Over Coffee® | Stories and Resources from the Intersection of Art and Science | Exploring How to Mak

By Dot Cannon: Public Speaker & New-Media ReporterSociety & Culture Education Arts

Over Coffee® | Stories and Resources from the Intersection of Art and Science | Exploring How to Mak episodes

December 19, 2016 VR: A Medical Direction
Over Coffee® is on Christmas hiatus. We'll be rebroadcasting some of our most popular episodes from 2016 for the next few weeks. Have a great holiday!

What if you had to spend a week in a hospital room?

And what if your doctor could use virtual reality to help you "escape"--to just about anywhere else?

That's exactly what Dr. Brennan Spiegel is currently exploring.
Dr. Spiegel, who is the Director of Health Services Research in Academic Affairs and Clinical Transformation at Cedars Sinai, has been conducting studies in which he gives his patients virtual-reality headsets to "transport" them out of their hospital rooms. In addition to freeing the patients from what he calls the "biopsychosocial jail cell" that is hospitalization, Dr. Spiegel has had some surprising preliminary findings.
Could virtual reality actually be more effective than narcotics, in managing pain?
Nothing is conclusive yet. However, during his presentation at the IDEAS Los Angeles conference, in June of 2016, Dr. Spiegel told his audience that virtual reality, in his studies so far, appeared to have been more effective than opiates, in pain management!
Currently, Dr. Spiegel is involved in a larger study of virtual reality and its uses in different hospital environments. (Here is a link to that study.)
After the IDEAS conference, Dr. Spiegel explained how he first came to implement the use of virtual reality to help patients "escape" their hospital rooms. He also discussed his experiences, recent findings, and his vision for virtual-reality therapy in the future.

On this edition of Over Coffee® you’ll hear:

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How Dr. Spiegel first became aware of the possibilities of virtual reality in a hospital setting;

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His experiences with introducing the system to patients on the first day of the experiment;

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The reasons some patients may not be eligible for a VR study;

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Positive reactions and responses from some patients who have used therapeutic virtual reality;

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His plans for a larger upcoming trial among Cedars-Sinai patients;

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The projected date for results from the larger study;

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Some of the best experiences Dr. Spiegel has had during the initial study of therapeutic virtual reality;

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What a patient may experience while wearing the virtual-reality headset;

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How the brain is functioning during the patient’s use of virtual reality;

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Dr. Spiegel’s vision for the future, with medical use of virtual or mixed reality.
(This post is for informational purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice. Please contact a healthcare professional if you have medical questions.)

16 min
December 08, 2016 Opening Up Innovation
Over Coffee® is on Christmas hiatus. We'll be rebroadcasting some of our most popular episodes from 2016 for the next few weeks. Have a great holiday!

"(Women) really are life hackers," says Beth Beck.

Beth, who is the Open Innovation Program Manager in the Office of the Chief Information Officer at NASA, is encouraging them to take those skills to the next level.

In 2015, Beth came up with the idea of the "Open NASA Data Bootcamp". This is a day-long free event, geared specifically to women and newcomers, to take the mystery--and the scary parts--out of coding and problem-solving.

Participants get comfortable with these in a STEAM setting: learning to make light-up wearables, for example, or seeing binary code explained visually.   Then, these new skills give them the confidence to participate in the NASA International Space Apps Challenge hackathon.

The NASA International Space Apps Challenge is a free, weekend-long event to which everyone is invited. It's a "hackathon for good", during which participants team up to use NASA open data. Working together, teams use this data--along with provided technology--to find innovative solutions for global problems.   The Challenge culminates in team presentations, on Sunday, with the winning teams receiving prizes, such as JPL tours or the opportunity to see a space launch.

At the 2016 Women in Data Bootcamp, at Pasadena's Cross Campus facility, Beth talked about her background, her experiences designing the Data Bootcamp and the ways creativity is shaping the future.
NASA just announced their 2017 International Space Apps Challenge hackathon dates!   Space Apps 2017 happens Saturday and Sunday, April 29th and 30th.
Locations can apply to host Space Apps starting December 8, 2016. Here's the link to their Facebook page for information.
In this episode of Over Coffee®, you’ll hear:

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How Beth’s background nurtured her disruptive-thinking perspective and talents;

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How the 80-20 ratio of men to women in Space Apps led to the creation of Data Bootcamp;

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How Beth’s research findings laid the foundations for engaging more women in Space Apps;

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Some new Space Apps participants’ experiences, after Data Bootcamp;

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Beth’s recommendations for girls’ education for their future careers;

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Some resources for new coders, to learn coding;

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Beth’s observations about the reasons women may hesitate to try something new;

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The trends she sees for innovators on the cutting edge of something new;

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How Beth’s current dissertation explores innovation and creativity;

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Why chaos and a difficult innovative process are okay;

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How the Data Bootcamp has grown since its start in 2015;

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Some new Data Bootcamp tools for 2016;

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AND–a NASA innovation for “citizen scientists”, announced during 2016 Data Bootcamp!

25 min
November 26, 2016 Getting Healthy in the “Real World”

Over Coffee® is on hiatus for the 2016 Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. We'll be rebroadcasting some of the most popular episodes from 2016 for the next few weeks. Have a great holiday!

Turkey, cranberries, cookies...parties, social events, family get-togethers.

And if you're an entrepreneur, you can expect to have very little time, combined with more opportunities for temptation than usual, during the Christmas season.

Author/entrepreneur Maxwell Ivey, Junior knows all about staying healthy under less-than-ideal circumstances. Max, who grew up in the carnival business, published his second book, It's Not the Cookie, It's the Bag, earlier this year. Not a diet book, It's Not the Cookie examines ways to modify your behavior and make healthy choices.

Max acknowledges that "it's not easy", for anyone who wants to lose weight. Raised in the carnival business, Max grew up with unhealthy food choices and competitive environments.   At one time, he was morbidly obese, weighing over five hundred pounds. After a health crisis, a doctor gave him a warning: lose weight or die.

Consequently, Max embarked on a behavior-modification program, losing enough weight to have gastric surgery.   With the surgery, he ultimately lost more than two hundred fifty pounds. In his book, he shares what he learned about weight loss, and the techniques that worked for him in keeping the weight off.

Goal-setting for success is something at which Max excels.    He has built his small business, selling carnival equipment online through his website The Midway Marketplace, from scratch.   Max, who lost most of his vision at the age of twelve, is also a public speaker and life coach who helps others take action towards their dreams through his website, The Blind Blogger.

This past summer, Max was one of the writers selected from among more than six hundred applicants for the second annual Amtrak Residency program. Look for him to be helping a lot more people achieve their dreams in the future!
(This podcast is for informational purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice. Please contact a healthcare professional with any medical or nutritional questions.)
On this episode of Over Coffee®, you’ll hear:

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What precipitated Max’s new healthy lifestyle;

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How Max decided to write his second book, It’s Not the Cookie, It’s the Bag;

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One of the misconceptions Max discovered, about “eating healthy”;

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Max’s recommendation for making exercise time productive, rather than boring;

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What “modern meditation” is, and how it can fit naturally into a workday;

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How to deal with busy schedules and limited food choices;

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A “survival tip” for traveling;

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Affirmations and how to stay positive during challenging situations;

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How Max stayed positive during his most difficult day as an entrepreneur;

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Max’s suggestions for getting through a rough day without bingeing;

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His “within-reach”approach for changing an unhealthy lifestyle;

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The reasons cutting down on coffee might be a good idea;

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The strategy behind his book’s title;

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Healthy and good-tasting foods to take to work;

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Max’s experiences as an author after publishing his first book, Bringing You Out of the Darkness Into the Light.

49 min
November 23, 2016 “Partybot” Gets an Upgrade

Remember "Partybot", Sam Ontiveros' ingenious "artificial life of the party" robot?

Sam created "Partybot", his first robot, in 2015--when he was thirteen.

We discussed the robot as Sam was showcasing him at the 2015 edition of SoCal Maker Con. Among "Partybot"'s functions: playing music and dispensing sodas.

But while fun and imaginative, the robot had exactly what any engineer can expect: a few "bugs" to work out.

With the arrival of So Cal Maker Con 2016, Sam, and "Partybot" were back.

Now, Sam has upgraded his party robot to Version 2.0. The 2016 version is sleeker, smoother, more fun--and the sodas aren't exploding.

Here is a retrospective on "Partybot"'s first appearance, a look at the ways Sam has improved on his design--and the ways "Maker Sam" is reaching out, to get more kids his age involved in the maker culture.
On this edition of Over Coffee® you'll hear:

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What Sam used to construct the original "Partybot";

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The functions the first robot could perform;

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The main engineering challenge Sam encountered, with Version 1.0;

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How Sam first came up with the "Partybot" concept;

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What upgrades he developed for the 2016 "Version 2.0";

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How Sam designed the new edition to solve the main operational problems he'd encountered;

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What's involved in the new upgrade;

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Sam's award-winning experience at the 206 San Diego Maker Faire;

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How Sam is involving more young makers in the maker culture, through his new website;

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How to contact Sam with questions or suggestions as he continues developing his maker projects;

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Sam's goals for the future, as a maker and engineer.

(Want to find out more about getting started as a maker? Sam's "Maker Sam" website features beginner projects and resources--along with Sam's reviews of maker gear.)

7 min
November 08, 2016 The Mission of Her Heart

Sato Project president and founder Chrissy Beckles says her calling started with a trip to Puerto Rico, to spend time with her husband.

During her visit, Chrissy was struck by the plight of Puerto Rico's street dogs, called "satos". Due to poor economic conditions, literally thousands of stray dogs were running around the island. Many times, people abandoned their animals on one of the beaches when they couldn't, or wouldn't, provide for them.

And one particular beach, in southeastern Puerto Rico, had so many abandoned animals that locals had nicknamed it "Dead Dog Beach".

Struck by the dogs' plight, Chrissy quit her job to work full-time, rescuing the satos. In 2011, she started her nonprofit, The Sato Project, to rescue the abused and abandoned animals. Daily, Chrissy and her team go to "Dead Dog Beach" to provide food and fresh water. When they can, they capture the dogs and care for them, providing veterinary services and vaccinations.

Most importantly, Chrissy and her team fly the dogs they rehabilitate off the island to new homes, mostly in the States.

Chrissy talked about her background, how she came to found her organization and the changes she and her team have been able to accomplish.

(And Happy Anniversary to Chrissy and her team! The Sato Project marks five years of animal rescue on November 10th, with their first annual "Sato Soiree" fundraiser. You're invited!)
On this edition of Over Coffee®, you'll hear:

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How's Chrissy's background paved the way for the work she's doing today;

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How she came to start The Sato Project;

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The factors behind the plight of Puerto Rico's stray dogs;

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How The Sato Project has started offering new services to the local community this year;

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How you can get involved and help (she needs other donations besides money!);

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The stories of some of the dogs Chrissy and her team have rescued;

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The average cost, to rescue a sato dog;

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The dramatic changes The Sato Project has made in Yabucoa, where "Dead Dog Beach" is located.

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Chrissy's goals for the future, for the dogs of Yabucoa.

46 min
October 29, 2016 A New Influx of Zombies
Zombies are once again stalking Knott's Berry Farm.

And Jon Asperin and Jon Cooke are the creative minds behind the mayhem.

Asperin and Cooke co-designed the new interactive maze Black Ops: Infected. Black Ops: Infected, one of the largest mazes ever created for "Knott's Scary Farm", runs through Monday, October 31st.

But, if you're unfamiliar with the way this works: guests won't just be looking at the zombies and screaming. Black Ops: Infected enlists visitors' "help".

The scenario is a continuation of the Special Ops: Infected series, first introduced in 2014. In the 2016 installment, a zombie apocalypse has just occurred. Guests arrive on the scene of a devastated city. Now, their job is to form squads and help fight off the intruders.

At Scare LA's summertime Halloween convention, in Pasadena, Asperin and Cooke talked about the experience of creating the new maze, and offered a preview of what visitors can expect.
On this edition of Over Coffee® you'll hear:

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How zombies first came onto Jon Asperin's creative radar;

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How he and Jon Cooke met and came up with the idea of the "Infected" series;

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What the experience is like, premiering the first day of a new "Infected" maze;

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Jon Cooke's thoughts on the meeting/collaboration with Jon Asperin;

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A "special appearance" by some unexpected scary guests;

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What it was like, to develop the "Infected" series;

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How Knott's Scary Farm has implemented a new system for attendees;

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One of the obstacles Jon and Jon encountered, that helped them grow and develop their interactive maze;

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What the experience is like, for "Black Ops: Infected" attendees;

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Survival tips, for navigating through hungry zombies in "Black Ops: Infected";

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The time factor involved, in creating the new 2016 maze;

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Advice for anyone who would like to work full-time designing Halloween mazes;

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Jon and Jon's favorite memories of working "Infected" over the past two years.

14 min
October 21, 2016 “Terrifying” Talent

Universal Studios' Halloween Horror Nights are in full swing, right now.

And one of their two brand-new mazes took eleven years to become a reality.

That's how long Universal had been negotiating for the rights to the 1973 horror classic The Exorcist, said Universal Studios Creative Director John Murdy and Art Director Chris Williams. Both had long hoped to have the opportunity to create an Exorcist maze for Halloween Horror Nights.

This year, John and Chris finally had the chance to do that.

At August Halloween convention ScareLA, in Pasadena, John and Chris previewed the two new mazes they were creating for Halloween 2016. Not surprisingly, their new Exorcist maze was the highlight of their presentation.

Among John's tasks as Creative Director is making certain an environment is authentic. So, besides thinking about the visuals and audio, he had to consider scents.

Since the other new maze he and Chris have created for 2016 is "Krampus", John told ScareLA attendees, he had to come up with the smell of "burned Christmas tree".

And for The Exorcist? We will leave that to your imagination. But we can't say we envy him that part of the job.

After their presentation, John and Chris talked briefly about their experiences, finally getting to bring The Exorcist to Halloween Horror Nights 2016.
On this almost-Halloween edition of Over Coffee®, you'll hear:

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How John and Chris tapped into their own fears to make this particular maze especially scary;

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The biggest creative challenge they faced, as they planned the setting and effects;

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A somewhat spine-tingling story about the day they announced the "Exorcist" maze (do you believe in coincidences? If not, these are going to scare you!)

Universal Studios' 2016 "Halloween Horror Nights" are happening from now through October 31st. Here's the link for times and their four locations.

6 min
October 14, 2016 Empowering a More Caring World

Willy Wilkinson is all about pioneering--with compassion and respect.   And he'll be doing a live reading at San Gabriel Valley Pride's fifteenth Pride Festival on Saturday afternoon, October 15th!

As an award-winning transgender author, advocate and public health consultant, Willy's work has involved implementing all kinds of "firsts".

He has trained, literally, hundreds of organizations on providing equal access to the LGBTQ community. In the 1980s, he was the first transgender community health outreach worker to offer street-based HIV education to San Francisco's sex workers and drug users.    (He was also the first Asian to do so.)   He was a founding board member of both Oakland's Transgender Law Center, and San Francisco's Asian and Pacific Islander Wellness Center.   At the Transgender Law Center, he launched the nation's first program to train healthcare providers in creating equal access for transgender patients.

In his memoir Born on the Edge of Race and Gender: A Voice for Cultural Competency , Willy shares the story of his own journey.   (His book won the 2016 Lambda Literary Award, in the Transgender Nonfiction category!)

With honesty and humor, Willy's book offers a firsthand look at the challenges transgender individuals face on a daily basis.

Growing up in the Bay Area as a child of mixed heritage (his mother's Chinese, his father Caucasian), Willy always identified as a male. However, since he was born female, his family's expectations for him were very much at odds with his authentic self. In the 1970s, he found no resources to combat the discrimination he encountered.   Today, his work involves creating exactly these types of services, as he educates staffers in schools, medical organizations and workplaces.

Having now transitioned medically from female to male, he also explores the health and discrimination issues facing the transgender community. His book offers tools and checklists for starting dialogues and creating supportive environments.

Willy talked about his background, his experiences as a dad and ways to support and welcome people of all gender identities.
Come hear Willy read from his book, "Born on the Edge of Race and Gender: A Voice for Cultural Competency", as San Gabriel Valley Pride Festival celebrates their fifteenth anniversary! "XV on the Fifteenth" is a family-oriented, free celebration, happening Saturday, October 15th at Pasadena's Central Park. The address: 275 South Raymond Avenue, near Del Mar. (Note: this is a new location.) Hours are 11 am to 6 pm; Willy will be reading in the Authors' Lounge at 1 that afternoon. Here's the link for more information.
In this edition of Over Coffee® you'll hear:

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How Willy asserted his identity as a transgender child;

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His journey, in the 1980s, to coming out as a transgender male;

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One of his favorite stories about his experiences as a transgender dad;

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The sobering facts about suicide in the transgender community;

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Information on a new suicide-prevention resource specifically for transgender individuals, The Trans Lifeline;

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Information about another resource for LGBTQ youth, The Trevor Project;

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Some of the considerations involved in creating service-provision environments that validate all members of our communities;

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37 min
October 07, 2016 Keeping Horror Fans Under His Spell

Author Peter Saenz puts his readers right inside his characters' worlds.

His imagination transports you, from a small town at twilight...to a sterile hospital room...to a laboratory cage.
Then, when supernatural and sci-fi elements enter his stories, they seem like the most natural occurrences in the world.

If Peter's name sounds familiar, that's because he's also the author of the "Coven of Wolves" supernatural trilogy. This magical series combines fantasy, epic battles and ancient mythology with a gentle love story. (His third, and final, book in the series is scheduled for publication in early 2017.)
Peter has just published three new short stories in the LGBTQ-themed horror anthology "In Darkness Peering: Tales From the Bent Side". He'll be reading his short story "The Gift" at San Gabriel Valley Pride's fifteenth Pride Festival, on Saturday, October 15th.
And you're invited to come hear him and enjoy this free, family-oriented community event! San Gabriel Valley Pride's "XV on the 15th" starts at 11:00 am in Pasadena's Central Park. They'll have the "Big Draw Community Art Project", a children's area, multicultural musical performances, exhibits and food. Readings start at noon in their Authors' Lounge; Peter will be reading "The Gift" at 2:00 that afternoon.
Peter talked about his background, elements of his creative process and shared the "stories behind the stories" in his new work.

On this edition of Over Coffee® you'll hear:

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How Peter's growing-up years fed his imagination as a storyteller;

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The real-life experience that led to the creation of his short story "Going Home";

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Some of the elements at play in "Going Home";

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The writer's technique that allowed Peter to put his readers into the main character's experience;

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How a comical moment in this particular story reflects his growing-up memories;

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The origins of his second horror story, "Subject 014: Feline;

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What the creative process is like for him, as a writer;

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How Peter puts a new spin on a traditional horror-literature theme, in "The Gift";

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How he adds dimension to his characters, to make them live;

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Peter's plans for his future work;

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What he considers his best challenge, as a writer;

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His advice to fellow writers.

Peter will be reading his short story, "The Gift", in the Author's Lounge during San Gabriel Valley Pride's fifteenth Pride Festival, on Saturday, October 15th.
San Gabriel Valley Pride's "XV on the 15th" runs from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm, Saturday, October 15th in Pasadena's Central Park. This is a family-friendly free event, and everyone's invited! Exhibits, a children's activity area, live entertainment and "The Big Draw LA" will all be part of the festivities, and live readings start at noon in the Authors' Lounge. Here's the link for more information.
18 min
September 30, 2016 She Pioneers–for Podcasters

Digital strategist, podcaster and podcast talent agent Jessica Kupferman is changing the podcast landscape.

On International Podcast Day, and every day, Jessica guides podcasters, not just in honing their craft, but by helping them monetize their work in a steadily-growing field.

And her particular focus is on her fellow women podcasters.

As founder of She Podcasts, the largest community of female podcasters on the Internet, Jessica (along with digital media strategist Elsie Escobar) offers guidance to her fellow audio creatives, sharing tips and tricks and guiding them to take their shows to the next level. (She and Elsie also co-host their regular She Podcasts podcast, with the goal of empowering female podcasters.)

Also, earlier this year, Jessica embarked on another "first", by opening j/k media agency, a boutique advertising agency especially for podcasters with strong communities.

Especially for International Podcast Day, Jessica shared her story of her background and the creation of She Podcasts, and some of her favorite tips for podcasters on growing their skills and communities.
On this edition of Over Coffee® you'll hear:

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How Jessica's growing-up years led her to develop her sense of humor and creativity;

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How she first became interested in podcasting;

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The experience that led Jessica to start the group which became She Podcasts;

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Some of her favorite podcasting "hacks";

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The main challenges she's seen, facing independent podcasters;

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Some of Jessica's favorite podcasting resources to recommend, to lighten the podcasting workload;

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What mic she recommends, and why;

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Some of the main mistakes Jessica sees her podcaster clients making, when they start thinking about monetizing;

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What she tells her clients, about monetization;

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How to tell when you're ready to monetize your podcast;

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The first two things she looks for, with every client she represents at j/k media.

26 min

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Over Coffee® | Stories and Resources from the Intersection of Art and Science | Exploring How to Mak episodes

About Over Coffee® | Stories and Resources from the Intersection of Art and Science | Exploring How to Mak