In this episode, I sit down with poet Danielle Coffyn to celebrate the upcoming March 8th release of her debut poetry collection, If Adam Picked the Apple. We dive deep into her journey into writing and what poetry means to her, exploring how the creative process can be both a personal sanctuary and a public offering.

Danielle opens up about navigating the highs and lows of the social media game—from comparison and mental health struggles to dealing with negativity and finding genuine connection. We discuss the delicate balance between writing for yourself versus writing for others, as well as the vulnerability that comes with sharing your art with the world.

We also touch on the challenges authors face in today’s literary landscape, including imposter syndrome, wearing multiple hats as creators, and the difficulty of marketing books while staying true to your craft. Danielle shares powerful insights about why writers shouldn’t undervalue themselves by giving their work away for free.

Finally, Danielle offers a glimpse into her creative process for If Adam Picked the Apple and reads two poems from her collection. These pieces delve into themes central to the female experience, such as repressed anger and motherhood, offering a raw, unfiltered look at the complexities of being a woman.

This is an inspiring and thought-provoking conversation about creativity, resilience, and finding your voice as a writer. Tune in for a heartfelt discussion and a sneak peek into Danielle’s beautifully crafted debut collection.

Follow Danielle - Instagram - @daniellecoffyn & Threads - @daniellecoffyn

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Preorder If Adam Picked The Apple

Follow Maverick - Instagram ⁠@mavmalone⁠

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In this episode, I share a deeply personal story of how a simple notification about a new Substack subscriber reignited my passion for creating and reminded me of my "Great Why." When the world feels like it's shouting for you to give up, this episode is a reminder to keep going—because your art does matter.

I reflect on the power of art to change the world, one creation at a time, and discuss how even in the face of external doubts, art can fuel hope, connection, and transformation. The episode also includes two of my poems: a short opener and a longer spoken word piece—the second of which was crafted as a "portrait poem" for a friend, where I capture the essence of their art and words, further tying into the message of the episode.

Tune in for inspiration to keep creating and trusting in the impact of your voice! YOU MATTER!

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and subscribe to my Substack, Junk Drawer

Today's episode is crossover from my Substack newsletters, Junk Drawer - more specifically, my "ARTHOUSE" subseries, where I break down a poem I've written, tell the backstory of its creation, and/or dive deeper into the topic.

With this one, I'm covering the controversial topic of AI poetry. Sparked by a recent study from the University of Pittsburgh, where participants couldn't distinguish between AI-generated and human-written poems, this episode unpacks the deeper implications of AI within creative writing. I discuss the dangers not of the technology itself, but of how humans may choose to use it. We'll explore the ethical, artistic, and emotional stakes of AI in the world of poetry, and I'll leave you with - hopefully - a much better perspective.

Whether you're a poet, a writer, or someone uneasy about AI "artists," this episode offers a cautionary tale on how imperative it is to consciously navigate this new frontier.

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