Episodes
Published 03/22/20
True stories told live across the UK. This week we hear two stories on the theme of ‘Public Humiliation’. Nebiu tells us about laughinstereotypes on a crowded bus and Holly explains how an ex flame reignited but in all the wrong ways.  For info on all upcoming events and dates for our brand new night at the Waverley Bar in Edinburgh visit ‘stories.co.uk’ and click the ‘events’ tab. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy
Published 03/22/20
True stories told live across the UK. This week we hear two stories on the highly relatable theme of ‘Faking it’. Marie tells us about the time she put her body through hell to impress a hot date and Chris recounts the time his ‘faking it’ saw a whole company crash and burn.  For info on all upcoming events and event dates for our brand new night at the Waverley Bar in Edinburgh visit ‘stories.co.uk’ and click the ‘events’ tab. For information regarding your data privacy, visit...
Published 03/15/20
True stories told live across the UK. In this ‘Weddings’ themed episode we hear from Julie and Flemming. Julie takes us on an emotional rollercoaster as she talks us through her three contrasting marriages and Flemming tells us a story to remind us that you are never too old to find true love.  For info on all upcoming events including dates for our brand new night at the Waverley Bar in Edinburgh visit ‘stories.co.uk’ and click the ‘events’ tab. For information regarding your data...
Published 03/08/20
True stories told live across the UK. We kick off a brand new series with a bang – a birthday bang to be precise. Last year our beloved podcast turned ten years old... Yes ten! So to celebrate, we put on a best-of birthday bonanza at London’s prestigious Underbelly Festival Southbank. We invited storytellers old and new to retell one of their favourite stories from events past. Here’s three of the stories we heard there, each told by a Spark storytelling veteran.  First we hear from our...
Published 03/01/20
True stories told live across the UK. This week Spark London very fittingly hears two tales about London. Jess tells us about the time a stranger’s kindness helped her turn her life around and Eleanor reveals a time Buckingham Palace got her all hot under the collar - quite literally. BIG NEWS PODCAST FANS: Spark True Stories turns ten this year and to celebrate we will be hosting a live ‘best of’ at the iconic Underbelly Festival Southbank. Grab your tickets to Spark’s ‘Simply the Best’...
Published 05/13/19
True stories told live across the UK. This week we christened our new venue The Bill Murray in Angel with two fantastic stories on the theme of ‘Reunion’. Dimitri revels in the time he exacted perfect revenge on two friends and Rachael tells us about when she was locked outside in a very compromising position. Our open mic nights are a great way of getting involved with Spark. To find out about where to find us and when visit www.stories.co.uk and click the ‘events’ tab.
Published 02/19/19
True stories told live across the UK. We’ve seen and heard a lot at Spark - stories that have made us laugh, cringe, cry, gasp, pause for thought, rethink everything. I’d thought we’d seen it all to be honest but in January this year, Peter McCleave took to the stage and asked us to save his life. That was a first. In 2016 Peter, a thirty nine year old triathlete and father of two, was diagnosed with a blood cancer called Myeloma and given seven years to live. Two years in, he now has...
Published 02/06/19
True stories told live across the UK. This episode we present one story on the theme of ‘appearances’ from ex health and safety officer Alex.  Alex confesses about a moment she let appearances get the better of her and explains why - although it happened twenty years ago - she regrets it to this day! Our open mic nights are a great way of getting involved with Spark. To find out where and when they are visit www.stories.co.uk and click the ‘events’ tab.
Published 11/21/18
In this ‘Passion’ themed episode we hear from Steph and Lou. Steph talks candidly about life with borderline disorder and Lou takes us back to an innocent childhood discovery that made her feel like a right merchant banker. Thanks to event host Banke Adeyemo and event producer Charley Harrison. If you love what we do please rate us on iTunes or wherever you listen to your podcasts!
Published 10/25/18
This week our ‘Surprises’ themed double bill concludes with stories from Rosemarie and Rick. Rosemarie takes us back to the early noughties and finding love online without the help of apps whilst Rick takes us even further back to the eighties and the time he was approached by an unsavoury character. Our open mic nights are a great way of getting involved with Spark. To find out where and when they are, visit www.stories.co.uk and click the ‘events’ tab.
Published 10/18/18
True stories told live across the UK. This ‘surprises’ themed episode has an unofficial sub-theme of ‘dating’ as we hear from two people about the surprises they’ve encountered when single. David takes us through the various funny mishaps he has had on dating apps and Lucy explains what love is like when there’s a big age gap. Our open mic nights are a great way of getting involved with Spark. To find out where and when they are visit www.stories.co.uk and click the ‘events’ tab.
Published 10/09/18
True stories told live across the UK. In this ‘overthinking’ themed episode we hear from Jen and Holly. Jen tells us how bodily functions on a date got her in the stickiest of situations and Holly explains why her first kiss ended up being with an 83 year old! Our open mic nights are a great way of getting involved with Spark. For more information on these events visit www.stories.co.uk
Published 10/02/18
True stories told live across the UK. In this episode we hear from Nicola and Andre as they tells us stories on the theme of ‘Identity’. Nicola explains how having a famous sibling has seen her question herself and Andre gives his reasons for changing his name later on in life. Our open mic nights are a great way of getting involved with Spark. For more information on these events visit www.stories.co.uk
Published 09/25/18
True stories told live across the UK. This episode we present two tales on the theme of Awkward Age, as part of our collaboration with the Children’s Society. In a night of seriously awkward stories, Kate recalls the time too much vodka saw her crash and burn at her first ever pool party and Rachel takes us back to a teenage love she was unable to admit until it was too late. Thanks to the Children’s Society for collaborating with us to make this night a huge success. If you want to find...
Published 07/25/18
True stories told live across the UK. This episode we present five stories on the theme of ‘All in’ for a Jerry’s Open House Special. Gravy reminisces about getting his nickname, Charley tells us about the great lengths she went to for her best friend growing up, Dave talks about going full throttle in the name of love, Hayley explains how a stomach bug meant she had to go 'all out' to go all in, and Emma recounts the time she stopped at nothing to prevent a good friend from being...
Published 04/23/18
True stories told live across the UK. This episode concludes our gal-dem collaboration double bill! In a night devoted to stories on the theme of ‘nostalgia’ from women and non binary people of colour, we hear from Sasha and Lilith. Sasha takes us back to the summers she spent in predominantly white Northern Ireland and Lilith tells us how getting lost as a child saw her dad’s identity brought into question. Thanks to gal-dem for collaborating with us to make this night a huge success. If...
Published 04/17/18
True stories told live across the UK. This episode we present the first of our gal-dem collaboration double bill! In a night devoted to stories on the theme of ‘nostalgia’ from women and non binary people of colour, we hear from Maiya and Priyal. Maiya tells us about experiencing racial bullying as a child and the novel coping mechanism she devised to deal with it. And Priyal tells us about one of the best friendships she has ever had and how it ended far before it should have. Thanks to...
Published 04/10/18
True stories told live across the UK. This episode we present two stories on the theme of ‘Bad Timing’. Ashleigh tells us about how bad timing caused her boyfriend to miss a very important appointment for them both. And Banke retells a time of bad timing and sexual assault.  Thanks to all our story tellers for a night of candid tales. Thanks also to Charley Harrison for compèring the night, to event producer Ian Barratt and podcast producer Elle Scott. If you love our podcasts, please...
Published 12/13/17
True stories told live in venues across the UK. In this ‘Miscommunication’ themed episode, Nadya tells us about a childhood miscommunication involving Nelson Mandela and sibling rivalry and Chloe recounts the time her crush made a very embarrassing mistake. Our open mic nights are a great way of getting involved with Spark. For more information on these events visit www.stories.co.uk Thanks to Charley Harrison for compèring the night, event producer Ian Barratt and podcast producer Elle...
Published 12/06/17
True stories told live in venues across the UK. In August this year, Helen and Jinan got on stage at the Brixton Ritzy to tell stories on the theme of ‘Periods’... Yep, that’s right folks, MENSTRUATION.  Helen recounts the time she was pranked by her period at a work conference and Jinan tells us about getting into a sticky situation the day hers came for the first time.  Thanks to Charley Harrison for compèring the night, event producer Ian Barratt and podcast producer Elle Scott. If...
Published 11/29/17
True stories told live across the UK. This episode we present two stories on the theme of ‘Friendship’. Gigi tells us about losing her best friend during the 90’s AIDs epidemic and Caroline recounts a time heartbreak cost her a friendship. Thanks to all our story tellers for a night of raw and poignant tales. Thanks also to Dave Pickering for compèring the night, to event producer Christina Friis Olsen and podcast producer Elle Scott. If you love our podcasts, please help us to make more. Go...
Published 11/21/17
True stories told live across the UK. This episode we present two stories on the theme of ‘Crossing The Line’. Maria reveals how the traumatic experience of stumbling upon a dead body helped her turn her life around and social worker Beth tells us about the time she had to swallow her pride in the face of everyday sexism. Our open mic nights are a great way of getting involved with Spark. For more information on these events visit stories.co.uk Thanks to Charley Harrison for compèring the...
Published 08/01/17
True stories told live across the UK. This episode we present two tales on the theme of ‘Feasts’ for a Literary Festival Special. Miranda tells us how she changed someone’s day with a cheese sandwich and Ben recounts the time he was possessed by a woman at a dinner party. Special thanks to The Harris Girl’s Academy who helped put on this special night as part of their annual Literary Festival. Thanks also to compère Dave Pickering, event producer Christina Friis Olsen and podcast producer...
Published 07/25/17
True stories told live in venues across the UK. In July this year, Dennis and Andre got on stage at the Hackney Attic in London to tell stories on the theme of ‘Holidays’. Denis tells us about trying and failing to ‘find himself’ in Uganda and Andre admits he still hasn't gotten over a trick his brother played on him as a child when they went on a family holiday. Our open mic nights are a great way of getting involved with Spark. For more information on these events visit...
Published 07/18/17