Published Poet & Essayist. Multimedia Artist, and Peer support specialist (working toward a degree in clinical Psychology)
When you think about your time at PiM/MSSPA, what is the one thing that sticks out?
A vivid, messy, gorgeous, and devastating community of lost souls and misfits; many how we all loved, and simultaneously could not stand each other. (Bonus: The funeral home doing cremations on Wednesdays, causing the choir room to smell a bit like burnt flesh!)
What was one thing you feel MSSPA/PIM prepared you for?
As one of the realities of just how radically difficult life can be; Taking and handling critique or feedback is a skill I was shown at MSSPA, and when I later became a Sous Chef at the age of 24, I taught my cooks this same style of acceptance. “Thank you for your feedback, Chef!” Followed by them leaving the “audition” space and experiencing, and sitting with the discomfort of “not knowing”.
What is something that you were surprised to discover MSSPA/PiM prepared you for?
Navigating through the complexities of human emotions, trauma, fear, and grief as someone who works in mental health care and within the literary community.
Are you doing what you thought you would be doing?
Not at all! I thought I would not live to see 21; but here I am, nearly 30 and finally learning to love being alive!
