- 18
- Episodes
- 1
- Ratings
- 2024
- First episode
About Reality Poets TV
Reality Poets TV is a podcast from OPEN DOORS, a collective of disabled artists, nursing home residents, advocates and allies led by the experiences and voices of the Reality Poets. Hosted by Vince Pierce and Var Viggz. Available in audio format on all podcast platforms and in video format on YouTube. New episodes drop on the last Friday of every month! Learn more about OPEN DOORS, the Reality Poets, and #NursingHomeLivesMatter at OpenDoorsNYC.org Watch the award-winning documentary Fire Through Dry Grass at FireThroughDryGrass.com Follow OPEN DOORS on social media @OpenDoorsNYC and Fire Through Dry Grass @FTDGfilm
- Publisher
- Reality Poets
- Category
- arts · society & culture
- Language
- en
- Explicit
- Yes
- First episode
- 24 May 2024
- Latest episode
- 31 May 2026
Latest episodes
18 episodes in the feed.
31 May 2026
Ep #16: Alex Eshelman
This podcast episode was recorded before the sudden passing of Reality Poets TV co-host, LeVar "Var" Lawrence. Var passed away on May 11th after a brief illness and his loss is devastating to all who loved him. Alex Eshelman joined Vince and Var for his second appearance on Reality Poets TV, though he's been behind the camera for it all. This month, Alex officially transitioned from his role as OPEN DOORS Associate Director after being on the team for six years. In this episode, they talk about Alex's next career move, what his time at OPEN DOORS has meant, goals for the future, and more. The transcript for this episode is available on Google Docs and the video version is available on Youtube. Reality Poets TV is a podcast from OPEN DOORS, a collective of disabled artists, nursing home residents, advocates and allies led by the experiences and voices of the Reality Poets. Hosted by Vince Pierce and Var Viggz. Available in audio format on all podcast platforms and in video format on YouTube. New episodes drop on the last Friday of every month! Learn more about OPEN DOORS, the Reality Poets, and #NursingHomeLivesMatter at OpenDoorsNYC.org Watch the award-winning documentary Fire Through Dry Grass at FireThroughDryGrass.com Follow OPEN DOORS on Instagram and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/opendoorsnyc) @OpenDoorsNYC and Fire Through Dry Grass on Instagram @FTDGfilm and Facebook @FireThroughDryGrass
30 Apr 2026
Ep #15: Jennilie Brewster
"Boss lady" is on the podcast this episode! Jennilie Brewster sits down with Vince and Var to talk about starting OPEN DOORS, their work together over the past 10 years, and her career as an aritst. Jennilie Brewster is an artist who works in various forms, often exploring connections between our inner and outer landscapes. Her paintings and installations have been shown widely. Her essays have appeared on Catapult and The Rumpus. She started the disability justice-and-arts organization OPEN DOORS NYC and produced the documentary film Fire Through Dry Grass, which was a New York Times Critic's Pick (https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/28/movies/fire-through-dry-grass-review.html), won the Jury Award for Best Documentary at BlackStar Film Festival, and aired on PBS nationally. As the recipient of many residencies, grants, and awards, Jennilie supports other artists, film teams, and community-based organizations with articulating their visions, building effective, caring systems, and securing funding for their work. Currently, she's writing a memoir about trauma, art, and landscape. The transcript for this episode is available on Google Docs and the video version is available on Youtube. Reality Poets TV is a podcast from OPEN DOORS, a collective of disabled artists, nursing home residents, advocates and allies led by the experiences and voices of the Reality Poets. Hosted by Vince Pierce and Var Viggz. Available in audio format on all podcast platforms and in video format on YouTube. New episodes drop on the last Friday of every month! Learn more about OPEN DOORS, the Reality Poets, and #NursingHomeLivesMatter at OpenDoorsNYC.org Watch the award-winning documentary Fire Through Dry Grass at FireThroughDryGrass.com Follow OPEN DOORS on Instagram and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/opendoorsnyc) @OpenDoorsNYC and Fire Through Dry Grass on Instagram @FTDGfilm and Facebook @FireThroughDryGrass
20 Mar 2026
Freestyle Friday: Weston Gehman
We're spotlighting a Freestyle Friday conversation with Weston Gehman! Listen here or watch on YouTube. Weston is the founder of Stairs2Chairs, born with a disability called Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). Weston has been determined to bring positive change to individuals just like him based on his first-hand experience of living with a disability. This understanding separates him from most organizational founders. He recognized the need for an organization like Stairs2Chairs as a young child, as he was unable to enter certain facilities due to a lack of handicap accessible accommodations. Since graduating from Columbia Southern University with a Bachelor's Degree in Finance, Weston has built the connections necessary to operate a successful organization. Freestyle Friday is a virtual hangout for artists & activists hoted every week by OPEN DOORS. You're invited! Share your artwork and experience, meet future collaborators, get tips on pursuing art and activism professionally. Contact support@opendoorsnyc.org for details. Learn more about OPEN DOORS, the Reality Poets, and #NursingHomeLivesMatter at OpenDoorsNYC.org Watch the award-winning documentary Fire Through Dry Grass at FireThroughDryGrass.com Follow OPEN DOORS on Instagram, X, and Facebook @OpenDoorsNYC and Fire Through Dry Grass @FTDGfilm
27 Feb 2026
Ep #14: Kylie Miller
Our podcast editor stepped out from behind the scenes to join us on the mic this episode! Vince and Var interview Kylie Miller about editing Reality Poets TV, getting connected with OPEN DOORS, and working with Judy Heumann. Kylie Miller is a Signal Award–winning and Shorty Award nominated audio journalist and social media specialist. She frequently works at the intersection of podcasting and disability advocacy, working as a producer on Judy Heumann's The Heumann Perspective, OPEN DOORS' Reality Poets TV, and The Wheelchair Activist. Her narrative audio work has been featured on SiriusXM's Atlas Obscura, The NY Climate Exchange's Climate Story Project, and on the Silver Podcast Network as the first place winner of the June 2024 Sonic Dash. The transcript for this episode is available on Google Docs and the video version is available on Youtube. Reality Poets TV is a podcast from OPEN DOORS, a collective of disabled artists, nursing home residents, advocates and allies led by the experiences and voices of the Reality Poets. Hosted by Vince Pierce and Var Viggz. Available in audio format on all podcast platforms and in video format on YouTube. New episodes drop on the last Friday of every month! Learn more about OPEN DOORS, the Reality Poets, and #NursingHomeLivesMatter at OpenDoorsNYC.org Watch the award-winning documentary Fire Through Dry Grass at FireThroughDryGrass.com Follow OPEN DOORS on Instagram and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/opendoorsnyc) @OpenDoorsNYC and Fire Through Dry Grass on Instagram @FTDGfilm and Facebook @FireThroughDryGrass
30 Jan 2026
Ep #13: Theresa Williams
Reality Poets TV is back with the first episode of 2026! Vince and Var chat with Reality Poet Theresa Williams about joining the group, her upbringing, and the future of OPEN DOORS. Theresa grew up in Ghana, and when she was a teenager moved to Washington DC and later Queens, NY. In 2003, an illness left her unable to walk. She became an advocate for herself and her friends. Theresa joined OPEN DOORS in December 2021. She is passionate about disability justice, writing poetry, and reading non-fiction books. Theresa also loves to volunteer. She hopes to become an advocate for people with disabilities and work with the United Nations. She studies law and society at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. The transcript for this episode is available on Google Docs and the video version is available on Youtube. Reality Poets TV is a podcast from OPEN DOORS, a collective of disabled artists, nursing home residents, advocates and allies led by the experiences and voices of the Reality Poets. Hosted by Vince Pierce and Var Viggz. Available in audio format on all podcast platforms and in video format on YouTube. New episodes drop on the last Friday of every month! Learn more about OPEN DOORS, the Reality Poets, and #NursingHomeLivesMatter at OpenDoorsNYC.org Watch the award-winning documentary Fire Through Dry Grass at FireThroughDryGrass.com Follow OPEN DOORS on Instagram and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/opendoorsnyc) @OpenDoorsNYC and Fire Through Dry Grass on Instagram @FTDGfilm and Facebook @FireThroughDryGrass
20 Dec 2025
Ep #12: Vince & Var
It's our final episode of 2025! Vince and Var chat about their holiday plans with family, share stories from their youth, discuss AI and music, and look ahead at 2026 which marks the 10 year anniversary of OPEN DOORS 10. Stay tuned for more Reality Poets TV in the New Year! The transcript for this episode is available on Google Docs and the video version is available on Youtube (https://youtu.be/laPNt-tu6-Q). Reality Poets TV is a podcast from OPEN DOORS, a collective of disabled artists, nursing home residents, advocates and allies led by the experiences and voices of the Reality Poets. Hosted by Vince Pierce and Var Viggz. Available in audio format on all podcast platforms and in video format on YouTube. New episodes drop on the last Friday of every month! Learn more about OPEN DOORS, the Reality Poets, and #NursingHomeLivesMatter at OpenDoorsNYC.org Watch the award-winning documentary Fire Through Dry Grass at FireThroughDryGrass.com Follow OPEN DOORS on Instagram and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/opendoorsnyc) @OpenDoorsNYC and Fire Through Dry Grass on Instagram @FTDGfilm and Facebook @FireThroughDryGrass.
29 Nov 2025
Ep #11: Jeffery Williams
This episode, Vince and Var are chatting with author, speaker, and real estate broker Jeffery Williams! They talk about the imporance of education and community for newly injured people, Jeff's journey as an author and real estate broker, and much more. The transcript for this episode is available on Google Docs and the video version is available on Youtube. Reality Poets TV is a podcast from OPEN DOORS, a collective of disabled artists, nursing home residents, advocates and allies led by the experiences and voices of the Reality Poets. Hosted by Vince Pierce and Var Viggz. Available in audio format on all podcast platforms and in video format on YouTube. New episodes drop on the last Friday of every month! Learn more about OPEN DOORS, the Reality Poets, and #NursingHomeLivesMatter at OpenDoorsNYC.org Watch the award-winning documentary Fire Through Dry Grass at FireThroughDryGrass.com Follow OPEN DOORS on Instagram and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/opendoorsnyc) @OpenDoorsNYC and Fire Through Dry Grass on Instagram @FTDGfilm and Facebook @FireThroughDryGrass.
27 Oct 2025
Ep #10: Live Mula
We've got a special guest for episode #10... Live Mula aka Chapo! Vince and Var talk with him about all things hip-hop, artistry and authenticity. Check out his new album Sinners! The transcript for this episode is available on Google Docs and the video version is available on Youtube. Reality Poets TV is a podcast from OPEN DOORS, a collective of disabled artists, nursing home residents, advocates and allies led by the experiences and voices of the Reality Poets. Hosted by Vince Pierce and Var Viggz. Available in audio format on all podcast platforms and in video format on YouTube. New episodes drop on the last Friday of every month! Learn more about OPEN DOORS, the Reality Poets, and #NursingHomeLivesMatter at OpenDoorsNYC.org Watch the award-winning documentary Fire Through Dry Grass at FireThroughDryGrass.com Follow OPEN DOORS on Instagram and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/opendoorsnyc) @OpenDoorsNYC and Fire Through Dry Grass on Instagram @FTDGfilm and Facebook @FireThroughDryGrass.
26 Sept 2025
Ep #9: Edward Funches
This episode, Vince and Var interview Edward Funches, the founder of Inclusion Marketing and Advertising Group. Take a listen to learn about Edward's work, backstory, and more. The transcript for this episode is available on Google Docs and the video version is available on Youtube. Reality Poets TV is a podcast from OPEN DOORS, a collective of disabled artists, nursing home residents, advocates and allies led by the experiences and voices of the Reality Poets. Hosted by Vince Pierce and Var Viggz. Available in audio format on all podcast platforms and in video format on YouTube. New episodes drop on the last Friday of every month! Learn more about OPEN DOORS, the Reality Poets, and #NursingHomeLivesMatter at OpenDoorsNYC.org Watch the award-winning documentary Fire Through Dry Grass at FireThroughDryGrass.com Follow OPEN DOORS on Instagram and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/opendoorsnyc) @OpenDoorsNYC and Fire Through Dry Grass on Instagram @FTDGfilm and Facebook @FireThroughDryGrass.
2 Sept 2025
Ep #8: Owen & Thomas (Summer Interns)
We're wrapping up summer with this podcast episode featuring our two summer interns, Owen and Thomas! They each talk with Vince and Var about their college experience, how they came to OPEN DOORS, what they hope for their futures, and more. The transcript for this episode is available on Google Docs and the video version is available on Youtube. Reality Poets TV is a podcast from OPEN DOORS, a collective of disabled artists, nursing home residents, advocates and allies led by the experiences and voices of the Reality Poets. Hosted by Vince Pierce and Var Viggz. Available in audio format on all podcast platforms and in video format on YouTube. New episodes drop on the last Friday of every month! Learn more about OPEN DOORS, the Reality Poets, and #NursingHomeLivesMatter at OpenDoorsNYC.org Watch the award-winning documentary Fire Through Dry Grass at FireThroughDryGrass.com Follow OPEN DOORS on Instagram and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/opendoorsnyc) @OpenDoorsNYC and Fire Through Dry Grass on Instagram @FTDGfilm and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/firethroughdrygrass) @FireThroughDryGrass.
27 Jun 2025
Wheeling & Healing 2: Holding the Mic in the Middle of the Storm
The Reality Poets share powerful poetry from their new anthology, Wheeling & Healing 2, exploring themes of resilience and emotional depth through performances at their book release party.
28 Apr 2025
Ep #7: Jay Molina
We've got another Reality Poet joining Vince and Var on Reality Poets TV! Jay Molina is usually the man behind the camera on this podcast but this episode, he gets on the mic to talk about his experiences joining OPEN DOORS, co-directing Fire Through Dry Grass, growing up in the Dominican Republic, moving to New York, and more. The transcript for this episode is available on Google Docs and the video version is available on Youtube. Reality Poets TV is a podcast from OPEN DOORS, a collective of disabled artists, nursing home residents, advocates and allies led by the experiences and voices of the Reality Poets. Hosted by Vince Pierce and Var Viggz. Available in audio format on all podcast platforms and in video format on YouTube. New episodes drop on the last Friday of every month! Learn more about OPEN DOORS, the Reality Poets, and #NursingHomeLivesMatter at OpenDoorsNYC.org Watch the award-winning documentary Fire Through Dry Grass at FireThroughDryGrass.com Follow OPEN DOORS on Instagram, X, and Facebook @OpenDoorsNYC and Fire Through Dry Grass @FTDGfilm
28 Feb 2025
Ep #6: Felice Belle
Reality Poets TV is BACK! Vince and Var speak with Felice Belle, Artists Network Director at Narrative4 (https://narrative4.com/our-team/). They discuss the power of storyelling, collaborations between Narrative4 and OPEN DOORS, Felice's new poetry book Viscera, and more. The transcript for this episode is available on Google Docs and the video version is available on Youtube. Reality Poets TV is a podcast from OPEN DOORS, a collective of disabled artists, nursing home residents, advocates and allies led by the experiences and voices of the Reality Poets. Hosted by Vince Pierce and Var Viggz. Available in audio format on all podcast platforms and in video format on YouTube. New episodes drop on the last Friday of every month! Learn more about OPEN DOORS, the Reality Poets, and #NursingHomeLivesMatter at OpenDoorsNYC.org Watch the award-winning documentary Fire Through Dry Grass at FireThroughDryGrass.com Follow OPEN DOORS on Instagram, X, and Facebook @OpenDoorsNYC and Fire Through Dry Grass @FTDGfilm
29 Nov 2024
Ep #5: Alex Eshelman
OPEN DOORS Associate Director Alex Eshelman shares his personal story and passion for basketball, revealing how his experiences inform his advocacy work for the Reality Poets collective.
28 Sept 2024
Ep #4: Alex Elegudin
Episode #4 features a special guest, Alex Elegudin. Alex is the co-founder of Wheeling Forward and a friend of OPEN DOORS. Vince and Var ask Alex about his experience becoming injured as a teenager, meeting his wife, running a non-profit, and more. The transcript for this episode is available on Google Docs and the video version is available on Youtube. Reality Poets TV is a podcast from OPEN DOORS, a collective of disabled artists, nursing home residents, advocates and allies led by the experiences and voices of the Reality Poets. Hosted by Vince Pierce and Var Viggz. Available in audio format on all podcast platforms and in video format on YouTube. New episodes drop on the last Friday of every month! Learn more about OPEN DOORS, the Reality Poets, and #NursingHomeLivesMatter at OpenDoorsNYC.org Watch the award-winning documentary Fire Through Dry Grass at FireThroughDryGrass.com Follow OPEN DOORS on Instagram, X, and Facebook @OpenDoorsNYC and Fire Through Dry Grass @FTDGfilm
30 Aug 2024
Ep #3: El Abdulfattaah & Shannon Nelson
We're back with Episode #3! Meet Reality Poets El and Shannon. First hear El, Vince and Var talk about being gun violence survivors, El's journey to joining OPEN DOORS, the influence of music, and more. Then Shannon, Vince and Var discuss Shannon's transition moving out of Coler, their experiences during the pandemic, the impact OPEN DOORS has had on Shannon, and more. The transcript for this episode is available on Google Docs and the video version is available on Youtube. Reality Poets TV is a podcast from OPEN DOORS, a collective of disabled artists, nursing home residents, advocates and allies led by the experiences and voices of the Reality Poets. Hosted by Vince Pierce and Var Viggz. Available in audio format on all podcast platforms and in video format on YouTube. New episodes drop on the last Friday of every month! Learn more about OPEN DOORS, the Reality Poets, and #NursingHomeLivesMatter at OpenDoorsNYC.org Watch the award-winning documentary Fire Through Dry Grass at FireThroughDryGrass.com Follow OPEN DOORS on Instagram, X, and Facebook @OpenDoorsNYC and Fire Through Dry Grass @FTDGfilm
30 Jun 2024
Ep #2: Peter Yearwood & Francene Benjamin
In Episode #2, meet Reality Poets Pete and Francene! They share their personal stories, how they became involved in OPEN DOORS, their hopes for Nursing Home Lives Matter, and more. The transcript for this episode is available on Google Docs and the video version is available on Youtube. Reality Poets TV is a podcast from OPEN DOORS, a collective of disabled artists, nursing home residents, advocates and allies led by the experiences and voices of the Reality Poets. Hosted by Vince Pierce and Var Viggz. Available in audio format on all podcast platforms and in video format on YouTube. New episodes drop on the last Friday of every month! Learn more about OPEN DOORS, the Reality Poets, and #NursingHomeLivesMatter at OpenDoorsNYC.org Watch the award-winning documentary Fire Through Dry Grass at FireThroughDryGrass.com Follow OPEN DOORS on Instagram, X, and Facebook @OpenDoorsNYC and Fire Through Dry Grass @FTDGfilm
24 May 2024
Ep #1: Vince & Var
In Episode #1 meet the Reality Poets TV hosts, Vince and Var. They share their personal stories, the origins of OPEN DOORS, and what is to come. The transcript for this episode is available on Google Docs and the video version is available on Youtube. Reality Poets TV is a podcast from OPEN DOORS, a collective of disabled artists, nursing home residents, advocates and allies led by the experiences and voices of the Reality Poets. Hosted by Vince Pierce and Var Viggz. Available in audio format on all podcast platforms and in video format on YouTube. New episodes drop on the last Friday of every month! Learn more about OPEN DOORS, the Reality Poets, and #NursingHomeLivesMatter at OpenDoorsNYC.org Watch the award-winning documentary Fire Through Dry Grass at FireThroughDryGrass.com Follow OPEN DOORS on Instagram, X, and Facebook @OpenDoorsNYC and Fire Through Dry Grass @FTDGfilm
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
- Apple Podcasts (US)
- 5.0 / 5
- 1 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 14 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
- Quality
- 29
- Social presence
- 0
- YouTube
- 0
- Engagement
- 0
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