Episodes

  • Sekou Andrews X IN-Q: Challenging the Grammys as A Spoken Artist

    Sekou Andrews X IN-Q: Challenging the Grammys as A Spoken Artist
    Sep 9 2021
    In this episode of Inquire Within, I’m joined by Sekou. Sekou is the creator of Poetic Voice, a new, cutting-edge speaking category that seamlessly fuses inspirational speaking with spoken word poetry to make messages more moving and memorable. Plus, he is a also two-time national poetry slam champion, entrepreneur, and award-winning poetic voice.    Throughout the episode, Sekou shares the frustrations of spoken word artists who are trying to make a living in their category of art. Too often, they are robbed of their awards in their own categories by players who shouldn’t be in it, such as Michelle Obama. Throughout our conversation together, Sekou talks about the work he does to kick down new doors in the industry, so more spoken word poets can gain access to the industry and make a living. Towards the end of our conversation, he also talks about the difference between compromise and sacrifice as an artist.   And as always, with every episode, we will be sharing a journaling question inspired by the conversation to encourage and inspire you to inquire within, so be sure to listen to the full episode to not miss out.    To learn more about Sekou:   Website: sekouandrews.com  Instagram: @sekouworld  
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    1 hr and 25 mins
  • Ed Mabrey: Fighting the Patriarchy With Poetry

    Ed Mabrey: Fighting the Patriarchy With Poetry
    Sep 3 2021
    In this episode of Inquire Within, I'm joined by Ed Mabrey. He talks about how our patriotic society had led him to believe poetry was not something men should be doing. For the longest time, he drank the kool aid and tried to shape himself and his art to fit the world of rap, which was what our society would expect from men, until he discovered slam poetry. Ed also uncovers the rules that evolve around slam poetry.   Ed is considered to be the GOAT of Poetry Slam, Ed Mabrey is a Poet, Professional Speaker, Screenwriter, Comedian, Voice/Stage/Film Actor.   And as always, with every episode, we will be sharing a journaling question inspired by the conversation to encourage and inspire you to inquire within, so be sure to listen to the full episode to not miss out.    Find more from Ed here: edmabrey.com   
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    1 hr and 29 mins
  • Natalie Patterson: Checking in with Yourself, Maintaining Integrity, and Fuelling Your Passion

    Natalie Patterson: Checking in with Yourself, Maintaining Integrity, and Fuelling Your Passion
    Aug 24 2021

    In this episode of Inquire Within, I'm joined by Natalie Patterson. Natalie can best be identified as a teaching artist and poet.

    Over the last 18 years, Natalie has crafted time-tested approaches to fostering cultures of growth, curiosity, compassion, and integrity. She was the first female producer and host of the nation’s largest poetry venue, The Poetry Lounge, the president of Sister Support, a non-profit committed to women, and recently, she completed a year-long residency teaching poetry as a healing art to youth who are incarcerated.

    In 2019, Natalie accepted a position with "Art with Impact" as a worship facilitator for movies for mental health and as a teaching artist at Spark, one of Los Angeles’ oldest and most respected art and activism organizations. Natalie is known for her integrity, passion, social activism, and her ability to work with people of all ages, genders, races, and cultures by showing up fully and inviting folks to remember that who they are is enough.

    In this episode, we explore many of these topics and more. And as always, we will be sharing a journaling prompt at the end of the episode inspired by our conversation, to encourage you to Inquire Within.

     

    What we discuss:

    Natalie’s Poem

    When is the last time you felt misaligned with an audience?

    How do we balance our identities with our human stories?

    Learning how to check in with yourself

    Are there practices to check in with yourself?

    Why is it important for us to have and maintain integrity in our lives?

    Do you have any recent examples of when your integrity was tested?

    What advice do you have for others keeping their integrity in a society that encourages losing it?

    How does poetry help you take care of yourself?

    Beautiful Body by Natalie Patterson

    Poems at different stages of life

    What advice do you have for fueling your passion?

    How events in our lives add up

    Learning to be honest with ourselves instead of hitting rock bottom

     

    Instagram

    @natalieispoetry

     

    Website

    natalieispoetry.com
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    1 hr and 2 mins
  • Fairytales [Poem + Prompt]

    Fairytales [Poem + Prompt]
    Aug 17 2021

    Where are you in your life? Where are you in the plot right now? Remember, you are the star. You are the supporting characters. You are the writers. You are the director. You are the grips.

    In this 3 minute episode, it is just me, IN-Q. I wanted to share my poem, Fairytales, with you, and I give a journal prompt. Your life is a movie, write about it.

    Find more from me on Instagram: @inqlife.
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    4 mins
  • Kamilla Tolnø: Finding Your Sense of Self

    Kamilla Tolnø: Finding Your Sense of Self
    Aug 10 2021

    Are you struggling to find your sense of self?

    In this weeks episode of “Inquire Within”, myself and Instagram famous poet, Kamilla Tolnø, dive deep into what started her poetry journey, growing up in Copenhagan, and how instagram played such a big part in her career. Her writing has inspired so many, and has even helped readers learn English. We talk about the power of words and what past writings can teach our future self.

    Kamilla’s debut poetry collection was released in 2020 and “the moon” reached #1 bestseller in her category. The series has since then become complete with “the orchid”, “the ocean” and “the wolf”. The series is written for those struggling with finding their sense of self. Kamilla’s artistic journey started with a broken heart followed by a depression and a sense of lostness. The northern collection is a testimony of her path out of the pain through the arts of writing and illustrating. Her hope is to help others unfold into their fullest selves by healing the past and trusting in the power of the future.

    What we discuss:

    1:59: Kamilla’s Poem and the Meaning Behind It

    6:32: The Power of Our Writing and Life’s Cycles

    9:01: Writing Things Down

    12:45: Do you need validation from your readers?

    15:55: Poetry with English as your second language

    18:02: Writing simply and the butterfly effect

    22:51: Growing up in Copenhagen

    25:12: Poetry on Instagram

    29:32: Finding your sense of self

    38:05: How you know that you have found yourself?

    44:33: What is the best thing about social media & the worst thing?

    51:58: Seasons of life

    53:39: Advice for over-thinkers

    58:10: Like the Ocean You Can B Everywhere at Once by Kamilla Tolnø

    1:00:15: The Moon by IN-Q

    1:03:59: Writing Prompt: Simplicity is Complex

     

    Speakeasy Launch: August 16th

    Instagram: @k.tolnoe

    Book Series: ktolnoe.com
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    59 mins
  • There is Nothing in Life You Cannot Breathe Through

    There is Nothing in Life You Cannot Breathe Through
    Aug 3 2021
    5 mins
  • Javon Johnson: Building a Poetry Career & Prioritizing a Political Agenda

    Javon Johnson: Building a Poetry Career & Prioritizing a Political Agenda
    Jul 27 2021
    In this episode of Inquire Within, I’m joined by Javon Johnson. The two of us dive into Javon's journey from the epics fails he had as a beginner poet to building a solid career focused on a political agenda.   Javon is an Assistant Professor of African American Studies at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and a highly awarded spoken word poet, merging race and gender theory with comedy and lyricism. He is also the author of Killy Poetry, Ain’t Never Not Been Black, and Viral Poems. Additionally, Professor Johnson writes for The Huffington Post, The Root, and Our Weekly, and serves on the editorial board for Text & Performance Quarterly. And, he has appeared on HBO’s Def Poetry Jam, BET’s Lyric Café, TV One’s Verses & Flow, The Arsenio Hall Show, and The Steve Harvey Show, and also co-wrote the Showtime documentary Crossover.   What we discuss:   How did Javon become the performer he is now? What is Javon’s most embarrassing moment on stage? “Another Generic Love Poem from a Man to his Unborn Daughter” by Javon Johnson The Birth of Javon’s New Baby Girl How did the birth of Javon’s daughter change his perspective on his upbringing? How do you feel about the idea of your child being your friend? Growing up in south LA and how that fueled Javon’s interest in poetry Javon’s family and his introductions to politics What birthed Javon’s interest in poetry? When did Javon’s poetry begin to have a political agenda?   What is one theme that Javon wants to leave his audience with his “Still” poem? The attack on black people’s livability Discussing “Ain’t Never Not Been Black” by Javon Johnson What should white people do about their white privilege? The structural solutions to racism What does Javon want the listeners to write about? How would you solved structural racism?   Instagram: @javonism   Twitter: @javonism
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    1 hr and 54 mins
  • Re-Evaluating Your Time Horizon

    Re-Evaluating Your Time Horizon
    Jul 20 2021

    I've been thinking a lot about time horizon recently. We are in such an instant culture – everything has to happen right away and we need instant gratification. But what about incremental and cumulative growth? What happened to things happening slowly, adding up over time, and absolutely changing an area of your life or changing your entire life? In this episode of Inquire Within, I contemplate this thought and give you a journal prompt to help you contemplate this thought as well. 

     
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    4 mins