THE POET GOD

After watching HBO's Leaving Neverland and the Oprah interview that follows it, I realized that the lens through which I see it would be informed by why I began watching the Oprah show 28 years ago. I couldn't talk about one story without telling the other. So here's how it all began, this is how 4pm changed everything! After this episode check out "200 Heroes", the poem inspired by the landmark Oprah show event where 200 men molested came forwards to break the silence!

In this special behind the scenes episode of the podcast you get to be an ear on the wall in our meeting with our new producer as we talk through the thinking of some of the latest episodes, and the making of newest edition of the podcast called Dear Oprah! We also talk about the challenges in running The Oprah Viewers Club Facebook group and why I decided to integrate content created for the group into the podcast.

The makings of this episode began from a conversation with my friend Calvin who is also the new producer of the podcast. I was sharing with him some scenes from a movie called "The Hours" that helped me get through some rough times in my life. We had a great conversation that you will enjoy whether you have seen the movie or not, and like every episode of this podcast poetry lives in its DNA.

In 2011 when Oprah launched OWN I created a Facebook group called "OWN: The Oprah Viewers Club" because I wanted a space for us as viewers to unpack the content and explore the ways in which it informs, inspires and challenges us. Recently I started a podcast called The Poet God which for me was about answering the call to live a more fulfilling and authentic life. Now I’m happy to announce that beginning with this episode I’m taking all of that one step further with a new edition of the podcast called Dear Oprah, affectionately named after a column I write and publish in our group. It's been quite awhile but I'm glad to be here with you again. Thank you for listening! 

This episode was inspired by the bullies that came into my lair, not knowing I was a bully slayer. Some came as sheep, but were wolves that couldn't quite hide their feet. Others were like weeds that stood among the wheat, but as I grew I learned the language that they speak. Some posed as friends but all they did was sow seeds of discord and fear. The bullies reign will end because the bully slayer is here. @ThePoetGod IG: ThePoetGod

Everyone has a limit, even the timidest of us and if you're like me you can't stand to see someone bullied or berated. This in part is why I'm so happy about Inspired, a new series we're starting this season about the poems and the stories that inspired them. "Sleeping Dogs No Longer Lie" has the honor of being the first to officially kick things off! I've always been fascinated by the lives we live and the art that it inspires and I hope that you are too.  I won't spoil it for you but lets just say that this one is for anyone who knows what it feels like to be marginalized in any way. @ThePoetGod IG: ThePoetGod

New equipment, new topics, and new guests are in store! Oh yeah, we have so much more to explore! If you have stuck with me this far first of all thank you for helping me get this podcast off to a great start. Season one exceeded my expectations by far and I hope to reach thousands more of you as we continue to shoot for the stars. @ThePoetGod IG:ThePoetGod

Season Finale: This is the story about how I got here with you. After being sidelined by a storm of a different kind, I went from a 3.8 GPA to just trying to hold on to a piece of mind. After all that the one thing I know to be true is that you never know what life's storms may lead you to. 

The success of this podcast has by far exceeded my expectations and I'm so grateful that so many of you have stuck with me to this episode of the season finale. I'm so excited about what season two will bring but until then help it grow by sharing this podcast with others you think will love it too. Subscribe, follow @ThePoetGod and stay tuned.