Poetically Speaking

By Poetically Speaking

Hosts (and writers) Kendall Wack and Alani Vargas discuss all things poetry, social justice, and the intersection between them. Logo art by Megan Walsh.... more

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FAQs about Poetically Speaking:

How many episodes does Poetically Speaking have?

The podcast currently has 13 episodes available.

Poetically Speaking episodes:

May 08, 2023 Poetically Speaking - After Hours
In the first (!) After Hours episode of Poetically Speaking season 2, hosts Kendall Wack and Alani Vargas chat all things pop culture, music, and more!
You can find Kendall on Instagram at @hopelesspoetesse. You can find Alani on Instagram and Twitter at @alanimv.

Music Credit:
"Artificial.Music - And So It Begins [Lo-fi]" is under a Creative Commons license (CC-BY) 3.0
Music provided by BreakingCopyright: • [No Copyright Mus...
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59min
September 26, 2022Classism in Higher Education
In Episode 11 of Poetically Speaking (and part 2 of the classism in higher education series), hosts Kendall Wack and Eliana Horning discuss some of the many systemic issues blocking low-income students and Students of Color from succeeding in higher education.
Poetry mentioned in this episode:
“The Hand" by Mary Ruefle (https://poets.org/poem/hand-0)
Resources mentioned in this episode:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/226521064_The_Interactive_Relationship_Between_Class_Identity_and_the_College_Experience_The_Case_of_Lower_Income_Students

https://www.communitypsychology.com/addressing-classism/

https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED504448.pdf
You can find Eliana on Instagram at @deadlyiridescence and Kendall at @hopelesspoetesse.
For more information on the Madwoman Collective, see here: or find us on Instagram and Tiktok at @madwomancollective.
Music creds: Optimistic / Inspirational by Mixaund | https://mixaund.bandcamp.com
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47min
September 19, 2022The Roots of Classism in Higher Education
In Episode 10 of Poetically Speaking (and part 1 of the classism in higher education series), hosts Kendall Wack and Eliana Horning discuss some of the many systemic issues blocking low-income students and Students of Color from reaching and succeeding in higher education.
Poetry mentioned in this episode:
At The University by Aoifké Madeleine (@aoifkeswords on Instagram): https://thetab.com/uk/durham/2021/03/26/people-demean-me-because-of-how-i-speak-durham-second-year-on-classism-at-university-50177
Resources mentioned in this episode:
https://www.educationnext.org/better-school-counselors-better-outcomes-quality-varies-can-matter-as-much-as-with-teachers/

https://www.schoolcounselor.org/getmedia/b079d17d-6265-4166-a120-3b1f56077649/School-Counselors-Matter.pdf

https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTR5g5uVx/

https://soeonline.american.edu/blog/school-to-prison-pipeline
You can find Eliana on Instagram at @deadlyiridescence and Kendall at @hopelesspoetesse.
For more information on the Madwoman Collective, see here: or find us on Instagram and Tiktok at @madwomancollective.
Music creds: Optimistic / Inspirational by Mixaund | https://mixaund.bandcamp.com
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43min
September 12, 2022How Far is Too Far? Separating Art From Artist
In Episode 9 of Poetically Speaking, hosts Kendall Wack and Eliana Horning discuss cancel culture, accountability, and the morality of separating art from artist.
Poetry mentioned in this episode:
North American Time by Adrienne Rich (https://eportfolios.macaulay.cuny.edu/smonte10/files/2010/08/North-American-Time.pdf)
Episode fact check:
Johnny Depp won three counts of defamation against Amber Heard, amounting in a $15 million reward. Heard won one count of defamation against Depp, amounting in a $2 million reward. (Source)

In November 2020, Johnny Depp lost a libel case to The Sun after they called him a wife beater. (Source)

In J.K. Rowling's new book, The Ink Black Heart, the cartoonist protagonist is murdered after coming under fire for racist, transphobic, and ableist publications. (Source)
You can find Eliana on Instagram at @deadlyiridescence and Kendall at @hopelesspoetesse.
For more information on the Madwoman Collective, see here: or find us on Instagram and Tiktok at @madwomancollective.
Music creds: Optimistic / Inspirational by Mixaund | https://mixaund.bandcamp.com
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46min
September 05, 2022 Happy Labor Day from Poetically Speaking!
Happy Labor Day! Check out our gun violence resources and activist suggestions here.
You can find Eliana on Instagram at @deadlyiridescence and Kendall at @hopelesspoetesse.
For more information on the Madwoman Collective, see here: or find us on Instagram and Tiktok at @madwomancollective.
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2min
August 29, 2022Gun Violence, part 2 (ft. Alani Vargas, Chicago native)
TW/CW: discussions of gun violence and death
In Episode 8 of Poetically Speaking (and part 2 of the gun violence series), hosts Kendall Wack and Eliana Horning—and special guest, Alani Vargas—discuss the logistical and social aspects of gun violence in the United States.
Poetry mentioned in this episode:
Self-Portrait as Milk Hare in Active Shooter Alert by Traci Brimhall (https://crazyhorse.cofc.edu/featured/self-portrait-as-milk-hare-in-active-shooter-alert/)
Resources mentioned in this episode:
https://www.npr.org/2022/07/21/1112214346/american-gun-violence-has-immense-costs-beyond-the-death-toll-new-studies-find
You can find a list of our gun violence resources and activist suggestions here.
You can find Alani on Instagram and Twitter at @alanimv.
You can find Eliana on Instagram at @deadlyiridescence and Kendall at @hopelesspoetesse.
For more information on the Madwoman Collective, see here: or find us on Instagram and Tiktok at @madwomancollective.
Music creds: Optimistic / Inspirational by Mixaund | https://mixaund.bandcamp.com
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52min
August 22, 2022Gun Violence, Part 1 (ft. Eddie Sourby—Newtown, CT native)
In Episode 7 of Poetically Speaking (and part 1 of the gun violence series), hosts Kendall Wack and Eliana Horning interview Eddie Sourby—native of Newtown, CT—on the impact of December 14, 2012's Sandy Hook elementary school shooting on him and his community.
Poetry mentioned in this episode:
Heal the Cracks in the Bell of the World by Martín Espada (https://poets.org/poem/heal-cracks-bell-world)
Resources mentioned in this episode:
The Newtown Action Alliance

The Big Book of Exit Strategies by Jamaal May (purchase here)

Ben's Lighthouse
You can find Eddie on Instagram at @sourboy.art.
You can find Eliana on Instagram at @deadlyiridescence and Kendall at @hopelesspoetesse.
For more information on the Madwoman Collective, see here: or find us on Instagram and Tiktok at @madwomancollective.
Music creds: Optimistic / Inspirational by Mixaund | https://mixaund.bandcamp.com
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25min
August 15, 2022In the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Smokes, We Were Traumatized!
In Episode 6 of Poetically Speaking, hosts Kendall Wack and Eliana Horning discuss the longlasting impact of religion on both of their lives.
Poetry mentioned in this episode:
Reading Palms by Emily Bennett, (@afterthoughts.xmo on Instagram)
You can find Eliana on Instagram at @deadlyiridescence and Kendall at @hopelesspoetesse.
For more information on the Madwoman Collective, see here: or find us on Instagram and Tiktok at @madwomancollective.
Music creds: Optimistic / Inspirational by Mixaund | https://mixaund.bandcamp.com
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1h
July 25, 2022Disability During the Covid-19 Pandemic
In Episode 5 of Poetically Speaking, hosts Kendall Wack and Eliana Horning discuss the impact of Covid-19 on disability—and vice versa.
Poetry mentioned in this episode:
limbs by @poetrybyjenn.
You can listen to the Disabled Standard here and follow their Instagram @disabledstandard for more updates and disability content.
Read Shruti's NPR article here!
You can find Eliana on Instagram at @deadlyiridescence and Kendall at @hopelesspoetesse.
For more information on the Madwoman Collective, see here: or find us on Instagram and Tiktok at @madwomancollective.
Music creds: Optimistic / Inspirational by Mixaund | https://mixaund.bandcamp.com
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51min
July 18, 2022Navigating Queer, Interracial Relationships in a Post-Roe World
In Episode 4 of Poetically Speaking, host Kendall Wack and guest host Alani Vargas discuss being in a queer, interacial relationship and the ways that Justice Thomas' solo concurring opinion may impact it and others like it.
Poetry mentioned in this episode:
Part one of Outlines by Audre Lorde.
The aforementioned Twitter thread about Queer married couples being prepared in the event that Obergefell is overturned can be found here.
You can find Kendall on Instagram at @hopelesspoetesse. You can find Alani on Instagram and Twitter at @alanimv.
For more information on the Madwoman Collective, see here: or find us on Instagram and Tiktok at @madwomancollective.
Music creds: Optimistic / Inspirational by Mixaund | https://mixaund.bandcamp.com
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59min

FAQs about Poetically Speaking:

How many episodes does Poetically Speaking have?

The podcast currently has 13 episodes available.