Waffle - the bite sized podcast

EPISODE 7 Episode 7 already? Unbelievable. But what a week. To say that our guest this week is a legend is a little bit of an understatement. Author of Orangeboy, Needle, Our Story Starts in Africa and of course the Elemental Detectives series, Patrice Lawrence is one of the most powerful authors in UK Children's literature. A former journalist, Patrice has numerous accolades including winning the Waterstones book prize & the Bookseller Prize in 2017 & being elected as a fellow to the Royal Soicety of Literature in 2023. Patrice chooses some fabulous titles and lets us peep behind the curtain of her early reading experiences, growing up in Brighton in the 60's and 70's.  Miranda McKearney, formerly of the Reading Agency and co-founder of EmpathyLab discusses her choice(s) from the Read for Empathy collection and our teacher guest, Jennifer Young manages to pick out our first double of the series.  Blyton clearly still holds a place in people's hearts! BOOKS DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE Paul - The Conker

EPISODE 6 Over halfway through the series now and today Paul meets the brilliant award winning poet, Joshua Seigal. Author of Who Let the Words Out?, I Don't Like Poetry and Little Lemur Laughing to name but three, Joshua is a twice winner of the Laugh Out Loud award as well being chosen as the Reading Rocks award winner in 2024. We chat about his first brush with poetry being read to as a child through to his explorations of his teenage years alongside a very famous keeper of diaries. Rebecca Horswill is the Communications and Design Officer for EmpathyLab with a background herself in chlidren's book illustration. It's no surprise that she's chosen an amazing picture book to talk about. Out teacher recommendation this week comes from Samantha Nunnery, who is our first sixth form teacher on the pod. Sam takes us back to a book that has been with her since the age of 7. Prepare to go down the rabbit hole! BOOKS DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE Paul - The Sonnets of William Shakespeare Rebecca - Grandad's Star by Fran

EPISODE 5 This week Paul gets out and about with the 'Nature Connected Storyteller' Danny English. Author of books such as 'The Happiness Tree' and 'Tales of the Timeless Forest' Danny is rarely found indoors, sharing his love of the natural world with families across the North West of England and beyond. We talk about his early brushes with nature books (and pigeons) and how a magazone subscription as a boy probably shaped his future before he even was even out of short trousers. Jenny Ford, a former Headteacher and the lead in bringing secondfary level empathy education to Wales chooses a book for us from the Read for Empathy collection and the brilliant Ed Finch has an 'ordinary' book to share with us in our teacher recommendation section.  It's non-stop action around these parts we tells ya! BOOKS DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE Paul - Talking in Whispers by James Watson Jenny - The Blue Book of Nebo by Manon Steffan Ros Danny - A series of unidentified wildlife encyclopedias, The Eagle Annual from some time in

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 RQ

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 Cathe

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-L

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.jocot

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  

This week Paul learns all about the work and life of 20th Century Artist Laura Knight by speaking to biographer, Dr. Barbara C. Morden First broadcast on Rossendale Radio 30.05.21 Enhance your podcast experience by listening to Barbara's musical choices: Mary Poppins Cast - Let's Go Fly A Kite Boris Giltburg - Schuman's Carnaval, op.9 Frank Sinatra - Send In The Clowns

This week Paul talks with amazing children's author Cath Howe and the pupils of Golden Grove Primary School in Pembroke. They ask her some insightful questions on how to write and they discuss in detail Empathy Day. First broadcast on Rossendale Radio 06.06.21 Enhance your podcast experience with the pupils' musical choices The Beatles - Help Miley Cyrus - Midnight Sky Julie Andrews - My Favourite Things

This week, ahead of Paul's Virtual Climb up Everest he talks to Melanie Southworth about her amazing personal Everest stories. From failed attempts, through illness at base camp to success, she retells the events that are leading to her first book. 'Breathe' First broadcast on Rossendale Radio 25.04.21 Enhance you podcast experience with Melanie's music choices: David Lee Roth - Just Like Paradise AC/DC - It's a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock 'n' Roll) Kool and the Gang - Celebration

This week, Paul talks to to poet, Matt Goodfellow about his transition from would be rock star to teacher to poet and he reads form his latest collection: "Bright Bursts of Colour" First broadcast on Rossendale Radio 18.04.21 Enhance your podcast experience with Matt's music choices: Doves - Carousels The Charlatans - Here Comes a Soul Saver Frightened Rabbit - Head Rolls Off  

This week Paul talks to Sara Kedge, co-editor of "Neurodiverse Entrepreneurial Awesomeness: An Anthology Of Stories From Brilliant Entrepreneurs With Amazingly Different Brains Who Are Forging Their Own Way"  First broadcast on Rossendale Radio on 04.04.21 Enhance your podcast experience with Sara's music choices: George Harrison (The Beatles) - Here Comes the Sun Michael Jackson - Come Together Amos Lee - Sweetpea

This week, Paul talks to writer of radio, TV and BRUM legend, Alan Dapré about writing for children's television. First broadcast on Rossendale Radio 28.03.21 Enhance your podcast experience with Alan's music selections: The Monkees - Theme Song E.L.O. - Mr. Blue Sky Justin Timberlake - Can't Stop the Feeling

This week Paul talks to poet Tony Curry about his brand new collection We Kid Ourselves as well as his open mic night, Word Central. Enhance your podcast experience with Tony's music choices: BADBADNOTGOOD - Time Moves Slowly The Smiths - William, It Was Really Nothing Bill Wells & Adam Moffat - The Copper Top