After many years of writing, querying, weeping, and gnashing of teeth, I have signed a publishing contract with Lake Drive Books. It hasn’t really sunk in, yet. I’ve been working on this on and off for over 10 years, and the reality that a book will be out in the world is…I don’t know…really…I’m having a hard time getting my mind around it all. I want to thank David Morris for believing in me, encouraging me, and coaching me. More to come. For now, it’s time to get back to writing.
I can’t believe I’m uploading the 10th episode of Chapel Probation. Some of my friends have hundreds of episodes over many years, but this first 10 feels significant to me. I had no idea how to make a podcast just 4 months ago. I gathered all my recording equipment for music, binged a bunch of podcasts and started interviewing Dez. That first episode had to have taken 30-35 hours to make. I edited, re-edited, played with music, erased music, recorded new music, mixed, re-mixed over and over. You can hear the voice EQ and levels change throughout the first few episodes as I dialed it all in.
Anyway, #10 is Jonathan Garcia, a co-founder of LASA who also just happened to become an inside man with the administration and board of trustees. To me, those were all horrible, uber-wealthy, conservatives who hated me. But Jonathan wanted to make systemic and cultural change at APU, so he got in, sat at the table, and even befriended them. And he made change.
If you’ve listened to some of the episodes, you’ll notice I poke fun of myself. I make gaffes that get corrected by my guests. I leave it all in to show my flaws and my momentary lapses in thought. This episode I contrast my baises against the admin and board of trustees, which are valid, but I allow for the fact that people are people, and Jonathan’s grace and patience is just as important as the righteous anger we feel as we punch up against the powers that be.
The ending is another emotional one. I teared up as I listened to Jonathan’s voice rise in a crescendo of anger. He goes from a level, measured tone describing his forgiveness for the chosen ignorance of rich, conservative white folks to a cathartic shouting as he recalls the racism he faced at APU. It inspired me to record a parody song. Hope you enjoy.
Links to all platforms here.
Congrats, Scott! So well-deserved!