POET SABRINA BENAIM on #NotTooDeep // Grace Helbig

TL;DR

Slam poet and writer Sabrina Bename opens up about her new poetry book, "I Love You Call Me Back," her experiences with mental health, and her journey in the world of slam poetry.

Transcript

hello and welcome to another episode of not too deep i'm your host grace helbig very excited for you to experience this conversation that i have with sabrina bename here on not too deep she is a writer performer slam poet maybe you know her from the viral video of her poem explaining my depression to my mother back in 2014 if you haven't seen it i ... Read More

Key Insights

• 😑 Poetry should be accessible and not intimidating, allowing everyone to express themselves authentically.
• 🥺 Slam poetry competitions rely on audience voting and scorekeeping, leading to representation at national competitions.
• 💦 Personal experiences, such as Sabrina's battle with depression and her mother's diagnosis, often inform and shape poetic works.
• 😃 Authenticity and finding joy in challenging times are recurring themes in Sabrina's poetry and writing.
• ❓ Online platforms such as Button Poetry and Awful Good Writers provide opportunities for poets to connect and participate in workshops.
• 🔉 Social media can be a helpful tool for poets to connect with others, as long as personal boundaries are maintained.
• 🥋 Poetry is evolving to become more accessible and inclusive, breaking through the gatekeeping stigma often associated with the art form.
• ❓ Personal boundaries and clear communication are essential when navigating unrequited feelings and maintaining a friendship.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did Sabrina Bename get into slam poetry?

Sabrina started writing poems secretly as a child but only took a spoken word workshop at the age of 23, which sparked her love for performance poetry.

Q: What was Sabrina's experience like on the Toronto poetry slam team?

To make it on the team, poets compete in slam competitions and accumulate points throughout the season. Sabrina made it on the team and represented Toronto at national slam competitions.

Q: How did Sabrina's viral poem "Explaining My Depression to My Mother" impact her life?

The poem went viral months after it was performed, and while it was overwhelming, it opened up conversations about mental health. However, it also led to personal challenges as friends and family questioned why she didn't share her struggles earlier.

Q: How does Sabrina Bename describe her new book, "I Love You Call Me Back"?

The book is a poetry collection that takes place over the course of a month, exploring mental health struggles, grief, and finding joy in difficult times.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Sabrina Bename, writer, performer, and slam poet, discusses her new poetry book "I Love You Call Me Back," which delves into mental health struggles and the uncertainties of life.

• She shares her journey in the world of slam poetry, including how she got started and her experience on the Toronto poetry slam team.

• Sabrina talks about her approach to writing and the process of conceptualizing her book, which takes place over the course of one month.

• She also touches on her love for reality TV shows like "The Bachelorette" and "Survivor."