We Need To Talk with Paul C. Brunson

Latest Episodes:

“Anxiety Made Me Feel Like I Was Dying” The Creator of The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse Oct 14, 2025

Show notes

Oscar-winning author and artist Charlie Mackesy opens up like never before - about anxiety, grief, loneliness, and the quiet power of kindness.
Content warning: This episode includes discussion of suicidal ideation.

Charlie is the creator of The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse - the longest-running Sunday Times bestseller in history, translated into over 50 languages and embraced by millions around the world.

In this rare and deeply personal conversation, Charlie reflects on the moments that shaped both his life and his work - from the loss that changed everything to the drawings that helped strangers feel less alone. He and Paul talk about anxiety, friendship, and the radical courage it takes to be vulnerable.

Charlie shares:

◽ The moment grief changed the course of his life
◽ The story behind the illustrations that helped strangers stay alive
◽ How he sketched his way around the world
◽ How bad the anxiety got - and the breathing trick that helped him survive
◽ The path to The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse
◽ The journey to his new book, Always Remember
◽ What it took to create his Oscar-winning film
◽ How shame isolates men - and why kindness is the antidote

Charlie Mackesy, 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
Follow me here:
https://www.instagram.com/needtotalk
https://www.tiktok.com/@weneedtotalkpod
Support Charlie here:
Instagram: https://g2ul0.app.link/llwkLT0jrXb
Always Remember: https://g2ul0.app.link/l0I8zRXjrXb

(00:00) Intro
(02:38) Charlie's Upbringing in Northumberland
(06:34) Changing Schools at 16
(10:16) Why Charlie Started Drawing
(19:02) Losing His Best Friend at 18
(19:58) Moving to London and Starting His Career
(23:12) Time in Manhattan
(33:16) Picking Tea in Zimbabwe
(35:13) Connection to Brixton
(40:07) Adobe Express Ad
(41:06) Shopify Ad
(42:06) Creating *The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse*
(55:48) The Book’s Commercial Success
(1:02:43) Behind the Scenes of *Love Actually*
(1:06:25) Making the Film Adaptation
(1:08:42) Winning an Oscar
(1:12:36) Concept Behind *Always Remember*
(1:14:47) Love Better Tour Ad
(1:15:46) Facing Darker Periods in Life
(1:19:51) Managing Anxiety
(1:27:55) Attention Span
(1:29:30) Creative Process Demo
(1:30:56) Friendships Past and Present
(1:38:19) Thoughts on Faith
(1:43:13) What Paul and Charlie Are Grateful For
(1:45:18) Drawing Mantra
(1:48:36) Latest Drawing Reveal
(1:50:20) Paul's Takeaways
Sponsored by:
Shopify: https://www.shopify.co.uk/needtotalk
Adobe Express: https://ADOBE.LY/PAUL

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Breaking the Silence on Baby Loss with Perrie Edwards, Myleene Klass & Katherine Ryan | We're Talking Baby Loss Awareness Oct 09, 2025

Show notes

In honour of Baby Loss Awareness Week, Paul sits down with Perrie Edwards, Myleene Klass, and Katherine Ryan, who share their personal stories of grief and resilience. Miscarriage and baby loss are more common than we think, yet remain one of society's most unspoken struggles.

From the uncertainty of pregnancy to the heartbreaking reality of loss, they discuss what it means to grieve, to speak up, and to advocate for better support. Their stories remind us that no one has to face this alone.

This is a space for honesty, healing, and hope.

If anything in this conversation brings up difficult feelings, you’re not alone. There is support available: Tommy’s: https://g2ul0.app.link/yiLgVePdnVb Sands: https://g2ul0.app.link/1c7K7WVdnVb

Baby Loss Awareness Week: https://g2ul0.app.link/ye2qd7YQiXb

Baby Loss Awareness Week is an opportunity to bring us together as a community and give anyone touched by pregnancy and baby loss a safe and supportive space to share their experiences and feel that they are not alone.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lou Teasdale Reveals The Reality Of Being On Tour With One Direction! Oct 07, 2025

Show notes

Beauty powerhouse Lou Teasdale opens up about life on the road with One Direction, her close friendship with Caroline Flack, and her mission to change the conversation around mental health.

Content warning: This episode includes discussion of self harm and suicide.

From styling the world’s biggest boyband to navigating the intense scrutiny of fame, Lou shares what life was really like behind the scenes with Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, and Liam Payne - from fans chasing cars to quiet one-to-one moments in the chair, where conversations often felt like therapy.

Lou reflects on her friendship with Caroline Flack - from the qualities that made everyone adore her, to navigating mental health challenges under the eyes of the world. Today, Lou channels her pain into purpose through her work with suicide-prevention charity Body & Soul, determined to ensure others get the help they need and to show that kindness can truly save lives.

Lou shares:

◽ How she became One Direction’s hair stylist

◽ Her favourite One Direction hairstyles

◽ The truth about working on The X Factor

◽ The reality TV transformations they weren’t allowed to do

◽ How mental health support is often left to “unqualified people”

◽ Insights from her close friendship with Caroline Flack◽ Why we need to do more on mental health awareness

◽ Her relationship with footballer Andy Carroll

Lou Teasdale, 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

Body & Soul - https://g2ul0.app.link/yoNKZXDYeXb

Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM): https://g2ul0.app.link/npaQKXUV4Wb

Follow me here:

https://www.instagram.com/needtotalk

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

Follow Lou here:

Instagram: https://g2ul0.app.link/Wt22ItOYeXb

TikTok: https://g2ul0.app.link/QmcImVJYeXb

(00:00) Intro (02:31) Why Lou wanted to join us (04:07) How Lou became a make-up artist at 16 (05:51) Lou's choice to work as a make-up artist for boybands (07:17) The role of a make-up artist outside aesthetics (10:57) Lou's time on X-Factor (15:20) How Lou met Caroline Flack (16:51) How Lou ended up working with One Direction (19:49) How did One Direction change as they found fame? (22:00) Life on the road with One Direction (25:52) Lou's most influential look whilst being with One Direction (28:00) Lou reflects on the year anniversary of Liam Payne's death (33:21) Adobe Express Ad (34:19) Love Better Tour Ad (35:27) The popularity of Caroline Flack (39:35) What was most misunderstood about Caroline? (42:27) The events in 2019 that impacted Caroline's life (48:06) Caroline’s mental health struggles and navigating media coverage (51:00) The role of friends and family in supporting Caroline’s well-being (56:20) The events leading up to Caroline’s passing (58:22) Lou's experience of discovering Caroline (01:01:45) The '#BeKind' social media movement (01:04:49) Lou's charity work with Body and Soul (01:09:09) Lou's relationship with Caroline's mother (01:11:34) Lou's relationship with Andy Carroll (01:14:55) The tabloid treatment of Andy Carroll (01:17:02) Who's the celebrity that's most surprised Lou? (01:17:54) Which celebrity currently has the best hairstyle? (01:18:54) Most memorable conversation (01:23:02) A letter from Lou's sister (01:26:35) 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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"Women In Unhappy Marriages Are 4x More Likely To Die" We're Talking Trauma with Gabor Maté Oct 02, 2025

Show notes

Dr. Gabor Maté explores what trauma really is, how it shapes who we become, and why so many people are living disconnected from their authentic selves.

From attachment styles to emotional wounds, Paul and Gabor break down how childhood experiences affect our adult relationships - and what it takes to truly heal.

Whether you're navigating your own trauma or trying to better understand someone you love, this episode offers clarity, compassion, and a path toward deeper connection.

We're Talking Trauma with Gabor Maté

(00:00) Intro

(00:53) How Does Gabor Define Trauma?

(03:40) How Many People Today Are Living in Trauma?

(05:46) How Do We Heal Our Trauma?

(08:21) How to Become Your Most Authentic Self

(14:02) Love Better Tour Ad

(15:07) Attachment Styles

(20:23) How Do You Earn a 'Secure Attachment'?

Get Your Tickets to the Love Better Tour: https://bit.ly/lovebetter-YT

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Shirley Ballas on "Disastrous Relationships" And The Dark Side Of Strictly! Sep 30, 2025

Show notes

Strictly Come Dancing’s head judge Shirley Ballas joins us for an exclusive conversation about her extraordinary life on and off the dance floor. She also reflects on the loss of her brother David, and why she now campaigns to raise awareness around men’s mental health and suicide prevention.

From her early years on a Merseyside council estate to global fame, Shirley shares the resilience, heartbreak, and lessons that shaped her. She opens up about her family heritage, the bullying she endured through school years and beyond, and the sacrifices she made to rise to the top of the dance world. She speaks candidly about her relationships, turbulent love affairs and lifelong struggles with body image. Shirley also takes us behind the scenes of Strictly Come Dancing - from a “disastrous” first audition to navigating the highs and lows of being on one of the biggest shows on television.

Shirley shares:

◽ How discovering her family heritage reshaped her identity

◽ The bullying that left lasting scars - and how she found strength through dance

◽ Walking away from a marriage at the peak of her career - and the regrets that followed

◽ The pressures of body image in the dance world and her experiences with surgery

◽ The moment her Strictly audition went wrong - and how she turned it around

◽ The toll of online trolling and public criticism as head judge

◽ Why championing men’s mental health is so important to her

◽ What happiness means today

Shirley Ballas, We Need To Talk

If you’re struggling, you don’t have to face it alone. We’ve included support charities below:

Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM): https://g2ul0.app.link/npaQKXUV4Wb