Apples and Snakes: The Podcast

Internationally acclaimed award-winning artist, best-selling author and performance poet - Sophia Thakur shines in this live recorded episode of the Apples and Snakes Podcast. Sophia has performed shows all over the world and tickets are always in high demand, usually selling-out within hours of going on sale. Her debut poetry book ‘Somebody Give This Heart a Pen’ became a #1 Bestseller and is included in many school curriculums. Recorded at Mason and Fifth, Yomi sits with Sophia to talk what it means to live as a poet — on and off the stage. Sophia reflects on her earliest entry points into spoken word (from Def Poetry Jam to her first performances), why certain rooms and circuits build muscle, and how her performance style evolved to an intimate, soft-power delivery. She shares her poem ‘Affirmation’, unpacking how self-affirmation, faith, and emotional honesty shape her writing process and why some pieces arrive as a “plea to myself.” The episode closes with a powerful performance video choice of Daniel Beaty’s ‘Knock Knock’, plus an honest look at poetry’s commercial possibilities and creative integrity.

Suli Breaks exudes confidence and knows how to captivate an audience.His TEDxHousesofParliament speech, viewed over 300,000 times, showcases his ability to captivate audiences with his words. His reputation as a powerful speaker has led to invitations to prestigious events such as the United Nations National Commonwealth Day. In this episode, Suli shares his journey from university open mic to the international stage. His chosen poem touches on fatherhood and fulfilment, and the fine balance of art with business. With Yomi, they watch RADI’s ‘I’ve Loved Man’ - an electrifying and honest piece on love and betrayal.

Word. Power. Sound. These are the connotations synonymous with El Crisis. Known for his fusion of rap, chant, gospel, song and storytelling, El Crisis has been described as a “modern day Griot and Bard” and has a substantial catalogue of works that spans over 67 pieces. In this episode, the conversation takes an analytical look at how community and music build the voice. He shares his poem ‘Free man’ and together they discuss performance as a form of ancestral connection, staying present in the moment, and the tension between giving to the scene and receiving recognition in return.

Reece Williams is a Mancunian poet of Jamaican and Trinidadian heritage whose debut collection ‘This Kind of Black’ was released this year. He has performed internationally and is celebrated for his works that speak as much in performance as they do on page. He often wrestles with being British, ideas surrounding identity and intergenerational trauma, and the burden placed on young, Black men. With Yomi, they watch Keisha Thompson’s performance of ‘Algebra’ - a title whose metaphor is for “the reunion of broken things” - a way to piece together what has been distorted, neglected, or made invisible.

In a previous Apples and Snakes’s blogs, Keith Jarrett wrote “I got into performance poetry by accident – and it’s probably the best accident I’ve had”. Since then, he produced his collection ‘Selah’ and poetry pamphlet’ I Speak Home’. His writing regularly explores race, faith, sexuality and belonging. With sharp wit and intelligence, Jarrett is a magnetic performer, and equal parts preacher and poet. Jarrett performs ‘El Pueblo’ and chooses Kareem Parkins-Brown’s ‘Did you Pack Your own bags’ for discussion. This piece draws from the Cambridge Analytica scandal, asking the audience to consider how much of us is truly private when our data, memories, and “selves” are stored, mined, and easily manipulated

Young artist, member of Roundhouse Poetry Collective and Hippodrome Origins, Zakariye Abdillahi talks with Yomi about being present and patient within poetry. His works often touch on the overlaps between masculinity, faith, and building a career in poetry at your own pace. His gentleness is evident in his soft voice on stage, used with intention. Within this episode, Zakayrie shares his poem ‘Chat to a Man’ and together they watch Polarbear’s (Stephen Camden) ‘Jessica’ - a popular poem that shows the vulnerable side of a young man falling in love and facing adult responsibilities.

Poet. Performer. Cultural changemaker. In just a few years Travis Alabanza has become one of the most exciting young performance artists in the queer arts scene. In this episode, Travis joins Yomi to unpack how poetry has sparked their wider creativity from fashion and theatre to fearless performance. They dive into their groundbreaking sell-out show ‘Burgerz’ and explore how lived experience can be transformed into electrifying art. Plus, Travis and Yomi react to a performance by poet Joelle Taylor, a radical presence in the LGBTQ+ genre, which ignites something powerful in the room. A raw, unfiltered conversation on being authentic, brave and re-making the rules.  

Her poems are gritty and fierce, and she is a bold and fearless author, memoirist, broadcaster and poet of Jamaican-Irish heritage. Salena Godden and Yomi get to grips in an intimate conversation around the duality of the artist - from writing monster to gigging monster, and the solitude of creation against the performance on stage. She performs her poem ‘Our Anarchy’ - a poem that asks us feel deeply, resist, and reassemble what’s been broken. This episode explores the emotional cost of creativity and the challenge of writing from a place of grief and rage. Together, they watch Maya Angelou’s ‘We Wear the Mask’, a piece about how something simple, like a smile, can hide so much pain and fear in the face of oppression.

Filmmaker, poet and writer for all ages, award-winning Dean Atta is also a member of Malika’s Poetry Kitchen and a patron of LGBT+ History Month. He encourages writers to lean all the way into topics they love, no matter how small or niche. His works are celebrated for tackling themes of racism and self-acceptance. He’s the author of the poetry collection ‘There Is (Still) Love Here’ and the YA verse novels ‘The Black Flamingo’ (which won the Stonewall Book Award) and ‘Only on the Weekends’. Dean performs ‘An Ode to My Black Queer Body’ and together they watch John Agard’s famous and defiant performance of ‘Half Caste’ where he challenges prejudice, celebrates the richness of mixed heritage and reclaims it as a badge of honour.

Kareem Parkins Brown joins Yomi and together they share how humour, grief and real life have influenced his writing. Kareem’s work often touches on nostalgia and friendship, with surrealism playing a major role in his existential poetry talk show. He performs his poem ‘What I’ve Learned (after Aja Monet), a poem that looks at memory and social commentary. They watch Joshua Bennett’s ‘16 Bars for Kendrick Lamar’, a homage piece to one of contemporary hip-hop’s most celebrated voices. A piece that mirrors the standard length for a verse in rap, aligning poetry precision with the culture of rap. Apples and Snakes: The Podcast is hosted by Yomi Sode with Sound production by Drew Horley.

In the final episode of the season, Amen Noir and Yomi talk on the spoken word scene over the years and what gives strength to presence on stage, they touch on music and the power of harnessing your vulnerability. They discuss the importance of archiving in documenting the Black British cultural journey within the scene.   Apples and Snakes: The Podcast is hosted by Yomi Sode with Sound production by Drew at Lab Studios.

Yomi is joined by Belinda Zhawi where they delve into how Belinda uses sound and voice in her work to transport audiences. They discuss the influences that fed into their craft and the legacies and contexts that come into storytelling.  Belinda shares her poem ‘Sin Blue Note’ Apples and Snakes: The Podcast is hosted by Yomi Sode with Sound production by Drew at Lab Studios.

In this episode, Yomi is joined by Asmaa Jama. They talk about the interdependencies that writing and visuals have had on Asmaa’s work and creative journey. They discuss the importance of embodying and honouring your words through your work, allowing yourself to take up space and reach audiences.  Asmaa shares her poem ‘Sympathy ​for ​Ishaq, after ​Ladan ​Osman’ Apples and Snakes: The Podcast is hosted by Yomi Sode with Sound production by Drew at Lab Studios.

Join Yomi and Emanuel Sugo as they discuss the intersection of poetry, fitness, and cultural storytelling and the many other doors that poetry has opened for them. Emmanuel shares his poem ‘Diamonds ​Are ​Forever ​remixed ​by ​A ​Series ​of ​Unfortunate ​Events ​known ​as ​Kim ​Kardashian.’   Apples and Snakes: The Podcast is hosted by Yomi Sode with Sound production by Drew at Lab Studios.

This week, Yomi speaks to Vanessa Kisuule where they talk on the transformative power of performance. This episode delves into evolution of craft, the balance between page and stage  and the profound impact of community and collaboration, discussing the richness of voices that are reshaping the poetry landscape.    Vanessa shares her poem ‘Daffodil’   Apples and Snakes: The Podcast is hosted by Yomi Sode with Sound production by Drew at Lab Studios.

In this week's episode, Muneera Pilgrim joins Yomi in discussing her experience as a poet, coming from a hip hop background. They touch on the journey you take in seeing your worth and believing in yourself and how they were able to embody that.  Muneera shares her poem 'Dear Boy’ Apples and Snakes:The Podcast is hosted by Yomi Sode with Sound production by Drew at Lab Studios.

In our latest episode, Yomi speaks to Jeremiah about his poetry journey, touching on the various mediums that Jeremiah has experimented with through his work. They talk on exploring poetry commercially, navigating poetry as a multidisciplinary artist and how you find yourself through these transitions.  Jeremiah shares his poem 'On my paternal and maternal uncles, after Jennifer Chang' Apples and Snakes:The Podcast is hosted by Yomi Sode with Sound production by Drew at Lab Studios.

This week, Courtney joins Yomi in discussing what keeps them going. They touch on the value of community, taking things at your own pace and not limiting yourself. Courtney walks through different moments that have been pivotal, exploring religion, culture and other elements that feed into your authenticity.  Courtney shares her poem ‘Extradition of Druglord Dudus Coke: Barbican Girl Dash Weh Tivoli Boy’.   Apples and Snakes:The Podcast is hosted by Yomi Sode with Sound production by Drew at Lab Studios.

In this week’s episode, Yomi speaks to Roger about his experience in different poetry scenes. They talk on the different dynamic talent that Roger has encountered and how it has highlighted the value of individuality. Roger discusses his relationship with music and how balancing different crafts feeds into his creativity.    Roger shares his poem ‘Janet Kay sings ‘Silly Games’ live on Top of the Pops, 1979’   Apples and Snakes:The Podcast is hosted by Yomi Sode with Sound production by Drew at Lab Studios.

In our latest episode Yomi talks with Breis about balancing his life as a poet, author, hip hop educator and MC. They discuss business in poetry and Breis reflects on some of his proudest moments and how his work and outlook have evolved over time. Breis shares his poem ‘Only Human’ Apples and Snakes:The Podcast is hosted by Yomi Sode with Sound production by Drew at Lab Studios.

In this week's episode Yomi and Miss Jacqui discuss social influences, being a multidisciplinary artist and accessibility in the industry. Miss Jacqui talks about being human and how her work highlights the emotions that we all feel but don’t know how to articulate.   Miss Jacqui reads the poem version of her song ‘Body Beautiful’

Yomi talks to Ryan about the power of community and the importance of supporting young people. Ryan plays homage to those who have fed into finding his purpose, whilst also speaking on the frustrations he experienced that have fuelled him towards his path.  Ryan reads his poem ‘Don't let the ends be the end’   Apples and Snakes: The Podcast is hosted by Yomi Sode with Sound production by Drew at Lab Studios.

This week, Yomi and Joshua discuss the “urgency” of writing. Joshua explores the impactful moments in his artistic career. Reminiscing on the integral people he’s met along the way, from poetry nights to performing to the King of Sweden on national television.   Joshua reads his poem ‘Its closing time’   Apples and Snakes: The Podcast is hosted by Yomi Sode with Sound production by Drew at Lab Studios.

In this episode, Yomi and Roy recognise the people and the environments that have created the poetry scene today. They talk on the process of publishing and how to maintain your voice and access rawness as you progress.  Roy reads his poem ‘To the Heron who stood with me in the ruins of another Black mans life, After Gwendolyn Brookes and Gill Scott Heron’   Apples and Snakes:The Podcast is hosted by Yomi Sode with Sound production by Drew at Lab Studios.

Yomi speaks to PA Bitez on the power of the alter ego and being able enter the scene saying it all. They discuss the various entry points encountered, taking them into poetry and how cultures have impacted the vitality of their writing.    PA Bitez reads her poem ‘Thunder Music’   Apples and Snakes:The Podcast is hosted by Yomi Sode with Sound production by Drew at Lab Studios.

In this episode, Yomi speaks to T.S Eliot prize winning Anthony Joseph on what it means to be a poet and the various transitions through that journey. Anthony touches on the different landscapes he’s encountered, from firstly being on stage in a rock band in the 80s to traveling the world and the surprising pleasures along the way.  Anthony reads his poem ‘Elbows of the land’  Apples and Snakes:The Podcast is hosted by Yomi Sode with Sound production by Drew at Lab Studios.

This week Yomi speaks with Ty’rone Haugton, founder and artistic director of Literati Arts,a non profit that promotes the art of poetry / spoken word and its role in community organising and healing. Ty’rone explores the sacrifices he has made to follow his path in poetry, the impact of Tupac and how the way poetry is taught in school kept him silent for 5 years.    He reads his poem ‘Daddy don’t dance’   Apples and Snakes:The Podcast is hosted by Yomi Sode with Sound production by Drew at Lab Studios.

In this week's episode, Yomi and Tolu talk about the various pressures, obstacles and communities they have encountered over the years. They discuss the late writing nights, juggling work and writing and the complexity of trusting your voice.   Tolu shares her poem ‘Things I can't say’ Apples and Snakes:The Podcast is hosted by Yomi Sode with Sound production by Drew at Lab Studios.

In this week's episode, Yomi and Shirley discuss Shirley's journey to poetry. From freestyling to crafting poems and how poets that she had poured so much into, finally helped her layout and push her own collection.   Apples and Snakes:The Podcast is hosted by Yomi Sode with Sound production by Drew at Lab Studios.

For our first episode of this brand new season, Yomi talks live with Malika Booker as part of our 40th Birthday Celebrations at Roundhouse. Yomi and Malika talk about poetry, lessons and the rituals that have formed a big part of their lives and writing journey. Malika shares her poem ‘Jesus in the wilderness’ Apples and Snakes:The Podcast is hosted by Yomi Sode with Sound production by Drew at Lab Studios.

Our final episode of the season has us back with Kenny Baraka and John Bernard about the work that poets do when it comes to reaching those that are labelled "Hard to Reach". Apples and Snakes:The Podcast is hosted by Yomi Sode with Sound production by Drew at Lab Studios.

For our penultimate episode of the season, Yomi speaks with Kenny Baraka and John Bernard about the work that poets do when it comes to reaching those that are labelled "Hard to Reach". Apples and Snakes:The Podcast is hosted by Yomi Sode with Sound production by Drew at Lab Studios.

Welcome to the second part of our conversation with Josephine 'Realitie' Rollins and Adrian B. Earle talking about what it is like to experience the UK poetry scene as someone with a disability. Apples and Snakes:The Podcast is hosted by Yomi Sode with Sound production by Drew at Lab Studios.

This episode, Yomi chats with Josephine 'Realitie' Rollins and Adrian B. Earle talking about what it is like to experience the UK poetry scene as someone with a disability. How does it manifest in the work and what is it like during a performance.  Apples and Snakes:The Podcast is hosted by Yomi Sode with Sound production by Drew at Lab Studios.

We are back for the second part of the convo with with Be Manzini and Tanaka Fuego discussing personal and artistic wellbeing.  What does it look like when create wellbeing spaces for themselves? What can you do to create your own safeguarding boundaries?   Apples and Snakes:The Podcast is hosted by Yomi Sode with Sound production by Drew at Lab Studios.

For our first episode this season, Yomi talks with Be Manzini and Tanaka Fuego.   Artists spend so much time creating wellbeing sessions for others but what does it look like when you do that same thing for yourself? What can you do to create your own safeguarding boundaries?   Apples and Snakes:The Podcast is hosted by Yomi Sode with Sound production by Drew at Lab Studios.

WE ARE BACK!! Welcome to season 2 of Apples and Snakes: The Podcast! Have a listen here to find out what you are in store for. Apples and Snakes:The Podcast is hosted by Yomi Sode with Sound production by Drew at Lab Studios. Thanks for listening to Apples and Snakes: The Podcast! If you enjoyed the episode, subscribe to find out when the next episode will drop, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favourite podcast app. 

For this seasons final episode, we come back to the conversation between our host Yomi Sode, Kat Francois and Reece Williams They talk about they therapy that exists in Black poets having the space and scope to tell their own stories and spend some time considering how we can make platforms for younger Black and mixed Black poets to take up the mantel and pass the traditions on.  Reece shares his poem 'The origin Story of Reece the Poet' Apples and Snakes:The Podcast is hosted by Yomi Sode with Sound production by Drew at Lab Studios. Thanks for listening to Apples and Snakes: The Podcast! If you enjoyed the episode, subscribe to find out when the next episode will drop, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favourite podcast app. 

In the penultimate episode of season one, host Yomi Sode talks about the importance of owning and telling our own stories with Kat Francois and Reece Williams. They discuss bravery, worrying about how people will receive your authentic voice, how it is a fight for Black poets being able to tell their real truth and how they have had to unlearn the actions associated with silencing themselves. Kat shares her poem 'Tongue Tied' Apples and Snakes:The Podcast is hosted by Yomi Sode with Sound production by Drew at Lab Studios. Thanks for listening to Apples and Snakes: The Podcast! If you enjoyed the episode, subscribe to find out when the next episode will drop, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favourite podcast app.

Back with host Yomi Sode and guests Casey Bailey and Que to continue the conversation around Poetry in education. This time they talk about access points to poetry and how we need to consider, more carefully, how to make poetry accessible and relatable to audiences that don’t see themselves or their lives reflected in poems that are taught in school. Apples and Snakes:The Podcast is hosted by Yomi Sode with Sound production by Drew at Lab Studios. Thanks for listening to Apples and Snakes: The Podcast! If you enjoyed the episode, subscribe to find out when the next episode will drop, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favourite podcast app.

And we’re back!! In this episode our host Yomi Sode talks to Casey Bailey and Que AKA Quethewolf about poetry in education and some of the unlearning that we have all had to do because of the way that we poetry has been taught to us. Has the curriculum made poetry unattractive to many children and young people and does that stay with them into adulthood?  Casey shares some of his journey to this point and Que talks about his platform Dope Readers. Casey shares his poem 'Waking' Apples and Snakes:The Podcast is hosted by Yomi Sode with Sound production by Drew at Lab Studios. Thanks for listening to Apples and Snakes: The Podcast! If you enjoyed the episode, subscribe to find out when the next episode will drop, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favourite podcast app. 

We come back to our conversation with our host Yomi Sode and Khadijah Ibrahiim and Malaika Kegode discussing the importance of including regional voices when we talk about Black British poets. Spaces for development and growth are so important when poets are just starting out as the scene can feel very isolating. Both Malaika and Khadija have spent a lot of time creating spaces for this kind of development and here they share some of the amazing things that have come out of those spaces. Khadijah shares her poem 'Kitch' Apples and Snakes:The Podcast is hosted by Yomi Sode with Sound production by Drew at Lab Studios. Thanks for listening to Apples and Snakes: The Podcast! If you enjoyed the episode, subscribe to find out when the next episode will drop, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favourite podcast app. 

In this episode our host Yomi Sode talks to Khadijah Ibrahiim and Malaika Kegode about the importance of including regional voices in the conversations about the landscape of Black British Poetry. Khadijah talks about her poetry journey, why she founded Leeds Young Authors and Malaika discusses how rural voices are still sometimes left out of the conversation and why that needs to change. Malaika shares her poem 'Legacy' Apples and Snakes:The Podcast is hosted by Yomi Sode with Sound production by Drew at Lab Studios. Thanks for listening to Apples and Snakes: The Podcast! If you enjoyed the episode, subscribe to find out when the next episode will drop, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favourite podcast app. 

Returning to the conversation of music and poetry, Yomi Sode continues to talk with Zena Edwards and Eklipse about music and poetry and the colonial implications that surround the page vs stage conversation. They talk about how Black poets are breaking the barriers that have been put in place when it comes to cultural authenticity and starting to ignore these restrictive ideals.  Eklipse shares his track 'London City' (Prod. JayJForty7 & Eklipse) Apples and Snakes:The Podcast is hosted by Yomi Sode with Sound production by Drew at Lab Studios. Thanks for listening to Apples and Snakes: The Podcast! If you enjoyed the episode, subscribe to find out when the next episode will drop, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favourite podcast app. 

In this episode our host Yomi Sode talks to Zena Edwards and Eklipse about the use of music when it comes to poetry and what that means to the Black community as well as the isolation it can cause in the wider poetry community. Zena shares some stories about her journey over the past two decades and Eklipse talks about why he made the move from poetry to Grime and the space and freedom that music gives him. Zena shares her poem 'When the 33's spin' Apples and Snakes:The Podcast is hosted by Yomi Sode with Sound production by Drew at Lab Studios. Thanks for listening to Apples and Snakes: The Podcast! If you enjoyed the episode, subscribe to find out when the next episode will drop, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favourite podcast app. 

As we return to the conversation of Publishing, in this episode, our host Yomi Sode talks with Caleb Femi and Nii Ayikwei Parkes about the the uniqueness of the point in time we are experiencing. Are poets are the true rock stars of the literary world? Why are there so many  strange expectations and rules placed on poets in regards to what they should do, be and look like. Nii shares his poem ‘To Be in Love’ Apples and Snakes:The Podcast is hosted by Yomi Sode with Sound production by Drew at Lab Studios. Thanks for listening to Apples and Snakes: The Podcast! If you enjoyed the episode, subscribe to find out when the next episode will drop, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favourite podcast app. 

In this episode our host Yomi Sode talks to Nii Ayikwei Parkes and Caleb Femi about Publishing when it comes to Black British Poets. Nii is celebrating 20 years since he founded Flipped Eye Publishing and Caleb has just been shortlisted for the Rathbones Folio Prize. They talk about the difficulties that Black people face when it comes to navigating publishing and the things that have been done to start the process of change. Caleb shares his Poem 'Honeytrap & Likkle Bwoi' from his collection Poor. Apples and Snakes:The Podcast is hosted by Yomi Sode with Sound production by Drew at Lab Studios. Thanks for listening to Apples and Snakes: The Podcast! If you enjoyed the episode, subscribe to find out when the next episode will drop, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favourite podcast app. 

Welcome to the first series of our new Podcast.  This season, we will be focusing on what it means to be Black, British and a poet or spoken word artist.  In this episode our season host, Yomi Sode, talks with series Producer, Natalie Fiawoo about her journey into poetry and why it was important for Apples and Snakes to curate a series that focused solely on the experiences of Black British Poets.  Apples and Snakes:The Podcast is hosted by Yomi Sode with Sound production by Drew at Lab Studios. Learn more about why we've decided to make this podcast on our website. Thanks for listening to Apples and Snakes: The Podcast! If you enjoyed it, subscribe to find out when the next episode will drop, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favourite podcast app.