Three Song Stories

Latest Episodes:

Episode 414 - Sandra Viktorova Mar 02, 2026

Show notes

Sandra Viktorova is a familiar voice to WGCU listeners and viewers - she joined us here in 2022 on the radio side as a host and then helped launch our TV news magazine program Southwest Florida In Focus as host and senior producer—the show won a regional Emmy in its first year and just recently went from one to five nights a week.

Sandra earned a National Edward R. Murrow award for her documentary film, Dream School: A Journey to Higher Ed, which follows the years-long journey of six high school students as they worked to earn a seat at some of America’s top colleges,

Sandra has earned three regional Emmys for her work as an investigative and special projects producer with NBC/Telemundo in Miami. Sandra has also produced for several national news and entertainment programs at both Univision and Telemundo. AND she is owner of Viktorova Productions.

SONG 1: “La Pollera Colorá” (The Brightly Colored Skirt) - https://youtu.be/HEJtvN_oTzM?si=bHrjs2Tbbwxdzz6l

SONG 2: “No Podras” (You Won’t Be Able To) by Cristian Castro released in 1992. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZ8mJgcsbw8

SONG 3: “(Theme from) New York, New York” - https://youtu.be/le1QF3uoQNg?si=GOEormRf9httkjwc

Episode 413 - Gareth Rockliffe Feb 23, 2026

Show notes

Gareth Rockliffe is a fine art photographer, filmmaker, songwriter, and creator of the award-winning short-film series called Contemplations, which blend his images and spoken words to explore themes such as love, loss, awareness, and connection. In recent years, that same reflective voice has found its way into his songwriting.

SONG 1: Glenn Miller and his orchestra’s “Moonlight Serenade” released in 1944. https://youtu.be/9Ws6DdrDtyo?si=I5BZcKCwg6hmZvCh

SONG 2: “On the Beach” by Chris Rea from the 1986 album of the same name. https://youtu.be/-yXVufG5oV0?si=6MW8jks8RRkyjebn

SONG 3: Tracy Chapman’s “Fast Car” - it came out in 1988 on her self-titled album. https://youtu.be/AIOAlaACuv4?si=MvkaCOEfZhrlwN3i

Episode 412 - Robert Green Feb 16, 2026

Show notes

Robert William Green, Jr. (Mr. Green) graduated high school in Shreveport, Louisiana with a full football scholarship to Morris Brown College in Atlanta. He transferred and received a Bachelor’s degree in Religious Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and a Master’s degree in Theology from Fuller Theological Seminary.

He came to Florida in 2003, and taught 7th grade World Geography at Bonita Springs Middle School before coming to Florida Gulf Coast University in 2005 as Parking Services Representative, and then Welcome Center Representative in 2011. If you ever stop to get a parking permit or directions, he is sure to tell you that you are his friend.

Episode 411 - J Schwanke Feb 09, 2026

Show notes

J Schwanke is Host & Creator of J Schwanke’s Life in Bloom, on PBS Create channels around the country. He’s been referred to by viewers as “The Bob Ross of Flowers” or even “The Mr. Rogers of Flowers”. He shows how to incorporate flowers into your life and enjoy a “flower lifestyle” - encouraging people to think beyond just arranging with flowers to crafts and recipes and beverages that include flowers.

J also makes the Behind the Bloom podcast with his co-host RJ Pole - and he’s CEO of uBloom.com - it’s the online home of ‘Life In Bloom’ and the first online community for flower fans, created for enthusiasts and professionals. And he’s authored two award-winning books: “Fun with Flowers: Your Guide to Selecting, Arranging and Enjoying Beautiful Flowers” and “Bloom 365: The Essential Guide to Arranging Flowers Every Day.”

SONG 1: “Red Roses for A Blue Lady”..this is the 1999 remastered and released on the ablum Rare Capitol Masters (Deluxe Edition) in 2016. https://youtu.be/j0nRUHECDxE?si=441PB9ZJIdEgZBja

SONG 2: “Edelweiss” performed by Pink Martini and the von Trapps from their album Dream a Little Dream: Pink Martini & The Von Trapps released in 2014. https://youtu.be/JqzwjhZUtzw?si=n1DJRBtaQho9vFOV

SONG 3: “Baby Elephant Walk” - composed by Henry Mancini for the 1962 film Hatari! - and interpreted here by Lawrence Welk and his Orchestra. https://youtu.be/uS9vE5BVDNM?si=yNC7VHEiXh9FVMNt

Episode 410 - Laureen Flynn Smith Jan 26, 2026

Show notes

Laureen is a Billboard-charting songwriter with artist cuts across multiple genres. After graduating from Fort Myers High School, she earned her college degree and a master’s degree before moving to Amish country, where she worked as a Teacher of the Deaf. A prolonged personal health crisis ultimately prompted a pivot toward songwriting, leading her to Nashville. The very first song she wrote in Nashville, co-written with acclaimed artist Cindy Morgan, was recorded by Grammy-nominated, Platinum-selling, and Dove Award-winning group Point of Grace. Since then, her songs have earned international chart recognition, secured placements in television, and helped establish her as a sought after versatile and well respected authentic voice in contemporary songwriting.

Laureen’s songs have been recorded by many artists across Pop, Americana, Indie, Country, Bluegrass, and Christian genres—with several landing on global Billboard charts - and her songs have found homes from Los Angeles TV productions to Nashville recording studios—including a release by Olivia Newton-John that she co-wrote with Beth Nielsen Chapman.

She founded The Flynn Smith Collective in 2022 - it’s a global network of more than 60 artists and 40 producers from LA, Nashville, and abroad who provide songs for TV, film, and brand placements.

Laureen is also an author who turns her lullabies into children’s picture books - the first was Lollipops and Ice Cream and the most recent is Sleepyhead Animal Wishes…AND she co-founded Bear Hug Boxes with her twin sister…they donate bears, blankets, and books to children navigating trauma.

Episode 409 - Larry Ford Jan 19, 2026

Show notes

Larry Ford (father of episode 75 guest Seth Ford) is a Grammy winning gospel singer who’s found audiences all over the world because of his truly commanding voice. Originally from Lubbock, Texas, Larry’s work has taken him to 49 of the 50 states -- and to as far away as South Korea and South America. He's also sang the National Anthem for the Boston Red Sox or Tampa Bay Lightning.

Larry has attracted a legion of admirers who appreciate his clear, powerful tenor voice and utter sincerity. In 2003, he won a Grammy for Best Southern Gospel Recording. His arrival to the world stage was as a featured soloist on the Gaither Music Homecoming Series, which consistently ranks in the top of Billboard Magazines music charts, and which we heard a song from in Seth’s episode.

Episode 408 - Marlin Miller Jan 12, 2026

Show notes

Marlin Miller is publisher of Plain Values, a quarterly magazine dedicated to the notion that faith-centered simple living within community is still possible today. Through it, he and his wife Lisa also operate the nonprofit Room to Bloom - they raise money to help families adopt kids with Down Syndrome and special needs.

They also founded Juneberry Hill Schoolhouse - a multi-age, inclusive homeschool co-op one room schoolhouse they built on their homestead using parts of a schoolhouse that dates back to 1850.

SONG 1: "Tea of Sympathy" by Jars of Clay from their 1997 album Much Afraid.

https://youtu.be/3u5BjMQ2LcE?si=-ATcIXWxXx0UHCta

SONG 2: "Called Home" by Over the Rhine from their 2013 album Meet Me at the Edge of the World.

https://youtu.be/NfTQCgX0lwM?si=IuEuUIMZOj-frZkm

SONG 3: "Hold My Hand" by Sam Burchfield from his album Graveyard Flower released in 2020.

https://youtu.be/UJoTHzzkj2c?si=l5x_EMi92z-RXbSm

Episode 407 - Matt Ross Jan 05, 2026

Show notes

Matt Ross is an entrepreneur, author, and media executive. From 1989 to 2005, Matt led some major radio brands, including: New York’s Classic Rock Station, Q104.3 - and and its Hip Hop Station, Hot 97. He then invested in and became CEO of School of Rock. Under his leadership, School of Rock grew from 5 locations to 55.

In 2012, Matt founded One River School in Englewood, New Jersey with a mission to “Transform Art Education.” Today, One River School operates fifteen schools in six states with plans for substantial growth in the coming years. He also works to support organizations that build communities for adults with autism, and he’s a champion of artists and arts-based organizations.
His first book, “Grow or Fold: Transform Yourself in Midlife and Beyond” is set to release in mid-January.

SONG 1: “You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away from The Beatles” from their album Help! released in 1965.
SONG 2: “I’ll Be There” by the Jackson Five (The Jacksons?) released in 1970 on their album Third Album.
SONG 3: “It’s Not My Cross to Bear” by The Allman Brothers from their self-titled album released in 1969.

Episode 406 - Pam James Dec 22, 2025

Show notes

Pam James has been a part of the WGCU Public Media team and family since 2013 - he’s been our Executive Producer of Content since 2020, leading our different teams across media platforms including radio and TV and how it all becomes digital these days.

She began her career in 1995 as a TV producer for Kansas City Public Television (now KCPBS) where she created award-winning documentaries, magazine stories, interstitials, and promos, as well as producing live fundraisers for TV broadcasts like pledge drives and auctions.

SONG 1: “Afternoon Delight” by the Starland Vocal Band from their self-titled album released in 1976. https://youtu.be/_dsn0zKSpMk?si=EYLb-sNJVC99F3lE

SONG 2: “The Other Shoe” by Old 97s from their 1995 album Wreck Your Life. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xr5_pDqQO_M

SONG 3: ”Yorktown (The World Turned Upside Down)” from Hamilton https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cqj0vylZAF4

Episode 405 - John Joyce Dec 15, 2025

Show notes

John Joyce is host of the Solid State Podcast, it’s a weekly program devoted to all things tech.

Born and raised in Fort Myers, John founded the computer firm Republic Technologies, while in college, and eventually merged it with CRS Technology Consultants to form one of this region’s largest IT firms which he is now CEO and Co-Owner of.

His partnership with the IT Disaster Resource Center brought connectivity back to Southwest Florida after Hurricane Ian, helping first responders access areas and people in need of assistance.

SONG 1: "Fly Me to the Moon" - Frank Sinatra with Count Basie And His Orchestra recorded in 1964.

https://youtu.be/ZEcqHA7dbwM?si=Su_nbKODkZTNZSCw

SONG 2: "Give Life Back to Music" - Daft Punk from their 2013 album Random Access Memories.

https://youtu.be/Kwt3LZBc-44?si=bkNciErMVw_nebb2
SONG 3: The Main Title Theme to "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds" by Jeff Russo released on the Season 1 Original Series Soundtrack in 2023. https://youtu.be/SA1EnPz5onU?si=X-6wo9U6LP8ZtP7F

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