This week Gayla and Frank read listener mail, discuss random stuff, and share a Val poem read by Vandercook Lake student Samaj Swinson.

In today's episode, Gayla and Frank spend time talking filmmaking and the creative process with Michael Mike Canon. Mike was a key camera operator for "Cinema Twain", working with Val, Brad Koepenick, and Leo Scott. Some of his work appeared in the documentary "Val".

Mike writes, directs, and produces award-winning films, including "When a Flame Stands Still" and "CA•DENCE". Mike has graciously offered private screenings of these two short films for our listeners! You can contact Mike for a link and follow him via his social media pages.

https://michaelmikecanon.com/
Instagram: MichaelMikeCanon,
Facebook: Michael Mike Canon
Facebook: When a Flame Stands Still
Facebook: C A • D E N C E The Film
Instagram: @Cadencefilm_16mm
https://cadence-film.org
IMDb page: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5868860/

Cinema Twain
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6857412/
https://valkilmer.com/cinema-twain/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-OMaZePxuw
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=LS0OA0uIs2s&feature=youtu.be
https://gersh.com/comedy/val-kilmer-citizen-twain/

In this minisode, Frank and Gayla read listener emails.  One fan desires to VALidate Val and another shares how Val's courage has become her own as she overcomes cancer. Plus, Frank shares a bit of his Val podcast journey. 

You can contact Gayla and Frank or send your Val stories to [email protected] or log onto the Facebook page "VALidated: The Wisdom of Val Kilmer" to message your stories there. You can follow the fb page to get updates about Val and the show - or follow at #VALidatedvkpod on Instagram and Twitter.  

You can also find Frank’s Christmas Album at
https://music.apple.com/us/album/for-you/1485458570

Be on the lookout for Brad Koepenick's podcast, "Our Spin on Things",  where Brad and his son battle over the best music. It will be coming to a listening platform near you - Soon!

This episode features Part 2 of a 2-part guest interview with Brad Koepenick, a producer of the "Val" documentary and a lifelong friend of Val. Gayla and Frank talk with Brad about his and Val's friendship and creative endeavors, as well as their shared generosity and desire for the unity and uplifting of humankind.  

Brad has irresistible energy, creativity, and wit! This makes listening to him fun and fascinating. Like Val, Brad is candid and generous in sharing his experiences, wisdom, and zest for life. You can follow Brad on Facebook at  Brad Koepenick, on Instagram @Bkoepenick and on Twitter @BradKoepenick.

One Heart Movement
https://theoneheartmovement.org/home
https://theoneheartmovement.org/forest-1
Twain Mania
https://www.twainmania.org/
SparkRise
https://www.sparkrise.com/
Inner city Shakespeare
https://spectrumnews1.com/ca/la-west/arts/2020/02/28/inner-city-shakespeare-introduces-the-theaterical-arts-to-local-youth
VIP - Valley International Prepatory High School
https://www.viphs.org/
David Choe
https://youtu.be/82BPmD1zT4c
GET LIT
https://www.getlit.org
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12aYqJ7S7d8

Brad - Charter School Teach of the Year
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=173&v=649C6RX2YmQ&feature=emb_logo
Brad and “Shakespeare High”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyE4W3PbSbk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFnNylkOoEY
Brad and Actors for Autism
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwCs_AIcXU8
Brad and Kids with Cameras
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGttbbZ8PPE

Frank’s Christmas Album
https://music.apple.com/us/album/for-you/1485458570

In this bonus mini, as a special Christmas gift to listeners, Gayla and Frank share Brad Koepenick's update on Val's health and current well-being. Merry Christmas!!!

In this minisode, Frank and Gayla read listener emails about how Val has sparked creativity and encouraged faith.  Plus, Gayla shares a bit more about how Val inspired the development of the podcast.

You can contact Gayla and Frank or send your Val stories to [email protected] or log onto the Facebook page "VALidated: The Wisdom of Val Kilmer" to message your stories there. You can follow the fb page to get updates about Val and the show - or follow at #VALidatedvkpod on Instagram and Twitter.  

You can also find Frank’s Christmas Album at
https://music.apple.com/us/album/for-you/1485458570

This first full episode of the podcast features Part 1 of a 2-part guest interview with Brad Koepenick, a producer of the "Val" documentary and a lifelong friend of Val. Gayla and Frank talk with Brad about his friendship with Val, their antics together, and their passion for Citizen Twain and the Arts, Education, and Literacy. 

Brad has irresistible energy, creativity, and wit! This makes listening to him fun and fascinating. Like Val, Brad is candid and generous in sharing his experiences, wisdom, and zest for life. Enjoy!

“Brad Koepenick is a drama and film teacher at Partnerships to Uplift Communities (PUC) Schools in Los Angeles. Koepenick was named the 2006 Hart Vision Charter School Teacher of the year.” California Charter Schools Association

Brad - Charter School Teach of the Year
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=173&v=649C6RX2YmQ&feature=emb_logo

Twain Mania
https://www.twainmania.org/

GET LIT
https://www.getlit.org
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12aYqJ7S7d8

Brad and “Shakespeare High”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyE4W3PbSbk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFnNylkOoEY
Brad and Actors for Autism
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwCs_AIcXU8 
Brad and Kids with Cameras
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGttbbZ8PPE

Frank’s Christmas Album 
https://music.apple.com/us/album/for-you/1485458570

In this minisode, Gayla and Frank present the story of longtime Val fan, Angela Spray. Angela shares her love for Val, her favorite movies, and even how she met Val in Australia! Angela moderates the following Facebook fan pages: Val Kilmer Fan Club and All Things Val Kilmer - in case you’d like to join! 

 There is also some exciting news about Val’s International Press Academy Humanitarian Award.

 We would love to connect with you online. We are on Facebook at VALidated: The Wisdom of Val Kilmer, as well as on Instagram and Twitter @VALidatedvkpod. We are always interested in listener stories, so send us yours at [email protected]

 Happy Listening! And feel free to Like and Subscribe!

This is the launch episode of VALidated, a prologue that introduces the ideas behind the podcast. Gayla talks with Jenn Blakeley about the human need for connection and validation and how Val - through his documentary "Val" - and with wisdom, transparency, and creativity - is creating that sacred bond for many people.