In this episode renowned storyteller Jan Blake recounts her journey into storytelling as a young woman growing up in Manchester. Jan has been performing worldwide for over twenty-five years, specialising in stories from Africa, the Caribbean and Arabia; she is both dynamic and generous in her storytelling. Both Jan and Martin have spent decades honing their craft and have learnt over time what it means to be true masters. They ask at what point do you call yourself a storyteller? Everyone can tell a story but what makes one an expert? Jan explains that there is a responsibility to storytelling and that one must 'recognise the responsibility to stand in true authenticity' before an audience. Pick up Smoke Hole: Looking to the Wild in the Time of the Spyglass from bookshop.org or your favourite local bookstore Find Martin Shaw on insta @drmartinshaw; facebook @Martin Shaw; www.drmartinshaw.com Find Jan Blake on twitter @janstoriesUK; facebook @janblakestoryteller; www.janblakestories.co.uk A huge thanks to Ben Addicott for helping to produce this podcast Violin music by John Matthias Smoke Hole is published by Chelsea Green Publishing UK