What is the power of poetry? 

In this episode of The People Teaching People Podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with the remarkable Wakefield Brewster. Our conversation was a deep dive into the power of poetry, the importance of literacy, and how one can find and embrace their voice through poetry.

Wakefield Brewster is not just a professional poet and spoken word artist with over two decades of experience. He is an educator and a passionate advocate for literacy. Known for his powerful words and captivating performances, Wakefield’s work spans schools, festivals, corporate functions, and more. As Calgary’s sixth Poet Laureate from 2022 to 2024, he has dedicated his career to inspiring others to find their voice.

Through our conversation, Wakefield shared his philosophy on the transformative power of language, emphasizing that “we lead with language.” By helping others find their voice, he strives to create a world where everyone’s story can be told and appreciated. Moreover, his work demonstrates how poetry and spoken word are dynamic tools for learning, inspiring people of all ages to connect with language deeply.

Wakefield Brewster’s journey is a testament to the intersection of words and wellness and the importance of sharing one’s story. His work encourages us to consider how language can enrich our lives and communities, inspire change, and cultivate understanding.

Listen in as we talk about:

Connect with Wakefield:

• Website: https://www.wakefieldbrewster.com/
• LinkedIn: Wakefield Brewster
• Instagram: @wakefield_brewster
• Facebook: @wakefield.brewster
• TEDxCalgary – Wakefield Brewster – The power of “I can”
• Book: WAKEWord

Connect with Tiana:

• Website: https://tianafech.com
• LinkedIn: Tiana Fech
• Instagram: @tianafech 
• Facebook: @tianafech 
• Book: Online Course Creation 101: A step-by-step guide to creating your first online course 

Growing up isn’t easy, especially when life throws incredibly difficult experiences your way. Wakefield talks about how his early years were shaped by personal traumas and an educational system that didn’t truly see or support the different needs of its students. School was a tough place for him, but those struggles helped shape the teacher and mentor he is today. Instead of focusing only on information, he believes in bringing energy, compassion, and connection into every classroom. His approach is all about entertaining, engaging, making it easy, educating, and enlightening. If students can feel even a small spark, it can open the door to bigger growth over time. Wakefield reminds us that we don’t always get to see the results of the seeds we plant, but that doesn’t make the planting any less important. Even when you can’t see the impact right away, showing up with heart, energy, and care has the power to change someone’s world.

Wakefield’s connection to poetry wasn’t something he pursued. It was something that found him. At 16, after years of studying music, including the organ, piano, and percussion, he felt a powerful creative spark (from something that he saw on TV) and wrote his first (admittedly terrible) two poems, marking the first time he truly created something of his own. Even though he kept his writing hidden for years, worried about how it would be perceived, the need to express himself through poetry never went away. His first public reading turned out to be an accidental entry into a poetry slam and was a tough experience. But instead of quitting, he stayed curious, studied the art of spoken word, and found his authentic voice on stage. Wakefield’s story is a reminder that sometimes what feels like a setback is actually the beginning of something meant for you. Your true path has a way of finding you even when it doesn’t look the way you expected.

“Stories belong to all of us. Once we start sharing them, we find out how much more alike we are than seemingly different.”

Wakefield sees poetry as more than an art form. He sees it as a powerful tool for helping people find and embrace their voices. Through his work, he helps others recognize that their stories deserve to be told, especially the hard ones that often go unheard. He believes that when people share their experiences, it creates space for more compassion and understanding in the world. Wakefield also explains how language shapes action: we lead with language, language allows, and what we allow continues. By empowering more people to speak their truth, he hopes to make the world a place where every story is honoured and every voice matters.

When Wakefield steps into a classroom, he knows not every student will love poetry right away and that’s okay. For him, it’s not about forcing anyone to become a poet; it’s about showing how powerful language is in every part of life. Whether you dream of being a marine biologist, an astrophysicist, or a mechanic, mastering the language of your field can open doors and create new opportunities. By showing students how poetry connects to the language of their passions, Wakefield helps them see that literacy isn’t just about reading and writing. It’s about speaking the language of their dreams. The more fluent we become in the language of our passions, the more we can achieve and connect with others.

With the profound impact language has had on his own life, Wakefield strives to pass that on to others, especially through poetry and spoken word. He believes in the transformative power of words, not just as an artistic expression, but as a tool for connection, healing, and self-expression. His mission is to help people, of all ages, discover the beauty of language and the stories they hold within. By creating interactive spaces where people can explore their voices, Wakefield hopes to ignite a love for words that can empower individuals and build stronger communities. 

Being Calgary’s 6th Poet Laureate from 2022 to 2024, Wakefield embraced the role of the city’s poetic ambassador. He shared the beauty of language, poetry, and literacy while building community. His legacy project wasn’t about physical monuments, but about giving students the chance to step out of their comfort zones and find their voices through poetry. He created a living legacy by working closely with students at Connect Charter School, helping them find the courage to speak up and share their words with the world. For Wakefield, the most powerful impact of his time as Poet Laureate was seeing how these young voices could spark change, not only in the students themselves but in the community around them. Art and creativity thrive when shared. 

For Wakefield, creativity isn’t just about making art. It’s about having the courage to share it. He shares three simple but profound pieces of advice: be brave, go out into the world, and write out your life. Bravery isn’t the absence of fear, but the willingness to act even when you’re scared. True connection doesn’t happen in your head or in your living room. It happens when you step out and let the world experience what you’ve created. Wakefield’s message is a powerful call to action for anyone living a creative life: ideas are only the beginning. To make an impact, you have to be brave, put your work out there in the world, and connect with others.

After facing discouraging feedback from professors and the literary world, Wakefield turned to performance, letting his words be heard rather than read. His book, which came after years of persevering through doubt, captures the essence of his energy and passion for spoken word. Through WAKEWord, Wakefield invites readers to embrace the power of poetry, showing that, even in the face of rejection, your voice can still resonate. His approach to writing isn’t just about creating poems. It’s about sharing an experience, capturing the raw, real moments of life in verse.

Wakefield’s approach to poetry has blended both immediate and reflective creation. In the past, he practiced professional poetic interpretation (PPI), where he would attend an event, eavesdrop and listen in on conversations, and create a poem (that day!) based on what he had heard and observed throughout the day. However, Wakefield no longer uses this method due to the intense time pressure it required. Today, he takes a more reflective approach, allowing himself time to digest his observations and craft poetry at a slower pace, whether from conversations in public spaces or professional settings. This shift in process has led to more thoughtful, nuanced work, while still embracing the power of real-time inspiration. Wakefield’s evolution as a poet reminds us that the art of listening has the potential to unlock profound creative insight.

Receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award from Calgary Black Chambers, is one of Wakefield’s proudest moments. Despite facing years of not feeling fully embraced by his own community, especially early in his career in Toronto, Wakefield’s journey eventually led him to a place where he could represent change and become a source of pride for his people. This award, which came as a surprise to him, was a powerful affirmation that his work and presence had been noticed and celebrated by the very community he once felt disconnected from.

For Wakefield, a pivotal moment in his educational journey came when a humanities professor, Sherry Rolley, saw something in him that others hadn’t. After he shared a selection of his poetry with her, she encouraged him to fully embrace his identity as a poet, regardless of his academic focus. Her belief in him not only validated his path but also inspired him to pursue poetry with confidence and dedication. Wakefield reflects that what Sherry did for him, he now strives to do for others – helping people recognize and pursue their true passions. 

Wakefield reflects on how the intersection of words and wellness has played a central role in his life. He shares that for him, poetry has always been more than just an art form. It’s been a vital part of his personal journey towards healing and mental wellness. As a licensed massage therapist and clinic owner, Wakefield views his creative work as a therapeutic practice that complements his approach to overall well-being. He connects his poetic expression with recovery from substance abuse. Poetry has been a tool for processing and navigating his struggles. Ultimately, Wakefield believes the heart of his work lies in the pursuit of wellness.

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Today’s episode is produced by VOLT Productions, a full-service podcast production agency helping creators and entrepreneurs launch, grow and monetize their shows. You can learn more about the agency’s founder Simona, their work and their team by going to www.voltproductions.co.