Vita Poetica Journal artwork

Vita Poetica Journal

129 episodes - English - Latest episode: 20 days ago - ★★★★★ - 5 ratings

A quarterly publication of the Vita Poetica Arts & Faith Collective, our online journal features creative work explored through a spiritual lens. Vita Poetica connects and upholds artists of faith, enlivening spiritual conversations through the arts. Learn more about us at www.vitapoetica.org.
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Hosted by Vita Poetica Journal Editors
Music by John Morris Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/vita-poetica/support

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Episodes

Readers Respond

March 08, 2024 11:00 - 4 minutes - 3.8 MB

Contemplative Practices Editor Samir Knego shares readers' responses to the theme of "Light" in the Winter 2024 issue. The "Readers Respond" series features reflections and practices on a current theme, shared by Vita Poetica readers. Currently, we're accepting responses to the theme of "Breaking," which will be shared in the upcoming Spring issue. What traditions do you have around breaking bread? How have you broken a fast? What experiences have you had with heartbreak? How can we respon...

The Sacredness of All Things: A Conversation with Poet Wen-Juenn Lee

March 05, 2024 11:00 - 39 minutes - 36.7 MB

Assistant Interviews Editor Darby Brown speaks with poet Wen-Juenn Lee in Australia. Wen-Juenn Lee writes poetry on unceded Wurundjeri land. In her writing, she is interested in gaps, leaks and spillage, which often take the form of place, memory, and divinity. Her work has been published in Meanjin, Cordite Poetry Review, Going Down Swinging, among others. She was a Wheeler Centre Hot Desk Fellow for 2022, and previously served as a poetry editor at Voiceworks. She was awarded the Tina Kan...

Poems by Jonathan Chan, Caleb Westbrook, & Matt Stanley

March 01, 2024 11:00 - 8 minutes - 8.05 MB

Jonathan Chan reads his poem "Ceremonial, Caleb Westbrook reads his poem "On a Shore Weighing What Matters," and Matt Stanley reads his poem "How Like a Child We Become When We Are Truly Surprised." Jonathan Chan is a writer and editor. Born in New York to a Malaysian father and South Korean mother, he was raised in Singapore and educated at Cambridge and Yale Universities. He is the author of the poetry collection going home (Landmark, 2022) and managing editor of poetry.sg. His poetry and...

Poems by E.R. Skulmoski

February 27, 2024 11:00 - 5 minutes - 5.32 MB

E.R. Skulmoski reads her three poems, "In Catholic School"; "Daughters of Eve, Eat This Scroll"; and "Elegy." E. R. Skulmoski was born in Vancouver and raised in Hong Kong. She currently lives in the Interior of British Columbia with her husband and four children. Her work has been published in Ekstasis, Foreshadow, Heart of Flesh Literary Journal, and SOLID FOOD PRESS. You can read more of her work here: https://ofisandwas.substack.com/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.sp...

Poems by Wayne Bornholdt & Susan Shea

February 23, 2024 11:00 - 6 minutes - 6.09 MB

Wayne Bornholdt reads his poem, "Recipe," and Susan Shea reads her poems, "Poet's Tea" and "The Good Portion." Wayne Bornholdt is a poet and retired bookseller. He has degrees in philosophy and theological studies. He lives in West Michigan with his wife and two Golden Retrievers. Susan Shea is a retired school psychologist, born in New York City, now living in a forest in Pennsylvania. Since she has returned to writing poetry this year, her poems have been accepted in a few dozen publicat...

Meditation through a Window with Samir Knego

February 20, 2024 11:00 - 5 minutes - 5.43 MB

Contemplative Practices Editor Samir Knego leads a guided "Meditation through a Window." --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/vita-poetica/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/vita-poetica/support

Poems by Maxim D. Shrayer & Matthew E. Henry

February 16, 2024 11:00 - 8 minutes - 7.54 MB

Maxim D. Shrayer reads his poem, "My Woven Kipa," and Matthew E. Henry reads his poems, "found" and "subtlety: an assay." Maxim D. Shrayer is a bilingual author and a professor at Boston College. He was born in Moscow and emigrated in 1987. His recent books include A Russian Immigrant: Three Novellas and Immigrant Baggage, a memoir. Shrayer’s new collection of poetry, Kinship, is forthcoming in April 2024 from Finishing Line Press. Dr. Matthew E. Henry (MEH) is the Boston-born author of t...

Review of "Nervous: Essays on Heritage & Healing"

February 13, 2024 11:00 - 13 minutes - 12.1 MB

Lory Widmer Hess reads her review, "Listening to Our Pain," which discusses the book Nervous: Essays on Heritage and Healing by Jen Soriano. Lory Widmer Hess currently lives with her family in Switzerland, where she works with adults with developmental disabilities and is in training as a spiritual director. Her book When Fragments Make a Whole: A Personal Journey Through Healing Stories in the Bible will be published by Floris Books in 2024. Visit her website and blog at enterenchanted.com...

Poems by Justin Lacour & Conner Cowan

February 09, 2024 11:00 - 7 minutes - 6.56 MB

Justin Lacour reads his poem, "Devil Music," and Conner Cowan reads his poems, "16. fire" and "24. wrapping paper." Justin Lacour lives in New Orleans with his wife and three children, and edits Trampoline. He is the author of Hulk Church (Belle Point, 2023). Conner Cowan is an English teacher at Seabreeze High School in Daytona Beach, Florida. Poetry is one of the few things that keep him grounded; to find hope and explore the mysteries of mankind's time on earth. --- Send in a voice m...

A Mother's Prayer by Jennifer Lendvai-Lintner

February 06, 2024 11:00 - 24 minutes - 22.7 MB

Jennifer Lendvai-Lintner reads her essay, "A Mother's Prayer," from our Winter 2024 issue. Among other things, Jennifer Lendvai-Lintner is a writer, teacher, student, and mother. She is the 2023 recipient of the Denise Gess Literary Award for Nonfiction and a 2022 Writer's Digest Award Winner. Jennifer is earning her MA in Writing at Rowan University, where she also teaches First-Year College Writing. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/vita-poetica/messa...

Winter 2024 Trailer

January 31, 2024 15:26 - 5 minutes - 5.33 MB

The first journal issue of 2024 is here! Tune in for a preview of new works at the intersection of art, faith, beauty, and spirit. Cover Art: Margaret Adams Parker Intro Music: "A Gentle Invitation" by Dawn, Dawn, Dawn Outro Music: John Morris --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/vita-poetica/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/vita-poetica/support

Poems from Jonathan Frey & Jean Anne Feldeisen

November 24, 2023 11:00 - 7 minutes - 7.19 MB

Jonathan Frey reads his poem "For the usher who served the Lord's Supper to my wife and daughter wearing a sidearm," and Jean Anne Feldeisen reads her poem "from whence salvation." Jonathan Frey holds an MFA from Eastern Washington University, and is associate professor of English at North Idaho College, teaching creative writing and composition. His work has recently appeared or is forthcoming in Beloit Poetry Journal, The Millions, and elsewhere. He lives in Spokane, Washington, with his ...

A Blessing for Your Belly by Rebekah Vickery

November 21, 2023 11:00 - 9 minutes - 8.38 MB

Rebekah Vickery guides us in a short meditation to consider how our bellies, our gut, has held the truth of our experiences. "A Blessing for Your Belly" is published in our Autumn 2023 issue. Rebekah Vickery is a trauma therapist, group facilitator, and acrylic artist located in the beautiful and wild Pacific Northwest. In all of her work with people, art, and words, she loves engaging themes of grief, transition, and hope. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/...

Three Poems by Stephen M. Sanders

November 17, 2023 11:00 - 7 minutes - 6.87 MB

Stephen M. Sanders reads his poems "Autumn in Paris, Texas"; "Tennessee Camp Meeting, 1982"; and "A Vagrant." Stephen M. Sanders is an assistant professor of English at South Plains College in Levelland, Texas. He has had poems included in publications including Pacifica Literary Review, Penumbra Literary & Art Magazine, and the Austin International Poetry Festival di-vêrsé-city anthology. His first novel Passe-Partout was published in 2019 (Monument Place Books). --- Send in a voice mes...

Art by Maura H. Harrison & Poem by Erica Waters

November 14, 2023 11:00 - 9 minutes - 7.11 MB

Maura H. Harrison shares about her photographs, "Reverent Marvels," inspired by Julian of Norwich's belief that “one should reverently marvel and humbly endure, ever delighting in God.” And Erica Waters reads her poem, "Gardens of Earth." Maura H. Harrison is a writer, photographer, and fiber artist from Fredericksburg, VA. She is currently pursuing an MFA in Creative Writing at the University of St. Thomas, Houston. Poems by Erica Waters appear in journals like Weber: The Contemporary We...

Two Poems by Joel Peckham

November 10, 2023 11:00 - 9 minutes - 8.38 MB

Joel Peckham reads his poems, "How to Walk in Space: Untethering" and "How to Walk in Space: 3:35AM Dec 9, 2022." Joel Peckham has published nine collections of poetry and nonfiction, including Bone Music (SFA) and Body Memory (New Rivers), and is co-editor of the anthology Wild Gods: The Ecstatic in American Poetry and Prose. Individual poems and essays have appeared in Prairie Schooner, The Southern Review, The Sun, and many others. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spoti...

Poem by Edward A. Dougherty and Art by Michelle J. Chun

November 07, 2023 11:00 - 10 minutes - 8.41 MB

Edward A. Dougherty reads his poem, "Between Slaughter and Exile," and Michelle J. Chun shares her artwork, "Annunciation" and "Relics of Annunciation." Edward A. Dougherty has lived and worked in the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York for nearly 30 years. He is the author of 11 collections of poetry, including Grace Street and 10048. Vita Poetica's Interviews Editor, Emily Chambers Sharpe, discussed the spiritual wanderings he writes about in his book of essays, Journey Work: Craftin...

Two Poems by Maxim D. Shrayer

November 03, 2023 13:44 - 6 minutes - 5.72 MB

Maxim D. Shrayer reads his poems, "Yom Kippur in Boston" & "Grapes of Sukkot." Maxim D. Shrayer is a bilingual writer in English and Russian and a professor at Boston College. His books include four collections of Russian-language poetry and a collection of English-language verse, Of Politics and Pandemics. Shrayer's new memoir, Immigrant Baggage, was published in 2023. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/vita-poetica/message Support this podcast: https:/...

Breathe: A Wild Church Reflection from Sarah Werner

October 31, 2023 10:00 - 6 minutes - 5.66 MB

Sarah Renee Werner offers a meditation and reflection on the seasonal changes we experience around us. Her piece, "Breathe" is published in our current Autumn issue. Sarah Werner is the communications coordinator for Central District Conference of Mennonite Church USA and pastor of Olentangy Wild Church in Columbus, Ohio. She is the author of Rooted Faith: Practices for Living Well on a Fragile Planet and enjoys camping, birding, and nature photography in her free time. --- Send in a voi...

Practices from Our Community: An Invitation from Samir Knego

October 27, 2023 12:10 - 4 minutes - 4.18 MB

Contemplative Practices Editor Samir Knego introduces a new feature coming up in future issues. We want to hear from you, Vita Poetica readers, about the spiritual practices that sustain and inspire you. This is also a place for your questions and concerns about the world and a chance to find new practices to incorporate into your spiritual life. Email your responses to [email protected] by Dec. 15, 2023 for inclusion in the Winter 2024 issue in January. More details in this episode and ...

Less and More by Angela Townsend

October 24, 2023 10:00 - 7 minutes - 6.82 MB

Angela Townsend reads her literary essay, "Less and More," from our Autumn 2023 issue. Angela Townsend is Development Director at Tabby’s Place: A Cat Sanctuary, where she has the privilege of bearing witness to mercy for all beings. Angie has an M.Div. from Princeton Seminary and B.A. from Vassar, and her work appears in Amethyst Review, Dappled Things, Fathom Magazine, Hawaii Pacific Review, and The Razor, among others. Angie loves life dearly. --- Send in a voice message: https://podc...

Autumn 2023 Trailer

October 16, 2023 14:58 - 6 minutes - 5.43 MB

The Autumn 2023 issue of the journal is out! Tune in for a preview of new works at the intersection of art, faith, beauty, and spirit. Cover Art: Maura H. Harrison Intro Music: "A Gentle Invitation" by Dawn, Dawn, Dawn Outro Music: John Morris --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/vita-poetica/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/vita-poetica/support

A Blessing for Your Breath from Rebekah Vickery

September 01, 2023 10:00 - 4 minutes - 4.21 MB

Rebekah Vickery guides us in "A Blessing for Your Breath," from our Summer 2023 issue. Rebekah Vickery is a trauma therapist, group facilitator, and acrylic artist located in the beautiful and wild Pacific Northwest. In all of her work with people, art, and words, she loves engaging themes of grief, transition, and hope. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/vita-poetica/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/vita-poetica/support

Interview with Visual Artist Scott Aasman

August 29, 2023 10:00 - 39 minutes - 36.7 MB

Interviews Editor Emily Chambers Sharpe talks with visual artist Scott Aasman on art as attention, presence, and prayer. Some of his artwork can be seen on our website here. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. Scott Aasman is an illustrator, artist, community builder, part-time chicken farmer, and zine maker. As a student of both art and theology at Redeemer University, Scott found a way to express the ideas he was reading in textbooks visually through his work in the stu...

Three Poems by Phillip Aijian

August 25, 2023 10:00 - 14 minutes - 13.1 MB

Phillip Aijian reads his poems, "Jurisdiction," "Why Do You Ask My Name?" and "The Old Road to Garry." Phillip Aijian holds a PhD in Renaissance drama and theology from UC Irvine, as well as an MA in poetry from the University of Missouri. He teaches literature and religious studies and has published in journals like ZYZZYVA, Heron Tree, Poor Yorick, and Zocalo Public Square. He lives in California with his wife and children. His poetry and art can be found at www.phillipaijian.com. --- ...

Drawing Praise: Contemplative Exercise from Samir Knego

August 22, 2023 10:00 - 6 minutes - 6.05 MB

Our Contemplative Practices Editor Samir Knego leads us in a creative meditation on Psalm 148, published in our Summer 2023 issue. Text for the psalm can be found here (various translations available). Contemplative Practices Editor Samir Knego spends his days photographing archival materials and thinking about the past. His essays, poems, and visual art have appeared all over the place, including in Religion Dispatches, Anti-Racism Daily, and Wordgathering: A Journal of Disability Poetry a...

Poem by Joseph Byrd & Art by Lucy Bell

August 18, 2023 10:00 - 5 minutes - 5.39 MB

Joseph Byrd reads his poem, "Prayer for a Prisoner," and Lucy Bell introduces her art, "The Mythology of Memory," featured in our Summer 2023 issue. Joseph Byrd’s work has appeared or is forthcoming in Punt Volat, Pedestal, South Florida Poetry Journal, DIAGRAM, Clackamas Literary Review, Many Nice Donkeys, and Novus Literary Arts. He’s a Pushcart Prize nominee, was long-listed for the Erbacce Prize, and was in the StoryBoard Chicago cohort with Kaveh Akbar. An Associate Artist in Poetry un...

Review of Smithsonian's Spirit in the Dark Exhibit by Mary Amendolia Gardner

August 15, 2023 10:00 - 12 minutes - 11.4 MB

Mary Amendolia Gardener reads her review, "Spirit in the Dark Brings Religious Influence to Light," a review of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture's exhibit, Spirit in the Dark: Religion in Black Music, Activism and Popular Culture. The exhibit is on view through November 2023. A companion searchable digital exhibit is also available through the Searchable Museum website. The Rev. Dr. Mary Amendolia Gardner is an Anglican priest and Spiritual Director w...

Two Poems by Rachelle Scott & Paul Hostovsky

August 11, 2023 10:00 - 5 minutes - 5.01 MB

Rachelle Scott reads her poem, "Alternate Sources of Light," and Paul Hostovsky reads his poem, "Open." Rachelle Scott is writer, teacher, and editor from central Texas. Her work appears in The Lyric, Adanna, Third Wednesday, Apeiron Review, The Wayfarer, Literary Juice, Anima, Panther City Review, Her Texas, Shot Glass Journal, Red Rock Review, Crack the Spine, r.cv.r.y, Rock & Sling, Ilya's Honey, Red River Review, Figures of Speech, Mudlark, Literary Juice, Gravel, RiverSedge, and South...

To See Beyond Walls: Cheryl Sadowski Reviews Illuminations by Mary Sharratt

August 08, 2023 10:00 - 9 minutes - 9.24 MB

Cheryl Sadowski reads her review, "To See Beyond Walls: A Review of Illuminations: A Novel of Hildegard von Bingen by Mary Sharratt. Stay tuned for details about our Zoom book discussion about Illuminations led by Cheryl this fall! Subscribe to our email newsletter or follow along on FB or IG to get event announcements and more. Cheryl Sadowski writes essays, reviews, and short fiction. Her writing explores the plain weave of everyday life with literature, art, and the natural world. Chery...

Acyanoblepsia by Jack Stewart

August 04, 2023 10:00 - 3 minutes - 3.39 MB

Jack Stewart reads his poem "Acyanoblepsia" from our Summer 2023 issue. Jack Stewart was educated at the University of Alabama and Emory University and was a Brittain Fellow at The Georgia Institute of Technology. His first book, No Reason, was published by the Poeima Poetry Series, and his work has appeared in numerous journals and anthologies, including Poetry, The American Literary Review, Nimrod, Image, and others. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/...

Scotus by James Roderick Burns

August 01, 2023 10:00 - 24 minutes - 22.7 MB

James Roderick Burns reads his short story, "Scotus." James Roderick Burns’s novella and story collection, Beastly Transparencies, is due from Black Spring Press in 2024. He is the author of five collections of poetry (most recently Crows at Dusk, 2023) and a short fiction chapbook, A Bunch of Fives. His stories have twice been nominated for the Pushcart Prize. He can be found on Twitter @JamesRoderickB and his newsletter offers one free, published story a fortnight, at abunchoffives.substa...

Poems by Hannah Hinsch

July 28, 2023 10:00 - 7 minutes - 7.26 MB

Hannah Hinsch reads her poems "Miryam" and "Eve." Hannah Hinsch writes to be with God. A current MFA candidate, her poetry and prose begins at the meeting place of word and being, the image and its attendant charge, a risen heat that sends a word in time and place and body, whether on the salt-soaked shores of Gig Harbor or the monsoon-warm of Santa Fe - and the grace to see God standing there. Find more of her work at hannahhinsch.com. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spo...

Shelter by Emily Ver Steeg

July 25, 2023 10:00 - 25 minutes - 23.3 MB

Emily Ver Steeg reads her short story, "Shelter," from our Summer 2023 issue. Emily Ver Steeg grew up outside Atlanta, GA, and now lives in Brooklyn, NY, where she teaches writing for immigrant and international students. She received her MFA from The Writer's Foundry at St. Joseph's University. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/vita-poetica/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/vita-poetica/support

Summer 2023 Trailer

July 17, 2023 14:13 - 5 minutes - 5.36 MB

The Summer 2023 issue of Vita Poetica is here! Tune in for a preview of new works at the intersection of art, faith, and spirit. Cover Art: Untitled (flame 1) by Lucy Bell Intro Music: "A Gentle Invitation" by Dawn, Dawn, Dawn Outro Music: John Morris --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/vita-poetica/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/vita-poetica/support

Poem by Ellen June Wright & Photography by David A. Goodrum

May 26, 2023 10:00 - 6 minutes - 5.76 MB

Ellen June Wright reads her poem, "The Lake," and David A. Goodrum shares about his photography published in our Spring 2023 issue. Ellen June Wright consulted on guides for three PBS poetry series. Her work was selected as The Missouri Review’s Poem of the Week in June 2021. She is a Cave Canem and Hurston/Wright alumna and received Pushcart Prize nominations in 2021 and 2022. Follow her at https://twitter.com/EllenJuneWrites. David A. Goodrum, photographer/writer, lives in Corvallis, Ore...

Poems by Zachary Dankert

May 23, 2023 10:00 - 5 minutes - 5.34 MB

Zachary Dankert reads his poems "Matthew 2:13-23 (Olives)" and "The Gospel of Mary Magdalene II." ⁠ Zachary Dankert is a writer living on unceded Miami territory known as Indianapolis, IN. Published work can be found in Breakbread Literary Magazine, Tofu Ink Arts Press, and West Trade Review, among others. His goal in life is to write a single funny poem. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/vita-poetica/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.sp...

Poems by Jesse Caverly & Jonathan McGregor

May 19, 2023 10:00 - 10 minutes - 9.4 MB

Jesse Caverly reads his poem "Orphanage," and Jonathan McGregor reads his poems "Nebuchadnezzer" and "Catch for Us the Foxes." Jesse Caverly was born an hour outside of Boston, but he and his mother quickly became nomads. He doesn't remember much about Tucson and everything about Hawaii. There, he had a small white terrier as a pet. There, he collected comic books and ate guavas fresh off the branch. Then they moved to California, high school was all right, college didn’t happen, but life d...

A Blessing for Your Face by Rebekah Vickery

May 16, 2023 10:00 - 3 minutes - 3.36 MB

On the podcast today, Rebekah Vickery guides us in "A Blessing for Your Face" from our current Spring issue. Rebekah Vickery is a trauma therapist, group facilitator, and acrylic artist located in the beautiful and wild Pacific Northwest. In all of her work with people, art, and words, she loves engaging themes of grief, transition, and hope. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/vita-poetica/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/...

Poems by Ace Boggess and Mark Mansfield

May 12, 2023 10:00 - 7 minutes - 6.51 MB

Ace Boggess reads his poem "Anybody Raptured Yet?" and Mark Mansfield reads his poem "The Tryst." Ace Boggess is author of six books of poetry, most recently Escape Envy. His writing has appeared in Michigan Quarterly Review, Notre Dame Review, Harvard Review, Mid-American Review, and other journals. An ex-con, he lives in Charleston, West Virginia, where he writes and tries to stay out of trouble. Mark Mansfield is the author of three full-length collections of poetry, Strangers Like You...

Kolya Braun-Greiner's Book Review of This Here Flesh by Cole Arthur Riley

May 09, 2023 10:00 - 18 minutes - 16.7 MB

Kolya Braun-Greiner reads her book review, "An Enfleshed Spirit: Reflections on Cole Arthur Riley's This Here Flesh: Spirituality, Liberation, and the Stories that Make Us." Kolya Braun-Greiner is a member of Seekers Church and former program coordinator with Interfaith Partners for the Chesapeake. She has created curricula and facilitated trainings for people of many faiths to explore connections of their tradition with care for the environment. She is currently working on a book about con...

Poems by Paula M. Rodriguez & James Hannon

May 05, 2023 10:00 - 6 minutes - 5.98 MB

Paula M. Rodriguez reads her poem "Stamps," and James Hannon reads his poem "Sinai." Paula M. Rodriguez is an educator in greater Los Angeles. Her first poem in the United States appeared in The Blind Man's Rainbow in 2006. Since then, her poems have been featured in multiple anthologies and journals, including Scintilla, Bacopa Review, New Note Poetry, Mercury Retrograde, and Humble Pie to name a few. Her first book of poems, The Joy of Seasons. A Treasure of Haiku, appeared last November ...

A Wolf's Heart by O Thiam Chin

May 02, 2023 10:00 - 29 minutes - 27.6 MB

O Thiam Chin's short story, "A Wolf's Heart," is published in our current Spring issue. Vita Poetica's Managing Editor Julie Wan reads the story in today's episode. O Thiam Chin is the author of four novels, including We Are Not Alone Here (PRH SEA, 2022) and six short-fiction collections. His debut novel, Now That It’s Over, won the inaugural Epigram Books Fiction Prize in 2015. His work has appeared in Granta, The Cincinnati Review, Mānoa, The Brooklyn Rail, World Literature Today, and el...

Poems by Will Neuenfeldt & Eric Machan Howd

April 28, 2023 10:00 - 6 minutes - 5.65 MB

Will Neuenfeldt reads his poem, "Ritual," and Eric Machan Howd reads his poems, "Initiation" and "Personal Theology," from our Spring 2023 issue. Will Neuenfeldt studied English at Gustavus Adolphus College and his poems are published in Capsule Stories, Months to Years, and Red Flag Poetry. He lives in Cottage Grove, MN, home of the dude who played Steven Stifler in those American Pie movies and a house Teddy Roosevelt slept in. Eric Machan Howd (Ithaca, NY) is a poet, musician, and educa...

House of Worship by Heidie (Raine) Senseman

April 25, 2023 10:00 - 4 minutes - 4.14 MB

Heidie (Raine) Senseman reads her essay, "House of Worship," published in our Spring 2023 issue. Heidie (Raine) Senseman is an Ohio-based writer who works primarily in the realm of creative nonfiction. She dreams of becoming a master pie-baker and being able to do 20 push-ups in a row. Heidie's work has previously appeared in Chapter House Journal, Marathon Literary Review, Still Point Arts Quarterly, and others. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/vita-p...

Spring 2023 Trailer

April 17, 2023 14:46 - 5 minutes - 4.71 MB

The Spring 2023 issue of Vita Poetica Journal is here! Tune in for a preview of new works at the intersection of art, faith, beauty, and spirit. Cover Art: David A. Goodrum Music: John Morris --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/vita-poetica/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/vita-poetica/support

Poems by Lila Robinett & Charm Chandler

March 24, 2023 10:00 - 6 minutes - 6.16 MB

Lila Robinett reads her poem, "Watching the Pastor's Daughter," and Charm Chandler reads his poem, "As a Form of Great Immensity and Understanding." Lila Robinett is a native East Texan living in Hattiesburg, Mississippi where she attends the University of Southern Mississippi as a Ph.D. student in Creative Writing. Her work can be found in Five South magazine, Ekstasis, and Impostor magazine. Charm Chandler (he/it) is a lover of words and lives in the Sunset Reality. He has a Bachelor’s D...

Poems by Chris Vrountas

March 21, 2023 10:00 - 5 minutes - 5.32 MB

Chris Vrountas reads his poems "Lenten Eve, 2021" and "Meadow Aers" from our Winter 2023 issue. Chris Vrountas is a writer and lawyer. He lives in Essex County, MA, with his wife, who still laughs at his jokes after 32 years. He has practiced law for just as long and serves as a mediator of discrimination disputes for the Human Rights Commission. He grew up in an immigrant faith tradition that has evolved over the years, and he writes about impermanence, hope, and rebirth. --- Send in a ...

Poems by Jen Schneider and Kath Higgins

March 17, 2023 10:00 - 4 minutes - 4.48 MB

Jen Schneider reads her poem "on time & quiet passings :: fly monarch(s), fly," and Kath Higgins reads her poem "Owl Spotting." Jen Schneider is an educator who lives, writes, and works in small spaces throughout Pennsylvania. Recent works include A Collection of Recollections, Invisible Ink, On Habits & Habitats, On Always Being an Outsider, and Blindfolds, Bruises, and Breakups. Originally from the UK and now living in South Africa via Cameroon, Kath Higgens is a retired field linguist. ...

Two Poems by Michael Sandler

March 14, 2023 10:00 - 5 minutes - 5.08 MB

Michael Sandler reads his two poems, "A Jetty Stone's Hymn" and "Recipe for Marinara."  Michael Sandler is the author of a poetry collection, The Lamps of History (FutureCycle Press 2021). His work has appeared in scores of journals, including recently in THINK, Literary Imagination, and Smartish Pace. Michael lives near Seattle; his website is www.sandlerpoetry.com. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/vita-poetica/message Support this podcast: https://po...

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