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VS

The VS podcast is a bi-weekly series where poets confront the ideas that move them. Hosted by poets Ajanaé Dawkins and Brittany Rogers, produced by Cin Pim/Ombie Productions, and presented by the Poetry Foundation.

Latest Episodes:

Hanif Abdurraqib vs. Obsession Jul 22, 2025

Show notes

On today’s episode of VS, Ajanae and Brittany interview Hanif Abdurraqib. Listen in as they discuss burned cd’s, the cost of being a collector, living archives, new projects, and obsession as an origin story.

Until Next Time:

Here is some media to accompany your experience of the episode and a writing prompt to tide you over until we meet again!

June Jordan - June Jordan at the NYS Writers Institute in 2000
Gloria Naylor - GREAT BLACK BOOKS! Presents THE WOMEN OF BREWSTER PLACE by Gloria Naylor
Aracelis Girmay - “You Are Who I Love” Reading by Aracelis Girmay

Writing Prompt:

Consider a piece of ephemera or archival material in your family. Write a poem using the object and the year of its making as the title. Consider what the object represents now.

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m. mick powell vs. Celebrity Culture Jul 08, 2025

Show notes

On today’s episode of VS, Ajanae and Brittany interview m. mick powell about their forthcoming collection, Dead Girl Cameo (Penguin Random House). Join them as they discuss celebrity culture and conspiracy theories, obsession with the 90’s and 2000’s, Black queer feminist thought, and gathering artifacts across time periods.

Until Next Time:

Here is some media to accompany your experience of the episode and a writing prompt to tide you over until we meet again!

Saidiya Hartman - Saidiya Hartman, Literary Scholar and Cultural Historian | 2019 MacArthur Fellow
Ntozake Shange - Ntozake Shange preserves Black history and culture through literature (1989 interview)
Cheryl Dunye - The Watermelon Woman at 25: the Black lesbian classic that wears its brilliance lightly | BFI
Dr. Andrea Y. Adomako - Andrea Y. Adomako

Writing Prompt:

Write an ode to a cultural icon or piece of memorabilia from your childhood. Make the title a line from a song that was important to you during this era.

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Tiana Clark vs. Burnout Jun 24, 2025

Show notes

On today’s episode of VS, Brittany and Ajanae have the opportunity to talk with Tiana Clark. Listen in as they discuss navigating burnout and perfectionism, advocacy within the medical system, neurodivergence, and permission as a part of the creative process.

Until Next Time:

Here is some media to accompany your experience of the episode and a writing prompt to tide you over until we meet again!

Terrance Hayes- What it Look Like | The Poetry Foundation
Sharon Olds- Sharon Olds talks about her work
Issa Rae- AWKWARD Black Girl | “The Stop Sign” [S. 1, Ep. 1]

Writing Prompt:

Write an ekphrastic poem for a music video that you love.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Deesha Philyaw and Kiese Laymon vs. Genre Jun 10, 2025

Show notes

On today’s episode, Brittany and Ajanae talk with Deesha Philyaw and Kiese Laymon—phenomenal writers and co-hosts of the podcast, Reckon True Stories. During this conversation, they discuss the impact of great editors, the overlap between poetry and prose, rejection in the writers room, and the beauty of friendship.

Until Next Time:

Catherine Coleman (Kiese’s Grandmother) - On Resilience, Tender Rituals, and Responsible Love: Talking with Kiese Laymon - The Rumpus
Kendrick Lamar - The Literary Genius of Kendrick Lamar
Nene leakes - 10 Quotes NeNe Leakes Gave To Pop Culture That Prove She's A Cultural Icon
Tami Roman - Tami Roman's Funniest Moments | Basketball Wives Legends
Deesha’s Grandmother - Local Dispatch: My grandmother's life lesson on the dignity of work | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Kiese Laymon - Award Winning Author Kiese Laymon Discusses Heavy: An American Memoir and more

Writing Prompt:

Write a prose poem and borrow your favorite craft element from another genre to focus on.

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VS Live! at AWP E. Hughes and Lue Hughes vs. Nostalgia May 27, 2025

Show notes

Today’s episode was recorded live at the Sims Library in Los Angeles, California during this year's AWP conference. Join Brittany and Ajanae as they sit down with E. Hughes and Lue Hughes (no relation) to discuss the role that intimacy plays in their writing, memory being true for the moment, the role of grief in the writing process, and moments of messiness in their collections.

Until Next Time:

Here is some media to accompany your experience of the episode and a writing prompt to tide you over until we meet again!

Toni Morrison: Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am - Exclusive Clip - Farah Griffin On Sula
Natasha Trethewey- The Typology of Taint, in Thrall to a Word: A Conversation with Natasha Trethewey | World Literature Today
Frantz Fanon: Frantz Fanon, Black Skin, White Masks | What Language Reveals | Philosophy Core Concepts
Luther:
Carl Phillips: Intimacy, Afloat in Space: A Conversation with Carl Phillips - The Adroit Journal
CM Burroughs: Meat to Reckon With: A Conversation with CM Burroughs
Sza- Ctrl: sza - ctrl (full album)
Taylor Johnson: An Interview and Poems from Taylor Johnson

Writing Prompt:

Write an ode to your grief.

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Nicole Sealey vs. Love May 13, 2025

Show notes

On today’s episode, Brittany and Ajanaé have the honor of interviewing Nicole Sealey! Join them as they discuss friendship rituals, surviving writers conferences, learning from mentors, navigating old obsessions in new work, and love, love, and more love.

Until Next Time:

Here is some media to accompany your experience of the episode and a writing prompt to tide you over until we meet again!

Nicole Sealey’s Parents- The First Person Who Will Live to Be One Hundred and Fifty Years Old Has Already Been Born by Nicole Sealey
Collective teachers- Celebrating Yusef Komunyakaa with Major Jackson, Jennifer Jean, John Murillo & Nicole Sealey
John Murillo- In the Poetry Library With John Murillo

Writing Prompt

Write a list of ways that you promise to care for your reader.

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Omotara James vs. The Speaker Apr 29, 2025

Show notes

On today’s episode of VS, Ajanae and Brittany are joined by poet Omotara James. Join them as they discuss the failure of poetry as savior, whistleblowers, art as a meet-cute, resisting shielding the speaker, and building trust with the reader.

Until Next Time:

Here is some media to accompany your experience of the episode and a writing prompt to tide you over until we meet again!

Sharon Olds: Sharon Olds talks about her work
Michaela Coel: ‘There is power in the word no’: Michaela Coel’s journey from Chewing Gum to I May Destroy You | CBC Comedy
Lucille Clifton: Lucille Clifton talks of her books of poems, including “Good Times”

Writing Prompt:

Write a confessional poem that addresses your reader directly.

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Vanessa Angélica Villarreal vs. Magical Realism Apr 15, 2025

Show notes

On today’s episode, Ajanaé and Brittany talk to Vanessa Angélica Villarreal! Listen in as they discuss mushrooms, quantum entanglements, borders, the ethics of daughters-memory, and the role of Fantasy and The Future in the Western literary canon.

Until Next Time:

Here is some media to accompany your experience of the episode and a writing prompt to tide you over until we meet again!

Pedro Páramo by Juan Rulfo: Pedro Páramo | Official Trailer | Netflix
Jordan S. Carroll- Speculative Whiteness: Exploration Log 7: Interview with Jordan S. Carroll, author of Speculative Whiteness: Science Fiction and the Alt-Right (2024)
The Dragon Age Games; South of Midnight: South of Midnight - Accolades Trailer

Writing Prompt:

Write a poem for your favorite television or book character.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Amanda Johnston vs. The Present Apr 01, 2025

Show notes

On today’s episode, Brittany and Ajanae chat with Amanda Johnston; join them as they discuss choosing joy, intentional literary citizenship, the history of Torch Literary Arts, recurring selves in the work, and existing in the here and now.

Until Next Time:

Here is some media to accompany your experience of the episode and a writing prompt to tide you over until we meet again!

Lucille Clifton - i am accused of tending to the past by Lucille Clifton
Krista Franklin - ARTIST FEATURE: KRISTA FRANKLIN - EP2
Wura-Natasha Ogunji - Interview with Wura-Natasha Ogunji | "Alpha Crucis – Contemporary African Art"
Beyonce - The Business of Being Beyoncé Knowles-Carter | GQ

Writing Prompt:

In the spirit of Amanda’s Praisesong project, choose a member of your community and write a praisesong or ode to them.

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Chet’la Sebree vs. Etymology Mar 18, 2025

Show notes

Welcome to Season 9! On today’s episode of VS, Brittany and Ajanae chat with Chet’la Sebree about love, the origin of words and theory, chronic illness, vulnerability, and using language to explore our curiosities.

Until Next Time:

Here is some media to accompany your experience of the episode and a writing prompt to tide you over until we meet again!

Natasha Tretheway: Natasha Trethewey’s Poems Take Wing on Intimate Details - The New York Times
Shara McCallum FIELD STUDY: CHET'LA SEBREE IN CONVERSATION WITH SHARA MCCALLUM
Allison Saar : #5WomenArtists Spotlight: Alison Saar - English with Audio Description

Writing Prompt:

Research the etymology of a word and write a poem tracing its origin and evolution.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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