EP 11 Author & Broadcaster Lucy Kennedy on Finding Happiness in Your 50s

She’s one of Ireland’s best-loved broadcasters, but Lucy Kennedy is proving it’s never too late to reinvent yourself.

In the first episode of Season 2, Lucy joins me for a warm, funny and honest conversation about taking risks, embracing change and finding more confidence with age.

We chat about writing her bestselling novel The Mini Breakers on her phone while on holiday, the leap from broadcasting to fiction, and why sometimes the bravest thing you can do is simply back yourself.

We also talk about perimenopause, female friendships, raising teenagers, the reality of working in television, and what Lucy has learned after spending years interviewing and living with some of the world’s most famous faces.

I hope you'll love this conversation as much as I did recording it!

Transcript

Season Two Return And Guest Intro

SPEAKER_00 0:06

Hello there and welcome to season two of The Delusional Optimist. I can't tell you how good it feels to say that and how nice it is to be back behind the mic once again. If you are new here, my name is Diana, and this is the podcast where we have honest conversations with brilliant people about the highs, the lows, and the plot twists that come along the journey of building your dream. So whether you want to turn a side hustle into your main money earner, maybe you're sitting on a great idea and you want to take a risk and turn it into something fruitful and real. Maybe you're just considering changing your career, taking a leap of faith and moving abroad, whatever it might be, I hope these conversations will give you the inspiration to just follow your dream. After a little break, I wanted to come back with someone who brings warmth, wit, and honesty to absolutely everything she does. She's one of Ireland's most loved broadcasters, a best-selling author, a mum of three, and someone who's never afraid to laugh at herself or tell it exactly as it is. I am, of course, talking about Lucy Kennedy, who we all know and love as the host of Living with Lucy. Lucy has literally lived with everyone. It's what she says is her dream job, but she's also gearing up for an exciting new project in the coming weeks, uh, which she'll tell us about in this podcast. We also chat about building her dream career, the beauty of getting older, raising teenagers, the magic of female friendships, confidence, embracing your uniqueness, and the many trials and tribulations of being a woman. We laughed a lot recording this episode, and I really hope you laugh along with us too. So whether you're out for a walk, driving to work, folding the washing, or simply just taking a moment to yourself, thank you for choosing to spend your time with us. Here is the wonderful Lucy Kennedy. Lucy Kennedy, welcome to the delusional optimist. Good morning, good afternoon, good evening. How are you? I am good. I feel truly honored to have you on my podcast. I'm a massive, I'm a massive Lucy Kennedy fan.

SPEAKER_02 2:20

It's an eddy excuse to see you. It's awful these days, isn't it? Like the weeks turn into years, the year, and then I kind of see people randomly these days. Like, oh my god, I haven't seen you in like 10 years. It's even happens when you become a parent, doesn't it?

SPEAKER_00 2:32

It's like well, when you become a parent, when you're writing books, when you're juggling radio, when you're just an all-around fabulous person who everybody wants a piece of. I don't know.

SPEAKER_02 2:44

But look to say to me, like my mustache is actually sweaty. I think it's the hottest day of the year, like 31 degrees or something. And I love it. I absolutely love it. I'm one of these people that I mean, I literally wrote the mini-breakers on a Sunlincher. Like, if it's hot, I've been able to pull over the side of the M50 to get my arms brown. I love a good tan. So this is my perfect weather. If Ireland was like this, I don't think I would complain as much.

SPEAKER_00 3:10

I know the amount of people I've seen the amount of people I've seen on social media saying the same thing, like posting beautiful postal pictures. You literally do not need anything else. Ireland in the Sunshine is the best. But unfortunately, we're not so blessed all the time year-round.

How The Novel Started On Holiday

SPEAKER_00 3:25

You mentioned the mini breakers. We have to talk about it. It's your first adult fiction release. How has the whole journey been of putting it out there into the world? Were you nervous?

SPEAKER_02 3:36

Insane. Yeah, very nervous. So so I've been writing, I'm now 815. So I've been writing children's books for the last seven years. I've written 12 children's books. I I'm definitely most comfortable with that genre. My guys are now 16, 14, and 9. So I still have a nine-year-old in my life. So I'm in still in the zone of writing children's books, I suppose. And I've got more coming out. And then over the years, people kind of say, Would you think about writing an you know adult book? But I always kind of saw that, I know this sounds so ridiculous at my age, but I always kind of thought that that was quite mature. And I think, oh God, you know, nobody's gonna what I write about. You know, I think you're like mave binge and all these great writers, and I think, well, what am I gonna write about? And then it was July, not last year, the year before. We're in Portugal, family holiday, and it was packed. The hotel was packed. The swimming pool's like soup. It got to the stage where I'd say most residents were weighing in it. Yeah, gross. So very hard to get swim pets. So I would set my alarm at like seven, which is insane, in Albufera on holidays, and I would go down to the pool carrying all the donuts, you know, Uno, all the snacks, five towels, and everything else, and my phone. And it was myself and the pool boy for a good hour and a half every morning. I see he thought I was this creepy Irish girl filming him, but it wasn't. I was writing on my phone. So I was kind of observing other people kind of coming down, and you know, there's only so long you can spend on Instagram, and I was a bit bored. And then this little idea came to me of the whole, because there were, you know, girls, girl trips as well as it being family friendly. And this little idea came to me of just girls going away. And I thought of myself and my pals, we are feral when we get together. And I started typing this book on my phone, these little fingers. I was like, took off my false nails, type, tap, tap, type, type. And then my husband, Richie, then maybe on day two, because obviously when the kids came down, like, Mom, you're on your phone. So I'd hide my phone, and then maybe day two or three, I said to Rich, my husband, my long-suffering husband, I think I've written an adult book. So he's like, Well, well done, Luz, thinking, okay, you know, this is another one for weird ideas. And then when I came home, I gave it to my agent and she sold it the next day.

SPEAKER_00 5:55

Wow, is that quick of a turnaround between teaching and wow, wow, wow, wow, wow. Yes, yes.

SPEAKER_02 6:02

Because I remember May of Binchy when I was in fourth year coming into my school and saying, advice when writing a book is write about something you know. So I pretty much wrote about myself and my friends.

SPEAKER_00 6:12

So like it all came vomiting out. Yeah. Literally, yeah. I have to say, I've I've I haven't read it all. I've actually started listening to it on audiobook just while I'm out, right? What I love so much about it is it's so you, it's so your voice. Yes, like isn't it? Maybe even just the way that the that the person who is reading it, maybe she's kind of able to intonate things the way you do as well. But it just sounds like I'm hanging out with Lucy, who's telling me a fabulous story. Um, totally. It's so relatable as well. Like I, you know, I'm in my late 30s, I'm closer to 40 than I will ever be again to 30, and I can relate to so much of it. There's just so much in there that I'm like, yes, I'm just just soaking it all up, and I think that is the magic of it, that it's just truly your voice. Anyone who's ever seen you on TV, heard you do an interview, heard you speak, can just say that is so Lucy. And so many giggles along the way as well. But just a lot of nodding, being like, Yeah, I can relate to that.

SPEAKER_02 7:12

Yeah, yeah. It's silly like I am, but it kind of covers everything. So the girls are kind of in their late 40s. So you're only a newborn compared to myself and my friends. Literally, you're just just out of the womb. But it's about if the

Perimenopause Anxiety And Midlife Comparisons

SPEAKER_02 7:25

the girls are kind of like mid-40s to late 40s, so it's everything that we go through as women, and this is your future, and I don't mean to freak you out. Perimenopause. Oh my god, perimenopause is a real thing. And I remember Denise Van Eyten when I was hosting Orange's Got Talent, she was one of the judges. This was six years ago, and during the outbreak, she was going, Oh my god, I'm so perimenopausal. Well, I was thinking up the story, like you know, I had no idea. And she kept saying that she was overheated and bothered and blah blah blah. And I kind of laughed, flagging her off. Well, I'm not flagging her now. It is a real thing. Yeah, and so so in the book, you know, the girls are approaching perimenopause, you know, so overwhelmed, bothered, children, life waking up with you know, with the fear, anxiety, drinking too much, putting on weight, trying to eat everything that comes with your late 40s. And I put it down because it's relatable, and so many people, you know, the I think the assumption is if you're on the telly or if I don't know that you're not a normal person, but everyone is the same, regardless. And I see this when I do living with Lucy, doesn't matter who you are, what you have, you know, your name, everyone is the same, everybody goes to the loo, everybody will unfortunately go through the perimenopausal phase.

SPEAKER_01 8:38

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 8:38

So I put that into the books with the girls, and then life and jobs and everything else that kind of comes with the drama of midlife.

SPEAKER_00 8:46

And then looking at other people and comparing yourself to other people and thinking, yeah, is my life not good enough? Should I be doing more? Should I be doing less? Do I need a new husband? Do I need a new everything else? I I know. Should I get my boots lifted? Do I, yeah. Do I need more Botox? Should I add some filler?

SPEAKER_02 9:04

Like what do we need to do? Look at me now, as I speak to you, my hair has gone. That's another thing that happens with perimetopause. So I look like a cocker spaniel, but my hair was curly this morning. I think you always look beautiful.

SPEAKER_00 9:18

I think you you're really good at like poking fun at yourself. You're always so polite and positive. No, but you're really good at poking fun of at yourself. But the truth is you actually just look gorgeous.

SPEAKER_02 9:30

No, well, thank you. Thank you.

SPEAKER_00 9:31

In my eyes, at least possibility, miss. I've heard you speak about kind of self-confidence, and you say that even now at the age of 50. I don't know if it sounds weird to hear 50 in the same sentence as your age. Does it sound weird?

SPEAKER_02 9:45

So I just so grown up. Yeah, you know, I kind of go like when I think of 50, I think you're like my mom, you know. It I I just I don't feel 50. I certainly don't act 50. My body is 50. Like I woke up on my 50th with sore knees. I'm not exaggerating. So it it you definitely feel it in that I'm I I can't do three three days in a row now going out. I go out for one day and I'm usually in bed at nine. And then I wake in the middle of the night with the sphere and go, why did I drink wine? So I can't drink like I used to. I definitely can't party like I used to. But yeah, feeling 50, I just think it's so funny because when I was approaching 40, I was thinking, right, when I'm 50, I'm gonna do I'm gonna do a Chris Jenner. I'm gonna get a full face, a new face, new body, new everything, new life, new job, new blah blah blah. And now I couldn't be happier with myself. Wrinkles, cellulite, you know, big nose, fat arse. Love my life. My children are happy and healthy. I'm happily married. I've nothing to complain about. And I thought I would have more turning 50. But life is good. Life is really good.

SPEAKER_00 10:49

It sounds like aging comes with a lot of a lot more self-acceptance and speeding yourself up, you know, than all the other years that precede.

SPEAKER_02 10:58

Yeah, totally and utterly. You you spend, and I think there I say as women, I know we we kind of might be seen to bang on about this a lot, but I think with women as well, we do question ourselves more than men. I know I do. I watch my husband, you know, even when we're going out and stuff, he just has a chart, gets dressed, and leaves. Whereas I go through every piece of item I have. Sometimes I cry, oh my god, and then you're going out.

SPEAKER_00 11:22

Yeah, then you're and then you don't even want to go out by the end of it. You're like tired yourself out trying 20 different outfits, and you're like, ah, you just stay at home.

SPEAKER_02 11:31

I'm actually not in the mood, and then and then I talk myself out of like I don't even want to go out, I don't I don't even like these people. It's like Liz, they're your family. I know it is I don't want to go out. But I I think we are naturally way more critical and we overthink, and it's just tougher being a woman. I don't care what anyone says.

Female Friendships That Get You Through

SPEAKER_02 11:50

I love it and I wouldn't want to be a boy, but it's tougher being a woman.

SPEAKER_00 11:53

Yeah, I feel like you're blessed though with a really strong friendship circle where, like in the book, you can go to your friends and talk about whatever stage you're at and kind of flash it out and feel reassured that everybody else is in the same circle as well. And if they're not, it's either ahead of them or they've been through it already.

SPEAKER_02 12:13

And you know what as well? I'm one of three girls. So I'm the middle one, older sister, myself, younger sister. So I'm a very girly girl, as in, I'm not a like girly girl, but I love girls. I prefer girls. I think we're just nicer people. And and I have a strong, a strong female group. I've lost the pals, but I suppose they're like my besties, my ride or die, whatever they say. And like some I've known since I was 13. So they've seen me, they've all seen me before Telly, as I am, working in the video shop, you know, being fired from 2 FM, giving birth in the coomb. They've seen me through all walks of life. And we share that history together. And I and I and I think that's where I am blessed that I've shared history with girls for such a long time, and they're still my best pals. And I do think, and I truly mean this, yes, I am lucky to have five best friends that we all get on so well, but one strong female friend will get you through this life. Yeah, there's no two way about it. Like you know, if you have a really good best female friend, you're winning.

SPEAKER_00 13:20

Yeah, my friendship circle was always smaller because I moved from Eastern Europe to here and there was a lot of moving around, so I was kind of taking up friends along the way in different areas of my life. So I actually always felt really envious growing up of people like you who had their like solid core group of friends who experienced life together, know each other inside out, have seen each other through the best and the worst, and yeah, I think there's something really, really special about that, and not that I feel like I'm lacking in like good friendships, but I've always felt that that is just something so special, and uh, it's definitely that I felt envious over, you know, the years growing up. Yeah, but it's true, one good friend is all you need.

SPEAKER_02 14:03

Like life, life can be hard, you know. Life can be hard for everybody, you know, whether it's relationship, marriage, school, like some some of them are my school pals, work, and then you know, then you get into the the getting engaged or breaking up, then getting married, then trying to have a baby, and that's thank god always okay for me in that side of things, but not for everybody. And and and having a girlfriend that you can say, is this normal? Is this okay? Should I should I be feeling this way? And just my girls as well. I know they would stand up in court for me and lie to a judge. I know they would. I know they would, and I would for them. It's just it's it's it's a real comfort, I think, in life if you have someone who's got your back 100%. Female bond is strong.

Fame Myths And Being Self Employed

SPEAKER_00 14:50

Did you ever have a friendship that maybe changed as you got more well known? Where people didn't understand, where maybe they might have a certain perception of what life can be like. You know, they might think if you go to them with a problem, they might think your problem isn't real because sure isn't everything great, or at least it looks great from the outside. Totally. Like, what have you got to complain about, Lucy? You're on the telly, you're making good money, you're on the radio, we're writing books. Sure, why are you complaining? Have you ever had a friendship that maybe became a bit misunderstood when you know fame came to you?

SPEAKER_02 15:22

Probably people who weren't real friends, probably more so like associates, but like I'm also quite good at sniffing out if somebody's genuine or not. Like I I know if someone is talking to me or being nice to me because I'm on the tell. Yeah, you know, whereas if I was working down the road in center, would they be polite? Probably not. So I've always been quite good at sniffing out genuine people. Even when I was on the dull and then working in television production and on the dull and working, because I started literally as Amon Dunfey's slave on the weakest link. I was I I had to look after Amon Dunfey, and I remember I loved him, I still do, even though he won't let me live with him. But I remember like driving into RC with no petrol, but I was a runner and uh I was paid but not very well, and uh that's nothing against RC, God loves them, but I remember kind of driving in anyway. But I remember at that time being behind the scenes, observing how people are around celebrities and how people are, you know, around someone who's in front of the camera, and they treat them very differently, say to somebody behind the scenes. So I thought what I'm trying to say in a very long-winded way. I've always been very mindful of how people are and how people are with me. And I I haven't encountered anybody who who perceived my life to be any different, but I'm sure strangers go, Oh, here we go. She's giving out again about being tolerant. Look at her on the tell, three lovely kids. I'm sure strangers, because the perception is we're all multi-millionaires and we never worry about our careers and we know exactly what's happening next year. Yeah, but we don't. I'm still self-employed, I've always been self-employed, I always will be. And there's always that little thing at the back of my mind where I think, God, you know, what if I wake up one day and everyone just goes, Jesus, you know, the poor man's Davina, we've had enough of her. Let's get somebody else. And then I'm like, what? Like, what do I do then? There's always that with all of us.

SPEAKER_00 17:22

You'll always have my writing boy. Yeah, but like that, that's never gonna happen. No one's gonna just pull the plug on Lucy Kennedy. Oh god, I hope you're like, We love you too much. We love you too much.

SPEAKER_02 17:31

I literally I want to my plan, my my plan for death is I want to die on the doorstep of a celebrity's house, possibly Twink. I love her so much I've lived with her twice.

SPEAKER_00 17:43

That is the strangest death plan I've ever heard. I do, I do, even if you're just saying for a comedic effect, that is the strangest.

SPEAKER_02 17:54

Nobody, nobody is gonna let me live with them because they're gonna go, oh my god, is this the day she's choosing to die? But I I that that's how I want to go. That's how I want to go. That's how much I love living with Lucy. I literally want to do it until I'm a granny.

SPEAKER_00 18:08

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 18:08

At that door.

SPEAKER_00 18:09

Like are you filming in New Season right now?

SPEAKER_02 18:12

No, I don't start till hey don't live with me.

SPEAKER_00 18:16

Maybe you seem like a good, like a good husband.

SPEAKER_02 18:20

I'm very boozy. Um, I we start filming in July. Okay. So, yeah, July, August, September, then it goes out in October. But I'm doing an a new show for Virgin Media this summer. Okay. Tell me, tell me, tell me. Well, I don't think I'm allowed to tell you, but it might involve a bit of chat, shall we say? Oh, a little chat show. Yeah. I have three weeks to lose my bingo wings. Um I do. I need to get my hair cut, and because I I'm like a little I'm like a little squirrel that hibernates. So when I know I'm back on the telly, I give up the booze, I start exercising, and it's always like with three weeks' notice. No, no one can change everything just that panic mode where it's like I have to do something. Three weeks to lose a stone, toe my arms, sort out my face, wax my mustache, everything. I have three weeks to do everything, and then I'm back on the telly.

SPEAKER_00 19:15

So this episode will be going live in June. So by then, will you be on air or will you have just been announced as on air coming up on air?

SPEAKER_02 19:24

Just as announced on air, but I think I think the show is in August, and then Living with Lucy is in October.

SPEAKER_00 19:30

Excellent.

SPEAKER_02 19:31

But I don't know who I'm gonna live with. I currently, it's been 10 years. I'm currently and still stalking Pierce Morgan, if you know him.

SPEAKER_00 19:40

Of course. Who doesn't know Pierce? Mr. Controversial himself. You have to get you have to, you have to live with Pierce Morgan.

SPEAKER_02 19:46

Let me, he won't let me. He keeps on blaming his wife. They all blame their wives to try and stop me getting in. But I said, look, we don't need your wife, we can go to Lanzarote together for a week. I just imagine all the gossip he'd give me. Oh my god, what good news.

SPEAKER_00 20:00

I interviewed uh Louis Walsh a week ago, and you know Piers is blaming the wife. Louis was blaming the wives for a lot of things. I feel like us women get a bad rap. He was like, Women do not like other women, women are hard to do. Don't listen to him, you know, don't listen to anything that man says. Wives and children ruin careers. I was like, excuse me, Louis Walsh. But he also said that you are trying to live with him, and he hasn't said yes yet.

SPEAKER_02 20:30

No, no, so he has asked me, Will I live with him? And I went, if I'm stuck, yes. So Louis Walsh, imagine this, right? Imagine you know what live teddy's like. So I'd be backstage doing Arlen's Got Talent, which was a big gig for Virgin. Louis was one of the judges, Jason, and then my Perry Manipuls or friend Denise. Oh, and Michelle Bizash. So I'd be backstage pacing now, really nervous. You're live telly in a hot sweat on my own, just like a cage lion walking up in town, and Louie Walsh would shout out, Good luck, Noel Fielding.

SPEAKER_00 21:05

Oh my god, Louie! Yeah, you're like, Okay, we have dark hair and what that's the only similarity.

SPEAKER_02 21:12

Um I'm a I'm a lady, I am a lady. That's what he would do to me before I now obviously he's denying that now because I tell everyone who listened that he did that to me. But yes, he wants he wants to live with me. That's not the story he told me, Lucy.

SPEAKER_00 21:27

He told me that you were the desperate one to live with him. That sad little man. We'll never find out the truth.

SPEAKER_02 21:36

I would always tell you the truth, but I'll tell you what, if I do go and live with him, I'll get some little shots of him in his speedos for you, please. For your podcast. Yeah, I'd love that.

SPEAKER_00 21:45

Yeah, yeah. I mean, that's exactly what this podcast is missing. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah, Louis was he good? Crack tighty whiteies. He was so so much fun, but I had to I did take a step back and I was like, Louie, you're making this very hard, you keep Deflecting, I want to know the real Louis, and he's like, This is the real Louis. I'm like, Come on.

SPEAKER_02 22:06

Um, so he's a good deflector. He's someone who gives a lot, he's very private, though, isn't he? He's a very dodger.

SPEAKER_00 22:12

And you know what? You have to respect that as well. Like, just because he's a famous face doesn't mean that we have the right to know everything about Louis, you know, he gives us what he's prepared to give us and what he feels comfortable

Getting A First Break On TV

SPEAKER_00 22:25

to give us. So you mentioned Ireland's Got Talent. Oh, we talked about living with Lucy and Ireland's Got Talent, and obviously, you've had an incredible career in TV. There's the Podge and Rod show. How did you actually get your first break in Telly? Like, I know that you did a number of jobs beforehand. You were in Nervos. Yeah. You did mushroom peeking. Yes. How did that first TV gig come about?

SPEAKER_02 22:52

First TV gig came about was I working behind the scenes on Podge and Rod. I'm trying to think, what was I doing then? I remember Maya Dumfey, who I worked with on Podge and Rodge, she said to me one day, she said, Do you know that uh there's this a production company looking for a dating show host? And you know the way you love love, and I do love love. And I was like, and she could, what are you auditioned for it? And so at the time I was a sales rep. Actually, I'd left Telly reluctantly because I was like on the dull, off the dill, on the dull, and I needed to get a life. All my pals had company cars and phones, and I was just this loser. And I was working, I think, in Indigo at the time, and I got my best friend to record me on my Jeep. My best friend who's in the Mini Breakers, like, hi, I'm Lucy Kelly, and whatever I said. Shockingly, Adair Productions contacted me, and uh, I went along for an audition, not really making an effort, can because I'd seen presenters, and I was like, God, they're all just so glamorous. I think so. I thought, it's gonna be me. Went along with the t-shirt on, and I had to interview somebody, and even though they said, Okay, that's enough, I was like, did you did you actually date? You know, I was so into it because I love people and I love Janny.

SPEAKER_01 24:07

Yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_02 24:07

So then they brought me back, and then I thought, oh my god, are this a serious? What the hell am I doing with my life? And I auditioned again, and my friend Kieran Gallagher, he said to me, There's a bit of a Davina McCullough stuck in there, and I was like, Oh, compliment, because I love her. I don't know if it is a compliment, the fact that she's stuck in me. But and I got the job, so I hosted the uh the X-Files, which was where people dated their exes, and it was insane. It was like a flight, a charter flight to Ibita. Everybody was everywhere, and I was just like this little creepy gooseberry that just walked around interviewing everybody the whole time, and then off the back of that RCE called me in and asked me to audition for Podge and Raj, and my career has been ruined ever since.

SPEAKER_00 24:53

Yeah, voila. I love that. Um your comparison was Davino McCall. And when I got my first TV job, I was told there was a bit of Darrow O'Brien in me. What? Yeah, what yeah, who the hell? No, who said that? Column, call him, Colum, Column. Can't remember his surname, unfortunately, because that's Colum from from the north, from the panel. I'll find the name and I'll tell you after. But he's this but this is. I did five rounds of auditions, and when they called me in to tell me I got the job, he was like, I just loved you from the moment you walked in. You had a bit of something in you, the same thing that Darrow Brain has. And I was like, Darrow Brain, I'm not a bald, tall man. You know what it is?

SPEAKER_02 25:37

I hope that's what he meant. Definitely, just definitely in the personality, you have warmth. But like, do you not find

Knowing Your Brand And Not Changing

SPEAKER_02 25:45

like so many people think that you have to be different when you're on the tell? Was it's all about just being yourself and getting the best of the person you're with? So many people think they need to be all way, just that.

SPEAKER_00 25:56

But did you ever feel that you had to be different when you first started working in TV? Or were you like comfortable with who you were and you know, self-assured in the person that you are and what you had to bring on camera to be fully you, or was that a learned thing?

SPEAKER_02 26:12

Well, I always kind of saw myself as just as this little randomer when I went into RCE because I did like I was kind of in there with all like the proper presenters, like the blonde and the shogas were in there, and then there was me, and and I yeah, I I was literally trained how to read autoc and there was an audience I used to feel really nervous always, right at my final show with the audience of Podge and Rod. So I used to kind of go out and try and make friends with the audience to relax myself. But I remember when I started doing Living with Lucy for RTE, because I started with them 12 years ago. I remember the first notes back were something along the lines of, can she put on a bit of makeup? And I was like, rude. And and I was like, but like the whole idea is that you know, I'm in my pajamas, nobody wakes up with a full face, and if they do, they need to cleanse. Yeah. So I remember, I think they were shocked at how into character I got in that when I'm living with somebody, I don't look great. I mean, I don't look great now. I'm like the mustache is full sweat, but nobody looks so I was like, Well, no, guys, the whole idea is that you know, okay, I'll meet you halfway in that I won't wear a shark cap during the interviews, but I put on a bit of blush, but so I I suppose, I suppose, and now it's a good thing, but I I think maybe 15 years ago, longer, 18 years ago, the perception of a presenter was a little bit more glamorous, a little bit more refined, a little bit more professional. And I have never been that. I've always been the opposite. I've always felt like I've just left Saint Trillians and I'm gonna go bonkers, like the naughty one. Yeah, always but like the naughty one. But then there was something inside me, I don't know if it's because I'm a Taurus, the bulls, I'm stubborn, but I was like, you know what? Good luck to you. No, I'm not gonna change, even though you're making me nervous, I'm not gonna change, and and I'm gonna stand my ground. But I definitely I would have questioned myself, I think in my in my late 20s, because I didn't really know what I was doing. But I think it's really important, and I did do this, and I said this only recently for International Women's Week. I was talking and I said, you've got to know your brand, you've got to know who you are. And Brenda Courtney was with me, and I compared myself to a tin of Ronceal, which sounds insane, but you know what you get when you open up a tin of Ron Seal. It was their their selling point and their app. And I am the same. Whether you meet me down in Spar, whether you are waxing my legs, whether you marry me, whether you interview me, whether I live there, what you know exactly what to expect because I I've never changed. And I think there's a familiarity and there's a comfort in that with clients. They know that if they hire me, that they're gonna get, you know, the tired mother that carries the oversized cheap handbag, etc. etc. And that is my brand. And so I think once I was comfortable with my brand, which was admittedly quite early on in my career, because I refused to change, I just thought, you know what, if they don't want me, if they want to go and get someone who's like really thin and pretty and glamorous and just gonna look down the lens a smile, let them go for it. I quite liked the idea that I was refusing to succumb to the norm, and that I was like, no, if you're gonna do reality TV, you've got to be real.

SPEAKER_00 29:33

When you accepted your brand and got to know your brand, did that feel like a like like a relief, you know? Like, oh, I can stop trying to be somebody that I'm not, or I can stop putting myself in boxes that I don't fit in. Because I feel like that's something that is a really hard thing to learn to just be yourself and embrace who you are. Because even with social media, comparison is a constant, ongoing, everyday, hourly thing. And it's like you don't have to be like everybody else, you know. But it you just feel like maybe I'm not enough, or I'm not doing enough, or my house isn't nice enough, you know, my clothes aren't nice enough, my hair isn't nice enough, like there's a constant, a constant, or maybe that's just the age I'm at, and it stops at a certain point. Definitely.

SPEAKER_01 30:20

I don't know.

SPEAKER_02 30:21

It is definitely the age you are at. I swear to God, when you turn 40, it's a real F you to everything. Yeah, suddenly go, do you know what? Good luck to you. You suddenly just get a little bit more. I I don't know, I don't know whether like it's wisdom when you get older, or do we just kind of give up? But my whole thing is like at the end of the day, if somebody is gonna like you, they're gonna like you no matter what. Yeah, somebody doesn't like you, there's always a reason. And I have found through life, you know, in real life and work life, that if somebody doesn't like me, the chances are I don't really like them either. They're not my kind of person. Yeah, yeah, yeah. So I've always surrounded myself by nice people. It's the same Living with Lucy crew that's been with me for like 10 years. So we have it kind of down to a T. I always surround myself with like-minded, nice, genuine, fun, good crack people. And I I think as well, once you know your brand, I think you have a brand, by the way. I think once you know your brand, you'll attract the right people. So many people

Instagram Pressure And Parenting Teenagers

SPEAKER_02 31:25

think that they need to look a certain way or be it bloody Instagram. I mean, I love it, and I fall asleep scrolling, uh stalking celebrities, but it hasn't really done anyone any favors. Like I have a my son is 16, no interest, doesn't care, but my daughter's 14, and she'll kind of say, Oh my god, mom, you know, why did you put up that picture of you wearing a face mask? What who cares? And she's like, I know, but she's like so embarrassing. But holly, everybody puts on a face mask. You know, the the perception I think with Instagram, it's it's not real life, it's a perception of my personal life, my perfect kitchen, my perfect dog. Like if I were to pan around now, you'd see the stake of my life, you know, the actual state. I think my dogs just weed on the ground. So I think that Instagram gives off that really bad vibe for people, and uh, and even for your age, where you're kind of looking around and go, God, like I don't know, should I be happily married? Should I be pregnant? Should I have a brilliant house? Should I really know my career? Yeah, absolutely not. No.

SPEAKER_00 32:28

The pregnancy thing ring rings so true as well because, like, a year freshly married, I'm at the age of 37, everyone's kind of looking at me, you know.

SPEAKER_02 32:36

Oh, family, friends, including like you well, they don't know your circumstances, and these things can take time. I wasn't one of these people that is conceived like this. I remember like having to do like the wee wee sticks to see when I was ovulating. I remember Rich walking in one day, I think I was doing a handstand. I remember you say to Joanne Byrne, my long-surfing agent and friend, I say, Joanne, is there any chance you can get me a collab with clear blue? Because I'm spending a fortune on those ovulation sticks. Yeah. But honestly, so I know exactly what it's like, and most people are the same, it's just people don't talk about it. Yeah, people don't talk about certain things, but I think it's really important.

SPEAKER_00 33:12

Exactly. I do want to talk about that feeling that sentiment of like feeling lost in your 20s, and I want to ask you what was the thing that it helped you find yourself? Like, what was how did you find yourself in your 20s after feeling lost for so long?

SPEAKER_02 33:31

A lot of sharpening, I'd say uh no. How did I see? I like I just I've had so many, I've had such an interesting life.

SPEAKER_00 33:40

Um like where did I find myself? Was there a person maybe that you turned to that gave you a advice? Did you have a sort of mentor once you started working in TV? My dad.

SPEAKER_02 33:52

Yeah, my dad. My dad was the person who definitely kept me sane and balanced. And dad, dad's healthy, he's now 90, cute, and in a nursing home. Um, and he's great, thank God. He's he's alive. He he is my best friend. And when my parents separated, I moved in with my dad, very, very close to him, and he's a very special person, and it's where I get my mad Kennedy laugh from. But he was the person who kept things very normal, I think, definitely, as I got into the media, because I didn't really know what was going on. I was kind of scared, worried, nervous, and excited all the same time. I think my dad kind of kept things very level through my 20s, and because I'd kind of come home and go, even pre-telly, I'd kind of come home and go, picking mushrooms, and he'd go, brilliant, good career choice. And then I'd and then I started flying, and then I was in sales. So I'd say deep down, my parents were thinking, What the hell is going on with this girl? But at 28, I settled into TV presenting and I still am. So yeah, I'd say I'd say a strong foundation for my dad, and he's still he he's so cute, he's still he doesn't really understand. I don't think how books work. And he will say to me every Sunday when I visit him, How are the books? How many of you sold this week? I think dad thinks I'm standing on Grafton Street with the Mini Breakers, like, anybody want to buy a book? Like on the market, 15. Yeah, I say 15. He goes, 15, good on you, good on you. Thanks, Dad. Has he read the book? But I'd say, yeah, I'd say he was God no, I gave it to Rich and I I it's not for boys. I gave it to Rich and I stared at him like this in bed. I was like a driving instructor, and I was watching him, and I kept saying to him, Why aren't you laughing? And he looks it's not really my thing, yeah, like at all. So it's not for boys, so there's not going to give it to dad. But dad has read he's read all the friendship fairies.

SPEAKER_00 35:53

Oh, that's really sweet. Yeah. I did see in an interview, you said that the the Catholic girl side of you got in the way sometimes when you were trying to write certain scenes. Was it that you were thinking of people reading the book and being like Lucy?

SPEAKER_02 36:11

My mother-in-law, yes, I was thinking of my mother-in-law, I was thinking of my own mother, I was thinking of my daughter, and when it came to like the craziest thing, ooh, one of the girls' kisses. I couldn't, I couldn't do anything else. I couldn't, like I was I had no spit typing. I got really nervous, and then the kiss, ha ha. Yeah, I think it is because like the the perception of me is like the dirty crazy one on podge and rotts, but not a nerd, I'm actually a nerd in real life. And and and anything rude just makes me really nervous. I just like I can't, I can't, I can't. I remember for uh when we were doing Lucy Investigates and I interviewed sexologists, and it got to the stage where she said to me, Lucy, like you know, you can't giggle your way. It's so embarrassing, it's only two years ago. You know, let's let's be serious now because you know, and I was going, I know, but you just said vagina. Like I just I I still get very nervous around, yeah, yeah, yeah. It's just so stupid. So yes, I I struggled, I struggled to write. I can I can't, I can never do a rude book. And when I initially said, you know, oh, I've written an adult book, people were like, whoa! And I said, No, no, no, no, I didn't like for adults, like pictures, it's not erotica.

SPEAKER_00 37:22

It's a spice meter, isn't that like you never know. By the time you reach 60, you might be like, I'll write it. Yeah, good. I'm like everything. But hold on a sec. Let me stick in my charger. Let me take in my charger, keep the whole feature. No worries. I'm trying to remember if the Lucy investigates episode. Were you in were you in a hotel room with the lady who was doing certain things with Aura and spirits or something? Or was that that show? Let me run upstairs, get let me run upstairs, get my charger. Go, go, go, go. I watched that, I watched that episode with Steve, and we were like, this just gets matter and matter by the second. I'm here. Don't worry, I'm just looking at my questions. Oh my god. I just have to you're bringing in the full reinforcements. What's your question? I was saying, were you worried about them stumbling upon that show or even just snippets on social? Yeah, okay. My podcast takes you in a vault in the attic.

unknown 38:29

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 38:30

But there's a thing called YouTube where you know your 14-year-old is probably on YouTube and might find that footage.

SPEAKER_02 38:38

So what I said was actually this is really funny. I at the time, so I'm now lying on my table because I'm worried my phone is gonna go. At the time I said to my kids, it's so funny. I said, We're having dinner, and I said, guys, you know the way I'm a journalist, and they went, What? You know the way I'm kind of like a journalist. I obviously didn't study it, but you know the way I kind of my job is to ask questions. I can tell they have zero, zero respect for me or my career. And I said, I'm investigating love lives in Ireland at the moment. Some of it is a bit rude. So Jack's like, Oh god, Mom, oh no, and I said, No, no, it's fine. I said it's fine. I didn't, I didn't do anything, I was just asking questions, but just in case anyone asks you about it, it was me. It was a little come clean.

SPEAKER_00 39:25

Yeah. Are they as entertained by you as the rest of us, or are they like cringe, mom?

SPEAKER_02 39:31

You're so no no, no, they can't stick me. Cannot stick me. Well, no, it's got to the stage now where because my son Jack is 16. I say morning, Jackie, you go, Oh, you talk so much. Okay, Holly, she still likes me at 14. Yes, yeah. But I suppose I am the mum that overshares and over talks, and I probably talk too much to the school gates. You know, I am the I am the embarrassing mother. Definitely, yes, yes. Yes, I think they would prefer if I was a doctor or something. I think so.

SPEAKER_00 40:05

At least you bring the phone into the phone.

SPEAKER_02 40:10

I like now. If you were to ask Rich, he wouldn't find me vaguely. No one finds me vaguely amusing, but I'm happy.

SPEAKER_00 40:17

I think everybody finds you vaguely amusing. You're just doing the self-deprecating thing now. I think you know you're a funny gal.

Living With Celebrities And Disagreeing Well

SPEAKER_00 40:25

Going back to living with Lucy and living with famous faces, what have you learned from them? Is there anything you've learned from them? Have they taught you any lessons, maybe from having a glimpse into their world? I know one is that you've realized you never want to be that level of famous.

SPEAKER_02 40:39

Oh no, I definitely would not like their lives. Oh my god. Like not being able to walk down the road without being paped, hideous. But what I've learned is like I would live with anybody. I would literally live with anybody, I would interview anybody, and I would live with anybody, regardless of their opinions or not. What I've learned is a couple of things. We're all the same, everyone uses the loo, everyone looks horrific first thing in the morning, everybody cries, everybody worries. We're all the exact same, we just have different levels of money. And in a lot of ways, those of us who aren't famous have greater peace of mind. So I think with extreme fame becomes extreme responsibility, something that I wouldn't fancy. And what I've also learned, because I'm doing this a long time now, I've lived with over 60 celebrities, maybe even more, that I can live with somebody, and living with somebody doesn't mean that I agree with them, but I can still live with them. So say Caitlin, Caitlin was heading off to Jerusalem the week after I left her. I was oblivious of this before going over. But so you can imagine my horror when I saw this. But that's her opinion. Now I didn't agree with her. I'm I was obviously in pro-Gaza, and we did discuss this when I was there. But I have learned now that I'm older that just because I don't agree with her doesn't mean I can't talk to her. And I remember the time people go, Oh my god, why would you live with her? And and and I kept saying, but I'm not agreeing with her. We we can't live in a world where we can't talk just because we disagree. Yeah, some people agree with whatever it is, we know the the the tricky subjects.

SPEAKER_01 42:22

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 42:22

So I have learned that with experience, like in in high side when I lived with Katie Hopkins, who at the time was the most hated woman in Britain, I was getting really frustrated with her because they kept going, but like you're a mom, and like you seem really nice, your husband's really nice, your friends are nice, and then you say things, like you say these awful things about people say, but you see, that's just my opinion. And I I couldn't separate how I felt from how somebody thinks. Now that I'm older and wiser, and I suppose I've done this a little bit longer, I would interview anybody, regardless of what they've done, what they believe, what they think, and what their opinions are. So I've learned that that everybody's entitled to their opinion. And and what worries me as well in life, and we see it the whole time with people being cancelled for X, Y, and Z, you know, you have to be able to talk, you have to be able to communicate, and you have to be able to disagree with somebody. And myself and Caitlin, uh, you know, we're different generations. I'm 50, she's 78. It's like living with my mom in that the same age, same mentality, same thinking. I was never gonna change her opinion. This Irish girl coming over and talking about Gaza wasn't gonna uh change her opinion. And it just showed everybody, her and me, that we can all live under the same roof, uh peacefully, uh with different opinions. And that was an important lesson for me to learn. Yeah, definitely over time with celebrities that that I can live with anybody. I don't have to agree with them, and they don't have to agree with me, but it's important that we talk, and that's what with Lucy is it's talking. So I think I've learned that the most that I'm comfortable enough in my own skin. To have my own opinions and to live and share, you know, life with somebody for three days that I disagree with.

SPEAKER_00 44:09

Was there a point where maybe prior to this experience that you ever felt like maybe backing out of living with somebody if you found out something that you didn't agree with about their beliefs, whether political or otherwise? Or maybe were there conversations you were would have been worried to have, but now because you had the experience with Caitlin, you're not worried about having any sort of difficult conversation because you already had a pretty big one in terms of you know political opinion. Yeah, being able to go head to her head to heaven on TV.

SPEAKER_02 44:45

Yeah. Yeah. I think that maybe, maybe Katie Hopkins. I was thinking, oh god, this one Brexit. Yeah. And I was thinking, oh God, you know, she's the most hated woman of Britain. And I but at the same time, the the the brave, the brave in me, when everyone said if you don't do it, I went, why? And I remember asking, I think it was Ryan or somebody, look, what'd she like? Could have been Ryan, could it be somebody said run? And I went, let's book her. Because if anything, uh, I would want to shine a light on a dark corner to see if it's that dark. And you know what? It wasn't dark. Not my cup of tea. She's not my cup of tea, but they were her opinions rather than who she was as a person. So I think with her, I would lie in bed going, maybe if I can just you know convince her that some of the things she says is nasty. But you know, you can't you can't you can't change people. So at this point, I think I I honestly think I can live with anyone.

SPEAKER_00 45:46

What about anyone? Like, what about a hoarder who hasn't like had their house clean for like few hours?

SPEAKER_02 45:51

Could you live with them? Well, I yeah, I love cleaning.

SPEAKER_00 45:55

I love hoarders, love hoarders, yeah, remember the hoarders give me the hoarder show.

SPEAKER_02 46:03

Yes, please, we could be cats and Claudia, we can do the hoarders, the hoarder show, yeah, anything, nothing will put me off. The only time I remember Al Porter had to get rid of his cat, I was Christy Dignam. I couldn't go horse riding, so I'm not good with horses and cats, but I love kids, I love dogs, I love people. Like I I love people, and I think it's my only skill because I did my leading search, didn't do well, repeated, did not do any better, and then I became cabin crew. So my only real skill in life is people, and I love people. I like to think that I I get people to the point of comfort where they can be themselves because none of us are Jesus, you know, we're all human, we're all people. I think as well that celebrities are like Caitlin could not believe that I was the host. She actually went, You're the you're the host, and I went, Yeah, you're welcome. And I'm a big deal in Ireland. Yeah, you're welcome.

SPEAKER_01 47:03

I heard you say that. Wow.

SPEAKER_00 47:06

I heard you say you rocked up with like your suitcase with one of the wheels broken and your Don's pajamas or Penny's PJs, and you're like, Hey.

SPEAKER_02 47:16

Yeah, with my bottle of uh Erlinga champagne. Yes, because see, in the States, you know, it's all just so glam. It's the same in in uh in the UK. I remember Jem McCollins going, I went, yeah. I think she thought I was, I don't know, on sound, but yeah, I I always kind of I always I always think to myself, I'm not gonna change just because there's a camera in my face, I don't care. And also, who am I to like I'm not here to pro to prove anything about myself, I'm here to get the best out of you for three days. So you're welcome for my time.

SPEAKER_00 47:50

Do you actually sleep in their homes? Like, do you fully stay over for the night? Yes, I swear on my life, yes, really is it ever awkward? Like what yes, like you need to go, you need to unconstipate yourself. Like, do you ever work like does it get awkward? Like, do you hear people going in whispers off camera when you've finished filming or like you know, over I never go to the loop, I never go to the loop properly in a celebrities house and wait till I get home.

SPEAKER_02 48:26

Which is probably why we've initiated the old concentration.

SPEAKER_00 48:28

Yeah, you know you need to be sponsored by two collapses for the next series.

SPEAKER_02 48:36

Yes, I do. Yes, we get clear blue, we're moving on to the hard stuff. Ah, give me the good stuff. Totally. It's a very intimate experience when you think about it. Like, I literally unpack, I put my pajamas under my pillow, my hottie, my face mask, whatever else, my phone charger, and then like I sit on their loo and I do we, but it's it's just it doesn't matter who they are, within minutes, it becomes normal because they're people, you know. So I I forget very quickly

Dream Shows And Love Island Obsession

SPEAKER_02 49:05

where I am, and that's probably why I'm so unprofessional.

SPEAKER_00 49:08

No, not at all. What is the dream? I just I don't care who they are. Yeah, you're like, I don't care. What would be my dream show? Yeah, like if what would be the ultimate goal?

SPEAKER_02 49:21

I always, always wanted to host Big Brother, and I used to ask RC, please, please, can I just host Big Brother? And then I think when I joined Virgin, I did the same. Now I kind of have my favorite show, which is what we discussed earlier about me dying on the doorstep of celebrity's house. Living with Lucy is my yeah, Living Lucy is my is my dream job. It is a chat show with a difference, and there's a different guest the whole time, and it's where I am able to be the most me on the tell, I think. So I kind of have my my dream cake. Like I'm a celebrity, nah, I don't know. Love islands. Sadly, my body's just not ready, but I do love Love Islands.

SPEAKER_00 50:09

Maybe in those three weeks, you'll feel you know the way you're working ahead three weeks to the launch of the new show. Maybe after those three weeks, you'd be like, I am ready for baby. Well, Richie would be like, oh god, I'm losing her to the 19-year-olds. All these hot little 19-year-old boys. Yeah, the creepy ants with my glasses pressing on my nose. Loved Love Island when I was watching it, but I haven't watched it the last two series. I just haven't. I know. Oh my god. It's just because once you stop start watching, you can't stop. Then your your life is dictated by the n by the 9 p.m. of like having to be at the TV. And if you're not, you're like francic, or like you're out with someone, but you're not really listening because you're just thinking what's going on in the episode. Totally.

SPEAKER_02 51:00

I'm obsessed to the point where last summer we were in Lancerati on our family holiday, and I phoned the boss at Virgin to double check the reception because I couldn't get so embarrassed in hindsight. I shouldn't have done it. I found his mobile as well, and he was on his holiday. But I wanted to check the reception because I wasn't happy with the reception for Love Island when I was on my holiday. That is too much. He said, Lucy, where are you? I went, and I was in a panic because it was nine o'clock. He's like, Where are you? Look, I don't have time for this. Just to tell me why I can't get Love Islands Roddy, Roddy. And then two days later, and I think he's going, Oh my god, I can't believe I found him. That's so embarrassing. So embarrassing.

SPEAKER_00 51:42

At least he knows. At least he knows that at least he knows he has a good show on the cards to the point where you know people are panicking if the reception is bad. Yes. I used to slag Love Island. I used to slag Love Island before I ever watched it because I'd be like, oh come on, they're in love after like three days. That's so dumb. Like, that's not how it works. But once I started watching it, I was like, I take back everything I said. I know it's so intense that they're like intense. I have to say though, I do cringe. I do cringe when they do the sexy dancing. Like, I just can't I can't look. I'm like, that's that's too much for me. I can't, and just the thought of having to be in that position. Maybe when we hear them kiss, yeah.

SPEAKER_02 52:27

No, no, and I don't want to see anybody kissed or anybody, no, no, thank you. And then when they cut the night time, and then their names come up, and then you see no thank you. Keep it to yourself. No, no, no. Let's keep ever keep the hands where we can see them.

SPEAKER_00 52:41

Are we prudent or are we just really Irish? What is which which is it? Are we really prudent or are we really Irish? I don't know.

SPEAKER_02 52:50

I say we're probably better both. We're prudent or Irish. We're prudent Irish.

SPEAKER_00 52:55

It's fun. We just we're good girls. We don't want our mommies. We don't want to upset our mommies by watching by watching. Don't do anything rude. Don't be rude. That's all I say to my kids. Don't be rude. What are you like with your kids about these things? Like when I grew up, my mom would my mom and dad would change the channel even if there was like an innocent little kiss.

SPEAKER_02 53:17

I think I make it worse because I'll say things like, now, while you're here, let's talk about consent. So I go the other way and I try to start like lecturing them. I kind of I kind of turn into like with a headmistress and I feel like I need to lecture everybody on what I've just seen. Or I'll talk over it. So if there's something revolting going on in the telly, I'll say, guys, what are we thinking dinner-wise? Do you want to get spailable nails? And I'll just start asking questions about dinner. But I have to talk over it.

SPEAKER_00 53:46

I try and you're like, This isn't happening, it's not happening. La la la, this isn't happening. Yes.

SPEAKER_02 53:53

I know there's nothing to keep they walk in. But Rich always walks in at the worst bits, Love Island. He's like, she's the blue something. It's Love Island. I know it looks awful, but it is Love Island. But he always walks in at the worst bit.

SPEAKER_00 54:10

He's just got a he's he's he's got a skill for knowing when to walk in at the wrong time. I'm gonna wrap it up because I know we said an hour and we're going a little bit over, but

Advice For Dream Chasers And Writers

SPEAKER_00 54:20

in the vein of the podcast.

SPEAKER_02 54:21

Oh, we're nice recharging this phone now.

SPEAKER_00 54:23

Yeah, at least we're charging the phone. In the vein of the podcast, which is the delusional optimist, what would you say to your 22-year-old self if you could have a chat with her now, knowing everything you know?

SPEAKER_02 54:40

I would say stay strong and don't change. Don't change. And I I always say this as well to people. I say this to my daughter in particular, who's 14. Look, there's only one you in the world. That's it. Like you own you, you own you. There's only one Holly in the world, and and and and be kind to yourself because they'll never be you again. So I think I would say to myself, Luz, don't sweat it. Okay, yeah, you're gonna be a loser for a few years, maybe like 22 years, and then and you'll be fine, but to to remain strong and just be you and and don't change, you know. As we said, you know, it's you feel sometimes you you should change, but it's not changing that actually makes you stronger. I think stay strong.

SPEAKER_00 55:30

And then finally, if someone is chasing a dream, maybe they want to switch careers or like they have a side project they want to focus more attention on, or like you, like you know, they're doing one thing, but they're like, But I'd really love to write a book, and I don't know if I'm good enough. Like, what advice do you have for those?

SPEAKER_02 55:47

Yes, go for it. And if anybody wants to write a book, if any of your listeners slash viewers want to write a book, contact me because I know what it's like when you're sitting there going, What I want to write a book, but who like who do I talk to? Like, where do I go? So anybody can ask me anything on Instagram. I always help people with the book side of things, but truthfully, I just say go for it, just go for it. Like you never know. Four years ago, if you said to me I was gonna write an adult book, I would have laughed nervously and gone, it's barely possible. And look at me now. No, just go for it. Don't don't even think about it. Sometimes you just need to close your eyes and jump, you know, and just go for it. And while we're mean that if anybody wants a hands, come to me. I will help.

SPEAKER_00 56:31

You're so good. Now you have an influx of people being while we're reflecting. Don't many rude pictures. While we're reflecting on the journey, I just wanted to ask, because I don't think we touched on upon it. What was the hardest chapter for you, apart from the 20s when you were trying to navigate things once you got going? Did life yeah, life, career, personal, otherwise, what was you what has

Parents Separating Therapy And Resilience

SPEAKER_00 56:55

been the hardest chapter you've had to navigate?

SPEAKER_02 56:58

The hardest chapter I've had to navigate. Sorry, I'm now propped up on the table. Um, and I know you specifically said try not to move your phone. I've I've been upstairs, I've been outside. Okay, don't worry. I say the hardest chapter of my life was when I was 15 and my parents separated. I think looking back, because at the time I was going, oh my god, like my world's upside down. My sister was 17, I was 15, my youngest was 11. So it was a bad age in hindsight. And now I suppose now that I'm a mum of a 16 and 14-year-old, I kind of look at them and I know that they look at us and they're happy that we're happy. I think it's very important for children to see that. Loving parents, if they are loving parents. But I think looking back, yes, and it's only when I had therapy that it all came out, where you know, a lot of my insecurities and my worries and all stemmed from my parents separating. All of it. It was bizarre. So I I went and studied psychotherapy, it would have been about 12 years ago, and as part of the course, I only did one year because I was also doing live telly. Somebody might like to go back to because I love helping people. But I remember as part of the course, I do 24 weeks of therapy. When I went through the 24 weeks of therapy for the foundation course in psychotherapy, it all stemmed back to my parents separating. So I think, yes, that was the hardest part of my life. But it's I'm thank God, my parents are happy. I'm happy now, and but that would have been the most challenging thing I've had to date. I haven't had anything else challenging yet. Obviously, off the back of this, I'll probably get fired. But I thought no.

SPEAKER_00 58:45

If anything, it'll get you a promotion. Just not a Zoom interview show because you're really bad at having your phone set up.

SPEAKER_02 58:53

I'm regreting me. This is what happens. It will get a cheap good idea, and then afterwards, they go, What the hell is that? It's perfect.

SPEAKER_00 59:02

Did you ever have a conversation with your mum and dad in the interim? Then after going through those therapy sessions, yeah. I did.

SPEAKER_02 59:10

I said to them, Look, as part of therapy, it just keeps something coming up the fact that you know that you guys separate, but I understand why. And it's not like all of my problems in life stems necessarily just from that, but I think at 15, it's such a tricky age, yeah, as it is. Yeah, that for such a big upheaval. And at the time I was like, Well, it's really sad, you know, but but it did definitely affect me in in later life. It wasn't a bad separation, it was amicable, but it was it was difficult for us, I think, as children. And then you don't want to kind of you don't want to show your parents that you're sad because you don't want them to feel guilty. Yeah, but it made me it made me determined to not repeat history, and and I'm lucky that I have a very strong marriage because that was a big thing for me getting engaged and stuff. I I always said, God, I'd hate to repeat history, and I haven't now. Obviously, again, off the back of this, Rich is gonna dump me as well as losing my job.

SPEAKER_00 1:00:13

No, it wasn't that bad, Lucy. This wasn't that bad. But truly, thank you so much. Thank you so much. No, for this beautiful conversation. Oh, listen, I can talk to you forever. You're very easy to talk to. Thank you, and thank you for your time. I know you're super busy, so I really appreciate it.

SPEAKER_02 1:00:34

No, listen, I always find time for people who are nice and people who I like. Yeah, if you ever need me, you know where to find me. I'll just be on this chair. I'll see you when you come live with us, okay?

Closing Thoughts And Listener Thanks

SPEAKER_00 1:00:45

Yes. Now I know it may not have sounded that chaotic, but trust me when I say this interview was pure chaos from the moment we started recording uh our video pros. The sound went, Lucy's phone battery was going, she was doing a run around the house, came back with an industrial-sized um extension lead to plug in her phone. We laughed so much recording this, and I did have to do a hard edit, and I wish so much I could have kept the original file, but it would have been a very, very long podcast episode. So, all you need to know is Lucy is just the nicest person ever, the funniest person ever, and the most generous person ever. And I think that comes across um from this interview. So, thank you once again for listening. I hope you'd give me a little review. If you have a spare moment, give the podcast a follow and come back next week for another gorgeous conversation with another very special guest. In the meantime, have a beautiful week, and we'll speak again.