The Lady of Shalott is a magical and mystical piece from Tennyson. I will not dare to analyse the deeper meanings of the work, that is best left to others. I will only say that I appreciate the movement in the poem. There is often meaning, depth and morality in poetry, there is thought and change and hope, yet not always movement...

These poems are to be appreciated, constantly...relived, revived and remembered and so it is important that even those such as I throw a hand (or a voice) at them and reproduce them for general consumption.

Thanks Greg for the suggestion.

I hope you find the poem pleasing...

I welcome opinions of every kind so please come and find me on social media at:

Instagram: TwoandaMic

Twitter: TwoandaMic1

Should I really have to ask? 😉 If you like the developing story of this social journey unfurling in my series of podcasts, feel more than free, feel partially responsible for spreading the word by subscribing and sharing and where possible, liking. It is greatly appreciated! Thank you!

PS. The transcript has been generated automatically and does not always reflect what has been said with 100% accuracy. I hope however that it will still provide some clarity on the content.

Tom Mackintosh is an elite rower for New Zealand, a dedicated athlete, a champion in his field and now, since his team’s unbelievable feat at the Tokyo Olympics, a gold medallist!

Tom is also generous with his time, a great person to talk with and is full of passion and dedication to himself, his team, and his sport. He is gracious and respectful of his fellow competitors, and grateful to his friends, family and teammates for their support.

Tom talks enthusiastically of his feelings in that stunning final victory, what it takes to win a race in the men’s 8 and the sheer single-mindedness one must have to emerge victorious at the elite level. We talk about his career, some defining moments for him, his personal plans and development as well as some great background stories.

It was a real pleasure to talk with Tom, and I thank Briskby for the opportunity of doing so and I wish both Tom and Briskby all the best in achieving their future goals!

I welcome opinions of every kind so please come and find me on social media at:

Instagram: TwoandaMic

Twitter: TwoandaMic1

Should I really have to ask? 😉 If you like the developing story of this social journey unfurling in my series of podcasts, feel more than free, feel partially responsible for spreading the word by subscribing and sharing and where possible, liking. It is greatly appreciated! Thank you!

PS. The transcript has been generated automatically and does not always reflect what has been said with 100% accuracy. I hope however that it will still provide some clarity on the content.

No introduction is necessary into the work of this master poet. Analysis of his work is also best sought elsewhere onto the pages of those who are far more knowledgeable than I. As a suggestion this link is wonderfully informative and well worth a look:

The Eight Greatest Poems of William Wordsworth | Society of Classical Poets

My interpretation is that of an amateur, I make no claim of artistic merit. I simply enjoy reading and feeling those sentiments that such glorious wordsmiths have lain down before us. There will I hope be many more to come.

It is my hope that you enjoy my recitation...

I welcome opinions of every kind so please come and find me on social media at:

Instagram: TwoandaMic

Twitter: TwoandaMic1

Should I really have to ask? 😉 If you like the developing story of this social journey unfurling in my series of podcasts, feel more than free, feel partially responsible for spreading the word by subscribing and sharing and where possible, liking. It is greatly appreciated! Thank you!

PS. The transcript has been generated automatically and does not always reflect what has been said with 100% accuracy. I hope however that it will still provide some clarity on the content.

It is a rare pleasure to be able to start a conversation with an epic topic and to drift through other topics without ever reducing the significance of the debate.

Karin talks about courage as an abstract concept but then in relation to her life and experiences. There is no rebuke in her words, only observation; clear and penetrating.

It is no surprise thereafter that our minds turn to Afghanistan and rather than taking the obvious critical approach, we try to find a balance between hope and pessimism. On the ground there is sure to be chaos, pain and suffering, a sense of loss and lost opportunity. Nothing is ever black and white however and though the Taliban would not be every westerner’s first choice of leadership, time will tell whether they have "matured" and learned in the 20 intervening years, as they say.

We then talk about democracy and try to maintain our objectivity. Democracy is NOT the systems we currently enjoy in the west. We live in various diluted forms of the original Greek recipe and we should remember that in so doing we do not enjoy the many benefits we claim, nor those that our systems advertise. There are however…freedoms…

Thank you Karin once again for taking the time and for your wonderful insight!

I welcome opinions of every kind so please come and find me on social media at:

Instagram: TwoandaMic

Twitter: TwoandaMic1

Should I really have to ask? 😉 If you like the developing story of this social journey unfurling in my series of podcasts, feel more than free, feel partially responsible for spreading the word by subscribing and sharing and where possible, liking. It is greatly appreciated! Thank you!

PS. The transcript has been generated automatically and does not always reflect what has been said with 100% accuracy. I hope however that it will still provide some clarity on the content.

It’s always great to be able to speak with and listen to younger generations. This is especially the case when the younger person is your own child. Here I have the pleasure of Alexander’s company, a 15-year-old who lives in London.

I feel we always think we know how those younger than us feel or think or should think and yet we never really take the chance to listen and to understand. As adults and parents it is definitely our role to teach and help, however nobody said we could not do that and learn at the same time. Every time I encounter a different thought or idea, no matter where it originates from, nor whether I agree or disagree with it, it is something new to consider and reflect upon.

Alexander and I dance through a number of topics in this first of our ‘Generations’ podcasts. I hope that over time we will enjoy many, many more.

Thank you Alexander for joining me, and please don’t forget to do your homework! Hahaha…just kidding…

I welcome opinions of every kind so please come and find me on social media at:

Instagram: TwoandaMic

Twitter: TwoandaMic1

Should I really have to ask? 😉 If you like the developing story of this social journey unfurling in my series of podcasts, feel more than free, feel partially responsible for spreading the word by subscribing and sharing and where possible, liking. It is greatly appreciated! Thank you!

PS. The transcript has been generated automatically and does not always reflect what has been said with 100% accuracy. I hope however that it will still provide some clarity on the content.

There is no other way to introduce the cultural artistry of writing to different cultures without translating them. That representation can take so many different forms and there is perhaps no absolutely correct method. However there is success and failure. A masterpiece of literature might rise high in one land but stumble miserably into the dust in another, without the original author having played a role in either possibility. That is the pressure beneath which translators often operate.

It naturally helps to have a firm understanding of both cultures, original and destination (translated into…), and to have a personal connection that binds the translator’s heart and soul can only assist in the role of promoting artistic sentiment. Yet outside of the business of literature not enough attention is paid to this valiant and often undervalued role.

Here Karin explores her own experiences, challenges and difficulties, especially in translating poetry and it is marvellous to hear her stories and the opportunity to engage her thoughts and hear her methods are nothing short of a treasure to my ears.

Thank you so very much Karin…

I welcome opinions of every kind so please come and find me on social media at:

Instagram: TwoandaMic

Twitter: TwoandaMic1

Should I really have to ask? 😉 If you like the developing story of this social journey unfurling in my series of podcasts, feel more than free, feel partially responsible for spreading the word by subscribing and sharing and where possible, liking. It is greatly appreciated! Thank you!

PS. The transcript has been generated automatically and does not always reflect what has been said with 100% accuracy. I hope however that it will still provide some clarity on the content.

Having received her first-class degree with honours Anna has set her sights on the next challenge and one hopes that the diplomatic corps will see sense when she comes calling. Anna has an authentic voice that needs to be heard and a passion to bring people together that should always be valued highly.

It’s not always about what we want to see, it’s also about what we have to see, and face and then deal with. Anna continues from where she left off with her powerful thoughts regarding society, dealing with emotions, releasing suppressed feelings and opening up and if necessary letting loose that anger.

Sometimes the most basic societal decision-making is based on the policies of such organisations as the church, conservative think-tanks and parties and traditional organisations, even when these policies don’t necessarily go that far back in time.

Suggested viewing from Anna:

Elif Shafak Ted talks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCr8s57hdzY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zq7QPnqLoUk

Anna also strongly recommends: Audrey Lorde "The Masters Tools Will Never Dismantle the Masters House!"

I welcome opinions of every kind so please come and find me on social media at:

Instagram: TwoandaMic

Twitter: TwoandaMic1

Should I really have to ask? 😉 If you like the developing story of this social journey unfurling in my series of podcasts, feel more than free, feel partially responsible for spreading the word by subscribing and sharing and where possible, liking. It is greatly appreciated! Thank you!

PS. The transcript has been generated automatically and does not always reflect what has been said with 100% accuracy. I hope however that it will still provide some clarity on the content.

Tanja sets the scene with her trip around southern Europe that takes in 2500 kms of coastline and untold riches in cultural sensations. It’s a trip from within that had been long since aching to find expression. This summer the desire became a reality.

Let us not stop there however. At an event entitled Woman, Tanja is invited to present SensualTalk and in so doing she inspires her audience to welcome the truth of her passionate words, and many join her growing band of sensual followers. Such is the natural pull of Tanja’s energy, she even extracts some of my own long forgotten memories.

Tanja imbibes the challenge of expression and presents her thoughts with clarity on the one hand and delightful imagery on the other. She is a very natural orator and listening to her talk with pure abandon is an almost lyrical experience.

Thank you again Tanja for your time.

I welcome opinions of every kind so please come and find me on social media at:

Instagram: TwoandaMic

Twitter: TwoandaMic1

Should I really have to ask? 😉 If you like the developing story of this social journey unfurling in my series of podcasts, feel more than free, feel partially responsible for spreading the word by subscribing and sharing and where possible, liking. It is greatly appreciated! Thank you!

PS. The transcript has been generated automatically and does not always reflect what has been said with 100% accuracy. I hope however that it will still provide some clarity on the content.

Karin is back and in great form as she talks about one of her absolute favourite books from 19th century England.

North and South, written by Elisabeth Gaskell, is a masterpiece of social, economic, political, religious and romantic storytelling. It charts the lives of mainly Margaret Hale, the Thorntons and the Higgins families through the turbulent times of the 1800s during the backlash against the Corn Laws, the formulation of the Anti-Corn League, religious division, social and economic hardship, mass poverty and the industrial revolution.

It is a magical blend of intrigue, international trade friction and love that has mesmerised Karin for years and it is why this is her first choice of book from the era to discuss. Gaskell was not only a fabulous novelist, she had real character. It must be remembered how difficult it was in the 19th century for women to be recognised as authors, for their opinions to be heard at all, for them to express thoughts on politics or society or indeed to rival men in any intellectual capacity. Yet through the art of her writing Elisabeth Gaskell was able to do just that. As Karin points out, this was a powerful theme among a number of English women of the period.

Just how much women such as Gaskell, Austin, the Bronte sisters and Mary Ann Evans (better known as George Eliot) influenced the Suffragettes at the start of the 20th century I cannot say, yet to believe that the intelligence, grit and deep humanitarian observation they wrote with most definitely influenced their own generation and many generations to follow is too much of a stretch.

Many thanks Karin and it is wonderful to have you back!

PS: During our conversation I also make reference to Zoe Scaman who has written this essay on some of the experiences women have faced in the advertising industry and it is important for people to realise that gender equality is a battle that still requires fighting. Mad Men. Furious Women. - by Zoe - Musings Of A Wandering Mind (substack.com)

There is also a podcast where Zoe Scaman relates her thoughts here: Episode 16 - Zoe Scaman, Founder of Bodacious, Co-Founder of MCX (buzzsprout.com)

I welcome opinions of every kind so please come and find me on social media at:

Instagram: TwoandaMic

Twitter: TwoandaMic1

Should I really have to ask? 😉 If you like the developing story of this social journey unfurling in my series of podcasts, feel more than free, feel partially responsible for spreading the word by subscribing and sharing and where possible, liking. It is greatly appreciated! Thank you!

PS. The transcript has been generated automatically and does not always reflect what has been said with 100% accuracy. I hope however that it will still provide some clarity on the content.

Julia is part of a dynamic and innovative digital publishing team that works on a number of different digital and online channels that bring new ideas to people directly through their favourite device. This normally means the smartphone.

In this insightful first podcast with Julia we find out about her early experiences reading, how the power of Astrid Lindgren's characters have actually remained with her through to adulthood and how at Tapster Media she has really been free to channel her inner Pippi and Michael.

Julia also talks about her journey through male dominated sales and into female and diversely populated erotica and the liberation of creativity that she now feels at Tapster.

It is a fascinating journey and one theme that immediately jumps out is the warmth of humanity in Julia's expressions.

Thank you Julia for taking the time in your extremely busy timetable to speak with me and I wish you all the best with the Tap Story project!

PS: We apologise for using the word 'nipple'!

Here are some important links:

Our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHkakV6Ez8kaK9By8sgFzLg (You find us also with the search: lively story)

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LivelyStoryFormat

Instagram: @livelystory_format

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.de/livelystory

My book: https://livelystory.com/produkt/the-tracker/?lang=en

I welcome opinions of every kind so please come and find me on social media at:

Instagram: TwoandaMic

Twitter: TwoandaMic1

Should I really have to ask? 😉 If you like the developing story of this social journey unfurling in my series of podcasts, feel more than free, feel partially responsible for spreading the word by subscribing and sharing and where possible, liking. It is greatly appreciated! Thank you!

PS. The transcript has been generated automatically and does not always reflect what has been said with 100% accuracy. I hope however that it will still provide some clarity on the content.