Shows
Confessing AnimalsClosure Is Not Justice: Andrew JohnsonIn 1988, an explosion killed six Kansas City firefighters. Closure Is Not Justice is a public art project drawing attention to the 1988 explosion, and the public campaign that generated false testimony among residents in the Marlborough neighborhood, turning neighbor against neighbor, all for the sake of closure.Closure Is Not Justice Exhibition Opening - Friday, September 1 Vulpes Bastille gallery in the Crossroads, KC. Andrew Johnson is an author, essayist, and artist living in Kansas City, Missouri. His work has appeared in The Sun, Image, Commonweal, Crazyhorse, and elsewhere, and he is t...2023-08-221h 14
Confessing AnimalsOn Endings and New BeginningsOn endings and new beginnings On disappearing On completely changing your personality, or learning to speak at a lower volume without the word fuck7 of Cups from Rachel True's True Heart Intuitive Tarot deckHigh Vibe, Choice, options, dream states, luxury, intuition, reflection, meditationhttps://truehearttarot.com/Ram Dass Here and Now Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ram-dass-here-and-now/id518366323https://open.spotify.com/show/3Dz4DL2ZMvnNQUnDSXqSdm?si=f07d2ea84ab142dc2023-05-3030 min
Confessing AnimalsBANS OFF OUR BODIESIn light of the impending overturn of Roe v Wade, Vanessa & Jen attended the Planned Parenthood Rally: BANS OFF OUR BODIES on May 14, 2022 at Mill Creek Park in Kansas City, MO. – But before we did, we interviewed Justice GatsonJustice Gatson is the Director at Reale Justice Network. An Intimate Partner Violence Advocate and Motivational Speaker. She works with Black Mama’s Bail Out with National Bailout.org to specifically address the needs of incarcerated black mothers. IG @reale_justice_networkhttps://realejusticenetwork.org/...2022-05-1753 minConfessing AnimalsWriting and Rewriting the SelfWelcome to Season 4 of Confessing Animals Podcast. Jen and Vanessa discuss why this podcast is called Confessing Animals and talk a lot of shit per the us cuz no one's listening! *plz note that Vanessa says "appear" when she meant to say "appeal" A few things we talk about:Michel FoucaultJean BaudrillardSimulacrumConfession CultureWriting Holy Shit Special Guest coming soon Peregrine Honig!Jen Harris Write With Mehttps://www.poetjenharris.com/workshopsVanessa Aricco Tin Can Poetics on Spotify...2022-02-1541 min
Confessing AnimalsHow to Make The Darkness Glow: Andreas FlepsAndreas Fleps is a poet based near Chicago. He studied theology and philosophy at Dominican University, and his debut collection of poems entitled, “Well into the Night” (via Energion Publications) was released at the end of 2020. He translates teardrops.Buy the book! Well Into the Night https://www.energiondirect.com/product/well-into-the-night/https://bookshop.org/books/well-into-the-night/9781631997396https://www.facebook.com/andreas.fleps/https://www.instagram.com/andreas.fleps/Philosophers mentioned: NietzscheJacques LacanCamusE.M. CioranKierkegaardPoets/Writers:Oscar Wilde...2021-11-3057 min
Confessing AnimalsThe Gossipers In My Mind: Patrick GrantPatrick Grant grew up in Overland Park, KS where he is now a high school Spanish teacher. After graduating from the University of Kansas, Patrick worked with a Christian collegiate ministry in San Antonio, Texas and then the Dominican Republic. In his free time he enjoys playing sports, hanging with friends and family, and being overly-particular about beer and coffee. https://www.facebook.com/patrick.grant.98Seasoned and fresh-faced artists (of every genre) discuss how to make creativity work within the complexities and challenges of adult life. Confessing Animals podcast co-hosts J...2021-11-2353 min
Confessing AnimalsWhat Remains Unsaid: Andrew McilvainePLUG Gallery Solid Poetry: Andrew McilvaineAndrew Mcilvaine is an interdisciplinary artist originally from Southern Texas and later relocated to Missouri. Mcilvaine makes work that explores notions such as the displacement and replacement of culture through settler colonialism, identity, trauma, memory, and longing. Currently Mcilvaine's practice is based in Kansas City, Missouri and he holds a visiting assistant professor position in the Foundation department at KCAI. https://www.andrewmcilvaine.com/Instagram @andrewmcilvaine Seasoned and fresh-faced artists (of every genre) discuss how to make creativity wor...2021-11-1636 min
Confessing AnimalsCapsule Review Queen: film, origami & creativity with Leanne KubiczLeanne Kubicz is an origami artist and tv & film critic based in Kansas City, MO. A person of many talents, she was an official statistician for the New York Red Bulls Major League Soccer team from 2001-2013, was founder of her own company -- 1898 House Nail Lacquer, and was also a reference librarian. Leanne is currently working on multiple origami projects and has a new Substack for capsule film reviews. https://leannek.substack.com/https://thepinksmoke.com/IG @leannekpaperTWITTER @lianemarieKSHOW NOTESFilm Re...2021-11-0958 min
Confessing AnimalsSacred Rage: Rachel PuckettRachel Puckett is a lifestyle and wedding photographer residing in Columbus, Ohio, who has dreams bigger than her body can handle at the moment. When her 7th grade Biology teacher enthusiastically insisted the students were all scientists, her eyes lit up and she received the title in earnest and has looked at the world with curiosity and a hunger to understand ever since. Her love of writing and photography take root from the lineage of irreverent storytellers she comes from and she finds inspiration from artists who speak to the whole experience of humanity, rather than the blind sugar-coating...2021-11-0248 min
Confessing AnimalsTossed & Found: Erin J. McGraneErin McGrane is a writer; musician; actress; public speaker; and professional development mentor. Notably, Erin appears in the Oscar-nominated film, UP IN THE AIR alongside George Clooney. She has toured the US extensively with her musical group, Victor & Penny, and co-founded an annual performance, creativity, and songwriting event. Erin was honored in KC Magazine’s “The 100: People who make Life Better in KC" and is proud to say she misspent her youth singing in a rock band.Websiteshttps://www.erinjmcgrane.com/Social Mediahttps://www.facebook.com/erin.mcgrane.18www.instagram.com...2021-10-2658 min
Confessing AnimalsOrdinary Magic: Heather C MollHeather C. Moll (she/her) lives on the edge of the windswept Canadian plains. She spends her days searching for her muse, (who visits, most often and inconveniently, when she is cleaning toilets or walking her big, fluffy dog) and parceling words into poems. Her poems center around themes of grief, trauma, the childhood she spent on a dairy farm and paying attention to ordinary magic. She’s a college drop-out with a thirst for information, a nature-lover, wife, mom to two teenagers and continual work-in-progress. Instagram @heathercmollwriterSeasoned and fresh-faced artists (of...2021-10-1256 min
Confessing AnimalsGospel of Courage: LA RoquemoreLA Roquemore is a writer, a conversationalist, a professional photographer, a mother, a wife, an asker of ALL the questions, a collector of moments, and an encourager of souls. She hosts writing workshops in Lakeland, Florida where she lives with her husband, her three kids, and their cat, and is launching a podcast called the Gospel of Courage very soon. Websiteshttp://laroquemore.comhttps://www.gospelofcourage.com/Social Mediahttps://www.facebook.com/loveisanactionhttps://www.instagram.com/loveisanaction/Seasoned and fresh-faced artists (of e...2021-10-051h 17
Confessing AnimalsTruth Is An Illegal Substance: Calvin ArseniaOrder Calvin’s book Every Good Boy Does Fine now!Calvin Arsenia has built a reputation for turning the arts world on its head. Voted Kansas City’s Best Musician 2018, 2019, and 2020 (PitchKC), and featured on Billboard.com, NPR.org, NEWNOWNEXT, Pride.com, and GRAMMY.com, Arsenia’s angelic stylings on voice and harp create rare harmonies and arrangements that look past the boundaries of his traditional gospel and classical upbringing. Known for his elaborate and ceremonious sensory concert experiences that merge jazz and electronic influences, “Calvin consistently deliver(s) genre-bending (and gender-bending) shows that tackle sexuality, religion, and race...2021-09-2851 min
Confessing AnimalsTo Be Considered: Courtney Faye TaylorCourtney Faye Taylor is the winner of the 92Y Discovery / Boston Review Poetry Prize and an Academy of American Poets Prize. Her work has featured in Poetry Magazine, The Nation, Ploughshares, The New Republic, Kenyon Review, Best New Poets 2020 and elsewhere. Courtney is a graduate of the University of Michigan Helen Zell Writers’ Program and is the Poetry Editor of SLICE Magazine. She is a Mae Fellow and a Charlotte Street Foundation resident where she is working on her debut collection of poetry.CourtneyFayeTaylor.comIG & Twitter @thecourtcase...2021-09-211h 10
Confessing AnimalsThe Redemption Journey: Poet Jen HarrisPoet Jen Harris (she/they) is a creative entrepreneur based in Kansas City, Missouri. A sought-after performance artist, Harris is the co-host of Confessing Animals Podcast, interviewing seasoned and fresh-faced artists (of every genre) to discuss how to make creativity work within the complexities and challenges of adult life. She is the founder and host of The Writing Workshop KC, whose mission is to nurture creative curiosity and inspire confidence within prompt-based writing workshops.Find her online at www.poetjenharris.com and @poetjenharris on Instagram.Show Notes:A Mother’s Hunger by Am...2021-09-1459 min
Confessing AnimalsRevenge Is Revolution: Vanessa AriccoVanessa Aricco is a multimedia poet and co-host of Confessing Animals, an interview-style podcast discussing creativity with writers and artists. Her work includes two poetry albums, The Midnight Rush, and Human Animal. She is a Charlotte Street Foundation Studio Resident in Kansas City, MO. Her work can be found at vanessaaricco.com and @pettinellawinters on Instagram.Join our Patreon to get VIP access to the full interview which includes 3 more poems and another hour of conversation! https://www.patreon.com/confessinganimalspodcastShow Notes: Friedrich Nietzsche, Thus Spoke Zarathustra, The Gay Science "eternal...2021-09-071h 10
Confessing AnimalsInsufficiently Commercial: Anthony Bourdain, Capitalism & CreativitySurprise! Enjoy this bonus episode as we prepare for Season 3. Dropping September 7, 2021Discussion includes: Spoiler Alert and CWRoadrunner: A Film About Anthony BourdainSuicide, depression & creativityCOVID-lockdown ParentingInternet culture Capitalism AND Lots of F-BOMBS!Seasoned and fresh-faced artists (of every genre) discuss how to make creativity work within the complexities and challenges of adult life. Confessing Animals podcast co-hosts Jen Harris + Vanessa Aricco, both working writers, unveil the secrets and struggles of creative living in a rap...2021-08-031h 04
Confessing AnimalsListening in a Different Way: Nicole BoggsNicole Boggs is a Nashville-based singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and front-woman for Rock/Americana band, Nicole Boggs & The Reel. Sometimes she writes things that aren't songs. She is newly sober and finding her way back to herself through exercise, stories & the power of feminism.https://nicoleboggsandthereel.comFB: https://www.facebook.com/thereelnicoleboggsIG: @thereelnicoleboggs/IG: @nicoleboggshere/Reading“You Begin This Way”Join us on Patreon to view the extended video interview with extra reading from Nicole.Seasoned and fresh-faced artists (of every genre) discuss how to m...2021-06-221h 16
Confessing AnimalsAn Aversion to Labels: Eric VajenticJoin us on Patreon to view the extended video interview.Of creativity Eric says, “Where do I go from here? Well, as I continue to get older, I feel like the pursuit of meaning and truth becomes more urgent. I’m increasingly coming to peace with the idea that I will never get to the inner-core, but that the journey can be beautiful all the same. I continue to pursue truth and meaning through spiritual practices, community, art, literature, logic, philosophy, reflection and love. I’m always looking for opportunities to establish those deeper connections that I...2021-06-1544 min
Confessing AnimalsThe Invitation In the Liminality: John RauxView John’s Painting that coincides with his Reading the path between fields fields the path between Join us on Patreon to view the extended video interview.John Raux is a run on sentence with no drivers license cultivating a mess of plans, personal multi-media art practices, philosophical mumbo-jumbo, public installations, quality time deep dives outside, collaborative experiences, contemplative processes, and publications to inspire and provoke individuals and isolated communities from stasis and apathy into active cultural exchange and restored poetic imagination all the while traveling the globe on foot and by bicy...2021-06-0844 min
Confessing AnimalsHow to Hit Curveballs: Anna FrancescaFormer librarian and theater kid, current mother and writer Anna Francesca won poetry contests at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas and Johnson County Public Library. When she lived in Las Vegas, NV, she featured multiple times at The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf and co-hosted weekly open mic nights at Rejavanate. In the metropolitan Kansas City area, Anna Francesca judged a preliminary round of Louder than a Bomb (LTAB), performed for three years at the KC Storytelling Celebration, and worked as a librarian for the Mid-Continent Public Library and the Kansas City Public Library. She i...2021-06-0133 min
Confessing AnimalsThe Alchemy of Writing: Amanda RothAmanda Roth (she/her) is a poet, photographer, and former social worker. Her writing centers around motherhood, mental health, and the wild outdoors. After more than twenty years in the Pacific Northwest, she now lives outside Austin, TX with her husband and two sons. IG @amandarothpoetry Seasoned and fresh-faced artists (of every genre) discuss how to make creativity work within the complexities and challenges of adult life. Confessing Animals podcast co-hosts Jen Harris + Vanessa Aricco, both working writers, unveil the secrets and struggles of creative living in a rapid fire Capitalist so...2021-05-2545 min
Confessing AnimalsPossibilities In the Undefined: Jenn StarkJenn Stark is feeling feelings, keeping her eyes open, growing things, making things, always learning, and doing her best. Born in England to a British mom and Turkish dad, she’s lived in or near Toronto, Canada for most of her life. Mother to a four year old daughter and married for 14 years, Jenn’s been a professional photographer for the past 10 years. She’s traveled quite a bit (pre-baby and pre-covid), and after living on a farm a couple years ago, she’s a new but very enthusiastic backyard food grower!http://jennanddavestark.com IG @jenn...2021-05-1844 min
Confessing AnimalsNursing Your Creativity: Haley DaCunhaNursing Your Creativity: Haley DaCunha a.k.a. Haley MikeHaley is a registered nurse who is dedicated to finding human connection despite the harsh realities of the critical care setting. As a songwriter and guitarist, Haley strives to integrate the realities of the human condition in its most vulnerable form with the artistry that music offers.YouTube: Haley Mikehttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMxWRput-Pd0ouao8Fv7_0wIG @itshaleymikeMentions:Synecdoche, New York movie Seasoned a...2021-05-1140 min
Confessing AnimalsSeasons of Sobriety: Amber BaudlerContent warning: We discuss alcoholism, AA & the journey to sobriety Amber Baudler is a Gemini. Boss. Student. Educator. Networker. Poet. Mentee. Mentor. Visual Designer. Video editor. Camera operator. Director and Storyteller. She co-owns Stellar Image Studios with her sister, the only 100% women-owned video production company in KC. Founder of SHOW (SIS HANDS ON WORKSHOP) where the mission is to reduce the gender gap in video production, and co-founder of On Stage with SIS, an annual event showcasing emerging talent in the local music scene in KC. The next OSWS will be on June 17th at t...2021-05-0443 min
Confessing AnimalsThe Daily Non-Negotiables: Sandy LynnWe are back with Season 2!“Modern oracles have modern ways,” says visual storyteller, multidisciplinary artist, writer, illustrator, and designer Sandy Lynn. In this episode we discuss the daily non-negotiables, oracles, sirens & lost girls, knowledge in nature, and mythology as a portal to build bridges with other people. https://sandylynnstudio.comhttps://www.facebook.com/SandyLynnStudioInstagram: @sandylynnstudio @writedrawdailyMENTIONS:Emily Carroll, Through the WoodsEdith Hamilton, MythologyWilla Cather Reading “Wild Soul”Prompt: Describe your happiness and yours alone...2021-04-2744 min
Confessing AnimalsThat's A WrapThat's a wrap on Season 1! Thanks to everyone involved for making this happen and thank you to all the listeners. We are taking few weeks off and will be back with Season 2 April 27.In the meantime, catch up on all the episodes and let us know what you think.Subscribe wherever you listen to your podcast, leave us a review and if you want all the extras, including full interviews and more readings from each guest, support us on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/poetjenharrisIntro & music provided by Ashley Raines2021-04-0604 min
Confessing AnimalsCulture, Angst & Love: Elizabeth “Zed” HowardElizabeth G. Howard aka Zed is a poet, journalist, and SEO specialist in Kansas City. She started blogging in 2004 while living in London, writing on the three topics that matter to her most: Culture, Angst, and Love. She is the creator of Demand Poetry, an on-demand poetry experience between her and her Olivetti Lettera typewriter. “You have more in you than you think.” - Zed IG & Twitter @demandpoet http://elizabethhoward.netCultureAngstLove.comDemandPoetry.comMentionsUMKC professor and poet Michelle Boisseau Melody Beattie, Codependent No More Seas...2021-03-3031 min
Confessing AnimalsThe Third Act: Mark SchlakeMark Schlake spent most of his career creating and designing software for country clubs. He is now in his third act, spending his days painting and writing with us at the WWKC. Mark and his wife Janet have a very special red bag, and if you join us on Patreon you will get to see said bag and its contents. Plus an extra reading by Mark and our full conversation. https://www.artfilling.com/ Seasoned and fresh-faced artists (of every genre) discuss how to make creativity work within the complexities and challenges of...2021-03-2328 min
Confessing AnimalsThe Drug of Identity: David Wayne ReedIn this episode we talk about identity, balance, and the access points to storytelling with David Wayne Reed. David (he/him/his) is an actor, writer, director, and producer from Kansas City, Missouri. His debut film, Eternal Harvest premiered in 2018 and has played multiple film festivals. Reed hosts and produces the popular ‘show and tell’ storytelling series, Shelf Life, and he is currently working on his second film, land and flower. www.davidwaynereed.comInstagram @davidwaynereed www.facebook.com/davidwaynereed Mentions:Shelf Life http://shelflife.club/Richard Rohr Falling UpwardThe Ti...2021-03-1641 min
Confessing AnimalsLoss, Longing & Reproductive Rights: Beth Maggard*Content Warning* We discuss abortion & miscarriageIn this episode Beth Maggard talks with us about her pregnancy journey & identity. Beth is curious. She has worked her entire adult life in nonprofit organizations, from public information to the arts, she loves to write, think about communicating, and most of all, to read.“An informed public is an endangered species.” – Beth Maggard Instagram @bmaggardhelenMENTIONS:Mid-America Arts Alliance Octavia Butler On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous: A Novel by Ocean VuongThe Night Watchman & The Round House b...2021-03-0929 min
Confessing AnimalsSpark The Love of Reading: Mr. Michael SmithMr. Smith is a writer, performer, musician, and educator currently based in Kansas City, MO. We discuss the intersection of theater and social wellness, the new hero’s journey, searching for symbolism in fairy tales, second acts, and the love of reading.Mr. Michael Presents on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX_FBTBsmDsPbaUrfkEekDA MBird music https://www.youtube.com/user/MBIRDmusicMentionsPlanned Parenthood & Dr. Ruth!The Coterie Project Daylight https://thecoterie.org/project-daylightThe Dramatic STD/HIV Project https://thecoterie.org/dramatic-health-education-project#.YDwS7-BMHOQ...2021-03-0234 min