The Courage to Be Becoming: M. Rowan Nowak on Poetry, Healing, and Finding Your Voice

In this heartfelt and deeply reflective episode of Fanatical DreamHer, host April Kemp sits down with poet and author M. Rowan Nowak, whose books We Choose Repair and The Ritual of Living explore healing, identity, grief, growth, and the quiet courage of becoming yourself. Meredith shares how poetry first entered her life after 9/11, when she wrote her first poem in fourth grade as a way to process fear and confusion she could not yet explain. Over the years, writing became a private refuge—a place to explore emotions, experiences, and truths she struggled to say out loud. Through vulnerable honesty, Meredith discusses overcoming fear of being seen, publishing her work for the first time, and learning that creativity does not need to come from perfection or performance. This episode is a powerful reminder that healing is not linear, that becoming is sacred, and that our voices matter exactly as they are. Key Discussion Points (with time stamps): (00:01) Introduction to M. Rowan Nowak and her poetry collections (01:29) Writing her first poem after 9/11 as a fourth grader (02:38) Using poetry as a private way to process emotions (03:30) Returning to poetry in eighth grade with "Bringing America Home" (04:28) The themes behind We Choose Repair and The Ritual of Living (06:06) How writing helped Meredith redefine self-worth and identity (07:11) Publishing during a season of personal uncertainty and job loss (08:04) Sharing poetry publicly for the first time on Facebook (09:24) Readers responding emotionally and sharing their own stories (09:49) Influences like Maya Angelou and learning through lived experience (10:55) Realizing her poetry was creating genuine human connection (11:53) Overcoming fear, anxiety, and imposter syndrome through publishing (13:47) Self-talk centered around honesty and continuing to show up (14:53) Holding her first printed book and stepping out of hiding (15:48) Support from her husband, family, and growing community (17:03) Reading from her poem "Imposter Syndrome" (19:10) Advice for women learning who they are becoming (21:02) Encouragement for aspiring writers to trust their own voice (22:15) Favorite quote about beginnings quietly forming (26:04) Previewing upcoming books and future writing projects Notable Quotes: "Writing gave me a place to be very honest." "I'm scared, but I'm tired of hiding." "I don't have to be fearless or perfect to be faithful to what matters." "Sometimes that's all courage really is—just showing up for yourself day after day." "It's okay to still be becoming." "Becoming is not a lesser chapter, it's a sacred one." Takeaways: Creativity can become a powerful tool for healing and self-understanding. Vulnerability often creates the deepest human connection. Your worth is not determined by productivity or performance. Fear of being seen can be overcome one honest step at a time. Becoming yourself is an ongoing journey, not a final destination. Writers should trust their authentic voice instead of comparing themselves to others. Healing and growth can coexist with uncertainty and imperfection. Connect with Guest: • Website: https://www.mrowannowak.com/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/m.rowannowak/ @m.rowannowak • Books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/M-Rowan-Nowak/author/B0GQ6396WJ?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_2&qid=1779800610&sr=8-2&shoppingPortalEnabled=true&ccs_id=c936d04b-604a-4a4f-8593-8de87295d114 Connect with Us: • Follow April Kemp on Instagram: [@fanaticaldreamher] • Stay updated on new episodes of Fanatical DreamHer: https://www.fanaticaldreamher.com/ • April's email: [email protected] Join the DreamHer Community: Subscribe, share, and leave us a review if this episode inspired you. Don't forget to tag us with your favorite takeaways using #FanaticalDreamHer on social media!