Mary Jo Malo on a Poet’s Calling

Mary Jo Malo on a Poet’s Calling

From Tea. Toast. & Trivia. by Rebecca Budd

August 26, 2025 · 17 min · Season 7 · Episode 8

About this episode

Rebecca Budd engages in a profound conversation with poet Mary Jo Malo about the power of poetry and language.

The Power of the Word – A Conversation with Mary Jo Malo Welcome to Tea, Toast & Trivia! Today, I am returning to one of the most memorable conversations ever shared on this podcast—an intimate and profound exchange with poet, Mary Jo Malo. Though Mary Jo has stepped away from blogging, her words continue to move through the world like quiet currents – clear, enduring, and deeply felt. She reminds us that poetry is not only read, it is spoken, embodied, and lived. Her belief in reading poetry aloud resonates deeply with my own journey as a reader and listener. In this episode, Mary Jo shares her creative process, her poetic beginnings, and the enduring power of language to wound, to heal, and to carry us across time. To honour her voice, I have chosen to republish our conversation. Because some words, like hers, are meant to be heard again and again. A word has power Whether mined by demagogues for control or carved into stone for memorial… destroy the word You steal time. — Mary Jo Malo, Stele I invite you to listen with open ears and an open heart. This conversation is a celebration of poetry’s enduring presence in our lives and a tribute to the people who tend the flame of…

People in this episode

Host: Rebecca

Guest: Mary Jo Malo

Topics covered

  • poetry
  • creative process
  • language

Keywords

  • poet
  • conversation
  • reading poetry
  • language power

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: The Power of the Word, Tea, Toast & Trivia

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