On today’s episode, Brittany and Ajanae have the pleasure of interviewing Jos Charles. Over the course of this interview, they discuss finding beauty and healing and revisiting younger versions of ourselves, the ways that neurodivergence shapes our writing practice, and the way that devotion has shifted their poetics over time. We also get a surprise pop in from Jos’ cat, Faye!

Until Next Time Edouard Glissant: Homage to Edouard Glissant, Martinique’s whole world poet Johann Sebastian Bach: Trio Sonate No. 5 in C major, BWV 529 (Bach Organ Works in February) Emily Dickinson: Fame is a bee. (1788) by Emily Dickinson | Poetry Foundation

In this episode, Ajanae and Brittany spend time in conversation with their guest, Golden; listen as they discuss creating a living archive, their space in the lineage of Black Formalist poets, and the ways that self-portraits have shaped their writing practice. Golden also discusses the process of placing their second collection, and leaning into the vulnerability of writing about the self. 

Until Next Time:  Deana Lawson: Deana Lawson’s Nation Danez Smith: Danez performs Summer Somewhere Golden’s family: BTS Glimpse at Golden's Family Archive

This week, Ajanae and Brittany have the honor of interviewing Toi Derricotte. The trio speak candidly about preparing for death, the complexity of being a Black women poet, and the origin story of Cave Canem. They also explore the importance of community, trust, and intimacy as tools for survival. 

Until Next Time:  Ruth Stone: Ruth Stone's Vast Library of The Female Mind Galway Kinnell: Wait Lucille Clifton: On What Poetry Is James Baldwin: From Meeting the Man

Writing Prompt: While we wait for the next episode, we challenge you to set your intentions by writing a haiku each morning!

Brittany and Ajanae conclude their mini-tour of the South by interviewing Jericho Brown; in this conversation, the trio discuss breaking bad writing habits, navigating career longevity, and the things that bring them delight (spoiler alert: friendship, r&b and Beyoncé are on the list)! 

Until Next Time: Here are some pieces of media to accompany your experience of the episode, and a writing prompt to tide you over until we meet again! Earth Wind and Fire: Fantasy Poet’s of the late 1950’s The Black Church: The Role of Music

Prompt: Make a playlist of the music that has most deeply shaped your writing.

On this weeks episode, Brittany and Ajanae continue their mini-tour of Atlanta with an interview with Mia. S. Willis. During this conversation, they discuss learning to slow down, avoiding the “full length” book pressure, and language as a material culture; they also think fondly on friendship, connection, and Black colloquialisms. 

Until Next Time: Here are some pieces of media to accompany your experience of the episode, and a writing prompt to tide you over until we meet again! Scott Willis: For a taste of his energy, listen to: Ja Rule- Livin It Up James Baldwin: 4 Must See Interviews With James Baldwin June Jordan: Notes on the Peanut

Writing prompt: Make time this week to write poems that you won’t share with anyone. Note any shifts in your experience with the process. 

Join us this week in Atlanta, where Brittany and Ajanae sit down with Maya Marshall to discuss Maya’s debut collection, All the Blood Involved in Love (Haymarket Press). This conversation centers around choice, obligation and priorities, both on and off the page. Listen as they navigate falling in love, managing illness, choosing between work and family, and much more!

Until Next Time:  Here are some pieces of media to accompany your experience of the episode, and a writing prompt to tide you over until we meet again! Charles Bukowski: The Difference Between a Bad Poet and a Good one is Luck Nina Simone: Nina Simone Little girl blue Black Woman Barista at Coffee Shop

Writing Prompt: Write a poem where the reader gets to choose their own ending. This may involve writing the poem in multiple stanzas or sections and asking the reader to skip ahead. 

This week, Brittany and Ajanae talk with guest Naomi Shihab Nye about the joy and wonder of youth, poets as vessels, editing as an act of devotion, and the complexity of becoming multiple selves over the course of a lifetime. Join them as they process the possibilities that can emerge over a lifetime of being immersed in poetry.

Until Next Time Here are some pieces of media to accompany your experience of the episode, and a writing prompt to tide you over until we meet again! Carl Sandburg: Carl Sandburg- Poet of the People Mahmoud Darwish: To a Young Poet by Mahmoud Darwish | Poetry Magazine E.B white: All nearness pauses while a star can grow

Prompt: Create a map. Make each plot point a past, current or future version of yourself. What is significant about each location?

On this week’s episode, Brittany and Ajanae continue their mini tour of the South in Houston, Texas. Next, they talk with Texas Poet Laureate Lupe Mendez about familial responsibility, masculinity, education, and the preservation of memory. 

Until Next Time:

Here are some pieces of media to accompany your experience of the episode, and a writing prompt to tide you over until we meet again!

1. José Alfredo Jiménez - El Ultimo Trago
2. Janet Jackson - Rhythm Nation
3. Sylvia Plath - Daddy

Prompt: Write a singular moment or story from three separate generations of your family. The stories do not have to have any obvious connection.

On this week’s episode, Brittany and Ajanae travel to Houston, Texas for the first interview of their (mini) South tour. There, they talk with Joy Priest about landscape, road trips, the process of creating, putting together a collection, and what happens when Blackness meets theory.

Until Next Time: 

Here are some pieces of media to accompany your experience of the episode, and a writing prompt to tide you over until we meet again!

Read: Sharon Olds - “The Unborn” “After Making Love in Winter”  Patricia Smith - “When Burning Begins”  Terrence Hayes - “American Sonnet for My Past and Future Assasin” 

Prompt: Write your own theory of living. Consider: What things must be present for you to feel sustained? What truths ground you? What are the facts that make you possible?