Daddy Issues: Angharad George-Carey
20 years on from losing her father in a car accident, Angharad George-Carey, decided to take her grief and talk about it! Her successful podcast titled, Daddy Issues, explores how fatherlessness can channel their trauma or grief into a sense of direction and purpose. Each week she chats to some incredible guests as they tell her their stories and how something positive came out of something so tragic.
We wanted to find out more about the wonderful Angharad!
Tell us a bit about yourself and the work you do. What makes you strive and what is important in life?
Hello! My name's Angharad George-Carey, I've recently experienced my first (and hopefully last!) quarantine birthday, and by being an actress, a writer and a podcaster, am a true, thoroughbred millennial. What makes me strive is telling people's stories through whatever medium that may be - my body, a pen, or my podcast. With the risk of sounding a touch dramatic, I want to get to the root, in my stories, of what makes us human, and through doing so aim to help change the world, if I can, for the better, by helping people better understand not only themselves, but one another. I bear the belief that understanding is the most powerful tool we can possess, and is often (if not always...) the catalyst for positive change. That is what is important to me in life - to have the privilege of being able to tell important stories. God, I hope I don't sound too righteous! What was quarantine like for you?
Quarantine was both wonderful and, (I have a feeling I'm not alone in this), pretty intense. With the second season of my podcast to launch, and a book proposal to write, I was sadly not as able to read as many books, or bake as much sourdough, as my quarantine comrades, however, with a lacking social life, I was able to be fabulously productive and self-indulgent. The self-indulgence, in fact, took on a whole new level, and I'd find myself walking for hours in silence...just...thinking. It was both marvellously and tragically introspective, and I really do feel I've somehow emerged out ofquarantine a more grounded, self-aware, solid version of myself. I was incredibly fortunate to be in Wiltshire at my mother's house, so felt incredibly spoiled, as much as adjusting to the new dynamics of living with one's family again in such close proximity at the age of 28 has it's obstacles. I felt bizarrely lonely, considering I had my mother, 3 out of 4 siblings (my older sister being a doctor was heroically championing the front line whilst I went on my introspective walks), all their partners, as well as my housemate, Stella, from London. Being single in quarantine was...hard. It was a cold, hard look in the mirror, and one - although I would never choose to do it again - I am glad I underwent, as I've gained (I think) some healthy, and potentially much needed, perspective. It must be said, however, having never been a fan of dating apps, both Hinge and Raya have been used avidly since. 
#keepthechange What would you like to continue after quarantine?
Long, introspective, self-indulgent walks :-) #BLM Thoughts on the movement
As a white woman, I feel my role is to continue to listen to black people on what I need to learn and change, and then take those learnings onto every person who is yet to possess them. Our instagrams (including mine) were once full of reposts of the BLM movement, and of black people sharing their experiences, thoughts and realities, have now faded, but we all have a responsibility to keep the movement alive and support the black community until we see, feel and know of real change. I believe this will take years, but it has to start somewhere, and we all have a crucial role to play. What is the one item you realised you can’t live without?
Hmmmmm...this is quite tough. Maybe my trainers...? As keen as that sounds. I am a big fan of running (which are also now done silently and self-indulgently). But then on second thoughts...I need my phone to listen to podcasts. And I love myself a podcast.Or...the book I'm reading..? But then am I allowed to change it? Yikes. Ok...I think let's go phone, as, thinking about it, I can do so much of my life on my phone. Even record podcasts. AS AWFUL AS THIS IS TO ADMIT. 
What’s the one item you realised you actually don’t need or even want?
MY PHONE - I NEED IT BUT I DON'T WANT IT5.
First place you want to go or travel to?
Well, I'm currently in France, so that potentially answers that question for me. I think having realised how possible working remotely was for me, I have begun to think of the prospect of spending a lot more time in Europe. Getting that GCSE French back up to scratch was a 2020 resolution...so perhaps I'll start here. 
What’s the one thing that has kept you sane during lockdown and why?
The long, silent walks I keep banging on about, because they gave me time away to reflect, analyse, solve and ponder, as well as the fact that I've come to realise that I well and truly adore being surrounded by as much nature as possible.
What’s next for you?
Season 2 of Daddy Issues Podcast (my podcast) is relaunching on the 21st July with the amazing woman, and pop sensation, Grace Carter. I'd decided to pause the podcast for a couple of months just to give the BLM movement some space. So I am excited to see how the rest of the season goes with all the incredible guests the podcast has coming up. I am writing a book proposal, which has come in the wake of the podcast, which is wonderful and exciting. I would like to start writing and presenting documentaries. So I am looking forward to continuing that quest. I have recently started hosting a podcast for the amazing homeless charity, St Mungos, whereby I interview guests who have experienced homelessness, or are currently homeless, and hear their story. I am excited to see where we can take the podcast and hopefully get their stories to as many ears as possible. 
Words by Kylie Olsson
Photography by Erica Bergsmeds
