Real Folk with Jo Burke

26. Marc Burrows - Author, critic, comic & musician

Jo chews the Christmas fat with author, critic, comic and musician, Marc Burrows. Jo delves deeper into what inspired Marc's latest book The Story of the Christmas No.1 - Mistletoe and Vinyl. Listen up for some festive music facts. Find out why Simon Cowell makes the X Factor winner a Christmas No.1,  why The Beatles are to blame for everything and who tried to ban Christmas.  He writes, mostly about music and film, for The Guardian, The Observer, The Quietus, the i Paper, Music OMH, the New Statesmen and Hey U Guys among many others. His biography of the brilliant, Sir Terry Pratchett, The Magic of Terry Pratchett was published in 2020 to considerable acclaim, winning the Locus Award for best non fiction in 2021. Also check out his book The London Boys: Bowie, Bolan and the 60s Teenage Dream. Buy Marc's marvellous books here.He has a background in stand up comedy and has performed several runs of his one-man shows at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, as well as around the country.He plays bass in the cult Victoriana punk band The Men That Will Not Be Blamed For Nothing.Enjoying Real Folk? Why not listen and subscribe to Jo's other podcast, Utter Burke, also available FREE wherever you listen.

25. Claire Storey - Stage and TV Actor/Writer

Jo is feeling autumnal so pull up a chair grab a cuppa and join her for a cosy natter with tv, stage and voice actor, Claire Storey. You may recognise her from the long running, award winning, BBC series Call the Midwife.  Claire has also popped up on your tv screens in almost all our beloved soaps including Emmerdale, Coronation Street, Holly Oaks and Doctors. Find out how she became an actor, why everyone thinks she's a Northerner and all about her sensational, self-penned, one woman show about the fabulously flamboyant painter Gluck (Hannah Gluckenstein). Follow Claire here.Jo's other podcast, Utter Burke, is also available FREE wherever you listen.

24. Sarah Callaghan - Spoken word artist & award-winning comedian

Jo's back with a bang, after a summer hiatus, with the multi-talented, Sarah Callaghan who was named a Time Out One to Watch. Tune in for a frank and inspiring chat about comedy, performance poetry, her experience on BAFTA Award-winning spoken word series Life & Rhymes on Sky Arts - Hosted by Benjamin Zephaniah featuring Kae Tempest, John Berkavitch and Adaya Henry and everything in between. Including her critically acclaimed stand-up shows that achieved sell out runs at the Edinburgh Fringe/Soho Theatre, living and moving to Australia, finding her soulmate, mental health and taking time out to breathe. She is currently supporting Jason Manford on tour. Real Folk First - Sarah also performs one of her poems 'Proceed without Certainty' and shares how her band 'The Free Thinkers' was formed. Listen to Soft Life the other performance piece Sarah mentions.Watch Sarah's comedy and performance poetry and follow on Instagram. Her poetry can also be found in the new book from two-time Sunday Times bestselling poet, Hussain Manawer, I WANTED TO QUIT TOO.Jo's other podcast, Utter Burke, is also available FREE wherever you listen.

23. Sooz Kempner - Actor, comedian, singer

Jo sets the world to rights with super talented, award-winning comedian, actor and singer, Sooz Kempner.  You may recognise Sooz from her hugely successful appearances at the Edinburgh Fringe, this year is her eleventh show. She's created tons of character comedy sketches that have gone viral and starred as Doom from The Dr Who spin-off, Doom's Day. Tune in to find out what makes Sooz tick, her thoughts on comedy, aging, SNL and why her latest show is called, Sooz Kempner is Ugly.  Follow Sooz on Twitch, Instagram, YouTube and Bluesky  Have a listen to her podcast, Mystery on the Rocks, with Chris Stokes and Masud Milas. Jo's other podcast, Utter Burke, is also available FREE wherever you listen. 

22. Josephine Lacey - Stand Up Comedian, 'Autism Mama' and writer

Funny, heartbreaking and inspirational in equal measure, this is a Real Folk to remember... Jo takes a deep dive into the background of stand-up comedian and writer, Josephine Lacey, creator of the hit five star comedy show, 'Autism Mama', 'The straight-talking comic’s debut hour is cheerfully rude and glowing with maternal love, as she describes parenting a son with autism.' The Guardian.   Trigger warning:  Josephine's story covers her abusive childhood, a sexual assault and consequent PTSD. If you or someone you know needs help contact: National Domestic Abuse HelplineHave a listen and gain some significant life lessons from her unique story, go see her amazing show in Wales, Brighton, Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham and The Soho Theatre London. Follow her on instagram here.Share this FREE podcast with anyone who you think may benefit. Jo's second podcast, Utter Burke, is also available FREE wherever you listen.