What if food could heal the soul, reconnect you with your past, and create a whole new community in a strange land? 🍲✨ In this episode of The Martin Talk Show, I, Martin Colton, sit down with my incredible guests — the brilliant actress Isabella Nefar and the original author Atoosa Sepehr — to explore the remarkable journey that inspired the hit play My English Persian Kitchen. Written by award-winning Hannah Khalil, directed by Chris White, and brought to life on stage by Isabella, this story is rooted in Atoosa’s own life and her search for belonging after losing everything. 🌍💫This is not just theatre, it’s life transformed into art. A woman forced to flee her home, silenced by violence, finds strength in the kitchen — recreating the tastes and aromas of her childhood while cooking live on stage. Through these dishes, she forges new connections, inviting audiences to share in her memories as if they were guests in her own home. 🥘💐 The result is a feast of theatre that blends the sensory with the emotional, showing us how creativity, resilience, and community can rise even from the most painful experiences.Join me, Isabella, and Atoosa as we unpack the heart of this production, the role of food as memory, and what it means to create identity and belonging when the world has stripped everything else away. This conversation goes beyond art — it’s about survival, resilience, and the universal human need to connect. ❤️🔥

With Thanks to The Soho Theatre: https://sohotheatre.com

Isabella Nefar: https://www.instagram.com/isabellanefar

Atoosa Sepehr: https://www.atoosasepehr.com

As always, connect with Martin via: www.themartintalkshow.com

#TheMartinTalkShow #Podcast #Creativity #Arts #Theatre #Dance #Music #Film #Storytelling #Creatives #Artists #InDepthConversations #Culture #Performance #Stage #Community #Inspiration #Innovation #MyEnglishPersianKitchen #HannahKhalil #AtoosaSepehr #ChrisWhite #IsabellaNefar #SohoTheatre #TraverseTheatre #EdinburghFringe #Cooking #Food #Immigration #Resilience #Identity #Belonging

🎧 Dive in and discover what happens when creativity, courage and conversation collide. In this episode of The Martin Talk Show, you’ll be inspired, challenged and moved by the stories of an artist who dares to push boundaries beyond the familiar.I’m your host, Martin Colton, and on this special edition recorded as part of the Amplifier Harlow series at Harlow Rock School, we go deeper than ever into the life, struggles, triumphs and ongoing journey of a creative force in music/arts. We don’t just “chat” — we explore craft, mindset, purpose, and how art can transform both creator and listener. 🌟Harlow Rock School is a youth music project based in Essex, designed to give young people aged 11–18 access to performing, learning, composing and recording in both live and studio environments — all free of charge. HARLOW ROCK SCHOOL It’s run by the Friends of Rock School and plays a vital role in nurturing musical talent in the local community. HARLOW ROCK SCHOOL In recording this episode there, the walls themselves — built to shelter artistic experiment — become part of our conversation.Harlow itself is no stranger to the arts. Known as “Harlow Sculpture Town,” it hosts over 100 public artworks across its streets and parks, a legacy of architect Frederick Gibberd’s vision to integrate art into everyday life. Wikipedia The very ambiance of Harlow, with its sculptures, green spaces and cultural heartbeat, permeates this conversation.Expect moments of vulnerability, unfiltered reflection, and powerful insights as we examine not just what art means, but how to live through it, and why we must. Whether you’re a creator, an enthusiast or someone yearning to break open your own latent potential, this episode is built for you. 🎨🎶

As always, connect with Martin via: www.themartintalkshow.com

#MartinTalkShow #PodcastEpisode #CreativeConversations #ArtistInterview #AmplifierHarlow #HarlowRockSchool #MusicCommunity #ArtsEducation #YoungMusicians #Inspiration #UnlockCreativity #PushBoundaries #ArtistJourney #CreativeMindset #ArtisticFreedom #MusicalStory #BehindTheArt #TheatreAndMusic #DanceAndFilm #CreativeExploration #CraftAndHeart #TransformativeArt #Storytelling #ArtisticVoice #EmpowerCreativity #HarlowArts #SculptureTown #EssexArts #YouthMusicProject #CreativityUnlocked

✨ Discover the power of creativity, vulnerability and humour in this inspiring episode of The Martin Talk Show. Hosted by Martin Colton, this series takes you beyond conversation and into deep explorations of art, creativity, and the stories that shape extraordinary lives. 🎭🎶🎬

In this episode, Martin is joined by the incredible Ruth — an English actor, writer and theatre-maker whose work blends poetry, physical theatre, comedy and music into performances that are rich with authenticity and humanity. Leeds born and bred, with roots from a Jewish father and a Herefordshire farmer’s daughter mother, Ruth creates theatre that embraces vulnerability, comforts those who struggle, and makes audiences laugh, reflect and feel. 🌿✨

We talk about her much-celebrated show The Beauty of Being Herd before it heads to the Women in Comedy Festival in Manchester and Leeds. With original songs, sheep facts, rave energy and an emotional rollercoaster of belonging, Ruth invites us all to Hannah's BIG GOODBYE PARTY! (please, no presents). 🐑🎉

This smash-hit production has already SOLD OUT at Camden People’s Theatre, Brighton Fringe, Glasgow Comedy Festival, Buxton Fringe and across Yorkshire, and has been nominated for BEST NEW SHOW and BEST NEW WRITING at major festivals. Ruth shares her artistic journey, her search for belonging, and her joy in creating theatre that is as hilarious as it is heartfelt. 💫

Along the way, we also discover her many other lives — from massage therapist and cycle instructor to obsessive wild swimmer and doting auntie who’s pretty handy with an axe. 🌊💪

Recorded via Riverside video chat, this episode promises to spark your creativity, warm your heart, and inspire you to embrace your own unique journey. ❤️

As always, connect with Martin via: www.themartintalkshow.com

#TheMartinTalkShow #PodcastInterview #CreativityUnleashed #TheatreMakers #ArtistStories #InspiringConversations #ArtsPodcast #TheatreLife #ComedyShow #WomenInComedy #FringeFestival #StageToScreen #TheatreCommunity #PerformanceArt #PoetryAndTheatre #PhysicalTheatre #ComedyPodcast #TheatreTalks #ArtistJourney #InspiringArtists #BritishTheatre #ActorLife #WritersLife #CreativityMatters #TheatrePodcast #IndependentTheatre #ComedyFestival #FringeSuccess #CreativeLife #AuthenticVoices

✨ Step into a world where dance, passion, and community collide! In this episode of The Martin Talk Show, you’ll discover the incredible impact of Hip Hop Pop, a community that has been shaping lives in Harlow and beyond since 2002. 💃🕺 This conversation is about more than just movement — it’s about friendship, creativity, growth, and the power of being part of something bigger than yourself. 🌍I’m your host, Martin Colton, and I’ve had the privilege of sitting down with four amazing guests who embody the spirit of Hip Hop Pop. Joining me are Alisha Margetson ✨, a world-traveling choreographer working with top artists and fresh from international performances, Rachel Griffiths 🍎, an inspiring head teacher and dedicated class member, Daisy Mawedsley 🌟, a talented teenager finding her voice and friendships through dance, and JJ (Joshua Mackay) 🎶, a passionate young dancer who has been part of Hip Hop Pop since the age of 4. Together, we dive deep into what it means to belong, to express yourself, and to carry dance as both art and lifestyle.Hip Hop Pop has been offering street dance classes in Harlow, Essex at the Harlow Playhouse Theatre for over two decades, training more than 20,000 students. Their mission is simple but powerful: helping every student unlock their full potential while creating opportunities to perform, connect, and grow. 🌈 From the first steps on stage to professional careers, Hip Hop Pop is proof of what happens when passion meets community.This episode is part of the Amplifying the Voices of Harlow series, supported by Harlow Council, and it’s an inspiring celebration of dance, education, and the bonds that keep us moving forward together. 🚀

Hip Hop Pop: https://www.hiphoppop.net

As always, connect with Martin via: www.themartintalkshow.com

#TheMartinTalkShow #HipHopPop #Harlow #DanceCommunity #StreetDance #Theatre #Arts #Creativity #Inspiration #PodcastSeries #MartinColton #Choreography #DancerLife #PerformingArts #EssexCreatives #HarlowVoices #DanceClasses #UKTheatre #DanceInspiration #CommunityVoices #HipHopDance #CreativeJourney #DanceEducation #AmplifyingVoices #MovementMatters #ArtsPodcast #StudentStories #DancePassion #OnStage #DanceFamily #DanceLife

Discover how art can confront silence, challenge myths, and ignite change 🌟 In this latest episode of The Martin Talk Show, host Martin Colton sits down with the extraordinary Leah Shelton and the brilliant Ursula Martinez to explore their award-winning show BATSHIT 🎭🔥Fresh from its triumphant run at the Edinburgh Fringe, this daring and deeply personal one-woman performance rips apart the labels of "female madness" while reclaiming stories of resilience, injustice, and raw humanity. Leah’s journey—rooted in the lived experience of her grandmother’s incarceration in 1960s Australia—unfolds with piercing honesty, razor-sharp wit, and unflinching theatrical power. Guided by Ursula Martinez’s visionary direction, BATSHIT dares us to question systems that pathologise women and forces us to reflect on how far we’ve truly come. Recorded backstage at the iconic Soho Theatre in London, this conversation goes beyond the stage. It’s about creativity as resistance, performance as protest, and storytelling as a powerful force for social change ✨ Whether you’re an artist, theatre lover, or simply someone seeking truth through art, this episode promises to inspire, challenge, and move you.

Find out more about The Soho Theatre: https://sohotheatre.comAs always, connect with Martin via: www.themartintalkshow.com

#TheMartinTalkShow #Podcast #LeahShelton #UrsulaMartinez #SohoTheatre #TheatrePodcast #Creativity #ArtsPodcast #FringeFirst #BatshitShow #PerformanceArt #InspiringStories #FemaleVoices #CreativityUnlocked #TheatreLovers #Dance #Music #Film #FringeAwards #FringeFestival #EdinburghFringe #ArtistStories #InDepthConversations #Storytelling #ArtAsResistance #SocialChange #TheatreCommunity #IndependentTheatre #PerformanceMatters #WomenInTheatre #UnlockCreativity

Step into a world of laughter, creativity, and pure chaos 🎭✨—this episode of The Martin Talk Show promises nothing serious, just fun, friendship, and a whole lot of imagination. 🎙️ Hosted by Martin Colton, joined by my brilliant cohost Jake 🎪🌍.

In this conversation, we sit down with the one and only Muffin the Monkey 🐒, diving into his hilarious memories of school with Jake, his deep love for Dungeons & Dragons 🎲🗡️, and even some top tips for first-timers stepping into the magical world of the game. What unfolds is completely unscripted, spontaneous, and joyfully unpredictable 🤯😂.

This podcast series goes beyond the ordinary “chat”—my incredible guests open up about their art, passions, and creative journeys across theatre, music, dance, film, and beyond 🌟. But in this wild corner of the series, expect surprises, playful storytelling, and moments that remind us why creativity matters in every form.

🎧 Whether you’re a D&D adventurer, a theatre lover, or simply someone looking for a spark of inspiration (and laughter), you’re in the right place.

As always, connect with Martin via: www.themartintalkshow.com

#TheMartinTalkShow #Podcast #Creativity #LivePodcast #MuffinTheMonkey #Jake #UnhingedSeries #DungeonsAndDragons #DnD #Theatre #Music #Film #Dance #ArtsPodcast #Artists #CreativeJourney #Storytelling #Imagination #Play #Laughter #Inspiration #BehindTheScenes #Unscripted #FringeVibes #CreativeVoices #MartinColton #Community

Hollywood icon, rapper, and now… AI meme? In this episode of Jake’s World, Martin and Jake 🐦 dive into the strange, hilarious, and slightly terrifying saga of Will Smith’s latest tour promo video — the one that left fans asking: are those even real people? 👀Ahead of his UK tour and first studio album in 20 years (Based On A True Story), Will shared a heartfelt clip thanking his fans. The only problem? The video appeared to be stuffed with AI-generated “audience members” — complete with melting faces, blurred signs, and limbs that defied the laws of physics. 🌀😂When the internet roasted him, Smith clapped back with a tongue-in-cheek follow-up clip poking fun at the backlash. But here’s the deeper question we explore: is this just another celebrity misstep, or a glimpse into the growing existential threat AI poses to the music industry — from fake crowds to synthetic songs? 🎶⚠️Jake has a lot to say about AI birds replacing him on the show (spoiler: he’s not having it 🐦💢). Meanwhile, Martin unpacks the tension between creativity, authenticity, and the digital shortcuts that risk undermining the very art they’re meant to amplify.🎭 As always, Jake’s World mixes comedy with curiosity, exploring how viral culture moments like this force us to rethink the line between innovation and nonsense.👉 Tune in, laugh with us, and maybe rethink what “real” connection means in an age where even Will Smith’s fans might be AI-generated.As always, connect with Martin via:🌐 www.themartintalkshow.com🔗 https://linktr.ee/themartintalkshow

What would happen if your town told you to put your phone down after two hours a day? 🤯 In this episode of Jake’s World, Martin and Jake 🐦 flap into the fascinating (and slightly shocking) news from Toyoake, Japan, where lawmakers are debating a proposal to limit smartphone use for all 69,000 residents.

On paper, it sounds extreme — but is it? The mayor insists it’s “just a guideline” meant to spark conversations about screen time, family life, and the growing grip of device addiction. While some residents are outraged (how do you fit TikTok, Netflix, and late-night doomscrolling into two hours?! 😱), others see it as a bold step toward healthier living.

Jake has, of course, some strong opinions about humans being glued to tiny glowing rectangles (he’s still bitter he can’t use touchscreens with his wings). 🐦📵 Meanwhile, Martin asks the deeper questions: is this the future of digital well-being, or just a slippery slope to government overreach?

🎭 As always, Jake’s World brings you news with a mix of comedy, curiosity, and creative reflection. From kids skipping school without their phones to adults sacrificing sleep for one more scroll, this debate isn’t just about Japan — it’s about all of us.

👉 Tune in, laugh, and maybe even rethink your own scrolling habits.

As always, connect with Martin via:
🌐 www.themartintalkshow.com
🔗 https://linktr.ee/themartintalkshow