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The story of the hope and heartbreak of Angel Island Immigration Station is artfully and solemnly told by the Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation (AIISF). The Foundation raises awareness of the experience of Immigration into America through the Pacific. AIISF collects and preserves the rich stories and personal journeys of thousands of immigrants. It shares them with visitors and everyone living in America through education initiatives and public programs. The Angel Island Immigration Station reminds us of the complicated history of immigration in America. It serves as a symbol of our willingness to learn from our past. This ensures that our nation keeps its promise of liberty and freedom.

From 1910 to 1940, Angel Island was the site of an U.S. Immigration Station that functioned as the West Coast equivalent of Ellis Island. However, Angel Island facility also enforced policies designed to exclude many Pacific Coast immigrants coming from eighty countries.

In 1970, the site was slated for demolition because of its deteriorated condition. The later discovery of Chinese poetry that had been carved into the walls of the detention barracks saved it from destruction. That led to renewed interest in the Angel Island Immigration Station. Most importantly, the discovery of poetry increased awareness of the need to access the vivid lessons of sacrifice and triumph in the history of immigration.

Sparked by the discovery, Bay Area Asian Americans, spearheaded by Chris Chow, formed the Angel Island Immigration Station Historical Advisory Committee (AIISHAC). This organization studied how best to preserve the station for historical interpretation. In July 1976, their hard work came to fruition. The state legislature appropriated $250,000 to restore and preserve the Immigration Station as a state monument.

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Amist world turmoil the human struggle to find spirit, purpose and meaning for a life of peace, health and wellness continues. Deep within the core our beings we all question why we are here. We want to know what does it all mean. We seek to know our purpose on this planet.

Cosmologists search the heavens for answers. How did life begin? What is our purpose in the grand scheme of things. Physicists at CERN probe subatomic particles in an attempt to peel back the skin of the metaphorical onion in hopes to find answers to life's deepest questions.

Others turn to religion for answers. There are thousands of religions, sects, cults, systems of belief and world views all vying to give answers. Some do it with the best of intentions, while others seek to profit from the human quest for spirit, purpose and meaning.

On this episode of Life Is A Story We Tell Ourselves, we are joined by Oluwatobiloba Black who will help us explore the continuing human struggle to find spirit, purpose and meaning. 

Oluwatobiloba AKA Tobi Black comes from Yorubaland in Nigeria. She’s an initiated Ifa and Osun Priestess, a yogi and certified yoga teacher.  She works as a priestess, healer and holistic health guide. She believes that living a true spiritual life can bring about health and wellness which in turn brings peace and happiness. 

She has travelled to over 50 countries mostly in search of health, meaning, and purpose. With the help of natural and holistic medicines and professionals, she cured herself of clinically diagnosed chronic illnesses, depression, anxiety, Hashimoto, and digestive issues.

Oluwatobiloba Black has a wealth of experience and knowledge, lives a holistic embodied lifestyle, teaches movement classes, mindfulness practices, passionately speaks and write about natural alternative and holistic health, and she creates personalised holistic health programs. She is passionate about healing, helping people make conscious decisions about their healing journeys, and to live with clarity. 

Oluwatobiloba Black holds double masters in computer security & forensics with a distinction.  She continuously studies psychology, philosophy, human behavior, traditional and ancestral wisdom and medicines, Ifa, Isese, Shamanism, movement, meditation, sacred geometry, holistic and natural health, and mindfulness.

Her life’s journey has led her to experience the connection between health, wellness and spirituality.

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Despite millions of dollars spent on well meaning efforts access to clean water is still a problem for millions. That has not deterred  Phillips from giving it another effort.  Phillips played 50 rounds of golf in 50 states in just 50 days. Why is clean water important?

It makes people healthier by eliminating water borne diseases and promoting better sanitation. Diseases from dirty water kill more people every year than all forms of violence, including war.  Between 2 to 5 million people die each year from water-related illnesses and over 40% of those deaths are children under five years old.  Read the previous sentence again.

Clean water gives people more time.

When people no longer have to walk many miles each day to access water for household tasks like cooking, cleaning, and washing, they are freed to grow food, attend school, enter the workforce, and to better their families, communities and national economies.  In Africa alone, women spend 40 billion hours a year walking for water.  Yes, 40 BILLION.

Clean water helps end the Poverty Cycle.

As more people are able to enter the workforce and people are healthier, the economy of a country grows and the revolving cycle of poverty is stopped.  People and countries become less dependent on “hand-outs” and emergency relief from more affluent countries and become more self-sufficient and independent. The world could also avoid spending $30 BILLION annually on the treatment of preventable, water-related diseases.  This isn’t a temporary, short-term fix; it’s a deal changer.  I’ve seen first-hand how access to clean water is dramatically changing families, communities, even entire regions; you’ll hear many of those stories in my upcoming social media posts.

The United Nations is also working to provide clean drinking water and sanitation to people in need.  You can learn more about the UN's efforts here.

So please join us as Clay Phillips describes how a grueling 50 rounds of golf scores big for clean water and why access to clean water remains a problem for millions. You also can learn more here.

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Cave diver, Brian Starnes joins us to talk about his experiences with the rewards and dangers of cave diving exploration in caves all over the world.  Brian was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia. He completed his cave diver training in 2014 and is now on the way to becoming a Full Cave Instructor. What does it mean to be a "full cave instructor"? Join to find out. Brian started technical diving at Protec Sardinia in 2017 and has continued to develop in technical diving ever since. He has lived and worked in Sardinia, Italy. Brian loves to travel and he has been traveling around the world since 2012. He has worked in several dive centers as an instructor and dive guide. He completed his Divemaster training in Utila, Honduras and passed his diving instructor training in November 2017 in Thailand. After reaching the limits of scuba diving, he entered technical diving. He also worked in Mexico/Tulum from 2014 – 2017 as Cenote Guide and Cave Guide. He has diving experience since 2012 visiting countries like Thailand, Australia, Egypt, Israel, Ecuador, Honduras, USA and now Sardinia. He worked in Mexico as a cave guide and instructor and now spends much of his time in Ecuador. His main tasks at the moment are the training courses in the “Essential Tech”, “Sidemount” and “Cavern” areas. He is also a talented videographer and is responsible for the video department at Protec Sardinia. The rewards and dangers of cave diving exploration are not only enjoyed as a sport but provide scientific information about caves and often reveals new information about life deep within the earth where light never reaches.

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Despite millions of dollars spent on well meaning efforts access to clean water is still a problem for millions. That has not deterred 64 year old Clay Phillips from giving another effort. Philips plans to play 50 rounds of golf in 50 states in just 50 days. Why is clean water important?

It makes people healthier by eliminating water borne diseases and promoting better sanitation. Diseases from dirty water kill more people every year than all forms of violence, including war.  Between 2 to 5 million people die each year from water-related illnesses and over 40% of those deaths are children under five years old.  Read the previous sentence again.

Clean water gives people more time.

When people no longer have to walk many miles each day to access water for household tasks like cooking, cleaning, and washing, they are freed to grow food, attend school, enter the workforce, and to better their families, communities and national economies.  In Africa alone, women spend 40 billion hours a year walking for water.  Yes, 40 BILLION.

Clean water helps end the Poverty Cycle.

As more people are able to enter the workforce and people are healthier, the economy of a country grows and the revolving cycle of poverty is stopped.  People and countries become less dependent on “hand-outs” and emergency relief from more affluent countries and become more self-sufficient and independent. The world could also avoid spending $30 BILLION annually on the treatment of preventable, water-related diseases.  This isn’t a temporary, short-term fix; it’s a deal changer.  I’ve seen first-hand how access to clean water is dramatically changing families, communities, even entire regions; you’ll hear many of those stories in my upcoming social media posts.

So please join us learn why access to clean water remains a problem for millions. You also can learn more here.

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Shades of Grey plays music for the ages and for all ages. A group of retired expats living in the small hamlet of Cotacachi, Ecuador, high in the Andes Mountains, formed the band out of a life long love for music and, get this, a love for each other. The four band members met six years ago. Two of its members, husband and wife, Bobby and Becca Vines, were in the audience when they heard Joel Kaplan, playing solo and started singing along. Not long after the two had teamed up with Joel and later they added guitarist, Dan Marceau who  had a bucket list dream of playing in a band. For the past six years they have been playing gigs in and around Cotacachi.

In this podcast we will talk about what music has meant to them over the years and why after retiring from their regular jobs they decided to dedicate the rest of their lives to sharing their love of music with audiences. Please join us and listen as Shades of Grey Plays Music For The Ages.

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The great outdoors is what makes America great and Our guest, Derrick Crandall, who served as President and CEO of the American Recreation Coalition from 1981 to 2019 has proven that . He was also  the executive vice president of The Recreation Roundtable. As Counselor to the National Park Hospitality Association.  Mr. Crandall directs that organization’s staff efforts. He is Chairman of the Board of The Corps Network and also serves as Co-Chair of the Coalition for Recreational Trails. He was a member of the President's Commission on Americans Outdoors (1985 to 1987). He received the Chevron Conservation Award and was named to the President's Commission on Environmental Quality in 1991. He was the initial Chairman of the Take Pride in America Advisory Board, appointed by the Secretary of the Interior, and served as Chair of the Take Pride in America Partners Council. He was a Founding Director of the National Forest Foundation, appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture. He has served on several national judging panels, including co-chairing the U.S. Department of the Interior's Take Pride in America award program. Among the dozens of public-policy programs in which he has played a central role are the National Scenic Byways Program, Recreation Fee Demonstration Program, Recreational Trails Program, Wallop-Breaux Program, and the National Recreation Lakes Study Commission. These efforts have been recognized in many ways, including induction into the RV Hall of Fame and receipt of the Annual Award of the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators. USA Today has described him as “the outdoor guru.” He received the Spirit of Take Pride Award in October 2004 and was recognized with a Centennial Award by the US Forest Service. He served as a member of the National Park Service Advisory Board Health and Recreation Committee. He has served in leadership roles on numerous community and philanthropic organizations including the executive committee of WOW-Wonderful Outdoor World. He is an honors graduate of Dartmouth College. No one has done more than Mr. Crandall to insure that the great outdoors is what makes America great. The Land and Water Conservation Fund that has been Protecting Lands and Giving Back to Communities for decades owes a debt of gratitude to Mr. Crandall and many other conservationist for their contributions. We will discuss those contributions on the podcast.

Specialties: Mr. Crandall served on the Board of the American Society of Association Executives for seven years, including two terms as Vice Chairman. He received ASAE's Professional Performance Award in 1980, his Certified Association Executive recognition in 1990 and was named an ASAE Fellow in 1992.  Please join as we explore the great outdoors.

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The Mysteries of Easter Island continue to boggle the mind.  The islanders, however, prefer to call it by its Polynesian name, Rapa Nui or Te Pito o Te Tahiti.  The mystery is rooted in the iconic stone statues called moai.  People continue to wonder how the statues were made and who made them. Even though archeologists have answered some questions, mysteries still remain.  For example, no one really knows how the statues were moved from the quarry where they were made to locations throughout the island.  Theories have been advanced and experiments conducted but scholars still can't agree.

In our next episode Josie Nahoe Mulloy will join us to discuss the mysteries of Easter Island that continue to boggle the mind and attract tourists to the island from around the world.  Josie will share her family history and ancestry.  She will let you know how you can visit the island and get the most out of your visit.  The Island is a World Heritage Site and much of the island is protected in Rapa Nui National Park.  It is called an open air museum. It is one of the most remote Islands in the world. The island was settled by Polynesians, most likely from the Pitcairn and Gambier Islands. Scholars believe the island was settled between 700 and 1000 A.D. Original settlers of the island traveled more than 2000 miles to establish a new colony.

Proficient sailors, the first inhabitants sailed to the island in double-hulled canoes especially built for long voyages. They found a heavily forested island with plentiful resources. Today, most of those resources have been depleted and years of sheep grazing have severely changed the natural environment. Despite these changes mysteries abound as recorded in many of the island's petroglyphs and of course the iconic moai statues.

Please join us on the podcast and learn from Josie Nahoe Mulloy, a direct descendent of the ancient Rapanui, why the mysteries of Easter Island continue to boggle the Mind. You can also learn more at The Easter Island Foundation.

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Has Your Personal Life Has Been Compromised By Cyber Criminals? Is it too late to secure your personal data? And what about state sponsored cyber warfare? Has the threat of a nuclear holocaust been replaced by the threat of destruction of our way of life by cyber warfare. Cyber security expert, Dom Nessi, will attempt to answer these questions as we explore the world of cyber security.

In December the most brutal cyber attack against U.S. government agencies and business occured. It was the result of a flaw in software that was supposed to protect against such attacks and manage multiple information technology systems. The extent of the damage done by the attack is still not known and may not be known for months to years.

Hacking of personal accounts on social media platforms continues. Protection of voting computer systems has become a major objective of government voting agencies and intelligence agencies.

Cyber security expert, Dom Nessi, joins us on this episode.  He shares insights into the murky world of cyber crimes and cyber warfare.  Dom spent 10 years as the vice president and chief information officer of the Los Angeles Airport system and 5 years as the chief information officer of the National Park Service.

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With all of the promise of a covid 19 vaccine it appears we need to be saved from ourselves, to make Covid19 vaccines effective. Doctor Y Bruce Lee is a writer, journalist, professor, systems modeler, computational and digital health expert, and entrepreneur. He will attempt to to explain why many health care workers refuse to get vaccinated and why there seems to be disagreements among health care workers about how effective the vaccines will ultimately be. You can also go to our website to get vaccine information that may save your life.

He has over two decades of experience developing mathematical and computational models. The models assist a wide range of decision makers in health and public health. Currently, he is a Professor of Health Policy and Management at the City University of New York (CUNY) Graduate School of Public Health & Health Policy. There he is the Executive Director of PHICOR (Public Health Informatics, Computational, and Operations Research). Dr. Lee is also the CEO of Symsilico, which develops and uses computational methods, models, and tools to help decision-making.

His previous positions include serving as Associate Professor of International Health at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. He also served as Executive Director of the Global Obesity Prevention Center (GOPC). In addition he served as Associate Professor at the Johns Hopkins Carey Business School and Associate Professor at the University of Pittsburgh, Senior Manager at Quintiles Transnational. There he worked worked in biotechnology equity research at Montgomery Securities, and co-founded Integrigen.

Bruce has authored over 200 scientific publications. This includes over 100 first author and over 65 last author. He is the author of three books. 

Doctor Bruce Y Lee has written extensively for the general media and often addressed the question, will a corona virus vaccine give you your life back? He is a Senior Contributor for Forbes. At Forbes he covers a wide range of health-related topics. These include medicine, wellness, digital health and the business of health and having written over 700 articles.

His writing has also appeared in a number of other media outlets. Most notably these have included Time, The Guardian, the HuffPost, and the MIT Technology Review. His work and expertise have appeared in leading media outlets such as the New York Times, USA Today, the Los Angeles Times, Newsweek, CBS News, Businessweek, U.S. News and World Report, Bloomberg News, Reuters, and National Public Radio (NPR). Dr. Lee received his B.A. from Harvard University and M.D. from Harvard Medical School. He earned his M.B.A. from the Stanford Graduate School of Business. He completed his internal medicine residency training at the University of California, San Diego.

In this podcast I asked Dr. Lee, don't we need to be saved from ourselves, to make Covid19 vaccines effective?  

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