Jack Ivens-Gardiner is living his best life as a married, gay man with autism, but finding his place in the world hasn’t always been so easy.  Katie met Jack at ITV studios many moons ago, doing his job in production on ITV daytime. Katie loved Jack’s vibrant clothes and kind nature, and the two found common ground more recently as they made their voices heard about their invisible disabilities in a new ITV campaign.  Jack and his husband Wes have also recently adopted a little boy and made an informative podcast about the process called “2 Dad’s Can Do It”, and along with their Instagram page are hoping they can help others on their own adoption journey too. Jack tells Katie about living confidently with autism, how some companies could do better for their neurodiverse employees and how he kept his gay balloon to himself until he was ready to let it fly!  This is a Somethin’ Else production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Katie Piper's Extraordinary People

Jack Ivens-Gardiner is Extraordinary!

Lauren Mahon is a campaigner and podcast host who has gone, and continues to go, above and beyond to share the truth of what being diagnosed with breast cancer as a young woman really means.  After receiving her own diagnosis in 2016, at just 31 years old, Lauren took her natural strength and gumption and started raising money for charity the very next day, all whilst spreading the word to women to check their breasts.  Lauren went on to write about her experiences candidly on her “girl vs cancer” blog and after gaining a huge following, began co-hosting award-winning BBC podcast “You, Me and the Big C”.  5 years on, Katie catches up with Lauren to find out the impact cancer has had on her world, why she simply had to use her diagnosis for good, and her exciting “girl vs cancer” news!  This is a Somethin’ Else production.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lauren Mahon is Extraordinary!

Jamie Campbell joins Katie on the day “Everybody’s Talking About Jamie”, the star-studded film, drops on Amazon Prime.  This is a huge day for Jamie, who’s story of wanting to go to his small town high school prom in drag, started out on the small screen in the BBC Three documentary “Jamie: Drag Queen at 16” in 2011.  This poignant time of Jamie’s life went on to be told on stage in the popular musical version in 2017 in Sheffield, moving quickly into London’s West End.  Katie chats to Jamie about his inspiring story of courage, support and inclusion, exactly what you need if you’re an aspiring drag queen and how to support others who are finding their place in the world. The ultimate uplifting listen!  This is a Somethin’ Else production.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jamie Campbell is Extraordinary!

Ollie Locke and Gareth Locke became the Locke-Locke’s less than a year ago, as they got married with only 13 guests in attendance, 1 minute before another lockdown hit the UK. Not ones for going low-key though, cast members Ollie & Gareth filmed their wedding for the popular reality tv show Made In Chelsea, and it became the most watched wedding, worldwide, of 2020!  A few months ago the happy couple started their surrogacy journey and are taking their huge following of fans with them through the highs and lows, and are using their platform to try to break the stigma of IVF.  Katie chats to them about their coming out stories, embarking upon IVF, and they bond over memories of nights out at iconic London club, China Whites!  This is a Somethin’ Else production.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ollie and Gareth Locke are Extraordinary!

Dawn O’Porter is an author and presenter, wife and mother, who thrives on been open and honest, especially with her dedicated Patreon fan base. Dawn is well- known for her critically acclaimed books and presenting deep-diving documentaries but, like the rest of us, the lockdowns during the coronavirus pandemic hit hard. To add to the struggle of not being allowed to leave the house, Dawn experienced the tragic and sudden loss of her close friend Caroline Flack, and so, dealing with this grief and sadness along with day-to-day family life, Dawn started writing a diary. In October 2020, Dawn released Life In Pieces, her first non-fiction book, and all about her life in lockdown. As the paperback of the book released yesterday, Dawn and Katie chat parenting, charity, grief in lockdown and of course…. weed gummies! This is a Somethin’ Else production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dawn O'Porter is Extraordinary!

Ed Jackson is a successful TV presenter, mountaineer, and as of yesterday, an author, however this hasn’t always been Ed’s way of life. A former professional rugby player, Ed was involved in a freak accident, diving head-first into the shallow end of a swimming pool back in 2017. Ed broke his neck and crushed his spinal cord, leaving him paralysed in a hospital bed, and was told he would never walk again. That, however, was not going to get in the way of Ed living his life to the fullest. In the last four years, Ed has not only focussed on his own recovery, defying the odds and learning to walking again, but felt immediately inspired to help others. Ed has unbelievably been climbing mountains since 2018, raising thousands of pounds for charity, and has more recently started his very own charity “Millimetres to Mountains”. Ed’s first book “Lucky” was released yesterday, to unite and inspire the reader, whatever their story. Lucky by Ed Jackson (Published by HQ) is out now. This is a Somethin’ Else production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ed Jackson is Extraordinary!

Seema Jaswal is a successful sports presenter who most recently landed her dream job as lead co-host of ITV’s coverage of Euro 2020. Having worked across sport for many years, including for Channel 4 and on the Premiere League’s worldwide coverage, Seema is an absolute pro, but her success has not been handed to her on a plate. After being hit by bacterial meningitis at just 16 years old, sport was an important part of Seema's recovery and accelerated her passion for life and her work! Seema's energy is completely infectious as she talks to Katie about how the industry is slowly changing for females, why she wants to inspire young people and the lessons she’s learnt along the way! This is a Somethin’ Else production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Seema Jaswal is Extraordinary!

Gareth Thomas is a former Rugby Union captain, winning 100 caps for Wales, then moving to rugby league and leading his country to victory over France in the European cup. Going against the grain in the world of male dominated sports, Gareth came out publicly as gay in 2009 and more recently, 10 years on, revealed that he was HIV positive. Now leading a Tackle HIV campaign, Gareth uses his passion to end the stigma surrounding HIV to educate others. Gareth tells Katie a story about his experience being blackmailed, how he used this to take back control and the joys of living his life now truly as himself. This is a Somethin’ Else production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gareth Thomas is Extraordinary!

Gary served in the military and the British Transport Police. He was a frontline worker in the aftermath of the 7/7 bombings and is haunted by some of the tragic things he has seen as part of his job. As mentioned in the podcast, here is the link for the charity that Gary runs. https://www.ptsd999.org.uk/ Claudia Winkleman and Professor Tanya Byron identify struggles faced by real-life parents and family members by inviting them in and hearing their story, in a one-time unscripted session with a real person. Claudia listens in to the conversation to discover how Tanya begins to unlock the story behind the issue and help find solutions. With topics ranging from parental estrangement, gender identity, domestic violence, trauma, inheriting mental health issues, family dynamics after cancer and raising a severely disabled daughter, How Did We Get Here? is a passionate, insightful and moving experience with clear outcomes to each episode. This podcast doesn’t tell people how to raise their children, or reconnect with family members, rather it helps people understand why, as perfectly competent adults, they can’t put into practice what they know they should do. Each episode passes on useful links and contacts which listeners can find in the programme notes. This is a Somethin' Else production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Introducing... How Did We Get Here? Season 3!

Emma Barnett is an award-winning journalist and broadcaster, having worked for several newspapers and across the BBC for a number of years. In January this year, Emma stepped down from her show on BBC Radio 5 Live to begin her new role as lead presenter on BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour. In 2019, after opening up about her struggles with endometriosis, Emma published her first book “It’s About Bloody Time. Period.”, extending the conversation about the secrecy and stigma attached to one of women’s most natural bodily functions. Yesterday, Emma released the paperback version of the book and shares with Katie a plethora of hilarious “bloody” stories and just HOW that “blood drop” emoji finally made it to our keypads! This is a Somethin’ Else production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Emma Barnett is Extraordinary!

Rose Ellen Dix and Rosie Spaughton are the most successful same-sex couple on YouTube in the UK, renowned for their very honest and open conversations about their relationship as a gay married couple, and at the same time tackling wider LGBTQ+ issues.  After struggles with not knowing exactly how to go about having a baby, and Rose going through a miscarriage in lockdown, the pair are now pregnant, with Rosie giving birth in a matter of weeks!  The couple discuss their difficult journey to pregnancy (giving the listeners their top tips too) and where their boundaries are with what they put on the internet. The three get on so well and Katie’s already a proud auntie! This is a Somethin’ Else production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rose & Rosie are Extraordinary!

Nic Hamilton had a dream of becoming a racing car driver when he was just 4 years old. As a child however, he was told he’d always be reliant on a wheelchair and never have his independence because of his disability. Nic was born with Spastic Diplegia, a form of cerebral palsy which affects the use of both his legs. Not one to be told what to do, Nic was determined to prove everyone wrong. He became the British champion of an online driving game, developed the strength in his legs to drive a racing car for real and was the first disabled driver to take part in the British Touring Car Championship, the pinnacle of British motorsport. As well as a driver, Nic is also a motivational speaker and wow will you feel motivated after listening to this episode! Nic tells Katie about the struggles he has overcome, his excitement to become a father one day and gives some inspiring thoughts to take-away! A Somethin' Else production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nic Hamilton is Extraordinary!

Daniel Howell is a name that 17 million people will know from being avid followers of his YouTube channel for the past 10 years. In the beginning, these followers were built tall from Dan’s comedian prowess… and no-one questioned it.  Several years into his success one person started to question where his humour came from and who he really was, and the person with those questions, was Dan. In the last few years Dan has bravely used his platform to air his struggles with his mental health and his sexuality, hoping to help others going through similar difficulties, and he hasn’t stopped there.  With his brand new book “You Will Get Through This Night” releasing next week, Dan is giving advice to his readers he wished he’d had all those years ago, providing the tools to understand your own mind.  Dan and Katie hit it off as they discuss the amazing clarity he found after coming out as gay, the effects comedy has had on his life and the difficult truth about going for a run! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Daniel Howell is Extraordinary!

Leomie Anderson is an International Model, Spokesperson and Entrepreneur and on her podcast, she asks major names the questions that others are afraid to ask. Unapologetically different, Leomie created her brand LAPP to amplify the voices of young women across the world. On Role Model, you will hear her real conversation with big stars that will inspire you to follow your dreams. Role Model is a Somethin' Else production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Introducing... Role Model!

Livi Deane was diagnosed with retinoblastoma at 12 years old. A rare cancer of the eye, it is usually diagnosed in children under the age of 4 and after Livi went through 16 rounds of chemotherapy, the decision was taken to remove Livi’s eye at 14 years old.  At the time, Livi was only the second person in the UK to be diagnosed with this cancer over the age of five which means, at 23, the intricacies of her experience are even more memorable. Livi took to Instagram in 2019 to find her tribe and that she certainly did! By posting a photo baring her empty socket, she attracted the attention of many who have the same prosthetic as her and continues to be just as inspired by her followers as they are by her!  Livi joins Katie as they discuss her journey of acceptance, where she finds her strength and resilience, and the lengths she went to to keep her wig on for her favourite fairground ride! A Somethin’ Else Production.

Livi Deane is Extraordinary!

Stories that will inspire you, making you laugh and cry. Katie chats with inspirational people who have turned incredible adversity into powerful positivity. A Somethin' Else production.

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Katie Piper's Extraordinary People

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