James Navé here. Welcome to Twice 5 Miles Radio. In this captivating episode, we dive into the world of spoken word, poetry, and the early days of the Poetry Slam with Ray McNiece, the Poet Laureate of Cleveland Heights, Ohio, and a true legend of the Poetry Slam scene. Join us as Ray shares exclusive stories from the inception of the Poetry Slam and reminisces about his journey in the vibrant national poetry scene, which includes helping to build the Asheville poetry community into a national force. 

Not just a poet, Ray McNiece is also a gifted educator, singer-songwriter, and actor. Discover how his powerful stage presence captivates audiences, leading to standing ovations and solidifying his status as a Slam Poetry icon. Ray's multi-faceted career includes founding his educational company, Page to Stage Productions, consulting for Word Forward in Singapore, and performing in renowned theaters.

From sharing a keynote address with Robert Bly at the First Coast Writers Conference to touring Italy with Lawrence Ferlinghetti, Ray's passion for poetry knows no bounds. Tune in to Twice 5 Miles Radio and immerse yourself in the creative world of Ray McNiece, a true master of the spoken word.

Enjoy the show

The American Poetry Slam with Ray McNiece,  Poet Laureate of Cleveland Heights, Ohio.

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.

The American Poetry Slam with Ray McNiece, Poet Laureate of Cleveland Heights, Ohio.

Twice Five Miles