In this episode, I share a deeply personal story of how a simple notification about a new Substack subscriber reignited my passion for creating and reminded me of my "Great Why." When the world feels like it's shouting for you to give up, this episode is a reminder to keep going—because your art does matter.

I reflect on the power of art to change the world, one creation at a time, and discuss how even in the face of external doubts, art can fuel hope, connection, and transformation. The episode also includes two of my poems: a short opener and a longer spoken word piece—the second of which was crafted as a "portrait poem" for a friend, where I capture the essence of their art and words, further tying into the message of the episode.

Tune in for inspiration to keep creating and trusting in the impact of your voice! YOU MATTER!

Follow me on Instagram @mavmalone

and subscribe to my Substack, Junk Drawer

Today's episode is crossover from my Substack newsletters, Junk Drawer - more specifically, my "ARTHOUSE" subseries, where I break down a poem I've written, tell the backstory of its creation, and/or dive deeper into the topic.

With this one, I'm covering the controversial topic of AI poetry. Sparked by a recent study from the University of Pittsburgh, where participants couldn't distinguish between AI-generated and human-written poems, this episode unpacks the deeper implications of AI within creative writing. I discuss the dangers not of the technology itself, but of how humans may choose to use it. We'll explore the ethical, artistic, and emotional stakes of AI in the world of poetry, and I'll leave you with - hopefully - a much better perspective.

Whether you're a poet, a writer, or someone uneasy about AI "artists," this episode offers a cautionary tale on how imperative it is to consciously navigate this new frontier.

• Follow me on Instagram ⁠@mavmalone⁠
• Subscribe to my Substack, ⁠Junk Drawer⁠
• Purchase my books, ⁠Pressed Petals⁠, and ⁠Hope and Other Beautiful Things⁠
• Find everything else⁠ here⁠

In this episode of the "Listen When" short motivational series, we'll explore how curiosity can help us transcend fear. Through powerful stories and reflections, I’ll discuss shifting our mindset from anxiety to curiosity, empowering us to face challenges head-on. Plus, stay tuned for a reading of my poem, "Pluto's Impetus," which captures the essence of transformation.

Tune in for a quick dose of inspiration that reminds you that courage often lies just beyond your comfort zone!

Find me at:

Instagram: @mavmalone

Substack: Junk Drawer - www.maverickmalone.substack.com

Join us for a special episode featuring local Chattanooga poet Chelsea Chatts as we dive into her new collection, Mud Water Will Rise. Chelsea explores Southern identity through the lens of community and culture, highlighting the unwavering resilience and pride that define what it means to be a Southerner in the 21st century. In this captivating conversation, we discuss the importance of poetry, the interplay of social and political issues, and the magic that inspires us to write. As we embrace the spooky season, Chelsea shares chilling ghost stories and Chattanooga legends, making this episode a perfect listen for Halloween enthusiasts. Tune in for an enchanting blend of poetry, culture, and lore!

Connect with Chelsea at ChelseaChatts.com

Instagram: @chelsea.chatts

Threads: @chelsea.chatts

Grab your copy of Mud Water Will Rise here!

In this episode, join me on a peaceful morning at a charming red caboose Airbnb in Alabama. As I sip my coffee and take in the tranquil surroundings, I dive into the beauty of life’s middle spaces—those moments when we’re grateful for where we are while still dreaming of where we want to be. I share heartfelt musings on motherhood, weathering darkness, the pursuit of fulfillment, and the delicate balance between contentment and ambition. Tune in for a soothing journey of reflection, inspiration, and a reminder to embrace the present while reaching for our dreams.

🎙️Episode 1: The Caboose Chronicles - Season Two Premiere! 🚂

Welcome back to Season Two! In this special episode, recorded from a charming little red caboose in Alabama, I take you on a journey of self-discovery and creativity. After a refreshing hiatus, I’m excited to share what I’ve been up to—hosting open mics, traveling, and tackling my fear of public speaking head-on!

Join me as I reflect on these adventures and delve into a powerful speech I delivered at a recent Pride event, where I explored the vital theme of authenticity and the importance of being true to yourself. Whether you’re looking for inspiration or a reminder to embrace your uniqueness, this episode has something for everyone.

So grab your headphones and settle in—let’s get back on track together! 🌟

On Tuesday, August 20th, 2024, the poetry group open mic I attend held its final show at its location. The group continues on but will be moving venues, so to pay homage to the stage and space that housed us for the past few years, we all gave it a final sendoff. There was a strict 5 minute time limit and as such, I had to trim my performance down slightly. I wanted to give this piece another place to exist, so I recorded the full version and told the backstory of how it came into being. As such, this is a short "intermission" episode to hold you over until Ink Speak officially returns with season 2.

This is the season 1 FINALE of Ink Speak and wow, it's going off with fireworks, a twenty-one gun salute, and a whole lot of tears. If you have been thinking about divorce, are curious about divorce or my experiences with it, are feeling stuck in your own relationship or marriage, or maybe just struggling to find love - this is the episode you need to carve out some time for and listen to the entire thing.

When I left my marriage over 2 years ago, I didn't know what was coming next. I was TERRIFIED but I knew it was the right decision for me. And what I found on the other side, not only during the grieving and healing process, but during the becoming process as well as after, when I found myself in a new relationship, EVERYTHING that came next - was magic.

It was reclamation, freedom, love, beauty, hope. It blew every door off what I thought my life was going to look like and painted a masterpiece so brilliantly vibrant that I couldn't believe it. I still can't at times - what my life is becoming.

This is what I want to tell the world - this right here; to not be afraid to take a risk, to do the hard thing, to make yourself a priority.

In this episode, I'll discuss:

• why I don't think marriage should be a thing before 30
• what we need to know first before we decide to get married
• what happened in my own marriage & why/how I left (including some wild synchronicites)
• divorce as a success story & how it can be a massive catalyst and a beautiful gift
• mature and healthy love - what that looks like to me and how you can have that too
• why you should NEVER, EVER let go of hope

If you're feeling lost, confused, stagnant, hopeless or stuck - give this episode a listen and if you want to connect with me after and share your thoughts, I'd LOVE to hear. Please email me at [email protected] or reach out on Instagram @mavmalone

You can order my poetry books I mention in this episode here:

Pressed Petals (a journey of healing through divorce)

Hope & Other Beautiful Things (just like it sounds! Feel-good poems for remembering the magic)

90% of podcasts don't get past episode 3. Of those that surpass that milestone, even less make it to a year. And then there is Ink Speak...

I recently celebrated TWO birthdays: mine and the podcast! So I thought I'd combine both and talk about it. In this episode I'll touch on:

• what happened this year on my birthday
• why your 30s are amazing & my biggest takeaways from this decade thus far
• podcast deep-dive: why it's way harder than you'd think, why majority fail, and lessons I've learned from grinding it out the past year on this passion project
• what's happening to Ink Speak
• hear a spoken word piece from my new book, ⁠Hope & Other Beautiful Things⁠

Follow along on ⁠@mavmalone on Instagram⁠ for more

Change is such an inevitable part of life - one that many of us struggle with. As I'm entering 36, I can sense my own next big changes on the horizon and my dreams and experiences have a lot to say about that. On today's episode, I wanted to share a story about one of nature's messengers, a little lizard, and what he taught me about change. I'll touch on:

• how we can better navigate change with more ease
• the importance of letting go of old versions of ourselves
• recount personal experiences of relationships-past: how getting stuck in that loop is really just us holding ourselves back
• words of encouragement if you're in a rut or fearful of your next big change

Follow along on @mavmalone on Instagram for more or check out my latest book, Hope & Other Beautiful Things here.