Artemis Speaks

Jeri Rogers

By making the world a more beautiful place, Artemis Speaks interviews writers and artists from the Appalachian Region of the Blue Ridge Mountains and beyond. This is a time we need to write and make art for the sake of healing our souls and enriching our communities. This podcast is a production of the Artemis Journal, a charitable organization now 50 years old and has evolved to be an all inclusive yearly journal with essays, poetry and art. 

  1. JAN 14

    Beth Macy, author Paper Girl

    After finishing Beth Macy's latest bestseller, Paper Girl, I was eager to interview her.  Macy, an acclaimed writer known for exploring the forces unraveling America’s social fabric, was our guest writer for the Artemis Journal 2015 with her essay "Mining Life Along the River Bank." As a longtime reporter for the Roanoke Times, she witnessed our region endure factory closures, dwindling jobs, opioid addiction,and the hollowing out of our community. Her genuine curiosity has fueled her success, leading to award-winning, bestselling books and a Hulu series based on her book Dopesick, which she co-produced and starred Michael Keaton. Paper Girl is a meticulously researched book in which Macy returns to her roots in Urbana, Ohio. Driven to understand the growing political divide in our country, she spoke with former high school friends, family, and community leaders to explore why three out of four people in the county voted for President Trump. Nearly half the book consists of footnotes, and in-depth research underscoring of her investigation into the issues that have shaped and traumatized her hometown. I couldn't put the book down, and in this podcast episode, you’ll hear directly from the writer herself. While our time together only allowed for a glimpse into this remarkable book, there is so much more for you, my listeners, to discover on your own. CALL TO ACTION Through the process of writing her book, Beth came to the conclusion she must jump in and run for Congress! Enjoy—and remember, her books are widely available wherever you get your books. https://bethmacyforcongress.com/

    39 min
  2. 12/01/2025

    Dr. Michael Godin, Author and Plastic Surgeon

    Dr. Michael Godin is a facial plastic surgeon with a passion for storytelling. He also has a passion for storytelling. While he loves the world of plastic surgery, he has a passion for storytelling. His creative side had been nurtured as a child, he became an avid reader while growing up in Los Angeles San Fernando Valley. What Godin didn't know at the time was how much learning to write persuasively would help him in his medical career. He has written over 20 scientific articles and a bestselling surgical textbook. While he always found time to write, his ultimate goal was to create works of fiction. He survived surgical training during the 1980's at the beginning of the HIV pandemic, experiences that inspired his debut novel, The Big Prick. Learning to operate and surf, he continued to write, and took good care of his patients. The year's experiences culminated in his writing of Surgery Survival Guide: A Manual for International Precocious Medical Students, which sold at medical bookstores throughout the US and Canada. His debut novel, the Big Prick; received critical acclaim and reader response, he then went on to write his second novel, Fighting Gravity. This romantic comedy explores challenges of midlife, divorce and modern dating through the eyes of a New Orleans plastic surgeon. Drawing from his decades of experience in medicine and his understanding of human nature, Godin brings authenticity and heart to his stories about second chances and personal transformation. Dr. Godin practices facial plastic surgery in Richmond, Virginia and Southern California.

    39 min
  3. 08/12/2025

    Sheila Umberger, Director of Libraries City of Roanoke, Va.

    Sheila is the 2016 recipient of the American Library Association Sullivan Award “presented annually to a single Library Director nationally who has shown exceptional understanding and support of community service to children.” In addition, in 2018, Sheila was named Citizen of the Year, Humanitarian by the Roanoke Chapter of the NAACP and in 2024 she was the recipient of the Martin Luther King Community Service Award. In June of 2019, the National Civic League named Roanoke the first ever “All America Hall of Fame City” for Sheila’s work with Star City Reads and the Library’s impactful Feed Read and Grow initiative. In 2021, the Library received a National Bright Spot award from the Campaign for Grade Level Reading for their impactful community work during the pandemic. The Library received the Virginia Municipal League 2021 Innovation in Local Government Award (working with Youth category) for her work with families during Covid and in 2024 for an Innovation in Local Government Award (Safety) for a collaborative project with Police on gun safety for families. She was most recently received the 2025 100 Heroes Project Award from United Way as an outstanding Leader in the region. The Roanoke Public Library Foundation actively partners with Artemis Journal to ensure this year's journal is readily available to the public. This collaboration underscores our commitment to providing valuable literary resources for our community.

    36 min
  4. 11/26/2024

    Exploring the world of AI

    Exploring the world of AI   Host Jeri Rogers Editor Artemis Journal   As a publisher of poetry and art journals, I find the AI revolution compelling. This groundbreaking technology is ushering in rapid changes that will reshape nearly every aspect of our lives. We are witnessing a remarkable surge of innovation that has the power to disrupt entire industries while simultaneously creating new and unexpected opportunities for everyone involved. Are you captivated by AI's immense potential and eager to discover its creative possibilities? Or do you feel overwhelmed as you navigate this new technological landscape? No matter your experience, this interview will show how two inspiring individuals harness AI's power in their work. Today's guests are; **Susan Saandholland** is a passionate photographer on a continuous quest for creative discovery. She serves the community through her video and photographic contributions to non-profit organizations and individuals. Recent beneficiaries of her work include the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts, Keith Lee Dances, The Anne Spencer Museum and Garden, the VTC School of Medicine, Riverviews Artspace, and the Academy Center for the Arts. Susan is interested in capturing light and time to share imagination, mood, and storytelling moments. You can explore her stunning work on Instagram, Photoshelter, YouTube, and the Artemis Journals. **Skip Brown**, an accomplished audio editor, has been deeply engaged with music since he picked up a guitar at 13. At just 15, he recorded his first album at CBS Studios in NYC, and since then, he has performed countless shows across the country. His extensive experience includes operating a large commercial recording studio and producing successful festivals and civic center events. Despite a flourishing career in finance, Skip has never wavered in his dedication to music and sound. He has cautiously embraced the use of AI in his recording studio. Skip has been integral to the "Artemis Speaks" podcast for four years, showcasing his engineering and audio editor skills.

    52 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

By making the world a more beautiful place, Artemis Speaks interviews writers and artists from the Appalachian Region of the Blue Ridge Mountains and beyond. This is a time we need to write and make art for the sake of healing our souls and enriching our communities. This podcast is a production of the Artemis Journal, a charitable organization now 50 years old and has evolved to be an all inclusive yearly journal with essays, poetry and art.