Scottish writer, rapper, and Orwell Prize-winning social commentator Darren McGarvey - on resilience, responsibility and the radical power of self-awareness:

"When you become publicly identified with a certain story, you may at some point feel a certain kind of pressure to live up to the reputation that now precedes you."

Darren joins Shami Chakrabarti in the Speakeasy to talk trauma, class, masculinity and the dangers of the “oversharing” age.

From Poverty Safari to Trauma Industrial Complex, Darren's writing has challenged Britain to face uncomfortable truths about inequality and the exploitation of pain.

In the Speakeasy, he reflects on his recovery, his creative evolution, and why social media has made us both more connected and more fragile.

Darren McGarvey’s new book, Trauma Industrial Complex, is out now. Get it here or in your locally-owned bookshop.

Shami’s Speakeasy home and mailing list sign-up: hello@shamisspeakeasy.co.uk

Find us on socials:

Bluesky

TikTok

Instagram

YouTube

SPONSORSHIP:

Are you an ethical, values-based company, campaign group or charity who would like to support the Speakeasy and reach new audiences? Then get in touch: sponsorship@chaoticdogooders.org.uk

Shami’s Speakeasy is a Bespoken Media Scotland production for Chaotic DoGooders.

Produced and edited by Ailish Hunter.

Artwork by Josh Moir.