We, The Poets

S3 E1 – Be Kind To Yourself? (Ft. Tim Clare, Keely Mills & Mark Grist)

We, The Poets is back for Season 3 — and we’re kicking things off with writer, performer and game enthusiast Tim Clare. Recorded at Ellie Spirrett on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/yellow_ellie/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] ✨ Sandy Wardrop – sharing new work later in the episode. Sandy Wardrop on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/sandywritesthings/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] If you’ve ever drifted away from writing, struggled with performing, or wondered how other poets keep going — we hope this one resonates. 📚 Find Tim’s books, podcasts and work at: Tim Clare official website [https://www.timclarepoet.co.uk?utm_source=chatgpt.com] 🎧 Check out: * Couch to 80k * Death Of 1000 Cuts * The Game Changers 📬 Want to send us a poem or voice note for a future episode? Email: mark@wethepoets.com 🎧 Produced at Backland Studios with public funding from Arts Council England.

S2 E7 - Lessons And Learning (Ft. Jay Sandhu, Charley Genever, Leanne Moden, Keely Mills & Mark Grist), Leanne Moden & Mark Grist)

In the final episode of Series 2, all the hosts come together in the studio — Mark Grist, Leanne Moden, Keely Mills, Jay Sandhu and Charley Genever — to reflect on the past year. We talk honestly about freelance life, burnout, taking breaks, uncertainty, and the guilt that can come with slowing down. We also reflect on what this series has given us, and how much we’ve learned simply from listening properly to each other. The episode features listener poems from Shaq (Big), Dawn Vincent (How To Heal A Broken Heart), and Gareth Barsby (Tell Me Your Story), alongside reflections on conversations from across the series — including Theresa Lola, Hollie McNish, Murray Lachlan Young and John Berkavitch. We also talk about what might come next for the podcast, and ideas for a future series that takes us out of the studio and into poetry spaces around the UK. Thank you so much to everyone who has listened, shared work, and supported the series.  And thanks to Arts Council England for supporting this project with public funding. We've learnt so much in this process and hope to return soon!

S2 E6 - There Are Pheasants In The Field Again (Ft. Georgia Preece, Chris Barn & Mark Grist)

What does it mean to call yourself an artist — and who gets to decide which artists make the grade? In this episode of We, The Poets, Mark Grist is joined at Backland Studios by sound producer Chris Barn for a rare behind‑the‑scenes conversation about what it actually takes to make creative work happen — before welcoming poet, facilitator and community organiser Georgia Preece into the studio. Georgia is in the early stages of building a bold, grassroots, multi‑disciplinary arts celebration in Lincoln — one that centres creativity happening below the usual scenes and stages. From poems written in Notes apps to crochet on the sofa, dubstep-loving dads, Warhammer painters and artists who don’t yet call themselves artists, this episode explores creativity as something lived, not labelled. Alongside the conversation, we feature a powerful range of submitted poems, including: * Dan Webber with To All the Boys — a moving, hopeful reflection on queer representation and visibility. You can find more out about Dan here: https://linktr.ee/DanWebber [https://linktr.ee/DanWebber] * Lisa O’Hare with The Kids Are All Right. You can find out more about Lisa's work here: https://lisaoharewriter.com/ [https://lisaoharewriter.com/] * Brian F. Kirkham with Crows. You can find more of Brian's work here: https://inkdrops.blog [https://inkdrops.blog] * Louise Machen with My Ancestors Are From the North. :Listen to more from the audiobook 'Which Way the Words Grow' here: https://linktr.ee/shaks.sw [https://linktr.ee/shaks.sw] * John Dredge with Lunch with the Laureate * Dave Horgan with Anxiety Asylum. You can check out Dave';s TikTok here: https://www.tiktok.com/@dave.horgan.poet?_r=1&_t=ZN-92GbcgjSA9G [https://www.tiktok.com/@dave.horgan.poet?_r=1&_t=ZN-92GbcgjSA9G] * Lore Green with The Space in Between. Lore's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lore.green?igsh=MWtobzdkanM2NzFudg== [https://www.instagram.com/lore.green?igsh=MWtobzdkanM2NzFudg==] Georgia also performs her own urgent and uncompromising poem The Kids Aren't Alright, written in a single sitting and rooted in the realities facing young people today. Together, we talk about grief and creativity, labels and belonging, endless tasks that go into making larger projects happen, the joys of funding applications and spreadsheets, the quiet labour behind community projects — and why being “in between” - sitting in the gaps out of our audience's sight - might be exactly where artists do their best work. A reflective episode about process, patience, and making space for voices that don’t always get heard. We hope you enjoy it! 🎙️ Recorded at Backland Studios with support from Arts Council England

S1 E2: Transformations & Toolboxes (Ft. Ross Sutherland, Keely Mills, Charley Genever & Mark Grist)

How do you balance the act of creating poetry with the various other roles you have to play as a poet—editor, promoter, workshop leader, performer? Do you ever find it tiring juggling so many roles? In this episode Charley, Keely & Mark meet with Ross Sutherland to chat about Ross' poetry, theatre shows & even his recent opera. They also discuss the 90s alternative comedy circuit,  Ross' incredible podcast 'This Imaginary Life' and how best to clean up Andrew Motion's Jizz. We hope you enjoy listening as much as we enjoyed making it! Poems included: Ross shares his Univocal poem 'Two Moons' and we have guest appearances from Alex Tyler & James Domestic.  Link for Ross Sutherland's 'This Imaginary Life': https://www.imaginaryadvice.com/ Link for Alex Tyler's poetry night 'Good Shout': https://www.facebook.com/GoodShoutSpokenWord Link for James Domestic's new collection 'Domesticated Vol.2': https://jamesdomestic.com/product/940918

S2 E5 -To Glastonbury and Beyond (Ft. Berkavitch, Leanne Moden & Mark Grist)

What does it take to write a poem that captures a festival — and the internet — all at once? In this episode of We, The Poets, Mark Grist and Leanne Moden sit down at Backland Studios with performance poet, educator, and Glastonbury’s Poet in Residence 2025, John Berkavitch. Berkavitch reflects on the viral success of Here’s to Glastonbury — his love letter to the builders, dreamers, and grafters who make the festival happen — and what it’s like when a poem written in a muddy field reaches over 100,000 people. But more than that, he shares the craft behind the performance: how he maps gestures line by line, uses silence and rhythm to shift a crowd, and turns each gig into a genuine “happening.” Together, we explore how to make the most of your time on stage — whether you’re performing to fifteen people in a tent or thousands waiting for The Libertines. Berkavitch also performs Find Me at Glastonbury, written during his residency, and joins Mark and Leanne for a funny, generous, and deeply honest conversation about presence, individuality, and building a sustainable creative life. We’re also thrilled to feature two guest poets: Hazel Warren with Nest, a lyrical exploration of language and sound, and Helen Cross with The Final Apple Pie, a moving reflection on memory, endings, and the moments we never realise are our last. Packed with insight, humour, and heart — this episode is a celebration of craft, connection, and what really happens when poetry meets a live audience. 🎧 Find more of Berkavitch’s work at www.berkavitch.com [http://www.berkavitch.com]📝 Find more of Helen Cross’s work at https://helencrosswriting.wordpress.com/ [https://helencrosswriting.wordpress.com/] 💌 Want to feature your work on the show? Email wethepoetspodcast@gmail.com