Why We Must Stay in the Creative Game with Walter Parks and James Navé

Welcome to Twice 5 Miles Radio. I’m your host, James Navé. Today, I sit down with my longtime friend Walter Parks for a wide-ranging conversation about art, politics, messaging, community, and the future of civic discourse in America. Recorded in the solarium of the historic Mountain Stream lodge at Lake Eden Retreat—once the administrative heart of Black Mountain College—our conversation unfolds in the spirit of that legendary institution: curious, fearless, and open-hearted. Walter and I explore how liberal and conservative ideologies have drifted so far apart—and how we might begin to bridge that divide through artful messaging, shared values, and the courage to claim common ground. Together, we ask: What if patriotism belonged to everyone, not just one side? What if inclusion could be framed not as a threat but as a strength? Can we rethink “woke” not as a weaponized label but as a declaration of creative aliveness? From the symbolic power of flags to the manipulative genius of Edward Bernays, the father of public relations, and the role of creativity as a survival tool, we delve into the roots of narrative, perception, and identity. We envision a new kind of gathering at Lake Eden Retreat in Swannanoa, NC —one that welcomes all voices, resists tribalism, and fosters deep, productive conversations. Join us.