Everybody Loves Bliss

On this episode: Well known relationship experts, love gurus, image consultants, pastors, and certified therapists are consistently failing women in relationships. How do women contribute to this behavior? And should we throw out good messages with a bad messenger? Another mass shooting in America. What's different about the Colorado shooter and why liberals and republicans are both so silent on this case. Rapper Lil Mama wants heterosexual rights. Is she wrong? Genius Aretha, a brief review.

On this episode Bliss and Ross discuss: The Asian massage parlor murders in Atlanta; was the shooter, Robert Aaron Long, motivated by race or was there something else at play? What you should know about the killer, the crime, and the victims. Sharon Osbourne adds insult to injury by suggesting Sheryl Underwood and the producers of "The Talk" set her up. Would a summit with black folks on race relations help this situation or nah? Also, what do we do with Stacy Dash?

Warning: This episode may be triggering for some people. On this episode Bliss and Ross examine the new executive orders, mandates, and news media focused on xenophobia against the Asian community. Are the crime stats accurate? Is the bar for what qualifies as a hate crime the same for all POCs? Why should the black community be especially concerned? The family of Mike Brown Jr. has come forward to demand money from the Black Lives Matter organization after it was reported BLM collected $90 million in 2019. For the first time in seven years, financial records have been made public about the organization. What happened to all the other millions? Is the jig finally up? What's the real deal on BLM? Also, a look at world renown activist Jane Elliot's recent comments on reparations and what it shows about the limitations of white allyship to the black community. Do loyalties end where financial equality begins?

Warning: This podcast contains spoilers A discussion and review of Lee Daniel's new must see film "The United States vs Billie Holiday." What truth does it dispel about Billie Holiday? Why was she more powerful than you ever thought? What parallells can you draw about today's music and politics? Correction: The director of the documentary "Billie" is James Erskine not John Erskine.

On this late edition of Everybody Loves Bliss: Ross shares his personal experience of navigating life in Dallas during power outages and complete infrastructure failure Texas GOPs horrid leadership losers: Ted Cruz, Tim Boyd, and Greg Abbott Biden's backtracking: student debt and the $15 minimum wage Policing of women's bodies and sexuality: Ayesha Curry, Cosmopolitan Magazine, Lori Harvey & Megan The Stallion

Continuing the celebration of February as Black History Month and the month of love, Bliss and Ross dissect the very unexpected and very triggering love story depicted in Netflix's new release "Malcolm and Marie." Also on this episode, the very complicated love/hate relationship the black community has with political pundit Van Jones and comedian/actor Nick Cannon.

On this episode:: Bliss and Ross give the facts on Tyler Perry's controversial COVID vaccine special. Is it ever okay to kiss and tell: a closer look at Wendy Williams and Method Man. Personal preference or predatory abuse: T.I., Tiny and Marilyn Manson Two black women get deported from Bali? Was it a matter of racism, politics, or something else? The Nobel Peace Prize Nominations

Bliss and Ross examine President Biden's first week's executive orders. Is he bringing the much hoped for American dream of equality, peace, and economic relief to the U.S. as promised? Or is his talk of inclusion and resolution simply political smoke and mirrors? Also, what's going on with the rioters from the Capitol insurrection. And what is this new great advice Dr. Fauci is giving to prevent COVID-19?

Bliss and Ross finally work out the technical kinks and get the first video episode of Everybody Loves Bliss recorded. Whew chile! Things from now on will never be the same.

A week after the insurrection in Washington D.C information surfaces suggesting rioters were assisted by security detail from directly within The Capitol. With the upcoming inauguration, should America be afraid of another incident? Will black Americans be ready? Also Representative Cori Bush, our favorite politician of the week.

New Year! New Season! On this episode: Our late goodbye to 2020 and what we're still holding on to from that most unusual and unpredictable year, the insurrection on The Capitol and why that stunt may be the reminder some folks needed and more.

The COVID 19 vaccine is authorized for Americans and a black woman is the first to be injected. With America's sordid history of experimentation and medical disparities should African Americans now trust the system? Was Bliss wrong about Joe Biden? Is his recent nomination of Lloyd Austin a sign of change or a clever defense move? Also, United Airlines bans family and Maxine Waters sends "fan" letter to Megan The Stallion.

From singer Noah Cyrus's racist attack on Candace Owens to image consultant Kevin Samuels' degrading rant on one of his followers, the trend of disrespect towards black women has been on high this week. What is it telling us about black women's struggles in this society? Plus, cancel culture's latest victim, actress Letitia Wright. Was she out of line for speaking her mind? What could her recent troubles mean for the Black Panther film franchise?

A Dallas restaurant owner doesn’t want patrons twerking, DC council members want parents out of children’s rights, right-wingers encouraging followers to bribe Indian doctors and Obama politely asks activists to shut up with the snappy slogans. What on earth is going on??

As promised, Bliss and Ross went venturing into the conservative world of Parler to see what the right-wingers are up to. They let you in on who they found there, what's being talked about, and what surprises they uncovered. The COVID 19 lockdowns are on the rise and restrictions are getting tighter. Are some states going too far? And what is the easily available, highly effective, health supplement that is being used in other countries and by Dr. Anthony Fauci himself to fight off Corona? And why aren't Americans being told about it?

The votes came in! Joe and Kamala win! Bliss and Ross break their silence on the (almost) final presidential results and answer the question everyone keeps asking of them. They also give their take on the "It's a brand new day" rhetoric, Van Jones's tears of confusion and the Democrats short lived black girl celebration and why that party is already over. Also, what is Parler and why you should be paying very close attention to it?

While the whole world awaits the announcement of the winner of America's Presidential Election, Bliss and Ross discuss and debate what uncomfortable truths the exit polls are telling us about American society. Which predictions did they get right and why? And once the final count happens, then what?

With just four days left until the presidential election Bliss and Ross notice some discrepant behavior on the political landscape. Conservative judge Amy Coney Barrett gets confirmed to the Supreme Court, Democrats are surprisingly quiet. Notorious enemy of the liberal state, Mitchell McConnell, up for re-election. Again, Democrats surprisingly mum on the subject. What's really going on here? Also, the killing of Walter Wallace in Philadelphia and what his family is doing that may kill their chances of getting real justice.

On this episode Bliss and Ross dissect the last national battle between United States presidential candidates Donald Trump and Joe Biden. Who won the debate and who is ultimately going to win the election. Also, the surprising rise in black men voting Republican and black feminists determined to punish them. Why this political divide is so dangerous and why it must be fixed.

Ice Cube didn't sell out nor has "The Ice" melted! Bliss shoots back at critics of rapper-actor-activist, Ice Cube, and his new "relationship" with the Republican party. Also, Bill Burr's controversial SNL monologue upsets white women and exposes black feminist hypocrisy. And what should you be asking about Donald Trump's miraculous recovery from COVID-19?

Listen as Bliss and Ross give a true and unbiased breakdown of the much anticipated debate between current American vice president Mike Pence and his challenger Senator Kamala Harris. Also a discussion on the murder of Jonathan Price and why some black folks refuse to add his name to the hallowed "Say Their Name" list. And finally, Bliss tells us if she took the fateful journey into the deep woods of West Virginia?

On this episode Bliss and Ross give their analysis on Tuesday's un-great debate between president Donald Trump and former vice-president Joe Biden. Also, who exactly are the Proud Boys and what should you really know about them? Plus, singer Eric Benet's controversial statement on birth control. And a farewell to a most brilliant mind, Dr. Patricia Newton.

On this episode, Bliss and Ross discuss the passing of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and the hoopla surrounding the selection of the next Supreme Court nominee. Also listener requested commentary on disgraced politician Andrew Gillum. He's out of the closet, should he still be out of politics? And the controversial "Cuties" film. Is it fodder for pedophiles or a misunderstood adolescent coming of age story?

On this episode, Bliss and Ross discuss what comes first gender or race and how the answer impacts the push towards social justice. Then Bliss gets candid about how a recent travel invitation has her examining her own personal fears about being black in predominately white spaces. Also is Joe Biden going to be the first Presidential Candidate who finally signs on to the Contract With Black America? There's a meeting planned. And what's up with the private call ( a.k.a The Black Men's Listening Party) recently held between Vice Presidential Candidate Kamala Harris, Killer Mike, Snoop Dogg, DL Hughley and Jeezy. Why is the Biden Campaign choosing rappers and comedians to give voice to the concerns of the African American community? Where are the women? Where are the scholars? And why all the secrecy?

On this episode of ELB we pay homage to actor Chadwick Boseman and Bliss gets personal about dealing with the loss of her BFF to colon cancer. Also we explore the impact of the recent People’s Party Convention, why Obama’s recommendation to the NBA is suspect, the other case of Kenosha police violence you need to know about and why you should never take advice from a celebrity.

Bliss and Ross tackle the latest new topics including : *The highs and lows of the Democratic and Republican conventions and why Americans still need to seriously consider the People's Party. *The contract black folks still won't sign. *The continuous problem with policing in America. How the Jacob Blake shooting could complicate the movement to defund the police. *Sex and streams. The cost of success for women in the music industry.

One week after Democratic Presidential Nominee, Joe Biden, announced Kamala Harris as his VP pick, Bliss and Ross go in to discuss why this choice could be dangerous for black people, the strategic risks of the "anything but Trump" mindset, Ice Cube's brilliant Contract With Black America, and whether sexual liaisons are fair game in a political debate.

Bliss and co-host Ross Cooper dissect the latest news events including Trumps bizarrely confusing interview on HBO, the dangerous trend of "no ask" amongst African Americans, social media censorship, #MeToo, Common's sexual assault charges and the problem with Cardi B's new "WAP". * This episode was recorded hours before Joe Biden announced Kamala Harris as his pick for vice president.

On our latest episode author Kenn Bivins of the "39 Lessons" book series joins Bliss to discuss how to promote self-esteem, wisdom and excellent decision making in today's young kids and teenagers. He also gives perspective on the upcoming election, social justice and BLM.

On this episode Bliss welcomes Ross Cooper as the new co-host of the Everybody Loves Bliss show. Together they shed light on Nick Cannon and anti-Semitism, bad black behavior in Hollywood, and the problem with Black Lives Matter.

When talk about the coronavirus started it was confusing enough to have to figure out how to protect yourself from catching the virus and spreading it to friends and family. What no one told you about was some of the other major issues the pandemic could bring, specifically stress and the stubborn weight gain that often comes with it. On this episode, Dr. Bob (Johnson)is back to talk you through all the things you need to know to rid yourself of the weight you've gained during the Pandemic of 2020. Listen in as he and Bliss discuss some surprising reasons why you may being struggling with your weight right now, including genetic factors and stress induced cortisol. Also as an extra bonus for our "ELB" listeners, there's information for how you can get 30 days of free weight loss support and information to help you get healthy for the summer. Listen in and tell a friend.

As we move forward into the summer of 2020 it seems everyone has questions about what's happening with police brutality and race relations in the U.S. : Are we at the start of a revolution? Is the U.S. ready to change it's racist ways and what will it take to make that happen? Can police brutality be addressed with reform or does the police state have to be completely dismantled? Will allies abandon the movement once the real discussions around reparations begin? What about Candace Owens and other problematic black folks? Are black LGBTQ people being left out of the conversation? Bliss along with guests Ross Cooper and True Asiatic Allah spend some overtime talking about all these issues and more in this extended episode of "ELB."

The show was recorded May 28th 2020. In this discussion Bliss breaks open the often unspoken nuances of racial discrimination in the United States. Recorded just days after the George Floyd murder, Bliss and Dr. Cleo Manago shed light on the dynamics of race between blacks and other POCs, their observations on the beginning protests and how internalized trauma makes black people contributors in the continuation of white supremacy.

Joining in on this conversation are Ross "Mosaic" Cooper, one of the original friends to the ELB podcast, award winning poet, MC and father knows best portion of the highly acclaimed Yeah, I Said It podcast. And making his ELB debut is Jefferson Russell, resident actor of the world renown Everyman Theater in Baltimore, and founding member of Galvanize, a national network and empowerment forum for actors of color.

After almost two months of sheltering in place, what else do you still not know about keeping yourself safe from the dreaded coronavirus? Bliss gets some surprising answers from biologic dentist and integrative health physician, Dr. Bob Johnson of N.I.H.A in Washington, D.C. In this discussion, Dr. Bob talks about why every person needs to reconsider what health really means, why African Americans have higher rates of COVID 19, and some simple things you can do right now to help you beat the odds against getting sick now and in the future.

Controversial behaviorial expert and social commentator Dr. Cleo Manago joins Bliss for an intense, no holds barred, discussion on the alarming new statistics for African Americans and the coronavirus.

Coronavirus made us finally learn how to wash our hands and cover our mouths when we cough. But what are we missing? What else do we need to be doing to avoid COVID 19 and other viruses? Bliss talks naturopathic alternatives and immunes systems in her premier episode of 2020 and first episode after a three year hiatus.

Writer, director, actor Jordan Peele's directorial debut "Get Out" is one of the most well thought out, race-conscious, films ever made. Adding to it's overall goodness is the fact that it's done as a horror-thriller not a melodrama. The black protagonist isn't crying and begging for white mercy as is the dynamic in so many other race films. This time he's standing and fighting racism to the death like one must do any demon in order to stop it from possessing the souls of others. Black and white is in full color in this film. The line is drawn, no blurring the view. As in real life, plans for the black man's demise can only be thwarted when he realizes he most close his ears to the hypnotic power of liberal indoctrination and stay focused on the light,(black)consciousness. This film is the conversation we all need to be having right now. I couldn't help but talk about it with my listeners. It's a pivotal piece of work. One we'll be discussing for weeks, months, and years to come. I tried to be vague and direct at the same time. Can't say I didn't give away spoilers but hopefully enough to intrigue you not to ruin the story for you. My best advice: If you have not seen this film, see it. If you have seen this film, see it again. The Spirits: Lindemans Peche Lambic

Warning: This podcast is full of spoilers. One week after it wins the Oscar for Best Film, "Moonlight" gets renewed life as it is released in over 1500 theaters across the country. And with that enlarged expansion comes what seems to be it's new definitive marker as the first Oscar winning black gay film. But is that the definitive answer to what this film truly is about? Listen in as Bliss and SGL (same gender loving) actor, director Carltaise Ransom break down why "Moonlight" might not be as gay as you think, why Oscar is still so white and what the cost of doing black films in Hollywood really is. The Wine: Abbrazia Santa Anastasia - Nero D'Avola

There is a change of the political guard happening here in America and some of us are concerned, even scared, not knowing what that change is going to mean for our way of life. Although nobody knows for sure exactly what's going to change or how, many are certain it won't be good. Many of the people who feel that way are black folks and rightfully so. The US is headed towards the reign of Trump, a minimum four year time frame which could quite possibly revert our civil, economic and social progress back to the times of Martin and Malcolm. That is, unless we are prepared, strategic, decided and solid as a unified force. But we aren't. We're fighting, arguing for minor issues verses attacking major problems. Calling out and destroying each while giving "others" a pass. Defending causes and people who will, and have always, abandoned us once we are of no service to them anymore. I used the word "cooning" in the title of this podcast. I want you to know I actually despise that word and what it suggests, but I wanted your attention. And now that I have it, I ask you to listen in closely cause we (all) need to talk.

This podcast was recorded at about 9:50pm on January 1, 2017. It was not scheduled as a recording day for me but I received so many texts, inboxes, DMs and phone calls about the videos circulating with Umar Johnson and Kim Burrell that I felt compelled to answer my supporter's requests. As many of you know, the incident with Dr. Johnson, the self proclaimed Prince of Pan Africanism, was of particular importance to me because I have spoken of him and his work several times on the show. With Ms. Burrell, who is a talented gospel vocalist, I felt less invested, but I understood based on the topic of her video, why my listeners wanted me to chime in. Some of you will support my opinion, some of you won't. I'm perfectly content with knowing that. My hope is that all of us will pause and reconsider how we respond to what we're seeing and hearing on social media in the future. If you're easily triggered, stop and breathe more. If you're always quick to respond, consider taking more time to think about what you are saying and why you are saying it. I'm not attempting to tell anyone how to feel or if they should respond when moved to. But I do hope that we all get to the place where we determine that criticisms, differences of opinions and even what we perceive as personal verbal attacks will not cause us to descend into the low-lying spaces of regrettable, degenerate, language and behavior. It's 2017, a brand new year. Time to know better and do better. *Wine was not involved in the recording of this podcast.

This episode of "ELB" is a return to the original reason I started doing this podcast in the first place, and that was to give my listeners a chance to listen in to some of the very natural, organic, real life conversations I often have with the people I know. Unscripted, unrehearsed, unhindered, real talk, the way real people do. The conversation starts one place but it's fluid so it flows and expands out into many places and we let it. This conversation is with one of my favorite theater folks, Donald Owens, artistic director of Arena Players Inc. in Baltimore. When I met Donald many years ago I wasn't ready for him. I enrolled in an acting class he was teaching at Arena Players with the expectation I was going in for the standard theory and practice process I was used to. That's not what I got. Instead, I had this worldly eccentric probing and pushing me to examine who I was, who my family was and what my experiences meant to me up until that point in my life. And he was asking me to feel all kinds of feelings and connect them together, then connect them to the characters I was reading and attempting to understand. "Huh? What? Um, I thought this was a beginner's class." I was too young, too green and too closed off to go that far that fast. Needless to say I didn't stick with the class. But for some reason, I did stay connected to Donald in some form or fashion over the nearly two decades since that class. In that time, I've grown to understand and appreciate him deeply. He's one of my favorite people to chat(and drink) with. What you hear on this episode is exactly how it goes down when we get together to talk, only we gave you a very abbreviated, "cleaner" version. Hope you enjoy listening as much as we enjoyed chatting it up! The Wine: Cantus. Vino Bianco. Italia

On November 8, 2016 many people worldwide realized their worst nightmare. Donald J. Trump was elected the 45th President of the United States of America. In the three weeks that have passed, we've seen a plethora of responses to the election results, from fear and loathing to euphoric revelry. Unfortunately, most of these reactions are emotional and impetuous, not strategic or logically thought out. Understandable, but only acceptable for a short time. Time to shake it off people. On this episode Bliss and "Counter Intelligent" founder True Asiatic Allah call out Liberals and Conservatives on the the waste of time antics that keep both sides distracted from the real agents that will threaten the social and economic balance in the upcoming Trump years. The times are a-changing folks. Time to get ready. Time for some action. The Wine: Teavine~~ Green tea, white wine and honey infusion Note: The song "A Song For You" which was made famous by Donnie Hathaway and written by Leon Russell.

The season four opener of "Everybody Loves Bliss" is here. Bliss is joined in studio for a provocative pre-election conversation by artist and "Counter Intelligent" moderator True Asiatic along with co-producer Al Morgan. Here for the first time Bliss publicly speaks on the reasons she does NOT support the Black Lives Matter organization, the problem with millenials, why she is voting her conscience and NOT for the win this year, and why if you didn't do the same, you should have. Listen in. Tell a friend. Then listen again. Warning: Leave your political correctness expectations at the door. Wine: Fox Run Vineyards, Traminette, Finger Lakes 2014

Up until a few months ago I thought, like most people, that all un-closeted homosexuals were comfortable with the gay and/or LGBTQ identifiers. I assumed for that community, those terms were, in light of all the political progress the group has made recently, accepted with a sense of pride. A conversation with my friend, actor Carltaise Ransom disabused me of that notion rather quickly. While I understood like most sub-cultures there were varying degrees of agreement with some ideas and practices within the group, I did not recognize there were pro-black, conscious, self-identified homosexuals who for cultural and political reasons do not follow under the of the auspices of LGBTQ rainbow. That group is called SGL or same gender loving. After our first conversation about SGL, Carltaise and I agreed that in this climate of new black social and political awakening this was a subject that needed to be discussed in detail on the show. We were fortunate to have educator and musician Amadi Ogamma, another SGL man join in on this important and informative discussion. The Wines: Apothic White 2010, Winemaker's Blend - California Marietta Cellars, Old Vine Red, Lot

If you're paying even a modicum of attention to what's happening in the United States' presidential election you know that it's been ripe with shenanigans. Usually, in a race for the world's most coveted and arguably most powerful political appointment candidates try, though sometimes through very thin veils, to hide their religious intolerance, sexism, ageism, and penchant towards plutocracy. Not anymore. The 2016 race has brought out an unashamed worst of the worst in behavior, not only from the candidates but from the society as a whole. So much so that even "My Kevin", stalwart black male purveyor of "cultural insensitivity, has finally come to terms with the notion that racism is in fact, a thing. He talks for the first time about why he's no longer holding on to the sentiment of sensitivity and why if a certain candidate tries to bring trouble to his beloved Baltimore, he's ready to rumble! We also went in on the upcoming anniversary of Freddie Gray and the Baltimore Uprising, the mayoral race and the overall progress of the city. There's also that thing that happened called "wingate." And that's all I'm going to share with you for now. If you want to know more you gotta listen for yourself.. Featured wine: One Hope~ Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 (California)

Season 3 of "Everybody Loves Bliss" is officially here!!! On this episode, I'm joined by two of my good friends, who happen to be two of my favorite working artists, who also happen to be two people I love to brunch with, who also just happen to be very opinionated and verbal on all issues: politics, social justice, gender, sexism, racsim and all isms in between. They are actress, director and teaching artist for Center Stage Baltimore, Susan Stroupe and actor, singer, writer and "Speak It Real" producer Carltaise Ransom. In this conversation, we revisit the Oscar awards and some of the glaring fails no one else seemed to talk about like, "Why didn't NWA member and screenwriter Ice Cube write "Straight Outta Compton" himself? Or did he? We also venture into the upcoming Presidential elections. Could the possibility of a Clinton vs. Trump ticket cause white Bernie Sanders supporters to go Republican and black supporters to not vote at all? Believe me when I tell you there's nothing like brunching with a white, feminist, liberal, civil rights ally and a male, pro-black, same gender loving, self proclaimed revolutionary on Super Tuesday! Listen and hear for yourself! Featured wine: Three Pears 2014 California Pinot Gris

As I write this last podcast descriptor for this last episode of 2015, it's 50 degrees at night, at the end of December, on the east coast of the United States. Unusual to say the least. But that's what 2015 has been, a series of strange, unusual, unorthodox and unprecedented events. A white woman claims blackness. A male Olympic champion claims womanhood. Non-politicians ruling the elections. America's favorite dad became America's most hated man. Police declaring war on black citizens. The weather defying the seasons. And that's only skimming the surface. But what's good is that if your reading this then you've made it through 2015. And hopefully you've had some really phenomenal moments to treasure. I certainly did...quite a few of them right here on this podcast. At what I know for sure is that with hope, courage, stick-to-itiveness, and a little faith we can affect change on a global scale, for the better. Not just for some, but for all of us. And that same formula works/will work for us on a personal level. In the new year "Everybody Loves Bliss" will only get better and grow larger. We appreciate all of you for joining in on the ride. We love you. We appreciate you. And we wish you the best of everything. Happy 2016! ~~Bliss

Round Two: The Ladies (*Jennifer, Alice, and Trouble) and I went back to the table to continue what we started. Again, the conversation, like these women, is as deliciously candid, authentically bold and decidedly personal as it was on part one. This time we go even deeper into our individual journeys through relationships, love and sex and reveal to you what we’ve discovered thus far. You’ll also notice we did not go back to the topic of race and historic sexual abuse we’d touched on in the latter part of the first show. I realized after listening to “Women Speak- part one”, that the sensitive nature of that subject deserves a more focused, substantive and expansive exploration then we would’ve given on this episode. I am, however, dedicated to making sure that that conversation happens here on Everybody Loves Bliss, so we planning for it on an upcoming show. We received an overwhelming amount of feedback from “Women Speak- part one”, and because of that, the ladies and I felt it was important that we addressed some of the comments and concerns we’d gotten from the listeners. The conversation starts there. Come join us. Grab a glass of bubbly, make yourself comfortable, and enjoy the ride. The Wines: *Primal Root – California Red Blends *Columbia River Landing- Riesling 2013 *Three Pears –Pinot Grigio 2012

By the time my co-producer, Al Morgan, started handing me and my first panel of women the mics; we were already in to it. You can hear by how fast I went thru my usual intro that we were already on a role. But that’s what happens when four very opinionated, uninhibited women from four different generations get together to drink, eat and talk about men, sex, and relationships as we understand and have experienced them. We dig in deep. No one here is an “expert” or pretending to be. This conversation isn’t a clinical examination of sex, men or even the terms and situations surrounding sexual relationships. I brought together three women whom I knew from different places and times in my life for this panel. The only thing I knew for sure they had in common was me. Our relationship statuses even differ: one married and monogamous 25 years, one single not dating, one dating and celibate, and finally one “funning and f*cking.” This is ultimate girl talk and everything I love about having a forum like “Everybody Loves Bliss,” I get to create (safe) spaces where people can be as free and flippant as they dare to be. This conversation is NSFW and absolutely not kid friendly. So please listen accordingly. And thank you for tuning in. The wines: *North by Northwest NxNW Horse Heaven Hills Riesling 2012 *Saint-Hilaire Blanquette de Limoux 2012 *Folie a Deux Menage a Trois 2012 (not mentioned on the podcast)

Kevin E. Taylor is the kind of guest that inspires me to continue to do this show. He is, in many ways, a prototype for the kind of person I love to connect with for these podcasts. He is the quintessential eccentric, highly accomplished and continuously expanding in several creative arenas. Author, talk show host, music show creator and entertainment producer are a few of the titles he holds. He’s the conscious, spiritual journeyman known for his civil rights activism, community organizing and stirring of souls as the founding pastor of Unity Fellowship Church, a love centered, LGBT friendly, non-denominational house of faith in Newark, New Jersey. Additionally, he is the man who quietly spearheaded some of your all-time favorite music shows on the BET network: “Access Granted”, “Testimony” and “Lyrically Speaking” respectively. He is also the man who, by divine intervention, did not take that last flight with the late great R&B legend Aaliyah. He lived instead to bring the moments he’d captured, her very last moments, to a saddened and waiting world. Then eighteen days later on September 11th, he cheated death once more by not boarding his originally scheduled flight to Los Angeles from New York. Again, he lived. Delivered by the “favor of God” he knows he is here for a reason. His is a fantastic life full of ebbs and flows, great joy, great pain, evolution, testimony, truth, humor and most importantly…divine purpose. There is so much more I could tell you, and I will. Just sit back and listen. Ladies and gentleman, meet Kevin E. Taylor. The wines: Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi (White Zinfandel) Primal Roots-- California Red Blend