Matthew Carauddo – Author of Fantasy

Join us for an exclusive interview with author Matthew Carauddo, known for his captivating fantasy series “Diamond Dragons.” In this episode, we will embark on a journey through his creative process and explore the influences of other great writers, concepts and films on his work. Get ready to be transported to a world of magic, adventure and dragons as we delve into the mind of this talented storyteller.

OVERVIEW: In addition to acting, writing, singing and voice-over, Matthew Carauddo has over 15 years of experience in fencing, staged combat and martial arts (Wing Chun Kung Fu, Jujitsu, Shotokan Karate, Jeet Kune Do, Tricking). Matthew is a licensed fencing instructor, approved and examined by the Federation Francaise D’Escrime (FFE). He has taught hundreds of group fencing classes and one-on-one lessons behind the mask throughout the California bay area at schools, academies of fencing, summer camps, and parks and recreational facilities.

ORIGINS: Matthew began acting as a child when he was around 9 years old. He pursued on-stage performance throughout middle school, high school, and all throughout college.

Listen to episode here

https://diamond-dragons.com/

https://www.youtube.com/@diamonddragonstale

Hannah Parry – Author

Hannah Parry author of Breathing for the Both of UsIn the September episode of the Poetic Resurrection Podcast features the talented author Hannah Parry.  We delve into her novel Breathing for the Both of Us. With a background in pediatric nursing, Hannah shares her journey to becoming an author and the inspiration behind her powerful story. Our conversation is filled with thought-provoking insights on life experiences and the dedication it takes to pursue writing. So, tune in and join us for this engaging and enlightening episode that is sure to leave you wanting more!

Hannah Parry trained as a nurse and has a Master’s in Creative Writing from Birkbeck College, University of London.

She has had four short stories published. Farrukh and the Matchmaker made the longlist of the BBC Short Story Award 2021. The Chrysalis was awarded a Pushcart Prize nomination in 2021.

She does beta reading for established authors and was part of the editorial team on Mechanics’ Institute Review Short Story Anthology in 2018.

Hannah has written two middle-grade historical thrillers – Winter’s Bite and Fever Quest – and two commercial fiction novels which she will publish as H.P. Parry. She developed Breathing for Both of Us, a psychological thriller, on the Curtis Brown Creative course in London and it was published in April 2023.

The Baby Exchange, an upmarket fiction manuscript is on submission.

Listen to the episode here

Breathing for the Both of Us on Amazon

Hannah Parry Website

Inam Inamullah – Author/Artist

Inam Inamullah - Poetic Resurrection PodcastThis month, our guest on the Poetic Resurrection Podcast is Inam Inamullah. We delve into his book “Whispers of the Flight,” a Sufistic novel that explores the journey of self-discovery through life’s peaks and valleys. In addition, we take a look at his personal experiences and how he rose to become an internationally recognized artist, with one of his commissioned pieces displayed at the Carnegie Hall Tower in New York City. It was a fascinating conversation with a guest who has much wisdom to share. Don’t miss it!

Whispers of Flight - Poetic Resurrection PodcastInam, originally from South Asia, is a world-renowned artist, poet, and playwright. His work has earned international acclaim for its depth, creativity, and spiritual insight. Despite the challenges he faced early in life, including the hardships brought on by polio, Inam found solace in his art. Through resilience and a profound sense of creativity, he transformed his struggles into a source of beauty and inspiration.

Inam’s artistic journey is not confined to the canvas alone; his passion for the written word is evident in his prolific contributions to poetry and playwriting. His works reflect a deep appreciation for the ancient wisdom imparted by Sufi sages, which has unveiled the mysteries of the universe to him.

A graduate of UCLA with an MBA, Inam also serves as a Life Coach, guiding others through their own journeys of transformation. His commitment to giving back to the community led him to found the Glitter of Hope Foundation, a local charity dedicated to supporting single mothers and orphans, primarily within the refugee community.

Inam’s latest work, “Whispers of The Flight,” offers readers a profound journey that promises to illuminate the path to inner transformation. Whether you’re a spiritual seeker, a lover of allegorical tales, or someone on a quest for deeper understanding, this work ensures a transformative experience that resonates deeply with the soul.

Listen to the podcast here

Amazon link: https://amzn.to/472w8tO – whispers of the flight

Find out more about his artwork: https://www.inamgallery.com/

Whispers of Flight site: www.whispersoftheflight.com

Inam’s life coaching site: www.elevatelife.guru

Luis J. Rodriguez – Poet/Activist

We are thrilled to welcome back Luis J. Rodriguez, poet/author/activist and former Los Angeles Poet Laureate from 2014 to 2016. We discuss the Always Running festival, which is named after his well-known book Always Running: La Vida Loca, Gang Days in L.A. Since our last interview, Luis has been traveling with his wife Trini for poetry readings and speaking engagements around the world. Currently, he is working on a script with Freddy Negrete based on the true story of the killing of David Dominguez, a gang member, by San Gabriel ex-cop Billy Joe McIlvain.

We also touch on a project that Luis was involved in with John Leguizamo, though unfortunately it was not completed. One of the most heartbreaking topics we discuss is the growing homeless population in Los Angeles and how expensive housing is causing many people to leave the city or move to Mexico. Take a listen to this insightful conversation with an accomplished author and activist.

In addition to being a novelist, memoirist, short story writer, children’s book writer, and essayist, Luis is also a poet. He is also known as a mentor, healer, youth and arts advocate, community and urban peace activist, husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.

And if you find yourself in the Los Angeles area, be sure to visit Tia Chucha Bookstore and Cultural Center.

Luis J. Rodriguez – Biography

He has 16 books in all genres (poetry, children’s books, fiction, and nonfiction), including the best-selling memoir, “Always Running, La Vida Loca, Gang Days in L.A.” His latest memoir is the sequel, “It Calls You Back: An Odyssey Through Love, Addiction, Revolutions, and Healing.” His last poetry book is 2016’s “Borrowed Bones” from Curbstone Books/Northwestern University Press. In 2020, Seven Stories Press released his first book of essays, “From Our Land to Our Land: Essays, Journeys & Imaginings from a Native Xicanx Writer.”

Among his many awards and fellowships, in 2022 Luis was given a California Arts Council Legacy Fellowship and a Los Angeles Times’ Robert Kirsch Lifetime Achievement Award.

Luis is founding editor of Tia Chucha Press, now for over 30 years, and more than 20 years ago he co-founded with his wife Trini Tia Chucha’s Centro Cultural & Bookstore in the San Fernando Valley. He has traveled across the United States, Canada, Mexico, Central America, South America, Europe, and Japan to speak, do poetry readings, indigenous ceremonies, or reportage over the past 40 years. This includes prisons, jails, and juvenile lockups in around 20 U.S. states, as well as Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Argentina, Italy, and England. Dedicated to his indigenous roots and Native American spirituality, Luis has a Mexika name: Mixcoatl Itztlacuiloh. With his wife Trini (Tlazohteotl) he has a podcast called “The Hummingbird Cricket Hour”–http://hchpodcast.libsyn.com/

Luis is dedicated to a clean, balanced, abundant, cooperative, healing world. No more capitalist private property relations, exploitation, war, or inequities. “In essential things, unity; in nonessential things, liberty. In all things compassion.”

Listen to episode

Always Running – La Vida Loca, Gang Days in L.A. by Luis J. Rodriguez

The Concrete River: Poems by Luis J Rodriguez

Tia Chucha Bookstore & Cultural Center

Freddy Negrete: Smile Now, Cry Later

Good Cop or Bad Cop? The Story of Billy Joe McIlvain and the Murder of David Dominguez

 

Poetry and Social Media

Inspire Me Series Book 1 & 2 PoetryAs a poet, I struggle with promoting my work on social media, but here are some tips that I hope will be helpful to you and me both. Social media has become a crucial tool for poets to showcase their poetry and connect with a wider audience. What was once seen as a solitary art form is now thriving online, with popular platforms like Instagram, X, Facebook and other platforms are being used by poets and readers alike.

For marginalized communities in particular, social media has provided a platform to amplify their voices and share their experiences through the unique medium of poetry. From poets of color to LGBTQ+ poets, these platforms have created a sense of community and support for those whose voices have long been silenced.

But it’s not just about sharing poems; social media has also completely changed the way poets promote their work. By utilizing hashtags and creating visually appealing content, poets can reach a larger audience and connect with readers from around the world. The popularity of Instagram has also given rise to visual poetry, allowing poets to present their work in new and creative ways.

However, social media is not only a promotional tool – it also allows poets to interact with their audience. By sharing behind-the-scenes glimpses into their writing process and engaging in discussions about their work, poets can build a strong online presence and cultivate a dedicated fan base who will help spread their work through likes, shares, and retweets.

So, for any poets out there looking to promote their work, don’t underestimate the power of social media. Embrace these platforms, interact with your audience, and share your poetry with the world. With some strategic thinking and creativity, social media can take your poetry to new heights and attract new readers.

Instagram: @poeticsonia

YouTube Channel

 

Lynne Thompson – Los Angeles Poet Laureate

Lynne ThompsonIt is with great honor and excitement that The Poetic Resurrection Podcast welcomes our fourth Los Angeles Poet Laureate, Lynne Thompson, as our distinguished guest. Her words flow gracefully and effortlessly as she reads several of her poignant poems, including Ode to Bones and A Woman’s Body, Aging, Still Loves Itself from her latest book Blue on a Blue Palette. Through our conversation, Lynne shares insight into her poetic process, the lessons she has gleaned along her journey, and powerful observations on the current state of women’s lives and history. Tune in to experience the eloquent wordsmith at work and delve into an enlightening dialogue with this remarkable poet.

Lynne Thompson was the 4th Poet Laureate for the City of Los Angeles, The daughter of Caribbean immigrants, her poetry collections include Beg No Pardon (2007), winner of the Perugia Press Prize and the Great Lakes Colleges Association’s New Writers Award: Start with a Small Guitar (2013), from What Books Press; and Fretwork (2019), winner of the Marsh Hawk Press Poetry Prize. Thompson’s honors include the Tucson Festival of Books Literary Award (poetry) and the Stephen Dun Prize for Poetry as well as fellowships from the City of Los Angeles, Vermont Studio Center, and the Summer Literary Series in Kenya.

Listen to her episode.

https://www.lynnethompson.us/

Lynne Thompson’s Blue on a Blue Palette (2024) reflects on the condition of women—their joys despite their histories, and their insistence on survival as issues of race, culture, pandemic, and climate threaten their livelihoods. The documentation of these personal odysseys—which vary stylistically from abecedarians to free verse to centos—replicate the many ways women travel through the stages of their lives, all negotiated on a palette encompassing various shades of blue. These poems demand your attention, your voice: “Say history. Claim. Say wild.”

Blue on a Blue Palette

Fretwork

Beg No Pardon

Start with a Small Guitar

Rha Arayal – Poet/Writer

Rha Arayal - poetIn the May 2024 episode of the Poetic Resurrection Podcast features the incredibly talented Rha Arayal, a poet/writer who has graced our show before. In the time since her last appearance, she has added several more titles to her impressive collection, including her latest work, Sunset Hues. As our honored guest, she treats us to a powerful reading of two of her newest poems – “The Graveyard of Ambition” and “Maya” – both featured in her upcoming book. During our conversation, we delve into a range of thought-provoking topics such as Shakespeare, the fascinating realm of lucid dreaming, and how her experiences at university have shaped her daily creative process. Prepare to be captivated by this dynamic discussion with one of poetry’s most promising voices.

Rha Arayal is a 20-year writer from South Wales with British and Nepali roots. She finds joy in exploring the interplay between nature and nurture, particularly regarding her own identity as an Asian Welsh person. Through her writing, she delves into themes of racism, kindness, and other facets of humanity. In 2021, her first book of poems, Encapsulated Emotions, was published by Genz Publishing. Outside of writing, she enjoys indulging in American vampire television shows, practicing Pilates, and browsing secondhand bookstores.

Listen to her episode.

https://bottlecap.press/products/wishing

https://amzn.eu/d/bAL73gZ

Awakening Dreams: A Poet’s Stuggle

Awakening Dreams A Poet's StruggleWriting poetry has been a passion of mine ever since I learned how to write. However, for the past couple of years, I have been determined to complete my next book in the Inspire Me Series, titled “Inspire Me: Awakening Dreams.” Lately, though, my thoughts have been clouded and focused on sci-fi short stories instead. My goal is to finish this poetry book by summer so that I can fully dedicate myself to the short stories. It’s strange how my writing habits have changed – from writing multiple poems a week to only one a month. Perhaps it’s due to the pandemic, or the loss of my mother and close friend soon after. Strange Thing Grief, is the title of one of my upcoming poems, referring to how grief has affected all aspects of my life. Simple things are no longer simple. Writing poetry used to be therapeutic for me, but lately my emotions have been too heavy to express through writing. This poem, “Bound,” is from my previous book Inspire Me Series: Book 1 & 2 and is a glimpse into  my upcoming collection.

Poetic Resurrection Podcast

Bound

Sorrow sweeps through my soul like
The sword of yesteryear
Waves of sorrow smash upon my heart
Reminding me of you
Of your love
Of your kindness
I drown in the eventual stillness, gasping for air
Why was life so unfair to you?
But it’s me who doesn’t let go
It’s me who feels guilty for not
suffering your loss longer
If I hold on to that feeling, then the memory
Of you doesn’t slip away
Miss the feeling of our etheric touch
I dreamt of seeing your soul last night
but I had tied a rope to it
You kept trying to fly away
But I kept pulling you back—You turned to me, broken
Today I cry and let you go—release you from the earth plane
The rope unties and I see your smiling soul fade away

Mysterious Goings On Podcast Interview

Mysterious Goings On PodcastI was honored to once again be on Alex Greenwood’s podcast “Mysterious Goings On”. We had a great time and the following is a copy from his show notes.

In this heartfelt episode, we reunite with the multi-talented Sonia Iris Lozada, an inspiring figure in the realms of poetry, acting, and podcasting. Sonia’s dynamic presence has graced both stage and screen, capturing audiences with her performances in projects like season two of “⁠Bosch Legacy.⁠

We dive into Sonia’s dual passions for acting and writing, discussing the therapeutic aspects of her poetry, and her experience as a voice actress navigating the evolving landscape of the entertainment industry.

LISTEN on ⁠SPOTIFY⁠, ⁠APPLE⁠, and WHEREVER YOU GET YOUR PODCASTS.

Listeners get a glimpse into the reality of an actor’s life, from the emotional demands of the craft to the determination required to succeed in an industry that is constantly changing with the advent of streaming services. Sonia also talks about her upcoming creative endeavors, including a new book that challenges her in fresh ways.

During our conversation, Sonia touches on her beloved podcasts, “Overheard at Chica’s Cafe” and “Poetic Resurrection,” and hints at future episodes that can be eagerly anticipated by her fans.

This episode isn’t just an exploration of Sonia’s extensive career but also serves as an intimate catch-up with an old friend, shining a light on the human experiences that connect us all.

Links:

⁠Website⁠

Listen to our previous episode featuring Sonia ⁠here.⁠

⁠Chica & The Man⁠

⁠Overheard at Chica’s Cafe⁠

⁠Poetic Resurrection⁠

⁠Buy the books!⁠

Poetry Website: ⁠https://poeticresurrection.com/⁠

Connect with Sonia on social media:

Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/soniairislozada/⁠

⁠https://www.instagram.com/poeticsonia/⁠

Facebook:  ⁠https://www.facebook.com/poetic.resurrection/⁠

YouTube:  ⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAJgk3HMADdbg3iIyzHlH9A⁠

LinkedIn:  ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/sonia-lozada-09423611/⁠

Jack Remick – Author/Poet

Jack Remick - Author/PoetWe are thrilled to announce that Jack Remick will join us as our guest for this month’s episode on the Poetic Resurrection Podcast. He’s a poet and a writer and he recites his poems, Dying Dreams, Secret Disease and Lovdeth, from his poetry collection entitled Satori. They’re beautiful poems. I love this section from Dying Dreams: “Despite the cult of youth, we know this: flowers fade, we come to the closing of doors where we lie down naked for the dying of dreams.” Not only is he a talented poet and writer, but he also imparts his knowledge by offering a writing masterclass. Take the time to listen in to this episode, which promises to be both enjoyable and educational.

Jack Remick – Bio
I have been a college instructor, a grammar school teacher, a social worker, a community activist, a tunnel stiff, and a bus driver. My writing life began when I studied poetry at UC Berkeley with Thom Gunn. He taught me the essence of originality when he asked me why I was copying the style and substance of other poets–dead, of course. Jack, he said, when you inhabit another man’s universe, it will always be smaller than the one you create for yourself.

Throughout my career, I have taken on various roles such as a college instructor, grammar school teacher, social worker, community activist, tunnel worker, and even a bus driver. But my journey as a writer began at UC Berkeley where I studied poetry under the guidance of Thom Gunn. It was there that he taught me the importance of originality by challenging me to question why I was emulating the styles and ideas of other poets who were no longer living. Jack, he said, when you inhabit another man’s universe, it will always be smaller than the one you create for yourself.

After years of work, experimentation, and exploration of the writing world–which involved three trips to South America and their exposure to both Indigenous and Colonial lifestyles–I returned home carrying a load of understanding and desire that had not driven me before. Life in South America gave me three novels: No Century for Apologies, which won Honorable Mention for the Hoffer Grand Prize; Gabriela and The Widow, which was a finalist for the Book of the Year Award; as well as a Finalist for the Montaigne Medal and One Year in the Time of Violence, a novel that follows a Gringo living in the time of the Colombian Violencia with all its horror and political chaos.

My writing world expanded with each life experience until I was able to write a ground-breaking novel titled Citadel. Enraptured with fiction, I had ignored poetry until events unfolded, which led me to write Josie Delgado, a Poem of the Central Valley and Satori, Poems. With each publication, I understood more of Thom Gunn’s wisdom. I have learned the effectiveness of collaboration with other writers. Robert J. Ray and I co-wrote The Weekend Novelist Writes a Mystery a how-to that demystifies writing of the mystery.

Listen to the episode

You can find his published works here:

http://www.amazon.com./author/jackremick