Poet Laureate Simon Armitage is a former probation officer, DJ and a poet celebrated for his witty and profound take on modern life.

In this podcast, he invites guests to join him in the writing shed in his garden to talk about life, language and the human voice.

Surrounded on all sides by the Pennine hills and the Pennine weather, Simon welcomes, even encourages, the distractions his guests offer through talk of music, art, sheds, sherry and his latest poetic undertaking: a translation of the Middle English poem The Owl and the Nightingale.

Over 12 episodes, guests include acclaimed spoken word performer Kate Tempest, Turner Prize recipient Antony Gormley, model and actress Lily Cole, DJ and Elbow frontman Guy Garvey, actress Maxine Peake, poet Jackie Kay and World Record beatboxing champion Testament. Show less