This week on Poem Booth, I had the honor of sitting down with Smokii Sumac, a Ktunaxa poet, painter and Indigenous youth educator. In this episode, Smokii and I discuss the intersections between liberation struggles by drawing lines between culture, art, ceremony, grief and relationships in restorative ways. You will feel the humanity in every word spoken and in every pause given. What does it mean to face the effects of colonization as we return to ourselves and to one another?

Timestamp:

00:00: Smokii introduces himself

03:15: Smokii finds his voice as a poet

07:34: Indigenous literature changes his path

12:02: Art helps young people find possibility

15:23: Smokii dreams of a space for healing

20:29: What does it mean to affirm life?

27:56: Colonization breaks relationships

36:16: Smokii learns to slow down

48:37: Grief needs time and community

53:37: How do we keep our hearts soft?

58:21: Choosing autonomy comes at a cost

65:21: We can all contribute to collective care

To purchase Smokii’s new book, Born Sacred, visit: https://fernwoodpublishing.ca/authors/smokii-sumac?srsltid=AfmBOorQ0UhtZf_P_Rut_l0vNMq4rkpUy_7JHhjmqXhz6pTNaAlhU4dc

And to be updated about the work he is doing, you can find him at: https://www.instagram.com/smokiisumac/?hl=en

The Sumud Podcast he mentioned is here: https://sumudpod.com/  

To support this podcast, consider becoming a PATREON contributor by going to: https://www.patreon.com/c/POEMBOOTH

You can find me at https://zaynabmohammed.com/ & https://www.instagram.com/poemsbyzaynab

This week I had the opportunity to connect with Rachelle Love, a grounded, caring and passionate sower of garments and seeds. In this episode, like all episodes on Poem Booth: The podcast, we get to know what makes Rachelle who she is, what inspires her work and her wholesome vision for the world we are sharing. There is power in her calm nature and potent spider web making creations. Sometimes we need to hear what lives behind the words, the intentions and the visions of a good life, to see the examples showing us what is not found in our media landscape.

Timestamps:
0:00 Welcome to Poem Booth + meet Rachelle Love
2:44 Building a sustainable undergarment brand
4:57 Falling in love with sewing and making clothes
7:45 Sewing traditions, craft, and the rise of fast fashion
11:49 Natural fibers, Rana Plaza, and ethical fashion
18:23 Consumption, community, and what we’ve lost
24:09 Dreams of a peaceful, creative life
33:40 Daily challenges, exhaustion, and support systems
41:49 Relaunching the brand and growing it intentionally
47:18 Designing timeless clothing and balancing accessibility
54:52 Teaching sewing and helping artists build businesses
58:34 Filling other people’s cups + a closing reflection

Discover Rachelle's work: https://earthandelle.ca and
https://www.instagram.com/rachelle.love.___/

To support this podcast, consider becoming a PATREON contributor by going to www.patreon.com/poembooth

You can find me at www.zaynabmohammed.com & www.instagram.com/poemsbyzaynab

In this episode, I got to speak with an old friend of mine, Louis Bockner. He is a simple, grounded and thoughtful human who practices his values in real time. His love of photography has taken him to many countries, where he has opportunities to help local stories meet a wider audience or where he teaches locals how to tell their own stories, through powerful photography as a form of storytelling.


Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction to Louie Bockner and Argenta's essence
05:02 - The role of physical and mental effort in rural living
12:05 - Louie’s journey into photography and storytelling
20:48 - Inspiration to photograph: connection and storytelling
24:41 - Teaching photography as a way to empower local voices
26:04 - Documenting the 2024 Argenta wildfire and its stories
36:30 - Reflections on mortality and the value of time with loved ones
42:29 - Navigating global atrocities through community focus
50:39 - Inspirations from mentors, community figures, and family
54:49 - Living intentionally and the value of local, connected living
62:38 - The land and homesteading in Argenta’s forest landscape
64:03 - The comfort and rarity of staying rooted in one place

Learn more about Louis' work: https://www.louisbockner.com

To support this podcast, consider becoming a PATREON contributor by going to www.patreon.com/poembooth

You can find me at www.zaynabmohammed.com & www.instagram.com/poemsbyzaynab

Meghan Beatty, an activist and pharmacist, shares her journey into activism, from protesting old growth logging to fighting for freedom and justice in Palestine. She discusses the privilege and consequences of activism, emphasizing the importance of direct action and the power of standing up for what you believe in. The conversation delves into Meghan's transformative journey from anxiety and fear to activism and community support. It explores the impact of mental health, the importance of community, and the inspiration drawn from matriarchs.

Timestamps:

• 00:00 Introduction to Meghan Beatty
• 06:28 Courage and Arrest
• 14:13 Understanding White Privilege
• 25:47 Consequences of Activism
• 32:06 Access Points to Activism
• 39:30 Overcoming Anxiety and Self-Confidence
• 45:58 Understanding Anxiety and Fear
• 57:59 The Vision for Change
• 01:08:58 Inspiration from Matriarchs

To support this podcast, consider becoming a PATREON contributor by going to www.patreon.com/poembooth

You can find me at website or instagram.

Truth Be Told: An interview with Yara Sayegh

Filmed on May 20th and 21st 2026. Between Montreal, Canada and Beirut, Lebanon. Hosted by Zaynab Mohammed.

In this episode, Poem Booth's first, we dive into what it means to be someone who cares deeply for the world, how art transforms and connects with wide audiences and the dreams and visions for a future of unity, justice and hope.

Yara's website: truthbetold.live

Yara's instagram page: www.instagram.com/truthbetold.live

To support this podcast visit: www.patreon.com/poembooth