I Am Not Calm Podcast

About the poets:

Pippa is a mum with Autism and ADHD, she has two girls, and is creative in many ways, such as being able to play multiple instruments, making jewellery, crocheting, singing, and painting. She is passionate about people with learning disabilities being accepted and supported, rather than just tolerated. Her faith (Christianity) keeps her grounded, no matter what life throws at her.

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Joe is a gay, autistic poet, living in Manchester. He uses poetry as a form of expression to record feelings and emotions that may otherwise be left unsaid, regularly performing at spoken word nights across the city.

Today I share one of my own poems, and a poem by Julia Webb.

About Julia:

Julia’s ambitions to be a writer started when she was six-years-old and read The Enchanted Wood by Enid Blyton. She later did her degree in creative writing at at the age of 40, before going on to do an MA in poetry at the University of East Anglia.

Her book can be found at

https://ninearchespress.com/publications/poetry-collections/grey-time

Today, I’m sharing poems by Majella Whittaker, and David Hardy.

About the poets:

Majella is a late identified autistic mum of 3 autistic boys. She is a full-time parent and carer and is a passionate writer and advocate - navigating the education system for 13 years, to get the right support for her children.

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David has written his poem about his daughter. He began by writing poems for family and friends, then in 2023, he published his debut poetry collection, which is called Off-Beat Spark.

Today, I’m sharing poems by two more writers to mark National Poetry Writing Month and World Autism Acceptance Month

About the poets:

Rob Mason is a multi-disciplinary artist hailing from Blackpool. Under his current hat of ‘poet’, Rob’s work focuses on philosophical musings about life’s quandaries.

An ardent supporter of promoting Blackpool in the best light, Rob was recently selected as one of the Southbank Centre’s 75th New Poets Collective and hopes that through this appointment he can raise the towns cultural profile and offering.

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As well as writing poetry Karen writes fiction and is the author of young adult sci-fi novel Afterwards. She also teaches creative writing to adults at Warrington & Vale Royal college.

Today I’m sharing poems from two poets for National Poetry Writing Month, and World Autism Acceptance Month.

About the poets:

Dawn has been writing for years, but only recently started to share her work. She been published online by Mike O’Brien in Sixty Odd Poets, by Tim Fellows in The Fig Tree and by Annie Acres in her Urban Scrawl.

She also has two poems published in Ourselves Reflected Back, (Flux) anthology and soon to be published in The Fig Tree (Women’s Issue) anthology due this summer.

Although Dawn is not autistic, her poem ‘My Way’ is inspired by a friend, who she would have no other way.

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Joe is a gay, autistic poet, living in Manchester. He uses poetry as a form of expression to record feelings and emotions that may otherwise be left unsaid, regularly performing at spoken word nights across the city.

Todays poem is by Caroline Lisle. This is her first time taking part in something like this.

To listen to more poems for World Autism Acceptance Month and National Poetry Writing Month, remember to subscribe to the podcast.

Today’s poem is by Courtney Ward.

About Courtney:

Courtney has been published in several anthologies including “Our Time and Space” by Writing East Midlands, “Speak Out” by The Word Association, and Sisterhood anthology for Sisterhood Festival in Bradford, been a featured artist at Prickly Pear, and Speak your Mind, among others, and also, talked at and collaborated with local charities, and performed at festivals, such as Kettfest, and Corby Pride.

Today, I’m sharing a poem written and read by Kate Rigby.

I’m sharing poems throughout April to mark World Autism Acceptance Month, and National Poetry Writing Month.

Please subscribe if you like what you hear.

Today’s poem is by Kerry Brooks.

Bio:

Kerry Brooks is a writer based in Culcheth, Warrington. Drawn to a quieter and more meaningful life, she stepped away from corporate law to build her small, eco-conscious business, Iris Charles, rooted in heritage, storytelling and traditional craft. She is autistic and has ADHD, experiences that shape both her creative practice and her voice. She is currently writing her first chapter book for children.

Today I’m sharing poems by Amanda Crundall, and Jaymes Buckman to mark World Autism Acceptance Month, and National Poetry Writing Month.

About the poets:

Amanda Crundall (a.k.a. “The Glam Poet”), is an accomplished and multi-faceted author, poet, spoken word performer, poetry workshop facilitator and radio presenter, at Beverley FM

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Jaymes Buckman is a nonbinary, autistic, glam rock singer and a poet who has also dabbled in acting and modelling.