WHOLE: The Podcast

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...

WHOLE the podcast delves into the intricate dynamics of sustaining a career that is not only meaningful but also promotes personal well-being. This episode is a reflection on what sparked the podcast and indeed Christabel's drive to examine the fundamental question of why certain individuals are able to forge and maintain careers that resonate with their core values, while others falter along the...

John Altman, a distinguished composer, musician, and arranger, embodies the philosophy of embracing opportunities, regardless of prior experience. Throughout his illustrious career, which includes contributions to over 4000 advertisements and collaborations with musical legends, Altman emphasizes the significance of an open-minded approach in the creative arts. By advocating for the adage of never...

What does it mean to stay creative, courageous and authentic when life throws its hardest challenges at you? In this uplifting episode, I’m joined by Leftfield’s Neil Barnes and his partner Tania Sansom for a deeply human conversation about illness, identity, resilience and the power of music to carry us through. Neil shares openly about what has sustained his decades-long career in electronic mus...

This podcast session delves into the profound relationship between music and personal fulfillment, featuring the legendary broadcaster, Mike Read. We engage in an exploration of the myriad experiences that have shaped his illustrious career, emphasizing the significance of authenticity and passion in the creative industry. Mike articulates the essence of living with purpose, contending that true s...