Operation: Project

This ep of Operation: Project is my first solo podcast - I'm slightly embarrassed as I hit "Publish", but I'm taking that as a good sign. So I’ve just been through a breakup with my long-term partner, 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 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.

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!

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, recorded 5 weeks earlier, so if you want to hear how optimistic for the future we were, and what our plans were, 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.

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!

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.

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.

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!

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.

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”.

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.

Kevin Boyle - yoga teacher and podcaster - has published his “The Yoga Life” podcast week-in week-out since early 2018, and Caroline admires his consistency and dedication to getting meaningful content out there. They talk about the difficulties of delegation, the challenges of self-promotion and how expectation is the *real* thief of joy!

Daragh Muldowney - nature photographer - travels the world with his camera, from the sand dunes of the Sahara to the frozen lakes of Siberia, showcasing his stunning imagery in exhibitions and books. He and Caroline talk about listening to yourself to find out what you love, accepting your most painful mistakes, and turning your passion into your profession!

Emily O'Callaghan - comedy promoter, event organiser, journalist, photographer - constantly gets creative things done, and Caroline wants to know how. They talk about getting over your fear of trying, why it's important to have a few failures behind you, and how to pack out the first night of your new comedy club!