Podcast Summary
Colleen Nolan's music career beginnings: Discovered singing at age 9, started performing at 2 with family, took a break to raise children, returned to work at 30, had memorable experience in Japan, yearned for normal life, close sibling relationship with sisters eased touring disagreements
Colleen Nolan's music career began at a very young age when she was part of a large Irish family of singers. She started performing on stage when she was just two years old and was discovered at the age of nine. Her family, which included ten members, traveled around England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland performing at Workingmen's Clubs. Colleen's talent was discovered before she was even born, as her family believed she could sing based on her early cooing sounds. After a break from her career to raise her children, she returned to work at the age of 30, taking a job at a health food store. One of her most memorable experiences in her music career was performing in Japan, where she and her sisters were adored by fans and became number one in every chart. Despite the hard work and long hours, Colleen expressed that she sometimes yearned for a normal life and the experiences she missed out on during her touring years. She got her first boyfriend when she was 15 and found touring with her sisters to be relatively easy, as any disagreements were quickly forgotten due to their close sibling relationship. The age difference between Colleen and her older sisters was significant, with Bernie being five years older than her.
Age gap dynamics in sibling relationships: The size of age gap between siblings can influence the nature of their bond, with some experiencing a mother-daughter or father-son dynamic, while others may struggle to connect due to their different life stages
The size of the age gap between siblings can significantly impact the dynamics of their relationships. The speaker, who grew up with a large age difference between herself and her older siblings, shares how she felt like a mother figure to her eldest sister and a daughter to her brother. She also reflects on how their different life stages made it challenging for her to connect with them at times. Despite these challenges, the speaker cherishes the memories of their shared Christmases growing up and the magical experiences they created together despite their family's financial struggles. The speaker's experiences highlight the unique bond that can form between siblings, regardless of their age difference. Additionally, the speaker's journey from performing as a guest on a show to becoming a presenter demonstrates the unexpected opportunities that can arise from stepping out of one's comfort zone.
Career nerves: Even successful individuals can experience nerves and anxiety before performances or public appearances, but they can be a good sign that shows one cares.
Even successful individuals, like the interviewee who has had a long career in entertainment, can still experience nerves and anxiety before performances or public appearances. She shares how she used to get more nervous as a guest than when she was on the panel, and how she developed rituals like drinking Prosecco and vaping to help calm her nerves. Despite her long experience, she still gets nervous before going on stage, but believes that nerves can be a good sign that shows one cares. She also mentions how her career didn't start out as planned, as she initially wanted to be a singer but couldn't sing well, and ended up falling into comedy instead. The interviewee also talks about her love for animals and having a large menagerie, including goats, which can be a bit unconventional and require constant care.
Animals as Surrogate Children: The speaker found joy in caring for animals after realizing she didn't connect with them as a vet, and filled the emptiness felt from her children moving out by acquiring more animals.
The speaker's love for animals and the emptiness felt when her children moved out led her to acquire more animals as surrogate children. The speaker, who grew up wanting to be a vet but discovered animals didn't always appreciate vets, found joy in caring for animals instead. Her love for animals started with horseback riding at a young age and continued with dogs. When she moved to a new house with more land, she inherited some feral cats and later adopted three of her own. The speaker admitted to being more of a dog person but also loved cats because they appreciated being fed. As her children grew up and moved out, she felt a sense of emptiness and loneliness, which she filled by acquiring more animals. She acknowledged that her son saw her animals as surrogate children. The speaker also shared that she had a difficult relationship with her teenage daughter, who was heavily involved in horses like her mother. The speaker reflected on how girls mature faster and can be vicious, but also acknowledged the importance of her mother's role in her life. The speaker's highlight of her time on Loose Women was the various ways she had been transformed into different objects for comedic effect during the show.
Entertainment industry encounters: Meeting beloved celebrities and dealing with media scrutiny are part of the entertainment industry experience, with the former bringing joy and the latter presenting challenges.
The entertainment industry can bring unexpected experiences and encounters, from meeting beloved celebrities to dealing with negative media attention. The speaker shared stories of dressing up for a TV show and meeting stars like Will Smith and Michael Douglas, who left lasting impressions. However, she also mentioned the downside of dealing with media scrutiny and negative comments, which can be challenging and upsetting. Despite this, she emphasized that the majority of people are lovely and kind. Additionally, she noted the double standard in how women in the media are often subjected to more negative criticism than men. Overall, the experience of being in the entertainment industry involves a mix of excitement, humor, and challenges.
Healthy debates: Healthy debates and disagreements can lead to deeper understanding and closeness in relationships, even in professional settings like The Loose Women panel, where intense discussions are a natural part of the preparation process.
Healthy debates and disagreements are a natural part of any relationship, be it personal or professional. These discussions, even when intense, often lead to deeper understanding and closeness. The Loose Women panel, for instance, despite disagreements on various topics, maintains a strong bond. The process of preparing for the show involves multiple meetings and rehearsals, which further strengthens their connection. The panelists have grown accustomed to this dynamic, having come from backgrounds where they had to adapt to various roles within their families. When on the show, they embrace their opportunity to speak and share their perspectives. The show's atmosphere is positive and supportive, making it a great experience for everyone involved.
Grief and Funeral Planning: Discussing and planning funeral arrangements beforehand can help reduce stress and conflict among family members. Everyone experiences grief differently, and it's important to respect the wishes of the deceased and acknowledge all forms of grief, including loss of pets.
Discussing and planning for funerals and dealing with grief is an important and necessary process for individuals and families. The podcast and subsequent book, "Grief," shared personal stories and expert advice on how to navigate grief and the importance of respecting the wishes of the deceased. The speaker emphasized that everyone experiences grief differently, and there is no right or wrong way to grieve. Additionally, planning and discussing funeral arrangements beforehand can help reduce stress and conflict among family members. The speaker also highlighted the importance of acknowledging and validating all forms of grief, including the loss of pets and loved ones who died unexpectedly. Overall, the podcast and book served as a helpful resource for individuals seeking guidance and support in dealing with grief and loss.
Grief and Loss: Expressing love for lost loved ones and finding comfort in shared experiences can help cope with grief. Humor and living with loss are essential parts of the grieving process.
Dealing with loss and grief can be a complex process, and people may experience a range of emotions, including anger, fear, and the desire to hold on to life. The author shared her experiences of losing loved ones, including her husband and sister-in-law, and how she found solace in talking about their lives and expressing her love for them. She also discussed her fear of the unknown aspects of death and her reluctance to leave her children. The author mentioned that she found it difficult to write about child loss in her book due to her inability to fully understand the experience. However, she emphasized the importance of finding ways to cope, such as laughing and finding comfort in shared experiences. The author's podcast received positive feedback from listeners who found it comforting and validating as they navigated their own grief. Ultimately, the author believes that finding the humor in difficult situations and learning to live with loss are essential parts of the grieving process.
Grief and healing: Grief is a complex emotion that doesn't go away completely, but with time, we learn to carry it differently. Remember the deceased in their happier times and seek support from loved ones.
Grief is a complex emotion that doesn't go away completely, but with time, we learn to carry it differently. The author shared a story of how her friend Bernie's words helped her get through her grief after Bernie's death. Bernie had asked her to cry for two weeks after her death and then get back to living. The author emphasized that time is a great healer, but we don't forget. Instead, we learn to live with the pain and carry it in a nicer way. The author also mentioned that memories of the deceased become lovely memories, and it's essential to remember them in their happier times. The author's book, which she encourages listeners to get, provides guidance on how to support friends going through grief and what to say to them. The author also shared an experience of how her sister Linda's simple gestures of support helped her during her grief. Overall, the author's message is that grief is a part of life, and while it's painful, it's essential to learn to live with it and support each other through it.