Jennie outs herself as a life-long Elvis enthusiast in the name of drawing out deep life lessons from Baz Luhrmann’s Oscar nominated biopic Elvis (2022). Sarah and Jennie discuss how the film reveals truths about how we engage with ourselves and the world around us through three main musically-inspired themes: Return to Sender, Devil in Disguise, and That’s Alright Mama. Listen to learn how you can appreciate instead of appropriate, fill your life with supportive people, place balance above showmanship in your everyday life, and how Elvis is every mom. 

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Screen Shares Rating: 

• Work Screen- Setting boundaries is an important part of a healthy working relationship, and the film Elvis gives many excellent non-examples.
• Little Screen- Elvis can serve as a launching off point to discuss self-care, achievement, and growth with mature children in your life.
• Family Screen- Make intergenerational connections by watching Elvis with your extended family of many ages. The film could be particularly good at connecting older people who were alive during Elvis' fame with younger people. 

Screen Sparks:

1. How do we grapple with the historical precedents that minority culture is often only elevated when it’s appropriated? How can we do better?
2. What is your personal boundary between performance and reality?
3. Do you ask anyone in your life to perform?
4. Is it okay to idolize anyone?

3 Musical Take-Aways from Elvis (2022) and Opportunities to Take Action:

1. Return to Sender-Check your sources and cite your work-There’s value in re-examining origins and problematic histories with an open mind, and willingness to make changes. 
   • We talk about cultural appropriation and artistic reparations. Please consider donating to one of the following organizations that support black artists. 
     • The Memphis Black Arts Alliance 
     • 10 Organizations Supporting Black Artists, Creators, Movers & Shakers You Can Donate To Today 
     • Here Are 26 Organizations You Can Donate to That Support Emerging Black Artists, Thinkers, and Change-Makers 
2. Beware Devils in Disguise-Be with people who want you whole-People who only want you at your best don’t want what’s best for you; they want what’s best for them. People are not monolithic symbols they’re complex beings
3. It’s Alright Mama-Be a wheel or better yet, be a rock-No-one is super human. When we put a person at the center of a system and/or on a pedestal we risk stripping them of their humanity and burning them out.  

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