JULIE HESMONDHALGH! The legendary British actor (Broadchurch, The Pact, Happy Valley, Mr. Bates vs The Post Office, Coronation Street), writer and activist joins Molly for a chat about Ego. What are we trying to protect ourselves from when we become defensive in difficult situations? Why does our ego get challenged by some things and not others? How do we embrace our multitudes instead of clinging to the parts of ourselves we deem acceptable?

See Julie in Punch in the West End until November 29th, 2025: https://theapollotheatre.co.uk/tickets/punch/

Buy Julie's book about acting: https://www.nickhernbooks.co.uk/an-actors-alphabet

Find out more about the campaign James Graham and Jacob Dunne have set up:

The Common Ground Justice Project: https://www.commongroundjustice.uk/

Find out more about the brilliant charities that Punch the play is supporting:

The Forgiveness Project: https://www.theforgivenessproject.com/

Go Live: https://golivetheatre.org.uk/

Remedi: https://www.remediuk.org/

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Molly chats with Maria about losing heart. What happens in the weird lull after you've released a major piece of work? How do we keep caring when we're the only ones who do? What happens when we play the character of ourselves on stage? And did Maria really run away to a lighthouse? You'll also learn about the best way to cook baked beans.

Buy Maria's book SWELL.

The poem referenced is In That Year by Kim Moore.

See Molly opening for Grace Petrie on her UK tour now: https://www.gracepetrie.com/gigs

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Join Molly and Ashley as they discuss the pleasures and perils of SAYING YES. Why does Ashley say yes to EVERYTHING? What will make him say no more? Should he even worry? Who are 'the bum bum creams'? Other topics covered include self-promotion, holidays, inspiration, ambition and friendship.

Ashley is a poet, novelist, referee and lecturer of creative writing. Ashley’s debut novel The 392 was published by OWN IT! in 2019. His second novel Your Show, published by Faber in 2022, was longlisted for the Gordon Burn Prize and shortlisted for the East Anglian Book Awards. His third book, a young adult novel-in-verse called Wild East, was published by Penguin in 2024. His poetry collection Why I Am Not a Bus Driver is available now from Bad Betty Press.

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In this conversation with award-winning writer and podcaster Deborah Frances-White, Molly and Deb discuss indecision, ego, the biggest obstacles to creative expression and the importance of collaborating with people who make you feel talented. Deborah introduces Molly to the concept of 'trusting your obvious', and shares lots of useful tips on screenwriting and improvising.

Check out Deborah's new book, SIX CONVERSATIONS WE'RE SCARED TO HAVE.

Her podcast THE GUILTY FEMINIST must have made it into your ears, but if not, check it out!

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In this episode with the sensational poet, comedian and artist Rob Auton, Rob and Molly talk about the performer's relationship with the audience. They also discuss tricky rooms, strange dynamics, being conscientious and anxiety. Rob has a strong take on how a writer/performer should feel about their own work in comparison to that of other artists and writers.

Rob will be touring his new show CAN extensively from January 2026. Do not miss out! Tickets here, or go to his website robauton.co.uk.

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Join Molly Naylor and Adam Buxton for a conversation about sensitivity, and the way it impedes (and sometimes enhances) our creativity. Also touched on: stage craft, comparisons, Twisters (the lolly, not the weather), and how to relax and accept yourself while not wanging on about relaxing and accepting yourself too much.

Listen to Adam's podcast! Buy his new book I LOVE YOU BYEEEEE! Listen to his amazing album BUCKLE UP!

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Helen Zaltzman (The Allusionist, Answer Me This) joins Molly to talk about IDEAS. Where do they come from, where do they go? How do we turn them into something? Does anyone actually plan their career? A meandering, nutritious conversation!

Check out Souvenirs on BBC Radio 4, written by Helen with an original score by Martin Austwick (performed by him and Adrienne LaBelle, violin). Produced by Helen Zaltzman and Martin Austwick. A Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4

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A lovely, rambling chat with singer and comedian Grace Petrie. Check out Grace on tour this autumn/winter - gracepetrie.com/gigs

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Amy Mason joins Molly for the final episode of the first season of Making Trouble! We will be back in September with more guests, more chats, more trouble.

Buy tickets for Amy's Edinburgh Fringe show here. Watch her be funny on TikTok.

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Molly is joined by theatre-maker, performer, writer and director Roann Hassani McCloskey for a chat about REJECTION. Yum!

The quote Roann refers to but can't remember properly is from Susan Cain: “...it’s that creativity has the power to look pain in the eye, and to decide to turn it into something better.”

Check out Roann's theatre company Bet'n Lev.

Read Roann's article about political theatre in The Stage.

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An honest, funny chat with the smart and insightful comedian and writer Sara Barron.

The book Sara mentions is My Age of Anxiety by Scott Stossel.

Listen to Sara (and Geoff's)'s podcast here! I say in my intro it's called 'we like to watch'. It's actually called 'they like to watch'. Huge appols. I can't re-record because I've pulled the plug out.

We're coming to the end of season one! Now is an amazing time to share this podcast with people you think might like it so that season two can POP OFF.

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Buy Andrew's new novel PITY here.

Buy 'the famous one' here!

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Comedian and writer Jessica Fostekew joins Molly to talk about focus and overwhelm.

See Jess's new show ICONIC BREATH at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe this summer.

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Read this beautiful review of The Outrun by Will Self. Buy The Instant here.

Learn about The Snettisham Spectacular.

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Check out Kate's work here.

Explore her wonderful workshop offers here.

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Check out Joshua's work here. Buy his brilliant new book direct from his (and my) publishing house, Bad Betty Press.

Here's Jessica, the poem by Polarbear (Steven Camden) that he references.

Here's Again by Mirna, who Joshua cites as someone whose art is currently blowing his dick off.

And here's Joshua performing Once in A Lifetime by the Talking Heads, making the literal king of Sweden dance.

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Buy Cariad's brilliant new book! Check out her podcast with Sara Pascoe, Sara and Cariad's Weirdos Book Club.

Catch Grace Petrie on tour right now! Catch Bet n Lev on tour right now!

And PLEASE rate this podcast, share this podcast, subscribe to this podcast.

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Molly is joined by novelist Emma Healey, to discuss writer's block, the challenge of generating ideas and the truth about the nutritional value of potatoes.

Here's the book about a woman and a bear that Emma mentioned but couldn't think of the author's name - it's Marian Engel.

Buy Emma's new book SWEAT here. Follow Emma on Instagram.

Please subscribe, share and RATE! It helps others find it.

Follow Making Trouble on Instagram.

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Here are the mighty snacks we discuss early on. Not a sponsor. Would accept sponsorship. Here's Vanessa's brilliant poem Hollow, which I reference halfway through. Buy Vanessa's new book Neverland - The Pleasures and Perils of Fandom here!

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Check out Austentatious, the improvised Jane Austen novel. Buy Rachel's book Advice From Strangers here. Here's the song Rachel mentions, Tim Minchin singing My House from Matilda.

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