KJZZ's Word: Recent Episodes
KJZZ 91.5FM Phoenix
On this episode of Word, it’s the season-ender! We discuss reading events beyond the upcoming Juneteenth holiday that offer a deeper connection to why it’s celebrated. Plus, a literary conversation from Kenya happened while on "vacation," and I returned to the Valley to discuss a debut novel from an ASU professor emerita.
On this episode, a Diné writer releases her first novel. Plus, we examine an international true-crime story by a Valley poet-turned sleuth. And, we extend a bow to Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month with a day at the Kentucky Derby.
Coming up on this episode, musician Lizzo is the subject of a new graphic short story series.Plus, a linguist argues for bad language … "Like, literally, dude."And, a rapid-fire play examines the search for love and dignity by single Black females.
National Poetry Month continues on this episode of Word, which also features crime fiction, a novel set in 1940s Harlem, plus a memoir from journalist and NPR's "All Things Considered" co-host Marie Louise Kelly.
Country music in the West and poetry reverberate the sounds of spring in this episode of Word, a podcast about literature in Arizona and the region.
Shakespeare, hiking in Arizona, poetry on vinyl and a haiku winner share some thematic space on this KJZZ podcast about literature in Arizona and the region. It's hosted by Tom Maxedon.
A Valley resident turns experience as a former prison inmate into a graphic novel, an addiction to an anti-anxiety drug leads to a debut mystery, the KJZZ Annual Haiku Writing Contest keeps on chugging and Arizona Matsuri returns to Phoenix, in person.
What do a middle-grade novelist, thriller enthusiast and swingers have in common? It’s all fodder for the season ender of Word, a podcast about literature in Arizona and the region hosted by KJZZ’s Tom Maxedon.
What do a Coconino high school student, a novelist and writer for the San Francisco Chronicle as well as a poet from Fountain Hills have in common?
What do a children's author with a new release, an action-adventure writer who pivoted during the pandemic to ghostwriting and a librarian have in common?
What do a labor organizer who fought to unionize industrial laundry workers in the Valley, poets from the state, a teen writer who wrote a book about women poets and a legend of open mic have in common?
Word returns from spring break with new conversations about kid lit, Valley poets preparing to go geopolitical vs. Vladimir Putin’s war against Ukraine during National Poetry Month and the upcoming Tucson Poetry Festival.
What do a KJZZ reporter, the former Phoenix poet laureate, a Valley haiku poet with a new haiku trilogy and the winner of this year’s Haiku Writing Contest have in common?
What do a Scottsdale memoirist, a Tucson coffee shop/bookstore owner — who's also a haiku enthusiast as well as a crime writer — and a Tucson Festival of Books panelist have in common? They’re all part of this episode of KJZZ’s Word. It’s a podcast about literature in Arizona and the region hosted by Tom Maxedon.
What do a debut novelist from Tucson, a Nigerian-American young adult and fantasy writer who just moved to the Valley as well as a teacher who is part of the Arizona Matsuri steering committee in Phoenix have in common? They comprise our Season 7 opener episode of "Word." It’s a podcast about literature in Arizona and the region.
What do a Valley financial advisor/novelist, tireless advocate of the arts and poet in her own right, and a teacher/spoken word artist in Phoenix have in common?
On this first October offering of “Word,” wanderlust is our theme. We explore what Valley teacher and writer Marla-Tiye Vieira; southern New Mexico scholar, fiction writer and poet Ana Castillo; as well as longtime producer of Anthony Bourdain’s TV shows, Tom Vitale, have to contribute to our itinerary.
What do a Tucson rancher, a poet who's lauded by NPR and the new Phoenix youth poet laureate have in common? Find out on "Word" S6:E2 hosted by Tom Maxedon from KJZZ. It's a podcast about literature in Arizona and the region.
In this Season 6 opener of "Word," we run the gamut from dealing with post-traumatic stress as a veteran and personal migration stories by Black people living in Arizona to a romantic comedy based in Phoenix that deals with the opioid crisis.
On this penultimate episode for Season 11 of Word, everything old is new when it comes to a Roman Emperor who practiced Stoicism. Plus, we offer a new spin on a gothic literary classic. And, we propose a couple of adult fiction summer reading suggestions.
Arizona State University will host a CantoMundo retreat with Latinx poets; a new play about two beloved film critics comes to the stage in the Valley; and David Ignatius from the Washington Post talks about his new fictional spy thriller, and real-world technology that poses a serious national security concern.
On this episode of Word, we discuss a new romance book club in the Valley, how the 2022 shooting of a Valley man by a former Phoenix police officer inspired a collection of poems and a new collection of climate fiction short stories.
On this episode of “Word,” we talk religion and politics with NPR National Political Correspondent and co-host of NPR’s "Politics Podcast," Sarah McCammon. We also chat with the winner of the 2023 National Book Award for Poetry, Craig Santos Perez.
On this episode of KJZZ's Word podcast about literature, we feature stories about a crime, a baseball historian with a century-old tale and science from an NPR correspondent. Plus, we have the winner of this year’s KJZZ Haiku Writing Contest.
To kick off Season 11, this episode of Word features author awards, an NPR host, poetry and the annual KJZZ Haiku Writing Contest.
On this season-ending episode of Word, we highlight some of those who appeared during 2023. It's a "Fest Of Us," celebrating literature and the winners of KJZZ's "Tiny Library" drawing.
On this episode we catch up with children’s authors who discuss the importance of empathy and interconnectedness as well as a former journalist who has a page-turning new historical novel about an American reporter who turned into a mouthpiece for Nazi propaganda during World War II.
On this episode of KJZZ's Word podcast about literature, we feature the winner of the National Book Award for his collection of poetry. Plus, the holiday season means it’s time for NPR’s annual, “Books We Love" feature. Also, a children's author offers two new interactive titles.
It’s Halloween and on this episode, we explore Magic, Marvel and President Abraham Lincoln.
On this episode, Word spotlights horror in numerous ways from banned books to a new novel about a murdered Indigenous woman, as well a murder satire of cozy mysteries. Guests include Carew Papritz, J.A. Jance and Chuck Palahniuk.
Poets and storytellers have an opportunity to perform in the Valley, plus we feature young adult travel and romance set in Arizona, as well as a YA fantasy/romance rooted in dark magic.
On this Season 10 opener of KJZZ's Word podcast hosted by Tom Maxedon, it’s all about anecdotes.In this episode, we feature conversations about minor league baseball, the only Latino governor of Arizona, Raúl Héctor Castro, affectionately known as Raúlito, plus tales on the road about legendary troubadour Bob Dylan.
On this episode of Word, it’s the season-ender! We discuss reading events beyond the upcoming Juneteenth holiday that offer a deeper connection to why it’s celebrated. Plus, a literary conversation from Kenya happened while on "vacation," and I returned to the Valley to discuss a debut novel from an ASU professor emerita.
On this episode, a Diné writer releases her first novel. Plus, we examine an international true-crime story by a Valley poet-turned sleuth. And, we extend a bow to Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month with a day at the Kentucky Derby.
Coming up on this episode, musician Lizzo is the subject of a new graphic short story series.Plus, a linguist argues for bad language … "Like, literally, dude."And, a rapid-fire play examines the search for love and dignity by single Black females.
National Poetry Month continues on this episode of Word, which also features crime fiction, a novel set in 1940s Harlem, plus a memoir from journalist and NPR's "All Things Considered" co-host Marie Louise Kelly.
Country music in the West and poetry reverberate the sounds of spring in this episode of Word, a podcast about literature in Arizona and the region.
Shakespeare, hiking in Arizona, poetry on vinyl and a haiku winner share some thematic space on this KJZZ podcast about literature in Arizona and the region. It's hosted by Tom Maxedon.
A Valley resident turns experience as a former prison inmate into a graphic novel, an addiction to an anti-anxiety drug leads to a debut mystery, the KJZZ Annual Haiku Writing Contest keeps on chugging and Arizona Matsuri returns to Phoenix, in person.
Coming up on this Season 9 opener of Word, wanna get off this planet? A new sci-fi novel examines the implications of doing so and what it means for sustainability for those of us who choose to stay on it.
Coming up on this Season 8-ender of Word, we go on a show bender with highlights spanning the entire run-of-show from where it started on the island of Guam in 2016 until now.
On this penultimate episode of Word for 2022, a local creative peppers the episode with perseverance, imagination, elevation and empowerment while asking the question: “Who do we owe?”
On this episode of KJZZ's Word, the application window for the National Endowment for the Arts' Big Read grants is open. Plus, National Novel Writing Month, known as NaNoWriMo, is winding down and writers are feverishly trying to finish 50,000 words by Nov. 30.Finally, music icon and one of Arizona’s beloved daughters, Linda Ronstadt, has a new memoir.
What do an Old West mystery/fantasy novel, a former transgender firefighter and NaNoWriMo have in common? Find out on this episode of KJZZ's Word. It's a podcast about literature in Arizona and the region.
What do outlaws, dysfunctional family outings and a Scottish bookstore have in common? Find out on this episode of Word. It's a KJZZ podcasted hosted by Tom Maxedon.
What does kid lit and the courage of a Mexican woman journalist have in common? Find out in this episode of Word, a podcast hosted by KJZZ's Tom Maxedon about literature in Arizona and the region.
What do vampires, poetry and Agatha Christie have in common? Find out in this episode of Word, a podcast hosted by KJZZ's Tom Maxedon about literature in Arizona and the region.
What do detectives, mobsters, jazz musicians, and fall have in common? Those are some of the themes we explore on the Season 8 opener of Word. It’s a podcast about literature in Arizona and the region hosted by KJZZ’s Tom Maxedon.
What do a middle-grade novelist, thriller enthusiast and swingers have in common? It’s all fodder for the season ender of Word, a podcast about literature in Arizona and the region hosted by KJZZ’s Tom Maxedon.
What do a Coconino high school student, a novelist and writer for the San Francisco Chronicle as well as a poet from Fountain Hills have in common?
What do a children's author with a new release, an action-adventure writer who pivoted during the pandemic to ghostwriting and a librarian have in common?
What do a labor organizer who fought to unionize industrial laundry workers in the Valley, poets from the state, a teen writer who wrote a book about women poets and a legend of open mic have in common?
Word returns from spring break with new conversations about kid lit, Valley poets preparing to go geopolitical vs. Vladimir Putin’s war against Ukraine during National Poetry Month and the upcoming Tucson Poetry Festival.
What do a KJZZ reporter, the former Phoenix poet laureate, a Valley haiku poet with a new haiku trilogy and the winner of this year’s Haiku Writing Contest have in common?
What do a Scottsdale memoirist, a Tucson coffee shop/bookstore owner — who's also a haiku enthusiast as well as a crime writer — and a Tucson Festival of Books panelist have in common? They’re all part of this episode of KJZZ’s Word. It’s a podcast about literature in Arizona and the region hosted by Tom Maxedon.
What do a debut novelist from Tucson, a Nigerian-American young adult and fantasy writer who just moved to the Valley as well as a teacher who is part of the Arizona Matsuri steering committee in Phoenix have in common? They comprise our Season 7 opener episode of "Word." It’s a podcast about literature in Arizona and the region.
What do a former hotshot from Arizona, a Valley poet with a new collection about addiction as well as a planetary scientist and creative writer from Tucson have in common? They comprise our season-ending episode of "Word." It’s a podcast about literature in Arizona and the region.
What do a poetry library director from Tucson, a Lipan Apache Earth scientist/young adult novelist and a Tempe poet have in common? They are returning friends on this episode of Word. It's a podcast about literature in Arizona and the region.
Explore the human condition in the past, present and future with a historical fiction writer, a Phoenix poet and a Valley gaming enthusiast.
What do a Valley financial advisor/novelist, tireless advocate of the arts and poet in her own right, and a teacher/spoken word artist in Phoenix have in common?
On this first October offering of “Word,” wanderlust is our theme. We explore what Valley teacher and writer Marla-Tiye Vieira; southern New Mexico scholar, fiction writer and poet Ana Castillo; as well as longtime producer of Anthony Bourdain’s TV shows, Tom Vitale, have to contribute to our itinerary.
What do a Tucson rancher, a poet who's lauded by NPR and the new Phoenix youth poet laureate have in common? Find out on "Word" S6:E2 hosted by Tom Maxedon from KJZZ. It's a podcast about literature in Arizona and the region.
In this Season 6 opener of "Word," we run the gamut from dealing with post-traumatic stress as a veteran and personal migration stories by Black people living in Arizona to a romantic comedy based in Phoenix that deals with the opioid crisis.
What are you reading this summer? We have some suggestions by Arizona writers for adults and youth or those who don’t want to adult for a minute and feel their youth again. Hear their stories on this Season 5 ender of “Word,” a KJZZ podcast about the literary arts in Arizona and the region, hosted by Tom Maxedon.
What do indigenous futurism, young adult fantasy literature and climate have in common? Find out on "Word" — a KJZZ podcast about the literary arts in Arizona and the region hosted by Tom Maxedon.
What do the Vietnamese diaspora, Beat/Wagner-inspired poetry, The Diné Reader and Black Lives Matter have in common? We explore those connections in this double-issue of Word as we close out National Poetry Month with PPE: a Pandemic Poetry Extravaganza.
National Poetry Month continues and after a virtual trip to Tucson last episode, we come back to the “Valley of the Poet” and explore some intriguing questions.
Coming up on “Word," we’re back from spring break and just in time for National Poetry Month. On this episode, we head to the University of Arizona Poetry Center in Tucson — well via Zoom anyway. Plus, we sample some poetry and talk verse with Tucson writers.
National Haiku Writing Month — NaHaiWriMo — concludes. On this episode, we will talk briefly with the randomly selected winner of KJZZ’s third-annual Haiku Writing Contest.
Na Hai Wri Mo — National Haiku Writing Month — continues, and so does KJZZ’s third-annual Haiku Writing Contest. This year’s theme: What's new for you during the pandemic? You can submit up to one original haiku per week. On this episode, we’ll catch up with organizers of this year’s Arizona Matsuri which is going virtual.
Welcome to the Season 5 opener of “Word” and the launch of KJZZ’s third-annual Haiku Writing Contest. This year’s theme: What's new for you during the pandemic?
Welcome to the final episode of “Word” for this season. As we close out the 2020, we’re exploring nonfiction, something we don’t often discuss as a literary art form.
What do a retired veteran, a museum archivist and a technical writer have in common? They all finished the challenge of National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) and wrote at least a 50,000-word novel during November.
What do a tourism writer from Albuquerque, New Mexico; a Glendale life coach; and a burlesque performer and creative from the Valley have in common? They're all engaging in National Novel Writing Month.
It’s nearly Halloween and almost National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo). As we close out October, we celebrate the holiday and those who are stepping up to write 50,000 words in a month beginning Nov. 1.
On this episode, we welcome Annika Clark, chosen by Creative Youth of Arizona as the Phoenix Youth Poet Laureate. Plus, we talk to poet and retired teacher Joey Connolly and Pueblo Indian writer and NYT bestselling author Rebecca Roanhorse, who has a new fantasy novel called “Black Sun” out this month.
The coronavirus pandemic continues to present challenges for creatives. We’ll talk to a returning guest about it. Plus, we turn our attention to younger audiences and readers, beginning with puppets.
"Word" is a KJZZ original podcast about the literary arts in Arizona and the region. We begin this season with the first of three returning guests, David Hemphill, executive director of Black Theatre Troupe in Phoenix.
This episode contains some frank descriptions that may not be suitable for all listeners and political opinions that are not endorsed by KJZZ in any capacity.On this mega edition of “Word,” we put a cap on National Poetry Month in the state and the region. We open with a poem by Colleen Carnahan, "Phoenix Rising."
National Poetry Month continues in the age of COVID-19. In this episode, we are heading to Tucson, virtually, to check in with our neighbors in Southern Arizona. Despite the shuttering of spoken word venues, poets are still sounding their barbaric yawps via social media and creative apps.
We celebrate International Women’s HERstory Month with some influential Arizona writers and readers.
It’s National Poetry Month. And even as the coronavirus pandemic continues to shutter brick and mortar performance spaces, poets conquer with technology to stay in contact with audiences and promote their writing.
KJZZ's second annual Haiku Writing Contest comes to an end as we round out NaHaiWriMo (National Haiku Writing Month).
While we hunker down amid a pandemic, creatives are facing tough times, too. Performances have been canceled. Open mics have been shut down. But we carry on with trying to stay in touch.
We continue National Haiku Writing Month by talking to three poets with connections to Arizona and the Southwest.
KJZZ's second annual Haiku Writing Contest launches this month as we celebrate NaHaiWriMo (National Haiku Writing Month). We're teaming up with The Show again for the contest and offering some spirited discussions about haiku on episodes of Word this month.
In this season two finale, we explore the spookier side of Christmas with a look at the tradition of telling ghost stories during the holiday season.We talk to Dr. Seth Lerer about one of the most beloved Christmas goblins, the Grinch, and the darker side of the character and its creator, Theodor Seuss Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss.Plus, writer and creative writing professor Dr. Colin Dickey joins us to discuss the tradition of telling ghost stories during Christmas, a subject he explored extensively for Smithsonian.And for our pièce de résistance: Krampus!
On this National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) retrospective and seventh episode of Season 2, we get back on the mic with some guests who joined us previously to discuss their hard work.Included in this episode are Laura MacKenzie, Theresa Munroe, Sonja Moman, and a new guest, Ann Peterson, who channeled her love of poetry in writing fiction.
We continue our focus on National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) in this sixth episode of Season 2 as we catch up with three writers and their stories in medias res.Guests include Michelle Rabe, Laura MacKenzie and Valley teacher Sonja Momon, who incorporates NaNo into her classroom in a unique way and is going rogue this month for what might be called NaNoMyMo.
In this fifth episode of Season 2, we celebrate writers all over Arizona who are participating in the annual NaNoWriMo.We also take a trip to the Just Read Local Author's Fair that was held Nov. 2, at Burton Barr Central Library in Phoenix. The fair was the brainchild of Jeriann Thacker, adult services coordinator for the library.
In this fourth episode of Season 2, we celebrate Beat Generation writer Jack Kerouac who died 50 years ago this month and whose legendary novel, “On the Road,” which encapsulated the Beat Generation was published 62 years ago in September.We feature a performance of his with Steve Allen in 1959 and a bit of humor about Beat culture from Del Close and John Brent as well as an episode of "Mr. Know It All," from "The Bullwinkle Show" that takes a funny angle on "How To Be A Beatnik."
Word is a KJZZ podcast about the literary arts in Arizona and the region.In this third episode of Season 2, “All the World’s a Stage.” If so, what are theater directors doing to include more diversity on it?KJZZ’s “The Show” co-host Steve Goldstein talks to the winner of the Arizona Theatre Company’s National LatinX Playwriting Award for an answer.Plus, we find out what is a choreopoem, a term first coined in 1975 by playwright/poet Ntozake Shange whose work, “For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When the Rainbow Is Enuf,” exhibits the form.
Word is a KJZZ podcast about the literary arts in Arizona and the region.In this second episode of Season 2, we explore children's and young adult literature in Arizona.First, we talk to fellow podcaster Pamela Rogers, creator and host of "Buttons & Figs," a show that uses "nonsense" to make sense. Pamela is a descendant of E. Lowell Rogers who has an amphitheater named after him in Glendale. She just moved back to the Phoenix metro area two years ago.We also take a trip to Childsplay to talk to Dwayne Hartford, artistic director and creator of the stage adaptation of "The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane" playing at Herberger Theater until Oct. 13, 2019. The play is based on the book of the same name and written by Kate DiCamillo. Plus, budding young writers from the Valley get the skinny on how Arizona authors get inspired to write and bring their works to market. We feature interviews with authors Ginger Scott, Jeff Mariotte, Sharon Skinner as well as Kyrene Middle School literature teacher and writer Deb Rosenblum. She spearheaded the Student Writing Conference which took place Sept. 7, 2019.In October, we're focusing on literature about the road and also on the spooky season. If you have ideas on who we should talk to or a contribution of your own, reach out to tmaxedon@kjzz.org.To hear more, visit word.kjzz.org.
In this mammoth Season 2 opener, we push back against the depiction of young people from low income families as depicted in Nick Richey's film, "Low Low" which is being screened in Scottsdale on Sept. 12. The filmmaker will participate in a Q&A following the movie.We push back against migrant abuse with writers from Tucson and Phoenix, who participated in a national event, "Writers For Migrant Justice" on Sept. 4. Poets include Bojan Louis, Marianna Curtis Coles and Katerina Ivanoc who performed in Tucson at Exo Roast Company. Audio was supplied by Susan Briante. Other poets include Claudia Belen and Joel Salcido performing at Puente in Phoenix. Audio was supplied by Anna Flores and the Phoenix event is available online. We push back against the suppression of women's rights with the relaunch of The Revolution — an iconic newspaper created by Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony, and reimagined by Rosemarie Dombroski, Phoenix poet laureate and a team of historians, such as Dr. Pamela Stewart as well as writers and artists. Hear more at word.kjzz.org.
March 1, 2019: Tucson Poet Laureate TC Tolbert and the Downtown Tucson Partnership put haiku in public spaces throughout the city.
April 30, 2019: Poetry podcaster Imogen Arate. KJZZ's Christina Estes samples some open mic poetry at a Valley bookstore. Plus, poet Anna Flores.
April 18, 2019: Word hits the road! Take a trip to the University of Arizona Poetry Center, a haiku hike in Tucson — and more.
Feb. 8, 2019: An interview with Tomas Stanton from Mesa Arts Center about engaging youth in writing and performing poetry.
Feb. 15, 2019: A preview of the upcoming Arizona Matsuri Festival of Japan with John Sachen.
Feb. 22, 2019: An interview with Rosemarie Dombrowski, Phoenix poet laureate and ASU professor, about taking poetry to the streets and the power of haiku.
April 24, 2019: Tom returns to the Valley to talk to Sally Ball, associate professor of English at ASU, and student poet and activist Austin Davis.
Feb. 1, 2019: An interview with Michael Dylan Welch, creator of National Haiku Writing Month and administrator of the website that hosts it.
May 29, 2019: Arizona StoryFest is back on June 1. Plus, Cynnita Agent, co-star of "Single Black Female," and David Hemphill, stage director.