Ben shares poetry about the story he deeply wants to still have and subtly expresses his insecurity about his ability to network while asking for additional readers.

If you are interested in being a featured author, reach out on Instagram @wakingthewhispers, or email me at [email protected]

Credits:

Guest: Ben Bloomer

Music by: Solomon Bloomer

Recorded, produced, edited by: Ben Bloomer

Logo and art by: Ben Bloomer

Devon Love discusses her creative process and shares a piece in the works about the perceived flirtations from a barista.

About the Author/Reader/Performer:

Devon Love is a fashion designer turned award-winning soul musician from Philadelphia in the midst of writing her first album. Devon Love released her EP last year and continues to grow all aspects of her creative pursuits.

You can find Devon on Instagram and Twitter @DevonLoveMusic and you can check out her music on her Spotify: (https://open.spotify.com/artist/1b3uOKyc1ZT2unluhGxxXT?si=QiGb01TZQvarNjHD3AB34w&nd=1&dlsi=80b5b1622b6146aa)

If you are interested in being a featured author, reach out on Instagram @wakingthewhispers, or email me at [email protected]

Credits:

Guest: Devon Love

Music by: Solomon Bloomer

Recorded, produced, edited by: Ben Bloomer

Logo and art by: Ben Bloomer

Lisa Marie Farver shares two poems: One of love of self and one of love of David Attenborough. Lisa and Ben discuss creativity. Surprise, surprise.

About the Author/Reader/Performer:

Lisa Marie Farver is a poet and storyteller whose work has been featured at the Uptown Poetry Slam, You’re Being Ridiculous, Beast Women, That’s Poetic! and more. Lisa was a finalist in the 2025 Gwendolyn Brooks Open Mic Awards. She teaches journalism at ChiArts and is the founder of Everyone's Type Poetry & Performance.

You can connect with Lisa at her website: www.everyonestype.com, and on instagram, @everyoneztype

If you're listening in February of 2026, check out Lisa's upcoming events, as described by her:

On Feb. 12 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., I'll be typing free love poems at the Intercontinental Hotel.

On Feb. 14 at 8 p.m., I'll be performing poetry at The Poetry Brothel Chicago: DEVOTION at Aloft Circus Arts. I have fashioned a corset-like top out of two thrifted heart-shaped placemats. And I'll be debuting new poems.

On Feb. 15 at 3 p.m., I'll be performing as The Typing Bat as part of the Uptown Poetry Slam at the Green Mill.

On 2/21 from 2 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. I'll be doing typewriter poetry at Mindful Baking's Tempt*a*tion Market. There's a poetry slam open mic I'm hosting there that starts at 5:30 p.m.

On 2/21 at 8 p.m., I'm going to be doing storytelling for Ladies' Night at Atlantic Pub & Grill.

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If you are interested in being a featured author, reach out on Instagram @wakingthewhispers, or email me at [email protected]

Credits:

Guest: Lisa Marie Farver

Music by: Solomon Bloomer

Recorded, produced, edited by: Ben Bloomer

Logo and art by: Ben Bloomer

Michael Bane shares a story from 2020 about a search for family and the significance of seemingly insignificant decisions. Notably absent: a review of The Old Guard.

About the Author/Reader/Performer:

Michael is an attorney, a dad, and a formerly closeted nerd. He once ran marathons, but has since made peace with himself.

If you are interested in being a featured author, reach out on Instagram @wakingthewhispers, or email me at [email protected]

Credits:

Guest: Michael Bane

Music by: Solomon Bloomer

Recorded, produced, edited by: Ben Bloomer

Logo and art by: Ben Bloomer

Paige Allphin reads a letter to her younger self and discusses her upcoming book: You Are Not Alone: A Book of Prose and Poems

About the Author/Reader/Performer:

Paige is 37 and lives in West Virginia with her husband, 3 cats, and a puppy. When she's not writing poetry and lyrics, she loves to cosplay for conventions.

You can get in touch with Paige on Facebook or Instagram @prodigaldaughter15

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If you are interested in being a featured author, reach out on Instagram @wakingthewhispers, or email me at [email protected]

Credits:

Guest: Paige Allphin

Music by: Solomon Bloomer

Recorded, produced, edited by: Ben Bloomer

Logo and art by: Ben Bloomer

Ben reads poems about his inner experience of ADHD.

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If you are interested in being a featured author, discussing your creative process, or discussing the work of another author on the show and how they inspired you, reach out on Instagram @wakingthewhispers, or email me at [email protected]

Credits:

Music by: Solomon Bloomer

Recorded, produced, edited by: Ben Bloomer

Logo and art by: Ben Bloomer

Solomon Bloomer sings songs about dreams, depression, and the pain of depression's effect on dreams and creativity. Solomon discusses his creative process and Ben finds an even deeper appreciation of Solomon's creative depth.

About the Author:

Solomon is a musician, song-writer, story-teller, and expresser of the deeply connected webs that make up his imagination and self. He's hilarious, generous, gentle, kind, strong, resilient, and full of infectious life.

You can find Solomon on TikTok @SleepySolomon and can listen to his D&D Podcast, Realm of Magic

If you are interested in being a featured author, reach out on Instagram @wakingthewhispers, or email me at [email protected]

Credits:

Guest: Solomon Bloomer

Music by: Solomon Bloomer

Recorded, produced, edited by: Solomon Bloomer's Brother Ben

Logo and art by: Solomon Bloomer's Brother Ben

Tommy-Jay sings about the complexities of living in the midst of ICE raids in his beloved city.

About the Author:

Tommy-Jay Whiting is a Chicago-based singer/songwriter in the ilk of other folk Americana acts such as Jim Croce, Daniel Johnston, Dave van Ronk, and Nick Drake. When not daydreaming and falling in love with the world one person at a time through music and poetry, he’s probably in a library or exploring Chicago's secret gardens.

You can find Tommy-Jay on Tiktok and Instagram (@tommyjwhiting Tiktok, @tommyj.whiting Instagram)

If you are interested in being a featured author, reach out on Instagram @wakingthewhispers, or email me at [email protected]

Credits:

Guest: Tommy-Jay Whiting

Recorded, produced, edited by: Ben Bloomer

Music by: Solomon Bloomer

Logo and art by: Ben Bloomer

Ben reads a couple Christmas themed writings because he ran out of time to publish a proper episode. Happy holidays.

If you want to be featured, reach out to @wakingthewhispers on instagram

Mercedes reads her poem about child abuse and the failures of churches to protect children

Trigger warning: Child sexual abuse

About the Author:

Mercedes is Ben's older sister and loves her family and her crows. She is beautiful and delightful always there for her siblings.

About the Thumbnail:

Mercedes and Ben being adorable kids, worth protecting

If you are interested in being a featured author, reach out on Instagram @wakingthewhispers, or email me at [email protected]

Credits:

Guest: Mercedes

Recorded, produced, edited by: Ben Bloomer

Music by: Solomon Bloomer

Logo and art by: Ben Bloomer