Behind the Scenes topics: SPORTS HISTORY including the LAKERS/CELTICS RIVALRY, and the relationship between the LA DODGERS and the CHAVEZ RAVINE. CURRENT EVENTS such as ICE, and the SPANISH US NATIONAL ANTHEM
Billy Idol and the punk rock crowd knows hip hop better than most.
As tangential and informed as ever, (Ron being the latter and Mel being the former,) we are back!
Yes, it has been almost TWO YEARS since we were last together in the studio and yes, a LOT has happened, but more than that, we are grateful that you are persevering with us through this wild world.
Although we share about some of the artistic hardships we’ve encountered over the last couple of years, there is also plenty of good news.
Ron shares about booking his first National Commercial with ESPN and Google (no big deal.) He talks about the work he’s put in over the years and how it pays off on set when the director is confident enough in your skills to let you improvise for ten minutes (most of his improv ended up in final takes!)
He also shares about his upcoming albums and projects in the musical arena, before rapping three pieces for us as Philasifer.
“Aquarian” at minute 34:18
“Fog of War” at minute 39:21
Finally, he closes the episode out with “Wander” at minute 52:21
Mel shares about writing and producing her first immersive show last spring and working on a novel about mental illness and personality disorders (something she knows NOTHING about we’re sure.) She shares a short essay “Nothing Just is” at minute 45:00.
We also discuss world matters, matters of sport, matters of punk rock, a dash of local history, and of course, matters of art and passion. As always, we appreciate you being on this journey with us and we look forward to having some new and old artists in the studio with us again very soon.
Stay tuned for bonus footage and behind the scenes bits released soon!
Credit for all beats in this episode go to Evolve One @evolve_one_
Beats include: opening and closing Wander
Background beats include: Noji-Exhale Home Grown-out of office
Hazue-Bloom Swiftly-happy place Thymes-Free as a Bird Noji, On my Way Midnight Hour-Wanderlust
Shoutout to Bridget Hanson Tirrell (guest from season one-many lifetimes ago) and her first published book of original poetry, “Posies, Pins, and Other Pragmatics.” Check it out on amazon here at
You can find Bridget’s literary profile here at @bridgets_literary_garden
Don’t forget, my friends, now more than ever we must use our words well.
Spoken word poet Caleb Miller White flew onto our radar at Theatre of Note's 2022 poetry slam, where he was a semi-finalist. Beyond impressed with his pieces and performance, we invited him as a featured poet in Towne Street's Theatre Sum Poetry at Stella Adler last July. Caleb is a writer, actor, and producer based in Los Angeles, CA and originally from Texas. His love of spoken word began in 2016 during a 5-year stint in New York City studying sketch writing and comedy improv. Since then, Caleb has cultivated a distinct poetic style, one he describes as "incorporating punchy rap, clever comedy, and intimate vulnerability to amplify his unique perspective and voice."
@calebmillerwhite
Pieces Caleb performs :
Argumentative (18:56)
P.K. (28:11)
Daddy/Puppy (38:33) Poet's Return Exclusive! First time performing this piece live :)
Music featured today: Pontorose in July by Gramatik
hosts @philasocial Ron Johnson and @capnbooey Melissa Booey
Sum Poetry footage can be found @townestreettheatre
Ron and Melissa are published writers themselves. You can find Ron's book The Milkcrate Monologues available online and Melissa's book of poetry BIRDBRAIN will be out this summer
Robert LaMarr Randle is a S.A.G. Actor, Musician, and Licensed Master Barber Hairstylist- an Artist on many levels! Today, we dive into his love of expressing himself through Spoken Word Poetry. A devoted husband and father, as well as a strong believer in God, Robert is an advocate for sharing lessons learned from real life experiences in order to help others. Poems performed today: BLOOD-LINE- about slavery and its existence today (minutes 23:54-29:10) HISTORY- follows the very human journey of not only one man of color, but many (minutes 42:57-46:34)
Robert is publishing an autobiography titled "Break me to Make me."
His son LJ joined us for this episode and is also a working actor on Abbott Elementary!
Stand out moments from the studio:
"My story's already been written...I'm just catching up with it."
"Sometimes you gotta break something down to build something up...."
Robert LaMarr's instagram: @lamarr_randlecuts
Bridget is a 23 year old Utah resident who has been interested in poetry since a young age. Her interest has grown into a continuous passion, peaking thus far during Bridget's senior year of high school and again about three years after her graduation. Just before I hit record during our zoom interview, the poet disclosed a story about being accused of plagiarism as a thirteen-year-old, simply because her teacher didn't believe the poem she submitted could have possibly been written by her. Little did this instructor know or realize that adolescent writer Bridget had already established herself online, posting her poems to wattpad.com under the name "the karma bug." Proving that her work was her own, Bridget felt slightly insulted and flattered simultaneously, ultimately feeling empowered to pursue her passion as a writer and poet more fervently than ever. Ten years later, she is still writing, and her strong use of meter and rhymes mixed with prose, as well as her use of metaphor and imagery all combine to create a truly gifted young writer, who when asked about her thoughts on this artistic medium said: "Poetry is one of the most beautiful, soulful ways to express emotion as well as work THROUGH emotion, and I believe everyone should give it a shot!" We agree, my friend.
Poems in this episode by Bridget:
A Four-Letter Labor
I Can't Eat This
Pick a Color
Detached
Welcome Back
Huge thank you to @philasocial, co host Ron Johnson, as well as Adam Lucas for the rad tunes. Thank you to @bridget_e_hanson.
Musical credit: lukapotomus "Patagonia"
Opening poem: My Purple Notebook
Hiphop culture requires participation. RJ Wayne, (Ron Johnson) aka MC Philasifer, knows that more than anyone. Here is the first part of our SEASON FINALE! You'll get to hear about Ron's history from him, as well as how the Milkcrate Monologues came to be a play. Tune in for PART TWO with the rest of the 7 monologues recited by RJ Wayne himself, as well as a brief history of Towne Street Theatre, and a projection of where this amazing content is going next.
Tracks recited by PHILASIFER tonight:
1) Don't give me that weak shit
2) Love or something like it
3) Marching to nowhere
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HIPHOP is a culture of participation, accountability, and passion. Hiphop and rap are not the Webster's Dictionary, they're WIKIPEDIA.
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That means you're required to ADD something to the message, and contribute your voice, without pretending that this is a spectator sport.
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Speak the truth even if your voice shakes.
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@poetsreturn©
@philasifer
@capnbooey
@townestreettheatre
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Ron Johnson is a rapper, beatboxer, producer, actor, playwright and teaching artist. Originally from Gilroy, CA, Ron AKA Phlasifer, is known for his thought provoking lyrics and instrumentals. Heavily rooted in the time-honored traditions of Hiphop as a culture, Phlasifer also joined the fraternity as part of the Conscious Rapper wave of the Mid 90's. His credits include albums distributed by SONY BMG and Universal Music Group, and is currently a part of the Music Divisions of Utah-based label, Ellie Beetle Entertainment, as well as CATO CREATIVE in Glendale. His first book , “The MilkCrate Monologues” (out soon) was recently turned into a stage play in association with Towne Street Theatre in Los Angeles. Above all things in his work , Ron hopes to promote awareness, keep authentic Hiphop Culture alive, and continue to be a more complete human being.
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Original Piece from "The Milkcrate Monologues" titled "Infinite" performed and written by Philasifer
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Original music "A Proper Introduction" by Philasifer from his title album
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Copyright Poets Return Podcast © all music and poetry belongs to the artists featured in the episode. No duplication of any kind is allowed without written permission from Melissa Booey or Ron Johnson
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Ron Johnson AKA Philasifer @philasocial
Hosted by Melissa Booey @capnbooey
Poet's Return @poetsreturn
Mental health is still a widely stigmatized topic everywhere, and knowing you are not alone and that help is available to you is more important than ever. This week’s episode “Taking Your Power Back” features poet and creative, Megan Turoci, a writer, actress, and advocate for the mental health community. Megan delves into her personal experiences and the stories that have formed her, while speaking on her own journey to share that story in the hope of helping others in similar times of loneliness, struggle, and despair. Her online platform “We’re All a Little Mad” gives others a safe space to find connections, feel supported, while also giving Megan a place to share her words and stories with the world. Today Megan shares three poems, titled:
1) What is Love
2) The Precipice of Love
3) Never Alone
The third one she and I discuss and were interested in eventually visualizing as it has absolutely dynamic imagery just begging to be seen. Megan’s website wereallalittlemad.com has an amazing mission statement with positivity and merchandise that’s not only filled with encouragement and empowerment, but is also trendy and fun to wear!
Megan’s writing can be found on her website as well as her instagram @wereallalittlemad
@poetsreturn Poetry Podcast bringing you the best storytellers you haven’t heard from
Original music by tbc.records “This Feeling” with DeShawn Cavanaugh, Ravel Ward and Christopher Schuchert @tbc.records