Spoken Label

Latest up from Spoken Label with another bonus episode, the amazing DK with a addtional, special bonus set recorded recently at the book launch of Lee McShane.

DK is a Midlands–based poet, music producer, and accessibility advocate whose work blends creativity with lived experience. A wheelchair user with cerebral palsy, DK creates powerful poetry exploring identity, disability, and social justice. They are a multiple slam winner, recipient of the Best Open Mic award at the Fluent in Both Awards, and a finalist in the Some-Antics Slam. Their 2025 collection Writing My Own Story Means reflects themes of re...

Following on from last week's return to Not the TV Guide (TV Review Podcast) episode 2, again featuring Andy N, Grant and Beth carries on examies the rumoured growing list of studios, showrunners and industry figures rumoured to be circling the property of Doctor Who and asks the bigger question: who is actually positioned to take charge of the Whoniverse next.

The trio also explore the creative, financial and political pressures shaping the tender process, and turn a sharper lens on the real reasons behind the show’s cancellation, separating industry fact from fan‑forum fiction.

It’s...

The long‑awaited return of Not the TV Podcast (TV Review / Film Review Podcast) is finally here.

After a break, Andy N, Grant and Beth kick off Season 2 with the first half of a two‑part deep dive into the current state of Doctor Who.

This opening episode explores the show’s unexpected move to being put out to tender, digs into the real reasons behind its cancellation, and unpacks the swirl of rumours surrounding the studios, creatives and industry figures reportedly interested in taking the reins.

A sharp, thoughtful conversation to mark the st...

Latest up from Spoken Label (Author / Artist Podcast) features the return of our friend the wonderful Heidi Hindi Chadwick.

Heidi Hinda Chadwick helps people reconnect with what makes them feel most alive. She’s a writer, speaker, performer, facilitator, consultant and cultural thinker with a twenty-year background in creativity, human development, nervous system intelligence work, and embodied leadership.Heidi Hinda writes short stories, novellas, and essays exploring the macabre, and the intricacies of human experience, often drawing on folklore, psychology, body horror, femgore, twisting fairytales and exploring midwifing your midlife and contemporary anxieties.Heidi Hinda’s debut nove...

Bonus Episode setting the scene for all being well a full length episode during our Autumn season is talking about the Midlands Fringe due to start soon is the lovely Charley McDermott.Charley is a Black Country poet published in BCU, Contemporary Literacy Horizon, SHINE, VERVE, Feast Zine and Speak Volumes Festival anthologies. She led the Zepaniah Forest Poetree Trial, has judged several poetry competitions, placed in Grande Slams, and performed headlines across the Midlands.Her freelancinb spans the arts, environment, and manufacturing, which is reflected in her poetry.She is part of AccessAbility Arts, hosts Sandwell Stanzas, and...

Latest up from Spoken Label (Poetry Podcast) features making her debut is the amazing Kaygo Meechan.

Kaygo is a spoken word poet and student of creative writing, who in this podcast talks about her debut poetry collection 'In the Middle of Everything'.

Kaygo advises that these poems in the collection were written between the ages of eighteen and nineteen in the space between growing up and becoming.

Kaygo advises that their work explores the idea that even when your mind feels like it is ‘in the middle of everything,’ that same chaos can be s...

Next up with another bonus episode recorded live at Lee McShane’s book launch is myself reading two short stories, one from my book ‘Threads’ from last year as A.E.Nicholson, and a second a version of which is from ‘Threads II’ which will be out towards the end of the year.My bio is:Pushcar Prize-nominated Andy N’s poetry collections include “Changing Carriages at Birmingham New Street” and “From the Diabetic Ward” and is the co-host of Chorlton’s Spoken Word night ‘Speak Easy’.He is in the bands Ocean in a Bottle and Polly Ocean, and his Podcast credits in...

Latest up from Spoken Label (Author / Artist Podcast) features the return of our friend K. Scott Fuchs.

K. Scott Fuchs is a novelist, poet, spoken-word performer, actor, and performer originally from New York, now based in North West England.

A PhD graduate in Creative Writing and Victorian Literature, he is the author of six novels, five poetry collections, and a short-story publication.

He is the author of The Miss Temperance Lee Series withhis fourth and final instalment Lilac and Lightning releasedin 2026.

His first novel Time and Temperance was released in 2023.

Special Bonus Podcast from Spoken Label (Poetry Podcast) features the return of our friend, Lee McShane live from his headline spot at his recent online launch of his new book ‘Raised in April’

Lee McShane is a neurodivergent actor, filmmaker, published writer and poet. He is also a photographer and comedian. A fan of horror, surrealism, and the paranormal, he has been published in numerous anthologies by Poetic Edge Publishing, Black Eye Publishing, and the Morecambe Poetry Festival. He has performed at poetry open mics throughout the UK. His debut chapbook, The House Built From Shadows, was self...

* containing topics and language not suitable for all *

A special bonus episode from Spoken Label (Poetry Chat) featuring our friend Hayley Lynn Gordon returning for a brief chat to talk about her debut poetry book "Lemonade Grenade" due out via Luain Press on 01 July 2026.

Hayley's debut collection is described is described as "an explosion of love, joy, grief and pain. Both angry and tender, this collection - with its witchy undertones - is pumping with the punk poet’s spirit. “An articulate and relatable poet/spoken word artist twisting her words with tales of woe, joy...

Latest up from Spoken Label (Poetry Podcast) features

the return of our friend, Richard Harries.

Richard Harries, a well-known East Yorkshire performance poet based in Withernsea. Known for his poignant and comedic spoken-word performances across the North of England, he is often referred to as the "Bard of Withernsea" or the "Activist Poet of Hull".

This Podcast covers his new book "The Black Dog Came to Stay" published by Scotland's Like a Blot from the Blue, deals intimately with his abusive childhood and teen years, the resulting...

Another bonus episode today for Spoken Label (Poetry / Author Chat) features an exclusive chat with Jo from Urmston Books and Board Games.

Urmston Books and Board Games is an independent family-run bookshop and board game cafe designed to celebrate stories, both for you and by you. Our family personally select and curate our favourite books, board games and baked goods, bringing people together in community-centred events.

The episode today features a chat with Jo about Trafford's Celebration of Reading which is taking place on Saturday 6th June, 10:30am - 3:30pm at Urmston Library.

...

Latest up from Spoken Label (Poetry Podcast) features making her debut, the amazing Alexis Quin.

Alexis is a poet, writer, musician, and shamanic/Reiki practitioner originally from the United States, now based in Manchester with her wife Danielle and their two cats, Jade and Salem. Raised between New York and the American South, her relationship to language was shaped early through literature, music, queerness, spirituality, and the emotional landscapes that exist between people.Though classically trained in music with foundations in blues and jazz, poetry remains the art form most deeply connected to her soul. Influenced by...

This was streamed live on my facebook page (Spoken Label) on 26 May 2026, a special bonus Podcast episode (Apologises for the cutting in and out of this episode in a few places).

This special episode features on the 100th anniversary of Jazz Musician Miles Davis's birthday, a special chat with Stockport writer Andy Cash who has bought on the 26th May 2026, his debut collection, 'The Blue Flame' which brings to life Miles's life in poetry.

An excellent collection

Check it out here - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1066661502?ref=cm_sw_r_ffobk...

Latest up from Spoken Label (Author / Artist Podcast) features making his debut is, Stephen Small.Stephen has been writing fiction and non-fiction for many years alongside careers in academia, publishing, communications, and consulting.His debut novel, The Life and Death of Abercrombie Lyle, emerged from academic interests and private passions: a fascination with political power – and what people will do to get it; a love of Italy based on extensive travel and research; and a desire to write the kind of fast-paced, twisty mysteries and thrillers he enjoys reading himself.His writing is informed by a doctorate in Modern Hi...

New up from Spoken Label (Poetry / Spoken Word Podcast) and the second in a extended two part chat is with making their debut, Emma-Jane Barlow (EJ).

Emma-Jane Barlow (EJ) is a neurodivergent author, poet, workshop facilitator and advocate from the North of England. She began her writing journey at seven. She weaves tales from her life experiences and explores themes such as autism, hope, love and loss. Her works include “Darkness & Light” (2020) and “Sins & Sunflowers: Second Edition” (2023). She has had her work recognised in both print and radio, including being longlisted for the Heroica Poetry P...

New up from Spoken Label (Poetry / Spoken Word Podcast) and the first in a extended two part chat is with making their debut, Emma-Jane Barlow (EJ).

Emma-Jane Barlow (EJ) is a neurodivergent author, poet, workshop facilitator and advocate from the North of England. She began her writing journey at seven. She weaves tales from her life experiences and explores themes such as autism, hope, love and loss. Her works include “Darkness & Light” (2020) and “Sins & Sunflowers: Second Edition” (2023). She has had her work recognised in both print and radio, including being longlisted for the Heroica Poetry Prize in...

* SHOW NOTES * this interview was recorded on Easter Sunday, due to other prioritise and future events, Giz A Word Collective have now decided to step down from the All Ears Expo on 3rd July. However please visit the All Ears Instagram for more information and ticket link
Latest up today from Spoken Label (Author / Artist Podcast) features the return of our friend, Hayley Lynn Gordon.

Hayley has been a regular performer around Merseyside in recent years and co-runs her own monthly night ‘Giz A Word'.

Giz A Word pl...

* Re-edit *

There was a unfortunate glitch in the second half of the Podcast during which Alistair reads out a wonderful poem called Elephants Don't Jump.

In the sake of being fair, we agreed for Alistair to re-record said poem and it is presented as a bonus at the end of the Podcast.

New from Spoken Label features making his debut is the amazing Alistair Lawrie.

Alistair Lawrie is from Peterhead and now lives in Stonehaven. His short story “Delivery” won the William Soutar Prize in 2016 and his poem “Twists...

Latest up from Spoken Label (Spoken Word / Poetry Podcast) features making his debut is the wonderful Half Beard Half Poet.

A product of the early 2010s Mancunian poetry scene Half Beard Half Poet (then using the alias Benny-Jo Zahl) burned bright but briefly. Three years after discovering poetry in 2009 he was published as a member of the Working Verse collective alongside Kieren King and Dave Viney Via Flapjack press (The Prequel to the Sequel), co-wrote and performed two plays with Working Verse that debuted in the Lowery theatre (Amateur Thematics – 2012, Writer's Retweet – 2013) and co-hosted Bang Said The Gun...

Latest up from Spoken Label (Spoken Word / Poetry Podcast) features the return of our friend, the amazing Krystal 'Gypsy' Orellano Weldon.

Krystal “Gypsy” Orellano Weldon is a Tampa, Florida–based spoken word artist, poet, writer, and composition professor. As an educator, she teaches writing at the college level, where she is passionate about helping students find their voice, develop critical thinking skills, and use writing as a tool for self-expression and empowerment. Her work in the classroom reflects her broader mission to uplift diverse voices and create space for meaningful storytelling.Known throughout the Tampa Bay community for he...

Latest up from Spoken Label (Poetry Podcast) features making her debut, the amazing Talin “Tally” Vartanian.
Talin “Tally” Vartanian is a writer, actress, and photographer who resides somewhere in Los Angeles, CA.
When she’s not struggling to keep her head above water, she loves to play video games, walk on hiking trails, and cook something new in her tiny kitchen.
The Instagram feed, which we do an in-depth study on, can be found here: https://www.instagram.com/talinthepoet/

* Re-edited Podcast *

Latest up from Spoken Label (Spoken Word / Poetry Podcast) features the return of our friend, Amanda Crundall.

Amanda Crundall (a.k.a. “The Glam Poet”), is an accomplished and multi-faceted author, poet, spoken word performer, poetry workshop facilitator and radio presenter, at Beverley FM.

She is based in East Yorkshire, UK.Her poetry, known for its raw emotion and honesty, explores vulnerability and resilience, resonating deeply with readers and audiences. She is unafraid to share own vulnerabilities, frailties and her darkest moments as well as her joys and loves. Amanda’s truth...

Latest up from Spoken Label (Poetry / Spoken word Podcast) features the return of our friend, the amazing Aakriti Kuntal.Aakriti Kuntal is a poet, writer and multidisciplinary artist.She spends most of her time writing and reading, seeking refuge in nature. At other times, she explores photography, asemic writing, visual art and short experimental films. Her work has appeared in The Night Heron Barks, Rasputin: A Poetry Thread,IceFloe Press, Cha: An Asian Literary Journal, and Poetry at Sangam, among others. She is the author of the chapbook “God, am I your eyelid?” (Sigilist Press, USA) and the full leng...

Latest up from Spoken Label (Spoken Word / Poetry Podcast) features the return of our friend, Amanda Crundall.

Amanda Crundall (a.k.a. “The Glam Poet”), is an accomplished and multi-faceted author, poet, spoken word performer, poetry workshop facilitator and radio presenter, at Beverley FM.

She is based in East Yorkshire, UK.Her poetry, known for its raw emotion and honesty, explores vulnerability and resilience, resonating deeply with readers and audiences. She is unafraid to share own vulnerabilities, frailties and her darkest moments as well as her joys and loves. Amanda’s truth, humility, honesty and openne...

* containing topics not suitable for all *Latest up from Spoken Label (Author / Poetry Podcast) features making her debut, Annie Acre.

Annie Acre is a placemaker / poet and strange storyteller based in Manchester, made in Darwen, Lancashire.

She regularly performs spoken word around her adpoted city and has been published in Ink Sweat & Tears and Worktown Words. Annie is the editor of Urban Scrawl zine.

She hopes you like what she’s doing with the the place x

anniesacre.co.uk

@annies.acre

urbanscrawlmag.co.uk

@ur...

Last up from Spoken Label (Our Spoken Word / Writer Podcast) features Part 2 of our extended chat with the Environmental Poetry collection ‘I am Nature’, this time an extended chat with the wonderful Andrew Sumner andPatricia (Pat) Sumner.

Andrew Sumner grew up near Stroud in Gloucestershire,surrounded by deep woods and floriferous meadows thronged with butterflies.

These places he explored with his mother, father and younger sister. Sadly, all that rich nature has since gone under the plough and the conifer. Later, his father’s work took the family south to Somerset and the new and differ...

New from Spoken Label (Author / Artist Chat Podcast) an returning chat with Amanda Nicholson.

Amanda Nicholson is the author of ‘Ghost of Me’ which was a finalist in the thriller category of The Author Elite Awards after its release in March 2020. It is now being re-released this February.

She also runs the Substack page ‘I Am Not Calm’.

Book will be available on all of the usual place.

Latest Podcast from Spoken Label (Author / ArtistPodcast) features making her debut, Lucy Beth.

 Lucy Beth (she/her/hers) is a multi-award-winningemerging performer, theatre-maker and lecturer from Inverurie, Aberdeenshire.

​​She graduated with Distinction from the University of Glasgow’s MLitt Theatre & Performance Practices Course after being awarded a PGT Excellent Scholarship bythe University.

​​Lucy has worked on various stage, screen, and audioprojects. Her recent credits include Blanca in Ten Feet Tall's production of "Guilty" by Rona Munro at Granite Noir Festival. Penny in “How To Train Your Dad To Be A Feminist” at the Aberdeen Arts C...

First of a two part Podcast today from Spoken Label (Spoken Word / Poetry Podcast) features discussing 'I am nature' an Environmental Poetry book with two of their poets, Leaf Pettit and Diana Sanders.

Leaf Pettit lives in the vale of Clwyd with her husband and three children.

Rural north ales has been her home since she was three years old and she has developed a deep connection with its landscape and environment, choosing to raise and home-educate her children.

Leaf has been active in caring for local green spaces and...

Latest up from Spoken Label (Poetry Podcast) features the return of our friend Sarah James (also known as Sarah Leavesley ) talking about her new poetry book 'Darling Blue'.

Darling Blue interweaves ekphrastic poems with a book-length fictional poetry narrative of love, lust and letting go. The poems inspired by Pre-Raphaelite artworks include QR codes, which readers can scan to view the pieces after or alongside their reading. Blue here is more than a colour or inspiration; it is desire, secrecy and sorrow – the essence of ‘feeling / really alive’, yet ‘distance’s illusion’.

“A fascinating creative hybrid weaving e...

Latest up from Spoken Label features making her debut, Suzy Aspell.

Suzy is a Bedfordshire poet, living and writing in Luton. Curious about world cultures, she has worked in the travel industry for many years including repping in Spain and teaching ESL in Taiwan. Her poems are published in numerous anthologies, online and print magazines. Suzy also tutors GCSE English students struggling with ADHD and Dyslexia. She is passionate about art, politics and the planet and has a very pampered cat full of mischief and brio.

Her debut book 'Webstrung' is now out.

...

Happy New Year all folks!

Back with a bang, the first Spoken Label (Spoken Word Podcast) Podcast of the year features the Hongwei Bao.

Hongwei Bao (he/him) is a Nottingham-based queer Chinese writer, translator and academic. He is part of the Fifth Word Playwrights, GOBS Spoken Word Collective and Nottingham Playhouse Writers’ Room. He is also a Middle Way Mentee for writing fiction and a New Earth Theatre theatremaker. His work explores queer desire, Asian identity, diasporic positionality and transcultural intimacy.

Hongwei is the author of Dream of the Orchid Pavilion (poetry pamp...

Latest up from Spoken Label (Author / Artist Podcast) features Dr Jack Hunter.Dr Jack Hunter is an anthropologist exploring the borderlands of consciousness, religion, ecology and the paranormal. He is an Hon-orary Research Fellow with the Alister Hardy Religious Experience Research Centre, University of Wales Trinity Saint David, and a tu-tor at the Sophia Centre for the Study of Cosmology in Culture, Uni-versity of Wales Trinity Saint David. He teaches on the MA in Ecol-ogy and Spirituality and the MA in Cultural Astronomy and Astrol-ogy. He is also a tutor for the Alef Trust on their MSc in Conscious-ness...

Latest up from Spoken Label (Author / Artist Podcast) features the return of our friend with Part 2 of an extended chat, tea buff, weird fiction aficionado and abstracted songwriter, Eric Loveland Heath, professionally known as E.L. Heath.

In this return on Spoken Label, we review Eric's releases on Plenty Wenlock Records in 2025 and also the venture of his label into more publishing as well as discuss what is next for this label.

Some links include:

https://www.facebook.com/ELHeathuk/

https://plentywenlockrecords.bandcamp.com/

https://x.com...

Latest up from Spoken Label (Author / Artist Podcast) features the return of our friend with Part 1 of an extended chat, tea buff, weird fiction aficionado and abstracted songwriter, Eric Loveland Heath, professionally known as E.L. Heath.

In this return on Spoken Label, we review Eric's releases on Plenty Wenlock Records in 2025 and also the venture of his label into more publishing as well as discuss what is next for this label.

Some links include:

https://www.facebook.com/ELHeathuk/

https://plentywenlockrecords.bandcamp.com/

https://x.com/PlentyWenlock

Latest up from Spoken Label (Spoken Word / Poetry / Author Podcast) features Shan Powell.

Shan is a Elder goth/swamp hag in Kitchener. Aurora finalist. Brave New Weird winner. Work in Augur, The Deadlands, On Spec, Prairie Fire, ALOCASIA, Nighmare, Feminist Studies Journal, Arc Poetry, & more.

Neurospicy, antifascist, Indigiqueer, disabled. Raised on the land & off the grid. Ex JW-kid/army brat. Retired dancer, industrial DJ, & model. Addicted to learning—may be turning into a witch.

Latest up from Spoken Label (Spoken Word / Poetry Podcast) features Zoe Mitchell.

Zoe Mitchell is a widely-published poet whose work has been featured in a number of magazines including The Rialto, The London Magazine and The Moth. She graduated from the University of Chichester with an MA in Creative Writing and was awarded a Distinction and the Kate Betts Memorial Prize. She is currently studying for a PhD in Creative Writing at the University of Chichester, examining witches in women’s poetry. In 2018, she was joint winner of the Indigo-First Collection Competition and her fi...

Latest up from Spoken Label, features making her debut is the wonderful Rachel Hammond.

Rachel Hammond is an actor-musician, writer and theatre maker based in Manchester. 

Rachel trained at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, and since then has worked in theatre nationally and internationally, including: Climax: A Work in Progress (Close to Home), Underneath a Magical Moon (Tutti Frutti), Joy Unspeakable (Ordinary Glory), Firebird and Pulse (Bamboozle Theatre Company), Give it Back Mak! (Riding Lights), Twitchers and A Force to Be Reckoned With (Mikron Theatre Company), The True Adventures of Maid Marian and Robin Hood (Barn Theatre, Ciren...

Latest up from Spoken Label features making her debut is the wonderful Saira Anwar (Saira the Poet).

Saira Anwar is an educator, poet, author, content creator, and spoken word artist. Her debut poetry collection, The Death of a Beautiful Dream, was released in January 2014 and went on to reach Amazon’s Top 20 Bestsellers list.Saira writes about the beauty and struggle of life with themes like marriage, divorce, healing, self-love, and emotional resilience, to help others heal through poetry.Her poetry has been published in twelve anthologies, and she’s performed at events including MACFEST with Professor John...