Greetings, James Navé here. I'm thrilled to welcome "LEAF Global Arts" director Jennifer Pickering to the microphone for a heartfelt conversation called 'Holding Space,' which spans almost three decades.  

Jennifer and I had known each other for a few years when we met in the fall of 1994 to discuss her idea for a music and arts festival at Lake Eden in Black Mountain, North Carolina. She said she wanted to call the festival The Lake Eden Arts Festival. I said, "Why not shorten it to The LEAF Festival?" 

Jennifer's vision was to bring cultures together and build a community that values diversity through engaging in music, arts, education, and experiential learning. 

She aimed to cultivate curiosity, protect cultural integrity, and contribute to a greater global understanding among people from all walks of life. Now, almost 30 years later, Jennifer's vision has been fully realized through LEAF Global Arts. 

Join us as we talk about how doing good work in the world can ripple beyond your wildest dreams. Enjoy the show.

Holding Space with "LEAF Global Arts" director Jennifer Pickering

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

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

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

5miles Acting Equals Truth with actor and writer Cameron Gregg

Welcome to Twice 5 Miles Radio! I'm your host, James Navé. Today, I am pleased to speak with the incredibly talented spoken word artist Jessica Chilton. I met Jessica at the LEAF Global Arts Retreat a few weeks ago, just after she wowed the audience with a captivating spoken word and music performance alongside her collaborator, Aditi Sethi. Her seamless blend of singing and improvisational artistry left a lasting impression on me, and I knew I had to invite her to join us on Twice 5 Miles Radio.

Jessica's journey is a testament to the transformative power of the arts. From a place of fear and powerlessness, she has emerged as a beacon of inspiration. Blending her 20 years of improvisational performing arts and 16 years as an expressive arts therapist and coach with her lifelong spiritual awakening journey, Jessica now leads Spirited Improv—known as the most radically loving and powerfully liberating place to try improv. Weaving together tender human authenticity, inspired creative expression, and full surrender into trust, Spirited Improv invites the full spectrum soul into the spotlight to play. Find out more at SpiritedImprov.com.

Through her Surrendered Visionary Coaching Program, Jessica is also passionate about supporting others to follow their heart through their own transformational cocoons of life’s big transitions. Jessica has supported thousands on the precipice of a new chapter who are asking: What’s ready to die? What is Spirit calling me to do next? What vision wants to come through me into the world? Who am I now? 

Join us as we explore possibilities for moving through fear into a liberated expression that embraces who we are in this present moment with Jessica Chilton on Twice 5 Miles Radio.

A Spirited Improv with spoken word artist Jessica Chilton

Welcome to another episode of Twice 5 Miles Radio. I'm your host, James Navé. Today, my guest is Kirk Hardesty, my co-host for the LEAF Poetry Slam, one of the main stage shows at The LEAF Global Arts Festival since its inception in 1995. Kirk joined me as co-host in the early 2000s, and we've been hosting the event together ever since. Alongside his wife, Jerri, Kirk has organized poetry slams and other poetry events in Alabama for many years.

Kirk and I dive deep into what makes a poetry slam tick in this episode. We discuss scoring strategies, judges, and the various approaches poets take, whether performing solo or collaboratively. We trace the lineage of the LEAF Poetry Slam back to the Asheville Poetry Slam, which started in 1992, and talk about the origins of the poetry slam movement, which began in Chicago in 1984, hosted by Marc Smith.

We also explore the concept of "slamming" a poem, drawing parallels to the grand slam in baseball, and discuss the strategic thinking poets must employ when performing on stage. We reminisce about the early days of poetry slams, highlighting the experimental and playful spirit that continues to define these events today.

Throughout our conversation, we share insights into the vibrant poetry scene in Alabama, where Kirk has been a significant figure. His involvement in events like the Vibes & Verses Poetry Society in Montgomery and the Birmingham Poetry Slam showcases the region's diverse and supportive community of poets. These gatherings provide a platform for poets from all walks of life to share their work and connect with others.

Stay tuned until the show's end for a unique story about Sonia Renee Taylor and her perfect score at a LEAF Poetry Slam, a moment that left a lasting impression on all who witnessed it. It's a tale you will want to take advantage of.

So, sit back, relax, and join us on this episode of Twice 5 Miles Radio as we explore the dynamic world of poetry slams with Kirk Hardesty. Enjoy the show!

Understand the Poetry Slam with LEAF Poetry Slam hosts Kirk Hardesty And James Navé

Welcome to Twice 5 Miles Radio. I'm James Navé, your host. Today, we're joined by a familiar voice and a cherished guest, Jennifer Pickering, director of LEAF Global Arts. While Jennifer has joined us many times to discuss the vibrant work LEAF Global Arts brings to life, today's conversation is different. This time, Jennifer shares her deeply personal experience of Hurricane Helene's devastation to her Lake Eden home and the surrounding Swannanoa and Black Mountain areas.

In this episode, we step away from the usual questions and sit with Jennifer as she recounts the storm's impact. From her couch overlooking her land, she reflects on the heartbreaking sights of uprooted trees, damaged homes, and neighbors left with unlivable spaces and inadequate insurance settlements. Her thoughts flow freely, a stream-of-consciousness meditation on the losses and resilience sparked by this overwhelming storm.

Jennifer's strength and optimism shine through despite the damage surrounding her. Her ability to find light amid adversity is a core reason why LEAF Global Arts has thrived, and it remains intact even as her world slowly begins to heal. Join us for this powerful episode as Jennifer gives voice to both the devastation and the enduring spirit that defines her work and life. Enjoy the show.

Swannanoa, NC's Resilience: Jennifer Pickering on Hurricane Helene’s Flooding Impact

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

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 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

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.

New tracks tagged #LEAFGlobalArts