The Last Word: Conversations with Writers

For more than 30 years, Julia Cameron has inspired boundless creativity among artists, writers, musicians, filmmakers and especially those who didn’t believe they had a creative bone in their bodies. Today, she joins me with her long-time friend, publisher and minister, Joel Fotinos, with her most accessible volume yet, The Daily Artist’s Way: 366 Meditations for Creative Living.  Meet them both a...

David Abbey was the Director of the New Mexico Legislative Finance Committee for 26 years until his recent retirement.  Today, I welcome him to the KSFR studios with his memoir Forty Years in The New Mexico Roundhouse. Respectfully called “the budget genius,” David Abbey served during the administration of seven very different New Mexico governors and in this informal and enjoyable conversation we...

A joy to be joined today by Erica Elliott, MD, with the third part of her memoir, From Doctor to Healer: The Mountain Lion’s Gift.  Fifty years after a Navajo elder’s prophecy that, “…if she survived life-threatening obstacles” she would have “powerful medicine to bring to the people” Dr. Elliott recalls facing some of the most challenging health issues, physical and neurological, which helped to...

Yes!  It’s the annual Halloween week show and this year we go further back than ever in our adventure into the paranormal. Yet, is it paranormal or could mediumship actually be normal? Cultural Anthropologist Elyn Aviva, who has a Masters degree in Divinity, joins me with her new book The Reluctant Medium to challenge our skepticism and spike our curiosity.  Elyn claims to have “channeled” ancient...

A lovely, relaxing show today along the verdant Acequias of Albuquerque with noted medieval historian, Great Courses professor and author Joyce Salisbury whose work weaves history and geography wherever she travels.  Her beautiful book, Acequias of Albuquerque: Walking Ancient Waterways is literally, “a gift to Albuquerque” for all of us here in the Land of Enchantment.  Filled with 32 color photo...

I’m joined today by contributor to The New York Times and editor-at-large of Jewish Currents, Peter Beinart, Professor of journalism and political science at City University of New York to discuss his provocative new book, Being Jewish After The Destruction of Gaza.  Joining me in the studio is clinical social worker, Marcelle Grant, who is one of the organizers of Peter Beinart’s talk in Santa Fe...

A delight to chat with composer, guitarist, and music journalist Mark Small about his biography of Lee Berk, the former president of Berklee College of Music where Mark was on staff for many years.  Lee Berk: Leading the Berklee Way covers the life and vision of Lee and his father Lawrence and why Berklee stands out as one of the most sought after colleges by musicians everywhere.  Mark Small work...

Nationally-acclaimed naturalist, Priyanka Kumar, praised for her luminous book Conversations with Birds and often compared to Rachel Carson, joins me with her new book, The Light Between Apple Trees: Rediscovering The Wild Through A Beloved American Fruit.  A delicious book to savor from an author who’s impeccable research and “field work” in orchards and along river trails in Northern New Mexico...

A musical treat today with author, singer, songwriter and 2014 Oklahoma Poet Laureate emeritus Nathan Brown.  With 30 volumes of poetry and prose to his name and uncountable songs, Nathan delights, informs and inspires audiences wherever he goes.  Lucky for us, he has recently relocated to Santa Fe from Texas hill country and celebrates publication of the second book in his Birth of A Vagabond sea...

Mother and son, Karen Chase and Matthew Chase-Daniel intrigue the airwaves with me to discuss art, writing, poetry, imagination and historical “facts.”   Karen Chase comes to town to read her “re-imagined” story, Two Tales: Jamali Kamali and ZundelState, the first tale set in 16th Century India inspired by the magnificent tomb in Delhi of Sufi Saint Jamali and his supposed lover, Kamali, and Zunde...

New Mexico poet and activist Demetria Martinez in dialogue with playwright, poet and co-founder of IKON magazine Susan Sherman, light up today’s episode with powerful insights and sensitivity.  Their collaboration, Poetry in Dangerous Times, gives a voice to those who have been silenced and a renewed strength for those who are frozen by a growing fear.  As Demetria says, “Poetry is an act of resis...

Animal lovers stop scrolling now and click the Listen button. Here’s another informative, and this time poignant, interview with nationally-respected animal advocate Carlyn Montes de Oca following the passing of her beloved dog, Grace.  Award-winning author of Junkyard Girl and Dog As My Doctor, Cat As My Nurse, Carlyn also teases her next book, to be published soon.  animalhumanhealth.com

A special episode honoring New Mexico Book Association‘s superb work on behalf of our local writers, book designers and small publishing houses.  NMBA’s President, Anna Sochocky joins me with National Endowment for The Arts recipient Deborah Taffa who will be the keynote speaker at NMBA’s Annual Gala on August 21st.  Deborah’s celebrated memoir, Whiskey Tender, was a 2024 National Book Award final...

Regular listeners know that we like to feature local authors as well as some big names.  So, meet New Mexico native artist and writer Hosho McCreesh, a name taken from Navajo tradition and his Irish roots.  Hosho’s poetry collection, Psalms from The Badlands, offers evocative reading a little longer than classic Haiku. His writing inspiration is fascinating in itself and how he folds his artistry...

Take a few minutes this evening from attention-grabbing headlines and daily worries to drop deeply into the natural flow and ease of your life. Daoist philosopher and teacher Solala Towler joins me from leafy Oregon to share wisdom from one of his 12 books on Qigong and the art of the Tao.  Reading from Teahouse at The Edge of The World his voice will soothe your nervous system and perhaps inspire...

Don’t scroll past this one and don’t adjust the dial.  My guest today is a former professional oboist, documentary filmmaker and interior designer who’s added “acclaimed memoirist” to her accomplishments.  “Dear Virginia, Wait for Me” is Marcia Butler’s third novel set in Queens and Manhattan, a sweet read of a tale that is at once whimsical, tightly plotted and cleanly crafted.  You’ll fall in lo...

Whatever your age, don’t miss this week’s episode with award-winning Albuquerque children’s author Caroline Starr Rose.  Her new book, The Burning Season may be intended for middle schoolers but the adventure, mystery, beauty and wisdom is for all of us.  Designed as poetry prose stanzas that are invitingly readable, be sure to read it yourself before giving it to your children or grandchildren. S...

Today’s guest discusses a critical topic pushed into the background as increasingly dramatic headlines grab our attention.  Respected investigative journalist Mariah Blake joins me with her new book, They Poisoned The World: Life and Death in The Age of Forever Chemicals.  Think this doesn’t affect you?   Almost every living creature on earth now has dangerous forever chemicals in their bloodstrea...

Twenty-three minutes fly by with prolific Santa Fe author, columnist, “sleuthsayer,” and Russian scholar who worked in former Cold War intelligence in West Berlin, David Edgerley Gates.  Recently described as a “one-man Google,” we attempt to cover the last 100 years through glimpses into the wartime theater, the focussed intent of the arts, and what might-or might not-be hidden in our current tim...

A delightful 23 minutes with Robert Wolf, former playwright, Chicago Tribune feature writer and co-founder of Free River Press and long-time Santa Fe children’s author Bonnie Larson to celebrate the launching of Coyotes and Stars: Stories from The American Southwest.  With essays from more than 50 local and loved townspeople, villagers and esteemed “characters,” Coyotes and Stars forms a landscape...

A journey today into visionary fiction, a genre rarely covered in this show yet perhaps essential during these uncertain times.  I’m joined by Cynthia Rose with her debut novel Emerging Resonance a story set 200 years in the future that brings hope to our hearts and reminds us to stay the course through our own wanderings and wonderings.  We ask is there such a thing as conscious evolution and if...

We begin with a personal glimpse into our country’s past during the McCarthy era with gifted poet and writing guide Joanne Fay Brown. Growing up as a child of activist parents was not always easy for Joanne, her first poetry collection, Independence Day, reveals her struggles to forge independence from her idealistic parents as they fought intimidation and struggles of their own. Today, Joanne off...

Award-winning poet Wayne Lee returns to the KSFR studios with his sixth collection of poetry, Dining on Salt: Four Seasons of Septets. His most personal and poignant volume yet, Wayne committed to a year of writing a 7-line poem each day. Not long into his writing discipline his beloved wife Alice, who had lived for 20 years with a rare neurological disease, took her own life. An intimate intervie...

Continuing our intimate conversation with Kristena Prater on her beautiful book, Tessa Eyes on The World. Part 1 aired on March 20th. Today we drop deeper into Tessa’s inspiring young life, learn more about her brother Xavier, and how Kristena and all her family are inspired daily by Tessa’s service and joy.

Author, activist and multi-award winning visionary poet, Mary Gilliland, returns with her long-form piece, In The Pool of The Sea’s Shoulder. A reimagined story of her younger brother, “Freddy,” and his own breakthrough work. Mary intends to “charm, alarm and galvanize” readers and does so with words that reveal beauty and true familial love. Published by Dancing Girl Press.  For more information...