The Poet (delayed)

Episode 68: Go to the Limits of Your Longing

July 29th, 2025  |  Season 1  |  1 hr 39 mins

authenticity, gratitude, healing, poetry, rilke, self discovery, suffering

I was joined this episode by Chris and Elise Jones and Ali Talbot. We gathered in the warm, book-lined library at Chris and Elise Jones’ home and just talked.

We read Rainer Maria Rilke’s poem Go to the Limits of Your Longing, and from there we let the conversation unfold naturally. We talked about suffering — not in a heavy, hopeless way, but in the way you talk when you know that pain and beauty are woven into the same thread. We explored what it means to surrender to life’s difficulties instead of resisting them. We laughed about childhood memories, tofu meatloaf, and the glory of Saturday morning cartoons. We got real about trauma, caretaking, creating from heartbreak, and what it means to show up for each other when life breaks us open.

This episode is about sitting with what’s hard, about finding connection through vulnerability, and about how creativity — whether it’s poetry, baking, music, or just making something out of pain — can save us in quiet, powerful ways.

Episode 67: The Sun Just Shines

June 24th, 2025  |  Season 1  |  1 hr 46 mins

authenticity, healing, poetry, reclaiming yourself, self discovery

Join me and Sherrie Love for a conversation about the slow, brave work of reclaiming ourselves—of getting to know who we are again after life has scattered the pieces. We talk about the struggle, the beauty, and the quiet joy of becoming whole. And we draw wisdom from the sun—how it simply shines, without apology, without hesitation, no matter who is beneath its light. What would it mean for us to live like that?

Episode 66: Magical Realism: On the Road with Jason Wheatley

June 20th, 2025  |  Season 1  |  2 hrs 24 mins

authenticity, poetry, self discovery

Some conversations only happen on the road—miles slipping by, the hum of tires, and the kind of quiet that invites reflection. In this episode, I drove with my friend Jason Wheatley to Sun Valley, Idaho, where he was delivering paintings for an upcoming art show. As we drove, we talked about his journey into art, the impulse to create, and the ways beauty can emerge from both solitude and connection.

It’s a meandering, thoughtful exchange—about art, life, and the things we’re still trying to understand. After dropping off his work, we made a stop at Hemingway’s grave and memorial, a silent moment that seemed to echo the themes of the trip: legacy, voice, and what we leave behind.

Episode 65: Remembering Through Music

June 12th, 2025  |  Season 1  |  1 hr 17 mins

authenticity, creativity, music, poetry, self discovery

In this conversation, I talk with my friend Christian Jones—a local musician and songwriter who’ll be performing at Torchlight on June 21. We explore the tension between daily responsibilities and the need to stay connected to our creativity. Christian opens up about how songwriting and playing guitar have helped him navigate life, stay emotionally grounded, and build meaningful connections with others. We reflect on how creativity not only heals us, but also creates ripples that reach those around us. The episode ends with Christian sharing his moving original song, A Little Less Blue.

Join us!

Episode 64: Rim to Rim to Rim

May 29th, 2025  |  Season 1  |  1 hr 2 mins

authenticity, poetry, self discovery

In this episode of The Poet (delayed), I sit down with my friend Chris Hales to unpack a journey that pushed him to the edge—physically, mentally, and emotionally. Chris took on the Grand Canyon rim to rim to rim, a grueling 50+ mile hike through one of the most unforgiving landscapes on earth. He spent months preparing, training his body and mind for the challenge ahead. But even with all the planning and readiness, nothing could fully prepare him for the brutal terrain, the heat, the exhaustion—and the moments of doubt that crept in along the way.

What emerged from the struggle, though, was something far greater. Chris shares how the hardship brought him closer to the people he hiked with, including his wife, and how those shared miles—step after painful step—forged memories and connections that will last a lifetime. It’s a story of endurance, humility, and discovering the strength that comes not just from finishing, but from walking the hard road with people you love.

Episode 63: The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis

May 12th, 2025  |  Season 1  |  42 mins 11 secs

authenticity, c.s. lewis, poetry, self discovery, the great divorce

In this episode of The Poet (delayed), I sit down with my friend Josh Barron to talk about The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis. We just begin to unpack this powerful and thought-provoking book, discussing its clear Christian themes while also exploring how its core ideas—about selfishness, humility, perspective, and human connection—transcend religious boundaries. Whether you’re deeply spiritual, loosely spiritual, or not religious at all, the principles in this book speak to how we can build better relationships, stronger communities, and more compassionate lives. It’s the beginning of a larger conversation, and we’ll be diving deeper in future episodes.

Episode 62: The Raft: An Allegory

April 22nd, 2025  |  Season 1  |  16 mins 46 secs

authenticity, healing, poetry, reparenting, self discovery, wholeness

In this episode of The Poet (delayed), I read my allegory “The Raft,” which explores what it means to face fear and step beyond the limitations that keep us small. It is about becoming whole again—learning to sit with our younger selves, heal old wounds, and expand into who we truly are. This one’s about transformation, courage, and the quiet power of growth.

Episode 61: Travel

April 15th, 2025  |  Season 1  |  58 mins 13 secs

authenticity, photography, poetry, self discovery, travel

In Episode 61 of The Poet (delayed), I sit down with my friend Howard Burkholz for a fun and thoughtful chat all about travel. Howard shares what he loves about hitting the road — from local getaways to international adventures — and how those experiences have brought him joy, taught him new perspectives, and helped shape the way he sees the world. We also talk about how photography has become a huge part of his travels, helping him slow down and capture the moments that matter. Whether you’ve got a trip planned or you’re just daydreaming, join us for a fun conversation.

Episode 60: Torchlight

April 8th, 2025  |  Season 1  |  55 mins 45 secs

authenticity, community, connection, creativity, emotional healing, healing, poetry, self discovery

In this heartfelt episode, I sit down with Ali Talbot to explore the healing power of creativity and the importance of sharing our creative work with others. We talk about how the art we make to heal ourselves can also resonate with and support those around us—reminding us that creation is not only personal but deeply communal.

We also introduce Torchlight, a new monthly program we’ve launched to bring people together through art, music, and poetry. Each month, we invite local artists, musicians, and writers to share their work, with occasional open mic nights to encourage participation from the community. It’s all about connection, creativity, and creating space for shared expression.

Tune in for a conversation about why what we make matters—and how it can light the way for others.

Episode 59: “To Satch” by Samuel Washington Allen

March 26th, 2025  |  Season 1  |  1 hr 27 mins

authenticity, baseball, meaning of life, poetry, satchel paige, self discovery

In this episode, I’m joined again by my friend Tim Robison as we read and reflect on the poem “To Satch” by Samuel Washington Allen. What follows is an honest, free-flowing conversation about living with intention, making your own decisions, and figuring out what really matters. We touch on work-life balance, the search for joy, and doing the things you love — even when it’s hard. We also wrestle with questions around success and failure: What does it mean to lose? What does it mean to win? Is one better than the other? And who gets to decide?

This episode is about choosing a meaningful life — and the courage it takes to do so.