Show 151: Roberto Garcia
Roberto Garcia reads from his new book [Elegies] and talks about his identity and heritage, the power of grandmothers, the writing advice he always gives his students, and much more. He and host Charlie Rossiter also dig into the controversy that lead to Amiri Baraka's removal as New Jersey State Poet Laureate after Garcia reads his poem "Note to AB, A Boogeyman."
Find Garcia's book [Elegies] from Flower Song Press, here: www.flowersongpress.com/books-1/p/elegies
Show 152: Luis J. Rodriguez
In an interview recorded on inauguration day poet and activist Luis J. Rodriguez, discusses his hopes for the new administration, the ways poetry saves lives and souls, and the work he is doing in opposition to solitary confinement. He also talks about how he was "cared straight" as an incarcerated young man, and the books that meant the most to him during a difficult time in his life.
Learn more about Rodriguez's Tia Chucha Press and the new collection "Make a Poem Cry" here: www.tiachucha.org/tia_chucha_press
Show 153: Pádraig Ó Tuama Reading at the Unamuno Author Festival
Pádraig Ó Tuama reading at the Unamuno Author Festival. The festival took place in May of 2019 in Madrid, Spain. This reading was recorded at the book store Desperate Literature.
Pádraig Ó Tuama, a poet and theologian, presents Poetry Unbound as part of On Being Studios and has been dedicated to the cause of peace and reconciliation including a five year stint as the head of Ireland's oldest peace and reconciliation community, the Corrymeela Community. His background as a public speaker and broadcaster comes through in this reading, as do his interests in religion, conflict, connection, community, and healing.
Show 154: The Open Mic of the Air 10
The Open Mic of the Air is a project from Poetry Spoken Here that began almost a year ago. When in-person poetry events were suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Open Mic of the Air was created as a way for poets from around the world to connect and have a creative outlet. So far over 100 poets have been featured and we look forward to many, many more!
This is the tenth episode of the Open Mic of the Air featuring poets from around the world - Zimbabwe, Ireland, and the UK - as well as from across the United States. Give a listen and submit your work for the next episode!
Send a recording - 5 mins or less - of yourself reading one of your poems, including your name and location, to openmicoftheair@gmail.com.
For full submission guidelines, check out: www.poetryspokenhere.com/open-mic-of-the-air
Igor Goldkind, San Diego, California – “The Numbers Game”
Hiram Larew, Churchton, Maryland – “Magic”
Natascha Graham, Woodbridge, Suffolk, UK – “The Husband” read by Vee Tames
Anne Woodworth, Washington DC – Fragile Roof
Michael Durack, County Tipperary, Ireland – “In the Forest of Language”
(Lingiwe) Patience Gumbo, Zimbabwe – “Thin Ice”
Eva Zimet, Vermont – “Do Not Follow”
Doreena Jennings. Carlow, Ireland – “A Childhood Reflection”
Nancy Meneely, Essex, Connecticut – “Early Winter, 2020”
Show 155: Asiya Wadud
Brooklyn poet Asiya Wadud reads from her new book "No Knowledge Is Complete Until It Passes Through My Body" from Nightboat Books. She discusses her influences, and the interdisciplinary inspiration she takes from a variety of art forms.
Get your copy of No Knowledge Is Complete Until It Passes Through My Body, here: nightboat.org/book/no-knowledge-…s-through-my-body/
Show 156: Chun Yu: Co-Founder of Two Languages/One Community Project
San Francisco-based poet, memoirist, and graphic novel author, Chun Yu discusses poetry, language, and community. She reads her poems and talks about the "Two Languages/One Community" project which promotes cultural exchange between African American and Chinese communities.
Lear more about the Two Languages/One Community Project, here: twolanguagesonecommunity.com
Learn more about Chun Yu, here: chunyu.org
Show 157: Steven Sanchez Reading at the Unamuno Author Festival
The Unamuno Author Festival took place in May of 2019 in Madrid, Spain. This reading was recorded at La Residencia de Estudiantes which cultural luminaries such as Frederico Garcia Lorca and Salvador Dali once called home.
This reading was recorded just after Sanchez received the inaugural Frederico Garcia Lorca Poetry Prize for an emerging Latinx poet. Sahcnez's first book "Phantom Tongue" won the Rochelle Ratner Memorial Award and his work has appeared in The Missouri Review, American Poetry Review, and North American Review among many others.
Show 158: Howard Debs
Award-winning poet and writer Howard Debs shares poems form his new chapbook "Political" as well as information about some of his many projects including New Voices: Contemporary Writers Confronting the Holocaust.
During the episode, he mentions a piece he wrote for On Being "The Poetry of Bearing Witness."
You can learn more about Howard, here.
Show 159: Gretchen Primack
Poet, writer, and animal rights advocate Gretchen Primack shares her poetry. She reads from her 2013 book Kind which reflects on the dynamics between humans and other animals as well as her new book Visiting Days which was inspired by the teaching work she has done through prison education programs.
You can buy a copy of Kind here.
Show 160: Paisley Rekdal Reading at the Unamuno Author Festival
The Unamuno Author Festival took place in May of 2019 in Madrid, Spain. This reading by Paisley Rekdal was recorded at Desperate Literature an independent bookstore in Madrid.
Though this reading is short it includes everything from Greek myths to Mae West impressions. Rekdal is the current poet laureate of Utah, a Distinguished Professor at the University of Utah, and the recipient of many honors for her poetry. She is also an essayist and memoirist. Her latest book, Appropriate: A Provocation examines cultural appropriation.
Show 161: Kelly Harris DeBerry
New Orleans poet Kelly Harris DeBerry reads from her new collection "Freedom Knows My Name," talks about how writing poetry is a "sacred practice," and how she combines her experience with spoken word and performance poetry with the academic and technical knowledge from her MFA days.
Learn more about Kelly and get a copy of "Freedom Knows My Name" here: www.kellyhd.com/
Show 162: Terese Svoboda on Poetry, Plays, and More
Writer Terese Svoboda reads poems from her new book "Theatrix: Poetry Plays" and talks about the secrets to her success in a variety of literary styles - short story, memoir, opera, and more.
Get a copy of Theatrix, here: www.anhingapress.org/poetry/theatrix-poetry-plays-by-terese-svoboda
Show 163: Khalisa Rae, Author of Ghost in a Black Girl’s Throat
Khalisa Rae reads from her new book Ghost in a Black Girl's Throat recently out from Red Hen Press. She also discusses some of her numerous projects including Women Speak a "monthly reading series geared towards creating a stage for BIPOC women-identified poets and prose writers of all stages of their career."
Learn more about Khalisa Rae, get a copy of Ghost in a Black Girl's Throat, and learn more about Women Speak.
Show 164: Rob Carney Reads from Call and Response and The Book of Sharks
Poet Rob Carney reads from his new book Call and Response just out from Black Lawrence Press. He also shares some of the advice he gives poetry students and a poem from his previous book, The Book of Sharks.
Get a copy of Call and Response.
Show 165: Katerina Canyon
Award-winning poet and poetry festival founder Katerina Canyon shares poems from her newest book "Surviving Home." She also discusses the personal history she drew on when writing the collection, her time as Poet Laureate of Sunland-Tujunga, and the struggle to have her voice and work adequately valued.
Learn more about Katerina Canyon (and buy her books!).
Show 166: Poet, Rapper, and Activist Propaganda on Building a Better World
Poet, writer, activist, emcee, father, and academic Propaganda shares poems from his new book "Terraform: Building a Better World" and reflects on the power of narrative, the necessity of 'institutional neighborliness,' and what it's like living in a house that has strong female energy.
Show 167: Freesia McKee and DeWitt Clinton’s New Book Reviewed
Freesia McKee shares her poetry and discusses how she makes a living as a poet and writer. In the second part of the show host Charlie Rossiter reviews DeWitt Clinton's new book "By a Lake Near a Moon" which was inspired by Kenneth Rexroth's translations of ancient Chinese poetry.
Show 168: Wilnona Marie and Jade Dee of ‘And I Thought Ladies’
Charlie Rossiter sits down with Wilnona Marie and Jade Dee also known as the And I Thought Ladies who helm a multi-platform media empire. They write books, publish a literary magazine, and host virtual events among many other ventures.
Show 169: Sarah Bracey White Featured and Camille Guthrie’s ‘Diamonds’ Reviewed
Poet, memoirist, and essayist Sarah Bracey White shares poems and stories. She discusses the importance of having unconditional support and love from non-parental family members, the advice she gives students, and the need to consider often overlooked perspectives.
In the second part of the show, host Charlie Rossiter reviews Camille Guthrie's new book "Diamonds" from Boa Editions, Ltd. Guthrie was a guest on episode 117 Poetry Spoken Here.
Show 170: Marc di Saverio Featured and Gregorio Gomez's New Book Reviewed
Marc di Saverio reads poems from his new collection "Crito Di Volta" recently published by Guernica Editions. The book is about a young man released after a decade of institutionalization. Marc discusses the inspiration for the book and how he practices reading his poems for hours so that he can properly communicate them to an audience with exact rhythm and cadence.
Show 171: Janet Marie Rogers on Recent Haudenosaunee Storytelling Festival and Ego of a Nation
Haudenosaunee poet Janet Marie Rogers shares work from her newest collection Ego of a Nation and discusses what it was like organizing the first literary festival focused on Haudenosaunee storytelling.
Show 172: Mike Bernhardt on Poetry, Grief, and Voices of the Grieving Heart at 30
Mike Bernhardt discusses the collection "Voices of the Grieving Heart" which he first edited and published shortly after the death of his first wife in 1991. Now, an expanded 30th anniversary edition includes poems that touch on the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to poems, the collection has writing prompts and blank pages so readers can add their own work.
Show 173: Raúl Sánchez on When There Were No Borders
Raúl Sánchez, poet laureate of Richmond, Washington and author of the new book "When There Were No Borders," reads his poems, describes some of the creative ways he has brought poetry to new audiences as poet laureate of Redmond, Washington, and shares some of the ways he helps students gain comfort with using language.
Show 174: Monica Youn Reading at the Unamuno Author Festival
Monica Youn is a lawyer-turned-poet whose work has appeared in the New Yorker, the Paris Review, and many others. Her 2016 book "Blackacre" was long-listed for the National Book Award and was named one of the New York Times Book Reviews best poetry collections of 2016. This reading was part of an evening celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Civitella Ranieri retreat program.
Show 175: Gary Jackson on The Future of Black Anthology & Michael Wimberly's Album Afrofuturism
Gary Jackson co-editor of the new collection "The Future of Black: Afrofuturism, Black Comics, and Superhero Poetry" reads poems from the book - both his own and those from other contributors - and discusses Afrofuturism.
In the second part of the show, renowned drummer and percussionist Michael Wimberly, who teaches at Bennington College, talks about the process of creating his new album "Afrofuturism" and shares excerpts from three tracks.