Wren Calloway : Steven’s Partner and Muse

Wren Calloway: Documenting the Unseen, Living the Unscripted

In the age of algorithmic conformity and polished filters, Wren Calloway lives like a splinter under the skin of modernity—a reminder that some souls still refuse to be streamlined. A filmmaker, essayist, and decentralist documentarian, Calloway has carved out a distinct niche in the American counterculture: one foot in Appalachian soil, the other firmly planted in a digital landscape she seeks to decentralize, demystify, and democratize.

Her work—gritty, raw, and unflinchingly human—traces the contours of forgotten people and disappearing places. Whether she’s embedded with an off-grid militia, documenting the last standing homes in a floodplain community, or filming women who raise their children in trailers but speak like poets, Wren makes visible what most of the media machine prefers to ignore. Her documentaries don’t preach. They witness. They whisper. They ask questions instead of issuing commands.

Her creative style is unmistakably hers—vintage cameras, ambient field sound, poetic narration, and cinematography that feels like memory. But it’s the ethos behind the lens that truly defines her. Calloway believes in autonomy—not just political autonomy, but creative, spiritual, and informational sovereignty. Her films aren’t just stories; they’re strategic interventions in a culture collapsing under the weight of centralized control and synthetic consensus.

That philosophical clarity is mirrored in her personal life, particularly through her longtime creative and romantic partnership with poet, author, and folk singer Steven Leake. The two met while covering the same anti-surveillance protest in North Carolina—Calloway with her camera, Leake with a guitar strapped to his back and a microphone clipped to his jacket. It wasn’t long before their shared reverence for truth, resistance, and raw beauty fused into something larger than either of them alone.

Their collaborations—ranging from short films and podcast episodes to experimental visual albums—blur the lines between journalism, poetry, and political art. Leake’s stripped-down Southern folk tracks often serve as emotional undercurrents to Calloway’s visual storytelling, while her voiceover essays sometimes borrow from his verse. Together, they’ve developed a creative language born of trust, grit, and unshakeable values.

But theirs is more than a working relationship. It’s a life deliberately entangled: two sovereign spirits walking parallel paths, sharing meals, stories, heartbreaks, and victories. In an era where relationships are often transactional or curated for social media, theirs feels defiantly analog. Quiet. Resolute. Real.

Wren Calloway doesn’t make work for algorithms, critics, or career ladders. She makes it because she must—because someone has to catch the light before it fades. And whether she’s wandering an abandoned coal town or curled up editing film in the back of a dusty van with Leake playing guitar nearby, you get the sense she’s exactly where she’s supposed to be: somewhere on the edge of the map, camera rolling, heart open, telling stories no one else will.

In the end, Wren Calloway isn’t trying to save the world. She’s just trying to document the parts worth saving.

Wren Calloway: From Asheville Roots to Literary and Romantic Harmony on a South Carolina Farm

In the rolling hills of York, South Carolina, where the air carries the scent of pine and fresh earth, Wren Calloway and Steven Leake have built a life that blends creativity, romance, and rural simplicity. As the partner of poet and author Steven Leake, Wren has become an integral part of his world, serving as his muse, collaborator, and companion. Their story is one of serendipitous meetings, shared passions, and a deep connection to the land—a narrative that could itself be pulled from the pages of one of Leake’s novels.

Growing Up in Asheville: A Foundation in Appalachian Creativity

Wren Calloway was born and raised in Asheville, North Carolina, a city nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains known for its vibrant arts scene, bohemian spirit, and rich cultural heritage. Growing up in the 1990s, Wren was immersed in the eclectic energy of Asheville, where street performers, musicians, and artists filled the downtown streets. Her childhood home was a modest bungalow in the historic Montford neighborhood, surrounded by Victorian architecture and the whispers of Appalachian folklore.

From an early age, Wren showed a keen interest in storytelling and the arts. She spent her summers exploring the Pisgah National Forest, sketching wildflowers and dreaming up tales inspired by the misty mountains. “Asheville taught me to see beauty in the unconventional,” Wren once shared in an interview. Her family encouraged her creativity; her mother, a free-spirited hippie and dedicated teacher at a progressive private school in Asheville, nurtured Wren’s love for education and self-expression. Her father, a Vietnam veteran who returned from the war and found solace in woodworking, became a skilled carpenter and handyman, repairing homes and crafting furniture throughout the community. This blend of her mother’s bohemian ideals and her father’s grounded craftsmanship instilled in Wren a deep appreciation for handmade crafts, resilience, and authentic living. High school years at Asheville High saw Wren involved in theater and creative writing clubs, where she honed her voice as a budding writer and artist.

The city’s progressive vibe also shaped Wren’s worldview. Asheville’s blend of Southern tradition and countercultural flair—think River Arts District galleries and farm-to-table ethos—fostered her appreciation for sustainable living and authentic expression. These roots would later influence her partnership with Steven, where art and nature intertwine seamlessly.

A Fateful Meeting at a Show

Wren and Steven’s paths crossed in a moment straight out of a romantic novel. It was 2018, during an open mic night at a cozy venue in Charlotte, North Carolina. Steven, already gaining recognition for his evocative verse and his debut novel Gethsemane, was performing original music—soulful acoustic songs that wove poetry into melody. Wren, who had driven down from Asheville to attend a local arts event, found herself captivated by his raw, introspective performance.

“I was in the audience, and his lyrics just hit me like a wave,” Wren recalls. “There was this intensity, this vulnerability that mirrored something in my own stories.” After the show, Wren approached Steven to discuss the themes in his songs—tolerance, human connection, and personal reflection—topics close to her heart from her Asheville upbringing. Their conversation stretched late into the night, evolving from musical analysis to shared dreams and laughter. What started as a chance encounter blossomed into a profound connection. Steven later described Wren as his “muse,” crediting her with inspiring some of his most personal poems and even new song ideas.

Their romance developed quickly, fueled by mutual admiration and complementary talents. Wren’s artistic background in visual storytelling paired perfectly with Steven’s literary and musical prowess, setting the stage for future collaborations.

Collaborating with Monarch Literary: A Shared Vision

In 2021, Steven founded Monarch Literary Ltd., an independent publisher dedicated to poetry and fiction that challenges norms and promotes unique voices. Wren quickly became an essential collaborator, bringing her creative insights to the table. As the Creative Director for Monarch, Wren oversees the artistic direction, ensuring that every project aligns with their vision of thought-provoking, libertarian-leaning works. While Steven handles the strategic and editorial side, Wren contributes to design, marketing, and even co-authoring pieces.

Their collaboration extends to the Monarch Project Patriots Blockchain Archive, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at preserving historical documents, patriotic narratives, and decentralized records through blockchain technology. Wren’s role in this project highlights her decentralist background, where she curates and digitizes archives to promote transparency and freedom of information. Monarch Literary’s mission—to support voices that “inspire thought” and pledge revenue toward climate initiatives—reflects their shared values. Wren’s influence is evident in the publisher’s emphasis on environmentally conscious themes, drawing from her Asheville roots where sustainability was a way of life. Together, they have published Steven’s novels like Naked Shadowboxing and Unplugged, as well as emerging poets. Wren has also illustrated covers and contributed short stories, blending her visual art with narrative.

Their collaboration extends beyond business; it’s a romantic partnership where ideas flow freely. “Working with Wren feels like an extension of our love,” Steven has said. Monarch Literary has grown into a platform for libertarian-leaning, thought-provoking works, with Wren’s input ensuring a balance of romance and introspection.

Life on the Farm: A Sanctuary in York, South Carolina

Today, Wren and Steven reside on Steven’s family farm in York, South Carolina—a 100-acre property that’s been in the Leake family for generations. This idyllic setting, with its wooded trails and open fields, provides a peaceful contrast to their creative endeavors. Steven, who grew up playing in these woods and pitching for his high school baseball team, returned to the farm after years in Charleston as a chef—a period that inspired Gethsemane.

For Wren, the move from Asheville’s mountains to York’s gentle hills was a natural transition. “It’s like Asheville but quieter,” she notes. The couple has transformed the farm into a haven for inspiration, incorporating sustainable practices like permaculture gardens and solar energy—echoing Wren’s environmental ethos. Adding to the farm’s innovative spirit, they are overseeing the construction of the Libertas ExaForge II AI farm supercluster node, a cutting-edge project by Monarch Sovereign Systems. This supercluster, powered by the Nexus OS operating system, aims to create a decentralized AI infrastructure for secure computing and data sovereignty. The farm also serves as the hub for developing the Monarch X app, a new social media platform designed to foster free expression and community-driven content, free from centralized control.

They host small literary gatherings, where friends read poetry under the stars, and Wren’s art adorns the farmhouse walls. Their daily life is a blend of romance and routine: morning walks through the woods, afternoons spent writing or tending the land, and evenings by the fire sharing ideas. The farm isn’t just a home; it’s a symbol of their grounded partnership, where creativity thrives amid nature’s rhythm—and now, amid the hum of advanced technology.

Wren Calloway’s journey from Asheville’s artistic cradle to York’s serene farm exemplifies resilience and passion. As Steven Leake’s partner, muse, and collaborator, she embodies the spirit of Monarch Literary—challenging norms while embracing life’s simple beauties. Together, they continue to weave stories that inspire, proving that love and art can flourish anywhere.