Quintessential Poetry

About Quintessential Poetry

Quintessential Poetry is an award‑nominated global poetry and spoken word podcast featuring poets, storytellers, performers, and creative writers from around the world. Established in 2018, the show blends performance with reflective conversation, offering listeners meaningful insights into identity, healing, culture, and the human experience. Hosted by Dr. Michael Anthony Ingram—a four‑time Pushcart Prize–nominated poet, retired professor of Counselor Education, and internationally respected spoken word artist—the podcast is known for its warm, grounded, and emotionally attuned interviews. Each episode highlights global poetic voices and the cultural stories behind their work, creating a thoughtful, performance‑driven space for poetry enthusiasts, spoken word poetry performers, cultural storytellers, and audio creatives alike. With thousands of downloads and listeners across more than a dozen countries, Quintessential Poetry has become one of the most widely heard poetry podcasts in the world—a global stage where performance, reflection, and lived experience take center spotlight. With more than 500 episodes, the show has consistently ranked among the top poetry podcasts worldwide, including multiple #2 placements on 2024 global lists and top rankings on Goodpods, Player.fm (http://Player.fm), Ivy.fm (http://Ivy.fm), and the NYC World Podcast Network. Quintessential Poetry has also earned nominations in the Best Arts & Culture categories across major podcasting awards in 2025 and 2026. Poets interested in being featured may contact Dr. Ingram at maingram@gmx.com (mailto:maingram@gmx.com). Learn more at https://www.quintessentialpoetry.network (https://www.quintessentialpoetry.network).

Publisher

Dr. Michael Anthony Ingram

Category

arts

Language

en

Explicit

Yes

First episode

22 May 2018

Latest episode

18 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

386 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   18 Oct 2026

   Genevieve F. Ray: Poetry, Neurodiversity & The Courage to Speak Truth — Quintessential Poetry Tribute (1987–2026)

   Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! (https://rss.com/podcasts/quintessential-poetry/voicemail) Rebroadcast in loving memory of poet and spoken word artist Geneviève F. Ray (1987–2026). This powerful conversation is one of the most radiant and unforgettable interviews ever recorded on Quintessential Poetry. Captured across continents on January 23, 2023, the episode reveals Genevieve at her brightest—funny, honest, vulnerable, brilliant, and fully alive in her artistry. In this intimate and wide‑ranging discussion, Genevieve explores: Poetry as a living companion Neurodiversity, identity, and self‑understanding Ancestry, belonging, and cultural roots Mental health, survival, and emotional truth‑telling Her acclaimed one‑woman show, Free Roaming Adult Woman The courage required to speak your truth on and off stage Her voice—her laughter, her pauses, her fire—remains a gift. This interview stands as a living portrait of Genevieve Ray: a poet, performer, educator, and community builder whose work continues to uplift and inspire. Her poetry collection, Free Roaming Adult Woman, still resonates with readers around the world. Here's the link to an article about the making of the interview: Poet Genevieve F. Ray (1987-2026): A Tribute (https://www.quintessentialpoetry.network/blog/the-making-of-genevieve-f-ray-interview-january-14-2023-a-remastered-tribute/) May her words rise. May her fire guide.

2. 

   15 Oct 2026

   World Mental Health Month 2026: Poetry, Lived Experience, and the Journey from Paradise Lost to Paradise Regained

   Clear topical keywords Event‑based keywords (World Mental Health Day) Evergreen literary keywords (Paradise Lost, Milton) Mental‑health‑related search terms Global relevance

3. 

   22 Feb 2026

   Quintessential Poetry Spotlight Tribute: Genevieve F. Ray (1987-2026)

   We dedicate this rebroadcast to the loving memory of poet and spoken word artist Geneviève F. Ray (1987–2026). This conversation is one of the brightest moments ever captured on Quintessential Poetry. Recorded on a Saturday morning across continents (January 23, 2023) (https://support.google.com/youtubemusic/answer/6313542?hl=en#vid_pub_date), this interview reveals Genevieve at her most luminous—honest, funny, vulnerable, brilliant, and fully herself. In this episode, Genevieve speaks about poetry as a living companion neurodiversity and self‑understanding ancestry, identity, and belonging mental health and survival her one‑woman show Free Roaming Adult Woman the courage it takes to tell the truth Her voice—her laughter, her pauses, her fire—remains a gift. This interview stands as a portrait of who she was when the world wasn’t watching, only listening. About Genevieve Ray: Genevieve was a poet, performer, educator, and community builder whose work uplifted countless voices. Her debut poetry collection, Free Roaming Adult Woman, is still moving readers around the world. May her words continue to rise. May her fire continue to guide. 00:00 Welcome to Quintessential Poetry + Meet Genevieve Ray 01:55 What Is Poetry? Genevieve’s Definition & Why It’s Human Nature 03:49 Finding Her Voice: Pandemic, Identity, Neurodiversity & Advocacy 08:44 Why Poetry Matters: Access, Flexibility & Community Conversations 10:38 Why ‘Genevieve Firepoint’? The Phoenix Metaphor & Creative Rebirth 13:56 Performance: “Free Roaming Adult Woman” (and the Encore) 18:35 Literary Roots & Early Power of Poetic Language (William Blake) 23:43 Reading Together: William Blake’s “The Tyger” + Craft Talk 26:19 Guard Down or Wall Up? Persona, Truth, and the Poet’s Self 28:39 Performance: “For Eulogies” + Does Writing Poetry Hurt? 35:53 Themes & Mission: Love, Protest, Teaching, and Empowering Others 38:37 Performance: “Doubt” + Process—How Poems Start, End, and Get Edited 44:20 Performance: “The Muse Will Not Lift” + Influences & Theater Voice 50:10 Writing for Connection: Making Language Accessible 52:55 From Page to Stage: What Spoken Word Means 54:45 The Poet’s Role Today: Emotional Journalism & Ancestry 57:22 Can Poetry Be About Anything? From Rocks to Stamps 01:07:38 Mentorship & Finding Your Voice: “Collect the Gems, Build the Crown” 01:14:21 Mini Poetry Concert: “Trance (Six Minutes)” & Ophelia Reimagined 01:18:43 Destiny, Surprise, and What Poetry Gives Back 01:24:25 What’s Next Creatively: Travel, Collaborations, One-Woman Show 01:26:15 Poetry UK Behind the Scenes: Building Community on Facebook 01:29:33 Where to Follow Genevieve + Final Farewell

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

1,259

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.0 / 5

1 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 57 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

87

Social presence

0

YouTube

68

Engagement

0

Contact Quintessential Poetry

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.