The Tolka Podcast

The Tolka Podcast

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.

Episodes

May 19, 2025 67 mins

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.'

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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

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February 26, 2025 54 mins

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=ee214feb9fb64b...

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January 30, 2025 59 mins

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 L...

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