When it comes to providing information to the public or introducing a brand, a radio interview is one of the best mediums to use. That is why Citi of Books Publishing cooperated with People of Distinction CBS Radio’s host, Benji Cole, for the inspiring and amazing stories behind every author’s work to be heard.
People of Distinction is a platform for professional and even enthusiast authors to engage in a genuine discussion and learn on inspirations, themes, and narratives from blossoming authors.
This program is hosted by Benji Cole, son of Al Cole, and is the ideal platform for authors who want to widen their readership. Benji Cole is an awesome Los Angeles actor and filmmaker who conducts interviews with guest authors. Take part in the CBS Radio Interview and become a notable guest on one of the most renowned radio shows in the country.
This extensively broadcast talk show has already conducted interviews with 2,000 of the most remarkable people in America over the past few years, including NBC producer Ken Corday and former CBS Morning News anchor Bill Kurtis. Authors who land a spot on this radio interview program will undoubtedly reach millions of listeners who could end up being book customers courtesy of CBS’ prominence and extensive national reach.
The author of the book “Paradise Lost,” Kyle Swigart, was interviewed by Benji Cole of CBS Radio. They talked about the in-depth nature of the book’s theme and inspiration during the interview. He wanted to tell how personal and cultural challenges shaped him into someone committed to community upliftment. The book became a vessel for revealing how environment, ancestral identity, and family complexity can forge character and purpose—especially when culture encourages invisibility or marginalization.
“Paradise Lost” by Kyle Swigart offers a candid and soul-stirring exploration of growing up on Kauai, far from the tokenized island fantasy. Swigart shares his journey through family upheaval and cultural immersion, describing a childhood marked by his parents’ separation and being raised within a predominantly non-white community. Living under the sway of island simplicity and hidden tensions, he was compelled to transform hardship into strength, using his unique perspective as a platform for personal growth and community impact.
Kyle Swigart is heavily involved in his community as coach for BASA FC and is a firefighter. He loves to surf and enjoy everything the ocean and Mother Nature has to offer. He loves being a father and mentor to the kids he coaches. Seeing growth and progression in the youth is one of his favorite things to see. He started a nonprofit called the Eastside Sports Club to benefit the youth of Kauai and help them grow in their chosen sports and help them become confident, positive, and productive pillars of their community.
Swigart’s memoir opens with raw reflections on adolescence and identity. Navigating life in a tight-knit island culture, he describes how family instability, shifting loyalties, and cultural differences taught him resilience. Instead of palm trees and leis, his Hawaii was full of complex experiences: he learned to surf, found mentors among community members, and discovered purpose on soccer fields and fire trucks—as a coach and then a firefighter. The narrative builds into how he channeled those experiences into founding Eastside Sports Club, a nonprofit dedicated to uplifting Kauai’s youth. Through vivid scenes of early mornings at the
ocean, nights balancing fire calls with coaching, and the healing influence of youth mentorship, Paradise Lost showcases how adversity became Swigart’s most potent motivator.
“Paradise Lost” is more than a coming-of-age story—it’s an act of reclaiming narrative. Kyle Swigart invites us to see beyond shores and sunsets to the lived realities of those shaped by that land and culture. His journey from challenge to purpose, from teenage uncertainty to community leadership, is a powerful testament to resilience. This memoir calls us to redefine paradise—not as escape, but as home fully rooted in identity, community, and service.
Whether you’ve known hardship, sought cultural belonging, or simply love stories grounded in real place and spiritual growth, this book is a poignant and inspiring read.
Watch the full interview below: