And Then Suddenly

Nancy Allen was the mother of two small children attending a talk at the Dallas Institute of Humanities and Culture when out of nowhere she fell in love with Robert Sardello and spiritual psychology. A study of the soul, perception, and presence, she went on to become a student and teacher of this practice. We talk about the impact of Sardello's work on her life, why she rarely talks about this moment, and why current events are inspiring her to talk about it now.

Additional Resources

• Dante's Inferno: Canto 1
• Robert Sardello
  • Facing the World with Soul: The Reimagination of Modern Life
  • Silence: The Mystery of Wholeness
  • The Power of Soul: Living the Twelve Virtues

Derek was at church in his small hometown in Virginia when a girl he'd never seen walked through the door. Thinking she was the one, they stayed friends for a year and a half until one New Years Eve kiss. We talk about how two people from different worlds connected, how their relationship survived his Navy enlistment and deployment, and the benefits waiting in the friend zone.

Additional Resources

• Urban Dictionary: Definition of Friend Zone
• Delilah

Years into his addiction, Mike Wanjeng'u was having an argument with his parents when his father said something that cut him to the core. Months later, he went rehab and is now three years sober. We talk about his journey to recovery, how it led him help and advocate for those with mental health issues through Tinada Youth Organization, and the importance of love and World Mental Health Day.

Additional Resources

• World Health Organization
  • World Mental Health Day: October 10th

  • World Mental Health Day 2019: focus on suicide prevention

• Voice
  • On Facebook
  • On Twitter
  • Information on Tinada
• Tinada Youth Organization
  • On Facebook
  • On Twitter

This special series of episodes features conversations with partners from Voice. Based in Africa and Asia, these individuals -often leaders of organizations or small groups- are working tirelessly to ensure that their own voices as well as those they represent are at the table and not on the menu. The moments they share are their very own and the conversations are impromptu and candid.

About Voice:Voice is an innovative grant facility that promotes inclusion and diversity in Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, Laos, Cambodia, Philippines and Indonesia. It aims to amplify and connect thus far unheard voices in efforts to leave no one behind based on the principle of Nothing About Us Without Us. Voice is financed by the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs and executed by Oxfam Novib and Hivos.

In celebration of International Day of Older Persons, I talk with two guests who are using their retirement to help fellow senior citizens. After a career working in Cambodian hospitals, Ou Vanda was painfully aware of the health issues facing older people in her country. Upon his return to the Philippines, former educator Rizal Balatbat found himself learning about senior issues and broadcasting. I talk to Ou about establishing an OPA in her village and Rizal about his radio show and how both are educating and pushing for policy changes through their work.

Additional Resources

• United Nations: International Day of Older Persons
• Voice
  • On Facebook
  • On Twitter
  • Information on Help Age Cambodia
  • Information on COSE
• Help Age Cambodia
• COSE
• Rizal's radio show: Senior Citizens' TIPS - Time for Information and Public Service
  • Episode: Ageism, IDOP (International Day of Of Older Persons, Elderly Filipino Week)
  • Episode: Older Persons Organizations
  • Episode: Mandatory Philhealth Coverage for all Senior Citizens

This special series of episodes features conversations with partners from Voice. Based in Africa and Asia, these individuals -often leaders of organizations or small groups- are working tirelessly to ensure that their own voices as well as those they represent are at the table and not on the menu. The moments they share are their very own and the conversations are impromptu and candid.

About Voice:Voice is an innovative grant facility that promotes inclusion and diversity in Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, Laos, Cambodia, Philippines and Indonesia. It aims to amplify and connect thus far unheard voices in efforts to leave no one behind based on the principle of Nothing About Us Without Us. Voice is financed by the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs and executed by Oxfam Novib and Hivos.

When Olivia LaBarre started doing Reiki, things began to change. Wanting to get control of new feelings and visions, she enrolled herself in a psychic development class. But when she complained about her misbehaving dog Milo and her teacher told her she could talk to him, things really shifted. We talk about her journey to becoming a pet communicator and the stress of going public with an unexpected business.

Additional Resources

• Reiki Healing Works
• John Hopkins Medicine- What is Reiki?

In October 2014, Mary Jo McConnell was walking across the street when she was hit by a car. After having surgery on her broken leg, she was left to navigate New York City on crutches and had to figure how to manage her professional acting career during her recovery. An army veteran and former nurse, for the first time she felt powerless. We talk about the series of events that led her to different theaters, new experiences, and the inspiration to create her own work.

Additional Resources

• Mary Jo McConnell: www.maryjomcconnell.com
• Trumped video trailer
• Music Theater Factory
• The Actor's Green Room
• DE-CRUIT

This episode is part of a special series: And Then Suddenly; Rising Voice(s)

When a friend invited Anan Bouapha to attend a HIV prevention volunteer workshop, he went because he thought it would be a social event. But the moment the training started, he was suddenly motivated to help his community. Through a series of opportunities, in 2012 he organized the first Pride festival in Laos. Now the Founder of Proud to Be Us Laos, we talk about his leadership journey and the organization's mission to create an inclusive society for LGBTI citizens.

Additional Resources:

• Proud to Be Us Laos
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Voice profile
  • Voice story: "Empowerment of Proud to be Us Laos, an emerging group"
• Montreal Pride Festival Grand Marshals
• Voice
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
• And Then Suddenly
  • Facebook
  • Instagram

This special series of episodes features conversations with partners from Voice. Based in Africa and Asia, these individuals -often leaders of organizations or small groups- are working tirelessly to ensure that their own voices as well as those they represent are at the table and not on the menu. The moments they share are their very own and the conversations are impromptu and candid.

About Voice:Voice is an innovative grant facility that promotes inclusion and diversity in Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, Laos, Cambodia, Philippines and Indonesia. It aims to amplify and connect thus far unheard voices in efforts to leave no one behind based on the principle of Nothing About Us Without Us. Voice is financed by the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs and executed by Oxfam Novib and Hivos.

About And Then Suddenly:The podcast about unexpected moments, writer Angela Santillo asks one question: What's a moment that turned your life upside down? Never knowing what her guests will say, the conversation takes twists and turns that go beyond our ordinary stories about big life moments. Impromptu, funny, and always honest, this show explores what really happens after everything changes in an instant.

Molika Gupta was preparing a presentation when her immigration attorney emailed to say her sponsored work visa application was not selected in the random lottery process. A career professional who came to the US on a spousal visa, suddenly not being able to work was a jarring reality. We talk about the challenges of moving to another country and her new mission to empower other immigrant spouses to redefine their lives.

Additional Resources

• Facebook Group: Immigrant Spouses ReWrite Your Story
• Connect with Molika
  • Twitter @mlkgpt
  • Email: [email protected]

After sixteen years in the Coast Guard, on October 1, 2013 Brandon Saiz achieved the rank of Chief Petty Officer. Hating the tradition of initiation, he decided not to go through the voluntary indoctrination process and was ostracized by other chiefs. We talk about the military's history of hazing, the social and mental health implications of going against the system, and how twenty years in the service impacts his life as a civilian.

Trigger warning: This episode includes a candid conversation about mental health and suicidal thoughts. If you or someone you know needs help, contact the Suicide Prevention Lifeline and if you are veteran who needs to talk to someone, contact the VA's Crisis Line.

Additional Resources

• Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
• VA Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1
• Brandon Saiz
  • On Twitter
  • On Twitch
• Moo Point: A Friends Podcast
  • On Facebook
  • On Twitter

On the night of their 30th birthday, Goldie Peacock was definitely not looking for love. They were at the Branded Saloon in Brooklyn, getting ready to perform an epic drag king number that transformed them from an English gentleman into a unicorn when a stranger appeared on the basement stairs. We talk about sparks, love, marriage, and what can happen when you're busy making other plans.

Additional Resources

• www.goldiepeacock.com
• Huffington Post: "It's Time For Drag Kings To Detoxify Masculinity On TV" by Goldie Peacock
• Definition of a Drag King