On the Irregular with Java Bere

In this episode I talk to Fola Agbalaya, a vintage furniture upholsterer, with a passion for mid-century designs. Working from her South Manchester workshop, Fola sources furniture from all over Europe and breathes a new life back into each unique piece.

Originally from London, Fola talked to me about her dramatic career pivot in her late forties after a succesful career of working in HR. We talk about the creative pull and allowing ourselves to embrace it, the huge shift of leaving a stable career for a creative path and what it’s like when your initial plan fails.

If you’re considering making a change or trying out something new, Fola’s positivity and determination might just be the boost you need to hear, to take that chance. I came away from this chat feeling inspired and excited and I hope you do too.

Welcome to episode one of Season two, with upholsterer and pep talk extraordinaire, Fola Agbalaya.

You can find Fola’s beautiful upholstery work online at squaretwofurniture.co.uk and on instagram @square_2furniture 

Thank you so much for listening to ‘On the Irregular’. You can support the podcast by rating, reviewing, subscribing, sharing on social media and if you can donating to my Buy Me a Coffee. Every single little bit of support helps us in creating 'On the Irregular'!

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This week I talked to my partner Jon, who doesn’t identify as a woman, but for this bonus episode, I asked him to chat with me while we picked up ingredients at the market and returned home to make lunch on a cold, bright winter morning.

I wanted to discuss the last couple of years since we both started our businesses, and Jon gave up his full time job at Manchester University. The timing of this, combined with a global pandemic and several lockdowns have made it an intense time, challenging in ways none of could have ever expected.

Welcome to a chat between two tired parents who often struggle to finish sentences and generally fail to arrive at any particular conclusion, but really enjoy market day and pottering in the kitchen.

A warning, this episode contains a couple of expletives.

Before I sign off for this season until the new year, I’d like to say thank you. To the fascinating women who agreed to talk to me and offer me their time and wisdom

To the wonderful, supportive listeners who reviewed the podcast, sent me overwhelmingly kind messages and welcomed us into their worlds.

To my friend Mush who came up with the name ‘On the Irregular’, whilst sleep deprived and caring for a newborn.

And to Jon, without whom, many of my ideas would remain a scribble in a notepad.

Amidst the global madness, creating this podcast has without a doubt, been a personal highlight of 2021. I have found it invigorating, exciting and fulfilling in endless ways. I feel like it has completed a part of me I didn’t know was missing. 

And for those who like plenty of notice, pop September 10th 2022 in your diaries, because, in my opinion, the main way to improve a podcast is to throw a podcast party.

In the meantime, enjoy the thirteen wonderful episodes we have recorded this year, and keep your ears alert for season two coming in early 2022.

Thank you. 

Java 

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This week I’m talking to my dear friend and colleague, the photographer and educator, Laura Carly Adams.

In this chat we grasshopper all over the place.

We go from the value of community, to how photography changed Laura’s life, to the power of sharing our stories and finding purpose after the early years of motherhood.

Laura is a firework of enthusiasm and determination, and has the wonderful ability to make us all want to hitch onto her journey up into the bright sky.

A warning, there is a mild expletive in reference to endless days at the playground with the pram.

Welcome to episode thirteen with the woman who captures light and joy like no one else I know, Laura Carly Adams.

You can find Laura on Instagram @lenseleven and online at lenseleven.com where you will find information about her courses ‘Start Where You Are’ and ‘Next level’, and how to book Laura as a photographer.

Thank you so much for listening to ‘On the Irregular’, please make sure you review and subscribe as it helps other listeners find us!

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This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit javacbere.substack.com

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This week I'm talking to Jenny Oakenfull, baker and co-owner of Longboi's Bakehouse in South Manchester.

Originally from York, Jenny left school with an armful of A grades and very little idea of what she wanted to do.

Because her academic learning skills were strong, she was encouraged to pursue the academic route and applied to do Geography at uni.

Nearly fifteen years later, via several other cafes, bakeries and patisseries, Jenny has now co-opened a bakery and patisserie in South Manchester.

On the corner of a quiet street lined with red brick houses, you will find a refuge for your sweet tooth, filled with cakes and pastries worthy of Marie Antoinette. If you’re lucky, it won’t be raining when you join the queue winding out the door.

Join us to find out how Jenny got here, what it was like opening a food business amidst a apndemic and why she loves the food and hospitality business quite so much.

Welcome to episode twelve with baker extraordinaire, Jenny Oakenfull.

Website:  longboisbakehouse.com

Instagram: @longboisbakes and @jenny_oak

Show notes:

Unicorn Grocery

Pollen Bakery

Idle Hands

Siop Shop

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This week I am talking to my dear friend, Emma Crompton, a casting director and acting coach.

Emma and I met over fifteen years ago at drama school. Since then, Emma has worked with some of the greatest casting directors, producers and directors in the world, on productions such as Line of Duty, Sherlock, Beauty and the Beast and Vanity Fair.

In our chat we touch on what it’s like to be Sacha Baron Cohen, in front of Sacha Baron Cohen, the occasional wisdom in giving up on your dreams and mental health as a deciding factor in her work. 

A couple of warnings:

1) Emma is funny, and wise, and might make you cry with both of these qualities. 

2) This episode contains a healthy sprinkle of expletives throughout. 

Welcome to episode eleven and my superb friend, Emma Crompton.

You can find Emma’s coaching work on instagram @thecastingfeed, on twitter @cromptoncasting or on her website thecastingfeed.com 

Thank you so much for listening to ‘On the Irregular’, please make sure you review and subscribe as it helps other listeners find us!

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This week I am talking to clinical scientist, photographer and writer Emma Goulding.

From the moment we started talking, we went in deep.

You will hear me wax lyrical about Emma’s self portrait, and I cannot encourage you enough to follow her on instagram for both her images and words.

Starting with the heart of a tree, we moved onto thoughts on sharing personal stuff on Instagram, emotional growth, Emma’s experiences as a Black woman in a heavily white environment and how photography has been a conduit for Emma discovering writing as a creative outlet.

Trigger warning: this conversation includes personal anecdotes of racist behaviour and micro aggressions. This episode also contains two mild mentions of the F word later on.

Welcome to episode ten with Emma Goulding, where we delve into the big, deep life stuff, as I always knew we would.


Shownotes:

You can find Emma Goulding on Instagram @emgo.grows where she shares her photographic self portraits and personal thoughts.

All books and instagram accounts mentioned are listed in the shownotes.

Instagram:

Maker of the tree heart, connector: @jannikabel

Photographer and writer: @mariaerlaportway

Lost in the Light photography course, and their instagram: @themelias.co

Sustainable ethical shop and design consultancy: @centurygeneralstore

Books:

Everyday sexism by Laura Bates

An Intimate History of Humanity by Theodore Zeldin

The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron

Thank you so much for listening to ‘On the Irregular’, please make sure you review and subscribe as it helps other listeners find us!

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This week I’m talking to Mariel Greene of Next Lives Vintage, a stylist, photographer and seller of unique vintage pieces. Mariel lives in South Africa with her husband and two dogs in a self built, off grid house from where she runs her vintage business alongside doing her full time day job.

We talk about her learning difficulties misdiagnosis as a child, the resourcefulness that can be born from not fitting the mould, her life long love affair with photography, and how seeking validation from others can hold us back from embarking on what we truly want to do.

A gentle warning, this episode contains swear words of the scatalogical variety. Welcome to episode nine and my chat with the ever articulate and oh so wise, Mariel Mowse.



You can find Mariel on instagram @nextlivesvintage for her vintage pieces, which she ships worldwide, or her private account @allyouneedisalittlegreen for photos of her beautifully calm and rustic home.

Thank you so much for listening to ‘On the Irregular’, please make sure you review and subscribe as it helps other listeners find us!

Thank you so much for listening to ‘On the Irregular’, please make sure you review and subscribe as it helps other listeners find us!

Music and Production: Jon Tipler

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This week I’m talking to the prolific artist and graphic designer Lela Harris. We talked about Lela’s childhood days in Manchester, sat on her back step writing her memoir on a typewriter, the acts of generosity that have helped guide her creativity, and the serendipitous snowboarding accident that opened up a staggering talent for portraiture she never knew she had. 

At the time we recorded this podcast, Lela mentioned that she had a very secret, and very exciting announcement coming in October. Perfectly timed with this podcast, Lela has just revealed that earlier in the year, folio press reached out to her to design and illustrate the new edition of Alice Walker’s The Colour Purple. 

Congratulations lela, you are one of a kind. Welcome to episode eight with Lela Harris.

You can find Lela on instagram @knotandgather for her artwork and @doodlelovedesigns for her graphic design. Check out her websites doodlelovedesigns.com and lelaharris.co.uk to see her incredible work.  

Thank you so much for listening to On the Irregular, please make sure you review and subscribe as it helps other listeners find us!

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This week I’m talking to Laurie Park, aka Dear Prudence Studio, an illustrator and designer, mother of three boys and dear friend.

Originally from Scotland, now based in Hebden Bridge, Laurie chatted to me about growing up knowing she wanted to be an artist, the struggles she had in the education system and the path she took via textiles and fashion, to arrive at her current medium of cards and stationery.

A brief warning, this episode includes the F word.

Welcome to chapter seven with the lovely Laurie Park.

You can find Laurie on instagram @dearprudencestudio where she shares insights into her process, her work and her beautiful home. Go to  dearprudence.com to find Laurie’s selection of whimsical cards and stationery.


Music and final edit: Jon Tipler

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This week I’m talking to Annie Klink, an American artist selling Mexican pottery. I first came across Annie on instagram years ago when searching for other vintage sellers. At the time Annie lived in New York and specialised in selling vintage rugs. Her elegant, bohemian, warm style appealed to me on every level.

Annie has since moved to Mexico, from where she sells pieces of pottery and continues to infuse every aspect of her life with her own unique, creative magic. 

On the day we chatted, Annie was sat on her terrace at 6am, sipping a cup of herbal tea by candlelight, waiting for the rain to come.

Unfortunately the arrival of the rain threw the WIFI connection off a few times, so my apologies for the sound quality on several occasions. 

Welcome to episode five with Annie Klink.

You can find Annie on instagram @annieannievintage where she shares her daily life in Mexico, the incredible pieces of Mexican pottery she sells and her effortlessly stylish home.

Thank you so much for listening to ‘On the Irregular’, please make sure you review and subscribe as it helps other listeners find us!

Support the show

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