If you like my work, you can buy me a coffee here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/weetabixhands⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ITTIS is now on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/ithinkthereforeislampodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Shastra Deo was born in Fiji, raised in Melbourne, and lives in Brisbane, Australia. Her first book, The Agonist (UQP 2017), won the 2016 Thomas Shapcott Poetry Prize and the 2018 Australian Literature Society Gold Medal. Her second book, The Exclusion Zone (UQP 2023), was longlisted for the 2024 Australian Literature Society Gold Medal. Purchase "The Exclusion Zone": https://www.uqp.com.au/books/the-exclusion-zone Follow Shastra on Their Website: https://www.shastradeo.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shastradeo Find Melbourne spoken word events: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://melbournepoetry.com/

If you like my work, you can buy me a coffee here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/weetabixhands⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ITTIS is now on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/ithinkthereforeislampodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Aaron Grahame is 23 years young and loves everything creative. He enjoys watching movies, writing, seeing live music and spending time with friends. His style of writing is a resonance of emotion, opening the blinds and giving a visual of what we see out the window. His work explores contradictions within the laws of the Universe. Aaron hopes to simply give and have gratitude towards his life and others through his writing. Follow Aaron on Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/aaronjgrahamewrites Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550095592916 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@aarongrahame Find Melbourne spoken word events: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://melbournepoetry.com/

If you like my work, you can buy me a coffee here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/weetabixhands⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ITTIS is now on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/ithinkthereforeislampodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Steven Atkinson's humble beginnings writing song lyrics have given way to his more recent move into rhyming poetry. Steve is finding his voice in order to share it with others and encourage them. Steven loves The Universe, animals, nature, music, poetry and family. Follow Steven on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stevenatkinson1968 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@stevenatkinson2360 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/steven.atkinson.9026 Find Melbourne spoken word events: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://melbournepoetry.com/

If you like my work, you can buy me a coffee here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/weetabixhands⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ITTIS is now on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/ithinkthereforeislampodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Dan Hogan (they/them) is the author of "Secret Third Thing", which won the Five Islands Prize and Mary Gilmore Award, and was named one of the ‘best 25 Australian books of 2023’ by The Guardian. Dan's poetry has been recognised by the Peter Porter Poetry Prize, Judith Wright Poetry Prize, and Val Vallis Award, among others. Dan runs DIY publisher Subbed In and edits the working-class literary journal Industrial Estate. Purchase "Secret Third Thing": https://corditebooks.org.au/products/secret-third-thing Follow Dan on Their Website: https://www.2dan2hogan.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/packetofchips Find Melbourne spoken word events: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://melbournepoetry.com/

If you like my work, you can buy me a coffee here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/weetabixhands⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ITTIS is now on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/ithinkthereforeislampodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ David Rivas-Torres is a poet who writes to process emotions and feelings that are often difficult for him to express. His free verse poetry features celestial and nature motifs, and oftentimes hidden meanings, inviting readers to engage deeply with his poetry. Writing is both a therapeutic outlet and a way to give voice to unspoken thoughts. David creates with the hope that others may find solace in the words they struggle to say aloud. Buy David's Book "For Us": ⁠https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CX9Z35RB⁠ Follow David on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidrivastorres.poetry Linktree: https://linktr.ee/david_rivas_torres⁠ Find Melbourne spoken word events: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://melbournepoetry.com/

If you like my work, you can buy me a coffee here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/weetabixhands⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ITTIS is now on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/ithinkthereforeislampodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ DEFNE is a queer Turkish-Australian multidisciplinary artist with a style that’s definitely hers. She is the Creative Producer for Word Travels and Creative Director of West Side Poetry, a monthly hybrid slam based in Western Sydney. DEFNE graduated with distinction in a Bachelor of Arts (Creative Writing & Theatre) & Fine Arts (Photography & Graphic Design) from UNSW in 2023. She has been published in UNSWeetend & Tharunka and featured across Story Week, ‘23 Adelaide Writers’ Week, Art Gallery NSW, State Library NSW, UNSW, Enough Said, Bread & Butter Poetry Slam, Poetry Sydney and is a Bankstown Grand Slam finalist. She performed her own show of poetry & song “DEFNE Opens Up” at Flight Path Theatre. At the heart of DEFNE’s work is an exploration of relationships—be it with ourselves, mental health, abuse, family, culture, or more.  DEFNE is always up to some creative mischief, whether writing songs or shooting shows. She’s a self-reclaimed drama queen. The world’s her runway as she overruns it with connection through shared vulnerability and revolutionary intimacy. Follow DEFNE on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/definitelydefne101 Find out more about Word Travels: https://wordtravels.info/ Find Melbourne spoken word events: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://melbournepoetry.com/

If you like my work, you can buy me a coffee here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/weetabixhands⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ITTIS is now on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/ithinkthereforeislampodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ Jo Yang is a Naarm based poet, high school teacher, and host of an education podcast, "Ready To Redo". Jo was the 2022 Australian Poetry Slam Champion and placed as a finalist in the World Poetry Slam Championship. Her poetry is influenced heavily by her proud Chinese identity and role as an educator. With often difficult topics to digest, she sees poetry as an honest means to share stories through empathy, playfulness, and connection. Follow Jo on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jo_yangj Their Website: https://itsjoyang.com "Ready to Redo" Podcast: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/ready-to-redo/id1519949665 Find Melbourne spoken word events: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://melbournepoetry.com/

If you like my work, you can buy me a coffee here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/weetabixhands⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ITTIS is now on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/ithinkthereforeislampodcast⁠⁠⁠ As an English teacher and spoken word poet, Lucia (Lu-CHEE-a) De Luca plays with stories in the classroom and at the mic. She is a Canadian community and self-taught narrative poet whose work aims to turn unenjoyable life events into empowering performances. Her writing cradles tales of her past-self, family, Italian heritage, chronic illness, and love. Lucia is a recipient of the 2022 QWF Spoken Word Prize and a member of the 2023 Throw Poetry Collective slam team. In 2023, she performed at the 1st Accenti Magazine International Festival of the Arts in Italy, and in 2024, she shared her craft in cities across Australia. Follow Lucia on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luciadeluca96 Their Website: ⁠⁠https://www.luciadeluca.com/ Find Melbourne spoken word events: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://melbournepoetry.com/

If you like my work, you can buy me a coffee here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/weetabixhands⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ITTIS is now on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/ithinkthereforeislampodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Jesse Chrisan started writing at the age of 6 when her Mum asked her to come up with a short story using the words ‘fly’ and ‘toe’. Jesse now holds a Bachelor of Arts/Science in Theatre, Psychology, and Performance. She has conducted practice-based research in Applied Theatre exploring the intersection of storytelling, community, and transformation in collaboration with Vision Australia, Corpus Christi Aged Care, and Very Special Kids. Jesse writes to honour experiences, to foster connection, to shape the future, and to vent her sillies. You can find Jesse performing spoken word at Melbourne based spoken word events, at parties with strangers, or to her cavoodle, Rubi-Doo. Follow Jesse on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jesse__rani Find out more about Littlefoot & Company: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/liitlefootandcompany/ Find Melbourne spoken word events: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://melbournepoetry.com/

If you like my work, you can buy me a coffee here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/weetabixhands⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ITTIS is now on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/ithinkthereforeislampodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Kathy Wiltshire continues to define what it means to call herself an artist. Poetry is her safe space where she can express emotions that are hard to express in other ways. Kathy would like to focus on refining a particular artistic skill but is distracted by a passion for experimenting and exploring new artforms. Complementing her poetry, Kathy also gets her hands dirty with painting, clay and printmaking, and practical crafts including gardening, preserving apricot jam and timberwork. Always a country girl, Kathy is based in Bass Coast by the beach and farmland. As an artist, she is greatly influenced by her husband Travis, surrealism, and meeting other artists and learning of their creative journeys. She is also drawn to the colours and creatures in nature and you will often find her barefoot, at the beach or digging in the garden. While Kathy keeps some poetry for herself, she shares her inspirations for her own performed poetry on her Facebook page, to bring hope and joy to others. Follow Kathy on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61564590567759 Find out more about Littlefoot & Company: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/liitlefootandcompany/⁠ Find Melbourne spoken word events: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://melbournepoetry.com/

If you like my work, you can buy me a coffee here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/weetabixhands⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ITTIS is now on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/ithinkthereforeislampodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Lionel Lennon's poems are thoughts brought to life based on a range of experiences, concepts and observations with overtones of nostalgia, emotion, passion and sometimes desire. Collectively, they come together with the objective of uniting, galvanising and resonating with kindred spirits and those who seek to find expression and a voice for their experiences and thoughts. Purchase "Inside The Mind Of A Passionate Poet - Volume 3: Window To My Heart": https://www.amazon.com.au/Inside-Mind-Passionate-Poet-Window/dp/B0D33K8S1X Follow Lionel on Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/lionellennonpassionatepoet Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/LionelLennonPassionatePoet Find out more about Littlefoot & Company: https://www.facebook.com/liitlefootandcompany/ Find Melbourne spoken word events: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://melbournepoetry.com/

If you like my work, you can buy me a coffee here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/weetabixhands⁠⁠⁠⁠ ITTIS is now on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/ithinkthereforeislampodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ Jordan Woolfe is a young content creator trying to share his story. His love for entertainment and the human experience lead him to the world of online streaming and fiction writing, with a hint of poetry and a dash of emotional exploration to make the dish that is himself. Follow Jordan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/llthestormll TikTok: ⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@llthestormll Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/llthestormll Find Melbourne spoken word events: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://melbournepoetry.com/

If you like my work, you can buy me a coffee here: ⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/weetabixhands⁠⁠⁠ ITTIS is now on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/ithinkthereforeislampodcast⁠⁠⁠ A young poet from Bayside new to the poetry scene, Nick Jenkins loves existence and wants others to find love in their own existence. The pathway of his writing is unknown but the possibilities are endless. As long as he can keep making people smile, he's happy. Follow Nick on Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/nick.jenx TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@crayonvisuals Find Melbourne spoken word events: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://melbournepoetry.com/

If you like my work, you can buy me a coffee here: ⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/weetabixhands⁠⁠ ITTIS is now on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/ithinkthereforeislampodcast⁠⁠ John Englezos is a spoken word poet and Melbourne’s 2015 Poetry Slam Champion. His work has been described as “Pixar in poetry” with his book “If The World Were Upside Down" centering around notions of Hope, Identity, and Wonder. In 2017, he was on the first team to represent Australia at the National Poetry Slam Championships in Denver, Colorado USA. John has been a presenter, speaker coach and host for TEDx, and cohosts networking and upskill evenings by St Cath's Arts Precinct and Melbourne Creative Professionals. John runs workshops and one-on-one sessions around poetry, performance, reflection and intention setting. He is an uncle to six amazing kids and a brother to many. Follow John on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johnepoetry Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JohnEPoetry YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/johnenglezos Find Melbourne spoken word events: ⁠⁠⁠https://melbournepoetry.com/

If you like my work, you can buy me a coffee here: ⁠https://ko-fi.com/weetabixhands⁠ ITTIS is now on Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/ithinkthereforeislampodcast⁠⁠ The Empress Kiara has been a writer all of her life, mainly focusing on poetry with a hint of hip hop. For Kiara, creating is the purest form of her expression and a big part of who she is. She loves performing and sharing her art with the world and hopefully uplifting and empowering others to create and be their truest selves. Oh, she dances too, so if you catch one of her hip hop performances she may or may not be two stepping. Follow Kiara on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kiarageorgee Purchase "The Beginning of the Empress": https://open.spotify.com/show/7dAEVZhYg4uXgcuoa9lcQy?si=01747876bfbb4ca2 Find Melbourne spoken word events: ⁠⁠https://melbournepoetry.com/

If you like my work, you can buy me a coffee here: ⁠https://ko-fi.com/weetabixhands⁠ ITTIS is now on Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/ithinkthereforeislampodcast⁠⁠ Thabani Tshuma is a multi-award-winning Zimbabwean writer and performance poet. His work can be found in publications such as Dichotomi magazine, Cordite Poetry Review, CUBBY ART, and ABC ArtWorks’ SLAMMED segment. Thabani is co-curator of Thin Red Lines and his debut collection, 'The Gospel of Unmade Creation', released in 2023 through Recent Work Press. Follow Thabani on Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thabani.tshuma Purchase "The Gospel of Unmade Creation": ⁠https://recentworkpress.com/product/the-gospel-of-unmade-creation Find Melbourne spoken word events: ⁠⁠https://melbournepoetry.com/

If you like my work, you can buy me a coffee here: https://ko-fi.com/weetabixhands ITTIS is now on Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/ithinkthereforeislampodcast⁠ Dorian Manticore is an artist, writer, poet, crafter, millennial tragic and cat dad known for dressing like a Mad Max extra. A Bunurong Country local, they founded the pagan tradition Sovereigns of the Golden Path in 2017, and have been making art and stories for as long as they can remember. They have a keen interest in pop culture, live-action-roleplaying, queer issues, niche communities, and the truth that can be revealed by wearing masks. When not playing videogames they can be found down at the beach, staring out longingly at the sea. Follow Dorian on Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/dorianmanticore More Dorian: https://queerpagan.com/ Find Melbourne spoken word events: ⁠https://melbournepoetry.com/

If you like my work, you can buy me a coffee here: ⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/weetabixhands ITTIS is now on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ithinkthereforeislampodcast K.J. Hayward, a young and emerging spoken word artist, travels (and Home-schools) around Australia in a caravan with her family and her cheeky Jack Russel, Bruno. K.J.’s Journey began when she attended her first open mic night in Ballarat. In just four public performances, she was crowned the national title of Australian Poetry Slam Co-champion, after a two-tie poetry battle in the Sydney Opera House with Gomeroi poet, Rob Waters.  In her poetry, she intertwines stories of feminism, youth, mental health and her own journey transitioning from ‘normal’ schooling to Home-school with the rap, rhythm and rhyme of slam poetry. Follow K.J. on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/k.j._hayward/ K.J.'s title-winning piece: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91yLQ2f3mDQ Events and works mentioned in this ep: Byron Writers Festival https://events.humanitix.com/byron-writers-festival-passes-2024 Write Around the Murray https://writearoundthemurray.org.au/ "Limelight" by Solli Raphael https://www.penguin.com.au/books/limelight-9780143793762 "To Be A Man" by Dax https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHxip2x-PLc Find Melbourne spoken word events: https://melbournepoetry.com/

If you like my work, you can buy me a coffee here: ⁠https://ko-fi.com/weetabixhands Jasmine Cenci is an Australian author and spoken word poet. Jasmine is a lover of animated movies, bright colours and winter, a true daughter of Naarm. When she’s not publishing and performing her writing, Jasmine exists for her friends and the joy and magic of life - a life where poems are just a teardrop away. Follow Jasmine on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegingerpoett Buy "Broken Beer Bottles": https://www.amazon.com.au/Broken-Beer-Bottles-Jasmine-Cenci/dp/1548610712 Find Melbourne spoken word events: https://www.facebook.com/melbpoetryAU?paipv=0&eav=AfZzgxsU4EnMxj6-GQPUnK_K6SKgFfns33lwgrDIL2ZRVn3_zT3ihaBzYiklvzyQSHI&_rdr