In this episode, Scott chats to poet, PHD Student, suicide prevention trainer, youth worker and all round great human Craig Houston. Craig is currently completing a PHD looking at Care Experienced Young People’s Perception of Place and Connection, and has spent his working life raging against inequality and lending a helping hand to those in need. This conversation dives deep exploring the rise of the right, masculinity, social disparity and the root cause of the rot that so many have to face as they carve a path through the world. Craig shares poems that play out like a punch to the face and he and Scott discuss the creative process and so much more.
A life-long note taker, he was inspired by a handwritten book of poems that belonged to his mum before finally sitting down to share his own words as part of The Scribblers Union, set up by performance poet Kev P Gilday during the pandemic. Craig uses poetry to process his own thoughts and as a story-telling tool to connect and empower. He has facilitated workshops that saw the words of the young people in attendance shown on billboards across Glasgow, has performed at the Storytelling Festival in the Centre for Contemporary Art, and worked wonders with countless organisations and individuals.
You can watch and listen to the poem with Articulate Cultural Trust here.
Craig says - I write to process what goes on in my mind. I am influenced by, the working classes, high rise flats, low-level crime, subculture, badges, good gear, trainers, schemes, concrete, the barras, music, gigs, a footballer called Eric, jumpers as goalposts, ash parks, skint knees, Glasgow, pubs, graffiti, dogs, love, having a chippy for tea, record shops, family, good people, bad memories, space, ice poles, bikes and the rebellion of youth it is fucking beautiful. I believe in people.
Find him on Bluesky and Instagram @bearhouston10.
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