Poets & Writers: Recent Episodes
WEHC
Henry McCarthy educates his audience on the philosophy of poets and writers; we write poems in our hearts every day, but are often afraid to share them. Interviews, poems and songs are presented and explored as to how they mesh into our everyday lives. Poets & Writers is a production of
In this three part series about Mark Twain (Sam Clemens), Henry McCarthy speaks with Henry Sweets, Director of the Mark Twain Museum in Hannibal, Missouri.
We revisit a conversation with Henry and Bunny Medeiros (August 15, 1942-June 7, 2025).
"As an accomplished writer, Bunny advocated for her community by holding local officials accountable in editorials, and in her newspaper column, where she explored life in rural Virginia. Her first book, "The Friendliest Town on the Trail", offers readers a guide to Damascus, Virginia. Bunny's second book, "Walking to Wijiji", serves as a memoir of her extensive travels and her journey out of a sense of loneliness and into a life of resilience and joy." -obituary
We revisit a conversation with Henry and Bunny Medeiros (August 15, 1942-June 7, 2025).
"As an accomplished writer, Bunny advocated for her community by holding local officials accountable in editorials, and in her newspaper column, where she explored life in rural Virginia. Her first book, "The Friendliest Town on the Trail", offers readers a guide to Damascus, Virginia. Bunny's second book, "Walking to Wijiji", serves as a memoir of her extensive travels and her journey out of a sense of loneliness and into a life of resilience and joy." -obituary
Judge Isaac Freeman of Marion, Virginia, an award winning storyteller, gets real and shares some his favorite tall tales that he has told in venues all over the country. These are so enjoyable and will make you laugh until you cry.
We dig back into the archives as Henry and Richard Graves celebrate the 20th episode of Poets & Writers, first aired on WEHC in May 2010.
Henry interviews Terry Roberts from Asheville, North Carolina who was greatly influenced by Thomas Wolfe, as a writer. Terry shares his latest book, The Holy Ghost and Speakeasy and Revival.
https://terryrobertsauthor.com/
Henry speaks with Bryan Byrd about his experiences that led to his book, "Surviving Paradise: the Perils and Pleasures of the Caribbean".
Henry speaks with poet and friend Felicia Mitchell about her newest book, "Trail Magic".
Henry speaks with Ben Montgomery about Grandma Gatewood's walk and the Appalachian Trail.
Leah Rampy in her interview tells us why we need nature and trees in our lives. She shares wisdom that we can use in our survival as a species…
Henry has a lively interview with Ava O’Malley about her work in the world of marketing and publishing books …She brings energy and insight to our listeners…
Michael Dechane shares poetry from The Long Invisible with Henry on Poets & Writers. Michael's poetry is deep and passionate.
Henry talks with internationally traveled photojournalist, author, magazine editor, and trail professional, Randy Johnson, about Grandfather Mountain, "Southern Snow," and more.
Henry McCarthy interviews Joshua Darty while walking the famous Riverside Cemetery in Asheville North Carolina where Thomas Wolfe and O Henry are buried. Enjoy a lively conversation and intellectual stimulation.
Henry shares memories with David about living in Southwest Virginia and all the music and stories including the Carter Family..David shares his latest poems
Inside an Appalachian Mind: Henry shares poetry and musings on this solo edition of Poets & Writers.
A classic from the Poets & Writers archives. Robert Morgan was one of the early interviews in which he talks about growing near Asheville, North Carolina and his books "Gap Creek" and "Daniel Boone." Since then, he written many others and returns to Abingdon for the Virginia Highlands Festival writers conference.
Local author Bonny Gable talks with Henry about her latest novel, “The Martha Odyssey.” This historical novel imagines life outside the walls of Martha Washington College in 1915.
www.bonnygable.com.
Henry speaks with author Greg Lilly about his latest book, Abingdon’s Boardinghouse Murder - historical true crime.
https://www.arcadiapublishing.com/products/9781467157322
Henry McCarthy talks baseball and tells the story of the boys of Waughtown who won the North Carolina state championship in 1960.
Henry sits down with Jeryl Prescott Sale to talk with her about growing up in South Carolina..her academic career (teaching at Wake Forest with Maya Angelou)then to California to direct and act doing all this while raising a family
Henry interviews Martha Bassett a great singer poet and person and talks with her about life on stage and other professions she has worked..also listen to her fine songs
Henry McCarthy talks with Brenda Humphrey about her travels with Maya Angelou. She reads poems by Maya and shares stories of her life and her forthcoming book…a charismatic bright person and a joy to listen to.
Henry talks with Miho Kinnas about her latest book of poetry…Born in Japan she shares beautiful haiku poems, stories about swimming…and endeavors to promote the love of poetry. Her poem, Three Shrimp Boats On The Horizon, was selected as Best American Poetry in 2023.
Henry engages Clay Hipp in a spirited conversation about the writing of Wendell Berry…Clay tells a great story about visiting Wendell and also shares his excellent knowledge of the writing world.
Henry shares local stories and recollections with Earl Carter as they discuss his multi-decade photographic exploration of southwest Virginia, northwest North Carolina, and eastern Kentucky and Tennessee and the subsequent publication of his book, Appalachian Album.
Joe Mills poet …teacher and father shares his insightful poems with Henry…Joe is a beloved teacher at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts.
Naomi Nye, the people’s poet shares her poems and her insight on living a meaningful life...her stories of being a traveling poet are from the heart …On the road with Naomi from a phone booth in Nova Scotia to a family home in Palestine.
Henry interviews Ron Rash about his writing and growing up in the Appalachian Culture. They have a spirited folksy discussion comparing childhood experiences and Ron shares insight about his latest book The Caretaker.
Henry interviews Gale Sigal, a brilliant teacher who shares her stories about the Canterbury Tales and their application to present day culture
Henry talks with Michele Gillespie about her book, Katherine
and R.J. Reynolds, their brilliance in building Reynolds Tobacco together and
about Katherine founding Reynolda Village. Also, Michele shares her story about
finding her way south and becoming an outstanding scholar, teacher, leader and ultimately
Provost at Wake Forest University.
Henry interviews Cassandra King about her writing and her life with Pat Conroy at the first Pat Conroy festival.
Henry interviews Tim Conroy about his brother Pat and growing up in the Conroy family...also Tim shares his literary skills.
Henry interviews Delilah O’Haynes a true voice of Appalachia..a member of Appalachian Poets (Depot Gathering)..Delilah’s voice will live on in the hearts of her friends of the Appalachian Mountains …thank you Delilah…This originally aired on WEHC on February 19, 2016 and was re-broadcast, September 19, 2023.
Robert Lee Saunders is an avid reader teacher and culture builder who shares ten of his favorite books with Henry on Poets and Writers.
Tanner Cook is a sports writer for The Kingsport Times and Johnson City Press Chronicle. He shares with Henry some great stories of rivalries and legends from South West Virginia and East Tennessee, Matt Mcclung and Ollan Cassell are two of them and many others. Tanner also discusses his experience running for Abingdon High and King College
Henry chats with Lenard Moore ..a sweet conversation about writing and childhood…In 2008 Lenard became the first Southerner and first African American to be President of Haiku Society of America…
Jim Minick was one of the first guests on Poets and Writers. Henry talks to Jim as he shares about his latest book: Without Warning also stories from Blueberry Years and poetry from his newest book.
Henry interviews Belinda Smith about the joy of peaches and gives some great recipes..also Belinda shared her life from summertime in Mississippi to her experiences as a flight attendant ..being a Coca Cola executive and licensed commercial airline pilot
Henry remembers his mentor and special friend, Jule C. Spach. A WWII fighter pilot, prisoner-of -war at Stalag Luft III, missionary to Brazil, moderator of the Presbyterian church, and founder of Methodist Home (Arbor Acres), Jule truly was a member of the Greatest Generation. "He had a fun-loving and adventurous spirit, a smile that lit up a room, a ready hug for everyone, and a steadfast dedication to his family and to serving God and others."
Sandra Ann Winters is a native of Durham, North Carolina. She served as a professor of English and Irish literature at Guilford College in Greensboro, NC and is an award-winning poet and has several books published by Salmon Poetry, Calving Under the Moon, The Place Where I Left You, Do Not Touch. She shares "the raw of the heart" with Henry in this episode of Poets & Writers.
Henry talks with Jane Hicks about her latest book, her experiences growing up and teaching in high schools in the Appalachian Region. Henry taught Jane at Lynn View High in ninth grade English. Jane shares a great story from that class and reads beautiful poems from her latest book, The Safety of Small Things, soon to be published by University of Kentucky Press.
Host Henry McCarthy speaks with Doug Pote, a fine playwright who has a special ability to take great songs and turn them into great plays! They discuss the play "Keep On The Sunny Side" based on the Carter Family. Doug Pote is a retired Medical Doctor in southwest Virginia and the host of "Soundtracks" which airs on WEHC Emory 90.7 and WISE-FM 90.5 Wise.
Henry McCarthy remembers master naturalist, Washington County teacher, coach, poet, and historian Randall Smith through a conversation they shared in 2016.
Henry McCarthy interviews Emily Wilson (Ms. Wake Forest) about her life, her writing and her poetry. She also discusses the many personalities she has met over the years and her relationship to Edwin Wilson (Mr. Wake Forest).
Host Henry McCarthy sits down with award winning author Barbara Kingsolver to discuss her new book Demon Copperhead.
Tanya is currently the Director of Special Collections and Archives at the Z. Smith Reynolds Library at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Tanya gives us a tour of special collections and shares her wisdom on using precious materials of our lives.
Drew Lanham is a poet, a forestry professor, and recently received the MacArthur Genius award for his work to preserve nature, particularly our beautiful birds. Henry interviews him in his truck at the Pat Conroy celebration of life in South Carolina,
Join Henry McCarthy for another conversation with award-winning mystery writer, Shelly Frome for a free-ranging conversation.
Henry McCarthy talks about his brother Billy, attends his funeral and conducts the eulogy.
In this episode of Poets & Writers Henry talks with Emory & Henry English Professor Emeritus, Felicia Mitchell about her experiences navigating her mother's dementia and capturing those memories in poem in her newly published book, A Mother Speaks, A Daughter Listens.
Children are natural born poets, they tell what they hear, feel and see. Three children join the podcast to tell some of their favorite poems
Charlie Lovett, New York Times best selling novelist and playwright, collector of Lewis Carroll ephemera including his 1885 typewriter, discusses with Henry McCarthy his upcoming books including The Enigma Affair. Charlie is a philosopher, scholar, brilliant writer of fiction and non-fiction, and a joy to interview.
Trisha Chaney is a poet, actress, and singer who lives in Abingdon, Virginia. She was a employee and innovator with Apple Computer in its infancy, and worked in technology for thirty five years before returning to her love of the arts. She's an integral part of the Abingdon cultural scene.
Reminiscences of Waughtown, Davidson College, love, loss, and life experiences with poets and scholars Bill and Bob Denham.
Henry remembers his mentor and special friend, Jule C. Spach. A WWII fighter pilot, prisoner-of -war at Stalag Luft III, missionary to Brazil, moderator of the Presbyterian church, and founder of Methodist Home (Arbor Acres), Jule truly was a member of the Greatest Generation. "He had a fun-loving and adventurous spirit, a smile that lit up a room, a ready hug for everyone, and a steadfast dedication to his family and to serving God and others."
Adin Thayer shares poetry from her new book, "The Close World," capturing the suffering and realities of international work...the beauty of nature and growing up in Virginia. This is a book to enjoy.
Richard Stone shares the value of storytelling and how it effects us in our everyday lives as well as working with the professional community.
A beloved Emory & Henry professor and former chair of the English Department, Bob Denham, inspired students to love poetry and literature and follow their dreams. The Bob and Rachel Denham Poetry Collection is housed in the Kelley Library on the campus of Emory and Henry College.
Will Harlan takes us into nature and the wild side of life and helps us find the meaning of our existence in his book, "Untamed: The Wildest Woman in America and the Fight for Cumberland Island." Carol Ruckdeschel shows us the power of love and why we must protect our natural world.
In this edition of Poets & Writers, Henry McCarthy speaks with Joe Mills, professor of Humanities and Writing at the North Carolina School of the Arts. An award winning poet, Mill entertains and engages listeners with his down home poetry with a scholarly bent.
Join Henry McCarthy as he interviews and wows tourists Jackie and Andy in Asheville's beloved Riverside Cemetery where Thomas Wolfe and O. Henry are buried.
Ray Roy, an excellent poet and well-known doctor at Wake Forest Baptist Hospital, educates us on the power Haiku.
A folksy interview with Beth Macy, New York Times best selling writer of Dopesick and Factory Man, with host Henry McCarthy, done at her home in Roanoke Virginia when Dopesick was being written. Beth has gone from regional news writer to international writer and many of her stories stem from Southwest Virginia.
This is the second part of an interview with legendary actress, Rosemary Harris, in which she tells of her marriages and working with Richard Burton, Elizabeth Taylor, Peter O'Toole, and many great actors.
Legendary actress, Rosemary Harris shares her decades of wisdom about the theatre and film, and lovingly recounts stories about her late husband, John Ehle and two-time Tony award wining daughter, Jennifer Ehle.
On this episode of Poets and Writers we have the great writer and friend Michael Hogan from Guadalajara, Mexico. The interview covers great stories about his experiences with other poets, including the beats, and his film, Irish Soldiers of Mexico. Hogan and Henry also share poetry.
Remembering the great poets of the 20th century as heard in their own voices on this edition of Poets & Writers. Including Langston Hughes, Sylvia Plath, Ogden Nash, and Henry concludes by reading a few requested poems
Join Henry MCarthy and author and historian Kathy Shearer for a lively conversation about the disappearing small towns of Southwest Virginia and the community of Dante that was born with the discovery of coal in the early nineteen hundreds. Kathy shares her insight about small town relationships and the importance of community values.
Henry McCarthy has a joyful time talking with M.K. Kennedy about her new book Old Bones, Old Bones: Rise and See. Her themes of love, childhood loss, and spiritual reincarnation are fascinating. M.K. has a fine ability with words and you will be listening to a delightful engaging conversation.