WHOLE: The Podcast

How does a 16-year-old boy who joins the Royal Navy go on to become one of the most influential people in the history of Ibiza's club scene? As the former musical director of Pacha and co-founder of the International Music Summit, Danny Whittle helped shape the Ibiza we know today, including playing an important part in David Guetta's rise to international success. Now executive producer of Club C...

What happens when you stop worrying about what's normal, respectable or expected of you? David McGillivray has spent more than 60 years finding out. This effervescent and slightly shocking episode had me laughing out loud. A wonderful conversation which had me pondering whether I have played it too safe in my life. If you are looking for permission to be your most transgressive self, this is it. P...

How do you become CEO of Matchroom Boxing at just 26? And what does it actually take to get there? Frank Smith started working with Eddie Hearn at 14, having relentlessly pursued him for an opportunity. By 26, he was running one of the biggest boxing promotion businesses in the world. But what drove him to succeed so young? And was it all worth it? We talk about money, ambition, the extraordinary...

What happens when you stop creating for the algorithm and start creating as yourself? Musician and content creator Oli Howe has attracted millions of views and a huge online audience by doing almost everything creators are told not to do: three-minute videos, no conventional viral hooks, simple editing, a deadpan stare, plus music he genuinely wants to make. His reharmonisations of well-known song...

You may have heard Abi Flynn's voice millions of times without ever knowing her name. Her unmistakable vocals have featured on huge dance records including Navos’ platinum-selling Believe Me and D.O.D’s So Much In Love, with her toplines now exceeding one billion streams worldwide. Abi is the singer and songwriter behind vocals that went on to appear on multiple platinum-selling dance records. Ext...

Takeaways: Discomfort is an inevitable aspect of pursuing meaningful endeavors that align with one's values. Individuals often find themselves confronted with challenges that test their self-concept and self-image. The willingness to embrace discomfort is crucial for personal growth and achievement. Failure is a necessary component of success, as it enables valuable lessons to be learned. Understa...

What if the goal isn't to eliminate anxiety? Clinical psychologist Dr David Juncos explains why trying to control anxiety often keeps people stuck—and why Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) takes a completely different approach. In this episode we explore why psychological flexibility matters, how values create lasting motivation, why procrastination and perfectionism are closely linked, and...

What does it really take to build a successful career in music? In this episode, I sit down with Carl Loben , Editor-in-Chief of DJ Mag , music journalist, radio presenter, author and co-founder of record label, Out Yer Box. Over more than three decades, Carl has documented the evolution of electronic music, interviewed some of the biggest names in dance music and helped shape one of the world's m...

We all have a story but what if its greatest purpose isn't what it did for you, but what it could do for someone else? In this episode, I speak with TEDx curator, speaker and coach Helen Packham about the extraordinary power of personal stories to create change. Helen believes that every one of us has a story worth sharing, and that when we share it from a place of reflection rather than reaction,...

David Courtney, the man who discovered Leo Sayer, wrote and produced Roger Daltry's first solo album and whose back catalogue of songs has sold over 34 million copies worldwide. In this conversation we explore the extraordinary journey behind his career. From playing London's legendary Bag O'Nails club at just sixteen, to discovering Leo Sayer, writing Roger Daltrey's breakthrough solo hits, worki...

Guy Pratt is one of the world's most respected bass players, known for his work with Pink Floyd, David Gilmour, Madonna, Roxy Music and countless other legendary artists. In this episode he reflects on the highs and lows of a life in music, the insecurity that never completely disappears, performing in front of 80,000 people, working with some of the biggest names in popular music, and why finding...

In this solo episode of WHOLE: The Podcast, Christabel Heasman-Cossins explores the psychology of honesty, identity and letting go — and shares the personal story that led to the creation of the WHOLE Framework. What happens when the life you’ve built no longer feels aligned with who you are becoming? Through reflections on performance, exhaustion, purpose, motivation and self-identity, this episo...

What does it mean to truly express who you are? In this conversation, I sit down with tailoring duo, Gresham and Fal Blake to explore something that, on the surface, looks like tailoring, but very quickly reveals itself to be something much deeper. Because this isn’t just about style. What struck me in this conversation is that tailoring is not just about clothing, it’s about understanding people....

In this WHOLE Unpacked episode, I explore one of the most fundamental drivers of a meaningful life: values . If you’ve ever felt unsure about what you want, disconnected from your current path, or lacking a sense of purpose, this episode will help you understand why. I break down: What values are and how they differ from goals How values shape behaviour and decision-making Why values conflict—and...

We’re often told, directly or indirectly, that there’s a point in life where it becomes “too late” to start again. In this episode, I explore where that belief comes from, how it shapes the way we see ourselves, and why it doesn’t actually hold up. From real-life examples to psychological ideas like self-stories and identity, I look at how this narrative forms—and why everyday life continually con...

Takeaways: The importance of human connection in modern life has diminished due to technology, necessitating a return to community engagement. Longevity is not only a biological concern but is also deeply intertwined with meaning and purpose in life. Music and dance serve as primal forms of human expression that foster connection and well-being across all ages. Engaging in activities that bring jo...

In this episode of WHOLE: The Podcast , Christabel is joined by Olympic gold medallist Sally Gunnell for a powerful conversation on performance, identity, and what it truly means to live with purpose. Sally shares what it takes to compete at the highest level, reflecting on pressure, mindset, injury, and the psychological demands of elite sport. But beyond the medals, this episode explores somethi...

In this episode, I speak with Matt Lucas, one of the UK’s most recognisable comedians, writers, and performers. We explore how early experiences shape identity and how something as difficult as being laughed at can become a powerful creative advantage. Matt shares how losing his hair as a child, and being the subject of attention and judgment, led him to develop a unique relationship with performa...

In this episode, I sit down with the legendary Omar to talk about four decades in music, creativity, resilience, authenticity, and what it really takes to build a lasting career. We talk about his 2025 album Brighter the Days , much of which was written during lockdown, and how that period pushed him to adapt by developing his live-streaming setup when touring stopped. Omar reflects on longevity i...

In this episode, I speak with Dr Laura Ritchie about what it really takes to believe in yourself enough to begin. This conversation is especially for people who feel stuck: people who want to grow, change, create, perform, or move towards something meaningful, but who are held back by fear, self-doubt, low confidence, or the feeling that they are not enough. Laura introduces the idea of self-effic...

In this episode I speak with artist, author, DJ and broadcaster Justin Robertson , a lifelong creative who has spent more than three decades working across music, visual art and literature. Justin has collaborated with artists including the Cocteau Twins, Björk, Noel Gallagher, New Order and Paul Weller, while also developing a distinctive body of work as a writer and painter. Our conversation exp...

This conversation with Bailey, who many may recognise from "Married at First Sight," goes beyond the realm of reality television, delving into the complexities of identity and personal growth in the aftermath of public scrutiny. We explore the profound impact of love and heartbreak experienced under the relentless gaze of the media, and how such extraordinary circumstances compel individuals to re...

In this powerful and uplifting episode, I speak with bestselling children’s author Lila-Ann Gray , affectionately known as Granny Lila . Lila did not begin writing until the age of seventy. Seven years later, she has written 20 books — and she is still going. Her journey dismantles the deeply embedded societal belief that age limits possibility. Instead, her life stands as evidence that creativity...

In this episode, legendary boxer Chris Eubank Sr articulates his philosophy on life, resilience, and the transformative nature of adversity. From poverty to personal power and world champion is a feat of extreme fortitude. Chris expands on how his encounters with deprivation have equipped him with unparalleled fortitude, enabling him to transcend the constraints often imposed by poverty. Our conve...

Steve Mac, a distinguished producer and DJ, has cultivated an illustrious career that encompasses decades of artistic innovation, beginning with his early endeavors as The Rhythm Masters in the 1990s and extending to an impressive portfolio of over 400 remixes for illustrious artists such as Amy Winehouse and James Brown. What renders Steve's narrative particularly compelling is not solely the rem...