Delaware State of the Arts Podcast

S13 E1: Delaware State of the Arts - New Light Theatre's The White Chip

What if a story about addiction was fast, funny, and fiercely compassionate—and left you more connected than when you walked in? We sat down with New Light Theatre [https://www.newlighttheatre.com/]’s artistic director Lena Mucchetti, co-directors Allison Heishman and Charlie DelMarcelle, and actor Owen Corey to unpack The White Chip, Sean Daniels’ candid, high-velocity play about substance use disorder and the hard-won road to recovery. Across the conversation, we explore how humor becomes honest medicine. The team shares why a brisk, episodic structure, quick character shifts, and sudden moments of stillness make the heavy parts land with care, not shock.  We also dive into what hope looks like in real time: relationships that heal, shame that loosens in the light of conversation, and a pivotal shift from self-focus to service that reframes success and sustains sobriety. Stigma thrives in silence, so New Light builds real-world bridges around the art. Their partnership with Delaware’s atTAcK addition brings training to the rehearsal room, resources to the lobby, and informed voices to post-show talkbacks. Teen Night adds guided context and a safer space for questions. From discreet bathroom cards to concessions that directly fund community work, this production models how theater can be both storytelling and support system—meeting people where they are while inviting them to take the next step. If you care about harm reduction, recovery, and the power of theater to change minds, this episode will resonate. Come for the craft of a well-made play; stay for the deeper truth that we heal by showing up for each other. Subscribe, share with a friend who needs a compassionate nudge, and leave a review to help more listeners find this conversation. Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2217322/fan_mail/new] The Delaware Division of the Arts, a branch of the Delaware Department of State, is committed to supporting the arts and cultivating creativity to enhance the quality of life in Delaware. Together with its advisory body, the Delaware State Arts Council, the Division administers grants and programs that support arts programming, educate the public, increase awareness of the arts, and integrate the arts into all facets of Delaware life.  Learn more at Arts.Delaware.Gov. Delaware State of the Arts is a weekly podcast that presents interviews with arts organizations and leaders who contribute to the cultural vibrancy of communities throughout Delaware. Delaware State of the Arts is provided as a service of the Division of the Arts, in partnership with NEWSRADIO 1450 WILM and 1410 WDOV.

S12 E52: I Love to Write Day with John Riddle

A diner outside Richmond. A napkin. And a flash of inspiration that turned into a global invitation to write. We sit down with author and ghostwriter John Riddle to unpack how I Love to Write Day began, why it stuck, and what keeps it thriving twenty-plus years later. From a long drive to a Writers Digest interview to an unexpected USA Today spotlight, John walks us through the turning points that helped a simple idea become a movement. We explore why writing matters for everyone, not just “writers.” John breaks down how putting words on the page sharpens critical thinking, opens unexpected doors, and supports mental health. He shares stories that show the day’s reach: students securing a governor’s proclamation, teens helping seniors capture their life stories, schools blanketing hallways with positive messages, and nonprofits using journaling to process trauma. These moments reveal a core truth—writing builds community while giving individuals a way to find and share their voice. You’ll also get practical tools to start or restart your practice. John’s go-to exercise for beating creative block takes minutes and resets your momentum. His three habits—make time, build confidence, and keep it fun—offer a durable framework for both novices and pros. We talk about balancing business and joy, from ghostwriting deadlines to co-authoring a humor book with his grandsons. Looking ahead, John teases the 25th anniversary plans, including an updated creative journal and a push to bring I Love to Write Day to the UK, Spain, and Australia. Ready to write a paragraph, a poem, or the first page of your book? Hit play, then join us on November 15 and share what you create. If this conversation sparked an idea, subscribe, leave a review, and pass it to a friend who needs a nudge to start. Your words matter—let’s get them on the page. Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2217322/fan_mail/new] The Delaware Division of the Arts, a branch of the Delaware Department of State, is committed to supporting the arts and cultivating creativity to enhance the quality of life in Delaware. Together with its advisory body, the Delaware State Arts Council, the Division administers grants and programs that support arts programming, educate the public, increase awareness of the arts, and integrate the arts into all facets of Delaware life.  Learn more at Arts.Delaware.Gov. Delaware State of the Arts is a weekly podcast that presents interviews with arts organizations and leaders who contribute to the cultural vibrancy of communities throughout Delaware. Delaware State of the Arts is provided as a service of the Division of the Arts, in partnership with NEWSRADIO 1450 WILM and 1410 WDOV.

S12 E51: Delaware State of the Arts: Arden Artisans Collective and Arden Craft Shop Museum

In celebration of the 125th anniversary of Arden’s founding, the Arden Artisans Collective presents A Living Legacy, a two-part exhibition series that honors the vibrant, ongoing tradition of creativity in the Ardens. Featuring the work of past and present artists from this unique Arts and Crafts community, the exhibitions span generations and mediums—offering visitors a rare opportunity to experience the unbroken thread of artistry that has defined the Ardens for over a century. The Division speaks with Jill Althouse Wood and Sadie Somerville about this exciting new exhibition.  Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2217322/fan_mail/new] The Delaware Division of the Arts, a branch of the Delaware Department of State, is committed to supporting the arts and cultivating creativity to enhance the quality of life in Delaware. Together with its advisory body, the Delaware State Arts Council, the Division administers grants and programs that support arts programming, educate the public, increase awareness of the arts, and integrate the arts into all facets of Delaware life.  Learn more at Arts.Delaware.Gov. Delaware State of the Arts is a weekly podcast that presents interviews with arts organizations and leaders who contribute to the cultural vibrancy of communities throughout Delaware. Delaware State of the Arts is provided as a service of the Division of the Arts, in partnership with NEWSRADIO 1450 WILM and 1410 WDOV.

S12 E50: Delaware State of the Arts: Novelist Gina Wilson

What does it feel like when time slips away and creativity flows effortlessly? For Gina Wilson, this unexpected state of "flow" during writing became the bridge between her established career as an executive coach and her emerging identity as a novelist.  Wilson brings a unique perspective to her writing, grounded in her Master's degree in Cognitive Psychology and years of helping leaders overcome burnout and self-doubt. During our conversation, she reveals how she discovered writing induced a state of complete immersion and energy that contrasted sharply with the depleted feeling many experience in their professional lives. This revelation led her from non-fiction to her recent novel "Silicon Valley East," which follows a female protagonist navigating the male-dominated tech world of the 1980s. The conversation explores the discipline behind creative work, with Wilson sharing her structured approach to writing—daily dedicated time blocks, character spreadsheets, and regular revision cycles. Her methods reflect her background in management consulting while allowing space for creative exploration. Most refreshing is Wilson's candid discussion of vulnerability in the creative process, particularly when sharing work with writing groups and beta readers. She credits these communities with providing crucial feedback while acknowledging how difficult it can be to open oneself to critique. At its heart, Wilson's message centers on personal agency—the belief that we aren't victims of circumstance but can make meaningful choices that transform our lives. Whether through coaching or storytelling, she aims to help people recognize their power to pivot when one path doesn't work out. For writers still finding their voice, her advice resonates with authenticity: write in your own voice, because no one else shares your unique perspective and experiences. In a world increasingly populated by AI-generated content, Wilson's emphasis on genuine human expression feels both timely and essential. Ready to discover how your creative pursuits might transform your professional journey? Listen to this episode, then reflect on when you last experienced true flow in your own life—that magical state where time disappears and energy abounds. Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2217322/fan_mail/new] The Delaware Division of the Arts, a branch of the Delaware Department of State, is committed to supporting the arts and cultivating creativity to enhance the quality of life in Delaware. Together with its advisory body, the Delaware State Arts Council, the Division administers grants and programs that support arts programming, educate the public, increase awareness of the arts, and integrate the arts into all facets of Delaware life.  Learn more at Arts.Delaware.Gov. Delaware State of the Arts is a weekly podcast that presents interviews with arts organizations and leaders who contribute to the cultural vibrancy of communities throughout Delaware. Delaware State of the Arts is provided as a service of the Division of the Arts, in partnership with NEWSRADIO 1450 WILM and 1410 WDOV.

S12 E49: Delaware State of the Arts - Writer Cassandra Lewis

Storytelling has the power to transcend barriers, even prison walls. Meet Cassandra Lewis, an award-winning writer whose creative journey illuminates how literature can build bridges where society often constructs divides. When Lewis began mentoring through PEN America's Prison and Justice Writing Program, she expected to guide an incarcerated writer. What emerged instead was a profound partnership with Geneva Phillips, an accomplished writer whose memoir and poetry had already garnered recognition. Their exchange of letters evolved beyond writing critique into a friendship that transformed Lewis's own creative work. Through Phillips' guidance, Lewis finally unlocked a personal manuscript she'd struggled with for years—a testament to mentorship's reciprocal nature. The conversation explores how incarcerated writers consistently return to themes of community and connection in their work. As Lewis describes it, these narratives reveal the resilience of the human spirit in maintaining relationships despite systematic attempts to sever them. Yet practical obstacles abound: mail digitization means incarcerated people never touch original letters from loved ones; censorship creates communication uncertainty; and unexpected facility transfers can abruptly end friendships without goodbyes. Lewis's own creative work sits at the intersection of arts and advocacy. Her fellowship-funded play examines extreme sentencing through the story of an estranged grandmother and granddaughter reconnecting across prison barriers. Rather than providing easy answers, Lewis uses storytelling to explore complex questions about criminal justice, mental health systems, and human connection. "Great storytelling inspires conversation," Lewis explains, "and that's how things get started, that's how things get moving." For writers considering similar mentorship programs, Lewis emphasizes the importance of literary citizenship—supporting other writers and participating in the ongoing conversation of ideas. Her experience with PEN America surpassed all expectations, personally and professionally transforming both mentor and mentee. Ready to discover how storytelling can build empathy and inspire change? Listen now to this thought-provoking conversation about writing, justice, and the power of human connection. Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2217322/fan_mail/new] The Delaware Division of the Arts, a branch of the Delaware Department of State, is committed to supporting the arts and cultivating creativity to enhance the quality of life in Delaware. Together with its advisory body, the Delaware State Arts Council, the Division administers grants and programs that support arts programming, educate the public, increase awareness of the arts, and integrate the arts into all facets of Delaware life.  Learn more at Arts.Delaware.Gov. Delaware State of the Arts is a weekly podcast that presents interviews with arts organizations and leaders who contribute to the cultural vibrancy of communities throughout Delaware. Delaware State of the Arts is provided as a service of the Division of the Arts, in partnership with NEWSRADIO 1450 WILM and 1410 WDOV.