VS Podcast Live event at the 2019 Asian American Literature Festival. Photo by Kyle Lucia Wu.
VS Podcast, a bi-weekly poetry podcast hosted by Danez Smith and Franny Choi, released an episode recorded live at the 2019 Asian American Literature Festival. The episode featured Kundiman’s Executive Director Cathy Linh Che and co-founders Joseph O. Legaspi and Sarah Gambito.
Each guest read two poems and discussed topics such as love, solidarity, queerness, and poetry. Che, Legaspi, and Gambito also spoke on Kundiman’s mission, emphasizing the sense of generosity and care that is nurtured within its community. When asked about passing along Kundiman to new leadership, Gambito responded:
“The number one reason why nonprofits fail is founder’s syndrome. I love Kundiman so much, I can’t let that happen–– Joseph and I can’t let that happen. I think part of bringing up a leader, it’s bringing up other leaders. It can’t just be about you. You have to understand how [Kundiman] has a life and breath of its own, and to find guardians, and people with imagination that are aligned with you.”
Listen to the episode here!
VS Podcast Live event at the 2019 Asian American Literature Festival. Photo by Hannah Colen.