Literacy Innovator Kate Markland Talks Books, Storytelling & Healing

Welcome to a new edition of the Famous Interviews with Joe Dimino series. On this episode, we talk with co-author, literacy innovator, children’s author, and global education advocate Kate Markland.

A former physiotherapist turned storytelling pioneer, Kate is the creator of StoryQuest™ — a groundbreaking methodology that achieved 100% engagement across 465 children in nine schools. She is also the co-author of The Adventures of Gabriel, an Amazon number one bestselling children’s book series born from one of the most painful and transformative chapters of her life.

For twenty years, Kate worked as a physiotherapist, learning to listen in a way most people never do — not simply to symptoms, but to the deeper story beneath them. Over time, she realized that healing often begins not with the body, but with being truly heard. That profound insight became the foundation for everything she would later build in literacy, storytelling, education, emotional well-being, and child empowerment.

From her base in the UK, we discuss her remarkable journey, StoryQuest™, children’s literacy, emotional healing, creativity, leadership, education innovation, storytelling, advocacy, and the importance of helping every child find and share their voice.

This is an inspiring and deeply meaningful conversation about the power of stories to transform lives. Enjoy this interview with Kate Markland.

More Kate Markland:
https://www.katemarkland.com/

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Mark Wade on the 2026 Album New Stages, Contemporary Jazz & Creative Evolution

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with acclaimed jazz bassist, composer, and bandleader Mark Wade on his 2026 release New Stages with his trio on Dot Time Records.

This latest project marks not only a brand-new album, but also a major turning point in Mark’s creative evolution — a moment where years of innovation, artistry, and experience merge with exciting future ambitions. New Stages is a collection of original jazz works inspired by treasured classical music that Mark has developed a deep personal connection with over many years, now reimagined through the lens of modern jazz trio performance.

Mark Wade continues to establish himself as a contemporary composer with a truly global musical perspective, blending jazz improvisation, classical influences, lyrical storytelling, and adventurous composition into a deeply expressive sound.

We first interviewed Mark back in 2018 and again in 2022, and now four years later he returns to Neon Jazz to discuss this fresh new chapter, his evolving artistry, the trio dynamic, composition, recording, performance, and the inspiration behind New Stages.

This is another thoughtful and compelling conversation with one of modern jazz’s most creative voices. Enjoy this interview.

Get the album:
https://dottimerecords.bandcamp.com/album/new-stages

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Self-Leadership Expert Bobby Shelton Talks Discipline, Personal Growth & Motivation

Welcome to a new edition of the Famous Interviews with Joe Dimino series. On this episode, we talk with self-leadership expert, podcaster, author, and creator of the Easy Hard vs. Hard Hard framework, Bobby Shelton.

With a Doctorate in Strategic Leadership (DSL), Bobby has spent years studying why so many high-performing individuals still struggle with consistency, discipline, alignment, and follow-through. His conclusion is both simple and challenging: most people are not lacking information — they are lacking internal authority.

Through his groundbreaking framework and his podcast The Self-Leadership Lab, Bobby explores what it truly means to govern your inner world so your outer life reflects your deepest values and convictions. His work blends practical leadership strategies, decision-making frameworks, self-discipline, Stoic philosophy, personal responsibility, and faith-based wisdom into a powerful approach to meaningful living and sustainable growth.

In this interview, we discuss leadership, mindset, motivation, habits, self-governance, consistency, personal development, philosophy, emotional resilience, strategic thinking, productivity, and how to align your life with your principles and purpose.

This is a thoughtful and inspiring conversation packed with practical wisdom and deeper insight into what it takes to lead yourself well. Enjoy this interview with Bobby Shelton.

More Bobby Shelton:
https://www.easyhardvshardhard.com/

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David Schroeder on Sonny Rollins, Jazz Wisdom, Podcasting & 2026 Album A Kind of Gentle Light

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with jazz professor, musician, author, interviewer, and podcast host David Schroeder. We are honored to welcome David back to the show to discuss his moving new 2026 album A Kind of Gentle Light along with his fascinating work interviewing some of the most important figures in jazz history.

Following a landmark year spent in intimate conversations with 95-year-old jazz icon Sonny Rollins, the families of Duke Ellington and Stan Getz, and the inner circle of David Sanborn, this NYU Professor of Jazz Studies continues to bridge music, storytelling, history, and humanity in powerful ways.

A Kind of Gentle Light offers a deeply meditative and emotionally resonant musical dialogue centered on compassion, reflection, and shared human experience. The album features David’s expressive work on chromatic harmonica, bass flute, and the Mongolian ever buree — a rare and hypnotic instrument he mastered during time spent performing in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Joining him is acclaimed Italian pianist Antonio Figura, helping shape an album filled with beauty, atmosphere, and emotional depth.

In this interview, we discuss jazz history, improvisation, podcasting, storytelling, education, world music influences, composition, spirituality in music, modern jazz, and the inspiration behind A Kind of Gentle Light.

We cover a wide range of fascinating territory on this memorable rendezvous on Neon Jazz. Dig this conversation.

Listen to the album:
https://music.apple.com/us/album/kind-and-gentle-light/1867658291
https://open.spotify.com/track/4PEnGGyEP5vzYTFA3eOVg0?si=cdd4c0ab7aa44313&nd=1&dlsi=dcb35b5ed889404a

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From Medicine to Music | Mark Tonelli Talks Brasiliana, Jazz Guitar & Brazilian Music

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Illinois-based jazz guitarist, composer, educator, and Fulbright Scholar Mark Tonelli. We got into his new 2026 album Brasiliana and his fascinating path through the world of jazz and Brazilian music.

This breakthrough release blends the vibrant rhythms, melodies, and spirit of Brazilian music with the creativity and improvisation of contemporary jazz. Featuring an all-star Brazilian cast of musicians, Brasiliana is the result of years of cultural immersion, collaboration, travel, and musical exploration.

Between 2022 and 2025, Mark made thirteen trips to Brazil. His first visit came as a Fulbright Scholar teaching music at a university, and just a few years later he returned as a Fulbright Scholar once again — this time to create and record Brasiliana.

Mark’s life story is equally compelling. His path moved from medicine to architecture before ultimately leading him fully into music, jazz guitar, education, composition, and international artistic collaboration.

In this interview, we discuss Brazilian jazz, guitar improvisation, cultural exchange, Fulbright experiences, composition, jazz education, travel, creativity, world music influences, live performance, and the inspiration behind Brasiliana.

We also dive into the remarkable journey that shaped his life and music. Dig this interview.

Get the album:
https://marktonelli.bandcamp.com/album/brasiliana

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Acclaimed Jazz Singer Lisanne Lyons - New Album 'May I Come In' & Her Career

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Miami-based acclaimed jazz singer, educator, and performer Lisanne Lyons. We take a deep dive into her new 2026 release May I Come In along with her celebrated journey through the world of jazz.

Possessing a beautiful voice, a natural sense of swing, and a deep connection to the Great American Songbook tradition, Lisanne brings timeless jazz storytelling into a contemporary setting. For this project, she collaborated with arranger Mike Lewis to create lush orchestral arrangements performed by an outstanding jazz orchestra featuring some of Miami and New York’s finest musicians.

Lisanne’s professional career began immediately after high school as a featured vocalist for the United States Air Force Bands, where she traveled and performed around the world. Over the years, she has shared the stage with jazz legends and ensembles including the Woody Herman Orchestra, Maynard Ferguson Big Bop Nouveau, Arturo Sandoval, Larry Elgart, and many more.

In this interview, we discuss jazz vocals, big band music, swing, improvisation, the Great American Songbook, arranging, performance, jazz education, touring, collaboration, and the inspiration behind May I Come In.

She’s full of wisdom, musical insight, and unforgettable stories from decades in jazz. Enjoy this interview with Lisanne Lyons.

Get the album:
https://originarts.com/oa2/recordings/recording.php?TitleID=22248

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Certified Life Coach Dave Johnson on Sobriety, Homelessness & Transformation

Welcome to a new edition of the Famous Interviews with Joe Dimino series. On this episode, we talk with certified life coach, sobriety advocate, motivational speaker, and survivor Dave Johnson.

After spending 31 years battling addiction — including four years homeless and living out of his car — Dave has transformed his life through sobriety, mindset work, psychology, discipline, and personal growth. Now more than three years sober, he is dedicated to helping others not only stay sober, but also discover a new perspective on life, resilience, and self-worth.

Dave’s story is one of extraordinary perseverance and transformation. At just 18 years old, he survived a devastating head-on collision with a diesel truck and was pronounced dead at the scene. Doctors told him it would take a year to walk again, yet he recovered in just three and a half months. Later, he confronted and conquered his fears through martial arts and cage fighting, using the discipline and mindset from five different martial arts styles to completely reshape his approach to life.

From his base in Arizona, we discuss addiction recovery, sobriety, homelessness, psychology, motivation, resilience, mindset, trauma, personal transformation, martial arts, life coaching, mental strength, overcoming adversity, and helping others reclaim their lives.

This is a powerful story of survival, growth, redemption, and purpose. Enjoy this inspiring conversation with Dave Johnson.

More Dave Johnson:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpcQWkiIYpm7jztWHfjQJYg 

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