The Inkspot Podcast

We're joined by investor and author Bernie Bulkin to discuss his new book "Why Start-ups Fail." With a career spanning both entrepreneurship and venture capital, Bernie dissects the high stakes of launching a new company, revealing why nearly 90% of technology ventures ultimately fold despite massive capital influx. This episode dives deep into critical success factors such as behavi...

We talk about three famous creatives and philosophers who developed their practice through religious retreat. Guy Stagg, author of "The World Within", tells the stories of Wittgenstein, David Jones, and Simone Weil, and how these figures inspired his own pilgrimage from Canterbury to Jerusalem. Books mentioned in this episode:"The World Within": https://amzn.to/4sxtKEw"The...

We're joined by New York Times Bestselling Author, J.D. Barker. We talk about how J.D. honed his craft, the haunted house that inspired his newest book, and co-authoring with other rockstar authors like James Patterson. Books mentioned in this episode: J.D. Barker's "Something I Keep Upstairs": https://amzn.to/4b1nosc Dacre Stoker & J.D. Barker's "Dracul": https...

Featuring Charlie Winstanley, a UK Housing policy expert and author of "Bricking It". We discuss the monopoly on housing development, roadblocks town councils run into with building, the cost of homelessness, and more nitty-gritty details on housing reform. Books mentioned in this episode:Charlie Winstanley's "Bricking It": https://amzn.to/3L7mPSW Inkspot Publishing receives a commission for any A...

Welcoming Sarah Vine, author of "How Not to Be a Political Wife"! Our chat features some hilarious moments, from first meeting Michael Gove (the worst Skier in the world), to her children thinking she was a lizard person. We talk about the humans behind politics, and the mental toll from being in the public eye. Books mentioned in this episode:"How Not to Be a Political Wife" b...

Don't just remember the tragedy—understand the trap. Author and Academic, Annie Dawid, talks about the true and often-ignored story of the Peoples Temple. We discuss the inner circle of Jim Jones, the racism and strict hierarchy hiding behind the promise of "equality," and the lasting impact on Guyana. A vital look at cult dynamics that serves as a chilling reminder: no one is immune...

In this continuation of our discussion with Stewart Home, we talk about the Fascist underbelly of Western Yoga practice, the toxic side of the Wellness Community, and learning how to do a headstand. Books mentioned in this episode:Stewart Home's Fascist Yoga: https://amzn.to/48gyWXc Inkspot Publishing receives a commission for any Amazon sales made through the above affiliate links. The Indie Book...

We're joined by Bernie Bulkin, a Chemist, Businessman, and Author of two published books (with a third on the way!). In this episode, Cathy and Bernie cover a though-provoking range of topics.. - Is there anything left to discover in Chemistry? - The economic advantage countries have from their natural resources. - Why do Businesses Fail? - Should we store our consciousness in the cloud when w...

Stewart Home, author of "Fascist Yoga", has been an artist and writer since the early 1980s. He is the author of 17 novels, 8 books of cultural commentary, as well as collections of short stories & poetry. In today's episode, Cathy and Stewart talk about 69 Things to do with a Dead Princess, infiltrating the art world, his early career as a musician, and becoming a novelist. Books mentioned in...

In this solo episode of the Indie Book Club podcast, sponsored by Inkspot Publishing, Cathy shares a warm and personal journey through the books she never tires of rereading. From the Roman intrigues of Robert Graves’s I, Claudius to the class tensions of L. P. Hartley’s The Go-Between, she explores how unforgettable characters, dazzling prose, and sharp dialogue keep certain novels endlessly fres...

In this episode of the Indie Book Club Podcast, Cathy speaks with Will Rayfet Hunter, author of Sunstruck, a sharp, beautifully written debut exploring love, betrayal, race, class, and identity. Will shares how they transitioned from working as a doctor to becoming a full-time writer, winning the Merky Books New Writers Prize along the way. They discuss why Will chose to keep their narrator unname...

In this heartfelt conversation, author and mental health advocate Rachel Kelly explores the emotional landscape of raising and understanding teenagers. Drawing from personal experience and extensive research, she shares insights into adolescent brain development, anxiety, depression, and the importance of letting teens take healthy risks. Rachel highlights the need for self-care among parents, the...

In this episode of the Indie Book Club Podcast, Cathy speaks with Mark Field – British businessman, commentator, and former Conservative MP – about the turbulent state of British politics. Drawing on insights from his new book "The End of an Era: The Decline and Fall of the Tory Party", Mark offers a candid and thought-provoking reflection on the economic, social and political challenges facing th...

In this engaging conversation, Helen Lederer discusses her memoir 'Not That I'm Bitter', reflecting on her journey in comedy, the significance of authenticity, and the challenges faced by women in comedy. She shares insights on the evolution of comedy, the impact of the woke movement, and her initiatives to support women writers through Comedy Women in Print. The discussion also touches on persona...

British journalist Andrew Pierce documented the search for his birth mother in his book, Finding Margaret. In this episode, Pierce opens up about the deeply personal and emotional journey behind the book — from his early years in a Cheltenham orphanage, through a loving adoption, to the complex and often painful process of reconnecting with his birth mother, Margaret. With humor, honesty, and vuln...

In this episode of the Indie Book Club, we dive into the most beloved — and most polarizing — genre of all: romance. From adolescent obsessions with Byronic heroes to the slow realization that kindness might just be the ultimate aphrodisiac, our host takes listeners on a sharp, witty, and deeply personal journey through love, literature, and disillusionment. Through the lens of iconic stories like...

What separates great crime fiction from the forgettable? In this episode, we dive into the key ingredients that make crime novels truly gripping. From complex characters and clever plotting to immersive atmospheres and unexpected twists, we highlight the authors who do it best. We also explore how crime fiction can be both a thrilling escape and a reflection of deeper social issues, touching on bo...

Books mentioned in this episode: https://www.amazon.co.uk/shop/inkspotpub/list/306DZ7VO5JVH2?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_aipsflist_54VJFF4BHP4260S3CHYY Inkspot Publishing receives a commission for any Amazon sales made through the above affiliate links. Why do some crime novels grip us while others leave us rolling our eyes? In this episode, we dive into the common pitfalls that make bad crime fiction so f...

Books Mentioned in this episode: https://www.amazon.co.uk/shop/inkspotpub/list/1C7ITS7AW6U64?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_aipsflist_9PTSE6WPNCJQ15JVD2KJ Inkspot Publishing receives a commission for any sales made through the above affiliate link. In the first episode of the Indie Book Club Podcast, Cathy explores the power of historical fiction—how it reimagines the past while staying rooted in truth. From...