7/15/19 @9:45am pst - Alex Azmi, an Emmy Award Winner Filmmaker, joined Janeane to talk about his award-winning documentary, Violet is Blue: A Tale of Gibbons and Guardians

LISTEN to today's feature conversation with
Alex Azmi.

Alex Azmi is an Emmy Award Winner Filmmaker based in Los Angeles, CA. He is interested in documentaries and narrative films that deal with social and human issues. Alex is dedicated to producing high quality films in collaboration with talented artists in the US and around the world. 

ABOUT THE FILM

This heartwarming, sometimes heart-wrenching cinematic documentary will draw you into a world the likes of which you've never seen. A fascinating society of Gibbons and their Guardians in a remote conservation center. Adversity will test the center's resolve, yet the fun and joys of these singing apes, especially Violet, will capture your soul.

The film also highlights the plight of the gibbons in the wild and the sacrifices of the people who love and care for them. The film shows the leadership of a few women who, at the time of crisis and despite the personal cost, rose to face major challenges and save a center.

LOS ANGELES – June 24, 2019 -- Violet is Blue: A Tale of Gibbons and Guardians, an award-winning short documentary, will screen at LA Film School on Saturday, July 20th at 7:00 PM. The screening will be followed by a Q&A and reception. Proceeds will go to The Gibbon Conservation Center, a 501-C3 a not for profit corporation.


From Emmy Award winner Executive Producer/Director Alex Azmi, Producer/Editor Saturn Award winner Michael Thau and Producer Dan Watt, comes this heartwarming, sometimes heart-wrenching cinematic documentary that will draw you into a world you’ve never seen before: a fascinating society of Gibbons and their Guardians in a remote Conservation Center. As adversity tests the Center's resolve, the fun and joy of these singing apes- especially Violet, will capture your soul.


The film displays the leadership of a few women who, at the time of crisis and despite the personal cost, rose to face major challenges and save The Gibbon Conservation Center in Santa Clarita. Violet is Blue also highlights the plight of the gibbons in the wild and the sacrifices of the people who love and care for them. These animals exist in the shadow of extinction, facing numerous challenges including deforestation, hunting, and the illegal wildlife trade.


AWARD WINNING DOC SHORT “VIOLET IS BLUE: A TALE OF GIBBONS AND GUARDIANS” SPECIAL SCREENING

Screening to be Fundraiser for The Gibbon Conversation Center on 7/20 at LA Film School

Gibbon Conservation Center 

A non-profit center to promote the conservation, study and care of gibbons through public education and habitat preservation

https://www.gibboncenter.org/

7/20/19 - AWARD WINNING DOC SHORT “VIOLET IS BLUE: A TALE OF GIBBONS AND GUARDIANS” SPECIAL SCREENING

AWARD WINNING DOC SHORT “VIOLET IS BLUE: A TALE OF GIBBONS AND GUARDIANS” SPECIAL SCREENING


Screening to be Fundraiser for The Gibbon Conversation Center on 7/20 at LA Film School

LOS ANGELES – June 24, 2019 -- Violet is Blue: A Tale of Gibbons and Guardians, an award-winning short documentary, will screen at LA Film School on Saturday, July 20th at 7:00 PM. The screening will be followed by a Q&A and reception. Proceeds will go to The Gibbon Conservation Center, a 501-C3 a not for profit corporation.


From Emmy Award winner Executive Producer/Director Alex Azmi, Producer/Editor Saturn Award winner Michael Thau and Producer Dan Watt, comes this heartwarming, sometimes heart-wrenching cinematic documentary that will draw you into a world you’ve never seen before: a fascinating society of Gibbons and their Guardians in a remote Conservation Center. As adversity tests the Center's resolve, the fun and joy of these singing apes- especially Violet, will capture your soul.


The film displays the leadership of a few women who, at the time of crisis and despite the personal cost, rose to face major challenges and save The Gibbon Conservation Center in Santa Clarita. Violet is Blue also highlights the plight of the gibbons in the wild and the sacrifices of the people who love and care for them. These animals exist in the shadow of extinction, facing numerous challenges including deforestation, hunting, and the illegal wildlife trade.

Emerging as a strong contender on the festival circuit, awards include: Best in Festival - Poppy Jasper Film Festival 2019, Gold Winner - Queen Palm International Film Festival, Gold Award - Virgin Springs Cinefest 2019, Winner - Crown Wood International Film Festival May 2019 and


Winner - Hyperwave Film Festival Spring 2019.


The screening will be on Saturday, July 20th, 7:00 PM at the LA Film School, 6353 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, 90028. The film will be shown at 7:00 pm, with a Q&A with the filmmakers and the Center’s directors, with a reception to follow. Tickets are $25 (Adults), $20 (Seniors) and $15 (12 years old and younger). To purchase tickets, go to: https://www.gibboncenter.org




Gibbon Conservation Center​

Alex Azmi is an Emmy Award Winner Filmmaker based in Los Angeles, CA. He is interested in documentaries and narrative films that deal with social and human issues. Alex is dedicated to producing high quality films in collaboration with talented artists in the US and around the world. 

Michael Thau has worked on many celebrated features and television shows including The Goonies, The Lost Boys, Scrooged, Tales from the Crypt, and the Lethal Weapon series. Michael restored Superman - The Movie, directing and producing acclaimed documentaries about the groundbreaking film. Recently Michael produced and edited Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut, reinstating the majority of the director’s “lost” material, including the never-seen-before last screen appearance of Marlon Brando. The film won the prestigious Saturn Award.

Dan Watt is a documentary filmmaker interested in stories exploring the human experience, the arts, and the protection and conservation of our planet and wildlife. Dan currently has a feature film in post-production examining the arts and children, and another film in production honoring women and their journey through life.


For more details on the screening, please contact Deborah Gilels at 818-758-6509/ddgilels@prodigy.net, or email VioletisBlueDoc@gmail.com

7/15/19 @9:15am pst - Aliza Kelly, the astrologer for Cosmopolitan Magazine, and author of the just released Starring You

LISTEN to today's conversation
with featured guest
Aliza Kelly!

In the age of immersive digital technology and social media, why is astrology--a tool as old as the stars--suddenly making an explosive come back?

According to Aliza Kelly, the astrologer for Cosmopolitan Magazine, and author of the just released Starring You, astrology perseveres today for one simple reason-- it makes us look within.

The hot new summer release, Starring You (Little Bee Books; June 11th, 2019) by Aliza Kelly is an interactive and essential guide to astrology. In an interview, Aliza Kelly describes how astrology fosters empowerment, the practice of empathy, and a guide to self reflection. Aliza invites everyone--from astro-curious mothers and daughters to singles looking for love--to uncover secret strengths, hidden talents, and core truths

.
From the basic like instructions to find your sign to the more complex gathering of wisdom from the planets, and understanding your place in the zodiac. As readers learn about themselves, they'll deepen their connections to their friends, family, and even crushes.

Plus, readers will learn:
What to do when everything goes haywire--aka Mercury's retrograde?
How to guide their true selves and encourage fill the pages with their discoveries.

This guide also covers:
-The History of Western Astrology
-The Twelve Signs of the Zodiac
-Sun Signs
-Secret Signs
-Personal and Outer Planets
-Moon Phases
-Eclipses
-Retrogrades
-and how to use astrology in daily life!

Maps, a time line, an index, and gorgeous illustrations make this full-color guide the perfect introduction to astrology and a beautiful cosmic portrait of you!



Aliza Kelly is a New York City-based astrologer and writer. Aliza is the author of two books, The Mixology of Astrology: Cosmic Cocktail Recipes for Every Sign and Starring You: A Guided Journey Through Astrology. Aliza's horoscopes and columns appear in Cosmopolitan, and her work has been featured in Allure, Vogue, Paper, Bustle, Refinery29, HuffPost, and Girlboss. In her private practice, Aliza hosts monthly workshops and provides chart reading for clientele. She can be found at alizakelly.com.

7/15/19 @9:30am pst - One Day on the Gold Line A Memoir in Essays By Carla Rachel Sameth

LISTEN to today's conversation with featured guest Carla Sameth!

Beautifully written, with incredible candor, on race, class, drugs, sexuality, and quite literally having the fire underneath you drive your deepest desires into reality. Carla Rachel Sameth is both brave and relatable in her struggles, and ultimately, a guest who will leave you feeling like we can overcome adversity to both give and receive love.


“Carla Sameth has seen it all—and she’s the perfect guide to show us the poetry she found. Like motherhood itself, One Day on the Gold Line will break your heart in all the right places and put it back together a little differently.”
—Ariel Gore, Author, Editor/Publisher of Hip Mama


“Race, class, drugs, sexuality, otherness…21st Century American hot-button issues are on full display in this brave, gritty, unflinching memoir.This is a “feel-good” book not because it’s fuzzy and vague, but cause of its clear-eyed, truth-telling love.”

—Sue William Silverman, author of The Pat Boone Fan Club, Love Sick

"One Day on the Gold Line, kept me riveted. Sameth tells deeply moving personal stories about overwhelming yearning and love that make you frighteningly vulnerable, finding the courage to face the worst, losing the person you were in your youth and discovering her again. This is a truly beautiful book."
—Lillian Faderman, author of Naked in the Promised Land: A Memoir and Harvey Milk: His Lives and Death


“There is so much to admire in these warm, funny, and deeply human tales of love, sex, motherhood, and other adventures. Carla Sameth never gives up on herself, and her readers will never give up on her.”
—Héctor Tobar, author of the New York Times bestseller: Deep Down Dark: The Untold Stories of 33 Men Buried in a Chilean Mine and the Miracle That Set Them Free.


While escaping from a burning boat, Carla realizes that if she died, her one regret would be not having children. She overcomes miscarriages to finally give birth to a son. Motherhood’s usual struggles are then complicated by identity, community, and the challenges of creating a blended family. The overarching theme of these loosely woven reflective tales is the storyteller’s dream of the “perfect” family, the pursuit of which hurls her from one crisis to the next, ultimately meeting its greatest challenge in the form of her teenage son’s struggle with drug addiction.

Through essays on race, culture, and family, One Day on the Gold Line (July, 2019) tells the story of a lesbian Jewish single mother raising a black son in Los Angeles. A memoir-in-essays, it examines life’s surprising changes that come through choice or circumstance, often seemingly out of nowhere, and sometimes darkly humorous—even as the situations are dire.


Carla Rachel Sameth has taught creative writing to incarcerated youth through WriteGirl and teaches at the Los Angeles Writing Project at California State University Los Angeles and with Southern New Hampshire University. Carla's writing has appeared in various anthologies and publications including Brain, Brevity blog, Child; Narratively; Longreads; The Nervous Breakdown, and MUTHA. Carla has an MFA from Queens University in Charlotte, and is a member of the Pasadena Rose Poets. Carla was selected to be a 2019 Pride Poet with the City of West Hollywood and was a 2016 PEN in The Community Teaching Artist. Carla lives in Southern California with her wife.--

7/8/19 - 9:30am pst - author Rachel Linden joined host Janeane Bernstein to talk about her new book The Enlightenment of Bees

LISTEN to today's conversation with
featured guest Rachel Linden.

THE ENLIGHTENMENT OF BEES (on sale July 9, Thomas Nelson) by Rachel Linden (author of Ascension of Larks and Becoming the Talbot Sisters). When Mia West is unceremoniously dumped by her boyfriend on their 6-year anniversary and she’s let go from a Seattle bakery due to downsizing, she feels adrift and alone. Can a humanitarian trip providing aid in India and Hungary give her new perspective and the courage to pursue her dreams? After some misfires abroad, she comes to terms with her own personal shortcomings including her self-serving savior complex (we all might feel a bit seen…and dragged), and returns to Seattle ready to take charge of her life. For fans of Jo Jo Moyes and Elin Hilderbrand, The Enlightenment of Bees is like a fictional Eat, Pray, Love for anyone unsure of whether they can start over and how.


Praise for the book:


“Mia…has a true connection with the people she is serving, all while learning more about herself…. Linden deftly combines excitement, romance, strong character development, and an empowered female protagonist. This novel is a good suggestion for Christian fiction readers, even without an overtly religious overtone.” —Booklist, starred review
“Consider this book your summer passport” – Working Mother
“A feel good book that will heighten your sense of adventure this summer.” – Bookbub
“I combed through the pages with delight. This book is going to cause a real buzz.” —Debbie Macomber, #1 New York Times-bestselling author


Potential talking points:

Her personal experience working for 7+ years in global humanitarian aid based out of the UK and Hungary where she worked on assisting women in trauma and Syrian refugees in 2015 

The important lessons learned, especially in terms of giving/aid that really makes an impact and isn’t funneled into pockets or wasted on unnecessary resources (such as transporting truckloads of unusable, soaking wet clothes like sheer tops and mini-skirts to Muslim refugee camps)

How the worst wedding weekend of her life (summer is wedding season!) in Florida inspired the shark-chase scene featured in the book

How her sweet grandma Sally inspired the Nana Alice character in the book - discussing the geriatric love story of how her grandmother found love and a new lease at life at 79 years old, spending the next 10 years traveling the world with her high school drama partner turned Prince Charming

How baking grounds her in her own family history (growing up homeschooled in Ohio) and empowers her to create community around her wherever she is (even, and sometimes especially, when she’s on the other side of the world).

The writing life - her office is her 1985 Westfalia van named Max so she’s able to travel the Pacific Northwest while she writes!



About the author:

Rachel Linden is a novelist and international aid worker whose adventures in over fifty countries around the world provide excellent grist for her writing. Rachel has spent 7+ years working in global humanitarian aid based out of the UK and Hungary, where she worked on assisting women in trauma as well as Syrian refugees. Visit her online at rachellinden.com; Instagram: rachellinden_writer; Facebook: authorRachellinden.

7/1/19 @9:45am pst - Vlada Knowlton - Director, Writer, Producer, Editor joined host Janeane to talk about her film The Most Dangerous Year

LISTEN to today's conversation with 

featured guest Vlada Knowlton

THE MOST DANGEROUS YEAR - a film that chronicles the fight in Washington over the notorious anti-transgender “bathroom bills” introduced into legislation in 2016 - a year that the Human Rights Campaign called 'the most dangerous year' for transgender Americans. Director Vlada Knowlton humanizes the hot button topic of gender identity as she documents the lives of several trans children and their families, including her own 5 year old daughter. While Knowlton passionately follows the story of anti–transgender legislation, the heart of the film lies in the stories of the families who accept and support their kids for exactly who they are. A brilliant, encouraging story in these challenging times. Take a look at the trailer here.

With the recent White House military trans ban, and this year going on record as surpassing 2016 as the most dangerous years for transgender and gender non-conforming people - the battle for trans rights is on-going, and requires vigilance in demonstrating to the world that trans people are human beings that deserve the same rights as their fellow citizens. THE MOST DANGEROUS YEAR aims to contribute to the education of people on this subject to help get us all to the point of understanding and acceptance, while allowing trans people the privilege to simply live as themselves.


The film opens in L.A. Friday, April 26 and on VOD in June - timed to Pride Month


A film by Vlada Knowlton

RT: 90 mins

In early 2016, when a dark wave of anti-transgender “bathroom bills” began sweeping across the nation, The Human Rights Campaign published a report identifying 2016 as the most dangerous year for transgender Americans. In Washington State alone, six such “bathroom bills” were introduced in the State Legislature. Filmmaker Vlada Knowlton captured the ensuing civil rights battle from the perspective of a group of embattled parents as they banded together to fight a deluge of proposed laws that would strip away the rights of their young transgender children. With the help of a coalition of state lawmakers and civil rights activists, these families embarked on an uncharted journey of fighting to protect and preserve their children’s human rights and freedoms in this present-day civil rights movement. As one of these parents, Knowlton presents an intimate portrait of her own struggle to protect her 5-year-old transgender daughter from laws inspired by hate and fear.

From tension-filled Senate hearings in Olympia to intimate household settings of the families involved; from thought provoking conversations with key lawmakers to elucidating facts explained by leading scientists, The Most Dangerous Year explores the transgender civil rights battle in all its richness and complexity. While the film follows the story and outcome of anti-transgender legislation in Washington, the heart of the film lies in the stories of the families who made the decision to accept and support their kids for exactly who they are.

The Most Dangerous Year is directed by Seattle based award-winning filmmaker, Vlada Knowlton. Knowlton’s first documentary feature, Having It All, was selected by Washington’s PBS station, KCTS9, as the anchor program for its “Women Who Inspire” series in August, 2015, and went on to also be broadcast by Oregon Public Broadcasting. The Most Dangerous Year premiered at the Seattle International Film Festival, receiving a runner-up award for Best Documentary, and went on to win a Best Social Issue Documentary award at the Atlanta International Documentary Film Festival. The film is produced by Knowlton, along with Chadd Knowlton and Lulu Gargiulo.

About Vlada Knowlton - Director, Writer, Producer, Editor

Vlada is an award-winning filmmaker based in Seattle. Her debut documentary feature, Having It All, was selected by Washington's PBS station, KCTS9, as the anchor program for its “Women Who Inspire” series in August, 2015, and went on to also be broadcast by Oregon Public Broadcasting. Its online premiere, presented by the organizations Flexjobs and 1 Million For Work Flexibility, was a press-covered event that included a panel discussion with Kelly Wallace of CNN. Her current documentary, The Most Dangerous Year, was awarded the Professional Grant from Women in Film Seattle and an Open 4Culture Grant. Vlada holds a doctorate in Cognitive Science from Brown University and worked at Microsoft prior to her filmmaking career.For more information about the film, visit: www.TheMostDangerousYear.com

Connect with us here:

#TheMostDangerousYear

Facebook: @TheMostDangerousYear

Instagram: @VladaKnowlton



In early 2016, when a dark wave of anti-transgender “bathroom bills” began sweeping across the nation, The Human Rights Campaign published a report identifying 2016 as the most dangerous year for transgender Americans. In Washington State six such “bathroom bills” were introduced in the State Legislature. Documentary filmmaker Vlada Knowlton captured the ensuing civil rights battle from the perspective of a small group of embattled parents as they banded together to fight a deluge of proposed laws that would strip away the rights of their young, transgender children. As one of the parents, Knowlton presents an intimate portrait of her own struggle to protect her 5-year-old transgender daughter from laws inspired by ignorance and fear. 

From tension-filled Senate hearings in Olympia to intimate household settings of the families involved; from thought provoking conversations with key lawmakers to elucidating facts explained by leading scientists - The Most Dangerous Year explores the transgender civil rights battle in all its richness and complexity. While the film follows the story and outcome of anti-transgender legislation in Washington, the heart of the film lies in the stories of the families who made the decision to accept and support their kids for exactly who they are.

7/1/19 @9:30am pst - Jen Morilla, The Social Girl Traveler, joined host Janeane live on KUCI 88.9fm

LISTEN to today's conversation with featured guest Jen Morilla - aka
The Social Girl Traveler
@thesocialgirltraveler

ABOUT JEN MORILLA - from her website

LIFE-LIVER. DREAM GO-GETTER.
DRIVEN BY SOCIAL IMPACT & PURPOSE.


I am an IMPACT TRAVEL INFLUENCER.

I am clean water initiator. Using my influence for GOOD.

I work with Sustainable, Social, and NGO Brands/Companies to create stories and inspire others to change the world. My mission is to create incredible possibilities of transformation for humankind to live lives of impact, purpose, and badassery.

When I travel the world my purpose is to discover humanity, understand a culture and connect emotionally with people… and as I do that, I am tirelessly driven to leave a little something behind that can change a life.

I’m Jen, solo female traveler. I am Cuban-American from New York City. Only 3-years-ago I was working for a marketing agency when I sold my car, some belongings, and bought a one way. I traded my 9-5 for a budget, backpack, and traveling for good. It’s been three years and I haven’t looked back since!

I am a Youtuber, a writer, and a clean water courier. but I really call myself a ‘life-liver’. I dream big and make my dreams happen.

The Social Girl Traveler is an impact travel blog not only about amazing traveling adventures as a solo female traveler but for sharing my experiences as of traveling with a purpose. I am a traveler who likes to immerse herself in a new culture. Learning all the there is to know. The good and the bad! If I am not traveling with water filters I am building homes and/or teach locals.

The Social Girl Traveler is a brand that associates itself with doing good. Being good. Traveling for good.

I carry with me clean water filters (CLEAN WATER COURIER) when I travel to countries in need of clean water. I work with ProjectPurposew4w in association with Waves For Water.
*Each water filter provides clean water to 100 people for 5 years.*