Great Company with Jamie Laing

Why We Choose Unhealthy Partners | ALAIN DE BOTTON THROWBACK

Happy New Year’s Eve!  As we get ready for a new year, I wanted to revisit one of my all-time favourite episodes of Great Company with the incredible Alain de Botton.  I’ve been lucky enough to sit down with Alain not once, but twice on the show and every time I speak to him, I come away feeling calmer, a little wiser and thinking about life in a new way.  I keep coming back to this episode because every time I do, I take something new from it. Alain’s insights into human connection, love and emotional growth are fascinating. They’ve shaped how I think about my relationships, my friendships and what it really means to grow into the best version of ourselves.  We cover:  * How to navigate heartbreak  * Why our childhood is so informative on the rest of our lives  * Why funny people often have sad parents  * How attachment styles and past experiences can shape the way we love  * What actually is the meaning of life  This conversation is a gentle reminder that becoming a “new you” often starts with understanding the old one. Alain De Botton is Great Company.  If you enjoyed the show, you can also follow us:  Instagram- @greatcompanypodcast [https://www.instagram.com/greatcompanypodcast/#] TikTok - @greatcompanypodcast  [https://open.acast.com/networks/611e511b4ec6dc00134bced2/shows/65d737dfdc02e00016c413b2/episodes/www.tiktok.com/@greatcompanypodcast] And if you've got thoughts, questions and comments, you can email us at: greatcompany@jampotproductions.co.uk [greatcompany@jampotproductions.co.uk]  THE CREDITS  Executive Producers: Ewan Newbigging-Lister & Jemima Rathbone Producer: Helen Burke Assistant Producer: Issy Weeks-Hankins Video: Jake Ji & Josh Bennett 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.

GREATEST COMPANY OF 2025

Wow. What a year. 2025 has been an unforgettable year for Great Company. We’ve had so many incredible guests who’ve shared funny, inspiring and truly special conversations on the show.  To celebrate another amazing year, I wanted to look back at some of those moments with you. These are conversations that made me see things differently, learn new things and reminded me how powerful it is to connect with others. In this episode, we look back at six incredible guests:  * Cat Burns on small talk  * Riordan Maynard’s time in US prison * Jessie J opening up about her cancer diagnosis  * Amol Rajan on coping with the loss of his Dad  * Spencer Matthews reflecting on our friendship  * Alain de Botton on how to make friends and build meaningful connections You can listen to their full episodes here:  https://open.spotify.com/show/5Kd2M4haIslbND5DN4E08C [https://open.spotify.com/show/5Kd2M4haIslbND5DN4E08C] - CAT BURNS  https://open.spotify.com/episode/635kWmmWQ0OL0QrtBbIzj1 [https://open.spotify.com/episode/635kWmmWQ0OL0QrtBbIzj1] - RIORDAN  https://open.spotify.com/episode/3CbT2rzMmUQl67iBsIEwRW [https://open.spotify.com/episode/3CbT2rzMmUQl67iBsIEwRW] - JESSIE J  https://open.spotify.com/episode/2MnO1ZfAcdJgDgdsVyu8Kd [https://open.spotify.com/episode/2MnO1ZfAcdJgDgdsVyu8Kd] - AMOL RAJAN  https://open.spotify.com/episode/6raoq8XWiSxRe1vkABkCev [https://open.spotify.com/episode/6raoq8XWiSxRe1vkABkCev] - SPENCER MATTHEWS https://open.spotify.com/episode/3gfbmWug0Od4MiwP5J0Xaq [https://open.spotify.com/episode/3gfbmWug0Od4MiwP5J0Xaq] - ALAIN DE BOTTON And a BIG thanks to you for listening to the show - whether you’ve been here from the beginning or it’s a recent find, I really appreciate every single listen so thank you!  YOU are Great Company.  If you enjoyed the show, you can also follow us:  Instagram- @greatcompanypodcast [https://www.instagram.com/greatcompanypodcast/#] TikTok - @greatcompanypodcast  [https://open.acast.com/networks/611e511b4ec6dc00134bced2/shows/65d737dfdc02e00016c413b2/episodes/www.tiktok.com/@greatcompanypodcast] And if you've got thoughts, questions and comments, you can email us at: greatcompany@jampotproductions.co.uk [greatcompany@jampotproductions.co.uk]  THE CREDITS  Executive Producers: Ewan Newbigging-Lister & Jemima Rathbone Producer: Helen Burke Assistant Producer: Issy Weeks-Hankins Video: Jake Ji & Josh Bennett 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.

JASON DONOVAN on Dr*gs, Partying in the 90s & Why Having His Daughter Changed His Life

Jason Donovan is one of the most interesting people I’ve ever met. I grew up knowing him as the golden boy from Neighbours so, it was surprising to hear how desperate he was to shake off that teenage heart throb image. Fame hit him young and fast, and before he’d had chance to figure out who he was, Jason found himself trapped in a world that expected him to stay the same blue eyed, blonde haired version of himself that everyone had fallen in love with. In the ‘90s, he pushed back hard: three-day bender, a coc*ine overdose at LA’s Viper Room and using dr*gs to escape the squeaky-clean persona that followed him from Neighbours to the West End. He doesn’t regret those years, but says they taught him a hell of a lot about himself. We cover: * His need to shake off the teen heartthrob image and be “cool” * Bingeing on coc*ine at the height of his fame * How becoming a dad changed everything and led him to quit dr*gs * His relationship with Kylie and how it’s followed him throughout his career * What it’s like to age in the public eye This conversation is a reminder that even the brightest stars carry shadows and that facing them can be the most powerful comeback of all. Jason Donovan is Great Company.  This episode contains sensitive topic discussions including substance abuse. If you or someone you know is affected by anything in this episode and need support, please see the suggested helpline and website links below. Coc*ine Anonymous UK 0800 612 0225 [tel:08006120225] helpline@cauk.org.uk [helpline@cauk.org.uk] Frank talktofrank.com [http://talktofrank.com/] If you enjoyed the show, you can also follow us:  Instagram- @greatcompanypodcast [https://www.instagram.com/greatcompanypodcast/#] TikTok - @greatcompanypodcast  [https://open.acast.com/networks/611e511b4ec6dc00134bced2/shows/65d737dfdc02e00016c413b2/episodes/www.tiktok.com/@greatcompanypodcast] And if you've got thoughts, questions and comments, you can email us at: greatcompany@jampotproductions.co.uk [greatcompany@jampotproductions.co.uk]  THE CREDITS  Executive Producers: Ewan Newbigging-Lister & Jemima Rathbone Producer: Helen Burke Assistant Producer: Issy Weeks-Hankins Video: Jake Ji & Josh Bennett 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.

MARY PORTAS: My Mother Died, My Father Disappeared & I Was Left Homeless At 19

Mary Portas is a retail expert who has built her career on instinct, creativity and a drive to do things differently. She redefined Britain’s shopping culture in the 1990s, transforming Harvey Nichols from a tired department store into the ultimate shopping destination and later, became a household name through her hit TV series, Mary, Queen of Shops. I first met Mary a few months ago and she completely blew me away. What I didn’t know then were the circumstances that pushed her into retail in the first place. By 19, Mary had lost both her parents and found herself homeless, suddenly responsible for supporting herself and her younger brother. What began as a search for a ‘proper’ job turned into the beginning of an extraordinary career. We cover: * Losing both her parents by the age of 19 * Becoming homeless and finding her unexpected start in retail * Her game-changing years at Harvey Nichols and the magic behind her iconic shop windows * How her brother, Lawrence, became the biological father of her son * The significant loves of Mary’s life In this conversation, Mary reminded me that identity isn’t inherited, it’s created. And sometimes it’s only after losing everything that you learn how to build a life that feels like home. Mary Portas is Great Company. If you enjoyed the show, you can also follow us:  Instagram- @greatcompanypodcast [https://www.instagram.com/greatcompanypodcast/#] TikTok - @greatcompanypodcast  [https://open.acast.com/networks/611e511b4ec6dc00134bced2/shows/65d737dfdc02e00016c413b2/episodes/www.tiktok.com/@greatcompanypodcast] And if you've got thoughts, questions and comments, you can email us at: greatcompany@jampotproductions.co.uk [greatcompany@jampotproductions.co.uk]  THE CREDITS  Executive Producer: Jemima Rathbone Producer: Helen Burke Assistant Producer: Issy Weeks-Hankins Editor: Dan King Video: Jake Ji & Josh Bennett 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.

KATE GARRAWAY: I'm No Longer Afraid To Seek Joy & Love After Losing My Husband

Kate Garraway is a woman who has lived several lifetimes. There’s the broadcaster we all know: bright, curious, endlessly warm. And then there’s the Kate who has weathered unimaginable change, held a family together through crisis, and somehow emerged with her hope and positivity intact. This episode isn’t a retelling of headlines - it’s the Kate we rarely hear: a woman learning how to breathe again after six years of being on high alert and re-discovering her joy. We cover: * Losing her husband and life after grief * Kate's wild years in her 30s * How she met her late husband Derek * Growing up with low confidence * Starting out in the TV industry * Celebrity Traitors Kate showed me that strength isn’t about being unbroken, it’s about allowing yourself to be broken and choosing to rebuild. Kate Garraway is Great Company. You can find out more about Kate's new project, The Sharing Life, HERE [https://thesharing.life/] If you enjoyed the show, you can also follow us:  Instagram- @greatcompanypodcast [https://www.instagram.com/greatcompanypodcast/#] TikTok - @greatcompanypodcast  [https://open.acast.com/networks/611e511b4ec6dc00134bced2/shows/65d737dfdc02e00016c413b2/episodes/www.tiktok.com/@greatcompanypodcast] And if you've got thoughts, questions and comments, you can email us at: greatcompany@jampotproductions.co.uk [greatcompany@jampotproductions.co.uk]  THE CREDITS  Exec Producer: Jemima Rathbone  Producer: Helen Burke Assistant Producer: Issy Weeks-Hankins Video: Jake Ji & Josh Bennett 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.