It's A Mix

How many of us have either grown up in a town or moved to a new town and took the time to look into the history of that place? My guest for this episode of my podcast IT'S A MIX does just that. Doctor Tom Hanchett came to Charlotte NC in 1981 to document older neighborhoods for the Charlotte Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission. I got to meet him when I interviewed him for my cable access TV show Small Town Stories. He was working as the staff historian at the Levine Museum of the New South. He worked there for 16 years. We will chat about his background, Charlotte old and new, and his book sorting out the New South City: Race, Class and Urban Development in Charlotte 2nd edition. He chose to call his episode “Making History In Charlotte.” Thanks for checking out It's A Mix. I'm your host Della Freedman.  Website with the “Food From Home” eating tips as well as the walking tours:  www.HistorySouth.org   And a couple of other excellent Charlotte history websites:   Carolina Room of the public library:  CMstory.org Historic Landmarks Commission: LandmarksCommission.org Dr. Tom Hanchett, Community Historian  www.HistorySouth.org   Host/Producer:  Della Freedman Audio Engineer:  Leah Smith Original Music:  Pete Freedman/Mindy Barker of Smile Decay

In 2015  I had the good fortune to be given the opportunity to go to New York City to direct a one act play near Broadway for a play festival.  I'm very proud, we came in second. And I can now say I directed something in Manhattan. During that experience, I got to meet several really talented actors from New York. We have continued getting to know each other through social media. One of those actors is Peter Quinones. I discovered through his posts on social media that he also helped during 9/11. I felt that I should ask him to share his story. And that is what you're going to hear in this episode of It's A Mix we're calling EMBRACING THE JOURNEY.

Hi this is Della Freedman your host of It's A Mix . In this episode we have a little bit of an interesting turn about. Several months ago my friend Jane Kusterer said she thought it would be interesting to hear about my life on my podcast. Usually I'm the one doing the interviewing and finding out about other people and what they're doing. In real life I'm a fairly modest person who normally doesn’t talk about myself that much. I just go about my day doing whatever it is I have to get done. However, Jane asked if she could interview me. Since I have known her a very long time, I agreed to the interview. So, on the last month of the 2nd year of doing the podcast, going into year three, here I am. Jane and I decided to call this episode TURN ABOUT IS FAIR PLAY.       Host/Producer:  Della Freedman Audio Engineer/Editor:  Leah Smith Original Music:  Pete Freedman/Mindy Barker of Smile Decay Sponsor:  Charlotte Murder Mystery Company   Special Guest Interviewer:  Jane Kusterer

In episode 22 of the podcast It’s A Mix we will find out about the Community Culinary School of Charlotte. We will chat with Chef Ron Ahlert, Executive Director and Anne Lambert, Director of Development to get an in depth look at how it came to exist, what its initial goals were, where they are now in accomplishing those goals and what's ahead for the future of the school. The school serves a very definite purpose providing workforce development training and job placement assistance for adults who face barriers to long term successful employment. Let’s jump into the conversation. I'm Della Freedman, your host of It's A Mix.   Website for Community Culinary School of Charlotte:  https://communitycullinary.org Here’s a link of a YouTube video about the School:   https://youtu.be/W9hDoTj5dLE     Host/Producer of It’s A Mix:  Della Freedman Audio Engineer/Editor of It’s A Mix:  Leah Smith Original Music for It’s A Mix:  Pete Freedman/Mindy Barker of Smile Decay     Find us wherever you find your podcasts.  We are also on Instagram

In this month's episode of my podcast It's A Mix, we get a guided tour of the town of Nenagh in Tipperary Ireland. Our guide is Kevin Whelan. I met Kevin on a Zoom meeting which I produced as part of my Works in progress events. It was a series where I brought together people I knew to share their creative talents with an audience on Zoom. Kevin was one of the audience members. I discovered through his friend who was performing what Kevin did in Nenagh. That is how all of this came about. You will hear from Kevin and when I post this on YouTube you will also be able to see Kevin giving us a guided tour on three individual videos. The YouTube link will be posted in the liner notes for the podcast. Sit back and relax and enjoy your tour of Nenagh Ireland. Host/Producer:  Della Freedman Audio Engineer:  Leah Smith Original Music: Smile Decay (Pete Freedman/Mindy Barker)   YouTube Link:  https://youtu.be/SoA9dUMFLBU   Facebook for Kevin Whelan:  Kevin Whelan Walking Tours also Nenagh Castle

In this month’s episode of “It’s A Mix” podcast, we will hear from Keith Rhyne, the Site Manager for a spectacular venue in Statesville, North Carolina called The Historic Sharpe House.  We will find out about the Sharpe Family and how the Sharpe House came to be built and also of the Town with its interesting history. Keith will explain how he has transformed the way events are created there and how he was inspired by the many Victorian aspects of Downton Abbey, down to training the young men who work there as footmen and servers.   They can work with folks on many types of events.  My Company, Charlotte Murder Mystery Company (a sponsor of “It’s A Mix”) has performed for many fundraisers for the Sharpe House.  If you are interested in more information:   sharpehouseevents@gmail.com 704-682-7508 Keith Rhyne   This was recorded virtually via Zoom - February 2021   Della Freedman:  Host/Producer Leah Smith: Audio Engineer/Editor Pete Freedman and Mindy Barker:  Original music from Smile Decay

In this month's episode of my podcast It's A Mix I interviewed Stephanie May Fausto. She's a fifth generation circus performer and a fourth degree black belt in Taekwondo. Being the oldest athlete in the division at 30 years young training primarily over Zoom and making the best of her apartment living room training space, Stephanie May Fausto won the Bronze at the 2020 Online World Taekwondo Championships.  A quote from Miss Fausto “I've been a fan of Team M for years. I feel honored to be a part of the community program and the team's success throughout the years.  Earning a medal for Team USA is as important as earning a medal for my team.” She won the Bronze Medal in the over 17 female freestyle division. Congratulations Stephanie May Fausto . Let's see what she has to say About her family's years as circus performers as the Fausto Scorpions with Ringling Brothers and throughout Europe, and about her Taekwando Championships. I'm Della Freedman your host of It's A Mix.     This episode was recorded via Zoom December 2020   Stephanie Fausto World Championship Video: https://youtu.be/569DLEdmwo0   Fausto Scorpions performing at Grand Canyon University: https://youtu.be/NFOEsb32_Rs     Producer/Host:  Della Freedman Audio Engineer/Editor:  Leah Smith Original Music:  Pete Freedman and Mindy Barker of Smile Decay

In this month's episode of it's a mix We'll hear from 5 people who are also friends of mine about where they were in their lives last November 2019, what they've gone through and experienced this year 2020 and what they're hoping for in 2021. We'll hear from George who is a voice actor and voiceover coach in Pineville North Carolina. He has lived in the Charlotte area since 1998. We also have Jeanene who works in public radio she is a mother, Girl Scout leader and an occasional singer and theater performer. She resided in Charlotte for 18 years and is now in Chapel Hill. Lillie is an actress, voiceover talent and uses her voice to help those who are still silent. Rashunda is a US Air Force veteran and a local actor in the Charlotte area. Even though a lot of horrible things have happened in 2020 she is optimistic that things will improve.  And, Douglas is a longtime resident of Charlotte. In addition to his software firm Einstein's legacy V 2.0, he is also a member of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Planning Commission. Let's just jump in and hear what they have to say. I'm your host Della Freedman and this is it's a mix. Della Freedman - Host/Producer Leah Smith - Audio Engineer/Editor Pete Freedman/Mindy Barker - Original music by Smile Decay

Hi this is Della Freedman your host of It's a Mix. Being an on-air radio announcer at a public radio station has been a big part of my life for the past 30 years. I remember many years ago I had a second cousin from my mother's side of the family who was on the radio as a music announcer but for a commercial radio station. So it was a lovely surprise when I recently discovered that my first cousin Linda’s son Mike Antonellis is also a radio announcer. He is in the sports field and does play by play reporting.  With what's going on in the world currently with Covid I thought it would be a good time to interview him and see how it is directly affecting sports and his job. Comment from the Leah, our Sound Engineer: What a cool interview! This brought back some good memories of watching the Paw Sox at the new Charlotte stadium with my best friend before she moved. We were fully decked out in red sox gear, hah!   Della Freedman: Host/Producer Leah Smith: Audio Engineer Pete Freedman/Mindy Barker of Smile Decay:  Music   Mike Antonellis:  Guest

Hi this is Della Freedman your host of It's a Mix. In one's lifetime you're very lucky to find one good friend that you can count on. But to find five really good friends who have been with you through great times and sad times for 46 years, that's not only unusual, but it's a real blessing. I have been fortunate enough to be that lucky. We met in a dance class. We've seen our families grow and grow up. Some of us have experienced the loss of a loved one, or dealt with an illness. But through it all, we have been there for each other. I recorded us chatting away about our experiences and what we mean to each other. I did this firstly so that we would have a record of our memories. And Secondly to share our memories with others in this episode of the podcast. As I always do with my guests, I asked the girls what we should call this episode. It was unanimous. This episode is SIX FRIENDS FOREVER. Thanks for tuning in. Again, this is Della Freedman your host of the podcast It's a Mix. Host/Producer/Director:  Della Freedman Audio Engineer/Editor:  Leah Smith Music:  Pete Freedman/Mindy Barker of Smile Decay Original Music for this Episode:  The Wish (written by Leann Marshall and remixed and accompaniment by Pete Freedman Sponsor:  Charlotte Murder Mystery Company

I’m still curious and there’s lots to learn about.  For instance, I wanted to find out where people come from, what gives them the courage to go ahead and take that leap of faith and create an interesting life for themselves and potentially others. So, in this episode I called on my friend Dr. Wrenn Goodrum, who not only nourishes folks with her cooking skills, but she nourishes their creative theatrical souls.  We are calling this episode TRANSITIONS.  You will hear why. Thanks for checking us out. Host/Producer: Della Freedman Audio Engineer:  Leah Smith Music:  Pete Freedman/Mindy Barker of Smile Decay

In this episode of IT'S A MIX we will be talking with Marsha Kelly and Nikola Taylor of M.A.P. (Migrant Assistance Program) in Charlotte, NC. It's an offshoot of a grassroots rapid response effort by a small group of immigration activists in Charlotte (SEAC, Southeast Asian Coalition and Comunidad Collectiva). It's goal is to assist asylum seekers coming through Charlotte by bus on their way to their final destination. How can you help? SCHEDULE A LIVINGROOM CONVERSATION It is vital that we tell everyone we know about what is happening at our border. Contact Angelica Acosta Garnett at angelicagarnett@gmail.com. GET FAMILIAR WITH KEY ORGANIZATIONS Use your resources [time, money, social connections, media presence] to get to know and support these organizations that are working at the southern border. ABARA https://www.abarafrontiers.org AL OTRO LADO https://alotrolado.org/ TEAM BROWNSVILLE https://www.teambrownsville.org/ THE RESOURCE CENTER IN MATAMOROS https://www.facebook.com/ResourceCenterMatamoros/ NATIONAL IMMIGRATION LAW CENTER https://www.nilc.org/ National Immigration Forum https://immigrationforum.org/ ACLU https://www.aclu.org/issues/immigrants-rights HOW TO DONATE TO THE MIGRANT ASSISTANCE PROJECT? Purchase gift cards from Sam's Club, Target, and Walmart, where we regularly shop to purchase diapers, wipes and formula. Send these gift cards directly to either nikolamtaylor@yahoo.com or marshakelly2003@yahoo.com Send cash via Venmo: @Nikola-Taylor-1 (there’s a Nicola Taylor on there with a very   similar user ID - so be sure to select “Nikola” with a “K"). OR Cashapp by Square One - user name is $NikolaZTaylor    Della Freedman: Host/Producer Leah Smith:  Audio Engineer/Editor Pete Freedman/Mindy Barker of Smile Decay:  Music  

This episode of It's a Mix is A follow-up to my last episode called IN THE WORLD WITH COVID-19. This episode is being recorded during this pandemic. The date is May 6, 2020.   Many people are dealing with the day to day struggles of being quarantined during this pandemic. My guest for this episode is Victoria Shaw, PhD. She is an intuitive counselor. We will discuss what she does and how she works with her clients to help them strengthen their connection with their inner wisdom. She says that it's more important now than ever and we will find out why. She will also talk about struggle and transformation and how it connects with folks dealing with the pandemic these days. This episode is called THE POWER OF INTUITION DURING COVID-19.   If you'd like more information about Victoria Shaw, her website is www.victoriashawintuitive.com Her podcast is Intuitive Connection.   We do appreciate your tuning in to It's a Mix. Remember you can listen to our podcast wherever you find your podcasts. I'm your host Della Freedman.   Host/Producer: Della Freedman Audio Engineer/Editor: Leah Smith Music: Pete Freedman/Mindy Barker of Smile Decay

Right now the world is dealing with something incomprehensible. It is so beyond anything anyone of us could ever have imagined. It's called COVID-19, a virus for which there is no cure at the moment only treatments for those who test positive and become ill. I'm hoping to think that everyone is responding and respecting the Stay at home orders. Because the easiest way to get this virus is my contact with someone who has it or unknowingly has it. The way I've been affected is my murder mystery business is pretty much on hold. I also work at a radio station as an on-air announcer But I can't do that job from home. In this episode of my podcast we will hear from a number of people explaining how this COVID-19 is affecting their lives and how they're feeling about it. We'll hear from a college student, a radio producer, an actor, an actress, and the artist and musician and a public official. I invited them to share their stories because i really believe that it's better to express how you are feeling so people can hear it and maybe help you or you may be supporting someone else who is afraid to express how they're feeling. We're calling this episode In the world with COVID-19 I’m your host Della Freedman of the podcast “It’s A Mix”. NOTE:  The people in this episode recorded their piece and emailed it to me for editing between 4/1 and 4/3/2020.  A lot has changed since then. Host/Producer/Director:  Della Freedman Audio Engineer/Editor:  Leah Smith Music:  Pete Freedman/Mindy Barker of Smile Decay

I’M DELLA FREEDMAN, YOUR HOST OF “IT’S A MIX”. I’M AS CURIOUS AS EVER. THIS TIME I WANTED TO GET THE DETAILS ON ALTERNATIVE MEDIA. THE DEFINITION OF WHICH IS A TYPE OF NEWSPAPER THAT AVOIDS COMPREHENSIVE COVERAGE OF GENERAL NEWS IN FAVOR OF STYLIZED REPORTING, OPINIONATED REVIEWS AND COLUMNS, INVESTIGATIONS INTO EDGY TOPICS AND MAGAZINE STYLE FEATURE STORIES HIGHLIGHTING LOCAL PEOPLE AND CULTURE. WITH THAT SAID, WHO BETTER FOR ME TO INTERVIEW THAN THE OWNER AND EDITOR OF CHARLOTTE’S OWN QUEEN CITY NERVE JUSTIN LAFRANCOIS AND STAFF WRITER PAT MORAN. LET’S DIG IN AND GET THE FULL STORY. THANKS FOR TUNING IN FOR THIS EPISODE OF “IT’S A MIX” WE’RE CALLING QUEEN CITY NERVE. Host/Producer:  Della Freedman Audio Sound Engineer/Editor:  Leah Smith Music:  Pete Freedman/Mindy Barker of Smile Decay Sponsor:  Charlotte Murder Mystery Company

I’M DELLA FREEDMAN, YOUR HOST OF “IT’S A MIX”. WE’RE CALLING THIS EPISODE “ACTIVISM - PART ONE.”  ACTIVISM IS DEFINED AS THE USE OF DIRECT ACTION TO ACHIEVE AN END, EITHER FOR OR AGAINST AN ISSUE. DO YOU CONSIDER YOURSELF TO BE AN ACTIVIST? HAVE YOU STOOD UP OR SPOKEN UP TO DEFEND SOMEONE OR A CAUSE? OR HAVE YOU REMAINED COMPLACENT AND LET OTHERS SPEAK FOR YOU? IN THIS EPISODE WE HEAR FROM THREE PEOPLE WHO DEFINE THE TERM AND HOW THEY REACT TO IT IN THEIR OWN WAY. JET ELLER, A KEY GRIP ON COMMERCIALS AND FILMS USES SOCIAL MEDIA. SUSAN DEMCHAK, AN OBSTETRICIAN AND GYNECOLOGIST WHO IS VOCAL ABOUT WOMEN’S HEALTH RIGHTS ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND ALSO GOES TO ORGANIZED MARCHES. JIM McGUIRE, PHOTOGRAPHER, WHO WORKS WITHIN HIS COMMUNITY TO MAKE POSITIVE CHANGES. THANKS FOR TUNING IN FOR THIS EPISODE OF “IT’S A MIX”.  There will be an episode ACTIVISM - PART TWO HOST/PRODUCER/DIRECTOR:  Della Freedman AUDIO ENGINEER:  Leah Smith MUSIC:  Pete Freedman & Mindy Barker of Smile Decay

Protective Custody – Prisoner 34042. What is that? It’s a memoir written by Dr. Susan Cernyak Spatz, a Holocaust survivor, a mother, a teacher, a lecturer and a good friend of mine. Susan passed away at the age of 97 in late 2019. A play was written based on her memoir and performed under the auspices of Three Bone Theatre in November of 2019. We’ll hear from the three people involved in getting to make that happen, Dennis Delamar, the Director, Charles LaBorde who wrote the play, and Jackie Fishman, Susan’s daughter.   The most important thing that we need to remember in all of this is NEVER FORGET!   I’m Della Freedman, your host of “It’s a Mix.”

If you have lived long enough, you have many stories to tell about your life and experiences.  A friend, Wrenn Goodrum, created a program for seniors where they sit down and tell some of their life stories.  We'll hear from four of them, one of whom Is 103 years old.  I had a wonderful time chatting with them and hearing what they had to say.  I know you will too. At the end of the episode you will hear me read the story I wrote about my dad.  This is "In Olden Days" on It's a Mix.  I'm your host Della Freedman

In this episode we hear from Katherine Goforth who is a wonderful actress and a friend of mine.  She tells us about her 40 year friendship with fellow actor, activist and master builder and how she took care of him for the last two months of his life where he wanted to be up by his home in the mountains of North Carolina.  It's a story of caregiving, but mostly it's a story about true friendship.

This is a follow up to our episode called Battlefield Paramedic.  Today we are talking (by phone) to Kent Meyer in South Dakota.  Kent founded his organization PROJECT HOPE - EMS after dealing with his own PTSD as a Paramedic.  He explains what he went through getting diagnosed and treated and how there wasn't anything already created for FIRST RESPONDERS. If you are or were a First Responder, his website is www.projecthopeems.net  He also has a Facebook page. Thank you for listening.  I'm Della Freedman, your host of It's a Mix.

In 1995 I had a TV Show on Cable Access called "Small Town Stories."  I was the Director and Host.  My friend Loralee Dierks was the videographer and editor.  We would visit small towns and chat with folks about their memories of growing up there.  Unfortunately, Loralee passed away the next year from complications of ALS.  I'm dedicating this episode to her memory. We will hear from six people who will share their Small Town Stories with us.  Irene from Puerto Rico, Jane from New Jersey, Cal from Connecticut, Wes from North Carolina, Emma from the U.K, and Yev (Jane) from Russia and Finland.

Last year I directed the musical Shrek with lots of wonderful actors and musicians.  This year, via social media, I discovered that three of those folks all had the same surgery called Gastric Sleeve. As I was curious about what all that entailed, I asked if they would explain their experiences. In this episode, we will hear from two of them, Chell LeBlanc and Thom Hall.  We will discover that it's more than just wanting to get skinny.  This episode is called "Am I Skinny Yet? because that's what Chell would post during her journey.

15 years ago, George Gray started a group he called "Cold Reads."  The purpose was to get people to sit down together and read plays out loud and discuss them, no theatre experience required.  George would like to see this grow nationwide.  With the advent of social media and devices, people barely take time to chat face to face.  Let's hear what George and his friend Gene Kusterer have to say.

I'm Della Freedman, your Host on "It's A Mix."  In this episode of "It's A Mix" we'll hear from two long time friends, Gene Kusterer and George Gray who have had a long standing disagreement regarding what to do about something...Shakespeare that is.  And, we'll also hear from Sheila Proctor, Founder of Chickspeare, an all female Shakespearean theatrical company.  We're calling this episode "Shaking Up Shakespeare...To Do Or Not To Do."

You work 30 years in a job.  You give 100% because the job requires it. Everyday is like being in a combat situation.  You retire, and something snaps.  We hear from Cyndi Griffin, a retired Paramedic.