1. What It's Like to Perform Spoken Word Poetry Elizabeth Pearson Garr 44:35

Anthony Febo–AKA “Febo”–brings poetry to life as a spoken word artist. He describes spoken word poetry as “poetry written with the intention to perform”–and his performances are deeply personal, emotional, and rich, with touches of signature humor. (He performs two amazing pieces in this episode.) Febo is not only an artist; he is also a teacher–so listeners get to be students, learning how to write and perform spoken word poems.  Febo encourages his students to end their poems with hope–he always seeks to choose joy in the face of what is trying to break you.

There are also fun tidbits about Lin Manuel Miranda (Febo is a huge fan), rap, hip hop, and much more.  

Poetry has never been so much fun. 

In this episode:

  • When he started writing in 7th grade (02:42)
  • Febo's definition of spoken word poetry (05:01)
  • Intersections among hip hop, rap, and spoken word (07:14)
  • Febo performs one poem, “Tonight I'm Cooking” (10:27)
  • Themes in his work (13:33) 
  • His process of working–and how/why it evolves (17:26)
  • Febo's experience of performing on-stage (20:47)
  • What teenagers learn from writing and performing (25:44)
  • Writing a spoken word poem (32:20)
  • Febo performs a second poem, “Luna's First Birthday Party” (38:42)

Want to know more about Febo?

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Elizabeth Pearson Garr Podcaster

Elizabeth Pearson Garr has spent a lot of her life asking questions. A daughter of a professor and a principal, as a kid she loved sitting at the “adult table” during their dinner parties so she could participate in the “real” conversations.

Elizabeth went on to graduate with honors from Harvard with a degree in History and Literature, and promptly attended professional cooking school to become a food writer. That led to various career opportunities, including becoming one of the first employees of the Television Food Network; writing/producing gigs at networks from PBS to E!; anchoring/reporting at the NBC affiliate in Billings, Montana; earning a graduate degree in Documentary Film & Video from Stanford University; and various and sundry other things. The through-line to all this has been curiosity. Elizabeth is a skilled interviewer who loves diving deep into research, finding connections, and telling good stories.

Elizabeth has a husband, two daughters, and a fluffy white dog who rarely leaves her side.