The Phonebox Podcast With Emma Conway - Kelly Fremon Craig: 'Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret' & The Joy Of Judy Blume

Episode Date: May 19, 2023

Who remembers sniggering with their friends about "Ralph"? Kelly Fremon Craig that's who! The director of the amazing adaptation of Judy Blume's 'Are You There God It's Me Margaret?' chats about her wonderful new film, the importance of Judy Blume's novels for teenagers over the past 50 years and why on earth don't we talk about periods more?'Are You There God It's Me Margaret?' is out TODAY! (19th May) from Lionsgate. Run and go and watch in the cinema asap!For more of me follow @brummymummyof2 on Instagram, YouTube, Facebook and TikTok and follow the all new @phoneboxpodcast account on InstagramIf you have any guest suggestions or topics you would like me to cover email [e-mail] and be sure to tag so I can see where you are listening!Editing by Soundtruism. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fandu Casino Daily Jackpots. Guaranteed to hit by 11 p.m. with your chance at the number one feeling, winning. Which beats even the 27th best feeling, saying I do. Who wants this last parachute? I do. Daily Jackpots. A chance to win with every spin and a guaranteed winner by 11 p.m. every day. 19 plus and physically located in Ontario.

Gambling problem? Call 1-866-531-2600. Or visit connectsontario.ca. Select games only. Guarantee void if platform or game outages occur. Guarantee requires play by at least one customer until jackpot is awarded. Or 11 p.m. Eastern. Restrictions apply. See full terms at canada.casino.fandu.com. Please play responsibly. With the Fizz loyalty program, you get rewarded just for having a mobile plan. You know, for texting and stuff. And if you're not getting rewards like extra data and dollars off with your mobile plan, you're not with Fizz.

Switch today. Conditions apply. details at fizz.ca welcome back to another episode of the phone box podcast with me emma conway thanks so much for joining me as per usual make sure you tag me in so i can see what you are up to and today we are back with a very special edition of the phone box podcast it's special for two reasons one I've got a phenomenal guest but two this is the end of season one of the phone box podcast I've been going now for about 11 weeks I didn't know if I was going to come back for a season two but hooray I am going to come back in a couple of weeks and I'm really excited I've already started to record some brilliant guests and I know you are going to be thrilled to listen to them in your ear holes and I just wanted to say thanks so much for listening

for tagging me in your stories for showing me you're listening with your baby or you're listening riding a horse I've had people running on tractors I've had people who've just finished exams go we're listening to your podcast it is just brilliant and also thanks to all the guests that came on who I was like hello I'm Emma I've got a new podcast I haven't really done a podcast before do you want to come on and they all thankfully and graciously said yes so thanks to all those guests I had so much fun it did start as a passion project I had um been experiencing perimenopause symptoms and actually the first podcast episode I recorded was when I found out that I was going through the perimenopause so it was like a passion project I channeled all my energy into it didn't know where it would go

and I'm just I'm just so thrilled with the um the way it's turned out so I really want to thank you and now let's get on to our guest Kelly Freeman Craig our first international guest nonetheless and she was in LA imagine me in Birmingham she was LA. She's the director of the film adaptation of Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret, which is a beautiful film. I watched it with my 12-year-old daughter and also my 10-year-old son and we chat about that and I did cry. I did cry. I had a little bit of a mummy moment. We talk about that as well and also Kelly chats about her, you know, her growing up and how both of us felt that Judy Blume was speaking directly to us. She was writing our stories with her books, even though when I was reading them, they had been written 20 years before

and kind of the eternal struggle of being a teen, regardless if it's, you know, in the 70s or in 2023. So it was just really, really good to speak to her. And yes, of course, I had to bring up forever. I had to bring up Ralph, if you know, you know what I'm talking about. So yeah, we do chat about that. So before we get cracking on with the podcast, I think we all need to shake our shoulders and do a bit of a I must I must I must increase my bust over to Kelly and I and I will be back for a chat at the end there you are hi I'm gonna pin you let's see okay so I can just see you okay fabulous oh thanks so much I'm gonna press record so I don't forget okay thanks so much to coming oh my god no oh I'm so happy to so happy

to meet you and come on it's so wonderful I saw the film on Friday with my 10 year old and my 12 year old oh my gosh I cried at the end but like happy cry it was just so I think it's because she is like the same age as my daughter yes I'm like going through perimenopause and she is just like a real full oh totally a full circle situation and the kids are like understand yeah they were like are you okay and I was like it's just so lovely and then she'll they're like right okay um but where on this podcast I kind of go back in my guests lives and I usually ask what year it was when you were 14 but I think we should go for 11 because that's when are you there got it me Margaret you know was based so what year was

it you were 11 oh gosh so it would have been uh 1991 1991 I like to know kind of what was your bedroom like what bands were you in oh my gosh oh I was into like boy bands I was into like you know new kids on the block yeah oh totally I was it was like all that type of stuff yeah and I remember my friends and I all had like we decided which one was our boyfriend you know what I mean like we split up the four of them who is your boyfriend I think it was Danny is that right the one who's kind of yeah uh-huh yeah I think that's who I I think that was mine but anyway yeah yeah or boy but in England the big boy van was take that you see and mine was Gary mine was and it's still

Gary now and I'm 45 I'd still be like yeah Gary is my man so what was your bedroom like did you have posters up was it florally what was it like yeah I did I had a lot of posters of cute boys yeah I mean it was a constant because I remember at that point they had, I think it was, I don't know if you guys got this magazine, but we had Tiger Beat. And so it was like it had a bunch of, I mean, basically like it's almost like centerfolds of cute boys that were like 13. Yeah. And then you put them on your wall. Yeah, exactly. Did you have the lyrics?

We used to have in our magazines, the lyrics to all the songs. Oh my gosh. Yeah. Which was very helpful without Google. How else would we know? How do you know? Exactly. How else would we know?

Okay. So what I love about this podcast and the connection with Judy Blume is she's been brought up several times with my followers. Are you there? God, it's me margaret i felt like it was written for me but i was so shocked it wasn't written it was written in 1970 and it's so crazy i was 1990 reading it erin was in 2020 reading it and it's the same themes

yes yes that's exactly i had the exact same experience. Cause yeah, I read it in 1992 and I had absolutely no idea it was written 20 years before. No. It felt contemporary. And also I think part of it was like, you know, she always updated her book covers to be contemporary. So it was like, so that also fooled me. I had no idea.

She was in my head and I felt like everything she was saying so when I watched the documentary I was like what like that really like yes because I was imagining in like a girl in a bedroom like my bedroom thinking of yeah the must the must increase adverse like doing all that it's just like oh my gosh it's so me um what I would be really interested is if the film and the book was written now, do you think the themes would be the same? Because with social media, would kids still talk about sex or would they just Google it and periods?

What do you reckon? You know what? It's interesting because right before I wrote the script, I actually sat down with a bunch of 11 and 12 year old girls because I thought what has changed, you know, I really wanted to understand. And interestingly, I found that so little has changed. I mean, it's like some of the, yeah. So it's like, I mean, obviously details on technology has changed, but the conversations, the dynamics fears at all of all of those emotions are

exactly the same it's eternal it's eternal isn't it the eternal struggle it's eternal yes and and you know and working with the young actors in the movie it was never a discussion of like oh this is what they thought in 1970 like everything always felt contemporary there was no disconnect for for any of them you know with the material I know the film is set in 1970 but even when I watched it I didn't feel like I was watching a film set in 1970 like the clothes are fantastic the rooms were fantastic and I just was just it's just because I used to be a teacher and we used to do a lot of sex education and lessons like this. And this is a film that I would have definitely showed my year seven pupils because I think they really would have warmed to it.

And I'll be honest, my little boy was a bit. He was like a little bit. I said, you know what? You don't have to be say to the end. He watched it to the end, like kind of like having a little nose. Do you think it appeals to boys and girls, the film? It's interesting because I think boys generally have to be kind of dragged there. Very few of them go on their own volition.

Some do, and I always admire that they do. But once they're in and they see it, a lot of times they are surprised how much they enjoyed it and how much they related to you know I think there's a certain feeling of oh you know wow girls go through the same feelings that boys go through you know what I mean I I think yeah so I find that again and again he did he did he did stay to the end and then just watch me cry and then was like what the hell is what is going on with you because I just it's just you feel like I know um I've got like a daughter I feel like I'm passing like a baton of womanhood that's what I felt at the end of the film like it's this kind of and she goes and she's like I'm a woman like you're a woman

and my son was like I'm not a woman what are you talking about no I just thought it was really good so what do you think social media do you think it's changed lives of teenagers today for the better or for the worse you know I think a little of both I think in some ways on the on the bad side I think it's so hard to live in this type of sort of digital fishbowl where you feel like you're putting out everything that you're doing and you're seeing what everybody else is doing when you're not at school with them. And so there's just a lot of curating. And I think it can make you feel extra lonely at an age that's very lonely to begin with, you know, where you can feel like you're the only person who is struggling or feeling

insecure or awkward. On the other hand, I've seen all sorts of ways where it's brought people together and it's given them a sense of community and where they otherwise would have had a hard time finding people like them or who feel like that, you know, there's a, there's a coming together that also I think happens through social media. That's, that's good. There's like a find in your tribe, isn't there? You find your tribe. And as somebody who talks a lot about parenting, when I started started my blog it's because I was lonely and I was stuck at home and then I could like speak to the internet and then people were like speaking back to me so there are some positive but are there things you've done when you were

a teenager that you're glad are not online because that's oh my god that's the one thing because that's forever now like forever it's forever now like whatever I put up there it's forever and I mean I can't imagine having it around before my brain was fully formed I just couldn't I'm really thankful it would have been absolute it would have been absolute terror um now are you there god it's me margaret has has traditionally been on a lot of it's been on the band list a few times not in recent years in past years why do you think that it's because i don't in england i think it's been pretty much we've always been allowed to read it why do you think in america it was kind of on the band list back in the day uh it's mind-blowing it's hard for me to wrap my mind

around but i mean but really the thought was that young girls shouldn't know about menstruation like which is insane and in fact they're still they're trying there it's it's happening right now in um in the state of florida they're trying to they're trying to pass this like don't say period bill which is essentially yeah that if, if you are not in the sixth grade, you can't discuss your period. And some girls start their periods before. So what age is sixth grade? Is that 11 in America? What age is that roughly?

Yes, that's, yeah, that's 11. Oh, the poor girls. Yeah, because some girls start with an eight. Yeah, that's terrible. Oh, eight. Yes, exactly. Yeah. Oh, it's just insanity there's just it just shocks

me in this day and age and there's somebody who I talk about a lot about perimenopause don't follow me because that's all I talk about is a perimenopause people don't talk about that either like no they have no idea about anything and it's fascinating that 2023 we're still not talking about female issues yes whether it's period whether it's stopping your period anything to do with that it's just crazy isn't it wild that we don't talk about this thing that happens to half the population i know i wonder if it happens somehow it's taboo yeah if it happens to men maybe perhaps you would be talking about it fanduel casinos exclusive live dealer studio has

your chance at the number one feeling, winning, which beats even the 27th best feeling, saying I do. Who wants this last parachute? I do. Enjoy the number one feeling, winning, in an exciting live dealer studio, exclusively on FanDuel Casino, where winning is undefeated.

19 plus and physically located in Ontarioario gambling problem call 1-866-531-2600 or visit connectsontario.ca please play responsibly with the fizz loyalty program you get rewarded just for having a mobile plan you know for texting and stuff and if you're not getting rewards like extra data and dollars off with your mobile plan you're not with fizz switch today conditions apply details at fizz.ca um a book that does crop up and it's not this book but a book that crops up a lot with my followers is forever okay and i'm interested in american schools if this happened in English schools we'd get it at the library

and we'd like pass it around secretly having a little and you'd laugh about Ralph she's gonna mention Ralph and still today I laugh if I meet somebody called Ralph I'm laughing it's just such a funny little and still people just oh do you remember ralph if i just put on my insta stories ralph people were like we judy bloom forever it's just absolutely if there was one of the judy bloom you could kind of adapt into a movie what do you think it would be well by the way i mean a bunch of her her getting, you know, snatched up to be adapted. Oh, brilliant.

And actually, I think they're doing, they're doing a reimagining of Forever. So sort of like inspired by, but, but not at all the same story, just sort of like, you know. It better have Ralph in it. It better have Ralph in it or I'm not going. Yeah, exactly. But yeah, I do think that one should, I'd love to see that one that was that was probably my other favorite probably because of the naughty parts yeah it was just like like you know it was just like a little bit of gossipy like it was just you know it was just just really it sticks my mind there's something to do with my childhood just such a naughty little book oh because I I also read it I don't know what age you were but I read it when I was 12 which

was probably a bit too young oh definitely yeah um but I was like oh I need to shut the door and spend the next six hours finishing this book immediately oh it was just oh it's just so good if you could go back to you when you were 11, what would you tell yourself? Oh my gosh. I think I would say you're not the only one. Because I remember just feeling, and that's actually honestly what the book told me. You know, it made me feel like, oh, thank God someone else is like praying every day for a decent pair of boobs, you know, and, and feeling

so weird amongst their friends that, you know, I remember that being like the dynamic among friend groups. Like, I feel like everybody has a Nancy in their life, like that one friend who kind of makes you feel bad about yourself and around that way. Like they don't, yeah, they don't even say anything that is that mean. It's just something about their presence makes you very insecure. You know, I feel like everybody had that. And also that it'll get better. It's like, I feel like when you're in that awkward phase, you think it's forever.

You can't imagine that you'll ever feel anything other than the way you feel right that second, you know? It's just crazy to think you're reading this book then and now you're making the film you've made the film of the book that is just like like mind blown it is so weird and it still hasn't quite clicked together in my brain like it almost feels like two different people because it is just so surreal yeah it's absolutely amazing as I said I really love the film um I recommended it to all my friends I've got lots of friends with girls the same age and I've recommended it I was like but you will have a little bit of a cry and

they're like okay we'll praise ourselves being in. But thank you so much for coming on the podcast. It's been so lovely to talk to you and reminisce about Ralph. I'm always up. Yes. Oh, I'll talk about Ralph anytime. Lovely to see you over there. Where were you based anyway? Los Angeles. Oh, if you don't know Birmingham,

Los Angeles is a little bit more glamorous than Birmingham, but nevermind. But it was lovely to meet you. So great to meet you too. Thanks so much. It was so wonderful to chat to Kelly over in LA. The glamour, the glamour. She was great.

It was wonderful to hear all, you know, chatting about, are you there? God, it's me, Margaret. It really is a gorgeous, gorgeous gorgeous just a really cozy film i know it's not hot chocolate weather but it's a hot chocolate weather but then again i'll be honest i had a hot chocolate today in my life it's always hot chocolate weather it's a really nice cozy film and if you've not read judy bloom books they are phenomenal they're brilliant for tweens and teens do you know what I'm gonna say with hindsight maybe hold back a few years and forever if your children are kind of my age um maybe hold back on that but the others like there's blubber are you there god it's me margaret

there's there's a whole variety of them they are great books so definitely definitely go and check those out and I hope you enjoyed this kind of mini bonus episode I have plans to do some more in the second season and I would love to hear what you want me to talk about in the second season do you like kind of the interviews mixed with you know the one-off episode that Alice and I did about boy bands do you like these mini bonus episodes what kind of guests would you like to come on definitely let me know my email address is in the description box and also you can message me on my instagram boom mummy of two or i've got a phone box podcast specific instagram so definitely go and message over there and again i just want to reiterate thanks so much for all your love and support. Age 45 and still learning new things, doing new things,

you know, working out how to put a microphone in a computer and get it to record. Just, it's just been a really great experience. So yeah, I just want to say thanks again. I will be back in a few weeks. If you have enjoyed the podcast, I would love it if you would rate it on Spotify, Apple, all those good places. You can also leave a review on Spotify and Apple as well. That would be absolutely brilliant. So guys, thanks very much. I will see you in a couple of weeks. And in the meantime, definitely come and pop over to Instagram

because I'm on there continuously showing all the shenanigans I get up to on my Insta stories. I love you lots and I'll see you soon. FanDuel Casino's exclusive live dealer studio has your chance at the number one feeling, winning, which beats even the 27th best feeling, saying I do. Who wants this last parachute? I do. Enjoy the number one feeling, winning, in an exciting live dealer studio,

exclusively on FanDuel Casino, where winning is undefeated. 19 plus and physically located in Ontario. Gambling problem? Call 1-866-531-2600 or visit connectsontario.ca. Please play responsibly. With the Fizz loyalty program, you get rewarded just for having a mobile plan. You know, for texting and stuff. Please play responsibly.