Podcast Summary
An Upbringing of Love and Joy Shaping a Career in Music: Annie Macmanus's upbringing in a busy and loving household, along with her insecurities and struggles as a young person, shaped her into the joyful and motivated entertainer she is today.
Annie Macmanus's upbringing in a busy and loving household influenced her to become a pacifier and an entertainer, always striving to keep people happy. This skill later led her to choose a career where she could spread joy and magic through music. Annie's father's extroverted nature and love for people shaped her outgoing personality, while her mother's kindness and gentleness influenced her sense of strength and sweetness. As a young person, Annie worried about the changes in her body, insecurities about her weight, and the pressures to be thin. Understanding Annie's background and experiences provides insight into the person she has become today and the motivation behind her chosen path.
Transforming setbacks into opportunities for self-discovery and growth.: Embracing new experiences and maintaining resilience can lead to personal transformation and the discovery of one's true identity.
Annie Macmanus was influenced by societal expectations and a sense of shame growing up in Ireland. However, with Ireland's changing attitudes and the opportunity to leave and start fresh, she was able to pursue her passion for acting. Despite facing a major setback in her audition for an acting course, it was her mother's guidance that led her to study English literature at Queen's University in Belfast. This new environment provided Annie with a clean slate to redefine herself and discover her true identity without the constraints of her previous associations in Dublin. Ultimately, this conversation highlights the transformative power of new experiences and the importance of resilience in overcoming obstacles.
Embracing Change and Exploring New Paths: Taking the time to discover our true passions and embracing change can lead to personal growth, a deeper sense of connection to ourselves, and ultimately feeling truly alive.
Sometimes the things we don't get or the paths we don't take can lead us to the best outcomes. Annie Macmanus shares how not getting into acting college redirected her to discover her true passion for radio. She emphasizes that it's important to take the time to figure out what truly makes us happy and what we love, instead of succumbing to societal pressure to pick a path early on in life. Labels and identities can be comforting and help us fit in, but they can also limit our potential for growth and exploration. Embracing change and allowing ourselves to go through different revolutions in life can lead to personal growth and a deeper sense of connection to ourselves. Ultimately, it's through learning and staying open to new experiences that we feel the most alive.
Listen to Yourself and Pursue Your Passions: Prioritize your own needs and desires, avoid conforming to societal expectations, and regularly check in with yourself to make meaningful changes and find fulfillment.
It is important to listen to ourselves and constantly check in with our own needs and desires. Annie Macmanus emphasizes the significance of allowing ourselves to pursue what truly interests and excites us, whether it be in our careers or personal lives. She highlights that forcing ourselves to conform to societal expectations or predefined identities can lead to a sense of stagnation and coasting. It is crucial to avoid becoming too wrapped up in our own labels or identities, as it can hinder personal growth and prevent us from serving others effectively. By checking in with ourselves regularly and making necessary adjustments, we can make both small incremental changes and big transformative ones that bring excitement and fulfillment into our lives.
Trusting Yourself and Staying Authentic in Creativity: Authenticity and trust in oneself are crucial in creativity and innovation. By listening to our instincts and staying true to ourselves, we can create meaningful and original work that resonates with others.
Authenticity and trust in oneself are crucial in creativity and innovation. Annie Macmanus emphasized the importance of staying true to oneself and creating something that feels authentic, even if it deviates from the norms of the industry. She highlighted the challenges faced by women in their forties in the music industry, stating that they often go unnoticed. Steven Bartlett further discussed the significance of listening to one's instinct and ignoring the counter voices and opinions of others. They both agreed that instinct is like a whisper from within, guiding their creative choices. This conversation teaches us that by trusting ourselves, staying authentic, and relying on our instincts, we can create meaningful and original work that resonates with others.
Trusting Your Instincts and Being True to Yourself for Personal Growth and Success: Trusting your instincts, being true to yourself, and following your own convictions can lead to personal growth, success, fulfillment, and happiness. Prioritizing personal well-being and having the courage to make decisions based on your own beliefs is important.
Trusting your instincts and being true to yourself is crucial for personal growth and success. Annie Macmanus highlights the importance of having the courage to take risks and make decisions based on your own convictions, even in the face of uncertainty. She emphasizes the value of reading the crowd while staying firm in your own beliefs. As Annie's career progressed, she moved towards following her instincts and doing what she believed was right, resulting in a greater sense of fulfillment and happiness. Additionally, she reflects on the negative impact of constantly feeling guilty and not believing in one's abilities. Taking the time to check in with oneself and prioritize personal well-being can lead to a more peaceful and fulfilling life.
Leaving Radio for Writing: A Journey of Self-Discovery and Prioritization: Annie Macmanus's decision to leave her radio career in search of self-understanding and personal growth highlights the importance of prioritizing passions and creating space for new experiences in the midst of life's demands.
Annie Macmanus made the decision to leave her radio career after taking the time to explore different avenues that she felt passionate about, such as writing and podcasting. She wanted to have more control over her broadcasting outside of the BBC and sought self-understanding through writing. This decision was driven by a sense of panic and a feeling that something was wrong, which can be seen as a form of a midlife crisis. Annie recognized the need to confront herself and make time for personal growth, but this was challenging due to the demands of her job and family. Ultimately, she chose to prioritize her children and create space for new experiences, highlighting the importance of taking the time to evaluate and pursue one's passions amidst the chaos of life.
Trusting your intuition and prioritizing passion over societal expectations can lead to fulfillment and peace.: Embrace uncertainty, trust your instincts, and prioritize what brings you fulfillment, even if it means going against societal expectations.
In making life-changing decisions, it is crucial to listen to your intuition and follow what feels right for you, even if it means stepping away from societal expectations. Annie Macmanus realized that trying to do it all wasn't necessarily fulfilling or sustainable for her, leading her to choose to prioritize her passion for writing and podcasting over a high-powered job. She experienced a sense of relief and peace after making this decision, reinforcing her belief that she made the right choice. The fear and doubt that often accompany major decisions can be overcome by gaining knowledge and understanding about what lies ahead, recognizing that uncertainty is a natural part of life. Embracing the unknown and accepting that we cannot control everything can be empowering and life-affirming.
Embracing Fear: The Path to Growth and Success: Letting go of control, embracing fear, and being true to oneself can lead to personal growth, unique success, and overcoming industry pressures.
Letting go of control and embracing the fear of the unknown can lead to personal growth and success. Annie Macmanus shares her experience of relinquishing control and allowing herself to move through life freely without trying to control everything around her. She acknowledges that fear is a natural human instinct and that it can be healthy to feel it. Steven Bartlett highlights Annie's tremendous success and her unique position as a woman in the world of dance music. Annie attributes her success to being different and representing the audience, as well as her ambition and professionalism. She also mentions the pressure she felt as a female in a male-dominated industry. Overall, this conversation emphasizes the importance of taking risks, embracing fear, and believing in oneself.
Embracing Change and Adapting to Our Evolving Aspirations and Needs: Embrace opportunities that align with our current selves, have goals to provide stability and purpose, and prioritize self-awareness and education to effectively navigate challenges and transitions.
Our aspirations and needs can change as we go through different stages of life. Annie Macmanus reflects on her career as a DJ and broadcaster, highlighting the combination of wanting to prove herself and genuinely enjoying her work. She acknowledges that her previous pace of life was unsustainable for where she was at that time, but she also recognizes that circumstances can change, and she may pursue those passions again in the future. This realization reminds us to adapt and embrace opportunities that align with our current selves and needs. Steven Bartlett adds that chaos and forward momentum can provide stability and purpose, emphasizing the importance of having goals and striving for them. However, Annie also acknowledges that transitions and hormonal changes can impact mental health, underscoring the importance of self-awareness and education to navigate those challenges effectively.
Understanding Perimenopause and the Importance of Symptom Documentation and Education: Perimenopause can be confusing, but keeping track of symptoms and understanding hormonal changes is crucial for clarity and well-being. Increased awareness and support are essential for those experiencing perimenopause and menopause.
Perimenopause is characterized by unpredictable and fluctuating symptoms, making it difficult to identify and understand. Annie Macmanus highlights the importance of documenting experiences and symptoms to gain clarity and recognize the patterns associated with perimenopause. She emphasizes the need to be aware of hormonal changes and their potential impact on emotions and overall well-being. Additionally, Devina McCall's advocacy for menopause and perimenopause education is praised, highlighting the significance of increasing awareness and providing support for those going through these stages. The conversation also touches upon the issue of tokenism and the evolving perspectives on gender representation in various industries, including DJing. While Annie initially resisted the idea of gender-based initiatives, she recognizes the need to encourage more women in the field to promote diversity and equal opportunities.
Redefining Success as Personal Happiness and Growth: Success is not measured by external achievements, but by finding contentment, peace, and personal growth through activities that make you feel alive, while also considering the resources and support around you.
Success is not defined by external factors such as numbers, tickets sold, or algorithms. Instead, success is about personal happiness and feeling alive. Annie Macmanus realizes that success for her is finding contentment and peace while also being pushed and challenged in a non-damaging way. She believes that writing and learning make her feel alive, as they allow her to express her thoughts and force her to figure things out. On the other hand, an unsuccessful period would involve running away from what she truly wants and instead focusing on what she should be doing. It would mean trying to be the best and the biggest without considering the resources and team around her.
Embracing Change and Staying True to Oneself: Annie Macmanus' Journey: Embracing change and staying true to oneself can lead to personal growth, deeper understanding of oneself, and a sense of fulfillment in life.
Embracing change can lead to personal growth and a deeper understanding of oneself. Annie Macmanus shares how making a major change in her career empowered her to make further changes in her life. Writing her book allowed her to express all aspects of herself, beyond what was seen on the radio or during DJing. She wanted her book to be judged solely on the writing, not on her name or reputation. Steven Bartlett acknowledges the symbolic nature of Annie's journey, highlighting how her connection with conviction, creativity, and intuition has resulted in valuable art and a sense of fulfillment. Annie's podcast, inspired by conversations about change, has also played a role in her personal growth. Overall, this conversation emphasizes the importance of embracing change and staying true to oneself.
