I have a friend in Houston, TX that has grown up watching Bob Phillips broadcast a show where he traveled the back roads of Texas interviewing regular people doing unique things. After many years he married Kelli and she began co-hosting the show. It became a staple in most Texas homes. Families across the state made sure that they had the opportunity to see what Bob and Kelli were up to each week.
The couple decided to retire from the show. Sept1st they turned the reins over to someone else. Neither Kelli nor Bob was much for just sitting at home, they knew long before September that they would need to have a plan for continuing to do what they love: talk to regular people doing unique things. Except they figured it might be cool to go across the United States rather than just stay in Texas. One of their first trips was going to be to Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, and Illinois. They reached out to their faithful Facebook followers for leads. That's where my friend comes in: she said that she had a friend that wrote poems on the street for people while they wait, and it's all done on a typewriter. Kelli and Bob promised to reach out. I heard from them that same day!
We met up in my town of New Haven, Indiana at the library. I felt that we instantly connected with one another. We had a wonderful time just talking. I read some previous creations for them, and then before we were through, I wrote one for them. All of it was recorded, then they took the footage home and did their thing.
To me this isn't just another podcast. On the Road with Kelli and Bob is something that American Journalism has been lacking in. There are no preying on tragedies, there is no choosing a political "side", there is no drama. It's just good old fashioned Americans being recognized for who they are: great people. It reminds us of how kind, compassionate, creative and generous Americans can be. So much press these days just wants to show our ugly side.
I am very proud of this podcast. It's about 20 mins or so long. You can listen on the Audacy platform. Poetry on the Spot Interview