Best Jay Shell Podcasts (2025)

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Here Be Media - Episode 63 - Superman: Fortress of Imperialism w/ André 1:25:28

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31m ago1:25:28

1:25:28

Hello everyone!! We're wrapping up the year in serious fashion, diving once back into Imperialism everywhere, with the 2025 Superman, and bringing our superhero liasion along, André! This was a film really well talked about for being positive, and progressive and... things which it isn't. It's still imperialist and still very much on the US' side w…

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The Day the Town Forgot to Dance - Jordan from Wagga 5:27

8h ago5:27

5:27

In this children’s tale, we visit Willow Wiggle—a town that mysteriously forgets how to dance overnight. Only young Lila notices the missing joy, and with a brave little twirl, she inspires the whole community to move again. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Podshape

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The Left Page - Episode 98 - The Hobbit: Hobbitual Fantasy 1:09:17

39m ago1:09:17

1:09:17

Hello everyone!! We're finally tackling Tolkien! And so here we are, at the beggining... In a hole in the ground there lived a Hobbit. We go into Tolkien's role in fantasy, how The Hobbit still holds up as both a monument of fantasy and still an excellent book, and the resonance that this work has to fantasy still. Thus we close off 2025 on The Lef…

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Bella Freud - Learning To Trust Herself 52:42

6d ago52:42

52:42

Fashion icon Bella Freud on abandoning psychics, learning to trust herself and realising that what happens next is entirely up to her. Freud is a designer and creative whose clothes have adorned the likes of Zadie Smith, Kate Moss, Little Simz and…well…me. She’s also a cult podcaster with her hit show, Fashion Neurosis, where guests are invited to …

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'Just' A Blue Jay? Don't Overlook These Magnificent Common Birds

2h ago

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It’s that time of year: the Christmas Bird Count, when birders go out in flocks to record all the birds they see in a single day. The data collected during this annual tradition gets compiled by the National Audubon Society, and helps scientists understand bird population trends across the Americas. If you participate in the bird count, chances are…

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Speedy Fly Flicker and Mr. Bob - Christopher from Brunswick 4:10

7d ago4:10

4:10

In this charming children’s tale, we meet Speedy Fly Flicker — a super-fast, extra-buzzy little housefly with a big personality — and Mr Bob, a friendly baker who just wants a peaceful kitchen. When Flicker goes hunting for a cookie crumb, a hilarious chase begins, full of swoops, swishes and clever tricks. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy i…

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ON FRIENDSHIP… With Dawn French and Vogue Williams 24:16

8d ago24:16

24:16

I’ve always been obsessed with friendship - how it shapes us, challenges us and often goes uncelebrated. In this episode, both Dawn French and Vogue Williams get honest about the beauty and the messiness of it all. Despite being surrounded by great friends, Vogue explains why she worries she’s not the best friend back - although she’s definitely wo…

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Alex Hassell - Rivals, Rejection and Taking Acid at Alton Towers 45:58

13d ago45:58

45:58

You might know the star of Rivals for his revealing role in the hit Disney+ show, but did you know about his dramatic allium allergy?! I thought not. Alex Hassell might be best known for his portrayal of the dashing bounder, Rupert Campbell-Black in the Emmy-Award winning TV adaptation of Jilly Cooper’s Rivals but his career spans the Royal Shakesp…

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Why Is Bubonic Plague Still With Us?

6h ago

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For many people, bubonic plague is an illness that seems squarely situated in medieval times. But each year, a handful of human cases pop up in the western United States. Plague can be treated successfully with modern medicine. But why does it still exist, and how should we think about it both locally and globally? Plague researcher Viveka Vadyvalo…

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The Fastest Bike Rider in Bluegum Bay 4:46

14d ago4:46

4:46

Join us for a heartwarming children’s story about Milo, a young bike rider who dreams of being the fastest in town. But when he stops mid-race to help a friend in need, he discovers that kindness is the greatest victory of all. A gentle tale about courage, compassion, and what it really means to win. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informat…

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Don’t Let Their Name Fool You—Sea Slugs Are Awesome

5d ago

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Today we’re spotlighting an underappreciated group of marine creatures: sea slugs. Don’t let their humble name fool you. They come in vivid neon colors, with patterns that rival the most beautiful butterflies and feather-like external gills and tentacles. There are an estimated 10,000 species of sea slugs and they are incredibly diverse. Some are s…

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ON PERSPECTIVE… With Adeel Akhtar and Pat Cummins 12:03

15d ago12:03

12:03

Perspective is something we all chase - because when it slips, life can feel chaotic and overwhelming. But when we find it again, everything becomes a little clearer. In this episode, actor Adeel Akhtar reflects on a time when he lost sight of perspective and how becoming a parent helped him rediscover what truly matters. Cricketing great Pat Cummi…

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A Toast To Bats That Pollinate Agave, And Tracking Monarchs

5d ago

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You might think about bats as flitting around in the dark and hunting insects, but some species feed on fruits or flowers—and play an important role as pollinators. One place that role is crucial is in the relationship between bats and agave plants. Bat conservationist Kristen Lear joins Host Ira Flatow to describe efforts to restore agaves in the …

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Christmas is for the Birds

13d ago

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The holiday season is full of traditions. Family dinners. Caroling. Gifting. For birders, there's another event that cannot be missed: the Christmas Bird Count. Now in its 126th year, the CBC is the nation's longest running community science bird project. Jessica Wilson, executive director of the NYC Bird Alliance, explains what it is, the importan…

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A Startling Plan To Save Spotted Owls—From Barred Owls

9d ago

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The spotted owl has been a conservation flashpoint for more than 30 years. While habitat loss has been their historic foe, their most recent threat comes from within the owl family tree: the barred owl. Barred owls have expanded into the Pacific Northwest and are now outcompeting spotted owls for food and habitat. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service…

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Mo Gawdat - The 3 BIGGEST Mistakes We Make In Finding Love 1:02:24

20d ago1:02:24

1:02:24

I don’t often have repeat guests on How To Fail but Mo Gawdat is the exception. When he first came on this podcast in 2019, he fundamentally changed my mindset and my approach to life. Back then, he was on a mission to make 1 billion people happier. Now, he returns to focus his brilliant philosophical and analytical brain to the perpetual human que…

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The Secret Happy Place - Ingrid from Northcote 5:39

21d ago5:39

5:39

When adventure-loving April hears a mysterious crash inside her house, she discovers something extraordinary — a hidden door that leads to an entirely new dimension filled with magical creatures, floating islands and a new alien friend named Keira. But when her mum unexpectedly appears at the secret doorway, April learns that everyone needs a speci…

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ON IVF… With Jessel Taank and Paloma Faith 35:51

22d ago35:51

35:51

We don’t talk about this enough, even though so many of us face it personally or through someone we love. Real Housewives of New York star, Jessel Taank, opens up about her three-year journey to become a mum; the strain it put on her marriage, the financial toll and the moments during five rounds of IVF when she questioned everything - even whether…

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The Left Page - Episode 97 - Golden Harvest: Abolish the Present State 54:50

14d ago54:50

54:50

Hello everyone!! We're back talking about Brazilian Literature, with a long overdue request! It's "Golden Harvest" or "São Jorge dos Ilhéus", by Jorge Amado! The horrors of capitalism are everywhere, and none less here, where the forces of empire and capital seek to make Brazilian cocoa production their own, with no regard for people and their live…

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Ruth Wilson - Be Challenged By What Disgusts You 44:07

27d ago44:07

44:07

Ruth Wilson MBE has made a habit of tackling psychologically demanding roles. You’ll know her from playing a mother grieving the loss of her child in The Affair, a sociopathic research scientist in Luther or even from her acclaimed stage performances in Anna Christie and King Lear. Now, Wilson is back with Apple TV's Down Cemetery Road, based on no…

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Christopher's Musical Detour - Christopher from Brunswick 6:21

28d ago6:21

6:21

When Christopher receives a letter from his best friend Mark in Adelaide—inviting him to meet a brand-new kitten—he packs his favourite blue suitcase and sets off on a trip filled with excitement and airport wonders. But when he finally arrives, Christopher’s journey takes a hilarious detour! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

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Here Be Media - Episode 62 - Arrival (2016): Posadist Aliens Show Us the End of History 1:22:54

18d ago1:22:54

1:22:54

Hello everyone!! We're talking about a great Sci-fi film, going into language, history and time. As we discuss some of Ted Chiang's short story "Story of Your Life", but primarily, the Denis Villeneuve film "Arrival"! Why are aliens here? How can our understanding of reality changing help us confront the horrors of capitalism? How is time's lineari…

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ON REJECTION… With Mel B and Nicole Scherzinger 19:07

29d ago19:07

19:07

We all face rejection, no matter who we are. In this episode we revisit conversations with two extraordinary women who have faced rejection and overcome it: Spice Girl Mel B opens up about her unsuccessful audition for The Sound of Music and the pain of feeling like she didn’t fit the mould because of how she looked while Nicole shares what life wa…

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African Grey Parrots Are Popular—And It’s Fueling Illegal Trade

1M ago

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African grey parrots are internet stars. It’s easy to see why—the charismatic birds sing, tell jokes, and sling profanities. But how do the endangered birds get from African forests to your feed? Wildlife crime reporter Rene Ebersole joins Host Flora Lichtman to describe her investigation into the global parrot trade, and the black market for wild …

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Can Animal Super-Agers Teach Us Their Secrets?

20d ago

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Some animals have a very different relationship to aging than we do: They don’t get cancer, they never go through menopause, and they live absurdly long lives. For instance, one bat species can live for more than 40 years, which may not sound like very long but that’s about nine times longer than expected based on its size. For comparison, if we ag…

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Michelle Yeoh - On typecasting, fertility and THAT Oscars speech 53:19

1M ago53:19

53:19

Michelle Yeoh has created a legendary body of work that defies easy categorisation. You’ll know her from cult classic Kung Fu Cinema, Everything Everywhere, All At Once - the film that made her the first Asian woman to be given the Academy Award for Best Actress at the time. She was cast as a Bond girl in Tomorrow Never Dies, then starred in the gl…

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How A Woodpecker Pecks Wood, And How Ants Crown A Queen

26d ago

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If you’ve heard the hammering of a woodpecker in the woods, you might have wondered how the birds can be so forceful. What does it take to whack your head against a tree repeatedly, hard enough to drill a hole? A team of researchers wondered that too and set out to investigate, by putting tiny muscle monitors on eight downy woodpeckers and recordin…

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ON PARENTING…with Andy Cohen and Caitlin Moran 13:34

1M ago13:34

13:34

Today, we’re chatting all about parenting on How To Fail! We’ll be revisiting some of the most meaningful moments from the archive - the ones that can bring a fresh insight, thoughtful perspective and a sense of comfort through parenting’s tougher challenges. First, you'll hear from the Daddy of Reality TV, Andy Cohen, who speaks about a time he fe…

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Conversation #0004: Star Trek, The Original Series - Continuities of Empire 1:39:23

30d ago1:39:23

1:39:23

In our latest Conversation, Frank has something special for us! Following attempts at bringing together all their academic work, Frank goes into Star Trek proper for the first time in the podcast, surprisingly. In an attempt to articulate how the original 1966-1969 run articulated a certain version of the future that, while utopian, was still entre…

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Kelly Brook - I’m In My Don’t Give A Damn Era! 52:55

1M ago52:55

52:55

Just a heads-up that in this episode we talk about late miscarriage. I am so grateful to Kelly for opening up about something that affects and speaks to so many of us - it’s a beautiful conversation but if you’re feeling tender around those issues for whatever reason, we’ve put in the time-stamps below in case you need to skip that bit. Kelly is a…

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ON REALITY TV… With Dorinda Medley and Captain Sandy 14:13

1M ago14:13

14:13

If you know me at all, you’ll know that I am a huge advocate for reality TV. So what better reason to have a little trawl through my archives than to revisit some of my favourite interviews from reality TV stars? First, we hear from Dorinda Medley, known and adored from The Real Housewives of New York. Dorinda speaks about being approached to join …

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Malala Yousafzai - I Am Not Who You Think I Am 52:12

2M ago52:12

52:12

You might think you know about Malala. But you’d be wrong. For so many years, she stood as a symbol of resistance: the teenage girl who was shot by the Taliban for insisting on the right to go to school and who later won the Nobel Prize at 17 for her efforts to make education available for everyone. But there was another story that existed behind t…

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ON EMBARRASSING MOMENTS… With Dan Levy and Phoebe Waller-Bridge 11:34

2M ago11:34

11:34

Welcome back to this How to Fail episode where we journey through the archive to revisit some of the best bits. This week we’re keeping it light and taking a look at some of the funniest and most entertaining embarrassing moments on How to Fail. You’ll hear from Phoebe Waller-Bridge, originally released in July 2018. Phoebe talks about trying to im…

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Here Be Media - Episode 61 - Titane: Liberté, égalité, Peugeot Coupe w/Jay 1:23:02

1M ago1:23:02

1:23:02

Happy closing of the spooky season Listeners Jay and I are talking about Titane, and subsequently Queer relations and cars. Enjoy! Find more of us at: https://www.patreon.com/leftpage Find Jay at: www.librarypunk.gay https://bsky.app/profile/wildeatheart.bsky.social Intro Music: I Would Never Have To Know - Samurai Drive. From the Album: Samurai Dr…

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A Halloween Monster Mashup, And A Spooky Lakes Tour

2M ago

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For Halloween, we bring you an ode to three quintessentially creepy creatures: bats, arachnids, and snakes. First, bat researcher Elena Tena joins Host Flora Lichtman to describe tracking the greater noctule bat in flight and learning that it can feed on migratory birds. Then, arachnologist Paula Cushing describes the camel spider, which is neither…

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Jon Bon Jovi - Fame is a liar and a thief 52:18

2M ago52:18

52:18

We have a bonafide legend on How To Fail: the American singer, songwriter, guitarist, actor and philanthropist who, along with his band, sold more than 130 million albums and performed in over 50 countries for more than 40 million fans before being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. It’s ACTUAL Jon Bon Jovi - the frontman of the world-do…

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Matty and the Magpie - James from Runaway Bay 4:25

2M ago4:25

4:25

When ten-year-old Matty finds a hurt magpie on the edge of the local footy oval, his quick heart and gentle hands set out to make things right. In this heartwarming Aussie tale, we follow Matty’s journey to care for his new feathered friend, helping him heal and take flight once more. A story about kindness, courage, and the bond between humans and…

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ON BODY IMAGE… With Martine Wright and Paloma Faith 18:48

2M ago18:48

18:48

Body image is a common theme on How to Fail. It’s something everyone at some point has either struggled with personally, or knows someone who has. We hear from Paloma Faith on the topic - she speaks about being thrown out of ballet school aged 10, because she showed signs of becoming curvy, and that wasn’t the correct body for a ballet dancer. Then…

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The Left Page - Episode 96 - Berserk (Golden Age): Revitalizing Your Resolve w/ Horror Vanguard 1:24:01

2M ago1:24:01

1:24:01

Hello everyone!! We're finally talking about one of the big ones for our special Halloween collab with Horror Vanguard, it's Berserk! Focusing on the Golden Age Arc, we talk about how this manga so effectively depicts despair and hope, how it can have ultraviolence and still have one emotional gutpunch after another. And, of course, about fighting …

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Denise Welch - I Got Sober For Love 59:28

2M ago59:28

59:28

You might know Denise from Coronation Street, Waterloo Road, or as the winner of Celebrity Big Brother in 2012 and a regular panelist on ITV’s flagship panel chat show, Loose Women, or remember when she won Celebrity Big Brother in 2012. But what you might not know is the extraordinary story that shaped the strong woman she is. It’s a story of addi…

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Pets in the City: Rabbit Rabbit

2M ago

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Throughout this membership drive we are talking about the animals we love and care for in our homes -- our pets. Today, Amy Sedaris, actress, comedian, author, producer, crafter, rabbit enthusiast and host of the To the Rescue! gala, benefiting Humane World for Animals on November 7 talks about why she loves rabbits and offers advice to help them t…

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Footage Shows How Narwhals Use Tusks To Hunt And Play

2M ago

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We’re taking a polar plunge into the science of sea unicorns, also known as narwhals! Narwhals are mysterious arctic whales with long, twirly tusks protruding from their foreheads, like a creature out of a fairy tale. And it turns out that we don’t know too much about them, partly because they live so far north in the remote Arctic. An internationa…

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The Shiniest Shell - Sophie from Canberra 4:47

2M ago4:47

4:47

When Lila the crab joins the Great Beach Treasure Hunt, she’s determined to finally outshine her best friend Penny the seahorse. But when a moment of danger puts friendship before winning, Lila discovers that the brightest treasures aren’t the ones we find—they’re the ones we share. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

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Pets in the City: Rats & Other Small Furry Creatures

2M ago

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Throughout this membership drive we are talking about the animals we love and care for in our homes -- our pets. Today, Anne Levin, executive director of the Brooklyn Bridge Animal Welfare Coalition and co-founder of the Brooklyn Cat Cafe, talks about rats and other small furry creatures as pets.

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ON SCHOOL… With Jamie Dornan and Bernie Sanders 18:19

2M ago18:19

18:19

I’m diving into the back catalogue, bringing you moments of insight, laughter and truth from past guests. These themed episodes are a chance to reflect on the universal experiences that connect us all. This week we’re looking at school and those formative years that shape who we become. You’ll hear from actor Jamie Dornan, originally released in No…

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What It Means To Take In A Shelter Rescue Pet

2M ago

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October is National Adopt a Shelter Dog Month, and to mark the occasion, Aurora Velasquez, Eastern regional director of the Best Friends Animal Society talks about the importance of adopting shelter pets. Plus, listeners call in to shout out what their rescue animals mean to them.

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Here Be Media - Episode 60 - El Paso: Elsewhere: Facing All That's Abyssal 1:35:56

2M ago1:35:56

1:35:56

Hello everyone!! We're back talking about vampires and abuse, but with a twist! It's far more elaborate and engaging this time, as we discuss the indie game El Paso: Elsewhere! How do we deal with the holes of violence? With the abyss of abuse that seems to swallow and destroy us whole? In this Max Payne-inspired game (1 and 2, not 3, not at all) w…

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Charlotte Church - ‘I was totally exploited. I was a commodity’ 45:48

2M ago45:48

45:48

Charlotte Church is currently starring in the first ever series of BBC One’s Celebrity Traitors. But she first found global fame as the young classical singer with the voice of an angel. By 22, she had sold 10 million records and performed for popes, presidents and princes. The success came at a devastating personal cost - here, she tells us what r…

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Leo Finds the Music Within - Nick from West End 4:36

2M ago4:36

4:36

When Leo’s first guitar feels more like frustration than music, he almost gives up. But with a little help from his grandma, a loyal dog, and the sounds of the world around him, he learns that real music comes from the heart — not the hands. A gentle reminder that every song, and every dream, begins with one brave note. See omnystudio.com/listener …

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ON BABY LOSS… With Sara Pascoe and Trinny Woodall 28:11

2M ago28:11

28:11

Welcome back to this How to Fail special, where we revisit powerful moments from the archive that offer insight, perspective and - hopefully - a sense of comfort during life’s more difficult chapters. This week, to mark Baby Loss Awareness Week (9th to 15th October) and Elizabeth’s new role as ambassador for The Miscarriage Association, we're refle…