#044 - Writing Poetry is Frustrating (Why That's A Good Thing)

#047 - Top 5 Poetry Anthology Books Every Poet Should Read

Looking for great poetry anthologies? We have something for you. -👉 JOIN OUR FREE POETRY COMMUNITY: https://www.thepoetryvessel.com/signup Discover the best poetry anthology books to expand your literary horizons and inspire your own creative writing practice. In this episode, practicing poet and Malibu Poet Laureate, Nathan Hassall, narrows down his top five poetry collections alongside two incredible bonus recommendations that span centuries, cultures, and continents. From Harold Bloom’s exhaustive thousand-page collection of classic English verse to Jerome Rothenberg’s iconic compilation of tribal and sacred writings, Nathan and Rachael share how deep-diving into diverse anthologies provides immense imaginative richness. They explore international translations, the visionary work of mystics like Blake and Rumi, and the crucial preservation of endangered languages through verse. Whether you are looking for structural doorways into writing or want to join a thriving online poetry community, these curated book recommendations will illuminate your reading list and elevate your craft. 📚 BOOKS MENTIONED: 1. The Best Poems of the English Language: From Chaucer Through Robert Frost by Harold Bloom - https://amzn.to/4vCAKC8 2. Doorways to Poetry by Louis Untermeyre - https://amzn.to/3S2itjc 3. A Book Of Luminous Things: An International Anthology of Poetry by Czeslaw Milosz https://amzn.to/3QA5jJO 4. Holy Fire: Nine Visionary Poets and the Quest for Enlightenment by Daniel Halpern https://amzn.to/4e4zMc6 5. Technicians of the Sacred: A Range of Poetries from Africa, America, Asia, Europe and Oceania by Jerome Rothenberg - https://amzn.to/4xsVLkG 6. (BONUS) Women in Praise of the Sacred: 43 Centuries of Spiritual Poetry by Women by Jane Hirshfield - https://amzn.to/49PF2Oi 7. (BONUS) Poems from the Edge of Extinction: An Anthology of Poetry in Endangered Languages by Chris McCabe - https://amzn.to/43pa3VD EVERYTHING ELSE: 👉 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/nathanhassall 📜 SUBMIT YOUR POETRY: https://www.thepoetryvessel.com/submit 🙏 SUPPORT US ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/cw/ThePoetryVessel ✍️ POETRY WORKSHOP WAITLIST: https://www.nathanhassall.com/workshopwaitlist 🧠 HOW POETRY CHANGES YOUR BRAIN COURSE (LIMITED TIME DISCOUNT): https://www.nathanhassall.com/changeyourbrain 🦋 OVERCOME CREATIVE FRUSTRATION WITH OUR NEW ONLINE WORKSHOP - LIMITED SPACES: https://tinyurl.com/TPV-Poetry-Workshop 📌 CHAPTERS: 0:00:00 Why Reading Poetry Anthologies Elevates Your Creative Writing 0:00:50 Best Book Pick #5 0:02:02 Best Book Pick #4 0:03:05 Best Book Pick #3 0:04:06 Why Visionary Poetry and Mystic Sages Spark Deeper Imagination 0:04:11 Best Book Pick #2 0:05:36 What is the Ultimate Anthology for Sacred and Tribal Writing? 0:05:41 Best Book Pick #1 0:06:20 How Browsing Used Bookstores Leads to Rare Literary Finds 0:07:46 Bonus Best Book Pick #6 0:08:24 Best Book Pick #7 0:09:18 Why Keeping Well-Loved Books Alive Strengthens the Global Poetic Tradition PODCAST DISCLAIMER: The views, opinions, discussions, and statements expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and are intended to represent their personal opinions and perspectives. Listener discretion is advised. The Poetry Vessel is not responsible for the accuracy or reliability of any information presented and disclaims any liability arising from the use of or reliance on any information presented in this podcast. FTC DISCLAIMER: Some of the links above may be affiliate links, which means that if you click on them we may receive a small commission. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. The commission is paid by the retailers, at no cost to you, and this helps to support our channel and keep our videos free. Thank you!

#046 - How Listening Makes You a Better Poet

👉 JOIN OUR FREE POETRY COMMUNITY: https://www.thepoetryvessel.com/signup 🦋 OVERCOME CREATIVE FRUSTRATION WITH OUR NEW ONLINE WORKSHOP - LIMITED SPACES:https://tinyurl.com/TPV-Poetry-WorkshopEVERYTHING ELSE: 👉 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/nathanhassall 📜 SUBMIT YOUR POETRY: https://www.thepoetryvessel.com/submit 🙏 SUPPORT US ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/cw/ThePoetryVessel ✍️ POETRY WORKSHOP WAITLIST: https://www.nathanhassall.com/workshopwaitlist 🧠 HOW POETRY CHANGES YOUR BRAIN COURSE (LIMITED TIME DISCOUNT):https://www.nathanhassall.com/changeyourbrain PODCAST DISCLAIMER:The views, opinions, discussions, and statements expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and are intended to represent their personal opinions and perspectives. Listener discretion is advised. The Poetry Vessel is not responsible for the accuracy or reliability of any information presented and disclaims any liability arising from the use of or reliance on any information presented in this podcast.FTC DISCLAIMER:Some of the links above may be affiliate links, which means that if you click on them we may receive a small commission. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. The commission is paid by the retailers, at no cost to you, and this helps to support our channel and keep our videos free. Thank you!

#045 - The Secret of Occult Book Publishing with Anathema CEO Gabriel McCaughery

What's it like to get inside the mind of one of the most famous occult book publishers in the world? 👉 JOIN OUR FREE POETRY COMMUNITY TO FIND OUT MORE: https://www.nathanhassall.com/the-poetry-vessel-podcast-with-gabriel-mccaughry In this captivating episode of The Poetry Vessel Podcast, host Nathan Hassall (Malibu Poet Laureate Emeritus '23-'25) sits down with the visionary founder and CEO of Anathema Publishing, Gabriel McCaughry to explore the deep intersection of poetry, alchemy, and perception. In this conversation, Gabriel pulls back the curtain on how he risked everything to start his business with just C$6,000, the profound traveling experiences in Laos that inspired the birth of his company, and the secrets behind the high-end, tactile art of fine and limited-edition bookmaking. We dive into how creative writing and poetic language can help us process trauma, gain healthy distance from suffering, and write from a selfless place, and his his highly anticipated upcoming book introducing his new concept: "para-alchemy." Whether you're interested in creative writing tips, Jungian psychology, spiritual alchemy, or the philosophy behind powerful storytelling, this episode offers a profound look at how perception itself becomes the alchemical vessel. 📖 Learn More about Gabriel McCaughry: - Gabriel's LinkTree: https://shorturl.at/pkTbU - (h)Auroræ by Gabriel McCaughry - https://www.anathemapublishing.com/archives/p/h-aurorae EVERYTHING ELSE: 👉 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/nathanhassall 📜 SUBMIT YOUR POETRY: https://www.thepoetryvessel.com/submit 🙏 SUPPORT US ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/cw/ThePoetryVessel ✍️ POETRY WORKSHOP WAITLIST: https://www.nathanhassall.com/workshopwaitlist 🧠 HOW POETRY CHANGES YOUR BRAIN COURSE (LIMITED TIME DISCOUNT): https://www.nathanhassall.com/changeyourbrain 🦋 OVERCOME CREATIVE FRUSTRATION WITH OUR NEW ONLINE WORKSHOP - LIMITED SPACES: https://tinyurl.com/TPV-Poetry-Workshop 📌 CHAPTERS: 0:00:00 – Who is Gabriel McCaughry? 0:01:22 – From graphic design to indie publishing: Gabriel's creative journey 0:04:40 – The spiritual pilgrimage to Laos and the origin of the Anathema logo 0:14:45 – The hidden linguistic and musical origin behind the name "Anathema" 0:17:53 – Carl Jung's Red Book as a masterpiece of visionary art and Jungian psychology 0:20:00 – "Paralchemy": Gabriel's spiritual framework for perception and transformation 0:30:46 – How to find the right poetic language to express a clear image 0:42:41 – Why alchemy is the "royal art" above all creative practices 0:47:52 – EXCLUSIVE: A sneak peek into Gabriel's upcoming book... 1:00:40 – How poetry creates healthy distance from personal trauma through defamiliarization 1:03:04 – Why focusing on one precise image creates more powerful writing 1:11:07 – Poetry as catharsis: finding beauty in suffering like a lotus in mud 1:18:56 – The three-fold intent behind Gabriel's first book, Ouroboros 1:25:50 – Identity as an artist: why "what do you do?" is the wrong question PODCAST DISCLAIMER: The views, opinions, discussions, and statements expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and are intended to represent their personal opinions and perspectives. Listener discretion is advised. The Poetry Vessel is not responsible for the accuracy or reliability of any information presented and disclaims any liability arising from the use of or reliance on any information presented in this podcast. FTC DISCLAIMER: Some of the links above may be affiliate links, which means that if you click on them we may receive a small commission. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. The commission is paid by the retailers, at no cost to you, and this helps to support our channel and keep our videos free. Thank you!

#044 - Writing Poetry is Frustrating (Why That's A Good Thing)

Why is writing a poem so FRUSTRATING?!🦋 OVERCOME CREATIVE FRUSTRATION WITH OUR NEW ONLINE WORKSHOP🦋https://tinyurl.com/TPV-Poetry-Workshop(Limited workshop spaces so act fast)The poetry writing process is harder than anyone tells you — and that creative frustration is exactly where great poems are born.In this video, Malibu Poet Laureate Emeritus, Nathan Hassall, and his I/O psych expert wife Rachael explore why feeling stuck during poetry editing is a natural part of the craft, touching on Carl Jung’s ideas about the visible mental struggles within great literature. Whether you're wrestling with word choice, rhythm, line breaks, or the gap between the brilliant idea in your head and the language on the page, this conversation reframes creative struggle as your greatest asset in creative writing.👉 JOIN OUR FREE POETRY COMMUNITY: https://www.thepoetryvessel.com/signupEVERYTHING ELSE: 👉 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/nathanhassall📜 SUBMIT YOUR POETRY: https://www.thepoetryvessel.com/submit🙏 SUPPORT US ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/cw/ThePoetryVessel✍️ POETRY WORKSHOP WAITLIST: https://www.nathanhassall.com/workshopwaitlist🧠 HOW POETRY CHANGES YOUR BRAIN COURSE (LIMITED TIME DISCOUNT): https://www.nathanhassall.com/changeyourbrain📌 CHAPTERS:0:00:00 Why Creative Frustration is Essential for Poets0:00:23 What Makes the Poetry Editing Process So Difficult?0:01:11 How Word Choice and Condensation Create Poetic Resonance0:01:53 How to Balance Rhythm, Sound, and Line Breaks in a Poem0:02:17 How Poets Guide Reader Emotions and Interpretations0:03:08 What Are the Biggest Challenges When Starting or Ending a Poem?0:03:39 How to Write Better Poem Beginnings Using Intriguing Imagery0:05:01 How to Master Poetic Closure and Avoid Ending Too Late0:06:23 Why Embracing Frustration Leads to Better Poetry Writing0:07:38 What Causes the Gap Between a Poetic Idea and the Page?0:08:34 How Poetry Workshops Facilitate Healing and Growth0:10:22 Why Metaphors Transform Heavy Emotions Into Beautiful Art0:12:40 What the Structural Turn (Volta) Teaches Us About Perspective0:13:24 How Reading Great Poems Elevates Creative Conversations0:14:59 Why Genuine Artistic Reward Requires Effort Over AI ShortcutsPODCAST DISCLAIMER:The views, opinions, discussions, and statements expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and are intended to represent their personal opinions and perspectives. Listener discretion is advised. The Poetry Vessel is not responsible for the accuracy or reliability of any information presented and disclaims any liability arising from the use of or reliance on any information presented in this podcast.FTC DISCLAIMER:Some of the links above may be affiliate links, which means that if you click on them we may receive a small commission. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. The commission is paid by the retailers, at no cost to you, and this helps to support our channel and keep our videos free. Thank you!

#043 - What Makes Confessional Poetry Bad?

Stop writing bad confessional poetry! 👉 JOIN OUR FREE POETRY COMMUNITY INSTEAD: https://www.thepoetryvessel.com/signup Why does so much modern confessional poetry fall flat — and how do the greats like Sylvia Plath, Anne Sexton, and Robert Lowell get it right? In this episode of The Poetry Vessel, Malibu Poet Laureate Emeritus Nathan Hassall sits down with host Rachael Hassall to dissect the history, craft, and common pitfalls of autobiographical poetry and how to fix them. So much of today’s "Instagram poetry" and open mic verse falls into the trap of being self-absorbed instead of creating a real connection. We dive deep into the fascinating history of the original 1950s and 60s confessional poets—like Sylvia Plath and Anne Sexton—to look at what they did differently, why they actually rejected the "confessional" label, and how they used powerful metaphors to bring readers into their world. This episode is a masterclass in turning personal pain into poetry that actually reaches people. 📚 BOOKS MENTIONED: - The Colossus and Other Poems by Sylvia Plath - https://amzn.to/3REPYbg - The Complete Poems: Anne Sexton - https://amzn.to/3RN6O7O - Breaking into Blossom: Poems with Extraordinary Endings - https://amzn.to/3S4aIJr - Portrait of the Alcoholic by Kaveh Akbar - https://amzn.to/3RN746M - Calling a Wolf a Wolf by Kaveh Akbar - https://amzn.to/43fZSm4 EVERYTHING ELSE: 👉 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/nathanhassall 🙏 SUPPORT US ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/cw/ThePoetryVessel 📜 SUBMIT YOUR POETRY: https://www.thepoetryvessel.com/submit 🧠 HOW POETRY CHANGES YOUR BRAIN COURSE (LIMITED TIME DISCOUNT): https://www.nathanhassall.com/changeyourbrain 📌 CHAPTERS: 00:00 - What is confessional poetry — and why most of it fails 01:12 - Why your poetry is bad 03:05 - How to avoid abstractions and telling in poetry 04:41 - When did confessional poetry start? 08:53 - Why historical poets rejected the label 12:48 - What are the biggest mistakes in modern poetry? 15:03 - How to identify and fix a fake "poetry voice" 20:06 - When do line breaks and pauses actually work? 22:14 - How identity is asserted through feminist poetry 33:32 - How to transform raw experience into actual art 35:43 - Tip 1: How to turn trauma into vivid imagery 36:32 - Tip 2: Pay Attention to Rhythm 37:13 - Tip 3: When and how to gather honest feedback 38:28 - What it means to treat a poem as an offering 41:56 - "I," "You," "We" — when the speaker isn't actually you PODCAST DISCLAIMER: The views, opinions, discussions, and statements expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and are intended to represent their personal opinions and perspectives. Listener discretion is advised. The Poetry Vessel is not responsible for the accuracy or reliability of any information presented and disclaims any liability arising from the use of or reliance on any information presented in this podcast. FTC DISCLAIMER: Some of the links above may be affiliate links, which means that if you click on them we may receive a small commission. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. The commission is paid by the retailers, at no cost to you, and this helps to support our channel and keep our videos free. Thank you!