Thank you SO much to everyone who has subscribed to How to Fall Apart, I am truly grateful for your support.
This week’s episode of the podcast is an interview with New York Times bestselling author Betsy Cornwell. I got to know Betsy through working with her on an essay for my second book Courting, about the experience of dating in rural Ireland as a bisexual single parent. Betsy lives in Connemara with her son, in a house called The Old Knitting Factory. She told me the fascinating story of how she came to buy her home (actual last minute philanthropical donation to save the day), and what she now does with it (beyond establishing a safe home for her and her child, Betsy has founded an artistic retreat for single mothers and other marginalised single parents, complete with childcare).
We talked about creating a home, about slowly leaning into a sense of safety and coming out of hypervigilance after a traumatic time, about burnout and financial pressure, bisexuality and imposter syndrome, and about Betsy’s BEAUTIFUL essay for the New York Times Modern Love series, I’ll Get by With a Little Help From My Herd, it’s an absolutely gorgeous read about finding your community and support network, the last line makes me cry every time I read it.
Betsy is one of the most magical people I have ever interviewed; we once did an event together for Courting in Kennys Bookstore and you could see the entire room slightly falling in love with her as she spoke so modestly, and movingly, about her life. I really hope you enjoy this episode.
XLia
Finding Home