Listen and Be Heard Network

Dan Sinykin, Big Fiction, Ray Barretto, New World Spirit, Jay Rodriguez Sierra, Martha Cinader, Listen & Be Heard, publishing industry, fiction writing, independent publishing, literary community, creative freedom, Afro-Caribbean music, Latin jazz, live music, poetry

What does it mean to find your voice in a world shaped by social media? Sixteen-year-old Josslyn Grover reads “Declaration of a Gen Z Stargazer” and joins Elizabeth Perlman for a conversation about creative writing, the contradictions of social media, and her generation’s power to transform the world.

In this Listen & Be Heard Rewind, revisit Martha Cinader’s April 2024 conversation with Meredith Leigh, author of The Ethical Meat Handbook. Together, they explore climate resilience, alternatives to capitalism, Indigenous wisdom, and the ideas that invite us to imagine other ways of living.

How can writing help us speak honestly about the issues that shape our lives? Caroline Hesby shares her feminist piece, “June 24, 2022,” and speaks with Elizabeth Perlman about reproductive rights, personal experience, and the power of finding—and trusting—your voice.

Tony Robles visits San Francisco’s Filipino American International Book Festival for conversations about representation, book banning, food, and theater. Martha Cinader weaves the interviews into an Audio Garden of Indigenous voices, live jazz, archival recordings, and poetry.

For our seventh podcast, listen to 19-year-old Kayli Harley read and discuss her brilliant piece, "Keeper of Joy," in conversation with TIWP founder, Elizabeth Perlman.

Indigenous voices, Harlem youth, poetry, and live music come together in this rewind of our October 8 broadcast. Explore Jemyah Jones’s follow-up from the Tau Omega college fair and join us for music and poetry at iBeam Brooklyn on October 17. The audio is an unchanged rebroadcast.

Eighteen-year-old Maya Petzoldt shares her writing, “To Give Maturity Words,” in conversation with Elizabeth Perlman, founder of The Intuitive Writing Project. This sixth episode of the Intuitive Writing Podcast spotlights a young writer’s words and perspective. Content note: strong language; may not be suitable for young children.

In this episode of The Listen & Be Heard Hour, we explore community reporting, poetry, and live music. Kim McMillon speaks with Marie Hernandez about Berkeley’s 34th Annual Indigenous Peoples Day Powwow, Jemyah Jones covers Harlem youth initiatives with Tau Omega Charitable Trust Fund, and original performances from the Audio Garden connect identity, listening, and collective responsibility.

In this compelling episode of the Intuitive Writing Podcast, host Elizabeth Perlman sits down with young writer Reagan Kaelle to discuss her breathtaking original piece, "I See You." Written in the wake of the overturning of Roe v. Wade, Reagan's work boldly tackles bodily autonomy, systemic violence, and the cathartic necessity of female rage. Tune in for a profound conversation on the creative p...

A special rewind episode celebrating intergenerational storytelling, Indigenous wisdom, and community jazz. Featuring archival recordings from Joe Talaugon Sr., a conversation with Judy Talaugon on origin stories and media activism, plus Craig Harris’s Harlem Night Song Band and live improvisational music from IBEAM Brooklyn.

In this episode of The Intuitive Writing Podcast, host Elizabeth Perlman interviews high school senior Erin Hambidge. Erin shares her poignant poem, "Happy 4th of July"—written in response to the Highland Park shooting—and offers candid insights on school safety, writing as an outlet, and how youth are navigating the realities of gun violence in America.

evisiting s4e19: MAS Inspires shares his journey from overcoming a stammer in Abuja, Nigeria, to finding his voice through spoken word. Plus poetry from Karla Brundage, Martha Cinader, and Tony Robles, and a live jazz tribute to Sonny Rollins.

In Episode 3 of The Intuitive Writing Podcast, 8th grader Viviana Sanchez reads and discusses her poem, 'History / Her Story,' with TIWP founder Elizabeth Perlman. Includes full episode transcript, poem text, and show notes.

This episode of The Listen & Be Heard Hour, hosted by Martha Cinader, features original poetry, live music previews, and an extended interview by co-host Tony Robles with author, painter, and educator Clifford Thompson discussing his essay collection Jazz June: A Self-Portrait in Essays.

Emmy-winning jazz pianist and composer D.D. Jackson joins hosts Martha Cinader and Jay Rodriguez Sierra to explore his journey from classical training to jazz improvisation under mentors Don Pullen and Jaki Byard. He also shares insights on his latest ventures—Open Minded Visions and Canadian Sky Records—alongside live East Harlem field reporting by intern Jemyah Jones featuring La’FroJaz and a li...

Another sizzling summer remix from Maestro Jay Rodriguez Sierra! Season 4, Episode 23 features poetry by Shirley Ancheta dedicated to Al Robles, a dragon story from London storyteller Tony Cranston, poetry from hosts Martha Cinader and Tony Robles, performance from Harlem's Cipher Crew, and an improvisational violin session with Nana from Berlin.

High school sophomore Ava Moga joins Elizabeth Perlman to read her powerful poem, "To Be a Teenage Girl." Together, they unpack the crushing societal pressures around body image and perfectionism—and how young women reclaim their power through self-love, resilience, and authentic creative expression.

This episode features a tribute to Joe Talaugon Sr. (Mestizo Through My Eyes) and his daughter Judy Talaugon (Tribunal Rising), exploring origin stories, indigenous wisdom, and farmworker history. Plus, interviews with Craig Harris’ Harlem Night Song Band and live jazz performances featuring Preston Fulwood, Jay Rodriguez, Genji Siraisi, and Martha Cinader.

Preston Fulwood returns with a live session from IBEAM Brooklyn, plus an in-depth conversation with composer, percussionist, and educator Michael Wimberly on his album Afrofuturism, West African music traditions, and his artistic journey.

Ni Rivera welcomes Chloe Martinez and Lisa Van Orman Hadley, co-editors of "Chaos, Creativity, Completion," to discuss writing with ADHD. Plus, poetry by Dave Gonzalez, Tony Robles in conversation with Katherine Scott Crawford and Malaya Ulan, and a rare live recording featuring Bernie Worrell and DJ Logic.

Summer Remix 5 brings together an eclectic tapestry of spoken word, poetry, personal reflections, and original music curated and featuring the work of Jay Rodriguez Sierra. This episode highlights voices including Deepika Singh, Billy Mills, Dao Strom, Blagovesta Momchedjikova, and more, exploring themes of empathy, memory, healing, and self-expression.

Explore the sacred power of music and poetry with Ahmed Abdullah and Monique Ngozi Nri as they share stories on Sun Ra, Harlem roots, and the Greenhouse Creators Consortium.

Another sizzling summer remix from Jay Rodriguez Sierra! Remix 4 features poetry from Shirley Ancheta, Martha Cinader, and Tony Robles. Enjoy a dragon story by London’s Tony Cranston, the Cipher Crew live from Harlem, and an incredible improvisational session with Berlin violinist Nana, recorded live at IBeam in Brooklyn.

For our first whirl at podcasting, we listen to Intuitive Writing Project alum Audrey Lambert read her powerful, feminist poem, "The Praying Mantis" in conversation with her fellow writer Josephine Poff and founder Elizabeth Perlman.