Begin Again with Davina McCall

What if understanding the universe could change the way you live?

In this episode of Begin Again, Professor Brian Cox joins Davina for a conversation about existence, consciousness, mortality and the extraordinary improbability of being alive at all.

Brian explains why the atoms that make us have travelled across billions of years of cosmic history, why the universe gave rise to conscious life, and how understanding our place within it can completely transform the way we see ourselves. Together, they explore what happens when we die, whether science leaves room for spirituality, why curiosity matters more than certainty, and why accepting that life is temporary can make it infinitely more precious.

But this conversation is about much more than science.

Brian reflects on the book that changed his life, the teachers who shaped his thinking, his unexpected journey from rock musician to world-renowned physicist, and why saying "I don't know" may be one of the most important things we can learn. Davina and Brian also discuss grief, fear, hope, the search for meaning, and why seeing the bigger picture of the universe can make us feel more connected to one another, not less.

This is a conversation about awe, curiosity, purpose and the remarkable privilege of being alive.

If you've ever looked up at the night sky and wondered why we're here, questioned what gives life meaning, or wanted to see the world with fresh eyes, this episode is for you.

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(00:00) Intro

(01:25) Introduction to Brian and his new show Emergence

(11:04) The Book That Changed Brian's Life

(16:14) Monzo Ad

(17:44) Spiritual beliefs & The Universe

(21:10) How The Universe was Formed

(23:13) The recent discovery of where Gold comes from

(25:34) How Carl Sagan's TV show 'Cosmos' inspired young Brian

(32:07) Getting into music and playing in Dare

(38:58) Monzo Ad

(39:58) The importance of hard work and luck in forging your path (

41:49) What happens when we die?

(47:31) The importance of space travel and scientific research

(59:24) The Hadron Collider

(01:04:10) Why Brian Became A Teacher

(01:07:53) Quantum Mechanics and Quantum Computers

(01:13:08) How Astronomy can give people a better perspective on life (01:16:44) A letter from a student

(01:23:12) A letter from Dare bandmate Darren Wharton

(01:27:51) What Brian wants for the Future

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She was given just 18 months to live. They got 12 more years together.

In this episode of Begin Again, motivational speaker and bestselling author Pete Cohen joins Davina to share the extraordinary love story that changed his life forever.

Pete opens up about meeting his wife Hannah by chance, falling in love as she was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumour, and why leaving was never an option. Together, they faced impossible decisions, raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for life-saving treatment, and defied every expectation to build another twelve years together.

But this conversation is about much more.

Pete reflects on the regrets that still stay with him, why he wishes he'd been more present with Hannah, and how grief transformed the way he thinks about love, fear and what really matters. He shares how watching Hannah embrace life in the face of death changed him forever, and why her legacy continues to shape the way he lives today.

Davina and Pete also explore the fear of losing the people we love, what it means to truly show up for someone in their darkest moments, and how grief can become a reminder to live more intentionally rather than something we simply survive.

This is a conversation about love, loss, resilience and the extraordinary impact one person can have on your life, even after they're gone.

If you've ever loved someone deeply, lost someone you couldn't imagine living without, or wondered how to carry on after heartbreak, this episode is for you.

🌟 Like, comment and subscribe for more honest conversations about grief, love, resilience, purpose and beginning again. Tap the bell so you never miss a new episode.

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✨ Watch Pete's award-winning documentary, Team Hannah, and learn more about Hannah's extraordinary story: https://www.teamhannah.com/

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(00:00) INTRO (01:14) Pete Cohen and Team Hannah (01:53) Growing Up With Learning Difficulties (03:12) Struggling at School (04:17) Becoming a Fitness Coach (05:12) How Pete’s Parents Shaped Him (07:32) How Pete Met Hannah (09:45) Hannah’s Brain Tumour Diagnosis (12:31) Chronic Fatigue and Finding a Mentor (14:32) Raising Money for Cancer Treatment (16:14) Falling in Love Through Cancer (17:05) Experimental Cancer Treatment in America (19:48) Ancient & Brave Ad (20:50) Do Health Ad (22:00) Why Pete Filmed Hannah’s Journey (24:14) Grief and Celebrating Through Suffering (27:16) Pete’s Biggest Regret (31:33) Hannah’s Love of Quilting (36:50) Ten Years Cancer-Free (37:47) A Gift From Hannah (39:32) The Team Hannah Documentary (43:23) Davina’s Mission for Begin Again (44:07) Pete’s Next Chapter (47:44) Advice for Grief and Caring for Someone

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In this uplifting episode of Begin Again Moments, Melanie C shares the love story she never expected to find.

After ending a long-term relationship, the Spice Girl turned solo artist found herself navigating dating apps for the very first time. She opens up about meeting her partner, Chris, the calm and safety he brought into her life, and how finding love in her 50s has transformed the way she lives. From being a self-confessed workaholic to discovering joy beyond her career, Melanie reflects on why she's happier, more confident and more creative than ever before.

She also shares why it's never too late to start something new, embracing new challenges, finding love later in life, and redefining what happiness looks like.

To hear the full conversation, watch the complete episode on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts.

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The people who benefit most from your lack of boundaries are often the ones who react worst when you finally set them, boundary expert Nedra Glover Tawwab explains why.

In this episode of Begin Again, licensed therapist, relationship expert and bestselling author Nedra Glover Tawwab joins Davina to explore how to create healthy connections without losing yourself. Together, they unpack what a boundary actually is, why different relationships require different boundaries, and how speaking up for your needs can transform the way you love, work and live.

Nedra explains why setting a boundary can feel so frightening, particularly when you fear rejection, conflict or abandonment. She shares how to respond when someone becomes angry, withdraws or gives you the silent treatment—and why another person’s reaction does not necessarily mean your boundary was wrong.

Davina and Nedra also explore codependency, hyper-independence and healthy dependency. They discuss why constantly rescuing, fixing or supporting other people can leave you exhausted and invisible, and how fear of losing a relationship can lead you to give up too much of yourself to keep it.

Nedra opens up about growing up around addiction, being exposed to adult problems from a young age, and learning to listen before she was able to speak freely for herself. She reflects on how those experiences shaped her understanding of people and led her towards a career helping others build healthier relationships.

They also discuss parenting, consent, vulnerability and the patterns we carry from childhood into adulthood. Nedra explains why your children are not younger versions of you, why healing cannot happen entirely in isolation, and how relationships give us the opportunity to practise everything we have learned about ourselves.

At its heart, this is a conversation about loving people without abandoning yourself. Nedra reminds us that we are not permanently trapped by our childhood, attachment style or past relationships. Change may feel uncomfortable, but as long as we are alive, we have the ability to show up differently.

Nedra Glover Tawwab reminds us that boundaries are not about pushing people away. They are how we protect our energy, communicate our needs and create relationships in which both people have space to exist.

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(00:00) Intro

(01:02) Meet Nedra Glover Tawwab

(01:24) What Is a Boundary?

(03:36) How to Set Boundaries With Your Children

(08:13) How Growing Up Around Addiction Shaped Nedra

(11:11) Becoming the “Therapist” as a Child

(13:37) The Client Who Changed Nedra’s Career

(16:08) When People React Badly to Your Boundaries

(17:59) How to Respond to the Silent Treatment

(21:42) Why Other People’s Reactions Aren’t Always About You

(25:18) How to Set Boundaries Around Sex

(27:02) Do Health Ad

(28:13) saily Ad

(29:07) How to Open Up and Be Vulnerable

(32:50) Loving Someone Who Struggles to Let You In

(34:01) Codependency, Hyper-Independence and Healthy Dependency

(39:32) How to Build a Healthy Relationship After Unhealthy Love

(42:32) What Your Breakup Can Teach You About Yourself

(45:18) How to Stop Passing Your Triggers to Your Children

(49:31) Why Asking for Help Feels So Hard

(51:42) How Small Acts of Kindness Can Change a Life

(54:33) How to Reconnect With Your Inner Child

(58:34) What’s Next for Nedra

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In this heartfelt episode of Begin Again Moments, we bring together two moving conversations about the powerful relationship between mothers and daughters, and how the way we are raised can shape the parents we become.

Sophie Ellis-Bextor reflects on her close relationship with her mother, Janet Ellis, and the influence her childhood has had on the way she raises her own children. From growing up with a famous working mother to having a strong, grounded family around her, Sophie shares the lessons she has carried into motherhood and the importance of creating a safe place her children will always want to return to.

Katie Piper then receives an emotional letter from her mother, Diane, reflecting on Katie's extraordinary journey through trauma and recovery, and the strength, resilience and compassion she now passes on to her own daughters. Katie shares how becoming a mother has allowed her to carry forward the greatest gifts her own mother gave her, while using the wisdom of everything she has lived through to shape the parent she wants to be.

Together, these moments explore the invisible threads that pass from one generation to the next, the lessons we inherit, the love we carry forward, and the profound journey of daughters becoming mothers.

To hear the full conversations, watch the complete episodes on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts.
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