Smoke Hole Sessions

About Smoke Hole Sessions

Author and master storyteller Martin Shaw brings us the Smoke Hole Sessions – a series of vital conversations with inspirational people, in the hope that in the crackle of the thinking, the fire of the language, the visioning and the wildness of the exchanges, we may find breadcrumbs that lead us out of the forest again, and into a deeper life. Inspired by his new book Smoke Hole, Martin speaks to some of today’s most admired writers, musicians, comedians, activists and more about their own work and what the last year has meant to them.

Publisher

Martin Shaw & Chelsea Green Publishing

Category

arts

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

4 May 2021

Latest episode

13 Dec 2024

Latest episodes

11 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   13 Dec 2024

   EP10: LIVE at Conway Hall, feat. Martin Shaw

   Storyteller Martin Shaw shares an ancient story from his book *Smoke Hole* in front of a live audience at Conway Hall, reflecting on the book's impact and enduring relevance in this interview episode.

2. 

   30 Jun 2021

   EP 9: Growing Your Hands Back, feat. John Densmore

   Drummer John Densmore discusses his new book *The Seekers* with Martin Shaw, exploring the artists who have fueled his creativity and reflecting on encounters with musicians like Bob Dylan in this interview.

3. 

   23 Jun 2021

   EP 8: What’s the Narrative of Your Life? feat. Natasha Khan

   Martin Shaw interviews Natasha Khan about her evolution as a mystic artist and new mother, exploring how sharing art transforms as the world emerges from the pandemic.

4. 

   16 Jun 2021

   EP 7: Preparing the Grail, feat. Sir Mark Rylance

   Actor Sir Mark Rylance and Martin Shaw explore loss, interconnectedness, and the importance of wetlands, revealing insights on aging and artistic creation in this interview.

5. 

   9 Jun 2021

   EP 6: Helping the Peacemakers, feat. Ariel Burger

   Author Martin Shaw interviews Rabbi Ariel Burger, who emphasizes the importance of embracing unconventional perspectives to restore sanity in a world facing turmoil, particularly concerning peacemaking.

6. 

   2 Jun 2021

   EP 5: What Books Got You Through Your Childhood? feat. John Mitchinson

   Author John Mitchinson discusses the profound impact of books as repositories of knowledge and portals to other worlds with Martin Shaw in an interview.

7. 

   26 May 2021

   EP 4: Mouth Open, Story Jump Out, feat. Jan Blake

   Storyteller Jan Blake shares her experiences growing up in Manchester and becoming a professional storyteller, emphasizing the responsibility of authentic representation in performance in an interview with Martin Shaw.

8. 

   18 May 2021

   EP 1: Reintroducing Ourselves to the World, feat. Tommy Tiernan

   Martin Shaw interviews Tommy Tiernan, exploring the stories and practices that sustained them through the past year, revealing how society can use narratives to recover from the pandemic.

9. 

   18 May 2021

   EP 2: What Animal Do You Have Under Your Cloak? feat. Jay Griffiths

   Author Jay Griffiths discusses her creative calling and new book, *Why Rebel*, with host Martin Shaw, exploring how melancholy fosters selflessness in this interview.

10. 

    18 May 2021

    EP 3: Mad, Dead or a Poet, feat. David Keenan

    Author David Keenan discusses writing, art, music, and cultural amnesia with Martin Shaw, revealing parallels between their experiences in music and literature in this interview.

11. 

    4 May 2021

    Smoke Hole Sessions - Trailer

    Author Martin Shaw introduces the Smoke Hole Sessions podcast, which features conversations with admired writers, musicians, and activists about their work and reflections on the past year.

Who has been a guest on Smoke Hole Sessions

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• John Densmore
• Natasha Khan
• Sir Mark Rylance
• Ariel Burger
• John Mitchinson

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.9 / 5

82 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

46 ratings

Contact Smoke Hole Sessions

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.