Talking Introversion, Inspiration, and Empowerment with Alyssa Michelle (Revisited)

Thom Francis introduces us to poet and writer Alyssa Michelle. They talk about her poem “Introvert” and its inspiration, what convinced a self-proclaimed introvert to come out to open mics, and how personal experiences shape her writing.

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Alyssa Michelle is a mother, poet, self-published author, and spoken word artist. Her poetry sheds light on life as a single mother, domestic violence, addiction, mental health, healing, and self-empowerment. Her chapbooks include “Growing Pains,” “The Awakening,” and “Blooming Season.”

Alyssa read her poem “Introvert” at the Brass Tacks poetry and spoken word open mic on December 4, 2018, at The Low Beat in Albany.

In our conversation, we talk about where that poem came from, what convinced a self-proclaimed introvert to come out to open mics, and how personal experiences shape her writing.

Alyssa will be sharing her work as a featured reader at the Poets in the Park series on Saturday, July 19, 2025, in Albany’s Washington Park. Information on that reading and all of the writers featured this July can be found on the Hudson Valley Writers Guild website, hvwg.org.