Welcome to Twice 5 Miles Radio. I'm your host, James Navé. My guest today is Orison Books publisher and poet Luke Hankins. Luke is based in Asheville and has published over 50 books since 2017. I'll let Luke tell you why he started Orison Books. 

"I founded Orison Books with the conviction that there is no time when the metaphysical or spiritual impulse is irrelevant to a culture. But our culture risks forgetting the indispensable place of beauty and the human drive for transcendence, which are tightly wrapped together. Every religious and spiritual tradition values beauty as a man of communing with God or the realm of the spirit, whatever vision of it that particular tradition holds.” 

Enjoy the show.

Beauty and Transcendence with Orison Books Publisher and poet Luke Hankins

I'm James Navé; welcome to the concluding 2023 episode of Twice 5 Miles Radio. In this solo edition, I spontaneously reflect on the year that was and a hopeful gaze into 2024. The show starts with the story behind Twice 5 Miles Radio, inspired by the poetic lines of Samuel Taylor Coleridge. I then share insights from my book '100 Days', which has led to unexpected yet meaningful dialogues on men's health and human connections. Additionally, I give you a glimpse into the creative endeavors of our Imaginative Storm Writing Group, featuring a unique Exquisite Corpse poem. I finish the show with select music and poetry from my collaboration with Walter Parks. Join me in this unplanned yet insightful journey through words and melodies.

2024 — No Turning Around with poet James Navé

Welcome to Twice 5 Miles Radio. I'm your host, James Navé. As 2024 comes to a close, I'm going solo to wish you a Happy 2025 and reflect on the year ahead. Recently, I memorized a line from T.S. Eliot that stuck with me: "Do not let me hear of the wisdom of old men, but rather of their folly." Inspired by those words, this episode explores the curious, messy decisions—both wise and foolish—that shape our lives.

I share pivotal moments, like choosing performance poetry over law school—a so-called "folly" that led to a lifelong journey of storytelling. I revisit the origins of Poetry Alive, the educational theater initiative I co-founded, which brought poetry to life for millions of students. And I reflect on the transformative power of poetry: the choices we make, the paths we travel, and those we leave behind.

As we welcome 2025, I invite you to embrace the poetry in your life—from the landscapes you traverse to the relationships you nurture. What stories will you tell this year? Let's explore together. Enjoy the show.

The Wisdom of Folly: reflections for 2025 with poet James Navé

Welcome to Twice 5 Miles Radio. I’m your host, James Navé, and today, I’m joined by screenwriter, actress, and documentary filmmaker Angela Shelton for a wide-ranging conversation that’s as bold as she is.

This is Angela’s second visit to the show, and if there’s one thing I admire about her, it’s her fearless honesty. She has no hesitation in saying what’s on her mind, whether it’s about the clutter on her kitchen counter or heavier topics like the politics of sex trafficking and the aftermath of last year’s floods in Western North Carolina. She believes developers are using the floods as an excuse for a massive land grab; it’s a point worth exploring.

We also touch on faith and perspective. Angela says Jesus is her boyfriend—someone she can always count on. I see God more as “The Infinite,” something less human and more abstract. That’s where our conversation takes its twists and turns, from rituals and daily habits that keep us grounded to the unflinching realities of the world around us.

Angela’s perspective on sex trafficking is incredibly personal—she believes it’s time for ordinary people to step in, become investigators, and take action. It’s a controversial notion that forces you to think and question where you stand.

Our visit is more than an interview—it explores ideas and attitudes that challenge the status quo. Whether or not you agree with everything we discuss, Angelia brings a fire to the conversation that’s impossible to ignore.

When Honesty Meets Action: Angela Shelton on Life and Justice

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. 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.
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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

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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