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

Twice 5 Miles Radio, hosted by James Navé, welcomes two-time Grammy Award nominee singer-songwriter Eliza Gilkyson to the microphone. Songs From the River Wind is the title of this show and the title of Eliza’s latest record.  

Eliza has twenty-five records to her credit, starting in 1969 with Eliza '69 and continuing with Songs From the River Wind in 2022. 

Since Eliza and I live in Taos, I recently visited her for dinner and her husband, Bob Jensen, and my creative collaborator Allegra Huston. 
The dinner conversation ranged from life on the road as a touring musician, old Taos adobe houses, the ins and outs of teaching songwriting compared to teaching poetry, and, of course, the state of the world. 

After dinner, we strolled across the field in Eliza’s backyard, walking and talking on what seemed like the roof of the world under the dusk darkening star popping sky. 

When we left, Eliza offered me her CD, Songs from the River Wind, which I happily took and immediately started playing in my car CD player. Yes, my car has a CD player. While it’s a bit retro, it certainly does the job with Eliza’s lovely songs. 

Of course, you can also listen to all of Eliza’s musical work on YouTube and other digital platforms. Speaking of listening, enjoy this interview and all that Eliza has to say.

Songs From the River Wind with singer-songwriter Eliza Gilkyson

Welcome to Twice 5 Miles Radio. I’m your host James Navé. Today, please welcome poet, activist, and storyteller Robert McDowell to the microphone. You’ll get the sense you’re eavesdropping when you listen to this conversation. Who are you? Robert and I dive into the role writers and poets play in modern culture. Robert points out that Emily Dickinson tells us to tell the truth and tell it slant. Robert suggests the best way to understand people is to get close, listen, and ask questions. Robert and I discuss how poetry can help us discover how to answer the question who are you? Robert tells us that Emily Dickinson gives us some clues that will support your search. 

Robert is known for his dynamic talks, transformative keynote addresses, and stimulating workshops that awaken the visionary doer in each of us, inspiring deeper listening and evolving consciousness of life’s diverse spectrum. Robert’s compassionate story-and-poem–telling clears obstacles, opens windows, and encourages more effective communication in personal relationships and at the office.

"Who Are You?," with poet, activist, and storyteller Robert McDowell

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 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. 

Today, I’m excited to introduce you to poet and educator Cynthia Shumacher, who, at 95, is still actively writing and publishing. Cynthia’s latest works, "Polished Stones" and "Soul Flowers" reveal her masterful ability to convey the emotions we all feel but often struggle to express. Through a carefully crafted combination of words, she paints a relatable and refreshing picture of the human experience.

Our conversation touches not only on her poetic journey but also on her deep commitment to education. A career teacher for 33 years, Cynthia has been a champion of student empowerment and was even briefly fired in the 1960s for her courageous activism during the civil rights movement. Her insights into poetry, teaching, and the power of language are a testament to her lifelong dedication to both the arts and social justice.

In this episode, I’ve paired my interview with Cynthia with a past conversation I had with poet Ocean Vuong. Together, their perspectives bridge generations and remind us of poetry's timelessness.

Join us for a rich discussion that spans history, poetry, and education.

The Poetics Of Education with author and educator Cynthia Shumacher

Welcome to Twice 5 Miles Radio. I’m your host, James Navé. This week, we’re joined for a fourth time by poet, teacher, and podcaster Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer, a devoted practitioner of daily poetry for nearly two decades. 

Together, we explore what it means to Rosemerry to “live poetry.”  She speaks to the soul-deepening practice of poetry as a way of experiencing life in its fullness—a delicate dance of grief, joy, curiosity, and acceptance.

We discuss her philosophy on self-compassion, how poetry tunes us into the subtleties of our bodies, and why even moments of struggle or uncertainty can be creative openings. For Rosemerry, the poetic journey is one of constant exploration, where even the smallest moments offer potential. “What if we treated our bodies like our poetry?” she asks, drawing an illuminating parallel between artistic and personal growth.

This episode also touches on the resilience of creativity—how poetry can serve as both a witness and a response to life’s most significant challenges, including Rosemary’s journey through profound loss. Through poetry, she reveals the layers of emotion we all carry and how the written word can connect us to the shared experience of being human.

Join us as we journey through Rosemarie’s philosophy and poetry's remarkable capacity to connect, comfort, and awaken us to the beauty of everyday moments.

Self-Compassion and the Poetic Heart with Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer

Welcome to Twice 5 Miles Radio, where the art of conversation thrives. I'm your host, James Navé, and I'm delighted to welcome back my guest, Paul O'Connor—a celebrated photographer, sculptor, and visual artist who calls Taos home. Paul's work has left an indelible mark on the art world, and his latest performative book, Taos Portraits: Volume Two, is no exception.

In this episode, we dive deep into the making of this extraordinary book, a collection of 60 black-and-white portraits that capture the essence of Taos's vibrant artistic community. Paul's lens reveals a striking truth: art is a collective experience, and every wrinkle, every story, holds a place in the mosaic of creativity.

We explore Paul's intuitive process, his passion for honoring his subjects, and the meticulous craftsmanship that goes into creating an art book of this caliber. Paul's first volume of Taos Portraits, now a collector's item valued at over $1,000, set the stage for this second installment, which he calls "an enduring art piece."

Because Paul features my portrait in his book, during this conversation, I reflect on what it means to be part of this community—an honor shared by many who have shaped Taos's creative spirit.

Our conversation touches on the wrinkles of time, the celebration of maturity in a youth-driven culture, and the stories behind the faces that define Taos. Recorded across the globe—me in Manila, Paul in Crete—we find ourselves grounded in the universal language of art and storytelling.

If you've ever wondered what it takes to create a high-end art book or how an artist turns intuition into legacy, this episode is for you. Mark your calendars for June 6, 2025, when Paul will officially launch Taos Portraits: Volume Two at the Taos Community Auditorium. Until then, please tune in for an inspiring dialogue about art, life, and the wrinkles that make us who we are. Enjoy the show.

Looking for the Wrinkles with photographer and Taos Portraits' publisher Paul O'Conner

I'm James Navé with The Imaginative Storm Writing Project. Today, I’m delighted to perform “A Visit from St. Nicholas” by Clement Clarke Moore—more commonly known as 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. Moore (1779–1863) was a writer, scholar, and professor of Oriental and Greek literature, as well as a philanthropist and land developer. His poem is widely credited with shaping American Christmas traditions. 



Does Santa look like this?

"He had a broad face and a little round belly 
That shook when he laughed, like a bowl full of jelly. 
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf, 
 And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself."

One of my fondest memories of this poem is watching poet Allan Wolf, during the Asheville Poetry Slam in December 1992, wrap himself in flashing Christmas lights and spin wildly while performing it. 

One of my fondest memories of this poem is watching poet Allan Wolf, during the Asheville Poetry Slam in December 1992, wrap himself in flashing Christmas lights and spin wildly while performing it. 

Though I’ve never donned Christmas lights myself, I’ve always loved how the poem’s rhyming narrative bounces along. Some performers punch the rhymes, but I prefer understating them and letting the story carry you through. Enjoy!

A Visit From Saint Nicholas by Clement Clarke Moore performed by James Navé

Welcome to Twice 5 Miles Radio, where the art of conversation thrives. I'm your host, James Navé. Kelly Pasholk, the talented book designer and creative writing facilitator, is joining me today. Kelly brings a unique blend of artistry and expertise to every project she touches, and she's here to share the fascinating journey behind Taos Portraits II, a visually stunning art book capturing 60 prominent Taos artists through the lens of photographer Paul O'Connor.

In the first part of our conversation, Kelly recounts the intricate process of creating Taos Portraits II, from conceptualizing the book to watching the first pages roll off the presses in a specialized printing house in China. We also delve into plans for the book's grand launch event, scheduled for June 6, 2025, in Taos—a celebration we hope will be the highlight of the summer, leaving attendees with unforgettable memories.

In the interview's second half, Kelly offers invaluable insights into book publishing. With decades of experience in graphic arts and a passion for nurturing creativity, she discusses her unique 10-day intensive retreats in Taos, where aspiring authors develop a committed writing process and leave with the tools and momentum to bring their stories to life.

Kelly's story reflects her deep commitment to helping others shine, whether through the pages of an art book or personalized creative services. From her early days in the printing industry to building her solar-powered home in Taos, she's a testament to the transformative power of creativity and craftsmanship.

This engaging and comfortable conversation offers a wealth of inspiration for anyone passionate about storytelling, publishing, or the creative process. Tune in to hear Kelly's wisdom, anecdotes, and plans for one of the Taos' most anticipated summer 2025 art events. Enjoy the show.

Crafting Legacy: The Making of Taos Portraits II with book designer Kelly Pasholk

Welcome to Twice 5 Miles Radio. I’m your host, James Navé. My guest today is the extraordinary Jessie Kanelos Weiner—painter, illustrator, author, and stand-up comedian—who has built a creative life in Paris. We first met at a writing workshop years ago and recently reconnected to discuss her evolving artistic journey.

Jessie is known for her stunning watercolors, illustrating for Vogue, The New Yorker, and luxury brands like Cartier and Fragonard. She co-authored Paris in Stride, a beautifully illustrated guidebook that helps visitors experience the city like a local.

She’s also a stand-up comedian who performs in both English and French, navigating the cultural nuances of humor in two languages.

In this conversation, we discuss the joys and challenges of life as an expat artist in Paris—finding inspiration, adjusting to the city’s rhythm, and balancing creative work with personal life. Join us for a rich discussion about reinvention, artistry, and making a home in a foreign land.

Painting Paris: Jessie Kanelos Warner on Watercolors, Words, and Parisian Dreams

Welcome to Twice 5 Miles Radio. I'm your host, James Navé, and today, I'm going solo, reflecting on the four months I've spent in Manila from October 2024 to March 2025.

The title Manila Is An Acquired Taste comes from something I've heard repeatedly: "Give it time." At first, I wasn't sure how to do that. Manila travel is an experience like no other—life in Manila is fast-paced, unpredictable, and filled with cultural contrasts. A city of 14 million people, 100,000 scooters on the highway, and traffic that turns a five-mile drive into an hour-long journey, Manila demands patience. But beneath the surface, I've found something else: a deep under-layer of Manila culture, humor, and human connection.

In this episode, I share stories of expats in Manila adjusting to this dynamic city, my visit to Subic Bay, a sandwich-eating monkey, a war journalist, and the spoken word poetry scene that thrives here. This podcast on Manila is my way of making sense of it all—maybe, after all, I've acquired the taste. Enjoy the show 


Manila Is An Acquired Taste a field report from James Navé

In this episode of Twice 5 Miles Radio, I speak with Rev. Barbara Lane, author of Broken Water, a memoir of childhood trauma, foster care, and reunion with the sisters she was separated from at age three. Barbara’s story is both heartbreaking and healing—a journey through abandonment and abuse into the power of love, memory, and inner resilience.

We talk about how the light of the divine lives in each of us, even in the darkest moments. Barbara shares how the Grovian coaching method and symbolic metaphor can open new paths to healing. Her work is grounded in the belief that you're not what happened to you—you are the story you choose to live now.

If you've ever felt weighed down by the past, this conversation offers „a way through. A reminder that even if the water breaks, it still flows—and you’re still here.

Learn more about Barbara's work at www.barbaralane.info.
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Rev. Barbara Lane: Broken Water—Power of Metaphor

Today on the show, I'm pleased to welcome Donald Graham, an internationally acclaimed photographer whose portraits, landscapes, and stories span the globe—from high fashion in Paris to mountain lions prowling the wilds of Taos, New Mexico.

Don's work is housed in collections at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the International Center of Photography, and his black-and-white portrait book "One of a Kind" has garnered over 40 international awards.

We met by chance at an after-party in Taos and found ourselves deep in conversation about photography, light, and the animals that roam his high desert land. That moment led to this interview. In our conversation, 

Don takes us from the glamour of Vogue shoots in Paris to the quiet solitude of waiting for a bear to appear on a trail cam. 

We discuss photography as an act of presence, empathy, and uncovering stories behind the eyes of a subject. He offers technical insights, soulful reflections, and a few hard-earned truths about making a life in the arts.

So pour a cup of coffee, settle in, and join me for this intimate and far-reaching conversation with a man who's spent his life pointing a lens at the world—and seeing what most of us miss.

The Photographer's Lens with Donald Graham

Welcome to Twice 5 Miles Radio. I'm your host, James Navé.

On today's show, I'm joined by Michelle Vandepas, founder of GracePoint Publishing, TEDx speaker, and book coach to bestselling authors such as Brian Tracy and Jack Canfield. Michelle has published over a thousand books, but what sets her apart is her deep belief in the transformative power of creativity and voice.

In this rich conversation, we dive into the mechanics and mysteries of publishing—what it means to shape your story, find your voice, and deliver a book with soul.

Michelle pulls back the curtain on the publishing industry, revealing common pitfalls and how to avoid them, and she shares her philosophy on how authenticity, strategy, and—yes—even impatience can become your greatest creative assets.

After our conversation, I read an excerpt from my memoir-in-progress, written by hand in my Taos studio, a reflection that loops together moonlight, country music, and marble statues from the Louvre.

If you've ever wondered how your voice becomes a book—or how a memory becomes meaning—you'll want to settle in for this one. Twice 5 Miles Radio—original, curious, and always on the road to somewhere.


The Power of Publishing with Michelle Vanderpass

Welcome to Twice 5 Miles Radio. I'm your host, James Navé. Today, I'm joined by Juliet Ewing, a dynamic jazz vocalist whose journey from Broadway stages to intimate New York jazz clubs is as lyrical as the songs she sings.
'
A classically trained musical theater performer, Juliet speaks candidly about creativity, joy, and the art of telling the truth through song. We dive deep into her transformation from touring musicals like Crazy for You and Footloose to developing her sold-out cabaret "Rise Up Singing: The Music of George Gershwin," now culminating in her upcoming album Simply'S Wonderful.

Juliet unpacks the layers of perfectionism, the power of storytelling in music, and how Gershwin's lyrics still break hearts a century later. We talk rehearsal, spontaneity, roses, and the jazz of living well. Juliet's voice—clear, radiant, intelligent—carries more than a tune. Her voice carries a lifetime of artistic devotion, grit, and joy. If you've ever wondered where the magic lives in a song, this conversation will bring you home.

Lyrics Come First with Juliet Ewing on music, meaning, and Gershwin

Welcome to Provocative Conversations from Twice 5 Miles Radio. I’m your host, James Navé.  Today’s guest is PJ Ewing—a longtime friend, brilliant digital marketer, skilled podcast host of Lester the Nightfly, and one of the most thoughtful audio engineers I know.

This wide-ranging conversation explores the evolving intersection of sound, artificial intelligence, and American culture. From podcasting to tech ethics, it’s a deep dive into our digital future.

PJ and I dig into what makes good audio, the shifting podcasting landscape, how media influences identity, and whether we as a species can survive the next 400 years.

From the 1960’s Gunsmoke TV series to AI, from Alaska community radio to Malcolm Gladwell’s take on gun culture, we examine the deep questions—and share a few laughs along the way.

You’ll come away with fresh insights on creativity, society, and the risks we’re all taking to build whatever’s next.

Key Topics Covered in the Interview
The importance of high-quality audio in podcasting
Tips and gear for DIY podcasting (mics, software, editing tools)
Niche podcasting vs. general interviews
Podcast recommendations (including 20,000Hz, Pivot, Hard Fork, StarTalk)
PJ’s shift away from political media
Malcolm Gladwell and the cultural influence of Gunsmoke
Personal reflections on American gun culture
Local community resilience post-Hurricane Helene
The case for city-states over large national governments
Speculative futures: AI, gene editing, alien contact
Cultural evolution and the crisis of masculinity
Whether humanity can survive the next 400 years
The dual nature of capitalism as destructive and innovative

Aliens Are Coming: PJ Ewing on technology, culture, and the American Mind

Welcome to Provocative Conversations from Twice 5 Miles Radio; I’m your host, James Navé. What happens when a bullied 12-year-old finds her voice through a school talent show poem—and never looks back? In this powerful episode of Twice 5 Miles Radio, I sit down with Alabama-born poet E. Bailey, a rising star in the national slam poetry scene, who will be competing at this year’s LEAF Poetry Slam Championships.
Over 40 minutes, E. Bailey walks us through her poetic journey—from being mentored by a traveling poetry dad to self-publishing her first book at 15, to discovering the raw intimacy of slam poetry. Baileydoesn’t just write poems—she does poetry. She performs it, embodies it, lives it.
Her stories are vulnerable, electric, and deeply human: navigating trauma, small-town isolation, early grief, and ultimately, transformation. Whether she’s reading her two-part piece “Bad Girl / Bad Girl Becomes Woman” or reflecting on slam as a spiritual awakening, E. Bailey speaks forcefully, without hesitation.
The second half of the episode includes I  reflect on my own poetic evolution—growing into the craft later in life, the origins of the LEAF Slam, and what it means to say something true on the page and on the stage.
This is a show about poetry as survival, as connection, and as reclamation. Whether you’re 13 or 97, a seasoned poet or someone just starting out, this episode is an invitation to step through the door and speak your truth.
Tune in, take a breath, and let E. Bailey catch yo with your guard down.

Bad Girl Write Poetry with spoken word poet E. Bailey

Welcome to Provocative Conversations from Twice 5 Miles Radio; I’m your host, James Navé.  
In this episode, I speak with Schree Chavdarov, Global Engagement Director of LEAF Global Arts, about solidarity, resilience, and the healing power of culture. From the devastation of Hurricane Helene in Western North Carolina to grassroots programs across El Salvador, Rwanda, and Kenya, Schree shows how art keeps communities alive when everything else is broken.
She shares her own extraordinary story of surviving a rare, life-threatening parasite—an experience that deepened her understanding of resilience and solidarity.

We also discuss how drumming, storytelling, and preserving languages become pathways to healing, hope, and identity for young people worldwide.

Together, we reflect on what it means to live fully in challenging times: to welcome others, to share culture, to keep creating even when resources are scarce. This conversation reminds us that art is not a luxury—it is a lifeline.

Global Language of Resilience with Schree Chavdarov, LEAF Global Arts

What the Wind Whispers 
—James Navé

Forever 
and without trouble, 
I start now. 
No force 
or struggle,
swimming along, 
no knots. 

I tap at your door. 
Will you join me? 

Let's go down 
the willow path, 
past the old trees 
that understand, 
troubled yesterdays 

When the dance 
comes in time, without 
the will of fierce wind,  
I will tell you about the secret
that visits me often 
coming through the window. 

Here's what the wind whispers. 
“fire will do when you crack 
the young flowers open 
in the blue whale rain 
that falls from days gone by.” 

When will I be able to say 
I belong to the rain? 
Who will check on me, 
kiss me when spring comes 
after the long cold? 

Take me to the first party 
before the sky goes white 
like old bones left alone 
on the side of a hill 
where cougars roam 
and stars pop out at dusk.

 I wish I had more time 
to tell you about 
what I did this morning, 
when I rose early, 
still dark, 
no sound—late stars in the sky. 

I walked to the kitchen, 
made a coffee, 
then sat down, alone 
like some small blue whale 
floating in the air.

What the Wind Whispers performed by James Navé

Welcome to Provocative Conversations from Twice 5 Miles Radio. I’m your host, James Navé. Today, we venture into the soul of community, tradition, and joyful expression through the lens of contra dancing, sound, and the magic of gathering. In this episode, I sit down with Ed and Tami Howe—two deeply rooted contributors to the contra dance movement and the LEAF Festival. Design, Dance, and LEAF Love

From Ed’s beginnings as a fiddler in Maine to his rise as a creative force behind the band Perpetual e-Motion, his story is steeped in sound, stagecraft, and communal uplift. Tami shares how a search for connection led her to the contra dance floor, where eye contact and shared rhythm transformed her sense of belonging.

We dive into Brookside, the epicenter of LEAF’s dance scene—a pavilion filled with movement, music, and intentional design that fosters joy and inclusiveness. We explore the art of building the dance floor, the evolving language of tradition, and the metaphorical power of crafting space where everyone feels welcome.

It’s about design meeting passion. Movement meeting grace. Mistakes becoming invitations. From the roots of Nelson, New Hampshire, to the inclusive pulse of modern festivals, contra dance has become more than a pastime—it’s a way of life.

Stay with us. This episode is a celebration of artistry, culture, resilience, and the kind of dance that brings people home to themselves.

Contra Dancing with dance visionaries Ed and Tami Howe

Let's Say Goodbye performed by James Navé
When the world rounds 
along mud bound lines
Small trees speak. 

They tell long, 
determined stories. 
Can you hear them 
in the days you inhabit? 

Wild days. Tame days. 
Hot and cold days.

Sometimes 
I'm rich
and other times 
I count the last leaves
on the thin stems 
hanging above 
strangers coming 
and going 
to work 
or from love 
or into days 
of hope that demands 
a small pay now. 

Moments of flesh 
or motorcycle dreams
or the pull and push 
of memories 
hang round 
the world as the world spins. 
As it always spins. 

I live on the long side of time
miles away from Las Vegas
miles away from the Q train
crossing the long bridge. 
=Miles away from my father's grave. 

These days the soul is silent
in the buried violence 
of bronze memories. 

Love comes and goes. 
Yes, shoes fit 
and so do shirts 
and small earrings 
fashioned by dreamers 
from New Orleans 
under the green sun. 

After the invisible wizards 
were gone out, names 
they gave in the last storm 
were remembered 
by those who could remember. 

I was there that day, 
near the Mud bound lines
under the wedding trees. 

Can you make a wish? 
A small one. 
Let's make one together. 

Touch the prayers of blackbirds.
Forget snow. 

Remember why you long 
for those distant songs.  

Why do mysteries forget
 what you try to remember. 

I have my keys. 
I have my dreams.
I'll leave soon. 
Come walk with me 
to the door, 
and let's say goodbye.

Let's Say Goodbye

Art in Times of Beauty and Chaos with Parks & Navé

Welcome to Provocative Conversations from Twice Five Miles Radio. I’m your host, James Navé. Unlike many podcast hosts who book their guests weeks in advance, I choose mine from the people I meet as I travel through my days.

The only requirement for a provocative conversation is— you guessed it— they enjoy talking about what they love: gardening, writing poetry, tracking down underground criminals in the Philippines, circling 14,000-foot Colorado peaks in a glider, singing in New York jazz clubs, self-compassion, playing the blues, and consciousness—living and dying.

So when I met my guest today, storyteller Lo Ziv, at the National Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough, Tennessee, and she told me she was a religious scholar, a progressive storyteller, and a software engineer, I unpacked my microphones and invited her to sit down and tell me about God, HTML coding, and why Artificial Intelligence will never replace our species-imperative superpower—Imaginative Intelligence.

Lo Ziv’s story is one of transformation—from ancient languages and sacred texts to the wild dance of storytelling and code. She grew up in a white evangelical military family and somehow found her way through centuries of scripture, dead languages, and a few living contradictions. Along the way, she taught in prisons in the United States and Romania, worked with children in villages, and stood in pulpits she could not yet claim.

What fascinates me most is how she carries the sacred into the everyday—how a theologian, dancer, and software engineer can look at a line of HTML or a verse of scripture and see the same divine syntax. For Lo, the imagination itself is a spiritual act, a way of remembering that the wind—like the Spirit—blows wherever it pleases.

The Divine Nature of Storytelling with Lo Ziv

In this episode, I sit down with Santa Fe entrepreneur and creative strategist David Lamb. From his family’s 150-year-old timber business in the Pacific Northwest to his work supporting Navajo weavers in New Mexico, David has spent a lifetime asking one essential question: How can we succeed in business without losing our soul?

David’s answer comes down to three deceptively simple words—Have Fun. Make Money. Do Right. Together, we explore how those principles have shaped his leadership, his philanthropy, and his sense of identity as a “Western man.” David shares stories of rebuilding after bankruptcy, of learning humility through humor, and of finding clarity by listening to what he calls the voice of the organization.

We also talk about creativity, community, and the hidden business acumen of Navajo grandmothers who run their weaving enterprises from sheep to finished rug. David reveals why he believes laughter is the foundation of resilience, why solvency is an act of stewardship, and why doing right—whether in commerce or art—is the truest measure of wealth.

This conversation is both practical and philosophical, rooted in the belief that joy, prosperity, and integrity are not separate goals but parts of a single practice.

Have Fun, Make Money, Do Right- David Lamb on ethical life and business

Welcome to Provocative Conversations from Twice 5 Miles Radio. I’m your host, James Navé, and today you’re in for something rare — a conversation where music, mastery, presence, and spiritual curiosity meet in one sweeping arc.

My guest is Deborah Domanski, the internationally acclaimed mezzo-soprano praised by The New York Times for her “luscious sound and lyrical refinement.” I met Deborah at the 2025 LEAF Festival in North Carolina, where — by pure serendipity — she ended up onstage with guitarist and longtime friend, Walter Parks. What unfolded that night was more than a performance. It was an act of instant creative communion, two artists from different worlds dropping into a shared field of presence, improvisation, and trust.

In this conversation, Deborah talks openly about what it takes to reach that level of effortless mastery — the thousands of hours of training, yes, but also the deeper practice of getting out of your own way, listening for what wants to come through, and letting the art work on you as much as you work on it.

We talk about creativity, collaboration, Monteverdi, meditation, belonging, grief, loneliness, home, and that rare moment when an artist dissolves into something larger than themselves — and brings an audience with them.

Settle in. Enjoy.

From Juilliard to The LEAF Festival with Deborah Domanski

Welcome to provocative conversations from Twice 5 Miles Radio. I'm your host, James Navé. Today I'm going solo.

In this hour-long wandering through memory, poetry, and place, I invite you into a journey that begins in Manila—fifteen million people, dense layers, and a heat that never quits—and circles outward into the deeper weather patterns of a poetic life. From Robert Frost's Dust of Snow to John Keats' On the Grasshopper and the Cricket, we explore how the natural world awakens our inherent poetic disposition, whether we realize it or not.

I take you back to my early days, hitchhiking across America, discovering the cold, haunted power of the Pacific Ocean, and then finding my younger self mirrored in Robert Frost's "Once by the Pacific." I talk about what it was like to co-found Poetry Alive in the 1980s—performing poems in gymnasiums, bringing playfulness to classrooms, and teaching thousands of students that the little things matter just as much as the big ones.

We dip into thought-beats, memorization, and why Emily Dickinson's "I'm Nobody! Who are you?" works for five-year-olds and grown-ups alike. And we venture into heavier terrain with Sharon Olds' The Food Thief, asking what poetry demands of us in a serious, complicated world.

I also read new work generated during Imaginative Storm writing sessions—pieces like Rip Curled Edge and Ivory in the Night Sky—and reflect on time passing, aging, and the themes that keep returning.

Enjoy this hour of poetry, memory, travel, performance, and the ever-present possibility that something is going to happen.

"Why Everything You Notice Matters" with James Navé

Dust of Snow by Robert Frost was a terrific poem to perform for students in grades K-3, alongside other short poems like I'm Nobody by Emily Dickinson. 

Both poems work well for children; that said, both have serious adult themes, such as identity and loneliness, which thread through many lives today.

Dust of Snow by Robert Frost

Welcome to Provocative Conversations from Twice 5 Miles Radio. I'm your host, James Navé.

 In this solo episode, I take you on a long, winding drive through the highways, backroads, and memory lanes that have shaped my life. From my grandfather’s homemade go-kart on Pine Lane to hitchhiking across America during the Vietnam years, from muscle cars in the 60s to my invisible-but-reliable Toyota Corolla, this episode explores how cars become symbols of freedom, identity, curiosity, and the mysterious pull of the road.

We travel to Manila’s swirling, murmuration-like traffic, revisit Western North Carolina in the 1950s, and ride a Chevy Suburban up the coast of West Africa hearing firsthand the story behind the Canadian Caper. Along the way, I read poems, recall teachers and preachers, and reflect on how every vehicle—fancy or humble—has carried me toward someone I needed to meet, or taught me something I needed to learn.
Ultimately, this is an episode about movement: how we get where we’re going, who we become along the way, and why the road is always calling.

Talking About Cars, and the Roads that Shape Us with poet James Navé

I wrote this poem during our Imaginative Storm Writing Prompt of the Week session. We meet every Saturday, 12-1 PM Eastern Time. 

It's a terrific gathering of writers. It's free. Join us sometime, won't you?  www.imaginativestorm.com

It’s Raining in Georgia 
written and performed by James Navé

To whisper 
requires grace 
beyond secrets,
beyond tender 
hearts.

We've all lost love, 
dropped into 
black holes, 
called out 
late in the night, 
“Love me mama.” 

Warm memories 
arrive with mosaic questions. 

I’ve lost love 
and gain love. 
Someone wrote 
a country song 
once.  

Sad thing with a small stream 
running by an old house 
where two people lived 
out their lives, no longer bright. 

Those two were Wilma and Sam 
along the road 
that goes to town, 
where a few 
stoplights dangle, 
and an ice cream shop 
sits beside a newsstand. 

This couple belongs 
in a country song. 

Yes, grace matters, 
and so do Friday 
night football games. 
Wars in the distant 
past that made 
the men who live 
in this town now 
older than 
they should be, 
when they came home 
young and hoped 
for love. 

If you write a country song, 
include me; 
add my story
to your roster. 
Make me a small part 
of something larger,

No clowns please. 

The whispers you hear 
when you dream 
belong in this song. 

Your lost loves belong in this song. 

Too many times we've wandered alone 
without the night to call our own, 
far away from where we belong. 
Too many times we wandered alone. 

Include me in your country song. 
Make a place at the table. 
When I knock, let me in. 

By the way, it’s raining in Georgia.

It's Raining in Gerogia written and performed by James Navé

Welcome to provocative conversations from Twice 5 Miles radio. I’m your host, James Navé.

Today, I’m going solo to tackle a question that has haunted every creative and aspiring entrepreneur I know: How do I make a living doing the work I truly love?

Growing up in a community where “work” meant clocking in at the factory—a feeling immortalized in Philip Levine’s powerful poem “What Work Is”—I share how I bridged into making a living as a touring performance poet without even realizing I was "working."

This episode challenges the very definition of labor, arguing that the true price of following your meaningful, artistic path is not just financial, but involves trusting your inner "sparkle" and disrupting your status quo.

Drawing on my time working with The Artist's Way author Julia Cameron, I offer a practical, eye-opening exercise for identifying your core strengths and passions, urging you to follow the questions that lead you toward your most authentic work.

I wrap up by delivering eight non-negotiable business steps for any artist or creative, reminding you that your art is a business, you are never alone, and your road—even if it's the one less traveled—is entirely your own.

Tune in to discover how you can merge your biggest ambitions with your daily actions and find the universal satisfaction that comes from hitting your creative sweet spot.

What Work Is- Making a Living in the Arts with poet James Navé

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 Others Matters of Awareness with Bill Curry

Provocative Conversations from Twice 5 Miles Radio is a podcast devoted to candid, often surprising exchanges with artists, thinkers, and cultural instigators who speak from the core. Each episode dives beneath the surface to explore the stories and questions that shape our lives.

I’m James Navé—poet, storyteller, educator, and longtime creative collaborator. With an MFA from Vermont College of Fine Arts and decades of teaching experience across the globe, I help writers and performers tap into their authentic voices through public speaking, creative writing, and the Imaginative Storm method, which I co-developed with Allegra Huston.

My most recent book, 100 Days: A Poetic Memoir After Cancer (3: A Taos Press), documents a hundred days of healing and poetic reckoning. I’m also co-author of Write What You Don’t Know and How to Read for an Audience—practical guides for anyone seeking to speak and write with more truth and power.

I’ve directed festivals, hosted literary salons, taught with Julia Cameron, and memorized over 600 poems. I still believe in the power of a well-told story, the light through stained glass, and the open road with nothing but a podcast and a windshield full of stars.

Twice Five Miles

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