Caroline Swords, podcaster: 13 Steps to Breaking Up without Cracking Up

This ep of Operation: Project is a break from the norm, as I do my first solo podcast! I'm slightly embarrassed as I hit "Publish", but I'm taking that as a good sign.

Normally on the pod, I talk to people I admire and respect about how they do their creative projects. It's been on a hiatus for a couple of months; all the COVID bullshit hit, and I did three episodes over the internet, but didn’t enjoy it as much as sitting in a room with a Real Life Person - some warmth and connection was lost - so I’ll soon be going back to sitting, chatting, and getting to the heart of art with my guest as we connect, drink tea, and have a laugh.

And speaking of warmth and connection being lost, onto this episode: I’ve just been through a breakup with my long term partner of 28 years, about 7 weeks ago now. It’s no-ones fault, just differences, and we’re being kind and compassionate to each other. Grief and the pressures of lockdown brought sharply to the forefront some problems that were always there, but we pushed to the side in favour of what worked great in our relationship.

This podcast isn’t really about the relationship, or the reasons for the breakup, but about what I’m doing for myself to help ensure I come out the other side better than ever. I’ve learned A HUGE AMOUNT the last 6 weeks, and I hope some of it could be helpful for anyone going through something similar, especially during this poxy lockdown time.

So today’s Operation: Project, the guest is me and the project is me, as I share with you my 13 Steps to Breaking Up without Cracking Up!

If you find it useful, leave a review, reach out, or whatever you're having yourself.

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Connect with Caroline on Twitter @carolinezoids

Tim Ferriss talks to Blake Mycoskie on "Conscious Uncoupling": https://tim.blog/2020/07/16/blake-mycoskie-2/

Tim Ferriss talks to Laurie Gottlieb on "Getting to Unknow Youself": https://tim.blog/2020/03/19/lori-gottlieb/

Being Well: Become a Better Friend to Yourself: https://www.rickhanson.net/being-well-podcast-being-a-better-friend-to-yourself/

"Concious Uncoupling" book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Conscious-Uncoupling-Steps-Living-Happily/dp/0553447017

Mark Manson article "How to Let Go: Learning to Deal with Loss": https://markmanson.net/how-to-let-go

"The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck": https://www.amazon.co.uk/Subtle-Art-Not-Giving-Counterintuitive/dp/0062457713

Alan McMonagle is an award-winning Galway-based writer, with loads of short stories, radio plays and a couple of novels to his name. His latest novel, Laura Cassidy's Walk Of Fame, was published by Picador in March 2020 - an unfortunate time for marketing a new work, it being the outset of a global pandemic and all. Caroline read it over one weekend when she was ill with COVID-19, and protagonist Laura's relatable, hilarious delusions and fresh, funny voice provided a welcome distraction at that difficult time.

They talk about the entirely of the novel-writing process: from initial stirrings to cranking it out, through the editing and publishing stages and beyond, as well as the never-ending benefits of making genuine relationships with other artists, as demonstrated by Alan’s valuable, lifelong correspondence with Pat McCabe. He clues Caroline in on his big secret to finishing a novel - listen to the episode to find out what it is!

Find out all about Alan and his work on his website https://www.alanmcmonagle.com

Get Laura Cassidy's Walk Of Fame on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Laura-Cassidys-Walk-Fame-McMonagle/dp/1509829881/

Laura reviewed in The Irish Times: https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/books/laura-cassidy-s-walk-of-fame-a-boulevard-of-broken-dreams-1.4189442

Connect with Alan on Twitter: mcmonaglewriter

Connect with Caroline on Twitter: carolinezoids + on Instagram @caroline_swords_dublin 

Allie O’Rourke - stand-up comedian and comedy promoter - is one of Dublin’s hardest-working comedians, playing over 300 gigs in 18 months all over the country, refining her comedic skillset to reach and entertain everyone who sees her. 

I wanted to catch up with Allie see how she was getting on during lockdown, so we Skyped for Episode 11 on 21st March 2020. Allie’s still cranking out her community-led creativity even in the grip of a pandemic, with nightly shows on the Hysteria Ireland Comedy Network on Facebook.

I also spoke with Allie for Episode 10 of Operation: Project, 16th February 2020, so if you want to hear how optimistic for the future we were and what our plans were then, do have a listen to Episode 10.

So much has changed since - there is a whole a new set of challenges for the creative person to overcome, but just because we can’t be in the same room as our collaborators, we can still support each other and entertain ourselves, and an audience, together.

Allie’s Token Straight comedy club on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tokenstraight/

The Hysteria Comedy Network on Facebook, keeping Dublin comedy weird at 8pm nightly: https://www.facebook.com/hysteriaireland/

Connect with Aliie on Twitter allie_orourke + on Instagram @allie.orourke

Connect with Caroline on Twitter carolinezoids + on Instagram @caroline_swords_dublin 

I recorded Episode 10 of my podcast 16th February 2020, barely 6 weeks ago. So much has changed since - then, Allie and I hugged, talked for hours right across a table, went for a leisurely lunch - things that are impossible now, to who knows when.

I wanted to catch up with Allie see how she was getting on during lockdown, so we Skyped for Episode 11 on 21st March. Allie’s still cranking out her community-led creativity even in the grip of a pandemic, with nightly shows on the Hysteria Ireland Comedy Network on Facebook, so if you’re interested in how a creative persons keeps it all going in the face of a crisis, have a listen to Episode 11 too.

Allie O’Rourke - stand-up comedian and comedy promoter - is one of Dublin’s hardest-working comedians, playing over 300 gigs in 18 months all over the country, refining her comedic skillset to reach and entertain everyone who sees her. Caroline appreciates how she’s developing her queer comedy club Token Straight into a recognisable brand, taking it from a Dublin city basement to nationwide, and online to the world - working smart to make it not just for clued-in LBGQT audiences, but for anyone who loves good comedy. 

They talk about how to maintain the initial creative burst throughout a project, the checklist for a guaranteed killer comedy room, and the importance of supporting others to build a community together.

DIY or die!

Allie’s favourite comedian Chris Gethard’s “One Man’s Trash” on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nwi_kE0gy94

Caroline loves The James Altucher Show Podcast: https://jamesaltucher.com/podcasts/

Caroline produces the monthly comedy night "Retro Vision": The Terrible Movie Show: https://www.facebook.com/RetroVisionComedy/ 

Allie’s "Token Straight" comedy club on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tokenstraight/

The Hysteria Comedy Network on Facebook, keeping Dublin comedy weird at 8pm nightly: https://www.facebook.com/hysteriaireland/

Connect with Aliie on Twitter allie_orourke + on Instagram @allie.orourke

Connect with Caroline on Twitter carolinezoids + on Instagram @caroline_swords_dublin 

Liam Hourican - actor, impressionist, comedian - lives in London, and has been a constant comedic presence on TV and stage since the mid-00’s, with roles in The Savage Eye (RTE), The IT Crowd (Channel 4) and Tracey Ullman's Show (BBC) to name just a few. Caroline marvels at his ability to multi-task as he moves along his commercial and passion projects, taking on the additional jobs of playwright, screenwriter and producer as needed.

They talk about the importance of physical and mental relaxation for performance, who makes a the ideal subject for an impressionist, and how making things looks easy is really, really, hard.

"Wooha Frank Barrington - Hellraiser" trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o04i2kRjb8g

"Roy Keane Goodfellas" on The Savage Eye: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WU4_5zV2pco

“Dick”, a comedy short produced by Caroline, starring Liam, : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FyYHjPLeh2s

"Retro Vision: The Terrible Movie Show" monthly comedy night, watch episodes here: https://www.facebook.com/RetroVisionComedy/ 

Connect with Liam on Instagram: @liamhourican

Connect with Caroline on Instagram: @caroline_swords_dublin and Twitter: carolinezoids 

Brian Gallagher - stand-up comedian - has, in just three years, risen rapidly through the ranks of Irish comedy. Caroline respects his all-in commitment to his career: constantly in motion, he plays gigs all over Ireland and internationally, as well as co-producing one Dublin’s finest comedy nights, Riff Raff at the Chelsea Drug Store.

They talk about getting over your fear of failing out loud, refining your creative output through constant reassessment, and how to guarantee a successful Edinburgh show! Oh, and golf, kinda.

Follow Brian on Instagram @briangallahad and Twitter at BrianGallahad

See what’s happening at Riff Raff comedy club, every Wednesday at the Chelsea Drug Store, Dublin, on Instagram @riffraffcomedy

Caroline’s producing Brian Cheatle’s “Overnight Failure” stand-up comedy special, Feb 27th/28th tickets here: https://smockalley.ticketsolve.com/shows/873612121

Connect with Caroline; Twitter at carolinezoids and Instagram at @caroline_swords_dublin 

Clíona Dukes and Caoimhe Connolly - creative producers - are the duo behind the annual Scene + Heard Festival of New Work in Smock Alley Theatre, now in its 5th year. Caroline applauds their combined ability to facilitate over 100 shows in under three weeks, supporting hundreds of artists as they turn their creative dreams into concrete theatre pieces. They talk about why it’s vital to develop trust with your collaborators, avoiding burnout, and how to gain an audience one ticket at a time!

Scene + Heard Festival of New Work at Smock Alley Theatre, 12 – 29 Feb 2020, see the full program and get tickets here: https://smockalley.com/sceneandheard/

Connect with Smock Alley | Facebook: SmockAlley | Twitter: smockalley | Instagram: @smockalleytheatre

Get FREE tickets for the Scene + Heard Artist Support Series here: https://smockalley.ticketsolve.com/shows/873612155/events/128253594

Caroline’s producing Brian Cheatle’s “Overnight Failure” stand-up comedy special, get tickets here: https://smockalley.ticketsolve.com/shows/873612121

Connect with Clíona Dukes on Twitter: clionadukes 

Connect with Caoimhe Connolly on Instagram: @midnightscowl and hear Driver Driver at http://www.x2driver.com

Connect with Caroline | Twitter: carolinezoids | Instagram: @caroline_swords_dublin 

Chris O’Neill - comedy promoter - runs the twice-weekly Jesters Comedy Club in Sin É in Dublin City, one of the best clubs in town, and a hugely valuable resource for new comedians. Caroline admires how keeps the club dynamic; putting the audience first, he is always finding ways to make the Jesters comedy experience the greatest it is can be. They talk about the critical importance of finding the right venue, turning your work skills to your creative projects, and how the ability to write and prioritise a task list will change your life.

Thanks to Brian Cheatle for show music, the "Operation: Project" art and other support.

Jesters Comedy Club is on every Tuesday and Wednesday in Sin É, Upper Ormond Quay, Dublin 1. See the Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/jesterscomedy

Connect with Caroline; Twitter at @carolinezoids and Instagram at @caroline_swords_dublin 

Anne Gildea - actor, writer, comedian, musician and founding member of groundbreaking musical comedy group The Nualas - is a true Renaissance woman. Caroline loves that no matter what Anne is doing creatively, she speaks with her unique voice, and makes her point of view heard, hilariously and with heart.

They talk about London versus Dublin, how you need to take responsibility to move your work forward, and why being in a band is so hard. PLUS Anne sings and plays ukulele, performing a new song, “Adequate Fun”.

Thanks to Brian Cheatle for show music, the "Operation: Project" art and other support.

Connect with Anne on Instagram @annegildea_  or Twitter at annegildea

Link to Anne’s autobiography on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00D8CSVN0/

The Nualas on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTbkXyCCda0

Connect with Caroline; Twitter at carolinezoids and Instagram at @caroline_swords_dublin 

(When I recorded this episode a couple of months ago, I talk about how I wasn't on Instagram, but now I am, a little bit)

Alan Lambert - filmmaker - is a true auteur: directing, producing, even scoring his own experimental sci-fi features. Caroline is inspired by his unwavering commitment to his art and unconventional approach to all aspects of filmmaking: from funding to collaboration, he does his own thing. They talk about why and when to crowdfund, how to know a project is finished, and what to realistically expect from the film festival circuit.

Thanks to Brian Cheatle for show music, the "Operation: Project" art and other support.

Find out more about Alan’s work at http://metaldragon.net

Watch Alan’s full-length feature “The End Of The Earth Is My Home” (2013) on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6U5nixBF2M

Connect with Caroline; Twitter at carolinezoids and Instagram at @caroline_swords_dublin