112. Sailing Without Ahab w/ Dr. Steve Mentz

Dan Dissinger welcomes back his former professor Dr. Steve Mentz, chair of the Saint John’s University English Department, to discuss his latest book of poems Sailing Without Ahab and the Blue Humanities. They dive into (no pun intended) Dr. Mentz’s writing journey in and out of the poems in Sailing Without Ahab, the interconnected writing process and relationship between the creative space of poetry and academic scholarship when it came to creating Sailing Without Ahab, his personal and scholastic history with water, teaching Moby-Dick, and the challenges of writing in the voice of Ishmael. Steve also reads several poems from Sailing Without Ahab and discusses some of the more intricate details about these pieces.

This is such a rich episode both for writers and scholars alike, and being on the precipice of National Poetry Month, this is a great way to start it off.

82. Scratching Beyond Kerouac’s Surface w/ Saloni Srivastava & David O’Connor

In the final special episode celebrating American author Jack Kerouac’s centennial birthday, Dan invites Advanced PhD scholar of American Literature Saloni Srivastava & Poet David O’Connor to talk about the all-consuming meditative power of driving on the road, living at The Kerouac house in Orlando, FL, the spiritual depth of Kerouac’s writing, seeking one’s lineage,Continue reading “82. Scratching Beyond Kerouac’s Surface w/ Saloni Srivastava & David O’Connor”

81. Honoring Jack Kerouac’s Impact on American Poetry w/ S.A. Griffin & Richard Modiano

In the second of three special episodes celebrating Kerouac’s 100th birthday, Dan invited S.A. Griffin & Richard Modiano to talk about Kerouac’s contribution to American poetry, his haiku mastery, spiritual questing, the challenge of adapting Kerouac’s novels on film, and so much more. Listen to the first Kerouac episode: 80. Celebrating Jack Kerouac’s 100th BirthdayContinue reading “81. Honoring Jack Kerouac’s Impact on American Poetry w/ S.A. Griffin & Richard Modiano”

80. Celebrating Jack Kerouac’s 100th Birthday w/ Tim Hernandez & Nate Jordan

In honor of Jack Kerouac’s 100th birthday, Dan invited writers and fellow Naropa alumni Tim Hernandez & Nate Jordan to talk about how Kerouac influenced their writing & personal journeys. They discuss Tim’s 2013 novel about Bea Franco (Terry/”The Mexican Girl” from On the Road) Mañana Means Heaven, understanding the influence of the published JoanContinue reading “80. Celebrating Jack Kerouac’s 100th Birthday w/ Tim Hernandez & Nate Jordan”

63. Expanding the Victorian Conversation w/ Dr. Melissa Rampelli

In Episode 63, Dan Dissinger and special guest host Dr. Meghan Nolan talk with friend, colleague, and fellow Saint John’s University Alum Dr. Melissa Rampelli from Holy Family University about the impact of the Victorian Age, Medical Humanities, and what sea monsters have to do with the 2008 Great Recession. On top of all ofContinue reading “63. Expanding the Victorian Conversation w/ Dr. Melissa Rampelli”