Katie Startzman is the founder and owner of Native Bagel and Night Jar, two very successful eateries in Berea KY. She went from operating a food cart to running an amazing brick and mortar restaurant in spectacular fashion She is a member of the Berea City Council and a Business Coach with the Kentucky Small Business Development Center. She is also the author of the Knitted Slipper Book, an everything-you-need-to-know guide to making this exciting variation on the sock. But what she really wants to talk about is gardening and the magic of public gardens. We discuss the perennial movement, the transformative power of beautiful public green spaces, and we even begin to plan a garden tour of England.

Bill Littlefield is a retired radio host, writer, teacher, and public speaker.

He has written nine books, seven of which have been published. For 34 years he wrote and voiced commentaries for WBUR in Boston and NPR; for 25 of those years, he also hosted “Only A Game,” NPR’s fantastic weekly sports magazine program. Bill is also involved with the Emerson Prison Initiative, a program that makes a college education more accessible to people who are incarcerated.

In this episode we talk about Mercy, his second novel. In his graceful prose, Bill explores the multifaceted nature of mercy, forgiveness, and human connection, set in a suburban neighborhood grappling with the release of a dying mob boss from prison. We catch glimpses into lives of these neighbors seeking connection and working to to give mercy, especially the powerful kind we give to ourselves.

Cam McWhirter is a reporter for the Wall Street Journal, and the co-author of American Gun: The True Story of the AR-15. He feels strongly that we all need to know more about James Weldon Johnson. Johnson was a civil rights leader, lawyer, diplomat, writer and musician in the early 20th century. He was at the forefront of the Harlem Renaissance, and served as the first Black Executive Secretary of of the NAACP. He is perhaps best remembered for writing the lyrics to Lift Every Voice and Sing, often referred to as the Black National Anthem.

We discuss Johnson's life and achievements and even hear Johnson's own voice from an old recording of his poem,We To America.