EXCLUSIVE Nadiya Hussain Breaks Silence on BBC Exit! The Truth About My Decade On TV
Nadiya Hussain breaks her silence after being axed by the BBC, and how being the “relatable Muslim” on TV came at the cost of her voice, her identity, and her mental health. In this exclusive conversation, the Great British Bake Off winner shares the truth about her decade in TV, what really happened behind the scenes and why she could no longer stay silent.
Known for her warmth and resilience, Nadiya reflects on what it really means to be a Muslim woman in British media - and why she now believes she was chosen to tick a box, not to be heard.
Nadiya reveals:
◽️ Why she believes her BBC shows were cancelled
◽️ The moment she knew the TV industry had no space for her full self
◽️ How childhood bullying, racism, and abuse shaped her view of womanhood
◽️ The devastating truth behind her anxiety and panic attacks
◽️ Her 19-year arranged marriage and how their love grew into deep partnership
◽️ The “monster” she carries every day: living with lifelong anxiety
◽️ How faith became her anchor when nothing else made sense
If you’ve ever felt boxed in, overlooked, or silenced - this episode is for you.
Nadiya Hussain, We Need To Talk.
This episode contains discussions of suicide and sexual assault. We’ve included links to support charities below:
Survivor’s Trust: https://g2ul0.app.link/HOj44LvWZUb
Samaritans: https://g2ul0.app.link/1CRhatR7mPb
CALM: https://g2ul0.app.link/YvmzhM17mPb
MIND: https://g2ul0.app.link/d72yzu7jJOb
Follow me here:
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Support Nadiya here:
Instagram: https://g2ul0.app.link/wCgpgZWUZUb
Rooza: https://g2ul0.app.link/KxpX8k1UZUb
(00:00) Intro
(01:59) Nadiya's Family and Their Journey to the UK in the 1950s
(06:51) Nadiya's Relationship to Her Parents
(09:01) Nadiya's Favourite Memory of Her Childhood Home
(12:43) Nadiya's Experience of Sexual Abuse as a Child
(16:24) Nadiya's Experience of Intense Bullying at School and Suicidal Ideation
(23:23) Nadiya's Perspective on Being a Muslim Woman
(28:57) Mental Health Issues in the UK Muslim Community
(34:11) Nadiya's Thoughts on Being an Ally for the Muslim Community
(35:41) Nadiya's Arranged Marriage
(50:28) How Nadiya Made Her Marriage Work After Limited Time Together Pre-Wedding
(54:22) Nadiya's Journey Living with Anxiety
(1:01:58) Tinder Ad
(1:03:06) How Nadiya Got on to Bake Off
(1:05:38) Nadiya's Experience of Winning Bake Off and the Aftermath
(1:07:13) How Does It Feel to Be 'Alien'?
(1:10:18) The Impact of Death Threats
(1:11:55) The Positive Impact of Fame
(1:13:30) The Speech That Nadiya Gave After Winning Bake Off
(1:15:48) What Happened in the Aftermath of Nadiya's Win
(1:18:44) The Negative Aspects of Working in the TV Industry
(1:23:16) Nadiya's Experience of Making Complaints in the TV Industry
(1:33:23) Why Did the BBC Choose to Stop Nadiya's Shows?
(1:36:26) What the Future Holds for Nadiya
(1:40:04) Most Memorable Conversation
(1:45:09) Paul's Takeaways
Sponsored by:
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1:53:10
Mel Robbins "The Let Them Theory Changed My Marriage!" Watch This Before Breaking Up!
This is an interview like no other. Mel Robbins opens up about overcoming crippling anxiety, undiagnosed ADHD, and childhood trauma with the life-changing 5 Second Rule. At 41, she was $800,000 in debt, unemployed, and waking up with a feeling of full-body dread every single day.
Mel shares the one rule that became her turning point - helping her get out of bed and rebuild her life from the ground up. She opens up about how the "Let Them" theory saved her 29-year marriage, and how she faced identity struggles and mental health challenges that were holding her back.
Now one of the most influential voices in personal growth and self-improvement, Mel reflects on the pivotal moments that shaped her journey. With over a billion video views and multiple bestselling books, Mel shares how she transformed her life and how you can do the same.
Whether you're navigating a long-term relationship, struggling with anxiety, or simply looking to reclaim your power, this episode offers real, actionable insights for anyone ready to change their life.
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(00:00) Intro
(00:52) Mel's Upbringing in 1960s USA
(09:14) Mel's Attachment Style and Childhood Trauma
(18:49) Mel's Experience of University
(27:08) Mel's First Legal Job and the Lessons It Taught Her
(42:12) Shopify Ad
(43:15) Tinder Ad
(44:25) How Mel Met Her Husband Chris
(52:35) How Mel's ADHD Affected Her Marriage
(1:03:32) How the 'Let Them' Theory Helped Mel's Marriage
(1:06:24) Indeed Ad
(1:07:36) How Mel and Chris Navigated a Dip in Their Marriage from 2008–14
(1:12:58) How Mel Changed Careers
(1:16:38) The Success of Mel's 2011 TED Talk
(1:22:19) Roles Within Mel's Marriage with Chris
(1:28:04) A Message from Mel's Daughter
(1:31:54) Mel's Thoughts on Motherhood
(1:36:09) Some Parting Thoughts on the 'Let Them' Theory from Mel
(1:43:07) Most Memorable Conversation
(1:47:03) Paul's Takeaways
Sponsored By:
Shopify: www.shopify.co.uk/needtotalk
Tinder: https://tinder.com/en-GB
Indeed: https://indeed.com/weneedtotalk
♥️Get The Love Journal now: https://bit.ly/lovejournal-mp
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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1:53:39
He Hit Me Then Took My Car! Safiyya Vorajee Opens Up About Toxic Ex, Losing Azaylia & Truth About Relationship With Ashley Cain
In this deeply moving conversation, we hear the unimaginable grief of losing a child and how it reshapes every part of your life. In this episode of We Need To Talk, Safiyya Vorajee sits down with Paul for a powerful conversation about love, loss, and survival.
She shares the moment everything changed - when she and Ashley Cain were told their daughter Azaylia had leukemia. From the hospital diagnosis to the months that followed in survival mode, Safiyya speaks with raw honesty about watching her child fight for her life, the strength it took to carry on, and the identity loss that followed.
Safiyya also opens up about a past toxic relationship. From love bombing to being physically assaulted, she reveals the manipulation she endured, the moment she walked away, and how she found her power again.
This is a story of heartbreak, healing, and the fierce resilience of a mother.
Please note this conversation includes sensitive topics that may be distressing. We’ve included support charities below:
Samaritans: https://g2ul0.app.link/qcJLJLhBjTb
Survivor's Trust: https://g2ul0.app.link/yh0NrvNsvTb
Refuge: https://g2ul0.app.link/td2zqEPpGTb MIND: https://g2ul0.app.link/Ne9MpdtBjTb
Follow me here:
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Follow Safiyya here:
Instagram: https://g2ul0.app.link/Kmuns1I8qUb
TikTok: https://g2ul0.app.link/HygGF1N8qUb
YouTube: https://g2ul0.app.link/cRr3dL4hrUb
The Azaylia Foundation: https://g2ul0.app.link/lRx58dL8qUb
Book: https://g2ul0.app.link/si63c6YhrUb
(00:00) Intro
(02:15) Safiyya's Family Growing Up
(05:04) Safiyya's Early Problematic Relationship
(17:31) Safiyya's Transition from Owning a Salon to Aesthetics
(19:19) How Safiyya and Ashley Cain Got Together
(27:08) Safiyya on Parenting and Having Azaylia with Ashley
(37:17) Tinder Ad
(38:19) Love Journal Ad
(39:04) Azaylia's Illness
(1:06:24) How Safiyya Dealt with the Grief of Azaylia's Death
(1:10:51) How Safiyya and Ashley's Relationship Ended
(1:22:48) Safiyya's Current Love Life
(1:31:50) Would Safiyya Go on MAFS?
(1:33:03) Safiyya's Current Projects
(1:34:22) Most Memorable Conversation
(1:41:15) Paul's Takeaways
Tinder: https://tinder.com/en-GB
♥️Get The Love Journal now: https://bit.ly/lovejournal-mp
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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1:47:09
The No.1 Communication Expert: Never Argue With a Narcissist! The One Word All Liars Use. This Mistake Leads to Divorce!
Jefferson Fisher sits down with Paul to unpack the communication habits that can quietly make or break relationships, from texts we should never send to arguments we should never try to win.
As a trial lawyer turned viral speaking coach, Jefferson has built a following of millions by teaching one thing: how to have hard conversations without losing yourself. He reveals the one word all liars use, how to spot a narcissist in an argument, and the subtle cues that signal whether a relationship will survive or silently collapse.
He also explains how to master confrontation without creating conflict, and the powerful eye contact trick that can change the way we connect. This is a conversation about how to show up with confidence and strength, even when the stakes are high.
Follow me here:
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Follow Jefferson here:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jefferson_fisher/?hl=en
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@justaskjefferson?lang=en-GB
The Next Conversation: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/462125/the-next-conversation-by-fisher-jefferson/9780241719886
(00:00) Intro
(01:46) Self Esteem and Communication
(07:07) Preparing to Spot the Lie
(08:47) Let Your Breath Be the First Word You Say
(12:28) How Important Is Context to Communication?
(14:06) How Do We Best Connect Through Conversation?
(18:42) Never Win an Argument
(22:34) Active Listening
(26:47) Don't Step on Their Cry
(29:06) The Importance of Smiling
(33:41) Body Language and Pacing
(38:24) How Do We Spot a Liar?
(45:11) Indeed Ad
(46:22) Tinder Ad
(47:25) Temperature Checks
(49:53) Emotional Availability in Men
(58:52) Toxicity in Relationships
(1:18:15) Dealing with Narcissists
(1:24:16) Dealing with Gaslighting
(1:29:47) How to Have Difficult Conversations
(1:40:09) Jefferson's Conversation Demonstration
(1:43:58) Jefferson's Parting Advice
(1:45:26) Jefferson's Most Profound Conversation
(1:48:50) Paul's Takeaways
(1:50:56) Love Journal Ad
Sponsored by:
Indeed: https://indeed.com/weneedtotalk
Tinder: https://tinder.com/en-GB
♥️ Get The Love Journal now: https://bit.ly/lovejournal-mp
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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1:55:43
“I Don’t Define My Sexuality!” Lorna Luxe EXCLUSIVELY Shares The Truth About Her Marriage
Fashion influencer and entrepreneur Lorna Luxe sits down with Paul for her most revealing interview yet.
In this episode of We Need To Talk, Lorna opens up about the battles that shaped her - from growing up in Manchester with a fractured relationship with her father, to her struggle with food that cost her her dream job as cabin crew.
She reflects on how she built from the ground up - finding connections through Instagram, building a community of over 1.5 million, launching global fashion partnerships, and creating her own successful brands.
For the first time, Lorna also speaks candidly about her first relationship - with a woman she felt too ashamed to tell anyone about - and the life she’s built since with her husband John. She shares the reality of navigating a 21-year age gap and the quiet strength holding them together as John continues his battle with cancer.
This is a story of survival, self-worth, and what it really means to take control of your own narrative.
Please note this conversation includes sensitive topics that may be distressing. We’ve included support charities below:
MIND: https://g2ul0.app.link/Ne9MpdtBjTb
Beat Eating Disorders https://g2ul0.app.link/gHK6cjr3ZRb Follow me here:
https://www.instagram.com/needtotalk
https://www.tiktok.com/@weneedtotalkpod
Follow Lorna here:
Instagram https://g2ul0.app.link/eyYrzYw6PTb
TikTok https://g2ul0.app.link/Gdch1uz6PTb
No98 Beauty https://g2ul0.app.link/ssYHJ7s6PTb No98 Beauty Instagram https://g2ul0.app.link/aGExYSo6PTb
(0:00) Intro
(2:47) Lorna's First Childhood Memory
(8:51) Paul Shows Lorna a Picture of When She Was 6 Years Old
(10:04) Lorna's Childhood
(11:05) Lorna's Early Relationships and Sexuality
(14:37) Why Lorna Decided to Work in Cabin Crew
(16:33) Dating in Brighton Post-University
(19:25) Lorna's Time as a Flight Attendant
(22:16) Lorna's Struggles with Eating Disorders
(39:31) Lorna's Marriage to Her Husband John
(58:45) Shopify Ad
(59:49) Tinder Ad
(1:01:07) Lorna's Thoughts on Having Children
(1:03:19) John's Current Health
(1:19:12) How Lorna Got Into Her Influencing Career
(1:32:04) Most Memorable Conversation
(1:36:00) Paul's Takeaways
(1:39:07) Crossed Wires Ad
Sponsored by:
Shopify: www.shopify.co.uk/needtotalk
Tinder: https://tinder.com/en-GB
We Need To Talk LIVE: https://g2ul0.app.link/VOjDM0icWSb
We Need To Talk: LIVE in Sheffield! Join Paul and a very special guest for our first ever We Need To Talk live show - coming to Crossed Wires on 5th July 2025.
Be part of the conversation, in person https://g2ul0.app.link/VOjDM0icWSb
Just launched - The Love Journal - a space to build a stronger, more intentional relationship - starting with yourself: https://bit.ly/lovejournal-mp
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When someone says to you 'we need to talk', how does that make you feel?
The hardest conversations to have are also the most important. Paul C Brunson, the world’s most influential matchmaker and TV star, brings his insightful commentary on how to create and sustain successful relationships through vulnerability, connection and understanding.
From weekly conversations with industry experts and familiar faces, Paul promises to support your personal growth, provide practical insights, and deliver actionable advice that will add value to your relationships.
Ready to deepen those connections? Then you’re in the right place.
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