poetry, publishing, and mental health with leisly ann roman

Leisly Ann Roman is a writer and poet whose work explores the intersections of cultural identity, mental health, and personal resilience.  Born and raised in New York City as the eldest daughter of Dominican-immigrant parents, Leisly has been shaped by her experiences and the diverse cultures around her. A passionate advocate for mental health, Leisly Ann's poetry addresses themes like cultural expectations, self-doubt, and the struggles of living with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and disordered eating. In this episode, we dive into her journey through poetry and mental health, discuss the impact of cultural expectations on self-perception, and explore her path to healing.  Moments:  1:30 Meet Leisly Ann 3:00 Early inspirations  7:38 Writing from lived experience  10:32 Publishing and working with Alegría 16:25 Writing in English and Spanish as a first-gen kid 25:36 Community and support systems 31:40 Advice to her younger self  36:40 Creative process and pressure for a second book  39:38 Some of Leisly-Ann’s favorite things  Connect with Leisly Ann: On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_literaryhope/# Purchase her book: https://linktr.ee/leislyann_