Reign with Josh Smith

Dune fans the time has come, Dune: Part Two is FINALLY coming to cinemas and today we are joined by the M-O-T-H-E-R of Dune in so many ways; the incredible Rebecca Ferguson.   After starting out in Swedish soap operas, Rebecca landed her first English-speaking role in the BBC drama, The White Queen and she didn’t look back. She quickly joined Tom Cruise - who she credits with changing her life in this episode - in the Mission Impossible franchise, starring in three of it’s movies, and has also starred in The Greatest Showman, Apple TV’s Silo, The Girl on The Train and now two Dune movies.  If you missed the first Dune movie, Rebecca plays Lady Jessica, the mother of Timothée Chalamet’s character Paul, who is destined to become the universe’s greatest leader. However, he has the power to see the future, and only he can see how dangerous he will be in this fantasy world. In Dune: Part One, things were dramatic for Lady Jessica to say the least after her husband was murdered, she lost her power and was exiled. Dune: Part Two is no different; she's pregnant with a baby she can talk to in the womb (yes, really), becomes THE all-powerful reverend mother, and that is just a taster of what to come. If you are confused so far, all you need to know is that as sequels go, this is one of the all time greats!  Today Rebecca and I have a DMC about everything Dune where she reveals she initially played hard to get, telling the franchise’s director, Denis Villeneuve (who she calls Denny) she wasn’t interested in the role (!!!) and she talks about the valuable lessons she learnt from working with Timothée. Rebecca also tells ms about the time she stood up for herself in the face of an absolutely horrid co-star in another movie, which is a firm reminder to us all to always use our voice, even when we are scared to.  I absolutely LOVED talking to Rebecca and I think you will leave this episode just as obsessed with her as I am. It’s rare to meet someone this authentic and comfortable in their own skin, especially in this industry. If you do love this episode please get in touch with me via social media @joshsmithhosts! And speaking of epic people, if you missed it, check out last week’s episode with Jodie Foster and Kali Reis. Love Josh x  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we are joined by two incredible women, Jodie Foster and Kali Reis, and I am not sure I will ever recover!  Like me you may already be obsessed with them after watching the TV show, True Detective: Night Country, which is available to watch now on Sky Atlantic, streaming service NOW and available to download and own on digital platforms. on Sky Atlantic and NOW TV in the UK. It is edge of your seat amazing! If you have already watched the whole series PLEASE DM me so we can debrief immediately.  If, however, you have missed the action so far True Detective: Night Country is a murder thriller set in the high arctic of Alaska and follows two detectives, Danvers and Navarro who are on the case when scientists from a research facility go missing. The disappearance opens up a can of worms as it turns out the research facility is linked to a mine that is poisoning an indigenous community, and it’s also linked to a cold case of a woman from the community who was brutally murdered. The twists and the turns are incredible and you won’t see the ending coming!  On today’s episode we have a proper debrief about the show and we also reflect on the pair’s game changing careers. We all know two time Oscar winner Jodie from the likes of Silence of The Lambs, Taxi Driver and Panic Room to name just a few (!!!) and Kali, before she recently started acting (this is only her THIRD acting role) achieved six world boxing titles, and you know how much we love a female athlete on this podcast (if this is your first time here, check out our two women in sports series!).  We also talk about one of the show’s most important themes: violence against women, and why as a society we need to talk about it more.We chat about the power of feeling seen, and why comparing yourself to your younger self isn’t healthy.  What I love about this episode is we are joined by two women who are, in their words, finally fully in their power after finding freedom in their life. That is something Reign is all about, so I hope you love this episode and if you do, please get in touch with me via social media @joshsmithhosts! And speaking of epic shows, if you missed it, check out last week’s episode with One Day star, Ambika Mod! See you next week, love Josh x Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Anyone else so emotionally invested in Netflix’s One Day to the point it’s all you can think about? Just me? Didn’t think so! Well, prepare yourself as today we are joined by the show’s star, Ambika Mod.  In case you have missed the show of the year/ the best show ever, One Day is based on the best selling book by David Nicholls and follows Ambika’s Emma and Dexter (played by Leo Woodall) on the same day, for 20 years as they go from crush, to friendship and the rest is a plot spoiler so I’ll leave it to your imagination. (Note: there are plot spoilers in this episode,so consider yourself warned!) In today’s episode Ambika joins me to talk about her journey from stand up comedy to landing a role she had secretly manifested for decades in One Day. We also chat about the importance of representation, overcoming imposter syndrome, and Ambika tells me about her own journey with mental health after starring alongside Ben Wishaw in the heartbreaking BBC adaptation of Adam Kay’s This is Going To Hurt (which if you missed it, you need to add to your watch list right now!).  This episode is also a mini reunion as it turns out that Ambika and I actually worked at Conde Nast together at the same time! But another reason I love this episode so much, and admire Ambika is because she is a symbol of what you can achieve if you work hard and stay so damn determined. So I hope you will be just as inspired as I am, to get out there and chase your dreams.  If you love this episode as much as me please get in touch with me via social media @joshsmithhosts as I would love a debrief on One Day with you! Love, Josh x Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s the season of giving and receiving (oi oi) and this year I am clearly in a giving mood (oi oi x2) because I am gifting you an early Christmas present as today we are joined by the triple threat Queen, Hannah Waddingham.  It’s been hard to miss Hannah Waddingham this year because she has been booked, busy and blessed and all over our screens. In 2023 Hannah has done more than most in their entire career. She presented the Olivier awards, before going on to become an overnight gay/national treasure presenting Eurovision and she reprised her Emmy award winning role as the football boss, Rebecca Welton in the final season of Ted Lasso. If you aren’t familiar with ‘Ted Lasso’ it’s one of the best feel good shows on the planet, as it follows American college Football coach, Ted (played and co-created by Jason Sudeikis) who takes over AFC Richmond and wins the sporting world over with his distinct positive penny outlook.  As Hannah releases her very own all singing, all dancing, camp as christmas extravaganza on Apple TV+, ‘Hannah Waddingham: Home for Christmas’ she joins me for a jolly good chin wag and let me tell you on this show, during the season of giving, she is giving us RANGE let me tell you - Mariah Carey better watch her holiday season crown!  Today Hannah chats to me about making her dreams happen later in life after treading the boards across the West End and Broadway before her big Hollywood break in ‘Ted Lasso’ after an iconic stint in ‘Game of Thrones’, too.  I love Hannah’s words on choosing to be single, finding positivity in life even when it’s tough and never letting anyone dim her light again after men dimming her light in her 20s and 30s. Let this be a reminder to you, that you should NEVER dim your light for anyone babes and I hope this chat inspires you to shine brightly all year round babes.  It has been the BEST sharing all the episodes of Reign with you in 2023, we have had some incredible guests from Lionesses to Christina Ricci and if you have missed any episodes treat yourself this holiday season by cracking open the Quality Street tin and taking some time out to listen to some empowering conversations so you make sure you make it reign in 2024 and beyond! Thank you from the bottom of my little gay heart for listening and making this podcast a real dream come true, I love you! See you next year, Love Josh xxx P.S If you ever want to get in touch, you can find me @joshsmithhosts across socials - I love talking to you so much so please reach out any time!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are you ready to slam it to the left, shake it to the right and Spice up your life, because on today’s episode we are joined by the icon, Geri Halliwell-Horner!  You will of course know Geri as one fifth of the Spice Girls who achieved icon status after producing hit after hit and teaching everyone Girl Power before going on to have a huge solo career, including releasing the greatest cover song of all time, in my humble opinion, It’s Raining Men.  Today Geri joins me in the Reign studio (screams in gay!) to talk about her latest venture, her TENTH book Rosie Frost and Falcon Queen. The book follows Rosie who, after being suddenly orphaned, moves to Bloodstone Island to attend a school built in the memory of Anne Boleyn, by Elizabeth I. In the present day, whilst she encounters mean girls and a demon teacher, Rosie even comes into contact with the ghost of Anne Boleyn who hundreds of years on, haunts the halls. Trust me, it’s a page turner for all ages.  Not only do we chat about our joint obsession with Anne Boleyn (I wore my ‘divorced, beheaded, died…’ t-shirt to make the occasion) Geri talks powerfully about her experiences with bullying, loneliness and grief after losing her father at a young age.   We also talk about navigating the pressures of your 30s, when Geri felt like she was falling behind and failing to ‘tick boxes’ in life and how not finding love meant she found comfort in her gay friends who filled that void in her life. The gays are the best, trust me babes!  What I love so much about this episode though is Geri’s words on friendship and making friends as adults, because if you wannabe my lover babes, you gotta get with my friends! I hope you take a lot of Spice and advice away from this episode and if you do please get in touch with me via social media @joshsmithhosts Love, Josh x Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We are in the studio today and the category is ICONS ONLY, as we are joined by Billy Porter, so prepare to experience ALL the emotions from laughter to tears.  After years trying to make it in the entertainment industry on his own terms, Billy won a Tony for Kinky Boots, being his fabulous authentic self, heels and all. It was a turning point for Billy who then went on to win a Grammy, and then an Emmy for the hit TV show Pose, becoming the first black gay man to win that award in the process.  In the spirit of being 100% himself, Billy drops his seventh studio album, Black Mona Lisa, and in this episode we talk about how this has been an album 30 years in the making, as Billy tells me all about his journey, including the bullying and discrimination he has had to deal with and overcome. Billy broke my heart when he cried talking about the lessons he has learnt from going to trauma therapy, the worst year of his life which saw him be diagnosed with HIV, diabetes and being declared bankrupt, and how he finally found love for himself. And in true Billy fashion, he will make us laugh too as shares his love for English rugby men!  This is a really special conversation and I can’t wait to share it with you. If you love Billy as much as I do, get in touch with me via social media @joshsmithhosts and make sure you come back next week for another inspiring episode of Reign. Love, Josh x P.S. As someone who has experienced hate and cyberbullying online, I know how it can affect you offline, too. So I am beyond proud to be bringing you four special podcast episodes talking about our digital wellbeing in partnership with Urban Decay to mark their ongoing partnership with The Cybersmile Foundation.  Their joint ‘Online Bullying Hurts IRL’ campaign hopes to educate people about how cyberbullying can affect mental health and offer support for those who need it.  If you need help or know someone who does, head to https://bit.ly/CybersmilexUDEducationalModules to find Urban Decay and Cybersmile’s educational modules and their digital changemaker toolkit which are designed to allow us to recognise the signs of cyberbullying, responsibly intervene and positively change the conversation. Together we can build a safer online world by learning and talking about how we can make a positive impact through considered social media use. If you are struggling right now, we have got you and make sure you talk to people you trust. You are never alone offline, even if you feel it online. Love Josh x Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we are back in the Reign studio and I have a hoot with my new favourite pop girlie, Talia Mar. Following her hits ‘Stay the Night’ and ‘Sweet Lies’, Talia has just dropped my favourite song of the moment, ‘Bored’ which, whilst being a banger, is actually all about a boring date she went on to Nando's. Now, if that isn’t a bit of us I don’t know what is!  In today’s episode, Talia takes us back to the beginning of her career when she started uploading YouTube videos at 13 years old - including a questionable self-penned country song about her fella going off to war, which we will discuss - and how she accidentally found herself becoming a huge gaming influencer. But music was always Talia’s first love after going to see Christina Aguilera in her ‘Dirty’ chaps era when she was five (her parents are clearly legends), and attending The BRIT School, which sounds absolutely wild.   We also chat about everything from her first job being the Karen of Chessington World of Adventures (niche!), to her hilarious perspective on getting married this year to her husband Simon, aka Miniminter who is one of the Sidemen with KSI.  Talia also talks about eye-opening online hate, which has seen her deal with everything from hateful comments, to trending on an adult website with men doing their ‘business’ on her images, and people trying to stir up trouble in her relationship. But as you will learn from this episode, Talia is a resilient queen and she won’t let that stop her for one second.  If you love Talia as much as I do, get in touch with me via social media @joshsmithhosts and come back next week for another episode of Reign when we will be joined by the ICON BILLY PORTER. I AM ALREADY SCREAMING WITH EXCITEMENT. Love, Josh x P.S. As someone who has experienced hate and cyberbullying online, I know how it can affect you offline, too. So I am beyond proud to be bringing you four special podcast episodes talking about our digital wellbeing in partnership with Urban Decay to mark their ongoing partnership with The Cybersmile Foundation.  Their joint ‘Online Bullying Hurts IRL’ campaign hopes to educate people about how cyberbullying can affect mental health and offer support for those who need it.  If you need help or know someone who does, head to https://bit.ly/CybersmilexUDEducationalModules to find Urban Decay and Cybersmile’s educational modules and their digital changemaker toolkit which are designed to allow us to recognise the signs of cyberbullying, responsibly intervene and positively change the conversation. Together we can build a safer online world by learning and talking about how we can make a positive impact through considered social media use. If you are struggling right now, we have got you and make sure you talk to people you trust. You are never alone offline, even if you feel it online. Love Josh x Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You asked for it and today we make it Reign with Maisie Peters who in her own words, makes music for the quietly unhinged, which is one of the most relatable things I have heard this year TBH.  If you’re not familiar with Maisie’s story already, she started independently releasing music before Ed Sheeran signed her as the first artist on his own record label, Gingerbread Man Records. She’s since gone on to release the absolute bops, Lost the Breakup, Psycho and Not Another Rockstar, and this year secured her first number one album with her second album, The Good Witch, which made her the youngest British female artist to go to number one in a decade!  Today I catch up with Maisie as she releases the deluxe version of her album and at the end of her worldwide tour to toast her amazing year. It’s safe to say that she is in need of what she calls “a girl rest.” Maisie talks about pushing through a big moment of self doubt after her first album came out, falling into comparison traps, her mental health and how she had to relook at how she defined her self worth.  We also chat about dealing with negative comments online and why for her, dating musicians is a red flag! What I really loved most was Maisie’s words on self belief. So I hope you feel inspired to believe in yourself, too, because you should babes, you are amazing!  P.S. As someone who has experienced hate and cyberbullying online, I know how it can affect you offline, too. So I am beyond proud to be bringing you four special podcast episodes talking about our digital wellbeing in partnership with Urban Decay to mark their ongoing partnership with The Cybersmile Foundation.  Their joint ‘Online Bullying Hurts IRL’ campaign hopes to educate people about how cyberbullying can affect mental health and offer support for those who need it.  If you need help or know someone who does, head to https://bit.ly/CybersmilexUDEducationalModules to find Urban Decay and Cybersmile’s educational modules and their digital changemaker toolkit which are designed to allow us to recognise the signs of cyberbullying, responsibly intervene and positively change the conversation. Together we can build a safer online world by learning and talking about how we can make a positive impact through considered social media use. If you are struggling right now, we have got you and make sure you talk to people you trust. You are never alone offline, even if you feel it online. Love Josh x Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we are joined by the queen of a banger, actress, and someone who refreshingly laughs in the face of her own misfortune, Paloma Faith. You will of course know Paloma from her mega hits including ‘Only Love Can Hurt Like This’, ‘Lullaby’ and ‘Changing’, and over her decade-long career she’s had five double platinum albums and won a BRIT Award for Best British Female. Meanwhile her acting career has seen her star in everything from ‘St Trinians’ to the Batman prequel series, ‘Pennyworth’.  Her new single, ‘How You Leave A Man’ from her forthcoming sixth album, ‘The Glorification of Sadness’ (out on 16th February) is her most personal yet, and she tells me today that the break up from her partner and becoming a single mum inspired her new music.  Strap yourself in for a DMC and a half as she is also refreshingly honest about the grieving process that comes from breakups, body image and the BS labels and pressures placed on women. What I love most about this chat though, is that Paloma is all about laughing in tough times, and using humour to get you through. Something I have long tried to do, too.  So if you are finding things tough at the moment I hope this episode gives you some comic relief. If it does please get in touch. You can find me @joshsmithhosts across socials. It’s always so great chatting to you! Love, Josh xx P.S. I am so proud to bring you these special episodes of the podcast which are focusing on our self care and wellbeing with my favourite skincare brand, Elemis.  During the change of seasons so many different feelings can come to the surface so it’s important you make positive self care decisions everyday to help your wellbeing.  Wellbeing looks different for everyone but it’s the simple things that make the big difference for me, like using Elemis’s Pro-Collagen Green Fig Cleansing Balm every day just to reset. Its formula combines the ripe, green and earthy tones of Fig, Raspberry, and Bergamot for a fresh, calm and uplifting scent which has been used for centuries in aromatherapy to help relieve tension and stress.  That's what I love about Elemis’s formulas: they use high performance scientific ingredients with blended essential oils that not only give you visible results but give you a moment of mindfulness, too. So go on, practice self care and treat yourself to a good skin day, it might just make a difference that isn’t just skin deep, head to Elemis.com now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This month on the podcast we are serving up honest discussions about our mental wellbeing, so I am so excited on this episode that we are joined by a mental health advocate and the host of one of my fave podcasts, ‘The Real Pod’, Victoria Garrick Browne.  Victoria, just like this podcast, is all about destigmatising conversations about mental health after she first started to experience mental health problems at college, when as a division one Volleyball player at USC, she experienced performance anxiety that affected all aspects of our life. She has since gone on to share her story across her incredible social media account (find her @victoriabrowne across socials if you haven’t already), on an incredible Ted Talk you need to check out and Victoria even co-founded her own charity, The Hidden Opponent which aims to help athletes with their mental health.  In today’s DMC, we talk about the stigma around loneliness, why we need to put busy culture in the bin and Victoria shares some amazing advice for talking about, and dealing with, your mental health.  If you are struggling with your mental health right now, I hope this encourages you to reach out to those around you to share your feelings. Even if you can’t find the words right now, I promise it will help. And if this episode helps you please get in touch. You can find me @joshsmithhosts across socials. It’s always so great chatting to you! Love, Josh xx P.S. I am so proud to bring you these special episodes of the podcast which are focusing on our self care and wellbeing with my favourite skincare brand, Elemis.  During the change of seasons so many different feelings can come to the surface so it’s important you make positive self care decisions everyday to help your wellbeing.  Wellbeing looks different for everyone but it’s the simple things that make the big difference for me, like using Elemis’s Pro-Collagen Green Fig Cleansing Balm every day just to reset. Its formula combines the ripe, green and earthy tones of Fig, Raspberry, and Bergamot for a fresh, calm and uplifting scent which has been used for centuries in aromatherapy to help relieve tension and stress.  That's what I love about Elemis’s formulas: they use high performance scientific ingredients with blended essential oils that not only give you visible results but give you a moment of mindfulness, too. So go on, practice self care and treat yourself to a good skin day, it might just make a difference that isn’t just skin deep, head to Elemis.com now.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I can’t believe I am saying this but we are back babes with season 8 of the podcast, and to celebrate, the dress code for today’s episode is *SEQUINS ONLY*, because we are joined by Strictly Come Dancing judge, Motsi Mabuse!  Before Motsi became a judge on our favourite TV show, she had a 30 year professional dancing career, which saw her being crowned Latin dance champion, and if you haven’t seen her dancing yet, sashay to YouTube ASAP, Motsi is mesmerising. Plus, she is also a judge on the German version of the show, where she still lives with her husband and daughter.  Aside from spilling the sequins on this season of Strictly, Motsi shares her inspirational journey to the glitterball world, which wasn’t a waltz, growing up in apartheid-era South Africa and leaving for Germany to follow her dreams with only 50 euros to her name. Motsi also tells me about the discrimination she has faced and continues to face and how she deals with it.  I LOVE what Motsi says about never giving up on yourself, looking after the relationship with yourself and that one of her greatest learnings in life is: when things are bad they don’t stay bad forever. Plus she loves the gays almost as much as I do!  If you find Motsi as joyful as I do, get in touch! You can find me @joshsmithhosts across socials. It’s always so great chatting to you! Love, Josh xx P.S. I am so proud to bring you these special episodes of the podcast which are focusing on our self care and wellbeing with my favourite skincare brand, Elemis.  During the change of seasons so many different feelings can come to the surface so it’s important you make positive self care decisions everyday to help your wellbeing.  Wellbeing looks different for everyone but it’s the simple things that make the big difference for me, like using Elemis’s Pro-Collagen Green Fig Cleansing Balm every day just to reset. Its formula combines the ripe, green and earthy tones of Fig, Raspberry, and Bergamot for a fresh, calm and uplifting scent which has been used for centuries in aromatherapy to help relieve tension and stress.  That's what I love about Elemis’s formulas: they use high performance scientific ingredients with blended essential oils that not only give you visible results but give you a moment of mindfulness, too. So go on, practise self care and treat yourself to a good skin day, it might just make a difference that isn’t just skin deep, head to elemis.com and find out more about their wellbeing work here: https://uk.elemis.com/blog/world-mental-health-day?utm_campaign=reignpodcastmind&utm_medium=podcast&utm_source=podcast  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I am so excited to share this live episode we recorded at Selfridges with my new hero, Sabrina Elba!  Think you know who Sabrina Elba is? Think again, because she cannot be boxed in! Sabrina is the co-founder of her well-being brand, S’able Labs with her husband Idris Elba, she’s a model, the host of her podcast Coupledom with Idris, AND above all she is an incredible activist.  You will not believe how much inspiring work Sabrina does to help diversity, equality and the climate as a UN Goodwill Ambassador and beyond. So get ready to feel inspired as she shares some incredible thought provoking words on FGM and more - a topic which is close to her heart after her own mother experienced FGM in her homeland of Somalia.  As this live recording was part of Jamz Supernova Selects events at the iconic Selfridges which were all about celebrating culture, music, fashion and expression and we got into all of those topics in this episode, too, so big thanks to Jamz for having us. And I am thrilled that Sabrina is just as much of a Spice Girls fan as I am!  It was AMAZING to be surrounded by so many people in the REIGN family to record an episode which is all about celebrating community and family. One of the most beautiful moments in this episode is where Sabrina says she has subconsciously been trying to create a better world for the little girl her mum was.  So, I hope this inspires you to use your voice and help build a better world for yourself and others. If it does, get in touch! You can find me @joshsmithhosts across socials. As always it’s so great chatting to you! Love, Josh xx Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s not every day we are joined by true royalty on this podcast! Bow down for the Queen of the Pitch and the Queen of the Jungle, Jill Scott!  Jill is a true Lioness legend who helped bring football home at the Euros last year, and shortly afterwards announced her retirement from football after playing for an incredible 18 years!  In that time Jill went from being an unpaid football player in Sunderland, to a European Champion playing in front of record crowds at Wembley. Jill’s career saw her also play for Everton, Manchester City and Aston Villa, and with 161 England appearances, she is England’s second-most capped footballer, male OR female! She also scored three FA cup titles, was named FA International Player of the Year, AND was awarded an MBE.  Not only did Jill solidify her legend status on the pitch, since retiring she’s gone on to win I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! and is now the first female captain on the hit Sky show, A League of Their Own.  The stories Jill shares today are eye-opening; from being called names at school, being tripped up and breaking her elbow just because she was a girl who played football, to being told as a professional not to show emotions on the pitch, Jill shows just how much women’s sport has changed.  I really love what Jill says about how women’s football gave her space to truly be herself and take pride in her identity, and I hope it will inspire you to go into every space and be yourself! If you love this chat or just want a Lioness England World Cup support group, please get in touch across socials on @joshsmithhosts because it’s always great chatting to you! AND if you missed it make sure you catch up on our episode with fellow Lioness, Lucy Bronze earlier in our  special women in sport series! Love, Josh xx P.S. I am BEYOND proud that this series is empowered by Nike, whose ambition - just like Reign - is to champion women and girls and ensure they feel seen and included in sport and beyond.  Nike is committed to celebrating ALL women, supporting HER journey by taking action to make meaningful change and coming through with innovative style-led products you will hear all about in this series.  I’m sure you will have already seen the game-changing new England women’s football kit - which we talk about in this episode - that includes the new Leak Protection technology embedded in the lining of the Nike Pro Short for athletes. And Nike have also just launched the Phantom Luna - a women-led football boot, backed by Nike’s most meaningful investment in women yet that has taken more than two years of research, trialling, designing and styling to develop.  We haven’t even got onto the bras, leggings, Pro Hijabs and their maternity and plus size ranges so make sure you check out all of the latest innovation for HER product at Nike.com and @nikewomen.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I love a bit of healthy competition and today’s guest thrives off it too! So, on your marks, get set and go prepare yourself for the record breaking Team GB runner, Keely Hodgkinson. Keely’s big sporting break came when she won Silver in the 800 metres at the Tokyo Olympics at just 19 years old. Since then, she has gone on to obliterate the national 800 metre record multiple times, set a new world indoor 600m record and has taken home medals at the Commonwealth Games, and the European and World Championships. All in the space of two years - busy, much?!? Ahead of the World Championships this Summer, and the Paris Olympics next year, Keely joins us to talk about her journey to the top in athletics, and it hasn’t always been in the fast lane! In this episode, Keely tells me about the harder times that have made her the incredible athlete she is today, how she quit athletics as a teen, the times she ended up crying on the pavement during lockdown, and how she went from not being able to get out of bed, to winning a Commonwealth medal in the space of a week. Now *THAT* is the kind of mentality we all need to take notes from! So many of Keely’s wise words are so relevant to our everyday lives, from her thoughts on failure, to getting comfortable with being uncomfortable, so get ready to take her record breaking mindset into your life!  You’ll also hear Keely call for more research into how contraception affects women's bodies in sport and beyond (which is long overdue - RIGHT!!!), plus so much more. AND as always, if you love this chat please get in touch across socials on @joshsmithhosts because it’s always great chatting to you and come back next week for the next episode in our special women in sport series! Love, Josh xx P.S. I am BEYOND proud that this series is empowered by Nike, whose ambition - just like Reign - is to champion women and girls and ensure they feel seen and included in sport and beyond.  Nike is committed to celebrating ALL women, supporting HER journey by taking action to make meaningful change and coming through with innovative style-led products you will hear all about in this series.  I’m sure you will have already seen the game-changing new England women’s football kit - which we talk about in this episode - that includes the new Leak Protection technology embedded in the lining of the Nike Pro Short for athletes. And Nike have also just launched the Phantom Luna - a women-led football boot, backed by Nike’s most meaningful investment in women yet that has taken more than two years of research, trialling, designing and styling to develop.  We haven’t even got onto the bras, leggings, Pro Hijabs and their maternity and plus size ranges so make sure you check out all of the latest innovation for HER product at Nike.com and @nikewomen.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

BONUS EPISODE ALERT! Come on Barbies (and Kens) let’s go party because not only are we dropping a bonus episode of the podcast today, but we are joined by President Barbie herself, Issa Rae!  The Reign team have been high key obsessed with Issa since we watched her TV show, Insecure. If you haven’t watched one of the greatest TV shows ever made yet, it’s about a directionless millennial woman and it’s not only highly relatable, but it changed the landscape of TV, as Issa became the first Black woman to create and star in a premium cable series. That’s right, not only did Issa star in the show, she created it, wrote it and produced it, too!  Issa IS everything and she’s proving that yet again by taking on the role of President Barbie, in the most anticipated movie of the year, Barbie - created by fellow genius, Greta Gerwig, and alongside Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling. Trust me when I say this movie is worth every inch of the hype!  There are many reasons I am SO excited that Issa is joining us today, but one of them is because she has done everything off her own back and on her own terms.  She started out making shows on YouTube, got a HBO contract, created two incredibly successful TV shows, and joins us today in her ‘mogul era’, with her own production company, Hoorae Media and a forty-million dollar contract with Warner Media.  Issa is a true role model for making your dreams a reality in the face of huge obstacles, and I can not wait for you to hear her talk in this episode about everything from tackling the patriarchy to leaning into vulnerability.  This President certainly gets my vote and I know she will get yours too… Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Beat that face and prepare your fabulous self for today’s episode as we are joined by Miss Benny, the star of Netflix’s epic new show, ‘Glamorous’, which is giving Ugly Betty-meets-Devil Wears Prada.  I have not been this obsessed with a TV show in ages because Glamorous is pure queer joy from start to finish. The story follows Marco, a young gender non-conforming queer person who is obsessed with beauty, when one day a lucky run in with the makeup mogul, Madolyn Addison played by THE icon, Kim Cattrall sees Marco landing his dream job: becoming Madolyn’s second assistant.  The show is packed full with the best one-liners - including my personal fave, ‘I am a twink on prep, I can do anything’ - camp drama and tons of hot men. What more do you want from a TV show?!?  Despite this being Miss Benny’s first leading role in TV, you may recognise them from starting out on YouTube, and a music career that is one big middle finger up to gender norms and heteronormative culture!  But today Miss Benny talks about the sheer amount of rejections they faced before landing their dream role in Glamorous. They tell me about their journey to accepting their queer identity from growing up in Texas and facing prejudice to navigating relationships as a feminine queer person.  This conversation means so much to me as a feminine gay man who has long struggled to truly embrace themselves in the face of prejudice both outside and inside the LGBTQIA+ community, so if you’ve ever felt something similar, I hope this episode makes you feel not just seen and heard but ATTRACTIVE AF, because you are babes! It’s not all about masc 4 masc… IYKYK!  If this episode does speak to you please get in touch across socials on @joshsmithhosts because I love chatting to you and come back next week for the next episode in our special pride series! Love, Josh xx P.S. I am beside myself excited that this episode, which is celebrating Pride month, is brought to you in partnership with The GelBottle, who just like Reign, are all about inclusivity and individuality, helping people express themselves and be who they really are - right down to their nail colours! The GelBottle not only have created over 500 colours, but are famous for their game changing BIAB technology, which leaves your nails looking stunning, whilst increasing your nail growth too! Their at-home formula for sister brand, Peacci, also gives your nails that salon quality feel.  AND here’s the exciting bit: they’ve given me my very own edit, called the REIGNBOW edit which has a Peacci colour to represent every single stripe of the pride flag - from the banana yellow, Clueless to the summer green of dreams, Serena because no matter how you identify, everyone is welcome inside the REIGN-bow! Check out the collection here: www.thegelbottle.com  Plus 25% of the proceeds from now until the end of August from the Peacci REIGNBOW Edit and the 90’s baby collection will go to Switchboard, a charity that has been listening to and supporting the LGBTQIA+ community since 1975! So go forth and express yourselves however you want and support our LGBTQIA+ community. x Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s Pride month and it really couldn’t get queerer than this, as today we are joined by the Eurovision icon Loreen!  I have been the biggest Loreen fan since she first won Eurovision in 2012 with her song Euphoria. And I have been screaming it in the shower/in the back of taxis on the way OUT OUT, and in Gay clubs across the world ever since - anyone else?!?!  This year Loreen returned to Eurovision with the power ballad Tattoo and became the first woman to win the competition twice. But it hasn’t all been a euphoric journey for Loreen, as she tells me about her journey to making history in this episode.  Loreen also chats about coming out as bisexual, what pride means to her, those Eurovision nails which double up as weapons, and whether she will mark the 50 year anniversary of Abba winning the Eurovision song contest next year in Sweden with a collaboration to end all collaborations. LET’S ALL PRAY TO ALL THE (GAY) GODS TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN!  What I really loved about this chat was hearing Loreen’s empowering outlook on life and she really does seem like the philosopher of our time (move over Socrates). I hope her advice for cutting negative energy out of your life and overcoming pain to build your mental strength will help you out, too! If it does, get in touch I’m @JoshSmithHosts on socials - I love to chat to you! And don’t forget you can catch some of the video highlights from this episode over on my YouTube channel, just search Reign with Josh Smith.  Love, Josh xx P.S. I am beside myself excited that this episode, which is celebrating Pride month, is brought to you in partnership with The GelBottle, who just like Reign, are all about inclusivity and individuality, helping people express themselves and be who they really are - right down to their nail colours! The GelBottle not only have created over 500 colours, but are famous for their game changing BIAB technology, which leaves your nails looking stunning, whilst increasing your nail growth too! Their at-home formula for sister brand, Peacci, also gives your nails that salon quality feel.  AND here’s the exciting bit: they’ve given me my very own edit, called the REIGNBOW edit which has a Peacci colour to represent every single stripe of the pride flag - from the banana yellow, Clueless to the summer green of dreams, Serena because no matter how you identify, everyone is welcome inside the REIGN-bow! Check out the collection here: www.thegelbottle.com  Plus 25% of the proceeds from now until the end of August from the Peacci REIGNBOW Edit and the 90’s baby collection will go to Switchboard, a charity that has been listening to and supporting the LGBTQIA+ community since 1975! So go forth and express yourselves however you want and support our LGBTQIA+ community. x Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today I am joined by Reneé Rapp, and if you’re feeling a little bit sluggish or unmotivated, I promise this episode is the pickup you need because Reneé is a ball of energy!  If you’re not already a superfan like I am, get ready to be one! If you’ve caught The Sex Lives of College Girls, you’ll recognise Reneé as Leighton, and if you’ve been lucky enough to see Mean Girls on Broadway, she played the original iconic Regina George - a role she’ll be revisiting in the movie adaptation of the musical - which she teases in this episode and I am SO excited for that! And as if her stunning acting resume wasn’t enough for you, Reneé is an incredible singer and songwriter as well. I went (alongside THOUSANDS of others) to her first ever London gig back in January which sold out so quickly they had to upgrade the venue TWICE!  I have Reneé’s song Too Well constantly on repeat since the launch of her EP so I am so excited that she has new music coming and she has just announced the title of her upcoming debut album Snow Angel and the single of the same name is out right now!  We cover off so much in this episode - from talking about Reneé’s incredible career (and she’s just getting started), to navigating queer identity and biphobia to dealing with heartbreak.  I really love Reneé’s enthusiasm for life and how she does not apologise for being ambitious. I guarantee this episode will brighten any dark day and as always if you want to get in touch I’m @JoshSmithHosts on socials - I love to chat to you! And don’t forget you can catch some of the video highlights from this episode over on my YouTube channel, just search Reign with Josh Smith.  Love, Josh xx P.S. I am beside myself excited that this episode, which is celebrating Pride month, is brought to you in partnership with The GelBottle, who just like Reign, are all about inclusivity and individuality, helping people express themselves and be who they really are - right down to their nail colours! The GelBottle not only have created over 500 colours, but are famous for their game changing biab technology, which leaves your nails looking stunning, whilst increasing your nail growth too! Their at-home formula for sister brand, Peacci, also gives your nails that salon quality feel.  AND here’s the exciting bit: they’ve given me my very own edit, called the REIGNBOW edit which has a Peacci colour to represent every single stripe of the pride flag - from the banana yellow, Clueless to the summer green of dreams, Serena because no matter how you identify, everyone is welcome inside the REIGN-bow! Check out the collection here: www.thegelbottle.com  Plus 25% of the proceeds from now until the end of August from the Peacci REIGNBOW Edit and the 90’s baby collection will go to Switchboard, a charity that has been listening to and supporting the LGBTQIA+ community since 1975! So go forth and express yourselves however you want and support our LGBTQIA+ community. x Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Melissa Barrera already has one incredible CV with starring roles in the ‘Scream’ franchise, ‘In The Heights’ and Netlfix’s ‘Keep Breathing’ but she’s only just getting started.  Today Melissa joins us from LA to talk about her latest starring role in the reimagination of ‘Carmen’. In this movie adaptation, Melissa takes the lead role of Carmen, who escapes her homeland of Mexico after her mother is brutally murdered, and after a stand-off at the border, runs away with a marine played by Paul Mescal. It’s a tough job but someone has got to do it, right?  The movie is a singing, dancing and acting extravaganza but at its heart it humanises the immigrant experience, which Melissa tells me was very important to her as a Mexican actress.  Melissa also tells me about her career in telenovelas, which started after she competed on the Big Brother/Pop Idol-esque singing competition, La Academia, leaving Mexico, and the discrimination she had to overcome to win the roles she deserved.  From winning her role inLin Manuel Miranda’s ‘In The Heights’ movie, after auditioning repeatedly for the Broadway production with no luck, to overcoming the self doubt in her own head, Melissa is a role model for determination and self belief, so I hope this episode really inspires you to reframe success and turn any no into a yes!  If you love this episode, get in touch. I LOVE to chat - if you couldn’t tell that already - and I especially love chatting with you. I’m @JoshSmithHosts on socials. And don’t forget you can catch some of the video highlights from this episode over on my YouTube channel, just search Reign with Josh Smith.  Josh xx P.S As someone who is always thirsty and loves to hydrate, I am so excited that this episode is brought to you in partnership with Air Up. Air Up is a water bottle that flavours ordinary water with scent. You just put plain water into the Air Up bottle, slot your chosen ‘flavour pod’ around the straw at the top of the bottle and as you sip through the straw, the smell of the pod tricks your brain into thinking it’s flavoured. There’s no sugar, no sweeteners, no nothing, just plain water and the power of scent!The flavour pods trick your brain into thinking the water is flavoured without any sugar, sweeteners or additives involved - it’s just plain water and scent!  There are so many flavour pods to choose from too, my current fave is Wild Berry but there’s something for everyone from Cola to Mango & Passionfruit and Watermelon. The bottles are super cute, too and come in a range of styles, colours and sizes, You can check out the full range of bottles, pods and accessories at air-up.co.uk and you get 10% off full priced items using my code REIGN at the checkout. Hydration just got more EXCITING babes! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lady Whistledown prepare yourself because today we are joined by Queen Charlotte star, Sam Clemmett, who is bringing the first queer character to the Bridgerton universe and we love to see it!  I am obsessed with Queen Charlotte, the Bridgerton prequel series which follows the love story between the young Queen Charlotte (India Amarteifio) and King George (Corey Mylchreest). Not only did it spark a true love story, it created the societal shift that shaped the Ton and also was the backdrop to another love story between Sam’s character and the King’s butler, Reynolds (Freddie Dennis).  On this episode, Sam shares how special it was to bring the first queer love story to the Bridgertonverse, and I really applaud Sam for being willing to talk openly about the debate around whether straight actors should be cast in queer roles.  We also talk about filming the show’s sex scenes, and what working with the intimacy co-ordinator actually entailed, and of course I asked all about the star of Queen Charlotte… the dog, Pom Pom.  Sam also tells me about originating the role of Albus Potter in the mega blockbuster theatre show, Harry Potter & The Cursed Child, on both the West End and Broadway, and he has some great advice for dealing with rejection and seeking therapy in the wake of the pandemic.  I have SO much admiration for how Sam brings Brimsely to life on screen, and we even get to talk about my favourite Bridgerton scene ever: the dancing sequence between Brimsely and Reynolds at the King and Queen’s ball. And if you are dancing or hiding a love in the shadows I hope this episode inspires you to live your truth openly.  If you love this episode too, get it touch, I LOVE a chat with you. I’m @JoshSmithHosts on socials. And don’t forget you can catch some of the video highlights from this episode over on my YouTube channel, just search Reign with Josh Smith.  Josh xx P.S As someone who is always thirsty and loves to hydrate, I am so excited that this episode is brought to you in partnership with Air Up. Air Up is a water bottle that flavours ordinary water with scent. You just put plain water into the Air Up bottle, slot your chosen ‘flavour pod’ around the straw at the top of the bottle and as you sip through the straw, the smell of the pod tricks your brain into thinking it’s flavoured. There’s no sugar, no sweeteners, no nothing, just plain water and the power of scent!The flavour pods trick your brain into thinking the water is flavoured without any sugar, sweeteners or additives involved - it’s just plain water and scent!  There are so many flavour pods to choose from too, my current fave is Wild Berry but there’s something for everyone from Cola to Mango & Passionfruit and Watermelon. The bottles are super cute, too and come in a range of styles, colours and sizes, You can check out the full range of bottles, pods and accessories at air-up.co.uk and you get 10% off full priced items using my code REIGN at the checkout. Hydration just got more EXCITING babes! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices