Sixteen Summers with Kirsten O'Brien

In this episode of Sixteen Summers, Kirsten chats to Holby City and Coronation Street star - and dad of two - Charlie Condou about growing up in Soho, his dad's time in prison and how he came to be a father.

And it all leads to that BIG question - would Charlie rather have his childhood or the one he's giving his own kids? You'll have to listen to find out the answer.

Don't forget to rate, review and subscribe/follow the podcast and find Kirsten on social media @RealKirstOBrien.

In this episode of Sixteen Summers, Kirsten chats to journalist and Loose Women presenter Kaye Adams about growing up in Scotland, her purple Chopper and what her kids make of her career.

And it all leads to that BIG question - would Kaye rather have her childhood or the one she's giving her own kids? You'll have to listen to find out the answer.

Don't forget to rate, review and subscribe/follow the podcast and find Kirsten on social media @RealKirstOBrien.

In this episode of Sixteen Summers, Kirsten chats to Jamaican-born British fitness instructor Derrick Evans AKA Mr Motivator, who rose to fame in the 90s through appearances on the breakfast television show GMTV, where he performed live fitness sessions and offered tips and advice to viewers.

Derrick explains how he was given up as a child and how that affected his own experiences as a father.

And it all leads to that BIG question - would Derrick rather have his childhood or the one he's giving his own kids? You'll have to listen to find out the answer.

Don't forget to rate, review and subscribe/follow the podcast and find Kirsten on social media @RealKirstOBrien.

And you can find out more about Derrick and his fitness training programmes here.

In this episode of Sixteen Summers, Kirsten chats to Place in the Sun presenter Jasmine Harman about her Cypriot heritage, how her family came to England and how she coped with her mother's hoarding.

And it all leads to that BIG question - would Jasmine rather have her childhood or the one she's giving her own two kids? You'll have to listen to find out the answer.

Don't forget to rate, review and subscribe/follow the podcast and find Kirsten on social media @RealKirstOBrien.

In this episode of Sixteen Summers, Kirsten chats to Gadget Show presenter Ortis Deley about being 'farmed' as a child and the impact that had on his life, his Ghanaian roots and why he's desperate for his own kids to understand their heritage, and losing his job on Channel 4 during the Athletics World Championships.

In an honest and revealing chat, Ortis also answers THAT question - would he swap his own childhood for the one he's giving his own two kids??

Don't forget to rate, review and subscribe/follow the podcast and find Kirsten on social media @RealKirstOBrien.

In this episode of Sixteen Summers, Kirsten chats to BAFTA-winning explorer, writer, television presenter and dad of three Steve Backshall about growing up as 'Manure Boy', sleeping on a Delhi garage floor and his life with Olympic rowing champion wife Helen Glover.

Steve opens up about his struggles at school, the time his 'best friends' stole his mum's car and his fears for the future of the planet.

Don't forget to rate, review and subscribe/follow the podcast and find Kirsten on social media @RealKirstOBrien.

In this episode of Sixteen Summers, Kirsten chats to former model, TV presenter and now therapist Melinda Messenger about her childhood, how she shot to fame overnight and the impact that had on her family.

Melinda also opens up about her parents' separation and her attempt to give her kids the fairytale childhood that she always wanted. But would she prefer her own childhood or that one she's giving her own offspring?

Don't forget to rate, review and subscribe/follow the podcast and find Kirsten on social media @RealKirstOBrien.

In this episode of Sixteen Summers, Kirsten chats to comedian, singer and proud Mancunian Jason Manford about his childhood, the friendships that shaped his early years, and whether he'd trade his upbringing for the one he's giving his own kids.

Jason opens up about his relationship with his siblings, his mum's brush with the law, how his dad worked multiple jobs to put food on the table, his own parenting style and the importance of grafting. 

Don't forget to rate, review and subscribe/follow the podcast and find Kirsten on social media @RealKirstOBrien.

In the first episode of Sixteen Summers Kirsten chats to Hollyoaks, Broadchurch, and Coronation Street actor Will Mellor about his childhood, his relationship with his dad, and whether he'd trade his upbringing for the one he's giving his own kids.

Will talks about growing up on a Manchester council estate and how that shaped his attitude to life. And he talks openly about his struggles with mental health, his dad's time in prison and losing his father in 2020.

Don't forget to rate, review and subscribe/follow the podcast and find Kirsten on social media @RealKirstOBrien.