PODULA RASA

Dave talks with artist Jon-Michael Frank for a freewheeling conversation about TWill, the teenage heart, haiku, the secret life of fungi and trees, and more.  Music interludes provided by Jim and Stacy Esch. 

Today we are joined by Danielle DeCaro Buchanan, a former student and close friend of Thom Williams. Danielle shares stories of meeting Thom, reading Ralph Waldo Emerson and haiku, and how their friendship developed over the years.  The creative inspiration and wisdom she drew from him is unforgettable. 

Dave interviews Lisa D'Annunzio Jones (aka. "Libra"), a teaching colleague of TWill. Thom and Libra shared a special bond which transcended the classroom. 

Catching up on listener mail we have received over the past couple months. Dave reads a Thom Williams poem, and we hear a rare clip of TWill in the classroom rapping! Plus a new Oblique Strategy from Brian Eno. 

We interview Dr. Maury Joseph, a clinical psychologist and former student of Thom Williams. Maury shares his memories, music, and thoughts on creativity learned from Thom that have been useful in his practice as a therapist.  

To celebrate the birthday of Thomas Williams, we’ve created a montage of moments that we have had with some of you: conversations of consequence, from thoughts, memories and collaborations with Tom.  Includes portions of interviews with: Lisa D’Annunzio-Jones, Danielle Buchanan, Jeffery Alulis, Phillip Charron, Jon-Michael Frank, Jim Morris, John Grecia, Murray Joseph and Jimmy Develin.

Musical Credits:  A HUGE thank you to John Grecia for the liberal use of his and Tom's music, including:  

White Star, When You Fall, We Stayed Up All Night, Two Autumns, Turning of My Heart, Spanish Jane, Slide, She Came in Time of Meteors, Quiet Conversations, Monterey, Love is the Cure, Lightning Rod, Kingdom of One, January, If Wishes Were Rain, Hiroshima, Blue Camero, Andromeda.

Happy TWill birthday to all!

Dave and Jim

We interview Lorisa Friedman, a high school English teacher and colleague of Thom Williams at Marple Newtown. What was it like to work alongside TW? What did Lori learn from him about teaching and life? We hope this show will jog memories of the important teachers and coworkers in your own life.

Dave and Jim discuss the virtues of keeping a writing journal, the podcast itself as an audio journal, the connections between journaling and meditation, and how sometimes, it's OK to purge yourself of pieces from your past. Plus, the return of the segment "oblique strategies"! 

Mark Christaldi joins us for a conversation about how a single high school English journal assignment made a deep and lasting impression on his journey through life. Mark also shares his thoughts on what we may really be up to regarding this podcast. Thanks Mark for the wisdom and insights. 

We invite you to make a donation to the Thom Williams Memorial Scholarship Fund at Marple Newtown High School. You can send checks to: The Thom Williams Memorial Scholarship Fund c/o Principal John Beltrante, Marple Newtown Senior High School, 120 Media Line Road Newtown Square, PA 19073

In this followup to the previous episode, Dave and Jim talk about finding your path, dealing with regrets, and how to be present in the moment.