Bow Tie Talks is a personal blog by Clarke Roberts: a writer, communications professional, recovering political obsessive, and someone who spends far too much time thinking about music, democracy, religion, and why people believe/think the things they do.
Originally started when I was teenager (under several considerably more dramatic names), this blog has evolved alongside me. What began as somewhere to dump half-formed opinions and existential ramblings gradually become something more reflective: a space for me to think out loud about politics, culture, identity, faith, media, and the strange experience of being a millenial in modern Britain.
Some articles are political. Some are deeply personal. Some are about music (Michael Jackson and Prince in particular), mental health, or the state of British politics. Occasionally all at once, which is either ambitious or deeply concerning, depending on your perspective.
At its heart, Bow Tie Talks is less about having all the answers and more about trying to ask honest questions.
I’m not especially interested in outrage, idealogical purity, or pretending the world is simpler than it really is. I care much more about nuance, context, empathy, and the uncomfortable grey areas people often try to avoid online. The older I get, the less convinced I become that certainty is always a virtue.
Professionally, I work in corporate branding and communications, which probably explains why I care so much about storytelling, language, and how narratives shape the way we understand the world around us. Outside of work, I lead worship servics within the Unitarian tradition, write fiction, and remain emotionally incapapble of hearing certain Prince songs without stopping whatever I’m doing.
The name Bow Tie Talks comes from two things I’ve always loved: conversation and individuality. A bow tie stands out a little. It’s thoughtful, slightly old-fashioned, slightly theatrical, and not entirely practical. Which, now I think about it, probably describes this blog too.
So, whether you’re here for politics, personal reflections, cultural commentary, or simple because you also enjoy overthinking things to an unhealthy degree — welcome.
I’m glad you’re here.