Quintessential Poetry: Online Radio, YouTube and Zoom

Words from Chayyim Eliezer Ben Israel: Born in Austin Tx. Raised in Los Angeles California, I had the taste to entertain at a very young age. Obtained writing and theatrical passion following my mother Elsie Katie Spruill. Began writing poetry in my early teens. Found a perfect match with poetry and music. https://amazon.com/hebruise https://instagram.com/clearmental https://facebook.com/clearmentalmusic

Ellen Thea is an award winning performance poet, drummer, dancer, and holistic counselor, utilizing tarot, astrology, crystals and energy work. Her life’s journey has taken her from New York City to South Florida to rural Alaska. She has been writing and performing almost her entire life, learning to write and starting dance at age 4 with her first audition (on Broadway) at age 5, writing, directing and performing original sketches by third grade. Growing up in the cultural wonderland of NYC in the 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s, Ellen decided to use words and movement as both her paintbrush and medium. Ellen received a bachelor’s degree (B.S.) in Psychology with an (almost) minor degree in theatre from Union College, Schenectady, NY in 1978. Her master’s degree is from Nova Southeastern University, Davie, Florida 1996 in Marriage and Family Therapy with a specialization in medical family therapy. After college, Ellen moved to South Florida where she had her three children (now adults). After suffering a head injury from a vicious mugging, she heeded the counsel of a Cherokee medicine woman, who sent her to Alaska for a healing walk in 2004. She’s made her home in rural Alaska ever since. Her awards: Bitterroot Poetry Magazine Award 1986, the Douglas Freels Poetry Award 2002, the Dancing Poetry Competition 2013, and the Poetry Matters Award 2014. Her book, “On My Way To The Apocalypse” (a non-linear 55 page prose poem) was published by Dingaroo Press in 2012 (That same year Ellen became a grandmother). She’s created and performed her original works (full shows and as a featured artist) in Florida, Ohio, New York, Michigan, and Alaska. Her work (both writing and esoteric) has been featured on various radio programs. She’s also been a news reader and d.j. on the local radio station in Alaska. Ellen has also created a number of specialized curriculums and workshops for children through adult learners.

Austin Davis is a poet and student activist currently studying creative writing at ASU. Austin is the author of THE WORLD ISN’T THE SIZE OF OUR NEIGHBORHOOD ANYMORE, which was released by Weasel Press on March 3rd, 2020. The mission of Quintessential Listening: Poetry Online Radio is to provide a live format for emerging, mid-career and established poets to showcase their work. Whether traditional poetry or spoken word, the show offers an online vehicle for artists to engage in critical dialogue and discussion about poetry. If you would like to be a guest on QL: P, please contact me at [email protected].

Poetry plays a vital role in mental health awareness by providing a creative outlet for individuals to express their emotions and experiences related to mental health. It offers a means of self-expression and catharsis, allowing individuals to process their feelings and promote their overall well-being. Through personal poems, poetry helps break the stigma surrounding mental health, humanizing the experiences and encouraging open conversations. It creates a sense of community, connecting individuals with similar struggles, fostering support and understanding. Poetry also educates and raises awareness about mental health conditions, dispelling misconceptions and promoting empathy. Its emotional resonance fosters empathy and a deeper understanding of mental health complexities. Poetry empowers individuals, inspiring them to find their voice and demonstrate resilience, while showing others that recovery and growth are possible. Poetry contributes to a compassionate and understanding society through its role in mental health awareness. "Paradise Lost" for many brings back memories of reading John Milton's epic poem written in 1667. Milton's poem explores morality, humanity, and man's fall. These same words can also serve as a metaphor for the feelings of guilt, despair, and inner turmoil that can exist when people are faced with mental health issues. As a companion poem to "Paradise Lost," "Paradise Regained" (1671) explores themes of redemption, temptation, and the triumph of good over evil. It is also possible to use the words Paradise Regained metaphorically to describe the sense of fulfillment people experience when they are able to cope with and manage mental health issues through constructive means. Featured Poets: Ahmad Alkhatat, Skaja Evens, Benjamin Cherif-Goldberg, Richard Harries, Jessica Philie Park, Nicholas Michael Ravnikar, Lisa Simmons and David Thurston.

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