Strength To Be Human --Global Arts & Affairs Podcast, Hosted by Mark Antony Rossi

This milestone episode (#100, yeah) is the last of the Classic Spotlight Series for 2019. Tonight we shine a light on the enduring short story writer William Sydney Porter, better known as O. Henry. We will discuss his stories, motivations, social life, criminal convictions and acute eye for humanity and presenting humane situations full of hope and love.

In the last metal future episode of 2019, we explore the phenomena of bands who claim retirement only to come back in a few or two for more glory, more money and more health issues. We must face the fact, even if they don't, that people in the 60's and 70's running around the stage and living from a suitcase is not only impractical it might be unhealthy. Is it mind over matter? Or just move over and make some more money? You decide.

In the library of substantial writing comes a category often overlooked and quite ironic in origin. The writing from decidedly nonwriters composed and delivered to affect change. We outline a few historic examples of major social change using writing such as Martin Luther, Thomas Paine, Martin Luther King Jr., and Vaclav Havel. And some personal examples of "local" writing to test corporate products, city governments, shoddy restaurants, etc. 

in the final interview for Year 2019, the show welcomes Lynn Long (also known on FB as "Luna Deity") who is a wonderfully positive poet dedicated to exploring the lighter side of the nature, love and the world. Lynn shares her philosophy, her books and her work on a perfectly fitting setting where I truly appreciate this approach to balance the darker subjects Strength To Be Human can often tackle.

A riveting literary interview with Florida-based fiction writer Catherine Shields. Her short story "My Phantom Ovaries" was published in June of 2019 and remains in the top ten reads of the international online journal Ariel Chart. She was nominated for the 2019 Pushcart Prize for Fiction by that same publication.

In the last Guest Haus episode of the year 2019, we explore the writer syndrome that makes writers lose their path by forgetting the precepts of Art. For a the 2nd segment we answer a few questions each in the second edition of Mailbag.  

In the third and final installment of The Mechanics of Muse, Discipline is redefined becoming much more than robotic gestures and slick time management but rather a mental toughness, emotional maturity and personal honesty that allows a creator to firmly evaluate their path of a regular basis.

Last Guest Haus Editon for the calendar year 2019 and we dive into deep waters (what's new) and discuss the flaws of our heroes, the influences of the imperfect and the enviable burnout that happens to writers, especially to editors who are usually juggling a few things at the same time. As always John brings his humor and insight to make this a special episode.

Another visit to the classics, in this case, a modern classic, Clive Barker, one of the first of many (I hope) that bring a literary flare to horror writing. We will discuss his Books of Blood, movies Hellraiser and Nightbreed and the joint interview book he did with Stephen King.

The second installment in the series called the Mechanics of Muse describes the essential ingredient to propel talent into creative entities capable of carrying our metaphor, mask or message to the world.