S3 Ep 7 - Hebe Kearney

Hebe Kearney is the person behind Blackout Poetry Aotearoa, and a huge nerd. If you come across their poetry, you'll know more than you ever imagined about niche topics like radiation, fungi, or the history of a particular date in the Gregorian calendar. And you know what? Their enthusiasm is contagious. Welcome, the royal supreme of accessible poetry, zine-making and special interests!

A pillar of poetry in Aotearoa, Dominic Hoey sits down with us to talk about some of his most controversial takes. Is there really a difference between poetry and prose? Can rich people make good art? Is writer's block real? Dominic believes the best writing doesn't just come from Universities and residencies, but from learning from the writers around you. As the teacher of "How to Write Good", author of 1985, and co-founder of Deadbird Books, Dominic shares his insights from a life of navigating Aoteroa's literary "scenes".

Tara Mok is a poet who dances effortlessly between earthly and mystical realms. She only recently started performing her work, preferring, as many poets do, to share on the pages of her zines. With titles like, "Salvation is Hot and Sticky", her writing is ethereal, visceral and sexy. On this episode, we explore the budding excitement of a fresh poet, and the intimate relationship between poetry and music.

The girlboss of the poetry scene is in the studio! Dani Kionasina is the founder and force behind Tangata Atamai - a creative platform which raises the profile moana storytelling. Dani isn't afraid to share her words with the world. She is self-published, self-employed and bravely doing poetry the best way she knows how. Proudly!

Get ready to feel ooky-spooky, as Ted Greensmith-West takes us on a journey through his poetry as a queer writer with a taste for the gothic. As a pākeha environmental lawyer, Ted shares his deep commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and what his experiences growing up in New Zealand taught him about agricultural violence.

She's a woman of many talents - Jessie Fenton joins us in the studio with a kiwi accent as strong as ever. We talk about the thrill of the slam, fallow fields and the need for beautiful surrounds. Importantly, she teaches Ash the joys of a Rainbow Paddlepop.

Ash (aka Mr. Lamp) is the force behind Yellowlamp - a monthly poetry event in Auckland. He's nerdy, silly and fiercely Welsh. In this episode, Ash finds his seat as our new co-host and turns the tables on Sarah, who finally gets to be a guest.

We're back baby! Aotearoa's poetry scene is thriving, and Poetry Snaps is back with more yarns and a brand-spankin' new host!

Jamie Trower started writing as a way to help him recover from a skiing accident he had as a child. Since then, he’s published a number of poetry collections, established his career as a magazine writer, and started his own publishing house: Birdboy Press. This week on Poetry Snaps we talk about how we can create worlds with words when we are faced with isolation. We dive into the experience of rejection, and explore the reasons why everyone loves drama class in high school.

Ruby is a poet, storyteller, creative facilitator and current student of law. In this episode we talk about her work with Te Kāhui, a youth arts programme promoting storytelling in communities and corrections. We also explore the way Pasifika poets have influenced her writing, and the deeply flawed nature of a “hierarchy” of needs.