Have A Kind Word With: Culain Wood

Have A Kind Word With: Sairish Hussain

“Books have always been these magical things to me.” This was a truly uplifting chat with author Sairish Hussain. We talk about finding inspiration in everyday life, and the huge importance of self-compassion, curiosity, solitude, and rest. We share a huge love of books and how, as Sairish says, “You have to be a reader to be a writer.”   Instagram: @sairish.hussain [https://www.instagram.com/sairish.hussain/] Books: https://harpercollins.co.uk/blogs/authors/sairish-hussain [https://harpercollins.co.uk/blogs/authors/sairish-hussain]  Benjamin Zephaniah Poem 'Naked': https://lacuna.org.uk/equality/naked-benjamin-zephaniah-poem-text/ [https://lacuna.org.uk/equality/naked-benjamin-zephaniah-poem-text/] Benjamin Zephaniah Documentary ‘A Picture of Birmingham’: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6SJDa4KkWU [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6SJDa4KkWU]  Elizabeth Day Podcast with Benjamin Zephaniah:  https://open.spotify.com/episode/2nURxPg3jHaR5ZCSrhhf1v [https://open.spotify.com/episode/2nURxPg3jHaR5ZCSrhhf1v] James Baldwin and Maya Angelou interview:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ut-ZQMzEkpg&t=458s [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ut-ZQMzEkpg&t=458s]   How to Write a Novel course with Sairish: https://brontewritingcentre.uk/how-to-write-a-novel-and-get-it-published/ [https://brontewritingcentre.uk/how-to-write-a-novel-and-get-it-published/]    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: Culain Wood

“Notice when people are being kind and they're acknowledging the importance of other creatives.” Football somehow keeps getting mentioned! But in this chat with acclaimed poet Culain Wood, it totally works. I speak with Culain about connections, community, and variety in his creative work. We talk about bigging up other artists (see the giant list of links below!) and celebrating those who have influenced us. Plus, we hear about upcoming projects, including a book collaboration with his sister Niamh and a house EP with Manchester producer, Blem. Also, be sure to check out Rhyming Words on the second Monday of every other month at the Rat & Pigeon in Manchester.    Culain Wood: www.instagram.com/culainwoodthepoet [https://www.instagram.com/culainwoodthepoet/] Dominic Berry: https://dominicberry.net [https://dominicberry.net/] Dave Viney: www.instagram.com/vineypoet [https://www.instagram.com/vineypoet/] Kieren King: www.instagram.com/kierenjking [https://www.instagram.com/kierenjking]  Biz Bond: www.instagram.com/bizm.s [https://www.instagram.com/bizm.s/?hl=en] Paul Robb: www.instagram.com/paulospictures [http://www.instagram.com/paulospictures/] Mike Garry: www.mikegarry.co.uk [https://www.mikegarry.co.uk/] Stephen Bundy: www.instagram.com/twistedillustration [http://www.instagram.com/twistedillustration/] Poets Palace:  www.instagram.com/poets_palace [http://www.instagram.com/poets_palace/] Verbose: www.verbosemcr.co.uk [http://www.verbosemcr.co.uk]  Becky May: www.beckymaywriter.com [http://www.beckymaywriter.com]  Ilaria the Storyteller: https://ilariathestoryteller.com/ [https://ilariathestoryteller.com/]  Blem: www.instagram.com/p/DXb5YF9ikn_ [http://www.instagram.com/p/DXb5YF9ikn_]  Which Way The Words Grow: www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6hVVNrtjZI [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6hVVNrtjZI]    Eric Cantona’s speech at Together for Palestine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMaFTik59NE [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMaFTik59NE]  The Man Who Planted Trees: www.puppetstate.com/shows/the-man-who-planted-trees [http://www.puppetstate.com/shows/the-man-who-planted-trees]  Nuts and Bolts: www.winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-life/2025/10/31/throwback-festive-snack [http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-life/2025/10/31/throwback-festive-snack]    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: 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.