Podcasts about with alan

With Alan out for improvements made around Saweris Manor, Bryan invited their friend Sarah to Dillon on the podcast! Enjoy a great conversation where he peppers her with questions about her thoughts on all number of topics. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ilived/support

With Alan back from his holidays, the lads are back with this week's podcast to chat about a hectic couple of days on and off the pitch

With Alan on siesta, Bryan welcomes John in to the Co-host seat! They go through their memories of consoles and quasi reviewing of memorable games and how they handle video games with kids in the home. Enjoy the show!  --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ilived/support

Pitt has lost 3 in a row, it is Notre Dame week, and the Irish happen to be the #3 team in the nation. Pat Narduzzi needs this win to right his ship and Pitt fans need this win to reinject some hope into the program. With Alan out getting married this week, Vince and Pam form a 2 tiered attack into the what went into the Miami loss and what to expect when the Panthers take on the Fighting Irish at Heinz Field in front of actual fans! #H2P

With Alan on a lockdown holiday, James is joined by financial adviser Doug Turek for a distanced chat about how he is managing portfolios in 2020, and the haunting sense hanging over markets.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With Alan off-duty, James invites Vanguard's Robin Bowerman on for a comprehensive explanation of how exchange traded funds work, and the ways that ETFs can help and hurt an investing strategy.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The coronavirus has pushed the global health system to its limits. Sadly access to testing and treatment is unequal. Amidst lockdowns should mental health services be classified as essential? And how do health care workers cope in cities without reliable public transport or supplies of personal protective equipment? Inclusively hosts Petrina Kow and Laurindo Garcia examine health as a human right against the backdrop of Covid 19. Guests: clinical psychologist Dr. Kim Lian Rolles-Abraham, a health support volunteer based in Manila Tesa Celdran, AIDS activist and Executive Director of Asia Catalyst, Karyn Kaplan. TJ Taylor from Sing Theatre offers a song of hope for a healthier future. TRANSCRIPT Laurindo Garcia: [00:00:05] This was the day on April 26 when Singaporeans came together to tribute health care workers and migrant workers who were working on the front line. And you can hear this chorus of singers from this video that was published by Mediacorp. Similar tributes have been happening around the world. You may have seen them. Sometimes these tributes to healthcare workers happening on a daily basis. And I think what this illustrates is how the pandemic has really illuminated the sacrifice that so many individuals are making in order to save lives. Now, Petrina, I want to hear from you. What was the significance of the song being sung in that video? Petrina Kow: [00:00:45] Hi Laurindo. Yeah, it was interesting. And I remember that day because we knew it was happening and we also knew that where we lived. I mean, I face the opening up of a house of of a highway. So I knew that we won't be able to get that feeling of community singing because there was nobody around us was going to. We're going to hear. So we all got in a car and drove around trying to catch the singing. And it was it was kind of finally we we managed to hear, like in our neighborhood, some people like popping their heads out and, you know, clapping and singing. And it was it was really interesting because while we were trying to bask in that moment. You know, after that online, I think there was a lot of discussion about who that was for and if it was even meaningful. Right. And then and then now I'm reading all these rather distressing reports about how we are paying these volunteer swappers and people who are trying to do testing so much more than our actual healthcare workers. Right. And that's really a big the part that makes me want to go. Hang on a minute. There's something wrong here. Right. And I think we need to take this opportunity, hopefully, to really look at what's, um, what's his idea of, you know, what we've decided to sort of term essential workers and and stuff like that. So, yeah, it's sort of a kind of a weird, bittersweet feeling that when I when I see that happening. Yeah. It it it pinches a little. I have to be honest. Laurindo Garcia: [00:02:20] We're back with another episode of Inclusively in the series. We're talking about how the pandemic has changed people's lives and what lessons that we have learned that could make a post pandemic world more inclusive. I'm your host, Laurindo Garcia. Petrina Kow: [00:02:33] And I'm Petrina Kow. Gret glad to be back to be back. Laurindo Garcia: [00:02:36] So happy to be back. Petrina Kow: [00:02:37] Well, today's theme, as we've heard, is about health. And, you know, I think all of us have had our whole lives that are thrown into a new sort of well, I wouldn't say disarray, but just just having to adjust to new normals. Right. We've been calling it. And I think whether you know and people like somebody said the other day, which I thought was a wonderful sort of analogy, was like, we're all in the same storm, but we're in different boats. So, you know, everyone has their own style, I suppose, or own situations that they have to kind of overcome. Or, you know, some people are thriving. Some people are not doing so well. But I think definitely because this is a pandemic, I think health is one of the biggest sectors, I would say, that has really come into the forefront. Right. So for me, it's just been really basic. It's just been trying to keep healthy and fit and keep my family healthy and fit. So just trying to provide good meals for them and making sure they wake up. And, you know, I have teenagers. This is a problem. And so it's like, eat. Can y'all just eat like regular meals, you know, stuff like that. And just like don't stare the gaming thing for all day that. That's my struggle. That's it. It's nothing big. Laurindo Garcia: [00:03:54] It's been so interesting. We have I mean, usually in a situation like this, myself and my husband, Alan, would be the first people to go out there and volunteer or do stuff, get around, make sure people have what they need, trying to fill gaps where possible. But we find ourselves in a situation where we are sharing a home with Alan's 90 year old mother while she'll be 90 on Monday. She's got advance dementia and we would then be brought upon us. Conversation were like, well, if we go out, it may be great, but we also then increased the risk of bringing something home to her. So given that we've all been so sensitized to what goes in and out of the house and who's there, and you really got to, you know, honor the sanctity that you have set up in your home quarantine for us who have just been keeping a very small daily lives, just the five of us keeping her well and trying to keep her as as engaged as possible. And and that's been a struggle kind of to deal with that, because then you're having to quote I've been. Quiet down the other side of myself that would usually be going out and doing things and really just being learning how to appreciate every day that we've got. With Alan's mum and do all we can remotely. So it's we've really learned a lot from this. But given that the this episode is all about health, I think some some context is really critical here. So as we've seen, you know, frontline workers, health care workers and the fight against covered 19 are really working in response that is severely under-resourced across the region. I think one good way for us to understand the resource situation is that is to look at where investments are. And so, Petrina, have to think about this one end of the scale. We have countries like Japan, Australia and New Zealand who roughly spend about 10 percent of their GDP on public health. And then on the other end of the spectrum, you have countries like Bangladesh, Indonesia and Pakistan who roughly spend about three percent on public health. And this is all according to statistics on Statista from 2017. So my question to you, Petrina, is where do you think Singapore sits on that spectrum? Petrina Kow: [00:06:17] If 10 being the highest and three, 10 percent and 10 percent is around three. Laurindo Garcia: [00:06:22] Yeah. Petrina Kow: [00:06:23] Oooh I don't know, like five maybe. Laurindo Garcia: [00:06:26] Okay. So to Singapore is actually sits in the middle around. So it's spinning around four percent of GDP on public health. Right. Sitting right next door to the Philippines and Mongolia. Petrina Kow: [00:06:39] It feels it feels like it's very little like 4 percent. Laurindo Garcia: [00:06:43] That's right. That's right. And I'm sure some of our guests will have an opinion on that as well as we as we go to speak to them. But let me give you another dimension here. So what this means with this, you know, the resources and investment is that the number of people who are able to work in the sector is also then there are certain challenges and headwinds there. So, for example, in Australia, based on statistics from W.H show, there are 35 doctors per 10000 people we're in. On the other end of the scale in places like Indonesia, for every 10000 people, they have three. Petrina Kow: [00:07:17] Oh, my gosh. Laurindo Garcia: [00:07:18] And again, Singapore kind of sits in the middle to a higher than middle, but the middle range there. And it's not just doctors that we're talking about. We're also looking at nurses, too. Nurses are definitely carrying more responsibilities as as you know, more people are living longer lives and needing more services. The WHO said last month that the region, Asia-Pacific region needs roughly one point nine million nurses by 2030 in order to fill the gap and make sure that nobody gets left behind. So that kind of gives you the extent of the situation. Now, it's not that we don't have healthcare workers, actually places like the Philippines and Indonesia to have a lot of training, a lot of people. But these people are often attracted by, you know, much higher salaries in the Middle East, in the United States, in the UK. And that often creates a brain drain for for the healthcare systems that they're leaving. And with all of these things kind of put together, if we connect the dots. Limited resources mean that there are health care professionals are forced to be more creative in order to meet the man, the increasing the needs of their patients. And there are many more of them and also in limited resource settings. We have people like migrant workers, people who are low income, who are poor or other traditionally marginalized groups whose health is often just left behind. So this kind of paints a picture of what our conversation today. That we're stepping into. Petrina Kow: [00:08:46] You know, I think that's some really confronting statistics. Right. And I think for us here in Singapore, we we've always prided ourselves right on a great sort of health care in everything. But I think this whole situation where our migrant worker communities were so severely and disproportionately affected has really, I think, sent all of us really thinking very hard. So today we're really excited because we've got so many wonderful guests joining us from all over the world. We have one of them, one of my mother's students. Actually, I'm so excited to reconnect with her. And she is a psychologist here in Singapore. And we also have and a good friend of mine. And he's also a fellow performer and singer. And he is from Sing Theatre. And one. One of the reasons I thought of T.J. is because they do this wonderful thing every year where they take music and the gift of music into hospitals. And I thought he would have a special and unique perspective about this episode as well. Laurindo Garcia: [00:09:54] We'll also be hearing from a health care volunteer has been delivering PPEs and shuttling healthcare workers in Manila while the Philippine capital is under lockdown. And also speaking to a health care advocate, a veteran AIDS activist and a good friend of mine who has keen insights on who traditionally who gets left behind in health crises and what we can do. Petrina Kow: [00:10:16] But for now, very happy to say hello to Dr. Kim Lian Rolles-Abraham, clinical psychologist here in Singapore. Welcome to the show, Kim. Dr. Kim Rolles-Abraham: [00:10:26] Thank you for having me. Petrina Kow: [00:10:28] So one of the reasons I thought of chatting with you, course, I remember. First of all, I'm just in awe of the fact that you have three gorgeous little girls under the age of. Managing motherhood and you're like a fresh mom to you just delivered your baby six weeks ago and you put two other little toddlers. And you also have a thriving practice as a clinical psychologist. And what caught my eye was when when this whole lockdown happened, you had written a really impassioned note on Facebook about the importance of mental health here in Singapore and that, you know, that you guys have had to sort of be sort of lumped under the non essentials category. And you were lobbying and sort of at least bringing awareness to the fact that I think more than ever this period of time has been really challenging for people. So perhaps you could give us a little. And of course, I think because of the fact that so many of your colleagues and yourself as well spoke out, that the Ministry of Health actually revoke that and allowed for the, you know, the mental health of Singaporeans to be looked after a little better. So perhaps you could tell us what's been that like for you? Dr. Kim Rolles-Abraham: [00:11:38] Well, I I'm I guess it's been a bit of a bumpy journey with the different rulings about, you know, what is essential, what's not essential. I do think that the main focus. I mean, what was at the forefront initially, obviously, was the coronavirus and how it affects people on a physical level, because I think, you know, that was the most the way it manifested. Right. And I and I think that obviously at that point in time, all the resources went to the medical aspect of things, which is just well and good. And I think it was only a little bit later on that perhaps people started to realize that, you know, this thing was evolving and it wasn't going to go away. And so with that in mind, you know, there will be a lot of other challenges along the way which would really impact one psyche. So I guess I mean, I don't know what the process was like in terms of them deciding to reclassify, psychological services as essential. But that has been great for for myself and for my colleagues. We're still doing it in a little bit of a limited fashion, though, because we we we are only allowed to go in to the office for Face-To-Face consults for about for about four hours or so, five days a week. So that means no more than four clients because one session takes about an hour. And so the rest of it then we we work from home remotely. We do either Skype or Zoom or whatever platform that is the most comfortable for for us and our clients. So I think what we've had to do really is also come up with a bit of a triage system, you know, to look at where where the greatest needs. And it's it's it sounds really horrible to say that to kind of say, OK, so you're worse off than the other, and therefore you get face to face and you know it. It's not something that we we enjoy, but it's necessary. And so with that, we've started seeing only the new cases face to face, because obviously, you know, when you meet a person for the first time, you don't want to do it over the online platform because there are there are things that you would need to assess risks and all of that. And then the other category that we see face to face would be those that pose risks either to themselves or to others. Typically, those that present quite a high suicidal risk really face to face. Petrina Kow: [00:14:23] And I mean, in this in this last month or so, I mean, what have you noticed with your patients new and existing that that sort of really presenting for them, you know, in their ability, ability to kind of cope with this whole pandemic situation? Dr. Kim Rolles-Abraham: [00:14:38] Well, I think. This is commonly talked about in all of our sessions. It comes it comes a little bit wants to the forefront instead of maybe some of the other issues that we were working on therapeutically before, you know, very often relate. When I document my my case notes, it often starts with patient shared that the circuit breaker brought up feelings of anger. So it's it's almost as if it's the you know, it's the one thing that everybody talks about immediately. And, you know, they have been also affected in various ways. I think that the common one is is being isolated because I think for a lot of a lot of my patients who already struggle with mental health issues, just that in itself is isolating. You know, the fact that perhaps other people don't understand what they're going through is isolating. And now we've put an extra layer to that isolation, which is that's a physical. You know, they don't get to connect on it on a physical level with other people. And so not everybody connects well to text or, you know, if you Zoom or whatnot. In fact, I'm not even great with it. I only use Zoom when people give me a link and then I click on it. If you ask me to host the meeting, I still don't know how to do that. So, you know, I can only imagine how difficult it is for for some of these people. And also the level of perhaps suffocation, you know, emotionally and being surrounded by family. Well, I think for some some people it's brought joy for others, especially especially the ones that I work with, because they already experience mental health issues. And then that rubs off on the family and vice versa. It's very stifling. And they they've found a real lack of privacy as well. And the routine has really shifted up for them and a lot of my patients as well. You know, they can be quite rigid or quite fixed in their ways. And what is previously kind of given them comfort or solace. This has been a routine, you know, doing something that that brings them comfort each day and some of them their coping mechanisms. Let's go out to meet with people, to sit at a coffee shop and just people watch just to do some window shopping. And that has been their reprieve. But now they're stuck at home. And I think for a lot of mothers as well, being stuck at home also then comes with the obligation that you're at home. Then you've got to manage the kids, whereas previously they would take a break by going out. And then if they're physically out, then the responsibility, the obligation is not is not there. Petrina Kow: [00:17:34] That's so that's so heartbreaking to hear. And I just feel like, you know, I think when you're more than anything, like we just recorded an episode before about food. Right. I don't think food and health is at the most fundamental and essentials that come really much to the forefront when we were dealing with, you know, a worldwide pandemic that, you know, oftentimes it's so easy to get lost in things. But when you you look at what is the daily reality for so many people, then you you really sort of. Yeah. You just sort of jolted into this sort of existential crisis almost. Right. Everyone like we were just talking about this with friends. So. Yeah. Thank you for sharing. You know, Dr. Kim Rolles-Abraham: [00:18:15] No worries. I think just the greatest thing at this point in time that people struggle with this uncertainty. Yeah, absolutely. Just, you know, when when will things lift? When when will things get back to normal? Will things get back to normal? What is the new normal? Laurindo Garcia: [00:18:30] So thank you Kim. I think that question we're all hanging on to right now. And and so I want to just ask you to stay on the line at this stage. I want to open the line to Manila and invite Tesa Celdran to the conversation. How are you Tesa? Tesa Celdran: [00:18:52] It's really it's stormy day in Manila today, sir. Petrina Kow: [00:18:56] Sitting in her car, Tesa Celdran: [00:18:59] You know, I was like I was dropping off somebody at the hospital, so I had find somewhere to park in order to do this. Right. Laurindo Garcia: [00:19:05] Okay. So. So just to help our audience understand, what was life like for you before the pandemic? Before the lockdown measures in Manila. There's also Manila, Philippines. It has has had one of the longest lockdown situations in the region. So I'm just curious what was happening for you prior to all of this? Tesa Celdran: [00:19:26] Well, prior to that, personally, I was moving apartments to I do, you know, I go and get things started moving. I was I was really moved by March. So I was it was a big thing for me. Well, also trying to get together, to go to a run the Living Room, which is like a creative space. So that, again, I was trying to get plans for the last quarter of last year, for the first quarter of this year going. And then here we are. Laurindo Garcia: [00:19:55] The Living Room is is a place where artists visiting the Philippines can can stay and have a bit of a short term residents before moving to other parts of the country. Is that right? Tesa Celdran: [00:20:05] Yeah. We were trying to figure out the next steps. So that what I. How it's changed, is that the next question? Laurindo Garcia: [00:20:12] Yes, that's right. And so. So what are you doing now? Because most of the countries lock down and stay at home, but you're in a car and a car park. Tesa Celdran: [00:20:18] because I. Personally I've always been a volunteer for something. You know, I started 20 years ago. I was working for Heritage Conservation Society. So it's something if I just do the advent of social media, it just became a big thing. Everybody was doing something for typhoon's. Something was they were doing something for people needed help. So the service for that has been really good. So networks were in place. So I did it less. And that's it. Yes. Yes. And then when lockdown happened, suddenly nobody knew what to do because there's no transportation. There's no. How do you get from point A to point B? And lucky for me, I'm sort of a volunteer network, and this is just need volunteers, what can you do? Well, I have a car. We need to bring things to people. So they said OK. So we started getting together. We were first transporting healthcare workers from hospitals to where they were staying and then medical equipment, from food to healthcare workers. Personal protective equipment face shields. So that's what I'm doing on really active because not a lot of us have cars, right. Laurindo Garcia: [00:21:27] So you're delivering PPEs to hospitals, is that right? And having to pick it up from where? So, like, are these private donations? I mean, I've been seeing pictures about deliveries and things like that coming to the Philippines. But I mean, how why why are you why is there the need for people like yourself to do these deliveries when there should be government services actually taking care of business? Tesa Celdran: [00:21:51] I don't think there needs to be a place of what to do, because to be able to go on the roads, you'll need permits to do this, permits to do that. And since I'm the volunteer group that already is connected, they were able to secure permits and said we just need to be able to transport people. And so that that was done quite easily. All I did was that signing up, I'm doing this. And they gave me an I.D. I have like three I.Ds To be able to pass them because you have checkpoints. So it's not easy. Laurindo Garcia: [00:22:16] Still, those are police checkpoint. Tesa Celdran: [00:22:18] Police checkpoints. And also when you when you. Borders. From from one city to another, you know, so it's the Barangay system and at police checkpoints. So it's about three layers of security, really. And just to be able to do that. So I think these are we have people who gather the equipment we need. The equipment face shields, a face mask. I pick them up from wherever they are, wherever they are in the city. It could an appartment. I could be a home. It could be a church. That's the main thing. They're all sent to hospitals. So I connected to about 60 hospitals. Laurindo Garcia: [00:22:59] And you also mentioned what was news to me was that you're also shuttling people to to and from work. Tesa Celdran: [00:23:04] I'm here today because somebody needs a checkup because she's a. She's a cancer patient checkup scheduled here in the hospital near here. Laurindo Garcia: [00:23:12] So I think also its patients and also workers. Tesa Celdran: [00:23:15] Yes. Laurindo Garcia: [00:23:15] So what have been some of the stories that you've heard? I mean, without giving any identifiable information or names or anything like that by water, I imagine your your as a drive your now you're also turning into a bit of a listening ear and a counselor for people as you're as you're ferrying people across the city water. What are some of the things that you're hearing? Tesa Celdran: [00:23:34] One of the most touching stories I remember was this is a hospital called Fedele, which far off in Quezon City it's a bit far. And I was just delivering just the face shields, about 300 face shields for them. And this this doctor comes out. And then I just asked her how I usually say, how are you? How's your family? First thing I ask you. And then she looked at me and said, I'm fine. When I mentioned family, she started to tear up and cry and I thought, oh, no, no, no, no, no, no. You know, and I don't suppose touch each other, but actually we're both wearing gloves and I just held her hands. And she said, I have an 11 year old daughter. And she said, well, we haven't seen for months. And although she's with her mother, she knows she's safe. But things like this, video conferencing is just not enough for her. And she was really in tears. So I just tell you know, we're here. Even if you don't know each other. You understand what I'm trying to. I understand what you're going through, what what we're going through as well. But we're here. So I just I just held her. I say anything for a couple of minutes and then she said. I'm alright right now. So. Just things like that, because, you know, it's. They have to be, what I realised, they have to be like that for their patients. You have to be brave. You have to be strong. And you have to show that they're not feeling anything of these things. Moments like that when you're giving something to them, you just ask them how they are. Makes a big difference. Tesa Celdran: [00:24:58] And how are you holding up? I mean, you're seeing so many different things. I'm sure that also dealing with checkpoints and police can also be kind of tense in the current situation in Manila. How are you holding up yourself? Tesa Celdran: [00:25:10] I go home and I eat some ice cream. But it's not. The support I also get because of what I'm doing is purely voluntary. I get nothing. So I've had my friends calling me up. I go home. And they say we're sending you food so you don't have to cook your dinner. You know, we're sending you a bunch of PPEs. We're sending you. One time I received a cake. I said, whoa, I live by myself, it's a cake. I'm going to get fat. It's just things like that. The people are calling me. How are you? Are you. What's funny is that people are so scared for you. But when you're out there, it's not so scary. They say always to be safe. Yeah, I know. I'm good. I could get sick. So far I've been OK since I got the care and the love and support you get. I'm just saying, if you're volunteering, this is wonderful. So you need the support for those who also get the support. We all need that. Laurindo Garcia: [00:26:07] Thank you for your inspiring story. Is really just heartening. So heartening to, number one, reconnect with you, but also just to hear the work that you're doing there. So please stay on the line. It's a pleasure for me to bring Karen Kaplan on the line from New York to join us. How are you? Karen, welcome. Karyn Kaplan: [00:26:25] I Laurindo and everyone. It's wonderful to be here, even though it's midnight here and in the afternoon there. I'm used to it because all of Asia Catalyst's work is in Asia and I'm regularly on calls like this. It's a pleasure. Thanks. Laurindo Garcia: [00:26:42] Thank you so much. So can you give our listeners a bit of an insight into what Asia Catalyst does. You're the executive director. Am I right? Karyn Kaplan: [00:26:50] Absolutely, yes. I've been with the organization for four years. I lived in Asia for about 25 years in Thailand. Always working in the HIV context. Asia Catalyst really was born out of the HIV epidemic in China specifically. About 15 years ago. And there was a lot of discrimination happening like everywhere people were being. People living with HIV were being denied care at hospitals. They were being shunned from their families. And so there was a need for people to come together and figure out how to respond. And I think, you know, what's been so extraordinary about the response from directly affected people by HIV has been this kind of resilience that's been built up over the years, the communities, the strategies to, you know, build political will, to respond effectively and humanely and using a human rights based approach to the HIV epidemic. I feel like it's been very relevant as we're all confronting Covid 19, for example. Right now, we support mainly what my organization does is training on human rights, documentation and advocacy so communities can respond to their own issues that are priorities for them, mainly barriers to accessing healthcare. You know, using the tools of human rights and at the local level or national level or international level. And so, you know, it's largely already very marginalized and disproportionately affected people like transgender people or LGBTQI people, people who use drugs, transgender sex workers, you know, undocumented migrants and all of those communities. Over the years, we have worked together to build very strong networks that are able to quickly respond to urgent needs. So, for example, some of what we do apart from training is sub granting. So very small grassroots, unregistered groups have access to resources, which is really crucial. And, you know, it's very hard to get a grant for food. You know, people are like, what does that have to do with access to health care? But, you know, right now, for example, sex workers, especially transgender sex workers in Thailand who we work with have, you know, no income because sex work is radically affected by the lockdown and restrictions on movement or undocumented Myanmar workers in Thailand who could not get back into their country. So we're supporting a group that works with those largely women. But women and men who are stuck in Thailand. So, yeah, the HIV epidemic has a lot of lessons around, you know, building political well. A community led response is overcoming, you know, stigma and discrimination, because a lot of what we're seeing, whether it's New York or, you know, Cambodia, is a lot of ignorance and fear driving policies, lack of information, a lack of strong political leadership to do the right thing and not overreach in terms of rights violations. So I feel like it's been amazing to see how innovative a lot of these grassroots groups are because they have so much experience working with very few resources. But, you know, a lot of ideas and a lot of connections and allies which are essential. And so that's been the heartening side of all of this. Laurindo Garcia: [00:30:38] I remember meeting you many years ago when I was a newbie in AIDS activism and while Covid 19 is a different virus. You must have a sense of deja vu coming from the AIDS movement. And then you see reports about who is most vulnerable in 2020 to a virus that has no cure. I mean, you hear those statistics from the States about how African-Americans and migrant recent migrants, people working in the informal sector are most vulnerable. In Singapore, you hear stories of how, you know, the population of migrant workers here, very little information about transgender communities. Other communities are generally left under the radar. These are the same groups that you. I'm sure what we're talking about. And when we're trying to get more access to treatment and prevention for HIV sex workers, people who use drugs. People who are in the prison system as well. I mean. I mean what? Surely there must be some frustration going, well, this is happening again. And we didn't get it fixed last time. And here we are. Look, look. Did you see? I told you so. I mean, what must be going through your mind? Karyn Kaplan: [00:31:50] Yes, there's social justice movements are definitely it. We're in for the long haul. Right. We're trying to address the kind of underlying drivers of these epidemics. And of course, we're only as strong as our most vulnerable as as a global community. And right now, there feels like there's a lot of disunity. But at the same time, I think that's where we're seeing also some really bright spots in terms of responding to the challenge of this epidemic that can have potentially positive impact on the communities that we're talking about, whether they're transgender people, people in prison, people in close settings, sex workers. Because what you're seeing, for example, I don't know if you guys have seen in the past couple of days some very exciting things have been coming out of statements by U.N. agencies about the need to, for example, decriminalize sex work, decriminalize homosexuality, release people from prisons, you know, who are because they're seeing all of these criminalization and over criminalization, overtly restricting and cracking down on people for who they are is actually undermining the response. And it's also just antithetical to to respecting human rights. And so if we can use Covid 19 as an opportunity, in spite of all the sickness and all of the death and all of the horror, but it's still pointing to our vulnerabilities as a society and we can hone in on those and say, OK, what haven't we gotten right so far? You know, whether you're talking about Rohingya refugees in Cox's Bazaar in Bangladesh or you're talking about elderly people in a nursing home in New York, you know, who are we not? You know how well what happened there? What can we prevent? Can we take care of? And so the next epidemic won't be so horrible. But we're definitely in this for the long haul. And if it's going to expose some of these opportunities to correct, you know, racism, poverty, social exclusion and criminalization of certain populations, and we can figure out the answers to those by finding more and more allies, then I think that will be a silver lining and that I know a lot of us are are prepared to work on. Laurindo Garcia: [00:34:21] Yeah. I mean, have there been any have you seen any instances in the region? And we're dealing with a very big region in the Asia-Pacific area who have heeded that call from the U.N. agencies to, you know, invest more, take care of the health of vulnerable communities. You got any reason for us to be hopeful and to see there to be a movement and then what had previously been done? Karyn Kaplan: [00:34:45] Absolutely. When I think back to the HIV epidemic in Asia, of course, in Thailand, they issued compulsory licenses to make sure that they could get access to affordable generic drugs. And a lot of countries in Asia and elsewhere did that. Right now, we're think we're all thinking about the Covid 19 vaccine. How are, you know, poor countries, low and middle income countries are going to get access no matter where in the world we're talking about. And so a lot of countries have come out under the World Health Organization, about 150 world leaders from Pakistan to New Zealand, you know, talking about how the any drugs and diagnostics must be free to all who need it. We can't leave anyone behind. And it's the same idea that within the UN human rights mechanisms, there are things that allow us to prioritize life over profit. At some point, the market response is not going to work and we have to take a rights based response. And again, that was a lesson from the HIV epidemic. And I think countries like Thailand, Malaysia, you know, Brazil, we're all having the political will because of activism to respond to their epidemics. But they needed additional tools to be able to do that because they weren't producing their own drugs and relied on international pharmaceutical companies. But it did indeed have the laws in place or put them in place where they needed to. And the same thing could happen with Covid. You know, we could decriminalize sex work. We could decriminalize homosexuality. We could ensure more people have access to healthcare equitably, and we could rely on communities to solve the problems of their own communities and be seen as part of, you know, health systems strengthening, you know, commute. But we have to strengthen those communities to be able to part be part of the health systems. And I think we see some of the most exciting advances in Asia where we have a lot of organize, you know, Asia-Pacific network of people living with HIV. You know, lots of networks of of the groups separate, disproportionately affected. And so that's what gives me hope. Laurindo Garcia: [00:37:08] It will be interesting to see how we're dealing with covered related stigma. Moving forward. All of these conversations about who's positive, who's negative, who is immune, who's not immune, when when there's further data available. I think we've got a lot of lessons learned from the AIDS movement there. Karen, I just have one more question. And every show we invite our experts to imagine that they've been magically granted the power to change and reshape the way that things are done. And so, Karen, if you were given the power to make changes to Asia's health system, to make it more inclusive in the wake of covered 19, what would be the top three things that you would do? Karyn Kaplan: [00:37:50] You know, as an American where we have one of the worst health care systems, you know what, for so many years living in Thailand under universal healthcare, which people living with HIV had a very large part in promoting in the early years. So I would say, you know, that the things that we all need. No matter where we're from, you know, universal health care, affordable healthcare, equitable health care, universal basic income, you know, removing any barrier to health care for whom ever whether you're you know, I work a lot also on TB. You know, elderly women are, you know, get diagnosed less than many other people for all the different reasons they're in the home. Cultural reasons, they do prioritize their health care compared to other people in the family. You know, looking at gender equality, things like that, I'm just the basic stuff. Poverty, gender inequality and are making all of those disappear with the snap of a finger. Petrina Kow: [00:38:55] Yeah, I love that. Thank you so much, Karen. It was so insightful listening to you and hearing your contributions and all that. Amazing where you've been doing. Next, I'd like to introduce to the conversations to T.J. Taylor. He's the low musical director at Sing Theatre here in Singapore, which is the local theatre company. And they do wonderful musical reviews and shows and me. And of course, being in a theatre company, we've had to take a bit of a break. TJ Taylor: [00:39:25] A little bit of a break. Bit of a break. Petrina Kow: [00:39:28] But I think you've also been apart from showing some of the shows that you guys have done online. You're also offering your classes, continuing on with your musical theatre class. Online. Right. But tell us maybe just in terms of your initial response to everything you've heard at the moment and also maybe thinking Sing Theatre's usual sort of yearly outreach in your work in the hospitals? Like what? How how are you feeling about all of this?   TJ Taylor: [00:39:58] Well, first of all, obviously, I think this situation is so unprecedented. And I think for especially those of us in the arts, it is it is something that for us, it is a necessary thing for us to step back, because all most of our work, most of our work involves bringing people together. And at this time, at this time, that just simply can't happen in person. But what's been most inspiring for me is how, as an artist community, people have innovated their work and a lot of theatre, for example, that I spend most of my time in is life. And it involves connecting with people and working directly with people. But what's been fantastic to see and myself as a practitioner as well, we've had to think outside the box. We've had to think, how can how can we still bring these events and these these moments and still bring people together through music, through theatre, through dance in innovative ways that as practitioners we never thought we would ever have to do. Like, we don't train, we don't train as performers to perform through Zoom or to, to, to, to an online play. That's not what we do. But in this time, when people simply can't get together, we still do need to come together. And I think it's been wonderful that platforms like Zoom and Skype and those sort of things are able we're at that point now in society where when technology that we're able to actually do these things and bring things together and put things online so that the arts is still the arts is still alive. It's just in a very different way, but also a very challenging way for artists, because for artists to survive, that is very hard to kind of sustain an income and things like that. But it is a necessary moment in time where it's a hit that we have to take because the health, the health is so important right now. But the artist community overall is always resilient and will always try and give back. And I think that's the main thing that's sharing, like whether people are getting paid or whether it's just majority of people are just giving giving their time and volunteering in that way is just absolutely fantastic to see. So that's that's been truly inspiring. And that's from around the world, like Singapore Singaporean artists. I've seen that in the UK, actually, all the all the artists communities around the world, the things that people have been sharing has really been amazing to to bring people together online. And I think people are people, people who can access that are really taking it as a source of comfort in very uncertain times in terms of seeing theatre. So I worked for a theatre company here called Sing Theatre, which was set up by a fabulous lady called Natalie Rabat about 15 years ago. And Natalie initially started the company to bring French culture to Singapore and promote French culture through that. But over time, she kind of found a need to kind of give back to the community in some other way. And she found that need in hospitals because hospitals can be a very, very obviously clinical environment and for good reasons. But by bringing music to hospitals, Natalie found it an area where we can kind of give back as artists, we can give back to the community, because when you're when you're in the hospital and when you're when you're going through some of the toughest times of your life dependent, you know, everyone is there for different reasons. Music can be such a reprieve and an uplifting and uplifting moment in somebody's day. So for that, since 2013, as an organisation, we've been going into different hospitals around Singapore, specifically seeing health hospitals at the moment and organising different music projects to like some performances in the lobbies, also taking performances to the bedsides, bringing some of the top artists in Singapore, like host Natalie Owens, perform there. We even had Kumar at one of our performances a few few, I think, last year. So we've had lots of different. We've had lots of different performers come to the hospital just to kind of have that escapism from from the from the situation. And I think, you know, we're talking about mental health earlier. And I think music is one of those things that can really kind of help with people's mental health. And I think that's that's the same for us, whether we're in hospital or not right now to kind of take us away from the situation. So we've been spending quite a lot of time on that, creating lots of different projects over the last few years. But obviously with the situation, we've not been able to take artists to the hospitals for obvious reasons. With transmission and things like that. So for us as an organisation, it's been the last few weeks of spending. How do we. They'll provide the service. How do we still how do we still bring music to hospitals in a meaningful way? And it's obviously not been the priority for hospitals, right. You know, they've been dealing with the crisis by actually as the crisis is kind of evolving, actually, we're finding we're having more conversations with the hospitals, that they're seeking some respite specifically for the nurses and the doctors, actually, because that's the other side to what we do, because, of course, we do the patients. But I know we do a program called Singing A Atory where we dress as super heroes and villains and go and go and sing a song to the children's wards. And I used to dress in my underpants as a captain. Captain Singapore, I go. And go. I had other clothes that I promised. I was used to go around the children's wards and sing sing songs and actually the beautiful thing. Obviously the kids engaged and it was all for the kids, but the smiles on the nurses and the doctors face when we used to come into the wards and kind of just take the nurses and doctors who are very stressful jobs day to day, they would have a little smile and a little a little laugh and a joke because we came through and you could tell that it impacted their day in a very meaningful way. So our focus right now is how do we bring those programs online? Certainly for that, you know, for the seeable future and to still give those doctors and nurses especially kind of escapers in their lunch time. So that's our big focus at the moment. Petrina Kow: [00:46:02] Oh, that's wonderful to hear, T.J.. I hope you I hope you manage to get that going. Yeah. And I guess before you sing us your special song, maybe we'll go round to allow guests to just sort of give us all that, your little sort of wrap up. And maybe we'll start with you, Karen. What what would you like our listeners to know? Karyn Kaplan: [00:46:25] I guess just back to your point earlier about the boats were all in this together, maybe in different boats. But if we can keep finding the connections that bring us together more than the disunity that a lot of the political leaders seem to be sowing, I think that's the message because I really, truly have seen the most marginalized communities transcend their situations, helped keep each other alive simply through forming community. And I think that with Covid as a global community, we can do the same. Thank you. Petrina Kow: [00:47:03] Thank you. Karen, how about you, Tesa? Tesa Celdran: [00:47:06] You know, I always say this volunteering, always giving in a big way. But now I'm you know, we need to be distanced. I do things in a very small way is just me picking up stuff. So I guess what I'm saying is every small bit helps. No matter how small it is, it matters. Now, does it have to be giving in a big way or getting big donations, but just saying, how are you and how's your family? It's also a way of giving. So we need all of them. Right now, it's more it's very important. Petrina Kow: [00:47:37] Yeah. Thanks for that. And how about you, Kim? Dr. Kim Rolles-Abraham: [00:47:40] Just three small points. First one. Stay connected, as connected as you can. It's really the most important thing. No. Second, the look out for those that may not have the resources, whether it is food during this time, whether it is a company doing this time in terms of texting. Online platforms. And and also to help some of those people set some of these things up, like some of the elderly may not know how to use certain things to get connected. Look out for them. And lastly, stop holding the news. No, seriously. Pick a couple of accurate sources. Look at those and be done, because at the end of the day, the more we read and some articles can get quite depressing. OK, coronavirus never going to go away. This is never going to happen. So, you know, let's just keep to the basics, things that will help you to understand what you need to do for yourself and those around you. Petrina Kow: [00:48:43] Wonderful. I love that. Thank you all so much for your advice and your offerings and your sharing, I guess. I mean, I've learned also I don't know what you Laurindo. But, you know, it's it's almost like you're you're the editor of your life and you're curating your your your content. Right. And you want to be drawing some boundaries. It's like, what's your magazine about? So what's what are you about? Right. That does not fit in this magazine. This does not exist. So just does X that unfriend or undo and unfollow. And just just I know it kind of. I was like, OK, it is my own little echo chamber, but I think I'm OK for now. For here. Laurindo Garcia: [00:49:21] It's about choosing your battles. Exactly. Petrina Kow: [00:49:24] Drawing those boundaries. But also, I think that's why I love these conversations. And that week we get to dip in and to hear, you know, perspectives from different people, from all from all over, in all sectors. Right. So anything you want to. Anything that you want to add Laurindo? Laurindo Garcia: [00:49:39] I just want to thank all of our guests again to came to test to Karen, to T.J.. Thank you so much for your time. I want to let our listeners know that if you'd like more information about the people who've joined us today and their work. Be sure to check out the inclusively website for details will be providing links to everyone. Please also remember to like this podcast and submit a review. Your feedback will help us improve. And it's certainly most welcome. And don't forget to sign up on our podcast, Spotify and also YouTube. So then you're notified when a new episode is out. Petrina Kow: [00:50:13] Wonderful. So before we go, we just see say thank you for listening. And T.J., what special song have you got for us today? TJ Taylor: [00:50:20] Well, I chose this song, actually, because we focus on musical theatre over at Sing theatre. And this is one of the most classic musical theatre songs of all time. But it also has another meaning, especially over in the UK. A symbol of kind of support for this crisis has become the rainbow. And many people are putting rainbows up in the windows and things like that. So I thought it was very fitting for this time. It is a song about hope. So I'm going to sing You Somewhere Over the Rainbow from Wizard of Oz. Petrina Kow: [00:50:47] All right, ladies and gentlemen, let's please enjoy it with the T.J. Taylor with Somewhere Over the Rainbow.

Looking to get creative with your internal comms? Then this is the episode for you. With Alan, we chat about how to engage your remote workers with creative comms. In this episode we discuss: How creativity doesn't mean cost Getting creative at the planning stage How to use the remote locations to engage the entire company

Welcome back Screen Beans! On this week's episode we chat with writer, editor, storyologist. comic book historian and all around nerd, Alan Kistler! With Alan we chat about his book "Doctor Who: A History", his love of comics, his passion for science fiction and more. We also dive deep on Star Trek: Picard, Weathering with You and the CW's Crisis On Infinite Earths mini series. 

With Alan sunning himself in Spain, Jamie and Christy hold the fort and review the Manchester City vs Liverpool Charity Shield Match and ask did the game really matter plus, is Pep rattled by Liverpool?  They discuss are the demands on the modern players too much and what effect it can have on their performance? They take a look at all the potential transfer deadline deals and debate who's had the best transfer window? Off the back of Pep Guardiola asking his players to vote for Manchester City's new captain, they discuss whether the role of a captain is still as important as is once was? Finally, they give their predictions for who will finish in the Premier League top four, get relegated, win the golden boot and which team will be the surprise package. Follow Us on Twitter: @BootRoomPodcast @JamieHolme @Alanrog3 @Christyeholly & join in the conversation using #BootRoomPodcast

Former Ohio State Buckeyes college basketball coach leads, inspires, and story-tells. Today we speak with Alan Major, college basketball coach, speaker, and author. In this episode, we discuss loving the game and building a foundation for success.  Alan has coached at UNC Charlotte, The Ohio State University, Xavier University, University of the Pacific, and California Lutheran University. Coach Major currently lives in Indianapolis and is seeking a new coaching gig.   Alan Major, a veteran leader both on and off the court, has played a key role in successful programs for over two decades. His philosophy is based on empowerment, professionalism, and motivation, and he has helped shape scores of young men and colleagues alike toward personal and collective victories.  Whether as a coach, a speaker or a leader, one thing remains unchanged: his relentless drive and clarity of vision. With Alan's experience on the court, he loves sharing his story, journey, and life lessons from the game of basketball.  With Alan's drive and knowledge around the game of basketball, we are excited to have Alan on our podcast to share his thoughts with you.   We are excited to feature Alan on the SportsEpreneur Podcast.  The post SE17 | Alan Major | Loving the Game of Basketball appeared first on SportsEpreneur.

Former Ohio State Buckeyes college basketball coach leads, inspires, and story-tells. Today we speak with Alan Major, college basketball coach, speaker, and author. In this episode, we discuss loving the game and building a foundation for success.  Alan has coached at UNC Charlotte, The Ohio State University, Xavier University, University of the Pacific, and California Lutheran University. Coach Major currently lives in Indianapolis and is seeking a new coaching gig.   Alan Major, a veteran leader both on and off the court, has played a key role in successful programs for over two decades. His philosophy is based on empowerment, professionalism, and motivation, and he has helped shape scores of young men and colleagues alike toward personal and collective victories.  Whether as a coach, a speaker or a leader, one thing remains unchanged: his relentless drive and clarity of vision. With Alan’s experience on the court, he loves sharing his story, journey, and life lessons from the game of basketball.  With Alan's drive and knowledge around the game of basketball, we are excited to have Alan on our podcast to share his thoughts with you.   We are excited to feature Alan on the SportsEpreneur Podcast.  The post SE17 | Alan Major | Loving the Game of Basketball appeared first on SportsEpreneur.

Is Pogba more of an idiot than Ballotelli? Has rugby gone too far with human growth? As the new League of Ireland season kicks off, have we reason for hope? Why is Nicky so chirpy about Valentine's Day? The team decided to delve into the darker side of the ManU - PSG game and bring Deliverance into the equation. With Alan, Andy, Andrew, Paul Little, Peter P and Alex B.

Alan Rosenberg has volunteered at local animal shelters for years, helping those animals in need. With Alan's background in accounting and finance he uses his skills to focus on animal advocacy and shelter reform. When Alan is not busy with his day job, he's pulling public records to research various topics and he shares his findings through his blog to shed light on what is going on in shelters today across the state of New Jersey. Looking specifically at New Jersey, the kill rate has decreased by half and the rate of decrease is 2 to 3 times faster than four previous years since Alan has been involved.

Former Ohio State Buckeyes college basketball coach leads, inspires, and story-tells. Our guest today is Alan Major. Alan is a college basketball coach, speaker, and author. Alan has coached at UNC Charlotte, The Ohio State University, Xavier University, University of the Pacific, and California Lutheran University. Coach Major currently lives in Indianapolis and is seeking a new coaching gig.   Alan Major, a veteran leader both on and off the court, has played a key role in successful programs for over two decades. His philosophy is based on empowerment, professionalism, and motivation, and he has helped shape scores of young men and colleagues alike toward personal and collective victories.  Whether as a coach, a speaker or a leader, one thing remains unchanged: his relentless drive and clarity of vision. With Alan's experience on the court, he loves sharing his story, journey, and life lessons from the game of basketball.  The post EP038: Perspectives on Loving the Game with College Basketball Coach Alan Major appeared first on KazSource.

Season two kicks off with Odysseus teaming up with Alan Parsons to find out more information on several missing persons. Detective Parsons believes that the man Odysseus helped bring in may not only be the key to finding Yi Kong, but can also expose a bunraku crime ring. The same one that killed his client several months ago. They have to get into Knight Errant’s downtown office and past the guards into the jail in order to get the information they need from Paul Lee. With Alan’s connections, that should be no problem. Just as long as Odysseus keeps his cool surrounded by a swarm of cops.   >>>>> [Are you kidding me? Who the hell talks for food and an extra phone call? You know, I’m just going to say that we did. I ain’t getting’ paid enough to put this drek request on the chief’s desk.]

With Alan and Brent on vacation this week and Chris sleeping off a 12-hour work shift, Paige joins Kyle and Surly for a deep dive into BLADE RUNNER 2049.

Ever wonder what students ask their teachers? With Alan away, this episode takes place in the classroom instead of the teachers lounge. The exceptional young women of Midreshet Harova ask Mike the questions they want answered about being on campus next year. Maybe you have the same questions, or maybe you're curious about the concerns that Jewish gap year students have about life on campus. Either way, we hope that you'll find this episode insightful and interesting. Let us know! Listen to more episodes, and let us know what you think! We are happy to take topic requests. Our Website http://juisrael.jerusalemu.org/podcasts Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TheTeachersLoungePodcast/ Contact us http://juisrael.jerusalemu.org/contact-us