We, The Poets
Hi! Welcome to the poetic realm of ’We, the Poets’!
Join us as we dive deep into the vibrant world of poetry, where some of the most electrifying legends in the field take center stage.
Led by Mark Grist & featuring a hosting panel from across the midlands, we’re bringing you voices at the pinnacle of their craft, sharing poetry from our guests & listeners each month as we dive into our vibrant community & the remarkable journey we get to go on as poets.
Forget about the endgame – we’re here to celebrate the wild, messy, and utterly glorious process of creating something beautiful with words.
We’d love you to join us!
Episodes
Episodes
Aug 5, 2026
Aug 5, 2026
1hr 1 min
What are the most important lessons you've ever learned... that nobody actually taught you?
Award-winning poet Hannah Lowe joins Mark Grist and Jay Sandhu at Backland Studios for a conversation about the things education leaves out. From classrooms and colonial history to creativity, assessment, awards and finding your own voice, they explore the hidden lessons that shape us as writers—and as people.
Winner of the Costa Book Award for The Kids, Hannah reflects on growing up between cultures, writing poetry for the page rather than the stage, balancing teaching with creativity, and why some of the most important parts of becoming a poet happen long after you leave school.
Note: This episode includes discussion of colonialism, racism, dementia, bereavement, smoking-related illness and some strong language.
✨ Featured poems from Hannah Walker and one of our younger listeners, Alice.
📝 Hannah Walker's poems can be found here:
www.hannahpoems.co.uk
📚 Buy The Kids by Hannah Lowe here:
https://www.bloodaxebooks.com/ecs/product/the-kids-1277
📚 Find more of Hannah Lowe's work here:
https://hannahlowe.me/
📬 Want to send us a poem or voice note for a future episode?
Email: mark@wethepoets.com
🎧 Produced at Backland Studios with public funding from Arts Council England.
Submissions
If you'd like to send us work to be heard on the series just email your MP3s to Mark@Wethepoets.com
Our favourite new pieces will feature in upcoming episodes.