Studio City Now

I had the pleasure of speaking with Imani Khaliid recently. His story and book – There Was Violence – is moving.  Based on true events, this gritty, memoir-styled journey spans from the mid 1970’s through the late 80’s in South Los Angeles

Imani, who grew up in South Central/Compton area of Southern California,  is a survivor of domestic and street violence. His book, There Was Violence, details the journey of  Vaughn Harper, a young boy born into generational trauma navigates a chilling and unpredictably dangerous world of domestic and urban violence as he seeks peace and his true calling.

Imani is currently working on an app with resources to escape the violence, help with mental health and have resources. His websites are below. The book is compelling and can be found on Amazon, Kindle Books, Apple books and everywhere you buy or download books.

https://www.therewasviolence.com/

https://www.therewasviolence.com/rooms

I had the pleasure of speaking with the multi-talented Rich McCulley recently. I met Rich several years ago at a music venue, with other musicians – shout out to Ted Russell Kamp, Will Kimbrough and Joey Peters. Rich currently lives in El Paso, Texas, in an neighborhood near where I lived when I lived there. Small world! And in another weird small world, we were neighbors in Southern California. Missed doing the Starbucks thing when he drove through.

Rich has played with almost everyone. He is a singer, songwriter, wrote the Donner Pass soundtrack, has had music placed in baseball games, among other things. He can be reached at Redhill Studios, or google him.

His website is: https://richmcculley.bandcamp.com/

The newest CD – Stash, Walk the Walk, with Ted Russell Kamp and Joey Peters is available on all platforms.

I had the pleasure and honour of chatting with Lee Fardon recently. I first heard about Lee many years ago, when my friend Leigh brought me his album “Palestine”. I was hooked - and thank you Leigh!!  Lee is incredibly talented and fun to chat with. We spoke about his early days, his influences, his days with Arista Records and how the quarantine affected him. His partial bio is below.

Lee is an English singer/songwriter, instrumentalist and recording artist. He was born in Battersea, south London in 1953. For his 10th birthday, Lee’s father brought him a Dansette record player and  the Bob Dylan’s album Freewheelin, which proved to have a profound influence on his future career. In the early 70’s Fardon played as a solo artist, playing folk based rock and roll in various London folk clubs such as The Nag's Head pub in Battersea,[1] The Crypt at St Martin in the Field, Trafalgar Square, The Mandrake Club in Soho and The Half Moon pub in Putney. At this time, he began writing his own lyrics. He was signed in 1977 by Arista Records when he formed his first band, Lee Fardon and the Legionaires. The Legionares played most of the pub rock venues in London including the Hope & Anchor, Islington, Finsbury Park Rainbow Theatre, The Hammersmith Odeon and the Marquee Club, where the band supported Dire Straits for four Sunday nights. By 1982 he was signed by Aura Records and formed The Lee Fardon band. [2]

Subsequently, Lee toured with Dire Straits, was produced by Mark Knopfler and recorded with Annie Lennox. His second album received critical acclaim, notably, Alan Jones the editor of Melody Maker wrote that “The God Given Right” was “bold, thrilling and breathtakingly assured". [3]Journalist Patrick Humphreys, in an article in Melody Maker, described Fardon as “the God given writer”.[4]

Difficult to categorize in a single genre Lee fuses rock, folk, soul and pure poetry.

His new CD, “On the Up Beat: is amazing. It’s a fusion of the New Orlean’s sound and jazz. The youtube “The Making of On The Up Beat” shows the making of this CD. At Room with a View Studio. The video is created by his talented wife, Sharon Fuller, an extremely talented artist.

I’ve linked his website and YouTube below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIAA4FgyIlo

https://leefardonmusic.squarespace.com/

I recently spoke to James at the Midlife Mentors, and was extremely impressed with the Midlife Mentors and 38 Degrees North.

James and Claire Davis are the husband and wife team behind the multi-award winning coaching and fitness retreat company 38 degrees north (the latitude of Ibeza).

Driven by passions for fitness, travel and adventure, James and Claire wanted to create a luxury fitness holiday experience that not only delivered results but would be engaging, fun and motivate clients to continue training once they returned home.

Rather than focusing on extreme weight loss, they instead founded a concept built around coaching and education, incorporating not only workouts, but nutrition workshops, mindset, coaching and support to enable lasting sustaining change for clients.

They partner with 4 and 5 star hotels for their base, giving clients a luxurious surrounding and amenities along with a wide range of food choices.

When I spoke o James, he had flown in from London to Marbella, Spain !!!

He and Claire have a podcast – The midlife mentors podcast and are featured in numerous magazines, including Men’s Fitness, Tattler, Vogue, Women’s Fitness, Marie Claire and Elle.

They can be reached at:  [email protected] 

And the website is: https://themidlifementors.com/

Their programs are inspiring.

I had the pleasure of speaking with LaJune Singleton recently, and wow – did I learn a lot about nutrition and wellness and inspired me to start losing the ____ pounds I gained during quarantine. LaJune is a Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach, who provides you with the tools you need to redefine your mind so that you can create the space necessary for important positive shifts in your health and wellness.

​Virtual and in-person programs are designed for children, families, retirees, and busy career women with their scheduling needs in mind. If you're struggling with health, nutrition, wellness, and fitness goals and developing a growth mindset, coaching is the way to achieving your best you. Healthy mindset and eating starts at home with your children. Let her show you how she can help with a free consultation.

The below is taken directly from her website:

HOW I WILL ASSIST YOU WITH IMPROVING

YOUR BOARD CERTIFIED HEALTH AND WELLNESS

As your BOARD CERTIFIED HEALTH COACH, here are the TOP FIVE areas I will coach you in:

1. IDENTIFYING YOUR HEALTH VISION AND GOALS SO YOU CAN GET FOCUSED

2. CREATING A DETAILED ACTION PLAN FOR ACHIEVING YOUR HEALTH GOALS

3. KEEPING YOU ACCOUNTABLE TO ACHIEVING YOUR GOALS

4. CELEBRATING YOUR ACHIEVEMENTS AS YOU REACH IMPORTANT MILESTONES

5. PROVIDING ONGOING SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGEMENT AS YOU NAVIGATE THE PROCESS

LaJune’s contact information is:

www.lajunesingleton.com

www.instagram.com/iamlajunesingleton

www.linkedin.com/in/lajune-singleton

and a youtube channel – you will have to google that one!

I was so impressed talking with LaJune.  As I mentioned above, I started following her advice and feel healthier.  Check out her social media channels.  I know you will be impressed too !!

I had the pleasure of speaking with Al Siamon recently. All I can say is WOW !!! Mr. Siamon is 91 years old, a cancer survivor and had a quadruple bypass. He is alive and kicking and just amazing. AND has a story and he owes it all to Balance 7.

He developed a product called Balance 7, a health supplement, makes the body alkaline and is amazing. I’ve been using it for a week and can feel the difference. The Balance 7 story is below.

His Balance 7 journey started when he was 65 and was feeling “old and worn out”. His doctor told him this was normal. For Mr. Siamon, it wasn’t normal. 

Balance 7 is a liquid dietary supplement with the powerful ability to raise pH levels in the body. Its proprietary mixture of safe, all natural minerals triggers the body’s ability to maintain a healthy and strong immune system.

From conception to production, Al Siamon spent more than two decades developing and testing Balance 7.

This unique, easy to use blend works without expensive products or complicated diets. A consistent and daily regimen greatly improves the efficacy and potency of the pH balancing process.

Since its inception in 2005, the use and introduction of Balance 7 in the United States and throughout the world to millions of people launched a steady stream of testimonies about the product’s extraordinary health benefits.

Within 72 hours, most people begin to experience: Higher energy, boosted mental awareness and enhanced overall health.

Since I’ve been using Balance 7, I can personally say I’ve experienced this. I can honestly say I feel healthier. It’s a great product and I am very happy with the results so far.

Social medial links are:

www.balance7.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/balance7_supplement

https://www.facebook.com/balance74life

Its Bianca Banks - what more can I say? Bianca and I chatted recently about everything. Her parents were in the health care field, and Bianca, who was in that field, did a complete 180 and went on to do incredible things. She is an LA native who made a name for herself as a business woman, community advocate, philanthropist, and socialite.

Bianca made her entertainment premiere as a main cast member and reality star on 2017's Bravo's "Invite Only Cabo" alongside famous celebrity hairstylist, Larry Sims. As a side note, Larry Sims suggested she get into entertainment.

Bianca is now raising the bar for her talent and has officially launched her podcast, 'The MND Show". With her daughter, Jasmine Shannon, as her co-host, they focus on current events and powerful topics that have brought edge, personality & realness to the podcast world.

She and her Jasmine also have a show on Dash radio (internet).

Bianca can be contacted at - itsbiancabanks.com, or google Its Bianca Banks, and she's everywhere.

I had the pleasure of a zoom call with Mirav Tarkka, Faith Rodriquez, Beverley Holt and Heidi De Love –located all over the world -  Italy, Colorado, Australia and Monaco. They collaborated on “Lady X”, a thrilling and sensuous story as well as a toolbox to help you find inner love. We all have a bit of Lady X inside us – a fascinating book that will entrance you from beginning to end – are you ready for the ride?

Beverley Holt is in Australia – she is a holistic entrepreneur and self-love expert.  Beverley is a Reiki Master, Teacher and Health and Wellness Podcaster. She is a co-author of Lady X. Her website is: https://www.beherenowladies.com.

Heidi De Love was born in Belgium and currently lives in Monaco. She founded a language school which she headed for 18 years. She has a profound love for language and books and spends her time proof reading, editing and content writing. Heidi is a consultant in communication and is a co-author of Lady X. She doesn't have a website but people always find her :)

Faith Rodriquez lives in Colorado and is a psychic and medium. She has worked with intuitive kids and adults, helping them to understand and fine-tune their intuition. She shares spirit messages helping to give peace and closure after a loss, connects with pets that are living and that have past to share messages with their loved ones.  She offers different energy healing sessions and teach others how to channel divine light energy to heal themselves and others. She uses her intuition to mentor others in their businesses, life, relationships, and healing and teaches different energy clearings to heal and shift your energy to promote healing within the physical, mental, spiritual, emotional and energy bodies. Her website is www.faithrodriguez.net.

Mirav Tarkka is the incredible woman who put us all together! Mirav is a power coach, self defense teacher, writer/author and mother raising two young daughters. Mirav has authored several books, including Lady X. Mirav’s books can be found on Amazon at:

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Mirav+Tarkka&ref=nb_sb_noss

I had the pleasure of speaking with Mukesh Modi today about his movie, The Elevator. First and foremost, Mukesh is one of the nicest people around. His latest movie, The Elevator, premieres in New York on November 17, and then goes to Amazon Prime on November 18. I was at the August premiere in Los Angeles, and was fortunate enough to meet the all star cast including Eric Roberts, Eugenia Kuzmina, Matt Rife.

The message of The Elevator is - keep your loved ones close and let go of the trivial things of the past. Mukesh and I spoke about family and letting the past go.

We also spoke about his future projects – a comedy based on American Women – American Pie but for more mature people, and a project based on an Indian family immigrating to the US.

Take a look at the trailer, then tune in on Amazon Prime this week. You will like what you see.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCb-MYQcy5E

I had the pleasure of speaking with Mirav Tarkka recently. I had two interviews, and edited them together - both very interesting. She is an incredible woman, who has a story. Her bio is below.

Mirav Tarkka is a Power coach, drawing knowledge from her experience as an IDF Operational Sergeant & international self-defense teaching career, she is also the bestselling author of 5 books to date, a Public speaker, trainer and a very proud single mother of two wonder women.  

Through her profound personal journey during which she was challenged many times and had to break down in order to break through, she discovered the power of the mind to be as powerful as that of the body. Her mind helped her survive on an emotional level and her body sustained her physically, working with both of them together was the secret to accomplishing her highest goals. From this her own unique method was born, combining strengthening the body and sharpening the mind, unleashing what she calls your “Power Of Warrior” and use it to create an unstoppable life in all areas. Her method was tested among hundreds of her students, she was interviewed multiple times for magazines and television and received an international award for her innovation of inserting mental training into the physical world of self-defense.

She believes that, to create overall wellness and use the full potential of your born power, the power of life, training must include various factors which contributes to one’s optimal health and state of mind. Her method includes balancing, connecting to your Qi, facial training, laughter yoga, warrior tapping, EFT, self talk, Warrior moves, connecting to your sensuality, self loving and more.

Her favorite quote is: "Some women fear the fire, some simply become it" By R.H. Sin

You are welcome to follow her and enjoy her methods, get motivated and inspired via:

Or follow her authors page @ amazon.com/author/miravtarkka