In this episode poet Michael Brownstein speaks with Joanna about his newest book, “Let’s Burn the Flags of All Nations”: finding our way back to earthy sacredness and moving forward; “Through the Looking Glass”; cultural identity without a nation-state; our longing for ecstatic community; patriarchy is the fear of the Goddess; a citizen of the sacred Earth; “Here Comes Kali Ma”; “The Jewish Poem”; meeting the Mother; “Trees Are My favorite Kind of People”; making the borders between us transparent and open; rediscovering in multiple ways our common humanity.

Michael Brownstein grew up rural. His first glimpse of a collective human destiny – urban version – came while taking part in the events of May’68 in Paris. (People pouring into the streets from out of nowhere without doubt or hesitation…). Michael is the author of three novels – “Self-Reliance”, “The Touch”, and “Country Cousins” – as well as ten poetry titles including “World on Fire”, a book-length poem about corporate globalization and consciousness change. His newest book is “Let’s Burn the Flags of All nations”.

Photo by John Sarsgard

“I Can’t Sit Still”, original music by Evarusnik

Episode Navigator