Emma J Barlow (EJ) (Part 2) (Spoken Label, May 2026)

About this episode

This episode features a conversation with neurodivergent author and poet Emma-Jane Barlow, discussing her writing journey and themes in her work.

New up from Spoken Label (Poetry / Spoken Word Podcast) and the second in a extended two part chat is with making their debut, Emma-Jane Barlow (EJ). Emma-Jane Barlow (EJ) is a neurodivergent author, poet, workshop facilitator and advocate from the North of England. She began her writing journey at seven. She weaves tales from her life experiences and explores themes such as autism, hope, love and loss. Her works include “Darkness & Light” (2020) and “Sins & Sunflowers: Second Edition” (2023). She has had her work recognised in both print and radio, including being longlisted for the Heroica Poetry Prize in 2024 and runner-up in the Happiful Poetry Prize in 2025. EJ has poems featured in various publications, including The Raven Review, The Anti-Misogyny Club Journal, Flare Lit Magazine and Ink Gladiator Press. She has performed her work live on BBC Radio Manchester, had poems featured on podcasts and performed her poetry across the UK. She currently facilitates an online workshop series called Holding Space (@holdingspaceforpoetry on Instagram) and is also working on her 3rd poetry book and other exciting creative projects. You can follow her at @emmajanepoetry on…

People in this episode

Host: Andy N

Guest: Emma-Jane Barlow

Topics covered

• neurodivergence
• poetry
• advocacy
• writing journey
• autism
• hope
• loss

Keywords

• Emma-Jane Barlow
• poetry
• neurodivergent
• autism
• writing
• workshop
• advocacy

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: BBC Radio Manchester, Holding Space, Substack

Books & works: Darkness & Light, Sins & Sunflowers: Second Edition

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• Alexis Quin (Spoken Label, Jun 2026) · May 29, 2026 · 30 min
• Andy Cash (Bonus: Spoken Label Live, May 2026) · May 28, 2026 · 51 min
• Stephen Small (Spoken Label, May 2026) · May 23, 2026 · 42 min
• Emma Jane Barlow (EJ - Spoken Label, May 2026 - Part 1) · May 12, 2026 · 44 min
• Hayley Lynn Gordon (Spoken Label, April 2026) · April 23, 2026 · 59 min