Authoring the Future: A Conversation with Kara Cunzeman

Dr. Matt Ponesse set out to become a lawyer but realized he really preferred medieval history. Could he get paid to study that? Well, today he is a professor of history at Ohio Dominican University, where he specializes in the monastic education of the 8th and 9th centuries and teaches Latin and the liberal arts. In this conversation, Matt traces that unlikely path and explains why he believes the Middle Ages, far from being a dark and dreary era, show us a world that is bright, funny, hopeful, and deeply human. Matt is also “Medievalist Matt,” the creator of a following-rich collection of memes that pair medieval manuscript art with the everyday absurdities of modern life. He shares how it began as a way to stay connected with students over the summer, why he writes his posts in a caffeine-fueled haze at six in the morning, and what medieval artists were up to when they filled manuscript margins with knights fighting snails and animals dressed as bishops. We also explore florilegia that medieval scholars compiled as practical guides to the best of the classical and spiritual traditions. From there, the conversation widens to the value of a liberal arts education, why grades may get you the interview but soft skills get you through the door, and how to keep learning long after graduation by following your curiosity. Matt also gives us a peek at his upcoming coffee table book of memes and what he learned about copyright along the way. You’ll learn: Why the Middle Ages weren’t a “dark age” and how medieval ideas still shape our laws, politics, and institutions What the strange creatures in manuscript margins may have meant, from satire to snail-battling knights How florilegia worked as the medieval version of a curated collection, and why they show that scribes understood what they were copying How to make the case for liberal arts learning and keep growing after college by following your passions 00:22 Introduction to Dr. Matt Ponesse 01:07 Liberal arts education at Ohio Dominican University 03:12 From pre-law to medieval history 10:13 Why the Middle Ages weren’t a “dark age” 12:35 How the Medievalist Matt memes began 21:39 When illuminated manuscripts were made, and who commissioned them 23:01 Marginalia: knights vs. snails, satire, and medieval humor 26:55 Florilegia and the Hortus Deliciarum 33:14 Selling the liberal arts to modern students 40:07 Lifelong learning after college 45:09 The upcoming coffee table book of memes 49:44 Where to find Matt online   Links: https://www.ohiodominican.edu/index.html Instagram: @medievalistmatt Facebook: Medievalistmatt X: @medievalistmatt

Jessica Roux never set out to be an illustrator — she started as a journalism major at UNC Chapel Hill before realizing that her real passion lived in the sketchbook, not the newsroom. A transfer to the Savannah College of Art and Design opened her eyes to just how many directions illustration could take, from textiles and housewares to editorial work and, above all, books. In this conversation, Jessica traces that path from student to the author of Floriography and Ornithography and illustrator of the New York Times bestseller The Wheel of the Year. Jessica's signature style — muted, old-world, Victorian — draws directly from the artists and movements she loves: William Morris's decorative patterns, the moody earth tones of the Pre-Raphaelites, the intricate detail of Beatrix Potter, and the naturalist studies of Audubon and Maria Sibylla Merian. That same fascination with history, mythology, and folklore runs through her books, including the Victorian language of flowers she explores in Floriography — a thread she traces back through Ophelia's flower speech in Hamlet. We also get into the mechanics of the work: how her process shifts (or doesn't) between passion projects and client commissions, her half-traditional, half-digital workflow, and the unexpected year she spent illustrating for Pottermore. Jessica shares how she balances teaching and public speaking with an increasingly full plate of book projects, including a personal garden memoir, a second collaboration with Wheel of the Year author Fiona Cook, and a sequel to her children's book Thank You for This Day.   Links: Website: https://www.jessica-roux.com/ Instagram: @jessicasroux   Timestamps: 00:05 The Process of Creation 01:01 The Journey to Illustration 03:44 Artistic Influences and Inspirations 06:49 The Process of Creation 09:28 Client Work vs. Personal Projects 12:37 The Impact of Reading on Creativity 15:31 Teaching and Public Speaking 18:38 Artistic Techniques and Media 21:24 Collaborations and Future Projects 24:22 Upcoming Works and Personal Reflections

Kara Cunzeman has spent her career solving problems across engineering, space policy, and national security, and she has come to believe that the single most dangerous habit in American life is also the most ordinary one: we refuse to look ahead. In this episode, I sit down with Kara, rocket scientist turned futurist and founder of the Federal Foresight Advocacy Alliance, to talk about her first book, Unconstrained, and what it means to think long in a culture that rewards the near term at every turn. Kara describes futures thinking not as prediction but as a discipline of agency, a practice of asking what choices we can make right now so that the path we want becomes the one we are actually on. Her book opens by naming the constraint she finds most consequential: America's relentless short-termism, baked into quarterly earnings, election cycles, performance reviews, and school grades alike. Kara’s experiences convinced her that foresight is not a partisan project. Agreement on where we want to go does not require agreement on ideology. It just requires the willingness to look far enough ahead. Unconstrained launches in Washington, D.C. this December. Find Kara at unconstrainedfutures.com/book. You'll learn: Why futures thinking is not prediction, and what it actually means to think like a futurist How short-termism became structural in American life, and why that is especially dangerous right now What Project North Star revealed about what Americans across the political spectrum agree on when the conversation turns to future generations The SPARK framework and the five-minute prototype, the most approachable entry point in the book for building foresight as a daily practice Timestamps 00:00 - Kara Kunzman’s background as a rocket scientist, futurist, and author 02:21 - Why multidisciplinary engineering and research shaped her problem-solving mindset 05:23 - What a futurist is and why futures thinking should be everyday practice 06:48 - Futures thinking is not prediction, it is agency in the present 08:03 - Why Kara wrote Unconstrained despite a demanding job and young kids 09:24 - The real constraint is short-termism across American institutions 12:51 - Why data alone will not solve the problem of short-term decision-making 14:16 - Trust, misinformation, and why civic disengagement is so dangerous 16:47 - How Kara focused the book using a clear outline and a three-part structure 18:51 - The future is not predicted, it is authored 19:13 - Why so many Americans feel pessimistic about the next 50 years 20:37 - Teaching kids to be thriving humans, not just job-ready workers 22:02 - Project North Star and the surprising agreement on long-term goals 24:25 - Strategy problems, stovepipes, and the need for cross-domain thinking 26:53 - The cost of overemphasizing immediate value extraction 28:12 - The five-minute prototype and other accessible futures tools 30:41 - Making futures practice approachable for parents and families 31:15 - What happens next: copy edits, audiobook, launch, and book tour 32:44 - Why Kara is focusing on grassroots word of mouth over social media hype 33:13 - Why being a hybrid author gave her more control over voice and depth 34:09 - Where to find the book and follow the launch Resources & Links Kara’s book: https://www.unconstrainedfutures.com/book Federal Foresight Advocacy Alliance: https://www.ffaa-us.org/ Connect with Kara on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kara-cunzeman-0089063b/

Discover how award-winning author Leslye Penelope blends genres, harnesses inspiration from diverse sources, and organizes her writing process to craft compelling stories. Whether you're an aspiring writer or a seasoned creator, her insights on character development, world building, and staying motivated are invaluable. Leslye Penelope has been writing since she could hold a pen and loves getting lost in the worlds in her head. She is an award-winning author of fantasy and paranormal romance. Equally left and right-brained, she studied filmmaking and computer science in college and sometimes dreams in HTML. She hosts the My Imaginary Friends podcast, co-hosts the Ink & Magic podcast, and lives in Maryland with her feline dependents. Visit her online at https://www.lpenelope.com/. Key topics Leslye Penelope's author journey and her genre-blurring work in fantasy, romance, and paranormal fiction How she approaches world building for different settings The significance of empathy and human experience in writing amid advances in AI Techniques for organizing story development The role of character wounds and motivations in shaping story arcs How to find inspiration in history, culture, and personal curiosity Practical advice for new writers Timestamps 00:00 - Introduction to Leslye Penelope and her literary achievements 01:12 - Leslye's upcoming novel, The Inevitable Undoing of Zahara Douglas 02:26 - Exploring Leslye’s process for world building in different settings 04:01 - Linking real-world industries to story settings and themes 05:48 - The importance of human connection and artistry in the age of AI 08:27 - How Leslye maintains creativity and sources inspiration from history and culture 10:53 - The intersection of disciplines: programming, filmmaking, and writing 12:40 - Leslye’s systematic approach to plotting and revision techniques 14:11 - Using plotting boards, story vision statements, and character arcs to stay organized 17:50 - Delving into character wounds and emotional depth for compelling storytelling 21:18 - The back-and-forth process of character, world, and plot development 22:43 - Utilizing multiple plotting frameworks and systems to troubleshoot and refine stories 24:01 - Leslye’s experience with scripting and fast drafting methods 25:39 - Upcoming novel project, a magical HBCU college murder mystery 26:39 - Leslye’s involvement in teaching and retreats for writers 28:44 - Resources for Leslye’s workshops and retreats 29:23 - Advice for new writers: protect your writing time and set achievable goals Resources & Links Leslye Penelope's website: https://lpenelope.com/ Ink and Magic Retreat: https://inkandmagicretreat.com/ Story Genius by Lisa Crohn: https://bookshop.org/a/111423/9781607748892 Save the Cat Plot Structure: https://bookshop.org/a/111423/9780399579745 The Emotional Wound Thesaurus by Angela Ackerman and Becca Pugilisi: https://writershelpingwriters.net/emotional-wounds-thesaurus/, https://bookshop.org/a/111423/9780989772594 Connect with Leslye Penelope on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leslyepenelope/ Join Leslye for her DC area book launch at Mahogany Books National Harbor on August 13th at 7:00 PM: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/leslye-penelope-discusses-signs-the-inevitable-undoing-of-zahara-douglass-tickets-1992509801453?aff=oddtdtcreator&ml_sub_hash=m7o5&ml_sub=3060576863949687343

C.C.Fuller (Cammie) is the owner of an independent bookshop, The Open Book, in Warrenton, Virginia. She is the co-leader and founder of The Book Club for Writers. She writes nonfiction and poetry. Her work can be found in Taproot Magazine, The Intima, and Poetry on the Trail, as well as the Tupelo 30/30 Project. Show Notes: A bookstore is, before anything else, an act of faith that a community will show up for it. Cammie Fuller had that faith in Warrenton, Virginia, and seven years later, the Open Book is still here, having survived a pandemic that arrived almost to the day of its first anniversary. In this episode, I sit down with Cammie in her shop to talk about what it has taken to build not just a bookstore, but a writing community around it. Cammie tells the story of choosing to open a bookstore rather than move to find one, her “baby” - the Book Club for Writers, and Cammie's own writing life. While poetry is her first love, she tells us about Tickles the Mouse, her community-rooted picture book, and previews the nonfiction book she is currently drafting, a lifetime of questions about flowers, love, and environmental stewardship on the farm where she met her husband. You'll learn: How a conversation with a library director turned into a seven-year-old bookstore Why the Book Club for Writers is built on craft, business, and community, and why business was the piece Cammie didn't expect to need How Cammie and illustrator Taylor Boyd built Tickles the Mouse together, including the moments where they chose image over words The story behind Cammie's poetry, including her mother's handwritten notes and what it took to finally submit her work What Cammie is working on now: a nonfiction book about flowers, love, and land stewardship What's coming this summer at the Open Book, from the Waldo event to audiobook walks Cammie Fuller on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/c_c_fuller/ **Visit the Open Book in Warrenton, Virginia, to find Cammie's recommendations, local authors, and a calendar full of book clubs. https://openbookwarrenton.com/ The Open Book on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/openbookwarrenton The Open Book on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/openbookwarrenton **Tickles the Mouse: A Warrenton Tall Tale https://openbookwarrenton.com/item/VTxXsQh_ByT3fUbic7EUbQ ** Learn more about the Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference (https://www.middlebury.edu/writers-conferences/writers-conference) and Environmental Writers’ Conference (https://www.middlebury.edu/writers-conferences/environmental-writers-conference) **Join my email list for more inspirational interviews and connections to knowledge across disciplines: https://www.gardenofmydelights.com/ ** Feeling like you don’t have time to pursue the things that light you up? Download my free guide to checking in with your schedule and finding more time than you thought you had. Get my Big Rocks Weekly Tracker HERE**   Chapters   00:00 Introduction to Cammie Fuller and the Open Book 01:10 The decision to open a bookstore in Warrenton 01:59 Impact of the pandemic on the bookstore 04:37 The Book Club for Writers and its evolution 07:54 The success and longevity of the writing groups 09:18 Cammie's work in children's literature and illustration 13:19 Cammie's poetry and creative inspiration 16:28 The role of community in nurturing creativity 18:56 Stories of breakthrough moments in writing 24:06 The bookstore's contribution to the local arts scene 25:29 Innovative community programs like audiobook walks 26:52 Upcoming projects and summer events at the bookstore 28:56 Cammie's upcoming writing and community plans

Episode Summary Do you feel like there is never enough time for the things that actually matter to you? In this episode, Shana introduces the Big Rocks Framework and the Big Rocks Weekly Tracker: a practical two-step system to help you discover where your time is really going and design a weekly schedule that fits your actual life. You will learn why the problem is not a lack of time but what author Brigid Schulte calls "time confetti," and how gathering those scattered pockets of time can transform your knowledge practice. Plus: details on the Make Time for What Matters workshop, opening April 25th.   In This Episode Why you probably have more time than you think The "time confetti" concept from author Brigid Schulte The Big Rocks Framework: Big Rocks, Modules, and Aspirations How to use the Big Rocks Weekly Tracker to uncover hidden time The two-step system: identify what matters, then track your reality What to do once you have a week of data How to build a sustainable knowledge practice without guilt or perfection   Links and Resources Free download: Big Rocks Weekly Tracker: https://gardenofmydelights.myflodesk.com/bigrockstracker Make Time for What Matters Workshop (April 25th): https://gardenofmydelights.myflodesk.com/maketimeforwhatmatters Website: https://gardenofmydelights.com   Connect with Garden of My Delights Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/GardenofMyDelights YouTube: https://www.YouTube.com/@GardenofMyDelights Facebook: https://www.Facebook.com/gardenofmydelights

Are you feeling overwhelmed by life's responsibilities yet craving a richer, more creative, and interconnected intellectual life? In this episode, host Shana McLean explores the origins, significance, and modern relevance of the liberal arts, emphasizing their role in fostering creativity, critical thinking, and lifelong learning—even in busy schedules. Key Topics: The historical roots of the liberal arts and their original purpose as tools for personal freedom and civic participation How breadth and depth in learning fuel creativity through cross-pollination across disciplines The modern reinterpretation of liberal arts as humanities, sciences, and arts, designed to adapt to a changing economy Practical ways to incorporate liberal arts thinking into daily life, such as rediscovering old interests and engaging in intentional exploration The vision for Garden of My Delights as a community platform structured around a series of learning "colleges" to foster critical thinking and meaningful connection Resources & Links: The Hortus Deliciarum (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hortus_deliciarum) – Explore the medieval manuscript and its illustrations Can’t find time to follow your curiosity? Find your hidden time and design your ideal week with The Big Rocks Weekly Tracker (https://gardenofmydelights.myflodesk.com/bigrockstracker) Join my email list to receive my newsletter and be the first to sign up for my April workshop: "Make Time for What Matters: A Lifelong Learner's Guide to Sustainable Knowledge Practice" (https://gardenofmydelights.myflodesk.com/linkinbio) Connect with Shana McLean: Website: https://www.gardenofmydelights.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@gardenofmydelights Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gardenofmydelights

Have you ever wondered what it takes to transform a hillside into a world-class vineyard… or how a biochemist ends up making award-worthy sparkling wine in Virginia's emerging wine country?   Maybe you've tasted Virginia wine and been curious about what makes it so different from Californian or European wines. Or perhaps you're fascinated by the intersection of science and creativity—how chemistry, terroir, and artistic vision come together in a bottle.   You're not alone. So many wine lovers appreciate the final product but have no idea about the journey from grape to glass, or the challenges winemakers face in a region that's still defining itself.   The missing ingredient is almost always the same: understanding from someone who's actually doing the work—farming the land, making the wine, and building a sustainable winery from the ground up.   In this interview, I sit down with Theo Smith, owner and winemaker at Capstone Vineyards in Linden, Virginia, to talk about his journey from cancer research to winemaking, how he's building a premier wine destination, and the unique challenges and opportunities of Virginia viticulture.   ## You'll learn:   ✨ How a butterfly net changed Theo's career trajectory from veterinary medicine to winemaking   ✨ Why Virginia's climate and collaborative culture make it fundamentally different from California wine country—and why that's a good thing   ✨ The three methods of making sparkling wine (traditional/Champagne method, Charmat method, and forced carbonation) and why Theo focuses on the first two   ✨ How Capstone's unique soil composition allows for precise varietal placement across the property   ✨ The reality planting as "a very expensive game of trial and error"   ✨ The philosophy behind staying 100% estate-grown and direct-to-consumer only   ✨ What "bottle shock" really means and why Theo's new Blanc de Franc (white Cabernet Franc) is so exciting   ✨ Why Theo would rather make sparkling and white wines than reds (but makes incredible reds anyway)   If you're a wine enthusiast curious about what really goes into winemaking, or you're dreaming of understanding Virginia wine beyond the tasting room, this episode will give you an insider's perspective on building a winery from the ground up in one of America's most exciting emerging wine regions.   ---   **Visit Capstone Vineyards** https://www.capstonevineyards.com/ https://www.instagram.com/capstone.vineyards/ https://www.facebook.com/capstonevineyards/   **Learn more about Brock University’s Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute** https://brocku.ca/ccovi/   **Join my email list for more wine country interviews and behind-the-scenes content!** https://www.gardenofmydelights.com/   ** Feeling like you don’t have time to pursue the things that light you up? Download my free guide to checking in with your schedule and finding more time than you thought you had. Get my Big Rocks Weekly Tracker HERE**   Chapters: 0:00 Introduction to Theo and His Journey 3:47 What Makes Linden Special 7:08 Virginia Sparkling Wine 12:32 Science, Creativity, and Experience in Winemaking 15:53 The Collaborative Linden Region and Future Growth for Capstone 19:39 Wine Education 22:02 Wine Events 27:32 Champagne Method vs. Charmat Method 29:43 Blanc de Franc – White Wine from Red Grapes 32:52 Bottle Shock 33:38 Rosé 35:50 Weather and Insect Challenges 38:26 Cabernet Franc 41:59 Canadian Wines

I’m thrilled that you’ve joined me today for a conversation with Thomas Finch, creator of English Enjoyed, the channel dedicated to exploring formal British English as an art form. Our conversation covers language evolution, the beauty of Victorian prose, the balance between prescriptivism and descriptivism, and how we can all be more intentional with our word choices. Thomas Finch is an award-winning creative polymath—an actor, writer, and filmmaker who explores the intersection of storytelling, language, and the arts. He is the founder of English Enjoyed, a platform where he treats formal British English as a lived art form, blending ‘elegantly absurd’ grammar lessons with cinematic sketches to guide a global community through the nuances of the language. An accomplished creator, Thomas’s film work includes the award-winning short Salt and his 2025 SF3 Film Festival finalist Skin Hunger, and he is the author of Victorian Writers Then & Now. With a linguistic journey that began with French at university and currently includes the study of Spanish, Thomas is also a lover of classical ballet, French cinema, and period dramas. He is dedicated to the idea of using wit and creative performance to make language learning a source of delight. Links: Website: www.englishenjoyed.com YouTube: English Enjoyed Instagram: @englishenjoyed TikTok: @englishenjoyed Facebook: English Enjoyed Substack: @englishenjoyed To find the books we discussed: https://bookshop.org/lists/recommendations-from-the-growing-inspiration-podcast

In this podcast episode, Shana McLean engages with a panel of creative writing professors to discuss the significance of creative writing and literature in education and culture. They explore the challenges of teaching creative writing, the importance of humanities in society, and the impact of AI on writing education. The conversation also delves into strategies for engaging students who may not initially be interested in writing, the future of humanities programs, and the personal journeys of the professors as writers. They emphasize the value of storytelling, the writing process, and the importance of community and inspiration in the writing journey. Matt Ferrence is the author of I Hate It Here, Please Vote For Me: Essays on Rural Political Decay (WVU Press, 2024); Appalachia North: A Memoir (WVU Press, 2019); and All-American Redneck: Variations on an Icon, from James Fenimore Cooper to the Dixie Chicks (U Tennessee Press, 2014). His essays have appeared widely in North American literary journals, including Best American Travel Writing, The Fiddlehead, and Gettysburg Review. He is a professor of literature and creative writing at Allegheny College. Tracey Lander-Garrett is the editor of The Bridge Lit Journal and author of the Madison Roberts urban fantasy series. An avid gamer and fan of fantasy and science fiction, she holds two degrees in Creative Writing: an MFA from Brooklyn College and a BA from the University of Connecticut. She has had poetry and prose published by Hollow Oak Press, Mid-America Poetry Review, Connotation Press, and others. A former NYC English professor and Teaching Artist with Austin Public Library, she now lives in Oil City, PA with her husband and five cats. Marc Nieson is a graduate of the Iowa Writers’ Workshop and NYU Film School. His background includes children’s theatre, cattle chores, and a season with a one-ring circus. His memoir, SCHOOLHOUSE: Lessons on Love & Landscape (Ice Cube Press, 2016). He's won a Raymond Carver Short Story Award, Pushcart Prize nominations, and been noted in Best American Essays. He teaches at Chatham University, edits The Fourth River, and is at work on a new novel, HOUDINI’S HEIRS. More @ www.marcnieson.com Philip Terman’s books include My Blossoming Everything (Saddle Road Press, 2024)) This Crazy Devotion (Broadstone Books, 2020)) Our Portion: New and Selected Poems (Autumn House Press, 2015), and, as co-translator, Tango Beneath a Narrow Ceiling: The Selected poems of Riad Saleh Hussein (Bitter Oleander, 2021).  He directs The Bridge Literary Arts Center, a regional writers’ organization in western, PA. Terman conducts poetry workshops and coaches writing hither and yon. He’s collaborated with composers, visual artists, and performs his poetry with the jazz band Catro. Links: Bridge Literary Arts Center http://www.bridgeliteraryartscenter.org/ Allegheny College https://allegheny.edu/ Chatham University https://www.chatham.edu/ Clarion University https://www.pennwest.edu/campuses/clarion/index.php