The Unruly Muse

Lynn C. Miller and John Modaff

5.0 (14)
Performing Arts
Updated Bimonthly

A performance-centered podcast that features songs, poems, stories, and patter built around a theme each episode. Modaff and Miller are writers and stage/radio performers. Contemporary and classic writers, original stories and songs are performed.

3d ago

Holding On

Song 1: “Your Arms Around Me” (by Dan Modaff & Jennifer Butler Modaff, performed by Dan Modaff with Good Enough, from the album Saturday’s Child) Poem 1: “The Trees Were Filled With Blossoms But No Bees,” by Katherine Seluja. From her poetry collection Point of Entry (University of New Mexico Press, 2023). Katherine is a Santa Fe-based poet, writer, and speaker. Fiction: “Holding On,” a short story by Lynn C. Miller. Her fifth novel, The Surrogate, came out in March 2026 from the University of Wisconsin Press. www.lynncmiller.com Feed the Cat Break: “Lollygagging” (John V Modaff) Poem 2: “Disposition” by Kelly Yenser. This poem was originally published in the Hampden-Sydney Poetry Review. Kelly is working on a new poetry collection. Song 2: “Not OK” (composed & performed by John V Modaff) Episode artwork by Lynda Miller / Theme & original incidental music, John V. Modaff, BMI Recorded in Albuquerque NM and Morehead KY / Produced at The Creek Studio NEXT UP on Episode 62: The Unexpected Thank You to our listeners around the world. Please tell your friends about the podcast. Lynn & John
Jun 26

What Is Real?

Song 1: “Lost Soul” (by Dave Merrill) Poem 1: “Rock, Scissors, Paper, the Anniversary Edition, 11 September 2020” by Sandra Yannone. This poem comes from her recent collection, The Glass Studio. Since March 2020, she's hosted the international online reading series Cultivating Voices LIVE Poetry. Her newest collection is Fire at the Big Top. Visit her at www.sandrayannone.com Fiction: “Another Time, Another Place” a short story by Lynn C. Miller. Her most recent publication is the novel The Surrogate, 2026. www.lynncmiller.com Feed the Cat Break: “Amelia’s Waltz” (by Dave Merrill) Poem 2: “The Horse as the Letter L” by Mark Sanders. A selection from the forthcoming publication in 2027, The Messiah Horse: Poems, 1988-2025, Cornerstone Press Song 2: “Trainman” (composed by John & Larry Modaff, performed by John V. Modaff with Dave Merrill) Episode artwork by Lynda Miller Theme & Incidental Music by John V. Modaff, BMI Recorded in Albuquerque NM and Morehead KY Produced at The Creek Studio NEXT UP on Episode 61: Holding On Thank You to our listeners around the world. Please tell your friends about the podcast. Lynn & John
May 28

Peace

Song 1: “Peace” (by Larry Modaff with Good Enough) Poem 1: “For a Long Time I Have Wanted to Write a Poem About Happiness” by Susan Aizenberg. This poem, from her second collection, Quiet City (BkMk Press 2015); her newest collection is A Walk With Frank O’Hara (Mary Burritt Christiansen Poetry Series/University of New Mexico Press 2024). Fiction: excerpts from “David’s Harvest: Stories,” a collection in process by Lynn C. Miller. www.lynncmiller.com Feed the Cat Break: “Sea Change” (Christopher B. Geyerman & John V. Modaff) Poem 2: “Before, We Sat Back and Twiddled Our Thumbs as Needles Rose Up from Below and Nails Rained Down from Above” by Mikki Aronoff. Her new book of fairy tales in 2026 is called Neverafters A collection of fairy and folk tales, of hauntings and whispers, of nibbles and notions by her and co-authors Christine H. Chen, and Amy Marques. Song 2: “A Corner of Heaven” (by Dan Modaff with Good Enough) Episode artwork by Lynda Miller Theme & Incidental Music by John V. Modaff, BMI Recorded in Albuquerque NM and Morehead KY Produced at The Creek Studio NEXT UP on Episode 60: Deja Vu Thank You to our listeners around the world. Please tell your friends about the podcast. Lynn & John
Apr 25

Approach/Avoidance

Song 1: “Before the Magi” (John V. Modaff, sung by The Woman of Mystery) Poem 1: “Occupied” by Scott Wiggerman. His new collection, Beginning and Ending with Emily, came out Spring of 2026 with Casa Urraca Press. Scott lives in Albuquerque and is a painter and a poet. https://scottwiggerman.myportfolio.com/ Fiction: excerpt from The Surrogate by Lynn C. Miller, published March 31, 2026 from University of Wisconsin Press. Available on major platforms or order from your local bookstore. www.lynncmiller.com Feed the Cat Break: “Song of the Owl” (by John V. Modaff) Poem 2: “There Was…Pause” by Barbara Rockman whose book NIGHT SAID is in press for fall of 2026 from the University of New Mexico Press. Song 2: “Never Give Up” (John Modaff, with Dan Modaff on guitar leads) Episode artwork by Lynda Miller Theme & Incidental Music by John V. Modaff, BMI Recorded in Albuquerque NM and Morehead KY Produced at The Creek Studio, Morehead, KY NEXT UP on Episode 59: Peace Thank You to our listeners around the world. Please tell your friends about the podcast. Lynn & John
Mar 26

Hello, is anyone there?

Song 1: “Say Hello” (composed and performed by John V. Modaff) Poem 1: “Narrative Without People” by Hilda Raz, from Divine Honors. Author of eight collections of poems. The epigraph to this book is by Cynthia Macdonald: “May I see what I have tried not to see.” Hilda’s collected poems are published by the University of Nebraska Press (2021). Fiction: “Hello Hello,” a story by Lynn C. Miller. Her fifth novel, The Surrogate, comes out March 31, 2026 from the University of Wisconsin Press. https://uwpress.wisc.edu/Books/T/The-Surrogate Feed the Cat Break: “The A Train Home” (Chris Geyerman & John V. Modaff) Poem 2: “Forever,” by poet Jack Cooper, author of Silly Lily’s Rhyming Adventures In Nature (2023) and Across My Silence (2007) World Audience, Inc. https://sillylilysadventures.com/ Song 2: “High Class” (John V. Modaff , with Dan Modaff on guitar/banjo interlude) Episode artwork by Lynda Miller Show theme and incidental music by John V. Modaff, BMI The Unruly Muse is Recorded in Albuquerque, NM and Morehead, KY Produced at The Creek Studio, Morehead KY NEXT UP: April, 2026 Episode 58: “Approach/Avoidance” Thank You to our listeners around the world. Please tell your friends about the podcast. Lynn & John
Feb 27

Freedom

Song 1: Ride Downtown (composed & performed by John V Modaff, with Dave Merrill on 2nd & 3rd guitars and harmonica) Poem 1: “Eleanor Remembers” by Susan Aizenberg, published in 2025 in On the Seawall, a community gallery of new writing, art, and commentary. Susan is a poet living in Iowa City; her latest book is:A Walk With Frank O’Hara (U of New Mexico Press, 2024.) Fiction: “She Always Knew What She Wanted,” a short story by Lynn C. Miller. Her fifth novel, The Surrogate, comes out March 31, 2026 from the University of Wisconsin Press. https://uwpress.wisc.edu/Books/T/The-Surrogate Feed the Cat Break: “Estranged” (composed & performed by John V. Modaff) Poem 2: “Fireflies,” by Rebecca Aronson, poet, professor and editor. She is the author of three collections of poetry, most recently Anchor, and is a winner of several awards for her poetry. https://www.rebeccaaronsonpoetry.com/ Song 2: Beyond the Other Side (by David R. Merrill / performed by D.R. Merrill and J.V. Modaff on bass & percussion) Episode artwork by Lynda Miller Show theme and incidental music by John V. Modaff The Unruly Muse is recorded in Albuquerque, NM and Morehead, KY Produced at The Creek Studio, Morehead, KY NEXT UP: Mar/ 2026, Episode 57: “Hello, is anyone there?” Thank You to our listeners around the world. Please tell your friends about the podcast. Lynn & John
Jan 28

Ancestors

Song 1: “Like They Did” (composed and performed by John V. Modaff with Dan Modaff on mandolin and 2nd/3rdguitars) Poem 1: “Bringing Back the Dead” by Julie Williams, a poet and visual artist. Author of Escaping Tornado Season and Drama Queens in the House. Her new poetry collection is in process. Prose Fiction: “The Home Place,” excerpt of a short story by Lynn C. Miller, whose fifth novel, The Surrogate, comes out March 31, 2026. www.lynncmiller.com Feed the Cat Break: from “Tuel’s Landing” (composed by Lauren Price, performed by The Price Sisters Lauren and Leanna and their fantastic bluegrass band) Poem 2: “Willard at Work” by Kelly Yenser, from Midcentury Modern, a new collection in process. His most recent published collection is Walking Uphill at Noon, from UNM Press. Song 2: “Life is a Chorus” (lyrics by Larry D. Browning, performed by John V. Modaff with brother Dan Modaff on mandolin and 2nd guitar) Episode artwork by Lynda Miller Show theme and Incidental music by John V. Modaff The Unruly Muse is Recorded in Albuquerque, NM and Morehead, KY Produced at The Creek Studio, Morehead, KY NEXT UP: Feb/ 2026, Episode 56: “Freedom” Thank You to our listeners around the world. Please tell your friends about the podcast. Lynn & John
11/24/2025

The Forbidden

Song 1: “You Can’t Do That” (composed and performed by John Modaff) Poem 1: “Vegetable Medley” by Mikki Aronoff, a much-published Albuquerque poet, Pushcart nominee, and animal advocate. Poem first published in The Dribble Drabble Review. Fiction: excerpt from Death of a Department Chair by Lynn C. Miller.Her fifth novel, The Surrogate, comes out in Spring, 2026 from the University of Wisconsin Press. https://uwpress.wisc.edu/Books/T/The-Surrogate Feed the Cat Break: “Never Goodbye” (composed by John Modaff, performed by jvm and The Mystery Woman) Poem 2: “Who Knew” by poet and artist Julie Williams, author of Escaping Tornado Season and Drama Queens in the House. A poetry collection is in process. Song 2: “Original Sin” (composed and performed by John Modaff) Episode artwork by Lynda Miller Show theme and Incidental music by John V. Modaff The Unruly Muse is Recorded in Albuquerque, NM and Morehead, KY. NEXT UP: Jan 2026, Episode 55, “Ancestors” Thank You to our listeners around the world. Please tell your friends about the podcast. Lynn & John

See All (61)

out of 5

14 Ratings

So Enjoyed Episode 20 Memory

11/16/2022

RBKorNotrbk

The Unruly Muse podcasts have been such a delight to listen to and “Memory” was no exception. I found the whole theme of memory to be fascinating and had to pause on the idea of scent memories. It reminded me that I continue to use a moisturizer that my mother used, and I’m sure it’s not only that I like the scent, but it also brings back sweet memories. Thanks for the intersection of the Memory theme and life.
Not a podcast fan—until this one!!

03/25/2021

pmskoy

The Unruly Muse is so well conceived and assembled. The dialogue between Lynn and John is quick and clever, as they raise interesting questions about issues relevant to us all. The blend of compelling poetry, narrative, and the music I’ve never heard before, keep me glued to this show from beginning to end. The melodic blend of their voices create a riveting sensory experience. I am a devoted listener.
Unruly Muse

03/23/2021

Trimoff

Four times a winner! Great voices, choices, talk and insight. Music, too and like the best of theatre mixed with radio. I’m subscribed.
Mesmerizing

03/04/2021

JoyJill

One would be hard-pressed to find a more creative, more entertaining, and more downright delightful pair with whom to spend an evening’s half-hour. In this episode Lynn Miller and John Modaff share a pitch-perfect smorgasbord of excerpts from literature and theater plus original music, poems, and story. Their conversation, always informative and interesting, is playful yet profound, and their obvious enthusiasm for imaginative exploration of the human condition is infectious.

Creator

Lynn C. Miller and John Modaff
Years Active

2021 - 2026
Episodes

61
Rating

Explicit
Show Website

The Unruly Muse

The Unruly Muse

Episodes

Holding On

What Is Real?

Peace

Approach/Avoidance

Hello, is anyone there?

Freedom

Ancestors

The Forbidden

Ratings & Reviews

About

Information