Finbarre Snarey
Arts & Culture Journalist
Creative Technologist
Producer
Welcome
I'm Finbarre and I build world-first interview formats around tarot.Featured guests include Joanne Harris, Lauren Beukes, Adrian Tchaikovsky, Julian Simpson, Lucy Rose, C.B. Lee and Sacha Coward.My journey through disability, reinvention and building creative projects was profiled in The Daily Mirror.Available for comment, interviews and collaborations.
What Guests Say
"This interview format is so accessible, I think it's genius"
▸ Lucy Rose, The Lamb"By far the most dynamic interview I have ever done"
▸ Amy Twigg, Spoilt Creatures"A really brilliant format"
▸ Emma van Straaten, This Immaculate Body"A lot of fun"
▸ Sacha Coward, Queer as Folklore"I have so enjoyed our conversation!"
▸ Joanne Harris, Chocolat
Work With Finbarre
Book Me For A Chat About Tarot
I'm a leading commentator on the global tarot industry and modern divination culture. I am available for podcast appearances, features and comment on tarot culture, modern divination and creative uses for the cards.I can speak on topics like:• The best tarot decks for beginners
• How tarot became part of contemporary culture
• Tarot, music and creative playlists
• The Rider-Waite-Smith deck and its cultural influence
• Why cards like The Lovers, The Devil and Death still fascinate people
• Tarot as a tool
Media Appearances
“Not only is he an expert in his field, he's got a great sense of humour and natural ability to banter.”
▸ Leah Renee, The Leah Renee PodcastI was pleased to contribute to Homes & Gardens on the symbolism of orchids, including Victorian floriography, orchidelirium, Phalaenopsis and Cymbidium orchids. You can read the piece here
My Projects
Tarot Interviews
https://tarotinterviews.com
An audio podcast in which guests discuss their work through tarot cards. The cards are used as a conversational framework rather than a divinatory tool.In 2026, Tarot Interviews will include accredited press coverage from Bearded Theory Festival, with artist conversations, festival vox pops and one-card tarot interviews recorded on site.ISNI: 0000 0005 2953 9242Listen:
Spotify
Apple PodcastsTarot DMs
https://tarotdms.com
A sister project that reworks the interview format. Conversations take place via private messenger apps and are published as text-based interviews.
ISSN 2978-8935PodcastGuest.org
https://PodcastGuest.org
An audio-first directory for podcast producers. It helps producers find potential guests through audition clips.British Tarot Archive
https://britishtarotarchive.org
An independent archive documenting tarot decks, printed material and related cultural objects connected with Britain and the UK. The BTA supports my research into tarot history, tarot publishing and divination culture.
Read the Tarot Interviews Impact Report 2025-2026
Impact ReportTarot Interviews and Tarot DMs have grown into an independent arts and culture operation, with a first podcast series, 30+ Tarot DMs features, recognised guests, audience reach, material support and developing archive value.
About Finbarre
Professional Standing
Professional memberships and affiliationsProfessional registration
• British Council - Registered Creative PractitionerMedia and journalism memberships
• NLGJA - Full voting member
• International Press Institute - Member
• PEN International - Member
• Society of Freelance Journalists (SFJ) - MemberArts and culture networks
• Royal Society of Arts (RSA) - Member
• Arts Marketing Association (AMA) - Member
• British Art Network (BAN) - MemberResearch and publications
• Author of Piercing the PR Shield: Aleatory Intervention as a Method for Disrupting Narrative Control in Qualitative Interviewing, a 2026 working paper on chance-based prompts, narrative control and qualitative interviewing
• Author of The Beeston Genesis: Robert William Felkin and the Codification of Modern Tarot Systems, a 2026 research preprint connecting Beeston, Robert William Felkin, British tarot history and modern tarot systems
• Contributor to public documentation on Rider-Waite-Smith tarot reading practice as living heritage in the United Kingdom
• Wikimedia UK - Member
• While researching early tarot in Britain, I tracked down the birthplace of Robert William Felkin and documented it for inclusion in public geographic records
• ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0002-9374-3921Talks
Tarot Cultures, Goldsmiths, University of London - June 2026
“Tarot Reading as Living Heritage: Documenting Contemporary Rider-Waite-Smith Practice in the UK”
Journalistic Profiles
Editorial Standards
I follow the Society of Freelance Journalists Code of Practice, including standards of accuracy, fairness, and transparency. I am a full voting member of NLGJA: The Association of LGBTQ Journalists, which reflects my approach to editorial responsibility and ethical interviewing. I also align my practice with Inclusive Journalism Cymru, particularly in relation to representation, care, and accountability.When interviewing guests, I follow the Trans Journalists Association Style Guide and GLAAD Media Reference Standards. These guide how people are described and quoted, with an emphasis on accuracy, respect, and allowing guests to speak in their own terms.This approach runs through both Tarot Interviews and Tarot DMs. I edit interviews for clarity without altering meaning, provide sufficient context for readers and listeners, and publish with the aim of representing each guest and their work fairly.
Research Contexts & Interests
I have a long-standing interest in British folklore and local history, including the Belvoir witch trials, and in the historical development of tarot in Britain.
Tarot Practice & Experience
I have been working with tarot for over three decades. This portrait shows me using tarot in the late 1990s and reflects a long relationship with the cards that still shapes how I work today. Art by Melodie Neesom (1998)
Professional Experience
Alongside my audio projects, I also work in IT on enterprise systems, incident response, and digital services. Earlier in my career, I worked across radio, television and live events, including technical and research roles for reality television, Glastonbury Festival and Cirque du Soleil.Working in technical, broadcast and live performance environments has taught me the value of structure, timing, clear communication and good editorial judgement.This site is focused on my creative and editorial work.
Contact Finbarre
For interviews, media enquiries, collaborations, guest invitations and speaking opportunities, please use the form below.