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Nina Donovan's brilliant poem Nasty Woman moves me so much every time I hear it, or read it. It's such a joy to welcome Charley to the podcast here

Listen to Nina perform her poem here  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvN0On85sNQ

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In this episode, I'm joined by GP Jo Maher as we delve into Jackie Kay’s evocative poem “Three Little Birds” We explore grief, memory, the power of music and the possibility of an earworm from beyond the grave

Whether you’re familiar with her work or discovering it for the first time, this episode offers a heartfelt look at one of Jackie Kay’s most moving poems.

we mentioned Jo's partner's poetry podcast which you can find here: https://www.chris-jones.org.uk/

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It's a real treat to welcome one of my all time medical humanities heroes to the podcast again this week. Sam Guglani is an oncologist, poet and novelist. He is the curator of the incredible Medicine Unboxed, hosting a festival which I've thoroughly enjoyed attending and this wonderful podcast https://soundcloud.com/medicineunboxed

Sam was generous enough to give up his time to talk about his wonderful novel Histories back in season 2  (listen here:  https://bedsidereading.buzzsprout.com/1880290/episodes/11212760-histories) and it was so lovely to spend time talking with him again, this time about Preparation by Czeslaw Milosz. 

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I'm not sure I can say I have a favourite poet but if I were forced to choose the incredible Hollie McNish would be up there as a hot favourite.

Lizz Lidbury and I are talking about one of our favourite of her poems today Arguing in the Headmaster's Office.   As the mother of teenage girls this one spoke to me (and is one of the only literature sources my older teen and I can both agree on the brilliance of!!)

It's clearly best when ready by Hollie herself so here's a link  https://www.tiktok.com/@holliemcnish/video/7246103333604248859

Enjoy, we did!!

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There is a wonderful recording of James Fenton reading this wonderful poem here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-D3KcWVfQS8 it is well worth listening to.

Follow Tom on bluesky here: https://bsky.app/profile/tpoates.bsky.social

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Welcome to the third in a short special series of "Bedside Poetry" podcasts.

One poem, one guest, one conversation....

I'm delighted to welcome psychiatrist and writer Sabina Dosani to explore "Visit to the Vets" by Ilse Pedler

Listen here to Ilse Pedler reading her poem herself:
https://youtu.be/p3LTxg1SnP0?si=bMtri4HsTIAGMKcb

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Welcome to the first of a short special series of "Bedside Poetry" podcasts.

One poem, one guest, one conversation....

I'm delighted to welcome neonatologist and poet Beth Osmond to explore Angel Nafis' poem "Ode to Dalya's Bald Spot"

find the poem here:
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poetrymagazine/poems/149508/ode-to-dalyas-bald-spot

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This is the last episode in season eight of the podcast. What a season we've had, finishing off with discussion of Soldier Sailor by Claire Kilroy. I'm delighted to welcome Laura Shtaingos to the podcast today. Laura wears a number of hats, mostly working within the perinatal mental health space. And it was really, really good to be talking to her about Claire Kilroy's extraordinary, raw novel. which I think brings up lots of themes very pertinent for anybody who is looking after young parents, parents of small children, and looking after children, recognising that children do not exist in a vacuum.

I would say if you are a new parent yourself and really struggling, this book might be a big challenge. It might be one where you really feel seen, heard and normalised or it might be quite traumatic and quite triggering. So I think it needs to come with a bit of a warning, but it was absolutely wonderful to welcome Laura today and really to think about this novel and what we can take away from it.

Laura volunteers with https://www.babyumbrella.org.uk/

Find Laura here: https://www.westkentcounsellor.co.uk/how-i-work

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I'm delighted to welcome Abi Lucking, GP and Medical Educator to Bedside Reading today. We are talking about Dirty Laundry by Richard Pink and Roxanne Emery. You may have come across Rich and Rox. They are the couple ADHD_love_ frequently to be found on Instagram and on Facebook and TikTok.  It was really, really good to find that they had written a great book, which is very short, very accessible, very readable, and one of the most compassionate and wise books I've read in the last few months. I really, really enjoyed it, and I've really enjoyed exploring it with Abi: thinking about ADHD, being the partner of somebody with ADHD, supporting colleagues or trainees who are or might have ADHD. It's a really, really good book and I have thoroughly, thoroughly enjoyed thinking about it.

Abi recommended the book ADHD effect on marriage by Melissa Orlov
https://adhdmarriage.com/content/adhd-effect-marriage-understand-and-rebuild-your-relationship-six-steps