4/15/19 @9:00am pst - Marc Lesser, Seven Practices of a Mindful Leader: Lesson From Google and a Zen Monastery Kitchen

As mindful leaders we can transform fear to hope and possibility, and move toward creating a life of more meaning and satisfaction.

–Marc Lesser

LISTEN to today's conversation with Marc Lesser!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Seven Practices of a Mindful Leader: Lessons from Google and a Zen Monastery Kitchen 

Today’s leaders are consistently grappling with the pace and complexity of change, the challenge of supporting healthy collaboration and alignment among teams, and the resulting stress and burnout. The practice of mindful leadership may be one of THE most important competencies in business today if leaders are to move beyond fear, anxiety, nagging self-doubt, and the feeling of constant overwhelm.

What could your work, and your life, look like if you knew how to stay focused yet flexible, if you got more of the right things done, and if you were helping to create a more peaceful world at the same time?

Marc Lesser has taught his proven 7-step method to leaders at Google, Genentech, SAP, Facebook, and dozens of other Fortune 500 companies for over 20 years, and has distilled a lifetime of mindfulness and business experience into these chapters. This incredibly practical, yet accessible book draws on Marc’s experience as a CEO of 3 companies, as co-founder of the world-renowned Search Inside Yourself (SIY) program within Google, and as a long-time Zen practitioner.

The principles in this book can be applied to leadership at any level, providing readers with the tools they need to shift awareness, enhance communication, build trust, eliminate fear and self-doubt, and cut down on unnecessary workplace drama.

Embracing any one of the 7 practices alone can be life-changing. When used together, they support a path of well-being, productivity, and positive influence.

Practicing mindful leadership will allow you to achieve results – with more energy, clarity, meaning, and connection. Your intentions and actions will be more aligned. You will accomplish more with less wasted effort.

After reading this book, you’ll understand why some of the world’s most successful companies routinely incorporate the 7 practices of mindful leadership, integrating mindfulness, emotional intelligence, and business savvy, to create great corporate cultures, and even a better world.

4/15/19 @9:45am pst - Filmmaker Pat McGee joined host Janeane to talk about shooting the documentary AMERICAN RELAPSE (screening at the Newport Beach Film Festival April 30, 2019)

LISTEN to today's conversation with Pat McGee

"The biggest challenge as a filmmaker was realizing there is a fine line between humanity and exploitation. Each time someone shoots up they could overdose and die. This is as real as it gets, people are overdosing and dying at alarming rates. We wanted the doc to speak the truth, and to start an honest conversation about what's really happening in the streets. In order to do that you need to document and not produce. As a filmmaker I needed to understand what I'm okay with, can I accept the responsibility when someone dies in front of me because I did not prevent them from sticking a needle full of fentanyl in their vein. Documenting the heroin epidemic is tantamount to reporting from the frontlines of a war...people die, are you willing to get out of your comfort zone to document the truth?" - Pat McGee

AMERICAN RELAPSE

Drug overdoses killed more Americans last year than the Vietnam War.

Recovering addicts Frankie and Allie spend their lives helping other addicts, but can they stay clean themselves?

AMERICAN RELAPSE is a feature documentary about the ripped-from-the-headlines heroin epidemic and the corrupt underground rehab industry that has sprung up around it in Southern Florida. 

THE AWARD-WINNING FILM THAT INSPIRED VICELAND'S HIT SERIES ‘DOPESICK NATION’

OPENING IN LA & NY ON MARCH 29

AVAILABLE ON DIGITAL ON APRIL 2

Best Feature Documentary, Rhode Island International Film Festival
Best Feature Documentary, Alexandria Film Fest
MINT Spirit Award (Top Festival Prize), Montana International Film Festival
Best Feature Documentary, Laughlin International Film Festival
Best Feature Documentary, Mammoth Film Festival
Best Feature Documentary, Other Venice Film Festival
Social Awareness Award, Orlando Film Festival

Recovering addicts Frankie and Allie spend their lives helping other addicts, but can they stay clean themselves?

AMERICAN RELAPSE tells the story of two people fighting to make a difference against the devastating heroin epidemic that’s spawning a billion-dollar treatment industry. Against the odds, in an “Us vs. the World” mentality, two recovering addicts spend their lives pulling needles out of the arms of addicts and assist in placing them in reputable treatment facilities. The film features Frankie and Allie who live and work in Delray Beach, Florida, the Rehab Capital of America, now referred to by some as the Relapse Capital of America. They allowed the film crew all access for one weekend. What transpires over 72 hours is not only captivating and raw, but a heartbreaking rollercoaster ride.
Frankie is 38 and has relapsed multiple times but continues to operate his F*ck Heroin Foundation with his mother. Allie is 28 and has been clean and sober for 10 years. While they are at different points on the recovery spectrum, they both share a deep belief in the 12th step: helping others. These unlikely and imperfect heroes opened their lives for the world to see, hoping to shine a light anywhere and any way they can. In the process, they show viewers and addicts alike that despite seemingly impossible odds and devastating damage, empathy and hope can restore a little bit of humanity to those who struggle and can sometimes save their lives.

AMERICAN RELAPSE is directed by Pat McGee and Adam Linkenhelt, and is produced by Pat McGee Pictures in association with Sorted Pictures and Next Up Productions. Executive producers include Pat McGee and Stacy McPeak for Pat McGee Pictures, Ian and Jaime Manheimer of Next Up Productions and producers Terry Hahin and Adam Linkenhelt for sorted Pictures. The film has a running time of 105 minutes and will not be rated by the MPAA.

Pat McGee Pictures will release the film in Los Angeles and New York exclusively for one week beginning March 29. The film will screen at the Laemmle Monica Film Center in Los Angeles and Cinema Village in New York City.

Gravitas Ventures will distribute the film on VOD beginning April 2nd. Among the many platforms include iTunes, Google Play, Vimeo, and Amazon. 

https://itunes.apple.com/us/movie/american-relapse/id1451031005

To view the trailer, go to: https://vimeo.com/309928484
For more information, go to: www.americanrelapse.com

4/15/19 9:30am pst - Award-winning author Marc Graham joined host Janeane live on KUCI 88.9fm

LISTEN to today's conversation with Marc Graham!



CASTLE ROCK, CO—Award-winning author Marc Graham creates a fresh tale that weaves history and legend in Song of Songs: A Novel of the Queen of Sheba (April 16, 2019, Blank Slate Press). Using the newest archaeological finds and linguistic research, Graham constructs an accurate depiction of the Middle East in Old Testament times while bringing to light an important but rarely touched upon historical figure.

Lift the veil of legend for the untold story of Makeda, the Queen of Sheba, and Bathsheba, wife and mother of Israel’s first kings. When Makeda comes of age she inherits what her father has left behind. Her city is on the brink of destruction as a crumbling dam threatens to wash away everything that Makeda has known. Graham’s characters explore the idea of familial honor in times of cultural disruption, their individual paths in light of their strong mythic beliefs, and to give voice to powerful women in history often neglected.


Award-winning author Marc Graham dives into a much glossed over historical figure in Song of Songs: A Novel of the Queen of Sheba (Blank Slate Press, April 16, 2019). Using the latest archaeological findings and linguistic research, Graham constructs an accurate depiction of the Old Testament Middle East to revive the untold story of Makeda, the Queen of Sheba, and Bathsheba, wife and mother of Israel’s first kings.


In an interview, Marc Graham discusses:

>The most recent archeological and linguistic research that led him to write Makeda’s story

>The current crisis in Yemen, Makeda’s homeland, and his partnership with Zakat Foundation of America

>His background as an award-winning author and how storytelling can be a tool to broaden perspectives and transform lives

>His use of Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Ethiopian, and Masonic myths for this non-traditional retelling of the Queen of Sheba’s story

>How the shift from matriarchal polytheism to patriarchal monotheism changed our view of history

>The importance of story, myth, and lore to social development

>The power of myth in the #MeToo era

Marc is pledging half of the book's proceeds to Yemen humanitarian relief and is partnering with the Zakat Foundation of America who will be matching his funds.

ABOUT MARC
Marc Graham was raised in Michigan before attending Rice University in Texas, where he studied mechanical engineering. After spending several years traveling the country with his wife, he eventually landed in Colorado where he lives along the Rocky Mountains. His first novel, Of Ashes and Dust, won the Paul Gillette Memorial Writing Contest and National Writers Association Manuscript Contest. Graham is an actor, speaker, story coach, shamanic practitioner, and whisky aficionado. When not on stage, in a pub, or bound to his computer, he can be found traipsing about the foothills and mountains with his wife and their Greater Swiss Mountain Dog. Learn more at https://www.marc-graham.com/.

4/15/19 9:15am pst - Director/co-writer, Rick Hays, joined Janeane live on KUCI 88.9fm to talk about his film The Way We Weren't!

LISTEN to today's show with Rick Hays!

Get ready to fall in love....the wrong way!

Vision Films presents the hilarious new romantic comedy,

THE WAY WE WEREN’T

Available on DVD/VOD on February 12, 2019

Vision Films, DiMuccio Entertainment Syndicate, Bella Pictures and Epic Entertainment Enterprises are delighted to present the laugh-out-loud comedy about the lies we tell for love, The Way We Weren’t. Shedding a light on the hilarity at which we change ourselves in order to make ourselves more attractive as a potential partner, this feel-good, romantic comedy directed by Rick Hays took away top honors at the 2018 Portland Comedy Film Festival with it’s refreshing, new take on the story of a mismatched couple.

Starring Fiona Gubelmann (The Good Doctor, Wilfred, One Day at a Time) and Ben Lawson (The Good Place, 13 Reasons Why, Designated Survivor) as the picture perfect, but ill-fated couple, and featuring Amber Stevens West (Greek, The Amazing Spider-Man), Keith Powell (30 Rock, Syrup), Tobin Bell (Saw, The Flash) and Alyssa Diaz (The Rookie, Ray Donovan), The Way We Weren’t tells the tale of two people meet just after their previous relationships have imploded and in an effort to make themselves more appealing, exaggerate, fib and outright lie. When they move in together, the deception unravels with the most amusing and spectacular of ways.

The Way We Weren’t will be available on DVD and VOD just in time for Valentine’s Day on February 12, 2019.

Since meeting online, Charlotte (Fiona Gubelmann) and Brandon (Ben Lawson) have fudged, padded, glossed over, reimagined, and outright lied about everything in an attempt to be each other’s perfect match. But despite overcoming all the obstacles there’s one thing their 10-day-old marriage might not survive...each other! After they said their “I dos” the fronting is about to end and they’re going to get a hilarious, hellish and surprising look at just who they’ve vowed to spend the rest of their lives with. Will familiarity breed contempt... or bliss?


Writer/producer Brian DiMuccio explains that the inspiration for The Way We Weren’t actually came from an experience he had in the early 2000’s. “We met one week before she moved to Spain for a year for work and our getting-to-know-you period wasn't unlike Charlotte and Brandon's in the movie,” he says. “We both gave into the temptation to present heavily idealized versions of ourselves that lead to some disillusionment when she moved back to LA. Our story ended badly but as they say, tragedy plus time equals comedy!”

“We hope that people come away from the film remembering that being in love, even when it's messy, maddening, and feels like a sucker-punch to the heart, is always grand!” DiMuccio continues. “And it’s infinitely better than the alternative”.

“Brandon’s problem is an inability to commit to even the simplest things in life”, Ben Lawson explains of his character. “His come-to-Jesus moment is that if he’s ever going to find happiness he needs to face this commitment phobia...and what better way to do that than to marry the next person he meets!”

“I think most people in this modern era of dating and social media can relate to having too many options and the fear of missing out on something better,” Lawson continues. “ I think it’s true that at a point you need to block out all the noise and channel your efforts into one thing, one person, one endeavor, whatever it is. In France they say “le mieux est l’ennemi du bien” The best is the enemy of the good. I think once we accept that there’s always going to be something better, that even when we achieve our goals we immediately set new ones, we can begin to enjoy what we have and allow ourselves some happiness”.

“The Way We Weren’t is the perfect romantic comedy to release on Valentine’s Day for all us who can’t seem to find the perfect match, or… maybe our “perfect” match is not perfect, and then this is what makes him or her just perfect”, says Lise Romanoff, CEO/Managing Director of Vision Films.

ORDER THE WAY WE WEREN’T
Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/ondemand/thewaywewerent
iTunes: http://bit.ly/TWWW-iTunes
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/ondemand/thewaywewerent

4/8/19 @9:45am pst - Musician/Composer Rachel Flowers and Filmmaker Lorenzo DeStefano joined Janeane to talk about Rachel Flowers' up-coming Hearing is Believing Concert April 12 7pm Wilshire Ebell Theatre, Los Angeles

LISTEN to today's conversation
with the extraordinarily talented
Rachel Flowers and filmmaker Lorenzo DeStefano 

EVENT PROMO VIDEO (4:00)

www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwN4vzWbi4Q
www.ymf.org/events


VIEW MOVIE TRAILER (2:23)

www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJ6kw1cmMh4&feature=youtu.be


Filmmaker Lorenzo DeStefano and his team have created a dynamic and engaging portrait of nearly two years in the life of a tight knit American family, a single mom and her two kids, living paycheck to paycheck in working class Oxnard, California, with Rachel’s stunning music as the soundtrack. “Hearing is Believing” revels in Rachel’s joyous and free-flowing love of song, illuminating the bonds of family and the divine mysteries of creativity. Rachel Flowers is a true survivor, a hyper-abled individual whose inspiring story has the potential to be a beacon of hope out there.

Appearing with Rachel in “Hearing is Believing” are Grammy winners Arturo Sandoval, Stevie Wonder, Dweezil Zappa, two-time Grammy nominated jazz pianist, Taylor Eigsti, the late Progressive Rock icon Keith Emerson, Hawaii ukulele master Benny Chong, and 50 members of the Santa Barbara Youth Symphony performing Rachel's original composition, “At The End Of The Day”.

Rachel has appeared at the Havana International Jazz Festival (2016), Progfest 2017 & 2018, and at the PDX Portland Jazz Festival (2018). She has shared the stage with Dweezil Zappa, Arturo Sandoval, Taylor Eigsti, Jeff “Skunk” Baxter, Marc Bonilla, Jordan Rudess, Steve Porcaro, Rick Wakeman, Burt Bacharach, Bob Reynolds, Cuban legends Bobby Carcassés, Bellita Y Jazz Tumbatá, and Orlando "Maraca" Valle, the Young Musicians Foundation Debut Orchestra and the Birmingham (UK) Symphony Orchestra.

Rachel has performed since her youth for Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, Quincy Jones, Clark Terry, Herbie Hancock, Herb Alpert, and Wayne Shorter. She has three albums in release – “Listen” (2016), “Hearing is Believing Motion Picture Soundtrack” (2017), and “Going Somewhere” (2018). Rachel is a very active part of several jazz lineups in California and is composing original songs and works for orchestra, jazz combo, piano, and voice. At this point in her eventful musical career she is deeply exploratory, forging a variety of stylings as immensely accomplished as they are uniquely her own.




The Young Musicians Foundation, Hearing Is Believing Productions, & Rachel Flowers

invite you to attend this very special Screening & Concert Event coming up on

FRIDAY APRIL 12, 2019
7pm Wilshire Ebell Theatre, Los Angeles

If you are a Rachel Flowers fan or have just discovered the story and music of this astonishing young talent, we hope you won't miss this rare chance to see the film & Rachel, all in one night.

This is Rachel's L.A. Concert debut.
"Hearing is Believing" filmmaker Lorenzo DeStefano will also attend.


This event is a benefit for the Young Musicians Foundation,
bringing musical opportunities to children and young adults since 1952.
This event will help support their important arts education work for years to come.


7pm Screening of

“Hearing is Believing”

a film by Lorenzo DeStefano


"Documents a Rare Talent" - NY Times

"A beautiful, inspiring film. When Rachel Flowers smiles the world explodes with joy" - Tom Schnabel KCRW Rhythm Planet

“Mind, be ready to be blown” – Harper’s Bazaar

"Rachel Flowers reminds me just why music is so powerful." - Dweezil Zappa

"...jaw-dropping talent on display." - LA Times

www.rachelflowersmusic.com / www.hearingisbelievingfilm.com / www.facebook.com/HearingisBelievingFilm/


Followed by…

RACHEL FLOWERS - LIVE IN CONCERT

with the Young Musicians Foundation Debut Orchestra
Conducted by Lauren Wasynszuk

World Premiere of Rachel’s compositions

“OTHER VOICES” & “CONCERTO for ORGAN #1”



THE WILSHIRE EBELL THEATRE
4401 West 8th Street @ Wilshire Blvd. (corner of Lucerne & Wilshire)
Los Angeles, California 90005

4/8/19 - Filmmaker Tim Disney chats about his latest film WILLIAM, which opens in theaters this month!

Directed by Tim Disney 

LISTEN to today's conversation with Tim Disney!

Beyond being known as the great-nephew of Hollywood pioneer Walt Disney, Tim has enjoyed a dual filmmaking career as both a producer of environmentally and socially-conscious documentaries and a director (and writer) of narrative features. He served as executive producer on the documentaries “Gift of the Game,” “Racing Against the Clock,” 

“A Life Among Whales,” “The Price of Sugar” and “The Last Mountain.” Disney’s feature directing credits include “A Question of Faith” (also writer), “Tempesta” and “AmericanViolet.” He is also an executive producer on “Janis,” the upcoming biopic of singer Janis Joplin starring Michelle Williams.

Star academics, Doctors Julian Reed and Barbara Sullivan, fall in love with each other and with the idea of cloning a Neanderthal from ancient DNA. Against the express directive of University administrators they follow through on this audacious idea. The result is William: the first Neanderthal to walk the earth for some 35,000 years. William tries his best to fit into the world around him. But his distinctive physical features and his unique way of thinking--his “otherness”--set him apart and provoke fear. William’s story is powerful and unique, but his struggle to find love and assert his own identity in a hostile world is universal--and timeless.
Tim has directed strictly in the independent film world as opposed to the studio system, even though his legacy last name is one of the studios. This is particularly true with WILLIAM, a coming-of-age fantasy drama which he directed and co-wrote with J.T. Allen

DIRECTOR: Tim Disney
STARRING Will Brittain, Waleed Zuaiter, Maria Dizzia, and Beth Grant
SCREENPLAY: Tim Disney, J.T. Allen
PRODUCERS: Amar Balaggan, Jonathan DuBois.

EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Bill Haney, Peter Newman 

SHORT SYNOPSIS:

Star academics, Doctors Julian Reed and Barbara Sullivan, fall in love with each other and with the idea of cloning a Neanderthal from ancient DNA. Against the express directive of University administrators they follow through on this audacious idea. The result is William: the first Neanderthal to walk the earth for some 35,000 years. William tries his best to fit into the world around him. But his distinctive physical features and his unique way of thinking--his “otherness”--set him apart and provoke fear. William’s story is powerful and unique, but his struggle to find love and assert his own identity in a hostile world is universal--and timeless.

LONG SYNOPSIS:
Doctors Julian Reed (WALEED ZUAITER) and Barbara Sullivan (MARIA DIZZIA) are rising stars in their respective fields at elite Wallace University when they fall in love with each other--and with their mutual passion for the idea of cloning a Neanderthal. Their plan: to extract DNA from the world’s only non-fossilized Neanderthal remains, which were discovered by Reed’s boss and mentor, Dr. Godwin Thomas (BETH GRANT), and stored on the Wallace campus. Thomas named this Neanderthal “William” after William King, the Irish naturalist who, in 1864, first recognized Neanderthals as a separate species.


Against the express directive of Wallace President Bob Clayborn (PAUL GUILFOYLE) and the misgivings of some in the scientific community, Sullivan and Reed follow through on their audacious idea. Sullivan boldly decides to carry the embryo and the result is William: the first Neanderthal to walk the earth for some 35,000 years.

William proves a sweet, strong and happy child and develops rapidly. But the now-married Sullivan and Reed, who have become an academic power duo, soon argue over how to raise the boy. Reed believes William should continue to be monitored and researched while Sullivan’s maternal instincts overtake her scientific needs: She wants William to lead the life of a normal child, free from excess scrutiny. But is it possible?

The couple divorces and Sullivan takes William, now five, out of his laboratory “home” to start a new life as a single mother on Washington State’s remote Quiggan Island. Over time, William finds some measure of acceptance in the funky island community, but only up to a point. Even here his distinctive physical features, his powerful build and his unique way of thinking--his “otherness”--set him apart and can provoke fear in the less tolerant. When school bullies taunt him with calls of “caveman,” the usually kind William responds with a defensive show of strength that ends the harassment.

Once in high school, however, William (WILL BRITTAIN) finds himself with a pair of good-natured pals (FINN HANEY, KEVIN DZAH) as well as a romantic attraction to Judy (MORGAN TAYLOR CAMPBELL), his pretty co-star in the school musical, though William’s interest goes unreturned.

After high school graduation Sullivan wants William to remain in the relative safety of Quiggan Island. But Reed is adamant that William enroll at Wallace University to study and to participate once again in his research. William complies with his dad’s wishes and moves into his house near the University. There he forms a bond with Reed’s gentle, much younger, live-in girlfriend Sarah (SUSAN PARK), a tutor who’s also working toward her PhD. However, Sarah’s discontent with the driven, judgmental Reed brings her even closer to William.

But in the end the tension between Reed’s high expectations and William’s own emerging sense of identity explodes into open conflict. William accepts that there is no place for him in this world, but he leaves behind a surprising legacy.

“Wiliam” is a stirring, heartfelt, provocative and inventive look at nature, nurture and the limits and vastness of scientific possibility.

4/8/19 @9am pst - Cindy Kolbe joined Janeane to chat about her new memoir, Struggling with Serendipity

LISTEN to today's show featuring Cindy Kolbe


ABOUT CINDY KOLBE
Cindy is the author of the new Struggling with Serendipity memoir. She has been a lifelong disability advocate, even before her youngest daughter's spinal cord injury. She managed group homes, ran a non-profit, and taught literacy to adults with disabilities at a state institution. An active volunteer, she served on the Ohio Swimming Board of Directors as Adapted Chairperson for swimmers with a disability. She is a Peer Mentor, Guest Blogger, and Regional Champion for the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation. She supports other Warrior Momz and the international nonprofit AbleThrive. She also provided four years of personal care after Beth's spinal cord injury.

Cindy is a mom on a mission to share the power of hope and connection. Since March of 2016, Cindy published 50 articles related to disability and mental health in many different media. (Listed on her "Press and News" webpage!) She also writes a popular blog and her upcoming memoir, Struggling with Serendipity, will be available on April 9, 2019 everywhere books are sold.

Cindy attended Ohio State University as one of thirteen Freshman Scholars in 1976, and majored in English at Heidelberg College. She married her best friend John 41 years ago and raised three children in Tiffin, Ohio. Beth works as a lawyer, Ben is a librarian, and Maria teaches young students with disabilities. Cindy and John also lived in Massachusetts and South Carolina before his retirement from teaching. They recently moved to the beautiful Shenandoah Valley to be closer to their children. 

ABOUT HER BOOK
Cindy’s new memoir, Struggling with Serendipity, shares her battle with depression and guilt after her daughter injury. They shared unexpected adventures from their small town in Ohio to Seattle, Harvard, Capitol Hill, and around the world. Cindy is a writer with a blog and more than 50 articles since 2016 in Power of Moms, Motherly, AbleThrive, This Is My Brave, Reeve Foundation, and other media. She is on a mission to share a message of hope for those in crisis.


Cindy Kolbe
Book & Blog: Struggling with Serendipity
419.618.8477 | cindy@strugglingwithserendipity.com
www.strugglingwithserendipity.com/book