Episode 10 - Jay Chambers: Poetry, Legacy, and Restorative Justice

In this deeply reflective episode of the Still I Rise Podcast, Orla returns to the studio to talk honestly about rebuilding after loss, the hidden grief we don’t always name, and how moments of crisis force us to re-evaluate what truly matters. From experiencing a house fire just before Christmas, to reflections on safety, community, parenting, legacy, and representation, this conversation explores resilience without romanticising it - and progress without demanding perfection.

This week we are joined by Sam Langley Swain, award-winning children’s author and founder of Owlet Press, to explore representation, inclusive publishing, and the power of storytelling to create change. Sam shares his journey from a working-class background to becoming a self-published author, publisher, and advocate for inclusive children’s literature. Together, Orla and Sam discuss why representation matters in books for children, the barriers faced by LGBTQ+ authors and marginalised voices in publishing, and how small independent publishers are often the ones taking the biggest creative risks. This episode dives into:Inclusive children’s books and why representation matters LGBTQ+ visibility in publishing and education Neurodiversity, adoption, single-parent families, and belonging Writing from lived experience and authentic storytelling Climate themes in children’s literature The realities of running a purpose-led publishing house Book bans, censorship, and the future of inclusive publishing

Introduction:In this episode, Orla chats with children’s author Ian Eagleton about his journey from primary school teacher to bestselling author, the stories that shaped him, and why representation matters. We talk about The Woodcutter and the Snow Prince, Glitter Boy, Nana and the Lonely Fisherman, and more , how Ian’s books centre LGBTQ+ inclusion , how writing became a way to process grief, and the unforgettable (and hilarious) Mariah Carey campaign that helpe dput Glitter Boy on the map. Along the way, Ian shares honest reflections on childhood bullying, adoption and fatherhood , the long road to publication, and the urgent need to protect diverse voices in children’s publishing.What You Will Learn:🌪️ Ian’s path into writing: teaching children, eight years of rejections, and the breakthrough with Violet’s Tempest. 🏰 How inclusive storytelling - two-dad families, queer characters, non-traditional fairy tales - help children see themselves and can be life-changing. 💌 Writing as therapy: how grief and family memories find their way into stories like The Boy Who Cried Ghost. 🎭 Practical examples of representation in action — from World Book Day photos of kids dressing as Glitter Boy to parents saying books “saved” their child. 🚫 The realities facing inclusive authors today: worries about book bans, publishers’ commercial pressures, and why small presses give us hope. 🌟 Ian’s advice for young people struggling with identity: stubbornness, finding community , and never giving up.

🇮🇪 Orla’s back after a whirlwind few weeks (and a couple of cancelled guests 🤧), but it was worth the wait because this week she’s chatting to the incredible Tura Arutura — actor, speaker, dancer, and all-round legend. 🇮🇪

Episode 13: Leon Diop – Being Mates with the President, Adopting Seals & Black Irish Identity