Another interview segment with editor, poet and writer Rosie Accola.

Wide ranging interview with California scientist, writer and musician, Elizabeth Mathiasen

A weighty, revelatory interview/discussion with Brooklyn-born writer, poet, playwright Bruno Rescigna.

topics include:

the artist

the state of mind

vision quest

what the world sees

We interview Canadian magazine publisher (Halcyon Days), editor, and writer Monique Berry,

Again we produced a show detailing the most recent dark uses of language to hurt, deceive or destroy people.

* suboptimal judgment

* birthing person

* chest feeding

* non birthing parent

* human milk

* white fragility

* family

A detailed interview with poet, composer and drama director Bruce Levine.

Is religious art -- sacred art?

Are artists who exclusively create religious work -- sacred artists?

Is sacred art really a version of propaganda?

This and many questions about the nature of art, humans and religious are posed for review.

Stimulating conversation with author and academic SG Ellerhoff.

Another episode to share email comments about past shows and answer questions about getting a literary agent.

So much is caught up in Memory -- both Identity and Truth are major factors that pivot on what we remember. I talk about using 30-year-old journals to piece together the past for a painful book.

A majority of unhappiness stems from not taking responsibility for one's actions or inaction.  We delve into impatience, insecurity, lack of faith, and the time we waste investing in people or places that cannot fulfill our lives.

Dr. Thomas Reed Willemain is a former academic, software entrepreneur, and intelligence officer. His flash fiction has been nominated for the Pushcart Prize and has appeared in Granfalloon (Canada), Hobart, and Burningword Literary Journal. He is the author of the memoir Working on the Dark Side of the Moon: Life Inside the National Security Agency.  Available on Amazon.

A short show on a sci-fi cult favorite battlestar Galactica, the classic show and the more modern version.

In this special interview with chat with writer and guest editor of Granfalloon, Ralph Greco Jr.

Do we live as we sleep? Or is sleep a period of temporary "dying"?

REM

Dreams

Cuiltural Intepretations

Restore / Repair / Reprocess

This morning we interview poet, writer, artist and musician (Cold Heaven) Mitchell Flanagan.

What words we choose to obey often have a negative effect on our thinking, our actions and maybe how we conduct ourselves in a so-called free society.

When overwhelming desire forces denial people become blind to the basic wrongs in front of their eyes and start believing a fraud.

* weight

* relationships

* religion

* politics

* celebrity

It's a real pleasure to welcome to the show, New Jersey-born poet, Michael Adubato who works for NATO and resides in Belgium. We chat about military life, world travel and his first poetry book "Missing the Exit"

One of the bigger struggles of life is finding happiness and keeping it.

We talk about happiness and its connections to:

Health

Marriage

Money

Accomplishment

Work

Love

We explore reasonable assumptions and theories about alien life beyond earth.

1, Intro

2, Possibility of contact in the past

3, Possibility of contact in the present

4. What does contact mean

The presence of pain in our lives can be a fountain of inspiration if we learn to accommodate or navigate its effect on our personality

We talk about physical, emotional and psychological instances in the careers of Michelangelo, Munch, Degas, Matisse, Orwell, Klele, Goya and Kahlo.

What is a true hero in the modern context??

1. The overused word--- hero

2. What is a real hero

3. Adapting heroic elements to make writing more authentic

Another listener-driven show based on emails sent about episodes that sparked interest or debate.

Technology in the 21st century has done little to lessen fear and paranoia in society. 

1. Corruption of Narrative

2,. Corruption of Government

3. When Truth is Not a Goal

4. Being Creative in a Dark World

An incredibly educational interview with British/Singaporean writer, author, educator Eva Wong Nava

topics include her two books:

Open: A Boy's Wayang Adventure

The House of Little Sisters  (forthcoming Feb 2022)

mental illness

history

universality of creative themes

A detailed episode outlining Ariel Chart's priorities in writing in the 21st Century.

1. Literary Journal Online

2. Guidelines

3. Art Pics

4. Support of Artists

5. Editors

6. Final Word

This episode lays out some of the expectations of agents regarding query letters, guidelines, sample chapters and books in general. 

1. agents -- need

2. agents -- rules

3. agents -- reality

4. agents --- query

5. agents --- rejection

6. agents -- acceptance

Another wonderful interview segment. This time we have Pushcard Prize Fiction 2021 nominated writer Jennifer Brewer.

My personal story about Puerto Rico in my life.

On this episode we attempt to give a broader historic view of pandemics throughout the ages.  Pro-facts. No politics. Just history and common sense.

Alexandra Goodwin is a novelist and poet who formerly lived in Argentina before prejudice and political upheaval made it necessary to emigrate to America. Her story of life, literature, and courage is a shining example for young women, especially, to learn and gain inspiration.

An introduction to the history, usage, and philosophy of UAV's, unmanned aerial vehicles -- drones.

First mail show focusing on the Mindspeak episodes

Afghanistan

Taiwan

India

Anti Semitism

The Italian Character in American Cinema

Tonight we examine fantasy writer / Christian populizer / Irish gentleman, C.S. Lewis

Beginnings

Space Trilogy

WW 1

Family Pact

Chronicles of Narnia

WW 2 -- Broadcasts

Mere Christianity

Surprised by Joy

Late Life Marriage

Death of Wife

Non-Linear Path to Happiness

This episode delves into the modern reality of India as as global power in democracy, cultural diversity and bulwark against Chinese aggression in the South China Sea.

A brief overview of good and bad messages sent by Italian characters in American cinema. In this episode they talk about:

stereotypes

mobsters

boxers

Jake LaMotta

Rocky

Robert De Niro

The God Father

Goodfellas

Francis Ford Coppola

In this global Mindspeak episode we will bring to light the serious increase in antisemitism in the world:

United States

France

Belgium

Hungary

Poland

Canada

Fascinating interview with Florida-based writer/poet/educator, Nicole Bird.

A serious talk about the dangers of a Chinese invasion of Taiwan and what that will mean for the South China Sea and beyond.

This episode is on the phenomena called Dune. Its a book, a saga, a movie, a cable treatment, another movie, comic books, action figures, Facebook discussion groups, you name it.

Intro

Dune Book

1984 Dune Movie

2000 Cable Dune & Children of Dune

Philosophy of Dune Vs Star Trek

2021 Dune Movie

Script Issues, Casting Issues, Etc.

First episode of Mindspeak is a historical and current view of Afghanistan

various tribes / history of division

buddhist & hindu beginnings

alexander the great

intro to islam

russian invasion

taliban / al queda 

american occupation

american withdrawal

In the final of the lengthier literary episodes I make comment on goals, dreams, plans, work ethic and what we care about most.

The subjects of shame and guilt are reviewed in this episode to examine how artists living a dishonest life can produce honest art.

Personal

Artistic

Final Word

Edgar Allan Poe

Stephen Crane

Herman Melville

Heather Cooke. Canadian writer, wrote the essay "Leaving Us: In Loving Memory of Aaron" and the life and premature death of her only son, Aaron. Leaving Us remained #1 on the Top Reader list for Ariel Chart and became is most read nonfiction published work in the history of the journal. 

May this interview give us strength and courage in the darkest times when the seemingly easy paths are actually the hardest choices. And Love and Sacrifice echo the best of the humanity during the least favorable moments. 

In this episode we will examine forms of PTSD, events and triggers and possible therapies. We will also share some stories of everyday people dealing with trauma and what they did to overcome.

Another wonderful podcast of inspired listeners asking questions about various shows and topics. Featured are questions on Doubt, Faith and the History of Writing. 

Brief reflections and thoughts on the life, works and statesmanship of Czech playwright, poet and President, Vaclav Havel.

In one of our more lengthier episodes I tackle the carelessness of positive writing by pointing out how lighter writing need not be boring, cliched or inconsequential. 

Intro: 

Light vs Lightweight

Honest Renditions of Nature

Inner Life and Family

Making Your Subjects Relevant

Writers need to invest themselves in their writing or risk producing distant jumbles lacking life. 

Intro

Bridging the Distance

Standing Your Ground

A full show on the subject of literary submission tracking:

Submission Tracking

a. do's and don'ts

b. free software

c. paid software

d adapted software

e. paper and pencil

Submittable

a. it's purpose

b. built in sub tracking

c. discover research magazines

d. do's and don'ts

e. final word

In one of our most controversial episodes we take to task writers who instead of being active observers of society become parrots of propaganda and in essence stop being writers. 

The act and even thought surrounding writing has changed throughout the centuries as we have evolved from papyrus to digital. The following sections outline each major change:

Writing in Stone

Writing in Paper

Writing in Memory

Writing in Vinyl

Writing in Digital

Faith rounds out the trio of influences on writers (Fear and Doubt being the other two) and we explore in three sections the meaning of faith in writing:

Faith in Creation (Writing) with quote from Antonine de Saint-Exupery

Faith in Communication (Submission) quote from Goethe

Faith in the Human Condition (Humanity) quote from Robert Anthony

We tackle the common foe of Doubt in this episode by dividing the show into two parts:

Doubt in Self

Doubt in Writing

Fear is the eternal enemy of humanity in my opinion. It can effect creativity in various negative ways. Outlined are three areas of concern:

Fear of Family/Friends

Fear of Self

Fear of Art

Impatience is one of the major culprits behind failed writers and bad writing. In the episode we cover:

1 Impatience of Creativity

2. Impatience of Completion

3. Impatience of Publication

another brief examination of a brilliant literary star torn between talent and mental illness.

In the Western World whether its work or family, society or religion, we cling to superficiality and dishonesty as a means of protection but in the end does it move society forward; does it make a better world. In this show we tackle how and why a writer should speak out and help improve life in general.

New format on 15 literary questions from listeners that are not so tied to past episodes.

This is one is sort of like a refresher to help us stay on course and not be diverted by nonwriting silliness of the day. We cover:

words

images

feelings

time management

In this episode we explore how intense dark states of behavior are more responsible for creative work than happier times. 

intro

focal points

funny points

final thoughtd

We outline all the practical, impractical and difficult paths thrown at a modern day writer. Section include:

1. new world of writing

2. the writer's work ethic

3. publishing

4. marketing

5. final word

In this episode we peek into the roots and dangers of excessive nostalgia in writer's lives. how and when we deal with denial and suppression will decide if we are healthier people and more authentic writers.

In an effort to help our military members (of all nations) with the important task of writing various reports military style I put together this episode as an useful guide. In it we cover:

1. concise writing/ military editing

2. point paper

3. position paper {food for thought}

4. executive summary

5. military report

the memoir has become the fastest growing literary device in the past twenty years. in this episode we delve into some history, a few notable examples and the various themes of memoir like:

transformation

confessional

professional

travel

Sometimes to be the fullest writer we need to take a step back and look at other forms of creativity. 

a. immerse in nonliterary arts like painting, video editing, music

b. explore other genres of writing -- essay, fiction, poem

c. live open as a writer; not closeted and fearful

d. market your work, your self in every possible way

By sticking with the nuts and bolts of writing too many miss that fact that writing is about heart and soul, it's about risk and it's about living and making connections with yourself, others and the world at large.

Evidence continues to mount that the arts has a true effect on helping and healing people. In this episode we will reveal some of the finds of:

writing therapy

music therapy

art therapy

And read excerpts from the upcoming book Art That Heals by Pierre Lemarquis (french language only -- for now)

In this episode we examine the positive uses of solitude in various walks of life, the spiritual, the creative and internal quest.

the first mailbag episode for 2021 and we cover seven episodes our listeners were dutiful to submit emails about.

This evening we explore the fascination with nonhuman machines possibly creating art. Are machines living creatures? What is the definition of Art?

This episode will confront these questions through common sense, established logical, historical foundation and a little help from Emerson, Matisse, Picasso, Merton and Kosinski.

One of the most tragic things in a writer's life is the death of a loved one. This episode shines a light on how to move forward in a healthy and dignified manner. 

In this episode i provide a basic primer and some tips for putting together your first poetry book.

book size

poetry balance

table of contents

editing

acknowledgements page

author page

marketing

the value of getting a book review

The grave challenge of mental illness has darkened the arts over the centuries; yet other ailments such as asthma, TB, blindness, STD's and others have plagued artists throughout the centuries. We explore this and the backdrop of determination, faith and a lifelong habit of ritual and routine.

In this episode we explore the decline of passion and imagination in our society and lives and how this came to be and how maybe we can reverse it. 

Segments include:

convenience of society

luxury of technology

decline of values in principles, philosophies and religious faith

civil conduct -- speed of marriage, access to sex, etc.

This episode is positioned to be a primer or refresher for writers embarking on a new year of creativity. Some of the topics covered involve: guidelines, submissions, journals, interviews, reviews, covid, zoom, and politics.

First interview of 2021 brings the show to the creative shores of poet & editor (1870 & Heroin Love Songs) -- California-based Jack Henry.

Dreams have been with humanity since the beginning of time. And since earliest recorded history dreams served as a escape value to people in search of answers in a complex world. 

This episode is more or less my avante garde practice of book review and my melding of the act with my philosophy of more writers willing to review and help other writers.

In this episode I chat about life and preparation behind the scenes of an average recorded literary podcast.

You can leave feedback for future mailbag episodes @

strengthtobehuman@ravemail.com

in the final episode for 2020 we go to the inspirational and lovely poet Maya Angelou, a full and rich life of a young black girl who went from abused child to presidential poet. 

You can leave feedback for future mailbag episodes @

strengthtobehuman@ravemail.com

This episode is more like a friendly warning against various forces that seek to steal our voice because they are intellectually or morally lazy to question their own. Below are the segment titles for the show:

1. Family

2. Religion

3. Society

You can leave feedback for future mailbag episodes @

strengthtobehuman@ravemail.com

In the third installment we focus on four writers who made the internal pledge to write and publish a major work meant to warn or possibly change the world.

Alexandr Solzhenitstyn -- The Gulag Archipelago

Elie Wiesel -- Night

George Orwell -- `1984

Sun Tzu -- The Art of War

In the second installment of Germinal Joust, we explore projects meant for singular passion and often sole works of incredible but often tragic literary figures.

Anna Sewell -- Black Beauty

Emily Bronte -- Wuthering Heights

John Kennedy Toole -- A Confederacy of Dunes

Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa -- The Leopard

Sylvia Plath -- The Bell Jar

Margaret Mitchell --- Gone With the Wind

J.D. Salinger -- Catcher in the Rye

Ross Lockridge Jr. --Raintree County

Ralph Ellison -- Invisible Man

Boris Pasternak -- Doctor Zhivago

Harper Lee --- To Kill a Mockingbird 

In this three part writing series Germinal Joust will show how different functions and phrases of writing exist in creativity.

called vs adopted --natural and produced talent

time management -- making writing a priority

notes as a valuable creative tool

rituals as devices for comfort and building confidence

Back again with the spotlight series and this one on the visionary sci-fi tv writer and legend Gene Roddenberry

Comments about this episode can be left at the address below and will be used in the upcoming mailbag episode.

strengthtobehuman@ravemail.com

On this episode we will discuss the various writers and writings of people either imprisoned for their beliefs and writing from jail or imprisoned for their writings. 

Paul the Apostle

Martin Luther King

O. Henry

Henry David Thoreau

Marco Polo

Vaclav Havel

Marquis de Sade

Oscar Wilde

Nelson Mandela

In the final mailbag episode of 2020, we showcase more voices from the international community commenting on various episodes.

An instructive episode of where Self, healthy or otherwise, fits into the creative equation of our lives.

1. Solitiude -- Selfishness

2. Attitude -- Narcissism

3. Platitude -- Achieving Balance 

In a first this show will interview editors of a literary magazine (Bombfire Lit)

about their publication, editorship, flash fiction and poetry.

https://bombfirelit.com

This episode briefs discusses the American avarde garde poetry master John Ashbery.

This episode focuses on the accomplishments of women in writing:

Engeduanna

George Sand

George Eliot

Mary Shelley

Anna Akhmatova

Simone de Beauvoir

Isabel Allende

Classic Spotlight brings us some thoughts and poems from Nobel Prize winning Mexican poet and writer Octavio Paz

The Man

The Artist

The Meaning

In this episode we review examples of writing during war time and how depending on station in life, period of time or particular war -- the thoughts and details change to reflect interesting commentary

war writing intro

US Civil War -- letter

WWI -- war godmothers

WWII -- letter

Vietnam -- letter

Writers famous for wartime writing Rod Serling, Kurt Vonnegut, Joseph Heller, Ernest Hemingway, Irene Nemirovsky

in this episode we have a fascinating discussion with Scottish poet Steve Lang about sonnets, writing, creativity in the corona age and more.

In this second 'bookend' episode we explore Edgar Allan Poe's demons and ideas about creativity. His self-sabotaging events were a major factor in his suffering.

Another grounded episode on a topic I hear alot about by writing: does writing have a future? What will that future look like? I attempt to answer a few of this questions in a manner I many might find unusual. 

In this second installment annually produced I delve into what i have been doing as a writer, especially in this particularly challenging time of Covid, and try to make it relatable on the show to others who might be working or dealing with similiar issues.

In perhaps my most personal voyage into a writer I explore all that was social and creative in the astounding teleplay, screenplay writer Rod Serling.

We cover in this episode: depression, twilight zone, creativity, planet of the apes and the meaning of prejudice as a root of global calamity.

In the final mailbag episode in a rough and uncertain year, 2020, we go through some of the email about show and about the journal, Ariel Chart.

Covered are the following topics:

Fantasy in Writing

Keeping a Journal

Dark Side of Guilt

Covid

Bukowski

Truth

Evil Words

Creativity and Mental Illness

In one of the most unique episode STBH explores Mark Antony Rossi's innovation micro-writing style (fiction & nonfiction) "Concrete Minimalism."

Intro to Innovation

Fiction Passages

  Philosophy of Rent

https://www.arielchart.com/2017/07/philosophy-of-rent.html?m=1  

  Waiting Room Madness

https://madswirl.com/short-stories/2015/07/waiting-room-madness/

  Tampa Bay Tantrum

https://www.scarletleafreview.com/short-stories1/category/mark-antony-rossi

   I Will Melt the Robots the First Chance I Get

https://www.blakejonesreview.com/flash-fiction/i-will-melt-robots/

  Kind

https://underwoodpress.com/ruescribe/2018/10/04/kind-by-mark-antony-rossi/

Nonfiction Passages

World Peace Through Intimacy

https://pinklitter.wordpress.com/2016/07/07/world-peace-through-intimacy-editoral-by-mark-antony-rossi/amp/

Modern Forces and the Meaningful Metaphor

https://fragmentedvoices.com/2020/02/24/modern-forces-and-the-meaningful-metaphor-by-mark-antony-rossi/amp/

Book Review -- Sun and Moon -- Michel Weatherall

https://booksmugglersden.com/2019/09/18/sun-moon-by-michel-weatherall/

Book Review -- Wonderful Wasteland and other natural disasters --

                         Elido La Torre Lagares

https://www.arielchart.com/2020/10/book-review-wonderful-wasteland-and.html?m=1

In this episode we briefly examine the good and bad of spoken word poetry. 

Light Side -- test run one's material before an audience

Dark Side -- forget about print and then get forgotten -- yourself

Notes:  post-covid world might have less eating establishments, no movie theatres and folks less willing to be community-oriented, spoken word might need to learn to adapt to a new reality

In our 2nd conversation I speak with Canada's, Michel Weatherall, novelist, poet and publisher about his projects, his press, his marketing and his interesting take on anthologies and promoting literary projects in the age of Covid.

In the final episode for September 2020 we delve into the meat and marrow of what constitutes identity, how it is lost, how it is gained, how it is maintained and how large a role it plays in the creative life of an artist.

STBH brings another facet of creativity by encouraging the practice of journaling. In this episode we cover:

1. Informal Journaling (collected note-taking)

2. Formal Journaling (in actual journal with extensive commentary)

3. Notes on Notes

The last in the series takes us to Fantasy, in this episode we will talk about some of the greats and classics in fantasy novelization:

JRR Tolkien -- The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings

C.S. Lewis -- Chronicles of Narnia

Ursula K. Le Guin --- Tales of Earthsea, The Left Hand of Darkness

By outlining and speaking to some of the major contributing factors to a writer's creative funk we seek to lessen the negative impact and therefore help restore productivity and a sense of belonging once more.

Guilt -- parental, martial, sexual, racial

Pride -- the insistence of living off resume, geography or culture instead of hard work and good faith. This path often steers towards arrogance.

Perfection:  really more of a fantasy that insists on control but actually becomes less secure and more paranoid. 

How much is too much of a subject matter for writing? Well, you guessed it, traveling and trying to incorporate the experience can be a test of writing skills or of one of patience.  In this show we cover three subtopics:

1. Shading: travel locale sprinkling through writing

2. Detail: Full blown detail oriented writing on a event, locale, geography etc, that merits more substance.

3. Overblown: when we attempt to fill all we write with foreign names, locales, events, cute phrase, unknown sayings and start losing focus on the writing and disconnecting from the reader.

In perhaps one of the most controversial of podcasts on word usage we delve deeply into hateful words that have no place in our writing or lives.

Gender --- B-word

Sexuality -- lesbian --- lesbo, dyke

                   gay --- fairy, queer, faggot, homo, pansy, sissy

                  transgender -- tranny, he/she

Disability --- retard, gimp

Race -- N-Word

            intro -- evil word should not be used by anyone

           n-word rap music, authentic theories, taking back word theories

           mark twain, dick gregory, luke cage, remember the titans, atlanta

Lately this form of creative instruction, due to Covid, has migrated more than ever to online, Skype and even Zoom. Less in class personal instruction is taking place but in this episode I will address both Coaches & Courses.

Pros & Cons (individually & comparison modeling)

seeking references, understanding impact of assignments

creative goals, writing exercises and "homework"

Managing Expectations --

What is self awareness, self definition and self instruction

More listeners have requested a show on Bukowski than any other literary figure in history. Even Poe. In this extended episode of plus ninety minutes I will explore in an artistic manner what Bukowski was as a person, a persona, a writer and possibly a philosopher. It should reveal some new facts, new viewpoints and help demystify a seemingly dysfunctional countercultural icon and celebrity.

In one of the more unique episodes we answer emails on how and why this podcast exists and how it may be different from other literary or artistic endeavors. In this episode we cover questions:

On how compose interesting titles

Whether show is from top of head or more structured

The sources of many of its ideas

Why show not as formally polished as others in the medium

The subject breakdown is as follows

titles

outlines

constructing the show

improvisation mixed with structured thought frame

injecting the personal to lend more humanity into topics

There's been an overwhelming feeling in the artistic community for centuries that "madness" or what we now call mental illness plays a pivotal role in the lives of creative individuals.

Drawing from the latest studies on this question from the US, UK, India and Denmark as well as anecdotal evidence and famous artistic quotes I will attempt to bring us closer to understanding what the creative experience means inside and outside of mental troubles.

introductory statement

section 1 -- known science on the subject

section 2 --- various theories on the subject

section 3 -- my thoughts on the subject

closing comments

On the heels of another military veteran suicide, I figure best to speak about the distractions and detours that can cause people to begin that long road of lost potential.

In the long overdue followup to the toying with tangents series, this episode explains the deeper significance of science fiction in writing.

We Cover:

poetry & fiction

novelization with recurring themes of ethics, humanity, artificial intelligence, philosophy and religion.

authors: asimov, bradbury, clarke, verne, 

shows: star trek, babylon 5

movies: star wars, ET, 

In another informative interview we discuss art therapy and writing with New Jersey-based licensed clinical social worker and writer Tammy Smith.

We cover the following topics:

Art Therapy

Writing in Medicine

Writing as Therapy

Telemedicine

In this in-depth episode we explore the facets of finding your writing voice in a complex and often contradictory society. There are three parts:

Your Voice -- the daily voice

Writer Voice -- the new language you craft through drafting

Artist Voice -- the type of writer you wish to be

This hour long show will cover the basics of how and when you should employ an agent for writing. 

Literary

Novel Genre

Drama

Teleplay

Screenplay

In this lengthy episode we explore the good, non-art, and bad parts of money in the arts. Can an artist or writer make a living? Should an artist or writer want to make a living doing art? These and other questions and factors are discussed:

Submittable

Editors for Hire

Vanity Presses

Submission Fees

Contest Fees

Stage Rental Fees

This is the fourth in the series of podcasts sharing emails sent from listeners or readers in conjunction with the show or the art journal Ariel Chart.

In this episode I discuss the possibility of using guidelines as inspirational gifts to writers.  Basic research and a positive outlook make a major difference for those who successfully publish versus those who blindly submit without rhyme or reason.

t 

Did you ever notice in your writing or writing in general that positive themes were not as well written as darker toned material? I believe there is a perceptional even emotional problem with one's worldview that causes this unhealthy imbalance. 

Have you ever thought about a philosophy for your writing? Is a philosophy necessary to be an artist in the 21st century? These and many other questions along this line is discussed and possibly answered in this episode.

The true value of art is measured in how it can reveal, restore and revolutionize matters in our lives and in the world.

1. Art as Therapeutic Medicine Against Depression

"Art is a line around your thoughts" --- Gustav Klimt

2. Transcending Bad Behavior Through Art

"I shut my eyes in order to see." ---- Paul Gaugin

3. Art Informs the Human Condition / Human Condition Major Catalyst for Art

"Creativity takes courage."  Henri Matisse

In the second interview with Arizona-based poet/writer Donald Dean Mace, we pivot into an evening event with a reciting of his popular essay "The Romance Writer" which speaks about the overlooked romanticism school of thinking and writing. From Poe to Hawthorne this philosophy brought the world a more realistic offering of viewpoint,

This episode will focus on positive or negative personal traits in writers that help or hurt their writing efforts. The "character" or core personality is key to translating internal thoughts into literary works and communicating those to an editor and audience. 

We will touch upon:

cover letters, short bios with balance priority, dangers of waiting, having a basic creative plan, and practicing what you write.

This episode allows us to revisit the fundamentals of poetry composition necessary to construct viable poems in the modern era.

1. Titles Matter

2. Structure and Flow

3. The Beginning

4. The Ending

From the ancient days of Egypt, Greece and Roman to the Bible stories, Renaissance period of art & idea expansion to the modern writer -- alcohol has played a major role in the arts. In this episode we will explore the good and bad of this phenomena.

Welcome back folks to another exciting rock episode of Metal Future. On this episode we are honored to have as a guest, rock biographer, James Curl whose has completed the first biography of both Ronnie James Dio (ex Rainbow, ex Black Sabbath, solo singer and lead singer for Heaven and Hell) and the incredible metal band Dokken.

Self as an Obstacle deals with the ups and downs of the creative world which are already a challenge, but the burden increases with artists who allow themselves to be the greatest threat to their success. Are we our worst enemy? Do history and perception and personal shortcomings ruin our chances to be better artists?

Welcome to another interview with an interesting creative artist, Ethan Goffman is a poet, a teacher and author of "Words For Things Left Unsaid" released by Kelsay Books. He is also a podcast host of a literary and environmental matters "Poetry and Planet" on Earthtalk.org.

In this episode we tackle some interesting topics within the context of the crisis.                                  

1. When Pushing the Envelope is Too Far

2. When Editors Allow or Have to Reign in Writers from Going Too Far

3. Creativity in Coronaville --should we all write something on the crisis just to be "relevant"?

In the final installment of the Peculiar Instrument series, I explore animals as characters used in literature to not only entertain but to enlighten. The animal characters of Aslan. Moby Dick, Hedwig, Charlotte and many more are explored.

Tonight we discuss Art in the Age of Corona. We converse about current events as related to the corona crisis as well as art past and present during epidemics and how it often changes the course of society's outlook on religion, faith, recovery, death and the afterlife.

In this in-depth episode I interview New Jersey-based poet, author and writing instructor Michael Griffith on the merits of editorship, authorship and deeper thoughts about literary writing.

In the second installment of Peculiar Instruments we explore how ghostly figures and events are used as characters to illustrate or perhaps voice certain things to heighten a story or transform into a catalyst to complete the plot.

This episode brings us back full circle with Kansas-based (but Texas born) poet and fiction writer Linda Imbler. She was my first interview for the podcast in Jan 2019. In this segment Linda will speak out her past, present and future writing projects as well as her moments in the writing life.

This new series Toying With Tangents will explore Horror writings from Bloch, Poe, Jackson, King, Barker, Blatty, Shelly, Stoker and Wells. In the weeks ahead we will explore Fantasy and Science Fiction too.

Time to have some fun with grammar and those who grump about it like the world is ending. Let's worry about the coronavirus; not the comma-virus. 

Welcome back to the interview segment of the show. Phyllis Dodge is our next interview subject. She is a novelist and her novel "Why" takes an unique view on military veterans and all they must contend with on and off duty. 

We discuss the timely subject of music concerts in the late 21st century. Are they worth going to anymore? The lip syncing, the expense, the age, the health, the sound, the half the band is dead or kicked out -- why is this experience still a draw?

In this first installment of the Peculiar Instruments Series -- Houses as Characters play a vital role for artists to create a compelling atmosphere, metaphoric setting or special voice that often is best done by a nonperson.

In this multi-faceted episode and we discuss various transitions in writing that many writers begin to face when they decide to creatively stretch and try something new.

1. Style --- somber to humor, humor to nonfiction, etc.

2. Genre -- poetry to fiction, fiction to nonfiction, etc.

3. Theme -- how to prepare to submit to publications requiring a theme

In this episode we will revisit depression and the demons it can bring in the arts by speaking about various famous examples in Art, Music, Dance and Writing. From Edvard Munch to Anne Sexton depression has been a malady in creative endeavors for centuries.

The basic arrangement of a book project is discussed as well as background information to the various pieces narrated for the show. It's a complete backview of how to put together a collection to benefit the audience and the author.

The first Classic Spotlight for the year 2020 focuses on the famous adventure writer Jack London (Call of the Wild, White Fang). We explore his outdoorsmen spirit, political viewpoints and dark side.

We are chatting about the literary figures that influenced us throughout our lives. There's a few you might share and others will be new and surprising.

Metal Future is proud to present a first in this year's continual series of reflections on great bands that went into retirement. The first is Canadian progressive rock power trio Rush. Also a few notes on their incredible drummer Neil Peart who died recently of brain cancer.

The freedom from being an independent author is an incredible responsibility and a noble gift. I outline briefly on the show my three A's -- Attitude - Attention - Advertise as a method to help focus writers on becoming the best their talents can offer humanity.

In this episode we discuss the positive and negative impact digital culture has had on modern literature.

The third episode in the email questions from listener series and the first for the year 2020. Thanks for the compliments and inquiries. Nice to hear some music questions as well.

Emotions like any other vital element of writing needs to be regulated through organization and discipline to allow the writing to not be overtaken in the moment. We strive above all else to create enduring Art. Let us not allow our humanity to stray too far into the chaos that can be this complex world.

The deliberate use of deceptive language by governments, corporations or renowned institutions are a direct threat to Democracy. A far greater danger than ditzy politicians who come and go like bad pastries. Suspect language stays in the system, in the minds of average citizens who do no bother to question what is heard or change what they see. Orwell warned us the first signs of a dictatorship is its invasion of language.

This milestone episode (#100, yeah) is the last of the Classic Spotlight Series for 2019. Tonight we shine a light on the enduring short story writer William Sydney Porter, better known as O. Henry. We will discuss his stories, motivations, social life, criminal convictions and acute eye for humanity and presenting humane situations full of hope and love.

In the last metal future episode of 2019, we explore the phenomena of bands who claim retirement only to come back in a few or two for more glory, more money and more health issues. We must face the fact, even if they don't, that people in the 60's and 70's running around the stage and living from a suitcase is not only impractical it might be unhealthy. Is it mind over matter? Or just move over and make some more money? You decide.

In the library of substantial writing comes a category often overlooked and quite ironic in origin. The writing from decidedly nonwriters composed and delivered to affect change. We outline a few historic examples of major social change using writing such as Martin Luther, Thomas Paine, Martin Luther King Jr., and Vaclav Havel. And some personal examples of "local" writing to test corporate products, city governments, shoddy restaurants, etc. 

in the final interview for Year 2019, the show welcomes Lynn Long (also known on FB as "Luna Deity") who is a wonderfully positive poet dedicated to exploring the lighter side of the nature, love and the world. Lynn shares her philosophy, her books and her work on a perfectly fitting setting where I truly appreciate this approach to balance the darker subjects Strength To Be Human can often tackle.

A riveting literary interview with Florida-based fiction writer Catherine Shields. Her short story "My Phantom Ovaries" was published in June of 2019 and remains in the top ten reads of the international online journal Ariel Chart. She was nominated for the 2019 Pushcart Prize for Fiction by that same publication.

In the last Guest Haus episode of the year 2019, we explore the writer syndrome that makes writers lose their path by forgetting the precepts of Art. For a the 2nd segment we answer a few questions each in the second edition of Mailbag.  

In the third and final installment of The Mechanics of Muse, Discipline is redefined becoming much more than robotic gestures and slick time management but rather a mental toughness, emotional maturity and personal honesty that allows a creator to firmly evaluate their path of a regular basis.

Last Guest Haus Editon for the calendar year 2019 and we dive into deep waters (what's new) and discuss the flaws of our heroes, the influences of the imperfect and the enviable burnout that happens to writers, especially to editors who are usually juggling a few things at the same time. As always John brings his humor and insight to make this a special episode.

Another visit to the classics, in this case, a modern classic, Clive Barker, one of the first of many (I hope) that bring a literary flare to horror writing. We will discuss his Books of Blood, movies Hellraiser and Nightbreed and the joint interview book he did with Stephen King.

The second installment in the series called the Mechanics of Muse describes the essential ingredient to propel talent into creative entities capable of carrying our metaphor, mask or message to the world. 

The episode I have been meaning to record for some time. As the title suggests the act of vanity is an act of insanity. Hopefully, this show will bring you from the brink and help restore your path onto righteous writing and ethical conduct.

This new series to ride out the rest of the year will focus on Talent, Perseverance and Discipline. In this episode is broken down in two groups, Born and Made. We will discuss the ups and downs of both situations and explore how talent is powerful but fleeting (kinda like love) and what we can do to keep it an essential part of our human essence.

Spend the next hour with Texas-based rocker musician, songwriter and studio wizard Trey Saucillo. He will speak in detail about recording, the industry, his projects and the quest to Art, Self and the World in his music.

At the very heart of writing is Rewriting. We put together a few steps to help create a process for rewriting that will inspire writers to engage rewriting and find renewal and ultimately success.

STBH proudly welcomes to the interview segment, Canadian novelist and poet Michelle Young.

In the final segment of the illuminated path series we learn about the major parts of building a writer through Organization, Work Ethic and Maturity.

In the continuation of our Classic Spotlight series, we select sci-fi master writer Harlan Ellison. An early civil rights supporter, Ellison fought Hollywood, publishers, even other writers to set legal precedent in the protection of copyrights for film, tv, print and digital arenas.

Welcome back to the Interview segment of the show. In this episode we have a riveting conversation with Texas-based artist, poet and educator Alexander P. Garza.

Today's in-depth episode we discuss writing from a personal perspective versus writing using a persona. What are the differences? Is this design or accident? The plus and minuses of each approach.

The twin factors of Fear and Faith intertwine our existence like speeding atoms smashing the invisible world. How we curtain and harness these forces may very well shape our destinies as writers and perhaps as productive human beings.

There is a certain signature each writer puts out by design or accident that helps frame who they are as writers and perhaps who they are as storytellers in the eyes of the reader. This episode expands upon this theory with some facts, quotes and stories to help us learn more about our own writing and how we may be viewed in the world at large.

This is bound to be controversial only in the sense that too many folks are not used to talking straight or hearing things without code language, metaphors or euphemisms. Candor has been given a back seat in the age of understanding. But what is understood if decisions are made through fear and self-censorship defeats bold thinking and new ideas? As writers we should be cutting through this fog of frailty and speaking firmly to help make the world a better place. 

A fun episode reminding writers about eating and living more healthy. Health often plays a major role in writing from an energy standpoint. Hard to type up a novel or compose a poem when you are exhausted, in pain or breathing like a drunk dragon. 

In the second installment of the Series, I delve into the bigger picture of where Publishing was, is and might be going forward. 

On this episode I have a brief chat about technology and how it has transformed the arts in general and writing in particular. There is now more freedom to go about writing than ever before in the history of the world. 

In this unique episode I address comments and questions posed to my international literary journal Ariel Chart and the literary podcast Strength To Be Human. A few topics include the recent "controversy" over bio's that surfaced on Facebook, to basic responsibilities of the writer and the editor. Also we name Ariel Chart's six nominations for the 2019 Pushcart Prize and a sneak peek at October's offerings.

We discuss in this guest haus episode some of the trials and triumphs of podcasting the literary life.

Classic Spotlight series brings us the incredible African-American female science fiction pioneer Octavia Butler.

Do you ever wonder what habits other writer's have in the making of their work? The rituals of writing whether they consist of daily word counts, weekly prayers or monthly rewrites are often positive habits we need to put our selves at a stable and creative mood. 

The podcast welcomes children's author, Jasmine Ajamian, who discusses her new book.

In this special extended series (clocking in at nearly 2 hours) segment 1: deals with preparation an author needs to get done to position themselves and their book for the best possible outcome: publication.

Discussed:  Author Websites

                  Social Media Marketing

                  Direct & Passive Networking

                  Agents

                  Publishing Expectations & Contracts

Another outstanding episode of Guest Haus, we speak at length about the need for literary criticism and the joys and pitfalls of being an editor of an artistic publication.

Another fascinating interview episode, this time with Award-winning Canadian poet Michel Weatherall. We talk about the state of writing, artists and marketing and behind the scenes of his newest project Sun & Moon.

Strength To Be Human welcomes our first literary interview of the month of September: Agnes Vojta ---poet, professor and rock climber. We will discuss her life, poetry and first poetry book.

On this metal future episode we have a brief monologue on metal's future and then a short interview with talented guitarist Chris Bishop of the metal band Crobot.

The guest haus gang discuss the wide ranging topic of social media with commentary on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Classic Spotlight this month focuses on the great horror writer & novelist Shirley Jackson.

Issues surrounding identity can have serious consequences for the state of the mind of the writer and the eventual literary output. In this episode we explore three types.

This episode contains the enormously interesting and talented Arizona writer and poet Donald Dean Mace.

We discuss and debate their top 5 metal lists of guitarists, vocalists, albums, concept albums, plus we share our metal stories of musicians we have met over the years.

Two editors discuss the behind scenes work of putting together and running a small press literary publication.

The three "D's" in most of the writing i read these days. In this episode we will examine Death, Divorce and Dysfunction in Writing.

In this unique episode Mark has gathered questions from the listening audience for the past few months and now will answer them.

Our next focus is on African-American novelist, playwright and social critic James Baldwin. 

In this long awaited episode I discuss the good and not so good aspects of being part of a formal writing group.

The final installment of the Writing is Fire Series launches into the many facets of writing, internal and external to show how vital, noble and powerful it can become.