The Listen & Be Heard Hour, a Non-Commercial Podcast & Syndicated Radio Show
Join us in the audio garden, to cultivate our collective wisdom, nurture creativity, and spread love.
s4e13 Tony Robles, Soup for the Storm
Tony Robles, talks about his new book: Soup for the Storm, and reads some poetry from the book and about his experiences in Waialua, Hawaii, during and after the recent storm. The conversation also touches on Robles’s move from San Francisco to Hendersonville, North Carolina, and how his poetry reflects the people and places he…
The Listen & Be Heard Hour for Readers & Writers features authors, publishers, agents and others. Each week, we dig into craft. We explore paths to publication. We persist in resisting banning books and grow together in the audio garden. With our deep roots in poetry, storytelling and open mics, you can always expect to hear some spoken word.
The Listen & Be Heard Hour for Readers & Writers streams on WLBH.org. with new episodes every Thursday. The show is also available to the Pacifica Affiliate Network and has been picked up by: WPVM 103.7 FM (Asheville, NC) on Wednesdays at 4pm, KCEI 90.1 FM (Taos, NM), WXOX 97.1 FM (Louisville, KY), KKFI 90.1 FM (Kansas City, MO), KHOI 89.1 FM (Ames, IA), KEPJ 96.5 FM (San Antonio, TX), KCXU 92.7 FM (San Jose, CA) and KMUD 91.1 FM (Redwood, CA), WLBH.org (Greenville, SC), WBDY 99.5FM (Binghampton, NY), KGHI 91.1FM (Westport, WA) and Community Growth Radio.
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s4e4- Rewind – Saumya Choudhuri, Delhi Poetry Slam
Saumya Choudhury, poet and organizer, joins Martha in the audio garden from Delhi. We also feature archival poetry from Barbara Tran. Hernan shares a rare live recording from 1986 of Eddie Harris in Paris. As always some brand new music and poetry from the garden to you.
Tony Robles welcomes Kenneth Yu to the audio garden. Yu is an award-winning author from the Philippines known for his short story fiction. New Music you won’t hear anywhere else…
A remix of poetry and storytelling from our 2026 guests, reporting from South Carolina by Tony Robles on ICE protests, exclusive live music from Craig Harris’ Harlem Nightsong Band and Hernan Rodriguez Sierra playing solo saxophone at a Federal Hall freedom of speech event. reflections on community and healing, the sacred role of women, the…
Karla Brundage leads Writers Across Oceans, June 2026 in Hawaii. Remembering Sammy Young jr.. New music with John Medeski, Ches Smith, Nick Dunston recorded live at Smalls. Hassan Qasai – Iranian Flute. Freda Epum reads from The Gloomy Girl Variety Show and new music and poetry by Martha and Hernán.
Cipriano Belser is co-founder of Black Lantern Books, housing the Legacy Library, a collection of some 10,000 books curated by organizer, Kwazi Nkrumah. Poetry by Shizue Seigel, Joseph Jason Santiago Lacour. New music with Celia Cruz, Arturo O’Farrill and Fred Wesley and the New JB’s.
Wailuku, a poem by Vanessa Lee-Miller, Del Gonzales on “The Adventures of Beastie,” and Phys Fest NYC, 2026. New music, a Groove Collective tribute to Tito Puente, featuring Eddie Bobet, and The I Am, featuring Nappy G. Poetry by Nikki Giovanni and new poetry streams by Martha Cinader.
Elizabeth Perlman, author of Word Magic: The Power of Writing to Reframe Your Story and Claim Your Intuition is our guest in the audio garden. Hernan shares new music: Freedom, Equity, and Justice for the People Song, and El Brujo. Poetry by Crystal Cauley, an essay by Jocelyn Grover and new poetry streams…
Tony Cranston shares his passion for storytelling. We explore universal themes found in myths and folk tales across cultures and he tells a Chinese folk tale about a kind-hearted girl named Mei Mei. An exclusive live recording from Berk’s’ Jazz Fest, featuring Joe Lovano. Poetry by Glenis Redmond.
Saumya Choudhury, poet and organizer, joins Martha in the audio garden from Delhi. We also feature archival poetry from Barbara Tran. Hernan shares a rare live recording from 1986 of Eddie Harris in Paris. As always some brand new music and poetry from the garden to you.
s4e3 Joe Siple on Writing the Fictional Life of an Octogenarian
Author of the Murray McBride Trilogy, Joe Siple, joins Tony Robles in the audio garden. We feature poetry by Mary TallMountain and Suzette Clark Bradshaw, a new live recording from Hernan Ramiro Rodriguez Sierra, and also rare live recordings of Jim Pepper with Don Cherry.
s4e2 Zakiyyah Modeste, Sound System Culture, Genny Lim
Zakiyyah Modeste, a spoken word artist, actress and athlete based in Harlem, is our special guest in the audio garden. We also listen to new music from Sound System Culture at Smalls Live, new poetry and Genny Lim, ninth poet laureate of San Francisco.
Azucar, poet, therapist and open mic host, is Martha’s guest in the audio garden. Also featured, a hidden track from Groove Collective, Sarah Sophie Flicker talks about the Mamdani Campaign, and Zakiyyah Modeste, aka SistaZock, on her training in theater and track.
Please enjoy this last episode of 2025, into the first week of 2026… We will be back on January 7, with fresh poetry, fresh new guests, fresh conversations and new music that you won’t hear anywhere else.
Happy Holidays Remix Volume 8 features the collaborations of Martha Cinader and Hernan Ramiro (Jay) Rodriguez Sierra, reflections on the past year, and announcements about the new parent non-profit of L&BH Network, Sound System Culture, upcoming appearances, internships and more…
Please enjoy this rewind during our holiday production break. Remix Volume 6 by Jay Rodriguez Sierra features Q.R. Hand jr., Martha Cinader, Genny Lim, Meredith Leigh, Donna Janell Bowman, Dorsía Smith Silva, Mary Oishi, Kellie Richardson, Eileen Tabios, Ozier Muhammad, Tony Robles, Megan Marshall, Kim McMillon and Alice Walker reads Zora Neal Hurston.
Remix Volume 7 features Barbara Tran, Candelario Obeso, Eileen Tabios, Vi Khi Nao, Freda Epum, Martha Cinader, Hazel Smith, Megan Marshall, Monica Maconsantos, Mary Oishi, Vida Cruz Borja, Tony Robles, Olivia Eggena, Joseph Jason Santiago Lacour, Trinh Mai, Brian Kimmel, Cal Hoffman, Henry Dumas, Caroline Cabading, Blagovesta Momchedjikova, Pying Threadgill and Mosab Abu Toha
Remix Volume 6 by Jay Rodriguez Sierra features Q.R. Hand jr., Martha Cinader, Genny Lim, Meredith Leigh, Donna Janell Bowman, Dorsía Smith Silva, Mary Oishi, Kellie Richardson, Eileen Tabios, Ozier Muhammad, Tony Robles, Megan Marshall, Kim McMillon and Alice Walker reads Zora Neal Hurston.
s3e19 Rewind Culture from the Kitchen – Monica Macansantos
This week we take the opportunity to revisit this illuminating conversation between Monica Maconsantos and Tony Robles, originally aired on June 26, 2025. Our featured guest is essayist, Monica Macansantos, author of Returning to My Father’s Kitchen, interviewed by Tony Robles Our featured poet is Elizabeth Perlman. New music by Billy Harper, sung by Judy…
Remix Volume 5: featuring our guests from Seasons 3 reading their poetry and stories. Deepika Singh, C.L. Willis, Billy Mills, Brett Cook, Andrew Lam, Zora Neale Hurston, Alejandro Murgía, Jonathan Thirkield, Dorsía Smith Silva, Suzette Clarke Bradshaw, Martha Cinader, Donna Janelle Bowman, Jay Rodriguez Sierra, Tony Robles, Elizabeth Perlman, Dao Strom, Judy Talaugon, The Cipher…
s3e4 Rewind – American Anthropology – African and Asian American History, Sung and Told
This week we take the opportunity to revisit this illuminating conversation between Brian Kimmel and Martha Cinader, originally aired on February 13, 2025. Martha talks with Brian Kimmel about Blue Skies, Troubled Waters, a World War II account of an Indonesian American girl. We listen to Zora Neale Hurston sing and Tony visits her hometown…
s3e13 – Rewind – Vida Cruz-Borja on Speculative Fiction and the Inactive Protagonist
Tony Robles welcomes Vida Cruz-Borja to talk about Philippine speculative fiction, the inactive protagonist, and where stories begin. Poetry by Martha Cinader, Lena Norris Ramen on writing for self compassion, Richard Clements on the legacy of Barry Harris, new music from Jay Rodriguez Sierra, and a visit to 1992 Columbus Day protests at San Francisco…
s3e33 Pat Cotter, Mahreen Sohail, Laura Jean McKay, Laura Cassidy, Mary O’Donnell, Chucho Valdez
Tony Robles speaks with participants in the Cork International Short Story Festival, part 2. We listen to an Irish poem and fairytale. Jay Rodriguez Sierra plays with Chucho Valdez in a rare live recording. New poetry from Martha Cinader.
s3e32 Mary Morrissy, Vanessa Onwuemezi, Gina Chung, Brett Cook
Tony Robles speaks with writers, Mary Morrissy, Vanessa Onwuemezi and Gina Chung at The International Short Story Festival in Cork, Ireland. Martha Cinader speaks with artist, Brett Cook about Greg Tate Day in Harlem, New York. Jay Rodriguez Sierra presents new music, Your Sound – featuring Lonnie Plaxico, Pete Drungle and Pheeroan Aklaff. Poetry from…
s3e31 – Lost and Found with Pyeng Threadgill, New Music and Poetry
Pyeng Threadgill talks with Martha Cinader about her new book and audiobook, Lost & Found, part memoir part guide to life as an artist. Jay Rodriguez Sierra presents new music, The Light Within You, featuring Jay on Bansuri flute, Joe Russo on drums and Marco Benevento on organ.
Bev Grant, speaks about her life as a songwriter, photographer and activist. We hear more of Charlie Rosario’s experiences making record cover art, new music by Jay Rodriguez Sierra and some poetry by Henry Grimes.
Dao Strom, speaks about her work and shares from her latest offering; Tender Revolutions. Marque Gilmore returns to Brooklyn for two nights. He talks with our newest producer, Gail Ward, and Maestro Jay Rodriguez Sierra.
s3e28 – Andrew Lam, Charlie Rosario, Shapeshifter Lab
Andrew Lam reads Grandma’s Tales, from Watermark, and talks with Martha about his life now after journalism. Charlie Rosario talks about selling his first album cover to Tito Puente, and jams with Jay and Chris Theberge. More from the round table discussion at Shapeshifter Lab in Brooklyn, NY with Matthew Garrison, Fortuna Sung and Gail…
s3e27 – Not for Profit by Artists for Artists, Remembering Hermeto Pascoal
Our featured poet is Deepika Singh. Tony Robles talks with award winning biographer and essayist, Megan Marshall, author of After Lives. An L&BH exclusive, the world premiere of Cairo in the Rain, by Jay Rodriguez Sierra, recorded live in Cairo and featuring Egyptian vocalist Abdelrahman Blala. More stream poetry from Martha…
s3e5 – Rewind – Making Choices: Art Under Dictatorship, Hybrid Publishing
Martha talks with Eileen Tabios about The Balikbayan Artist, Venancio Igarta, who her Kapwa novel fictionalizes, artistic choices and Kendrick Lamar’s historic half time appearance at the Super Bowl. Also featured, Nick Courtright, of Atmosphere Press, a literary hybrid publisher with 1300 titles in its catalog.
s3e26 – The Art of the Biographical Essay, Megan Marshall
Our featured poet is Deepika Singh. Tony Robles talks with award winning biographer and essayist, Megan Marshall, author of After Lives. An L&BH exclusive, the world premiere of Cairo in the Rain, by Jay Rodriguez Sierra, recorded live in Cairo and featuring Egyptian vocalist Abdelrahman Blala. More stream poetry from Martha…
Martha speaks with writer, Vi Khi Nao, and artist Trinh Mai, contributor and cover artist to the 25th anniversary edition of Watermark, published by Texas Tech University Press. In the second half: Groove Collective live at Prospect Park and Breathe Ensemble live in Waryas Park, and some poetry of course…
Remix Volume 4: a timely blend of some of our guests from Seasons 1 and 2, and new music and poetry from Jay and Martha. Our featured guests in order of appearance, Kim McMillon, Tony Robles, Joe Talaugon, Jen Soriano, Opal Palmer Adisa, Joan Gelfand, Mosab Abu Toha, David Jauss, Yvette Murray.
s3e12 -Rewind – Getting the Hero Right – Authentic Storytelling for Children
Tony Robles welcomes Donna Janell Bowman, co-author of Wings of an Eagle, The Gold Medal Dreams of Billy Mills. We feature the poetry of Suzette Clark Bradshaw on Charlottesville and Gaza. C.L. Willis on being Appalachian, and transformative writing with Elizabeth Perlman. Also, Sherrie Flick on listening and being heard, Nick Courtright on banning books,…
s3e23 Slipping and Searching for Healing in the Streets of New York, Cal Hoffman’s Novel Memoir
Our featured novelist is Cal Hoffman, author of Easy to Slip. Our featured poet is Lan Duong, contributor to Watermark, a landmark anthology of Vietnamese American writing. New music and poetry by Jay Rodriguez Sierra and Martha Cinader.
s3e11 Rewind – Infinity Pool, The Tribunal Project
Martha welcomes Jonathan Thirkield to talk about his new book of poetry, Infinity Pool. We welcome a new co-host, Judy Talaugon to the L&BH Hour and talk with her about The Tribunal Project. We persist in resisting book banning, and meditate on listening and being heard.
s3e22 Garden Talk with Mark Talbert – New Music and Spoken Word
Our featured guest is Mark Talbert, author of Your Yard is a Garden. Our featured poets are Mary Oishi, Kellie Richardson, Josiah Luis Alderete, Homer Erotic and Blagovesta Momchedjikova. New music and poetry by Jay Rodriguez Sierra and Martha Cinader.
Our featured guest is music historian, Preston Lauterbach, author of Before Elvis: The African American Musicians Who Made the King, interviewed by Tony Robles. Our featured poet is Latasha Diggs. New music by Jay Rodriguez Sierra, and new poetry by Martha Cinader, also featuring Joseph Jason Santiago Lacour and Mary Oishi.
s3e19 Culture from the Kitchen – Monica Macansantos
Our featured guest is essayist, Monica Macansantos, author of Returning to My Father’s Kitchen, interviewed by Tony Robles Our featured poet is Elizabeth Perlman. New music by Billy Harper, sung by Judy Bady, and a montage of words of music created by Jay Rodriguez Sierra, featuring poetry by Martha Cinader, Kahlil Gibran, Zora Neal Hurston,…
s3e18 Addressing Global Warming, Hurricanes and Inheritance with Poetry
Our featured guest is poet, Dorsía Smith Silva, author of In Inheritance of Drowning. We also feature Wendy Loomis of COPUS, celebrating the CD, The Assignment, a tribute to poet Royal Kent. Elizabeth Perlman talks with young writer, Stella Pollock. New music by Jay Rodriguez Sierra featuring legendary percussionist Giovanni Hidalgo, and Martha’s new single…
s3e17 The Music Episode: Matthew Shipp, Richard Clements, Jay Rodriguez Sierra
Our featured guest is pianist, poet and essayist Matthew Shipp, talking about his book of essays and prose poems, Black Mystery School Pianists. We also feature pianist Richard Clements talking about the legacy of the legendary pianist and teacher Barry Harris. Our new music this week is Jay’s take on Nessum Dora, with Jay on…
s3e16 Bird Words – Poetry by Barbara Tran, Celebrating Malcolm’s B’day in Harlem
Our featured guest is poet, Barbara Tran, author of Precedented Parroting. We feature spoken word from Harlem, on Malcolm X’s 100th Birthday, from Jerome Heka, Will Succeed, Demi Divine, Elee James, Rayne, Untucked Shirt, Feyisayo and Mother of all Believers. Jay’s take on Blowin’ in the Wind with Jay on tenor saxophone, Victor Jones -…
s3e15 A Gloomy Girl Memoir, Spoken Word and New Music
We feature Freda Epum, author of The Gloomy Girl Variety Show. Spoken word from Albert DiLorenzo, Judy Talaugon reading Mary TallMountain, and Martha Cinader. Also featured Jocelyn Grover, Jennifer Owen, children’s author, and a new arrangement of Let’s Just Kiss and Say Goodbye by Jay Rodriguez Sierra.
s3e8 – Rewind SF Poet Laureate Genny Lim, Afro-Colombian Poets, We the People
We feature an interview with SF Poet Laureate Genny Lim, and listen to an archival reading from Alejandro Murguía . We learn about Afro-Colombian poet Candelario Obeso, and listen to Afro Peruvian poet, Victoria Santa Cruz. And The Transformative Power of Writing, We the People, Listening and Being Heard.
Our featured guest is Sherrie Flick, author of I Have Not Considered Consequences, a book of short stories. We feature Redhawk Publications poets, Arlene S. Neal and Jeff Price. Caroline Hesby on the Transformative Power of Writing, Judy Talaugon reads Melissa K. Nelson. New Music from Jay Rodriguez Sierra with Chucho Valdez.
s3e13 Vida Cruz-Borja on Speculative Fiction and the Inactive Protagonist
Tony Robles welcomes Vida Cruz-Borja to talk about Philippine speculative fiction, the inactive protagonist, and where stories begin. Poetry by Martha Cinader, Lena Norris Ramen on writing for self compassion, Richard Clements on the legacy of Barry Harris, new music from Jay Rodriguez Sierra, and a visit to 1992 Columbus Day protests at San Francisco…
s3e12 Getting the Hero Right – Authentic Storytelling for Children
Tony Robles welcomes Donna Janell Bowman, co-author of Wings of an Eagle, The Gold Medal Dreams of Billy Mills. We feature the poetry of Suzette Clark Bradshaw on Charlottesville and Gaza. C.L. Willis on being Appalachian, and transformative writing with Elizabeth Perlman. Also, Sherrie Flick on listening and being heard, Nick Courtright on banning books,…
Martha welcomes Jonathan Thirkield to talk about his new book of poetry, Infinity Pool. We welcome a new co-host, Judy Talaugon to the L&BH Hour and talk with her about The Tribunal Project. We persist in resisting book banning, and meditate on listening and being heard.
s3e8 SF Poet Laureate Genny Lim, Afro-Colombian Poets, We the People
We feature an interview with SF Poet Laureate Genny Lim, and listen to an archival reading from Alejandro Murguía . We learn about Afro-Colombian poet Candelario Obeso, and listen to Afro Peruvian poet, Victoria Santa Cruz. And The Transformative Power of Writing, We the People, Listening and Being Heard.
s3e7 Paid & No-Fee Opportunities for Writers & Nikki Giovanni on Aretha, Tupac & Love
Our featured guest is Caitlin Jans, Director of Authors Publish. We share poetry by Nikki Giovanni, about Aretha Franklin and Tupac Shakur, conversation between Nikki and James Baldwin and comments from the late, great, Roy Ayers. Poetry by Martha Cinader and Wordslanger, from the No-LNG Poetry Marathon, Vallejo, CA,2002.
s3e6 Growing Up Brown, Remembering Roberta Flack, Spoken Word Special
Luna Jamero talks about Growing Up Brown, a memoir by brother, Peter Jamero. A poem for Billy Mills, by Tony Robles. Remembering Roberta Flack with archival recordings and a live duo with Donny Hathaway, Spoken Word, Listening & Being Heard, Book Banning & Environmental Resilience with Laura Lengnick and Meredith Leigh.
s3e5 Making Choices: Art Under Dictatorship, Hybrid Publishing
Martha talks with Eileen Tabios about The Balikbayan Artist, Venancio Igarta, who her Kapwa novel fictionalizes, artistic choices and Kendrick Lamar’s historic half time appearance at the Super Bowl. Also featured, Nick Courtright, of Atmosphere Press, a literary hybrid publisher with 1300 titles in its catalog.
s3e3 From Olympic Gold Medalist to Children’s Author, Billy Mills’ Journey to Heal a Nation
1964 Olympics champion and children’s author, Billy Mills, speaks about his book, Wings of an Eagle, and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Poet, Blagovesta Momchedjikova reads Tree and Dancers. From L&BH Open Mic, 2002, Alejandro Murguía reads his story, Rose Colored Dreams. Sacred poetry by Makeda Queen of Sheba.
s3e4 American Anthropology – African and Asian American History, Sung and Told
Martha talks with Brian Kimmel about Blue Skies, Troubled Waters, a World War II account of an Indonesian American girl. We listen to Zora Neale Hurston sing and Tony visits her hometown celebration. Also, Eileen Tabios on Kendrick Lamar’s half-time show, Henry Dumas’ “Love Song” as a chorale.
s3e3 From Olympic Gold Medalist to Children’s Author, Billy Mills’ Journey to Heal a Nation
1964 Olympics champion and children’s author, Billy Mills, speaks about his book, Wings of an Eagle, and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Poet, Blagovesta Momchedjikova reads Tree and Dancers. From L&BH Open Mic, 2002, Alejandro Murguía reads his story, Rose Colored Dreams. Sacred poetry by Makeda Queen of Sheba.
s3e2 Buying and Writing Books in Northern New Mexico, Spoken Poetry and Story
We welcome Jan Smith, E.D. of SOMOS, in Taos, NM. From 1998, poet, Barbara Tran, reads from “Rosary” in Watermark. We persist in resisting book banning, and offer spoken word from Q.R. Hand Jr. and Martha reading in the audio garden from Tears and Laughter, by Kahlil Gibran.
s3e1 L&BH PODCAST: A Poetic Field Guide for Living Life, and Revisiting a Landmark Anthology of Vietnamese American Poetry and Prose
Kellie Richardson talks with Martha and reads from The Art of Naming My Pain, a poetic field guide to life. Also, an archival reading by Monique Truong from Watermark, a landmark anthology of Vietnamese American writers. We persist in resisting banning books. Martha talks of wood chips and the environment.
s2e40 Publishing Your Manuscript in 2025, Words of Wisdom from Publishers and Writers.
Time moves for writers when someone publishes their book. That someone could be the writer. We feature Season 2 highlights to help you start the clock on your manuscript: Beth Revis, Ernest Brawley, Meg Reid, Marissa Eller, Crystal Simone Smith, Marivi Soliven, Dan Sinykin, Diane Goettel and David Jauss.
s2e16 REPLAY Sidewalk Cruising and Running with Wolves
Mary Oishi, Albuquerque Poet Laureate, visits Martha Cinader to discuss her book, Sidewalk Cruiseship. An archive interview with Clarissa Pinkola Estés (Women Who Run with The Wolves) who is now giving online workshops. More from Caroline Julia Cabading’s epic poem Sugilanon, banning books and of Martha’s quest to publish.
Tony Robles speaks with Shizue Seigel (Founder/Director of Write Now! SF Bay) and author Vanessa Miller (The American Queen). We hear some thoughts on banning books and preview an interview with author Joan Gelfand (Outside Voices, A Memoir of the Berkeley Revolution). Martha Cinader tells a story about Queen Boedicea.
Martha Cinader speaks with author Laura Lengnick in this replay of our Winter Climate Special. The conversation ranges from alternatives to capitalism to Earth’s best practices. Laura is an award-winning soil scientist with 30 years of experience working as a researcher, policymaker, educator, activist and farmer to put sustainability values into action in U.S. food…
s2e13 REPLAY William Giraldi on manhood, sacrifice, body building and blood
Tony Robles interviews author William Giraldi (Hold the Dark and The Hero’s Body.) Their conversation ranges from manhood and body building to the masculinity of speed. We celebrate poetry month with Tony Robles, Joseph Jason Santiago Lacour, Tommi Avicolli Mecca and Sabrena Taylor. Martha Cinader on the path to publication.
s2e39 When Fiction Becomes Flesh, Crafting What Not to Say
Tony Robles speaks with David Jauss, Author of The Craft of Fiction. We feature poetry by Badawi, read by Sun Ra. We remember and listen to Nikki Giovanni. Also, Christy Lowman, Leila McMichael, Margaret Langley, Marissa Eller and Michael Hardy speak during Authors Day at the Morganton Public Library.
s2e38 Big Business on Your Bookshelf, Authors Day at the Library
Martha speaks with Dan Sinykin about Big Fiction, How Conglomeration Changed the Publishing Industry and American Literature. Tony Robles visits novelist, Beth Revis, and poet, Kyra Freeman, at Morganton Public Library in North Carolina. Also, we persist in resisting book bans and give thanks for your community radio station.
s2e37 –Spoken Word from Listen & Be Heard: Writers Reading Poetry and Prose
A panoply of poetry and prose readings by Caroline Cabading, Ruth Ozeki, Mary Oishi, Joan Gelfand, Ernie Brill, Glenis Redmond, Suzy Sureck, Josiah Luis Alderete, Lesley Ann Brown, Yenia, Crystal Cauley and Dan Sinykin from Season 2 of the Listen & Be Heard Hour for Readers & Writers.
s2e36 – The Cultural History of Writers in New Orleans, Writers in the Carolinas
Martha talks with Professor TR Johnson (A Writer’s City, New Orleans) about the origins of literature in New Orleans. Tony Robles talks to authors Cassidy Collins, Joseph Mills, Kathie Collins and Michele Tracy Berger at the NCWN Conference. We feature poet Randy Gonzales, thoughts on banning books, and some Earth poetry.
Featuring Sherrie Flick, author of Homing, Instincts of a Rust Belt Feminist and NCWN Fall Conference attendees, Kenly Corya (NC Lit. Review), Paul Reali (Charlotte Lit), and Peter Grimes (Pembroke Magazine). Spoken word by Homer Erotic. Also, comments about banning books, and some garden poetry.
s2e34 Mosab Abu Toha, Doug Tallamy, The Future for Small Presses
Poet, Mosab Abu Toha, reads “Under the Rubble” from Forest of Noise. Professor Doug Tallamy talks about Living with Oaks. Part 3 of the SPD roundtable features Eileen Tabios, Diane Goettel, Kate McMullen and Annie Groover. Sherrie Flick defines Rust Belt Feminism. Martha shares a garden poem.
s2e33 7th Filipino American Int. Book Festival, Moving on from SPD
Tony Robles speaks with authors Mae Respicio, Cleodia Martinez, Claude Tayag, Marivi Soliven and Randy Gonzalez at the 7th Annual Filipino American International Book Festival. The closure of SPD Part 2 with Diane Goettel, Eileen Tabios, Kate McMullen and Annie Groover. Spoken word by The Brkn Record featuring Yolanda Lear.
s2e32 Ann Dávila Cardinal, SPD Panel Discussion, Ninotchka Rosca
Author Ann Dávila Cardinal. A panel discussion about the closure of Small Press Distribution with Eileen Tabios, Diane Goettel, Kate McMullen and Annie Groover (Part I). Tony Robles talks with Ninotchka Rosca.
s2e31 Iowa Poet Laureate, Vince Gotera, Ann Davila Cardinal, SPD News, Poetry and more
L&BH has prevailed to bring you Hurricane Helene poetry by Tony Robles and Martha Cinader, an Interview with Iowa Poet Laureate, Vince Gotera, local stories from Travelers Rest authors, a preview of conversations with Ann Davila Cardinal and the SPD roundtable, as well as the return of Professor Jonathan Storm.
REPLAY – Summer Climate Resilience Special with Laura Lengnick and Meredith Leigh
This week, as we come to terms with the catastrophic impact of hurricane Helene, we offer a re-run of our climate special with Laura Lengnick and Meredith Leigh, both of whom live in the devastated area of WNC. It offers some insight into regional resilience and how we
s2e30 Diane Goettel of Black Lawrence Press, DIY Publishing, and Professor Jonathan Storm
Martha speaks with Indie Publisher Diane Goettel, of Black Lawrence Press. Authors at a monthly Author & Artisan Market talk about self-publishing. We persist to resist book banning. Professor Storm returns to walk and talk in the garden. Featured Poet: Michael Collonese – The Fish Crows of Kinvala.
s2e29 Eileen R. Tabios, Professor Jonathan Storm, Phil Talbot, Anne Marina Pellicciotto
Martha talks with Eileen Tabios, author of The Inventor, A Poet’s Transcolonial Autobiography, and, Professor Jonathan Storm, from USC of the Upstate, co-author of a free Field Guide to the Southern Piedmont. Poetry by Phil Talbot and Anne Marina Pellicciotto. And, we persist in pursuing publication and resisting book bans.
s2e28 Grammy nominee Caroline Cabading, a Radio Drama, and Tributes to Beloved Friends | Listen & Be Heard Podcast
Martha talks with Caroline Cabading, about her Grammy nominated CD, Sugilanon, an epic family journey. We remember Matthew Finch with a live radio drama by Ava Chin, from the L&BH Archives. Shara sings at Versers of Color in memory of Crystal Cauley, and we persist in our resistance of book-banning.
s2e27 Reading, Writing, Publishing, Selling, Listening & Being Heard | Listen & Be Heard Podcast
Amy Williams, owner of As the Page Turns Bookstore, talks about the circle of community life in Travelers Rest. Tony Robles, reads from Where the Warehouse Things Are, his newest poetry collection from Redhawk Publications. We persist about Banning Books and publishing our writings, and listen to birds, bees and muscovies, in a Martha’s Kitchen…
s2e26 Banning Books in Libraries & Schools, Paths to Publication
Books in schools and libraries are being used for target practice. We listen to poets, writers, teachers, a politician and others speak on resisting those efforts. Also, perspectives on publishing and paths to publication from writer Darren Todd, and publishers, Meg Reid and Crystal Simone Smith.
s2e25 Summer Climate Resilience Special with Laura Lengnick and Meredith Leigh
We listen to highlights from previous climate resilience specials with authors Laura Lengnick, Resilient Agriculture, and Meredith Leigh, The Ethical Meat Handbook. Martha Cinader adds personal comments about changing behavior and recommends books. Poetry by Vanessa Lee Miller. Music by Baba Brinkman and DJ’s for Climate Action.
s2e24 California Culture with Josiah Luis Alderete & Joe Talaugon
Tony Robles talks with JOSIAH LUIS ALDERETE, poet and operator of Medicine For Nightmares Bookstore in SF, and JOE TALAUGON, author of the memoir Mestizo Through My Eyes. Alderete shares his poem “Somos” and some choice words about banning books. Martha shares a garden update and thoughts on native wisdom.
s2e23 Scott Kikkawa’s Hawaiian Noir and Ingrid Rojas Contreras’ Bogota Memoir | Listen & Be Heard Podcast
TONY ROBLES, talks to SCOTT KIKKAWA about his detective novel, Char Siu, set in postwar Hawaii, and INGRID ROJAS CONTRERAS, about her Bogota memoir, The Man Who Could Move Clouds, curanderas and amnesia. Martha talks about banning books and public radio.
s2e22 Crystal Cauley, Melissa Whiteford St. Clair, Shä Key, Steve Cannon | Listen & Be Heard Podcast
We celebrate the life of CRYSTAL CAULEY, a poet, mover, and shaker gone too soon, feature lightning poems from the L&BH open mic, and MELISSA WHITEFORD ST. CLAIR. From the archives spoken word from SHÄ KEY, and STEVE CANNON, and an update on the Muscovy chicks at Martha’s Kitchen Garden.
s2e21 Jamaican Barrel Children, a Mermaid & the Slave Trade | Listen & Be Heard Podcast
Opal Palmer Adisa talks about “Pretty Like Jamaica”, a story about a “barrel child” in Jamaica living with her grandmother, and Lesley Ann Brown tells a counter story of the Little Mermaid that reckons with the slave trade in Denmark.
s2e20 An hour of Listen & Be Heard Spoken Word from East, West and South
Listen & Be Heard has hosted open mics on the east coast and west coast and starting on Juneteenth, in the Carolinas. In this episode we sample spoken word from all those places as we look forward to seeing what grows on Wednesday nights in downtown Greenville, SC. We feature the late Q.R. Hand jr., …
s2e19 Greeting Cards for All: Remembering Cleven “Goodie” Goudeau
We pulled up root crops for this show, from the west coast garden, we’ll hear poetry from REGINALD LOCKETT, and we dug up an interview with CLEVEN GOUDEAU, who created the first line of black greeting cards among many other accomplishments in a long career. From the east coast garden, we found more from RUTH…
Martha takes listeners on a tour of Martha’s Kitchen Garden, introducing the animals, plans for a radio station and ideas about regenerative agriculture and recycling garbage. She digs around and discovers an archival reading by RUTH OZEKI from her novel, My Year of Meats, and a play called Dis for Dat by STEVE CANNON.
s2e17 Chitra Divakaruni from the Archives & Malcolm X’s B’day in Greenville
From the archives, for Asian Pacific Islander Month, a conversation Martha had with CHITRA BANERJEE DIVAKARUNI back in 1999 on WBAI Radio, when Chitra’s novel, Sister of My Heart had just come out. At that time, she was a recent immigrant. They talk about the tug between individualism and traditional extended families, and her near-death…
Poet, MARY OISHI on her new book, Sidewalk Cruiseship. From the archives, an interview with DR. CLARISSA PINKOLA ESTES. More from the CD Sugilanon, more about banning books, and more of Martha’s quest to publish.
Today in the audio garden SHARON SCOTT, author of Low Power FM for dummies contemplates the future with radio thriving in a tapestry of resilient regions across the continent known as Turtle Island. CAROLINE JULIA CABADING considers the past through a lens of poetry and music. ERNIE BRILL comments on banning books. MARTHA CINADER’s quest…
s2e14 Ernie Brill, Ernest Brawley & Beverly Parayno talk about life and writing
The audio garden is bursting with Spring plenitude. Tony Robles talks with ERNIE BRILL about life and writing poetry, and ERNEST BRAWLEY about his life as a novelist. BEVERLY PARAYNO brings us a bouquet of wildflowers, a sampling from a lecture she gave recently to the Gold Country Writers group in Auburn, CA. More on…
s2e13 William Giraldi on manhood, sacrifice, body building and blood
It’s still poetry month here in the US and we are celebrating, with poetry brought to us by the People’s Poet, Tony Robles. Tony interviews WILLIAM GIRALDI, author of “Hold the Dark” and “The Hero’s Body.” Their conversation ranges from manhood, sacrifice, body building, John Keats disguised as the Bible, what you can’t get out…
Martha Cinader goes into deepthink mode with Meredith Leigh, author of The Ethical Meat Handbook and thinker of thoughts still asking to be manifested. With the optimism that blossoms with Spring, the conversation focuses on alternatives to capitalism, honoring indigenous wisdom, revolutionary madness, books that inspire and more! This one-hour special is an ongoing seasonal…
Martha speaks with Latasha Diggs author of her mind bending book of poetry, Village, talks about her process and her reads her five-part poem, Kombucha. In the second part of the hour, Amber Rose Crowtree reads from her chapbook Harboring the Imperfect, and a poem submitted by Ameera Shabazz. Martha revisits her journey to publication,…
s2e10 Women of the Berkeley Revolution & Ancient Times
Martha Cinader speaks with Joan Gelfand, author of Outside Voices, A Memoir of the Berkeley Revolution, about her participation in second wave feminism in the 1970’s and what’s happening now. In the second part of the hour we listen to an archival interview with the late Dr. Leonard Shlain, author of The Alphabet Versus the…
Tony Robles speaks with Shizue Seigel, Founder and Director of Write Now! SF Bay, in California. In the second part of the hour Tony speaks with author Vanessa Miller about her book The American Queen. We hear some thoughts from James Cruell, of Greenville, SC about banning books, and get a preview of an interview…
We’ll hear Amy Reed, author of Tell Me My Name, one of the fifty most banned books in the country, and Kelly Kelbel from a live recording. Martha talks about how climate resilience is related to publishing. Tony Robles shares a virtual lecture on poetry, and Martha shares books she read, books she’s reading, and…