Stories with a Heartbeat is a new WUNC podcast about the human condition in conflict. Host Will McInerney is an award-winning poet who travels the globe exploring conflict and what it says about us as people. Stories with a Heartbeat taps into the power of poetry, stories, music, and conversation to help us decipher conflict and find meaning.

Goodbye to Mr. Creosote. Goodbye to the naked organist. Goodbye to Brian's mum, and to all her screeching sisters. Goodbye to Terry Jones, who has consumed his final wafer-thin mint. It's hard to eulogize a Python — for one thing, no one can ever top John Cleese's magnificent sendoff of Graham Chapman in 1989. "Good riddance to him, the freeloading bastard, I hope he fries," Cleese told the assembled mourners. "And the reason I say this is that he would never forgive me if I didn't, if I threw away this glorious opportunity to shock you all on his behalf." If you're watching the YouTube video, the camera at that moment cuts to Jones smiling fondly in the crowd. ( Commenting today on Twitter , Cleese said "Two down, four to go.") And while I'd like to be rude about Terry Jones, circumstances compel me to point out that he was much more than just that naked guy on the organ bench. He was a writer — of Python scripts and children's books alike — a documentarian, a Chaucer scholar and a

Because of the travel restrictions caused by the coronavirus pandemic, the former Destiny's Child member and the 'Everything I Own' singer will be moved into the role of mentors.

Series creator Ryan Murphy reveals in a new interview that he has done writing the scripts for the new installment of the series, though the production has yet to start due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

The only surviving letter believed to have been written on board Titanic is expected to fetch up to £100,000 when it goes under the hammer today.

A menu form the Titanic sold for£60,000 while a locker key for the doomed ship fetched £62,000 at auction.

A letter written a day before the Titanic sank by one of the disaster's victims has sold for a record-breaking £126,000 at auction.

Filmmaker Wes Ball has signed on to do the movie adaptation of Catherine Webb's 2014 sci-fi novel using a script done by by 'Humans' writer Melissa Iqbal.

The 'Pitch Perfect' actor covers classic song 'Go the Distance' in hopes to land a role in the upcoming Disney big-screen remake of the classic Roman hero tale.

In never-before-seen footage, the two actors are seen taking shelter from the strong winds while filming 'Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker' in the desert of Jordan.

Nina was previously arrested after she allegedly held the Baltimore Ravens safety at gunpoint when she confronted him about his infidelity at an Airbnb rental in Austin, Texas back in April.

The so-called evidence collected by fan of the 'Shortie Like Mine' hitmaker's rumored drug abuse confirms an Instagram thot's claim that they were high on whippets during a drug-filled night out in April.

The public outcry for the killing of black jogger in Georgia includes a number celebrities like Viola Davis, Taraji P. Henson, Gabrielle Union, and Olivia Wilde.

The local artist known as Sean Da Don was shot to death by cops after he jumped out of his car and ran away, while the entire incident was live-streamed to his fans via Facebook Live.

Gregory and Travis McMichael, who were involved in the fatal shooting of the 25-year-old outside Brunswick, Georgia in February, have finally been arrested and charged with murder.

In the racy photos which feature her showing a little too much in the sheer tank top, the 21-year-old aspiring model tags catwalker and Cindy Crawford's daughter, Kaia.

Talking about the issue four-year-old Remington once had, the 'American Idol' alum admits before finding out the problem, she used to worry that the boy was hearing impaired.

Series creator Ryan Murphy reveals in a new interview that he has done writing the scripts for the new installment of the series, though the production has yet to start due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

The original Bad Company frontman makes the clarification after some media outlets mistaken him for his fellow rocker who passed away from cardiac arrest on May 6.

The former 'Charmed' star regrets staying in Hollywood and scraping meager jobs after being blackballed following sexual assault that involved once-powerful mogul Harvey Weinstein.

Vicky Cornell has threatened to file a lawsuit in response to fraud allegations made against her by the three surviving members of her late husband's band.

Joining Jada Pinkett Smith on her Facebook Watch show 'Red Table Talk', the 'Bird Box' actress and her daughter Laila surprise nurse manager April Buencamino ahead of Mother's Day.

Vanessa Bryant seeks damages for emotional distress and mental anguish caused by the 'inexcusable' behavior of deputies at the L.A. County Sheriff's Department and the L.A. County Fire Department.

Sharon is touched as daughter Kelly Osbourne surprises her with a special Mother's Day gift and the host shows it off to her co-hosts and fans on her TV show 'The Talk'.

Joining Jada Pinkett Smith on her Facebook Watch show 'Red Table Talk', the 'Bird Box' actress and her daughter Laila surprise nurse manager April Buencamino ahead of Mother's Day.

Vanessa Bryant seeks damages for emotional distress and mental anguish caused by the 'inexcusable' behavior of deputies at the L.A. County Sheriff's Department and the L.A. County Fire Department.

Sharon is touched as daughter Kelly Osbourne surprises her with a special Mother's Day gift and the host shows it off to her co-hosts and fans on her TV show 'The Talk'.

Venue: Sir John Clancy Auditorium. Time: 8pm.

Venue: Sir John Clancy Auditorium. Time: 8pm.

Venue: Sir John Clancy Auditorium. Time: 8pm.

Authorities seized 400 grams of fentanyl during two investigations in Nassau County this week.

Campaign to raise awareness of fraud among voters in the West Midlands launched.

Initiative follows upsurge in violent incidents.

Police watchdog to probe botched slavery investigation on Chinese restaurants.

Good Hope Hospital - in partnership with Healthcare at Home Ltd - is launching its first recovery at home (R@H) service this week

Rufus Wainwright, Roddy Woomble and more to play for free.

Local professionals and businesses win at the inaugural Midlands Beauty Industry Awards 2018.

HD Brows add city centre to their list of academies.

A £1.4m University of Wolverhampton scheme funded by the Government to help economic growth and job creation is now inviting grant bids from regional businesses.

Tune in this week for some classic Blues, Soul & RnB from Junior Wells, Freddie King, Ike Turner & The Kings of Rhythm, Barbara Perry & Little Beaver & The Rocketeers.

There’s also brand new music from Aaron Lee Tasjan, The Americans & Rayland Baxter.

** Please Note ** - The Blues Kitchen Podcast is taking a two week summer break. Liam & Gaz will be back with the next episode on Monday 26^th August.

When you've caught up with the podcast, head over to The Blues Kitchen YouTube channel:
www.youtube.com/BluesKitchenTV

Email the show: radio@theblueskitchen.com

Listen on Apple Podcasts, TuneIn, Mixcloud, Acast & many more…

This week, we talk to the incredible poet, emcee, actor, and musician Saul Williams. Williams, who had been an emcee since his teenage years, first rose to prominence on the slam poetry circuit, winning acclaim in the mid 1990’s. He was a co-writer and star of the award-winning 1998 film Slam, which increased his profile and led to him getting a record deal.

Williams’ first album, 2001’s Amethyst Rock Star, was a mind-blowing melding of poetry, hip-hop, and rock. That record and its follow-up, a self-titled 2004 album, were in part jeremiads about the state of hip-hop from someone who loved it but was severely disappointed in what it had become. Williams has released two more albums and four books of poetry over the years, and his latest work is a “literary mixtape” called Chorus.

See http://theciphershow.com/episode/17/ for full show notes and comments.

This week, we talk to one of our favorite up-and-coming rappers, Meyhem Lauren. Lauren’s rapping agility, style, sense of humor, and love of a gourmet meal have moved him way up on our list in just a handful of year. Along with his friends and frequent collaborators Roc Marciano and childhood friend Action Bronson, he is leading a resurgance of New York rap. We talked to Lauren about his career, his beef with Pitchfork, and lots more!

See http://theciphershow.com/episode/33/ for full show notes and comments.

This episode, we talk to Milk Dee. Along with his brother Giz, they formed the Audio Two, an influential duo whose biggest hit, “Top Billin’,” has been sampled or interpolated by pretty much every rapper alive. We chat with Milk about the Audio Two, his successful production career (he was behind Eamon’s monster hit “Fuck It”), and the work of his sister, the legendary MC Lyte.

See http://theciphershow.com/episode/40/ for full show notes and comments.

Complex calls Paul Stewart “an unsung hero of L.A. hip-hop,” and this interview shows just how true that is. From his early days breaking Tone-Loc and Young MC to guiding Coolio and the Pharcyde to the heights of success to overseeing the music in movies like Hustle & Flow, Stewart has seen and done it all, West Coast-style.

See http://theciphershow.com/episode/57/ for full show notes and comments.

Saul Williams is man who can wear many hats: actor, rapper, poet. For Williams, the line was never cut between fields; instead, he was always trying to blend, to collaborate, to draw from one medium to influence another. In third grade, Williams was rapping in Shakespearean English and French — simply because that’s what he was learning in school. By the time he was 16, he was writing one of the first hip hop operas — or “hip hopera”. Williams most recent role sees him taking on the legacy of Tupac Shakur in the Broadway musical, ‘Holler If Ya Hear Me’, based on the songs of the legendary MC. The musical doesn’t shy away from tough topics, tackling issues such as gun violence and racism head on — through the lens of a community that fights against outside pressure together, that feels its pains together.

We talked to Williams about the influence Pac had on him, his role in ‘Holler’, rhymes, racism, home grown terrorism, when comes the time to stop “turning the other cheek”, and much more.

See http://theciphershow.com/episode/71/ for full show notes and comments.

“Prince” Paul Huston is one of hip-hop’s most notable producers. He began in the mid-1980s as a teenage DJ with Stetasonic, “the hip hop band.” But his career really took off in 1989 when he produced De La Soul’s classic debut 3 Feet High and Rising.

Paul helmed the group’s first three albums, and went on from there to release a wide variety of projects under his own name, as a producer, and as part of a group. Just a short list of his collaborators reads like a who’s-who of musicians and comedians: RZA, Queen Latifah, Bernie Worrell of P-Funk, Chris Rock, Dave Chappelle, Big Daddy Kane, and even Cat Power, to name only a few.

In the first half of our conversation, we talk about Stetsasonic, De La Soul, his relationship with a pre-Wu-Tang RZA, his surprising-sounding 2003 solo album Politics of the Business, and much more.

See http://theciphershow.com/episode/98/ for full show notes and comments.

In Part 2 of our epic sit-down with Prince Paul, we talk Psychoanalysis and A Prince Among Thieves; making records with Everlast, MF DOOM, MC Paul Barman, and Dino-5; and even the cult tv show that cemented his bond with Dan the Automator. 

We also find out what was behind his most disturbing song, what it’s like at the lows between career peaks, and, of course, the kind of presents John Waters sends to his daughter. Plus, he shares his reaction to the “Blurred Lines” verdict, and gives us an exclusive peek into his upcoming projects.

If you missed Part 1 of our interview with Paul, you can find it here.

See http://theciphershow.com/episode/99/ for full show notes and comments.

Denaun Porter is best-known as a member of the group D12 – a collective that also featured one of his best friends, a fellow Detroit rapper named Eminem. But Denaun’s real passion has always been for production.

Porter got his start as a beatmaker (after some tips from a young Dilla) with Em’s hard-to-find debut album Infinite, which he produced in its entirety. But as his pal teamed up with Dr. Dre, so did he. Denaun quickly began producing songs for Xzibit, 50 Cent and G-Unit, Busta Rhymes, Rakim, Pharoahe Monch, and lots more.

After the death of fellow D12 member and longtime Eminem hypeman DeShaun “Proof” Holton in 2006, Porter took a break from music. But he’s returned stronger than ever, releasing a brand-new solo EP, Stuff in my Backpack, and taking up his late friend’s hypeman job on top of it.

See http://theciphershow.com/episode/119/ for full show notes and comments.

Paul Wall is the Houston-based rapper - and sometimes jeweler - who rose to fame after his appearance on Mike Jones’ 2004 hit “Still Tippin’.” That tune, and Paul’s own hit songs that followed, moved his hometown from hip-hop’s periphery to its center - a shift which still reverberates today, as you can hear in the heavy H-Town influence on newer rappers like Drake and A$AP Rocky.

Paul got his start as part of a group with his childhood friend Chamillionaire. After two albums as a duo, Paul went solo in 2004. He found solo success the following year on his city’s famed Swishahouse label, with his album The Peoples Champ, which contained the hit “Sittin’ Sidewayz.”

Paul has continued to make music true to his city’s roots, while keeping a hand in any number of side hustles, from custom grills to clothing to his brand-new strain of marijuana. His brand-new album is Slab God.

See http://theciphershow.com/episode/126/ for full show notes and comments.

Saul Williams is a man of many talents - an actor who has starred in hit movies and Broadway shows; a poet who made a huge impression on the spoken word and poetry slam scenes and has published multiple volumes; and a musician who has recorded five albums with collaborators like Trent Reznor and Rick Rubin.

It is this last talent that brought him to us for this episode. Saul has a brand-new album called MartyrLoserKing that brings together many of his career-long themes into its story. The record, along with an accompanying graphic novel and film, both in the works, tells the story of the titular character, a cyber hacker living in the East African country of Burundi. He builds a Frankenstein’s Monster-like super-computer from the parts of abandoned desktops, teaches himself how to code, and develops an online cult following. He’s in love with a transgender woman named Neptune Frost and hosts a cryptic and anarchist podcast. His eventual hacks into Google and the Pentagon turn him into Public Enemy No. 1, a kind of militant Edward Snowden. We talk to Saul about how the story came about, where it’s going, and his thoughts on recent events from David Bowie’s passing to the Paris terrorist attacks.

See http://theciphershow.com/episode/142/ for full show notes and comments.