Season 4. Episode 9. How Neurodivergent Spoken Word Artist Traci Neal helps the world

Talking with Spoken Word Artist Traci Neal is like breathing in a breath of fresh air.  She is warm and full of energy. I listened to her spoken word poetry and it was the same, it pulses with a lifeforce that I believe is, as she claims, spiritually channeled.

The way Traci puts it is: "As a poet, I cannot come up with this poetry on my own. It is my relationship with God that delivers amazing poetry. I am a walking miracle."

How Traci chooses to use her gift is what sets her apart -- she seeks out nonprofits (especially ones serving young people) and offers her help to them, often using her poetry as a bridge for young people to realize that they too have gifts they can share. What an inspiration this young woman is!

You can reach Traci (and hear her work) at:
Traci Neal

Professional Christian Poet 

& Certified Youth Speaker

Email: info@tracinealspeakerpoet.com

Website: www.tracinealspeakerpoet.com

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Original music "Saturday Sway" by Brendan Talian

Transcript

Unknown: 0:03

Hello and welcome to the Storied Human. I'm Lynne Thompson and today I have a really interesting guest, Ms. Tracy Miele. She's a neurodivergent spoken word artists. I've never had one before. I'm really excited to talk to her. She's listed on poets and writers residing in Columbia, South Carolina. She is featured in The New York Times mahogany Hallmark writing community, the elevation review, 1619 speaks anthology and 2023, The Sims library of poetry and many other media publications in 2023. She was a Pushcart Prize nominee for the elevation review, long listed for the African diaspora award with Kingsman quarterly, the second place poetry winner of the National Career Development Association, and the second place poetry winner of the South Carolina Career Development Association. Neil uses her poetry platform to help bring awareness to nonprofits in need worldwide. So welcome, Tracy, how are you? I'm wonderful. Thank you so much for having me. It's so good to have you. I'm so glad you reached out I'm, I have to say I love writers, I love poetry. I love talking about it. And I love that you're a neurodivergent person getting your words out into the world that's even more special. And just tell me a little bit about how this started. I know we chatted very briefly, but I'd like my listeners to hear how you started doing spoken word poetry, because it's different from, you know, just writing poetry. I started when I was 14, my mother introduced me to it. We went to South Carolina Book Festival at the time, it's no longer in existence. But they had an open mic room. And a lot of the people in there were older than me. They were college bull adults. And I was this young teenager in there. And so I was listening to them read and my mom encouraged me to go up there and read a poem because I actually got my poetry in a folder and just took it with me. And so I actually didn't read I performed and she told me I had to get it, it's so it's so great that you discovered it at a young age, because and that you were supported. Because who knows when you would have found that, you know, I love that your mother was involved with that. And you said there was a teacher too, there was a good teacher at school that encouraged you to write poetry. Yes, my seventh grade teacher, she wanted the class to write a poetry book. So that exposed me more to the genre. I was a little familiar with poetry already. But I got in depth into wanting to write it more with my seventh grade teacher, you love teachers. It really just takes one and they could change our lives. Yeah, I love that. You know, when I was in fourth grade, we had to write a novel. And I remember saying, like, how am I going to do that. But she just said, we'll start with a story. And you can make illustrations, and we all wrote a book in fourth grade. I think maybe we're all more capable of what you know, than we think we are. And teach bringing it out in you. So what kinds of nonprofit support work do you do, and I'm really interested at that intersection between your your gift and supporting nonprofits. So I like to look for nonprofits that are really trying to give back to help their community. And I'm also big on the youth, young people. That has to do with my neurodivergent I've learned, but anything that is like positive, uplifting, trying to help the community, I'm a big supporter of that, especially if they're like just starting out, I want to use my name to help, you know, bring awareness to them. So how do you do that? Do you how do you get involved in projects? Or how do you how do you help them? I help through either using my poetry to bring more awareness to them or just researching how I can help. I'm a big personal person. So I like to interact and reach out to the leaders to see how I can help and give back so it's been it's been a very good experience. I've built a lot of relationships and and been able to help people throughout South Carolina and the world because I just like I said, I guess I'm gonna go to I'll just reach out and see take a chance to see who I can help. That's so good. I feel like you found your lane. You know, like you really did you found your path. So if you don't mind me asking How old are you? Good chambered are young or if you do is okay, so you you look much younger than you are. But bless you, it's still young for worldwide reach. That's pretty cool. Yeah. And if you don't mind, me asking, how are you neurodivergent? Like, how can we understand where you are. So I, I hope I'm not going to be offensive to anyone, but I'd have to connect it to my spirituality, because I'm autistic, and I have ADHD. So I tell people, I am like a big kid. Like, I had the mindset of a child with my autism and with my ADHD, I'm hyperactive, high energy like a child. So naturally, I am not able to come up with words like the poetry on my own. It's, it's truly given to me by God. So I just, I tell people, God gives you the words I share the message. But the way that I'm able to perform that, that ties into my nerd divergence, I'm not, I'm not, I can, I can thrive, you know, music and, and performing. And this interaction right here, I'm great for writing things down. I'm like, my brain. Everybody's, everybody's got a different gift, I have a stepson who's autistic. And he's actually phenomenal. When he writes to me, he's incredible. He's so detailed, and so caring, he can really emote when he writes to me. But in person, it's harder, you know, in person, I have to work harder to get to get the feelings out. But it really helps me understand when people share with me what it's like, and there's so many positives to it, that I love, right, the high energy and that childlike wonder with the world, the whole thing just makes sense to me. And also, I am very spiritual, I believe that you, you know, you're a channel, you're a channel for a beautiful God energy, because you just let it come through you. And I think that's the same thing in church, when people, you know, speak out, or they sing or you know, there's just this wonderful connection that some people have. And it sounds like you have that. So I've been I've been told, I think so I think so. And I think that the more we understand about neurodivergent people, the more we get that it's really a gift in a way that we just haven't recognized and that we have to embrace people for who they are not just like, Oh, you're not in this box. Something's wrong with you. That's the old way. Right? The new ways. Oh, you're this way. Cool. You know, you have energy and you have a, we all do we have a gift, we all have our gifts. I love that. So what what do you tend to write about? Like, is there a theme that you tend to perform, or I'm really interested in the types of work that you tend to do. So I do a lot of stuff from personal experiences. But I feel like a lot of the points are a call to action. You know, I want people to feel empowered, that they can put themselves into the point and relate to it somehow and better themselves. Like, I think I can I can get through the, like a difficult season a difficult time. That's what's been so impactful is the messages, you know, that resonate with people and make them want to be better and do better. That's just a beautiful way to be in the world. That's a beautiful force in the world. We need more of that, you know, to encourage people and support people. So if people want to hear you, can they go online, somewhere in here, you or can they read your poems? Is there a place they can go? Yes. My website is like the one stop shop. Like everything, what I've done, who I've collaborated with, with the nonprofits, everything is all there. Okay. And what's your website? And I'll put it in the show notes too. But I would like you to say it for us, so we know where it is. Yes, it's Tracy, Neil. Speaker poet.com Okay. And people can reach out to you there or do you? Do you like email or is that okay, or email is fine. Okay. And what's your email is info at Tracy. Neil, Speaker poet.com. That's great. So is there anything else that you would like to tell us about because I think you have a bunch of things to say that I haven't asked you yet. Perhaps? Yes. I just want to share my story because I feel like with neuro divergence, you know, there's kind of a certain narrative that is displayed geniuses. And then those that like are thriving and and things but I think when people hear about me and they're like, you're you have a mindset of a child, you act like a child, but there's this amazing poetry going on like as that work, but it just, it just comes from my faith and it's pure, it's a pure miss that I just love and, and I tell people, you know, find your peace, I have my peace and my peace has allowed me to be able to help people and give back and empower those around me. I think one person can make a difference. You know, we all can make a difference individually. But sometimes we just need that push, we just need that person that will just tell us, yes, you can do this. Yes, you can move forward. And so I want to be that person. Because I feel like growing up being different, you know, I grew up being so you're different, you're different. But I didn't know why I was different. So now I can be that person for someone, you know, that may feel different and may, like, you know, where do I fit into this world? So that's so lovely. You're a great example. I really like when people have that urge to give back when they find out something about themselves. And they're like, wait a minute, you know, I can inspire others. I don't have to have younger people feeling like I did like, Oh, I'm different. I'm different, but why? Or how or what do I do now? So that really makes me feel good. So when you got out of high school, did you go to a college? Did you did you go through a four year college? I did. And it's so funny. I have a bachelor's and a master's. I have a bachelor's from University of South Carolina and Columbia and a Master's at University of Phoenix online. And I don't remember any basically after elementary school I don't remember at regular education right. It's hard when you're when you're not like typical right, neurotypical, I think it's hard. That's why I asked and what did you major in? For bachelor's degree? my bachelor's degree I majored in English and a master's degree with educational studies. Perfect though. No, I'm sure some of it got through. You just don't remember, like the experience. But that's so cool. That the learning part, right? You know, what's funny is when you were talking, I was thinking, Yes, she's doing for others what her teacher did for her. So you have like that teacher vibe for me, you know, like, you really have that urge to like, teach and support, it makes sense that you continued into educational studies, it all makes sense. You know, it really does. So you certainly want to actually wanted to be a teacher, but I thought I was gonna be a, I've always loved teaching like I, I'm a technical writer, but I'm also a creative writer. And on the side, I've always tutored English, I really don't want a class, I'm not that kind of teacher, I'm more like a tutor. And I really get a lot of, you know, satisfaction out of it, like helping I see it as a very supportive activity. I like to help people speak English or write English or it's mostly English, you know. And there's a lot of people I work with now whose language, it's an English is not their first language. And so they need, you know, they're really smart, their English is good, but writing is a little harder for them. And I really enjoy working with them to just tweak with, you know, not change or rewrite what they're saying. But to help them bring it out, bring the message out, and tweak it. And it really is fun. I love to teach and to tutor. I really liked that feeling. So I I think I get what you do, like what you what you like to do. And also I wanted to ask, do you get to perform like regularly out in public spaces? Do you still do that? I still do that, um, I did it more last year, but it's, it's this this year, but I really want to be able to utilize that to help young people to do that. So I'm trying to collaborate, won't tell all the details but trying to collaborate or a festival to expose the youth, but also like, I would be a slam coach to help them with their poetry. So I that's what I like to do. Because I believe in the next generation, I want to thrive more than me. I'm just you know, making that pathway for them. Yeah, just come on through. So there's the teacher girl again. Yes, love that. No, I love that so much. I can see you're running workshops. I can see you being involved in a festival. It all make sense to me and it all All feel so positive and uplifting? It's really great to talk to you about it. Is there any way that we could act? Do you have like videos on your website? Like we can actually see you? Oh, good, good, good, because I'm dying to do that now that I've talked to you. And I'm sure that my listeners are dying to do it, too. And I was on TV locally, and I performed so Oh, wonderful. And do you ever get nervous? Like, do you get, like stage fright? Or get scared before you do it? No. Now when I was younger, I did but not so much. Now. You get used to it? That's, that's the repetition. Like what do you do? Yeah. Second Nature. That's so good. So now it's really part of you. And you don't have to worry about getting nervous. Is there anything else that you would like people to know about? Excuse me, oh, my goodness, I don't have anything to drink either Darn. Anything you'd like us to know, like anything that we haven't talked about. Just just to remember that it doesn't matter where you start, you know, just get started. Because I think sometimes people think that you have to have a certain goal, a certain pathway like other people. Yeah. And that's not always the case, that was not the case with me, I came out being a pre K eight. So before I started my poetry business, I was a pre K, I was a teacher assistant. And I didn't have an MFA, a Master's in Fine Arts, I didn't have you know what, I guess the credentials to just embark on this. But I just took a leap of faith. And you know, even with the rejections that you might get in the beginning, you keep going because I was on one podcast, and I loved what this lady quoted, you're not everybody's cup of tea. So you have to find where you fit. And so that was me, I just had to find where I fit. And I'll tell people, my, I guess the shift in my mindset was when I got in the New York Times, because I had experienced so much rejection before then. And so to get into the New York Times was like, wow, I can use my voice to help empower people. And that's what I did. When I submitted, you know, to the publication, and it was my third time submitted, I got rejected two times by them. But the third time it, my mindset was different. I was like, let me share my experience, because I feel like my vulnerability can help somebody. So I was willing to be more vulnerable, and utilize that to give voice, you know, to empower people. And so that was the shift that I'm like, let me use my voice to help uplift people. Because we all can do better and be better, but we need each other. That's the thing that we know. We're not separate. I love that story. And I love how you persisted. And, you know, I learned how to podcast from a famous podcaster. Kathy Heller. And she used to say, I loved how she said this. She said, Look, if I'm making sense, and you want to take my course, you know, because she had this wonderful free five day thing. I mean, five days of her life. She said, that's great, you know, but if this isn't, you know, hitting you, right? Or you want to find another teacher, that's fine. Find the teacher that works for you. If this isn't working for you, I'm not your person. And I just thought, what elegance what confidence, you know, I'm not your person. And you'll find your person and I was sitting there like screaming at the screen. You're my person. Like, I was like, no, no, you're my person. Because I just really loved how she talked about mindset, like a lot of the things that you're saying about persistence, about failing, continuing to fail until you make it and the only thing that really is a failure is not doing it, the stopping doing it. And you didn't do that you just kept going. I love that. I don't think we were raised that way. We're kind of raised. I was raised to be like, scared and more careful, right? Like I was raised. Right? Like, what they're trying to protect you our parents didn't mean to raise us to be scared. But they would say like, oh, well, that wasn't for you. Like if you fail once, right? Oh, well, that wasn't for you. And that's not really how I look at things. Now I look at things more like what you're describing. It's like, well, maybe I just don't have the right mindset or I'm not talking to the right people, or I haven't like, to me, it sounds like you refined and clarified your, your vision. And you came they're open to the times that third time you came open and told your own story. And, you know, there's just nothing as irresistible as authenticity. When somebody just is themself, you know, that's like hard to resist. So I think he did everything right And it's obvious that you did because look at your, your hit rate and you're like you're the things that you've been able to do. And I love talking to you and I hope you keep in touch with us. And I'm going to tell everybody where to go to, to see your performing and to hear more about what you do. It's been really great talking to you. Thank you so much. Thank you so much. This is awesome. Your energy's like jumping off the screen for me. I love it. Thank you. Take care of yourself. Yes. Thank you.