Stay ConnectedThe most powerful conversations are the ones we usually avoid. Hosted by Paul C. Brunson, We Need To Talk is a show that empowers people to have the conversations they avoid by creating a safe, supportive, and insightful space that encourages vulnerability, self-discovery, and real-world connection.
From breakups to breakthroughs, conflict to connection, we go beyond the headlines to uncover the human experiences and relationships that define us.
Instagram: @needtotalk
TikTok: @weneedtotalkpod
Made in Chelsea star Sam Vanderpump opens up about life behind reality TV, the advice his aunt Lisa Vanderpump gave him, and the rare liver disease that now means he faces a life-saving transplant.
For the first time, Sam reflects on growing up as part of the Vanderpump family, the pressure of living up to his father’s expectations, and the moment he nearly lost his life to sepsis. He also shares how reality TV unexpectedly helped him process trauma, why he’s determined to use his platform to raise awareness for organ donation, and how love and fatherhood have given him new purpose.
Sam shares:
◽ The truth behind the Vanderpump family legacy
◽ What his father’s death taught him about love, pride, and approval
◽ How Lisa Vanderpump became a father figure in his life
◽ The terrifying day he went into organ failure
◽ How Made in Chelsea helped him confront his emotions for the first time
◽ The moment media headlines about his illness broke him
◽ Why he’s now fighting to raise awareness for organ donation and liver disease
◽ The message from his fiancée that left him in tears
Sam Vanderpump. We Need To Talk.
Register your decision to donate here: https://g2ul0.app.link/gtfy87FcnYb
(00:00) Intro
(01:56) Sam Addresses Public Perception of the Vanderpumps
(04:45) What Sam Learned About Love From His Mum and Dad
(07:31) Sam's Complicated Relationship With His Father
(12:20) Coping With the Death of Sam's Father
(14:48) How Reality TV Helped Sam's Mental Health
(16:40) Why Sam Joined Made In Chelsea
(24:55) Paul Shows Sam a Childhood Photo
(29:45) How Authentic Is Made In Chelsea?
(34:44) Has Made In Chelsea Been Good for Sam's Relationships?
(37:54) Paul Shows a Message From Sam’s Fiancée Alice
(41:08) Aura Frames Ad
(42:18) What Type of Father Sam Wants to Be
(45:11) Sam Explains His Current Health Condition
(54:37) Key Statistics About Sepsis
(57:04) Why Sam Needs a Liver Transplant
(01:01:13) Sam Addresses the Media Storm Around His Health
(01:04:36) How the Media Storm Affected Sam’s Family and Friends
(01:06:39) How Organ Donation Works and Why Sam Advocates for It
(01:14:54) Sam Reads a Letter From His Grandmother
(01:17:42) Yes I Donate Message
(01:18:58) Liver Transplant Survival Rates Explained
(01:23:24) Sam’s Mum Shares Her Perspective
(01:29:42) A Letter From Sam’s Mother
(01:32:24) Most Memorable Conversation
(01:38:10) Paul’s Takeaways
Sponsored by:
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To mark Transgender Awareness Week, Paul sits down with Married At First Sight’s Ella Morgan and her dad Chris for an honest conversation about identity, acceptance and family.
From navigating misunderstanding to rebuilding their relationship with love and empathy, they share what it means to live authentically and to stand by one another through change.
This episode is about courage and connection - reminding us that everyone deserves to feel safe in who they are.
We’re Talking: Transgender Awareness
(00:00) Intro
(00:44) How Paul and Ella Met
(03:05) What Is 'Dead-Naming'?
(04:56) Ella's Relationship History Before MAFS
(07:08) Safety as a Trans Person
(09:47) Ella's Dad Joins the Conversation
(10:42) How Did Chris Find Out About Ella's True Identity?
(14:34) Paul Shows Chris a Picture of Him and Ella from 2001
(16:57) How Chris Handled the Terminology After Learning Ella's True Identity
(18:00) Public Reaction to Ella Presenting as a Woman
(19:25) Ella's Experience with Gender Reassignment Surgery
(20:48) Chris' Experience of Ella's Transition Surgery
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In her first ever solo interview, YouTube creator and mum of four Anna Saccone opens up about the truth behind The SACCONEJOLYs, the hidden pain behind her picture-perfect life, and the moments that almost broke her.
Content warning: This episode includes discussion of eating disorders and miscarriage.
For the first time, Anna shares the real story behind her marriage, her relationship with Jonathan, and the intense pressure of raising a family online while facing constant criticism and scrutiny. She also speaks candidly about her struggles with bulimia, body image, and identity - and how she’s finally learning to live life on her own terms.
Anna shares: ◽ Why she wasn’t truly happy on her wedding day ◽ How her father’s obsession with appearance impacted her ◽ How she built a family-vlog channel that earned tens of thousands a month ◽ What it’s really like raising a trans child in the public eye ◽ How she feels about the negative comments ◽ How returning to school became her way of reclaiming her voice
This conversation includes discussion of eating disorders and baby loss. We’ve included support links below, along with the organisation Anna mentions in the episode, which provides resources for transgender healthcare:
Beat Eating Disorders - https://g2ul0.app.link/gHK6cjr3ZRb
Tommy’s: https://g2ul0.app.link/yiLgVePdnVb
Sands: https://g2ul0.app.link/1c7K7WVdnVb
Anne Healthcare - https://g2ul0.app.link/BWEMiCQBbYb
Follow me here:
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https://www.tiktok.com/@weneedtotalkpod
(00:00) Intro
(01:31) Why Anna Decided to Do This Podcast Without Jonathan
(02:39) Anna's Experience Growing Up in Baltimore
(05:46) How That Affected Anna's Relationship With Her Dad
(05:47) Moving From Baltimore to Cork
(12:15) The Beginnings of Anna's Eating Disorder
(14:28) Meeting Jonathan & Quitting University
(17:05) What Anna Initially Saw in Jonathan
(23:43) How Anna and Jonathan Started on YouTube
(28:05) Surprise Message From Jonathan
(30:01) Anna's Struggle With Bulimia
(32:48) Anna's Advice for Anyone Going Through an Eating Disorder
(36:24) How the Growth of the YouTube Channel Affected Anna
(42:44) Why Anna Thinks They’ve Been So Popular on YouTube
(47:14) How Anna Deals With Online Criticism
(58:03) Transgender Statistics in the UK and Anna’s View on the Current Climate
(1:03:13) Shopify Ad
(1:04:11) Adobe Express Ad
(1:05:13) Anna’s Perspective on Featuring Her Children on Social Media
(1:16:03) How Motherhood Impacted Anna
(1:17:54) Struggling to Connect With Other Mums
(1:22:57) Jonathan’s Gender Identity
(1:25:54) How Anna Feels About the Negativity Directed Toward Jonathan
(1:31:00) Dealing With Online Hate
(1:33:30) Quick Fire Questions for Anna
(1:39:05) Final Question: Anna’s Decision to Retrain in Nutrition
(1:41:15) Most Memorable Conversation
(1:45:32) Paul’s Takeaways
Sponsored by:
Shopify: https://www.shopify.co.uk/needtotalk
Adobe Express: https://ADOBE.LY/PAUL
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In honour of Anti-Bullying Week, we sit down with Nadiya Hussain, Megan Barton-Hanson, and Calum Scott to discuss their personal experiences with bullying and the profound impact it’s had on their lives. From childhood trauma to online harassment, these three open up about the struggles they faced and how they found strength in their vulnerability.
We're Talking Bullying.
(00:00) Intro
(00:39) Nadiya's experience of bullying growing up
(07:54) Megan's experience of bullying at school
(12:21) Love Better Tour Ad
(13:38) Calum's experience of coming out and the subsequent bullying
Get Your Tickets to the Love Better Tour: https://bit.ly/lovebetter-YT
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Strictly Come Dancing winner Ore Oduba opens up about addiction for the first time - and the secret he’s carried for over 30 years.Content warning: This episode includes discussion of suicide and addiction.
In this powerful and deeply moving conversation, Ore shares how he was first exposed at just nine years old - and the lifelong impact it had on his identity, confidence, and relationships. He also reflects on the emotional scars of growing up in fear, the silence he carried into adulthood, and the private battles behind his public success.
Ore shares:
◽ Why he lived in fear of his father for years
◽ How his upbringing shaped his confidence, his career - and his silence
◽ The grief of losing his father and sister in such a short space of time
◽ How he felt like he was dying inside - while living what looked like a “perfect” life
◽ How Strictly Come Dancing became his awakening
◽ Why the West End reignited his joy and love for performing
◽ Why he struggled to open up, even to those closest to him
◽ How he’s learning to rewrite the story for himself, and for his children
Ore Oduba, We Need To Talk.
If you’re struggling, you don’t have to face it alone. We’ve included support charities below:
Samaritans - call on 116 123 or visit https://g2ul0.app.link/xghDmmYV4Wb
Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM): https://g2ul0.app.link/npaQKXUV4Wb
Naked Truth Project: https://g2ul0.app.link/JPSkS5mNZXb
Follow me here:
https://www.instagram.com/needtotalk
https://www.tiktok.com/@weneedtotalkpod
(00:00) Intro
(03:03) Growing Up in Dorset
(06:11) Black Identity in 1990s Dorset
(11:18) Childhood and Family Dynamics
(14:08) Did Ore Feel Loved?
(16:35) Early Love for Performing
(20:48) Starting Out in TV Presenting
(28:17) Ore on Newsround
(32:38) Handling Media Scrutiny
(34:22) Winning Strictly Come Dancing
(45:22) Life After Strictly
(47:41) Hiding Behind a Facade
(53:43) Relationship With His Brother
(1:03:30) Losing His Sister
(1:07:47) Mental Health and Identity
(1:12:35) Learning of His Father’s Death
(1:15:32) Ore’s 30-Year Addiction Struggle
(1:32:43) Adult Content Use Among Young People
(1:45:05) Message From Strictly’s Joanne Clifton
(1:47:25) Childhood Photo Surprise
(1:51:33) Most Memorable Moment
(1:55:33) Paul’s Takeaways
Sponsored by:
Adobe Express: https://ADOBE.LY/PAUL
Get Your Tickets to the Love Better Tour: https://bit.ly/lovebetter-YT
Birmingham - https://g2ul0.app.link/pJIj4XShrXb
Manchester - https://g2ul0.app.link/4SQwKDXhrXb
Brighton - https://g2ul0.app.link/BO71HSZhrXb
London - https://g2ul0.app.link/gm6iB91hrXb
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YUNGBLUD’s journey from growing up in Doncaster to securing a major record deal with Interscope Records is a story of defying expectations and embracing individuality. In this conversation, the boundary-pushing artist opens up about overcoming childhood struggles, breaking through perceptions, and how his unique style and unapologetic approach led to his big break in the music industry.
This rare glimpse into YUNGBLUD's rise to fame reveals the challenges he’s faced and the lessons he’s learned about staying true to himself in a world that’s always trying to define him.
We’re Talking YUNGBLUD.
(00:00) Intro
(00:41) Growing Up in Doncaster: Yungblud’s Early Years
(03:29) People’s Perceptions of Yungblud: From Childhood to Adulthood
(12:26) Love Better Tour Announcement
(13:23) How Yungblud Was Signed to Interscope Records
Get Your Tickets to the Love Better Tour: https://bit.ly/lovebetter-YT Glasgow - https://g2ul0.app.link/FMk3N4PhrXb Birmingham - https://g2ul0.app.link/pJIj4XShrXb Manchester - https://g2ul0.app.link/4SQwKDXhrXb Brighton - https://g2ul0.app.link/BO71HSZhrXb London - https://g2ul0.app.link/gm6iB91hrXb
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How do CIA spies detect lies, build trust fast, and navigate high-stakes relationships? Former covert officer Andrew Bustamante reveals how the tools he used in espionage can transform your personal life - from how you read people to how you love them.
From growing up in a turbulent family, to commanding U.S. nuclear missiles at 24, to being recruited into the CIA, Andrew’s story is a journey through power, secrecy, love, and identity. But beneath the training lies a deeper lesson: the same psychological skills designed for national security became the ones that saved his marriage and founded Everyday Spy, an online education platform that provides people with useful spy skills for everyday life.
As Andrew says: The CIA’s real superpower isn’t guns or gadgets - it’s learning how to systematise natural curiosity. In this conversation, he shares how those skills can change the way you connect, communicate, and build trust in everyday life.
You’ll learn:
◽How to tell if someone is lying
◽Why he cut off his girlfriend, friends, and family for the chance to join the CIA
◽The CIA method for building instant emotional trust
◽How to recognise when a relationship is starting to decline - and how to fix it
◽The hardest conversation of his life (and what it taught him about love)
◽His take on Jeffrey Epstein and possible CIA connections
◽How easy it really is to launch a nuclear missile - and what that reveals about power
Part life story, part relationship masterclass, and part psychological thriller, this episode will change how you see honesty, loyalty, and the hidden motivations that shape every relationship.
Andrew Bustamante. We Need To Talk.
Follow me here:
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Support Andrew here:
Instagram: https://g2ul0.app.link/Ps9x0EkXMXb
TikTok: https://g2ul0.app.link/1nNEZWvXMXb
YouTube: https://g2ul0.app.link/19tVZShXMXb
EverydaySpy: https://g2ul0.app.link/wG0st3xXMXb
Find Your Superpower: https://g2ul0.app.link/qqQlh5v0PXb
Shadow Cell: https://g2ul0.app.link/GwDAB7DVMXb
(00:00) Intro
(02:13) How Can You Tell If Someone Is Lying?
(05:27) Is Every Relationship Transactional?
(19:42) Andrew's Checklist for Profiling Someone
(24:12) Was Jeffrey Epstein a Government Asset?
(29:13) Shopify Ad
(30:16) Love Better Tour Ad
(31:14) Andrew's Upbringing in Pennsylvania and Mixed-Race Heritage
(33:45) Andrew's Relationship With His Biological Father
(37:48) Andrew's Journey to the CIA
(39:47) Life at a Military Academy
(46:51) Andrew's Time as a Nuclear Missile Officer
(50:21) Nuclear Proliferation
(52:58) How Andrew Became a CIA Agent
(1:12:21) Romantic Relationships Within the CIA
(1:16:22) How Andrew Met His Wife During His Time at the CIA
(1:21:44) Why Andrew Proposed to His Wife
(1:26:55) Why Andrew Decided to Leave the CIA
(1:32:09) Getting a Job After Being in the CIA
(1:39:18) Is 'Sexpionage' a Real Method of Spying?
(1:41:59) A Skill Andrew Learned in the CIA That Applies to Everyone
(1:45:11) What Andrew Thinks the Future of the World Looks Like
(1:46:46) What Is the Biggest Threat to the World?
(1:47:59) What Is Andrew's Identity Today?
(1:51:51) Most Memorable Conversation
(1:56:06) Paul's Takeaways
Sponsored by:
Shopify: https://www.shopify.co.uk/needtotalk
Get Your Tickets to the Love Better Tour: https://bit.ly/lovebetter-YT
Glasgow - https://g2ul0.app.link/FMk3N4PhrXb
Birmingham - https://g2ul0.app.link/pJIj4XShrXb
Manchester - https://g2ul0.app.link/4SQwKDXhrXb
Brighton - https://g2ul0.app.link/BO71HSZhrXb
London - https://g2ul0.app.link/gm6iB91hrXb
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In honour of Black History Month, we sit down with Jordan Stevens, Jamelia, and Estelle who share their personal stories of navigating life as Black and mixed-race individuals in Britain.
From embracing their cultural roots to overcoming challenges in predominantly white spaces, they discuss what it means to belong, to be seen, and to celebrate Blackness in all its diversity. Their stories remind us that Black history is not just a month - it’s an ongoing journey of resilience, pride and connection.
We're Talking Black History
(00:00) Intro
(00:50) Jordan Shares His Experience of Being Mixed-Race in Brighton
(03:58) Differences in Perspectives on Race Between the USA and UK
(04:37) Jordan Discusses His Identity and Navigating Different Social Spaces
(08:23) Jamelia’s Upbringing in Birmingham
(09:11) The Significance of 1981 in UK History
(10:07) Jamelia’s Parents and Their Rastafarian Beliefs
(16:45) Love Better Tour Ad
(17:48) Estelle’s Childhood in Hammersmith
(20:10) The Importance of Estelle’s Grandmother to Her Family
Get Your Tickets to Paul’s Love Better Tour! Bristol - https://g2ul0.app.link/mt5I2RKhrXb Cardiff - https://g2ul0.app.link/5mZIoBNhrXb Glasgow - https://g2ul0.app.link/FMk3N4PhrXb Birmingham - https://g2ul0.app.link/pJIj4XShrXb Manchester - https://g2ul0.app.link/4SQwKDXhrXb Brighton - https://g2ul0.app.link/BO71HSZhrXb London - https://g2ul0.app.link/gm6iB91hrXb
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TOWIE star breaks silence after a decade on The Only Way Is Essex, the pressure of fame, and how postnatal depression pushed her to the edge.
Content warning: This episode includes discussion of baby loss.
Georgia Kousoulou sits down with Paul for an unfiltered conversation about life on and off screen. She speaks honestly about the behind the scenes of TOWIE, her relationships with fellow cast mates and how she met husband Tommy Mallett. Georgia also opens up about their wedding - and why some of her former castmates didn’t make the guest list.
In this deeply emotional conversation, Georgia reflects on baby loss, the silent grief that followed, and the strength it took to begin again. She also opens up about a recent health scare - discovering a lump that led to the shock of finding ruptured implants. Now, she’s advocating for greater awareness around cosmetic surgery and the importance of listening to your body.
Georgia also shares:
◽ Her parents split and how it impacted her life
◽ The truth about TOWIE and why she walked away
◽ How she and Tommy became “the couple they couldn’t break”
◽ How discovering Tommy’s ADHD changed their relationship
◽ Her struggle with postnatal depression - and how Tommy helped her survive it
◽ The silent grief of baby loss - and how she found hope
◽ Why speaking out saved her - and might help others do the same
◽ Welcoming her rainbow baby and learning to love herself again
◽ The lump that changed everything - and why she’s speaking out about surgery safety
Georgia Kousoulou, We Need To Talk.
This episode contains discussion of miscarriage and baby loss. We’ve included links to support charities below:
Tommy’s: https://g2ul0.app.link/yiLgVePdnVb
Sands: https://g2ul0.app.link/1c7K7WVdnVb
Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM): https://g2ul0.app.link/npaQKXUV4Wb
Follow me here:
https://www.instagram.com/needtotalk
https://www.tiktok.com/@weneedtotalkpod
Follow Georgia here:
Instagram: https://g2ul0.app.link/1zyQaAGJCXb
TikTok: https://g2ul0.app.link/X8T1MzKJCXb
(00:00) Intro
(02:33) How Closely Does Georgia Identify With Her Greek Heritage?
(04:30) What Was Essex Like When Georgia Was Growing Up?
(05:35) Georgia's Experience of School
(07:28) What Did 16-Year-Old Georgia Want to Do With Her Life?
(08:42) What Georgia Did for Work After Leaving School
(12:47) How Georgia's Shop Got Her Onto TOWIE
(14:09) How Successful Was TOWIE When Georgia Joined the Cast?
(16:16) Georgia's First Appearance on TOWIE
(20:35) How Georgia's Career Ambitions Changed on TOWIE
(21:46) Why Georgia Thinks She Was a Hit on TOWIE
(24:07) What Happened to Georgia's Relationship While on TOWIE?
(25:32) How Her Parents' Split Affected Georgia as an Adult
(27:34) How Georgia Met Tommy
(31:02) How Georgia Knew Her Relationship With Tommy Was Real
(32:34) The Atmosphere Amongst the TOWIE Cast
(39:25) Did Georgia Feel Media Pressure on Her and Tommy's Relationship?
(42:59) Has Georgia Kept in Touch With Her TOWIE Castmates?
(47:02) Georgia's Feelings About Marrying Tommy While on TOWIE
(50:21) Adobe Express Ad
(51:20) Love Better Tour Ad
(52:20) Georgia's Experience of Becoming a Mum and Postnatal Depression
(01:04:27) How the Dynamic Between Georgia and Tommy Changed After Brody
(01:10:13) Tommy's ADHD Diagnosis and Adult Diagnosis Statistics
(01:14:48) Georgia's Experience of Miscarriage
(01:24:38) How Georgia and Tommy Healed From Their Trauma
(01:28:06) Georgia's 'Obsession' With Conceiving Another Baby
(01:30:36) The Birth of Georgia's 'Rainbow Baby' Gigi
(01:31:47) Georgia's Thoughts on 'Bouncing Back' From Childbirth
(01:35:52) Georgia's History of Plastic Surgery and Thoughts on the Industry
(01:39:54) What's Next for Georgia?
(01:42:59) Most Memorable Conversation
(01:46:51) Paul's Takeaways
Sponsored by:
Adobe Express: https://ADOBE.LY/PAUL
Get Your Tickets to the Love Better Tour: https://bit.ly/lovebetter-YT
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Katie Price, Mel Robbins, and Caity Baser share their journeys with ADHD and the challenges they’ve faced in navigating relationships, careers, and self-understanding. ADHD is more common than we realise, yet it often goes undiagnosed or misunderstood, especially in adults.
From late diagnoses to daily struggles with focus and impulsivity, they discuss how ADHD has shaped their lives and relationships, and how understanding their condition has changed everything. Their stories remind us that ADHD isn’t just a label - it’s a lens through which we can better understand ourselves and others.
We’re Talking: ADHD Awareness
(00:00) Intro
(00:49) Katie Price's ADHD Diagnosis
(06:27) How Mel Robbins Manages Her ADHD in Her Marriage
(17:33) Love Better Tour Ad
(18:32) How Caity Baser's ADHD Manifests
Get Your Tickets to Paul’s Love Better Tour
Bristol - https://g2ul0.app.link/mt5I2RKhrXb
Cardiff - https://g2ul0.app.link/5mZIoBNhrXb
Glasgow - https://g2ul0.app.link/FMk3N4PhrXb
Birmingham - https://g2ul0.app.link/pJIj4XShrXb
Manchester - https://g2ul0.app.link/4SQwKDXhrXb
Brighton - https://g2ul0.app.link/BO71HSZhrXb
London - https://g2ul0.app.link/gm6iB91hrXb
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