In this heartwarming episode, Sophie Ellis-Bextor opens up about her diverse roles as a musician, songwriter, podcaster, and mother of five boys. She delves into how music has been a constant, deeply personal passion since childhood, likening its impact to a time portal connecting her with her past selves. The conversation explores her early career highs and lows, her pragmatic and resilient approach to life's challenges, and the importance she places on family and close relationships. Sophie also reflects on how motherhood has influenced her work and vice versa, her structured approach to juggling professional and personal life, and her recent experiences rejuvenating her music career. Sophie also discusses the importance of surrounding oneself with good people, and the wisdom she's gained along the way. Don't miss this candid conversation filled with honesty, joy, and inspiration. 00:35 The Power of Music 03:52 Facing Challenges and Overcoming Adversity 05:32 Early Career and Lessons Learned 07:46 Family Life and Parenting 12:04 Balancing Fame and Core Values 15:18 Navigating Work and Motherhood 21:19 Unexpected Success and Future Plans 23:45 Unpredictable Work and Family Life 24:27 School Closures and Bedroom Changes 25:15 Managing Parental Expectations 25:39 A Call from Elton John 26:45 Balancing Work and Family 27:53 The Joy of Performing 32:41 The Challenge of Engaging Crowds 36:17 Maintaining Perspective and Humility 39:46 The Importance of Friendships 41:02 Wisdom and Reflections Find Sophie: Instagram: @sophieellisbextor Podcast: You can listen to her podcast, Spinning Plates, where she interviews inspiring women about balancing work and family on platforms like Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Music: Stream her music on Spotify and YouTube. If you’d like to connect, follow me on Instagram @juliasamuelmbe. And for more info, check out my new website: juliasamuel.co.uk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices