Best Jamil Simon Podcasts (2026)

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ON MONEY WORRIES… With Fern Brady and Simon Cowell 14:48

Play Pause

1d ago14:48

14:48

Money worries are far more common than we like to admit: from keeping you awake at night to quietly shaping your choices and decisions, financial anxiety affects us all - especially after a season of festive indulgence. In this episode, comedian Fern Brady (recorded live in Edinburgh) speaks about not having enough money to stay at university - and…

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Jessimae Peluso and Justin Martindale 23:56

5d ago23:56

23:56

Comedians Jessimae Peluso (Girl Code, Sharp Tongue, Dying Laughing podcast) and Justin Martindale (Just Sayin’ podcast, Gay Bash) join Jameela Jamil for a Wrong Turns episode that escalates from bad dates into full survival mode. Jessimae shares how mistaking a walking red flag for romance led to “dating the DSM-5,” escalating behavior, and ultimat…

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Failure Throwback: Bear Grylls 57:51

6d ago57:51

57:51

Bear Grylls has achieved worldwide fame as one of the most recognised faces of survival and outdoor adventure. A former SAS soldier, he has climbed Everest, circumnavigated the British Isles on a jet ski, rowed naked in a bathtub along the Thames and once broke his back in a parachuting accident. But he's most famous for his TV career. He starred i…

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Naomi Ekperigan and Andy Beckerman 47:16

12d ago47:16

47:16

Comedians and podcasters Naomi Ekperigin (Broad City, Hacks, Mythic Quest) and Andy Beckerman (The Pete Holmes Show, Cedric’s Barber Battle, Couples Therapy) join Jameela Jamil for a messy dive into marriage superstitions, chaos goblins, and a truly staggering collection of micro-humiliations. Naomi relives the nightmare of meeting Andy’s parents f…

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Sophie Willan - From Foster Care to Alma’s Not Normal 48:08

13d ago48:08

48:08

This episode contains very strong language and isn’t suitable for small ears. Sophie Willan is a double BAFTA award-winning writer, comedian and actor, perhaps best known for her BBC comedy drama, Alma's Not Normal. But it wasn’t always red carpets and award ceremonies. Willan experienced an unsettled childhood with spells in foster care, which she…

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Making Peace “Possible” with William Ury 44:26

14d ago44:26

44:26

William Ury is one of the world’s most influential peacebuilders and experts on negotiation. He advised Colombian president Juan Manuel Santos in the lead up to that country's historic 2016 peace agreement with the FARC, and played a key role in de-escalating nuclear tensions between the U.S. and North Korea in 2017. Getting to Yes, which Ury co-wr…

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Adam Rose and Kevin James Thornton 52:08

19d ago52:08

52:08

Adam Rose (LA’s Finest, Small Stupid Stuff podcast, YouTube) and Kevin James Thornton (Be Yourself special, Call Kevin podcast, YouTube) join Jameela to unpack a series of deeply questionable life decisions, including pet squirrels with boundary issues, cosmetic school as a financial strategy, and how to make it through a night in jail as a 16-year…

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Bella Freud - Learning To Trust Herself 52:42

20d 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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ON FRIENDSHIP… With Dawn French and Vogue Williams 24:16

22d 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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Shapel Lacey and Aaron Branch 40:23

26d ago40:23

40:23

Comedians Shapel Lacey (Three Dads Two Moms special, current tour dates) and Aaron Branch (Unstable on Netflix, The Kevin Langue Show, The Forehead Tour) for an unforgettable episode full of wiener stories. Shapel bravely recounts the worst gig of his life, the cheer-camp sex he may never recover from, and the moment a stranger declared that his pe…

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

27d 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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American UnExceptionalism: Resisting religious nationalism in Sri Lanka and Myanmar 1:04:24

28d ago1:04:24

1:04:24

This week we’re featuring an episode from American UnExceptionalism, a limited podcast series that examines the intersection of authoritarianism and religious fundamentalism around the world – looking for lessons that Americans can learn from to resist Christian nationalism and the threat it poses to our democracy. The series turns the idea of Amer…

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

29d 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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Dan Schreiber and Andrew Hunter Murray 47:37

1M ago47:37

47:37

Comedy troublemakers Dan Schreiber (No Such Thing As A Fish, The Museum of Curiosity, author of The Theory of Everything Else) and Andrew Hunter Murray (No Such Thing As A Fish, The Naked Week, writer for Private Eye, author of A Beginner’s Guide to Breaking and Entering) join Jameela for an hour of friendship chaos, gig disasters, and stories that…

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

1M 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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ON IVF… With Jessel Taank and Paloma Faith 35:51

1M 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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Aparna Nancherla and Eliza Skinner 37:44

1M ago37:44

37:44

Comedy powerhouses, Aparna Nancherla (BoJack Horseman, Corporate, Mythic Quest) and Eliza Skinner (The Late Late Show with James Corden, Drop the Mic, and Earth to Ned), join Jameela for a perfect storm of humiliation, soft chaos, and stories that instantly make you feel better about your own life choices. Aparna kicks things off with a micro humil…

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

1M 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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The antidote to polarization may be hiding in plain sight 35:00

1M ago35:00

35:00

In the last decade, the field of peace-building has turned its eye toward the United States, as polarization has gotten worse, and political violence has increased. Our guest Peter T. Coleman is a part of that movement to bring peace-building or bridge-building to Americans. Coleman is a professor of psychology and education at Columbia University,…

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

1M 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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Lake Bell and Mary Elizabeth Ellis 48:06

2M ago48:06

48:06

Actor and writer Mary Elizabeth Ellis (It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Licorice Pizza, New Girl) and actor, writer, filmmaker, and "everyone's sexual awakening", Lake Bell (Bless This Mess, In a World, Harley Quinn) join Jameela for a gloriously unfiltered session of tiny humiliations and lifelong cringes. Mary Elizabeth shares the on set moment…

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

2M 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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ON PARENTING…with Andy Cohen and Caitlin Moran 13:34

2M 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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Penn Badgley, Nava Kavelin and Sophie Ansari 48:23

2M ago48:23

48:23

Jameela welcomes actor Penn Badgley, with his Podcrushed co-hosts Nava Kavelin and Sophie Ansari (podcast: Podcrushed, new book: Crushmore: Essays on Love, Loss and Coming of Age) for a truly chaotic and hilarious hour of wrong turns. From Sophie’s doomed West Village romance and Jameela’s on-set “fart coffin,” to Nava’s accidental Ambien-induced t…

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

2M 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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Shining a light on veterans and their children 34:24

2M ago34:24

34:24

“ Military children serve alongside their parents, except they're invisible.” – Harold Kudler, M.D. Millions of American children have had parents serve in Iraq, Afghanistan, or other wars following September 11, 2001. This episode focuses on the wellbeing of those children, who tend to grow up fast. Susan Hackley is the director of the short docum…

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

2M 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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Ian Fidance and Nathan Macintosh 44:32

2M ago44:32

44:32

Comedians Ian Fidance (Bein’ Ian with Jordan podcast, Wild, Happy and Free special) and Nathan Macintosh (Tonight Show, Down with Tech special) bring two of the most chaotic Wrong Turns we’ve ever had: a near–loss of virginity on 9/11, a $600 phone sex bill, getting banned from a friend’s house for porn searches, coke-fueled job interviews, and the…

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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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Sofie Hagen and Danny Wallace 53:04

2M ago53:04

53:04

Comedian and author Danny Wallace (Yes Man, Join Me) and writer-comedian Sofie Hagen (Will I Ever Have Sex Again?) join Jameela Jamil for a conversation about the chaos, coincidences, and canine catastrophes that make life unforgettable. From dogs with terrible timing to the unexpected moments that change everything, they share stories of embarrass…

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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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How immigrant and ethnic news media are fighting disinformation 37:23

2M ago37:23

37:23

In our time when rumors and lies spread across the internet with lightning speed, journalists play a vital role in debunking misinformation and disinformation. Media outlets run by and for non-white audiences, while working under great financial pressure, occupy a special role in the information ecosystem. With immigrants and people of color so oft…

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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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Margaret Cho and Brandi Denise 36:15

3M ago36:15

36:15

Jameela Jamil is joined by comedy icon Margaret Cho (New album Lucky Gift, All That We Love movie in theaters November) and social worker turned standup comedian, actor, and writer Brandi Denise (Vulture Top Comics 2024, LOL! Live with Brandi Denise, Hulu) for an uncomfortably funny chat about their biggest personal disasters. This isn’t a pep talk…

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Denise Welch - I Got Sober For Love 59:28

3M 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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ON SCHOOL… With Jamie Dornan and Bernie Sanders 18:19

3M 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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Randy and Jason Sklar 41:53

3M ago41:53

41:53

Jameela finds out what it's like to be on the business end of the comedy duo that is Jason and Randy Sklar (Sklar Brothers, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Better Call Saul, Dumb People Town podcast). Together they discover the extent to which a hot air balloon ride can go wrong, what dirty joke your uptight neighbor would rather not hear, and why Jameela wi…

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

3M 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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Could Northern Ireland's lessons help shape the future of Israel, Gaza? 36:42

3M ago36:42

36:42

Our guest Megan K. Stack began a recent op-ed in the New York Times describing a contentious debate about anti-immigration riots in the Northern Ireland Assembly, “each speaker straining to upstage the last in outrage and fervor.” But unlike many opinion writers, she doesn’t go on to expound on the importance of civility in public discourse. Instea…

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

3M 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…

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Erin Jackson and Josh Gondelman 42:05

3M ago42:05

42:05

Comedians Erin Jackson (Late Night with Seth Meyers, Grudgery special) and Josh Gondelman (Desus & Mero, Positive Reinforcement special) join Jameela Jamil to swap their most undignified disasters. Erin relives the day she was booed off stage at the National Mall - on two jumbotrons, in front of her parents, and the time she literally fell off the …

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Stephen Grosz - ‘Real love is going to hurt’ 52:23

3M ago52:23

52:23

Warning: this episode may contain MIND-BLOWING moments. Stephen Grosz is a practising psychoanalyst and a personal hero of mine. He has worked with patients for more than 45 years and his first book, The Examined Life, drew on these experiences. When it was published in 2013, it caused a sensation and went straight to number one in the Sunday Times…

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Jilly Cooper: On Failure, Love and Literature 38:07

3M ago38:07

38:07

By Elizabeth Day and Sony Music Entertainment

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ON NAVIGATING YOUR 20s... With Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Lily Allen 17:15

3M ago17:15

17:15

Welcome back to this How to Fail special where we journey through the archive to uncover insight and revisit powerful conversations. Each week, I hand-pick moments that speak to our shared challenges - hopefully offering comfort, clarity, and a renewed sense of perspective for whatever life might be throwing your way. Your 20s are notoriously a tim…

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Jane Goodall on Optimism, Hope and Conservation 1:00:28

3M ago1:00:28

1:00:28

We said goodbye to Jane Goodall, who passed away yesterday at 91 after a life that inspired millions. I feel so grateful to have had the chance to speak with her back in July 2022, a conversation I’ll never forget. Today, in honour of her incredible legacy, I want to re-share it with you. ____________________________________________________________…

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Annie Lederman and David Dastmalchian 38:11

3M ago38:11

38:11

Jameela welcomes long time friends Annie Lederman (Anniewood Podcast, Terrifier 3) and David Dastmalchian (Murderbot, The Dark Knight, Grave Conversations). Together, they discover how many snakes is too many, what not to do in front of a chain gang, and why no one should ever have a white couch. Jameela's Substack is A Low Desire To Please, you ca…

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Letitia Wright - ‘I was bullied… now I’m Black Panther’ 52:54

3M ago52:54

52:54

You’ll know Letitia Wright from her standout roles in Black Panther, Wakanda Forever, Black Mirror and Top Boy. She won the BAFTA Rising Star award in 2019 and is currently starring in Not Your Superwoman at The Bush Theatre, London. But Letitia’s journey hasn’t always been lined with red carpets. Born in Guyana and raised in Tottenham, North Londo…

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Bonus - Russell Howard, Judi Love and Grace Campbell 13:27

3M ago13:27

13:27

We had so much fun with Russell Howard, Judi Love and Grace Campbell at the London Podcast Festival that we couldn't fit it all into the episode, so here's a bonus audience Misery Loves Company submission that we're calling "AKA That's Why Heather's Not Here", because "Tongue Punch My Fart Box" didn't seem great for the algorithm. Enjoy (but not ar…

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How Viktor Orbán hacked Hungary’s Democracy 30:32

3M ago30:32

30:32

Since his election in 2010, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has transformed Hungary from a democracy into a quasi-authoritarian country. In Hungary today, elections, economic policies, and the media are warped to benefit Orbán and his conservative Fidesz Party. Orbán’s government, with its consolidation of executive power, Christian nationali…