EPISODE 4 

In this episode Paul is joined by the multi-talented, multi-discipline, multi-award winning poet and hip hop artist, Karl Nova. After winning the CLIPPA prize in 2018 for his debut collection Rhythm and Poetry Karl has gone from strength to strength - releasing a second collection in 2021 -The Curious Case of Karl Nova. His music and lyrics are both upbeat and incisive - giving the reader or listener a window on what has been a very unique life.

Born in London, moving to Lagos at the age of 7 and then returning as he turned 18 - Karl gives a wonderful insight into growing up in both the UK & Nigeria - and his book choices from his youth totally reflect this.

Caroline Scott, a former deputy head, co-founder of EmpathyLab and specialist in inclusive education joins us to talk about her experiences of sharing the Read for Empathy collection with her grandaughter and we hear from Victoria - a brand new, fresh out of the box teacher who chooses a classic to share. (Congratulations on getting your RQT status Victoria!)

BOOKS DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE

Paul - Ramona Forever by Beverley Cleary

Caroline - Luna Loves Gardening by Joseph Coelho, illustrated by Fiona Lumbers

Karl -Things fall apart by Chinua Achebe, The Autobiography of Malcolm X by Alex Haley, Go Tell it on the Mountain by James Baldwin

Victoria -  The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe by C.S Lewis

USEFUL LINKS

Karl Nova

WEB: https://karlnovaworld.wordpress.com/

SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6YrVMG1ucMkO2nUGdLsbFw

INSTA: @karlnova

EmpathyLab

WEB: www.empathylab.uk

INSTA: @empathylabuk

Paul Jenkins

WEB: www.pauljenkinspoet.co.uk

INSTA: @teacherwriterPJ

For any enquiries about the podcast contact Paul on [email protected]

Raised by Writers (c) is a Double Rainbow production

EPISODE 3 

In this episode we meet acclaimed author and screenwriter Catherine Johnson. She's a winner of a host of literary awards and has produced classics such as Race to the Frozen North, Queen of Freedom and Sawbones. Her next book will focus on the life of the actor, dance and SPY Josephine Baker - so she is no stranger to drama, literary twists and bringing great stories of history to life.

Catherine talks with fondness of her reading experiences at primary school, with some inspirational teachers and recounts how non-fiction and TV has influenced her writing as well the wonderful tales she found in stories. .

Kirsten Grant from EmpathyLab joins the pod to chat about a brilliant picture book and Reading for Pleasure guru Jon Biddle is our teacher guest this week. Jon tells us about his first experience of choosing his own adventure with a book discovered at his local library.

BOOKS DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE

Paul - Roger Red Hat by Sheila McCullagh

Kirsten - A Better Best Friend by Olivier Tallech

Catherine -The Golden Treasury of Poetry an anthology selected by Louis Untermeyer, The Armada book of Facts for Girls, Half Magic by Edward Eager

Jon -  The Citadel of Chaos by Steve Jackson

USEFUL LINKS

Catherine Johnson

WEB: https://www.catherinejohnson.co.uk

INSTA: @catherinebeccajohnson

EmpathyLab

WEB: www.empathylab.uk

INSTA: @empathylabuk

Paul Jenkins

WEB: www.pauljenkinspoet.co.uk

INSTA: @teacherwriterPJ

For any enquiries about the podcast contact Paul on [email protected]

Raised by Writers (c) is a Double Rainbow production

EPISODE 2 

Our second episode features Ian Eagleton, a former primary school teacher turned writer who has received widespread acclaim for his books Nen & the Lonely Fisherman, The Boy who Cried Ghost, Violet's Tempest and Glitter Boy. 

Ian tells us of how his reading diet as a child helped to shape his writing in the future and how his early sense of looking for the magical and a personal sense of 'feeling different' has had an influence on his own character creations. We also (as you would expect) chat about THAT tweet from Mariah Carey.

Sarah Mears, co-founder of EmpathyLab & Programmes Director for Libraries Connected joins us to recommend a book from the Read for Empathy collection and our teacher guest this week is Mari Bowen. Mari tells us of her love for a particular children's favourite and how hearing it read to her inspired her 30 years (so far!) in the classroom as a teacher.

BOOKS DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE

Paul - Don't Forget the Bacon by Pat Hutchins

Sarah - Wild East by Ashley Hickson-Lovence

Ian -The Little Mermaid by Hans Christian Anderson, Harvey Angell by Diana Hendry, This Place Has No Atmosphere by Paula Danzinger

Mari - Elmer by David McKee

USEFUL LINKS

Ian Eagleton

WEB: https://thereadingrealm.co.uk

INSTA: @ian.eagleton

EmpathyLab

WEB: www.empathylab.uk

INSTA: @empathylabuk

Paul Jenkins

WEB: www.pauljenkinspoet.co.uk

INSTA: @teacherwriterPJ

For any enquiries about the podcast contact Paul on [email protected]

Raised by Writers (c) is a Double Rainbow production

EPISODE 1 

In this, our first episode we speak to Jo Cotterill, author of a Library of Lemons, Jelly, A Storm of Strawberries and her hugely successful collaboration with Esme Higgs - The Starlight Stables Gang.

Jo reflects on her choices of books as a child, which led her on to a career in performance and helped develop her own sense of empowerment as an adult. 

Our guest from EmpathyLab in this episode is Managing Director Imogen Bond who tells us about her love of picture books in particular and our teacher reflection comes from recently retired Year 2 teacher Robert Cooley, who chooses a book given to him by one of his own teachers. 

BOOKS DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE

Paul - Mr Majeika by Humphrey Carpenter

Imogen - April's Garden by Isla McGuckin, illustrated by Catalina Echeverri

Jo - Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Montgomery, The Ordinary Princess by M.M Kaye, The Swish of the Curtain by Pamela Brown

Robert - The Goalkeepers Revenge and Other Stories by Bill Naughton

USEFUL LINKS

Jo Cotterill

WEB: www.jocotterill.com

INSTA: @jocotterillbooks

EmpathyLab

WEB: www.empathylab.uk

INSTA: @empathylabuk

Paul Jenkins

WEB: www.pauljenkinspoet.co.uk

INSTA: @teacherwriterPJ

For any enquiries about the podcast contact Paul on [email protected]

Raised by Writers (c) is a Double Rainbow production

This week Paul talks to Grange Hill actor George Wilson about those early days as a working child actor and the longer terms ramifications. He talks openly about his struggles with mental health which have lead to his autobiography, From Grange Hill to Bioplar, to Back Again.

First broadcast on Rossendale Radio 01.07.2021

Enhance your podcast experience with George's musical selections:

Lynard Skynard - Sweet Home Alabama

The Beatles - Norwegian Wood

U2 - Angel of Harlem

This week Paul talks to previous guest Ian Eagleton about how the Reading Realm has developed since their first interview a year ago and about his amazing new children's book, Nen and the Lonely Fisherman, all about acceptance and representation.

First broadcast on Rossendale Radio 23.05.2021

Enhance your podcast experience with Ian's musical selections:

Morcheeba - The Sea

Tori Amos - Silent All These Years

Mariah Carey - Always Be My Baby

This week ahead of bob Dylan's 80th birthday, Paul talks to biographer Spencer Leigh and his previous works on the likes of Simon and Garfunkle and Pete Best and his latest book, Bob Dylan: Outlaw Blues.

First broadcast on Rossendale Radio 09-05-2021

Enhance your podcast experience with Spencer's musical choices:

Bob Dylan - Blowin' In The Wind

Bob Dylan - Make You Feel My Love

Bob Dylan - Like A Rolling Stone

This week Paul talks to writer, producer and poet Henry Normal about his huge influence on the British TV comedy scene with his work with the likes of Steve Coogan and Caroline Ahern. They also discuss his upcoming interview series for Flapjack Press and he reads a piece of his own brilliant poetry.

First broadcast on Rossendale Radio 22-07-2021

Enhance your podcast experience with Henry's musical selections:

I Am Kloot - Northern Skies

Bob Marley - Three Little Birds

Talking Heads - And She Was

This week, ahead of Fathers' Day, Paul chats to writer and performance-poet Justin Coe about his collection, 'The Dictionary of Dads', fatherhood and performing.

First broadcast on Rossendale Radio 17.06.21

Enhance your podcast experience with Justin's music choices:

Suzanne Vega - The World Before Columbus

Billy Bragg - Tank Park Salute

Tom Gray - You and Me

This week Paul fulfills a life long dream and interviews a member of the Back to the Future team. Jeffrey Weissman, Marty McFly in BTTF II & III regales us with stories from the set, his work training other actors and life as an alum from one of the world's most beloved movie franchises.

First broadcast on Rossendale Radio on 10.06.21

Enhance your podcast experience by listening to Jeffrey's musical choices:

Snakefinger - The Model

Heaven 17 - Temptation

Brian Eno - Deep Blue Day