I loved this conversation, Claire is so thoughtful and interesting. Topics we covered included:

• How Claire was told she was "too pretty to play the fat part".
• What our Mums think about perimenopause.
• How to be still when you're proactive and a do-er, so you can create the space for new stuff to come in to your life.
• Hating hustle culture.
• How it's not OK to ask about people's weight or whether or not they're gonna have kids.
• The ideas of "Is this draining me and does it serve me?"

And so much more. Stuff we mentioned:

Gretchin Reubin 'Four Tendencies 'https://gretchenrubin.com/books/the-four-tendencies/
How to Fail with Elizabeth Day https://open.spotify.com/show/4m7U7kNne0iu35HK571Ui8?si=44e04f5ca6374d05

The Mel Robbins Podcast https://open.spotify.com/show/7vz4RYsD5MulTCrcH478t1?si=2dc47659bd3c4da9
Ferne Cotton's Happy Place https://open.spotify.com/show/1J6Ddy4dcXjFZDmWQs3Pu0?si=7495e1d7eaf84492
Charlotte Thorton Actors Mentor https://charlottethornton.com
Positive Intelligence - Shirzad Charmaine & Anne-Marie Draycott https://www.positiveintelligence.com
https://www.facebook.com/amdraycottcoaching/

Siara Illing-Ahmed is a Specialist in Performing Arts; writer, community arts engagement worker, acting coach, creative mentor, lecturer, PhD researcher and mother. Siara has worked in the arts sector for 22 years and now encourages social activism through artistry. 
Siara and I discuss all sorts!

• Being walking contradictions
• The power of contentment
• I learn the meaning of the word diasporic and Siara describes herself as inappropriate.
• Vulnerability and armouring up
• Needing to misbehave more in midlife
• Siara's experiences of racism
• Diet culture and anti fat bias
• How women and their bodies are represented in theatre

The musical we discuss is "SIX", more info here: https://www.sixthemusical.com/

Ruth and I chat about changing the world, what is a normal life and the fact we only have 4000 weeks on earth.

We avoided the topic of Brexit as we didn't have wine and discussed the value of "just sitting with your crap".

Other chats include; Motherhood, being kind to yourself, the assumption of positive intent, coping with world news and the media in general and of course, because I'm obsessed with her, I mention Brene Brown.

I also make a puking sound at the thought of baking for the PTA... I can only apologise for that.

Stuff we mention:

• Life Loves You by Robert Holden and Louise Hay
• Humankind by Rutger Bregman
• 4000 Weeks by Oliver Burkeman
• Brene Brown on doing the best we can. https://youtu.be/w5TkA7d7eTw