In this special episode of Gobsmacked!, I’m joined by my second cousin, Damian Le Bas, author of the acclaimed The Stopping Places and now The Drowned Places, a haunting, lyrical exploration of grief, memory, and the worlds that lie beneath the surface.

Written in the wake of his father's death, the visionary artist Damian Le Bas, the book takes us on a journey through submerged landscapes and the emotional terrain of loss, drawing unexpected parallels with the myth of Atlantis.

We speak about his parents' creative brilliance, including his mother, Turner Prize nominee Delaine Le Bas, his experience of writing through grief, and the grounding arrival of fatherhood with the birth of his daughter, Nina.

My word—this is a profoundly articulate, bright, and thoughtful fellow. Sitting down with him for this conversation about legacy, identity, and resurfacing after loss was a true privilege.

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Kathryn Ellis was a woman who was on it—a yoga devotee, deeply into alternative health, and by all accounts, living her best life. But what happens when being the picture of wellness masks something serious?

In this powerful and eye-opening episode, we hear how Kathryn’s healthy lifestyle ironically delayed a diagnosis of diabetes, allowing the condition to take hold silently. She was, quite literally, disappearing in plain sight.

This conversation offers honest, informative insights into living with and spotting diabetes—a challenging, often life-shortening condition that can go unnoticed for too long.

Tune in—it’s raw, real, and absolutely worth a listen.

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I first met Emma Mead years ago when she was at the top of her game in a high-powered corporate role—driven, sharp, and full of energy. Life, however, had different plans. When our paths crossed again, Emma was navigating an unimaginable reality: a terminal breast cancer diagnosis. As if that weren’t enough, her husband was also living with incurable brain cancer, forcing them both to figure out how to balance their battles while prioritising each other.

Emma’s story is not just about illness—it’s about defiance, determination, and the relentless pursuit of life. She is not someone who simply accepts conventional wisdom when the clock is ticking. Instead, she seeks knowledge, fights for options, and refuses to waste a second on anything that doesn’t serve her mission to live fully.

Our conversation in the studio was poignant, moving, and surprisingly energising—a testament to the power of the human spirit. I encourage you to listen, reflect, and take something from the way Emma chooses to live.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.