Wednesday, December 23, 2020

Modern singer-songwriter, producer, and author Taylor Barton recently released I Pitched a Tent in Hell, a searing new audiobook on Audible.com. She shares her musical journey, her husband (GE Smith) encouraging her to learn guitar, her incredible friendship with musical influence Bob Dylan, and memorable moments with Tom Petty, George Harrison, Bruce Springsteen, Jerry Garcia and so many other legendary musicians!

Taylor with Floyd (Yes, named after Pink Floyd!)

From Taylor Barton:
Very excited to share with you my new release on Audible.com; it is a memoir with music.

You can download for free here.
https://www.audible.com/pd/I-Pitched-a-Tent-in-Hell-Audiobook/B08P7MS83Y?asin=B08P7MS83Y Audible is blowing up with music now, and a new way to experience story and melody. I hope you can find space to talk about this with me. Peace.


TAYLOR BARTON LAUNCHES A KALEIDOSCOPE OF
BEAUTY AND HARMONY IN HER MUSICAL MEMOIR
I PITCHED A TENT IN HELL

LISTEN TO I PITCHED A TENT IN HELL ON AUDIBLE HERE

“Taylor Barton’s music is beautiful. It’s filled with pain, sorrow, happiness, joy, and ultimately the pure expression that comes from an artist who has found resolution in her sense of self… a deeply moving experience.”
- Michael Gardner for Readers’ Favorite *****



Modern singer-songwriter, producer, and author Taylor Barton recently released I Pitched a Tent in Hell, a searing new audiobook on Audible.com. It’s a soulful, original, and introspective work that intricately weaves memories with songs. Each chapter is a personal excavation that concludes with a song inspired by Barton’s life and the volatile, unpredictable chaos she has survived. I Pitched a Tent in Hell showcases folk-rock to country-tinged songs, with a who’s who in the world of musicians. Especially poignant are “Steeplechase” and “Wheatfields” - that
feature Grammy winner Sarah Jarosz’ on vocals and mandolin. The final track of the book,“House of Light”, offers a compelling resolution. Watch the music video for “House of Light” here: https://youtu.be/yn_DNmdQCLA



Taylor Barton says of I Pitched a Tent in Hell:
“Ultimately, the stories and songs are about redemption and forgiveness; many are turbulent love letters, hilarious interactions with family, or confessions. I was thinking of the people I knew in Maryland which is where I grew up, and specifically negotiating the heartbreak with grace and humor. I was letting go of so many people, places, and things that I loved. I have lost my home state, as my family members have died or moved away and when my mother passed, there was no more home to go to. I felt like a refugee. I drove around familiar streets feeling like
a ghost.”


Taylor Barton has released ten critically acclaimed CD’s and won 10 ASCAP Awards. She was an Official Selection for the Mill Valley Film Festival for her film, 50-Watt Fuse. She is also the author of the raucous novel Hotheaded Saints as well as the unique children’s book Pedro n’ Pip: A Rock n’ Roll Odyssey for Eco-Kids. 

She is also the Executive Producer of PORTRAITS, a musical series featuring GE Smith that is held seasonally at Guild Hall, East Hampton, New York. All of her work is available on Apple Music, Amazon Music, Spotify, and Audible.com.
Taylor Barton learned her trade in the presence of musical royalty. Her husband, the beloved guitarist G.E. Smith, put the young songwriter backstage with musical legends like Bob Dylan, Neil Young, and Jerry Garcia, and thus, her first song was conceived in the back of Dylan’s tour bus. Born in Baltimore, Maryland she learned to meld urban grit with soulful art.


Taylor Barton Online
taylorbarton.com
twitter.com/_taylorbarton
instagram.com/taylorbarton_taylorbarton
facebook.com/TaylorBarton.Music

Tuesday, December 22, 2020

Brain injury survivor, Ariel Johnson, shares her story on mental health and resilience


MEET ARIEL JOHNSON

Ariel Johnson is a brain injury survivor as well as a trauma health coach spreading awareness on mental health through her social media platform. @TBI_me is intended to normalize the idea that we are all going through trauma and healing from hardships. Waking up from a coma that lasted a month and a half to rebuilding herself by learning the basics of how to be a human, she is sharing her experience. From having a traumatic brain injury to a brain disease to a sports related injury understanding that we are all on different journeys, we can come together and help each other grow and be the best version of ourselves. 

Dr. Claudia Black, a world-renowned expert on addiction and codependency talks about the third edition of her internationally bestselling book, IT WILL NEVER HAPPEN TO ME: Growing Up with Addiction as Youngsters, Adolescents, and Adults (a Central Recovery Press paperback). On sale December 1st, the book is an insightful guide on the experience and legacy of being raised in an addictive household.


In an all too familiar scenario, played out in millions of homes every day, children who grow up in addictive families abide by certain rules: don't talk, don't trust, don't feel. The rigid survival roles and youthful coping behaviors they take on, such as the responsible child, the adjuster, the placater, and the acting-out child can eventually contribute to problems of depression, loneliness, and addiction in adulthood.






Dr. Black talks about:

  • Why most children of addictive families are never seen by counselors or family service agencies
  • Why children of addictive families often seem well-adjusted
  • How the effects of living in an addictive family manifest when the child grows up
  • How mental health professionals can help children whose parents are suffering from addiction
  • How children of addicts can heal and embrace healthy relationships as adults


About IT WILL NEVER HAPPEN TO ME:

Children of addictive families do not often receive the help they need. After all, they usually rely on coping mechanisms that allow them to appease others, fly under the radar, or redirect attention. But, as Dr. Claudia Black asserts in the newly revised edition of her worldwide bestseller, IT WILL NEVER HAPPEN TO ME: Growing Up with Addiction as Youngsters, Adolescents, and Adults, 3rd edition (a Central Recovery Press paperback, on sale December 1, 2020), if these children do not receive the care they need, they become vulnerable to addictions, abusive relationships, and mental health disorders.

In her insightful guide, Black expertly identifies common issues that children of alcoholics contend with, including neglect, unreasonable role expectations, and physical abuse. To hide these problems, families typically demand that children abide by specific rules: don't talk, don't trust, don't feel. Black asserts that to cope, children adopt various roles such as ‘the responsible child,’ ‘the adjuster,’ ‘the placater,’ and ‘the acting-out child.’ But while these roles may help them survive the trauma at home, they can eventually contribute to depression, loneliness, and addiction in adulthood.

Expanding her new edition to address addictions beyond alcohol, Black explains how the roles children take on for their survival ultimately suppress and stifle their emotional needs. And while children may vow never to resort to the same substances their parents used, many of them turn to food, exercise, shopping, work, or sex to cope with the unaddressed emotional response to growing up in the trauma of an addictive household.

Drawing on her extensive research on addiction and codependency - along with her first-hand experience working with children of addictive families - Black highlights poignant personal stories, thoughtful explanations, and helpful exercises to help readers analyze and address their own self-defeating behaviors. With her reassuring and informative approach, she offers insight, actionable advice, and hope to those affected by addiction's destructive impact.



About the Author:



Claudia Black, PhD is a world-renowned expert on addiction and codependency, best-selling author, and trainer internationally recognized for her pioneering and contemporary work with family systems and addictive disorders. Since the 1970s, Dr. Black’s work has encompassed the impact of addiction on young and adult children. Her writings and teachings have become a standard in the field of addictions. Claudia holds a Doctorate of Philosophy in Social Psychology from Columbia Pacific University, and a Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of Washington. Claudia is the Clinical Architect of the Claudia Black Center for Young Adults, a Senior Fellow, and Addiction and Trauma Program Specialist at The Meadows Treatment Center in Arizona. She is one of the original founders and serves on the Advisory Board for the National Association of Children of Alcoholics and the Advisory Council of the Eluna Foundation and its development of Camp Mariposa, a camp for children impacted by addiction. She serves on the Advisory Board for the National Association of Children of Alcoholics and the Advisory Council of the Moyer Foundation.

From Petzbe the “Cutest Pet Community on the Planet!” Comes Our First PAWliday Album! Leading social pet app with 450,000 users also has a December campaign to assist in Los Angeles based animal rescue





FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:


December 2020


From Petzbe the “Cutest Pet Community on the Planet!” 
Comes Our First PAWliday Album!


Leading social pet app with 450,000 users also has a December campaign to assist in Los Angeles based animal rescue

Los Angeles, CA - Petzbe Inc., a leading social pet app with 450,000 plus users who share their lives and communicate with other pets from the pets’ perspective, happily announce the release of their First PAWliday Album! The Petzbe App is known for its pet centric community and no humans allowed policy! (Although humans are allowed to log on and oversee their pet posts, but don’t let the pets know.)


The Petzbe Pawliday Album consists of three beautiful & relaxing Holiday songs that any pet lover will adore - Noisy Night, Wagging Tails & We Wish You a Purry Catmas.


● Noisy Night is about cats & dogs creating heavenly chaos by howling and meowing in the night, having catnip, and chasing tails!


● Wagging Tails is about dogs wagging tails their tails away on a special doggo day!


● We Wish You a Purry Catmas is about cats who want some yummy salmon, and if they don't get it, they will hiss…


The Petzbe App is also known for its amazing monthly, “Lend A Paw” campaign. Community members share pet photos with the #lendapaw hashtag and Petzbe donates $1.00 to pet oriented charities. We have raised over $100,000 so far to different pet rescues that we have supported! December 2020’s special charity is Los Angeles based Orange Twins rescue. (https://orangetwinsrescue.com/).

Past recipients include: Best Friends Animal Society, Humane Society of Broward County, Red rover, D.A.R.N.A Animal Rescue Spain, Wires (for animals effected by the Australian Wild Fires) and Hope for Paws (NYC).

Happy Petzbe PAWlidays on SoundCloud! https://m.soundcloud.com/user-531027424?fbclid=IwAR312ddPOWhFhxF2O6QpI6CQ0DOTJh6SxWPBny31nRg_M-SCs-ZdbA0Gj3w

OH MEOW GOODNESS❤️😽🎄❤️🎄🐶You can listen to the beautiful & relaxing Petzbe Palwiday Album on Spotify too! https://spoti.fi/3mLibZj


“The Petzbe App, with the release of the PAWliday Albumn, continues to surprise me with their witty and entertaining content while having the outstanding quality that I’m accustomed to,” says user @penelopi -Penelopi Pirouettes Riggs, Los Angeles, CA


About Petzbe Inc.
THE PETZBE APP IS A 100% PET-FOCUSED COMMUNITY LAUNCHED IN APRIL OF 2018 BY ANDREA NEREP & HER ICONIC BRUSSELS. GRIFFON, ANGUS. The Petzbe App is a silly, loving, witty and fun feel-good app that gives pets and their owners the freedom to be creative & express themselves. We are truly the “cutest community on the planet.”

Website link here https://petzbe.com/

APP LINKS

THE PETZBE APP IS A 100% PET-FOCUSED COMMUNITY LAUNCHED IN APRIL OF 2018 BY ANDREA NEREP & HER ICONIC BRUSSELS.
GRIFFON, ANGUS. 
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/petzbe-no-humans-allowed/id1314000163



https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.petzbe.petzbe&hl=en_US&gl=US



For questions about Petzbe please contact

hey@petzbe.com

205 Hudson Street

10013 New York NY

(646)329- 4541


Just in time for the holidays! Actor David L. Rowell talks about his holiday hit, Christmas in Carolina, and his foundation, DJ Rowell Foundation

Meet David L. Rowell

David is an accomplished actor who stars in the breakaway holiday hit, Christmas in Carolina. David is not only the film's lead man, but he is an incredible inspiration to us all, even away from the screen. He is the founder of the DJ Rowell Foundation and has spent the past week spreading holiday cheer by delivering backpacks to children's hospitals in South Carolina where he lives!




ABOUT DAVID L. ROWELL
DAVID L. ROWELL, a South Carolina native grew up believing that his calling was in basketball, the sport he loved more than anything else; however, after an internship opportunity, DJ, as he is affectionately known, caught a glimpse of artistry. This is where David tapped into acting and his charismatic personality instantly catapulted him into a new arena. David has since put forth all the necessary efforts to perfect his craft by staying consistent with training and being in front of any camera that allows him to display his platforms. He has quickly become acclimated to life on the scene as well as behind the scene.

David’s captivating personality helped him land his first, big role in the feature film “Christmas in Carolina,” where he personifies the character “Wesley Saxon.” David, who is the founder of The DJ Rowell Foundation, is pursuing his acting career full time and is extremely humbled for the opportunities he’s had as well as those yet to come.

Sunday, December 20, 2020

Tune in 12/21/20 at 9:30am pst when I share an insightful and very timely conversation with Katherine May, author several books in the UK. Katherine shares details of her timely, new book Wintering - The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times


“Wintering is every bit as beautiful and healing as the season itself. Katherine May thoughtfully examines the emotional, spiritual, and geographical reality of the cold times, the dark days, and those periods of our lives when things are neither soft nor easy. 
This is truly a beautiful book.”

—#1 New York Times bestselling author Elizabeth Gilbert



An intimate, revelatory book exploring the ways we can care for and repair ourselves when life knocks us down.




Katherine May is a gorgeous prose writer with several books out in the UK, and an astute observer of the natural world. In WINTERING, May addresses those times of life when unforeseen circumstances derail you (think: an abrupt illness, the death of a loved one, a job loss, or a global pandemic NBD). She calls these periods of dislocation wintering. What if, May asks herself, instead of feeling so much shame around “failing” during these times, instead of hustling so hard to keep up appearances, we gave ourselves permission to fall through the cracks and rest? Imagine it: a deep, full season of rest and retreat.

Drawing lessons from literature, mythology, and the natural world, Katherine weaves the story of her own personal wintering with extraordinary science, cultural history, philosophy, and fable. You’ll meet hibernating dormice, learn about human sleep patterns before electric light existed, and encounter pagan rituals to mark time that still get practiced today.


Unclassifiable, original, and full of unexpected pleasures at every turn, WINTERING could not be coming at a more perfect moment. It is a luminous, vulnerable, and dryly funny look at a season of life that, right now, we all have in common. May models an active acceptance of sadness and finds nourishment in deep retreat, joy in the hushed beauty of winter, and encouragement in understanding life as cyclical, not linear.



ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Katherine May is a writer of both fiction and nonfiction. Her journalism and essays have appeared in a range of publications including The Times (London), Good Housekeeping, and Cosmopolitan. She lives by the sea in Whitstable, England and is an avid lover of the outdoors.

Coming up 12/21/20 at 9:00am pst -- Multi-talented Los Angeles writer, BJ (Beverly) Graf, shares details about her debut novel - GENESYS X






Los Angeles, CA


LA Based writer BJ (Beverly) Graf’s debut novel GENESYS X is available now at www.fairwoodpress.com, www.amazon.com, www.b&n.com, and any independent bookseller near you.

Part noir science fiction and part twisted new take on Greek myth, GENESYS X is a page-turning police procedural featuring Eddie Piedmont, the youngest Homicide Special detective in LAPD history. L.A. is under siege from a gang war which has flooded the streets with a powerful drug called green ice. And there’s a new plague; Alzheimer’s has spawned a virulent new strain, Alz-X that attacks children. No one knows why.

When Eddie takes on a case of fatal overdose, he is drawn into the nefarious world of cutting-edge reproductive technology, only to discover terrible secrets at the heart of his identity and family history that will pull him much closer to the murderer than he could ever have imagined.

Some early reviews have come in and agree that the novel is a winner!

“Clever, twisty, and entertaining. A remarkable debut.”

Matt Coyle, Author of the RICK CAHILL SERIES

"From the opening page, readers will love Eddie Piedmont and Shin Miyaguchi, ace homicide investigators in a vision of future Los Angeles we've never seen before. Miraculous technological advances run parallel with the cracks threatening to crumble society, and every move Piedmont and Shin make hammers those fractures a little more. GENESYS X is brilliant, thrilling, and filled with twists that will leave fans gasping. B.J. Graf has made a spectacular debut."

Glen Erik Hamilton, Author of THE VAN SHAW SERIES

“Action-packed, futuristic and unpredictable. Crime fiction has a new voice.”

John McMahon, Author of the P.T. MARSH SERIES

“A noir-thriller with a hefty dash of future technology. Witty and well-written. Looking forward to more from B.J. Graf!”

Louisa Morgan, Author of THE SECRET HISTORY OF WITCHES

B.J. Graf (aka Beverly Graf) lives in Los Angeles with her family and a menagerie of four-footers. Her near-future-mystery-novel, GENESYS X, featuring Detectives Piedmont & Miyaguchi, will be published 11/10/2020 by Fairwood Press and is available for pre-orders now at www.fairwoodpress.com, www.amazon.com, www.b&n.com, and an independent bookseller near you. She also has 4 short stories already published including Deus ex Machina, which follows in the wake of Sandman, Blood Shadows and Shikata Ga Nai. In her alternate identity Dr. Graf is an Adjunct Professor who teaches Film Studies and Classical Mythology at Pepperdine, UCLA, and CSUN. Previously, she worked as V.P. of Development for Abilene Pictures where they produced several features and television projects including Primal Fear, Frequency, Fallen, Fracture and NYPD 2069.

To learn more about the author check out her website: www.beverlyjgraf.com

To interview BJ Graf please contact Deborah Gilels, LA Media Consultants, at Deborah@lamediaconsultants.net


Coming up Monday 12/21/20 at 9:15am pst -- Lindsay Rechler, author of GOOD MORNING ZOOM, a parody book for families currently learning and working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic




Lindsay Rechler is an NYC mom with a demanding full time day job. She wrote this book in April to help her children understand their new COVID-19 reality as they interacted with the world through technology from their NYC apartment. After releasing a highly successful self-published edition, Lindsay brought her book to Penguin, and has committed to donate all of her net proceeds from the first printing of 100,000 copies to COVID-19 relief charities.

A self-published edition of GOOD MORNING ZOOM, released in late June, struck a chord with fellow parents and became an instant success, selling hundreds of copies a day. Penguin’s revised edition features updated text and illustrations.


ABOUT GOOD MORNING ZOOM

The book takes readers on a lyrical journey through our "new normal.” From "Zoom school," to watching doctors and nurses on TV, to building pillow forts and talking to loved ones from a distance, this poignant book expresses the emotions young children might be feeling during the global pandemic and gives voice and hope to our youngest who are replacing school and hugs with technology.


In an interview, Lindsay discusses·

- The bizarre and sometimes funny realities of parenting in this moment

- How to balance a full time job and remote learning with your kid

- How the loss of a personal friend to COVID in April helped inform the book and its mission

- Why she decided to donate the proceeds from the book to COVID relief charities



ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lindsay Rechler is a Managing Director at global investment bank Jefferies Group where she has worked for 13 years. She earned her bachelor's degree from Cornell University. While quarantining at home with her family, Lindsay wrote her first book, Good Morning Zoom. Like all parents, she and her husband Zack have also become chefs, bakers, coaches, teachers, musical directors and artists. She resides in Manhattan with her husband and two children. This book was written for today's children and for future generations to record the impact the pandemic had on our lives and how we weathered the storm together.

 

Coming up on 12/21 @9:45am pst! LATLC & LAPD 'Comfort and Joy' Event Kicks Off December 5 Los Angeles Trial Lawyers' Charities (LATLC) partners again with Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Newton Division for the 5th Annual "Comfort and Joy" Holiday Giveaway, Kicking Off December 5 with 'Patrol Car Santas' delivering gifts and groceries to families in need throughout the month.


The Los Angeles Trial Lawyers Charities and their 'Comfort & Care' Holiday Program - delivers with the help of the LAPD's Newton Division - holiday care packages with groceries, household necessities and toys to over 500 families in economic despair in Central LA.

Los Angeles Trial Lawyers Charities http://www.latlc.org/


Janeane is in conversation with:

2020 LATLC President and Trial Attorney at Gladius Law APC, Alyssa Schabloski

Incoming 2021 LATLC President Trial Attorney and Founding Partner of Kramer Trial Lawyers, APC. Daniel K. Kramer (Dan Kramer)


PRESS RELEASE

Launching Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020, at 9:00 a.m., Los Angeles Trial Lawyers' Charities (LATLC) in partnership with the Los Angeles Police Department's Newton Division, will once again bring "Comfort & Joy" to families in need in South LA by delivering gift bags filled with toys, household items, and groceries to 500 families in need.

LATLC is a non-profit organization initiated by plaintiff attorneys in 2006. Since then, LATLC has donated over $5 million ($5,034,033) in grants and goods, and each year has volunteered thousands of hours. (http://www.latlc.org/)

"LATLC is humbled by the incredible generosity of its supporters. Despite COVID-19, we had an extraordinary year of support. Through virtual online events, we raised $53,000 to make this year's 5th Annual 'Comfort and Joy' a remarkable reality." -Alyssa Schabloski, 2020 LATLC President and Trial Attorney at Gladius Law, A.P.C.

In 2016, LATLC began its food and toy giveaway, providing items to more than 500 families. In 2019, LATLC added partner Los Angeles Police Department's Newton Division. Over 2,000 people enjoyed a Holiday Village and Gift Market in front of St-Patrick's Catholic Church on 34th Street and Central Avenue, created by over 200 LATLC volunteers.

With the community's health and safety foremost in mind, LATLC has modified this year's "Comfort and Joy" event. In place of the Holiday Village, Los Angeles Trial Lawyers Charities have purchased over 2000 toys, plus hundreds of household and food items. Starting December 5th, these LATLC gift bags will be delivered to families by "Patrol Car Santas": Officers of the Los Angeles Police Department's Newton Division.

"We are proud to partner with LATLC to bring 'Comfort & Joy' to our community," says Captain III Alex Baez, "I am particularly proud of our officers that strive daily to make our community safe, and who now have stepped forward to deliver these gifts of hope to those who need it most."

The 'Comfort and Joy' event is one of many programs the Los Angeles Trial Lawyers' Charities (LATLC) makes possible throughout the year.

In 2020, the LATLC:
  • Funded 57 non-profits for $253,000
  • Funded "grab and go" meals for students at Alliance College-Ready schools immediately after schools were closed down
  • Provided fresh meals (3x a week for six weeks) to seniors through Foothill Unity Center and Kitchen United
  • Presented 12 college scholarships ($2,500 each) to deserving students, even after canceled proms, graduations, and senior events
  • Created the first virtual service project with the LA LGBT's Senior Center.

"We are very excited for 2021. While we look forward to reuniting with our partner charities in person, until it's safe to do so we are moving forward with many dynamic online events and opportunities to support those in need. We are hopeful our biggest annual fundraisers, including the 2021 Summer Soiree on July 17 at the Intercontinental Hotel and the 2021 LATLC Golf Tournament on October 25 at Sherwood, will take place as they make so much of what we do possible."

For more, visit our website LATLC.org.

Thursday, December 17, 2020

CAMILLA PANG Shares AN OUTSIDER’S GUIDE TO HUMANS: an instruction manual for life, love, and relationships. She a brilliant young scientist whose Asperger’s syndrome allows her–and us–to see ourselves in a different way…and to be better at being human

When Camilla Pang was five years old, she asked her mother if there was an instruction manual for humans—a guidebook, something that could explain why people behave the way they do. In her mind, she was an alien within her own species, someone who understood the words but couldn’t speak the language. In this powerful and intuitive debut, she lays out a guide to human nature using scientific principles and theories as her roadmap.

Pang—who holds a PhD in bioinformatics from University College London and is a postdoctoral scientist—is neurodivergent. She has ASD (autism spectrum disorder), ADHD (attention deficit anxiety disorder), and GAD (generalized anxiety disorder). Together these might make everyday life for her impossible, but in AN OUTSIDER’S GUIDE TO HUMANS she explains how her studies made clear the ambiguous, often contradictory, and hard to understand actions she sees humans make every day. The book is the life manual she longed for as a child—accessible to anyone, neurotypical or neurodivergent, who has wondered why we behave the way we do.


Camilla Pang offers insights into:
  • How she claimed her neurodiversity as her superpower: Pang’s neurodiversity may have created so many questions about how humans interact, but it also gave her the unique tools to answer them. In her book, she teaches readers how to use those same tools to live a happier and more connected life.

  • How machine learning -- a branch of AI -- can help us make more rational decisions—without requiring us to get more organized: It’s time to admit that our computers thinks more outside the box than we do—but the good news is that they can also teach us how to do same.

  • What proteins can teach us about embracing individual differences and forming diverse groups: The protein model of teamwork shows us that, far from uniformity being helpful, it is diversity that is essential to collaboration and success.

  • How the visual of a prism refracting light can help us from getting overwhelmed by our fears and anxieties, breaking them into manageable and separate “wavelengths”: Minimizing fears—using the denial approach—doesn’t just make us feel less afraid. It makes us miss opportunities and stymies creativity and inspiration.


In AN OUTSIDER’S GUIDE TO HUMANS, Pang applies scientific principles to the problems of human relationships, the perils of perfectionism, and the pitfalls of social etiquette—and the result is a joyous, funny, incisive, and important work from which anyone can learn.

You can listen to Pang in conversation here to learn more about her work.

About the Author:

Camilla Pang holds a PhD in bioinformatics from University College London and is a postdoctoral scientist. Her career and studies have been heavily influenced by her diagnoses of Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and ADHD and she is driven by her passion for understanding humans and how we work. Pang is also a volunteer cancer researcher at the Francis Crick Institute, and volunteers on socio-psychological projects for mining communities in Africa. She is an active contributor to art and science initiatives and often partakes in mental health and decision making research projects.

Wednesday, December 16, 2020

Daphne Maxwell Reid, the iconic TV mom of the 1990s, in three seasons as Aunt Vivian on “The Fresh Prince of Bel Air,” joins host Janeane to talk about the exciting news when the cast of “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” reunite 30 years later





Everyone remembers Daphne Maxwell Reid as an iconic TV mom of the 1990s, from her three seasons as Aunt Vivian on “The Fresh Prince of Bel Air.” And Daphne couldn’t be more excited when the cast of “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” reunite 30 years later for an unscripted reunion special airing on HBO Max at Thanksgiving. She also stars in “The Business of Christmas,” which will air on BET+ on December 3.

These days Reid is a Renaissance woman, respected artist and designer, and education activist. Working from her home in Virginia, and still happily married to pioneering television actor/producer/writer/director Tim Reid (“WKRP in Cincinnati,” “Frank’s Place,” “Sister, Sister”), Daphne Maxwell Reid is living proof that a passion for creativity and a dedication to hard work can ensure a lifetime’s worth of success.

Breaking new barriers is nothing new to Reid, who decades ago became the first African-American homecoming queen at Northwestern University and shortly thereafter one of the first African-American women to appear on the cover of Glamour magazine. But many fans of her modeling and acting career probably don’t know that Reid is a lifelong shutterbug, a hobby passed down by her father that has now become a focal point of her career. With five books and 5 annual calendars already published, Reid specializes in fine art photography that features doors and doorways from around the world, including Cuba, Venice, France, China, Germany, and Belgium. Now she’s added to her publishing resume with her first cookbook, “Grace + Soul & Motherwit,” which offers her favorite recipes spiced with personal memories and reflections from her life and travels.

Reid has also been a seamstress for much of her life, creating many of her own outfits and costumes as a young actress and model, and has now developed those skills into an exclusive, custom clothing line called Daphne Style, making Chinese silk brocade jackets that are wearable works of art. She also keeps busy as a spokesperson for Virginia State University, a historically black college/university (HBCU), doing outreach, public relations, and speaking engagements that allow her to preach the importance of education and career prep for students of color.

A thoughtful, inspiring, and fascinating professional with over five decades of experience, Daphne Maxwell Reid continues to demonstrate that mastering a new skill is always possible for an artist with a generous spirit and self-determination.


http://www.daphnemaxwellreid.com

http://daphnecooks.com

https://www.instagram.com/msdaphne13/

Sunday, December 13, 2020

Kicking off the last segment of the show on 12/14/20 at 9:45am pst is Jeff Foster, AP Government teacher at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. Jeff shares details on his new book, For Which We Stand and why this is a great book for students and adults!

Jeff Foster, AP Government teacher at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School for 20 years, brings a non-partisan guide to the basics in an honest, inspiring, respectful way. It could not be more timely! 

"Mr. Foster is an incredible teacher, one who helped me, and all his students, by teaching us to understand how the government actually works, how we could work it, and how we could become active citizens who stand up for what we care about."—Emma González, a former student and gun control advocate.




How Our Government Works and Why It Matters

By Jeff Foster


The AP Government teacher at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School for 20 years, Jeff Foster is a true expert on the subject, and responsible for teaching teen activists like Cameron Kasky, David Hogg, Delaney Tarr, and Emma González. Now, just in time for the 2020 presidential election, Foster puts his knowledge to the page to educate a much broader swath of readers and to inspire a new generation of activists. 

A highly designed, nonpartisan guide to the United States government, FOR WHICH WE STAND: How Our Government Works and Why It Matters (On sale September 1, 2020; Scholastic Inc.) presents information in a format that’s high interest and easy to digest, helping to fill a hole in the institutional market. Featuring infographics, maps, extensive back matter on how young people can get involved, and a foreward from youth activist Yolanda Renee King, the granddaughter of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Coretta Scott King. FOR WHICH WE STAND provides kids with the knowledge, skillset, and steps to rise up and right the wrongs in their world.

Now more than ever, it's so important for everyone to understand our government: where it came from, how it works, and how we can bring about change. And, after all, in the words of author and government teacher Jeff Foster, "If you don't participate, you can't complain."



FOR WHICH WE STAND is a comprehensive and highly accessible guide that answers questions like: 

What are the branches of the government? 
What is the Electoral College? 
What are the political parties? 
What are the different responsibilities of the city, state, and federal governments? Plus, discover the complete backstory on some of our government's most important moments, like why we wrote the Declaration of Independence, and how people since then have worked with—and protested against—the government to improve the lives of all Americans.

JEFF FOSTER is an Advanced Placement Government and Politics teacher at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. After the tragedy that occurred at his school in February 2018, many students credited “Mr. Foster” with giving them the tools that inspired the Never Again movement and spawned the March for Our Lives. Jeff continues to motivate and inspire his students to become active participants in government. He believes that one person can make a difference, no matter their age. He lives in Boynton Beach, Florida with his wife Loren and two daughters.

FOR WHICH WE STAND by Jeff Foster

Coming up 12/14/20 at 9:25am pst on KUCI 88.9fm -- Jerri Sher, an Emmy award-winning filmmaker talks about her road to filmmaking, her current film, Healing the Brain, and more!



JERRI SHER is an EMMY Award-winning filmmaker. A member of the Directors Guild since 1998, she has completed 22 film and television projects. She wrote, directed and produced QUIET EXPLOSIONS, a documentary feature about Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Post Traumatic Stress (PTS) in veterans, athletes and civilians. The film just won the Lilac Award at the SpIFF Int. Film Festival and will be released on November 10, 2020 on Amazon. LIVE LIFE (healing through alternative medicine) her 12-part docu-drama television series was co-produced by Discovery Communications. 



Her short film STEP UP is part of a presentation SANTA MONICA CARES which she created for City/TV Santa Monica, and garnered her 2 EMMYS. It was Ms. Sher's true honor to be selected to create and produce the Retrospective Tribute Film honoring Kathryn Bigelow for the DGA’s 75th Anniversary Gala. She also wrote and produced a film honoring Betty Thomas, Mimi Leder and Patty Jenkins for the Women’s Steering Committee of the DGA. Her short film LIVE LIFE A-Z won the George Lucas Global Education Award at the My Hero Int. Film Festival. Her documentary SOUL OF AN EMPIRE, about the rebirth of 42nd St. NYC, won the Best Documentary Feature Award at the Big Bear Lake Int. Film Festival, and the Special Jury Award at The Savannah Film & Video Festival.

A native from Fall River, MA, Jerri earned her BFA, Cum Laude from the University of MA and an MEd, Magna Cum Laude from Springfield College. Ms. Sher was the keynote speaker on Princess Cruise Lines World tour from Papeete, Tahiti to Sydney, Australia including topics of “Creative Writing” and “Using Documentary Films to Make the World a Healthier Place.” She has taught and guest lectured at several universities throughout the country and abroad.


Ms. Sher entered the transportation industry in the early eighties. Jerri worked for Preston the 151 Line and GOD Guaranteed Overnight Delivery, where she was trained by Anthony Robbins. While working in sales and marketing in the trucking business, she learned the necessary skills to become a producer. Her third career of directing and screenwriting emerged when she wrote a novel about a medical mystery about the cure for HIV/AIDS, “THE TWIG PAINTER”. Her book “How To Have A Successful Bridal Shower A to Z” just became a national #1 best seller on Amazon. Jerri was the recipient of the Distinguished Alumna Award 2019 from Durfee High School, chosen from over 50,000 candidates. She is a member of AWD, IDA, DGA and GreenLight Women and lives in Los Angeles with her husband Alan. 


CLICK the link to see a clip from the film

https://vimeo.com/463087269/16c713a5a9 


To stream the film:

https://vimeo.com/ondemand/quietexplosions



PRESS RELEASE

Los Angeles, CA Oct. 26, 2020 — Cinema Libre Studio announces the enlightening documentary QUIET EXPLOSIONS: HEALING THE BRAIN by Emmy Award-winning Director Jerri Sher,

about Traumatic Brain Injury and PTS affecting millions of folks worldwide. Their methods of healing are told by legendary Super Bowl XXVI MVP Mark Rypien (Wash. Redskins) and USC superstar the “Notre Dame Killer “Anthony Davis.


"Quiet Explosions will leave you hurt and stunned. Yet, through all the pain and suffering, Jerri Sher's masterful documentary dares shine light into the dark recesses of medicine to provide a beacon of hope that traumatic brain injuries can be, and should be, handled effectively when caring healthcare providers choose to think differently."

Michael Lewis, MD, MPH, MBA, FACPM, FACN Colonel (ret.), US Army


According to the CDC, over two million people will suffer a TBI each year, stating, “Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is a leading cause of death and disability in the United States.” Director Jerri Sher explores the new treatments given to vets, gymnasts and firefighters by cutting edge doctors, Mark Gordon, MD and Daniel Amen, MD. Former Marine Ben Driebergen, winner of CBS's

“Survivor” season #35 and Shawn Dollar, champion surfer in the Guinness World Records for the highest wave ever surfed (61 ft.) share their heartfelt stories of overcoming PTS and TBI through Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy and hormone replacements for the brain.


“Quiet Explosions is a game changer like Concussion was with raising public awareness about traumatic brain injuries and hopeful new treatments to help people regain lives worth living.”

James F. Zender, PhD



This film was inspired by the book TALES FROM THE BLAST FACTORY by Andrew Marr and Adam Marr, who founded the Warrior Angels Foundation to help other veterans with this illness.

Infamous podcast host Joe Rogan interviews Marr and Dr. Gordon throughout the film. Learn more at www.quietexplosions.com | facebook.com/quietexplosions


The trailer can be found on the website and is a preferred link https://quietexplosions.com/


The film is available now for pre-order on DVD - which has some special bonus features - and On Demand starting Nov 10th via the website QuietExplosions.com. It can also be found on Amazon."


Available on DVD and streaming on Amazon and Vimeo on Nov. 10, 2020


CONTACT

Jamie Coker-Robertson

JCR Public Relaitons

JCRpublicrelations@gmail.com


ABOUT CINEMA LIBRE STUDIO:

Cinema Libre Studio is a full-service mini-studio known for producing and distributing high-quality feature films and social impact documentaries. Headquartered in the Los Angeles area, the team has released over 200 films. www.cinemalibrestudio.com| Facebook


Tune in 12/14/20 at 9:00am pst - Janeane speaks with Hasan Oswald, Director of HIGHER LOVE, an award-winning film including the 2020 SLAMDANCE GRAND JURY WINNER - AVAILABLE ON DIGITAL ON NOVEMBER 3.



Daryl Gant is a Camden native, father of eight, and printing press operator. He was raised by a single mother and strives to be a better father than his own, who abandoned him at birth. His girlfriend, Nani, is the love of his life but struggles to cope with a crippling crack and heroin addiction, and the nefarious lifestyle to support it. More troubling is that Nani is pregnant with their new baby boy, Darnez. It becomes Daryl's new-found purpose to forge a better future for the both of them.

Nani is also a Camden native, whose mother died with a needle in her arm. Now she struggles with the responsibilities of motherhood in the face of her own addiction.

Darnez was born healthy but needs particular care growing up in an environment rife with safety and well-being concerns.

Their friend, Iman, was once a drug dealing kingpin in Camden in the 1990s. He was also a father and a mechanical engineer until he caught a dealer's habit selling dope. He embodies the spirit of many disaffected residents of Camden, taking the viewer on a tour of post-industrial American decay.


His own quest to sobriety will eventually force the hand of Nani to make a change, as they forge parallel paths to recovery.


HIGHER LOVE was directed by first time filmmaker Hasan Oswald, executive produced by Stephen Nemeth (Rhino Records) and produced by Oswald, Alexander Spiess, & Derek Rubin. Oswald used a Robert Rodriguez inspired zero-budget strategy to make the film, selling his blood-plasma, racking up no interest credit card bills, and learning all things films on youtube tutorials in lieu of film school.

Gravitas Ventures will release HIGHER LOVE on VOD and Digital platforms including iTunes, Amazon, Apple TV, Google Play, Fandango Now and all major cable/satellite platforms on Tuesday, November 3. The film has a running time of 78 minutes and will not be rated by the MPAA.

Slamdance Film Festival (Grand Jury Award, Best Documentary Feature)


Brooklyn Film Festival (Winner Spirit Award & Winner Best New Director)


Krakow International Film Festival (European Premiere)


Doku Fest


Melbourne Documentary Film Festival


Rhode Island International Film Festival (Winner Best Documentary & Best Editing)


Harlem Film Festival


Stony Brook Film Festival


Cinema of NYC Film Festival


San Antonio Film Festival


American Fringe Festival

Monday, December 7, 2020

Do you have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep? We could all probably use a good night sleep right now! On 12/7/20 at 9:45am pst, Kathryn Nicolai shares details of her new book and popular podcast, Nothing Much Happens. Kathryn provides an indispensable toolkit for relaxing body and mind to help fall asleep



KATHRYN NICOLAI

Host of the popular Nothing Much Happens podcast shares indispensable toolkit for relaxing body and mind to help fall asleep

With everything going on in the world, is anyone getting enough quality sleep these days? Whether keeping up with the impending election has upped your screen time or virtual work and learning has upped your caffeine intake, Kathryn Nicolai, host of the popular podcast Nothing Much Happens, is here to help get you relaxed and asleep in no time. Nicolai has crafted a healthy way to help readers who struggle to fall asleep, wake in the middle of the night, or carry their anxiety with them during the day, through the timeless act of reading bedtime stories.

When Kathryn Nicolai launched her podcast Nothing Much Happens in 2018 she hoped to put her nearly two decades of experience as a yoga and meditation instructor to use by helping listeners quiet the mind and fall asleep. For each episode, she would write soothing stories that both eased her listeners into a peaceful slumber and taught the principles of mindfulness—so that waking hours might become sweet and serene, as well. Two years later, Nicolai’s podcast has become one of the most recommended and listened to podcasts for finding rest. Just this spring, Refinery29, Bustle, and Well+Good, said it was the perfect podcast for bedtime, and Nicolai reached 25 million episode downloads. Now, she has transferred her stories and insights onto the page in her new book Nothing Much Happens: Cozy and Calming Stories to Soothe Your Mind and Help You Sleep.


Kathryn Nicolai shares her indispensable toolkit for letting go of anxiety and allowing the mind and body to relax, including tips such as:

· Breathe: Breathing can simply be a great relaxation tool. Breathe through your nose, and count the beats of your breathe. Try breathing in for four counts and out for six.

· Set boundaries: If possible, leave electronic devices out of bedtime completely. If that’s not possible for you, pick a different boundary like putting your phone on “do not disturb” 30 minutes before bed.

· Establish a ritual: Create a routine that lets your brain know it is official bedtime. Your routine could include enjoying a cup of herbal tea, brushing your teeth, or laying out your clothes for the next day.

From watching fireflies from the deck in the summer to opening up the bakery in the morning, these pages are filled with the perfect amount of “nothing much” to focus and calm the mind and put anyone to sleep.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

KATHRYN NICOLAI, the Michigan-based writer and creator of the enormously successful podcast Nothing Much Happens, is an architect of coziness, writing soothing stories that both ease the reader into peaceful sleep and teach the principals of mindfulness so that waking hours likewise become sweet and serene. She leans on her seventeen years of experience as a yoga and meditation teacher to seamlessly blend storytelling with brain training techniques that build better sleep habits over time. She is the owner of Ethos Yoga.

Coming up on 12/7/20 at 9:30am pst -- Director Sacha Polak talks about her powerful new film, DIRTY GOD, starring Vicky Knight



DIRTY GOD

A Film by Sacha Polak

2019 SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL WORLD CINEMA DRAMATIC COMPETITION

OPENING IN SELECT THEATERS ON NOVEMBER 13

AVAILABLE ON DIGITAL PLATFORMS ON DECEMBER 15




ABOUT
In Dirty God, a young mother from London must pick up the pieces in the aftermath of an acid attack that leaves her with disastrous scarring.

Living in a looks obsessed world, and without that as her currency, Jane must move on with her new life, personal difficulties, and the unfortunate occurrences of everyday humiliation. Channeling her real life trauma, actress Vicky Knight (a burn victim herself, in a stunning debut performance) brings an emotional depth to an uncompromising story about human resilience.

Dirty God is an international co-production with Michael Elliott’s EMU Films (UK), A Private View (Belgium) and Savage Productions (Ireland). Financial support for the film was provided by funds including the Dutch Film Fund, the Netherlands Production Incentive, the British Film Institute, BBC Films, the Flemish Audiovisual Fund, Screen Ireland and Eurimages.

Dark Star Pictures will release DIRTY GOD with a virtual release through Laemmle Theaters in LA, Gateway Film Center (Virtual) in Columbus, and more theaters to be announced on November 13, 2020. The film will also be made available on digital platforms such as iTunes, Amazon, Google Play, Fandango Now, Direct TV, and through local cable providers on December 15, 2020. The film has a running time of 104 minutes and will not be rated by the MPAA.


To view the trailer, go to: https://youtu.be/LNrpNgbM7Sk

WATCH an interview with Sacha Polak and Vicky Knight and






Coming up 12/7/20 at 9:00am pst on KUCI 88.9fm! Outstanding lead actors Gene Pope and Roxi Pope talk about their starring roles in the hilarious, KING OF KNIVES - ONE BIG CRAPPY FAMILY - AVAILABLE ON DIGITAL ON DECEMBER 1





KING OF KNIVES tells the story of Frank and Kathy who are baby boomer parents and Sadie & Kaitlin, their millennial daughters. Frank is screaming towards a mid-life crisis. Kathy pretends she’s happy and doesn’t drink that much wine. Sadie is the good child; convinced her first and only boyfriend is the one to marry. Kaitlin is the rebel, the entertainer; the truth teller who will not filter how she’s feeling.

Over three days, with much drama and humor, this crap-happy family careens and skids straight towards a fateful anniversary. On the way, they realize they are more alike than they know.

KING OF KNIVES has earned critical acclaim from audiences who have been lucky enough to see the film. It has also won awards from numerous festivals including “Best Narrative Feature Film” at the Williamsburg International Film & Music Competition, “Best Feature & Lead Actress” at the Milan World Cinema Festival, and seven Platinum awards including “Winner Narrative Feature” at the International Independent Film Awards.

This refreshing comedy is written by Lindsay Joy with story by Gene Pope and directed by Jon Delgado. The film stars Gene Pope, Mel Harris, Roxi Pope, and Emily Bennett. It was produced by Gene Pope, Daniel Sollinger, and Jenn Gomez. The film has a running time of 94 minutes and will not be rated by the MPAA. Gravitas Ventures will release KING OF KNIVES on VOD and Digital platforms including iTunes, Amazon, Apple TV, Google Play, Fandango Now and all major cable/satellite platforms on Tuesday, December 1.


View the trailer 


For more information, go to: https://www.kingofknivesthemovie.com/


Facebook -- @kingofknivesthefilm -- https://www.facebook.com/KingOfKnivesTheFilm/


Instagram -- @kingofknives -- https://www.instagram.com/kingofknivesthefilm/


Twitter -- @kokthefilm -- https://twitter.com/KOKtheFilm

Wednesday, December 2, 2020

Janeane speaks with award winning writer-director Sean Michael Beyer about his hilarious podcast, National Day Riff

Award winning writer-director Sean Michael Beyer knew there was always a national “something” to celebrate, whether it be Tacos, Postal Workers, or Step Children, he created a podcast to celebrate, and occasionally educate, in his own style of sardonic humor. National Day Riff combines each of the day’s celebrations into a single humorous presentation, delivered as a slick podcast with music, sound design, voice characterizations and an opinionated host with a mind of his own. 

Each dose (episode) averages 7:00 minutes in length, with some as short as :90 seconds and the more epic doses as long as 17:00 minutes. Each begins with the Host introducing the day’s celebrations, then it takes off in a variety of different directions: Character Interaction, First-Person Narrative, Laundry List, The Rants, The Voice of Reason (keeping Sean and the various characters in check), or an assorted Potpourri of two or more. Above all, it’s in the best of fun!

In addition to their podcast doses, they also offer video “microdoses” via their YouTube channel and social media. These microdoses are less than a minute and offer a quick fix of laughter on a more frequent basis. According to creator and host Beyer, National Day Riff began as text messages to his friends to start their day with a laugh, evolving into over 350 (and counting) written “riffs” which are being morphed into podcast doses as you read this. With “Celebrations every day of the year, as well as National Weeks, National Months and International Celebrations with new ones frequently added, there is no shortage of material. Most of us have heard of Talk Like a Pirate Day; but how about Lima Bean Respect, Lost Sock Memorial, and one of our personal favorites, Sneak some Zucchini into your Neighbor’s Porch Day?!”

Beyer studied voiceover under Charlie Schlatter (voice for numerous Disney and Nickelodeon animated series) and was mentored by Michael David McGuire (the voice of McDonalds for many years). He’s also lent his vocal talents to Hyundai, Mountain Dew, and Kodak commercials as well as a wide variety of regional & local spots, political campaigns and industrial projects. A compact, humorous look at the plethora of celebrations throughout the year; think “Adam Ruins Everything” meets a Saturday Night Live Sketch — for your ears.

His past film work as writer/director includes the award-winning Down the P.C.H. starring Guillermo Diaz (Scandal, Weeds, Half Baked), Elaine Hendrix (The Parent Trap, Joan of Arcadia) and Lin Shaye (Insidious, There’s Something About Mary), Resurrection Mary starring Golden Globe-winner Sally Kirkland and character actor Richard Riehle (Office Space, Casino), the dance-centric rom-com Another Tango currently in release for Hallmark, and the award-winning Randy’s Canvas, a touching romantic drama about an aspiring young artist with autism who falls in love for the first time; winning Best Film at the 2018 AutFest International Film Festival. Beyer was also honored with Best Director at the 2018 Glendale International Films Festival and was recognized by the CA State Legislature and Senate for his contribution to the arts.

Along with Beyer, other members of the creative team include Adam Carbone, Nick Pasqual, and Angela Hicks. All three have have worked together on numerous projects, including the coming-of-age dramedy Randy’s Canvas, with Carbone playing the title role and producing; winning Best Actor at the 2018 AutFest International Film Festival. Pasqual’s TV guest appearances include CBS’s How I Met Your Mother, One Dollar, and NBC’s GONE. Pasqual also played the “villain” hotshot real estate broker in Beyer’s Another Tango. Hicks has been doing professional voice over for nearly a decade and has also made episodic TV appearances including Disney’s Jonas. NATIONAL DAY RIFF is available on Apple Podcasts, GooglePodcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, SoundCloud, TuneIn, iHeartRadio, and Pandora. T


The RSS feed is delivered by SoundCloud. YouTube Video Trailer: https://youtu.be/0-P_MdC0nVE A sampling of their more than 40 doses (episodes) and 24 video micro-doses, with more on the way: Everything Golf including a caddy named Mulligan The first 4th of July celebration back in 1777 and fornication in the barn A Father’s Day BBQ and drunken threelegged race An historical debate like no other.

To interview Sean Beyer or more information, please contact Deborah Gilels at gilelsdeborah@gmail.com


Trailer:
Here’s the video version:

Coming up 3/13 at 9:00am - Armita Jamshidi, Founder of Aunt Flo’s Kitchen, a company Run By Women, For Women. She is also a student at Cornell University, where she studies Women’s Health and Computer Science, as she builds Aunt Flo’s Kitchen.

Armita Jamshidi, Founder of Aunt Flo’s Kitchen,  a company Run By Women, For Women. LISTEN Today's show featuring  Armita Jamshidi  Aunt...