We begin with a personal glimpse into our country’s past during the McCarthy era with gifted poet and writing guide Joanne Fay Brown. Growing up as a child of activist parents was not always easy for Joanne, her first poetry collection, Independence Day, reveals her struggles to forge independence from her idealistic parents as they fought intimidation and struggles of their own. Today, Joanne offers sought-after support and inspiration for women recovering from breast cancer through her writing workshops.

Award-winning poet Wayne Lee returns to the KSFR studios with his sixth collection of poetry, Dining on Salt: Four Seasons of Septets. His most personal and poignant volume yet, Wayne committed to a year of writing a 7-line poem each day. Not long into his writing discipline his beloved wife Alice, who had lived for 20 years with a rare neurological disease, took her own life. An intimate interview, as silent as radio allows, touched by Wayne’s quiet readings, an episode for all of us who have lost a loved one. Or who simply love.

Continuing our intimate conversation with Kristena Prater on her beautiful book, Tessa Eyes on The World. Part 1 aired on March 20th. Today we drop deeper into Tessa’s inspiring young life, learn more about her brother Xavier, and how Kristena and all her family are inspired daily by Tessa’s service and joy.

Author, activist and multi-award winning visionary poet, Mary Gilliland, returns with her long-form piece, In The Pool of The Sea’s Shoulder. A reimagined story of her younger brother, “Freddy,” and his own breakthrough work. Mary intends to “charm, alarm and galvanize” readers and does so with words that reveal beauty and true familial love. Published by Dancing Girl Press. Mary Gilliland.com

With me today, journalist and freelance correspondent at ABC News and former business correspondent at CNN International, you may recognize Alison Kosik’s name as the face of Wall Street. Despite glowing credentials and smarts, Alison admits that she often didn’t have the confidence to make big, personal financial decisions, often deferring to her husband. After divorce, she had to learn fast. Her essential book, What’s Up with Women and Money: How to Do All The Financial Stuff You’ve Been Avoiding really is for All of us, no matter whether we’re wealthy, comfortable or on a tight budget. We Can learn to take charge of our finances, by ourselves because we have to, or to enhance and prosper in our loving relationships. A surprisingly intimate interview. Alison Kosik, What’s Up with Women and Money.

Have you ever found yourself noticing something again and again that appears to “flirt” for your attention? Or perhaps wake from a dream that later sparks an unexpected synchronicity, conjures an image, or which sets you on an adventure to learn more? Naturalist and environmental writer Brooke Williams joins me with Encountering Dragonfly: Notes on The Practice of Re-Enchantment.

Two of Santa Fe’s wonderful poets read and share inspiration from their collections in this intimate interview. Mary McGinnis has been writing since she was 16 years old and has been published in over 80 magazines and anthologies. Blind since birth, today she reads from See with Your Whole Body generating a fascinating conversation about synesthesia and how she “tastes color.” Kathamann, a retired nurse and former Peace Corp volunteer in Afghanistan, had been published in several regional anthologies including An Orchard Quartet. More at Kathamann.com. Mary and Kathamann will be reading together at Geronimo Books, 3018 Cielo Court in Santa Fe at 4:00 pm on Saturday, April 5th.

A few months after graduating high school in Santa Fe, Tessa Horan journeys to the Himalayas to further her studies in Buddhism. What she encounters opens her eyes to disparities of cultures that shock her and which inform and strengthen humanitarian actions for the rest of her life. Kristena Prater deepens our understanding in Tessa: Eyes on The World written from her own heart as a mother and giving voice to her firstborn daughter through poetry, journals and dream sequences that weave seamlessly into this beautiful book.

What have we learned in the past 100 years from the early days of the rise of fascism? Are there critical lessons that serve us now as anti-semitism, divisiveness and racism rear their ugly heads more and more each day? With me is Bruce Neuburger with his latest, impeccably researched book, Postcards to Hitler: A German Jew’s Defiance in A Time of Terror.

Today, essential and very practical information for all aspiring authors with encouragement for all writers, poets and screenwriters in the state. I’m joined by New Mexico Writer's Executive Director James McGrath Morris and grant committee member Sandra Blakeslee. Learn how you can apply for grant monies to complete your book and network with other writers across the state.