Podcasts about encouraging

Today, Saranne dives into the significance of integrating micro adventures into the cancer journey. In this episode, she shares her experiences of maintaining a sense of adventure and excitement despite the challenges of cancer treatment. Saranne draws on her life to offer listeners practical ideas for micro-adventures that can enhance mood, spur creativity, and improve overall well-being."Do micro adventure! So many that they make you forget to check your phone." – SaranneToday on Beating Cancer Daily:Micro adventures can dramatically improve mood and creativity during cancer treatment.Exploring local historical tours and cuisines can provide a fresh perspective and new experiences.Outdoor concerts, petting zoos, and factory tours are accessible and enjoyable micro-adventures.For people who are bedridden, online tours and webinars offer many engaging activities.Changing routines at treatment facilities, even in small ways, can help break up the monotony.Hosting a chemo comedy party can bring much-needed laughter and fun into the treatment process.Engaging in online activities like virtual tours of world wonders and live-streaming concerts can serve as great micro-adventures.Encouraging friends to share their adventures while visiting can add extra excitement and enrichment.2025 People's Choice Podcast Awards Finalist Ranked the Top 5 Best Cancer Podcasts by CancerCare News in 2024 & 2025, and #1 Rated Cancer Survivor Podcast by FeedSpot in 2024 Beating Cancer Daily is listened to in over 130 countries across 7 continents and features over 390 original daily episodes hosted by Stage IV survivor  Saranne Rothberg.   To learn more about Host Saranne Rothberg and The ComedyCures Foundation:https://www.comedycures.org/ To write to Saranne or a guest:https://www.comedycures.org/contact-8 To record a message to Saranne or a guest:https://www.speakpipe.com/BCD_Comments_Suggestions To sign up for the free Health Builder Series live on Zoom with Saranne and Jacqui, go to The ComedyCures Foundation's homepage:https://www.comedycures.org/ Please support the creation of more original episodes of Beating Cancer Daily and other free ComedyCures Foundation programs with a tax-deductible contribution:http://bit.ly/ComedyCuresDonate THANK YOU! Please tell a friend whom we may help, and please support us with a beautiful review. Have a blessed day! Saranne 

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Steve Amerson's singing career was very successful, and then he received an assignment to bring a word of encouragement and worship to our nation's capital. Steve shares this incredible story, the impact it's having, and how he was invited to sing at Charlie Kirk's memorial service. Encouraging! The Word on the Hill | Inspiring Faith and Leadership on Capitol Hill (https://thewordonthehill.org/)

Has you're period changed recently? Has it ghosted you some months and showed up twice in others? The interview will help you understand why.Andrea Donsky, nutritionist, menopause educator, published menopause researcher, and co-founder of wearemorphus.com chats with Alyx Coble Frakes, founder and CEO of The Agenda., a femtech platform that helps women and people with cycles align work and life with their hormonal rhythms for clearer focus, better communication, and sustainable performance during perimenopause.Topics:The importance of cycle tracking, recognizing hormonal shifts, managing symptoms, and the value of community support. How women are four different women at different phases of their cycle.Encouraging women to embrace their biology, seek community support, and advocate for themselves in healthcare settings.Listeners are reminded: your cycle is a source of wisdom and strength, not shame, knowledge and self-care can transform your journey at any age.Learn more: https://www.theagendaperiod.com/ Send us a text As seen in USA Today: https://bit.ly/43nrMwO ✅ Fill out our surveys: https://bit.ly/4jcVuLh

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We think having an annual family summit is one of the most important rhythms families can add to help them start to become a family team. In this episode, we're joined by Blake and Chandler Smith, who will be our coaches inside the Family Teams Accelerator in December. They are EXPERTS when it comes to meetings (which means they're fun and connective, NOT boring and horrible like you'd think). They break down why they do a family summit every year, how they do it (the 3 main sections), lessons learned over the past decade-plus of doing this, AND the extremely vulnerable exercise they do every year. Listen to this, get excited about how this could change your family's life, and then join us inside the Accelerator! --- FREE SUMMIT REFLECTION APP: https://familyteams.com/summit JOIN THE ACCELERATOR: https://familyteams.com/accelerator --- On this episode, we talk about: 0:00 Intro 1:43 How to reflect on the previous year 6:48 Why do a family summit? 13:59 The elements of a successful structure 15:35 The most meaningful activity for moms 19:50 State of the family 22:12 Encouraging the mothers 24:50 Encouraging the fathers 27:26 Accelerator --- Follow Family Teams: Facebook: https://facebook.com/famteams Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/familyteams Website: https://www.familyteams.com --- Resources Mentioned: FREE SUMMIT REFLECTION APP: https://familyteams.com/summit JOIN THE ACCELERATOR: https://familyteams.com/accelerator Principles by Ray Dalio: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074B2CZJG/ --- Hi, welcome to the Family Teams podcast! Our goal here is to help your family become a multigenerational team on mission by providing you with Biblically rooted concepts, tools and rhythms! Your hosts are Jeremy Pryor and Jefferson Bethke. Make sure to subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or YouTube so you don't miss out on future episodes!

Before you listen, please consider taking our quick podcast survey so we can continue improving the show. Link: https://forms.gle/Uf3Xx3XyEUzBtQw69 In Part 2 of our #NoThirds series on bullying in ballet, we dig deeper into accountability, emotional health, and what it actually looks like to navigate harmful dynamics inside dance environments. Our guests explore how parents, students, and schools can recognize the signs of toxic training, respond to concerning behavior, and create space for honest conversations about what dancers are experiencing. As we address listener questions, we discuss the importance of listening closely to children, understanding the emotions behind their reactions, and knowing when a parent needs to step in. We also look at how communication with school leadership can resolve issues, why empowering dancers to speak up matters, and how consistent check-ins at home help identify problems early. The episode touches on the influence of social media and the value of reviews in pushing programs to improve. Part 2 continues the conversation parents and dancers need right now. Learn more about Kelsey Fyffe: https://www.livemindfullypsychotherapy.com/dancers-athletes Interested in working with Fran at Veyette Virtual Ballet School? Check out our Back to Dance Guide for an  exclusive discount: https://ballethelpdesk.com/backtoschool/ Links: Shop Our Back to Dance Guide: https://ballethelpdesk.com/backtoschool/ Buy Corrections Journals: https://ballethelpdesk.com/corrections-journals/ Support Ballet Help Desk: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=JBTG3G2W77EJ8 Instagram: @BalletHelpDesk Facebook: BalletHelpDesk Key Takeaways • Accountability is essential for healthy dance environments • Understanding a child's behavior helps address bullying • Open conversations about feelings support emotional awareness • Toxic training situations can affect long-term mental health • Parents need to recognize when intervention is needed • Communication with school administration is part of the solution • Parents should stay proactive in protecting their child's well-being • Encouraging dancers to use their voices can reduce bullying • Regular check-ins at home help identify problems early • Reviews and feedback can drive meaningful change in schools Music from #Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/ian-aisling/new-future License code: MGAW5PAHYEYDQZCI

Have you noticed that social media is flooded with messages that are meant to encourage you? One-sentence phrases that seem wise and insightful? Encouraging content is nice, but what does it really do for you? Maybe it makes you smile, or it helps you feel better in the moment. But it can also make you feel stuck; it doesn't contain the challenging truths that lead to real change. I want to share the most important truth with you right now, because it's the most loving thing I can do. Here it is: Jesus is real. He already knows you, and He loves you without reservation. But if you want to know Him, you need to make a choice. Offer your heart to God in prayer. Come to Him. Get to know Jesus, love Him, follow Him. Always remember, there is hope with God. "Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise." Hebrews 10:23******** radio.hopewithgod.com

What does it take to drive change in teams and organisations? Hear from the former Chair of UK Sport, Baroness Sue Campbell, about why people resist change, emphasising the need to understand individual mindsets and depersonalise the process. It's about shifting the conversation from “right and wrong” to focusing on the collective mission.Looking to take your leadership to the next level? Why not join our next cohort of the Winning Mindset for Leaders Programme featuring inspirational insights and success strategies from some of the world's leading minds. This flexible twelve week digital coaching experience will give you the confidence and clarity you need to thrive in uncertain times. Learn more here Winning Mindset for Leaders Programme - Sporting EdgeListen to more from Sue Campbell here Episode 19 Mastermind: Baroness Sue CampbellConnect with JeremyContact hello@sportingedge.com LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremysnape/ Website https://www.sportingedge.com/

Timestamps:4:58 - Diversity in tech: challenges and opportunities6:08 - Recruiting challenges in tech13:00 - Supporting girls in STEMThis episode was sponsored by Google Cloud. Join their Founder's Story event on December 4th to hear an exclusive panel discussion with visionary leaders sharing what it takes to go from building companies to funding them. Link is in the bio! This episode was originally a live conversation recorded at the SEF.Growth Founders Conference back in June 2025.Episode Summary:Beat Knecht is the co-founder and CEO of the TV streaming provider Zattoo, and a general partner at the VC fund REALR. She also founded Genistat and Levuro. Bea holds a BA in Computer Science from the University of California, Berkeley.Carla Bünger is the co-founder of Phoenix Technologies, a tech cluster that drives the AI landscape through its sovereign hyper-secure IT infrastructure (kvant Cloud) and its SaaS solutions in frontier technologies. She also co-founded KORE Technologies Switzerland. Carla holds an MA in International Relations from the Geneva Graduate Institute.Sandra Trittin is the co-founder and CGO of beebop.ai, a power grid orchestration software which unlocks grid flexibility within consumer devices, turning it into a valuable, tradable asset. She also founded Futurize Energy. Sandra holds an MBA from Mannheim Business School.During their chat with Silvan, our 3 guests discussed the current representation of women in tech in the Western world. Women are significantly underrepresented in tech, especially in leadership roles (e.g., only 22% of AI professionals in Switzerland are women). They face career obstacles such as stereotypes, biases, and societal filters that hinder their progress.Diverse teams drive innovation, but the tech industry often overlooks this potential. To improve gender representation, proactive efforts are needed, including:Encouraging risk-taking (critical for startups and leadership).Building support systems (mentorship, peer networks).Fostering STEM environments for girls to ensure future diversity.Addressing unconscious biases in hiring and promotions.Ultimately, empowering women in tech requires systemic change, from education to workplace culture, to unlock their full potential and drive long-term progress.

Randy and Cody recap the Annika and set the stage for the CME Tour Championship this week in Naples. We also recap the season and notable players missing out on this week's tournament and close with some trivia and reactions to the news about the Chevron's move to a new home and LPGA TV broadcast upgrades for 2026. Join us in our support of the Evans Scholars Foundation: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://nolayingup.com/esf⁠ Support our Sponsors: Titleist If you enjoyed this episode, consider joining⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Nest⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: No Laying Up's community of avid golfers. Nest members help us maintain our light commercial interruptions (3 minutes of ads per 90 minutes of content) and receive access to exclusive content, discounts in the pro shop, and an annual member gift. It's a $90 annual membership, and you can sign up or learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠nolayingup.com/join⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe to the No Laying Up Newsletter here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://newsletter.nolayingup.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe to the No Laying Up Podcast channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@NoLayingUpPodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, host Galen Hair sits down with international business advisor Diane Helbig to explore modern leadership. Helbig challenges outdated practices, advocating for empathy, presence, and collaboration over control. Her insights offer a playbook for leaders seeking to empower teams and drive innovation. Tune in to learn actionable strategies to foster a supportive and productive business environment. Great for anyone interested in transforming their leadership approach.   Highlights Diane Helbig's background and career transition. Problems with traditional leadership structures. The global work environment shifts post-Covid. Shift from ego to empathy and control to curiosity. Challenges with an employee not meeting deadlines. The importance of having safe conversations to address disconnects. Presence over performance in leadership. Trust and its challenges in remote/hybrid teams. Power with instead of power over in collaboration. Encouraging leaders to communicate change transparently. Steps to foster psychological safety in a team. Measuring success in collaborative leadership. Diane Helbig's definition of leveling up. Episode Resources Connect with Galen M. Hair https://insuranceclaimhq.com hair@hairshunnarah.com  https://levelupclaim.com/  

"Everything in this entire world… rises and falls on male leadership."  Strong male leadership shapes families, communities, and culture. When men show up with conviction, clarity, and responsibility, everyone around them rises. But when men avoid truth, hide from challenge, or drift without identity, the whole system breaks down. This conversation dives into the principles that help men reclaim strength: accountability, brotherhood, self-awareness, and the courage to confront what needs confronting.  David Ask shares how growing up around loyal, hardworking men gave him a foundation—but comparison and uncertainty still dragged him down for years. He explains how discovering his God-given identity changed everything, and why calling men up, not just out, can transform their confidence. His work centers on helping men see the greatness inside them and step into authentic authority.  David is a facilitator with Iron Sharpens Iron and a mentor to men seeking clarity, purpose, and spiritual grounding. His approach blends encouragement, emotional intelligence, and challenge to help men become who they were built to be.  Learn more & connect:   https://davidaskmusic.com/  https://www.youtube.com/user/davidboydask/videos   IG: @thedavidask  FB: https://www.facebook.com/DavidAskMusic/  Also in this episode:  Building the Bridge As You Walk On It: A Guide for Leading Change by Robert E. Quinn  https://a.co/d/iR6ABcg  You're invited to come to a Sovereign Circle meeting to experience it for yourself. To learn more, go to https://www.sovereignman.ca/. While you're there, check out the Battle Ready program and check out the store for Sovereign Man t-shirts, hats, and books. 

Is apologetics restricted to just a select group of people? Is it merely for academics? What if we *all* took seriously the call to have answers, a defense, for the hope within (1 Peter 3:15)?  Women in Apologetics (WIA) is a Christian non-profit organization dedicated to educating, equipping, and encouraging women in the art of Christian apologetics. Dr. Jeff Myers talks with leaders from this organization about the importance of empowering women to develop a reasonable and confident faith, grounded in Scripture. Inspired by Luke 10:27, WIA strives to cultivate a holistic approach to faith—loving God with all our heart, soul, strength, and mind—while also loving and engaging our neighbors. Join us as we explore, learn, and grow together in faith and apologetics. To find out more about WIA, visit: https://womeninapologetics.com/ To register for Summit Student Conferences, visit: Summit.org/students/ For additional free resources from Summit, go to: Summit.org/resources 

Matt Dalio, founder and CEO of Endless Studios, joins host Mike Palmer to explore the profound connection between games, technology, and workforce development. Matt, who grew up with an early global perspective—including a transformative year in China at age 11—brings his philanthropic drive to the world of scalable tech solutions . We dive into how Matt's company, Endless, initially focused on providing computers in emerging markets, realized that skills are what truly pay the bills. A simple math game, Tux Math, engaged students in a way traditional instruction could not, with classrooms full of kids shouting multiplication tables . The even bigger revelation? Many top tech entrepreneurs, including Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg, started by hacking their games . Matt asserts that the goal is to transform kids from consumers to creators. We discuss how game creation, using tools like Unity and GitHub, develops five core, high-value disciplines: coding, design, digital art, management (product/project), and marketing/business analysis . These skills translate directly into a modern, AI-augmented workforce, where the ability to architect and validate production software is crucial. Key Takeaways: From Consumption to Creation: We need to move young people from passively using smartphones (consumption devices) to actively creating with devices that have a keyboard and mouse (creation devices), fostering a "lean forward" mindset . The Power of Hacking and Games: Learning starts when it becomes more fun to hack your games than to play them, leading to the development of deep, technical understanding. Five Core Disciplines: Game design is a launchpad for learning highly employable, durable skills in coding, design, digital art, management, and go-to-market business analysis . A New Model for Learning: The future of education involves immersing students in real projects on collaborative platforms like GitHub, replicating the workforce environment to teach mindsets like autonomy, agency, and teamwork . AI and the Future Developer: AI is a powerful tool, but it demands new skills: prompt engineering, chaining agent tools, and knowing how to architect, read, and debug production-level code to avoid technical "slop" and security issues. Why You Should Listen: The gap between traditional education and the demands of the AI-driven workforce is wider than ever. You'll hear Matt's global perspective on the rising number of high school students choosing not to pursue costly college degrees and the hunger for education in emerging markets. We discuss how the allure of video games—where the average kid spends 10,000 hours by graduation—can be channeled into productive, skills-building creation time . Matt shares an example of a Peruvian student who used his new skills to build a video game for rural communities to preserve their local language, illustrating the real-world, positive impact of this new educational approach . Listen to understand the model that could prepare the next generation to be "superhumans empowered by AI" . If you liked this conversation, be sure to like, follow, and share Trending in Ed wherever you get your podcasts. Ray Dalio's books referenced in the conversation: Principles: Life and Work and How Countries Go Broke: The Big Cycle Timestamps 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 00:57 Matt Dalio's Early Life and Influences 02:58 Journey into Technology and Philanthropy 04:07 The Power of Games in Education 06:39 Skills vs. Mindsets in the Workforce 11:10 Preparing for the Future Workforce 13:58 Global Challenges and the Future of Jobs 15:51 The Declining Value of Education 17:01 Global Perspectives on Education 18:52 The Power of Community and Mentorship 20:47 Learning Through Game Development 24:50 AI and the Future of Work 28:47 Encouraging a Maker's Mindset 31:29 Concluding Thoughts and Takeaways

Welcome back to Raising Confident Girls, your host Melissa Jones explores a challenge many girls quietly struggle with—feeling out of place and unsure where they belong. Drawing from her work with the Girls Positivity Club and her own personal experiences, Melissa offers three practical tools to help girls find their community and build real, lasting confidence.In this episode, we discuss:How to help your daughter separate moments of discomfort from her identity.Why identifying supportive peers can create powerful shifts in a girl's confidence.Simple, intentional ways to create small moments of belonging.Strategies parents can use to guide their daughters toward friendships that feel safe and uplifting.Encouraging girls to see connection as something they can build—not something they must wait for.Join Melissa for this encouraging and insightful conversation on helping your daughter feel grounded, connected, and confident as she discovers the people and places where she truly belongs.Download the Quick Tips PDF of today's episode for future reference.If you know a parent who could benefit from this conversation, share this episode with them! Let's work together to raise the next generation of confident girls.Melissa's Links:• Website • Instagram • Facebook• TikTok• LinkedIn

Hello, friend. I hope you're well today.  The last few episodes, we've seen Joshua and the Israelites face one obstacle after another. Well this week is a biggie – crossing the Jordan River. But this story isn't just about getting from one side of a river to the other. It's about how God delivers us from what stands between us and him.

This week on Sunday Night Teacher Talk, CJ shares hallway snowstorms, Christmas confetti, and real talk about what happens when a student's only friend cuts ties. We dive into how to rebuild class culture after an extended absence, why some teachers are ditching scripted curriculum (or fighting to), and what to say when other staff roll their eyes at esports teams.Also in this episode: strategies for ADHD-friendly lesson planning, navigating parent pressure to get rid of Chromebooks, joyful ideas for the holidays, and how to line up students without chaos. Plus—why being a teacher from another country doesn't mean starting from scratch.✉️ FREE Weekly Teaching TipsStay updated & get exclusive strategies in my newsletter

Gary Bauer, Sr. VP of Public Policy at Dr. James Dobson's Family Institute, brings decades of experience and relevant insights on how we can support family, what policies have harmed families, and the key to future family success. Encouraging! Dr. James Dobson Family Institute (https://www.drjamesdobson.org/)

Christopher HillFounder and CEOHands Up Holidayshttps://adventuretravelmarketing.com/guest/christopher-hill/Christopher is founder of luxury philanthropic travel brands Hands Up Holidays and Impact Destinations, and serves his majority US-based clients from New Zealand where he lives with his wife, two boys, and dog, Zola.summaryIn this episode of the Big World Made Small podcast, Jason Elkins interviews Christopher Hill, founder of Hands Up Holidays and Impact Destinations. They discuss the unique travel experiences offered by these organizations, which combine adventure with community service. Christopher shares his journey from a finance career to creating meaningful travel opportunities, emphasizing the importance of hands-on experiences and cultural engagement. The conversation also touches on the significance of overseas experiences for New Zealanders, the transformative power of travel, and the responsible approach to tourism that benefits local communities.takeawaysHands Up Holidays focuses on family trips that combine sightseeing with service projects.Impact Destinations allows travelers to engage in unique experiences while supporting local communities.Christopher's journey into travel was inspired by a transformative trip to South Africa.New Zealanders often take gap years to travel and gain overseas experience.Encouraging children to travel and volunteer can lead to personal growth and understanding.Hands-on experiences can be the highlight of a trip, fostering connections with local communities.Travel can change perspectives and inspire individuals to make a difference.The majority of clients are families, but solo travelers and couples are also welcomed.Responsible tourism involves engaging with communities and ensuring their needs are met.Christopher personally handles inquiries, emphasizing a personal touch in his business. Learn more about Big World Made Small Adventure Travel Marketing and join our private community to get episode updates, special access to our guests, and exclusive adventure travel offers on our website.

ITB's Eagles beat reporter Andrew DiCecco gives his insights from covering the Eagles on a daily basis.In this episode, he explains why Thursday's practice yielded some very positive news for the Eagles.

Actor Calum Worthy has gone viral for posting an ad on Twitter for the 2wai app he co-founded which promises users the ability upload footage of a loved one which will be converted to an AI avatar that they can continue having a relationship with, years after their loved one has died. Reading by Tim Foley.

How has the classical music industry approached representation and how has the new music community forged new paths to embrace diverse musics? On tonight's episode of Obbligato on APEX Express, Isabel Li is joined by violinist Shalini Vijayan, who discusses her vibrant career and reflects upon the ways contemporary classical music can build community.  Violinist Shalini Vijayan, deemed “a vibrant violinist” by Mark Swed of the Los Angeles Times is an established performer and collaborator on both coasts. Always an advocate for modern music, Shalini was a founding member and Principal Second Violin of Kristjan Jarvi's Absolute Ensemble, having recorded several albums with them including 2001 Grammy nominee, Absolution. Shalini was also a founding member of the Lyris Quartet, one of Los Angeles' most beloved chamber ensembles. With Lyris, she has performed regularly at Walt Disney Concert Hall on the Green Umbrella series, for Jacaranda Music and helped to found the Hear Now Music Festival in Venice, California, a festival dedicated to the music of living composers in Los Angeles.  Shalini performed for over a decade with Southwest Chamber Music and can be heard on their Grammy nominated Complete Chamber Works of Carlos Chávez, Vol. 3. She has been a featured soloist with the Los Angeles Master Chorale in Chinary Ung's Spiral XII and Tan Dun's Water Passion, including performances at the Ravinia Festival. As a chamber musician, Shalini has collaborated with such luminaries as Billy Childs, Chinary Ung, Gabriela Ortiz, and Wadada Leo Smith on whose Ten Freedom Summers she was a soloist. Shalini joined acclaimed LA ensemble, Brightwork New Music in 2019 and also serves as the curator for Brightwork's Tuesdays@Monkspace series, a home for contemporary music and performance in Los Angeles. As a teacher, she has been on the faculty of the Nirmita Composers Workshop in both Siem Reap and Bangkok and coaches composition students through the Impulse New Music Festival.  Shalini received her B.M. and M.M. degrees from Manhattan School of Music as a student of Lucie Robert and Ariana Bronne. As a member of the New World Symphony in Miami Beach, Florida, Shalini served as concertmaster for Michael Tilson Thomas, John Adams, Reinbert de Leeuw and Oliver Knussen. She was also concertmaster for the world premiere performances and recording of Steven Mackey's Tuck and Roll for RCA records in 2000. Shalini was a member of the Pacific Symphony Orchestra for ten seasons and also served as Principal Second Violin of Opera Pacific. She lives in Los Angeles with her son, husband and two dogs and spends her free time cooking Indian food and exploring the culinary landscape of Southern California.  Check out more of her work at:  https://brightworknewmusic.com/tuesdays-at-monk-space/  https://www.lyrisquartet.com/    Transcript  Opening: [00:00:00] Apex Express Asian Pacific expression. Community and cultural coverage, music and calendar, new visions and voices, coming to you with an Asian Pacific Islander point of view. It's time to get on board the APEX Express.    00:01:03 Isabel Li  You're listening to Obbligato, which is a segment about the Asian American Pacific Islander community, specifically in classical music.  00:01:11 Isabel Li  I'm your host, Isabel Li, and today joining me is Shalini Vijayan, who is a violinist, established performer, and always an advocate for modern music.  00:01:21 Isabel Li  Shalini is also a founding member of the Lyris Quartet, one of Los Angeles most beloved chamber ensembles. With Lyris, she has performed regularly at Walt Disney Concert Hall on the Green Umbrella series for Jacaranda Music, and helped to found the Here and Now Music Festival in Venice, California, a festival dedicated to the music of living composers in Los Angeles. She joined acclaimed LA ensemble Brightwork New Music in 2019, and also serves as the curator for Brightwork's Tuesdays at Monk Space series. She currently lives in Los Angeles with her son, husband and two dogs, and spends her free time cooking Indian food and exploring the culinary landscape of Southern California.  00:02:04 Isabel Li  Well, Shalini, thank you so much for joining me in this conversation today.  00:02:09 Shalini Vijayan  I'm so happy to be with you.  00:02:11 Isabel Li  Awesome. I'd like to just get to know you and your story. How do you identify and what communities do you consider yourself a part of?  00:02:18 Shalini Vijayan  I use the pronouns she, her, and I. Um, I identify as South Asian. I grew up in an Indian family. My parents immigrated to the US in the sixties to teach at medical school. And I grew up with a great deal of Indian culture. And I've spent a lot of time going back and forth to India from the time that I was very young. You know, it's interesting because I feel like in LA, where I live and work specifically, there is so much overlap between all of our different musical communities. You know, I went to school in New York, and I feel like there I was much more, I'm very connected to the new music community in New York and felt really kind of entrenched in that at the time I was there. And after coming to LA, I realized that, um, there are a lot of musicians doing so many different things. That's one of the things I love about Los Angeles, actually. And, you know, I'm definitely very, very rooted in the new music community in LA. And that was where I made my first sort of connections when I first moved to Los Angeles. But I also, you know, worked in an orchestra when I first came to LA. I played in the Pacific Symphony for almost ten seasons, and so I became a part of that community as well. And you know, as the years went on, I also became much more involved in the studio music community of LA studio musicians playing on movie scores, playing on television shows, records, what have you, Awards shows, all sorts of things. And these are all very distinct communities in LA in music. But I see a ton of overlap between all of them. There are so many incredibly versatile musicians in Los Angeles that people are able to really very easily move from one of these groups to the other and, you know, with a great deal of success. And I feel like it gives us so much variety in our lives as musicians in LA, you don't feel like you're ever just in one lane. You can really occupy all these different kinds of spaces.  00:04:23 Isabel Li  Right, yeah. So you're classically trained, from what I know, and you describe yourself as an advocate for modern music. So why modern music?  00:04:33 Shalini Vijayan  That's a great question. I have have had to answer this question quite a bit over the years, especially to non-musicians. And it's always an interesting story for me. You know, as a violinist in particular, you know, we have such a storied history of repertoire and pedagogy, and there is such an incredible, um, library of music that we have access to from the very standard classical repertoire. And there is a great deal to be learned about the instrument and about music from playing all that repertoire. I think at some point when I was in high school, I started to become interested in more modern music. And actually I grew up in Davis in Northern California.   My parents both taught at the university there, at the medical school and in Sacramento. Nearby there was a festival of modern American music that I think still goes on to this day at Cal State University, Sacramento. And it was really a great festival. And at that time, you know, they would bring professional artists, they'd have composers, they'd have commissions, all sorts of things. But at the time that I was like in high school, they also had a junior division to the festival, and I was asked to play a couple pieces in the Festival of, um, Modern Works, and I can't remember at this time what the pieces were, but it left such a huge impression on me. And I think what I really took away from that experience as a kid is that in my studies as a violinist, I was always being asked to sort of live up to this history and this legacy of violin music and violin playing in Western classical music. And it's a very high bar. And it's, um, you know, of course, there's so much great stuff there. But there was something so freeing about playing this music that had either never been played or not been recorded. So there was nothing to reference in terms of listening to a recording, um, and listening to how you, you know, quote, should be playing it that it made me feel, uh, you know, all this, this freedom to really interpret the music, how I felt, rather than feeling like I had to live up to a standard that had been set for me, you know, decades or centuries before. And I think that really something really clicked for me with that, that I wanted to have that kind of freedom when I, when I was playing. And so from there on out, um, you know, when I went to college and I really sought out opportunities in new music as much as I could.  00:07:00 Isabel Li  So you were first exposed to new music when you were in high school. Did that influence your decision to become a musician at all? Or were you already set on becoming a musician and that was just part of what shaped your works over the years.  00:07:15 Shalini Vijayan  I think by that time, I had already decided that I wanted to be a musician. I mean, as you know, so many of us as musicians and I think particularly string players, we decide so young because we start our instruments at such a young age and we start studying so early. Um, that I think by that time I, I had decided I wanted to do music, but this sort of opened another door for me that made me realize that it wasn't just one path in music necessarily. I think it's very easy as a, as a kid and as a violinist to think you admire these great soloists that you see and, you know, people like Perlman and, you know, Isaac Stern, who were the stars of the time when I was growing up. But, you know, you get to be in high school and you realize that hasn't happened yet. It's probably not going to happen. And so, you know, what's then then what's your path forward? How do you find a life in music if you're not going to be one of these stars? And I think, you know, new music really opened up that opportunity for me. And yeah, made me look at things a little differently for sure.  00:08:18 Isabel Li  And currently you're in the contemporary classical music ensemble, Brightwork newmusic, and you curate the ensemble's concert series, Tuesdays @ Monk Space. So how do you go about curating concerts with music by contemporary or living composers? What do you look for?  00:08:33 Shalini Vijayan  Well, right now I'm really focused on trying to represent our new music community in LA at Monk Space, which is such, you know, we have such a diverse community of musicians, not just in the makeup of who the people are making the music or writing the music, but also in just the styles of music. And so I think I try to really represent a very diverse set of aesthetics in our season. Um, you know, everything from, you know, last season we had, uh, Niloufar Shiri, who is a traditional Persian kamancheh player, but she also she can play very in a very traditional way, but she also plays with a jazz pianist. And, you know, it does all this very improvisatory stuff. And, you know, then we would have other programs where everything is very much written out and very through, composed and you know, it's been a very wide variety. And, you know, when I try to build the season, I try to make sure that it's really balanced in terms of, you know, the different types of things you'll be hearing because not every audience member is going to want to engage with every type of music. Um, or, you know, if we if we really stuck to one style and it was just in that language for the whole season, then I feel like we would, you know, alienate potential audience members. But with this, I feel like if we can bring people in for one concert and they're really into it, then hopefully they'll come to something else that is new and different for them and be exposed to something that they may really get into after that. So yeah, I think diversity and variety is really where I try to start from.  00:10:09 Isabel Li  How does that engage the community? Have you observed audience reception to this type of new music when there are composers from all different types of backgrounds?  00:10:20 Shalini Vijayan  Yeah, definitely. I mean, I think that each composer and each artist brings their own community into the space, which and so that's another. I feel like another strong reason why I try to make things very different from concert to concert. And, you know, we have some younger players who come in and bring in, you know, everyone from college students to, you know, their friends and family. And then, you know, really established composers. Like this season we have Bill Roper, who is kind of a legend in the music community in LA. Mult instrumentalist and composer who has been around for decades. And, you know, I think people will come out just because they want to see him and he's such a draw. And, um, you know, I, I also would love to be able to incorporate more world music into the series. Like I said, we did do Niloufar concert, which I felt like I really hoped would like engage with the Persian community in LA as well. And a couple seasons ago we had Rajna Swaminathan, who is, I just think, an incredible artist. Um, she plays mridangam, which is a South Indian percussion instrument, but she also writes for Western instruments, uh, and herself. And we had her and a pianist and then Ganavya, who's a vocalist who's amazing. And, you know, Ganavya had her own following. So we had and Rajna has her own following. So we had a whole full audience that night of people who I had never seen in the space before. And that was for me. That's a success because we're bringing in new friends and new engagement. And, um, I was really excited about that. When I'm able to make those kinds of connections with new people, then that feels like a success to me.  00:12:05 Isabel Li  Certainly.  00:12:06 Isabel Li  Let's hear one of Shalini's performances. This is an excerpt from the 10th of William Kraft's “Encounters”, a duologue for violin and marimba, performed here by Shalini Vijayan with Southwest Chamber Music.  00:12:20 [MUSIC – Encounters X: Duologue for Violin & Marimba]  00:17:18 Isabel Li  An excerpt from William Kraft's Encounters, the 10th of which is called Duologue for Violin and Marimba, that was performed by Shalini Vijayan, the violinist, with Southwest Chamber Music.  00:17:31 Isabel Li  And Shalini is here with me in conversation today. We've been discussing contemporary music and her involvement in the new music scene, specifically in Los Angeles.  00:17:40 Isabel Li  Music is all about community, drawing people together. So going back to how you describe yourself as an advocate for modern music, what are other ways that you have advocated for modern music besides curating the concert series?  00:17:53 Shalini Vijayan  Well, over the years, um, you know, I feel like in all the ensembles I've been in, there's been a real focus on commissioning composers and on performing works that have not been, uh, either performed or recorded before. And I feel like the only way to really get the music out there is to, obviously, is to play it and hopefully to be able to record it. We've worked especially with the lyrics quartet. We've worked with so many young composers in LA either just strictly, you know, contemporary classical composers or even film composers who, um, have works that they'd like to have recorded. And, you know, it's been great to see a lot of those people go on to really amazing things and to be a part of their journey, uh, and to help support them. And, uh, the other thing that the quartet has been heavily involved in and now Bright Work Ensemble has been involved in as well, is the Here Now music festival, which has been going on in LA for well over a decade now. We were involved in the first, um, seasons of that festival. We've been one of the resident ensembles since the very beginning, and that festival is dedicated to the music of LA and Southern California composers. And, um, we have a call for scores every year that we, the four of us in the quartet, are part of the panel that reviews all the scores, along with a lot of our other colleagues, um, who are involved with the festival, and Hugh Levick, who is the artistic director of the festival and has we've worked side by side with him on this for a very long time. And that's also been a fantastic avenue for, um, meeting new composers, hearing new works, having them performed. And the thing I always say about that festival every time it comes around, usually in the spring we have at least three concerts. It's this incredible coming together of the new music community in Southern California, where all these great composers and all these amazing players come together and play these series of concerts, because there's such a vast number of pieces that end up getting programmed. They can't rely on just like one group or one or two groups to play them. So it really pulls in a lot of players from all over town. And I don't know, it always just feels like a really fun time, a fun weekend for all of us to see each other and connect. And, um, and again, just build our community to be even stronger.  00:20:20 Isabel Li  That's really cool. How do you ignite interest in new music? Because this is a genre that I think is slightly underrepresented or just underrepresented in general in both the classical music community and the music industry as a whole.  00:20:35 Shalini Vijayan  That's a great question, and I think it's a really important question for our whole industry and community. How do you engage people in new music and get them into a concert? Um, you know, I think one of the biggest hurdles for classical music in general, I will say, um, when I talk to people about why they don't want to come to a concert or why they don't want to, you know, let's say, go see the LA Phil or, you know, wherever, whatever city they're in, the major cultural music institution. I think there is a misconception generally that, oh, it's, you know, I have to be dressed a certain way or I it's going to be really stuffy. And, um, I, you know, I don't know what to wear or I don't know how I'm supposed to dress or how I'm supposed to act when I'm in the concert. Am I going to clap at the wrong time? You know, is it going to be really long? And, you know, and I and I get it, you know, I mean, I understand why that would be uncomfortable for a lot of people.   And it's not, um, it's something that necessarily everyone has grown up with or that it's been a part of their life. So I think it's really up to us, as you know, when we're on the side of programming concerts or putting together festivals or whatever, um, that we make things more accessible in terms of, um, concert length and interaction with audience. And, um, you know, I think it's I know I've been told so many times and I really think it's important that I think audiences love it when performers talk to them, when they talk about the music and, and set things up for a listener. I think that puts a kind of context on things that makes it so much easier for perhaps a new audience member, someone who's never come to a concert before to feel at ease and feel like, okay, I know what I'm getting into.   One of our, actually our former executive director at Brightwork, Sarah Wass, who was fantastic, and I was very happy to work with when I was just starting out programming, Monk Space had the idea of putting on the program the running time of the pieces, and I think even that is just something that, like, can prepare people for what they're getting into when they're about to listen to something new. And in terms of the music itself, I think that if someone, especially a younger person, doesn't feel like they have any connection to Beethoven or Brahms or Mozart, they might actually feel more connected to someone who is their age or a little older.   Someone who has had similar life experiences to them, or grown up in the same era as them, rather than someone who grew up, you know, in the seventeen hundreds. You know, there can be more of a real connection there, and that that person is writing this music and reflection of their life and their experiences. And, um, you know, again, I think that kind of context is important for a listener. And yeah. And then just lastly, I would say also, I feel like our space at Monk space is very inviting. It's very low key. It's, um, you know, it's casual, it's comfortable. Role. Um, we have, you know, snacks and a bar and, you know, everyone is very relaxed at intermission and has a good time. And I mean, for me, every time we host one of those concerts, I feel like I'm hosting a little party, you know? That's what it feels like for me. And that's what I want it to feel like for the audience as well.  00:23:52 Isabel Li  That brings up a really good point in that new music can make classical music or a new classical music, contemporary music, more accessible to different audiences. And certainly I've definitely heard the complaint from people over the years about classical music being a little too uptight. Would you say that these are two different genres?  00:24:11 Shalini Vijayan  I think that there is overlap, and I think, you know, for an ensemble like ours, like Brightwork, we have chosen to make our focus new music. So that's our thing. That's what we do. Um, and, uh, all of our concerts and our programming reflect that. Very rarely do we do anything that's not considered a contemporary piece. Um, but, you know, if you do look at some of our major institutions, like I think the LA Phil and I think the San Francisco Symphony, um, earlier, you know, like in the nineties under MTT, really started to pave the way for incorporating contemporary music into a standard classical format. And, you know, I think that's been very important. And I think it's really changed the way that orchestras have programmed across the country. And there has been such a nurturing of contemporary music in larger spaces. Now that I think that kind of overlap has started to happen much more frequently. I think that in more conservative settings, sometimes there's pushback against that. And even even, you know, in some of the places that I play, you know, sometimes with with the lyrics quartet, um, we are asked to just purely program standard classical repertoire, and we will occasionally throw in a little short piece, you know, just to try and put something in there, you know, something that's very accessible. Um, and, uh, you know that we know the audience will like so that we can help them, you know, kind of get over that fear of connecting to a newer piece. And I, I think in some ways, that's where the path forward lies, is that we have to integrate those things, you know, in order to keep kind of the old traditions of classical music alive. I think we have to keep the newer tradition alive as well, and find a way to put them in the same space.  00:26:00 Isabel Li  I certainly agree with that.  00:26:01 Isabel Li  Let's hear more of Shalini's work in new music. This is a performance of the first movement of Atlas Pumas by Gabriela Ortiz. Violinist Shalini Vijayan is joined by percussionist Lynn Vartan.  00:26:18 [MUSIC – Atlas Pumas, mvt 1 by Gabriela Ortiz]  00:29:21 Isabel Li  The first movement of Gabriela Ortiz's Atlas Pumas played here by violinist Shalini Vijian, and Lynn Vartan plays the marimba.  00:29:30 Isabel Li  And Shalini is actually joining us here for a conversation about new music, performances, identity, and representation.  00:29:38 Isabel Li  Many Asian American Pacific Islander artists in music have varying relationships between their art and their identity. I was wondering, to what extent do you feel that perhaps your South Asian identity intersects or influences the work that you do with music?  00:29:54 Shalini Vijayan  Growing up, um, you know, I grew up in a in a university town in Northern California and, you know, a lot of highly educated and, you know, kids of professors and, you know, but still not the most terribly diverse place. And then going into classical music. And this was, you know, in the early nineties when I went to college, um, it still was not a particularly it was very much not a diverse place at all. And, um, there certainly were a lot of Asian students at, um, Manhattan School of Music where I did my my studies.   But I would say it was a solid decade before I was ever in any sort of classical music situation where there was another South Asian musician. I very, very rarely met any South Asian musicians, and it wasn't until I went to the New World Symphony in the early late nineties, early two thousand, and I was a musician there. I was a fellow in that program there for three years that I walked into the first rehearsal, and there were three other South Asian, I think, of Indian descent musicians in the orchestra, and I was absolutely blown away because I literally had not, um, other than here and there at some festivals, I had not met any other South Asian classical musicians.   So it was really like that was the hallmark moment for me. It was a really big deal. And coming with my family, coming from India, you know, there is such a strong tradition of Indian classical music, of Carnatic music and Hindustani music. And, um, it's such a long, long tradition. And, you know, the people who have studied it and lived with it are, you know, they study it their whole lives to be proficient in it. And it's such an incredible, incredible art form and something that I admire so much. And I did as a kid. Take a few lessons here and there. I took some Carnatic singing lessons, um, and a little bit of tabla lessons when I was very young. Um, but I think somewhere in middle school or high school, I kind of realized that it was, for me at least, I wasn't, um, able to put enough time into both because both of them, you know, playing the violin in a Western classical style and then studying Indian classical music require a tremendous amount of effort and a tremendous amount of study. And I at that point chose to go with Western classical music, because that's what I'd been doing since I was five years old. But there has always kind of been this longing for me to be more connected to Indian classical music. Um, I'll go back again to Rajna. When I presented Rajna Swaminathan on Monk Space a couple of years ago, it was a really meaningful thing for me, because that's kind of what I'd always wanted to see was a joining together of that tradition, the Indian tradition with the Western tradition. And, um, I'm so happy that I'm starting to see that more and more with a lot of the artists that are coming up now. But at the time when I was young, it just it felt almost insurmountable that to to find a way to bring the two together. And, um, I remember very clearly as a kid listening to this, um, there was an album that Philip Glass did with Ravi Shankar, and I thought that was so cool at the time. And I used to listen to it over and over again because I just again, I was so amazed that these things could come together and in a, in a kind of successful way. Um, but yeah, there is, you know, there there's a part of me that would still love to go back and explore that more that, that side of it. Um, and but I will say also, I'm very happy now to see a lot more South Asian faces when I, you know, go to concerts on stage and in the audience. And, you know, a lot of composers that I've worked with now, um, of South Asian descent, it's been, you know, I've worked with Reena Esmail and Anuj Bhutani and Rajna and, um, there's so many more, and I'm so glad to see how they're all incorporating their connection to their culture to, to this, you know, Western kind of format of classical music. And they're all doing it in different ways. And it's it's really amazing.  00:34:22 Isabel Li  That's fantastic.  00:34:24 Isabel Li  I was wondering if you could maybe describe what this merging or combination of different styles entails. Do you think this makes it more accessible to audiences of two different cultures?  00:34:36 Shalini Vijayan  For me, one example, before I started running the series at Tuesdays at Monk Space, Aron Kallay, who is our Bright Work artistic director, had asked me to come and do a solo show on Monk Space, which I did in November of 2019.  00:34:52 Shalini Vijayan  And at the time, I wanted to commission a piece that did exactly that, that, that, um, involved some sort of Indian classical instrument or kind of the language of Indian classical music. And so I actually did reach out to Reena Esmail, and she wrote me a very cool piece called blaze that was for tabla and violin. Um, and I really had so much fun doing that. And Reena, Reena really has a very fluid way of writing for the violin, which she actually was a violinist, too. So she's she's really good at doing that. But being able to write for any melodic instrument or for the voice, which she does quite a bit as well, and incorporating sort of the tonality of Indian classical music, which obviously has its own scales and, um, has its own harmonic, harmonic world that is different from the Western world, um, but finds a way to translate that into the written note notation that we require as, uh, Western classical musicians. And, you know, I think that's the biggest gap to bridge, is that in Indian classical music, nothing is notated. Everything is handed down in an oral tradition, um, over the generations. And for us, everything is notated. And in Indian classical music, you know, there's much more improvisation. And now, of course, with modern classical music, there now is a lot more improvisation involved. But in our old standard tradition, obviously there isn't. And in the way that we're trained, mostly we're not trained to be improvisers. And um, so it's it was great. She has a great way of writing so that it kind of sounds like things are being tossed off and sounding sounds like they're being improvised, but they are actually fully notated, um, which I really appreciated.  00:36:50 Isabel Li  Yeah.  00:36:51 Isabel Li  So your career has spanned orchestras, recording ensembles, chamber music. Having had so much experience in these types of performance, what does representation in classical music mean to you?  00:37:04 Shalini Vijayan  Well, representation is is very important because we're talking about a tradition that was built on white men from centuries ago, European white men. And and it's again, it's an incredible tradition and there's so much great repertoire. But I'm going to circle back to what you were saying or what you asked me about connecting to audiences and, you know, connecting to audiences with new music. It's I think people like to see themselves reflected in the art that they choose. They choose to consume. And, you know, whether that's movies or television or music, I think that's how you connect with your audience is by being a bit of a mirror.  I think the only way that we can really continue to connect with a diverse audience is by having that type of diverse representation on our stages and on our recordings. And again, also not just the people, but the types of music, too. You know, musical tastes run wide, genres run wide as well. And it's I think It's good for all of us to be exposed to a lot of different kinds of music, to figure out what we connect with the most. And, um, yeah, the only way we can do that is by really, you know, opening our arms to a, a much wider variety of styles of music. And so I, you know, I mentioned improvisation, improvisation earlier. And I think that is something that's now starting to happen so much more in modern classical music. And, you know, I think there's something about the energy that a player has when they're improvising that is maybe not something that an audience member could quantify verbally, but there's a looseness and a freedom there that I think, you know, for a lot of audience members, they probably really can connect to. And, you know, that's a lot of why people go and listen to jazz is because there's so much freedom and there's so much improvisation.   I've been very lucky to be able to work with, um, Wadada Leo Smith, who's a trumpet player and composer. I've worked with him for probably almost ten years now. And um, through Wadada, actually, I have learned to become much more comfortable with improvising on stage and not within a jazz language of any kind or any kind of harmonic structure necessarily, but within the language of his music, which is very unique and very open and very free and, um, but also has a really strong core in its connection to history. And, um, you know, he's written a lot of amazing works about the civil rights movement and about a lot of, you know, important moments in history for our country. And, um, that's been a real learning experience for me to connect with him in that, in that way and learn from him and learn to be more comfortable with improvisation. Because I think growing up, improvisation for me always meant jazz, and that was not a language I was comfortable in. And um, or even, you know, jazz or rock music or folk music or whatever, you know, it was just not something that came naturally to me as a kid to, I mean, I listened to all of it. I listened to everything when I was a kid, but I never played in any of those styles. And I think the older you get, the scarier it gets to start branching out in those ways. But, um, I think, uh, that's been a an incredible, like, new branch of my life in the last decade has been working with Wadada.  [MUSIC – “Dred Scott, 1857,” from Ten Freedom Summers, by Wadada Leo Smith]  00:42:23 Isabel Li  An excerpt of Wadada Leo Smith's music to give you a sense of the jazz influences in these types of contemporary new music pieces that also touch on pieces of history. This was an excerpt from his album, Ten Freedom Summers, which also consists of compositions based on pieces of American history. For example, what we just heard was from a piece called Dred Scott, 1857.  00:42:49 Isabel Li  Now that I realize that we've been having a conversation about new music, I realize that, hmm, when does new music really start? So if you take a look at maybe music history, when does new music really become new music?  00:43:07 Shalini Vijayan  I guess it depends on who you ask, probably. Um, it's it's pretty recent. You know, it has to be really legitimately pretty new. And, um, again, you know, if you ask an audience member, um, and I think of some of my friends or family who are maybe who are not musicians who come to concerts, and I'm always so interested in talking to them and hearing their opinions about things. Um, you know, they will listen to Bartok and say, oh, that sounds like new music to me. But, you know, Bartok, Bartok passed away a long time ago, and it's, you know, and for me, that's more like canon now. You know, that's like now for me, part of the the standard repertoire. But there was a time when Bartok was new music. And I think for, you know, maybe the listeners who are more comfortable with the very diatonic, you know, world of Beethoven, Brahms, Mozart, then something like Bartok really does sound so modern for me. Boy, maybe around the time that minimalism started, you know, John Adams and Steve Reich, Terry Riley, Philip Glass, all of that for me feels like maybe that's the older like the The edge of new music now even though that was that would be the eighties, probably seventies 80s, you know, but that we're talking about like, you know, fifty years ago. So yeah, I mean, it's not that new, but those are all still living composers. So maybe, maybe that's part of what it is for me is that it's the composers of our era, the composers who are alive, who we can communicate with and ask questions of. And, um, you know, at the very least, if you can't talk to John Adams, you can talk to somebody who has worked directly with him and get their impressions of how something should be played, um, as opposed to composers who have been gone for hundreds of years. And you can't have that level of communication with them. I think that, for me is what new music, new music is about. It's about working with living composers and, um, having that type of interaction.  00:45:15 Isabel Li  Yeah. So would the word or the phrase contemporary classical music, be a little oxymoronic in a sense?  00:45:26 Shalini Vijayan  No, I don't think so. I think it's still part of the same tradition. Um, yeah. I really do think it is, because I think there is a lineage there. Um, for a lot of composers, not all of them, um, that I mean, I think particularly if you're writing for, let's say, an orchestra or a string quartet or sort of one of these very standard classical ensembles. Um, even if you're writing in a very new language and you're writing in a very different way, I think there is still a through line to the canon of classical music. I guess for me, new music and classical music are not mutually exclusive. I think they can be the same. So I don't I don't think they're totally different. I think that there is a lot of a lot of overlap.  00:46:16 Isabel Li  For sure, considering how new music fits into the classical music or the classical music industry as a whole. Have you noticed any sorts of shifts in the classical music industry in the past several decades in regards to diversity, equity, inclusion? And have you just noticed any changes?  00:46:35 Shalini Vijayan  I have noticed some changes. I mean, I think that most organizations in this country are making an effort to be more inclusive in their programming now. And, um, you know, another another South Asian composer who I just think is fantastic is Nina Shekhar. And, um, she has had pieces played by the New York Phil for the last couple seasons. I mean, you know, so on on major, major stages, I feel like now I'm seeing more representation and that is definitely Encouraging and, um, you know, uh, same for Anuj and Rajna and Reena. They've all, you know, had their works done by major ensembles. And, um, I think I think there is definitely movement in that direction, for sure. I think it could always be more.   I think also for women and women composers, women performers, I think that has also always been a struggle to find enough representation of women composers and you know, especially if like as I mentioned before, when you're in a situation where an organization asks you to program a concert, like, let's say, for our quartet and wants much more standard repertoire than it does limit you, you know, how because there isn't much from the older canon. You know, there is. You know, there's Fanny Mendelssohn and Clara Schumann and, um, you know, I think in the last five to ten years they've both been played a lot more, which is great. But, you know, I think, uh, there's so many amazing female composers right now that I think are starting to get much more recognition. And I think that just needs to be more, more and more, um, but, uh, you know, that is why, again, like on those programs, sometimes we try to just sneak one modern piece in because it's important for those voices to be heard as well. But yes, I do see some forward movement in that direction with, um, classical programming. And, you know, you just have to hope that the intent is always genuine in those situations. And I think, um, you know, I think that's the most important thing. And giving a platform to those voices is really important.  00:48:59 Isabel Li  How would you go about arts advocacy during this current time when, well, the arts are being defunded and devalued by our current administration and how everything is going on right now?  00:49:10 Shalini Vijayan  Yeah, it's really, really difficult right now. And, um, you know, I think a lot of arts organizations are losing a lot of government funding. Obviously, I know of a couple projects that lost their NEA funding because of DEI, and which is so disheartening. And, um, I think, you know, there's going to be a lot of leaning on private donors to try and, uh, make up that difference or, you know, private foundations to make up the difference in funding, hopefully. And, um, uh, you know, it's yeah, it's scary. It's  a scary time. And I think, you know, even for private funding and, um, private donors, it's, you know, everyone is feeling stressed and feeling concerned about our future right now, just as a country. and there's so much uncertainty. And, um, but I think people who really rely on the arts for all the things that it can provide, you know, an escape and pleasure and, you know, stimulation of a different kind. And especially in a time like this, when you want to be able to get away from maybe what's going on around you, you know, I'm hoping we can find a way to really come together and, um, kind of, you know, rally around each other and find a way to support each other. But, um, I think it is going to be hard for the next few years if we can't find ways to replace that funding that so many people have lost. And I certainly don't think that anyone wants to back away from the progress that's been made with inclusion and representation, you know, just to get funding. So I know we have to be very creative with our path ahead and find a way to, to keep doing what we're doing in this current environment.  00:51:07 Isabel Li  Yeah, on a brighter note, I read about your work with Lyris Quartet earlier this year when you presented a concert with Melodia Mariposa called Altadena Strong with the Lyris Quartet, raising funds for those who have been affected by the LA fires. Can you talk a bit about the power of music? And we're going to end on a stronger note here about the power of music in bringing communities together and accelerating community healing.  00:51:31 Shalini Vijayan  Well, I have to say that concert was really a special one for us. You know, um, so many musicians were affected by the fires in LA. And, you know, I, I've lived in LA for over twenty years now, almost twenty five years and, um, certainly seen my share of wildfires and disasters, but this one hit so much more close to home than any of the other ones have. And, you know, I know at least twenty five people who lost their homes in between the Palisades and Altadena and Altadena in particular.   When I moved to LA, it was a place where a lot of musicians were moving to because you could it was cheaper and you could get a lot of space, and it's beautiful. And, you know, they really built a beautiful community there among all the musicians out there. And it's just heartbreaking, um, to see how many of them have lost everything. And I have to say, Irina Voloshina, who is the woman who runs Melodia Mariposa, and just an amazing violinist and an amazing, wonderful, warm, generous person. You know, she started that series in her driveway during COVID as a way to just keep music going during the pandemic, and it really turned into something so great. And she's, you know, got a whole organization with her now and puts on multiple concerts a year. And when she asked us if we would play that concert for the community in Altadena is, you know, there's no question that we were going to do it. I mean, we absolutely jumped at the chance to support her and support the organization and that community. And people really came out for that concert and were so excited to be there and were so warm and, um, you know, and and she talked to the crowd and really connected with everybody on a very personal level, because she also lost her home in Altadena and, um, you know, it was it was a really meaningful show for all of us. And again, those are the moments where you realize that you can use this art to really connect with people that you may have never met before and show your your love for them, you know, through music, as corny as that may sound, but it's true.  00:53:54 Isabel Li  Yeah, definitely. Well, thank you so much, Shalini, for sharing your visions, your knowledge with new music and community building with us today. Thank you so much for being on Obbligato.  00:54:07 Shalini Vijayan  Thank you so much for having me, Isabel. It was really a pleasure.  00:54:10 Isabel Li  What a wonderful conversation that was with LA-based violinist Shalini Vijayan. If you go to kpfa.org, you can check out more of her work. I put the links to two of her ensembles, Brightwork New Music and Lyris Quartet up on kpfa.org. And thank you for listening to our conversation here on Obbligato on Apex Express.  00:54:32 Isabel Li  We thank all of you listeners out there. Keep resisting, keep organizing, keep creating, and sharing your visions with the world. Your voices are important.  00:54:42 Isabel Li  APEX Express is produced by Miko Lee, Jalena Keane-Lee, Preeti Mangala Shekar, Anuj Vaidya, Swati Rayasam, and Cheryl Truong. Tonight's show was produced by Isabel Li. Thanks to the team at KPFA for their support. Have a great night.  [OUTRO MUSIC]  The post APEX Express – 11.13.25 – Obbligato with Violinist Shalini Vijayan appeared first on KPFA.

Join in with Elsee as she explores the sounds and sights of a car journey, through games of I Spy and I Hear with my little ear. Encouraging listeners to play along by using their imagination and knowledge of the world around them.

Join in with Elsee as she explores the sounds and sights of a supermarket, through games of I Spy and I Hear with my little ear. Encouraging listeners to play along by using their imagination and knowledge of the world around them.

Join in with Elsee as she explores the sounds and sights of a farm, through games of I Spy and I Hear with my little ear. Encouraging listeners to play along by using their imagination and knowledge of the world around them.

Join in with Elsee as she explores the sounds and sights of a forest, through games of I Spy and I Hear with my little ear. Encouraging listeners to play along by using their imagination and knowledge of the world around them.

Join in with Elsee as she explores the sounds and sights of the building site, through games of I Spy and I Hear with my little ear. Encouraging listeners to play along by using their imagination and knowledge of the world around them.

Join in with Elsee as she explores the sounds and sights of the train station, through games of I Spy and I Hear with my little ear. Encouraging listeners to play along by using their imagination and knowledge of the world around them.

Join in with Elsee as she explores the sounds and sights of a café, through games of I Spy and I Hear with my little ear. Encouraging listeners to play along by using their imagination and knowledge of the world around them.

Join in with Elsee as she explores the sounds and sights of the beach, through games of I Spy and I Hear with my little ear. Encouraging listeners to play along by using their imagination and knowledge of the world around them.

Join in with Elsee as she explores the sounds and sights of a market, through games of I Spy and I Hear with my little ear. Encouraging listeners to play along by using their imagination and knowledge of the world around them.

Join in with Elsee as she explores the sounds and sights of a playground, through games of I Spy and I Hear with my little ear. Encouraging listeners to play along by using their imagination and knowledge of the world around them.

Artificial intelligence promises efficiency, creativity, and innovation, but what happens when the speed of progress outpaces our humanity?In this episode, I'm joined by Professor Andy Miah, Chair in Science Communication and Future Media at the University of Salford. Andy has spent more than two decades exploring where art, science, and technology meet and what that means for how we live and work.We talk about what it really means to lead in the Gen AI era, how to embrace new technology without losing our sense of humanity, and why reflection matters just as much as innovation. From the unseen human cost of progress to the emotional impact on workplaces and education, this is a conversation about doing better, not just faster.Highlights:(03:18) The human cost behind rapid AI innovation(07:50) Generation AI and how it's reshaping learning and identity(14:21) Why businesses must create space for AI experimentation(18:45) Encouraging transparency and psychological safety in the workplace(24:57) How to stay human while embracing AITake the Aurora 360 Quiz: How Effective Is Your Company's Wellbeing Strategy? Click HereConnect with us here:Website: aurorawellnessgroup.co.ukLinkedIn: NgoziLinkedIn: ObehiAurora Company Profile 2024Book a Call here

In elevating opportunities and understanding for girls, there's a group that's gotten left behind; boys. With fewer male college admissions, longer days sitting at desks in the classroom, and a generation who has substituted real adventure and challenge for video games, it's no wonder parents are trying to figure out how to best raise their sons. Author and boy mom Rebekah Lovell joins Julie Lyles Carr on the AllMomDoes podcast to share how she's maximizing work and play for her boys to prepare them for their lives as men.Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3WLGdHs Takeaways:Raising boys involves understanding their unique wiring and energy.Boys often express themselves through physical activity and exploration.It's essential to balance nurturing with allowing boys to take risks.Boys need to learn emotional regulation and resilience.Mentorship plays a crucial role in a boy's development.Boys thrive when they feel challenged and capable.Encouraging boys to take on responsibilities fosters independence.Boys can learn valuable lessons from hero stories and role models.It's important to celebrate masculinity without diminishing femininity.Creating a supportive environment helps boys navigate societal pressures.Sound bites:"We want boys who launch.""Boys need to know they measure up.""Boys need to know they can try again.""We want good men who will lead.""Boys need mentors to guide them.""Boys are hero worshippers."Chapters:00:00 Navigating Boy World04:31 Understanding Boys' Nature and Nurture10:39 Emotional Landscapes of Boys13:54 Raising Resilient Sons19:07 Challenging Passivity in Boys30:06 Finding Male Mentors for BoysKeywords:raising boys, boyhood, parenting, emotional intelligence, masculinity, boys' nature, nurturing boys, resilience, mentorship, family dynamics

In this episode, Debra Caldow continues her conversation with Gwyn McCormack from Positive Eye talking about practical methods to foster independence. Gwyn discusses the importance of stepping back to avoid "learned helplessness". She also explains why recognizing our children as effective problem solvers aids their long-term goal of greater independence as adults. Gwyn also talks about the positive impact of having a long-term vision and why everyone, including educators, need to think about the future and not just the now.  https://positiveeye.co.uk/

Voles, gophers, and ground squirrels are more than a nuisance — they can devastate vineyards if left unchecked. In this episode, host Fritz Westover sits down with Kelly Mulville of Paicines Ranch and Newt Wimer, an agricultural innovator, to discuss practical, sustainable ways to manage these vertebrate pests. Kelly shares his firsthand experience with a sudden vole outbreak at Paicines Ranch — one of the worst he's ever seen — and explains how quickly the damage escalated. He walks through the telltale signs of vole damage, how girdling kills vines, and why population cycles and rainfall patterns play a role in outbreaks. Newt provides insight into developing an organic-approved, non-poisonous control technology that uses liquid CO₂ to safely and efficiently manage underground pests without harming predators or soil ecology. Together, they emphasize that pest management must balance ecological health, economics, and innovation. Listeners will learn how combining predator support (owls, weasels), physical barriers, and new technologies can help reduce damage sustainably. The conversation also highlights ongoing efforts at Paicines Ranch to create regenerative systems that share successes and failures openly, helping the vineyard community at large. In this episode, you will hear: Voles, gophers, and ground squirrels can cause extensive vineyard damage, especially through girdling and root feeding. Outbreaks are cyclical and may correspond with wetter years that promote vole breeding. Physical barriers like vole tubes and underground fencing can protect vines—but must be properly installed and buried. Encouraging natural predators such as owls and weasels significantly supports organic pest control. New cryogenic CO₂ technology offers a fast, organic-approved, and cost-effective solution for underground pest management. Follow and Review: If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow the podcast and leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts! Your support helps us reach more listeners.

In this episode of The Knight Report podcast, hosts Mike Broadbent, Richie O'Leary, and Alec Crouthamel break down Rutgers Basketball's quick 2-0 start, defeating both Rider and Maine to open the season. 00:00 Introduction and overview of Rutgers Basketball season 05:43 Performance analysis of Recent Games 10:42 Encouraging and discouraging aspects of the team 20:14 Grading the team's performance 25:38 Outlook for the season ahead Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this week's episode of Raising Confident Girls, your host Melissa Jones tackles one of the toughest moments for parents—when their daughters aren't invited to social events. Melissa offers heartfelt guidance on how to support girls through the sting of exclusion while helping them build emotional resilience and self-worth that isn't tied to popularity or social circles.In this episode, we discuss:Supporting your daughter through feelings of exclusion with empathy and presence.Helping girls separate their self-worth from social situations.Practical strategies for different age groups to navigate friendship challenges.Encouraging girls to express their emotions openly and take small, empowering steps forward.Normalizing the changing nature of friendships as a healthy part of growing up.Join Melissa for this compassionate and insightful conversation on helping your daughter feel seen, valued, and confident—even when she feels left out.Download the Quick Tips PDF of today's episode for future reference.If you know a parent who could benefit from this conversation, share this episode with them! Let's work together to raise the next generation of confident girls.Melissa's Links:• Website • Instagram • Facebook• TikTok• LinkedIn

Hi, friend. I hope you're having a good day.  Today's episode brings us to one of the unlikeliest heroes of the Bible—Rahab. Maybe you know her story. Maybe you relate to her story. Nothing to lose, pulled from the bottom of the pit and pressed into service for God's plan. God used her because she trusted him. May we all have that in common with Rahab.

In the special segment "They Said What?!" Shanna and Laura discuss the funny, outrageous, or offensive things they've heard people say recently, including some hilarious comments from Laura's kids, a surprising parenting tactic Shanna overheard in a grocery-store parking lot, and more! Also, Shanna reports on leaving her family for a retreat in the mountains, and Laura talks about her last-minute ticket score that led to an exciting mom's night out. Finally, they share their BFPs and BFNs for the week. Shanna's kids are 6.5 and 9.5 years old, and Laura's kids are 6.5 years old and 4.5 years old.Topics discussed in this episode:-Going on a moms-only weekend retreat without your kids-Going to a concert with your mom friend-Using Resort Pass to take your kids to a pool for the day-Hilarious things our kids say to us-Surprising things strangers say to us-Encouraging your child's interest in art-Taking your kids to the libraryProducts, links, resources mentioned in this episode:-TickPick-Chappel Roan tour-Resort Pass-Radiohead's "There, There" music videoPast BFP episodes mentioned in this episode:-Ep. 382 (Where the outtake of Shanna and Laura talking about 6-7 is from)This episode's full show notes can be found here.Want to get in touch with Shanna and Laura? Send us an email and follow us on social! Instagram, Facebook or TikTok at @bfppodcastJoin our Facebook community group for support and camaraderie on your parenting journey.Visit our website!Big Fat Positive: A Pregnancy and Parenting Journey is produced by Laura Birek, Shanna Micko and Steve Yager.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Financial stress can linger even in the most seemingly prosperous lives. In this episode of Great Practice, Great Life®, Steve Riley sits down with Jacquette Timmons, a nationally recognized financial behaviorist, to explore the power of a financial mindset for lawyers. Together, they examine why even successful attorneys can feel financial stress, and how beliefs, habits, and emotional patterns shape the way you manage money—personally and professionally. Financial success isn't just about numbers on a spreadsheet. It's about clarity, confidence, and control. Jacquette and Steve unpack the hidden factors, like childhood messages, cultural expectations, and firm dynamics, that influence your money decisions. By understanding these patterns, you can start to make financial choices that align with your values and goals. Through reflective exercises and real-world stories, Jacquette shows lawyers how to identify the emotions driving their financial behaviors. She introduces tools to help reframe limiting beliefs, reduce money anxiety, and create habits that foster long-term stability and satisfaction. By cultivating a stronger financial mindset, you can build not just a great practice, but also a more peaceful, intentional, and fulfilling life. In this episode, you will hear: The emotional and behavioral aspects of financial success with financial behaviorist Jacquette Timmons Debunking the myth that wealth automatically eliminates stress and challenges Understanding the influence of family, culture, and workplace on financial decisions Cognitive biases and inherited beliefs that impact financial habits Shifting responsibilities in retirement planning from employers to employees Encouraging a proactive mindset shift for meaningful financial success and personal growth Practical tools like the "financial flywheel" for aligning financial actions with personal goals. Subscribe & Review Never miss an episode. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube. ⭐Like what you hear? A quick review helps more people find the show.⭐ Supporting Resources: Jacquette Timmons: www.jacquettetimmons.com  Podcast: More Than Money with Jacquette Timmons: www.jacquettetimmons.com/podcast   LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jacquettetimmons    Instagram: www.instagram.com/jacquettemtimmons Atticus Newsletter: atticusadvantage.com/newsletter My Great Life Focus: atticusadvantage.com/books/my-great-life-focus If there's a topic you would like us to cover on an upcoming episode, please email us at steve.riley@atticusadvantage.com. Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.

Hi, friend. I hope you're having a good day.  Today's episode brings us to one of the unlikeliest heroes of the Bible—Rahab. Maybe you know her story. Maybe you relate to her story. Nothing to lose, pulled from the bottom of the pit and pressed into service for God's plan. God used her because she trusted him. May we all have that in common with Rahab.

In this powerful conversation, I'm joined by Katrena Cohea, the creator behind Your Body Image BFF, to explore how dance educators can reframe conversations around body image, teaching methods, and dancer wellness.Katrena shares her journey from bunhead to flamenco dancer to teacher and studio owner, and how her experiences led her to create resources that help teachers integrate body neutrality and self-respect into dance training. Together, we discuss how early messages about body image begin forming in childhood, how pop culture reinforces harmful norms, and why the common “love your body” message can sometimes feel inaccessible to dancers.We also unpack the importance of evolving beyond the “we've always done it this way” mindset in dance culture and finding a balance between discipline, accountability, and compassion in the studio. This episode is full of honest insights, practical teaching tools, and hope for a more supportive dance world.Key Points in this Episode: Katrena's dance journey from ballet to flamenco and teaching How early body image messages shape young dancers Why “love your body” can feel vague - and what to say instead The creation of Love Your Body (or Don't), Katrena's five-day toolkit with Nicole Sabella Simple classroom practices that combine wellness and technique Rethinking traditional dance teaching methods and finding balance between rigor and empathy Encouraging curiosity, respect, and realistic self-awareness in dancersConnect with Katrena:INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/yourbodyimagebffLOVE YOUR BODY (OR DON'T): https://www.thenourisheddancer.com/love-your-body-or-dontLinks and Resources:Get 10% off registration for Étoile Dance Competition with code BRAINY10.Get your copy of The Ultimate Audition GuideLet's connect!My WEBSITE: thebrainyballerina.comINSTAGRAM: instagram.com/thebrainyballerina1-1 CAREER MENTORING: book your complimentary career callQuestions/comments? Email me at caitlin@thebrainyballerina.com

Good morning! Start your day with Go Birds! Daily, a daily Eagles podcast giving you everything you need to know for November 6th. In today's episode the work week begins for the Eagles as they inch closer to their huge game coming up against the Green Bay Packers. Eliot Shorr-Parks starts to preview that matchup, shares a super encouraging Jaelan Phillips stat and talks about a Howie Roseman quote that seems to preview a future Myles Garrett trade. Help us raise money for TreeHouse Books and win a Zack Baun signed football by clicking ⁠HERE⁠! To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hello, friend. Thank you for joining me for another Encouraging Word. It can be difficult to tune out the negative voices around us. It can be difficult to tune out the negative voices in our own heads! If you've been listening to the podcast for a while, you know we just did a bunch of episodes about that. But thankfully, God has given us his Word, just as he gave Joshua and the Israelites, to help us know and heed his voice. 

How can you go from just being a leader to being a truly inspirational leader? To transition from merely being a leader to one who truly inspires, it is necessary to understand the dynamics of influence and impact. Dr. Marshall Goldsmith, a luminary in the realm of leadership and executive coaching, discusses key principles that can facilitate this transformation. It starts with recognizing the power of intentionality in communication and decision-making. Inspirational leaders, as Marshall highlights, pause to consider whether their actions align with the goal of making a positive difference. In this episode of The Greatness Machine, Darius is joined by Marshall to delve into the nuances of effective leadership. Through insightful anecdotes and practical wisdom, Marshall elucidates the importance of making a positive difference, fostering trust, and embracing self-awareness on the journey toward greatness in leadership. Topics include: Influencing decisions through understanding and addressing the needs of others Making positive difference rather than proving oneself right The crucial role of honoring other people's perspectives Embracing the uncertainties in business and being open to other possibilities Being ready to adapt and willing to acknowledge mistakes Being cautious about out-of-hours emails or messages The importance of purposeful communication Recognizing and de-stigmatizing self-interest in business Encouraging long-term planning but understanding the practical challenges And other topics… Sponsored by:  Indeed: Get a $75 sponsored job credit to boost your job's visibility at Indeed.com/darius. Shopify: Start your $1/month trial at Shopify.com/greatness. Brevo: Head over to brevo.com/greatness and use the code greatness to get 50% off Starter and Standard Plans for the first 3 months of an annual subscription. Masterclass: Get 15% off any annual membership at MasterClass.com/DARIUS. Connect with Marshall: Website: https://marshallgoldsmith.com/ Website: https://marshallgoldsmith.ai/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marshallgoldsmith Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coachgoldsmith/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/coachgoldsmith/ Connect with Darius: Website: https://therealdarius.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dariusmirshahzadeh/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imthedarius/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Thegreatnessmachine  Book: The Core Value Equation https://www.amazon.com/Core-Value-Equation-Framework-Limitless/dp/1544506708 Write a review for The Greatness Machine using this link: https://ratethispodcast.com/spreadinggreatness.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices