Podcasts about John Adams

“Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” was a radical concept for the Founding Fathers. How did they get there? Walter Isaacson joins host Krys Boyd to discuss how one sentence in the Declaration of Independence set out a promise of America, how Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin and John Adams wrestled with its crafting, and how we can still use these words as our common values in a polarized nation today. His book is “The Greatest Sentence Ever Written.” Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Pour écouter l'émission en entier, sans pub, abonnez-vous ! https://m.audiomeans.fr/s/S-tavkjvmo Plongez dans la vie extraordinaire — et souvent méconnue — de John Adams, l'un des véritables pères fondateurs des États-Unis.Avocat intègre devenu diplomate intrépide, négociateur acharné puis deuxième président des États-Unis, Adams a façonné la naissance de la République américaine dans l'ombre de Washington et Jefferson… tout en laissant une trace indélébile dans l'histoire.Dans cette grande fresque d'une heure, rythmée comme un récit, découvrez :le Massacre de Boston et le choix courageux qui a révélé un homme de principes,les enjeux secrets du Congrès continental et la naissance de l'idée d'indépendance,l'ascension de Washington, choisie par Adams lui-même,les missions diplomatiques en France et aux Pays-Bas qui ont sauvé la révolution,les tempêtes politiques de sa présidence,et enfin, la correspondance bouleversante entre Adams et Jefferson, conclue dans un moment absolument unique de l'histoire américaine.Une émission où l'histoire devient vivante — et où John Adams apparaît enfin pour ce qu'il fut vraiment :un homme droit, farouchement honnête, et essentiel à la liberté du Nouveau Monde. Hébergé par Audiomeans. Visitez audiomeans.fr/politique-de-confidentialite pour plus d'informations.

If you’d formed a list of candidates LSU should pursue after it fired Brian Kelly, it might have looked like this: 1. Lane Kiffin 2. Revert to option 1 and get it done. LSU got it done. Lane has landed in Baton Rouge. Now, what does it all mean? For Kiffin, leaving Ole Miss on the doorstep of the playoff marks a sharp pivot in his redemption story and revives his renegade past. At LSU, he'll enjoy every advantage to win a national championship. Ole Miss opted for stability in a moment of turmoil and promoted coordinator Pete Golding to coach. How will the transition affect the Rebels in the playoff? On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams grade the hire for LSU and weigh in on whether Ole Miss made the right call in not allowing Kiffin to coach the playoff. Adams logs a prediction for whether Kiffin will win a national championship with LSU, while Toppmeyer shares thoughts on what Kiffin's career pivot will mean for his legacy. Later in the episode, the hosts react to the other hires in the SEC in what's become a coaching carousel unlike any other. Finally, they predict national championship games against the spread.

At nine years old watching a presidential debate, Shefali Razdan Duggal realized something: in America, a peanut farmer and the son of divorced parents could become president. Her mother was cutting vegetables at night, working as a seamstress by day. Politics became the path to help people like her mother. Decades later, she became the first person of color to serve as U.S. Ambassador to the Netherlands, where the Dutch named a fuchsia-pink tulip after her, the first ambassador from any country ever honored this way. But the journey between that childhood revelation and diplomatic triumph involved a different calculation entirely. "Women of color have to work four times as hard," Shefali states. Her response wasn't resentment—it was a choice. She calls it "weed whacking" for the people behind her. While serving 90-hour weeks, she operated from what she calls "complete and utter equality" with her entire embassy staff. The result? Her Marines ranked as one of the best detachments in Europe. Her embassy became one of the best-run on the continent. And when women of color visited the ambassador wall and saw her photo next to John Adams, they would start crying. In this conversation, Shefali explains why ego kills opportunities faster than anything else, how she managed crushing stress without punishing anyone around her, and what happens when you choose to "do something" instead of "be someone." She also reveals why your work may not benefit you immediately—but that's actually the point. Key Takeaways: Why working harder (when you shouldn't have to) clears the path for everyone behind you How to build relationships before you need them What "lift as you climb" actually looks like in practice Why starting at the base level with zero ego changes everything How to manage stress without taking it out on your team When your work benefits someone else instead of you—and why that matters About the Guest: The Honorable Shefali Razdan Duggal served as U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of the Netherlands from 2022-2025, becoming the first person of color in this role. Born in India and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio by a single mother working multiple minimum-wage jobs, she began her political career volunteering on Senator Ted Kennedy's campaign. The Dutch honored her by naming a tulip "Tulipa Shefali"—the first ambassador from any country to receive this tribute. Her book about her journey from immigrant daughter to diplomat releases summer 2026. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction at Health Conference 02:17 - From Humble Beginnings to Public Service 05:08 - Starting at the Bottom: Early Campaign Work 07:39 - Working Four Times as Hard: Breaking Barriers 09:51 - Lifting as You Climb: Human Rights Commitment 15:15 - Learning Diplomacy: The Path to Ambassador 19:06 - EQ and IQ: Leading with Humanity Under Pressure 26:48 - Advice for Women and What's Next Guest & Host Links Connect with Laurie McGraw on LinkedIn Connect with Former Ambassador Shefali Razdan-Duggal on LinkedIn Connect with Inspiring Women Browse Episodes | LinkedIn | Instagram | Apple | Spotify

Pour écouter l'émission en entier, sans pub, abonnez-vous ! https://m.audiomeans.fr/s/S-tavkjvmo Plongez dans la vie extraordinaire — et souvent méconnue — de John Adams, l'un des véritables pères fondateurs des États-Unis.Avocat intègre devenu diplomate intrépide, négociateur acharné puis deuxième président des États-Unis, Adams a façonné la naissance de la République américaine dans l'ombre de Washington et Jefferson… tout en laissant une trace indélébile dans l'histoire.Dans cette grande fresque d'une heure, rythmée comme un récit, découvrez :le Massacre de Boston et le choix courageux qui a révélé un homme de principes,les enjeux secrets du Congrès continental et la naissance de l'idée d'indépendance,l'ascension de Washington, choisie par Adams lui-même,les missions diplomatiques en France et aux Pays-Bas qui ont sauvé la révolution,les tempêtes politiques de sa présidence,et enfin, la correspondance bouleversante entre Adams et Jefferson, conclue dans un moment absolument unique de l'histoire américaine.Une émission où l'histoire devient vivante — et où John Adams apparaît enfin pour ce qu'il fut vraiment :un homme droit, farouchement honnête, et essentiel à la liberté du Nouveau Monde. Hébergé par Audiomeans. Visitez audiomeans.fr/politique-de-confidentialite pour plus d'informations.

Pour écouter l'émission en entier, sans pub, abonnez-vous ! https://m.audiomeans.fr/s/S-tavkjvmo Plongez dans la vie extraordinaire — et souvent méconnue — de John Adams, l'un des véritables pères fondateurs des États-Unis.Avocat intègre devenu diplomate intrépide, négociateur acharné puis deuxième président des États-Unis, Adams a façonné la naissance de la République américaine dans l'ombre de Washington et Jefferson… tout en laissant une trace indélébile dans l'histoire.Dans cette grande fresque d'une heure, rythmée comme un récit, découvrez :le Massacre de Boston et le choix courageux qui a révélé un homme de principes,les enjeux secrets du Congrès continental et la naissance de l'idée d'indépendance,l'ascension de Washington, choisie par Adams lui-même,les missions diplomatiques en France et aux Pays-Bas qui ont sauvé la révolution,les tempêtes politiques de sa présidence,et enfin, la correspondance bouleversante entre Adams et Jefferson, conclue dans un moment absolument unique de l'histoire américaine.Une émission où l'histoire devient vivante — et où John Adams apparaît enfin pour ce qu'il fut vraiment :un homme droit, farouchement honnête, et essentiel à la liberté du Nouveau Monde. Hébergé par Audiomeans. Visitez audiomeans.fr/politique-de-confidentialite pour plus d'informations.

Pour écouter l'émission en entier, sans pub, abonnez-vous ! https://m.audiomeans.fr/s/S-tavkjvmo Plongez dans la vie extraordinaire — et souvent méconnue — de John Adams, l'un des véritables pères fondateurs des États-Unis.Avocat intègre devenu diplomate intrépide, négociateur acharné puis deuxième président des États-Unis, Adams a façonné la naissance de la République américaine dans l'ombre de Washington et Jefferson… tout en laissant une trace indélébile dans l'histoire.Dans cette grande fresque d'une heure, rythmée comme un récit, découvrez :le Massacre de Boston et le choix courageux qui a révélé un homme de principes,les enjeux secrets du Congrès continental et la naissance de l'idée d'indépendance,l'ascension de Washington, choisie par Adams lui-même,les missions diplomatiques en France et aux Pays-Bas qui ont sauvé la révolution,les tempêtes politiques de sa présidence,et enfin, la correspondance bouleversante entre Adams et Jefferson, conclue dans un moment absolument unique de l'histoire américaine.Une émission où l'histoire devient vivante — et où John Adams apparaît enfin pour ce qu'il fut vraiment :un homme droit, farouchement honnête, et essentiel à la liberté du Nouveau Monde. Hébergé par Audiomeans. Visitez audiomeans.fr/politique-de-confidentialite pour plus d'informations.

John Adams' Oper „Doctor Atomic“ über J. Robert Oppenheimer und den ersten Atombombentest 1945 feiert in Freiburg Premiere. Marco Štormann inszeniert, André de Ridder dirigiert.

Pour écouter l'émission en entier, sans pub, abonnez-vous ! https://m.audiomeans.fr/s/S-tavkjvmo Plongez dans la vie extraordinaire — et souvent méconnue — de John Adams, l'un des véritables pères fondateurs des États-Unis.Avocat intègre devenu diplomate intrépide, négociateur acharné puis deuxième président des États-Unis, Adams a façonné la naissance de la République américaine dans l'ombre de Washington et Jefferson… tout en laissant une trace indélébile dans l'histoire.Dans cette grande fresque d'une heure, rythmée comme un récit, découvrez :le Massacre de Boston et le choix courageux qui a révélé un homme de principes,les enjeux secrets du Congrès continental et la naissance de l'idée d'indépendance,l'ascension de Washington, choisie par Adams lui-même,les missions diplomatiques en France et aux Pays-Bas qui ont sauvé la révolution,les tempêtes politiques de sa présidence,et enfin, la correspondance bouleversante entre Adams et Jefferson, conclue dans un moment absolument unique de l'histoire américaine.Une émission où l'histoire devient vivante — et où John Adams apparaît enfin pour ce qu'il fut vraiment :un homme droit, farouchement honnête, et essentiel à la liberté du Nouveau Monde. Hébergé par Audiomeans. Visitez audiomeans.fr/politique-de-confidentialite pour plus d'informations.

Pour écouter l'émission en entier, sans pub, abonnez-vous ! https://m.audiomeans.fr/s/S-tavkjvmo Plongez dans la vie extraordinaire — et souvent méconnue — de John Adams, l'un des véritables pères fondateurs des États-Unis.Avocat intègre devenu diplomate intrépide, négociateur acharné puis deuxième président des États-Unis, Adams a façonné la naissance de la République américaine dans l'ombre de Washington et Jefferson… tout en laissant une trace indélébile dans l'histoire.Dans cette grande fresque d'une heure, rythmée comme un récit, découvrez :le Massacre de Boston et le choix courageux qui a révélé un homme de principes,les enjeux secrets du Congrès continental et la naissance de l'idée d'indépendance,l'ascension de Washington, choisie par Adams lui-même,les missions diplomatiques en France et aux Pays-Bas qui ont sauvé la révolution,les tempêtes politiques de sa présidence,et enfin, la correspondance bouleversante entre Adams et Jefferson, conclue dans un moment absolument unique de l'histoire américaine.Une émission où l'histoire devient vivante — et où John Adams apparaît enfin pour ce qu'il fut vraiment :un homme droit, farouchement honnête, et essentiel à la liberté du Nouveau Monde. Hébergé par Audiomeans. Visitez audiomeans.fr/politique-de-confidentialite pour plus d'informations.

Pour écouter l'émission en entier, sans pub, abonnez-vous ! https://m.audiomeans.fr/s/S-tavkjvmo Plongez dans la vie extraordinaire — et souvent méconnue — de John Adams, l'un des véritables pères fondateurs des États-Unis.Avocat intègre devenu diplomate intrépide, négociateur acharné puis deuxième président des États-Unis, Adams a façonné la naissance de la République américaine dans l'ombre de Washington et Jefferson… tout en laissant une trace indélébile dans l'histoire.Dans cette grande fresque d'une heure, rythmée comme un récit, découvrez :le Massacre de Boston et le choix courageux qui a révélé un homme de principes,les enjeux secrets du Congrès continental et la naissance de l'idée d'indépendance,l'ascension de Washington, choisie par Adams lui-même,les missions diplomatiques en France et aux Pays-Bas qui ont sauvé la révolution,les tempêtes politiques de sa présidence,et enfin, la correspondance bouleversante entre Adams et Jefferson, conclue dans un moment absolument unique de l'histoire américaine.Une émission où l'histoire devient vivante — et où John Adams apparaît enfin pour ce qu'il fut vraiment :un homme droit, farouchement honnête, et essentiel à la liberté du Nouveau Monde. Hébergé par Audiomeans. Visitez audiomeans.fr/politique-de-confidentialite pour plus d'informations.

Now we know what you're thinking: if we have on as a special guest historian Richard Samuelson, one of the pre-eminent experts on John Adams, you'd think we find out what Adams thought about the Clean Air Act, but no! Instead, the show reaches its zenith with Samuelson drawing our attention to some of Adams's handwritten marginalia that demonstrates why Adams would have completely understood the Sweeney Sensation. Richard joined us for our intermittent series between now and next July 4 about the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, and he helpfully arbitrated the debate we had last week about the probity of Gordon Wood's treatment of the American creed. (Readers should also not miss Samuelson's article "John Adams Versus Edmund Burke," which helps clarify the extent to which Adams should be thought of (as Russell Kirk did) as "America's first conservative."We also went through a couple of current headlines about the latest frontiers in lawfare, and the aftermath of the shooting of two national guard troops in Washington.For those who like to take in the video, you can find the YouTube right here (and consider subscribing).

Pour écouter l'émission en entier, sans pub, abonnez-vous ! https://m.audiomeans.fr/s/S-tavkjvmo Plongez dans la vie extraordinaire — et souvent méconnue — de John Adams, l'un des véritables pères fondateurs des États-Unis.Avocat intègre devenu diplomate intrépide, négociateur acharné puis deuxième président des États-Unis, Adams a façonné la naissance de la République américaine dans l'ombre de Washington et Jefferson… tout en laissant une trace indélébile dans l'histoire.Dans cette grande fresque d'une heure, rythmée comme un récit, découvrez :le Massacre de Boston et le choix courageux qui a révélé un homme de principes,les enjeux secrets du Congrès continental et la naissance de l'idée d'indépendance,l'ascension de Washington, choisie par Adams lui-même,les missions diplomatiques en France et aux Pays-Bas qui ont sauvé la révolution,les tempêtes politiques de sa présidence,et enfin, la correspondance bouleversante entre Adams et Jefferson, conclue dans un moment absolument unique de l'histoire américaine.Une émission où l'histoire devient vivante — et où John Adams apparaît enfin pour ce qu'il fut vraiment :un homme droit, farouchement honnête, et essentiel à la liberté du Nouveau Monde. Hébergé par Audiomeans. Visitez audiomeans.fr/politique-de-confidentialite pour plus d'informations.

What happens to a nation when it lowers the bar for its own children and then wonders why excellence moves elsewhere? We connect that uncomfortable question to the health of marriage, the clarity of Scripture, and the lessons of history to make a case for raising standards—at home first, then everywhere else. From the court to the classroom, the drift toward comfort has real costs, and we unpack how discipline, covenant love, and truth-telling rebuild the core that resilience requires.We reflect on the mutual belonging in Song of Solomon—“I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine”—as a living model for fidelity that forms strong families and, by extension, strong communities. That thread carries into Revelation 7's powerful vision that salvation belongs to God and the Lamb, reminding us that truth isn't a moving target. Proverbs adds the warning not to add to God's words, tying integrity to protection. Along the way, we honor First Lieutenant John W. Blunt's courageous charge at Cedar Creek and consider why recognition can take decades, yet character stands the test of time. We also revisit John Adams' 1799 proclamation calling the nation to fasting and humility, a timely reminder that public virtue and dependence on God aren't relics—they're foundations.You'll hear practical steps for parents, educators, and leaders: set clear expectations, coach for mastery instead of shortcuts, protect marriage and shared family time, and teach a reverent love for truth. We make the case that a culture that remembers its stories of faith and sacrifice can raise its standards without losing compassion. If this resonates, share it with a friend, leave a review, and consider supporting the show so we can keep building voices that build America. Subscribe, pass it on, and tell us: where will you raise the bar this week?Support the showThe American Soul Podcasthttps://www.buzzsprout.com/1791934/subscribe

Pour écouter l'émission en entier, sans pub, abonnez-vous ! https://m.audiomeans.fr/s/S-tavkjvmo Plongez dans la vie extraordinaire — et souvent méconnue — de John Adams, l'un des véritables pères fondateurs des États-Unis.Avocat intègre devenu diplomate intrépide, négociateur acharné puis deuxième président des États-Unis, Adams a façonné la naissance de la République américaine dans l'ombre de Washington et Jefferson… tout en laissant une trace indélébile dans l'histoire.Dans cette grande fresque d'une heure, rythmée comme un récit, découvrez :le Massacre de Boston et le choix courageux qui a révélé un homme de principes,les enjeux secrets du Congrès continental et la naissance de l'idée d'indépendance,l'ascension de Washington, choisie par Adams lui-même,les missions diplomatiques en France et aux Pays-Bas qui ont sauvé la révolution,les tempêtes politiques de sa présidence,et enfin, la correspondance bouleversante entre Adams et Jefferson, conclue dans un moment absolument unique de l'histoire américaine.Une émission où l'histoire devient vivante — et où John Adams apparaît enfin pour ce qu'il fut vraiment :un homme droit, farouchement honnête, et essentiel à la liberté du Nouveau Monde. Hébergé par Audiomeans. Visitez audiomeans.fr/politique-de-confidentialite pour plus d'informations.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit andrewsullivan.substack.comMichel is a human rights lawyer and author. He's currently a lecturer at Columbia Law School, where he teaches national security law and jurisprudence. He's also a contributing editor at Lawfare. His latest book is The Light of Battle: Eisenhower, D-Day, and the Birth of the American Superpower — an accessible, racy account of the run-up to D-Day, along with fascinating snapshots of his entire career.For two clips of our convo — why FDR picked Eisenhower to orchestrate D-Day, and why he's the antithesis of Trump — head to our YouTube page.Other topics: Michel raised by a single mom in Allentown who became an Allentown DA; his scholarship to Oxford for computational linguistics; his work on human rights and defending Gitmo detainees; John Adams and due process; the Dish's coverage of torture; the ways Eisenhower was misunderstood; his self-effacement; his religious pacifist parents; his abusive dad; his Horatio Alger story; Kansas conservatism; the knee injury that ended his football stardom at West Point; the scandal that nearly ended his career early on; the scarlet fever that killed his son; his early friendship with Patton; his intellectual mentor Fox Conner; Ike a protege of MacArthur until they soured on each other; his moderation and suspicion of ideology; his workaholism and stoicism; Pearl Harbor; his uneasy relationship with FDR; unexpectedly picked over George Marshall to lead D-Day; his knack for building consensus; winning over Monty and the other Brits; Churchill's antics and his opposition to a Normandy landing; haunted by Gallipoli; the Atlantic Wall; Rommel; shouting matches at the Cairo Conference; Ike's quiet charisma; the alleged affair with his Irish driver Kay Summersby; and how the weather nearly ruined D-Day.Browse the Dishcast archive for an episode you might enjoy. Coming up: George Packer on his Orwell-inspired novel, Shadi Hamid on US power abroad, Simon Rogoff on the narcissism of pols, Jason Willick on trade and conservatism, Vivek Ramaswamy on the right, and Arthur Brooks on the science of happiness. Please send any guest recs, dissents, and other comments to dish@andrewsullivan.com.

Pour écouter l'émission en entier, sans pub, abonnez-vous ! https://m.audiomeans.fr/s/S-tavkjvmo Plongez dans la vie extraordinaire — et souvent méconnue — de John Adams, l'un des véritables pères fondateurs des États-Unis.Avocat intègre devenu diplomate intrépide, négociateur acharné puis deuxième président des États-Unis, Adams a façonné la naissance de la République américaine dans l'ombre de Washington et Jefferson… tout en laissant une trace indélébile dans l'histoire.Dans cette grande fresque d'une heure, rythmée comme un récit, découvrez :le Massacre de Boston et le choix courageux qui a révélé un homme de principes,les enjeux secrets du Congrès continental et la naissance de l'idée d'indépendance,l'ascension de Washington, choisie par Adams lui-même,les missions diplomatiques en France et aux Pays-Bas qui ont sauvé la révolution,les tempêtes politiques de sa présidence,et enfin, la correspondance bouleversante entre Adams et Jefferson, conclue dans un moment absolument unique de l'histoire américaine.Une émission où l'histoire devient vivante — et où John Adams apparaît enfin pour ce qu'il fut vraiment :un homme droit, farouchement honnête, et essentiel à la liberté du Nouveau Monde. Hébergé par Audiomeans. Visitez audiomeans.fr/politique-de-confidentialite pour plus d'informations.

What if the most valuable thing you'll touch today is the hand of your spouse—and you miss it for a highlight reel? We step back from the noise to ask where our hours go, and we make a case for restoring a sane order: God, marriage, then everything else in its rightful place. From the warmth and ache of Song of Solomon to the stark warnings of Revelation 6, we trace a thread that runs from the heart to the nation, showing how private devotion and public courage rise or fall together.We get practical about attention—how sports and screens can quietly demote the people we love—and name small reversals that change a home's climate: shared prayer, unhurried talk, and admiration spoken out loud. We examine recent political calls for service members to disobey under the banner of “unlawful orders,” clarifying the real duty to conscience while exposing attempts to manufacture chaos. The story widens with a tribute to Medal of Honor sailor Robert Bloom's steady bravery under fire, and a full reading of John Adams' 1798 proclamation urging a national day of fasting, humility, and prayer. The language is timely: repentance, unity, protection of civil and religious liberty, and the courage to hold together when the world pulls apart.If you're longing for a reset—deeper marriage, clearer faith, steadier citizenship—this conversation offers both grounding and next steps. Listen for the practices you can adopt tonight, the history that stiffens resolve, and the Scripture that reframes fear. If it helps you, share it with a friend, subscribe for more, and leave a quick review so others can find it. What one habit will you replace this week?Support the showThe American Soul Podcasthttps://www.buzzsprout.com/1791934/subscribe

Pour écouter l'émission en entier, sans pub, abonnez-vous ! https://m.audiomeans.fr/s/S-tavkjvmo Plongez dans la vie extraordinaire — et souvent méconnue — de John Adams, l'un des véritables pères fondateurs des États-Unis.Avocat intègre devenu diplomate intrépide, négociateur acharné puis deuxième président des États-Unis, Adams a façonné la naissance de la République américaine dans l'ombre de Washington et Jefferson… tout en laissant une trace indélébile dans l'histoire.Dans cette grande fresque d'une heure, rythmée comme un récit, découvrez :le Massacre de Boston et le choix courageux qui a révélé un homme de principes,les enjeux secrets du Congrès continental et la naissance de l'idée d'indépendance,l'ascension de Washington, choisie par Adams lui-même,les missions diplomatiques en France et aux Pays-Bas qui ont sauvé la révolution,les tempêtes politiques de sa présidence,et enfin, la correspondance bouleversante entre Adams et Jefferson, conclue dans un moment absolument unique de l'histoire américaine.Une émission où l'histoire devient vivante — et où John Adams apparaît enfin pour ce qu'il fut vraiment :un homme droit, farouchement honnête, et essentiel à la liberté du Nouveau Monde. Hébergé par Audiomeans. Visitez audiomeans.fr/politique-de-confidentialite pour plus d'informations.

Guest host Nolan Johnson and Clay talk about the history of Thanksgiving, or what John Adams might call the uses and misuses of the Thanksgiving holiday. They explore the origins of American Thanksgiving, beginning with the pilgrims of 1621, through the Civil War, and into the 20th century's additions to Thanksgiving — the parades, the NFL game, Black Friday, and its further encroachments. Clay and Nolan talk about their own Thanksgiving observances, in their families and beyond, and our memories of particularly satisfying or dramatic Thanksgivings. Thanksgiving is perhaps the only time in the calendar when almost everyone in America says some form of grace before tucking into that vast feast. Is Velveeta a legitimate cheese? Is turkey essential? What about the crazy uncle who offends almost everyone, and the college freshman — just home from university — who is now a Marxist who thinks the whole ritual is colonialist?

Two SEC schools will lose the Lane Kiffin sweepstakes. To the victor goes Kiffin, and all that accompanies this mercurial renegade. To the losers go ... a coaching search. In the meantime, Kiffin's current team pursues a playoff bid. Ole Miss must win the Egg Bowl to solidify its playoff footing. Never mind the Kiffin drama, says Rebels quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, because the team remains "locked in" on winning the Egg Bowl and reaching the playoff. On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams unpack the latest developments in the soap opera starring Kiffin, as his decision day nears, and they log their predictions for where he'll be coaching next season. They also weigh in on a few potential Florida candidates if the Gators lose the Kiffin sweepstakes. A couple of ACC coaches could fit the bill for UF. The hosts also consider: If Tulane coach Jon Sumrall has his choice between Auburn and Ole Miss, which is the better option? Later in the episode, they debate the playoff likelihood for three SEC teams that sit on a crowded bubble. Finally, Week 14 picks against the spread!

John Adams' single term as President has long been cast as a low point in his political career, but Lindsay Chervinsky sees it differently. "George Washington created the Presidency," she writes in her new book Making the Presidency, "but John Adams defined it."   In this episode, Lindsay joins us to share why she sees Adams as a crucial figure in transforming an office that had been established for, and created by, George Washington, into a position with the customs and practices that could be passed down through generations. Along the way, Lindsay explains why she thinks we've gotten Adams so wrong (hint: both Jefferson and Hamilton disliked his politics), the crucial role he played in establishing a peaceful transition of power, and how the January 6th insurrection might help us all have a greater appreciation for President John Adams.   Dr. Lindsay Chervinsky is the Executive Director of the George Washington Presidential Library and author of the new book Making the Presidency: John Adams and the Precedents That Forged the Republic, which is out September 5th, 2024 from Oxford University Press. You can find out more about her work at her website: lindsaychervinsky.com   If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to check out Lindsay Chervinsky's  previous RTN appearances on The Road to Now:   ·      #184: The President's Cabinet ·      #263: Mourning the Presidents ·      #296: The Election of 1824 (Part 1 in our Third Party Elections Series)   This episode originally aired as RTN #313 on Sept. 2, 2024. This rebroadcast was edited by Ben Sawyer  

Learn that the idea of gratitude and giving thanks is an ancient concept for mankind and is expressly elevated in the Bible.Review how days of thanksgiving were originally commemorated in the English colonies in Virginia and Massachusetts, with the English dissenters, the Pilgrims, having the most influential celebrations.In the colonial era, Thanksgiving celebrations were centered on specific events and circumstances and accordingly occurred at different times.As Americans united against British tyranny, they made continental-wide proclamations through the Continental Congress, but again, they were tied to specific events and times.President George Washington issued the first two Thanksgiving Proclamations under the Constitution.Sarah Josepha Hale's drive to create a uniform, nationwide celebration was embraced by Lincoln and his successors, and it became firmly fixed to the Fourth Thursday of November under President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.Feasts, running, football, parades, Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Giving Tuesday all flow from this powerful day of gratitude.Highlights include the Bible, Thessalonians 5:16-18, Colossians 2:7, Psalm 100:4, Colossians 4:2, Psalm 92, Philippians 4:6, King Henry VIII, Queen Elizabeth Anne Boleyn, Church of England, John Calvin, Puritans, Common Book of Prayers, King James I, Pilgrims, Mayflower, Plymouth England, Plymouth Harbor Massachusetts, Mayflower Compact, John Locke, Thomas Hobbes, Samoset, Squanto, Wampanoag, William Bedford, Thanksgiving commemoration, Melanie Kirkpatrick, Thanksgiving The Holiday at the Heart of the American Experience, William Bradford, Berkeley Plantation a/k/a Berkeley Hundred, The Margaret, John Woodlief, Jamestown, the Starving Time, Chief Opechancanough, Massacre of 1622, Massachusetts Bay Colony, New Amsterdam, First Continental Congress, Second Continental Congress, Day of Humiliation Fasting and Prayer (1776), Henry Laurens, Thanksgiving Day Proclamation (1777), Battle of Saratoga, Thomas McKean, Day of Thanksgiving and Prayer (December 18, 1781), George Washington, James Madison, Elias Boudinot, Aedanus Burke, Thomas Tudor Tucker, Federalist Party, Anti-Federalists, Peter Silvester, Roger Sherman, Articles of Confederation, Continental Association, Constitution, William Samuel Johnson, Ralph Izard, Washington Thanksgiving Day Proclamation (October 3, 1789 for November 26, 1789), Whiskey Rebellion, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Samuel Letter, James Madison, First Amendment, War of 1812, Abraham Lincoln, Sarah Josepha Hale, Mary Had a Little Lamb, Northwood: A Tale of New England, Vassar College, domestic science, Ladies' Magazine, Godey's Lady's Book, Civil War, William Seward, Andrew Johnson, Lincoln Thanksgiving Proclamation (October 3, 1863 and October 24, 1864), President Franklin Delano Roosevelt a/k/a FDR, National Retail Dry Goods Association, Franksgiving, Allen Treadway, Earl Michener, FDR Thanksgiving Speech (1938), President Lyndon Baines Johnson, Johnson Thanksgiving Speech (1963), President John F. Kennedy, President Ronald Reagan, Reagan Thanksgiving Speech (October 19, 1984 and 1986), President Barak Obama, Obama Thanksgiving Speech (2009), President George W. Bush, President Bush Thanksgiving Day visit to the troops in Iraq, President Donald Trump, Trump Thanksgiving Day visit to troops in Afghanistan, Trump Speech to troops on Thanksgiving, President Bill Clinton, Clinton Pardoning of Turkey Speech (1997), Presidential Pardons of Turkey, Thanksgiving Dinner & Feast, Thanksgiving parades, Grumbles, Macy's, Hudson's, Turkey Trot, National Football League (NFL) Thanksgiving Games, Detroit Lions, Dallas Cowboys, Walter Camp, Collegiate Football Thanksgiving Games, George A. Richards, The Chicago Bears, Saturday Night Live (SNL), Black Friday, Giving Tuesday, Henry Timms, Cyber Monday, and many others.To learn more about America & Patriot Week, visit www.PatriotWeek.org.

If you've ever seen the musical '1776,' then you're likely familiar with the spirited debate between Founding Fathers John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin about which bird should be the symbol of America. Adams vies for the bald eagle, Jefferson the ring-necked pheasant, and Franklin the wild turkey. All three species are native to the United States, yet history shows us that it was the bald eagle that ultimately won out. But was John Adams truly the reason for this? Or is this legend the result of Broadway fantasy? Tune in this week to find out!

In this episode of The Curious Realm, host Christopher Jordan welcomes author, spiritual teacher and survivor Elizabeth Joyce to discuss the concept of spiritual revelations and multidimensional reality. After suffering and surviving a stroke, Elizabeth received insights into the nature of consciousness, healing, and the unseen realms beyond our physical world. We discuss how these revelations have not only changed her life, but given her a mission to help others find their revelation. In the second part of the episode, we welcome John Adams, founder of Adventures in Remote Viewing to discuss his recent article discussing the dangers of faux remote viewers and the damage they can do to the reputation of the field of remote viewing overall. With huxsters abounding the para-communities of UFOs, cryptozoology, paranormal, and even remote viewing are filled with huxsters who make bold claims, charge money for classes, and have zero provenance to their work. How do these so-called experts adversely affect the real research going on in these fields and cast shade on the good data that has been garnered? Join the Curious Realm as we delve into the topics of multidimentional reality with Elizabeth Joyce and the dangers of faux remote viewers with John Adams. Curious Realm is proudly distributed by: Ground Zero Media, APRTV and the official Curious Realm ROKU App! Curious Realm has teamed up with True Hemp Science, Austin, TX based suppliers of high-quality full spectrum emulsified CBD products and more. Visit TrueHempScience.com TODAY and use code Curious7 to save 7% off your order of $50 or more and get a free 50mg CBD edible! Intro music “A Curious Realm” provided by No Disassemble find more great music and content at: NoDisassemble.com.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/curious-realm--5254986/support.

In this episode of The Curious Realm, host Christopher Jordan welcomes author, spiritual teacher and survivor Elizabeth Joyce to discuss the concept of spiritual revelations and multidimensional reality. After suffering and surviving a stroke, Elizabeth received insights into the nature of consciousness, healing, and the unseen realms beyond our physical world. We discuss how these revelations have not only changed her life, but given her a mission to help others find their revelation. In the second part of the episode, we welcome John Adams, founder of Adventures in Remote Viewing to discuss his recent article discussing the dangers of faux remote viewers and the damage they can do to the reputation of the field of remote viewing overall. With huxsters abounding the para-communities of UFOs, cryptozoology, paranormal, and even remote viewing are filled with huxsters who make bold claims, charge money for classes, and have zero provenance to their work. How do these so-called experts adversely affect the real research going on in these fields and cast shade on the good data that has been garnered? Join the Curious Realm as we delve into the topics of multidimentional reality with Elizabeth Joyce and the dangers of faux remote viewers with John Adams. Curious Realm is proudly distributed by: Ground Zero Media, APRTV and the official Curious Realm ROKU App! Curious Realm has teamed up with True Hemp Science, Austin, TX based suppliers of high-quality full spectrum emulsified CBD products and more. Visit TrueHempScience.com TODAY and use code Curious7 to save 7% off your order of $50 or more and get a free 50mg CBD edible! Intro music “A Curious Realm” provided by No Disassemble find more great music and content at: NoDisassemble.com.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/curious-realm--5254986/support.

Hour 3 for 11/18/25 Dr. Susan Hanssen continues the Countdown to 250 with coverage of the founding Presidents. Topics: George Washington (3:31), John Adams (6:29), Jefferson (13:56), caller: older countries with younger governments (19:15), caller: presidential financial benefits (24:14), caller: the Civil war (28:02), caller: did the Loyalists have a point? (31:31), Lesser known president to study (31:31), Madison (38:07), and slavery (47:51).

Boo Carter is no longer a Vol. Joey Aguilar looks a little shaky. And the curse of The Swamp is lingering around Tennessee. Adam Sparks and John Adams react to Carter’s exit and tell UT fans whether they should be worried about the Florida game.

Greg Sankey once mused about the SEC staging its own College Football Playoff. He didn’t follow through, but his conference has an outside shot of claiming half the spots in a 12-team playoff. Not bad, eh? The bubble’s getting awfully crowded, so what’s the most realistic outcome for the SEC? On today’s episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams consider the playoff fortunes of the SEC’s seven teams still in the hunt for a bid. They identify five SEC teams that will make the field, and the two playoff contenders that won’t. Later in the episode, Toppmeyer declares Texas’ season a flop and questions whether Steve Sarkisian should be under more scrutiny. The hosts also sound off on the latest in the Lane Kiffin saga, and they grade Virginia Tech’s hire of James Franklin. Finally, Week 13 picks against the spread!

This Day in Legal History: US Capitol OpensOn November 17, 1800, the United States Congress convened for the first time in the new Capitol building in Washington, D.C., marking a foundational moment in American legal and political history. The relocation came after a decade of Congress meeting in temporary quarters, most recently in Philadelphia, as the young republic grappled with questions of permanence and national identity. Washington, D.C. had been selected as the capital through the Residence Act of 1790, a political compromise that helped balance regional power between North and South. By 1800, the city remained largely undeveloped, and the Capitol itself was still under construction—only the north wing was usable.Despite its incomplete state, the Capitol's occupation by Congress signaled the institutional maturity of the federal government. It gave physical shape to the separation of powers by housing the legislative branch in its own dedicated space, distinct from the executive and judiciary. This move also underscored the federal character of the American system, establishing a neutral location not belonging to any one state. John Adams, still president at the time, had moved into the President's House (now the White House) just weeks earlier, completing the federal trifecta.The decision to proceed with the session in an unfinished building reflected a commitment to constitutional governance and the rule of law, even in the face of logistical and environmental hardships. Lawmakers contended with the muddy streets and sparse accommodations of the nascent city, yet their presence inaugurated what would become one of the most symbolically and functionally important legislative chambers in the world. This moment laid the groundwork for Washington, D.C. to become not only the seat of American government but a focal point for legal development, political conflict, and democratic debate for centuries to come.More than 500 lawsuits alleging that Tylenol use during pregnancy causes autism in children may be revived, as the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit prepares to hear arguments from plaintiffs challenging a 2024 dismissal of their cases. A lower court had rejected the claims after finding that the plaintiffs' expert testimony lacked scientific rigor, a conclusion supported by Tylenol maker Kenvue. The plaintiffs argue the judge mischaracterized their experts' findings and are citing public support from President Trump and health officials, who linked autism to Tylenol use during a September 2025 press conference.Scientific consensus continues to hold that no definitive link exists between acetaminophen (the active ingredient in Tylenol) and autism, a position echoed by Kenvue. The company is also facing a separate suit from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who accuses Kenvue of concealing risks to children, though a Texas judge recently denied Paxton's efforts to halt a $398 million shareholder dividend and restrict Tylenol marketing. Meanwhile, it remains uncertain whether the appeal will impact Kimberly-Clark's pending $40 billion acquisition of Kenvue, though both companies have indicated that litigation over autism claims won't derail the deal.US appeals court to weigh reviving cases over Tylenol and autism | ReutersGupta Wessler, a boutique appellate firm in Washington, D.C., known for its U.S. Supreme Court advocacy on behalf of plaintiffs, has hired Matthew Guarnieri, a former assistant to the U.S. solicitor general. Guarnieri argued 13 Supreme Court cases under both the Biden and Trump administrations and is the first attorney to leave the solicitor general's office for a firm that exclusively handles plaintiff-side appellate work. His move reflects a growing recognition of Gupta Wessler's nontraditional model, which competes with corporate-heavy appellate practices at larger firms.Guarnieri becomes the fifth principal at the 18-lawyer firm, which is currently involved in high-profile litigation, including representing Consumer Financial Protection Bureau employees challenging President Trump's mass firings and securing a $185 million verdict against Monsanto over chemical contamination. The firm also represents Uber passengers alleging sexual assault and recently blocked an attempt in Nevada to limit contingency fees in civil cases. Guarnieri left the DOJ in October after nine years of service; the department declined to comment on his departure.DC appellate firm picks up departing DOJ Supreme Court advocate | ReutersA federal jury in California has ordered Apple to pay $634 million to Masimo, a medical technology company, for infringing a patent related to blood-oxygen monitoring used in Apple Watches. The jury found that specific features like workout mode and heart rate notifications violated Masimo's patent rights. Apple has announced plans to appeal, arguing that the patent in question, which expired in 2022, covers outdated technology and that most of Masimo's other patent claims have been invalidated.This verdict is part of a broader legal conflict between Apple and Masimo, which accuses Apple of poaching employees and misappropriating pulse oximetry technology. In 2023, the U.S. International Trade Commission imposed an import ban on certain Apple Watch models, prompting Apple to remove the disputed feature and later reintroduce it with customs approval. A new ITC review is now underway to determine if the updated models should also be banned. The legal fight spans several courts and includes ongoing challenges from both companies over import restrictions and intellectual property claims.US jury says Apple must pay Masimo $634 million in smartwatch patent case | Reuters This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.minimumcomp.com/subscribe

In a letter to William Stephens Smith, the son-in-law of John Adams, dated November 13, 1787, Thomas Jefferson wrote, "The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." These words came from the first hand knowing of the cost of war and the blood that had to be spilled. Our veterans know this cost; they understand these words not as words but as a way of life. The wisdom of war was unavoidable in the colonial days. Today, the wisdom of war rests with the few that have served. Honor the many who have served with a refreshed commitment in your local communities to bring change and restoration to the Constitutional Republic.  #BardsFM_Morning #TheDutyOfPatriots #TheHeartOfLiberty Bards Nation Health Store: www.bardsnationhealth.com EnviroKlenz Air Purification, promo code BARDS to save 10%:www.enviroklenz.com EMPShield protect your vehicles and home. Promo code BARDS: Click here MYPillow promo code: BARDS >> Go to https://www.mypillow.com/bards and use the promo code BARDS or... Call 1-800-975-2939.  White Oak Pastures Grassfed Meats, Get $20 off any order $150 or more. Promo Code BARDS: www.whiteoakpastures.com/BARDS BardsFM CAP, Celebrating 50 Million Downloads: https://ambitiousfaith.net Morning Intro Music Provided by Brian Kahanek: www.briankahanek.com Windblown Media 20% Discount with promo code BARDS: windblownmedia.com Founders Bible 20% discount code: BARDS >>> TheFoundersBible.com Mission Darkness Faraday Bags and RF Shielding. Promo code BARDS: Click here EMF Solutions to keep your home safe: https://www.emfsol.com/?aff=bards Treadlite Broadforks...best garden tool EVER. Promo code BARDS: TreadliteBroadforks.com No Knot Today Natural Skin Products: NoKnotToday.com Health, Nutrition and Detox Consulting: HealthIsLocal.com Destination Real Food Book on Amazon: click here Images In Bloom Soaps and Things: ImagesInBloom.com Angeline Design: AngelineDesign.com DONATE: Click here Mailing Address: Xpedition Cafe, LLC Attn. Scott Kesterson 591 E Central Ave, #740 Sutherlin, OR  97479

BONUS episode featuring my summer of presidential travels as I fit in as many birthplaces, gravesites, homes, and other sites into one history professor's summer break. My trip to New York, Boston, Georgia, and Texas, with side jaunts to Oregon and Ohio! Links to Previous Episodes Mentioned:Birthplaces"John Adams and Braintree""John Quincy Adams and Quincy""Theodore Roosevelt and Manhattan""Calvin Coolidge and Plymouth Notch""Herbert Hoover and West Branch""Franklin Roosevelt and Hyde Park""John F Kennedy and Brookline""Jimmy Carter and Plains" "George W Bush and New Haven""Barack Obama and Honolulu" Homes"John Adams and Peacefield" "Franklin Pierce and Concord""Rutherford Hayes and Spiegel Grove""Warren Harding and Marion""John F Kennedy and Hyannis Port""Jimmy Carter and the Carter Home""Barack Obama and Oahu" Gravesites"John Adams' Tomb""John Quincy Adams' Tomb" "Franklin Pierce's Tomb" "Ulysses Grant's Tomb""Rutherford Hayes' Tomb" Support the show Also, check out “Visiting the Presidents” on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!

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.

Meet John Adams - A fan of Strawberry Fig Newtons who loves camping shares snapshots of how the Lord grew in him a love for high schoolers through a simple prayer and how he has experienced the Lord's sufficiency in the role of elder.

On Monday's Mark Levin Show, the Democrat Party government shutdown is the best evidence why the government should never, for example, take over our healthcare system. It's not controlled by Democrat politicians (senators) abusing the filibuster rule to blackmail the country and do as much damage to the economy as possible to further government control of the economy and leftwing political agendas. Also, the U.S. air traffic control system and TSA should be privatized.  It's unacceptable that our air traffic could come to a halt because air traffic controllers wouldn't show up for work during the shutdown.  Later, the media is ignorant for mischaracterizing the pardoning of 77 people involved in challenging the 2020 election results as an attempt to overturn them. Challenging elections is a longstanding legal right, dating back to John Adams' era, and includes demanding recounts, lobbying state officials like the Secretary of State, and submitting alternative slates of electors to the Archivist of the United States to preserve potential wins. These actions are neither obstructive nor criminal.  Afterward, Rep Chip Roy, who's running for Attorney General of Texas, calls in and explains that Texas is under attack by a network of radical Marxists and Islamists seeking to seize it from America. The nation is rooted in Judeo-Christian principles, the Constitution, and Western civilization, which directly conflict with Sharia law.  He also explains that Democrats are exposing their scheme by admitting Biden's temporary COVID subsidies are essential for Obamacare to function, as even the Washington Post acknowledges it was never affordable.  Finally, Tucker Carlson platformed a guest who downplayed Christian persecution in Nigeria and had previously represented an accused Nigerian figure involved in targeting Christians. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

From September 23, 2024: Lindsay Chervinsky is the Executive Director of the George Washington Library at Mount Vernon. She is also the author of a much celebrated new book on the John Adams presidency that is focused primarily on the national security decision-making of the second president and how it set norms for the conduct of the presidency and its powers with which we still live today. She sat down with Lawfare Editor-in-Chief Benjamin Wittes to talk about how Adams defended presidential power while it was under assault by both his Jeffersonian foes and the radicals of his own Federalist party.To receive ad-free podcasts, become a Lawfare Material Supporter at www.patreon.com/lawfare. You can also support Lawfare by making a one-time donation at https://givebutter.com/lawfare-institute.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/lawfare. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

John Adams said the Constitution is only for a moral and religious people. I believe the same is true of Capitalism, and the further we get away from our Christian roots, the more everything crumbles. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

John Adams said the Constitution is only for a moral and religious people. I believe the same is true of Capitalism, and the further we get away from our Christian roots, the more everything crumbles. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The buyout gods rested. The money cannon ran out of gunpowder. The firing squad took a weekend off. Folks, we just got through a Sunday with no college football coaches fired. Do you believe in miracles? Are the firings finished for this season? Well, about that ... On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams discuss a few SEC coaches who might not be out of the woods yet. Kentucky's Mark Stoops and Oklahoma's Brent Venables are OK for now. There's work left to do. Also, with South Carolina imploding, should Shane Beamer consider an exit for Virginia Tech? And, what to make of Toppmeyer's idea that Tennessee's Josh Heupel turn his eye toward Penn State? Adams weighs in. Later in the episode, the hosts disagree on how many SEC teams are national championship contenders. Is it two, or three? Finally, Week 12 picks against the spread!

While our episode on John Adams centered on his career, today's discussion focused more on his personality, beliefs, and relationships with others (especially Abigail and his children). We also covered some of Adams' legacy and what he and the other Founding Fathers gave to Americans today.Join us every Monday for episodes or discussions and on Thursdays for Pop Quizzes and Sketches in History. Leave us a comment below--we love to hear from you!

In breaking news, a fed up Federal Judge Ellis issued from the bench a 90 minute preliminary injunction ruling against Trump's shock forces being used in Chicago to menace and attack members of the press, clergy, veterans and first amendment protestors of Trump's immigration policy, and found that the chief of the operation for trump Greg Bovino, lied under oath about the need to fire tear gas at protestors. Michael Popok reports on Judge Ellis leading off the hearing by reading in full Carl Sandberg's famous poem “Chicago” and lending it with John Adams plea to save liberty. Go to http://mackweldon.com/?utm_source=streaming&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=podcastlaunch&utm_content=LEGALAFutm_term=LEGALAF and get 20% off your first order with promo code LEGALAF Remember to subscribe to ALL the MeidasTouch Network Podcasts: MeidasTouch: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/meidastouch-podcast Legal AF: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/legal-af MissTrial: https://meidasnews.com/tag/miss-trial The PoliticsGirl Podcast: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/the-politicsgirl-podcast The Influence Continuum: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/the-influence-continuum-with-dr-steven-hassan Mea Culpa with Michael Cohen: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/mea-culpa-with-michael-cohen The Weekend Show: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/the-weekend-show Burn the Boats: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/burn-the-boats Majority 54: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/majority-54 Political Beatdown: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/political-beatdown On Democracy with FP Wellman: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/on-democracy-with-fpwellman Uncovered: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/maga-uncovered Coalition of the Sane: https://meidasnews.com/tag/coalition-of-the-sane Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Zachary and Jeremi discuss the complexities and challenges surrounding the adaptability of the American Constitution with Professor Steven Skowronek. They delve into topics such as constitutional amendments, the role and evolution of the Supreme Court, and the potential need for a new constitutional framework to address contemporary issues. Zachary sets the scene with a passage from Alexander Hamilton's Federalist Paper No. 85. Dr. Stephen Skowronek is the Pelatiah Perit Professor of Political and Social Science at Yale University.  His most recent book is The Adaptability Paradox: Political Inclusion and Constitutional Resilience. Other publications include Phantoms of a Beleaguered Republic: The Deep State and the Unitary Executive  (with John Dearborn and Desmond King), The Policy State: An American Predicament (With Karen Orren), The Politics Presidents Make: Leadership from John Adams to Bill Clinton, and Building a New American State: The Expansion of National Administrative Capacities, 1877-1920 (1982).

The 15-Minute History Podcast team welcomes you to a new season of Sketches in History. This segment, just for kids, shows that history isn't just a story—it's an adventure. Join Lottie Archer as she dives into her extraordinary notebook, where sketches from history come to life.In this episode, she goes back in American history to the early hours of March 4th, 1801, and finds a tired John Adams making the final appointments of his presidency. Something incredible is about to happen that will forever set a precedent for leaders in American government. In this episode, your kids will learn about precedent, leadership, and experience what it was like on that faithful day to watch President Adams in his final hours in office!Listen and subscribe to the 15-Minute History podcast to hear Sketches in History every other Thursday. Got a favorite historical moment? Share it with us at 15minutehistory@gmail.com, and it might just make its way into the notebook!

In the popular mind, John Adams' life and one term as President of the United States is often treated as a footnote alongside the careers of Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and George Washington. But Adams left an indelible mark on his country's history. So as we continue our look into the revolutionary period, this episode shares three elements from his life that capture the essence of this fascinating man.

In addition to being America's first vice president and second president, Founding Father John Adams was a diplomat, the father of another president, and an avid diarist. In this conversation with David M. Rubenstein, Gordon S. Wood, Pulitzer Prize-winning historian of the Revolutionary era, tackles this multifaceted figure, from his role in the birth of our nation to the precedents he set for all those who followed him.Recorded on September 4, 2025

garzalaw.com.   Tennessee 27.   Oklahoma 33It was a midnight sadness edition. Tony ran solo for the first part and got attacked by callers and YouTubers.  Matt and Brian and tried to restore sanity.  Sean Sinclair dropped in for cameo. Eric Waddell joined.  John Adams did a cameo. And we stayed up way too late. Go Vols! Beat New Mexico State.WE REALLY NEED YOUR TICKETS FOR NEW MEXICO STATE GAME!!Please consider donating to Amachi Tailgate for the kids for New Mexico State Game.You can send tickets to amachitailgatetix@gmail.comQuestions ..... please call Amachi Brooke at Amachi office at 865.524.2774 ext. 113Tony Basilio @tonybasilioBrian HartmanMatt Dixon @mattdixon3John Adams @KnoxNews Eric Waddell @BearcatVolSean Sinclair DDS

The host's of CSN The Network Podcast return this week to discuss and preview the middle school county championship where our alma mater, South Charleston Middle School, has made it to the County Championship where they will play their rival in John Adams middle school. We discussed key points of the game and what a win would mean for the program and the whole city of South Charleston. The host's then transitioned into discussing college football, where we discussed our CSN Player of the Week, Brian Kelly losing his job, we previewed key games between ranked opponents this week, we discussed our Heisman favorites, we discussed certain coaching jobs that are open and we also discussed other games that we are looking forward to. In the NFL, we discussed our CSN Player of the Week, we did our CSN top 5 power rankings, we discussed trade rumors, new contracts, and key games coming up. In the NBA, we discussed who we view as championship contenders, players that can be considered faces of the league, players that can be considered the best in the league, and we discussed the week Austin Reaves from the Lakers has been having. We then closed the show with our CSN overreaction segment, our CSN pick 6 segment, and our two minute warning segment. As always, we appreciate the support, please continue to like, subscribe, share and view the content.

It's the end of the world as we know it, and I'm glad Adrian Smith, author of A Prison for Your Mind, will join us to find a better world. We'll discuss politics from a Gnostic stance. Adrian will provide many potent ideas, from the Gnosis of John Adams to the concept of Utilitarianism to the malevolence of the Fabian Society. In the end, you'll get valuable and necessary antidotes to the various Wetikos that block your sacred mission and infect the collective human psyche. We got Yaldi Balid right where we want him. More on Adrian: https://aprisonforthemind.blog/ Get his book: https://amzn.to/475wphB Get The Occult Elvis: https://amzn.to/4jnTjE4 Virtual Alexandria Academy: https://thegodabovegod.com/virtual-alexandria-academy/ Gnostic Tarot Readings: https://thegodabovegod.com/gnostic-tarot-reading/ The Gnostic Tarot: https://www.makeplayingcards.com/sell/synkrasis Homepage: https://thegodabovegod.com/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/aeonbyte AB Prime: https://thegodabovegod.com/members/subscription-levels/ Voice Over services: https://thegodabovegod.com/voice-talent/ Support with donation: https://buy.stripe.com/00g16Q8RK8D93mw288 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Chair of the Adams Memorial Commission Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Rich Zeoli Show- Hour 4: 6:05pm- Daniel Turner—Founder and Executive Director of Power The Future—joins The Rich Zeoli Show to discuss the Democrat Party's ridiculous spending demands to end the ongoing government shutdown, including $24.6 million for “climate resilience” in Honduras! What the heck is climate resilience? Turner explains: “America's working families voted to end this reckless spending spree back in November. But now the Dems are holding military members' pay hostage to bankroll their Green New Scam projects all over the world. Shameful.” 6:30pm- According to a news report from ABC7 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles has declared a state of emergency and issued an eviction moratorium in response to the Trump administration's deportations of illegal migrants. 6:40pm- While speaking with New York Times reporter Kara Swisher, Kamala Harris said she was the most qualified presidential candidate in U.S. history. Rich and Matt note that Thomas Jefferson was the principal author of the Declaration of Independence, Governor of Virginia during the Revolutionary War, U.S. Minister to France, Secretary of State to George Washington, and Vice President to John Adams. So, who do you think had the better resume while a candidate for president?