Roar with Katherine Kendall

 In today's episode I speak with Chase Crossno about teaching theater to medical students. She shares with us her personal experience with theater, how it helped heal her own trauma, and how she now uses it to teach medical students. She gives fascinating insight into many ways theater can be helpful to people. Chase is the Assistant Artistic Director & Assistant Professor of Medical Education at TCU school of medicine.

Lou Godbold is the director of Echo.   Echo provides trauma & resilience training for families, communities, professionals and organizations. There is always more to learn on this subject and Lou continues to graciously share her knowledge with me. When I talk to her I always feel more calm, more empathetic. We talk about how trauma affects the brain. She explains the concept of “power with” as opposed to the “power over”model, and how much more effective we would all be if fear weren’t running the show, which only creates more trauma

Pete Ferriero is the director of the 2021 documentary film, “Her Name is Chef” (Hulu). It was inspired by a first hand experience Ferriero had at a New Jersey female owned restaurant in which the owner was struggling to prove herself to her male counterparts. In the film, Ferriero tackles the topic of gender equality in a male dominated industry through the eyes of some of the most talented women chefs. The film has garnered wonderful press around it being discussed on Good Morning America, People, Bustle, and more. He’s currently Directing a documentary film ‘At This Performance’ which chronicle the life of understudies on Broadway. He’s also currently writing a book ’The Price of Film’ that details the behind the scenes of his first independent film, ’The Price of Fame’ as a guide for new filmmakers.  He hosts the popular ‘Beverly Hills, 90210 Show’ podcast with Original EP and Writers Charles Rosin and Larry Mollin. It was listed #5 on the Today Show’s ‘Best Pop Culture Things of 2020’. Ferriero now resides in the Pasadena area, formally he was from the Meadowlands area in New Jersey.

Tatiana von Furstenberg studied Modern Culture and Media, Comparative Literature and Education at Brown University and did graduate work in Applied Psychology at New York University. In 2016 von Fürstenberg conceived of and collaborated with the organization Black and Pink to create an art exhibit titled On The Inside which spotlights the work of incarcerated LGBTQ artists.  She uses the freedom of language to explore the adventures of her life, and make sense of them. Tatiana was born with an undiagnosed muscle disease, and spent years not understanding why she was out of step with others. Storytelling became Tatiana’s lifeline. The infinite vastness of language became a vehicle through which she could participate in the world. Tatiana von Furstenberg has crafted language and created narratives across many disciplines, most notably screenwriting (Tanner Hall), and writing lyrics for songs (Playdate).

In today's episode I speak with Katya Martin. She is currently starring in her breakout role as ‘Young Lettie’ on ABC’s epic, generation-spanning drama, PROMISED LAND. Her credits include BBC’s ROADKILL with Hugh Laurie, Lifetime's TEN opposite Dylan Arnold, Showtime’s THE AFFAIR with Dominic West and Ruth Wilson, and MY FIRST MIRACLE with Sean Patrick Flannery. Katya grew up between Spain and the United States and is based in New York City. 

Today on ROAR I speak with Max Frieder.  Max is the Co-founder and Executive Director of Artolution. He is an artist and educator from Denver, Colorado who is based out of New York City. He graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design with honors and a degree in Painting with a focus in “Community Based Public Arts” and received his Education Masters in “Community Arts” in Art and Art Education from the Teachers College, Columbia University. He has worked with communities in different contexts across the globe. His work ranges from community building in refugee crisis, hospital workshops, abuse and addiction counseling through art, trauma relief, reconciliation and conflict resolution. Max shares powerful stories with us about the true healing that comes from art.

In today's episode I speak with Pamela Guest. She is an actress has acted opposite Gena Rowlands, Cathy Moriarty, Ed Asner and Mickey Rooney just to name a few. She is also known for her work as a Casting Director, Writer, Director and Producer. She founded and chairs the first, of its kind, SAG AFTRA LA committee for sexual-harassment and serves as an ambassador for the nonprofits: PAVE and VOICES in ACTION. Today she shares her own very personal story with sexual violence.  She is an incredible leader advocating for survivors everywhere and I was honored to speak with her today.

Today on ROAR I speak with Queen Ava and Stephannie about the difference between sex work, and trafficking, and how the law punishes the person that has been trafficked but rarely punishes the pimp that trafficked them. They are advocates for sex workers rights and both work with Swaidvegas.org, a fund created by sex workers for use by sex workers. This is a very real and personal conversation. I am really grateful to these two women for sharing from their personal experiences with us and bringing awareness to what is really going on with sex trafficking in this country. Queen Ava is 29 and lives in Arizona. She currently works as an adult content creator. Ava was trafficked when she was 17 and physically and sexually assaulted numerous times. You can learn more about Ava's story by reading her two books, available at http://queensbooks.net/ Stephannie Tucker, MS LPC, NBCC, is a sex worker rights advocate and trauma informed therapist who has worked with sex workers and trafficking victims, as well as advocated for legal changes on the state level.

Today I speak with Jeremy Norton. He grew up in D.C. where he studied literature, writing, and whatnot at Boston-area colleges; taught literature at former-military evangelical prep schools in Chattanooga, TN, then arrived in Minneapolis, MN in the fall of 1994. He joined the Minneapolis Fire Department in 2000 after becoming interested through an old high school friend (Jennifer Cornell) who became a mentor and inspiration. He is currently a Captain on Engine Company 17 in south Mpls. His interest in literature, human nature, cultural studies and the vagaries of human nature provide lenses through which he examines and strives to contextualize the wide range of people and situations emergency response provides him Jeremy has written a book about the EMS (medical) side of firefighting, to be published in the next year by Univ. Minn. Press. It addresses the gutter end of our health care system, the breakdown of our societal understanding of death and dying, the many forms and consequences of denial, race-class-gender issues in the fire service AND in emergency response, as well as the ongoing damages caused by traditional masculinity--both for emergency responders and for the general public.

Today on ROAR I spoke with Meredith Littas, a former executive who started a new career as a  multi-hyphenate writer, director, producer, and activist. She was born in Chicago and raised in Boston, Massachusetts and studied film at Syracuse University and graduated magna cum laude.  Meredith is active in counter-trafficking activism and working with  industry non for profits -- Women In Motion Pictures, Women In Film, and Film Powered where she connectsindustry executives to help package their projects and gives notes on their scripts. I'm inspired by Meredith's dedication to helping people that have been trafficked in finding their freedom.

Today I'm speaking Emily Galvin-Almanza She is a former public defender who earned the Deborah Rhode Prize for her work in public interest law, while at Stanford Law School, and was praised as one of the top lawyers under 40 by the American Bar Association. In the last year, Emily has spoken and written as an expert in criminal legal reform for outlets across the country. She's the cofounder and executive director of partners for justice. Partners for Justice trains non-attorney Advocates to provide clients with case navigation and wraparound support. In addition, they help public defenders protect people from incarceration and other criminal penalties. She is a true badass, and she makes me believe change regarding the criminal justice system can happen.

In this episode I speak with my talented friend John Roberts,  John is an actor, voice actor, comedian, writer, and singer who voices Linda Belcher on the animated sitcom Bob's Burgers.  We speak about the challenges he faced in the industry and the places he found comfort and support to keep believing in himself.  We discuss sexuality, artistry and the importance of staying true to yourself and your art.  John's words of wisdom inspire me and remind me of the importance of self love and determination.  I hope they do the same for you.    

Tomi-Ann Roberts was Of the first women to come forward About Harvey Weinstein sexually assaulting her in Jodi Kantor's article in  the New York Times October 10, 2017.  She is a professor of psychology and the Chair of the Psychology department at Colorado College. She earned her BA from Smith College and my PhD from Stanford. She considers herself a feminist and a psychological scientist. She teaches and consults on the consequences of the objectification and sexualization of girls and women. She has two amazing daughters and is expecting.  her first grandchild in January! 

Michelle C. Bonilla is a proud Chicana, born and raised in Hollywood, California. She is an actor, writer, director and producer. With more than 150 credits to her name, she is an avid supporter of LGBTQ rights and advocacy. She has used her skills as a writer and producer to create projects such as her short film Slip Away (2011) about substance abuse and its effect on a lesbian Latina relationship. Slip Away (2011) went on to screen at numerous film festivals around the world, including Outfest-The Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Film festival, and won The Q Award at the Fort Worth Gay and Lesbian International Film Festival, and The Bronze Award at the Mexico International Film Festival for best short film. She co-created, produced and wrote the comedy web series Failing Upwards (2012). Today we discuss her new short film I JUST WISH YOU TOLD ME. She wrote this film as a way of helping her heal after the passing of her late partner.

Today I followed up with Sonia Bailey, Executive Administrator of the YWCA of the Harbor Area in San Pedro, California. I spoke to her last on ROAR during the Presidential election where they had set up a program for voter education and racial justice for Black Lives Matter.  We speak today about what changes she has seen in the community with unemployment and homelessness post the election and the pandemic of COVID19. She fills us in on their efforts, the new programs they have and all the ways we can help, get involved and support these heroic efforts.  

Sandra Booker is a singer, songwriter, actress, activist, and playwrite. She is regarded as one of THE best voices in the modern jazz scene. In this episode, we talk about how she was blackballed in her industry after coming forward about the man who raped her.

In this episode, I speak with Amy Franck. She's the founder of Never Alone Advocacy. We discuss why it's so difficult for victims of sexual harassment and rape to come forward in the military and the importance of staying on track and believing victims.

In this episode I speak with Sarah Scott.  Sarah is an actress and an intimacy coordinator.  She spoke out bravely about her own sexual assault which took place in 2018 and called attention to the lack of infrastructure within the entertainment industry in support of sexual assault victims.  This lead her to complete a training program to become an intimacy coordinator on set to provide safe spaces and the dialogue needed to create boundaries and consent.  She is an integral part of assisting the industry in a long overdue transformation.  

Today on Roar I spoke with Producer Gary Foster, he is known for his work on Sleepless In Seattle, Tin Cup, The Score and Short Circuit. He is also the Co-Founder and CEO of Humanity On Set (HoS) and the LEAD Program teaching Producers and Directors leadership skills to combat the abusive behavior that Hollywood has become known for. He shares valuable insight on the industry and the belief and hope that with empowered training, support, tools, techniques and resources the industry can be transformed into a more engaged, productive and responsive (vs reactive) work setting.

This is my “part 2” episode with Sarah Peyton. Sarah is a neuroscience educator, constellations facilitator, certified nonviolent communications trainer, and author. In this conversation we talk about the importance of community and accompaniment as important tools for healing. In talking to Sarah I realize I’m learning a new language. A new way of speaking to myself and others. Please visit Sarah’s website for more information on her impactful work. Sarahpeyton.com