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#031 - Why Every Writer Should Memorize Poetry — Matthew Stillman
Spoiler: it's not another memory palace.
In this episode of The Poetry Vessel Podcast, Malibu Poet Laureate '23-'25 sits down with Matthew Stillman of StillmanSays to discuss the art of memorization and how poetry can become apart of our everyday lives. Stillman has worked one-on-one with thousands of people, using deep listening and creative techniques to uncover unseen connections.
Through his one-of-a-kind workshop, Committed to Heart, Committed to Memory, Stillman guides students through the art of memorizing poetry.
Committed to Heart, Committed to Memory is a four-week, small-group poetry workshop focused on memorization as a living, embodied practice. Participants will learn how to carry poems within them—so beauty, language, and meaning are readily available in speech, thought, and daily life.
👉 SPACES ARE LIMITED TO SIGN UP NOW:https://thepoetryvessel.com/friendsofthepoetryvessel/
MATTHEW STILLMAN'S SUBSTACK: https://stillmansays.com/
🙏 SUPPORT US ON PATREON:https://www.patreon.com/cw/ThePoetryVessel
📜 SUBMIT YOUR POETRY:https://www.thepoetryvessel.com/submit
🧠 HOW POETRY CHANGES YOUR BRAIN COURSE (LIMITED TIME DISCOUNT):https://www.nathanhassall.com/changeyourbrain
EVERYTHING ELSE:
📚 Recommended Reading: https://shorturl.at/SOYRP
👉 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/nathanhassall
📸 Nathan's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nathanhassallpoetry/
🌀 The Poetry Vessel Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepoetryvessel
📧 Business inquiries: [email protected]
🎥Our Film Gear: https://shorturl.at/j9MTW
🙏 How to Support TPV: https://thepoetryvessel.com/donate/🕰️ TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 – How Memorizing Poetry Rewires Your Mind
00:51 – Who Is Matthew Stillman?
03:45 – A Cassette Tape That Changed Everything: “Your Favorite Poems”
07:12 – Improv Comedy Powered by Poetry: Using Poems as Script11:58 – Poetic “Shards”: Why Lines of Poetry Haunt Our Everyday Speech
13:40 – Poetry as Ancient Technology & Ritual Maintenance
16:06 – Memory Palaces vs. Learning by Heart: Two Ways of Knowing
19:15 – Recitation as Live Theater: Bringing Poems Back to the Body
23:51 – Courting the Muses: Treating Memory Like a Living Being
27:32 – Usable Speech: Poems for Graveyards, Lagoons & Liminal Spaces
32:23 – How Metaphors Shape, Expand & Narrow What We Can Perceive
37:32 – Sex, Spirit & the King James Bible: An Initiation Through Language
40:35 – Poetry in Motion: What a Truly Poetic Response Looks Like
45:00 – Beyond Funerals: Bringing Poetry Back into Ordinary Life
58:20 – A 20‑Word Benediction: The Radical Hospitality of Language
PODCAST DISCLAIMER:
The views, opinions, discussions, and statements expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and are intended to represent their personal opinions and perspectives. Listener discretion is advised. The Poetry Vessel is not responsible for the accuracy or reliability of any information presented and disclaims any liability arising from the use of or reliance on any information presented in this podcast
FTC DISCLAIMER:
Some of the links above may be affiliate links, which means that if you click on them we may receive a small commission. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. The commission is paid by the retailers, at no cost to you, and this helps to support our channel and keep our videos free. Thank you!
View all episodes
By The Poetry VesselSpoiler: it's not another memory palace.
In this episode of The Poetry Vessel Podcast, Malibu Poet Laureate '23-'25 sits down with Matthew Stillman of StillmanSays to discuss the art of memorization and how poetry can become apart of our everyday lives. Stillman has worked one-on-one with thousands of people, using deep listening and creative techniques to uncover unseen connections.
Through his one-of-a-kind workshop, Committed to Heart, Committed to Memory, Stillman guides students through the art of memorizing poetry.
Committed to Heart, Committed to Memory is a four-week, small-group poetry workshop focused on memorization as a living, embodied practice. Participants will learn how to carry poems within them—so beauty, language, and meaning are readily available in speech, thought, and daily life.
👉 SPACES ARE LIMITED TO SIGN UP NOW:https://thepoetryvessel.com/friendsofthepoetryvessel/
MATTHEW STILLMAN'S SUBSTACK: https://stillmansays.com/
🙏 SUPPORT US ON PATREON:https://www.patreon.com/cw/ThePoetryVessel
📜 SUBMIT YOUR POETRY:https://www.thepoetryvessel.com/submit
🧠 HOW POETRY CHANGES YOUR BRAIN COURSE (LIMITED TIME DISCOUNT):https://www.nathanhassall.com/changeyourbrain
EVERYTHING ELSE:
📚 Recommended Reading: https://shorturl.at/SOYRP
👉 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/nathanhassall
📸 Nathan's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nathanhassallpoetry/
🌀 The Poetry Vessel Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepoetryvessel
📧 Business inquiries: [email protected]
🎥Our Film Gear: https://shorturl.at/j9MTW
🙏 How to Support TPV: https://thepoetryvessel.com/donate/🕰️ TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 – How Memorizing Poetry Rewires Your Mind
00:51 – Who Is Matthew Stillman?
03:45 – A Cassette Tape That Changed Everything: “Your Favorite Poems”
07:12 – Improv Comedy Powered by Poetry: Using Poems as Script11:58 – Poetic “Shards”: Why Lines of Poetry Haunt Our Everyday Speech
13:40 – Poetry as Ancient Technology & Ritual Maintenance
16:06 – Memory Palaces vs. Learning by Heart: Two Ways of Knowing
19:15 – Recitation as Live Theater: Bringing Poems Back to the Body
23:51 – Courting the Muses: Treating Memory Like a Living Being
27:32 – Usable Speech: Poems for Graveyards, Lagoons & Liminal Spaces
32:23 – How Metaphors Shape, Expand & Narrow What We Can Perceive
37:32 – Sex, Spirit & the King James Bible: An Initiation Through Language
40:35 – Poetry in Motion: What a Truly Poetic Response Looks Like
45:00 – Beyond Funerals: Bringing Poetry Back into Ordinary Life
58:20 – A 20‑Word Benediction: The Radical Hospitality of Language
PODCAST DISCLAIMER:
The views, opinions, discussions, and statements expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and are intended to represent their personal opinions and perspectives. Listener discretion is advised. The Poetry Vessel is not responsible for the accuracy or reliability of any information presented and disclaims any liability arising from the use of or reliance on any information presented in this podcast
FTC DISCLAIMER:
Some of the links above may be affiliate links, which means that if you click on them we may receive a small commission. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. The commission is paid by the retailers, at no cost to you, and this helps to support our channel and keep our videos free. Thank you!