This week, host Kat Kezon is joined by Rian N. Jenkins for a very carbonated conversation. Born into storytelling, Rian shares her lifelong transformation from confiscated notebooks to seven published books of her stories and poetry. Rian discusses coming into her love of reading as a teacher committed to bringing Black literature into the classroom while providing mentorship that really matters outside the classroom.

This week host Kat Kezon is joined by Sandra Rivas, the founder of Peaceful Gatherings Nature School. Peaceful Gatherings Nature School, located in the St. Andrews neighborhood, is an Agile Learning Community where learning is inclusive, land-based, and liberated. Sandra shares how she identified a gap in liberated learning spaces for kiddos in Columbia, created the space with the help of her neighbors, and continues to facilitate this unique space. You won’t want to miss it!

This week, host Kat Kezon has the pleasure of sitting down with reader, writer, consultant, community architect, and host of the Columbia Silent Book Club, Miss Jemia Williams. Jemia shares how catching up with a friend over silent reading turned into an opportunity to host the city's chapter of the national Silent Book Club. A woman of many talents, many interests, and many lives, Jemia also shares how she found her people in a new city, how she continues to prioritize hobbies in motherhood, and how her time in Columbia, SC has transformed her into her truest self. Jemia also pays beautiful tribute to her dear friend, the late Columbia author and treasure, DéLana R. A. Dameron. *Ding ding ding* Carbonated Conversation and Silent Book Club are in session.