The Ethically Immoral Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

In Volume Six: Chapter Fifteen of The Program, we welcome Educator, Community Activist, Poet, Performance Poet, and Author Barbara Fant, who is making her third appearance on the podcast. 

Born in Youngstown, Ohio and now based in Los Angeles, Barbara is the author of three poetry collections Paint, Inside Out, Mouths of Garden, and her newest collection, Joy in the Belly of a Riot. For over a decade, she has led poetry workshops for incarcerated youth and adults, people in recovery, and survivors of human trafficking and domestic violence. 

In this conversation, we talk about the journey of releasing a new book, returning home for her Ohio book launch, and the creative relationships that have shaped her path — including long-standing friendships formed through performance poetry and slam. 

Barbara also shares what it means to be named a Recording Academy 2025 New Member, becoming a voting member for the Grammys, and how poetry, music, and performance continue to intersect in her life. 

We dive into her slam and performance history, finding joy on the other side of trauma, and how Joy in the Belly of a Riot helped her arrive at a clearer understanding of who she is — fully embracing faith, poetry, and purpose without compartmentalizing any part of herself. 

A thoughtful, honest, and wide-ranging conversation about art, healing, joy, and becoming. 

Contact Barbara:
Instagram: @iambarbarafant         Website: barbarafant.com

Recorded Spoken Word Performances Featured Include: 

Sunshine Lombre – Daydream
Instagram: @ladylombre 

Tonya Ingram – Monster
Instagram: @tonyainstagram 

Theresa Davis – Why I Do This
Instagram: @shepiratepoet          Website: artisttheresadavis.com

Barbara Fant: Brown Bodies Bending
Instagram: @iambarbarafant          Website: barbarafant.com

Barbara Fant: Medicine
Instagram: @iambarbarafant          Website: barbarafant.com

Support the show

 In Volume Six: Chapter Fourteen of The Program, we welcome Candace Marquez Green, a Chicago-born and Chicago-based community activist, entrepreneur, writer, poet, and author of the new poetry collection, "In Glimpses and Reminisces". Candace holds a Bachelor’s degree in Entertainment Business, a Master of Arts in Public Relations, and a Master of Business Administration. She is the recipient of the 2022 Chicago Defender Woman of Excellence Award, was named one of Crain’s Chicago Business and Black Women’s Professional League 40 Under 40, and currently serves on the board of the Chicago Poetry Center, a nonprofit dedicated to expanding access to poetry across diverse communities throughout Chicago. 

Our conversation explores the many layers of Candace’s creative identity, beginning with her long history in pageantry. She reflects on what pageantry taught her about discipline, confidence, access, and leadership, while also addressing the more complicated narratives often associated with the pageant world.

From there, we transition into her creative history and examine the parallels between pageantry and poetry — performance and vulnerability, composure and truth — and how those worlds have shaped, rather than contradicted, one another. Candace speaks openly about growing up on Chicago’s South Side, witnessing addiction, loss, and trauma within her family, and how writing became her earliest and most honest form of self-expression through journaling and poetry.

The conversation then turns to her newest poetry collection, a deeply personal work shaped by love, grief, resilience, and self-discovery. Candace shares the significance of writing much of the book during an intense creative period, and she also discusses the experience of self-publishing the collection and the pride she feels in releasing a book rooted in lived truth rather than polished performance.

This episode is a thoughtful conversation about identity, growth, and the long journey from learning how to be seen to learning how to speak — honestly and on one’s own terms.

Contact Candace:
Instagram: @chosenpoetic         Website: candacegreen.net

Recorded Spoken Word Performances Featured Include: 

Porsha O – Trigger
Instagram: @iamporsheolayiwola          Website: porshaolayiwola

William Evans – For My Wife Who Fell In Love With A Ship Buried At Sea
Instagram: @williamevanswrites          Website: williamthe3rd.com

Ephriam Nehemiah – Inheritance of a Broken Home
Instagram: @ephriamnehemiah

Alyesha Wise: Untitled: To Black Women
Instagram: @alyeshawise          Website: alyeshawise.com    

Kenneth Something: Rape Poem
Instagram: @saysomethingpoet

Support the show

No guest this week — instead, it's our Chapter Break episode. For this one, We’ve pulled together six of our favorite live readings and spoken word performances from past guests on the program. Think of it as a chance to pause, revisit, and really sit with the words that have stayed with us — and hopefully with you too. We’ll be back next week with a brand-new conversation. 

Recorded Spoken Word Performances Featured Include:

Sabrina Ali - I Want You Back (Appearance: Volume Three - Chapter Seventeen)
Instagram: @sabrina_ali
Live Performance: I Want You Back

Nicoli The Poet - Who Hurt You (Appearance: Volume One - Chapter Two)
Instagram: @nicoli_the_poet
TikTok: @nicoli_the_poet                              

Kennie Sings - I'm Just Sayin' (Appearance: Volume Four - Chapter Two)
Instagram: @kennie_sings

Michael Phillips - Freedom (Appearance: Volume One - Chapter Nine)
Instagram: @dbl.img
Website: apoetsplace.net

Dr. Tara Betts - Stay Lit (Appearance: Volume Four - Chapter Thirteen)
Instagram: @tarabettschitown
Purchase her book: Refuse To Disappear

Bashar Abou Hawili - Good For Me (Appearance: Volume Three - Chapter Nine)
Purchase his book -  Words That Might Mean Something Someday to Someone

Support the show

This week we welcome New York based Poet, artist and author or the book Crashing, Yerusalem L.D.

Connect with Yerusalem:
IG: @yerusalem.xx
Purchase Yerusalem's book Crashing: Here

Recorded spoken word performances in Chapter Eighteen include:

Alyesha Wise - Flowers
Twitter: @mswise
IG: @alyeshawise
Website: alyeshawise.com

Elizabeth Acevedo - A Love Letter to my Beloved
IG: @acevedowrites
Twitter: @acevedowrites
Website: acevedowrites

Melissa Lozada-Oliva - My Spanish
IG: @ellomelissa and @saymoresaymorepodcast
Website: melissalozadaoliva.com
Twitter: @ellomelissa

RJ Walker - Said the Confederate Flag to the American Flag
IG: @dollarcompliments
Twitter: @dollacompliment

Connect with, then listen and subscribe to the following podcasts we recommend:

The Words I Never Said podcast
IG: @gods_ink_spokenword

Life as We Grow It podcast
IG: @lifeaswegrowit
Twitter: @lifeaswegrowit

The Spoken World podcast
Twitter: @spokenpodcast
Website: thespokenwordpodcast
IG: @thespokenworld

Unspoken Words podcast
IG: @unspokenwordspodcast
Twitter: @beckythepoet
YouTube:  Unspoken Words
Website: beckythepoet.com

Journey with Mpho podcast
IG: @journeywithmpho
Website: journeywithmpho.com

ELP Radio Show podcast
Website: ELP Radio Show

Poetry is the Death of Me podcast
IG: poetryisthedeathofmepodcast

Support the show

Contact Zoe: _untangledthoughts

Recorded spoken word performances in Chapter Seventeenclude:

Reagan Myers – Depression Is Funny Like That
IG: @reagancmyers
Twitter: @reagancmyers

Shanelle Gabriel – Aim High
IG: @shanellegabriel
Twitter: @shanelleg
Website: shanellegabriel.com

Tonya Ingram – I am Twenty two
IG: @tonyainstagram
Twitter: @tonyasingram
Website: tonyaingram.com
Support Tonya by purchasing her book How to Survive Today

Sophia Thakur – Little Black Girl
Website: sophiathakur.co.uk
IG: @sophiathakur
Twitter: sophiathakur
Support Sophia by purching her book: Somebody Give This Heart a Pen

Ifrah Hussein – Black Men dont Die
Twitter: @ifrahhussein_
IG: @ifrahhussein
Website: ifrahhussein.com
Support Ifrah by purchasing her book An Anthology of Grief

Support the show

In Chapter Sixteen we welcome Hybrid (Spoken word artist, Poet, rapper, and Author) Knight Krawler to the program. The author of three books (Endless Night, The Rules of Poetry and his latest, Another Endless Knight), he discusses the struggle being accepted as a rapper, his transition into poetry then as a spoken word artist, and his books.

Connect with Knight Krawler:
IG: @theknightkrawler
Website: knightkrawler.com

Recorded spoken word performances in Chapter Sixteen include:

Loyce Gayo – Colours
IG: @loycegayo
Website: loycegayo.com
Twitter: @loycegayo

Edwin Bodney – Good Morning
IG: @edwinbodney
Twitter: @edwinbodney
Please support Edward by purchasing his book – A Study of Hands

Alysia Harris – In Situations Like This
IG: @poppyinthewheat
Twitter: @poppyinthewheat
Website: alysiaharris.com

Jahman Hill – Cash Me Ousside
Website: jahmanhill.com
IG: @jahman_rondo

Shea Vaughan Gabor – Living While Black and Girl
Twitter: @martinscorsexy
IG: @martinscorsexy

Jasmine Mans -  I Know You Didnt Mean to Kill Him
IG: @poetjasminemans
Twitter: @poetjasminemans
Website: jasminemans.com

Support the show

In Chapter Fifteen, we we welcome Performance poet, Poet, Motivational Speaker and Author of two books - From Pain to Power and Blue Fire: A Poetic Journey, Lydia Cook.

Recorded Spoken Word Performances featured in Chapter Fifteen include:

Crystal Valentine - Little Known Fact
IG: @crystalvalentine94
Twitter: @cryst1valentin
Website: crystalvalentinepoetry.com

Anita D - The Psych Ward Says
IG: @anitadpoetry
Twitter: @anitadoetry
Website: anitadpoetry.com

Darius Simpson - Genocide
IG: @_dariussimpson
Twitter: @_dariussimpson
Website:dariussimpsonspeaks.com

Dasan Ahanu - Conversation with God
IG: @dasanahanu
Twitter: @dasanahanu
Website: dasanahanu.com

Support the show

For Chapter Fourteen we welcome back to the Podcast, New York based Poet and Spoken Word artist Lyrical Faith. Lyrical is the founder of Poetry for Service, Black Greek Poets, and is the the co-founder of the Harlem Bomb Shelter.

In our conversation, Lyrical discusses her online presence since COVID, performing live for the first time after quarantine, how she leverages virtual appearances to her benefit, and how she plans to approach virtual appearances after COVID after physical venues re-open.

Connect with Lyrical Faith:
IG: @lyricalfaithpoetry

Recorded spoken word performances in Chapter Fourteen include:

L3thal Po3t – Super Hero
IG: @l3thalpo3t
Website: lethalpoet.net
Please support Lethal by purchasing her book – No Cappin’ Dont Test Africa: A World-Wide Message

Jared Singer – Just Take A Shower
Facebook: @jaredsingerwriter
Please support Jared by purchasing his book – Forgive Yourself: These Tiny Acts of Self-Destruction

Nayo Jones – We Will Not Ask
IG: @poetnoire
Twitter: @poetnoire

Imani Cezanne – Flowers
Website: imanicezanne.com
Twitter: @imanicezanne
IG: @imanicezanne

Arianna Brown – We Never Did This To Be Beautiful
Website: arianabrown.com
Twitter: @arianathepoet
IG: @arianathepoet

Support the show

 We welcome Poet and short fiction Writer Drew Carroll to the Podcast for Chapter Thirteen. In our Conversation, Drew talks about his journey into Poetry, his thoughts as to why Poetry is the method of writing that Creatives are drawn to to express their negative thoughts and experiences, and he shares his work.

Connect with Drew:
IG: @drewbcarroll

Recorded spoken word performances in Chapter Thirteen includes:

Thea Monyee - For Little Girls
Twitter: @theamonyee
IG: @theamonyee
Website: theamonyee.com

Kai Davis - For Bigoted Black Men
IG: @kaidavispoet
Twitter: @kaidavispoet
Website: kaidavispoetry.com

Taylor Steele - The Lovers
IG: @iamtaylorsteele
Website: @taylorsteele.info
Twitter: @iamtaylorsteele

Christopher Michael - Purse Clutchers
Website: mrmichael310.com
Twitter: mrmichael310
IG: mrmichael310


Connect with, then listen and subscribe to the following podcasts we recommend:

The Words I Never Said podcast
IG: @gods_ink_spokenword

Life as We Grow It podcast
IG: @lifeaswegrowit
Twitter: @lifeaswegrowit

The Spoken World podcast
Twitter: @spokenpodcast
Website: thespokenwordpodcast
IG: @thespokenworld

Unspoken Words podcast
IG: @unspokenwordspodcast
Twitter: @beckythepoet
YouTube:  Unspoken Words
Website: beckythepoet.com

Journey with Mpho podcast
IG: @journeywithmpho
Website: journeywithmpho.com

ELP Radio Show podcast
Website: ELP Radio Show

Poetry is the Death of Me podcast
IG: poetryisthedeathofmepodcast

Support the show

We welcome Poet and Spoken Word Artist Kendra Blondell to the Podcast. Kendra discusses her process to prepare for performances, how Spoken Word is what she is supposed to do and what some of her goals as a Creative. 

Connect with Kendra:
IG: @kennie_sings

Recorded spoken word performances in Chapter Twelve includes:

Taalam Acey - Odd Evenings
Twitter: @taalamacey
IG: @taalamacey
Website: taalamacey.com

Jesse Parent - To the Boys who may one day date my Daughter
IG: @jesseparent
Twitter: @jesseparent
Website: @jesseparent

Porsha O - Angry Black Woman
IG: @portiaolayiwola
Website: portiaolayiwola.com

Joseph Capehart - Bad Ideas
Website: josephcapehart.com
Twitter: @misterkeyport


Connect with, then listen and subscribe to the following podcasts we recommend:

The Words I Never Said podcast
IG: @gods_ink_spokenword

Life as We Grow It podcast
IG: @lifeaswegrowit
Twitter: @lifeaswegrowit

The Spoken World podcast
Twitter: @spokenpodcast
Website: thespokenwordpodcast
IG: @thespokenworld

Unspoken Words podcast
IG: @unspokenwordspodcast
Twitter: @beckythepoet
YouTube:  Unspoken Words
Website: beckythepoet.com

Journey with Mpho podcast
IG: @journeywithmpho
Website: journeywithmpho.com

ELP Radio Show podcast
Website: ELP Radio Show

Poetry is the Death of Me podcast
IG: poetryisthedeathofmepodcast

Support the show