Interesting People Reading Poetry

In this episode, entomologist Dr. Marla Spivak reads “When Grapes Turn to Wine” by Rumi and discusses how Rumi can teach us to “think like bee.” Dr. Spivak is a MacArthur “genius” Fellow known for her groundbreaking research on bee behavior and biology. https://open.spotify.com/episode/2xyntSd8WxczMfrBoaPgfP “When Grapes Turn to Wine” by Rumi, translated by Robert Bly, appears in the b...

In this episode, playwright Harrison David Rivers reads “For My Own Protection” by Essex Hemphill and discusses the use of the poem in his recent play, This Bitter Earth .  Rivers is the recipient of fellowships from the McKnight and Jerome Foundations and is a core writer at the Playwright’s Center. https://open.spotify.com/episode/1prSuXPitknNPj26IItVnr “For My Own Protection” by Essex Hem...

In this episode, writer Chris Kraus reads “Miserable Life” by Steve Levine and discusses how New York School poetry influenced the development of her distinctive style. Kraus is the author of I Love Dick (now an Amazon Original Series ) and, most recently, After Kathy Acker . https://open.spotify.com/episode/1Iz5hjra5tUmof9lteqMIz “Miserable Life” is used by permission from  To and For  (Coffee Ho...

In this episode, Amy Thielen reads “Death Again” by Jim Harrison and explores the relationship between great food and great literature. Amy Thielen is a chef and two-time James Beard Award-winning writer. She’s the author of  The New Midwestern Table  (a cookbook) and  Give a Girl a Knife  (a memoir). She’s also the host of Heartland Table on Food Network. https://open.sp...

In this episode, DJ Rekha reads “A Litany for Survival” by Audre Lorde and discusses dancing as an antidote to fear. DJ Rekha is a producer, curator, and educator based in New York City. Her classic debut album, DJ Rekha presents Basement Bhangra , was released in 2007. Her monthly party, Basement Bhangra , ran from 1997 to the summer of 2017 – making it one of the most influenti...

We’re celebrating the last episode of our first season with a special double feature, recorded live at Java River Cafe in Montevideo, Minnesota. Our guests are Chris Koza and Malena Handeen. https://open.spotify.com/episode/56kICspS4nhXkqOVJ02gQT Chris Koza is the frontman of the Americana rock band  Rogue Valley . In this interview, he reads a poem by U.S. Poet Laureate Tracy K. Smith...

In this episode, comedian Mary Mack reads “Attention Please! Attention Please!” by Roald Dahl. Mack is a nationally touring stand-up comic, beloved for her singular oddball folk humor. She’s been on Conan and WTF with Marc Maron . Her latest album is Ms. Taco Man . https://open.spotify.com/episode/6oriFW3sFt7escNtRWmnDC “Attention Please! Attention Please!” by Roald Dahl appears...

In this episode, Nekima Levy-Pounds reads “Still I Rise” by Maya Angelou and discusses the strength she draws from the resilience of her ancestors. Pounds is a decorated attorney, ordained Reverend, and former president of the Minneapolis NAACP. https://open.spotify.com/episode/10ebQ6GtMKVEsCEeU0BKj3 “Still I Rise” by Maya Angelou appears in the collection And Still I Rise , published...

In this episode, Kao Kalia Yang reads “To the Placenta of Return” by Mai Der Vang and discusses the sacrifices mothers made to protect their families during America’s Secret War in Laos. Over the course of two award-winning memoirs, Yang has charted the physical, political, emotional, and spiritual terrain of the Hmong journey to the United States in the aftermath of that war. He...

In this episode, evolutionary biologist Rob Wallace reads “The Sea is History” by Derek Walcott and discusses the importance of questioning historical narratives that justify the status quo. Wallace was alt-CDC before it was a Twitter handle.  He blogs at Farming Pathogens and is the author of “Big Farms Make Big Flu: Dispatches on Infectious Disease, Agribusiness, and the Nature of Sc...

In this episode Gaelynn Lea reads “53” by E.E. Cummings and discusses the importance of acknowledging the duality of light and darkness in life. Lea is a folk singer, disability advocate, and the winner of the 2016 NPR Tiny Desk Contest . The music in this interview is from Lea’s album, The Songs We Sing Along the Way . Her latest album is Learning How to Stay . https://open.spot...

In this episode, Waziyatawin reads “Cry Your Tears” by John Trudell and explores the complexities of solidarity. Waziyatawin is a leading Dakota intellectual, activist, and the executive director of Makoce Ikikcupi , a non-profit dedicated to Dakota land recovery. Her influential book,  What Does Justice Look Like? is available from Living Justice Press. https://open.spotify.com/episod...

In this episode, Benjamin Percy reads “At the Lowe’s Home Improvement Center” by Brian Turner. Percy writes the Green Arrow and Teen Titans series’ for DC Comics, and recently published a terrifying fourth novel, “The Dark Net.” https://open.spotify.com/episode/2ZC1YpjADluDA1k7mLfy9L “At the Lowe’s Home Improvement Center,” by Brian Turner, appears in his collection,  Phanto...

In this episode, composer Maria Schneider reads “Walking by Flashlight” by Ted Kooser and discusses the process of setting poems to music. Schneider’s 2016 album, The Thompson Fields , won the Grammy for Best Large Ensemble Jazz Album and includes a musical setting of “Walking by Flashlight.” https://open.spotify.com/episode/4u6u1ct7RZBPTWDHnqqRDS “Walking by Flashlig...