Elevated Conversations

On October 28th, 2020, my wife Mallory birthed our newborn son, Justice Michael Justice. Like with our first son, Noble, Mallory made the choice to do an all natural home birth. We also utilized the Bradley Method of natural childbirth, which places the partner (myself) in the role of coach.

Many people have asked us to share more about our birth story, so we thought it would be fun to record it in the form of a podcast episode. We recount the 9 months of preparation leading up the Justice's birth, the highlights of the labor and birth, the background behind his name, and other interesting tidbits related to child birth. We hope you find it insightful, inspiring, and elevated!

For more information on the Bradley Method of Natural Childbirth:
http://www.bradleybirth.com/

In Episode 18, I bring back Emiliano "Diversoul" Morondos to unpack his latest album Baseline.Flowers.

Diversoul is a Baha'i, emcee, Branch Director of the Gila River Komatke Boys and Girls Club, husband, and father, among many other things. His current focus is urgently railing against the superficial, disease of materialism, and systems of oppression. Clearly, he is an amazing dude!

In this interview, Emiliano and I discuss the inspiration behind the Baseline.Flowers album, his experience serving in the the Gila River community, and many other spiritually elevated topics!

You can connect with Diversoul at:

[email protected]

602.620.5331

WWW.SOCIALCENTRIC.CO

Instagram

Facebook

Action Items:
Stream the Baseline.Flowers album here:
https://ampl.ink/j4QD2

What is racial prejudice? And how do we free ourselves from it? In Episode 17 of Elevated Conversations, I explore these questions with my good friend, Edward Peace, host of the new program "Ramblings of a Trying Baha'i".

This episode was actually part 2 of a conversation that unpacked some key concepts from the book "Advent of Divine Justice", a lengthy letter written by the Guardian of the Baha'i Faith, Shoghi Effendi, written to the Baha'is of North America in 1938. Part 1 of the conversation can be found on "Ramblings of a Trying Baha'i", which is published on YouTube and IGTV (see links below):

Ramblings of a Trying Baha'i (YouTube):
https://youtu.be/xN5PTiLvnJw

Ramblings of a Trying Baha'i (IGTV):
https://www.instagram.com/edwardpeaceishere/

To read "Advent of Divine Justice", use the following link:
https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/shoghi-effendi/advent-divine-justice/1#862028771

“In the end, we will not remember the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.” —Martin Luther King, Jr.

Those are the words that inspired Andrea Hope's powerful new poem and book "Will You Break The Silence?: Poetic Practical Steps Toward Race Unity". It's a passionate call from a Black voice to friends in the white community to break the silence and speak out on matters of racial injustice.

In light of the recent surge for racial justice across the United States and around the world in response to the unjust murder of George Floyd, among several other members of the Black community, Andrea has felt called to reach out to members of the white community and encourage them to take action. "Will You Break The Silence?" lays out a beginner's manual for taking action in poetic form.

In Episode 16 of Elevated Conversations, we explore Andrea's journey as a poet and the inspiration behind her powerful and inspiring poem.

You can purchase a copy of Andrea's poem as a physical book, which also includes compelling black and white graphics using the link below:

Will You Break The Silence? on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B089M43484/

For future updates on Andrea's amazing poetry, be sure to follow her on social media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/andreahope.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andreahopethepoet/

To listen to Andrea's podcast "To Mother", use this link:
https://pod.link/1502412825

In Episode 15, I interview a very special person! Brian Roth. My best friend, best man in my wedding, and camera man behind all of my music videos. Brian and I discuss the concept of nobility. What does it mean to be "noble"? What are the challenges of being noble? How do we see nobility expressed in the arts?

This is the first episode in a special series of "Elevated Conversations" that is focused on the theme of nobility, inspired by my upcoming album "Created Noble". In the series, I interview special people in my life who have particularly influenced me in my creative journey as an artist.

I am also currently running a crowdfunding campaign through Kickstarter to fund the production of the "Created Noble" album. To learn more about the project, or to help fund the album, you can visit the Kickstarter page here:

https://bit.ly/colbykickstarter

Ever stopped to ponder on whether the music we consume, promote, and create accurately reflects the type of society we want to live in?

In Episode 14 of Elevated Conversations, I explore this important question with the amazingly talented and inspiring Baha'i-inspired musician, Shadi Toloui-Wallace, as she shared about an exciting new project she is working on called "Media For Transformation".

"Media For Transformation" is a social action initiative inspired by the Junior Youth Spiritual Empowerment Program. The project recognizes the powerful influence of media in society and is motivated to create positive content that contributes to the moral and spiritual empowerment and development of youth aged 11-14.

Media For Transformation has created 5 "sessions" worth of this positive music content, which can be streamed wherever you listen to music.

Shadi Toloui-Wallace has released four internationally acclaimed albums - Leather Bound Book (2009), Verdant Isle (2011), Daughters of the Kingdom (2016) and most recently Radiant Heart (2019). Shadi states that she "draws inspiration from her spiritual beliefs, honest reflections, creative collaborations, travels and service opportunities, Shadi’s music transcends cultures, languages and generations, and continues speak to the hearts and minds of all who hear it."

Links:
Media For Transformation:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnJ7sSyS44Go2NKlQmr8elA
https://open.spotify.com/artist/20dYwT26HMUhe8FkBNk6Bq
https://soundcloud.com/mediafortransformation

Shadi Toloui-Wallace:
http://www.shaditolouiwallace.com/

Release The Power Album
https://album.link/us/i/1460040872

Baha'i Hip Hop - Spotify Playlist
https://hypeddit.com/link/9ohhip

Another fun Q&A session where I take questions from listeners and speak on them!

The questions for this episode centered on the current COVID-19 situation, future musical projects and collaborations, as well as the current length of my beard!

To submit your questions for future podcasts, message or email me at:

https://www.facebook.com/colbyjeffersmusic/

https://www.instagram.com/colbyjeffers/

[email protected]

What type of music would a Baha'i-inspired rapper born in Tanzania create while serving at the Baha'i World Center in Haifa, Israel?

In Episode 12, I'll answer that question as we go international to interview Baha'i-inspired rapper Randy'd'dawn about his album "New Day".

Randy also discusses his journey as a Baha'i-inspired rapper, what draws him to create music, and the process behind his latest album, New Day.

Action Items:
Watch the "Prophets" music video:
https://youtu.be/GIpLYHmK2PY

Stream the New Day album here:
https://album.link/i/1466243761

Connect with Randy'd'dawnl:
https://www.instagram.com/tzrandyddawn/

In Episode 11, I interview a mentor and inspiration of mine, Baha’i-inspired rapper, Emiliano "Diversoul" Morondos, about his new album The 7 Cities, inspired by the book The Seven Valleys written by Bahá'u'lláh, founder of the Baha'i Faith.

Emiliano discusses his journey as a Baha'i-inspired rapper, and shares the top insights he gleaned from the nine year process of creating the album.

Hip Hop artist and Emcee “DVRSL” (Diversoul) has been a participant in Hip Hop culture for 20+ years. Representing Wailuku Hi.,  Skokie Il., Arivaca, Tucson and Phoenix Az.

Time and experience, world travel and touring, poetry, paid dues and performance are markers and milestones that distinguish DVRSL.

In 2020 DVRSL’s SoulSlam stage show is an organic experience, a fun, unique, and informative experiment in community building. DVRSL embodies the art of emceeing, connecting with audiences, and empowering their courage and capacity.

You can contact Diversoul at:

[email protected]

602.620.5331

WWW.SOCIALCENTRIC.CO

Instagram

Action Items:
Stream the The 7 Cities album here:
https://fanlink.to/the7cities

Read The Seven Valleys by Baháʼu'lláh
https://www.bahai.org/bahaullah/articles-resources/from-seven-valleys

In Episode 10, I interview my good friend and fellow Baha’i-inspired rapper, Karim Rushdy, about his new album Thief In The Night.

Karim discusses the inspiration behind the album, some of the biggest challenges of completing it, as well as some of the most joyful moments of creating the album.

Action Items:
Stream the Thief In The Night album, here.

Connect with Karim: Facebook | Instagram | Spotify | YouTube