Real Folk with Jo Burke

Real Folk with Jo Burke

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Inspiring life stories from amazing people you've, probably, never heard of. Jo chinwags with guests from diverse backgrounds and delves into their lives so far. Guests include actors, adventurers, comedians, dancers, artists, singers, filmmakers, foster carers, authors, entrepreneurs, linguists and more. Who would we be without our stories? Sharing, listening and learning about our experiences is the essence of being human.

Jo Burke


    • Apr 2, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • monthly NEW EPISODES
    • 43m AVG DURATION
    • 23 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Real Folk with Jo Burke

    22. Josephine Lacey - Stand Up Comedian, 'Autism Mama' and writer

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 2, 2025 55:38


    Funny, heartbreaking and inspirational in equal measure, this is a Real Folk to remember... Jo takes a deep dive into the background of stand-up comedian and writer, Josephine Lacey, creator of the hit five star comedy show, 'Autism Mama', 'The straight-talking comic's debut hour is cheerfully rude and glowing with maternal love, as she describes parenting a son with autism.' The Guardian.   Trigger warning:  Josephine's story covers her abusive childhood, a sexual assault and consequent PTSD. If you or someone you know needs help contact: National Domestic Abuse HelplineHave a listen and gain some significant life lessons from her unique story, go see her amazing show in Wales, Brighton, Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham and The Soho Theatre London. Follow her on instagram here.Share this FREE podcast with anyone who you think may benefit. Jo's second podcast, Utter Burke, is also available FREE wherever you listen. 

    21. Sophie Haydock - Author, editor, journalist

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 11, 2025 49:49


    Jo catches up with Sophie Haydock, Sunday Times and Guardian journalist, author of The Flames 'One of the finest historical authors of 2022', The Times. Her latest book, Madame Matisse, is released on 6th March 2025. Sophie delicately weaves fact and fiction to flesh out the stories surrounding the women that inspired Egon Schiele and Henri Mattise.  Find out more about her passion for art, storytelling and why she wanted to spotlight, the often omitted, stories of women in the 20th Century.  You will be surprised to learn which Hollywood actor follows her work, her favourite muddy hobby and why she's off to the North Pole. Follow her work here: @egonschieleswomen and www.sophie-haydock.com

    20. Dan Parkes - Author & Director or Photography

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 6, 2025 63:02


    If, like Jo, you have always been intrigued by the stories that surround the Titanic tragedy, you should definitely tune in to discover more about Dan Parkes debut book, Titanic Legacy: The Captain, the Daughter and the Spy.  More twists and turns, than a twisty turny thing. Jo 'dives' in to Dan's DOP work, his drone training and what triggered his lifelong obsession with the Titanic.  Dan's DOP work can be found here www.danthecameraman.co.uk, his production company is www.parkesproductions.com and to purchase signed and numbered copies of Dan's book click here: www.titanicofficers.com

    19. Ben Rufus Green - Actor, comedian, writer

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 13, 2025 59:25


    Jo catches up with fellow actor, comedian and writer, Ben Rufus Green. On our TV screens Ben played 'David Cockfield' in both series of, Joe Wilkinson's, hilarious family comedy 'The Cockfields'. He most recently starred in Scottish BAFTA Award winning 'Dinosaur' Ashley Storrie's,  new comedy show. Also in 2024 he starred in his first feature film 'Seize Them!' starring comedy legends, Nick Frost, Jessica Hynes and Nicola Coughlan from Derry Girl and Bridgerton. This year (2025) his second feature film 'Deep Cover' will be released, starring Orlando Bloom and you can see him pop up in 'Sister Boniface' too. Jo and Ben discuss their passion for comedy, acting and writing. Find out how Ben got started in the industry, what writing projects he is working on and his weekly 'Washing Up Club' streamed on Twitch. He also shares some tips he picked up from working with likes of Nigel Havers, the late great, Bobby Ball and Susannah Fielding, who also stars in 'The Cockfields' and played Alan Partridge's co-host Jennie in 'This Time with Alan Partridge'.  What a year he's had!Check out Ben's website here : http://www.thisisgreensville.com/Watch Ben's 'Washing Up Club' on twitch here: https://www.twitch.tv/thisisgreensville

    18. Mel Larsen - International Coach & Consultant

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 7, 2025 60:43


    It's the start of a New Year. What are your personal, career or business plans/goals/challenges for 2025? Grab a cuppa and join Jo and the marvellous, Mel Larsen, International Coach & Consultant who has been helping entrepreneurs for over three decades to joyfully trust their BIG Vision and strategically amplify their Clients, Income & Impact. Her work has taken her around the world, including Russia, The Caribbean, Australia and New Zealand, and across Europe.Mel shares how her childhood experiences and her phenomenal mum, perfectly primed her for her career as a consultant and led her to build a 6-figure business and become the founder of not one, but three, community-led festivals. As discussed in the show, below is the link to FutureSeed (a one day online workshop that runs in the first week of every year)and Mel's website:https://www.dreamprojectcoach.com/futureseed/Mel also kindly invited listeners to use the code: VIPSpecial to receive a £10 discount. See you there!

    17. Darren Walsh - Comedian, Tik Tok Pun Guy, Director, Writer

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 19, 2024 36:13


    Tik Tok Pun Guy, Darren Walsh, chats to Jo about his comedy career, the fact he is absolutely NOT the other Darren Walsh, a famous animator who created Angry Kid, plus insider info on how Darren creates his viral Tik Tok Puns on the Street. You can catch Darren's latest show 'Do You Like Puns?' at Leicester Comedy Festival in Feb, Glasgow in March, London's Leicester Square Theatre in April, Brighton and Chesham in May and Hasting in June. For show tickets and to subscribe to his mailing list visit https://linktr.ee/DarrenWalshPuns

    16. Sarah O'Connell - YouTube Celebrity Chat Show host, Comedian, Artist/Animator

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 8, 2024 43:23


    Sarah kindly allowed Jo to turn the tables and interview her for Real Folk, so you can find out about Sarah's life for a change. 'The Sarah O'Connell Show' is a YouTube sensation with her celebrity guests ranging from Hollywood stars like Keanu Reeves, comedians/national treasures such as our wonderful Dawn French and of course musicians like Darren Hayes from Savage Garden, to name but a few.  Jo and Sarah's chinwag veers from the surreal to the sublime, covering life, death and everything in between. Watch, love and subscribe to her amazing interviews here: www.youtube.com/@SarahOConnellShow 

    15. Benjamin Bankole Bello - Character comedian President Obonjo

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 20, 2024 55:41


    Jo's back with more Real Folk. Put your feet up and join Jo for an intriguing and thought provoking chat with 'accidental' comedian, Benjamin Bankole Bello, who has spent more than a decade honing his comic character, President Obonjo, African Dictator of LAFTA Republic, who became a social media viral sensation. Check out his millions of views on TikTok, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Jo and Ben discuss his rise and almost complete destruction in an industry they both love.  Unbelievably many people, including previous real life presidents, can't tell fact from fiction...you can see his ITVx comedy special  'Stolen' via his website presidentobonjo.com or on the ITVx App.

    14. Anna Kennedy OBE - Autism educator and Strictly star

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 1, 2021 53:57


    Kick back in your favourite comfy chair and join Jo and Anna chatting about autism awareness, Strictly Come Dancing and meeting the Queen. Anna shares the story of her children's diagnosis. What led her to set up two specialist schools, a college, a residential home and Anna Kennedy Online. She is also known as Autisms answer to 'Simon Cowell' (she's not sure that's a good thing) owing to the fabulous annual competition she created called 'Autism's Got Talent'. Jo and Anna are massive dance fans so couldn't resist nattering about Anna's amazing experience on the 'Strictly People's Special' in 2015 where she danced with the brilliant Robin Windsor. Oh and of course the realities of receiving an OBE and her unique Italian/Middlesbrough roots. More info on www.annakennedyonline.com

    13. Amanda Egan - Author, fundraiser and creative

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 17, 2021 30:19


    Amanda Egan, author of 'Diary of a Mummy Misfit' and many more, chats with Jo about her writing process, lockdown life and her latest creative adventures. Tune in for an exclusive preview of an AMAZING song from the musical based on her utterly fabulous book 'Stilettos and Stubble' set in a drag club. Composed and sung by Alan Penman, written by her husband. We simply CANNOT let Covid19 stop 'Stilettos and Stubble the Musical' from happening. You will feel the same once you've heard the song and read the book. Let's be honest we NEED this in our lives, especially now. Download Amanda's books via Amazon and follow her on Twitter @Mummy_Misfit.

    12. John Fleming - Comedy connoisseur and blogger

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 8, 2021 43:08


    Jo chews the fat with comedy connoisseur, blogger and founder of the infamous 'Malcolm Hardee Awards', John Fleming. They discuss great writers, naked balloon dancing, how he ended up being co-author of Malcolm Hardee's book 'I Stole Freddie Mercury's Birthday Cake' and of course life in general. Check out John's blog 'So it Goes' here: www.thejohnfleming.wordpress.com

    11. Alison Knowles - Emotional wellbeing therapist and author

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 24, 2021 41:33


    Emotional wellbeing is critical during these challenging times. Jo chats to the inspiring, Alison Knowles, creator of 'Ollie and his Superpowers', a book brand that helps both children and adults understand and control their emotions. Ali shares her story of dyslexia, having left school with nothing but the word 'stupid' ringing in her ears. Find out how dyslexia and Covid19 pushed her in directions she would never have imagined. If you are interested in becoming an Ollie Coach, are a school teacher, or know of a school that may be interested in their approach to emotional wellbeing, then contact www.ollieandhissuperpowers.com. Recorded via Zoom prior to the second UK lockdown.

    10. Lynn Rae - Make-up artist, physical therapist and pilates instructor

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 20, 2020 51:06


    Grab a cuppa and join Lynn and Jo for a life affirming chat. Starting with Lynn's background as a make-up artist in the 80's, why she became a physical therapist and how she continues to manage her breast cancer diagnosis received in 2008. Find out what her biggest life lessons are and why she believes beauty truly is an inside job. Check out her website www.lynnrae.co.uk

    9. David Shackleton - Linguist, actor, teacher

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 8, 2020 28:33


    Linguist, actor and teacher, David Shackleton, chats candidly with Jo about attempting to take his own life, being a gay man in the 1960's, he also picks Jo up on a few of her own language faux pas. A fascinating journey into language, life and being true to yourself.

    8. Pam Jones - Foster carer for 30 years, set up local charity to help the homeless.

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 30, 2020 37:27


    Unstoppable, Pam Jones, popped into Custard HQ in Folkestone, to share the highs and lows of life as a foster carer for more than thirty years. Plus how and why she set up a local charity 'Helping the Homeless and Vulnerable' donations and details on Facebook. Prepare to fall in love...

    7. Lee and Hartmut - Theatre entrepreneurs crowdfunding for the arts

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 21, 2020 22:42


    Lee and Hartmut set up Central Tickets in 2017. Like so many of us in the arts they were hit hard by Covid19. Incredibly, during the toughest of times, the dynamic duo went to enormous lengths to help performers, producers and theatre technicians to survive. Have a listen to how it all started and what they did, with the help of all their amazing members, to help the arts in 2020...

    6. Kate Sheppeard - Australian opera singer, jewellery designer & teacher

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 16, 2020 34:18


    Hilarious natter with Australian opera singer, jewellery designer (KTCD Jewellery on Etsy) and teacher, Kate Sheppeard. They shoot the breeze about nightmare performances, imposter syndrome, anxiety, working at ENO and Sydney Opera House plus so much more...

    5. Andy Elias - Indie filmmaker, actor, vlogger and teacher

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 9, 2020 32:11


    Join Jo for a natter with Andy about his love of the horror film genre, his indie film company 'Ciao Handy', the making of his award winning short, 'Life's a Bench' and how vlogging helped him recover from illness.

    4. Lynn Ruth Miller - American journalist who started stand-up comedy aged 70

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 4, 2020 35:06


    86 year old American stand-up comedian, artist, author and force of nature, Lynn Ruth Miller, shares some of her amazing stories. Including starting stand-up aged 70, two failed marriages and coping with eating disorders...

    3. Joff Summerfield - Cyclist, engineer and round-the-world traveller

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 1, 2020 50:09


    A modern day Phileas Fogg, if Mr Fogg had cycled round the world and taken a tad longer, owing to the height of his bike. Jo chats with Joff (at 'Custard HQ' in Folkestone) about his round-the-world trip that started and finished at stunning Greenwich Market, in South East London, with a few false starts and a multitude of exciting and hilarious adventures in between...

    2. Manolis Emmanouel - Greek actor, voice over artist and director

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 30, 2020 61:04


    Jo catches up with Greek actor and friend Manolis Emmanouel. This is his first podcast so have a listen to this exclusive and find out about his role in Michael Winterbottom's film 'Greed', his unusual, unwanted admirer and some pretty huge life events...

    1. Jackie Meade - Mayor of Folkestone, 80's rocker, charity fundraiser

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 28, 2020 48:44


    Jo's first guest, recorded at her creative/gallery space 'Custard HQ' on the Old High St in Folkestone, is former Mayor of Folkestone - Jackie Meade. Find out about Jackie's Olympic Gold Medal, her brushes with 80's pop stars, her charity work and so much more...

    Real Folk with Jo Burke Taster

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 25, 2020 1:34


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