Tina Karykous has been writing for a long time, ever since she got her first diary. She’s not trying to pay the bills with it—at least for now—but it’s clear that writing is a vital part of her life. Her journaling evolved into short stories and poetry, and she spent years learning how to tell stories and cultivating her love of language. After a push from her best friend, she added performing poetry to her repertoire, which eventually led to them creating a space called House of Abundance for people to come and be vulnerable with their art. We also talk about cultural assimilation, the joy of spelling, Avatar the Last Airbender, and how to stave off anxiety during these tough times. And at the end there’s a special spontaneous surprise.