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.

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

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

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.

Dan's DOP work can be found here www.danthecameraman.co.uk, his production company is www.parkesproductions.com and to purchase signed and numbered copies of Dan's book click here: www.titanicofficers.com

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 : http://www.thisisgreensville.com/
Watch Ben's 'Washing Up Club' on twitch here: https://www.twitch.tv/thisisgreensville

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!

Tik Tok 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 https://linktr.ee/DarrenWalshPuns

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: www.youtube.com/@SarahOConnellShow

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.