Category: Episodes

  • Yasmin appears on the show shortly before moving away from Denver to share the poem and discuss family, her path into poetry, smoking, Catholicism, finding community, and more. We also get into poetic differences between English and Spanish. Yasmin will have moved away by the time this episode goes live, but she can be found…

    ·

  • I’m joined by JohnnyOsi, Stone, Manon Nadeau, and Ezra Bram to discuss competing at the 2024 Utah Arts Festival slam, in which they placed as finalists. We chat about the competition, challenges and successes, highs and lows, their process both as a group and individuals preparing to compete, and much more. We also talk about…

    ·

  • Lauren “Robbie” Velasquez Robinson is a non-binary lesbian mixed Chicano poet currently pursuing their MFA at Regis University. They are Denver poet and educator for the past 5 years. Their poetry is a testament to resilience and identity, weaving a vibrant tapestry of personal narratives and universal themes. Robbie is not only a poet but…

    ·

  • Cristina A. Bejan is a local and international author and artist. Born in Colorado at the height of the Cold War, she moved back just before the pandemic and has been teaching locally and launching books internationally ever since. To learn more about Cristina’s creative work please visit her IG: @cristinaabejan_ladygodiva and website: cristinaabejan.com ~ if you are…

    ·

  • Prosist and poet Camron Gall appears on the show to share both prose and poetry and to chat about the stories that flow from his mind, his many notebooks and journals, honing (and not honing) his work, his time spent in Edinburgh at an International Writers’ Summer School (SUISS), writing in bathtubs, and much more.…

    ·

  • Dave Jilk is the author of two collections of lyric poetry, co-author of The Entrepreneur’s Weekly Nietzsche: A Book for Disruptors, and lead or co-author of several academic papers on cognitive neuroscience and on existential concerns related to artificial intelligence. A former technology entrepreneur and consultant, he holds a BSc in Computer Science and Engineering from MIT. Dave and his…

    ·

  • I’m joined by OIL, LIO, and LEN to discuss their music and the three personalities behind it, conscious rap, rap in Denver, the challenges inherent in the music industry, their goals, and avoiding burnout. How to get out of your comfort zone; the short term memory of modern society. OIL, LIO, and LEN have music…

    ·

  • Mexican born, Texas raised, international bi-lingual poet, performance artist and director Héktor Muñoz has been produced, exhibited, censored, edited (without permission), and published throughout México, Australia, and the United States. He is the recipient of numerous awards for outstanding contributions to the community. In 2016 he lent his voice to a concept album by Australian…

    ·

  • Pronouns: She/They/Oneself.  Lynda is a multifaceted artist, educator, entertainer and small business owner (Soul to Soles LLC). Originally from the East Coast but has lived in Denver for over 10 years and considers the Mile High City to be home. Lynda only recently started identifying as a poet but has been writing since she was a kid and…

    ·

  • Julian Thomas re-joins the show all the way from Spanish Harlem, NYC. Originally from Tulsa, Oklahoma, Julian returns to the podcast to discuss his new book Black Existentialism: Autumn Leaves and other Space Oddities. Julian is an actor and acting coach and currently leads high school workshops in drama and writing across NYC. He has…

    ·

  • JX3 joins me to discuss her evolution as a poet, artist, and human, her journey into poetry, co-dependency, and her experience living with Multiple Sclerosis. We also talk about her identity as a lover, find our way into spiritual and esoteric waters, and talk future projects and potential collaborations. Follow JX3 on IG ⁠@jamba_joss⁠ (and…

    ·

  • Clarence Barbee is a multi-talented individual known for his literary achievements. As the author of two distinct works, “Chicken Soup and a Shot of Jack” and his debut poetry book “Fire Molten and Ash,” he showcases his versatility and creativity.  With a background as a spoken word artist, he has mastered the art of weaving…

    ·

  • The Poets is 1 year old! Thank you all very much for your ears, and your support. — Dennis Mulherin appears once more on The Poets to share an excerpt from his upcoming book, “The Face Across the Fire” which he plans to submit for publication. We chat about his process writing the book, challenges…

    ·

  • Sunshine Salmon joins me to chat about her poetry, “you” and “I” perspectives, alliteration, her journey into van life and the various addresses featured in her work. We also talk about her journey there and back again from Denver, and her upcoming move to Salt Lake City. Sunshine is in the process of creating a…

    ·

  • I’m joined by Hamudi, a Palestinian-American poet sharing work about Palestine, the ongoing war and genocide, love, memories, the ocean, death, and much more. Really a wonderful set of poems in this one. We talk about liberation in our lifetime, avoiding apathy, and continuing the conversation and the fight against oppression. Catch Hamudi before he…

    ·

  • From Henrico, Virginia (near Richmond), BG brings a hip-hop flow to spoken word conveying messages of peace, resistance, justice, and eroticism. BG also lived for a time near D.C. (Silver Spring, MD) and in Chicago for 6 years. BG has a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy and a Masters degree in Public Administration. BG currently runs…

    ·

  • Poet, photographer, filmmaker, Simon Shah has been a performer on the Denver scene for over two decades.  A former language arts teacher, he currently works as a photojournalist for a national weather station. Simon has two collections of poetry, “Miasmic as Me” and “The Last Love Letters,” both of which can be found on Amazon. …

    ·

  • Poet and philosopher Jonathan Jansikok shares and discusses his poems, his process, writing poetry in Paris, his take on our collective future, death, and much more. Jonathan is available to contact via email at jonathanjansikok@gmail.com Two of the poems Jonathan shares in this feature are set to be published by The Opiate Magazine, and can…

    ·

  • Sofia Marie Race joins the show to chat about Russian literature and poetry, her travels, languages, and the personal nature of her own poetry. We also chat about her work in film and the overlap between movies, cinematography, and poetry. IG @sofia.marie.race — Questions? Comments? Want to be featured? Email thepoetspodcast@gmail.com

    ·

  • Q returns, and with him Zahria Sage appears on the show for the first time to share and discuss poetry, her recent arrival in Denver, creating fantasies in the day-to-day, and much more. — Questions? Comments? Want to be featured? Email thepoetspodcast@gmail.com — Find Zahria on Facebook: Zahria Hull and see the episode page on…

    ·

  • Racine Frank began writing poetry in December 2019 during her time as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Ethiopia. She started by writing haikus and then branched into free verse poetry incorporating rhyming schemes. From an early age, she traveled to and lived in multiple countries with Ethiopia being a time of tremendous growth and transformation.…

    ·

  • Em Dorman is a poet, comedian, activist, and the creator of Poets for Palestine, a monthly event “to share about the complexities of grief, love, and loss.” In this feature Em shares poetry detailing their journey through self-discovery involving love, loss, sobriety, and celibacy. We discuss that journey, as well as family, queerness and gender,…

    ·

  • Eli is a queer Colorado poet, parent, hiker, gardener, singer-songwriter, urban farmer, tiler and contractor.  They’ve had poems published in multiple zines and reviews including Spit Poet Zine, Dark Moon Zine, and South Broadway Ghost Society. Their book, Treat Me Like You Treat the Earth, sold out after publication in 2019 and is slated for…

    ·

  • Faith Diaz; event host, performer, story teller & writer, originally born in Bronx, NY, has spent most of her life moving from place to place. Her hope is to continue sharing the stories that matter, from people who do even more so. When she is not petting her Corgi, Sunny, she can be found lying…

    ·

  • Gabriel Gravagno is a composer and jazz drummer on the front range. He has hosted the Friday jam session at the Mercury Café since 2020, and has been an active member of the Denver music scene his whole life, starting his musical journey by taking Violin lessons from his mother as a child, becoming a…

    ·

  • Tony V is a streamer, stoner, and self-proclaimed local poet based in Denver, CO. Tony appears at the Friday night open mic at the Mercury Cafe, and has two collections in the works, one of poetry and one of short stories. Find Tony on Instagram ⁠⁠@tony_v_poetry⁠⁠, and TikTok ⁠⁠@zanaro420⁠ — Questions? Comments? Want to be featured? Email…

    ·

  • This statement is false: the Pseudobiography of M. Derek Pauls Paul Derek is dead. Long live Derek Pauls. Paul Derek had an exquisite if brief existence, beginning with his birth in Denver. Born mulatto to a dead mostly White dad in a mostly White city, Paul Derek was socially programmed, like everybody else, to see…

    ·

  • Stone (they/them) is a poet based out of Denver, Colorado. They can be found on social media as @persephone_stone, but they can also be found wherever there are disco balls and mocktails. They explore themes of sobriety, queerness, and love in all forms. As well as a poet, they are a photographer, comedian, and cat…

    ·

  • Sleepy is a dreamer the spirit world has decided to keep wide awake. With no other options to escape reality, he’s infiltrated the poet community in Denver to talk shit, build community, and help create a world that doesn’t need escaping from. Learn more about the Blackbird Renaissance: Instagram Youtube Discord Picture by @absolutemoment — Questions? Comments? Want to…

    ·

  • Ryan is a poet who was born someplace, lives somewhere else and writes primarily about some things but not other things — and most of all, he absolutely despises any sort of mystery or vaguery. He doesn’t have patience for that sort of silliness. Not one bit. In this episode: — Questions? Comments? Want to…

    ·

  • Grim Vorhees is a Chicago Born, Denver Based Creative that is exploring and experience art in whatever form manifests in his present moments. A community leader that strives to curate evolutionary environments that promote love, respect, and courage to be authentically yourself. His brand Good Vibes Only is one of the many platforms he uses…

    ·

  • Marcus Aguirre aka MarcusThaPoet joins The Poets to share music, poetry, and deep thought. We talk about his poetry, songwriting, improv, performance style and development, finding heritage, the Earth, mushrooms, love, and so much more. Find Marcus streaming on all platforms under the name MarcusThaPoet and find him on IG, TikTok, and Snapchat @MarcusThaPoet. You…

    ·

  • Chasing immortality #kingofcongress Welcome back Moses Graytower to the show. Buckle up, folks—we ended up down the rabbit hole in the best way on this one. Check out Moses’ album ⁠Congress⁠ and find him around town at open mics like the Corner Beat on Monday nights and the Mercury Cafe on Fridays and other nights.…

    ·

  • William Howell is an artist and musician in Denver. He’s spent most of his life doing nothing, which continues to be the main source of inspiration for his art.  If you’re interested in his upcoming projects, you can find him on instagram @runofthewill. — In this episode: — Questions? Comments? Want to be featured? Email…

    ·

  • Philip Tran is a queer poet from Denver, collage artist, paper engineer, florist, handyman, roller derby initiate, and emcee who regularly hosts events and variety shows, and 4th Friday’s hosting the long running weekly poetry open mic at The Mercury Cafe. He is also a dad joke connoisseur. Find his podcast “From My Open Mic”…

    ·

  • Jonny Schreiber loves to create and engage with art in all of its forms and can be described as a poet, musician, comedian, DJ, storyteller, (aspiring) author, (passable) dancer, and (extremely mediocre to below average) drawer (is that even a word??). He likes to think that he is extremely talented at following detailed recipes to…

    ·

  • Find Q’s spoken word album on Bandcamp Quincy Hull (aka “Q”) has been writing poetry for over 30 years, and has been a member of the Still Black See Writers’ and Artists’ Guild for over 20 years. He has traveled extensively, reading and speaking at venues across the nation, including colleges from UWF and FSU…

    ·

  • Racine Frank began writing poetry in December 2019 during her time as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Ethiopia. She started by writing haikus and then branched into free verse poetry incorporating rhyming schemes. From an early age, she traveled to and lived in multiple countries with Ethiopia being a time of tremendous growth and transformation.…

    ·

  • Welcome Brandon Doulos Garett to The Poets. Writer, actor, poet, podcaster. Check out Brandon on ⁠TikTok⁠ and on his Podcast, ⁠Self Centered Therapy⁠ Also, check out the ⁠Something Different Variety Show⁠ for information about upcoming shows. — Questions? Comments? Want to be featured? Email thepoetspodcast@gmail.com

    ·

  • Emily Wiecec returns to The Poets to share new and old poetry, and for a discussion on the darkness and healing that lives within the human experience. ALSO, if you are listening to this on December 31st, 2023 (or any year) the Mercury Cafe New Year’s Eve Erotic Poetry Festival is TONIGHT at 7:00pm. $15…

    ·

  • David Price joins The Poets to share poems on love, grief, politics, and protest. We discuss his history and future with the Mercury Cafe as well as the questions both behind and within his work. David talks inspirations from the crowd, from his life, and from entire letter sections of the dictionary. Work on several…

    ·

  • Hridith Sudev is a public-health scientist, writer, poet and community organizer. Born in India, and raised in Oman, Sudev migrated to the United States in 2018 to pursue higher education in Denver, where he has lived ever since. For the past 10 years, Sudev has worked  in both governmental and non-governmental capacities to expand healthcare…

    ·

  • Chef, poet, human. Follow Tariq on IG @tarooksalem — Questions? Comments? Want to be featured? Email thepoetspodcast@gmail.com

    ·

  • The Poets took a bit of a holiday break, but we’re back today with the lovely and talented Ash Avery. Thanks for listening, and more to come! — Ash’s writing is inspired by their (mis)adventures in fringe living, efforts to balance disparate identities, and compulsion to psychoanalyze uniquely human experiences (for better and worse). Ash has…

    ·

  • Aerik Francis is a Queer Black & Latinx poet based in Denver, CO. They are the author of the poetry chapbook MISEDUCATION (NDR 2023), named the winner of the 2022 New Delta Review Chapbook Prize, and poetry chapbook BODYELECTRONIC (Trouble Department 2022) which is available also in audiobook form on all streaming platforms under their artist…

    ·

  • Photo by Jase West (IG @abstractxsol) JohnnyOsi is a fuzzy ball of lint, tickling the belly button of a collapsing galactic lotus, that smells like death. He is also a National Poetry Slam Finalist, an Individual World Poetry Slam Finalist, a Slaughterhouse Slam Champion, whose work has been featured on Button Poetry, Write About Now,…

    ·

  • Ellie Dawson-Moore is a poet, soon-to-be novelist, and model based in Boulder, Colorado. Originally from Minneapolis, she moved to Colorado to attend the University of Colorado Boulder, where she studies creative writing with a minor in education. On this episode we discuss some of her inspirations—the morbid and the sappy—along with gothic horror, Greek mythology,…

    ·

  • I began sharing spoken word poetry in Aug 2022. It began as journal entries and took more structure when I started doing open mics. This exploration of myself happened when I realized the many categories I exist in. Viewing myself as the runner Renée, the academic Renée, the friend Renée, the employee Renée, etc—and the…

    ·

  • Former guests and friends of the show Sleepy and Andrew Bryson return to the show for a discussion of the occult, death, the collective unconscious, poetic inspirations, and some bald guy. — Sleepy is a dreamer the spirit world has decided to keep wide awake. With no other options to escape reality, he’s infiltrated the…

    ·

  • On this episode, former feature Jase West reappears and is joined by Sojo. Together, we discuss god (God?) in all forms of art and the human experience, as well as the process of surrendering to find the beauty in our lives. How to let go in order to receive abundance. We also dip our toes…

    ·