Hi and welcome to episode 270 of Sweetman Podcast.

Now – as you probably know, as well as the usual platforms (this site, soundcloud, iTunes/Apple) you can get to Sweetman Podcast on Spotify – follow it there and have it saved in your Spotify library. It’s on most of the podcast platforms besides the ones mentioned here.

This is a conversation with the performance poet Tarns Hood. I make that distinction because Tarns is more a performer for the stage, than a publisher on the page. That doesn’t mean that she hasn’t published, or that reading her work isn’t rewarding. But she’s in this for the oratory. The performance. She’s a drama school grad with an ability to recite her poems from memory. When I first saw her perform – knowing her reputation as a recent two-time Poetry Slam winner – I was wowed. And wanted to talk to her for the podcast. But Tarns has another story too. Equally compelling. And it’s part of the work anyway, it now informs it and the work takes place as part of her journey of recovery.

Tarns is recently five years sober and we timed this podcast to take place after she achieved that 60-month sobriety milestone.

So we talked a lot about alcoholism and recovery. And we talked poetry. And the poems punctuated our conversation.

I’m so glad we got this chat on tape. I think Tarns is an amazing performer and that hopefully comes across – at least in some way – on this podcast episode. But she’s even better at an open-mic or delivering a set as a featured poet/headliner. I’ve seen her perform her work on several occasions now and she is brilliant.

It’s been great getting to know the person behind the work a bit more too.

As you will too when you listen to this. I hope you enjoy this conversation. And the poems.

This is episode 269 of Sweetman Podcast. My conversation with Tarns Hood.

https://linktr.ee/Simonsweetman

Want more? Check out my Substack

You can also support Off The Tracks via PressPatron