Adam Deitch

In this episode, Michael &amp; Clifford are joined by Andy Whitehorne (Music Editor for The Blue Mountain Review) as they interview Grammy-nominated producer and drummer Adam Deitch Adam Deitch (www.DeitchBeatsDontQuit.com) While other kids were more interested in "Being Like Mike," Adam Deitch was more interested in "Being Like Quincy." Adam began composing around the age of 11 in his Dad's basement studio. Pretty soon artists in the neighborhood came knocking. Now, years later Adam Deitch’s career has crossed genres and he plays the role of both producer and drummer. Adam was inspired by hip-hop at an early age, inspired by Public Enemy and Eric B and Rakim. Adam has produced records for such luminaries as 50-Cent, Redman, Talib Kweli, Pharoahe Monch, Chali 2na and MF Doom. He has also done major session work on drums for artists including Justin Timberlake, Daniel Bedingfield, Anthony Hamilton, DJ Quik and Wyclef Jean and the Fugees. Adam has toured the world and recorded as a member of the Grammy Nominated John Scofield Band, Pretty Lights, the Average White Band, The Fugees, Wyclef Jean, Meshell Ndegeocello and his own Break Science and Lettuce.

In this episode, Michael &amp; Clifford are joined by Andy Whitehorne (Music Editor for The Blue Mountain Review) as they interview Grammy-nominated producer and drummer Adam Deitch Adam Deitch (<a href="//www.DeitchBeatsDontQuit.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.DeitchBeatsDontQuit.com</a>) While other kids were more interested in "Being Like Mike," Adam Deitch was more interested in "Being Like Quincy." Adam began composing around the age of 11 in his Dad's basement studio. Pretty soon artists in the neighborhood came knocking. Now, years later Adam Deitch’s career has crossed genres and he plays the role of both producer and drummer. Adam was inspired by hip-hop at an early age, inspired by Public Enemy and Eric B and Rakim. Adam has produced records for such luminaries as 50-Cent, Redman, Talib Kweli, Pharoahe Monch, Chali 2na and MF Doom. He has also done major session work on drums for artists including Justin Timberlake, Daniel Bedingfield, Anthony Hamilton, DJ Quik and Wyclef Jean and the Fugees. Adam has toured the world and recorded as a member of the Grammy Nominated John Scofield Band, Pretty Lights, the Average White Band, The Fugees, Wyclef Jean, Meshell Ndegeocello and his own Break Science and Lettuce.

Funk, Creativity & Playing The Long Game (Interview with Adam Deitch)

In this episode, Michael Amidei and Clifford Brooks are joined by Andy Whitehorne (Music Editor for the Blue Mountain Review) in interviewing guitarist Adam "Shmeeans" Smirnoff. Adam “Shmeeans” Smirnoff (www.LettuceFunk.com) is the guitarist/co-founder of the Grammy-nominated funk powerhouse called Lettuce, which began in 1992 when all of its members attended a music program at Berklee College Of Music as teenagers. Now, 30 years later, the band has played countless shows to a large international audience and has produced 8 studio albums, including their newest “Unify”, which drops on June 6th, 2022.  Smirnoff has also shared the stage with a myriad of other artists, including Lady Gaga, and Robert Randolph &amp; the Family Band. Redman, Chaka Khan, John Scofield, the Clark Sisters, Maceo Parker, Dr. John, members of The Meters and Wu-Tang Clan, and many more. In this episode, Adam shares stories from his career and teaches us something valuable about relationships in the creative pursuit.

In this episode, Michael Amidei and Clifford Brooks are joined by Andy Whitehorne (Music Editor for the Blue Mountain Review) in interviewing guitarist Adam "Shmeeans" Smirnoff. Adam “Shmeeans” Smirnoff (<a href="//www.LettuceFunk.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.LettuceFunk.</a><a href="//www.LettuceFunk.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">com</a>) is the guitarist/co-founder of the Grammy-nominated funk powerhouse called Lettuce, which began in 1992 when all of its members attended a music program at Berklee College Of Music as teenagers. Now, 30 years later, the band has played countless shows to a large international audience and has produced 8 studio albums, including their newest “Unify”, which drops on June 6th, 2022.  Smirnoff has also shared the stage with a myriad of other artists, including Lady Gaga, and Robert Randolph &amp; the Family Band. Redman, Chaka Khan, John Scofield, the Clark Sisters, Maceo Parker, Dr. John, members of The Meters and Wu-Tang Clan, and many more. In this episode, Adam shares stories from his career and teaches us something valuable about relationships in the creative pursuit.

Creation, Relationships & Chaos (Interview w/ Guitarist Adam "Shmeeans" Smirnoff)

Louis Bayard

In this episode, Michael Amidei and Clifford Brooks interview author Louis Bayard.   Louis Bayard (www.LouisBayard.com) In the words of the New York Times, Louis Bayard “reinvigorates historical fiction,” rendering the past “as if he’d witnessed it firsthand.” His acclaimed novels include The Pale Blue Eye, soon to be a Netflix motion picture starring Christian Bale, the national bestseller Courting Mr. Lincoln, Roosevelt's Beast, The School of Night, The Black Tower, and Mr. Timothy, as well as the highly praised young-adult novel, Lucky Strikes. A New York Times Notable author, he has been nominated for both the Edgar and Dagger awards, and his story, “Banana Triangle Six,” was chosen for The Best American Mystery Stories. His reviews and articles have appeared in the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times and Salon. An instructor at George Washington University, he is the chair of the PEN/Faulkner Awards and was the author of the popular Downton Abbey recaps for the New York Times.

In this episode, Michael Amidei and Clifford Brooks interview author Louis Bayard.  Louis Bayard (<a href="//www.LouisBayard.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.LouisBayard.com</a>) In the words of the <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/09/books/review/09calhoun.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">New York Times</a>, Louis Bayard “reinvigorates historical fiction,” rendering the past “as if he’d witnessed it firsthand.” His acclaimed novels include <a href="https://www.louisbayard.com/pale-blue-eye" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Pale Blue Eye</a>, soon to be a Netflix motion picture starring Christian Bale, the national bestseller <a href="https://www.louisbayard.com/courting-mr-lincoln" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Courting Mr. Lincoln</a>, <a href="https://www.louisbayard.com/roosevelts-beast" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Roosevelt's Beast</a>, <a href="https://www.louisbayard.com/school-night" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The School of Night</a>, <a href="https://www.louisbayard.com/black-tower" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Black Tower</a>, and <a href="https://www.louisbayard.com/mr-timothy" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Mr. Timothy</a>, as well as the highly praised young-adult novel, <a href="https://www.louisbayard.com/lucky-strikes" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Lucky Strikes</a>. A New York Times Notable author, he has been nominated for both the Edgar and Dagger awards, and his story, “Banana Triangle Six,” was chosen for The Best American Mystery Stories. His reviews and articles have appeared in the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times and Salon. An instructor at George Washington University, he is the chair of the PEN/Faulkner Awards and was the author of the popular <a href="https://www.louisbayard.com/recaps" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Downton Abbey</a><a href="https://www.louisbayard.com/recaps" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> </a>recaps for the New York Times.

Selling Stories, Self Belief, & Optioning Your Book To Netflix (Interview w/ Louis Bayard)

Todd Boss

In this episode, Clifford Brooks and Michael Amidei interview Todd Boss.  Todd Boss (www.ToddBossOriginals.com) is an award-winning American producer, writer, and innovator whose vision is to make the world more poetic. Todd has four poetry collections, all published by W. W. Norton &amp; Co. He has an MFA in Poetry from the University of Alaska-Anchorage. Todd's poems have appeared in The New Yorker, Poetry, National Public Radio, The London Times, American Poetry Review, and many more. His lyrics for choir and solo voice have been performed at Kennedy Center, Carnegie Hall, and in other venues around the world. ​Along with his company Motionpoems, Todd’s films have been presented in Cannes, London, Dublin, New York, LA, and elsewhere. He has worked with 150 filmmakers, and Pulitzer-winning and early-career poets alike, on poetry films that have been recognized by the National Book Foundation's "Innovations in Reading" Award. ​His first children's book, The Boy Who Said Wow, is forthcoming from Simon &amp; Schuster's Beach Lane imprint. ​Todd grew up on an 80-acre cattle farm in Wisconsin and attended St. Olaf College and the University of Alaska–Anchorage. In 2018, he sold all his possessions and quit his lease. A nomad, he has since circled the globe on a series of 30 consecutive house-sits and dozens of short-term rentals. Poetry written and performed by Todd Boss in this episode: "A Silence Haunts Me" (opening lines) "In Elaborate Museums"  "Someday The Plan Of A Town"

In this episode, Clifford Brooks and Michael Amidei interview Todd Boss.  Todd Boss (<a href="https://www.toddbossoriginals.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.ToddBossOriginals.com</a>) is an award-winning American producer, writer, and innovator whose vision is to make the world more poetic. Todd has four poetry collections, all published by W. W. Norton &amp; Co. He has an MFA in Poetry from the University of Alaska-Anchorage. Todd's poems have appeared in The New Yorker, Poetry, National Public Radio, The London Times, American Poetry Review, and many more. His lyrics for choir and solo voice have been performed at Kennedy Center, Carnegie Hall, and in other venues around the world. ​Along with his company Motionpoems, Todd’s films have been presented in Cannes, London, Dublin, New York, LA, and elsewhere. He has worked with 150 filmmakers, and Pulitzer-winning and early-career poets alike, on poetry films that have been recognized by the National Book Foundation's "Innovations in Reading" Award. ​His first children's book, The Boy Who Said Wow, is forthcoming from Simon &amp; Schuster's Beach Lane imprint. ​Todd grew up on an 80-acre cattle farm in Wisconsin and attended St. Olaf College and the University of Alaska–Anchorage. In 2018, he sold all his possessions and quit his lease. A nomad, he has since circled the globe on a series of 30 consecutive house-sits and dozens of short-term rentals. Poetry written and performed by Todd Boss in this episode: "A Silence Haunts Me" (opening lines) "In Elaborate Museums"  "Someday The Plan Of A Town"

Freeing Yourself & Discovering The Authentic Poetry In You (Interview with Todd Boss)

Nicole Tallman

In this episode, Clifford Brooks and Michael Amidei interview poet Nicole Tallman.  Nicole Tallman (www.NicoleTallman.com) is a professional writer and poet. Born and raised in Michigan, she lives in Miami, serves as the Poetry Ambassador for Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, an Associate Editor for South Florida Poetry Journal, and Interviews Editor for The Blue Mountain Review. She is the author of Something Kindred (The Southern Collective Experience Press), co-editor with Maureen Seaton of We Who Rise from Saltwater, Let's Sing!, and her next book is forthcoming from Really Serious Literature.

In this episode, Clifford Brooks and Michael Amidei interview poet Nicole Tallman.  Nicole Tallman (<a href="//www.NicoleTallman.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.NicoleTallman.com</a>) is a professional writer and poet. Born and raised in Michigan, she lives in Miami, serves as the Poetry Ambassador for <a href="https://www.miamidade.gov/global/government/mayor/home.page" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava</a>, an Associate Editor for <a href="https://www.southfloridapoetryjournal.com/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">South Florida Poetry Journal</a>, and Interviews Editor for <a href="https://www.southerncollectiveexperience.com/the-blue-mountain-review/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">The Blue Mountain Review</a>. She is the author of Something Kindred (<a href="https://www.southerncollectiveexperience.com/the-sce-press/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">The Southern Collective Experience Press</a>), co-editor with Maureen Seaton of <a href="https://www.miamidade.gov/global/government/mayor/poetry/we-who-rise-from-saltwater-lets-sing.page" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">We Who Rise from Saltwater, Let's Sing!</a>, and her next book is forthcoming from <a href="https://rlysrslit.bigcartel.com/about" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Really Serious Literature</a>.

Poetry As An Act Of Service (Interview with Nicole Tallman)

Hans Rueffert

In this episode, Clifford Brooks and Michael Amidei interview Hans Rueffert. Chef, author, speaker, advocate and survivor, Hans Rueffert is known by many titles, but his favorite title is perhaps “teacher.” A natural-born communicator, Hans has a rare ability to inspire others to push themselves to be their very best. Diagnosed with Gastric Cancer in 2005 just two weeks after taping the finale of the Next Food Network Star, Hans traded in his “Celebrity Chef” status in exchange for “Cancer Survivor.” Never one to slow down, following his diagnosis and subsequent surgeries Hans has continued to share his talent in the kitchen with thousands. Hans is motivating and engaging; And his endless knowledge and love of food coupled with his personal struggles with post-treatment life are an ongoing source of inspiration and interest. Hans enriches the lives of those he meets and inspires the lives of those he reaches across multimedia channels.  Learn more at www.Hanscooks.com and watch his Gesundheit Kitchen cooking episodes at www.gastriccancer.org

In this episode, Clifford Brooks and Michael Amidei interview Hans Rueffert. Chef, author, speaker, advocate and survivor, Hans Rueffert is known by many titles, but his favorite title is perhaps “teacher.” A natural-born communicator, Hans has a rare ability to inspire others to push themselves to be their very best. Diagnosed with Gastric Cancer in 2005 just two weeks after taping the finale of the Next Food Network Star, Hans traded in his “Celebrity Chef” status in exchange for “Cancer Survivor.” Never one to slow down, following his diagnosis and subsequent surgeries Hans has continued to share his talent in the kitchen with thousands. Hans is motivating and engaging; And his endless knowledge and love of food coupled with his personal struggles with post-treatment life are an ongoing source of inspiration and interest. Hans enriches the lives of those he meets and inspires the lives of those he reaches across multimedia channels.  Learn more at <a href="http://www.hanscooks.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.Hanscooks.com</a> and watch his Gesundheit Kitchen cooking episodes at <a href="http://www.gastriccancer.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.gastriccancer.org</a>

Using Passion To Overcome Huge Obstacles (Interview with Hans Rueffert)

Skye Jackson

In this episode, Clifford Brooks and Michael Amidei interview poet Skye Jackson.  Skye Jackson (www.SkyeJackson.com) was born and raised in New Orleans. She holds an English degree from LSU and a degree in law from Mississippi College School of Law. She is currently an MFA candidate in poetry at the University of New Orleans Creative Writing Workshop where she works with Bayou Magazine. Her work has appeared in the Delta Literary Journal and Thought Catalog. Her chapbook A Faster Grave was published in May 2019 from Antenna Press.

In this episode, Clifford Brooks and Michael Amidei interview poet Skye Jackson.  Skye Jackson (<a href="//www.SkyeJackson.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.SkyeJackson.com</a>) was born and raised in New Orleans. She holds an English degree from LSU and a degree in law from Mississippi College School of Law. She is currently an MFA candidate in poetry at the University of New Orleans Creative Writing Workshop where she works with Bayou Magazine. Her work has appeared in the Delta Literary Journal and Thought Catalog. Her chapbook A Faster Grave was published in May 2019 from Antenna Press.

Facing Your Fear Through Art (Interview with poet Skye Jackson)

Stuart Dischell

In this episode, Cliff Brooks &amp; Michael Amidei interview poet Stuart Dischell.  Stuart Dischell (http://www.stuartdischellpoetry.com/) was born in Atlantic City, NJ. He is the author of Good Hope Road, a National Poetry Series Selection, Evenings &amp; Avenues, Dig Safe, Backwards Days and the forthcoming Children With Enemies and the pamphlets Animate Earth and Touch Monkey and the chapbook Standing on Z. His poems have appeared in The Atlantic, Agni, The New Republic, Slate, Kenyon Review, Ploughshares, and anthologies including Essential Poems, Hammer and Blaze, Pushcart Prize, and Garrison Keillor’s Good Poems. A recipient of awards from the NEA, the North Carolina Arts Council, and the John Simon Guggenheim Foundation, he teaches in the MFA Program in Creative Writing at the University of North Carolina Greensboro.

In this episode, Cliff Brooks &amp; Michael Amidei interview poet Stuart Dischell.  Stuart Dischell (<a href="http://www.stuartdischellpoetry.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.stuartdischellpoetry.com/</a>) was born in Atlantic City, NJ. He is the author of Good Hope Road, a National Poetry Series Selection, Evenings &amp; Avenues, Dig Safe, Backwards Days and the forthcoming Children With Enemies and the pamphlets Animate Earth and Touch Monkey and the chapbook Standing on Z. His poems have appeared in The Atlantic, Agni, The New Republic, Slate, Kenyon Review, Ploughshares, and anthologies including Essential Poems, Hammer and Blaze, Pushcart Prize, and Garrison Keillor’s Good Poems. A recipient of awards from the NEA, the North Carolina Arts Council, and the John Simon Guggenheim Foundation, he teaches in the MFA Program in Creative Writing at the University of North Carolina Greensboro.

The Lives & Voices of Stuart Dischell

Victoria Chang

In this episode, Clifford Brooks and Michael Amidei interview poet and professor Victoria Chang.  Victoria Chang (www.VictoriaChangPoet.com) is an American poet and children's writer. Her fifth book of poems, OBIT, was published by Copper Canyon Press in 2020. It won the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, the PEN Voelcker Award, and the Anisfield-Wolf Book Prize and was a finalist for National Book Critics Circle Award, the Griffin Poetry Prize, and long listed for the National Book Award. It was also named a New York Times Notable Book, a New York Times Best 100 Books of the Year, a TIME Magazine, NPR, Boston Globe, and Publisher's Weekly Best Book of the Year. In 2021, she published Dear Memory: Letters on Writing, Silence, and Grief, Milkweed Editions. The book was a TIME, Lithub, and NPR most anticipated book of 2021. Her prior book of poems, Barbie Chang,[1] was published by Copper Canyon Press in 2017. Her third book of poetry, The Boss was published by McSweeney's in 2013—it won a PEN Center USA literary award and a California Book Award. Her second poetry collection is Salvinia Molesta (University of Georgia Press, 2008). Her first book, Circle (Southern Illinois University Press, 2005), won the Crab Orchard Series in Poetry. She also writes picture books for children and middle grade novels, and her picture book, Is Mommy? published by Beach Lane Books (Simon &amp; Schuster) in the fall of 2015, illustrated by Marla Frazee, was named a New York Times Notable Book. Her middle grade verse novel, LOVE, LOVE was published by Sterling Publishing in 2020. She was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship in 2017, a Lannan Residency Fellowship in 2020, a Sustainable Arts Foundation Fellowship in 2017, a Poetry Society of America Alice Fay di Castagnola Award in 2018, a Pushcart Prize, and a MacDowell Fellowship.

In this episode, Clifford Brooks and Michael Amidei interview poet and professor Victoria Chang.  Victoria Chang <a href="//www.VictoriaChangPoet.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">(www.VictoriaChangPoet.com)</a> is an American <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poet" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">poet</a> and children's writer. Her fifth book of poems, OBIT, was published by Copper Canyon Press in 2020. It won the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, the PEN Voelcker Award, and the Anisfield-Wolf Book Prize and was a finalist for <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Book_Critics_Circle_Award" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">National Book Critics Circle Award</a>, the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Griffin_Poetry_Prize" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Griffin Poetry Prize</a>, and long listed for the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Book_Award_for_Poetry" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">National Book Award</a>. It was also named a New York Times Notable Book, a New York Times Best 100 Books of the Year, a TIME Magazine, NPR, Boston Globe, and Publisher's Weekly Best Book of the Year. In 2021, she published Dear Memory: Letters on Writing, Silence, and Grief, Milkweed Editions. The book was a TIME, Lithub, and NPR most anticipated book of 2021. Her prior book of poems, Barbie Chang,<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victoria_Chang#cite_note-1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">[1]</a> was published by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copper_Canyon_Press" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Copper Canyon Press</a> in 2017. Her third book of poetry, The Boss was published by McSweeney's in 2013—it won a PEN Center USA literary award and a California Book Award. Her second poetry collection is Salvinia Molesta (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Georgia_Press" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">University of Georgia Press</a>, 2008). Her first book, Circle (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_Illinois_University_Press" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Southern Illinois University Press</a>, 2005), won the Crab Orchard Series in Poetry. She also writes <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Picture_books_for_children" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">picture books for children</a> and middle grade novels, and her picture book, Is Mommy? published by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beach_Lane_Books" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Beach Lane Books</a> (Simon &amp; Schuster) in the fall of 2015, illustrated by Marla Frazee, was named a New York Times Notable Book. Her middle grade verse novel, LOVE, LOVE was published by Sterling Publishing in 2020. She was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship in 2017, a Lannan Residency Fellowship in 2020, a Sustainable Arts Foundation Fellowship in 2017, a Poetry Society of America Alice Fay di Castagnola Award in 2018, a Pushcart Prize, and a MacDowell Fellowship.

The Road To Finding Your Voice (Interview with Victoria Chang)

Michael Romkey

In this episode, Clifford Brooks interviews author Michael Romkey.  Bram Stoker Award-nominated author Michael Romkey writes smart, character-driven horror. His first and much-imitated vampire-themed novel, "I, Vampire," is a cult classic. His series continued with “The Vampire Papers”, “The Vampire Princess”, “The Vampire Virus”, “Vampire Hunter”, “The London Vampire Panic” and “Telluride Blood”. Other works include “Fears Point”, “The Vampire’s Violin”, and “American Gothic”. The bio on his website reads: I live on the banks of the mighty Mississippi in the U.S.A. Heartland — Iowa, to be specific. My musical interests are what might be called, for lack of a better label, Americana — a variety of fiddle tunes, bluegrass, folk, blues, country blues, Irish, Scottish, Celtic (the bigger category), punk classical, country … basically, music as people play it sitting in their kitchens or on the front porch with a cup of coffee or glass of rye nearby.

In this episode, Clifford Brooks interviews author Michael Romkey.  Bram Stoker Award-nominated author Michael Romkey writes smart, character-driven horror. His first and much-imitated vampire-themed novel, "I, Vampire," is a cult classic. His series continued with “The Vampire Papers”, “The Vampire Princess”, “The Vampire Virus”, “Vampire Hunter”, “The London Vampire Panic” and “Telluride Blood”. Other works include “Fears Point”, “The Vampire’s Violin”, and “American Gothic”. The bio on his website reads: I live on the banks of the mighty Mississippi in the U.S.A. Heartland — Iowa, to be specific. My musical interests are what might be called, for lack of a better label, Americana — a variety of fiddle tunes, bluegrass, folk, blues, country blues, Irish, Scottish, Celtic (the bigger category), punk classical, country … basically, music as people play it sitting in their kitchens or on the front porch with a cup of coffee or glass of rye nearby.

Crafting the "I, Vampire" Series (Interview with author Michael Romkey)

"This Business Of Music &amp; Poetry Podcast" is all about how to make a real-world living from your creativity &amp; passion. Hosted by Michael Amidei (author, poet, musician, &amp; host of "World Poetry Open Mic", "The Michael Amidei Show") and Clifford Brooks (author, poet, founder of The Southern Collective Experience, and the host of "Dante's Old South" on NPR.)

"This Business Of Music &amp; Poetry Podcast" is all about how to make a real-world living from your creativity &amp; passion. Hosted by Michael Amidei (author, poet, musician, &amp; host of "World Poetry Open Mic", "The Michael Amidei Show") and Clifford Brooks (author, poet, founder of The Southern Collective Experience, and the host of "Dante's Old South" on NPR.)

This Business Of Music & Poetry Podcast

Robert Gwaltney

Resilience

In this episode, Cliff Brooks and Michael Amidei interview author Robert Gwaltney.  Robert Gwaltney, a graduate of Florida State University, resides in Atlanta Georgia where he is active in the local literary community and an associate member of the Southern Collective Experience.  His short story, “The Deep Down”, was recently published in The Signal Mountain Review.  A recipient of an Atlanta Writers Club award for flash fiction, he was also selected as a top ten finalist for publication by First Page, an international literary magazine.  Robert just completed writing his first novel THE CICADA TREE.  An excerpt from this novel will be published in the October 2019 issue of The Blue Mountain Review and the December 2019 issue of The Dead Mule School of Southern Literature.  Alongside his writing, Robert also serves as Vice President with Easterseals North Georgia, Children Services Inc., a non-profit supporting children and families during the most critical time in a child’s development.

In this episode, Cliff Brooks and Michael Amidei interview author Robert Gwaltney.  Robert Gwaltney, a graduate of Florida State University, resides in Atlanta Georgia where he is active in the local literary community and an associate member of the Southern Collective Experience.  His short story, “The Deep Down”, was recently published in The Signal Mountain Review.  A recipient of an Atlanta Writers Club award for flash fiction, he was also selected as a top ten finalist for publication by First Page, an international literary magazine.  Robert just completed writing his first novel THE CICADA TREE.  An excerpt from this novel will be published in the October 2019 issue of The Blue Mountain Review and the December 2019 issue of The Dead Mule School of Southern Literature.  Alongside his writing, Robert also serves as Vice President with Easterseals North Georgia, Children Services Inc., a non-profit supporting children and families during the most critical time in a child’s development.

How To Gain Power & Resilience From Childhood Trauma (Interview with Robert Gwaltney)

Debbie Hennessey

In this episode, Clifford Brooks and Michael Amidei interview musician Debbie Hennessey.  Debbie Hennessey was named AC40 Female Artist of the Year by New Music Weekly as well as charting a Top 20 Hit on NMW’s AC40 Charts. Her songs and music videos have aired on USA and UHD Networks, and TV shows Extra, The Next GAC Star, and The Moment. She has been named a multiple Finalist in the Great American Song Contest and multi-Semi-Finalist in the Song of the Year Contest, as well as multiple Honorable Mentions from the Billboard World Song Contest and West Coast Songwriters Contest. Her songs have been included on compilation CDs including CMT's New Music Collection, GoGirls MusicFest, Songsalive!, Beautiful-Women on the Move, among others and named Best Vocalist of the Month by SingerUniverse. Debbie is a writer for Studio 51 Music, Pacifica Music and others providing original songs for their film and tv music libraries. She is a voting member of the NARAS/GRAMMYS, a writer/publisher member of ASCAP, as well as a member of AIMP, NARIP, and SONA. Debbie's three full-length cds and seven singles are all available through many music outlets including iTunes, CDBaby, and Amazon, or by calling 1-800-BUY-MY-CD. Mainsite: http://www.debbiehennessey.com "Whisky Corn" (music video)  Editorial: https://entertainmenteditorial.com

In this episode, Clifford Brooks and Michael Amidei interview musician Debbie Hennessey.  Debbie Hennessey was named AC40 Female Artist of the Year by New Music Weekly as well as charting a Top 20 Hit on NMW’s AC40 Charts. Her songs and music videos have aired on USA and UHD Networks, and TV shows Extra, The Next GAC Star, and The Moment. She has been named a multiple Finalist in the Great American Song Contest and multi-Semi-Finalist in the Song of the Year Contest, as well as multiple Honorable Mentions from the Billboard World Song Contest and West Coast Songwriters Contest. Her songs have been included on compilation CDs including CMT's New Music Collection, GoGirls MusicFest, Songsalive!, Beautiful-Women on the Move, among others and named Best Vocalist of the Month by SingerUniverse. Debbie is a writer for Studio 51 Music, Pacifica Music and others providing original songs for their film and tv music libraries. She is a voting member of the NARAS/GRAMMYS, a writer/publisher member of ASCAP, as well as a member of AIMP, NARIP, and SONA. Debbie's three full-length cds and seven singles are all available through many music outlets including iTunes, CDBaby, and Amazon, or by calling 1-800-BUY-MY-CD. Mainsite: <a href="http://www.debbiehennessey.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.debbiehennessey.com</a> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmHwZYwlgJE&amp;feature=youtu.be&amp;fbclid=IwAR0d3E0vDU0QiPJNX2Y5Ssx1pr_q9krkOv5hM7bSC_FoSpGU51jPlKVBLJM" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">"Whisky Corn" (music video)</a> Editorial: <a href="https://entertainmenteditorial.com/?fbclid=IwAR0Gy5Rxns2wRLY_3Mk5Vp58GRVcXqUvqif3G5fApDOMS-s5juHJfR3KeIk" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://entertainmenteditorial.com</a>

West Coast Country (Interview with Debbie Hennessey)

In this episode, Clifford Brooks and Michael Amidei interview literary agent and editor, Alicia Brooks.  Alicia Brooks ( http://www.jvnla.com/) began her career over twenty years ago in book publishing as an editorial assistant at Penguin USA. She worked her way up to an assistant editor position at Nan A. Talese/Doubleday where she worked with noteworthy authors, including Margaret Atwood, Pat Conroy, and Ian McEwan. Alicia then became an editor at Picador/St. Martin's Press where she edited over 39 hardcover titles and several trade paper original titles, including Noelle Howey's Dress Codes: Of Three Girlhoods--My Mother's, My Father's, and Mine, Nega Mezlekia's award-winning Notes from the Hyena's Belly, and Ben Brantley's New York Times Book of Broadway. As an agent at the Jean V. Naggar Literary Agency, she is looking for Memoir, Narrative Nonfiction, Self-Help, Pop Culture, Literary Fiction, Commercial Fiction, YA Fiction, Mystery/Crime, and Historical Fiction. Alicia is a graduate of Wellesley College with a B.A. in English and Philosophy and has a Master's Degree in the Teaching of English from Columbia University.

In this episode, Clifford Brooks and Michael Amidei interview literary agent and editor, Alicia Brooks.  Alicia Brooks ( <a href="http://www.jvnla.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.jvnla.com/</a>) began her career over twenty years ago in book publishing as an editorial assistant at Penguin USA. She worked her way up to an assistant editor position at Nan A. Talese/Doubleday where she worked with noteworthy authors, including Margaret Atwood, Pat Conroy, and Ian McEwan. Alicia then became an editor at Picador/St. Martin's Press where she edited over 39 hardcover titles and several trade paper original titles, including Noelle Howey's Dress Codes: Of Three Girlhoods--My Mother's, My Father's, and Mine, Nega Mezlekia's award-winning Notes from the Hyena's Belly, and Ben Brantley's New York Times Book of Broadway. As an agent at the Jean V. Naggar Literary Agency, she is looking for Memoir, Narrative Nonfiction, Self-Help, Pop Culture, Literary Fiction, Commercial Fiction, YA Fiction, Mystery/Crime, and Historical Fiction. Alicia is a graduate of Wellesley College with a B.A. in English and Philosophy and has a Master's Degree in the Teaching of English from Columbia University.

A New York Literary Agent Speaks...

Melissa Studdard

In this episode, Clifford Brooks and Michael Amidei interview poet and author Melissa Studdard. https://melissastuddard.com/ Melissa Studdard is the author of four books, including the poetry collection I Ate the Cosmos for Breakfast and the young adult novel Six Weeks to Yehidah. Her short writings have appeared in a wide variety of journals, magazines, blogs, and anthologies, such as The New York Times, Poetry, Psychology Today, The Guardian, New Ohio Review, Harvard Review, Bettering American Poetry, and Poets &amp; Writers. A short film of the title poem from Studdard’s I Ate the Cosmos for Breakfast (by Dan Sickles of Moxie Pictures for Motionpoems) was an official selection for the Trinidad and Tobago Film Festival and the Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival, as well as winner of the REEL Poetry Festival Audience Choice Award. Other poems of hers have been made into car magnets, telepoem booth recordings, and Houston City Banners. Her awards include the Forward National Literature Award, the International Book Award, the Kathak Literary Award, the Poiesis Award of Honor International, the Readers’ Favorite Award, and two Pinnacle Book Achievement Awards. As well, her books have been listed in Cutthroat: A Journal of the Arts’ Best Books of the Year, January Magazine’s Best Children’s Books of the Year, Bustle’s “8 Feminist Poems To Inspire You When The World Is Just Too Much,” and Amazon’s Most Gifted Books. As well, she has recently been in residency at the Centrum in Port Townsend, and The Hermitage Artist Retreat in Manasota Key, where she was poet in residence. In addition to writing, Studdard serves as the executive producer and host of VIDA Voices &amp; Views for VIDA: Women in Literary Arts and on the TUPP Advisory Council as a Walt Whitman Project Planning Associate. As well, she is a past president of the Associated Writing Program’s Women’s Caucus. She received her MFA from Sarah Lawrence college and is a professor for the Lone Star College System.

In this episode, Clifford Brooks and Michael Amidei interview poet and author Melissa Studdard. <a href="https://melissastuddard.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://melissastuddard.com/</a> Melissa Studdard is the author of four books, including the poetry collection <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Ate-Cosmos-Breakfast-Melissa-Studdard/dp/0988944758/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=undefined&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=i+ate+the+cosmos" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">I Ate the Cosmos for Breakfast</a> and the young adult novel <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Six-Weeks-Yehidah-Melissa-Studdard/dp/0984651705/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1397103956&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=six+weeks+to+yehidah" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Six Weeks to Yehidah</a>. Her short writings have appeared in a wide variety of journals, magazines, blogs, and anthologies, such as The New York Times, Poetry, Psychology Today, The Guardian, New Ohio Review, Harvard Review, Bettering American Poetry, and Poets &amp; Writers. A <a href="http://motionpoems.org/episode/i-ate-the-cosmos-for-breakfast/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">short film</a> of the title poem from Studdard’s I Ate the Cosmos for Breakfast (by Dan Sickles of Moxie Pictures for Motionpoems) was an official selection for the Trinidad and Tobago Film Festival and the Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival, as well as winner of the REEL Poetry Festival Audience Choice Award. Other poems of hers have been made into car magnets, <a href="http://www.telepoembooth.com/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">telepoem booth</a> recordings, and <a href="http://houston.culturemap.com/news/arts/05-12-16-its-a-banner-season-in-downtown-houston-with-quirky-words-of-wisdom-and-bayou-city-love/#slide=6" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Houston City Banners</a>. Her awards include the Forward National Literature Award, the International Book Award, the Kathak Literary Award, the Poiesis Award of Honor International, the Readers’ Favorite Award, and two Pinnacle Book Achievement Awards. As well, her books have been listed in Cutthroat: A Journal of the Arts’ Best Books of the Year, January Magazine’s Best Children’s Books of the Year, Bustle’s “8 Feminist Poems To Inspire You When The World Is Just Too Much,” and Amazon’s Most Gifted Books. As well, she has recently been in residency at the Centrum in Port Townsend, and The Hermitage Artist Retreat in Manasota Key, where she was poet in residence. In addition to writing, Studdard serves as the executive producer and host of <a href="http://www.vidaweb.org/about-vida-voices-views/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">VIDA Voices &amp; Views</a> for VIDA: Women in Literary Arts and on the <a href="https://www.unbindingprometheus.org/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">TUPP</a> Advisory Council as a Walt Whitman Project Planning Associate. As well, she is a past president of the Associated Writing Program’s Women’s Caucus. She received her MFA from Sarah Lawrence college and is a professor for the Lone Star College System.

The Dance Of Poetry (Interview with Melissa Studdard)

Chris Lazarus

In this episode, Cliff Brooks and Michael Amidei interview podcaster and real estate guru Chris Lazarus.  Chris Lazarus's portfolio includes small-scale boutique property management, property listing, and advertising services, buyer assistance, personal coaching and consulting.  In my spare time, I host the re:Think Real Estate Podcast about the real estate space and a new show called Portraits of Atlanta aimed at showcasing local people and their impact on our community.

In this episode, Cliff Brooks and Michael Amidei interview podcaster and real estate guru Chris Lazarus.  Chris Lazarus's portfolio includes small-scale boutique property management, property listing, and advertising services, buyer assistance, personal coaching and consulting.  In my spare time, I host the <a href="https://rtrepodcast.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">re:Think Real Estate Podcast</a> about the real estate space and a new show called <a href="https://portraitsofatlanta.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Portraits of Atlanta</a> aimed at showcasing local people and their impact on our community.

Wealth Building As Creatives (Interview w/ Chris Lazarus)

In this episode, Cliff Brooks and Michael Amidei interview Dr. Samantha Rose Hill.  Dr. Hill (https://www.samantharosehill.com/)  received her doctorate in Political Science from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst in 2014. From 2013-2015, she conducted post-doctoral research at Heidelberg Universität and the Institut für Philosophie at the Goethe-Universität in Frankfurt am Main. She taught at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Amherst College, and is currently the Assistant Director of the Hannah Arendt Center for Politics and Humanities, Visiting Assistant Professor of Politics at Bard College and is Associate Faculty at the Brooklyn Institute for Social Research in New York City. She writes about Hannah Arendt, Critical Theory, the Frankfurt School, poetics, aesthetic theory, and the history of political thought. You can find her work in the Los Angeles Review of Books, Public Seminar, OpenDemocracy, Theory &amp; Event, Contemporary Political Theory, The South Atlantic Quarterly, The Journal of the Hannah Arendt Center, and Amor Mundi, among other publications. She the author of two forthcoming books: Hannah Arendt (2021, Reaktion Books) and Hannah Arendt’s Poems.

In this episode, Cliff Brooks and Michael Amidei interview Dr. Samantha Rose Hill.  Dr. Hill (<a href="https://www.samantharosehill.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.samantharosehill.com/</a>)  received her doctorate in Political Science from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst in 2014. From 2013-2015, she conducted post-doctoral research at Heidelberg Universität and the Institut für Philosophie at the Goethe-Universität in Frankfurt am Main. She taught at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Amherst College, and is currently the Assistant Director of the Hannah Arendt Center for Politics and Humanities, Visiting Assistant Professor of Politics at Bard College and is Associate Faculty at the Brooklyn Institute for Social Research in New York City. She writes about Hannah Arendt, Critical Theory, the Frankfurt School, poetics, aesthetic theory, and the history of political thought. You can find her work in the<a href="https://lareviewofbooks.org/article/thinking-itself-is-dangerous#!" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Los Angeles Review of Books</a>, <a href="http://www.publicseminar.org/author/shill/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Public Seminar</a>, <a href="https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/author/samantha-rose-hill/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">OpenDemocracy</a>, <a href="https://muse.jhu.edu/issue/33770" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Theory &amp; Event</a>, <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1057%2Fs41296-016-0020-z" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Contemporary Political Theory</a>, <a href="https://read.dukeupress.edu/south-atlantic-quarterly/issue/117/4" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The South Atlantic Quarterly</a>, <a href="https://hac.bard.edu/hajournal/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Journal of the Hannah Arendt Center</a>, and <a href="https://medium.com/amor-mundi" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Amor Mundi</a>, among other publications. She the author of two forthcoming books: Hannah Arendt (2021, <a href="http://www.reaktionbooks.co.uk/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Reaktion Books</a>) and Hannah Arendt’s Poems.

The Embrace Of Despair (Interview with Dr. Samantha Rose Hill)

Zoe Fishman

In this episode, Clifford Brooks and Michael Amidei interview author Zoe Fishman.  Zoe Fishman (https://www.zoefishman.net/) the critically acclaimed author of Invisible As Air (Morrow, September '19), the bestselling Inheriting Edith, (Morrow, October ’16), Driving Lessons (Morrow, April ’14), Saving Ruth (Morrow, May ’12) and Balancing Acts (Harper, March ’10). Her books have been translated into Hebrew, German, Italian, Dutch and Polish and are also available in Audio and Large Print editions. She’s the recipient of a myriad of awards, including an AJC "10 Southern Books We Loved in 2019" selection, an IndieNext Pick, Target’s Breakout and Emerging Author Picks, a NY Post Pick, a Mom’s Choice Award and a Barnes &amp; Noble Hot Read. Interviews and profiles of her have been featured on NBC’s “Atlanta &amp; Co.” and FGTV, as well as in Publisher’s Weekly, Mobile Bay Magazine, The Atlanta Jewish Times and The Huffington Post. Her essays have been published in The New York Times' Modern Love column, as part of The Atlanta Journal Constitution's Personal Journey series and Modern Loss among others. Zoe worked in the New York publishing industry for thirteen years in the editorial department of Random House, the rights department of Simon &amp; Schuster and later, as an agent for two boutique literary firms before moving to Atlanta in August of 2011 with her family. She is the Executive Director of The Decatur Writers Studio as well as an instructor. She is also an instructor in the Emory Continuing Education program. In the Spring of 2017, she was the Visiting Writer at SCAD Atlanta. She is currently working on her next novel.

In this episode, Clifford Brooks and Michael Amidei interview author Zoe Fishman.  Zoe Fishman (<a href="https://www.zoefishman.net/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.zoefishman.net/</a>) the critically acclaimed author of Invisible As Air (Morrow, September '19), the bestselling Inheriting Edith, (Morrow, October ’16), Driving Lessons (Morrow, April ’14), Saving Ruth (Morrow, May ’12) and Balancing Acts (Harper, March ’10). Her books have been translated into Hebrew, German, Italian, Dutch and Polish and are also available in Audio and Large Print editions. She’s the recipient of a myriad of awards, including an AJC "10 Southern Books We Loved in 2019" selection, an IndieNext Pick, Target’s Breakout and Emerging Author Picks, a NY Post Pick, a Mom’s Choice Award and a Barnes &amp; Noble Hot Read. Interviews and profiles of her have been featured on NBC’s “Atlanta &amp; Co.” and FGTV, as well as in Publisher’s Weekly, Mobile Bay Magazine, The Atlanta Jewish Times and The Huffington Post. Her essays have been published in The New York Times' Modern Love column, as part of The Atlanta Journal Constitution's Personal Journey series and Modern Loss among others. Zoe worked in the New York publishing industry for thirteen years in the editorial department of Random House, the rights department of Simon &amp; Schuster and later, as an agent for two boutique literary firms before moving to Atlanta in August of 2011 with her family. She is the Executive Director of The Decatur Writers Studio as well as an instructor. She is also an instructor in the Emory Continuing Education program. In the Spring of 2017, she was the Visiting Writer at SCAD Atlanta. She is currently working on her next novel.

The Tender Words Of Zoe Fishman

Jim Reese

In this episode, Cliff Brooks and Michael Amidei interview Jim Reese.  Jim Reese ( www.jimreese.org ) Jim Reese is Associate Professor of English and Director of the Great Plains Writers’ Tour at Mount Marty College in Yankton, South Dakota. Reese’s poetry and prose have been widely published, and he has performed readings at venues throughout the country, including the Library of Congress and San Quentin Prison. Reese’s awards include First Place in the 2018 Allen Ginsberg Poetry Awards, a 2018 Distinguished Achievement Award from Mount Marty College, and a Distinguished Public Service Award in recognition of his exemplary dedication and contributions to the Education Department at Federal Prison Camp Yankton. His books include These Trespasses (The Backwaters Press, 2005), ghost on 3rd (New York Quarterly Books, 2010), and Really Happy! (New York Quarterly Books, 2014). A fourth collection, Dancing Room Only, is forthcoming by New York Quarterly Books in 2020. His first book of nonfiction, Bone Chalk, will be published by Stephen F. Austin State University Press in 2019.

In this episode, Cliff Brooks and Michael Amidei interview Jim Reese. Jim Reese ( <a href="http://jimreese.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.jimreese.org</a> ) Jim Reese is Associate Professor of English and Director of the Great Plains Writers’ Tour at Mount Marty College in Yankton, South Dakota. Reese’s poetry and prose have been widely published, and he has performed readings at venues throughout the country, including the Library of Congress and San Quentin Prison. Reese’s awards include First Place in the 2018 Allen Ginsberg Poetry Awards, a 2018 Distinguished Achievement Award from Mount Marty College, and a Distinguished Public Service Award in recognition of his exemplary dedication and contributions to the Education Department at Federal Prison Camp Yankton. His books include These Trespasses (The Backwaters Press, 2005), ghost on 3rd (New York Quarterly Books, 2010), and Really Happy! (New York Quarterly Books, 2014). A fourth collection, Dancing Room Only, is forthcoming by New York Quarterly Books in 2020. His first book of nonfiction, Bone Chalk, will be published by Stephen F. Austin State University Press in 2019.

Bone Chalk & Prison (Interview with Jim Reese)

In this episode, Cliff Brooks and Michael Amidei discuss how they plan for each new year. 

In this episode, Cliff Brooks and Michael Amidei discuss how they plan for each new year.

New Year, Who Dis?

Jeffery Skinner

In this episode, Cliff Brooks and Michael Amidei interview Jeffery Skinner.  http://jeffreyskinner.net/ Poet, playwright, and essayist Jeffrey Skinner was awarded a 2014 Guggenheim Fellowship in Poetry. Skinner’s Guggenheim project involves a conflation of contemporary physics, poetry, and theology.  He served as the June, 2015 Artist in Residence at the CERN particle accelerator in Geneva, Switzerland.  In 2015 he was awarded one of eight American Academy of Arts &amp; Letters Awards, for exceptional accomplishment in writing. His most recent prose book, The 6.5 Practices of Moderately Successful Poets, was published to wide attention and acclaim, including a full page positive review in the Sunday New York Times Book Review.  His most recent collection of poems, Glaciology, was chosen in 2012 as winner in the Crab Orchard Open Poetry Competition, and published by Southern Illinois University press in Fall, 2013. Skinner has published five previous collections: Late Stars (Wesleyan University Press), A Guide to Forgetting (a winner in the 1987 National Poetry series, chosen by Tess Gallagher, published by Graywolf Press), The Company of Heaven (Pitt Poetry Series), Gender Studies, (Miami University Press), and Salt Water Amnesia (Ausable Press).  He has edited two anthologies, Last Call: Poems of Alcoholism, Addiction, and Deliverance; and Passing the Word: Poets and Their Mentors.  His numerous chapbooks include Salt Mother, Animal Dad, which was chosen by C.K. Williams for the New York City Center for Book Arts Poetry Competition in 2005.  Over the years Skinner’s poems have appeared in most of the country’s premier literary magazines, including The New Yorker, The Atlantic, The Nation, The American Poetry Review, Poetry, FENCE, Bomb, DoubleTake, and The Georgia, Iowa, and Paris Reviews. Also a playwright, Skinner’s play Down Range had a successful run at Theatre 3 in New York City in the Spring of 2009, and another in Chicago in 2014.  His play Dream On had its premier production in February of 2007, by the Cardboard Box Collaborative Theatre in Philadelphia.  Other of Skinner’s plays have been finalists in the Eugene O’Neill Theater Conference competition, and winners in various play contests. Skinner’s writing has gathered grants, fellowships, and awards from such sources as the National Endowment for the Arts (1986, &amp; 2006), the Ingram Merrill Foundation, the Howard Foundation, and the state arts agencies of Connecticut, Delaware, and Kentucky.  He has been awarded residencies at Yaddo, McDowell, Vermont Studios, and the Fine Arts Center in Provincetown.  His work has been featured numerous times on National Public Radio.  In 2002 Skinner served as Poet-in-Residence at the James Merrill House in Stonington, Connecticut. He is President of the Board of Directors, and Editorial Consultant, for Sarabande Books, a literary publishing house he cofounded with his wife, poet Sarah Gorham.  He teaches creative writing and English at The University of Louisville.

In this episode, Cliff Brooks and Michael Amidei interview Jeffery Skinner.  <a href="http://jeffreyskinner.net/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://jeffreyskinner.net/</a> Poet, playwright, and essayist Jeffrey Skinner was awarded a 2014 Guggenheim Fellowship in Poetry. Skinner’s Guggenheim project involves a conflation of contemporary physics, poetry, and theology.  He served as the June, 2015 Artist in Residence at the CERN particle accelerator in Geneva, Switzerland.  In 2015 he was awarded one of eight American Academy of Arts &amp; Letters Awards, for exceptional accomplishment in writing. His most recent prose book, The 6.5 Practices of Moderately Successful Poets, was published to wide attention and acclaim, including a full page positive review in the Sunday New York Times Book Review.  His most recent collection of poems, Glaciology, was chosen in 2012 as winner in the Crab Orchard Open Poetry Competition, and published by Southern Illinois University press in Fall, 2013. Skinner has published five previous collections: Late Stars (Wesleyan University Press), A Guide to Forgetting (a winner in the 1987 National Poetry series, chosen by Tess Gallagher, published by Graywolf Press), The Company of Heaven (Pitt Poetry Series), Gender Studies, (Miami University Press), and Salt Water Amnesia (Ausable Press).  He has edited two anthologies, Last Call: Poems of Alcoholism, Addiction, and Deliverance; and Passing the Word: Poets and Their Mentors.  His numerous chapbooks include Salt Mother, Animal Dad, which was chosen by C.K. Williams for the New York City Center for Book Arts Poetry Competition in 2005.  Over the years Skinner’s poems have appeared in most of the country’s premier literary magazines, including The New Yorker, The Atlantic, The Nation, The American Poetry Review, Poetry, FENCE, Bomb, DoubleTake, and The Georgia, Iowa, and Paris Reviews. Also a playwright, Skinner’s play Down Range had a successful run at Theatre 3 in New York City in the Spring of 2009, and another in Chicago in 2014.  His play Dream On had its premier production in February of 2007, by the Cardboard Box Collaborative Theatre in Philadelphia.  Other of Skinner’s plays have been finalists in the Eugene O’Neill Theater Conference competition, and winners in various play contests. Skinner’s writing has gathered grants, fellowships, and awards from such sources as the National Endowment for the Arts (1986, &amp; 2006), the Ingram Merrill Foundation, the Howard Foundation, and the state arts agencies of Connecticut, Delaware, and Kentucky.  He has been awarded residencies at Yaddo, McDowell, Vermont Studios, and the Fine Arts Center in Provincetown.  His work has been featured numerous times on National Public Radio.  In 2002 Skinner served as Poet-in-Residence at the James Merrill House in Stonington, Connecticut. He is President of the Board of Directors, and Editorial Consultant, for Sarabande Books, a literary publishing house he cofounded with his wife, poet Sarah Gorham.  He teaches creative writing and English at The University of Louisville.

The Poetry Of Accelerated Particles... (Interview with Jeffery Skinner)

In this episode, Michael Amidei and Clifford Brooks interview Andrew J. Wilt, the publisher of 11:11 Press.   Andrew J. Wilt, Publisher ( www.1111press.com )​ Andrew has been working professionally in writing for over a decade. He was the founder &amp; editor of Cohesion, the first alternative zine at Grand Valley State University. While attending the University of Washington in Seattle, he was accepted to Sustainable Evolution Inc.’s business analyst apprenticeship program where he studied change management and knowledge sharing within organizations. Throughout the program, Andrew wrote about his experiences transitioning from being a full-time student to a full-time employee. He is the author of Age of Agility: The New Tools for Career Success, which is currently being used as a textbook in universities, nonprofits, and Fortune 500 companies. 11:11 Press is a combination of his passion and purpose: writing, business, providing opportunities to artists, and fostering engagement in the arts. Andrew is currently the Director of Apprenticeship at Mechanical Systems Inc. 

In this episode, Michael Amidei and Clifford Brooks interview Andrew J. Wilt, the publisher of 11:11 Press.   Andrew J. Wilt, Publisher ( <a href="http://www.1111press.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.1111press.com</a> )​ Andrew has been working professionally in writing for over a decade. He was the founder &amp; editor of Cohesion, the first alternative zine at Grand Valley State University. While attending the University of Washington in Seattle, he was accepted to Sustainable Evolution Inc.’s business analyst apprenticeship program where he studied change management and knowledge sharing within organizations. Throughout the program, Andrew wrote about his experiences transitioning from being a full-time student to a full-time employee. He is the author of Age of Agility: The New Tools for Career Success, which is currently being used as a textbook in universities, nonprofits, and Fortune 500 companies. 11:11 Press is a combination of his passion and purpose: writing, business, providing opportunities to artists, and fostering engagement in the arts. Andrew is currently the Director of Apprenticeship at Mechanical Systems Inc.

How (And Why) To Get A Publisher (Interview with Andrew J. Wilt)

In this episode, Cliff Brooks and Michael Amidei interview the dynamic Casanova Green.   Casanova Green is a writer, singer/songwriter, educator, and pastor. He is a 2010 graduate of Ohio Northern University with a BA in Language Arts Education with minor in voice and received an MFA in Creative Writing at the Etowah Valley Low-Residency MFA Program at Reinhardt University in 2018. Casanova is a member of the Southern Collective Experience and has been published in several publications including The Blue Mountain Review, Raw Art Review, and Fredericksburg Literary and Art Review.   He has done extensive ministry work since the age of nine and has served as a worship leader and choir director for twenty years. He released his first album, A Worshiper Mentality, in January 2016 and is currently working on his second and third albums, Songs from the Journey Parts I and II, which will be released in 2019 and 2020. Currently, he serves as the Lead Pastor of True Vision Christian Community based in Lancaster, OH where he and his family reside.  Links to Casanova Green: https://www.cgcreate.online/ His IndieGoGo Campaign:  https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/launcing-cgcreate-and-the-next-cd?fbclid=IwAR3yRIFWtfWEQx5Dn02jli-YXo17bzOVHtJL8qr98ACBi-iaDBl4Z8PzPxQ#/

In this episode, Cliff Brooks and Michael Amidei interview the dynamic Casanova Green. Casanova Green is a writer, singer/songwriter, educator, and pastor. He is a 2010 graduate of Ohio Northern University with a BA in Language Arts Education with minor in voice and received an MFA in Creative Writing at the Etowah Valley Low-Residency MFA Program at Reinhardt University in 2018. Casanova is a member of the Southern Collective Experience and has been published in several publications including The Blue Mountain Review, Raw Art Review, and Fredericksburg Literary and Art Review. He has done extensive ministry work since the age of nine and has served as a worship leader and choir director for twenty years. He released his first album, A Worshiper Mentality, in January 2016 and is currently working on his second and third albums, Songs from the Journey Parts I and II, which will be released in 2019 and 2020. Currently, he serves as the Lead Pastor of True Vision Christian Community based in Lancaster, OH where he and his family reside. Links to Casanova Green: <a href="https://www.cgcreate.online/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.cgcreate.online/</a> His IndieGoGo Campaign: <a href="https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/launcing-cgcreate-and-the-next-cd?fbclid=IwAR3yRIFWtfWEQx5Dn02jli-YXo17bzOVHtJL8qr98ACBi-iaDBl4Z8PzPxQ#/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/launcing-cgcreate-and-the-next-cd?fbclid=IwAR3yRIFWtfWEQx5Dn02jli-YXo17bzOVHtJL8qr98ACBi-iaDBl4Z8PzPxQ#/</a>

The Singing Pastoral Poet (Interview w/ Casanova Green)

Luke Johnson

In this episode, Brooks &amp; Amidei interview Luke Johnson, founder of Noetic (www.Noetic.Online), which aims to create an expansive audio-lecture library on the great and sometimes neglected works of philosophy in a unique and powerful social media platform.  Noetic www.Noetic.Online  Justin Johnson (Music) www.JustinJohnsonLive.com

In this episode, Brooks &amp; Amidei interview Luke Johnson, founder of Noetic (www.Noetic.Online), which aims to create an expansive audio-lecture library on the great and sometimes neglected works of philosophy in a unique and powerful social media platform. Noetic www.Noetic.Online Justin Johnson (Music) <a href="http://www.JustinJohnsonLive.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.JustinJohnsonLive.com</a>

The Noetic Professor (Interview with Luke Johnson)

In this episode, Clifford Brooks and Michael Amidei interview Cameron Dezen Hammon.  Cameron Dezen Hammon’s writing has appeared in Ecotone, The Rumpus, The Literary Review, The Butter, NYLON, Them, The Houston Chronicle, and elsewhere. Her essay “Infirmary Music” was named a notable in The Best American Essays 2017, and she is a contributor to The Kiss: Intimacies from Writers (W.W. Norton), My Caesarean: Twenty Mothers on the Experience of Birth by C-Section and After (The Experiment) and Common Prayer: Reflections on Episcopal Worship (Wipf &amp; Stock). She is co-founder of The Slant reading series, host of The Ish podcast, and her debut book This Is My Body: A Memoir of Religious and Romantic Obsession is forthcoming from Lookout Books on October 22, 2019.  www.CameronDezenHammon.com Music provided by Justin Johnson (www.JustinJohnsonLive.com)

In this episode, Clifford Brooks and Michael Amidei interview Cameron Dezen Hammon.  Cameron Dezen Hammon’s writing has appeared in Ecotone, The Rumpus, The Literary Review, The Butter, NYLON, Them, The Houston Chronicle, and elsewhere. Her essay “Infirmary Music” was named a notable in The Best American Essays 2017, and she is a contributor to The Kiss: Intimacies from Writers (W.W. Norton), My Caesarean: Twenty Mothers on the Experience of Birth by C-Section and After (The Experiment) and Common Prayer: Reflections on Episcopal Worship (Wipf &amp; Stock). She is co-founder of The Slant reading series, host of The Ish podcast, and her debut book This Is My Body: A Memoir of Religious and Romantic Obsession is forthcoming from Lookout Books on October 22, 2019.  <a href="https://www.Camerondezenhammon.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.CameronDezenHammon.com</a> Music provided by Justin Johnson (<a href="https://www.justinjohnsonlive.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.JustinJohnsonLive.com</a>)

Interview With Cameron Dezen Hammon

In this episode, Clifford Brooks &amp; Michael Amidei discuss taking your creative work and building a business (aka money making) model around it.  Music by Justin Johnson( www.JustinJohnsonLive.com ) Michael Amidei ( www.MichaelAmidei.com &amp; www.WorldPoetryOpenMic.net ) Clifford Brooks ( www.CliffBrooks.com &amp;  www.SouthernCollectiveExperience.com )

In this episode, Clifford Brooks &amp; Michael Amidei discuss taking your creative work and building a business (aka money making) model around it.  Music by Justin Johnson( <a href="www.justinjacksonlive.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.JustinJohnsonLive.com</a> ) Michael Amidei ( <a href="www.MichaelAmidei.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.MichaelAmidei.com</a> &amp; <a href="www.WorldPoetryOpenMic.net" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.WorldPoetryOpenMic.net</a> ) Clifford Brooks ( <a href="www.CliffBrooks.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.CliffBrooks.com</a> &amp; <a href="www.SouthernCollectiveExperience.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.SouthernCollectiveExperience.com</a> )

Building A Business Around Your Art

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