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In this episode of The Writer’s Pick, hosts Luis Marquez and Charissa Wong welcome poet, educator, and journalist María Esquinca for a conversation on writing, identity, and the power of storytelling.

Esquinca discusses her award-winning collection Where Heaven Sinks, a deeply personal reflection on her upbringing between Ciudad Juárez and El Paso. She explores how her work is shaped by themes of immigration, family, and the U.S.–Mexico border, blending journalistic research with emotional, lived experience.

The conversation highlights her unique approach to “documentary poetry,” where news, history, and personal narrative intersect. Writing during a time of heightened immigration tensions, Esquinca felt an urgency to respond to real-world events while also processing her own relationships and memories.

She also reflects on the responsibilities of writers, acknowledging the limits of poetry alone and emphasizing the importance of community engagement and action. Throughout the episode, she offers thoughtful advice to students on navigating imposter syndrome, developing a writing practice, and trusting their voice.