Emma and Tamsin Topolski

In this weeks episode I am speaking sisters, Emma and Tamsin Topolski. Having been given a maximum of 5 years after his diagnosis of Leukaemia, their father, journalist and rower Daniel Topolski, proceeded to live for another 17 years. Although they knew their father was ill, having lived with this illness for most of their life, the idea of him being ‘ill’ had perhaps somewhat subsided. Emma (musically known as Saint Clair) recognising her fathers quite sudden decline in weight and spirit, started writing her experience of grief through lyrics and song, and eventually, and after her father had passed, curated a 4-part musical series, each chapter (or, song) representing a different stage of her grief. Her sister, Tamsin, being an actor and skilled photographer was then chosen by Emma to come onboard and help her lift these songs into their visual life. The result is an absolutely beautiful tribute to their father entitled ‘in the violet hour - a portrait on grief’. This episode was a joy to record, and much to my delight both girls shared in my dark and twisted humour, making it, at times, also wonderfully inappropriate. It was also fascinating for me as, being from a large family, I understand the very nuanced and separate experiences siblings can have from the same experience of death within their grief, and here were two siblings not only experiencing that, but then coming together because of that, to create something about that. To find Saint Clair’s Youtube page and watch the first chapter of their amazing collaboration, use this link: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=fs49MDXGb2U * If you like what you hear, it would be so appreciated if you could rate, review and subscribe as we love hearing your thoughts and feedback, and it helps get the podcast to reach more ears. * Created | Hosted | Produced by Angharad George-Carey Mastered and Compressed | by Worgie Productions Music | by Julietta * Social Media: Angharad George-Carey @angharadgeorgecarey Daddy Issues Podcast @thedaddyissuespodcast Emma Topolski @iamsaintclair Tamsin Topolski @tam.topolski * If you'd like to seek guidance and support for any issues raised in the episodes there are three websites we would recommend depending on your individual needs: www.juliasamuel.co.uk JULIA SAMUEL MBE www.blackmindsmatteruk.com BLACK MINDS MATTER www.griefuntangled.com GREIF UNTANGLED www.thecalmzone.net CALM * We love hearing from you! To contact us, email thedaddyissuespod@gmail.com