In 2021 Setareh started her podcast, Etcetera, available on YouTube, to have fun and laid-back discussions with other poets and creatives.
Episodes
14 - S.M. Jenkin
‘All you can do is create what you can in good faith, and then let go.’
As I say in this podcast, S.M. Jenkin’s collection, Fire in the Head, is like a book full of tasty morsels. You want to pick individual lines out to taste and enjoy. Fire in the Head is a triumphant return to nature. It pleads nature’s case; nature is not irrelevant. Once again, as almost in all of these episodes, there is the desire to remember, return and map. S.M. Jenkin leads us through the worlds of her parents, Ireland, language, Medway and more. We also continue to remember our late friend and mentor, Rosemary McLeish, an utterly extraordinary and revolutionary poet. S.M. Jenkin co-wrote a pamphlet with Rosie before her death, and we discuss it here.
I’m also glad I got to mention one of my favourite children’s books, This is a Poem that Heals Fish. Our copy is well worn at home. In this episode with mused on the nature of time, spirituality, burlesque and what our kins’ stories mean in relation to ours. I feel like I know S.M. Jenkin better after this and I hope listeners and viewers will do too.
It’s nice to talk to your friends. Sometimes it’s good to look a million miles away for art and inspiration, especially if you’re a teenager; you need to get away. But sometimes, your doorstep and community is more than fine.
In this episode with mused on the nature of time, spirituality, burlesque and what our kins’ stories mean in relation to ours. I feel like I know S.M. Jenkin better after this and I hope listeners and viewers will do too. It’s nice to talk to your friends. Sometimes it’s good to look a million miles away for art and inspiration, especially if you’re a teenager; you need to get away. But sometimes, your doorstep and community is more than fine. S.M. Jenkin's latest work is UNSPEAKABLE - a radical new pamphlet co-written with the irreplaceable Rosemary McLeish and it is available to buy now. She has performed nationally and internationally, and supported Lemn Sissay and Atilla the Stockbroker. Her work has been included in various publications including Anti-Heroin Chic, BEAT-itude national beat poetry festival 10 year anthology, Blithe Spirit, Boyne Berries, City Without a Head, Dissonance Magazine, The Interpreter's House, the Mermaid and Please Hear What I Am Not Saying. Her debut collection Fire in the Head was available to order from Wordsmithery.
13 - Robert Allen Bartlett
“Once you get to a certain stage, things know not to mess with you.’
Initially I was a bit disappointed about this pod because I thought I did a bad job. Luckily it brushed up a lot better than I expected in the edit and I’m happy with it now. I did think of a lot more questions afterwards, which is always the regret when you talk to someone you really want to talk to. Of course I wish it had gone on for longer.
Robert Bartlett is one of those people that if you don’t know his work, you’ve never heard of him, and if you do, he’s a star to you. That’s kind of an odd position to be in but as the world gets more and more fractured and pockets of media zone in on different people, it’s becoming more prevalent.
This podcast makes me think of when Matias De Stefano said that he was interacting with a spirit and (to paraphrase) said, are we able to do the current things we are doing because we are more spiritually advanced? And the spirit said, no, it’s because of the internet.
It’s a bit of a funny thing to talk to someone where one person has no idea what they’re talking about and the other can’t really say certain things.
But, as we discussed, fools are sages, sunlight is paramount and more than meets the eye, paranormal activity is abundant and yours truly has a little bit more to go on with all this, which is the way it goes. You get a little bit more to play with, and then a little bit more.
Robert Allen Bartlett is a practicing alchemist and author. A natural born scientist, Robert’s interest in geology and the sciences in general prompted him to construct his own home laboratory when only 9 years old. Roberts interest in the ancient use of natural materials lead him to the study of alchemical works at the age of 12 and it has become his lifelong passion. In 1974, he left San Jose State University to pursue an intensive course of alchemical study at the Paracelsus Research Society (later Paracelsus College) under the guidance of Dr. Albert Reidel (Frater Albertus). During this time, Robert lived in central Idaho where he performed personal research on botanical materials and worked underground mining antimony (an important alchemical resource). By 1976, at the prompting of Frater Albertus, Robert returned to college at Boise State University to complete his degree in chemistry with the view of working at the newly formed Paralab, a commercial offshoot of Paracelsus College.
During this time Robert lived in Boise and was employed as a geochemical assayer for the mining industry. In 1979, he received his B.S. degree chemistry and immediately began work at Paralab as Chief Chemist. Working closely with Frater Albertus, Robert researched and developed a wide range of mineral and metallic preparations following Western and Eastern alchemical traditions for applications in alternative health care. Later, Robert was selected by Frater Albertus to become a Director of Research at Tristar, the future vision of Frater Albertus which would combine the Paracelsus College, Paralab, and a Healing Arts Center into one complex. Unfortunately with the death of Frater Albertus in 1984, both the college and Paralab closed its doors and the Tristar dream was never realized.
Robert’s pursuit of alchemical research never diminished, as he continued his chemistry career as a research scientist for new ceramic materials, then later as the Chemistry Department Manager for a large materials testing laboratory. In this new environment, he was able to document and perfect alchemical experiments in ways undreamed of by the ancient alchemists using the very latest in scientific instrumentation. Robert is currently living in the Pacific Northwest with his wife and two daughters where he has been teaching classes and giving workshops on practical alchemy since 2002. Robert has been a lifelong member of the IAG (International Alchemy Guild) with 20 years standing. He was instrumental in helping IAG develop their laboratory curriculum and was a mentor for a number of years.
12 - Maggie Harris
‘People actually want to like you. They’re there because they want to hear you.’
Straight off the bat I tried to drag Maggie into world-wide fog conspiracy and God bless her, she steered me in the right direction, like my guests always seem to do.
Maggie’s poetry is victorious with joy. It focusses on what place means to us and what it means when places change. Maggie’s weaves different voices; childhood voices, voices local to different times and areas. Her work is playful.
How should we carry on in the wake of colonialism? We may find some answers here. We may tend to plants, appreciating what is around us. You can look at migration through the pathways of seeds. You can look at migration through the journey of breadfruit.
As ever, poetry explores the edges.
Sponsored by Cadbury Crème Egg, which I can’t eat anymore, because I’m doing low carb/raw food.
Maggie Harris is a poet, prose writer, and visual artist. Originally from Guyana, South America, she recently re-located to Kent after 10 years in Wales. She attended Kent University as a mature student, achieving a BA and MA, and started her career performing, running workshops and teaching creative writing. She has worked for Kent Arts & Libraries, represented Kent in Europe and was International Teaching Fellow at Southampton University.
11 - Jake Nathan
For this episode I was joined by Jake Nathan and had a very interesting conversation with him regarding accessibility in poetry and the impact of poetry on working class boys.
Jake Nathan is a multiple time slam-winning spoken-word poet and artist from East London. He is the current Genesis Slam Grand Champion and Kent Poetry Champion. He headlines poetry shows across London, Kent and Essex and he recently won the award for ‘Nicest Man on The Internet’ from Process Productions. Jake’s spoken-word Bear Necessities EP is available on most streaming platforms. He has featured at the Faversham Literary Festival, Essex Writers’ House Festival, Margate Bookie Festival and the Medway River Lit Festival. His poems have been featured on BBC Radio multiple times as well as The Dead Darlings Podcast and other podcasts. His page poetry has been published by Anti-Heroin Chic, Thanet Writers and elsewhere.
10 - Gary Studley
For this zainy 10th episode I am joined by Gary Studley; teacher, mental health worker, foodbank worker, former primary school teacher, exhibitor, tinker, tailor, soldier, spy. What hasn't he done? He's only been running well-attended poetry events in Canterbury and beyond for the last ten years at least. A natural comic, Gary talks about a wide range of topics, from music, to punk, to Radiohead and even poetry! A really joyous podcast to make, hope you enjoy.
9 - Mithago Craze
mithago (it/its) is a mad crip tranny dyke poet, perfomer and activist. it is the 2023 UK slam poetry champion and has represented england at both the european and world slam finals. beyond the world of slam, mithago has performed its work extensively across the uk and europe including supporting hip hop artist b. dolan on their uk tour in 2023 and releasing a video poem directed by scroobius pip for the anniversary of brianna ghey’s murder. mithago’s work often centres identity, how it shapes and is shaped by the worlds around us and the ways in which those worlds intersect.
8 - Tree Carr
Tree is a published author and TEDx speaker who works in the field of Transpersonal Psychology with a focus on dreams, death, altered states of consciousness and psychedelic assisted therapy. She holds a professional certificate in Psychedelics, Altered States & Transpersonal Psychology with the Alef Trust and is a CPD Crossfields Institute Certified Death Doula. A high priestess witch and master of Wicca she has studied at the world-renowned Arthur Findlay College of Psychic Science, is a faculty member at The Magickal Path School of Witchcraft and a teacher at the acclaimed College of Psychic Studies in London, UK.
As a Psychedelic Therapist, Tree currently guides people through integration sessions to help them make sense of their psychedelic experiences, address any challenging emotions or thoughts that may have emerged, and apply the insights gained to personal growth, mental well-being, and behavioural changes. With a focus on intuitive inquiry, storytelling, mind mapping, meditation, art therapy and creative expression, Tree’s person centred approach to working with unconscious material in her clients, helps to bring them into cohesive wholeness after an ego dissolving psychedelic experience.
In her role as a transpersonal Dreaming Guide, Tree helps those seeking to activate, explore and further understand their dream realms by cultivating a bespoke daily dreaming practise. Her workshops, courses and retreats have ventured from London throughout the UK, Europe, Canada and USA. She is also booked for one on one dreaming guidance where the session delves into dream interpretation, meditations, rescripting of recurring dreams and methods for lucid dreaming. Tree works closely with oneirogens ( dreaming plants and herbs) as part of her conscious dreaming practise and facilitates workshops and retreats to connect people more deeply into their dream-work vis-a -vis the world of plants and herbs.
Her work as a Death Doula involves helping people spiritually, emotionally, existentially and practically at the end of their lives. Tree holds the space for healing, peace, grief support and compassion during the profound and sacred time of death and dying.
As a published author, her book ‘DREAMS: How to Connect With Your Dreams to Enrich Your Life’, was released in 2018 with Octopus Publishing. Her second book '‘Conscious Dreamer’’ published in 2021 by Quarto Publishing Group, guides the reader through 30 days of capturing dreams for creative practise. Her third book "The Artists' Oracle" which captured the dreams of 30 artists in the form of an Oracle deck saw publication in 2021 with White Crypt. Her latest book “A Spell a Day’ was internationally released June 2023 with Watkins Publishing.
A Wiccan High Priestess, Tree facilitates coven circles, moon rituals, Pagan Sabats, Hand- fastings, Funerals and baby naming ceremonies. She also facilitates healing sessions and Tarot sessions.
As a writer, Tree is a regular esoteric columnist at Woman&Home magazine and has also contributed to The Wild Alchemy Journal.
Tree has been featured in a wide variety of press, TV and news outlets including: Sky History Channel, The Sunday Times, The Guardian, The New York Times, ES Magazine, Stylist Magazine, Grazia, VICE, Daily Star and Express
Her clients and collaborations include: The Freud Museum London, Virgin Media, The Psychedelic Society, Presencing Institute, Awake Academy and Guerilla Science.
Born in 1972, Tree has explored the zones of spirituality and consciousness since she was a child. Tree is skilled in divinatory guidance: The Tarot and Astrology and has facilitated readings, rituals, classes and courses spanning a wide variety of esoteric subjects. As a Tarot scholar, Tree has taught masterclasses on the Rider-Waite Deck since 2016.
7 - Louisa Campbell
The poet Louisa Campbell talks about her latest book, Beautiful Nowhere.
Seb Reilly is a published writer, fiction author, journalist, award-nominated columnist, poet, and occasional musician. He writes long-form fiction along with short stories, poetry, essays, non-fiction articles and opinion columns for various publications, both online and in print.
In both 2018 and 2020, Seb Reilly was shortlisted as a finalist for Kent Columnist of the Year at the Kent Press and Broadcast Awards for his monthly column in the Isle of Thanet News. His fiction has been described as “a masterstroke of characterisation” (Storgy Magazine) and compared to “a how-to guide to duping gullible sods” (The Guardian), and his poetry has been referred to as “perfect” (Dissonance Magazine).
Seb Reilly’s short story ‘Stray’ was published in Shoal, an anthology by Thanet Writers, released in 2018. His article ‘All Hail Trump, Bringer of Armageddon’ was featured on the front page of the UK edition of the HuffPost as a reaction piece to the election of Donald Trump as US President. Seb Reilly blogs on Patreon, and he also writes about British folklore and reviews films on his website. Seb Reilly has been a regular writer for the Margate Mercury since its first issue, and he is currently writing a series of gonzo articles for the Broadstairs Beacon, the first being ‘The Suburban Exorcists’.
Outside of writing for publication, Seb Reilly occasionally performs poetry at local venues and events, and has read at the likes of Margate Soul Festival, Tongue Punch, Soul Food and Street Sonnets, and Dead Horse Festival. In 2018 Seb Reilly was Poet-in-Residence for the day at Margate Festival. He has been interviewed on Monocle 24 and BBC Radio Kent about writing, poetry, and the seaside, and has appeared at The Word Literary Festival and the Margate Bookie. His writing was exhibited in the Turner Contemporary as part of the installation artwork ‘Birds and Other Stories’.
For several years, Seb Reilly has invested in his local writing community, supporting authors and poets in their careers and running critique groups and community projects, and from 2015 to 2020 he was Editor-in-Chief of Thanet Writers. Seb Reilly offers editing services and writing classes, as well as a writer mentorship programme and regular writing craft essays.
As a seaside resident, Seb Reilly is passionate about living by the sea, a theme that often appears in his work. He lives by the coast in Thanet, Kent, in the United Kingdom, with his family and two cats, and when he is not writing he enjoys music and film.
5 - Barry Fentiman Hall
Barry Fentiman Hall is a writer of place and the people that you find there. He has published three books, the most recent of which is Sketches (Wordsmithery 2020). He is the editor of Confluence Magazine.
4 - Dee Dickens
Dee Dickens lives on a mountain with her husband and cats, writing poems and studying for her MA. Host of the Dickens and Quips poetry podcast, her upcoming collection is Fear of Drowning, published by Whisky & Beards Publishing.
3 - DrayZera
DrayZera is a spoken word performing poet, podcaster and music artist. DrayZera began in 2016 and since then has racked up over 200 performances across four countries, including San Francisco's 10th Annual Beat Poetry Festival. DrayZera released his debut poetry collection 'Broken Circuitboard' with an additional release 'Secret Diaries' pamphlet in 2017. In 2019, 'Psycho Lucy' - A Cinematic Spoken Word Film Series - mixed spoken word and horror filmed in the historical city of Bath. DrayZera has also released music with 'Cut Them Loose' and 'King Is Dead' released in 2020. The journey continues with the masked artist...
2 - Connor Sansby
Connor Sansby is a Poet, Festival Producer and Editor-in-Chief for Whisky & Beards Publishing. Since 2013, Connor has performed across the South of England, including Margate Soul Festival, Wise Words Festival and London’s Let’s Kill It. His work touches on themes of cultural waste, depression and the uncomfortable in the everyday. In 2016, Connor released his first short story collection, “I am not a well person”. His first collection of poetry, “Promise Me The Journey Back” was released in April 2018. In 2019, he spent a year as an Associate Artist at Open School East, studying neurodiversity in the arts and developing as a visual artist.
1 - Louise Farley
Kirsty Louise Farley is a writer, poet and editor born and raised in Margate. Her work can be found on the Thanet Writers website, in the Thanet Poetry Journal and on her Instagram, @KLFWRITER. More recently, Kirsty has had a short story published by Thanet Writers in their first anthology, Shoal. She is the poetry editor for Thanet Writers. Previously, she edited the second edition of the Thanet Poetry Journal, as well as headlined The Dead Island Poet’s Society in Margate. Inspired by the surrealism of artists like Noel Fielding, the Romanticism of writers like Lord Byron and the harsh reality of writers like Wilfred Owen, her work explores themes of mental health, relationships, nature and the macabre.