SpokenHeard with James Barrett Rodehaver and Susan Dobbe Chase

James Barrett Rodehaver, also known as "Bear," to those who know him, and "Bear the Poet," onstage, is a happily married 32-year old bisexual poet and author living with his husband in Dallas, Texas. A native of Alabama, James has written poetry since he was seven years old, and it keeps him alive during the hard times. He is a survivor of many things, ranging from health problems that required up to six different surgeries to an abusive and tumultuous childhood growing up. He never gives up and his indomitable spirit shows through in his poetry, and touches many lives. He has written a book of poetry called "Strangely Wonderful," published by Penhall Publishing in 2013, and has created and compiled, along with Lilly Penhall, an anthology of survivor poetry called "Not Dead Yet." He works at his dream job as an editor at Penhall Publishing, a small but vibrant publishing company, and is currently working on his second book of poetry, which will be called Vital Signs., and will hopefully be released sometime next year.