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

March 12th 9:00am - TEEN DEPRESSION GONE VIRAL: Why Kids Are More Vulnerable Than Ever & How You Can Protect Your Child’s Health and Happiness by Meredith Gansner, MD

Arguably the biggest epidemic among teens is depression, and social media only adds fuel to the fire. How can we navigate this? The monster is out of the box and we are struggling with what to do to help. Meredith E. Gansner, MD, is an attending child psychiatrist at Boston Children’s Hospital and Instructor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. Her award-winning research focuses on adolescent mental health and problematic digital media use.

TEEN DEPRESSION GONE VIRAL:

Why Kids Are More Vulnerable Than Ever & How You Can Protect Your Child’s Health and Happiness

by Meredith Gansner, MD

Play today's show featuring Dr. Meredith Gansner, MD

“This book is a ‘tell it like it is’ companion guide to the overwhelming experience that is tackling adolescent depression in our digitally-dependent age. Expecting that online search engines will be consulted multiple times along this journey, this guidebook teaches parents to think critically about online search results, troubleshoot online and offline obstacles, and focus on the big picture: their child’s recovery.” — Meredith Gansner, MD


Advance Praise for the Book:




“This is the only book you need if you are worried that your teenager is depressed.” —Jodi Gold, MD, author of Screen-Smart Parenting


“Expert guidance is here. Dr. Gansner provides trustworthy information and practical recommendations for how you can help your struggling teen.” —Christopher R. Martell, PhD, ABPP, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst


“As a researcher who has studied the impact of digital media on adolescents, Dr. Gansner is uniquely suited to guide parents through this perplexing and complicated topic.”— Nancy Rappaport, MD, Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School

What are the warning signs of depression in teens? When do social media and gaming habits cross the line into putting kids at risk? How can parents keep teens healthy and safe—without sledgehammering all their devices? This realistic, reassuring guide from adolescent psychiatrist and parent Meredith E. Gansner gives parents the latest information about depression in teens, with a special focus on digital media use. Filled with vivid stories, the book illuminates the warning signs of teen mental health problems and self-harm; what parents can do to help, including downloadable practical tools; and how to find effective diagnosis and treatment. Exploring myths and facts about internet addiction, dangerous viral trends, and cyberbullying, Dr. Gansner provides actionable steps for curbing them. Every chapter also identifies positive technology resources for both kids and parents, from supportive online communities to health-promoting sites and apps.



“Full disclosure: The foremost expert on your teen’s depression is probably your teen. But you and I both know that teenagers aren’t always great at talking about their feelings, especially to their parents. They do (sometimes) talk to me, a child and adolescent psychiatrist who has seen depression present itself within a wide variety of settings... The combination of my research and clinical experience has given me perspective on the management of adolescent depression in our screen-dependent society.” — Meredith Gansner, MD



About Dr. Gansner

Meredith E. Gansner, MD, is an attending child psychiatrist at Boston Children’s Hospital and Instructor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. Her award-winning research focuses on adolescent mental health and problematic digital media use. Dr. Gansner lives in the Boston area with her husband and two children.



Instagram: @mgansnermd

Twitter/X: @mgansner

LinkedIn: @Meredith Gansner





Dr. Gansner in the Press:

Slate: 13 Reasons Isn’t Enough

The Atlantic: Should You Delete Your Kid’s TikTok This Week?

WBUR: The Pandemic Left More Kids Feeling Suicidal. One Mass. Teen Found Her Way Out Of The Dark

Power of One Foundation partners with IKEA Los Angeles LA wildfires. Andre Roberson Founder & CEO of Power of One Foundation joins Janeane on KUCI 88.9fm 2/26 9:00am

LISTEN
to today's show
featuring Andre Roberson

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ON February 13, 2024

Power of One Foundation partners with IKEA Los Angeles, LA County Supervisor Solis, Home Depot, and other community partners for the Kids First Campaign to Support Children Affected by LA Wildfires

Los Angeles, CA – January 31, 2025 – Power of One Foundation (POOF) is proud to announce its partnership with IKEA Los Angeles, LA County Supervisor Solis, Giving Children Hope, Home Depot, 211LA, United Way OC, Genesis for Good Foundation, and other amazing community partners for the Kids First Campaign, a community campaign dedicated to helping children affected by the recent Los Angeles wildfires. This initiative aligns with POOF’s mission to provide essential resources to anyone in need of them, without prejudice.

The wildfires left thousands of children displaced, depriving them of their homes, schools, and a sense of normalcy. To address these ongoing challenges, the Kids First Campaign has launched with an Essentials Drive that is collecting and distributing new school supplies, toys, hygiene products, books, and other vital resources to children ages 0-16.

The campaign will leverage the strength of community partnerships, with IKEA stores in Burbank, Carson, Covina, and Costa Mesa hosting donation hubs from January 31 to February 28, 2025. Customers and community members are encouraged to visit these stores to drop off new essential items that will directly support children in need.

The collected donations will be sorted and distributed through a collaborative effort led by Power of One Foundation in partnership with LA County Supervisor Hilda L. Solis and local organizations. The campaign will culminate in a Kids First Resource Fair at the end of March at IKEA Burbank’s parking lot. This fair will connect affected families with much-needed resources, entertainment for children, and symbolic care kits to spark hope and joy.

"The partnership with Power of One Foundation reflects IKEA’s deep commitment to our community’s well-being," said Vanessa Pasillas, IKEA Loyalty Manager. "The power of community to come together and bring comfort, hope, and stability to children and families when they need it most is truly inspiring”. “Our hearts go out to every single Los Angeles family impacted by the heartbreaking wildfire devastation. As a foundation, we will continue to find ways to support Communities Caring for Communities and are grateful for IKEA always being ready to be on the frontlines with us” says Andre Roberson, POOF’s Executive Director.

About Power of One Foundation:

POOF’s mission is to provide basic human resources to every person in need, regardless of their country of origin, race, gender, or socioeconomic status. The foundation focuses on fighting poverty and hunger by providing food & resource assistance and free community enrichment events to underserved communities in Orange County, CA and surrounding areas. The organization’s purpose is to empower residents to become leaders in their communities.

For more information on Power of One Foundation, Website: powerofonefoundation.org, Facebook: @powerofonefoundation1 or Instagram: @powerofonefoundation

About IKEA:

At IKEA, the vision is to create a better everyday life for the many people by offering well-designed, functional and affordable, high-quality home furnishing, produced with care for people and the environment. Ingka Group (Ingka Holding B.V. and its controlled entities) is one of 12 different groups of companies that own and operate IKEA retail under franchise agreements with Inter IKEA Systems B.V. Ingka Group has three business areas: IKEA Retail, Ingka Investments and Ingka Centres. Ingka Group is a strategic partner in the IKEA franchise system, operating 389 IKEA stores in 32 countries – including 51 retail locations in the U.S.

For more information on IKEA U.S., see IKEA-USA.com, @IKEAUSANews, @IKEAUSA or IKEAUSA on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and Pinterest.

Media Contacts:

Shawnee Roberson

Operations Director of Power of One Foundation

(406) 672-9617

shawnee@powerofonefoundation.org

Andre Roberson

Founder & CEO of Power of One Foundation

(714) 856- 7602

andre@powerofonefoundation.org

Vanessa Pasillas
IKEA Loyalty Manager

626-428-9247


Vanessa.Pasillas@ingka.ikea.com

LA Strong Foundation has simplified how to contact over 100 organizations who are receiving grants from the LA Fires Concerts. Here's what you need to know!

LA Strong Foundation has just simplified how to contact over 100 organizations who received and are getting grants from the LA Fires Concerts totaling $50 Million Dollars.

Here is the List of Those Who Received Grant Money From the January 30, 2025 Kia Forum and Intuit Dome Music Concerts in Inglewood to support people and communities affected by the LA County wildfires.

https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/california-wildfires/fireaid-la-fire-relief concert-grants/3635381/

We Recommend That You Reach Out to These organizations for Financial Support. Each group will receive $100,000 or more in first-phase distributions expected to be complete by the end of February. Ask for the person overseeing their fire relief efforts.

The Grants were issued by The Annenberg Foundation on behalf of the Concert Organizers.

https://annenberg.org/ or (310) 209-4560

Here is a Link to All of The Grantees

https://fireaidla.org/grants/

On February 18, 2025, FireAid announced the recipients of the first $50 million in grants from Los Angeles wildfire relief concerts of the estimated $100 million raised from its Los Angeles wildfire concerts will be distributed.

The first set of grants totaling $50 million will be gifted to individuals, including displaced residents, workers, small business owners and first responders, who were affected by the January wildfires. Community-based organizations on the front lines of fire relief were prioritized in this first round of grants, FireAid said in a news release.


More details about the financial aid list can be found on the LA Strong Foundation website.