Photo by Jackson Hall

Share This

Will McInerney

Will McInerney was born and raised in a 150-year-old farmhouse in the American South. Will is an award-winning spoken word poet, storyteller, educator, and journalist specializing in the intersection of conflict resolution and creative expression. Will’s work has been featured in media outlets, at universities, and on stages across the United States and around the world, including parts of Central America, Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and Asia.

Will currently hosts Stories with a Heartbeat, a podcast produced by North Carolina Public Radio that explores the complexity of the human condition in conflict through poetry, stories, and conversation. In addition, Will works as a freelancer and has reported from Egypt, Tunisia, Palestine, Israel, Jordan, Turkey, and domestically in the U.S. Will is a U.S. State Department Program Fellow, a Beacon of Light Award-winner, a Southern Poetry Slam Champion, and a National Poetry Slam Finalist.

Ten Things I Can’t Do Without

  1. Coffee
  2. A good, heavy pen
  3. Coffee
  4. Sincerity
  5. Potatoes of all varieties (with salt)
  6. Curiosity
  7. A copy of the The Prophet by Khalil Gibran (heavily used and worn)
  8. Potent conversation
  9. My memories
  10. My dreams

Will McInerney's contributions: