Today is MARS MESSINA PRESENTS One Year Anniversary! We focus on a special topic for Episode 52 - Holocaust Survivors turned Activists. We begin with the proposed 1977 Nazi march through the streets of Skokie, Illinois - a bastion for Jews and, more specifically, Holocaust survivors. While the Nazis demanded first amendments rights, the residents of Skokie proclaimed these demonstrations and symbols, hate speech. This conflict resulted in the establishment of the world's third largest Holocaust Museum.

We take you through the Holocaust Museum and explain a few exhibits and relive Auschwitz through the virtual eyes of Holocaust Survivor and Museum President, Fritzie Fritzshall. BEDTIME STORIES FROM THE ACOUSTIC BOOKSHELF rounds out this special episode with the poem, HOME, by Warsan Shire.

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Episode 51 of MARS MESSINA PRESENTS spotlights a few exercise gurus, as well as regular folk from more typical walks of life, on their journeys from dis-ease to optimal health and fitness. We will discover that optimal wellness is not an overnight miracle, but rather a lifestyle, a long process, replete with ebbs and flows. We will also discuss how even those with a sedentary lifestyle can achieve good health - the disabled, those who work desk jobs for hours on end, gamers who live in mom's basement, and soap opera fans hanging out on the couch can make certain choices that can help them be healthier versions of themselves.

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To donate to this podcast, Venmo @mdm773. Thank you.

Episode 50 of MARS MESSINA PRESENTS revisits the topic of Episode 10 - The Delphi Murders. There seems to be a break in the case, and we will talk about it, in this episode. After 5 years of mystery, Indiana State Police seem to be on the brink of making an arrest in the case of two teenage girls who went missing while hiking on trails near their homes.

BEDTIME STORIES FROM THE ACOUSTIC BOOKSHELF wraps up this show with the poem, "Tyger, Tyger" from SONGS OF EXPERIENCE, by William Blake.

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Episode 49 of MARS MESSINA PRESENTS takes a look at the vision-like, realistic dreams that most people have in the months, weeks and days leading up to their deaths. Quantitative, scientific research studied many different patients over time - all who were lucid and not encumbered by delirium or under the influence of medication - and found that most of them experienced dreams while both asleep and awake. Most of these dreams featured loved ones already passed on, providing comfort and reassurance to these patients. Even the very few who didn't experience a pleasant dream were still able to achieve emotional or spiritual healing, as a direct result of the dreams they experienced. Researchers found that these people grew less afraid the closer they were to death.

BEDTIME STORIES FROM THE ACOUSTIC BOOKSHELF concludes today's episode with AIN'T NO GRAVE, an old Gospel song by Claude Ely.

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The topic of Episode 48 of MARS MESSINA PRESENTS is on the emotion/vice of ENVY, and how envy spurs the behavior of bullying - either as playing the bully role, egging the bully on, or playing an apathetic, silent bystander. We focus on the root cause of feeling envy and what we can do to diffuse it, so that we don't fall into the bully role...but, also, that we are less likely to fall into the victim mode, as well.

BEDTIME STORIES FROM THE ACOUSTIC BOOKSHELF concludes this episode with the poem, ON THE WESTERN FRONT, by Alfred Noyes.

To donate to this podcast, Venmo @mdm773. 10% of proceeds will go to the Ukraine National Bank to fund defense against Putin's war.

Episode 47 of MARS MESSINA PRESENTS seeks to give you a break from the realities of grim news in the world and offers a bit of comic relief. For today's episode, we will talk about factoids connected with the enduring phenomena known as The Brady Bunch, a TV sitcom that ran in the late 1960s and early 1970s, and is seen in reruns, today. Specifically, we will be referencing the hilarious book, "Growing Up Brady: I Was A Teenage Greg", written by actor Barry Williams. Williams expertly takes us through the creation and production of a popular TV series, as well as through the budding relationships between fellow cast members. The libidinous moments are sure to provide lots of LOL. BEDTIME STORIES FROM THE ACOUSTIC BOOKSHELF concludes today's show with the lyrics to, "Clowns Never Laughed Before", a song written by Greg Brady, as portrayed by Barry Williams.

Any donations received this week will go directly to the war effort of innocent Ukrainians. Thank you. 

For Episode 46 of MARS MESSINA PRESENTS,  we will explore the timeless and timely Ancient Roman Empire and examine the similarities, differences, and parallels between this empire and present day United States of America. It's imperative that we learn lessons from the past, in order to secure a bright future. BEDTIME STORIES FROM THE ACOUSTIC BOOKSHELF closes today's program with a few dire warnings from various writers.

To donate to this podcast, Venmo @mdm773. 10% of proceeds with go to the Bank of Ukraine, to support war victims. Thank you.

Episode 45 of MARS MESSINA PRESENTS focuses on the biblical character, Salome, the young princess who danced before King Herod Antipas in exchange for the head of John The Baptist. Salome and her story have become a popular subject for the arts, ranging from paintings to plays to operas. Salome is portrayed as young, provocative, lusting for blood and sex and power. She drives men wild and, therefore, must be punished and shunned. However, a more careful reading of original scripture and other ancient writings suggest that she was not more than 11 or 12 years of age, whose playful dancing fell under the dangerous gaze of her lecherous uncle/stepfather and who was used as a pawn in a power play by her own mother. The child is exploited by her family, and becomes a scapegoat for an adult's shame.

BEDTIME STORIES FROM THE ACOUSTIC BOOKSHELF concludes this episode with a poem called, SALOME, by Carol Ann Duffy.

To support this podcast, Venmo @mdm773. Thank you.

Episode 44 of MARS MESSINA PRESENTS speaks to the vibrations that enter into our ears and create an electrochemical phenomena that we perceive as music. I will talk about the various biochemical and neuronal mechanisms that are affected and activated when we immerse ourselves in music, and how music is more than entertainment - but an efficacious means of mood enhancement and healing. BEDTIME STORIES FROM THE ACOUSTIC BOOKSHELF concludes today's program with the poem, MY MOTHER'S MUSIC, by Emilie Buchwald.

To support this podcast, Venmo @mdm773. Thank you.

Episode 43 of MARS MESSINA PRESENTS is sure to strike terror in your hearts. We are talking about math, specifically Common Core Math. Common Core Math is something of a godsend to today's student, while it looks crazy and pointless to adults. Basically, this new way of doing math breaks the problem down to simple components that make problem solving easier for children. It was developed in answer to the problem that the United States faces: that the US is lower in mathematic comprehension than other developed countries. Make sure you have paper and pencil handy, because I will lead you through a few Common Core Math problems!

BEDTIME STORIES FROM THE ACOUSTIC BOOKSHELF closes today's episode with the poem, ARITHMETIC, by Carl Sandburg.

To donate to this podcast, Venmo @mdm773. Thank you.