E2- Why Romance Needs to Come Back | with Hak Baker

2026-07-01

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What if romance wasn't just about falling in love?In this conversation of the Wodcast, musician, songwriter and poet Hak Baker joins Benjamin Aston and Mabel Evans for a wide-ranging exploration of romance, brotherhood, community and the courage it takes to change.Together they discuss the forgotten meaning of romance, why transformation is rarely a solitary act, and the idea of slaying the dragon within - the lifelong battle to confront our fears, ego and destructive patterns. Through stories of growing up in East London, finding his voice through music, and building communities rooted in care, Hak reflects on how real change...

What if romance wasn't just about falling in love?

In this conversation of the Wodcast, musician, songwriter and poet Hak Baker joins Benjamin Aston and Mabel Evans for a wide-ranging exploration of romance, brotherhood, community and the courage it takes to change.

Together they discuss the forgotten meaning of romance, why transformation is rarely a solitary act, and the idea of slaying the dragon within - the lifelong battle to confront our fears, ego and destructive patterns. Through stories of growing up in East London, finding his voice through music, and building communities rooted in care, Hak reflects on how real change begins not only within ourselves, but in the people who walk alongside us.

In a world that often celebrates independence above all else, Hak offers a different vision: one where friendship, creativity and shared responsibility become the foundations for a more hopeful future.

This episode is an invitation to rediscover romance, not as an ideal, but as a way of living, creating and changing together.

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Topics include:

The forgotten meaning of romance
Brotherhood and community
Slaying the dragon within
Personal and collective transformation
Music, creativity and storytelling
Growing up in East London
Friendship, belonging and resilience
The power of human connection

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Thank you to our sponsor:

Trunk Clothiers

https://www.trunkclothiers.com/

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More from the Wodcast:

➟ Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/wod.cast/

➟ Apple Podcasts – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wodcast/id1896893830

➟ YouTube – https://youtube.com/@wodcast_channel?si=sQbEXy6-mO6lOLvB

➟ Substack – https://wodcast.substack.com/

➟ Website – https://wodcast.co.uk/

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Next Wednesday at 7pm GMT Benjamin and Mabel will go live on Substack for 30 minutes to reflect on the episode, and share some writing prompts using Haks ‘weight- baring’ words. Join them there, to share your comments, thoughts and connect with other listeners.

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