Poet. Performer. Cultural changemaker. In just a few years Travis Alabanza has become one of the most exciting young performance artists in the queer arts scene. In this episode, Travis joins Yomi to unpack how poetry has sparked their wider creativity from fashion and theatre to fearless performance. They dive into their groundbreaking sell-out show ‘Burgerz’ and explore how lived experience can be transformed into electrifying art. Plus, Travis and Yomi react to a performance by poet Joelle Taylor, a radical presence in the LGBTQ+ genre, which ignites something powerful in the room. A raw, unfiltered conversation on being authentic, brave and re-making the rules.  

Her poems are gritty and fierce, and she is a bold and fearless author, memoirist, broadcaster and poet of Jamaican-Irish heritage. Salena Godden and Yomi get to grips in an intimate conversation around the duality of the artist - from writing monster to gigging monster, and the solitude of creation against the performance on stage. She performs her poem ‘Our Anarchy’ - a poem that asks us feel deeply, resist, and reassemble what’s been broken. This episode explores the emotional cost of creativity and the challenge of writing from a place of grief and rage. Together, they watch Maya Angelou’s ‘We Wear the Mask’, a piece about how something simple, like a smile, can hide so much pain and fear in the face of oppression.

Filmmaker, poet and writer for all ages, award-winning Dean Atta is also a member of Malika’s Poetry Kitchen and a patron of LGBT+ History Month. He encourages writers to lean all the way into topics they love, no matter how small or niche. His works are celebrated for tackling themes of racism and self-acceptance. He’s the author of the poetry collection ‘There Is (Still) Love Here’ and the YA verse novels ‘The Black Flamingo’ (which won the Stonewall Book Award) and ‘Only on the Weekends’. Dean performs ‘An Ode to My Black Queer Body’ and together they watch John Agard’s famous and defiant performance of ‘Half Caste’ where he challenges prejudice, celebrates the richness of mixed heritage and reclaims it as a badge of honour.

Kareem Parkins Brown joins Yomi and together they share how humour, grief and real life have influenced his writing. Kareem’s work often touches on nostalgia and friendship, with surrealism playing a major role in his existential poetry talk show. He performs his poem ‘What I’ve Learned (after Aja Monet), a poem that looks at memory and social commentary. They watch Joshua Bennett’s ‘16 Bars for Kendrick Lamar’, a homage piece to one of contemporary hip-hop’s most celebrated voices. A piece that mirrors the standard length for a verse in rap, aligning poetry precision with the culture of rap. Apples and Snakes: The Podcast is hosted by Yomi Sode with Sound production by Drew Horley.

In the final episode of the season, Amen Noir and Yomi talk on the spoken word scene over the years and what gives strength to presence on stage, they touch on music and the power of harnessing your vulnerability. They discuss the importance of archiving in documenting the Black British cultural journey within the scene.   Apples and Snakes: The Podcast is hosted by Yomi Sode with Sound production by Drew at Lab Studios.

Yomi is joined by Belinda Zhawi where they delve into how Belinda uses sound and voice in her work to transport audiences. They discuss the influences that fed into their craft and the legacies and contexts that come into storytelling.  Belinda shares her poem ‘Sin Blue Note’ Apples and Snakes: The Podcast is hosted by Yomi Sode with Sound production by Drew at Lab Studios.

In this episode, Yomi is joined by Asmaa Jama. They talk about the interdependencies that writing and visuals have had on Asmaa’s work and creative journey. They discuss the importance of embodying and honouring your words through your work, allowing yourself to take up space and reach audiences.  Asmaa shares her poem ‘Sympathy ​for ​Ishaq, after ​Ladan ​Osman’ Apples and Snakes: The Podcast is hosted by Yomi Sode with Sound production by Drew at Lab Studios.

Join Yomi and Emanuel Sugo as they discuss the intersection of poetry, fitness, and cultural storytelling and the many other doors that poetry has opened for them. Emmanuel shares his poem ‘Diamonds ​Are ​Forever ​remixed ​by ​A ​Series ​of ​Unfortunate ​Events ​known ​as ​Kim ​Kardashian.’   Apples and Snakes: The Podcast is hosted by Yomi Sode with Sound production by Drew at Lab Studios.

This week, Yomi speaks to Vanessa Kisuule where they talk on the transformative power of performance. This episode delves into evolution of craft, the balance between page and stage  and the profound impact of community and collaboration, discussing the richness of voices that are reshaping the poetry landscape.    Vanessa shares her poem ‘Daffodil’   Apples and Snakes: The Podcast is hosted by Yomi Sode with Sound production by Drew at Lab Studios.

In this week's episode, Muneera Pilgrim joins Yomi in discussing her experience as a poet, coming from a hip hop background. They touch on the journey you take in seeing your worth and believing in yourself and how they were able to embody that.  Muneera shares her poem 'Dear Boy’ Apples and Snakes:The Podcast is hosted by Yomi Sode with Sound production by Drew at Lab Studios.

In our latest episode, Yomi speaks to Jeremiah about his poetry journey, touching on the various mediums that Jeremiah has experimented with through his work. They talk on exploring poetry commercially, navigating poetry as a multidisciplinary artist and how you find yourself through these transitions.  Jeremiah shares his poem 'On my paternal and maternal uncles, after Jennifer Chang' Apples and Snakes:The Podcast is hosted by Yomi Sode with Sound production by Drew at Lab Studios.

This week, Courtney joins Yomi in discussing what keeps them going. They touch on the value of community, taking things at your own pace and not limiting yourself. Courtney walks through different moments that have been pivotal, exploring religion, culture and other elements that feed into your authenticity.  Courtney shares her poem ‘Extradition of Druglord Dudus Coke: Barbican Girl Dash Weh Tivoli Boy’.   Apples and Snakes:The Podcast is hosted by Yomi Sode with Sound production by Drew at Lab Studios.

In this week’s episode, Yomi speaks to Roger about his experience in different poetry scenes. They talk on the different dynamic talent that Roger has encountered and how it has highlighted the value of individuality. Roger discusses his relationship with music and how balancing different crafts feeds into his creativity.    Roger shares his poem ‘Janet Kay sings ‘Silly Games’ live on Top of the Pops, 1979’   Apples and Snakes:The Podcast is hosted by Yomi Sode with Sound production by Drew at Lab Studios.

In our latest episode Yomi talks with Breis about balancing his life as a poet, author, hip hop educator and MC. They discuss business in poetry and Breis reflects on some of his proudest moments and how his work and outlook have evolved over time. Breis shares his poem ‘Only Human’ Apples and Snakes:The Podcast is hosted by Yomi Sode with Sound production by Drew at Lab Studios.

In this week's episode Yomi and Miss Jacqui discuss social influences, being a multidisciplinary artist and accessibility in the industry. Miss Jacqui talks about being human and how her work highlights the emotions that we all feel but don’t know how to articulate.   Miss Jacqui reads the poem version of her song ‘Body Beautiful’

Yomi talks to Ryan about the power of community and the importance of supporting young people. Ryan plays homage to those who have fed into finding his purpose, whilst also speaking on the frustrations he experienced that have fuelled him towards his path.  Ryan reads his poem ‘Don't let the ends be the end’   Apples and Snakes: The Podcast is hosted by Yomi Sode with Sound production by Drew at Lab Studios.

This week, Yomi and Joshua discuss the “urgency” of writing. Joshua explores the impactful moments in his artistic career. Reminiscing on the integral people he’s met along the way, from poetry nights to performing to the King of Sweden on national television.   Joshua reads his poem ‘Its closing time’   Apples and Snakes: The Podcast is hosted by Yomi Sode with Sound production by Drew at Lab Studios.

In this episode, Yomi and Roy recognise the people and the environments that have created the poetry scene today. They talk on the process of publishing and how to maintain your voice and access rawness as you progress.  Roy reads his poem ‘To the Heron who stood with me in the ruins of another Black mans life, After Gwendolyn Brookes and Gill Scott Heron’   Apples and Snakes:The Podcast is hosted by Yomi Sode with Sound production by Drew at Lab Studios.

Yomi speaks to PA Bitez on the power of the alter ego and being able enter the scene saying it all. They discuss the various entry points encountered, taking them into poetry and how cultures have impacted the vitality of their writing.    PA Bitez reads her poem ‘Thunder Music’   Apples and Snakes:The Podcast is hosted by Yomi Sode with Sound production by Drew at Lab Studios.

In this episode, Yomi speaks to T.S Eliot prize winning Anthony Joseph on what it means to be a poet and the various transitions through that journey. Anthony touches on the different landscapes he’s encountered, from firstly being on stage in a rock band in the 80s to traveling the world and the surprising pleasures along the way.  Anthony reads his poem ‘Elbows of the land’  Apples and Snakes:The Podcast is hosted by Yomi Sode with Sound production by Drew at Lab Studios.