On November 8, 2016 many people worldwide realized their worst nightmare. Donald J. Trump was elected the 45th President of the United States of America. In the three weeks that have passed, we've seen a plethora of responses to the election results, from fear and loathing to euphoric revelry. Unfortunately, most of these reactions are emotional and impetuous, not strategic or logically thought out. Understandable, but only acceptable for a short time. Time to shake it off people. On this episode Bliss and "Counter Intelligent" founder True Asiatic Allah call out Liberals and Conservatives on the the waste of time antics that keep both sides distracted from the real agents that will threaten the social and economic balance in the upcoming Trump years. The times are a-changing folks. Time to get ready. Time for some action.

The Wine: Teavine~~ Green tea, white wine and honey infusion

Note: The song "A Song For You" which was made famous by Donnie Hathaway and written by Leon Russell.

The season four opener of "Everybody Loves Bliss" is here.

Bliss is joined in studio for a provocative pre-election conversation by artist and "Counter Intelligent" moderator True Asiatic along with co-producer Al Morgan. Here for the first time Bliss publicly speaks on the reasons she does NOT support the Black Lives Matter organization, the problem with millenials, why she is voting her conscience and NOT for the win this year, and why if you didn't do the same, you should have.

Listen in. Tell a friend. Then listen again.

Warning: Leave your political correctness expectations at the door.

Wine: Fox Run Vineyards, Traminette, Finger Lakes 2014

The season four opener of "Everybody Loves Bliss" is here.

Bliss is joined in studio for a provocative pre-election conversation by artist and "Counter Intelligent" moderator True Asiatic along with co-producer Al Morgan. Here for the first time Bliss publicly speaks on the reasons she does NOT support the Black Lives Matter organization, the problem with millenials, why she is voting her conscience and NOT for the win this year, and why if you didn't do the same, you should have.

Listen in. Tell a friend. Then listen again.

Warning: Leave your political correctness expectations at the door.

Wine: Fox Run Vineyards, Traminette, Finger Lakes 2014

Up until a few months ago I thought, like most people, that all un-closeted homosexuals were comfortable with the gay and/or LGBTQ identifiers. I assumed for that community, those terms were, in light of all the political progress the group has made recently, accepted with a sense of pride. A conversation with my friend, actor Carltaise Ransom disabused me of that notion rather quickly.

While I understood like most sub-cultures there were varying degrees of agreement with some ideas and practices within the group, I did not recognize there were pro-black, conscious, self-identified homosexuals who for cultural and political reasons do not follow under the of the auspices of LGBTQ rainbow. That group is called SGL or same gender loving.

After our first conversation about SGL, Carltaise and I agreed that in this climate of new black social and political awakening this was a subject that needed to be discussed in detail on the show. We were fortunate to have educator and musician Amadi Ogamma, another SGL man join in on this important and informative discussion.

The Wines:

Apothic White 2010, Winemaker's Blend - California

Marietta Cellars, Old Vine Red, Lot

Up until a few months ago I thought, like most people, that all un-closeted homosexuals were comfortable with the gay and/or LGBTQ identifiers. I assumed for that community, those terms were, in light of all the political progress the group has made recently, accepted with a sense of pride. A conversation with my friend, actor Carltaise Ransom disabused me of that notion rather quickly.

While I understood like most sub-cultures there were varying degrees of agreement with some ideas and practices within the group, I did not recognize there were pro-black, conscious, self-identified homosexuals who for cultural and political reasons do not follow under the of the auspices of LGBTQ rainbow. That group is called SGL or same gender loving.

After our first conversation about SGL, Carltaise and I agreed that in this climate of new black social and political awakening this was a subject that needed to be discussed in detail on the show. We were fortunate to have educator and musician Amadi Ogamma, another SGL man join in on this important and informative discussion.

The Wines:

Apothic White 2010, Winemaker's Blend - California

Marietta Cellars, Old Vine Red, Lot

If you're paying even a modicum of attention to what's happening in the United States' presidential election you know that it's been ripe with shenanigans. Usually, in a race for the world's most coveted and arguably most powerful political appointment candidates try, though sometimes through very thin veils, to hide their religious intolerance, sexism, ageism, and penchant towards plutocracy. Not anymore. The 2016 race has brought out an unashamed worst of the worst in behavior, not only from the candidates but from the society as a whole. So much so that even "My Kevin", stalwart black male purveyor of "cultural insensitivity, has finally come to terms with the notion that racism is in fact, a thing. He talks for the first time about why he's no longer holding on to the sentiment of sensitivity and why if a certain candidate tries to bring trouble to his beloved Baltimore, he's ready to rumble!

We also went in on the upcoming anniversary of Freddie Gray and the Baltimore Uprising, the mayoral race and the overall progress of the city. There's also that thing that happened called "wingate." And that's all I'm going to share with you for now. If you want to know more you gotta listen for yourself..

Featured wine: One Hope~ Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 (California)

If you're paying even a modicum of attention to what's happening in the United States' presidential election you know that it's been ripe with shenanigans. Usually, in a race for the world's most coveted and arguably most powerful political appointment candidates try, though sometimes through very thin veils, to hide their religious intolerance, sexism, ageism, and penchant towards plutocracy. Not anymore. The 2016 race has brought out an unashamed worst of the worst in behavior, not only from the candidates but from the society as a whole. So much so that even "My Kevin", stalwart black male purveyor of "cultural insensitivity, has finally come to terms with the notion that racism is in fact, a thing. He talks for the first time about why he's no longer holding on to the sentiment of sensitivity and why if a certain candidate tries to bring trouble to his beloved Baltimore, he's ready to rumble!

We also went in on the upcoming anniversary of Freddie Gray and the Baltimore Uprising, the mayoral race and the overall progress of the city. There's also that thing that happened called "wingate." And that's all I'm going to share with you for now. If you want to know more you gotta listen for yourself..

Featured wine: One Hope~ Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 (California)

Season 3 of "Everybody Loves Bliss" is officially here!!!

On this episode, I'm joined by two of my good friends, who happen to be two of my favorite working artists, who also happen to be two people I love to brunch with, who also just happen to be very opinionated and verbal on all issues: politics, social justice, gender, sexism, racsim and all isms in between. They are actress, director and teaching artist for Center Stage Baltimore, Susan Stroupe and actor, singer, writer and "Speak It Real" producer Carltaise Ransom. In this conversation, we revisit the Oscar awards and some of the glaring fails no one else seemed to talk about like, "Why didn't NWA member and screenwriter Ice Cube write "Straight Outta Compton" himself? Or did he? We also venture into the upcoming Presidential elections. Could the possibility of a Clinton vs. Trump ticket cause white Bernie Sanders supporters to go Republican and black supporters to not vote at all?

Believe me when I tell you there's nothing like brunching with a white, feminist, liberal, civil rights ally and a male, pro-black, same gender loving, self proclaimed revolutionary on Super Tuesday!

Listen and hear for yourself!

Featured wine: Three Pears 2014 California Pinot Gris

Season 3 of "Everybody Loves Bliss" is officially here!!!

On this episode, I'm joined by two of my good friends, who happen to be two of my favorite working artists, who also happen to be two people I love to brunch with, who also just happen to be very opinionated and verbal on all issues: politics, social justice, gender, sexism, racsim and all isms in between. They are actress, director and teaching artist for Center Stage Baltimore, Susan Stroupe and actor, singer, writer and "Speak It Real" producer Carltaise Ransom. In this conversation, we revisit the Oscar awards and some of the glaring fails no one else seemed to talk about like, "Why didn't NWA member and screenwriter Ice Cube write "Straight Outta Compton" himself? Or did he? We also venture into the upcoming Presidential elections. Could the possibility of a Clinton vs. Trump ticket cause white Bernie Sanders supporters to go Republican and black supporters to not vote at all?

Believe me when I tell you there's nothing like brunching with a white, feminist, liberal, civil rights ally and a male, pro-black, same gender loving, self proclaimed revolutionary on Super Tuesday!

Listen and hear for yourself!

Featured wine: Three Pears 2014 California Pinot Gris

As I write this last podcast descriptor for this last episode of 2015, it's 50 degrees at night, at the end of December, on the east coast of the United States. Unusual to say the least. But that's what 2015 has been, a series of strange, unusual, unorthodox and unprecedented events. A white woman claims blackness. A male Olympic champion claims womanhood. Non-politicians ruling the elections. America's favorite dad became America's most hated man. Police declaring war on black citizens. The weather defying the seasons. And that's only skimming the surface.

But what's good is that if your reading this then you've made it through 2015. And hopefully you've had some really phenomenal moments to treasure. I certainly did...quite a few of them right here on this podcast. At what I know for sure is that with hope, courage, stick-to-itiveness, and a little faith we can affect change on a global scale, for the better. Not just for some, but for all of us. And that same formula works/will work for us on a personal level.

In the new year "Everybody Loves Bliss" will only get better and grow larger. We appreciate all of you for joining in on the ride. We love you. We appreciate you. And we wish you the best of everything. Happy 2016!

~~Bliss