Current Podcast(s) = Kevin Alan McGill – “What It Is”
In bygone days, writers would publish their work one chapter at a time. I am adopting that practice with my podcasting. Here on my website and on podcasting platforms like Apple and Spotify, I create episode by episode Spoken Word albums of stories, poems and what I call Character studies. These explore what is to be a person in this world and what we might like to do about that together.
My work reflects my lifelong fascination with people, people going about the business of being people. This fascination led me to a degree in Sociology, a Masters Degree in Social Work and some four decades working with and learning from people.
I like to repay that good fortune in my creative work.
On this page, you will find individual podcast links as well as transcriptions of each episode plus some other goodies as we continue our journey together.Just click on the title to access a episode/track.
Please like, share, comment respectfully and, of course subscribe so that we can let you know when new episodes are happening.
For transcripts, click the download transcripts button or scroll down to the bottom of this page.
Kevin Alan McGill’s What It Is – Episode 4 – It’s a Horse Race
Kevin Alan McGill’s What It Is – Episode 5 – The Angel of Death
Transcripts:
Episode/Track 1
(Chime)
Welcome to “What It Is”. I’m Kevin Alan McGill, Storyteller Poet
Think of this podcast series as a “spoken word album”, presented one piece at a time. After eight or so episodes, this album will be complete. Then we will move onto the next one.
Now, some poets write about love and loss … romance, nature, mysticism, maybe personal or political grievances. And that’s great.
However, my work reflects my lifelong fascination with people, people going about the business of being people.
So, with stories and poems and what I call ‘character sketches’, we will be exploring what it is to be a person in this world and what we might want to do about that together.
So let’s have a look at What It Is.
(Theme music)
Where shall we begin?
Well, at the beginning, of course.
In the primeval vast, self-awareness dawned on Humankind.
Sounds morphed into words, words into meaning, creating order within the chaos, kindling a future beyond the moment.
Humankind watched … and they learned … and they decided.
Some watched lightning striking the dry grasslands, igniting thoughts of possibility.
Possibility evolved into plan.
Lightning’s fire was harnessed, bound to humankind’s will.
And lit the way through the darkness yet perhaps not beyond.
This was the dawn of realized power.
The belief of humankind as masters of their universe.
Greed flourished. Mass murder was born.
And perhaps the lightning chuckled,
Or perhaps the lightning sobbed,
For perhaps lightning is its own plan.
And peace remains in the shadows.
(Chime)
Let’s talk a bit about peace.
The mourning dove’s
unseen whisper
softly sounds
in the silence
of a Sunday morning.
I wondered when the concept of Peace.
was first conceived.
Peace not of submission.
Peace as being.
The destination and the journey.
Birth of a notion.
I don’t know
how the concept of
such peace arose
within the fearful
morass
of thoughtless survival
I don’t know
whether any such peace can be
everlasting.
I know only
that
ideas
can weather rocks
to soft sand,
even as new rocks appear.
Peace was conceived.
Let it be delivered.
(Chime)
Okay so, such are the words of a Storyteller Poet who has learned the value of a poem, the worth of a story.
To those who wish to strip us of our humanity, I say “not today”.
And hey, if you want to experience more of my “people” explorations and my work on Democracy, head over to kevinalanmcgill.com
Thank you for listening. Let’s get together again to explore more “what it is”.
Episode/Track 2
(Chime)
Welcome back to What It Is and another addition to our Spoken Word Album podcast series. I’m Kevin Alan McGill, Storyteller Poet.
Much of my understanding of being a person in this world comes from the study of Sociology.
A big part of my sense of self comes from the Beatniks who were also influenced by Sociology.
Let’s have a look at what it is.
(Theme Music)
Once upon a time, three wise men stood in the square arguing.
One contended that the world is the way it is because this is the best way to be, otherwise it would not be this way. And it would be best that people understand and accept this.
The second countered that the world is the way it is because some people used force to gain and keep control of the rest of society for their own selfish benefit. And it would be best for people to recognize and resist such force.
The third replied that the world is the way it is because, interacting with each other, people create mutual understandings of and expectations of each other. These are neither correct nor incorrect. It simply reflects our nature as social animals. And it would be best for people to recognize that these understandings and expectations can and do change over time and place.
A woman stopped to listen for a moment. She held a baby to her hip with one hand. In the other, she carried a jug of water. On her head was a basket of freshly picked berries. And in her pocket was a dust rag.
She said nothing, for she and her sisters had come to believe that were she to speak, the men would either be incited to violence or would crumble into insecure helplessness.
This is the way her world was. Yet she dreamed that one day she too would have the opportunity to stand in the square to talk social philosophy with men who could then be her equal.
(Chime)
Those four people’s worldview represent the four basic perspectives of Sociology. Interestingly, none represent ultimate truth. They all play their part in understanding what it is to be a person in this world.
And now, The Beatniks.
Beatniks was the name given to a group of Poets and Storytellers, Folk Singers, Musicians and Artists plying their trade in the 1950s and early 60’s.
They would get together in coffee houses, jazz clubs, around kitchen tables to work out their visions for a better world.
Let’s channel those Beatniks with a poem called Unsustainable.
(Chime)
Too small too tall;
Too dark, too light;
Too soft too hard;
Too thick too thin;
Too narrow too wide;
Too be, can’t be!
Mirror, Mirror
Sobs on the wall
Goldilocks grieving
Just not right at all
We are all Ugly.
How can this be?
Where’s the real in this reality?
Gallery-framed Breasts
Milk-less Madonnas
No sagging? No squirting?
Condemned in absentia!
Where’s the renaissance in that?
The Mona Lisa Mystery?
Inadequate Dentistry?
Mother Mary without stretch marks
Holy Jesus with bleached skin.
And a nose job.
Smiling Bhudda, a garden gnome,
needs to lose weight.
The Prophet?
Apparently, pictures spoil the effect.
The only thing we know for sure about Socrates?
He was ugly, … uhhh … gleeee.
Cute may have saved his life.
Acne is worse than baby-killing.
Big ears are for elephants.
No nose is good nose.
And wrinkles? Oh, the shame!
Beauty is skin deep,
“Fill it with Botox”
stretched-skin deep.
Beauty, unattainable, unsustainable
Evil idol devouring its own.
(Chime)
Okay so, such are the words of a Storyteller Poet who has learned the value of a poem, the worth of a story.
And now it’s Audience Participation time.
Let’s resurrect the Beatnik ethos – in person and online, wherever you connect with others.
Those original Beatniks may have had their all-too-human flaws. Yet, they laid the path towards a better world – respectfully sharing with and listening to each other, exploring what it is to be a person in this world. And beginning to live that humanity.
That path can still be found within all the noise of our current world.
And hey, if you are looking for more “people in this world” content, head over to my website kevinalanmcgill.com.
Thank you for listening. Please come back to explore more What It Is.
(Theme Music)
Episode/Track 3
(Chime:)
Welcome back to “What It Is”, our episode to episode Spoken Word Album. I’m Kevin Alan McGill, Storyteller Poet.
I’ve been watching this guy in the news recently and he got me wondering about Sour People. So, I created this character study.
Let’s have a look at what it is.
(Theme music)
Ah, … Sour People!
I’ve been wondering what we can do for a Sour Person.
Because the best word to describe this guy in the news and the life he lives, and wants us to live, is sour.
This guy is all about sarcasm and ridicule, humiliating others, intimidation of and disdain for anyone he deems weak or different or creative or, as you can guess, against bullying. Pretty well everybody except more dangerous bullies.
His idea of a discussion is shouting others down and, if they refuse to give in, threatening them with violence.
And, like so many Sour People, he’s managed to get into positions that allow him to make life miserable for others.
So, I’m thinking we need to do something and, as usual, I’m willing to help … but Wow! Where would we start?
(Chime)
I tried out some of the usual explanations for such behaviour – Personality Disorder, incomplete developmental stages, childhood abuse issues, traumatic life experiences, ya da, ya da.
Nah, none of that worked for me.
Sour, sour worked. I had heard that someone can meet all their psychological emotional relationship needs by a negative just as well as a positive. And with this guy, theory meets real life. He is just a sour person living a sour life and getting all his needs met doing so.
(Chime)
Maybe looking at him as a person will help us. This guy has the same feelings of insecurity and inadequacy that all of us have from time to time. It’s part of being self-aware.
And that creates defense mechanisms.
His rejection of humanity shields him from scary thoughts.
Sour may be his safe place.
If that’s true, how do you give someone a sense of humanity who actively rejects the very value of such?
I don’t have three ghosts to send out on a rescue mission Christmas Eve.
So, what to do, what to do?
(Chime)
We can’t let him keep running around loose, wreaking havoc on the rest of us. What if he found a partner and created even more people like him? That’s what they do you know. Pretty soon our world would be overrun with Sour People.
Brain surgery? Medication restraints? Jail? Nah, those take away humanity. Anyways those are Sour People solutions.
How about a ‘spoonful of sugar”? If life gives you lemons make lemonade! We’ll kill that sourness with kindness.
But then again kindness is one of those elements Sour People disdain. Kind people are weak people.
Well, compassion separates the rest of us from the Sour People. So, we need to keep trying.
Unfortunately, like other emotional disorders, we may have to wait until they burn themselves out or life itself somehow reduces the value of their Sourness.
However, in the meantime, please people, let’s stop putting Sour People in charge, okay?
(Chime:)
Okay so, such are the words of a Storyteller Poet who has learned the value of a poem, the worth of a story.
To those who wish to strip us of our humanity, I say “not today”.
And now, audience participation time.
One tactic that Sour People use to shut down conversation is “Moral Indignation” – How dare you think that way? How could you?
Give that a thought. When have you found someone trying to make you feel guilty for even thinking a thought, let alone expressing it.
Share your thoughts about this online, with others in person and/or in the comments section.
And hey, don’t forget the like, share, comment respectfully, and most importantly subscribe routine.
And check out what else I get up to at kevinalanmcgill.com
Thank you for listening. Let’s get together again to explore more What It Is.
(Theme Music)
Episode/Track 4
(Chime:)
Welcome back. I’m Kevin Alan McGill, Storyteller Poet.
Let’s explore more of what it is to be a person in this world and what we might want to do about that together.
Let’s look at Democracy and Horse Races.
(Theme Music)
Being a person in this world brings up the subject of Democracy. I am very passionate about Democracy.
Democracy
Steadfast as
the gale-beset lighthouse,
as
the coming of dawn
Steadfast
as the warming hearth
the iron-willed bridge to freedom
The acknowledging nod, the comforting arm, the determined stride, the power of all as one
Democracy
Shaggy-haired, solid-bodied, calloused hands outstretched,
handshake well-met
Steadfast
Democracy
Welcome friend.
Chime:
This next piece about Democracy channels the poet Charles Bukowski who spent a great deal of time at the racetrack.
It would be nice to have a horse in this race.
It’s election day
and
I couldn’t give
more of a shit.
All the blood shed
over the years
to obtain the right to vote,
and the ballots are empty.
May the best horse win?
Hell, the best horse doesn’t even make it to the gate, maybe not even to the paddock.
This is a race for hobbled horses. Whichever stumbles first past the post gets to eat all the grain and leave a pile of horseshit behind.
The other horses just wander off, grumbling neigh-sayers, waiting for the next chance at the feedbag.
A horse in the race, though.
Odds are poor; the gamblers handicapped.
The incumbent
has been missing in action
and will likely
be returned
to continue missing,
just because.
The challengers?
Sacrificial lambs,
just because.
I bet to show, 5 to 2 odds, safe,
Just means
that there will be
another race.
Never bet the longshot,
it might just win
and, in celebration,
burn down the barn.
Do my duty,
doing my duty,
my duty done,
And that’s
about
it.
And I want for so much more.
I want a horse
in a race with real horses.
Mostly, I’m hoping that a real leader emerges,
a horse the other horses will follow right off the track.
Chime:
Okay so, such are the words of a Storyteller Poet who has learned the value of a poem, the worth of a story.
To those who wish to strip us of our humanity, I say “not today”.
And hey, if you are concerned with the state of our democracies, check out my Democracy Page atkevinalanmcgill.com
Thank you for listening. Let’s get together again to explore more “what it is”.
(Theme Music)
Episode/Track 5
(Chime)
Welcome Back. I’m Kevin Alan McGill, Storyteller Poet.
This episode is a flash fiction story from Volume 2 of my eBook series Dancing in Dangerous Times.
Being a person in this world sometimes requires making difficult choices.
Let’s have a look at what it is.
(Theme Music)
In the darkened bar, tormented specters pirouette past to the forlorn strains of Spanish guitar.
I order my third El Diablo.
It’s natural to want to take away people’s pain, right?
A baby cries; you comfort it!
But what about old people, shuffling like zombies, or just lying there, month after month after month, embarrassed, confused, lonely, terrified.
Spoon-fed, tube fed, not able to so much as wipe your own bum? For all intents and purposes, you’re dead already.
Wanting to die, pleading to be allowed to die.
The families dragging themselves to visit, disgust clearly visible, at the elderly and at themselves. They wanted it over, too. Sometimes they hate themselves for that.
How is that Death with Dignity?
A nurse’s job, my job was to relieve pain, to relieve suffering.
Every day, you interfere in the natural order.
You can end that pain. You can give them release.
But where’s the line?
And once you cross that line, when does it stop?
When you get caught.
And you are going to get caught.
Too many eyes see. And what’s seen gets written down, has to. It isn’t about right or wrong. It’s “cover your ass” paperwork! The paperwork is more important than anything else you do. The paperwork is everybody else’s protection. And right there is the evidence against you, either what you did or didn’t do or what someone saw or didn’t see.
What they wanted done was done. Now they want it all to go away. They want me to go away, too – we don’t know her! We don’t want to know her!. Hypocrites!
Show a little more, show a little less, welcome to burlesque.
Here’s to the dancers. We’re all whores in the end.
The Angel of Death!
Has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it!
Rat, not so much!
Oh, were I an angel, rather than the one giving evidence against the Angel!
The tormented specters keep on dancing to the forlorn strains of Spanish guitar as I order a fourth El Diablo.
(Chime)
Okay so, such are the words of a Storyteller Poet, who has learned the value of a poem, the worth of a story.
To those who wish to strip us of our humanity, I say ‘Not Today”.
This episode’s audience participation exercise is to respectfully, and I mean respectfully, dialogue online, in person and or in the comments section about the sometimes thin line between right and wrong in being a person in this world.
Thank you for listening. Let’s get together again to explore more “what it is”.
Episode/Track 6
Chime:
Welcome back. I’m Kevin Alan McGill, Storyteller Poet.
Okay so, we have a few more episodes, then this podcast ‘album’ will be complete.
In this episode, we will explore the process of mean.
Here’s the drill:
What you live with, you learn; what you learn, you practice; what you practice, you do and what you do has consequences.
I knew a man who was mean
who might perhaps
not have such been
(Theme music)
I watched a little girl recently playing joyfully on the park swings.
“Fly little girl!” I thought. “and hold onto that joyous feeling. Take it forward forever, to guard against the future.”
Because I know the terrors headed her way.
(Chime)
Like the situation of a young woman in our neighbourhood. Eventually, she just gives in. Gets it over with. There is safety after it’s over, an uneasy calm before the next storm. Doesn’t really say yes. Growing up in a house of wrongful secrets, doesn’t figure that ‘no’ is an option. So, she gets used by guys in the neighbourhood, sometimes several at a time. She is the consequence.
(Chime)
Those neighbourhood guys? Lived, learned, practiced and did … mean. Do onto others as was done onto you … all the while looking over their psychological shoulders checking their manhood in the mirror of other guys looking over their shoulders in a house filled with mirrors of mean.
Checking out that manhood! It’s the preoccupation of men who do mean.
(Chime)
Mean come from ridicule, shame, threats, episodes of humiliation so intense, so embarrassing that they trigger intense denial. The wrongful experience is so painful that it becomes re-defined as righteous. Machismo becomes a substitute for manly.
Mean comes from emasculation, and it becomes ingrained into society, a dominant narrative.
Just trying to make a man out of him. It takes a mean man to survive in a mean world. Don’t get mad, get even. Suck it up, buttercup! Survival of the fittest.
Even when the emasculation is admitted, the most common solution is … more mean.
You get castrated young and spend the rest of your life trying to find your balls.
Mean feeds mean. Being bullied creates a desire to bully. The abused become abusers.
Some say that’s the natural, inevitable state of humankind. A cycle – rinse and repeat.
Explanation? or excuse?
But not all men do mean. Some men follow an alternate narrative, that manliness is about the strength to stand up to mean. A real man confronts fear, doesn’t let it control him, fights the bullies not joins them.
(Chime)
Will men save that little girl from those terrors to come? Treat her like a person about whom someone cared?
I hope so.
It depends though on men breaking the cycle, no longer supporting, condoning and excusing mean, redefining what it means to be a man.
Learn, practice and do better.
(Chime)
Okay so, such are the words of a Storyteller Poet who has learned the value of a poem, the worth of a story.
And hey, I post socio-political illustrations on my website kevinalanmcgill.com and various social media including Instagram, Bluesky, Facebook and WordPress.
Thank you for listening. Let’s get together again to explore more “what it is”.
(Theme Music)
Episode/Track 7
Welcome back. I’m Kevin Alan McGill.
Let’s start right off with a poem.
There is beauty in a forest with not one leaf the same
And from majestic, jagged mountains each sand-like pebble came
What is weed to someone may be a flower in its place
And those who value difference are most apt to find true grace.
That poem shows my thoughts on Creation and The Will of God – To me, they’re about “change and variety”.
Yet, there is a contrasting viewpoint.
And we’ll explore that with the story of Ephus.
(Theme Music)
Let me tell you about Ephus. This story may sound familiar.
Ephus wanted to know the Will of God, The Creator. So, he journeyed to the wilderness and sat in silence for weeks, without food and, each day, only a mouthful of water. Eventually, Ephus fell into a trance in which God talked to him.
When Ephus came out of his trance, he stumbled back home to share what God said. Others wrote this down.
(Chime:)
God told Ephus that “his people” were the “favoured people”. That’s why God chose Ephus as his messenger.
God said that God was the Supreme God and that all people must accept that and follow God’s very specific rules. If they obeyed, God would be merciful and generous. The obedient would be rewarded with paradise upon their earthly demise. If they did not obey, God would punish them onto death and beyond.
The rules were that the favoured people must …
develop a standardized mode of dress, hairstyle and dietary restrictions, and submissive rituals.
build a temple and create administrators to enforce the will of God here on earth.
and, most importantly, compel all others to accept and submit to the God of Ephus.
Well, I don’t know much about Gods. However, I do know something about people and history.
And, with due respect, I am wondering where change and variety fits in here.
(Chime:)
Throughout recorded time, each century has had at least one Ephus, voicing largely the same message from God.
That message mostly contains a call for sameness, especially concerning people.
Thousands of years of voicing the Will of God and the Ephuses either didn’t hear, failed to mention, or outright dismissed “change and variety”.
Yet, as far as I can see, change and variety are built into everything in our world. Seasons, weather, day and night, erosion, animals, vegetables, minerals, us, etc. The whole universe is about “change and variety”. It has been found that we carry “change and variety” in our basic genetic blueprint. Even identical twins are not totally identical.
So, in that message from God wouldn’t change and variety at least get honourable mention?
Maybe the answer is in how God’s Will is determined. God certainly didn’t talk to me.
I thought about life and wondered.
Then I wrote a poem and created a story.
Because … that’s what I do.
(Chime)
Okay so, such are the words of a Storyteller Poet who has learned the value of a poem, the worth of a story.
To those who wish to strip us of our humanity, I say “not today”.
And hey, if you can’t find the transcripts for these episodes with your podcast provider, just head on over to kevinalanmcgill.com.
Thank you for listening. Let’s get together again to explore more “what it is”.
(Theme Music)