Shaping Sapiens

Life is filled with turning points that can make or break us. For Ashley Monical, walking away from a $30,000 Kickstarter campaign, a newly released album and all the exciting promotional opportunities that come along with it, was just one of many defining moments in her life. Ashley teaches that through small choices and a stubbornness to follow her own personal truth, the way to light is always by facing one's own shadows.

Life is filled with turning points that can make or break us. For Ashley Monical, walking away from a $30,000 Kickstarter campaign, a newly released album and all the exciting promotional opportunities that come along with it, was just one of many defining moments in her life. Ashley teaches that through small choices and a stubbornness to follow her own personal truth, the way to light is always by facing one's own shadows.

What would you do if you were told that you could die at any minute? For most people, remaining calm is not an option. For Gary Ramsey, it was the only option. As a teacher of the Alexander Technique, his sense of awareness of the present moment and his mastery of tranquility aided him in making the most important decision of his life, leading to an incredible healing journey to Mexico. Gary shows us that even in the face of death, an unshakeable grip on one’s intuition can lead to an adventure that’s more remarkable than one could ever have hoped for.

What would you do if you were told that you could die at any minute? For most people, remaining calm is not an option. For Gary Ramsey, it was the only option. As a teacher of the Alexander Technique, his sense of awareness of the present moment and his mastery of tranquility aided him in making the most important decision of his life, leading to an incredible healing journey to Mexico. Gary shows us that even in the face of death, an unshakeable grip on one’s intuition can lead to an adventure that’s more remarkable than one could ever have hoped for.

There are people who come into your life with different offerings on how to see the world. When I was 23, I met a woman whose fascination with death radically jolted my brain. “We do death wrong,” Kristi Curry said to me, as we sat around at her Day of the Dead birthday party several years ago. She had become one of the most intriguing people I had ever met. As I looked around the room that evening, watching the guests with their loved one’s photos, telling stories and laughing, the idea that death could be celebrated was revolutionary — and quite possibly, the most beautiful, natural thing we could aspire to do in life.

There are people who come into your life with different offerings on how to see the world. When I was 23, I met a woman whose fascination with death radically jolted my brain. “We do death wrong,” Kristi Curry said to me, as we sat around at her Day of the Dead birthday party several years ago. She had become one of the most intriguing people I had ever met. As I looked around the room that evening, watching the guests with their loved one’s photos, telling stories and laughing, the idea that death could be celebrated was revolutionary — and quite possibly, the most beautiful, natural thing we could aspire to do in life.

In this special 2017 season premiere episode of Shaping Sapiens, we'll witness sounds and stories from the Women's March on Washington from different marchers in different cities across the country. As a participant in the march myself, I've come to understand that these stories are vital. In a nation -- a WORLD -- that appears to be so divided, the only thing that can bring us together is LISTENING to each other and LEARNING that we are much more alike than we are different. Our show's goal is to educate, inspire and unite us, one Shaping Sapien at a time. But, what exactly is a "Shaping Sapien"? I'm so glad you asked. It's you. It's me. It's every one of us, each member of the recent human race. All of us, in this together, shaping each other, for better or for worse, for every future generation to come. So, let's start listening, shall we?

In this special 2017 season premiere episode of Shaping Sapiens, we'll witness sounds and stories from the Women's March on Washington from different marchers in different cities across the country. As a participant in the march myself, I've come to understand that these stories are vital. In a nation -- a WORLD -- that appears to be so divided, the only thing that can bring us together is LISTENING to each other and LEARNING that we are much more alike than we are different. Our show's goal is to educate, inspire and unite us, one Shaping Sapien at a time. But, what exactly is a "Shaping Sapien"? I'm so glad you asked. It's you. It's me. It's every one of us, each member of the recent human race. All of us, in this together, shaping each other, for better or for worse, for every future generation to come. So, let's start listening, shall we?

What do you get when you mix spunk, humor, and a great pixie hair cut? You get a comedian from Brooklyn with an insatiable hunger for life. Chani Lisbon is one of eleven Jewish Orthodox children, and her affinity for comedy stemmed from an innate curiosity to poke and prod and ask, "What would happen if?" By following the answers, Chani's story teaches that no matter how far away you may go, your roots may always lead you home again.

What do you get when you mix spunk, humor, and a great pixie hair cut? You get a comedian from Brooklyn with an insatiable hunger for life. Chani Lisbon is one of eleven Jewish Orthodox children, and her affinity for comedy stemmed from an innate curiosity to poke and prod and ask, "What would happen if?" By following the answers, Chani's story teaches that no matter how far away you may go, your roots may always lead you home again.