Allies

Hanson Yoo and Andrew Popper May seem an unlikely pair. Yoo, a former Jeopardy contestant, spends his time in IT. Popper, a publishing and marketing expert, travels the world, for both business and pleasure. And yet, together, these friends both of whom come from immigrant parents, offer unique perspectives on what it means to be an American. If you like listening to close friends bounce ideas back and forth, you really can’t do better than these two lifelong Allies.
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Music courtesy of Dan Rodriguez:
"The Allies Theme" by Dan Rodriguez

Related links:
The ARC: https://thearc.org/  

National Down Syndrome Society: https://www.ndss.org/

National Down Syndrome Congress: https://www.ndsccenter.org/

LuMind IDSC Foundation:  https://www.lumindidsc.org/

Spread the Word to End the Word: https://www.spreadtheword.global/  

Disability Is Natural: https://www.disabilityisnatural.com/

Think College: https://thinkcollege.net/

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Music courtesy of Dan Rodriguez:
"The Allies Theme" by Dan Rodriguez

Inez Pagan social media:
Twitter: @CuteyGrl

Instagram: anez_tiberius

FB: Inez Pagan

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Music courtesy of Dan Rodriguez:
"The Allies Theme" by Dan Rodriguez

William Forchion: Director, Producer, Poet, Clown, Acrobat, Stuntman, Father, Friend, Minister, Coach, Writer, and Teacher, all in one package. He is fueled by his desire to inspire and entertain, and creates art that connects audiences, to promote emotional, spiritual, and mental growth. William is the author of Billosophy: meditations on God, movement and miracles; Sacred & Sacrosanct: a collection of poems and his latest project #ApoemAday, a year long project of daily poems. He hosts and produces the Billosophy101 podcast and the Billosophy101 vlog on theDreamerStation YouTube channel. William grew up in Hammonton, NJ where life on a farm nurtured his creative imagination. In 2017 he was selected to be a U.S. State Department cultural exchange Ambassador for the Arts making two trips to Turkmenistan. He is also summer camp Director at Circus Smirkus in Greensboro, VT.  William, the proud father of three beautiful children, has called Brattleboro, VT home since 1998.

Contact info:
William Forchion
802-579-2590
[email protected]

Web: Billforchion.com
Instagram: @wforchion

Twitter: @Billosophy101

YouTube: theDreamerStation

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Music courtesy of Dan Rodriguez:
"The Allies Theme" by Dan Rodriguez

Paul Davis is the kind of guy you find yourself talking to at a party who knows people you know, likes the music you like and seems to get you. After five minutes, you find yourself telling him things you tell your closest friends. Then somewhere around the ten minute mark, he excuses himself, climbs up on stage, and unleashes a torrent of bass and vocal harmonies and you realize this guy is special.  His road hasn’t always been easy, as a gay black man growing up during the AIDS crisis of the 1980s, he had quite a bit to deal with and manage, but his optimism, humor and sheer thoughtfulness always shine through and make him someone I and many others go out of our way to talk and listen to. In this podcast, Paul and I discuss what it’s like to grow up and live in a world where experiences can be vastly different. Why having a diverse group of friends matters and how making a commitment to being open keeps you sane.

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Music courtesy of Dan Rodriguez:
"The Allies Theme" by Dan Rodriguez
Music courtesy of Paul Davis:
"Oh Mama" by 77Central

When you’ve known someone as a child, you sometimes forget that they evolve and grow. My experience reconnecting after 35 years, with Ralph, a retired police officer, Christian pastor, author, radio personality and public speaker, is that he has led an interesting and accomplished life. First and foremost, he’s a storyteller and a thinker, someone who believes in the power of people to do good and to make the world a better place. In this podcast, he talks about assuming the mantle of leadership as a black man and as a mentor to people in his community, why law enforcement is a sacred responsibility and how to connect with people different than yourself. But his insights go quite a bit deeper into issues like integrity, friendship, religion, and trust. In the end, the kid I knew when we won a baseball championship in the 1980s has become the ultimate coach and teammate for a universe of other people and that is a conversation worth listening to.

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Ralph Graves is a Motivational Speaker, Business Consultant and Author. He is a

member of the National Speakers Association and has been certified by the John

Maxwell Team as a Coach, Speaker and Leadership trainer.

Ralph brings storytelling, practicality, and an array of leadership tools to his

audience on and off the air. As a Live Morning Radio Show Host he adept in

speaking with no script. His keynotes are full of ready to use tips to catapult all in

the room to their desired success.

Ralph recognizes the greatness in everyone he meets and uses that greatness to

inspire people to strive for that next level in life. He wants to see you at the top

and will tell you exactly how to get there!

Website: RalphGravesJr.com
Instagram: RalphGravesJr

Facebook: RalphGravesJr

twitter:RalphGravesJr

Linkedin:RalphGraveJr

Unstoppable: www.amazon.com, RalphgravesJr.com,

www.Barnesandnoble.com

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Music courtesy of Dan Rodriguez:
"The Allies Theme" by Dan Rodriguez
Music courtesy of Traum Diggs:
"1988 ft. HACHE ST" by Gas-Lab & Traum Diggs

We all do this. When a group of friends gets together and we discuss our entire friend ecosystem the question of talent comes up. Amongst my friends, that conversation almost always ends early. Sure we have musicians, writers, business people, medical professionals, artists and specialists like any other group of friends, but we all agree Dan is the most talented. He is a singer/songwriter who somehow manages to tap into the pain and joy and humor of life and love in a way that is so unique, so singular, that you swear you’ve heard his stuff before. And maybe you have, but it has just been in your head, kicking around and Dan’s music just brought it out. As a Cuban American who’s lived in Japan, has family in Spain and deep roots in New Jersey, he has a definite point of view. In this podcast, Dan explains that moving among and between different cultures has its advantages and disadvantages, but underneath it all, the core is knowing how to be genuine and how to connect.

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Music courtesy of Dan Rodriguez:
"The Allies Theme" by Dan Rodriguez
"On The Night Of Laura's Party" by Stucco Bungalow

We all have that friend that we may see once or twice a year, sometimes even every other year, but it doesn’t matter, because when we connect, it’s like we saw each other yesterday. Leni has always been like that for me. From the moment we connected as young teens, I have been fascinated by her abilities as a writer, as a thinker and as a friend. She is kind, genuine and fierce in her belief that we have a responsibility to be better people. As a communications expert, author, and public speaker, she continually pushes herself to be and do more. As a mom, a spouse, and a friend, she is there whenever and wherever she’s needed. In this podcast, Leni and I reconnect as we often do, by diving into what matters to us on that particular day. On this day, it was about how to live in a world where tensions are high, where understanding takes time and listening is the most important skill we have. It’s the first Allies interview because to me, Leni and I started this conversation sometime in the Reagan years turning ourselves sideways in classroom desks and saying that for all our seeming differences, we are and would forever be friends. 

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Leni Uddyback-Fortson has served as regional director of public affairs for the U.S. Department of Labor in Philadelphia since 2007.  A communications professional with more than 25 years of experience, Leni has directed her talents to the public service arena, holding positions with the Balch Institute for Ethnic Studies in Philadelphia, Pa., The American Red Cross in Baltimore, Md., and The Greater Philadelphia Association of REALTORS® in Philadelphia, Pa.   

In her current position, Leni serves as senior spokesperson for all Labor Department agencies throughout a seven-state Mid-Atlantic region.  The mission of the Labor Department is to foster, develop and promote the welfare of working Americans.   Prior to her most recent appointment, Leni was the assistant regional director of public affairs for nine years.  

Leni received her Bachelor of Science in Business Communications from Bryant College Smithfield, R.I., and her Master of Government Administration from the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa.   She is a Senior Fellow with the Excellence in Government Program sponsored by the Partnership in or Public Service, and is also a graduate of the South Jersey Regional Leadership Institute at Rutgers University and the Urban League of Philadelphia’s Leadership Institute.   

In addition to her full-time position, Leni serves as an adjunct instructor at Gwynedd Mercy University in Philadelphia, Pa., and Rowan University in Glassboro, N.J.  She is a poet with three published collections, and is preparing to release her fourth book.

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Music courtesy of Traum Diggs:
"My Journal ft.SOUL" by Gas-Lab & Traum Diggs