Mike Garry: From Moss Side to Carnegie Hall

Poet, author and performer Mike Garry joins Shay O'Brien for a powerful conversation about creativity, identity, courage and how his career blossomed from his early love of words and language. Known for acclaimed works including Mancunian Meander and God Is A Manc, Mike has become a distinctive voice in contemporary poetry. His poems celebrate real life; his home-town Manchester, family, love & loss, working-class culture and community. Before becoming a full-time writer and performer, Mike worked as a librarian, where he began reading his own poems to the young people that attended his homework centre. What followed was a leap of faith: leaving the security of a stable career to pursue a creative life built around poetry, performance and storytelling. Since then, Mike has performed around the world, toured with John Cooper Clarke, collaborated with musicians and composers including Philip Glass, Joe Duddell and the Cassia String Quartet, and shared stages with artists such as New Order, Iggy Pop and Patti Smith, including a celebrated performance at Carnegie Hall. He also works extensively in schools and prisons and other community settings, bringing poetry to people who might never otherwise encounter it. In this conversation, Mike reflects on growing up in Manchester, finding confidence through language, the influence of his Irish Catholic upbringing, and why authenticity has always mattered more to him than success. He speaks honestly about taking risks, believing in yourself, and choosing happiness over security. In this episode: • Why words became Mike's superpower • The leap from librarian to full-time poet and performer • The stories and communities that shaped his work • What Manchester taught him about creativity and belonging • Why authenticity matters more than recognition • How following your passion can become a career A thoughtful and inspiring reminder that sometimes the biggest risk is not taking one at all. Show Notes: St Anthony: An Ode to Anthony H Wilson - Mike Garry and Joe Duddell https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3cYNI8s\_vo4 Mike Garry’s Merchandise https://www.mikegarry.co.uk/shop/