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.
The Ethically Immoral Podcast
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, her MD from Vanderbilt University, and a Master’s in Public Health from Johns Hopkins. Today she serves as Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Virginia, where she also helps lead programs in Health Humanities, and sits on the board of Virginia Clinicians for Climate Action.
Dr. Mathieu is the author of four books of poetry — The Galaxy of Origins, Orogeny (winner of the Bob Kaufman Book Prize), Grand Marronage (Editor’s Choice for the Gatewood Prize and runner-up for the Cave Canem/Northwestern Book Prize), and her most recent, Milk Tongue (2023). Her work has earned Pushcart Prize nominations, national contest honors, and features in outlets including The Washington Post, NPR, The Los Angeles Times, and more.
Contact Irène:
Website: irenemathieu.com
Recorded Spoken Word Performances Featured Include:
Alyesha Wise – Trauma
Instagram: @alyeshawise Website: alyeshawise.com
Joseph Capehart – Bad Habits
Instagram: @oksolaris
Javon Johnson – Black and Happy
Instagram: @javonism
Denice Frohman – Accents
Instagram: @denicefrohman Website: denicefrohman.com
Jay Ward – Gentrification
Instagram: @jward2030 Website: jwardpoetry.com
