The Poets

Lauren "Robbie" Velasquez Robinson is a non-binary lesbian mixed Chicano poet currently pursuing their MFA at Regis University. They are Denver poet and educator for the past 5 years. Their poetry is a testament to resilience and identity, weaving a vibrant tapestry of personal narratives and universal themes. Robbie is not only a poet but also an activist, currently spearheading fundraising efforts for a scholarship honoring two Chicano queer Denver locals. Their dedication to social justice and community empowerment shines through in both their art and activism. Currently working on their debut poetry collection: Listening Party: House Music and Other Conversations,  follow their journey on IG @officially_robbie.

Cristina A. Bejan is a local and international author and artist. Born in Colorado at the height of the Cold War, she moved back just before the pandemic and has been teaching locally and launching books internationally ever since. To learn more about Cristina's creative work please visit her IG: @cristinaabejan_ladygodiva and website: cristinaabejan.com ~ if you are an artist interested in amplification please follow @bucharestinsidethebeltway (IG) and BiB will follow you right back!

Prosist and poet Camron Gall appears on the show to share both prose and poetry and to chat about the stories that flow from his mind, his many notebooks and journals, honing (and not honing) his work, his time spent in Edinburgh at an International Writers' Summer School (SUISS), writing in bathtubs, and much more. Camron has many works forthcoming, including Muffled Orchestra, which we discuss in the episode. Follow Camron on IG @wormofthebook

I'm joined once again by friends of the show Jase West and Sojo to talk about the journey so far, commitment and follow-through, death, balancing the feminine and masculine, and much more.

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Sojo is a multimedia artist who is passionate about investing herself into many forms of art. Her favorites art forms include: poetry, collage, meditation music, fashion, upcycling, photography, as well as combining poetry and collage together. She also loves reading philosophy and experiencing live funky, jazzy music. She’s active in a variety of circles, so you can catch her around the city most days of the week at open mics, art events and exhibitions, thrifting, and more.

IG ⁠@imaginingbutterflies⁠ and ⁠@groovygalactic⁠

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Jase West is a poet and visual artist who currently resides in Denver, Colorado. Guided by heightened sensitivity with a burning desire for higher consciousness and transformation, Jase’s poetry brings a multidimensional and rhythmic approach to various topics such as generational trauma, police brutality, romance, heartbreak and collective healing. His first collection of work titled ‘Eternal Sol’ is pending completion.

IG ⁠@abstractxsol⁠

Dave Jilk is the author of two collections of lyric poetry, co-author of The Entrepreneur’s Weekly Nietzsche: A Book for Disruptors, and lead or co-author of several academic papers on cognitive neuroscience and on existential concerns related to artificial intelligence. A former technology entrepreneur and consultant, he holds a BSc in Computer Science and Engineering from MIT. Dave and his wife live outside Boulder, Colorado and love to explore the mountains and wilderness across the west.

Dave wrote Epoch: A Poetic Psy-Phi Saga to elaborate his thoughts on how a future with fully human-level artificial intelligence might take shape … and found that the subject pulled in some unexpected directions.

Find more about Epoch: A Poetic Psy-Phi Saga, contact Dave, and sign up for book release notifications, at epoch.fyi

Mexican born, Texas raised, international bi-lingual poet, performance artist and director Héktor Muñoz has been produced, exhibited, censored, edited (without permission), and published throughout México, Australia, and the United States. He is the recipient of numerous awards for outstanding contributions to the community. In 2016 he lent his voice to a concept album by Australian Pop Star Max Sharam. In 2018 he was invited to the University of México, in Monterey to present his artistry, a bilingual poetry reading/performance of his work.

Currently he curates art exhibitions around Denver. You may see his paintings, collages and assemblages at the 'ESCAPIST' (Santa Fe & 9th Street, part of The First Friday Art Walk).

'ROSHNI' has commissioned Mr. Muñoz to create/write and direct a piece about diversity and inclusion to premiere on September 15th, 2024. Titled "BUTTERFLIES, FLOWERS & CANDIES", the show will feature dancers, artists and poets. In addition, 'ROSHNI has also commissioned him to create/write/perform a piece about his own experiences as a member of the LGBTQ community.

You may check out his YouTube, Facebook, and/or Instagram. For bookings you may text/call (720)296-6777 or email [email protected]

Pronouns: She/They/Oneself. 

Lynda is a multifaceted artist, educator, entertainer and small business owner (Soul to Soles LLC). Originally from the East Coast but has lived in Denver for over 10 years and considers the Mile High City to be home. Lynda only recently started identifying as a poet but has been writing since she was a kid and pays tribute to her late grand uncle Marcus Cone for her love of the written word. Lynda identifies as a dancer first and foremost but has found a newfound love and freedom for writing and sharing spoken word poetry—everything from what she's best known for anticapitalism works to love-lust and heartbreak and everywhere in between. Lynda plans to have a book out later this year or early next year and is looking for facilitation and speaking engagements locally and internationally again in short. 

IG handle: @soultosoles2023

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Julian Thomas re-joins the show all the way from Spanish Harlem, NYC.

Originally from Tulsa, Oklahoma, Julian returns to the podcast to discuss his new book Black Existentialism: Autumn Leaves and other Space Oddities. Julian is an actor and acting coach and currently leads high school workshops in drama and writing across NYC. He has narrated over 20 audiobooks available on Audible.  On this episode we discuss his new book and the process of publishing it—with lots of good info for anyone else looking to publish their writing. We touch on a lot more including black holes, de-colonizing your mind, Gil Scott-Heron, New York and Chicago's poetry scenes, theater, and much more. Special thanks to Julian for re-appearing on the show as the inaugural feature way back when.

Julian appears in the new Netflix documentary Tell Them You Love Me (IG @tellthemyouloveme) and currently voices an animated series titled The Marvelous Light available on YouTube. 

Available on IG @thomas_artandlife

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Questions? Comments? Want to be featured? Email [email protected]

JX3 joins me to discuss her evolution as a poet, artist, and human, her journey into poetry, co-dependency, and her experience living with Multiple Sclerosis. We also talk about her identity as a lover, find our way into spiritual and esoteric waters, and talk future projects and potential collaborations. Follow JX3 on IG @jamba_joss (and reach out there if you're a visual artist and want to collab on the projects we talk about near the end of the episode.)

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Questions? Comments? Want to be featured? Email [email protected]