Ready to Talk with Emma Barnett

Endometriosis is a Silent Emergency with Eleanor Thom

Comedian Eleanor Thom struck up a friendship with Emma after they discussed their shared struggles with endometriosis. Eleanor has undergone 12 surgeries for the condition, and the pair have decided to air publicly some of what they say to each other about it in private. Endometriosis is a system-wide inflammatory disease that causes tissues like the lining of the womb make their way around the body, and its hallmark is pain. Although it affects as many as one in 10 women, it is not well understood and there is no cure. Emma has been trying to make sense of it for the BBC's first documentary on the subject, while Eleanor chronicled her own experiences with it in her book, Private Parts: How to Really Live with Endometriosis. In Ready to Talk with Emma Barnett, the award-winning interviewer speaks to people you will know and people you should know about the experiences that are shaping their lives. If you want to join the conversation you can email the team at readytotalk@bbc.co.uk, or you can send a WhatsApp message or voice note to 08000 556 101.

My Bully Killed His Mum Then Came To My Door with Edd Hedges

Edd Hedges is a stand up comedian. He grew up in a small village, and was bullied throughout his childhood by a neighbour named Brett. Edd had come back to the village one evening to perform a charity gig. After going to bed at his parents’ house, Ed was awoken when someone was banging at the door. That person turned out to be his bully, who had just murdered two people, one of whom was Brett’s mother. Brett himself was killed whilst serving a prison sentence for his crimes. The incident has cast a long shadow over Edd’s life. He talks to Emma about why he chose to turn the experience into a comedy set, and how that became the award winning podcast Wisecrack. In Ready to Talk with Emma Barnett, the award-winning interviewer speaks to people you will know and people you should know about the experiences that are shaping their lives. If you want to join the conversation you can email the team at readytotalk@bbc.co.uk, or you can send a WhatsApp message or voice note to 08000 556 101.

They Weren't Ready for a Woman Like Me with Victoria Pendleton

Victoria Pendleton has suffered depression and grief since becoming an Olympic cycling champion. She's come out of it a stronger person, still on the lookout for a challenge. Having won her second Olympic gold medal at her home games in London in 2012, Victoria retired from cycling as a national hero. But she kept chasing sporting challenges, competing in horse racing then trying mountaineering. An unsuccessful attempt to climb Everest in 2019 - her first real failure - sent her into depression, but surviving that gave her the tools to cope with the loss of her twin brother and her father. She has now written a book, The Fear Opportunity, inspired by her experiences. In Ready to Talk with Emma Barnett, the award-winning interviewer speaks to people you will know and people you should know about the experiences that are shaping their lives. If you want to join the conversation you can email the team at readytotalk@bbc.co.uk, or you can send a WhatsApp message or voice note to 08000 556 101.

Long Covid Stole My Olympic Dream with Oonagh Cousins

Oonagh Cousins was one of Britain's best rowers, and was awarded a place on Team GB at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. But after having Covid and being unable to fully recover, Oonagh lost her place in the squad. Oonagh now lives with Long Covid, which impacts roughly 2 million people in the UK. Having her Olympic dream taken from her by this illness has made her reflect on her own identity and the experience of sufferers of similar conditions. In Ready to Talk with Emma Barnett, the award-winning interviewer speaks to people you will know and people you should know about the experiences that are shaping their lives. If you want to join the conversation you can email the team at readytotalk@bbc.co.uk, or you can send a WhatsApp message or voice note to 08000 556 101.

News: Are We Really Going To Have That Brexit Fight Again?

As Labour leadership hopeful Wes Streeting vows to bring the UK back into the EU Emma asks - do we really want to have that fight again? Or is it fair enough if many of us have changed our minds? Would you dob your child in to the police? The Government is bringing in harsher penalties for the parents of children who commit crimes, saying it's time to remove the influence of "parents who can't parent". Is it all the fault of Mum and Dad? Plus as the makers of Married at First Sight face the consequences of rape allegations on set, do producers need to rethink the format - and have higher standards of care in reality TV? Ready to Talk News is a Long Form Audio production for BBC Sounds.