How can participatory art show us a vision of the world we want to live in? How can the act of play connect us, and bind political and cultural movements together? How the heck does this relate to mushrooms and typewriters??? Tune in and find out the answers to these and other bizarre and beautiful questions.

In this raw and real episode, we explore the realities of making a living as an on-demand typewriter poet, and full-time entrepreneur with ADHD. This episode dives into the stories, shame, and lessons I have learned.

This episode is a tour of typewriter culture in Chicagoland and our sister city to the north. This episode discusses the history of typewriter production in our neck of the woods, the native typewriter poet culture, QWERTYfest, and more!

How do we move from the Starving Artist Paradigm to a lightheartedly inviting strangers to play, and gamify the exchange of money? This episode explores this question as well as tracking the flow of energy in on-demand poetry, and how to understand and exercise consent on the street. As always, typewriters are front and center.

[00:00:00] Radical Vulnerability and Poetic Witnessing [00:03:03] The Responsibilities of Being a Typewriter Poet [00:06:31] Deep Listening, Speaking from the Heart, Giving What They Need [00:14:17] The Underlying Philosophy [00:15:25] The Root of Disconnection - The Role of Witness [00:20:10] The Role of Art - Also, I am Not a Therapist

[00:00:00] The Brave World of On-Demand Typewriter Poetry [00:04:30] Overcoming Shame as a Street Poet [00:08:54] Unlocking Creative Potential [00:13:07] The Great Creator and Personal Creativity [00:17:42] Embracing Change in Writing [00:21:56] The Art of On-Demand Typewriter Poetry [00:25:55] The Healing Power of Poetry

Enjoy this introduction to the Poetic Devices podcast. You'll learn a little bit about me and my life as an on-demand typewriter poet. You'll also find helpful information about what you can expect from the future of this platform. I leave you with the story of a man who used my poetry to help him heal his heart.