On AndYouAre's eighth episode, the 2020 election is just hours away. After deliberating what political mind I wanted to interview today, the only person I wanted to talk to was my partner Foster McKeon. We discuss the way our family is unique but fights to be viewed like others. We strive for a better future for our country and especially for our daughter. As we all get out to vote, we wanted to talk about some of the upcoming issues that are personal to us. 

On AndYouAre's seventh episode, we veer from our regularly scheduled interview and are out in our local communities working extra hard for this 2020 presidential election. With resources available, we are trying to make a voter's experience the right one. We will return next week with a regularly scheduled interview on the final hours of the most important election in our nation's history.

Please, go out and vote!

Resources:

wetheaction.org

vote.org

On AndYouAre's sixth episode, we speak with a young, queer pediatric trauma nurse living in Texas. Michael Angel talks about the diversity of children that he sees on a daily basis and the different worlds they come from. He tells us how he strives to be a good representation for queer men in the nursing field. He's overcome the many generic and stereotypical confines of being a "male nurse" while working diligently to help young patients through this Covid-19 pandemic.

On AndYouAre's fifth episode, we speak with writer, blogger, counselor, and consultant Ashley Mae Simmons about the importance of being the author of your own life. At only 24, Ashley has rewritten her representation in the world as a young, powerful black woman. She tells us her journey from struggling with imposter syndrome, to the many successes she's seen in her life this far. She reminds us that with every success, there is a struggle. For her, that's remind people that she didn't "become black over night". She sees the unity in the nation's protests, and she fights to make sure everyone knows that there is still work ahead. Ashley, is first in line and ready to work.

On AndYouAre's fourth episode, we speak with Austin, TX City Council candidate, Vanessa Fuentes about the very citizens that are being left behind. We discuss the struggle she sees so many face in their every day lives. Together with her team, Vanessa has a vision of bring on Austin's City Council with the goals of a bold new approach to community healthcare, proactive community engagement, tackling housing and displacement crisis, and uplifting small businesses. Vanessa reminds us of the importance of voting and that the last day to register to vote is TODAY October 5th.  

On AndYouAre's second episode, we speak with professional percussionist Emma Terrell about the climb, struggles, and discoveries of the classical music industry. We discuss the 30 countries in 14 months that Emma traveled doing community research that then led her to teaching music in Boston, Massachusetts. Emma recently created a studio ensemble called En Route which is designed to allow musicians to deep dive into their identities through music. Emma believes one thing above all -- people want to watch and listen to the music of those who look like them, who are representing them in a true multi-cultural group.