Writer and poet David van den Berg joins me to discuss his wonderful new book, Love Letters from an Arsonist and his adventures growing up in the wilds of Florida. We also discuss the current level of insanity unfolding in the Sunshine State. David van den Berg grew up hunting and fishing in the Florida swamps. He studied anthropology, religion, and archaeology at Rollins College before moving to Los Angeles to work as an actor. He has a J.D. and a Master of Laws in Taxation from Loyola Law School. He’s the founder of Prometheus Dreaming, a digital literary journal. His poetry has recently appeared in Saw Palm, Rappahannock Review, Yemasse, South85, Poetry South, The Ilanot Review, The American Journal of Poetry, Waxing & Waning, and elsewhere. His chapbook, Love Letters from an Arsonist, was a finalist in the 2020 Kallisto Gaia Press Contemporary Chapbook Competition. His poem “the ghost of all things” was nominated for the 2021 Best of the Net prize. Subscribe for Free to Never Miss an Episode Click the appropriate link to follow the show so you get every episode of What Matters Most as soon as they're available! Your Review of What Matters Most Helps the Show Reach More People! If you enjoyed this -- or any! -- episode of the What Matters Most podcast, please leave a review of the show! Reviews help boost the show in rankings, which makes it more visible... and that means more listeners! It's a great way to spread the word about What Matters Most! Create your review - click here! Help Support Future Episodes! What Matters Most is 100% listener supported by generous pledges from people just like you. Did this episode speak to you? Please consider pledging your support for as little as $5.00 per month... or pledge at higher levels and enjoy perks like a guided meditation audiobook, a library of Paul Samuel Dolman e-books... and more! Read the Book That Inspires the Show Paul Samuel Dolman, author, podcaster, and speaker, presents What Matters Most (the book!) a series of interview transcriptions from more than twenty inspirational Nashville and Tennessee residents, including special guest the journalist and author Bill Moyers. Nashville Mayor Megan Barry, former Governor Don Sundquist, Academy Award-winning actress Patricia Neal, Grammy Award-winning entertainer Wynonna Judd, and many more share intimate and inspirational aspects of themselves. This twentieth anniversary edition also features bonus material from thirty more notables from Tennessee, including local business owners, spiritual leaders, coaches, radio personalities, authors, and educators.