The Tolka Podcast

Tolka Journal

The Tolka Podcast invites writers to read and discuss the work they have written for Tolka. Hosts Madeline Arkins and Liam Harrison hear pieces from contributors, ask them about their journey of becoming a writer, and in “Tolka the Town”, hear about their recent cultural highlights and book recommendations.

Tolka is a literary journal based in Dublin publishing a diverse range of "formally promiscuous" non-fiction – encouraging writers to test the limits of non-fiction through essays, memoir, and the things that fall in between.

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8 episodes
Avg 59 min
English

Episodes 8

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May 8 · 54 min
Episode Eight | Wendy Erskine
In this episode, Wendy Erskine joins us to talk about her essay, 'Clobber' (published in Tolka Issue Ten). Wendy, a fashion icon, discusses the relationship between clothes, creativity and how stories get made, as well as her novel, The Benefactors (2025). Music by Lemzly Dale.
February 17 · 51 min
Episode Seven | John Patrick McHugh
In this episode, we sit down with John Patrick McHugh, who reads an excerpt from his piece "Voice, voice, voice" (Tolka, Issue Ten). We discuss self-esteem, the negotiation between voice and style, and what your position in football says about your literary instincts. Music by Lemzly Dale
January 26 · 1 hr 9 min
Episode Six | Caelainn Hogan
In this episode, we chat with Caelainn Hogan to read her piece "House Share" (published in Tolka, Issue Nine). We discuss the commodification of housing, the institutionalisation of women in Irish history , and her bad history with birds. Music by Lemzly Dale
S1 · E5
Dec 2, 2025 · 1 hr 6 min
Episode Five | Kimberly Campanello
In this episode, we sit down with Kimberly Campanello to read her piece Tachyphylaxis (published in Tolka, Issue Seven). We discuss bodybuilding, the influence of music and poetry on form, and the discipline and precision involved in being deliberately imprecise. Music by Lemzly Dale
S1 · E4
May 19, 2025 · 1 hr 7 min
Episode Four | Noreen Masud
In this episode, we speak with Noreen Masud about her essay Quietly the World Shifts (published in Tolka, Issue Eight). We discuss the work of Fossil Free Books in support of Palestine, the colonial logic behind endless calls for debate, and the politics of contemporary literary festivals. Later we dive into our latest cultural recommendations which might all be summarised by the holy trinity of 'beach, sex, sun.'
S1 · E3
Mar 25, 2025 · 52 min
Episode Three | Declan Toohey
In this episode, Maddie and Liam speak with Declan Toohey about his hybrid essay Bomb's Away: Blitzkrieg Notes on Gravity's Rainbow (published in Issue Eight of Tolka). We discuss the Wonderful World of Thomas Pynchon, absurdism, and the surprising parallels between Declan's piece and Puss in Boots 2. Music by Lemzly Dale
S1 · E2
Feb 26, 2025 · 54 min
Episode Two | Tim MacGabhann
In this episode, hosts Maddie and Liam speak with Tim MacGabhann about his piece The Intransitive (published in Issue Seven of Tolka). We discuss his insatiable reading and writing, Victor Serge, and the golden age of ape cinema. For those curious about Tim's stellar playlist you can treat your ears to the mammoth Pan-African Conversation Pit playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6iamL1CQql9odQE5lHBKzc?si=ee214feb9fb64b19 Music by Lemzly Dale
S1 · E1
Jan 30, 2025 · 59 min
Episode One | Niamh Campbell
In this first episode of The Tolka Podcast, hosts Madeline Arkins and Liam Harrison speak with Niamh Campbell about her piece Birth Story (published in Issue Seven of Tolka) and How They Met Themselves (from Issue Two). We discuss shame, Beckett, a literary brat summer, and being poor in time but rich in sandwiches. CW: This episode touches on themes of pregnancy and sexual assault. Listener discretion is advised. Music by Lemzly Dale

Showing 1–8 of 8 episodes