Shadi Martini, Director of Humanitarian Relief and Regional Relations - Multifaith Alliance for Syrian Refugees, joined host Janeane Bernstein to talk about his up-coming event Sunday December 3, and how he went from refugee of the Syrian War to activist and advocate!

SHADI MARTINI

Director of Humanitarian Relief and Regional Relations

Multifaith Alliance for Syrian Refugees

LISTEN to today's show with Shadi Martini!

As it has with so many other victims of this crisis, the Syrian war turned businessman, Shadi Martini, into a refugee, an activist, and an advocate for greater cooperation across faith and cultural lines.
Now, as the Director of Humanitarian Relief and Regional Relations to the Multifaith Alliance for Syrian Refugees, the nation’s leading interfaith response to the Syrian crisis, Mr. Martini travels throughout the U.S. and abroad raising awareness of the crisis, encouraging greater public engagement, facilitating partnerships between organizations focused on addressing similar issues, and planting the seeds for future stability in the region by fostering people-to-people engagement. 

He frequently provides briefings based on first-hand knowledge of the crisis to government officials, civil society leaders, the media, and various secular and faith-based organizations. He was born and raised in Aleppo, Syria and graduated from the High School Aleppo Scientific College. Martini attended college in Lebanon where he received his BA from Beirut University College in 1993. After graduation, Martini went to Bulgaria and formed his own manufacturing company. In 2009 he returned to Syria to run his family’s business.

In March 2011, when the Assad regime cracked down on those providing aid to anyone suspected of being in the opposition, Mr. Martini, then the General Manager of a hospital in Aleppo, and his comrades worked covertly to provide aid to wounded and ill civilians. This secret network was discovered in mid-2012, forcing him to flee his country.

Soon after, Martini began organizing assistance for Syrian refugees from a neighboring country. He was elected by Bulgarian NGOs to serve on the Bulgarian crisis commission to help overcome the obstacles to aiding and integrating refugees. He then served on the executive committee of the national change party (Syrian opposition) in charge of foreign relations, but left the party in late 2013. He co-founded the “Republic Party” (Syrian opposition) and was elected chairman of the General Assembly, but left his post and the party, and resigned all political activity when he joined the Multifaith Alliance for Syrian Refugees in Jordan.

In 2014, Martini founded Refugee Support Group, a humanitarian aid organization based in Bulgaria. For the past several years he has partnered with numerous faith-based organizations in the U.S. and abroad, which led to his involvement with the Multifaith Alliance. In that capacity, he continues his work in the Middle East and also coordinates major relief efforts for Syrian refugees flooding into Europe.

Martini is fluent in Arabic, English and Bulgarian. In April, he became a very proud United States citizen, in a ceremony he described as “An event I wish everyone could experience to understand the meaning of being a citizen of this great country.” On November 8, he voted in his first U.S. presidential election.

Orange County Interfaith Community Concert

Support the Multifaith Alliance for Syrian Refugees

Sunday, December 3, 2017 ~ 2pm - 3pm 

Performance by the Marbella Trio 

featuring Shostakovich Piano Trio No. 2 

Presentation by Shadi Martini
Director of Humanitarian Relief & Regional
Relations for MFA 

Martini is a Syrian refugee, forced to flee
for secretly aiding the injured. 

Dessert reception immediately following concert hosted by the Interfaith Council of Laguna Beach. 

Funds raised by this event will enable MFA to ship containers of life-saving humanitarian aid for distribution directly to Syrian war victims in southern Syria. 

To adopt a container or donate, please visit: multifaithalliance.org/oc 

RSVP: http://bit.ly/OCmultifaithalliance 

Make it a Day of Giving: 

Visit NCC’s annual “JOY OF GIVING” BOUTIQUE
from 11am-2pm. 

Find sustainable one-of-a-kind gifts from around the world, and opportunities to honor loved ones who appreciate making the world a better place. 

Neighborhood Congregational Church 

340 St. Ann’s Drive, Laguna Beach, CA 92651

shadi.martini@multifaithalliance.org | www.multifaithalliance.org
www.facebook.com/multifaithalliance | www.twitter.com/multifaithaid


About The Multifaith Alliance for Syrian Refugees 

The Multifaith Alliance for Syrian Refugees (MFA), a project of the Tanenbaum Center for Interreligious Understanding, is the United States’ leading interfaith response to the Syrian refugee crisis. A coordinating body, network and vehicle for harnessing the power of the faith-based and civil society collective, MFA’s mission is to raise funds in support of organizations that provide direct services to Syrian war victims, heighten awareness of the growing dangers of inadequate responses to the Syrian humanitarian crisis, and plant the seeds for future stability in the region by fostering people-to-people engagement. 

Comprised of more than 75 participating organizations, MFA enlists the moral authority of religious and civil society leaders to address the ongoing suffering of Syria's war victims and addresses the three great fears that interfere with humane and sensible public policy: economic impact, terrorism and Islamophobia. The devastation caused by this war is unprecedented in scale, leaving more than half of Syria's 23 million people in desperate need of humanitarian aid: 12.2 million are displaced or under siege inside Syria. They struggle daily to find food and shelter. An additional 200,000 languish in Syrian jails for opposing the al-Assad regime. 400,000-500,000 have been killed in the fighting, some gassed to death by chemical weapons. 

4.8 million registered refugees have fled to Lebanon, Turkey, Jordan, Iraq, and Egypt, where they struggle to survive in overcrowded refugee camps, abandoned buildings, public parks, and with some compassionate host families. 80% of the refugees are vulnerable women and children. Only 10-20% of refugees are living in camps. Hundreds of thousands of unregistered refugees have no access to food, medical services, or sanitation. Moreover, they are ineligible for resettlement. 

Since its inception in 2013, MFA has worked in cooperation with the Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) through which we have raised funds that are distributed to carefully-vetted organizations delivering direct aid to refugees. Almost $2,000,000 has helped address the critical needs of more than 85,000 refugees: 

• Food Sanitary packages 
• Trauma counseling 
• First-aid training 
• Health services specifically geared to children, adolescents, and women 
• Medical equipment 
• Resettlement processing 
• Provision of and training in 3-D printers to produce prosthetic limbs 

MFA’s awareness-raising activities have reached audiences of more than 390 million people through print, broadcast and digital media, and nearly 9,000 people through in-person briefings to governments and civil society groups in the E.U., UK, U.S., Canada, and Israel. 

Simultaneously, MFA humanitarian activities have given rise to the potential for new diplomatic tracks. Many Syrians and Israelis are beginning to see each other as partners rather than enemies. This people-topeople interaction generates the possibility of a true paradigm shift in the geopolitical context, and with future relations between neighbors. MFA is facilitating this development through transformative Syrian/Israeli civil society engagement.

shadi.martini@multifaithalliance.org | www.multifaithalliance.org
www.facebook.com/multifaithalliance | www.twitter.com/multifaithaid


About The Multifaith Alliance for Syrian Refugees 

The Multifaith Alliance for Syrian Refugees (MFA), a project of the Tanenbaum Center for Interreligious Understanding, is the United States’ leading interfaith response to the Syrian refugee crisis. A coordinating body, network and vehicle for harnessing the power of the faith-based and civil society collective, MFA’s mission is to raise funds in support of organizations that provide direct services to Syrian war victims, heighten awareness of the growing dangers of inadequate responses to the Syrian humanitarian crisis, and plant the seeds for future stability in the region by fostering people-to-people engagement. 

Comprised of more than 75 participating organizations, MFA enlists the moral authority of religious and civil society leaders to address the ongoing suffering of Syria's war victims and addresses the three great fears that interfere with humane and sensible public policy: economic impact, terrorism and Islamophobia. The devastation caused by this war is unprecedented in scale, leaving more than half of Syria's 23 million people in desperate need of humanitarian aid: 12.2 million are displaced or under siege inside Syria. They struggle daily to find food and shelter. An additional 200,000 languish in Syrian jails for opposing the al-Assad regime. 400,000-500,000 have been killed in the fighting, some gassed to death by chemical weapons. 

4.8 million registered refugees have fled to Lebanon, Turkey, Jordan, Iraq, and Egypt, where they struggle to survive in overcrowded refugee camps, abandoned buildings, public parks, and with some compassionate host families. 80% of the refugees are vulnerable women and children. Only 10-20% of refugees are living in camps. Hundreds of thousands of unregistered refugees have no access to food, medical services, or sanitation. Moreover, they are ineligible for resettlement. 

Since its inception in 2013, MFA has worked in cooperation with the Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) through which we have raised funds that are distributed to carefully-vetted organizations delivering direct aid to refugees. Almost $2,000,000 has helped address the critical needs of more than 85,000 refugees: 

• Food Sanitary packages 
• Trauma counseling 
• First-aid training 
• Health services specifically geared to children, adolescents, and women 
• Medical equipment 
• Resettlement processing 
• Provision of and training in 3-D printers to produce prosthetic limbs 

MFA’s awareness-raising activities have reached audiences of more than 390 million people through print, broadcast and digital media, and nearly 9,000 people through in-person briefings to governments and civil society groups in the E.U., UK, U.S., Canada, and Israel. 

Simultaneously, MFA humanitarian activities have given rise to the potential for new diplomatic tracks. Many Syrians and Israelis are beginning to see each other as partners rather than enemies. This people-topeople interaction generates the possibility of a true paradigm shift in the geopolitical context, and with future relations between neighbors. MFA is facilitating this development through transformative Syrian/Israeli civil society engagement.

One word. YUM! 11/20 - Janeane spoke with Frank Carollo the master bakers and co-owners of Zingerman's Bankehouse in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

I have one word for this book: YUM.

ZINGERMAN'S BAKEHOUSE. You might have heard of Zingerman's, the renowned artisanal bakery out of Michigan, whose national mail-order business has created a fan-based crowd across the entire U.S. 

LISTEN to today's show!

Since 1992, Zingerman's has been going strong, and this month marks it's 25th anniversary when, for the first time ever, they are sharing their delicious recipes and business secrets in a new cookbook, ZINGERMAN'S BAKEHOUSE. The story of the founding of Zingerman's Bakehouse and their continued success in the wake of changing tastes and food fads, is as heart-warming as it is impressive, reminding us that business success and passion do go hand in hand. In the book they share their successes and their heart aches with equal fan fare.

This is the must-have baking book for bakers of all skill levels. Since 1992, Michigan's renowned artisanal bakery, Zingerman's Bakehouse in Ann Arbor, has fed a fan base across the United States and beyond with their chewy-sweet brownies and gingersnaps, famous sour cream coffee cake, and fragrant loaves of Jewish rye, challah, and sourdough. It's no wonder Zingerman's is a cultural and culinary institution. Now, for the first time, to celebrate their 25th anniversary, the Zingerman's bakers share 65 meticulously tested, carefully detailed recipes in a beautiful hardcover book featuring more than 50 color photographs and bountiful illustrations. Behind-the-scenes stories of the business enrich this collection of best-of-kind, delicious recipes for every ”I can't believe I get to make this at home!" treat."

Amy Emberling and Frank Carollo are master bakers and the co-owners of Zingerman's Bakehouse. They live in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
http://www.zingermansbakehouse.com/25years/

11/20 - Janeane spoke with author Devorah Blachor about her brand new book, "THE FEMINIST’S GUIDE TO RAISING A LITTLE PRINCESS: How to Raise a Girl Who’s Authentic, Joyful, and Fearless – Even If She Refuses to Wear Anything but a Pink Tutu"

THE FEMINIST’S GUIDE TO RAISING A LITTLE PRINCESS: How to Raise a Girl Who’s Authentic, Joyful, and Fearless – Even If She Refuses to Wear Anything but a Pink Tutu (a TarcherPerigee paperback; on sale November 11th, 2017) by Devorah Blachor.

LISTEN to today's show!

In this title inspired by her viral New York Times Motherlode piece “Turn Your Princess-Obsessed Toddler into a Feminist in Eight Easy Steps,” Blachor offers insight and humor to all those who cringe each morning when their daughters refuse to wear anything that isn’t pink. Using personal anecdotes and playful essays, Blachor explores how mothers can raise their daughters in a society that pressures girls and women to bury their own needs, conform to unrealistic beauty standards, and sacrifice their own passions. With amusing – yet reassuring! - interviews with the formerly princess-obsessed, THE FEMINISTS GUIDE TO RAISING A LITTLE PRINCESS tackles important concepts while offering comic relief to concerned parents of budding little princesses.

The author is based overseas, however, is available for interviews and willing to call in from Skype.. Below my signature, you will see a q&a with the author. Please let me know if you would like to schedule an interview, or if you need anything else from me. I look forward to hearing from you!

Check out the TarcherPerigee Blog

About the Author:
Devorah Blachor is a New York Times Motherlode columnist and also writes for The Huffington Post, McSweeney's, The Hairpin, Redbook, Mommyish, Good Housekeeping, and The Rumpus, among other websites and magazines. Blachor's husband Matt Rees is an award-winning journalist and novelist. Their children Cai and Mari provide endless material for humor and essays.



In Conversation with Devorah Blachor, author of THE FEMINIST’S GUIDE TO RAISING A LITTLE PRINCESS, Devorah will talk about the following:

1. What inspired you to write The Feminist’s Guide to Raising a Little Princess?

When my three-year-old daughter Mari started loving pink and princesses, the irony was great. Here I was, a committed feminist who favored oversized frumpy clothing and who wished the entire beauty industry would sink into the earth in a puff of silicone vapor. And here I had a walking toddler advertisement for tulle and sequins. I took my anxiety over what this might mean for Mari, and I turned it into a tongue-and-cheek satirical article called “Turn Your Princess-Obsessed Toddler Into a Feminist in Eight Easy Steps”. It was published in the New York Times Motherlode and it went viral. I realized I wasn’t alone. There were lots of mothers like me, who were committed to raising strong and independently minded daughters, and who were flummoxed by their daughters’ passion for tiaras and pink tutus. I started diving into this subject and that research evolved into the book.

2. Why did you want to steer your daughter away from pink and princesses and all things girly?

The culture of “pink for girls” is antithetical to what we would want for our girls and boys. We don’t want our kids to be limited by other people’s perceptions of what they should and shouldn’t be. We want boys to play freely with dolls if that’s their desire, for example.. And if girls are encouraged to play with toys that are traditionally associated with girls, what does that mean for them as they grow up? Will they be less likely to pursue “male” professions like pilots or engineers? My fear was that the pink culture would restrict my daughter before she even reached adolescence. I had a deeper fear too. I spent many years living with long-term depression. I associated the “feminine” with my depression. I thought the strictures and expectations of being female had contributed to my losing my spark when I was a teenager - a spark that I didn’t get back for many years. I didn’t want that to happen to my daughter.

3. How – or why – did she gravitate towards it anyway?

If you’ve ever met a toddler, you’ve probably noticed how strong-willed they are. I mean, they are REALLY determined. Meanwhile, as parents of toddlers, our energies are depleted. We’re absorbed with potty training and toddler aggression and getting them to eat foods that aren’t exclusively star shaped, and a whole host of other hilarious challenges. In the end, Mari’s love for princesses proved greater than my resistance to them.

4. Is it possible for parents to embrace their children’s princess obsession while also helping them reject the sexist messages that accompany so many of these princess-centered stories?

For a full answer to this question, get back to me in about ten years. For now, my answer is: We can certainly try. Particularly as they get older (like, I certainly never had these conversations when Mari was three), we can show our daughters how destructive messages are buried in the stories of the regressive princess. Luckily, we can use the newer princesses to point out positive qualities as well. Moana is an amazing character, for example. In her bravery and her quest to save her people, she possesses the qualities we find in the heroes of Greek mythology. Merida demonstrates resilience, from Elsa we learn about overcoming fears, and Anna teaches us the enormous power of acceptance and forgiveness. We can totally use this whole princess thing to our advantage.

5. Why do you say that parental instinct should be honored more than the advice of others (including relatives, articles and books by parenting experts)?

There is so much out there - the tips and the articles and the well-meaning relatives and the strangers on the street who tell you to button up your child’s sweater. Not to mention the “mommy wars” and the debate over parenting styles. The subtext of so much of this noise is judgement. Parents - and mothers in particular - constantly get the message that they’re doing it all wrong. If you listen to too many “experts”, you might lose your own voice amidst the noise. If you need advice or counsel, you can always choose a few people or sources you genuinely trust. But you can absolutely listen to yourself most of all. No one knows your child better than you do.

6. How can we help our daughters navigate a society that idealizes perfection?

Most parents have had the experience of their child coming home from school, upset by their own mistakes or shortcomings. Maybe they got into trouble with the teacher, or did something that made other kids laugh, or didn’t perform well on the soccer pitch. These are precious moments of parenting, when you can give your child a ton of love and acceptance and let them know it’s ok not to be perfect, and that it’s definitely ok to make mistakes. In general, it’s great to tell your kids stories of people who failed and kept trying, because we want them to not get beaten down by failure or fear of failure. Equally important is what happens at home. When my kids act “unlovable” - when they test me and fight with each other and are needy and obnoxious - in those moments, I sometimes want to lie down or run away or drink wine. And while I can’t pretend I’ve never poured myself a glass in times of stress or yelled at them, I know that the way I handle these imperfect moments are important. Because if I can stop and breathe and accept my children when they are behaving in “unlovable” ways, they get the message that they don’t have to be perfect to be loved. It’s tricky. We’re all doing our best. And we should go easy on ourselves as well - as parents and as human beings, we shouldn’t expect perfection from ourselves either.

7. In your book, you interview a number of women who used to be princess-obsessed as girls. Did their obsession have any negative lasting effects?

It’s one of my favorite parts of the book, because I was curious to know how it all turned out for girls who were obsessed with princesses. This “Princess Culture” is a relatively new thing, because Disney only started marketing the princess brand in 2000. The first generation of girls who fell down the “Disney Princess rabbit hole” are coming of age now. When I finally reached out to some of them for my book, I was heartened. Every single one seemed like an engaged, intelligent and interesting person. And they all had a good and humorous perspective on their princess days.

8. What do you hope readers will take away from your book?

Accept your children, who will not be the people you expected but will be fabulous anyway. While you’re at it, accept yourself. And don’t forget to laugh. This parenting stuff can sometimes feel heavy and overwhelming. But if you have the right perspective, a lot of it is actually quite funny. Particularly very small little girls who are very passionate about princesses. 

http://www.devorahblachor.com/

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Director Thomas Morgan speaks with host Janeane Bernstein about his film "SOUFRA," his collaboration with Executive Producer Susan Sarandon, and the North American premiere at DOC NYC ahead of a theatrical release in November and December.

Listen to Janeane's conversation with
Director Thomas Morgan on KUCI 88.9fm!

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER SUSAN SARANDON AND DIRECTOR THOMAS MORGAN, REBELHOUSE GROUP, AND PILGRIM MEDIA ANNOUNCE NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE OF THE FEATURE DOCUMENTARY SOUFRA AT THE DOC NYC FESTIVAL

ABOUT
THE FILM TELLS A WILDLY INSPIRATIONAL STORY OF THE WORLD’S MOST UNLIKELY ENTREPRENEUR, MARIAN SHA’AR —A GENERATIONAL REFUGEE WHO LAUNCHED A CATERING COMPANY AND THE FIRST-EVER FOOD TRUCK BUSINESS FROM INSIDE A REFUGEE CAMP.

U.S. SCREENINGS OF SOUFRA TO FOLLOW IN LOS ANGELES STARTING NOV. 17 & NEW YORK STARTING DEC. 15

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER SUSAN SARANDON TO ATTEND RED CARPET U.S. PREMIERE AT DOC NYC IN NOVEMBER

WINNER – AUDIENCE AWARD – EL GOUNA FILM FESTIVAL
WINNER – BEST ARAB DOCUMENTARY—EL GOUNA FILM FESTIVAL


NEW YORK – The award-winning documentary feature SOUFRA, will have its North American Premiere at the DOC NYC Film Festival in New York on November 12th.

SOUFRA is directed by award-winning filmmaker Thomas Morgan (Storied Streets, Waiting for Mamu), produced by Primetime Emmy®-winning filmmaker Kathleen Glynn (Bowling for Columbine, Fahrenheit 9/11, TV Nation), Rebelhouse President, Trevor Hall, Pilgrim Media Group President & CEO Craig Piligian, and executive produced by Academy Award®-winning actress Susan Sarandon. All will attend the film’s red carpet premiere, along with other prominent individuals including actress Mary-Louise Parker, on November 12th at SVA Theatre 2.

"The only ‘feel good’ doc about refugees that I know of – inspiring and delicious,"
 said Susan Sarandon.


SOUFRA follows the inspirational story of intrepid social entrepreneur, Mariam Shaar – a refugee who has spent her entire life in the 69-year-old Burl El Barajneh refugee camp south of Beirut, Lebanon.

The film chronicles Mariam and a diverse team of fellow refugee women, from throughout the Middle East who share the camp as their home as they set out to change their fate by launching a catering company, “Soufra,” and then expanding its reach (thanks to an astonishing Kickstarter campaign), outside the camp with a food truck business. Together, they heal the wounds of war through the unifying power of food while taking their future into their own hands.

SOUFRA is a co-production of Rebelhouse Group, Pilgrim Media Group, and BIG 9 Productions.

Official Website: http://www.soufrafilm.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/soufrafilm/

Instagram: @soufrafilm

Press Contact:
Adam J. Segal • The 2050 Group – Publicity
212.642.4317 (Office) • 202.422.4673 (Cell)
adam@the2050group.com • www.the2050group.com

Staff Writer with The New Yorker, Lauren Collins, shares her journey of learning French in the name of love –and what it means to love someone in a second language

When in French - Love in a Second Language

LAUREN COLLINS

LISTEN to Janeane's conversation with Lauren Collins!

New Yorker writer shares her journey of learning French in the name of love –and what it means to love someone in a second language


“A thoughtful, beautifully written meditation on the art of language and intimacy. The book unfolds like several books in one: on moving abroad, on communication in human relationships, on the history of language, and in the end, on the delights of cross-cultural fusion.”—The New York Times Book Review


A staff writer at The New Yorker since 2008, Lauren Collins has profiled subjects from Michelle Obama and Gérard Depardieu to April Bloomfield and Donatella Versace. In her bestselling book, WHEN IN FRENCH: Love in a Second Language, now available in paperback, Collins turns an unwavering eye on herself. When, in her early thirties, Colllins moves to London and falls for a Frenchman named Oliver, she discovers firsthand that a language barrier is no match for love. Unable to speak French herself, their relationship develops solely in English. When the couple, newly married, relocates to francophone Geneva, Collins—fearful of one day becoming "a Borat of a mother" who doesn’t understand her own kids—decides to answer these questions for herself by learning French.


Lauren Collins as she shares her journey of what it means to love someone in a second language, including:

· Wondering about the things she doesn’t understand about Olivier, having never spoken to him in his native tongue


· Whether “I love you” even means the same thing as “je t’aime”


· Grappling with the complexities of the French language and accidently telling her mother-in-law that she’s given birth to a coffee machine


· Wrestling with the very nature of French identity and society—a far cry from life back home in North Carolina.


Plumbing the mysterious depths of humanity’s many forms of language, Collins describes with wicked humor and great style the frustrations, embarrassments, surprises, and, finally, joys of learning—and living in—French.


About the Author:
Lauren Collins began working at the New Yorker in 2003 and became a staff writer in 2008. Her subjects have included Michelle Obama, Donatella Versace, the graffiti artist Banksy, and the chef April Bloomfield. Since 2010, she has been based in Europe, covering stories from London, Paris, Copenhagen, and beyond. Her story on the Daily Mail was recently short-listed for the Feature Story of the Year by the Foreign Press Association in London.

http://laurenzcollins.com

OUR HOUSE Grief Support Center Hosts 9th Annual Comedy Fundraiser “Night For Hope” with Special Guest Melissa Rivers, comics Adam Ray, Vargus Mason & Little Esther Instill Laughs for OUR HOUSE Grief Support Center Programs

Los Angeles– OUR HOUSE Grief Support Center’s Associate Board hosts the 9th annual Night For Hope fundraiser on November 17th at The Palace Theater in Downtown Los Angeles. Melissa Rivers, OUR HOUSE ambassador, will take the stage to dedicate a night of laughter to her mother. Since the death of her mother, comedy legend Joan Rivers, Melissa continues to make sure laughter is a part of her every day. “I am honored to be a part of an organization like OUR HOUSE, which provides a place for people to cry and laugh and remember their loved ones.”

This year, the Night For Hope will feature comics Vargus Mason, Esther Povitsky, aka “Little Esther,” and Adam Ray, all introduced by MC JC Cocoli for a night full of laughs and finding hope through grief. Inspiration for the evening’s theme came from an Associate Board member who felt she might never laugh again following the death of her father. Through support from OUR HOUSE, she was able to navigate through her grief, find joy, and laugh again.

OUR HOUSE Grief Support Center’s Associate Board is comprised of young professionals serving as ambassadors to the community. The Associate Board works relentlessly to spread the word about the agency’s services and volunteer opportunities, in addition to raising funds.

OUR HOUSE Grief Support Center’s Night for Hope

When: Friday, November 17th

Where: The Palace Theater DTLA

Info: http://www.ourhouse-grief.org/hopetickets/

Schedule:

6:30pm: Doors Open

8:00pm: MC JC Cocoli Kicks Off the Night

8:20pm: Comedian Vargus Mason

8:35pm: Comedian Little Esther

8:50pm: OUR HOUSE presentation & appeal: OUR HOUSE Grief Support Center testimonials– Amanda, Isaiah, and Melissa Rivers.

9:30pm: Comedian Adam Ray

10:30pm: Event ends

About OUR HOUSE Grief Support Center
OUR HOUSE Grief Support Center is one of the nation’s most respected organizations for grief support and education. For over 24 years, OUR HOUSE has helped thousands of grieving children, teens, and adults as they embark on their journeys to hope and healing after the death of someone close. Support groups specific to age and relationship take place in the safe, warm, and nurturing environment of their centers.

OUR HOUSE is a leading provider of grief education, offering workshops, seminars, and in-service training to mental health and medical professionals, clergy, educators, and other members of the community who interact with bereaved families. The OUR HOUSE grief education program is part of the curricula for students at USC’s Keck and UCLA’s David Geffen Schools of Medicine. To learn more, please visit www.ourhouse-grief.org or call 1.888.417.1444.

Janeane spoke with Israeli actor, Ido Samuel, about his role in the powerful film, Dirty Bomb

LISTEN to Janeane's conversation
with Ido Samuel!


Fascinating, worldly and a striking talent, Ido Samuel is a star on the rise and is ready to take Hollywood by storm. An Israeli actor who has already conquered the film market in Israel with roles in an impressive list of over thirty films including his role as an Orthodox Jewish man named “Yossi” in award winning film “Fill The Void.” The feature film was nominated for two Film Independent Spirit Awards and won seven awards at the Israeli Film Academy Awards (the country’s equivalent to the U.S.’s Academy Awards), “Best Foreign Language Film” at the Palm Springs International Film Festival, and two awards at the Venice Film Festival. “Fill The Void” which was widely distributed by Sony Pictures Classics.

Samuel moved to the United States four years ago to pursue his dream of acting in U.S. film and immediately booked leading roles in the prestigious short film “Ben-Dod Sheli” which made it to the semifinals for the Student Academy Awards which is hosted by The Academy Of Motion Picture Arts And Sciences and received rave reviews. He also filmed the highly anticipated short film “Dirty Bomb” which tells the story of Holocaust heroes who sacrificed their lives to sabotage the V2 bomb causing it to misfire during world War II. “Dirty Bomb” will be released in November and it’s star (Samuel) and director (Valerie McCaffrey) can’t wait for audiences to see it.

After serving in the Israeli army for three years, Samuel began training to be an actor in 2007 and booked a string of short films in 2010 and 2011 before landing the role of “Simba” in Israel’s version of “The Lion King” and later filming “Fill The Void” which put him in the spotlight and eventually prompted him to bring his talent to Los Angeles. Ido has continued booking roles in film and television projects such as Amazon’s award winning “Transparent.”

Samuel, now based in Los Angeles, has built a group of friends who he spends holidays with and who have been an incredible support system as he pursues his craft across the world. He practices martial arts and won regional and national awards in Israel. makes sure to travel back to see his family in Israel whenever possible and no matter where in the world he is he will always love his native country and of course Israeli and Jewish film.

ABOUT DIRTY BOMB

DIRTY BOMB, set against the Battle of the Bulge, depicts the true story of how Jewish concentration camp inmates sabotaged the development of Hitler’s V2 Bomb at the cost of their lives. The film is written and directed by Valerie McCaffrey, who as an independent casting director, cast over 80 films. In addition, Valerie uses her knowledge to a directing/producing/writing capacity. She directed a feature film called WISH YOU WERE DEAD distributed by Icon Entertainment International which starred Cary Elwes, Elaine Hendrix, Christopher Lloyd, Mary Steenburgen and Sally Kirkland. She wrote a screenplay called EVERYTHING IS GOING TO POT in which she is planning to direct. She produced a film LOST AND FOUND IN ARMENIA with Jamie Kennedy and Angela Sarafyan. She also produced and cast an award-winning film entitled NEO NED, starring Jeremy Renner and Gabrielle Union.

CELEBRATION & LAUNCH OF 3 ORIGINAL SHORT FILMS -- CHAMELEON, REMEMBER THE SUN, & DIRTY BOMB

WHO: Sally Kirkland (Anna); Donna Pescow (Out of This World, Saturday Night Fever); Lance Henriksen (The Terminator), J. Michael Trautmann (Shameless), Joe Cortese (American History X), Ido Samuel (Fill the Void), James Babson (The Words), Dallas Hart (Greenhouse Academy), Vladimir Kulich(Training Day, The Vikings),Jennifer Tung (Alias),Tiana Benjamin (Harry Potter),Richard Riehle (The Office), Lee Purcell (JL Ranch),

WHERE: Ahrya Fine Arts Movie Theater, 8556 Wilshire Blvd. Beverly Hills, CA

WHEN: Friday, November 17, 2017
Press Check in 5:45PM; Red Carpet: 6:00 PM
Reception 6:00 – 8:00PM
Films: 8:00 PM (Q&A with cast/crew to immediately follow)


MORE INFO: CHAMELEON tells the story of a man willing to do anything to obtain the power he covets and is directed by Trevvor Riley. Riley is a film director, screenwriter, short-story writer, poet, artist etc. etc. etc. He is best known and recognized for his short films and music videos and their distinct, surreal, visual aesthetic. After co-founding the independent production company: Cathect Pictures. He is now transitioning his talents from smaller projects onto writing and directing feature films and multiple television mini series' for various production companies.

REMEMBER THE SUN is about a talented, yet troubled soul, risks everything to preserve the memories of the woman he loves after she is gone through the use of future tech. The films is directed by Tim C. Szabics. Szabics is a pixel pushing puppet master, musician, artist, story teller, VFX/MoGraph designer, pun master and film maker born with a burning desire to entertain through subtle suggestions of a new and counter culture view. Most notably known for music videos, internet tv shows and several award winning shorts that seem to push the limits of expectations all while harnessing the fire of a DIY enthusiast

DIRTY BOMB, set against the Battle of the Bulge, depicts the true story of how Jewish concentration camp inmates sabotaged the development of Hitler’s V2 Bomb at the cost of their lives. The film is written and directed by Valerie McCaffrey, who as an independent casting director, cast over 80 films. In addition, Valerie uses her knowledge to a directing/producing/writing capacity. She directed a feature film called WISH YOU WERE DEAD distributed by Icon Entertainment International which starred Cary Elwes, Elaine Hendrix, Christopher Lloyd, Mary Steenburgen and Sally Kirkland. She wrote a screenplay called EVERYTHING IS GOING TO POT in which she is planning to direct. She produced a film LOST AND FOUND IN ARMENIA with Jamie Kennedy and Angela Sarafyan. She also produced and cast an award-winning film entitled NEO NED, starring Jeremy Renner and Gabrielle Union.


Panelists include filmmakers.

Steven Johnson, The New York Times–bestselling author, shares a look at the world-changing innovations we made while keeping ourselves entertained

LISTEN to Janeane's conversation with Steven Johnson!

Steven Johnson, the New York Times bestselling author of How We Got to Now—also an Emmy-winning PBS series—takes a long-zoom approach to popular entertainment, contending that the pursuit of novelty and wonder is a powerful driver of world-shaping technological change. In Wonderland, now out in paperback, Johnson argues that throughout history, the cutting edge of innovation lies wherever people are working the hardest to keep themselves amused and how follies dismissed as mindless entertainment have changed civilization in dramatic ways. 

In six captivating sections—Fashion and Shopping, Music, Taste, Illusions, Games, and Public Space—Johnson introduces us to the colorful innovators of leisure: the explorers, proprietors, showmen, and artists who changed the trajectory of history with their luxurious wares, exotic meals, taverns, gambling tables, and magic shows.

Steven discusses how:

· Garment design has driven technological innovation

· Early music boxes demonstrated advanced mechanical engineering and player pianos paved the way for the development of computer software


· Having a taste for spices from pepper to vanilla to cinnamon generated massive international trade


· Our desire for amusement has shifted our perspective about public spaces and led to the creation of parks, zoos, taverns and coffeehouses, all of which have played a key role in revolutionizing society.


In every case—from 19th century illusionists to today’s virtual reality—Johnson brilliantly shows how innovations come from unexpected places—including the technological breakthroughs of Snow White to the way that games (from chess to Spacewar!) have made possible crucial advancements in computing. As he makes clear, “you will find the future wherever people have having the most fun.”


About the Author
Steven Johnson is the bestselling author of books including How We Got to Now, Where Good Ideas Come From, The Invention of Air, The Ghost Map, and Everything Bad Is Good for You. The founder of a variety of influential websites, he is the host and co-creator of the PBS and BBC series How We Got to Now. Johnson lives in Marin County, California, and Brooklyn, New York, with his wife and three sons.

Learn more about Steven Johnson
https://stevenberlinjohnson.com/

How We Got to Now - The PBS Series
https://stevenberlinjohnson.com/how-we-got-to-now-the-pbs-series-2f48ccea1fc

Actress Noël Wells (Master of None, Saturday Night Live) joins KUCI's Janeane Bernstein about her directorial debut, "MR. ROOSEVELT" at AFI FEST 2017!

LISTEN to today's conversation with Noël Wells 

MR. ROOSEVELT

at AFI FEST 2017

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2017

Film's stars Noël Wells (Master of None, Saturday Night Live), Nick Thune (Knocked Up), Britt Lower (Sisters), Daniella Pineda(The Originals), and Andre Hyland (Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping).

WATCH the trailer!

ABOUT MR. ROOSEVELT
In her feature directorial debut, Noël Wells portrays Emily, a talented but hard-to-classify comedic performer who left behind her home and boyfriend to pursue career opportunities in L.A. When a loved one falls ill, Emily rushes back to Austin where she’s forced to stay with her ex-boyfriend (Nick Thune) and his new-and-improved girlfriend (Britt Lower), a totally together woman with a five-year plan. Though Emily is the same, everything else is different: her house has been smartly redecorated, her rocker boyfriend is training to be a real estate agent, and her old haunts show serious signs of gentrification. Holed up in her own guest room, Emily--who has no idea what she'll be doing five days from now, let alone five years--is forced to question everyone's values: are they sell-outs or have they just figured out what makes them happy? And is she following her dreams or is she just a self-absorbed loser?



MR. ROOSEVELT premiered to great acclaim at SXSW, where it won the Audience Award in Narrative Spotlight and the Louis Black Lone Star Award, and has continued to garner plaudits on the festival circuit, most recently at Michael Moore’s Traverse City Film Festival, where it won the Founders Prize for Best US Fiction Film.



MR. ROOSEVELT is written and directed by Noël Wells, who also stars and serves as an Executive Producer. Michael B. Clark, Chris Ohlson, and Alex Turtletaub produce. Cinematography by Dagmar Weaver-Madsen, editing by Terel Gibson, music by Ryan Miller. MR. ROOSEVELT is distributed by Paladin Pictures.
RT: 90 minutes / Not Rated

About AFI FEST presented by Audi
A program of the American Film Institute, AFI FEST presented by Audi is a celebration of global cinema and today's Hollywood — a showcase for the best festival films of the year and an opportunity for master filmmakers and emerging artists to come together with audiences in the movie capital of the world. Celebrating its 31st edition, AFI FEST is the only festival of its stature that is free to the public. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences recognizes AFI FEST as a qualifying festival for both Short Film categories for the annual Academy Awards®. This year's edition takes place November 9–16, 2017. Additional information about AFI FEST is available at AFI.com/AFIFEST. Connect with AFI FEST at facebook.com/AFIFEST, twitter.com/AFIFEST and youtube.com/AFI.

11/13 9:45am pst - SHAWN ASKINOSIE Founder of Askinosie Chocolate shares the secret to purposeful work and business

SHAWN ASKINOSIE

Founder of Askinosie Chocolate shares the secret to purposeful work and business. 
LISTEN to today's show with Shawn Askinosie!

In 2005, Shawn Askinosie left a successful career as a criminal defense lawyer to start a bean-to-bar chocolate factory and never looked back. Askinosie Chocolate is a small batch, award-winning chocolate factory in Missouri, sourcing 100% of their cocoa beans directly from farmers across the globe. Recently named “One of the 25 Best Small Companies in America” byForbes, Askinosie Chocolate was founded at the forefront of the American craft chocolate revolution and is regarded by many as a vanguard in the industry. But other than the honestly sourced cocoa, what’s the secret of Askinosie Chocolate’s success? According to Shawn Askinosie (and his daughter Lawren Askinosie), there is a lot more, as he shares in Meaningful Work: A Quest to Do Great Business, Find Your Calling, and Feed Your Soul.

In 2005, Shawn Askinosie left a successful career as a criminal defense lawyer to start a bean-to-bar chocolate factory and never looked back. Askinosie Chocolate is a small batch, award-winning chocolate factory in Missouri, sourcing 100% of their cocoa beans directly from farmers across the globe. Recently named “One of the 25 Best Small Companies in America” byForbes, Askinosie Chocolate was founded at the forefront of the American craft chocolate revolution and is regarded by many as a vanguard in the industry. But other than the honestly sourced cocoa, what’s the secret of Askinosie Chocolate’s success? According to Shawn Askinosie (and his daughter Lawren Askinosie), there is a lot more, as he shares in Meaningful Work: A Quest to Do Great Business, Find Your Calling, and Feed Your Soul.

Shawn Askinosie shares:

· How to create a work life that reflects what’s most important, so that it’s not a drain on physical and mental energy

· How to use the principles of “integrated kinship” in order to achieve your business’ calling

· “Success” no longer translates to “profitable” alone—it also encompasses happiness, purpose, and community

· Despite their inclination, most entrepreneurs are skeptical that their business can have a purpose beyond making a profit. Askinosie says, there’s no need to wait for your business to live out a calling…begin now

· The business philosophy of “reverse scale” not to get bigger, but to get better at staying small.

Meaningful Work is not a book about “saving the world,” but how positive change begins with individual action. It’s a book for anyone who may be successful but unsettled, in a hurry for answers, and ready for the next journey, or anyone just starting out and looking for the on-ramp. It’s a story about Shawn did it, how he is still doing it, and how others can do it too.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Shawn Askinosie is the founder of Askinosie Chocolate. Lawren Askinosie, his daughter, is the Chief Marketing Officer. Their business model has been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and on Bloomberg and numerous other media outlets. Shawn was named by O, The Oprah Magazine, as "One of 15 Guys Who Are Saving the World." He is a Family Brother at Assumption Abbey, a Trappist monastery near Ava, Missouri.

https://www.askinosie.com

11/13 9:30am pst - Stephen Rosenfield who trained many of today's premier comics--standups and writers, joined KUCI's Janeane Bernstein to talk about his book, "Mastering Stand-Up."

LISTEN to today's show with Stephen Rosenfield!

Stephen Rosenfield who trained many of today's premier comics--standups and writers like Lena Dunham, Jim Gaffigan, Eric Slovin, Jessica Kirson, and Michelle Buteau.

Rosenfield was the subject of an NPR documentary by Sara Fishko (WNYC) previously.

The New York Times heralds Stephen Rosenfield as “best known comedy teacher in the country”

Mastering Stand-Up is an invaluable guide for aspiring and experienced comedians as well as students and instructors in comedy studies at the university level. The book publishes November 1.

This entertaining and sharply written guide—for both beginners breaking into comedy and professionals seeking to improve their sets and advance their careers—examines the work of great comedians such as Jerry Seinfeld, Richard Pryor, Eddie Izzard, Tig Notaro, Moms Mabley, Hannibal Buress, Sarah Silverman, and more as a means of illustrating the most important techniques of performing and writing stand-up.

In Mastering Stand-Up, Stephen Rosenfield lays out a clear plan for achieving success, candidly explaining what works, what doesn’t, and why. Included in the book is a 12-item “Successful Comedian’s To-Do List,” about which Rosenfield states, “Get undeniably good at each of these and you can kiss your day job good-bye. You will be a pro.”

Mastering Stand-Up is an invaluable guide for aspiring and experienced comedians as well as students and instructors in comedy studies at the university level. Rosenfield founded the first full-time comedy program in an institute of higher learning and has initiated programs, designed curriculum, and taught courses at numerous universities in the U.S. and Canada. He is a professor emeritus of stand-up and sketch comedy at William Paterson University. 

ABOUT

Stephen Rosenfield is the Founding Director of the American Comedy Institute, the premier stand-up comedy school in the United States. The extensive media coverage of his teaching includes the Starzmini-series, Standup or Shutup, and a Sara Fishko documentary aired by NPR. Alumni of Rosenfield’s workshops include some of today’s most prominent comedians and comedy writers, such as Lena Dunham, Jim Gaffigan, Eric Slovin, Jessica Kirson, and Michelle Buteau. He has directed, coached, and/or written for these and hundreds of other comedians. Rosenfield is a member of the Board of Directors for the National Association of Schools of Theatre, the agency designated by the U.S. Department of Education as responsible for accrediting college, university, and private conservatory programs in the performing arts. He is the first board member in NAST’s history drawn from the field of comedy. His academic credentials also include a M.F.A. in theatre directing from Stanford University.

11/13 9:00am pst - USC professor James J. Owens joined KUCI's Janeane Bernstein to talk about The World is Just a Book Away, an anthology he edited which captures the stories of how books and reading inspired some of the world's most prominent people. The incredible charity World is Just a Book Away (which builds libraries all over the world) is releasing its first anthology this November through USC Press.

LISTEN to today's show!

You know it's not every day Liam Neeson, Jude Law, Jane Fonda and dozens of other major celebrities come together for one purpose....but they did for the love of literature! The incredible charity World is Just a Book Away (which builds libraries all over the world) is releasing its first anthology this November through USC Press (details below) to raise funds for the nonprofit and bring more reading joy to young children :)

USC professor James Owens has collected the personal stories of 5 Nobel Peace Prize laureates, actors, royalty, world leaders, scientists, humanitarians, and many more celebrities for his book....all about their love of reading.

Recently, Sharon Stone shared about her personal involvement with the org and many more celebrity endorsements are planned for this book's release.

ABOUT
The World is Just a Book Away is an anthology edited by USC professor James J. Owens that captures the stories of how books and reading inspired some of the world s most prominent people. Recognizing the life-changing nature of reading, Owens set out in 2002 to create this deeply moving book. At first glance, the sixty contributors to this anthology may not seem to have much in common yet they all share their personal love of books and reading in The World is Just a Book Away. This book takes readers on a unique journey through personal stories from five Nobel Peace Prize laureates, actors, royalty, world leaders, scientists, humanitarians, and many more.

11/6 9:30am pst - Janeane spoke with Dr. Jerry Weichman Ph.D., a clinical psychologist, adolescent specialist, author, speaker and parenting expert

LISTEN to today's show with
Dr. Jerry Weichman!

“Today’s teens and parents need to be armed with a ‘tool box’ of practical solutions, and step-by-step instructions on how to use them, to meet the challenges they will all predictably face.”

Jerry Weichman, Ph.D., is a young clinical psychologist and adolescent specialist. His practice at Hoag Neurosciences Institute in Newport Beach, California helps teens deal with parents, teachers, friends and academic pressure, communicating with them in a way they understand to successfully handle the social drama of high school. Parents respond well to his directive approach, gaining a far deeper understanding of adolescent issues.

Dr. Weichman’s book, How to Deal, is a survival guide for high school teens, sharing his personal struggles as a teen and young adult to teach teens how to deal with stress, elevate their mood and feel better… “even when things really suck.” His popular speeches, lectures and seminars have presented assemblies of students, teachers, parents and administrators with a valuable window on how today’s teens successfully overcome the all too predictable, and painful, trials and tribulations of growing up, from meeting parental academic expectations to walking away from drugs and other self-destructive behavior.

Jerry Weichman grew up without a right foot, dealing with family problems and learning to walk with a prosthetic leg, being teased, developing body image issues, having social acceptance problems in school, experiencing lack of motivation, academic problems and depression. Dr. Weichman describes in detail his high school transformation which enabled him to elevate his mood, become more optimistic, foster more intrinsic motivation, receive academic and athletic honors in high school, play Division I football in college, receive academic awards in college and earn his Ph.D. at the early age of 26.

“Dr. Jerry”, as his patients and their parents call him, provides concrete, applicable tools for teen problems and explains how to use them to become a self-reliant person. He bridges modern-age adolescent lingo, concepts and technology, and clinical knowledge, in an approach that resonates with teens.

Dr. Jerry speaks at many schools, has worked as an intern with teens as a school psychologist in middle and high schools, counseled teens at community counseling centers and works with teens exclusively in private practice. He is on staff at Hoag Hospital. The relevance of his youth and experiences, combined with the directive approach he uses, connects teens and parents extremely effectively, teaching them better ways to cope with the challenges of growing up.

A popular and well respected media resource, Dr. Jerry has been interviewed by the New York Times, Washington Post and LA Times and has been asked to appear on major networks, ABC and Fox. He also sits on the Advisory Board for the Crisis Text Line, a subsidiary of DoSomething.org and is a regular contributing expert at award winning parenting website KidsInTheHouse.com.

MILLENNIALS​ ​TO​ ​BE​ ​75%​ ​OF​ ​EMPLOYEES​ ​BY​ ​2025 Debbie Wooldridge helps businesses learn to work with the majority generation. Debbie spoke with host Janeane Bernstein 11/6 9:15am pst!

LISTEN to Debbie on today's show!

SAN DIEGO, CA – By 2025, 75% of the workforce will be part of the Millennial generation born between 1980 and 2000. Few companies are accommodating the different work styles of this massive power behind American business, but Debbie Wooldridge, founding president and CEO of ttcInnovations, had an idea for helping businesses improve their performances.

She created The Millennial Project, an interactive, two-day workshop that provides companies with the tools and strategic roadmaps needed to alter workforce processes and increase productivity in regard to their Millennial employees, who have a different working profile from generations prior. Her previous book, Unleashing the Intrapreneur, focused on supporting Millennials in creating livable career goals and working effectively to achieve them.

In her new book, A Manager’s Guide to ​Unleashing the Intrapreneur​, Wooldridge builds upon her expertise, providing engaging learning experiences to companies by zeroing
in on the majority demographic in American companies today—and certainly in the years to come—Millennials. Debbie’s company partners with learning and development organizations in the financial sector to help them scale at a moment’s need through staffing solutions, large-scale project support, and innovative approaches to evolving for the emerging workforce. ttcInnovations has helped businesses enhance on-the-job performance, improve their customers’ satisfaction, deliver significant business results, and achieve their goals.

Debbie Wooldridge is the founding president and CEO of DW Training and Development, Inc., dba ttcInnovations, which provides businesses with engaging learning solutions that adopt a host of performance support options. Debbie’s company has also created The Millennial Project. Debbie currently lives in Carlsbad, California, with her husband and is a mother to
twin Millennials. www.JKSCommunications.com | 237 Old Hickory Blvd., Suite 201, Nashville, TN 37221

Sara Wigal | (615) 810-9697 | Sara@jkscommunications.com

In​ ​an​ ​interview,​ ​Debbie​ ​Wooldridge​ ​will​ ​address​:

● The importance of treating Millennial employees differently from
generations past
● Why changes must be made by many companies to accommodate Millennials
● The difference between intrapreneurs and employees
● Debbie’s own experiences as both a business owner and mother to Millennials and her
observations about this generation’s work styles
● The most important changes most firms can make to work with Millennials
● The most desirable perk any company can offer a Millennial employee
● The importance of personalized professional development plans for Millennial employees
● How companies can attract and engage Millennial employees
● Why Millennials don’t place the same value on a paycheck as previous generations
● What Millennials look for in a manager
A​ ​Manager’s​ ​Guide​ ​to​ ​Unleashing​ ​the​ ​Intrapreneur
Debbie Wooldridge | October 26, 2017

My Evening with Two Literary Rock Stars! Review: “Eve Ensler and Anne Lamott: In Conversation @ CAP UCLA Royce Hall 29 Oct 2017

Tags: cap ucla · center for the art of performance · eve ensler· anne lamott · royce hall
By Janeane Bernstein

As I sat eagerly awaiting UCLA’s Royce Hall event, “Eve Ensler and Anne Lamott: In Conversation,” I felt an incredible energy filling the room. The motto engraved in the elaborate ceiling, “Education is learning to use the tools which the race has found indispensable” was a reminder that we need to value what we have and use our passions, drive, and grit to make a difference in this crazy world right now.

You would think two rock stars were taking the stage from the feeling that filled the hall.  Tony award-winning playwright, performer, feminist and activist, Eve Ensler (best known for her groundbreaking play The Vagina Monologues) and bestselling author, memoirist, political activist, public speaker, and writing teacher, Anne Lamott are thought-provoking literary stars in the world of award-winning no-holds bar literature and theater. 

I felt that I was about to witness a conversation, which would be a rare gift to all in attendance. I was ready to take in every word, every thought, every bit of wisdom these game-changers had to offer. They represent what we should all aspire to be: bold, courageous, loving, compassionate, determined and resilient. And Eve and Anne hold nothing back when expressing their views on what a screwed-up broken, political mess we currently face. My kind of women.

Meryl Friedman, CAP UCLA’s Director of Education & Special Initiatives, was the perfect moderator keeping the 90-minute event running seamlessly for what she called, “our 1800 seat living room.” She began the evening by saying, “words are powerful, they engage us and make the impossible possible.” Below are some of the evening’s most poignant and memorable remarks. I left out the gorgeous ones with the f-bombs, because only the attendees were lucky enough for those hilarious moments!

• In struggle, we are in survival mode. You have to have hope because that is all you have.
• We have lost our ability to be bored, because of our obsession with technology. From boredom, we create. We need to disconnect from our phones and computers and let our minds roam into places we might not imagine.
• We are broken, and history is laid before us. There is hope because of the people who stand up and organize, who stand up against racism and sexism, but we must continue to fight and break out of the patriarchy.
• There is an obligation in writing to tell the truth in writing. The truth is the story and the story is the truth.
• We can be our most wild, imaginative self, because we are so close to something that feels so catastrophic.
• Sometimes you write badly and you don’t give up. Something comes into being against all odds.
• Writing is torture with self-doubt, and there is a mental issue! You’ll have a good week and then nothing happens, but the most important part is showing up. I wrote myself out of a catastrophic childhood, despair, loneliness.
  I have to write. I do not have a choice.
• There is a lack of listening, empathy and cohesiveness.
• We have to look what is being done to us, and do the opposite.
• We need to listen, experience joy, dance, be silly, and love. All these are radical acts.
• We have a choice to listen to our soul. Listen to where your soul wants to go. You are on the path. It doesn’t matter what anyone else says.
• My Dad didn’t wait for inspiration. He would be hungover and sick, but still get up really early. He wrote eight books and had three kids. Being a creative type came from discipline. You just do it. Perseverance is a habit and a conviction. This is what I do now.
• Writing is struggle. You get worn down and find the shape of self.
• Be true to yourself.
• Have a love of detail. Love the specific.
• You sit and stare into space hunting and gathering. You get an idea that leads to another. Everything you do feeds that idea. Writing is deeply lonely work. Listen to music, light candles, have rituals for your loneliness.
• Expectations are resentments under construction.
• Sometimes I think what I wrote is great and the other part of me says I am a big faker!
• I don’t know who I am going to become next, who I am going to evolve to. I know who I was. My cancer took me. I had amazing experiences and now I live in the country and it’s incredible.
• Don’t do one thing! Expand NOT brand!
• Every single day, I give someone money. I am a cranky optimist. Humor saves me and so does compassion.
• We are in a global emergency. 850 million people are living in hunger! We are being called to our deepest selves. We need community. We need a posse. We need groups.
• That place you are afraid what will the world think? That is where you should go!

Wrapping up the evening, Eve and Anne read excerpts from their powerfully moving work. Eve’s “I am Over Rape” ended the night with all of us on our feet.

The conversation between Eve Ensler and Anne Lamott was gripping, a hug for the soul, as well as a reality slap to stay strong and fight apathy, sexism, and discrimination. The conversation between Meryl, Eve and Anne was a rallying cry that we need to stand up, be bold, have courage in the face of adversity, follow our hearts, look up and pay attention. Stay true to your own meaningful journey; it’s yours and no one else’s. If we show radical acts of love and compassion, imagine what the world would look like.