Lisa Marie Farver shares two poems: One of love of self and one of love of David Attenborough. Lisa and Ben discuss creativity. Surprise, surprise.

About the Author/Reader/Performer:

Lisa Marie Farver is a poet and storyteller whose work has been featured at the Uptown Poetry Slam, You’re Being Ridiculous, Beast Women, That’s Poetic! and more. Lisa was a finalist in the 2025 Gwendolyn Brooks Open Mic Awards. She teaches journalism at ChiArts and is the founder of Everyone's Type Poetry & Performance.

You can connect with Lisa at her website: www.everyonestype.com, and on instagram, @everyoneztype

If you're listening in February of 2026, check out Lisa's upcoming events, as described by her:

On Feb. 12 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., I'll be typing free love poems at the Intercontinental Hotel.

On Feb. 14 at 8 p.m., I'll be performing poetry at The Poetry Brothel Chicago: DEVOTION at Aloft Circus Arts. I have fashioned a corset-like top out of two thrifted heart-shaped placemats. And I'll be debuting new poems.

On Feb. 15 at 3 p.m., I'll be performing as The Typing Bat as part of the Uptown Poetry Slam at the Green Mill.

On 2/21 from 2 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. I'll be doing typewriter poetry at Mindful Baking's Tempt*a*tion Market. There's a poetry slam open mic I'm hosting there that starts at 5:30 p.m.

On 2/21 at 8 p.m., I'm going to be doing storytelling for Ladies' Night at Atlantic Pub & Grill.

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If you are interested in being a featured author, reach out on Instagram @wakingthewhispers, or email me at bensbloomer@gmail.com

Credits:

Guest: Lisa Marie Farver

Music by: Solomon Bloomer

Recorded, produced, edited by: Ben Bloomer

Logo and art by: Ben Bloomer

Michael Bane shares a story from 2020 about a search for family and the significance of seemingly insignificant decisions. Notably absent: a review of The Old Guard.

About the Author/Reader/Performer:

Michael is an attorney, a dad, and a formerly closeted nerd. He once ran marathons, but has since made peace with himself.

If you are interested in being a featured author, reach out on Instagram @wakingthewhispers, or email me at bensbloomer@gmail.com

Credits:

Guest: Michael Bane

Music by: Solomon Bloomer

Recorded, produced, edited by: Ben Bloomer

Logo and art by: Ben Bloomer

Paige Allphin reads a letter to her younger self and discusses her upcoming book: You Are Not Alone: A Book of Prose and Poems

About the Author/Reader/Performer:

Paige is 37 and lives in West Virginia with her husband, 3 cats, and a puppy. When she's not writing poetry and lyrics, she loves to cosplay for conventions.

You can get in touch with Paige on Facebook or Instagram @prodigaldaughter15

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If you are interested in being a featured author, reach out on Instagram @wakingthewhispers, or email me at bensbloomer@gmail.com

Credits:

Guest: Paige Allphin

Music by: Solomon Bloomer

Recorded, produced, edited by: Ben Bloomer

Logo and art by: Ben Bloomer