A Journey Through the Back Streets of Creativity with Mark Baxter

For this episode, Danny is joined by Mark Baxter, a South London storyteller who's part author, producer, screenwriter, and full-on creative maverick. From writing 12 books, including 'Walworth Through Time', to producing documentaries about music legends like Paul Weller, Bax has turned his working-class curiosity into a remarkable career. He explains how a redundant print worker transformed himself into a chronicler of underground culture. His stories will make you laugh, think, and see London through new eyes. If you can´t get enough of these podcasts, head to https://www.patreon.com/DannyHurst to access my exclusive, member-only, fun-filled, and fact-packed history-related videos. KEY TAKEAWAYS Sometimes your side hustle can become your main career. When traditional career paths collapse, your adaptability and willingness to learn new skills will open up unexpected opportunities. Don't be intimidated by the writing process. Start rough and keep rewriting. Write about the minutia of life. Every life has something unique and therefore interesting in it. Persistence pays off. Self-publishing and believing in your work can lead to unexpected success. Even during challenging times e.g. illness, maintaining a creative spirit and adapting your work pace helps to maintain purpose and momentum. Hometown changes aren't something to mourn – appreciate the evolution and find new meaning in familiar spaces. The most compelling narratives are often about overlooked people and hidden stories. BEST MOMENTS "I was always known as a bit of a mumper." "My first draft was like something out of Blue Peter, I was just literally cutting and pasting ideas on a bit of paper, then writing a bit. I had no idea what I was doing." "They were talking to me, the characters. I was going slightly mad." "I´ve got long COVID… I’m not ill but I haven´t got the energy…so, I’m picking my battles." “I always steep myself in culture.” “It's real tribal Southeast London.” "London isn't quite what it was to me. It used to be a playground for me." EPISODE RESOURCES https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/Mark-Baxter/author/B0034Q2SRK https://monomediafilms.london https://www.instagram.com/mumperbax "The House by the Thames" by Julia Tyndall - https://www.amazon.co.uk/House-by-Thames-Julia-Tyndall/dp/0141015950 HOST BIO Historian, performer, and mentor Danny Hurst has been engaging audiences for many years, whether as a lecturer, stand-up comic or intervention teacher with young offenders and excluded secondary students. Having worked with some of the most difficult people in the UK, he is a natural storyteller and entertainer, whilst purveying the most fascinating information that you didn't know you didn't know. A writer and host of pub quizzes across London, he has travelled extensively and speaks several languages. He has been a consultant for exhibitions at the Imperial War Museum and Natural History Museum in London as well as presenting accelerated learning seminars across the UK. With a wide range of knowledge ranging from motor mechanics to opera to breeding carnivorous plants, he believes learning is the most effective when it's fun. Uniquely delivered, this is history without the boring bits, told the way only Danny Hurst can. CONTACT AND SOCIALS https://instagram.com/dannyjhurst facebook.com/danny.hurst.9638 https://twitter.com/dannyhurst https://www.linkedin.com/in/danny-hurst-19574720 This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/