Real Folk with Jo Burke

26. Marc Burrows - Author, critic, comic & musician

Jo Burke — Thu, 11 Dec 2025 12:18:25 +0000

Jo chews the Christmas fat with author, critic, comic and musician, Marc Burrows. Jo delves deeper into what inspired Marc's latest book The Story of the Christmas No.1 - Mistletoe and Vinyl. Listen up for some festive music facts. Find out why Simon Cowell makes the X Factor winner a Christmas No.1, why The Beatles are to blame for everything and who tried to ban Christmas.

He writes, mostly about music and film, for The Guardian, The Observer, The Quietus, the i Paper, Music OMH, the New Statesmen and Hey U Guys among many others. His biography of the brilliant, Sir Terry Pratchett, The Magic of Terry Pratchett was published in 2020 to considerable acclaim, winning the Locus Award for best non fiction in 2021. Also check out his book The London Boys: Bowie, Bolan and the 60s Teenage Dream. Buy Marc's marvellous books here.

He has a background in stand up comedy and has performed several runs of his one-man shows at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, as well as around the country.

He plays bass in the cult Victoriana punk band The Men That Will Not Be Blamed For Nothing.

Enjoying Real Folk? Why not listen and subscribe to Jo's other podcast, Utter Burke, also available FREE wherever you listen.

25. Claire Storey - Stage and TV Actor/Writer

Jo Burke — Thu, 02 Oct 2025 13:34:19 +0100

Jo is feeling autumnal so pull up a chair grab a cuppa and join her for a cosy natter with tv, stage and voice actor, Claire Storey. You may recognise her from the long running, award winning, BBC series Call the Midwife. Claire has also popped up on your tv screens in almost all our beloved soaps including Emmerdale, Coronation Street, Holly Oaks and Doctors. Find out how she became an actor, why everyone thinks she's a Northerner and all about her sensational, self-penned, one woman show about the fabulously flamboyant painter Gluck (Hannah Gluckenstein).

Follow Claire here.

Jo's other podcast, Utter Burke, is also available FREE wherever you listen.

24. Sarah Callaghan - Spoken word artist & award-winning comedian

Jo Burke — Thu, 28 Aug 2025 15:53:32 +0100

Jo's back with a bang, after a summer hiatus, with the multi-talented, Sarah Callaghan who was named a Time Out One to Watch. Tune in for a frank and inspiring chat about comedy, performance poetry, her experience on BAFTA Award-winning spoken word series Life & Rhymes on Sky Arts - Hosted by Benjamin Zephaniah featuring Kae Tempest, John Berkavitch and Adaya Henry and everything in between. Including her critically acclaimed stand-up shows that achieved sell out runs at the Edinburgh Fringe/Soho Theatre, living and moving to Australia, finding her soulmate, mental health and taking time out to breathe. She is currently supporting Jason Manford on tour.

Real Folk First - Sarah also performs one of her poems 'Proceed without Certainty' and shares how her band 'The Free Thinkers' was formed. Listen to Soft Life the other performance piece Sarah mentions.

Watch Sarah's comedy and performance poetry and follow on Instagram. Her poetry can also be found in the new book from two-time Sunday Times bestselling poet, Hussain Manawer, I WANTED TO QUIT TOO.

Jo's other podcast, Utter Burke, is also available FREE wherever you listen.

23. Sooz Kempner - Actor, comedian, singer

Jo Burke — Wed, 14 May 2025 13:55:01 +0100

Jo sets the world to rights with super talented, award-winning comedian, actor and singer, Sooz Kempner. You may recognise Sooz from her hugely successful appearances at the Edinburgh Fringe, this year is her eleventh show. She's created tons of character comedy sketches that have gone viral and starred as Doom from The Dr Who spin-off, Doom's Day. Tune in to find out what makes Sooz tick, her thoughts on comedy, aging, SNL and why her latest show is called, Sooz Kempner is Ugly.

Follow Sooz on Twitch, Instagram, YouTube and Bluesky Have a listen to her podcast, Mystery on the Rocks, with Chris Stokes and Masud Milas.

Jo's other podcast, Utter Burke, is also available FREE wherever you listen.

22. Josephine Lacey - Stand Up Comedian, 'Autism Mama' and writer

Jo Burke — Wed, 02 Apr 2025 17:34:33 +0100

Funny, heartbreaking and inspirational in equal measure, this is a Real Folk to remember... Jo takes a deep dive into the background of stand-up comedian and writer, Josephine Lacey, creator of the hit five star comedy show, 'Autism Mama', 'The straight-talking comic’s debut hour is cheerfully rude and glowing with maternal love, as she describes parenting a son with autism.' The Guardian.

Trigger warning: Josephine's story covers her abusive childhood, a sexual assault and consequent PTSD. If you or someone you know needs help contact: National Domestic Abuse Helpline

Have a listen and gain some significant life lessons from her unique story, go see her amazing show in Wales, Brighton, Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham and The Soho Theatre London. Follow her on instagram here.

Share this FREE podcast with anyone who you think may benefit.
Jo's second podcast, Utter Burke, is also available FREE wherever you listen.

21. Sophie Haydock - Author, editor, journalist

Jo Burke — Tue, 11 Mar 2025 18:33:54 +0000

Jo catches up with Sophie Haydock, Sunday Times and Guardian journalist, author of The Flames 'One of the finest historical authors of 2022', The Times. Her latest book, Madame Matisse, is released on 6th March 2025. Sophie delicately weaves fact and fiction to flesh out the stories surrounding the women that inspired Egon Schiele and Henri Mattise. Find out more about her passion for art, storytelling and why she wanted to spotlight, the often omitted, stories of women in the 20th Century. You will be surprised to learn which Hollywood actor follows her work, her favourite muddy hobby and why she's off to the North Pole. Follow her work here: @egonschieleswomen and www.sophie-haydock.com

20. Dan Parkes - Author & Director of Photography

Jo Burke — Thu, 06 Feb 2025 17:49:53 +0000

If, like Jo, you have always been intrigued by the stories that surround the Titanic tragedy, you should definitely tune in to discover more about Dan Parkes debut book, Titanic Legacy: The Captain, the Daughter and the Spy. More twists and turns than a twisty turny thing. Jo 'dives' in to Dan's DOP work, his drone training and what triggered his lifelong obsession with the Titanic. If you loved the hugely success Titanic film starring Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio this book will knock your socks off.

Dan's DOP work can be found here and his production company is Dan Park Productions. To purchase signed and numbered copies of Dan's book click here:

Jo's other podcast, Utter Burke, is also available FREE wherever you listen.

19. Ben Rufus Green - Actor, comedian, writer

Jo Burke — Mon, 13 Jan 2025 16:56:34 +0000

Jo catches up with fellow actor, comedian and writer, Ben Rufus Green. On our TV screens Ben played 'David Cockfield' in both series of, Joe Wilkinson's, hilarious family comedy 'The Cockfields'. He most recently starred in Scottish BAFTA Award winning 'Dinosaur' Ashley Storrie's, new comedy show. Also in 2024 he starred in his first feature film 'Seize Them!' starring comedy legends, Nick Frost, Jessica Hynes and Nicola Coughlan from Derry Girl and Bridgerton. This year (2025) his second feature film 'Deep Cover' will be released, starring Orlando Bloom and you can see him pop up in 'Sister Boniface' too.

Jo and Ben discuss their passion for comedy, acting and writing. Find out how Ben got started in the industry, what writing projects he is working on and his weekly 'Washing Up Club' streamed on Twitch. He also shares some tips he picked up from working with likes of Nigel Havers, the late great, Bobby Ball and Susannah Fielding, who also stars in 'The Cockfields' and played Alan Partridge's co-host Jennie in 'This Time with Alan Partridge'. What a year he's had!

Check out Ben's website here
Watch Ben's 'Washing Up Club' on twitch here.

Jo's other podcast, Utter Burke, is also available FREE wherever you listen.

18. Mel Larsen - International Coach & Consultant

Jo Burke — Tue, 07 Jan 2025 08:58:10 +0000

It's the start of a New Year. What are your personal, career or business plans/goals/challenges for 2025?

Grab a cuppa and join Jo and the marvellous, Mel Larsen, International Coach & Consultant who has been helping entrepreneurs for over three decades to joyfully trust their vision. Her work has taken her around the world, including Russia, The Caribbean, Australia and New Zealand, and across Europe.

Mel shares how her childhood experiences and her phenomenal mum, perfectly primed her for her career as a consultant and led her to build a 6-figure business and become the founder of not one, but three, community-led festivals.

As discussed in the show, below is the link to FutureSeed (a one day online workshop that runs in the first week of every year)and Mel's website:

https://www.dreamprojectcoach.com/futureseed/

Mel also kindly invited listeners to use the code: VIPSpecial to receive a £10 discount. See you there!

17. Darren Walsh - Comedian, Tik Tok Pun Guy, Director, Writer

Jo Burke — Thu, 19 Dec 2024 15:30:07 +0000

TikTok Pun Guy, Darren Walsh, chats to Jo about his comedy career, the fact he is absolutely NOT the other Darren Walsh, a famous animator who created Angry Kid, plus insider info on how Darren creates his viral Tik Tok Puns on the Street. You can catch Darren's latest show 'Do You Like Puns?' at Leicester Comedy Festival in Feb, Glasgow in March, London's Leicester Square Theatre in April, Brighton and Chesham in May and Hasting in June. For show tickets and to subscribe to his mailing list visit here.

Jo's other podcast, Utter Burke, is also available FREE wherever you listen.

16. Sarah O'Connell - YouTube Celebrity Chat Show host, Comedian, Artist/Animator

Jo Burke — Sun, 08 Dec 2024 11:52:56 +0000

Sarah kindly allowed Jo to turn the tables and interview her for Real Folk, so you can find out about Sarah's life for a change. 'The Sarah O'Connell Show' is a YouTube sensation with her celebrity guests ranging from Hollywood stars like Keanu Reeves, comedians/national treasures such as our wonderful Dawn French and of course musicians like Darren Hayes from Savage Garden, to name but a few. Jo and Sarah's chinwag veers from the surreal to the sublime, covering life, death and everything in between. Watch, love and subscribe to her amazing interviews here.

Jo's other podcast, Utter Burke, is also available FREE wherever you listen.

15. Benjamin Bankole Bello - Character comedian President Obonjo

Jo Burke — Tue, 20 Feb 2024 12:28:23 +0000

Jo's back with more Real Folk. Put your feet up and join Jo for an intriguing and thought provoking chat with 'accidental' comedian, Benjamin Bankole Bello, who has spent more than a decade honing his comic character, President Obonjo, African Dictator of LAFTA Republic, who became a social media viral sensation. Check out his millions of views on TikTok, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Jo and Ben discuss his rise and almost complete destruction in an industry they both love. Unbelievably many people, including previous real life presidents, can't tell fact from fiction...you can see his ITVx comedy special 'Stolen' via his website presidentobonjo.com or on the ITVx App.

14. Anna Kennedy OBE - Autism educator and Strictly star

Jo Burke — Thu, 01 Apr 2021 16:36:14 +0100

Kick back in your favourite comfy chair and join Jo and Anna chatting about autism awareness, Strictly Come Dancing and meeting the Queen. Anna shares the story of her children's diagnosis. What led her to set up two specialist schools, a college, a residential home and Anna Kennedy Online. She is also known as Autisms answer to 'Simon Cowell' (she's not sure that's a good thing) owing to the fabulous annual competition she created called 'Autism's Got Talent'. Jo and Anna are massive dance fans so couldn't resist nattering about Anna's amazing experience on the 'Strictly People's Special' in 2015 where she danced with the brilliant Robin Windsor. Oh and of course the realities of receiving an OBE and her unique Italian/Middlesbrough roots. More info on www.annakennedyonline.com

13. Amanda Egan - Author, fundraiser and creative

Jo Burke — Wed, 17 Feb 2021 22:22:26 +0000

Amanda Egan, author of 'Diary of a Mummy Misfit' and many more, chats with Jo about her writing process, lockdown life and her latest creative adventures. Tune in for an exclusive preview of an AMAZING song from the musical based on her utterly fabulous book 'Stilettos and Stubble' set in a drag club. Composed and sung by Alan Penman, written by her husband. We simply CANNOT let Covid19 stop 'Stilettos and Stubble the Musical' from happening. You will feel the same once you've heard the song and read the book. Let's be honest we NEED this in our lives, especially now. Download Amanda's books via Amazon and follow her on Twitter @Mummy_Misfit.

12. John Fleming - Comedy connoisseur and blogger

Jo Burke — Mon, 08 Feb 2021 08:49:21 +0000

Jo chews the fat with comedy connoisseur, blogger and founder of the infamous 'Malcolm Hardee Awards', John Fleming. They discuss great writers, naked balloon dancing, how he ended up being co-author of Malcolm Hardee's book 'I Stole Freddie Mercury's Birthday Cake' and of course life in general. Check out John's blog 'So it Goes' here: www.thejohnfleming.wordpress.com

11. Alison Knowles - Emotional wellbeing therapist and author

Jo Burke — Sun, 24 Jan 2021 23:44:48 +0000

Emotional wellbeing is critical during these challenging times. Jo chats to the inspiring, Alison Knowles, creator of 'Ollie and his Superpowers', a book brand that helps both children and adults understand and control their emotions. Ali shares her story of dyslexia, having left school with nothing but the word 'stupid' ringing in her ears. Find out how dyslexia and Covid19 pushed her in directions she would never have imagined. If you are interested in becoming an Ollie Coach, are a school teacher, or know of a school that may be interested in their approach to emotional wellbeing, then contact www.ollieandhissuperpowers.com. Recorded via Zoom prior to the second UK lockdown.

10. Lynn Rae - Make-up artist, physical therapist and pilates instructor

Jo Burke — Tue, 20 Oct 2020 20:07:15 +0100

Grab a cuppa and join Lynn and Jo for a life affirming chat. Starting with Lynn's background as a make-up artist in the 80's, why she became a physical therapist and how she continues to manage her breast cancer diagnosis received in 2008. Find out what her biggest life lessons are and why she believes beauty truly is an inside job. Check out her website www.lynnrae.co.uk

9. David Shackleton - Linguist, actor, teacher

Jo Burke — Thu, 08 Oct 2020 14:10:43 +0100

Linguist, actor and teacher, David Shackleton, chats candidly with Jo about attempting to take his own life, being a gay man in the 1960's, he also picks Jo up on a few of her own language faux pas. A fascinating journey into language, life and being true to yourself.

8. Pam Jones - Foster carer for 30 years, set up local charity to help the homeless.

Jo Burke — Wed, 30 Sep 2020 10:44:18 +0100

Unstoppable, Pam Jones, popped into Custard HQ in Folkestone, to share the highs and lows of life as a foster carer for more than thirty years. Plus how and why she set up a local charity 'Helping the Homeless and Vulnerable' donations and details on Facebook. Prepare to fall in love...

7. Lee and Hartmut - Theatre entrepreneurs crowdfunding for the arts

Jo Burke — Mon, 21 Sep 2020 08:21:59 +0100

Lee and Hartmut set up Central Tickets in 2017. Like so many of us in the arts they were hit hard by Covid19. Incredibly, during the toughest of times, the dynamic duo went to enormous lengths to help performers, producers and theatre technicians to survive. Have a listen to how it all started and what they did, with the help of all their amazing members, to help the arts in 2020...

6. Kate Sheppeard - Australian opera singer, jewellery designer & teacher

Jo Burke — Wed, 16 Sep 2020 07:00:00 +0100

Hilarious natter with Australian opera singer, jewellery designer (KTCD Jewellery on Etsy) and teacher, Kate Sheppeard. They shoot the breeze about nightmare performances, imposter syndrome, anxiety, working at ENO and Sydney Opera House plus so much more...

5. Andy Elias - Indie filmmaker, actor, vlogger and teacher

Jo Burke — Wed, 09 Sep 2020 08:31:41 +0100

Join Jo for a natter with Andy about his love of the horror film genre, his indie film company 'Ciao Handy', the making of his award winning short, 'Life's a Bench' and how vlogging helped him recover from illness.

4. Lynn Ruth Miller - American journalist who started stand-up comedy aged 70

Jo Burke — Fri, 04 Sep 2020 19:31:38 +0100

86 year old American stand-up comedian, artist, author and force of nature, Lynn Ruth Miller, shares some of her amazing stories. Including starting stand-up aged 70, two failed marriages and coping with eating disorders...

3. Joff Summerfield - Cyclist, engineer and round-the-world traveller

Jo Burke — Tue, 01 Sep 2020 08:00:00 +0100

A modern day Phileas Fogg, if Mr Fogg had cycled round the world and taken a tad longer, owing to the height of his bike. Jo chats with Joff (at 'Custard HQ' in Folkestone) about his round-the-world trip that started and finished at stunning Greenwich Market, in South East London, with a few false starts and a multitude of exciting and hilarious adventures in between...

2. Manolis Emmanouel - Greek actor, voice over artist and director

Jo Burke — Sun, 30 Aug 2020 14:00:00 +0100

Jo catches up with Greek actor and friend Manolis Emmanouel. This is his first podcast so have a listen to this exclusive and find out about his role in Michael Winterbottom's film 'Greed', his unusual, unwanted admirer and some pretty huge life events...

1. Jackie Meade - Mayor of Folkestone, 80's rocker, charity fundraiser

Jo Burke — Fri, 28 Aug 2020 14:36:00 +0100

Jo's first guest, recorded at her creative/gallery space 'Custard HQ' on the Old High St in Folkestone, is former Mayor of Folkestone - Jackie Meade. Find out about Jackie's Olympic Gold Medal, her brushes with 80's pop stars, her charity work and so much more...

Real Folk with Jo Burke Taster

Jo Burke — Tue, 25 Aug 2020 11:29:00 +0100

Get a taste for Jo Burke's Real Folk featuring Joff Summerfield and Lynn Ruth Miller.