This is Why I Never Left- With Milo Santamaria
Description
In this return episode of GarageLand Radio, Steven sits down with poet and archivist Milo Santamaria to talk about their debut poetry collection, "This Is Why I Never Left". What starts as a quiet reflection on writing, memory, and place slowly opens into something more raw: anger, loss, betrayal, and the long process of reclaiming your voice after harm. Together, they discuss:
- How a high school poem turned into a full-length book
- Why softness and rage can coexist
- The role of visual art and cyanotype in building an emotional archive
- Why community matters more than ever
The conversation closes with Milo reading three poems from the collection: “Tired,” “Planting Guide,” and the title piece, “This Is Why I Never Left.” It’s vulnerable, reflective, and quietly powerful.
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Follow Milo on IG at @milo_s64 and purchase a copy of "This is Why I Never Left" here









