Dante's New South Radio Show

June 2025 Dante’s New South Benheart: Ben is a living testimony of a dream come true: from childhood between Morocco and Italy, through technical discoveries and dramatic trials, to rebirth and the founding of a brand that fuses hearts, craftsmanship and style. Benheart is not just fashion, but a life statement - combining heart and craftsmanship, with strong roots in Florence and global vision. www.benheart.it/?srsltid=AfmBOopJp1pzGmdew4Qc2oMvNo-0p7wLlIeJm9uVh_ETAUOWT1j-ilAd [http://www.benheart.it/?srsltid=AfmBOopJp1pzGmdew4Qc2oMvNo-0p7wLlIeJm9uVh_ETAUOWT1j-ilAd] Waqas Khwaja is the Ellen Douglass Leyburn Professor of English at Agnes Scott College where he teaches courses in Postcolonial literature, British Romanticism, Empire Narratives, Victorian Novel, and Creative Writing. He has published four collections of poetry, Hold Your Breath, No One Waits for the Train, Mariam’s Lament, and Six Geese from a Tomb at Medum, a literary travelogue about his experiences as a fellow of the International Writers Program, University of Iowa, and three edited anthologies of Pakistani literature.  He served as translation editor (and contributor) for Modern Poetry of Pakistan, showcasing translations of poems by 44 poets from Pakistan’s national and regional languages, and has guest-edited special issues on Pakistani Literature and poetry for the Journal of Commonwealth and Postcolonial Studies and Atlanta Review. A bilingual edition of one of his collections, No One Waits for the Train, was published as Nadie espera el tren in Madrid, Spain, in 2024. www.agnesscott.edu/directory/faculty/khwaja-waqas.html [http://www.agnesscott.edu/directory/faculty/khwaja-waqas.html] Joseph Saul Portillo After dedicating 25 years to Christian ministry and cultivating a successful career in business operations, Joseph Saul Portillo turned inward to explore his artistic calling, embarking on a new chapter in Fine Art Photography.  Today, Joseph Saul is a Creative Producer and Digital Artist based in Rome, Georgia, whose evocative work in pictorial portraiture has earned him international acclaim as a Master of Light Photographer. His award-winning style, marked by emotional depth and artistic precision, has led to collaborations across film, music, and education projects. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Rome International Film Festival and on the Advisory Board for Georgia Highlands College’s Digital Media and Communications program. www.josephsaulart.com [http://www.josephsaulart.com] Wiktor Miesok was and raised in Poland, he relocated to Norway in 2012, drawn by a longing for Tolkienian mystical landscapes. Though he seeks inspiration in the silence and raw, untamed nature of the North, he remains stubbornly Eastern European at heart. An engineer by trade, he has a passion for storytelling and fiction that explores the human condition and its potential for both good and evil. His latest novel, and the first serious foray into fiction, tells the story of a young man in1980s East Germany who, in his search for freedom, ends up in a Soviet penal colony and becomes entangled in the ruthless criminal underworld. www.thegrimseries.com [http://www.thegrimseries.com] www.youtube.com/@grim.hustle [http://www.youtube.com/@grim.hustle] Additional Music Provided by:  Dr, Fubbs: www.tiktok.com/@doctorfubbs?lang=en [http://www.tiktok.com/@doctorfubbs?lang=en] Justin Johnson: www.justinjohnsonlive.com [http://www.justinjohnsonlive.com] Our Advertisers: Lucid House Press: www.lucidhousepublishing.com [http://www.lucidhousepublishing.com] Whispers of the Flight: www.amazon.com/Whispers-Flight-Voyage-Cosmic-Unity-ebook/dp/B0DB3TLY43 [http://www.amazon.com/Whispers-Flight-Voyage-Cosmic-Unity-ebook/dp/B0DB3TLY43] The Crown: www.thecrownbrasstown.com [http://www.thecrownbrasstown.com] Bright Hill Press: www.brighthillpress.org [http://www.brighthillpress.org] We Deeply Appreciate: UCLA Extension Writing Program: www.uclaextension.edu [http://www.uclaextension.edu] Mercer University Press: www.mupress.org Alain Johannes for the original score in this show: www.alainjohannes.com [http://www.alainjohannes.com] The host, Clifford Brooks’, The Draw of Broken Eyes & Whirling Metaphysics, Athena Departs, and Old Gods are available everywhere books are sold. Find them all here: www.cliffbrooks.com/how-to-order [http://www.cliffbrooks.com/how-to-order] Check out his Teachable courses, The Working Writer and Adulting with Autism, here: brooks-sessions.teachable.com [http://www.brooks-sessions.teachable.com]

May 2025 Dante’s New South Alice Hong: Named one of CBC’s 2018 “30 Hot Classical Musicians Under 30,” Alice is active globally as a violinist and a composer. She performs frequently with the Atlanta Symphony, Toronto Symphony, Naples Philharmonic, and more, and next weekend you can hear a premiere of Alice’s orchestral work Eden performed by the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra! Alice is passionate about revolutionizing the classical experience and making classical music more accessible and innovative. Classical Remix Music Festival is her biggest project yet, and she’d really love to see you at this inaugural season’s concerts! Fun fact: During COVID, Alice lived in a film bubble for five weeks with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Gal Gadot, and Ryan Reynolds to film a scene in the Netflix movie Red Notice. Check it out - the movie remains in Netflix’s Top 10 of All Time Movies list (although Alice isn’t a huge fan of the movie herself). www.aliceyhong.com [http://www.aliceyhong.com] www.experienceluxardo.com/buy-tickets/p/classical-remix-gala-concert [http://www.experienceluxardo.com/buy-tickets/p/classical-remix-gala-concert] Kit Cummings launched the Power of Peace Project (POPP) in 2010 with a bold mission: to bring hope, healing, and transformation to some of the most dangerous and divided spaces in the world. With deep experience resolving conflict behind prison walls and in at-risk communities, Kit has become a powerful voice for nonviolence, second chances, and real change. On MLK Day 2020, the NAACP honored Kit with the Martin Luther King Jr. “Living the Dream” Award for his civil rights work, prison reform efforts, and impact on underserved youth. In 2021, he was appointed to the Georgia House of Representatives Study Committee on Youth Gangs and Violence Prevention, playing a pivotal role in the passage of HB750, a groundbreaking anti-gang bill. From juvenile prisons to war-torn neighborhoods, Kit has taken POPP across the globe—from Tijuana’s La Mesa Prison to South African townships, from U.S. high schools to Eastern European rehab centers, and from urban courts to rural churches. His tools of change? Hope, humility, courage, and compassion. www.kitcummings.com [http://www.kitcummings.com] www.powerofpeaceproject.com [http://www.powerofpeaceproject.com] Denton Loving lives on a farm near the historic Cumberland Gap, where Tennessee, Kentucky, and Virginia come together. He is the author of three poetry books including Tamp which was a finalist for the Weatherford Award and recipient of the inaugural Tennessee Book Award for Poetry. He is a co-founder and editor at EastOver Press and its literary journal Cutleaf. His fiction, poetry, essays and reviews have appeared in numerous publications including The Kenyon Review, Tupelo Quarterly, Iron Horse Literary Review and Ecotone. And he's a core staff member at Table Rock Writers Workshop. He has a new book of poems coming out in August from Mercer University Press. It’s called Feller. www.dentonloving.com [http://www.dentonloving.com] Additional Music Provided by:  Justin Johnson: www.justinjohnsonlive.com [http://www.justinjohnsonlive.com] Our Advertisers: Lucid House Press: www.lucidhousepublishing.com [http://www.lucidhousepublishing.com] Whispers of the Flight: www.amazon.com/Whispers-Flight-Voyage-Cosmic-Unity-ebook/dp/B0DB3TLY43 [http://www.amazon.com/Whispers-Flight-Voyage-Cosmic-Unity-ebook/dp/B0DB3TLY43] The Crown: www.thecrownbrasstown.com [http://www.thecrownbrasstown.com] Bright Hill Press: www.brighthillpress.org [http://www.brighthillpress.org] We Deeply Appreciate: UCLA Extension Writing Program: www.uclaextension.edu [http://www.uclaextension.edu] Mercer University Press: www.mupress.org Alain Johannes for the original score in this show: www.alainjohannes.com [http://www.alainjohannes.com] The host, Clifford Brooks’, The Draw of Broken Eyes & Whirling Metaphysics, Athena Departs, and Old Gods are available everywhere books are sold. Find them all here: www.cliffbrooks.com/how-to-order [http://www.cliffbrooks.com/how-to-order] Check out his Teachable courses, The Working Writer and Adulting with Autism, here: brooks-sessions.teachable.com [http://www.brooks-sessions.teachable.com]

April 2025 Dante’s Old South Buffalo Nichols: Texas based, Milwaukee raised, Buffalo Nichols is known as an acoustic blues guitarist and singer but that isn’t the whole story. Two albums into his career, Nichols has proven himself to be an innovative songwriter with lyrics address both personal and political themes with biting insight. His influences range from his time playing in Baptist churches to his many years playing guitar in West African music bands. His experimental and hip-hop influences are displayed as well on his 2023 album, The Fatalist’.  Nichols’ self-titled  debut, released in October 2021, ascended him to the national stage, earning praise and support from NPR Music (‘Tiny Desk (Home) Concert;’ All Songs Considered ‘Best of October’) to Rolling Stone ('The Fight to Reclaim the Blues' feature; ‘Song You Need To Know’), Bandcamp Daily (‘October Shortlist’) to Guitar World, Texas Monthly to Uncut (UK), among many others. www.buffalo-nichols.com/ [http://www.buffalo-nichols.com/] www.instagram.com/buffalonicholsmusic/ [http://www.instagram.com/buffalonicholsmusic/] Odessa Blaine: General oddment and possible cryptid, Odessa haunts the mountains and coffee shops of North Georgia. Her novels and short stories incorporate elements drawn from her Appalachia roots. Odessa has honed her skills as a performance storyteller and loves sharing stories with live audiences. When she's not slinking through the woods or over-caffeinating, Odessa can be found encouraging the creative passions of others by serving multiple writer focused nonprofits based in the Southeast and providing marketing and project management to small businesses.   substack.com/@odessablaine [substack.com/@odessablaine] bsky.app/profile/odessablaine.bsky.social [https://bsky.app/profile/odessablaine.bsky.social] Jenny Bates enjoys seven poetry books, published in numerous NC and international journals. Jenny was a judge for the Poetry in Plain Sight contest through the NC Poetry Society, 2024. Her book of poems, ESSENTIAL has been nominated for the Pushcart Prize 2024. Her newest collection, From Soil and Soul is available. Jenny’s books are also available at Malaprops Bookstore in Asheville, Bookmarks, the Book Ferret and The Book House in Winston-Salem, Scuppernongs in Greensboro, NC. redhawkpublications.com/Poetry-c120141004 [https://redhawkpublications.com/Poetry-c120141004] www.malaprops.com [http://www.malaprops.com] thebookhousews.com [https://thebookhousews.com] www.bookferret.com [http://www.bookferret.com] Cynthia Atkins: (She, Her), is a prizewinning poet originally from Chicago, IL and the author of Psyche’s Weathers, In the Event of Full Disclosure, and Still-Life with God, and Duets from Harbor Editions.  Her work has appeared in Alaska Quarterly Review, BOMB, Diode, Cimarron Review, Los Angeles Review North American Review, Permafrost, Plume, and Verse Daily. Atkins has earned fellowships and prizes from Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference. SWWIM Residency, Virginia Center for the Creative Arts, and Writers at Work.  Atkins lives on the Maury River of Rockbridge County, Virginia, with artist Phillip Welch and their family.  More info at: www.cynthiaatkins.com [http://www.cynthiaatkins.com/] Our Sponsors: Lucid House Press: www.lucidhousepublishing.com [http://www.lucidhousepublishing.com] Whispers of the Flight: www.amazon.com/Whispers-Flight-Voyage-Cosmic-Unity-ebook/dp/B0DB3TLY43 [http://www.amazon.com/Whispers-Flight-Voyage-Cosmic-Unity-ebook/dp/B0DB3TLY43] The Crown: www.thecrownbrasstown.com [http://www.thecrownbrasstown.com] Bright Hill Press: www.brighthillpress.org [http://www.brighthillpress.org] Invisible Strings 113 Poets Respond to the Songs of Taylor Swift: www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/777808/invisible-strings-by-edited-by-kristie-frederick-daugherty [http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/777808/invisible-strings-by-edited-by-kristie-frederick-daugherty] We Deeply Appreciate: UCLA Extension Writing Program: www.uclaextension.edu [http://www.uclaextension.edu] Mercer University Press: www.mupress.org [http://www.mupress.org] The Red Phone Booth: www.redphonebooth.com [http://www.redphonebooth.com] NPR: https: www.npr.org [http://www.npr.org] WUTC: www.wutc.org [http://www.wutc.org] Alain Johannes for the original score in this show: www.alainjohannes.com [http://www.alainjohannes.com] The host, Clifford Brooks’, The Draw of Broken Eyes & Whirling Metaphysics, Athena Departs, and Old Gods are available everywhere books are sold. Find them all here: www.cliffbrooks.com/how-to-order [http://www.cliffbrooks.com/how-to-order] Check out his Teachable courses, The Working Writer and Adulting with Autism, here: brooks-sessions.teachable.com [http://www.brooks-sessions.teachable.com]

March 2025 Dante’s Old South Desmund Dangerfield is an entrepreneur, educator, and PhD candidate in Educational Leadership, dedicated to student success and community development. With experience in academic recruitment, leadership development, and entrepreneurship training, he has worked with institutions like Prairie View, A&M University and San Jacinto College to equip students with the tools for academic and professional growth. As a business owner, Desmun specializes in photography, brand strategy, and digital marketing. Additionally, he is a social media influencer with 200,000 followers on Instagram, using his platform to engage and inspire diverse audiences. Passionate about innovation and community impact, Desmun blends research, real-world experience, and engaging storytelling to educate and empower others. https://www.sfsinc.org/ [https://www.sfsinc.org/] http://Dangerfieldmedia.com [http://Dangerfieldmedia.com] Brian & Amanda Trent are best known on social media as “The Trent Tribe”, where they offer biblical content that they hope will be relatable, understandable and encouraging. They reside in South Carolina with the rest of their Tribe, which is their six kids, two sons-in-law and four grandchildren. Brian & Amanda relocated from southwestern Virginia to Hampton, SC fifteen years ago to pastor Lighthouse Church. They are passionate about family, church, entrepreneurship, community, and recovery. www.trenttribe.com [www.trenttribe.com] Sarah Darling is an American singer-songwriter drawing inspiration from the allure of freedom and beauty. She channels the spirit of 70's California, with echoes from Laurel Canyon, narrating an American road trip story wrapped in nostalgia and sunshine. Infused with a modern aura, her lyrics transport us to a golden era, sung with the warmth of honey vocals and unfiltered honesty. Her credits include five full-length albums, multiple singles, including a #1 on the UK Country charts, and many duets. She has over 20 million streams, 11 million video views, and over 90 appearances on the Grand Ole Opry stage. www.sarahdarling.com [www.sarahdarling.com] Ally Venable is a singer/songwriter/ musician who believes rules are there to be broken. Expectations are there to be defied. Glass ceilings are there to be shattered. Having spent the past decade carving out her own unique space in the male dominated world of blues-rock, Ally Venable’s combative sixth album, Money & Power, demands more of both – for herself, for women around the world, and for anyone else who thought they weren’t worthy of a seat at the table. Money and power make the world go round. But in the right hands, music can be every bit as potent. Right now, on the heels of 2023’s acclaimed Real Gone – an album that hit #1 on the Billboard Blues Charts and was still in contention a year later – Ally is rated amongst the best young singer-songwriters in American roots, saluted by Total Guitar Magazine in its poll of Top 100 Blues Guitarists.  www.allyvenableband.com [www.allyvenableband.com] Our Sponsors: Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza & the Case of the Missing Hat: www.dolphinhat.com/product/taco-cat-goat-cheese-pizza-graphic-novel [www.dolphinhat.com/product/taco-cat-goat-cheese-pizza-graphic-novel] Lucid House Press: www.lucidhousepublishing.com [www.lucidhousepublishing.com] Whispers of the Flight: www.amazon.com/Whispers-Flight-Voyage-Cosmic-Unity- [www.amazon.com/Whispers-Flight-Voyage-Cosmic-Unity- ebook/dp/B0DB3TLY43] ebook/dp/B0DB3TLY43 [www.amazon.com/Whispers-Flight-Voyage-Cosmic-Unity- ebook/dp/B0DB3TLY43] The Crown: www.thecrownbrasstown.com [www.thecrownbrasstown.com] Bright Hill Press: www.brighthillpress.org [www.brighthillpress.org] We Deeply Appreciate: UCLA Extension Writing Program: www.uclaextension.edu [www.uclaextension.edu] Mercer University Press: www.mupress.org [www.mupress.org] The Red Phone Booth: www.redphonebooth.com [www.redphonebooth.com] NPR: https: www.npr.org [https: www.npr.org] WUTC: www.wutc.org [www.wutc.org] Alain Johannes for the original score in this show: www.alainjohannes.com [www.alainjohannes.com] _______________________________________________ Dante's Old South is produced by Michael Amidei The host, Clifford Brooks’, The Draw of Broken Eyes & Whirling Metaphysics, Athena Departs, and Old Gods are available everywhere books are sold. Find them all here: www.cliffbrooks.com/how-to-order [www.cliffbrooks.com/how-to-order] Check out his Teachable courses, The Working Writer and Adulting with Autism, here: brooks-sessions.teachable.com [brooks-sessions.teachable.com]

February 2025 Dante’s Old South Dr. Fubbs: Singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, composer, master engineer, cinematographer, editor, actor, designer, recording engineer, Death Row Record-signed artist:  linktr.ee/drfubbs Kelly J Nelson Founder / Chief Creative Officer / Director: 30+ Year entertainment and event industry veteran and award-winning live experience designer, conceptual artist, and theatrical marketing expert.  Previous clients include AMC Network Coca-Cola, Accenture, Cartoon Network, CNN, The Atlanta Hawks, Ponce City Market, City of Atlanta.  BA In Communications and Visual Art from Florida State University.  Previous work: Jack Morton Worldwide then 3 of my own agencies: The Maverick Group (19 Years), LED Experience (15 years) and Oracle Experience Enterprises (1 Year) www.mirthandmischief.live [http://www.mirthandmischief.live] Coach Lee Wilson has over 20 years in the relationship recovery service and his website is www.MyExBackCoach.com [http://www.myexbackcoach.com] Additional Music by: Justin Johnson: https: www.justinjohnsonlive.com [www.justinjohnsonlive.com] Our Sponsors: Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza & the Case of the Missing Hat: www.dolphinhat.com/product/taco-cat-goat-cheese-pizza-graphic-novel [http://www.dolphinhat.com/product/taco-cat-goat-cheese-pizza-graphic-novel] Lucid House Press: www.lucidhousepublishing.com [http://www.lucidhousepublishing.com] Whispers of the Flight: www.amazon.com/Whispers-Flight-Voyage-Cosmic-Unity-ebook/dp/B0DB3TLY43 [http://www.amazon.com/Whispers-Flight-Voyage-Cosmic-Unity-ebook/dp/B0DB3TLY43] The Crown: www.thecrownbrasstown.com [http://www.thecrownbrasstown.com] The Red Phone Booth: www.redphonebooth.com [http://www.redphonebooth.com] Bright Hill Press: www.brighthillpress.org [http://www.brighthillpress.org] We Deeply Appreciate: UCLA Extension Writing Program: www.uclaextension.edu [http://www.uclaextension.edu] Mercer University Press: www.mupress.org NPR: https: www.npr.org [http://www.npr.org] WUTC: www.wutc.org [http://www.wutc.org] Alain Johannes for the original score in this show: www.alainjohannes.com [http://www.alainjohannes.com] The host, Clifford Brooks’, The Draw of Broken Eyes & Whirling Metaphysics, Athena Departs, and Old Gods are available everywhere books are sold. Find them all here: www.cliffbrooks.com/how-to-order [http://www.cliffbrooks.com/how-to-order] Check out his Teachable courses, The Working Writer and Adulting with Autism, here: brooks-sessions.teachable.com [http://www.brooks-sessions.teachable.com]