Welcome to Twice 5 Miles Radio with your host, James Navé. Today, we're diving deep into the world of yoga with none other than the esteemed Lillah Schwartz.

Lillah and I go way back, back to the vibrant beginnings of Asheville, North Carolina, in the early 80s. We were part of the Asheville 1000, a group of pioneers shaping the cultural landscape of this eclectic city. Back then, Lillah was just starting her journey as a yoga instructor, igniting a spark of wellness in her studio, Lighten Up Yoga, on Biltmore Avenue. Meanwhile, I was navigating the twists and turns of my own career in writing, performing, and nurturing the art scene.

Fast forward to today, and Lillah has established herself as a pillar of the Asheville community. She's not just a yoga teacher; she's a businesswoman, a community advocate, and a beacon of holistic well-being. In our conversation, we explore the transformative power of yoga, reminisce about old Asheville tales (ever heard of that gambling joint on Biltmore Avenue in the 50s?), and delve into the importance of breath in enriching our lives.

Lillah Schwartz isn't your average yoga instructor. With over four decades of experience, she's honed her craft to blend expertise with compassion, guiding students and fellow instructors toward physical vitality, emotional healing, and spiritual awakening. Her journey, marked by personal injury and profound self-discovery, fuels her dedication to sharing the profound wisdom of yoga.

Endorsed by renowned Yoga Teacher Kimberly Drye, Lillah's impact extends far beyond the yoga mat. Her book, "Healing Our Backs with Yoga," is a testament to her expertise in yoga therapy, offering solace to those seeking relief from back pain. And let's not forget her role as a trailblazer, introducing the Iyengar method to North Carolina and leading revered teacher-training initiatives for nearly two decades.

Certified by the International Association of Yoga Therapists and recognized by the National Yoga Alliance, Lillah's credentials speak volumes. But it's her unwavering commitment to her students' growth and well-being that truly sets her apart. Whether she's crafting bespoke online training programs or curating wellness courses, Lillah's mission remains clear: to enrich lives and foster transformation through the practice of yoga.

So join us on Twice 5 Miles Radio as we journey into the heart of yoga with the incomparable Lillah Schwartz. It's not just a conversation; it's an invitation to explore the depths of self-discovery and embrace the transformative power of yoga.

Don't Forget To Breathe  with master yoga teacher Lillah Schwartz

Welcome to Twice 5 Miles Radio. I'm your host, James Navé. A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of meeting Virginia Todd while she was having lunch with Davyne Dial, the director of WPVMFM radio in Asheville, where this show always airs first.

During our brief encounter, I was captivated by Virginia's unique journey in the world of radio. Virginia, who holds an amateur (Ham) Radio license and hosts a music show on WPVMFM called Spinclass, has a story that is as fascinating as it is inspiring. I knew immediately that I wanted her to share her story on Twice 5 Miles Radio, and she graciously agreed.

In this episode, we delve into Virginia's journey to becoming an amateur radio operator and the deep-seated love for radio that fuels her passion. Growing up in Asheville in the 1990s and early 2000s, she recounts how those formative years were both informative and thrilling. Virginia speaks at length about her involvement in the Asheville community as a thought leader and radio artist, emphasizing the joy and fulfillment it brings her.

Our conversation also touches on the significant role radio has played in shaping American culture, harking back to Reginald Fessenden's first radio broadcast on Christmas Eve 1906 in Brant Rock, Massachusetts. He played a Christmas song, read a Biblical passage, and serenaded his listeners with his violin. Radio continues to be a vibrant force in our lives, and we are fortunate to have it in all its evolving forms.

Join us as we explore these themes and more, celebrating the enduring magic of radio. Enjoy this engaging and enlightening conversation with Virginia Todd, a true radio enthusiast and community beacon.

\The Magic Of Radio with amateur radio operator Virginia Todd

Welcome to Twice 5 Miles Radio. I'm your host, James Navé. Today, I'm thrilled to introduce you to the remarkable London-based singer-songwriter Sarah Gillespie. I've always been fascinated by those who can seamlessly blend songwriting and singing, and my conversation with Sarah was nothing short of inspiring.

In this episode, we dive deep into the essence of creativity and the unwavering determination it requires. Sarah shares her insights on discovering that inner certainty and how it can drive your creative pursuits forward. She believes in the power of intentionally getting lost and embracing unfamiliar territories to amplify creative efforts. We also explore the intriguing concept of "getting lost in purpose," a unique twist on this idea.

Sarah offers a profound perspective on the urge to create, describing it as a "telegram from your talent." It reminds us that patience is crucial in any artistic endeavor, much like planting a seed and nurturing it until it flourishes. One of Sarah's most captivating ideas is the notion of words having ghosts, an aura of other words surrounding them. It's a delicious concept that adds a layer of mystery and possibility to the creative process.

Sarah Gillespie is a critically acclaimed artist who blends blues, folk, and jazz with her distinctive streetwise lyricism. Her albums, including 'Stalking Juliet,' 'In the Current Climate,' 'Glory Days,' and 'Wishbones,' have garnered rave reviews from prestigious outlets like The Guardian, MOJO, and The Independent. Sarah's journey has taken her from busking across America to performing on prominent stages and radio shows across Europe, the UK, and the USA.

Her latest album, 'Half Cut,' recorded at Berlin's Hansa Studios, will be released in February 2024 on Pastiche Records. A vinyl edition will be released in October 2024 on Renaissance Records. Sarah's band features talented musicians such as Chris Montague on guitar, James Maddren on drums, Conor Chaplin on bass, Tom Cawley, and Kit Downes on piano and organ.

Beyond her music, Sarah founded the Create Now Academy, where she mentors artists worldwide in creativity and songwriting. Managed by Steven Budd Management, Sarah Gillespie continues to make waves in the music industry.

Enjoy the show, and prepare to be inspired by the extraordinary Sarah Gillespie.

Thoughts On Knowing Your Creative Mind with singer-songwriter Sarah Gillespie

Welcome to Twice 5 Miles Radio! I'm James Navé, your host. In today's episode, we have a real treat for you. Our first half-hour features an engaging conversation with the talented Libby Gamble, a music photographer and visual artist. 

I had the pleasure of meeting Libby at the Black Mountain Blues Festival in early July 2024, where she was capturing the magic of live blues performances at The Bush Garden Restaurant. Surrounded by a lively crowd enjoying the music, food, and atmosphere, we connected over her impressive Nikon gear and her passion for photography.

Libby's adventurous spirit shines through her work. She has a deep appreciation for people and landscapes and creates rich environmental portraits with a classical flair. She experiments with slow shutter speeds to explore time in her photographs, capturing the mood and whim of foggy days over sunny afternoons. She earned an MFA in photography, participated in numerous group and solo exhibitions, curated a successful show, and won several awards in a relatively short period.  

In the second half of today's show, I'm excited to share seven pieces of poetry generated from my Imaginative Storm Write What You Don't Know Seminar. Participants crafted These poems in just 10 minutes, using prompts centered around the theme of transformation. Each piece is accompanied by a sound bridge composed by Walter Parks, creating a seamless blend of spoken word and music. 

Following these readings, I explore the concept of internal and external transformation and its profound significance in the creative process, inviting you to reflect on and engage with this theme.

Capturing the Blues in Photo Stories with photographer and artist Libby Campbell

Welcome to Twice 5 Miles Radio. I'm your host, James Navé. Today, I'm thrilled to introduce holistic health and agroecology educator Kara Kroger. Our paths crossed serendipitously at ODD's Café in West Asheville, where her passionate conversation about holistic health and agroecology immediately intrigued me. 

When I asked her to talk more about her podcast, we had a captivating 
conversation about the deep interconnections between gut health, soil health, and overall well-being.

Kara brings a wealth of experience from her 18 years as a Certified Herbalist, Nutritionist, and Chef, running her own business, Kroeger Nutrition LLC. Her journey into agroecology began in Uvalde, Texas, where she helped restore degraded pastures. This experience opened her eyes to the profound connections between human health, soil health, and the essential microbes that bridge the two.

In our conversation, Kara passionately discussed the importance of healthy soil for healthy humans and animals. She highlighted how most soils are unhealthy, leading to widespread gastrointestinal issues. This realization led her back to school to earn a degree in agriculture, merging her expertise in holistic nutrition with agroecology.

Kara's current work focuses on regenerative agriculture and sustainable food systems. She aims to help food producers and consumers think in whole systems and advocates for a shift in how we approach land regeneration, body nourishment, and environmental impact. Her Balance Your Gut Program exemplifies her holistic approach, addressing the root causes of digestive distress and empowering individuals to take charge of their health.

Join us as we dive into Kara's insights on the symbiotic relationship between our bodies and the land. Her holistic perspective offers a profoundly nourishing path to wellness, reminding us that proper health starts from the ground up. Enjoy the show!

When Trees Fall In Rivers with agroecologist Kara Kroger

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 another episode of Twice 5 Miles Radio. I'm your host, James Navé. In this show, I have the pleasure of speaking with the dynamic poet and spoken word artist Ashlee Haze. If you've attended the LEAF Poetry Slam at the LEAF Festival, you might have seen one of Ashlee's powerful performances that have captivated audiences time and again.

Beyond her remarkable talent as a spoken word artist and page poet, Ashlee is deeply rooted in the creative community of her hometown, Atlanta. She shares her art and leads a successful media business known as Philosophy Media Group.

In our conversation, Ashlee and I delve into the profound impact of poetry, discussing how poems have the power to save lives and the importance of memorization in bringing poetry to life. Ashlee's unique philosophy that a poem must live in your body, something she embodies in every piece she performs, is a fascinating aspect of her work. You'll also hear Ashlee read a selection of her work, showcasing the emotion and humor she infuses into her poetry.

Ashlee Haze, born Kiera Nelson, has been a significant force in the Atlanta poetry scene for over a decade. Her work, marked by numerous performances and collaborations, has brought poetry to unexpected places, including New York Fashion Week and Atlanta United Soccer.

She's collaborated with major brands like H&M and appeared on NPR's Tiny Desk series. Her poem "For Colored Girls Who Don't Need Katy Perry when Missy Elliott is Enough" went viral, earning praise from Missy Elliott herself. Ashlee is also the host of Moderne Philosophy, an educational podcast for creatives.

Ashlee founded Philosophy Media Group to elevate Southern voices, particularly creatives of color, in media production. Her company specializes in storytelling across podcasts, interviews, and documentaries, with Ashlee leading as the primary voice talent, copywriter, and producer. Ashlee's journey began at age ten, and by fifteen, she was performing regularly at public competitions. She's competed in National Poetry Slams and now, as a full-time artist, continues to tell the stories that often go unheard.

Join me as we explore the life, work, and wisdom of Ashlee Haze in this episode of Twice 5 Miles Radio. Enjoy the show.

Understanding the Poetics of Life with poet Ashlee Haze

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. Today, I'm re-airing a special interview from the fall of 2016, recorded just before the U.S. presidential election. My guest was one of the most well-read, brilliant minds I've ever known—my mother, Bobbi Sue Nave. She left us a few years after this interview, at age 93, and her insights remain as timeless as ever.

Bobbi Sue possessed what I call a "Jeffersonian mind." By the time she reached 90, she had devoured over 20,000 books, spanning authors from Robert Hughes to Camille Paglia. In this interview, she reflects on her early life, her first memories of the 1920s and 30s, attending her parents' voting for Herbert Hoover in 1928, and even witnessing the funeral of author Thomas Wolfe.

Bobbi Sue also shares her thoughts on our current times, offering perspectives that transcend today's chaotic landscape. Her reflections on Donald Trump and our modern state of affairs demonstrate my mother's deep theological understanding of our world and all the people who live in it.

This conversation mirrors countless discussions we shared for over 60 years, probing deeply into politics, culture, and faith. In 2024, as we navigate turbulent times, I invite you to hear my mother's lifetime commitment to thoughtful, independent reflection. Enjoy the show.

1930's: Old Asheville Remembered with historical thinker Bobbie Sue Nave

Welcome to Twice 5 Miles Radio. I’m your host, James Navé. Today, I’m thrilled to welcome back my longtime friend, the indefatigable investigative journalist and poet, Greg Palast. 

Greg and I first crossed paths back in the early ‘90s at the Asheville Poetry Festival, and I was instantly drawn to his fiery passion for truth, a trait that has defined his entire career. Greg’s no stranger to hard-hitting journalism; his investigations have exposed some of the biggest stories of our time for The Guardian, BBC Television, and Rolling Stone. His relentless pursuit of truth has led him to uncover corruption across five continents, all fueled by the same fire he had back when we met.

In today’s episode, we explore Greg’s lesser-known side—his poetry. While his voice has often roared through reports like The Best Democracy Money Can Buy and Billionaires & Ballot Bandits, poetry has been a quiet companion along his journey. Greg has a gritty, beat-inspired style, shaped by his early mentorship under Ginsberg and Bukowski. Our conversation veers between verse and the political landscape, diving into the essence of his latest film, Vigilantes, Inc., which investigates the dark underbelly of voter suppression tactics in Georgia, a disturbing echo of Jim Crow-era restrictions.

As always, Greg brings an acute sense of humor to even the harshest realities, a quality I’ve cherished in our exchanges. He’s not only a witness to history but a catalyst, embodying the role of the poet-journalist in times of turmoil. With Vigilantes, Inc., narrated by Rosario Dawson and backed by Martin Sheen and George DiCaprio, Greg is once again challenging the powers that be. Today, we share stories, laughter, and insights into how poetry and investigative journalism intersect—two art forms that compel us to ask: if we don’t speak out, who will?

So join us as we reflect, laugh, and explore the mind of one of journalism’s fearless voices.

Investigative Fire: Greg Palast on Truth, Poetry, and Vigilantes Inc.

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

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