The Poetry Lab Podcast
Episodes
#61 Leaving Academia? Challenges in Teaching Mindset and Lifestyle
24 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this personal episode, Leo reflects on her decision to leave a tenured academic career after nearly two decades of teaching. She explores the emoti...
#60 Making Friends with Your Own Voice
10 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
You don't need to find your voice. You need to trust it. This episode unpacks how doubt, comparison, and over-editing pull you away from your natural ...
#59 The Empress: An Invitation to Create
24 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In the debut episode of her new Creative Tarot series, join host Annie Freshwater as she explores The Empress, tarot's archetype of creative fertility...
#58 How to Submit Your Poetry Manuscript
10 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Submitting a poetry manuscript can feel overwhelming, even when the work itself is finished. In this episode, Leo breaks down the key decisions involv...
#57 Seasonal Energy Shifts for Writers (Without Gimmicks)
27 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Creative energy isn't meant to be constant. In this episode, Lori Walker explores how seasonal and internal energy shifts shape a writer's creative li...
#56 The Line Between Vulnerability and Performance
13 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
What does it mean to fully step into a poem, on the page and on the stage? In this episode, we explore vulnerability and spoken word performance, the ...
#55 Creative Burnout vs. Life Burnout (and How to Tell the Difference)
02 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Creative burnout and life burnout can look similar, but they need very different kinds of care. In this episode, Lori breaks down how to tell the diff...
#54 Sit Down and Write: Eco Poems
18 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
An eco poem explores the relationship between humans and the natural world through the lens of environmental change. In this episode, Leo reflects on ...
#53 Building Brave Spaces in Community
04 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What does it mean to lead from a place of authenticity? In this episode, Ravina shares how facing imposter syndrome shaped her path to creating brave ...
#52 Things to Remember When Planning a Literary Event
14 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Every great literary event starts with a "why." Join bridgette as she shares a decade of hard-won lessons from the LA poetry scene, from curating unfo...
#51 Saying No to Creative Hustle Culture
07 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Creative hustle culture pushes artists to constantly produce, post, and perform, often at the expense of their voice and joy. In this episode, Lori sh...
#50 The First Time I Forgot My Poem on Stage
23 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ever blanked on stage? Ravina has—in front of her entire high school. What could've been the end of her poetry journey became a lesson in resilience...
#49 How to Write Collaborative Poems
29 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Collaborative poems can break creative blocks wide open. In this episode, Leo shares her experience writing with partners and groups, along with tips ...
#48 5 Lessons Learned from How We Do It: Black Writers on Craft
22 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, bridgette shares five powerful personal lessons from How We Do It: Black Writers on Craft, edited by Jericho Brown. With insight from...
#47 The Myth of Writing Discipline (and What to Do Instead)
15 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Feeling stuck in the shame of not writing "enough"? In this episode, Lori Walker dismantles the myth of writing discipline and explores how to build a...
#46 How Not to Be Your Own Worst Enemy
01 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In her debut episode, new host Ravina Wadhwani gets real about a struggle many creatives face: standing in our own way. With warmth and vulnerability,...
#45 Finding Your Voice: Performance Tips for the Stage
24 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Sharing your poems aloud can feel intimidating, even though poetry is rooted in oral tradition. In this episode, host bridgette bianca offers practica...
#44 Yoga for Creative Writers
16 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What if yoga could boost your writing practice? In this episode, Lori explores how movement and mindfulness can support your creativity. She shares th...
#43 How Do We Cope in These Times? The Practice of Resistance
11 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of The Poetry Lab Podcast, we meet new host Leonora Simonovis (Leo), who brings us into her world as a writer living in exile. She ref...
#42 Self-Care for Writers: Finding Calm When the World Feels Overwhelming
27 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Feeling overwhelmed? In this episode, Lori shares quick, effective self-care tools to help writers stay grounded and creative, even in chaotic times. ...
#41 How to Suggest Poetry Books to Your Local Library
05 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Looking to fill your library's poetry section with more diverse, exciting reads? In this episode, learn the step-by-step process for suggesting poetry...
#40 Bootstrapping Your Book Launch
29 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Many authors are surprised to learn they have to market their books. While a book launch can be uncomfortable, it's necessary to sell books. In this e...
#39 Finding Your Fire: The Role of the Writer in Challenging Times
22 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What is the role of the writer when the world feels like it's on fire? In this episode, poet and professor bridgette bianca shares how she rediscovere...
#38 What Beyoncé Teaches Us About Crossing Genres
15 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Breaking free from genre constraints can expand your creative possibilities. In this episode, we explore how writers working in multiple forms can tra...
#37 Maximize Your Reach: The Writer's Guide to Optimizing Your Social Media Presence
08 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Many writers wonder, "Do I really need to be on social media?" The short answer is yes! But how do you stand out? In this episode, Lori shares how wri...
#36 Fill Your Cup: Autumn Edition
30 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Lori shares some of her favorite activities for engaging with autumn. These ideas highlight some of the best of what autumn has to off...
#35 How to Create Poem Titles: 5 Techniques for Naming Your Work
10 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Explore five key strategies for creating attention-grabbing, meaningful poem titles. Whether your titles come easily or feel like the final battle in ...
#34 Sit Down and Write: Collage Poems
03 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ever wonder how to turn seemingly random words into a powerful poem? In this episode, bridgette bianca introduces you to the art of collage poetry, gu...
#33 5 Basic Mistakes in Your Submissions Process
27 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we explore five common mistakes new writers make during the submissions process and how to avoid them. From crafting the perfect bio ...
#32 Write Like the Wind: How to Plan Your First Writing Sprint
20 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What is a writing sprint and how can they enhance your writing productivity? In this episode, Lori explains how you can overcome writer's block and ge...
#31 Free or Almost Free Writing Resources
13 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Where are the free, reliable resources that elevate your writing game without breaking the bank? In this episode, we explore our top writing tools, fr...
#30 Sing a Black Girl Song: 5 Books by Black Women Poets You Should Know
06 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, bridgette takes inspiration from Ntozake Shange's 1976 choreopoem, for colored girls who have considered suicide / when the rainbow i...
#29 6 Books to Jumpstart Your Creativity
30 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Lori shares six books she loves to help boost your creativity. We've all had creative dry spells, but immersing yourself in the creat...
#28 The Professor Is "In": What to Do If You Want to Become a Professor
16 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Meet poet and professor, bridgette bianca. In this episode, bridgette shares how a chance encounter with E. Ethelbert Miller led to a deeper reflectio...
#27 Craft of the Draft: What's Your Revision Process?
09 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What does your revision process look like? In this episode, Danielle reveals how most of her writing happens in revision and shares her essential revi...
#26 Hello, It's Me: Your Author Website
02 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Why is a website crucial for your writing career? In this simple, but effective walkthrough Lori covers the must-haves for your site, what can wait, a...
#25 Fill Your Cup: Summer Edition
25 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What's your summer crush? Lori's ideas for creative expansion highlight some of the best of what summer has to offer. Whether you partake in these ide...
#24 How We Write About Hard Things
18 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What are the essential ingredients you need to write about the hardest things in your life? In this week's episode of The Poetry Lab Podcast, Danielle...
#23 Get Your Sh*t Together: Productivity for Poets
11 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, join Lori as she shares the productivity strategies she finds most effective. From batching tasks to time blocking, setting timers, a...
#22 Sit Down and Write: The Blitz Poem
04 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the blitz poem! In this episode, Marilyn invites listeners to sit down, grab a bevy, and get to writing their first blitz. The blitz is a 5...
#21 Imposter Syndrome: Everybody's Least Favorite Guest
29 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ever found yourself questioning your capabilities, poet? In this episode, Lori invites the imposter in for a chat exploring what Imposter Syndrome is,...
#20 The Ultimate AWP Prep List
23 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Get ready for the annual Association of Writers and Writing Programs Conference with Danielle. In this episode, we'll master outfit planning, travel t...
#19 Why Poets Love the Moon
16 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ever wondered why poets are irresistibly drawn to the moon? In this episode, Jess explores this timeless connection. By delving into poetry's associat...
#18 This Sh*t Is Harder Than It Looks
09 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Just like superheroes, every creative project has its own origin story – this is ours! Join us, the hosts of The Poetry Lab Podcast, in our inaugura...
#17 The 3 Personality Types of Creative Autodidacts
07 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
An autodidact is a self-taught person, someone who takes initiative in learning and acquiring knowledge independently, often outside traditional educa...
#16 Tips for Assembling Your First Chapbook of Poems
23 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
What is a chapbook? We're glad you asked! In this episode, Danielle explains what a chapbook is and what to keep in mind as you set out to create one....
#15 Anthologies: Find Your Favorite Mixed Tape of Poems
16 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Lori helps listeners get in tune with one of poetry's greatest and most economical resources: the poetry anthology. Learn the five ki...
#14 Getting Started with Your Mailing List
09 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Guess what, poet? You need a mailing list! Get your name and work out there because there are readers (and friends and family members) who are genuine...
#13 Astrology for Poets: Wislawa Szymborska
02 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In Episode 13, we accompany Jess on a romp through a Nobel prize-winning poet's birth chart. Wislawa Szymborska was described as surprisingly not narc...
#12 6 Skills You Need to Be a Writer and 3 Skills You Don't
26 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We've heard it before: to be a good writer you have to have endured some trauma, sprinkled with a dash of isolation, topped with several hardships to ...
#11 Bringing Ghosts to Life in Your Writing
19 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
It's spooky season! Say hello to your new source of inspiration: ghosts! Marilyn explores the use of ghosts in literature, focusing on their versatili...
#10 Always Be Collecting: Word Lists and Word Banks
12 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we explain the poet's ABCs (Always Be Collecting) as we explore how to use word lists and word banks to activate your creative writin...
#9 How to Organize Your Creative Career
05 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
You have poems in the works, your artistic engines are firing, and you're ready to take your work to the publication phase — what do you do? In thi...
#8 How to Build a Reading List (And Study Like a Grad Student)
28 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Do you ever struggle with deciding what to read? Do you ever feel like there are too many books you haven't read yet and you just don't know where to ...
#7 The Importance of Mercury for Poets
21 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In episode 7 we dip our poetic toes into Astrology for Poets and discuss the importance of Mercury. We cover Mercury and its lore, the signs it rules,...
#6 Creating Community Through Social Media
14 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In the latest episode of The Poetry Lab Podcast, Lori delves into the art of cultivating a poetic community on social media. Drawing from her own expe...
#5 The Anatomy of a Writing Prompt
07 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In a world where anything can be used as a writing prompt, how do we pick one that will get us writing? In this episode, we'll go full Goldilocks: wha...
#4 Building Your Poetic Confidence
31 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Let's become more confident poets. In this episode, Marilyn shares insights to inspire open-mindedness and creativity. From embracing unique experienc...
#3 Sit Down and Write: Prose Poems
21 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The prose poem offers a wide canvas for experimentation, attracting innovative voices in contemporary poetry. In this episode, we cover the rebellious...
#2 Be the Poet You Want to See in the World
21 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Allow us to reintroduce ourselves! In this episode, Danielle shares the origin of The Poetry Lab and our mission to create a space for writers to lear...
#1 Five Practices to Ignite Your Creativity
18 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The writing life is not always easy when you're doing it on your own. Creatives need to give themselves permission to embrace a mindset of abundance a...