Episode Summary

Guest: Tom Stocks - Actor, Writer, Poet & Founder of Actor Awareness (aka The Chubby Northerner)

From drama-school rejection to chalking poetry across Manchester’s streets — this is the story of resilience, reinvention, and real northern grit.

In this episode, Beth speaks to Tom Stocks, better known as The Chubby Northerner: an actor turned poet and founder of the Actor Awareness campaign — a movement that opened doors for working-class creatives in an industry built on closed ones.

Tom’s journey takes us from Bolton to the West End, from rejection letters to viral pavement poetry, and from self-doubt to purpose. Through his words - and the lives they’ve touched - he reminds us that creativity isn’t about arrival. It’s about connection.

Because sometimes the most powerful stories aren’t performed on stage — they’re written in chalk on the streets.

In this episode:

• How Tom turned rejection from drama school into the Actor Awareness movement
• The real barriers facing working-class actors - and how he challenged them
• What it’s like to have your words go viral across Manchester’s pavements
• The evolution from actor to poet - and why poetry still belongs to everyone
• Finding purpose in helping others feel seen, heard, and hopeful

Listen if you’ve ever:

• Felt like the door wasn’t open for you
• Wondered if creativity can really make a difference
• Needed a reminder that you’re not alone — and that you’re enough, right where you are

Key Takeaways

• You don’t need permission to create. If one door closes, build your own stage.
• Resilience beats talent. Grit, connection, and showing up matter more than credentials.
• Community changes everything. Real progress happens when you bring others with you.
• Art belongs to everyone. From pavements to poetry nights, creativity can meet people where they are.
• Keep showing up. Even when you’re not there yet — especially then.

Follow Tom:

• Instagram → @thechubbynortherner
• TikTok → @chubbynortherner

Companies mentioned in this episode:

• Actor Awareness
• The Acting Class
• Pendleton School of Theatre
• Spotlight
• The Stage
• East 15 Acting School
• RADA
• Royal Exchange Theatre
• BT SPORT 2021 Champions League Final Poem