Writers’ Block is a bi-weekly podcast that highlights the work of writers, poets, scientists, musicians, and more to find the story behind the pieces. Host Mike Gravagno digs into his guests work the same way he digs into pie, voraciously and without pretension, because you don’t have to be high-falutin to enjoy talking about art. Writers’ Block is a joint venture from YourPopFilter.com and Anastamos, Chapman University’s Interdisciplinary Graduate Journal, and is available wherever you get your podcasts.

Cristin O’Keefe Aptowicz is the author of seven books of poetry. Most recently, she released her nonfiction book, Dr. Mütter’s Marvels: A True Tale of Intrigue and Innovation at the Dawn of Modern Medicine, which spent three months on the New York Times Best Seller list. Cristin has toured widely with her poetry, at venues as diverse as NYC’s Joe’s Pub, LA’s Largo Theatre and Australia’s Sydney Opera House.

Derrick C. Brown is a comedian, poet and storyteller. He is the winner of the 2013 Texas Book of The Year award for Poetry. The New York Times calls his work, “…a rekindling of faith in the weird, hilarious, shocking, beautiful power of words.” Brown has toured with comedians and musicians such as Eugene Mirman, David Cross, Rival Sons, and Cold War Kids. He has performed on Jay Leno, and has been featured on podcasts such as This American Life with Ira Glass and The Nerdist with Kurt Braunohler. He has performed all over the United States and Europe for over 20 years.