Winter Park Library: Books & Beyond

Writer, Florida historian, graphic designer, and fine artist Rick Kilby discusses his research across many facets of Florida history. As the recipient of the 2026 Smith Grant, which is awarded by the Winter Park Library and the Olin Library at Rollins College, Rick is currently studying Winter Park's historic murals.

Theresa Smith-Levin discusses how she came to be the founder of Central Florida Vocal Arts. Theresa shares her thoughts on the importance of music education and access to arts in the community. She also makes a convincing case that anyone can learn to sing!

Retired United States Army Lieutenant General Mark Hertling discusses his distinguished career, during and after the army, and his new book If I Don't Return: A Father's Wartime Journal. 

Cathy Lieblich tells Michael about her life and her work with Neighbors Network, a volunteer powered nonprofit organization that helps seniors build community and live and thrive in their own homes.

Michael has a wide-ranging conversation with Valencia College History Professor Carl Creasman about many facets of his life and career. Carl talks about the origins of Citizen Civics and Past Meets Present, the popular classes that he brings to WPL each month. Carl also looks ahead at what WPL has planned for America's semiquincentennial.

For our 30th episode, WPL Public Services Librarian Jeremy Zorn steps out from behind the scenes of the podcast. Michael and Jeremy discuss how he came to work at WPL and the many ways folks use WPL's Recording Studio.

Michael talks with Becca Schmidt of Blue Moon Yoga about her path to teaching Yoga. Becca offers a monthly book-inspired Yoga class at WPL, on behalf of the Crosby Wellness Center at the Center for Health & Wellbeing in Winter Park.

Lauren Zimmerman tells Michael about her road to owning and managing Writer's Block Bookstore in Winter Park, with an additional location in Winter Garden. Lauren discusses the value of independent bookstores and talks about what's on her horizon.

WPL Head of Public Services, Gary Earl discusses his life as a librarian and some of his musical ventures, including his latest project, a children's music album called Songs The Never End recorded with his WPL colleagues. Songs That Never End by The Winter Park Oats, Cornmeal, and Bookbinding Conglomerate Band is now available on all streaming platforms!

Michael gets to know Kim Michalak as they chat about her book and all things Winter Park!   

This August, WPL is hosting a traveling exhibit from the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. WPL Director Melissa Schneider, WPL Director of Education Dr. Ruth Edwards, and Stephen Poynor, Director of Education at the Holocaust Memorial Resource & Education Center of Florida, join Michael to discuss this upcoming exhibit and the lectures that WPL will host while the exhibit is here.

Jorge joins Michael to talk about his day-to-day work in technology at the Winter Park Library. Jorge also discusses the Library's annual celebration of LGBTQ+ Pride, which is now called PRISM.   

Head of Winter Park Library Youth Services and longtime Librarian Shanna Kuster shares with Michael what's in store this summer at the Library.

Winter Park Mayor Shelia DeCiccio and Police Chief Tim Volkerson discuss summertime safety concerns, especially for kids who ride electric scooters and bicycles. They also discuss new WPPD initiatives.

Winter Park Library patron Gary Gorman is an award-winning senior-citizen triathlete. Gary takes a break from his rigorous training schedule to sit with Michael and share his remarkable story.

Jane Rodriguez, founder of The New Romantics bookstore, brings Michael up to speed on the story of her bookstore, their involvement in WPL's Romancing the Books Festival, and the latest trends in the Romance genre.

Dr. Rebekah McCloud talks about her varied and prolific career in education, local history, writing, journalism, and other pursuits, as well as the many events she has been involved with at WPL.

The Winter Park Library's own Dr. Ruth Edwards and Mariela Saad from OpenScene discuss HeART & Soul, the Winter Park Library's annual celebration of Black Culture in all its dimensions.

WPL Executive Director Melissa Schneider sits with Michael to reflect on the Library's past, present, and future, and to discuss the journey that led her to where she is today.

Winter Park Librarians Lisa Blue and Emily McQuade discuss the legacy and significance of Jane Austen 250 years after the author's birth. They also offer a preview of the many ways that WPL plans to honor Austen in 2025, The Year of Jane Austen. 

Charles Steadham, friend and manager of Gamble Rogers and head of the Gamble Rogers Memorial Foundation discusses the life, legend, and music of this extraordinary Winter Park native.

The Winter Park Library's very own Dr. Ruth Edwards discusses her personal journey to becoming WPL Director of Education. Dr. Ruth also discusses her research which led to her book Becoming a Black Woman: A Theory of Internalized Collective Consciousness.

Nina Streich discusses how her path in film production and activism led to her role in the creation of the Global Peace Film Festival. Each year, the Winter Park Library serves as one of the host sites for this celebrated festival for film lovers and all people who want to see a better world.

Winter Park Library Archivist Rachel Simmons discusses her road to becoming an archivist, what it means to be an archivist, and tells Michael about the past, present, and future of the Winter Park Library Archives.

Erik Deckers discusses his life working with words. In addition to his extensive work as a writer, ghostwriter, and marketer, Erik faciliates a few group for writers and entrepreneurs, including Orlando WordLab which meets at WPL monthly.

Rabbi David Kay sits with Michael to discuss his work with the Interfaith Council of Central Florida and their ongoing series at the Winter Park Library, "One World, Many Beliefs: It Isn't What You Think." 

Michael talks with author and long-distance swimmer Diana Nyad, via Zoom, before a live audience in the Winter Park Library's Edyth Bush Theatre. Diana discusses the importance of following your dreams, and finding what it takes to make them come true. 

Robert Roncska, AKA "Navy Bob," joins Michael for a conversation about his career in the US Navy and in healthcare. Navy Bob shares the origin of his nickname and tells us what he's learned about leadership and the meaning and importance of love, along the way.

Michael chats with Ronald Braunstein and Caroline Whiddon about Me2/, an orchestra created by and for people living with mental illness.  This conversation was recorded on Zoom following a screening of the film Orchestrating Change at the Winter Park Library's Edyth Bush Theatre in May 2024.

In Part II of Greg and Michael's conversation, the pair discuss the story behind Greg's book Hiding in the Spotlight, which tells the story of Greg's mother, a piano prodigy who survived the Holocaust.    

Celebrated columnist and author Greg Dawson joins Michael to discuss his life in journalism and writing.   

Our very own Andrew Montanez, Public Technology Manager at the Winter Park Library, chats with Michael in advance of National Library Week. Andrew discusses his background in libraries and technology, and tells us about the many technological possibilities available in the Winter Park Library's Dream Room Lab.

Michael chats with Thamara Bejarano and Mariela Saad from the Winter Park arts organization Open Scene. Thamara and Mariela tell us about Open Scene, the group's partnership with the Winter Park Library, and an upcoming event at the Library. Check out the Winter Park Library calendar of classes and events here: https://www.winterparklibrary.org/events/month

Lorelei Buzzetta from Lorelei's Lit Lair joins Michael to share more information about this year's Winter Park Book Festival which features books from the romance genre. Lorelei tells the story of how she fell in love with romance books.   Check out the Winter Park Library calendar of classes and events here: https://www.winterparklibrary.org/events/month 

Writer's Block Bookstore Event Manager Cati Koch joins Michael to discuss the partnership between the Winter Park Library and Writer's Block Bookstore. They highlight this year's Winter Park Book Festival which features books from the romance genre. Check out the Winter Park Library calendar of classes and events here: https://www.winterparklibrary.org/events/month