Unspoken Unsung

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This two part story is about one of Dan’s very best friends, Bill Garcia. In these times when it’s hard to find genuine role models, Bill’s story is one that needs to be heard. We hear in Part 1, how Bill was on his way to success as a musician, negotiating a record deal with A&M Records and touring with The Doors. Then everything changed when he got drafted and became a decorated combat veteran in Vietnam.

Part 2 of this interview is available here:
https://conversayer.net/unspoken/bill-garcia-part-2/

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Mona and Joel Maiman

Mona’s sons: Skyler, Eric and Daniel

L to R: George Harrison, Leon Russell and Joel Maiman

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If you ask someone what comes to mind when they think of San Diego County, particularly North San Diego County, likely it would be biotech, beaches, golf courses, sailing, fine dining and luxury hotels.

Eric Larson’s going to change your perspective! You may be shocked to find out about a $2 billion secret, hiding in plain sight.

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Dan Danner (l) interviews Fred Spanjaard (r)

Fred Spanjaard gives us his insider’s recollections of what it took to organize and stage Live Aid, the greatest concert and global television event in history.  Fred’s life is the fascinating story of a life devoted to entertainment and humanitarian causes.

Show Links

Live Aid Photos

John F. Kennedy Stadium, Philadelphia PA – July 1985 – attended by 89,484 people

Dick Clark and Fred Spanjaard

Live Aid Stage
Philadelphia

Meeting with Bill Graham

Mike Jagger and Tina Turner

Fred with Jack Nicholson and Crosby Stills Nash & Young

Jeff Bridges and Fred Spanjaard

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Born into Buffalo, New York’s projects, Reg Owens enlisted in the Marine Corps when he was 18 years old. 30 years later he retired, a highly-decorated veteran of 3 combat tours in Vietnam, having also achieved the rank of Sergeant Major, a pinnacle among the ranks of enlisted Marines. He went on to earn his Master’s degree and began his next successful career in academia. His years of volunteerism to community and social causes is as illustrious as his military record. His life of understated heroism and service is explored in this inspiring episode.

Reginald Owens

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The story printed in the Los Angeles Times, November 3rd 2005, was sadly not unusual. A 29 year-old man had been shot and was taken to the hospital, fighting for his life. It’s where that all-too-ordinary news story ends that something extraordinary begins. This is the story of Eric Hinks.

Show Links

Former Soldier Wounded After Getting His Real Estate License
Los Angeles Times
https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2005-nov-04-me-agent4-story.html

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Reverend Madison Shockley’s family was part of “The Great Migration” out of the American South, leaving Tennessee to settle in Los Angeles.  He shares his rich family history in social justice activism. 

Shockley describes how he found his calling to the ministry and his own passion for justice and peace — a passion that led him to create a powerful peacemaking dialogue between ethnic communities following the Los Angeles race riots in 1992.

Now the black pastor of a predominantly white church, Madison Shockley is a powerful champion for social justice, understanding and inclusion, his congregation a reflection of those ideals. 

Show Links

Pilgrim United Church of Christ
Carlsbad, CA
Madison Shockley, Pastor
https://www.pilgrimucc.org

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The fact that Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi’s successful career encompasses a broad spectrum of communication is particularly noteworthy given serious hearing disabilities she spent virtually her whole life overcoming.  From the age of five on, Emilie suffered from not only serious hearing impairment, but also a disorder limiting her ability to process the sounds she heard. 

Thanks to her dedicated mother and to her own resilient determination, Emily became, in turn, a voracious reader, prolific writer, contributing journalist to the Chicago Tribune, New York Times, The Atlantic magazine, and professor of communications at Elmhurst University. She has also published two powerful books, “Ugly Prey: An Innocent Woman and the Death Sentence That Scandalized Jazz Age Chicago,” and “This is Really War: The Incredible True Story of a Navy Nurse POW in the Occupied Philippines.” 

“This is Really War” inspired the concept of this podcast, to share the inspiring stories of everyday people whose lives are extraordinary.   Dr. Lucchesi’s book tells the largely “unspoken unsung” story of Dan and Martin Danner’s  mother as a Japanese prisoner of war in World War II.  Emilie’s own life story is also compelling, as is the story of what it took to write and publish her stunning work of nonfiction.

Show Links

Emilie’s website
http://www.emilie-lucchesi.com

Emilie’s book
This is Really War: The Incredible True Story of a Navy Nurse POW in the Occupied Philippines
https://www.amazon.com/This-Really-War-Incredible-Philippines/dp/1641600764

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We’re back! Find out what’s in store for season 2.

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Hedges Capers wrote his first song when he was just 11 years old. He signed his first recording contract when he was 16. His duo, Hedge & Donna, recorded 7 albums and headlined major concerts. His story is one of a lifetime love for music, life’s second acts and love’s second chances.

Show Links

Musical: The Geeze and Me
https://www.thegeezeandme.com

Hedge’s Songs on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3E59EF6F27DC27AF