Lady Dr. Dhyana Ziegler: Midnight Train from Georgia and a Legacy in Music|S5 EP218: Book Banter Podcast
- Dianne Burckhardt
- 7 hours ago
- 5 min read
From Gladys Knight and the Pips to the Extraordinary Life of Lady Dr. Dhyana Ziegler in Academia, Storytelling, and Cultural History
Hello My Happy People,
Today’s episode features my incredible conversation with Lady Dr. Dhyana Ziegler, author of Midnight Train from Georgia. This powerful memoir chronicles the rise of Gladys Knight and the Pips through the eyes of founding member William Franklin Guest, offering a rare, behind-the-scenes look at one of music’s most iconic groups.
From humble beginnings singing in a small Atlanta church to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Dr. Ziegler shares the deeply personal story of family, faith, and the sacrifices behind success. But this conversation goes far beyond the book.
We also discuss her remarkable career as a professor, multimedia creator, information technology educator, songwriter and arranger, along with the honors she has received for her work in academia, including being awarded the title of Dame Commander of Justice (DCJ). Her accomplishments stand on their own, making her story just as compelling as the one she tells about the music that shaped generations.
We also touch on the broader cultural impact of her family’s legacy, including their connection to Michael Jackson and other artists of the time, as well as her personal connections to the Apollo Theater, Walter Cronkite, and Alex Haley, just to name a few.
Throughout the conversation, Dr. Ziegler highlights William Guest’s legacy, the lasting impact of Gladys Knight and the Pips, and what she hopes readers take away from this inspiring story.
One of the most fascinating parts of our conversation was Dr. Ziegler’s personal connection to legendary author Alex Haley. She shares what it was like spending time on his ranch, meeting individuals involved in the groundbreaking television miniseries Roots, and even contributing to documentary work centered on his life and legacy. These experiences offer a rare, behind-the-scenes glimpse into a pivotal moment in cultural and storytelling history, adding yet another layer to her already remarkable life.
Because there was so much incredible information in this interview, I had to make some very tough cuts to meet my time constraints for today’s episode. It honestly took three days of editing to get it to this point because I did not want to cut any of it. But don’t worry, nothing is getting lost. During our holiday hiatus between seasons five and six, this conversation will return as a special two-part episode, with all of the additional content restored. You’re going to want to mark your calendars for that, because there is just too much fascinating history and insight here not to share.
If you love music history, memoirs, and stories rooted in culture and resilience, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. And besides, Lady Dr. Dhyana Ziegler was just and incredible person to speak with and I am thrilled to share it all with you.
Don't wait, go listen now!
Enjoy,
Dianne
Have you subscribed to our podcast yet? If not, do it today!
Because if you love books like we do,
you do not want to miss a single episode of this podcast!
Listen to the Latest Episode Now
^ Just click the purple microphone ^
Episode Promo
Book Banter Magazine
Book Buying Guide
Get Yours Now
Only $2.99
View online or download a PDF copy to view on your devices. Buy your copy now to support our show and help us keep supporting more authors in 2026!
Season 5 of Our Podcast
Is Fully Booked!!
Applications are for Season 5 are closed.
Season 4 was completely booked in three months and Season 5 completely booked in less than three weeks.
Join our mailing list if you wold like early access to apply for
Season 6 in 2027!
Season 5 Lovefest
Every Wednesday
February 4th - April 1st
March
4th - S5 EP 212 NOW STREAMING
Kristine Jensen, Award-Winning Writer and Author of Wednesday Club
11th - S5 EP 213 NOW STREAMING
Jeremy Clift, Award-Winning Author of Space Vault
18th - S5 EP 214 NOW STREAMING
Best of Season 4 Lovefest Replay
Barb Warner Deane, Author of the WWII Romance, The Whistle Stop Canteen
25th - S5 EP 215 NOW STREAMING
Maria Jane, Award-Winning Romance Author of the Perfect Series
April 1st - S5 EP 216: S5 Lovefest Finale NOW STREAMING
PODCAST TAKEOVER!
Sebastian Dureaux-Russell, Award -Winning Author of Burning with a Blue Flame with Special Guest Romance Author, D.S. Stephens
Season 5 Spring Episodes
Every Wednesday
April 8th - May 27th
April
8th - S5 EP 217 NOW STREAMING
Michael Hingson, New York Times Bestselling Author of Live Like A Guide Dog
15th - S5 EP 218 NOW STREAMING
Lady Dr. Dhyana Ziegler, Author of Midnight Train From Georgia
22nd - S5 EP 219
D.I. Jolly, Award-Winning Author of Blurred Lines
29th - S5 EP 220
Sylvia Clare, Author of Traveling the Alphabet Geographically
May
6th - S5 EP 221
Tara Hodgson, Award-Winning Author of Dog Logic
13th - S5 EP 222
Joe Battaglia, Award-Winning Author of Beneath the Rings
20th - S5 EP 223 How World Trade Center survivor Michael Hingson used resilience, trust, and mindset to make it through the impossible
Sonia Daccarett, Author of The Roots of the Guava Tree
27th - S5 EP 224
Winnifred Tataw, Author of Child of Tempus
Thank You Book Banter Productions Sponsors
Become A Book Banter Productions Sponsor
Do you enjoy Book Banter with Dianne Burckhardt - Book Talk Podcast and Book Banter Magazine? You can make sure we can stay in business. All you have to do buy a copy of Book Banter Magazine or just buy us a coffee below. I do not make any profits from Book Banter Productions. I do not charge authors for exposure. Up to this point, this has just been a very expensive hobby, but that will have to change if we are to continue.
If you want to help keep us going , you can just click the link below and buy us a coffee or click the Book Banter Magazine ad below that to buy yourself a digital copy of Book Banter Magazine. Every magazine and coffee helps us to keep going!
Thank you!
Podcast Links
Listen to our podcast, Book Banter with Dianne Burckhardt - Book Talk Podcast, every Wednesday. Check your favorite podcast provider for listings.
Listen to Book Banter with Dianne Burckhardt on These Featured Podcast Providers:
> You can even just ask Siri or Alexa to play Book
Banter with Dianne Burckhardt - Book Talk
Podcast and hear the latest episode!
> You can also search on Amazon in any country for Book Banter with Dianne Burckhardt -
Book Talk Podcast and it will find it for you.
Burckhardt Books Pages:
Members Only Page (Join FREE and get access to exclusive content, lots of freebies, and more are coming)
Comments