Face2Face with David Peck

Jeff McBride

Jeff talks about magic mystery and deception and magic as “effect without a casue.” He has plenty of wisdom and insight to share on the art of practice, discipline, and “expert simplicity” and about the power of possibility.

Biography

Jeff McBride, named Magician of the Year by The Magic Castle in Los Angeles, is recognized as a foremost innovator in contemporary magic. New York Times columnist Glenn Collins writes, "What Mr. McBride gives his audiences is a mesmerizing performance...a magic show that is at once a celebration of mystery and a struggle to understand powerful forces."

McBride most recently headlined at Caesars Magical Empire in Las Vegas, where he was voted critics' choice as Best Magician in Las Vegas in the Review-Journal annual poll. He is featured on the PAX TV series, "Masters of Illusion." Earlier this year, McBride previewed his new theatrical show, The Forbidden Secret of Magic with Eugene Burger and Abbi Spinner at Magicopolis magic theatre in Los Angeles, and presented his new grand illusion spectacular, Jeff McBride - Abracadazzle!, to standing ovations at the Claridge in Atlantic City.

On television, McBride's spectacular "Burned Alive!" escape highlighted the ABC TV special "Champions of Magic." He is also featured on the current PBS documentary, "The Art of Magic," and on all three episodes of "The Mysteries of Magic" on The Learning Channel. His show McBride - Magic! was the featured attraction at the Monte Carlo Festival of Magic. This followed a featured appearance on "World's Greatest Magicians" for NBC. Earlier that season McBride guest starred on TV's Star Trek: Deep Space Nine as Joran, a role created especially for him.

McBride's signature fusion of mask, myth, drama and illusion reflects his lifelong study of magic's multi-cultural roots. His first full-evening show, Mask, Myth & Magic, won acclaim Off-Broadway and on national tour, as well as at arts festivals in Barcelona (for the 1992 Olympics), London, Hong Kong, China, and Bangkok. Prior to going solo, McBride was the opening act of choice for Tina Turner, Diana Ross, and other top stars. He has been profiled in Elle Magazine, Town & Country, Harpers and dozens of other publications worldwide.

In addition to his work as a performer, McBride is a much sought-after lecturer and workshop leader for such diverse groups as The Smithsonian, The Disney Institute, the International Brotherhood of Magicians, the Center for Symbolic Studies and others. McBride is founder of The Mystery School, a unique experiential retreat for magicians (and subject of an acclaimed 1994 CBC-TV documentary hosted by Arthur Kent), and creator and co-founder of the WorldMagicsTM Festivals, multi-cultural celebrations of the environment, or "enviro-magic." His video-taped series teaching "The Art of Card Manipulation" is among the best selling magic teaching videos of all time. With Eugene Burger, he has created and teaches regular sessions of "McBride's Master Class" at his home studio in Las Vegas, as well as semi-annual retreats for the further exploration of the magical arts.

To learn more about Jeff head to his website here.

To learn more about the mystery school check out the website here.

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For more information about my podcasting, writing and public speaking please visit my site here.

With thanks to producer Josh Snethlage and Mixed Media Sound.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Marcie and I talk about empathy and others, magic, a shift in perspective, the power of film for social change and a “real sense of belonging.”

Synopsis

How much are you willing to sacrifice for your dream?

MAGICIANS follows four very different professional magicians on stage and off, exploring how and why these characters so passionately dedicate their lives to the artistry and craft of illusion: from the most humbling of road gigs to the grandest performances on the biggest of stages; to finding love to terrible personal loss; and, most dramatically, to the prospect of losing everything for the one constant in their lives: magic.

As we come to understand why each is pursuing his own dream, we’ll discover the greatest secret that has been hidden right before our eyes all along: far more fascinating than the magic are the magicians themselves.

MAGICIANS was filmed over four years with unprecedented access at the Magic Castle in Los Angeles, behind the scenes in Las Vegas, the magicians’ homes and wherever their journeys took them. Exciting, uplifting, and with broad audience appeal, the film explores how these magicians have persisted with their art form, and prevailed. MAGICIANS is directed and produced by Marcie Hume and Christoph Baaden. The film is executive produced by Glen Zipper, Greg Stikeleather, Doug Blush and Lance Burton.

More about the film here.

Biography

Marcie Hume began her documentary career with the BBC in London, and has created and produced a range of series for the BBC and Channel 4 in the UK, and Discovery Channel, Lifetime, and National Geographic in the US.

She works full time as a production and development executive in television, while making a documentary film every 5 years. Her documentary feature film HOOD TO COAST was released in 360 movie theaters across the US in 2011, and her recent documentary MAGICIANS: LIFE IN THE IMPOSSIBLE will be released later this year.

She created an after-school documentary program for high school students in vulnerable communities in the South Bronx, and has given workshops on interview technique and documentary ethics at conferences around the country.

Having created both documentary series and reality TV shows, she’s a big believer in questioning assumptions about authenticity and truth in both genres… and is wary of those who consider documentaries to be “real” and reality TV to be “fake”.

She continues to develop and revise her ideas on storytelling and ethics in documentary.

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Please visit my website for more information on my podcasting, writing and public speaking.

With thanks to producer Josh Snethlage and Mixed Media Sound

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Michael talks about his new book Epiphany, dogmatism, the religious right, why he’s still so optimistic and his desire for change.

Biography

For four years Michael was the host of The Arena, a nightly television show on Sun News. For more than twelve years he was host/producer of The Michael Coren Show on Crossroads Television, presenting more than 3000 episodes and winning numerous awards.

Michael is a columnist for Ottawa Life, Snowbirds Magazine and The Landowner and a monthly columnist for The Winnipeg Free Press and The Toronto Star. He is also a regular contributor to Metro News and The Walrus. He appears each week on Newstalk 1010 radio and is a frequent guest on TVOntario’s The Agenda and guest hosts on CKTB radio.

He is the best-selling author of fifteen books, including biographies of G.K. Chesterton, H.G. Wells, Arthur Conan Doyle, J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis. He has contributed to the Dictionary of National Biography and several other anthologies. He is published in many countries and in more than a dozen languages. His last two books were on the best-seller list for more than ten weeks.

He has received several honorary doctorates and awards for his writing and broadcasting. In 2005 he won The Ed Murrow Award for Radio Broadcasting, in 2006 The RTNDA Radio Broadcasting Award, in 2007 the Communicator Award in Hollywood and in 2008 the Omni Award for his television show.

In 2012 he was awarded the Queen’s Jubilee Medal for services to media. Michael Coren is a frequent speaker on a number of issues.

Please visit the Public Speaking page for more details.

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Please visit my website for more information on my podcasting, writing and public speaking.

With thanks to producer Josh Snethlage and Mixed Media Sound

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Susanne Regina Meures

Susanne and I talk about her new film Raving Iran, freedom, the politics of fear, oppression and the power of friendship.

Trailer

Synopsis

Directed by Susanne Regina Meures, a Swiss filmmaker, the documentary addresses the hardships of following your dreams for two local DJs Anoosh and Arash. They are extremely passionate about pursuing dance music and are “tired of hiding from the police and their stagnating career." In order to follow their heart, they "organize one last manic techno rave under dangerous circumstances in the desert.”

The Iranian government has banned Western music, among other things, which has lead to cultural oppression in the country.

“When Anoosh is arrested, there seems to be no hope left. But then they receive a phone call from the biggest techno festival in the world. Once landed in Switzerland, the haze of the instant euphoria evaporates quickly when the seriousness of the situation starts to dawn on them.”

Biography

Susanne was born in the West of Germany and studied photography and history of art at The Courtauld in London and film at the Zurich University of the Arts. She worked for numerous print publications before moving to film.

Raving Iran is her first feature length documentary.

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Please visit my website for more information on my podcasting, writing and public speaking.

With thanks to producer Josh Snethlage and Mixed Media Sound

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mitch and I talk today about patient centered care, meditation, why the “system” is broken, dehumanization, music and the arts and how it’s all connected to our understating of mind/body health.

Biography

Dr. Mitch Abrams, M.D. FRCP, is a Canadian radiologist, medical educator and held the post of Department Chair of Radiology at Cambridge Memorial Hospital. 

His experiences as a radiologist and his observations as a patient following heart surgery changed his thoughts on the profession he loves. Realizing medicine, as we know it has a limited scope Dr. Abrams is taking a partial leave of absence to launch a non-profit/social entrepreneurial program creating and promoting a new approach to well-being. 

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For more information about my podcasting, writing and public speaking please visit my site here.

With thanks to producer Josh Snethlage and Mixed Media Sound

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nicholas Greco

Listen in as Nicholas talks about vapid pop songs, Bono and U2, activism and idealism, why music matters more than we know and how one can transcend the here and now at a rock concert.

Please Note: Here’s a little update on a reference that Nicholas makes during the interview. The song he refers to at the end of the podcast is “Elvis Presley and America” from The Unforgettable Fire. The live track is from the the Live in Chicago DVD (right tour, but he referenced the wrong DVD), and the track is “40,” not “Yahweh.”

Biography

Dr. Nicholas P. Greco is Associate Professor of Communications and Media at Providence University College in Otterburne, Manitoba. Dr. Greco’s doctoral dissertation explored the enigmatic star image and the nature of fan desire in the case of British singer Morrissey.

He in interested in the nature of celebrity, the construction of masculinity and the sacramental nature of the televisual work of Joss Whedon.

His latest book is called David Bowie in Darkness: A Study of 1. Outside and the Late Career (published by McFarland and Company in 2015).

He lives in Southern Manitoba with his wife and daughter.

For more info about Nicholas head here.

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Please visit my website for more information on my podcasting, writing and public speaking.

With thanks to producer Josh Snethlage and Mixed Media Sound.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Listen in as Peter talks about what it means to be human, why he believes in something beyond himself, how we shapes our understanding in pubic life and why he thinks we should all be eating lunch at home a little more often.

Convivium Magazine

Biography

Peter has been a professional journalist since 1979. He was the Editor-in-Chief of Montreal’s The Gazette newspaper, editor of the Calgary Sun, Editorial pages editor of the Calgary Herald, and the vice-president of English editorial for Reader’s Digest Canadian magazines, where he oversaw the launch of new publications such as the highly successful Best Health. In 2009, he co-founded with Father Raymond J. de Souza the magazine Convivium, which is published by the think tank Cardus.

In 2011, Peter published the short story collection “If Only” through Montreal publisher Siren Song Press. He also has his own media company, Prima Communication, which offers strategic planning, editing, writing and photographic services. He currently divides his time between Montreal, where he is a part of Studio 411 in the city’s historic St. Henri neighborhood, and Ottawa where he tracks developments on and around Parliament Hill as a member of the national press gallery.

He spent years working as a journalist in Canadian cities such as Vancouver, Medicine Hat, Alta., Kamloops, B.C., Edmonton, Ottawa, Quebec City, Calgary and Montreal, and the international events he’s covered such as the funeral of Mother Teresa in India and Pope John Paul II’s historic meeting with Fidel Castro in Rome, are only part of the story.

The full story goes back to childhood lying on the living room floor scribbling stories in school notes, and roaming my small town taking snapshots with a tiny Instamatic camera. The love he developed for images, written and photographic has helped him earn a living throughout his adult life but, much more importantly, it still drives him to live out his twin creative passions.

For more information about Peter and his photography and writing check out his website here.

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For more information about my podcasting, writing and public speaking please visit my site here.

With thanks to producer Josh Snethlage and Mixed Media Sound.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Christal talks about finding bravery when you need it most, looking for new stories to tell, how we need to change the questions we so often ask and why there is something beautiful about the inquisitive mind.

Biography

Christal Earle is a passionate communicator and powerhouse of inspiration and insight. Over the course of her career she has co-founded an internationally recognized charity (www.livedifferent.com), worked with numerous clients and audiences around the world focused on humanitarian endeavours driven by vision and the entrepreneurial spirit.

Christal’s message of understanding and embracing the brilliance of who you are and leveraging that to bring about hope and change to others resonates at both the personal level and from the stage.

Since 2001, Christal has been inspiring audiences all around the world, from all walks of life. From high schools and universities to international development and aid workers, to community interest and investment groups she has brought messages that have inspired, provoked and called her audiences to action. Her delivery style is infused with the power of personal story and humour, while providing tangible steps that can be immediately implemented.

In 2009 Christal and her former husband began the pursuit of adopting a four-year Haitian girl in Dominican Republic. What began as a simple and straightforward emergency humanitarian response on behalf of an orphaned child ended in an international debacle that is yet to be resolved. To date, their daughter has not been granted permission to come to Canada and is unable to leave Dominican Republic. The result of the experience caused Christal to have to completely rebuild her life around the limitations it presented.

Christal’s message is one of learning how to change the stories we tell ourselves. In December of 2014 Christal released her first book, Resonate: We Can Change the Stories We Tell Ourselves. Her life work continues to be focused on helping leaders and seekers of truth learn to change and transform the stories they tell themselves.

Christal is now a full time speaker and communication consultant, focused on working with social change organizations and leadership. She is based between Toronto, Canada and Cabarete, Dominican Republic as she works to fulfill her ultimate dream: completing the adoption of her daughter, Widlene.

To find out more about how to book or work with Christal, find her at www.yourbrillianceunlimited.com

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For more information about my podcasting, writing and public speaking please visit my site here.

With thanks to producer Josh Snethlage and Mixed Media Sound

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alethea Arnaquq-Baril

Alethea and I talk about her new film Angry Inuk, the “People of the Seal”, cultural prejudice, setting the Inuit record straight, song battles and a new model for animal activism.

Watch the Trailer here.

Synopsis

Anti–seal hunting campaigns have attracted high profile supporters, and with them, hefty financial contributions. From Pamela Anderson to Paul McCartney, celebrities have voiced their outrage about an issue they seem keenly unqualified to discuss. Meanwhile, seal hunters are unjustly targeted for traditional practices that have supported them for centuries.

With a way of life on the cusp of extinction, who's really at fault? How does a culture that exercises understated anger and finds peaceful ways to resolve conflict compete with animal activist groups that rely on anti-sealing sentiment they aggressively cultivate to underwrite their other causes?

Alethea Arnaquq-Baril uses her filmmaking skills to organize and embolden a new tech-savvy generation of Inuit to stand up for their rights. Establishing #sealfie on Instagram and skillfully employing social media, they lobby legislators and expose misinformation while staying true to their values in their fight for survival.

Biography

Alethea Arnaquq-Baril is an Inuk producer and director from Iqaluit, Nunavut. She owns Unikkaat Studios Inc. an independent production company which produces films about Inuit life and culture in Inuktitut-language.

Arnaquq-Baril directed her first film, Tunnit: Retracing the Lines of Inuit Tattoos in 2010, a documentary about her journey to explore the lost tradition of Inuit facial tattoos.

Arnaquq-Baril was also a co-producer of the documentary The Experimental Eskimos (2009), directed by Barry Greenwald. It tells the story of three twelve year old Inuit boys who were taken from their families in the 1960's to be raised by white families in Ottawa. The experiment in assimilation was painful and led to unforeseen consequences. The boys grew up to be effective activists in support of Aboriginal rights. She is now working on a documentary called Angry Inuk, about the Inuit response to the global anti-seal hunt campaign.

She says that because Inuit culture is primarily an oral culture, there is little written in Inuktitut about the past and she feels compelled to record it "while the last elders that traditionally lived on the land are still alive."

"Probably the most powerful thing I could do for myself and my fellow Inuit is to be a documentary filmmaker, because I don't know how else I can contribute to helping our voices be heard on the world stage, on issues that are critical to us."

Although Alethea did not produce a film for the 8TH Fire, she did an extended interview with us in which she talks about the history and impact of white colonization in the North, and about her recent film for APTN , Tunnitt: retracing the Lines of Inuit Tattoos. We use footage from this film to illustrate with thanks from APTN.

Read more about the film here.

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For more information about my podcasting, writing and public speaking please visit my site here.

With thanks to producer Josh Snethlage and Mixed Media Sound.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Todd and Jedd Wider

Todd, Jedd and Lori I talk about their new film God Knows Where I Am. We touch on mental health issues, the “other”, the poetic edge to filmmaking and the “ever porous cracks” in our social safety nets.

Watch the Trailer here.

Synopsis

The body of a homeless woman is found in an abandoned New Hampshire farmhouse. Beside the body, lies a diary that documents a journey of starvation and the loss of sanity, but told with poignance, beauty, humour, and spirituality. For nearly four months, Linda Bishop, a prisoner of her own mind, survived on apples and rain water, waiting for God to save her, during one of the coldest winters on record.

As her story unfolds from different perspectives, including her own, we learn about our systemic failure to protect those who cannot protect themselves.

Biography

For over sixteen years, Todd and Jedd Wider have produced numerous critically and commercially successful feature documentary films including the 2012 King’s Point nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Short, the multiple Primetime Emmy Awarding winning Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012) directed by Alex Gibney, the Emmy Award nominated Semper Fi: Always Faithful (2011) directed by Rachel Libert and Tony Hardmon, the multiple Emmy Award nominated Client 9: The Rise and Fall of Eliot Spitzer (2010) directed by Alex Gibney, 2008 Academy Award Winner for Best Documentary and 2009 Emmy Award Winner for Best Documentary, Taxi to the Dark Side (2007) directed by Alex Gibney, the 2008 Sundance favorite Kicking It (2007) broadcast by ESPN, about the Homeless World Cup soccer tournament, the POV film A Dream in Doubt (2007) about the first post 9/11 revenge killing, Morgan Spurlock’s What Would Jesus Buy? (2007) about our obsession with materialism and consumption, the critically acclaimed Beyond Conviction (2006) directed by Rachel Libert, about restorative justice and victim-offender mediation in the Pennsylvania prison system, broadcast on MSNBC, and Paul Cronin’s A Time to Stir about the Columbia University student uprisings in 1968.

In 2011, Todd Wider and Jedd Wider were each nominated by the Producers Guild of America for Outstanding Producer of Documentary Theatrical Motion Pictures. 

The Wider’s commitment to social justice through film has been and remains informed by their respective professional endeavours.

Read more about Todd and Jedd here.

Read more about the film here.

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For more information about my podcasting, writing and public speaking please visit my site here.

With thanks to producer Josh Snethlage and Mixed Media Sound.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.