But Why?

This week Clemmie talks luck and serendipity with Dr Christian Busch, who is the bestselling author of Connect the Dots: The Art & Science of Creating Good Luck, and an internationally known expert in the areas of innovation, purpose-driven leadership, and serendipity. Clemmie and Christian explore how we can make our own luck, how embracing the unexpected can lead to a more fulfilling life, and h...

In this episode Clemmie explores the topic of County Lines with Danielle Marin. Danielle grew up in London with first generation immigrant parents, she was accepted into a grammar school, however her life changed completely after a brutal attack led her to involvement with ‘gangs’ and drug crime. She later enrolled at university and graduated with a 1st. She has since advocated within the criminal...

In this episode Clemmie talks optimism with former Labour Party leader Ed Miliband, who is now Shadow Secretary of State for Climate Change. Ed tells Clemmie how he coped when Labour lost the 2015 election, why optimism was key, and how and why he came to the decision to step down as leader. They also talk about Ed's book, GO BIG, which was out in paperback in March. GO BIG tackles some of the big...

In this episode Clemmie talks about ageing and its relationship with skincare and beauty, with Jenni Retourné, who has worked in beauty for nearly 20 years, as a beauty editor and marketing manager before launching Willowberry in 2017. Clemmie and Jenni discuss our attitudes towards growing old, as well as her own experiences with her mother that led her to embrace father time. Championing Age Wit...

In this episode Clemmie explores the topic of family and our relationships with our nearest and dearest with bestselling psychotherapist Julia Samuel. Julia's new book, Every Family Has A Story, analyses a range of common issues including separation, step-relationships, leaving home, trauma and loss, as well as how deeply we are influenced by our families, including the often under-appreciated imp...

In this episode Clemmie explores burn out with writer, humourist, ex-professional actress & singer Caroline Dooner, who wrote the The F*ck It Diet, all about her relationship with food and dieting, and Tired as F*ck, all about her "exhaustion & two years of rest". Ten years ago Caroline started writing a blog called The Fuck It Diet as she tried to heal her relationship with food, and learn about...

In this episode Clemmie talks gut health, microbiomes and the biology of twins with Lisa and Alana Macfarlane (aka DJs The Mac Twins), who set up The Gut Stuff website to empower gut health in everyone after taking part in a piece of ground breaking research. Lisa and Alana had tried every fad diet under the sun, including the cabbage soup diet pre-Magaluf 2005 (remember that?) and grew up in Scot...

In this episode Clemmie explores spiking with Mair Howells, who founded @ivebeenspiked - a safe space for victims who have been spiked to share their stories, seek support and demand action. Mair started the platform in March of 2020, shortly after she had her drink spiked (in February 2020). She is now one of the leading activists fighting for change in the current state of drink spiking in the U...

This week Clemmie explores happiness, or maybe contentment....or should that be joy? Either way, her guest is one of her mum's faves, and two-time Brit award winner Will Young. Will shot to fame in 2002 after winning the first series of Pop Idol. He has released seven albums, four of which hit Number One in the UK charts, and he has 10 million record sales and two Brit Awards to his name.   But th...

WARNING: This episode of But Why contains graphic descriptions of domestic abuse and sexual violence against women. In this episode of But Why, Clemmie teams up with Refuge to explore the topic of domestic abuse. Clemmie speaks to campaigner and consultant for causes against domestic abuse Natasha Saunders, who suffered eight years of sexual, mental, physical, economic and emotional abuse, as well...

This week Clemmie tackles the topic of disconnection with Sunday Times bestselling author, speaker, novelist and host of the No. 1 careers podcast in the UK, Ctrl Alt Delete, Emma Gannon. Clemmie and Emma discuss how two years of lockdowns, Zoom meetings and reduced physical contact have made us more dependent on the internet than ever before. But has it lost its humanity? Emma's new book, (Dis)co...

This week Clemmie tackles the topic of confidence with award winning blogger, confidence and self love advocate and motivational comedian Jessica Jones - aka 'The Fat Funny One' on Instagram - who has written 'Own It: How to Build Confidence, Completely Love Yourself and Embrace Your Body.' Clemmie asks what confidence really means, and Jessica explains how it hasn't always come easy for her. Plus...

This week Clemmie explores moons, star signs and all things astrology with astrologer and writer Francesca Oddie, whose quest is to present the subject simply and to enable people to comprehend and utilise the reliable roots of astrology.  Clemmie finds out why her husband is a 'turbo Aries', discovers how Francesca ended up as an astrologist and delves into the big question of what Francesca woul...

This week Clemmie talks all things sisters with Clover Stroud, whose sister Nell Gifford, the co-founder of Giffords Circus, died from breast cancer just before Christmas 2019 at the age of 46. Just days before, she had been given years to live. Her sudden death split Clover's life apart, and her new book, The Red of My Blood, charts her fearless passage through the first year after her sister's d...

This week Clemmie chats to author and journalist Grace Timothy about ADHD and her own chance diagnosis made in 2021 after an appointment to check on her hearing. Clemmie and Grace, who has written for publications including Style, Vogue, Glamour, Marie Claire, the Sunday Times and Teen Vogue and is about to launch her own podcast about ADHD, discuss: Clemmie's husband Ben's recent ADHD diagnosis H...

We all need boundaries right? But are we setting enough, and are they the right ones? This week Clemmie talks all things boundaries with transformational coach Zoe Blaskey, who founded Motherkind, a self-empowerment platform for mums, and a podcast of the same name. They cover: the differences between internal and external boundaries why boundaries are the key to successful relationships and why y...

In the second episode of series four, Clemmie chats to former fashion academic, turned writer and TED x speaker Stacey Heale whose husband, Delays drummer Greg Gilbert, died from bowel cancer in 2021. Since Greg's death Stacey has spoken out about her grief, the experience of watching a loved one go through cancer, and how to really live. In this emotional chat, Clemmie asks Stacey why she's so pa...

In the first episode of series four, Clemmie chats to Zoë Colville - aka @thechiefshepherdess on Instagram - about how she swapped a hair salon in Soho for life on the farm in Kent, why gold hoop earrings are important even when feeding goats, AND why she's determined to educate people about where food really comes from. To find out more about Zoë, check out her Instagram page and to get your hand...

This week Clemmie chats to journalist and author Natasha Lunn about all things LOVE. The pair discuss: What her biggest learning about love has been? How to find love? The importance of platonic love. What's the main reason love fails? How the idea she had of love when she younger differs from her understand of love? Buy Clemmie’s Debut book “But Why? How to Answer Tricky Questions from Kids by Ha...

This week Clemmie chats to a dispute resolution professional and lecturer from School of Life Tracey Fox. The pair discuss: What we mean by ‘conflict’. Different conflict styles. How do our experiences shape our conflict style? What makes conflict escalate? The significance of listening and different listening styles Clemmie’s Debut book “But Why? How to Answer Tricky Questions from Kids by Having...

This week Clemmie chats to registered Clinical Psychologist and Sunday Times Bestselling author Dr Sophie Mort about what it is to be human. The pair discuss:  why addictions aren't simply bad habits how focusing on some of the smaller tasks in life can help us when bigger jobs seem too daunting how to face your fears and conquer them And plenty more besides. Find out more about Dr Soph on her web...

This week Clemmie chats to author Clare Seal - aka @myfrugalyear on Instagram - about money, saving, spending and debt, and Romi Savova, CEO of episode sponsor PensionBee. Clare and Clemmie discuss: Clare’s early experiences of money. How and when she got into debt and how that accumulated. How living in debt felt. The vicious cycle of emotional spending. The process of deciding to make a change,...

This week Clemmie chats to Icelandic weightlfter and Crossfit athlete Sara Sigmunsdoittir. The pair discuss: Sara’s relationship with her body - now and growing up. How she still struggles with the being muscular . Wanting to be strong and feminine The impact of training on her cycles. Buy Clemmie’s Debut book “But Why? How to Answer Tricky Questions from Kids by Having Honest Conversation with Yo...

This week Clemmie chats to author Liv Thorne about the challenges of solo parenting. The pair discuss: How she reached the decision to have a baby alone. The process of choosing the sperm. What has surprised Liv about it? Hardest part? What it's taught her? How she talks to her son Herb about it. What advice would you go back and give yourself at the beginning of this process? Buy Clemmie’s Debut...

This week Clemmie chats to author, journalist and founder of The Sober Girls Society, Millie Gooch. The pair discuss: Booze culture in the UK. Deciding to give up alcohol and the utter joy that it brings. Opting to use the word ‘sober’ and why Advice for anyone who is sober curious How not drinking alcohol relates to her recent relationship break up. Buy Clemmie’s Debut book “But Why? How to Answe...