Better off Read

• Ep 155: Jo Randerson, Sarah Maxey and pip adam talk about Secret Art Powers: How Creative Thinking Can Achieve Radical Change

  On September 14, at Unity Books in Wellington, I got to talk with Jo Randerson and Sarah Maxey about Secret Art Powers: How Creative Thinking Can Achieve Radical Change (Barbarian Productions, 2025) Jo wrote this book and Sarah designed the book and facilitated the creation of the illustrations that are throughout the book. In this book Jo shares some of their Secret Art Powers—six ways that thinking like an artist can increase personal resilience, unleash innovation, dissolve unhealthy power relationships and help us describe and navigate the complex and changing world of the twenty-first century, and to sing while we do it. I first came across this work a few years ago when Jo was presenting lectures on each of the Secret Art Powers. These were incredibly exciting events and it is so great to see the book reflect the wonder and radical thinking that the lectures held. Action: Prisoner Correspondence Network Holiday Card Drive! Help the Prisoner Correspondence Network send holiday cards to hundreds of prisoners in Aotearoa. You can help support this work by donating using this link Also stay up-to-date with card writing events new you by following Prisoner Correspondence Network on Instagram

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• Ep 154: liz breslin and Pip chat about a pair of scissors

  On July 31 2025, liz launched the new collection of poetry show you're working out (Dead Bird Books) in Wānaka. As I type this liz is embarking on a tour of Aotearoa to celebrate the amazing new collection of poetry show you're working out. In August 2025 liz has events in Ōtepoti, Timaru, Ōtautahi, Te Whanganui-a-Tara and Tāmaki Makaurau. liz is joined in each of these events but some amazing other poets and writers. For information on dates and venues see liz's instagram account show you're working out is a fantastic work - sure and curious in its experiments, heartfelt in its emotions and quick in its wit. It was such a pleasure to speak with liz about her amazing work. Action: Rozana4Palestine I asked liz if there was an organisation whose work we could highlight in this section of the newsletter and podcast, liz says: I’d like to highlight Rozana4Palestine, which is run by a much-loved and respected Ōtepoti-based Palestinian family who sell Palestinian goods and accept donations, and in one of their posts they say: At Rozana, every purchase you make goes beyond just shopping - it supports families in Palestine, especially in Gaza through their connections in New Zealand. Embodying a rich aspect of the Palestinian culture, the name "Rozana" holds different meanings - from the traditional window in old Palestinian houses to the historic ship sailing the Mediterranean Sea. Join us in standing in solidarity with Palestine as we strive to make a difference together. Your support is not only valued but also impactful. Let's shop with a cause and spread love and support to those in need. You can find them at: @rozana4palestine on Instagram And shop/donate here https://arohaloveandpeace.bigcartel.com/ Faber Writing Academy - Writing and Disrupting Short Fiction with Emma Hislop (Kāi Tahu) The incredibly talented fiction writer and Better off Read alumni Emma Hislop is facilitating an online workshop as part of the Faber Writing Academy from September to November. Explore the craft of short story-writing in this eight-week course with award-winning author Emma Hislop (Kāi Tahu), learning how to deepen your connection to craft and each other and find new ways to approach short fiction writing. For more information visit the Faber Writing Academy website Kath Foster’s Stories about living in houses Last Friday I travelled to Toi Mahara to celebrate the opening of Kath Foster's incredibly affecting work Stories about living in houses As part of this amazing exhibition Kath will discuss her work with me in an Artist's Talk Following this converstation I'll be facilitating a writing workshop that explores through writing exercises the objects that won't let us go. To learn more and register please visit the Toi Mahara website (Please note there is a charge of $30 for this workshop.)   You can support Better off Read financially at Buy Better off Read a Coffee Music in Better off Read was made by Brent McIntyre.

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• Ep 153: Erik Kennedy and Pip chat about a pair of slippers

  On July 10 2025, Erik launched his new collection of poetry Sick Power Trip at Scorpio Books in Ōtautahi. It was so great to speak with Erik Kennedy to celebrate the launch of his new poetry collection Sick Power Trip (Te Herenga Waka University Press) I really enjoyed speaking with Erik about poetry in general and his work in particular. I love Erik's work so much and this new collection is incredible. Can not recommend it enough. Action: Climate Liberation Aotearoa I asked Erik who he'd like to highlight in this section and he suggested Climate Liberation Aotearoa Climate Liberation Aotearoa write: Our plan is to transform society by building people power. To do this, we demonstrate the effectiveness of working alongside each other in a systematic, well organised way that achieves results. It’s up to every one of us to decide. We can liberate ourselves and each other. Or we can live in distraction and powerlessness. This year Climate Liberation Aotearoa are focusing on transport emissions and pollution. About this they say: Our first win will be to move the dial on cruise ships – a type of luxury emission worse than flying which we can all do without. Join us to find out more about how we plan to win. In action there is friendship, hope, and love. The first step is to show up. Action Extra: Fundraising for Queer and trans art classes The amazing Sian Quennell Torrington runs a beautiful group of projects to build art communities. Sian says: I am fundraising for Queer and trans art class, and club, and to be able to keep doing these projects…. funding has gotten real hard, so I've set up a Patreon where people can support from $5 a month. I always have free places, and I see how these spaces help our LGBTTQI+ communities so much. All ages, all together, all making things feel a bit easier through creative community. You can support this work at the Queer and Trans art projects Patreon You can support Better off Read financially at Buy Better off Read a Coffee Music in Better off Read was made by Brent McIntyre.

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• Ep 152: poupeh missaghi پوپه میثاقی and Pip chat

  On June 10, my book Audition came out in the United States with Coffee House Press and Canada with Strange Light To celebrate this, and with massive support from Laura Graveline at Coffee House Press, I've recorded three special episodes of Better off Read which feature three of my favourite writers published by Coffee House Press. In this last special episode I get to talk to poupeh missaghi پوپه میثاقی. poupeh's book Sound Museum blew my mind. It is one of the best books I've ever read. It is an incredibly space-making book. What I've loved about all three of the writers I've talked to is they way they expand the form they are working in. It seems really fitting that we are finishing this mini-series with poupeh's work. poupeh missaghi پوپه میثاقی is a writer, translator, and editor. Her debut book trans(re)lating house one was published in 2020, and her second book, Sound Museum, is forthcoming in 2024 (both from Coffee House Press). Her most recent translation In the Streets of Tehran, a book of witness narrative about the current Woman Life Freedom uprising in Iran, was published by Bonnier Books, UK, in October 2023. She also has another novel in translation, Boys of Love, forthcoming in 2024. An assistant professor of literary arts and studies at the University of Denver and a faculty mentor at Pacific Northwest College of Art MFA, she is currently based in Denver, Colorado. You can read more about poupeh at her website I also probably need to let you know that poupeh and I recorded this episode on June 5 2025, so although we touch on some of the violence facing the world this was recorded before the Israeli and US strikes on Iran. Thanks heaps for everyone who has listened to these podcasts. I'll be back with another podcast in early June. Action: Peace Action Wellington I wanted to thank a very local group. Peace Action Wellington is a grassroots activist group based in Te Whanganui-a-Tara/Wellington in Aotearoa/New Zealand that works for peace and justice throughout the world, with a special focus on the New Zealand government’s involvement in international affairs. They stand for peace with justice and self-determination. I'm incredibly grateful to the digest of political action Peace Action Wellington send out every week. There is a lot happening and this is the way I stay in touch with action in my area. One of the best ways to stay in touch with Peace Action Wellington is to follow them on Facebook and sign up to their weekly newsletter. Peace Action Wellington on Facebook Action Extra: Fundraising for Queer and trans art classes The amazing Sian Quennell Torrington runs a beautiful group of projects to build art communities. Sian says: I am fundraising for Queer and trans art class, and club, and to be able to keep doing these projects…. funding has gotten real hard, so I've set up a Patreon where people can support from $5 a month. I always have free places, and I see how these spaces help our LGBTTQI+ communities so much. All ages, all together, all making things feel a bit easier through creative community. You can support this work at the Queer and Trans art projects Patreon You can support Better off Read financially at Buy Better off Read a Coffee Music in Better off Read was made by Brent McIntyre.

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• Ep 151: Zeke Caligiuri and Pip chat about a section from The Hours by Michael Cunningham

  On June 10, my book Audition came out in the United States with Coffee House Press and Canada with Strange Light To celebrate this, and with massive support from Laura Graveline at Coffee House Press, I've recorded three special episodes of Better off Read which feature three of my favourite writers published by Coffee House Press. In this first special episode I get to talk to Zeke Caligiuri. Zeke is a writer and activist from South Minneapolis. He is the author of This is Where I Am, published by University of Minnesota Press, a finalist for the Minnesota Book Award. Caligiuri has won multiple awards through the PEN Prison Writing Contest and is the cofounder of the Stillwater Writers Collective, the first all-prisoner created and facilitated collective in the country. I was really excited to talk with Zeke. The book Zeke co-edited American Precariat: Parables of Exclusion is one of my favourite books of the year. It's an incredible selection of writing about the precariat classes. I'd recommend it to everyone. Zeke offered as a beginning point for our conversation an amazing passage from The Hours by Michael Cunningham. One of the best ways to keep up with Zeke's events and writing is by following them on Instagram The next podcast will be out this time next week. Action: People Against Prisons Aotearoa People Against Prisons Aotearoa (PAPA) believes that everyone has the ability to change. No one is born a criminal. When someone has hurt others, that does not mean they are destined to keep hurting others for the rest of their lives. If people are treated with dignity and respect, and given the resources they need to survive and thrive, we can live in a less violent and more peaceful society. If issues of justice and incarceration interest you PAPA are organising all sorts of activism and education at the moment and one of the best places to stay in touch and get involved is by following PAPA on there social media channels: PAPA on Facebook PAPA on Instagram   You can support Better off Read financially at Buy Better off Read a Coffee Music in Better off Read was made by Brent McIntyre.

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