Half Hour Mentor

This episode is the first of another two-part interview, this time featuring artist, photographer and filmmaker, Megan Powell. Megan is a lecturer at the University of Salford and, as you’ll hear in both episodes, is not only an inspiration to her students but also has suffered several traumatic experiences in her life that have had a dramatic impact on her approach to the creative arts. As a consequence, there are some distressing themes discussed and I have added some relevant helpline links below should you be impacted by any of the content.

Please follow / subscribe to the podcast series and leave a review where you can. You can learn more about the series by following @halfhourmentor on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook, or by visiting halfhourmentor.com. The series is completely independent of sponsorship and adverts so, if you would like to contribute to help keep it going, you can do so via the link below.

Megan Powell website: www.megan-powell.com

Cindy Sherman website (referred to in the interview): www.cindysherman.com

Univ. of Salford School of Arts, Media and Creative Technology: link here

Manchester Metropolitan University School of Digital Arts: link here

Royal College of Art: link here

Two helplines to contact if you have been affected by any of the issues discussed in this episode:

Refuge UK national domestic violence website: www.refuge.org.uk / 0808 2000 247

Childline: www.childline.org.uk / 0800 1111

National Domestic Violence (US) website: www.hotline.org / 1.800.799.SAFE (7233)

Donate to support Half Hour Mentor: website link here

Contact Ian Cleverdon directly: [email protected]

Follow the podcast on socials by searching for @halfhourmentor

Original theme music composed and performed by Ian Cleverdon.

Copyright 2023 Karona Sound

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode features an interview with critically-acclaimed UK-based singer-songwriter and storyteller, Reg Meuross. Reg’s professional musical career spans over five decades and his songs cover a wide variety of topics, all of which have a story and message to them. In the interview, he shares with us his first steps into the music business, how to make sure that you understand your purpose in live performance, and gives us some great songwriting tips.

Please follow / subscribe to the podcast series and leave a review where you can. You can learn more about the series by following @halfhourmentor on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook, or by visiting halfhourmentor.com. The series is completely independent of sponsorship and adverts so, if you would like to contribute to help keep it going, you can do so via the link below.

Reg Meuross website: www.regmeuross.com

Reg Meuross Patreon page: link here

Reg’s Half Hour Mentor Spotify playlist: link here

Photo by Rachel Snowden

Jeff Tweedy book mentioned by Ian: Amazon link here

Donate to support Half Hour Mentor: website link here

Contact Ian Cleverdon directly: [email protected]

Follow the podcast on socials by searching for @halfhourmentor

Original theme music composed and performed by Ian Cleverdon.

Copyright 2023 Karona Sound

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode features the second half of my interview with best-selling author, Paul Finch. Paul’s writing career started as a scriptwriter for the TV series The Bill, and has written and extensively in the horror and fantasy fiction genres, including for Dr Who. However, he is probably best known for his crime fiction, especially the highly successful Heckenberg and Clayburn series.

In this episode, Paul shares with us his approach to writing, his working regime, and offers advice on how you can get your stories and written work into the public domain. If you haven’t listened to Part 1, go back and listen to that first, as it will put a lot of the content in this episode into context.

Please follow / subscribe to the podcast series and leave a review where you can. You can learn more about the series by following @halfhourmentor on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook, or by visiting halfhourmentor.com. The series is completely independent of sponsorship and adverts so, if you would like to contribute to help keep it going, you can do so via this link.

Paul Finch website: www.paulfinchauthor.com

Paul’s Amazon page: link here

Photo: Jamie Spilsbury

Contact Ian Cleverdon directly: [email protected]

Follow the podcast on socials by searching for @halfhourmentor

Original theme music composed and performed by Ian Cleverdon.

Copyright 2023 Karona Sound

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is a first for the series, as this episode is the first of a two-part interview! It features best-selling author, Paul Finch. Paul’s writing career started as a scriptwriter for the TV series The Bill, and has written and extensively in the horror and fantasy fiction genres, including for Dr Who. However, he is probably best known for his crime fiction, especially the highly successful Heckenberg and Clayburn series.

In this first part, Paul shares his backstory with us; his experience working for the police and as a journalist, and how this influenced his writing career.

Please follow / subscribe to the podcast series and leave a review where you can. You can learn more about the series by following @halfhourmentor on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook, or by visiting halfhourmentor.com. The series is completely independent of sponsorship and adverts so, if you would like to contribute to help keep it going, you can do so via this link.

Paul Finch website: www.paulfinchauthor.com

Paul’s Amazon page: link here

Contact Ian Cleverdon directly: [email protected]

Follow the podcast on socials by searching for @halfhourmentor

Original theme music composed and performed by Ian Cleverdon.

Copyright 2023 Karona Sound

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we welcome one of the brightest rising starts in the folk and acoustic music world, Iona Lane. Iona’s music is full of inspiration from the wonderful British countryside. In this interview, she shares with us her early influences and her approach to songwriting and career management. This will be particularly useful for young musicians to learn how to forge a professional career in the today’s challenging arts world.

Please follow / subscribe to the podcast series and leave a review where you can. You can learn more about the series by following @halfhourmentor on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook, or by visiting halfhourmentor.com. The series is completely independent of sponsorship and adverts so, if you would like to contribute to help keep it going, you can do so via this link.

Iona’s website: www.ionalane.com

Iona’s Bandcamp page: link here

Iona’s YouTube channel: link here

Help Musicians website: www.helpmusicians.org.uk

Iona Lane HHM Spotify playlist: link here

Contact Ian Cleverdon directly: [email protected]

Follow the podcast on socials by searching for @halfhourmentor

Original theme music composed and performed by Ian Cleverdon.

Copyright 2023 Karona Sound

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this first episode of Series 3, we welcome award-winning singer-songwriter and producer, Boo Hewerdine. Boo’s career spans almost 40 years, ranging from his big label signing in the 1980s with his band, The Bible, through to solo work, regular collaboration with Eddi Reader, and songwriting and production duties for many, many more famous artists. He also runs several songwriting workshops around the UK, links to which can be found below.

Please follow / subscribe to the podcast series and leave a review where you can. You can learn more about the series by following @halfhourmentor on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook, or by visiting halfhourmentor.com. The series is completely independent of sponsorship and adverts so, if you would like to contribute to help keep it going, you can do so via this link.

Boo Hewerdine HHM Spotify playlist: link here

Boo’s YouTube channel: link here

Various workshops involving Boo: Stages, Halsway Manor (Jan-Feb 2024)

Talent Is Timeless programme: link here

Contact Ian Cleverdon directly: [email protected]

Follow the podcast on socials by searching for @halfhourmentor

Original theme music composed and performed by Ian Cleverdon.

Copyright 2023 Karona Sound

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the lead up to the launch of Series 3 in September 2023, here is a compilation of the invaluable advice provided by my Series 2 guests, triggered by the question I ask every guest at the end of each episode...

'Knowing what you know now, what one piece of advice would you give your younger self?'

This bonus episode focused on the creative arts, and featured contributions from Simon Phillips, Steve Bennett, Charlie Dore, Malcolm Hollingdrake, Matthew Smith, Katie Spencer, Simon McCleave, Findlay Napier, Neil Pearson and Lord Mike Storey.

Full episodes are available on all major streaming platforms, including Apple, Google, Amazon, Spotify and YouTube.

If you are interested in hiring Ian to produce a podcast series for you, please contact him via the details below.

Ian's website: www.karonasound.co.uk

Contact Ian Cleverdon directly: [email protected]

Original theme music composed and performed by Ian Cleverdon.

Copyright 2023 Karona Sound

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the lead up to the launch of Series 3 in September 2023, here is a compilation of the invaluable advice provided by my Series 1 guests, triggered by the question I ask every guest at the end of each episode...

'Knowing what you know now, what one piece of advice would you give your younger self?'

This bonus episode features contributions from Tim Williams, Helen Tonks, Andy Burnham, Prof. Hannah Holmes, Shaub Gamote, Kellie Noon, Rikki Arundel, Brendan Riley, Rebecca Ellis and Prof. Paul McGee.

Full episodes are available on all major streaming platforms, including Apple, Google, Amazon, Spotify and YouTube.

If you are interested in hiring Ian to produce a podcast series for you, please contact him via the details below.

Ian's website: www.karonasound.co.uk

Contact Ian Cleverdon directly: [email protected]

Original theme music composed and performed by Ian Cleverdon.

Copyright 2023 Karona Sound

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this short, bonus episode, I fire my quick-fire questions at life peer and ex-leader of Liverpool City Council, Lord Mike Storey. His career journey is inspirational, and he still has a passion for supporting education, young people and the creative arts. This is the last of the bonus episodes for Series Two.

Please follow / subscribe to the podcast series and leave a review where you can. You can learn more about the series by following @halfhourmentor on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook, or by visiting halfhourmentor.com. 

Half Hour Mentor website: www.halfhourmentor.com

Half Hour Mentor social media links: Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter

Ian Cleverdon’s  LinkedIn page: link here

Contact Ian Cleverdon directly: [email protected]

Original theme music composed and performed by Ian Cleverdon.

Copyright 2023 Karona Sound

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this final episode of Series Two, Lord Mike Storey shares his experiences of developing a career in politics alongside a career in teaching. He spearheaded the team that helped Liverpool gain its title of European Capital of Culture in 2008, and is currently the Liberal Democrat spokesperson for education in the House of Lords. His mentorship is a great way to end a series on personal development in the creative arts.

Please follow / subscribe to the podcast series and leave a review where you can. You can learn more about the series by following @halfhourmentor on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook, or by visiting halfhourmentor.com. 

Half Hour Mentor website: www.halfhourmentor.com

Half Hour Mentor social media links: Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter

Ian Cleverdon’s  LinkedIn page: link here

Contact Ian Cleverdon directly: [email protected]

Original theme music composed and performed by Ian Cleverdon.

Copyright 2023 Karona Sound

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.