Meet Aaron Earlie | Poet & Podcaster
We had the good fortune of connecting with Aaron Earlie and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Aaron, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
The most important factor behind my successes is care. So many people operate with ulterior motives when it comes to the business they tend to, I do it out of love. The way I write or offer my opinions for my podcast are predicated solely off of genuine care, not the potential earnings, attention, or other frivolous things. It not helps me ingratiate myself with my audience, but it slows me down, which helps me to genuinely open myself up to new perspectives. I bring those perspectives to my life. And because of that, I bring them to my art.
Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My art is all encompassing poetry that derived from lived and loved experiences. Whether it be erotic stories from a male’s perspective that women yearn for, deep-rooted expressions of rage from my Black American experience, or creative tales ranging from mythology to coming of age thrillers, I bring it all to the table. I’m no one trick pony and I express that through my art. Weaving in cultural, historical, and obscure referencing to decode my poetry while similarly keeping it palatable for all readers is a must. To blend in your real life with art that resonates to the masses is a flex that we all should explore. I then bring that same energy to my podcast where my unique perspectives are on full display. My quips, my idioms, our colloquialisms are on full display. You can see the art through the artist in full detail during our recordings.
I got where I am today by always being a fan of myself. Everything isn’t going to be great, but you have to believe in what you do. I affirm myself on a regular. It keeps me going. It’s the oil to my creative engine. I’m powered by a positive self-esteem. That isn’t always easy though. When others aren’t responding to your art and it isn’t making the waves of others, you tend to want to give up, but my drive, determination, and will will keep my hands on the wheel, steering me forward, in the right direction.
Along the way, I’ve learned the power of giving yourself grace. Not only in how hard I may criticize myself, as I am my biggest critic, but also in the language I choose. I used to tip toe around controversy or explicit material because I didn’t want to offend anyone, but I have to speak my mind, my truths, and my perspectives. And the beauty of open forums is that we can have dialogue that leads to positive exchanges and understanding.
I want the world to know that everyone has a gift. You have to believe in that gift and find ways to live happily doing it. This doesn’t mean solely financially. Happiness comes in a multitude of fashions. For me, my joy is when my gift accomplishes it’s desired results. If my poetry is to make you happy, I seek a smile. If it’s supposed to make you feel desirable, I seek that desire. That is what it’s all about for me and my brand as an artist.
Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I am big on setting up the week in intervals with a few options in case we change our mind. I will also map out certain activities to do within the same general area as to decrease travel time and increase our fun together. My best friend doesn’t live close, so after a tiresome plain ride, I’d have her hotel room booked and ready prior to arrival with room service, a bottle of wine, and a book that is on her must have list.
In the morning, I’d have a boardwalk bike ride set up so we can get the energy going, have some competitive banter, and see the scenic sights, sounds, and smells of the shore. We’d then grab some waterfront brunch because who doesn’t love a good mimosa? Afterwards, we’d set up time to rest. During the evening we’d go to the IMAX because we both love movies and then we have to dissect everything we watched in complete detail.
During the course of the next day, we would visit some historical sights in Atlantic City. I’d map out a tour of the Monopoly game because we are both board game aficionados and the cap off our trip with a game of our own right on the boardwalk. We all know that’ll take hours, so I’d Uber in some food and bring some drinks along the way. During the evening, I’d check my complimentary tickets from the casinos to see what shows are in town that resonate and have a great time enjoying some artistry on display.
The next day we are going to take a road trip to Philly and do a bar crawl. I have Evite, Groupon, and Fun In NJ links to ensure we get the best bang for our buck and we will get lit laughing along the way. I would want to end the evening at Moshulu in Philadelphia where we can enjoy fine dining in a ship converted to a restaurant. She loves the water, so it’ll be a great scene. They also have fantastic drinks, especially their martinis.
If I know my best friend, we’d have to also go shopping. Atlantic City has a lot of outlets to enjoy and some hidden gems within the casinos. And while we’re there, we may as well “DOAC” and gamble a little. That’s my kind of fun as well. I’d also want to visit Harrah’s Pool for their Pool Party. It’s always a good time and they usually have great DJs who know how to set the mood when it comes to great dancing and fun.
Lastly, I’d set up a beach day. We love the water. It’s a great place to relax and write. We both love to relax and write so that’s definitely fun for us. We can bring the speaker, our spirits, and our pens and have us a nice chill time at the beach. Preferably Chicken Bone Beach in Atlantic City where the local lore is that white beach goers would toss chicken bones at black beach goers to encourage them to pool at the outskirts of the city away from them. It’s an area filled with history, pain, the American Black Experience and we cherish the paths of our ancestors. We’d end the night with some Soul Food at Kelsey’s and Kim’s. Id be sure to have a reservation though because they are booked and busy.
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to give a shoutout to my entire family for their unwavering support, always pushing me to be creative, to express myself, and affirming me. Specifically, my mother, for always being my number one fan. She will cheer for my best and my worst and genuinely find it to be amazing. I want to give a shoutout to my podcast, the We Outside After Work Podcast along with my Co-Host Dana Marie, where we express unfiltered, unapologetic opinions off the clock after our long professional lives. Lastly, I would like to shoutout T.M. Stewart for supporting me without an ask, out of the kindness of her heart to connect me with a new audience. Support may be free, but it’s hard to come by. So I thank her and everyone else that continues to push me, my art, and my works in a positive direction.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aaronearlie_poetry/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-lucas-6b6a9899
Twitter: https://twitter.com/nowaaron_
Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/xtrafresh89
Youtube: https://youtube.com/@aaronfresh85
Other: Podcast Instragram: https://www.instagram.com/weoutsideafterwork/
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