"Joy in the Belly of a Riot" with Poet & Performer Barbara Fant

In this soul-stirring episode, Sara Connell welcomes award-winning poet, performer, and author Barbara Fant to celebrate the launch of her newest collection, Joy in the Belly of a Riot—a book born from prayer, memory, healing, and the radical practice of choosing joy in the midst of pain.

Barbara opens up about the spiritual and creative forces behind her writing, sharing how dreams, images, and intuitive "downloads" shape her poems. She also performs a powerful reading of "I Keep Trying to Write About the Trauma but the Joy Won't Let Me," offering listeners a rare glimpse of her voice, breath, and artistry.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• How to access joy—even when life is hard, through the wisdom that joy is not the absence of pain, but "happiness in spite of it."
• The surprising creative process behind Barbara's poems, including how she receives lines through imagery, dreams, and intuitive insights.
• Why writing can be a form of prayer, healing, and reclamation—and how your own story can become an instrument of wholeness.
• The art of writing for both the page and the stage, and how Barbara edits her work using breath, rhythm, and embodied performance.
• How to preserve your voice through trauma and transformation, and why your words have the power to "save the day."
• What it means to reimagine your future, even when your past feels heavy—and how joy can call you forward.

This episode is a masterclass in artistry, resilience, and the sacred power of storytelling. Whether you're a writer, a creative, or someone seeking healing, Barbara's wisdom will invite you to step into light, possibility, and the page that's waiting for you next.

Want more support? Visit https://www.saraconnell.com

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