I have known Steve all his life and can say with confidence that his lifelong interest, curiosity and passion for the creative arts has never left him. Particularly singing, acting and film making. In this conversation we explore his decision to move to London and study at the Royal Academy of Music and how this helped to manage his anxiety. We delve into the challenges of the audition process and how a career in the performing arts will always require a huge sacrifice, challenge and one hell of a thick skin! Steve talks about making the very difficult decision to retrain in Law and how on reflection this was ultimately the right road for him to walk. We ask if nowadays having a privileged background open doors into the industry and have we lost sight of the working class heroes of our yesteryear like Alan Bennett and Harold Pinter? Steve has experienced deep sadness particularly when his Mum passed away and he tells us how he found some solace in the wonderful music of Kate Bush and Nick Cave’s Red Hand Files. Steve also puts forward his strategy of not always just focusing on the present and the now, but to also immerse yourself in the past and celebrate special memories as this can be a way of learning to walk with grief.

Recorded remotely February 2024

https://www.theredhandfiles.com/

https://www.katebush.com/

https://www.ram.ac.uk/

The JGT Podcast was initiated by the young people we support and aims to provide a distraction and comfort to those experiencing ongoing hospital visits and challenging treatment plans. The burden of a cancer diagnosis in your teens or early twenties is particularly distressing and we hope in some way, our podcasts make this very frightening experience just a little easier.

Our subscribers tend to be younger adults and enjoy hearing from people with a story to tell. Especially those who are trying to step out of their comfort zone and do something different. We feature interviews with people from all walks of life and In our ‘talking music’ series take a glimpse into the day-to-day lives of some exceptional musicians.

We are privileged to have interviewed some incredible fundraisers and campaigners. People who meet life’s challenges head-on and strive to make a difference. Many of our guests have turned obstacles and difficulties into positive endorsements of modern day living.

If you would like to be a guest and share your story with us, then hit our contact link on the website right now and let’s talk!

I first came across Nicola Nuttall on social media. Mainly because of her hash tag, #shitscaredmum. I can’t think of a better description of how it feels as a parent to see your child on a teenage cancer ward. All parents go into survival mode when their son or daughter has a life threatening illness. They fundraise, campaign, fight and will move heaven and earth to arrive at a curative outcome. Of course, after all that’s intrinsic to being a Mum & Dad. But there was something different about Nicola. Reading her Twitter feed and visiting her website (link below) you immediately get a sense of the person behind the brave face.

Since Laura was diagnosed, Nicola and her husband Mark have had many people getting in touch to ask for advice for themselves or loved ones who have unfortunately received a similar diagnosis. So within 'Tips and Advice’ on their website (link below) they outlined Laura's current treatments and all the supplementary things they are trying to help Laura, in the hope that they can help others too. Nicola reinforces the fact that she is by no means a medical expert, but she has picked up a few pieces of advice during Laura's experience with cancer that may help others.

She is vigorously campaigning for a change and raising awareness of brain tumours in young adults and children. But with a very genuine and heartfelt approach to helping others with the same prognosis as Laura. At the same time, her family is experiencing the biggest challenge imaginable and managing their own emotions. Whether you’re a millionaire, or you live on the streets there’s nothing more painful than when your children are seriously unwell and Nicola’s coping strategy to heal emotionally has been one long fight to stay ahead of Glioblastoma, and not just for Laura, but for the many young adults and children with this bastard disease.

Brain Tumour | Doing it for laura

TIPS AND ADVICE | Doingitforlaura

The Brain Tumour Charity

Joe Gilligan Trust | Supporting young adults fighting cancer

Donate — Joe Gilligan Trust