Alan Cumming: “I allow people to be abusive!” How to build self-worth and say no
About this episode
<p>Alan Cumming's dad told him he was worthless, and his mum told him he was precious. Figuring out how he feels about himself has been a life’s work.</p><br><p>In this chat with Fearne, Alan’s open about the ways he’s allowed people to treat him badly, and how he’s learnt to get comfortable with confrontation and setting boundaries. He also explains why the rage in the script of his new TV show triggered painful childhood memories.</p><br><p>Fearne and Alan share their experiences of oscillating between relentless, excited<em> </em>creativity (constantly manifesting bigger and better jobs) and a desire to rest (Alan’s fantasies about becoming a tradwife...!)</p><br><p>Plus, what really happens on the Traitors’ set and how on earth does Alan manage to keep that poker face all the time?</p><br><p>Alan will be creatively involved in four different productions at the Pitlochry Festival Theatre this year, and you can watch Alan in Channel 4’s new show Tip Toe from May 31st.</p><br><p>If you liked this episode of Happy Place, you might also like:</p><br><p><a href="https://pod.fo/e/40cd32" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Nicole LePera</a></p><br><p><a href="https://pod.fo/e/40f973" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Shauna Tiffany</a></p><br><p><a href="https://pod.fo/e/23b207" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Zayn</a></p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>
Listen to this episode in English to learn English
Podcast episodes are one of the highest-density ways to absorb English at native pace. Alan Cumming: “I allow people to be abusive!” How to build self-worth and say no from Happy Place gives you natural dialogue, unscripted speech, and vocabulary that actually appears in real conversations.
In the Hinto app, every word in the transcript is tappable. Tap an unknown word, see the translation in your language instantly, and keep listening without breaking flow.
Episodes to Learn English
- Fearne: “There are good eggs out there!” How to ignore the tw*ts and stay positive Sep 17, 2026
- Caitlin Moran: "I’m two years anxiety-free!” How I finally calmed my nervous system Sep 14, 2026
- Fearne: Why your 40s are ace and how to cope with imposter syndrome Sep 10, 2026
- What if the universe is trying to tell you something? How to trust your intuition Sep 7, 2026
- Monty Don: Get out of your bubble! Immerse yourself in a new culture on holiday Sep 3, 2026
- “I did things I’d never do sober” Consent concerns and social anxiety, with Millie Gooch Aug 31, 2026
- Book Club Meets: Holiday romance and friendship in your 40s, with Chloe Ashby Aug 27, 2026
- Joe Lycett: "Nerves and excitement are the same!" How to reframe anxiety Aug 24, 2026
- “Wear the OTT dress!” Fearne’s got wardrobe and dating advice Aug 20, 2026
- My OCD gave me existential dread! Finding meaning in difficult times, with poet & actor Lucas Jones Aug 17, 2026
- Chris McCausland: “Dependence is exhausting!” Holidaying with a disability Aug 13, 2026
- Ruby Wax: “I was addicted to rage!” How to respond instead of reacting Aug 10, 2026
- Feeling stressed? You’re probably dehydrated! Make hydration a habit, with Phizz Aug 6, 2026
- Book Club Meets: Fertility pressures, medical racism, and hen parties, with Candice Carty-Williams Aug 3, 2026
- Making sense of big feelings and busy brains, with Paul Whitehouse & Dr Mine Conkbayir MBE Aug 3, 2026
- Sam Thompson: "My mind doesn’t switch off!" People pleasing and ADHD hyperfocus Jul 27, 2026
- Sophie Ellis-Bextor: “I want my kids to be intrepid!” How to make your holiday magical Jul 23, 2026
- "Little Joe would’ve watched Heartstopper in secret!" Joe Locke: queer representation matters Jul 20, 2026
- Fearne on the loneliness of chronic pain and why she likes breaking rules Jul 16, 2026
- My work makes me a better parent! Coping with mum guilt and taking the pressure off Jul 13, 2026
- Overwhelmed and exhausted? Decompress with this breathwork session from Self Space Jul 9, 2026
- Are you ditching your values to fit in? Todd Rose on avoiding peer pressure Jul 6, 2026
- I love chatting to strangers! Fearne’s being spontaneous and sleeping better on holiday Jul 2, 2026
- Adam Kay: "I was told to man up!" Coping with PTSD and mental health stigma Jun 29, 2026
- Book Club Meets: I wrote a loveable psychopath! Race and female rage, with Imani Thompson Jun 25, 2026
- Are you a witch? Believe in your magic and the power of ritual, with Poppy Jamie Jun 22, 2026
- “Outrageous, saucy behaviour!” What’s going down in Fearne’s WhatsApp groups? Jun 18, 2026
- "Life's too short for bad sex!" Grace Campbell is speaking up about pleasure and shame Jun 15, 2026
- Yoga! Shopping! Talks! DJs! How the Happy Place Festivals come to life Jun 11, 2026
- Ashley Roberts: If you don’t scream your body will! Anxiety, insomnia, and Pussycat Dolls' comeback Jun 8, 2026