Poem Booth: The Podcast

zaynab mohammed

Dynamic Wholesome Conversations with Brilliant Minds & Poetic Hearts

Episodes

  1. Oct 6

    Episode 6: A conversation with @philosopherbonnie, busking poet and deep thinker

    In this episode I get to speak to Philosopher Bonnie, a dear friend of mine, who also writes people poems on public streets and sidewalks. As we reminisce of how we met, we end up diving deep into what this world needs, and how we can be part of cultivating the culture that can transform it. Bonnie takes us into the depths of her brilliant mind, story and metaphor at a time. It is a timely conversation that will touch the hearts of those that listen. Enjoy it, soak it up, and share it with a friend! Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction to Poem Booth and guest Bonnie 00:48 – How Bonnie and Zaynab first met in Ashland 03:08 – The speaker story, Burning Man, and their early friendship 05:23 – Philosopher Bonnie begins with a typewriter trade 07:14 – What Philosopher Bonnie means to Bonnie 09:13 – Why Ashland felt like home 13:27 – Cannabis, pain, and medical use 19:54 – Returning to difficult years and living out of a car 23:46 – Discovering poetry in middle school 26:54 – Coping with daily pain and the “hollow bone” metaphor 29:09 – The food bank story and the idea of an energy leak 32:16 – What Win Three could become 34:02 – Life imitating art 38:27 – Why lose-lose-lose systems need to be redesigned 43:35 – Why Bonnie’s writing group starts with fiction 47:02 – Teaming up around problems instead of facing them alone 48:47 – Contractual benevolence and a bill of rights for corporations 51:26 – Win Core, Win Punk, and prototyping ideas through fiction 53:12 – Microbes, fractals, and art’s influence on life 55:16 – Festivals, community, and the feeling of missed opportunity 64:11 – Why festivals can create social intimacy 69:13 – The pickle metaphor for culture and systems 72:16 – Lobsters, growth, and discomfort 74:13 – Kingdom Hearts and the “first level” of being human 77:18 – Community care and changing how we see the world 79:24 – Generations, role models, and life after 9/11 82:05 – Childhood freedom, neighborhood trust, and surveillance 87:12 – Why Bonnie wants to imagine the future through fiction 91:15 – Worries about younger generations and the extraction of attention 94:23 – Who inspires Bonnie and how her books came together 95:14 – Downloads from the Universe and Bonnie’s early books 98:03 – 2000 Keys to Happiness: A Love Letter to Pain 102:20 – Closing reflections on friendship and shared history Discover Bonnie's work: https://www.instagram.com/philosopherbonnie/ To support this podcast, consider becoming a PATREON contributor by going to https://www.patreon.com/c/POEMBOOTH You can find me at https://zaynabmohammed.com & https://www.instagram.com/poemsbyzaynab/

  2. Sep 5

    Episode 5: A conversation with Smokii Sumac, Ktunaxa poet, painter and Indigenous youth educator

    This week on Poem Booth, I had the honor of sitting down with Smokii Sumac, a Ktunaxa poet, painter and Indigenous youth educator. In this episode, Smokii and I discuss the intersections between liberation struggles by drawing lines between culture, art, ceremony, grief and relationships in restorative ways. You will feel the humanity in every word spoken and in every pause given. What does it mean to face the effects of colonization as we return to ourselves and to one another? Timestamp: 00:00: Smokii introduces himself 03:15: Smokii finds his voice as a poet 07:34: Indigenous literature changes his path 12:02: Art helps young people find possibility 15:23: Smokii dreams of a space for healing 20:29: What does it mean to affirm life? 27:56: Colonization breaks relationships 36:16: Smokii learns to slow down 48:37: Grief needs time and community 53:37: How do we keep our hearts soft? 58:21: Choosing autonomy comes at a cost 65:21: We can all contribute to collective care To purchase Smokii’s new book, Born Sacred, visit: https://fernwoodpublishing.ca/authors/smokii-sumac?srsltid=AfmBOorQ0UhtZf_P_Rut_l0vNMq4rkpUy_7JHhjmqXhz6pTNaAlhU4dc And to be updated about the work he is doing, you can find him at: https://www.instagram.com/smokiisumac/?hl=en The Sumud Podcast he mentioned is here: https://sumudpod.com/   To support this podcast, consider becoming a PATREON contributor by going to: https://www.patreon.com/c/POEMBOOTH You can find me at https://zaynabmohammed.com/ & https://www.instagram.com/poemsbyzaynab

  3. Aug 21

    Episode 4: A conversation with Rachelle Love, a sower of garments and seeds

    This week I had the opportunity to connect with Rachelle Love, a grounded, caring and passionate sower of garments and seeds. In this episode, like all episodes on Poem Booth: The podcast, we get to know what makes Rachelle who she is, what inspires her work and her wholesome vision for the world we are sharing. There is power in her calm nature and potent spider web making creations. Sometimes we need to hear what lives behind the words, the intentions and the visions of a good life, to see the examples showing us what is not found in our media landscape. Timestamps: 0:00 Welcome to Poem Booth + meet Rachelle Love 2:44 Building a sustainable undergarment brand 4:57 Falling in love with sewing and making clothes 7:45 Sewing traditions, craft, and the rise of fast fashion 11:49 Natural fibers, Rana Plaza, and ethical fashion 18:23 Consumption, community, and what we’ve lost 24:09 Dreams of a peaceful, creative life 33:40 Daily challenges, exhaustion, and support systems 41:49 Relaunching the brand and growing it intentionally 47:18 Designing timeless clothing and balancing accessibility 54:52 Teaching sewing and helping artists build businesses 58:34 Filling other people’s cups + a closing reflection Discover Rachelle's work: https://earthandelle.ca and https://www.instagram.com/rachelle.love.___/ To support this podcast, consider becoming a PATREON contributor by going to www.patreon.com/poembooth You can find me at www.zaynabmohammed.com & www.instagram.com/poemsbyzaynab

  4. Jul 9

    Episode 3: A conversation with Louis Bockner, a photojournalist from a small rural community

    In this episode, I got to speak with an old friend of mine, Louis Bockner. He is a simple, grounded and thoughtful human who practices his values in real time. His love of photography has taken him to many countries, where he has opportunities to help local stories meet a wider audience or where he teaches locals how to tell their own stories, through powerful photography as a form of storytelling. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to Louie Bockner and Argenta's essence 05:02 - The role of physical and mental effort in rural living 12:05 - Louie’s journey into photography and storytelling 20:48 - Inspiration to photograph: connection and storytelling 24:41 - Teaching photography as a way to empower local voices 26:04 - Documenting the 2024 Argenta wildfire and its stories 36:30 - Reflections on mortality and the value of time with loved ones 42:29 - Navigating global atrocities through community focus 50:39 - Inspirations from mentors, community figures, and family 54:49 - Living intentionally and the value of local, connected living 62:38 - The land and homesteading in Argenta’s forest landscape 64:03 - The comfort and rarity of staying rooted in one place Learn more about Louis' work: https://www.louisbockner.com To support this podcast, consider becoming a PATREON contributor by going to www.patreon.com/poembooth You can find me at www.zaynabmohammed.com & www.instagram.com/poemsbyzaynab

  5. Jun 18

    Episode 2: A conversation with Meghan Beatty, a frontline activist, from Turtle Island to Palestine

    Meghan Beatty, an activist and pharmacist, shares her journey into activism, from protesting old growth logging to fighting for freedom and justice in Palestine. She discusses the privilege and consequences of activism, emphasizing the importance of direct action and the power of standing up for what you believe in. The conversation delves into Meghan's transformative journey from anxiety and fear to activism and community support. It explores the impact of mental health, the importance of community, and the inspiration drawn from matriarchs. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction to Meghan Beatty06:28 Courage and Arrest14:13 Understanding White Privilege25:47 Consequences of Activism32:06 Access Points to Activism39:30 Overcoming Anxiety and Self-Confidence45:58 Understanding Anxiety and Fear57:59 The Vision for Change01:08:58 Inspiration from Matriarchs To support this podcast, consider becoming a PATREON contributor by going to www.patreon.com/poembooth You can find me at website or instagram.

  6. May 26

    Episode 1: A conversation with Yara Sayegh from Truth Be Told, Lebanon

    Truth Be Told: An interview with Yara Sayegh Filmed on May 20th and 21st 2026. Between Montreal, Canada and Beirut, Lebanon. Hosted by Zaynab Mohammed. In this episode, Poem Booth's first, we dive into what it means to be someone who cares deeply for the world, how art transforms and connects with wide audiences and the dreams and visions for a future of unity, justice and hope. Yara's website: truthbetold.live Yara's instagram page: www.instagram.com/truthbetold.live To support this podcast visit: www.patreon.com/poembooth

  • 6 Episodes

About

Dynamic Wholesome Conversations with Brilliant Minds & Poetic Hearts

Information

  • Creator
    zaynab mohammed
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    6
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 zaynab mohammed
  • Show Website
    Poem Booth: The Podcast