Advertise on podcast: Sparks of Madness

After a lengthy break we're back with a new episode featuring the amazing Meryl O'Rourke. Despite some tech and sound issues, we had a great chat about loads of issues. Meryl is a BAFTA nominated comedy write, having worked with Frankie Boyle for over a decade on various TV projects, most recently New World Order. Boyle describes her as "inspiringly funny".  Meryl's special "Vanilla" drops on Next Up Comedy on 10 June 2022 - you can sign up for Next Up here. In the episode, we also discussed an article Meryl wrote for The New Statesman about the only time she's every agreed with Julia Hartley-Brewer. You can read this here.  Meryl can be found on Facebook and Twitter

In this episode Graeme chats with Dr Nic Harper, who moved from New Zealand, where he worked as a doctor, to the UK to join the NHS. He started work in the same month that COVID-19 really hit the UK, March 2020. He has since worked on the frontline during the pandemic in Covid wards, at the same time as starting a career in stand up. We hear about all of this and Nic's mental health issues, as well as his plans for the future. 

After a lengthy break Graeme chats with Kevin Dewsbury, a comic who has been a professional on the circuit for well over a decade. In 2008 Kevin was about to launch a solo Edinburgh show when he had a full on mental crisis. Kevin discussed how this came about, what happened at the time and how he's used what happened to him in the years since. Other topics covered include what it's like being one half of a double act, especially one where the two members are married... to each other.  Follow Kevin on Twitter here or visit https://www.yourdadsmum.com/ to find out about his double act with his wife, the fabulously funny Bexie Archer. 

In this episode Graeme chats with Darren "Big D" Archer, a comic based in Hereford who is, much like Graeme, a larger than life figure with a knack for oversharing details of his personal life on stage.  These two have lots in common, and they explore that in this chat. 

In our 23rd Episode, Graeme chats with Southampton-based comic Vicki Delirious about her mental health issue and how they have impacted her fledgling comedy career.  Content Warning: Vicki's issues stem from a particularity traumatic event, and this episode includes discussions of attempted suicide.  Find out more about Vicki here: https://www.facebook.com/victoriadelirious 

In this episode Graeme chats with Leanne Easthope about her life as a single mother, with kids who have profound special needs. As well as being a full time mum and a part time stand up, Leanne is also a studying to  become a teacher. Content warning - this episode includes a discussion about a suicidal thoughts and attempted suicide.  You can find out more about Leanne here:  https://www.facebook.com/leanneEasthopecomedy 

Dave Chawner is a number 1 best-selling author, award-winning stand up, presenter & mental health campaigner. In this episode. set to the occasional backdrop of squeaking dog's toys,  Graeme and he discuss Dave's journey into stand up and how his willingness to use his mental health issues as material led to a sell out Edinburgh show, awards, TED talks and writing his bestselling book - "Weight Expectations".  Naturally, we also chat Covid, lockdown and the future of comedy, including Dave's new venture running comedy course for folk with mental health conditions.  Find out more about Dave here Watch his TED Talk here  Buy his book here 

Tom Evans is a Welsh comedian who also works at Hot Water, one of the country's leading comedy venues. In this episode we discuss eating disorders, the impact of covid, the future of comedy and Tom's desire for an industry with fewer cliques and a more supportive approach.  Find out more about Tom at https://www.facebook.com/Tomecomedy/ 

Ian Peskett is far from your everyday stand up. A former heroin addict who has spent several spells behind bars at Her Majesty's pleasure, he has been clean for 8 years. By day, he works with addicts. By night he entertains audiences with true tales of his colourful past. In this episode, host Graeme Rayner tries to understand Ian's path into stand up, and understand exactly what he gets from it. We also chat about Covid, entering comedy later in life and the power of words. 

In this episode host Graeme Rayner chats with Anthony Williams, a comic and promoter from Derbyshire, about the impostor syndrome, anxiety and impact of COVID19 on comedians and their mental health. Anthony heads up RockCentral Promotions, a relatively new comedy club/promotions company who managed to put on some cracking outdoor shows last summer .

In this episode host Graeme Rayner chats with AJ Hill, a pro comic from Manchester, about the impact of COVID19 on comedians and their mental health, the potentially high risk habits acts can fall into with travelling to gigs alone and relying on alcohol to "self-medicate" and the need for the industry to take better care of comics' mental health. 

In this episode Graeme chats with Hull based comic Jed Salisbury about how lockdown has had a significant impact on both his career and his mental health – examining the practical impact of the profession rather than the emotional highs and lows of performance. We also chat about his experiences of  appearing on TV – he has previously appeared on the BBC’s “The Naked Truth” and also in the documentary mini-series “Who are you calling fat?”. Jed’s lovely, this is a really nice chat and I recommend looking him up now that comedy is (finally) coming back.  You can watch Who Are You Calling Fat? here You can watch The Naked Truth here You can follow Jed on Facebook here You can read my blog about Jed’s appearance on Who Are You Calling Fat? here