Such a treat this week to speak with Melody Brown, actor, horse rider and one third of Wondermare along with C. Amanda Maud and Daniel York " a semi-acoustic trio of middle-aged hapa actors... playing quirky folk-rock originals and eccentric covers." 

Mel and I covered so much! We began with her love of Hastings and the hope found in the kindness there, the pleasure to be enjoyed in being kind yourself. 

We moved on to her career as an actor and the how live performance can increase empathy, and help us to understand "the complexity of what it is to be human". She speaks about her recent experience as part of the diverse cast at the RSC, full of people of "all cultures, races, colours, disabilities" and the importance and hope of that diversity. 

Mel speaks about her experience as a bipolar person in a mental health system which is full of "talented people ... who want to do their best but are let down by this government' and how we need "money money money" for the NHS mental health services.

She speaks beautifully about the healing power of her relationship with Miranda the horse " you can't think about the future,  you can't think about the past, when you are with your horse, you are one entity, and it is the most "now" I have ever been"

Mel gives great insight into how we can best help each other at times of mental health crisis " you don't need someone to solve it, you need someone to say that really sucks and I'm sorry.. to listen and not judge"

Mel recommended a book called Fully Automated Luxury Communism by Aaron Batini  as a blueprint to a possible utopia, you can find it at Hastings independent bookshop here 

We didn't get to chat about the band! But you can listen to the mighty Wondermare here

My book "How To Be Hopeful" is out now and is available from all the usual places, including many lovely independents such as Whitstable's newly opened Harbour Books. You can visit them here 

Thanks for listening- more soon

Love Bernadette