"Where are all the women?"

Lisa Nandy is the Labour MP for Wigan and the Shadow Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

In this conversation, Jess and Lisa talk about the realities of working in politics, being women and working mums in Westminster and discuss the three people Lisa would write letters to and who have influenced her life.

They reveal the hilarious moments, the times where politicians "fall off the tightrope" and how to pick yourself up.

Follow the podcast at @jessphillipspod to keep up with the latest episodes and share your letters of gratitude using the hashtag: #JessPhillipsPod.

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In this letterbox episode, Jess speaks to journalist Paul Brand about the friendship he found with Miriam Hobbs; a woman he met when she was 88 years-old.

They speak about kindness, gratitude and sharing life experiences with different generations.

Follow the podcast at @jessphillipspod to keep up with the latest episodes and share your letters of gratitude using the hashtag: #JessPhillipsPod.

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Can you imagine growing up without celebrations?

For author and screenwriter Kit De Waal this was the norm, after her mother decided to become a Jehovah's witness.

In this episode, Kit and Jess chat about why they love receiving handwritten letters, their love for Birmingham and TV writer Sally Wainwright's portrayal of the working class on British television.

Follow the podcast at @jessphillipspod to keep up with the latest episodes and share your letters of gratitude using the hashtag: #JessPhillipsPod.

Trigger Warning: This contains discussions of substance abuse and rape.

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When Zara McDermott was 14 years-old and at school, she was a victim of revenge porn and says she was 'punished' as a result.

In this letterbox episode, Zara tells Jess about the supportive letter she received from her old psychology teacher and the words she read which meant the world to her.

Follow the podcast at @jessphillipspod to keep up with the latest episodes and share your letters of gratitude using the hashtag: #JessPhillipsPod

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TW: Infertility, IVF & pregnancy loss

Do you have a friend in your life that you connected with immediately?

For journalist Elizabeth Day, it was her friend Emma and in this episode, Elizabeth tells Jess about the joy she brings to her life, as well as how she helped her heal during the toughest moments when she believed she 'failed' as a woman.

Elizabeth tells Jess about her special 'no judgement' friendship, their mutual feelings around jealousy at work, her fertility struggles and what it was like growing up around the violence of Northern Ireland's Troubles. 

Follow the podcast at @jessphillipspod to keep up with the latest episodes and share your letters of gratitude using the hashtag: #JessPhillipsPod

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In this letterbox episode, Jess speaks to Dame Arlene Phillips about taking a leap of faith and being brave when it comes to making life changing decisions. The choreographer, theatre director and former BBC Strictly judge tells Jess about the courage she showed and the letter she would write to her late dance mentor.

Follow the podcast at @jessphillipspod to keep up with the latest episodes and share your letters of gratitude using the hashtag: #JessPhillipsPod

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 TW: This episode contains many discussions about coping with cancer and losing people to the disease.

If you have lost a loved one in your lifetime, you would be familiar with the power of grief and the complex feelings and emotions that come with it.

Cariad Lloyd is a comedian, writer and actor and hosts the award-winning podcast ‘Griefcast’. She lost her father to pancreatic cancer when she was just 15-years-old and explains to Jess the difficulties she experienced after not having the chance to finish the relationship.

In this episode, Cariad tells Jess about the joy of having strong female friendships and shares her experience and knowledge about managing grief. Plus, they talk about death, its concepts and the letters Cariad would write to the three people who mean the world to her.

Follow the podcast at @jessphillipspod to keep up with the latest episodes and share your letters of gratitude using the hashtag: #JessPhillipsPod

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In this letterbox episode, Jess speaks to former Olympic champion swimmer Rebecca Adlington about the significance of having that one person believing in you and helping you to reach your full potential and achieve success.

If you want to listen to the rest of this conversation, scroll back to 19 May 2022 for the full episode.

Follow the podcast at @jessphillipspod to keep up with the latest episodes and share your letters of gratitude using the hashtag: #JessPhillipsPod

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TW: Contains discussions of domestic and child abuse.

Author, writer and journalist Terri White was just five years-old when she was first abused in her family home in Chesterfield, but despite her terrifying and traumatic childhood, she learnt how to live, has had an incredibly successful career and is now a mother herself.

In this episode, Terri writes a letter to her younger self offering words of comfort and tells Jess about her desire to help other vulnerable children who might not see a life beyond.

In this candid conversation, Terri also talks about the joy of breaking the cycle when she became a mother, the emotional whirlwind of pregnancy, and about the letters she would write to the people who mean the world to her.

Follow the podcast at @jessphillipspod to keep up with the latest episodes and share your letters of gratitude using the hashtag: #JessPhillipsPod

If you or someone you know is affected by the issues surrounding this conversation, you can access information and support online.

If you are concerned about the safety of a child, go to the NSPCC website on www.nspcc.org.uk and call 0808 800 5000. Or for children under 18 it’s 0800 1111.

For domestic abuse concerns, you can visit the website Refuge at refuge.org.uk or call the National Abuse Helpline anytime for free at 0808 2000 247.

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TW: Contains discussions of mental health and references to suicide.

In this letterbox episode, Jess speaks to award-winning actor and writer Nathaniel Hall about the shame he experienced when he was diagnosed with HIV as a teenager, how the power of shame took him to some of his darkest moments and breaking free.

If you want to listen to the rest of this conversation, scroll back to 26 September for the full episode.

Follow the podcast at @jessphillipspod to keep up with the latest episodes and share your letters of gratitude using the hashtag: #JessPhillipsPod

If you are struggling with your mental health, you can visit www.samaritans.org or call them for free at 116 123.

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