Paper Trails Podcast

Welcome to Paper Trails, a podcast by Inspyre UK, where we explore the stories and ideas that connect people through books, culture, and creativity.

In this episode, Mohamed and Sharmarke reflect on Inspyre UK’s first-ever public speaking appearance at the Riyo Consultancy Creativity and Innovation Conference 2025 in Cardiff. We shared what it felt like to represent the brand on a professional stage for the first time, the lessons learned, and the moments that stuck with us.

We also dive into our biggest event yet, Inspyre Nights, happening this December at the Rich Mix theatre in London unpacking what inspired it, what people can expect, and how it ties back to the heart of Inspyre: storytelling, community, and hope.

It’s an episode about stepping into new spaces, building creative confidence, and daring to make your ideas real.

🎟️ Get your tickets for Inspyre Nights:

https://www.tickettailor.com/events/inspyreuk/1886687

Go support Riyo: https://www.instagram.com/riyoconsultancy/

🔗 Stay in the loop:

Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://inspyreuk.substack.com/

🌐 Follow Inspyre UK

Website: inspyreuk.carrd.co

Instagram: @inspyreuk

TikTok: @inspyreuk

YouTube: Inspyre UK

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

Welcome to Paper Trails, a podcast by Inspyre UK, where we explore the profound stories and ideas that connect people through books, culture, and creativity.

In this episode, Sharkz and Sharmarke sit down again with Mohamed Mohamud, founder of Somali Sideways and writer of the new play Between 2 Worlds. He shares what inspired the story, how it captures the experience of living between cultures, and the lessons he has learned from telling Somali stories across the globe.

From the origins of the Between 2 Worlds Play, to the wildest and most unexpected places he has met Somalis. Mohamed reflects on identity, storytelling, and the importance of representing your people with honesty and heart.

It is a conversation about creativity, belonging, and how powerful stories can connect communities no matter where in the world they are told.

Go check out Mohamed and support him:

Between 2 Worlds Tickets

Somali Sideways

Mohamed's personal page

🔗 How to find out about our events

• Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://inspyreuk.substack.com/
• Go buy our Big December Event Tickets: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/inspyreuk/1886687

🌐 Follow Inspyre UK

• Website: inspyreuk.carrd.co
• Instagram: @inspyreuk
• TikTok: @inspyreuk
• YouTube: Inspyre UK

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

Welcome to Paper Trails, a podcast by Inspyre UK, where we explore the profound stories and ideas that connect people through books, culture, and creativity.

In this episode, Sharmarke and Mohamed pull back the curtain on how to run one of the most in-demand new book clubs in London and what it really takes to make it all work. From curating the perfect book list to building community through story telling and keeping every detail intentional. We share the behind the scenes processes that make The Inspyre Book Club feel premium, purposeful, and people first.

It is an honest and insightful conversation about teamwork, storytelling, and the quiet precision that goes into creating something that feels effortless.

🔗 How to find out about our events

• Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://inspyreuk.substack.com/
• Go buy our Big December Event Tickets: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/inspyreuk/1886687

🌐 Follow Inspyre UK

• Website: inspyreuk.carrd.co
• Instagram: @inspyreuk
• TikTok: @inspyreuk
• YouTube: Inspyre UK

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

Welcome to Paper Trails, a podcast by Inspyre UK, where we explore the profound stories and themes woven into our favourite books, shows, and movies.

In this episode, Sharkz and Mohamed sit down with Adiwahab Abdisalam, author of Can I Ask You a Question?, a book that has sparked deep conversations about love, faith, and meaningful connection. Together, they explore how intentional questions can shape relationships, how faith can ground emotional connection, and why curiosity is one of the most powerful tools in love.

Adiwahab opens up about the inspiration behind his book, the art of asking the right questions, and how communication can transform how we approach marriage and partnership — whether you’re single, in the talking stage, or years into a commitment.

It’s an honest, thought-provoking conversation about vulnerability, purpose, and the courage to truly know someone beyond the surface.

📚 Buy the Book

• Paperback: Amazon UK – Can I Ask You a Question?
• eBook: Stan.store – Can I Ask You a Question? (eBook version)
• 
  

👤 Connect with Adiwahab

• Instagram: @adiwahabh

🌐 Follow Inspyre UK

• Website: inspyreuk.carrd.co
• Instagram: @inspyreuk
• TikTok: @inspyreuk
• YouTube: Inspyre UK

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

Welcome to Paper Trails, a podcast by Inspyre UK where we explore the profound stories and themes woven into our favourite books, shows, and movies.

In this episode, Sharkz and Mohamed flip the script — and the covers. Armed with curiosity (and a bit of judgment), they pick random books purely based on their covers and first impressions. No blurbs, no reviews, no recommendations — just bold titles, eye-catching artwork, and gut instincts.

What makes a book cover stand out? Can you really judge a story by its sleeve? And what unexpected gems (or disasters) are hiding behind beautiful design? With humour, hot takes, and honest reactions, this episode is a love letter to the first thing we notice about a book — its face.

Whether you’re a reader who buys books for the aesthetic or someone who judges in silence, this fun and unpredictable episode celebrates the power of visual storytelling and first impressions in the book world.

Don’t miss this light-hearted episode of Paper Trails. Subscribe now on your favourite podcast platform!

🔗 Socials:

Website - https://inspyreuk.carrd.co/

Instagram - https://instagram.com/inspyreuk

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@inspyreuk

YouTube - https://youtube.com/@InspyreUK

📚 Hashtags:

#BookCovers #JudgingBooksByTheirCovers #CoverDesign #BookTok #FunnyBookTakes #BookAesthetics #PaperTrailsPodcast #InspyreUK #BookDiscussion #BookTube

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

Welcome to Paper Trails, a podcast by Inspyre UK where we explore the profound stories and themes woven into our favourite books, shows, and movies.

In this episode, we sit down with British-Somali author Salma Ibrahim to discuss her powerful debut novel, Salutation Road. Set between South London and an alternate present-day Mogadishu, the novel follows 23-year-old Sirad Ali, who is transported into a parallel reality where she meets the version of herself that could have been, had her family never fled Somalia during the civil war.

We explore themes of identity, migration, belonging, and the emotional complexities of diaspora life. Salma shares insights into her writing process, the inspiration behind the speculative elements of the story, and the importance of representing underrepresented voices in literature.

Whether you're a writer, reader, or someone interested in stories that navigate the intersections of culture and self-discovery, this conversation offers a deep dive into the making of a compelling literary debut.

Don't miss this enlightening episode of Paper Trails. Subscribe now on your favorite podcast platform!

Find Salma here and buy her book!

https://www.instagram.com/salma.s.ibrahim/

Buy the book: https://www.panmacmillan.com/authors/salma-ibrahim/salutation-road/9781035044344

📚 Learn more about Salutation Road:

• Pan Macmillan: https://www.panmacmillan.com/authors/salma-ibrahim/salutation-road/9781035044344
• Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/210346097-salutation-road

🎧 Listen to Salma Ibrahim discuss Salutation Road:

• Confessions of a Debut Novelist: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5v0jXt3phbdrl1RpPmLKir
• The Diverse Bookshelf: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/salma-ibrahim-on-the-lives-we-could-have-lived/id1635376042?i=1000693315388

Instagram - https://instagram.com/inspyreuk

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@inspyreuk

YouTube - https://youtube.com/@InspyreUK

#SalmaIbrahim #SalutationRoad #DiasporaStories #SpeculativeFiction #BritishSomaliAuthor #PaperTrailsPodcast #InspyreUK #AuthorInterview #LiteraryDebut #IdentityAndBelonging

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

Welcome to Paper Trails, a podcast by Inspyre UK where we explore the profound stories and themes woven into our favourite books, shows, and movies.

In this episode, we dive into the dark side of storytelling — villains. We explore what makes a truly great antagonist, why every memorable story needs one, and how to create compelling villains that challenge the hero and captivate the audience. From chaotic masterminds to tragic anti-heroes, we unpack the psychology, structure, and power behind unforgettable villains like The Joker, Killmonger, Louis Litt, and even Team Rocket.

Whether you're a writer, storyteller, or just love great character dynamics, this episode offers a deep look at the importance of conflict, character depth, and thematic opposition in fiction.

Don't miss this must-listen episode of Paper Trails as we explore how the best villains reveal the truth about heroes — and ourselves. Subscribe now on your favourite podcast platform!

Twitter - https://twitter.com/inspyreuk

Instagram - https://instagram.com/inspyreuk

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@inspyreuk

YouTube - https://youtube.com/@InspyreUK

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

Welcome to Paper Trails, a podcast by Inspyre UK where we explore the profound stories and themes woven into our favourite books, shows, and movies.

In this episode, we review Storyworthy by Matthew Dicks and break down what it really takes to tell a great story. From crafting everyday moments into compelling narratives to understanding the structure behind memorable tales, we explore the practical techniques that can elevate anyone’s storytelling game.

Don't miss this special episode of Paper Trails, where we unravel the threads of storytelling to uncover the emotions that connect us all. Subscribe now on your favorite podcast platform!

Socials:

Twitter - https://twitter.com/inspyreuk

Instagram - https://instagram.com/inspyreuk

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@inspyreuk

YouTube - https://youtube.com/@InspyreUK

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

Welcome to Paper Trails, a podcast by Inspyre UK where we explore the profound stories and themes woven into our favourite books, shows, and movies.

In this episode, we talk about the idea of success after death. Would you still do it if you knew you would be unsuccessful?

Don't miss this special episode of Paper Trails, where we unravel the threads of storytelling to uncover the emotions that connect us all. Subscribe now on your favorite podcast platform!

Socials:

Twitter - https://twitter.com/inspyreuk

Instagram - https://instagram.com/inspyreuk

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@inspyreuk

YouTube - https://youtube.com/@InspyreUK

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

Welcome to Paper Trails, a podcast by Inspyre UK where we explore the profound stories and themes woven into our favourite books, shows, and movies.

In this episode, we talk about the hero's journey, the call to adventure and how we answer it.

Don't miss this special episode of Paper Trails, where we unravel the threads of storytelling to uncover the emotions that connect us all. Subscribe now on your favorite podcast platform!

Socials:

Twitter - https://twitter.com/inspyreuk

Instagram - https://instagram.com/inspyreuk

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@inspyreuk

YouTube - https://youtube.com/@InspyreUK

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