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 inc...

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 th...

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 m...

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. Wit...

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...

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 ‘Cha...

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...

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 de...

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 ve...

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 K...

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...

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 h...

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 Yo...

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...

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 Tivo...

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 P...

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 L...

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 Stu...

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...

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.