A joy to interview past Kentucky poet laureate George Ella Lyon with her powerful new collection Back to The Light. Teacher and author of more than 40 books for adults and children, George Ella takes us back to her own childhood and the people, perceptions, insights and healing that has brought her safely and gently to this time of reconciliation and beauty in her life. Published by University of Kentucky Press. georgeellalyon.com
Religious Studies Professor Vanessa R. Sasson finally brings a feminine voice to the timeless story of The Buddha, first made famous to non Buddhists by Herman Hesse. Vanessa tells the story from the point of view and aching heart of Prince Siddhartha’s wife, Yasodhara, in her richly reimagined first novel Yasodhara and The Buddha, a beautiful telling steeped in the fragrance, tastes and colors of northern India. Published by Bloomsbury vanessarsasson.com
Financial wellness expert Jennifer Barrett is a contributor to Forbes, The New York Times and The Washington Post among other trusted forums, and brings her wisdom to The Last Word with her brand new book Think Like A Breadwinner: A Wealth-Building Manifesto for Women Who Want to Earn More and Worry Less. In this fast-paced interview Jennifer debunks common myths and habits that often sabotage our best efforts to earn more, save more and invest wisely. Why do we let emotions rule our financial well being and how can we once and for all put our financial fears to rest ? Think Like A Breadwinner published by G.P. Putnam jenniferbarrett.com
Santa Fe based writer, educator and former business administrator Kay Sellers reads from three collections of luminous prose poetry, Outlier, Constructions and Optics inspired by his sojourns in the Pacific Northwest and South America as well as the American Southwest. Kay shares with listeners how a writer can shift from the practical, day-to-day world of work to the creative, sometimes atmospheric consciousness that writing poetry calls forth. How does a poet turn visual perception and imagery into an award-winning piece of writing ? Sellers is a finalist for the Eric Hoffer Medal Provocateur Award for Outlier. His books are available at amazon.com and as always we encourage listeners to order books featured on The Last Word directly from local Santa Fe bookstores. Follow Kay at the blog kaysellers.org