Poetic Resurrection

Ruben Rodriguez - Book Editor

Ruben Rodriguez, our guest for this month's episode of the Poetic Resurrection Podcast, is a highly accomplished editor and English teacher. He shares with us the intriguing story of how he first ventured into the world of editing and teaching. From a young age, Ruben had a deep appreciation for literature and storytelling, which led him to pursue a degree in English. Throughout his academic journey, he discovered his talent for editing and his ability to bring out the best in written works. His passion for working with writers and helping them refine their stories is evident in every project he takes on. Ruben's experiences have taught him the importance of not only understanding the technical aspects of editing but also fostering a nurturing and collaborative relationship with writers. In this episode, he shares valuable insights on the creative process, the challenges faced by writers, and the fulfillment he finds in helping them realize their literary visions.
Ruben J. Rodriguez received his degree of Bachelor of Arts with a major in English from UCLA, magna cum laude, was an editor of Westwind magazine, has read his works at UCLA’s Powell Library, co-edited the L.A.-based poetry anthology Coiled Serpent, and currently works as a freelance editor, including with Tia Chucha Press, and as an English teacher through IANT Education with a focus on creative writing. He recently started a YouTube channel focused on book reviews and discussion of literature, To Readers It May Concern.
Listen to his YouTube Channel Here

Poetry - Shade of Being

In this January 2024 episode, I'll discuss poetry. Poetry became my outlet, my means of processing and articulating the complexities of my dual identity. Through the rhythmic words and vivid imagery, I could capture the nuances of my emotions, the clash of cultures, and the struggles of navigating between two worlds. It allowed me to explore and embrace the beauty of both sides of my heritage, while also acknowledging the challenges and conflicts that arose from it. Poetry became a form of self-discovery and self-expression, a way for me to make sense of my place in the world. It provided solace and comfort in times of confusion and uncertainty, offering me a sense of validation and understanding that I couldn't find elsewhere. Poetry became my therapy, my self-help, and my sanctuary, guiding me through the complexities of my bi-cultural upbringing and shaping me into the person I am today.
In my teens, I had a poetry notebook I would carry with me everywhere, treasuring the words I had carefully written. However, one unfortunate day in the bustling streets of Chicago, my three-ring binder slipped from my grasp and scattered its contents in the wind. Helplessly watching as my precious poetry scattered into the air, I felt a deep sense of loss. Unlike today, where technology allows us to back up our work easily, back then, everything was typed, and I didn't have a copy of my poetry. Despite this setback, I refused to let it deter me from my passion. I continued to write, pouring my emotions and thoughts onto paper. Over the years, I have managed to compile my poetry into four books, each representing a different phase of my life. "Inspire Me Series: Book 1 & 2" was published in 2022, previously published were "Inspire Me: Perception" and "Follow Akashic Dreaming Through Time" in 2019. My first book, "Inspire Me: Raw," was released in 2017, marking the beginning of my journey as a published poet. Currently, I am eagerly working on the third installment of the Inspire Me Series, titled "Inspire Me: Awakening Dreams."
In, Inspire Me: Awakening Dreams I hope to take the readers on a journey of self-discovery and personal growth. It delves into the depths of one's subconscious mind, exploring the power of dreams and their ability to inspire and transform. Through imagery and thought-provoking verses, I hope this book encourages readers to explore their innermost desires, embrace their passions, and awaken their true potential. Drawing inspiration from the beauty of nature, the complexities of human emotions, and the mysteries of the universe, the poems in my new collection offer a unique blend of introspection and inspiration. With each turn of the page, I invited you to delve deeper into your dreams, discovering new perspectives and unlocking hidden truths. As the third installment in the Inspire Me Series, Inspire Me: Awakening Dreams promises to be a soul-stirring addition to any poetry collection.
As the new year begins, I am excited to share a glimpse of my upcoming book, "Inspire Me: Awakening Dreams." Within its pages, you will find a collection of heartfelt poems, including one titled "Shade of Being." This poem delves into the complexities of human existence, exploring the various shades from beginning to end that make up our being. "Shade of Being" is a reflection on my journey of self-discovery and the power of embracing our finite nature. For those who can't wait to dive into my upcoming book, a sneak peek of "Shade of Being" can also be found in the "Inspire Me Series: Book 1 & 2." Let this new year be a time of inspiration, growth, and awakening as we embark on a poetic journey together.
Shade of Being
I stand on the beach, absorbing the indigo sky. The whispering breeze surrounds and envelops me as I breathe. It cools the soul. The waves creep up and work with the sand to mold my feet on earth. The Sun's desert colors—rays of light peak through the singing ocean waves, sounds of release and content. There I feel light, floating slowly over the water. I'm not afraid as I'm swept towards the light of eternal energy. The sea creatures do a singing infinity dance by my side. The sparkling eyes of these mammals transform my essence. I'm not alone. How long I have waited to go into the depths of the ocean where emotions ease life's pains as they bathe the skin in harmony. No entanglements, no reins holding me. I turn to see my past and see the shadows of my family and friends holding onto the remaining essence of the sand encasing my life, my experience, the memorable existence of each footstep we walked together.
Inspire Me Series: Book 1 & 2 (Amazon)
https://poeticresurrection.com/
 
Music
A String of Hope by Mikael Hellman
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/7077-a-string-of-hope
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Life of 2023 Yearend Thank You

Happy New Year to all! As the year comes to an end, I want to wish everyone an amazing New Year filled with love, joy, prosperity, and most importantly, good health. We often take our health for granted, but it truly is the foundation for enjoying life's many blessings.
Amidst a global pandemic, I named this extended podcast season "Life," using it as a tool for introspection and helping others do the same. But now, as we enter a new season, I plan to shift gears and focus solely on fictional literature. We will continue to showcase authors and poets and their creative processes, while also inviting literary agents, publishers, and editors to share their insights and educate us on the industry.
This year we had amazing guests and I want to say thank you to them.
Bex Rose – Poet author of Health via Poetry.
Rocco Jarman - a Poet – author of Stepping Through, Philosopher and Podcaster.
Kevin Palmieri - Founder & Co-Host of Next Level University Podcast
Kelly Keefe - Creator of The Heartspace.co, and a Reiki Master Teacher.
Jim Marshall - Author of Septemics.
Rha Arayal - a nineteen-year-old British Nepali Poet – author of Encapsulated Emotions
Cindi Buckley – Author of Love Awakens You
Phyllis Leavitt – Psychotherapist and author of America in Therapy
Rachel Hanfling – Emmy Nominated Producer and Motivational Speaker
Barbara Ann Briggs – Poet and Author Pilgrimage on the Path of Love,
William Mackenzie-Smith – Medicinal Alchemist Healing
Tune in for the new season as it should not only be entertaining but educational.
Many blessings and Happy New Year.

Life with Bex Rose - Poet

It is our pleasure to have Bex Rose, Poet and Mental Health Professional, as a guest on the Poetic Resurrection Podcast. She shared her poem called A Subconscious Mind, which talks about depression from her book Mental Health via Poetry. We had a fascinating conversation about the poem and her personal story of growing up in Brooklyn, New York writing poetry with Tourette’s, then transitioning to become a mental health clinician. Tune into this touching and entertaining interview to learn more about Bex's inspiring journey.
A Subconscious Mind
What are these thoughts
The if, and, why,
What is this feeling I get
As if I'm ripping apart from inside
Why has my internal drive
Become so weak
Why am I too depressed to even open my eyes
To even sit up and think
Can't even make it to my own kitchen sink
Not even thirsty for a drink
It's lawless
The pressure to be human
Eat, think, sleep like a person, it's arduous
It is not involving the effects of any one single event
I wish my time could be better spent
Society's pages depend on a therapy book
So quick to not even take a real look
So quick to hand us the bottle than to ask us how to spell out the name
I'm not so easy to belittle with labels
Each diagnosis on paper
Can become quite easily a fable
Remedied with quick-think drugs bought from any store and self-help label
Not knowing there's also drugs on the corners underneath the table
Waiting
For us to crave more
Why do we have to think and be challenged to want to search for more
When we’re left un-adored
In majority, for the very same reason you referred us to get help in the first place
I am not a charity case
I will not just fall in line
I will make use of this time
As I tiptoe between the tattered line
Between each tear-stained work of mine
I speak
For others whose medication has rendered them mute and subconscious
How dare you try to band-aid depression as if it's a rouse
I think rather that it's abuse
To be this overlooked
Well I stand here let-loose
I will tell you with my rhymes
The enforced societal standard behind each bind
Left on the "mentally unequipped"
Considered Drones of the unkind
These vastly purged minds
It's exhausting
Left unchecked it could be an easy departing
Why should I let that be the case too
I am as much a human being as are you
If I had a presumed fully capable mind and funds I guess I would sue
But you'd stay there thoughtless
Wondering how this mess started to involve you
Feeling targeted you alone
Truth oftentimes is that
You don't even bother unless it happens to one of your own
 
Biography 
Bex Rose is a born and raised Brooklynite and native New Yorker who is both openly gay and active in the social work community. As a Licensed Mental Health Professional (LMHC), Bex is a Program Director for a NYC based non-for-profit. She has a background in family focused evidence-based practices as well as upper leadership administrative management. Additionally, her work extends beyond community-based services and extends into her private practice – Candor’s Call for leadership development, coaching and consultation.  
Despite a dysfunctional childhood and diagnosis of OCD and Tourette’s she has been able to cultivate success in her field and through many social media platforms. Her most recent book “Mental Health via Poetry” speaks to the duality of a role as a clinician and experience living with Tourette’s. Bex hopes to utilize social media platforms to continue promoting healthy conversations, collaborations and content around mental health, creativity and positive representation.
Get her book: Mental Health via Poetry
https://linktr.ee/Bexrose
https://www.candorscall.com/

Life with Rocco Jarman

Rocco Jarman, a guest poet on the Poetic Resurrection podcast, read his poem; They Might Have Told Us. The message was clear: awareness of our behaviors and beliefs influences all aspects of our lives. The tone was one of reflection and self-examination, so that we might overcome ourselves.
"Sacred does not need to have anything to do with shared or imposed ideas of religion or god, or whimsy. It is simply the answered wish to discover something deep, foundational and meaningful about this world and our sense of very private gratitude and belonging, we get from that encounter." ~ Rocco Jarman
Rocco is an Australian Philosopher Poet and Podcaster. He has an unorthodox and autodidactic mastery of human psychology which provides cutting and insightful observations on all levels of personal psychological, interpersonal and societal dysfunction and specifically the path to effective remediation and stable actualization.
Rocco’s own idiosyncrasies have proven to be his greatest assets, which are an undiagnosed neurodivergence, a mistrust of teachers, sycophants, systems and hierarchies, and an irreverence for the restrictive silos of academia. This has resulted in him being an autodidact across many fields such as psychology, philosophy, behavioral science, psychedelics, project delivery, corporate leadership, agile, history, social engineering and relationships.
Rocco has an extraordinary mind, with a way of looking at the world, our journey through it and the blind curve we are stuck on, which beautifully reconciles the scientific and the sacred, and provides insights which land like a drink of fresh water after weeks in the desert.
 
They Might Have Told Us
they might have told us
when we were young:
 
self-ownership is a kind of leadership
where you do not expect of yourself
to master the world around you
but rather,
it is an allowing of mistakes.
 
they might have said
not to get so hung up
on the successes or failures
of a moment,
 
they should have said
to allow yourself to try,
and not expect
to get it right first time,
allow yourself even
perhaps, to give up on things
that are no longer meant for you,
or were never truly yours to begin with.
 
they might have let us know
that the path to wholeness
involves asking no one but yourself
for permission,
and wearing all regrets
like a meadow wears the morning mist
and afterwards the dew.
 
they really should have told us.
but they did not know themselves.
because no one told them.
 
and now,
no one else is coming.
© Rocco Jarman, October 2021
 
Instagram.com/@rocco.jarman
Website is roccojarman.com 
Substack is https://eyeswideopenlife.org
 

Life with Kevin Palmieri

On this episode of the Poetic Resurrection Podcast, we have Kevin Palmieri as our guest. Kevin offers his wisdom about personal growth and maturation. We talked about the variations between having low and high self-regard and trust in oneself, and how those variables impact our goals and ambitions. Tune in to gain valuable knowledge about what it means to be alive.
Kevin Palmieri is CFO, Founder & Co-Host of Next Level University, a Global Top 100 Self-Improvement Podcast with more than 1,350 episodes and 800K+ listens in over 125 countries.
In Kevin’s own words:
Some people find rock bottom... I found out that rock bottom had a basement.
In my mid 20's... I had it all. I had a beautiful girlfriend, high paying job, sports car, my dream body... but I still ended up sitting on the edge of a bed debating suicide. After my rock bottom moment, I went all in on holistic self-improvement. I was determined to overcome my anxiety, depression and to finally live the life I'd always dreamed of.
Years later, I now host a podcast that impacts hundreds of thousands of people in countries all over the world. At this stage, I've helped grow the podcast into a multi six-figure business, and I've recorded well over 1,300 episodes. I've also given hundreds of speeches, trainings and coaching calls with people all over the world.
The main thing that changed was ME. I focused on learning what I didn't know (unlearning a lot too), and my life started to shift. I love talking about Consistency, Commitment, Habits, Mindset, Confidence, Fear, Relationships, Limiting Beliefs and everything in between. I believe in a heart-driven but NO BS approach to holistic self-improvement, and I look forward to teaching even more people about what it really takes to get to the next level!
Check out the Next Level University Podcast

Life with Kelly Keefe

I'm thrilled to introduce Kelly Keefe, the founder of Heartspace.co and a dynamic presenter. She speaks about her vocation and shamanic practices with enthusiasm. Tune into this enjoyable episode as we delve into the world of Heartspace.
Kelly Keefe is the creator of The Heartspace, an organization founded in 2016. She's a Reiki Master Teacher, Transformation Guide, and Vibrational Artist who specializes in helping people tap into their innermost feelings. Kelly has written both fiction and nonfiction books. She globally offers coaching sessions, Reiki training courses, and group transformation programs to help guide individuals through life-altering transformations. Her book 'Rise Above Fear' encourages readers to understand fear and embrace it as a way to move past any obstacles they may have created for themselves. Kelly loves living boldly and hopes that others will too.

Life with Jim Marshall

Our guest for this month is Jim Marshall. We have an educational discussion about his book Septemics. We posed a hypothetical story to experience an in-depth look at the inner workings of the book in relation to personality, behavior, and insight.
Jim Marshall is a polymathic intellectual who has devoted over 50,000 hours to the study and practice of multiple dimensions of human potential and development. He received a classical education as an honor student at a Jesuit Military Prep School, was accepted into engineering school while still a junior in prep school, and attended college on academic scholarship. He graduated college with a Bachelor of Science cum laude. While still an undergraduate, he began the study of “alternative” Arts and Sciences which today would be described as Transformational and Holistic. Eventually, he became a professional practitioner and, after 28 years of formal education, had a long career as a Human Development Engineer. Jim has integrated the best aspects of the most advanced techniques on the planet, and expanded their limits by his own Research & Discovery. He has successfully treated and/or trained hundreds of clients over a 40-year career, and is the inventor of Septemics and several consciousness-expanding systems. His areas of expertise include psychology, philosophy, theology, parapsychology, science, engineering, mathematics, law, literature, history, music, organization, metaphysics, military science, political science, physical culture and education.
Visit the Septemics website
Septemics on Amazon

Life with Rha Arayal

Our guest this month was the young poet Rha Arayal. We had a captivating talk about her poem ‘The Girl That I Am/The Girl That I Should Be,’ how to handle growing up bicultural, being published at sixteen, and more. It was delightful to speak with her; it's amazing to see someone that age demonstrate such inner strength.
Rha Arayal is a 19-year-old British Nepali writer living in Wales. She enjoys examining the balance of nature and nurture, especially the notion of an Asian Welsh identity, as well as exploring racism and kindness and other aspects of humanity in her writing. Her debut poetry collection, Encapsulated Emotions, was published with Genz Publishing in 2021. When she's not writing, she loves watching American vampire shows, practicing martial arts and buying second hand books.
Poem:
the girl that I am/the girl that I should be
she crouches on the floor wearing mud-encrusted flip-flops
there is a red shawl wrapped tightly around her waist
it holds her brick phone which has run out of battery
it holds her aching back like PVA glue wrapping around jigsaw pieces
 
she reminds herself that she is no one
just a village girl who cuts grass for the cow
her mother milks it and loves it
her father carries the milk on a motorcycle into town
 
this world may be alien to you
but it is almost home to me
but it nearly happened to me
but it also never did
and for that, I am grateful
 
she isn't scared of snakes winding up her legs
her skin is slightly cracked and is darker than mine
sun cream is too expensive and the village shops only sell instant noodles
 
she isn't afraid of cows or spiders or the dark
they stomp and crawl and engulf her life
they are a crucial part of her life
they are alien to me
 
so many sources of brutality
of nature and of rich cultural love
surround her
like her red shawl which is split at the seams
 
her grandmother owns the other half
my grandmother, who cries to me on the phone
my grandmother, who I hope is hanging on
like crimson threads swaying in the wind
oblivious to snakes and cows and spiders and the dark
 
Instagram @encapsulated_emotions
Click here for a copy of her poetry book Encapsulated Emotions on Amazon
 

Life with Cindi Buckley

This month’s special guest is Cindi Buckley, the author of Love Awakens You. We had an enjoyable time talking together, where she told me about her experience going from working in a corporate job to writing her book. We had a great time talking and sharing stories, , and I was also able to take a look at her incredible collection of crystals (which wasn’t caught on camera/audio). She talked to me about how cancer impacts both the body and the mind.
After 15 years in the corporate world in logistics and software consulting, Cindi changed her life’s direction in her early 40’s. For the last 20 years, she has helped hundreds of people through meaningful life transitions, such as the death of a loved one, opening to spirit and finding the courage to make a change for the better. She published her first book Cosmic Unity and became a student of A Course in Miracles.
Cindi Buckleys book: Love Awakens You is available on Amazon.
http://cindibuckley.com
Connect with her on Linkedin and Facebook
Cindi refers to this book in the discussion of a course in miracles.
The Disappearance of the Universe on Amazon