Jasmine reads from her new poetry collection 'Inheritance' published by Bad Betty Press. We had a deep and inspiring conversation about the role writing and reading played in her life as a child and teenager. She talks about her work as a psychotherapist and why she sees the sessions she has with her clients as a freeform improvised poem.

Jasmine reads some beautiful poems from her book, and talks about her current daily poetry practice and how it relates to play.  

Bio:

Jasmine Cooray is a poet, psychotherapist and facilitator. After spending her 20s oversharing on London’s poetry circuit, she had the opportunity to deliver creative writing projects for The Barbican, The Southbank Centre, First Story, the National Literacy Trust and Arvon. She has also been a WOW Festival speaker, BBC Performing Arts Fellow, and Writer-in-Residence at the National University of Singapore. Her debut poetry collection ‘Inheritance’ was published with Bad Betty Press in November 2023 and received a Poetry Book Society Recommendation.

You can find Jasmine on instagram

Inheritance can be bought from:

Bad Betty Press

Poetry Book Society

Waterstones

Show host - Naomi Woddis

Music and production : Gavin O’Brien - Citóg

Destiny shares their poetry, their experience of being a model, a poet, and their non-binary identity. We share mental health toolkits and more. 

Find Destiny on Instagram.

Show host - Alba Frederick 

Music and production : Gavin O’Brien - Citóg

Novelist Ronali Collings talks about her new book ‘Love and Other Dramas’.

We talk about the inspiration for the novel - development of character, the value and enjoyment to be gleaned from commercial fiction. Ronali talks about the changes in her life that led to her becoming a published writer and discussed why as a women of colour it is so important to tell multiple stories rather than stick to one perceived and narrow narrative. We also chatted about building confidence and the ability to take constructive constriction to better our work. 

Ronali on Twitter 

Ronali on Instagram 

CW:

Fertility treatment

Show host - Naomi Woddis

Music and production : Gavin O’Brien - Citóg

Naomi has an in-depth conversation with Elijah Kellman who has a background in health psychology and is currently working in social prescribing.

There’s so much to enjoy and learn in this interview including the different experiences of health provision (especially mental health provision), patient and health practitioner interaction, and the acknowledgement of invisible power.  

Elijah talks about death, grief and the possibility of reframing difficult experiences. He shares his wisdom about the heightened emotional state providing illumination, and the value of interruption. 

Elijah on instagram. 

Show host - Naomi Woddis

Music and production : Gavin O’Brien - Citóg

Psychotherapist, artist and lifelong learner Gosia Miernik talks about the value of lived experience. In this fascinating discussion we talk about family constellations and what can be learnt from inherited family patterns. She shares her journey to becoming a psychotherapist and how art-making can be a process of revelation.

Gosia on instagram

Show host - Naomi Woddis

Music and production : Gavin O’Brien - Citóg

Painter, maker and business owner Heidi Spring talks about how she makes her intricate paintings, creates magic through installing decor for events, the joy and mindfulness in making, as well as how she motivates herself in the trickier moments.

Heidi Spring's Instagram and website.

UpCycle Deco on Instagram and website. 

Show host - Alba Frederick 

Music and production : Gavin O’Brien - Citóg

In a fascinating conversation poet and bell-ringer Annie Brechin and Naomi talk about prayer, fidelity, bell-ringing, the church and her management of long term depression. In this unflinching and honest interview Annie opens up about her childhood experience of mental health. She reads from her new book ‘The Mouth of Eulalie’ and talks about exploring eco-poetics.

You can buy Annie's book here. 

Find Annie on twitter and  instagram.

Show host - Naomi Woddis 

Music and production : Gavin O’Brien - Citóg

Audio engineer and electronic music producer Josh Hutton AKA ‘Patient Zero’ talks openly about the recent loss of a mutual friend, loneliness, mindfulness, finding therapy, moving through unhealthy habits and making electronic music.  

Find Josh’s EP Bandcamp.

Josh on Instagram

Show host - Alba Frederick  

Music : Gavin O’Brien - Citóg