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, your host for Twice 5 Miles Radio. I'm pleased to welcome Hannah G. Williams to the microphone. Hannah is a digital native and Gen Z CEO advisor. That's why she's the perfect person to discuss the nuances of understanding Gen Z digital natives.

I got to know Hannah recently because she was a candidate for the February 2022 TEDxAsheville event. I was on the selection committee and had the opportunity to review the videos she submitted for consideration. Upon viewing Hannah's video, it took me less than a minute to realize she was perfect for the TEDx stage.  

In her video, Hannah, 24, explained that she was the CEO of a successful consulting business that focused on helping commercial and nonprofit organizations develop long-term strategies for recruiting and retaining top-level Gen Z candidates.  

Starting at age 12, Hannah has devoted a decade to studying how American business relates to her generation. So, for example, it would well serve a 50-year-old CEO to understand that digital natives thrive in non-traditional learning environments in the digital space, like Khan Academy. 

Hannah's primary goal is to encourage people to communicate across generational bridges. Hannah believes that while each generation has its point of view, all generations have much in common, like they need to understand each other across the ages. So whether you're an analog native, digital migrant, or digital native, Hannah's insights in this conversation will help you understand how we're all in this together. 

During our interview, Hannah gave me a little test about paying my bills as a non-digital native. How did I do? Listen in and find out.  

Meanwhile, in closing, while I was writing this blog, I started wondering what if First Lieutenants in the US Army might be Gen-Z's.  It turns out the average 25 is the average age of a First Lieutenant, and 28 is the average of a Captain. How about that? Enjoy the show.

Understanding Gen-Z with digital native and  Gen-Z CEO advisor  Hannah G. Williams

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 James Navé (www.jamesnave.com) welcomes master musicians Julia Thornton and Don Kirkpatrick (www.yoursacredunion.com) to the microphone. The title of this show is Love In the Time of Play. 
 
A few months ago, Julia and Don crossed my path when we were guests panelists at a (Zoom) storytelling conference. We’d been invited to discuss how the power dynamics between men and women inform the storytelling process. As you might imagine, it was a relatively rich topic that Julia and Don were well-suited to discuss because they used generous love to frame their exploration of the power dynamics between men and women.  
 
After the conference was over, Julia, Don, and I decided to get together for a Zoom visit, just for fun. Our conversation quickly moved to how they coach people around strategies for better relationships. They explained they use much of their professional musical sense of rhythm and harmony in their coaching services for people who come to them. 

They spoke about their ideas around how playing music and healthy functional relationships have much in common. They pointed out that the spirit play is the essential ingredient for both relationships and music. 
 
In this conversation, they illustrate this relationship between music and play by describing the big arena shows they perform in with Rod Stewart. Julia has played the harp and percussion for Mr. Stewart for ten years, and Don has been playing lead electric guitar for twenty years. 

They fell in love on one of the long tours that lasted months. They talk about how their love and subsequent marriage brought a playful love vibe on the stage and the road. 

 Julia and Don are going back out on the road for a spring and summer 2022 tour. If you go to YouTube (https://youtu.be/OOfkDWapW5k), you can watch Julia and Don demonstrate playful love as they play a big show with Rod Stewart - Live at the Fillmore, Miami, February 2022. 

 If you’ve had questions about how you can enjoy your relationships more, Julia and Don will answer your questions. Remember, love and being in love can offer you much. Enjoy the show.

Love in the Time of Play with master musicians Julia Thornton & Don Kirkpatrick

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

Welcome to another episode of Twice 5 Miles Radio. I'm your host, James Navé. Remember when a conversation sparked your imagination?  That happened when I met Holly McCann at a literary reading at Malaprop's Bookstore in Asheville, North Carolina.  As soon as she mentioned she was rethinking leadership in today's ever-evolving business landscape, I had many questions. So, I invited her to the Twice 5 Miles Radio microphone.

Holly is a whole systems visionary who's had her boots on the ground in practically every aspect of business leadership. She's been a corporate lawyer, an executive, an entrepreneur, and a solopreneur. Through these roles, she's been on a quest to redefine what leadership means—from the inside out. Imagine a world where leadership is less about grabbing power from external sources and more about tapping into our inner strength, deeply rooted in the natural world. Holly calls it Sovereign Unity—leading from a place of wholeness, abundance, and a heartfelt connection with ourselves, each other, and the planet.

In today's episode, we will dive deep into this paradigm shift. Holly's work is an invitation to imagine—and to act on—a world that thrives on mutual respect, purpose, and sustainable success. Enjoy the show.

Understanding Leadership with whole systems visionary Holly McCann

Welcome to a brand-new episode of Twice 5 Miles Radio. I'm your host, James Navé. Today, we're diving deep with Lyn Rothman, a literary talent I met in our Imaginative Storm Saturday writing group. Lyn's prose, as did her knack for weaving keen observations into vivid storytelling, caught my attention immediately. Beyond her talents as a writer, Lyn has lived an extraordinary life, deeply involved in Hollywood's film community from the 1970s to the present day. In this episode, we explore her groundbreaking work as the founder of The Parkinson's Appeal for DBS and discuss her memorable journey to a film festival hosted by Imelda Marcos in Manila. Don't miss this captivating discussion.

Lyn Rothman is a Contributing Editor for Art Review and a Board Member of the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

What Stories Do I Tell? with memorist Lyn Rothman

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 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. I'm trying something new this week: featuring two incredible guests in one special hour-long show. Our guests are the dynamic spoken word artist Jessica Chilton and the insightful musician Walter Parks. Both of their interviews ran longer than expected, and instead of tossing the conversations that happened after each interview, I'm including them in this show. Find out what we say after the interview is over and we think the mic is turned off. 

First, we have Jessica Chilton, who joined us last week and left us wanting more. Jessica, a gifted spoken word artist and expressive arts therapist, brings a unique blend of singing and improvisational artistry that captivates audiences. In our conversation, Jessica turned the tables and interviewed me, creating a lively dialogue about improvisational work and the creative process.  

Following Jessica, we dive into a fascinating discussion with Walter Parks. Walter is a renowned musician known for his distinctive use of guitars and amplifiers. Broadcasting from his recording studio in Saint Louis, Walter offers an in-depth look at how he pairs amplifiers with different kinds of music to create unique sonic landscapes. His take on distortion as a pivotal element in musical artistry is particularly intriguing.  

This episode, "The After Interview Show," is a testament to the richness that can come from extended conversations. Jessica's profound connection to the arts and Walter's technical mastery of music provide an inspiring and informative dual narrative. Enjoy the show.

After Interviews with spoken-word artist Jessica Chilton and singer-songwriter Walter Parks

Welcome to Twice 5 Miles Radio; I'm your host, James Navé. Today, I'm delighted to introduce Terra Dyer Gill, an intuitive healer who recently attended my writing workshop at the Lake Eden Retreat. Afterward, we engaged in a profound conversation about the interconnectedness of every particle on Earth, including humans, as cells within a greater whole.

In his poem "Fiddler Jones," Edgar Lee Masters writes, "The Earth Keeps some vibration going / there in your heart, and that is you." Terra and I explore this concept, discussing the relationship between the vibrations throbbing within us and those emanating from the Earth. Terra shares her insights on how understanding our internal vibrations can help us align with the universal vibrations surrounding us.

The question, "Where do I belong?" powers our conversation, offering reflections and revelations. Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion on finding your place in the universal symphony of vibrations. Enjoy the show.

The Earth's Vibrations with intuitive healer Terra Dyer Gill

Welcome to Twice 5 Miles Radio. I'm your host, James Navé. Today, I’m going solo with my thoughts on how poetry changes life. In this episode, you’ll hear me perform poems that have shaped my thinking over the years. You’ll discover why a line of verse my mother recited to me when I was a boy continues to be my north star to this day.

Traveling and being on the road have been constants in my life. Sometimes I’ve loved the journey; other times, I’ve wondered why I’m driving through a storm in Tennessee. In this show, you’ll hear a few of my poems, including "The Road" and "The Tulsa Pool Player."
Dylan Thomas makes an appearance with "Fern Hill"—or rather, I show up performing "Fern Hill," a poem I memorized in 1985 while spending two weeks at a Tibetan Buddhist center in the south of France. I touch on environmental themes with my poem "The Bug," followed by Elizabeth Bishop’s "The Fish."

I also perform a longer piece by Charles Wright titled "The Lonesome Pine Special." I love performing this poem because it reminds me of how much work I have to do to reach Wright’s level of mastery. There’s a good reason why Charles Wright was the 2014 U.S. Poet Laureate.

I close the show with a poem about a jazz band and a touch of love. Overall I enjoyed making this episode, and I hope you enjoy listening to "How Poetry Changes Life."

Poems That influence Me with poet  and Twice 5 Miles Radio host James Navé

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

Q: Who Would Envy You? 
A: Bruce Springsteen 

Last month, I had coffee with my friend Gareth Higgins at Recess Coffee in Black Mountain, North Carolina. As we settled in, I mentioned I’d been exploring ChatGPT. Gareth smiled and said, “Let me show you something ChatGPT can do that’ll surprise you.”

Then he leaned into his phone and dictated: List 10 notable writers or poets who would be envious of James Navé and explain why.

If you’ve ever used ChatGPT, you know what happened next—within seconds, it generated the list along with a paragraph for each one. 

While a few responses were predictable, the overall experience was oddly fascinating. It got me thinking about the lens of self-worth, creative admiration, and the power of imaginative comparison.

Yesterday, I tried Gareth’s idea out as a prompt during our Thursday Imaginative Storm Zoom workshops. List 5 to 10 people you admire. Then, write for 10 minutes about why they would envy you. Give it a spin. 

I chose Bruce Springsteen. Here’s what I wrote.

Bruce Springsteen, you envy me because I can be invisible whenever and wherever I want, wherever I go, walking through the promised land across the Rainbow Bridge. 

Bruce, I like the way you look straight out. You envy me because I can see the edges. I dwell in the fall from grace as much as the rise from grace. I'm not troubled with old sheep wandering in dry pastures. 

I have a voice that calls my mama from the grave. No, I'm no karmic child, nor am I a fleeting-moments Buddhist. I am oil and dusty windows. 

Bruce, you envy me because unlike you, I'm from the rugged south, down in the heartland where rocks have accents and children grow up to sing in Nashville. 

Bruce, you are from New Jersey—Land of steel, forest, factories, and “made-men” on corners in Jersey City. I am a creature of things that crawl in old gold heat. I know the runners that pull the cargo up the inland waterway and fly twin-engine planes out of Cuba, or they used to. 

Bruce, I know you know people, too. Do I envy you? Sure, I envy you. I've heard you weep over your piano. You envy me because nobody expects me to weep over my piano. Those who know me expect me to rise up like magic wind. 

Bruce, you envy me because I can talk to age, and time, and the coming years. I belong to the invisible Bruce. I can call up sometime, anytime I want. You can call me sometime, too. 

Let's meet in Virginia, south on I-95 just below Washington, DC. How about it, Bruce?

Bruce Springsteen Envies Me by James Navé

Welcome to Twice 5 Miles Radio. I’m your host, James Navé. Today, I sit down with my longtime friend Walter Parks for a wide-ranging conversation about art, politics, messaging, community, and the future of civic discourse in America.

Recorded in the solarium of the historic Mountain Stream lodge at Lake Eden Retreat—once the administrative heart of Black Mountain College—our conversation unfolds in the spirit of that legendary institution: curious, fearless, and open-hearted.

Walter and I explore how liberal and conservative ideologies have drifted so far apart—and how we might begin to bridge that divide through artful messaging, shared values, and the courage to claim common ground.

Together, we ask: What if patriotism belonged to everyone, not just one side? What if inclusion could be framed not as a threat but as a strength? Can we rethink “woke” not as a weaponized label but as a declaration of creative aliveness?

From the symbolic power of flags to the manipulative genius of Edward Bernays, the father of public relations, and the role of creativity as a survival tool, we delve into the roots of narrative, perception, and identity. We envision a new kind of gathering at Lake Eden Retreat in Swannanoa, NC —one that welcomes all voices, resists tribalism, and fosters deep, productive conversations. Join us.

Why We Must Stay in the Creative Game with Walter Parks and James Navé

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

In this episode, I speak with musician, educator, and LEAF Global Arts programming director Melissa McKinney, who shares the remarkable story of how music has shaped every corner of her life. From running a music school in West Virginia to starting over in Asheville, and her involvement with LEAF Global Art. Melissa’s journey is one of courage, reinvention, and the power of community.

We discuss her daughter’s band, The Change, and how their 2016 performance at LEAF led to a deep involvement with the organization.

Melissa reflects on the challenges of leaving a conservative environment, rediscovering her voice, and building new roots through music and mentorship.

She shares stories of Kinsey, a beloved student whose life and song, “Laugh, Love, Live,” continue to inspire children across Buncombe County—and Melissa’s creative path. We also explore what it means to “step into your power,” honor your voice and lead through authenticity.

Tune in for a moving conversation about creativity, healing, and living a life in tune with your deepest values.

Rooted in Rhythm with Melissa McKinney

Three 10-minute pieces of writing generated by James Navé at an Imaginative Storm Writing Retreat at the Estelle Retreat Center in La Vita, Colorado,

Poetic News From La Veta, Colorado with James Navé

The Slow Burn of a Beautiful Dream with Jennifer Peterson

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

In this episode, I speak with Jennifer Peterson, founder of the Estelle Center for Creative Arts in La Veta, Colorado (https://estellecreativearts.com/).

Jennifer shares how a dream seeded by her grandmother's artistic spirit evolved into a vibrant retreat center for women to explore creativity, build community, and work with their hands. 

We talk about the emotional power of quilting, the quiet transformation that happens during a five-day retreat, and how making art becomes a way to live with more grace, connection, and resilience. Jennifer’s story is a masterclass in patience, purpose, and creative leadership.

Whether you’re a fiber artist, a retreat leader, or someone yearning to carve out creative time in a busy life, you’ll find inspiration here. Jennifer reminds us: you don’t have to know exactly how your dream will unfold—you just have to let it live long enough to find its form.

Listen in and discover how one woman’s quiet dream turned into a movement of creative restoration.

The Slow Burn of a Beautiful Dream with Jennifer Peterson

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

In this episode, we begin with Leandro Reyes, Manila’s dynamic “Basyang Kid”—a spoken-word artist who channels a century-old literary legacy into powerful performances, poetic craft, and cultural community-building. From open mic stages across Makati to the pages of Postscript Magazine, 

Leandro honors the legacy of his great-grandfather, Severino “Lola Basyang” Reyes—the iconic playwright and “Father of Tagalog Zarzuela”—while forging his own bold new path. His debut poem, “Sugarcoats,” contemplates loss with quiet precision, and his work in theater and advocacy reveals a deep devotion to Filipino artistry and imagination.

Then we travel from Manila to Taos for a conversation I recorded a few years ago with Ocean Vuong, bestselling author of On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous and his current novel, The Emperor of Gladness, published on May 13, 2025.  Ocean was in Northern New Mexico for the Taos Poetry Festival, and we sat down to talk about poetry, language, loss, and what it means to carry beauty and grief in the same breath.

To close the show, I offer a short writing workshop—an invitation called “A Long Look at Yourself.” It’s a simple, powerful practice in awareness and emotional truth, designed to help you connect with your voice and see your own story in a fresh light.

Whether you're a writer, a listener, or someone simply curious about the human spirit, I hope this episode offers you something to carry with you.

A Long Look at Yourself with poets Leandro Reyes and Ocean Vuong

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. This week, I sit down with Erinn Hartley, Executive Director of LEAF Global Arts, for a dynamic conversation on creativity, cultural exchange, and the power of the arts. Erinn shares stories from LEAF's renowned festivals, international cultural programs, and its impactful educational initiatives, LEAF Schools and Streets.

From teaching theater in Asheville's public housing to life-changing cultural journeys abroad, Erinn illustrates how LEAF connects communities and inspires creative growth. As LEAF celebrates 30 years, we also discuss the upcoming book, Live Life Like a Festival, co-authored by Jennifer Pickering, Lauren Breher, and me.

Please tune in to discover how LEAF Global Arts empowers us all to live creatively, courageously, and festively.

Twice 5 Miles Radio airs weekly on WPVM FM, Asheville, and KCEI FM Cultural Energy Radio, Taos.

Live Life Like a Festival with Erinn Hartley

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

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

Yours truly James Navé welcomes poet, writer, and author of The Artist's Way Julia Cameron to the Twice 5 Miles Radio microphone.  In this timely conversation Julia and I had a couple of summers ago, Julia discusses the many useful tools you'll find throughout her bestselling book The Artist's Way.  She talks at length about the value of Morning Pages and how to take yourself on an Artist Date. The Artist's Way has sold millions of copies over the last 26 years. What does it take to get rid of creative blocks and get on your Artist's Way?  Tune in and hear what Julia Cameron has to say.  Join me for a 6-week Artist's Way Workshop in Asheville, Tuesdays, October 23-November 27, 2018.  Near Asheville? Join us, I'd love to have you in the class.

The Artist's Way, a podcast with Julia Cameron

Twice 5 Miles Radio welcomes Susan Walters-Minker and Alan Minker to the Microphone.  Have you ever wondered the term Conscious Capitalism means?  Well, wonder no more, in this conversation Susan and Alan unpack Conscious Capitalism for us.  Here's the Conscious Capitalism credo which will warm you up for this conversation.  “We believe that business is good because it creates value, it is ethical because it is based on voluntary exchange, it is noble because it can elevate our existence and it is heroic because it lifts people out of poverty and creates prosperity. Free enterprise capitalism is the most powerful system for social cooperation and human progress ever conceived. It is one of the most compelling ideas we humans have ever had. But we can aspire to even more.”

Explore Conscious Capitalism with Susan and Alan Walters-Minker

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.

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