The Creative Resistance x Wee Sparrow Poetry Podcast: A Conversation with Malika Booker

Darren McGarvey on the Trauma Industrial Complex

“Most people aren’t comfortable telling that…story of trauma. They want to tell the side of what happened to them and how it hurt—not how they are dysregulated around their own children, or how they shut other people’s emotions down because they can’t cope.” Darren McGarvey In this episode, Scott Cassidy sits down with Darren McGarvey [https://substack.com/profile/144859627-darren-mcgarvey] —the Orwell Prize-winning author, broadcaster, and hip-hop artist known as Loki. From his creative roots in Glasgow to becoming one of Britain’s most vital cultural commentators, Darren discusses the intersection of creativity, class, and the modern “trauma industry.” The conversation dives deep into the “proximity gap” in British media, the necessity of personal agency in the face of systemic failure, and the risks of commodifying personal pain in a digital world. Key Takeaways * Creativity as an Escape: Darren shares how hip-hop provided an accessible “flow state” during his youth, offering a refuge from anxiety and a tool for direct expression without the barriers to entry found in traditional theatre or arts. * The “Stamp of Legitimacy”: A candid look at how winning the Orwell Prize changed how Darren was perceived in middle-class media spheres and the “emotional labour” required to navigate different social tiers. * Agency vs. Systemic Change: Darren addresses the controversy surrounding his stance on personal responsibility. He argues that while systems are often rigged, individuals cannot wait for a revolution to “fix it in post”—they must operate the machinery of their own lives today. * The Trauma Industrial Complex: A critique of how social media encourages the premature disclosure of trauma. Darren discusses the dangers of “visibility before healing” and why surviving an event is not the same as recovering from it. * The Power of Peer Support: Drawing from his 10+ years in the recovery community, Darren highlights how 12-step programs and mutual aid provide a radical, localised alternative to overstretched state services. About the Guest Darren McGarvey is a Scottish author, broadcaster and cultural commentator. His work explores class, poverty, trauma and political culture in modern Britain. He is the author of Poverty Safari, which won the Orwell Prize, and The Social Distance Between Us, shortlisted for the Rathbones Folio Prize. His latest book, Trauma Industrial Complex: How Oversharing Became a Product in a Digital World, examines the risks and contradictions of public storytelling in the social media age. He is also an award-winning hip hop artist, performing as Loki. Resources & Links Mentioned * Follow Darren: @darren_mcgarvey [https://www.instagram.com/darren_mcgarvey] on Instagram. * Books: Poverty Safari, The Social Distance Between Us, and Trauma Industrial Complex. * Upcoming Tour Dates: Check out the Trauma Industrial Complex live show and grab tickets here [https://linktr.ee/darrenmcgarvey?fbclid=IwdGRjcAO_T5tjbGNrA79PlmV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHqyb-mmLnjWAFdSThDYWL8V1qKxBKfyJL8A7VZxPNQSKJwIXCTa2-0AB9qzJ_aem_SpTqkotWtaLCOaIyClNJEg&utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio] * Creative Mentions: Victoria McNulty, Alan Bissett, and Kevin P. Gilday. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecreativeresistancepodcast.substack.com [https://thecreativeresistancepodcast.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Collective Action & Solidarity: Inside the FBU with Scottish Chair Gus Sproul

The union is more than a pay negotiation—it’s a bulwark against extremism and a lifeline for the working class. Gus Sproul, Scottish Chair, FBU In this episode, we sit down with Gus Sproul, a firefighter of over 20 years and currently the Scottish Regional Chair of the FBU. Gus takes us beyond the sirens to explore the union’s role as a ‘bulwark against extremism’ and a hub for international solidarity. From the front lines of fire safety in Scotland to sending fire engines to Palestine, Gus explains why organised labour is the ultimate tool for challenging systemic injustice. The conversation takes a poignant turn as Scott and Gus discuss the "hidden killer" facing the fire service. Scott was an operational fire fighter for 10 years and was recently diagnosed with an incurable form of leukaemia. Ground-breaking research funded by the FBU has revealed a terrifying reality: firefighters’ mortality rate from all cancers is 1.6 times higher than the general population. For those in the 35–39 age bracket, the cancer rate is up to 323% higher than their peers in other professions. Most strikingly for Scott’s own journey, the study found that firefighters are over 3 times more likely to die from Leukaemia. These aren't just numbers; they represent a systemic failure to protect those who run into burning buildings, with many being diagnosed with rare or terminal cancers far too late because current NHS screening doesn't account for these heightened occupational risks. Positive cultural changes have been made and improvement continues thanks to the FBU. Guest: Gus Sproul * Role: Scottish Regional Chair of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU). * Background: A 25-year veteran of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. He moved into full-time union leadership in 2022. * Perspective: Gus is a vocal proponent of working-class political education, viewing the union as a vital source of social awareness and a primary defense against legislative attacks on workers. The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) The FBU is the democratic voice for the UK’s firefighters and control staff. Beyond negotiating pay and conditions, the union is a leader in: * Safety & Standards: Driving the research and legislation required to protect crews from operational hazards. * Equality: Hosting dedicated sections for B&EMM, LGBT+, and Women members to ensure a protected, diverse workforce. * Internationalism: Providing life-saving equipment and training to firefighters in conflict zones, including Palestine, through global solidarity initiatives. The Fight for Firefighter Health A deeply personal segment of this episode focuses on the link between firefighting and occupational cancer—a subject of particular resonance for host Scott, a ten-year veteran of the service and a sufferer of CML (Chronic Myeloid Leukemia). * Contaminants & Carcinogens: Discussion on the FBU’s “DECON” campaign, which aims to change fire service culture regarding toxic fire effluents and skin absorption. * The Legislative Battle: Why the union is fighting for “presumptive legislation,” ensuring that firefighters who develop certain cancers are automatically recognized as having an occupational disease rather than being left to fight for recognition alone. In This Episode, We Discuss: * The shift from 1980s community-rooted unionism to today’s legislative challenges. * The reality of occupational cancer and the urgent need for better health protections for crews. * Why international solidarity is a core pillar of the FBU’s mission. * How collective action serves as the ultimate tool for challenging systemic injustice. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecreativeresistancepodcast.substack.com [https://thecreativeresistancepodcast.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Victoria McNulty on Stories as Social Archive, Gentrification and the Problem with Robert Burns.

In this episode of The Creative Resistance Podcast, Scott Cassidy sits down with award-winning poet and writer Victoria McNulty. From a deep dive into the creative roots of her Glasgow upbringing to her fierce critique of the Robert Burns legacy, Victoria discusses why working-class stories are a form of social archive and why true grassroots art is the ultimate weapon against gentrification. She also shares a brand new poem - Nettles - that is jaw-droppingly brilliant. In This Episode, We Discuss: The Creative Origin Story: How 60s records, Britpop, and The Streets shaped her poetic voice. The "Irish-Not-Irish" Experience: Exploring the immigrant identity through the lens of The Pogues and folk music. Art as Social Archive: Why Victoria believes working-class art should be told by the community, not just "preserved" by outsiders. The Ghost of Robert Burns: A candid look at the censorship and backlash Victoria faced for challenging the "Weinsteinian" aspects of Scotland’s national bard. Urban Decay & Policy: The reality of Glasgow’s changing landscape, from the loss of historic buildings to the rise of "student flat" capitalism. Key Quotes: "I always thought... it’s about writing stories that people can relate to. There’s not much in the way of working-class art going on in Scotland, and if there is, you’ve got to fit into a certain bracket." "I’ve never been censored more in Scotland than I have for criticising Robert Burns." Bio: Victoria McNulty is an award winning poet, writer and performer from the East End of Glasgow. Her poetry collection Confessionals and Exiles have been published by Speculative Books. Confessionals was developed into a spoken word theatre show by Sonnet Youth and toured nationally to critical acclaim, while Exiles was developed into a feature theatre film directed by David Hayman JR and Kevin P Gilday. Work from the latter won the 2022 Annual John Byrne award. Victoria is the former Paisley Book Festival Writer in Residence, a former Artist in Residence with Gal Gael as part of the Dandelion Festival 2022 and participant in Edinburgh Book Festival's Outriders Project 2023. Her work has been featured in publications and events by the BBC 6 Music Festival, the Glasgow Story Telling Festival, Nutmeg, Feile and Phobail (Belfast), Edinburgh Festival, the James Connolly Festival (Dublin) and Neu Reekie! She was named Writer o the Year at the 2021 Scots Language Awards and shortlisted with commendations at the prestigious Anne Brown Award at Wigtown Book Festival 2023. She currently works in community outreach for the Scottish Poetry Library.  Resources & People Mentioned: Poetry Collections: Confessionals and Exiles (Speculative Books). Influences: Seamus Heaney, Shane McGowan (The Pogues), Mike Skinner (The Streets), and Joe Strummer. Community Projects: Cranhill Arts, GalGael, and the Scottish Poetry Library. Writers/Artists: Alan Bissett, Liz Lochhead, Graham Armstrong, and Katherine Joseph. Connect with Victoria: Instagram: @victoriamcnultypoet [https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.instagram.com/victoriamcnultypoet] Substack: victoriamcnulty.substack.com [http://victoriamcnulty.substack.com]  Support The Creative Resistance: If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review. Your support helps us amplify voices that challenge the status quo. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecreativeresistancepodcast.substack.com [https://thecreativeresistancepodcast.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

The Creative Resistance x Wee Sparrow Poetry Podcast: A Conversation with Malika Booker

...the poem is an empathy machine. And I think that is what the poetry can do, that rhetoric can't do. Malika Booker In this collaborative episode, Scott Cassidy (The Creative Resistance Podcast) joins forces with pal Claire Thom (The Wee Sparrow Poetry Podcast) to welcome the mighty poet, educator, and community-builder Malika Booker. A pioneering force in contemporary poetry, Malika is a lecturer at Manchester Metropolitan University, co-founder of the legendary Malika’s Poetry Kitchen, and the first woman to win the Forward Prize for Best Single Poem twice. Her work spans continents, histories, and poetic traditions — and her influence on literary communities is immeasurable. Together, we explore: The origins and ethos of Malika’s Poetry Kitchen — how a kitchen table became a radical space for craft, equity, and collective learning. Poetry as resistance: its power to bear witness, disrupt oppressive narratives, and cultivate empathy in a frightening and unstable world. Community as intervention — the importance of DIY spaces, peer mentorship, and cultural lineage. How poetry can help decolonise history, reclaim erased narratives, and challenge literary gatekeeping. The tensions around trigger warnings, audience fragility, and the politics of “identity.” Malika’s poetic elders, influences, and how they shaped her voice and responsibility as a writer. Readings from Pepper Seed and her forthcoming collection, including new work rooted in the language of the King James Bible, Caribbean rituals, and women’s stories. This episode is a rich and deeply resonant conversation about art, ancestry, resistance, and the communities that help us create. Connect Malika Booker: Instagram - @malika.booker The Creative Resistance Podcast: Instagram - @thecreativeresistancepodcast Substack - substack.com/@thecreativeresistancepodcast The Wee Sparrow Poetry Podcast: Instagram - @theweesparrowpoetrypodcast Substack - substack.com/@theweesparrowpoetrypress [http://substack.com/@theweesparrowpoetrypress] www.theweesparrowpoetrypress.com/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecreativeresistancepodcast.substack.com [https://thecreativeresistancepodcast.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Dani Larkin on Making 'Next of Kin', the Magic of Music and Creative Intuition

“Music is one of the most present mysteries that we have — in how it connects us and transforms us.” “Living within two worlds showed me that if there are two possibilities, there are infinite ones.” — Dani Larkin In this episode, Scott Cassidy is joined by Irish folk artist Dani Larkin — a Belfast‑based singer‑songwriter and multi‑instrumentalist whose work bridges contemporary folk and ancient storytelling traditions. Her internationally acclaimed debut Notes For A Maiden Warrior brought her to stages at SXSW, WOMEX, and tours with Snow Patrol, Lisa O’Neill and Glen Hansard. She is a PRS Foundation Creator of the Year (2025) and RTÉ Folk Awards nominee whose collaborations include performances with both the Ulster Orchestra and RTÉ Concert Orchestra. Dani’s new album Next of Kin (2026) has been praised as “a transformational experience” (MOJO) expanding her sound into a more cinematic, immersive world that sees her own songs hold space – and hold their own - alongside some traditional and well-loved tracks. What We Discuss * Growing up on the Irish borderlands and how liminal spaces shaped her creativity * Music as connection: Dani’s experience using songwriting in peace‑building work in places like Palestine * Intuition in artistry: why she trusts instinct over theory * The making of Next of Kin — its cinematic scope, traditional influences, and emotional architecture * Recent orchestral performances, including her appearance with the Ulster Orchestra and a 200‑piece choir Connect with Dani Website & tour dates: www.danilarkin.com [http://www.danilarkin.com] Newsletter: Feather & Flint | Dani Larkin | Substack [https://danilarkin.substack.com/] Instagram: @dani_larkin_New album: Next of Kin — out now This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecreativeresistancepodcast.substack.com [https://thecreativeresistancepodcast.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]