Sparks of Madness

After a lengthy break we're back with a new episode featuring the amazing Meryl O'Rourke. Despite some tech and sound issues, we had a great chat about loads of issues. Meryl is a BAFTA nominated comedy write, having worked with Frankie Boyle for over a decade on various TV projects, most recently New World Order. Boyle describes her as "inspiringly funny". Meryl's special "Vanilla" drops on Next Up Comedy on 10 June 2022 - you can sign up for Next Up here . In the episode, we also discussed an article Meryl wrote for The New Statesman about the only time she's every agreed with Julia Hartley-Brewer. You can read this here . Meryl can be found on Facebook and Twitter

In this episode Graeme chats with Dr Nic Harper, who moved from New Zealand, where he worked as a doctor, to the UK to join the NHS. He started work in the same month that COVID-19 really hit the UK, March 2020. He has since worked on the frontline during the pandemic in Covid wards, at the same time as starting a career in stand up. We hear about all of this and Nic's mental health issues, as well as his plans for the future.

After a lengthy break Graeme chats with Kevin Dewsbury, a comic who has been a professional on the circuit for well over a decade. In 2008 Kevin was about to launch a solo Edinburgh show when he had a full on mental crisis. Kevin discussed how this came about, what happened at the time and how he's used what happened to him in the years since. Other topics covered include what it's like being one half of a double act, especially one where the two members are married... to each other. Follow Kevin on Twitter here or visit https://www.yourdadsmum.com/ to find out about his double act with his wife, the fabulously funny Bexie Archer.

In this episode Graeme chats with Darren "Big D" Archer, a comic based in Hereford who is, much like Graeme, a larger than life figure with a knack for oversharing details of his personal life on stage. These two have lots in common, and they explore that in this chat.

In our 23rd Episode, Graeme chats with Southampton-based comic Vicki Delirious about her mental health issue and how they have impacted her fledgling comedy career. Content Warning: Vicki's issues stem from a particularity traumatic event, and this episode includes discussions of attempted suicide. Find out more about Vicki here: https://www.facebook.com/victoriadelirious

In this episode Graeme chats with Leanne Easthope about her life as a single mother, with kids who have profound special needs. As well as being a full time mum and a part time stand up, Leanne is also a studying to become a teacher. Content warning - this episode includes a discussion about a suicidal thoughts and attempted suicide. You can find out more about Leanne here: https://www.facebook.com/leanneEasthopecomedy

Dave Chawner is a number 1 best-selling author, award-winning stand up, presenter & mental health campaigner. In this episode. set to the occasional backdrop of squeaking dog's toys, Graeme and he discuss Dave's journey into stand up and how his willingness to use his mental health issues as material led to a sell out Edinburgh show, awards, TED talks and writing his bestselling book - "Weight Expectations". Naturally, we also chat Covid, lockdown and the future of comedy, including Dave's new venture running comedy course for folk with mental health conditions. Find out more about Dave here Watch his TED Talk here Buy his book here

Tom Evans is a Welsh comedian who also works at Hot Water, one of the country's leading comedy venues. In this episode we discuss eating disorders, the impact of covid, the future of comedy and Tom's desire for an industry with fewer cliques and a more supportive approach. Find out more about Tom at https://www.facebook.com/Tomecomedy/

Ian Peskett is far from your everyday stand up. A former heroin addict who has spent several spells behind bars at Her Majesty's pleasure, he has been clean for 8 years. By day, he works with addicts. By night he entertains audiences with true tales of his colourful past. In this episode, host Graeme Rayner tries to understand Ian's path into stand up, and understand exactly what he gets from it. We also chat about Covid, entering comedy later in life and the power of words.

In this episode host Graeme Rayner chats with Anthony Williams, a comic and promoter from Derbyshire, about the impostor syndrome, anxiety and impact of COVID19 on comedians and their mental health. Anthony heads up RockCentral Promotions , a relatively new comedy club/promotions company who managed to put on some cracking outdoor shows last summer .

In this episode host Graeme Rayner chats with AJ Hill, a pro comic from Manchester, about the impact of COVID19 on comedians and their mental health, the potentially high risk habits acts can fall into with travelling to gigs alone and relying on alcohol to "self-medicate" and the need for the industry to take better care of comics' mental health.

In this episode Graeme chats with Hull based comic Jed Salisbury about how lockdown has had a significant impact on both his career and his mental health – examining the practical impact of the profession rather than the emotional highs and lows of performance. We also chat about his experiences of appearing on TV – he has previously appeared on the BBC’s “The Naked Truth” and also in the documentary mini-series “Who are you calling fat?”. Jed’s lovely, this is a really nice chat and I recommend looking him up now that comedy is (finally) coming back. You can watch Who Are You Calling Fat? here You can watch The Naked Truth here You can follow Jed on Facebook here You can read my blog about Jed’s appearance on Who Are You Calling Fat? here

In Episode 15, Graeme chats with Ginny Allende from Headspace Bolton, a comedy collective with a difference. Ginny, as well as bing a comic herself, is a therapist and facilitator at Headspace Bolton. Headspace offers an exciting and creative outlet for people with Mental Health issues through a programme of creative activities, including stand-up comedy and musical theatre workshops. It is a forum where people can freely express their unique traits and individuality by focusing on positive personal, social and professional achievement. Graeme and Ginny chat about how Headspace became a comedy collective, running stand-up courses and hosting regular shows for people with mental health issues. Find out more about Headpsace on twitter here and on Facebook here Headspace also have their own podcast, called "I'm Mental So...." - have a listen here .

In this episode Graeme chats with Kat Kasisopa, aka PussyKatBangkok, a comedian from Thailand who may be better known to some as a contestant in series 9 of Big Brother in 2008. Kat has recently joined the world of stand up and her infectious energy and optimism shine through in this conversation. Graeme and Kat talk about the need comics have to please and entertain, as well as her high levels of pre-show anxiety that often lead to physical sickness. Kat talks about her Buddhism and how mediation helps her centre herself before she explodes on to stage, and she promises Graeme a happy ending - will she deliver? Find out more about Kat on her Facebook page here

In this weeks episode, Graeme chats with one of his oldest friends in comedy - Kerry Robinson. Not only did they start comedy at the same time but they also work together in their day jobs. They chat anxiety, depression, disordered eating and various other issues including the impact of reviews, the #MeToo movement and the importance of a good support network. Look Kerry up on Facbook - https://www.facebook.com/kegster12002

In episode 12, we don't actually have a guest due to some scheduling issues. Rather than not put an episode out, Graeme has recorded a special episode. In the first half, he describes his route into comedy, his own mental health issues including his MH crisis, which was ten years ago this month. He then talks about how the two issues coexist and his aims for the future. In the second half, Graeme answers questions (some serious, some frivolous, some debauched) from listeners, friends and peers in the industry. Let us know what you think. You can follow Graeme at @b1g_daddy_g on Twitter and Instagram, or search Facebook for "Graeme Rayner Comedian", or visit his website www.graemerayner.co.uk

In Episode 11 Graeme chats with Paul Dennis, a comic who has been in the industry (on and off) for over 2 decades. Paul has had a recent diagnosis of ADHD, which (as a man in his 50s) has caused him to look back on past life events through a new lens. ADHD has, naturally had an impact on his mental health, and while he has not sought a diagnosis for anxiety or depression it's clear from this conversation these issues have become intrinsically linked. Graeme and Paul chat about gigging in London, New York and Swansea, as well as the evolution of a parody song that was a throwaway idea almost 20 years ago that, when resurrected, became a mainstay of Paul's set that saw him win King Gong at London's Comedy Store in 2019. Follow Paul on social media @thatpauldennis and visit his YouTube channel " Paul Dennis, Comedy Worker " Finally, the parody song discussed towards the end of this episode can be heard here

In this episode, Graeme talks to SJ Cooke, a young open mic level comic who is at the start of his mental health treatment, having only recently sought help. SJ and Graeme started out in comedy at the same time, but their trajectories and experiences have been quite different, as have their lives during lockdown. We will check in again with SJ at some point soon to see how he is doing. Remember, please like, subscribe, share etc and feel free to fire a few questions Graeme's way for future episodes.

In our ninth episode, Graeme speaks with Alex Stringer about her recent competition success (Alex is the runner up at the 2020 New Act of the Year competition at the West Didsbury Comedy Festival), her mental health history (which includes suicidal thoughts and alcohol addiction) and her willingness to be open about her issues on stage, Trigger warning: Discussions of suicide and addiction Follow Alex on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Alex-Stringer-Comedian-407151883418058 Follow her on Twitter at: https://twitter.com/alexstringer5

In episode 8, Graeme chats with old friend Jem Stuart. Poet, comic and recovering alcoholic turned addiction counsellor, Jem and Graeme have a friendship that predates their time in comedy (they made their debuts together) and they join the dots between substance addiction, mental health and performance. They also discuss sobriety without a reliance upon the 12 Step programme espoused by Alcoholics Anonymous, and managing recovery when your work as a comic will often mean being surrounded by drink and drinkers.