Twice 5 Miles Radio welcomes actor and poet Nick Kapustinsky to the microphone. In this exploratory interview, you'll enjoy how the theme of debunking perfectionism threads through the multiple topics Nick and I discuss. Nick begins with his love for acting and continues with his ongoing long-term collaboration with Julia Cameron, author of The Artist's Way, his fascination with poetry, and his passion for the territory of the rugged mountains surrounding his home in Santa Fe. 

It's no surprise that Nick and I would showcase the subject of debunking perfectionism since we both share a long-term personal and professional connection with Julia Cameron.  In her seminal book The Artist's Way, Julia masterfully debunks perfectionism with he essays on Core Negative Beliefs, Skepticism, Synchronicity, and Honest Changes. 

Does perfectionism stand in your way of getting things done? Well, if so, you'll enjoy hearing Nick talk about how he has replaced his unattainable need to make perfect work with his now more joyous trust of doing work that relies on the natural imperfections that arise from trial and error. 

Nick and I  arrive at a conclusion in their debunking perfectionism conversation that will not only surprise you, but will also give you a profound sense of relief if perfectionism happens to be a troll living under your creative bridge. 

In this interview, Nick and I discover that our shared connection to Julia and The Artist's Way started because Nick, Julia, and I have poetry to thank for bringing us together.  Julia and I got to know each other over poetry in Boulder, Colorado in 1995. Poetry launched Nick and Julia's friendship and creative collaboration in Santa Fe in 2014. 

As this conversation continues, you'll enjoy the moment when Nick starts to read his poetry.  When Nick read, you'll hear his joy for the spoken poetry and his delight in how words make meaning for those who listen.  

After Nick says goodbye towards the end of the show, I continue with a story about the relationship between perfectionism and picking ripe tomatoes in the abundant gardens in the summers when I was growing up in Western North Carolina. Finally, the show closes with a lovely song titled Carolina in the Morning sung by my good friend Big John Shearer. Enjoy listening.

Debunking Perfectionism with actor and poet Nick Kapustinsky

Adam Gidwitz is a prominent young adult writer. He has an upcoming Netflix show debuting in October. His books sell well all over the world. So why be a children's author rather than an author who writes for adults?

Adam writes for young adults and children because he hopes to influence them to live healthy, productive, community-centered lives. He uses modern interpretations of fairytales to accomplish this goal.

Adam knows the young people are open to good ideas. However, fairytales teach children to draw their own conclusions, stand up for what they believe in, and throw their shoulders behind more significant causes the world and their generation face. 

 Adam also understands that once adults develop a set of core beliefs, it is almost impossible to get those adults to change their minds. A fair amount of psychological and sociological research back this up. You can test this right now. Think about your core negative beliefs. What would it take for someone to get you to change your core beliefs?  

Please understand I am a big fan of my core beliefs. I imagine you feel the same way about your core beliefs. I vote for the good core beliefs like "do unto others as you would want them to do onto you." I vote against the core destructive beliefs. For example, con artists believe all people are greedy, so they deserve to be conned and tricked. You can easily see how these two examples would fit nicely into a modern fairytale that might point a child in a productive direction.

In this terrific conversation with Adam, you will quickly sense his enthusiasm for his career as a children's author. He is also a fantastic teacher and a storyteller who has spent many hours in classrooms worldwide telling fairytales to students. He also has a podcast called Grim, Grimmer, and Grimmest. Finally, toward the end of this conversation, you will discover that Adam is also a political activist. He focuses on how to organize and implement good voting practices on a state level. 

I'll leave it up to you to determine how Adam combines his career as a writer and his commitment to the political process into his fascinating Brooklyn New York life. Enjoy the show:

Grim Grimmer, Grimmest with award winning children's author Adam Gidwitz

Hi, James Navé here (www.jamesnave.com), your host for Twice 5 Miles Radio. I'm pleased to welcome photographer, dancer, and choreographer Micha Bergese (www.michabergese.com). The title of this Twice 5 Miles show is From the Still Point to the Dance. 

 One of the things I appreciate about hosting Twice 5 Miles Radio is having conversations with artists like Micha. You'll enjoy listening to Micha talk about growing up in Berlin after World War 2 when his parents invited their artistic friends over for long evenings of poetry and music.   
 
Of course, Micha's primary artistic focus has always been dance, choreography, eastern arts like tai chi and Qi gong, and photography.  
You'll enjoy Micha's reflections on his notion that art happens not only in action but most especially at the still point. 
 
He starts his musings by quoting from T.S. Eliot's Four Quartets, "At the still point of the turning world. Neither flesh nor fleshless; Neither from nor towards; at the still point, there the dance is."  Micha suggests that if you keep this still point idea in mind, you'll experience many satisfying artistic adventures. 

For example, Micha's photographic eye captures the still point of an image, the essence of the event itself, precisely like Henri Cartier-Bresson captured the decisive moments in photography. Listening as Micha reflects on his artistic life and ideas was an absolute pleasure for me. 

I'm confident you'll have the same experience. Enjoy.

From the Still Point to the Dance with photographer, dancer, and choreographer Micha Bergese

Twice 5 Miles Radio hosted by yours truly James Navé welcomes photographer, healing artist, and fashion model Bill Curry to the mic.  When I first met Bill over twenty years ago, he invited me over to his modest well-appointed adobe cottage in Taos. His living room expressed an elegant simplicity. I admired his paintings, art photographs he'd taken around the world, ritual masks, and memorabilia from his successful modeling career, Gentlemen’s Quarterly, British Vogue, Men’s Journal, L’ummo Vogue, Cosmopolitan, Italian Bazaar, Departure, DNR, Cosmopolitan, Glamour.  "Not bad for a lad from West Virginia," I said. He smiled.  Since then, when Bill and I have connected over the years, I've always appreciated how he has maintained his generous spirit and sense of adventure. In this interview, sit back and enjoy Bill's stories about how a far-sighted,floppy-eared boy from West Virginia became a super-model, a global photographer, and a master healing artist in Taos, New Mexico.

The Perfect Suit and Other Matters with photographer Bill Curry

Twice 5 Miles Radio, hosted by James Navé, welcomes TEDxAsheville Director Barrie Barton to the microphone. This show is titled How to Make a Speech which is fitting since Barrie's successful business Stand and Deliver Asheville helps people worldwide learn how to make speeches.   

Barrie's teaching style combines highly developed and insightful perspectives of body language, presentation mastery, and adult learning methods with her talent and passion to motivate and encourage clients to reach their finest potential. As a lifelong educator, Barrie's finely tuned capacity to organize learning results in an embodied experience of success and lasting results.

Barrie’s approach is firm and honest, with a dash of humor, empowering you to make meaningful personal connections and challenging you to stand up and deliver in a more powerful and confident way.
 In addition to her groundbreaking Stand and Deliver Asheville training programs, Barrie is the Executive Director of TEDx Asheville and Artistic Director of Story Choreography Projects. She directed and produced 15 large-scale multi-media productions at the Diana Wortham Theatre and other venues. Barrie holds a BA in Dance from the University of California at Santa Barbara and a Masters of Arts Education from Vermont College. She taught for over 22 years in two High Schools as a Dance Educator in the Buncombe County School System.

When you listen to this conversation, you'll discover that making a speech involves writing, rehearsal, and practice. Enjoy.

How to Make a Speech with TEDxAsheville director Barrie Barton

Welcome to Twice 5 Miles Radio, a podcast sponsored by The Imaginative Storm Write What You Don't Know Project, www.imaginativestorm.com. I'm your host James Navé, www.jamesnave.com. This show is titled No War With My Father. Today, I'm going solo with a story about my Father, a war veteran, and an old-time Appalachian musician. Although he never talked about being in the war, he never stopped talking about how much he loved to play music. This narrative focuses on work, violence, booze, music, joy, and forgiveness. If you have conflicting opinions of your parents, this story will offer insights into how you can hold many opinions without remorse. Enjoy the show.

No War With My Father with poet James Navé

James Navé here. Please welcome Brooklyn-based poet, spoken word artist, and podcaster Taylor Mali to Twice Miles Radio. Taylor and I have known each other since we met at the 1994 National Poetry Slam Championships in Asheville, North Carolina. In this interview, Taylor focuses on his new podcast called '83 Dutchmen, which features long-form interviews with his classmates from the Collegiate School For Boys class of 1983. During the interview, 
Taylor and I talk about family, education, poetry, and how everyone must try to make sense of their lives with the gifts they were born with. 

In the final 20 minutes of the show, I discuss the notion that the term "school dropout" can be aspirational rather than derogatory.

What Happened to the '83 Dutchmen with  poet Taylor Mali

James Navé here welcoming Ileana Garza Terán to the Twice 5 Miles Radio microphone. Fifteen minutes into my first conversation with Ileana, I was knew I must invite her to this show. I was thrilled when she said yes. Steeped in a world of poetry, philosophy, and cultural commentary, Ileana offers a unique perspective on global circumstances' complexities. Wearing many hats – a philosopher, poet, storyteller, translator, and language activist – her insights stretch across a vast spectrum of knowledge.

Ileana introduces us to her striking view of language. In her eyes, it's less of a root and more a rhythmic reality – something living and active that we must sometimes grapple with in its raw, potent form. She likens it to an animalistic force within us, always alive and occasionally unruly.

Equally at home with chaos and creativity, Ilelan argues that writing poetry isn't about maintaining order but about stirring the pot. Much like experiencing a profound love, it can fundamentally shift our perspective. For her, poetry is a bodily experience as much as an intellectual exercise, weaving together the tangible and the abstract in a symphony of language. Enjoy the show. 

Ileana is quite knowledgeable about poetry and philosophy and other general ideas about culture in the world and global circumstances. She is a philosopher, a poet, a storyteller, a translator, and a language activist. Ileana believes that language is more a rhythmic reality than a root. She says there is always some violence you must embrace when talking about language. 

She reflects on the idea that language is somewhat like an animal element living in you. Ileana says when you write poetry, you want to mess things up a little bit. Poetry makes you change your way of thinking, like going to bed with someone you love. Poetry is of the body as much as the intellect. Enjoy the show.

Language Breaks Things with philosopher, poet, and translator Ileana Garza Terán

James Navé here. Please welcome award-winning author Maia Toll to the Twice 5 Miles Radio microphone. In this provocative show titled From Mundania to the Magical Realms, Maia frames our conversation around her new memoir, "Letting Magic In."  Her other publications include "The Night School," "Wild Wisdom Companion," "The Illustrated Crystallary," "The Illustrated Bestiary," and "The Illustrated Herbiary." 

During this interview, Maia offers much insight from her writing experience, like, “You can hold mundane and the magical realms in your heart simultaneously and slide back and forth between.”  We talk about how when something comes from your deeper knowing, it comes as a feeling without language filling your body with certainty that requires no rational thought.  

In this interview, you’ll quickly come to understand why people say, “Maia maps new pathways for seeing our lives, inspiring those who encounter her work to live with more purpose, more intention, more meaning, and, maybe, even more magic.” 

Enjoy the show.

From Mundania to the Magical Realms with award winning author Maia Toll

Join host James Navé on Twice 5 Miles Radio for an engaging session with Gail Hulnick, a novelist celebrated for her gripping tales and insightful travel memoirs. In today's episode, Gail contrasts her experiences in journalism and novel writing, highlighting the liberties and constraints each genre offers. 

We discuss the concept of 'big truths' in storytelling and how they manifest in Gail's novels, including her award-winning "Media Mysteries" series. Gail's unique blend of educational and professional experiences provides a fascinating backdrop to our conversation about the creative process and storytelling. The episode wraps up with a festive note, featuring Navé reciting two beloved Christmas poems, including Robert Frost's "Christmas Trees," bringing a touch of literary magic to the holiday season.

What It Means to Start and Finish with novelist and publisher Gail Hulnick

My first performance of A Child's Christmas was in Greensboro, NC 1987. I performed the story in a parking lot while my friend and I had 30 minutes to spare before our movie, "Fried Green Tomatoes," was due to start. Given that the poem runs for 22 minutes, the timing was perfect for an impromptu rendition in the car. That experience marked the beginning of a cherished tradition, as I've recited it every Christmas season since. 

Now, years on, the poem still reveals new layers and nuances with each performance. Enjoy this delightful story about a boy growing up in Swansea, Wales, during the 1920s. It will spark memories, surprising imagery, and pleasant recollections of holidays you've enjoyed. 

If you'd like to contact me, go to my website, www.JamesNave.com, click contact and send me an email. I'd love to hear from you.

A Child's Christmas In Wales by Dylan Thomas performed by James Navé

Welcome to "Twice Five Miles Radio," I am your host, James Navé. Today, my guest is Jewish thought leader and singer-songwriter Peter Himmelman. WARNING—Our discussion ventures into the depths of the Israeli-Hamas conflict, where Peter articulately presents a staunchly pro-Israel perspective. This viewpoint may challenge you as Peter unflinchingly confronts topics surrounding war and conflict. 

Peter opens with an unexpected contemplation on nature, the essence of existence, and the intricate dance of time. Later in the interview, he asks this question, "do you believe there's objective morality in the world? Or is it completely subjective based on the circumstances?"  What do you think? Are there moral situations that are simply good or bad with no circumstantial shadings? Enjoy the show.

Objective Morality with singer-songwriter Peter Himmelman

Welcome to Twice 5 Miles Radio. I'm your host, James Navé. I'm thrilled to welcome my old friend, novelist, and poet, Allan Wolf, to the microphone.  I've known Allan since the late 80s when we, along with a group of collaborators, developed Poetry Alive!, a theater company dedicated to theatrically performing poetry for school students in assembly programs and classroom workshops. 

Fast forward to today, Allan is a celebrated Candlewick Press author with an impressive repertoire of over 20 books. His novel, "The Watch That Ends the Night," has been rightfully placed among the 50 Best YA Books of All Time by Booklist.

In today's episode, Allan delves into his latest project, a riveting exploration of the 1980 Lake Peigneur sinkhole disaster in Louisiana. This strange and massive event, which remarkably claimed no lives, transformed a 10-foot-deep freshwater lake into a 200-foot-deep saltwater basin. 

Our conversation also navigates the responsibilities and realities of being a writer. We discuss the often romanticized notion of writing and its contrast with the authentic, everyday act of putting pen to paper. Allan and I ponder the concept of writing not for fame or importance but as a reflection of our daily lives—a perspective that could redefine success in the literary world.

Allan's insights and our shared history make this exchange as comfortable as a vintage shirt meant to be worn for a lifetime. Enjoy the show

The Louisiana Sinkhole that Swallowed Eleven Barges with novelist and poet Allan Wolf

Welcome to Twice 5 Miles Radio. James Navé here. Today, my guest is poet and UNCA professor Mildred Barya.  is a North Carolina-based writer and poet of East African descent. She teaches and lectures globally and is the author of four full-length poetry collections, most recently The Animals of My Earth School, published by Terrapin Books in 2023. Her prose, hybrids, and poems have appeared in New England Review, Shenandoah, Joyland, The Cincinnati Review, Tin House, Forge, and elsewhere. She’s now working on a collection of creative nonfiction, and her essay, “Being Here in This Body”, won the 2020 Linda Flowers Literary Award and was published in the North Carolina Literary Review. She serves on the boards of the African Writers Trust and Story Parlor and coordinates the Poetrio Reading events at Malaprop’s Independent Bookstore/Café. She blogs here: www.mildredbarya.com

I Write Because Of Everyday Shamans with poet and UNCA professor Mildred Barya

I'm Afraid of Weather by James Navé

Weather sometimes frightens me 
when I'm on the road heading west 
out of Oklahoma City, late afternoon, 
500 miles behind me, the sun easy 
on my face. Weather, harsh weather, 
not in sight, out of mind. Then, the dark 
clouds pop up to the south. Mean creatures 
all black and gray, chewing the blue sky 
like a swarm of ferocious large bees 
God invented just to panic me, to turn 
my drive into a long-range shooting field. 
Then, from the west, more clouds appear.
Where do these clouds come from? 
What happened to my day? What happened 
to my blue sky? Where did the sun go? 
Once these monsters start, they don't stop. 
God knows this; God sends them anyway. 
That's just what God does. Soon, the first drops 
of rain hit. Then bolts of lightning flash 
across the sky. I'm surrounded by black 
and lightning and thunder and ice. 
My heart sweats. My eyes grow thin. 
My hands dangle from my wrists. 
Will there be a funnel? Will it suck me 
out of my car and up into the sky? 
I try to drive on but can't; I can't 
move, the storm has captured me. 
I am still. Rain. Wind. Thunder. 
Lightning. And me on the road, 
stopped, going nowhere.

I'm Afraid Of Weather by James Navé

James Navé here, welcoming you back to Twice 5 Miles Radio. Today, we're diving into an enriching conversation with my good friend, story-activist, and prolific author, Gareth Higgins. My connection with Gareth started during a film festival in Asheville—a project he co-produced with his husband Brian called Movies and Meaning. This festival, a blend of cinema and deeper insights, drew me in because, like Gareth, I'm interested in understanding the meaning of things, and I've always loved going to the movies.

Gareth, hailing from Belfast in 1975, has woven his rich experiences growing up during the tumultuous times of the Northern Ireland Troubles into his life's work. He holds a Ph.D. in Sociology from Queen's University Belfast. Gareth's journey from Belfast to the US has been marked by his commitment to storytelling's transformative power, peace-building, and addressing the legacies of conflict. Our discussions often meander through the realms of optimism, the profound acts of kindness humans are capable of, to the darker shades of suffering and fear wars bring.

Gareth brings a wealth of insights on living by the principle of "Do No Harm." His life, marked by a dedication to creating spaces where stories foster peace and understanding, invites us to look beyond our fears. Join us as Gareth Higgins shares his journey, wisdom, and unwavering commitment to making the world less frightening. Enjoy the show

Do No Harm and Other Thoughts On Life with story activist and author Gareth Higgins

This week’s prompt is an archival photo from the 1930s of a baby cage. It was considered important for babies to have fresh air, so this was a solution for people who lived in apartments.
Each Imaginative Storm writer offered one line from the ten-minute pieces they wrote during our Saturday Morning Imaginative Storm Writing Group. It's always free; if you'd like to join, email nave@imaginativestorm.com for your invitation. The title “I Remember Traveling” comes from the first line spoken by Susie Shipman
 
I remember traveling like gypsies every fall 
and spring before the horses came. Sometimes, 
my curiosity and need to explore takes me 
to terrible places. I burned the pages 
of a memoir I wrote once when I was hopeful. 
Little do my parents know the early education 
I am receiving out here. My cage is a house 
suspended over the sky. I may grouse, but 
I have an insecure attachment to this idea 
and, quite frankly, to your carpentry. 
It's a long way down. This baby's got bounce 
am I being stuck in the doghouse? It is a doghouse, 
right? Well, it's only training me how to be a resilient 
badass warrior. I've always wanted a window box 
to bury my hurts and watch them blossom 
into thornless roses. Five kids came after me; 
they just kept coming. She seemed to possess 
all the keys. I wept one tear; nobody had time 
for me. Safe in mid-air, we floated there between 
love and the hard place we called home.
Apartment—Playground, I told you. 
I didn't want kids. Could it be fun? Imprisoned.
But what of that infant perched like a bird?
Will she become afraid of heights or become a pilot 
at home in the heavens? I dropped the box on the floor, 
and it screamed. Hang on, kids! That room with a view 
may be no more than a doghouse, cold comfort in a cage. 
When I went to the grocery store, I would put you in 
a harness and clip a leash between us. You might say 
we are gods multiplying, life-creating, life-consuming, 
flesh-eating gods. "I'll never do that again" is a hubristic, 
if naively optimistic, brag. It swirled in the clouds 
and glided to the playground, where squeals 
and screeches looped like an amusement park ride. 
It's hard to imagine what kind of sick person would 
do that. Yearning spreads far and wide, warm honey 
on toast. I had no power except to crawl in the cage, 
suspended over sky. Longing for the phoenix 
to become an alchemist and *Kintsugi life back together 
again. To the insecure attachment store and pick 
the crazy parent that's right for you. Don't rattle me 
now; you don't want to know what comes out 
or where it might land. This is no baby bunting 
fluttering in an AC's exhaust. This is only cold comfort 
in this cage within a cage. Remember that first arrival 
into new territory? She needs fresh air, and here, 
on higher ground, she's not exposed to viruses 
or colds from other kids.

*“Kintsugi (金継ぎ, "golden joinery"), also known as kintsukuroi (金繕い, "golden repair"), is the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery by mending the areas of breakage with urushi lacquer dusted or mixed with powdered gold, silver, or platinum; the method is similar to the maki-e technique.” —Wikipedia


ORDER OF SPEAKERS
Susie Shipman, James Navé, Jane Goldberg, Dragon Rose, Krista Thronburg, Maru Ortega, Arlene Shapiro, Andrea de Lange, Andi Young, Elaine Heveron, Lou Faber, Linda Smith, Terry Varner, Katerina Tana, AR Burns, Diana Leszczyński, Regina Ress, Maria Wasson, Allegra Huston, Carin Channing, Sandi Dittmer, Lyn Rothman, Melissa Malm, Kathleen Wilson, Zebith Thalden, Bee Fortin, Geneva Hendry, Stewart Mintzer,  Shirley Loe

I Remember Traveling - An Exquisite Corpse

The Mail Came 

When you hear cries, do you lean into the clouds? 
When I was a child, I looked for higher ground, 
first in the forest, then in the town. Every address 
was the right address. There were pigeons, 
and doves, and robins, spirits on the hills. 
Wind, rain, ice, and snow came in winter. 
Strawberries, corn, and bare skin came in summer. 
Nobody jumped from the bridge. I had wings. 
My childhood tumbled under the moon. 
I smoked Marlboros. I sang on the hills. 
My hands were dust. The mail came. 
I answered when I could.

The Mail Came by James Navé

Welcome to Twice 5 Miles Radio. I'm your host, James Navé. Today, my guest is Sally Coxe. 

Sally is president and co-founder of the Bonobo Conservation Initiative (BCI). Known as 'Mama Bonobo,' she has worked passionately for over 25 years to protect endangered bonobo apes, preserve the Congo rainforest, and empower local communities. 

Under Sally's leadership, BCI collaborates with partner organizations, government agencies, and indigenous communities to manifest their shared vision for the Bonobo Peace Forest. An expanding network of community-managed nature reserves encompassing nine million acres, the Peace Forest is pioneering a whole systems approach that simultaneously addresses humanitarian and conservation needs. 

Sally's innovative work has been recognized in The New York Times, National Geographic, Time Magazine, The Washington Post, Smithsonian Magazine, and the award-winning book Of Bonobos and Men.

Are You A Great Ape? Thoughts on conservation with animal activist Sally Coxe

Welcome to Twice 5 Miles Radio; I'm your host, James Navé, and today we're diving into the inspiring world of Andy Bobowski, a beacon of educational empowerment and social mobility. Andy, an educator with a heart for servant leadership and social justice, has dedicated his career to crafting quality education experiences for students in underserved communities. 
With a background in history from the University of Richmond, a master's degree in education, and an Education Specialist degree in Administration, Andy's journey is nothing short of remarkable.

In our conversation, Andy shares how networking and asking for help can serve as a crucial safety net for students, drawing on powerful stories from his teaching days to illustrate the life-changing impact of community support. Andy believes in the enduring value of backing each other up in the pursuit of greatness. Enjoy the show

How To Grow Greatness with educator Andy Bobwski

Here are some video thoughts on how not to be afraid when you're speaking in public. If you've ever gone to an open mic, a book launch, or another literary presentation where authors perform their work for an audience, you've probably experienced both excitement and boredom during the show. 

If you are a poet or writer and think you'd like to perform your work on stage, you'll find this video informative and funny. It's informative because I offer a few good tips on how to read/perform. It's funny because I make a joke about how you can do a perfect reading every time in front of an audience of any size, from one to 10,000.

How Not to Be Afraid of Speaking in Public with poet and spoken word artist James Navé

Welcome to Twice 5 Miles Radio. I’m your host, James Navé. Today's guest is entrepreneur Colleen Queeney, famed for her "Queeney Kimchi" venture in Asheville. This episode, "Thoughts on Fermentation, Kimchi, and  NASCAR," explores the blend of engineering, entrepreneurship, and the unexpected thrills of weekend-warrior NASCAR racing. I was intrigued after meeting Colleen and learning about her Silicon Valley engineering background and her stint on a NASCAR pit crew. 

Our discussion spans from startup development to merging a dynamic business with her successful marriage to the high-speed world of dirt track NASCAR racing. Plus, a side note on the Beavers of Beaver Lake, a local Asheville attraction. 

And before we wrap up, I share insights on overcoming the fear of public performance. Prepare for an engaging journey through innovation, speed, and community life. Enjoy the show!

Thoughts on Fermentation, Kimchi, and NASCAR with Colleen Queeney, CEO of Queeney Kimchi

TAKE ME IN 
On the spit of the redemption 
between where I bleed and cry, 
the meadow grows greener  
and greener every day. Whispers 
across the lawn remind me the edge 
has always been alive. Shaking 
its teeth and tongue through mouths 
etched in the centuries of daydreams 
lost before we knew there was a place 
to go. I am the lake become the dry bed,
become the lover—become the whisper 
that you hope to hear before dawn, 
between dreams, and reaching out 
across an empty sheet. I am the whisper 
you heard yesterday when you were walking 
down the street between the corner and 
the red light. Somebody stood beside you; 
they said nothing— and in the silence 
of nothing the loud horns of the city 
rained down like a gentle mist from 
somewhere you could not identify. 
I have evaporated and become nothing 
more than what you breathe. Take me in. 
Let me settle in your lungs and become 
part of you.

-James Navé
www.jamesnave.com

Take Me In—a poem by James Navé

Welcome to Twice 5 Miles Radio. I'm your host, James Navé. Last Sunday, I had the pleasure of brunching with the talented Ritch Shydner at the Loott House Café in Swannanoa, NC. I only learned later that I was sitting across from a comedy legend who's graced the stages of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, Late Night with David Letterman, and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, not just once but multiple times.  

Influenced by giants like Art Carney, Lenny Bruce, Red Skelton, and George Carlin, Ritch's style and delivery are testaments to the greats who paved the way in comedy. In our show today, he'll share his journey, the highs and lows, and what it truly takes to make a career in stand-up comedy.

So, if you're curious about comedians' lives, the intricacies of stand-up, and what makes Ritch Shydner an important figure in the comedic world, tune in. This episode of Stand Up Comedy Is Serious Business is not just a lesson in laughter but a deep dive into the heart and soul of comedy itself.

Stand Up Comedy Is Serious Business with stand-up comedian Ritch Shynder

Welcome to Twice 5 Miles Radio; I'm your host, James Navé. Today, we travel into the mind of Jaclyn Goldis (www.jaclyngoldis.com), a murder mystery novelist crafting modern homages to Agatha Christie. Her latest novel, "The Main Character," set against the Italian coast's luxurious backdrop, promises a journey where mystery and danger collide. In this interview, Jaclyn explores the art of suspense, the thrill of writing, and why she chooses breathtaking locales like the Orient Express for her gripping tales. Join us as we uncover the secrets to constructing a novel that keeps readers on edge. All aboard for an electrifying conversation on Twice 5 Miles Radio – enjoy the show!

When Murder Makes a Mystery with novelist Jaclyn Goldis

Welcome to Twice 5 Miles Radio. I’m James Navé, your host. In today's session, we are broadcasting from the recording studio of the renowned musician Walter Parks in Saint Louis. Walter has generously offered to share insights into his distinctive use of guitars and amplifiers, shedding light on how they shape the sonic landscape of his music. 

Walter articulates a compelling perspective on distortion, viewing it as a pivotal element in crafting profound musical art. During our conversation, Walter's profound connection with his musical equipment becomes apparent as he speaks of them as tools and extensions of his creative spirit. 

This interview promises to unravel the intricate relationship between an artist and his instruments, offering listeners a unique understanding of the nuances of electronic and amplified music. Join us for an enlightening exploration of Walter Parks' musical philosophy and technical prowess. Prepare to be captivated by the passion driving his innovative music approach.

Music, Tubes, Transistors, and Strings with singer-songwriter Walter Parks

Welcome to Twice 5 Miles Radio with your host, James Navé. Today, I'm joined by Dr. Aditi Sethi, Director of The Center for Conscious Living and Dying in Swannanoa, NC. Aditi is dedicated to exploring how closeness to death can deepen our understanding of life and connect us to its profound mysteries. Our connection began when I selected speakers for TEDx Asheville, where I also had the pleasure of coaching Aditi. In our conversation, we delve into the essence of life and death, Aditi's preparation for her impactful TEDx talk, and I'll share key insights on effective public speaking. Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion that promises to enlighten and inspire.

Conscious Living and Dying with Dr. Aditi Sethi

Welcome to Twice 5 Miles Radio! I'm your host, James Navé, and today; I'm thrilled to have Nancy Colasurdo as my guest. Nancy is an acclaimed journalist, blogger, author, life coach, and creativity workshop facilitator. I first met Nancy at The Artist's Way Creativity Camp, which Julia Cameron and I produced in Taos during the late 90s and early 2000s. Since then, we've remained in touch. 

Over her 35-year career, Nancy has contributed to some of the most respected publications, including FoxBusiness.com, CNBC.com, Entrepreneur.com, Ladies' Home Journal, and Fortune.com. She has an incredible ability to connect with people and bring their stories to life, making her a captivating journalist and writer. In 2016, Nancy published her memoir, "Alive in the Sunshine," detailing her professional and spiritual journey.

 During our conversation, we dive into the art of teaching creativity, reflecting on our shared experiences at The Artist's Way camp. Nancy talks about her journey from being a sports writer/columnist at The Trenton Times to becoming a certified coach and a leader in the journalism field. We discuss her approach to coaching and how her experience in athletics has given her a unique perspective on motivation and success.

As we catch up, we touch on some thought-provoking topics, exploring how liberals and conservatives can engage in meaningful dialogue despite differing viewpoints. Nancy's balanced approach to these discussions makes for a compelling listen, challenging us to be open to new ideas while respecting differing opinions. Enjoy the show!

Creativity, Writing and Politics with journalist Nancy Colasurdo

Welcome to Twice 5 Miles Radio. I'm your host, James Navé. Today, we're joined by the talented Cameron Gregg, an actor and writer whose journey into the heart of LA's creative scene is both inspiring and instructive.

Raised in a nurturing artistic environment, Cameron Gregg is a Rutgers University alumnus with a BFA in Acting, now making waves in Los Angeles, CA. In a world that increasingly seeks authenticity and inclusivity, Cameron's dedication to embodying roles that influence societal transformation through compelling and honest storytelling is truly inspiring.

During this interview, Cameron shares insights from his early days and his evolution as an artist. We delve into the value of LEAF Global Arts, explore the challenges of breaking into TV and film, and discuss the impact of acting classes. In the middle of this interview, Cameron and I drop into a spontaneous few moments of improvisation that promises to entertain! Enjoy the show.

5miles Acting Equals Truth with actor and writer Cameron Gregg

The Perfect Suit and Others Matters of Awareness with Bill Curry

Twice 5 Miles Radio is an hour-long interview show that digs beneath the surface with people who have much of value to say and the courage to say it in these uncertain times. The show's title (Twice 5 Miles) comes Kubla Khan a poem by Samuel Taylor Coleridge. 

My background: I received my MFA in writing from Vermont College and have memorized over 500 poems. I broadcast a weekly podcast on WPVM-FM titled On the Road with Twice 5 Miles Radio.  I have taught writing, creativity, performance poetry, and public speaking around the globe, including a 10-day international school residency in Nouakchott, Mauritania. I co-founded Twice 5 Miles Publishing, a boutique Taos/Asheville based press that produces useful books like How to Read for an Audience, How to Edit and Be Edited, and How to Teach a Workshop, www.Twice5Miles.com. 3A: A Taos Press plans to publish my current poetry project titled The Hundred Days in early 2021. www.JamesNave.com

James Navé / Twice 5 Miles Radio

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