Overheard @ The Open Mic #19
“The shortest distance between two people is a story.” -Scott Maclin
This is certainly late (even by my standards) but sometimes you just have to get the thing out.
I’ve been traveling this summer, visiting friends and touring with my book. So far, I’ve hit Chicago and Detroit. Next week I’ll be in New York. This transience is, in part, why June’s “Overheard” is so late. To anyone who consistently reads this segment, thank you for your support.
A Dope Southside Open Mic in Chicago
For all newcomers, this monthly segment features some of the top lines overheard in DMV creative spaces. This month also has cameos from Chicago. I can’t credit each quote to its author, but I can say none of them are my intellectual property. Maybe a line makes you laugh. Maybe a line reframes your philosophy. Maybe a line lifts you out of a slump. I simply ask that if a specific quote resonates, you leave a comment.
Here are June 2026’s Top 10 Overheard @ The Open Mic:
~ “If there are little deaths within me every day, at least let me feel them.” -Charlotte
~ “The scales of justice only wobble.”
~ “No infant is born ashamed of crying.”
~ “If service is beneath you, leadership is beyond you.” -Spencer
~ “I would rather paint a house with a toothbrush.” -Steph Zion
~ “Is my attention on loving or is my attention on who isn’t loving me?” -Andrea Gibson
~ “Moved out the house of pain just to move into the house of underappreciation.” -Chef
~ “Law is being used to undermine order.” -LEAK
~ “I’m trying to get out of my head so I’m doing things that scare me.” -Mali
~ “You’re not living if you’re tryna do it perfectly.” -Keavi
Which line resonated with you the most?
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Photo by Tommy La Voy
Thank you for taking time to read and support this page. May the ink gods be ever in your favor! Subscribe to stay tuned for the next Overheard @ The Open Mic (July Edition).