Conversations with Kaela Oden

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kaela Oden.

Hi Kaela, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I started writing as a way to communicate my feelings in a healthy, non-confrontational way as a child to people that I felt weren’t hearing me and then as I grew older, I began to journal, which slowly turned into poetry with time.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The journey of being and growing into myself in poetry has not always been smooth. I’ve faced a lot of self-doubt as well as imposter syndrome, feeling like I am not good enough or like my work isn’t of value but I’ve pushed through that and continued to write because it is one of the few things that brings me peace.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a poet, a spoken word artist. I have been writing since I was about 14 and for so long, I kept it to myself but then in April of 2021 after a huge transition in my life, I started an Instagram page for my poems (@poetrybykae) and it was only followed by my closest friends and family but then it slowly began to grow when I started to do open mics in May. Fast forward to September, I released my first short film with my wonderful friend and peer, Earl Swander (@piecefulhueman) titled “I Know Men Get Lonely, Too.” Where I speak on the mental health of black men and from that, I began to produce spoken word music. In December, I released my debut album, “Accessible”,where I shared my healing journey through heartbreak, motherhood, and adulthood as women. This album is the most personal piece of work I’ve released to date and it is also what I am the proudest of and the most known for. Since the release of that album, I am currently working on voiceovers for various projects and more music to be released in the near future! I believe that the showcasing(s) of my work is what sets me apart from others. The poetry world is amazing and filled with so many talented people like myself, but I believe that pairing my words with imagery, sound and even color is what keeps the audience. It’s refreshing to the form of art.

Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up, I was always very quiet and to myself. I liked to dance and doodle often. I was always so in love with animals and fashion, most of the time my doodles were poorly drawn dogs or articles of clothing that I had designed. I loved school because I loved to observe others and learn but I never cared much for the guidelines of learning. I knew from a young age that learning for me came from experience. I knew that I had experiences worth sharing and that I’d find a fulfilling, creative, way to share them.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/poetrybykae/?hl=en
• SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-413423124

Image Credits
Image of me on the floor on the pillow was shot by @itskaylacaptures on Instagram