Val Troy's Stand-Up Challenge: What Happens When Comedy Meets Midlife?

Hello, and welcome to another episode of Retirement Rebel. I’m Siobhan Daniels, and I’m absolutely thrilled to have you joining me today. Whether you’re a long-time listener or you’re just discovering the podcast, know that you’re part of a vibrant community where we challenge norms and celebrate the exciting, adventurous possibilities that life beyond 60 has to offer.

In today's episode, I'm speaking with the wonderfully talented Valerie Troy, an Irish comedy-writing accountant with a unique knack for infusing humour into the journey of ageing and reinvention. As you know, I'm passionate about breaking down stereotypes related to ageing, and Valerie shares this commitment. She discusses how she is navigating the comedy world, which is often dominated by younger perspectives, to carve out a space that resonates with older women. If you’re someone who feels that traditional entertainment overlooks vibrant, witty voices in their fifties, sixties, and beyond, Valerie’s journey is sure to inspire you.

We also delve into the importance of uplifting and supporting older women through positive comedy, a subject close to my heart. Valerie believes strongly in creating spaces where women can gather, laugh, and have honest conversations about their shared experiences. It’s a refreshing thought, isn’t it? That our shared laughter and personal stories can serve as powerful tools in combating ageism. For those of you looking to embrace life with positivity and perhaps a bit of cheeky humour, this conversation offers plenty of food for thought.

Finally, we touch upon the sheer joy of rediscovering old passions and stepping into new ones as you age. Valerie shares her own experiences about shifting from the structured world of accounting to the creative, unpredictable realm of comedy. It's about embracing the freedoms that come with having a wealth of life experience and using that to try something new. If there’s something you’ve always wanted to do but felt it was too late, let Valerie’s journey encourage you to take that leap.

So, sit back, relax, and let’s dive deeply into this engaging conversation with Valerie Troy, where we’ll laugh, reflect, and redefine what it means to age boldly. Thank you for being here and being part of this revolution in ageing.

Key Points:

00:00 - Introduction to Valerie Troy I introduce Valerie Troy, an Irish comedy writer and accountant, who is using comedy to address reinvention as we age. Valerie believes there's a growing need for entertainment that caters to women in their fifties, sixties, and beyond.

01:28 - Valerie's Early Life and Comedy Roots Val shares her background, growing up in the West of Ireland, and how being the youngest of three siblings shaped her personality. She explains how storytelling, rather than traditional joke-telling, has been a significant part of her comedic style.

04:59 - Transition from Accounting to Comedy Valerie discusses her journey from a 20-year career in accounting to following her passion for storytelling and comedy. She reflects on how she used her time after leaving accounting to rediscover her love for writing.

10:54 - Positive Comedy about Women We explore the importance of writing positive comedy focused on women, aiming to challenge stereotypes and promote an uplifting narrative that resonates with older female audiences.

14:21 - The Creation of "Men O' Paws" Val talks about co-writing the comedy-drama "Men O' Paws," a story centred around a 51-year-old woman pressing pause on dating men. This project aims to showcase the humour and realities of women's reinvention journeys.

26:00 - Importance of Supporting Female Comedians Valerie discusses the under-representation of women, especially older women, in comedy. She highlights how transformative it is to find and support female comedians and create spaces where they can thrive.

32:25 - Reimagining Life and Trying New Things We delve into the concept of reinvention, not just as a fresh start but as revisiting forgotten passions. Valerie shares how trying comedy has enriched her life and emphasises the joy of exploring new opportunities at any age.

38:07 - Confidence and Ageism in the Workforce Val reflects on the challenges women face when returning to the workforce, particularly the issue of confidence. We discuss how ageism can be combated by recognising the value older women bring to all areas of life.

41:10 - Embracing Rebellion and Personal Growth Valerie describes moments of feeling rebellious and how embracing a rebellious spirit can lead to personal growth and empowerment. Her experiences resonate with the message of living life boldly and authentically.

Guest info

Val Troy is a Dublin-based comedy writer known for her creative and humorous storytelling. She is currently developing her debut women's commercial fiction novel, showcasing her versatility in writing across different genres. Val collaborates with other writers, including Orla Doherty, with whom she co-wrote the screenplay "Men Oh! Pause," which was longlisted for the Female Pilot Club. This project was inspired by Orla's humorous real-life experiences, and their collaboration began through an online writing group moderated by Irish crime writer Sam Blake and journalist Maria McHale. Val's background as a "comedy-writing accountant" and mother of three teenagers adds depth to her comedic perspective, often drawing from life experiences to craft engaging narratives.

Links and Resources

Quotes

Comedy's Ethical Boundaries: A Perspective:

"I certainly don't enjoy comedy where people are taking a swipe at sections of society, whether it's being ageist or misogynistic or racist or homophobic. I don't think it's acceptable to take a swipe as your job or if you're selling a ticket to a show to take money from people and then take a swipe at people in society."

Take the Leap:

"And if the worst case scenario is survivable, then just do it."

Empowerment Through Laughter:

"I 100% did it for myself. And I made a little bit of time, and I put a lot of effort into it, and I practiced it, and I just made it happen. And that has set off this crazy sequence of events of producing comedy shows, and we've had Deirdre O'Kane and Emma Dorn, and we've had serious headliners at our shows, which are 95% women, and they are mostly women 35, over 40, packed out in a room of 250 people having a laugh."

Website: www.retirementrebel.co.uk

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Partnering to Challenge Ageism Together

We’re thrilled to partner with the Centre for Ageing Better to support their Age Without Limits campaign. This inspiring initiative challenges stereotypes and champions the idea that ageing should be celebrated, not limited by societal views. Discover more and join the movement at agewithoutlimits.org.

Ageing Better

Episode 8

12th Mar 2025

Val Troy's Stand-Up Challenge: What Happens When Comedy Meets Midlife?

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