Yours Sincerely with Jess Phillips

To celebrate Father’s Day this Sunday 18 June, we’re talking about Dad’s with comedian Russell Kane and how they show you they’re proud.In this clip, Jess and Russell talk about growing up with working class parents and how Russell’s Dad struggled to tell him he loved him.Follow the podcast at @jessphillipspod to keep up with the latest episodes and share your letters of gratitude using the hashtag: #JessPhillipsPod. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“Sometimes as a trans person... you feel like you’re too much”.In this new episode, writer and journalist Freddy McConnell speaks to Jess Phillips about his life as a queer, transgender man and about the letters he would write to his Nanny Ann, his teenage friend who understood him and author Hanya Yanagihara.Plus, Freddy and Jess talk about his late diagnosis of ADHD, their own anxieties and helping older generations understand their changing world. Follow the podcast at @jessphillipspod to keep up with the latest episodes and share your letters of gratitude using the hashtag: #JessPhillipsPod. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Happy Pride month!In this letterbox episode, Jess and Happy Valley creator and TV writer Sally Wainwright celebrate Anne Lister, an 18th century lesbian diarist.Sally tells Jess why she is such an inspiration to her life and what she would like to say to Anne.Follow the podcast at @jessphillipspod to keep up with the latest episodes and share your letters of gratitude using the hashtag: #JessPhillipsPod. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“Tell your friends you love them because... you just never know what's around the corner”.In this new episode, CBeebies and CBBC presenter, singer and performer Evie Pickerill talks to Jess Phillips about losing one of her best friends Emily and the letter she would write to her if given another chance.Plus, Jess and Evie share their love for the West Midlands, mom’s who bring you back down to earth and wonderful teachers.Follow the podcast at @jessphillipspod to keep up with the latest episodes and share your letters of gratitude using the hashtag: #JessPhillipsPod. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"I feel so angry I was allowed to be treated like that".In this letterbox episode, writer, illustrator and comedian Jessie Cave chats to Jess Phillips about her traumatic industry experiences in the early stages of her acting career and tells her what it was like to have "hope stamped out" of her at the innocent age of 20.They talk about the importance of inclusivity, respect and their hopes for the future.Follow the podcast at @jessphillipspod to keep up with the latest episodes and share your letters of gratitude using the hashtag: #JessPhillipsPod. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What would you do for your kid?In this new episode, broadcaster, journalist and author Louise Minchin chats to Jess about running the London Marathon with her daughter Mia and how helping her got her through the spectacular race.Plus, Jess and Louise chat mental resilience, marrying your teenage crush, and about the letters she would write to her friend Nicola Jackson who died when they were both teenagers, and to journalist Neil Dunwoodie who mentored Louise in the early stages of her journalism career.Follow the podcast at @jessphillipspod to keep up with the latest episodes and share your letters of gratitude using the hashtag: #JessPhillipsPod. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Talking about losing a loved one is a difficult conversation, but one we will all experience in our life time.In this letterbox episode, comedian Cariad Lloyd and Jess talk about death as a concept, the complex emotions that come with grief and how to process them.Trigger Warning: This discussion contains discussions about cancer and losing people to terminal illnesses.Follow the podcast at @jessphillipspod to keep up with the latest episodes and share your letters of gratitude using the hashtag: #JessPhillipsPod. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ben West is a mental health campaigner who survived an unimaginable loss.In 2018, he lost his older brother Sam to suicide and in this special episode to mark Mental Health Awareness week, Ben talks about his relationship with Sam, saying goodbye and the carrying on his legacy. In this conversation, Jess and Ben discuss the different stages of grief, our fight or flight in the modern world and self-compassion. Plus, why carers of people living with mental health conditions need support too.Follow the podcast at @jessphillipspod to keep up with the latest episodes and share your letters of gratitude using the hashtag: #JessPhillipsPodTrigger Warning: This episode contains discussions of suicide and self-harm.If you or someone you know is affected by the issues surrounding the conversation, you can access information and support online.If you are struggling with your mental health, you can visit www.samaritans.org or call them for free at 116 123.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sophie Carrigill is a two time Paralympian, a GB wheelchair basketball player and a World and European silver medalist.In this letterbox episode, Sophie tells Jess about her gratitude towards her grandparents, how her grandad was her life's "greatest role model" and why playing a game of scrabble with him by her hospital bedside, brought her joy when she needed it most.Follow the podcast at @jessphillipspod to keep up with the latest episodes and share your letters of gratitude using the hashtag: #JessPhillipsPod. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Calling all Happy Valley fans!In this new and emotional episode, Jess sits down with Sally Wainwright - the writer and creator of the iconic drama, as well as of many more successful TV shows including Gentlemen Jack, Last Tango in Halifax and Scott and Bailey. Sally tells Jess about the letters she would write to her old school friends Roz and Tabitha, her old life as a bus driver and her gratitude towards her Dad who stopped her quitting university in her first term.Sally also shares her inspiration for the English diarist Anne Lister, her main character in 'Gentleman Jack', who was also known as the first modern lesbian.Follow the podcast at @jessphillipspod to keep up with the latest episodes and share your letters of gratitude using the hashtag: #JessPhillipsPod Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"Why don't people in abusive relationships just leave?"That's the question Jess Phillips gets asked on a regular basis.In this letterbox episode, Jess and Malin explain the difficulty of escaping domestic abuse, how many abusers tend to follow the same patterns of behaviour and the struggle for equality women still face today.If you or someone you know is affected by the issues surrounding the conversation, you can access information and support online.You can visit the website Refuge at refuge.org.uk or you can call the National Abuse Helpline anytime for free at 0808 2000 247 Follow the podcast at @jessphillipspod to keep up with the latest episodes and share your letters of gratitude using the hashtag: #JessPhillipsPod Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Have you ever had your hope "stamped out" by someone in your life?In this week's episode, Jess Phillips chats to Jessie Cave about the letter she would write to the director who treated her badly in the early stages of her acting career and about the importance of having inclusivity and respect in the workplace.Jess and Jessie also talk about the grief of losing a family member, the gift of having an 'everything in one' sister, juggling motherhood and having a career and how having children can help you to grow as a person.Follow the podcast at @jessphillipspod to keep up with the latest episodes and share your letters of gratitude using the hashtag: #JessPhillipsPodTW: Contains discussions about deaths and people dying of horrific accidents. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you've survived a traumatic experience, you'll know the feelings of grief and exhaustion it can carry.In this letterbox episode, author Holly Bourne talks to Jess about the traumatic impact of domestic abuse, forgiving yourself during recovery and the contemporary use of the word 'triggers'.Follow the podcast at @jessphillipspod to keep up with the latest episodes and share your letters of gratitude using the hashtag: #JessPhillipsPodIf you or someone you know is affected by the issues surrounding the conversation, you can access information and support online.You can visit the website Refuge at refuge.org.uk or you can call the National Abuse Helpline anytime for free at 0808 2000 247 And if you are struggling with your mental health, you can visit www.samaritans.org or call them for free at 116 123. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you have suffered a trauma, you'll know that recovery can be a long process.In this episode, Paralympian and British Wheelchair basketball player Sophie Carrigill tells Jess Phillips about the traumatic car accident she had, its impact on herself and her family and the letter she would write to the surgeon who saved her life.Plus, Sophie chats about her sporting success, the joy of having a group of girlfriends and the unique connection we can have with our grandparents.Follow the podcast at @jessphillipspod to keep up with the latest episodes and share your letters of gratitude using the hashtag: #JessPhillipsPod.Trigger Warning: This conversation contains details about injuries following a life-threatening car accident. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Glyn Fussell is an author, activist and LGBTQ+ icon and is behind some of London's biggest club nights.He is the the co-founder of East Creative, Mighty Hoopla and Sink The Pink.In this letterbox episode, Glyn tells Jess about finding the people who understand you, celebrating being different and how the singer-songwriter Björk helped him to discover his true self and "find his way" in life.Follow the podcast at @jessphillipspod to keep up with the latest episodes and share your letters of gratitude using the hashtag: #JessPhillipsPod. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"Where are the women?"Lisa Nandy is the Labour MP for Wigan and the Shadow Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.In this conversation, Jess and Lisa talk about the realities of working in politics, being women and working mums in Westminster and discuss the three people Lisa would write letters to and who have influenced her life.They reveal the hilarious moments, the times where politicians "fall off the tightrope" and how to pick yourself up.Follow the podcast at @jessphillipspod to keep up with the latest episodes and share your letters of gratitude using the hashtag: #JessPhillipsPod. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this letterbox episode, Jess speaks to journalist Paul Brand about the friendship he found with Miriam Hobbs; a woman he met when she was 88 years-old.They speak about kindness, gratitude and sharing life experiences with different generations. Follow the podcast at @jessphillipspod to keep up with the latest episodes and share your letters of gratitude using the hashtag: #JessPhillipsPod. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Can you imagine growing up without celebrations?For author and screenwriter Kit De Waal this was the norm, after her mother decided to become a Jehovah's witness.In this episode, Kit and Jess chat about why they love receiving handwritten letters, their love for Birmingham and TV writer Sally Wainwright's portrayal of the working class on British television.Follow the podcast at @jessphillipspod to keep up with the latest episodes and share your letters of gratitude using the hashtag: #JessPhillipsPod.Trigger Warning: This contains discussions of substance abuse and rape. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When Zara McDermott was 14 years-old and at school, she was a victim of revenge porn and says she was 'punished' as a result. In this letterbox episode, Zara tells Jess about the supportive letter she received from her old psychology teacher and the words she read which meant the world to her.Follow the podcast at @jessphillipspod to keep up with the latest episodes and share your letters of gratitude using the hashtag: #JessPhillipsPod Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

TW: Infertility, IVF & pregnancy lossDo you have a friend in your life that you connected with immediately?For journalist Elizabeth Day, it was her friend Emma and in this episode, Elizabeth tells Jess about the joy she brings to her life, as well as how she helped her heal during the toughest moments when she believed she 'failed' as a woman.Elizabeth tells Jess about her special 'no judgement' friendship, their mutual feelings around jealousy at work, her fertility struggles and what it was like growing up around the violence of Northern Ireland's Troubles. Follow the podcast at @jessphillipspod to keep up with the latest episodes and share your letters of gratitude using the hashtag: #JessPhillipsPod Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.