Proper dialogues!!

Hello Elizabeth.

You have a lovely quiet soothing voice and you let your guest speak

without interrupting. You have a way of asking and getting them to speak about others things as well as their failures.Thank you.

I’m a morning person so love listening to this podcast first thing to get my daily hit of inspiration to see me through the day.

Elizabeth is honest, personable and intelligent and is bang on with her interviewing. The guests teach me so much and so I recommend this podcast very much.

What a lovely guy! Wanting to return to his humble beginnings shows he has hung on to his roots & regain that sense of belonging. What a great interview. 👏

A beautifully inspiring podcast that’s uplifting. The Lucy spraggon episode opened up some amazing topics for discussion! Thank you

I have listened to many, many episodes of How to Fail. I love Elizabeth’s compassionate, intelligent and well-researched interviewing.

Meg Mason suggests at the end of the podcast that your listeners may well scroll past her episode to more famous names. Which is why I was compelled to write this review. In truth, I had not heard of her before, but this is one of my favourite episodes. I loved her honesty and integrity talking about lost friendship and the difficulties around permanence of her past writing. I found it very moving. I will most definitely be reading Sorrow and Bliss.

Elizabeth Day interviews with such compassion and insight, skilfully drawing people out; it’s such a refreshing change from the classic adversarial interview. I particularly loved the interviews with Dr Gladys McGarey - so inspiring and Greta Thunberg - informational and truly touching. I am making my way back through all the others. What a wealth! Thank you Elizabeth 💛

What a fabulous interview, and I’m so devastated we never got to have Rory as our Prime Minister… yet 🤞

Another 5* guest, thank you Elizabeth.

I love How To Fail but I’ve just skipped through over 6 minutes of ads to get to the episode! I know it’s financial so the podcast can continue, but surely we don’t need that much time wasted!

Really like this podcast, Elizabeth Day a fantastic interviewer and some really good people on the podcast. I know these have to be paid for but do we have to have seven minutes before the interview? This is longer than most podcasts I listen to. Have given a five star review because the content and delivery is so good.

I’m older, supposedly wiser and should know better, but with each How To Fail episode, I find myself learning so much about others and in turn myself . I’ve spent my life forging forwards, a career, single parent hood and surviving, not a lot of time for anything else … this pod cast is finally teaching me to listen.

This conversation has oceanic depths. Two extraordinary woman, it should be mandatory to listen - it’s like a public service to woman. 🩷💙💛🧡❤️ heartfelt thanks to you both. Xx

I love this podcast, Elizabeth is a wonderful interviewer. She shows compassion, kindness and vulnerability and I feel more seen and soothed with every episode. I live the conversational style, and I try to carry this forward into my own life and work. Thank you!

I was recommended this podcast and so went back through some of the people I knew and really enjoyed people’s honesty and vulnerability. I was excited to hear a contrary view to mine to hear trans-identified Elliot Paige as I am usually gender-critical. One of your first questions was about ‘truth’ and we were treated to Elliot’s version of their truth. I am sorry Elliot could not celebrate being a homosexual woman and was made to feel so homophobic and anxious that self-harming and removal of breasts was the answer. Life may seem better now for Elliot due to the celebration’ of this type of self-harm, but I would love to hear discussions with Elliot in the next 5-7 years to see how work, relationships, self-acceptance and general health ( due to testosterone intake). I couldn’t listen to all the interview as I felt like I was listening to a mentally ill person being used for entertainment and as a retired children’s nurse that was abhorrent to me. Be kind, don’t be blind.

Entitled

Evocative, thought provoking interviews that inevitably help you reflect on and reframe your own failures. When I’m struggling, these stories serve as my guard rails. Thank you Elizabeth!

Elizabeth just has the knack of getting her guests to lay their hearts out for scrutiny and she wraps them back up again in a warm secure blanket.

I love listening to your podcast. I find it really easy to listen to, interesting and heartfelt.

The show with Lucy Spraggan really was powerful and I want to comment how eloquently she told her story. I will definitely be getting her hook for my holiday in a few months. I am certain she will help bring the changes she is hoping for by being so authentic x

I really commend you Lucy. Sending you lots of love xx

Thank you Elizabeth for your podcast it really is a huge hug every week that keeps me feeling not so nuts with my own thoughts! I can relate so much to you and some of your guests especially your latest chat with Lucy Spraggen thank you thank you for making me feel understood and understanding my feelings…. I'm not alone.

Christine ❤️

Elizabeth day is such a compassionate, considerate interviewer and I have been blown away by this podcast many times before, but this episode was perhaps the most powerful. Lucy Spraggen is such an amazing person. As an assault survivor, this conversation hit me hard……hearing her appalling ordeal, treatment and the impact on her physical and mental health is so harrowing. I’m also currently having EMDR so could relate to that process.

For Lucy to move forward with her book and this interview to be a powerful change maker and truth teller makes her inspiring. I cannot wait to read her book.

Elizabeth Day you are a wonderful human

I have to say a massive thank you for producing such an amazing podcast ('How to Fail') - your kindness, tenderness, empathy and care is what makes each episode an absolute delight to listen to. The most recent episode with Lucy had me in tears not only of sadness but also of pride and admiration at how amazing Lucy is and how she has managed to navigate such difficult traumas in her life. What made the episode even more special was how you so carefully navigated such raw and traumatic experiences with such love and understanding. Thank you and thank you again - keep up the good work and constantly reminding us all that what the world really needs is people who listen, people who have empathy and people who can learn to live and learn through ‘failures’…Awesome work!!!!

What a moving episode, probably the most shocking, emotive and revelatory to date.

The reality TV machine can be quite a cruel beast.

Brilliant, practical and Inspiring, a breath of Fresh Air Thank you

It was really disappointing to hear the interview with Mel Shilling. Her answer to your question, what’s the difference between psychiatrists, psychotherapists and psychologists was confusing. She didn’t answer the question and you didn’t challenge this either, despite knowing the difference I’m sure - as you have a podcast best friend therapy and also talk a lot about your own experience. It was a shame that you weren’t as critical as you could be knowing a lot about this subject matter. For the record, Psychotherapists complete lengthy training and undergo personal therapy which psychologists have only recently had to do in the UK. I felt that she really devalued the work of psychotherapists and also likened them to life coaches and councillors which is a misrepresentation of the profession.

Every one is brilliant! Love the questions, the warmth, the laughter, the honesty, everything. Told my BBC boss about it and he’s now also a fan. Thank you. ❤️

Long story short , I’ve just listened to the Vanessa P episode and it was so raw, honest and beautiful I am now addicted. A beautiful podcast.

I take time away from listening to this podcast but always return to find the latest gem from Elizabeth Day.One of the best, most consistent listens in the podcasting universe.

There is so much empathy and respect from Elizabeth with her guests. I'm in tears often but because you manage to deal with difficult subjects with tenderness and restraint. X

This podcast is so nourishing and uplifting. What a gift to humanity — thank you 😀

This is still the best podcast - and I’ve listened to a few!

Lorraine Osborne

Just found this podcast. And I am podcast junky. Where have I been. This is food for the soul! Elizabeth - you show such kindness and empathy! How amazing is Doctor who is 104! What a story! Thank you!

Fantastic episode. Well worth a listen.

Amazing episode with Jay Shetty’s answer on happiness and success

Thank you so much for your great podcast. I’ve only just found you but I’m so grateful I have 🙏🙏🙏

Thank you for such an amazing podcast xx

Love it all…just listened to Rylan…what a wonderful man

Excellent interview. This was so interesting- what a great woman

Excellent episode! It’s as though you are a fly on the wall, listening to friends talking. I respect this man so much - and I agree with you Elizabeth - I could listen to him all day! Simple, honest and wise advice.

I’m not usually one to write podcast reviews but felt I must after listening to Elizabeth’s interview with Margaret Atwood. As a fan of The Handmaid’s tale, I devoured this interview. I thought Elizabeth’s questions were brilliant, ranging from the serious to light-hearted. I genuinely think this podcast keeps getting better and better!

I love the honesty and lessons that are shared in Elizabeth’s interviews in How to Fail. This is up there as one of my top listens along with Desert Island Discs 💕

I’m in love with Elizabeth Day. There I said it. Her genuine curiosity and empathy for others is manifest in every episode no matter who she’s interviewing. Each guest is welcomed into an intimate space to share their failures and tell their stories about figuring out the messy, complexities of life. A must listen.

I LOVED the Vanessa, Mel, and Rylan episodes. Check them out.

Could easily be called “how to loathe men”

Elizabeth Day! I first see you on the telly before lockdown and your voice captured me! I then bought your book How to fail! When I saw you had a podcast I was thrilled!

You are able to interview people in the most beautiful way! I can listen to you all day! You are a true treasure!

Thank you

I encourage everyone to listen to this

I absolutely love this podcast. So life-affirming, uplifting and insightful. The podcast is a constant comfort to me, as well as helping me to grow as a person ❤️ Thank you Elizabeth!

A great idea for a podcast well executed .

The episode with Vanessa Feltz was particularly good.

I am an avid follower of Gabby Logan’s podcast midpoint and heard Elizabeth Day interviewed by shabby recently.

I was inspired by the idea of this podcast in a world of so much illusory perfection.

I downloaded it and I’m hooked.

Elizabeth is a talented thoughtful, erudite and probing interviewer. Her warmth is palpable and her guests speak with clarity and purpose because of her friendly and interested approach. She has always researched the guests thoroughly and introduces them with sparkling but accurate introductions.

I have not failed to be uplifted with any of the episodes I have listened to across such a wide range of guests including Lily Allen, Bernie Sanders, Caitlin Moran, Margaret Atwood, Raven Smith and Sophie Ellis-Bexter.

I am poised to buy her novels and non fiction books all of which sound fascinating.

Elizabeth - I listened to you talk about friendships recently and would like to be a honorary friend to you by tuning in to your fabulous podcast. Your words about your fertility treatment and sadness at not having a child touched me - I have been lucky enough to experience motherhood but I feel (as Deborah Frances-White also shared) that the love and wisdom you have shared with the children in your life is a blessing to them and will be so important to have an adult who ‘chooses’ to show an interest rather than it being an obligation (no matter how joyfully fulfilled) especially in this modern world with so many pitfalls and hurdles for young people to navigate.

Go Elizabeth - you are wonderful.

(I apologise for the gushiness of this review - I just don’t think we praise anywhere near as much as we criticise and I’m keen to do my bit here for my own well-being and positivity too).

How to Fail is my new favourite podcast, and Elizabeth Day is my new favourite person! I’m so happy I came across this accidentally. Elizabeth is so eloquent and inspiring, but also really open and down to earth - and a natural having conversations, sometimes which are quite difficult. I love the range of guests and conversations she has on the show and look forward to listening every week. Thank you 🤍

I’m such a big fan of this podcast, a friend suggested for my walks during lockdown and I’ve never looked back. One of the best podcasts out there!

I am doing injustice to this podcast using emojis. However it is a just a tiny reflection of my views🤗. Awesome podcast a must listen, articulate, insightful, funny and a lot more good stuff. Great job Elizabeth and thank you 💕💕💕

There are podcasts I only listen to when there’s a topic or guest of particular interest. How to Fail however is one of the few podcasts I never miss. Elizabeth Day is a warm, intelligent and engaging presenter/interviewer. 5 + stars.