What does body image really mean and how can we develop a healthy one? Sophie Duker, Heidi Regan and Ned Sedgwick are joined by body positivity advocate Stephanie Yeboah to discuss their own insecurities and how we can all feel better when we look in the mirror. Sophie looks at the origin of diet fads, Ned meets a naked life model, Heidi rebuts the accusation that body positivity is rooted in narcissism, and Steve Ali gives us his top-tips for keeping fit in a refugee camp. Co-created by...

The political scene has never been more entertaining but the country has never been so divided. Sophie Duker, Heidi Regan and Ned Sedgwick are joined by comedian Tez Ilyas to talk about the mess the country finds itself in and what might happen in the future. Sophie wonders whether funny politicians make good politicians, Heidi doubts everything ever thanks to malign algorithms, Ned invents his perfect country and Steve Ali solves a listener’s bedroom-related issue. Co-created by Deborah...

Reading books can open doors to other worlds and reflect the one we live in. Sophie Duker, Heidi Regan and Ned Sedgwick are joined by comedian Helen Bauer to discuss the books that have inspired them, the books they hate and the books they pretend to hate. Sophie talks-up choose your own adventure novels, Ned tells us why he wasn't allowed to join a bookclub, Heidi deconstructs unhelpful self-help books and Steve Ali dreams up potential titles for his autobiography. Co-created by Deborah...

Now that we're grown ups, it may seem like there's less magic in the world. Sophie Duker, Heidi Regan and Ned Sedgwick are joined by magician Pete Firman to explore whether this is indeed the case. Sophie gets through a whole episode without a rant about Harry Potter, Ned gets tricked, Heidi investigates a ye olde magic trick involving a dead criminal's hand and Steve Ali demonstrates the magic of human memory. Co-created by Deborah Frances-White for The Spontaneity Shop and BBC Radio...

Misplaced and superficial perceptions of class can affect your life in important ways. Sophie Duker, Heidi Regan and Ned Sedgwick are joined by comedian Suzie Ruffell to talk about the myths and realities of class in Britain today. Sophie talks about the importance of checking your privilege, Ned attempts to master a northern accent, Heidi explains how weird this 'class' thing seems to Aussies and Steve Ali talks about code-switching in a refugee camp. Co-created by Deborah Frances-White for...

Uni is the place to go for friendships, essays, booze and near-bankruptcy. Sophie Duker, Heidi Regan and Ned Sedgwick are joined by comedian Joe Sutherland to share stories of their turbulent times in tertiary education. Sophie tells us about the 'weird' Oxford experience, Ned interviews a best mate who dropped out, Heidi wonders whether degrees are completely meaningless and Steve Ali gives us his top tips for surviving freshers' week. Co-created by Deborah Frances-White for The...

Being rejected isn't a nice feeling, but it shapes who we become. Sophie Duker, Heidi Regan and Ned Sedgwick are joined by comedian Darren Harriott to share painful tales of rejection and to discuss the best ways to bounce back. Sophie reveals how to avoid feeling stung if someone doesn't want to kiss you, Ned has a go at stand-up, Heidi describes how years of rejection led to a career in comedy and Steve tells us why it was love at first sight when he came to the UK as a refugee....

In our materialistic world, we surround ourselves with shiny things to make us happy. Sophie Duker, Heidi Regan and Ned Sedgwick are joined by comedian Rhys James to talk about the stuff we couldn't live without, the stuff we don't need and the stuff that's killing our planet. Sophie describes the eclectic contents of her room, Ned goes on a pilgrimage for a kebab, Heidi wonders whether the 'internet of things' will make us any happier and Steve Ali tells us why material possessions lost...

Insecurities can turn even the kindest person into a green-eyed monster. Sophie Duker, Heidi Regan and Ned Sedgwick are joined by comedian Jayde Adams to talk about the different types of jealousy and how we should deal with such an instinctive emotion. Sophie talks about the role of jealousy in an open relationship, Ned auditions for Love Island, Heidi investigates so-called 'JK Rowling envy' and Steve reminds us why we shouldn't be jealous of those younger than us. Co-created by Deborah...

Language shapes the world around us and opens doors to far-flung cultures. Sophie Duker, Heidi Regan and Ned Sedgwick are joined by writer and broadcaster Yassmin Abdel-Magied to talk about how languages can be really hard to learn, but can make you see the world in a wholly new light. Sophie parle Francais (elle est tres bonne!), Ned has been teaching English on the other side of the world, Heidi brings some sci-fi dystopia to the episode, and Steve Ali tells us his favourite words in the...

From tiffs to barneys to blazing rows, arguments are a staple of life. Sophie Duker, Heidi Regan and Ned Sedgwick are joined by comedian Sadia Azmat to talk about the best and worst arguments they've had and how emotions and ego can get in the way of any constructive outcome. Sophie tells us why she loves a full-blooded debate, Ned asks a debating champion how to argue better, Heidi reveals why disagreeing is a bit like fencing, and Steve Ali has a take on a norm that spans all cultures:...

It's the squishy thing in our head that makes us do brilliant (and stupid) things. Sophie Duker, Heidi Regan and Ned Sedgwick are joined by neuroscientist Dr Hannah Critchlow to talk about your brain on drugs, the noise your thoughts make and whether free will is an illusion. Sophie wonders how we can hack the brain to make it work better, Ned gets a brain scan, Heidi investigates how dark chocolate might improve memory, and Steve Ali ponders how the brain copes with traumatic memories....

In a world that wants you to work work work, leisure time can feel elusive. Sophie, Heidi and Ned are joined by journalist and writer Yomi Adegoke to talk about the best ways to revel in precious free time. Sophie talks about the dangers and blessings of monetising your hobby, Ned reveals his inner gaming nerd, Heidi investigates whether procrastination leads to creativity and Steve Ali workshops his refugee CV. Co-created by Deborah Frances-White for The Spontaneity Shop and BBC Radio...

Siblings, the combination of a best friend and a pain in the neck. Sophie, Heidi and Ned are joined by comedian Olga Koch to talk about the special place brothers and sisters occupy in our lives as best friends, worst enemies and distant acquaintances. Sophie highlights the fun of extended families, Ned brings a brotherly rivalry to the studio, Heidi looks at telepathy in twins, and Steve Ali swings by to talk about his family dynamics after his siblings also became refugees. Co-created by...

New series, new voices: As GrownUpLand makes a new beginning, the gang explores the idea of starting points, debuts and second chances. Sophie, Heidi and Ned are joined by comedian Sarah Keyworth to talk about everything from the early beginnings of humanity to coming out for the first time. Sophie relives how her career got kick-started, Ned decides to become an influencer, Heidi looks at the 'second chance effect', and Steve Ali stresses the importance of claiming a shelf in the fridge....

It’s back! The only podcast that successfully encapsulates the fear, regret and bewilderment of an entire generation. New hosts Sophie Duker and Heidi Regan join Ned Sedgwick and Steve Ali to give a little taste of the series to come.

Some funny and frank moments from the GrownUpLand podcast. Mae Martin, Bisha K Ali and Ned Sedgwick navigate: 'emotions'. Bisha K Ali, Mae Martin, Bobby Friction, Ned Sedgwick If GrownUpLand is a place, then we got a bit lost along the way. Each week on GrownUpLand, a special guest helps to answer listener questions and candidly shares their experiences, from failed dates and bizarre confrontations to guilty pleasures and worst nightmares. Co-created by Deborah Frances-White for The...

Mae Martin, Bisha K Ali, Bobby Friction and Johnny Cochrane join Ned Sedgwick in this Best Of episode on ‘adventure’. If GrownUpLand is a place, then we got a bit lost along the way. Each week on GrownUpLand, a special guest helps to answer listener questions and candidly shares their experiences, from failed dates and bizarre confrontations to guilty pleasures and worst nightmares. Co-created by Deborah Frances-White for The Spontaneity Shop and BBC Radio 4. Producer: Al Riddell

Mae Martin is joined by Bisha K Ali, Ned Sedgwick, Ed Night and Cariad Lloyd in a compilation on the theme of ‘survival’. If GrownUpLand is a place, then we got a bit lost along the way. Each week on GrownUpLand, a special guest helps to answer listener questions and candidly shares their experiences, from failed dates and bizarre confrontations to guilty pleasures and worst nightmares. Co-created by Deborah Frances-White for The Spontaneity Shop and BBC Radio 4. Producer: Al Riddell

The past should teach us how to do better in the future, but it's clear not everyone got that memo. Mae, Ned and guest host Catherine Bohart are joined by quizmaster and comedian Dr Paul Sinha to rewind the VHS tape of life, the universe and everything. Ned takes on a quizmaster at his own game, Catherine looks into the world's oldest scapegoat: women, and Steve Ali relives his most cringe-worthy moment. Co-created by Deborah Frances-White for The Spontaneity Shop and BBC Radio...

It usually happens in the bedroom, it's really nice to do it with a partner and we often don't get enough of it. Mae, Ned and guest host Sophie Duker are joined by comedy writer and actor Arnab Chanda to talk all things sleep! Hear a report from Ned's bed, Sophie investigates lucid dreaming, Mae just wants to be rocked to sleep by Jennifer Aniston and Steve Ali talks about life on the firefighting night shift. Co-created by Deborah Frances-White for The Spontaneity Shop and BBC Radio...

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times... it was definitely the strangest of times. Mae, Ned and guest host Athena Kugblenu are joined by comedian Desiree Burch to cast their minds back and relive the horrors and highlights of the wild ride we call the education system. Ned has been a very naughty boy, Athena educates the gang with fab facts and Steve Ali explains why algebra is useless in a combat situation. Co-created by Deborah Frances-White for The Spontaneity Shop and BBC...

With buzzing phones and shiny screens all around us, true relaxation is hard to achieve. Mae, Ned and guest host Catherine Bohart are joined by comedian Elf Lyons to take a deep breath, focus the mind and dissect the stresses of modern life. Ned has brain tingles, Catherine is mindful of being mindful and Steve Ali reveals how he made a small part of the Calais Jungle a slice of interior design heaven. Co-created by Deborah Frances-White for The Spontaneity Shop and BBC Radio 4. Produced by...

Everyone agrees podcasts are the best way to spend your free time, but films are good too. Mae, Ned and guest host Athena Kugblenu are joined by Radio 1's movie man Ali Plumb to talk best, worst, funniest and scariest. Ned has written an epic GrownUpLand thriller, Athena looks at the holy origins of Hollywood, Bisha is physically in Hollywood and Steve tells us how he dodged the movie ban in Syria. Co-created by Deborah Frances-White for The Spontaneity Shop and BBC Radio 4. Produced by...

If all else fails, there will always be dogs. Mae, Ned and guest host Sophie Duker are joined by wildlife biologist Lizzie Daly to talk all things furry and feathery. Ned is feline good, Sophie wants justice for black pets and Steve Ali tells us how tourists can make refugees feel like animals in a zoo. Co-created by Deborah Frances-White for The Spontaneity Shop and BBC Radio 4. Produced by Al Riddell Music by Mark Hodge and Omahrose, produced by Nick Sheldon. Featured in this...