Grind and Flow

“All of us…we’re sort of an intent, an idea…” says Joy Harjo, the inaugural Artist-In-Residence for the Bob Dylan Center in Tulsa, OK. Forbidden from playing music in the house as a child, 75-year-old Joy embraces her journey as a work-in-progress, still evolving an already-triumphant career in the Arts. A writer, recording artist (she took up saxophone at age 40), a painter (currently earning a degree), she was the first Native American to serve as Poet Laureate of the United States.

Legendary Songwriter/Guitarist (but not Activist!) Bruce Cockburn muses on spirituality, songwriting, stage fright, social responsibility, and seven decades in music. And did Eddie Van Halen REALLY name him the world’s greatest guitarist? Plus, why hope is something we can't NOT fight for.

Bruce Feiler is a bestselling author, popular TED Talk-er and PBS host. On this milestone 25th episode of Grind & Flow, Bruce gets into the daily nuts and bolts — and emotional management — of his work, which often tackles epic-scale topics.

An avowed “Explain-a-holic,” Bruce has illuminated audiences on expansive subjects like the history of Abrahamic religions, Country Music, and even a firsthand account of navigating cancer.

His latest book is A Time to Gather: How Ritual Created the World -- and How It Can Save Us.

What about you? Ever had your life forever altered by a creative work? A singular book, song or film that said things you felt but couldn’t express yourself? Jamil Jude knows the feeling.

A college production of August Wilson’s “The Piano Lesson” rearranged his DNA, and diverted him from a career in Sports Medicine. CUT TO years later, Jamil is now Artistic Director for Kenny Leon’s True Colors Theater Company, handpicked successor to this Atlanta institution’s legendary founder and namesake. Jamil takes us through hard-won lessons in leadership and self-care.

#Creative Leadership

#representation

# Black Stories

For 18 whirlwind months, May Pang shared a life — and an apartment — with John Lennon during what might be the wildest and most fascinating era of his post-Beatle life. 

She’s now touring galleries across the US with a remarkable collection of private photos of John. In this episode, May recalls John’s work habits, his secret reunions with Paul McCartney …and son Julian…plus her own remarkable story. She’s also the subject of a recent documentary, “The Lost Weekend: A Love Story,” now on Tubi and other platforms. 

The Beach Boys’ “Pet Sounds” might be the Citizen Kane of pop albums. But what happened with the aborted follow-up, “Smile”?

How and why did the project go off the rails and get shelved...only to grow in reputation over the decades and fuel the “Brian Wilson is a Genius” flame?

Well, the rest of us may not be geniuses, but we can all relate to family pressures,professional expectations, and even personal demons.

All are hot topics our guest — author David Leaf -- serves up in fine form in his latest book, “SMILE: The Rise, Fall & Resurrection of Brian Wilson.” David brings personal insight from decades as Brian’s friend and preeminent biographer, including a firsthand account of that fabled project’s nail-biting path to completion in the early 2000s.

What does #geniusAF MARK MOTHERSBAUGH do to stay centered and inspired? The prolific film composer and Devo co-founder reveals the helpful daily practice he’s maintained for half a century. Mark also shares tales of Wes Anderson and how our “deficits” can lead to transformative super powers.

Andrew Westover, PhD of Atlanta’s High Museum serves up inspiring ways he and his colleagues are evolving — and preserving — the role of art museums in our civic and personal lives as "a place for you to be."

Biographer Warren Zanes unpacks one of rock and roll’s greatest WTF moments – Bruce Springsteen’s release of the seminal “Nebraska” album. It was shaggy! Imperfect! A work totally alien to our current, carefully-curated social  media culture. Zanes book on the album is the basis for a new motion picture "Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere." Warren also shares valuable lessons from his other legendary subjects, Tom Petty and Garth Brooks.

“Just existing can be hard, Maybe living is an art…” Amanda Shires sings on her new album, “Nobody’s Girl.” This collection of songs is at once triumphant and raw, documenting the aftermath of a very public divorce. So how’s she holding up? Amanda talks frankly about her current state, the benefits of night gardening, and the personal impact of songwriting legends like John Prine and Billy Joe Shaver.