Joy HarjoEvery podcast appearance, updated as new ones drop

Joy Harjo joins us for part one of a three-part series asking the question posed by poet Christian Wiman: What is poetry’s role when the world is burning? It’s not a metaphorical question. We’re living through wars, climate collapse, collective burnout, and political fragmentation. What possibly might human flourishing mean in such a context? And what might poetry have to do with it? Here, three‑term U.S. Poet Laureate Joy Harjo (Muskogee Creek Nation) shares how her poetry emerges from pain, memory, and fierce hope. She reflects on the loss and colonization embedded in her own family story—from the Trail of Tears to the extraction of resources from her tribal lands—and how those historical wounds still pulse in our shared present. Harjo also traces her coming‑of‑age: learning to find voice through art and activism, encountering the power and beauty of Native elders and poets, recognizing the injustice hidden in history textbooks, and experiencing the healing that comes through being seen and witnessed in kindness. Amidst crises of war, climate, racial injustice, and spiritual dislocation, she argues that poetry is not luxury or escape—it is ritual, ceremony, language of the sacred, a way to speak to the soul and open space for listening and transformation. Her upcoming book Girl Warrior: On Coming of Age becomes a touchstone in this conversation—one that unearths the raw edges of adolescence, grief, identity, heritage, and hope. This episode invites you to reckon with legacy, cultivate courage, and consider how poetry and voice are vital to living with purpose, meaning, and belonging. ⁠ ⁠ Show Notes, Resources, and Transcript⁠ for our episode with Joy Harjo ⁠ Thank you to our sponsors: Ka’Chava : Go to ⁠⁠⁠https://kachava.com⁠⁠⁠ and use code NSE for 15% off your next order Boll and Branch : Get 20% off plus free shipping by visiting ⁠⁠⁠BollAndBranch.com/NSE⁠⁠⁠ AquaTru : Go to ⁠⁠⁠AquaTru.com⁠⁠⁠ and use promo code NSE Piper and Leaf: Get a 10% off discount to the Advent Calendar by using my code 'NSE' at piperandleaf.com Tickets to Nov 23rd NSE Live in Nashville: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.nashvillesymphony.org/nosmallendeavor⁠⁠⁠ ⁠ Join NSE+ ⁠ — our subscriber-only community — for ad-free listening , member-only bonus content , and early access to live show tickets . Your membership helps make No Small Endeavor sustainable. No Small Endeavor: An award-winning podcast that asks what it means to live a good life. Through conversations with leading thinkers across theology, philosophy, psychology, politics, and the social sciences, we explore human flourishing, meaning and purpose, faith and culture, science and religion, virtue and character, community, and the practices that help shape a good life grounded in truth, beauty, and goodness. Follow ⁠ @nosmallendeavor ⁠ Host Lee C. Camp: Lee has worked as a professor of theology & ethics for more than 25 years, teaching and writing on topics of faith & politics, inter-religious dialog, and human flourishing at the intersection of theology, moral philoso

Our 2020 Conversation with Joy Harjo Joy Harjo—the first Native American U.S. Poet Laureate, saxophonist, member of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and the woman who held that laureateship longer than anyone in decades—breaks down why joy isn't escape, it's resistance. This conversation pulls from her work that refuses to separate poetry from music, grief from celebration and survival from beauty. Harjo, who lost her mother young, played jazz in honky-tonks to pay for college and still writes poems that make you weep and dance in the same breath. In this Love As A Kind of Cure 2020 recording, you'll hear Harjo talk about what it means to carry ancestors in your words, why a saxophone is as much a storytelling tool as a pen, and how Indigenous women have been practicing joy as revolution long before anyone gave it a hashtag. This isn't inspiration porn—this is a masterclass in staying soft in a hard world without breaking. From the poet who gave us "She Had Some Horses," played backup for her own readings, and reminded a country that this indigenous land--Turtle Island--now known as the United States, had poets long before it had a name. Here's Joy Harjo on memory, music and why joy might be the most dangerous thing you can claim. 📧 JOIN - Madame Speaker Says Newsletter Expect fresh newsletters every week or so, where I share bare truths, storytelling tips and plenty of F-bombs. 📧 JOIN - Expect fresh newsletters every week or so, where I share bare truths, storytelling tips and plenty of F-bombs.

Send us Fan Mail Two years ago, when Ishara was just 8 years old, she had the honor of interviewing U.S. Poet Laureate Joy Harjo on season 2 of Ishara's Reading Podcast about her book "Remember." What started as a young reader's curiosity blossomed into something truly special - a genuine connection that Joy treasured just as much as Ishara did! Now, at 10 years old, Ishara gets to interview with Joy Harjo once again at the National Book Festival! This isn't just an interview - it's a reunion between two souls who share a deep love for storytelling and the power of words. EXCLUSIVE BOOK REVEALS: Joy shares exciting details about her THREE new books coming out: "For a Girl Becoming" "Girl Warrior" "Washing My Mother's Body" Watch as they reconnect and see how their bond has grown over the past two years. Joy's warmth and wisdom paired with Ishara's genuine curiosity and growth as a young interviewer creates pure magic. There's something incredibly moving about witnessing how meaningful connections can form across generations when we approach each other with open hearts and authentic interest in each other's stories. You can find the full video interview available on Ishara's YouTube channel . Recorded live at the National Book Festival #JoyHarjo #ForAGirlBecoming #GirlWarrior #NationalBookFestival #YoungInterviewer #Poetry #NewBooks2024 #BookFestival #Podcast Support the show Keep on reading and being an inspiration to each other! And follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/isharas_reading_podcast/ Please consider becoming a monthly subscriber. All proceeds will be used to buy building materials to create roadside libraries to encourage kids of all age to read. In addition, your donations will support my travels as I hit the road to interview the authors and illustrators of the books I will be reading on the podcast. #KidsPodcast, #ChildrensBooks, #ReadAloudPodcast, #StoryTimePodcast, #KidsReading, #BookLovers, #ChildrensLiterature, #KidLit, #RaisingReaders, #ChildrensAuthor, #PictureBooks, #ChapterBooks, #KidsStories, #BedtimeStories, #HomeschoolPodcast, #TeacherResources, #BookishKids

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to this very special episode of Ishara’s Reading Podcast! In celebration of Indigenous Peoples Day, Ishara was honored to interview acclaimed poet, writer, and musician Ms. Joy Harjo of the Mvskoke (Creek) Nation who is the first ever Native American US Poet Laureate! And for this week’s book, Ishara reads aloud Ms. Joy’s moving poem, “Remember” which is now a children’s book, beautifully illustrated by Caldecott Medalist and New York Times bestselling artist Michaela Goade of the Tlingit and Haida Tribes. In her interview with Ishara, Ms. Joy shares her wisdom and reflections on the symbolism of the circle in storytelling, deepening family bonds across generations, and helping to build a community of indigenous artists and writers to share their works with wider audiences. Ms. Joy discusses her soulful connection to of her oldest poem, “Remember” and celebrates her collaboration with Michaela in making it a children’s book that honors both the Mvskoke and Tlingit peoples. Ms. Joy also shares from her gifts as a musician and teaches Ishara a Mvskoke song of welcoming! So gather around, super readers and listeners, as Ishara celebrates Indigenous Peoples Day and reads aloud Joy Harjo’s timeless poem “Remember”. Join Ishara in celebrating the power of storytelling to bring people together as she shares her reflections on an unforgettable journey through stories, song, and poetry with the incredible Joy Harjo! Also check out the video of Ishara’s interview with Joy Harjo: https://youtu.be/Iru7kvji7Bc Learn more about Joy Harjo & Michaela Goade’s work at the links below: Joy Harjo Website: https://www.joyharjo.com/ Book: https://www.joyharjo.com/books Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JoyHarjo Masterclass: https://youtu.be/cPgbx_dsngU Music: https://www.joyharjo.com/music Michaela Goade Website: https://www.michaelagoade.com/ Book: https://www.michaelagoade.com/books Art: https://www.michaelagoade.com/purchase-art And don’t miss the upcoming podcast episode of Ishara’s National Book Festival interview with beloved children’s book author Erica S. Perl! Support the show Keep on reading and being an inspiration to each other! And follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/isharas_reading_podcast/ Please consider becoming a monthly subscriber. All proceeds will be used to buy building materials to create roadside libraries to encourage kids of all age to read. In addition, your donations will support my travels as I hit the road to interview the authors and illustrators of the books I will be reading on the podcast. #KidsPodcast, #ChildrensBooks, #ReadAloudPodcast, #StoryTimePodcast, #KidsReading, #BookLovers, #ChildrensLiterature, #KidLit, #RaisingReaders, #ChildrensAuthor, #PictureBooks, #ChapterBooks, #KidsStories, #BedtimeStories, #HomeschoolPodcast, #TeacherResources, #BookishKids

Joy Harjo and Joel connect in this dusted off, older episode, to open and discuss our shared human experience in its different forms and the pervading spirit found in mountains and rivers, water and air, in people and the Earth. The shared community we live in calls us to understand our actions affect others and the Earth. Joy and Joel discuss spirituality, Joy's history and development as an artist, shared responsibity for our communities, Native teachings, Buddhism, Joy's plays, music, poetry, and art. Also discussed were generational influences and wisdom and how in years past there was a closer connection to our heart and mind. Joy and Joel also discuss the intelligence of the body and how common sense is spirituality expressed. Joy and Joel share many aspects of spirituality and life, and conclude reflecting on Joy's Eagle Poem. The end of the talk mentions Maj Ragain and A Gathering of Poets commemorating in 1990 the 20th anniversary of the shootings at Kent State, which introduced Joel to Joy Harjo's work. Bio: Joy Har­jo, the 23rd Poet Lau­re­ate of the Unit­ed States, is a mem­ber of the Mvskoke Nation and belongs to Oce Vpofv (Hick­o­ry Ground). As a poet, activist, and musician, Joy Harjo’s work has won countless awards. In 2019, Harjo became the first Native American United States Poet Laureate in history and is only the second poet to be appointed for three terms. In addition to her many books of poetry, she has written several books for young audiences and released seven award-winning music albums. Click here for a list of Joy Harjo's latest books. Harjo is a founding board member and Chair of the Native Arts and Cultures Foundation and, in 2019, was elected a Chancellor of the Academy of American Poets. She has since been inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame, National Native American Hall of Fame, the American Philosophical Society, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the American Academy of Arts and Letters. Harjo currently lives in Tulsa, Oklahoma where she serves as the first Artist-in-Residency of the Bob Dylan Center. [ click here for full Bio ] By Kerri Lee Alexander, NWHM Fellow | 2018-2020

Hey witchy readers!! We have reached the final chapter of this specialty series for this season. I’m so grateful for your listens and support and I hope you’ve loved the writers we’ve celebrated! Today we are experiencing the works of poet laureate, Joy Harjo. Harjo is a Muscogee Nation writer, songstress and playwright. Her work is deeply influenced by Native folklore and storytelling traditions and feminist and social justice movements.

Today on the podcast: Joy Harjo. Harjo is the nation's first Native American poet laureate and a playwright, musician, author, and editor. Not everyone knows that Harjo also started playing saxophone at the age of forty. Today, we have the pleasure of hearing from her new album, I Pray for My Enemies , which features musicians from some of the biggest bands of the nineties grunge scene—including R.E.M., Pearl Jam, and Nirvana. We also spoke with Harjo about her early activism, how she came to befriend Audre Lorde, her obsession with maps, and her new memoir, Poet Warrior . The memoir celebrates the influences that shaped Harjo’s poetry and reckons with the theft of her ancestral homeland. She writes about her sixth-generation grandfather, who survived the Trail of Tears, and sheds light on the rituals that nourish her as an artist, mother, wife, and community member. Harjo has been creating her own maps for decades—with her poetry, the way she lives in the world, and recently, with the project Living Nations, Living Words , a collaboration with the Library of Congress and her signature project as United States Poet Laureate. It’s an online map where poems by Native Nations poets can be heard. The conversation starts with how Harjo found poetry. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Joy Harjo, an enrolled member of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, is a poet, musician, and author. She is the Professor and Chair of Excellence at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. Harjo discusses and reads her poetry. Her eight books of poetry include the recent Conflict Resolution for Holy Beings, How We Became Human-New and Selected Poems: 1975–2001, and The Woman Who Fell From the Sky. Her memoir Crazy Brave, was published in 2012. On February 2nd, 2018 Harjo gave a poetry reading at the University of Oregon. Her visit to Eugene was in collaboration with the National Endowment for the Arts' Big Read initiative.