Episode 9: Constance Menzies

Have A Kind Word With: Joelle Taylor

“Do the thing that’s instinctive to you.” I chat with TS Eliot Prize winning poet and author Joelle Taylor. Our discussion goes on the most brilliant tangents and tributaries about analog creativity, empathy, lesbian representation - particularly on her current tour of her stunning collection “Maryville” - and the deep, lasting value of friendships. There is some mature language in our chat, so a heads up in case there are sensitive ears nearby.   Joelle Taylor: https://joelletaylor.co.uk/ [https://joelletaylor.co.uk/]  Maryville:  https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/maryville-9781526680495/ [https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/maryville-9781526680495/]  Poetry Pharmacy: https://poetrypharmacy.co.uk/ [https://poetrypharmacy.co.uk/]  Slambassadors: https://slam.poetrysociety.org.uk/ [https://slam.poetrysociety.org.uk/]  Book Slam: https://bookslam.com/ [https://bookslam.com/]    “The Feed is Fake” - Vulture article by Lane Brown https://www.vulture.com/article/social-media-feeds-chaotic-good-projects-clipping.html [https://www.vulture.com/article/social-media-feeds-chaotic-good-projects-clipping.html]    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]

Have A Kind Word With: Nick Barley

"Poetry comes from that kind act of observation." I chat with Nick Barley, founding Director of the National Poetry Centre. We talk about facilitating other peoples’ creativity, the value of modelling kindness, meeting angelic cyclists in Spain, and how we write poetry to make sense of ourselves in the world. * National Poetry Centre: www.nationalpoetrycentre.org.uk [http://www.nationalpoetrycentre.org.uk] * Edinburgh International Book Festival: www.edbookfest.co.uk [http://www.edbookfest.co.uk] * International Booker Prize: www.thebookerprizes.com/international-booker-prize [http://www.thebookerprizes.com/international-booker-prize] * Joséphine Bacon: thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/josephine-bacon [https://thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/josephine-bacon]  We recorded in May 2026 at Amped as part of the 20th Anniversary Huddersfield Literature Festival. www.ampedhudd.co.uk [http://www.ampedhudd.co.uk/]  www.huddlitfest.org.uk [http://www.huddlitfest.org.uk/]    About Rose: * 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] * Podcast music by Eleonora Rosca: www.instagram.com/eleonorarosca [http://www.instagram.com/eleonorarosca]

Season Two Trailer!

Hey listeners, it's Rose from Have A Kind Word With Yourself: The Podcast. It's June 2026. It's Pride Month. It's raining a lot in Manchester, and it's pretty tough in the world. So, perhaps Season Two of Have A Kind Word With Yourself: The Podcast can offer a bit of soothing space where you can listen to chats about creativity, kindness, and connection. This season, I'll speak with amazing people working in poetry, theatre, broadcast journalism, law, writing, community development, and more. We've got award-winning creatives and emerging artists, and loads in between. New episodes will be coming out on Mondays, which you can find on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Podbean, and YouTube. Take care, and talk to you soon.

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]