Shows
The Missing Middle PodcastThe Disappearing "Third Place": Why Making Friends Is Getting HarderWhy is it so hard to make friends once you leave school? In this episode of The Missing Middle, Cara Stern and Mike Moffatt dive into the "Loneliness Epidemic" and the disappearing concept of the Third Place – those vital social hubs that aren't home (the first place) or work (the second place).From the 1980s mall culture and bowling alleys to the modern era of "convenience-first" coffee shops and endless doomscrolling, we explore why 60% of Canadians feel disconnected from their communities. We also break down the surprising 2025 StatCan data showing that young people (15–24) are significantly lonelier than...
2026-02-2023 min
Let’s Talk Memoir17. The Role of the Reflective Narrator featuring Lily DunnLily Dunn joins Let’s Talk Memoir for a conversation about the impact her father leaving to follow the guru Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh had on her childhood, when she knew it was time to write her memoir Sins of the Father, stepping into her role as reflective narrator, creating tension, family members in our work, and understanding as a means to healing.
Also in this episode:
-writing to find answers
-our early experiences as shadows in our lives
-staying true to your purpose
Books mentioned in th...
2022-11-2233 min
IndoctriNationSins Of My Father w/ Lily DunnLily Dunn is an author and mentor living in the UK. She has personal essays in Granta, Litro, Hinterland, MIRonline, The Real Story, and is a regular writer for Aeon magazine. She is in her final writing up year of her doctorate at Birkbeck, University of London. She is co-editor of A Wild and Precious Life: Recovery Anthology, with Zoe Gilbert, and co-runs London Lit Lab. Her latest book Sins of My Father: A Daughter, a Cult, a Wild Unravelling is her attempt to unravel the mysteries of a father who believed himself to be beyond reproach.
When Lily was...
2022-06-011h 12
PTPOP - A Mind RevolutionMind Control by Cell PhoneSend a textMind Control by Cell PhoneHave you ever been mindlessly scrolling through Instagram or Facebook, you want to look away, you want to stop but you can't. Doesn't it seem like you're in a trance? I'm going to prove that you are in fact in a trance and it's all by design. To Support this channel https://www.buzzsprout.com/2129599/supportMy TubeBuddy affiliate link https://www.tubebuddy.com/pricing?a=ptpopCheck out my film, The Artist...
2021-12-1646 min
MIR PodcastAuthor Not Present ep.6 - The EntertainerAuthor Not Present is a podcast in which Louise Hare, Christina Carè, and Peter J Coles critique anonymous submitted pieces.
In the sixth episode, Louise, Christina, and Peter discuss ‘The Entertainer’. Listen to find out what they liked and what they thought could be improved as they deal with structure all the way down to pedantic line-editing. They also discuss why getting an agent might be not quite what you expect.
We highly encourage you to read the story before listening to the episode so you can follow along.
To do so go to mi...
2021-04-2851 minMIR PodcastAuthor Not Present ep.7 - Sacaran NightsAuthor Not Present is a podcast in which Louise Hare, Christina Carè, and Peter J Coles critique anonymous submitted pieces.
In the seventh episode, Louise, Christina, and Peter critique 'Sacaran Nights'. Listen to find out what they liked and what they thought could be improved as they deal with structure all the way down to pedantic line-editing. They also discuss the idea of cancel culture in literature.
We highly encourage you to read the story before listening to the episode so you can follow along.
To do so go to m...
2021-04-2854 min
MIR PodcastMIR#14 with Alice Haworth-Booth and Kate EllisIn the fourteenth episode of the MIR Podcast, Peter J Coles talks with the winner of the Bricklane Bookshop short story prize, 2020 Alice Haworth-Booth, and the head of the prize, Kate Ellis. They discuss writing climate change and what it takes to run a big prize.
For show notes go to: mironline.org/podcastalicehaworthbooth
2021-01-2229 min
The Struggle is Real by Wellness on the FarmAnnie Buscemi- What if you were living in the middle of a suicide epidemic? Finding hope in Nunavut.Thank you so much for joining us as we chat with Annie about the suicide epidemic in Nunavut, the beauty of Inuit culture and so much more.
Are you Inuit and struggling with thoughts of Suicide? Please reach out to the
Kamatsiaqtut Nunavut Helpline
Local Nunavut Number: 867.979.3333
Toll-Free: 1.800.265.3333
PLEASE CHECK OUT ANNIE ON SOCIAL MEDIA!
TikTok @annieneevee
Instagram @ullaakkut
Donate to Kamatsiaqtut Nunavut Helpline:
http://nunavuthelpline.ca/donate
Find out more about our Online Fundraiser for Kamatsiaqtut...
2020-12-1851 min
Alternative Stories and Fake RealitiesBackdrop: an Audio DramaSend us a textIn a future London ravaged by the effects of climate change, a company is busy harvesting memories to build virtual versions of the world before "The Withering". But there are parts of her past Laura would rather forget. This episode contains swearing and accounts of emotional abuse. Listeners are advised to avoid this story if they are likely to be offended by either. Backdrop is based on a short story by Anna Orridge and adapted by Anna Orridge and Chris GregoryIn Backdrop you'll hearMarie-Claire Wood as Laur...
2020-11-2041 min
MIR PodcastAuthor Not Present ep.5 - The Gardener and The Garden PartyAuthor Not Present is a podcast in which Louise Hare, Christina Carè, and Peter J Coles critique anonymous submitted pieces.
In the fifth episode, they discuss 'The Gardener and The Garden Party’ – a covid 19 story. Listen to find out what they liked and what they thought could be improved as they deal with structure all the way down to pedantic line-editing. This episode was recorded before the outbreak of the current crisis so we apologise for any inaccuracies!
We highly encourage you to read the story before listening to the episode so you can follow along...
2020-06-261h 06
MIR PodcastAuthor Not Present ep.4 - The Woman in the StreetThis episode was recorded before the outbreak of the current crisis so we apologise for any inaccuracies!
Author Not Present is a podcast in which Louise Hare, Christina Carè, and Peter J Coles critique anonymous submitted pieces.
In the third episode, Christina and Peter are joined by author Jarred McGinnis to discuss 'The Woman in the Street.' Listen to find out what they liked and what they thought could be improved as they deal with structure all the way down to pedantic line-editing.
We highly encourage you to read the story before l...
2020-04-101h 12
MIR PodcastAuthor Not Present ep.3 - MagritAuthor Not Present is a podcast in which Louise Hare, Christina Carè, and Peter J Coles critique anonymous submitted pieces.
In the third episode, they discuss ‘Magrit’ – a quirky story of a woman who no one listens to. Listen to find out what they liked and what they thought could be improved as they deal with structure all the way down to pedantic line-editing. This episode was recorded before the outbreak of the current crisis so we apologise for any inaccuracies!
We highly encourage you to read the story before listening to the episode so you can...
2020-03-271h 18
MIR PodcastAuthor Not Present ep.2 - Of Sprites and SpiritsAuthor Not Present is a podcast in which Louise Hare, Christina Carè, and Peter J Coles critique anonymous submitted pieces.
In the second episode, they discuss 'Of Sprites and Spirits' - a magical realist story of a young boy's search for connection. Listen to find out what they liked and what they thought could be improved as they deal with structure all the way down to pedantic line-editing.
We highly encourage you to read the story before listening to the episode so you can follow along.
To do so go to mironline.org/a...
2020-03-1356 minMIR PodcastMIR #13 with Golnoosh Nour - The Ministry of GuidanceIn the thirteenth episode of the MIR Podcast, Peter J Coles talks to writer Golnoosh Nour. They discuss her short story collection 'The Ministry of Guidance and Other Stories,' writing about queerness, and why we are reading Iran wrong.
For show notes go to: mironline.org/podcastgolnooshnour
2020-02-2831 min
MIR PodcastAuthor Not Present ep.1 - Twenty MinutesAuthor Not Present is a podcast in which Louise Hare, Christina Carè, and Peter J Coles critique anonymous submitted pieces.
In the first episode, they discuss 'Twenty Minutes' - a story of loss and friendship. Listen to find out what they liked and what they thought could be improved as they deal with structure all the way down to pedantic line-editing.
We highly encourage you to read the story before listening to the episode so you can follow along.
To do so go to mironline.org/anptwentyminutes where you'll also find the show n...
2020-02-1454 minMIR PodcastMIR #12 with James Mitchell and Kate Ellis - Brick Lane BookshopIn the twelfth episode of the MIR Podcast, Peter J Coles is in Brick Lane Bookshop with the winner of their short story prize James Mitchell, and the head of the prize, Kate Ellis. They discuss what it takes to craft a winning short story, issues surrounding writing the 'other', and helpful advice on entering the 2020 short story prize.
For show notes go to: mironline.org/podcastbricklanebookshop
2020-01-3141 min
Lunar Poetry PodcastsEp.123 - Vanessa Onwuemezi (transcript available)David Turner is in Walthamstow, east London talking to Vanessa Onwuemezi. The pair discuss how Vanessa came to be pursuing a life in writing and how she judges the quality of her writing.
This episode includes a short tribute to friend and poet Mishi 'Dulwich Hamlet' Morath who sadly passed away before Christmas.
Download a full transcript of this conversation here: https://lunarpoetrypodcasts.files.wordpress.com/2020/01/ep123-vanessa-onwuemezi-transcript.pdf
For more about Vanessa:
https://twitter.com/onwuemezi
http://www.thewhitereview.org/fiction/at-the-heart-of-things/
http://mironline.org/swim-by-vanessa-onwuemezi/
Buy my book Contained, £10 for the book, £4 for the PDF, here: https://www.bl...
2020-01-141h 05MIR PodcastMIR #11 with The Secret Diary of Bloomsbury - Everyday PoetryIn the eleventh episode of the MIR Podcast, Peter J Coles talks to Elizabeth Dearnly and Michael Eades about their project The Secret Diary of Bloomsbury. They discuss how the project came about, bringing the private into the public space, and keeping a diary. Oh, there is also the mystery of The Bird Man.
For show notes go to: mironline.org/podcastsecretdiaryofbloomsbury/
2019-11-1524 minMIR PodcastMIR #10 with Julia Bell - The Creative Writing CoursebookIn the tenth episode of the MIR Podcast, Peter J Coles talks to author Julia Bell about the republication of The Creative Writing Coursebook. They discuss how the coursebook came about, the perennial question of whether writing can be taught, and the influence of the digital on creative writing.
For show notes go to: mironline.org/podcastjuliabell
2019-10-1821 minMIR PodcastMIR #9 with Toby Litt - PatienceIn the ninth episode of the MIR Podcast, Angèle Eliane talks to author Toby Litt about his latest novel, Patience. They discuss why the novel took 12 years to write, the importance of finding a voice, and coping with other peoples' success.
For show notes go to: mironline.org/podcasttobylitt/
2019-09-0633 minMIR PodcastMIR #8 with Sean Preston and Joe Johnston - Open PenIn the eighth episode of the MIR Podcast, Peter J Coles talks to author Sean Preston and Joe Johnston about their literary magazine Open Pen. Sean and Joe explain how the magazine came about, why they'll take a risk on new writers, and publishing the stories others might not.
For show notes go to: mironline.org/podcastopenpen
2019-07-2629 minMIR PodcastMIR #7 with Rob True - True StoriesIn the seventh episode of the MIR Podcast, Peter J Coles talks to author Rob True about his debut collection of short stories, 'Gospel of Aberration'. Rob talks openly about living with schizophrenia, learning to write stories at the age of 40, and gives his advice on writing good dialogue.
For show notes go to: mironline.org/robtrue
2019-06-0736 minMIR PodcastMIR #6 with Mazin Saleem - The PrickIn the sixth episode of the MIR Podcast, Peter J Coles talks to author Mazin Saleem about his debut novel 'The Prick'. They discuss what it means to be a terrible person, middle-class malaise, and the crisis of masculinity.
Show Notes:
Mazin Saleem
Open Pen
Strange Horizons
The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera
Fight Club
The Cable Guy
At Swim, Two Birds by Brian O'Nolan
Les Murray
Wonderbook by Jeff Vandermeer
The Other Wind by Ursula K. Le Guin
The Open Pen Novelette Series
MIROnline Patreon
This podcast was produced and edited by Peter J Coles
Mazin Saleem is...
2019-05-2435 minMIR PodcastMIR #5 with Lily Dunn - A Wild and Precious LifeIn the fifth episode of the MIR Podcast, Peter J Coles talks to author Lily Dunn about 'A Wild and Precious Life: A Recovery Anthology'. They discuss how the anthology came about, writing addiction, and the ups and downs of alternative forms of publishing.
Show Notes:
A Wild and Precious Life: A Recovery Anthology
Lily Dunn
Shadowing the Sun by Lily Dunn
Granta
The Real Story
Aeon
Hackney Recovery Service
Zoe Gilbert
Kerry Hudson, Lowborn
...
2019-05-1041 min
MIR PodcastMIR #4 with Jane Roberts - The Power of the FeminineIn the fourth episode of the MIR Podcast, MIR15 editor Lauren Miller talks to author Jane Roberts about her story "Our Lady the Sheela Na Gig." They discuss what inspired the story, Jane's writing background and they get to the bottom of exactly what a Sheela Na Gig actually is. Jane also gives her book recommendations.
Show Notes:
Jane's Website
A Sheela Na Gig
'The Bloody Chamber' by Angela Carter
Ali Smith
Litro
High Spirits: A Round of Drinking Stories
Jane Roberts is a freelance writer living on t...
2019-03-0731 min
MIR PodcastMIR #3 with Jean McNeil and Richard Hamblyn - The Climate for Writing Panel DiscussionThe third episode of the MIR Podcast comes from a live recording taken at The Climate for Writing: A MIR16 Masterclass. Deputy Managing Editor of MIROnline, Peter J Coles hosts a panel discussion on writing ‘climate’ with acclaimed authors Jean McNeil and Richard Hamblyn in which they discuss what it means to respond to a stimulus such as ‘climate’, the notion of the ‘telling image’, and different approaches to writing about such a broad and overwhelming topic like climate change.
Show Notes:
The Invention of Clouds by Richard Hamblyn
Terra: Tales of the Earth by...
2019-03-0754 min
MIR PodcastMIR #2 with Lou Kramskoy - This Episode is Not Called Tiny FighterIn the second episode of the MIR Podcast, MIR 15 editor Amy St Johnston talks to author Lou Kramskoy about her short story “The Front Line.” They discuss ways of writing anxiety, the struggle of choosing a good title, and the importance of reading your work aloud. Lou also gives us her short story recommendation.
Show Notes:
An Abduction by Tessa Hadley
A Dream of Men by Mary Gaitskill
The End of Firpo in the World by George Saunders
MIR15 Anthology
This podcast was produced and edited by Peter J...
2019-03-0734 min
MIR PodcastMIR #1 with Arhondia - Through the LanewayIn the first episode of the MIR Podcast, MIR 15 editor Lauren Miller talks to author Arhondia about her short story “Tom Corridan.” They discuss the influence of music on her writing, the power of drawing on real experience in prose, and how to develop convincing dialogue. Arhondia also gives her short story recommendation.
Show Notes:
Araby by James Joyce
MIR15 Anthology
This podcast was produced and edited by Lauren Miller and Peter J Coles.
Arhondia is a Greek-Irish writer. Growing up in Athens sparked a love for theatre and storytel...
2019-03-0729 min
Unpublished CafeBill C-69Today on the Unpublished Cafe podcast: The Liberals have staked a claim on the environment turning the Ministry of the Environment to the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change. And that Minister, Ottawa Centre MP, Catherine McKenna is now shepherding in Bill C69, the Impact Assessment Act and the Canadian Energy Regulator Act, to amend the Navigation Protection Act. It would replace, the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 which was brought in by the Conservatives. At the time, many felt the government of the day was turning it's back on the environment and science in favour of economics. Flash forward...
2018-07-1134 min