EPISODE: The Creation of Myself

Pride Special 2024

Jun 25, 2024

To just hit “Play” listen on YouTube

“We’re queer, it’s undeniable. Sexy and unstoppable. Lesbian, gay, bisexual. We can all have fun but don’t forget the T.”

Hi, it’s Cara

Happy Pride and welcome to the sunshine lounge: a feel-good mix of today’s music and poetry.

In a world that’s twisted Pride into fast fashion at Target and rainbow flags on war machines, we celebrate Pride today with the spirit of a raised fist.

I ask that you dedicate that spirit to our siblings being terrorized, starved, exploited, oppressed, and ethnically cleansed. To the memory of our siblings lost to AIDS, to those lost to COVID, those disabled by COVID every day, and those who have been erased from society by the rush to return to “normal.” If no one will take care of us, we will take care of each other.

Today you’ll hear a sound gallery of queer art that proves we’re here even though they don’t want us to be

So unclench your jaw, take a deep breath, and settle in for golden hour in the sunshine lounge.

This song will have you going “scoodalee bop bop!”

I’ve shared Molly Grace before because I’m very serious that I think you’ll like her. Try the Lovesick EP.

River E. Styx (they/it) is a disabled, Jewish, queer, and trans poet who recently relocated to central Texas. They have been writing creatively since 2002 and seek to work in and create accessible, welcoming spaces. When not writing, River enjoys baking, spending time with loved ones, and being an uninspiring disabled person.

“How can I confess my love if you don’t believe me?” PLEASE listen to Keiynan’s Rainbow Boy album.

“Is that a boy or girl, bitch I’m the either”

Rachel Barduhn (she/her) is a Jamaican/German free verse poet from Ontario, Canada. Her work is featured by a few publications such as Heroica, Hot Pot Magazine, PITCH Mag and has a chapbook titled, Odd Girl Odd World. She can be found on Instagram @rj_theepoet.

The last 17 seconds of this song are pure bliss

I highly recommend this music video

J.D. Isip (he/him) is the author of three full-length poetry collections including Pocketing Feathers (Sadie Girl Press), Kissing the Wound (2023) and Reluctant Prophets (early 2025), both from Moon Tide Press.

I’m obsessed with this song. It’s one of those ‘I can’t help but dance to this’ songs.

If you like this track, you will love SNOW WIFE’s music videos. Check out Wet Dream and HIT IT.

Jen Colclough (she/they) is a queer poet, novelist, and ESL Instructor from Nova Scotia, Canada. She holds a Master of Arts in Classics from Western University and a Bachelor of Arts with Honours from Acadia University. Her favourite things in life are [literary] tragedies, iced coffee, and dead languages. Her poems have been featured in several journals and anthologies including: The Tabula Rasa Review, The Maritime Haïku Anthology, Ionosphere, MORIA Literary Magazine, and OpenDoor Magazine. Jen Colclough is also a member of the Writers' Federation of Nova Scotia's Writers Council. She is currently querying a debut poetry collection and developing a serial drama for a major streaming service.

“Two Shadows in the night. Is it wrong or right? Feel so alive.”

I think we will see Amira Jazeera become a household name in pop. I mean look at this cover art. She’s eating a string of pearls with a fork off the back of a man.

Lyra Wren (she/her) is a poet and storyteller born and raised in Indiana. She's been a creative ever since she was a little girl, whether that was doodling in the empty spaces of her homework or writing countless stories for her family to read. When she isn't writing in the cafe of her local bookstore, Lyra spends much of her time painting, reading, enjoying the outdoors, curating Spotify playlists, and perusing astrological charts. Follow her on Instagram @poetrybylyra.

“God, I wish I would’ve known when I was younger that I shoulda just danced when I didn’t want to. But hindsight’s 20-20.”

This track has been in my song pool for over a year. I’ve been waiting for just the right time for it, and Pride is perfect. This is the first track on Ahli’s Girls Kissing Girls EP.

moa cedren (they/them) is a creative from the forest and rain-shadow metropolis of the pacific northwest. they enjoy writing about anything that involves interconnection: love, ecology, celestial and fruiting bodies, among everything else. you can find them in gardens, barcades, graveyards, and roaming instagram @mythosmia.

It wouldn’t be a sunshine lounge episode without a bit of mindful sweetness. “And isn’t it beautiful just to be here and to laugh, and to sing, and to cry? Oh, what a beautiful, beautiful little life.”

Listen to this one with headphones if you can. This whole album is amazing.

Allison Murphy (she/her) is a storyteller and aspiring beach-bum living in Southern California. Her poetry plays with rhythm, and explores themes of identity, queerness, healing, and nature. Keep up with her on Instagram at @allisonmurph.

“He’s a monologue, she’s a scene. She’s give-and-take while he’s just taking me.”

I love Stella Mar’s raspy voice and pop groove sound. Check out her EP, Polyester, in the ‘Further listening’ section at the end of this post.

Christina Brown (she/her) is a poet and educator living in Long Beach, CA. She is the cohost of The Bi Pod: A Queer Podcast. Her first poetry collection, Girl Teeth, published by innateDIVINITYpress, is available now. Follow her on Instagram at christina.leigh.brown.

I’ll give you one clue about the plot of this music video: beans

“She said speak up but I keep quiet. Been here so many times and you might change your mind, I promise I won’t waste your time, let’s try again.”

Thanks so much for listening. I hope you’ve had a wonderful Pride.

If you would like to submit poems to be read on the show for Season 4, fill out the form here. You can stay up to date with episodes and extras on Instagram, and subscribe here on Substack to get the next episode straight to your inbox.

Have the best day you can have today and I’ll see you soon.