Shows / Winter Park Library: Books & Beyond
Winter Park Library: Books & Beyond
Each month, the Winter Park Library in Winter Park, Florida, hosts an array of writers, artists, musicians, expert lecturers, and community leaders who teach classes and facilitate events. Podcast host Michael Werner interviews these library presenters to discuss their interests and passions and to learn what to expect from their classes and events at WPL!
Episodes
Winter Park Library: Books & BeyondBob Kealing on Gram Parsons in Florida and More
Local historian, journalist, and author Bob Kealing discusses his biography of legendary Florida-born country rock musician Gram Parsons, among his many other…
Winter Park Library: Books & BeyondWriting Winter Park with Kendall Shores
Kendall Shores is the co-author of Happy Wife and Perfect Life, two very popular novels set in Winter Park, FL. Kendall discusses her Winter Park roots and…
Winter Park Library: Books & BeyondUkes & More!
Greg Gent and Dick Wilson tell Michael about The Winter Park Ukulele Society and its monthly meetings at WPL. Greg and Dick discuss their ukulele journeys and…
Winter Park Library: Books & BeyondRick Kilby: Florida-Inspired Renaissance Man
Writer, Florida historian, graphic designer, and fine artist Rick Kilby discusses his research across many facets of Florida history. As the recipient of the…
Winter Park Library: Books & BeyondTheresa Smith-Levin of Central Florida Vocal Arts
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…
Winter Park Library: Books & BeyondLieutenant General Mark Hertling
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…
Winter Park Library: Books & BeyondCathy Lieblich of Neighbors Network
Cathy Lieblich tells Michael about her life and her work with Neighbors Network, a volunteer powered nonprofit organization that helps seniors build community…
Winter Park Library: Books & BeyondCarl Creasman: "Winter Park Library Historian"
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…
Winter Park Library: Books & BeyondLibrarianship, Podcasting, and More with Jeremy Zorn
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…
Winter Park Library: Books & BeyondBecca Schmidt's Journey to Yoga
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…
Winter Park Library: Books & BeyondBookstores & Beyond with Lauren Zimmerman
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…
Winter Park Library: Books & BeyondSongs That Never End with Gary Earl
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…
Winter Park Library: Books & Beyond100 Things to Do in Winter Park Before You Die with Kim Michalak
Michael gets to know Kim Michalak as they chat about her book and all things Winter Park!
Winter Park Library: Books & BeyondAmericans and the Holocaust Traveling Exhibition at WPL
This August, WPL is hosting a traveling exhibit from the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. WPL Director Melissa Schneider, WPL Director of Education Dr…
Winter Park Library: Books & BeyondPride, Tech & More with WPL Library Specialist Jorge Sanchez
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+…
Winter Park Library: Books & BeyondSummertime at WPL with Shanna Kuster
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 Library: Books & BeyondSummertime Safety with Winter Park Mayor Shelia DeCiccio & Police Chief Tim Volkerson
Winter Park Mayor Shelia DeCiccio and Police Chief Tim Volkerson discuss summertime safety concerns, especially for kids who ride electric scooters and…
Winter Park Library: Books & BeyondKeeping up with Gary Gorman
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…
Winter Park Library: Books & BeyondRomance 24/7, Jane Rodriguez of The New Romantics Bookstore
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…
Winter Park Library: Books & BeyondLocal Luminary Dr. Rebekah McCloud
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…
Winter Park Library: Books & BeyondHeART & Soul with Dr. Ruth Edwards and Mariela Saad
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…
Winter Park Library: Books & BeyondWinter Park Library Executive Director Melissa Schneider
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…
Winter Park Library: Books & BeyondWPL's Year of Jane Austen with Lisa Blue and Emily McQuade
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…
Winter Park Library: Books & BeyondThe Life and Legacy of Gamble Rogers with Charles Steadham
Charles Steadham, friend and manager of Gamble Rogers and head of the Gamble Rogers Memorial Foundation discusses the life, legend, and music of this…
Winter Park Library: Books & Beyond"Becoming a Black Woman" with WPL Director of Education Dr. Ruth Edwards
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…
Winter Park Library: Books & BeyondGlobal Peace Film Festival, Nina Streich
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…
Winter Park Library: Books & Beyond"The Life of a Librarian" with WPL Archivist Rachel Simmons
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…
Winter Park Library: Books & BeyondErik Deckers' Life in Words
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…
Winter Park Library: Books & BeyondInterfaith Council of Central Florida, Rabbi David Kay
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…
Winter Park Library: Books & BeyondFinding a Way with Diana Nyad
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…
Winter Park Library: Books & BeyondBeyond the Sea with Navy Bob
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…
Winter Park Library: Books & BeyondMe2/Orchestra
Michael chats with Ronald Braunstein and Caroline Whiddon about Me2/, an orchestra created by and for people living with mental illness. This conversation was…
Winter Park Library: Books & BeyondAuthor/Columnist Greg Dawson, Part II
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…
Winter Park Library: Books & BeyondAuthor/Columnist Greg Dawson, Part I
Celebrated columnist and author Greg Dawson joins Michael to discuss his life in journalism and writing.
Winter Park Library: Books & BeyondAndrew Montanez, Winter Park Library
Our very own Andrew Montanez, Public Technology Manager at the Winter Park Library, chats with Michael in advance of National Library Week. Andrew discusses…
Winter Park Library: Books & BeyondThamara Bejarano and Mariela Saad from Open Scene
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…
Winter Park Library: Books & BeyondLorelei Buzzetta, Winter Park Book Festival: Romancing the Books
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…
Winter Park Library: Books & BeyondCati Koch, Writer's Block Bookstore
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…