Creatures of the Wind

I love strangers. They are my window to a wider world. I am undoubtedly more empathetic and understanding because of strangers. I will never stop talking with them and being challenged and delighted and everything in between. Until then. 

I made this while at Salt. Thank you to my crew: Peter Lang-Stanton, Michelle Lewis, Max Greenstein, Liz Hamm and Forest Gamble. 

Cover art by my very talented photographer friend, Noah. 

While on a hike with my friend Forest, I saw a potential place to jump into the water and so I took off my clothes and got in. He said he wanted to too. But then, when it was time to actually jump, I could see how much fear he had written on his face. He couldn't do it. We went home. A few days later, I brought him back to the same spot (at 9pm and when it was much colder outside). Listen to find out whether he jumps or not. 

I made this while at S...

At the edge of an 8-foot cliff overlooking the ocean, Phoebe has a decision to make: to jump or to not jump. 

Thank you to Phoebe and Haleigh and Savannah for coming to the island with me on your autumn morning. Another thank you to my Salt crew: Peter Lang-Stanton, Michelle Lewis, Max Greenstein, Liz Hamm and Forest Gamble. 

All my love. 

A few months ago, I walked into a coffee shop bathroom in Vermont to find a note that I haven't been able to shake. It read: "Normalize asking people what they want to build and destroy in this world." So, I went around and asked the people of Brooklyn, New York and Portland, Maine.

Thank you to every kid, stranger and friend who gave me their time and thoughtfulness. Thank you also to the my Salt crew: Peter Lang-Stanton, Liz Hamm, Michelle Lewis, Forest Gamble and Max Greenstein for the wisdom. Thank you to Quincie Ndiaye Jai...

I request that you fully submerge and do your best to become an octopus, too. 

Miriam Simun founded the Institute for Transhumanist Cephalopod (ITCE) in response to rising sea levels. Last spring in Brooklyn, she led a group of around 40 people to dance, touch and observe themselves, each other and their environment in an effort to be more like octopuses (and sometimes squid). She believes that if we try our best to become these slimy, eight-armed creatures, then who we will become in the process is greater than we already are. 

The song at the be...

A sonic letter to my younger sister.

It's official. We have served free tea in Maria Hernandez Park every single day of April. Thank you for everything. 

Arnaud is playing the clarinet underneath the poem Initiation Song from the Finders' Lodge by Ursula K. Le Guin. This month was one of the most special of my entire life. It was a true honor to document the people and moments of this corner of the world. I am so grateful. Until next time.

A soundscape of sorts. 

One more day. Unbelievable that we're almost to the finish line. See ya tomorrow!!!

An episode about what happened yesterday. Listen to most recent episode first if you haven't already.

The poems are Think of Others by Mahmoud Darwish, Watching My Friend Pretend Her Heart Is Not Breaking by Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer, and One Heart by Li-Young Lee. Sabelle Guido played a bit of guitar and Rili played their usual electric violin goodness.

Until tomorrow.

Warning: this is an intense three and a half minutes of audio. Kids should not listen. As we were packing up the equipment, we looked over to see an unconscious man to our left. What followed was about 20 minutes of attempts to revive him. It was serious and heartbreaking. We'll update this description box when we know more about the situation. 

Syd is taking over the tea stand today! They are awesome. Sounds include Jose meeting his first Hasidic Jew, an Australian man named Noll and, of course, ants.

Day 26! This episode is about Bushwick and gentrification. An incomplete episode, of course, as all of these are. But, hopefully a slice of what's inside the minds and sounds of Maria Hernandez Park on April 26, 2026. 

Day 25! So much love. And rain. And rhymes. Enjoy. Until tomorrow!

TW: There is a brief mention of domestic violence around 7:05 to the 7:35 minute mark. 

Day 24 is filled with stories. All about strangers and trust. Alrighty, until tomorrow. 

Day 23! Most of the day is spent with Phoenix and Jeremiah, what joy. See ya tomorrow :)

Naqiya is serving the tea! Sounds include honesty, an original poem and a love story. Plus, some guitar strumming from Andrea Sofía. Until tomorrow!

This episode is all about the setup and logistics behind serving free tea in the park. Miles and J.W. discuss the intentions of doing something like this. 

For a bit more context: In December 2022, Miles set up The Tea Stand for the first time in Maria Hernandez Park in Bushwick. They continue to serve free tea in the park once a month (and every day in April), but also at food distributions and other community events. But, as you will hear, some friction is coming up surrounding the frequency of the usual Popup in the park. 

Day 20! Sounds include David, thoughts on relationships, and mostly laughs. Until tomorrow. 

Day 19, here we are. Aimee is back serving tea today. Sounds include all sorts of cycles. Until tomorrow!

Day 18! I'm behind the stand, Miles is recording the audio. A fun and new challenge. Enjoy enjoy, until tomorrow! 

Day 17! Ziggy is back serving tea today. Sounds include Andrew riffing, Kameliia catching up on her punchcard, Rili on the electric violin, and the fruits that were planted years ago. 

Plus, a surprise at the end... until tomorrow! 

Day 16 in the books! Andrea is back serving tea. Sounds include an audio collage and singing from Bryna Raanan and Ellery Harper, respectively.

Day 15! An episode mostly about all kinds of trees.

The second half of this episode is largely inspired by an audio piece called A Tree Is Not A Forest by Ray Pang. Before you do anything, listen to that piece because it is utterly fantastic. 

Until tomorrow. 

Day 14! Juno is behind the stand, braving the heat. Sounds include a shirtless guy running and ideas about our bodies. Until tomorrow!

Hey hey, day 13! Whattttt!!! Mattie is back serving tea today. Sounds include Braden Kirkpatrick playing a wonderful single and an interview with a 5th grader. Until tomorrow :-)

Day 12! Rili rocks. So does Miles. Until tomorrow!

Marissa is serving the tea today! Sounds include the birds and a race and loss. Until tomorrow!

Day 10! Another day, another tea takeover. Sounds include Ziggy Bee's joy and tunes from Andrea Sofía. Until tomorrow. 

Day 9! It's a sunny day with Miles back behind the stand. Sounds include mostly Tara: an Easter egg hunt, Snakes n Ladders and that 'which hand is the rock in' game. Until tomorrow!

Paige is back serving tea today! Sounds include discussions on Miles' grandmother and why consistency matters. Until tomorrow!

We are officially one week into this project. Yahoo! Sounds include a poem by Cameron Awkward-Rich, Aimee taking over the tea stand and, of course, Arnie and Joy. Cover photo by Jesse. Until tomorrow!

Day 6! Miles is back behind the stand today. Sounds include dominos, a man with five speakers on a scooter and observation. Until tomorrow!

Day 5, say whattt!? Andrea and Noah are serving the tea with Jimmy Climbs on the guitar. Until tomorrow. 

Mattie is taking over the tea stand today! What a day. Sounds include rain and the world as an instrument. Rili is the one playing the electric violin. See ya tomorrow!

Day 3! Paige is taking over the tea stand today. Enjoy :)

Day 2 of free tea in Maria Hernandez Park. Sounds include pigeons, interconnectedness and Mr. Lee. See ya tomorrow :)

30 days of free tea, 30 days of free podcast episodes. Get stoked. Here we go. 

I HAVE A NEW PODCAST. Search Perpetual Brew wherever you listen. The first two episodes are live!!!! 

This episode includes a few windy voice memos I recorded leading up to one of my most ambitious creative endeavors (which is happening RIGHT NOW). 

I will make a new podcast episode every single day of April to publish by 6am the following morning (over on the Perpetual Brew feed). I am both terrified and ecstatic. My friend Miles – who stewards The Tea Stand – will be serving free tea in Maria Hernandez Park every single day of the...

Pregnancy and childbirth absolutely fascinates me. So, I interviewed two important women in my life to hear their stories. 

Some of what is discussed may be overwhelming to listeners. Please take care. Also, the week markers and time codes are factually incorrect, and serve merely as a stylistic tool. 

Thank you to Gideon Parker, who composed the music for this piece. If you want to check out their music, their artist name is King Bird. 

Thank you to Hanna Burgers for the cover image. Find her other pre...

About my obsession with work and its effects on those around me. 

A massive thank you to Kim Shirin Cupal for your editing advice. Thank you to my mom, Sami, Olivia and Joe for letting me interview you. 

This piece is more art than it is journalism. My work, in large part, is a massively positive force in my life. My work gives back to me in infinite ways. I've known this for years, really since my first interview. But, I haven't  critically examined the messier side of my relationship to my work. 

Henc...