Poetry, Vulnerability and Finding Your Voice with Jericho Brown

TL;DR

Jericho Brown discusses how poetry can be a transformative force in our lives, sharing personal experiences and insights.

Transcript

hey everybody what's up it's chase welcome to another episode of the chase travis live show here on creative live you know the show where i sit down with amazing humans and i unpack their brains with the goal of helping you live your dreams and career and hobby and in life our guest today is the one and only pulitzer prize winning poet jericho brow... Read More

Key Insights

• ✊ Poetry has the power to transform our emotions, inspire change, and address social issues.
• 🖐️ Surrounding oneself with a supportive community can play a crucial role in pursuing creative endeavors.
• ✍️ Writing is a process of discovery, where themes and topics emerge naturally as the writer explores language and sound.
• 🥺 Taking small daily steps towards one's goals can lead to significant progress over time.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did Jericho Brown discover his love for poetry?

Brown attributes his passion for poetry to his experiences in the black church, where he witnessed the power of language and saw poetry performed by young people. This early exposure ignited his love for words and their ability to convey emotions.

Q: How did Brown overcome doubts and discouragement on his path to becoming a poet?

Brown emphasizes the importance of surrounding oneself with encouraging people who believe in your dreams. He urges individuals to avoid sharing their aspirations with those who will discourage them and to instead seek out a supportive community that fosters their creativity.

Q: How does Brown approach the topics he writes about, such as racism and social injustice?

Brown explains that his writing process starts from a place of pure language and sound. As he writes, the themes and topics emerge naturally, reflecting the social and cultural issues that he is passionate about. His goal is not to force the topics into his poems but to allow them to arise organically.

Q: What advice does Brown have for individuals who have audacious dreams or goals?

Brown advises individuals to envision what their ideal life would look like and to take small steps every day towards that vision. He emphasizes the importance of consistency and discipline, even if it means starting with just five minutes of dedicated work on their dreams.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Jericho Brown shares how his love for words and the power of language was ignited at a young age in the black church, where he saw firsthand the impact of poetry and the spoken word.

• He emphasizes the importance of pursuing one's calling in life, even if it is a challenging or unconventional path, as shown by his own journey to become a poet.

• Brown reveals how his childhood experiences and the encouragement of his parents and teachers shaped his identity and passion for poetry, highlighting the role of community in supporting and inspiring creative pursuits.