Mia Borders is a singer, songwriter, and guitarist who's become a perennial figure in the uptown New Orleans music scene. She's performed at House of Blues New Orleans, Essence Festival, Brazil’s Bourbon Street Music Festival, Santa Cruz Blues Fest, Chattanooga’s NightFall, Voice of the Wetlands, Memphis’s Levitt Shell, Long’s Park Amphitheater, and The Kennedy Center for Performing Arts. Her catalog includes live albums, six LPs, five singles, and three EPs – including 2019’s “Good Side of Bad” produced under her own label, Blaxican Records.

Mia Borders is a singer, songwriter, and guitarist who's become a perennial figure in the uptown New Orleans music scene. She's performed at House of Blues New Orleans, Essence Festival, Brazil’s Bourbon Street Music Festival, Santa Cruz Blues Fest, Chattanooga’s NightFall, Voice of the Wetlands, Memphis’s Levitt Shell, Long’s Park Amphitheater, and The Kennedy Center for Performing Arts. Her catalog includes live albums, six LPs, five singles, and three EPs – including 2019’s “Good Side of Bad” produced under her own label, Blaxican Records.

Episode 282 - Mia Borders

Phil Roy has written songs for some of the greats, including Ray Charles, Aaron Neville, and Joe Cocker, and Mavis Staples, and songs for two Academy Award-winning films: Leaving Las Vegas and As Good As It Gets. He co-wrote one of his songs, Melt, with his long-time friend, Nicolas Cage. Phil was born and raised in Philadelphia, and attended Berklee College of Music as a guitar major. It was around then he first took an interest in songwriting. He moved to LA in 1981 and almost immediately got signed to Warner Brothers records with his band Carrera. In 1987 he became a staff songwriter. In 2000 he self-released his album Grouchyfriendly - it won “Independent Album of the Year” from Musician’s Atlas Magazine. He has since released three more solo albums: Issues + Options in 2003, The Great Longing in 2005, and In The Weird Small Hours in 2009, which won a “Concept Album of the Year” by the Independent Music Awards.

Phil Roy has written songs for some of the greats, including Ray Charles, Aaron Neville, and Joe Cocker, and Mavis Staples, and songs for two Academy Award-winning films: Leaving Las Vegas and As Good As It Gets. He co-wrote one of his songs, Melt, with his long-time friend, Nicolas Cage. Phil was born and raised in Philadelphia, and attended Berklee College of Music as a guitar major. It was around then he first took an interest in songwriting. He moved to LA in 1981 and almost immediately got signed to Warner Brothers records with his band Carrera. In 1987 he became a staff songwriter. In 2000 he self-released his album Grouchyfriendly - it won “Independent Album of the Year” from Musician’s Atlas Magazine. He has since released three more solo albums: Issues + Options in 2003, The Great Longing in 2005, and In The Weird Small Hours in 2009, which won a “Concept Album of the Year” by the Independent Music Awards.

Episode 281 - Phil Roy

Scott Carter

Scott Carter is Co-creator and Executive Producer Love &amp; Respect with Killer Mike on PBS, and was a writer for Politically Incorrect hosted by Bill Maher on Comedy Central, and then writer and producer for Real Time with Bill Maher on HBO for its first 16 seasons. Scott’s podcast Ye Gods! with Scott Carter launched in February of 2023. On it, he discusses personal faith and ethics with a diverse group of interfaith and non-faith celebrity guests to uncover what we believe and what we don’t. 

Scott Carter is Co-creator and Executive Producer Love &amp; Respect with Killer Mike on PBS, and was a writer for Politically Incorrect hosted by Bill Maher on Comedy Central, and then writer and producer for Real Time with Bill Maher on HBO for its first 16 seasons. Scott’s podcast <a href="https://yegods.podbean.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Ye Gods! with Scott Carter</a> launched in February of 2023. On it, he discusses personal faith and ethics with a diverse group of interfaith and non-faith celebrity guests to uncover what we believe and what we don’t.

Episode 280 - Scott Carter

Jonathan Harrison

Dr. Jonathan Harrison obtained his PhD in Sociology from the University of Leicester in the UK in 2006 and then migrated to Florida that same year. He has taught as an adjunct instructor since 2012 at FGCU, Florida Southwestern State University, and Hodges University. Jonathan has written extensively about segregation in Fort Myers and contributed to the WGCU documentary With a Made Up Mind, which explores the history of voter suppression in Southwest Florida.

Dr. Jonathan Harrison obtained his PhD in Sociology from the University of Leicester in the UK in 2006 and then migrated to Florida that same year. He has taught as an adjunct instructor since 2012 at FGCU, Florida Southwestern State University, and Hodges University. Jonathan has written extensively about segregation in Fort Myers and contributed to the WGCU documentary With a Made Up Mind, which explores the history of voter suppression in Southwest Florida.

Episode 279 - Dr. Jonathan Harrison

James Priestner

James Priestner is the frontman of the Canadian band Rare Americans. They’ve released four albums and an EP and their songs, each paired with narrative-driven animated video, have garnered them a Billboard 100 album, a JUNO award for their most listened to track to date, “Brittle Bones Nicky,” more than 500 million streams, and more than 875K YouTube subscribers.  The band just released the first installment of their most ambitious project to date, “Searching For Strawberries: The Story Of Jongo Bongo.” It’s one-part 33-minute-long fully animated musical feature and one-part good old fashioned album that together create an immersive listening and viewing experience.

James Priestner is the frontman of the Canadian band Rare Americans. They’ve released four albums and an EP and their songs, each paired with narrative-driven animated video, have garnered them a Billboard 100 album, a JUNO award for their most listened to track to date, “Brittle Bones Nicky,” more than 500 million streams, and more than 875K YouTube subscribers.  The band just released the first installment of their most ambitious project to date, “Searching For Strawberries: The Story Of Jongo Bongo.” It’s one-part 33-minute-long fully animated musical feature and one-part good old fashioned album that together create an immersive listening and viewing experience.

Episode 278 - James Priestner

David Oquendo

David Oquendo worked in business and retail management more than a decade, and decided decided to turn his passion for film and television in his actual job. Since then, has worked on productions for CMT, PBS, Oxygen, the Travel Channel, and the El Rey Networks, and is now at the helm of WGCU’s video productions for TV and web.

David Oquendo worked in business and retail management more than a decade, and decided decided to turn his passion for film and television in his actual job. Since then, has worked on productions for CMT, PBS, Oxygen, the Travel Channel, and the El Rey Networks, and is now at the helm of WGCU’s video productions for TV and web.

Episode 277 - David Oquendo

Bob Kealing

Bob Kealing is a journalist who spent most of his three decade long career at WESH-TV in Orlando. He’s won four Emmys and an Edward R. Murrow award, and has appeared on Dateline NBC, the Today Show, CBS This Morning, and has appeared as a guest on NPR, CNN, MSNBC, NBC and C-SPAN.   The author of four non-fiction books, Bob’s research led to the establishment of the Jack Kerouac House in Orlando, a literary landmark in the National Register of Historic Places, and Gram ‘cosmic cowboy’ Parsons Derry Down, a Florida Heritage site honoring the pioneering country rock musician in his birthplace, Winter Haven. His latest book is Good Day Sunshine: How the Beatles Rocked Florida

Bob Kealing is a journalist who spent most of his three decade long career at WESH-TV in Orlando. He’s won four Emmys and an Edward R. Murrow award, and has appeared on Dateline NBC, the Today Show, CBS This Morning, and has appeared as a guest on NPR, CNN, MSNBC, NBC and C-SPAN. The author of four non-fiction books, Bob’s research led to the establishment of the Jack Kerouac House in Orlando, a literary landmark in the National Register of Historic Places, and Gram ‘cosmic cowboy’ Parsons Derry Down, a Florida Heritage site honoring the pioneering country rock musician in his birthplace, Winter Haven. His latest book is Good Day Sunshine: How the Beatles Rocked Florida

Episode 276 - Bob Kealing

John Donvan

John Donvan has been host and moderator of Open to Debate (recently changed from Intelligence Squared US) since 2008. John is also an author and four-time Emmy Award winning journalist who during his career reported for ABC, CNN, and PBS, including multi-year postings in Moscow, London, Jerusalem, and Amman, and he spent one term as chief White House correspondent for ABC News. His 2016 book, "In a Different Key: The Story of Autism" was a New York Times bestseller and a Pulitzer Prize Finalist - there is also a PBS documentary of the same name based on it.

John Donvan has been host and moderator of Open to Debate (recently changed from Intelligence Squared US) since 2008. John is also an author and four-time Emmy Award winning journalist who during his career reported for ABC, CNN, and PBS, including multi-year postings in Moscow, London, Jerusalem, and Amman, and he spent one term as chief White House correspondent for ABC News. His 2016 book, "In a Different Key: The Story of Autism" was a New York Times bestseller and a Pulitzer Prize Finalist - there is also a PBS documentary of the same name based on it.

Episode 275 - John Donvan

Tim Morrison

Tim Morrison is a lifelong musician and singer, but he says he still took the safe path and made sure to go to college. A Journalism degree later and a move to New York City led him to a unique career and life that wound up in anti-counterfeiting in the fashion world.  Deaths in the family lead to a move to Naples in 2005 and a return to music. His self-written/performed/engineered/produced/promoted/laptop album ended up with his song “Weight” featured on All Songs Considered - Second Stage and an interview on Gulf Coast Live - Arts Edition, back before it was Gulf Coast Life.  Tim ended up working at the Naples Zoo, the Holocaust Museum &amp; Cohen Education Center, and right here in public media at WGCU.

Tim Morrison is a lifelong musician and singer, but he says he still took the safe path and made sure to go to college. A Journalism degree later and a move to New York City led him to a unique career and life that wound up in anti-counterfeiting in the fashion world.  Deaths in the family lead to a move to Naples in 2005 and a return to music. His self-written/performed/engineered/produced/promoted/laptop album ended up with his song “Weight” featured on All Songs Considered - Second Stage and an interview on Gulf Coast Live - Arts Edition, back before it was Gulf Coast Life.  Tim ended up working at the Naples Zoo, the Holocaust Museum &amp; Cohen Education Center, and right here in public media at WGCU.

Episode 274 - Tim Morrison

Eric Otto

Dr. Eric Otto plays guitar for the Immokalee Road Band with his FGCU colleagues Miles Mancini and Mike Kennedy, and since 2019 he has also been the guitarist for the Gulf Coast Big Band, which raises scholarship money to support jazz education in Southwest Florida. For his day job, Eric is Professor of Environmental Humanities, Director of General Education, and Interim Chair of the Department of Integrated Studies at FGCU. 

Dr. Eric Otto plays guitar for the Immokalee Road Band with his FGCU colleagues Miles Mancini and Mike Kennedy, and since 2019 he has also been the guitarist for the Gulf Coast Big Band, which raises scholarship money to support jazz education in Southwest Florida. For his day job, Eric is Professor of Environmental Humanities, Director of General Education, and Interim Chair of the Department of Integrated Studies at FGCU.

Episode 273 - Dr. Eric Otto

Love this podcast! When I started listening I picked a couple of shows where I kind of knew the guest but as I listened more it really didn’t matter who the guest was. The direction of linking music to personal stories makes every episode interesting and enjoyable. I have heard some songs that are new favorites as well as some that I can’t stand but the stories and personal connection make it all awesome! Keep up the great work

An inspired journey

The content of the show is certainly unique in how it brings music into the true biography of your life.  Every guests story is different which keeps me wanting to hear more on what each week will bring to me.  

Very creative and delightful to listen to!

Quality Content

Three Song Stories

Jessi Lachut

Jessi Lachut is a Fort Myers native who has been involved in the local DIY punk/activist scene since the 90s. She has put out zines, started a Women's health collective and was involved in feeding the homeless with the Fort Myers chapter of Food Not Bombs. Joe Lachut is a Western New York native that moved to Naples in the early 90s, and then up to Fort Myers in 2001. He's been in a number of local bands including, Merkit, Panzram, Evil Existence, Jiyuna &amp; currently plays in Plural Being. Recently Joe made the leap, quit his day job, and along with Jessi opened Graveyard Shift Screen Printing, he says to combine his love for the art form with the ethics he learned from his involvement with Do-It-Yourself culture.

Jessi Lachut is a Fort Myers native who has been involved in the local DIY punk/activist scene since the 90s. She has put out zines, started a Women's health collective and was involved in feeding the homeless with the Fort Myers chapter of Food Not Bombs. Joe Lachut is a Western New York native that moved to Naples in the early 90s, and then up to Fort Myers in 2001. He's been in a number of local bands including, Merkit, Panzram, Evil Existence, Jiyuna &amp; currently plays in Plural Being. Recently Joe made the leap, quit his day job, and along with Jessi opened Graveyard Shift Screen Printing, he says to combine his love for the art form with the ethics he learned from his involvement with Do-It-Yourself culture.

Episode 99 - Joe and Jessi Lachut

Robert Green

If you’ve ever been to FGCU, Mr. Robert William Green, Jr. is the Campus Greeter who’s usually in the information booth who enthusiastically greets everyone who enters campus...and I do mean everyone. And if you ever stop to get a parking permit or directions, he is sure to tell you that you are his friend. Mr. Green graduated from Green Oaks High School in Shreveport, Louisiana with a full football scholarship to Morris Brown College in Atlanta. He transferred and received a Bachelor’s degree in Religious Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and a Master’s degree in Theology from Fuller Theological Seminary, in Pasadena. He came to Florida in 2003, and taught 7th grade World Geography at Bonita Springs Middle School before coming to Florida Gulf Coast University in 2005 as Parking Services Representative, and then Welcome Center Representative in 2011.

If you’ve ever been to FGCU, Mr. Robert William Green, Jr. is the Campus Greeter who’s usually in the information booth who enthusiastically greets everyone who enters campus...and I do mean everyone. And if you ever stop to get a parking permit or directions, he is sure to tell you that you are his friend. Mr. Green graduated from Green Oaks High School in Shreveport, Louisiana with a full football scholarship to Morris Brown College in Atlanta. He transferred and received a Bachelor’s degree in Religious Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and a Master’s degree in Theology from Fuller Theological Seminary, in Pasadena. He came to Florida in 2003, and taught 7th grade World Geography at Bonita Springs Middle School before coming to Florida Gulf Coast University in 2005 as Parking Services Representative, and then Welcome Center Representative in 2011.

Episode 72 - Robert Green

Anne Duggan

Kyle Anne Duggan is a southwest Florida-based singer, songwriter, guitarist, composer and arranger. She's a “Berklee drop out with a penchant for hollow body guitars and writing songs about boys, and she says, "Pedal Steel makes me swoon. Please 'Like' my Facebook page and buy my music, I really want to quit my day job."   This episode is supported in part by a City of Fort Myers Arts &amp; Culture Grant.   

Kyle Anne Duggan is a southwest Florida-based singer, songwriter, guitarist, composer and arranger. She's a “Berklee drop out with a penchant for hollow body guitars and writing songs about boys, and she says, "Pedal Steel makes me swoon. Please 'Like' my Facebook page and buy my music, I really want to quit my day job." This episode is supported in part by a City of Fort Myers Arts &amp; Culture Grant.

Episode 65 - Kyle Anne Duggan

Shannon Arnold

Shannon Arnold is Artistic Director of the Fort Myers Symphonic Mastersingers. She is also the music director at Good Shepherd United Methodist Church in North Fort Myers. Prior to moving to Florida, Shannon received her Masters degree in Choral Conducting at Temple University with Paul Rardin, Mitos Andaya Hart, and Rollo Dilworth. She got her Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from Penn State University where she studied piano with Dr. Steven H. Smith and conducting with Dr. Christopher Kiver. This episode is supported in part by a City of Fort Myers Arts &amp; Culture Grant.   

Shannon Arnold is Artistic Director of the Fort Myers Symphonic Mastersingers. She is also the music director at Good Shepherd United Methodist Church in North Fort Myers. Prior to moving to Florida, Shannon received her Masters degree in Choral Conducting at Temple University with Paul Rardin, Mitos Andaya Hart, and Rollo Dilworth. She got her Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from Penn State University where she studied piano with Dr. Steven H. Smith and conducting with Dr. Christopher Kiver. This episode is supported in part by a City of Fort Myers Arts &amp; Culture Grant.

Episode 85 - Shannon Arnold

Skyler Denison

Skyler Joseph Denison is a chef, drummer, and native to Southwest Florida. He grew up working in bars and restaurants and played music around the area and state for what he says “seemed like forever” in local bands like Crimson Fetch which was renamed to Drawing Maps. When he’s not wrapped around the finger of his 5-year-old daughter, Locklyn Aver, you can find Skyler serving up some of the best veggies, fried chicken, and tacos in the area.

Skyler Joseph Denison is a chef, drummer, and native to Southwest Florida. He grew up working in bars and restaurants and played music around the area and state for what he says “seemed like forever” in local bands like Crimson Fetch which was renamed to Drawing Maps. When he’s not wrapped around the finger of his 5-year-old daughter, Locklyn Aver, you can find Skyler serving up some of the best veggies, fried chicken, and tacos in the area.

Episode 91 - Skyler Denison

Seth Ford

Seth Ford he comes from a long line of Florida Fords, going back seven generations in the state. His family has roots in Fort Myers dating back to the early 1910s. For the past 3 and a half years he’s worked for a company called True Tours, giving guided historical tours through downtown...that’s where I generally see Seth, and sometimes we give each other a nod as I drive past. He, his wife Jennifer, and their Daughter Amelia make up a band called The Shytunas that can be seen playing the streets of Fort Myers, and at other events like the Florida Folk festival.   This episode is supported in part by a City of Fort Myers Arts &amp; Culture Grant.   

Seth Ford he comes from a long line of Florida Fords, going back seven generations in the state. His family has roots in Fort Myers dating back to the early 1910s. For the past 3 and a half years he’s worked for a company called True Tours, giving guided historical tours through downtown...that’s where I generally see Seth, and sometimes we give each other a nod as I drive past. He, his wife Jennifer, and their Daughter Amelia make up a band called The Shytunas that can be seen playing the streets of Fort Myers, and at other events like the Florida Folk festival. This episode is supported in part by a City of Fort Myers Arts &amp; Culture Grant.

Episode 75 - Seth Ford

Sam Walch

Sam Walch is Director of Florida Gulf Coast University’s Cannabis Career Initiative...yeah, we’ve got one of those here. Sam also teaches classes on comedy, cannabis, drug policy, and the Apocalypse. A Ft. Myers native who grew up the road in Sarasota, Sam is married to fellow FGCU professor, Dr. Mary Walch, who still demands that he call her doctor. They have two wonderful children, Sam who is 17, and Anna who’s 14.

Sam Walch is Director of Florida Gulf Coast University’s Cannabis Career Initiative...yeah, we’ve got one of those here. Sam also teaches classes on comedy, cannabis, drug policy, and the Apocalypse. A Ft. Myers native who grew up the road in Sarasota, Sam is married to fellow FGCU professor, Dr. Mary Walch, who still demands that he call her doctor. They have two wonderful children, Sam who is 17, and Anna who’s 14.

Episode 81 - Sam Walch

Patton Dodd

Patton Dodd works for the H. E. Butt Foundation in San Antonio, Texas, where he's creating an initiative that tells multi-media stories about local inequity to try to change the narrative about why so much poverty exists and persists in San Antonio. His writing on religion and American culture has been featured in the Post, the Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, Newsweek, TheAtlantic.com, CNN.com, and Christianity Today. Patton holds a doctorate in religion and literature from Boston University, and he is the author of “The Prayer Wheel: A Daily Guide to Renewing Your Faith with a Rediscovered Spiritual Practice,” “The Tebow Mystique: The Faith and Fans of Football’s Most Polarizing Player,” and “My Faith So Far: A Story of Conversion and Confusion.”   This episode is supported in part by a City of Fort Myers Arts &amp; Culture Grant.   

Patton Dodd works for the H. E. Butt Foundation in San Antonio, Texas, where he's creating an initiative that tells multi-media stories about local inequity to try to change the narrative about why so much poverty exists and persists in San Antonio. His writing on religion and American culture has been featured in the Post, the Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, Newsweek, <a href="http://TheAtlantic.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">TheAtlantic.com</a>, <a href="http://CNN.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">CNN.com</a>, and Christianity Today. Patton holds a doctorate in religion and literature from Boston University, and he is the author of “The Prayer Wheel: A Daily Guide to Renewing Your Faith with a Rediscovered Spiritual Practice,” “The Tebow Mystique: The Faith and Fans of Football’s Most Polarizing Player,” and “My Faith So Far: A Story of Conversion and Confusion.” This episode is supported in part by a City of Fort Myers Arts &amp; Culture Grant.

Episode 88 - Patton Dodd

Andy Howl

Andy and his wife Alainna run HOWL Gallery/Tattoo, and Andy co-founded the Fort Myers Art Walk and founded the Fort Myers Music Walk events. Andy published a yearly coffee table art book series entitled The Devils Reign, co-curated by Peter H. Gilmore and featuring world renowned tattoo artists, painters and illustrators. This year, Andy started an original heavy metal band, their debut performance will happen this Winter at HOWL Gallery.   This episode is supported in part by a City of Fort Myers Arts &amp; Culture Grant.   

Andy and his wife Alainna run HOWL Gallery/Tattoo, and Andy co-founded the Fort Myers Art Walk and founded the Fort Myers Music Walk events. Andy published a yearly coffee table art book series entitled The Devils Reign, co-curated by Peter H. Gilmore and featuring world renowned tattoo artists, painters and illustrators. This year, Andy started an original heavy metal band, their debut performance will happen this Winter at HOWL Gallery. This episode is supported in part by a City of Fort Myers Arts &amp; Culture Grant.

Episode 84 - Andy Howl

Tim McBride

Tim McBride is a former marijuana smuggler/pot hauler who had a hand in bringing millions of pounds of pot into the country via Everglades City from the late '70s until the late '80s. His book “Saltwater Cowboy: The Rise and Fall of a Marijuana Empire”, which was published in 2015, details how he wound up smuggling weed in the Everglades, after leaving Wisconsin in 1979 to do some work as a crab fisherman. He and his crew were middlemen between a Colombian marijuana cartel and their distributors in Miami. His team included fishermen, drivers, stock houses, and security - his book says seemingly all of Chokoloskee Island was in on the operation back then. Tons upon tons of marijuana would pass through his hands during that time...until he was busted in 1989, and spent four years in prison.

Tim McBride is a former marijuana smuggler/pot hauler who had a hand in bringing millions of pounds of pot into the country via Everglades City from the late '70s until the late '80s. His book “Saltwater Cowboy: The Rise and Fall of a Marijuana Empire”, which was published in 2015, details how he wound up smuggling weed in the Everglades, after leaving Wisconsin in 1979 to do some work as a crab fisherman. He and his crew were middlemen between a Colombian marijuana cartel and their distributors in Miami. His team included fishermen, drivers, stock houses, and security - his book says seemingly all of Chokoloskee Island was in on the operation back then. Tons upon tons of marijuana would pass through his hands during that time...until he was busted in 1989, and spent four years in prison.

Episode 87 - Tim McBride

Maestro Raffaele Ponti is Music Director of the Punta Gorda Symphony, and the Paducah Symphony Orchestra. His main goals are to raise the artistic level of the orchestras; achieve passionate and inspired performances; enrich lives through great orchestral experiences; and make the orchestra important and relevant to the community. Maestro Ponti has worked with world class artists from all over the world. His reviews have dubbed him a “rising star”, “charismatic”, “electrifying”, and “empowering.” He was recently named a “Leader of Distinction” by the Florida Weekly.    This episode is supported in part by a City of Fort Myers Arts &amp; Culture Grant.   

Maestro Raffaele Ponti is Music Director of the Punta Gorda Symphony, and the Paducah Symphony Orchestra. His main goals are to raise the artistic level of the orchestras; achieve passionate and inspired performances; enrich lives through great orchestral experiences; and make the orchestra important and relevant to the community. Maestro Ponti has worked with world class artists from all over the world. His reviews have dubbed him a “rising star”, “charismatic”, “electrifying”, and “empowering.” He was recently named a “Leader of Distinction” by the Florida Weekly.  This episode is supported in part by a City of Fort Myers Arts &amp; Culture Grant.

Episode 92 - Maestro Raffaele Ponti

Claire Liparulo

Claire Liparulo is a Southwest Florida-based singer, songwriter, guitarist and violinist - She’s the frontwoman for the band The Freecoasters, whose sound infuses American southern soul with reggae and rock rhythms. In her solo performances, she blends of a touch of their unique mix of Southern Soul and Reggae with her roots in acoustic Americana. She’s performed at Carnegie Hall, Supernova International Ska Festival, and has shared a stage with The Aggrolites, The Slackers, The Toasters, Eastern Standard Time, and will be touring Florida with Ska greats Mephiskapheles this summer. The Freecoasters just wrapped up their 4th tour, and are about to release their second album, called A Different Kind of Heat, which was produced by Jesse Wagner of The Aggrolites, mixed and mastered by Roger Rivas, also of The Aggrolites, and recorded by Caleb Neff at Juniper Recording in Cape Coral.  This episode is supported in part by a City of Fort Myers Arts &amp; Culture Grant.   

Claire Liparulo is a Southwest Florida-based singer, songwriter, guitarist and violinist - She’s the frontwoman for the band The Freecoasters, whose sound infuses American southern soul with reggae and rock rhythms. In her solo performances, she blends of a touch of their unique mix of Southern Soul and Reggae with her roots in acoustic Americana. She’s performed at Carnegie Hall, Supernova International Ska Festival, and has shared a stage with The Aggrolites, The Slackers, The Toasters, Eastern Standard Time, and will be touring Florida with Ska greats Mephiskapheles this summer. The Freecoasters just wrapped up their 4th tour, and are about to release their second album, called A Different Kind of Heat, which was produced by Jesse Wagner of The Aggrolites, mixed and mastered by Roger Rivas, also of The Aggrolites, and recorded by Caleb Neff at Juniper Recording in Cape Coral. This episode is supported in part by a City of Fort Myers Arts &amp; Culture Grant.

Episode 71 - Claire Liparulo

Lee Bretschneider

Lee Bretschneider is creator, producer, and co-host of the Know Nonsense Trivia Podcast. Lee is also a native son of Southwest Florida, where he spent much of his formative years attending local music shows, reading comic books, playing video games, and making funny videos with his friends. He briefly served as an adjunct professor of comics and animation at FSU, and today, Lee works as a multimedia artist under the moniker Breshnyda while moonlighting as a trivia quizmaster. 

Lee Bretschneider is creator, producer, and co-host of the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/knownonsensetrivia/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Know Nonsense Trivia Podcast</a>. Lee is also a native son of Southwest Florida, where he spent much of his formative years attending local music shows, reading comic books, playing video games, and making funny videos with his friends. He briefly served as an adjunct professor of comics and animation at FSU, and today, Lee works as a multimedia artist under the moniker Breshnyda while moonlighting as a trivia quizmaster.

Episode 96 - Lee Bretschneider

It's the show's anniversary again, and Mike, Richard, and Tara sit down in the studio to talk about how the year went, what we learned, and which songs from our guests are now part of our own musical histories.

It's the show's anniversary again, and Mike, Richard, and Tara sit down in the studio to talk about how the year went, what we learned, and which songs from our guests are now part of our own musical histories.

Episode 104 - Year 2 Review

Bob Goodwin

Bob Goodwin grew up in Fort Myers, and lives in New York City. We grew up playing junior golf together, and being generally mild mannered hooligans in the 80s. And he’s lived an interesting life that’s included stints in the military, and in government (including time spent at the Pentagon and in the White House) and in the corporate world, as well as the nonprofit and non-governmental organization worlds, he’s literally worked all around the world. He’s recently started his own company that’s focusing on the problem of ocean plastics, from how to stem the tide of adding more, to what to do with what we can remove.

Bob Goodwin grew up in Fort Myers, and lives in New York City. We grew up playing junior golf together, and being generally mild mannered hooligans in the 80s. And he’s lived an interesting life that’s included stints in the military, and in government (including time spent at the Pentagon and in the White House) and in the corporate world, as well as the nonprofit and non-governmental organization worlds, he’s literally worked all around the world. He’s recently started his own company that’s focusing on the problem of ocean plastics, from how to stem the tide of adding more, to what to do with what we can remove.

Episode 70 - Bob Goodwin

Alissa Roca

Alissa Roca is an opera singer who says she enjoys performing in a variety of styles ranging from Baroque to Contemporary and everything in between. She has worked as a soloist with a variety of symphonies, and has produced and performed numerous solo recitals. She’s also known for her work in contemporary music, and frequently works with composers including Joseph Thalken, Dan Welcher, Jesper Koch, Michael Daugherty, and primarily with composer Jason Mulligan. She premiered his first vocal work in 2012 and the two have continued to collaborate on countless projects including a premiere as a part of the New American Voices series. She has premiered over sixteen pieces including a full length concert drama and set of songs of her own texts.

Alissa Roca is an opera singer who says she enjoys performing in a variety of styles ranging from Baroque to Contemporary and everything in between. She has worked as a soloist with a variety of symphonies, and has produced and performed numerous solo recitals. She’s also known for her work in contemporary music, and frequently works with composers including Joseph Thalken, Dan Welcher, Jesper Koch, Michael Daugherty, and primarily with composer Jason Mulligan. She premiered his first vocal work in 2012 and the two have continued to collaborate on countless projects including a premiere as a part of the New American Voices series. She has premiered over sixteen pieces including a full length concert drama and set of songs of her own texts.

Episode 97 - Alissa Roca

Kat Epple

Kat Epple is an Emmy Award-winning composer and musician who has released 36 albums, and has composed music for film and television including for National Geographic, PBS Nova, Carl Sagan, CNN, History Channel, MTV, NASA, and Apple Computers. Kat has performed at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The United Nations, Guggenheim Museums, and in concerts all around the world. With her 1980s San Francisco-based Electronic Space Music duo, “Emerald Web”, she was a pioneer in Electronic Music, New Age Music, healing music, and music technology in general. For twenty years, her friend and legendary visual artist, Robert Rauschenberg, commissioned her to perform at his art openings. She performs and records with Anthropology Band, the Heavy Metal band, Devin Townsend Project, and Sonic Combine. 

Kat Epple is an Emmy Award-winning composer and musician who has released 36 albums, and has composed music for film and television including for National Geographic, PBS Nova, Carl Sagan, CNN, History Channel, MTV, NASA, and Apple Computers. Kat has performed at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The United Nations, Guggenheim Museums, and in concerts all around the world. With her 1980s San Francisco-based Electronic Space Music duo, “Emerald Web”, she was a pioneer in Electronic Music, New Age Music, healing music, and music technology in general. For twenty years, her friend and legendary visual artist, Robert Rauschenberg, commissioned her to perform at his art openings. She performs and records with Anthropology Band, the Heavy Metal band, Devin Townsend Project, and Sonic Combine.

Episode 94 - Kat Epple

Peter Ndiangui

Dr. Peter Ndiang'ui was born and raised in a village called Mathakwaini in Central Kenya. For the first eight years of his life Kenya was under colonial rule, and during that time the local people, including his parents, were fighting for their freedom. He says his family was very poor, but there was so much love and laughter in the house, the word poor was unheard of. He is President of the African Network of Southwest Florida, and a member of the Lee County Equity and Diversity Advisory Committee. He is also chair of the new Fort Myers Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee. 

Dr. Peter Ndiang'ui was born and raised in a village called Mathakwaini in Central Kenya. For the first eight years of his life Kenya was under colonial rule, and during that time the local people, including his parents, were fighting for their freedom. He says his family was very poor, but there was so much love and laughter in the house, the word poor was unheard of. He is President of the African Network of Southwest Florida, and a member of the Lee County Equity and Diversity Advisory Committee. He is also chair of the new Fort Myers Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee.

Episode 76 - Dr. Peter Ndiangui

Fabiana Solano

Fabiana Solano is a photographer for FGCU, Residential Conduct Committee Chair for FGCU Housing, and FGCU Office of Student Involvement Marketing Assistant. She's also an immigrant from Venezuela and current student at FGCU working on her master's degree. Oh, and she's got her own cardboard cutout in the University Welcome Center. She says she’s passionate about sustainability, and that her ultimate goal would be to work for an organization with an environmental mission in mind.

Fabiana Solano is a photographer for FGCU, Residential Conduct Committee Chair for FGCU Housing, and FGCU Office of Student Involvement Marketing Assistant. She's also an immigrant from Venezuela and current student at FGCU working on her master's degree. Oh, and she's got her own cardboard cutout in the University Welcome Center. She says she’s passionate about sustainability, and that her ultimate goal would be to work for an organization with an environmental mission in mind.

Episode 83 - Fabiana Solano

Rich Orloff

Rich Orloff is a playwright living in New York City. Rich’s full-length plays have had over 300 productions, and his short works have had over 1800 productions on six of the seven continents and a staged reading in Antarctica! Before becoming a playwright, Rich wrote for newspapers, magazines, radio, TV, industrial films and educational videos. While in Kosovo in 2000, Rich wrote the children’s play Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Fight Tuberculosis for Doctors of the World.

Rich Orloff is a playwright living in New York City. Rich’s full-length plays have had over 300 productions, and his short works have had over 1800 productions on six of the seven continents and a staged reading in Antarctica! Before becoming a playwright, Rich wrote for newspapers, magazines, radio, TV, industrial films and educational videos. While in Kosovo in 2000, Rich wrote the children’s play Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Fight Tuberculosis for Doctors of the World.

Episode 95 - Rich Orloff

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