In this exclusive interview, we sit down with Teanne Andrews, co-founder of the wildly popular We Are Parable—a powerhouse initiative she leads alongside her husband, Anthony, that's known for crafting events as coveted as Glastonbury tickets (seriously, these spots fill up fast!). Together, they've built We Are Parable into one of the most in-demand platforms supporting Black filmmakers and creators across the UK, and their passion is unmistakable. Starting from a simple desire to watch Coming to America on the big screen, Teanne and Anthony have taken audience engagement to a new level—think rose bearers, live musicians, African arts marketplaces, the works.

In 2020, they launched Momentum, an empowering mentorship programme for Black filmmakers, providing mentoring, career elevation, mental health support, industry networking, and more recently, collaborations with Channel 4 and Sony Pictures Television. Behind all this, however, Teanne isn't just a champion of Black creatives; she's also a mother, navigating the highs and challenges of raising a family while leading one of the industry's most unique ventures.

People have been urging them to start a couples podcast (we'd all tune in!), but we were lucky enough to steal a little time with Teanne herself to hear her perspective as a mother on this journey. From balancing career and family life to keeping her humour and sanity in check, Teanne offers some honest and inspiring insights for other industry parents. Grab a cuppa, and let's dive in!

1. Balancing work and family can be a daily challenge. How do you find balance in your day-to-day? Are there any routines or practices that have been especially grounding for you?
Honestly, I'll start by saying getting to a point where I feel there's balance in my day-to-day has taken years! I feel I'm there now, thankfully. One of the most important things we did to achieve this was to establish structure and a firm daily routine with our children (now 11 & 13) from a young age. Our eldest is autistic, and ensuring that there was clear communication around what his day looked like was paramount for us as a family. He thrives on routine and the understanding of when regular daily patterns would change. Giving him enough time to process change was something we learned to build into our work/life routine. When our second child was born, we needed to reassess what the new routine would be, as best we could. Now they are older, they have an understanding of the work we do and when I'm busy doing something for me.

Myself and Anthony have grown to appreciate and respect time for individual self-care and rest. For example, I love my sleep. For the first 5 years of being a mum, it was non-existent! It affected me in more ways than I realised. Sleep is something I now prioritise. Due to the nature of our business, producing/attending events (often in the evenings), I have learned to factor in time either on the same day (starting work later) or the next day, to either have a lie-in or, in some cases, a day off to rest. What this looks like on a day-to-day basis for me: being comfortable with not attending all the invited work events, delegating workload, perhaps not staying up late to watch a film, and not feeling guilty for spending time on myself. 

2. With the Momentum programme having completed its third edition, what aspects of managing both motherhood and work have been the most challenging to juggle?

Not so much a juggle, but communication with the supportive network of family we have around us – our mothers, and siblings who understand how hard we work and are willing to support where they can. We couldn't do this work on our own. There are certain events we both need to be present at and if it wasn't for our network, it wouldn't happen! When our children were smaller, I definitely felt that I had to juggle, but I think as they have grown as individuals, the real challenge has come from being able to communicate what I need from the people in my life, and also providing them with the opportunity to communicate to me what they need from me.

3. Working closely with Anthony in both life and business, what has been the key to keeping both your professional and personal relationship strong and thriving?

The key has been ensuring that we have our own separate interests outside of one another. Because we work together, have kids together, and live together, there is a lot to be said about creating space for myself, doing something without Anthony, and then coming back to tell him all about it – he often does the same. We also carve out time to spend together where we try not to talk about work or the kids – which can be hard, but really necessary! I'm a big believer in celebrating our accomplishments, whether it be personal or business. It gives us something nice to look forward to.

4. You're involved in work that often demands travel and intense focus. During these busier periods, how do you manage family life and maintain a sense of connection at home?

Even when we are away or working on a big project, between the two of us, we designate time to check in with our children, whether it's via a video call or conversation on the school run! We emphasise the importance of quality family time and actively involve our children in planning activities once the busy period subsides. These shared experiences create cherished memories and strengthen our family bonds.

5. In terms of well-being, what has been the most effective tool you've found to avoid burnout? Are there habits or practices you'd recommend to other parents in the industry?

In 2020, during lockdown, I taught myself floristry, as a way of nurturing my creativity while not being able to produce film events, which is where I often get my creative inspiration from. Although it has now evolved into a small business due to the success of my Instagram page @ShirleyBlossoms and word of mouth, it remains an important activity for me to avoid burnout. My family understands that when they see me doing floristry at home, it's my time, and they leave me to it!"

Last year, after 30 years, I returned back to the karate dojo. This was huge for me. My children both train, and after seeing them progress so well within their club, I decided to start from the beginning and not only train to my blue belt (which is the level I was when I stopped) but to reach the ultimate goal of achieving my black belt. I can't advocate enough the importance of having time for yourself when working in our industry. Both these activities are very different and have become a part of my lifestyle. They give me a sense of joy and peace.

6. Childcare can be one of the trickiest parts of managing a family with industry demands. How has your experience with childcare evolved, and are there any resources or support systems that have made a big difference?
Due to our son's special needs, seeking babysitters outside of our family network just wasn't an option for us. We did, however, access the wraparound childcare offered by their primary school, i.e., tea-time clubs (which ran until 6 pm), which helped us immensely. Family members would support with school pickups, dinner, homework, and bedtime routines on the days we were working until late.

7. You're setting an incredible example for your kids through the work you do. How do you hope they'll remember this part of your career as they grow up?

That's very kind of you to say. Apart from them remembering their parents are celebrities (which they are totally convinced of) and being excited to watch and critique the latest films. Jokes aside, I'd like to think that they'll remember this part of my career as a time where they saw what it looks like to consistently work hard on something they believe in and feel passionate about. Mum is equal to dad; we do the same work and are valued the same. When it's been appropriate, our children have often come along to our events. We feel it's important for them to experience the work we do.

8. As a mother and a leader in the film industry, what advice would you offer to other women who are trying to pursue their passions while raising a family?

Choose your partner well! It sounds flippant to say, but it's important that you're in a relationship with someone who understands your creative endeavor and the challenges that it brings. This person may not work with you, but it's essential that you see each other as partners on the same team; this means you'll need to communicate with one another regularly. Finally, I would say remember to give yourself grace. It's something I became introduced to in the last 5 years. I'm still working at it. I practice gratitude and have more self-compassion.

Check out We Are Parable on their social handles and their website:

@WeAreParable (All platforms)

https://www.weareparable.com/