In YourWords

Jorrell Watkins discusses poetry and identity with young St. Louis artists.

The young artists of YourWords STL and STL ArtWorks discuss identity and poetry with the award-winning poet and educator Chen Chen.

St. Louis youth discuss poetry and identity with award-winning author Joy Ladin.

Poet Jose Olivarez in conversation with young artists from St. Louis.

Calling the feature of our third episode, David Alexander, multi-talented feels like the understatement of 2021! Through dance, podcasts, poetry, and businesses, David lives a life of creativity. He is also one of YWSTL's most beloved and legendary teaching artists! Listen to his episode to learn what it takes to live a truly artistic life, in all of its facets. This episode also features poetry f...

YWSTL's Summer Podcast Series continues with a bang! Episode 2 features Aysia BerLynn, one of our long-time teaching artists, as she reflects on what it means to be an artist as well as to foster a love for artistic expression in youth who are marginalized. The episode also includes clips from her recent creative writing workshop series with the girls of Sequoia House at Marygrove Children's Home....

It's summer, and what better way to celebrate than lifting up the voices of some bright and shining youth and artists? YWSTL's Summer Podcast Series kicks off with an episode about Crossing Delmar. Co-founder Anna breaks down the basics of the program. The episode also features podcast clips from the fifth-graders who participated in a recent Crossing Delmar Collaborative Project between Confluenc...

The residents of Sequoia House at Marygrove Children's Home recently finished a YWSTL creative writing workshop series, taught by Dr. Treasure Shields Redmond. To celebrate their hard work and accomplishments, a special culminating performance and party was held in mid-December. Listen to this podcast special to hear the hopes, fears, and goals of these young ladies as they look ahead to the new y...

This finale episode of the #GiftOfWords podcast features Gerald Burton Jr., a Dream Builders 4 Equity participant with a big future ahead of him. Let this young visionary inspire you with his passion for equality and his determination to succeed. Building bridges over society's fault lines starts with hearing each other's stories. Artists, teachers, students, and activists wield their words in int...

In this time of a pandemic and ever-increasing demands on schools, how are educators supposed to make room for "something extra"? Arsenia Tate, Episode 4's guest for the #GiftOfWords podcast miniseries, believes that teaching kids lessons in inclusion, diversity, and mindfulness is not optional, but essential. She breaks down how school leaders can transform these popular buzzwords into daily real...

Poetry is a necessary force in today's chaotic world. Let Jason Vasser-Elong enchant you with his original work as well as convince you why the art of poetry is important for everyone, especially young people. This conversation also includes Mr. Vasser-Elong's enlightening reflections on identity, heritage, and the African diaspora. Building bridges over society's fault lines starts with hearing e...

How do universities connect with their communities? In this episode, YWSTL chats with Dr. Brynne Schroeder, Webster University School of Education Community Engagement Coordinator. Dr. Schroeder discusses what it means for both Webster U students and administrators to get involved with the people and organizations surrounding the Gorlok campus. Building bridges over society's fault lines starts wi...

In this premiere episode of the Gift of Words podcast miniseries, YourWords STL interviews teaching artist Dr. Treasure Shields Redmond. Listen in for a wide-ranging conversation that also includes an out-loud reading of the poet's work. Building bridges over society's fault lines starts with hearing each other's stories. Artists, teachers, students, and activists wield their words in interviews w...