Sparks! Finding & Following Your Passion & Calling // with Gregg Levoy

Sparks! A Free Online Gathering for Poetry, Stories, and Songs

“Finding & Following Your Passion & Calling” with special guest, Author Gregg Levoy

Moderated by Kelly DuMar & Caryn Mirriam-Goldberg

Sparks, formally known as Let's Talk TLA, is a free bi-monthly teleconference moderated by Kelly DuMar, interviewing notable Transformative Language Artists on their work, followed by a poetry open mic.

About Gregg Levoy

Gregg Levoy is the author of Vital Signs: The Nature and Nurture of Passion (Penguin), and Callings: Finding and Following An Authentic Life (Random House)—rated among the "Top 20 Career Publications" by the Workforce Information Group. He is also the former "behavioral specialist" at USA Today and a regular blogger for Psychology Today. 

As a speaker, he has presented at the Smithsonian Institution, Environmental Protection Agency, Microsoft, National Conference on Positive Aging, American Counseling Association, National Career Development Association, and many others, and been a frequent guest of the media, including ABC-TV, CNN, NPR and PBS.

A former adjunct professor of journalism at the University of New Mexico, and former columnist and reporter for USA Today and the Cincinnati Enquirer, he has written for the New York Times Magazine, Washington Post, Omni, Psychology Today, Fast Company, Reader’s Digest, and many others. His website is www.gregglevoy.com.

Poetry Open Mic

And there’s more to share — Bring an original poem! This unique discussion and networking opportunity will be followed by a Poetry Open Mic. Everyone who participates in the teleconference is welcome to share an original poem. Whether you’re reading your poetry aloud for the first time, or you’re a seasoned reader, this is a chance to share your writing in the supportive presence of appreciative listeners. It’s a remarkably fun and moving experience.

Format of the Gathering

• Kelly and Caryn will interview Greg for 30 minutes

• We'll then have 10-15 minutes to ask Greg questions and discuss TLA, your own practice, goals, or vision.

• We’ll devote the next 15 or so minutes to the open mic poetry readings.

• You don’t need to be a member of TLAN to participate!

Joining the Call on Zoom

Kelly will arrive on the video conference at 6:45 p.m. CENTRAL so you can connect early & work out any glitches! You will receive links and numbers in your email after RSVPing.

About co-host, Kelly DuMar

Kelly DuMar, M.Ed. is a playwright and poet who facilitates expressive arts writing workshops for creative writers across the US, including The Mass. Poetry Festival, The International Women’s Writing Guild, The Power of Words Conference, Southern Writers Conference, and Winter Wheat Conference. Her poems are published in many literary magazines, including “Lumina Online,” “Corium,” “Cape Cod Review,” “Kindred,” “Apeiron,” and “Tupelo Quarterly,” and her award-winning poetry chapbook, “All These Cures,” was published by Lit House Press in 2014. Her newest chapbook, Tree of the Apple, was published by Two of Cups Press (2017). Kelly’s award winning plays have been produced around the US and Canada, and are published by dramatic publishers. She founded and produces the Our Voices Festival of Women Playwrights at Wellesley College, now in its 11th year, and she moderates, SPARKS!, a bi-monthly teleconference and poetry open mic for the Transformative Language Arts Association. Kelly is a certified psychodramatist and a Fellow in the American Society for Group Psychotherapy and Psychodrama, and a member of Playback North America. Her website is kellydumar.com, and she blogs daily in #NewThisDay Writing From My Photo Stream

About co-host, Caryn Mirriam-Goldberg

Caryn Mirriam-Goldberg, Ph.D., the 2009-13 Kansas Poet Laureate is the author of two dozen books, including the recent Miriam's Well, a novel; Following the Curve, poetry; and Everyday Magic, a collection of beloved blog posts and personal essays. Her previous work includes The Divorce Girl, a novel; Needle in the Bone, a non-fiction book on the Holocaust; The Sky Begins At Your Feet, a bioregional memoir on cancer and community; and five poetry collections, including the award-winning Chasing Weather: Tornadoes, Tempests, and Thunderous Skies in Word and Image
with weather chaser/photographer Stephen Locke. Founder of Transformative Language Arts at Goddard College where she teaches, Mirriam-Goldberg also leads writing workshops widely, particularly for people living with serious illness and their caregivers. With singer Kelley Hunt, she co-leads writing and singing retreats. www.CarynMirriamGoldberg.com