Half Beard Half Poet (Spoken Label, April 2026)

 

Latest up from Spoken Label (Spoken Word / Poetry Podcast) features making his debut is the wonderful Half Beard Half Poet.

A product of the early 2010s Mancunian poetry scene Half Beard Half Poet (then using the alias Benny-Jo Zahl) burned bright but briefly. Three years after discovering poetry in 2009 he was published as a member of the Working Verse collective alongside Kieren King and Dave Viney Via Flapjack press (The Prequel to the Sequel), co-wrote and performed two plays with Working Verse that debuted in the Lowery theatre (Amateur Thematics – 2012, Writer's Retweet – 2013) and co-hosted Bang Said The Gun: Manchester. 

In May 2014 at the Evidently poetry night in Salford he gave his last performance, until one fateful day in October 2023, when he walked into a therapist’s office holding notebook and pen…

What some people have said about him: 

"I’ve admired these poems for years, but for too long they’ve not been on our stages. It’s amazing to see not only their return but also even more exciting, emotive, excellent new words coming from this engaging and inspired writer and performer. Yes, heavier than metal, and shining twice as brightly! 

– Dominic Berry, 2017 Glastonbury Festival Poet in Residence and winner of the Saboteur ‘Best Spoken Word Artist’ award 2020 and 2017.

“I like the ones with the guinea pigs” – Kim Moores, Love of my life.

“That’s pure gold” – Rupert Holmes, singer song writer of “Escape (The Piña Colada Song)” upon hearing a performance of the poem on page 17.

More details can be found here:

https://halfbeardhalfpoet.co.uk/

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Show can be streamed at:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOtXR4BXHyI (Chat)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6qXFZlTOew (Reading)

https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/half-beard-half-poet-spoken-label-april-2026/id1501847969?i=1000760690167

https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/spokenlabelpodcast/episodes/Half-Beard-Half-Poet-Spoken-Label--April-2026-e3hfaci

https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/B0GWRTKRR7?ref_pageloadid=not_applicable&pf_rd_p=a202f891-0d90-47a2-ac3f-8ebc4b2943db&pf_rd_r=F9FQBAPAMXFJ5ZAW6YEV&plink=elkdxMSMmG0YsTUn&pageLoadId=CTjqunxXGsJo6BO6&creativeId=43463e8d-6f2b-4d01-a759-854a1034c4b8&ref=a_podcast_S_c4_lAsin_0_0

https://open.spotify.com/episode/6ZmQXDVD1l2vzu67SnlsKd

https://andynartist.substack.com/p/half-beard-half-poet-spoken-label

Krystal Gypsy Orellano (Spoken Label, April 2026)

 

Latest up from Spoken Label (Spoken Word / Poetry Podcast) features the return of our friend, the amazing Krystal 'Gypsy' Orellano Weldon.

Krystal “Gypsy” Orellano Weldon is a Tampa, Florida–based spoken word artist, poet, writer, and composition professor. As an educator, she teaches writing at the college level, where she is passionate about helping students find their voice, develop critical thinking skills, and use writing as a tool for self-expression and empowerment.

Her work in the classroom reflects her broader mission to uplift diverse voices and create space for meaningful storytelling.

Known throughout the Tampa Bay community for her presence in the open mic scene, Krystal has been featured in events such as Pinot & Poetry: A Toast to Herstory and began her artistic journey with the USF Poets.

Her performances are rooted in authenticity, emotion, and cultural expression, resonating with a wide range of audiences.

Her writing spans poetry and creative nonfiction, with publications in The Sandbox (St. Petersburg College’s newspaper), The Sandhill Review (Saint Leo University), and recognition as a runner-up in the University of Westminster’s 2017 Mental Health Poetry Competition.In addition to her academic and literary work, Krystal is currently in the process of producing a poetry album that blends spoken word with musical expression. She is also working on her upcoming novel, The Lover’s Passion Lounge, continuing to expand her voice across multiple creative platforms.

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Can be heard/seen at: 

https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/spoken-label/id1501847969

https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/spokenlabelpodcast/episodes/Krystal-Gypsy-Orellano-Weldon-Spoken-Label--April-2026-e3hf92b

https://open.spotify.com/episode/32gi4t5HMuNwLuO4mcL1C0

https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/B0GW68TH79?creativeId=43463e8d-6f2b-4d01-a759-854a1034c4b8&loginAttempt=true&pageLoadId=hT5BCVKONIdOXYnS&plink=lMYicVMkYYpyiqAR&ref=a_podcast_S_c4_lAsin_0_0&ref_pageloadid=not_applicable

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34UsvdBFITw (Chat)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dl-OxcbCSbw (Reading)

https://andynartist.substack.com/p/krystal-gypsy-orellano-weldon-spoken