Best CIGI Podcasts (2026)

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052 Lettie Collier, She Loves Books 23:58

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3M ago23:58

23:58

Lisa and Ashley are joined by Lettie Collier, who talks about how she learned English and to read at the same time, and how she's always had a book on her ever since. She talks about how her wild Little House on the Prairie obsession influenced her early fashion decisions. Her first favorite, however, was the classic The Monster at the End of This …

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051 Cigi England - Entrepreneur Extraordinaire 24:25

3M ago24:25

24:25

Ashley sits down with Cigi England of Cigi's Boutique and The Exceptional Bean to discuss her entrepreneurial journey and the books that helped shape it; starting with The Baby-Sitters Club. Then they go on to discuss more books like Shopkeeping by Peter Miller, Ina Garten's memoir, and what Cigi calls a must-read for all women over 40, We Might Ju…

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050 Infinite Possibilities and Life, Itself 29:31

4M ago29:31

29:31

For the fiftieth episode of Life of Plenty, Lisa and Ashley host two incredible guests, Calvin Crosby of The King's English and Brain Food Books, along with Ann Kjellberg of Book Post. Together they discuss the books that shaped their lives, ranging from comic books and Beverly Cleary's Ramona series, to Peter Pan, Ginger Pye in their childhoods al…

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049 Cliff Notes on The Anxious Generation 24:32

4M ago24:32

24:32

This episode is part of a four-part series as partners with Restoring Childhood Putnam County, an initiative to help families "hit pause on constant screen time and press play on the kind of childhood that builds imagination, confidence, and real connection." On this episode of the Life of Plenty Podcast, Lisa goes solo to provide a breakdown of Pu…

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048 Ryan Dalton and The Anxious Generation 25:44

5M ago25:44

25:44

This episode is part of a four-part series as partners with Restoring Childhood Putnam County, an initiative to help families "hit pause on constant screen time and press play on the kind of childhood that builds imagination, confidence, and real connection." In this episode of Life of Plenty, Ashley and Lisa talk with educator Ryan Dalton and lead…

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047 Supporting Stronger Families 24:03

6M ago24:03

24:03

This episode is part of a four-part series as partners with Restoring Childhood Putnam County, an initiative to help families "hit pause on constant screen time and press play on the kind of childhood that builds imagination, confidence, and real connection." In this latest episode of Life of Plenty, Lisa and Ashley discuss the upcoming community r…

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046 Ashley and Tony Michael on Attachment Theory and Reading 24:21

8M ago24:21

24:21

This episode is part of a four-part series as partners with Restoring Childhood Putnam County, an initiative to help families "hit pause on constant screen time and press play on the kind of childhood that builds imagination, confidence, and real connection." On this episode of Life of Plenty, Ashley is in the studio with none other than her husban…

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045 The Benefits of Writing 23:58

8M ago23:58

23:58

On the latest episode of Life of Plenty podcast, Ashley and Lisa dive into the benefits of writing and how writing is an important aspect of book culture. They discuss how we are all writers, and the importance of writing by hand, along with the writing tools available at Plenty.By Plenty Downtown Bookshop

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044 Independent Bookstore Day 2025 24:43

9M ago24:43

24:43

On this episode of Life of Plenty podcast, Lisa and Ashley talk about Independent Bookstore Day, happening April 26th, this Saturday!By Plenty Downtown Bookshop

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043 Jodi Pitts' Unusual Reading Journey 24:26

10M ago24:26

24:26

Life of Plenty host Lisa Uhrik talks with Jodi Pitts on her reading journey, from The Babysitter's Club, the dictionary, and how reading Charlotte's Web led her to steal a pig that would become a pet. Jodi also discusses reading multiple books at once, her favorite reads, and what she'd take on a trip to a deserted island.…

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042 Emily Liner of Friendly City Books 24:45

10M ago24:45

24:45

On this episode of Life of Plenty, Ashley and Lisa sit down with Emily Liner of Friendly City Books. Emily talks about how she decided she wanted to make a difference, and how that took her from working for the government in DC to opening a nonprofit bookstore in Columbus, Mississippi. They discuss connecting even "non-readers" with books, and how …

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041 Marissa Fike 24:33

10M ago24:33

24:33

On this episode of the Life of Plenty podcast, Ashley and Lisa sit down with therapist, author, reader, and tea enthusiast Marissa Fike. They discuss how books teach us to be listeners, and how books can be used in therapy. Marissa talks about her own podcast, Herbal or Verbal, which combines her love of books and tea, and how books can help us rec…

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040 Clarissa Murphy of Parkside Bookshop 24:45

11M ago24:45

24:45

Clarissa Murphy joins Lisa Uhrik on this episode of Life of Plenty to discuss the books that made her and how she chose a career in books. She discusses the impact books had on her at a young age, especially Wild Magic by Tamora Pierce and The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman. Then Lisa and Clarissa get into a discussion about non-readers — and whe…

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039 Jason Rice on Brilliant Books and Hard Reads 24:39

11M ago24:39

24:39

On this episode of Life of Plenty, Lisa sits down with Jason Rice of Ingram, who helps bookstores set their initial inventory. They discuss books he believes should be in every store, and then some of his favorite reads. From On Beauty by Zadie Smith, to a book he credits himself with making popular — Tom Rachman's The Imperfectionists, to one of t…

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038 Riley Forssell of Delicately Dressed 24:11

1y ago24:11

24:11

Lisa and Ashley sit down with Riley Forssell of Delicately Dressed on this episode of Life of Plenty to discuss how she got into her pressed flower business — by not wanting to work a typical "teenage" job. They discuss her entrepreneurial spirit and how her business got its name, from the book of Luke. She then talks about how her family are reade…

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037 Books are the Best Gifts 24:06

1y ago24:06

24:06

Lisa Uhrik and Ashley Michael talk about books that make great gifts, because books make the best gifts. They discuss how to choose books based on what people love and enjoy, or by sharing part of ourselves.By Plenty Downtown Bookshop

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036 Ali Olsen's Reading Journey 24:03

1y ago24:03

24:03

On this episode of Life of Plenty, Ashley and Lisa are joined by Ali Olsen. Ali started off as a Plenty volunteer and board member, but now works part-time at the store just because she loves it so much. She talks about how her mother got into reading with The Velveteen Rabbit and encyclopedias. She read what she found in the house and then moved o…

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035 Heather Babcock and The Measure 25:18

1y ago25:18

25:18

In this episode of the Life of Plenty Podcast, Lisa and Ashley discuss meaningful books with Heather Babcock, formerly of Whirlwind Book Bar in Oklahoma. When Whirlwind closed, inventory and chairs from the store made their way to Plenty, so the store has lived on here in Cookeville. Heather shared some of the books that have impacted her, starting…

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Ep 10 - Peep Bandito 1:06:21

1+ y ago1:06:21

1:06:21

Hosted by John Del Viscio and Cigi Farmer Produced by John Del Viscio and Trent Dozier Art by Katy Fishell Theme Song by David DeVaul Recorded at Best Production Ever Studio YouTube Instagram TikTok PatreonBy John Del Viscio and Cigi Farmer

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Ep 9 - The Tenth Episode 59:35

2y ago59:35

59:35

John and Cigi sit down for an hour of conversation. Topics include reincarnation, tattoos, and so much more. Hosted by John Del Viscio and Cigi Farmer Produced by John Del Viscio and Trent Dozier Art by Katy Fishell Theme Song by David DeVaul Recorded at Best Production Ever Studio YouTube Instagram TikTok Patreon…

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Ep 8 - Stop Yearning 1:00:17

2y ago1:00:17

1:00:17

John and Cigi sit down for an hour of conversation. Topics include bullying, asking forgiveness not permission, love on the spectrum, and much more. Hosted by John Del Viscio and Cigi Farmer Produced by John Del Viscio and Trent Dozier Art by Katy Fishell Theme Song by David DeVaul Recorded at Best Production Ever Studio YouTube Instagram TikTok Pa…

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019 The Book Pharmacist 25:24

2y ago25:24

25:24

Lisa and Ashley sit down and chat with Tracey Hackett, the Book Pharmacist. Tracey talks about learning to read despite being diagnosed with dyslexia, and how she grew fond of books at an early age. Then she discusses how during the pandemic, she obtained a certificate in bibliotherapy, the art of matching someone with a book prescribed to their si…

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Ep 7 - Celebrity Encounter Recap Episode 1:00:04

2y ago1:00:04

1:00:04

John and Cigi sit down for an hour of conversation. Topics include improv comedy, Academy Awards, meeting you heroes, and so much more. Hosted by John Del Viscio and Cigi Farmer Produced by John Del Viscio and Trent Dozier Art by Katy Fishell Theme Song by David DeVaul Recorded at Best Production Ever Studio YouTube Instagram TikTok Patreon…

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018 Meet Wren, a Voracious Reader 25:25

2y ago25:25

25:25

This Life of Plenty episode features a special guest, Ashley's daughter, Wren! A voracious reader, Wren talks about books she remembers from earlier in her childhood, all the way back to board books and Dr. Seuss, to what she's reading now. (The Keeper of Lost Cities series.) Lisa, Ashley, and Wren discuss traveling through reading, and how books c…

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Ep 6 - Squeezy Cheese 1:04:05

2y ago1:04:05

1:04:05

John and Cigi sit down for an hour of conversation. Topics include bumping and grinding, late-night munchies, falling down, recurring dreams, and so much more. Hosted by John Del Viscio and Cigi Farmer Produced by John Del Viscio and Trent Dozier Art by Katy Fishell Theme Song by David DeVaul Recorded at Best Production Ever Studio YouTube Instagra…

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017 The Pursuit of Happiness by Jeffrey Rosen 24:59

2y ago24:59

24:59

On this episode of A Life of Plenty podcast, Lisa and Ashley do a deeper dive into The Pursuit of Happiness by Jeffrey Rosen, and talk about the fact that America was founded on virtues. Lisa briefly discusses her own book, America Becoming, and then they look forward to Jeffrey Rosen's upcoming appearance here in Cookeville.…

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Ep 5 - Local Gatos 1:09:34

2y ago1:09:34

1:09:34

John and Cigi sit down for an hour of conversation. Topics include good deeds, bad doctors, and late-night snacks. Hosted by John Del Viscio and Cigi Farmer Produced by John Del Viscio and Trent Dozier Art by Katy Fishell Theme Song by David DeVaul Recorded at Best Production Ever Studio YouTube Instagram TikTok…

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Ep 4 - Ooo Woo Woo 1:06:32

2y ago1:06:32

1:06:32

John and Cigi sit down for an hour of conversation. Topics include celebrity impressions, dragons, lawsuits, and so much more. Hosted by John Del Viscio and Cigi Farmer Produced by John Del Viscio and Trent Dozier Art by Katy Fishell Theme Song by David DeVaul Recorded at Best Production Ever Studio YouTube Instagram TikTok…

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016 Meet Book Lover Sara Kruszka 25:13

2y ago25:13

25:13

Plenty volunteer, Sara Kruszka, joins Ashley Michael on this episode of The Life of Plenty Podcast. She talks about books that shaped her, including Home for a Bunny that she couldn't remember the name of. And then discusses wanting to live in the woods like Laura Ingalls Wilder, be a detective like Nancy Drew, and the various book clubs she's a pa…

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015 How to Know a Person 24:24

2y ago24:24

24:24

On this episode of Life of Plenty, Lisa and Ashley do a deep dive into David Brooks' How to Know a Person. They discuss how important it is to be present in each others lives, and how to be a deep listener in order to really know someone. And inversely, Brooks describes how not to get to know a person. This was the first staff-wide Plenty Bookshop …

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Ep 3 - Locker Room Presence 1:01:36

2y ago1:01:36

1:01:36

John and Cigi sit down for an hour of conversation. Topics include befriending bugs, befriending birds, softball, and so much more. Hosted by John Del Viscio and Cigi Farmer Produced by John Del Viscio and Trent Dozier Art by Katy Fishell Theme Song by David DeVaul Recorded at Best Production Ever Studio YouTube Instagram TikTok…

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014 Library Director Kathryn Wisinger 24:24

2y ago24:24

24:24

On today's episode of Life and Plenty, Ashley and Lisa talk to Dr. Kathryn Wisinger about her reading ritual, and the books that got her into reading. She mentions favorites characters from childhood like Laura Ingalls Wilder and Harriet the Spy. More recent favorite authors include Amor Towles and Carlos Ruiz Zafón. And she also talks about her lo…

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Ep 2 - The Bible 1:06:05

2y ago1:06:05

1:06:05

John and Cigi sit down for an hour of conversation. Topics include the supernatural, blackmail, pickleball, tough love, family planning, the moon, building a compound, online dating, soda, gaming, hell, john mayer, funny accents, and so much more. Hosted by John Del Viscio and Cigi Farmer Produced by John Del Viscio and Trent Dozier Art by Katy Fis…

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013 Angie Wells - Plenty Board Member and Enthusiastic Reader 24:49

2y ago24:49

24:49

In this Life of Plenty episode, Lisa Uhrik sits down with Angie Wells, who talks about her lifelong love of reading, which she credits partly to the excitement of the Scholastic Book Fairs she attended in elementary school. From the devastating Where the Red Fern Grows to time traveling with Philippa Gregory's historical fiction, Angie discusses bo…

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Ep 1 - The First of Many 1:08:53

2y ago1:08:53

1:08:53

Cigi and John sit down for an hour of conversation. Hosted by John Del Viscio and Cigi Farmer Produced by John Del Viscio and Trent Dozier Art by Katy Fishell Theme Song by David DeVaul Recorded at Best Production Ever Studio YouTubeBy John Del Viscio, Cigi Farmer

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012 Chris McMichael - Author of Redemptive Botany of the Bible 25:22

2y ago25:22

25:22

This episode of Life of Plenty Podcast welcomes back Ashley Michael as she and Lisa Uhrik host Chris McMichael, author of an 800+ page book focusing on botany and the Bible. This book, which Chris considers a calling, took him years to write and research and dives deep into the remarkable symbology of the plants found in the Bible.…

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011 Emily Paton Talks Audiobooks 23:55

2y ago23:55

23:55

On this Life of Plenty podcast, Lisa Uhrik is joined by radio host Emily Paton of the The Emily Paton Show and The Forgotten Song project. Emily talks about some of her favorite books, falling asleep to Harry Potter, reading in Braille, and how audiobooks are easier to comprehend. She also discusses how a good narrator can really make an audiobook.…

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010 Lifelong Reader Laura Clemons 25:24

2y ago25:24

25:24

On this episode of Life of Plenty, Lisa Uhrik and special guest Laura Clemons debate who loves books more. A writer and lifelong reader, Laura talks about the books and authors she loves. She raves about southern writers Silas House, Ann Patchett, Monic Ductan, and Barbara Kingsolver and discusses why a book of poetry would help her get through bei…

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009 Gifting Brainstorm 25:59

2y ago25:59

25:59

This episode may have been made for the holidays, but the books that Lisa recommends make amazing gifts year-round. Join her as she brainstorms gifts that can go to all sorts of people in your life, depending on their interests. Books make the best gifts with the ability to speak to the recipient's soul. Find your book to gift at Plenty Downtown Bo…

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008 Make Time for Reading with Lisa Garcia 25:15

2y ago25:15

25:15

Lisa Garcia, the Colon Queen, joins Ashley and Lisa to talk about the importance of detoxing not just the body but the mind. Lisa mentions some of her favorite books including the classics, Where the Wild Things Are and Where the Sidewalk Ends. Then they talk about raising kids, and her best advice for parents who want to raise their kids as reader…

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007 Meaningful Gifts Year Round 24:00

2y ago24:00

24:00

The holidays may be over, but as Lisa and Ashley point out, books make meaningful gifts year-round. From gifting a well-loved book to a family member to finding the right book for someone you might not know well, like for corporate gifting, or a child's teacher or friend, Lisa and Ashley discuss how to choose the perfect book. And you can also visi…

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006 Start a Book Gifting Tradition 25:12

2y ago25:12

25:12

In this episode of the Life of Plenty podcast, Ashley talks about her book gifting traditions, and she and Lisa discuss why books make the best gifts. They then discuss books that make fantastic gifts, from Frog and Toad to cookbooks and some of their favorites.By Plenty Downtown Bookshop

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005 Bookseller Extraordinaire Eliza Eldridge 25:10

2y ago25:10

25:10

Plenty Bookseller and Social Media Coordiantor Eliza Eldridge stops by the Life of Plenty Podcast to discuss books that have had an impact on her, as well as working as a bookseller to connect people with books that they will love. (Which she shines at!) She also talks with Ashley and Lisa about running monthlong write-ins and how Plenty supports w…

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004 The Magic of Making a Difference with Marlena Uhrik and Bill Wheelock 17:19

2y ago17:19

17:19

In this episode, Lisa welcomes Bill Wheelock and children's author Marlena Uhrik onto the show to discuss how books have influenced their lives. Bill discusses how characters like Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer instilled in him a lifelong pursuit of adventure. Marlena discusses her book The Magic of Making a Difference: One CAN Make a Difference, drawn f…

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003 The Health Benefits of Reading 24:10

2y ago24:10

24:10

Lisa Uhrik spends this episode of the Life of Plenty podcast diving into the health benefits of reading, stretching from early child development all the way to reducing the chances of dementia and living longer. The benefits are helpful to both individuals and society, demonstrating the importance of literacy and book culture and why Plenty Downtow…

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002 Ashley's Life of Plenty 22:16

2y ago22:16

22:16

In this episode of the Life of Plenty Podcast it's host Lisa Uhrik's turn to interview her cohost, Ashley Michael, about what books have influenced her and what a life of plenty means to her.By Plenty Downtown Bookshop

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001 Lisa's Life of Plenty 21:48

2+ y ago21:48

21:48

On this first episode of the Life of Plenty podcast, hosts Lisa Uhrik and Ashley Michael discuss what they mean by a life of plenty. Then, Ashley digs into Lisa's history with books that have influenced her over the course of her life.By Plenty Downtown Bookshop

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Nurse Consultant Shares Challenges for Veterans with Opioid Use Disorder Transitioning from DoD to VHA 20:58

2+ y ago20:58

20:58

In this episode of Inside Oversight, Nicole Maxey, a nurse consultant with the Office of Healthcare Inspections, discusses the VA OIG’s evaluation of the transition of clinical care for service members with opioid use disorder from the Department of Defense to the Veterans Health Administration. Nicole describes deficiencies in documenting patients…

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Health System Specialist Discusses Inadequate Care at the West Palm Beach VA Facility 9:27

2+ y ago9:27

9:27

In this podcast episode of Inside Oversight, Erica Taylor, a health system specialist with the Office of Healthcare Inspections, discusses a healthcare inspection at the West Palm Beach VA Healthcare System in Florida that assessed allegations related to a patient’s cancer care coordination. “Over the years, the OIG has published many reports detai…

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VA OIG Safety Expert Discusses Deficiencies with Patient Safety at the Tuscaloosa VAMC 32:17

2+ y ago32:17

32:17

In this episode of Inside Oversight, Amanda Newton, an associate director with the Office of Healthcare Inspections, discusses a report on deficiencies with the Patient Safety Program at the Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center in Alabama. She shares how a lack of resources, supervisory engagement, and failure of facility leaders to act impacted the medica…