Three Song Stories

Sandra Viktorova

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=bHrjs2Tbbwxdzz6lSONG 2: “No Podras”  (You Won’t Be Able To) by Cristian Castro released in 1992. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZ8mJgcsbw8SONG 3: “(Theme from) New York, New York” - https://youtu.be/le1QF3uoQNg?si=GOEormRf9httkjwc

Episode 413 - Gareth Rockliffe

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=I5BZcKCwg6hmZvChSONG 2: “On the Beach” by Chris Rea from the 1986 album of the same name. https://youtu.be/-yXVufG5oV0?si=6MW8jks8RRkyjebnSONG 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

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

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=441PB9ZJIdEgZBjaSONG 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=n1DJRBtaQho9vFOVSONG 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

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.