Connections Radio

Hosts Laurie Fitz and Rick Bernardo visit with Mari Harris—award-winning singer/songwriter, actor, speaker, and a lover of life with a commitment to provide entertainment, empowerment, and love through the arts. She performs internationally on stage, in concert halls, on television, the internet, and the big screen—exciting and inspiring audiences with her voice, talent, and presence. –  www.MariHarris.com / [email protected]

Host Laurie Fitz interviews Lee Hawkins on his 10 part podcast series “What Happened in Alabama?” Born out of personal experiences of intergenerational trauma, and the impacts of Jim Crow that exist beyond what we understand about segregation award-winning journalist Lee Hawkins unpacks his family history and upbringing, his father’s painful nightmares and past, and goes deep into discussions to understand those who may have had similar generational – and present day – experiences. “What Happened In Alabama?” is a series to end the cycles of trauma for Lee, for his family, and for Black America. In this interview Lee shares about the making of the podcast and the various connections and revelations in growing up in Maplewood Minnesota.

Hosts Laurie Fitz and Rick Bernardo visit with poet, fiction writer, and creative writing teacher, Rev. Patrick Cabello Hansel. The connections are wide and deep as we discuss his inspiring personal journey and community work towards radical hospitality, justice, and beauty. – www.ArteCabelloHansel.com / www.SemillaCenter.org

Hosts Laurie Fitz and Rick Bernardo visit Rick’s former Pacific School of Religion colleague, Reverend Steve Garnaas-Holmes—who, among other pursuits, happened to perform all over the country with The Montana Logging and Ballet Company. It’s just one extension of his longtime experience as a composer, musician, actor, comedian, and poet. Our discussion about art and spirituality benefits from his years of performances zany and beautiful—often at the same time—and his years of perspective both circumspect and deep. – www.UnfoldingLight.net / www.reverbnation.com/MontanaLoggingandBalletCo

Hosts Laurie Fitz and Rick Bernardo visit again with artist and writer, Anne Sawyer, this time about a touching recent project: Minneapolis’s Southeast Seniors Memoir Project. With recorded examples from Tricia, Karen, and Darla, we learn about the genesis and growth of this venture leading to a wonderfully crafted book and podcast. Drawing upon memories from these Minneapolis neighbors, the result is a wonderful set of connections that resonates and ripples between inspirational authors, personal histories, and our own lives in turn. – www.SEseniors.org / www.AnneSawyerArt.com

This week host Laurie Fitz is joined by comedian Lizz Winstead!

Hosts Laurie Fitz and Rick Bernardo visit again with Mark Woerpel, who co-arranged and co-produced the Rickey Medlocke Band’s new release, “Never Run Out of Road”—c/o Rock the Cause Records in support of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) Movement. That song’s proceeds benefit the National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center – www.niwrc.org – We’ll hear this song and others as we discuss Mark’s work as a music educator, producer, and performer, including live performances worldwide—with thousands of hours creating, writing, and collaborating in all settings, from beginner and local to major label artists’ releases with international TV network and streaming. – https://MarkWoerpelMusic.homesteadcloud.com / www.ThemPeskyKids.com / www.RickeyMedlocke.com

Hosts Laurie Fitz and Rick Bernardo join Blackfoot’s and Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Rickey Medlocke to talk about his new single with the Rickey Medlocke Band, “Never Run Out Of Road”—in support of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) movement. We’re joined by musician/producer, Mark Woerpel—about his work on this song and related music—as well as visiting with Rock the Cause Records’ CEO Scott Herold. – Proceeds benefit National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center at www.niwrc.org –

Hosts Laurie Fitz and Rick Bernardo visit U.Conn. Professor of English, well-known author, and humorist, Gina Barreca, for a 3rd time following her 3rd and recent book in her edited “Fast Women” series: “Fast Fallen Women: 75 Essays of Flash Nonfiction” (Woodhall Press). Our fun conversation covers the ground of authentic values with integrity. We discuss why dishonesty and plagiarism seem rampant in public discourse and academia alike—and why truth in its various forms is essential and vital. – www.GinaBarreca.com