Optimistic Tales

Dr. Moody continues his talk with Mr. Terrance D. Smith, currently the Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation Fellow (publicinnovation.jhu.edu) at John Hopkins University in Baltimore. The discussion for this episode takes place approximately seven years after the previous interview in Part 1.  Mr. Smith's optimistic tale, as a mentor, counselor, teacher, and academic, is one of restoring vibrancy and self-worth to the communities he so passionately serves, on his quest to be the light to someone else's path.

Dr. Moody talks with Mr. Terrance D. Smith, founding Director of the Mayor's Office of Strategic Initiatives (osi.cityofmobile.org) for the City of Mobile and currently the Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation Fellow (publicinnovation.jhu.edu) at John Hopkins University in Baltimore. Mr. Smith's optimistic tale is one of restoring vibrancy to the communities he so passionately serves, on his quest to be the light to someone else's path.

Dr. Moody talks with Prudence Farrow Bruns, PhD, life-long practitioner, teacher, and scholar of Transcendental Meditation (tm.org). She is also the author of Dear Prudence: The Story Behind the Song. Dr. Bruns shares her personal experiences to find truth and inner peace, which freed her from the shackles of internalized stress. Her optimistic tale is one of joy, laughter, and the positive hope of a world living in peace.

Dr. Moody talks with Andrea Gellatly, co-founder of MakeMIA Makerspace (facebook.com/makemiamakerspace), a nonprofit organization that promotes education in science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics [STEAM] through hands-on experience. Her collaboration with Magic Wheelchair (magicwheelchair.org), a nonprofit organization that builds epic costumes for kiddos in wheelchairs, underscores her heartfelt desire to strengthen the bonds of friendship and inclusion for every member of her community. Andrea is also widely known as the Team Captain and Weapon Operator for the highly acclaimed and top-ranked combat robot, Witch Doctor, winner of the Best Engineered and Coolest Robot awards.

Dr. Moody talks with Mr. Orlando Armando, community activist and current Director of Educate Mozambique (facebook.com/educatemutua), a nonprofit and community-based organization which aims at promoting community development and social welfare through educational and social assistance programs for those in need. Orlando is a true testament of what Thinking Globally and Acting Locally can achieve. Mr. Armando is also the co-founder of the Mutua Education Center (projectmutua.com) which seeks to enable and empower the children of Mutua to advance in society and connect with the world at large. Anyone who wishes to help Orlando may do so through patreon.com/EducateMozambique. Also joining the conversation is friend and colleague, Dr. Kenly Fenio, founding Director of KGF Research and Associates and Managing Partner of REAL Consulting Group, based in Maputo, Mozambique.

Dr. Moody talks with Isaac Winfield and his mum, Claire Chapman, co-founders of the Friends of Isaac's Food Bank in Redditch, England.  Isaac's optimistic tale begins with his heart-felt wish to put food on the table of those less fortunate by creating a simple and sincere means of collecting and distributing donations straight from his own driveway.  For information on how to contact or make donations to the Friends of Isaac's organization, please visit their website at www.teamisaac.co.uk or their FB page at www.facebook.com/FriendsofIsaacsFoodBank.  You may also reach them via telephone at +44 7496 381 323, or by direct email to [email protected]. 

Dr. Moody collaborates with LA Armour to present their moving and unplugged rendition of this classic Bahamian sea shanty.  The John B. Sails [Arr. by Moody/Armour] (C) 2022 E.M. Moody and LA Armour; (P) 2022 Eric M. Moody. All Rights Reserved.

Dr. Moody talks with Laurie Anne Armour-Nix, singer-songwriter [laurieannemusic.com] and Senior Database Administrator for Housing First, Inc., a non-profit whose mission is to end homelessness in SW Alabama.  Laurie Anne's optimistic tale is earnestly revealed through her personal journey to search for compassion, patience, and understanding. 

Dr. Moody talks with Dr. Kenneth Rutherford, a Professor of Political Science at James Madison University.  As co-founder of the Landmine Survivors Network (LSN), Dr. Rutherford is a co-recipient of the 1997 Nobel Peace Prize awarded to the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL).  Ken is a landmine survivor, whose optimistic tale begins three decades ago in the Upper Juba Region of Southern Somalia and transverses a life dedicated to not wasting energy on trivialities.  He is truly an every day family man and educator--through his experience and influence, he is making the world a better place.  

Dr. Moody collaborates with Maura Hawkins and Luisa Salazar to present a uniquely-styled rendition of an old, traditional hymnal--confirming that music truly does shrink the gap between generations. When The Saints Go Marching In [Arr. by Hawkins, Moody, and Salazar] (C) 2022 Eric M. Moody, Maura Hawkins, and Luisa Salazar; (P) 2022 Eric M. Moody. All Rights Reserved.