Added: Sep 19, 2023
In this podcast episode, the guest Julian Lennon discusses various topics with the host. The conversation covers a range of subjects, including Julian's relationship with his father, John Lennon, his own music career, his views on politics, his life in Monaco, and his thoughts on other artists.Julian begins by talking about his father and the challenges of being the son of a famous musician. He acknowledges that it can be difficult to establish his own identity and make a name for himself, but he also embraces his Beatles heritage and sees it as a positive legacy. He expresses gratitude for the success he has achieved in his music career and acknowledges that not many people have heard his songs, but he appreciates those who have.
The conversation then turns to the recent release of Peter Jackson's documentary about the Beatles, "Get Back." Julian shares his thoughts on the documentary and how it reminded him of his father's personality and the good times they had together. He mentions that he and Paul McCartney are close and have discussed collaborating on a project to share stories about John Lennon.
The host and Julian also discuss their experiences with fame and the challenges that come with it. Julian talks about the pressure he felt to live up to his father's legacy and how he tried to protect his mother, Cynthia Lennon, throughout his life. He mentions that he has chosen not to have children yet, but he is open to the idea in the future.
The conversation then shifts to Julian's environmental activism. He discusses his passion for environmental issues and his efforts to raise awareness and make a difference. He mentions that he focuses on the issues he cares about and tries to be faithful to his values, even if it means not being as commercially successful as some other artists.
The host and Julian also touch on politics briefly. Julian expresses his belief that if a leader can perform their job effectively, their age should not be a determining factor. He mentions that he tries to stay out of politics but acknowledges that he is an environmentalist and cares about the impact of policies on the environment.
Julian shares that he currently lives in Monaco for tax-saving reasons and because he enjoys the location. He describes his apartment in Monaco and the attractions of living there, such as being close to France and Italy. He mentions that he has a good relationship with Paul McCartney and that they have discussed sharing untold stories about John Lennon.
The conversation continues with a discussion about dogs and Julian's plans for the future. He mentions that he is considering getting two new dogs after his current dogs pass away and that he wants to train them properly. He also expresses his admiration for Taylor Swift and her success in the music industry.
Julian Lennon continues by talking about his music career and the impact his records have had on the industry. He acknowledges that despite his personality, people still appreciate his music and cultural impact. He shares a story about running into Sean Penn and having a conversation with him, expressing his admiration for Penn.
The conversation then shifts to Julian Lennon's experience with depression. He reveals that he has struggled with severe anxiety and depression over the years and has tried various methods to cope with it. He mentions that he has tried microdosing mushrooms, which initially helped him get out of the fog and darkness he was feeling. However, he emphasizes that he only uses it occasionally when he feels the need.
The host and Julian Lennon then discuss the nature of depression and its causes. Julian Lennon shares his perspective, stating that there is always a reason behind depression, even if it takes time to figure it out. He mentions feeling depressed in the past due to personal and career-related issues. However, he acknowledges that there is also a chemical aspect to depression that is not always related to external circumstances.
The conversation takes a lighthearted turn as the host and Julian Lennon discuss their experiences with fame and being recognized in public. Julian Lennon shares anecdotes about being mobbed by fans and feeling uncomfortable with the attention. He also expresses his admiration for musicians who can handle the constant scrutiny and lack of privacy.
They discuss the concept of being a solo artist versus being part of a band. Julian Lennon admits that he has always felt more comfortable being part of a band rather than being the frontman. He shares his desire to be part of a collective and highlights the importance of having a supportive team around him.
The topic of relationships comes up, and Julian Lennon reveals that he has not found someone he wants to be with in recent years. He mentions being picky and not wanting to settle for a relationship that doesn't feel genuine. He expresses his hope of meeting someone in the creative field who can understand and appreciate his work.
The conversation then delves into the importance of appreciating life and being thankful. Julian Lennon emphasizes the need to find joy in experiences and to be motivated by work and creative projects. He mentions his various endeavors, including music, photography, and philanthropy, and how they keep him going.
They discuss the passing of Julian Lennon's mother and the realization that there is no one to talk to about certain aspects of his life. He reflects on the importance of cherishing moments with loved ones and asking questions while they are still around.
The conversation touches on the rapid pace of technological advancements and the challenges they bring. Julian Lennon expresses concern about the spread of misinformation and the ability to manipulate images and videos. He emphasizes the need to be cautious and critical of the information we consume.
The podcast continues with a discussion about the challenges of dealing with health issues as one gets older. Julian Lennon expresses his empathy for those who are unwell and acknowledges that his own health is a concern. He emphasizes the importance of appreciating life and being thankful for what one has.
Julian Lennon continues by talking about the idea of eating each other as a way to live longer, which leads to a discussion about the strange and unexpected paths that life can take. He mentions that he is currently in Los Angeles, where he talks about the Beatles' history and their visit to Elvis Presley's house. He shares that the Beatles were disappointed by their meeting with Elvis, as he was not very nice to them.
The conversation then shifts to Julian Lennon's memories of his father and his own experiences growing up. He talks about his father's inspiration and how he felt when his father passed away. Julian Lennon also mentions that he was not aware of the Beatles' history until later in life, and he discusses his thoughts on the recent Elvis Presley biopic.
The discussion then turns to Julian Lennon's own music career and his relationship with his mother, Yoko Ono. He talks about the different roles Yoko Ono played in his and his half-brother Sean's lives. Julian Lennon also mentions that he had a close relationship with his father and recalls visiting him at the Dakota building in New York City.
Julian Lennon reflects on the advantages he had in life, including having stable and loving parents. He acknowledges that having a supportive family is important and mentions that he sought that same sense of family in his past relationships. He also talks about the impact of his father's death and how it influenced his own life choices.
The conversation then delves into the similarities between Julian Lennon's life and his father's life, particularly in terms of their relationships with their mothers. Julian Lennon mentions that his father played him the song "Starting Over" over the phone before his death, and he talks about the impact of that song on him.
Julian Lennon discusses the creative process and how artists often save ideas and nuggets of inspiration for later use. He compares this to his own experience with photography, where he saves images that he may find useful in the future. He also talks about the importance of going through old material and finding hidden gems.
The podcast episode concludes with Julian Lennon expressing his gratitude for being able to come on the show and his appreciation for the opportunity to share his thoughts and experiences. He mentions that he is still working on new music and has many more ideas to explore.
