Sara Cox on Radio 1, Ali G and Being a 'Ladette'.

Sara Cox is a broadcaster and author. You might have grown up with her on Radio 1’s iconic Breakfast Show. You might remember her being one of the first so-called ‘ladettes’ (and if you do, we talk about how much she hates this word in the episode). You might have read one of her bestselling books - she wrote a memoir in 2019, followed by two novels, the most recent of which, Way Back, was published in March. Since this episode was recorded, she’s become the host of the most listened to radio show in Europe: BBC Radio 2's Breakfast show, as well as being on our screens at the helm of the hugely successful TV books show, Between the Covers. But her upbringing was far removed from media luvviedom: she comes from a Lancashire farming family and spent her childhood shuttling between her divorced parents - her father’s farm and her mother’s pub. We talk about how these early experiences affected her and what she learned from her parents’ break-up. We also discuss her failure to farm, her failure to believe she’s ACTUALLY an author and an early career failure to control Sacha Baron Cohen when he was a live guest on Radio 1 (and the media’s misogynistic treatment of Cox in the aftermath). As always, I’m desperate to hear about your failures. Every week, my guest and I choose a selection to read out and answer on our special subscription offering, Failing with Friends. We’ll endeavour to give you advice, wisdom, some laughs and much, much more. 00:00 Introduction – Meet Sara Cox 00:16 Growing Up: Farm, Pub, and Finding Her Path 01:23 Career Journey: Modeling, TV, and Radio 1 02:47 Sara's Philosophy on Failure and Regret 05:49 Failure #1: Losing Control of Ali G on the Radio 1 Breakfast Show 13:46 The Ladette Era and Being Labeled 22:03 Failure #2: Failure to Farm (A Lifelong Dream Unfulfilled) 31:13 Failure #3: Losing the Radio 1 Breakfast Show on Maternity Leave 39:22 Failure #4: Failing to Call Herself an Author 44:36 Full Circle – Sara's Golden Era and What Comes Next To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email [email protected] 👋 Follow How To Fail & Elizabeth: Instagram: @elizabday TikTok: @howtofailpod Podcast Instagram: @howtofailpod Website: www.elizabethday.org Have something to share of your own? I'd love to hear from you! Click here to get in touch: howtofailpod.com All guest booking for How To Fail comes from an official @sonymusic email address.