The Troubadour Podcast

The podcast explores William Wordsworth's poem 'The Fountain' focusing on loss, grief, and the contrast between young and old perspectives. It delves into the significance of memories, aging, and the enduring relevance of poetry in reflecting on human emotions and the natural world.

Send us a textA #Mothersday challenge! This poem by William Wordsworth, THE MAD MOTHER, is not your typical lovey-dovey mom poem. Rather, it focuses on a woman, whose husband abandoned her and her newborn, as she copes with this new reality and her own apparent insanity.One way art causes serious contemplation in the mind of an active observer is by "the pleasure which the mind derives from the perception of similitude and dissimilitude." In other words, the mind find pleasure in seeing similarities among dissimilar things.What can we learn about motherhood from an insane, abandoned, wild mother? Tune in for this week's Sunday Morning Poetry!THE MAD MOTHERBy WIlliam WordsworthHer eyes are wild, her head is bare,  The sun has burnt her coal-black hair,  Her eye-brows have a rusty stain,  And she came far from over the main.  She has a baby on her arm,  Or else she were alone;  And underneath the hay-stack warm,  And on the green-wood stone,  She talked and sung the woods among;  And it was in the English tongue.  "Sweet babe! they say that I am mad,  But nay, my heart is far too glad;  And I am happy when I sing  Full many a sad and doleful thing:  Then, lovely baby, do not fear!  I pray thee have no fear of me,  But, safe as in a cradle, here  My lovely baby! thou shalt be,  To thee I know too much I owe;  I cannot work thee any woe."  A fire was once within my brain;  And in my head a dull, dull pain;  And fiendish faces one, two, three,  Hung at my breasts, and pulled at me.  But then there came a sight of joy;  It came at once to do me good;  I waked, and saw my little boy,  My little boy of flesh and blood;  Oh joy for me that sight to see!  For he was here, and only he.  Suck, little babe, oh suck again!  It cools my blood; it cools my brain;  Thy lips I feel them, baby! they  Draw from my heart the pain away.  Oh! press me with thy little hand;  It loosens something at my chest;  About that tight and deadly band  I feel thy little fingers press'd.  The breeze I see is in the tree;  It comes to cool my babe and me.  Oh! love me, love me, little boy!  Thou art thy mother's only joy;  And do not dread the waves below,  When o'er the sea-rock's edge we go;  The high crag cannot work me harm,  Nor leaping torrents when they howl;  The babe I carry on my arm,  He saves for me my precious soul;  Then happy lie, for blest am I;  Without me my sweet babe would die.  Then do not fear, my boy! for thee  Bold as a lion I will be;  And I will always be thy guide,  Through hollow snows and rivers wide.  I'll build an Indian bower; I know  The leaves that make the softest bed:  And if from me thou wilt not go.  But still be true 'till I am dead,  My pretty thing! then thou shalt sing,  As merry a

Exploring the complexity of William Wordsworth's poem, focusing on metaphors, analogies, and similes; significance of metaphors in communication and persuasion, early experiences shaping perception, societal views of age and the analysis of 'The Two April Mornings' poem; memories of a village schoolmaster, reflections on Emma symbolizing innocence and love, exploring loss and identity through poetry, and the power of analogies in literature and philosophy.

Exploring the essence of Romantic poetry through works by Alexander Pope and William Wordsworth. Delving into satire and social commentary, and analyzing the influence of public statements. Highlighting the significance of romantic literature and poetry, focusing on 'To a Butterfly'. Contemplating the nuances of a William Wordsworth poem and exploring butterfly symbolism in poetry. Reflecting on childhood memories, nostalgia, and the impact of personal experiences.

Send us a textIf you could have any superpower what would it be?Daniel Sherrier is the author of a comic book novel called The Flying Woman. We chatted about the role of comics in our culture, ancient myths and the purpose of superpowers.The Flying Woman by Daniel Sherrier is available for sale on Amazon, Books-a-million and Indibound. 

Send us a textLet's talk about sex baby!We've got on the show writer/director Stewart Wade Margolis. We talked about his latest movie Say Yes. It's about a woman who plans her husband's romantic life for after she dies...with her bisexual brother.Quite a unique logline. We discussed sexuality and how sexuality is presented in our culture. There are a not a few controversial topics we broached in this discussion.Check out the movie, available on Amazon and tell us what you think.https://www.amazon.com/Say-Yes-Leah-McKendrick/dp/B07QBZMQ5Q/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=say+yes&qid=1555390113&s=gateway&sr=8-3 

Send us a textWHO WILL SIT ON THE IRON THRONE?Chris and I had a great conversation about film, art, making movies, the changing medium of media and of course who will sit on the iron throne.Check out this conversation between two film production majors about the art, craft and culture of moviemaking.Follow the making of Chris' movie Death Blood 4 on Instagram @deathblood4

Send us a textIn the first of a series of conversations I am planning to have in the Bay Area, I had a great chat with a local poet Maryam Khawar. We discussed some of her short poetry, where she is inspired, why art is important in our lives, and how to become GREAT at anything.Here is a very short poem of hers we discussed: How beautiful, was your mindand the ability to see the essence of the universe I see it through you As you pass from artist to artist We also read the poem "The Apology" by Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Send us a textMarco Romero is a real estate investor in Central Texas. He came on the podcast to talk about fiction books!It is important to read non-fiction books of course, but often as we get busy in our careers we neglect literature. In this conversation Marco and I discussed how to select good fiction books and how reading fiction can make you a better person and give you an edge at work.Enjoy!

Exploring movie critique and the impact of critics on audience perception. In-depth analysis of setting, characters, and narrative structure. Intricacies of character analysis in film. Family dynamics and sacrifice, symbolism and themes in a science fiction movie. Reflection on 'The Titan' from Netflix.