*TRIGGER WARNING* The topics discussed on this podcast may be triggering for those following the news story around the disappearance of Sarah Everard last week. 

My guest this week is poet Hollie McNish. Hollie had been described by critics as ‘a bewildering law unto herself’ – and, you know what, that’s pretty accurate. 

Forget everything you thought you knew about poetry – Hollie, who formerly went by the pseudonym Hollie Poetry, is a far cry from the poets you learnt about for your GCSE coursework. She writes her poetry in the Notes section of her iPhone, is unafraid to cover topics that others shy away from – from masturbation to breastfeeding – and was the first poet to record a spoken word album at the Abbey Road Studios in London. This is one of my favourite interviews I’ve done for the podcast so far, and I hope you get a lot from listening to this episode.

It’s important to mention that this episode – in which we discuss the many ways women are made to feel endangered when physically alone – has take on an eerie resonance after the disappearance of Sarah Everard this week. My decision to share our conversation in its entirety means it will, I hope, contribute to the important conversation going on right now about women’s right to occupy public spaces without fear. If you are in any way affected by the issues raised, know that my heart goes out to you and that you should never be afraid of opening up about your concerns and fears, and amplifying your struggles to those who don’t believe their validity. Keep speaking up.

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You can pre-order Hollie McNish's book, Slug, from Waterstones now.

My book, Alonement: How to be alone and absolutely own it, is available to order now on Amazon, Waterstones, Bookshop.org and all good booksellers.

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Twitter: @ChezSpecter @holliepoetry

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