VS

Jubi Arriola-Headley, a Black queer poet known for tackling humor and eroticism in her work, joins the conversation to explore the intersections of pleasure, identity, and masculinity. They discuss the power of humor in shaping relationships, reflect on societal expectations, and reveal how vulnerability enhances creativity. Jubi shares insights into her collection 'Bound', where intimacy and spirituality collide, and highlights the significance of kink in expressing joy and community, revealing the deeper layers behind her playful yet poignant poetry.

Season 8 kicks off with Brittany and Ajanae talking with Sarah Lubala, Congolese poet, and author of A History of Disappearance. In this interview, the trio discuss navigating political history and conflict, the role of matriarchal figures in her work, hope as an exercise, and writing about love without leaning into sentimentality.  Edit: In our conversation, Safia Elhillo was said to be Somali; Safia Elhillo is Sudanese- American. 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! Toni Morrison's 'Good' Ghosts : NPR The Fight & The Fiddle: Safia Elhillo on Language Warsan Shire’s Portraits of Somalis in Exile | The New Yorker Writing Prompt: Write a portrait poem, imagining a place as a matriarch.

Boycott of the Poetry Foundation and Solidarity with the Palestinian People: Ajane and Brittany discuss the ongoing boycott of the Poetry Foundation in relation to the Palestine genocide, expressing solidarity with the Palestinian people and clarifying their stance as contracted employees of the Foundation.

In today’s episode, Brittany and Ajanae have the pleasure of interviewing Safiya Sinclair. Join them as they discuss the craft of switching to memoir, maintaining self-confidence while navigating academia, what their teenage selves would think of them, and the influence Jamaica has on Safiya’s writing. 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! Audre Lorde: AUDRE LORDE | Poetry is Not a Luxury Frida Kahlo: Frida Kahlo: The woman behind the legend - Iseult Gillespie Derek Walcott: Derek Walcott discusses his painting and poetry Writing Prompt: Who are you writing for? Who is coming after you that you hope your work makes a difference for? Write them a letter.

VS podcast explores themes of Black girlhood, writing with care, and the construction of Courtney Faye Taylor's award-winning collection. They discuss the nuances of Black girlhood, aligning values with research, and the influence of the Black church on culture.

Today Brittany and Ajanae interview Willie Lee Kinard III, author of Orders of Service. During this episode, they discuss Willie’s history with music, doublespeak as maximalism, queerness as a foundation for craft choices, and developing a love for the land.  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! Lynn Harris: E. Lynn Harris's Biography Mariah Carey: It’s Mariah Carey Season, Darling Kirk Franklin: How Kirk Franklin Revolutionized Gospel And Made Hip-Hop A More Spiritual Place | The FADER Andre 3000: Andre 3000 Says He NEEDS To Create In Rare Interview Writing Prompt: Make a playlist of music that scores your poems. Listen to it while revising a poem.

For this episode, Brittany and Ajanae interview Samiya Bashir. During this conversation, they discuss Samiya’s role as Executive Director of Lambda Literary, Black opera, opening the door for queer writers, and writing the poem that unlocks the project. 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! Torkwase Dyson: Desert X | Torkwase Dyson David Bowie: david bowie interview 1973 June Jordan : June Jordan -- “Poem about My Rights” Cornelius Eady: Poet Cornelius Eady on exploring the everyday lives of Black people in America Writing Prompt: Write a poem only in dialogue. Title it with the name of a theory or theoretical framework. 

On today’s episode, Brittany and Ajanae speak with 2023 Ruth Lily fellow and author of Black Pastoral, Ariana Benson. Join them for this episode as they discuss nature, artistic influences, sensuality, and soap operas.  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! Gwendolyn Brooks: We Real Cool / Gwendolyn Brooks at 100 by The Editors | Poetry Foundation Bob Ross: Why Is Bob Ross Still So Popular 2 Chainz: 2 Chainz Interview - Get Inspired and Go Inside His Nail Salon and Restaurant Writing Prompt: In honor of Ariana Benson’s “Theodicy” series, take any non-human thing and explore what it might believe about God it it could talk. 

For their second episode of season 7, Brittany and Ajanae interview Victoria Chang. During this conversation, they discuss following your imagination and creative impulses, trusting your reader to fill in the gaps in a collection, and hidden talents! 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! Claudia Rankine: Using poetry to uncover the moments that lead to racism Virginia Woolf: Virginia Woolf Was More Than Just a Women’s Writer | The National Endowment for the Humanities Agnes Martin: Documentary "Between the Lines" about the painter Agnes Martin (trailer) Sharon Olds :Sex, Death, Family: Sharon Olds Is Still Shockingly Intimate Writing Prompt: This week, when you sit down to write, close your eyes and listen for the first line of the poem. Anytime you get stuck, close your eyes and listen again.

For this first episode of Season 7, Brittany and Ajanae decided to answer audience questions generated via social media. Join them as they tackle hot topics, their writing process, how they navigate friendship and business, 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! The City Girls: City Girls Talk Work Ethic, Chemistry & Loyalty Before The Glow Up...PERIOD | Home Grown Radio The Clark Sisters Transcendent in its Reach Christine Swenson and Aunjanue Ellis on the Clark Sisters Toni Morrison: Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am  Writing Prompt: Reflect and set some intentions with us. List 5 things you are proud of. List 3 things you want to do. Write an affirmation and say it everyday for the next two weeks.