In this episode, we sit down with Marcus Amaker — Charleston’s first Poet Laureate, spoken word artist, librettist, musician, minimalist, husband and dad — to talk about the radical magic of art, staying in the flow, and honoring the muse through every life season.
We cover:
The first time Marcus met creativity and how Prince cracked his brain open
Tapes, poems, and why he still sees art as new every time
Art as a tool for grief, presence, and collective healing
Minimalism, naps, and digital detoxing to protect the flow
What being a Poet Laureate actually means
Creative parenting, community mentorship, and staying weird
Marcus also shares about his upcoming climate change opera premiering in 2027, his 11th book We Deserve a World Without War, and his 44th (!) music album Dust Kick and Snare.
If you’ve ever felt the tension between art and capitalism, or wondered how to keep your creative power in a world that profits off your distraction — this one is for you.
🧠 Learn more about Marcus:
Website: charlestonpoet.com
Instagram: @charlestonpoet
💌 Join the club: susart.club
📲 @susartclub