Poetry, partnership, and purpose: exploring intersectional art and activism with Olivia Hall & Carrie Rudzinski
In this episode of Getting Reflective, I had the incredible opportunity to speak with poets, activists, and creatives Olivia Hall and Carrie Rudzinski. Their work has left an indelible mark on me, and I’m so excited to share our conversation about their journey, creative process, and the power of intersectionality in their art.
Olivia Hall (she/her), originally from Tamaki Makaurau (Auckland), is a poet, activist, and academic with a deep passion for gender studies. After spending five years overseas with her partner in New York and London, Olivia returned to New Zealand, where she now runs a sexual health charity. Her academic background, including a Master’s degree in Gender Studies, influences her poetry and activism in powerful ways.
Carrie Rudzinski (she/her) brings her own unique blend of activism and teaching to the table. Originally from Illinois, Carrie has called Aotearoa home for nearly a decade. She currently runs the MBA program at the University of Auckland. Beyond her academic work, Carrie is a force on the poetry stage, advocating for women's rights and social justice through her writing.
Together, Olivia and Carrie founded How We Survive, a poetry collective that has captivated audiences across Aotearoa New Zealand and at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Their latest collaboration, Hysterical, is an 80-minute poetry theatre show that explores body politics, systemic sexism, and emotional expression. I had the privilege of attending Hysterical in Wellington during their 2022 tour, and it was a transformative experience. I walked away feeling raw, alive, seen, and deeply connected to their words.
During our conversation, Olivia and Carrie opened up about the profound connection that fuels their creative partnership. We discussed their writing process—how they weave their personal experiences and feminist perspectives into each performance, and how their friendship serves as the bedrock for their work. The intersectionality of their writing was a key theme throughout our discussion. Both Olivia and Carrie are committed to creating work that acknowledges and challenges the multiple layers of oppression faced by marginalized communities.
I’m thrilled for you to listen to this episode and hear their stories. You can follow Olivia and Carrie’s work through How We Survive @hwsproductions. Their art is a powerful reminder that storytelling is not only a means of survival but a pathway to change.