Join host Dr. Barbara Tucker this week as she sits down with acclaimed Southern novelist Ann Hite, a renowned storyteller whose debut novel Ghost On Black Mountain was a finalist for the Townsend Prize and won the Georgia Author of the Year award. Ann shares her journey crafting haunting Appalachian tales that breathe life into characters dictating their own stories, her love of a library that spans a thousand books, and the inspiration behind her latest works. Tune in for a rich conversation on heritage, voice, and the power of place in story.

In this inspiring conversation, host Barbara Tucker welcomes Dr. Jeevani Sammeta, assistant professor of communication at Dalton State College, whose journey spans from Hyderabad, India, to northwest Georgia. Dr. Sammeta shares how she transitioned from engineering to filmmaking and academia, reflects on the cultural shifts between India and the U.S., and explains her research on the growing national influence of South Indian cinema. She also discusses her creative process, her new documentary projects, and the joy of teaching film. Together, they explore storytelling, creativity, and the beauty of carrying one’s culture across continents.

See more of Barbara's work: barbaragrahamtucker.net

Support the podcast: https://gofund.me/7d99cd70

Discover the creative heart of Northwest Georgia in this episode of Dialogues with Creators. Host Barbara Tucker chats with Matthew Gramling, director of the Bandy Heritage Center at Dalton State College, about his journey into historical preservation and the center’s mission to collect, protect, and celebrate regional culture. From Cherokee heritage to textile arts and global connections through local stories, Matthew shares how archives spark creativity and community engagement. Plus, learn how you can get involved in preserving history that shapes the future.

Bandy Heritage Center of Northwest Georgia: https://www.bandyheritagecenter.org/ (706) 272-4587

Email: bandyheritage@daltonstate.edu

My website: barbaragrahamtucker.net

GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/7d99cd70

Ms. Jeanne Cahill, a native of Georgia, sits down with Barbara Tucker to talk about her new book, Call Me Jeanne: From Outhouse to the White House, A Journey of Family, Loss, and the Power of Love. They discuss her time working for the election of Governor and then President Jimmy Carter, her time in their administrations helping women and families, and what it is like to write a memoir.

Get Jeanne's book here!

More on Jeanne's legacy: https://research.library.gsu.edu/c.php?g=115725&p=750836

Host Barbara Tucker tackles the promises and perils of generative artificial intelligence in this thought-provoking conversation. Drawing on years of teaching and writing, she reflects on how AI tools are reshaping communication, creativity, and even the human brain. Barbara explores questions of accuracy, ethics, and social responsibility. Whether you’re curious or cautious, this episode challenges you to stay human, think critically, and keep writing in your own voice.

Resources mentioned:

https://thedispatch.com/article/artificial-intelligence-morality-honesty-pattern-engines/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Ch4a6ffPZY&t=39s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixgunKpy61s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fPUWSv2JCI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-MbD_KdPgZ0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixgunKpy61s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWpg1RmzAbc&t=4s

https://news.mit.edu/2025/explained-generative-ai-environmental-impact-0117

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7pgdDBu8z4

On this episode, host Barbara Tucker reunites with Amber Nagle, a freelance writer with published articles in Grit, Mother Earth News, Points North, and many other magazines. They discuss the compelling world of generative AI and how it relates to writing and creativity in general. Join as they discuss the uses as well as the dangers of this fascinating new tool.

Host Barbara Tucker takes listeners on an exclusive guided tour of Montpelier Mansion with assistant manager Don Graham. As they wander through the grand halls and shadowy corridors, Graham shares expert insights into the mansion’s colonial architecture and storied past. Perfect for history buffs, this episode seamlessly blends rich historical context with a slightly spooky atmosphere. Tune in as Barbara and Don bring Montpelier Mansion to life—one creaky floorboard at a time.

On this special Fourth of July episode, host Barbara Tucker takes the podcast on the road to Dickenson County, Virginia—a place deeply tied to her family roots and the setting of her novel Lying In. She visits the Dickenson County Historical Society during their writers' event, speaking with local authors and historians who preserve Appalachian heritage through storytelling, genealogy, and community service. Barbara shares heartfelt reflections on her ancestors, creativity, and the region’s enduring spirit. Join her as she explores how memory, place, and hard work inspire the stories we tell—and honor those who came before us.