Spirits In The Material World | A MidSouth Culture and Southern Stories Podcast

Southern Gothic Novelist & Festival Founder Mark Mustian on the Armenian Genocide, Freak Shows & Word of South | Ep. S2E2

What happens when a municipal attorney runs for city commissioner, writes internationally bestselling novels, and then builds one of the most unique literary festivals in America — all at the same time? You get Mark Mustian. In this episode of Spirits in the Material World, Sean Blankenship sits down with Tallahassee-based author, attorney, and festival founder Mark Mustian for a wide-ranging conversation about storytelling, Southern culture, the courage to be different, and what it really takes to finish a book — or build something nobody else has ever tried. 📖 In this episode, we cover:00:00 - Introduction & Mark's multifaceted life08:00 - Keith Richards, the Rolling Stones & the Delta Blues connection11:00 - Mark's first novel: a Black woman who claims to be Christ returned15:00 - Growing up Southern Baptist, becoming Lutheran & writing about faith20:00 - The Gendarme: the Armenian Genocide told from a Turkish soldier's perspective28:00 - Traveling to Turkey & Syria to research the book31:00 - Boy With Wings: freak shows, the Depression-era South & what it means to be different40:00 - Meeting "Short E Dangerously" — a real-life sideshow performer44:00 - The publishing world: big five vs. indie publishers & the marketing reality52:00 - Word of South Festival: how a rainy first weekend launched a 12-year tradition53:00 - Muscle Shoals tribute, Violent Femmes, Flaming Lips & Earth Wind & Fire57:00 - Sponsors, budgets & the future of the festival01:00:00 - The common thread through it all: it's okay to be different 🎙️ About Spirits in the Material World:A Memphis-based MidSouth podcast exploring Southern culture, music, business, and the stories that shape our communities. Hosted by Sean Blankenship, produced by Pairaces Studio. 🔗 Listen everywhere:🟢 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4oOvZO6tiuPA68r5m2ZfGJ [https://open.spotify.com/show/4oOvZO6tiuPA68r5m2ZfGJ]🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/spirits-in-the-material-world-a-midsouth/id1803956926 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/spirits-in-the-material-world-a-midsouth/id1803956926]💜 iHeart Radio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-spirits-in-the-material-wo-302669565 [https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-spirits-in-the-material-wo-302669565] 📲 Follow the show:▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@spiritsinthematerialworldcast [https://www.youtube.com/@spiritsinthematerialworldcast] #SouthernGothic #ArmenianGenocide #MemphisMusic #MidSouth #WordOfSouth #LiteraryFestival #SouthernCulture #HistoricalFiction #FreakShow #IndiePublishing #TallahasseeFL #SpiritsInTheMaterialWorld #SouthernStorytelling #BookPodcast #MusicAndLiterature

In the Room Where Soul Lives — Boo Mitchell and the Magic of Royal Studios”

Step inside the heartbeat of Memphis with Grammy Award-winning producer and engineer Lawrence “Boo” Mitchell, the man carrying forward the legendary legacy of Royal Studios — where timeless soul meets modern sound. In this intimate, one-hour conversation, host Sean Blankenship dives deep with Boo into the spirit that lives within the walls of one of the world’s most iconic recording studios — the birthplace of the Hi Records sound and home to classics from Al Green, Ann Peebles, and the Hi Rhythm Section. Boo opens up about growing up under the mentorship of his father, the late Willie Mitchell, and how he continues that lineage by guiding a new generation of artists — from Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars (“Uptown Funk”) to John Mayer, Melissa Etheridge, and William Bell. Together, they explore what makes Memphis music eternal: authenticity, groove, and that unexplainable magic that can’t be programmed. You’ll hear stories about Grammy nights, ghostly moments in the studio, and what Boo calls “the spirit in the sound.” It’s part history lesson, part creative masterclass, and all heart — a reminder that while technology evolves, soul never goes out of style. Keywords: Boo Mitchell, Royal Studios, Memphis Music, Willie Mitchell, Al Green, Hi Records, Uptown Funk, Mark Ronson, Bruno Mars, Grammy Producer, Memphis Soul, Recording Studio, Music Production, Creativity, Leadership, Legacy, Delta Blues, Spirits in the Material World Podcast. follow - https://www.youtube.com/@spiritsinthematerialworldcast

Memphis Mojo: Ted Townsend on Big Wins, Economic Development, and xAI

Ted Townsend serves as the President and CEO of the Greater Memphis Chamber, a role he assumed in December 2022 following a unanimous vote by the organization's Board of Directors. Prior to this, he held the position of Chief Economic Development Officer for both the Greater Memphis Chamber and the University of Memphis from 2020 to 2022, where he contributed to regional growth initiatives. With over a decade of experience in economic development and government relations, Townsend has been instrumental in attracting significant investments to Memphis, including the multi-billion-dollar xAI supercomputer project, which represents the city's largest capital investment by a new company in its history. He previously served as Chairman of the Board for Life Science Tennessee, focusing on expanding life sciences industry jobs in the region. Townsend earned his degree from the University of Memphis and transitioned to the Chamber after being recruited in the wake of a leadership vacancy in 2018.

Buffalo Beginnings to Memphis Memories: The Geoff Calkins Story

In this episode, Geoff Calkins, a prominent journalist from Memphis, shares his intriguing journey from Buffalo, New York, to Harvard and into the world of sports journalism. Despite sharing a name with a successful entrepreneur and having a Twitter handle stolen by his nephew, he carved his own path. Calkins humorously recounts a time he challenged himself to play Christmas carols on a tuba if the Memphis Grizzlies lost ten consecutive games, only to see it come true. Growing up with eight siblings and surviving childhood leukemia, his story is one of resilience and finding humor amidst challenges.

Yankee Closer Hits a Home Run in Memphis - Andy O'Fee

The latest episode of 'Spirits in the Material World' features an engaging conversation between host Sean Blankenship and guest Andy O'Fee, known as the Yankee Closer. They delve into Andy's intriguing transition from Wall Street to Memphis, his rich childhood experiences in New Jersey, and a shared love for baseball. Reflecting on their generational differences in childhood play, the discussion touches on modern sports culture and community lifestyles. With the recent Delta storms setting the scene, the dialogue navigates through topics of family dynamics, sports history, and how past adventures influence current life choices and professional pursuits.