Episodes

  • Politics & Poetry Episode 7 ~ Part 1: Margaret Britton Vaughn
    Feb 19 2023

    We are honored and thrilled to have Margaret Britton Vaughn, Tennessee's Poet Laureate, join us for our seventh episode of Politics & Poetry. Part one of our conversation, join us as we discuss the power of song lyrics and poetry to move people to tears, spark laughter, and connect us with one another. We'll also talk about Maggi's lifelong work as an artist, song writer and poet, and she'll share stories about what it was like growing up in the south during the 1930s and 1940s.

    To learn more about Margaret Britton Vaughn visit: https://www.ereferencedesk.com/resources/state-symbols/tennessee/poet-laureate.html

    Publications ~ Poetry Collections


    Bell Buckle Biscuits
    Stories
    by Margaret Britton Vaughn, Carole Brown Knuth
    Hardcover, 128 Pages, Published 1999 by Isis Pr
    ISBN-13: 978-1-882845-07-1, ISBN: 1-882845-07-2

    Life's Down to Old Women's Shoes
    Poetry and Personal Essays [Paperback]
    by Margaret Britton Vaughn
    Paperback, 61 Pages, Published 1997 by Bell Buckle Pr
    ISBN-13: 978-1-882845-06-4, ISBN: 1-882845-06-4

    Foretasting Heaven

    Talking to Twain at Quarry Farm
    by Margaret Britton Vaughn
    Paperback, 55 Pages, Published 2001 by Bell Buckle Pr
    ISBN-13: 978-1-882845-10-1, ISBN: 1-882845-10-2

    America Showing Her Colors in Black and White
    Poetry and Photography
    by Margaret Britton Vaughn
    Hardcover, 95 Pages, Published 2002 by Bell Buckle Pr
    ISBN-13: 978-1-882845-11-8, ISBN: 1-882845-11-0

    Acres That Grow Stones
    Poetry
    by Margaret Britton Vaughn
    Paperback, 53 Pages, Published 1996 by Iris Pr
    ISBN-13: 978-1-882845-00-2, ISBN: 1-882845-00-5

    The Light in the Kitchen Window
    Poems
    by Margaret Britton Vaughn, Iris Press
    Paperback, 74 Pages, Published 1994 by Bell Buckle Pr
    ISBN-13: 978-0-916078-35-5, ISBN: 0-916078-35-3

    Grand Ole Saturday Nights
    by Margaret Britton Vaughn
    Paperback, 96 Pages, Published 1990 by Bell Buckle Press
    ISBN-13: 978-1-882845-04-0, ISBN: 1-882845-04-8

    Southern Voices in Every Direction
    by Suellen Alfred, Margaret Britton Vaughn
    Paperback, 159 Pages, Published 1996 by Bell Buckle Pr
    ISBN-13: 978-1-882845-01-9, ISBN: 1-882845-01-3

    Kin
    by Margaret Britton Vaughn
    Paperback, 75 Pages, Published 1994 by Iris Pr
    ISBN-13: 978-0-916078-39-3, ISBN: 0-916078-39-6

    References
    https://www.tnmagazine.org/treasured-tennessee-tributes-maggi-vaughn-offers-two-books-poems-pictures/

    https://www.kcbx.org/travel/2021-07-18/journeys-of-discovery-maggie-vaughn-tennessees-poet-laureate-rocking-for-26-years

    http://www.educationupdate.com/archives/2005/April/html/Poet-Vaughn.html

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ft1reCIZ0V4

    https://www.sctta.org/post/npr-s-journeys-of-discovery-maggie-vaughn-tennessee-s-poet-laureate-rocking-for-26-years

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    40 mins
  • Politics & Poetry Episode 6 ~ Part 2: Chelsea Rathburn
    Apr 24 2022

    We are honored and thrilled to have Chelsea Rathburn, Georgia's Poet Laureate, join us for our sixth episode of Politics & Poetry. Part two of our conversation, join us as we discuss the power of poems and political words to connect with others. We'll also talk about the work of the Poet Laureate, Chelsea's new project with Georgia Center for the Book, Georgia Poetry in the Parks, and other ways that our communities are joining together to enable artists to create and share their ideas, inspirations, and work.

    To learn more about Chelsea Rathburn visit: https://chelsearathburn.com/

    Publications ~ Poetry Collections


    Still Life with Mother and Knife. Louisiana State University Press. 2019. ISBN 978-0807169742
    A New York Times Bestseller “New and Noteworthy” Book
    Winner of the 2020 Eric Hoffer Book Award in Poetry

    A Raft of Grief. Autumn House Press. 2013. ISBN 9781932870794.
    ISBN: 9781932870794
    PUBLICATION DATE: 2013


    References

    Carrollton GA (September 26, 2020). Georgia Poet Laureate Chelsea Rathburn https://carrolltonga.com/event/georgia-poet-laureate-chelsea-rathburn/

    Georgia Center for the Arts. (n.d.).
    What we do.
    https://gaarts.org/what-we-do/programs/literary-arts/poet-laureate/

    Mercer University (n.d.).
    Faculty and Staff.
    https://liberalarts.mercer.edu/faculty-and-staff/chelsea-rathburn/

    National Endowment for the Arts (2009).
    Impact
    https://www.arts.gov/impact/literary-arts/creative-writing-fellows/chelsea-rathburn

    Poetry Foundation (n.d.). Poets
    https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/chelsea-rathburn

    Poets.org. (n.d.). About Chelsea Rathburn
    https://poets.org/poet/chelsea-rathburn

    Poets.org. (n.d.). Poems
    https://poets.org/poem/shocks-and-changes

    Washington & Jefferson College (March 10, 2022). Poetry Reading
    https://www.washjeff.edu/event/poetry-reading-james-davis-may-and-chelsea-rathburn/

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    27 mins
  • Politics & Poetry Episode 6 ~ Part 1: Chelsea Rathburn
    Mar 21 2022

    We are honored and thrilled to have Chelsea Rathburn, Georgia's Poet Laureate, join us for our sixth episode of Politics & Poetry. Part one of a two part conversation, join us as we discuss the power of poems and political words to connect with others. We'll also talk about the work of the Poet Laureate, Chelsea's approach to difficult conversations through poetry, and our collective experiences as writers and readers of personal stories that help us see ourselves in each other's shared experiences.

    To learn more about Chelsea Rathburn visit: https://chelsearathburn.com/

    Publications ~ Poetry Collections


    Still Life with Mother and Knife. Louisiana State University Press. 2019. ISBN 978-0807169742
    A New York Times Bestseller “New and Noteworthy” Book
    Winner of the 2020 Eric Hoffer Book Award in Poetry

    A Raft of Grief. Autumn House Press. 2013. ISBN 9781932870794.
    ISBN: 9781932870794
    PUBLICATION DATE: 2013


    References

    Carrollton GA (September 26, 2020). Georgia Poet Laureate Chelsea Rathburn https://carrolltonga.com/event/georgia-poet-laureate-chelsea-rathburn/

    Georgia Center for the Arts. (n.d.).
    What we do.
    https://gaarts.org/what-we-do/programs/literary-arts/poet-laureate/

    Mercer University (n.d.).
    Faculty and Staff.
    https://liberalarts.mercer.edu/faculty-and-staff/chelsea-rathburn/

    National Endowment for the Arts (2009).
    Impact
    https://www.arts.gov/impact/literary-arts/creative-writing-fellows/chelsea-rathburn

    Poetry Foundation (n.d.). Poets
    https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/chelsea-rathburn

    Poets.org. (n.d.). About Chelsea Rathburn
    https://poets.org/poet/chelsea-rathburn

    Poets.org. (n.d.). Poems
    https://poets.org/poem/shocks-and-changes

    Washington & Jefferson College (March 10, 2022). Poetry Reading
    https://www.washjeff.edu/event/poetry-reading-james-davis-may-and-chelsea-rathburn/


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    1 hr and 7 mins
  • Politics & Poetry Episode 5 ~ Part 2: Jaki Shelton Green
    Jan 17 2022

    We're excited to launch our fifth episode of Politics & Poetry, with a special part two of our interview with Jaki Shelton Green, the first African American and third woman to be appointed as the North Carolina Poet Laureate. Join in our conversation as Jaki shares her thoughts on the role of poetry as an art that "brings us joy and helps us to remember our tremendous connections to our humanity."

    To learn more about Jaki Shelton Green visit: https://jakisheltongreen.com

    References

    Amen, John. June 18, 2020. "Jaki Shelton Green Blends Poetry And Protest On Timely ‘the River Speaks Of Thirst’" https://www.popmatters.com/jaki-shelton-green-river-speaks-thirst-2646199018.html

    Arts Across NC. February 18, 2020. "Creativity is Medicine."https://soundcloud.com/user-213851310/creativity-is-medicine-a-conversation-with-nc-poet-laureate-jaki-shelton-green

    Green, Jaki Shelton (2005). breath of the song. New and Selected Poems. Carolina Wren Press. https://www.blairpub.com/shop/breath-of-the-song

    Green, Jaki Shelton (1996). conjure blues. Carolina Wren Press. https://www.blairpub.com/shop/conjure-blues

    Green, Jaki Shelton. Spoken Word. 2021. I want to undie you. Soul City Sounds. Apple Music. https://music.apple.com/us/album/i-want-to-undie-you/1572593440

    Green, Jaki Shelton. Spoken Word. June 19, 2020. The River Speaks of Thirst. Soul City Sounds. Apple Music. https://music.apple.com/us/album/this-i-know-for-sure-feat-jennifer-evans/1512739647?i=1512739649

    Kissane, Tamara. Oct 26, 2020. https://artistsoapbox.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/131-ASBX-Jaki-Shelton-Green-transcript.docx.pdf

    Music Maker Relief Foundation. Jan 14, 2021. "Freeman Vines In Conversation with Jaki Shelton Green." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChpgREHKfRI

    North Carolina Literary Review Online. Jan 25, 2019. East Carolina University, North Carolina Literary and Historical Association. https://issuu.com/eastcarolina/docs/2019-nclr_online-final

    Phillips, Dylan. Mebane Enterprise. Sep 29, 2021. "Makers of Modern Mebane honored a year late."
    https://www.mebaneenterprise.com/arts_and_entertainment/article_420b4de2-212d-11ec-897b-f3f23fdcef1f.html

    Poet, J. July 28, 2020. Rock and Roll Globe. "Jaki Shelton Green: Poetry for the Pandemic." https://rockandrollglobe.com/jazz/jaki-shelton-green-poetry-for-the-pandemic/

    Poets.org. Poet Laureate of North Carolina 2019. https://poets.org/poet/jaki-shelton-green#poet__work

    UNC Libraries. Feb 3, 2020. Video: Two Minutes of Poetry with Jaki Shelton Green.

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    55 mins
  • Politics & Poetry Episode 5 ~ Part 1: Jaki Shelton Green
    Nov 24 2021

    We're excited to launch our fifth episode of Politics & Poetry. In this month's episode, we are honored to interview Jaki Shelton Green, the first African American and third woman to be appointed as the North Carolina Poet Laureate. Join in our conversation as Jaki shares her thoughts on the role of poetry as an art that "brings us joy and helps us to remember our tremendous connections to our humanity."

    To learn more about Jaki Shelton Green visit: https://jakisheltongreen.com

    References

    Amen, John. June 18, 2020. "Jaki Shelton Green Blends Poetry And Protest On Timely ‘the River Speaks Of Thirst’" https://www.popmatters.com/jaki-shelton-green-river-speaks-thirst-2646199018.html

    Arts Across NC. February 18, 2020. "Creativity is Medicine." https://soundcloud.com/user-213851310/creativity-is-medicine-a-conversation-with-nc-poet-laureate-jaki-shelton-green

    Green, Jaki Shelton (2005). breath of the song. New and Selected Poems. Carolina Wren Press. https://www.blairpub.com/shop/breath-of-the-song

    Green, Jaki Shelton (1996). conjure blues. Carolina Wren Press. https://www.blairpub.com/shop/conjure-blues

    Green, Jaki Shelton. Spoken Word. 2021. I want to undie you. Soul City Sounds. Apple Music. https://music.apple.com/us/album/i-want-to-undie-you/1572593440

    Green, Jaki Shelton. Spoken Word. June 19, 2020. The River Speaks of Thirst. Soul City Sounds. Apple Music. https://music.apple.com/us/album/this-i-know-for-sure-feat-jennifer-evans/1512739647?i=1512739649

    Kissane, Tamara. Oct 26, 2020. https://artistsoapbox.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/131-ASBX-Jaki-Shelton-Green-transcript.docx.pdf

    Music Maker Relief Foundation. Jan 14, 2021. "Freeman Vines In Conversation with Jaki Shelton Green." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChpgREHKfRI

    North Carolina Literary Review Online. Jan 25, 2019. East Carolina University, North Carolina Literary and Historical Association. https://issuu.com/eastcarolina/docs/2019-nclr_online-final

    Phillips, Dylan. Mebane Enterprise. Sep 29, 2021. "Makers of Modern Mebane honored a year late."
    https://www.mebaneenterprise.com/arts_and_entertainment/article_420b4de2-212d-11ec-897b-f3f23fdcef1f.html

    Poet, J. July 28, 2020. Rock and Roll Globe. "Jaki Shelton Green: Poetry for the Pandemic." https://rockandrollglobe.com/jazz/jaki-shelton-green-poetry-for-the-pandemic/

    Poets.org. Poet Laureate of North Carolina 2019. https://poets.org/poet/jaki-shelton-green#poet__work

    UNC Libraries. Feb 3, 2020. Video: Two Minutes of Poetry with Jaki Shelton Green. https://library.unc.edu/2020/02/jaki-shelton-green-video/

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    52 mins
  • Politics & Poetry Episode 4: Role of the Poet Laureate
    Oct 16 2021

    We're excited to launch our fourth episode of Politics & Poetry, where we work to understand the opportunities for poetry to serve as a bridge between policy and purpose, and as James Dickey, U.S. Poet Laureate and writer of acclaimed novel, Deliverance, shared, "The goal of the poet is to make the world more available.” In this month's episode, we’re exploring the role of the Poet Laureate.

    Jaki Shelton Green: https://jakisheltongreen.com/

    Joy Harjo: https://www.joyharjo.com

    Bobby LeFebre: https://www.bobbylefebre.com

    Chelsea Rathburn: http://chelsearathburn.com


    References:

    Colorado Humanities. (n.d.). Colorado poet laureate. https://coloradohumanities.org/programs/colorado-poet-laureate/

    Emory University. (n.d.). Agnes Cochran Bramblett papers, 1904-1974. https://findingaids.library.emory.edu/documents/bramblett506/

    Evans, S. (2020). Georgia poet laureate Chelsea Rathburn explores struggles of motherhood and childhood in new book of poems. WABE. https://www.wabe.org/georgia-poet-laureate-chelsea-rathburn-explores-struggles-of-motherhood-and-childhood-in-new-book-of-poems/

    Harden, L. F., (2020). Meeting GA's poet laureate: Here's why you need to know her. The Atlantan. https://atlantanmagazine.com/ga-poet-laureate-chelsea-rathburn

    Georgia Center for the Arts. (n.d.). What we do. https://gaarts.org/what-we-do/programs/literary-arts/

    Internetpoem.com. (n.d.). Biography of Frank Lebby Stanton. https://internetpoem.com/frank-lebby-stanton/biography/

    J. Poet, Rock & Roll Globe.com (2020). Jaki Shelton Green: Poetry for the Pandemic https://rockandrollglobe.

    Library of Congress. (n.d.). About the librarian. https://www.loc.gov/about/about-the-librarian/

    Library of Congress. Living nations, living words. (n.d.). https://www.loc.gov/ghe/cascade/index.html?appid=be31c5cfc7614d6680e6fa47be888dc3&bookmark=Introduction

    Poets.org. (n.d.). About Robert Frost. https://poets.org/poet/robert-frost

    Poets.org. (n.d.) About Jaki Shelton Green. https://poets.org/poet/jaki-shelton-green

    Poets.org. (n.d.). United States poet laureate. https://poets.org/united-states-poet-laureate

    Rathburn, C. (2013). A raft of grief. Autumn House Press.

    Rathburn, C. (2019). Still life with mother and knife, a New York Times “New & Noteworthy.” Louisiana State University Press.

    Soulspazm. (2021, April 27). Joy Harjo - This morning I pray for my enemies [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGXp8DGSj_c



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    35 mins
  • Politics & Poetry Episode 3: President Jimmy Carter
    May 21 2021

    We're excited to launch our third episode of Politics & Poetry, a new podcast about the power of poetry to engage us in political conversations. Join three generations of political activists and poetry lovers as we read and share a curated collection of ideas written by critics, reporters, authors, poets, historians and politicians to spur thoughtful discussion about the ways that poetry and politics intersect. In this month's episode, we're featuring President Jimmy Carter, beloved leader of our nation, naval officer, global human rights activist, Nobel Peace Prize winner, and American poet. In his book, Always a Reckoning we are introduced to President Carter as a poet, storyteller, and artist. Join us as we explore the profound poetry and enduring politics of President Jimmy Carter.

    To learn more about President Jimmy Carter and First Lady Rosalynn Carter's work visit:

    The Carter Center ~ https://www.cartercenter.org

    The Rosalynn Carter Institute for Care Givers ~ https://www.rosalynncarter.org

    Rosalynn Carter Butterfly Trail ~ https://rosalynncarterbutterflytrail.org

    Jimmy Carter National Historic Park ~ https://www.nps.gov/jica/index.htm



    References:

    Academy of Achievement. (n.d.). Jimmy Carter. https://achievement.org/achiever/jimmy-carter/

    Alter, J. (2020). Climate change was on the ballot with Jimmy Carter in 1980—though no one knew it at the time. TIME. https://time.com/5894179/jimmy-carter-climate-change/

    Botehlo, G. (2015). Jimmy Carter: Women’s rights the fight of my life. CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2015/02/13/world/carter-women-rights

    Carter, J. (1995). Always a reckoning. Times Books. Poems used with the permission of Penguin Random House LLC (US), on behalf of President Jimmy Carter.

    Carter, J. (2015). Why I believe the mistreatment of women is the number one human rights abuse. TEDWomen. https://www.ted.com/talks/jimmy_carter_why_i_believe_the_mistreatment_of_women_is_the_number_one_human_rights_abuse?language=en#t-69298

    Hendrickson, P. (1980). For poets, a turn for the verse. The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1980/01/04/for-poets-a-turn-for-the-verse/1305eed2-008a-4b6d-bca6-7ea1c665300a/

    Kaufman, M. (1995). Jimmy Carter, it turns out, is a poet, too. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/1995/01/18/books/jimmy-carter-it-turns-out-is-a-poet-too.html

    Lamb, B. (Host). (1995, February 19). Always a reckoning & other poems. [Video]. C-SPAN Booknotes. https://www.c-span.org/video/?62763-1/always-reckoning-poems

    Lozada, C. (2015). The paintings and love poems of Jimmy Carter. The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/book-party/wp/2015/07/07/the-paintings-and-love-poems-of-jimmy-carter/

    National Park Service. (n.d.). Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act. https://www.nps.gov/locations/alaska/anilca.htm

    Planas, Oriol. (2010). Nuclear accident in Chalk River - Ontario, Canada. Nuclear Energy. https://nuclear-energy.net/nuclear-accidents/chalk-river

    Strong, R. (n.d.). Jimmy Carter: Life before the presidency. UVA Miller Center. https://millercenter.org/president/carter/life-before-the-presidency

    The Library of Congress. (n.d.). Carter as poet. https://www.loc.gov/rr/program/bib/prespoetry/jc.html

    Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement. (2021). Laws, regulations, and guidance. US Department of the Interior. https://www.osmre.gov/LRG.shtm

    Williams, M. (n.d.). Some words on the lives and lines of Jimmy Carter. New Orleans Review. https://www.neworleansreview.org/some-words-on-the-lives-and-lines-of-jimmy-carter/



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    37 mins
  • Politics & Poetry Episode 2: Emily Dickinson
    Feb 24 2021

    We're excited to launch our second episode of Politics and Poetry, a new podcast about the power of poetry to engage us in political conversations. Join three generations of political activists and poetry lovers as we read and share a curated collection of ideas written by critics, reporters, authors, poets, historians and politicians to spur thoughtful discussion about the ways that poetry and politics intersect. In this month's episode, we're featuring Emily Dickinson, one America's favorite poets, and one of our favorite poets, whom we believe was an activist for truth. Join us as we explore the ways in which Emily Dickinson uses metaphors, pauses, punctuation, and radical empathetic thinking to capture our interest and prompt questions about the meaning of life--what we know, and knowing what we don't know.

    References

    Biography. (n.d.). Emily Dickinson museum. https://www.emilydickinsonmuseum.org/

    Budick, E. (1979). When the soul selects: Emily Dickinson's attack on New England symbolism. American Literature, 51(3), 349-363. https://doi.org/10.2307/2925390

    Dickinson, E. (1958). Selected letters, edited by Thomas H. Johnson. Belknap Press.

    Emily Dickinson: Poet and Recluse. (n.d.). Hermitary. Retrieved February 9, 2021, from https://www.hermitary.com/articles/dickinson.html

    Finch, A. (1987). Dickinson and patriarchal meter: A theory of metrical codes. PMLA, 102(2), 166-176. https://doi.org/10.2307/462545

    Howard, J. (2019). Much madness is divinest sense - summary & analysis. LitCharts. https://www.litcharts.com/poetry/emily-dickinson/much-madness-is-divinest-sense

    Karra, A. (2014). Emily Dickinson, “We never know how high we are” (1176). Rethink. http://www.ashokkarra.com/2014/02/emily-dickinson-we-never-know-how-high-we-are-1176/

    Lambert, M. (2019). Tell it slant: Modern women writers reflect on Emily Dickinson's influence. The Hollywood Reporter. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/features/tell-it-slant-modern-women-writers-emily-dickinson-appletv-1250744

    Larkin, D. (2017). Emily Dickinson was less reclusive than we think. Hyperallergic. https://hyperallergic.com/372801/emily-dickinson-was-less-reclusive-than-we-think/

    Prahl, A. (2019). Biography of Emily Dickinson, American poet. ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/emily-dickinson-4772610

    Robinson, M. (2017). Marilynne Robinson on finding the right word. New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/22/books/review/marilynne-robinson-on-finding-the-right-word.html

    Strong, M. (n.d.). The poetry of Emily Dickinson. Digital Public Library of America. https://dp.la/primary-source-sets/the-poetry-of-emily-dickinson

    Vendler, H. (2010). Dickinson: Selected poems and commentaries. Belknap Press.

    Wolff, C. (1989). Emily Dickinson, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and the task of discovering a usable past. The Massachusetts Review, 30(4), 629-644. https://www.jstor.org/stable/25090122

    THE POEMS OF EMILY DICKINSON: READING EDITION, edited by Ralph W. Franklin, Cambridge, Mass.: The Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, Copyright © 1998, 1999 by the President and Fellows of Harvard College. Copyright © 1951, 1955 , by the President and Fellows of Harvard College. Copyright © 1979, 1983 by the President and Fellows of Harvard College. Copyright © 1914, 1918, 1924, 1929, 1930, 1932, 1935, 1937, 1942 by Martha Dickinson Bianchi. Copyright © 1952, 1957, 1958, 1963, 1965 by Mary L. Hampson.

    Source: The Poems of Emily Dickinson: Reading Edition (The Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, 1998)

    Visit the Emily Dickinson Museum website at https://www.emilydickinsonmuseum.org/ to learn more about Emily Dickinson!

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    25 mins