I Wish Someone Would Ask Me

Bethan Read

Each week I ask my guests three questions that they wish someone would ask them. It leads for insightful, sometimes hilarious, sometimes emotional, often brilliantly random chats. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episodes

  1. Oct 12

    Episode 10: Jamie Holman

    In today’s episode, I talk to the incredibly talented artist Jamie Holman. We talk about how to turn it around when your city gets a bad press, The Human League, Taxis, B-Sides, the difficulty in stopping and lots of other bits and bobs. It was a great chat. Do check out Jamie’s work as it’s brilliant and very thought-provoking. Also, visit Blackburn! It’s a great place and check out Jamie’s work ‘Quiver’ on Northgate, while you wander the streets. Jamie Holman is a multidisciplinary artist based in Blackburn. His work explores the cultural and material legacies of industry, class and public space. Working across both historical and contemporary contexts, his practice examines labour, language and identity, and the ways they are shaped by place. Often developed through research, residency and multi-disciplinary collaboration, Holman’s work reveals connections between landscape, architecture and production, foregrounding the social histories and cultures embedded within them. Jamie Holman is associate artist for The British Textile Biennial and a board member of The National Festival of Making. His work has been collected by The Government Art Collection, Manchester Art Gallery, The Arts Council England Collection, Soho House, Blackburn Museum and Art Gallery, Turton Tower, The British Library, The Bodleian, The NCA Lahore and AOST Islamabad. There's a fair bit of technical turbulence on this episode, but it's still a great chat! Jamie’s Website Jamie’s Instagram Festival of Making Don’t miss episode updates: @bethanreadwrites Jingle by @goodebags and Frankie. Artwork by @georgiamaiaillustrations Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Episode 10: Jamie Holman

  2. Aug 28

    Episode 9: Helen Mort

    In today’s episode I talk to the brilliant award-winning poet and novelist Helen Mort. It was a brilliant affirming chat, and I got so inspired that I went for a run after a long hiatus! We chatted all things creative, dream jobs, airlines, how it’s always Wetherspoons o’clock at airports, and the power of nature.And how it’s essential that the narrative around stepmothers changes  The extracts I read from her novel Black Car Burning, were some of the most descriptively powerful bits of writing I’ve read.  Helen is an award-winning author based in Sheffield. She has published three poetry collections (Division Street, 2013 and No Map Could Show Them, 2016) and The Illustrated Woman (2022, shortlisted for the Forward Prize).She’s also written a novel (Black Car Burning, 2019), a short story collection (Exire, 2019) and also writes drama and creative non fiction.   Helen’s first full length non-fiction book A Line Above The Sky (Ebury, 2022) was featured in the Guardian and Evening Standard’s ‘books to watch’ lists. She has been shortlisted for the T.S. Eliot Prize and Costa Prize and won the Fenton Aldeburgh Prize in 2015. Helen appears regularly on BBC radio and sometimes on TV. She’s taught creative writing for over ten years and is a Senior Lecturer at Manchester Metropolitan University. She offers freelance mentoring and runs workshops and is a fellow of the Royal Society of Literature. Helen collaborates with artists and musicians and is interested in interdisciplinary work of all kinds.  Helen’s latest and absolutely essential read of a book Stepmother, is out now and available to buy at all good bookshops.   Helen's books  Helen's website  Helen's Instagram  Contains Strong Language Festival 2026  Helen's CSL Festival 2026 Event  Helen reading her poem Prayer on BBC Radio 3  Don’t miss episode updates: @bethanreadwrites  Jingle by @goodebags and Frankie.  Artwork by @georgiamaiaillustrations  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Episode 9: Helen Mort

  3. Aug 19

    Episode 8: John Bailey

    In today’s episode, I’m joined by the insanely talented musician John Bailey. In questions 1 & 2 we put the world to rights. Social media and the M6 feature quite heavily, as does ‘everybody’s-not-so-favourite airline’, and the pain of not being able to unsubscribe from something you’re not sure you ever quite subscribed to.  There’s also an insight into how it feels to play live; to large crowds and in intimate settings and how even the most seasoned of performers make mistakes. The answer to question 3 is absolutely lovely, and we both realise that we are quite possibly the target audience for meditation.  John Bailey earned his MA in Jazz Performance in 2010 and has since established himself as a versatile guitarist, composer, and educator. He currently collaborates with Alex James (Blur) on the acclaimed Britpop Classical project, performing alongside artists such as Saffron (Republica), Gary Stringer (Reef), Travis, and many others.    John is a long-standing guitarist for Russell Watson and Aled Jones, and has performed with leading artists across classical, jazz, and popular music. His credits include several weeks with Sting’s The Last Ship, television appearances on Songs of Praise and Jane McDonald, and live performances with English mezzo-soprano Laura Wright, from corporate events to major stages including the upcoming Lytham Festival Classical Proms.    As a composer, John writes music for video games with HodrEngine, and he has performed music from the Academy Award-winning CODA soundtrack with Emilia Jones at promotional events for the Oscars, BAFTAs, and Academy Awards.    Alongside his performance and composition work, John is committed to education. He lectures in jazz and composition at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA) and teaches guitar at the University of Liverpool.    And also his band, Horsebastard.    Don’t miss episode updates @bethanreadwrites  John’s website  John’s Instagram    Britpop Classical    I am Legend by Richard Matheson    Jingle by @goodebags and Frankie.  Artwork by @georgiamaiaillustrations    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Episode 8: John Bailey

  4. Aug 5

    Episode 7: Jave Bere

    In today’s episode I'm joined by the absolutely wonderful and enormously creative, Java Bere. We talk about creativity and its many arms. We talk about phases, work experiences, finding your feet creatively, self-confidence, the importance of environment and home, as well as allowing yourself to be yourself in your home. This was such an inspiring chat and I adored every minute of it.  Java Bere is an artist and writer who grew up in a family full of creatives, moving between Scotland, London, rural France and Spain. Her work explores identity, personal story, the significance of collected objects and the practice of finding beauty and celebration in everyday ritual.    Java hosts a podcast, ‘On the Irregular’, holding conversations with creatives about their irregular paths. Java works out of a studio in Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire, where she also hosts creative styling and art workshops.    Her debut book 'Your Space, Your Story: A Creative Guide to Personal Interiors' is published by Batsford Books, release date 4 February 2027.    p.s; I kept Java’s wildly kind compliment about my podcast in, as I thought it would be ironic to edit it out, when so much of the chat was about empowering each other and believing in yourself! (Thank you J!)  p.p.s; Java absolutely nailed the pronunciation of Hygge, first time, I completely threw her off the scent and made us doubt it.....  Technical Turbulence: Alive and Kicking! Java's Website   Pre-order Java’s book;  Your Space, Your Story   Java's Workshops  Java's Substack  Java's Podcast  Java's Instagram  Rozie Kelly's Women's Prize Shortlisted Book  Don’t miss episode updates @bethanreadwrites  Jingle by @goodebags and Frankie.  Artwork by @georgiamaiaillustrations  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Episode 7: Jave Bere

  5. Jul 29

    Episode 6: Susan Cahill

    In this episode, I’m joined by the fabulously brilliant author, Susan Cahill. We talk about magic (not the Debbie and Paul type), Care Bears, Portals, Emotional Coding, Taskmaster, Crystals, Ghosts, Writing, Ireland, Humour, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe and Lego-finding Saints.  It’s a brilliant and dreamy chat and I learnt a lot about Irish history, magical myths and how a story evolves, and there is a special Care Bear countdown! Susan Cahill is a writer and podcaster and one half of Mothers Who Write. Her latest children’s book is The World Between the Rain (Everything With Words, 2024), a thrilling adventure that takes the reader from the west coast of Ireland to deep beneath the sea in a mystical world full of gods and demons, mystery and suspense. It was nominated for the Carnegie Medal and longlisted for the Branford Boase debut novel award. Her podcast, Storyshaped, which she co-hosts with Sinéad O’Hart is about the stories that shape us from the very beginning.    Don’t miss episode updates @bethanreadwrites  Follow Susan- @susancahillwrites  Susan's website  Susan’s book - The World Between The Rain  Storyshaped podcast    Mothers Who Write  The Blindboy podcast  Amy Poehler's A Good Hang Podcast    Jingle by @goodebags and Frankie.  Artwork by @georgiamaiaillustrations  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Episode 6: Susan Cahill

  6. Jul 23

    Episode 5: Kathleen Whyman

    In this episode I'm joined by the marvellous, bestselling humorous fiction author Kathleen Whyman. We talk about the writing process, why it’s important to keep on writing, enter competitions and put yourself out there. We discuss writing with humour, writing communities, (we’re both members of the brilliant Mothers Who Write community), deadlines, Jackie Magazine and washing. It’s a gorgeous chat and if you are considering writing a book, have written a book and are trying to work out the next steps, or simply curious about what goes on behind the scenes of writing a book, this episode is for you. Kathleen Whyman is a bestselling humorous women’s fiction author and has been shortlisted for the Comedy Women in Print prize. She writes for all the multi-tasking, mentally-overloaded women who have put themselves on the subs bench for the sake of their family, and are beginning to realise that they don’t have it all – they do it all! Kathleen also mentors authors and is an events host. She regularly interviews authors, chairs panels and teaches writing with humour workshops. Her fourth book, The Mother of All Comebacks is out now. Technological Turbulence: The usual sound meddling rogues pop up from time to time...(we'll miss them, when they're gone... or maybe not!) Don’t miss episode updates: @bethanreadwrites Kathleen’s books - Bookshop.org link Author and Book Link Follow Kathleen on Instagram Kathleen's Website Kathleen runs Write Club, a monthly writing community in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, for women at every stage of their writing. For more details, visit https://www.tickettailor.com/events/writeclubKathleen   Kathleen will be teaching an online workshop on writing with humour for New Writing South on 2nd December. Details will be released soon at https://newwritingsouth.com/ Nicola Washington (Too Much Social) Mothers Who Write Jingle by @goodebags and Frankie. Artwork by @georgiamaiaillustrations Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Episode 5: Kathleen Whyman

  7. Jul 16

    Episode 4: Adam Batty

    In this episode I'm joined by the fantastically talented Adam Batty. We talk about his recent podcast MF Doom, Long Island to Leeds, which is fascinating and you all must listen to it immediately after our chat and you have till the 23rd July to vote for the MF Doom podcast in the British Podcasting Awards.   As well as the incredible MF Doom podcast we talk about the power of music and how it unifies people. We wax lyrical about Belle and Sebastian, the apocalypse, Costco, David Hockney, Proust, Leeds, and a behind the scenes look at making a podcast for the radio. We also talk about how the stereotype of rap music couldn’t be further from the truth. A gem of a chat!  Adam Batty is a writer and creative based in the north of England, who is fascinated by the stories that sit on the fringes of popular culture. His most recent project is MF DOOM: Long Island To Leeds, a 5-part audio documentary series for BBC Sounds. An expanded version of the show is going to be airing on BBC 6Music on July 20th 2026 on consecutive nights.   *Technological Turbulence – the rogue echo is back! It pops up for both of us from time to time, changes are in place to try and banish the echo for good!  Don’t miss episode updates: @bethanreadwrites  Follow Adam; @adam_makes_noise  Adam’s bio  Adam’s substack  Podcast on BBC Sounds; MF Doom; Long Island to Leeds  Guardian Article  Vote for MF Doom in the British Podcasting Awards (first round closes 23.07.2026)  Belle & Sebastian: @belleandsebastian  Jingle by @goodebags and Frankie.  Artwork by @georgiamaiaillustrations  Hosted on Acast  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Episode 4: Adam Batty

  8. Jul 8

    Episode 3: Marchelle Farrell

    In this episode I’m joined by the award-winning author Marchelle Farrell. Her enthusiasm is infectious, and I’d be interested to know how many of you pick up a trowel or think about gardening after this episode!We discuss everything from belonging, home, the link between Jilly Cooper and Jane Austen (you'll be surprised!). Martin Lewis being the saviour of the human race, the role of nature as restorative in both mental and physical health, the village WhatsApp group, the importance of laughter. Marchelle also dives into the origins of carnival and life in the Caribbean compared to life in The Uk. This is one of the most visual conversations I’ve had. A feast for the senses. *There's the usual technical turbulence, this week in the form of a rogue echo!Born in Trinidad and Tobago, Marchelle has spent the last twenty years attempting to become hardy here in the UK. She has trained and worked as a consultant psychiatrist and psychotherapist, and is deeply curious about the relationships between our external landscapes and internal ones, the patterns that are reenacted in the human relationship with the land, and how they might be changed. When not neglecting it for the care of her young children, or her work in the community, Marchelle spends much of her time getting to know her country garden in Somerset, and writing about the things the garden teaches her about herself.  Her debut memoir, ‘Uprooting’, won the 2021 Nan Shepherd Prize for nature writing, and was shortlisted for the Wainwright Prize for Nature Writing in 2024.  Don’t miss episode updates: @bethanreadwrites Follow Marchelle - @afroliage Marchelle’s book - Uprooting  I really wish I could link to the village WhatsApp chat, it sounds fantastic! Books mentioned: Jilly Cooper's books Jane Austen's Books Animal Joy by Nuar Alasdir  TV Shows: Rivals Saturday Night Live UK Last One Laughing  Jingle by @goodebags and Frankie. Artwork by @georgiamaiaillustrations Hosted on Acast  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Episode 3: Marchelle Farrell

  9. Jul 1

    Episode 2: Elaine Gregersen

    In this episode I'm joined by the brilliant Elaine Gregersen. We discuss the need for humour in extremely hard times, writing, ambition, werewolves, awards, creepy hotels and a lot more.   Trigger warning: In this episode we discuss baby loss, grief, miscarriage, funerals and hospital experiences.  Elaine Gregersen is an award-winning writer, public speaker, and podcast coach based in the North East of England. She writes and speaks about baby loss, caring, grief, and creativity. In 2025, she won the Allyson Kent Prize for Fearless Writing. She has also been shortlisted for the Bath Flash Fiction Prize and the Curae Literary Prize, and longlisted for the Motherhood Uncensored competition. Her pop culture podcast, The Honeymoon Period, reaches listeners in over 60 countries and has been featured in The Guardian, My Weekly Magazine and Film Stories.        Don’t miss episode updates: @bethanreadwrites  Follow Elaine - @elainegwrites, substack, website  Elaine & Mark’s fantastic podcast - The Honeymoon Period  Books mentioned:  Stuart Murdoch - Nobody's Empire  Elle Wright - Ask Me His Name    Jingle by @goodebags and Frankie.  Artwork by @georgiamaiaillustrations  Hosted on Acast  *The beginning and end sound a bit muffly and sleepy as I was recording them in the spare room of a friend's house while they slept! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Episode 2: Elaine Gregersen

  10. Jun 17

    Episode 1: Adam Farrer

    In this episode I’m joined by the award-winning and ridiculously hilarious writer Adam Farrer. We discuss the need for humour in hard times, the apocalypse, writing, moths, penis shaped biscuits, Prince, Britain’s Got Talent and a lot more.   Trigger Warning: In this episode we discuss suicidal ideation, grief, sibling loss and pet loss.  Adam Farrer is a writer, mentor and editor and currently works at the University of Salford, where he is the Writer in Residence for Peel Park. He has taught creative nonfiction and life writing at the University of Lancaster as well as extensively at retreats, literary festivals and prisons.  He is the author of two personal essay collections, Cold Fish Soup (Saraband, 2022), winner of the Northbound Book Award, and Broken Biscuits and Other Male Failures (HarperNorth, 2025) and edits the creative nonfiction journal The Real Story.'  Don’t miss episode updates @bethanreadwrites  Follow Adam - @adamjfarrer  Adam’s website - https://www.adamfarrer.co.uk/  Adam’s books - Cold Fish Soup  Broken Biscuits  Jenn Ashworth - books  Adam’s mum and sister on Ruby Red performers on BGT     Jingle by @goodebags and Frankie.  Artwork by @georgiamaiaillustrations  Hosted on Acast    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Episode 1: Adam Farrer
  • 10 Episodes

About

Each week I ask my guests three questions that they wish someone would ask them. It leads for insightful, sometimes hilarious, sometimes emotional, often brilliantly random chats. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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