Craft: Exploring Creativity

Singer-songwriter Iris Dement has released seven albums since 1990, including her latest, Workin’ on a World. Her songs sometimes juxtapose heavy lyrics with upbeat music, letting the listener feel energized while contemplating the difficulties of life. While she doesn’t see herself as a political singer songwriter, her lyrics engage with the politics of the times, like “How many more people of color are we gonna let be gunned down by police/How many more perpetrators are we gonna sit back and watch walk free?

She’s had many memorable duets, especially with John Prine, including their song “In Spite of Ourselves,” a clever lyrical triumph that you should quickly listen to if you haven’t heard it before. Then, get tickets to see her with Six String Concerts on May 16.

Emmy-nominated producer, writer, and freelance journalist Nora Neus will visit the Columbus Metropolitan Library’s South High Branch on April 11 as part of the Authors at the Library series.

Her most recent book is “Renegade Girls,” a young adult graphic novel that fictionalizes the 19th-century relationship between reporter Helena “Nell” Cusack and street photographer Alice Austin. Neus worked as a journalist for CNN and other outlets before writing novels, including 24 Hours in Charlottesville: An Oral History of the Stand Against White Supremacy, and Muhammad Najem, War Reporter. We discuss how she researched the novel and how her personal experiences shape her storytelling. Listen in!

American writer, illustrator and filmmaker Vashti Harrison is the New York Times bestselling creator of Big, winner of the 2024 Caldecott Medal, both the Coretta Scott King Book Award Author and Book Award Illustrator Honor, and a National Book Award finalist.

Big traces a child’s journey to self-love and shows the power of words to both hurt and heal. I encourage you to share this wonderful book and its powerful ending with your children.

She’ll appear in town as part of the Columbus Metropolitan Library’s Authors at the Library on Saturday, April 5 in the Main Library.

Long time Craft listeners (I believe there may be at least one) will know that I like horror fiction. Podcast host Kim Davis feels the same way about true crime and has a turned her interest into the comedic true crime podcast Slaycation, which focuses on vacations that end in murder or mysterious disappearances. Along with her co-hosts Adam Tex Davis and Jerry Colbert, she examines true crimes and contemplates why criminals do what they do. We discuss how the podcast began, notable cases she’s covered, her research process, and the emotional impact of the stories.

Listen in to hear about matricide and abductions in vacation spots. It will make you think twice before you hop into an airplane with your family bound for a warm spot because who knows what the guests or bellhop might be up to?

Mary Robinette Kowal, author of The Martian Contingency, will appear with John Scalzi, author of When the Moon Hits Your Eye, to celebrate the release of their books on Sunday, March 23 at 2:00pm at the Columbus Metropolitan Library. Mary Robinette Kowal’s Hugo and Nebula Award-winning Lady Astronaut series chronicles how courageous women become astronauts in an alternate 1950’s America. The latest installment follows Elma York all the way to Mars, continuing a series that Library Journal calls “well-paced” and “satisfying.”

The past few years have seen rising problems in the United States and increasingly divided citizenry. Conflict seems to be getting worse. So what can we do? Harvard negotiation expert Robert Bordone argues that conflict can be reframed as a positive force for stronger relationships and more authentic connections. Bordone and co author behavioral neurologist Joel Salinas, M.D., have published Conflict Resilience: Negotiating Disagreement Without Giving Up or Giving In, and offer ways to turn conflict from obstacle to opportunity.

Listen in to hear more:

How does one reframe conflict and its role in our lives?
How has Robert Bordone used these techniques in his life?
What conflicts does Robert Bordone see as the most intractable?
How can listeners retrain their brain and actions with practical strategies?

Scottish-born Canadian singer-songwriter David Francey has released 13 albums, including his latest, “The Breath Between.” He’ll perform selections from across his catalog on February 14 at Six String Concerts. He talks about “The Breath Between,” created during the COVID-19 pandemic; his solitary songwriting process; collaborations with musicians like Terra Spencer; and what it’s like to publicly perform–or not–deeply personal songs.

Dr. Kimberlee Kiehl became Executive Director of the Ohioana Library in May 2024, and she joined me to discuss the library’s mission, notable collections, and upcoming events.

Founded in 1929 by
Martha Kinney Cooper (left), the Ohioana Library has worked to preserve the literary works of Ohioans, with a collection of over 90,000 books, as well as original artwork, and self-published works. It also includes papers from renowned Ohio authors like Toni Morrison, Lois Lenski, and Bexley’s own R.L. Stine.

Be sure to mark May 3rd on your calendar and attend the Ohioana Book Festival, which will be returning to the State Library of Ohio, the place I first did Ohioana interviews, years ago. Ohioana has revamped its membership and sponsorship tiers to include more engaging benefits, encouraging deeper connections with the community, so check those out. Go, Ohio!