Inquire Within with IN-Q

In this episode of Inquire Within, I'm joined by Ed Mabrey. He talks about how our patriotic society had led him to believe poetry was not something men should be doing. For the longest time, he drank the kool aid and tried to shape himself and his art to fit the world of rap, which was what our society would expect from men, until he discovered slam poetry. Ed also uncovers the rules that evolve around slam poetry. Ed is considered to be the GOAT of Poetry Slam, Ed Mabrey is a Poet, Professional Speaker, Screenwriter, Comedian, Voice/Stage/Film Actor. And as always, with every episode, we will be sharing a journaling question inspired by the conversation to encourage and inspire you to inquire within, so be sure to listen to the full episode to not miss out. Find more from Ed here: edmabrey.com

Where are you in your life? Where are you in the plot right now? Remember, you are the star. You are the supporting characters. You are the writers. You are the director. You are the grips.

In this 3 minute episode, it is just me, IN-Q. I wanted to share my poem, Fairytales, with you, and I give a journal prompt. Your life is a movie, write about it.

Find more from me on Instagram: @inqlife.

Are you struggling to find your sense of self?

In this weeks episode of "Inquire Within", myself and Instagram famous poet, Kamilla Tolnø, dive deep into what started her poetry journey, growing up in Copenhagan, and how instagram played such a big part in her career. Her writing has inspired so many, and has even helped readers learn English. We talk about the power of words and what past writings can teach our future self.

Kamilla's debut poetry collection was released in 2020 and "the moon" reached #1 bestseller in her category. The series has since then become complete with "the orchid", "the ocean" and "the wolf". The series is written for those struggling with finding their sense of self. Kamilla's artistic journey started with a broken heart followed by a depression and a sense of lostness. The northern collection is a testimony of her path out of the pain through the arts of writing and illustrating. Her hope is to help others unfold into their fullest selves by healing the past and trusting in the power of the future.

What we discuss:

1:59: Kamilla's Poem and the Meaning Behind It

6:32: The Power of Our Writing and Life's Cycles

9:01: Writing Things Down

12:45: Do you need validation from your readers?

15:55: Poetry with English as your second language

18:02: Writing simply and the butterfly effect

22:51: Growing up in Copenhagen

25:12: Poetry on Instagram

29:32: Finding your sense of self

38:05: How you know that you have found yourself?

44:33: What is the best thing about social media & the worst thing?

51:58: Seasons of life

53:39: Advice for over-thinkers

58:10: Like the Ocean You Can B Everywhere at Once by Kamilla Tolnø

1:00:15: The Moon by IN-Q

1:03:59: Writing Prompt: Simplicity is Complex

Speakeasy Launch: August 16th

Instagram: @k.tolnoe

Book Series: ktolnoe.com

In this episode of Inquire Within, I'm joined by Javon Johnson. The two of us dive into Javon's journey from the epics fails he had as a beginner poet to building a solid career focused on a political agenda. Javon is an Assistant Professor of African American Studies at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and a highly awarded spoken word poet, merging race and gender theory with comedy and lyricism. He is also the author of Killy Poetry, Ain't Never Not Been Black, and Viral Poems. Additionally, Professor Johnson writes for The Huffington Post, The Root, and Our Weekly, and serves on the editorial board for Text & Performance Quarterly. And, he has appeared on HBO's Def Poetry Jam, BET's Lyric Café, TV One's Verses & Flow, The Arsenio Hall Show, and The Steve Harvey Show, and also co-wrote the Showtime documentary Crossover. What we discuss: How did Javon become the performer he is now? What is Javon's most embarrassing moment on stage? "Another Generic Love Poem from a Man to his Unborn Daughter" by Javon Johnson The Birth of Javon's New Baby Girl How did the birth of Javon's daughter change his perspective on his upbringing? How do you feel about the idea of your child being your friend? Growing up in south LA and how that fueled Javon's interest in poetry Javon's family and his introductions to politics What birthed Javon's interest in poetry? When did Javon's poetry begin to have a political agenda? What is one theme that Javon wants to leave his audience with his "Still" poem? The attack on black people's livability Discussing "Ain't Never Not Been Black" by Javon Johnson What should white people do about their white privilege? The structural solutions to racism What does Javon want the listeners to write about? How would you solved structural racism? Instagram: @javonism Twitter: @javonism

I've been thinking a lot about time horizon recently. We are in such an instant culture – everything has to happen right away and we need instant gratification. But what about incremental and cumulative growth? What happened to things happening slowly, adding up over time, and absolutely changing an area of your life or changing your entire life? In this episode of Inquire Within, I contemplate this thought and give you a journal prompt to help you contemplate this thought as well.

Welcome to Inquire Within with me IN-Q, a poetry podcast that brings you on a journey to the center of your soul through the lens of myself and some the greatest poets and artists of our time. In this episode, I am joined by the talented Dante Basco. Dante is most known for his role as Rufio, the leader of the Lost Boys in Steven Spielberg's Hook, and for his voice acting role as Prince Zuko from Nickelodeon's Avatar: The Last Airbender. He's also the author of Rufio to Zuko, where he outlines how his family and culture played a crucial role in the foundation of his work and his focus for the future. Because of Dante's stand-out roles, he has become an important role model in the Asian-American community. Plus, Dante is the founder of Da Poetry Lounge…(explain what it is, I'm not sure exactly). In this episode, we dive into the major adversities Dante has faced being an Asian American actor and how he was able to overcome them, as well as his work as a poet, his process, and how he's using it break through the adversities minorities face. And as always, with every episode, we will be sharing a journaling question inspired by the conversation to encourage and inspire you to inquire within, so be sure to listen to the full episode to not miss out.

Gratitude is a muscle. If we don't use it, we experience atrophy. So here's the thing: If we stop being grateful for the things the universe presents us, the universe will stop presenting us with things to be grateful for.

In this episode of Inquire Within, I challenge you to contemplate the gratitude you have in and for your life. I also share a thought-provoking spoken word poem, as well as a journal prompt to encourage you to inquire within.

Find more from me on Instagram: @inqlife.

In this episode of Inquire Within, I'm joined by political poet, Propaganda. He shares his reflections about having our own codes which determine what we will always give to and what we will never do. Throughout our conversation together, Propaganda reminds us that while we may be tempted to overstep our limits and boundaries, doing so will cause us to use ourselves as resources, which like any other resource, can run out. Towards the end of our conversation, he also shares with us his childhood and how the neighborhood he lived in shaped the art he makes today. Propaganda is a poet, political activist, husband, father, academic & emcee. Propaganda's ideas stem from where he sits at the intersection. He sees how cultures cross and inspire one another, and can see the oneness of us all. Propaganda will cause you to nod your head, but more importantly he will stretch your mind & heart. And as always, with every episode, we will be sharing a journaling question inspired by the conversation to encourage and inspire you to inquire within, so be sure to listen to the full episode to not miss out. Find more from Propaganda: https://www.prophiphop.com/

In this episode of Inquire Within, I share a poem on love. What is love? What does it look like to love? How do we navigate love? Plus, at the end of the episode, I also share a piece of personal advice on relationships. This is something I found to be powerful in my own relationships and hope you will find it to be just as powerful in yours.

Here's a sneak peek into my "Love Is..." poem...

Love is not perfect,

love is flawed.

Love is not jealous,

love is proud.

Love is not certain,

love is doubt.

Love is not leaving,

love is turning around.

Love is learning to fight

for the middle ground.

Love is not gentle,

love is tough.

Love is not thinking love is enough.

So I chose to love you harder from the moment I wake up.

Find more from be by following me on Instagram: www.instagram.com/inqlife