Street Poets Podcast

GOOD SEEDS: Chris Henrikson & the Street Poets Origin Story

In our season-ending cross-over episode which first aired on the podcast “I’m No Hero,” Street Poets Founder and former Executive Director Chris Henrikson shares some of the challenges, joys and hard-won wisdom from Street Poets’ early days - in conversation with our former associate director, comedy writer Justin Heimberg (a.k.a. Justy Jones).  Street Poets has come a long way since Chris first began teaching poetry to the incarcerated boys at Camp Fred Miller (Los Angeles County Probation Department) back in 1995, but the core practice of “listening with love” remains at the heart of our work.  We invite you to join us in that practice now as we hear from two original Street Poets family members who helped to plant and nurture the seed of what continues to blossom into a beautiful Grandfather tree here on the streets of our City of Angels. This STREET POETS PODCAST crossover episode "GOOD SEEDS: Chris Henrikson & the Street Poets Origin Story" first aired in 2022 on the I'M NO HERO" podcast and is being re-published by Street Poets Inc. with the blessing & permission of Justin Heimberg. • Hosted by Art Quiros • Produced by Chris Henrikson • Featuring Chris Henrikson with Justin Heimberg (a.k.a. Justy Jones) • Edited by Art Quiros • Street Poets "I Got Love" Podcast Theme Music features: Vocals by BRIA & Taylor Code, Music by Dave Wittman For more soulful, funny, entertaining interviews exploring the theme of bravery, check out the "I'M NO HERO" podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you like to listen. For more information about Street Poets' youth outreach programs in the streets, schools and probation facilities of Los Angeles and beyond: streetpoetsinc.com    Thank you for listening & supporting our first season of the STREET POETS PODCAST! METAPHORS BE WITH YOU!

OF POETRY & PRAYER: The Barbara Fant Story

This episode illuminates the inspiring origin story of Street Poets' former Artistic Director, poet/author and Minister of Metaphor, Barbara Fant.  Since her early days growing up in Youngstown, Ohio, Barbara has followed her calling – the transformational practice of poetry – through hardship and healing, darkness and light, to the cafe open-mics of Columbus to West Africa to our City of Angels and beyond.  Barbara's journey is a celebration of the power of the Word.  It's a real-life story of faith and resilience and the kind of hard-earned wisdom so desperately needed in our world today.  This STREET POETS PODCAST episode "OF POETRY & PRAYER: The Barbara Fant Story" is a production of Street Poets Inc. (streetpoetsinc.com) • Hosted by Art Quiros • Produced by Chris Henrikson • Edited by Art Quiros • Original Poems by Barbara Fant featured herein include: "LONG LINE," "HANDFULS OF HONEY," "HOUSE OF DUST" and "WHEN HEALING HAS HER WAY."  • Additional drumming/music ("Sofa" rhythm) performed by Rhythm Arts Alliance • Street Poets "I Got Love" Podcast Theme Music features: Vocals by BRIA & Taylor Code, Music by Dave Wittman For more information about Barbara's work, or to purchase her latest collection of poetry "MOUTHS OF GARDEN," we invite you to visit: barbarafant.com For more information about Street Poets' youth outreach programs in the streets, schools and probation facilities of Los Angeles and beyond: streetpoetsinc.com    METAPHORS BE WITH YOU!

"THE BURNING RIVER" (Bonus Story Episode)

"THE BURNING RIVER," an origin story for aspiring adults, was conceived as a narrative prayer for transformation & peace.  Inspired by the many traditional stories and songs from around the world that have helped us to remember who we are, and are becoming, here at Street Poets, "The Burning River" is a fresh fable fed by ancient roots.  We hope, as you listen, you'll find some thread of your own story, and of our greater human story, within it.  A big THANK YOU to mythologist/storyteller MICHAEL MEADE of Mosaic Multicultural Foundation for the inspiration, and elder MIGUEL RIVERA for teaching us the song in the story, a traditional Mayan song for releasing grief, first gifted to him by the late great poet HUMBERTO AK’ABAL and the Maya K’iché people of Guatemala. This BONUS EPISODE of the STREET POETS PODCAST is hosted by ART QUIROS.  and features ORIGINAL MUSIC by RAFAEL BEJARANO. "THE BURNING RIVER" was WRITTEN & READ by CHRIS HENRIKSON with SOUND DESIGN by KEVIN WOODS. Street Poets Podcast THEME SONG "I Got Love" features VOCALS by BRIA and TAYLOR CODE, with MUSIC by DAVE WITTMAN. We invite you to subscribe to the STREET POETS PODCAST on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your inspiration, and to learn more about Street Poets’ programs within and beyond Los Angeles at streetpoetsinc.com. METAPHORS BE WITH YOU!

TRUE NATURE: The David Sanchez Story

In this inspiring episode, veteran Street Poet David Sanchez remembers his epic journey from the streets of South Central L.A. to the confines of Central Juvenile Hall to the wilderness of the Rocky Mountains and California backcountry to the organic gardens that have become both his passion and his vocation.  As the founder of SEED & SOL ORGANIC GARDENING, David stands today as a living testament to the transformational power of poetry and the natural world.  We hope his story serves to remind you of your own true nature. This STREET POETS PODCAST episode "TRUE NATURE: The David Sanchez Story" is a production of Street Poets Inc. (streetpoetsinc.com) • Hosted by Art Quiros • Produced by Chris Henrikson • Editing & Sound Design by Art Quiros • Interview with David Sanchez • Original Poetry & Music by David Sanchez: this episode features original poems and songs including but not limited to: "Where was God?" "Home (Where I'm From)," "If You Knew Me," "Grains of Hope," "Little Man," "Running" and "American Me."  All of these tracks and more are available on Street Poets Inc. albums via SoundCloud and Bandcamp. • Street Poets "I Got Love" Podcast Theme Music features: Vocals by BRIA & Taylor Code, Music by Dave Wittman For more information about David Sanchez's organic gardening work in the Los Angeles area, follow SEED AND SOL on Instagram. For more information about Street Poets' youth outreach programs in the streets, schools and probation facilities of Los Angeles and beyond: streetpoetsinc.com    METAPHORS BE WITH YOU!

IMMIGRANT SONG: The Chee Malabar Story

In this insightful, music-infused origin story, rapper and current Street Poets board member Chirag Menon a.k.a. CHEE MALABAR breaks down his journey from India to inner-city America at the age of 12, and the role that hip-hop played in his healing, political awakening and evolution as a man.  Today, Chee serves as a principal in the well-respected consulting firm, THIRD SETTLEMENTS, while continuing to make music that inspires change and challenges the status quo. This STREET POETS PODCAST episode  "IMMIGRANT SONG: The Chee Malabar Story" is a production of Street Poets Inc. (streetpoetsinc.com) • Hosted by Art Quiros • Produced by Chris Henrikson • Edited by Art Quiros • Interview with Chirag Menon (a.k.a. Chee Malabar)  • ORIGINAL MUSIC by CHEE MALABAR This episode includes the following original music featuring lyrics and vocals by Chee Malabar: "Postcards from Paradise" (instrumental: Soulful MPs), "Feral Child" (instrumental: Harry Dixon), "Cold Water Awakening" (instrumental: Scott Kuzner), "Oblique Brown"  "Hafez's Tomb," "Masamune," "Henry" (instrumentals: Harry Dixon). Check out these tracks and other original music by CHEE MALABAR available for download via Bandcamp @cheemalabar.bandcamp.com and Apple Music.  This episode also includes excerpts from Street Poets Inc. tracks "Sanskrit" (featuring Pranidhi Varshney), and "Lost Sons" and "American Me" featuring Chee Malabar, and "The Holy" (poem by Chee Malabar), available for download with all Street Poets music @streetpoets.bandcamp.com and at Street Poets Inc. via Soundcloud. • Additional Background Music by Kevin Woods • Street Poets "I Got Love" Podcast Theme Music features: Vocals by BRIA & Taylor Code, Music by Dave Wittman For more information about Chirag Menon's DEI consulting work: thirdsettlements.com For more information about Street Poets' youth outreach programs in the streets, schools and probation facilities of Los Angeles and beyond: streetpoetsinc.com    METAPHORS BE WITH YOU!