Begin Again with Davina McCall

Why Do Relationships Really Fall Apart?

In this episode of Begin Again, couples therapist and Netflix’s Blue Therapy relationship expert Karen Doherty opens up about what really causes couples to drift apart, lose intimacy, and stop feeling connected. With over 25 years of experience working with couples, Karen explains why so many relationships do not end because of one dramatic event, but because of a slow, quiet disconnect that grows over time.

Karen explores the hidden patterns that can damage a relationship: unresolved triggers, contempt, poor timing, emotional shutdown, infidelity, loss of trust, and the everyday resentments that slowly wear away at love. She explains why couples often fight about the surface issue, like the dishwasher, sex, money, or tone of voice, when the real problem is usually feeling unseen, rejected, criticised, or misunderstood.

This conversation also dives deep into intimacy, and why it is about far more than sex. Karen breaks down the different forms of intimacy, from emotional and physical closeness to humour, curiosity, micro-connections, and the small daily gestures that help couples feel chosen again. She also shares why scheduled intimacy, honest conversations, and understanding each other’s triggers can be powerful tools for rebuilding connection.

At its core, this is a conversation about love, repair, and what it really takes to keep a relationship alive. Whether you are in crisis, quietly drifting, rebuilding trust, or simply trying to understand your partner better, Karen offers a hopeful and practical reminder: relationships need care, attention, and intention but there is almost always a way back to connection.

Sometimes, the choice to begin again is the clearest sign that love is still there.

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(00:00) Intro

(01:03) Karen's Background: 25 years of couples Therapy

(02:07) The biggest problem facing couples

(04:55) Working with couples and Beginning the process

(07:17) Is hope for couples in crisis? Couples who come to therapy to break up

(08:56) "independence vs autonomy"

(12:16) 4 essential components of love

(13:40) Contempt in relationships, and managing couples who are breaking up

(17:50) the different forms of intimacy, and the importance of "micro-connections"

(22:16) 5 love languages and managing each other's differences

(24:49) The external pressures Facing Your relationship

(27:04) Saily Ad

(28:00) Shopify Ad

(29:02) Different types of triggers in relationships

(34:29) Why You Should Be scheuduling intimacy

(36:57) Managing differing sex drives, and negotiating "couple deals"(40:21) Understanding each other's triggers

(45:07) Karen's rules for arguments

(47:19) infidelity and can male/female friendships work

(53:24) Karen answers questions from viewers about relationships

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“We have more communication today than ever before, but also more loneliness. You never know what’s going on for someone else”

In this moving Moments episode, Rob Parsons shares the extraordinary story of Ronnie, a vulnerable man he had known since childhood, who arrived on his doorstep just before Christmas with all his belongings in a black plastic bag and a frozen chicken in his hand.

With two simple words, “come in”, Rob and his wife Diane changed the course of Ronnie’s life. What began as one meal became a lifelong relationship, revealing the profound impact that safety, dignity, and human connection can have on someone who has been failed by the care system and left without a place to belong.

Rob reflects on what Ronnie’s story taught him about homelessness, childhood trauma, neurodivergence, loneliness, and the systems that so often leave vulnerable people behind. He explores why relationships, not just services or structures, are essential in helping people rebuild their lives.

Later in the episode, Simon Squibb shares his own deeply personal experience of being made homeless at 15, just after his father died. Thrown suddenly into the real world, Simon recalls how the people society often overlooks became the kindest and most generous, offering him food, blankets, and guidance when he needed it most.

Together, Rob and Simon’s stories challenge the way we see homelessness, reminding us that anyone’s life can change in an instant, and that even the smallest act of kindness can restore someone’s sense of hope, dignity, and belonging.

The full episodes are available now, wherever you get your podcasts or you can watch on YouTube:
Rob Parsons: https://youtu.be/wlpcFnOPH2k

Simon Squibb: https://youtu.be/5GEQE8ztdf4

Sponsored by:

Saily - Download from the app store and use code DAVINA at the checkout for 15% off

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Are We Failing Young Men?

In this episode of Begin Again, David Gandy opens up about masculinity, mentorship, and the reality behind becoming the world’s highest-paid male model. From feeling like he didn’t fit the mould to building one of the most iconic careers in fashion, David reflects on insecurity, identity, and what young men really need in a world that often sends them the wrong message.

But this conversation goes far beyond modelling. David speaks candidly about shyness, insecurity, self-criticism, and the strange contradiction of becoming one of the most photographed men in the world while still hating having his picture taken. He shares how those early feelings shaped him, how he learned to channel them, and why confidence is often far more complicated than it looks from the outside.

The episode also explores masculinity, mentorship, and why so many young men are struggling to find their place. David reflects on the role models that shaped him, the importance of guidance, and why he believes we need a more positive conversation around masculinity, respect, and responsibility. Rather than blaming or dividing, he argues for better examples, stronger values, and more honest conversations about what young men actually need.

At its core, this is a conversation about identity, resilience, and what it means to stay in control of your life and career in a world that is always trying to define you.

🌟 Follow for more honest conversations about identity, growth, and beginning again.

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Follow David: https://www.instagram.com/davidgandy_official/

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(00:00) Intro

(01:09) The Modelling Industry in the Early 2000s

(02:55) A Message From David’s Agent and Mentor

(09:38) David on Defying Expectations and Landing Dolce & Gabbana (13:51) David’s New Partnerships With M&S and Jaeger Menswear

(18:40) David on His Parents and Upbringing

(23:06) Balancing Relationships and Career

(26:37) Saily Ad

(27:33) Shopify Ad

(28:34) Overcoming Shyness and Insecurities

(34:38) How Modelling Shaped David Long-Term

(37:01) Changing Body Standards in Modelling

(39:04) David on His Daughters and Modern Parenting

(42:27) David on His Relationship With His Dad

(44:51) Supporting Young Men and Addressing Male Suicide

(48:15) Toxic Masculinity and the Demonisation of Young Men

(50:43) What’s Happening With the Manosphere?

(53:08) The Need for Positive Role Models for Young Men

Sponsored by:

Saily - Download from the app store and use code DAVINA at the checkout for 15% off

Shopify - https://www.shopify.com/uk for £1 a month trial

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These are just two powerful moments from full Begin Again episodes. Want the full story? You can watch and listen to the complete conversations on YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts.

In this eye-opening episode, Eleanor Mills shares her deeply personal experience with psilocybin, exploring how a guided psychedelic retreat helped her confront fear, let go of the past, and rediscover a sense of connection and purpose. From moments of surrender to profound emotional breakthroughs, Eleanor reflects on how the experience reshaped her understanding of herself and the world around her.

Joining the conversation, Professor David Nutt, one of the world’s leading experts on neuroscience and psychedelics, breaks down the science behind hallucinogens. He challenges common misconceptions, explains why substances like psilocybin are classified the way they are, and reveals their potential to treat conditions such as depression and PTSD.

Together, they explore the line between stigma and science, risk and healing, asking whether psychedelics could play a transformative role in mental health and personal growth.

The full episode with Eleanor Mills can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsxiUp6fV_4&t=2079s

The full episode with Professor David Nutt can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e82IejQ3tEI
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What if staying true to yourself cost you everything?

In this episode of Begin Again, Kate Nash opens up about the reality of building a career in an industry that often tries to control, define, and silence you. From becoming a breakout star at 18 to being labelled, misunderstood, and written off, Kate shares what it really feels like to grow up in the public eye and fight to stay yourself.

She speaks candidly about the music industry today, why it’s no longer sustainable for artists, and the difficult decisions she’s had to make to keep her career alive including starting an OnlyFans to fund her tours. For Kate, it’s not about controversy, it's about survival, independence, and refusing to play by rules that no longer work.

This conversation also explores the emotional side of that fight. The pressure to be perfect, the anger that once fuelled her, and the conscious decision to move beyond it. Kate reflects on identity, feminism, and the power of women supporting each other in a world that often tries to pit them against one another.

At its core, this is a story about resilience, creative freedom, and what it takes to take back control on your own terms.

🌟 Follow for more honest conversations about identity, growth, and beginning again.

Follow us here:

📸 www.instagram.com/beginagain

🎥 https://www.tiktok.com/@beginagainpod

Follow Kate: https://www.instagram.com/katenash/

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(00:00) Intro

(00:01:31) Intro to Kate Nash, fame and problems of public image

(00:04:51) Exploring identity and history through music

(00:08:01) The evolution of Kate’s Music and dealing with online hate

(00:12:34) Kate's Catholic upbringing, the challenges of Shame

(00:19:15) Kate's relationship with her sisters

(00:23:06) Do Health Ad

(00:24:27) Bloom and Wild Ad

(00:25:29) Kate's heart surgery

(00:32:17) Kate deciding to quit her job and start performing music

(00:36:26) Dealing with fame

(00:39:20) Manager stealing from her, and healing from

(00:47:33) Moving to LA

(00:48:57) Kate's breakout role in Netflix series *Glow*, and learning to wrestle

(00:58:31) Why the music industry is broken!

(01:01:41) Starting an OnlyFans account to fund her career

(01:06:04) How fans can support the music industry

(01:08:23) Kate's protest around London

(01:12:00) The reasons Kate is fighting for the music industry and culture

(01:16:12) A surprise letter for KateSponsored by:

Do Health - The waitlist is open. Begin Again listeners get fixed early access pricing when they sign up today at dohealth.co/beginagain use code BEGINAGAIN

Bloom & Wild - use code DAVINA for 15% off at https://www.bloomandwild.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=begin_again 

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