Official Bio
Leslieann Hobayan is a poet, priestess, life coach, badass mama, and host of the podcast, Spiritual Grit, a show about spirituality and activism. She also has a weekly column on Medium called Maverick Mondays that share personal stories of racism, and Free Verse Fridays on Instagram, her weekly poems about healing and social justice. Nominated for a Pushcart Prize and 2018 Best of the Net, her work has appeared in The Rumpus, Aster(ix) Journal, The Grief Diaries, The Lantern Review, The Mom Egg Review, The World I Leave You: Asian American Poets on Faith and Spirit, and elsewhere. She has been awarded the James Merrill Fellowship for Poetry at the Vermont Studio Center, a Mid-Atlantic Arts Foundation writing fellowship for a residency at Millay Colony for the Arts, and artist grants for Community of Writers and the Bread Loaf Orion Environmental Writers Conference. Currently teaching at Rutgers University, she’s also the founder of Heal to Power, a program that helps women of color heal from racial trauma. A VONA alum and tarot card reader she also teaches yoga & meditation and facilitates sacred healing circles for people of color.
What People Are Saying
“Leslieann is gifted and tuned in to where I was and where I needed to go. Opportunities seem endless! Obstacles are temporary and work themselves out with little effort from me. I finally feel the universe is allowing me to do the things I want to do. I’m happy every day! The heaviness of life has passed. I feel lighter but stronger. More importantly I feel balanced. You have helped me more than you know, Leslieann, and I am forever grateful for you and your teachings.”
-Tanya T.
“Leslieann is a skilled and experienced guide. She imparted the techniques and wisdom I was yearning for, while giving myself and the other students space to explore our experiences. Leslieann is a MUST for anyone, beginner or experienced, seeking guidance and accountability in their practice. She helped me navigate my doubts, frustrations, as well as celebrate the milestones and acknowledge the breakthroughs. She catalyzed this important evolution within me.”
-Rosie K.
Leslieann Hobayan 