NEW BOOK announcement! Disabilities and the Law, 5th Edition By Laura F. Rothstein and Julia Irzyk

Disabilities and the Law 5th Edition offers unique perspectives of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Rehabilitation Act, and other disability rights laws. 

The authors lecture on disability issues to attorneys, judges, administrators, and advocacy groups, imparting more than 60 years of experience and providing a comprehensive discussion of complex disability issues. 

The Fifth Edition includes new material on post-COVID issues and technology updates in addition to current updates Topics discussed include: 

 • Elementary and secondary education 

 • Higher education 

 • Employment 

 • Public accommodations and public services 

 • Architectural barriers 

 • Housing 

 • Transportation 

 • The pursuit of happiness 

 • Healthcare 

This title includes a detailed index, appendixes, and tables for ease of use.

Leeav Sofer, a Los Angeles–based musician, composer, and bandleader - leads the acclaimed klezmer‑fusion band Mostly Kosher. March 8th at the Irvine Barclay Theatre, Mostly Kosher is bringing their Purim Glam Rock Spectacular!

Joining Janeane on Wednesday March 4th is:

Leeav Sofer, a Los Angeles–based musician, composer, and bandleader. He leads the acclaimed klezmer‑fusion band Mostly Kosher, blending Jewish folk music with rock, jazz, and world sounds. He’s also a faculty member at the Colburn School, directing choirs and music programs that engage communities, and co‑founded the Urban Voices Project, a nonprofit using music to empower and connect people through creative expression.

LISTEN
to today's show
featuring Leeav Sofer.

This March 8th at the Irvine Barclay Theatre, Mostly Kosher is bringing their Purim Glam Rock Spectacular — celebrating Purim, the festive holiday where Jews honor Queen Esther’s bravery with music, costumes, and lots of fun!”

"Mostly Kosher is klezmer music to heal the soul.”
 - LA Weekly

Klezmer Meets Glam Rock:

Celebrate Purim with Mostly Kosher

WATCH!

SUN MAR 8, 2026 AT 3PM


“Mostly Kosher is klezmer music to heal the soul.” - LA Weekly


Mostly Kosher, the acclaimed klezmer-rock band, reimagines Jewish and American music with driving klezmer beats, bold Yiddish refrains, and a high-energy fusion of folk, jazz, Latin, rock, and soul. Led by Leeav Sofer—named one of Jewish Journal’s “30 Under 30”—the Los Angeles–based ensemble is known for its electrifying performances and socially conscious edge. Their debut album earned international acclaim, and their recording of “Wade in the Water” landed on Billboard’s “10 Songs to Make Your Seder Rock” list in 2025.

Now Mostly Kosher returns with a glam-rock, carnival-themed Purim celebration that radically reimagines the Purim story. Featuring dazzling costumes, immersive design, and the band’s signature genre-defying sound, this joyful, inclusive experience is perfect for community groups, synagogues, and anyone ready to celebrate Purim.


Purim is a joyful Jewish holiday that celebrates the story of Queen Esther saving the Jewish people from danger in ancient Persia. It’s a day of costumes, music, parties, and giving gifts and charity — kind of like a mix of Halloween and Mardi Gras, but with its own unique traditions and lots of fun!”


Story of Esther – represents bravery, standing up for your community.


Costumes & Masks – people dress up and celebrate.


Food & Treats – like hamantaschen (triangular filled cookies).


Giving & Celebration – sharing gifts and helping those in need.

thebarclay.org

Have you heard of the Strangers Project in NYC? Real handwritten stories from strangers — part of The Strangers Project at the Oculus. Janeane talks about loneliness, the power of connection, and how you can nurture your social health, and more!

Did you catch today's show talking about loneliness, social health,
anxiety, the power of connection and our post-pandemic lives?
Janeane shares tips, research and information about
The Strangers Project in NYC, the Foundation for Social Connection, and more!

ABOUT THE STRANGERS PROJECT

Brandon is the founder of The Strangers Project. Since 2009, he has been inviting people to pause, pick up a pen, and share something true about their lives — from a single sentence to several pages. Over the years, this simple idea has grown into a collection of more than 100,000 handwritten stories from strangers of all ages, backgrounds, and walks of life.

The project began with a clipboard and a handful of blank pages in a park, not knowing if anyone would stop. People did — and they kept coming. Stories poured in at parks, festivals, schools, museums, city streets, and now at the project’s flagship location in the World Trade Center Oculus in New York City.

The Strangers Project serves as a living museum of the human experience, offering visitors a space to read the words of strangers, reflect on their own stories, and feel more connected to the world around them. Brandon’s role is to care for these stories and keep them accessible to everyone who wishes to explore them.

The Core Idea

The project invites people to share something true about their lives — from a single sentence to several pages.

It’s not about being polished or artistic; it’s about honesty, reflection, and human connection.

Since 2009, the project has collected over 100,000 handwritten stories.

Stories come from strangers of all ages, backgrounds, and walks of life.


Contributions have been gathered in parks, festivals, schools, museums, city streets, and now at the flagship space in the World Trade Center Oculus in NYC.

Emotional & Social Impact

The project is a living museum of the human experience.

Visitors can read strangers’ stories and reflect on their own, which often fosters empathy, understanding, and connection.

Many people report feeling less alone after engaging with the project.

Brandon started with just a clipboard and blank pages in a park, unsure if anyone would participate.


The simplicity of the approach — handwritten, intimate, and uncurated — is part of what makes it powerful.

For Listeners Who Want to Participate

Anyone can share a story, whether online or in person at the flagship location.

No prior experience is needed — just a willingness to be honest and reflect.

Participation isn’t just cathartic; it’s a way to contribute to a larger, collective story of humanity.

Bigger Message

The Strangers Project reminds us that every life has meaning and every story matters.

It’s a chance to pause, reflect, and connect in a world that can feel fragmented or overwhelming

Learn more: https://strangersproject.com/

Joining Janeane on 2/25 at 9:00am is Maria Freebairn-Smith Center for Creative Exploration - Painting Teacher and Outreach Director

Maria Freebairn-Smith is a teacher and Family Program Coordinator at the Center for Creative Exploration. She has been painting and teaching the intuitive painting process for over 30 years. She participated in the first teacher training for The Painting Experience, facilitated by Michele Cassou and Stewart Cubley. Along with Barbara Kaufman and others, Maria was one of CCE’s original founders. She also helped to establish the nonprofit Drawbridge: An Arts Program for Homeless Children, and The Open Circle Cooperative Preschool, both in San Francisco.


Along with her process painting training, Maria holds a degree in Psychology from Barnard College, Columbia University, and has a graduate Certificate in Restorative Justice Practices. Other advanced trainings include Waldorf Early Childhood Education, Middendorf Breathexperience, and Motion Improvisational Theater.


When Maria began raising a family, she moved to Sonoma County. Focusing on
education for children in her new community, she founded The Creative Parenting Center and helped establish Sunridge, a Waldorf-methods charter school. Returning to the CCE painting community, Maria brings a lifetime commitment to body, breath, and inquiry practices that ground her teaching in a broad transpersonal perspective.

LISTEN

to today's show

with Maria Freebairn-Smith

www.intuitivepainting.org/getcreative

Check out the gallery!

Monty Python's "Spamalot" Comes to Segerstrom Center for the Arts! Janeane speaks with Chris Collins-Pisano (Sir Lancelot, The French Taunter, Knight of Ni, Tim the Enchanter) at 9:30am 2/17 LIVE on KUCI 88.9fm

The Tony Award-Winning Best Musical Comedy is Back!

LISTEN 
to today's show featuring Chris Collins-Pisano

Monty Python’s SPAMALOT (a musical lovingly ripped off from the motion picture Monty Python and the Holy Grail) is coming to Segerstrom Center for the Arts from February 17 to 22, 2026.


Following its critically acclaimed 2023 Broadway revival at the St. James Theatre, SPAMALOT now launches its North American tour. Under the direction and choreography of Josh Rhodes, the production was praised for its inventive staging, design, and exceptional performances, reaffirming the enduring appeal of Monty Python’s distinctly British wit and comedic brilliance.


SPAMALOT, which first galloped onto Broadway in 2005, features a book & lyrics by Eric Idle and music by John Du Prez and Eric Idle. The original Broadway production was nominated for fourteen Tony Awards and won three including Best Musical.


SPAMALOT has everything that makes a great knight at the theatre: from flying cows to killer rabbits, British royalty to French taunters, dancing girls, rubbery shrubbery, and of course, the Lady of the Lake.

Chris Collins-Pisano (Sir Lancelot, The French Taunter, Knight of Ni, Tim the Enchanter) is gobsmacked he’s being paid to engage in this codswallop! In NYC, he has worked extensively with Forbidden Broadway, having performed as a member of their touring company, as well as Off-Broadway in Forbidden Broadway: Merrily We Stole a Song (2025 Drama Desk, Best Revue) and ...The Next Generation, plus the cabaret Forbidden Sondheim (MAC Award, Best Revue). Nat'l tour: Elf (NETworks, 2018), Off-Broadway: Friends! The Musical Parody. Regional: Forestburgh Playhouse, Cape Playhouse, The Z, The Engeman, Gateway Playhouse, St. Michael’s Playhouse, Westchester Broadway Theatre, New London Barn Playhouse. CCM grad. So much thanks to the cast and crew, The Collins-Pisano Clan, Dish, Nora, and Mikiko.

The cast includes Major Attaway (Aladdin) as King Arthur, Sean Bell (Harmony) as Sir Robin, Chris Collins-Pisano (Forbidden Broadway) as Sir Lancelot, Ellis C. Dawson III (Hamilton) as Sir Bedevere, Leo Roberts (Les Misérables) as Sir Galahad, Amanda Robles as The Lady of the Lake, Blake Segal (Mary Poppins) as Patsy and Steven Telsey (The Book Of Mormon) as The Historian/Prince Herbert.

February 17 - 22, 2026

Segerstrom Hall

Segerstrom Center for the Arts

Tickets at scfta.org



COSTA MESA, CA | Segerstrom Center for the Arts invites audiences to saddle up for outrageous fun as the Tony Award–winning musical comedy SPAMALOT rides into Segerstrom Hall from February 17–22, 2026. Brimming with laugh-out-loud comedy, unforgettable songs, and gloriously over-the-top spectacle, this beloved Monty Python adaptation promises an evening of pure theatrical joy. Tickets are on sale now at scfta.org.

SPAMALOT, which first galloped onto Broadway in 2005, features a book & lyrics by Eric Idle and music by John Du Prez and Eric Idle. The original Broadway production was nominated for fourteen Tony Awards and won three including Best Musical.

Following its critically acclaimed 2023 Broadway revival at the St. James Theatre, SPAMALOT now launches its North American tour. Under the direction and choreography of Josh Rhodes, the production was praised for its inventive staging, design, and exceptional performances, reaffirming the enduring appeal of Monty Python’s distinctly British wit and comedic brilliance. The Broadway revival now brings its celebrated production to audiences across the country. The tour will travel to more than 30 cities in its first year including Cleveland; Los Angeles; Washington, D.C.; Las Vegas; San Francisco; Seattle; Denver; Atlanta; Dallas; New Orleans; St. Louis; Houston; Ft. Worth; Charlotte; Schenectady; St. Paul,

Greenville; Rochester; Milwaukee; Hartford and Costa Mesa. For more information, please visit www.spamalotthemusical.com.



The cast includes Major Attaway (Aladdin) as King Arthur, Sean Bell (Harmony) as Sir Robin, Chris Collins-Pisano (Forbidden Broadway) as Sir Lancelot, Ellis C. Dawson III (Hamilton) as Sir Bedevere, Leo Roberts (Les Misérables) as Sir Galahad, Amanda Robles as The Lady of the Lake, Blake Segal (Mary Poppins) as Patsy and Steven Telsey (The Book Of Mormon) as The Historian/Prince Herbert.


The cast also includes Lindsay Lee Alhady, Delaney Benson, Jack Brewer, Connor Coughlin, L'ogan J'ones, Graham Keen, Claire Kennard, Ben Lanham, Nathaniel Mahone, Maddie Mossner, Emilie Renier, Mark Tran Russ and Meridien Terrell.

The creative team includes scenic and projection design by Paul Tate dePoo III, costume design by Jen Caprio, lighting design by Cory Pattak, sound design by Kai Harada & Haley Parcher, wig design by Tom Watson and music supervision by John Bell. Jonathan Gorst is the Musical Director/Conductor. The team also includes Melissa Chacón (Production Stage Manager), Anna K. Rains (Stage Manager) and Dani Berman (Asst. Stage Manager), James Neal (Company Manager) and Abi Steinberg (Asst. Company Manager). Derek Kolluri is the Associate Director, and Michael Fatica is the Associate Choreographer. Casting is by Geoff Josselson, CSA and RCI Theatricals serves as General Manager.

Lovingly ripped from the film classic, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, SPAMALOT has everything that makes a great knight at the theatre: from flying cows to killer rabbits, British royalty to French taunters, dancing girls, rubbery shrubbery, and of course, the Lady of the Lake. SPAMALOT features well-known songs including “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life,” “The Song That Goes Like This,” “Find Your Grail” and more that have become beloved classics in the musical theater canon.



# # # #

www.spamalotthemusical.com

Tickets for SPAMALOT, starting at $39, are available for purchase online at scfta.org, in person at 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, CA 92626, and by phone at 714.556.2787. For inquiries about group ticket discounts of 10 or more, call the Group Services offices at 714.755.0236.

Joining Janeane 2/18 at 9:00am - Eric Dyson - award-winning filmmaker, writer, and director talks about his latest film Altadena: The Heart, the Art & the Soul. His documentary explores the rich origins of Altadena, tracing its roots as a community shaped by resilience and creativity.

LISTEN
to today's show with Eric Dyson

About Eric Dyson
Eric Dyson is an award-winning filmmaker, writer, and director whose work delves into themes of addiction, trauma, and healing within the African American community. A longtime Pasadena resident, he draws deeply from personal experience to craft emotionally resonant, socially conscious stories. When evacuation orders were lifted after the Eaton Fire, Eric was compelled to document its aftermath—capturing the voices, memories, and resilience of friends and neighbors determined to rebuild

About the film
Altadena: The Heart, the Art & the Soul is a documentary that explores the rich origins of Altadena, tracing its roots as a community shaped by resilience and creativity. Through the lens of Black culture, music, and the arts, the film captures the vibrancy and legacy of a town that has long been a haven for expression and community pride. With the Eaton Fire as a turning point, the story moves from life before the disaster —where traditions, artistry, and heritage thrived—to the challenges and rebirth that will follow in its aftermath. A love letter and a testimony, this documentary weaves history, culture, and lived experience into a powerful narrative of loss, endurance, and renewal.

https://www.ericdyson.net/

Coming up 2/11 at 9:00am - Janeane will be in conversation with Gail Freedman, Director/producer/writer of the documentary, No One Cares - An intimate, immersive deep dive into the crisis and chaos of severe mental illness – and a burgeoning grassroots movement to do something about it.

LISTEN
to today's show featuring

Director/producer/writer Gail Freedman.

Director/producer/writer of the documentary, No One Cares, screening at Open Mind on March 1st.


No One Cares About Crazy People is a feature documentary film about the tragedy, crisis and chaos of severe mental illness in America – and a burgeoning national crusade to do something about it

Narrated by Bob Odenkirk
Original Music written & recorded by Jeff Tweedy

Watch the TRAILER


Inspired by Ron Powers’ acclaimed book of the same name, No One Cares About Crazy People is an intimate deep dive into the crisis and chaos of severe mental illness in America. A heartbreaking family memoir and searing social history, it is personal and immersive – but also tracks a burgeoning grassroots movement to reinvent our failed systems. Narrated by actor Bob Odenkirk (Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul) with original music by Wilco frontman Jeff Tweedy.

With narration by actor Bob Odenkirk and original music by Wilco frontman Jeff Tweedy, No One Cares About Crazy People goes deep inside the tragedy, chaos and crisis of severe mental illness in America. It was inspired by Ron Powers’ acclaimed book of the same name, a hybrid narrative of heartbreaking family memoir and searing social history. The film is intimate and immersive (filled with powerful verité scenes), but also tracks the emergence of a grassroots movement to reinvent our disastrous mental health “system.” It’s timely, poignant, powerful, intense – and also, ultimately, hopeful.

The documentary humanizes the face of mental illness with a small cast of memorable characters. Powers – a bestselling author & Pulitzer and Emmy award-winner – is father to two schizophrenic sons, the younger of whom, a musical prodigy, took his own life in the Vermont family basement a week before his 21st birthday. We also witness – in real time — the almost inconceivable story of Mark Rippee, floridly psychotic, blind and, for almost 16 years, unhoused on the streets of Vacaville, California, despite his sisters’ fierce advocacy. That advocacy is part of a burgeoning crusade, spearheaded by family members – people like Taun Hall, whose son Miles, a young black man, was shot and killed by police in 2019 outside his Walnut Creek, CA home, in the midst of a mental health emergency.

The roots of this national crisis trace back over half a century, and today we live with the legacy of all those failed policies. California has emerged as an epicenter of reform action. No One Cares follows that action for three+ years, as a series of bold but controversial initiatives make their way through the halls of power. Governor Gavin Newsom weighs in on why he’s embraced this political hot potato issue. COVID brought mental health challenges to public attention more than ever. But the sickest and neediest were just as desperate before, and their complex plight still receives scant notice. This film changes that.

About Gail Freedman, director/producer


Gail Freedman
Director & ProducerGail Freedman & Dina Potocki
at the NYC premiere of “HOT TO TROT”

A one-time aspiring concert pianist, Gail Freedman abandoned the stage for the screen many years ago, with brief stops in academia, government and health care along the way. It hasn’t exactly been a planned migration, but in 25 years as an award-winning filmmaker, she has produced, directed and written dozens of documentaries on a wide range of subjects, through her former company, Parrot Productions. She has also taught at the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.

Among her films: Hot to Trot, an award-winning feature documentary inside the fascinating but little-known world of same-sex competitive ballroom dance – an idiosyncratic attack on bigotry, called “stirring and impressive, warm & involving, with unique heft & vitality” by the Los Angeles Times; and Making the 9/11 Memorial, a primetime special for The History Channel, which aired on the 10th anniversary of September 11th, when the Memorial opened.

Other notable films, among many, have included Breaking the Silence Barrier (cognitive disabilities); Where’s The Cure? (breast cancer activism);
Generation Rx (the opioid crisis); Lessons for the Future (public education);
Giving While Living (philanthropy); and A Forever Family (Annie E. Casey Foundation). Her creative output encompasses independent projects, as well as extensive work for PBS, network television, cable, syndication and the Internet, along with educational and non-profit films. She was also Executive Producer of the 13-part PBS series, World@Large with David Gergen, as well as producer of the indie feature (and world’s first hyper-linked movie), The Onyx Project, starring acclaimed actor David Strathairn. Early in her career, Gail worked at both CBS 60 Minutes and ABC 20/20.

https://noonecaresfilm.com