Aerik Francis, the current Poet Laureate for Adams County, rejoins the show to discuss his recently released collection BODYPOLITIC and a wide range of topics.

Aerik Francis is a poet & teaching artist based in Denver, Colorado, USA. Francis is currently serving as poet laureate of Adams County, Colorado (2025-2027). Francis is the author of three poetry chapbooks: BODYPOLITIC (Abode Press, March 2026 ), MISEDUCATION (New Delta Review, May 2023), and BODYELECTRONIC (Trouble Department, April 2022 [out of print]). Francis has received poetry fellowship support from SAFTA, the Chrysalis Institute, CantoMundo, Letras Latinas, and The Watering Hole. They are also a poetry reader for Underblong poetry journal. Francis has poetry published widely, links of which may be found at linktr.ee/aerik as well as their website phaentompoet.com. Find Aerik on social media @phaentompoet.

Aerik said photo credit is most likely Stone (@persephone_stone/@thewriterstone)