In this episode we sit down with Jennifer Schomburg Kanke. After spending most of her life in Ohio, now lives in Florida. Her work has recently appeared in New Ohio Review, Pleiades, Massachusetts Review, and Shenandoah. She is the winner of a Sheila-Na-Gig Editor’s Choice Award for Fiction. Her zine about her experiences undergoing chemotherapy for ovarian cancer, Fine, Considering, is available from Rinky Dink Press (2019). Her full-length poetry collection, The Swellest Wife Anyone Ever Had, about Appalachian Ohio, is available now from Kelsay Books. Her next book, Little Stone, Little Stone, about her experiences with ovarian cancer will be available from Sheila-Na-Gig Editions in the fall of 2026. She served as the voice of the Living with Wildlife series on WFSU radio and can now be found on YouTube hosting the Meter Cute Interviews podcast focusing on interviews with contemporary writers on Meter&Mayhem.

Webpage: http://www.jenniferschomburgkanke.com/

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@meterandmayhem

Substack (where she does writing prompts based on the interviews from her YouTube Channel): https://meterandmayhem.substack.com/

Link to where you can order the anthology with her prize winning short story "A
String of Beads": https://sheilanagigblog.com/sheila-na-gig-inc/sheila-na-gig-editions-quick-shopping/a-string-of-beads-other-stories/

Link for ordering The Swellest Wife Anyone Ever Had: https://a.co/d/3vYphFA

#FloridaPoetandAuthor
#AppalachianPoetandAuthor
#SweelestWifeAnyoneEverHad
#meterandmayhem

#BloomWhereYourePlanted
#NeverTooLateCafe
#SterlingandScott

In this episode we chat with Wendy Cartwright, a poet, author of the book, Everything I Said I Wasn't, frequently can be heard at open mic events in the Columbus, Indiana area, is a Freelance Reporter and Newspaper Columnist. Her poetry and written words can be found at various publications and online. In addition to all this, she has had photography exhibits in galleries throughout the region. She shares that she loves traveling throughout the US, Canada and Mexico as well. Once you meet her, you will remember her big smile and great sense of humor.

You may find more information on her and her works on Facebook and the links below.

https://wfhb.org/arts-entertainment/speaking-0f-stories-episode-15-wendy-cartwright

Instagram: @wendy.cartwright

https://linktr.ee/wendy.cartwright

#IndianaPoet
#IndianaAuthor
#WendyCartwrightPhotography
#EverythingISaidandWasnt

#BloomWhereYourePlanted
#NeverTooLateCafe
#SterlingandScott

Originally from Camden, New Jersey, our guest this week is Ellen M. Mershon of Loveland, Ohio. She is an artist utilizing water colors, and acrylics and a guitar playing singer/songwriter.

Join us for a lively conversation as Ellen shares her musical career journey, and the stories and influences behind her heartfelt songs. We do a deep dive into Ellen's writing process and how personal experiences, such as having lived multiple places around the country and even overseas, inspire her.

She shares insights into the vibrant Loveland, Ohio area arts scene that fuels her creativity.

She facilitates a SongFarmers chapter in her area that brings together folks from all levels of musical experience and instruments.

Ellen also offers her thoughts on living a life full of passion and joy. Whether you're a longtime fan or new to her music, Ellen's kindness, warmth and authenticity will encourage you.

You may find out more about Ellen on her Facebook Page & Group
facebook.com/ellensmusix/
facebook.com/groups/731411883733057/

Her album “Been a Long Time Coming” can be found at:
ellenmershon.bandcamp.com/album/been-a-long-time-coming

#singersongwriter
#cincyareamusicscene
#songfarmersohio
#ellenmershon

#BloomWhereYourePlanted
#NeverTooLateCafe
#SterlingandScott

She is the Executive & Artistic Director at the Bronx Book Fair, is Founder/Executive Director & Artistic Director at Poets Network & Exchange, a global network of creative writers. She has studied and earned a Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling (MHC) at the College of New Rochelle Graduate School. Lorraine also studied at the Gerontology College of New Rochelle Graduate School, as well as studying Psychology at the College of New Rochelle School of New Resources. Lastly, she studied Trade Union Women's Studies at the District Council 37/Cornell University. Whew! She has been one busy person!

Lorraine has used all the education she has obtained to offer workshops, community stages for budding writers and poets and even share her skills with senior citizens to promote that fact that creativity still remains within, no matter the age.

A delight to speak to with her flourishing positive vibes, take a listen to her two-part story of where she came from to where is going on her path of sharing and caring.

#daughter
#poet
#beatpoetlaureate
#spokenwordperformer
#literary
#curator
#artist
#MHC
#counselor
#gerontology
#literacy
#advocate
#photographer
#academic
#grief
#bereavement
#chaplin

#BloomWhereYourePlanted
#NeverTooLateCafe
#SterlingandScott

She is the Executive & Artistic Director at the Bronx Book Fair, is Founder/Executive Director & Artistic Director at Poets Network & Exchange, a global network of creative writers. She has studied and earned a Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling (MHC) at the College of New Rochelle Graduate School. Lorraine also studied at the Gerontology College of New Rochelle Graduate School, as well as studying Psychology at the College of New Rochelle School of New Resources. Lastly, she studied Trade Union Women's Studies at the District Council 37/Cornell University. Whew! She has been one busy person!

Lorraine has used all the education she has obtained to offer workshops, community stages for budding writers and poets and even share her skills with senior citizens to promote that fact that creativity still remains within, no matter the age.

A delight to speak to with her flourishing positive vibes, take a listen to her two-part story of where she came from to where is going on her path of sharing and caring.

#daughter
#poet
#beatpoetlaureate
#spokenwordperformer
#literary
#curator
#artist
#MHC
#counselor
#gerontology
#literacy
#advocate
#photographer
#academic
#grief
#bereavement
#chaplin

#BloomWhereYourePlanted
#NeverTooLateCafe
#SterlingandScott

Michael comes to us from Southern Ohio with lots of enthusiasm for the process of music making. In this episode we chat about his earliest influences to his creativity from his family. He gives a glimpse of his early days of learning to play just ONE song on the guitar for a very special event to founding Mike Bufford & the Bulldogs for live performances.

He regularly co-hosts a SongFarmers’ gathering in Brown County, Ohio where all levels of musicians play acoustic instruments in their local library. He will delight you as he shares his journey as well as his passion for supporting other musicians along the way.

Please see the Contact information below on Michael Roush:

Web: MikeBuford.com
Email: MikeBufordAndTheBulldogs@gmail.com
Facebook: facebook.com/mikebufordandthebulldogs
Instagram: instagram.com/mikebufordandthebulldogs
TikTok: tiktok.com/@mikebuford

#SongFarmersBrownCountyOhio
#BrownCountyMusic
#MikeBuffordandtheBulldogs
#MichaelDRoush

#BloomWhereYourePlanted
#NeverTooLateCafe
#SterlingandScott

Michael comes to us from Southern Ohio with lots of enthusiasm for the process of music making. In this episode we chat about his earliest influences to his creativity from his family. He gives a glimpse of his early days of learning to play just ONE song on the guitar for a very special event to founding Mike Bufford & the Bulldogs for live performances.

He regularly co-hosts a SongFarmers’ gathering in Brown County, Ohio where all levels of musicians play acoustic instruments in their local library. He will delight you as he shares his journey as well as his passion for supporting other musicians along the way.

Please see the Contact information below on Michael Roush:

Web: MikeBuford.com
Email: MikeBufordAndTheBulldogs@gmail.com
Facebook: facebook.com/mikebufordandthebulldogs
Instagram: instagram.com/mikebufordandthebulldogs
TikTok: tiktok.com/@mikebuford

#SongFarmersBrownCountyOhio
#BrownCountyMusic
#MikeBuffordandtheBulldogs
#MichaelDRoush

#BloomWhereYourePlanted
#NeverTooLateCafe
#SterlingandScott

Originally from the Bronx section of New York City, New York, Galanek currently lives in Blackwood, New Jersey. We discuss his time as a youth spent in an area long destroyed by modernization.

As we chat, he shares with us as his writing spirits prompt him to offer his inspirations and words of wisdom in his book, Life and Love, the Spirits of Liverpool.

One may not realize at first that this publication is his debut release at the age of 92!

He holds a strong belief in family and love and embodies a sense of wanting to share knowledge to the next generation. Some of his vivid stories are full of cliches (many nearly forgotten) and are peppered throughout with his views on life.

His book, Life and Love, the Spirits of Liverpool, can be found on Amazon both in print and on Kindle

#LiverpoolPA
#GeorgeGalanekAuthor
#BronyxNYAuthor
#BlackwoodNJAuthor

#BloomWhereYourePlanted
#NeverTooLateCafe
#SterlingandScott