Holi is Spelled with an I - Rae Reed

Whimsical Weekend - Ben Bloomer and M. Anthony C.

A bonus episode! M. Anthony C. is back, and this time, he's the host! He talks to Ben about a poem Ben wrote. I hope it fills your weekend with whimsy. Head over to @ofthepoetsheart on Instagram If you are interested in being a featured author, reach out on Instagram @wakingthewhispers, or email me at bensbloomer@gmail.com Credits: Guest Host: M. Anthony C. Guest: Ben Bloomer Music by: Solomon Bloomer Recorded, produced, edited by: Ben Bloomer Logo and art by: Ben Bloomer

Espectador de los espectadores - M. Anthony C.

M. Anthony C. (Thew) shares a poem reflecting on an interaction with a role-reversing statue. About the guest: Thew, whose pen name is M. Anthony C., produces "of the poet's heart" podcast, sharing his own formal poetry every week in short, 7-minute episodes. He has an MFA in Creative Writing (poetry) and teaches creative writing classes at his local community college. He is a whimsical fellow who loves the obscure word and likes wearing flowers in his beard. Links ofthepoetsheart.org [http://ofthepoetsheart.org/] ofthepoetsheart.podbean.com [http://ofthepoetsheart.podbean.com/] @ofthepoetsheart on Instagram buymeacoffee.com/ofthepoetsheart [http://buymeacoffee.com/ofthepoetsheart] A link to the episode where Thew share's the poem "Espectador de los espectadores" https://open.spotify.com/episode/7zoatAYTy2uVstVVxyxuEo?si=98087a3e2c7643b2 [https://open.spotify.com/episode/7zoatAYTy2uVstVVxyxuEo?si=98087a3e2c7643b2] ** If you are interested in being a featured writer, reach out on Instagram or Threads @wakingthewhispers, or email me at bensbloomer@gmail.com Credits: Guest: Thew (M. Anthony C.) Music by: Solomon Bloomer Recorded, produced, edited by: Ben Bloomer Logo and art by: Ben Bloomer

Uno Buno and Other Selected Works - Lilly

Lilly showcases the beautiful chaos of childlike creativity. About the Author/Reader/Performer: Lilly is a silly goose who likes Paw Patrol, Pepa Pig, and Spider-Man. She likes making bracelets and is a self-proclaimed bug expert. She starts kindergarten this year. If you are interested in being a featured author, reach out on Instagram @wakingthewhispers, or email me at bensbloomer@gmail.com Credits: Guest: Lilly Designated Reader: Jenn Music by: Solomon Bloomer Recorded, produced, edited by: Ben Bloomer Logo and art by: Ben Bloomer

The Test - Louis Urbanowski

Louis Urbanowski shares a short story from an upcoming anthology: In a not too distant future Britain has changed. Everyone who’s anyone takes ’The Test’ to become someone. It does one simple thing; determine their talent. Talent means employment, status, benefits and most importantly tax contribution. The government classifies different grades of talents and allows hobbyists to exist on the fringes of society. This all started with the great dismissal and the dark times. This is a standalone piece that will form part of an anthology book called ‘Future Britains’ to be released in 2026 in collaboration with other brilliant British Substack writers. About the Author/Reader/Performer: Louis Urbanowski is an author who gave up a corporate sales career to follow a writing dream. He's just published his debut novel, a political satire, the Right Members Club. His writing focuses on injecting a good dose of Kafka style absurdism into the everyday mundane. If you are interested in being a featured author, reach out on Instagram @wakingthewhispers, or email me at bensbloomer@gmail.com Credits: Guest: Louis Urbanowski Music by: Solomon Bloomer Recorded, produced, edited by: Ben Bloomer Logo and art by: Ben Bloomer

The Light Can Be Something You Love All On Your Own -- Stephanie Glass

Stephanie Glass shares reflections about growth, creativity, a love of words, and human connections, as well as the title poem of her new chapbook, the light can be something you love all on your own. About the Author/Reader/Performer: Stephanie Glass (she/her, they/them) is a poet, activist, and educator living in rural Nebraska with her partner, Dylan, and son, Milo. Glass' work has been published in Rattle Poetry Magazine, The Quarter(ly) Review, Writers in the Attic, and is soon to be published in The Lavender Review; her forthcoming chapbook, the light can be something you love all on your own, will be released in May/June of 2026. You can find Stephanie on teh following platforms: Insta: @WordyandDirty Facebook.com/wordyanddirty Website: GlassPoet.com TikTok: @WordyandDirty Stream: wordyanddirty Bluesky: @wordyanddirty.bsky.social Substack: Glasspoet.substack.com [http://glasspoet.substack.com/] * If you are interested in being a featured author, reach out on Threads or Instagram @wakingthewhispers, or email me at bensbloomer@gmail.com Credits: Guest: Stephanie Glass Music by: Solomon Bloomer Recorded, produced, edited by: Ben Bloomer Logo and art by: Ben Bloomer