Spotlight: Geva Thole

Geva Thole

I learned how important it is to be quiet when others are speaking and how to be comfortable with silence during a conversation.

By Jessica H. Riggs

Geva Thole, a Behavioral Health Specialist and a recent graduate of the Certified Listener Poet training course shares what drew her to TGLP, what she’s currently reading, her favorite poets, and more. Read more of Geva’s writing about poetry, addiction, recovery, and mental health on her Substack Let Me Share With You.

What drew you to The Good Listening Project?

I had been writing some poetry for people through my small writing business, Let Me Write You a Poem. I also work in healthcare as a Behavioral Health Specialist. The Listener Poet course popped up in my Instagram feed one day and I knew it was meant for me. Not only did I want to serve health care workers through their organization, but I knew the writing and listening skills would benefit me at work and in my personal life too. Meeting Jenny and Ravenna confirmed my interest. They were fantastic and so enthusiastic about the program.

What was one takeaway from your training to become a Certified Listener Poet?

I wasn’t a very good listener! I thought I was better than I actually was. I learned how important it is to be quiet when others are speaking and how to be comfortable with silence during a conversation. I’m happy to report my skills are much better now.

How are you using your training in both your personal and professional life?

I have been writing poems for the patients in our inpatient behavioral health program.  Patients in our program often come to us with low self-esteem and the validation received through a listening session and poem affirms how they’re feeling. There have been many tears shed as poems are read. Many poets and types of poetry were shared during the training. I have been exploring those and practicing some new forms to improve my writing skills.

What poetry are you currently reading? 

I’ve been reading “The Way of Tanka” by Naomi Beth Wakan. Tanka is one of my favorite forms of poetry and this book provides some insights into writing Tanka and many examples to enjoy. Tanka is like solving a fun puzzle for me.

What excites you these days?

I’m planning to attend a writing workshop in Madison, Wisconsin, this summer. My goal is to use the workshop time to begin a verse novel about mental health. I’m excited to start this new venture. I’m also spending a lot of time writing on Substack and growing my poetry business.

Who is your favorite poet?

There are two poets who are capturing my attention these days. Like so many, I’m a huge Mary Oliver fan. Her poem, “The Real Prayers Are Not the Words, But the Attention That Comes First,” is one of my favorites. I’m also enjoying a lot of Kwame Alexander as he writes many verse novels. I’m trying to learn from him.

What advice do you have for folks wanting to become a Certified Listener Poet?

Go for it! You won’t be disappointed. I don’t believe I’ve ever taken a course as well executed as the Certified Listener Poet course. The curriculum is well thought through and prepares you for the Listener Poet journey. Not only are you learning listening and poetry skills, but you’re also forming deep, meaningful relationships with the other students in the course.

Spotlight: Chanice Withers

Chanice withers

“I am grateful for listening and the authentic relationships I am forming and having in my life.”

By Jessica H. Riggs

Chanice Withers, an educator, poet, and a recent graduate of the Certified Listener Poet training course, shares what drew her to the program, how the training is impacting her relationships, her favorite poems, and more! Read the full interview below to welcome and learn more about one of the newest poets to the TGLP family.

Could you tell us about yourself?

I am a natural-born teacher. I give to my community by supporting other people's journeys as they grow into their interests. I help shape those interests through encouragement so others can use their gifts to make our world a better place.

As a former educator, I believe the future of education is creating a learning space where children can learn in an outside environment. I build a foundation to welcome all emotions and questions in an open space. I have brought creativity, safe learning spaces, individuality, and teamwork into classroom spaces. I create spaces where children grow into adults who want to build a world where everyone fits. 

Most importantly, I am a poet in most things I do. I want to hear human beings' stories and help them create beautiful art out of the hidden details. When I perform in a space, I want to leave with the space becoming more open. I am working on multiple creative projects, including a 2024 manuscript and visual arts projects. My goal is to bring poetry into all that I do.

What drew you to The Good Listening Project? 

Before I started this cohort, I thought that as a poet, I saw poetry around me, but was I intentionally listening to those around me? I was quite impressed by TGLP and was curious to know how this would change how I interacted with others. I thought that before this cohort, I was pretty in tune with others around me and empathetic to others' souls. I ended up finding out that you can always go deeper into yourself and those around you, and there is no one answer to anything.

How are you using your training in your personal and professional life? 

The world needs not only listener poets but a friend who will listen. I have tried to enter conversations by listening before speaking. This training is improving my relationships by shaping a deep trust in the relationships in which I invest my time. People want to be heard. People's hearts are aching in this world we live in. People take in much of what is happening in the world with their eyes. I don’t think people understand how a large consumption of what we take in with our eyes impacts our souls, but it does. 

Everyone walks around with a heavy soul, waiting for someone to say, “Hey, how are you?” “Want to talk about what is going on?” “I have time to listen.” I have been trying to allow human beings to let their mouth speak to whatever is on the soul while trying to do the same.
I look forward to seeing my friends and family and hearing what they are carrying on their souls. What’s a relationship without a friend to listen in times of sorrow, joy, curiosity, help, mundane time, and whatever? I am grateful for listening and the authentic relationships I am forming and having in my life.

What poetry are you currently reading? What work inspires you?

Everything around me inspires me, but today, as I write, I am inspired by a poem called “On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous” by Ocean Vuong. I read this poem on a morning when grief hit as soon as my eyes opened to the new morning light. When being a human being is overwhelming or feels too hard, when you don't know what stage of grief to place yourself in, I read this poem. 

This poem reminds me that my time here is short, and I can be full of sorrow, but I can’t drown in the deep because that’s way too easy. I was born to figure things out. A while back, I learned that the “figuring” is the hardest part, so I must keep swimming until my time is up. 

There’s a line in this poem: 

I wanted to disappear — so I opened the door to a stranger’s car. Don’t we touch each other just to prove we are still here? 

I find new lines in this poem that inspire me every time I read it. Today, I am reflecting on if I ever wanted to disappear. In times when I can’t carry it all, where do I drop all of my belongings, and what door am I running to open? The second line highlights how different humans can awaken parts of ourselves that we thought disappeared, that we thought we lost. Or right when we think, “How am I dead while existing?” someone touches us and awakens a part of our soul from a daylight slumber. 

I also read “Letters to a Young Poet” by Rainer Maria Rilke yearly.

What excites you these days? 

Investing in my close relationship excites me these days. As I grow, I am incredibly grateful for the friendships in my life, and it’s exciting to see the people I love take chances on themselves. The most exciting part is watching others bloom into the wonderful parts you have seen in them all along.

What poetry platforms do you follow or poetry scenes do you engage in? 

I engage in poetry in the scene in my local community in North Carolina. I’ve had the opportunity to perform at Songbird Supper Club, an organization that allows women to let their voices shine. I also go to open mics in my community regularly and try to attend a writing workshop in person or virtually once a week.

How do you plan to be involved in TGLP this next year? What communities are you planning on engaging with?

I plan to continue to be involved in TGLP by attending community practices and staying in touch with my cohort. I hope to become a contracted Listening Poet in my community. I have yet to figure out what practice I would be involved in, but I look forward to bringing my certified listening poet certification to good use!