The Shame That Silenced Me For 30 Years: Strictly’s Ore Oduba “I’m Sharing This To Save My Children”
Strictly Come Dancing winner Ore Oduba opens up about addiction for the first time - and the secret he’s carried for over 30 years.Content warning: This episode includes discussion of suicide and addiction.
In this powerful and deeply moving conversation, Ore shares how he was first exposed at just nine years old - and the lifelong impact it had on his identity, confidence, and relationships. He also reflects on the emotional scars of growing up in fear, the silence he carried into adulthood, and the private battles behind his public success.
Ore shares:
◽ Why he lived in fear of his father for years
◽ How his upbringing shaped his confidence, his career - and his silence
◽ The grief of losing his father and sister in such a short space of time
◽ How he felt like he was dying inside - while living what looked like a “perfect” life
◽ How Strictly Come Dancing became his awakening
◽ Why the West End reignited his joy and love for performing
◽ Why he struggled to open up, even to those closest to him
◽ How he’s learning to rewrite the story for himself, and for his children
Ore Oduba, We Need To Talk.
If you’re struggling, you don’t have to face it alone. We’ve included support charities below:
Samaritans - call on 116 123 or visit https://g2ul0.app.link/xghDmmYV4Wb
Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM): https://g2ul0.app.link/npaQKXUV4Wb
Naked Truth Project: https://g2ul0.app.link/JPSkS5mNZXb
Follow me here:
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(00:00) Intro
(03:03) Growing Up in Dorset
(06:11) Black Identity in 1990s Dorset
(11:18) Childhood and Family Dynamics
(14:08) Did Ore Feel Loved?
(16:35) Early Love for Performing
(20:48) Starting Out in TV Presenting
(28:17) Ore on Newsround
(32:38) Handling Media Scrutiny
(34:22) Winning Strictly Come Dancing
(45:22) Life After Strictly
(47:41) Hiding Behind a Facade
(53:43) Relationship With His Brother
(1:03:30) Losing His Sister
(1:07:47) Mental Health and Identity
(1:12:35) Learning of His Father’s Death
(1:15:32) Ore’s 30-Year Addiction Struggle
(1:32:43) Adult Content Use Among Young People
(1:45:05) Message From Strictly’s Joanne Clifton
(1:47:25) Childhood Photo Surprise
(1:51:33) Most Memorable Moment
(1:55:33) Paul’s Takeaways
Sponsored by:
Adobe Express: https://ADOBE.LY/PAUL
Get Your Tickets to the Love Better Tour: https://bit.ly/lovebetter-YT
Birmingham - https://g2ul0.app.link/pJIj4XShrXb
Manchester - https://g2ul0.app.link/4SQwKDXhrXb
Brighton - https://g2ul0.app.link/BO71HSZhrXb
London - https://g2ul0.app.link/gm6iB91hrXb
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Teacher Shamed Me For Wearing Nail Varnish! YUNGBLUD from Doncaster to Record Deal
YUNGBLUD’s journey from growing up in Doncaster to securing a major record deal with Interscope Records is a story of defying expectations and embracing individuality. In this conversation, the boundary-pushing artist opens up about overcoming childhood struggles, breaking through perceptions, and how his unique style and unapologetic approach led to his big break in the music industry.
This rare glimpse into YUNGBLUD's rise to fame reveals the challenges he’s faced and the lessons he’s learned about staying true to himself in a world that’s always trying to define him.
We’re Talking YUNGBLUD.
(00:00) Intro
(00:41) Growing Up in Doncaster: Yungblud’s Early Years
(03:29) People’s Perceptions of Yungblud: From Childhood to Adulthood
(12:26) Love Better Tour Announcement
(13:23) How Yungblud Was Signed to Interscope Records
Get Your Tickets to the Love Better Tour: https://bit.ly/lovebetter-YT
Glasgow - https://g2ul0.app.link/FMk3N4PhrXb
Birmingham - https://g2ul0.app.link/pJIj4XShrXb
Manchester - https://g2ul0.app.link/4SQwKDXhrXb
Brighton - https://g2ul0.app.link/BO71HSZhrXb
London - https://g2ul0.app.link/gm6iB91hrXb
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Former CIA Spy Reveals How To Read Anyone
How do CIA spies detect lies, build trust fast, and navigate high-stakes relationships? Former covert officer Andrew Bustamante reveals how the tools he used in espionage can transform your personal life - from how you read people to how you love them.
From growing up in a turbulent family, to commanding U.S. nuclear missiles at 24, to being recruited into the CIA, Andrew’s story is a journey through power, secrecy, love, and identity. But beneath the training lies a deeper lesson: the same psychological skills designed for national security became the ones that saved his marriage and founded Everyday Spy, an online education platform that provides people with useful spy skills for everyday life.
As Andrew says: The CIA’s real superpower isn’t guns or gadgets - it’s learning how to systematise natural curiosity. In this conversation, he shares how those skills can change the way you connect, communicate, and build trust in everyday life.
You’ll learn:
◽How to tell if someone is lying
◽Why he cut off his girlfriend, friends, and family for the chance to join the CIA
◽The CIA method for building instant emotional trust
◽How to recognise when a relationship is starting to decline - and how to fix it
◽The hardest conversation of his life (and what it taught him about love)
◽His take on Jeffrey Epstein and possible CIA connections
◽How easy it really is to launch a nuclear missile - and what that reveals about power
Part life story, part relationship masterclass, and part psychological thriller, this episode will change how you see honesty, loyalty, and the hidden motivations that shape every relationship.
Andrew Bustamante. We Need To Talk.
Follow me here:
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Support Andrew here:
Instagram: https://g2ul0.app.link/Ps9x0EkXMXb
TikTok: https://g2ul0.app.link/1nNEZWvXMXb
YouTube: https://g2ul0.app.link/19tVZShXMXb
EverydaySpy: https://g2ul0.app.link/wG0st3xXMXb
Find Your Superpower: https://g2ul0.app.link/qqQlh5v0PXb
Shadow Cell: https://g2ul0.app.link/GwDAB7DVMXb
(00:00) Intro
(02:13) How Can You Tell If Someone Is Lying?
(05:27) Is Every Relationship Transactional?
(19:42) Andrew's Checklist for Profiling Someone
(24:12) Was Jeffrey Epstein a Government Asset?
(29:13) Shopify Ad
(30:16) Love Better Tour Ad
(31:14) Andrew's Upbringing in Pennsylvania and Mixed-Race Heritage
(33:45) Andrew's Relationship With His Biological Father
(37:48) Andrew's Journey to the CIA
(39:47) Life at a Military Academy
(46:51) Andrew's Time as a Nuclear Missile Officer
(50:21) Nuclear Proliferation
(52:58) How Andrew Became a CIA Agent
(1:12:21) Romantic Relationships Within the CIA
(1:16:22) How Andrew Met His Wife During His Time at the CIA
(1:21:44) Why Andrew Proposed to His Wife
(1:26:55) Why Andrew Decided to Leave the CIA
(1:32:09) Getting a Job After Being in the CIA
(1:39:18) Is 'Sexpionage' a Real Method of Spying?
(1:41:59) A Skill Andrew Learned in the CIA That Applies to Everyone
(1:45:11) What Andrew Thinks the Future of the World Looks Like
(1:46:46) What Is the Biggest Threat to the World?
(1:47:59) What Is Andrew's Identity Today?
(1:51:51) Most Memorable Conversation
(1:56:06) Paul's Takeaways
Sponsored by:
Shopify: https://www.shopify.co.uk/needtotalk
Get Your Tickets to the Love Better Tour: https://bit.ly/lovebetter-YT
Glasgow - https://g2ul0.app.link/FMk3N4PhrXb
Birmingham - https://g2ul0.app.link/pJIj4XShrXb
Manchester - https://g2ul0.app.link/4SQwKDXhrXb
Brighton - https://g2ul0.app.link/BO71HSZhrXb
London - https://g2ul0.app.link/gm6iB91hrXb
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"I Was Minimising My Blackness" | We're Talking Black History Month
In honour of Black History Month, we sit down with Jordan Stevens, Jamelia, and Estelle who share their personal stories of navigating life as Black and mixed-race individuals in Britain.
From embracing their cultural roots to overcoming challenges in predominantly white spaces, they discuss what it means to belong, to be seen, and to celebrate Blackness in all its diversity. Their stories remind us that Black history is not just a month - it’s an ongoing journey of resilience, pride and connection.
We're Talking Black History
(00:00) Intro(00:50) Jordan Shares His Experience of Being Mixed-Race in Brighton(03:58) Differences in Perspectives on Race Between the USA and UK(04:37) Jordan Discusses His Identity and Navigating Different Social Spaces(08:23) Jamelia’s Upbringing in Birmingham(09:11) The Significance of 1981 in UK History(10:07) Jamelia’s Parents and Their Rastafarian Beliefs(16:45) Love Better Tour Ad(17:48) Estelle’s Childhood in Hammersmith(20:10) The Importance of Estelle’s Grandmother to Her Family
Get Your Tickets to Paul’s Love Better Tour!
Bristol - https://g2ul0.app.link/mt5I2RKhrXb
Cardiff - https://g2ul0.app.link/5mZIoBNhrXb
Glasgow - https://g2ul0.app.link/FMk3N4PhrXb
Birmingham - https://g2ul0.app.link/pJIj4XShrXb
Manchester - https://g2ul0.app.link/4SQwKDXhrXb
Brighton - https://g2ul0.app.link/BO71HSZhrXb
London - https://g2ul0.app.link/gm6iB91hrXb
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Georgia Kousoulou Reveals Reality Of Life On TOWIE “There Were Showmances All Around Me”
TOWIE star breaks silence after a decade on The Only Way Is Essex, the pressure of fame, and how postnatal depression pushed her to the edge.Content warning: This episode includes discussion of baby loss.Georgia Kousoulou sits down with Paul for an unfiltered conversation about life on and off screen. She speaks honestly about the behind the scenes of TOWIE, her relationships with fellow cast mates and how she met husband Tommy Mallett. Georgia also opens up about their wedding - and why some of her former castmates didn’t make the guest list.In this deeply emotional conversation, Georgia reflects on baby loss, the silent grief that followed, and the strength it took to begin again. She also opens up about a recent health scare - discovering a lump that led to the shock of finding ruptured implants. Now, she’s advocating for greater awareness around cosmetic surgery and the importance of listening to your body.
Georgia also shares:◽ Her parents split and how it impacted her life◽ The truth about TOWIE and why she walked away◽ How she and Tommy became “the couple they couldn’t break”◽ How discovering Tommy’s ADHD changed their relationship ◽ Her struggle with postnatal depression - and how Tommy helped her survive it◽ The silent grief of baby loss - and how she found hope ◽ Why speaking out saved her - and might help others do the same◽ Welcoming her rainbow baby and learning to love herself again◽ The lump that changed everything - and why she’s speaking out about surgery safetyGeorgia Kousoulou, We Need To Talk.This episode contains discussion of miscarriage and baby loss. We’ve included links to support charities below:Tommy’s: https://g2ul0.app.link/yiLgVePdnVbSands: https://g2ul0.app.link/1c7K7WVdnVbCampaign Against Living Miserably (CALM): https://g2ul0.app.link/npaQKXUV4Wb Follow me here:https://www.instagram.com/needtotalk https://www.tiktok.com/@weneedtotalkpodFollow Georgia here:Instagram: https://g2ul0.app.link/1zyQaAGJCXbTikTok: https://g2ul0.app.link/X8T1MzKJCXb (00:00) Intro(02:33) How Closely Does Georgia Identify With Her Greek Heritage?(04:30) What Was Essex Like When Georgia Was Growing Up?(05:35) Georgia's Experience of School(07:28) What Did 16-Year-Old Georgia Want to Do With Her Life?(08:42) What Georgia Did for Work After Leaving School(12:47) How Georgia's Shop Got Her Onto TOWIE(14:09) How Successful Was TOWIE When Georgia Joined the Cast?(16:16) Georgia's First Appearance on TOWIE(20:35) How Georgia's Career Ambitions Changed on TOWIE(21:46) Why Georgia Thinks She Was a Hit on TOWIE(24:07) What Happened to Georgia's Relationship While on TOWIE?(25:32) How Her Parents' Split Affected Georgia as an Adult(27:34) How Georgia Met Tommy(31:02) How Georgia Knew Her Relationship With Tommy Was Real(32:34) The Atmosphere Amongst the TOWIE Cast(39:25) Did Georgia Feel Media Pressure on Her and Tommy's Relationship?(42:59) Has Georgia Kept in Touch With Her TOWIE Castmates?(47:02) Georgia's Feelings About Marrying Tommy While on TOWIE(50:21) Adobe Express Ad(51:20) Love Better Tour Ad(52:20) Georgia's Experience of Becoming a Mum and Postnatal Depression(01:04:27) How the Dynamic Between Georgia and Tommy Changed After Brody(01:10:13) Tommy's ADHD Diagnosis and Adult Diagnosis Statistics(01:14:48) Georgia's Experience of Miscarriage(01:24:38) How Georgia and Tommy Healed From Their Trauma(01:28:06) Georgia's 'Obsession' With Conceiving Another Baby(01:30:36) The Birth of Georgia's 'Rainbow Baby' Gigi(01:31:47) Georgia's Thoughts on 'Bouncing Back' From Childbirth(01:35:52) Georgia's History of Plastic Surgery and Thoughts on the Industry(01:39:54) What's Next for Georgia?(01:42:59) Most Memorable Conversation(01:46:51) Paul's TakeawaysSponsored by:Adobe Express: https://ADOBE.LY/PAUL Get Your Tickets to the Love Better Tour: https://bit.ly/lovebetter-YT Sync-ID MB01P3JT0TPVKYPMB01GVJTUESWJR8
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The most powerful conversations are the ones we usually avoid. Hosted by Paul C. Brunson, We Need To Talk is a show that empowers people to have the conversations they avoid by creating a safe, supportive, and insightful space that encourages vulnerability, self-discovery, and real-world connection.
From breakups to breakthroughs, conflict to connection, we go beyond the headlines to uncover the human experiences and relationships that define us.
Instagram: @needtotalk
TikTok: @weneedtotalkpod