Shows
The Line Breakread that poet you've been meaning to readThere is a lot of great poetry out there. Sometimes, it takes a while to get around to reading the greats. Today, Bob reads "Strata" by Richard Siken, Chris reads "Eb Major" by Percival Everett, and then the dudes talk about basketball players they wished they'd watched more.
Check out Bob's book, Utopians In Love, here: https://utopiansinlove.com/
Check out Chris's blog and music here: https://www.lazyandentitled.org/
2025-08-261h 03
Chris Clegg's Minor League Baseball ShowEP 106: Sykora Shoves, McGonigle Mashes(Thursday's Standout Minor League Performances)Chris breaks down his live looks at Travis Sykora and others while also discussing the top minor league standouts of the day, including:1:40 Travis Sykora6:30 Kolton Curtis10:00 Sam Petersen11:15 Kevin McGonigle12:40 Eduardo Herrera14:00 Carter Jensen16:30 Jack Perkins19:40 Braden Nett21:45 Miguel MendezThis episode is brought to you by Connect Roasters, Ian Happ's coffee company. Follow the link (https://t.co/8V3HtN888Q) or use the code DynastyDugout at checkout for buy one get one free on the Gold...
2025-06-1323 min
Prospect OneEpisode 400 - 10 Prospects On The RiseNew Prospect One Podcast➡️ Rainiel Rodriguez➡️ Josue Briceno➡️ Travis Sykora➡️ Gage Jumpand more!Join up to be a member of the army and support your boys to create more and more unique fantasy baseball content. Top 500 prospects for fantasy, top 400 dynasty, FYPD, GroupMe access, collectors groups and tons more. Go to inthisleague.com and sign up today.Find Welsh on Twitter @IsItTheWelsh and on Instagram @IsItTheWelsh
2025-06-131h 08The Line Breakraise Hell praise Dale with Justin CarterThe hits keep rolling with these guest interviews! Today, Bob and Chris are joined by Justin Carter, author of BRAZOS. Justin reads "Facet" by Dean Young and his own poem "Watching the 2001 Daytona 500 With My Father," and then the guys talk about Justin's writing on the WNBA and college basketball.
Justin Carter is a writer living in Des Moines, Iowa. His first poetry collection, Brazos, was published in 2024 Belle Point Press. Originally from the Texas Gulf Coast, Justin holds degrees from the University of Houston, Bowling Green State University and the University of North Texas, where he graduated in 2019 with...
2025-02-2450 min
The Game Production AcademyProduction Chats: Chris Sykora, Associate ProducerMe and Chris have a chat around production - from 2020.ABOUT GAME PRODUCTION ACADEMYOur Vision is to enable games industry professionals to plan better, lead better and stop the crunch culture, through building a community of support, knowledge and training. COURSESUdemy is hosting my 5 star Risk Management course:https://www.udemy.com/course/risk-management-in-video-game-development/?referralCode=D6412142A30B4794B550 This is free to students and those who have lost their jobs in the games industry - just reach out to me directly for the...
2025-02-141h 27The Line Breakpoetry that breathes fortification into your body (feat. Melissa Ferrer Civil)The Line Break podcast: the place where Poet Laureates go. This month, Bob and Chris are thrilled to welcome Melissa Ferrer Civil, inaugural Poet Laureate of Kansas City, MO! Melissa reads Angel Nafis's "Ghazal For Becoming Your Own Country" as well as their own poem, "Alambrista," from the book 'Steno Pad.'
Find more Melissa: https://melissaferrerand.com/
Melissa Ferrer Civil (&), (she/they), formerly known as Missy T. Ferrari, is a poet, performer, organizer, and educator living on unceded Kaw, Kansa, Kickapoo, and Oceti Sakowin lands (KCMO). Rooted in the practical and the possible, their spoken word poems and songs...
2025-02-101h 05The Line Breaka midwinter's reading of MIDWINTER DAYThe winter solstice is approaching—the shortest day of the year—which means it's a great time to read one of the longest poems ever written, Bernadette Mayer's 'Midwinter Day.' Bob and Chris each read sections of the poem, talk about the lore behind the writing, and reflect on other "story takes place in a day" books.
2024-12-1754 minThe Line Breaktaking things as they areAfter August in September, it's November in December! Arriving late—tucking their shits in and trying to muss down their hair—the dudes are finally ready to bring some poems to your ears. Bob reads "Love Song to the Alpacas of Solomon Lane" by Kenzie Allen, Chris reads a three-line collaborative poem by Joshua Beckman and Matthew Rohrer, and then the dudes talk intriguing NBA stories so far.
2024-12-101h 06The Line BreakPresenting The 2024 Garden Party Collective Chapbook SeriesIt's year two for Garden Party Collective, and the winners of the 2024 chapbook contest are here! In this episode, Bob interviews (and Chris reacts to) Ashley Elizabeth (red line), Jacob Jardel (Full-Blooded CHamaole), Kenny Bradley (Night Science), and Maya Williams (What's So Wrong With A Pity Party Anyway?).
Learn more about Garden Party Collective: https://www.gardenpartycollective.com/
Check out the chapbook series: https://www.gardenpartycollective.com/2024-series
Ashley Elizabeth (she/her) is a winner of the 2024 Garden Party Collective Chapbook Contest. She is a Pushcart-nominated writer and teacher whose work has appeared in SWWIM, Voicemail Poems, Rigorous, and Sage...
2024-10-221h 44The Line Breakcelebrating the 2024 Ghost City micro-chapbooksSummer is coming to a close, and it's time for the dudes to celebrate one of the most important summer events in a poet's life: the Ghost City Press Micro-Chapbook Summer Series! Bob reads from "Eating Out Anne Sexton" by Elena Sichrovsky and "AI Fever" by Paddy Qiu, Chris reads from "Poems" by Tom Snarsky and "Every Path Leads To The Sea" by Erinola E. Daranijo, and then the guys debate whether Rucker League or Summer League is cooler.
Check out more from Ghost City Press, including every Summer Series micro-chap available as a pay-what-you-want download, here: https://ghostcitypress.com/
2024-08-2756 minThe Line Breakwhat kind of poet are you becoming?How can we continue to interrogate our writing? What new ways can we find to push ourselves as we read deeper? This month, Bob reads "A Romantic Sonnet!" by S. Yarberry, Chris reads "Dear Moses Grandy...Love, the Great Dismal Swamp," and the dudes wonder if they can grasp the concept of time zones clearly enough to watch Olympic basketball.
2024-07-301h 06The Line Breakdo you end up at home?Summer is here, so why not read poems? This month, Bob reads "Time Is Filled with Beginners" by Diana Khoi Nguyen, Chris reads "This is the Barbecue We Had Last Night" by Han VanderHart, and then the guys recap and re-cope the NBA Finals.
2024-06-251h 06The Line Breaktrying to change trajectorieson this month's episode, Bob and Chris confront narratives that feel depressingly inevitable—that war will continue to happen and fatherhood is difficult to get right—and try to see if poetry can help change those narratives. Bob reads "[...]" by Fady Joudah, Chris reads "We Were All Odysseus In Those Days," and even though the guys recorded less than a week ago, their playoff takes are already obsolete.
two McSweeney's articles we might've been referencing:
"An Interactive Guide To Ambiguous Grammar" by Vijith Assar https://www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/an-interactive-guide-to-ambiguous-grammar
"How To Use The Past Exonerative Tense To Uphold White Supr...
2024-05-2853 minThe Line Breakthus the line break read Homer Writer Of EpicsStrap on your leather armor and sharpen your curved bronze swords, Bob Curator of Calendars and Chris Wrecker of Ships are reading The Iliad! The dudes realized they had both separately decided to storm the gates of Troy (Bob shepherded by Emily Wilson's translation, Chris violently thrown around by Robert Fagles') and figured why not do an episode on it? In this episode, you'll find enthusiastic gushing about the language of epics, parsing of the way the Homeric epics are culturally absorbed, Chris confusing "Antigone" with "Aeschylus," confusion as to way Ajax was basically absent from the 2004 film Troy, and...
2024-04-231h 19
The Line BreakThe Line Break / Of Poetry Crossover EventGather round, damas y caballeros, children of all ages, have we got a treat for you! It's the first but probably not last crossover episode between The Line Break and Of Poetry! That's right, Han VanderHart joins Bob Sykora and Chris Corlew, and the three of them read not merely other people's poetry, but reach into the depths of their notebooks to holler some of their own art-words your way. Han reads their poem "last night I was sexting and reading June Jordan," and "Bottoms" by Jenny Johnson. Bob reads his poem "Utopians In Love" and "What Kids Don't Know"...
2024-03-261h 29
Of Poetry PodcastThe Line Break / Of Poetry Crossover with Chris Corlew and Bob Sykora and Han VanderHartChris Corlew is a writer and musician living in Chicago. His work has appeared in Cotton Xenomorph, Whisk(e)y Tit, Kicking Your Ass, Cracked.com, and elsewhere. With Bob Sykora, he co-hosts The Line Break, a podcast about poetry and basketball. With Brendan Johnson, he is ½ of Lazy & Entitled, the band that writes novels. You can find more Chris on Bluesky @thecorlew, a storiesfromvine.com, or at shipwreckedsailor.substack.com.Bob Sykora is the author of the chapbook I Was Talking About Love–You Are Talking About Geography (Nostrovia! 2016) and the forthcoming collection Utopians in Love (Gam...
2024-03-261h 29
Locked On Rangers - Daily Podcast On The New York RangersThe BEST of Chris Drury... celebrating the top moves that Drury has had as Ranger General Manager!In part two of a two-parter, we're looking at Chris Drury's tenure as Rangers General Manager! Today: his best moves!-Timely in-house contract extensions for Igor Shesterkin, Jimmy Vesey and more.-Vincent Trocheck, Jonathan Quick and other clutch free agent pickups.-Frank Vatrano, Vladimir Tarasenko and other important Trade Deadline deals.-Draft picks that look good (Gabe Perreault, Brennan Othmann, Adam Sykora and more)Episode 1,009. Intro song is "Leave the Lights On" by Passafire.
2024-02-2036 minThe Line BreakGuerilla Poetry At AWPWhat an episode we have for you this month! Fresh off a weekend at AWP 2024 in Kansas City, Bob and Chris have recruited their most near-them-at-the-time friends to read LIVE POEMS on the show! That's right, we have Stephen J. Furlong, Teo Shannon, Chloe N. Clark, Diannely Antigua, Matt W. Miller, Todd Osborne, Amorak Huey, and Maya Williams! Forget NBA All-Star, this is Line Break All-Star! If you stay until the end, Bob and Chris even read their own poetry for once!
2024-02-2038 minThe Line Breaknew year new line breakIt still counts as the New Year if it's January 30th! Bob and Chris limp into 2024 burdened by complicated schedules but buoyed by the power of poetry. This month, Bob reads “Community Check-In” by Sam Herschel Wein, Chris reads “John Wayne Niles … .--…--.- …/ - --- Ermias Joseph Asghedom” by Mahogany L. Browne, and then the guys talk about the surprisingly fun Los Angeles Clippers.
2024-01-3050 min
Health Coach ConversationsEP243: Legal Love™ with Lisa FraleyThe laws around what health professionals can and can't do can be complex. Strictly following regulations is important to avoid legal issues, but the rules are also constantly evolving, which can be a little exhausting. Today's guest, Lisa Fraley, takes a unique approach to navigating the legal landscape of health coaching. She calls her method legal love — blending her expertise in healthcare law with coaching care and support. In this episode, we talk about: Options for psychiatrists/psychologists who want to build their business online but are af...
2024-01-3043 minThe Line BreakAll-Influence Starting 5 (From The Boys)The end of the year is upon us! Reflection time. Having put three guests in a row to the test with this question, Bob and Chris turn the metaphorical camera to themselves and ask: who/what are the five people/things that influence you/your poetics the most? The question is catchier in the episode. Have a great holiday and we'll see you in 2024.
Follow the show:
Instagram: @linebreakpod
Bluesky: @thelinebreak
Twitter: @linebreakpod
2023-12-191h 00The Line BreakGoogle Stuff When You Read Poetry (feat. Isaac Pickell)On this month's episode, Bob and Chris are thrilled to welcome the author of 'It's not over once you figure it out,' Isaac Pickell! Fresh off of a book and pub day, Isaac reads "Nature Walk" by Basie Allen, as well as his own poem, "Uncommissioned Elegy For Joseph Paul Jernigan and The Body of Michael Brown." After that, the dudes talk Detroit Pistons basketball.
Quick CW: from about the one-minute mark until the 10-minute mark, the three of us discuss the war in Gaza, and our desire for a ceasefire. If you would like to not hear that...
2023-11-141h 15The Line BreakAn Episode For All of Our Dads With Sandra MarchettiPoetry asks us not to be sentimental, but how can you not be sentimental about baseball? On this episode of The Line Break, Bob and Chris are thrilled to welcome poet and (this is for all our dads) Baseball Prospects writer Sandra Marchetti!. Poems and sports combine as they rarely have on this poetry podcast that already talks about sports too much. Sandra reads "Eating Alone" by Li-Young Lee as well as her own poem, “Against Seven-Inning Doubleheaders and Starting Runners on Second Base
in Extra Innings in Major League Baseball.”
You can find more Sandra on most social media site...
2023-10-171h 18The Line BreakOn The Obscenity of Lanyards w/ Alina PleskovaWho's ready for some long poems? Oh, it's a good month on The Line Break. This month, Bob and Chris welcome Alina Pleskova, author of 'Toska,' for a talk about the crossover between the poetry and punk scenes, the massive debt we all owe translators, and writing poems in your mid-30s. Alina reads "Without" by Stephane Bouqet (translated by Lindsay Turner) as well as her own poem, "Vulnerability Engine." Plus, we gush about the city of Philadelphia.
Buy Toska here: https://store.deepvellum.org/products/toska
Follow Alina on Twitter/Bluesky: @nahhhlina / @alinapleskova
Follow us on Twitter/Bluesky...
2023-09-261h 16The Line BreakI'm getting at something I'm struggling to nameClimb aboard a clean, affordable public train and travel with Bob and Chris from the city to the shore. This week, it's all about short poems that take us places. Bob reads "Elegy For Soft Things" by Wendy Xu, Chris reads "If I Wanted A Boat" by Mary Oliver, and then the guys get wistful about—what else? The 1999 New York Knicks.
2023-08-1559 minThe Line Breakline break LIVE (kinda)For the first time since before the show even started, Bob and Chris are recording in the same room! Bob came to Chicago to read "Dura" by Alina Pleskova, Chris's cat won't let him read "Up Nursing" by Hoa Nguyen in peace, and are the guys too old to follow sports?
2023-07-1858 min
Talking BeardsChris and Cori Wilson talk Charity Bowling Bash Christopher and Cori Wilson join us to tell us about a weekend of fun and charity at the Hoosier Beard Alliance Charity Bowling Bash! On July 15th, head down to Jasper, Indiana's Eastown Recreation Center for a chance to bowl with your friends and support Medical Mutts Service Dog Training. With doors opening at noon EST and bowling starting at 1 PM, you'll have plenty of time to show off your skills on the lanes. And don't forget about the amazing prizes: dress up in a themed team costume for an opportunity to win Best Team! But that's...
2023-06-2247 minThe Line Breakan interview with José OlivarezToday, Bob and Chris are thrilled to welcome José Olivarez! Shockingly, this is not a Jimmy Butler podcast. Not entirely. Three discuss writing to procrastinate on writing, "nostalgia with rigor," and food and humor in poems. José reads "Family Portrait With Enchiladas and A Movie" by Analicia Sotelo and then his own poem, "Ode to Tortillas." Then, well, yeah, it becomes a Chicago Bulls podcast.
José Olivarez is the son of Mexican immigrants. His debut book of poems, Citizen Illegal, was a finalist for the PEN/ Jean Stein Award and a winner of the 2018 Chicago Review of Books Poetry Prize. It...
2023-06-131h 01
Talking BeardsChris Battenburg - The Best in the West Beard Festival Talking Beards, the premier podcast for all things beard-related, recently interviewed Chris Battenburg, one of the organizers of the Best in the West charity beard and mustache contest. In the interview, Battenburg shared his passion for beards and how he got involved with organizing the event. He also discussed how the event has grown over the years and how it has become a platform to raise awareness about mental health issues. Battenburg revealed that this year's festival will be bigger and better than ever before, with more categories added to the competition, including non-beard categories...
2023-06-1053 minThe Line Breakan interview with Maya WilliamsOn today's episode, Bob and Chris are thrilled welcome Maya Williams! The three discuss the upcoming release of Maya's book, 'Judas & Suicide,' forthcoming from Game Over Books in May 2023. Then, Maya reads "Bashert" by Jeremy Radin, eir own poem "The Devil is Concerned with More Pressing Matters Than My Mental Health Issues," and then the three use basketball as an excuse to gush about Ross Gay.
Maya Williams (ey/they/she) is a religious Black multiracial nonbinary suicide survivor who is currently the seventh poet laureate of Portland, Maine. May 2023 marks the release of their debut poetry collection, Judas...
2023-05-1652 minThe Line Breakreceived? formsDoes poetry require form? Does poetry require basis in observable reality? These are question we'd try to address if we were a more boring podcast. Instead, Bob reads "Sestina" by Elizabeth Bishop, Chris reads "The Wine-Dark Sea" by Mathias Svalina, and the dudes mostly talk about how rad it all is. Plus: is Hakeem Olajuwon a formalist or a surrealist?
2023-04-251h 01The Line Breaklimited vocabulariesIs there such thing as a perfect poem? If there is, will it unsettle us on purpose? This week, Bob reads an untitled letter to Lorca by Jack Spicer, Chris reads "Mansion" by Julie Doxsee, and everyone has a brief chuckle about the word "alas."
2023-03-2854 minThe Line Breakeverything is ghosted through with something you can barely noticeIt's the All-Star Break here at The Line Break! Two banger poems this month: Bob reads "Remembrance" by A. Van Jordan, "Chris reads an excerpt from Claudia Rankine's 'Citizen,' and then the guys talk about NBA memories they wish they had.
2023-02-211h 09The Line Breakthe promise of communicationOn this week's episode, Bob and Chris are talking about what poetry does, the joys of discovering poetry around the world, and just what in the heck we get out it this stuff, anyway. Bob reads "The Way To Keep Going In Antarctica" by Bernadette Mayer, Chris reads "Jiikimaadizi / A Joyful Life" by Margaret Noodin, and then the dudes talk about just what in the heck we get out of basketball, anyway.
2023-01-2454 minThe Line Breaklegacies and futuresThe end of the year leads the dudes to do some reflecting on life, death, authorial legacy, and what the future should look like. Bob reads from Diane Seuss's 'frank: sonnets,' Chris reads "Leah Gilliam, 'Sapphire and the Slave Girl,' 1995, 18:20" by Anaïs Duplan, and the lads wonder what 6'9" NBA players are supposed to do.
Note: for further reading on the "what are we all doing here" question of writing, please check out Kathy Fish's blog post on her The Art of Flash Fiction Substack, "On Literary 'Success.'" The question Kathy asked on Twitter and begins t...
2022-12-201h 07The Line Breakline break backAfter too long away, Bob and Chris are BACK reading poetry. Bob reads "Broken Light Bulb Flickering Away" by Noor Hindi, Chris reads an excerpt from Joshua Marie Wilkinson's book length poem "Meadow Slasher," and then the guys ask who's having a better NBA season: Ezra Pound or Billy Collins?
2022-11-1550 min
Talking BeardsChris Battenberg and The Best in the West Beard Festival Tonight on Talking Beards we will Chris Battenberg from Reno Nevada. Chris is part of The Altrustic American and they are puting on the "Best in the West, Beard Festival". This event will be held in Wingfield Park in Beautiful Reno Nevada on June 18th. You don't want to miss this one of a kind event, they will have food trucks, vendors, beer and of course the world famous beard competition! All proceeds will benefit "The Altruistic American." TAA will raise awareness of mental health issues through educational events, community initiatives, programs targeted at vulnerable people experiencing the...
2022-06-111h 00The Line Breakreading in the catastrophe of our ageOn today's episode, what begins as a gentle "what have you been reading lately" morphs into Bob and Chris gushing about how rad poetry is even when the world is difficult. Bob reads "Snow Theory" by Ocean Vuong, Chris reads "Ethos, Pathos" by Sebastian Castillo, and then Bob says nice things about the Boston Celtics.
2022-06-0737 min
Talking BeardsBluegrass Beard-On with Chris Burgess We have Chris Burgess from the club "Beard and Loathing" out of Richmond Kentucky on this edition of Talking Beards! Chris will talk all about the RETURN of The Bluegrass Beard-On that is taking place Saturday June 11th at 4pm est at the Bluegrass Barrel House! This years beneficiary will be Cedar Haven Farms Inc, a newly developed non-profit organization for the adult special needs community in the state of Kentucky. Chris Burgess https://www.facebook.com/chris.burgess.773124 Bluegrass Beard ON https://fb.me/e/3c4PT...
2022-06-041h 00
Talking BeardsAppalachian Beard Fest with Chris Parent Chris is here to talk all about the Appalachian Beard Fest that is taking place in Ghent West Virginia on Saturday June 4th, at the glamorous Skyline Lodge Pub & Grill. He is the National vice president of the Bearded Sinners which are one of the organizations that are putting on this event along with Beard Mobb West Virginia. This event will be working with two great charities. One of them is the Children's Home Society of West Virginia where they offer child welfare, behavioral health, social casework, and advocacy services which include foster care and adoption, to 13,000+ children and...
2022-05-301h 04The Line Breakthe poets are asking forgiveness (for taking over the Waffle House)Guest time! Today, Bob and Chris welcome Hannah Cohen to the show! The three talk about everything from manuscript length to wrestling with abstractions to Tommy Wiseau. Hannah reads "Under One Small Star" by Wislawa Szymborska, as well as her poem "Some Covenant." Then the three plot to become Poet Laureate of Waffle House.
Hannah Cohen bio and publications: https://hannahcohen.carrd.co/
2022-05-241h 01The Line Breakpoems with the perfect imageIf poems are made of music, metaphor, and image, well, we're certainly talking about one of those today. What makes an image in a poem *just* the right one? Bob reads "Quabban Reservoir" James Tate, Chris reads "revaluation" by MJ Santiago, and then the guys talk about how basketball looks cool.
2022-05-1746 minThe Line Breakshort poemsIf brevity is the soul of wit, what's an hourlong podcast? Today, Bob and Chris are exploring short poems. Bob reads "Invisible Fish" by Joy Harjo, Chris reads "Ghosting" by Andrea Cohen, and then the guys celebrate NBA players under six feet tall.
2022-05-1058 minThe Line Breakpoets you've been meaning to readThe poets are back! This week, Bob and Chris discuss poets they just haven't gotten around to yet. Bob reads "Rodedendrons" by Larry Levins, then Chris reads "MOTHERFUCKER I'M ILL" by Beyza Ozer.
2022-05-031h 07
Talking BeardsMichael Hulvey and The Whisker RoundupMichael Hulvey is our guest and he is here to tell us all about The Whisker Roundup. This event will be held in Leadington Missouri on April 2nd at The Bullpen Sports Grill. The charity will be Raising a Village which is a non-profit organization that help families with the day to day struggles. Raising a Village http://www.raiseavillage.org/ emcee Jeremiah Duncan judges Jaxon Sheibley Omar Shifrin Bill Petersen Ian Long Chris Webb ...
2022-03-261h 00The Line Breakwinter pastoralThe poets are back, and they need coats, hats, and gloves. It's cold outside, and we're breaking lines over it. Bob reads "Those Winter Sundays" by Robert Hayden, Chris reads "In Winter" by Michael Ryan, and then the guys discuss watching full days of basketball.
2021-12-211h 07The Line Breakfamily poemsFamily! Everyone has one, everyone feels differently about them. So let's do some poetry! Bob reads "enough food and a mom" by francine j. harris, Chris reads "In The Hospital" by Chen Chen, and then the guys talk about familial duos in basketball.
2021-12-141h 00The Line Breakthe poets have missed youAt long last, Bob and Chris are back for Season 3! The guys have returned to catch up read a few words. Bob reads "Miss You" by Gabrielle Calvocoressi, Chris reads an excerpt from "Scarliotti and the Sinkhole" by Padget Powell, and then they talk about how the Bulls are winning the NBA championship this year.
2021-12-071h 16The Line Breakthe poets are sleepyIn this week's episode, Bob and Chris read poems dealing with sleep. Bob talks anxiety while reading "Dream Song #17" by Daniel Borzutzky, Chris talks childcare while reading "Chicago is a chorus of barking dogs" by Eve Ewing. Then the two reminiscence on NBA teams worth staying up for.
2021-06-081h 00The Line Breakwhat have you been reading lately 4On this week's episode, Bob and Chris are back for another installment of "what have you been reading." Bob reads "(Earth), The" by Natalie Eilbert, Chris reads an excerpt from "They All Seemed Asleep" by Matthew Rohrer, and there's plenty of lighthearted discussion about climate change and antifascism.
2021-06-011h 18The Line Breakleadbelly by tyehimba jess part twoThis week, Bob and Chris continue their discussion of Tyehimba Jess's leadbelly. They talk how hard living and difficult conditions affects more than just the person doing the hard living, how exploitative academic study can be, and great moments in NBA labor history.
2021-05-251h 00The Line Breakleadbelly by tyehimba jess part oneThis week, Bob and Chris break down Tyehimba Jess's book "leadbelly," a poetic biography of the legendary bluesman. Bob reads "fanin street signifies" and "brownie and leadbelly: stipulations and apprenticeship," and the guys mispronounce the word "contrapuntal" a whole bunch.
2021-05-1848 minThe Line Breakbe holding by ross gay part 2This week, Bob and Chris continue their discussion of Ross Gay's book-length poem, Be Holding. The dudes cover how repetition can be an effective writer's tool, the dogwhistling early aughts sports writers did when talking about Allen Iverson, and the importance of being good to one another.
2021-05-1147 minThe Line Breakbe holding by ross gay part oneThis week, Bob and Chris do a deep dive on Ross Gay's book-length poem, Be Holding. They discuss how Julius Erving is mystical, how being good is a daily practice, and which dunks we'd write book-length poems about.
2021-05-041h 09The Line Breakline-to-line turns and the power of imagery (feat. stephen j furlong)This week, Bob and Chris are ecstatic to welcome Stephen J. Furlong to the show. Stephen reads "Delphiniums In A Window Box" by Dean Young, as well as his own poem "Most Days I Long To Be An Ampersand." Then the guys talk about how cool Keyon Dooling is and basketball players who have gone on to be writers and activists.
Stephen's twitter: https://twitter.com/StephenJFurlong
2021-04-271h 05The Line Breakthe poets are embracing the writing life (feat lyd havens)This week, Bob and Chris are thrilled to welcome Lyd Havens! The three discuss experimenting with form and the writing life. Lyd reads “Homewrecker” by Ocean Voung and their own poem “ChokeCherry." Plus, an exciting announcement!
Lyd's website: https://www.lydhavens.com/
Lyd's twitter: https://twitter.com/lydhavens
2021-04-201h 10The Line Breakthe poets are using the forbidden words (feat laura villareal)This week, Bob and Chris welcome Laura Villareal! Laura reads "After Love" by Miguel Hernandez, and the poets discuss words "not allowed" in poetry. Then they tackle the thorny nature of love-hate relationships in sports and arts.
Laura's website: https://www.lauravillareal.com
Laura's chapbook: http://www.nostroviatowriting.com/uploads/9/0/3/8/9038323/cartography-of-sleep__online_pdf_.pdf
Laura's twitter: https://twitter.com/earthandstars
2021-04-1352 minThe Line Breakthe poets are experiencing connectedness (feat Diannely Antigua)On today's episode, Bob and Chris are thrilled to welcome Diannely Antigua! The three explore how poetry can connect disparate things, Diannely reads "Elegy" by Aracelis Girmay, and then the three talk about how rad Jaylen Brown is.
Diannely's book: https://www.yesyesbooks.com/product-page/ugly-music-by-diannely-antigua
Diannely's website: https://diannelyantigua.com/
Diannely's twitter: https://twitter.com/nellfell13
2021-04-0657 minThe Line Breakthe poets are making self portraitsOn this week's episode, Bob and Chris ask why so many poets refer to their poems as self portraits. Bob reads "Self Portrait, 1969" by Frank Bidart, Chris reads by "Elegy for the Self Portrait" by Adam Clay, and then the dudes talk about getting dunked on.
2021-03-301h 06The Line Breaks2e1Bob and Chris are back for Season 2! In this week's episode, Bob reads "All My Life Has Been a Costume Party" by Jessica Abughattas, Chris reads "Story In A White Diction" by Jaswinder Bolina, and then they talk about how weird watching basketball during a pandemic is.
2021-03-2348 minThe Line Breakthe poets are leaving the party feat. Adrian SobolOn this week's episode, Bob and Chris are joined by longtime friend Adrian Sobol to discuss his book, *The Life of the Party is Harder To Find Until You're the Last One Around*, how jokes and poetry work in concert, and the later work of James Tate.
2020-11-1951 minThe Line Breakwhat have you been reading 3On this week's episode of The Line Break, Bob and Chris do another reading check-in. Bob reads "Anniversary" by Diannely Antigua, Chris reads the "September 5, 1996" entry from Joe Wenderoth's Letters To Wendy's collection, and then the guys discuss favorite and least favorite alternate NBA jerseys.
2020-11-1249 minThe Line Breakwhat have you been reading part 2On this week's episode, Bob and Chris catch each other up on what they've been reading lately. Bob reads "Pokedex Entry #778: Mimikyu" by Marlin M. Jenkins, Chris reads "Petition To Get All White Girls To Stop Wearing Hoop Earrings" by Melissa Lozada-Oliva, and then the dudes talk about how basketball players evolve like Pokemon.
2020-11-0550 minThe Line Breakreligion in poetry (feat. Brendan Johnson)Today, Bob and Chris are joined by Brendan Johnson to discuss how religion and poetry intersect. The dudes talk about the difference between growing up Protestant in the Bible Belt vs. Catholic on the Left Coast, just how damn sad Job is Brendan reads an excerpt from "Sinners In the Hands Of An Angry God" by Jonathan Edwards, and which NBA player is the most cursed.
2020-10-2949 minThe Line Breakthe poets are magicIn perhaps the least spooky (but still bone-chilling) episode of Monster Month, Bob and Chris are talking magic! Bob reads "Song" by Brigit Pegeen Kelly, Chris reads “White Godiva Melts In a Mouthful of Blood: Prayer For My Unborn Daughter” by Alysia Nicole Harris, and then the dudes talk Hot Sauce and how weird it'd be to give Grant Hill a nickname.
2020-10-2254 minThe Line Breakekphrasis and genre (but make it spooky)On this week's episode, Bob and Chris are talking about art talking about art! How does thinking about other pieces of art help us write? How do different mediums inform each other? We'll talk movies, music, fiction, visual art, and of course poetry. Bob reads Chase Berggrun's "Chapter XII" (an erasure of Dracula), Chris reads Elizabeth Willis's "The Wolfman," and then the dudes discuss how monstrously inadequate their basketball games are.
2020-10-1544 minThe Line Breakspoooooooky poemsIt's October! This month Bob and Chris are talking all about friiiightfully scaaaarrrryyy poems. On today's episode, Bob reads "Ghost School" by Kim Hyesoon (translated from Korean by Don Mee Choi), Chris reads "What Would Kill Me" by Zachary Schomburg, and then the dudes talk about the possibility of getting dunked on by Shaq.
2020-10-0150 minThe Line Breakpoems that deserve to be canonAs a sequel to last week's episode, Bob and Chris discuss poems they think should be added to THE CANON. Bob reads "American Sonnet 66" by Wanda Coleman, Chris reads "The Singing Knives" by Frank Stanford, and then the dudes discuss Arvydas Sabonis and what the future would look like if the Shaq/Kobe Lakers only won one title.
2020-09-241h 01The Line BreakCANONFIREThis week, Bob and Chris dive into the Western poetry canon. Is it worth reading? We try to answer that question as vaguely as possible! Bob reads "To His Coy Mistress" by Andrew Marvell, Chris reads a section of "Rime of The Ancient Mariner" by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, and then the dudes discuss which pre-NBA/ABA merger players they wish they could see more of
2020-09-1757 minThe Line Breakthe poets have been readingThis week we check in on our reading habits. Bob reads “Thoughts While Taking Out the Trash” by Ariel Fransisco, Chris reads “How To Leave A Party” by Adrian Sobol, and then Chris has a reckoning with Jimmy Butler before the dudes wish Lamar Odom well.
2020-09-1053 min
Hey Teachers! Let's Innovate EducationHopeful Remote Learning and ImaginationThis episode is an introduction to imagination which will be part of a series of episodes. It begins with the goal of providing some inspiration, positivity, and hope regarding remote learning. I identify some of the benefits and potential remote learning holds, share a couple of conversations I've had with other teachers and then I will introduce a larger conversation about imagination. This includes a preview of the 8 types of imagination, the stages of imagination development, and more.
2020-09-0337 minThe Line Breakbasketball is / my favorite / sport / i love the way / they dribble / up and down / the courtBasketball! On this week’s episode, Bob and Chris lean fully into their absurd love of basketball by reading poems about hoops. Bob reads “Mixology” by Adrian Matejka, Chris reads “windmill” by Kevin Coval and Idris Goodwin, and then the dudes discuss teams they’re excited about in the NBA playoffs (spoiler: it’s the Clippers). Special shoutouts: Natalie Diaz, Marissa Crane, Chris's dad, Charles Gabel, Kevin Weidner.
2020-08-271h 05The Line Breakthe poets are from ChicagoOn this week’s episode, Bob and Chris scratch the gritty, dreamlike surface of Chicago’s literary tradition. Bob reads “Declaration” by Philip B. Williams, Chris reads “I Wasn’t in Grant Park when Obama Was elected” by Kevin Coval, then the dudes share some memories of hoops in Chicago while saluting the recently-departed Guthrie’s Tavern.
2020-08-2041 minThe Line Breakmake a joyful noise to the poetOn this week’s episode, Bob and Chris celebrate all that is joyous about writing and reading. Is writing fun? Sometimes! Bob reads “Patience” by Ross Gay, Chris reads “I Won’t Lie This Plague of Gratitude” by Kaveh Akbar, and then the dudes talk about why basketball is very joyous, except when refs call 3 seconds on 11-year-olds.
2020-08-1350 minThe Line Breakpoems in isolationOn this week's episode, Bob and Chris discuss poetry in isolation. Bob reads "I Don't Miss It" by Tracy K. Smith, Chris reads an excerpt from Claudia Rankine's "Don't Let Me Be Lonely," and then they debate whether or not Blake Griffin counts as an iso-ball guy.
2020-08-0651 minThe Line BreakProse Before PoemsIn episode four, Bob and Chris discuss prose poems! Bob reads “Even The Gods” by Nicole Sealey, Chris reads “The Monster Hour” by Zachary Schomburg. Later, the guys talk genre-bending NBA weirdos, including Joakim Noah, Brad Miller, and P.J. Tucker.
2020-07-3039 minThe Line Breaklove and other poemsIn episode three of The Line Break, Bob and Chris discuss that most poetic of topics: love. What is it, anyway? Do poets fall in love? We'll find out. Bob reads “Winter” by Chen Chen, Chris reads “Steps” by Frank O’Hara, and then they talk about basketball players they irrationally love, including John Stockton and Ray Allen, before Chris asserts that Karl Malone "signed with the Jazz in 2003."
2020-07-2340 minThe Line Breakthe last poem you read in the decadeOn this episode of The Line Break, Chris and Bob talk about the last poems they read in the 2010s. Bob reads "To Live" by Ilya Kaminsky, Chris reads Eve Ewing's "Haibun for July 30," and then they make starting 5s of their favorite NBA players from the 2010s.
2020-07-1643 min
The Line BreakHaving a Coke With Bob and ChrisWelcome to The Line Break podcast. Each week, Bob and Chris will read you poems and talk about basketball. We hope you enjoy.
Music: Brendan Johnson
Art: A.M. Strickland
2020-07-0537 minHey Teachers! Let's Innovate EducationE-Learning to Innovate Education.This episode is in response to some great conversations I've been a part of regarding the E-Learning challenge.This point in history really is a tremendous opportunity for growth in our education system, and I hope the right people are being heard as school districts across the country problem solve. Teachers are rightfully seeing the glaring issues that have infected education for a century on display in intimate ways. In this episode I will share some E-Learning exemplars, share my own experiences, and discuss specific reforms that can innovate and enhance the educational experiences of our students and teachers forever...
2020-04-2954 minHey Teachers! Let's Innovate EducationPart 2: Curiosity, the Soil for CreativityIn this part, I dig deeper into what cultivates curiosity and offer some practical ways to bring it into your classroom while adding to the scientific evidence and ending with a focus on empathy.
2020-03-291h 10Hey Teachers! Let's Innovate EducationCuriosity, the soil for creativity (Part 1)Curiosity is the soil of learning, because it puts us in the mental state required to be open to the world, to build relevance in the content, and take chances. It encourages the desire to master something and the passion to do it in service of something larger than ourselves. In other words, Growth Mindset.Includes a review on the 3 phases and 6 steps I use to teach creativity
2020-03-231h 10Hey Teachers! Let's Innovate Education#4. Structure: The Schedule & HomeworkOur educational system structure, the foundation, is the soil from which we can grow our curriculum, our learning experiences... which in turn cultivates our children’s lives and by extension our society. We design our systems and they in turn design us. This episode focuses on the schedule and homework practice of the traditional education experience in America with an emphasis on how they impede creativity, agency, and SEL needs. It is in part a response to the previous episode and interview that broached these topics.
2019-11-191h 24Hey Teachers! Let's Innovate EducationThe Structure of Our Education Systems Doom Outcomes (with Michael Skura)The Structure of Our Education Systems Doom Outcomes (with Michael Skura)
2019-08-051h 36
Hey Teachers! Let's Innovate EducationWhat is Creativity and How it will Save Education.This episode is about defining and explaining this Creativity thing and how itis misunderstood at best, and definitely underutilized, obviously, if I think it will save our current education models, and it's one of the #1 skills needed in the contemporary and future economy. This is part 1 to a series that breaks down creativity into it's most basic parts and how it should be recognized as the core processor of learning in our education systems.
2019-07-1856 min
Hey Teachers! Let's Innovate EducationHey Teachers Ep1: Why?Why did I start this podcast about innovating education? What does it mean to be a teacher in the 21st Century? How can we move education out of the industrial revolution? Find out a little about me, about this pod, and talk positive change and creativity among other things along the way.
2019-07-0949 min
Talking BeardsThe Return of Chris Odom Chris Odom returns to tell us what has been going on... Talking Beards Episode 16 BS Buttons Beard Bulletin Board- let us know about something you want to promote https://www.facebook.com/groups/407082256748940/ BS Buttons on Facebook-order your buttons through this link- https://www.facebook.com/groups/872390072895713/ Mudcat Whisker Beard Products https://www.mudcatwhiskers.com/ be sure to use promo: talking beards to get an amazing 35% off!!! Talking Beards is now LIVE on...
2019-04-251h 19
Talking BeardsBREAKING NEWS on Talking Beards A tremendous week of breaking news in the beard world!!! Aaron and Chris were in Austin and talked with Bryan Nelson and MJ Johnson of Beard Team USA about the recently announced Nationals to be held in Chicago November 9th. Beards In Review- www.beardsinreview.com https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxZdW1Uyp_Kfh0puTSegmRQ Aaron D Johnston- Facebook https://www.facebook.com/aaron.d.johnston1 Aaron D. Johnston-Instagram https://www.instagram.com/aarondjohnston Talking Bea...
2019-03-011h 21
Talking BeardsDouglas Smythe of Phoenix Shaving on Talking Beards Douglas Smith of Phoenix Shaving joins Talking Beards and we discuss the art of shaving. He gives us some tips on products and proper care of your skin. Scott has tried out a bunch of his products and raves about the results he has got from all of them. Douglas also shared some fun history lessons on shaving and the products that were made many years ago. Scott, Aaron, Chris, and Douglas had a very entertaining time talking about aliens and played some "alien" trivia with the LIVE audience. We also had a real "flub" at...
2018-12-221h 33
Talking Beards2018 Great American Beard and Moustache Championship recap Scott, Chris and Aaron get together for another episode of Talking Beards. They talk about their favorite parts of the 2018 Great American Beard and Moustache Championship, presented by Remington Beardboss. We were joined briefly by RVA Beard League President, Chad Roberts, to hear his thoughts on the event, how much they raised for The National Humane Society and Pink Ink Fund, and the attendance of the Bearded Villians. You can watch Talking Beards LIVE every two weeks on the Beards IN Review YouTube page at 8pm EST. Make sure to subscribe and hit that "bell" so you get a...
2018-10-061h 06
Talking BeardsTalking Beards with Chris and Aaron EP-77-Talking Beards I sit down with my good friends Chris Odom (Beards in Review), and World Champion Aaron D Johnston to talk about the launch of our new video show, Talking Beards. The show is hosted LIVE on the Beards in Review YouTube page and is a bi-weekly live show covering many different “beard” topics. Each episode will cover the latest news stories in the world of facial hair, information on the upcoming competitions that are being held, product reviews, and fun interviews with some great facial haired people. These episodes will go live...
2018-09-261h 11
Talking BeardsChris OdomChris Odom from Beards In Review YouTube is this weeks guest. This page has become one of my new favorites on the interwebs recently covering "beard" topics. His she contains an brief product review, a quick little news segment and a featured beard, or mustache of the week. The Beardcaster was the beard of the week on his episode #14, what a treat that was! Each episode is a nice bite sized morsel of about 5 minutes and has excellent production and is of top quality! Chris and I talked about how he ended up getting into the YouTube game and ho...
2017-12-071h 12
Talking BeardsDr Causgrove of AMIEpisode 40-Dr Causgrove of the AMI has a big surprise… The Beardcaster and Dr. Adam Causgrove of The American Mustache Institute let the cat out of the pillow case in Ep.40. An opportunity of a lifetime had been presented to Scott by The American Mustache Institute and they talk about what the big news is! Make sure you listen to this monumental episode, this is where it ALL changes for this podcast! I also discuss the newest album from Chris Donley, Her Eyes On, and I play a couple of my favorite tracks from this most s...
2017-08-0831 min
Talking BeardsAbbe Stude The First Annual Beards in the Barnyard is taking place July 29th at the Summit County Fair. Abbe and I sat down and talked about beards and where her infatuation with them came. We discussed the sponsors and star-studded judging panel. Be sure to check out the INDIEGOGO for Bearded: an Ode to the Beard and help these guys reach their goal. Rust Belt Whisker Society https://www.facebook.com/groups/RustBeltWhiskerSociety/ Beards in the Barnyards https://www.facebook.com/events/1873755846215965/ ...
2017-07-221h 00
Talking Beards101 year old ATTITUDEEpisode 26-ATTITUDE and living life... Over the past few weeks I have been noticing something a bit more around me, attitude. Attitude seems to be a major influence in life and can effect our moods, and our way of life. Attitude also influences others and tends to pull those that are like-minded in their direction, a "magnetic" kind of attraction. Sometimes a toxic attitude can pull you down a dark road, one of negativity and pain. The one end of the spectrum you may find those that emit a great deal of positive attitude. These people are a spec...
2017-02-031h 31
Talking BeardsJamie WardWe all know a guy who grows a beard in the winter time and then shaves in the spring. Why? Why do these guys grow in this pattern, why can't they just commit to grow all the way, or stay clean shaven all year? We all have a personal preference in our own growth, be it a goatee, full beard, or a mustache, we grow what we are comfortable with. A good friend of mine, Jamie Ward, for years has been at the receiving end of my consistent inquiry as to why he grows a magnificent beard and then jus...
2016-02-2646 minTalking BeardsMatt BeatonThis Valentines Day episode is full of love and fun! I speak with Matt Beaton of Waffen Der Whiskerr Oil about his magnificent oil line. We had many complications trying to record this interview but we managed to pull it out! Matt gives a brief history of Waffen and takes us through his blending processes and development of his signature scents. We laugh, we cry, and we discuss skin care and how his magic oils have helped him get his psoriasis under control. A couple new products were discussed and marketing schemes that he uses to get his products out i...
2016-02-1242 minTalking BeardsEmily GambrelHaircare is important to all of us who grow hair. Some people specialize in the care and maintenance of the hair we grow on our heads. I wanted to talk to someone who I trusted to give me knowledge about hair and possibly give me insight into the proper care of a beard. I met with my friend Emily to ask her some questions about how to properly take care of your beard and different products to help maintain it properly. Check out my website, TheBeardcaster.com, to get to my store, THE BEARDCASTER BAZZAR. My store carries everything a be...
2016-01-2950 min