The Poets

Clarence's audiobook, Lessons and Libations, is available for free, along with other of his works here . Clarence Barbee is a multi-talented individual known for his literary achievements. As the author of multiple distinct works, “Chicken Soup and a Shot of Jack” and his debut poetry book “Fire Molten and Ash,” he showcases his versatility and creativity. Now, with the release of Lessons and...

David Latiff features to discuss their poetry collection THE CHAIR: A cluttered pile of neuroqueer poetry and themes of neurodivergence, executive dysfunction, battle bots, queerness, mental health, and getting your work out there as a poet and artist. Follow the link purchase David's collection THE CHAIR: A cluttered pile of neuroqueer poetry You can read more from David at their Substack

Eve Addams is a performance poet whose work mixes storytelling with elements of magical realism to explore memory, religion, trauma, and love. She was a member of the 2025 Mercury Slam Poetry Team and is a 2x Moth StorySlam winner. Connect with her on Instagram @ eveaddamspoet

Today is a special edition of The Poets, and comes to you thanks to Lighthouse Writers Workshop and Lit Fest 2026. I was privileged to be invited to set up a table during LitFest on June 18th, 2026, and I brought a microphone with me. This episode features writers I met at Lit Fest who were kind enough to share their work with me, and with all of you, on the show. All of them will also most likely...

If you are going to describe Ashlynn in 3 words it would be “five foot menace”. If you want a longer description it would go like this. Ashlynn is a recovering overachiever people pleaser who loves to complain in her poetry. When she’s not battling imposter syndrome, she is your Denver Mercury Grand Slam Champion. Other fun facts include Ashlynn likes talking about slavery, blush blindness, flirti...

Aerik Francis, the current Poet Laureate for Adams County, rejoins the show to discuss his recently released collection BODYPOLITIC and a wide range of topics. Aerik Francis is a poet & teaching artist based in Denver, Colorado, USA. Francis is currently serving as poet laureate of Adams County, Colorado (2025-2027). Francis is the author of three poetry chapbooks: BODYPOLITIC (Abode Press, Ma...

A divorced rat bastard in my mid thirties. An on and off again poet, healing through poetry. New to Denver. New to being openly queer. New to loving myself in ways I've always needed.

Maxwell I. Gold is a Jewish-American author and poet with an extensive body of work comprising over 350 poems and nine poetry collections since 2017. His work has appeared in numerous literary journals, magazines, and anthologies. Maxwell’s work has earned nominations for two Bram Stoker Awards, the Eric Hoffer Award, the Pushcart Prize, the Rhysling Award and others. Find him and his work at  www...

Silas Vazquez (any pronouns) is an actor, singer, improviser, and poet. You may have seen him in Titanic (UNC), Urinetown (UNC), Sweeney Todd (StageDoor Theatre), Ride the Cyclone (Vintage Theatre), Woodlands And Wyverns (Audacious Immersive Theatre), or as part of the Mercury Slam Poetry Team at Chicharra Poetry Festival (Albuquerque, NM) or Bigfoot Poetry Festival (Portland, OR). You usually can...

The Poets will be back to our regularly scheduled programming (i.e. individual poet features) after this. The album discussed in the episode is available on Bandcamp and on streaming platforms. On another slightly different episode of The Poets, I'm joined by BG and the first iteration of the Coven Collective to discuss an album of spoken word and music that recently was released. BG, Lady Jul...

Sidney Shaw is the Events Manager at The Karma House, a community-centered kava bar and gathering space in the Denver metro area. As an intuitive healer, Reiki Master, and tarot reader with over a decade of experience, Sidney weaves together event curation and spiritual practice to create spaces rooted in connection, healing, and authenticity. At The Karma House, Sidney helps bring people together...

Gabriel Gravagno returns to the show to talk about how to continue the legendary Friday Night Jazz Jam and Poetry Open Mic, which began long ago at the Mercury Cafe. Any questions, comments, or concerns can be sent to Gabe, who is eager to hear others' thoughts and ideas. A trial run of sorts will take place at the Karma House Kava Bar & Tea House, located at 608 Garrison St e, Lakewood, C...

A brief episode today with Dominick Francois discussing his Imagery EP and upcoming event celebrating its release to held on May 23rd, 2026 at Buell Public Media Center - 2101 Arapahoe St, Denver CO 80205 Tickets available here . Imagery EP available here .

Something a little different on The Poets today. I am joined by Luis Garza, a digital marketing strategist and representative of Frederick Kirwin, author of Lost Songs of the Withlacoochee. Luis shares an excerpt from Kirwin's book, and we discuss themes of first loves, love lost and found, the rivers of the world, Garza's work with Kirwin, and Kirwin's corpus overall. - Lost Songs of...

Madden Wishard (they/them) can be summed up as “a lumbering soul but trying to fly,” a phrase written by John Steinbeck. Growing up in Northern Virginia, they always felt an immense pressure to be who they were not. As a queer and trans person in a conservative evangelical Christian community, they felt a keen sense of rejection. As they grew, they realized the power of words and began writing abo...

Ashley Howell Bunn (she/they) completed her MFA in poetry through Regis University and holds a MA in Literature from Northwestern University. Their first chapbook,  in coming light,  was published in 2022 by Middle Creek Publishing and their second chapbook,  Living Amends , is forthcoming through Galileo Press . Her first full-length collection,  burning, breaking, building  was published by Sout...

Brock is an author and poet whose work lives at the intersection of performance and the printed page. A familiar voice at the Pearl open mic and poetry slam, he is the author of the poetry collections Mercury Prepared and Moonlight Speaks—which were brought together in the volume Mercury and Moonlight. Venturing from the stage to the bookshelf, Brock has also published the children’s picture book...

Elizabeth Woods-Darby is a somatic therapy-trained poet, mother & multi-media artist. Her work centers on the permeability and grit of motherhood and is influenced by her childhood growing up on a rural farmstead in Colorado without running water. Her work often seeks to connect the wilderness of nature to the wildness of humanity. Her first book of poetry Bones We Made Together out Feb 21st,...

Lady Julianne is a poet, film maker, business owner & visionary — working to build her audience & grow in every direction of her passions.  With a handful of life experiences that taught her resilience fairly early - Lady Julianne transmutes her lessons & pain into reframes that feel light & magical while simultaneously encouraging introspection & depth. Lady Julianne seeks to...

Doctor Ricardo J. Bogaert-Álvarez is a retired Dominican-American chemical engineer and award-winning poet. He was born in Santiago, Dominican Republic and grew up in a hacienda. He obtained his B.S. in chemical engineering at the PUCMM[1] in Santiago. Then he attended the University of Delaware where he graduated with his chemical engineering masters and PhD. He has lived in the United States sin...

Clarence Barbee returns to the show with his saxophone and excerpts from his new book, Lessons and Libations, available for free here . Clarence Barbee is a multi-talented individual known for his literary achievements. As the author of multiple distinct works, “Chicken Soup and a Shot of Jack” and his debut poetry book “Fire Molten and Ash,” he showcases his versatility and creativity. Now, with...

In this special episode, enjoy a live recorded duet performance of "Nothing New Under The Sun" performed by SETH and Lady Julianne. Recorded on Friday, November 21st at The Pearl in downtown Denver, CO. -- @ladyjuliannee ladyjulianne.co SETH's website

And now, the one and only Marilyn Megenity - Matriarch, Astrology, Mother, Poet, Playwright, Patron of the Arts, Friend, Grandmother, Activist, Cultural Revolutionary, Humanitarian, Environmentalist, Lover, Earth Lover, Restaurateur, Pacifist, Diviner, Mystic, Dancer, Feminist, Gardener, Leader, Community Builder, Satirist, Executive Chef, Businesswoman, Mentor, Actor, Brilliant, Beloved, Ineffabl...

Today we have a special edition of The Poets. Local poet Ryan Flannigan recorded his double album, To Plant a Poem, by performing it live for his friends in studio with Coven Recording and Sound. This episode is a teaser with a bit of their conversations around poetry and some of the poems from the album. You can get the full album on Bandcamp . Ryan Flannigan (he/him) is a Denver based written an...

Mr. Bravo, aka Abraham Bravo, joins me to discuss his new book Love Hurts When Never Said , his poetry as whole, and the Slam Poetry scene in Phoenix, AZ. Mr. Abraham Bravo is a Phoenix-based poet, performer, and author whose work bridges humor, vulnerability, and lyrical craft. He has built a reputation in the Arizona poetry scene for blending sharp wit with raw introspection, captivating audienc...