Driftwood Conversations

Hilary Sloane

Driftwood Conversations is a weekly podcast hosted by journalist Hilary Sloane, sharing soulful conversations with artists, seekers, and everyday revolutionaries. Each episode offers stories that connect us to the world—and to each other—through truth, wisdom, and the grit of lived experience.

  1. 22h ago

    Story with Brenda Littleton and Hilary Sloane

    Field guid for Being Human, Episode 1 - Story  In the first episode of Field Guide for Being Human, Hilary Sloane and Jungian therapist, writer, and coach Brenda Littleton explore the nature of story. Together they discuss memoir, dreams, trauma, identity, and why the stories we tell ourselves can both limit us and set us free. As the conversation unfolds, they discover that perhaps story isn't something to cling to or erase, but something that continues to evolve throughout our lives. What happens when we stop asking who we've been and begin asking who we're becoming? If you've ever written, remembered, questioned your past, or wondered how meaning emerges from experience, this conversation is for you.

  2. 2d ago

    Palo Xanto

    Musician, poet, and community organizer Palo Xanto joins Hilary Sloane for a conversation about creativity, music, and life in the California high  desert. Drawing inspiration from hip-hop, rock, poetry, and the desert’s unique culture, Palo discusses his evolution from a young rapper in Northern California to the frontman of a genre-blending band that combines conscious lyricism with groove-driven music. He shares how writing became his first creative language, why community matters, and how independent artists are navigating a rapidly changing creative landscape. The conversation explores the desert as a source of inspiration, the role of creativity in finding one's voice, and the power of building authentic communities around art. Learn more about https://paloxanto.com/home

  3. Jul 22

    Sean Kennerly

    Show Notes Guest: Sean Kennerly Sean Kennerly is a writer, musician, and founding member of the influential California punk band Samiam. He is also the vocalist for the Brooklyn experimental noise band Ice Balloons. His debut novel, Memoir of a Hyena, combines years of research with an imaginative first-person narrative that invites readers into the life of one of nature's most misunderstood animals. In this episode, we discuss: Growing up surrounded by books, music, and the arts Experimental music and the influence of John Cage and Robert Wilson Creativity, curiosity, and following unconventional ideas The remarkable social world of spotted hyenas Why Sean chose to tell a hyena's story from its own perspective Making art for the love of creating rather than commercial success Learn more: Memoir of a Hyena — Some People Press Instagram: @deathfluff Music: Samiam Experimental music: Ice Balloons If you enjoyed this conversation, please subscribe to Driftwood Conversations, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who loves thoughtful conversations about creativity, storytelling, and the unexpected paths that shape our lives.

  4. Jul 15

    Danielle Frank

    In this episode of Driftwood Conversations, I speak with Danielle Frank, author of A Wine Lover's Guide to Parenting, a humorous yet surprisingly thoughtful book that uses the language of wine to explore kindness, empathy, and raising good humans. But our conversation goes far beyond the book. Danielle shares her journey from the fast-paced world of Miramax Films in New York to a successful career in the wine and spirits industry, as well as the personal pivots that shaped her life. We talk about resilience, creativity, breaking away from expected timelines, choosing a path different from the one we imagined, and what it means to keep reinventing ourselves. At its heart, this is a conversation about transformation, courage, and trusting that life's detours may be leading us exactly where we need to be. Danielle Frank, author of A Wine Lover’s Guide to Parenting. To learn more about Danielle and her work, visit DanielleFrankAuthor.com. You can also find her on Instagram at @CreateAGreatStory.

  5. Jul 8

    Mil-Tree conversation with Hilary Sloane

    This is the fifth and final episode of Writes of Passage: Stories of Service, presented by Mil-Tree Veteran Project. Produced by Dawn Davis, the series features conversations with participants in Mil-Tree's recent Writes of Passage program, which ran from February through June 2026. Mil-Tree is a nonprofit organization based in Joshua Tree, California, that fosters community among veterans, service members, and civilians through the arts, dialogue, collaborative projects, and creative entrepreneurship. Writes of Passage brought participants together for a weekend retreat, writing workshops, performance coaching, and live storytelling events, all offered at no cost through support from the California Arts Council Community Impact Grant and generous community donors. In this final episode, Dawn Davis turns the microphone on me. I share my experience participating in Writes of Passage and the story I chose to tell—an account of volunteering with Raleigh International in Tanzania. At sixty-eight years old, I found myself hiking through unfamiliar terrain, living in a rural village, and working alongside people from cultures very different from my own. What began as an adventure became something far deeper. The experience challenged my assumptions, tested my resilience, and expanded my understanding of service. It also reminded me that meaningful human connection often begins when we step beyond what is familiar and allow ourselves to be changed by the people we meet. In our conversation, Dawn and I explore storytelling as a form of service, the lessons I carried home from Tanzania, and why curiosity continues to guide both my work and my life. Participating in Writes of Passage was a remarkable experience. I am deeply grateful to Dawn Davis, the Mil-Tree team, my fellow participants, and everyone who helped bring the program to life. The journey reinforced my belief in the power of storytelling to build understanding, connection, and community. Driftwood Conversations is honored to support Mil-Tree and help share these stories. Produced by Mil-Tree Veteran Project with support from the California Arts Council Community Impact Grant and generous community donors. Shared in partnership with Driftwood Conversations.

  6. Jul 1

    John Kalb

    In this fourth episode of Writes of Passage: Stories of Service, presented by Mil-Tree Veteran Project, host Dawn Davis speaks with John Kalb, a Vietnam veteran, musician, actor, theater producer, and longtime supporter of Mil-Tree programs. John served in the U.S. Navy aboard the aircraft carrier USS Oriskany and shares the story behind his powerful Writes of Passage piece, Fire on the Water, which recounts the devastating 1966 shipboard fire that remains one of the deadliest tragedies in U.S. naval history. Through memory, reflection, and storytelling, John explores service, loss, resilience, and the lasting impact of experiences that shape a life. This series was made possible through support from the California Arts Council Community Impact Grant and generous community donors. For more information about Mil-Tree and its programs, visit www.mil-tree.org.

  7. Jun 24

    Omar Columbus

    Omar Columbus: Transforming Service Into Story In this episode of Rites of Passage: Stories of Service, host Dawn Davis speaks with Omar Columbus, a twelve-year Air Force veteran, artist, photographer, poet, performer, and curator. Growing up in a small town in North Carolina, Omar joined the Air Force in search of opportunity and purpose. His military career eventually led him to become an intelligence analyst responsible for briefing fighter pilots before combat missions during the Iraq War. Today, Omar channels those experiences into creative work that explores identity, memory, service, and healing. In this conversation, he reflects on: Growing up in North Carolina and joining the Air Force Serving during the opening days of the Iraq War The emotional impact of preparing for war and leaving family behind The role faith and gospel music played during deployment Transitioning from military life to civilian life How poetry and storytelling have become tools for healing Why veterans need spaces to share their stories The importance of preserving diverse veteran experiences Through his art, workshops, and community work, Omar reminds us that storytelling is not simply about remembering the past—it is about creating connection and building understanding. Rites of Passage: Stories of Service is a five-part series presented by MIL-Tree Veteran Project and made possible through support from the California Arts Council Community Impact Grant and generous community donors. To learn more, visit https://www.mil-tree.org/

  8. Jun 18

    Brenda Littleton

    The Stories We Carry | Brenda Littleton What happens when we begin to reclaim the parts of ourselves we've left behind? In this episode of Driftwood Conversations, I sit down with writer, artist, educator, and depth psychology practitioner Brenda Littleton for a conversation that moves through story, creativity, healing, and personal transformation. Brenda shares her journey from environmental activism on Vancouver Island to academia, Jungian psychology, and her current work helping artists, writers, therapists, and other creatives navigate periods of change and reinvention. Together, we explore personal literacy, narrative therapy, active imagination, the unconscious mind, trauma, creativity, and the stories that shape who we become. We also talk about environmental stewardship, intuition, pain as a teacher, and Brenda's belief that we don't choose the work—we listen for the work that is choosing us. This isn't a conversation that moves in a straight line. It's an invitation to become curious about your own story and the pieces of yourself that may be waiting to be reclaimed. There is one phrase from the interview that I think could become the anchor for the entire episode: "You do not choose the work. The work chooses you." For more information on Brenda, go to: https://www.brendalittleton.com/

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Ratings & Reviews

4.6
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

Driftwood Conversations is a weekly podcast hosted by journalist Hilary Sloane, sharing soulful conversations with artists, seekers, and everyday revolutionaries. Each episode offers stories that connect us to the world—and to each other—through truth, wisdom, and the grit of lived experience.

Information

  • Creator
    Hilary Sloane
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    61
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2024-2025 All Rights Reserved
  • Show Website
    Driftwood Conversations