In this episode of I Love Your Stories, Hava is joined by poet Victor Sotomayor, who performs under the name Italo. Based in Los Angeles and raised in Peru, Victor is also the co-founder of Theria Magazine and Theria Radio, platforms dedicated to supporting independent artists and creative voices outside the mainstream.

The conversation explores poetry as a form of healing, emotional release, and self-discovery. Victor shares how performance allows him to fully embody his work, the story behind creating the persona of Italo, and why some poems are meant to be shared while others remain deeply personal. He also reads two of his poems during the episode, offering a glimpse into the emotional intensity and theatricality of his work.

Hava and Victor discuss his two published books of poetry, including No Se Habla Español, an anthology centered around discrimination and identity, and The Oz Monologues, inspired by the characters of The Wizard of Oz. The latter went on to inspire an award-winning stage production.

This is a conversation about art as transformation, creating space for authentic voices, and the ways poetry can help us process what is otherwise difficult to say.

Website: https://www.theriaentertainment.com/   
Theria Radio: google store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=app.TheriaRadio&hl=en_CA   apple store:https://apps.apple.com/us/app/theria-radio/id6468251515

Shownotes
01:00:07 — Introduction to Victor Sotomayor, also known as Italo
 01:02:28 — Victor shares how he came to poetry
 01:03:51 — Growing up in Peru and returning to Los Angeles
 01:07:40 — Poetry as healing and a way to process trauma
 01:12:14 — Victor performs “Dear Dorothy” from The Oz Monologues
 01:17:17 — How The Oz Monologues led to a theatre production and Russia
 01:20:53 — Theria Radio and supporting independent artists
 01:21:38 — The beginning of Theria Magazine
 01:24:15 — Inviting artists to submit music and poetry
 01:33:37 — Victor’s definition of success
 01:38:55 — Friday night poetry on Theria Radio

Memorable Quotes
“Poetry is healing.”
“We’re all storytellers.”
“I was a poet back when I didn’t know what poetry was.”
“We wanted to have a platform that caters to independent artists only.”
“Sometimes I write poetry for me that I will never share.”
“Your poetry doesn’t have to rhyme.”
“Many people don’t realize they’re poets too.”
“We are all artists, we are born artists.”
“The more personal it is, the more universal it becomes.”