What Losing Someone Taught Me About Living | Jill Halfpenny

Описание: Award-winning Geordie actress, author, dancer, and broadcaster Jill Halfpenny joins Fear Less, Do More to share a heartfelt and candid conversation about resilience, grief, and life in the entertainment industry.

She reflects on her journey from growing up in Gateshead to building a successful career on stage and screen, navigating rejection, self-belief, and the challenges of sustaining a long-term creative path.

The discussion explores Jill’s experience with profound loss after the death of her partner and how grief reshaped her perspective on mortality, connection, and authenticity. She also talks about the impact of her Geordie accent on her career, the North East’s potential to evolve into a leading destination for film and television, and the value of embracing life’s challenges with courage, openness, and intention.

Honest, reflective, and quietly empowering, this episode blends personal insight with professional wisdom, encouraging listeners to pursue their passions, trust themselves, and live fully — even in the face of fear, loss, or uncertainty.

Key Topics Covered:

Jill Halfpenny’s journey from dancer in Gateshead to award-winning actress

Resilience, rejection, and sustaining a long-term career in the entertainment industry

Grief and personal transformation after the loss of her partner

Authenticity, emotional honesty, and building meaningful connections

Believing in yourself and allowing new opportunities in life and career

The influence of regional accents on acting opportunities and representation

The North East as a potential hub for filming and creative projects

Open conversations about mortality, planning for a good death, and living intentionally

Navigating the challenges and pressures of a public career

Courage, fear, and redefining success over time

-

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Jill Halfpenny
02:16 The Journey Begins: Early Influences and Aspirations
04:05 The Impact of Mentorship: Ken Hill's Influence
06:36 Being Young and Taking Risks
12:24 Navigating the Transition to Drama School
15:12 Resilience in the Face of Rejection
19:15 Dealing with Grief: A Personal Story
23:33 Finding Purpose Through Pain
30:14 The Importance of Embracing Life's Impermanence
35:09 Navigating Grief and Planning a Good Death
36:41 The Importance of Conversations About Death
40:23 Staying Open to Life's Lessons
43:04 Choosing Roles: Emotional Impact vs. Professional Growth
45:26 The Challenge of Typecasting in Acting
47:48 Accent Bias and Career Opportunities
50:43 The Need for Diverse Representation in Media
58:13 The Future of Filming in the North East
01:04:01 Closing Thoughts on Authenticity and Leadership

Links & Resources

Follow Jill Halfpenny on Instagram for Updates on Her Projects and Personal Insights
www.instagram.com/jillhalfpenny

Check Out Jill’s Acting Credits on IMDB
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0355163/

Check Out Jill’s Book - A Life Reimagined
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Life-Reimagi...

Find out more about your host Gill Hunter
https://squareonelaw.com/people/gill-...

Find out more about Square One Law
https://squareonelaw.com/

Find out more about ‘Fear Less, Do More’
https://squareonelaw.com/insights/fea...

If you liked this episode, you may also enjoy this one
   • North East Seen: Alison Gwynn (S4:E9)  

This podcast was produced and recorded at Flamingo Heights Podcast Studio🦩
https://www.flamingoheights.co.uk/

For any enquiries or feedback regarding this podcast, email us at ⁠[email protected]⁠ with the subject 'PODCAST’