The Ethically Immoral Podcast
The Ethically Immoral Podcast is a program dedicated to long-form conversations with poets, spoken word artists, authors, and creatives who use language as a tool for truth-telling, healing, and resistance. Hosted by Mike Payne, the show travels beyond the typical interview to explore the personal histories, artistic philosophies, and cultural contexts that shape the voice of the Creatives we welcome.
It’s not just about poetry or performance — it’s about the people behind the pen. We talk about identity, healing, joy, frustration, and the journey of becoming. Some moments are deep, others are funny, but all of them are authentic. If you’re someone who values storytelling, vulnerability, and good conversation, this space was created and cultivated for you.
Episodes
130 episodes
Volume Seven: Chapter Five - Our Conversation with Brenda Cardanes
In Volume Seven: Chapter Five, Brenda Cárdenas joins the Program for a wide-ranging conversation about creativity, language, culture, visual art, and the experiences that shaped her voice as a writer and poet. A Milwaukee, Wisconsin born ...
Volume Seven: Chapter Four - Our Conversation with Leah V
In Volume Seven: Chapter Three of the program, we welcome Bronx-born, New York City-based Writer, Performance Poet, Curator, and star of the one-woman show "The Long Way Home", Leah V. In our conversation, we trace her creative hist...
Volume Seven: Chapter Three - Our Conversation with Irina Moga
In Volume Seven: Chapter Three of the program, we welcomed Writer, Author, and Poet Irina Moga. Her work has been nominated for the SFPA Rhysling Award and Best of the Net, and her collection Variations Without Palace was the 202...
Volume Seven: Chapter Two - Our Conversation with Stephanie Bolster
In Volume Seven: Chapter Two of the podcast, we welcomed Vancouver-born, Quebec-based Educator, Writer, Poet, and Author of the poetry collection Long Exposure, Stephanie Bolster. Stephanie is Professor of Creative Writing at...
Volume Seven - Chapter One - Our Conversation with Ebony Stewart
In Volume Seven: Chapter One of the Program, we welcome Houston, Texas–born and based Educator, Playwright, Actress, Writer, Author, and Performance Poet Ebony Stewart. She is the 2017 Woman of the World Slam Champion, a three-time Austin...
Volume Six: Chapter Twenty - Our Conversation with Kathryn MacDonald
In Volume Six: Chapter Twenty of the Program, we welcome Ontario-based Educator, Writer, Painter, Photographer, Author, and Poet Kathryn MacDonald. Our conversation explores the many ways creativity can intersect—through poetry, visual art, tra...
Volume Six: Chapter Nineteen - Our Conversation with Maria Giesbrecht
In Volume Six: Chapter Nineteen of the Program, we welcome Durango, Mexico-born, Toronto-based Poet, Author, Curator, and Writer Maria Giesbrecht. She is a graduate of the post-graduate Creative Writing program at Humber College and the w...
Volume Six: Chapter Eighteen - Our Conversation with David Martin
In Volume Six: Chapter Eighteen we welcome Educator, Poet, Writer and Author David Martin.He earned his BA in English from the University of Calgary and his MA in English from the University of Alberta. His work has been widely recognize...
Volume Six: Chapter Seventeen - Our Conversation with Kestral Gaian
Our guest this week is a Scotland, United Kingdom–based writer, poet, playwright, and author. Kestral Gaian, who is the author of four books, including their most recent poetry collection, Tubelines: The Poetry of Motion, available now via thei...
Volume Six: Chapter Sixteen - Our Conversation with Leslie Saint Julien
In Volume Six: Chapter Sixteen of The Program, we welcome Poet, Actor, Producer, Playwright, and Author of the new book Hair Me, Leslie Saint Julien. Making her third appearance on the podcast, Leslie returns to discuss the evolution of her per...
Volume Six: Chapter Fifteen - Our Conversation with Barbara Fant
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 Lo...
Volume Six: Chapter Fourteen - Our Conversation with Candace Green
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". Cand...
Volume Six: Chapter Thirteen - Our Conversation with Sadiqa de Meijer
In Volume Six: Chapter Thirteen we welcome Amsterdam-born, Kingston Ontario-based Writer, Poet, Author, and Essayist Sadiqa de Meijer. She is the author of two acclaimed poetry collections — Leaving Howe Island, finalist for both the Gov...
Volume Six: Chapter Twelve - Our Conversation with Melissa Powless Day
In Volume Six: Chapter Twelve of the Program, we welcome Melissa Powless Day — a London, Ontario–based educator, writer, poet, and author. She serves as Chair for Western University’s Indigenous Writers Circle, is a Visiting Cultural Tea...
Volume Six: Chapter Eleven - Our Conversation With Gary Barwin
In Volume Six: Chapter Eleven of The Program, we welcome a Hamilton, Ontario–based educator, writer, poet, essayist, composer, and musician Gary Barwin. With a BFA and BA from York University and a PhD in Music Composition from SUNY Buffalo, Ba...
Volume Six: Chapter Ten - Our Conversation with Isabella DeSendi
In Volume Six, Chapter Ten we welcomed Hoboken, New Jersey–based educator, poet, writer, and author Isabella DeSendi. A 2024 Pushcart Prize nominee, 2024 Ruth Lilly Fellowship finalist, 2024 Best New Poets selection, ...
Volume Six: Chapter Nine - Our Conversation with Irène P. Mathieu
In Volume Six: Chapter Nine, we welcome Dr. Irène Mathieu — a Washington, D.C.–born, Virginia-based pediatrician, educator, researcher, and award-winning poet. She earned her BA in International Relations from the College of William & Mary,...
Volume Six: Chapter Eight: Our Conversation with Destiny Birdsong
In Volume Six: Chapter Eight of The Program, we sit down with Shreveport-born Writer, Poet, Essayist, and Author Destiny Birdsong, In our conversation, we trace Destiny’s creative journey from her childhood love of storytelling to t...
Volume Six: Chapter Seven - Our Conversation with Gregory Betts
In Volume Six: Chapter Seven, we are joined by Vancouver-born poet, writer, educator, and editor Gregory Betts. A professor of English at Brock University and Literary Arts Residency Lead at the SETI Institute, Greg has authored or edited more ...
Volume Six: Chapter Six - Our Conversation with Drew Carroll
In Volume Six: Chapter Six of The Program, we welcome back Chicago-based writer, poet, and blogger Drew Carroll. It’s been over five years since our last conversation, and a lot has changed. Drew has traded powerlifting for building worlds—thro...
Volume Six - Chapter Break
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 rea...
Volume Six: Chapter Five - Our Conversation with Story Teller Gordon
In Volume Six: Chapter Five of The Program, we welcomed Story Teller Gordon —a New York-based Community Activist, Poet, Spoken Word Artist, Author of the poetry collection "Don't Speak For Me", and founder of FORM NYC, a nonprofit that blends p...
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Volume Six: Chapter Four - Our Conversation with Natasha Ria El-Scari
In Volume Six: Chapter Four of the podcast, we welcome Poet, Spoken Word Artist, and Author Natasha Ria.Natasha Ria has been writing and performing poetry for three decades. Whether it is performing with live musicians in Jazz, R&B, ...
Volume Six: Chapter Three - Our Conversation with Alyssa Michelle
In Volume Six: Chapter Three of the podcast, we welcome Poet, Spoken Word Artist, and Author Alyssa Michelle for her third appearance on the program. Alyssa, based in Albany, New York, is a mother, motivational speaker, and creative writing con...
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Volume Six: Chapter Two - Our Conversation with Dr. Theri Pickens
This week on the program, we welcomed Poet, Scholar, Educator, and Author of the poetry collection "What Had Happened Was" - Dr. Therí Pickens . Dr. Pickens is a Professor of English at Bates College, where she teaches courses in African ...
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