The Inspiring Conversations Podcast

TO WATCH A VIDEO OF THIS INTERVIEW AND TO SEE SOME OF BOBBY'S WORK THAT HE SHOWS, GO TO INSPIRING CONVERSATIONS PODCAST CHANNEL ON YOUTUBE OR VIEW DIRECTLY AT https://youtu.be/VvcR3dxCxNY

Jeff sits down with artist and educator Bobby C. Martin to hear about his life journey and what inspired him to begin to create art, about how he and his practice has evolved over the years, and about why he has been deeply moved to utilize older family photographic images as the focal point of his work.

As the conversation concludes, he talks about what the current exhibit at Living Arts, Speak: Speak While You Can means to him at a deeper level and why he feels the sense of urgency to participate in the revitalization of his native language.

To learn more about Bobby and his work, visit
https://www.bobbycmartin.com/

Bobby C. Martin is an artist/educator/facilitator who works out of his 7 Springs Studio near West Siloam Springs, Oklahoma. Martin’s artwork is exhibited and collected internationally. He has been featured in numerous group and solo exhibitions, the most recent being a one-person exhibition entitled But You Don’t Look Indian… that traveled to multiple venues in 2018-2019. His current project, Altars of Reconciliation, is a three-person show featuring Martin, Erin Shaw (Chickasaw) and Tony Tiger (Sac & Fox/Muscogee/Seminole) that focuses on the experiences of the artists as Native Americans and as Christians, and is currently traveling through Fall 2021. 

Martin’s work is in numerous museum collections, including the Philbrook Museum and Gilcrease Museum in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and the Museum of the Great Plains in Lincoln, Nebraska. An enrolled citizen of the Muscogee (Creek) tribe in Oklahoma, Martin currently holds a Professor of Visual Arts position at John Brown University in Siloam Springs, Arkansas, and he frequently leads printmaking workshops and artist retreats at his studio and at various museums and art centers around the world.

TO WATCH A VIDEO OF THIS INTERVIEW, GO TO INSPIRING CONVERSATIONS PODCAST CHANNEL OR VIEW DIRECTLY AT https://youtu.be/8Bdp9UDi0T8

Jeff sits down with Lokosh (Joshua Hinson) to hear about his life journey, about his work in Chickasaw language revitalization, about his artwork, and about how he integrates all of these aspects of himself.

He speaks very compellingly about why the work of Native language revitalization is so important and urgent, and he also shares about the importance of community and how the Chickasaw nation is working so diligently to assure every citizen's well-being during the pandemic.

Lokosh (Joshua D. Hinson) is of Chickasaw, Choctaw, Muscogee (Creek), Cherokee, and Euro-American ancestry and is a citizen of the Chickasaw Nation. A conversational speaker of the Chickasaw language and an award-winning artist, he holds a Bachelors of Fine Arts degree in Painting from Abilene Christian University, a master’s degree in Native American Art History from the University of New Mexico, and a PhD in Native Language Revitalization from the University of Oklahoma. 

He makes art on the Chickasaw Nation Reservation, Ada, Oklahoma.

Hinson, whose Chickasaw name Lokosh translates as “Gourd,” is of the Imatapo (Their Lean-to People) house group and Kowishto' (Panther) clan.

TO WATCH A VIDEO OF THIS INTERVIEW, GO TO INSPIRING CONVERSATIONS PODCAST CHANNEL OR VIEW DIRECTLY AT https://youtu.be/XJLZNcDy1fo

Jeff sits down with Bernadette Pleasant, the founder of Femme! & The Emotional Institute as she shares very deeply about the meaning of her work in promoting emotional freedom through movement and empowerment, about her own Journey that led her to do this very powerful work and why it matters so much to her and to those that she works with, and about the impact that it has had on others. 

As the conversation concludes, she shares an incredibly moving and deeply compelling perspective on the importance of healing all of the grief, trauma, pain, and challenges that we have been going through here in the U.S. and in the world. 

To learn more about Bernadette and her work, visit 
https://theemotionalinstitute.com/ 

Intoxicating and energetic, Bernadette Pleasant is a fiery sensual Speaker, Somatic Healer, and Creator of The Emotional Institute LLC, 400 Years: Unlearning Racism & Femme!, a mind-body wellness program. She has spent a lifetime exploring creative visualizations and celebrations of the human form, from sensual dance to somatic healing. A gifted healer, dancer, and entrepreneur, she channels her personal journeys and her radical empathy into transformative, immersive experiences that empower and celebrate people of all genders, ages, sizes, and fitness levels. Bernadette travels globally empowering all through classes, private workshops, retreats and conference engagements.  

With certifications in Emotions-Centered Coaching, Nia Technique, Nia 5 Stages, Ageless Grace, Pole Dance, Somatic Healing, Reiki, and Integrated Energy Therapy—and studies in African, Tribal, and Free Dance—Bernadette Pleasant promotes emotional freedom through movement and empowerment. 

As an experienced entrepreneur and the founder of Femme! & The Emotional Institute, Bernadette Pleasant regularly leads discussions on emotional healing, grief rituals, inclusive movement, and empowerment for all. Her authenticity, charisma, and warmth allow her to empathize with and inspire those ready for a journey of emotional exploration and affirmation. Intuitive and engaging, Bernadette Pleasant is a vibrant, sensual speaker who connects with those who have been silenced and shut down to support their physical, emotional, and healing journeys—whether in a classroom, from a podium, or one-on-one.

TO WATCH A VIDEO OF THIS INTERVIEW, GO TO INSPIRING CONVERSATIONS PODCAST CHANNEL OR VIEW DIRECTLY AT https://youtu.be/dN-XDtPl_PA

Jeff sits down with Dustin Pittsley to hear about what his music means to him at a deeper level, how he got started playing music and creating art, and what about the last few months have been like for him as an artist and as a human being.

He also offers some reflections about the inner experience of performing live for an audience both in the U.S. and abroad and the differences between that and performing online. 

As the conversation concludes, he also offers his thoughts about the Tulsa Sound and why the Tulsa music community means so much to him.

To learn more about Dustin's music, visithttp://dustinpittsley.com/

*Photo credit vine + jude photography by Mackenzie Coplin  @vineandjude on instagram

TO WATCH A VIDEO OF THIS INTERVIEW, GO TO INSPIRING CONVERSATIONS PODCAST CHANNEL OR VIEW DIRECTLY AT https://youtu.be/8wHx4-2i2pE

Jeff sits down with Laura Hensley, the co-host of Bad Decisions | Good Choices Podcast on youtube as she talks about how the podcast came into being and what it's all about. After that, Laura shares very deeply and very compellingly about her life journey, about what she has been through, and about how she has continued to heal and to cope moment to moment and day to day. She has certainly inspired me and know in my heart that she will inspire others as well.

TO WATCH A VIDEO OF THIS INTERVIEW, GO TO INSPIRING CONVERSATIONS PODCAST CHANNEL OR VIEW DIRECTLY AT https://youtu.be/KSp87R5lp1A

Jeff sits down with Tony Tiger as he shares very deeply about his work as an artist, educator, and curator and how important that it is to him to share not only his work and life journey with various communities, but also the life and work of others.

He speaks very passionately and compellingly about the importance of his conscious and artistic connection with his ancestors and how he honors that in many different ways.

As the conversation concludes, he also talks about the upcoming exhibit that he has curated with Bobby C. Martin, Speak: Speak While You Can at Living Arts of Tulsa that celebrates and acknowledges the power of indigenous languages that opens September 4th from 6:00-8:00 pm and continues through October 16th.

TO WATCH A VIDEO OF THIS INTERVIEW, GO TO INSPIRING CONVERSATIONS PODCAST CHANNEL OR VIEW DIRECTLY AT https://youtu.be/69Xtj_-fAGI

Jeff sits down with Bea Baker to hear about her work, her artistic perspective, and about her experiences during the pandemic as an artist and as a human being.

In early spring 2018, I hung out with Kjelshus Collins at his OKC studio and had one of the most "trippy" conversations that I have ever recorded. 

In early spring 2018, I hung out with Kjelshus Collins at his OKC studio and had one of the most "trippy" conversations that I have ever recorded.