Strut and Bellow podcast

This is a conversation with Amy de Bhrún from 2018 when she was crowdfunding for her one woman show I SEE YOU. She is a prolific artist, moving fluidly between writing and acting. Since the birth of her daughter, she's also launched her own podcast Year of the Selfie.

This is a Facebook Live conversation with South African poet Nandi Jola that I had back in 2018 when we were working together on Eve Ensler's The Vagina Monologues. Listening back to it now, I am very aware of my own white privilege in my line of questioning but Nandi is so gracious and open in sharing her story. Both Nandi and her daughter Anesu Mtowa, also a poet and activist, are so inspirational and powerful. Please forgive the sound quality and the few technical issues that we had.

In this conversation, Lucy shares her unique approach to writing, her commitment to her work as an act of service for others. She talks about her own health struggles and those of her family's and how they have impacted the publishing company she set up. She also exclusively reveals the title of her new book which is the next in her series. Have a listen.

In this conversation, we discuss our shared love of sea swimming, Janine's unique outlook on life, her struggle with anxiety and how it shapes her photography and how she's now getting to combine her teaching and photography with really fun and helpful workshops. Have a listen.

This week Melanie talks with Angela Josephine about the journey to her latest album Daylight (Stone Bright Solid Vol.2) which will be released on May 4th. This conversation was recorded in October 2017 when they were both participants in Pete Rollin's boutique festival One Day We Might Live - an exploration of the theology and philosophy of C.S.Lewis.

In this conversation, we chat about Mel's passion for women's empowerment and social justice. We delve into our shared interest in the Enneagram, the ancient personality typing system, and how it has helped us in our work and family relationships. And we discuss Mel's new online group coaching course Movements. Have a listen.

This week Melanie talks to performance artist Amanda Coogan. She talks about her artistic process and her fight to get back to work after having her son.

This week Melanie talks to climate scientist and award winning blogger Dr. Cara Augustenborg. They talk about the reality of climate change, Cara's move towards activism and what she sees as the possibilities and the opportunities for the future. Have a listen.

This week Melanie talks to actress Susan Bracken. They talk about her round the world journey to the stage, her passion for American theatre and how she is sharing everything she's learned back home to Dublin. Have a listen.

This week Melanie talks to Heather McKay, an artist and illustrator and the creator of Head in the Clouds Ireland, selling original prints and cards. They discussed the tricky balance between art and business, how motherhood enhances creativity and the spiritual path and how it intersects with creativity. Have a listen

This week Melanie talks to Aoife Spillane-Hinks on her journey as a theatre director. They discuss her love of great plays, her passion for Shakespeare and what she has learned as an emerging female director in Ireland. She also shares a great list of podcasts that she loves. Have a listen.

This week Melanie talks to stage designer, arts manager and instigator of the Waking the Feminists movement, Lian Bell. They discuss waking up to everyday sexism in the creative arts, shadow artistry, the wonder of the everyday and much more. Have a listen.

This week Melanie talks to Irish artist Róisín O’Farrell. Róisín is one of Ireland’s best loved contemporary artists. They talk about being healthy as an artist and how to fill the creative well. Have a listen

This week Melanie talks to British dance artist Charlotte Darbyshire. Charlotte is a founding member of Candoco Dance Company. They talk about her process for making work and how it has changed in recent years. Have a listen.

This week Melanie talks to actress and writer Noni Stapleton. Noni was recently nominated for the Susan Smith Blackburn playwriting award for her play 'Charolais'. They discuss bravery, vulnerability and joy. Have a listen.