Charles Monroe-Kane is a Peabody award-winning radio producer who spent 24 years as a senior producer and interviewer for the national public radio show To the Best of Our Knowledge which WGCU aired on Saturday mornings until about a month ago when it ended at least in part due to recent funding cuts across the public radio world. His 2024 audio documentary, “The Spirit of Jim Thorpe,” was awarded first place by the Indigenous Journalists Association and in 2025 he produced the “Climate Narratives” audio documentary series in Greenland. Charles’s 2016 book "Lithium Jesus: A Memoir of Mania" recounts many of his you could say far-out life stories: including being a teenage faith healer, world traveler, smuggler, liberation theologian, ladder-maker, squatter, halibut hanger, grifter, environmental warrior, and circus manager—all the while wrestling with schizophrenia and self-medication.  SONG 1: "Nighthawk Postcards (From Easy Street)" by Tom Waits from his 1975 album Nighthawks at the Diner. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PlPN2vtn-0s SONG 2: “Trucker Speed” by Fred Eaglesmith – it was released in 2012 on the album 6Volts. Live – The Fred Eaglesmith Travelling Steam Show on Sept. 30, 2012. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFr0CzZti2M SONG 3: Massive Attack’s “Protection” ft. Tracey Thorn from the album of the same name released in 1994. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Epgo8ixX6Wo

Sheri Castle was the host and producer of the Emmy-winning PBS cooking show The Key Ingredient - for three seasons. She’s also an award-winning professional food writer, recipe developer, and cooking teacher known for melding stories, humor, and culinary expertise. Sheri has authored a tall stack of cookbooks and her writing and recipes appear in a long list of publications, including her role as featured monthly columnist of Our State and Contributing Editor for Southern Living.  In 2024, the Southern Foodways Alliance presented Sheri with their prestigious Keeper of the Flame Award given to a “foodways tradition bearer of note”. The SFA also named her one of 20 Living Legends of Southern Food, calling her The Storyteller. SONG 1: "Sitting on Top of The World" by Doc Watson...this recording is from the box set Doc Watson Life's Work: A Retrospective released in 2021. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ner4hbSTfkE SONG 2: "Blackbird” by The Beatles from their album The Beatles that hit the world in 1968. https://youtu.be/Man4Xw8Xypo?si=Daa_mqohN-FvC5Qt SONG 3: “She Used to be Mine” by Sara Bareilles…she made it for her musical adaptation of the film The Waitress. She released it on her 2015 album What's Inside: Songs from Waitress…this version is her performing it with Rufus Wainwright at the Kennedy Center.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAZ1nfuluz0

Rob Kovacs is a multi-award-winning video game composer, pianist, songwriter, and Twitch streamer who bridges the worlds of gaming and music. He’s known online as 88bit, and performs at major gaming events like PAX, MAGFest, and TwitchCon.  Rob made history in 2005 when he was a senior in college when he became the first person to perform Steve Reich’s Piano Phase solo on two pianos at once…one piano for each hand…the piece is designed to be performed by two pianists so four hands and two brains…with Reich on hand to watch the performance. He’s been streaming on Twitch since around 2020 - mixing video game music, pop, rock, classical, and his own originals—while also teaching composition and songwriting at Baldwin Wallace University in Ohio and performing with the contemporary classical group No Exit.  SONG 1: “Optimistic” by Radiohead from their album Kid A released in 2000. https://youtu.be/1On-ZHfTWOo?si=0OxDu5NwHDB8Inhk SONG 2: “Air Man’s Theme” from (the video game) Mega Man 2 - the soundtrack was composed by Takashi Tateishi with Manami Matsumae (Mega Man composer) for providing the foundation and co-composing a minor part of the melody for Air Man's stage.   https://youtu.be/IhK4D3ytYMc?si=zU5x4131zZY8O3_C SONG 3: “Wichita Lineman” by Glen Campbell (written by Jimmy Webb) from his 1968 album of the same name. Its B-side on the single was Fate of Man.  https://youtu.be/Q8P_xTBpAcY?si=3K0GMwaMLWVaDArl

Jason Colannino is a singer-songwriter who was born and raised on the Jersey shore but has called Boynton Beach home since the early 90s. Jason has recorded four albums of his original songs: Since 1969, Piece of the Sun, Lost in Vacation, and his most recent A Hawaiian Music Tribute, which is a collection of cover songs by Hawaiian songwriters because in recent years Jason added the ukulele to his act after a trip to Hawaii led him down that path - breaking the uke stereotype by covering songs from the likes of the Beatles, Frankie Valli, Queen, among others. SONG 1: Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young performing "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes" at Woodstock in 1969 on Monday, August 18th 1969 at three o'clock in the morning. https://youtu.be/9lembnHGIfU?si=Pd4fDBcg-Le0ejJX SONG 2: Simon and Garfunkel performing "The Sound of Silence"in Central Park in New York City on September 19th, 1981, on their live album The Concert in Central Park in 1982. https://youtu.be/yBg83_jHW4k?si=A06u6CdgZjMq8NnS SONG 3: "Cat's in the Cradle" by Harry Chapin off his 1974 album Verities & Balderdash. https://youtu.be/2SALgIAdxjg?si=lv-1P5AjG7Hpls75

Gabe McCauley is an Emmy-winning writer, actor, director, and storyteller who says he is driven by a singular purpose: to shape the culture of tomorrow through the power of film.  As founder of lilDRAGON and Soul Feather Studios, Gabe has built a creative legacy across genres and formats, from network TV to indie film and the feature film Heaven Bound. He’s directed nine seasons of national television, including the acclaimed Joey & Rory Show and Reconnecting Roots, now in its fourth season on PBS which he is also host of. SONG 1: "Let’s Go Crazy" by Prince off his 1984 album Purple Rain. https://youtu.be/WGtCC7bUkIw?si=3T1T_8lJL3pqOIc3 SONG 2: "Conga!" by Gloria Estefan (Miami Sound Machine)...this was on her album Primitive Love released in 1985. https://youtu.be/5SXX-pWzOY8?si=ld9RsOrIhIa1RCjY SONG 3: "Head Full of Doubt/Road Full of Promise" by the Avett Brothers released in 2009 on their album I and Love and You. https://youtu.be/jyfeOyglMtI?si=0Sr20Zv4W9dbO3WE

Sean Dietrich is Known to many or most as Sean of the South. He's Sean is a columnist, novelist, and stand-up storyteller known for his commentary on life in the American South. His work has appeared in Newsweek, Southern Living, Reader's Digest, Garden & Gun, and his column appears in newspapers throughout the U.S. He’s published fifteen books, makes the Sean of the South Podcast, and has appeared six times on the Grand Ole Opry. His 2020 memoir is titled “Will the Circle Be Unbroken?: A Memoir of Learning to Believe You're Gonna Be Okay” and he has a new book coming out on October 7th called “Over Yonder.”  SONG 1: “The Swan” from Camille Saint-Saëns “Carnival of Animals” performed here by The Kanney-Mason family in 2021. https://youtu.be/10Z1eNq21yc?si=UGUNUNEK2hbMWZVn Ilia Laporev & Augustin Tjampens last year. https://youtu.be/RmQRcYuK5KY?si=6OXi7mNMjoJwEG2I SONG 2: “Howling at the Moon” by Hank Willaims (Sr.) released as a single in 1951 with I Can't Help It (If I'm Still in Love With You) as the B-side. https://youtu.be/FvsqlTGgKeg?si=2h85pWKGdydg3xs7 SONG 3: “Drunken Hiccups” performed here by Tommy Jarrell...recorded in 1976. This song dates to the 1800s. From Legends of Old Time Music - https://youtu.be/-d6prY0iVEg?si=29AjvNdrSDfnh7Mx Sail Away Ladies - 1999 Country Records - https://youtu.be/rrEKXGWMy3s?si=uz24IzWwlqplOK47

Alexis Aggrey is a director and producer who has worked with public television, cable TV, and museum clients for more than 15 years, creating documentary content that educates and inspires. In 2016, she produced three galleries of media on African American History and Culture for the Smithsonian in Washington, DC. She formed The Aggrey Company in 2019, it’s a production company she describes as a “group of talented individuals with diverse creative skills, each working to foster an environment of collaboration and transparency.” Her latest project is "Becoming Thurgood: America's Social Architect" which she is producer and director of. It explores the life and legacy of our nation’s first African American Supreme Court justice, Thurgood Marshall SONG 1: "Blessed" by Jill Scott released in 2011 on her album The Light of the Sun. https://youtu.be/v0n_EdeuhwM?si=kxgMugICWPwAjSwP SONG 2: "Free" by Denise Williams released as a single in 1976 and then on her album This is Niecy that same year. https://youtu.be/OlLrn6AVV2s?si=tGqDIMNS7xFS1fq0 SONG 3: "Nothing to Lose" by Pat Junior, featuring Tecoby Hines released in April of this year. https://youtu.be/SseznVZWb54?si=BM0Lc9MS9_qKbXTo

Jeannine Joy is the President and CEO of United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades Counties. She began her journey with the organization in 1995 as a Campaign Associate and has since held several leadership roles, including Vice President of Resource Development and Marketing, before assuming the CEO position in June 2019. Over her 30-year tenure, Jeannine has helped raise and distribute more than $240 million, working alongside hundreds of community leaders and thousands of volunteers. SONG 1: "You Don’t Mess Around With Jim" by Jim Croce released in 1972 on his album of the same name. https://youtu.be/hickVDiW8k0?si=PoPWJsaMcGrCrtrC SONG 2: “Groove Is In The Heart” by Deee-Lite from their album World Clique released in 1990. This is Three Song Stories…home of biography through music. https://youtu.be/Y4TC2D7uGqs?si=ByQ11kZWN30PQXku SONG 3: Jimmy Buffett's "Trying To Reason With Hurricane Season" off his 1974 album A1A.  Studio: https://youtu.be/E8GcT5PBIC4?si=zCEidGYCjtSyfMRa Live: https://youtu.be/IZMH2EZeqN4?si=kgEPJaU7jj1ly90f

Scott Fais is host of Florida Road Trip produced by WUCF in Orlando and broadcast on PBS stations around the state including WGCU. Prior to joining Florida Road Trip in late 2023, Scott spent two decades in Central Florida as a television reporter, producer, and director. He hosted Florida on a Tankful for about a decade on News 13 in Orlando and Bay News 9 in Tampa. SONG 1: “Holiday Road" by Lindsey Buckingham...it was released as a single in 1983 for the film National Lampoon's Vacation...and then used in that film's sequels over the years. 2:12 https://youtu.be/c3Ash2iSUjE?si=uylfN700SwNBypN6 SONG 2: “Roam” by the B52s off their 1989 album Cosmic Thing. 4:55 https://youtu.be/pE6vnv_vVpY?si=s2IebTOCl3Ejv3k4 SONG 3: “Go Your Own Way" by Fleetwood Mac released in 1977 on their album Rumours. 3:38 https://youtu.be/oiosqtFLBBA?si=LSEQJpuqFgYQvaF6

Abraham Joseph is co-founder and CEO of a brand new app called “BoomBox” that he’s created with a team of current and former FGCU students - he himself is currently an MBA student at FGCU. With a background in psychology and a passion for music's connective power, Abraham has transformed his personal experiences of disconnection into a platform that fosters genuine connections through shared musical tastes. They describe Boombox as “the digital block party.” SONG 1: "I Have Decided to Follow Jesus" performed here by  Lydia Walker...it's off her album Communion released in 2015. 2:45 https://youtu.be/L7XHeCZB5KU?si=MozLEFpTlyexxZZm SONG 2: "Angels" (feat. Saba) by Chance the Rapper released in 2016 on the album Coloring Book. https://youtu.be/c3WjFk47NqI?si=tbWSY1vCguHTt9CI SONG 3: "327" by (Joey Bada$$) and Westside Gunn off the album Pray for Paris released in 2020. (ft. Tyler, The Creator & Billie Essco)  https://youtu.be/kmhgibIoJj0?si=jVwcwp3dafTdgQwy

Salem Ilese is a singer-songwriter who’s probably best known for her singles “Mad at Disney” and “PS5” both of which went viral relatively early on in her career. She’s sung at venues including Outside Lands, The Forum, and The Hollywood Bowl, and has toured multiple times throughout Asia. She’s worked with artists like Demi Lovato, and Gwen Stefani.  Salem began her songwriting career at the age of 9 when she started taking classes in San Francisco with Bonnie Hayes who wrote songs for Bonnie Raitt and Cher, among others. She attended Berklee College of Music in Boston majoring in Hayes' songwriting program there. She left Boston and moved to Los Angeles in 2019 and signed to Homemade Projects and released an EP called “757” that same year. She released her first album called High Concept in 2023 and just recently released her sophomore album, “Growing Down.” SONG 1: “Mr. Brightside” by The Killers from their debut studio album Hot Fuss released in 2004. 3:43 https://youtu.be/m2zUrruKjDQ?si=ylOhVkG4MliPu-do SONG 2: “Riptide” by Vance Joy, released in 2014 on his album Dream Your Life Away. (also in 2013 on his debut EP God Loves You When You're Dancing) 3:20 https://youtu.be/En_6WWOWh8E?si=IBN-2luFmkRv0w-W SONG 3: “Bloom” by The Paper Kites...released independently as the band's first single in 2010 and then  was a bonus track in the digital release their debut EP Woodland in 2013. 3:30 https://youtu.be/Cyx2CWBVfDE?si=RM9BgxiB9woN6T4d

Stella Cole is a singer who has preformed at Carnegie Hall and Madison Square Garden, and in 2023, she worked with Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox, touring the country, as well as Australia and New Zealand. She’s now released two albums independently with Grammy-winning producer Matt Pierson – one called simply “Stella Cole” and the other “Snow!” which featured a duet with Glee TV and Broadway star Darren Criss. Her third album, “It’s Magic” is just about to be released by Decca Records US. During the early days of the pandemic, Stella started posting videos of herself singing on social platforms and she caught the attention of hundreds of thousands, and then millions of people: at one point James Taylor championed and reposted her video of the beloved standard, “Moon River.” SONG 1: "Over the Rainbow" - a ballad by Harold Arlen with lyrics by Yip Harburg written for the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz...sung by Judy Garland portraying Dorothy Gale. https://youtu.be/XW5nIlIfR5s?si=HYMhCD3pwZzsJIB- SONG 2: "Moon River" performed by Audrey Hepburn in the 1961 film Breakfast at Tiffany's. It was composed by Henry Mancini with lyrics by Johnny Mercer and won an Academy Award for Best Original Song and it won Grammy Awards for Record of the Year and Song of the Year in 1962.  https://youtu.be/bkM5_IR4WEg?si=FmK8r1aYuTQKOjO4 SONG 3: "Everybody Says Don’t" by Barbra Streisand released in 1993 on her album Back to Broadway. This is a Stephen Sondheim song from the musical Anyone Can Whistle. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9I_s74APgw

Koura Linda is Founder & CEO of Space Dream Productions, an independent film, music, and media production company that is “grounded in the idea that all storytellers are ambassadors of humanity.”  Following a sudden and critical medical event, Koura was forced to reevaluate her life and she decided to move forward with her physical limitations and disabilities by creating an accessible space for herself and others - and that led to founding Space Dream Productions in 2013 as an accessible independent production company which she now owns and runs with her husband, Spaceship, and the rest of their team. Since 2016, more than two dozen completed Space Dream Productions projects have received over 200 award nominations and have won just under 70 awards, including 20 different projects nominated for or winning "Best Picture" categories at festivals around the world. SONG 1: It's The Beatles' "And Your Bird Can Sing" ) - the final version was released in 1966 on their album Revolver. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJe3R-HLIxQ SONG 2: "With You in Your Dreams" by Hanson from their 1996 album...MMMBop.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ItCYLb3KKEI SONG 3: "Be Prepared" by Metephorest featuring Spaceship released in 2013. https://metaphorest.bandcamp.com/track/be-prepared

Nick Berg is an American-Iranian author who was born in Tehran in 1967 to an Iranian mother and an American father, experiencing Iran’s vibrant culture and its political upheavals. His novel, Shadows of Tehran, mirrors his life through the protagonist, Ricardo, reflecting Nick’s struggles with identity, betrayal, and redemption. Nick moved to the U.S. when he was 20 and served in U.S. Army Special Operations for more than a decade and then transitioned into a successful tech executive career after an injury. He’s also a music enthusiast who finds creativity in producing electronic music. SONG 1: “Comfortably Numb” by Pink Floyd from their 1979 album The Wall.  https://youtu.be/x-xTttimcNk?si=LIPsZH82O0vn5B3D SONG 2: “In My Secret Life” by Leonard Cohen from his album Ten New Songs released in 2001.  https://youtu.be/dMyAEP0zCJw?si=kDaHCJ69Rmlr8phs SONG 3: “The Sound of Silence” by Simon & Garfunkel from their 1964 album Wednesday Morning, 3AM.  https://youtu.be/4fWyzwo1xg0?si=RMP7iTlnJ-tOIzYe

Jason Chapin was a producer on the documentary film “Harry Chapin: When In Doubt, Do Something” which told the story of his father’s musical career and humanitarian work. And he is a producer of the soon-to-be-released “Cat’s in the Cradle 50th Anniversary Celebration” - it’s a film about the Harry Chapin’s #1 hit song that continues to impact countless lives around the world on so many levels.  Jason was four when his mom Sandra married singer/songwriter Harry Chapin in 1968.  He’s currently Director of Workforce Development at The Westchester County Association. He previously served on the boards of The Harry Chapin Foundation and Child Care Council of Westchester, and is currently on the Westchester Putnam Workforce Development Board. SONG 1: "Taxi" by Harry Chapin released in 1972 as a single and on his album Heads & Tales. https://youtu.be/Bj6F8IGcqgo?si=NqwKo1LapL8zXATo SONG 2: "Piano Man" by Billy Joel from his album of the same name released in 1973. https://youtu.be/LLbew85exp0?si=sBIYEaN-6w6Ysd_W SONG 3: "Cat's in the Cradle" by Harry Chapin off his 1974 album Verities & Balderdash. https://youtu.be/jmhoOp2fUzg?si=T6Ht8LnfIBz0I_ua

Zach Smith is the owner and operator of Ceremony Brewing in Bonita Springs. After nearly a decade of teaching in Collier County Public Schools, Zach's passion for the hospitality industry led him to open Ceremony Brewing in in 2021. Growing up, Zach often felt like an outsider. He was raised by a single, working-class dad and they didn’t have the luxuries that people often associate with Naples. And then when he got into punk and metal as a kid that just made him feel even more disconnected from the local culture. The Brewery was created to be the kind of place he wishes had existed when he was younger: a space where people like him could feel safe, seen, and accepted. We sat down with Zach on stage at Ceremony Brewing in front of a live audience… SONG 1: “Bad Habit” by The Offspring off their 1994 album Smash. 3:43 https://youtu.be/EVSPyMdzMh8?si=_2iSDWNoPOjUDz18 SONG 2: “Nerdy” by Poison the Well released in 1999 on their album The Opposite of December... A Season of Separation. 2:41 https://youtu.be/IGaqD_Etja0?si=SkuwpZG6YUTiyJPI SONG 3: “The Boy Who Swallowed the World” by AFI from their 1999 All Hallows EP. 3:05 https://youtu.be/yFA7c7uK5Ks?si=CUos9fU0QO809owV

John Greene is a three-time leukemia survivor, who has channeled his grit into fundraising and advocacy for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, walking alongside others on the long road of recovery. Outside of work, he chases mountain trails, grilling the perfect steak, spending just enough time in the pool, watching Philly sports, and finding the next Phish jam — sometimes from the stage with his San Francisco-based Phish tribute band called Chum.  SONG 1: Pink Floyd's “Welcome to the Machine” from the 1975 album Wish You Were Here. https://youtu.be/lt-udg9zQSE?si=OaHq4lk8J04ZnSXW SONG 2: “Mojave Plan” by Tangerine Dream from their 1982 album White Eagle. https://youtu.be/R3RoDTfCTw0?si=G3qGJCHZaGI0efVZ SONG 3: “First Tube” by Phish Live at the Gorge in George Washington on September 10, 1999:  https://relisten.net/phish/1999/09/10/first-tube-19634?source=162781

Clarke is a musician and artist whose improvised and mostly unstructured guitar pieces built up from multiple improvised layers create a dreamlike, atmospheric soup of sound. His first solo album "Hear Us Through the Hole in Thin Air" came out in 2020. His next "A Theory of Color," is in the final stages of production now. In 1981 he put together a band that would go on to be notorious in the Texas punk scene called Stick Men With Ray Guns. They were close friends with members of the Butthole Surfers, and often shared the stage, until the Surfers began to tour nationally. They broke up in 1981. SONG 1: "The Times They Are A-Changin'" by Bob Dylan released in 1964 on the album of the same name.  https://youtu.be/9ywYohqoM60?si=75piKwcE--89DcQ_ SONG 2: “God Save the Queen” by the (Scottish?) Sex Pistols on the album Never Mind the Bollocks, Here's the Sex Pistols released in 1977.  https://youtu.be/1W6AxgqGdhM?si=9H8xv-YN_k23oBpP SONG 3: “Evening Star” by Fripp & Eno...it's the title track off their 1975 album. https://youtu.be/kFDPPl9yZvQ?si=NMa3oJCwQM0JzYdu

Lance Wissinger is a speaker, entrepreneur, and political strategist whose life took a turn in 2003 when a car accident with him behind the wheel led to a five-year prison sentence for vehicular manslaughter.   While incarcerated, he founded successful programs that empowered fellow inmates through business planning, public speaking, and personal growth. He went on to become an advocate for justice reform when he joined the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition’s successful effort to get Amendment 4 passed in 2018, restoring voting rights to more than 1.4 million Floridians with felony convictions. These days he’s CEO of Lancer Aerial, it’s a drone-based environmental and surveying company, and he is Director of Political Operations at Hennessy Strategies SONG 1: “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” by Tears for Fears from their 1985 album Songs from the Big Chair. https://youtu.be/znDgBy2mHbc?si=U0tSKuPFsuMCnHdq SONG 2: “If You’re Going Through Hell” by Rodney Atkins...it's the title track of his 2006 album of the same name. https://youtu.be/wYZ8paLOifw?si=3XxrMUJ-k19wJoyH SONG 3: “Lovely Day” by Bill Withers recorded and released in 1977 on his album Menagerie. https://youtu.be/QCgeitX5xg0?si=rowzMtuNvCLjDCrc

Dan Mangan is a Vancouver, BC-based musician. Dan has played Jimmy Kimmel Live, Glastonbury, and sold out Massey Hall, as well as scored soundtracks for television and feature film. He is also a co-founder of Side Door, a marketplace platform connecting artists with alternative venue spaces for in-person & online shows. Dan has won 2 JUNO Awards and is thrice Polaris Music Prize-nominated for his work, and has released at least 7 albums and EPs. His latest album, Natural Light, which just hit the world, emerged after he and his longtime bandmates Jason Haberman, Mike O’Brien and Don Kerr secluded themselves deep in the woods of southern Ontario for a week intending to workshop some songs and possibly do some writing.  SONG 1: “Nothing Compares 2 U” by Sinead O’Connor from her 1990 album I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got https://youtu.be/Ouf9-bOqJVk?si=Z3YOnoosZ9VPJIcn SONG 2: “No Surprises” by Radiohead from their album OK Computer released in 1997 https://youtu.be/u5CVsCnxyXg?si=oh1zP41Yk5nZAU_w SONG 3: “Float On” by Modest Mouse from their 2004 album Good News for People Who Love Bad News https://youtu.be/88XhEqgmRhM?si=hKa_85bbJGsNpNvK