In Between The Pages with James Lott Jr.

Midnight Train from Georgia chronicles the incredible rise of Gladys Knight and the Pips from their origins singing in a small Atlanta church to their induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. When two families' destinies intertwine at Mt. Moriah Baptist Church, they discover the extraordinary musical talents of their children. Young cousins William Guest, Eleanor Guest, Gladys Knight, Brenda Knight, and Bubba Knight unite their heavenly vocals to form The Pips gospel choir. We follow William Guest from his formative years in Atlanta, where his love of music is kindled by evenings listening to his family perform rhythmic gospel songs on their porch. The Pips' journey takes them from these humble back-porch jam sessions to struggle and sacrifice on the road to stardom. With faith, fortitude and William's grandmother's lessons to guide them, the group overcomes adversity through the transcendent power of their music. Midnight Train from Georgia is an inspiring tale about the bonds of family, church and music. It's a story of poverty to fortune, innocence to experience, and childhood friendship growing into Hall of Fame synergy. Their sweet harmonies touched millions over decades, but it all started with kids finding their voices in a small Georgia choir.
Lady Dhyana Ziegler, DCJ, Ph.D., is currently President and CEO of Z/Creators, LLC and Professor Emerita of Florida A&M University, U.S.A. . She has worked in the field of higher education and technology for more than 35 years as a professor and administrator. Dr. Ziegler is the author of four books, more than 60 scholarly publications - including book chapters - and has produced more than 100 videos and other multimedia works. She has presented at numerous national and international conferences. Besides her academic career, Dr. Ziegler is a multimedia writer, digital content producer, and songwriter (to name a few). She serves on several boards and other professional organisations.

In this episode I spoke with Justin Baer about his book "House of Fidelity: The Rise of the Johnson Dynasty and the Company That Changed American Investing". When Edward C. Johnson 2d founded Fidelity in 1946, investing was a pursuit reserved for the elite. Today, more than $15 trillion flows through Fidelity’s customer accounts and investment funds touching the lives of one in five American adults.

His new book is out now! Before Leaving the Island, available for purchase at Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Bookshop.org. It ships globally.

WHEN YOUR KID IS LITTLE, the paradoxes of parenting are simple: you can love your child to death, and also be willing to do anything to get them to go the fuck to sleep. But by the time your precious little baby bird is getting ready to spread its wings and leave the nest? That’s a whole different level of complexity. You’re happy and sad. Thrilled and devastated. You want to give them all the advice you can, but you know they’ve got to make their own mistakes. You want them to know they can always come home, but also you’re turning their bedroom into a gym. With Adam Mansbach’s trademark honesty, humor, and profanity, Go the Fuck to College perfectly captures the complicated emotional reality of this poignant, fraught, exciting time. A perfect gift for any graduating senior―or their parents or grandparents―this book somehow encapsulates everything you’d ever want to tell your kid . . . along with a few things you’d never dream of saying out loud. Full color illustrations throughout! out now on Amazon, Barnes and Noble.

JLJ talks to John about his  debut collection of poems, Before Leaving the Island, available for purchase at Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Bookshop.org. It ships globally. His  heartfelt thanks to Trail to Table, an imprint of Wandering Aengus Press, and to the many others whose help along the way made this book possible. This year he also founded Fifth Stanza Press with the mission of publishing first and second collections of poetry by writers in midlife or later. Inaugural submissions window started on May 1.