https://www.maryoharaproductions.com/home daily 0.75 2021-04-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/608083216a2cc34fdbc2d42b/1619035796659-DTLII5BL54JD1H8PT2VK/tempImage9kwwt8.gif Home - A bit about me I love storytelling, writing, producing and editing and am lucky enough to get to do these for a living. My journalism appears in publications including The Guardian and Mosaic Science. I’ve authored two non-fiction books: The Shame Game: Overturning the toxic poverty narrative (2020) & Austerity Bites: A journey to the sharp end of cuts in the UK (2014), and contributed to numerous others. My first novel, The Linen Hall Waits, is currently with my literary agent. I’m also the founder of the multi-platform anti-poverty initiative storytelling initiative, Project Twist-It and as well that I’ve directed/produced short films, run a comedy club, been a Fulbright Scholar at UC Berkeley, a producer and consultant on the podcast Getting Curious with Jonathan Van Ness and am the founder and chair of the David Nobbs Memorial Trust championing new comedy talent. I’m also a fellow of the Royal Society for the Arts. As a copywriter & consultant I’ve worked for clients including Samaritans UK, The European Social Network, The European Commission and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation. In 2020 I was named Best Foreign Columnist at the Southern California Journalism Awards. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/608083216a2cc34fdbc2d42b/1619047562250-D1DQZVBBQ50TVEFZQ2QG/FF2D0117-2F08-46A2-B7E1-5D0E0E67072B.jpeg Home - Praise for The Shame Game “A necessary book in divisive times.” JAMEELA JAMIL, ACTRESS AND ACTIVIST “The most comprehensive description of poverty I’ve seen yet.” LINDA TIRADO, JOURNALIST & AUTHOR OF HAND TO MOUTH “Real stories, by people who have lived that story, smashing apart the divisive narratives around poverty.” KERRY HUDSON, AUTHOR OF LOWBORN The Shame Game is available in paperback, e-book & audiobook https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/608083216a2cc34fdbc2d42b/1619132721306-ZMA0ICRFUY7Y5NR4UDIJ/E1857868-A911-4F8C-8563-60FA995E23C8_1_105_c.jpeg Home - Podcasting Pro I’m an experienced and excellent podcast producer, booker and researcher with nifty Pro-Tools skills. Working on the award-winning ‘Getting Curious with Jonathan Van Ness’, I produced and booked episodes on topics ranging from neuroscience to middle east politics and how to be an artist! Guests included Melinda Gates, Elizabeth Warren and Jameela Jamil. I’m also producer of the short podcast series Write-On and currently in development on new projects with producers of ‘The Dream’, Jane Marie and Dann Gallucci of Little Everywhere. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/608083216a2cc34fdbc2d42b/1619048998235-15FCCLVXI5C7DZADCU16/Austerity+bites+%5BFC%5D.jpg Home - Praise for Austerity Bites “Should be required reading for every MP, peer, councillor, civil servant and commentator.” MELISSA BENN, THE GUARDIAN “Injustice and the waste of human potential leap from this book.” TIMES HIGHER EDUCATION “This book is essential reading for anyone wanting to understand the great human cost of austerity. Read it, get angry and get active.” JOSIE LONG, COMEDIAN & WRITER https://www.maryoharaproductions.com/contact daily 0.75 2021-07-16 https://www.maryoharaproductions.com/home-1 daily 1.0 2026-01-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/608083216a2cc34fdbc2d42b/a148bef4-3721-4d17-a58f-12ac0ceb8172/AB2+JPEG+IMAGE.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/608083216a2cc34fdbc2d42b/1619035796659-DTLII5BL54JD1H8PT2VK/tempImage9kwwt8.gif Home - A bit about me First and foremost I’m a storyteller. I write, produce, present, direct and edit. My award-winning journalism appears in publications including The Guardian and Byline Times. I’m the author of three non-fiction books: The Shame Game: Overturning the toxic poverty narrative (2020) in print and audio book format, Austerity Bites: A journey to the sharp end of cuts in the UK (2014), and Austerity Bites: 10 years on (2024) is now available. I’ve also contributed chapters to numerous other books. I’m the proud founder and manager of the multi-platform international anti-poverty storytelling initiative, Project Twist-It, collaborating with artists and advocates to challenge stereotypes around poverty. In addition, I’ve run a comedy club, been a Fulbright Scholar at UC Berkeley, and worked as a producer and consultant on the award-winning podcast Getting Curious with Jonathan Van Ness. I’ve been named Best Foreign Columnist at the Southern California Journalism Awards multiple times for my Guardian column, Lesson from America, and most recently in 2024 for my regular column in Community Living magazine. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/608083216a2cc34fdbc2d42b/1620254551752-UNZ25MMJPSMYS8D8D063/FF2D0117-2F08-46A2-B7E1-5D0E0E67072B.jpeg Home - Praise for The Shame Game “The most comprehensive description of poverty I’ve seen yet.” Linda Tirado, author of Hand to Mouth “The book we need right now.” Kerry Hudson, author of Lowborn “A necessary book in divisive times .” Jameela Jamil, actor and activist https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/608083216a2cc34fdbc2d42b/1620255877867-YNXC9UAHW7OE0D3HP493/BFFAE1C3-298E-4A08-8498-5A95BF42174F_1_201_a.jpeg Home - I’m an experienced producer, booker and researcher with nifty Pro-Tools skills. Working on the award-winning Getting Curious with Jonathan Van Ness, I produced and booked episodes on topics ranging from neuroscience to Middle East politics and how to be an artist! Guests I booked included Melinda Gates, Reese Witherspoon, Elizabeth Warren and Jameela Jamil. Currently, I’m the booker for the fun, Paramount/Realm Media comedy horror podcast, Tickled to Death. I’m also producer of the podcast series Write-On and currently in development on new projects with Dann Gallucci of Little Everywhere. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/608083216a2cc34fdbc2d42b/1619048998235-15FCCLVXI5C7DZADCU16/Austerity+bites+%5BFC%5D.jpg Home - Praise for Austerity Bites “Should be required reading for every MP, peer, councillor, civil servant and commentator.” Melissa Benn, THE GUARDIAN “Injustice and the waste of human potential leap from this book.” TIMES HIGHER EDUCATION “This book is essential reading for anyone wanting to understand the great human cost of austerity. Read it, get angry and get active.” JOSIE LONG, Comedian and writer https://www.maryoharaproductions.com/about daily 0.75 2026-01-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/608083216a2cc34fdbc2d42b/1619633145600-24UH7OIV7LKL13DJZ340/MaryCartoonBookie2.JPG About - Me and my work I’ve been creating content in various forms, over numerous platforms, for a while. It’s my thing. I try to bring stories to life in the most engaging ways possible. As a journalist, author and multi-platform professional this means putting important stories into the public domain that aid our understanding of what makes people, and the world generally, tick. I use print, audio and film to do this. Sometimes a combination of all three, for example with my multi-platform anti-poverty initiative, Project Twist-IT. As an experienced copyeditor, editor and researcher I’m available for commissions on podcasts, documentaries, books, reports and much more. I am a fellow of the Royal Society for the Arts, a member of the Society of Authors as well as founder and chair of the David Nobbs Memorial Trust championing new comedy talent. I’ve also been the recipient of an Alistair Cooke Fulbright Scholarship. My novel, Making Birdie Devine, is currently with my literary agent and publishers. Organisations and programmes I have worked for and consulted for include: The Guardian - reporter, editor and columnist BBC - freelance television and radio interviewing & guest appearances Getting Curious with Jonathan Van Ness - producer, booker, researcher, consultant Little Everywhere - podcast research, producing and presenting Mosaic Science - freelance long-form reporting Byline Times - freelance reporting Paramount and Realm Media - podcast booker Little Everywhere - researcher, scriptwriter, and producer Samaritans UK - consultant and copyeditor Joseph Rowntree Foundation - consultant and project manager The European Social Network - consultant and copyeditor New Statesman - freelance reporting Slate - freelance reporting University of Bristol - author and blogger The European Commission - Special Rapporteur for the annual Day of Persons with Disabilities conference. https://www.maryoharaproductions.com/my-projects daily 0.75 2026-01-09 https://www.maryoharaproductions.com/my-projects/audiobook-production monthly 0.5 2023-08-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/608083216a2cc34fdbc2d42b/47549ef8-cb7f-4dd4-a638-4bed56808c94/ISF+Cover+Art.png https://www.maryoharaproductions.com/my-projects/book-contributions monthly 0.5 2022-10-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/608083216a2cc34fdbc2d42b/cc53663e-775d-4612-95b3-77c198cbdbe9/O%27Hara%2C+Austerity+Bites+10+Years+On+%5BFC%5D.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/608083216a2cc34fdbc2d42b/834f2611-2dfc-41e5-bde5-c0ce746cdff9/The+Shame+Game+Cover+1Mb.jpg My Projects - Books https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/608083216a2cc34fdbc2d42b/df3d010c-93a2-4fd9-a3e8-90da01f4cc7f/Austerity+bites+%5BFC%5D.jpg My Projects - Books https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/608083216a2cc34fdbc2d42b/c7df6f50-eb36-4fb8-8eda-8175103d2363/51iHtAooEzL._SX356_BO1%2C204%2C203%2C200_.jpg My Projects - Books https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/608083216a2cc34fdbc2d42b/eadd00b9-37dd-4bcc-b84d-2ea1e2aa874b/Unknown.jpeg My Projects - Books https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/608083216a2cc34fdbc2d42b/7963cb9f-86b9-4078-84c7-a21aa007eed4/9781786800633.jpg My Projects - Books https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/608083216a2cc34fdbc2d42b/d59ebef6-56a3-4457-a29d-2ce6784ff4c2/Vulnerable+Consumers+Book+Image.jpg My Projects - Books https://www.maryoharaproductions.com/my-projects/media-appearances-and-lectures monthly 0.5 2025-06-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/608083216a2cc34fdbc2d42b/20209ede-d899-434a-8d9e-396d59c3f0b9/MOH+Bio+pic+2JPG.JPG https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/608083216a2cc34fdbc2d42b/1619142050762-YHMOORJGULA1W970MM9W/380DBAEE-083C-44A7-86F0-92E77AC7B710.jpeg My Projects - Media appearances and lectures Jonathan Van Ness https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/608083216a2cc34fdbc2d42b/1666634853381-G3TUBPJ9DPY7KN8NM3C5/unsplash-image-OKLqGsCT8qs.jpg My Projects - Media appearances and lectures - Make it stand out NPR Marketplace with Kai Ryssdal: LISTEN HERE. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/608083216a2cc34fdbc2d42b/1633980941008-4JV0BQ4ZYBTFU7TZJ2HP/A5EC8679-411A-47CE-8145-B2D9F08CA0E1_1_201_a.jpeg My Projects - Media appearances and lectures Talking about poverty shaming and my book, The Shame Game, with Laverne Cox on her podcast. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/608083216a2cc34fdbc2d42b/1691169076361-BHZMLY9CLCXNXDBGG5NP/image-asset.jpeg My Projects - Media appearances and lectures - INTERVIEW OTHER PEOPLE’S POCKETS WITH MAYA LAU https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/608083216a2cc34fdbc2d42b/1619211739690-X7QLJRW25FIYVO378SUN/Unknown.png My Projects - Media appearances and lectures Royal Society for the Arts, London https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/608083216a2cc34fdbc2d42b/1619212413512-7UW8WOT3SCK41DYR245M/Unknown.jpeg My Projects - Media appearances and lectures Public Radio, KALW with Rose Aguilar https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/608083216a2cc34fdbc2d42b/1626301786714-BWLLE17U1RGROENSTZ5J/Screenshot+2021-07-14+at+15.25.22.png My Projects - Media appearances and lectures Listen to my interview with Donna Apidone on Cap Radio, California https://www.maryoharaproductions.com/my-projects/documentary monthly 0.5 2021-07-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/608083216a2cc34fdbc2d42b/1619133516922-OTIW3YP7ES7I6JF89XNC/rory-mckeever-xZ2KYOma9eM-unsplash.jpg My Projects - Documentary - Wrong side of the railings. A documentary short I directed and produced about suicide in Northern Ireland for Current TV. Photo by Rory McKeever on Unsplash https://www.maryoharaproductions.com/my-projects/podcasting monthly 0.5 2026-01-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/608083216a2cc34fdbc2d42b/1626811036853-2MJQWBVLCYACRAAY9P6M/5863155B-D015-4733-89FB-7918390E365B.jpeg My Projects - Podcasting, Research & Copyediting https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/608083216a2cc34fdbc2d42b/1626811137265-403JSTN4GUL541V6DTOH/170x170bb.jpg My Projects - Podcasting, Research & Copyediting https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/608083216a2cc34fdbc2d42b/1626811483836-163D3VSPUY38ZOQY7WXQ/Picture1_s1UaE0i.2e16d0ba.fill-320x175.png My Projects - Podcasting, Research & Copyediting https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/608083216a2cc34fdbc2d42b/1626812199588-951C0U0SAI2A0VBBZ6WH/Unknown.jpeg My Projects - Podcasting, Research & Copyediting https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/608083216a2cc34fdbc2d42b/1626812304730-XTVUHYOX1SV3Y0ZPYMA0/Unknown.png My Projects - Podcasting, Research & Copyediting https://www.maryoharaproductions.com/my-projects/projecttwistit monthly 0.5 2021-04-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/608083216a2cc34fdbc2d42b/1619129579289-5NJLI3SBVDJLOE6QIHCD/Shane+twistitcomic.png My Projects - Project Twist-It Shane Pangburn is a graphic designer and illustrator who produced this ace comic strip for PTI. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/608083216a2cc34fdbc2d42b/1619129829748-A3V9CUJLR1CIY5XLR56Z/2906EFF8-FB2C-412F-927A-62113FE32D17.jpeg My Projects - Project Twist-It Louisa Roach of the band She Drew The Gun was one of many performers at PTI Live! . https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/608083216a2cc34fdbc2d42b/1619130514753-QOHSJZGFIKB4SHFO74JT/Conrad%2Bon%2BCTN.jpg My Projects - Project Twist-It Conrad Murry and the young people at BAC Beatbox Academy are PTI creators and collaborators. https://www.maryoharaproductions.com/my-projects/journalism monthly 0.5 2026-01-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/608083216a2cc34fdbc2d42b/1626295070044-AUJTOZVOPM1C6LR4MN3U/Screenshot+2021-07-14+at+13.37.11.png My Projects - Journalism https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/608083216a2cc34fdbc2d42b/1626295153990-E7QYBD85HOLSZXOVEWK1/Screenshot+2021-07-14+at+13.38.38.png My Projects - Journalism https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/608083216a2cc34fdbc2d42b/1626294520331-RGN41IZPN5XDC8BP3YCI/tempImagerwDGDW.png My Projects - Journalism https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/608083216a2cc34fdbc2d42b/ac4111c3-4810-41a8-8553-13cfa103bc73/cover-montage-winter-2026-640x400.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/608083216a2cc34fdbc2d42b/a679c626-01f8-41a8-8a85-09ede2297864/view-main-image.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/608083216a2cc34fdbc2d42b/1626295330729-Y5DJERVJRK419B5GBFXE/Screenshot+2021-07-14+at+13.41.45.png My Projects - Journalism - Read my many years of reporting for The Guardian