Love horror movies? Hate horror movies? Either way, you’ll love this conversation about movies, being married, and how to rock social media. We learned about why horror films work to talk about real social issues, how to use clear communication to work together as a creative couple, how to get over writer’s block and how to bring empathy to social media and marketing.

Angie & Andrew Johnson-Schmit are independent filmmakers and social media strategists who live and work in Prescott, AZ. They have written and directed the horror/comedy short, Dead Votes Society,the web series Diary of a Mad Scientist’s Assistant and Dr. Wanker's Short Adventures. Their debut feature film, Witch Child is currently in post production.

As partners in the social media strategy/management agency, Slackerwriter, LLC, Angie & Andrew consult with non-profits, artists and small businesses to build social media engagement with their followers. They also provide social media support for organizations and individuals interested in achieving engagement with less daily commitment. Their motto is: "Taking up the slack, so you can relax!"

SHOW NOTES:

Movies

Articles, & Events

Do you want to live an epic life? Do you want to know how to build sustaining community through small acts? Do you wonder how art folds into a life of leadership? Do you want to hit someone with a foam sword?

We won’t claim that Claire Louge has all the answers but… she kinda does. We strongly recommend you take some time to bask in the honesty, clarity, and passion that Claire brings to this podcast episode. Her personal story covers despair, near death, and recovery. Her professional path charts community, creativity, humility, and leadership.

Guest Bio:

Claire Louge is the Executive Director of Prevent Child Abuse Arizona, a statewide non-profit organization dedicated to preventing child maltreatment before it happens, and helping those who have experienced childhood trauma build resilience to its effects.

Claire obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Human Development from Cornell University and her Masters of Education in Human Relations from Northern Arizona University. Claire is also a Certified Trauma Support Specialist through the Arizona Trauma Institute, certified by the National Alliance of Children's Trust and Prevention Funds to teach the Strengthening Families™ Protective Factors Framework, and an authorized Stewards of Children® facilitator. She is a graduate of the American Express Leadership Academy at the ASU Lodestar Center and is also an AmeriCorps VISTA alumnus. Claire also volunteers her time to create and produce live action role playing adventure events for teens.

Show Notes:

Organizations & Events

Books & Articles

Are you wondering why teens are showing up in the news so much over the last eighteen months? Are you curious about why so many are more active, more engaged, more committed, than ever? Join us for an intergenerational Rocket Feather podcast as we try to answer those questions. This week we interview two teen leaders and activists from the Teen Advisory Council, Shannon and Emma, along with their adult mentor, McKenzie MacIntyre.

McKenzie has a bachelor’s degree in psychology with an emphasis in Adolescent Development and is studying toward her M.Ed. in School Counseling.  She serves as Coordinator for the Teen Advisory Council at the Launch Pad Teen Center. McKenzie chose Emma (age 16) and Shannon (age 17) to be a part of the podcast because, “Both girls show tremendous strength in leading their peers and being advocates for their community.”

Find out what these smart, passionate teens are doing to make life better for themselves and their generation and how you might fit into their plans.

SHOW NOTES:

Youth Movements & Teen Centers

Articles, Events & Videos

Do you wonder what "Rocket Feather" means? Are you curious about what makes two introverts so chatty? Looking for some laughs, some feels, and some value this long weekend? Join Charles and Kelly on this episode to learn and ponder more about making Relationships work, sparking Creativity, building Community, and healing Masculinity. 

Show Notes: 

Books to Read

Organizations to Follow

Are you curious about the creative process, relationships, and the healing power of art? Come hang out with the Rocket Feather team on their first double date with the creative and life partners of Blushing Cactus Photography.  Tracy Fultz and Jeremiah Scheffer inspire us with their bold images, their generous approach to the act of taking pictures, their love for community, and their love for one another.  

To honor Tracy and Jeremiah's love of live music in the Phoenix scene, we feature some song samples from their favorite bands. Enjoy the energy!

SHOW NOTES: 

Blushing Cactus Instagram: @blushingcactusphotography 

Elizabeth Gilbert on the Nature of Creativity TED

Neil Preston - Iconic Rock Photography

MUSIC PLAYED

Under the Intro - The Bayou Bandits "Take Me Back"

First Break - Break the Robot "The A List"

Second Break - The Black Moods "Belladonna"

Under the Outro - The Bellwethers - "Schizophrenic Zen"

Are you ready for the new year, new decade, new reality? Life in the Roaring Twenties is going to be challenging in ways we can't even imagine. But it doesn't have to be joyless, lonely, or futile. Kelly and Charles have some experience developing the kind of personal and relational skills that give hope in tough times. In this podcast, you get to spend some time exploring the difference between shallow strength and Deep Strength. This episode even comes with a free Deep Strength workout plan that you can start today!

Show Notes: 

Deep Strength Workout Plan - Download it here

Teddy Roosevelt's "Man in the Arena" quote comes from his 1910 speech Citizenship in a Republic.

BIGNESS and Superpower concept courtesy of Fabeku Fatunmise, Kelly's business coach. 

Rumi's Poem "The Guest House"

Are you one of those people who knows there's more to life than what's on the surface? Join the Rocket Feather team for a dive into the depths of soul, growth, and hope for the future. This week's guest is Adam Vellturo, an ecotherapist who has spent the last 30 years guiding people into health and a more complete relationship with their soul. Be sure to listen all the way to the end for Adam's prescription for easy soul work and a recitation of a Walt Whitman poem that are both perfect for clear, cold winter nights. 

In this episode, Charles and Kelly offer up their usual mix of empathy, humor, and wisdom about one of the most difficult topics for all of us: visiting family. They make the point, that even in the most loving, stable, and supportive family, dysfunction, pain, frustration can simmer just under the surface. This podcast presents two very simple, very actionable tips to try for the holidays that might lesson some of the pain and dysfunction. 

Molly McGinn takes us on a Hero's Journey into Healing, Learning, and Community

Molly McGinn is a learning specialist focused on designing and facilitating leadership and management skills training for global companies and nonprofit organizations. Her life story and intellectual/spiritual journey are much more complex and interesting though, than that LinkedIn-worthy business bio.

Molly has literally traveled around the world - the long way, as she says. As a very young woman she went to Japan to study for a year at a Zen monastery, and then, naturally, became a Pan Am stewardess. See if you can follow along to hear how that career choice eventually led to her sitting on the edge of the Grand Canyon with a founding member of the Chinese Communist Party. You’ll also want to listen so you can hear about Tibet, the nature of self and community, and for two Zen Buddhist jokes.

Molly has a strong personal dedication to her own lifelong learning and to community building at the local and global levels. Toward the end of this episode, Molly talks enthusiastically about her most recent project, a group of intentional learning communities for promising young people in recovery.

We know you will enjoy this podcast and we hope you’ll respond with some comments and questions.

Join us for a deep dive with Jessi Hans, a bona fide Community Weaver dedicated to ending homelessness in Everybody’s Hometown, Prescott, Arizona. After becoming Executive Director of CCJ, [Coalition for Compassion and Justice], Jessi set a bold agenda to include and uplift everyone in our hometown. In a few short years, her team and partners have made a huge impact, and along the way, she’s worked to reinvent nonprofit teams, motivate and nurture her family, and consciously find ways to grow and develop as a person. In this interview, Jessi helps us figure out how we can support marginalized people [hint: treat them like full members of the community with agency and value]. Jessi also explains how she continues to motivate herself and inspire her people to work at their highest and deepest levels.  Warning: this episode is NOT a bummer!!