The wonderful Louise Karch + applied poetry, if there is such a thing!

The Louis Joel Poetry Pod aims to be a forum for discussion about poetry, what people like and what they don’t and why. A strong emphasis is placed upon making poetry accessible and fun with a diverse range of writers, forms, media etc. Each podcast will have interviews with poets, with people who convene poetry appreciation groups, with editors or producers of poetry magazines and perhaps most importantly with members of the community outlining some of their favourite poems or song lyrics, and why etc. 

The latter is a segment we are calling Hobsons' Choice as it reflects our little beachside community in Altona in the Hobsons Bay area just to the west of Melbourne, Australia’s CBD. 

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In our fourth episode we talk with the fascinating Louise Karch about her current book, First Aid for Fairies – From Rain to Rainbows. This is a fabulous publication for young people about strategies for resilience written largely in iambic pentameter! Louise Karch, M. Ed is an uplifting speaker and award-winning author of Word Glue and co –author of The Carbon Almanac. She has spoken from the Arctic to Auckland advising professionals, educators and emerging leaders on a wide range of issues relating to wellbeing and leadership.  

We also discuss the concept of applied poetry and how verse can help us to understand people, their circumstances and much more. Are we using the right terminology? Perhaps or perhaps not but poetry has a great capacity to help us learn, understand and respect all manner of life experience. That’s why we love it!  

Hobsons’ Choice returns with an interview with Piper Bushby who talks about the poem Warning by Jenny Joseph.

 

Poems and Lyrics discussed in this episode:

⁠In Plain Sight Book by Shaun Austin⁠

⁠Not Waving but Drowning by Stevie Smith⁠

⁠Morning Song by Sylvia Plath⁠

⁠Warning by Jenny Joseph⁠

 

We would like to hear from you! 

As part of our Hobsons' Choice segment, we would like to hear from you! 

If you would like to be interviewed about a poem or if you just want to share your love of poetry, send us an email on ljacpoetry@gmail.com. Constructive criticism and praise are welcomed. 

 

Credits: 

Hosts: Peter Roberts, David Tredinnick & Colleen Murphy 

Original music composed by local Altona residents, Andrew Gilpin and Sam Price. 

Podcast Guest: Louise Karch

Hobsons' Choice Guest: Piper Bushby

Podcast Coordinator: Zoe Jones 

 

Announcements: 

The Fortnightly Pier Poetry Group at Louis Joel Arts & Community, facilitated by Peter, is on at 11am on Fridays with the next meeting occurring on 23 August. Come along if you love talking poetry. Email ljacpoetry@gmail.com to register your interest. 

Full winter program of the Louis Joel Arts & Community Centre Programs & Events can be found here: ⁠⁠Winter Program 2024⁠⁠ 

Louise Karch’s book First Aid for Fairies – From Rain to Rainbows is currently available at Just for the Health of It at ⁠73 Anderson Street, Yarraville, Melbourne VIC 3013⁠ and the Louis Joel Arts and Community Centre. Global preorders are coming soon.

 

This Podcast has been supported by: 

Louis Joel Arts and Community 

5 Sargood Street, Altona 

admin@ljac.com.au