Tessa Robago is a passionate poet and performer based in San Antonio, known for her electrifying open mic performances. With a unique blend of raw emotion and vivid imagery, Tessa captivates audiences, drawing them into her world through powerful storytelling. Whether she’s reciting in a cozy lounge or a crowded theater, her intensity and authenticity leave a lasting impression on everyone fortunate enough to witness her artistry. Music by Jamie Seward

Rod Carlos Rodriguez has an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from the University of Texas at El Paso and is an Assistant Professor at the University of Texas at San Antonio Writing Program. He is an award-winning poet who has been writing for over 40 years. He has 5 books of poetry published: Exploits of a Sun Poet (Pecan Grove Press, 2003), Lucid Affairs (Sun Arts Press, 2012), Native Instincts (Human Error Publishing, 2016), Cantos, Incandescent (Finishing Line Press, March 2024), and A History o...

A fire sprinkler designer for over 20 years, Jose H. Mojica used his free time to write poetry. In 2016, he was inspired by local poets to finally share his words and voice. He now performs around town and is a confident regular at the Jazz Poets of San Antonio. Jose has curated art events through various collectives, including Art of Consciousness, a project he started with fellow artist, Jagwire. Jose embraces all that he absorbs, channeling his creativity into poetry in various forms...

Robert J. Cavazos is a poet and Lecturer of English at Texas A&M University-San Antonio. He graduated from the University of the Incarnate Word and North Carolina State University's MFA program. He has served as a Teach For America corps member and Gemini Ink writer-in-residence. A winner of the 2022 San Antonio Ekphrastic Poetry Contest, he has poems published in Quirk and Boundless. Music by Jamie Seward

Chelsea Prieto is an English major at Texas A&M University–San Antonio and an active member of the Jaguar Ink Society, the university's creative writing club. A passionate storyteller and aspiring young adult novelist, Chelsea also explores the realms of short fiction and poetry, often drawing inspiration from personal experiences and the challenges she has overcome. Her writing is raw, honest, and deeply resonant. In November 2024, Chelsea was a proud winner of National Novel Writing Mon...

Walker (Walpoet) Valdez is a Bolivian American spoken word poet, and educator from Falls Church, VA. His storytelling contains themes of identity, and is blended with humor and wordplay to speak on the Latin American experience. Mr. Valdez is an alumni from the award-winning arts collective Spoken Resistance and is a graduate of the NALAC Leadership Institute in San Antonio Texas. He holds a B.A in English ( Performance Media Concentration) and a Masters in Special Education. He has performed...

AgitProp's poetry is a powerful exploration of identity, resistance, and liberation. Rooted in his Chicano heritage, his verses blend raw emotion with unapologetic truth, confronting systemic oppression and celebrating revolutionary love. Through vivid imagery and rhythmic intensity, AgitProp captures the struggles and resilience of marginalized communities, weaving personal and collective narratives into a tapestry of defiance and hope. His work challenges societal norms while honoring cultu...

Chieftain is a poet from San Diego who advocates for social justice through his artistic expression. His poetry reflects his personal experiences and the environment around him, which can often be challenging and unfair. Despite these difficulties, he remains a beacon of hope in his community, inspiring many people, including me. After you listen to his work, follow @sandiegostreetops on Instagram to see what he's all about. Music by Jamie Seward

RatQing Rios is a Tejanx storyteller and educator based in San Antonio. Queer, neurodivergent, and Latinx, RatQing creates from a place informed and inspired by the binaries they have navigated, challenged, and straddled their whole life. A polyamorous creator, RatQing loves many mediums, including poetry, comics, zines, and nonfiction. Music by Jamie Seward

Candelaria Nieves Perez has been writing poetry since the age of 9, using it to discover and reaffirm her identity. She is currently a student at Texas A&M University-San Antonio, pursuing her Bachelor’s degree in English Language Arts with a concentration in Literature. Candelaria’s poetry has been published in four local anthologies and in Texas A&M’s inaugural literary magazine, The Mosaic. Her passion for poetry and advocacy for the arts, especially in the often-overlooked Souths...

Gaby Moreno is a San Diego native who graduated from SDSU. She is an independent creative and a jack of all trades. She loves to express herself in various art forms and doesn't like to be boxed in. She writes poetry, makes music, and creates art. She also hosts a podcast called Nightmare on Sedgwick Avenue, where she blends her love for Hip-Hop and Horror. She has released two EPs (God Of My Destiny and From Xibalba to Aztlan) and a few singles under her artist name, 7 Octoberz. On M...

Johnie J. Guerra was born in Lawton, Oklahoma, and his family roots are in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico, and Brownsville, Texas. After serving in the military at Fort Sam Houston, he fell in love with San Antonio and made it his home. He earned a bachelor's degree in Mexican American Studies from the University of Texas at San Antonio. His poetry celebrates Chicano identity and history, using English, Spanish, Spanglish, and Nahuatl while incorporating ancient Mesoamerican beliefs. Johnie ...

This episode will feature Jamie, the Clever Poet. Originally from Brownwood, Texas, Jamie has lived in San Antonio since 2020. A mostly reserved person with a history of many trades, Jamie is a multi-instrumentalist, poet, photographer, kitchen magician, student of human behavior, and lover of nature's beauty. Listen and see the world through Jamie’s words. Music by Jamie

Songbird, born Mark Anthony Leal, is a spoken word poet and writer from San Antonio, TX. His poems delve into cultural identity, mental health issues, and spiritual experiences. He reads regularly with Zona San Anto, a poetry collective based on the west side of San Antonio. He holds a BS in Music from Northeastern University in Boston and an MS in Design from Parsons the New School for Design in NYC. Music by Johnie Guerra

This episode will feature Alicia Enriquez, aka Alycatt. She is a first-generation Chicana poet and single mother living in the heart of the southside San Antonio. She wrote her first poem at the age of eleven. Today, she is honing her literary skills by attending writing workshops and classes and sharing her work at poetry open mics. Let’s take a listen and see the world through Alycatt’s words. Music by Johnie Guerra

This episode is hosted and features Alejandra, La Mera Mera, @mera_sa_mara on Instagram. Please tune in and listen to this translingual poet who taps into our pleasure senses with her work. Her writing powerfully confronts the challenges that the queer community and women face during these critically charged political times. Music by- Johnie Guerra

This episode features Melissa Guerra, @allaboutmoe, on Instagram and is a must-listen. She employs poetry as a tool for healing. Her work kept quiet, and to herself, made its way to the stage during Zona San Anto's poetry event, Lakeside Poetry, and this podcast. So, listen to this episode and catch her at the Lighthouse Lounge once a month during our open mic. Music by Johnie Guerra

In this episode, I read from three poetry books whose authors are extraordinary. Karen Arredondo-Rose Gold Poetry Brenda Vaca-Riot of Roses Shaggy-Burning Bridges of the Delicate I've chosen a beautifully written poem from each of their books that will captivate and inspire. I wish you all peace in the name of poetry. I love you all. You're beautiful. Music by Johnie Guerra

On today's episode, we are featuring Ky, a truly sentimental poet. She has a unique way of putting into words what we have all felt in complicated relationships, making her poetry deeply relatable. Ky, @that_person_ky, and @kyspoetry_book on Instagram, is a poet in her 20s figuring out life and experiences through words and phrases. Soon, her published book will be available for purchase. Until then, let's listen and see the world through Ky's words. Music by Johnie Guerra @johnie_war_

The Zona San Anto Podcast is proud to feature Shaggy, one of our poets here in San Antonio. Her poetry is raw and unfiltered, free from the constraints of public opinion. What you hear today is what you get. She reflects Black and Queer America in her poetry. So, tune in, listen, and see the world through Shaggy's words. If you want to be featured in an episode, please send us a DM on Instagram @zona_san_anto or an email to zonasananto@gmail.com Original Music by Johnie Guerra.