Podcasts about My Mother

In this episode of the Journey of My Mother's Son podcast, I talk with Santo Marabella. I was honored to have the opportunity to have my old friend from Berks County, Santo, on my show.  We have been friends for over fifteen years now.  We first got to know each other when we both served on the board of the Berks County Visitors Bureau and through volunteering with the Reading Filmfest.  However, I never really knew Santo's story of how he arrived in the United States until recently.  It is an incredible story, and again, I feel honored to be able to give Santo a place at my table, and help tell a little bit of his story on my show. Santo D. Marabella, MBA, DSW, The Practical Prof® is an author, playwright, filmmaker, speaker and educator with writing, directing and producing credits for books, television pilots, a musical, short films and plays. He is the co-founder ReadingFilmFEST and the ReadingFilm Office, for which he served as ReadingFilm Commissioner (2006-2018). Recent projects include writer/director of the play Rocky Road Ain't Always Sweet, (2024). producer, AVA (2023); producer, FLASHLIGHT (2023); director/co-producer, workshop for Love Is Afoot!, an original musical (2023); writer/producer/director, THE CAREGIVER (2022). Marabella, Professor Emeritus of Management, Moravian University, is a member of The Lambs®, The Dramatists Guild of America and Theatre Communications Group. His newest film, Il Mio Posto a Tavola (My Place at the Table) is a first-person documentary which examines our universal need to belong, as seen through the heart of the filmmaker. Born in a Catholic orphanage in Aosta, Italy, and flown to the United States just one week shy of his first birthday, Santo D. Marabella was one of over 3700 Italian born children adopted by Italian American parents between 1951 and 1969. Known as the “Baby Scoop” era, tens of thousands of Italian unwed mothers were forced to give their children up for adoption, leaving behind generations of children devastated by their perceived abandonment. Though he was the treasured only child of his adoptive parents, Santo was bullied by his peers and struggled from an early age to fit in and connect with others. Growing up, the realization that he was gay further deepened this isolation, straining his relationship with the Church to which he was so dedicated and the parents he so loved. Despite self-doubt and fear, he refused to be stopped. He tried harder and achieved more, carving out a life as a caregiver, educator, writer and artist. But he was still on the outside. In this journey to belonging, Santo returns to Italy to find his place at the table (posto a tavola) To find out more about the film, check out its website at https://ilmiopostofilm.com/.

Dawn Staley is a woman of many titles: five-time WNBA all-star, Olympic gold medalist, head coach and now an author. In her first book, Staley reflects on the lessons that made her who she is today. Amna Nawaz spoke with Staley about her love of basketball and her new memoir, "Uncommon Favor: Basketball, North Philly, My Mother, and the Life Lessons I Learned from All Three." PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

In this episode of the Journey of My Mother's Son podcast, I talk with another fellow full-time RVer and good friend, Vince Padilla. Vince is a full time RVer, leather worker, photographer, and retired soccer coach. He and his wife Amy have been on the road for six years. We first met Vince and Amy on volunteer project through A Year to Volunteer at Sam Houston Jones State Park in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Vince has long been an advocate for mental health care and discussion and has been very public about his own struggles with depression and anxiety disorders. His photo series "Dreams" exploring aspects of his mental health journey, has been exhibited in several cities across the country. To find out more about Vince, you can follow We Could Be Lost on Facebook or Mr Vincepad on YouTube.

Dawn Staley helped Team USA's women's basketball team win gold at the ‘96 Olympics. It was the highlight of her career. Yet she fell into a depression that was so bad, she didn't even want to look at a basketball. Nothing prepared her to process reaching such a milestone. She was left asking herself: now what? With a resumé is full of career-highs (hi, 3x national champ), Dawn says the real reward isn't the trophy – it's all the work it took to get there. Dawn gets into it all in her new memoir, “Uncommon Favor: Basketball, North Philly, My Mother, and the Life Lessons I Learned from All Three”.  In this episode of 9 to 5ish, Dawn also shares:    How many shoes she has in her collection (sneakerheads beware) Why she aspired to play in the NBA – instead of the WNBA – growing up  How the taboo nature of mental health stopped her from asking for help post-Olympics Why she was insulted when approached for a coaching job  The one thing she wants to see change for women athletes this year PS: Dawn's memoir is out now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to the latest episode of Lunch with Shelley for a very special Mother's Day episode featuring my Mom Isobel Clearfield Slomowitz!  My Mother is a very beautiful, glamorous, smart, kind and super fun person, and she is a wonderful mother to me and my two sisters Nina and Nan, a terrific grandmother to Amanda, Max, Rebecca, Dani and Sam, and a devoted wife to my father Marvin.Join us at my mom's kitchen table in Palm Beach for the best tuna fish ever for a wide-ranging conversation about my mother's love of dancing, how she met my father, and fun stories about fashion and famous people spanning her decades in PA, NYC, Capri and all over the world.So check us out at www.lunchwithshelley.com or wherever you get your favorite podcast and as always and in the meantime Peace, Love and Lunch!  

(Airdate 5/19/25) Kevin Powell is a poet, journalist, civil and human rights activist, filmmaker and author of 15 books. His new poetry collection, Grocery Shopping with My Mother was released in 2024 to national acclaim. On this podcast he speaks on the profound influence that Malcolm X had on his life and our nation in commemoration of our nation.https://www.instagram.com/poetkevinpowell/ https://www.instagram.com/diprimaradio/ https://www.instagram.com/kbla1580/

In this episode of the Journey of My Mother's Son podcast, I talk with Eric McHugh. Eric is a 31-year-old entrepreneur whose philosophy emphasizes the importance of simplicity, adaptability, and a clear mind, which has translated well into the world of web3 entrepreneurship. Eric specializes in leveraging his strategic thinking and adaptability to create innovative and effective solutions to the challenges facing this cutting industry. Eric's fierce independence and commitment to self-mastery made him a natural leader and role model for those seeking to live a life of purpose and freedom in the digital age. As a staunch individualist, Eric is a vocal advocate for the decentralization of power and control, promoting the democratization of access and opportunity in the digital world. Eric has an IQ of over 140, enjoys playing chess and fine cuisine, and main hobbies include fighting, chess, and reading.    To connect with Eric, follow him on Instagram at @ericdmchugh.

Send us a text Joining me today is attorney, award-winning television personality and longtime women's heart health advocate, Star Jones. Star is here to discuss her journey as a survivor of heart disease and the launch of 'A Letter to My Mother' campaign, which encourages women to take the pledge to talk to their mother or the women in their life about heart health.  As the fourth generation in her family to experience heart disease, Star is a passionate advocate for women's health and heart health. https://www.medtronic.com/en-us/c/patients-caregivers/pan-cardiovascular/letter-to-my-mother.html

Happy Mother's Day! Let's set low expectations! Who is with me?! YouTube Short of My Mother's Day 2022 Story about Thomas Edison Sign Up for the School to Homeschool Newsletter School to Homeschool YouTube Channel Private Mentoring with Janae: Schedule a Free Discovery Call Etsy Store: Shop for Homeschooling Swag *Please note that some of the links included in this article are Amazon affiliate links. CONNECT with US Join the Private Facebook Group  Learn more about School to Homeschool Contact Janae: schooltohomeschool1@gmail.com

Mother's Day can stir a wide range of emotions—love, grief, reflection, and gratitude. In this deeply personal episode of Branding Room Only, host Paula Edgar shares a heartfelt tribute to her late mother, Joan Donna Griffith, whose love and wisdom laid the foundation for Paula's leadership, personal brand, and purpose-driven life.Through powerful stories, Paula honors the legacy her mother left behind and reflects on the lessons she's now passing on to her own daughter. This episode is a reminder that personal branding isn't just about visibility or strategy—it's also about values, intention, and how we carry forward the impact of those who came before us.Whether you're navigating motherhood, reflecting on your own maternal influences, or thinking about the legacy you're building, this episode is a love letter that offers inspiration, grounding, and a call to lead and love with care and intention.1:23 – The underlying principles in all actions taken that Joan instilled in Paula2:34 – Lessons that forged Paula's resiliency, perseverance, and approach to presence and branding3:52 – The roots of true leadership and doing things with care and intention that Joan embodied and passed on5:17 – What Paula hopes she and Joan would say if Joan were around today6:31 – Powerful lessons that Paula wants to pass on to her daughterMentioned In Lessons from My Mother, Hopes for My Daughter: On Mothering and What We Carry ForwardPersonal Branding Strategy SessionsSubscribe to The Branding Room Only on YouTubeA Tribute to My Mother Joan Donna GriffithThe Life & Legacy of Joan Donna Griffith: A Conversation with Peter Griffith (Part 1)The Life & Legacy of Joan Donna Griffith: A Conversation with Peter Griffith (Part 2)Call to ActionFollow & Review: If you enjoyed this episode, leave a 5-star review on your favorite podcast platform! Want more branding insights? Join Paula's newsletter for expert tips and exclusive content! Subscribe HereSponsor for this episodeThis episode is brought to you by PGE Consulting Group LLC.PGE Consulting Group LLC empowers individuals and organizations to lead with purpose, presence, and impact. Specializing in leadership development and personal branding, we offer keynotes, custom programming, consulting, and strategic advising—all designed to elevate influence and performance at every level.Founded and led by Paula Edgar, our work centers on practical strategies that enhance professional development, strengthen workplace culture, and drive meaningful, measurable change.To learn more about Paula and her services, go to www.paulaedgar.com or contact her at info@paulaedgar.com, and follow Paula Edgar and the PGE Consulting Group LLC on LinkedIn.

５月「今月のオススメ児童書」（Navi:藤木優子）紹介作品は、母方の祖母が亡くなったあと、実家に残ったまま帰らなくなってしまった母と母恋しさに風によばれるように母に会いに行った中学二年生の野々歩が森で共に過ごす一週間を描いた物語　八束澄子作『森と、母と、わたしの一週間』（ポプラ社）です。ミュンヘン国際推薦児童図書目録「ホワイト・レイブンズ」に選出の『明日のひこうき雲』 『団地のコトリ』（以上ポプラ社） その他『明日につづくリズム』『オレたちの明日に向かって』日本の伝統工芸のひとつ「金継ぎ」に触れて居場所を見つける３人の中学生の物語『ぼくたちは　まだ出逢っていない』 （以上ポプラ社） など多くの著作をもち、来年（2026）春には作家デビュー４０周年を迎えられる人気児童文学作家 八束澄子さんの最新作です。鳥取県智頭町の森のようちえん「まるたんぼう」という実在の幼稚園を舞台にしたこの作品は、自然の森の厳しさや美しさ、その中でエネルギッシュにたくましく生きる子どもたちの姿を通して、母と子の深いつながりを感じさせてくれます。５月の第二日曜日は「母の日」。ぜひ番組を聞いて下さいね。この番組では、あなたからの番組へのご意見・ご感想、またオススメ児童書をお待ちしています。ラジオを通してあなたがオススメしたい児童書はありませんか？作者名、作品名、そして簡単なメッセージを添えて、メールアドレス: joho@sakuraradio.comまたは、さくらラジオHP: www.sakuraradio.com 右上 の「お問い合わせ」にあります「リクエスト・情報提供フォーム」よりお気軽におよせください（英語・日本語どちらでも可）楽しみに待っています。May's “Recommended Children's Book of the Month” (Navi: Yuko Fujiki) is “A Week in the Forest, My Mother, and Me" written by Sumiko Yatsuka and published by Poplarsha. This is a story about a week spent together in the forest by Nonoho and her mother who has not returned since her maternal grandmother died. Nonoho is a second-year junior high school student who misses her mother and goes to see her to be called by the wind. The author is known for the books “Tomorrow's Thundercloud“ and ”Danchi no Kotori“ (both by Poplarsha), which were selected for the Munich International Recommended Children's Book Catalogue ”White Ravens,“ ”The Rhythm That Leads to Tomorrow,“ ”Toward Our Tomorrow,“ and ”We have not met yet,“ a story about three middle school students who find their place in Japan by experiencing the traditional Japanese craft of ”kintsugi" (all by Poplarsha). “A Week in the Forest, My Mother, and Me” is the latest work by popular children's literature author Sumiko Yatsuka, who will celebrate her 40th anniversary as an author next spring (2026).The second Sunday in May is “Mother's Day” and we hope you will enjoy listening to this program.We welcome your comments and suggestions for the program, as well as your recommendations for children's books. Do you have a children's book you would like to recommend through the radio? Please feel free to send us an e-mail with the author's name, the title of the book, and a brief message to our e-mail address: joho@sakuraradio.com or to Sakura Radio's homepage: www.sakuraradio.com. Please use the “Request/Information Form” in the “Contact Us” section on the upper right corner. We look forward to hearing from you!

In this episode of the Journey of My Mother's Son podcast, I talk with Brian Hite, Ph.D. Brian is "The High-Stakes Performance Whisperer," an expert in transforming how individuals and organizations perceive and navigate high-stakes environments. With over 30 years of experience as a professional stuntman and a decade coaching elite military personnel, Brian has dedicated his life to helping people see through the illusions of stress and pressure, unlocking clarity and achieving extraordinary results. Blending real-world expertise with academic rigor—including a Ph.D. in Organizational Psychology and a Master's in Sport Psychology—Brian empowers leaders, athletes, first responders, educators, and creatives to break free from the constraints of outdated thinking about high-stakes situations. Through his groundbreaking FACTs, he equips clients with the tools to master their mindset and act decisively in the moments that matter most. Brian's career spans Hollywood and beyond, with over 100 film and television credits and a Screen Actors Guild Award for his work on 24. As a Master Resilience Trainer for the U.S. Army, he spent a decade teaching soldiers how to reframe their perceptions of challenges, enabling them to perform with focus and confidence. Today, Brian continues to share his expertise through programs like PressureX, PhaseX, and FACTs; his podcast Flow Under Fire; and dynamic keynotes that inspire audiences to rethink their potential and embrace transformative growth. As a faculty member at Grand Canyon University, he mentors future leaders in performance and organizational psychology, ensuring his methods have a lasting impact. Whether speaking, writing, or coaching, Brian's mission is to guide others in shifting their perspective, harnessing their strengths, and realizing their full potential in even the most demanding circumstances. To find out more about Brian, you can check out his website at https://www.brianhiteglobal.com/.

This week, we dive into a truth that we often forget: We are the dreams of our ancestors. Join us as we explore the ways we can honor our ancestors in the lives we live today and how we can move forward in healing their wounds AND ours, not just for our own good, but for the good of our communities. Knowing this helps us get through anything, and this is the type of resilience many of us need right now.You will learn:// How I was inspired by my Black dharma teacher, Noliwe Alexander, and the phrase, “We are our ancestors' wildest dreams”// How we can gain resilience from remembering our ancestors' paths// The importance of acknowledging the weight our own lineage might have// Why being with our suffering contributes to more than just our own healing// What generational trauma is and how it impacts resourcing from our pastResources:// Episode 248: You Are a Cycle Breaker// Episode 59: The Parent Wound// Episode 174: Decolonize Your Mind - A Story of My Mother and Me// Rest is Resistance by Tricia Hersey// If you're new to the squad, grab the Rebel Buddhist Toolkit I created at RebelBuddhist.com. It has all you need to start creating a life of more freedom, adventure, and purpose. You'll also get access to the Rebel Buddhist private group, and tune in every Wednesday as I go live with new inspiration and topics. // Want something more self-paced with access to weekly group support and getting coached by yours truly? Check out Freedom School – the community for ALL things related to freedom, inside and out. We dive into taking wisdom and applying it to our daily lives, with different topics every month. Learn more at JoinFreedomSchool.com. I can't wait to see you there!// Have you benefited from even one episode of the Rebel Buddhist Podcast? I'd love it if you could leave a 5-star review on iTunes by clicking here  or on Spotify by clicking here.

In this episode of the Journey of My Mother's Son podcast, I talk with Dr. Fred Moss. A college dropout who found a job at a state mental health facility for adolescent boys. However, he didn't like how these kids were treated and decided to do something about it. So, he returned to college, and the rest is history. Dr. Fred Moss, MD, is a pioneering psychiatrist and the founder of Welcome to Humanity. With nearly four decades of experience in the field, Dr. Moss has dedicated his career to transforming the conversation around mental health and well-being. Educated at Northwestern University Medical School and board-certified in psychiatry, he has treated over 30,000 patients across various settings, including telepsychiatry, private practice, and correctional healthcare. Dr. Moss is best known for his unconventional approach to psychiatry, which emphasizes holistic healing through communication, connection, creativity, and self-expression. He challenges the traditional reliance on psychiatric diagnoses and medications, advocating instead for more human-centered and empathetic methods. This philosophy is encapsulated in his Creative 8™ methodology, which encourages activities like music, art, writing, and gardening as therapeutic practices and in his True Voice Methodology which assists people in finding their authentic voice through unconventional means and becoming comfortable speaking it authentically as a form of self-expression. . Throughout his career, Dr. Moss has been a vocal critic of the overprescription of psychiatric medications and the profit-driven nature of the mental health industry. He believes that true healing comes from understanding and embracing one's authentic self and fostering genuine human connections. His work has led him to develop a range of services, including mental health coaching, public speaking, telepsychiatry training, podcasting, teaching, and consulting. In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Moss is an accomplished author and podcaster. His books, "Creative 8: Healing Through Creativity & Self-Expression" and "Find Your True Voice," explore the foundational principles of his approach and offer practical guidance for personal growth and healing. He also hosts the Welcome to Humanity Podcast and the Healthy Healer Podcast, where he helps individuals find and express their true selves. He has also been a guest on over 200 podcasts, speaking about his practice and the importance of transforming the narrative of mental health on a global scale. His career highlights include serving as a psychiatric consultant to over 40 nursing homes, working as an expert witness in court, and founding Mastering TeleHealth, a training service dedicated to enhancing virtual care in healthcare organizations. Dr. Moss's diverse experience and innovative approach make him a leading voice in the field of mental health, advocating for a compassionate, authentic, and holistic approach to well-being. He firmly believes that at the center of all healing is a human connection. Dr. Fred Moss continues to inspire and guide individuals worldwide through his various platforms, helping them to reclaim their lives and embrace their full potential. His life's work is a testament to the power of communication, creativity, and authentic self-expression in achieving holistic health and well-being.  To find out more about Dr. Moss and the amazing work that he is doing, check out his website at https://www.drfred360.com/.

Journalist and author Anthea Rowan opens up on The Brand Called You about her personal journey with her mother's dementia and depression. From cultural misconceptions to caregiver burnout, she shares profound insights from her memoir A Silent Tsunami—blending science, emotion, and hard-earned wisdom.00:35- About Anthea RowanAnthea is a freelance journalist, a blogger, and an editor.She's the author of a book titled A Silent Tsunami: Swimming Against the Tide of My Mother's Dementia.

In this episode of the Journey of My Mother's Son podcast, I talk with Dr. Sharnael Wolverton Sehon. Better known as just Dr. Sharnael, she is a captivating multidisciplinary expert who seamlessly blends naturopathic medicine, spirituality, and quantum science to empower individuals on their journey to wholeness. As the founder of True TV and author of five groundbreaking books, including her international best seller "The Science of Miracles: RE-Membering the Frequency of Love," Dr. Sharnael offers a unique perspective on achieving optimal health and unlocking human potential. Her global influence spans over 51 countries, where she shares her transformative insights through speaking engagements, online classes, and social media platforms. She also has over 15,000 clients online, remote with her technology with long distance biofeedback. Dr. Sharnael has experienced paranormal phenomena and spiritual encounters, seeing these as linked to the awakening of human consciousness and spiritual ascension. Today, she helps people tap into their powerful intuition, deepen their connection to Source, and use practical tools to elevate their lives with ease and joy. She focuses on aromatherapy and crystal healing, endorsing their powerful frequencies. She also advocates for EMF protection devices and biohacking technologies to maintain balance. Her approach combines spiritual practices with modern science. To find out more about Dr. Sharnael, you can check out her website at https://www.drsharnael.com/.

Ready to fall in love with reading all over again? In this playful and heartwarming episode, we're serving up our favorite fun reads of 2025 (so far)! From swoon-worthy romances to juicy thrillers, fantastical escapes to deeply moving nonfiction—this is your ultimate spring/summer reading list. Jessica dishes on the cozy chaos of The Ex Hex series, the haunting truth of The House of My Mother, and her total obsession with everything Abby Jimenez writes (yes, she's THAT good). Kelly shares her fiction faves (The Berry Pickers and All the Colors of the Dark are must-reads!), her current sci-fi and fantasy flings, and the non-fiction titles changing her life—hello Good Inside and Radical Acceptance. So grab a cup of tea or a sparkling spritz, curl up with a blanket, and prepare to be inspired to crack open a new chapter in your reading life. Bonus: we even share where we find our books and spill on BookTok obsessions! Jessica's Top Picks

Book Recommendations (or not): I'm glad my Mom Died by Jeannette McCurdy When the Moon Turns to Blood by Leah Sottile Motorhome Prophecies by Carrie Sheffield Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara The House of My Mother by Shari Franke Dr... The post How do you define Anti-Lds AoN 919 appeared first on The Cultural Hall Podcast.

In this episode of the Journey of My Mother's Son podcast, I talk with Jeff Patterson. What sets Jeff Patterson apart from other meditation practitioners is his unique approach known as "The Yielding Warrior Method." Jeff teaches the five basic regulations that are fundamental to any meditative practice. He goes beyond traditional methods by incorporating ritual, active, and philosophical techniques to help individuals build a personalized, evolving meditation program that seamlessly fits their lifestyle. Jeff's expertise is reflected in his three published books, including his latest, "The Yielding Warrior," and hundreds of instructional videos. With over 36 years of experience and having worked with thousands of students globally through The Yielding Warrior online program, Jeff brings a wealth of knowledge and insights to the table. To find out more about Jeff and his meditation methods, you can check out his website at https://www.theyieldingwarrior.com/.

In conversation with Elana Benjamin, author of “From Baghdad to Bombay to Bondi: Simple Indian-Jewish recipes” and “My Mother's Spice Cupboard”.

Rebe Huntman joins Let's Talk Memoir for a conversation about who are we as women and what holds us together as a culture, following questions to their conclusions and changing in the process, running away from grief,  magical thinking, reinventing ourselves, Afro-Cuban traditions and relationships to the dead, hungering for answers, permission to be more than one thing, losing mothers and finding them again through memoir, spiritual mothers and keeping the dead close, and her new memoir My Mother in Havana: A Memoir of Magic & Miracle. Also in this episode: -getting a do over -trusting the writing process -including the beautiful and the terrible Books mentioned in this episode: When Women Were Dragons by Kelly Barnhill The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern Poetry by Richard Blanco Poetry by Aracelis Girmay REBE HUNTMAN is the author of My Mother in Havana: A Memoir of Magic & Miracle (February 2025, Monkfish Books), a memoir that traces her search to connect with her mother—thirty years after her death—among the gods and saints of Cuba. A former professional Latin and Afro-Cuban dancer and choreographer, for over a decade Rebe directed Chicago's award-winning Danza Viva Center for World Dance, Art & Music and its resident dance company, One World Dance Theater. She collaborates with native artists in Cuba and South America, and has been featured in LATINA Magazine, Chicago Magazine, and the Chicago Tribune, and on Fox and ABC. Rebe's essays, stories, and poems appear or are forthcoming in such places as The Southern Review, The Missouri Review, Parabola, Ninth Letter, The Cincinnati Review, and the PINCH, and have earned her an Ohio Individual Excellence Award as well as fellowships from the Macondo Writers' Conference, Virginia Center for Creative Arts, Ragdale Foundation, PLAYA Residency, Hambidge Center, and Brush Creek Foundation. She holds an MFA in creative nonfiction from The Ohio State University and lives in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, and Delaware, Ohio. Both e's in her name are long. Find her at www. rebehuntman.com and on Instagram at @rebehuntman. Connect with Rebe: Website: www.rebehuntman.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rebehuntman Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rebehuntmanauthor Links to purchase the book at www.rebehuntman.com/mymotherinhavana   – Ronit's writing has appeared in The Atlantic, The Rumpus, The New York Times, Poets & Writers, The Iowa Review, Hippocampus, The Washington Post, Writer's Digest, American Literary Review, and elsewhere. Her memoir WHEN SHE COMES BACK about the loss of her mother to the guru Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh and their eventual reconciliation was named Finalist in the 2021 Housatonic Awards Awards, the 2021 Indie Excellence Awards, and was a 2021 Book Riot Best True Crime Book. Her short story collection HOME IS A MADE-UP PLACE won Hidden River Arts' 2020 Eludia Award and the 2023 Page Turner Awards for Short Stories.  She earned an MFA in Nonfiction Writing at Pacific University, is Creative Nonfiction Editor at The Citron Review, and teaches memoir through the University of Washington's Online Continuum Program and also independently. She launched Let's Talk Memoir in 2022, lives in Seattle with her family of people and dogs, and is at work on her next book. More about Ronit: https://ronitplank.com Subscribe to Ronit's Substack: https://substack.com/@ronitplank Follow Ronit: https://www.instagram.com/ronitplank/ https://www.facebook.com/RonitPlank https://bsky.app/profile/ronitplank.bsky.social   Background photo credit: Photo by Patrick Tomasso on Unsplash Headshot photo credit: Sarah Anne Photography Theme music: Isaac Joel, Dead Moll's Fingers

John is joined by Sam Eldredge, Stacia Littlefield, and Michelle Patterson to talk about how to overcome our stuck places. Discover the role pervasive shame plays in your stuckness, what it looks like to be "in process" as you move from stuck to unstuck, and the different ways to enter into and experience God's healing for your story.Show Notes: For more on upcoming Noble Workshops (including May, June, August, and November 2025), visit www.nobleworkshops.com/get-started. The books Sam references are My Father's Eyes, My Mother's Rage by Rose Brik and The Way of the Heart by Henri Nouwen. Sign up for John's weekly videos at https://wildatheart.org on the bottom of the page._______________________________________________There is more.Got a question you want answered on the podcast? Ask us at Questions@WildatHeart.orgSupport the mission or find more on our website: WildAtHeart.org  or on our app.Apple: Wild At Heart AppAndroid: Wild At Heart AppWatch on YouTubeThe stock music used in the Wild at Heart podcast is titled “When Laid to Rest” by Patrick Rundblad and available here.More pauses available in the One Minute Pause app for Apple iOS and Android.Apple: One Minute Pause AppAndroid: One Minute Pause App

In this episode of the Journey of My Mother's Son podcast, I talk with Kim Giarraputo. Kim is a trusted real estate agent in Larchmont, NY. With over 20 years of experience in the area, Kim's roots run deep in the vibrant community. Having made Larchmont her home more than two decades ago, she understands the unique charm and allure that draws people to its beautiful location. Passionate about real estate, Kim's client-focused approach and innate kindness set her apart. She finds great joy in helping people navigate the intricate world of real estate, ensuring their dreams become a reality. Whether it's finding the perfect home for a growing family or assisting empty nesters in downsizing, Kim's dedication shines through in every transaction. What Kim loves most about the industry is the opportunity to connect people with their ideal homes. She believes in the power of finding the perfect space that resonates with her clients' lifestyles and aspirations. Moreover, Kim is enamored by Larchmont's proximity to the city and the abundance of outdoor activities it offers. From hiking to exploring the nearby river towns and parks, she appreciates the harmonious blend of urban convenience and natural beauty that this area provides. As a top-ranked agent in Westchester, Kim's achievements speak for themselves. Prior to her successful real estate career, she was a leading sales executive in the dental industry. Her business acumen and market knowledge make her a trusted advisor in the real estate realm. Kim's expertise extends beyond numbers and contracts; she possesses an innate understanding of the local market and trends, ensuring her clients make informed decisions. Outside of real estate, Kim treasures her role as a mother and the time spent with her family. She finds solace in cooking, walking/hiking, and biking, embracing the simple pleasures of life. An avid traveler and wine enthusiast, Kim values the importance of cultivating meaningful relationships with friends and loved ones. With a professional yet friendly demeanor, Kim is committed to serving the real estate needs of the community. Whether you're a first-time homebuyer, a seasoned investor, or looking to sell your property, Kim's expertise and genuine care will guide you every step of the way. Trust in Kim's knowledge, experience, and unwavering dedication to make your real estate journey a resounding success. To find out more about Kim, you can check out her website at https://www.kimgiarraputo.com/.

Hannah and I talk about mommy bloggers, specifically the Ruby Franke story. Hannah read the book written by her daughter, Shari Franke, called The House of My Mother & we both watched the Hulu documentary all about Ruby Franke, the YouTube Mommy vlogger sensation who's now in prison for child abuse fueled by religious delusion. Hannah and I also weigh in on our opinions on the Economic Blackout Dates- do they work? Do they matter? Is there anything else we can be doing instead?  

We're going behind the scenes of 8 Passengers "mommy" vlogger Ruby Franke's notorious downfall.  2025 has already given us eldest daughter Shari Franke's New York Times bestselling memoir, The House of My Mother, and a three-part documentary series, Devil in The Family, which shares shocking never-before-seen footage of the former YouTuber Mormon family. We're diving deep into both tell-alls to find out what this extreme case of mumfluencing gone wrong tells us about family, fame, religion and the internet. Also – we're chuffed by The White Lotus season finale. Are you? Get in touch: Write or send a voice note to Stopeverything@abc.net.auResources: kids helpline Show notes:Devil in the Family on Disney PlusSuja explores white chutneys

Don't miss this powerful forthcoming interview with Harvard-trained psychologist Suzanne Manser. She shares how her well-meaning yet narcissistic mother shaped her life and inspired her book, I Hate You: A Love Letter to My Mother.Learn how parents impact a child's sense of self—and how children of narcissists can navigate these complex relationships. Tune in!---✨ Grief & Rebirth Resources and Healing Tools ✨Welcome to a space for finding healing modalities, inspiration, and growth. Below, you'll find some of the most important resources to help guide you through your journey. ---

In this episode of the Journey of My Mother's Son podcast, I talk with Bryan Driscoll. Bryan is a first-time author with a passion for inspiring kindness and creating positive change in the world. Twenty years ago, a stranger literally picked him up off the street and gave him a plate of spaghetti and a bedroom he had to share with an oversized cat. This small act of kindness sparked an unending desire to pay it forward, ultimately leading to the goodness game. That one small act of kindness left an indelible mark on Bryan's life and set off a ripple effect that lasted over twenty years now, with most recently leading him to write his first book, The Goodness Game. Bryan states, “It all started with a single act of kindness. About 20 years ago, I found myself at a crossroads in life-lost and unsure of where I was heading. That's when a kind stranger, a woman I'll never forget, picked me up off the street and gave me a helping hand when I needed it most. This small act changed the entire course of my life, reminding me of the power one person can have on another's future.” “Years later, I decided to pay it forward. Inspired by that experience, I made a simple Craigslist post offering free help to anyone in need. The response was overwhelming, and that small gesture quickly caught the attention of local media. The story spread across the country, making national headlines as a shining example of how small acts of kindness can create a ripple effect far larger than you ever imagined.” He lives in Pittsburgh with an amazing wife who puts up with his insanity—and probably encourages it more than she should. He has three sons, all different and awesome in their own way. They say they get their awesomeness from their father, and he won't argue, even if everyone knows the truth. He runs a successful digital marketing agency and is an active real estate investor, though he'd tell you his biggest strength is getting back up when life punches him in the face. And it's punched him quite a few times, though a few of those punches might have been deserved. When he's not working, Bryan enjoys mountain biking, skiing with his sons, and spending time with his family. He focuses on living in the moment, avoiding the distractions of social media, and helping others achieve personal and professional growth through public speaking and teaching. To find out more about Bryan, you can check out his website at https://www.goodnessgame.com/.

Can You Segway?Book 3 in 18 parts, By FinalStand. Listen to the ► Podcast at Explicit Novels.So exactly who was going to be sympathetic to their plight, who we cared about?Beyond my fevered dream of making a difference there was a pinch of reality. See, the Cabindans and the people of Zaire were both ethnic Bakongo and the Bakongo of Zaire had also once had their own, independent (until 1914) kingdom which was now part of Angola. The Bakongo were major factions in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) -(formerly for a short time known as the nation of Zaire, from here on out to be referred to as the DRC and in the running for the most fucked up place on the planet Earth, more on that later)- and Congo (the nation) yet a minority in Angola. Having an independent nation united along ethnic and linguistic lines made sense and could expect support from their confederates across international boundaries.The Liberation Air ForceThe Earth & Sky operated under one constant dilemma ~ when would Temujin make his return? Since they didn't know and it was their job to be prepared for the eventuality if it happened tomorrow, or a century down the line, they 'stockpiled', and 'stockpiled' and 'stockpiled'.That was why they maintained large horse herds and preserved the ancient arts of Asian bowyers, armoring and weapons-craft. That was why they created secret armories, and sulfur and saltpeter sites when musketry and cannons became the new ways of warfare. They secured sources of phosphates and petroleum when they became the new thing, and so on.All of this boiled over to me being shown yet again I worked with clever, creative and under-handed people. The Khanate came up with a plan for a 'Union' Air Force {Union? More on that later} within 24 hours, and it barely touched any of their existing resources. How did they accomplish this miracle? They had stockpiled and maintained earlier generation aircraft because they didn't know when Temujin would make his re-appearance.They'd also trained pilots and ground crews for those aircraft. As you might imagine, those people grew old just as their equipment did. In time, they went into the Earth & Sky's Inactive Reserves ~ the rank & file over the age of 45. You never were 'too old' to serve in some capacity though most combat-support related work ended at 67.When Temujin made his return and the E&S transformed into the Khanate, those people went to work bringing their lovingly cared for, aging equipment up to combat-alert readiness. If the frontline units were decimated, they would have to serve, despite the grim odds of their survival. It was the terrible acceptance the Chinese would simply possess so much more war-making material than they did.Well, the Khanate kicked the PRC's ass in a titanic ass-whooping no one (else) had seen coming, or would soon forget. Factory production and replacement of worn machines was in stride to have the Khanate's Air Force ready for the next round of warfare when the Cease-fire ended and the Reunification War resumed.Always a lower priority, the Khanate military leadership was considering deactivating dozens of these reserve unit when suddenly the (Mongolian) Ikh khaany khairt akh dáé (me) had this hare-brained scheme about helping rebels in Africa, West Africa, along the Gulf of Guinea coast/Atlantic Ocean, far, far away, and it couldn't look like the Khanate was directly involved.They barely knew where Angola was. They had to look up Cabinda to figure out precisely where that was. They brought in some of their 'reservist' air staff to this briefing and one of them, a woman (roughly a third of the E&S 'fighting'/non-frontline forces were female), knew what was going on. Why?She had studied the combat records and performance of the types of aircraft she'd have to utilize... back in the 1980's and 90's and Angola had been a war zone rife with Soviet (aka Khanate) material back then. Since she was both on the ball, bright and knew the score, the War Council put her in overall command. She knew what was expected of her and off she went, new staff in hand. She was 64 years old, yet as ready and willing to serve as any 20 year old believer in the Cause.Subtlety, scarcity and audacity were the watchwords of the day. The Khanate couldn't afford any of their front-line aircraft for this 'expedition'. They really couldn't afford any of their second-rate stuff either. Fortunately, they had some updated third-rate war-fighting gear still capable of putting up an impressive show in combat ~ providing they weren't going up against a top tier opponents.For the 'volunteers' of the Union Air Force, this could very likely to be a one-way trip. They all needed crash courses (not a word any air force loves, I know) in Portuguese though hastily provided iPhones with 'apps' to act as translators were deemed to be an adequate stop-gap measure. Besides, they were advised to avoid getting captured at all cost. The E&S couldn't afford the exposure. Given the opportunity ~ this assignment really was going above and beyond ~ not one of these forty-six to sixty-seven year olds backed out.No, they rolled out fifty of their antiquated aircraft, designs dating back to the 1950's through the mid-70's, and prepared them for the over 10,000 km journey to where they were 'needed most'. 118 pilots would go (72 active plus 46 replacements) along with 400 ground crew and an equally aged air defense battalion (so their air bases didn't get blown up). Security would be provided by 'outsiders' ~ allies already on the ground and whatever rebels could be scrounged up. After the initial insertion, the Indian Air Force would fly in supplies at night into the Cabinda City and Soyo Airports.The composition,14 Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 jet fighters ~ though she entered service in 1959, these planes' electronics were late 20th century and she was a renowned dogfighter. 12 were the Mig-21-97 modernized variant and the other two were Mig-21 UM two-seater trainer variants which could double as reconnaissance fighters if needed.14 Sukhoi Su-22 jet fighter-bombers ~ the original design, called the Su-17, came out in 1970, the first 12 were variants with the 22M4 upgrade were an early-80's package. The other 2 were Su-22U two-seat trainers which, like their Mig-21 comrades, doubled as reconnaissance fighters. The Su-22M4's would be doing the majority of the ground attack missions for the Cabindans, though they could defend themselves in aerial combat if necessary.6 Sukhoi Su-24M2 supersonic attack aircraft ~ the first model rolled off the production lines in the Soviet Union back in 1974. By far the heaviest planes in the Cabindan Air Force, the Su-24M2's would act as their 'bomber force' as well as anti-ship deterrence.8 Mil Mi-24 VM combat helicopters ~ introduced in 1972 was still a lethal combat machine today. Unlike the NATO helicopter force, the Mi-24's did double duty as both attack helicopter and assault transports at the same time.4 Mil Mi-8 utility helicopters, first produced in 1967. Three would act as troop/cargo transports (Mi-8 TP) while the fourth was configured as a mobile hospital (the MI-17 1VA).4 Antonov An-26 turboprop aircraft, two to be used as tactical transports to bring in supplies by day and two specializing in electronic intelligence aka listening to what the enemy was up to. Though it entered production in 1969, many still remained flying today.2 Antonov An-71M AEW&C twin-jet engine aircraft. These were an old, abandoned Soviet design the Earth & Sky had continued working on primarily because the current (1970's) Russian Airborne Early Warning and Control bird had been both huge and rather ineffective ~ it couldn't easily identify low-flying planes in the ground clutter so it was mainly only good at sea. Since the E&S planned to mostly fight over the land,They kept working on the An-71 which was basically 1977's popular An-72 with some pertinent design modifications (placing the engines below the wings instead of above them as on the -72 being a big one). To solve their radar problem, they stole some from the Swedish tech firm Ericsson, which hadn't been foreseen to be a problem before now.See, the Russians in the post-Soviet era created a decent AEW&C craft the E&S gladly stole and copied the shit out of for their front line units and it was working quite nicely ~ the Beriev A-50, and wow, were the boys in the Kremlin pissed off about that these days. Whoops, or was that woot?Now, the Khanate was shipping two An-71's down to Cabinda and somewhere along the line someone just might get a 'feel' for the style of radar and jamming the Cabindans were using aka the Swedish stuff in those An-71's. The Erieye radar system could pick out individual planes at 280 miles. The over-all system could track 60 targets and plot out 10 intercepts simultaneously. NATO, they were not, but in sub-Saharan Africa, there were none better.Anyway, so why was any of this important?Why the old folks with their ancient machines? As revealed, since the Earth & Sky had no idea when Temüjin would return, they were constantly squirreling away equipment. World War 2 gave them unequaled access to Soviet military technology and training.Afterwards, under Josef Stalin's direction, thousands of Russian and German engineers and scientists were exiled to Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan who were then snatched up (reportedly died in the gulags/trying to escape) and the E&S began building mirror factories modeled on the 'then current' Soviet production lines.So, by the early 1950's, the E&S was building, flying and maintaining Soviet-style Antonov, Beriev, Ilyushin, Myasishchev, Mikoyan-Gurevich, Sukhoi, Tupolev and Yakovlev airplanes. First in small numbers because their pool of pilots and specialists was so small.The E&S remedied this by creating both their own 'private' flight academies and technical schools. They protected their activities with the judicious use of bribes (they were remarkably successful with their economic endeavors on both side of the Iron Curtain) and murders (including the use of the Ghost Tigers).By 1960, the proto-Khanate had an air force. Through the next two decades they refined and altered their doctrine ~ moving away from the Soviet doctrine to a more pure combined-arms approach (the Soviets divided their air power into four separate arms ~ ADD (Long Range Aviation), FA (Front Aviation), MTA (Military Transport Aviation) and the V-PVO (Soviet Air Defenses ~ which controlled air interceptors).).It wasn't until the collapse of the Soviet Union and the independence of the various former SSR's that the E&S program really began to hit its stride. Still, while Russia faltered, China's PLAAF (Peoples' Liberation Army Air Force) began to take off. Since the Chinese could produce so much more, the E&S felt it had to keep those older planes and crews up to combat readiness. The younger field crews and pilots flew the newer models as they rolled off the secret production lines.Then the Unification War appeared suddenly, the E&S-turned Khanate Air Force skunked their PLAAF rivals due to two factors, a surprise attack on a strategic level and the fatal poisoning of their pilots and ground crews before they even got into the fight. For those Chinese craft not destroyed on the ground, the effects of Anthrax eroded their fighting edge. Comparable technology gave the Khanate their critical victory and Air Supremacy over the most important battlefields.What did this meant for those out-of-date air crews and pilots who had been training to a razor's edge for a month now? Their assignment had been to face down the Russians if they invaded. They would take their planes up into the fight even though this most likely would mean their deaths, but they had to try.When Operation Fun House put Russia in a position where she wasn't likely to jump on the Khanate, this mission's importance faded. The Russian Air Force was far more stretched than the Khanate's between her agitations in the Baltic and her commitments in the Manchurian, Ukrainian, Chechen and Georgian theaters.With more new planes rolling off the production lines, these reservist units began dropping down the fuel priority list, which meant lowering their flight times thus readiness. Only my hare-brained scheme had short-circuited their timely retirement. Had I realized I was getting people's grandparents killed, I would have probably made the same call anyway. We needed them.The KanateThe Khanate's #1 air superiority dogfighter was the Mig-35F. The #2 was the Mig-29. No one was openly discussing the Khanate's super-stealthy "Su-50", if that was what it was, because its existence 'might' suggest the Khanate also stole technology from the Indian defense industry, along with their laundry list of thefts from South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, the PRC, Russia and half of NATO.Her top multi-role fighters were the Su-47, Su-35S and Su-30SM. The Su-30 'Flanker-C/MK2/MKI were their 2nd team with plenty of 3rd team Su-27M's still flying combat missions as well.Strike fighters? There weren't enough Su-34's to go around yet, so the Su-25MS remained the Khanate's dedicated Close Air Assault model.Medium transport aircraft? The An-32RE and An-38. They had small, large and gargantuan transports as well.Bombers? The rather ancient jet-powered Tu-160M2's and Tu-22M2's as well as the even older yet still worthwhile turboprops ~ from 1956's ~ the Tu-95M S16.Helicopters? While they still flew updated variants of the Mil Mi-8/17 as military transports, the more optimized Kamov Ka-52 and Mil Mi-28 had replaced them in the assault role.Bizarrely, the Khanate had overrun several Chinese production lines of the aircraft frames and components ~ enough to complete fairly modern PLAAF (Peoples Liberation Army Air Force) FC-1 and J-10 (both are small multi-role fighter remarkably similar to the US F-16 with the FC-1 being the more advanced model, using shared Chinese-Pakistani technology and was designed for export,).They did have nearly two dozen to send, but they didn't have the pilots and ground crews trained to work with them, plus the FC-1 cost roughly $32 million which wasn't fundage any legitimate Cabindan rebels could get their hands on, much less $768 million (and that would just be for the planes, not the weeks' worth of fuel, parts and munitions necessary for what was forthcoming).Meanwhile, except for the An-26, which you could get for under $700,000 and the An-71, which were only rendered valuable via 'black market tech', none of the turboprop and jet aircraft the Khanate was sending were what any sane military would normally want. The helicopters were expensive ~ the 'new' models Mi-24's cost $32 million while the Mi-17's set you back $17 million. The one's heading to Cabinda didn't look 'new'.The Opposition:In contrast, the Angolan Air Force appeared far larger and more modern. Appearances can be deceptive, and they were. Sure, the models of Russian and Soviet-made aircraft they had in their inventory had the higher numbers ~ the Su-25, -27 and -30 ~ plus they had Mig-21bis's, Mig-23's and Su-22's, but things like training and up-keep didn't appear to be priorities for the Angolans.When you took into account the rampant corruption infecting all levels of Angolan government, the conscript nature of their military, the weakness of their technical educational system, the complexity of any modern combat aircraft and the reality that poor sods forced into being Air Force ground crewmen hardly made the most inspired technicians, or most diligent care-takers of their 'valuable' stockpiles (which their officers all too often sold on the black market anyway), things didn't just look bleak for the Angolan Air Force, they were a tsunami of cumulative factors heading them for an epic disaster.It wasn't only their enemies who derided their Air Force's lack of readiness. Their allies constantly scolded them about it too. Instead of trying to fix their current inventory, the Angolans kept shopping around for new stuff. Since 'new'-new aircraft was beyond what they wanted to spend (aka put too much of a dent in the money they were siphoning off to their private off-shore accounts), they bought 'used' gear from former Soviet states ~ Belarus, Russia and Ukraine ~ who sold them stuff they had left abandoned in revetments (open to the elements to slowly rot) on the cheap.To add to the insanity, the Angolans failed to keep up their maintenance agreements so their newly fixed high-tech machines often either couldn't fly, or flew without critical systems, like radar, avionics and even radios. Maybe that wasn't for the worst because after spending millions on these occasionally-mobile paperweights, the Angolans bought the least technologically advanced missile, gun and rocket systems they could get to put on these flying misfortunes.On the spread sheets, Angola had 18 Su-30K's, 18 Su-27, 12 Su-25's, 14 Su-22's, 22 Mig-23's, 23 Mig-21bis's and 6 Embraer EMB 314 Super Tucano (a turboprop aircraft tailor-made for counter-insurgency operations), 105 helicopters with some combative ability and 21 planes with some airlift capacity. That equated to 81 either air superiority, or multi-role jet fighters versus the 12 Union Air Force (actually the Bakongo Uni o de Cabinda e Zaire, For as Armadas de Liberta  o, For a Area ~ Liberation Armed Forces, Air Force (BUCZ-FAL-FA) Mig-21-97's.It would seem lopsided except for the thousands of hours of flight experience the 'Unionists' enjoyed over their Angolan rivals. You also needed to take into account the long training and fanatic dedication of their ground crews to their pilots and their craft. Then you needed to take into account every Unionist aircraft, while an older airframe design, had updated (usually to the year 2000) technology lovingly cared for, as if the survival of their People demanded it.A second and even more critical factor was the element of surprise. At least the PRC and the PLAAF had contingencies for attacks from their neighbors in the forefront of their strategic planning. The Angolans? The only country with ANY air force in the vicinity was the Republic of South Africa (RSA) and they had ceased being a threat with the end of Apartheid and the rise of majority Black rule in that country nearly two decades earlier.In the pre-dawn hours of 'Union Independence Day', the FAL-FA was going to smash every Angolan Air base and air defense facility within 375 miles of Cabinda (the city). Every three hours after that, they would be hitting another target within their designated 'Exclusion Zone'. Yes, this 'Exclusion Zone' included a 'tiny' bit of DRC (Democratic Republic of Congo) territory. The DRC didn't have an air force to challenge them though, so,Inside this 'Exclusion Zone', anything moving by sea, river, road, rail, or air without Unionist governmental approval was subject to attack, which would require neutral parties to acknowledge some semblance of a free and independent B U C Z. Worse for Angola, this 'Zone' included Angola's capital and its largest port, Luanda, plus four more of their ten largest urban centers. This could be an economic, military and humanitarian catastrophe if mishandled.The Angolan Army did not have significant anti-aircraft assets. Why would they? Remember, no one around them had much of an air force to worry about. The FAL-FA in turn could hit military convoys with TV-guided munitions 'beyond line of sight', rendering what they did have useless. It got worse for the Army after dark. The FAL-FA could and would fly at night whereas the average Angolan formation had Zip-Zero-Nadda night fighting capacity.Then geography added its own mountain of woes. As far as Cabinda was concerned, there was no direct land line to their border from Angola. Their coastal road only went as far as the port of Soyo where the Congo River hit the South Atlantic Ocean. Across that massive gap was the DRC where the road was not picked back up. Far up the coast was the DRC town of Muanda (with an airport) and though they did have a road which went north, it did not continue to the Cabindan border.Nope. To get at Cabinda from the south meant a long, torturous travel through northeastern Angola, into the heart of the DRC then entailed hooking west to some point 'close' to the Cabindan frontier before finally hoofing it overland through partially cleared farmland and jungle. Mind you, the DRC didn't have a native air force capable of protecting the Angolans in their territory so,In fact the only 'road' to Cabinda came from the Republic of Congo (Congo) to the north and even that was a twisted route along some really bad, swampy terrain. This had been the pathway of conquest the Angolans took 39 years earlier. The difference being the tiny bands of pro-independence Cabindan guerillas back then couldn't hold a candle to the Amazons fighting to free Cabinda this time around in numbers, zeal, training and up-to-date equipment.Next option ~ to come by sea. They would face a few, stiff problems, such as the FAL-FA having ship-killer missiles, the Angolan Navy not being able to defend them and the Unionists having no compunction to not strike Pointe-Noire in the 'not so neutral' Republic of the Congo if they somehow began unloading Angolan troops. It seemed the Republic of the Congo didn't have much of an Air Force either.Before you think the FAL-FA was biting off more than they could chew, Cabinda, the province, was shaped somewhat like the US State of Delaware, was half the size of Connecticut (Cabinda was 2,810 sq. mi. to Conn.'s 5,543 sq. mi.) and only the western 20% was relatively open countryside where the Angolan Army's only advantage ~ they possessed armed fighting vehicles while the 'Unionists' did not (at this stage of planning) ~ could hopefully come into play.Centered at their capital, Cabinda (City), jets could reach any point along their border within eight minutes. Helicopters could make it in fifteen. To be safe, some of the FAL-FA would base at the town of Belize which was in the northern upcountry and much tougher to get at with the added advantage the Angolans wouldn't be expecting the FAL-FA to be using the abandoned airfield there, at least initially.Where they afraid attacking Angolan troops in the DRC would invite war with the DRC? Sure, but letting the Angolans reach the border unscathed was worse. Besides, the DRC was in such a mess it needed 23,000 UN Peacekeepers within her borders just to keep the country from falling apart. Barring outside, read European, intervention, did "Democratically-elected since 2001" President (for Life) Joseph Kabila want the FAL-FA to start dropping bombs on his capital, Kinshasa, which was well within reach of all their aircraft?Congo (the country), to the north, wasn't being propped up by the UN, or anything else except ill intentions. In reality, it hardly had much of a military at all. Its officer corps was chosen for political reliability, not merit, or capability. Their technology was old Cold War stuff with little effort to update anything and, if you suspected corruption might be a problem across all spectrums of life, you would 'probably' be right about that too.If you suspected the current President had been in charge for a while, you would be correct again (1979-1992 then 2001- and the 'whoops' was when he accidently let his country experiment with democracy which led to two civil wars). If you suspected he was a life-long Communist (along with the Presidents of the DRC and Angola), you'd be right about that as well. Somehow their shared Marxist-Leninist-Communist ideology hadn't quite translated over to alleviating the grinding poverty in any of those countries despite their vast mineral wealth,At this point in the region's history, little Cabinda had everything to gain by striving for independence and the vast majority of 'warriors' who could possibly be sent against her had terribly little to gain fighting and dying trying to stop them from achieving her goal. After all, their lives weren't going to get any better and with the Amazons ability ~ nay willingness ~ to commit battlefield atrocities, those leaders were going to find it hard going to keep sending their men off to die.And then, it got even worse.See, what I had pointed out was there were two oil refineries in Angola, and neither was in Cabinda. Cabinda would need a refinery to start making good on their oil wealth ~ aka economically bribe off the Western economies already shaken over the Khanate's first round of aggressions.But wait! There was an oil refinery just across the Congo River from Cabinda ~ which meant it was attached to mainland Angola. That had to be a passel of impossible news, right?Nope. As I said earlier, it seemed the people of northern Angola were the same racial group as the Cabindans AND majority Catholic while the ruling clique wasn't part of their ethnic confederacy plus the farther south and east into Angola you went, the less Catholic it became.But it got better. This province was historically its own little independent kingdom (called the Kingdom of Kongo) to boot! It had been abolished by Portugal back in 1914.The 'good' news didn't end there. Now, it wasn't as if the leadership of Angola was spreading the wealth around to the People much anyway, but these northerners had been particularly left out of this Marxist version of 'Trickle Down' economics.How bad was this? This northwestern province ~ called Zaire ~ didn't have any railroads, or paved roads, linking it to the rest of the freaking country. The 'coastal road' entered the province, but about a third of the way up ran into this river, which they'd failed to bridge (you had to use a single track bridge farther to the northeast, if you can believe it). It wasn't even a big river. It was still an obstacle though.How did the Angolan government and military planned to get around? Why by air and sea, of course. Well, actually by air. Angola didn't have much of a merchant marine, or Navy, to make sealift a serious consideration. Within hours of the 'Union Declaration of Independence' anything flying anywhere north of the Luanda, the capital of Angola, would essentially be asking to be blown out of the sky.Along the border between Zaire province and the rest of Angola were precisely two chokepoints. By 'chokepoints', I meant places where a squad (10 trained, modernly-equipped troopers) could either see everything for miles & miles over pretty much empty space along a river valley and the only bridge separating Zaire province from the south, or overlook a ravine which the only road had to pass through because of otherwise bad-ass, broken terrain.Two.Zaire Province had roughly the same population as Cabinda ~ 600,000. Unlike Cabinda, which consisted of Cabinda City plus a few tiny towns and rugged jungles, Zaire had two cities ~ Soyo, with her seventy thousand souls plus the refinery at the mouth of the Congo River, and M'banza-Kongo, the historical capital of the Kingdom of Kongo, spiritual center of the Bakongo People (who included the Cabindans) and set up in the highlands strategically very reminiscent of Điện Biàn Phủ.Of Zaire's provincial towns, the only other strategic one was N'Zeto with her crappy Atlantic port facility and 2,230 meter grass airport. The town was the northern terminus of the National Road 100 ~ the Coastal Road. It terminated because of the Mebridege River. There wasn't a bridge at N'Zeto though there was a small one several miles upstream. N'Zeto was also where the road from provinces east of Zaire ended up, so you had to have N'Zeto ~ and that tiny bridge ~ to move troops overland anywhere else in Zaire Province.So you would think it would be easy for the Angolan Army to defend then, except of how the Amazons planned to operate. They would infiltrate the area first then 'rise up in rebellion'. Their problem was the scope of the operation had magnified in risk of exposure, duration and forces necessary for success.The serious issue before Saint Marie and the Host in Africa were the first two. They could actually move Amazons from Brazil and North America to bolster their numbers for the upcoming offensive. Even in the short-short term, equipment wouldn't be a serious problem. What the Amazons dreaded was being left in a protracted slugfest with the Angolan Army which the Condottieri could jump in on. The Amazons exceedingly preferred to strike first then vanish.There was reason to believe a tiny number could have stayed behind in Cabinda to help the locals prepare their military until they could defend themselves. They would need more than a hundred Amazons if Cabinda wanted to incorporate Zaire. The answer was to call back their newfound buddy, the Great Khan. While he didn't have much else he could spare (the Khanate was ramping up for their invasion of the Middle East after all, the Kurds needed the help), he had other allies he could call on.India couldn't help initially since they were supposed to supply the 'Peace-keepers' once a cease-fire had been arranged. That left Temujin with his solid ally, Vietnam, and his far shakier allies, the Republic of China and Japan.First off ~ Japan could not help, which meant they couldn't supply troops who might very well end up dead, or far worse, captured.. What they did have was a surplus of older equipment the ROC troops were familiar with, so while the ROC was gearing up for their own invasion of mainland China in February, they were willing to help the Chinese kill Angolans, off the books, of course.The ROC was sending fifteen hundred troops the Khanate's way to help in this West African adventure with the understanding they'd be coming home by year's end. With Vietnam adding over eight hundred of her own Special Forces, the Amazons had the tiny 'allied' army they could leave shielding Cabinda/Zaire once the first round of blood-letting was over.To be 'fair', the Republic of China and Vietnam asked for 'volunteers'. It wasn't like either country was going to declare war on Angola directly. Nearly a thousand members of Vietnam's elite 126th Regiment of the 5th Brigade (Đặc cáng bộ) took early retirement then misplaced their equipment as they went to update their visas and inoculations before heading out for the DRC (some would be slipping over the DRC/Cabindan border).On Taiwan, it was the men and women of the 602nd Air Cavalry Brigade, 871st Special Operations Group and 101st Amphibious Reconnaissance Battalion who felt the sudden desire to 'seek enlightenment elsewhere, preferably on another continent'.They too were off to the Democratic Republic of Congo, man that country was a mess and their border security wasn't worth writing home about, that's for damn sure, via multiple Southeast Asian nations. Besides, they were being issued fraudulently visas which showed them to be from the People's Republic of China, not the ROC/Taiwan. If they were captured, they were to pretend to "be working for a Communist Revolution inside Angola and thus to be setting all of Africa on fire!" aka be Mainland Chinese.There, in the DRC, these Chinese stumbled across, some Japanese. These folks hadn't retired. No. They were on an extended assignment for the UN's mission in, the DRC. OH! And look! They'd brought tons of surplus, outdated Japanese Self Defense Forces' equipment with them, and there just so happened to be some Taiwanese who had experience in using such equipment (both used US-style gear).And here was Colonel Yoshihiro Isami of the Chūō Sokuō Shūdan (Japan's Central Readiness Force) wondering why he and his hastily assembled team had just unloaded,18 Fuji/Bell AH-1S Cobra Attack helicopters,6 Kawasaki OH-6D Loach Scout helicopters,12 Fuji-Bell 204-B-2 Hiyodori Utility helicopters,6 Kawasaki/Boeing CH-47JA Chinook Transport helicopters and4 Mitsubishi M U-2L-1 Photo Reconnaissance Aircraft.Yep! 46 more aircraft for the FAL-FA!Oh, and if this wasn't 'bad enough', the Chinese hadn't come alone. They'd brought some old aircraft from their homes to aid in the upcoming struggle. Once more, these things were relics of the Cold War yet both capable fighting machines and, given the sorry state of the opposition, definitely quite deadly. A dozen F-5E Tiger 2000 configured primarily for air superiority plus two RF-5E Tigergazer for reconnaissance, pilots plus ground crews, of course.Thus, on the eve of battle, the FAL-FA had become a true threat. Sure, all of its planes (and half of its pilots) were pretty old, but they were combat-tested and in numbers and experience no other Sub-Saharan African nation could match.The Liberation Ground Forces:But wait, there was still the niggling little problem of what all those fellas were going to fight with once they were on the ground. Assault/Battle rifles, carbines, rifles, pistols, PDW, SMGs as bullets, grenades and RPG's were all terrifyingly easy to obtain. The coast of West Africa was hardly the Port of London as far as customs security went. They were going to need some bigger toys and their host nations were going to need all their native hardware for their upcoming battles at home.And it wasn't like you could advertise for used IFV (Infantry Fighting Vehicles), APCs (armored personnel carriers) and tanks on e-Bay, Amazon.com, or Twitter. If something modern US, or NATO, was captured rolling around the beautiful Angolan countryside, shooting up hostile Angolans, all kinds of head would roll in all kinds of countries, unless the country,A) had an Executive Branch and Judiciary who wouldn't ask (or be answering) too many uncomfortable questions,B) wasn't all that vulnerable to international pressure,C) really needed the money and,D) didn't give a fuck their toys would soon be seen on BBC/CNN/Al Jazeera blowing the ever-living crap out of a ton of Africans aka doing what they were advertised to do and doing it very well in the hands of capable professionals.And politics was kind enough to hand the freedom-loving people of Cabinda & Zaire a winner, and it wasn't even from strangers, or at least people all that strange to their part of the Globe. If you would have no idea who to look for, you wouldn't be alone.That was the magic of the choice. See, the last three decades had seen the entire Globe take a colossal dump on them as a Nation and a People. They were highly unpopular for all sorts of things, such as Crimes Against Humanity and 'no', we were not talking about the Khanate.We would be talking about Република Србија / Republika Srbija aka Serbia aka the former Yugoslavia who had watched all their satellite minions (Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Montenegro, Kosovo and Macedonia) slip away. Despite being reduced to a tiny fraction of their former selves thus fighting two incredibly brutal and bloody World Wars for nothing, Serbia insisted on maintaining a robust armaments industry.Mind you, they didn't make the very best stuff on the planet. That didn't stop them from trying though. Of equal importance was their geographic location and the above mentioned desire for some hard currency without asking too many questions. The geography was simple, you could move even heavy gear unnoticed from central Serbia to the Montenegrin port of Bar by rail and load them up on freighters and off to the Congo you went.The Serbians produced an APC called the BVP M-80A's which weren't blowing anyone's minds away when they started rolling off the production lines back in 1982, plus some over-eager types on the Serbian Army's payroll sweetened the deal by offering 'the rebels' some BVP M-80 KC's and a KB as well.Then they slathered on the sugary-sweet Maple syrup by upgrading a few of the M-80A's to BVP M-98A's. Why would they be so generous? The KC's and KB were the Command & Control variants, so that made sense (C = company & B = battalion commander). The -98A had never been tested in the field before and they were kind of curious how the new turrets (which was the major difference) would behave. 'Our' procurement agents didn't quibble. We needed the gear.Besides, these Slavic entrepreneurs gave them an inside track on some 'disarmed/mothballed' Czech (introduced in 1963) armored mobile ambulances and Polish BWP-1 (first rolled out in 1966) APC's which were either in, or could be quickly configured into, the support variants those ground-fighters would need. The 'disarmed' part was 'fixable', thanks to both the Serbians and Finland. The 'missing' basic weaponry was something the Serbians could replace with virtually identical equipment.It just kept getting better. Unknown to me at the time, the Finnish firm, Patria Hágglunds, had sold twenty-two of their 'most excellent' AMOS turrets ~ they are a twin 120 mm mortar system ~ then the deal fell through. Whoops! Should have guarded that warehouse better. Those bitches were on a cargo plane bound for Albania inside of six hours.The ammunition for them was rather unique. Thankfully, it was uniquely sold by the Swiss, who had no trouble selling it to Serbia, thank you very much! Twenty-two BWP-1's became mobile artillery for the Unionist freedom fighters, though I understood the ship ride with the Serbian and Chinese technicians was loads of fun as they struggled to figured out how to attach those state-of-the-art death-dealing turrets to those ancient contraptions.To compensate, the Serbians added (aka as long as our money was good) two Nora B-52 155 mm 52-calibre mobile artillery pieces and one battery of Orkan CER MLRS (Multiple Launch Rocket System) for long-range artillery, two batteries of their Oganj 2000 ER MRLS for medium range carnage and six batteries of their M-94 MRLS for 'close support' as well. More field-testing new gear for the "freedom fighters" We also managed to 'purchase' ten M-84AS Main Battle tanks plus an M-84A1 armor recovery vehicle. It should have been twelve tanks, but two had 'loading issues'.Not to be deterred, our busy little procurement-beavers discovered four tanks no one was using, in neighboring Croatia. Why wasn't anyone immediately keen on their placement? They were two sets of prototypes, Croatia's improvements on the M-84; the M-95 Degman which was a 'failed redesign' and the M-84D, which was a vast up-grade for the M-84 line which had been sidelined by the 2008 Global economic collapse, after which the project stagnated.It seemed they were all in working order because late one night 'my people' exited a Croatian Army base with them, never to be seen again, until two weeks later when an intrepid news crew caught the distinctive form of the M-95 sending some sweet 125 mm loving the Angolan Army's way. Whoops yet again! At least they hit what they were aiming at and destroyed what they hit, right?By then, millions of other people would be going 'what the fuck?' right along with them as Cabinda's camouflage- and mask-wearing rebel army was laying the smack-down on the Angolans. That was okay; over a million 'free Cabindan Unionists' were in the same boat. Over a thousand Asians with their mostly-female militant translators were right there to prop up their 'Unionist Allies', but then they were the ones with the tanks, armored vehicles, planes and guns, so they were less worried than most.To pilot these tanks, APC, IFV and man this artillery, they had to go back to the Khanate. Sure enough, they had some old tankers used to crewing the T-72 from which the M-84's and -95 Degman were derived. They'd also need drivers for those BVP M-80A's and Polish BWP-1's and OT-64 SKOT's... who were, again, derived from old Soviet tech (just much better). The Serbian artillery was similar enough to Soviet stuff, but with enough new tech to make it 'more fun' for the reservists to 'figure out' how to use.More volunteers for the Liberation Armed Forces! More Apple sales, great apps and voice modulation software so that the vehicle commanders would be heard communicating in Portuguese if someone was eavesdropping. As a final offering the Turkish Navy spontaneously developed some plans to test their long range capabilities by going to, the South Atlantic.On the final leg they would have six frigates and two submarines, enough to give any navy in the region, which wasn't Brazil, something to think about. This was a show of force, not an actual threat though. If anyone called their bluff, the Khanate-Turkish forces would have to pull back. These were not assets my Brother, the Great Khan, could afford to gamble and lose.If someone didn't call that bluff, he was also sending two smaller, older corvettes and three even smaller, but newer, fast attack boats, a "gift" to the Unionists ASAP. The frigates would then race home, they had 'other' issues to deal with while the submarines would hang around for a bit. The naval gift was necessitated by the reality the Unionists would have to press their claim to their off-shore riches and that required a naval force Angola couldn't hope to counter.As things were developing, it was reckoned since a build-up of such momentous land and air power couldn't be disguised, it had to happen in a matter of days ~ four was decided to be the minimum amount of time. More than that and the government of the Democratic Republic might start asking far too many questions our hefty bribes and dubious paperwork couldn't cover. Less than that would leave the task forces launching operations with too little a chance of success.Our biggest advantage was audacity. The buildup would happen 100 km up the Congo River from Soyo, the primary target of the Southern Invasion, in the DRC's second largest port city, Boma. Though across the river was Angolan territory, there was nothing there. The city of roughly 160,000 would provide adequate cover for the initial stage of the invasion.There they grouped their vehicles & Khanate drivers with Amazon and Vietnamese combat teams. The Japanese were doing the same for their 'Chinese' counterparts for their helicopter-borne forces. Getting all their equipment in working order in the short time left was critical as was creating some level of unit dynamic. Things were chaotic. No one was happy. They were all going in anyway.What had gone wrong?While most children her age were texting their schoolmates, or tackling their homework, Aya Ruger ~ the alias of Nasusara Assiyaiá hamai ~ was getting briefings of her global, secret empire worth hundreds of billions and those of her equally nefarious compatriots. She received a very abbreviated version of what the Regents received, delivered by a member of Shawnee Arinniti's staff.When Aya hopped off her chair unexpectedly, everyone tensed. Her bodyguards' hands went to their sidearms and Lorraine (her sister by blood), also in the room on this occasion, stood and prepared to tackle her 'former' sibling to the ground if the situation escalated into an assassination attempt. No such attack was generated, so the security ratcheted down and the attendant returned her focus to her Queen. Aya paced four steps, turned and retraced her way then repeated the action three more times."How many people live in the combined areas?" she asked."The combined areas? Of Cabinda and Zaire?""Yes.""I," the woman referenced her material, "roughly 1.1 million.""What is the yearly value of the offshore oil and natural gas production?""Forty-nine billion, eighty hundred and sixty-seven million by our best estimates at this time,""How many live in Soyo City proper?""Roughly 70,000.""We take Soyo," she spoke in a small yet deliberate voice. "We take and hold Soyo as an independent city-state within the Cabindan-Zaire Union. From the maps it appears Soyo is a series of islands. It has a port and airport. It has an open border to an ocean with weaker neighbors all around.""What of the, Zairians?""Bakongo. As a people they are called the Bakongo," Aya looked up at the briefer. "We relocate those who need to work in Soyo into a new city, built at our expense, beyond the southernmost water barrier. The rest we pay to relocate elsewhere in Zaire, or Cabinda."By the looks of those around her, Aya realized she needed to further explain her decisions."This is more than some concrete home base for our People," she began patiently. "In the same way it gives our enemies a clearly delineated target to attack us, it is a statement to our allies we won't cut and run if things go truly bad.""In the same way it will provide us with diplomatic recognition beyond what tenuous handouts we are getting from Cáel Wakko Ishara's efforts through JIKIT. Also, it is a reminder we are not like the other Secret Societies in one fundamental way, we are not a business concern, or a religion. We are a People and people deserve some sort of homeland. We have gone for so long without.""But Soyo?" the aide protested. "We have no ties to it, and it backs up to, nothing.""Northern Turkey and southern Slovakia mean nothing to us now as well," Aya debated. "No place on Earth is any more precious than another. As for backing up to nothing, no. You are incorrect. It backs into a promise from our allies in the Earth & Sky that if we need support, they know where to park their planes and ships."Aya was surrounded with unhappy, disbelieving looks."The Great Khan is my mamētu meáeda," she reminded them, "and I have every reason to believe he completely grasps the concept's benefits and obligations."The looks confirmed 'but he's a man' to the tiny Queen."Aya, are you sure about this?" Lorraine was the first to break decorum."Absolutely. Do you know what he sent me when he was informed of my, ascension to the Queendom?""No," Lorraine admitted."We must go horse-riding sometime soon, Daughter of Cáel, Queen of the Amazons."More uncertain and unconvinced looks."He didn't congratulate me, or send any gifts. He could have and you would think he would have, but he didn't. He knew the hearts of me & my Atta and we weren't in the celebratory mood. No. The Great Khan sent one sentence which offered solace and quiet, atop a horse on a windswept bit of steppe."Nothing.Sigh. "I know this sounds Cáel-ish," Aya admitted, "but I strongly believe this is what we should do. We are giving the Cabindans and Bakongo in Zaire independence and the promise of a much better life than what they now face. We will be putting thousands of our sisters' lives on the line to accomplish this feat and well over two hundred million dollars.""What about governance of the city ~ Soyo?" the aide forged ahead."Amazon law," Aya didn't hesitate. "We will make allowances for the security forces of visiting dignitaries and specific allied personnel, but otherwise it will be one massive Amazon urban freehold.""I cannot imagine the Golden Mare, or the Regents, will be pleased," the attendant bowed her head."It is a matter of interconnectivity," Aya walked up and touched the woman's cheek with the back of her small hand. "We could liberate then abandon Cabinda with the hope a small band could help them keep their independence. Except we need the refinery at Soyo so the people of Cabinda can truly support that liberty.""So, we must keep Soyo and to keep Soyo, we must keep Zaire province. There is no other lesser border which makes strategic sense ~ a river, highlands, a massive river, an ocean ~ those are sustainable frontiers. You can't simply keep Soyo and not expect the enemy to strike and destroy that refinery, thus we must take Zaire province.""But the Bakongo of Zaire cannot defend themselves and will not be able to do so for at least a year, if not longer. That means we must do so, and for doing so, they will give us Soyo and we will be honest stewards of their oil wealth. We cannot expect any other power to defend this new Union and if we don't have a land stake we will be portrayed as mercenaries and expelled by hostile international forces.""So, for this project to have any chance of success, we must stay, fight and have an acknowledged presence, and if you can think of an alternative, please let me know," she exhaled."What if the Cabindans and Bakongo resist?""It is 'us', or the Angolans and they know how horrible the Angolans can be. Didn't you say the average person their lives on just $2 a day?""Yes.""We can do better than that," Aya insisted."How?" the aide persisted. "I mean, 'how in a way which will be quickly evident and meaningful?'""Oh," Aya's tiny brow furrowed. Her nose twitched as she rummaged through the vast storehouse of her brain."Get me in touch with William A. Miller, Director of the U.S. Diplomatic Security Service. He should be able to help me navigate the pathways toward getting aid and advisors into those two provinces ASAP.""I'll let Katrina know," the attendant made the notation on her pad."No. Contact him directly," Aya intervened. "We established a, rapport when we met. I think he might responded positively to a chance to mentor me in foreign relations.""Really?" Lorraine's brows arched."Yes," Aya chirped."Are you sure, Nasusara?" the attendant stared. She used 'Nasusara' whenever she thought Aya had a 'horrible' idea instead of a merely a 'bad' one."Yes. He owes me. Last time we met I didn't shoot him.""Didn't?" the woman twitched."Yes. I drew down on him with my captured Chinese QSW-06. I didn't want to kill him, but I felt I was about to have to kill Deputy National Security Advisor Blinken and he was the only other person in the room both armed and capable of stopping me.""Why is he still alive?""Cáel Ishara saw through my distraction and then took my gun from me, asked for it actually," she shyly confessed."Would you have shot him?" the aide inquired."What do you think?" Aya smiled.And Then:So, given t

Matt Crawford speaks with author Rebe Huntman about her book, My Mother in Havana: A Memoir of Magic and Miracle. Writing with a physicality of language that moves like the body in dance, Rebe Huntman, a poet, choreographer, and dancer, embarks on a pilgrimage into the mysteries of the gods and saints of Cuba and their larger spiritual view of the Mother. Huntman offers a window into the extraordinary world of Afro-Cuban gods and ghosts and the dances and rituals that call them forth. As she explores the memory of her own mother, interlacing it with her search for the sacred feminine, Huntman leads us into a world of séance and sacrifice, pilgrimage and sacred dance, which resurrect her mother and bring Huntman face to face with a larger version of herself.

In this episode of the Creative Genius podcast, I interview Rebe Huntman about her debut memoir, "My Mother in Havana, a memoir of magic and miracle." Rebe shares her personal story of losing her mother at a young age and the subsequent decades of feeling disconnected from her memory. Driven by a deep longing and intuition, Rebe embarked on a 30-day DIY pilgrimage to Cuba to seek a different perspective on grief and connection. The conversation delves into how Rebe's background as a Latin dancer led her to discover the spiritual roots of Cuban dances and the traditions of honoring the deceased.  Rebe recounts her experiences immersing herself in rituals dedicated to the goddess Oshun, visiting the sanctuary of Cuba's patron saint, and meeting with a spiritist who she hoped would connect her with her mother.Rebe and I discuss the importance of intuition and following one's unique path, even when it doesn't seem logical. We also explore the disconnect in Western culture from ancestral connections, magic, and meaningful rituals, contrasting it with the Cuban traditions of keeping the dead close.The conversation touches on the challenges of staying creative and connected to one's inner voice in the face of overwhelming global issues and personal fears. Rebe shares her belief in creativity as a portal and emphasizes the importance of honouring inner longings and choosing to champion humanity. She also shares her personal rituals for grounding and connecting with her intuition and ancestors, offering practical advice for listeners seeking to do the same. Ultimately, Rebe's story is a powerful reminder of the resilience of the human spirit, the wisdom of intuition, and the potential for magic and miracle in our lives, even in the darkest of times.  

In this episode of the Journey of My Mother's Son podcast, I talk with Dr. Michael Hutchison. Dr. Hutchison is a cosmetic and Neuromuscular Dentist who lives in Traverse City, Mi and has researched, developed and patented a new technology that uses your body's physiology to increase your strength and lower the chance of concussion. While treating TMJ, Head and neck patients Dr. Hutchison discovered that there is a body mechanism that is found in the position of your jaw that either blocks or releases motor nerve communication to all the muscles in your body. When it is working correctly you can increase your strength and performance by 16.8% on average. While testing this mechanism, none of the subjects had a concussion for the 6 years of the study. These two factors led to the development of a new jaw positioning mouth appliance that immediately increases strength and lowers the chance of concussion down to 0.2%. This new technology is called NeuroGuard+. Its mission is to help prevent concussions in youth athletes. We want to teach everyone to embrace the discovery of Physiologic Jaw alignment when participating in sports because you will reduce the risk of concussive forces reaching your brain, and you will increase your strength and performance. All mouth guards keep you from breaking your teeth. But only the NeuroGuard+ can lower the G-Force impact to your brain. The NeuroGuard+ is a medically patented do it yourself home device that is designed to customize around an athlete's bite to maintain enforcement of a physiologically aligned jaw. The NeuroGuard+ establishes correct “Physiologic Jaw Position.” It fits on the LOWER TEETH and is designed to reduce and dissipate the G-Force upon impact and reduce injury. The precise jaw alignment that the NeuroGuard+ maintains will help an athlete: ∙ Increase strength and balance ∙ Increase performance and agility ∙ Decrease occurrences of headaches ∙ Reduce the G-Force produced in a collision ∙ Increase oxygen intake and ability to speak normally through lower arch placement  Scientific studies consistently demonstrate that maintaining physiological jaw alignment reduces risk of concussion. Everyone has a unique anatomy. The NeuroGuard+ is the solution to improving safety and performance. To find out more about this incredible game changing technology, check out the NeuroGuard+ website at https://www.neuroguardplus.com/.

Perdita Finnis the co-founder, with her husband Clark Strand, of the feral fellowship The Way of the Rose, which inspired their book The Way of the Rose: The Radical Path of the Divine Feminine Hidden in the Rosary. They are currently at work on their next book together Circles Not Lines: Spiritual Community Beyond Patriarchy.In addition to extensive study with Zen masters, priests, spirit workers, and healers, she apprenticed with the psychic Susan Saxman, with whom she wrote The Reluctant Psychic. Perdita Finn now teaches popular workshops on Getting to Know the Dead. Participants are empowered to activate the miracles in their own lives with the help of their ancestors and recover their own intuitive magic. Her book Take Back the Magic: Conversations with the Unseen World is an intimate journey through her recovery of these lost ways. She speaks widely on how to collaborate with those on the other side, on the urgent necessity of a new romantic animism, and on the sobriety that emerges when we claim the long story of our souls. Her next book is The Body of My Mother.She lives with her family in the moss-filled shadows of the Catskill Mountains.Today Perdita shares with us about how the fellowship began... post-patriarchy... the economy of prayer... communicating with the other side and asking for help from them. She entertains my questions about prayer, soul connections and lots more. She is leading a workshop this weekend on Soul Connections, and one this summer at Omega. You can subscribe to her Substack and become a supporter to join her monthly Zoom calls. I am so grateful for her time with me and all her work in this world.Here's Nikki Fogerty's Weekly Tarot ReadingToday's show was engineered by Ian Seda from Radiokingston.org.Our show music is from Shana Falana!Feel free to email me, say hello: she@iwantwhatshehas.org** Please: SUBSCRIBE to the pod and leave a REVIEW wherever you are listening, it helps other users FIND IThttp://iwantwhatshehas.org/podcastITUNES | SPOTIFYITUNES: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/i-want-what-she-has/id1451648361?mt=2SPOTIFY:https://open.spotify.com/show/77pmJwS2q9vTywz7Uhiyff?si=G2eYCjLjT3KltgdfA6XXCAFollow:INSTAGRAM * https://www.instagram.com/iwantwhatshehaspodcast/FACEBOOK * https://www.facebook.com/iwantwhatshehaspodcast

WOW! Let's talk the downside of influencer life and social media consumption.  We walked away with a completely different viewpoint of the effects of glorifying famedom.  What did you learn after reading this book.  Please share your opinions with us.     The House of My Mother by Shari Franke 

In this episode of the Journey of My Mother's Son podcast, I talk with Natalie Jurado. Natalie Jurado is the founder of Rooted In, a line of therapeutic magnesium infused moisturizers that actively calm and relax your mood.  She is a sought after thought leader, educator and speaker and has worked at the forefront of the wellness industry for over 8 years. She's considered an expert in all things magnesium and her mission is to spread awareness of this powerful mineral to all who struggle to live their most vibrant lives.  Natalie is a Magnesium Expert on a mission to spread awareness about this often-overlooked mineral.  Not long ago she spent most of her days constantly anxious, stressed and overwhelmed. Despite living a healthy lifestyle: eating organic foods, exercising and using healthy products; she was still dealing with health issues. Her doctors kept encouraging her to use prescription medication, but she was concerned about all the side effects. Instead, she started a journey to heal herself naturally. She literally spent thousands of dollars and years of her life looking for a solution to the crippling anxiety, chronic pain and devastating insomnia that was stopping her from living the life she craved. She started using magnesium daily on her skin and her life changed! She began feeling calm and centered, had tons of energy, slept restfully through the night and felt years younger. She reclaimed her life and now she wants others to have the same freedom and vitality that she does. Her mission is to share this miracle mineral with the world so they can be their most vibrant, healthy and energetic selves.  Magnesium is responsible for over 300 biochemical reactions in the body including muscle recovery.  Deficiency is strongly correlated with symptoms including anxiety and depression, insomnia, chronic headaches and more.  Restoring magnesium levels can be a confusing process which can leave people overwhelmed and misinformed.  Natalie hopes to demystify this mineral and help people make better health choices as a result.  To find out more about Natalie and the amazing line of magnesium products that Rooted In carries, check out their website at https://www.berootedin.com/.

Listen in this week as I talk about The House of My Mother by Shari Franke.  It's a heavy read, so blend up a frozen lemonade to sweeten the day.Support this podcast on Patreonhttps://www.patreon.com/dontreaddrunkShari Franke Bookhttps://www.amazon.com/House-My-Mother-Daughters-Freedom/dp/1668112396Frozen Lemonadehttps://unboundwellness.com/peach-bellini-mocktail/Low Carb Sushi Recipehttps://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/277688/low-carb-cauliflower-rice-sushi-rolls/Get 60 days of Everand Freehttps://www.scribd.com/g/9s1nq7Everandhttps://www.everand.comMedia RecommendationsDevil in the Family - HuluThe Cult I Left Behind PodcastFind my sponsors:1uptilsunup on @1uptilsunup on; TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, or YouTubeAvenue Coffee is on Facebook and at: www.avenue-coffeehouse.comFind me on Instagram @dontreaddrunkwww.dontreaddrunk.buzzsprout.comdontreaddrunk@gmail.com

On this episode, Ragnar speaks with Chef Kimberly Tang. Born in Singapore and raised in Melbourne, she's been surrounded by diverse food cultures from an early age, and began culinary training at age 17. Kimberly grew her skills in prestigious kitchens including Nobu, Dinner by Heston, Society, and Chef's Table. In 2021, Kimberly was named Nestlé Golden Chef of the Year and represented Australia at the IKA Culinary Olympics in Stuttgart. Last year, Kimberly competed in the San Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Pacific competition, representing Australia with her signature dish, "My Mother's Zi Char," which served as a tribute to her late mother and her Singaporean heritage. When not in the kitchen, Kimberly serves as co-chair of the Young Chef's Club in Australia and is a member of the World Chefs Without Borders Committee with Worldchefs. Tune in to hear her reflections as a young leader in the industry. World on a Plate is supported by Nestlé Professional and Electrolux Food Foundation.

Support our channel & Become a Partner ⇨  https://www.missiondelafe.org/   Listen on Podcast Spotify Podcast ⇨ https://spoti.fi/3RBKdq3Apple Podcast ⇨ https://apple.co/3evzCuuConnect with ushttps://www.facebook.com/delafetestimonieshttps://www.instagram.com/delafetestimonies/Connect with Ander:Linktree ⇨ https://linktr.ee/AndyRebirthWebsite ⇨ http://www.oneaccordministries.net/Email ⇨ bookpastorandyrebirth@gmail.comCredits:Testimony by Ander Pellerano JrDirected by Eric Villatoro Interviewed by Eric Villatoro Edited By Joshua GayleAudio Mixed by Paul Nicholas Testimony Recorded in New Orleans, LouisianaDelafé Testimonies is a global evangelistic project with the mission of creating the world's largest archive of Jesus testimonies until His return. Our vision is to save souls, build community, and set people free through the testimony of Jesus.Chapters00:00 My Childhood05:04 Being Negatively Influenced By My Environment08:30 Getting Arrested and Joining a Gang at 1413:48 Seeds of the Gospel Are Planted While in Jail17:08 Getting Out of Jail at 18, Going Back to the Streets19:56 My Cousin Invites Me to Church24:11 Being Pulled into My Old Ways, Drug Addiction Worsens26:43 Spending My Early Twenties in Prison29:06 My Mother and Daughter Visit Me in Prison33:30 My Grandmother's Vision35:49 Getting Arrested in Front of My Son41:55 My Girlfriend is Pregnant Again44:55 Overdosing on Heroin48:20 The Only Reason I Survived50:33 Giving My Life to Jesus While Facing Another Felony56:45 Getting Sentenced to the Church1:01:20 Growing In My Faith While in a Discipleship Rehab Program1:05:26 God Tells Me My Son Will Be Healed1:10:38 God Begins to Use My Life1:13:06 The Fast that Changed Everything1:18:00 God Calls Me to Make Christian Rap Music1:22:26 God Calls Me to Start a Church1:26:32 My Grandmother Saw All of This Before I Did1:27:45 Who is Jesus To You?1:29:18 Prayer1:35:26 Final WordsFormer LATIN KINGS Gang Member Shares POWERFUL Testimony of JESUS!

Join me Monday for another 9-Day Prayer Challenge!

On this episode, I'm joined by Rebe Huntman, a memoirist, essayist, dancer, teacher, and poet who writes at the intersections of feminism, world religion and spirituality. For over a decade she directed Chicago's award-winning Danza Viva Center for World Dance, Art & Music and its dance company, One World Dance Theater. Huntman collaborates with native artists in Cuba and South America, has been featured in Latina Magazine, Chicago Magazine, and the Chicago Tribune, and has appeared on Fox and ABC. She is also the author of a new memoir, My Mother in Havana, about her explorations in seeking not only her human mother, who died when she was 19, but also a deeper relationship with the Divine Mother.On this episode we discuss:How Rebe's path to the Sacred Feminine revealed itself through her evolving relationship with Latin dance – including how she discovered that the dances themselves were originally invitations to the godsRebe's transformational journey in Cuba, including her experiences meeting the Orisha Oshun, and Our Lady of Charity of El CobreHow Oshun, who originates from the West African Yoruba tradition, and Our Lady, who is considered an apparition of the Virgin Mary, are syncretized – and how this merging can give us a more holistic vision of mothers and women in generalRebe's evolving relationship with her deceased mother, and why it's both normal and natural to call on our deceased loved ones for supportNotes related to this episode:You can learn more about Rebe and her book at her website, www.rebehuntman.com.You can also find her on social media: Instagram @rebehuntman; Facebook @rebehuntmanauthor.We discussed the books the Chalice and the Blade, by Riane Eisler, as well as Women Who Run with the Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estes.Other related episodes include:Transforming a Paradigm of Domination with Riane Eisler - https://youtu.be/LSk4JRd6B8gHealing the Mother Wound with Bethany Webster (audio only) – https://player.captivate.fm/episode/6b4fbdc5-b85a-4dd0-ad63-ea2501eb493cExploring the Divine Feminine in African Traditional Religions with Lilith Dorsey (audio only) - https://player.captivate.fm/episode/89f7cc91-8038-431f-8459-4cf57d172e35Here are a few more details about this show and my work:If you'd like to know whose ancestral tribal lands you currently reside on, you can look up your address here: https://native-land.ca/ You can also visit the Coalition of Natives and Allies for more helpful educational resources about Indigenous rights and history.Please – if you love this podcast and/or have read my book, please consider leaving me a review, and thank you for supporting my work! You can also access the audio version of this episode here, or wherever you access your podcasts: https://home-to-her.captivate.fm/For more Sacred Feminine goodness and to stay up to date on all episodes, please follow me on Instagram: @hometoher. To dive into conversation about the Sacred Feminine, join the Facebook group, also @hometoher.And to read about the Sacred Feminine, check out my award-winning book Home to Her: Walking the Transformative Path of the Sacred Feminine (Womancraft Publishing), available on Audible and wherever you buy your books!. If you've read it, your reviews on...

In this episode of the Journey of My Mother's Son podcast, I talk with Katharine Giovanni. Katharine Giovanni is a three-time award-winning best-selling author, dynamic speaker, advisor, and forgiveness coach. She is recognized as one of the original founders of the independent concierge industry. With over a dozen published books to her name, including her popular title 'The Ultimate Path to Forgiveness: Unlocking Your Power,' Katharine delves deep into the transformative art of forgiveness. Unlike conventional wisdom that simply urges you to forgive, Katharine provides a groundbreaking step-by-step process in her latest work. She explores the intricacies of forgiving the unforgivable and guides readers on how to truly let go of past hurts and move forward with authenticity. Katharine's journey is as inspiring as it is enlightening. From surviving stage 3 breast cancer to overcoming a turbulent childhood marked by a suicide attempt, she has emerged with profound insights into resilience and forgiveness. Her personal experiences have shaped her understanding of human dynamics, and she openly shares these invaluable lessons with compassion and clarity. Beyond forgiveness, Katharine is passionate about unleashing the power of intuition in everyday life. Having kept her own intuitive gifts hidden for years, she now empowers others to embrace and harness their innate sixth sense. She believes that recognizing and cultivating intuitive abilities can revolutionize workplace dynamics, fostering deeper insights and innovation among colleagues. Whether through her books, speaking engagements, or consulting sessions, Katharine Giovanni is dedicated to helping individuals and organizations tap into their full potential. Her approach is refreshingly practical and deeply transformative, making her a sought-after voice in the fields of forgiveness, intuition, personal empowerment, and the concierge and hospitality industries. Visit her website at www.KatharineGiovanni.com and tune in to her engaging podcast appearances where she dives into these compelling topics. Get ready to embark on a journey of forgiveness, intuition, and personal growth like never before. To find out more about Christy, you can check out her website at https://www.katharinegiovanni.com/.

Grab your favorite mug and get cozy because in this episode, Hannah Caitlin Parker is spilling all the tea about her reading life! First up, she's dishing about House of My Mother by Shari Franke, a memoir that will stick with you long after you finish(and make you want to binge the Hulu doc Devil in The Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke ASAP). Then, she's swooning over Authentically Izzy by Pepper Basham, a sweet closed-door romcom that you don't want to miss. And last but definitely not least, she's giving us a sneak peek of Pictures of You  by Emma Grey, a book that promises to be a rollercoaster of love, loss, and everything in between. So, whether you're in the mood for a heart-wrenching memoir or a swoony romance, Hannah's got you covered. Don't miss out on the bookish fun!Find us on Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@bookedsolidpod⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@hannahbooksit⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@stephanienmack⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to Hannah's Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to Stephanie's Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Thank you so much for listening, bookish besties!Today's Solid Sponsor:Today's episode of the Booked Solid podcast is brought to you by Kelly Greer, travel designer with Holiday Road Adventures. Get Booked Solid—on your perfect getaway!“Traveling leaves you speechless and then turns you into a storyteller.” — Kelly GreerFind Kelly on her ⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠, and/or email her directly with inquiries: kelly.greer@holidayroadadventures.com.

In this episode of the Journey of My Mother's Son podcast, I talk with fellow author, Mark Connor. Mark Connor is a Boxing Trainer and a Writer from Saint Paul, Minnesota. His first book, It's About Time (Millions of Copies Sold for Dad), is a saga wrapped around a package of poems, guarded by angels. Through an autobiography reading like a novel, he weaves together a story of love, family, and life with twenty poems running through it, sharing his growth in the Catholic faith, the influence of Irish heritage in his hometown's American identity, his exploration of Lakota tradition within the urban American Indian community, and his understanding of how truth found in different spiritual approaches can lead others—as it led himself back—to its fullness in the revelation of Christ. Mark Connor grew up in Saint Paul, calling himself the product of a “mixed marriage,” because his father—a combat wounded Vietnam veteran—grew up across the street from St. Columba parish in the Midway district, while his mother—a school teacher who later became a lawyer—came from the Holy Rosary parish “across the border, in South Minneapolis.” Born in Minneapolis and raised in Saint Paul, he began boxing at age 10, at the Mexican American Boxing Club on the city's East Side, the area of the city from which he formed his understanding of the world, anchoring his perception of direction to the family house and the rising of the sun outside his bedroom window.  He had 102 amateur fights, made it to three national tournaments, and competed against some of the nation's top world class boxers. He became the Upper Midwest Golden Gloves lightweight champion at 17 and traveled to the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, CO, two days after graduating high school, competing in the 1987 trials for the Pan American Games. Raised in the East Side parish of St. Pascal Baylon, where he attended first through sixth grade, Mark's father, a graduate of [Bishop] Cretin High School in Saint Paul, insisted Mark and his brother, David (13 days less than one year older than Mark), each attend its rival, St. Thomas Academy, in suburban Mendota Heights, from 7th through 12th grade, an all-boys Catholic Military high school. Having begun writing seriously at 16 and starting college at 18, Mark began an internal struggle between the academic path and boxing, spending one and a half years, respectively, at three schools—Regis University in Denver, Co., the University of St. Thomas in Saint Paul, and the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis—earning his BA in English from the University of Minnesota. He was inactive as a boxer for only one and a half of those years, but never felt he was able to reach his potential while emersed in study, so upon graduation, he continued Boxing. Mark boxed competitively for two and half more years, then, deciding not to follow his gym mates—two of whom became world champions—in a professional boxing career, and believing it was already late in life to join the military, he went on an adventure, driving to Seattle, WA, securing a job on a salmon fishing boat headed to Southeast Alaska. A Year later, instead of returning to the commercial fisherman's life, he traveled with a friend to a Lakota Sundance ceremony on the Rosebud reservation, leading eventually to a job at Aín Dah Yung (Our Home) Center, a Native American Indian temporary emergency homeless shelter for youth aged 5 to 17, in Saint Paul. Within this setting, continuing to write freelance articles and periodically working on fiction and poetry, he eventually began a personal training service and worked with both competitive and recreational boxers, as well professionals and amateurs, wrote about boxing, and contemplated his faith. While recognizing that truth, goodness, and beauty are indeed present in the faith traditions of the indigenous community of friends welcoming him, as both a guest and a relative, he eventually reembraced the beauty, goodness, and truth of his Catholic faith and has since attempted to responsibly discern God's will for him, according to his legitimate talents and desires. Within that sincere effort, at the end of September, 2019, his father, who'd been patiently guiding him, died from a heat attack, just before America—and the world—appeared to enter a new era of chaos within which we are attempting to stabilize ourselves. Mark wrote the first lines of his book, It's About Time (Millions of Copies Sold for Dad) the day his father died, Monday, September 30, 2019. However, over the next year, as his country went through the impeachment and acquittal of a president, endured the trauma of an economic shutdown over a mysterious virus coming from a lab leak in China, and his beloved Twin Cities blew up in fiery riots, Mark worked when he could (the Boxing gyms and churches were closed due to Governor's orders), helped his mother who was diagnosed with a fatal heart disease, and daily mourned his father. He helped protect American Indian buildings with American Indian Movement (AIM) Patrol, and he eventually got part-time work as a bouncer, working bar security when restaurants were allowed to reopen. But he didn't do much until, as Christmas 2020 approached, he resolved that in the coming year he would do something with which his father would be happy. Organizing himself and setting his goal, he began writing the book his father—who'd nagged Mark about always insisting he was a writer yet never publishing a book—was never to see published in his earthly lifetime. Beginning the daily process of writing on February 9, 2021, Mark completed the first draft of It's About Time (Millions of Copies Sold for Dad) just before Easter on the Monday of Holy Week, March 29, 2021. In this book he tells the tale of his search for a meaningful life, appreciating the gift of God's love that life actually is, and how he sees now that the guardian angels were always guiding him and his family through it all. A contract with a humble little local publisher was severed over editorial differences on Christmas Eve, 2022, so Mark relied on his father's gift, his high school education, accepting help from his St. Thomas Academy contacts, specifically his literary advisor, Dan Flynn (Author of Famous Minnesotans: Past and Present) and legal advisor Kelly Rowe, and Mark's classmate, Tony Zirnhelt, and the book won the 2024 Irish Network Minnesota Bloomsday Literary Award and was published, through Connemara Patch Press, on Father's Day, June 16. Unfortunately, Mark's mother, who'd read the manuscript, never saw it in print, having collapsed in his arms and died October 22, 2023. Yet Mark continues on in hopeful and confident prayer that she—Mrs. Nanette Jane Connor—is watching over him, as she promised she would, next to his father—Robert J. Connor—while gazing perpetually into the Beatific Vision of the face of God. To find out more about Mark, you can check out his website at https://boxersandwritersmagazine.com/.

In this episode of the Journey of My Mother's Son podcast, I talk with Mike Brennan. I first met Mike back in 2019 at the Growth Now Movement Live Summit hosted by my friend, Justin Schenck in our old hometown of Reading, Pennsyvania.  We reconnected in November of 2024 when we were both speaking at The Thing in Orlando, Florida, which was hosted by Terry Weaver. Mike Brennan, author of Make Fun a Habit: The Creative PLAYbook for Making Life and Work Fun Again, is not just a Creative Consultant and Communicator; he's a passionate advocate for reigniting the lost art of fun and creativity in our lives. In his book, Make Fun a Habit, Mike takes readers on a captivating journey, drawing from personal experiences of resilience and moments of light in the darkest times. Through this journey, he uncovers the secrets to rediscovering fun, infusing every day with play, and unlocking our innate creative potential. Mike's expertise extends beyond the pages of his book, as he has been instrumental in helping renowned clients such as Heineken and Chase Bank infuse creativity, innovation, and yes, fun, into their work. His artwork has graced prestigious spaces like the Ronald McDonald House and the I.D.E.A. Museum in Mesa, Arizona. His educational journey includes studying in New York City and graduating from the Fashion Institute of Technology and The School of Visual Arts. What sets Mike apart is his commitment to helping individuals and organizations harness the transformative power of creativity in their daily lives and businesses. He offers a unique Daily Creative Habit process, honed over a decade of personal practice, to empower individuals and businesses to integrate innovation into their routines. His methods encompass time management, goal-driven creativity, and a sustainable approach to making innovation a seamless part of daily life and work. In a world where the daily grind often overshadows the pursuit of happiness, Mike stands as a beacon of hope. His message is clear: embrace the adventure that life offers, and discover how incorporating creativity and fun into your routine can lead to a more vibrant, fulfilling existence. Through his words, art, actions, and unwavering dedication to the cause, Mike inspires us all to make fun not just a habit but a way of life. To find out more about Mike, you can check out his website at https://mikebrennan.me/.

"My Mother the Car" is a sitcom that aired on NBC from 1965-1966. The show is about a man named Dave Crabtree (Jerry Van Dyke), who discovers that his deceased mother's spirit has been reincarnated as a 1928 Porter automobile. His mother communicates to him through the radio of the car, offering advice and guidance as he navigates through life. Despite the innovative concept, "My Mother the Car" was not well received during its initial run. Critics often ridiculed the show, and it struggled with low ratings, leading to its cancellation after one season. However, over the years, it gained a cult following despite often finding itself on most lists titled "Worst Sitcoms of All Time" Will the S1E1 guys have fun watching this one? Listen as they deep dive the show's pilot episode, "Come Honk Your Horn". Starring: Jerry Van Dyke, Maggie Pierce, Ann Sothern, Cindy Eilbacher, Randy Whipple, George N Neise, & Avery Schreiber www.S1E1POD.com Instagram & X (Twitter): @S1E1POD

Rebe Huntman is a memoirist, essayist, dancer, teacher and poet whose debut memoir, My Mother in Havana, is out now. On today's show, Annmarie and Rebe discuss the magic of dance, communicating with deceased loved ones, and how a search for our mothers can bring us closer to understanding ourselves.  Episode Sponsors Gramercy Books – A locally-owned, independently-minded neighborhood bookstore located in the heart of Bexley, Ohio. Our philosophy at Gramercy Books is simple: we're about inspiration and discovery, community and adventure. We connect readers and writers with books they love, and host special events and ongoing visits by authors, poets and songwriters who provoke conversation. Stop by or shop online at gramercybooksbexley.com. Ashland University Low-Res MFA – Expand your writing practice and refine your craft within the supportive community of Ashland University's Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing. Our accomplished faculty will help you find your voice and complete your degree at your own pace. Learn more and enroll today at ashland.edu.   Authors and Titles Mentioned in This Episode: My Mother in Havana: A Memoir of Magic & Miracle, by Rebe Huntman Song of Solomon, by Toni Morrison Here's a video of Ella Fitzgerald singing Mack the Knife.  Follow Rebe Huntman: Instagram: @rebehuntman Facebook: RebeHuntmanAuthor rebehuntman.com Photo Credit: Kate Sweeney **Writing Workshops and Wish Fulfillment:  If you liked this conversation and are interested in writing abroad, consider joining Annmarie and co-leader Athena Dixon for a writing retreat in Italy in September, 2025. Or you can join Annmarie and co-leader Phyllis Biffle Elmore for a writing retreat in France. You can travel to a beautiful place, meet other wise women, and write your own stories. We'd love to help you make your wishes come true.  As of this moment, we only have 2 spots left for France, but you can click this link for $900 off.  Enter the password RetreatWriteRepeat  and the coupon code is 25AK For women interested in an online Saturday morning writing circle, message Annmarie to learn more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, Merideth's guest is Rebe Huntman, author of "My Mother in Havana: A Memoir of Magic and Miracle." Rebe shares her journey as a multi-passionate artist, from her early days as a professional Latin dancer and choreographer to becoming a writer. She discusses her deep connection to Julia Cameron's "The Artist's Way" and the importance of pushing past the "tortured artist" stereotype to find joy in creativity. Rebe opens up about the long and winding path to publishing her memoir, including the challenges of finding an agent and the importance of believing in her unique story. She also delves into the themes of grief, loss, and healing and how her experiences in Cuba helped her reconnect with her mother and explore a variety of rich cultural and spiritual traditions. Get My Mother in Havana Read More about Rebe Rebe's Artist's Oath  Support the Show on Patreon Join the next Artist's Way Creative Cluster    

Rebe Huntman is a memoirist, essayist, dancer, teacher and poet who writes at the intersections of feminism, world religion and spirituality. For over a decade she directed Chicago's award-winning Danza Viva Center for World Dance, Art & Music and its dance company, One World Dance Theater. Huntman collaborates with native artists in Cuba and South America, has been featured in Latina Magazine, Chicago Magazine and the Chicago Tribune, and has appeared on Fox and ABC. A Macondo fellow and recipient of an Ohio Individual Excellence award, Rebe has received support for her debut memoir, My Mother in Havana: A Memoir of Magic & Miracle  (Monkfish Book Publishing Company, February 18, 2025), from The Ohio State University, Virginia Center for Creative Arts, Ragdale Foundation, PLAYA Residency, Hambidge Center and Brush Creek Foundation. "Writing with a physicality of language that moves like the body in dance, Rebe Huntman, a poet, choreographer, and dancer, embarks on a pilgrimage into the mysteries of the gods and saints of Cuba and their larger spiritual view of 'the Mother.' Huntman offers a window into the extraordinary yet seldom-seen world of Afro-Cuban gods and ghosts and the dances and rhythms that call them forth. As she explores the memory of her own mother, interlacing it with her search for the sacred feminine, Huntman leads us into a world of séance and sacrifice, pilgrimage and sacred dance, which resurrect her mother and bring Huntman face to face with a larger version of herself." Rebe also helps other writers. With over thirty years of experience as a writer and a coach, she shows writers the ropes, helps them build a powerful, personalized writing practice, and teaches writers step by step strategies to find their voices, become the best writers they can be, and deliver their work to the world. Rebe's essays, poems and short stories appear in The Missouri Review, The Southern Review, Parabola, CRAFT LIterary, The Cincinnati Review, Ninth Letter, South Loop Review, Sonora Review, Tampa Review, The Pinch & elsewhere. She lives in Delaware, Ohio and San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. Learn more: www.rebehuntman.com https://www.instagram.com/rebehuntman/ https://www.facebook.com/rebehuntmanauthor/

Chelsea welcomes back Kate Casey to break down former child influencer Shari Franke's memoir, “The House of My Mother.” They explore her backstory on the now-infamous 8 Passengers YouTube channel, the dark side of family vlogging, and the cult-like control of her mother, Ruby Franke, and life coach Jodi Hildebrandt. Chelsea and Kate unpack the harrowing abuse Shari survived.  Trigger warning: This episode discusses sensitive topics, including child abuse. Take care while listening and find helpful resources here. Help Support Those Affected by LA Wildfires: Letters from Altadena: Wildfire Relief Follow Chelsea: Instagram @chelseadevantez Show Notes: John Stamos Memoir Episode (with Kate Casey) Jennette McCurdy Memoir Episode Shari Franke speaks to Utah legislative committee about child influencers (VIDEO) Chelsea on Kate Casey's Podcast “Reality Life” talking about “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” Where to find our guest: Kate Casey Instagram “Reality Life with Kate Casey” Podcast Tiktok  X (Twitter) Patreon Substack *** Glamorous Trash is all about going high and low at the same time— Glam and Trash. We recap and book club celebrity memoirs, deconstruct pop culture, and sometimes, we cry! If you've ever referenced Mariah Carey in therapy... then this is the podcast for you. Thank you to our sponsors: Visit Brooklinen.com and use code TRASH to get $20 off your order of $100 or more. Libro.fm - Click here to get 2 audiobooks for the price of 1 with your first month of membership using code TRASH. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to another Pop Culture Kiki! Please use the timestamps below and we hope you enjoy! 00:00 - Intro 03:16 - Chris Brown 07:30 - RHONY Finale/Southern Charm 24:18 - Jonas Brothers Christmas Movie 25:42 - Movie Moment: Companion, Presence, One of Them Days 32:08 - Ads 35:57 - Bruno Mars 37:49 - Blake Lively 44:25 - “An Update on Our Family” Docu-series 46:51 - “The House of My Mother” by Shari Franke 48:26 - The Carter Family Documentary 52:50 - Billy Ray Cyrus 59:08 - Britney Spears Biopic Casting 01:03:24 - Timothee Chalamet 01:07:07 - The Razzies/Oscar Nominees 01:11:59 - Outro Tickets to our Nashville show! https://citywinery.com/nashville/events/beyond-the-blinds-o57l13 More content on our Patreon! - patreon.com/Beyondtheblinds Now for our sponsors! Nutrafol! Start your hair growth journey with Nutrafol. For a limited time, Nutrafol is offering our listeners ten dollars off your first month's subscription and free shipping when you go to Nutrafol.com and enter the promo code BLINDS. MANSCAPED! Give him the gift of grooming this Valentine's Day! Get 20% off + free shipping with the code BLINDS at Manscaped.com. That's 20% off + free shipping with the code BLINDS at Manscaped.com! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a new memoir out next week, the singer-songwriter Neko Case shares some painful childhood memories. In the studio with Anna Martin, Case is open and unapologetically angry as she describes being treated like “an unwanted child.” Both parents, she says, struggled with trauma and addiction. They often left her with no food and only her pets for company. Case also reads a Modern Love essay about the complex heartbreak that comes with being estranged from a parent with an addiction, and the joys of finding love and acceptance in the wake of that pain.Neko Case's memoir, “The Harder I Fight the More I Love You,” comes out Jan. 28.Caitlin McCormick's Modern Love essay, “My Mother, the Stranger,” can be found here. McCormick, who recently published a short fiction piece in The Sewanee Review, is working on a novel.Listener callout alert: For our upcoming Valentine's Day episode, the Modern Love team wants to hear about a moment when you knew you were falling for someone. Whether it happened all at once or as a gradual process, we want to learn about how it happened. Where were you? What did it feel like? What did you do next? (You can tell us about a current relationship, a past love or something happening to you right now.)The deadline is Feb. 5, 2025. The submission instructions are here.How to submit a Modern Love essay to The New York TimesHow to submit a Tiny Love Story Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.