Best Chris Forshaw Podcasts (2025)

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Cliff Forshaw on Arthur Rimbaud, both in translation and as an influence on his own book-length sequence RE:VERB 1:18:21

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24d ago1:18:21

1:18:21

In this episode, I discuss Arthur Rimbaud with Cliff Forshaw. We focus on Rimbaud's poem 'Vowels', translated by Cliff in his collection French Leave: Versions and Perversions, and Cliff's sequence RE:VERB which retells the life of Rimbaud in verse. Cliff also reflects on his latest book, Elemental, and reads the opening piece 'Remains' in full. Cl…

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Helen Angell on T S Eliot's poem 'Preludes' and on her own poem 'Mancunian Way' 1:25:46

1M ago1:25:46

1:25:46

In this episode, I talk to Helen Angell about T S Eliot's early poem 'Preludes', and her own architecturally-inspired poem 'Mancunian Way.' Helen discusses where and when she first encountered Eliot's poetry (at Rotherham College) and how much his work has gone on to influence her writing. We talk about the public spaces versus the private rooms in…

1
Geraldine Monk on Gerard Manley Hopkins' poem 'The Leaden Echo and The Golden Echo' and her own poem 'Chattox Sings' 1:19:34

2M ago1:19:34

1:19:34

In this episode, I talk to Geraldine Monk about Gerard Manley Hopkins’ poem ‘The Leaden Echo and The Golden Echo’ and her own poem ‘Chattox Sings’ from her collection Interregnum (1993). We begin by discussing poets who could have been chosen by Geraldine as exemplars - Gertrude Stein, Harold Munro and Dylan Thomas. We then focus on Gerard Manley H…

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Al McClimens on Simon Armitage's poem 'Evening' and his own poem 'Grand National' 57:11

2M ago57:11

57:11

In this episode, I talk to Al McClimens about Simon Armitage’s poem ‘Evening’ and his own poem ‘Grand National’. We discuss ideas of place and time in Armitage's 'views' of Marsden, the village where he grew up, and how these ideas are represented in his work. We focus on the formal designs of both Simon Armitage's and Al's pieces. I ask Al about t…

1
Matt Black on Edward Lear's poem 'The Owl and the Pussy-Cat' and his own poem 'The Owl and the Pussy-Cat and the Turtles of Fun' 1:12:53

11M ago1:12:53

1:12:53

In this episode I talk to Matt Black about writing his own versions of 'The Owl and the Pussy-Cat' by Edward Lear. Matt reflects on when he first heard 'The Owl and the Pussy-Cat' as a child. He then goes on to talk in depth about the task of creating a homage to this 'iconic' piece of work. He discusses the intricacies of the poem - how it uses al…

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Vicky Morris on Hannah Lowe's poem 'Fist', Georgie Woodhead's poem 'When my Uncle Stood at the Top of the Office Block Roof’, and her own poem ‘Sea Road’ 1:15:17

11M ago1:15:17

1:15:17

In this episode, I talk to Vicky Morris about Hannah Lowe’s poem ‘Fist’, Georgie Woodhead’s poem ‘When my Uncle Stood at the Top of the Office Block Roof’ and her own poem ‘Sea Road’. Vicky begins the podcast by talking about how she first came across Hannah Lowe’s work and what appealed about to her about the poetry - the voice (plain style), the …

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Steve Ely on Geoffrey Hill's Mercian Hymns and poems from his own sequence ‘The Battle of Brunanburh’ and his poem ‘Filth as thou art’ from his collection Eely 1:22:00

12M ago1:22:00

1:22:00

In this episode, I talk to Steve Ely about Geoffrey Hill’s collection Mercian Hymns and a number of poems from his sequence ‘The Battle of Brunanburh’ and the poem ‘Filth as thou art’ from his most recent collection Eely. Steve talks about the importance of Hill's work as an 'outlier' poet in the Modernist tradition. He focuses on the form that Mer…

1
Abbi Flint on Elizabeth-Jane Burnett's poem 'Little Peach' and her own poem 'Cow Low Bowl (650 - 700 AD)' 1:14:13

1y ago1:14:13

1:14:13

In this episode, I talk to Abbi Flint about Elizabeth-Jane Burnett’s poem ‘Little Peach’ and her own poem ‘Cow Low Bowl (650 - 700 AD)’. Abbi talks about the connections between her work as an archaeologist and her creative processes as a poet. She explores the idea of fragments - whether they be finds or fragmentary and non-linear details - as a w…

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David Swann on Tony Hoagland's poem 'The Neglected Art of Description' and his own poem 'The Last Day of Summer' 1:23:07

1y ago1:23:07

1:23:07

In this episode, I spend time with Dave Swann (on his, and his wife, Ange's allotment) as we reflect on Tony Hoagland's poem 'The Neglected Art of Description' and his own poem 'The Last Day of Summer'. In the podcast, Dave talks about meeting Tony Hoagland at a poetry reading in London. He discusses how he got over balancing his work life and writ…

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Robert Hamberger on John Clare's poem 'The Field Mouse's Nest' and his own poem 'Herb Robert' 1:18:42

1y ago1:18:42

1:18:42

In this episode, I talk to Robert Hamberger about John Clare’s poem 'The Field Mouse’s Nest' and his own poem 'Herb Robert'. In our conversation, Robert talks about how his art teacher introduced to him to the works of Sylvia Plath and John Clare (among others). He discusses the 'everyday' language he uses in his poetry and how (through this 'polit…

1
David Harmer on Dylan Thomas's 'Poem in October' and his own poetry sequence 'White Peak Histories' 1:01:35

1y ago1:01:35

1:01:35

In this episode, I talk to the poet David Harmer about Dylan Thomas’s ‘Poem in October’ and his own sequence ‘White Peak Histories.’ In our conversation, David discusses his connections with Thomas. He explains why ‘Poem in October’ (and ‘late Thomas’) appeals to him in particular. He talks about the shape and feel of the poem, its aural qualities,…

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Katharine Towers on Elizabeth Bishop's poems 'Sandpiper' and 'Jerónimo's House' and her own poem 'Elizabeth Bishop's Sad Epitaph' 1:12:01

1y ago1:12:01

1:12:01

In this episode, poet Katharine Towers discusses Elizabeth Bishop’s poems ‘Sandpiper’ and ‘Jerónimo’s House’ and her own poem ‘Elizabeth Bishop’s Sad Epitaph.’ In the interview, Katharine explains how she went from being a prose writer to a poet in part from reading Elizabeth Bishop’s poems. She examines the qualities of Bishop’s writing through an…

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Mark Pullinger on Shinkichi Takahashi's poem 'Sparrow in Winter' and his own work 'Magus' and 'Untitled' 1:01:25

1y ago1:01:25

1:01:25

In this episode, poet Mark Pullinger discusses Shinkichi Takahashi’s poem ‘Sparrow in Winter’ (translated by Lucien Stryk) and two of Mark’s poems: ‘Magus' and ‘Untitled’. In the interview, we talk about Mark’s introduction to Zen poetry - and Zen haiku in particular - through his discovery of Shinkichi Takahashi’s work. We examine the multifaceted…

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Fay Musselwhite on David Jones's book-length poem In Parenthesis and her own sequence Memoir of a Working River 1:13:41

1y ago1:13:41

1:13:41

In this episode, poet Fay Musselwhite discusses David Jones’s book-length poem In Parenthesis and her own sequence ‘Memoir of a Working River’ from her collection Contraflow. In the interview, we talk about how Fay came to Jones’s poem - a book that follows soldiers' long trajectory toward the Somme battlefield, but has so much more within it than …

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Lydia Allison on Tom Phillips' A Humument and on her own Metro Erasure Poems 1:02:47

2y ago1:02:47

1:02:47

In this episode, Lydia Allison reflects on Tom Phillips' 'treated' book A Humument and how it influenced her own Metro erasure poems. In the interview, Lydia talks about going to an event where Tom Phillips talked about his practice as an artist - and about A Humument in particular. She relates how the book came about and describes its various iter…

1
Elizabeth Holloway on Sharon Olds' poem 'The Blue Dress' and her own poem 'Blue Dress' 1:09:59

2y ago1:09:59

1:09:59

In this episode, I talk to the poet Elizabeth Holloway about how Sharon Olds’ poem 'The Blue Dress’ influenced the writing of her own poem ‘Blue Dress’. Liz talks about the impact Sharon Olds had on her when her first British collection - The Sign of Saturn - was published (in 1991). She talks about the idea of confessional poetry, and how closely …

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Angelina D'Roza on Seamus Heaney's The Cure at Troy (translated from Sophocles) and her own poem 'Correspondences: The Credence of Birds' 59:20

2y ago59:20

59:20

In this episode, I talk to the poet Angelina D’Roza about how an extract from Seamus Heaney’s The Cure at Troy, a verse translation of Sophocles' play Philoctetes, influenced the writing of her own poem ‘Correspondences: The Credence of Birds’. Angelina talks about how Seamus Heaney’s stage directions from The Cure at Troy grabbed her attention, th…

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Matt Clegg on ’Back Home Again Chant’ by T’ao Ch’ien (translated by David Hinton) and his own poem ’Tzu-Jan as Performance Outcome’ 53:47

2y ago53:47

53:47

In this episode, I talk to the poet Matt Clegg about how ‘Back Home Again Chant’ by T'ao Ch'ien influenced the writing of his own poem ‘'Tzu-Jan as Perfomance Outcome.’ Matt talks about how Chinese poetry has come to increasingly influence his approach to writing over the past ten years. He talks about T’ao Ch’ien’s style - how it conceals depths b…

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Pete Green on Louis MacNeice’s Autumn Journal and on their own poem Sheffield Almanac 1:05:09

2y ago1:05:09

1:05:09

In this episode, Pete Green reads and discusses Chapter Eight from Louis MacNeice’s book-length poem Autumn Journal and how it played a part in the writing of their own long poem Sheffield Almanac. In the programme, Pete talks about their own long relationship with MacNeice’s poem, how it ‘works’ as a poem, stitching together contemporary ‘pinch po…

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James Caruth on Anne Stevenson’s ”North Sea off Carnoustie” and his own poem ”Coast Road, North Antrim” 41:12

2y ago41:12

41:12

In this episode, James Caruth discusses Anne Stevenson's ‘North Sea off Carnoustie’ and how reading this work influenced the writing of his own poem ‘Coast Road, North Antrim’. In the interview, James discusses the importance of workshopping and writing days. He reflects on ideas of the north in both his and Anne Stevenson’s poetry. He also talks a…

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Pam Thompson on James Schuyler’s ’Hymn to Life’ and her own poem ’An Afternoon’ 49:55

2y ago49:55

49:55

In this episode, Pam Thompson discusses James Schuyler’s ‘Hymn to Life’ and how reading this work influenced the writing of her own poem ‘An Afternoon’. In the interview, Pam talks about how Schuyler’s life affected what he focused on in his work, and his approach to writing ‘of-the-moment’ poems. She talks about his influences, his interest in dia…

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Suzannah Evans on James Tate’s ’Making the Best of the Holidays’ and her own poem ’A Course in Miracles’ 49:06

2y ago49:06

49:06

In this episode, poet Suzannah Evans discusses James Tate’s ‘Making the Best of the Holidays’ and how reading this work influenced the writing of her own poem ‘A Course in Miracles’. In the interview, Suzannah reflects on the use of form, tone, humour, and the notion of objectionable or challenging narrators as she unpicks James Tate’s piece ‘Makin…

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Rob Hindle on William Blake’s ’The Sick Rose’ and his own poem ’The Sick Rose’ 42:04

2y ago42:04

42:04

In this episode, poet Rob Hindle discusses William Blake's 'The Sick Rose' and how reading this work influenced the writing of his own poem 'The Sick Rose'. In the interview, Rob reflects on Blake's political convictions, and touches on psychoanalytical readings of Blake as a means of understanding the original poem. He goes on to reflect on what h…

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The Two-Way Poetry Podcast: What’s It All About 8:39

2y ago8:39

8:39

In this episode, Chris Jones introduces The Two-Way Poetry Podcast, a biweekly series of interviews where he speaks to poets about their own creative inspirations and practice. He says a little about himself, and discusses the background to the show, reflecting on how writers are influenced by the texts they read. He reflects on the idea that when …

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Welsh OnlyFans Sensation - Your Round Podcast #33 - Alaw Haf 1:00:47

3y ago1:00:47

1:00:47

Welsh model & OnlyFans superstar Alaw Haf talks about how she got into the business, some of the weird and wild requests she receives, and what it's like following Wrexham Football club since Ryan Reynolds came to town. Hosted by John Lebbon. Produced by Chris Forshaw. LISTEN HERE: https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/PnMKNuTECvb ITUNES: https://po…

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Notorious Ex-Gangster 'Juicebomb John' - Your Round Podcast #32 - John Burton 1:38:41

3y ago1:38:41

1:38:41

Former Liverpool drug boss Juicebomb John Burton talks about his life experiences, his time in jail, and some of the notable characters he met along the way.

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BGT Finalist & Funny Man - Your Round Podcast #31 - Steve Royle 58:28

3y ago58:28

58:28

Steve Royle joins us to talk about the state of stand-up comedy, his favourite TV shows, and his experiences of being a finalist on Britain's Got Talent.

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Pro British Porn Star - Your Round Podcast #30 - Gina Varney 57:45

4y ago57:45

57:45

Gina Varney has quickly climbed to the top of the British porn game in only a couple of years. She talks about how she got into the business & some of the characters and situations she's found herself in during her career so far.

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Running A Bar During Lockdown - Your Round Podcast #29 - Michael Bergson 1:02:33

4y ago1:02:33

1:02:33

Outspoken Scottish bar owner Michael Bergson talks about his experiences and difficulties with running a hospitality business through the various lockdowns and restrictions the UK has implemented to tackle the virus.Hosted by John Lebbon. Produced by Chris Forshaw. LISTEN HERE: https://yourround.sounder.fm/ITUNES: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podc…

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Ex-KGB Spy on Being A Soviet Sleeper Agent in the US - Your Round Podcast #28 - Jack Barsky 1:29:56

4y ago1:29:56

1:29:56

Jack Barsky tells us his incredible story about being a young man recruited into the KGB to spy on the west in Germany & America, and his eventual work helping the CIA & FBI.

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Ex-Superleague Legend - Your Round Podcast #27 - Ben Cockayne 1:08:02

4y ago1:08:02

1:08:02

Rugby League star Ben Cockayne tells us about his thoughts on the current state of the game, how he ended up being dishonourably discharged from the army, his notable spells playing with Hull KR & Doncaster and the current COVID situation.

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Exposing Jimmy Savile - Your Round Podcast #26 - Mark Williams-Thomas 47:29

4+ y ago47:29

47:29

Investigative journalist Mark Williams-Thomas breaks down how he exposed the likes of Jimmy Savile along with his thoughts on other high profile cases like Oscar Pistorius.

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Life After Afghanistan - Your Round Podcast #25 - Trevor Coult MC 1:33:43

4+ y ago1:33:43

1:33:43

Having fought the IRA in Nothern Ireland, to tackling the Taliban in Sangin, Afghanistan, Trevor goes in depth about his time in the army.

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Super League Legend Turned Coach - Your Round Podcast #24 - Denis Betts 1:14:36

4+ y ago1:14:36

1:14:36

After a hugely successful career with Wigan Warriors, Denis Betts turned his talents to coaching and talks about his time during both.

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From Super League To Porn Addiction - Your Round Podcast #23 - Andy Kirk 1:17:40

5y ago1:17:40

1:17:40

Ex Rugby League professional, now author & public speaker Andy Kirk tells us all about his turbulent playing career leading to an early retirement, battling pornography addiction, and fighting through the family courts.

1
Dodging Bullets On The School Bus - Your Round Podcast #22 - Jamie Bloem 1:05:46

5y ago1:05:46

1:05:46

Super League legend Jamie Bloem talks about his dangerous upbringing in South Africa, to his playing career and some of the controversies surrounding his time refereeing.

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Did Lockdown Work? - Your Round Podcast #21 - Sir Desmond Swayne 38:42

5y ago38:42

38:42

Conservative MP Sir Desmond Swayne gives us his thoughts on the handling of COVID in the UK.

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Warrington Wolves Legend - Your Round Podcast #20 - Paul Wood 1:10:03

5y ago1:10:03

1:10:03

Paul Wood tells us about his legendary playing career at Warrington Wolves, the current state of the game, and that time he literally lost a bollock during a match and carried on playing.

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Hitting the target at 1.5 miles - Your Round Podcast #19 - Craig Harrison 54:58

5y ago54:58

54:58

Craig Harrison tells us about his time in the army, how he broke the world record for longest kill, near death experiences, and what he's up to these days.

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Wigan's own UFC Legend - Your Round Podcast #18 - Mike Grundy 50:40

5y ago50:40

50:40

Fighting out of Wigan, Mike tells us about his career so far, his plans, and how he prepares for his fights.

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Stand-Up Comedy Superstar - Your Round Podcast #17 - Nina Gilligan 1:12:11

5y ago1:12:11

1:12:11

Renowned Stand-up comedian Nina Gilligan gives us the run down of the current state of politics within comedy and her worst gigs ever.

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WWE Legend & UFC Hall Of Famer - Your Round Podcast #16 - Ken Shamrock 56:45

5y ago56:45

56:45

One of the biggest talents in the business, Ken Shamrock talks about his roots, getting into combat sports and how he became a defining figure at UFC & WWE.

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Overcoming Triple Amputation From An IED - Your Round Podcast #15 - Andy Reid MBE 1:12:03

5y ago1:12:03

1:12:03

British Army Veteran talks about his life in the armed forces which led to him losing 3 limbs to an IED in the Middle East, and how he's turned it around into a successful public speaking career.

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Rugby Super League Legend - Your Round Podcast #14 - Wayne Godwin 1:04:46

5y ago1:04:46

1:04:46

Rugby Super League Legend Wayne Godwin talks about his playing career, some of the hijinks he got up to on tour, and what he's up to these days with coaching and Rugby AM.

1
British Porn Superstar & Fake Taxi Legend - Your Round Podcast #13 - Roxi Keogh 46:55

5y ago46:55

46:55

Superstar British adult actress and model Roxi Keogh tells us about how she got into the business, the kind of people she's had to deal with, and how she ended up behind the wheel of the infamous Fake Taxi

1
How To Win The Rugby World Cup - Your Round Podcast #12 - Will Greenwood 32:23

5y ago32:23

32:23

World Cup Winner Will Greenwood talks about his incredible playing career for country and club.

1
Emma Kenny On Psychopathic Murderers & COVID-19 - Your Round Podcast #11 - Emma Kenny 1:15:16

5y ago1:15:16

1:15:16

TV Psychologist Emma Kenny talks about what drives people to murder & how the COVID-19 restrictions are going in the UK.

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Francis Maloney on His Struggles After Rugby - Your Round Podcast #10 - Francis Maloney 1:03:18

5y ago1:03:18

1:03:18

Francis Maloney talks about his long and storied rugby league career as one of the greatest ever, along with his struggles with mental health and alcoholism since his retirement from the sport.

1
From Royal Marine Commando to Triad - Your Round Podcast #9 - Chris Thrall 2:19:18

5y ago2:19:18

2:19:18

Chris tells us about his incredible life, from dodging gunfire in Northern Ireland, to becoming hooked on crystal meth while working with the Hong Kong Triads, to now being a best-selling author.

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Overcoming Nerves & Staying Down to Earth - Your Round Podcast #8 - Lee Briers 1:10:06

5+ y ago1:10:06

1:10:06

Warrington Wolves legend Lee Briers talks about life after Rugby League, his personal struggles on and off the pitch, and the current state of the game.