Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire

Mark began his career as a musician, performing and composing throughout California. He taught music in CA and OR public schools before moving to New York about 20 years ago, when he became the director of the music program at Rockland Country Day School. From there he devoted 14 years to teaching music at the Fieldston School in Riverdale, NY before retiring last year.  Mark isn’t really retired, he simply changed careers, for Mark has enthusiastically thrown himself back into his passion for visual arts, and is now a full time sculptor. Mark is not just creating beautiful metal sculptures, he is developing grassroots collaboratives with other artists and doing the leg work to create a community sculpture walk. 

You may recall that Mark’s wife, pilates instructor Jennifer Attebery, was a guest last month on episode #18. We talked about our shared loved for bocce - a game my husband and I want to  play with Mark and Jennifer well into our 90s!

Mark shares some highlights of his father’s truly inspiring story of finding true love at the ripe old age of 89; a story that made headlines all over the world, via Public Radio’s The Moth. To experience the magic, I encourage you to read “Howard and Cynthia: A Love Story”. Enjoy the podcast!

Links: Instagram Facebook Web Site The Moth NY Times Bocce Article Howard and Cynthia: A Love Story

Susanna Styron, filmmaker, writer and director, has made meaningful films that reflect people’s resilience to hardship. From her feature film “Shadrach”, documentaries of her relief work in New Orleans, Ground Zero or Haiti, to a short film of life after divorce, as well as her most recent film “Out of My Head” about the mysterious disease migraine, Susanna covers natural disaster, social/political injustice, life transitions and personal illness. She is inspired by courageous people who are driven by integrity and value family (be it biological or created). Speaking of valuing family, Susanna integrates both of her daughters in her recent movies; Emma Larson is featured in the movie "Out of My Head" and Lilah Larson wrote a song for the sound track of "House of Teeth".

“Out of My Head” will be shown at Jacob Burns Film Center in Pleasantville, NY on Monday May 21st at 7:00pm. If you or someone you love suffers from migraine, I urge you to see it. Susanna and the film's producer, Jackie Ochs will be there for a Q & A after the screening.

Susanna has been on the directing faculty at Columbia University for over a decade, while also teaching TV and film in both undergraduate and graduate schools at Columbia University, NYU and Princeton. She is currently working on a film about Roxcy Bolton, an American feminist, civil and women's rights activist. Enjoy the podcast!

Films: “Shadrach” “9/12: From Chaos to Community" “Many Hands” (Haitian American Nurses Association) "House of Teeth" "Out of My Head"

Links:

www.outofmyheadfilm.com

Jacob Burns Film Center, 364 Manville Road, Pleasantville, NY

The Migraine Project

IMDB

Stephen Carr is a man of faith, lifetime learner, maritime lawyer and avid sailor. He also happens to be my dear father and I am delighted to share my conversation with my dad. The release date of this podcast, April 30th, 2018 is his 88th birthday! Steve is my eldest guest and I marvel at his long, rich life as he shares childhood memories, family history, his 4 years in the seminary and decision to leave, his appreciation of his education, first at St. Michael’s College/ University of Toronto, then at Georgetown University Law School, before landing a job at the law firm of Haight, Gardener, Poor and Haven. Dad embraces his Irish roots, love of the Clancy Brothers and John O’Donohue as well as other writers who stimulate and nourish him: Thomas Merton, Richard Rohr, Ernest Hemingway, Gregory Boyle. After retiring from his law firm, Dad kept up 20 years of legal consultation, volunteered in prisons, and to this day, stays active with walking, biking, sailing and pickleball (and he credits his wife, Vivian for helping him stay young). I’ve always loved how easily my dad cries, he is touched deeply by tender moments in life, and lets the tears flow. I know I may be a bit biased, because he is my Dad, but I think you, too, will enjoy Steve’s thoughtful, funny, sentimental life reflections.

Jennifer Attebery is a Pilates instructor, dancer, and open-hearted gypsy spirit! As a child, she studied with the School of American Ballet, moved to New York City at age 17 to follow her dream to be a ballet dancer. After 7 years of performing, Jennifer was looking for something else and spontaneously moved to New Mexico, where she danced and taught at the Santa Fe Dance Company. Jennifer achieved a kinesiology degree with an emphasis in dance at UC Berkley. When she was a mother of 2 young children, Jennifer felt pulled to be close to her own mother and moved back to NY, acknowledging how important it was for her for her children to grow up knowing their grandmother. Jennifer describes some of her recent travels, including visiting an elephant sanctuary in Thailand, a loving orphanage/ashram in India and an inspiring Kripalu retreat with Angela Farmer. It is refreshing to hear Jennifer express her deep gratitude for her healthy, loving relationship with her husband, Mark and the life they have created. Enjoy the podcast!

Links:

Elephant Sanctuary

Mount Madonna Center/Babaji

Angela Farmer

In addition to being an accomplished composer, musician and producer, Peter Fish is the reason that my husband and I choose to move to Nyack 24 years ago. He raved about this creative, warm village and modeled for us, meaningful ways to be involved in the heart and soul of our community. Peter tells me about his formative years breaking into the music world. When he was a teenager he toured with the Glen Miller Band, Woody Herman Band, Maynard Ferguson and Buddy Rich. When he was 16 years old, Peter tells the story of playing a gig with the legendary Jaco Pastorius (who was 17 at the time), and his missed opportunity to have Jaco play on his album. Peter has had a successful career arranging, composing and producing music for television & movies. He has experienced being a producer in NYC’s large, medium and small music houses, able to re-invent himself, changing as the music business changes. Peter is delighted with his current studio, Sound Stories. You may recall my conversation with Peter’s partner, filmmaker Tracey Anarella, in episode #7. Peter and Tracey are vibrant collaborators, co-producing her films with Peter writing the music and even learning 2nd camera! You can hear Peter perform his original music live with the Peter Fish Group - inspired by the innovative electronic music of Miles Davis from the 70s. Enjoy the podcast!

Links:

Sound Stories

Peter Fish Group

Not Black Enough