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Back to the glory days of high school with my good friend BJ Ward. He went on to play ball at UCSB and from there has carved out an incredible career in real estate, serving Ventura and LA counties. Someone I don't get a chance to connect with enough, we talk the good old days and a bit of his outlook on the local real estate industry. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/humanspod/support
This week, we are bringing you an extra special podcast! That’s right, we recorded LIVE for the first time ever at Philly’s PodFest in the National Liberty Museum. Well...most of us. Marion joined us via Zoom from chilly Cork, Ireland, instead of her usual home base of Abu Dhabi. However, everyone else was on stage in front of old, and new, Slushies! Jason Sneiderman traded up his yellow Parsons table in New York for a yellow Honda, to join us in the flesh. On the other hand, poet and professor Laura McCullough joined us by way of a blue Honda. (And no, Honda did not sponsor this podcast. Unfortunately…) Lastly, present were: Kathleen Volk Miller, Tim Fitts and Joseph Zang (who for once, had the opportunity to just sit back instead of pulling all the strings behind the scenes). Okay, now onto the incoherent babbling and “sweaty festivities.” Jason reminisced on how he came to join PBQ, back in the dinosaur ages of the early 2000s, when he was a graphic designer finding his way in the world. Next, we discussed how online publications were looked down on back in the day. In fact, Jason pointed out a huge contrast to publications today, from online posts being as good as sticking flyers on a bulletin board, to “if it didn’t happen online, it didn’t happen.” Now, podcasting has caught on with just as much speed as online journals. That is why Slush pile has become one of our most prized platforms, as it’s given us the opportunity to broadcast our democratic process that takes place behind the scenes. Joe expressed hopes that our podcast has made submitters realize that we strive to be gate-openers, rather than gatekeepers. In fact, we encourage all writers out there to do what they want with their personal work, first and foremost, and then let people appreciate their ideas. See, we might be more open-minded than you think! We went on to deliberate over the “Iowa Method.” This technique is practiced in “brutal workshops” in which peers talk and give their opinions, while the writer stays silent and bares the heat. Do you, Slushies, believe this method is outdated? Or necessary for growth? Laura went on to give those who may have received a rejection letter from us, or other publications, some encouragement. She told us a story about how editors messaged her saying they cried over a piece she had written, but funny enough, this came in the form of a rejection letter. The point is that some pieces may need some further revision, but it does not mean they are not worthy of being published, one day. Also, just because your piece does not fit the theme of what one publication is looking for, does not mean another will not fall head over heels in love with it. Laura joined us from an extremely unique position: She had her own poetry discussed on an early episode of Slush Pile. Jason had the audience rolling in laughter when he told us the story of a friend who received a rejection letter for a children’s book. This mother of 2 was told that she clearly had no experience with children. To conclude our babbling, we encourage writers and readers to visit our “naked meetings,” in which you could meet our editors in a relaxed environment. In fact, we have a public reading coming up September 9th, 2019! All upcoming events can be found on our Facebook page (@painted.quarterly). ON TO THE POEM! BJ Ward was so brave that he allowed us to read his poem, “Madagascar” in front of a live audience. Tim Fitts described this piece as being “so close to being stupid that it’s not stupid” and “sentimental without being cheesy.” We praised the film allusions to Citizen Kane and Solaris. As a matter of fact, Marion said it best: The poem is like an “invitation to think cinematically.” (Side note: When Joe said, “Mad At Gascar,” did you find yourself laughing with him, or at him?) Tim pointed out a possible “Gen X image system” in reference to Van Morrison, Rosebud (Citizen Kane) and... duct tape? Can a generation really claim duct tape?? The popular joke of duct tape might have resurfaced a few years ago, as prom dresses and wallets, made from this magical-fixer-of-all-things, started popping up on social media. It seems the Millennials might have reclaimed it as their own as they’ve done with Polaroids, high-waisted jeans and anything else to make themselves look more “hipster.” Our podcast came to an end with a vote from not only the usual panel, but the entire audience. Imagine that, a wave--no, a TSUNAMI--of thumb flippin’! Well Slushies, if you missed this event, your loss. Just kidding! Look out for another live podcast next year. In the meantime, we’ll be back in our regular recording studio every other week. Until then, read on! BJ Ward is the author of four books of poetry, most recently Jackleg Opera: Collected Poems 1990-2013 (North Atlantic Books), which received the Paterson Award for Literary Excellence. His poems have appeared in Poetry, American Poetry Review, TriQuarterly, The New York Times, and The Sun, among others, and have been featured on NPR’s “The Writer’s Almanac,” NJTV’s “State of the Arts,” and the website Poetry Daily. He is the recipient of a Pushcart Prize and two Distinguished Artist Fellowships from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts. He co-founded the creative writing degree program at Warren County Community College in NJ, where he teaches full-time.
Painted Bride Quarterly presents another especially excellent episode of Slush Pile. This is of course because we are joined by Pushcart Prize winner and newly annointed #PeopleOfThePile BJ Ward! BJ Ward is an American poet. Ward is a recipient of the Pushcart Prize (Anthology XXVIII, 2004) for poetry and two Distinguished Artist Fellowships from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts. He has published three full books of poetry and has been featured in many journals including: Cerebellum, Edison Literary Review, Journal of Jersey Poets, Kimera, Lips, Long Shot, Maelstrom, Mid-American Review, Natural Bridge, Painted Bride Quarterly, Poetry, Puerto del Sol, Prairie Winds, Spitball, and TriQuarterly. His poem "For the Children of the World Trade Center Victims," is cast in bronze and featured at Grounds for Sculpture, an outdoor sculpture museum in Hamilton, New Jersey. Ward is an Assistant Professor of English at Warren County Community College and has served as University Distinguished Fellow at Syracuse University. BJ Ward is an active educator in a number of realms. He teaches writing workshops in the public school system throughout New Jersey, and his work there earns him yearly residencies in many school districts. After introductions, and Kathleen teasing a potential tale regarding flea killing solution, we dive into two pieces by James Arthur, On a Marble Portrait Bust in Worcester, Massachusetts and Study. James Arthur was born in Connecticut and grew up in Toronto. He is the author of The Suicide’s Son (Véhicule Press 2019) and Charms Against Lightning (Copper Canyon Press, 2012.) His poems have also appeared in The New Yorker, Poetry, The New York Review of Books, and The London Review of Books. He has received the Amy Lowell Travelling Poetry Scholarship, a Hodder Fellowship, a Stegner Fellowship, a Discovery/The Nation Prize, and a Fulbright Scholarship. Arthur lives in Baltimore, where he teaches in the Writing Seminars at Johns Hopkins University. In 2019, he is Visiting Fellow at Exeter College, University of Oxford. Bj offers a masterful observation in his analysis of Study, which offers the reader a bit of an interesting existential question. After Marion is untimely raptured, and Tim’s emphatic urging for Ali to fight guests of the Podcast, the gang votes on the first piece before moving on to On a Marble Portrait Bust in Worcester, Massachusetts. The editors offer a gambit of opinions on the piece and eventually come to a final vote. After the poems are voted on Kathleen regales the listeners with a tale about CBD oil and Flea remover, in addition to praising the benefits of the substance. How did the poems do? Did they make the cut? Listen On and find out!
Our special guest is Jason Sperling, Chief Creative Development for RPA, the ad agency responsible for the Happy Honda Days ad that featured the classic Voltron Matchbox die-cast toy, and included the original voices from Neil Ross, Michael Bell, BJ Ward and Jack Angel. After all that fun, Marc and Greg review the final 2 episodes of Season 7 of Voltron Legendary Defender, Lions' Pride Part 1 & 2. Jason Sperling, Chief Creative Development for RPA, talks about how the Voltron Happy Honda Days ad came together, how the idea of using nostalgic toys to sell cars came to be, and what other things RPA has been involved with. One special thing that RPA is proud to be a part of, is the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation, and they have been trying to help provide more resources for kids who have been diagnosed with brain tumors. RPA partnered with 23 animation studios, to create 23 different animated short films around each topic related to pediatric brain tumors. These short films are available in hospital networks around the world, in over 85 countries, and in 12 different languages. You can go to https://www.imaginaryfriendsociety.com/ to learn more about these wonderful animated short films and how they are helping kids with pediatric brain tumors. To see the Happy Honday Days with Voltron, go to the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dokIJpwbvTQ We are happy to have our 5th Anniversary Podcast coming on December 14th at 1 PM ET, exactly 10 hours after Season 8 of Voltron Legendary Defender is released on Netflix. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZw-dPkXtS0 Just the other day (link above), we announced our 5th Anniversary Podcast Contest, which has 5 Major Prizes for 5 lucky winners, all being announced on December 14th on our 5th Anniversary Podcast. To enter, you post #LetsVoltron5, along with a favorite moment on any Let's Voltron Podcast over the last 5 years (163 episodes!). You can post the hashtag (#LetsVoltron5) and your favorite moment on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or send us an email with all of that to letsvoltronpodcast@gmail.com Here's what you can win! 1) LEGO Ideas Voltron Set! ($180 value!) 2) A whole set of Voltron Funko POP Figures, including the Hot Topic Exclusive GITD Shiro! ($116 value!) 3) A Voltron Store Prize Pack from World Events Productions (store.voltron.com)! ($115 value) 4) A $100 Shopping spree on our Let's Voltron TeePublic Store! ($100 value) 5) A Voltron Book Collection and VLD Season 1 & 2 DVD! ($70 value) Here are some pics of those prizes! As we talked about in the podcast, a special sequence that happened in the Lions' Pride Part 2 Episode from Season 7 of Voltron Legendary Defender was when Keith jumps out of Black Lion and slices Sendak with his bayard sword, defeating Sendak once and for all. Here is a screenshot sequence of that scene, just as we promised: As Always, Thanks for Listening! Let's Voltron!!
Marc and Greg were actually TOGETHER at RetroCon 2018, for only the 3rd time ever! And what an occasion for the hosts of Let's Voltron: The Official Voltron Podcast to combine like Voltron! We are honored to have RetroCon interviews and panel coverage with BJ Ward (Allura and Haggar - Voltron: DOTU and Voltron: The Third Dimension) and Garry Chalk (Sky Marshall Wade and Manset - Voltron Force)! RetroCon takes place in the fall in Oaks, PA, at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center every year, thanks to the organizers and founders, Rose and Tony Tuski (far left, kneeling, above picture), and a slew of volunteers. Thanks to Rose and Tony, who invited special guests, BJ Ward and Garry Chalk, we now have a couple interviews with voice actors from 3 previous Voltron series, prior to Voltron Legendary Defender, which makes this whole podcast a Retro Voltron segment! BJ Ward, who has a 40-year career in voice acting, opera singing, and children's book writing (Farty Marty), is best known for her roles as Scarlet from G.I. Joe, Allura and Haggar from Voltron: Defender of the Universe, and Velma from Scooby-Doo, among hundreds more. Garry Chalk, who has just as long a career as BJ, in both live-action and animated series and movies, is best known as Optimus Prime and Optimus Primal in Transformers: Cybertron and Transformers: Beast Wars, and also as Insp. Andrew Pawlachuk in Cold Squad, and Man at Arms in Masters of the Universe (He-Man), but we remember his roles as Sky Marshall Wade and Manset from Voltron Force the best. We are very honored to have been able to have spent some time with both BJ Ward and Garry Chalk to talk about their amazing careers, and to hang out with other Voltron fans while we enjoyed RetroCon weekend in Oaks, PA. Pixel Dan, another guest of Rose and Tony, has reviewed lots of Voltron toys on his YouTube Channel. We were happy to meet him at RetroCon! On Saturday, we had a blast hanging out with Mel (@melmeiko), who we met for the first time, even though she's been on the podcast a few times. And, on Sunday, we hung out with Windy C. (@windsweptzariel), another fan we've known from social media and the podcast, but had never physically met before. We also met Nicole Schatten for the first time, whom we've known as a big Voltron fan from Facebook. There were also lots of Voltron merchandise for sale by vendors at RetroCon, and Marc picked up a Trendmasters Cyber Sentinel Voltron for $5, and a Trendmasters Allura figure from Voltron: The Third Dimension, which he had signed by BJ Ward. Greg picked up the Holy Grail of 2 scripts signed by the cast of the original Voltron series, personally donated by Neil Ross (Keith/Pidge) for charity. He also had BJ Ward's book, Farty Marty, signed by the author herself! Overall, RetroCon was a ton of fun! We didn't win any of the raffle prizes that were given away both days, but there were some cool Voltron prizes available! The winner of the adult costume contest at RetroCon was Quicksilver, the leader of the Silverhawks from the cartoon of the same name. Here he is, pictured, below: We also want to share with you Josh Keaton's VLOG from NYCC. We got a little choked up watching it, because it has meant so much to us that Josh Keaton is our Shiro and our Space Dad, and he is going to miss recording Shiro and going out to promote the show as much as we've enjoyed watching the show and meeting him at the cons. Thank you so much for sharing this with us, Josh! Here is that link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C74YwlXrWL4 "Dungeons and Voltron" is making its final quest at the Let's Voltron store! In 10 days, this awesome mashup design is retiring, and will no longer be available in our store. So, this is your last chance to get this amazing design by K-Lionheart, and at an awesome price - only $15! https://www.teepublic.com/campaign/248-dungeons-and-voltron-retiring-campaign/t-shirt?ref_id=5313 As Always, Thank you for Listening! Let's Voltron!
Voltron Legendary Defender Lead Sound Designer and Supervising Sound Editor Rob McIntyre and Sound Designer Marc Schmidt tell us everything we've been dying to know about how sound was added to the dialogue and animation on Voltron Legendary Defender. You even get a chance to hear some samples from the show, without music or dialogue! Also, listen carefully for a special announcement from BJ Ward, the original voice of Allura and Haggar! You don't want to miss this podcast! Rob McIntyre and Marc Schmidt are sound designers with a long history of working together, including the sound design for Voltron Legendary Defender. They operate from the friendly confines of Atlas Oceanic Sound and Picture in Burbank, California. They have won multiple Emmy/MPSE Awards for video games, animation, film, and television. Marc and Greg announce in this podcast that they will be appearing TOGETHER at RetroCon in Oaks, Pennsylvania on October 13th and 14th. This is a very rare chance to see the hosts of Let's Voltron Podcast together. In addition, Marc and Greg will be conducting interviews with two former Voltron voice actors. First, BJ Ward, the voice of Princess Allura and Haggar from Voltron: Defender of the Universe and Voltron: The Third Dimension. Second, Garry Chalk, the voice of Sky Marshall Wade in Voltron Force. And, you'll get to hear BJ Ward in a special RetroCon promo created just for Voltron fans on this podcast! Next week, we'll be sharing our coverage of Voltron at New York Comic Con! As Always, Thanks for Listening! Let's Voltron!
Neil Kaplan (Emperor Zarkon, It's Earth Shopkeeper) joins Marc and Greg for a review of The Feud, the 4th episode from Season 7 of Voltron Legendary Defender. Neil Kaplan has been on the podcast several times, so this time he surprises Marc and Greg with some questions of his own from Voltron fans on social media. In our Retro Voltron segment, we have a special announcement that fans of the original Voltron will love! Neil Kaplan has appeared at many conventions, most recently at Power Morphicon, and this weekend, he will be at Pocatello, ID for: Title: Snake River Fandom Con When: 9/28/2018 - 9/30/2018 3:00 pm-9:00 pm Location: Mountain View Events Center, 1567 Way to Grace, Pocatello, Idaho 83201 Follow Neil on Twitter (@NeKap) at: https://twitter.com/NeKap?lang=en For this podcast, Neil Kaplan helps us review The Feud, which is the 4th episode of Season 7 of Voltron Legendary Defender on Netflix. Of course, we all have our favorite moments from this episode, and we share our screenshots here: As we announced on our social media accounts, and on this podcast, BJ Ward (the voice of Allura and Haggar from Voltron: Defender of the Universe and Voltron: The Third Dimension) will be appearing at RetroCon at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, PA on October 13th and 14th. Tickets can be purchased online at RetroCons.com to save $10 on a weekend pass ($25). Otherwise, you can still purchase tickets at the door for each day. Saturday passes are $20 and Sunday passes are $15. If you are in the Greater Philadelphia are on the weekend of October 13th, don't miss this rare chance to meet BJ Ward. We will be having an interview with BJ Ward that will be broadcast on a future podcast. Thank you for joining us for this special episode review podcast with Neil Kaplan! Next week, we'll be at New York Comic Con! Here are the details of the Voltron events happening at NYCC: Friday, October 5 DreamWorks Voltron Legendary Defender, a Netflix Original Series Panel: 10:30-11:30 AM Hammerstein Ballroom at the Manhattan Center Join executive producers Joaquim Dos Santos and Lauren Montgomery, story editor Josh Hamilton and voice actors Bex Taylor-Klaus, Josh Keaton, Jeremy Shada, Kimberly Brooks and more as they look back on seven seasons of DreamWorks Voltron Legendary Defender and offer a sneak peek at the final chapter arriving on Netflix later this year. NYCC SYFYWire Live Stage Voltron Cast Interview Producers Joaquim Dos Santos and Lauren Montgomery, and story editor Josh Hamilton are joined by cast members: Josh Keaton (Shiro), Jeremy Shada (Lance), Bex Taylor-Klaus (Pidge), and Kimberly Brooks (Allura) for a tease of the eighth and final season on Netfix. Lion Forge Booth #1934 Mitch Iverson Signings Friday, Oct 5 - 1 PM - 2 PM ET Saturday, Oct 6 - 1 PM - 2PM ET Get the exclusive NYCC Voltron Vol. 3 No. 1 variant cover! Han Cholo Booth #241 Limited Edition Voltron Legendary Defender Full-Body Enamel Pin - $15 Until Monday, Oct 1st, you can go on HanCholo.com to try to Pre-Order this Limited Edition Enamel Pin. https://www.hancholo.com/ Even though we'll be at NYCC next week, we are still releasing our special interview with the 2 of the Sound Designers from Voltron Legendary Defender, Rob McIntyre (Lead Sound Designer, Supervising Sound Editor) and Marc Schmidt (Sound Designer). You don't want to miss this special look into how the sound of Voltron Legendary Defender came together. As Always, Thanks for Listening! Let's Voltron!!
Marc and Greg welcome a brand new Voltron Fan Artist Spotlight with our special guest, K-Lionheart (Kat). K-Lionheart has created a very special exclusive Voltron design for this podcast and for the Let's Voltron TeePublic store, which is on sale for 3 days. In our Retro Voltron segment, Greg introduces us to Voltron Book and Tape stories, featuring an episode from Voltron: Defender of the Universe, including the voices from OG actors, Michael Bell, BJ Ward and Neil Ross. K-Lionheart (Kat) has been a fan of Voltron since Voltron Legendary Defender first appeared on Netflix. Her art focuses mainly on the characters, and she has created well over 50 Voltron designs using her incredible talent. Let's Voltron Podcast is proud to present the EXCLUSIVE debut of Dungeons & Voltron, an original Voltron design by K-Lionheart: To get this design as a t-shirt, pillow, phone case, notebook, poster, print, stickers, hoodie, and more, all on sale for 3 days, go to this link: https://www.teepublic.com/t-shirt/2620659-dungeons-and-voltron-by-k-lionheart?ref_id=5313 Here are some of her previous works, which you can also see on her DeviantArt site: And some selfie art from K-Lionheart: Where people can find K-Lionheart: Twitter: @KLionheart_Art, @KittyLionheart DeviantArt: https://kp-lionheart.deviantart.com Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/klionheart And to read K-Lionheart's webcomic, SCHOOL SERVICE!! Gakkou Sabisu Ni Iru tapas.io - https://tapas.io/episode/626246 webtoons - https://www.webtoons.com/en/challenge/school-service-gakkou-sabisu-ni-iru/list?title_no=120867 Webcomic - GoodKitty Comics - patreon! https://www.patreon.com/goodkittycomics In our Retro Voltron Segment, Greg introduces everyone to Voltron Book and Tape Episodes for Voltron: Defender of the Universe, from 1984-85, featuring the original voice actors, Michael Bell (Sven), BJ Ward (Allura, Romelle, Haggar) and Neil Ross (Keith, Pidge) In this podcast, we play LJN's "The Masked Robeast". Here are some scans from the Book: Han Cholo has brand new Voltron Legendary Defender designs available in their precious metals collection. The Blue Lion ring will be available in Size 6, 7, 8 and 9 and the price will be $275. The Paladin Symbol pendant will be available on an 18 inch cable chain (for women) Price $180 and a 24” cable chain (for men) Price $200 and lastly the Princess Allura Ring will be available in a one size fits all adjustable ring, price $150. Go to the Voltron collection on Han Cholo here: https://www.hancholo.com/collections/limited-edition-voltron As Always, Thanks for Listening! Let's Voltron!!
A great conversation with American Poet, BJ Ward, a true "Everyman's Poet."
Erik from Boss Fight Studios and Dave from the "Dave and Devall's Toys & Collectables" Podcast help co-host with Justin and Mike as they wrap up the latest from FSS2 and the upcoming Joe Convention in Dallas. That's right, NO CHUCK, but 3 times the fun! We also feature yet another interview with a famous voice from Sunbow's path, none other than BJ Ward dials in to talk with us about Scarlett and her upcoming appearance at JoeCon! Gary is taking a few episodes off, so special thanks to Maximus for the edit job.