I am so excited to share this episode with the one and only Olivia Cooke, which we recorded live from the London Podcast Festival!  Olivia has shown us so much range on screen from big movie blockbusters like Steven Spielberg's ‘Ready Player One’ to playing THE Allicent Hightower in ‘House of The Dragon.’ But as you will discover in this episode Olivia serves just as much range when chatting off screen. As Olivia takes on the role of Cherry in your new TV obsession ‘The Girlfriend’ on Amazon Prime we chat about her journey from growing up in Oldham to starting work at 18 and all the lessons, challenges, successes and failures she’s encountered along the way.  Prepare to laugh a lot as Olivia as she shares hilarious stories including one involving a merkin and to be uplifted too as Olivia opens up about her mental health journey and the power of friendship. If you enjoy listening to Olivia as much as I did, get in touch as I always love chatting to you and you can find me @joshsmithhosts across socials. Love, Josh x P.S. I’m really excited to be working with Primark - our go to for smart shopping and off the moment trends. Primark are serving us the best new denim collection for autumn with every fit imaginable: wide leg, palazzo, barrel, bootleg, or baggy. Primark’s denim has a look for literally every occasion and for everyone because like Reign, Primark wants to empower you to celebrate you and your style everyday, no matter the occasion. Head to primark.com to browse the collection, and why not try the click and collect service while you’re there babes?! P.P.S If this great chat has left you wanting to improve your communication skills and boost your relationships - and build new ones-  in the process check out my self help book, ‘Great Chat: Talk to Anyone. Build New Connections. Improve Your Relationships’ which is out now in paperback. Whether you are socially anxious, struggling to make connections on dates or want to learn how to have difficult conversations, this is the book for you! You can get your copy here https://geni.us/GreatChat and I really hope you love it.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

JoJo Siwa who has truly done it all since she rose to fame at just 11 years old in the reality TV show, Dance Moms. Since then JoJo has gone on to sell over 90 million hair bows as part of a billion dollar empire, had her own Nickelodeon show, launched a hugely successful YouTube channel, notch up billions of views and music streams and became the youngest person to sell out the O2 arena.  As JoJo prepares to go back on tour in October with new music she joins to have a very honest chat about her identity and her sexuality after she came out in 17 and recently formed a romantic relationship with Chris Hughes on Celebrity Big Brother UK.  This chat is filled with honesty and I hope this shows you that no matter how you identify that no one has the right to your identity and you should live your life for you and on your terms. If you enjoy listening to JoJo’s story, get in touch as I always love chatting to you and you can find me @joshsmithhosts across socials. Love, Josh x TO BE CONFIRMED P.S. I’m really excited to be working with Primark - our go to for smart shopping and off the moment trends. Primark are serving us the best new denim collection for autumn with every fit imaginable: wide leg, palazzo, barrel, bootleg, or baggy. Primark’s denim has a look for literally every occasion and for everyone because like Reign, Primark wants to empower you to celebrate you and your style everyday, no matter the occassion. Head to primark.com to browse the collection, and why not try the click and collect service while you’re there babes?! P.P.S If this great chat has left you wanting to improve your communication skills and boost your relationships - and build new ones-  in the process check out my self help book, ‘Great Chat: Talk to Anyone. Build New Connections. Improve Your Relationships’ which is out now in paperback. Whether you are socially anxious, struggling to make connections on dates or want to learn how to have difficult conversations, this is the book for you! You can get your copy here https://geni.us/GreatChat and I really hope you love it.  Include the p.s from Primark  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We are back with season 12 and in the spirit of fresh starts, get ready for a home makeover because today we are joined by one of THE names in interior design Kelly Hoppen CBE. Since she started her business at just 16 years old Kelly has designed every kind of space imaginable from jets to hotels, become a TV personality on the likes of Dragon’s Den and now has her own collection for M&S. In today’s episode Kelly talks about how losing her father at a young age propelled to start her business, being diagnosed with dyslexia as an adult, the scars that childhood bullying has left and why you should *NEVER* chop a cushion… Along with giving us an interior design crash course Kelly shares so many great pieces of wisdom from her five decades in business so prepare to feel inspired. If you enjoy listening to Kelly, get in touch as I always love chatting to you and you can find me @joshsmithhosts across socials. Love, Josh x P.S. I am thrilled this episode is brought to you in partnership with M&S to celebrate Kelly Hoppen’s incredible M&S design collections and her most recent debut launch into the world of M&S florals. It all began with her gorgeous Calla Lily’s and statement Orchid - that you can order online right now - and her next floral arrangement from the collaboration is coming in September. The Vintage Rose Bouquet features 12 luxurious roses in a soft, powdery pink, paired with rich burgundy leaves and architectural branches, creating a bouquet that’s both classic and contemporary. Head to the M&S website to bring affordable luxury into your home here: marksandspencer.com/l/brands/kelly-hoppen P.P.S If this great chat has left you wanting to improve your communication skills and boost your relationships - and build new ones- in the process check out my self help book, ‘Great Chat: Talk to Anyone. Build New Connections. Improve Your Relationships’ which is out now in paperback. Whether you are socially anxious, struggling to make connections on dates or want to learn how to have difficult conversations, this is the book for you! You can get your copy here https://geni.us/GreatChat and I really hope you love it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Julia Garner has played some of the most iconic roles of recent times, including Ruth in ‘Ozark’ and Anna Delvey in ‘Inventing Anna’ - so I am beyond excited to have Julia on the podcast this week!  The three time Emmy Award and Golden Globe winner joins us as she takes on another iconic as the Silver Surfer in ‘The Fantastic Four’ which she stars in alongside an O.G Reign queen, Vanessa Kirby (check out Vanessa’s episode - it’s a corker!).  Today we have a really great chat about how a loss in confidence led to Julia enrolling in clown school in France - and how it taught her so much about failure -  the power of being open and asking questions and how love at first sight when it comes to friendships is SO real.  Julia sprinkles so much wisdom in this episode but above all, I really love her words on why you should approach every situation like you have no limits and how letting go is an art form in itself. If you enjoy listening to Julia, get in touch as I always love chatting to you and you can find me @joshsmithhosts across socials. Love, Josh x P.S If this great chat has left you wanting to improve your communication skills and boost your relationships - and build new ones-  in the process check out my self help book, ‘Great Chat: Talk to Anyone. Build New Connections. Improve Your Relationships’ which is out now in paperback. Whether you are socially anxious, struggling to make connections on dates or want to learn how to have difficult conversations, this is the book for you! You can get your copy here https://geni.us/GreatChat and I really hope you love it.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From supermodel to ‘Superman’ is there anything this week’s guest Sara Sampaio can’t do?  I am so excited to be joined by Sara as we take our Instagram friendship up a notch! Sara joins me to talk us through her inspiring rise through modelling - from starting out in a hair competition with little self belief to gracing the cover of every major fashion magazine including Vogue and becoming a certified Victoria’s Secret Angel!  But when the pandemic hit and Sara hit a new low, she decided to start again and pursue acting. So if you are thinking of a career change, Sarah’s words today might really help you take that leap of faith.  Now, as she stars as the misjudged influencer Eve Teschmacher in the new ‘Superman’ movie, she opens up about how experiencing panic attacks led her to therapy and how being diagnosed with ADHD made everything click.  Sara shares some amazing words on the transformative power of finding what truly fulfills you in life, and learning the power of no so I hope this episode inspires you to trust your instincts.  If you love this conversation as much as I do, get in touch with me across socials @joshsmithhosts as I always love hearing from you. I’ll see you next week for another episode of ‘Reign’ with the incredible Julia Garner. Love, Josh x P.S. This is an Advertisement for BetterHelp. The power of conversation is so important and asking for help instead of trying to face stuff alone can be SO empowering. Empowerment is what we’re all about on ‘Reign’ so I am so pleased this episode is brought to you in partnership with online therapy platform, BetterHelp. With over 5,000 therapists who have a diverse variety of expertise in mental health in the UK already, BetterHelp can provide you with access to the right mental health professional for you. With BetterHelp you can have online therapy on your schedule, wherever you are and build your support system,  If you need support now you can get 10% off your first month at BetterHelp by visiting betterhelp.com/reign. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we are joined by one of my favourite athletes, a true tennis champ, Danielle Collins. I love Danielle because she is such a fierce competitor and so real and I think you are going to be so inspired by her honesty in this episode.  Fresh from Wimbledon, Danielle takes us back to her improbable journey to the top of tennis  from not even being able to keep score in her first tournament as a kid and playing against 50 year old men as a ten year old to becoming a top ten player in the world, a grand slam runner up at the Australian Open, and going on a career changing  15 match winning streak last year. That streak saw her win a huge tennis title, Miami Open and another Charleston back to back - a feat last achieved by Serena Williams.  But some of Danielle’s greatest challenges have come off the court as she talks about having to deal with sexism, inappaorpate behaviour from men, and playing tennis with endometriosis.  I love Danielle’s words on the life changing power of letting go of trying to be liked, so I hope this episode encourages you to walk into any room with a faith in your voice and confidence in yourself. If you love this chat as much as I do please reach out, as I love to chat. You can find me across socials @joshsmithhosts and if you want more inspiring conversations with incredible sporting stars from Wimbledon Champion Elena Rybakina to Lioness legends Jill Scott and Lucy Bronze check out our podcast back catalogue. Love, Josh x P.S This week’s episode of Reign is brought to you in partnership with my favourite brands, FP Movement - who offer performance ready activewear from the studio to the street. What I love about  FP Movement is that they believe in the power of community, while standing out amongst the crowd, and we are ALWAYS here for any opportunity to express yourself while lifting up others! If listening to Danielle has got you inspired to pick up a tennis racquet, head to FP Movement. Their tennis and racket sport collection is full of performance ready styles which allow for maximum flexibility and power on the court. Check out the collection online at www.freepeople.com/uk/fpmovement/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Strap yourself in for a great chat with Megan Stalter - this is truly one of the funniest episodes of the podcast ever!  You might already know Megan from her TikTok comedy skits which got her big break in the Emmy award winning TV show ‘Hacks’ where she plays the chaotic assistant, Kayla opposite Jean Smart.  Now Megan is taking the lead in Lena Dunham’s new semi-autobigraphical Netflix show, ‘Too Much’ where she plays Jessica, who moves to London after a heartbreak and meets an indie boy in her local boozer played by Will Sharpe (you will remember him from The White Lotus - of course!) It’s a chef’s kiss from me and you will absolutely LOVE this show when it lands on Netflix on 10th July.  Today we giggle through so many relatable topics like confidence, fears of phone calls, being thrown out of a Shakespeare improv group and how much we love gay - because pride is 365 days of the year babes!  I hope this episode shows you that if anyone ever calls you TOO MUCH, they are actually just too small for you! And if you love this conversation too, get in touch with me across socials @joshsmithhosts as I always love hearing from you. I’ll see you next week for another episode of ‘Reign’. Love, Josh x P.P.S. If all this self-love chat has left you wanting to improve your relationships and build new ones check out my self help book, ‘Great Chat: Seven Lessons for Better Conversation, Deeper Connections and Improved Wellbeing’ which is out now! The book gives you so much advice on how to have incredible conversations with everyone, and how you can turn everyday conversations into a self development practice so you can improve your relationships and mental health in the process. You can get your copy here https://geni.us/GreatChat and I really hope you love it! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we are celebrating all things love and we are joined by an artist I, and so many of you love, Joy Crookes. The BRIT Award nominee shot to fame with her top five debut album, Skin which gave us the absolute belters ‘Feet Don’t Fail Me Now’ and ‘When You Were Mine.’ Now as Joy prepares for release album two in September this year - which has already given us ‘I Know You’d Kill’ and ‘Carmen’ - we take a look back at Joy’s journey from growing up in South London doing Irish Dancing for a McDonald’s Happy Meal (that’s our gal!) to picking up an Argos guitar and finding her way to the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury.  As we look back we also talk about how Joy isn’t interested in being an artist who doesn’t use her voice and platform, the politics of shame and the power of strangers.  There is so much to take away from this chat but what I found so refreshing about this episode is how honest Joy is about how finding love made her really reflect on herself and started a mental health crisis. This really spoke to me because it isn’t always a honeymoon period when you are truly seen by someone for the first time but it’s so worth it in the end.   If you loved this conversation with Joy as much as I did, please do get in touch as I love talking to you. You can get me on @joshsmithhosts and come back on Thursday because we will be serving you a bonus episode of the podcast with the audience questions from the show! It’s an absolute hoot so you don’t want to miss it! Love, Josh x P.S. I am so happy that today’s episode is brought to you with the support of Pandora. Reign and Pandora both stand for the power of telling your own story in your way, and that’s where Pandora’s charm bracelets come in. Each charm can tell a different story about who we are - from the memory of an incredible trip that we loved, to the birthstone of someone special in our lives, or a charm to celebrate an achievement, however big or small! Start telling your story with Pandora by heading to pandora.net P.P.S If all this self-love chat has left you wanting to improve your relationships and build new ones, check out my self help book, ‘Great Chat: Talk To Anyone. Make New Connections. Improve Your Relationships’ is out now in paperback and audiobook! Whether you are socially anxious or a confident communicator already, the book gives you so much advice on how to have incredible conversations with everyone in any situation, and how you can turn everyday conversations into a self development practice so you can improve your relationships and mental health in the process. You can get your copy here https://geni.us/GreatChat and I really hope you love it! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why have one episode of the podcast with Jodie Comer in a week when you can have TWO!?!  Jodie is the guest that keeps on giving so I decided to spoil you this week by dropping a bonus episode with the audience questions from ‘Reign’ live on the West End at the Adelphi Theatre. The audience really delivered with the questions, so I wanted to share this part of the show with you. We cover a lot of bases here, from Jodie’s surprising first celebrity crush to her amazing words on building a legacy.  I really hope this brings you as much joy and inspiration as it did me and just remember, in the words of the iconic boy band Blue, “one love is all you need,” babes!  Make sure you listen to the full live recording with Jodie, if you haven’t already and  I really hope we get to do another live event soon, so follow me on @joshsmithhosts to get updates and I’ll see you soon for another episode of Reign. Love Josh x P.S If all this self-love chat has left you wanting to improve your relationships and build new ones, check out my self help book, ‘Great Chat: Talk To Anyone. Make New Connections. Improve Your Relationships’ is out now in paperback and audiobook! Whether you are socially anxious or a confident communicator already, the book gives you so much advice on how to have incredible conversations with everyone in any situation, and how you can turn everyday conversations into a self development practice so you can improve your relationships and mental health in the process. You can get your copy here https://geni.us/GreatChat and I really hope you love it! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I have lost count how many times you have asked me to get Jodie Comer back on the podcast so when we did we had to go big or go home! So this episode was recorded in front of a 1000 plus strong audience at the Adelphi Theatre in London’s West End - it was a dream come true, everyone who came bought the energy and the chat really delivered!  In this episode Jodie reflects back on her career from her very first performance, to her Bafta and Emmy award winning role as Villanelle in ‘Killing Eve’. Just before Jodie embarks on a nationwide tour of her Olivier and Tony Award winning role in the one woman play, ‘Prima Facie’ we talk about the game changing conversations around consent the show has started and of course we cover her latest movie role in the eagerly anticipated sequel, ‘28 Years Later’ which is out in cinemas now!  As the event also celebrated the paperback release of my book, ‘Great Chat: Talk To Anyone. Build New Connections. Improve Your Relationships’ Jodie shares some of the great chats that have shaped her and the power of feeling seen in intimate relationships.  There is so much to take away from this conversation but I really hope Jodie’s words inspire you to get out of your own way and find your worth.  If you loved this conversation with Jodie as much as I did, please do get in touch as I love talking to you. You can get me on @joshsmithhosts and come back on Thursday because we will be serving you a bonus episode of the podcast with the audience questions from the show! It’s an absolute hoot so you don’t want to miss it! Love, Josh x P.S If all this self-love chat has left you wanting to improve your relationships and build new ones, check out my self help book, ‘Great Chat: Talk To Anyone. Make New Connections. Improve Your Relationships’ is out now in paperback and audiobook! Whether you are socially anxious or a confident communicator already, the book gives you so much advice on how to have incredible conversations with everyone in any situation, and how you can turn everyday conversations into a self development practice so you can improve your relationships and mental health in the process. You can get your copy here https://geni.us/GreatChat and I really hope you love it! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I am so excited to share this very special bonus episode of the podcast with you, it’s an extract of my audio book, ‘Great Chat: Talk To Anyone. Make New Connections and Improve Your Relationships’ which is out now finally out in paperback and a new updated audiobook!  Get your copy and listen to the audiobook here: geni.us/GreatChat Listen to the audiobook on Spotify Premium for free here: https://open.spotify.com/show/1HH55EZsUSYtajczP6yjjJ?si=d25fe2b16afd4d4b  If you don’t know what ‘Great Chat’ is about, it's a self help book that will turn you into a more confident communicator. Whether you are socially anxious or a social butterfly there are seven vital lessons to make us all better communicators for ourselves and the people around us - no matter what social situation you find yourself in! So if you are finding it difficult to build meaningful connections on dates, I have got you! If it’s hard to network - I have got you!  At the end of each chapter is a ‘chatterbox’, which is a challenge to practice all the amazing lessons you will learn in the book, so it’s really packed full of practical advice and guidance.  Here’s even more exciting news! The paperback and audiobook have special bonus content that wasn’t in the hardback edition. You will find an extra chapter about some life changing lessons I have learnt from conversations which will inspire you to get out there and get chatting. What you, my ‘Reign’ listeners will LOVE is that I’ve extracted these lessons from my Reign guests including the amazing Kerry Washington, Richard E Grant, Cynthia Erivo, Rebecca Ferguson and Sadiq Khan AND there’s also an additional ‘Chatterbox' in the new edition on how we can all be better allies to the neurodivergent community in coversations which is so vital!  The audio edition was so much fun to create and I went back into the studio a couple of weeks ago to record not only the bonus content that you can all find in the paperback but some bonus BONUS content just for the audiobook, too. For the lucky audiobook listeners, I will share some special bespoke advice from me. I asked you on my Instagram for some questions around chatting and communication, so you’ll have to get the audiobook to see if I answered them! Don’t forget, from the initial publication of ‘Great Chat’, we also have the GREATEST chat with my friend and fantastic presenter Emma Willis, at the end of the audiobook, too. So when I say the audiobook it’s super special, it really is. Now, as we did with the hardback publication, I’m going to treat you to another exclusive extract from the audiobook. In this special episode of ‘Reign’ here’s the very first chatterbox in the book: ‘Check Your Inner Chat.’ Because the first step to becoming a more confident communicator starts with the conversation you have with yourself!  I hope you enjoy it and if you do, it would mean the world to me if you had a listen to the audiobook or buy the book and leave a comment wherever you get it! Hope you love it! Josh x Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I have been a Rita Ora fan since she popped off with ‘Hot Right Now’ back in 2012, so I am so excited to have her on the show today. Since then Rita has amassed over 10 billion global streams, had 13 Top 10 UK singles, four of which have gone number 1 and she hasn’t stopped there, she’s entertained us on the likes of ‘The X-Factor’ and ‘The Masked Singer’ and she’s now tackling the acting world starring alongside Henry Cavill in the upcoming ‘Voltron’ and Disney’s ‘Descendants’. As Rita releases her latest single, ‘Heat’ - which is giving pure summer fun with the girl's energy and we truly love to hear it - Rita joins us for an interview whereby by her own admission she shares more than ever before.  We talk about making mistakes, finding staying power, dealing with misogyny, owning her music and learning to work on her mental health.  One of things I love most in this chat is when Rita chats about looking after her inner child which is a great reminder for us all to practice self love. If you love this conversation too, get in touch with me across socials @joshsmithhosts as I always love hearing from you. I’ll see you next week for another episode of ‘Reign’. Love, Josh x P.S. This is an Advertisement for BetterHelp. The power of conversation is so important and asking for help instead of trying to face stuff alone can be SO empowering. Empowerment is what we’re all about on ‘Reign’ so I am so pleased this episode is brought to you in partnership with online therapy platform, BetterHelp. With over 5,000 therapists who have a diverse variety of expertise in mental health in the UK already, BetterHelp can provide you with access to the best mental health professional for you. With BetterHelp you can have online therapy on your schedule, wherever you are and build your support system,  If you need support now you can get 10% off your first month at BetterHelp by visiting betterhelp.com/reign. P.P.S. If all this self-love chat has left you wanting to improve your relationships and build new ones check out my self help book, ‘Great Chat: Seven Lessons for Better Conversation, Deeper Connections and Improved Wellbeing’ which is out now! The book gives you so much advice on how to have incredible conversations with everyone, and how you can turn everyday conversations into a self development practice so you can improve your relationships and mental health in the process. You can get your copy here https://geni.us/GreatChat and I really hope you love it! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We say the word iconic a lot, but it really does apply to this week’s guest Cynthia Nixon!  After starting her career as a child actor, in her early 30s Cynthia took the role of Miranda Hobbs in ‘Sex and The City’ and not only did her life change, but the show’s conversations around dating and sexuality changed the lives of women across the world. Off screen Cynthia also changed the game when she came out in the early 00s.  As she reprises the role of Miranda in the third season of ‘And Just Like That’ - which you can watch exclusively in the UK on SKY and NOW - Cynthia joins me in Paris for a great chat that looks back on her career and her incredible advocacy for the LGBTQIA+ community.  We talk about how Cynthia almost lost the role of Miranda, getting with nuns (hey Rosie O'Donnell!), how you can come of age at any time, and the unforgettable chat on the set of ‘Sex and The City’ that changed her life.  It’s crazy to think when Cynthia came out the only out queer women were her and Ellen, and whilst this episode shows how far we have come with LGBTQIA+ visibility I hope - especially given the world we are living in right now - is shows much further we need to go and how so many of our long fought for rights need protecting this pride month and beyond.  If you love this episode as much as I do, get in touch with me across socials @joshsmithhosts as I always love hearing from you. I’ll see you next week for another episode of ‘Reign’. Love, Josh x P.S. If this chat has left you wanting to improve your relationships and build new ones check out my self help book, ‘Great Chat: Seven Lessons for Better Conversation, Deeper Connections and Improved Wellbeing’ which is out now! The book gives you so much advice on how to have incredible conversations with everyone, and how you can turn everyday conversations into a self development practice so you can improve your relationships and mental health in the process. You can get your copy here https://geni.us/GreatChat and I really hope you love it! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we are joined by an up and coming talent you are going to become obsessed with, Ellis Howard.  Ellis has been treading the theatre boards for a while including in the Olivier nominated, ‘To Kill A Mockingbird’ and pulling together an incredible screenwriting career but now he’s about to become a role model to many, starring in the exceptional BBC drama, ‘What It Feels Like For A Girl’. Based on the powerful memoir by previous Reign guest, Paris Lees (head back to episode 18) the show follows Ellis’s character Bryon in the year 2000 trying to break out of their small town and start their queer journey, which eventually leads to Byron transitioning.  Today we talk about how Ellis landed a role that really changed his life in so many ways and how he went from “running away from himself at 100 miles per hour,” growing up queer in a working class background to embracing his identity fully.  When I say I loved talking to Ellis, I mean it with my whole gay heart because sometimes there is nothing more comforting than sitting across from a fellow queer and having a chat that really speaks to you.  So I hope wherever you are, however you identify, something in this great chat resonates with you. And if you love this chat please get in touch with me across socials @joshsmithhosts as I always love hearing from you. I’ll see you next week for another episode of ‘Reign’. Love, Josh x P.S. If all this self-love chat has left you wanting to improve your relationships and build new ones check out my self help book, ‘Great Chat: Seven Lessons for Better Conversation, Deeper Connections and Improved Wellbeing’ which is out now! The book gives you so much advice on how to have incredible conversations with everyone, and how you can turn everyday conversations into a self development practice so you can improve your relationships and mental health in the process. You can get your copy here https://geni.us/GreatChat and I really hope you love it! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mia Theapleton makes her podcast debut on ‘Reign’ and I am so excited for you to get to know this incredibly talented and super fun actor!  You might already know Mia from her incredible performance opposite her mother, Kate Winslet  in Channel 4 drama, ‘I Am Ruth’ where she played Freya, a teenager who’s mental health spirals because of social media. Or you may have seen her in Apple TV’s answer to ‘Bridgerton’, ‘The Buccaneers’ which returns for season two very soon.  Now Mia is taking the big screen by storm in Wes Anderson’s latest movie, ‘The Phoenician Scheme’ where she stars as a young nun, Liesel who goes on the most bizarre adventure with her billionaire father, Zsa-zsa Korda played by Benicio del Toro. Throw in a basketball playing Tom Hanks, Scarlett Johansson and a who’s who of acting and you are in for a real trip, trust me!  We cover everything in this episode from auditioning for the role of a lifetime with a dirty napkin on the top of her head, to her fear of crumpets, Mia’s journey with self confidence and dealing with dyslexia growing up - a conversation I think many will love.  As you know each episode ends with an incredible rule to live by and I think Mia’s might be my favourite one to date, so get ready and if you love listening to this conversation as much as I do, get in touch with me across socials @joshsmithhosts as I always love hearing from you. I’ll see you next week for another episode of ‘Reign’. Love, Josh x P.S. If this chat has left you wanting to improve your relationships and build new ones check out my self help book, ‘Great Chat: Seven Lessons for Better Conversation, Deeper Connections and Improved Wellbeing’ which is out now! The book gives you so much advice on how to have incredible conversations with everyone, and how you can turn everyday conversations into a self development practice so you can improve your relationships and mental health in the process. You can get your copy here https://geni.us/GreatChat and I really hope you love it! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I am so excited that today we are joined by a true trailblazer, Rose Ayling-Ellis who I have wanted to have on the podcast for ages and trust me this conversation was worth the wait!  Rose has achieved so many firsts: she is the first deaf person to win ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ which even won her a BAFTA, the first deaf person to host live sports coverage on British TV as a presenter for the 2024 Paralympics, and the first deaf actor to be nominated for an Olivier Award for her performance in ‘As You Like It’.  And now after acting for 13 years she has landed her first lead role in ITV’s gripping new TV drama, ‘Code of Silence’ which follows her character Alison who is plucked from working in the police station canteen and recrutied to lip read for the police on a dangerous case. Plot spoiler: it’s INCREDIBLE!  In this episode we talk about the hurdles and prejudice Rose has had to overcome to pursue the career she’s dreamed of, the lessons she’s learned from resilience and the pressure that comes from being a trailblazer.  We also chat about the mental health problems in the deaf community which we all need to pay more attention to and how we can all make space for oneanother to become a truly inclusive society.  If you love this conversation as much as I do, get in touch with me across socials @joshsmithhosts as I always love hearing from you. I’ll see you next week for another episode of ‘Reign’. Love, Josh x P.S The power of conversation is so important and asking for help instead of trying to face stuff alone can be SO empowering. Empowerment is what we’re all about on ‘Reign’ so I am so pleased this episode is brought to you in partnership with online therapy platform, BetterHelp. With over 5,000 therapists who have a diverse variety of expertise in mental health in the UK already, BetterHelp can provide you with access to the best mental health professional for you. With BetterHelp you can have online therapy on your schedule, wherever you are and build your support system,  If you need support now you can get 10% off your first month at BetterHelp by visiting betterhelp.com/reign. P.P.S. If all this self-love chat has left you wanting to improve your relationships and build new ones check out my self help book, ‘Great Chat: Seven Lessons for Better Conversation, Deeper Connections and Improved Wellbeing’ which is out now! The book gives you so much advice on how to have incredible conversations with everyone, and how you can turn everyday conversations into a self development practice so you can improve your relationships and mental health in the process. You can get your copy here https://geni.us/GreatChat and I really hope you love it!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You will have seen Faye Marsay in so many incredible movies and TV shows, including my favourite movie Pride, playing Maisie William’s arch nemesis, The Waif in Game of Thrones and Ten Pound Poms but it’s her latest TV show that has got millions of people talking.  In case you have missed it, Faye plays DS Misha Frank in Netflix’s limited series, Adolescence which follows a family and society turned upside down after 13-year Jamie is arrested for murdering a female schoolmate.  In this episode Faye drops some many insightful and interesting stories about filming the show and the overdue conversations the show is starting about incel culture, misogyny and how social media is raising our children. Faye also opens up about her own horrific experiences with social media whilst she starred in Game of Thrones and one of the moments on a set that shows we need more vocal male allies for women.  Faye also talks about dealing with clssisim as a northern working class actor, exploring her sexuality and just how meaningful it was to play one of the first openly queer characters in the 50 year long history of the Star Wars franchise, in the Disney+ show, Andor which is back for season two on 23rd April.  We really pack a lot into this episode and if you love this conversation as much as I do get in touch with me across socials @joshsmithhosts as I always love hearing from you. I’ll see you next week for another episode of Reign. Love, Josh x P.S I am so happy that today’s episode is brought to you with the support of Pandora. Both Pandora and Reign are all about celebrating love in all its forms - be that romantic love, love for our friends and family or the practice of self love. This episode, like every episode of Reign, hopes to give you a loving dose of positivity, and to serve as a reminder that love - whether we give it, receive it or feel it has the power to uplift and heal. That’s why we’re empowering you to BE LOVE through these conversations - get out there and feel love, embody love and pass it on because you never know how much it could change your life or someone else’s. Head to pandora.net to discover the latest jewellery collections and more. P.P.S. If all this self-love chat has left you wanting to improve your relationships and build new ones check out my self help book, ‘Great Chat: Seven Lessons for Better Conversation, Deeper Connections and Improved Wellbeing’ which is out now! The book gives you so much advice on how to have incredible conversations with everyone, and how you can turn everyday conversations into a self development practice so you can improve your relationships and mental health in the process. You can get your copy here https://geni.us/GreatChat and I really hope you love it!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cowboys and cowgirls hold onto your hats because I am joined by the biggest female artist in country music right now, Lainey Wilson.  In this episode Lainey reflects on her journey to the top of country music from growing up in a small town in Louisiana where she was a Hannah Montana impersonator (we do our own mini rendition of See You Again - you are welcome!), to moving to Nashville at 19 years old and living in a trailer for three years whilst trying to make it.  Now Lainey is a Grammy Award Winner and has six county number ones and you are going to learn so much about the power of self belief in this episode!  Lainey joined me ahead of headlining the Country To Country Festival at the 02 Arena and she also opens up about dealing with body shaming online, overcoming misogyny in the male dominated world of country music, and how experiences in her family taught her to look after her mental health. If that wasn’t enough to fill you (cowboy) boots with, Lainey also shares some life advice she got from THE Dolly Parton and walks me through the ultimate night out OUT itinerary in Nashville. Pack your bags, we are going and if you love listening to Lainey as much as I did please get in touch with me across socials @joshsmithhosts as I always love hearing from you. I’ll see you next week for another episode of Reign. Love, Josh x P.S I am so happy that today’s episode is brought to you with the support of Pandora. Both Pandora and Reign are all about celebrating love in all its forms - be that romantic love, love for our friends and family or the practice of self love. This episode, like every episode of Reign, hopes to give you a loving dose of positivity, and to serve as a reminder that love - whether we give it, receive it or feel it has the power to uplift and heal. That’s why we’re empowering you to BE LOVE through these conversations - get out there and feel love, embody love and pass it on because you never know how much it could change your life or someone else’s. Head to pandora.net to discover the latest jewellery collections and more. P.P.S. If all this self-love chat has left you wanting to improve your relationships and build new ones check out my self help book, ‘Great Chat: Seven Lessons for Better Conversation, Deeper Connections and Improved Wellbeing’ which is out now! The book gives you so much advice on how to have incredible conversations with everyone, and how you can turn everyday conversations into a self development practice so you can improve your relationships and mental health in the process. You can get your copy here https://geni.us/GreatChat and I really hope you love it!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As this series of the podcast is all about celebrating love in all forms, and especially the relationship we have with ourselves, I am so excited to welcome Hayley Atwell to ‘Reign’ because she shared an incredible piece of advice with me earlier in my career which completely changed my relationship with myself and my confidence. So, get ready for more nuggets of wisdom!  As well as being very wise, Hayley knows a thing or two about starring in a blockbuster movie. Hayley has played Agent Carter in six Marvel films including Captain America and two TV series spin-offs - most notably the namesake series, Agent Carter - and most recently you will have seen her dangling from a train, or driving a Fiat 500 at breakneck speed in Rome alongside Tom Cruise in the Mission Impossible franchise.  As Hayley returns to her first love of theatre, in the Jamie Llyod’s West End production of ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ opposite Tom Hiddleston, she joins us to talk about how the play raises some serious questions about cancel culture and our society’s gender double standards.  Hayley also talks about learning to walk into rooms as your autentic self, how she wishes she was more compassionate to her younger self and about the lack of male allies for women in Hollywood and beyond. There are a lot of Heartstopper fans who listen to this podcast so we of course chat about her incredible cameo in the Netflix show as Nick’s (played by Kit Connor - if you missed his episode of the pod, scroll back and listen after this episode) aunt - which makes me cry every time - and she shares the best piece of advice for learning to manage social anxiety that she learnt from THE Tom Cruise.  This episode is packed full of advice and if you love listening to Hayley as much as I did please get in touch with me across socials @joshsmithhosts as I always love hearing from you. I’ll see you next week for another episode of Reign. Love, Josh x P.S I am so happy that today’s episode is brought to you with the support of Pandora. Both Pandora and Reign are all about celebrating love in all its forms - be that romantic love, love for our friends and family or the practice of self love. This episode, like every episode of Reign, hopes to give you a loving dose of positivity, and to serve as a reminder that love - whether we give it, receive it or feel it has the power to uplift and heal. That’s why we’re empowering you to BE LOVE through these conversations - get out there and feel love, embody love and pass it on because you never know how much it could change your life or someone else’s. Head to pandora.net to discover the latest jewellery collections and more. P.P.S. If all this self-love chat has left you wanting to improve your relationships and build new ones check out my self help book, ‘Great Chat: Seven Lessons for Better Conversation, Deeper Connections and Improved Wellbeing’ which is out now! The book gives you so much advice on how to have incredible conversations with everyone, and how you can turn everyday conversations into a self development practice so you can improve your relationships and mental health in the process. You can get your copy here https://geni.us/GreatChat and I really hope you love it! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Grab your passport, bikini (and your SPF of course) because we are off to The White Lotus with the show’s star, Michelle Monaghan!  I, like so many of you, have been obsessed with The White Lotus since season one and season three is not holding back on the drama is it?!? I am OBSESSED with the dysfunctional dynamic between Michelle’s character Jaclyn and her two childhood friends Laurie (Carrie Coon) and Kate (Leslie Bibb). That is the girls trip I want to be on, even if it’s just for a front row seat for the drama.  As the series continues Michelle joins us to talk about the juggle that comes from trying to be everything to everyone all at once - especially as a mother - the power of sisterhood, how female competition has changed in the entertainment industry and how good things come from a no! If you are struggling to build boundaries or want to reframe your relationship with rejection, that is a piece of advice you need to hear.  Michelle also reflects on her 25 year long career that's seen her star in Mission Impossible, True Detective and Family Plan and reveals a producer once told her she would never work again after she simply said no to doing some publicity she didn’t feel comfortable doing. It’s a story which reminds us all that using your voice and facing your fears always pays off and always improves your relationship with yourself, too!  If you love listening to Michelle as much as I did, please get in touch with me across socials @joshsmithhosts as I always love hearing from you and I’ll see you next week for another episode of Reign. Love, Josh x P.S I am so happy that today’s episode is brought to you with the support of Pandora. Both Pandora and Reign are all about celebrating love in all its forms - be that romantic love, love for our friends and family or the practice of self love. This episode, like every episode of Reign, hopes to give you a loving dose of positivity, and to serve as a reminder that love - whether we give it, receive it or feel it has the power to uplift and heal. That’s why we’re empowering you to BE LOVE through these conversations - get out there and feel love, embody love and pass it on because you never know how much it could change your life or someone else’s. Head to pandora.net to discover the latest jewellery collections and more. P.P.S. If all this self-love chat has left you wanting to improve your relationships and build new ones check out my self help book, ‘Great Chat: Seven Lessons for Better Conversation, Deeper Connections and Improved Wellbeing’ which is out now! The book gives you so much advice on how to have incredible conversations with everyone, and how you can turn everyday conversations into a self development practice so you can improve your relationships and mental health in the process. You can get your copy here https://geni.us/GreatChat and I really hope you love it!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices