Spark recently spent a few weeks working with the HIV charity Body & Soul, based just around the corner from one of our favourite venues: the Exmouth Market Theatre in central London.Established in 1996, Body & Soul is a pioneering UK charity dedicated to transforming the lives of children, teenagers and families living with, or affected by HIV.Here we present three true stories from the night. Whilst delayed by friends, Dexter discovers a love of the written word; next, Munya's vacation in Canc...
Dec 01, 2015•23 min•Transcript available on Metacast Warning: contains references to suicide.One more story from our collaboration with Mind in Haringey, where we told stories of 'Multicultural Minds.' Tottenham resident Shannon tells this ultimately uplifting story of coming to terms with her mental health.Thanks for Kelsey for the recording and the show's producers, Joanna Yates and Dave Pickering. Spark - True Stories is a Rethink Audio production by Matt Hill.BRISTOL: we have a show coming to you this Sunday (29th November) at the Bristol Frin...
Nov 25, 2015•12 min•Transcript available on Metacast TRIGGER WARNING: this episode discusses physical abuse and suicide.Off the back of a successful partnership in 2014, Spark hosted another night with charity Mind in Haringey on the theme of mental health. Research shows that there’s much more that can be done to understand how mental health is understood and experienced in different cultures. How does our culture shape what we see as mental health or ill health, what has your experience been?If you've been affected by the themes within this prog...
Nov 17, 2015•22 min•Transcript available on Metacast Part two of our night of true stories from Exmouth Market in London. Lauretta starts a new job at a prestigious milliners, making hats by royal appointment... but can she impress her highness?Then we welcome comedians Sarah Benetto (Storytellers Club) and Jojo Georgio for two stories of tomboyism, to coin a phrase.Thanks to Charley Harrison who compered the night and to Spark regulars Joanna Yates, Ian Barratt and Louise Adams for their support. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more in...
Nov 11, 2015•30 min•Transcript available on Metacast Part 1 of 2. Every day we are given clear instructions about how to behave. These orders come from passers-by, window displays, bus ads or perhaps the supermarket.Phrases like 'be a man' or 'that's not very ladylike' seep their way into our unconscious and lie there, heavy and immovable. On this battlefield, we must stop and take stock of our moments of weakness, as well as our moments of bravery. And one night in October, Spark audiences came together to stop and celebrate;l pause and acknowled...
Nov 03, 2015•32 min•Transcript available on Metacast Two true stories of being sick and tired - both literally and figuratively. From breaking a leg on holiday to surviving a particularly bad case of man flu, being left on our last nerve at a stressful job, or those situations that are far more serious, our audience at the Brixton Ritzy heard about those moments when we are at our lowest physically or mentally, and rise above it.Thanks to Mat and Louise for allowing us to share these stories - and our team in Brixton: Charley Harrison, Hannah Ratc...
Oct 28, 2015•11 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this double bill from our night in Hackney, we have two stories of borders - though as is always the case, other themes emerge in the telling.This theme was chosen by students at Open School East. For more information on their work, please visit http://www.openschooleast.org/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 20, 2015•12 min•Transcript available on Metacast Two stories from last month's show in Brixton, which was all about weddings. What is it about the ceremonies that brings out the crazy in people looking for their happily ever after?Our Brixton producer, Nicole, got married about a month back - Spark wonders if she had weddings on the brain when planning this night... (congrats, Nicole!) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Oct 13, 2015•10 min•Transcript available on Metacast WARNING: this episode contains honest, open accounts of sexual activityFollowing the massive response to the episode we released in August, here are three more stories from our recent collaboration with the Sex Workers Open University (SWOU).As such, we have nothing more to add than the original post, reprinted below. If you haven't heard the original episode, you can find it by subscribing to our podcast.Special guest Miranda Kane hosted a Spark night where sex workers from across Britain share...
Oct 06, 2015•23 min•Transcript available on Metacast Who is the person looking back at you in the mirror? This month, we're listening to stories of identity and identity crises. Did you have sleepless nights wondering who you were? Did you grow up in a neighbourhood where you there was no one else like you? Did you try being someone only to realise that wasn't who you were at all?Two open mic participants, Michael and Bruna, share their stories. All unplanned and unscripted: this is a Spark open mic night. Come join us at another... Hosted on Acas...
Sep 25, 2015•12 min•Transcript available on Metacast Two true stories inspired by the theme of 'Culture Shock', from our open mic night in Brixton, south London.Ruth moves to China and quickly realises her phrase book is not going to be much use.Then, we hear how a family wake reminded Roisin of her Irish roots.LAST CHANCE: if you haven't heard our contribution to the Radio 4 show Truth Be Told, now is the time. It's available on the BBC iPlayer for one more week (even if you live outside the UK): www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b066w9gg Hosted on Acast....
Sep 15, 2015•13 min•Transcript available on Metacast Two stories from our recent open mic in Hackney. Maryam has a breakdown and finds recovery in the least likely place. Then, Daniel helps defend a friend and is rewarded in unexpected ways. There's still time to hear our contribution to Radio 4: Truth Be Told is available to download via the iPlayer Radio app , or you can stream it on their website. Spread the word so they might make more! Spark is produced by founder Joanna Yates and a large team of volunteers. Audio production by Matt Hill with...
Sep 09, 2015•15 min•Transcript available on Metacast From the archives - back in April 2012, Yang May Ooi joined us in London for stories of 'Back From The Brink'. Spark is back with a full programme of events his autumn - join us for nights in London and elsewhere by heading to stories.co.uk AND if you haven't heard it already, listen to the true stories pilot for BBC Radio 4 , called Truth Be Told. It's produced by our podcast producer Matt Hill and presented by friend of the pod Helen Zaltzman (The Allusionist, Answer Me This). Hosted on Acast....
Sep 02, 2015•7 min•Transcript available on Metacast WARNING: this episode contains honest, open accounts of sexual activity Special guest Miranda Kane hosted a Spark night where sex workers from across Britain share their true stories. This episode features our highlights: from eccentric clients to the unusual - and hilarious - situations in which women can find themselves. In keeping with Spark's mission to connect people through true stories, this partnership with the Sex Workers O pen University (SWOU) provides a platform for people to tell an...
Aug 04, 2015•1 hr 7 min•Transcript available on Metacast Two stories from a recent London night, where the theme was In Flames. In the first story, whilst hitchhiking through Laos, Paul grabs a ride he instantly regrets. Then, Azariah tell a story of a family friend with a penchant for lighting fires. There's one week left to win tickets to an upcoming Spark night - simply fill in our one minute survey about the podcast and you'll enter the draw. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Jul 21, 2015•10 min•Transcript available on Metacast Storyteller and writer Elna Baker (The Moth, This American Life, Radiolab) dropped into a Spark London night recently and told this story of Head/Heart: growing up a Mormon is hard, especially if you live in New York... WIN TICKETS! Simply fill in this 1min survey and help us find out more about you, our growing listenership: sparklondon.com/survey Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Jul 14, 2015•8 min•Transcript available on Metacast From the archives - this one from back in 2010 - Kutloano tells this story of the superheroes in his life. Help us keep finding new stories by completing our 1min survey. Hearing your views helps us shape our nights and find sponsors; go to sparklondon.com/survey and get your name in the hat for free tickets to a Spark night near you... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Jul 05, 2015•10 min•Transcript available on Metacast Two stories from our recent Hackney open mic, where the theme was 'Head/Heart.' In the first, orphan Kirby sets out to find new parents using Craigslist - and in the second, Jean-Marc is forced to choose between his life... or his friend's. All stories told at Spark are assumed to be true as told by the speaker, and time is taken to fact-check where possible before we release a story on our podcast. If you like what we do here and would like to help us reach more people, please take 30 seconds t...
Jun 15, 2015•10 min•Transcript available on Metacast Another from the vaults.... a story from Australia that may (or, and this is important, may not) meet your expectations of teenage love It was told at Spark London's birthplace, the Canal Cafe Theatre, in February 2013. Win tickets to a Spark show - just fill in this simple survey and tell us what you like about the podcast... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Jun 06, 2015•11 min•Transcript available on Metacast From our ever-expanding archives, we replay this story first heard in Camberwell's Blue Elephant Theatre in June 2010. Jacqueline has fallen in love, but there's a catch... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 18, 2015•7 min•Transcript available on Metacast With a big day at work on Monday, Ross has a quiet weekend planned. This story comes from our most recent Spark Encore at Exmouth Market, when the theme was 'Best Laid Plans.' PEOPLE OF BRISTOL: stay tuned to the end for details of a brand-new Spark event near you! This podcast is produced by Matt Hill of rethinkdaily.co.uk, with the support of Dave Pickering and Joanna Yates. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
May 08, 2015•11 min•Transcript available on Metacast Martin, a seasoned protester, shares his story from the front line of environmental activism. From March 2015, when the theme was 'in pursuit.' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 27, 2015•11 min•Transcript available on Metacast Thanyia bags a great guy, but someone stands in their way. From March 2015, when we presented stories of 'In Pursuit' at Exmouth Market Theatre. Spark London's podcast is produced by Matt Hill for rethinkdaily.co.uk. Why not take a look at the other shows they make? Head to rethinkdaily.co.uk and explore the links within... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Apr 16, 2015•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast Miranda returns to Spark with a new story on the theme of 'In Pursuit'. Waiting for a train in Germany, she spots a man in need of food. But the simple plan of getting something for him proves to be harder than she thought... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 03, 2015•8 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this highlight from a recent open mic, Joe Friedman tells his true story of crime and punishment. When challenged by armed cops during a beach-wide curfew, Joe decides this is the time to stand up for his right to party. If you've never been to a Spark event... why not? We have open-mics across the capital (and now Bristol and Preston), plus a monthly night of handpicked stories we call Spark Encore. Full details at sparklondon.com . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information...
Mar 21, 2015•6 min•Transcript available on Metacast Nav Chawla presents highlights from our last Spark Encore, where storytellers performed true stories on the theme of 'Bad Calls' - three tales of errors of judgment and the occasional awkward telephone conversations. Our next Encore night is on 26th March at Exmouth Market Theatre. Full details at sparklondon.com/attend.php Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Mar 08, 2015•42 min•Transcript available on Metacast Three true stories of First Love, as told live on stage at our most recent open mic in Hackney. On this podcast you'll hear three raw, uncompromising descriptions of falling in love for the first time - and how it can make you the person you are today. Including: * Diana's first date with the coolest kid at school * when Gretel knew it was all over * how Deveena's first boyfriend made her change the way she thought about herself The night was presented by Dave Pickering in collaboration with the...
Feb 16, 2015•21 min•Transcript available on Metacast Charley Harrison is back with three stories from our most recent show, where we heard true stories of crime and punishment - tales of justice, judgement and law-breaking. You'll hear: * an absolutely criminal case of entering a property (but without breaking in first) * life inside a maximum security prison in Arizona * a very indecent exposure, as part of a tabloid scoop Our next Spark Encore (where we handpick our stories) is on 26 March where the theme is 'Bad Calls', involving errors of judg...
Feb 04, 2015•29 min•Transcript available on Metacast WARNING: this episode contains very strong sex references. Spark London welcomed the risque US podcast Risk! to Hackney in July 2014. Here we present three stories from that night on the theme of 'Surprise'. To hear the full show, head to Risk's sizable back catalogue. Thanks to Kevin Allison and all the Risk team for their support. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Jan 01, 2015•51 min•Transcript available on Metacast Dave Pickering presents highlights from our popular 'Encore' night, which invites Spark London's favourite performers and special guests to tell true stories on a chosen theme. This month it's 'Union' - so expect stories of unlikely friendships, marriages or school reunions, however our sparklers decide to interpret it. CHARITY ALERT: this month we're supporting Mind in Haringey , who are celebrating forty years working in the London borough. There's a podcast special coming in a couple of weeks...
Dec 01, 2014•30 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
