Clarence Bucaro

Clarence Bucaro is a singer-songwriter and a one-time stay-at-home dad. He's been making albums since 2000, with some twists and turns along the way. He's also in a two-person book club with his mom. #goals +

Clarence Bucaro is a singer-songwriter and a one-time stay-at-home dad. He's been making albums since 2000, with some twists and turns along the way. He's also in a two-person book club with his mom. #goals +

Musician Clarence Bucaro has a two-person book club... with his mom

Joe Phelps

This week’s episode is an update from one of our previous guests, Joe Phelps. He was originally on the show in May of 2017, when he spoke about the unexpected loss of his son, his work as pastor of Highland Baptist Church, and that one time he got to hang out with Bruce Springsteen. It’s still one of my very favorite episodes we’ve ever done. Last fall, I reached out to him for a follow-up conversation, because I had heard he had retired from Highland Baptist, and I was curious about what he was doing.

This week’s episode is an update from one of our previous guests, Joe Phelps. He was originally on the show in May of 2017, when he spoke about the unexpected loss of his son, his work as pastor of Highland Baptist Church, and that one time he got to hang out with Bruce Springsteen. It’s still one of my very favorite episodes we’ve ever done. Last fall, I reached out to him for a follow-up conversation, because I had heard he had retired from Highland Baptist, and I was curious about what he was doing.

A Life Update from (Pastor) Joe Phelps

Mario Landa

I met Mario Landa probably 15 years ago, when he was the doorman in my apartment building in New York City. For five years, I saw him almost every single day. If you’re not familiar with what a doorman does, we’ll talk more about that in this interview. Spoiler: it’s a lot more than opening a door. We’ve kept in touch since I moved away from the city, and last summer I sat down with him in his apartment to do this interview. He cracked open a couple of beers, and his two little dogs scurried around at our feet.

I met Mario Landa probably 15 years ago, when he was the doorman in my apartment building in New York City. For five years, I saw him almost every single day. If you’re not familiar with what a doorman does, we’ll talk more about that in this interview. Spoiler: it’s a lot more than opening a door. We’ve kept in touch since I moved away from the city, and last summer I sat down with him in his apartment to do this interview. He cracked open a couple of beers, and his two little dogs scurried around at our feet.

NYC Doorman Mario Landa Loves Tattoos and Tatooine

Ben Sollee

Musician Ben Sollee, who was first on the show in September 2017, gives us an update on his new daughter, his new day job, and his new side gigs. It's a lot.

Musician Ben Sollee, who was first on the show in <a href="https://wfpl.org/five-things-ben-sollee-coffee-zelda-favorite-cello/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">September 2017</a>, gives us an update on his new daughter, his new day job, and his new side gigs. It's a lot.

A Life Update from Musician Ben Sollee

Minda Honey

Writer Minda Honey has an advice column for Louisville's LEO Weekly, and she's working on a memoir about her dating life. She also really, really loves her rice cooker.

Writer Minda Honey has an <a href="https://www.leoweekly.com/leo_author/minda-honey/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">advice column</a> for Louisville's LEO Weekly, and she's working on a memoir about her dating life. She also really, really loves her rice cooker.

Writer Minda Honey on relationship advice and the very best rice cooker

Dan Canon

As an attorney, taking a case to the Supreme Court is about the highest goal one can aspire to -- and then actually winning that case, and helping change the lives of millions of Americans... it's a huge achievement. So what's a fellow to do next? If you're Indiana lawyer Dan Canon, and you just helped make marriage equality legal in all 50 states, it looks like this: make a run for Congress, while still maintaining a law practice, cooking for a growing family, and maybe picking up a guitar once in a while.

As an attorney, taking a case to the Supreme Court is about the highest goal one can aspire to -- and then actually <a href="https://wfpl.org/supreme-court-declares-same-sex-marriage-legal-in-all-50-states/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">winning that case</a>, and helping change the lives of millions of Americans... it's a huge achievement. So what's a fellow to do next? If you're Indiana lawyer Dan Canon, and you just helped make marriage equality legal in all 50 states, it looks like this: make a run for Congress, while still maintaining a law practice, cooking for a growing family, and maybe picking up a guitar once in a while.

Civil rights attorney Dan Canon is still a musician at heart

Maggie Smith

It’s not often that a poem goes viral. But it happened in 2016, with “Good Bones” by Maggie Smith. I won’t read it for you now, but it’s short and you can find it online with a quick search. It speaks to anyone who’s concerned about the current state of our world -- which is probably most of us. It’s honest, and hopeful, and feels like a friend taking your arm, maybe a little bit too firmly, and saying, “We can get through this.” So I was delighted when I was asked to interview Maggie at the Writers’ Block Festival, an annual gathering put on by Louisville Literary Arts. She and I were onstage at Spalding University’s College Street Building on a Saturday morning, in front of an appreciative audience of writers, poets, agents, and publishers.

It’s not often that a poem goes viral. But it happened in 2016, with “Good Bones” by Maggie Smith. I won’t read it for you now, but it’s short and you can find it online with a quick search. It speaks to anyone who’s concerned about the current state of our world -- which is probably most of us. It’s honest, and hopeful, and feels like a friend taking your arm, maybe a little bit too firmly, and saying, “We can get through this.” So I was delighted when I was asked to interview Maggie at the Writers’ Block Festival, an annual gathering put on by Louisville Literary Arts. She and I were onstage at Spalding University’s College Street Building on a Saturday morning, in front of an appreciative audience of writers, poets, agents, and publishers.

Poet Maggie Smith, author of "Good Bones," finds freedom after viral success

Emily McCay

Checking in with Emily McCay, who was a guest on this podcast in July of 2017. She was known around Louisville as "The Diaper Fairy," because of her cloth diaper business of the same name, which had also grown into a store and a community center for new parents. When we spoke last summer, she was in remission from acute myeloid leukemia.

Checking in with Emily McCay, who was a guest on this podcast in July of 2017. She was known around Louisville as "The Diaper Fairy," because of her cloth diaper business of the same name, which had also grown into a store and a community center for new parents. When we spoke last summer, she was in remission from acute myeloid leukemia.

Checking in with Emily McCay

Gilda Wabbit

Today’s guest has two personalities, in a way -- in daily life, he’s Samuel Penn, 26 years old, grew up in Frankfort, Kentucky, then moved to New York City. He’s also a drag queen, named Gilda Wabbit, with huge hair, long fingernails, a big voice and a pretty filthy mouth. www.gildawabbit.com

Today’s guest has two personalities, in a way -- in daily life, he’s Samuel Penn, 26 years old, grew up in Frankfort, Kentucky, then moved to New York City. He’s also a drag queen, named Gilda Wabbit, with huge hair, long fingernails, a big voice and a pretty filthy mouth. <a href="http://www.gildawabbit.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.gildawabbit.com</a>

Gilda Wabbit, the opera-singing drag queen from Kentucky

Mindy Thomas

Our guest is Mindy Thomas, host of "Wow in the World," a podcast for kids about science from NPR, and "Absolutely Mindy" from Sirius XM. Her actual hands aren't particularly tiny but she has some fake ones that have come in... handy. (Sorry not sorry.)

Our guest is Mindy Thomas, host of "Wow in the World," a podcast for kids about science from NPR, and "Absolutely Mindy" from Sirius XM. Her actual hands aren't particularly tiny but she has some fake ones that have come in... handy. (Sorry not sorry.)

Mindy Thomas wants to WOW you with her tiny hands

How do the objects we love define us? What can we learn from the things we treasure? And how can we discover a life story through those objects? Five Things, from 89.3 WFPL and Louisville Public Media, explores those questions and more. +

1. It’s locally produced by Tara Anderson and she invites local guests to discuss their lives and often they talk about how Louisville has influenced them. It makes you proud to be a part of this community.  

2. The guests are from all backgrounds and professions...writers, musicians, sportscasters, transplants and natives. There’s someone for everyone. 

3. You’re inspired to think about the objects you would choose, which quickly becomes an internal conversation of your values. What matters most? Who matters most? Are you living the way you want to live?

4. Sometimes it’s funny. Sometimes it’s wrenching. It’s always thoughtful and honest.

5. They’re about 30 minutes. You can listen to them in the car, on the treadmill, at lunch or while you make dinner.

Highly recommended!

Five Things about Five Things

She is a fun host who asks such great questions!

lovely!

Five Things

Matt Jones

On this week’s episode of Five Things, my guest is Matt Jones, the host of Kentucky Sports Radio and the co-founder of the New Kentucky Project. He’s best known for being a professional fan of Kentucky basketball, but he’s also an attorney with several years of practice under his belt. We talked about an experience in law school that changed his life, about how winning a golf tournament at age 10 made him feel, and about an important novel given to him by his childhood pastor.

On this week’s episode of Five Things, my guest is Matt Jones, the host of Kentucky Sports Radio and the co-founder of the New Kentucky Project. He’s best known for being a professional fan of Kentucky basketball, but he’s also an attorney with several years of practice under his belt. We talked about an experience in law school that changed his life, about how winning a golf tournament at age 10 made him feel, and about an important novel given to him by his childhood pastor.

Episode 33: Matt Jones of Kentucky Sports Radio

Kevin Smokler

A conversation with Kevin Smokler, San Francisco-based writer and author of the new book "Brat Pack America: A Love Letter to '80's Teen Movies."

A conversation with Kevin Smokler, San Francisco-based writer and author of the new book "Brat Pack America: A Love Letter to '80's Teen Movies."

Episode 2: Kevin Smokler on Pens, LPs, and '80s Movies

Darrell Scott

Honky Tonks

Our guest this week is singer-songwriter Darrell Scott, who's written country hits for the likes of the Dixie Chicks and Garth Brooks. These days, when he's not traveling around performing his own songs, he's at his farm outside of Nashville. His parents were both from Kentucky, and in his Five Things, we learn more about where Darrell came from. Turns out he's not the only creative one in his family.

Our guest this week is singer-songwriter Darrell Scott, who's written country hits for the likes of the Dixie Chicks and Garth Brooks. These days, when he's not traveling around performing his own songs, he's at his farm outside of Nashville. His parents were both from Kentucky, and in his Five Things, we learn more about where Darrell came from. Turns out he's not the only creative one in his family.

Episode 5: Darrell Scott on Honky Tonks, Tattoos, and a Secret Memoir

Ophira Eisenberg

This week's guest on Five Things is Ophira Eisenberg, stand-up comedian, writer, and host of the NPR comedy game show Ask Me Another. She's also got a new comedy special just out, called "Inside Joke," which she taped when she was about 38 weeks pregnant with her first child. She was 43 years old and never thought she'd be a mother -- and she is very honest about some of those concerns that first-time moms have, but rarely share in public. We had a great conversation about some of the things that she values, including a collection she never meant to have, some jewelry sent to her from faraway relatives, and the pickiest plant there is.

This week's guest on Five Things is Ophira Eisenberg, stand-up comedian, writer, and host of the NPR comedy game show Ask Me Another. She's also got a new comedy special just out, called "Inside Joke," which she taped when she was about 38 weeks pregnant with her first child. She was 43 years old and never thought she'd be a mother -- and she is very honest about some of those concerns that first-time moms have, but rarely share in public. We had a great conversation about some of the things that she values, including a collection she never meant to have, some jewelry sent to her from faraway relatives, and the pickiest plant there is.

Episode 48: "Ask Me Another" Host Ophira Eisenberg on Parenting, Orchids, and Snow Globes

John Yarmuth

We kick off our second season with Rep. John Yarmuth, who has been the congressman from Kentucky's third district for 10 years. He's a former speechwriter, a former Republican, and a former columnist/editor of an alternative newsweekly. This conversation was recorded before the Nov. 8 election, but we brought him back for a timely update, so listen through to the end for that.

We kick off our second season with Rep. John Yarmuth, who has been the congressman from Kentucky's third district for 10 years. He's a former speechwriter, a former Republican, and a former columnist/editor of an alternative newsweekly. This conversation was recorded before the Nov. 8 election, but we brought him back for a timely update, so listen through to the end for that.

Episode 7: John Yarmuth on Baseball, Watergate, and a Spiritual Necktie

My guest this week, Louisville-based musician Ben Sollee, has been recording and touring since 2008, so he's done a LOT of interviews over the years. He's good at talking about his music, how he makes it, why he does what he does, and the environmental and cultural issues he wants to advocate. But this exercise of selecting physical objects is a way to get someone like Ben out of the usual "artist interview" routine, and even if you've heard him interviewed before, this conversation was something different. He’s got a new album just out, called “Kentucky Native,” and a new baby on the way later this fall. And as you’ll hear, he’s taking stock of what’s important and thinking about what’s next.

My guest this week, Louisville-based musician Ben Sollee, has been recording and touring since 2008, so he's done a LOT of interviews over the years. He's good at talking about his music, how he makes it, why he does what he does, and the environmental and cultural issues he wants to advocate. But this exercise of selecting physical objects is a way to get someone like Ben out of the usual "artist interview" routine, and even if you've heard him interviewed before, this conversation was something different. He’s got a new album just out, called “Kentucky Native,” and a new baby on the way later this fall. And as you’ll hear, he’s taking stock of what’s important and thinking about what’s next.

Episode 37: Musician Ben Sollee on Polaroids, Coffee, and the Legend of Zelda

Angie Fenton

This week's guest is Angie Fenton, a name that’s familiar to many Louisville TV viewers -- she’s frequently seen on WHAS 11, as a contributor to their morning news show. She seems to be everywhere -- emcee-ing a gala event, reporting on happenings all around the community. She’s the editor-in-chief of Extol Magazine, which she runs with her husband, Jason Applegate, and as of December (after our interview was recorded), she's also the editor-in-chief of The Voice-Tribune, a society newspaper.

This week's guest is Angie Fenton, a name that’s familiar to many Louisville TV viewers -- she’s frequently seen on WHAS 11, as a contributor to their morning news show. She seems to be everywhere -- emcee-ing a gala event, reporting on happenings all around the community. She’s the editor-in-chief of Extol Magazine, which she runs with her husband, Jason Applegate, and as of December (after our interview was recorded), she's also the editor-in-chief of The Voice-Tribune, a society newspaper.

Body Image, Orchids, and Rescue Dogs with Angie Fenton (Episode 53)

Will Russell founded Lebowski Fest, a yearly celebration of the Coen Brothers’ movie that then spread nationwide. He owned two stores, Why Louisville, that sold t-shirts and other work made by local artists. Then he got a big, ambitious idea -- around the same time that his mental health started to falter. After a very public meltdown that included several arrests, a declaration of bankruptcy, Will Russell is ready to talk about his experience -- what got him there in the first place, and what got him through.

Will Russell founded Lebowski Fest, a yearly celebration of the Coen Brothers’ movie that then spread nationwide. He owned two stores, Why Louisville, that sold t-shirts and other work made by local artists. Then he got a big, ambitious idea -- around the same time that his mental health started to falter. After a very public meltdown that included several arrests, a declaration of bankruptcy, Will Russell is ready to talk about his experience -- what got him there in the first place, and what got him through.

Episode 39: Lebowski Fest Founder Will Russell On Loss, Monsters, And Bowling

Hannah Drake is a poet, a spoken-word artist, and a cultural producer with Ideas xLab, which works at the intersection of health and art. She’s someone who thinks deeply, feels deeply, and communicates brilliantly. All of Hannah’s items were fascinating, but one in particular resonated with me in a way I didn’t expect.

Hannah Drake is a poet, a spoken-word artist, and a cultural producer with Ideas xLab, which works at the intersection of health and art. She’s someone who thinks deeply, feels deeply, and communicates brilliantly. All of Hannah’s items were fascinating, but one in particular resonated with me in a way I didn’t expect.

Episode 50: Writer Hannah Drake on Family, Taking Chances, and Picking Cotton

James Prichard

This week, my guest is someone who spends some of his time in creative work, but it’s not something he ever imagined he’d do. James Prichard is a member of Shakespeare Behind Bars, a theatre troupe based at the Luther Luckett Correctional Complex in LaGrange, Kentucky. That also means -- he’s incarcerated there.

This week, my guest is someone who spends some of his time in creative work, but it’s not something he ever imagined he’d do. James Prichard is a member of Shakespeare Behind Bars, a theatre troupe based at the Luther Luckett Correctional Complex in LaGrange, Kentucky. That also means -- he’s incarcerated there.

Episode 49: Inmate Actor James Prichard on Shakespeare, Friendship and Regret

This week’s guest is world-renowned opera singer Christine Brewer, a Wagnerian soprano who’s performed on just about every stage and with every company you can imagine: the Metropolitan Opera, The London Symphony Orchestra, English National Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, and more. She’s collaborating with composer John Williams -- you know, the guy who wrote the Star Wars music -- on a new album. She's also delightfully down-to-earth.

This week’s guest is world-renowned opera singer Christine Brewer, a Wagnerian soprano who’s performed on just about every stage and with every company you can imagine: the Metropolitan Opera, The London Symphony Orchestra, English National Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, and more. She’s collaborating with composer John Williams -- you know, the guy who wrote the Star Wars music -- on a new album. She's also delightfully down-to-earth.

Episode 38: Opera Singer Christine Brewer On Being Prepared — Or Not

Amy Bammel Wilding

This week's guest on Five Things is writer and community leader Amy Bammel Wilding. She's the creator and lead facilitator at Red Tent Louisville, which she describes as a gathering place "dedicated to witnessing and inspiring the reawakening of the Sacred Feminine." A collection of guided meditations that Wilding wrote for gatherings at the Red Tent has just been released as a book, "Wild &amp; Wise: Sacred Feminine Meditations for Women's Circles and Personal Awakenings."

This week's guest on Five Things is writer and community leader Amy Bammel Wilding. She's the creator and lead facilitator at Red Tent Louisville, which she describes as a gathering place "dedicated to witnessing and inspiring the reawakening of the Sacred Feminine." A collection of guided meditations that Wilding wrote for gatherings at the Red Tent has just been released as a book, "Wild &amp; Wise: Sacred Feminine Meditations for Women's Circles and Personal Awakenings."

Episode 44: Writer Amy Bammel Wilding on Goddesses and Community

Teddy Abrams

This week’s guest is a big thinker, with his head in a million different places. He’s got a very public job that puts him in touch with a lot of people -- and the ensemble he leads had the number 1 classical album in the country last year -- but this was a rare opportunity to just sit down and talk with Teddy Abrams, music director of the Louisville Orchestra.

This week’s guest is a big thinker, with his head in a million different places. He’s got a very public job that puts him in touch with a lot of people -- and the ensemble he leads had the number 1 classical album in the country last year -- but this was a rare opportunity to just sit down and talk with Teddy Abrams, music director of the Louisville Orchestra.

Biking, Technology, and Our Place in the Universe with Conductor Teddy Abrams (Episode 54)

Benny Goodman

Vin Scelsa

Vin Scelsa is a familiar name to anybody who grew up listening to FM radio in the New York/New Jersey area. He spent nearly 50 years playing music on the radio, starting out at a college station, then a couple of  commercial stations, before heading to public radio.He was on the air the night that John Lennon died in 1980, and he turned WNEW's airwaves into a kind of virtual wake, with callers sharing their grief.  Along the way, he interviewed everybody from David Bowie to Suzanne Vega to Kurt Vonnegut.  I met Vin when we were both working at WFUV in the Bronx, Fordham University’s public radio station, and he did a weekly show called “Idiot’s Delight.” He’s retired now, and I visited him last summer at his home in suburban New Jersey, where he and his wife Freddie had bagels and coffee waiting for me. After we ate and caught up, we went into his home studio to talk.

Vin Scelsa is a familiar name to anybody who grew up listening to FM radio in the New York/New Jersey area. He spent nearly 50 years playing music on the radio, starting out at a college station, then a couple of  commercial stations, before heading to public radio.He was on the air the night that John Lennon died in 1980, and he turned WNEW's airwaves into a kind of virtual wake, with callers sharing their grief.  Along the way, he interviewed everybody from David Bowie to Suzanne Vega to Kurt Vonnegut.  I met Vin when we were both working at WFUV in the Bronx, Fordham University’s public radio station, and he did a weekly show called “Idiot’s Delight.” He’s retired now, and I visited him last summer at his home in suburban New Jersey, where he and his wife Freddie had bagels and coffee waiting for me. After we ate and caught up, we went into his home studio to talk.

Benny Goodman, A Painted Pith Helmet, and the Theatrics of Religion with Vin Scelsa (Episode 57)

Claude Stephens

My guest this week on Five Things is Claude Stephens, who works as an educator at Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest, just south of Louisville. But as he says, there are many other ways he moves through the world.

My guest this week on Five Things is Claude Stephens, who works as an educator at Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest, just south of Louisville. But as he says, there are many other ways he moves through the world.

Cigar Boxes and a Jar of Marbles with Claude Stephens (Episode 58)

Mark Schultz

Mark Schultz is the author of "Evocation to Visible Appearance," among other plays, and he's also a priest in the Episcopal Church. He was in Louisville for the premiere of his play at the Humana Festival at Actors' Theatre, and we talked about his fondness for black metal, Kurt Weill, and his husband.

Mark Schultz is the author of "Evocation to Visible Appearance," among other plays, and he's also a priest in the Episcopal Church. He was in Louisville for the premiere of his play at the Humana Festival at Actors' Theatre, and we talked about his fondness for black metal, Kurt Weill, and his husband.

Mark Schultz, Playwright and Priest, on the Music of Theatre

Reshma Shetty

Reshma Shetty and I met nearly 20 years ago in Lexington, Kentucky, when she had just moved to town for graduate school in music and I was working at the university. Later, we both lived in New York City, right around the corner from each other. I helped her practice her lines when she had an audition for a TV show that turned out to be her first big gig: the role of Divya Katdare on USA Network's Royal Pains. That show has now ended after 8 seasons, and Reshma had her first child a couple of years ago, so life is looking different for her these days.

Reshma Shetty and I met nearly 20 years ago in Lexington, Kentucky, when she had just moved to town for graduate school in music and I was working at the university. Later, we both lived in New York City, right around the corner from each other. I helped her practice her lines when she had an audition for a TV show that turned out to be her first big gig: the role of Divya Katdare on USA Network's Royal Pains. That show has now ended after 8 seasons, and Reshma had her first child a couple of years ago, so life is looking different for her these days.

Episode 41: Actress Reshma Shetty on Hard Work, Motherhood, and a Stuffed Penguin

The best podcast episodes on parenting. Interviewing experts and talking through common issues surrounding parenting. This topic is filled with important lessons and insights for anyone listening. Add episodes you're interested into your queue below!

OwlTail

Best Parenting Podcasts

The best philosophy podcast episodes. Asking questions about how to live a better life, what it means to be and do good, to the idea of God. This topic includes episodes that bring about important questions that everyone should be asking themselves. Add episodes you're interested into your queue below!