Real Talk, Rhythm, and Radical Honesty — with Matt Concannon aka The Thirsty Poet In this deeply human and high-energy episode of The TRUUMAN Podcast, we welcome Matt Concannon, also known as The Thirsty Poet: Real Talk — a spoken word artist, actor, voice-over talent, teacher, and proud son of Salford. Matt brings a rare blend of raw honesty and lyrical brilliance to tough conversations — from mental health and masculinity to political tension and personal struggle. His work is rooted in rhythm, connection, and hope, offering a real talk remedy for the noise of modern life.

In this episode, we dive into:

🎤 How spoken word can be a healing and expressive force for men

🧠 The power of “hitting hearts” with mental health honesty

🌍 How working-class stories and northern grit shape Matt’s art

🎭 Blending performance, poetry, and purpose in a world that often silences feeling

💬 Creating space for difficult conversations through rhythm and story

Matt says:

“Sometimes you don’t need a diagnosis — you need a conversation.”

“Words are weapons. But they’re also bridges.”

“I write because I couldn’t find the words growing up. Now I try to give them to others.”

We also cover:

✅ Working with Salford City FC, BBC Radio, Manchester Originals & more

✅ How rap, rhythm, and real-life conversations shaped his unique poetic style

✅ The responsibility and privilege of telling community stories

✅ New work with the National Football Museum and Salford’s 100th City Status birthday

Who this episode is for: Men looking for creative, grounded ways to process and express emotion Listeners craving honesty, rhythm, and a break from superficial conversations Teachers, youth workers, and artists wanting to build safe spaces through storytelling Anyone navigating the intersection of masculinity, art, and vulnerability

Follow and connect with Matt Concannon — The Thirsty Poet:

Instagram - @thethirstypoet_co

Linkedin Matt Concannon www.linkedin.com/in/matt-concannon-thethirstypoet

https://truuman.io/30-days/

https://thefoundrycic.org.uk/

https://www.instagram.com/lewishackney/