Joshua Thaddeus
Joshua Thaddeus is a New Orleans–based author and philosophical soul whose work invites readers to explore their inner worlds through thought-provoking narration. For as long as he can remember, writing has been a cathartic outlet for his spiritual curiosity. Although his craft draws inspiration from poets such as Georgia Douglas Johnson and William Blake, it was supportive parents and teachers that most nurtured his early penmanship.
“We're all conflicted about something we'd rather not show the world. And that’s what writing is about for me—revealing the things we hide, even from ourselves.”
Wandering the cemetery near his childhood home fostered the existential questions that run through his work. When not contemplating the universe via poetic verse, this introspective writer dabbles in Japanese calligraphy (書道, Shodō) and ink painting. He is also an avid runner, a voracious reader, and a film enthusiast. Through storytelling, Joshua reflects on human nature, exploring the mysteries within us.
Unwritten Chapter
Folk Musician Walt Conley
Joshua’s work is also informed by a lineage discovered later in life. After his adopted mother uncovered her biological roots, Joshua learned that his grandfather was Walt Conley, an influential folk musician and a legend of Denver’s folk scene. Though they never met, Conley’s music endures as a quiet inheritance, shaping Joshua’s sense of self. Learning of Conley’s life and songs offered Joshua another way of understanding his own story. Accepting an award on Conley’s behalf at his induction into the Colorado Music Hall of Fame in 2019, alongside his mother and newly discovered uncle, became a moment of recognition and belonging. For Joshua, listening to his grandfather’s music feels like reading an unwritten chapter of his own life—one that continues to deepen his journey.
Learn more about Walt Conley at colomusic.org and wikipedia.org