Jovi Radtke is a Texas born, bleeding heart, christian, republican, queer... confusing? Probably. But the one thing she likes to make very clear: she's not to be mistaken for gay or lesbian, as her latest passion has been to eradicate the need for gender specificity, in hopes of achieving an idealistic, but possible, universal mind-frame of just being EST. Human.

On her road to self-discovery, Jovi has found that Spoken Word is the only avenue that suits her 'confusing' lifestyle, allowing creativity to answer the questions that haven't been asked yet. If you give her a mic, she's sure to tell you a story that will probably make you cry, laugh, teary-eyed smile and relate. The tangibility in the vulnerability of her work has driven some of her fans to call her a "poet prophet" and "word messiah". Saying that she, "possesses the ability to open Pandora's Box, only to describe the chaos without ever setting it free." But, if you ask her, she just wants to tear all boxes apart while remaining, humbly, authentic.

Since early 2008, she's been seen at rallies across California, speaking up for many different causes, including: the proper treatment of homeless citizens, marriage equality, transgender education, human trafficking awareness, teen suicide due to homophobic bullying, the eradication of violence against women, domestic violence awareness, etc. She's also performed at prisons, churches, public schools (elementary through high), colleges, pride events, open mics, closed mics, dead mics (is this thing on?), crowds of thousands and empty rooms (not just in front of the mirror in her bedroom). Her greatest claims to Spoken Word satisfaction have been opening for her poet hero, Andrea Gibson; taking part in workshops and house shows with several of her other word heroes Denise Jolly, Laura Yes Yes, Sonya Renee Taylor, Elaina Ellis, and Tristan Silverman; sharing an ongoing stage relationship with fellow poet and close friend, C. Foster; finally, having the freedom to speak her mind to an audience willing to listen.

Still confused? Then, rip the tape off your box, go to the videos tab and just listen.