PODCAST · arts
The Unruly Muse
by Lynn C. Miller and John Modaff
A performance-centered podcast that features songs, poems, stories, and patter built around a theme each episode. Modaff and Miller are writers and stage/radio performers. Contemporary and classic writers, original stories and songs are performed.
Episodes
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She Said, He Said
Song 1: “Vuja De” (composed/performed by John V. Modaff with Jonathan A. Modaff on drums) Poem 1: “She Said, he Said” by Julie Williams, a poet and visual artist. Author of Escaping Tornado Season and Drama Queens in the House. Her new poetry collection is in process. Fiction: “Alice, Again,” by...
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The Unexpected
Song 1: “Surprise,” composed & performed by John V Modaff, member of the group “Good Enough” and part-time bicycle mechanic. POEM 1: “Magnitude 7.6, San Francisco 1906” by Mikki Aronoff. Her new book of fairy tales in 2026 is called Neverafters: A collection of fairy and folk tales, of hauntings...
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Holding On
Song 1: “Your Arms Around Me” (by Dan Modaff & Jennifer Butler Modaff, performed by Dan Modaff with Good Enough, from the album Saturday’s Child) Poem 1: “The Trees Were Filled With Blossoms But No Bees,” by Katherine Seluja. From her poetry collection Point of Entry (University of New Mexico...
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What Is Real?
Song 1: “Lost Soul” (by Dave Merrill) Poem 1: “Rock, Scissors, Paper, the Anniversary Edition, 11 September 2020” by Sandra Yannone. This poem comes from her recent collection, The Glass Studio. Since March 2020, she's hosted the international online reading series Cultivating Voices LIVE Poetry....
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Peace
Song 1: “Peace” (by Larry Modaff with Good Enough) Poem 1: “For a Long Time I Have Wanted to Write a Poem About Happiness” by Susan Aizenberg. This poem, from her second collection, Quiet City (BkMk Press 2015); her newest collection is A Walk With Frank O’Hara (Mary Burritt Christiansen Poetry...
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Approach/Avoidance
Song 1: “Before the Magi” (John V. Modaff, sung by The Woman of Mystery) Poem 1: “Occupied” by Scott Wiggerman. His new collection, Beginning and Ending with Emily, came out Spring of 2026 with Casa Urraca Press. Scott lives in Albuquerque and is a painter and a poet....
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Hello, is anyone there?
Song 1: “Say Hello” (composed and performed by John V. Modaff) Poem 1: “Narrative Without People” by Hilda Raz, from Divine Honors. Author of eight collections of poems. The epigraph to this book is by Cynthia Macdonald: “May I see what I have tried not to see.” Hilda’s collected poems are...
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Freedom
Song 1: Ride Downtown (composed & performed by John V Modaff, with Dave Merrill on 2nd & 3rd guitars and harmonica) Poem 1: “Eleanor Remembers” by Susan Aizenberg, published in 2025 in On the Seawall, a community gallery of new writing, art, and commentary. Susan is a poet living in Iowa City…
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Ancestors
Song 1: “Like They Did” (composed and performed by John V. Modaff with Dan Modaff on mandolin and 2nd/3rdguitars) Poem 1: “Bringing Back the Dead” by Julie Williams, a poet and visual artist. Author of Escaping Tornado Season and Drama Queens in the House. Her new poetry collection is in process....
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The Forbidden
Song 1: “You Can’t Do That” (composed and performed by John Modaff) Poem 1: “Vegetable Medley” by Mikki Aronoff, a much-published Albuquerque poet, Pushcart nominee, and animal advocate. Poem first published in The Dribble Drabble Review. Fiction: excerpt from Death of a Department Chair by Lynn…
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Homeless
Song 1: “Homeless” (by Daniel P. Modaff with Good Enough) Poem 1: “Burned” by Jack Cooper, author of Silly Lily’s Rhyming Adventures In Nature (2023) and Across My Silence (2007) World Audience, Inc. https://sillylilysadventures.com/ Fiction: “Displaced,” a short story by Lynn C. Miller. Her…
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Love?
Song 1: “Is That Love” (John V. Modaff) Poem 1: “Little Histories” by Scott Wiggerman whose new book of poems comes out in Spring of 2026 with Casa Urraca Press. Scott lives in Albuquerque and is a painter and a poet among other things. https://scottwiggerman.myportfolio.com/ Fiction: from the...
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Stop the World, I Want to Get Off
Song 1: “Disappear” (Daniel P. Modaff with Good Enough on the CD Dakota Plains) Poem 1: “For the Dark Girl” by Susan Aizenberg. Published in her first full-length collection, Muse. Susan lives in Iowa City, IA. Her most recent book is A Walk With Frank O’Hara (U of New Mexico Press, 2024.)…
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Levity & Gravity
Song 1: “Twenty Wishes” (John V. Modaff, w/ lead guitar and mandolin by Dan Modaff) Poem 1: “You Weary Listening To Their First World Complaints” by Mikki Aronoff. Published in Gooseberry Pie. Mikki is featured this year in Best Microfiction 2025 and Best Small Fictions 2025. Fiction excerpt…
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Speaking Up
Song 1: “Speak Up,” (composed and performed by John V. Modaff, with guitars by Dan Modaff and Dave Merrill) Poem 1: “Sound Barrier” by Scott Wiggerman from the “Fire” chapter of Presence (San Antonio TX: Pecan Grove Press, 2011), a book arranged around the elements. Fiction excerpt: from the…
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Beauty and the Beast
Song 1: “The Eyes Have It,” composed and performed by John V. Modaff Poem 1: “In Hurricane With Horses” by Mark Sanders. Mark lives in Nacogdoches, TX and teaches at Stephen F. Austin University. https://sandersme1.wixsite.com/mark-sanders/ Fiction excerpt: from the novel Death of a Department...
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Myths & Legends
Song 1: “Day Never Comes,” composed and performed by David R. Merrill. Poem 1: “Leda and the Swan” by Nobel prize-winning poet W. B. Yeats, composed in 1923 and first printed in 1924. Fiction: “The Secret Pool,” by Lynn C. Miller, excerpted from her first novel The Fool’s Journey, 2002 (Winedale...
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Judgment
Song 1: The God Machine (Dave Merrill and John V. Modaff) Poem 1: “To the Mother of the Sixteen-Year-Old Boy Shot Dead by the Police After She’d Called Them” by Susan Aizenberg. From Quiet City, BkMk Press 2015. Her most recent book is A Walk With Frank O’Hara (U of New Mexico Press, 2024)....
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Neighbors
Song 1: “The Swing Set Song” by Andrew Preston and AP Harbor, from the album Mildepond Poem 1: “Contemplating Eternity While Sticking Its Neck Out” by Julie Williams, author of Escaping Tornado Season and Drama Queens in the House. A poetry collection is under review. Story excerpt: “Neighbors”…
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Harmony
Song 1: “The Young & The Old” (composed by David R. Merrill, performed with John Modaff) Poem 1: “Cousin Judy Paints” by Mikki Aronoff, a much-published Albuquerque poet, Pushcart nominee, and animal advocate. Short Story: “Satisfaction” by Lynn C. Miller. Her novel THE SURROGATE is in process…
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Breaking Up
Song 1: “I Can’t Sing That Song” (John V. Modaff) Poem 1: “Ecdysis Sonnet” by Sandra Yannone. Sandy’s new collection is the glass studio (Salmon Poetry, 2024). Fiction: excerpt from the novel in progress, “The Angel of Devastation.” Her latest book is The Lost Archive: stories,...
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Unruly Thoughts
Song 1: “Clever Brilliant Mind” (by David R. Merrill with John Modaff) Poem 1: “I’m” by Jack Cooper, author of Silly Lily’s Rhyming Adventures In Nature (2023) and Across My Silence (2007) World Audience, Inc. https://sillylilysadventures.com/ Fiction: three short excerpts from her third novel…
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Doubt
Song 1: “I’m Not Your Maybe” (Daniel P. Modaff, performed with GOOD ENOUGH from the album Saturday’s Child) Poem 1: “Conditional Love Story” by Barbara Rockman, author of the poetry collections To Cleave and Sting and Nest. Barbara is a poet and teacher whose homebase is Santa Fe. Fiction…
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Behind the Curtain
Song 1: Glimpses by Daniel P. Modaff, Jennifer Butler Modaff & Mark E. Collins, performed by GOOD ENOUGH from their new album, Saturday’s Child (2024). Poem 1: “Remember the Boneyard,” by Julie Williams from a collection in progress. Author of Escaping Tornado Season and Drama Queens in the…
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What Is Healing?
Song 1: “Long Road” (Mark E. Collins & Daniel P. Modaff, BMI) Poem 1: “Breath” by Sarah Kotchian, from her new collection Light of Wings, UNM Press (2024): https://www.unmpress.com/9780826365972/light-of-wings/ Fiction: excerpt from “Curiosities” a short story by Lynn C. Miller, from The Lost...
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Regret
Song 1: You Told, composed and performed by John V. Modaff. Poem 1: “The Wicked Stepmother Tells Her Story,” published in bosque journal and later in We Were Meant to Carry Water as “Frail Cradle.” https://tinacarlsonpoetry.com/ Fiction: “Cautionary Tale” by Lynn C. Miller, author of, most...
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The Machine
Song 1: "Old Truck" composed by David R. Merrill, performed by D.R. Merrill & John Modaff Poem 1: “Data Affirmative” by Scott Wiggerman, Albuquerque poet, artist, and editor https://scottwiggerman.myportfolio.com/ Fiction: excerpt from The Unmasking, a novel by Lynn C. Miller…
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The Family
Song 1: “Family at the Door,” (by John V. Modaff with Good Enough) Poem 1: “Midnight, with Dogs” by Mark Sanders. Mark lives in Nacogdoches, TX and teaches at Stephen F. Austin University. https://sandersme1.wixsite.com/mark-sanders/ Fiction: Excerpt from “Words Shimmer,” from The Lost Archive by...
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Strange Bedfellows
SONG 1: "Backwagon Man" (composed, sung, and played by John Modaff with mandolin and sundry string by Dan Modaff) POEM 1: “Another Story” by Hilda Raz, a retelling of the myth of Leda and the Swan. Collected in Letters from a Place I’ve Never Been: Collected and New Poems. University of Nebraska...
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Forgiveness
SONG 1: Keep The Door Open (composed and performed by John V. Modaff, BMI) POEM 1: “A Wild Hope” by Julie Williams (2014), author of Escaping Tornado Season and Drama Queens in the House. A poetry collection is in process. FICTION: excerpt from “Afterthought” by Lynn C. Miller from The Lost…
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What Price Money?
SONG 1: “Happy Never After” Dr. James T. “T-Bone” Kelly, from his CD Toast, Registered France, 2013 POEM 1: “Calendar” by Jack Cooper, author of Silly Lily’s Rhyming Adventures In Nature (2023) and Across My Silence, 2007, World Audience, Inc.https://sillylilysadventures.com/ FICTION: excerpt…
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The Chill Vibe
SONG 1: Roses on the Floor by JVM with Dan Modaff POEM 1: “The Landing” by Mark Sanders, published in bosque journal #8. www.bosquepress.com. Mark is the author of Conditions of Grace. https://sandersme1.wixsite.com/ FICTION: excerpt from “The Surrogate,” a novel in progress by Lynn C. Miller,...
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Monsters
SONG 1: "Boom" (composed and sung by John V Modaff, joined by Dan Modaff) POEM 1: “War” by Hilda Raz. From List & Story. Also collected in Letters from a Place I’ve Never Been: Collected and New Poems. University of Nebraska Press, 2021. https://hildaraz.com/ FICTION: “Trauma,” excerpt from the...
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Near Misses
SONG 1: Almost Blew My Face Off (composed and sung by jvm) POEM 1: “If Only” by Jack Cooper. First published in Spectrum 2. Anthology edited by Don Kingfisher Campbell, 2016 Author of Across My Silence, 2007, World Audience, Inc. PROSE READING: “Near Misses,” a story by Lynn C. Miller. Her latest...
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Taking the Leap
Teasers by John Burroughs and Jane Francis Song 1: "The Edge” (composed and sung by JVM) Poem 1: “Why We Bought a Horse” by Mark Sanders. Mark lives in Nacogdoches, TX and teaches at Stephen F. Austin University. https://sandersme1.wixsite.com/mark-sanders/ Short Story: excerpt from “David’s...
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Hauntings
Poem 1: “Ghosts in my Pockets” by Julie Williams, author of Escaping Tornado Season and Drama Queens in the House. Song 1: Chalk Marks (poem by Ivria Sackton of Austin TX, 1981, arranged and sung by jvm) Poem 2: “Comfort Inn” by Scott Wiggerman, from his first book Vegetables and Other...
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Friends, Lost & Found
Song 1: Deaths Elsewhere (John V. Modaff) Poem 1: “Her Brown Horse Must Rise from the Dead” by Marge Saiser. Originally published in bosque #6 literary journal. www.bosquepress.com Short Story excerpt: “Solid Ground” by Lynn C. Miller. From a collection of stories in process about a North Dakota...
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What Is Offensive?
Song 1: “The Nasty Song” composed and sung by Dave Merrill with instrumental and vocal help from John V. Modaff and Vaughn Deel. (1984) Poem 1: “Ladybird, ladybird, fly away home” by Mikki Aronoff. First published in Love’s Executive Order (background music Hail to the Chief by James Sanderson)...
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Strange Encounters
Teasers: Ernest Hemingway, C.S. Lewis, and Heraclitus Song 1: Grand Prize written and sung by JVM with Dan Modaff on lead guitar Poem 1: “Window Shopping in Guatemala” by Kelly Jon Yenser, whose new book of poems, Walking Uphill at Noon, 2022 from UNM Press. Story excerpt from “The Last Usher” by...
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What Is Magic?
Song 1: Magic Word composed and performed by John V. Modaff. Viola by Dave Merrill. Poem 1: “Abracadabra” by Sarah Kotchian. Published in ABQ inPrint issue #3, 2019. www.bosquepress.com Her new book, Light of Wings, will come out in 2024. Short story, “Simply Magic,” by Lynn C. Miller. Her new...
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Collecting
Teasers by Albert Einstein, Sylvia Plath, and Mackenzie Finklea Song 1: Froney’s Museum (composed and performed by John Modaff with Dan Modaff on mandolin and solo guitar) Poem 1: “The Invisible Woman” by Julie Williams (2013), from her collection in progress. Author of Escaping Tornado Season (a...
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Food For Thought
Teaser: Quotes from Ernestine Ulmer, Julia Child, and Maya Angelou Song 1: Shaving Cream Eyes (Robert Hopper; played by JVM and Dan Modaff) Poem 1: “One Toe Crooked” by Hilda Raz. Published in Letters from a Place I’ve Never Been: Collected and New Poems.University of Nebraska Press, 2021....
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Youth and Age
Teaser: Quotes from Oscar Wilde, Arthur C. Clarke, and Ernest Hemingway Song 1: Generic Protest Song (by jvm, performed by John Modaff & Dan Modaff) Poem 1: “Eleanor Can’t Sleep” by Susan Aizenberg, published in ABQ inPrint #6, Fall, 2022. Susan lives in Iowa City, IA. She has a new collection, A...
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MEMORY
Teaser: Quotes from Louise Glück and Milan Kundera Song 1: “Two Trains” by written and performed by John V. Modaff and Good Enough from the CD More Than A Line(2018) Poem 1: “All That Is Made” by Sarah Kotchian, published in ABQ inPrint #6, fall, 2022. www.bosquepress.com. Her new book, Light of...
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FAITH
Teaser: Quotes from J.M. Barrie, Edgar Allen Poe, and the Buddha on faith and doubt. Song 1: “To JC and the Boys” John V. Modaff (w/ Dan Modaff on banjo and mandolin.) Poem 1: “Doubting Thomas” by Scott Wiggerman, Albuquerque poet and co-founder of Los Gatos Press. Fiction: excerpt from story…
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Closets
Teaser: Quotes by George Bernard Shaw, Henry Van Dyke, Jeremiah Brent, and Roald Dahl on closets and secrets. Song 1: “Ballad of Mollie Bean” written and performed by John V. Modaff, with Dan Modaff on mandolin Poem 1: “The Last Detail” by Jack Cooper. Published by Bosque Press in ABQ inPrint #5,...
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In/Sanity
Teaser: Oscar Wilde and Agatha Christie on in/sanity Song 1: “Kind of Crazy” written and performed by JVM with Dan Modaff on mandolin Poem 1: “Meditation“ by Hilda Raz. Published in Letters from a Place I’ve Never Been: Collected and New Poems. University of Nebraska Press, 2021....
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The Country
Teaser: Opposite takes on the country by Emily Bronte in Wuthering Heights (1847) and from Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle (stories written 1887-1927). Song 1: “Saturday” (JVM with Dave Merrill and Dan Modaff) Poem 1: “Memorial Day” by Julie Williams, Minneapolis-based poet, novelist and...
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Conversation
Teaser: Guy de Maupassant (1850-1853), master of the short story, on conversation. Song 1: “Talking to Headstones” (John Modaff) Poem 1: “Quickening” by Elise McHugh, Albuquerque poet and editor, published in bosque journal, issue #5. http://bosquepress.com/book-series/bosque-journal/ Short Story...
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Dreams
Teaser: Harriet Tubman (1820-1913), abolitionist and suffragist on Dreams. Song 1: Just A Few of the Notes (Paul J. Nickels & jvm) Poem 1: “Earth’s Shadow” by Claudia Putnam from THE LAND OF STONE AND RIVER in press 2022 from Moon City Press. https://claudiaputnam.com/ Story: “Pueblo Luna” by…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
A performance-centered podcast that features songs, poems, stories, and patter built around a theme each episode. Modaff and Miller are writers and stage/radio performers. Contemporary and classic writers, original stories and songs are performed.
HOSTED BY
Lynn C. Miller and John Modaff
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The Unruly Muse have?
The Unruly Muse currently has 63 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The Unruly Muse about?
A performance-centered podcast that features songs, poems, stories, and patter built around a theme each episode. Modaff and Miller are writers and stage/radio performers. Contemporary and classic writers, original stories and songs are performed.
How often does The Unruly Muse release new episodes?
The Unruly Muse has 63 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to The Unruly Muse?
You can listen to The Unruly Muse on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts The Unruly Muse?
The Unruly Muse is created and hosted by Lynn C. Miller and John Modaff.
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