In this episode Melissa and Melanie sit down with Tari Takavarasha one of the poets who will be joining us on our Sunshine Tantrum Tour and discuss the importance of good mentors, how rhyme and rhythm can shape a poem as well as expression as a mixed race woman.

In this episode we discuss the state of the Irish Spoken Word Industry and it’s longevity with Journalist Paulie Doyle, who recently wrote a piece on Spoken Word in Ireland for the Sunday Business Post.

Bibi June is a poet, producer and theatre maker originally from Amsterdam, now an import Glaswegian. Through personal experience, their work explores narratives of race, queerness, migration and social inequalities. They mix Glasgow’s down-to-earth culture with Dutch directness in an intimate high-energy performance.

In the first episode for season 2, we return with Boundless & Bare podcast alumni Sasha Terfous! Melissa and Melanie discuss Poetry Day Ireland, the Spoken Word community in Waterford and how to foster more empathy in the community as a whole. Please note that in this episode there are some sensitive topics discussed so listener discretion is advised.  

In the penultimate episode of Season One, Melissa and Melanie speak to Greek-Canadian poet and writer Dimitra Xidous about her poetry collection Keeping Bees and about her intricate and insightful ability to tease and tangle with language itself.

Melissa and Melanie travel to Waterford in this episode to interview spoken word poet Sasha Terfous and listen to her stunning poetry which explores themes on sexuality and ethnicity. Taking her differences and growing into them, she has emerged as a proud gay woman of colour and found that her perceived weaknesses have become part of her strengths.

Melissa and Melanie interview comedian Therese Cahill about her style of comedy. With ukulele in hand she shares three parody songs that she uses in her stand-up performances.

In this episode, Melissa and Melanie interview Californian poet and writer Sean Colletti after the release of his brand new poetry pamphlet ‘Saeculum’.

A very exciting episode with guest poet FeliSpeaks (aka Felicia Olusanya), a young Nigerian-Irish spoken word performance artist and writer who is fast becoming one of the most exciting and in demand poets in Ireland, her mind set on changing the face of the art form in Ireland.

This episode Melissa and Melanie speak to Niamh O’Beirne and Caoimhe LaVelle on the Repeal the 8th movement on the lead-up to the Irish referendum to decriminalize abortion. Poetry by Melissa Ridge, Niamh O’Beirne, and Caoimhe LaVelle.

Episode #3 hosted by Melissa and Melanie features guest poet, writer and spoken word artist Dagogo Hart whose whose words have wowed audiences from bar basements to electric picnic stages. Dagogo performs 3 poems and discusses the separation of art from the artist.

In this episode Melissa and Melanie sit down with Irish event organiser icon, Aidan Murphy. If you’re interested in how to run a poetry event, the logistics of succeeding in the Dublin art scene and how to master tealights.