“Love recklessly, unencumbered. Don’t be ashamed of your vulnerabilities... always focus on the joy and rally back towards the light.” - Michael Pedersen, in the Speakeasy.

Poet and novelist Michael Pedersen joins Shami Chakrabarti in the final episode of series 1, for a conversation about love, loss and the business of staying hopeful.

They talk about Michael's new book and first novel, Muckle Flugga - but also about friendship, grief and the importance of connection with each other.

Michael wrote his book Boy Friends in the wake of the loss by suicide of his best friend Scott Hutchison - singer-songwriter, artist, and founding member of indie rock band Frightened Rabbit.

A linguistic joy to listen to, this is a tender, funny and very fitting chat to close the opening run of Shami's Speakeasy.

Shami’s Speakeasy home and mailing list sign-up: [email protected]

Michael's non-fiction book Boy Friends - find it here or in your locally-owned bookshop.

Michael's novel Muckle Flugga - find it here or in your locally-owned bookshop

And PLEASE - if you've enjoyed listening to this first series of the Speakeasy, please send us your comments and reviews.

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Shami’s Speakeasy is a Bespoken Media Scotland production for Chaotic DoGooders.

Produced and edited by Ailish Hunter.

Artwork by Josh Moir.