Welcome to episode 235 with Louise Beech, who is an award-winning author and writer who was making up stories in her head before she was even old enough to hold a pen.

One of her many published works is the incredible memoir ’18 Seconds’ where she writes about the day her mother jumped from the Humber Bridge and somehow survived the fall. This event inspired Louise to look back at her life and recon with the impact that parental mental illness and alcoholism had on her childhood.

In this episode I chat to Louise about her mother’s suicide attempt, the lifetime of madness that led to it and how her mother’s behaviour over the years impacted both her and her siblings.

We chat about growing up in and out of the care system and her complicated relationship with her mum and we chat about unhealthy coping mechanisms, cutting ties, moving on and why trauma is not an excuse for harmful behaviour.

We also chat about Louise’s lifelong passion for writing and how she refused to give up on her dream of becoming a published author despite years of trying and hundreds of rejections.

Despite an incredibly challenging subject matter, it was a joy to chat to Louise! We really get in to some deep waters here but we do so with Louise’s trademark humour and openness.

Learn more about 18 Seconds and all aspects of Louise’s work here: https://louisebeech.co.uk

Connect on social media @louise_beech_swanson

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Thanks for listening!