How Writing Poetry Connects You to Nature

How Writing Poetry Connects You to Nature

Learn practical poetry writing tips recorded inside England's ancient St. Leonard's Forest — where the landscape itself becomes the lesson. 👉 JOIN OUR FREE POETRY COMMUNITY: https://www.thepoetryvessel.com/signup In this special outdoor episode of The Poetry Vessel podcast, hosts Nathan and Rachael Hassall use a live reading of Rudyard Kipling's "A Tree Song" as a gateway into the forces that drive authentic nature poetry — from building a precise woodland lexicon to the discipline of sensory attention that separates vivid writing from cliché. Whether you're writing poetry for beginners or deepening an established practice, this episode delivers practical, philosophically grounded habits for channeling the raw, magical presence of the natural world into impactful verse. 🙏 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 EVERYTHING ELSE: 👉 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/nathanhassall 📌 CHAPTERS: 0:00:00 - How Poetry Connects Us to the Natural World 0:01:21 - Reading Kipling's "A Tree Song" — Lessons for Writers 0:04:15 - How Nature Changes Your Creative Mindset 0:05:31 - How to Start Writing Poetry in the Outdoors 0:06:23 - Is Poetry a Form of Spellcasting? 0:07:36 - How to Use a Single Tree to Write a Poem 0:08:36 - Why Deep Attention Is Essential for Nature Writers 0:09:40 - Writing Poetry About Your Homeland 0:12:07 - Why Reading Poetry Makes You a Better Writer 0:13:40 - Where Poets Find Their Inspiration 0:14:45 - How to Capture Sensory Details in the Woods 0:16:34 - How to Avoid Clichés in Nature Poetry 0:18:14 - How Nature Shapes Your Writing Voice 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!

#048 - School Makes Students Hate Poetry. Here’s Why.

Why do so many people say, "I don't like poetry"? In this episode of The Poetry Vessel Podcast, Malibu Poet Laureate Emeritus Nathan Hassall and I/O Psych expert Rachael Hassall dig into why so many people leave school hating poetry, and how to learn how to love reading poetry again. 👉 JOIN OUR FREE POETRY COMMUNITY & WRITING WORKSHOPS: https://www.thepoetryvessel.com/signup If school or bad English teachers ruined creative writing and poetry analysis for you, you aren't alone. Today, we unpack the classroom myths that strip modern poetry of its joy, explore the neuroscience of why the human brain is wired for rhythm, meter, and rhyme, and look at what Dead Poets Society understood about the power of art that traditional education missed. Whether you are looking for poetry for beginners, trying to figure out how to write a poem, or want to understand the healing power of memorizing great spoken word and classical poems for mental health, this conversation is your way back in. Nathan shares his personal experiences teaching poetry to kids in California, an unorthodox dancing tip to unlock how to write poetry with better creative flow, and how to embrace the orality of poetry in nature. Drop a comment below to participate in our live word-association experiment! 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 - Why Do People Hate Poetry? 00:40 - The School Myth: "There's Only One Right Meaning" 01:26 - How the Joy Gets Stripped Out of Poetry 02:07 - Teaching Poetry to Kids: Using William Blake's "The Tiger" 04:13 - The Neuroscience of Poetry: Why We're Wired for Meter and Rhyme 07:11 - How Passionate Teachers Change Everything (& Dead Poets Society) 09:37 - Overcoming the Fear of Feeling Stupid About Poetry 11:31 - Live Reading: "Sailing to Byzantium" by W.B. Yeats 12:57 - Can Memorizing Great Poems Heal the Mind? 16:20 - The Viral Poetry Tip: Just Dance! 21:16 - Shel Silverstein and the Gift of Poetry 23:46 - Actionable Tips: How to Bring Joy Back into Poetry 25:09 - Learning the Art of Attention in Nature 25:56 - Is It Okay to Still Not Like Poetry? 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! #Poetry #HowToWriteAPoem #CreativeWriting #DeadPoetsSociety #ThePoetryVessel

#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!