Coming up April 30th 9:30am - Director, Center for Student Wellness & Health Promotion Doug Everhart, UC Irvine shares details about the Comprehensive Wellbeing Initiative Town Hall May 7, 2025

This week marks the inaugural U.S. Health Promoting Campuses Week in honor of the 10th anniversary of the Okanagan Charter, which was developed by health promotion professionals to guide colleges and universities to be leaders for developing and modeling health-promoting principles. (UC Irvine adopted the Okanagan Charter in 2021.) As part of this effort, the campus is hosting the Comprehensive Wellbeing Town Hall on May 7 in Middle Earth housing, where students, staff and faculty are invited to learn more about what we are doing to support being a health-promoting university.
Event Overview

In 2001, UCI became one of the first eight campuses in the United States to adopt the Okanagan Charter and become a globally-recognized Health Promoting University. Since that time, we have worked to put into place the infrastructure to support this project, called the Comprehensive Wellbeing Initiative (CWI). This CWI Town Hall is an opportunity to share what has been going on with the initiative over the last few years, as well as an opportunity to get personally involved.

The Town Hall will feature:

– Updates on the four pillars of the CWI: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion; The Natural & Built Environment; Sustainability; and Culture of Wellbeing

– Guest speakers from Cornell University and the University of Saskatchewan (Canada), will share their experiences and research with health-promoting universities

– Opportunities to network and engage on priorities for the future.

We are pleased to announce that lunch will be served following the presentations, providing an excellent opportunity for networking and further discussion. In order to support a sustainable/green event, remember to bring your reusable silverware, and refillable water bottle as there is a water filling station in the foyer.

This is a fantastic opportunity to engage with the UCI community and contribute to the ongoing development of our campus wellbeing initiatives. We look forward to seeing you there!

Please RSVP by Friday, May 2.

Hiromi’s Sonicwonder - a stellar performance at Irvine Barclay Theatre

Jazz pianist Hiromi performed April 24th at Irvine Barclay Theatre at the UC Irvine campus. Her new jazz fusion, groove-heavy project called Sonicwonder featured Adam O’Farrill on trumpet, Hadrien Feraud on bass and Gene Coye on drums.

Hiromi's Sonicwonder

Thursday, April 24, 2025 at 8pm

Artist Sponsor

Christopher and Lynne Ramsey

Hiromi: Piano & Keyboard

Adam O’Farrill: Trumpet

Hadrien Feraud: Bass

Gene Coye: Drums

Hiromi is a Yamaha Artist

About Hiromi

For over two decades as a recording artist, the jazz piano phenomenon Hiromi has transitioned seamlessly from one spellbinding project to the next. Along the way, she has earned a reputation as one of the most electrifying live performers in jazz history and a global ambassador for the genre. Her many accolades include a widely acclaimed NPR Tiny Desk Concert with over 2 million views, a performance representing her native Japan at the 2021 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, and a 2024 Award of the Japanese Academy for Best Music Score for the animated feature Blue Giant. She is also a Grammy Award winner for her collaboration with fusion legend Stanley Clarke. Her artistry is—borrowing a word favored by The New Yorker—“dazzling.”

In 2023, she released Sonicwonderland, introducing what may be the most expressive, dynamic, and versatile band of her career. Known as Hiromi’s Sonicwonder, the group features Hadrien Feraud on bass, Gene Coye on drums, and trumpeter Adam O’Farrill. Together, they expand on Hiromi’s signature musical alchemy—blending the spirit of classic jazz-rock fusion with classically rooted virtuosity, infectious funk, vibrant pop elements, and, through O’Farrill’s trumpet, the cutting edge of acoustic jazz.

The album also did a remarkable job of capturing Hiromi’s mastery as a live entertainer. As The Guardian noted, “Sonicwonderland is perhaps the closest thing to Hiromi’s onstage exuberance.”

But that was only the beginning.

Over the past two years, Sonicwonder has continued to tour and collaborate regularly, deepening their chemistry and bold, intuitive interplay. The results shine on Hiromi’s new Concord release and 13th full-length studio album, OUT THERE, where the group’s powerful connection meets the pianist’s extraordinary compositional talents in perfect harmony.

As Hiromi explains, “On Sonicwonderland, I had the concept and the songs first, and I was looking for the people who could play the music in the ideal way that I had in my mind.

“Being with this group for well over a year,” she continues, “playing a lot of shows together and understanding each other, I started to see more of their strength and what shines in them the most. So I started to write music with them in mind.”

Sonicwonder unites world-class musicians from strikingly diverse backgrounds. French-born Hadrien Feraud is a fusion virtuoso, often compared to the legendary Jaco Pastorius. Gene Coye, a Chicago native who grew up playing in church, blends technical brilliance with a deep, soulful sense of groove and rhythm. Brooklyn-raised Adam O’Farrill—part of a jazz dynasty that includes his father, Arturo, and grandfather, Chico, both Latin jazz icons—is widely regarded as one of the most innovative and influential trumpeters of his generation. On the album, O’Farrill explores bold new sonic textures using electronics—an element Hiromi actively encouraged him to develop and showcase.

“[Bass legend and collaborator] Anthony Jackson always told me that a first-class musician can do anything,” Hiromi says. “You don’t really have to put them in one genre or one category.” Knowing that anything she composed would be met with outstanding performances, Hiromi let her fiercest ambitions run wild when crafting the music for OUT THERE. “It all comes from curiosity,” she explains. “I think curiosity is the key to everything. How can you express yourself more? How can you write more?”

The core of OUT THERE is its four-part title suite, which Hiromi would like fans to hear as a focused front-to-back listen. “I know that these days streaming gives you one song at a time,” she says, “but I hope they listen to it straight through, giving them a whole new experience.” The suite is nothing less than a tour de force, and certainly deserves undivided attention.

It opens with the rapid-fire melody of “Takin’ Off,” shared nimbly on the frontline between Hiromi and O’Farrill, and traverses the sly ’70s fusion grooves of “Strollin’,” which calls to mind Herbie Hancock, George Duke and Grover Washington Jr. “Orion” follows, with bold and triumphant bookends that could score a great work of science fiction. Hiromi wrote it as a kind of “answer song” to “Polaris,” included on Sonicwonderland. Both compositions reflect the fact that “stars are a guide,” she says. “You know where you are if you look up at the sky. You can go toward an adventure; there’s nothing to be scared of.” The suite closes with “The Quest,” which unites the chopped-up rhythmic thrust of current jazz with the synth pleasures of vintage prog-rock.

Hiromi crafted the suite, chock-full of thrilling twists and turns, as a celebration of our post-pandemic moment, when we can once again live with a sense of exploration.

“Now is the time to go out there and find something new,” she implores. And that sense of excitement isn’t exclusive to the suite; rather, it defines OUT THERE in its entirety.

The album opens with “XYZ,” the very first track Hiromi released as a recording artist back in 2003. A high-octane burner, it takes on a fresh dimension with O’Farrill’s trumpet, evoking the adventurous spirit of avant-garde Blue Note records from the 1960s. “That song has always been very special to me and to fans,” Hiromi says, describing it as a “signature Hiromi song.”

Another standout is “Yes! Ramen!!” — a wild, genre-blending tribute to Hiromi’s all-time favorite food. The track bursts with infectious synth hooks, ska-inflected rhythms, turbo-charged disco beats, a thunderous Black Sabbath-style riff, cutting-edge jazz improvisation, elements of contemporary classical music, and more. “Whew,” indeed. The band shares her passion for ramen — especially O’Farrill and Coye — and they make a point to visit as many ramen spots as possible while on tour. “For this song, it felt like scoring the film I imagined in my head,” Hiromi explains. “As the scenery changes, so does the music — a new restaurant, a new style.”

Hiromi’s “Pendulum” appears in two versions on the album, including a vocal rendition featuring Michelle Willis, best known for her work with Becca Stevens and the late David Crosby. A longtime admirer of Willis’ artistry, Hiromi describes her as “a beautiful voice and a deeply talented musician.”

The track’s arrangement blends ballad and midtempo jazz with the smooth allure of neo-soul, creating a rich, emotive atmosphere. The original lyrics—co-written by Willis and Hiromi—reflect on the ebb and flow of life. “It’s about how life comes and goes,” Hiromi explains. “Life moves like a wave, or like a pendulum. You just have to go with it.”

Later in the album, Hiromi presents a beautiful, contemplative solo piano version of “Pendulum,” a piece she’s been performing live for the past few years. “What I enjoy most about playing solo piano is exploring the softest dynamics I can achieve,” she explains. She relishes the quiet intimacy of these moments, allowing the subtle nuances of her instrument to shine. It also gives the audience a chance to breathe—a moment of calm after the high-energy fireworks of the full band.

The finale of Hiromi’s new album is also OUT THERE’s most delightful track: “Balloon Pop,” which is as much of an earworm as anything currently on the Hot 100. (And with O’Farrill on trumpet, its hummable theme summons up Miles Davis’ hook-filled ’80s recordings.)

And therein lies the secret to Hiromi’s monumental success — her rare ability to deliver not only show-stopping virtuosity but also sheer joy. “I love playing ‘Balloon Pop,” she says. “Every audience goes home singing this lick — well after the show has finished. The chord changes are challenging, but still it doesn’t sound complicated. I just wanted to write some songs that are singable, danceable and fun.”

hiromiuehara.com
Hiromi's Sonicwonder - Yes! Ramen!! (Official Music Video)

Coming up April 29th at 9:00am - Ivan Williams – Award-Winning Producer, Entrepreneur & Changemaker

Ivan Williams is the powerhouse behind films like LARPer fan favorite Knights of Badassdom, romcom Big Stone Gap, the dramedy Ramona at Midlife, the film festival sensation Secret Mall Apartment, the acclaimed National Geographic–linked documentary The Wonder and the Worry and the recent German Academy award nominated film Köln 75. After a successful corporate career at ARCO and BP, Ivan transitioned into entertainment, producing socially resonant projects across film, Broadway (First Date), digital series, and the top-ranked podcast Hidden History Happy Hour. His work explores everything from AI and disinformation (How to Build a Truth Engine, executive produced by George Clooney, Grant Heslov, and their Smokehouse Pictures) to climate change, urban resistance, and gender equity (This Changes Everything, American Academy-recognized documentary on gender misrepresentation in Hollywood).


His films have premiered at many key festivals, including the Toronto International Film Festival, South by Southwest, Big Sky Documentary Film Festival, Bentonville, Woodstock, Hot Docs, Cleveland International, Leeds (UK), Big Blue Festival in Newport, Oregon, Woods Hole (MA), and Newport Beach, California. He even screened his climate change-related films in front of world leaders at events like the Aspen Institute’s Climate Summit and in Dubai at COP28.

A veteran Naval Reserve intelligence officer, Ivan holds a B.S. in chemical engineering from Oregon State University and an MBA from UC Irvine. He lectures as an adjunct professor, participates in major university initiatives, and speaks at campuses across the U.S. He is also the founding CEO of Outer Limits Productions, Wildbrush Media, and Nexus4AI—ventures redefining storytelling at the intersection of entertainment, technology, and impact.

In addition, Ivan co-founded Eco ArtLab and Eco DesignLab, two nonprofit organizations that develop ecologically themed performances, films, and digital tools for creatives.

Don’t miss this inspiring conversation about how one producer is using Hollywood—and beyond—to drive real-world change.

Ivan's recent film KÖLN 75 just earned four German Film Academy Award nominations!  That’s Germany’s version of the Oscars!!!

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/2025-german-film-award-nominations-announced-1236164986/

Following our phenomenal world premiere at Berlinale, a small group of our cast and crew embarked on a cinema tour across 10 cities (Köln → Bonn → Düsseldorf → Frankfurt → Wien → München → Zürich → Leipzig → Hamburg → Berlin). Along the way, we were met with sold-out theaters, fantastic discussions, and standing ovations—a truly unforgettable experience.

Since then, our theatrical run has only grown! KÖLN 75 opened in 138 cinemas across Germany, and this week, we are expanding to 144 cinemas. Even more exciting, we currently have the highest “admissions per screen” average of all films! The hope is to stay in theaters for a long time, and I couldn’t be happier

Are sales are moving fast! You may have seen the announcement in Deadline: https://deadline.com/2025/02/berlin-film-koln-75-mala-emde-john-magaro-sells-europe-asia-1236304997/. We have closed deals for 14 territories so far and are in negotiations for the UK and US. Other major territories, including Asia, Australia, and Latin America, are still to come!

On the festival front, KÖLN 75 will be screening at Sofia, Barcelona, Istanbul (opening night film), Copenhagen (opening night film), and Taipei. Our Italian distributor is also targeting the Rome Film Festival, with more festival announcements to come!

As for release dates, we already know:
• France – June
• Italy & BeNeLux – Fall

https://variety.com/2025/film/global/koln-75-ido-fluk-vera-brandes-keith-jarrett-koln-concert-1236306623/

Additional projects:

Ivan will about some of the following latest films that have just been released, about to be released or are on a special screening campaign:

• Ramona at Midlife (released i2/2025 on TVOD platforms)
• How to Build a Truth Engine (George Clooney executive produced this with us and we are doing special screening events in Europe and soon in the U.S.)
• Black Diamond (released 1/2025 on TVOD platforms)
• Köln 75 (World premiered at Berlinale last month and is already in over 200 theaters in Germany, and the Benelux countries. In the next few months it will be in theaters in over 14 other territories across the globe.)
• Secret Mall Apartment (begins touring the U.S. with a launch In the Providence Place Mall (site of the secret apartment), in Providence, RI on 3/21/25, and them get to L.A. on 4/3/2025 at the cool Eagle Rock Vidiots store and then in DTLA at the Alamo Draft House theater on 4/4/2025).

RAMONA AT MIDLIFE


Trailer
RAMONA AT MIDLIFE - Official HD Trailer - Comedy (Rosemarie DeWitt, Yvonne Woods, Josh Radnor)
youtu.be


The film is currently streaming on Amazon, Apple TV and Google Play and will be screening in person for one night at The Wayfarer Cinema in Highland Park, IL, on May 8.


SECRET MALL APARTMENT

Secret Mall Apartment | Official Trailer HD
youtu.be

We have been or will be on over a 100 theater screens around the U.S. since March 21st.


BLACK DIAMOND
After moving into a secluded cabin, a young woman and her boyfriend meet a local cowboy handyman, turning their idyllic life into a deadly triangle of lust, obsession, and murder.

Black Diamond Trailer #1 (2025)
youtu.be



Along with KÖLN 75, Ivan helped release four feature films in the last four months.


But more are on the horizon…..,


I have another film I produced called, THE WONDER AND THE WORRY, coming out later this year. The documentary explores the careers of Chris Johns, former Editor-in-Chief of National Geographic, and his daughter, Louise, a freelance photographer, through the lens of family, photography, and the power of visual storytelling . It examines the soul of journalism and its role in preserving a planet facing environmental challenges. The film also delves into the history of National Geographic and the transformation of the media landscape





| Films at OSU | Oregon State University
films.oregonstate.edu

Ivan Williams
Producer and CEO
Outer Limits Productions, Wildbrush Media and Nexus4AI
FoothLLrancher@gmail.com
949-632-2172

April 23rd 9:30am - Janeane speaks with journalist Hayley Krischer and her new YA psychological thriller - YOU BELONG TO ME

LISTEN

Hayley Krischer's new book, YOU BELONG TO ME, Hayley explores the world of wellness and beauty, and its profound hold on teenagers—up to the point of cult-ishness. As an experienced culture journalist --see just some of Hayley's pieces here—and mother of a 15-year-old daughter, Hayley is poised to speak on the psychological manipulation around the beauty and wellness industry, and how it inspired her to tell this story. YOU BELONG TO ME was born out of Hayley’s own obsession with the wellness industry, starting from the ‘90s when she worked in a health food store.


“A fast-paced thriller with strong implications in the age of influencers and gurus.” —Booklist


“Krischer spins a tense and fast-paced plot…this page-turning novel highlights the way gaslighting and peer pressure can have devastating consequences.”

—Publishers Weekly


“Intrigue abounds in this story that’s full of thrills and atmosphere”

—Kirkus Reviews


ABOUT THE BOOK
The Substance meets Girl in Pieces, in this new YA psychological thriller exploring the dark secrets of the wellness and beauty world, brimming with sapphic romance, class exploration, and friendship clashes.

Frances Bean has always been content living life on the perimeter. Until she gets paired up for a class project with rich and popular Julia, daughter of famous wellness guru Deena Patterson. The "magic" skincare products, healing sound baths, and extravagant parties of Deena’s company DEEP never really interested Frances before, who wears the badge of goth outcast and bookworm proudly. But face time with the girl she has been crushing on for years is starting to give her a new outlook.

When Frances gets an exclusive invite to a DEEP event, she is blown away by the beauty and luxury of Julia’s world and the group's focus on empowering girls to be their most true selves surprisingly strikes a chord. Before long Frances finds herself invested in DEEP, a whirlwind romance with Julia, and a future that feels hopeful.

But when an infamous DEEP party takes a dark turn, Frances wonders if the allure of being a part of Julia’s life was actually just a deadly distraction…

What if living your most authentic life leaves you dead?

Full to the brim with sapphic romance, class exploration, and friendship clashes, author Hayley Krischer brings readers YOU BELONG TO ME (G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers; Hardcover; $19.99; ISBN: 9780593698389; On sale April 15, 2025; Ages 14+) a new YA psychological thriller exploring the dark secrets of the wellness and beauty world. YOU BELONG TO ME is a mix of Nine Perfect Strangers, the Virgin Suicides, and a touch of The Girls by Emma Cline wrapped up in a psychological wellness thriller.

With an authentic teen voice, Hayley Krischer pulls from her background as a culture journalist to immerses readers in the world of teen girls. We are thrown into the impulsive romance of our main character and the highs, lows and nuances of what it means to long for love and acceptance as a teen. Frances Bean was always content living life on the perimeter. Until she gets paired up for a class project with rich and popular Julia, daughter of famous wellness guru Deena Patterson.


The "magic" skincare products, healing sound baths, and extravagant parties of Deena’s company DEEP never really interested Frances before, who wears the badge of goth outcast and bookworm proudly. But face time with the girl she has been crushing on for years is starting to give her a new outlook. 

When Frances gets an exclusive invite to a DEEP event, she is blown away by the beauty and luxury of Julia’s world and the group's focus on empowering girls to be their most true selves surprisingly strikes a chord. Before long Frances finds herself invested in DEEP, a whirlwind romance with Julia, and a future that feels hopeful. But when an infamous DEEP party takes a dark turn, Frances wonders if the allure of being a part of Julia’s life was actually just a deadly distraction…



About the author

Hayley Krischer is the author of the adult novel WHERE ARE YOU, ECHO BLUE? (Dutton) and three young adult novels SOMETHING HAPPENED TO ALI GREENLEAF (Penguin Teen), THE FALLING GIRLS (Penguin Teen), and YOU BELONG TO ME (Penguin Teen) out April 15, 2025.

She has been a journalist for 20+ years and has written for the The New York Times, The New York Times Magazine, The Atlantic, Marie Claire, Lenny Letter, and more. She lives in New Jersey with her family.

HAYLEY LINKS:

NPR Weekend Edition Saturday: 'Falling Girls' navigates the dynamics of high-school female friendships

Read With Raegan: Raegan Revord Talks With Hayley Krischer About "The Falling Girls"

People Magazine: I Wrote a Novel About a Real Celebrity — And She 'Can't Wait to Read It' (Exclusive)

Writer’s Digest: Hayley Krischer: Certain Struggles Are Worth Having

Coming up 4/23 at 9:00am - Author, speaker and mental health advocate Cohen Miles-Rath shares his memoir, Mending Reality, An Advocate's Existential Journey with Mental Health

LISTEN

Cohen Miles-Rath, MSW

Author • Speaker • Mental Health Advocate

"I want my experience to reveal the changes we can make and embrace the hope that comes with it. The hope I find after the attempted murder of my father. The hope I find after lying naked on a jail floor, shrieking at the terror in my mind. The hope that has been with me since I was a child." - excerpt from my memoir (coming 2025)
cohenmilesrath.com

Cohen Miles-Rath, an elite runner and first-generation college student, attacked his dad with a knife. He thought he was saving humanity by killing Satan—the universe demanded it of him as the Prophet. However, he was deceived by mania and psychosis, and, soon after, was arrested at gunpoint.

Cohen’s love for his dad couldn’t stop mental illness from nearly destroying their lives. But effective intervention could have. He had been hospitalized twice. What went wrong? Since jail, Cohen has managed schizoaffective symptoms and substance misuse, confronted his painful past, and obtained a social work master’s degree. Now, he’s a mental health advocate.

Told through page-turning narrative, Cohen’s transformational journey—having overcome a maniacal, reality-shattering illness—will inspire hope in those seeking insight with mental health.




ABOUT

Cohen Miles-Rath is an author, speaker, advocate, and mental health professional. His work has supported mental health related policies such as workforce funding and education. He has facilitated over fifty training sessions, including Mental Health First Aid and Introduction to Trauma-Sensitive Schools. He has spoken to high school and college students, mental and behavioral health professionals, and elected officials, most notably Xavier Becerra, the US Secretary of Health and Human Services, at a 2023 Mental Health Round Table.

Cohen has shared his story and expertise for media including the National Alliance of Mental Illness blog and New York State Capitol press conferences. He holds a bachelor’s in sociology and communications from SUNY Geneseo, and a master’s degree in social work with a focus on community, policy, and political social action from Stony Brook University.

Cohen’s memoir, Mending Reality: An Advocate’s Existential Journey with Mental Health, is available for pre-order.

Bystander Intervention to Stop Antisemitic Harassment - Coming up Thursday April 24th 12:00 Online - Register Now

Thursday, April 24, 2025
12:00 – 1:15 p.m.
Virtual

REGISTER TODAY

There has been a staggering rise in Antisemitic violence globally. In the United States, one in four American Jews report experiencing Antisemitism in 2021. This rise corresponds with a rise in white supremacist and far-right movements in the United States and abroad. Faced with rising Antisemitic violence, Right To Be (RTB) came together with T’ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights to ask how we could respond, help Jewish communities to heal, and empower allies to stand up against Antisemitic hate.


This training, as well as the companion "Bystander Intervention to Stop Islamophobic Harassment" training, is open to all UC Irvine students, faculty, and staff and is supported by an Addressing Bias and Building Community at UC Irvine (ABC at UCI) grant from the Office of Inclusive Excellence and cosponsored by UC Irvine Libraries, School of Humanities, School of Social Ecology, and School of Social Sciences.


WHAT WILL YOU LEARN?

This interactive training will teach you RTB’s 5Ds (distract, delegate, document, delay, and direct) of bystander intervention methodology, created in collaboration with T’ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights. It will start by talking about the forms of Antisemitism that the Jewish community faces right now – from microaggressions to violence – using a tool RTB calls the “spectrum of disrespect.” You’ll learn what to look for and the positive impact that bystander intervention has on individuals and communities. The trainer will talk through five strategies for intervention and how to prioritize your own safety while intervening. You’ll leave feeling more confident intervening the next time you see Antisemitic harassment online or in person.

REGISTER TODAY
ABOUT T’RUAH

T’ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights brings together rabbis and cantors from all streams of Judaism, together with all members of the Jewish community, to act on the Jewish imperative to respect and advance the human rights of all people. Grounded in Torah and our Jewish historical experience and guided by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, they call upon Jews to assert Jewish values by raising our voices and taking concrete steps to protect and expand human rights in North America, Israel, and the occupied Palestinian territories.
ABOUT RIGHT TO BE

Right To Be (RTB) started as a conversation in 2005 among seven young people. As the women in the group told story after story of their experiences of harassment, the men became increasingly concerned. Collectively, they resolved to make change.

Inspired by the story of Thao Nguyen, a woman sexually harassed in New York City who bravely shared her story online, the seven youths started a public blog where all could document their experiences of harassment. RTB became a nonprofit in 2010 and created bystander intervention trainings to teach people how to stop harassment, in all its forms. RTB’s mission is to build safe, inclusive public spaces by transforming the culture that perpetuates harassment and discrimination. They carry out this mission by building the power of everyday people to create safe and welcoming environments for all.

Lorelei Tanji, Endowed University Librarian, UC Irvine Libraries discusses Bystander Intervention Trainings starting 4/16. Bystander Intervention Training to Stop Islamophobic Harassment - Wednesday, April 16, 2025 12:00 – 1:15 p.m. Virtual REGISTER TODAY

Listen to today's show featuring Lorelei Tanji

Bystander Intervention to Stop Islamophobic Harassment - Library Reservations - University of California Irvine

These trainings are open to all UC Irvine students, faculty, and staff and are supported by a grant, "Addressing Bias and Building Community at UC Irvine (ABC at UCI)," from the Office of Inclusive Excellence and cosponsored by UC Irvine Libraries, School of Humanities, School of Social Ecology, and School of Social Sciences.

According to the 2021 survey by the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), 69% of American Muslims said they have personally experienced one or more incidents of anti-Muslim bigotry or discrimination since 9/11, and 83% said they witnessed someone experience this.

As anti-Muslim discrimination and xenophobia are on the rise across the globe, Right To Be (RTB) and CAIR-Chicago have partnered to bring this training to support healing in Muslim communities and empower everyone to activate their power to stop Islamophobic and xenophobic harassment.

This interactive training will teach you RTB’s 5Ds (distract, delegate, document, delay, and direct) of bystander intervention methodology. It will start by talking about the types of disrespect that Muslims and those who are perceived to be Muslim are facing right now —  from microaggressions to violence —  using a tool we call the “spectrum of disrespect.” You’ll learn what to look for and the positive impact that bystander intervention has on individuals and communities. The trainer will talk through five strategies for intervention and how to prioritize your own safety while intervening. You’ll leave feeling more confident intervening the next time you see Islamophobic and xenophobic harassment online or in person.

Learn more about each training by visiting their registration webpages: "Bystander Intervention Training to Stop Islamophobic Harassment" and "Bystander Intervention Training to Stop Antisemitic Harassment"




ABOUT RIGHT TO BE

Right To Be (RTB) started as a conversation in 2005 among seven young people. As the women in the group told story after story of their experiences of harassment, the men became increasingly concerned. Collectively, they resolved to make change.

Inspired by the story of Thao Nguyen, a woman sexually harassed in New York City who bravely shared her story online, the seven youths started a public blog where all could document their experiences of harassment. RTB became a nonprofit in 2010 and created bystander intervention trainings to teach people how to stop harassment, in all its forms. RTB’s mission is to build safe, inclusive public spaces by transforming the culture that perpetuates harassment and discrimination. They carry out this mission by building the power of everyday people to create safe and welcoming environments for all.


lib.uci.edu

Coming up 4/16 at 9:30am - LA-based filmmaker and editor Ryan Larkin talks about the new film, Janis Ian: Breaking Silence

Listen to today's show featuring Ryan Larkin.

Here is the film's official trailer, hosted by Greenwich Entertainment.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYOz2b_iLxw

Janis Ian: Breaking Silence chronicles the singer’s epic life journey across multiple decades - from her youthful struggle with notoriety following her controversial hit “Society’s Child" in the late 60s, to her ascent to superstardom with the iconic single “At Seventeen" in the 70s, to her release of the disruptive album Breaking Silence in the 90s. The film uses Janis Ian’s incredible body of music, decades worth of archival media, mood photography, and interviews with family, friends, famous collaborators, and music journalists to tell its story with the intimacy of a home movie set against a sweeping historical context.



Ryan Larkin was the editor on the film, and award-winning producer, director and writer, Varda Bar-Kar, was the director. Her bio may be found on her website at the link below:

https://www.vardabarkar.com/about/

Pierre Hauser, Michael Kantor, and Gloria Ann Evans are the credited EPs.

Ryan Larkin is an LA-based filmmaker and editor known for his award-winning short films and social video content. He directed several episodes of the Emmy-winning “Behind the FX” digital series for Netflix, won the IBM Media Prize at AT&T SHAPE 2018, and won Best Narrative Short in the popular “On Location” contest from NewFilmmakers Los Angeles (2019). Ryan’s portfolio also includes work for Lionsgate, BuzzFeed, Visible, and AIDS Walk. His favorite Janis Ian song is “Stars.”

Coming up Wednesday 4/9/25 9:30am - American Mile talk about their new single and their forthcoming album, American Dream

AMERICAN MILE RELEASE THE SINGLE

“PHOTOGRAPH OF YOU”

FROM THEIR FORTHCOMING ALBUM AMERICAN DREAM

OUT JUNE 6

Listen to today's show featuring Eugene and Dezmond of American Mile

"In a style that brings to mind the likes of Tom Petty and John Mellencamp, the song finds the band manifesting imagery of small-town life and giving it a soundtrack that hits you with its swaggering and soulful rock and roll energy. This is the kind of song that feels well-suited for the big stage with lyrics and music that are simple yet soulful.” - Glide Magazine


“It's amazingly performed and produced and it's got a classy arrangement as well, with an instrumental and delightful finale. “ - Given to Rock


“....American Mile brings to light the power of origins and persistence, transporting us to the journey of those who leave their homeland in search of a dream.” - Music for All





”PHOTOGRAPH OF YOU”: LISTEN // WATCH


Los Angeles-based band American Mile has released the single “Photograph of You,” the second single from the forthcoming sophomore album American Dream, which is due on June 6th.


Blending their signature soulful storytelling with rugged country-inspired rock instrumentals, American Mile captures the bittersweet ache of absence, wrapping it in twangy guitars, driving percussion, and a chorus that stays with you long after the last note fades. The track channels the energy of classic heartbreak anthems while infusing it with a fresh, modern edge.“‘Photograph of You’ is one of those songs we’re all thinking about at some point in our life,” says guitarist Eugene Rice. “ On that day in the studio, I walked in and heard Joe's guitar part, and the lyrics were already in my head and heart, a poem that I’d been writing my whole life, one of love and loss.”


“Photograph of You” follows the release of "Straight From The Heartland,” which Glide Magazine said has “a style that brings to mind the likes of Tom Petty and John Mellencamp.” The song is an anthem for transplants; it’s about following your dreams while never forgetting where you came from and having that be the catalyst for your persistence.


American Mile is made up of four seasoned Los Angeles-based studio and touring musicians who, like many Los Angeles-based creatives, flocked to the city of angels from small towns to pursue their dreams. The band started with a strong rock foundation and found themselves embracing the soul and storyteller songwriting of country music, finding those sweet spots that blend heavy-hitting riffs with soulful lyrics that have earned them comparisons to The Black Crowes, The Brothers Osborne, and Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats among others.


This song follows their 2020 debut, The Longest Road, crafted with Grammy-nominated producers Bruce Witkin and Keith Nelson. Known for

their explosive stage presence, cultivated from playing over 200 shows per year, American Mile has earned acclaim across North America, performing on stages like Summerfest, the NASCAR Auto Club 400, and the Idaho Potato Drop. They’ve captivated audiences at legendary venues such as Moonshine Flats, Goldfields, and The Viper Room and have shared the stage with icons like 38 Special, Blue Oyster Cult, Nate Smith, Kameron Marlowe, and Neon Trees. Each performance cements them as a must-see act, further establishing their name in the lineage of modern country rock. American Mile will be introducing these new songs to audiences this Spring with select dates on the West Coast, South and Southeast.



KEEP UP WITH AMERICAN MILE

Website // Instagram // YouTube



AMERICAN DREAM (out June 6)


TOUR DATES

3/22 Pourhouse Bakersfield CA

4/5 Valencia Club Sacramento CA

4/11 Harry's Night Club Pismo Beach, CA

4/12 Harry's Night Club Pismo Beach, CA

5/9 Flying X Lake Havasu Cit,y AZ

5/10 Flying X Lake Havasu Cit,y AZ

5/15 The Basement Nashville, TN

5/17 Fox & Locke Leipers Fork, TN

5/23 Double Wide Dallas, TX

5/24 Far-Out Dallas, TX

5/ 30 Moonshine Flats San Diego, CA

5/31 Moonshine Flats San Diego, CA

6/13 Feather Falls Oroville, CA

6/27 Goldfields Roseville, CA

7/3 Rob's Resort Pollock Pines, CA

7/18 Heavenly VillageSouth Lake Tahoe, CA

8/22 Western Idaho Fair Boise, ID

8/23 Western Idaho Fair Boise, ID




FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT

Nicole Poulos // nicole@sideways-media.com // 310.908.3812

COME TO PETER’S 5K ANTHILL RUN ON APRIL 10❗(FREE TOWELS + OWALAS?!) 🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️

HEY ANTEATERS!!! DO YOU LIKE RUNNING?
FOR PRIZES??? 📣📣

Then lace up those running shoes 👟 and get ready for Peter’s 5K Anthill Run, hosted by ASUCI’s Athletic Engagement Commission!!

This is a 5K fun run at the ARC Fields — open to everyone! You don’t have to be a sprinter to join — run, jog, or walk at your own pace! Whether you’re in it for fun, fitness, or freebies, we want YOU there!

🎁 PRIZES:
🏆 Top 3 finishers will win a FREE Stanley Cup or Owala Water Bottle!
🎽 The first 300 participants will receive a limited-edition towel with a custom design!

📣 WHAT: Peter’s Anthill Run
💡THEME: NEON RUN 💛💚🧡
Show up in your brightest neon gear and glow up the race track in style!

📆 WHEN: April 10th from 5–7 PM
🕓 On-site registration opens at 4:30 PM
🏃 Runners must check in before 5 PM to participate in the race.

📍 WHERE: The ARC Fields

💥 Must be a UCI Undergraduate to run!
Not running? No problem! Come cheer on your friends and enjoy the fun atmosphere!

✅ Make sure to sign up on CampusGroups to pre-register:
🔗 https://cglink.me/2eo/r1939184
Walk-ins are welcome, but we kindly ask you to pre-register if possible!
⏳ Registration closes Wednesday, April 9th at 11:59 PM

💧 Reminder: Wear proper running attire, stay hydrated, and come well-rested 💤 so you can enjoy the event to the fullest!

So grab your friends and come out for an unforgettable, prize-filled, neon-glowing evening! LET’S GOOOOO!!! 🎉👟🌟

Best Wishes,

Luvin Lalwani, Kiana Byer

Athletic Engagement Co-Commissioners, 25-26

Associated Students of UCI (ASUCI)

athletics@asuci.uci.edu

www.asuci.uci.edu/servicesvp

More In Music Announces Speakers for Inaugural More In Music Conference The Multi-Faceted Nonprofit Plans the Sound Mind Summit, a Concert and Fireside Chat About Mental Wellness in Music, With Performers and Speakers To Be Announced

More In Music Announces Speakers for Inaugural More In Music Conference

The Multi-Faceted Nonprofit Plans the Sound Mind Summit, a Concert and Fireside Chat About Mental Wellness in Music, With Performers and Speakers To Be Announced

More In Music Conference and Sound Mind Summit Take Over Cal State Northridge (CSUN) in Los Angeles on May 4th, 2025

More In Music Conference Was Produced in Part by a Cohort of Young Aspiring Professionals (College Students and Individuals Between 18-25 Years of Age) and Features Informative Panels and Networking Events to Demystify Music Industry Professions and Build a Path Towards the Future

The More In Music Conference Welcomes Panelists Including Fana Hues, Kenyon Dixon, and Other Artists, Managers, DJs, including L.A. Fixture DJ Hed, and Professionals From Companies Like Live Nation, YouTube, Universal Music, Def Jam, TikTok, Warner Records, AEG/Goldenvoice, UnitedMasters, Billboard Magazine, and More

The Sound Mind Summit is Presented by the Los Angeles Department of Mental Health's Take Action L.A. Initiative


The Announcement:

Dedicated to making the music industry more accessible through education, mentorship, and support, multi-faceted nonprofit More In Music officially announces the inaugural More In Music Conference, happening on May 4th at Cal State Northridge in Los Angeles, CA. The conference offers an opportunity for aspiring and current music industry professionals to connect with each other and hear from experts on a variety of music biz topics. The More In Music Conference will be followed in the evening by the Sound Mind Summit, Presented by the L.A. Department of Mental Health’s Take Action LA (“Take Action for Yourself, Take Action for Others, and Take Action for your Community”) mental health initiative and program, featuring a performance from an artist to be announced and a fireside chat about mental wellness in music.

Running from 9am until 5pm, the More In Music Conference presents a collection of panels, workshops, and conversations designed to give actionable advice and provide crucial context for aspiring music professionals. Among the topics covered include data analysis in the music industry, A&R, artist management, breaking into the scene as an artist, and navigating the industry as a professional. Other notable speakers include L.A. hip-hop fixture DJ Hed, artists Fana Hues and Kenyon Dixon, producers like Amorphous, Ichiban Don, and Killah B, and professionals from companies like Live Nation, Def Jam, TikTok, Spotify, CAA, Warner Records, UnitedMasters, YouTube, and more.

View a full list of speakers HERE

After the conference ends, More In Music invites students and conference-goers to the Sound Mind Summit, a panel, fireside chat, wellness fair, and concert dedicated to promoting mental wellness in the music industry. The More In Music: Sound Mind Summit, is a free event focused on wellness and mental health, creating a supportive space for open discussions on mental well-being while connecting students and the community with valuable resources. The Sound Mind Summit will include a Fireside Chat, where Dr. Carroll Brown will host a discussion about mental wellness, and festivities will close with a performance from a major contemporary artist. Stay tuned for more announcements about performers and speakers.

Register for the More In Music Conference and Sound Mind Summit HERE

More In Music Conference is unique because the event is produced by a Cohort of students, who work in tandem with the More In Music team, a group of expert Industry Facilitators, and the More In Music Advisory Board to produce the event in its entirety. The student Cohort will get hands-on experience producing a conference and will receive dedicated mentorship from the board and a plethora of additional industry experts, composed of musicians, executives, and professionals in Marketing, Production, Social Media, etc.

Students will learn about programming, booking, event production, budgets, event logistics planning, and more. Each student will be assigned to a committee, led by expert facilitator or advisor to work collectively with all committees to help curate and produce the event.

More In Music Conference looks forward to providing college students and the Los Angeles community-at-large with the opportunity to gain exposure to careers in the music industry, and learn from some of the most accomplished executives in the business. Join More In Music in its mission to inspire all generations of music professionals, who will help the industry reach a more equitable and ethical future.

Watch More In Music's Re-Launch Video HERE
More In Music is always looking for partners, donors, and volunteers who are passionate about educating others, inspiring the youth, and transforming the culture. Please visit MoreInMusic.org for more information about getting involved. More In Music partners have the opportunity to play a crucial role in shaping the future of music.

Watch More In Music's Re-Launch Video HERE
Sign up to volunteer for MIM HERE
Donate to More in Music HERE
Follow More In Music: website | instagram | facebook

More in Music Foundation operates under the umbrella of Women's Nonprofit Alliance, a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization.

...And now some happy news! EAGLE CHICKS NOW HAVE NAMES Big Bear Elementary Students Voted for Sunny and Gizmo as Chicks’ Names

Media Contact: Dan McKernan
Director of Public Relations & Publicity
Phone: 951-283-9442
Email: DanMcKernanPr@gmail.com


RELEASE DATE: IMMEDIATE


EAGLE CHICKS NOW HAVE NAMES
Big Bear Elementary Students Voted for Sunny and Gizmo as Chicks’ Names


Big Bear Lake, Calif. April 2, 2025 – The votes are in! Big Bear’s resident eagle chicks now have names. Today, Friends of Big Bear Valley (FOBBV) announced the names of the chicks on its website and Facebook page. On Tuesday, April 1 Big Bear Elementary students (3rd through 5th grade) casted their votes and have selected Sunny and Gizmo out of a list of thirty finalist names. The name with the most votes was given to the bigger chick and the name with second highest number of votes was given to the smaller chick.


The public was invited to submit name suggestions along with a donation as a part of a fundraiser to help name Jackie and Shadow’s two chicks. FOBBV drew a random list of thirty finalist names from the pool of submissions and provided ballots to the students so that they could cast their vote. Traditionally, only the 3rd-graders voted on the names, but this year 4th and 5thgrade students were also included in the chick-name voting tally. There was a total of 469 students that voted on the chicks’ names.


Finalist List:
The list of thirty finalist names are in the order they were drawn and printed: 1. Skye 2. Crackle 3. Griffen 4. Cloud 5. Sully 6. Arden 7. Riley 8. Raine 9. Striker 10. Hutch 11. Branch 12. Gizmo 13. Liberty 14. Star 15. Jade 16. Charlie 17. Talon 18. Cloudy 19. Blaze 20. Valor 21. Gilly 22. Jalen 23 Talie 24. Bell 25. Sassy 26. Passion 27. Swift 28. Destiny 29. Flyer 30. Sunny

“We’re thrilled by how excited people were for the chance to name these two adorable chicks. And the Big Bear elementary students had tons of fun voting for their favorite names” said Sandy Steers, Executive Director of FOBBV. “All the students have been learning about Jackie and Shadow and their chicks. It was great to add a little reward for all their hard work.”


# # # #


About Friends of Big Bear Valley:

Friends of Big Bear Valley is a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization dedicated to protecting and preserving Big Bear Valley, the seventh most biologically diverse place in the country, through environmental education and advocacy. A passionate team manages the live feed of two 24/7 bald eagle nest cameras and their large online fan community. For more information about FOBBV and their mission please visit FriendsofBigBearValley.org.


Dan McKernan | Big Bear Guide
951-283-9442 | dan@bigbearguidecom

Dafna Yachin Director/Producer of “Relative Control,” starring Teri Polo, and Charlene D. Davis, writer and executive producer of Relative Control featured on KUCI 88.9fm

Play today's show featuring Dafna Yachin and Charlene D. Davis

 

TRAILER LINK:

https://youtu.be/wBq2dOcgUKA

ABOUT RELATIVE CONTROL

A middle-aged, type-A attorney's life spirals as she juggles her handful of an ex-cop father, forgetful mother, unemployed son, a reignited romance, and a hostile takeover in the biggest corporate control battle of her career.

RELATIVE CONTROL captures the humor, heartbreak, and chaos of balancing family caregiving and career with poignant authenticity. With over 30 million family caregivers in the U.S., RELATIVE CONTROL offers a relatable and timely story for multigenerational audiences.

RELATIVE CONTROL stars Teri Polo (Meet the Parents trilogy, the Fosters, Good Trouble, The Big Leap) who shines as a middle-aged, type-A attorney whose perfectly ordered life spirals hilariously out of control. The film also stars Patrick F. McDade (Mare of Easttown, Concrete Cowboy, Paterno), and Brian Anthony Wilson (Limitless, Law Abiding Citizen, The Wire). It was written by Charlene Davis based on her personal experiences and directed by Dafna Yachin (Digital Dharma).

Gravitas Ventures will release RELATIVE CONTROL on digital platforms on April 11, 2025. The film has a running time of 109 minutes and will not be rated by the MPAA. The film won the Blue Hen Award for Best Regional Narrative at the 2024 Rehoboth Beach Independent Film Festival and also screened at the 2025 Sedona International Film Festival.



Dafna Yachin
Director / Producer

Dafna has directed award-winning television, film, commercial, and multimedia productions. Her documentaries have aired on CBS, ABC, Discovery, SyFy, and many SVODs. Dafna is the recipient of grants from The Peter and Patricia Gruber Foundation, The Shelley and Donald Rubin Foundation, The Frick Foundation, the Monica Flaherty-Frassetto Trust, and the Wyncote Foundation. Her Oscar qualifying feature documentary, “Digital Dharma: One Man’s Mission to Save a Culture,” enjoyed a 10th anniversary re-release with her new book published by Wisdom Press.

“Relative Control,” starring Teri Polo, is Dafna’s feature narrative directorial debut.
Dafna is in Production on: Feature Doc/limited series- Crime, Social Justice
Alexander McClay Williams: Justice Delayed



Charlene D. Davis
Writer and Executive Producer
Charlene named her production company for the film Third Act Film LLC. Third Act is appropriate since filmmaking is the third career of her life.

Charlene started work in social services as a probation officer and school social worker. During the decade or so she that filled these roles, she attended law school at night. Upon graduation, Charlene was hired as a federal prosecutor and later joined Bayard, P.A., a corporate and commercial law firm in Delaware.

Over the course of 30 years at Bayard, she served as a director, chair of the marketing committee and ultimately president of the firm. Her practice focused on civil litigation and corporate bankruptcy in Delaware and federal courts. Toward the end of her tenure at Bayard, she enrolled in an evening screenwriting class at the University of Arts to work on the script for Relative Control. Charlene retired from Bayard in order to pursue her desire to turn her Relative Control script into a film.

In addition to Relative Control, Charlene served as executive co-producer of Manson Family Vacation, available on Netflix, and I Hate Myself and Want to Die, in final post-production. She resides in Rockland, Delaware and has a second home in Pasadena CA near her son and his family.

Director Nico Santucci joins host Janeane to talk about SAROGETO, a film making waves in over 12 International Film Festivals. The film features two female Asian protagonists and is a showcase of resilience, courage, and determination.

Click to listen to today's show featuring Nico Santucci

Living an idyllic life she never felt entitled to, Grace is suddenly faced with a life-or-death decision that will alter her destiny and that of her young protege, Miki Endo, who is unknowingly intertwined in her journey. Their paths converge in a twisting, thought-provoking adventure that spans from Japan to America, exploring how the clash of East and West can shape one’s life and future. 

Through Grace’s perspective, the story delves into how our perceptions can uniquely influence our actions, often in ways that are misunderstood. The film showcases powerful performances by Eric Roberts and Winsor Harmon. Ikumi Yoshimatsu is spectacular as the bewildered Grace Stanton in her breakout role, which will leave you questioning your existence in this life or the next.

SAROGETO stars Eric Roberts (The Expendables, Babylon), Ikumi Yoshimatsu (Westworld, Unbroken: Path to Redemption), Winsor Harmon (All My Children, The Bold and the Beautiful), and Ruby Park (Pink Opaque). It was written by Nico Santucci and Timothy Michael Hayes, and directed by Nico Santucci.

The film, featuring two female Asian protagonists, is a showcase of resilience, courage, and determination, empowering viewers of all backgrounds, and touches on key themes like cultural views, societal pressure, and media portrayal in Japan. It is also a nuanced portrayal of suicide from a Japanese cultural perspective. 

The film features a captivating soundtrack by world-renowned cellist, Emmy-nominated composer, Martin Tillmann. SAROGETO has had an extremely successful festival run, screening at over 12 International Film Festivals. 

The film has a running time of 90 minutes. Gravitas Ventures will release SAROGETO on digital platforms on April 1, 2025.

To view the trailer, go to: https://youtu.be/s8bxdQK7xU0

Award-winning writer Joanne Leedom- Ackerman shares forthcoming release of THE FAR SIDE OF THE DESERT - a gripping political thriller about family and the incredible capacity for human resilience.

Play the podcast featuring Joanne Leedom-Ackerman

Joanne Leedom-Ackerman has worked as a journalist, a Vice President for PEN International and former board member of the International Crisis Group, Human Rights Watch and Save the Children, which have taken her all over the world, including the Middle East and North Africa, and given her insights into culture and politics, human rights issues, and global tensions.

”The Far Side of the Desert is that rare story – a literary work and a first-rate thriller. Joanne Leedom-Ackerman, who has traveled the world advocating for human rights, is one of the few writers today who can construct a superb and complex international spy novel. The Far Side of the Desert is stellar.“

— Jennifer Clement, former President of PEN International and award-winning novelist of Prayers for the Stolen, Gun Love and The Widow Basquiat.

From the acclaimed author of Burning Distance, a political thriller, family drama, and love story that explores the link between terrorism and global financial markets

In her latest release, The Far Side of the Desert (Oceanview Publishing, paperback release April 15, 2025), the award-winning writer follows the fates of two sisters—one, a US foreign service officer; the other, an international television correspondent—after their lives are shattered by a terrorist attack and the personal toll of its aftermath.

Monte, the youngest of the three Waters children, followed in their father’s footsteps and was building a career in the Foreign Service, aspiring to reach the pinnacle he never achieved: National Security Advisor or Ambassador at the United Nations. Her sister, Samantha, and their big brother, Cal, were too prone to adventure, too defiant, to move from embassy to embassy working in the government bureaucracy.

Now, at thirty-seven, with two children and hints of gray at her temples, Monte is resigned to going wherever she’s told to keep doing an impossible job—monitoring insurgent movements—and placating her accountant husband so he’ll keep following her. In her worst moments, she’s envious of her sister, who, at almost forty and still single, is a reporter with International News Network (INN), and gets noticed for her stunning looks as well as her breaking news stories.


For the first time in a long while, the sisters are vacationing together in Santiago de Compostela, Spain, enjoying a festival and waiting for Cal to join them for a little fun before they each move on to their next assignment. At first, Monte is surprised and flattered when a handsome man at their hotel seems drawn to her rather than Sam. What starts as an innocent happy hour flirtation is disrupted by two car bombings in the crowded town square and the ensuing panic. 

Putting her trust in a stranger, Monte follows Stephen from the lobby bar to a supposed place of safety while worrying about her sister who she knows will be in the thick of the frenzy, chasing the story and a target for terrorists. Just as she tells Stephen that she needs to get back and check on her sister, Monte is surrounded by three men whose faces are obscured by masks. Suddenly, Monte—an expert in insurgencies, trained by the US government—understands that it is not Samantha being taken hostage, but herself. Within hours, Sam realizes that Monte has gone missing—but she has no clue what happened or why.


Moving from Spain to Washington to Morocco to Gibraltar to the desolate Sahara, The Far Side of the Desert unravels an intricate plot involving terrorism, money laundering, and the manipulation of financial markets to the disadvantage of the US economy. At its head is a shadowy, dangerous figure known as the Elder and a financial genius with an ulterior motive, alternately known as Safir Brahim, his Moroccan name, and his birth name, Stephen Oroya. But why was Monte kidnapped? And why doesn’t anyone seem to be negotiating for her release?


Back in Washington, the Waters family is using all their contacts and resources to find Monte, while Sam tirelessly continues to track down every possible lead. As the months pass by, the outlook for Monte darkens. Can she be found, or is she forever lost? And even if she returns, will the damage to her and to her loved ones be irreparable? Meanwhile, during her time in captivity, Monte is undergoing a profound transformation. Is Stephen her tormentor or her savior? Keeping the tension mounting, The Far Side of the Desert gradually reveals the complicated answers, while affirming the power of family, love, and grace to overcome brutality and destruction.

ABOUT JOANNE LEEDOM-ACKERMAN

Joanne Leedom-Ackerman is a novelist, short story writer, and journalist whose other works of fiction include Burning Distance, The Dark Path to the River, and No Marble Angels. Her recent nonfiction book, PEN Journeys: Memoir of Literature on the Line, drew inspiration from her job as a vice president of the worldwide writers and human rights organization, PEN International. 

She is also on the boards of the American Writers Museum and Words Without Borders, and an emeritus board member of Refugees International, Human Rights Watch and Poets and Writers, as well as a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and the Texas Institute of Letters. A native of Dallas, she has lived in Boston, New York City, Los Angeles, London, and Washington, DC.

MILCK Releases Deeply Personal Debut Album Mother Tongue, Celebrates with Exclusive Album Launch & Afterparty at Hotel Café. Listen to today's show featuring MILCK.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Play the podcast featuring MILCK. 

MILCK Releases Deeply Personal Debut Album Mother Tongue, Celebrates with Exclusive Album Launch & Afterparty at Hotel Café

February 20, 2025, Los Angeles, CA – Acclaimed singer-songwriter and activist MILCK released her highly anticipated debut full-length album, Mother Tongue, on February 14, 2025. To celebrate this landmark project, MILCK will perform an intimate album release show at Hotel Café in Los Angeles on March 6, 2025, followed by a special afterparty in partnership with the Women’s International Music Network (WiMN).

Tickets for the event are available now here.
Mother Tongue: A Deeply Personal Exploration of Home, Identity & Healing

For years, MILCK has been known for her powerful anthems of resilience and change, including her 2017 viral protest song Quiet, which became a global voice for the women’s movement. Her collaborative prochoice anthem "We Won't Go Back" spread like wildfire in 2022. Now, her latest battlecry "Sisters of Winter" is deeply resonating across Instagram, with over 250,000 views in the last 4 days.

With Mother Tongue the album, she turns inward, weaving together personal narratives of self-discovery, love, loss, and the search for belonging.

The album’s title track explores the longing for connection across generations, inspired by MILCK’s struggle to communicate with her grandmother due to a language barrier. Through a waltz-like melody and heartfelt lyrics, Mother Tongue reflects on how love transcends words—through touch, laughter, and shared history.

“This album allowed me to honor my sometimes misguided journey of searching for home and belonging in all the ‘wrong’ places—relationships, career, even unhealthy coping mechanisms—only to realize that my true home has always been within myself,” says MILCK.

The album balances deeply personal storytelling with universal themes, touching on everything from heartbreak (Power of the Heart), independence (I Do), and enduring love (I’m In).
Celebrate with MILCK at Hotel Café

MILCK will bring Mother Tongue to life on stage at Hotel Café on March 6, 2025. Fans can expect a transformational evening of music and storytelling, with opening acts Jenny Yang and Jason Chu, who will kick off the night with comedy and spoken word pieces exploring the themes of home and mother tongue. The performance will be followed by a special afterparty hosted by the Women’s International Music Network to celebrate Women’s History Month.

The afterparty will include networking, a cash bar, complimentary snacks, and a chance to connect with fellow music lovers and industry professionals. The afterparty is proudly sponsored by Venus Guitars, Korg, and Positive Grid.

Can’t attend in person? A livestream of the event will be available for fans worldwide. More info here.


Join the Celebration

What: MILCK Mother Tongue Album Release Show + WiMN Afterparty
When: March 6, 2025 | Doors at 6:30 PM
Where: Hotel Café, Los Angeles, CA
Get Tickets Here

For more information, visit milckmusic.com
About MILCK

MILCK is a singer-songwriter, producer, and activist whose music blends raw vulnerability with bold, unapologetic storytelling. Her song Quiet became a viral sensation and a defining anthem of the Women’s March, propelling her into the spotlight as a powerful voice for social change. As an independent artist, MILCK continues to push boundaries, using music as a tool for healing, empowerment, and connection.
About the Women’s International Music Network (WiMN)

The Women’s International Music Network (WiMN) connects, inspires, and supports women in the music industry through events, mentorship, and advocacy. Best known for producing the annual She Rocks Awards, WiMN creates platforms that amplify the voices of women in music. More at thewimn.com