Twice 5 Miles Radio

I wrote this poem during our Imaginative Storm Writing Prompt of the Week session. We meet every Saturday, 12-1 PM Eastern Time. It's a terrific gathering of writers. It's free. Join us sometime, won't you? www.imaginativestorm.com It’s Raining in Georgia written and performed by James Navé To whisper requires grace beyond secrets, beyond tender hearts. We've all lost love, dropped into black holes, called out late in the night, “Love me mama.” Warm memories arrive with mosaic questions. I’ve lost love and gain love. Someone wrote a country song once. Sad thing with a small stream running by an old house where two people lived out their lives, no longer bright. Those two were Wilma and Sam along the road that goes to town, where a few stoplights dangle, and an ice cream shop sits beside a newsstand. This couple belongs in a country song. Yes, grace matters, and so do Friday night football games. Wars in the distant past that made the men who live in this town now older than they should be, when they came home young and hoped for love. If you write a country song, include me; add my story to your roster. Make me a small part of something larger, No clowns please. The whispers you hear when you dream belong in this song. Your lost loves belong in this song. Too many times we've wandered alone without the night to call our own, far away from where we belong. Too many times we wandered alone. Include me in your country song. Make a place at the table. When I knock, let me in. By the way, it’s raining in Georgia.

Dust of Snow by Robert Frost was a terrific poem to perform for students in grades K-3, alongside other short poems like I'm Nobody by Emily Dickinson. Both poems work well for children; that said, both have serious adult themes, such as identity and loneliness, which thread through many lives today.

Welcome to provocative conversations from Twice 5 Miles Radio. I'm your host, James Navé. Today I'm going solo. In this hour-long wandering through memory, poetry, and place, I invite you into a journey that begins in Manila—fifteen million people, dense layers, and a heat that never quits—and circles outward into the deeper weather patterns of a poetic life. From Robert Frost's Dust of Snow to John Keats' On the Grasshopper and the Cricket, we explore how the natural world awakens our inherent poetic disposition, whether we realize it or not. I take you back to my early days, hitchhiking across America, discovering the cold, haunted power of the Pacific Ocean, and then finding my younger self mirrored in Robert Frost's "Once by the Pacific." I talk about what it was like to co-found Poetry Alive in the 1980s—performing poems in gymnasiums, bringing playfulness to classrooms, and teaching thousands of students that the little things matter just as much as the big ones. We dip into thought-beats, memorization, and why Emily Dickinson's "I'm Nobody! Who are you?" works for five-year-olds and grown-ups alike. And we venture into heavier terrain with Sharon Olds' The Food Thief, asking what poetry demands of us in a serious, complicated world. I also read new work generated during Imaginative Storm writing sessions—pieces like Rip Curled Edge and Ivory in the Night Sky—and reflect on time passing, aging, and the themes that keep returning. Enjoy this hour of poetry, memory, travel, performance, and the ever-present possibility that something is going to happen.

Welcome to Provocative Conversations from Twice 5 Miles Radio. I’m your host, James Navé, and today you’re in for something rare — a conversation where music, mastery, presence, and spiritual curiosity meet in one sweeping arc. My guest is Deborah Domanski, the internationally acclaimed mezzo-soprano praised by The New York Times for her “luscious sound and lyrical refinement.” I met Deborah at the 2025 LEAF Festival in North Carolina, where — by pure serendipity — she ended up onstage with guitarist and longtime friend, Walter Parks. What unfolded that night was more than a performance. It was an act of instant creative communion, two artists from different worlds dropping into a shared field of presence, improvisation, and trust. In this conversation, Deborah talks openly about what it takes to reach that level of effortless mastery — the thousands of hours of training, yes, but also the deeper practice of getting out of your own way, listening for what wants to come through, and letting the art work on you as much as you work on it. We talk about creativity, collaboration, Monteverdi, meditation, belonging, grief, loneliness, home, and that rare moment when an artist dissolves into something larger than themselves — and brings an audience with them. Settle in. Enjoy.

5miles In the World with creative strategist David Lamb by James Navé

Welcome to Provocative Conversations from Twice Five Miles Radio. I’m your host, James Navé. Unlike many podcast hosts who book their guests weeks in advance, I choose mine from the people I meet as I travel through my days. The only requirement for a provocative conversation is— you guessed it— they enjoy talking about what they love: gardening, writing poetry, tracking down underground criminals in the Philippines, circling 14,000-foot Colorado peaks in a glider, singing in New York jazz clubs, self-compassion, playing the blues, and consciousness—living and dying. So when I met my guest today, storyteller Lo Ziv, at the National Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough, Tennessee, and she told me she was a religious scholar, a progressive storyteller, and a software engineer, I unpacked my microphones and invited her to sit down and tell me about God, HTML coding, and why Artificial Intelligence will never replace our species-imperative superpower—Imaginative Intelligence. Lo Ziv’s story is one of transformation—from ancient languages and sacred texts to the wild dance of storytelling and code. She grew up in a white evangelical military family and somehow found her way through centuries of scripture, dead languages, and a few living contradictions. Along the way, she taught in prisons in the United States and Romania, worked with children in villages, and stood in pulpits she could not yet claim. What fascinates me most is how she carries the sacred into the everyday—how a theologian, dancer, and software engineer can look at a line of HTML or a verse of scripture and see the same divine syntax. For Lo, the imagination itself is a spiritual act, a way of remembering that the wind—like the Spirit—blows wherever it pleases.

Walter Parks (www.walterparks.com) and I (www.jamesnave.com) have been collaborating on projects large and small since the mid-’90s, when someone told us—before we even met—that we’d probably share a lot of creative overlap. They were right. We first met in Asheville one night in the late ’90s. A poet friend, Laura Hope Guill, brought Walter over for dinner—salmon, broccoli, rice, and some dessert I’ve long forgotten. Walter, over six feet tall with a deep, resonant voice, had the presence of someone both grounded and full of ideas about creativity, culture, and the world at large. Since that night, Walter and I have crossed paths around the world, collaborating on musical and poetry projects and meeting up wherever life and art carried us. His career blossomed as a singer, songwriter, and guitarist—he spent ten years touring with Woodstock legend Richie Havens, performing everywhere from Carnegie Hall to Glastonbury. These days, he performs solo, with his trio Swamp Cabbage, and with The Unlawful Assembly, reimagining historic spirituals through his unmistakable Northeast Florida swamp sound. Walter’s performances are both entertaining and educational—toggling between hollers, spirituals, Appalachian reels, Delta blues, swamp jazz, and even touches of opera. The Library of Congress has invited him to archive his research on the music of Georgia’s Okefenokee Swamp. He continues to co-write with musical legends such as Stan Lynch and Bernard Purdie. In this episode of Twice 5 Miles Radio, Walter and I discuss what it means to live as an artist—to be a translator of the world’s chaos and beauty, transforming what we encounter into something meaningful, something that endures.

Let's Say Goodbye performed by James Navé When the world rounds along mud bound lines Small trees speak. They tell long, determined stories. Can you hear them in the days you inhabit? Wild days. Tame days. Hot and cold days. Sometimes I'm rich and other times I count the last leaves on the thin stems hanging above strangers coming and going to work or from love or into days of hope that demands a small pay now. Moments of flesh or motorcycle dreams or the pull and push of memories hang round the world as the world spins. As it always spins. I live on the long side of time miles away from Las Vegas miles away from the Q train crossing the long bridge. =Miles away from my father's grave. These days the soul is silent in the buried violence of bronze memories. Love comes and goes. Yes, shoes fit and so do shirts and small earrings fashioned by dreamers from New Orleans under the green sun. After the invisible wizards were gone out, names they gave in the last storm were remembered by those who could remember. I was there that day, near the Mud bound lines under the wedding trees. Can you make a wish? A small one. Let's make one together. Touch the prayers of blackbirds. Forget snow. Remember why you long for those distant songs. Why do mysteries forget what you try to remember. I have my keys. I have my dreams. I'll leave soon. Come walk with me to the door, and let's say goodbye.

Welcome to Provocative Conversations from Twice 5 Miles Radio. I’m your host, James Navé. Today, we venture into the soul of community, tradition, and joyful expression through the lens of contra dancing, sound, and the magic of gathering. In this episode, I sit down with Ed and Tami Howe—two deeply rooted contributors to the contra dance movement and the LEAF Festival. Design, Dance, and LEAF Love From Ed’s beginnings as a fiddler in Maine to his rise as a creative force behind the band Perpetual e-Motion, his story is steeped in sound, stagecraft, and communal uplift. Tami shares how a search for connection led her to the contra dance floor, where eye contact and shared rhythm transformed her sense of belonging. We dive into Brookside, the epicenter of LEAF’s dance scene—a pavilion filled with movement, music, and intentional design that fosters joy and inclusiveness. We explore the art of building the dance floor, the evolving language of tradition, and the metaphorical power of crafting space where everyone feels welcome. It’s about design meeting passion. Movement meeting grace. Mistakes becoming invitations. From the roots of Nelson, New Hampshire, to the inclusive pulse of modern festivals, contra dance has become more than a pastime—it’s a way of life. Stay with us. This episode is a celebration of artistry, culture, resilience, and the kind of dance that brings people home to themselves.

What the Wind Whispers —James Navé Forever and without trouble, I start now. No force or struggle, swimming along, no knots. I tap at your door. Will you join me? Let's go down the willow path, past the old trees that understand, troubled yesterdays When the dance comes in time, without the will of fierce wind, I will tell you about the secret that visits me often coming through the window. Here's what the wind whispers. “fire will do when you crack the young flowers open in the blue whale rain that falls from days gone by.” When will I be able to say I belong to the rain? Who will check on me, kiss me when spring comes after the long cold? Take me to the first party before the sky goes white like old bones left alone on the side of a hill where cougars roam and stars pop out at dusk. I wish I had more time to tell you about what I did this morning, when I rose early, still dark, no sound—late stars in the sky. I walked to the kitchen, made a coffee, then sat down, alone like some small blue whale floating in the air.

Welcome to Provocative Conversations from Twice 5 Miles Radio; I’m your host, James Navé. In this episode, I speak with Schree Chavdarov, Global Engagement Director of LEAF Global Arts, about solidarity, resilience, and the healing power of culture. From the devastation of Hurricane Helene in Western North Carolina to grassroots programs across El Salvador, Rwanda, and Kenya, Schree shows how art keeps communities alive when everything else is broken. She shares her own extraordinary story of surviving a rare, life-threatening parasite—an experience that deepened her understanding of resilience and solidarity. We also discuss how drumming, storytelling, and preserving languages become pathways to healing, hope, and identity for young people worldwide. Together, we reflect on what it means to live fully in challenging times: to welcome others, to share culture, to keep creating even when resources are scarce. This conversation reminds us that art is not a luxury—it is a lifeline.

Welcome to Provocative Conversations from Twice 5 Miles Radio; I’m your host, James Navé. What happens when a bullied 12-year-old finds her voice through a school talent show poem—and never looks back? In this powerful episode of Twice 5 Miles Radio, I sit down with Alabama-born poet E. Bailey, a rising star in the national slam poetry scene, who will be competing at this year’s LEAF Poetry Slam Championships. Over 40 minutes, E. Bailey walks us through her poetic journey—from being mentored by a traveling poetry dad to self-publishing her first book at 15, to discovering the raw intimacy of slam poetry. Baileydoesn’t just write poems—she does poetry. She performs it, embodies it, lives it. Her stories are vulnerable, electric, and deeply human: navigating trauma, small-town isolation, early grief, and ultimately, transformation. Whether she’s reading her two-part piece “Bad Girl / Bad Girl Becomes Woman” or reflecting on slam as a spiritual awakening, E. Bailey speaks forcefully, without hesitation. The second half of the episode includes I reflect on my own poetic evolution—growing into the craft later in life, the origins of the LEAF Slam, and what it means to say something true on the page and on the stage. This is a show about poetry as survival, as connection, and as reclamation. Whether you’re 13 or 97, a seasoned poet or someone just starting out, this episode is an invitation to step through the door and speak your truth. Tune in, take a breath, and let E. Bailey catch yo with your guard down.

Welcome to Provocative Conversations from Twice 5 Miles Radio. I’m your host, James Navé. Today’s guest is PJ Ewing—a longtime friend, brilliant digital marketer, skilled podcast host of Lester the Nightfly, and one of the most thoughtful audio engineers I know. This wide-ranging conversation explores the evolving intersection of sound, artificial intelligence, and American culture. From podcasting to tech ethics, it’s a deep dive into our digital future. PJ and I dig into what makes good audio, the shifting podcasting landscape, how media influences identity, and whether we as a species can survive the next 400 years. From the 1960’s Gunsmoke TV series to AI, from Alaska community radio to Malcolm Gladwell’s take on gun culture, we examine the deep questions—and share a few laughs along the way. You’ll come away with fresh insights on creativity, society, and the risks we’re all taking to build whatever’s next. Key Topics Covered in the Interview The importance of high-quality audio in podcasting Tips and gear for DIY podcasting (mics, software, editing tools) Niche podcasting vs. general interviews Podcast recommendations (including 20,000Hz, Pivot, Hard Fork, StarTalk) PJ’s shift away from political media Malcolm Gladwell and the cultural influence of Gunsmoke Personal reflections on American gun culture Local community resilience post-Hurricane Helene The case for city-states over large national governments Speculative futures: AI, gene editing, alien contact Cultural evolution and the crisis of masculinity Whether humanity can survive the next 400 years The dual nature of capitalism as destructive and innovative

"Lyrics Come First" with Juliet Ewing on music, meaning, and Gershwin by James Navé

Welcome to Twice 5 Miles Radio, I'm your host, James Navé. This week, I sit down with Erinn Hartley, Executive Director of LEAF Global Arts, for a dynamic conversation on creativity, cultural exchange, and the power of the arts. Erinn shares stories from LEAF's renowned festivals, international cultural programs, and its impactful educational initiatives, LEAF Schools and Streets. From teaching theater in Asheville's public housing to life-changing cultural journeys abroad, Erinn illustrates how LEAF connects communities and inspires creative growth. As LEAF celebrates 30 years, we also discuss the upcoming book, Live Life Like a Festival, co-authored by Jennifer Pickering, Lauren Breher, and me. Please tune in to discover how LEAF Global Arts empowers us all to live creatively, courageously, and festively. Twice 5 Miles Radio airs weekly on WPVM FM, Asheville, and KCEI FM Cultural Energy Radio, Taos.

Welcome to Twice 5 Miles Radio. I'm your host, James Navé. On today's show, I'm joined by Michelle Vandepas, founder of GracePoint Publishing, TEDx speaker, and book coach to bestselling authors such as Brian Tracy and Jack Canfield. Michelle has published over a thousand books, but what sets her apart is her deep belief in the transformative power of creativity and voice. In this rich conversation, we dive into the mechanics and mysteries of publishing—what it means to shape your story, find your voice, and deliver a book with soul. Michelle pulls back the curtain on the publishing industry, revealing common pitfalls and how to avoid them, and she shares her philosophy on how authenticity, strategy, and—yes—even impatience can become your greatest creative assets. After our conversation, I read an excerpt from my memoir-in-progress, written by hand in my Taos studio, a reflection that loops together moonlight, country music, and marble statues from the Louvre. If you've ever wondered how your voice becomes a book—or how a memory becomes meaning—you'll want to settle in for this one. Twice 5 Miles Radio—original, curious, and always on the road to somewhere.

Today on the show, I'm pleased to welcome Donald Graham, an internationally acclaimed photographer whose portraits, landscapes, and stories span the globe—from high fashion in Paris to mountain lions prowling the wilds of Taos, New Mexico. Don's work is housed in collections at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the International Center of Photography, and his black-and-white portrait book One of a Kind has garnered over 40 international awards. We met by chance at an after-party in Taos and found ourselves deep in conversation about photography, light, and the animals that roam his high desert land. That moment led to this interview. In our conversation, Don takes us from the glamour of Vogue shoots in Paris to the quiet solitude of waiting for a bear to appear on a trail cam. We discuss photography as an act of presence, empathy, and uncovering stories behind the eyes of a subject. He offers technical insights, soulful reflections, and a few hard-earned truths about making a life in the arts. So pour a cup of coffee, settle in, and join me for this intimate and far-reaching conversation with a man who's spent his life pointing a lens at the world—and seeing what most of us miss.

Welcome to Twice 5 Miles Radio, I’m your host, James Navé. In this episode, we begin with Leandro Reyes, Manila’s dynamic “Basyang Kid”—a spoken-word artist who channels a century-old literary legacy into powerful performances, poetic craft, and cultural community-building. From open mic stages across Makati to the pages of Postscript Magazine, Leandro honors the legacy of his great-grandfather, Severino “Lola Basyang” Reyes—the iconic playwright and “Father of Tagalog Zarzuela”—while forging his own bold new path. His debut poem, “Sugarcoats,” contemplates loss with quiet precision, and his work in theater and advocacy reveals a deep devotion to Filipino artistry and imagination. Then we travel from Manila to Taos for a conversation I recorded a few years ago with Ocean Vuong, bestselling author of On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous and his current novel, The Emperor of Gladness, published on May 13, 2025. Ocean was in Northern New Mexico for the Taos Poetry Festival, and we sat down to talk about poetry, language, loss, and what it means to carry beauty and grief in the same breath. To close the show, I offer a short writing workshop—an invitation called “A Long Look at Yourself.” It’s a simple, powerful practice in awareness and emotional truth, designed to help you connect with your voice and see your own story in a fresh light. Whether you're a writer, a listener, or someone simply curious about the human spirit, I hope this episode offers you something to carry with you.

Welcome to Twice 5 Miles Radio. I’m your host, James Navé. In this episode, I speak with Jennifer Peterson, founder of the Estelle Center for Creative Arts in La Veta, Colorado (https://estellecreativearts.com/). Jennifer shares how a dream seeded by her grandmother's artistic spirit evolved into a vibrant retreat center for women to explore creativity, build community, and work with their hands. We talk about the emotional power of quilting, the quiet transformation that happens during a five-day retreat, and how making art becomes a way to live with more grace, connection, and resilience. Jennifer’s story is a masterclass in patience, purpose, and creative leadership. Whether you’re a fiber artist, a retreat leader, or someone yearning to carve out creative time in a busy life, you’ll find inspiration here. Jennifer reminds us: you don’t have to know exactly how your dream will unfold—you just have to let it live long enough to find its form. Listen in and discover how one woman’s quiet dream turned into a movement of creative restoration.

Poetic News From La Vita Colorado with James Navé by James Navé