Conversation with Joanna Wolfarth - Author, Art Historian and Lecturer

On the Irregular with Java Bere

In this episode I am talking with author, art historian and lecturer Joanna Wolfarth.

Joanna was the first person I interviewed for this season. I was feeling nervous and out of practice, but Joanna’s gentle warmth and grace shone through my headphones and I immediately knew that this was exactly where I wanted to be. Sat, listening to her story.

In our chat, we discussed Jo’s shifting approaches to writing throughout her life, we talk about her book ‘Milk: An intimate History of humanity’s first food’, how motherhood and losing a close relative to suicide have impacted her life and work, about the ‘destruction and the construction’ of the self as a consequence and allowing herself to be more vulnerable.

Welcome to my conversation with the extremely lovely a Jo.

A gentle warning, This episode contains swearing and mentions of suicide and baby loss.

You can find Joanna on Instagram and on X @joannawolfarth. ‘Milk, an intimate history of humanity's first food’, is available from all good bookshops. You can also find the links in the show notes.

If you or someone you know has been affected by or is having thoughts of suicide, help is available. The number for the samaritans is 116 123. You can also get in touch with CALM (camapign against living miserably) www.thecalmzone.net and Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide www.uksobs.org

Post Production and jingle composition: Jon Tipler

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