Have A Kind Word With Yourself: The Podcast

Episode 11: Eleonora Rosca

It's the final episode of Season One ... and what a treat it is! I chat with the wonderful Eleonora Rosca - a musician and music therapist from Romania. Ellie and I have been friends and creative collaborators for years, and she's making huge strides in her music therapy work. We recorded in January -- when Ellie was fresh off of a supervision course in Bristol -- and the ripples of vulnerability, empathy and kindness from the course were so present in our discussion. We chat through the importance of safety, gentleness, and self-care. We explore the therapeutic benefits of music, particularly in fostering a state of flow and self-expression. She recommends the importance of staying curious and deeply listening to yourself and others. What a nourishing way to finish this first season. Links are below, and more episodes will be coming later this year! About Ellie and her work: * Ellie’s website: https://muzicoterapie.org/ [https://muzicoterapie.org/]  * Ellie on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/eleonora-rosca-509874209/ [http://www.linkedin.com/in/eleonora-rosca-509874209/] * CoMusica Oradea: https://www.musicastherapy.org/news-item/a-new-romanian-association-joins-the-distance-learning-programme-in-romania/ [https://www.musicastherapy.org/news-item/a-new-romanian-association-joins-the-distance-learning-programme-in-romania/]  * World Congress of Music Therapy: https://wcmt2026.org/ [https://wcmt2026.org/]  * Elaine Aron - The Highly Sensitive Person: https://hsperson.com/ [https://hsperson.com/]  * Nordoff Robbins Music Therapy: https://www.nordoff-robbins.org.uk/ [https://www.nordoff-robbins.org.uk/]  How we met: * Westwood Centre: https://westwood-centre.org.uk/ [https://westwood-centre.org.uk/]  * Moonraking Festival: https://www.slaithwaitemoonraking.org.uk/ [https://www.slaithwaitemoonraking.org.uk/]  About me: * Attic Stories at the Lawrence Batley Theatre: https://www.thelbt.org/what-s-on/spoken-word-and-talks/attic-stories/ [https://www.thelbt.org/what-s-on/spoken-word-and-talks/attic-stories/]  * My website: www.rosecondo.net [http://www.rosecondo.net]  * Website artwork is by Niamh Wood: www.etsy.com/shop/LittleBadgerArts [http://www.etsy.com/shop/LittleBadgerArts]  * Have A Kind Word With Yourself podcast music was composed and recorded by Eleonora Rosca: www.instagram.com/eleonorarosca [http://www.instagram.com/eleonorarosca]

Episode 10: Ivan Wadeson

What an honour to speak with Ivan Wadeson, Executive Director of Manchester City of Literature! I'm so grateful for the time we had to reflect on art, audience connections, community and kindness! We relate about being library-loving kids, and how we’ve gotta keep libraries as kind and democratic spaces. Plus, hear Ivan promote the upcoming Festival of Libraries in Greater Manchester, June 10-14, 2026.    Below are links that we discussed:   * Take 10 to Read in Manchester: https://literacytrust.org.uk/communities/manchester/take-10-to-read-manchester/ [https://literacytrust.org.uk/communities/manchester/take-10-to-read-manchester/] * Creative Care - GMCA: https://www.greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk/what-we-do/culture/great-place-social-glue-and-creative-care-kits/ [https://www.greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk/what-we-do/culture/great-place-social-glue-and-creative-care-kits/]  * Poetry Pharmacy: https://poetrypharmacy.co.uk/ [https://poetrypharmacy.co.uk/]  * Carol Ann Duffy: https://www.scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk/poet/carol-ann-duffy/ [https://www.scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk/poet/carol-ann-duffy/]  * Cities of Literature: https://www.citiesoflit.com/ [https://www.citiesoflit.com/]  * Oliver Burkeman’s Meditations for Mortals: https://www.oliverburkeman.com/meditationsformortals [https://www.oliverburkeman.com/meditationsformortals]  * Manchester City of Literature: https://www.manchestercityofliterature.com/ [https://www.manchestercityofliterature.com/]  * Virden Library: https://www.borderregionallibrary.ca/about/virden/ [https://www.borderregionallibrary.ca/about/virden/]  * My website: www.rosecondo.net [http://www.rosecondo.net]  * Niamh Wood: www.etsy.com/shop/LittleBadgerArts [http://www.etsy.com/shop/LittleBadgerArts]  * Have A Kind Word With Yourself podcast music was composed and recorded by Eleonora Rosca: www.instagram.com/eleonorarosca [http://www.instagram.com/eleonorarosca]

Episode 9: Constance Menzies

Can a podcast be delicious? This episode definitely is! I chat with Constance Menzies, owner of Chocolatier Constance Popp in Winnipeg, Canada. Her shop is the first cacao-bean-to-bar maker and her scrumptious food has featured at prestigious events (and in my suitcase every time I visit Winnipeg!) We discuss her journey into chocolate making, and how important relationships and community have been along the way. We highlight how significant kindness is in personal interactions and in creative endeavours. And we’ll definitely visit a chocolate shop together next time she’s in England!   Below are links from our chat:   Chocolatier Constance Popp: Website: https://constancepopp.com/ [https://constancepopp.com/]  Instagram: www.instagram.com/poppchocolates/ [http://www.instagram.com/poppchocolates/]  Facebook: www.facebook.com/constance.popp [http://www.facebook.com/constance.popp]      Melanie Wesley: https://melaniewesley.com/ [https://melaniewesley.com/]   Prairie Originals: https://www.prairieoriginals.com/ [https://www.prairieoriginals.com/]    Rose’s website: www.rosecondo.net [http://www.rosecondo.net]    Rose’s website artwork is by Niamh Wood: www.etsy.com/shop/LittleBadgerArts [http://www.etsy.com/shop/LittleBadgerArts]    Have A Kind Word With Yourself podcast music was composed and recorded by Eleonora Rosca: www.instagram.com/eleonorarosca [http://www.instagram.com/eleonorarosca]

Episode 8: Griot Gabriel

The incredible Griot Gabriel joins the Have A Kind Word With Yourself podcast chat! Winner of the 2025 Forward Prize for the performance of his poem ‘Where I’m From’ Gabriel is a Manchester-based poet and youth worker. We talk about his journey into poetry, inspired by figures like Malcolm X and Tupac Shakur, and his work with diverse communities. We delve into the importance of faith, community, and creativity (including in sports!). We talk of poetry shining a light into dark places, and how he wants to use poetry to bridge gaps between opposing views and spark dialogue for empathy. Listen up about info on his upcoming eight-week poetry workshop at Contact Theatre.    Below are links for organisations and projects that we discussed: ‘Where I’m From’ (Griot Gabriel’s Forward Prize winning performance): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pv_TYFFGNSc [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pv_TYFFGNSc]  Forward Prize: https://forwardartsfoundation.org/poem/where-im-from/ [https://forwardartsfoundation.org/poem/where-im-from/]  The Poetry Place: https://www.the-poetryplace.com/ [https://www.the-poetryplace.com/]  Contact Theatre: https://contactmcr.com/get-involved [https://contactmcr.com/get-involved]  Rose’s website: www.rosecondo.net [http://www.rosecondo.net]  Rose’s website artwork is by Niamh Wood: www.etsy.com/shop/LittleBadgerArts [http://www.etsy.com/shop/LittleBadgerArts]  Have A Kind Word With Yourself podcast music was composed and recorded by Eleonora Rosca: www.instagram.com/eleonorarosca [http://www.instagram.com/eleonorarosca]

Episode 7: Carys Nelkon

Tune in for this delightful chat with Carys Nelkon, a senior leader in climate justice and youth development. A self-proclaimed creative problem-solver, Carys shares her experiences at Arts Emergency and her current work in education. We discuss the power of storytelling, the importance of nuance in activism, the joy of crafting, and the significance of rest. Below are links for organisations and projects that we discussed:   * Arts Emergency: https://www.arts-emergency.org/ [https://www.arts-emergency.org/]  * Morecambe Bay Curriculum: https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/morecambe-bay-curriculum/ [https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/morecambe-bay-curriculum/]  * Energy Saving Trust Foundation: https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/the-foundation/ [https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/the-foundation/]  * HOME Manchester: https://homemcr.org/ [https://homemcr.org/]  * Carys on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/woolntrouble/ [https://www.instagram.com/woolntrouble/]  * Mike Myers - site specific extrovert quote: https://www.gq.com/story/mike-myers [https://www.gq.com/story/mike-myers]  * Shouldless Day: https://slate.com/podcasts/death-sex-money/2017/10/ellen-burstyns-lessons-on-survival [https://slate.com/podcasts/death-sex-money/2017/10/ellen-burstyns-lessons-on-survival]  * Danny Wallace books: https://www.hive.co.uk/Search/Search?Author=Danny%20Wallace [https://www.hive.co.uk/Search/Search?Author=Danny%20Wallace]  * Rose’s website: www.rosecondo.net [http://www.rosecondo.net]  * Rose’s website artwork is by Niamh Wood: www.etsy.com/shop/LittleBadgerArts [http://www.etsy.com/shop/LittleBadgerArts]  * Have A Kind Word With Yourself podcast music was composed and recorded by Eleonora Rosca: www.instagram.com/eleonorarosca [http://www.instagram.com/eleonorarosca]