In this podcast with Mike Garry, we focus on the importance and value of expressing our language through poetry. In a truly illuminating conversation, where Mike also kindly reads two poems aloud, we get into a whole range of discussion points about the importance of reading and language, his work with thousands of kids a year, and finding empathy, knowledge and understanding through poetry. I'd imagine this will stick with me for a while - thanks for your time Mike! Listen here!

Mike Garry was a librarian for 15 years before becoming a poet. Mike became a “Champion Reader” recognized for his work in promoting reading to young people.  His poetry career began when he started to read his poems to the hundreds of young people he worked with during study sessions. They loved what they heard and encouraged him to perform at live poetry events and Slams, which he did, instantly winning prizes throughout the UK. Mike started performing his poems in Prisons, Young Offenders units, Mental Health Hospitals, Children’s Homes and local pubs.  Shaun Ryder of Happy Mondays recently described Mike’s poetry as “The best street poetry I’ve ever heard” and iconic designer Peter Saville described Mikes as a “genius” He was Poet in Residence at Strangeways Prison, and has works closely with Manchester United, the BBC, The Barclays Premier league, Manchester Museum of Science and Industry, Manchester Art Gallery and works at literature festivals throughout the world.