Welcome to another episode of Twice 5 Miles Radio. I'm your host, James Navé. Today, my guest is Kirk Hardesty, my co-host for the LEAF Poetry Slam, one of the main stage shows at The LEAF Global Arts Festival since its inception in 1995. Kirk joined me as co-host in the early 2000s, and we've been hosting the event together ever since. Alongside his wife, Jerri, Kirk has organized poetry slams and other poetry events in Alabama for many years.

Kirk and I dive deep into what makes a poetry slam tick in this episode. We discuss scoring strategies, judges, and the various approaches poets take, whether performing solo or collaboratively. We trace the lineage of the LEAF Poetry Slam back to the Asheville Poetry Slam, which started in 1992, and talk about the origins of the poetry slam movement, which began in Chicago in 1984, hosted by Marc Smith.

We also explore the concept of "slamming" a poem, drawing parallels to the grand slam in baseball, and discuss the strategic thinking poets must employ when performing on stage. We reminisce about the early days of poetry slams, highlighting the experimental and playful spirit that continues to define these events today.

Throughout our conversation, we share insights into the vibrant poetry scene in Alabama, where Kirk has been a significant figure. His involvement in events like the Vibes & Verses Poetry Society in Montgomery and the Birmingham Poetry Slam showcases the region's diverse and supportive community of poets. These gatherings provide a platform for poets from all walks of life to share their work and connect with others.

Stay tuned until the show's end for a unique story about Sonia Renee Taylor and her perfect score at a LEAF Poetry Slam, a moment that left a lasting impression on all who witnessed it. It's a tale you will want to take advantage of.

So, sit back, relax, and join us on this episode of Twice 5 Miles Radio as we explore the dynamic world of poetry slams with Kirk Hardesty. Enjoy the show!

Understand the Poetry Slam with LEAF Poetry Slam hosts Kirk Hardesty And James Navé

Provocative Conversations from Twice 5 Miles Radio is a podcast devoted to candid, often surprising exchanges with artists, thinkers, and cultural instigators who speak from the core. Each episode dives beneath the surface to explore the stories and questions that shape our lives.

I’m James Navé—poet, storyteller, educator, and longtime creative collaborator. With an MFA from Vermont College of Fine Arts and decades of teaching experience across the globe, I help writers and performers tap into their authentic voices through public speaking, creative writing, and the Imaginative Storm method, which I co-developed with Allegra Huston.

My most recent book, 100 Days: A Poetic Memoir After Cancer (3: A Taos Press), documents a hundred days of healing and poetic reckoning. I’m also co-author of Write What You Don’t Know and How to Read for an Audience—practical guides for anyone seeking to speak and write with more truth and power.

I’ve directed festivals, hosted literary salons, taught with Julia Cameron, and memorized over 600 poems. I still believe in the power of a well-told story, the light through stained glass, and the open road with nothing but a podcast and a windshield full of stars.

Understand the Poetry Slam with LEAF Poetry Slam hosts Kirk Hardesty And James Navé

Twice Five Miles