Episode 016: Esther Windt

They're Telling Me 

Esther Windt is a trans writer who loves writing poems, short stories, and creative nonfiction, and is currently attending Saint Ambrose University. She has her work published in the Half and One magazine, as well as The Atlas 17 and 18, and Quercus Volume 32. 

Episode 015: Elena Vallejo

Oracion de viaje (A Travel Prayer)

Elena Vallejo was born and raised in the Quad Cities and is currently studying Early Childhood Education, Theatre, and Writing at St. Ambrose University. In addition to poetry, Elena writes for the SAU school newspaper, writes for LOVE Girls Magzine, is an editor for SAU’s Quercus, and has done some freelance work. She writes to bring to life the stories living inside her. Elena has previously been published in the 31st edition of Quercus, the Midwest Writing Center’s The Atlas: Volume 16, and the inaugural issue of the Antipoetry Magazin

Episode 014: Haven O’Brian

Untitled 

Haven O'Brian is an 11-year-old student at Hopewell Elementary. Haven loves reading and writing and is a passionate musician who enjoys playing the violin, piano, and alto saxophone. When not engaging in musical practice, she dedicates her time to volunteering for various causes she deeply cares about

Episode 013: Margie Mejia-Caraballo

I Died Waiting in Line

Margie is a wife, mother, grandmother, sister and a social activist. Margie enjoys gardening and reading. Margie is very active in her community and sits on numerous boards and committees in both Illinois and Iowa.

Episode 012: Farah Marklevits

Leaf Season

Farah Marklevits teaches and tutors at Augustana College in Rock Island, IL and lives with her family in Iowa. Her poems have appeared in Smartish Pace, West Branch, Michigan Quarterly Review, and other spaces.

Episode 011: Olha Huska

My Mom Drives Strangers to Work 

Olha Huska is a Junior Music Education Major at St. Ambrose University. Born In Ternopil, Ukraine, Ohla and their family immigrated to the States in November of 2004, and they have lived here ever since. Over the years, Ohla and their family have helped many people immigrate and settle, especially since the war in Ukraine started. They have always believed in helping others even when they don't know if they can, a Lesson they learned from their mother, and they hope that they will continue to carry and pass this lesson of compassion and action wherever life leads them.

Episode 010: John Hagar

Absent Neighbor

John Hagar is the Director of the Galvin Fine Arts Center at St. Ambrose University. He is a writer, visual artist and musician. John believes that cruelty is the worst thing that we do and expanding empathy, through reading and experiencing the arts, is one avenue toward a less cruel world.

Episode 009: Philip Goldfarb Styrt

Quicquam

Philip Goldfarb Styrt lives in Davenport with his wife, two children, and toothless dog. His poetry combines traditional forms of rhyme and meter with modern concepts and concerns, and has appeared in such venues as Quercus, The Eastern Iowa Review, and carte blanche. In the time he is not writing poetry, he teaches and plays boardgames.

Episode 008: Faith Foley

the verdancy of animosity

Faith Foley is a current student at St. Ambrose University. Her major is Early Childhood Education; She plans to graduate in 2027. Faith is a published author; she continues to write, along with taking part in other interests such as singing, painting, and hanging out with her pet chickens.

Episode 007: Jacob Duncan

You Can’t Stop the Rain, But You Can Buy a Coat  

Jacob Duncan is a 24-year-old writer from Aledo, Illinois.  He recently graduated from Monmouth College in 2022. Currently, he's working at a family-owned business in Burlington, Iowa while writing a novel in his free time. His largest literary inspirations come from magic-realist authors like Toni Morrison.