Shows
It’s a Poetic Life w/ Enzo the PoetEpisode 8: The Language of Infinity — A National Poetry Month ReflectionWhat if poetry isn’t just about art—but about survival, clarity, and connection?In this solo National Poetry Month reflection, Enzo the Poet invites listeners into the quiet laboratory of the poetic life. Drawing parallels between poets and scientists, he explores how language—like any evolving experiment—holds both implication and application. From the politics of translation to the sacred work of interpretation, this episode dives into what it really means to write, to witness, and to wonder aloud in a world that often demands silence.Whether you’re a write...2025-05-1437 min
It’s a Poetic Life w/ Enzo the PoetEpisode 7 (Part 3): The Myth of Inclusion - Standing at the Gate of CommunityIn the final segment of this three-part episode, It’s a Poetic Life turns to the transformative power of art and curation in bridging cultural, geographic, and ideological divides. Curator Amy Rosenblum-Martín joins host Enzo Silon Surin for a compelling conversation on how exhibitions become spaces of resistance, reclamation, and relationship-building. From her work on Marking Time: Art in the Age of Mass Incarceration to Swagger and Tenderness, Amy reflects on the curatorial responsibility to amplify underrepresented voices while navigating institutional tensions and public resistance.Together, they explore how art unsettles comfort, disrupts dom...2025-03-2451 min
It’s a Poetic Life w/ Enzo the PoetEpisode 7 (Part 2): The Myth of Inclusion - Standing at the Gate of CommunityIn one of the most intimate and resonant conversations of It’s a Poetic Life, Addie Tsai and I explore the complexities of identity, belonging, and the myth of inclusion. Moving beyond the structural challenges of diversity and representation, this episode delves into the deeply personal—how we navigate the ever-shifting landscape of selfhood in a world that often demands we define ourselves in rigid terms.Addie, a writer, poet, professor, and creative force, shares how their experiences as a mirror twin, biracial individual, and nonbinary person have shaped their perspective on fluidity—not just i...2025-03-0842 min
It’s a Poetic Life w/ Enzo the PoetEpisode 7 (Part 1): The Myth of Inclusion – Standing at the Gate of CommunityAcross histories and cultures, people have grappled with the meaning of belonging. Who gets to be part of a community? Who decides? And how do we navigate the spaces we call home when definitions of inclusion shift?This episode was conceived last summer, but its relevance couldn’t be more timely. In this first installment of a three-part conversation, I sit down with Danielle Marshall, founder and principal consultant at Culture Principles, to explore the evolving nature of community, identity, and access.We examine how labels shape perception, why fl...2025-02-0854 min
It’s a Poetic Life w/ Enzo the PoetEpisode 6: The Geography of Grief - Navigating Loss Through Place and PoetryHow do we carry grief through the places that shape us, and how do we find a way forward when it feels like everything has changed? In this heartfelt episode of It’s a Poetic Life, I reflect on the quiet weight of loss through the works of Elizabeth Bishop’s One Art and Marie Howe’s What the Living Do, exploring how their poetry offers ways to hold onto what matters and create meaning in uncertain times.Joining me is the brilliant January Gill O’Neil, whose latest collection, Glitter Road, takes us on a jou...2025-01-2450 min
It’s a Poetic Life w/ Enzo the PoetEpisode 5: Embracing Uglies - The Gentle Art of Loving Through VulnerabilitiesWe live in a world that pushes us to look flawless, act perfect, and bury what makes us human. In this episode, I invite you to pause and reflect on what it means to embrace our struggles, imperfections, and shared humanity.Through stories—from sixth-grade insecurities to an unforgettable encounter at the pharmacy—I explore how vulnerability allows us to connect more deeply with ourselves and others. How do we stop pretending we don’t need each other? How do we show up, just as we are, in a world that often demands we be som...2024-12-1731 min
It’s a Poetic Life w/ Enzo the PoetEpisode 4: Loving “Me” is Complicated - Crafting the Poetry of Self-loveIn a post-pandemic world where many of us are striving to reclaim our sense of agency, Episode 4 of It’s a Poetic Life—“Loving Me is Complicated: Crafting the Poetry of Self-Love”—offers a fresh perspective on self-love through the lens of poetry and creativity. Featuring poet Kali Pezzi, this deeply personal conversation explores how shame and guilt intersect with self-care, and how poetry becomes an extension of the self-love journey—a way to nurture, reflect, and heal.Kali shares how her poetry serves as a tool for self-care and self-expression, offering listeners a glimpse into...2024-11-2941 min
It’s a Poetic Life w/ Enzo the PoetEpisode 3: Unraveling Happiness: The Poetic Pursuit of JoyWhat does happiness look like beyond clichés and fleeting moments? In this episode, we dive into the complex and often elusive nature of happiness, exploring how our experiences, our creative lives, and even social media shape our understanding of joy. Whether you’re a seasoned writer, an aspiring storyteller, or simply someone looking to find more meaning in daily life, we’ll examine how happiness can be found not just outside ourselves but within.We take a close look at a powerful poem from award-winning poet Naomi Shihab Nye, reflecting on how happiness might...2024-10-2833 min
It’s a Poetic Life w/ Enzo the PoetEpisode 2: A New Kind of Free - Writing, Liberation, and the SelfIn this episode of It’s a Poetic Life, host Enzo Silon Surin is joined by North Carolina-based writer Shari Tate to explore the intersection of writing, identity, and liberation. They discuss how the creative process allows for personal growth and freedom, and how writers navigate the balance between self-expression and sharing their work. Enzo reflects on his journey as a Haitian immigrant and how writing has been a tool for liberation, leading to a “new kind of free.”Tune in for a deep dive into how writing helps us navigate life’s constraints and open...2024-10-0844 min
It’s a Poetic Life w/ Enzo the PoetEpisode 1: Welcome to It’s a Poetic Life w/ Enzo the PoetIn the first episode of It’s a Poetic Life with Enzo the Poet, Enzo Silon Surin (@enzothepoet) introduces the podcast, setting the tone for an introspective journey into the broader essence of living a poetic life. He shares a personal story that highlights his connection to poetry and explains how it has shaped his worldview. Enzo expands on the podcast’s vision, emphasizing that while poetry is central, the conversations will dive deeper into the human experience, exploring diverse voices, creativity, and social justice. Listeners can expect guest interviews with poets, artists, musicians, and activists who embody the prin...2024-09-1817 min
A Matter of Faith: A Presby PodcastThe Journey of Poetry w/ Enzo Silon SurinSend us a textSpecial Guest:Enzo Silon Surin, Poet, Author, Educator, & Social AdvocateQuestion of the Week:Please tell us about your journey with faith, identity, healing, and justice from the perspective of a poet. What would be your advice to others looking to explore these topics for themselves through poetry?American ScapegoatWhen My Body Was A Clinched FistFor Listening Guides, click here!Got a question for us? Send them to faithpodcast@pcusa.org! A Matter of Faith...2024-07-1856 min
F***ing ShakespeareAWP23—Enzo Silon SurinEnzo Silon Surin writes, composes, and publishes artifacts on the “witness continuum”—art that he says “pays homage to the culture in which it was formed” and the necessity of generational change. Surin’s work spans librettos commissioned by the Boston Opera Collaborative, four poetry collections, and a musical-in-the-making. He also founded Central Square Press, an independent publisher of works that “reflect a commitment to social justice in regards to African-American, Caribbean, and Caribbean-American communities.”We had the pleasure of chatting with Surin about how he came to writing as means of documentation—from intuitively producing plays and operas a...2024-03-0121 min
Black Writers ReadBlack Writers Read: Enzo Silon SurinSend us a textThis episode features our conversation with Enzo Silon Surin, which was livestreamed on Saturday, April 8, 2023. We talked about their most recent books including When My Body was a Clinched Fist and the forthcoming poetry collection, American Scapegoat.Enzo Silon Surin is a Haitian-born, award-winning poet, educator, librettist, publisher and social advocate. He is the author of three previous collections of poetry, including When My Body Was A Clinched Fist (Black Lawrence Press, 2020), winner of the 21st Annual Massachusetts Book Award for Poetry and the forthcoming collection, American Scapegoat which...2023-04-111h 27
InterSpace w/ Angelina AvedanoEnzo Silon Surin: From Broken Spaces to LightbearerAngelina interviews the award-winning author of When My Body was a Clinched Fist, Enzo Silon Surin.2022-04-041h 21
Still a Classic?Esoterica's The Interview with Enzo Silon SurinEnzo Silon Surin is a Haitian-born award-winning poet, educator, publisher and social advocate. He is the author of three collections of poetry, including, When My Body Was A Clinched Fist, winner of the 21st Annual Massachusetts Book Awards for Poetry. In the interview, Enzo explains how “When My Body Was a Clinched Fist” chronicles growing up in New York city, in an area grappling with the crack epidemic, and how refusing to participate in the violence in his environment came at a cost. He had to decide how to manage his pain and trauma, and settled on poetr...2022-02-2231 min
Why We WriteEnzo Silon Surin's poetry for the broken spacesEnzo Silon Surin, Haitian-born poet, educator, publisher, and social advocate, is the author of two chapbooks, A Letter of Resignation: An American Libretto and Higher Ground. He is recipient of a Brother Thomas Fellowship from The Boston Foundation and is a PEN New England Celebrated New Voice in Poetry.
Enzo’s work gives voice to experiences that take place in what he calls “broken spaces” and has appeared in numerous publications. He holds an MFA in Creative Writing from Lesley University and is an associate professor of English at Bunker Hill Community College and founding editor and publis...2019-02-1942 min
Why We WriteComing soon: Why We WriteLaunching Nov. 1! Why We Write is a new podcast for writers (aspiring and otherwise) and book lovers. Each episode we'll speak with an author from the Lesley University community and beyond about their work, inspiration, and more. Join us this season to hear from Jason Reynolds, Katie Cotugno, Rachel Kadish, Susan Goodman, Enzo Silon Surin and more. vyKYPwEZ6hT8IhtSODr0
2018-10-1702 min