Julia Hollander is a singing therapist, teacher and performer. Julia’s first career in theatre took her all over the world. She founded the contemporary music theatre company, Operate in the late 80s. In 1991, at the age of 25, she was the first female opera director at the English National Opera, and she has staged operas all over the world.
Julia writes nonfiction that originates in the lived experience, interweaving personal narratives with cutting-edge research. Her first book, Indian Folk Theatres, derived from over a decade working in India as a stage director and performer. She went on to write two memoirs about family life, When the Bough Breaks and Chicken Coops for the Soul. More recently, she returned to her performing arts roots with her latest book, Why We Sing, an exploration of the way in which singing benefits everyday wellbeing. Her plays for BBC radio include a dramatization of When the Bough Breaks and a drama about climate activism, The Kingsnorth Six, as well as an autobiographical documentary, The Letter. She has held writing and research fellowships with the Winston Churchill, Judith E. Wilson and Rajiv Gandhi Foundations, and has been writer in residence at Campsfield Immigration Detention Centre. Julia is currently the Royal Literary Fund Writer in Residence for the Faculty of Medieval and Modern Literature at Oxford University.
Have you discovered the many physical and psychological benefits of singing? As Julia puts it, “We’re not singing because we’re happy — we’re happy because we’re singing.” It’s almost impossible not to smile when you sing. Since COVID, there’s been a surge in singing groups and choirs, and for good reason — singing with others strengthens social bonds and helps combat loneliness. From lullabies to school assemblies, singing has always been a part of our lives, woven through cultures and communities across the world. And now, research is revealing its potential to improve health and even support conditions like dementia. So perhaps it’s time to reclaim your joy — through singing.
Date of episode recording: 2025-06-11T00:00:00Z
Duration: 01.02.40
Language of episode: English
Presenter: Professor Joyce Harper
Guests: Julia Hollander
Producer: Joyce Harper
What is Why Didn't Anyone Tell Me This? ?
Welcome to season 2 of the podcast - Why didn’t anyone tell me this? This podcast is about health education with an emphasis on reproductive health. We do not cover these topics enough in school or beyond. Joyce Harper and her guests want to give you the tools to empower you to live a healthy, happy and fulfilled life. And on the way, we will debunk some of the myths around our health. This podcast will include a wide range of amazing guests, discussing topics such as nutrition, exercise, sleep, mental health, happiness, cancer, periods, fertility, infertility, fertility treatment, preconception health, pregnancy, miscarriage, PCOS, endometriosis, menopause and much more. Joyce is a cold-water swimmer so expect some episodes about swimming! They will tell you about their work and life journey, what are the key messages they want you to know, their motivation, what makes them happy and their advice to their younger self. Joyce Harper is an award-winning author, educator, academic, and scientist with over 30 years’ experience in reproductive health. She is Professor of Reproductive Science at the Institute for Women’s Health at University College London where she heads the Reproductive Science and Society group. Her latest book, Your Fertile Years, is published by Sheldon Press, 2021. She is chair of the International Reproductive Health Education Collaboration (www.eshre.eu/IRHEC) and co-chair of the UK Fertility Education Initiative. She is founder of Reproductive Health at Work. Further information at www.joyceharper.com.