Poet's Return - The Poetry Podcast

Yes we are BACK! Even more than being excited to be in a real studio together, we are glad to reunite in the city of angels after a summer spent on our own adventures, coming back together to create some poetic content for this community! It has been a chaotic three years and we're happy to reexamine our journeys as artists, professionals, and of course, as poets. Ron recounts his summer of traveling productions, and Booey recounts her summer of teaching artistry and writing.  Ron: “I am out here with people who don't have my back. I am out here with people that are out here for themselves…that are not versed in this art but they're out here doing it because they're taking opportunities and advantages because we're just coming back from COVID.” “It went far beyond the artist's capacity to create in the face of no agreement, and went into a place that was a lot more dark…and had a lot more to do with political posturing than about making theatre.” Ron discusses the "pre-amateur" level, and good companies desperate to hire. Amidst it all, there is still hope, perseverance and compassion among fellow actors and artists, and the collaborative nature of the art form continues to keep it alive despite skewed priorities.  Melissa Booey discusses her time spent with teenagers during a grant funded conservatory arts program. Seeing the bravery in her students inspires the artist and the advocate in her: "We are all afraid. If Theatre does anything it teaches you how to articulate that fear, how to face that fear and even embrace that fear, so you can use it instead of letting it use you." Regarding both Theatre and the culture of Hip Hop specifically: "Once you see behind the curtain, you become a custodian of the culture."  *Linda Ravenswood de Montano is the name of the poet and writer who translated "The Story of the Cactus" originally told in Nahuatl.  *Poetry performed by Melissa Booey from her soon to be published book, "The Calamitous Chronicle of Mr. Livingston and Tiger Lily." Poem featured is titled "BLOODSTONE."  --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/poetsreturn/support

Poem titled: “Falling in Love in the Big Apple.” --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/poetsreturn/support

“Fear is a rusty knife and do not let her into your house.” - John Cheever --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/poetsreturn/support

Host Melissa Booey narrates the reflective poem “Woodward Waysayers” from her anthology titled BIRDBRAIN. The poem asks the question, “was it all a dream?” As one looks back on recent times, it's hard not to ask that. Original music from Anchor. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/poetsreturn/support

This haiku, written by poet, novelist and essay writer Meredith Sandrik, describes how many of us feel in our careers and relationships. With smoke settling in the many valleys of our Wild West, we can't wait for the skies to clear to discern our next adventure. The same goes for life: once you see the writing on the wall, there's no going back. In the midst of uncertainty and confusion, we must find clarity to continue the climb, even if that means getting out of the jar altogether. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/poetsreturn/support

Bridget is a 23 year old Utah resident who has been interested in poetry since a young age. Her interest has grown into a continuous passion, peaking thus far during Bridget's senior year of high school and again about three years after her graduation. Just before I hit record during our zoom interview, the poet disclosed a story about being accused of plagiarism as a thirteen-year-old, simply because her teacher didn't believe the poem she submitted could have possibly been written by her. Little did this instructor know or realize that adolescent writer Bridget had already established herself online, posting her poems to wattpad.com under the name "the karma bug." Proving that her work was her own, Bridget felt slightly insulted and flattered simultaneously, ultimately feeling empowered to pursue her passion as a writer and poet more fervently than ever. Ten years later, she is still writing, and her strong use of meter and rhymes mixed with prose, as well as her use of metaphor and imagery all combine to create a truly gifted young writer, who when asked about her thoughts on this artistic medium said: "Poetry is one of the most beautiful, soulful ways to express emotion as well as work THROUGH emotion, and I believe everyone should give it a shot!" We agree, my friend. Poems in this episode by Bridget: A Four-Letter Labor I Can't Eat This Pick a Color Detached Welcome Back Huge thank you to @philasocial, co host Ron Johnson, as well as Adam Lucas for the rad tunes. Thank you to @bridget_e_hanson. Musical credit: lukapotomus "Patagonia" Opening poem: My Purple Notebook --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/poetsreturn/support

Joining us from the continent of Africa, Beauty, or Beauty in Words (b.i.w) is the pin-name of an up and coming anonymous online poet/writer, who is also the sole founder and creator of the Instagram page @beauty_in_words._ which has amassed a following of over 6,000 through Beauty's online presence and poetry. Her content varies from both short and long poems in both modern and traditional style, employing enjambment, irony, personification and other poetic devices to tell her sometimes allegorical stories. Her mesmerizing words are illustrated by other artists on the platform she has collaborated with and credited, further contributing to the online artistic community. Beauty's poems have been published in several print and online publications, including witchesnpink, Dizzie magazine, Twist in Time Literary Mag and Spoken Word Scratch Night. I have loved getting to know Beauty after our phone call over a year ago, and again being able to see her in person over zoom. I can't wait until we can do this in person! As Beauty said in the livestream, "that's when we'll know we've made it!" Although Beauty was nervous about this being her podcast debut, I wanted to include a bit of those pre-read/post-share nerves here because 1) we can ALL relate to those nerves! Like we say in this episode, vulnerability is HARD. But that's what makes it all the more rewarding to bravely share. 2) Beauty is one of the most endearing individuals I have had the privilege to meet, even virtually. I felt like it need to be shared with the world.  Poems featured on this episode: A letter to a rejection letter I could, but alas it's me They bear a burden Thee to history Special thanks to @philasocial, co host Ron Johnson, @chadsby1993, @steffilouba, @mbooey, @beauty_in_words, and Adam Lucas for sharing his rad tunes. Musical credit: lukapotomas "Stop laughing at me"

We are BACK and more excited than ever to bring you the words, processes, and stories behind the storytellers. You don't need to be a poet to share, and in the debut episode of our second season, podcast host Melissa BOOEY dives into her own creative journey as well as her ongoing struggle with addiction. Using our words well to promote positive change and combat dangerous stigma is more important than ever, and the responsibility isn't limited to artists. Join us for a season of growth, reflection and outreach as we grow our community and develop our voices together, even if we have to get a bit gritty along the way. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/poetsreturn/support

In Part Two of the Season One Finale, Philasifer raps the other seven of the ten Milkcrate Monologues. His poetic influences combined with the message he's determined to share with the world make RJ Wayne's book turned stage play a piece of writing that needs to be seen, heard, and performed as an integral part of Hiphop culture. Here we listen to Ron discuss more about his roots, inspiration, struggles, and how he has overcome those struggles in order to create something that's bigger than all of us. Don't be fooled my friends, let yourself jump into the cypher and discover the truth within the system, while cultivating the power of collaboration, and most importantly, reiterating the necessity of storytelling now more than ever. ****** The Milkcrate Monologues by Ron Johnson (RJ WAYNE) AKA Philasifer  ****** Pieces shared on this episode: ****** 1) INFINITE 2) 80 Life 3) Untitled 4) Somebody's Gonna Die Today 5) They Be Illin' 6) Poor Man's Front Door 7) Robots for Breakfast ******** Here we explore the heartbreak of growing up, the nostalgia of our childhoods, and the hand we're dealt before we're even born. The themes are potent and the realtability is palpable. As with the greatest rappers and Hiphop artists of all time, you have to speak the truth. Even if your voice shakes. But no worries about that, because Philasifer? He's definitely not shaky when it comes to spitting those truths. Original music by Philasifer “A Proper Introduction” ***** @philasocial  @townestreettheatre @poetsreturn @capnbooey --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/poetsreturn/support

Hiphop culture requires participation. RJ Wayne, (Ron Johnson) aka MC Philasifer, knows that more than anyone. Here is the first part of our SEASON FINALE! You'll get to hear about Ron's history from him, as well as how the Milkcrate Monologues came to be a play. Tune in for PART TWO with the rest of the 7 monologues recited by RJ Wayne himself, as well as a brief history of Towne Street Theatre, and a projection of where this amazing content is going next. Tracks recited by PHILASIFER tonight: 1) Don't give me that weak shit 2) Love or something like it 3) Marching to nowhere ********* HIPHOP is a culture of participation, accountability, and passion. Hiphop and rap are not the Webster's Dictionary, they're WIKIPEDIA. **** That means you're required to ADD something to the message, and contribute your voice, without pretending that this is a spectator sport. *** Speak the truth even if your voice shakes. *** @poetsreturn© @philasifer @capnbooey @townestreettheatre *************************** --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/poetsreturn/support

The Milkcrate Monologues is a play written by Ron Johnson, known in the acting world as RJ Wayne, and known in the rap world as MC Philasifer. Milkcrate premiered with the Towne Street Theatre in October of 2019 at Stella Adler in Hollywood. After getting to sit down with Ron, who was the mastermind, creator, writer, director, producer, AND a part of the incredible ensemble, he was kind enough to invite me to by a fly on the wall during their cast album recording. There, I got to steal away cast members between recording tracks during their first session in the studio, and with the gracious help of everyone involved, I almost got to sit down with the entire company of actors. I wasn't able to meet with every single member of the cast, which I would have loved, but I consider myself very fortunate to have gotten to speak with seven members of the Monologue crew.  They shared their origins, their relationship with Hiphop and Hiphop culture, (which evolved after their education in rap, as given by Philasifer) and also shared how this piece has inspired them. Talking to each of them, I found that it has impassioned all of them to not only own their voices as rappers, but even more importantly, to continue participating in the dialogue. That is the most important thing that Ron stresses: that Hiphop culture is about respecting your responsibility to participate,  enter the cypher, join the circle, and spit some truth.  ************************************************************************* Now, to kick off our two-part season finale, here is the bonus episode where you get to meet these amazingly talented actors, profound poets, and steadfast proponents for truth.  ************************************************************************* Original music by Philasifer "A Proper Introduction" © ************************************************************************* Cast of the Milkcrate Monologues (in order as interviewed on this episode) Shayla Riggens (Hudson-Williams)- MC SHAYTIME @shaylamicole1 Scotty Crowe- MC SEGA @scottycrowe Jacqueline Castaneda- MC LA MALCRIADA  @post_moderngirl  Cairo Spencer- MC SIR ELOKUENT @theelokuent8 Khaila Monet- MC KILLA KHAI @khailamonet Carlos Diego Mendoza- MC KID TENACIOUS @carlosdmendoza  Akshaya (Akshe) Pattanayak- MC A.G.B. (AKSHAYA’S GOT BARS) @imagineaks (writer/featured in finale) RJ Wayne/Ron Johnson- MC PHILASIFER   @philasifer  ***Cast members not featured on today's episode: Ariella Amar- MC LIONESS  Shamari Hudgens- MC B-FLY ***Special thanks to Andrew, Dan, and Estrella  @poetsreturn Poet's Return Podcast 2019© @capnbooey ************************************************************************* ************************************************************************* ************************************************************************* --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/poetsreturn/support

Ron Johnson is a rapper, beatboxer, producer, actor, playwright and teaching artist. Originally from Gilroy, CA, Ron AKA Phlasifer, is known for his thought provoking lyrics and instrumentals. Heavily rooted in the time-honored traditions of Hiphop as a culture, Phlasifer also joined the fraternity as part of the Conscious Rapper wave of the Mid 90's. His credits include albums distributed by SONY BMG and Universal Music Group, and is currently a part of the Music Divisions of Utah-based label, Ellie Beetle Entertainment, as well as CATO CREATIVE in Glendale. His first book , “The MilkCrate Monologues” (out soon) was recently turned into a stage play in association with Towne Street Theatre in Los Angeles. Above all things in his work , Ron hopes to promote awareness, keep authentic Hiphop Culture alive, and continue to be a more complete human being. *************** Original Piece from "The Milkcrate Monologues" titled "Infinite" performed and written by Philasifer ************** Original music "A Proper Introduction" by Philasifer from his title album ************** Copyright Poets Return Podcast © all music and poetry belongs to the artists featured in the episode. No duplication of any kind is allowed without written permission from Melissa Booey or Ron Johnson ************** Ron Johnson AKA Philasifer @philasocial Hosted by Melissa Booey @capnbooey Poet's Return @poetsreturn --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/poetsreturn/support

Mental health is still a widely stigmatized topic everywhere, and knowing you are not alone and that help is available to you is more important than ever. This week’s episode “Taking Your Power Back” features poet and creative, Megan Turoci, a writer, actress, and advocate for the mental health community. Megan delves into her personal experiences and the stories that have formed her, while speaking on her own journey to share that story in the hope of helping others in similar times of loneliness, struggle, and despair. Her online platform “We’re All a Little Mad” gives others a safe space to find connections, feel supported, while also giving Megan a place to share her words and stories with the world. Today Megan shares three poems, titled: 1) What is Love 2) The Precipice of Love 3) Never Alone The third one she and I discuss and were interested in eventually visualizing as it has absolutely dynamic imagery just begging to be seen. Megan’s website wereallalittlemad.com has an amazing mission statement with positivity and merchandise that’s not only filled with encouragement and empowerment, but is also trendy and fun to wear! Megan’s writing can be found on her website as well as her instagram @wereallalittlemad @poetsreturn Poetry Podcast bringing you the best storytellers you haven’t heard from Original music by tbc.records “This Feeling” with DeShawn Cavanaugh, Ravel Ward and Christopher Schuchert @tbc.records --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/poetsreturn/support

Cocoa Rigal is a multifaceted, multitalented artist living in downtown Los Angeles. She works with many mediums including animation, video game creation, set design, costume design, acting, poetry, music, and more. She is a crafty and resourceful talent to have on set, behind the scenes, and in front of the camera. Today we delve into her process, and creative ideology while also learning a bit more about her improv-based poetry album, "The Myst: Wisdom of the Serpent" and how it came to be. We give you a sneak peek by featuring two of the tracks on today's episode: 1) Reality 101 2) Far Beyond Myths @cocoarigal Original music by @luckybeaches @poetsreturn @capnbooey --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/poetsreturn/support

***Hello Poet's Return listeners! We hope you're staying inside and staying afloat during these COVID-19 times. We're releasing some extra content during this time of isolation and semi-hiatus, and we'll be sharing some teasers for season two with you on our social media pages! We know that times are tough, but if you're able to donate in any way, please go to our page on Apple Podcasts, or see the link to our Anchor profile on our instagram @poetsreturn. Any donations, subscriptions, likes, or reviews will help us to also stay afloat for you during this crisis! Our listeners are most important and we want to keep sharing artists and their stories with you :) Now, for the fun stuff... We're back with Daniel Botello for Part Two of the Proof is in the Process. Daniel shares two more of his poems as we talk more about process, writing styles, and differences in how writers edit. (Host Melissa and Daniel both agree you need a good friend/mentor to help you edit things, or you'll never get anywhere.) The first poem Daniel shares today, he wrote a few months back, titled: 1) Bad Sagittarius Host Melissa Booey (like many listeners probably will be) was deeply affected by the themes in this one, highlighting how timing can affect everything, and even if you love someone sometimes you can never quite make the connection work. It just misses. The second poem he shares is one that he wrote some years back. Tell us if you agree with Melissa that this poem is perfect just the way it is, and it needs no further editing! 2) Love like Jazz Daniel is a romantic by nature, and he discusses the excitement of falling in love and the electricity of feeling that attraction to someone and not yet knowing if they reciprocate. "With love it’s like jazz, it never really resolves." @danielbotello @poetsreturn @capnbooey Original music by RJ Wayne, Ron Johnson aka PHILASIFER. "That Magic" featuring Otis Johnson. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/poetsreturn/support

Forgive the ridiculous accents and antics, but these two have clearly been friends for a while. Daniel Botello is a versatile writer, not only dabbling but fully investing himself in his poetry, playwriting, and music. Along with touring solo through the United States performing his own music, he's also published, produced and performed his own plays as well as continued to perform his poetry and share it visually through social media. In this two-part episode, Daniel and our host discuss writing disciplines, artistic philosophies, inspiration, and how to write when you're happy. The pieces that Daniel shares today are as follows, with more poetry to come during part two: 1) "The Water’s Too High, She Says"  2) "Jellybean" or "Languages Before You" @danielbotello @poetstreturn @capnbooey Original music "That Magic" by RJ Wayne AKA Philasifer @philasocial and Otis McDonald  --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/poetsreturn/support

During our last installment of the miniseries featuring playwright, poet, and novelist Conor Turoci, we give you a sneak peek into the play "At the Edge of the Wilderness," a play that Conor and host Melissa Booey have been working on for years. We discuss emotional resilience, the power of story, and how specificity is crucial to creating strong characters and conflicts. **During this time of COVID-19, we ask that you help us keep everyone safe and healthy, by practicing social distancing. We know it doesn't make collaboration or community easy, along with all the other very urgent and real-life obstacles happening right now, but we can all find ways to work together during these adversities. Also-just as Conor and Melissa convey by their struggle to finish their onstage western, it's important to FINISH THINGS. Even if the world is in Pandemic!! Don't feel pressured, only feel encouraged in the sense that you are not alone, and there is a community of people ready to support and help you create that story you've been trying to tell. @ronocicorut @capnbooey #playwrights #poetry #podcast #poets #collaborate @poetsreturn At the Edge of the Wilderness is property of Conor Turoci and Melissa Booey Original Music "Depths of the Mind" by Richard Martinez **SNEAK PEEK INTO MUSICAL PROJECT UPCOMING: "PSYCHOACTIVE BOOEY" AN ALBUM WRITTEN, NARRATED AND MUSICALLY CURATED by Anarchist Pirates --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/poetsreturn/support

Alicia Beck is a Los Angeles film actress with a background in stage and musical theater. Throughout her past six years performing and creating locally, Alicia has also cultivated her love of writing and sharing poetry. Her poems are filled with heartbreak and hope, time and people lost, gained and remembered along with all the in betweens. Her grippingly visceral words are visualizations in and of themselves, as we're transported through our own former experiences and future potential as listeners. Her poetry can be found on her own social media @aliciareneebeck, as well as on her own poetry page @thewindandtheshadows. She recites the four following pieces featured on today's episode: 1) (The first, and final pieces are untitled) 2) "This Version of Me and You" 3) "Living in the Box" @aliciareneebeck @thewindandtheshadows @poetsreturn Hosted by Melissa Booey @capnbooey Original track featured today is titled "Patagonia" by musical artist Lukapotamus ***All original poetry and music copyright of the artists who share them, and all rights reserved by the Poet's Return Podcast property of Melissa Booey --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/poetsreturn/support

"At the Edge of the Wilderness" is a four act onstage western Conor and I have been writing since 2013. In this episode, we discuss the power of persevering when you have the right person to collaborate with, (even if you've been writing this play for 7 years, now). We discuss how crucial it is throughout an artist's journey finding artistic community regardless of size; these communes may change as we do, and as a result, our art evolves through our most vulnerable and formative moments. @poetsreturn @ronocicorut @capnbooey Original music by Lukapotamus --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/poetsreturn/support

We're switching gears a little this week, with Part One of a three-part release of Minisodes featuring Conor Turoci. Conor is a versatile writer, delving into such forms as playwriting, screenwriting, short story, essay, poetry and full form novel. In this small featured mini series of episodes, Conor and I discuss the ins and outs of writing process, how it evolves, and how to balance the highs and lows of inspiration and consistency. Today we focus on writing every day, knowing that sometimes inspiration isn't enough, and that effort, time and belief will change and fluctuate within our journeys as writers. Ultimately, amid the highs and lows of the craft, the most important thing you can do as a storyteller? Just finish it. @ronocicorut @poetsreturn @capnbooey Original music by Lukapotomas "RDWCTHTGV" or "Robots don't use Condoms (that's how they get viruses)" Tomorrow Part Two of this Minisode series will be released, featuring more in depth conversation, self-deprecation and technical analysis with the intellectual and worldly Conor Turoci. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/poetsreturn/support

Elena Scarlett Murray is a local Los Angeles poet who has performed as a featured performer at the Kingdom of Pavement as well as several other venues and has never failed to impress with her powerfully beautiful and sometimes potently painful words. Continuing to pursue her passion for writing, Elena has seemed to grow right before the eyes of the poetic community, her spoken word poems hitting people exactly where they seem to always need it. She has created a visualization of her first poem featured today, titled, "My Magnificent Body," and you will get to hear not only the meaningful words she shares, but the journey, inspiration, and ability to find humor in love, life, and all the obstacles that come with them.  Pieces performed: 1) My magnificent body 2) 3 Haikus: a series of dumb love haikus 3) What I should have written 4) I call bull shit This episode focus on understanding that you are enough and you often don’t need the flowery language, only the raw relatable truth. From the fire of ending old relationships to the ease of finding love, the subject matter is truthful, vulnerable and relatable. “What I should have written was the absence of questioning how you feel about me has unbound the knots in my stomach and freed space to fill with love for myself…” from her poem “what I should have written.” @elenascarlettmurray @poetsreturn @tbc.records original music --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/poetsreturn/support

This week's episode "Knowing You're Enough" features Elena Scarlett Murray, whose poetry has a wide range of topics, colors and styles. Listen to the trailer to hear a small excerpt from one of Elena's poems titled, "What I Should Have Written", and also hear us goof around for a bit as we're known to bring levity to just about any topic. A true poet knows not to take themselves too seriously!  Follow Elena at @elenascarlettmurray and follow us at @poetsreturn DM us if you'd like to be on the podcast! Or if you have any feedback :) Original music by tbc.records visit their social @tbc.records featuring DeShawn Cavanaugh, Ravel Ward and Christopher Schuchert

Cairo Spencer is a 23 year old, Bay Area Native with a background in dance and theatre. Although he has primarily focused on film since his move to L.A, performing the Milkcrate Monologues in October encouraged him to continue his acting onstage, and on another level, to continue writing and sharing his poems and raps. (Especially through the support of his fellow cast mates' group text titled "bad raps crew" wherein they tell each other not to overthink their rhymes and just spit.) Since then, Cairo has actually filmed and starred in NYR Banter, which is the first poem you will hear recited. At only 21, he worked an internship where he got a taste for the fast-paced, high profile world in L.A, and realized that it only reaffirmed his long time knowledge that he would eventually pursue a career here. As he says in this episode, his process of becoming a writer has been “built up in phases…”, and as part of Cairo's philosophy as an artist you can't force anything, because it "all comes together naturally." The young wordsmith has a tendency towards spoken word, but his poetry has vivid imagery and rhyme schemes compelling for any audience. Delving deeper into rap and poetry has been rewarding and challenging for him, since, like many artists, it's often difficult not to put ourselves in a box. Pieces Cairo shares on today's episode: NYR Banter (check out his Instagram to see this visualized and acted out) Bff’s NO TITLE (intro to rap: One of the first raps he ever wrote. Also the piece he used to audition for Milkcrate with.) Cairo's Instagram: @theelokuent8 Original music by @philasocial AKA Philasifer. Copyright of RJ Wayne/Ron Johnson Follow us on Instagram @poetsreturn or on Facebook at Poet's Return. Message us if you're interested in being a featured writer on the podcast! And remember friends: use your words well. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/poetsreturn/support

Amy Suto and Flannery Maney are the co-founders of Kingdom of Pavement, a local online publication serving as a platform for artists of all backgrounds to share their work, and collaborate within a safe space. Finding an artistic community is vital to inspiration, encouragement and support in one's art, and Kingdom of Pavement's mission statement is allowing for that community to flourish with opportunity for growth and outreach. Since their launch in the Spring of 2019, their goal has been to get more and more artists to reach out and share their work, recently making online publication an official reality. Not only do they support local art online, but every month they host an open mic night with featured performers to kick off the show and get everyone comfortable taking the stage. Storytellers, poets, musicians, rappers, motivational speakers, and more are all welcome to share, and every month their pool of creatives and patrons continues to expand. Flannery and Amy have facilitated their website and live performance opportunities so that connecting and feeling safe is a seamless and accessible experience, and in this episode we get to hear how they came to grow this business as young female entrepreneurs and writers themselves, while laughing at ourselves along the way. You won't want to miss the two of them doing a full on reenactment of how Kingdom of Pavement came to be!  Check out their website at kingdomofpavement.com where you can access their podcast, merchandise, articles, and online forum of amazingly talented artists.  @flannerymaney @sutoscience @kingdomofpavement @tbc.records  Musical credit to local band tbc.records featuring Deshawn Cavanaugh, Ravel Ward and Christopher Schuchert  --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/poetsreturn/support

Thursday's episode is titled, "Creating a Safe Space with Kingdom of Pavement." Kingdom of Pavement is an amazing online publication that supports local artists here in Los Angeles. Following the launch of the podcast episode featuring Kingdom co-founders Amy Suto and Flannery Maney, there will be a LIVE performance at Aunt Bessie's on Pico this Saturday, February 15th,. The show starts at 7pm at $5 a ticket, and it opens with featured artists performing their work, followed by an open mic where anyone of any art form can get up and share. Poet's Return podcast hostess Melissa Booey will be one of this Saturday's featured poets to open the show! DM us @poetsreturn or message us on Facebook and let us know your favorite love poem, and in honor of the Valentine's Day Holiday, we will give a select listener two free tickets to this Saturday's show! Courtesy of the very generous Kingdom of Pavement ladies, don't miss this opportunity to see some amazing local live artists perform, as well as have the chance to meet the founders of this incredible platform!  Tickets will be given out by Friday at midnight.  Direct message the Poet's Return podcast @poetsreturn on Instagram, or find us on Facebook under Poet's Return. And check out the amazing Kingdomofpavement.com website! And don't forget to listen to this Thursday's episode featuring these talented and driven entrepreneurs!  Original music by tbc.records @tbc.records DeShawn Cavanaugh, Ravel Ward and Christopher Schuchert  --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/poetsreturn/support

Carlos Diego Mendoza is a Bay Area native who has always loved live theatre. He came to LA to pursue acting both onstage and in film, but hadn't considered his pass time of writing to be a serious career pursuit. He reconnected with an old friend and fellow performer he'd met up north, and auditioned for the Milkcrate Monolgoues with Towne Street Theatre. After becoming a part of the cast, he has begun to take ownership of his passion and talent for writing and rap after performing in this ten-monologue play executed hip hop style. Since then, he and some of his fellow cast mates, including their playwright and director, have taken to sharing more of their beats and words with each other and the world.  Carlos shares his own process and poetry, while challenging and encouraging me to share a rap of my own, titled "Blood." We also gush about our love of José Rivera for a good minute or two. "No Lie" by Carlos Mendoza "Blood" by Melissa Booey “The world is set up to condition us; to warp us, to disfigure us, it’s set up that way no matter what, that’s why we’re always surviving. I think that’s what makes life so beautiful, because you’re constantly putting yourself back together, or discovering how to best assemble yourself.” -Carlos Ep. 4 "Some Assembly Required." @carlosdmendoza @townestreetheatre  #milkcratemonologues #rap #hiphop # livetheatre  --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/poetsreturn/support

DeShawn Cavanaugh is a Minnesota native. He moved to Los Angeles to become a professional actor, and has done so very well, booking numerous roles in TV, film and commercials. He is also part of local music group tbc.records whose music is featured on the episode today! He hosts a weekly open mic at Crave Cafe in Studio City featuring poets, spoken word artists and musicians, while he also performs his own words and music at multiple LA venues. His lyrics and beat poetry focus on maintaining positivity and childlike naïveté in a sometimes daunting and dark world; DeShawn focuses on making his words and music a force of light. From DeShawn: “Finding the light in hopelessness is made easier by holding onto the inner child. Being an actor and a writer makes us the vessel as well as the curator, which can either help or hinder us in maintaining naïvete, depending on our perspective. This is why we must choose to think and write positively. Our pieces are like our children, and we want them to be beacons of light.” @deshawncavanaugh @tbc.records @shoeshirt @ravelward @nfandango Pieces shared on this episode: Photograph The Gun Behavior (to visualize) --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/poetsreturn/support

Natalie Beisner is an amazing short story and essay writer with her own blog, www.thisisnotalie.com. (Clever, right? I love it.) She discusses painful and difficult topics in a simultaneously visceral and beautiful way. Although her blog isn't strictly poetry, so to speak, her style and imagery are both extremely poetic, and any listener or reader can see the story playing out in front of them, while also relating to the emotion of the story. In this Thursday mini episode, we get to know Natalie and a little about her process, background, and the inspiration for her potent words. Find Natalie on instagram, @nataliejeanbeisner, or on Facebook as Natalie Beisner with www.thisisnotalie.com Original music by RJ Wayne, AKA Philasifer.  Narrated by Melissa Booey. All rights reserved Poet's Return Find us on instagram @poetsreturn or on Facebook as Poet's Return Contact us if you're interested in sharing your words!  --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/poetsreturn/support

Kate Strauss is a self-published poet whose book DASH-Y can be found on Amazon for purchase. Her work delves into learning self-love through overcoming body struggles, addiction and misplaced ideas of our own worth. We discuss these topics as well as the process Kate went through publishing her own work and using social media as a public journal to reach and connect with the artistic community and beyond. Find her book at:  https://www.amazon.com/DASH-Y-Kate-Strauss-ebook/dp/B079TYQHS7 Instagram: @katestrausspoetry Pieces shared from DASH-Y: #30 : Kate talks about the themes in this piece, including not allowing ourselves to be used, which is a difficult lesson to learn. “We’re meant to cherish our bodies” is an untitled piece on her Instagram page that deals with loving our imperfections- something we're often taught the opposite of in life and society.  #23: Needing more intimately is more easily understood when it comes from a man, but as women we need these things just as intensely. “Pain is the touchstone to recovery.” Kate went on to describe her experience getting sober: “It’s really freeing to do a lot of the things that I thought I couldn’t do sober. It’s freeing to dance sober. It’s freeing to have deep conversations sober, and you remember them. And it’s really freeing to do all this stuff, stand up in front of crowds, do stupid things and think that you could never do those things because you had to have a drink to do them, and you don’t have to.” -Kate Strauss  Original music by artist RJ Wayne, AKA Philasifer, featuring his track "That Magic." Poet's Return is available on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter @PoetsReturn --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/poetsreturn/support

Hello world!  We decided to release this poem early so that you can get a taste of all the amazing, talented pieces that are coming your way! We hope you enjoy.  Social Media:  Facebook: @PoetsReturn Instagram: @PoetsReturn  --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/poetsreturn/support