Great Company with Jamie Laing

If you want to talk about OGs, you can’t get much better than LL Cool J; one of the earliest rappers to achieve commercial success, he’s gone on to star in movies, tv and after 11 years, he’s finally released another album and I was lucky enough to chat to him for today’s episode - what an insane honour. From a young age, LL Cool J knew music was his calling, but his journey to success was far from easy. At just four years old, he witnessed his father shoot his mother - an experience that shaped him, taught him resilience and maintaining a sense of calm in a storm. Despite the heights of his success and fame, LL confesses to being a bit of a bookworm and introvert - surprising considering how infectious his energy is and open his heart - he talks to me about the importance of chosen family and generosity, revealing that he gives 10% of all his earnings to the church. This was a conversation I won’t forget in a hurry - to speak to an icon, who’s life has been so different from mine, but to find connection, to laugh, to be made to think - it’s what unites us all. If you enjoyed this episode, please click follow - we have so many great guests like this one, you won't want to miss out! You can also follow us on Instagram and Tiktok @greatcompanypodcast As I mentioned, LL's released his first music in 11 years - here's a link to the new album, The Force: shopuk.llcoolj.com [https://shopuk.llcoolj.com/] -- THE CREDITS Exec Producer: Jemima Rathbone Assistant Producer: Gurlina Heer Video: Jake Ji Social Media: Laura Coughlan Great Company is an original podcast from JamPot  ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

After reaching the heights of success so quickly, it all came crumbling down for Rizzle Kicks when Harley’s anxiety left him incapable of performing. In an attempt to help him, Jordan realised he too had demons to conquer. Now, almost ten years later, Rizzle Kicks are back! - and I was lucky enough to chat to them about the journey from then to now… Known as the quiet one, Harley opens up for the first time in a public space about his battles with his mental health, his OCD and how he found a way out of the dark space he was in that led to the break in the music. Jordan also discusses his journey from that time, and how, in retrospect, he can see how their instant success warped their sense of achievement. We also discuss the value of role models and finding motivation from a place of peace. Harley and Jordan are such a wonderful example of friendship and the conversation was so honest and vulnerable - it reminded me of the important of sharing our experiences with one another Rizzle Kicks have got a new album - you can find it here: rizzlekicks.tmstor.es/?lf=9c019ff825d8443192ddfe6e7be79e66 [https://rizzlekicks.tmstor.es/?lf=9c019ff825d8443192ddfe6e7be79e66] And Jordan's book you can find here: www.amazon.co.uk/Avoidance-Drugs-Heartbreak-Jordan-Stephens-ebook/dp/B0CTMNQXP6 [http://www.amazon.co.uk/Avoidance-Drugs-Heartbreak-Jordan-Stephens-ebook/dp/B0CTMNQXP6] If you enjoyed this episode, please click follow - we have so many great guests like this one, you won't want to miss out! You can also follow us on Instagram and Tiktok @greatcompanypodcast -- THE CREDITS Exec Producer: Jemima Rathbone Assistant Producer: Gurlina Heer Video: Jake Ji Social Media: Laura Coughlan Great Company is an original podcast from JamPot  ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

From her breakout role as Charlotte in The Inbetweeners and gracing the covers of lads’ mags, Emily Atack always knew she’d be famous but the level of attention that came with it wasn’t quite what she’d bargained for, especially when that attention has gotten nasty. Emily and I have been friends for some time but this is the first time I’ve seen her since becoming a mum so it was fantastic having the chance to chat to her about her career and how having a child has changed her world view. We chatted about her experience with the press and the toxic language we use around weight and women in the public eye. We also discussed her advocacy around the changing the laws of sexual consent and how she envisions a future where her son grows up in a world that respects and values women. A conversation with Emily will always be filled with laughter, but she also articulates so well the experience of being a woman in the public eye. Our conversation left me feeling just how much more men need to introspect—and ultimately step up. If you enjoyed this episode, please click follow - we have so many great guests like this one, you won't want to miss out! You can also follow us on Instagram and Tiktok @greatcompanypodcast or email us at greatcompany@jampotproductions.co.uk If you'd like to see Emily in her new show, Rivals, head to Disney+ -- THE CREDITS Exec Producer: Jemima Rathbone Assistant Producer: Gurlina Heer Video: Jake Ji Social Media: Laura Coughlan Great Company is an original podcast from JamPot ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Former BBC North America Editor, Jon Sopel spent eight years in Washington, D.C. covering the Obama administration, to Trump, and far too many mass shootings. He now hosts The News Agents podcast and I must admit, I was a little nervous to speak to Jon, as he’s such an experienced broadcaster and commentator, but the conversation was fantastic - he was warm, insightful and a great guide through some complex topics. We discussed the gun crisis in the states where there are, on average, 700x more deaths by guns than here in the UK. Jon shared the surprising truth of what it’s like to travel inside Air Force One with the president, and what it feels like to be reporting on the front line in a war zone. We chat about the changing cultural landscape in the UK, and the need for open-mindedness between sides. And of course, we briefly talk about the upcoming American election and what it was really like in Washington on 6th January with the attack on the US Capitol. This conversation highlights the threat of misinformation and importance of seeking truth in our news If you enjoyed this episode, please click follow - we have so many great guests like this one, you won't want to miss out! You can also follow us on Instagram and Tiktok @greatcompanypodcast or email us at greatcompany@jampotproductions.co.uk And if you want to read Jon's latest book, Strangeland: How Britain Stopped Making Sense: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Strangeland-Britain-Stopped-Making-Sense/dp/1529938406 [https://www.amazon.co.uk/Strangeland-Britain-Stopped-Making-Sense/dp/1529938406] -- THE CREDITS Exec Producer: Jemima Rathbone Assistant Producer: Gurlina Heer Video: Jake Ji Social Media: Laura Coughlan Great Company is an original podcast from JamPot ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

The news can be pretty overwhelming at times and the politics of it all can be confusing too but there are people who make it understandable and possible to engage with; Munya Chawawa’s satire is smart, it’s funny and it gets people talking. He, himself is smart and funny and I was keen to get him talking - he’s a guest I’ve been eager to speak to for a while so was delighted when he came into the studio to chat! At the start of his career, Munya was told he needed 30K followers be taken seriously, so he made it his mission to do that, putting out video after video, and accrued millions of followers along the way. He never set out to become a social media sensation but its influence on his career is notable, leaving him with a sense of imposter syndrome in spaces he absolutely belongs. Growing up in Zimbabwe, Munya’s drive to do well is something that came into conflict on arriving in the UK where he was branded a ‘boffin’ for wanting to achieve. Munya also opens up about the men who shaped him and his determination to break the emotional stoicism passed down from his father. This conversation is a good example of how humour can help us tackle difficult topics and open our minds. If you enjoyed this episode, please click follow - we have so many great guests like this one, you won't want to miss out! You can also follow us on Instagram and Tiktok @greatcompanypodcast or email us at greatcompany@jampotproductions.co.uk And if you like Munya and want more of him, you can find him on @munyachawawa on IG and TT, and his show, 'How To Survive A Dictator' is here: www.channel4.com/programmes/how-to-survive-a-dictator -- THE CREDITS Exec Producer: Jemima Rathbone Assistant Producer: Gurlina Heer Video: Jake Ji Social Media: Laura Coughlan Great Company is an original podcast from JamPot ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.