Biz Extra
Published: February 2, 2023 | Updated: 3rd February 2023
Here’s where we shine the spotlight on a leading light in Dorset and ask him, or her, for answers to our part fun/part serious questionnaire.
This time…Her favourite place in Dorset is Wareham Forest; the worst bit of her job is bad vibes, technology and taxes; she gets angry at malice, hate, negativity, social snobbery and arrogance and sees herself doing headstands in the middle of the countryside in ten years’ time!
Nicky Clarke-Bradford, Writer, PR Consultant and Author takes the 20 Questions’ hot seat.
Question: What is your favourite TV show?
A: Schitt’s Creek. I think it literally saved our lives and sanity during the pandemic whilst locked-down in Malta during the cold, winter months. Away from our friends and families, not knowing when I would see my sons again. A tremendously challenging time was made a little easier binge-watching silly comedy on Netflix.
Q: Who would you like to share a car with?
A: His Holiness, The 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso. It’s my life’s ambition to meet him and has been since I can remember. I would want it to be a very long journey as I have a lot to ask him!
Q: The best bit of my job is…?
A: In my PR role it’s my clients. I am so lucky to have worked with such inspirational, kind, and dedicated clients, many of whom have become friends.
In my author/writer role, I just love that in a world which can be so hard and trying, my writing has had a positive impact on people, making them laugh and relate to similar frustrations in life with humour. Life can be hard enough and so my intention has always been to put humour into situations that might otherwise drive one to the brink of insanity; or write in a way that the words on the page fill someone’s heart with joy and happy tears, knowing they are not alone, and enabling them to take a step away from their own troubles for a while and see the beauty in life.
Q: And the worst?
A: Bad vibes, technology and taxes. I try and avoid being around people with negative energy and I hate spreadsheets.
Q: Who was your childhood hero?
A: Other than the Dalai Lama, I couldn’t name just one. Sylvia Plath because reading ‘The Bell Jar’ and then her poetry as a 13-year-old introduced me to a style of writing I completely related to. Tennessee Williams – again, the raw emotion of much of his writing stimulates every atom within my very being. I have ‘A Prayer for the Wild at Heart Kept in Cages,’ from his play ‘Stairs to the Roof’ engraved on a bracelet. Also, the dancer, Isadora Duncan, for her wild abandon and courage in refusing to conform to the norms of society during that time. Simone de Beauvoir, the French philosopher, for her writing and for holding her own in an existentialist circle of thinkers, dominated primarily by men. These people have moved me with their courage, through their writings and ideologies, and helped shape my own.
Q: What’s your favourite smell?
A: Wild gardenia, and my hamster, Coco!
Q: Where’s your favourite place in Dorset?
A: Wareham Forest. It’s saved my sanity a thousand times over and I am so incredibly grateful to literally live on its doorstep.
Q: What advice would you give to anyone starting out on a career?
A: Do what you love, and when you stop loving it, do something else. Sometimes what you are good at isn’t going to make you happy, and at the end of the day, life is short. So have the courage of your convictions, because nothing that was meant to be will pass you by. You might just take a different wigglier path to get there.
Q: What was your first record/CD?
A: ‘Sexy Eyes’ by Dr Hook; probably because it was 49p from Woolworths or something?! Don’t judge me 🙂.
Q: What gets you angry?
A: Malice, hate, negativity, social snobbery and arrogance. It’s become a cliché but seriously, people, just be kind, because by hurting other people you are just adding to the negative energy of the planet and essentially hurting yourself (yes, I’m a boho hippy at heart).
Q: Do you have a favourite piece of music?
A: I meditate every day and ‘Om Mani Padme Hum’ by Budi Siebert (various versions) always calms me. I used to hold a loop tape with this chant, given to me by a Buddhist monk in Thailand, to my belly when I was pregnant with my first son and his kicks would keep me awake at night. Even after his birth, playing it would also calm him.
Q: What are the qualities you look for in a new employee?
A: I’m freelance so I don’t hire as such. But when I outsource work, I go by recommendation through trusted friends and business associates.
Q: What’s your favourite food or dish?
A: Vegan Thai curries with rice noodles or quinoa. However, sometimes I live off mojitos, dips, and nervous energy. It’s all about balance.
Q: Steamed sponge pudding and custard or a plate of melon?
A: Melon. I eat a 99 per cent plant-based diet through choice, and I am gluten free as I’m coeliac.
Q: Name the best thing about living/working in Dorset?
A: It’s the best county in the country in my opinion. End of. We have glorious areas of outstanding natural beauty, forests, the Jurassic Coast, wild rivers, ancient hillforts and a fascinating history. I think having lived and worked in Greece, Hong Kong, Australia and Malta, my heart without a doubt, belongs in Dorset (although that won’t stop me travelling more yet!).
Q: If you were Prime Minister for the day what would be the first thing you do?
A: Resign. Ugh. I couldn’t think of anything worse.
Q: What’s your biggest frustration?
A: Humans. We’re all made from the same stardust so why can’t we all just get along, or at the very least, just let people be?
Q: Where’s your favourite holiday location?
A: Thailand; there’s so much more to explore yet!
Q: Where do you see yourself in ten years’ time?
A: Doing headstands in the middle of the countryside; carefree, laughing, loving and being happy and content in myself (whilst approving the cast for the movies made out of my bestselling books – after all, ya gotta manifest!).
Q: What would you like to be remembered for?
A: For being the best mother I could be to my sons, a loving and supportive friend and bringing joy and laughter to people through my writing and energy.
