Optimistic Tales

Dr. Moody talks with Mr. Ray Leone, a board-certified music therapist and Director of Medical Music Therapy at A Place to Be, a nationally recognized therapeutic arts organization creating community, belonging, and hope. As Director of Medical Music Therapy, Ray oversees and manages the music therapy program at the Inova Health Systems in Northern Virginia.  Mr. Leone’s optimistic tale centers around his unique clinical methodologies, believing that “songs accompany us through life and provide meanings which we can all identify.”  Please join my guest on his YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/@raymondleonemusic/featured or on his Blog at raymondleone.substack.com.

Dr Moody talks with Dr. Marco Iacoboni, a neurologist, neuroscientist, Professor of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, and the Director of the Neuromodulation Lab at the Ahmanson-Lovelace Brain Mapping Center at UCLA. He is also the author of the book, Mirroring People: The Science of Empathy and How We Connect with Others.  Dr. Iacoboni is an optimist, whose unique research provides us with the “tiny miracles that get us through the day,” in order to “bring us even closer to one another.”

Dr. Moody talks with Mr. Hosea London, leader & manager of the Excelsior Band©, a cultural and musical icon on the Gulf Coast since 1883. Hosea’s optimistic tale is rooted in an empathetic desire to share his passion for music with his community.  Mr. London is the current music director of The Jazz Studio, a premiere, year-round, Jazz music education program for aspiring youth musicians. The Jazz Studio is dedicated to the education, appreciation, and preservation of jazz as America’s only original music art form. Joining the conversation is Mr. Bill “BeBop” Roberts.

Dr. Moody talks with Catharine Hannay, founder of MindfulTeachers.org, a website that features teaching resources on mindfulness, compassion, and social-emotional skills, as well as self-care resources for educators and other helping professionals. Backed up with 20 years of teaching experience, she has been writing, since 2012, about navigating an increasingly complex, interconnected world on topics, such as: mental health, mindfulness and contemplative practices, empathy, compassion, and communicating across difference.

Dr. Moody continues his previous talk with Elizabet Elliott, Executive Director/Curator of the Alabama Contemporary Arts Center (www.alabamacontemporary.org).  In this final episode of a two-part series, Dr. Moody and his guests “get weird and exercise some demons” through an exploration of what it really means to be an Artist at Heart in the deep, Deep South.  Also joining the conversation is Glenn Robertson, ACAC’s Director of Storytelling and Dr. Paige A. Vitulli, Chair of ACAC’s Board of Directors.  If you would like to directly support the artists and efforts of the ACAC, please feel free to donate, as you see fit, through the Verdant Fund at verdantfund.org.

Dr. Moody talks with Elizabet Elliott, Executive Director/Curator of the Alabama Contemporary Arts Center (ACAC, www.alabamacontemporary.org). The ACAC is a non-collecting organization committed to providing living artists space for difference, empathetic communication of ideas, and diverse cultural representation.  Elizabet’s optimistic tale is a consequence of the integral role she plays in building a sense of cultural identity within her community that directly contributes to the quality of life on the outer edge of the deep, Deep South.  Also joining the conversation is Glenn Robertson, ACAC’s Director of Storytelling and Dr. Paige A. Vitulli, Chair of ACAC’s Board of Directors.

Dr. Moody talks with Mr. David Dai, a Math Teacher at the Barton Academy for Advanced World Studies. His remarkable accomplishments include numerous Teacher of the Year awards; however, his most prestigious award to date is his recent Nappie Award as the Coolest Public School Teacher in Mobile. David’s optimistic tale is simple—a local boy who leaves home, learns great things, and then chooses to return to his community roots to teach the next generation how his love of math can help them understand the world a little bit better.

Dr. Moody talks, once again, with Ms. Joni Hendee, Marketing & Public Relations Director at the Dumas Wesley Community Center (DWCC).  As Dumas-Wesley celebrates its 120th year of community service, Ms. Hendee discusses several of their signature programs, such as the Annual Toy Store, which provides eligible families the opportunity to purchase new toys at a fraction of the cost during the holiday season—exemplifying their “hand up versus hand out” philosophy of community engagement.  Whether you wish to make donations or volunteer your time towards any of the numerous programs offered by DWCC, you can reach them at the following address, 126 Mobile Street, Mobile, AL 36607; by phone at 251-479-0649; or through their website at dumaswesley.org.

Dr. Moody talks with Nicole Shakespear, a Registered Behavior Technician with 15+ years of dedicated service. She is fueled by a genuine desire to make a positive impact on the lives of other people. Nicole's passion for community service, steadfast commitment to social welfare, and strong entrepreneurial drive for change is truly an optimistic tale worth sharing.

Dr. Moody commemorates his 35th wedding anniversary (a truly optimistic tale) with the first public release of a song he wrote for his wife, some many years ago. Perfect Silhouette (c) 1997 E.M. Moody. All Rights Reserved.