Explore every episode of the podcast Thru the Mill with Marc Kelly Smith
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Episode 15: Filippo Capobianco | 09 Sep 2025 | 00:41:39 | |
As a graduate in physics from the University of Pavia, Filippo Capobiancofinds the humor and humanity in the fusion of science and poetry. In this episode, you can hear why his performances in English and Italian have won him international acclaim. Recorded by Tony Green | |||
| Episode 14: Scott Woods, Slam Impresario out of Columbus, OH | 22 May 2025 | 00:46:27 | |
With over 20 years on the Slam Poetry scene (and several books of poetry under his belt), Scott joins Mark to discuss his experience -- and shares two of his poems. Recorded by Tony Green | |||
| Episode 13: From Here to Madagascar with Bini Josoa | 13 Mar 2025 | 00:32:27 | |
Madagascar is 9,332 miles from Chicago as the Malagasy Kingfisher flies. That's where Poetry Slam impresario, Marc Smith, flew to join the thriving Slam community there. In this episode, you'll meet, Bini Josoa, a Madagaslam International Project Manager, and hear him perform some of his own poetry. Check out one more reason Slam Poetry is having an international impact. Recorded by Tony Green | |||
| Episode 12: The Celebrated Cin Salach (Part Two) | 11 Oct 2024 | 00:17:38 | |
In which Marc and Mark finally get around to talking to Cin about Sheila Donohue, Betty's Mouth and other slam poetry innovations.
Recorded by Joe Velez Edited by Kevin O'Rourke Produced by Emily Calvo Directed by Hugh Schulze | |||
| Episode 11: The Celebrated Cin Salach | 30 Sep 2024 | 00:30:03 | |
In this episode, poet Cin Salach takes us back to the mid-1980's when she walked into her first Poetry Slam and experienced a "spiritual chiropractic adjustment." How big an adjustment? She quit her job, has pursued poetry ever since, and Slam Poetry has never been quite the same. Recorded by Joe Velez Edited by Kevin O'Rourke Produced by Emily Calvo Directed by Hugh Schulze | |||
| Episode 10: BONUS episode – A Taste of Haiku | 20 Sep 2024 | 00:08:41 | |
Tony Fitzpatrick shares some of his latest haiku with Marc and Mark. He also delves into a bit of haiku history and the inspiration from his correspondence with former U.S. poet laureate, Ted Kooser. Recorded by Tony Scott-Green Edited by Kevin O'Rourke Produced by Emily Calvo Directed by Hugh Schulze | |||
| Episode 9: With Chicago Legend Tony Fitzpatrick | 06 Sep 2024 | 00:37:59 | |
Artist-poet-actor-and-raconteur Tony Fitzpatrick stops by to talk with Marc and Mark about the history of the Slam and how it’s changed since 1986. He also shares one of his early poems: “Poem for My Wife While She Sleeps.” (Find out more about his work at: tonyfitzpatrick.co/) Recorded by Tony Scott-Green and Joe Velez | |||
| Episode 8: The Famous Billy Lombardo (Part 2) | 16 Aug 2024 | 00:29:22 | |
The episode opens with Billy performing his quintessentially Chicago classic: Poem for Lennard. Then he continues the conversation with Marc and Mark about his Bridgeport roots. (If you're looking for more of Billy's writing, check out Morning Will Come.)
Recorded by Tony Scott-Green and Joe Velez Edited by Kevin O'Rourke Produced by Emily Calvo Directed by Hugh Schulze | |||
| Episode 7: The Famous Billy Lombardo (Part 1) | 30 Jul 2024 | 00:37:41 | |
Poet, short story writer and novelist (Morning Will Come), Billy Lombardo, joins Marc and Mark for the first of two conversations about the history of the Slam and thoughts on writing and performing. Recorded by Tony Scott-Green and Joe Velez Edited by Kevin O’Rourke Produced by Emily Calvo Directed by Hugh Schulze | |||
| Episode 6: The Italian Job (with special guest Eleonora Fisco) | 28 Jun 2024 | 00:37:41 | |
Sicilian slam poet and scholar, Eleonora Fisco, joins Marc and Mark to discuss slam poetry in Italy and perform one of her own compositions. Recorded by: Tony Scott-Green Edited by: Kevin O'Rourke Directed by: Hugh Schulze
BONUS MATERIAL For this episode, we’ve included a bonus video of a recent Green Mill Slam collaboration with our Italian contingent, including poets Alessandro Minnucci, Eleonora Fisco, Andy Karol, Ryan Doyle, and Jeffrey Helgeson Recorded by: Joe Velez Produced by: Emily Calvo | |||
| Episode 5: The Slam Goes International | 18 Jun 2024 | 00:21:00 | |
In this episode, Marc and Mark discuss how the Slam grew from Chicago to Tours, France and Osaka, Japan and many cities in-between. How does the Slam transcend language and what exactly is the So What Academy? | |||
| Episode 4: Poetry – Straight, no chaser | 03 Jun 2024 | 00:45:55 | |
The relationship between poetry and alcohol is a complicated one. In this episode, Marc and Mark discuss the early, inebriated years of the Poetry Slam and the lessons learned that have helped shape the Slam as it spread internationally. | |||
| Episode 3: In the Spotlight with Jean Howard | 30 May 2024 | 00:22:35 | |
Marc and Mark talk the Chicago Poetry Ensemble, Green Mill and motorcycles with poet, Jean Howard. Recorded by: Joe Velez Directed by: Hugh Schulze | |||
| Episode 2: The Get Me High Lounge and Beyond (with Special Guest Jean Howard) | 08 May 2024 | 00:45:29 | |
In this episode, Marc and Mark are joined by Slam Poet alum, Jean Howard, to talk about the early days in the evolution of the slam at Butchies’ Get Me High Lounge in the much-changed Wicker Park. Recorded by: Joe Velez Directed by: Hugh Schulze | |||
| Episode 1: Origins of the Uptown Poetry Slam | 04 Apr 2024 | 00:35:35 | |
In this episode, Marc Kelly Smith, the founder of the poetry slam movement, traces its origins from a Chicago jazz lounge to a global phenomenon that merges performance with poetry. He highlights the transformative power of slams in fostering community and empowering diverse voices, showcasing the movement's lasting impact on the art of spoken word. Recorded by: Tony Scott-Green Directed by: Hugh Schulze | |||