Michael Holladay might not change his car’s oil every 3,000 miles, but he can be relied upon to write stories packed with tons of emotion. Following his powerful reading at Spillers No. 4, Michael discusses the importance of mentors appearing at the right time, how a desk job can be a death knell for writers, and why you sometimes have to leave home to write about it.

Joel Salcido may run in some fast poetry circles, but he’s no stranger to producing top-notch prose, either. After kicking Spillers No. 4 off in high style, the Arizona State University MFA candidate talks to us about the social dynamics facing writers of color, the importance of having an Angeleno drive you around Los Angeles, and why he views pigeons as more than messengers. (Note: this episode is for mature audiences, only.)