The Department of Homeland Inspiration

Art Ranger catches up with poet and friend Gerda Govine Ituarte. Her unexpected career as a poet, later in life, and her unique relationship with words is always inspiring, as is her delivery of several poems for listeners.

Gerda is the author of five books as well as the founder of the Pasadena Rose Poets. Go to Poetryartbookstation.com to learn more about Gerda and to purchase books.

Summer of 2026, with its prevalent theme of the country's birthday, brings Art Ranger to recount her flashback from the Bicentennial Celebration as a teenager in Colorado. Then and now. Soundscape by Dirty Pens.

Art Ranger shares her appreciation of poetry generally, recording this on the last day of National Poetry Month. She highlights Mosab Abu Toha's "Things you may find hidden in my ear" as a different way to read the news. In addition she reads and deconstructs her favorite American Haiku by Jack Kerouac, from the book "Heaven & Other Poems".

Art Ranger launches season six of The Department of Homeland Inspiration with a taking of the pulse and a celebration of the poetry of the late Diane de Prima. She reads from the book, Revolutionary Letters, 50th Anniversary Edition.

Relevant past episode War is a Racket

Art Ranger shares a favorite poem written by her dad in the nineties, "Sonnet to the Wilderness". While trying to get a grip on all the grieving that there is to do, outside and inside, she picks something near and dear to share. A previous podcast, called "Love Letter to the Constitution", features an essay by Bob, kept in his briefcase.

Welcome back to The Department of Homeland Inspiration after a year hiatus, wherein the Art Ranger re -states her mission. A brief overview of this project in its re-current re-boot, rekindle form. An artist's inquiry into inspiration, writings, and a growing sound emporium.

Art Ranger celebrates and reminisces about the life and work of poet, Jerome Rothenberg, who passed recently. He was a treasured mentor whom we admire forever. To learn more about Rothenberg's gigantic contribution to literature, read his NYT obituary. Our favorite of his books are "That Dada Strain" and "Shaking the Pumpkin". The title of this podcast comes from: SONGS & OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES FROM THE SOCIETY OF THE MYSTIC ANIMALS of the Seneca people. And here is a favorite audio recording of his Horse Songs on bandcamp.

Art Ranger shares a conversation that took place in the Art Gallery at California State University, Monterey Bay as part of an exhibit reflecting on the affects of COVID 19 and the role of music as healing. Participants include artist educator, Angelica Muro, musicians, Jeffrey Jones and Lanier Sammons. Other artists referred to in this podcast: Delia Salvidar of Radio Bilingue, Salinas and Amalia Mesa Bains.

All background sounds and musical interludes in this podcast are provided by the participants.

Art Ranger shares a recently discovered essay about the U.S. Constitution written by her father in the 60s. Have you ever tried to read the constitution? Well - dad breaks it down for us, and with passion, explains how it works. A crucial time to pay attention.

Art Ranger continues to perform a long poem inspired by a prompt from California Poet Laureate, Lee Herrick. Bits of life story are spliced with observations of place.