The In Process Podcast

The In Process Podcast was started in 2022 by Matt Thomas, who hosted Season 1. When Matt graduated, he passed the torch to Keaston Sigler, who hosted Season 2 (2023), and then onto Cassie Sistoso for Season 3 (2023–24). Stay tuned for season 4 in the fall.

Season 3, episode 4: “Reflecting on Season 3”

Here to post a solo episode today! It’s been an honor to work on the podcast this semester, and an honor to grow so much in a community of supportive writers here at MTSU. Listen in for my contemplations about the writing life, youth, and genre as they’ve adapted during my last semester of undergrad.

Season 3, episode 3: “The Telling Place with Kelty Greye”

Today on the podcast we have singer/songwriter Kelty Greye! She has some amazing music out on all platforms, and is here to talk to us today about her songwriting process/background and how it has helped her here at MTSU.

Season 3, episode 2: “The Rhythm of Writing with Brenda Càrdenas”

This week we had the honor of hosting poet Brenda Cárdenas on the podcast to talk about the musicality of poetry, the integrity of the line, and the rhythm of writing. If you would like to read or purchase Brenda’s work, it is available at https://www.brendacardenas.net/.

Season 3, episode 1: “Welcome to Season 3 (with Cassie and Keaston)”

Hi, I’m Cassie, your new In Process Podcast host! This week we have Keaston Sigler on the pod to pass the baton to the new host and to talk in depth about psychic wounds, what it means to have a “writing life,” and about defining the word “home.”

Season 2, episode 12: “Farewell to You, Season 2! How Lovely You Have Been”

This is it! Last episode of Season 2 of the In Process Podcast. Keaston and Madalynn return to the studio to give their farewells.

Season 2, episode 11: “Let’s Get Intimate with Ella and Tristan”

On this episode of the “Let’s Get Intimate” series, Keaston is joined by Ella Grace Lancaster and Tristan Lee. They enjoy some refreshing beverages courtesy of Ella, discuss among many things elements of their respective writing lives and how they’ve grown over this semester, and consider the possibilities of what they will continue writing. Tune in for a lovely conversation.

Season 2, episode 10: “A Dangling Conversation with Dr. Mark Sigler”

In this episode of the In Process Podcast, special guest MTSU alumnus Dr. Mark Sigler joins Keaston in the studio. Dr. Sigler performs some of his own songs and a couple covers. The episode opens with a cover of “A Dangling Conversation” by Simon and Garfunkel. Dr. Sigler reads a few of his poems, and Keaston gets the urge to perform a song of his own. This episode blends two recordings done several weeks apart.

Season 2, episode 9: “What is pretentious and does it matter? and other things with Quincy Vongratsamy and Madalynn Whitten”

In this episode of the In Process Podcast, MTSU seniors Quincy Vongratsamy and Madalynn Whitten join Keaston in the studio to discuss some of Quincy’s poetry. The discussion involves questions such as What is pretentious? and Is it best to start writing a novel before nailing a shorter form? Keaston gets a little fired up before quieting down. Quincy refers to his work as “a hot chick with no personality,” and Madalynn–between Quincy and Keaston never shutting up and her own soft-spoken nature–can barely be heard! Tune in for a classic episode!

Season 2, episode 8: “Special Guest Star Michael Martone!”

In this episode of the In Process Podcast, Michael Martone joins Keaston in the studio to discuss many various topics. Martone is an imaginative writer, who relishes in breaking boundaries and blurring the lines between genre and form, fact and fiction. He reads some of his own work, providing both the context around it and his perceptions on how his work exists in an ever-changing world. Michael’s latest books are Plain Air: Sketches from Winesburg, Indiana and The Complete Writings of Art Smith, the Bird Boy of Fort Wayne, Edited by Michael Martone.

Season 2, episode 7: “Reliving the Past in Your Writing with Ashley Barrientos”

In this episode of the In Process Podcast, MTSU senior Ashley Barrientos joins Keaston in the studio to discuss her festival-placing short story “Hair.” Ashley is the first-place winner of the fiction division in the 2023 Southern Literary Festival, which is being held at MTSU April 20–23. The two talk about Ashley’s life as a writer and the experiences and opportunities that have shaped her writing.

Season 2, episode 6: “Let’s Get Intimate with Jill and Bella”

In this episode of “Let’s Get Intimate,” MTSU seniors Jill Hunt and Bella Terry join Keaston in the studio to talk at length on writing, the writing life, goals and aspirations, and the like.

Season 2, episode 5: “Hunger for Writing, for Reading, with Jackie Reilly”

On this episode of the In Process Podcast, MTSU junior Jackie Reilly joins Keaston for a wonderful discussion about Jackie’s life and goals as a writer and her story “Starving.” This is the last episode where you’ll encounter the consistent issue of audio! Hopefully. The two discuss a little on the open mic night that kickstarted the season, a little on graduate school, a little about craft and what Jackie’s reading. Before they get into a discussion and her reading of “Starving,” Jackie talks about what she writes and what she hopes to accomplish in the coming years.

Season 2, episode 4: “More Talk with Madalynn Whitten and Some Flash Fiction”

It’s the third episode of the In Process Podcast! This episode is the second half of long discussion between Keaston and Madalynn , the first part of which is featured in the episode “On Dylan, Lenker, and Other Things with Madalynn Whitten.” Many cuts were made, so this episode is not that long–even though Keaston repeatedly claims it will be. In this episode, Keaston reads three flash fictions, some if not all still in process–“Storm Shelter” “Four Bars of Crimped Skin Lingering,” and “Blue Rabbit.” Madalynn reads a piece that did not have a title at the time of the recording but now bears the title “Forward in this Wheelbarrow, I Fall.”

Season 2, episode 3: “Let’s Get Intimate with Madalynn Whitten”

In this special debut episode of a mini series that we’re calling “Let’s Get Intimate,” Keaston and Madalynn talk at random on things concerning the podcast. It’s a laid-back episode. Keaston addresses what he wants out of the listeners, and the two enjoy some crisp Coke Zeros. Warning, there are the sounds of bodily functions. Also, we think we’ve gotten the audio where it needs to be … Unfortunately, the next two episodes were recorded before we figured out a solution. So, bear with us. All’s well that ends well.

Season 2, episode 2: “On Dylan, Lenker, and Other Things with Madalynn Whitten”

In this episode Keaston has Madalynn back on the podcast. They address some issues concerning the previous episode’s audio. They’re still figuring it out! Madalynn brings a piece by Bob Dylan titled “Last Thoughts on Woody Guthrie” and another piece, a song by Adrianne Lenker titled “Ingydar.” The episode is one half of a longer discussion, the second part of which you can listen to in an upcoming episode.

Season 2, episode 1: “Conversation with Madalynn Whitten”

Keaston talks with MTSU senior Madalynn Whitten about her reading at our recent Open Mic & Café and her life as a writer, and they share some passions and perceptions on writing. Madalynn reads two of her pieces: “The Walls Are Breathin’” and “Untitled Collection of Things.” Keaston reads a poem by Michael Ondaatje, “The Gate in his Head.”

Season 1, episode 3: “‘Songs for Manuel’ by Fred Arroyo”

MTSU Professor and novelist Fred Arroyo joined Matt to read and discuss Songs for Manuel, four flash fiction pieces.

Season 1, episode 2: “‘Coyote Takes Us Home’ by Michael Mejia”

Novelist Michael Mejia joined Matt to read and discuss his short story “Coyote Takes Us Home.”

Season 1, episode 1: “Two Poems by Emilio Rockwell”

MTSU student and poet Emilio Rockwell joined Matt to read and discuss his poems “I Remember” and “The Appalachian Poet.”