Spark - True Stories Live

Spark recently spent a few weeks working with the HIV charity Body & Soul, based just around the corner from one of our favourite venues: the Exmouth Market Theatre in central London. Established in 1996, Body & Soul is a pioneering UK charity dedicated to transforming the lives of children, teenagers and families living with, or affected by HIV. Here we present three true stories from the night. Whilst delayed by friends, Dexter discovers a love of the written word; next, Munya's vacation in Cancún turns sour as soon as he boards a moped - and finally, Milton tells us how a new job led to a personal revelation... Special thanks to Body & Soul and the storytellers for letting us release these stories to you, and to Jen Carpenter who produced the night with support from Gigi Hanna, Andy Bodle & Ian Barratt. You're all ace. For more information, and to support Body & Soul, please visit www.bodyandsoulcharity.org  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Warning: contains references to suicide. One more story from our collaboration with Mind in Haringey, where we told stories of 'Multicultural Minds.' Tottenham resident Shannon tells this ultimately uplifting story of coming to terms with her mental health. Thanks for Kelsey for the recording and the show's producers, Joanna Yates and Dave Pickering. Spark - True Stories is a Rethink Audio production by Matt Hill. BRISTOL: we have a show coming to you this Sunday (29th November) at the Bristol Fringe Cafe Bar; full details at stories.co.uk  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

TRIGGER WARNING: this episode discusses physical abuse and suicide. Off the back of a successful partnership in 2014, Spark hosted another night with charity Mind in Haringey on the theme of mental health. Research shows that there’s much more that can be done to understand how mental health is understood and experienced in different cultures. How does our culture shape what we see as mental health or ill health, what has your experience been? If you've been affected by the themes within this programme, there's always someone who can help. Please visit mind.org.uk for more information. Many thanks to Kelsey Daly for recording this episode, event producer Joanna Yates and host Dave Pickering,  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Part two of our night of true stories from Exmouth Market in London. Lauretta starts a new job at a prestigious milliners, making hats by royal appointment... but can she impress her highness? Then we welcome comedians Sarah Benetto (Storytellers Club) and Jojo Georgio for two stories of tomboyism, to coin a phrase. Thanks to Charley Harrison who compered the night and to Spark regulars Joanna Yates, Ian Barratt and Louise Adams for their support.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Part 1 of 2. Every day we are given clear instructions about how to behave. These orders come from passers-by, window displays, bus ads or perhaps the supermarket. Phrases like 'be a man' or 'that's not very ladylike' seep their way into our unconscious and lie there, heavy and immovable. On this battlefield, we must stop and take stock of our moments of weakness, as well as our moments of bravery. And one night in October, Spark audiences came together to stop and celebrate;l pause and acknowledge. Together we told stories of our experiences on this theme. Many thanks to the charity Tender for suggesting the theme. You can find out more about their work at tender.org.uk  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Two true stories of being sick and tired - both literally and figuratively. From breaking a leg on holiday to surviving a particularly bad case of man flu, being left on our last nerve at a stressful job, or those situations that are far more serious, our audience at the Brixton Ritzy heard about those moments when we are at our lowest physically or mentally, and rise above it. Thanks to Mat and Louise for allowing us to share these stories - and our team in Brixton: Charley Harrison, Hannah Ratcliffe and Nicole Thomas Wyeth. Nicole is leaving our Brixton night this month to pursue other projects, some Spark related, and we all wish her the very best fortunes for the future. Cheers Nicole!  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this double bill from our night in Hackney, we have two stories of borders - though as is always the case, other themes emerge in the telling. This theme was chosen by students at Open School East. For more information on their work, please visit http://www.openschooleast.org/  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Two stories from last month's show in Brixton, which was all about weddings. What is it about the ceremonies that brings out the crazy in people looking for their happily ever after? Our Brixton producer, Nicole, got married about a month back - Spark wonders if she had weddings on the brain when planning this night... (congrats, Nicole!)  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

WARNING: this episode contains honest, open accounts of sexual activity Following the massive response to the episode we released in August, here are three more stories from our recent collaboration with the Sex Workers Open University (SWOU). As such, we have nothing more to add than the original post, reprinted below. If you haven't heard the original episode, you can find it by subscribing to our podcast. Special guest Miranda Kane hosted a Spark night where sex workers from across Britain share their true stories. This episode features our highlights: from eccentric clients to the unusual - and hilarious - situations in which women can find themselves. In keeping with Spark's mission to connect people through true stories, this partnership with the Sex Workers Open University (SWOU) provides a platform for people to tell and frame their own stories for themselves. We welcome all stories and all people. This event follows in Spark's tradition of partnering with organisations that advocate for voices...

Who is the person looking back at you in the mirror? This month, we're listening to stories of identity and identity crises. Did you have sleepless nights wondering who you were? Did you grow up in a neighbourhood where you there was no one else like you? Did you try being someone only to realise that wasn't who you were at all? Two open mic participants, Michael and Bruna, share their stories. All unplanned and unscripted: this is a Spark open mic night. Come join us at another...  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Two true stories inspired by the theme of 'Culture Shock', from our open mic night in Brixton, south London. Ruth moves to China and quickly realises her phrase book is not going to be much use. Then, we hear how a family wake reminded Roisin of her Irish roots. LAST CHANCE: if you haven't heard our contribution to the Radio 4 show Truth Be Told, now is the time. It's available on the BBC iPlayer for one more week (even if you live outside the UK): www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b066w9gg  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Two stories from our recent open mic in Hackney. Maryam has a breakdown and finds recovery in the least likely place. Then, Daniel helps defend a friend and is rewarded in unexpected ways. There's still time to hear our contribution to Radio 4: Truth Be Told is available to download via the iPlayer Radio app, or you can stream it on their website. Spread the word so they might make more! Spark is produced by founder Joanna Yates and a large team of volunteers. Audio production by Matt Hill with support from Kirsty McQuire and Hannah Ratcliffe.

From the archives - back in April 2012, Yang May Ooi joined us in London for stories of 'Back From The Brink'. Spark is back with a full programme of events his autumn - join us for nights in London and elsewhere by heading to stories.co.uk AND if you haven't heard it already, listen to the true stories pilot for BBC Radio 4, called Truth Be Told. It's produced by our podcast producer Matt Hill and presented by friend of the pod Helen Zaltzman (The Allusionist, Answer Me This). 

WARNING: this episode contains honest, open accounts of sexual activity Special guest Miranda Kane hosted a Spark night where sex workers from across Britain share their true stories. This episode features our highlights: from eccentric clients to the unusual - and hilarious - situations in which women can find themselves.  In keeping with Spark's mission to connect people through true stories, this partnership with the Sex Workers Open University (SWOU) provides a platform for people to tell and frame their own stories for themselves. We welcome all stories and all people. This event follows in Spark's tradition of partnering with organisations that advocate for voices and issues rarely represented in the media. For more information on SWOU, visit their Facebook...  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Two stories from a recent London night, where the theme was In Flames. In the first story, whilst hitchhiking through Laos, Paul grabs a ride he instantly regrets. Then, Azariah tell a story of a family friend with a penchant for lighting fires. There's one week left to win tickets to an upcoming Spark night - simply fill in our one minute survey about the podcast and you'll enter the draw.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Storyteller and writer Elna Baker (The Moth, This American Life, Radiolab) dropped into a Spark London night recently and told this story of Head/Heart: growing up a Mormon is hard, especially if you live in New York... WIN TICKETS! Simply fill in this 1min survey and help us find out more about you, our growing listenership: sparklondon.com/survey  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

From the archives - this one from back in 2010 - Kutloano tells this story of the superheroes in his life. Help us keep finding new stories by completing our 1min survey. Hearing your views helps us shape our nights and find sponsors; go to sparklondon.com/survey and get your name in the hat for free tickets to a Spark night near you...  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Two stories from our recent Hackney open mic, where the theme was 'Head/Heart.' In the first, orphan Kirby sets out to find new parents using Craigslist - and in the second, Jean-Marc is forced to choose between his life... or his friend's. All stories told at Spark are assumed to be true as told by the speaker, and time is taken to fact-check where possible before we release a story on our podcast. If you like what we do here and would like to help us reach more people, please take 30 seconds to fill in our questionairre AND WIN TICKETS! Details at sparklondon.com/survey  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Another from the vaults....a story from Australia that may (or, and this is important, may not) meet your expectations of teenage love It was told at Spark London's birthplace, the Canal Cafe Theatre, in February 2013. Win tickets to a Spark show - just fill in this simple survey and tell us what you like about the podcast...  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

From our ever-expanding archives, we replay this story first heard in Camberwell's Blue Elephant Theatre in June 2010. Jacqueline has fallen in love, but there's a catch...  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.