book, Beyond Wanting, is available to buy now.WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOUGot 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 xxCREDITS:Host: Bryony GordonGuest: Matt CookeProducer: Laura Elwood-CraigAssistant Producer: Tippi WillardStudio Manager: Sam ChisholmEditor: Luke ShelleyExec Producer: Jamie East  A Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular.

It’s the most wonderful – or sometimes, challenging – time of year, and I couldn’t be happier to welcome back the glorious Gaby Roslin for this very special festive bonus episode! Gaby’s back to share her three top tips for having a truly joyous Christmas. We chat tiny tasks, courage in colour, and why it’s the smallest things that make the biggest difference during the Christmas season. Settle in with your favourite treat, enjoy the sparkle, and remember: joy is found in the little things (and in this episode!).BOOKS DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODEGaby’s book, Spread the Joy, is available to buy in paperback now.LINKS TO SUPPORT GROUPSIf the content of Gaby’s episodes resonated with you and you would like support, please consider the following charities:SamaritansCall 116 123 or visit https://www.samaritans.org/ for free, 24-hour support.MindCall 0300 102 1234 or visit https://www.mind.org.uk/need-urgent-help/WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOUGot 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 xxCREDITS:Host: Bryony GordonGuest: Gaby RoslinProducer: Laura Elwood-CraigAssistant Producer: Tippi WillardStudio Manager: Sam ChisholmEditor: Luke ShelleyExec Producer: Jamie East  A Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular.

This week, I’m joined by TV and radio legend, Gaby Roslin and we’re talking all about hacking happiness – especially when life feels anything but festive. Together, we chat about why Christmas and the holidays can feel really hard, what loneliness actually looks like (and how to talk about it), navigating toxic people, and why it’s okay to just let yourself feel down sometimes. Gaby shares her own struggles with shyness and self-judgment, her family’s approach to gratitude, and her tips for finding small moments of brightness when everything around you feels dark. We also dive into the joy of musical theatre, embracing your age, compassionate living – and of course, plenty of laughter. If you need a little lift (or just some solidarity), this episode is one for you. Find helpful links and helplines in the show notes below – don’t forget, you are never alone. BOOKS DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODEGaby’s book, Spread the Joy, is available to buy in paperback now.LINKS TO SUPPORT GROUPSIf the content of this episode resonated with you today and you would like support, please consider the following charities:SamaritansCall 116 123 or visit https://www.samaritans.org/ for free, 24-hour support.MindCall 0300 102 1234 or visit https://www.mind.org.uk/need-urgent-help/WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOUGot 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 xxCREDITS:Host: Bryony GordonGuest: Gaby RoslinProducer: Laura Elwood-CraigAssistant Producer: Tippi WillardStudio Manager: Sam ChisholmEditor: Luke ShelleyExec Producer: Jamie East  A Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular.

Emma Gannon is back with me, fresh from talking about her ‘year of nothing’, to share the three things she simply cannot live without. As someone who has come through serious burnout, Emma has thought deeply about what genuinely keeps her grounded, rested and sane – and it’s probably not what you’d expect. We chat about carving out tiny pockets of sanctuary at home, the importance of true laughter and connection, and the simple rituals she uses to listen to her intuition. If you’re exhausted, over-stimulated, or just craving a bit more everyday magic, this gentle, cosy conversation is for you.BOOKS DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODEEmma’s new book, ‘A Year of Nothing’ is available to pre-order now and will be released on 22nd January 2026.WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOUGot 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 xxCREDITS:Host: Bryony GordonGuest: Emma GannonProducer: Laura Elwood-CraigAssistant Producer: Tippi WillardStudio Manager: Sam ChisholmEditor: Luke ShelleyExec Producer: Jamie East  A Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular.

This week, I’m joined by my friend Emma Gannon – award-winning author and Substack writer – to talk about something so many of us are secretly fantasising about: stopping. Properly stopping. Emma tells me about her “year of nothing”, the breakdown that forced her to confront burnout, and how stepping off the hustle treadmill completely changed her life. We talk about the fantasy of being “hospitalised for exhaustion”, why so many women feel they can’t hack modern life, and what happens when your body says “no more”. Emma shares her experience with panic attacks and disassociation, the friendships and work she had to let go of, and how she learned to rest deeply instead of putting on a show of productivity. If you’re exhausted, edging towards burnout, or just craving permission to do less, this conversation is for you.​ BOOKS DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODEEmma’s new book, ‘A Year of Nothing’ is available to pre-order now and will be released on 22nd January 2026.WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOUGot 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 xxCREDITS:Host: Bryony GordonGuest: Emma GannonProducer: Laura Elwood-CraigAssistant Producer: Tippi WillardStudio Manager: Sam ChisholmEditor: Luke ShelleyExec Producer: Jamie East  A Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular.

Millie Mackintosh is back to chat about the three absolute essentials she relies on to not just survive but thrive without alcohol during the festive season. We talk wellbeing, self-care, finding little rewards that feel even better than a tipple, and just how transformative those small daily choices can be. Whether you’re newly sober or just curious, Millie’s approach – and her honesty about learning to embrace Christmas in a whole new light – will leave you feeling inspired and supported. This chat will give you some practical advice, a giggle or two, and a reminder that you’re not alone this December!BOOKS DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODEMillie’s book, Bad Drunk, is available in paperback from the 8th January 2026.LINKS TO SUPPORT GROUPSIf the content of Millie’s episodes resonated with you and you would like support, please consider the following:DRINKLINE – For anyone who is concerned about their drinking, or someone else's.To speak to someone call 0300 123 1110 (weekdays 9am–8pm, weekends 11am–4pm).ALCOHOL CHANGE UK – For anyone seeking help with their own or someone else’s drinking.Visit https://alcoholchange.org.uk/ THE FORWARD TRUST – For anyone needing support to recover from addiction.Chat to someone online at https://forwardtrust.org.uk/talk-to-us (weekdays 9am-5pm) ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS – For anyone who feels their drinking is causing problems or who has a desire to stop drinking.Call 0800 917 7650 visit https://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk/IF YOU LIKED THIS EPISODE, YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY:Bad Drunk: Millie Mackintosh on Sobriety, Motherhood, and HealingWE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOUGot 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 xxCREDITS:Host: Bryony GordonGuest: Millie MackintoshProducer: Laura Elwood-CraigAssistant Producer: Tippi WillardStudio Manager: Sam ChisholmEditor: Luke ShelleyExec Producer: Jamie East  A Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular.

This week on The Life of Bryony, I’m joined by my wonderful friend Millie Mackintosh to talk about something so many of you have been asking for – how to survive and actually enjoy the festive season without alcohol. Millie shares her honest and heartfelt experiences of giving up drinking, the challenges of those first few Christmases sober, and practical tips for navigating parties, family gatherings, and the pressures of December without drowning out your feelings with booze. We discuss how to plan your social calendar, finding your tribe, and the small wins that make all the difference. If you’re sober curious or newly sober, this episode will remind you you’re not alone. Bryony xx BOOKS DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODEMillie’s book, Bad Drunk, is available in paperback on the 8th January 2026.LINKS TO SUPPORT GROUPSIf the content of this episode resonated with you today, and you would like support, please consider the following:DRINKLINE – For anyone who is concerned about their drinking, or someone else's.To speak to someone call 0300 123 1110 (weekdays 9am–8pm, weekends 11am–4pm)ALCOHOL CHANGE UK – For anyone seeking help with their own or someone else’s drinking.Visit https://alcoholchange.org.uk/ THE FORWARD TRUST – For anyone needing support to recover from addiction.Chat to someone online at https://forwardtrust.org.uk/talk-to-us (weekdays 9am-5pm) ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS - For anyone who feels their drinking is causing problems or who has a desire to stop drinking.Call 0800 917 7650 visit https://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk/IF YOU LIKED THIS EPISODE, YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY:Bad Drunk: Millie Mackintosh on Sobriety, Motherhood, and HealingWE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOUGot 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 xxCREDITS:Host: Bryony GordonGuest: Millie MackintoshProducer: Laura Elwood-CraigAssistant Producer: Tippi WillardStudio Manager: Sam ChisholmEditor: Luke ShelleyExec Producer: Jamie East  A Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular.