THE PEOPLE'S PROJECT Poems, Essays, and Art for Looking Forward

The subtitle of this short, inspiring listen could be: "Pep talks from your favorite writers." Maggie Smith and Saeed Jones have put together a vibrant collection of short essays and poems about how to keep going in times that feel impossible. Many of the writers read their own contributions. Highlights include beautiful poems read with raw emotion by Tiana Clark, Victoria Chang, and Randall Mann; and Mira Jacob's poem in the form of a text left for her son after the 2024 election, read with inviting warmth. Seasoned narrators André Santana, Kay Jones, and Mieko Gavia read the pieces not performed by their authors with a variety of inflections, reflecting the different styles of the contributing writers. This delightful listen is a much-needed reminder that we are not alone. [Published: JANUARY 2026]