On this episode, hosts John Szilagyi and Robin Moore are joined in studio by Jimmy Coyer, to discuss the upcoming Lansing Independent Comics and Zine Fest. This homespun literary festival is open to the public and is free of charge, and will take place at Grewal Hall on Saturday, April 18, 2026 from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Mentioned This Episode

Event Info: Lansing Independent Comics & Zine Fest

Location: Grewal Hall at 224

Website: Fieldmouse Press

Website: ultramega.studio

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Lansing Community College Library

This episode highlights the upcoming 39th Rally of Writers on April 11th at Lansing Community College’s West Campus. Guests Stephen Mack Jones and Rob Edwards discuss the realities of being a writer and balancing creative work with the business side of publishing. From those starting out, to seasoned writers, everyone is invited to celebrate Michigan’s vibrant and growing literary community.

Event Informaton: A Rally of Writers

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Lansing Community College Library

Book bans and challenges have reached unprecedented levels, with the American Library Association reporting 2,452 unique titles challenged in 2024. In this episode, the hosts engage with Amber Sheeran from MI Right to Read, to dissect the nuances between book bans and challenges, and explore their implications for community access to literature. The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding diverse perspectives through literature and advocates for the right to read freely, while also touching on the legislative landscape surrounding book censorship.

Mentioned This Episode:

Website: MI Right to Read

Website: American Library Association’s List of Banned Books

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Website: Lansing Community College Library

This episode features Cirea Strode, a program manager at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, who blends her professional work with her passion for supporting children’s emotional health. Her new book, Willow B: Big Feelings, Big Wins, helps children ages four to eight better understand and talk about their emotions. Throughout the conversation, parents are encouraged to support children as they learn to navigate their emotions, reminding us that every feeling, whether big or small, is an important part of growing up.

Mentioned This Episode:

Willow B: Big Feelings, Big Wins

On the next episode, hosts Ami and Robin welcome the multifaceted Kris Amos; a poet, writer, counselor, and father, who has navigated the realms of poetry and children's literature. With a background steeped in emotional expression through the written word, Kris shares his experiences that have shaped both his literary voice and his counseling approach. He discusses the profound impact of his personal life, including his transition from poetry to children's literature, exemplified by his self-published book, "Cause I'm a Baby," which draws inspiration from his parenting experiences. Additionally, Kris delves into the therapeutic nature of writing, illustrating how his craft serves as a conduit for processing emotions and fostering connections with others.

Mentioned this Episode:

Are You Ready to Love Yourself a Black Man?

'Cause I'm a Baby!

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Lansing Community College Library

In this episode, our friend and LCC alumni Jesse Edwards returns to discuss his newest movie The Wildman of Shaggy Creek. We dive deep into adapting a book for the screen, the pressures of producing and directing, and the differences of producing a family friendly film and working with younger actors. Jesse shares with us how some of the film's themes mirrored his journey of creating the film and finding a balance between work and family.

Jesse Edwards is an award-winning film Director, Writer, and Producer. His debut film, The Stolen Valley (2022), has won multiple awards including Best Narrative Feature and Best Director (Utah Film Festival).

For over 10 years Jesse worked as a commercial director for brands such as Disney, National Geographic, and BMW. Jesse has been honored with 3 National Emmy Awards for his commercial and unscripted work and received over 30+ National Emmy Nominations. Jesse is the Founder of 323 Films, a production company dedicated to making movies that matter.

Jesse Edwards on Instagram

Website: Jess Edwards

Website: The Wildman of Shaggy Creek

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Lansing Community College Library

Amy Piper, is a travel writer and blogger who has published two books: 100 Things to do in Lansing before you die and her most recent is Secret Michigan: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure. In this episode we spend time talking about all the great and fun places to visit in Michigan and dive into the intricacies of being a travel writer.

Learn more about Amy Piper on her website https://followthepiper.com/.

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Lansing Community College Library

Robin Pizzo is a thought leader, content creator, writer, educator, and entrepreneur. She leads the education efforts of WKAR Public Media, the PBS and NPR affiliate serving Michigan's capital region and regional director of the Michigan Learning Channel. She is also the visionary and CEO of Polished Pages, LLC and Polished Pages Publishing, Inc. In each role, Robin is a compassionate advocate who uses storytelling to celebrate diversity, advance equity, and promote belonging.

Robin is also an award-winning writer and content creator with three films produced under her leadership. Right to Read was produced in 2021. And the Emmy award winning films, Twice as Likely, was produced in 2022 and Building the Reading Brain in 2023. She has finished five full length novels and her first poetry collection, Disparities, was self-published in March 2023. JB’s Big Ol’ Garden is her first children’s picture book.

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Lansing Community College Library