In an age of arch narcissism, WAM invites you to wander about in the worlds of others. Writers On The Couch is the kind of slow radio so many of us crave: we've even steadied the flow to fortnightly ep release. Leave the rat race/conveyor belt/sausage factory and come dream...

Today, our guest is Monique Roffey. Herself a master weaver of worlds. Hell, she's won prizes for it! But what does her own world look like?

We talk shifting identities, magical realism and belonging (or not).

Step in...

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We are uncontainably excited to bring you the first instalment of our fortnightly spin-off treat, 'WAM: Writers On The Couch.'

And what more glittery dream than to host Emma Jane Unsworth - author of Slags, Animals (including its screenplay adaptation) Adults and Hungry: The Stars And Everything. Alongside multiple short story collections, and show-running the Sky Atlantic series Dreamland.

Here at WAM, we're dedicated to bringing more of what we urgently feel the world needs. 'Writers On The Couch' is long-form, slow radio. Centring the importance of losing the self in creativity and penmanship. And foregrounding women's conversations about the things the world refuses to give weight to, but which quietly keep it turning.

Tune in today, to hear Jen interrogate Emma on everything from shame and guilt to 'desire paths' and burying tampons.

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To wrap up our eighth season, we're joined by the campaigning legend who is Mother Pukka AKA journalist Anna Whitehouse.

Anna's story is one familiar to many. She too was trapped in the impossible reality of juggling motherhood and professional life, and one day decided enough was enough. She founded the online platform Mother Pukka for people who 'happen to be parents,' and began her tireless work campaigning for flexible and equitable working rights. In this episode, she reminds us that, even if we don't have the energy to get ourselves photographed at Downing Street, we can all do something.

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BUY JEN'S TIMES AND SUNDAY TIMES BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR : OUT NOW IN PAPERBACK!!

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Our guest today is the infectiously inspiring TV presenter and celebrity baker Briony May Williams.

The first visibly disabled baker on The Great British Bake Off, Briony has gone on to become an established BBC star. She's also a dedicated champion of disability charities, from Reach to Children In Need. We talk today about the initial discomfort of seeing herself as an advocate and representative, and of how growing up in the 80s meant that her formative identity was unequivocally can-do.

Briony's first cookbook, The Retro Recipe Society, a veritable bible of comfort food, is out now!

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BUY JEN'S TIMES AND SUNDAY TIMES BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR : OUT NOW IN PAPERBACK!!

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GAM's guest today is the ground-breaking author of young adult fiction, Sophie Jo. Whose most recent book, 'Red Flags' was published in February this year. Sophie Jo is passionate about helping teens understand the difference between healthy and unhealthy relationships, and explores these themes through the characters in her novels.

Join GAM's own Bea Harmston as she deftly dives into the depths of Sophie Jo's exceptional writing.

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Our guest today is the OG firestarter: Shannon Watts, founder of the largest grassroots organisation in the US, Moms Demand Action. From her initial Facebook post the day after the Sandy Hooks massacre, to a membership of 11 million, Shannon has been campaigning for public safety measures to protect people from gun violence since 2012.

A true force of nature, Shannon's begun to channel her incredible energy to benefit other women's personal goals. Through her book, Fired Up, and her Firestarter University programme, we now officially have a place to challenge self-imposed limitations, and live out our potential.

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Today, Jen accompanies the Labour MP Stella Creasy on a voyage through the thorny topics of women's body rights, expressing emotion at work, and the Tom Hardy small screen deficit.

Tune in for a vital exploration of the hottest issues of the day...

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BUY JEN'S TIMES AND SUNDAY TIMES BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR : OUT NOW IN PAPERBACK!!

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Helen-Marie is an angel. And she's a therapist. She's a therapeutic angel, who's book Choose You: Gentle Words To Help You Heal And Grow brings acres of calm and reassurance, helping you set boundaries and understand your emotions more clearly. She's been a firm friend and champion of the pod for a while now, so we were thrilled to finally coax her on to talk to us about what makes her mad.

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BUY JEN'S TIMES AND SUNDAY TIMES BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR : OUT NOW IN PAPERBACK!!

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Julie Mae Cohen is the master of feminist revenge fantasy. Today, Jen is without Salima's steadying influence, and goes fairly rogue - 'inviting' Julie to take a turn around the more chaotic borders of WAM's garden. Where they 'enjoy' sights which include the spooky (and hilarious?!) realms of the afterlife, a light smattering of politics and the shadows of true crime. The best of times. And if you like this, you'll LOVE Julie's latest revenge thriller, Body Count, where a socialite muddles romance with homicide. Just up your street!

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BUY JEN'S TIMES AND SUNDAY TIMES BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR : OUT NOW IN PAPERBACK!!

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GAM is back, with our very own and very exceptional Bea Harmston steering that majestic ship on behalf of our younger listeners.

Today, she speaks to the phenomenal Jasmine Isa Qureshi - intersectional writer, activist and ecologist, whose combination of philosophical thought and care for nature is at the forefront of all of their work. What an incredible pair. Enjoy!

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BUY JEN'S TIMES AND SUNDAY TIMES BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR : OUT NOW IN PAPERBACK!!

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