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
118 episodes
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...
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1:51:49
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...
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1:58:25
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...
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2:26:24
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, ...
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1:13:24
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,...
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1:36:22
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...
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2:15:01
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 ...
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1:44:10
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...
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2:33:51
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...
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43:08
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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2:06:01
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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, ...
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1:43:26
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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2:06:33
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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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2:09:43
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Volume Six: Chapter One - Our Conversation with Sunshine Lombre
In the premiere Chapter of Volume Six, we welcomed Chicago-born and based Educator, Poet, Writer, Spoken Word Artist, and Dancer, Sunshine Lombré . From her early start in ballet at the age of three to her decision to pursue d...
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1:50:41
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Volume Five: Chapter Twenty - Our Conversation with Ajanaé Dawkins
In Volume Five: Chapter Twenty, we welcomed Ajanae Dawkins.Ajanaé is a poet, conceptual artist and theologian. She works through poetry, visual art, performance, and audio to explore the politics of faith, grief, and intimate relationshi...
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2:11:26
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Volume Five: Chapter Nineteen - Our Conversation with Alysia Nicole Harris
In Volume Five: Chapter Nineteen, we welcomed Educator, Poet, Writer, Spoken Word Artist, host of the Chasing After Wind podcast, and Author of the chapbook
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2:35:00
Volume Five: Chapter Eighteen - Our Conversation with Margo LaPierre
In Volume Five: Chapter Eighteen, we welcomed Writer, Poet, Editor, and Author of the forthcoming poetry collection "Ajar", Margo LaPierre.Margo edits fiction and creative non-fiction. She completed an undergraduate degree in philosophy ...
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2:31:27
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Volume Five: Chapter Seventeen - Our Conversation with Anastacia-Renee
In Volume Five: Chapter Seventeen, we welcomed Educator, Writer, Poet, Playwright, and Author of the poetry collection "Here in the (Middle) of Nowhere", Anastacia-Reneé.(From anastacia-renee.com):Anastacia-Reneé (She/They) is a q...
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2:02:08
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Volume Five: Chapter Sixteen - Our Conversation with Dre Hill
In Volume Five, Chapter Sixteen, we welcomed Poet, Artist, Writer, and Author Dre Hill.Dre is a Black literary and visual artist. Hill tags himself as an artist, writer, and storyteller. He is a published fiction writer, poet, photograph...
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2:11:14
Volume Five: Chapter Fifteen - Our Conversation with Asia Samson
In Volume Five: Chapter Fifteen, we welcome Poet, Writer, and Spoke Word Artist Asia Samson.(From theasiaproject.com): Since 2009, The Asia Project has toured over 2000 colleges with an acoustic music poetry act that has amaz...
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2:18:20
Volume Five: Chapter Fourteen - Our Conversation with Dream
In Volume Five, Chapter Fourteen, we sit down with Baltimore-based artist Dream—an educator, poet, writer, photographer, and meditation guide. In our conversation, Dream discusses her creative journey, releasing her spoken word pieces on ...
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2:02:35
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Volume Five: Chapter Thirteen - Our Conversation with Natalie Lim
In Volume Five: Chapter Thirteen, we welcome Poet, Writer, and Author of the poetry collection, “Elegy For Opportunity”, Natalie Lim.Natalie Lim (she/her) is a Chinese-Canadian poet living on the unceded, traditional territories of the M...
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1:45:43
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Volume Five: Chapter Twelve - Our Conversation with Samiya Bashir
In Volume Five: Chapter Twelve, we welcome Poet, Writer, Playwright, and Author of the forthcoming poetry collection, "I Hope This Helps", Samiya Bashir.Samiya Bashir’s honors include the Rome Prize in Literature, the Pushcart Priz...
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2:11:59
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Volume Five: Chapter Eleven - Our Conversation with Ahja Fox
n Volume Five: Chapter Eleven, we welcome Poet, Writer, Performance Poet, and Poet Laureate of Aurora Colorado, Ahja Fox.Ahja is a mother, educator, freelancer, and the current Poet Laureate of Aurora, Colorado for a four-year term which...
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2:33:05
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