Raised by Writers: The Stories That Made Us Who We Are
Episodes
Season 2 - Episode 3 - Tom Percival, Kirsty Woods & Esther Brown
29 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
SEASON 2 - EPISODE 2 In this episode we are choc-full of celebrities whether they come from the world of writing, illustration, bookselling or teachin...
Season 2 - Episode 2 - Dominic Berry, Sarah Mears & Paul Heaton
10 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
SEASON 2 - EPISODE 2 Recorded at the Ramsbottom Come Together Festival somewhere between the toilets and the fire esacpe (Oh the glamour!) my guest th...
Season 2 - Episode 1 - Rashmi Sirdeshpande, Imogen Bond & Jade Marley
24 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
SEASON 2 - EPISODE 1 Marty: Doc, are we back? Airplane comes screeching onto the screen Doc: We're back! Â Yup, it took a little longer than planned ...
Episode 10 - Hannah Gold & Mari Bowen
05 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
EPISODE 10 And so - the end is near. And now we face...the final curtain. :( But don't cry too much we'll be back in a few months with season 2. Wha...
Episode 9 - S.F. Said, Helen Mulligan & Simon Hunt
28 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
EPISODE 9 The penultimate episode in the series? How did we get so close to the end of the book? What's going to happen to the characters? Will there ...
Episode 8 - Attie Lime, Rashmi Sirdeshpande & Andrea Humberstone
21 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
EPISODE 8 We motor on into a giant of an episode with not one but two brilliant authors? More bang for your buck. Which is an even better deal when yo...
Episode 7 - Patrice Lawrence, Miranda McKearney & Jennifer Young
13 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 o...
Episode 6 - Joshua Seigal, Rebecca Horswill & Samantha Nunnery
07 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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?, ...
Episode 5 - Danny English, Jenny Ford & Ed Finch
30 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 'T...
Episode 4 - Karl Nova, Caroline Scott & Victoria Jane
23 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
EPISODE 4Â In this episode Paul is joined by the multi-talented, multi-discipline, multi-award winning poet and hip hop artist, Karl Nova. After winn...
Episode 3 - Catherine Johnson, Kirsten Grant & Jon Biddle
16 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
EPISODE 3Â In this episode we meet acclaimed author and screenwriter Catherine Johnson. She's a winner of a host of literary awards and has produced ...
Episode 2 - Ian Eagleton, Sarah Mears & Mari Bowen
09 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
EPISODE 2Â Our second episode features Ian Eagleton, a former primary school teacher turned writer who has received widespread acclaim for his books ...
Episode 1 - Jo Cotterill, Imogen Bond & Robert Cooley
03 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
EPISODE 1Â In this, our first episode we speak to Jo Cotterill, author of a Library of Lemons, Jelly, A Storm of Strawberries and her hugely successf...
Waffle Ep 89 - George Wilson
29 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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 o...
Waffle Ep 88 - Ian Eagleton
28 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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 ama...
Waffle Ep 87 - Spencer Leigh
28 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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 Pe...
Waffle Ep 86 - Henry Normal
28 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Waffle Ep 85 - Justin Coe
14 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week, ahead of Fathers' Day, Paul chats to writer and performance-poet Justin Coe about his collection, 'The Dictionary of Dads', fatherhood and ...
Waffle Ep 84 - Jeffrey Weissman
12 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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 regal...
Waffle Ep 83 - Barbara C. Morden
12 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Waffle Ep 82 - Cath Howe on Empathy Day
10 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Waffle Ep 81 - Melanie Southworth
21 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week, ahead of Paul's Virtual Climb up Everest he talks to Melanie Southworth about her amazing personal Everest stories. From failed attempts, t...
Waffle Ep 80 - Matt Goodfellow
21 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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 collect...
Waffle Ep 79 - Sara Kedge
20 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week Paul talks to Sara Kedge, co-editor of "Neurodiverse Entrepreneurial Awesomeness: An Anthology Of Stories From Brilliant Entrepreneurs With ...
Waffle Ep 78 - Alan Dapré
20 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Waffle Ep 77 - Tony Curry
06 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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 podc...
Waffle Ep 76 - Richard Hayden
06 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week Paul talks to Stoke based writer, Richard Hayden about his his new book, Folly on the Hill; the first part of a fantasy trilogy. First broad...
Waffle Ep 75 - Abigail Collins
06 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week Paul talks to first time author Abigail Collins about her hilarious debut novel Everybody's Doing It centered around the modern dating scene...
Waffle Ep 74 - Laura Hadland
19 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week Paul talks to writer Laura Hadland about her latest book 50 Years of CAMRA: Celebrating 50 years of the Campaign for Real Ale. They talk abo...
Waffle Ep 73 - Keith Miles & Jackie Lees
22 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week Paul talks to Keith Miles and Jackie Lees about their shared passion for the music of Bob Dylan and how it led to them co-writing a book; Bo...
Waffle Ep 72 - Sharon Brown
12 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week Paul talks to local first time published writer Sharon Brown about her transition from classroom to poet and she reads from her debut collec...
Waffle Ep 71 - Claire Balkind
12 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's episode, Paul talks to Claire Balkind, founder of the Facebook group, 'Family Lockdown Tips and Ideas' which went viral during 2020 and...
Waffle Ep 70 - Keith Hutson
12 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week Paul talks to writer for stage, screen and television, Keith Hutson about his writing for soaps, working with Carol Ann Duffy and returning ...
Waffle Ep 69 - Paul Neads
26 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Paul talks to editor of Manchester based publishers Flapjack Press Paul Neads about how they have adapted and retained book launches throug...
Waffle Ep 68 - Andy West
22 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week Paul talks to Andy West, broadcast journalist, Big Brother contestant and now author about his upcoming book, 'The Spirit Engineer' First br...
Waffle Ep 67 - Ebony Errington-Beech
13 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week Paul talks to amazing young poet Ebony Errington-Beech about her debut collection, Poems I Grew In My Garden. They talk about her route to p...
Waffle Ep 66 - John Hegley
31 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week Paul has the privilege of talking to one of his poetry heroes, John Hegley. They talk about his work, his love of music and his belief in bo...
Waffle Ep 65 - Wilson
14 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week Paul has the pleasure of talking to singer-songwriter Wilson about his song writing inspirations, performing live and we hear his brand new ...
Waffle Ep 64 - Bróccán Tyzack-Carlin
07 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week Paul chats to Bróccán Tyzack-Carlin, poet, actor and comedian. They talk about missing the thrill of live performance during lock down, hi...
Waffle Ep 63 - Sarah Barton
07 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week Paul talks to Sarah Barton and ex teacher who now works for the Pupil Referral Unit with excluded children. They talk about her teaching pas...
Waffle Ep 62 - Dorothy Mitchell
06 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week Paul talks to local Rossendale legend Dorothy Mitchell. She is well known in the valley for her tireless work for Rossedale Hospice and its ...
Waffle Ep 61 - Rosie Garland
15 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week Paul talks to novelist, poet, suffragette and all round creative wunderkind, Rosie Garland. They talk about her novels, her position as Writ...
Waffle Ep 60 - Lucardo Rawtenstall
09 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week Paul talks to Simon and Molly from Lucardo Escape Rooms in Rawtenstall. They discuss how modern Role Playing Games have become the new form ...
Waffle Ep 59 - Thick Richard
01 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week Paul chats to irreverent poet Thick Richard about his new collection, Read 'Em and Weep. He talks about the change in performance styles dur...
Waffle Ep 58 - Book Talk Special - Kids Only
27 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Paul hosts another Book Talk Special, but this time, it's Kids Only! He speaks to three little book-worms about their favourite book and t...
Waffle Ep 57 - Simon Hunt
22 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week Paul chats to teacher and first time author Simon Hunt about his brand new book Delilah Rose the Bogey Princess He talks about his inspirati...
Waffle Ep 56 - Richard Easton
11 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week Paul talks to Richard Easton about his debut, but long time coming poetry collection, "Words, Thoughts and Observations". He talks about his...
Waffle Ep 55 - Jack Forrest, Bury Youth Theatre
07 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's episode, Paul chats to Bury Youth Theatre leader, Jack Forrest about how they have adapted their sessions to comply with COVID guidelin...
Waffle Ep 54 - Zoë Sîobhan Howarth-Lowe
27 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Paul is joined on the phone by poet Zoë Sîobhan Howarth-Lowe who talks about her second collection 'I Have Grown Two Hearts', all about m...
Waffle Ep 53 - Marissa Moore
20 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week Paul chats to entertainment entrepreneur Marissa Moore about her sister projects, Tailspin Theatre and her children's party company Wish Upo...
Waffle Ep 52 - Rossendale Players
14 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Paul chats to the chair of local theatre company, the Rossendale Players, David West. He talks about their growth from the early days as a ...
Waffle Ep 51 - Punk In Drublic
07 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week's episode was recorded at Salford's Punk In Drublic, with excerpts of live comedy from Harriet Dyer and Ash Preston and poetry from Rebecca ...
Waffle Ep 50 - Rosa Wright
30 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Waffle celebrates its first birthday by catching up with its very first guest, poet Rosa Wright. She tells us how she has spent the last 12...
Waffle Ep 49 - Tahira Rehman
23 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week Paul chats to young poet Tahira Rehman. She talks about the difficulties of first time self-publishing, her own podcast and we hear excerpts...
Waffle Ep 48 - Geneviève Walsh
16 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week Paul chats to Yorkshire based poet Geneviève Walsh about their two open mic nights, Spoken Weird and Spoken Queered, how music suffuses int...
Waffle Ep 47 - Graeme Hawley
09 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week Paul talks to actor Graeme Hawley about his many roles including his villainous role in Coronation Street and they talk learning lines and t...
Waffle Ep 46 - Haili Hughes
02 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Paul chats to teacher and author Haili Hughes about her fascinating new book, Preserving Positity: Choosing to stay in the classroom and b...
Waffle Ep 45 - Book Talk, with Laura, Aimee & Robert
23 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week Paul hosts a special Book Talk episode and talks to three very different readers about their current book choices; from Laura delving into t...
Waffle Ep 44 - Gabby Hutchinson-Crouch
19 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week Paul talks to author and comedy writer, Gabby Hutchinson-Crouch about coming up through the ranks of television comedy writing and the new i...
Waffle Ep 43 - Andrew Knight-Hill PhD
12 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week Paul has a fascinating chat about where sound ends and music begins with Andrew Knight-Hill PhD, Senior Lecturer in Sound Design and Music ...
Waffle Ep 42 - Robert Steventon
05 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Paul chats to poet Robert Steventon about his open-mic might Punk in Drublic, how writing helps his mental health and we hear some of his n...
Waffle Ep 41 - Coral Rumble
28 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week Paul talks with award winning children's poet Coral Rumble about her transition from teacher to poet and hear excerpts from her new collecti...
Waffle Ep 40 - James Frith
21 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Paul chats to political campaigner James Frith about speech-writing for parliament, his books about his time as a novice Member of Parliame...
Waffle Ep 39 - Amy Willoughby on Empathy Day
08 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week, ahead of Empathy Day on June 9th, Paul chats to assistant head and English teacher Amy Willoughby about working with Empathy Lab and the ho...
Waffle Ep 38 - Sadie Davidson
07 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week Paul talks with poet Sadie Davidson about how she found her way to poetry as a new mother, her work to promote the work of the less privileg...
Waffle Ep 37 - Tiernan Douieb
31 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Paul gets the chance to chat to old friend and comedy king Tiernan Douieb about writing stand up, working along side some of TV's favourit...
Waffle Ep 36 - Valerie Dewhurst
24 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Paul chats with school librarian and disco lover, Valerie Dewhurst. First broadcast on Rossendale Radio 17.05.20
Waffle Ep 35 - Rose Condo
17 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's episode, Paul chats to Canadian performance poet Rose Condo about her work, being nominated for awards and her love of all thing Joss W...
Waffle Ep 34 - Poems For A Pandemic
05 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week Paul talks to young writers whose work has been selected to part of a new anthology, Poems For A Pandemic, along with the book's curator, An...
Waffle Ep 33 - Neal Zetter
03 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week Paul talks to poet Neal Zetter about his children's poetry his love of punk and creating new superheroes and villains. First broadcast on Ro...
Waffle Ep 32 - Jo Cotterill
24 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week Paul has the immense pleasure of talking with award winning children's writer Jo Cotterill about her early days in drama, why she loves writ...
Waffle Ep 31 - Joshua Seigal
20 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week, whilst still maintaining social distancing, Paul talks award-winning professional poet, performer and educator Joshua Seigal First broadcas...
Waffle Ep 30 - Laura Chepner
12 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Waffle, Paul chats to teacher, writer and vegan restaurateur Laura Chepner First broadcast on Rossendale Radio 05.04.20
Waffle Ep 29 - Richard O'Neill
06 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week, still interviewing via phone lines due to the Corona virus lock-down, Paul chats with Richard O'Neill about his writing, his love of music ...
Waffle Ep 28 - Dominic Berry
29 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week Paul has the absolute pleasure of talking to fellow poet Dominic Berry about his work with children, being a Glastonbury poet in residence a...
Waffle Ep 27 - Benjamin Guilfoyle
22 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Paul circumnavigates lockdown with a telephone interview with the Woolly Hat Poet and primary school teacher, Benjamin Guilfoyle. They disc...
Waffle Ep 26 - World Book Day with Old Hall Primary School
15 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week Paul celebrates world book day with the students and teachers of Old Hall Primary School in Bury and gets their feelings and opinions on wha...
Waffle Ep 25 - Paul Davies of UkePunk
01 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week Paul chats with Paul Davis of Uke Punk about his influences as a song writer and punk ukelele performer and he performs some of his original...
Waffle Ep 24 - Booktalk Phone In
23 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week Paul chats to fellow Rossendale Radio presenters about their reading habits and their favourite books. First broadcast on Rossendale Radio 1...
Waffle Ep 23 - Long Lee Primary School
16 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week Paul has the pleasure of working with Long Lee Primary School in Keighley doing poetry workshops. We hear from the teachers and the children...
Waffle Ep 22 - Empathy Lab
09 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week Paul is back out on the road talking about fascinating new work from the Empathy Lab who are working with schools to encourage reading for n...
Waffle Ep 21 - Adam Chase
02 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week Paul talks to teacher Adams Chase about how to engage children with literacy and encourage them to with their own writing. First broadcast o...
Waffle Ep 20 - Emma Speed
19 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week Paul talks to Emma Speed about her long career working in radio, tv and the time she got to interview Princess Leia. First broadcast on Ross...
Waffle Ep 19 - Rowan Ardill 202020
12 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week Paul chats to Rowan Ardill about his serious fundraising endeavor of 202020 running 20 marathons in 20 days in 20 different cities in the ho...
Waffle Ep 18 - Best of 2019
05 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
To mark the end of 2019 Paul has hand selected some highlights from the Waffle interviews from the past year. Highlights include live music, a young...
Waffle Ep 17 - Ian McMillan
29 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
This week Paul was privileged enough to meet up with poet, journalist and BBC broadcaster, Ian McMillan at the 'unfurling' of a new poetry exhibit foc...
Waffle Ep 16 - Ian Eagleton
22 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
This week sees Paul chat to Ian Eagleton, teacher and creator of The Reading Realm, a new literacy app for younger readers, about books, apps and Mari...
Waffle Ep 15 - Tony Horne
15 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
This week Paul chats to fellow Rossendale Radio presenter Tony Horne about his other life as a ghost writer and what it means to be anonymous in the p...
Waffle Ep 14 - Elke Lowe & Sean Smith
08 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
This week Paul speaks with young vocalists and songwriters Elke Lowe and Sean Smith who have very different styles but share a common bond; they were ...
Waffle Ep 13 - Sir John Thursby Community College
01 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
This week Paul squeezes 3 people into the studio to chat to Stephanie Byatt from Sir John Thursby Community College and her students Waleeja & Eshan ...
Waffle Ep 12 - Andy N and Amanda Steel
24 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
This week's Episode sees Paul joined by writing couple Andy N and Amanda Steel about their individual and divergent writing styles and how they come t...
Waffle Ep 11 - George Melling
18 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
This Remembrance week Paul talks to "Th' Owd Chap", poet George Melling about his unique journey into writing and his touching reminiscences of his fa...
Waffle Ep 10 - Helen Nugent
10 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
This week Paul talks to Helen Nugent about how she got in to journalism, writing for publications such as the Guardian and her online magazine, Northe...
Waffle Ep 9 - Matt Rynn
02 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
This episode Paul talks to singer songwriter Matt Rynn  about his influences and what inspires him to write. First broadcast on Rossendale Radio 27.1...
Waffle Ep 8 - Steven Taylor (+ bonus feature)
27 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
This week Paul talks to fellow poet Steven Taylor about how he approaches his poetry and the performance elements. Bonus feature is a never before hea...
Waffle Ep 7 - Jo Watson
20 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
This week Paul chats with Jo Watson about writing for other people as a copywriter and the every day applications of writing that we might take for gr...
Waffle Ep 6 - Zoe Siobhan Howarth-Lowe
13 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
This week Paul chats to fellow poet Zoe Siobhan Howarth-Lowe about the highs and lows of getting published and the what it's like to be a performance ...
Waffle Ep 5- Simon Hunt
06 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Waffle Episode 5 - This week Paul talks to school teacher Simon Hunt about writing poetry with children and the international effects it can have. Fir...
Waffle Ep 4 - Christopher Moriarty
22 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
This week Paul talks to Christopher Moriarty about re-working some Dr Seuss, his time in education and setting up portals for other poets. First broad...
Waffle Ep 3 - Sharon Lowe
15 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
This week Paul chats with Sharon Lowe about her writing, performance and her work on the Wigan Diggers Festivals. First Broadcast on Rossendale Radio ...