This week Nicola and Di chat with the remarkable and entertaining Claire Parkinson. Claire began her career as a Prison Officer in the UK, working at the frontlines of human dynamics at their most intense. At 30 years of age she became the Head Of Operations for all prisons and probation in London, overseeing 9000 staff and 33,000 inmates! From there Claire had an opportunity to move to Australia and work in the prison system in Adelaide before stepping into the mining sector where she helped lead a $9.6billion dollar merger between 2 major global corporations. Claire has written a hilarious memoir, Shitty Grit, which captures the remarkable journey that has shaped her. 

In this episode we hear about Claire’s early life, growing up in social housing in the UK and what it was like to find out at 16 that she was 18 weeks pregnant. Claire shares about the tough time she went through trying to raise a child, when she was just a child herself, and the wild years that followed when she moved back in with her parents and started playing catch-up on the partying she'd missed out on as a teenager. 

After a sliding doors moment where she had to choose between being a flight attendant or a prison officer, Claire chose the latter. She tells us about the fascinating world of prisons and how she was assigned one of Britain’s most notorious child killers as her inmate when she first began her career. The stories she tells us of those prison days are pretty incredible, and we hope you love getting an insight into a world that most of us know nothing about. 

We also talk about Claire’s move to Australia and how she was able to transition into the world of mining and lead a huge global merger. When you hear about the way Claire’s determination and initiative have led to incredible opportunities in her life, you can’t help but be inspired. Talk about a woman who’s been through a lot of shit and has a lot of grit! 

We laughed so much throughout this chat and we hope you’ll find it as entertaining as we did. 

This episode is proudly supported by Montgomery Investment Management, trusted experts helping you build and protect your financial future. For further information, please contact David Buckland, Chief Executive Officer or Rhodri Taylor, Account Manager on (02) 8046 5000 or investor@montinvest.com

Follow Nicola and Di on IG here - https://www.instagram.com/overthebackfencepodcast/

Follow Clarie on IG here - https://www.instagram.com/shittygrit/

Buy Claire’s Book Shitty Grit here - https://www.amazon.com.au/SHiTTY-GRiT-Resilience-Teenager-Non-linear-ebook/dp/B0DZJ5MM16

Watch Over The Back Fence on YouTube here - https://www.youtube.com/@Overthebackfencepodcast/podcasts

This week Nicola and Di chat with the remarkable and entertaining Claire Parkinson. Claire began her career as a Prison Officer in the UK, working at the frontlines of human dynamics at their most intense. At 30 years of age she became the Head Of Operations for all prisons and probation in London, overseeing 9000 staff and 33,000 inmates! From there Claire had an opportunity to move to Australia and work in the prison system in Adelaide before stepping into the mining sector where she helped lead a $9.6billion dollar merger between 2 major global corporations. Claire has written a hilarious memoir, <a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/SHiTTY-GRiT-Resilience-Teenager-Non-linear-ebook/dp/B0DZJ5MM16">Shitty Grit</a>, which captures the remarkable journey that has shaped her.&nbsp;
In this episode we hear about Claire&rsquo;s early life, growing up in social housing in the UK and what it was like to find out at 16 that she was 18 weeks pregnant. Claire shares about the tough time she went through trying to raise a child, when she was just a child herself, and the wild years that followed when she moved back in with her parents and started playing catch-up on the partying she'd missed out on as a teenager.&nbsp;
After a sliding doors moment where she had to choose between being a flight attendant or a prison officer, Claire chose the latter. She tells us about the fascinating world of prisons and how she was assigned one of Britain&rsquo;s most notorious child killers as her inmate when she first began her career. The stories she tells us of those prison days are pretty incredible, and we hope you love getting an insight into a world that most of us know nothing about. We also talk about Claire&rsquo;s move to Australia and how she was able to transition into the world of mining and lead a huge global merger. When you hear about the way Claire&rsquo;s determination and initiative have led to incredible opportunities in her life, you can&rsquo;t help but be inspired. Talk about a woman who&rsquo;s been through a lot of shit and has a lot of grit!&nbsp;
We laughed so much throughout this chat and we hope you&rsquo;ll find it as entertaining as we did. 
This episode is proudly supported by <a href="https://investwith.montinvest.com/otbf">Montgomery Investment Management</a>, trusted experts helping you build and protect your financial future. For further information, please contact David Buckland, Chief Executive Officer or Rhodri Taylor, Account Manager on (02) 8046 5000 or <a href="mailto:investor@montinvest.com">investor@montinvest.com</a>
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/overthebackfencepodcast/">Follow Nicola and Di on IG here</a> - https://www.instagram.com/overthebackfencepodcast/
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/shittygrit/">Follow Clarie on IG here - https://www.instagram.com/shittygrit/</a>
<a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/SHiTTY-GRiT-Resilience-Teenager-Non-linear-ebook/dp/B0DZJ5MM16">Buy Claire&rsquo;s Book Shitty Grit here - https://www.amazon.com.au/SHiTTY-GRiT-Resilience-Teenager-Non-linear-ebook/dp/B0DZJ5MM16</a>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/@Overthebackfencepodcast/podcasts">Watch Over The Back Fence on YouTube here - https://www.youtube.com/@Overthebackfencepodcast/podcasts</a>

Di Edwards and Nicola Dale have been best friends for close to four decades & they actually share a ‘back fence’ in Sydney! 
They share a love of life, a passion for people, and have discovered a simple conversation over the back fence, can change a life and give a sense of belonging . 

“We’re not neuroscientists, psychologists, doctors or monks - we just love people - and know with age comes wisdom."

Di Edwards and Nicola Dale have been best friends for close to four decades &amp; they actually share a ‘back fence’ in Sydney!  They share a love of life, a passion for people, and have discovered a simple conversation over the back fence, can change a life and give a sense of belonging . 
“We’re not neuroscientists, psychologists, doctors or monks - we just love people - and know with age comes wisdom."

Over the Back Fence

Over the back fence is a podcast by two incredible women in their 50’s and 60’s - for women.

Di and Nicola have an infectious energy that is bound to light you up. It’s a podcast which values community, connection and lifting each other up. 

Here, Di and Nicola will delve in to the highs and lows they’ve experienced in life… From starting a family, experiencing marriage breakdowns, to embracing new beginnings. They’ll discuss the lessons they’re still learning, and interview people with inspiring stories to tell. 

Di and Nicola will invite guests on OTBF from all over the globe. From close friends, entrepreneurs, comedians, councillors to motivators and life coaches - to unlock their wisdom and have a laugh along the way.

Over the back fence is a podcast by two incredible women in their 50’s and 60’s - for women.
Di and Nicola have an infectious energy that is bound to light you up. It’s a podcast which values community, connection and lifting each other up. 
Here, Di and Nicola will delve in to the highs and lows they’ve experienced in life… From starting a family, experiencing marriage breakdowns, to embracing new beginnings. They’ll discuss the lessons they’re still learning, and interview people with inspiring stories to tell. 
Di and Nicola will invite guests on OTBF from all over the globe. From close friends, entrepreneurs, comedians, councillors to motivators and life coaches - to unlock their wisdom and have a laugh along the way.