*Originally released April 2018 On this episode, Lissa Jones sits down with author A. Rafael Johnson to discuss his debut novel, The Through (Jaded Ibis Press, 2017), which was a finalist for the 2018 Minnesota Book Award in Fiction. Johnson tells us about the process of writing The Through, how he came to magical realism as genre, and …
‘The fight for justice is ongoing.’ – Dr. Artika Tyner on leadership, social justice, and education
*Originally released April 2018 Dr. Artika Tyner, educator, author, speaker and advocate, speaks with host Lissa Jones about what led her to dedicate her career to fighting for justice and empowering others to be leaders in their communities. She shares with us why she decided to focus her efforts on children, writing the book Justice Makes …
Live Episode: Sonya Renee Taylor in Minneapolis
*Originally released March 2018 In this episode, recorded at a live event at Jefferson Community School in Minneapolis, MN, Lissa Jones hosts a fascinating conversation with Sonya Renee Taylor the activist and author at the center of the global movement The Body Is Not an Apology, which advocates radical self-love as tool for political resistance …
Continue reading "Live Episode: Sonya Renee Taylor in Minneapolis"
‘It took me 20 years to write this book…because it took that long to live’ – Author Desiree Cooper on her award-winning flash-fiction collection
*Originally released March 2018 Desiree Cooper, author of the award-winning short fiction collection Know the Mother (Wayne State University Press, 2016) talks with host Lissa Jones about the complexities of motherhood and the ways that motherhood interacts, and at times conflicts, with the many other roles that women take on. We reached Desiree Cooper by phone at …
Cave Canem poet Mary Moore Easter on her new collection ‘The Body of the World’
*Originally released March 2018 What if the ancestors spoke to you and it came out as poetry? In this episode, Lissa Jones talks with writer and educator Mary Moore Easter about history, family, poetry, and her newly published poetry collection titled The Body of the World (Mad Hat Press). They also discuss the Cave Canem Foundation, an …
Continue reading "Cave Canem poet Mary Moore Easter on her new collection ‘The Body of the World’"
Author Alexs D. Pate
Update: In October 2018, Alexs Pate released Being You, a children's book delivering a message of hope and self-discovery in a time of uncertainty in our world. *Originally released February 2018 On this episode, host Lissa Jones talks with author and educator Alexs Pate. Pate Is the author of five novels, including the New York Times …
Screenwriter Michael Starrbury
* Originally released February 2018 Michael Starrbury is a screenwriter and actor known for the film The Inevitable Defeat of Mister & Pete (2013), which starred Jennifer Hudson and Anthony Mackie, and the animated series Legends of Chamberlain Heights which has run for two seasons on Comedy Central and for which Michael voices one of the …
Musician, educator, and historian Dr. Damani Phillips on Black culture and jazz education
* Originally released January 2018 Host Lissa Jones sits down with Dr. Damani Phillips. Dr. Phillips is an active performer, educator and composer. He currently serves as associate professor of jazz Studies and African-American studies at the University of Iowa, where he teaches applied jazz saxophone, directs jazz combos and teaches courses in African-American music, …
Joy Dolo, founding member of Blackout Comedy
*Originally released January 2018 In this episode, Lissa Jones speaks with Twin Cites based actress, comedian, and educator Joy Dolo of Blackout Improv. Dolo is a founding member of Blackout, Minnesota’s first and only all-Black improv ensemble whose performances use sketch comedy, improv, and stand-up to tackle current events, race, and social justice issues. Listen: …
Continue reading "Joy Dolo, founding member of Blackout Comedy"
Former Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Alan Page on optimism, legacy and writing for children
*Originally released December 2017 In the season three premier, host Lissa Jones sits down with retired Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Alan Page to discuss his children's books, advocacy work, and optimism. Listen: http://directory.libsyn.com/episode/index/id/6014004 Justice Alan Page is widely recognized for his groundbreaking legal career, as well as for his time in the NFL. Page played …