This is a recording of an event that took place on a very rainy and cold Sunday afternoon at one of my favourite places, Book Hound book shop, with one of my favourite people, Annaleese Jochems It was such a wonderful afternoon with excellent people. It was really nice to meet some folk from People … Continue reading Ep 130: Annaleese Jochems and Pip Adam talk about Audition at Book Hound

In this episode I talk to Murdoch Stephens about his writing and in particular about the new Renters United edition of his novel Rat King Land Lord. Murdoch has just returned form a tour around Aotearoa launching this beautiful publication and speaking with Renters United about their plans to improve renters’ rights. We talk a lot about Murdoch’s worth to double the … Continue reading Ep 129: Beyond a Joke 16 – Murdoch Stephens talks with Pip Adam about a photo of a Kastrati oil sign.

Joy Holley’s collection of short fiction Dream Girl published by Te Herenga Waka University Pressis an amazing read. I loved talking to Joy about it. Joy chose as a starting point to talk about laughter and writing the 2022 film Bodies Bodies Bodies. This American black comedy horror film directed by Halina Reijn, in her English-language debut, with a screenplay by Sarah DeLappe from … Continue reading Ep 128: Beyond a Joke 15 – Joy Holley talks with Pip Adam about Bodies Bodies Bodies

James Nokise dressed in a purple jacket standing in front of green plants, hand extended, eyebrow raised. I’m really grateful that James took the time to talk to me a few weeks ago. James is really busy - in ways that make it very enjoyable to be a fan of his work. His podcast Fair Game: Pacific Rugby Against the World which he … Continue reading Ep 126: Beyond a Joke 14 – James Nokise talks with Pip Adam about Verb After-Hours

Eamonn Marra - Eamonn in a bath of $5 notes wearing sunglasses. Eamonn Marra was another amazing person who agreed to perform at the Verb After Hours event which was run last year. Eamonn is a person whose work has made me consistently laugh and cry since I first encountered it a few years ago. He’s an incredibly talented write but also a keen observer and documenter. … Continue reading Ep 125: Beyond a Joke 13 – Eamonn Marra talk with Pip Adam about Verb After-Hours

I was so grateful when Gabby Anderson agreed to be part of Verb After-Hours Beyond a Joke. In this episode, Gabby and I talk about her performance at that event. The episode starts with a recording of that night. Gabby and Orine Ruaine-Prattley appear in Truth Be Told at Fringe in February. The best way to keep up-to-date with Gabby’s events is at Gabby’s Instagram During this chat I noticed I mention … Continue reading Ep 124: Beyond a Joke 12 – Gabby Anderson talk with Pip Adam about Verb After-Hours

Kelly Pendergrast (with bright red hair and wearing a grey sweatshirt with a loose polo-neck) and Anna Pendergrast (smiling and slightly behind Kelly with blonde-brown hair a black crew cut t-shirt and a buttoned cardigan or jacket) Anna and Kelly Pendergrast’s latest work is More Zeros and Ones a book they edited which is published by BWB. This book brings together essays from incredibly interesting thinkers and … Continue reading Ep 120: Beyond a Joke 11 – Anna Pendergrast & Kelly Pendergrast talk with Pip Adam about The Laughter Lift from Kermode & Mayo’s Take

Marolyn has been on the podcast once before in an episode we recorded about the show From the 4410 to the 4412 which Marolyn made with Helen Lehndorf and Charlie Pearson last year. In this episode we touch briefly on that show. I loved recording this conversation because it made me think a lot about … Continue reading Ep 119: Beyond a Joke 10 – Marolyn Krasner talks with Pip Adam about Hudson Valley Ballers: Lovers

CW: This podcast contains discussion of Gender-Based violence. Rijula Das’ award-winning novel Small Deaths is an amazing book. Set in Shonagachhi and orbiting the violent murder of a sex worker it is one of the most compelling and felt reading experiences I have had this year. It is astounding. I was so grateful that Rijula took time to talk to me. Rijula was … Continue reading Ep 118: Beyond a Joke 9 – Rijula Das, author of Small Deaths, talks to Pip Adam about a New Yorker cartoon

As this arrives in your email Dominic Hoey’s new novel Poor People With Money will have just been launched at Soap in Auckland. A couple of weeks ago, Dominic and I got together over Zoom. Dominic told me a funny story. This story was a great prompt to talk about story structure, self-deprecating humour and even the economics of writing fiction. I’m really interested in money and art and it was great to talk to Dominic about how these work … Continue reading Ep 117: Beyond a Joke 8 – Dominic Hoey tells Pip Adam a funny story and they talk about Poor People With Money