The Poetry Lab Podcast

What if your next writing breakthrough came from your body instead of your mind? In this episode, Lori explores embodied writing through breath, movement, and somatic awareness, offering grounding practices to help you reconnect with your creativity, move through blocks, and write from a place that feels more present, honest, and alive. Visit thepoetrylab.com to find the Show Notes  for this episo...

Writers are asked to do everything, often at the cost of the work itself. In this episode, Ravina rethinks self-care as part of the writing practice, not separate from it. Through boundaries, reduced pressure, and small shifts, you'll find a more sustainable way back to the page. Visit thepoetrylab.com to find the Show Notes for this episode. The Poetry Lab Podcast is produced by Danielle Mitchell...

Every creative practice begins with a choice: to start before you feel ready. In this episode, Annie uses the Fool to explore creative beginnings, tracing a path through tarot archetypes like Judgement, the Magician, and the Star to show how courage, craft, and hope work together, and why progress starts with simply showing up and writing. Visit thepoetrylab.com to find the Show Notes for this epi...

In this personal episode, Leo reflects on her decision to leave a tenured academic career after nearly two decades of teaching. She explores the emotional and systemic challenges of academia, including burnout, institutional constraints, and questions of identity and creative freedom, while honoring the role poetry played in guiding her toward a more expansive, self-directed life. Visit thepoetryl...

You don't need to find your voice. You need to trust it. This episode unpacks how doubt, comparison, and over-editing pull you away from your natural rhythm—and offers practical ways to reconnect with the voice that's already yours, messy, honest, and powerful. Visit thepoetrylab.com to find the Show Notes for this episode. The Poetry Lab Podcast is produced by Danielle Mitchell, with special gues...

In the debut episode of her new Creative Tarot series, join host Annie Freshwater as she explores The Empress, tarot's archetype of creative fertility and abundance. Through personal reflection and insight, Annie reframes creativity as something organic and cyclical rather than forced, unpacks the deeper roots of creative block, and offers a guided meditation to help you reconnect with your body,...

Submitting a poetry manuscript can feel overwhelming, even when the work itself is finished. In this episode, Leo breaks down the key decisions involved in submitting your manuscript, shares strategies for staying organized, and offers thoughtful guidance on how to choose the right places to send your work. Visit thepoetrylab.com to find the Show Notes for this episode. The Poetry Lab Podcast is p...

Creative energy isn't meant to be constant. In this episode, Lori Walker explores how seasonal and internal energy shifts shape a writer's creative life, and how to work with those rhythms instead of forcing productivity. Visit thepoetrylab.com to find the Show Notes for this episode. The Poetry Lab Podcast is produced by Danielle Mitchell, with special guest hosts Lori Walker, Leonora Simonovis,...

What does it mean to fully step into a poem, on the page and on the stage? In this episode, we explore vulnerability and spoken word performance, the courage it takes to share your work, and how embodiment can deepen a poem's emotional impact. Visit thepoetrylab.com to find the Show Notes for this episode. The Poetry Lab Podcast is produced by Danielle Mitchell, with special guest hosts Lori Walke...

Creative burnout and life burnout can look similar, but they need very different kinds of care. In this episode, Lori breaks down how to tell the difference, what questions to ask yourself, and how to give your mind and body the support they need. It's part reflection, part toolkit, and full of permission to rest. Visit thepoetrylab.com to find the Show Notes for this episode. The Poetry Lab Podca...

An eco poem explores the relationship between humans and the natural world through the lens of environmental change. In this episode, Leo reflects on shifting landscapes, shares Jane Hirshfield's "Common Pigeon" (used with permission) , and offers prompts and resources to help listeners write their own eco poems. Visit thepoetrylab.com to find the Show Notes for this episode. The Poetry Lab Podcas...

What does it mean to lead from a place of authenticity? In this episode, Ravina shares how facing imposter syndrome shaped her path to creating brave spaces rooted in honesty and care. Stay to the end for a short reading list and a writing prompt to help you craft your own intentional space. Visit thepoetrylab.com to find the Show Notes for this episode. The Poetry Lab Podcast is produced by Danie...

Every great literary event starts with a "why." Join bridgette as she shares a decade of hard-won lessons from the LA poetry scene, from curating unforgettable readings to keeping the mic open with intention. Let's talk about what it really takes to plan a lit event—vibes, budgets, and boundaries and all.  Visit thepoetrylab.com to find the Show Notes for this episode. The Poetry Lab Podcast is pr...

Creative hustle culture pushes artists to constantly produce, post, and perform, often at the expense of their voice and joy. In this episode, Lori shares how to break free from the cycle of overexposure and burnout with practical strategies to reclaim your time and creativity. This is about building a sustainable artistic practice that prioritizes authenticity over algorithms. Visit thepoetrylab....

Ever blanked on stage? Ravina has—in front of her entire high school. What could've been the end of her poetry journey became a lesson in resilience, community, and remembering that showing up is the real win. In this episode, learn how support, self-compassion, and a little reframing can turn setbacks into stepping stones. Visit thepoetrylab.com to find the Show Notes for this episode. The Poetry...

Collaborative poems can break creative blocks wide open. In this episode, Leo shares her experience writing with partners and groups, along with tips and playful exercises to help you try it yourself. Whether you're stuck or just craving connection, collaboration can reignite your writing in unexpected and joyful ways. Visit thepoetrylab.com to find the Show Notes for this episode. The Poetry Lab...

In this episode, bridgette shares five powerful personal lessons from How We Do It: Black Writers on Craft , edited by Jericho Brown. With insight from writers like Rita Dove, Frank X Walker, and E. Ethelbert Miller, this episode explores how Black writers define craft on their own terms, offering healing, joy, revolution, and permission to speak directly to your people. Visit thepoetrylab.com to...

Feeling stuck in the shame of not writing "enough"? In this episode, Lori Walker dismantles the myth of writing discipline and explores how to build a sustainable creative practice rooted in rhythm, curiosity, and compassion. It's not about writing every day—it's about finding your way back, again and again. Visit thepoetrylab.com to find the Show Notes for this episode. The Poetry Lab Podcast is...

In her debut episode, new host Ravina Wadhwani gets real about a struggle many creatives face: standing in our own way. With warmth and vulnerability, she reflects on impostor syndrome, self-sabotage, and the pressure to succeed even when we've already achieved so much. This episode is a compassionate reminder that your magic deserves room to breathe, and you are not alone in this work. Visit thep...

Sharing your poems aloud can feel intimidating, even though poetry is rooted in oral tradition. In this episode, host bridgette bianca offers practical tips for reading your work with confidence and clarity, along with heartfelt advice on how to connect with your voice and your audience on stage. Visit thepoetrylab.com to find the Show Notes for this episode. The Poetry Lab Podcast is produced by...

What if yoga could boost your writing practice? In this episode, Lori explores how movement and mindfulness can support your creativity. She shares the unique benefits of yoga for writers and walks you through a simple, seated sequence you can do right at your desk—no mat required. Visit thepoetrylab.com to find the Show Notes for this episode. The Poetry Lab Podcast is produced by Lori Walker and...

In this episode of The Poetry Lab Podcast, we meet new host Leonora Simonovis (Leo), who brings us into her world as a writer living in exile. She reflects on how creative practice becomes a form of resistance and invites you to explore your own. Through personal insight and gentle guidance, Leo models everyday acts of resilience and reminds us that showing up with intention is its own kind of pow...

Feeling overwhelmed? In this episode, Lori shares quick, effective self-care tools to help writers stay grounded and creative, even in chaotic times. Learn how to check in with yourself, calm your mind, and build a self-care routine that actually works. Visit thepoetrylab.com to find the Show Notes for this episode. The Poetry Lab Podcast is produced by Lori Walker and Danielle Mitchell. Hosted by...

Looking to fill your library's poetry section with more diverse, exciting reads? In this episode, learn the step-by-step process for suggesting poetry books to your local library. Your recommendations can bring indie authors and fresh voices into the spotlight—and make poetry more accessible to your community. Visit thepoetrylab.com to find the Show Notes for this episode. The Poetry Lab Podcast i...

Many authors are surprised to learn they have to market their books. While a book launch can be uncomfortable, it's necessary to sell books. In this episode, Lori walks you through how to bootstrap your book launch. She tells you what you need to set up ASAP and how to create a timeline so that your launch runs smoothly. But because book launching is such a big topic, she's also shared some of her...