The Grind, hosted by business entrepreneur Eric James, is a talk show about local business professionals, entrepreneurs, politicians & people of interest, that chose to bet on themselves & embraced the daily hustle that we call the Grind. #TheGrind, channels the stories behind successful individuals by exploring their ideology of what it takes to manifest a successful business in an ever changing economic, pollical and social media environment.
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We have a strong love for basketball and the doors that it can open outside of the game itself. We love to give current and former players, coaches, artists, and historians their recognition and the platform they deserve to tell their story and teach our listeners about the game and applying lessons we learn from hoops to everyday life. We don't care for hot takes, we don't care for debates but we do care about giving back to the game and giving people the recognition they deserve for their ...
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MFA Writers is the podcast where host Jared McCormack interviews creative writing MFA students about their program, their process, and a piece they’re working on.
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Leading Las Vegas is a podcast produced by the Emergency and Crisis Management Program at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Each season, students in a Leadership, Innovation and Adaptability class interview prominent leaders, who discuss their leadership approaches, and how they prepare for, respond to, and recover from shocks and stresses faced by the community. Las Vegas is known for being the entertainment capital of the world. However, it is also a complex environment, with a highly d ...
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Entrepreneurs Kwon Owens, Chris Mounger, and Steven Thompson Share Journeys from Hustle to Business Success
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29:57Eric James hosts "The Grind," a show featuring local business entrepreneurs. Guest Kwon Owens, a retired IT professional and serial entrepreneur, discusses his diverse business ventures, including real estate and logistics. Chris Mounger, a property inspector with 16 years of experience and a background in civil engineering, shares his journey from…
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Poets are known for considering form in their writing, but form is also critical in prose. In fact, for Tyler R. Moore, form tells us the most about the story. “It’s the structure, scaffolding, bones, and architecture.” In this episode, Tyler tells Jared about approaching each story with a different structure, including his recent piece told exclus…
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Siloh Radovsky sits down with Jared to talk about her path from anarchistic activism to experimental writing, the blurry line between fiction and nonfiction, and the joys and pains of teaching in an R1 institution. Siloh Radovsky is a prose writer invested in the overlap between narrative and criticism. A recent graduate of the cross-genre MFA prog…
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Joe Alexander: Former West Virginia, NBA & Overseas Star
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54:14Send us a text Joe Alexander comes back for another episode! The former West Virginia, NBA and Overseas star joins us to catch up and talk about his new mentorship program that helps serious athletes with professional dreams get to the next level. This is such a great episode to learn about his program and what it truly takes to be a high level col…
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What happens when a tech startup employee starts taking online writing classes? They end up in an MFA program, of course. In this episode, Ray Wise sits down with Jared to talk about finding writing in their 20s and the lessons they bring from the tech world to their creative work. Plus, they discuss Rutgers-Camden’s multi-genre emphasis, weekend w…
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Entrepreneurs Share Success, AI Insights, and Career Transitions
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29:58Eric James hosts "The Grind," a show featuring local entrepreneurs discussing their journeys and the local economy. During Women's History Month, he interviews three guests: Adia Foster, Ryan Erickson, and Travis Buchanan. Adia Foster, CEO of Empower, discusses her transition from a USC track star to a successful businesswoman, including her acting…
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Integrating elegy, ekphrasis, and dance notation, Oli Peters’s thesis project is a multilingual, multi-genre exploration in translation and lyric poetry. In this episode, she shares how her program encourages creative experimentation, even when she submits work that feels “absolutely unpublishable, verging on unreadable.” Plus, she discusses her co…
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Emily St. Martin — UC Riverside, Palm Desert Low-Residency Rerelease
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44:38Can you find a close community in a low-res program? Emily St. Martin, having met her best friends in her MFA, says absolutely yes. She joins Jared to talk about how her program has helped her craft her memoir-in-progress, the fear and reward of vulnerability in creative nonfiction, and how writing lets us acknowledge and redefine our pasts. Emily …
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Kenn Solomon: Denver Nuggets Hall of Fame Mascot
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1:24:26Send us a text We have been looking forward to an episode like this for a very long time. We have our first mascot on the podcast today! Kenn Solomon AKA Rocky is in the house! The legendary Denver Nuggets mascot shares his journey and incredible stories in an episode you do not want to miss out on. Kenn Solomon was the Denver Nuggets SuperMascot f…
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Entrepreneurial Journeys and Creative Strategies: Real Estate, Marketing, and Music on The Grind
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29:58The Grind, hosted by Eric James, features local business entrepreneurs discussing their journeys and contributions to the economy. The episode highlights two women, Loni Reed and Lisa Shin-Lee, who share their experiences in the real estate industry. Loni, originally from Minnesota, transitioned from real estate to title business marketing, using u…
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Derek Chan — Cornell University Rerelease
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47:47
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47:47How does our excavation of ancestral history shape our understanding of ourselves and how can writing guide us through this process? On this episode, Derek Chan discusses the role of family stories in his poetry and life, the magic of bewilderment in art, and the dissonance between our external language and our internal being. Plus, as a first-gene…
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Curley Boo Johnson - Peoria Legend & Globetrotter
1:30:34
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1:30:34Send us a text We have our first guest of the new year on today! For the first time ever on this show, we have a Harlem Globetrotter! Curley Boo Johnson shares his hoops story from beginning to end in an episode you do not want to miss. The Peoria legend made a name for himself with his incredible ball handling abilities. He is the first athlete to…
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Matt Homrich-Knieling — Western Connecticut State University
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40:35Speculative memoir allows Matt Homrich-Knieling to lean into the subjective nature of memory and explore his experience with separation anxiety. Plus, he and Jared discuss how Matt created a specific list of experiences he wanted from an MFA, which allowed him to narrow his MFA application list to just three programs. They also talk about how the W…
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Embracing the Grind: Juan and Nicole Huerta on Mastering Mortgage and Real Estate
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29:18Eric James hosts "The Grind," a show featuring local business entrepreneurs. Juan and Nicole Huerta, a power couple, discuss their careers in the mortgage and real estate industries. Juan, a mortgage broker, emphasizes the importance of consistency and follow-up, sharing his journey from a corporate job to becoming a successful broker. Nicole, a re…
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Meghan Perry — Debut Author Series — Water Finds a Way
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45:0115 years after her MFA, and 4 years after scrapping a book that just wasn’t working, Meghan Perry’s debut novel WATER FINDS A WAY is receiving strong positive reviews, including a coveted Kirkus star. She joins Jared to talk about the realities of post-grad writing, going “scorched earth” on revision, and the process of turning short stories into a…
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2024 YEAR IN REVIEW - HAPPY NEW YEAR!
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2:03:46Send us a text Season 6 is here! Zach brings back former guest Wylie and first time guest of the show who goes by the name of Metz to hang out on New Years Eve. We ring in the new year by doing our famous Year In Review! This is the one episode where we let loose, crack open some beers and discuss all of the top stories, memes and things from 2024!…
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Rerelease: Jamie Li — Vermont College of Fine Arts
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42:46The pod team is traveling this week, so we invite you to travel back to a great episode from our previous season. We’ll be back with new episodes in the New Year — how fitting! Wishing you all a beautiful close to 2024. Drawing from her decade-long career in Silicon Valley, Jamie Li tells Jared about writing tech satire that struck her MFA colleagu…
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Send us a text We have a guest who was a part of basketball history on the podcast. Daniel Santiago is in the house! The former NBA player shares his hoops journey in an inspirational episode that we know you’re all going to love. We are truly blessed for this episode. Daniel Santiago is a proven winner at any level. He won two WAC Conference title…
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Rerelease: Krista Diamond — University of Nevada, Las Vegas
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56:18It’s winter break! Strap on your snowshoes, brew a hot chocolate, and escape to the heat of the Vegas desert with one of our favorite episodes from last season. Wishing you all rest, writing inspiration, and early-decision acceptances. This week, an MFA with an international focus! Krista Diamond sits down with Jared to talk about UNLV’s required (…
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Wilson M. Sims — Florida Atlantic University
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57:39In this instant classic episode, Wilson M. Sims and Jared talk about the step-by-step process of getting an agent, what they do (or know they shouldn’t do) when a story isn’t working, how MFA programs are like basketball drills, and approaching craft discussions in ways that are more flexible and time-varying than declarative and concrete. Plus, Wi…
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Bob Kuska: Author of "Balls of Confusion: Pro Basketball Goes to War (1965-70)"
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1:01:18Send us a text We have a special episode for all of you ABA fanatics! Bob Kuska joins us today to share his journey in hoops and writing. We also have a great conversation about his new book titled Balls of Confusion: Pro Basketball Goes to War (1965-70). Kuska has authored 4 basketball books so he has some really incredible hoops insight. Kuska sh…
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In this episode, PhD Candidate Mackenzie McGee talks about her process when writing speculative fiction, including how she decides on topics and themes, how her process changes when writing flash versus her novel, and how writers are able to explore politically dangerous topics by leaning into speculative elements. She then tells Jared about her de…
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Chad Bell: Former Nevada Star, Pro & NBA/G-League Coach
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1:20:03Send us a text Our local fans will appreciate this episode! We have a special guest that we have wanted to have on this show for a very long time. Chad Bell is in the house! The former Nevada Wolf Pack star joins Zach for a conversation that we know will have a huge impact on our listeners. Chad Bell is from Inglewood CA where the hoops scene is no…
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Rone Shavers — Application Series — MFA vs. PhD
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47:10Rone Shavers joins Jared for our annual application episode to discuss the differences between MFA and PhD applications and programs. Rone and Jared talk about how to choose the right program, put together the best application, and get the most out of your time in a program. Before that, they discuss Rone’s “funky” novel Silverfish and how getting …
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Derrick Gervin: Former NBA Player & UTSA Hall of Famer
1:23:29
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1:23:29Send us a text We are beyond honored to have this conversation today. Derrick Gervin joins us for a conversation we will never forget. The Gervin name is perhaps one of the most well respected names both on and off the court and top tier basketball royalty! We are truly blessed for this episode. Derrick Gervin is the brother of Iceman George Gervin…
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Rerelease: Jess Silfa — Application Series — MFA Draft
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1:19:44The leaves are turning, the pumpkin spice lattes are brewing, and that means the MFA applicants are revising and re-revising their personal statements. To celebrate the arrival of fall, we’re bringing you last season’s (super informative) application episode. Stay tuned for a new episode in your feed soon. Happy MFA Application Season to all who ce…
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Vince Inglima: Sonoma State HOF, Former Pro & Current San Francisco State Head Coach
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1:12:14Send us a text Carson City is represented on the show today. Coach Vince Inglima is in the house! Coach Inglima takes time to share his playing and coaching journey in an episode that will give young athletes (from our area especially) the vision to expand their future in hoops beyond high school. Vince Inglima attended Carson High School. He was a…
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Carlee Jensen — Johns Hopkins Writing Seminars
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49:59
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49:59Carlee Jensen reflects on how the American West and constructions of personal mythology shaped her writing, and how coming out “late” taught her that life has no single narrative. She also tells Jared why she avoided MFA application resources before submitting her materials, how the MFA helped her refocus on writing as an art, not just a profession…
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Ralph Sampson III: University of Minnesota Great & Pro
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1:29:22
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1:29:22Send us a text We have a University of Minnesota great in the house! Ralph Sampson III joins us for an episode we know you will love. Our local listeners who supported our Reno Bighorns back in the day especially! Ralph Sampson III is the son of the Hall of Fame player Ralph Sampson. He carved out an amazing high school career making a name for him…
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Jonny Teklit — University of Wisconsin–Madison
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42:49On this episode, Jonny Teklit sits down with Jared to talk about crafting odes to small, granular subjects, sharing his personal productivity tips and the common writing advice that doesn’t work for him. Plus, Jonny discusses the pros and cons of UW-Madison’s rotating genre admissions policy and reflects on how Lynda Barry’s comics class changed hi…
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Jackie Stiles: SMS Legend, WNBA All-Star & WBB Hall of Fame
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1:01:14Send us a text What an honor this is! We have basketball royalty on the podcast today. Jackie Stiles is in the house! The SMS legend, WNBA All-star and Women’s Basketball Hall of Famer joins us for an episode that is a must listen. Before Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Plum, there was Jackie Stiles. Jackie Stiles is from small town Claflin Kansas and sta…
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It’s not quite Halloween, but on this episode, Emma Allman talks to Jared about the utility of defamiliarization, surrealism, uncanniness, and body horror in ecofiction (spooky!). Plus, she discusses how working in marketing pre-MFA helped her understand professionalism and realism in academia, life in Tuscaloosa as it aligns with and diverges from…
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Jordan Adams Smith: UNM Legend & Former WNBA Player
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1:09:30Send us a text For the first time on this show we finally have a former WNBA player on the podcast! This one is even more special because our local listeners will remember this name as well. Jordan Adams Smith is in the house! The Moapa Valley High School and New Mexico legend shares her journey in hoops for an episode you don't want to miss. Jorda…
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Rerelease: Simon Graham — University of Washington
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45:38As the pod team settles into the fall semester, we’re excited to celebrate the recent accomplishment of one of our past guests. Simon Graham was awarded an AWP Intro Journals Prize for their story “Blair,” forthcoming in Puerto del Sol. Enjoy our conversation with Simon from Season 3. How do you write about the climate crisis without becoming didac…
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Steve Hayes: Idaho State Legend & Former NBA Player
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1:05:40Send us a text For the first time ever we have Idaho State represented on the podcast. Idaho State legend and former NBA player Steve Hayes is in the house! It is an honor to have Steve share his hoops journey for an episode we know you’ll love. Steve Hayes was a high school standout in the state of Idaho. He went on to play for Idaho State where h…
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Alejandro Puyana — Debut Author Series — Freedom is a Feast
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50:46Following Venezuela’s disputed presidential election, debut author Alejandro Puyana returns to the show to discuss his novel, which explores the revolutionary lives of both ordinary and extraordinary Venezuelans over the span of fifty years. He also shares insights with Jared about the rewrites he made to his MFA thesis before publication, the expe…
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Gene Banks: Duke Legend & Former NBA Player
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1:30:40Send us a text We have a special episode for all of you hoop heads out there. We have a Duke legend on the podcast today! It is an absolute honor to have Gene Banks with us for an episode that you do NOT want to miss. Gene Banks is simply a basketball legend. He is the 1st ever McDonald’s All-American MVP and he is known as the one who jumpstarted …
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Vivian (Xiao Wen) Li — University of British Columbia
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41:47
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41:47Ever heard of an MFA program with 12 different genre concentrations? On this episode, Vivian (Xiao Wen) Li tells Jared about how UBC’s multi-genre emphasis allowed her to work across fiction, nonfiction, poetry, screenwriting, filmmaking, comics, and more. Plus, she discusses self-funding her degree, receiving a grant to do research in China for he…
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Adam Drexler: Pro Hooper & Son of Clyde Drexler
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1:04:06
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1:04:06Send us a text We’re excited to drop this episode today. It is an honor to have Adam Drexler on the podcast. The pro hooper and son of Clyde Drexler shares his journey in basketball for an episode we know you’ll enjoy. Any hoop fan knows the Drexler name as his father Clyde Drexler is one of the all-time greats to ever play the game. Adam Drexler h…
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Rerelease: Nikki Lyssy — University of South Florida
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50:37As the pod team wraps up our summer vacation, we’re highlighting one of the gems from a previous season. Watch out for the Season 5 premiere in two weeks.On this episode, Nikki Lyssy tells Jared about how, as a blind writer, she uses research to access the sighted world and fill her fiction with vivid imagery, while in her nonfiction, she explores …
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Rerelease: Maurice Carlos Ruffin — Faculty Series — LSU and Randolph
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41:37The pod team is still on vacation! In the mountains! Without recording equipment! The Season 5 premiere will be in your feed soon. Until then, enjoy this conversation with Maurice Carlos Ruffin, author of three books and faculty member twice over.Maurice Carlos Ruffin, author and faculty member at two MFA programs, joins Jared for this special epis…
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Tony Fuller: Former NBA Player & Coach
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1:12:44Send us a text We have another great episode for you today! It is an honor to have Tony Fuller on the podcast. The former NBA player and Coach had a big impact on Zach during his playing career and we know he will for all of our listeners too. Fuller played his college hoops at Pepperdine. He was the 93rd overall pick in the 1980 NBA Draft where he…
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Rerelease: Rachelle Toarmino — UMass Amherst
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45:28The podcast team is on vacation! In the meantime, we invite you to listen to one of our favorite episodes from Season 3. Wishing you all a great summer, friends. As the editor-in-chief of Peach Mag, Rachelle Toarmino is consistently focused on the work of others. She chats with Jared about her own writing career, including finding and using playful…
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Darwin Cook: Former NBA Player & 2x Italian League Champion
1:21:03
1:21:03
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1:21:03Send us a text You know its going to be a special episode anytime you have Crenshaw represented on this podcast. Former NBA player and 2x Italian League Champion Darwin Cook is in the house! Cook shares his experiences in hoops and stories from our favorite era of basketball! Darwin Cook has an inspiring journey in basketball. He went from always b…
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It’s the Season 4 finale! On this episode, Eric Larsh tells Jared about writing into obsessions, whether he’s focusing exclusively on sonnets or, for the last two years, diving into a long poem about the Mojave Desert. Eric also discusses how his music compositions and editorship at Portland Review inform his poetry, deciding between a graduate deg…
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Former stand-up comedian Max Delsohn sits down with Jared to talk about how humor and detailed line-level revision show up in his work for the stage and the page. Plus, he discusses a pleasure-forward writing process, switching MFA programs after the first year, and his experiences with big-name faculty like George Saunders and Mary Karr. Max Delso…
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Ashlee Orndorff: Northern Nevada Basketball Legend
1:43:30
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1:43:30Send us a text It’s an honor to drop this episode today. We have arguably the greatest female high school basketball player to ever come out of Northern Nevada on the podcast! Local legend Ashlee Orndorff takes time to share her incredibly emotional story with basketball and sexual abuse in one of the heaviest episodes in our 5 years of Not In My H…
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What’s involved in an English PhD with a creative dissertation? Abhijit Sarmah tells Jared about how this path allows him to pursue his research on global indigenous literatures while continuing to craft poetry on identity and insurgency in Assam, India. Abhijit also discusses postmemory, or the memories we inherit from earlier generations, writing…
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Sidney Moncrief: 5x NBA Allstar, 2x DPOY & Hall of Fame
1:12:20
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1:12:20Send us a text It doesn’t get much better than this. We have another former Allstar and Hall of Famer in the house! Sidney Moncrief takes time to hang out and share his basketball story with us in an episode you do NOT want to miss. Sidney Moncrief is an Arkansas legend. He is still the schools All time leader in Rebounds, he was the 1979 SWC Playe…
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Sam Herschel Wein — University of Tennessee, Knoxville
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59:07On this episode, Sam Herschel Wein tells Jared about their path to finding poetry outside of academia, co-founding and editing Underblong, and their approach to collaboration and humor in their writing. Plus, they discuss the nuances of MFA program decisions (Two or three years? English or Art departments?) and whether creative writing should live …
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