Tell Me Your Story with Gav Cross

What a treat it was to share time with Robin Ince.I can genuinely listen to this man talk for hours.And I have! Literally and joyously.But this conversation was focused quite rightly on his new collection of poetry:Ice Cream for a Broken Tooth.Click that link and buy it signed from his website.A deliciously wide ranging conversation that touches on some complex and direct subjects and the Riyadh Comedy Festival.With a clarion call to write poetry and a genuinely top tip to get you going, you are sure to find lots to enjoy in this conversation!And if poetry bites you can catch up with KateFox and the time I asked them to “Tell Me Your Story” too!Amongst many suggestions Robin shares:Gracie Petrie - Such a good performer.https://www.gracepetrie.com/Bobcat Goldthwait’s Film about Barry Crimminshttps://callmeluckymovie.com/Duo Ruut - a new to me Folk duo I’m enjoying as I type this!https://www.duoruut.ee/Stay Close and Stay Subscribed for updates of the next guests.Catch Up:https://gavcross.substack.com/s/tell-me-your-storyStay You.You are lovely.Gav https://linktr.ee/gavcrossThank you eejits, Judith Wilde, Claire Faulkes, Josie Ray, and many others for tuning into my live video with Robin Ince! Join me for my next live video in the app.https://gavcross.substack.com/s/phantastic-stories-with-gav-cross Thanks for reading! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gavcross.substack.com

What a delight talking to Black Liver. I'm so glad their roots are firmly in a good night out for their audience through variety. Between them they have such skills and performance, poetry, music, song and comedy.I use all of these to tell great stories and there is a reason why people want to book their showsThey are good at what they do.Catch them on their tours:https://www.blackliver.co.uk/tour-show-datesAnd catch up with the times of the month…https://www.blackliver.co.uk/time-of-the-monthNext Week it’sRobin Ince- with more to follow!It’s not homework but you could grab a copy of his new poetry book in prep!https://cosmicshambles.myshopify.com/products/ice-cream-for-a-broken-tooth-by-robin-ince-signed You can catch up on previous conversations Here, Youtube or audio only on Spotify:Find out about the stories I tell here on Substack and even in the real world…Thank you!Gavhttps://linktr.ee/gavcrossThank you to everyone who tuned into my live video! Join me for my next live video in the app. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gavcross.substack.com

What an absolutely charming and insightful conversation with Becky and Tom from Lamphouse Theatre. I genuinely love people that embrace the clown that breaks the fourth wall and includes the audience. It has always enthralled me and I think that is what has drawn me to comedy as a fan.Be there in theatre, TV, film or stand upTwo theatre makers that constantly push themselves forward. And I thing they are magic! I reckon you would too if went to see their work:JOURNEY TO THE CENTRE OF THE EARTH TOUR DATES.Next Week it’s Black Liverand thenRobin Ince- with more to follow!You can catch up on previous conversations Here, Youtube or audio only on Spotify:Find out about the stories I tell here on Substack and even in the real world…Thank you! Thank you to everyone who tuned into my live video! Join me for my next live video in the app. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gavcross.substack.com

This conversation is exactly what I want this series to be.Incredible creatives spilling the teaInsights into how people do what they do because I'm not sure I know what they know. And I know you know I know they know. And I think they think I know but I don't know. You know?Naomi Wood brings an energy to their performance. spoken Word, aerial, circus, autobiography, honesty, comedy and more. As a fellow neuro divergent performer I really resonate with so many of the things they say but I cannot imagine having a skill set to begin to write to the level of ability. I envy the autobiography of an artist.I tell other people stories but that is why I'm having these conversations.You can catch Gobbess on tour with Arts Alive at the SpArC Theatre, Bishops Castle. 2nd October 2015https://artsalive.co.uk/performances/gobbess/ Find out more about Naomi Here:https://linktr.ee/naomiwoodwrites Next Week it’s Lamphouse TheatreFollowed by Black Liver and Robin Ince - with more to follow.You can catch up on previous conversations Here, Youtube or audio only on Spotify:Find out about the stories I tell here on Substack and even in the real world…Thank you Claire Faulkes, Kelly Williams, and many others for tuning into my live video with Naomi Wood! Join me for my next live video in the app. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gavcross.substack.com

Kate Allerston & Chris Bastock are powerhouses of creativity and community arts and culture.They are part of that lineage of powerful creatives that make youth theatres, orchestras, dance troupes, theatre shows. musical reviews and more happen.They are part of the foundations of the Creative Industries. Creating oppurtunities and tribes of talented young people. Their alumni are this moment on stage in the West End or preparing to tour parks and theatres righ now.A wide ranging and lovely chat with two of the best people!Find them on instagram and pop them a follow:https://www.instagram.com/aplaceforuscic/See where Macbeth & Romeo & Juliet is being performed:https://www.placeforus.org.uk/summer-tour-2025Which include the Actors Church in Covent Garden:https://actorschurch.org/whatson/romeo--juliet/See if you can make the All Are Punished workships - they come with free tickets:https://www.placeforus.org.uk/all-are-punishedAnd jump on the Electric Dream train at Shakespeare North!https://shakespearenorthplayhouse.co.uk/event/electric-dreams/I have really enjoyed these conversations and they will be coming back! But I've got rehearsals and festivals to get on with for a couple of weeks… But don't worry I've got some brilliant people lined up for the next run…You can catch up with all the stories here on Substack or it seems I have accidentally created a podcast with the help of Substack over on Spotify:Maybe you can come and see me in these Shakespeare performances or in Bradford! I'm also in Blackburn this weekend as this goes out.https://linktr.ee/gavcrossThanks for listening if you do let me know what you think! GavJune 2025 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gavcross.substack.com

I find other peoples joy and passion for something they love powerful.The energy of happiness is something we should all seek perhaps. The flipside of that is i’ve always hated the ramking of other people’s passions. That it it is seeemingly ok to spend time and energy following a team and yet to follow an artist or a band at the same level is an outsider activity. That passion for sport is held in greater societal regard than the need to see as many gigs as you can in tour.No.No.I’ll never not be a fan of fans.And Dickie captures that in his books. “The Day I Met Morrissey” and the recently published “I Am Hated For Loving.”An engaging conversation across PR and 80 year old movies. Dickie is enthusiatic and has a clarity that a career in writing perhaps brings?I hope you enjoy our chat.Let me know!Find more about Dickie Felton here:https://dickiefelton.com/Thank you!GavI have a summer of the Bradford Literature Festival and Shakespeare.You can hear more about that with Kate & Chris Tues 10th June - 8.30pmIf you would like to see one of my family shows for free and are anywhere near Blackburn on the 14th of June, I will be performimg “Tell Tale Twit” in the Hornby Lecture Theatre. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gavcross.substack.com

If this is your introduction to Mima Cornish and their work then this is a perfect primer for someone with a wealth of skills and talents and a drive to express who they are through their connections with the world around them and the worlds before and beyond. Informed by stories they create beautiful artwork and connections with their community. With regular meditations, readings and the guiding through the Labyrinth at Norton Priory.Have a peep here: https://labyrinthlocator.org/labyrinth/norton-priory-museum-and-gardens/442/Also make sure to check out the new website - going live soon - here:Www.hedgerosehealing.comThanks for joining in and taking part too! Feel free to leave your own currents fave reads and recommendations in the comments. And pop back next week for Dickie Felton and in two weeks time Kate & Chris from A Place For Us Theatre Company.If you would like to see what I do then you can get free tickets for my family show show “Tell Tale Twit” in Blackburn on the 14th of June. Part of the Children’s Literature Festival:https://spotonlancashire.co.uk/events/tell-tale-twit/Gav This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gavcross.substack.com

When I started this project, I wanted to fill it with people. I find personally inspiring and people who I felt I could learn from.And Sita fits that requirement in every way.The breadth of their artistry, creativity, knowledge and skill combined with the dynamism of their thinking and action is not only inspiring. It is exhausting from the outside looking in! I cannot conceive of a time when Sita isn’t pushing storytelling forward into the 21st century whilst being so true to its ancient roots.I am envious (not jealous!) Of anybody that has the ability to create physical pieces of art on top of that and so it was brilliant to see how Sita can channel there creative core into something they find so rewarding and satisfying.I am envious (not jealous!) Of anybody that has the ability to create physical pieces of art on top of that and so it was brilliant to see how Sita can channel their creative core into something they find so rewarding and satisfying.Such an insightful conversation and I hope you feel the same way..With more conversation conversations coming up, I’m enjoying this opportunity.Let me know what you think and if you could tell people about it, it would really help because I love the conversation at the end with people who have listened.And enjoy the questionsand would very much like to hear your thoughts and recommendations after we’ve listened to the guest. And would very much like to hear your thoughts and recommendations after we’ve listened to the guest.The truth is and I hope this shows, I’m doing this for me.To learn from those I look up to and who intrigued me and to practice some skills online and in myself. Namely listening I think…Next week!Tuesday 27th May - 8.30pmMima Cornish. Mystic, meditation lead, artist, herbalist, counsellor, creative and coach every time I work with Mima there is a fizz and buzz of energy now I don’t recognise that as a deeper spiritual one but maybe Mima can see my cynicism and closed mind in the colours of my aura? I say this with great respect because I wish I had the more insights to the wider worlds like Mima and Sita.The live sessions are already cured and you can subscribe for a notification!The live sessions are already cured and you can subscribe for a notification!What are you reading? What are you watching? What are you enjoying? What do you recommend? Me?Thanks for asking! I’m reading Normally Weird and Weirdly Normal by Robin Ince . A fantastic insight into adventures in neuro diversity.insight into adventures in neuro diversity.I can relate…I’m slightly bereft after the end of Andor. Brilliant Star Wars but also brilliant storytelling. So contemporary and so agonising and examination of rebellion and resistance in the time of media manipulation and lies. I’m looking forward to reading Future’s End by Linnhe Harrison of this parish. Out now and available with the first book as an audiobook on Spotify premium. You can listen to the conversation I had with them on.Out now and available with the first book as an audiobook on Spotify premium. You can listen to the conversation I had with them on here.GavFind out about the many things I do here:LinktreeTuesday 3rd June - 8.30pmDickie Felton. Writer, author, PR, Journalism and promotions guru! Tuesday 10th June - 8.30pmKat & Chris - Artistic Directors, Creators and dream weavers! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gavcross.substack.com

Another conversation with an inspiring creative that I got so much from.Helen is hardwired to be supportive, nurturing creative and driven.As I said towards the end, in every point of contact I’ve had with Helen, I’ve never not been inspired to be a better creativeIf you are interested in developing your playwriting, I thoroughly recommend their courses and events.If you are interested in developing your playwriting, I thoroughly recommend their courses and events.https://www.helenjeffery.com/I seem to have all the quickness of the Substack app and I apologise for not being able to see the comments like Helen could.I seem to have all the quickness of the Substack app and I apologise for not being able to see the comments like Helen could.If anybody understands why this is please do let me know! I think I will have my cousin on standby next week to keep an eye on the stream from his burner phone…Thank you for your support.PleaseThank you for your support.Please feel free to tell people about these conversations. I never intend to make these a paid for thing.I’m doing it for me and if you want to come along on that journey as well, I would be very grateful and you would be very welcome!Coming Up:Tuesday 13th at 8.30pmDickie Felton - author and full-time writer for so many different things! I’ve had the pleasure of listening to Dickie in workshops recently and he has such insight.Tuesday 20th at 8.30pmSita Brand - CEO of Settle Stories and more.CEO of Settle Stories and more.Absolutely driving forward storytelling in the 21st century and as an international connecting tool.A comet of creative energy and brilliant person to spend time with.to spend time with.I’m still popping up here there and everywhere.I’m still popping up here there and everywhere.My autumn is going to be a crazy road trip of shows across the country.If you like a supernatural story, you can find me live on Twitch on Mondays at 9 pm or on my YouTube channel. If you like a myth and a legend, then you can find my myth boasting nonsense here and on TikTok! All of these via my links and my Linktree.Look forward to having a conversation with you at some point I know you’ve got a story to tell.GavLook forward to having a conversation with you at some point I know you’ve got a story to tell.GavThanks for reading! This post is public so feel free to share it. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gavcross.substack.com

A wonderful conversation with this genuinely inspiring writer and performer.Too many potential titles for what they do - but only one Kate Fox!I got some messages after to say that there were some technical problems with the live broadcast and your comments and questions couldn’t get through.I got some messages after to say that there were some technical problems with the live broadcast and your comments and questions couldn’t get through.We are on the frontier of the new Substack video Revolution and it’s quite exciting and I’m sure these bugs will iron out but you have a chance to follow Kate.We are on the frontier of the new Substack video Revolution and it’s quite exciting and I’m sure these bugs will iron out but you have a chance to follow Kate.Sign up to their mailing list.And be inspired by them directly in their writing workshops:https://katefoxwriter.wordpress.com/Thank you KateFox, Gav Cross, Josie Ray, Guy, and many others for tuning into my live video with KateFox! Join me for my next live video in the app.Next Week:Helen Jeffery - Playwright, Poet, Performer and more!29th April - 8.30pmhttps://open.substack.com/live-stream/24169?r=gqsqk&utm_medium=ios This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gavcross.substack.com

I’m completely open to being out classed by a creative person.That’s the point of these discussions. Conversation with people that just astound me with their skills and Francis is one of those people.A very unique brain that can communicate through a very dark black ink.A very unique brain that can communicate through a very dark black ink.With three issues of his self written and self illustrated comic Caribou on the shelves, there is definitely going to be plenty more pouring out onto the page and more, I reckon.There is definitely going to be plenty more pouring out onto the page and more I reckon.I hope you enjoy this free range conversation and I hope that you seek out their work.A good place would be their Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/francis_t0ddAnd you can find a link to their word here:https://obviousheadquarters.bigcartel.com/?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAafHGn937W3uDcSO8WuaTnESyTdKI-10LyInEpjIxb1MrelXRMozdpIOeXHU-A_aem_ark-pAY-zn-WpJGWMmBSNAFrancis mentioned Joe Kessler and The Gull Yettin:https://goshlondon.com/gull-yettin-sc/Thank you Ned cross, Josie Ray, and many others for tuning into my live video with Francis Todd! Join me for my next live video in the app.Which will be on Tuesday the 22nd of April with Poet, Performer, Author, Podcaster and more,KateFox Thanks for the follow! This video with noisy. That is absolutely true, but I meant to say nosy.IThis video with noisy. That is absolutely true, but I meant to say nosy.I am nosy.Tell me your story…Gav This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gavcross.substack.com

An absolute treat of a chatter with Linnhe. (Pronounced like the Loch.)The value of Writing Groups and Google Maps for inspiration and encouragement.Recorded live with contributions from the live audience, seek out Linnhe in all the Linktree places:linktr.ee/linnheharrisonThere is time to read book one before the sequel lands!Next Week - Tuesday 15th April 8.30pmFrancis ToddWriter and Illustrator of CaribouHope to see you there! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gavcross.substack.com