A short statement from Brittany and Ajanaé regarding current events ..read more

In today’s episode, Brittany and Ajanae have the pleasure of interviewing Safiya Sinclair. Join them as they discuss the craft of switching to memoir, maintaining self-confidence while navigating academia, what their teenage selves would think of them, and the influence Jamaica has on Safiya’s writing. Until Next Time: Here are some pieces of media to accompany your experience of the episode and a writing prompt to tide you over until we meet again! Audre Lorde: AUDRE LORDE | Poetry is Not a Luxury Frida Kahlo: Frida Kahlo: The woman behind the legend - Iseult Gillespie Derek Walcott ..read more

On today’s episode of VS, Brittany and Ajanae interview Courtney Faye Taylor about their award winning collection Concentrate. Listen in as they discuss writing with an ethic of care, studying oneself as a writer, the nuances of Black girlhood, and the construction of Concentrate. Until Next Time:  Here are some pieces of media to accompany your experience of the episode and a writing prompt to tide you over until we meet again! Toni Cade Bombara: Toni Cade Bambara Black women’s dialogue: For Our Girls: A Conversation with Black Women | The Conversation Remix A24 Movies: Mo ..read more

Today Brittany and Ajanae interview Willie Lee Kinard III, author of Orders of Service. During this episode, they discuss Willie’s history with music, doublespeak as maximalism, queerness as a foundation for craft choices, and developing a love for the land.  Until Next Time: Here are some pieces of media to accompany your experience of the episode and a writing prompt to tide you over until we meet again! Lynn Harris: E. Lynn Harris's Biography Mariah Carey: It’s Mariah Carey Season, Darling Kirk Franklin: How Kirk Franklin Revolutionized Gospel And Made Hip-Hop A More Spi ..read more

For this episode, Brittany and Ajanae interview Samiya Bashir. During this conversation, they discuss Samiya’s role as Executive Director of Lambda Literary, Black opera, opening the door for queer writers, and writing the poem that unlocks the project. Until Next Time:  Here are some pieces of media to accompany your experience of the episode and a writing prompt to tide you over until we meet again! Torkwase Dyson: Desert X | Torkwase Dyson David Bowie: david bowie interview 1973 June Jordan : June Jordan -- “Poem about My Rights” Cornelius Eady: Poet Cornelius Eady on exploring the eve ..read more

On today’s episode, Brittany and Ajanae speak with 2023 Ruth Lily fellow and author of Black Pastoral, Ariana Benson. Join them for this episode as they discuss nature, artistic influences, sensuality, and soap operas.  Until Next Time: Here are some pieces of media to accompany your experience of the episode and a writing prompt to tide you over until we meet again! Gwendolyn Brooks: We Real Cool / Gwendolyn Brooks at 100 by The Editors | Poetry Foundation Bob Ross: Why Is Bob Ross Still So Popular 2 Chainz: 2 Chainz Interview - Get Inspired and Go Inside His Nail Salon and Restaurant Wr ..read more

For their second episode of season 7, Brittany and Ajanae interview Victoria Chang. During this conversation, they discuss following your imagination and creative impulses, trusting your reader to fill in the gaps in a collection, and hidden talents! Until Next Time: Here are some pieces of media to accompany your experience of the episode and a writing prompt to tide you over until we meet again! Claudia Rankine: Using poetry to uncover the moments that lead to racism Virginia Woolf: Virginia Woolf Was More Than Just a Women’s Writer | The National Endowment for the Humanities Agnes Martin: D ..read more

For this first episode of Season 7, Brittany and Ajanae decided to answer audience questions generated via social media. Join them as they tackle hot topics, their writing process, how they navigate friendship and business, and much more! Until Next Time: Here are some pieces of media to accompany your experience of the episode, and a writing prompt to tide you over until we meet again! The City Girls: City Girls Talk Work Ethic, Chemistry & Loyalty Before The Glow Up...PERIOD | Home Grown Radio The Clark Sisters Transcendent in its Reach Christine Swenson and Aunjanue Ellis on the Clark S ..read more

Ladan Osman steps into the studio with a knowledge of her journey and a commitment to share. The poet and filmmaker talks about how she has traversed the complex and scarring world of the poetry industry, the ways that she pushed herself toward making different media, what she hopes for the poets emerging in her wake, and much more. Plus, some quality shoutouts to the bees and important postcolonial board game critiques. NOTE: Make sure you rate us on Apple Podcasts and write us a review!     ..read more

To close out season six, Brittany and Ajanae record LIVE in Detroit with guests Aricka Foreman and Tommye Blount. Join them as they discuss the history of the Detroit School of poets, building authentic community, knowing when a project is done, and creating alternate spaces for Black Queer folks to thrive. Until Next Time Here’s some content for you to engage with and 2 writing prompts to keep you entertained until next time! Tommye Blount:  Bridget Pegeen Kelly - Remembering Brigit Pegeen Kelly Bill T. Jones - How Bill T. Jones’ ‘Deep Blue Sea' explores the collective ‘we’ of the A ..read more