Great Company with Jamie Laing

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 fameHow becoming a dad changed everything and led him to quit dr*gsHis relationship with Kylie and how it’s followed him throughout his careerWhat it’s like to age in the public eyeThis 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 UK0800 612 [email protected] you enjoyed the show, you can also follow us: Instagram- @greatcompanypodcastTikTok - @greatcompanypodcast And if you've got thoughts, questions and comments, you can email us at: [email protected] THE CREDITS Executive Producers: Ewan Newbigging-Lister & Jemima RathboneProducer: Helen BurkeAssistant Producer: Issy Weeks-HankinsVideo: Jake Ji & Josh BennettSocial Media: Laura Coughlan Great Company is an original podcast from JamPot Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 19Becoming homeless and finding her unexpected start in retailHer game-changing years at Harvey Nichols and the magic behind her iconic shop windowsHow her brother, Lawrence, became the biological father of her sonThe significant loves of Mary’s lifeIn 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- @greatcompanypodcastTikTok - @greatcompanypodcast And if you've got thoughts, questions and comments, you can email us at: [email protected] THE CREDITS Executive Producer: Jemima RathboneProducer: Helen BurkeAssistant Producer: Issy Weeks-HankinsEditor: Dan KingVideo: Jake Ji & Josh BennettSocial Media: Laura Coughlan Great Company is an original podcast from JamPot Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 griefKate's wild years in her 30sHow she met her late husband DerekGrowing up with low confidenceStarting out in the TV industryCelebrity TraitorsKate 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, HEREIf you enjoyed the show, you can also follow us: Instagram- @greatcompanypodcastTikTok - @greatcompanypodcast And if you've got thoughts, questions and comments, you can email us at: [email protected] THE CREDITS Exec Producer: Jemima Rathbone Producer: Helen BurkeAssistant Producer: Issy Weeks-HankinsVideo: Jake Ji & Josh BennettSocial Media: Laura Coughlan Great Company is an original podcast from JamPot Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joanne McNally is a hilarious woman. Her comedy has resonated with people all over the world, with her tours selling out wherever she goes, making history as the first Irish female comic to headline Dublin’s 3Arena. And with her podcast, ‘My Therapist Ghosted Me’, Joanne has become one of the most compelling, unfiltered voices in comedy right now.What I love about Joanne is that she didn’t follow the “perfect plan”. She built her comedy career in her thirties after realising she wasn’t living the life she actually wanted. Feeling unfulfilled and eager to tap into her creative side, she took the most vulnerable parts of her past - being adopted and recovering from an eating disorder - and turned them into comedy that’s honest, fearless and completely her.And that’s why people can’t get enough of her. She’s witty, she’s brutally truthful and genuinely hilarious.We cover:What is was like being adopted in Ireland in the 1980sHow Joanne used humour to get through tough timesHer journey recovering from an eating disorderHer career shift from publicist to an international comedianSearching for love on dating appsWhy her therapist actually ghosted herMy conversation with Joanne reminded me the story we’re born into isn’t the one we’re meant to stay in and that embracing your true voice can change everything.Joanne McNally is Great Company.You can listen to the Jo Brand episode HEREIf you enjoyed the show, you can also follow us: Instagram- @greatcompanypodcastTikTok - @greatcompanypodcast And if you've got thoughts, questions and comments, you can email us at: [email protected] THE CREDITS Exec Producer: Jemima Rathbone Producer: Helen BurkeAssistant Producer: Issy Weeks-HankinsVideo: Jake Ji & Riley KirbySocial Media: Laura Coughlan Great Company is an original podcast from JamPot Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Few presenters feel as instantly familiar as Alex Jones. For over 15 years, she has been the heart of The One Show and her warmth, wit and natural connection with people shines through. In real life, she’s an even brighter star, lighting up every room she enters.What stands out about Alex is her disarming honesty. Despite decades in the spotlight, she speaks so openly about self-doubt and what it truly takes to stay grounded in an industry that’s always moving.In our conversation, she shares some of the parts of her life rarely seen on camera. From growing up in West Wales with a ‘small town big dreams’ mentality to building a long-lasting career and supporting her husband through his mental health struggles.We cover:The importance of making mistakes to succeedSitting her university finals on the set of a reality TV showHow she broke into the TV industryHow Alex’s view on mental health changed after supporting her husband through his mental health battlesHer thoughts on Jermaine Jenas getting axed from The One ShowAlex reminded me that success isn’t just about talent it’s about consistency, empathy and courage.Alex Jones is Great Company.You can listen to the Rylan episode of the show HEREIf you enjoyed the show, you can also follow us: Instagram- @greatcompanypodcastTikTok - @greatcompanypodcast And if you've got thoughts, questions and comments, you can email us at: [email protected] THE CREDITS Exec Producer: Jemima Rathbone Producer: Helen BurkeVideo: Jake Ji & Josh BennettAudio: Rafi Amsili Social Media: Laura Coughlan Great Company is an original podcast from JamPot Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.