Face2Face with David Peck

Anjali Nayar

Anjali and I talk about the power of storytelling to change lives, her new film Gun Runners, friendship, the mediations of the marathon runner, the Global South and why we need to spend more time listening to others.

Synopsis

When it comes to world-class marathon runners, Kenyans are considered the cream of the crop. Particularly those from Kenya’s Rift Valley. These athletes have won marathons in London, New York and Berlin, and have set countless world records. But some of Kenya’s top runners aren’t running for fame and fortune.

Some are wanted warriors, running for their lives. For years, Julius Arile and Robert Matanda thrive among the roaming bands of warriors that terrorize the North Kenyan countryside. By the time they reach their mid-twenties, stealing cattle, raiding and running from the police is the only life they know. So when both warriors suddenly disappear from the bush, many of their peers assume they are dead or have been arrested. Instead, they trade in their rifles for sneakers—in the hopes of making it big as professional marathon runners.

Years of fleeing from the police have prepared the men for running marathon distances, but do they have what it takes to overcome the corruption, mistrust and jealousy that threaten to derail their careers? Or will they give up on their dreams and return to a life of easy power and money?

Told entirely by its central characters, Gun Runners is the American Dream, Kenyan-style.

Watch the trailer here.

Biography

Anjali Nayar is an award-winning filmmaker, multimedia storyteller and journalist, based in Nairobi, Kenya. Anjali is currently directing "Logs of War," a cross-platform documentary about activists using smart phones to expose land grabs and corruption in West Africa. She has also just finished post-production on "Gun Runners," an epic story (over 8 years) about two warriors, who trade in their guns for running shoes and the Kenyan dream of marathon running.Beyond film, Anjali leads the TIMBY project, which brings together designers, techies and filmmakers, breaking divides to tell stories that change the world. TIMBY is a suite of digital tools that helps activists report, verify and tell stories safely and efficiently around the world. Anjali has a Masters in Documentary from Columbia’s Graduate School of Journalism, a Masters in Environmental Management from Oxford University and a Graduate degree in Space Science from the International Space University. Anjali has also written and filmed extensively for Nature Magazine, Reuters, the CBC and BBC. Besides work-stuff, Anjali spends a lot of time playing capoeira and making cake pops.

You can read more about Anjali and her new initiative 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.

Viveka Melki

Viveka and I talked about her new film After Circus and about memory and recollection, about what defines us as we approach the dubious notion of retirement and how she loves performing and the circus.

Watch the Trailer here.

Synopsis

AFTER CIRCUS is an utterly charming look at circus folk and their world. I’d qualify that by saying it’s actually about retired & semi-retired circus performers, but it quickly becomes clear, watching the film that circus people never really retire. The circus is in their blood.

The film details the sense of community circus folk have with each other and their world. Many in this community have been circus people for many generations, passed down from parent to child. The film is about those family histories. It also touches on the fact that most circus people aren’t getting rich doing what they do – they do it for the love of performing and the love of community. And the film deals with the inexorable march of time, when performer’s bodies fail even as the passion for performing still lives on.

It’s a film about passing eras – of the individual people, of the institution, of collective memory….and the passion that endures.

Biography

Viveka Melki was herself a performer – a former professional swing dancer and instructor who performed with Michael Bublé, Colin James and others. She understands the psyche of performing artists. 

She was born in The Gambia, West Africa and is of Brazilian/Lebanese descent, and educated in the UK before immigrating to Canada. Here, she furthered her education, getting a BA at Simon Fraser University in BC in Communications, specializing in Women’s Studies, but ended up co-founding Tortuga Films with Adam Pajot Gendron in Rimouski, Quebec in 2006. She later sold her interest in the company to Adam in order to devote herself full-time to being a director and screenwriter. Multilingual and multicultural, she calls herself « consciously Canadian » and knows that it is these elements that allowed her to understand the immigrant world of Circus.

Viveka’s filmography as a Producer ranges from the documentary, Campesinos... we will inherit the earth (2008, Radio Canada and TFO) to Hippocrate (2012, Radio Canada, Explora).  In 2014, she directed the two-part series War Correspondence (WWI and D-Day). She is currently developing We Interrupt This Program, a feature documentary on radio and social change around the world, for CBC’s Documentary channel, as well as working on her new documentary Carricks: la mer n'a pas volu de nous (2017, Radio Canada & RDI), about Irish Immigration in 1847 and the link to Francophone culture. She is the Curator of the upcoming traveling multi-media exhibition War Flowers (2017, Canadian War Museum, Chateau Ramezay, the new Visitor Centre in Vimy, France).

To learn more about her work visit her site 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.

Best and Most Beautiful Things

Michelle Smith and I talk about authenticity, truth and transparency and the new film she stars in called Best and Most Beautiful Things. We’re also joined by some of the film team, Jeff Consiglio, Ariana Garfinkel and Jordan Salvatoriello and we chat about notions of the other, playing with you senses and that there are not just two types of people in the world.

Watch the Trailer here.

Synopsis

Off a dirt road in rural Maine, a precocious 20-year-old woman named Michelle Smith lives with her mother Julie. Michelle is quirky and charming, legally blind and diagnosed on the autism spectrum, with big dreams and varied passions.

Searching for connection, Michelle explores love and empowerment outside the limits of “normal” through a provocative fringe community. Will she take the leap to experience the wide world for herself?

Michelle’s joyful story of self-discovery celebrates outcasts everywhere.

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.

In part 2 Eden and I talk about the Genomic revolution, the double helix and Francis and Crick and where insights and innovation germinate. We chat about efficacious data, the move towards precision medicine and why biotech is not involved in “nice to haves.”

Biography

Eden’s approach represents a progression in Investment solutions, applying options to source Income and returns through strategies not easily accessible to investors, while protecting their capital with hedges designed over his career.

Eden’s experience includes two decades of Portfolio and Hedge Fund Money Management, Options Strategist, Derivatives & Biotech Analyst and Portfolio Manager. He has managed and traded an options book spanning 250+ securities globally and 4 commodities, with open interest of 500,000 contracts in addition to 14 Covered Call ETFs (over $0.5 Billion AUM) in Canada, US & Australia employing his dynamic options writing discipline at Horizons Exchange Traded Funds.

Eden possesses a Top Quartile 5-year, 5-Star growth fund Portfolio Manager track record on over $1 billion in assets across 4 mandates at RBC Global Asset Management. In addition, Eden has delivered a +26% compounded annual return across a Biotechnology mandate between 1995-2003. He also has extensive institutional hedging experience through major crises, and the structuring of Notes to create specific payoff profiles.

For more info about Eden please visit their site here.

And for another interesting online interview check this out 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.

Eden and I talk about the Bio Tech industry and amazing innovations in the field of bio-logic pharmaceuticals. It’s remarkable what’s going on in the sector and Eden has plenty of insight to share. We talk about idiosyncratic risk, disease modifying drugs and why he believes this is a virtuous industry.

Biography

Eden’s approach represents a progression in Investment solutions, applying options to source Income and returns through strategies not easily accessible to investors, while protecting their capital with hedges designed over his career.

Eden’s experience includes two decades of Portfolio and Hedge Fund Money Management, Options Strategist, Derivatives & Biotech Analyst and Portfolio Manager. He has managed and traded an options book spanning 250+ securities globally and 4 commodities, with open interest of 500,000 contracts in addition to 14 Covered Call ETFs (over $0.5 Billion AUM) in Canada, US & Australia employing his dynamic options writing discipline at Horizons Exchange Traded Funds.

Eden possesses a Top Quartile 5-year, 5-Star growth fund Portfolio Manager track record on over $1 billion in assets across 4 mandates at RBC Global Asset Management. In addition, Eden has delivered a +26% compounded annual return across a Biotechnology mandate between 1995-2003. He also has extensive institutional hedging experience through major crises, and the structuring of Notes to create specific payoff profiles.

For more info about Eden please visit their site here.

And for another interesting online interview check this out 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.

Alon talks about his new film Transfixed, activism and action, walking in the shoes of others and how it can help us to understand the world in a new and more inclusive way.Film Synopsis

Martine Stonehouse and John Gelmon are middle-aged underdogs, living with Asperger Syndrome.

Despite their social challenges, both dream of getting married, but straight-identifying John refuses to tie the knot until transsexual Martine gets gender reassignment surgery. Will Martine and John find the happiness together that they deserve?

Alon Kol has worked in film and television for seven years as a director and editor. He recently directed the "Holy Threads" episode of The Naked Archaeologist for the History Channel. Kol has written, directed and edited his own award-winning films, which have been shown on television and at numerous festivals. He is also a senior film editor who has edited for broadcasters such as Vision TV, History US, and National Geographic.

Transfixed is a feature independent documentary film produced with the financial support of the Canada Council, the Toronto Arts Council, the Council of the Ontario Arts and the National Film Board of Canada.

Film Trailer

Biography

Alon Kol has worked in film and television for seven years as a director and editor. He recently directed the "Holy Threads" episode of The Naked Archaeologist for the History Channel.

Kol has written, directed and edited his own award-winning films, which have been shown on television and at numerous festivals.

He is also a senior film editor who has edited for broadcasters such as Vision TV, History US, and National Geographic.

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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.

Sean and I talk about our role in serving others, why he’s more interested in what unites than what separates us and his definition of love and compassion.

Biography

Dr. Sean Campbell is Samaritan’s Purse Canada’s Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives. He began his career working in refugee camps in Thailand, before serving for several years as Samaritan’s Purse Canada’s Executive Director, then for a time at the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association’s international headquarters in North Carolina, before returning to Calgary and assuming his current role.

Sean’s career has revolved around a passion for excellence in charitable work and connecting people who want to make a difference with organizations that are changing the world. He was involved with the launch of Operation Christmas Child, the global Samaritan’s Purse initiative that has provided gift-filled shoeboxes to more than 113 million children so far as part of the Christian international relief and development organization’s work in more than 45 countries worldwide.

Sean and has visited more than 150 countries, often leading responses to natural and man-made disasters. He is the recipient of numerous awards and acknowledgements from governments around the world and from the United Nations in recognition of his contribution to making the world a better place.

Sean’s story, and his unique perspective on justice and compassion, challenge people’s heart, he has been happily married to Brenda for 33 years; they have three adult children and five grandchildren.

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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.

Ron Chapman

Ron and I talk about his beautiful new film The Poet of Havana, the magic of music, the generosity of poets like Carlos Varela and why piracy at one time was seen as a blessing in Cuba.

Film Synopsis

Enter the world of internationally renown Cuban musician Carlos Varela…singer, song-writer, lyricist, one of the most influential and well-loved artists of his time as he celebrates his 30th anniversary in poignant performances.

Discover his cultural, political and social significance. How he was influenced by his country, politics and people, and how he has influenced them in return. His struggle for individual freedoms, and his efforts to build bridges between Cuba, the United States, disenfranchised Cubans, and the people of the world.

Shot in Havana, with unique access, exclusive interviews, stunning concert and insider back-stage moments. Varela is joined by international stars, his friends, Jackson Browne, Benicio del Toro, Ivan Lins, Luis Enrique, Juan and Samuel Formel, Diana Fuentes, X Alfonso, Alexander Abreu and more.

Film Trailer

Biography

Producer, director and entrepreneur, Ron Chapman began his career as a musician, and went on to manage musical artists and produce albums.  His legendary Toronto music club “The Edge” provided a scene for some of the most exciting international artists of the day, and he promoted concerts in the city’s premier venues.   He established a film production company, produced and directed rock videos, and for decades has produced and directed television commercials for some of the world’s leading brands. Chapman founded the successful Canadian advertising agency Brandworks International.

Chapman's successful feature documentary “Who the F**K is Arthur Fogel”, released 2014 and distributed by eOne, features Lady Gaga, U2, The Police, Madonna, Rush, and key music industry insiders, and has been released in over 38 countries worldwide: including HBO in Canada and South America,  EPIX and Netflix USA.

His award-winning documentary film “The Poet of Havana”, released on the festival circuit in 2015 and picked up by HBO USA, documents the life and career of Carlos Varela, one of Cuba’s most influential, beloved artists. Capturing two memorable concerts at Havana’s Teatro National, with exclusive interviews and insider back-stage moments, Varela is joined by international stars, his friends, Jackson Browne, Benicio del Toro, Ivan Lins, Luis Enrique, Juan + Samuel Formel, Diana Fuentes, X Alfonso, Alexander Abreu and more.

Chapman’s latest film,  “The Forbidden Shore”, is an insightful, compelling documentary and definitive exploration of Cuban music: the people, culture and politics, and the effects of the embargo are illuminated through the eyes of Cuba’s musicians, and their incredibly diverse music, from Rhumba to Rap.  With unique access, rare performances and interviews from over 30 top Cuban artists, this is the most important and revealing film to come out of Cuba since the Buena Vista Social Club.  “The Forbidden Shore” had it’s World Premiere at the 2016 MIAMI INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL, March 2016.

An album of his own original songs, “ As Worlds Collide” recorded in Toronto and Havana with some of Cuba’s top musicians, and mixed by legendary record producer Terry Brown, was released on Current Records February 15, 2016.

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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.

Drolkar and I talk about finding happiness in all the wrong places, discipline, meditation, Buddhism and how it’s possible to bike from Toronto to Thailand.

Biography

Drolkar McCallum is the North American regional coordinator for the FPMT, the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition - an international non-profit Buddhist organization. She also works with the ordained Sangha of the FPMT and is a volunteer with the Liberation Prison Project.

Born and raised in Toronto, Drolkar earned a BA from the University of Western Ontario. She has traveled extensively and lived in India, France, Australia, Taiwan and Israel.

A Buddhist since 1995, Drolkar spent seven years as a nun, attended many meditation retreats, and received teachings from many of the great masters including Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche, the spiritual director of the FPMT, and His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

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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.

Jacob talks today about Rush and music, “live looping”, why the hands are often like jokers to him, the difference between gifting and practice and why he has fostered a heart for social justice.

Biography

Jacob Moon considers himself first and foremost to be a singer-songwriter. The songs he has written have gone on to win awards in International Song Competitions (Unisong, Great Lakes Song Contest, West Coast Songwriters, GMA Canada). His songwriting heroes include Jackson Browne, Paul Simon, James Taylor, Peter Gabriel and Rich Mullins, and Moon's timeless and eclectic style can be compared to those artists, among others. Likewise, his music is hard to pigeonhole, and Moon is okay with that. "My music is borne from all the listening I've done over the years, and I listen to a lot of different music. In a way it makes sense that what comes out would be a mash-up of all those different influences, and tough to pin a style on", Moon says.

Though not exactly born with a guitar in his hands, Moon's own father had a 12-string Gibson that made an impression early on. "It just had this huge sound-- it sounded like an orchestra to me", Moon says. That would prove instructive as he approached learning the acoustic guitar in his early teens. "My musical influences at that time were bands like Yes, Rush and Marillion, so I was trying to figure out how to make the guitar sound as big as I knew it could sound from hearing those guys".

Once Moon had completed his musical training at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo,

ON, he began recording and trying to find as many gigs as he could to stay alive. Realizing that he needed something that would set him apart from other performers, Moon began experimenting with 'live looping' technology--a foot-pedal that triggers the instantaneous recording of his guitar while he's playing live. This gave Moon a whole new palette to paint with musically, and he has gone on to be one of the leading

Loopers on the scene.

His popular live-looping music videos on YouTube recently gained attention on a national level, when rock legends Rush asked Moon to perform at the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame Gala. Geddy, Neil and Alex insisted that Moon to be there to play 'Subdivisions', which he performed on a Hamilton rooftop in his 2008 video (now at over 350, 000 hits). His performance was immediately followed by a standing ovation from his heroes, and that one night has led to some exciting new touring opportunities.

Rush drummer Neil Peart had this to say about Jacob: "We all shared Jacob Moon’s

performance of Subdivisions quite a long time ago and sent it to each other, ‘Hey have you seen this?’ because it’s such a beautiful cover. The imaginative way that he uses the little cassette player to get my voice in there. It’s superb. And it is that kind of song. It’s a singer/songwriter’s song. I loved to see his version of it and I loved the idea that song has endured to his generation.”

Check out his website is here.

Check out his Rush approved version of Subdivisions here. Amazing!

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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.