First time ever, I've let a guest name their own episode!  I'm really hoping you buy her book! ;-) It will help you--I'm sure. I know it.

Do the hard things. Do what scares you. Be strong. Fight for yourself. Fight for what you need. Be a proud, boss-bitch who gets things done. Like Holly! A true SHERO!

Holly Tarry is a writer, coach and activist specializing in helping women dismantle the patriarchy in their own lives and minds. Through a very intense period of personal change, she confronted a childhood full of gender roles and polite racism, joined a grueling public fight to have an elected official expelled from office for sexual harassment, remodeled her marriage, and built a totally new relationship with herself.

She lives in Fort Collins, Colorado, with her husband, son and 4 adopted pets.

If there has ever been a more "Instagram Perfect" place than San Diego, I don't know what is. But Shannon Thompson opens our eyes to what it is like when you don't fit in to this perfect collective image and the recovery you need when you aren't living your authentic life. Fish out of water is nothing to what she went through, but, as I've mentioned before, the Japanese art of making beautiful, strong things out of broken items, Kintsugi, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kintsugi Shannon has brought real healing and transformation to the world.  Shannon has this Gaia Mother aspect so this is coming out on Mother's Day!

For our Holistic Emotional First Aid workshops

Do you wish there were emotional emergency rooms in your community? A place where you can find wellbeing in the midst of uncertainty, duress, loss, grief and overwhelm? You can go beyond coping and just getting by (also known as hanging on to your ass in some circles).
 
Holistic Emotional First Aid Workshops (STILL TWO REMAINING!):

Books mentioned:

Circle of Stones: https://bookshop.org/a/8901/9781880913635

When Women Were Birds: https://bookshop.org/a/8901/9781250024114
Marian Woodman: https://bookshop.org/a/8901/9781570623134

Clarissa Pinkola Estes: https://bookshop.org/a/8901/9780345409874

https://books.google.com/books/about/The_Myles_Horton_Reader.html?id=jcOWnPYmjxQC

https://www.google.com/books/edition/Pedagogy_of_the_Oppressed/x0IWvgAACAAJ?hl=en
Martin Shaw: https://bookshop.org/a/8901/9781603589505
Sharon Blackie: https://bookshop.org/a/8901/9781912836017

Sera Beak: https://bookshop.org/a/8901/9781622034307
Calvin and Hobbes: https://bookshop.org/a/8901/9781449433253
Midnight Library: https://bookshop.org/a/8901/9780525559474

Other things mentioned:

Emergent Design: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emergent_Design

Grow the Love Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/449162732593975

Movie The Village: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0368447/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0

Move Stardust https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0486655/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0
I haven't seen it but the book is FAB! Anytime you can get Gaiman to read to you is time well spent: https://libro.fm/audiobooks/9780061336225-stardust?bookstore=bookshoporg


Remember, if you sign up for BetterHelp.com or buy books via my Bookshop links, you are supporting the pod! If you don't want to support that way, please follow, share and give me a great review!

My guest, Kate Clifford Larson, is my first scholar!

Dr. Kate Clifford Larson is a New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of three critically acclaimed biographies including Bound for the Promised Land: Harriet Tubman, Portrait of an American Hero. A specialist in 19th and 20th century U.S. Women’s and African American History, Larson has consulted on feature film scripts – most recently Focus Features’ Harriet starring Cynthia Erivo - documentaries, museum exhibits, animation and augmented reality productions, public history initiatives, curriculum materials, tour and audio maps and guides, and numerous print and digital publications. Her award-winning consulting work includes Maryland’s Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad State and National Historical Park, the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway and All-American Road, and the Harriet Tubman Home and National Park in Auburn, NY.

Dr. Larson is currently writing a biography of Civil Rights icon Fannie Lou Hamer entitled Walk With Me, due out from Oxford University Press in September 2021.

Her website: http://katecliffordlarson.com/index.html

I mention Girl Trek and reference the Vanessa Garrison episode (#23)...if you haven't heard that you need to and then join Girl Trek! https://www.girltrek.org/

Roots: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roots_(1977_miniseries)

Which means I was 8 years old!!!

Places to watch Harriet: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/harriet

Places to watch On the Basis of Sex: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/on-the-basis-of-sex

Books we mentioned (and all of Kate's books)

Roots: https://bookshop.org/a/8901/9780306824852

Diary of a Midwife: https://bookshop.org/books/a-midwife-s-tale-the-life-of-martha-ballard-based-on-her-diary-1785-1812/9780679733768

Kate's books including the Fannie Lou Hamer preorder: https://bookshop.org/books?keywords=kate+clifford+larson
Preorder the companion book about Fannie Lou Kate mentions that her friend Keisha Blain has coming out:https://bookshop.org/a/8901/9780807061503

Diary of Anne Frank: https://bookshop.org/a/8901/9780881035414

400 Souls: https://bookshop.org/a/8901/9780593134047

In the Heart of the Sea: https://bookshop.org/a/8901/9780141001821

Alias Grace: https://bookshop.org/a/8901/9780385490443

Ruth Bader Ginsberg biography: https://bookshop.org/books/ruth-bader-ginsburg-a-life/9781984897831

Again I rave about Sapiens and Jesmyn Ward: https://bookshop.org/a/8901/9780062316110
https://bookshop.org/books?keywords=jesmyn+ward

Plenty of pics and videos of Kate on the interwebs and her website but look at this cool one of Kate with the star of Harriet Cynthia Erivo
at the premier of the movie:

 

Guests Abe and Elaine Romero are here to share love and funny stories. It is almost like the movie Serendipity! So join us for this very theraputic couples therapy discussion.

I hope that if you are interested in listening to a cute relationship or know someone who's in a long distance relationship, you'll listen and share their podcast. Did you know that there are 4 million American couples in commuter marriages?! I did not!

Books we discussed:
7 Principles for Making Marriage Work: https://bookshop.org/a/8901/9780553447712

Attached: https://bookshop.org/a/8901/9781585429134

Wired for Love: https://bookshop.org/a/8901/9781608820580

Podcast- Love is in the Air 

Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/2GbAZtk3CbC7NoU7MWJAHM?si=LOZoesSVSBCbGWt4yVf7xg

Instagram support page: @commutermarriagesupport

Facebook support page: Love is in the Air 

Love is in the Air is a podcast dedicated to supporting commuter marriages and long-distance relationships. Elaine Romero, LMFT, Licensed Marriage, and Family Therapist, and her husband Abe Romero discuss the challenges and rewards of their own commuter marriage while supporting others!

Elaine’s practice- Safe Harbor Counseling Center:
Elaine M. Romero, LMFT

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

Don't ever let anyone tell you you will have no future or job if you major in the Humanities. My guest Vincent Atchity, the President and CEO of Mental Health Colorado, is here to dispel that myth. How did a Classics Major end up working in mental health? How does literature speak to and help create positive mental health? Listen in to hear this and more. It is THE WORLD WIDE issue in 2020-2021 and I'm sure well beyond.
For those of you lucky enough to be in a state like Colorado which really cares about mental health, you have tons of resources. If you do not have a bevy of resources in your area, please check out the links Mental Health Colorado has provided for the nation and outside the US.

(You'll notice you can click on this bio and it takes you to Facebook's page for Mental Health Colorado.)

President & CEO Bio

Dr. Vincent Atchity is President & CEO of Mental Health Colorado, the state’s leading advocacy organization working to achieve healthier minds across the lifespan for all Coloradans by promoting mental wellness, increasing access to supports and services, and ending shame and discrimination. Dr. Atchity previously served as Executive Director of The Equitas Project, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization working nationally to disentangle mental health and criminal justice.

Dr. Atchity served on Governor Hickenlooper’s Mental Health Holds Task Force and the Colorado Opioid Epidemic Symposia Steering Committee and currently serves on the Colorado Public Defender Commission, Governor Polis’s Behavioral Health Task Force, the Denver District Attorney Advisory Council on Mental Health, the Colorado School of Public Health Behavioral Health Initiative Advisory Board, as well as on the board of STRIDE Community Health, a federally qualified health center serving Metro Denver. Dr. Atchity has held positions with the North Colorado Health Alliance, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Fordham University, and the University of California Berkeley School of Public Health. He earned his Ph.D. and M.A. degrees in comparative literature at the University of Southern California, and his undergraduate degree in classics at Georgetown University.

For people not in the US, check out our Care Not Cuffs work at www.carenotcuffs.org

Our mental health screenings are also available on our website www.mentalhealthcolorado.org

For Colorado, we have our Legislative Education & Advocacy Day (LEAD) coming up on March 19 –

register for free here - https://www.mentalhealthcolorado.org/event/lead-2021/
Join me! I'm attending!

Books and other things we discussed

Zen Mind, Beginners Mind: https://bookshop.org/a/8901/9781611808414

Nordic Theory of Everything: https://bookshop.org/a/8901/9780062316554

Mozart's Starling: https://bookshop.org/a/8901/9780316370905

H is for Hawk: https://bookshop.org/a/8901/9780802124739

Know why an atom is called an atom? I didn't realize the depth of the story, but it is very cool an applicable to mental health! https://masterconceptsinchemistry.com/index.php/2017/08/06/whats-an-atom/

And Vincent mentions the Incarceration Nation. If you haven't seen it, I highly recommend 13th. https://www.netflix.com/title/80091741

Gino, Gino, Gino!

If you haven't listened to the Phil Factor episode, you'll want to hear that one first to truly appreciate Gene's episode. Here it is: Phil Factor

Gino is the biggest Madonna fan, thus the title, but he truly does live to make others happy and beautiful.

As I'm writing this now, it is Gino's birthday and he did a fundraiser for it on Facebook for the 

Learn about HALT! And you can get more info and donate here: https://www.facebook.com/donate/790045678249341/

Gino's bio in his own words:

"Gino was born and raised in San Diego by a doting and effervescent, loving mother who was born in Italy. Gino’s father was a gold star World War II vet, who met his mother while stationed in Italy. Gino has one sibling, a supportive and loving sister Sistiana. Both Sistiana and Gino graduated from Mount Carmel High School in San Diego, class of 1982 and 1987 respectively. Gino suffers from severe dyslexia and ADHD but has never let that hold him back. He has been a flamboyant, creative, openly gay man since his teens.

After graduating from high school, he enrolled in beauty school and has been excelling in coloring, cutting, and styling ever since. His skill has been highlighted in in fashion shows and photo shoots and his work has also appeared in professional salon magazines. Gino continues to excel at his craft and in light of the current pandemic he has arranged to provide hair care services in his private salon in Poway, California, where all County Health requirements are maintained. Wear a mask and be prepared to have your temperature taken, after which you will be treated like the god or goddess you are, and your hair will thank you for the treatment.

Like many creative people, Gino has struggled with his fair share of emotional and addiction issues, but he has persevered. He has become a master at the art of reinventing himself and pulling himself up from the dark into the light; learning to turn the negative voice in his head into one that reassures him he is good and loved.

Gino has worked creatively for Macy’s, Disneyland, and a high-end beauty store in West Hollywood. Gino began toying with wigs as a hobby but has honed his skill to the point where he has styled princess wigs while working at Disneyland and he continues to create exceptional wigs for local repertory theaters and school productions. Gino can turn any wig into a thing of beauty enhancing the joy and appearance of the wearer.

Today, Gino is clean and sober and enjoys working at the World-Famous San Diego Zoo when he is not doing hair. Aside from relishing being in the outdoors with wild animals and fresh air, Gino is surrounded by amazing smart young coworkers and great bosses who love him.

Gino’s most important role is that to his family and friends. He is a doting uncle to his niece Charlotte, a supportive brother to Sistiana, and is well loved and respected by his many friends."

If you'd like to make an appointment to be treated like a deity, here's how you contact him: 310-560-0211

Books Gino recommends:
Less than Zero

Rock Hudson's biography

Paul Newman's biography

and we discussed Robin Williams. In light of his suicide, you may be interested in watching this: https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/medical/new-documentary-looks-at-robin-williams-struggle-with-lewy-body-dementia/ar-BB18zjHU

Recorded 12/28/2020

Rome calls himself a futurist. I call him a visionary. This episode is all about the beauty of the mystery.
But to know the future we have to go back to the beginning.
Let us take you back to the dawning age of the internet and revel in how revolutionary it was (and is!) to these Gen-Xers!

Here's how to contact Rome: Rome dot Viharo AT gmail.com (written this way to prevent spam bots!)

Topics: 9/11, life before and after it, the beginning of the internet, the numbers 0 1 2, Aikido https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aikido

Buddhism, specifically Tibetan Buddhism for Rome. Here in Conifer we have: http://www.compassionatedharmacloudmonastery.org/

And Rome gives the best definition of the difference between coincidence and serendipity!

Mentioned:

Rome's hero is Buckminster Fuller. I'm sure you will be interested to know more after listening to this episode: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buckminster_Fuller

Robert Thurman and his podcast: https://fyminc.typepad.com/bob_thurman_podcast/

I've never read anything by either of them, but they've both written.

I just heard a great podcast with a Tibetan Nun on 10% Happier: https://radiopublic.com/ten-percent-happier-with-dan-harr-WwE9m8/s1!57ea8

Recorded late November 2020.

Jeni Davis Rayle is an advocate for education reform where we keep the children first, not the institutions or the test scores. She's fighting everyday for this and for equity for all special education children especially within this flawed system. So she's railing or "Rayle-ing" for change.
I'm not big on puns but it was there, so I took it.

Hear her personal evolution to listen to herself, her voice, her gut and experience and trust herself, as well as the evolution of education in the past 25-30 years.  Jeni uses a past episode with Phil Factor and hints at an upcoming episode with Gino Gebhart for how pervasive dyslexia is in all of our lives.

Jeni is soooo passionate about this and had so many stories as examples of mistakes schools are making and how she's learned, grown and fought to empower kids that the raw recording was over 2 hours! I hated cutting out such powerful examples of what not to do in the school system, so, if you ever want to hear all of that, I can send out the original, unedited sound file. Or just call Jeni! She'll tell you everything you need to know about this issue. You'll definitely want her on your side and fighting for your child.

If you'd like to hire her for your student: https://sdeducationalservices.com/

Other advocate resources she mentioned:

https://www.copaa.org/

https://www.wrightslaw.com/

Interview with Kergan Edwards-Stout

I don't know Kergan! LOL Even though he lives about 15 mins from me.
Thanks to a mutual friend called Lisa Colorado, we met to discuss his book and his life.

Kergan Edwards-Stout's new "fictional" memoir, Never Turn Your Back on the Tide (Or, How I Married a Lying, Psychopathic Wannabe Murderer and Kinda Lived to Tell), won the IndieReader Discovery Award and is a finalist for the Next Generation Indie Book Awards.  Gifts Not Yet Given, a collection of 14 short stories, was named on multiple "Best Book" lists and is available now in paperback and e-book.  His debut novel, Songs for the New Depression, won the 2012 Indie Book Award, was shortlisted for the Independent Literary Awards, and was named one of the Top Books for 2012 by Out in Print.

We discussed many things about his life and his past, and you'll hear a lot, but not everything, so check out his book to know all the juicy details! You can buy his book anywhere, but why not support the author more by buying directly from his website!

Kergan Edwards-Stout
http://kerganedwards-stout.com

Discussed:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lyndon_LaRouche

https://bookshop.org/a/8901/9780345806567

https://bookshop.org/a/8901/9780802121530

https://bookshop.org/a/8901/9780061358302

https://bookshop.org/books?keywords=Felice+Picano+

Interview with Dr. Sheldon Jacobs.

I didn't know Dr. Sheldon Jacobs when we started this, but since we had to scrap the original recording from 11/2 and redo in January, and all the subsequent emails, etc., I now have spent a good amount of time with him. He's got the kind of heart and presence you want to be around, especially for those in need. Here's what he says: "My name is Dr. Sheldon A. Jacobs, a licensed marriage and family therapist. I am currently employed with a local government agency. I have worked extensively with individuals experiencing difficulties with various life transitions, juvenile probationers, severely emotionally disturbed children, chemical dependency populations, professional athletes (most recently the Las Vegas Raiders), and individuals suffering from mild to severe mental illness.

Made me think of:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qt2mbGP6vFI

and this amazing book that everyone should read:  https://bookshop.org/a/8901/9780553447453

His book: 48: You can buy anywhere but the best place is his website! It really helps support the author!

Or my affiliate link supports us both:
https://bookshop.org/a/8901/9781480896239

Resources:

https://nationalhomeless.org/

https://wellbeings.org