In this episode of The Billy Dees Podcast, Billy welcomes author and poet Andrea LeDew, whose new book Polemics: Political Poems & Prose spans nearly a decade of American political history—from 2016 through early 2025. The conversation explores her creative process, her background in law and literature, and the personal experiences that shape her work.
Andrea explains that Polemics began as a way to process political events that felt unsettling or out of step with the American ideals she grew up with. Each poem in the collection is paired with a short explanation of the real-world event that inspired it, turning the book into both a creative and historical meditation. Her work ranges from sharp satire to somber reflection, and she discusses how humor sometimes helps her strip powerful figures of their mystique, while other moments call for a more serious, even foreboding tone.
Billy and Andrea dive into the long tradition of poets responding to political and historical moments, and Andrea shares examples—such as the James Comey “loyalty” episode and Trump’s “lunatic” tweet—that sparked specific poems. They also explore how her opinions on issues like Confederate statues have changed over time, influenced in part by her travels in Europe and a deeper understanding of how symbols are interpreted by different communities.
Beyond politics, the conversation takes a personal turn as Andrea describes raising a son with autism, navigating special education, homeschooling, and the social challenges families often face. She pushes back against misconceptions—especially the false link between vaccines and autism—and emphasizes how little support exists once children age out of school. Her legal background, she says, has played a role in advocating for her son and understanding the broader structural obstacles families encounter.
Andrea also talks about her lifelong love of rhyme and traditional poetic structure, describing it as both a creative discipline and a way to preserve the musicality of language in an age when memorization is rare. She recently completed the painstaking work of recording her audiobook, an experience Billy relates to from his own broadcasting career.
Throughout the episode, listeners are treated to an insightful, thoughtful exchange about writing, politics, history, disability, and the evolving story of America itself. Andrea’s reflections offer not only context for her book but a reminder of how personal and political narratives intertwine.
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