Dark Sky Twelve

What is the CampFire Wild Adventure Book Club? It is that thing Josh Parks and I created where we lead UTC students on local hikes / natural adventures and discuss nature writing. All students can join the club! Listen to this episode for the details. The first event is coming up on Thursday afternoon, November 10th. Sign up and read more about it here: https://campfirebookclub.wordpress.com/ Josh is on Instagram @JoshParksGA Jaynes is on Instagram @JaynesUTC

UT Administrator, Educator, Renaissance Man, and all-around interesting character, Dr. David Rausch, joins me for episode 38!    

Jeff "Birddog" Lane joins me for a Music Mythos episode where we discuss his life as a professional musician, what it was like sitting in with Widespread Panic at Radio City Music Hall, and we discuss the good old debate of "Widespread Panic or Phish?" 

As promised, Mysterious Guest is back for two episodes in one week! In this one, she discusses her love for Math and other Mathematically related topics.  All opinions are my own.   Darkskytwelve.com  

This week I'm bringing you a Mysterious Guest double-episode. Here's the first one...next one coming soon. Is a hamburger a sandwich? MG drops some knowledge.

Happy New Year! The DarkSkyTwelve NYE Special features a return appearance of one of our most downloaded guests, the utterly original Justin Nave...Tattoo Artist and owner/operator of Sick Boys Ink in Chattanooga, TN and Dunlap, TN.  One of things we discuss...sweat lodges. Hear his take on them and much more...including the story of how I came to have a human skull in my possession. Happy 2021 everyone, from DarkSkyTwelve!   All opinions are mine and the guest's   Insta/Twitter @ darkskytwelve  

Mysterious Guest comes back for a second episode! We discuss the Nintendo Entertainment System (the NES) and classic games. Which is Mysterious Guest's favorite game?  Check out this episode to find out!  Check us out on Twitter and Instagram @darkskytwelve. All opinions are mine. 

Welcome to the Dark Sky Twelve Christmas Eve Special! Horror Writer, Jessica Ann York, joins me to discuss all manner of spooky things...her career, horror literature, the ghost story at Christmastime tradition, sleep paralysis, and much more.  Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you all from DarkSkyTwelve! All opinions are my own and the guest's.  See our info and links at DarkSkyTwelve Big new things coming in the New Year...starting with the New Year Eve special on...well, NYE! See you back here for NYE/DS12. 

12/18/20: Just a quick bit for new listeners to let you know what to expect if you listen to this podcast! DarkSkyTwelve started in September of 2019 as The Lunar Podcast with Mike...now it is a small indie podcast with a new name and a small team of three...no one is getting paid...we do this because we love it.  Big Christmas Night Special Coming soon followed by another huge New Year's Eve special...stay updated on Insta...the show's main social media.   Check out our Instagram Page Check out out Twitter page Visit our website

We cover a lot of territory in this one...teaching...UFOs...Lovecraftian Horror...the Fermi Paradox and the Drake Equation...and much more. Andrew Najberg is a poet and creative writing teacher at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. He has a new book coming out (The goats have taken over the barracks / Finishing Line Press / 2021). Pre-order his book at Finishing Line Press!   Follow on Instagram   As always, all opinions are my own.

1. We are now officially DarkSkyTwelve! I explain the rebranding in the first bit of this episode. From here on, no more TLP...DS12 is our new secret agency!  2. AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, this episode features me discussing the possibility of extra-terrestrial intelligent live (I know...this is becoming a theme!) with a six year old fan of the show who called in to talk with me! 3. Thanks for listening! There is much more headed your way here at DarkSkyTwelve...releasing episodes all winter.  4. I'm also getting on a more regular schedule. So, starting tonight, episodes release every Saturday night. I hope you make some time for Dark Sky Saturdays!    Visit the show!: Website: www.DarkSkyTwelve.com  Feel free to leave a comment! Show idea? Like the new name? I'll see them and respond. Insta @darkskytwelve.com  

[NOTE: This was the final episode recorded when the name of the show was "The Lunar Podcast." Now it is "Dark Sky Twelve."]   François Gabart is the guest for tonight's episode, and he holds the record for sailing around the world solo (42 days 16 hours 40 minutes and 35 seconds. He was sailing singlehanded in the 30 metre Trimaran Macif). Not many people can claim that...well, one can...in the entire world! The celebrated Vendée Globe race is underway right now, and he won the 2012-13 Edition of the race, setting a new race record in the process. I caught up with him in France earlier this year for a phone interview. He was kind enough to call in to the show and talk to our students about the challenges and successes of his world-class career...and what it takes to pursue a wild dream with passion and determination...especially when things get difficult.     NOTE: our international phone connection was problematic at times, so there are some audio issues with this episode. AND: this was recorded in Spring of 2020. The file was corrupted and just recently salvaged. I am very happy to be able to release this episode; however, there are some small missing areas that results in some awkward transitions here and there.  However, I hope you enjoy our conversation! Visit his website at http://www.francoisgabart.com/  He is also on Instagram @francoisgabart

[NOTE: this was recorded when the show was named "The Lunar Podcast." It is now "Dark Sky Twelve"] instagram @darkskytwelve twitter@darkskytwelve Answering some questions from listeners including: Best Starfleet Captain? / Mayo or Miracle Whip? / Have I ever been addicted to any drug? / which holidays do I like and not like? / do I go to church? / who is scarier: Stephen King or H.P. Lovecraft? And more! And, as always, stay safe out there and be well!

[NOTE: this was recorded when the show was named "The Lunar Podcast." It is now "Dark Sky Twelve"] instagram @darkskytwelve twitter@darkskytwelve I often get questions about paranormal / cosmic topics due to the name of the podcast being "The Lunar Podcast." I understand that, and...after all...I am very much interested in those topics. In fact, The Lunar Podcast will be expanding deeper into paranormal topics in January 2021, when full production resumes. Because why not?  In this episode, I explore the topic of extra-terrestrial intelligence on a clear Thanksgiving night. This episode was TLP's first live episode, and while it was a learning experience...it was a great time! Josh from Two Likeable Guys...another Podbean show...called in and it was great to get his perspective on "the" cosmic question...are we alone in the universe?  Check out my guest's podcast at www.twolikeableguys.com   

A mysterious guest helps me test some new tech. And she talks about cooking. [NOTE: this was recorded when the show was named "The Lunar Podcast." It is now "Dark Sky Twelve"] instagram @darkskytwelve twitter@darkskytwelve

[NOTE: this was recorded when the show was named "The Lunar Podcast." It is now "Dark Sky Twelve"] instagram @darkskytwelve twitter@darkskytwelve Full episodes with guests coming soon... in the meantime... Check the show out on Instagram at Instagram.com/darkskytwelve Let me know if you're still out there by going to the Insta page and dropping a mysterious emoji or two. I'll respond in kind, and then we'll meet up in the future at a Dark Sky Twelve Live Show...it will be great! Stay safe out there! Peace, Love, and moonlight.

[NOTE: this was recorded when the show was named "The Lunar Podcast." It is now "Dark Sky Twelve"] instagram @darkskytwelve twitter@darkskytwelve   Yep. It's true...I'm back! To get you primed for new episodes, I am releasing this long-lost episode. It was recorded back in April of 2020, so you'll notice some date discrepancies here and there. It's a brief, weird little journey that landed in the cutting room floor back in April. Finally, be safe out there tonight...stay vigilant and well!   ABOUT EPISODE 21 For some time, a significant amount of The Lunar Podcast's listeners have been asking me to post an episode where I simply read a story. Alas, your wait is over. In this solo-cast, I read passages from Annie Dillard's book Pilgrim at Tinker Creek.  That's it; story time with m. Wishing you safety, peace, and happiness, wherever you are under the moon tonight. -m

[NOTE: this was recorded when the show was named "The Lunar Podcast." It is now "Dark Sky Twelve"] instagram @darkskytwelve twitter@darkskytwelve   Greetings to all! Now I've had two actual church officials on The Lunar Podcast: who knew? Beth Sullivan is the Associate Pastor of Burk's United Methodist Church in Hixson, Tennessee. She is a Hixson native and an Elder in the Holston Conference of the United Methodist Church. Beth has an undergraduate degree from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. She attended Candler School of Theology and received her Masters of Divinity in 2012. Beth called in to the Moon Studio in March of 2020, and we proceeded to discuss all manner of things under the moon happening during these odd and trying times.  Stay safe out there, wherever you are.

[NOTE: this was recorded when the show was named "The Lunar Podcast." It is now "Dark Sky Twelve"] instagram @darkskytwelve twitter@darkskytwelve   Animal Wonders was founded by Jessi Knudsen Castañeda and Augusto Castañeda in August 2008 to fulfill their dream of sharing the wonders of wildlife with the public. The animal center is nestled in the forest outside of Missoula, Montana. The animals who are currently residing at Animal Wonders share the breathtaking scenery and natural surroundings of Western Montana. Most of the animal residents were displaced from their homes and adopted by Animal Wonders. Some were donated by zoos, and others were illegally owned and needed to be placed with Animal Wonders. The Animal Wonders YouTube channel is growing, and Jessi could be considered a YouTuber by most any metric. 200k+ subscribers with some videos having more than 2.5m views.  I was pleased to have Jessi call into the Moon Studios on the February's Full Moon to discuss what she is up to, how big YouTube is to their mission, and of course... Kemosabe! Animal Wonders web page: www.animalwonders.org YouTube page: Animal Wonders Montana at https://www.youtube.com/user/Anmlwndrs

[NOTE: this was recorded when the show was named "The Lunar Podcast." It is now "Dark Sky Twelve"] instagram @darkskytwelve twitter@darkskytwelve   Andrew is the English Department Head and UC Foundation Professor of English at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. He is a Shakespearean, Skateboarder, and all-around fascinating person. I was pleased to speak with him in his office about subjects such as why college students should major in English, some realities of pursuing the career goal of tenured University Professor, assigning the creative works of artists with problematic behavior, social media, Hemingway, if Hamlet is over-assigned, and much more.  

[NOTE: this was recorded when the show was named "The Lunar Podcast." It is now "Dark Sky Twelve"] instagram @darkskytwelve twitter@darkskytwelve   A solo-cast behind-the-scenes look back on the 16 episodes in 2019 and a preview of what's to come in 2020. Basically, one new episode a month with some bonuses here and there. It's going to be great! So come out into the night and check out this episode...The Lunar Podcast will return in early 2020. Happy Holidays and New Year from yours truly!  

[NOTE: this was recorded when the show was named "The Lunar Podcast." It is now "Dark Sky Twelve"] instagram @darkskytwelve twitter@darkskytwelve   Ben Loory is the author of Tales of Falling and Flying (Penguin, 2017) and Stories for Nighttime and Some for the Day (Penguin, 2011), as well as a picture book for children, The Baseball Player and the Walrus (Dial Books for Young Readers, 2015). His fables and tales have appeared in The New Yorker, Tin House, Electric Literature, and The Sewanee Review, been anthologized in The New Voices of Fantasy and Year's Best Weird Fiction, and been heard on This American Life and Selected Shorts. They have also been translated into many languages—including Arabic, Farsi, Japanese, and Indonesian—and adapted to short film, live theater, chamber music, and dance. Loory is a graduate of Harvard University and holds an MFA in Screenwriting from the American Film Institute. He lives in Los Angeles and teaches short story writing at the UCLA Extension Writers' Program. The Lunar Podcast will return in early 2020! 

[NOTE: this was recorded when the show was named "The Lunar Podcast." It is now "Dark Sky Twelve"] instagram @darkskytwelve twitter@darkskytwelve   It very well might be the case that this guest is the very epitome of the perfect guest for this podcast. As atypical as can be, Rushad is a Grammy nominated American cellist, composer, and performer, who has toured extensively in 49 states and 15+ countries. Eggleston is known for inventing words, and for his imaginative world called The Land of Sneth.  He went to Berklee College of Music in Boston, and you might know him from Fiddlers 4, Darol Anger's Republic of Strings, or Crooked Still. After leaving Crooked Still, he began plying a more experimental path with The Wild Band of Snee, Tornado Rider, and, over the past few recent years, solo work. He maintains an active YouTube channel with hundreds of thousands of views.  But beyond all that, just check out this episode. Rushad defies categorization or description, in my opinion. I have been a true fan of his work since the Crooked Still days. It was a high rare honor to have Rushad as a guest.  All opinions belong to me and the guest; no one else.   music featured in this episode: fol the noabin o -Rushad Eggleston defend the gaté -Rushad Eggleston blowin around -Rushad Eggleston Rushad's band camp page: https://rushad.bandcamp.com/  

[NOTE: this was recorded when the show was named "The Lunar Podcast." It is now "Dark Sky Twelve"] instagram @darkskytwelve twitter@darkskytwelve   Stephen Johnson, owner of Sourdough Cuppa Joe [a coffee shop/bakery/frozen custard shop in Chattanooga, Tennessee) joins me tonight to discuss entrepreneurship. Many students are at UTC with a goal of starting their own business. Stephen takes us through the ups and downs, the risks and rewards of going-your-own-way in our Capitalistic machine which offers the real promise of both reward and ruin. Starting a business is not for the faint of heart; my guest tonight takes us into that world.  Visit his business at 6707 Hixson Pike, Hixson, TN, 37343 or online at www.sourdoughcuppajoe.coffee As always, opinions are my own.    May the Moon be with you. 

[NOTE: this was recorded when the show was named "The Lunar Podcast." It is now "Dark Sky Twelve"] instagram @darkskytwelve twitter@darkskytwelve   Kevin Gray works for the United Methodist Church and is currently in Seminary studying to become a pastor. I am a bit of an organized-religion skeptic and am currently into Meadow Strolling. It was really amazing to talk with him about this and many other topics. I appreciated having this session of civilized discourse between two people coming from different perspectives. So now, with episode 13, we turn our attention toward metaphysics, organized religion and God...the good stuff!  

[NOTE: this was recorded when the show was named "The Lunar Podcast." It is now "Dark Sky Twelve"] instagram @darkskytwelve twitter@darkskytwelve   Currently in South Chattanooga, over 5,000 properties in eight neighborhoods possibly  have lead-contaminated soil. The problem has been known for several years, and a number of public Hamilton County Schools in these neighborhoods have yet to have their soil tested. Local activists are concerned about this and are speaking out.  Environmentalist, Biologist, and UTC teacher and administrator Dr. Dawn Ford joins me on this special episode to tell us all about it...and much more!

[NOTE: this was recorded when the show was named "The Lunar Podcast." It is now "Dark Sky Twelve"] instagram @darkskytwelve twitter@darkskytwelve   Dacre Stoker is the Great Grandnephew of Bram Stoker, the author of the 1897 Dracula. Dacre is an international best-selling author and a Bram Stoker authority. He  joins me for this episode via phone. For over an hour we discuss Bram Stoker, Dracula, Vlad the Impaler, the vampire scares of the 1700s,  the hubris of the western world, Dacre's familial connection with Bram Stoker, the contemporary interest in vampires, Van Helsing/Myth vs. Seward/Science, late Victorian anxieties, Spiritualism, blood transfusions in the 1890s, education, modern pentathlon, the 1980 Olympic boycott, Dracula's 101 missing pages, and more.   All opinions are mine and the guest's!

[NOTE: this was recorded when the show was named "The Lunar Podcast." It is now "Dark Sky Twelve"] instagram @darkskytwelve twitter@darkskytwelve   Who is scarier: Stephen King or H.P. Lovecraft? Episode 10/16 (our moon continues to wane!) provides my answer to that question. This is largely excerpted from the Mail Time #1 episode (which was removed due to audio glitches/mysterious tech problems beyond my "expertise"). It is presented here as a bit of a promo for the upcoming first Reader episode in which I will simply read you a scary story. This has been a request from quite a few listeners, so if the people want me to read them a story, and if time allows, I am happy to! In the meantime, come out under the moon with me for about ten minutes for my thoughts regarding the relative scariness of King and Lovecraft.  And, if I can find someone else to read you a scary story...perhaps someone who is an accomplished and internationally published author, then that might be a plan...stay tuned!   As always, all opinions are my own.

[NOTE: this was recorded when the show was named "The Lunar Podcast." It is now "Dark Sky Twelve"] instagram @darkskytwelve twitter@darkskytwelve   So I've been getting requests to do music-themed solo-casts. I improv-ed this song for a close friend today, so here you go. Only true musical shamans will make it through the entire 14-minute Odyssey.. I tend to get Lost in the Sky.  In the meantime, you can contact me with questions, show ideas, solo-cast requests, and all feedback at www.lunarpodcast.com. As always, all music is original and all opinions are my own. 

[NOTE: this was recorded when the show was named "The Lunar Podcast." It is now "Dark Sky Twelve"] instagram @darkskytwelve twitter@darkskytwelve   It's the November full moon. That means I have a gigantic and barely contained bonfire raging on my property this wild night and you, dear friends, have a new episode.  This is episode 8/16, so not only is it the actual November full moon...it is also the full moon of the series, so to speak! We are half way home with this experiment, and I haven't broken anything yet. I shall remain focused.  In this episode I spend the better part of an hour talking with Dr. Joe Wilferth, Interim Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. We discuss teaching and what it means to retain the heart of an educator, music, skateboarding and going fast, UTC, and much more.  You can listen and subscribe at Apple Podcasts, GooglePodcasts, Google Play, Spotify, Stitcher, Castbox, Podbean and some other places as well. Bumper music provided by Moose Truck  

[NOTE: this was recorded when the show was named "The Lunar Podcast." It is now "Dark Sky Twelve"] instagram @darkskytwelve twitter@darkskytwelve   Greetings, UTC students! Chattanooga, Tennessee has a nationally prominent rock-climbing scene, and this episode dives into it. Featuring Andrea Hassler, big wall climber and Exec. Director of the Southeastern Climbers Coalition, this episode was recorded live at the first campus session of The Lunar Forum held on the campus of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga on 10/24/19.  We watched the film “Valley Uprising: Yosemite's Rock Climbing Revolution,” and afterward Andrea and I discussed all things climbing in front of an assembled student audience.  She discusses climbing the nose route of El Capitan, the climbing culture in Chattanooga, the work of the SCC, the 1970s climbing counter culture in Yosemite Valley, the vagabond van life, women in climbing and much more.  Check out the work of the Southeastern Climbers Coalition at www.seclimbers.org.   

[NOTE: this was recorded when the show was named "The Lunar Podcast." It is now "Dark Sky Twelve"] instagram @darkskytwelve twitter@darkskytwelve   Though I have created this podcast for the students of UTC, this episode is a quick shout out to the late-night listeners in Michigan, California, Arizona, Alaska, Texas and elsewhere. It has quickly become apparent that most of you early adopters of this show (about 70% of you) listen sometime between 11pm and 4am, your local time. I do most of the work for this show at night, and I am often awake and aware during the early morning hours. So I feel you.  As I type by the light of the Hallowe'en moon, I wanted to let the night listeners know that I see you out there; I know you're listening. I appreciate it.  Other Things of Interest: I have received several requests to do a few episodes where I read scary stories. Some people might find this an odd request. I think it sounds fun, so that might be in the works as well.  Perhaps when you least expect it...maybe deep in the dead of this coming winter…. That's it for now.  Don't stay up too late.      

[NOTE: this was recorded when the show was named "The Lunar Podcast." It is now "Dark Sky Twelve"] instagram @darkskytwelve twitter@darkskytwelve   Dr. Tony Donen is the Principal of STEM School Chattanooga, an award-winning magnet school on the cutting edge in Chattanooga, Tennessee. This place is getting national attention, and it is atypical as can be.  So I took my mobile moon rig down to the STEM School campus to see what I could see. We discussed things such as how he got into teaching, why homework is the worst, what the deal is with grades, project-based learning, problems with self-pacing, and other existential matters such as the dichotomous-y nature of current society, the necessity of Math teachers, and the problem with wanting to become an astronaut.  Oh, and he also told me he is out to "break school."  I think if I would have went to high school at STEM School Chattanooga, I wouldn't have skipped school so much to go rock climbing and meadow strolling.  Check out STEM School Chattanooga at https://stemschool.hcde.org/ all opinions are mine and the guests...that is always the case! 

[NOTE: this was recorded when the show was named "The Lunar Podcast." It is now "Dark Sky Twelve"] instagram @darkskytwelve twitter@darkskytwelve   TOPICS: tattooing, skateboarding, Henry Rollins, the subjective nature of perceiving reality, and much more. Well, this guy is the real deal. And it is difficult to explain what it was like to be in conversation with him for a few hours. Check out the episode to experience it for yourself. This one probably deserves a PG13 rating for mild language. So be warned!   Check out his business, Sick Boys Ink, if you're in the market for some tattooing or piercing. www.sickboysink.com   All opinions are the host's and the guest's.

[NOTE: this was recorded when the show was named "The Lunar Podcast." It is now "Dark Sky Twelve"] instagram @darkskytwelve     What a wild and rollicking conversation with Randy and Kris Whorton of Wild Trails on a beautiful fall day of the October Full Moon!  I was fortunate to sit down and talk with Randy and Kris Whorton of Wild Trails about various things including competitive high diving, running hundred-milers, environmental destruction and reclamation, art, living without television, economics, likely death bed regrets and many other things. These two are as atypical as can be, and I am pleased that they were my very first guests on The Lunar Podcast.  If the audio isn't so great on this episode (or any of them) it is simply because I don't know what I'm doing. But, I'm having a blast so far, and I hope to improve rapidly. Thanks for listening!  

[NOTE: this was recorded when the show was named "The Lunar Podcast." It is now "Dark Sky Twelve"] instagram @darkskytwelve twitter@darkskytwelve   The New Moon is here, and here we go! Episode 1 features no guest. It is a solo-cast outlining what The Lunar Forum and The Lunar Podcast are. This podcast will feature 16 or so episodes, and then it will wane into the night. I am glad you have chosen to check out episode 1.  This podcast is created for the students of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (though everyone is welcome to listen!). I am very thankful for my sponsors at U.T. Chattanooga for making this experiment possible. They include UTC English, and Sourdough Cuppa Joe (www.sourdoughcuppajoe.coffee)  So far, I have also partnered with Wild Trails (www.wildtrails.org) and The Southeastern Climbers Coalition (www.seclimbers.org) Many thanks to all of them!  So check out Episode 1 to get an idea of what this Sparkly Lunar World is all about. Welcome to the waxing crescent phase of this little experiment!