Thomas Smith is the principal at Bishop McCort High School in Johnstown, PA. He has worked at various schools in the area, and has coached wrestling and football teams along the way.

I was initially interested in talking with Thomas to learn more about McCort's new Bright Futures Fund, an alumni-created fund to provide tuition assistant for high performing students. Our conversation touched on this and many other aspects of his administrative work with the school as well as past schools, where he hopes to take the school moving forward, and most importantly, how faith plays into the curriculum and atmosphere of Bishop McCort.

Enough summary, enjoy the episode!

Frank is a political activist, organizer, and communicator for the Pittsburgh branch of the Party for Socialism & Liberation.

This was a fun one, this is the first time I've had an explicitly politically themed episode. This is meant as the first step for conversation, no matter your own beliefs or ideologies

William (Bill) Thwing is a musician, poet, pastor, and environmental activist. He has written several memoirs and books of haiku poetry.

This was an incredible episode - Bill shared so much wisdom even in the short hour we got to talk. Enjoy!

Check out more of Bill's work:

His music

Link to his books on Amazon

In this episode I talked with Duncan Ellinwood, an Oregon-based carpenter, chocolate maker, and folk educator.

Check out Duncan's work below:

Substack

Website

I talked with Richard Jimenez, a California-native turned Johnstown-resident who has been helping with the arts and poetry scene in our area. He himself is a writer, poet, and aspiring environmental scientist. Enjoy!

I know, it's been a LONG break. What started as an extra week for the New Years became a month, but we're back at it. Expect new episodes every three weeks, with a special one thrown in bi-weekly here and there!

Clare Welsh is a PA-based photographer, artist, musician and writer. Check out her work at:

https://www.instagram.com/cwn_annwn_/

and her Substack:

https://substack.com/@clarewelsh

Stoker is a producer, news anchor, singer/songwriter, and photographer.

Check out his work at his Website & Instagram

Alex Ragsdale is a New Jersey turned Johnstown, Pennsylvania based poet, musician, and event organizer.

I met Alex earlier this year when he was setting up the Bardstock festival to commemorate Gazebo Park in Johnstown before its reconstruction by spotlighting poets, musicians, and artists from all around the country.

This will be the first of many of his appearances on the podcast!