Come with me on a track-by-track journey through Kentucky Queen, my first solo project in 15 years, where I share the personal, cultural, and musical roots of each song on the album. My aim for this episode was to share the stories I love to hear when I listen to a songwriter, like influences, inspirations, and anecdotes. I also share some about my process of song selection, and the musicians who helped me bring the songs to life. Whether you’re a new listener or a longtime fan, pull up a chair and settle in for a glimpse behind the scenes of writing and recording. (As well as my favorite weird method for writing songs!) 

Listening/Purchase Links for Kentucky Queen

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Join host Carla Gover and Kentucky Poet Laureate Silas House as they discuss the creative life. The episode explores the fears and resistance writers face, the importance of honesty in storytelling, and the impact of cultural and religious conditioning on self-expression. Silas shares his journey, experiences, and thoughts on creativity, including his thoughts on representing marginalized groups, collaborating with other artists, and much more. This candid discussion is filled with wisdom, humility, and encouragement for all aspiring artists.

Key Points Discussed:

Fear and Resistance in Writing:

1. The challenges of writer's block and distractions like social media.
2. Importance of honesty and writing stories or poems you want to read.
3. Fear as an engine that drives the creative process.

Cultural and Religious Conditioning:

1. Expressing oneself fully despite cultural and religious backgrounds.
2. Working on a novel addressing strict cultural backgrounds, faith, and desire.

Representation and Responsibility:

1. Importance of representing marginalized groups like gay Kentuckians.
2. Impact of Silas's work on young queer individuals.
3. Being conscientious and authentic on social media.

Impostor Syndrome and Humility:

1. Challenges of feeling inadequate in elite literary settings.
2. Maintaining a down-to-earth attitude despite high-profile connections.
3. Personal validation from readers vs. professional awards.

Balancing Tasks and Self-Care:

1. Juggling various activities using checklists and prioritizing tasks.
2. Importance of self-care and knowing personal limits.
3. Psychological approach to to-do lists and rewarding oneself.

Thoughts on Creativity and Art:

1. Creativity as a constant state of being.
2. Daydreaming as an essential part of the creative process.
3. The complexity and multidimensionality of personal identity.

Projects and Future Works:

1. Upcoming picture book "That Dog Won't Hunt."
2. New novel set in the early 1900s focusing on environmental issues.

Connect with Silas
Website
Instagram
Facebook

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In this episode of "What Dreamers Do," Leonie Dawson, the vibrant and successful artist, writer, poet, and illustrator from Australia, opens up about her unique journey as a creative entrepreneur.

From her time in the Australian government to her inspiring million-dollar online business and Brilliant Biz and Life Academy, you'll discover how Leonie seamlessly blends creativity with business without compromising her values and integrity.

Show Highlights:
 - The beginnings of her career back in the early days of chat and message boards
- Overcoming physical health challenges while flourishing in her business and art
 - Running the Brilliant Biz and Life Academy with 5,000 dedicated members
 - Advocating for integrity and supporting artists and women to take up space and share their art
- Creating invaluable resources and free content on her website
- Leonie's deep admiration for the inspiring artist Sark
- Shifting mindset towards self-worth, imposter syndrome, and joy in creation
- Streamlining business and valuing happiness and work-life balance
- The power of money in creating positive change and redistribution to nonprofits

Tune in to be inspired by Leonie's radical approach to business and creativity,  self-care and motherhood. Discover how she challenges self-doubt and gender limitations, shining a light for people carving their own paths in entrepreneurship and art.
Leonie Dawson is a reminder that success can be cultivated with authenticity, joy, and unwavering dedication.
Leonie Dawson is a self-taught artist, writer, and poet who knew from a young age that she wanted to make a difference in the world through her creativity. Despite growing up in a pragmatic farming family, she pursued her passion and has since become a successful and influential figure in the art and writing community. Leonie's determination and talent have allowed her to achieve her childhood dream of changing the world through her art and words.

Links from the Show
Brilliant Biz & Life Academy
Leonie's Free Resources
Website for the artist SARK

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In this episode of "What Dreamers Do," host Carla Gover welcomes poet, songwriter, and renaissance man, Matthew Sidney Parsons.

Born in Kentucky and raised in West Virginia and Tennessee, Parsons now resides in Eastern Kentucky on a family homestead, where he draws inspiration from the natural surroundings and his ancestral heritage in his creative work.

During the conversation, Parsons and Gover delve into the complexities of living a creative life, balancing multiple passions, and the realities of being an artist who is also a parent. 

Parsons shares insights into his approach to prioritizing his passions and the impact of fatherhood on his music and poetry. The episode also explores Parsons' latest work, including his poetry book "Mountain Roosters," which focuses on his Appalachian identity, toxic masculinity, and the responsibility of shaping the narrative about Appalachia.

The conversation touches on the intersection of art and technology, the ethical considerations surrounding AI, and the challenges and joys of parenting while pursuing a creative career.

You'll also hear an excerpt from Parsons' newest song, "Middle Class," which delves into an exploration of values and class issues in the USA.
Learn about the enriching impact of parenting on creativity and career, and gain valuable insights into finding inspiration in the everyday moments.

Thank you for joining us on "What Dreamers Do," and don't miss out on the chance to engage with Matthew Sidney Parsons and his latest work.

Where to connect with Matt:
@miraclematts on most platforms
Facebook
Instagram
TikTok

Middle Class Song on YouTube

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Join host Carla Gover in her conversation with veteran Kentucky clogger (and professional psychologist) Steven Smith in this episode of What Dreamers Do.

Carla and Steven also discuss the nuances of different dance styles, the importance of creativity in everyday life, and the challenges of teaching traditional dance styles that are similar yet different.  Steve has done it all, from Contemporary Clogging to Flatfooting to Waltz Clog to Buck Dance. Even better, he has released all of his teaching materials free to all on YouTube, which he discusses on the show.

Get ready to be inspired to live your most creative life, and learn more about the history of clogging in the state of Kentucky and beyond!

Steve's YouTube Dance Channel

Steven on Facebook

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Welcome back to "What Dreamers Do," the podcast that explores the power of dreams, creativity, and the human spirit. Today we have a special guest joining us on the show. Please welcome Matthew Olwell, a multi-talented artist, musician, and dancer. In this episode, titled "Rhythm and Resistance," we dive deep into the world of dance, and how artists can use their performances and classes to address social injustices.

Throughout our conversation, we explore the importance of acknowledging our own immigrant histories, the power of the arts in engaging in difficult conversations, and the need to create spaces for meaningful change.

Drawing on his extensive experience in both Irish dance and Appalachian flatfooting, Matthew shares insights into the connections between these styles and the nuanced elements that make each unique. We discuss the whitewashing of Appalachian history and the complexity of its dance origins, including the influence of African diaspora dances. Matthew challenges reductive versions of these dance forms, highlighting their gradual amalgamation and hybridization over time.

Additionally, we delve into the significance of dance and music in connecting with others, creating shared spaces, and bridging divides. Matthew shares personal stories of powerful moments of connection and understanding that he has witnessed that were brought about by artistic exchange.

As we navigate the conversation, we confront uncomfortable histories, address the legacy of slavery, and examine our own responsibilities as artists in helping to create meaningful change in the world.  This is an episode you won't want to miss!

Featured Links
Matthew Olwell's Blog
Olwell Flutes
August Heritage Center
Knock On Wood Tap Studio
Loyd Shaw Foundation (dedicated to education about American folk dance)
Country Dance and Song Society
Maivish (Matt's Band)
Terpsichore's Holiday (live dance week)

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In this episode of "What Dreamers Do," host Carla Gover sits down with the talented and multipassionate Jennifer Reid, a researcher, presenter, educator, performer and provocateur. 

In her lovely Northern Accent, we get a glimpse of Jennifer's work, as she takes us on a journey through the various art forms that she uses to highlight working-class issues past and present and connect audiences to their heritage through the captivating world of Lancashire dialect songs.  She even sings a sample of the  North Manchester song "The Weaver of Wellbrook." She sheds light on the importance of oral tradition in preserving and passing down these songs, with special attention to the rhythm of the hand loom that echoes through the music. 

The conversation then delves into the broader context of ballads in industrialization-era slums and their societal roles as they evolved. Jennifer shares her experiences teaching art and music, and the joy she finds in live performances, adapting her set lists to match the atmosphere of the room. 

We learn about Jennifer's vast repertoire, and how she carries a box of 300 songs to cater to different preferences, even tailoring songs to specific locations. She touches on the healing power of live music as a form of medicine, and how she chooses songs for audience members based on their needs.

The conversation takes an intriguing turn as Carla and Jennifer discuss the fascinating world of street hawkers selling ballads, and the historical importance of these sellers in reminding Irish workers of home. We gain insights into Jennifer's acting career, including her role in a critically acclaimed period drama directed by Shane Meadows featuring her improvisation of 1700s songs.

The two move on to discuss Lancashire clogging and singing, and Jennifer's journey into 19th-century print culture while volunteering at Chetman's Library in Manchester. We delve into the significance of folk ballads and using music as a powerful tool for social change. Jennifer shares stories, knowledge, and her knowledge about broadside ballads and the importance of preserving folk traditions.

The episode concludes with a sneak peek into Jennifer's future plans, possible performances in the UK and the United States, and an invitation to visit her recently updated website for more information and music.

Jennifer's Website

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On this episode of What Dreamers Do, host Carla Gover talks with Appalachian Author Bobi Conn about her work, her writing process, overcoming trauma, and offering a counter-narrative to stereotypical,  pop-culture representations of the region. The two friends also riff about their personal experiences with healing and success, encouraging listeners to find their own path and express their best selves to the world.

The episode wraps up with a discussion about Bobi’s two existing books as well as her upcoming novel, which all explore universal themes and Bobi’s lived experiences and struggles, with a focus on women's lives.

Biography
Bobi Conn was born in Morehead, Kentucky, and raised in a nearby holler, where she developed a deep connection with the land and her Appalachian roots. She obtained her bachelor’s degree at Berea College, the first school in the American South to integrate racially and to teach men and women in the same classrooms. After struggling as a single mother, she worked multiple part-time jobs at once to support her son and to attend graduate school, where she earned a master’s degree in English with an emphasis in creative writing. 

In 2020, she released her first book, an elegiac account of survival despite being born poor, female, and cloistered. In her honest and vulnerable memoir, we find a testament of hope for all vulnerable populations, particularly women and girls caught in the cycle of poverty and abuse. 

Bobi's second book, a novel called "A Woman in Time," was published in 2022 and draws inspiration from the true stories of her great grandparents. It portrays a woman who challenges the constraints of life in Prohibition-era Appalachia in this sweeping and richly rewarding novel about endurance, survival, and redemption.

Bobi’s Website

Bobi’s Instagram

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On this episode of What Dreamers Do, we catch up with Si Kahn, an activist, author, playwright, organizer, and singer-songwriter known for his powerful songs and lifelong engagement in labor issues, human rights, and environmental concerns. The conversation covers his experiences in the labor movement as an organizer, and his engagement as a folk singer focused on writing songs for and about real people with real stories. 

Si shares his insights into the world of social justice actions (musical and otherwise) and offers some golden advice on how to keep going during times when political situations make us feel despair and hopelessness. 

We also learn more about the host's own experiences with activism and social change, and how she’s used music and dance to create solidarity and community. The episode ends with a discussion about how the energy we carry in our hearts has the power to help heal the world, and that carrying signs and protesting are the only ways to effect change.

Some key subjects shared by Si:

• his thoughts about how to keep going during trying times 
• his experiences in the labor and organizing movements 
• the importance of supporting Indigenous-led environmental movements 
• the use of artistic platforms platforms to amplify marginalized voices  

Links:
Si Kahn's Website

Creative Community Organizing: A Guide for Rabble-Rousers, Activists, and Quiet Lovers of Justice by Si Kahn

"If" by Rudyard Kipling (poem)

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In this episode, you'll take a deep dive into Appalachian Flatfooting, Clogging, and the general dance history of the Carolinas. You'll also hear the origin story of Rodney Clay Sutton, recognized as a Master Folk Artist in North Carolina. 
With a lifelong career in music and dance, Rodney is both a preserver and an innovator in Appalachian Percussive Styles, and was an early member of the world-renowned Green Grass Cloggers. 

We spend time talking about  Rodney's influences and early life, the evolution of the dance stylings of the Green Grass Cloggers, walking the line between tradition and innovation, and how some of the steps and dances in the GGC repertoire came about. 

Other topics include:

• The importance of LIVE MUSIC for performance
• How dance contests affect the perpetuation and evolution of a style
• The relationships between old-fashioned and contemporary clogging
• Cultural sensitivity in dance education
• Dancers and educators like Willard Watson, Robert Dotson, Dudley Culp, Amy Sarli, and more

Links Mentioned
Rodney's Website
Rodney's Facebook Page
Talking Feet Film
Green Grass Cloggers

Appalachian Flatfooting & Clogging Academy

Music Used:
Sugar Hill by Jim Couch (Harlan County, Kentucky)
Digital Library of Appalachia

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