Issues of Faith: Not Shakespeare, Not Seuss—Just Tanner: A Modern Take on Poetry”

Hello!

I’m Tanner Olson.

I’m an author, spoken word poet, podcaster, and speaker living in Nashville, Tennessee.

Through written and spoken word I seek to spread hope and announce love.

I travel across the country sharing poetry and telling stories of grace and hope.

My work has been described as “hopefully unique and inviting” as it blends faith, humor, and curiosity.

Poet?

Perhaps you know me from Instagram or YouTube.
I am nothing like Shakespeare or Dr. Seuss.
I’m just Tanner.
As a poet I have performed and shared poetry for those ages 5 to 95.
My work ranges from serious to funny to reflective to honest.
For elementary school students I share poems they can connect with. Poems that will make them laugh, smile, and grow interested in writing and poetry. Some of the poems I share for them are ‘SpongeBob Oval Pants” “Dan the Man” and “Words Matter.”
I even released Poetry School, an 11-day poetry curriculum for elementary, middle, and high school students.
While for older students, adult audiences, and conferences I deliver poems such as “Stay”, “Some Days”, and “Welcome.”

Speaker?
I’ve had the honor of speaking in rooms of all ages.
From classrooms to churches to conference rooms to zoom calls. Through humor, poetry, and storytelling I promise you will leave with more hope than when you arrived.
I am available to speak and share spoken word poetry for your classroom, church, organization, or conference.

Want to know more?

I grew up in Oviedo, Florida and attended St. Luke’s Lutheran School and Oviedo High School. After graduating from Oviedo High school I left Central Florida for Milwaukee, Wisconsin (I know, a weird move) to attend Concordia University Wisconsin where I studied Ministry and Theology. Since graduating from college in 2012 I have worked with various ministries in St. Louis, Northern Wisconsin, and Austin, Texas.

I now live in Nashville, TN with my wife, Sarah and our dog, Pancake.

Also, I am a fan of the Orlando Magic.

I’m the author of multiple books, including Walk A Little Slower and All the Things I Say to God (Zonderkidz, April 2025)

You can follow my work on Instagram, Facebook, and Substack.