Ellie Goldstein on Strictly And The Hospital Conversation That Changed Everything
Ellie Goldstein was once told she’d never walk or talk. Now she’s danced on Strictly and graced the cover of Vogue. Today, she shares how she proved them all wrong.
Ellie is a model, dancer, and author. She’s worked with Vogue, Gucci, and Adidas, and made history on this year’s Strictly Come Dancing. She’s now helping to change how people see learning disabilities in fashion and media.
Her mum, Yvonne, shares the powerful beginning of Ellie’s story. She talks about how doctors broke the news, how they were left alone in a hospital room, and the moment a nurse said, “The last mother who had one of these left it here. Do you want to do that?”
Together, they explain:
◽How Strictly changed Ellie’s life - and why she still trains with Vito
◽How Vito became more than a dance partner - he’s now family
◽Being ignored by model agencies - to becoming cover star of Vogue
◽Why spray tans and dance became her happy place
◽What she tells young people with learning disabilities chasing their dreams
◽The biggest myths about Down syndrome - and how Ellie proves them wrong
◽ How it felt meeting Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo
◽The powerful moment she looked in the mirror and said “you’re perfect”
Ellie Goldstein, We Need To Talk.
If you want to learn more about learning disabilities, check out these resources from learning disability charity Mencap https://g2ul0.app.link/HGSUr97VyYb
Mencap Mythbusters: https://g2ul0.app.link/xtvN8U4VyYb
Follow me here:
https://www.instagram.com/needtotalk
https://www.tiktok.com/@weneedtotalkpod
Follow Ellie here:
Instagram: https://g2ul0.app.link/bEaYsyOWyYb
Portfolio: https://g2ul0.app.link/j1U27nSWyYb
(00:00) Intro
(02:09) What Ellie Loved Most About Her Time on 'Strictly Come Dancing'
(03:38) Ellie's Relationship With Her Dance Partner Vito
(08:56) Paul, Ellie and Yvonne Watch Ellie's Cha Cha Cha
(10:48) Paul Gives Ellie a Surprise Gift
(13:21) The Reaction to Ellie Being on Strictly
(14:40) How Ellie Dealt With Comments From the Judges
(15:28) Support From the Strictly Production Team
(16:09) Paul Shows Ellie a Message From Surprise Strictly Judge
(18:42) Ellie's Favourite Dance on Strictly
(19:09) Who Ellie Wants to Win Strictly
(19:32) Ellie and Vito's Pre-Performance Rituals
(20:39) Ellie's Advice to Anyone Facing Challenges
(21:15) Aura Frames Ad
(22:16) Shopify Ad
(23:17) When Ellie First Felt Like a Model
(23:47) Ellie's Statue on the Southbank
(24:27) Ellie's Gucci Campaign
(26:46) How Ellie Started Out in Modelling
(28:46) Ellie's Vogue Cover
(32:01) Meeting Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande
(35:07) Ellie's Books
(37:14) Yvonne Shares the Story of Ellie's Birth
(45:33) Down Syndrome Statistics
(45:59) Yvonne on How Her Experience Could Have Been Better
(49:09) How Yvonne Told Ellie About Her Condition
(50:18) What Yvonne and Ellie Appreciate About Each Other
(52:15) Quick Fire Questions for Ellie
(53:17) Ellie's Work as a Mencap Ambassador
(55:16) Paul's Takeaways
Sponsored by:
Shopify: https://www.shopify.co.uk/needtotalk
Aura Frames - https://auraframes.co.uk 'PAUL' for £45 off
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1:00:25
“Nick Told Me To Do the Show!” Bre Tiesi on Fame, Motherhood & Reality TV | We’re Talking
With the return of Selling Sunset, Paul sits down with Bre Tiesi for a candid conversation about fame, motherhood and the honest thoughts about reality TV.
Bre opens up about being thrust into the spotlight, the challenges of being known as “Nick Cannon’s baby mama,” her fight to be respected in luxury real estate, and how she built confidence in an industry dominated by men.
Bre also reflects on the intense backlash, the friendships that didn’t last, and the inner strength that’s carried her from her toughest years to taking centre stage on one of Netflix’s biggest shows.
We’re Talking: Selling Sunset
(00:00) Intro
(00:33) How Bre Joined *Selling Sunset*
(01:22) Revealing Bre and Nick's Relationship to the Public
(02:03) How Bre Got Into Real Estate
(03:37) Gender Disparity in Real Estate
(04:46) Bre's First Big Listing
(05:43) Why Bre Joined *Selling Sunset* Shortly After Giving Birth
(07:12) Bre’s Thoughts on Public Reaction to Her
(09:25) Was Bre Targeted Because of Her Relationship With Nick Cannon?
(12:48) How Bre Feels After 3 Years on the Show
(15:15) Bre's Future Plans
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Sam Vanderpump Champions Life Changing Organ Donation After Liver Disease Diagnosis
Made in Chelsea star Sam Vanderpump opens up about life behind reality TV, the advice his aunt Lisa Vanderpump gave him, and the rare liver disease that now means he faces a life-saving transplant.
For the first time, Sam reflects on growing up as part of the Vanderpump family, the pressure of living up to his father’s expectations, and the moment he nearly lost his life to sepsis. He also shares how reality TV unexpectedly helped him process trauma, why he’s determined to use his platform to raise awareness for organ donation, and how love and fatherhood have given him new purpose.
Sam shares:
◽ The truth behind the Vanderpump family legacy
◽ What his father’s death taught him about love, pride, and approval
◽ How Lisa Vanderpump became a father figure in his life
◽ The terrifying day he went into organ failure
◽ How Made in Chelsea helped him confront his emotions for the first time
◽ The moment media headlines about his illness broke him
◽ Why he’s now fighting to raise awareness for organ donation and liver disease
◽ The message from his fiancée that left him in tears
Sam Vanderpump. We Need To Talk.
Register your decision to donate here: https://g2ul0.app.link/gtfy87FcnYb
(00:00) Intro
(01:56) Sam Addresses Public Perception of the Vanderpumps
(04:45) What Sam Learned About Love From His Mum and Dad
(07:31) Sam's Complicated Relationship With His Father
(12:20) Coping With the Death of Sam's Father
(14:48) How Reality TV Helped Sam's Mental Health
(16:40) Why Sam Joined Made In Chelsea
(24:55) Paul Shows Sam a Childhood Photo
(29:45) How Authentic Is Made In Chelsea?
(34:44) Has Made In Chelsea Been Good for Sam's Relationships?
(37:54) Paul Shows a Message From Sam’s Fiancée Alice
(41:08) Aura Frames Ad
(42:18) What Type of Father Sam Wants to Be
(45:11) Sam Explains His Current Health Condition
(54:37) Key Statistics About Sepsis
(57:04) Why Sam Needs a Liver Transplant
(01:01:13) Sam Addresses the Media Storm Around His Health
(01:04:36) How the Media Storm Affected Sam’s Family and Friends
(01:06:39) How Organ Donation Works and Why Sam Advocates for It
(01:14:54) Sam Reads a Letter From His Grandmother
(01:17:42) Yes I Donate Message
(01:18:58) Liver Transplant Survival Rates Explained
(01:23:24) Sam’s Mum Shares Her Perspective
(01:29:42) A Letter From Sam’s Mother
(01:32:24) Most Memorable Conversation
(01:38:10) Paul’s Takeaways
Sponsored by:
Aura Frames - https://auraframes.co.uk 'PAUL' for £45 off
Register your decision to donate here: https://g2ul0.app.link/gtfy87FcnYb
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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1:42:56
"I Just Want My Kid To Be Happy" We’re Talking Transgender Awareness
To mark Transgender Awareness Week, Paul sits down with Married At First Sight’s Ella Morgan and her dad Chris for an honest conversation about identity, acceptance and family.
From navigating misunderstanding to rebuilding their relationship with love and empathy, they share what it means to live authentically and to stand by one another through change.
This episode is about courage and connection - reminding us that everyone deserves to feel safe in who they are.
We’re Talking: Transgender Awareness
(00:00) Intro
(00:44) How Paul and Ella Met
(03:05) What Is 'Dead-Naming'?
(04:56) Ella's Relationship History Before MAFS
(07:08) Safety as a Trans Person
(09:47) Ella's Dad Joins the Conversation
(10:42) How Did Chris Find Out About Ella's True Identity?
(14:34) Paul Shows Chris a Picture of Him and Ella from 2001
(16:57) How Chris Handled the Terminology After Learning Ella's True Identity
(18:00) Public Reaction to Ella Presenting as a Woman
(19:25) Ella's Experience with Gender Reassignment Surgery
(20:48) Chris' Experience of Ella's Transition Surgery
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Anna Saccone on The SACCONEJOLYs, Motherhood And Raising Her Trans Daughter in the Public Eye
In her first ever solo interview, YouTube creator and mum of four Anna Saccone opens up about the truth behind The SACCONEJOLYs, the hidden pain behind her picture-perfect life, and the moments that almost broke her.
Content warning: This episode includes discussion of eating disorders and miscarriage.
For the first time, Anna shares the real story behind her marriage, her relationship with Jonathan, and the intense pressure of raising a family online while facing constant criticism and scrutiny. She also speaks candidly about her struggles with bulimia, body image, and identity - and how she’s finally learning to live life on her own terms.
Anna shares:
◽ Why she wasn’t truly happy on her wedding day
◽ How her father’s obsession with appearance impacted her
◽ How she built a family-vlog channel that earned tens of thousands a month
◽ What it’s really like raising a trans child in the public eye
◽ How she feels about the negative comments
◽ How returning to school became her way of reclaiming her voice
This conversation includes discussion of eating disorders and baby loss. We’ve included support links below, along with the organisation Anna mentions in the episode, which provides resources for transgender healthcare:
Beat Eating Disorders - https://g2ul0.app.link/gHK6cjr3ZRb
Tommy’s: https://g2ul0.app.link/yiLgVePdnVb
Sands: https://g2ul0.app.link/1c7K7WVdnVb
Anne Healthcare - https://g2ul0.app.link/BWEMiCQBbYb
Follow me here:
https://www.instagram.com/needtotalk
https://www.tiktok.com/@weneedtotalkpod
(00:00) Intro
(01:31) Why Anna Decided to Do This Podcast Without Jonathan
(02:39) Anna's Experience Growing Up in Baltimore
(05:46) How That Affected Anna's Relationship With Her Dad
(05:47) Moving From Baltimore to Cork
(12:15) The Beginnings of Anna's Eating Disorder
(14:28) Meeting Jonathan & Quitting University
(17:05) What Anna Initially Saw in Jonathan
(23:43) How Anna and Jonathan Started on YouTube
(28:05) Surprise Message From Jonathan
(30:01) Anna's Struggle With Bulimia
(32:48) Anna's Advice for Anyone Going Through an Eating Disorder
(36:24) How the Growth of the YouTube Channel Affected Anna
(42:44) Why Anna Thinks They’ve Been So Popular on YouTube
(47:14) How Anna Deals With Online Criticism
(58:03) Transgender Statistics in the UK and Anna’s View on the Current Climate
(1:03:13) Shopify Ad
(1:04:11) Adobe Express Ad
(1:05:13) Anna’s Perspective on Featuring Her Children on Social Media
(1:16:03) How Motherhood Impacted Anna
(1:17:54) Struggling to Connect With Other Mums
(1:22:57) Jonathan’s Gender Identity
(1:25:54) How Anna Feels About the Negativity Directed Toward Jonathan
(1:31:00) Dealing With Online Hate
(1:33:30) Quick Fire Questions for Anna
(1:39:05) Final Question: Anna’s Decision to Retrain in Nutrition
(1:41:15) Most Memorable Conversation
(1:45:32) Paul’s Takeaways
Sponsored by:
Shopify: https://www.shopify.co.uk/needtotalk
Adobe Express: https://ADOBE.LY/PAUL
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The most powerful conversations are the ones we usually avoid. Hosted by Paul C. Brunson, We Need To Talk is a show that empowers people to have the conversations they avoid by creating a safe, supportive, and insightful space that encourages vulnerability, self-discovery, and real-world connection.
From breakups to breakthroughs, conflict to connection, we go beyond the headlines to uncover the human experiences and relationships that define us.
Instagram: @needtotalk
TikTok: @weneedtotalkpod
USA