We Need To Talk with Paul C. Brunson

From teen pop star to elite swimmer, Cody Simpson opens up about fame, identity and what happens when success comes too early.Known for hits like Pretty Brown Eyes, Paradise and iYiYi, Cody reveals how YouTube covers led to a record deal, worldwide fame and life inside the teenage pop machine. He reflects on being discovered online during the rise of Justin Bieber, moving to Los Angeles at 13 and navigating the pressure of fame before he was old enough to understand the cost. Cody speaks candidly about the years that nearly derailed him, from rebellion, partying and substance abuse to experiencing psychosis and hitting rock bottom. He explains why leaving music and returning to elite swimming ultimately saved his life and how that decision led to representing Australia and winning medals. We also explore the relationships and moments that shaped his journey, from dating Kylie Jenner, Gigi Hadid, Emma McKeon and Miley Cyrus to the brutal discipline required to rebuild his life after fame. Now returning to music with a new record deal and a completely different mindset, Cody shares what he’s learned about fame, identity, discipline and why the most important chapter of his life may still be ahead.Cody Simpson, We Need To Talk This conversation includes discussion of addiction and mental health. We've included support charities below: MIND: https://g2ul0.app.link/gbuRaxjM3Nb Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM): https://g2ul0.app.link/npaQKXUV4Wb (00:00) Intro (01:35) Cody Describes Growing Up on the Gold Coast, Australia (07:36) Cody’s First Experiences with Playing Music and Writing Songs (14:15) How Cody Was Discovered and Signed a Record Deal (22:28) Cody’s Early Experiences of Songwriting in LA (27:04) Paul Surprises Cody With a Photograph (27:32) What Was Life Like Back in Australia Once Cody Found Fame? (29:51) Why Does Cody Think He Was So Popular So Quickly? (31:28) How Scooter Braun Marketed Cody Compared to Justin Bieber (34:59) ‘Tween Mags’ and Cody’s Markers of Success (37:11) Cody Listens Back to a Couple of His Old Songs (42:54) Snapchat Ad (44:03) Shopify Ad (45:11) Cody Breaks Down His Romantic Relationships with Kylie Jenner, Gigi Hadid and Miley Cyrus (55:50) Cody Breaks Down His Relationship with Olympic Swimmer Emma McKeon (58:55) Cody Reflects on the Negative Effects of Fame at an Early Age (01:10:17) Paul Surprises Cody With a Letter From Someone He Loves (01:16:06) Cody’s Transition from Music to Swimming Professionally (01:24:41) Moving Back to Australia and Training for the Paris Olympics (01:31:45) Cody Reveals Plans for His New Music (01:40:31) Paul’s Takeaways Follow me here: https://www.instagram.com/needtotalk  https://www.tiktok.com/@weneedtotalkpod Follow Cody here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/codysimpson TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@codysimpson Sponsored by: Snapchat: Learn more at https://thekeysuk.snapchat.com  Shopify: www.shopify.co.uk/needtotalk  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In honour of International Women's Day, we're joined by Bre Tiesi and Jamelia for an honest conversation about motherhood, survival and the strength it takes to rise above life's toughest challenges. From dealing with miscarriage and postpartum depression to finding the courage to keep moving forward, they share what resilience truly means. This episode is a tribute to unbreakable women and the power of vulnerability. We're Talking Unbreakable Women (00:00) Intro (00:38) Bre Reveals Her Experience of Going Through Miscarriage (02:17) Bre’s Emotional Detachment When Giving Birth to Her Son (04:38) Bre Describes the First Moment With Her Son and the Ensuing Postpartum Depression (09:51) Bre Explains How She Overcame Postpartum Depression (12:49) Jamelia Describes the Emotional Impact of Raising Her Daughters (15:09) Who Was Supporting Jamelia During the Height of Her Breakdown? (19:21) How Jamelia Was Able to Bounce Back From Her Situation Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lucinda speaks out on Love Island All Stars, the Belle and Samie fallout and the one scene that sparked over 11,000 Ofcom bullying complaints. A four-time Love Island star, Lucinda Strafford reveals she was cast just hours before flying to South Africa, walked in as a bombshell and instantly felt like an outsider, even going days without speaking to certain girls. She responds to the most viral moments, from Snog Marry Pie to the To Be Honest game, reacts to “rage baiting” claims and addresses the “baby voice” controversy. She also reflects on the support available behind the scenes from the Love Island production team. We also put your questions to Lucinda: Did some islanders treat All Stars like a career move? Does she secretly love being the centre of the drama? And was she dating someone while on the show? She explains why Sean’s loyalty changed everything, and why this relationship feels nothing like her past Love Island romances. Lucinda Strafford, We Need To Talk (00:00) Intro (01:41) Why Lucinda Returned to Love Island for a Fourth Time (11:32) Lucinda on the Role of the ‘Bombshell’ in the Villa (12:36) Who Caught Lucinda’s Eye First? (14:17) Why Lucinda Chose Ciaran (15:48) Public Perception of Lucinda Coupling With Ciaran (19:52) Lucinda’s First Impressions of Belle (20:50) When Lucinda’s Attention Turned to Sean (23:32) Lucinda Watches Love Island Clips for the First Time Since Leaving (24:13) Lucinda’s Reaction to Sean Breaking Up With Belle (26:51) Lucinda on Belle’s Hypocrisy and the Villa’s Reaction (31:01) Lucinda’s Lowest Point in the Villa (34:18) Lucinda on Whether She Was Bullied in the Villa (44:50) Snapchat Ad (46:02) Lucinda's Relationship With Samie (51:22) Lucinda on Public Perception During and After the Show (52:46) Lucinda’s Reaction to the Pieing Moment With Samie (55:26) Lucinda on Her Personality, the ‘Baby Voice,’ and Rage Baiting (01:03:12) Lucinda on Her Relationship With Millie (01:04:55) Falling in Love With Sean (01:11:50) Getting Her Phone Back and Hearing the Public’s Reaction (01:13:27) WNTT Community Questions for Lucinda (01:18:10) Lucinda’s Most Memorable Conversation (01:21:10) Paul’s Takeaways Follow me here: https://www.instagram.com/needtotalk  https://www.tiktok.com/@weneedtotalkpod Support Lucinda here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lucindastrafford TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/lucinda   Sponsored by: Snapchat: Find out more at thekeysuk.snapchat.com  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Big Zuu & Nadiya Hussain join us to discuss what it means to live as Muslims in the UK today. They share their personal experiences navigating public life, confronting stereotypes, and the power of representation in breaking down barriers. This is an honest and thought-provoking conversation on how media, faith and identity shape perceptions of Islam in modern British society. We're Talking the Power of Representation (00:00) Intro (00:32) Diversity in the TV Industry in Front and Behind the Camera (02:54) Why Big Zuu Started His Own Production Company (05:54) Big Zuu Reflects on the Current Climate for Muslims in the UK (07:48) Big Zuu Explains the Importance of Representation in Media (10:46) Nadiya Describes How She Doesn’t Agree With the Traditional Role for Women in Islam (15:32) Nadiya’s Relationship With Her Faith (18:35) The ‘Suffocating’ Environment for Muslims Living in the UK Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jo Frost, best known for the global hit Supernanny, opens up about what really happened behind the scenes of the show - and why protecting families sometimes meant breaking down in private.  As a global family expert with nearly four decades of experience, she reflects on the pressure of reality TV, refusing to be controlled, and the unseen emotional cost of stepping into homes in crisis. Jo speaks candidly about being labelled “difficult” for standing her ground, the backlash she’s faced for not having children of her own, and why she has never apologised for firm boundaries. She shares what viewers didn’t see when the cameras stopped rolling, the responsibility she carries long after filming ends, and the quiet toll of holding families together under public scrutiny. Jo also confronts modern parenting head-on from screen addiction and rising anxiety to the uncomfortable truth about discipline, smacking and why children often expose fractures adults would rather ignore. Jo explains why leadership at home has never mattered more - and why the hardest conversations are often the most necessary. Grounded, direct and deeply personal, this is Jo like you’ve never seen before. Jo Frost, We Need To Talk (00:00) Intro (01:42) How Did Jo Become Supernanny? (06:13) Jo’s First Experience Filming Supernanny (15:29) The International Success of Supernanny (25:33) The Most Challenging Moment Filming Supernanny (29:16) Where Does Jo Believe Her Love for Children Comes From? (31:20) What Did Jo Learn About Love From Her Parents? (34:07) What Was the Cost of Jo's 'Unapologetic' Approach to the Show? (38:14) Did Jo Feel Pressure to Change the Show Because of Other Reality TV? (40:47) Welfare on Supernanny and Other Reality TV Shows (42:49) How Did Jo Manage Being Labelled as Difficult? (47:05) How Does Jo Handle Complaints From the Public? (52:03) WNTT LA Trailer (53:06) The Mantra Behind the Suggestion Box (55:06) Audience Questions to Jo (01:14:19) More Audience Questions for Jo (01:26:22) Most Memorable Conversation (01:32:03) Paul’s Takeaways Follow me here: https://www.instagram.com/needtotalk  https://www.tiktok.com/@weneedtotalkpod Support Jo here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jofrost TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jofrost Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices