'PODCAST PICK-ME-UP'

 

    

'VIEWING FAILURES AS LESSONS'

‘How to Fail With Elizabeth Day’ is a podcast that celebrates the things that haven’t gone right. Every week, a new interviewee explores what their failures taught them about how to succeed better. Available on Apple, Spotify and various other podcast streaming platforms.

Over the last year my love for Podcasts has grown exponentially. Whether I’m getting ready or going on a walk, it’s a comforting way to remain present, learn more and be in the company of others. I particularly love Elizabeth Day’s as it’s always a reassuring listen. A metaphorical hug and motivational boost.

At the age of 38, an award winning novelist and journalist for The Observer, Elizabeth claims “it was not an age which I had anticipated being single, childless and facing an uncertain personal future”. She made the decision to begin using her seventeen years of experience interviewing to start a podcast where she could talk to people about what they’d learned from things going wrong.

In a world where society curates this idea of ‘perfection’ that one should strive for, we often forget that perfection fails to exist and can shy away from sharing failures we will inevitably face. Day felt the need to help others when coming to terms with the fact that failure “is a necessary staging post on a journey towards greater success,” and she wanted to share awareness of that.

The Podcast is loved across the nation, it was an instant sensation, reaching 200,000 downloads after only eight episodes and landing her a book deal. Day admits “If I have learned one thing from this shockingly beautiful venture called life, it is this: failure has taught me lessons I would never otherwise have understood.”

Each episode shares a conversation with a different established and successful name. I love the fact they’re extremely successful individuals as it’s a reminder that even those that you may idolise have their failures to. It’s both comforting and reassuring to hear about their own journeys, particularly when you connect with them, there’s a warmth that comes with that connection of listening to and connecting with others, and how those we name ‘celebrities’ are also human beings with human experiences. It’s grounding knowing you’re not alone and gives you the confidence to pick yourself up again and keep going when things may not go as you initially wanted them to or planned to. A celebration of learning through mistakes.

Despite its depth of content, it’s a very easy going listen. I can find myself detaching, zoning out or becoming overwhelmed with some podcasts if they’re filled with too much information. I find myself having to go back and listen again, just as you may reread a page of a book again when you feel you’re reading the words but it’s not computing. I’m listening but not understanding. But not with this. It’s a comfortable listen, moving and gritty at times, but you feel as if you’re in the room with them.

Due to the topics discussed it’s very exciting, having access to an insight into these people’s lives. Equally inspiring and fascinating. With each individual bringing their own experience to the table you never know what the episode will bring and what story is yet to be told which is always enticing and keeps it fresh. As well as the guests, Elizabeth Day is a sensational host. She remains very calm, approachable and compassionate throughout. The chats are always open, honest and extremely genuine. There’s always moments of laughter and hope amongst the hurdles and challenges shared.

The fact it’s now on its eleventh series displays the podcast’s impact and success. The array of names that appear on the show is incredible, the first episode is with Phoebe Waller Bridge and others include the likes of Graham Norton, Lily Allen, Dame Kelly Holmes, Vicky McClure, Fearne Cotton, Jamie Dornan, Jameela Jamil, Matt Haig and Jessica Ennis. The list goes on. Not only is it comforting to hear about their failures, and encouraging to hear their successes, but it’s also engrossing just to hear about their life and find out things you never knew about that person. It allows you to be nosy and curious. If you haven’t yet had a listen I urge you to. Thought provoking, inspiring, reassuring and thoroughly entertaining.