Sixteen Summers with Kirsten O'Brien Transistor (https://transistor.fm) https://feeds.transistor.fm/16-summers-with-kirsten-obrien Welcome to Sixteen Summers with Kirsten O'Brien - the podcast that wants to know the answer to one simple question: if you had to choose between the childhood you had, or the one you're giving your kids, which would you pick? In this podcast TV and radio presenter Kirsten chats to famous faces such as Will Mellor, Jason Manford, Melinda Messenger and Steve Backshall about their childhoods and about how they tackle the challenges that come with being a parent. And every episode ends with THAT big question. Follow Kirsten on twitter @realkirstobrien and join in the conversation using #16summers. © 2025 Kirsten O'Brien 11a65bcd-4531-559d-b93f-309dd8992b57 no Welcome to Sixteen Summers en Wed, 23 Jul 2025 15:36:06 +0100 Tue, 02 Dec 2025 22:27:12 +0000 https://img.transistor.fm/AqJo_90D7gUSvZ6HGQMpUAs8zLb0cS7Frft_FDCJ2cc/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9zaG93/LzE5NTc4LzE2MTYw/NzI2ODktYXJ0d29y/ay5qcGc.jpg Sixteen Summers with Kirsten O'Brien episodic Kirsten O'Brien Welcome to Sixteen Summers with Kirsten O'Brien - the podcast that wants to know the answer to one simple question: if you had to choose between the childhood you had, or the one you're giving your kids, which would you pick? In this podcast TV and radio presenter Kirsten chats to famous faces such as Will Mellor, Jason Manford, Melinda Messenger and Steve Backshall about their childhoods and about how they tackle the challenges that come with being a parent. And every episode ends with THAT big question. Follow Kirsten on twitter @realkirstobrien and join in the conversation using #16summers. Welcome to Sixteen Summers with Kirsten O'Brien - the podcast that wants to know the answer to one simple question: if you had to choose between the childhood you had, or the one you're giving your kids, which would you pick. Childhood, parents, kids, children, Kirsten O'Brien No No Charlie Condou 9 9 Charlie Condou full d0d4a414-d022-4b79-90a4-3e762f12ed70 https://share.transistor.fm/s/1cb1cbab In this episode of Sixteen Summers, Kirsten chats to Holby City and Coronation Street star - and dad of two - Charlie Condou about growing up in Soho, his dad's time in prison and how he came to be a father.

And it all leads to that BIG question - would Charlie rather have his childhood or the one he's giving his own kids? You'll have to listen to find out the answer.

Don't forget to rate, review and subscribe/follow the podcast and find Kirsten on social media @RealKirstOBrien.

]]> In this episode of Sixteen Summers, Kirsten chats to Holby City and Coronation Street star - and dad of two - Charlie Condou about growing up in Soho, his dad's time in prison and how he came to be a father.

And it all leads to that BIG question - would Charlie rather have his childhood or the one he's giving his own kids? You'll have to listen to find out the answer.

Don't forget to rate, review and subscribe/follow the podcast and find Kirsten on social media @RealKirstOBrien.

]]> Fri, 02 Jul 2021 08:00:00 +0100 Kirsten O'Brien Kirsten O'Brien 3676 Kirsten chats to Holby City and Coronation Street star - and dad of two - Charlie Condou. Kirsten chats to Holby City and Coronation Street star - and dad of two - Charlie Condou. Childhood, parents, kids, children, No Kaye Adams 8 8 Kaye Adams full 89d55569-1ba4-49da-8275-2f4d91d53f54 https://share.transistor.fm/s/82b8ac09 In this episode of Sixteen Summers, Kirsten chats to journalist and Loose Women presenter Kaye Adams about growing up in Scotland, her purple Chopper and what her kids make of her career.

And it all leads to that BIG question - would Kaye rather have her childhood or the one she's giving her own kids? You'll have to listen to find out the answer.

Don't forget to rate, review and subscribe/follow the podcast and find Kirsten on social media @RealKirstOBrien.

]]> In this episode of Sixteen Summers, Kirsten chats to journalist and Loose Women presenter Kaye Adams about growing up in Scotland, her purple Chopper and what her kids make of her career.

And it all leads to that BIG question - would Kaye rather have her childhood or the one she's giving her own kids? You'll have to listen to find out the answer.

Don't forget to rate, review and subscribe/follow the podcast and find Kirsten on social media @RealKirstOBrien.

]]> Wed, 09 Jun 2021 09:34:38 +0100 Kirsten O'Brien Kirsten O'Brien 3336 Kirsten chats to journalist and Loose Women star Kaye Adams. Kirsten chats to journalist and Loose Women star Kaye Adams. Childhood, parents, kids, children, No Mr Motivator 7 7 Mr Motivator full e23cb3ca-0c5c-4870-a4c9-948d1606c9fd https://share.transistor.fm/s/8fe78999 In this episode of Sixteen Summers, Kirsten chats to Jamaican-born British fitness instructor Derrick Evans AKA Mr Motivator, who rose to fame in the 90s through appearances on the breakfast television show GMTV, where he performed live fitness sessions and offered tips and advice to viewers.

Derrick explains how he was given up as a child and how that affected his own experiences as a father.

And it all leads to that BIG question - would Derrick rather have his childhood or the one he's giving his own kids? You'll have to listen to find out the answer.

Don't forget to rate, review and subscribe/follow the podcast and find Kirsten on social media @RealKirstOBrien.

And you can find out more about Derrick and his fitness training programmes here.

]]> In this episode of Sixteen Summers, Kirsten chats to Jamaican-born British fitness instructor Derrick Evans AKA Mr Motivator, who rose to fame in the 90s through appearances on the breakfast television show GMTV, where he performed live fitness sessions and offered tips and advice to viewers.

Derrick explains how he was given up as a child and how that affected his own experiences as a father.

And it all leads to that BIG question - would Derrick rather have his childhood or the one he's giving his own kids? You'll have to listen to find out the answer.

Don't forget to rate, review and subscribe/follow the podcast and find Kirsten on social media @RealKirstOBrien.

And you can find out more about Derrick and his fitness training programmes here.

]]> Thu, 27 May 2021 08:00:00 +0100 Kirsten O'Brien Kirsten O'Brien 3667 Kirsten O'Brien chats to Derrick Evans AKA Mr Motivator. Kirsten O'Brien chats to Derrick Evans AKA Mr Motivator. Childhood, parents, kids, children, No Jasmine Harman 6 6 Jasmine Harman full a07c0271-63c9-434b-b4ce-b448cc4091e4 https://share.transistor.fm/s/72a264d8 In this episode of Sixteen Summers, Kirsten chats to Place in the Sun presenter Jasmine Harman about her Cypriot heritage, how her family came to England and how she coped with her mother's hoarding.

And it all leads to that BIG question - would Jasmine rather have her childhood or the one she's giving her own two kids? You'll have to listen to find out the answer.

Don't forget to rate, review and subscribe/follow the podcast and find Kirsten on social media @RealKirstOBrien.

]]> In this episode of Sixteen Summers, Kirsten chats to Place in the Sun presenter Jasmine Harman about her Cypriot heritage, how her family came to England and how she coped with her mother's hoarding.

And it all leads to that BIG question - would Jasmine rather have her childhood or the one she's giving her own two kids? You'll have to listen to find out the answer.

Don't forget to rate, review and subscribe/follow the podcast and find Kirsten on social media @RealKirstOBrien.

]]> Thu, 13 May 2021 09:53:08 +0100 Kirsten O'Brien Kirsten O'Brien 3695 Kirsten chats to Place in the Sun presenter Jasmine Harman. Kirsten chats to Place in the Sun presenter Jasmine Harman. Childhood, parents, kids, children, No Ortis Deley 5 5 Ortis Deley full 2d42f184-81fe-4164-8bdb-debcf603a8e5 https://share.transistor.fm/s/5256da3f In this episode of Sixteen Summers, Kirsten chats to Gadget Show presenter Ortis Deley about being 'farmed' as a child and the impact that had on his life, his Ghanaian roots and why he's desperate for his own kids to understand their heritage, and losing his job on Channel 4 during the Athletics World Championships.

In an honest and revealing chat, Ortis also answers THAT question - would he swap his own childhood for the one he's giving his own two kids??

Don't forget to rate, review and subscribe/follow the podcast and find Kirsten on social media @RealKirstOBrien.

]]> In this episode of Sixteen Summers, Kirsten chats to Gadget Show presenter Ortis Deley about being 'farmed' as a child and the impact that had on his life, his Ghanaian roots and why he's desperate for his own kids to understand their heritage, and losing his job on Channel 4 during the Athletics World Championships.

In an honest and revealing chat, Ortis also answers THAT question - would he swap his own childhood for the one he's giving his own two kids??

Don't forget to rate, review and subscribe/follow the podcast and find Kirsten on social media @RealKirstOBrien.

]]> Sat, 24 Apr 2021 09:34:18 +0100 Kirsten O'Brien Kirsten O'Brien 4353 Kirsten chats to Gadget Show presenter Ortis Deley about being 'farmed' as a child, his Ghanaian roots and losing his job on Channel 4. Kirsten chats to Gadget Show presenter Ortis Deley about being 'farmed' as a child, his Ghanaian roots and losing his job on Channel 4. Childhood, parents, kids, children, No Steve Backshall 4 4 Steve Backshall full 118746d6-132f-4e7a-bc57-1bd82fe3cc9b https://share.transistor.fm/s/52489934 In this episode of Sixteen Summers, Kirsten chats to BAFTA-winning explorer, writer, television presenter and dad of three Steve Backshall about growing up as 'Manure Boy', sleeping on a Delhi garage floor and his life with Olympic rowing champion wife Helen Glover.

Steve opens up about his struggles at school, the time his 'best friends' stole his mum's car and his fears for the future of the planet.

Don't forget to rate, review and subscribe/follow the podcast and find Kirsten on social media @RealKirstOBrien.

]]> In this episode of Sixteen Summers, Kirsten chats to BAFTA-winning explorer, writer, television presenter and dad of three Steve Backshall about growing up as 'Manure Boy', sleeping on a Delhi garage floor and his life with Olympic rowing champion wife Helen Glover.

Steve opens up about his struggles at school, the time his 'best friends' stole his mum's car and his fears for the future of the planet.

Don't forget to rate, review and subscribe/follow the podcast and find Kirsten on social media @RealKirstOBrien.

]]> Fri, 16 Apr 2021 09:25:01 +0100 Kirsten O'Brien Kirsten O'Brien 3420 Kirsten chats to explorer, writer, television presenter and dad of three Steve Backshall. Kirsten chats to explorer, writer, television presenter and dad of three Steve Backshall. Childhood, parents, kids, children, No Melinda Messenger 3 3 Melinda Messenger full d8f158bd-d4fc-42ff-9696-128394607123 https://share.transistor.fm/s/573e0213 In this episode of Sixteen Summers, Kirsten chats to former model, TV presenter and now therapist Melinda Messenger about her childhood, how she shot to fame overnight and the impact that had on her family.

Melinda also opens up about her parents' separation and her attempt to give her kids the fairytale childhood that she always wanted. But would she prefer her own childhood or that one she's giving her own offspring?

Don't forget to rate, review and subscribe/follow the podcast and find Kirsten on social media @RealKirstOBrien.

]]> In this episode of Sixteen Summers, Kirsten chats to former model, TV presenter and now therapist Melinda Messenger about her childhood, how she shot to fame overnight and the impact that had on her family.

Melinda also opens up about her parents' separation and her attempt to give her kids the fairytale childhood that she always wanted. But would she prefer her own childhood or that one she's giving her own offspring?

Don't forget to rate, review and subscribe/follow the podcast and find Kirsten on social media @RealKirstOBrien.

]]> Thu, 08 Apr 2021 08:15:43 +0100 Kirsten O'Brien Kirsten O'Brien 2884 Kirsten chats to former model, TV presenter and now therapist Melinda Messenger. Kirsten chats to former model, TV presenter and now therapist Melinda Messenger. Childhood, parents, kids, children, No Jason Manford 2 2 Jason Manford full a6543e55-e663-4602-accd-fea093dc1e30 https://share.transistor.fm/s/a99368be In this episode of Sixteen Summers, Kirsten chats to comedian, singer and proud Mancunian Jason Manford about his childhood, the friendships that shaped his early years, and whether he'd trade his upbringing for the one he's giving his own kids.

Jason opens up about his relationship with his siblings, his mum's brush with the law, how his dad worked multiple jobs to put food on the table, his own parenting style and the importance of grafting. 

Don't forget to rate, review and subscribe/follow the podcast and find Kirsten on social media @RealKirstOBrien.

]]> In this episode of Sixteen Summers, Kirsten chats to comedian, singer and proud Mancunian Jason Manford about his childhood, the friendships that shaped his early years, and whether he'd trade his upbringing for the one he's giving his own kids.

Jason opens up about his relationship with his siblings, his mum's brush with the law, how his dad worked multiple jobs to put food on the table, his own parenting style and the importance of grafting. 

Don't forget to rate, review and subscribe/follow the podcast and find Kirsten on social media @RealKirstOBrien.

]]> Thu, 01 Apr 2021 16:28:35 +0100 Kirsten O'Brien Kirsten O'Brien 2902 In this episode of Sixteen Summers, Kirsten chats to comedian Jason Manford about his childhood, his life as a parent, and whether he'd trade his upbringing for the one he's giving his own kids. In this episode of Sixteen Summers, Kirsten chats to comedian Jason Manford about his childhood, his life as a parent, and whether he'd trade his upbringing for the one he's giving his own kids. Childhood, parents, kids, children, No Will Mellor 1 1 Will Mellor full cc5547fa-bdd4-4629-897c-df025da4c11b https://share.transistor.fm/s/fb75deac In the first episode of Sixteen Summers Kirsten chats to Hollyoaks, Broadchurch, and Coronation Street actor Will Mellor about his childhood, his relationship with his dad, and whether he'd trade his upbringing for the one he's giving his own kids.

Will talks about growing up on a Manchester council estate and how that shaped his attitude to life. And he talks openly about his struggles with mental health, his dad's time in prison and losing his father in 2020.

Don't forget to rate, review and subscribe/follow the podcast and find Kirsten on social media @RealKirstOBrien.

]]> In the first episode of Sixteen Summers Kirsten chats to Hollyoaks, Broadchurch, and Coronation Street actor Will Mellor about his childhood, his relationship with his dad, and whether he'd trade his upbringing for the one he's giving his own kids.

Will talks about growing up on a Manchester council estate and how that shaped his attitude to life. And he talks openly about his struggles with mental health, his dad's time in prison and losing his father in 2020.

Don't forget to rate, review and subscribe/follow the podcast and find Kirsten on social media @RealKirstOBrien.

]]> Thu, 25 Mar 2021 20:34:01 +0000 Kirsten O'Brien Kirsten O'Brien 3544 Kirsten chats to Hollyoaks, Broadchurch and Coronation Street actor Will Mellor about his childhood, his relationship with his dad, and whether he'd trade his upbringing for the one he's giving his kids. Kirsten chats to Hollyoaks, Broadchurch and Coronation Street actor Will Mellor about his childhood, his relationship with his dad, and whether he'd trade his upbringing for the one he's giving his kids. Childhood, parents, kids, children, No Welcome to Sixteen Summers 1 1 Welcome to Sixteen Summers trailer 00a11907-ab5b-4aa6-a87e-9fd2dfd6d513 https://share.transistor.fm/s/884c94e6 Thu, 18 Mar 2021 13:06:44 +0000 Kirsten O'Brien Kirsten O'Brien 60 What you can expect from the podcast that wants to know the answer to one question: if you had to choose between your childhood and the one you're giving your kids, which would you pick?? What you can expect from the podcast that wants to know the answer to one question: if you had to choose between your childhood and the one you're giving your kids, which would you pick?? Childhood, parents, kids, children, No