Welcome one and all to the first episode of Pet Projects, in which host Pete and guest Karl talk about Karl’s beloved, much-missed and inspirational dog, Lola, and his pet projects, leading to Karl offering some fascinating insights from the world of filmmaking in which he is quickly making his mark as a writer-director. A passionate advocate for Liverpool and northern talent, Karl talks about the making of his award-winning short film ‘Wake’ (shot on the Mersey ferry), his work-in-progress ‘Lucky Cat’ and how Covid encouraged him to pursue his vision more aggressively, in collaboration with his partners at their production company Seven Streets, and a fantastic cast and crew. 

The episode also contains a snippet from ‘Mr Moog’s Dancing Light Rats’, an ancient Decaying Leather song named for Pete and brother Guy’s childhood hamster, performed by their family band. 

Pet Projects is a collaborative project devised by writer and editor Peter Humphreys and artist and filmmaker Ana Rebolledo. 

More about today’s special guest: 

Award-winning filmmaker Karl Livingstone trained as a theatre actor before studying filmmaking at the University of Salford where he co-founded the Salford Film Society. He now runs the Seven Streets film production company in his native Liverpool alongside partner Catherine and partner-in-crime Selina. Their film ‘Wake’ (written and directed by Karl), set on the Mersey ferry and drawing on personal loss, won best narrative short at the Lancaster International Film Festival in 2024. Realised beautifully by a dedicated cast and crew, it also feature’s music by Karl’s father. Seven Streets’ follow-up, ‘Lucky Cat’ is currently in pre-production. Karl has also worked on music videos and is an outspoken advocate for the talent to be found in Liverpool and the north. His inspirations include Christopher Nolan, Hideaki Anno and Werner Herzog. 

You can find more about Karl’s work through these links >>>

Seven Streets on Instagram (@_sevenstreets_): https://www.instagram.com/_sevenstreets_/ 

Karl’s dad’s music on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1XfQ6vPTIUDAZmHfcgkRFw?si=2dtLKugbQ-WzWKoRmf7Edg 

A few more links to subject matter covered in the chat >>> 

Lancaster International Film Festival: https://totallylocallancaster.co.uk/liff/ 

Lessons of Darkness, a Werner Herzog film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMIM-ma2juo 

Interview with Werner Herzog on the Adam Buxton podcast: https://www.adam-buxton.co.uk/podcasts/rhwkafw2z2x3xe6-6ysb3

Pet Projects - Episode 1 - Karl Livingstone

Welcome one and all to the second episode of Pet Projects, featuring Lancaster-based writer, illustrator and Creative Writing lecturer, Inés G. Labarta. In conversation with host Pete, Inés talks about her two black cats, Nori and Luna, and her current pet project: the release of her new novel, The Three Lives of Saint Ciarán (Blackwater Press), this month. Despite their shared hue and origin, Inés’s cats have proven very different in personality, which is perhaps appropriate given variety is the spice of life where she is concerned. 

In addition to having published in Spanish and English, Inés learnt Japanese as a student, writes her speculative fiction across a variety of genres (inc. migrant narratives, queer literature, magic realism, RPGs, monstrous fiction and the gothic), and produces her own podcast (The Wandering Bard), which you can find here on SoundCloud. 

Of herself, she says, ‘I am a citizen of nowhere because I feel at home in the Highlands, in Miyayima, in the Guadarrama mountains, in Edinburgh and Clonmacnoise. I didn’t choose to be born in Spain – but I do choose to consider this planet my home and to connect with others no matter where they come from.’ Fortunately for us, the family she has made with her partner, Nori and Luna is (mostly) keeping her in Lancaster just now.

Pet Projects is a collaborative project devised by writer and editor Peter Humphreys and artist and filmmaker Ana Rebolledo. It is available on Spotify, SoundCloud, Amazon Music and other podcast providers.  

Inés’ website: https://inesglabarta.com

Inés’ highly imaginative new novel, The Three Lives of Saint Ciarán: https://www.blackwaterpress.com/product/the-three-lives-of-st-ciaran-pre-order-new/

Inés’ profile page at Lancaster University: 
https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/english-literature-and-creative-writing/people/ines-gregori-labarta 

Inés’ writing podcast, The Wandering Bard: https://thewanderingbard.net/about/

Pet Projects - Episode 2 - Inés G. Labarta

For the third instalment of Pet Projects we are joined by actor and theatrical producer Nicole Garbellini for a fascinating chat. 

Having been scouted in Italy and performing at the Venice Biennale, setting up her own theatre company in Hong Kong, and thereafter completing her acting studies in London, where she is now based, Nicole is not used to being upstaged. However, her beloved cat Marty McFly has done his best to compete with her in a way that only cats can: appearing alongside Nicole and her husband David in ‘Close Quarters’, a YouTube series from writer Ryan King born in the Covid lockdowns, during which our animals – to many of us – became more important than ever. 

Some of the other subjects Nicole and I explore in this episode are the difficulties of transporting pets between countries; the challenges and joys of producing theatre, including ‘Mussolini’s Mistresses’, a play created in Hong Kong by Nicole’s Aurora Theatre, from writer/director Clare Stearns, but coming to the UK soon, and how cats are not as antisocial as ‘the man’ tells us – Marty as a grandpa to younger felines? Why not? He can teach them how to skateboard for starters. For all budding actors/cat owners, there is much to learn in this episode about both. Enjoy!

Pet Projects is a collaborative project devised by writer and editor Peter Humphreys and artist and filmmaker Ana Rebolledo, who provides the artwork and video content. It is available on Spotify, SoundCloud and elsewhere. Please like and subscribe, and follow us on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/petprojectspod/) for updates and insights from the Pet Projects universe.

Some links related to Nicole’s life and work >>>

‘Close Quarters’ YouTube comedy-drama series starring Nicole, David and Marty: https://youtu.be/TeSb7QlslA8?si=0JHUANBmOAimFgFs

Aurora Theatre YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@AuroraTheatreHK

‘Mussolini’s Mistresses’, interview with cast members: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tw11NyuOUhU 

Aurora Theatre, Hong Kong – latest news: https://www.auroratheatrehk.com/blog/

Pet Projects - Episode 3 - Nicole Garbellini

For the fourth instalment of Pet Projects, we are thrilled to welcome Jon, Jess and Roo. 

During the Covid lockdowns our very special guest Jon Hill not only welcomed ebullient double-doodle pup Roo into the family, joining older lady Jess, but also revived his love of baking: beginning a journey in pizza-making that would see him raising thousands of pounds for good causes and connecting with our local community in the most delicious of ways. 

Going from strength to strength, Jon now runs Community Pizza Events, and if you’re lucky enough to be in Lancaster you can sample his and his team’s mouth-watering produce at the Fairfield Festival on the 13th July 2024, alongside bands, DJs and (this is northern Britain after all) a beer tent. In our podcast chat, we cover dog family trees, dog-walking highs and lows, dog-sleeping boffs and burps; how our animals adapt to new arrivals (or don’t!), and much else besides. 

Pet Projects is a collaborative project devised by writer and editor Peter Humphreys and artist and filmmaker Ana Rebolledo, who provides the artwork and video content. It is available on Spotify, SoundCloud, iTunes and elsewhere. If you’re enjoying the podcast please like, subscribe and share.
 
Links >>>

Community Pizza Events: https://communitypizzaevents.com/about/ 

Fairfield Festival: https://fairfieldassociation.org/event/fairfield-festival/ 

Global Village Café: https://www.global-village-cafe.co.uk 

Muscle & Longevity – advice on living a strong, healthy life: https://drchatterjee.com/the-crucial-importance-of-strength-training-how-to-make-healthy-habits-stick-living-a-strong-healthy-life-with-dr-gabrielle-lyon 

Sheffield Wednesday (aka ‘The Owls’) website: https://www.swfc.co.uk

Pet Projects - Episode 4 - Jon Hill

Pet projects are more than hobbies — they’re a lifeline for creativity and connection. In the fast-paced world of deadlines and deliverables, carving out time for passion-driven work can energize teams, spark innovation, and foster camaraderie. These pursuits allow space to experiment, fail, and grow, creating a culture that values more than just productivity.

In this episode, we unpack the importance of pet projects and how they build stronger teams and businesses. Karen shares insights from Render’s creative ventures, while Jen explores how small traditions and shared experiences deepen workplace bonds. We also discuss the decline in generosity and why contributing to culture and community is a collective responsibility. Join us for a conversation that highlights why passion projects are more than just side hustles — they’re essential.

Pet Projects & Why They Matter

For the eighth instalment of Pet Projects, we welcome Dan and Emjay to the show. 

Dan Lever is a musician and wordsmith with a passion for communication. Losing his music teaching role during Covid and having lost his appetite for playing, he turned to another of his longstanding passions – writing. He now runs his own business, Magnify Copy, which provides copywriting and digital services to people and organisations whether local to his base in Hest Bank, near Morecambe, or further afield. He has also, happily, picked up his guitar again and performs for the love of it with family, friends and strangers. 

Two musical contributions from Dan feature in the episode (plus a ‘hidden duet’ you’ll discover on listening!): ‘West Snide Story’ by Islands Lost at Sea (46:39) and ‘Three Line Whip’ by the Two Hats Blues Band (50:25). ‘A Christmas Cat’, a poem by June Newall, and read by Dan’s friend Richard, appears at 24:25. 

Other topics covered in our relaxed, in-person chat range from cleaning up Emjay’s poo to the ‘enshittification’ of the Internet and much in-between – including why cats prefer Kate Bush to dub, novel-planning options, and who rules the roost on Morecambe seafront (clue: it’s not the seagulls).   

Pet Projects is a collaborative project devised by writer and editor Peter Humphreys and artist and filmmaker Ana Rebolledo, who provides the artwork and video content. It is available on Spotify, SoundCloud, iTunes and elsewhere. If you’re enjoying the podcast please like, subscribe and share. As ever, best listened to through ‘phones. 

Links for your purr-usal: 

Dan’s company, Magnify Copy: https://magnifycopy.co.uk 

Islands Lost at Sea, feat. Dan: https://open.spotify.com/album/3tAHTLFXEURPcW3Mx1vTIk?si=7MUVjfluSrmyRdHcenPXlg

Two Hats Blues Band (don't say it fast), feat. Dan: https://open.spotify.com/track/06SAqgrAXjfLpUFBQcrJOm?si=cd1073d72cb941f1

Richard Newall's film accompanying June Newall’s poem, ‘A Christmas Cat’:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZvifpQWa7E

Pluralistic, daily posts from Cory Doctorow: https://pluralistic.net/

The ‘enshittification’ of social media platforms:
https://www.wired.com/story/tiktok-platforms-cory-doctorow/

Pet Projects - Episode 8 - Dan Lever

Hi. Jen Estill and Karen Stefl here. In The Speak Easy Podcast, we share years of expertise in marketing, branding, video production, strategy—not to mention management, employee development, mentoring, sales, creativity, maintaining life balance, managing money, and.. you get the idea. It takes a lot to keep a couple of creative studios thriving. 

We developed this podcast after years of "how do you..." boss lady conversations. It was clear that if we were both in such similar places with regard to business growth, and personal growth, and work/life/motherhood/bossland balance, then other women may be, too. We'd been sharing confessions over cocktails for quite a while—solving problems, asking for advice, and whispering the secret fears and disappointments that successful women are never supposed to have. (You've had those, right? It's not just us?)

Thus, Speak Easy was born. Our goal and our promise is to speak with honesty about the challenges that experienced women in the creative industry face. To create a community where we can support one another and abandon the mantra that we put on a good face and make it look like we have it all together, even when we don't. You can expect honesty, complete vulnerability and even a good laugh.

And cocktails. You can expect cocktails.

I'm a writer and editor based in Lancaster. Check out my podcasts Pet Projects (in which I interview creative types about their pets - and their projects), First Impressions (a surreal slice of literary cheesecake), and Monkey Scribbling (two older blokes reflect on their youth in the '90s through the letters they exchanged at the time). 

Pet Projects is a collaboration with Ana Rebolledo and Monkey Scribbling with Richard Pye. 

The family band I formed with my brother, Decaying Leather, in 1989 continues to write and record. Our music can also be found on SoundCloud and elsewhere.

New tracks tagged #petprojects