Peace Love Hoptimism

This week, I am joined on Peace Love Hoptimism by international headlining comedian, actor, and author, Wali Collins.   Wali has graced many of the world's greatest comedy stages, hosted Stand-up, Stand-up on Comedy Central and was tapped by comedy legend David Letterman, first as the warm-up comic for the Late Show and later as a featured comic.    Collins has appeared in numerous television shows, movies, and commercials.   He has even worked with presidents Bush and Obama, as well as first-lady Michelle Obama.   Wali's career change from architecture to comedy was inspired by his mother.   She encouraged her son to try, by uttering three simple words -  You Never Know.    Collins took that advice and now has written a book and started a company called Y'Nevano - where he seeks to encourage others to find their happiness, live their dreams, and aspire to live a regretless life - by living the mantra that his mother shared with him. You can find out more about Wali Collins' comedy career at his website: walicollins.comand check out his book, Y'Nevano at Amazon (affiliate) or on his website: ynevano.comHelp support this podcast by Buying us a Cup of CoffeePurchase a Peace Love Hoptimism T-Shirt or Hoodie

This week on Peace Love Hoptimism we are joined by author, Mila Johansen to discuss her book about her grandmother Jesse Haver Butler, From Cowgirl to Congress: Journey of a Suffragist on the Front Lines.In our chat, we talk about Mila's grandmother's incredible journey from meeting Susan B. Anthony as a child in Pueblo, Colorado, to her journey to Washington, DC as a lobbyist for the Woman's Suffrage movement.   Butler's story is unique - and one that we are happy to share during Woman's History Month, and specifically on International Woman's Day on March 8th. Mila Johansen is a professional speaker, writer, published author and teacher.She is the author of twenty-two plays and musicals that circle the globe, along with two teaching manuals, 101 Theatre Games and 50 Scenes to Go. She has written just under ten screenplays and enjoys the process. Mila has one Young Adult historical novel, The Four Thieves,  finished and ready to publish, along with several children’s picture books. She also has three provocative upmarket women’s fiction novels almost completed.Mila also teaches social media, screenwriting, creative writing, public speaking and herbology at a local adult education school. Mila recently completed a book about her famous suffragette grandmother, Jessie Haver Butler, for the 100th anniversary of women winning the right to vote in August, 2020. Mila lives on her organic citrus ranch in Northern California with her husband, four dogs and a cat.  You can find out more about Mila Johansen at her website: MilaJohansen.comCheck out From Cowgirl to Congress: Journey of a Suffragist on the Front Lines (affiliate)Thank you for supporting our podcast - here are a couple of other ways to support our show:Help support this podcast by Buying us a Cup of CoffeePurchase a Peace Love Hoptimism T-Shirt or Hoodie

This week I am honored to be joined by my sister, Krista Westervelt.   Our discussion this week centers on serving a diverse community of older adults  during the Covid-19 pandemic and beyond.   We reflect on a series of current challenges as well as how her organization, and senior and community centers in general,  can use this moment to adapt for the future. Krista  joined the Chatham County Council on Aging (NC) as their Development & Communications Director in late 2019. Krista is passionate about leveraging both traditional and technological frameworks to foster support and connection. She has been instrumental in the Council on Aging’s pivot to the digital space to deliver engaging and interactive distance programming to help seniors and their families maintain a sense of connectedness during the COVID-19 pandemic.Krista also has experience in facilitating and moderating both in-person and virtual peer-led grief support groups, as well as in using circle processes to promote understanding.Thank you for supporting our podcast - here are a couple of other ways to support our show:Make sure to share this episode and subscribe!Help support this podcast by Buying us a Cup of CoffeePurchase a Peace Love Hoptimism T-Shirt or Hoodie

On this episode, I welcome community leader and founder of Music Changing Lives, Josiah Bruny.    In early February, he and I sat down to discuss his personal journey in the music industry at a young age and how he envisioned MCL - and grew it to what it is today.Bruny is a real force for positive change in his community. We discussed at length the work that he and his organization have continued to do, even in the midst of the global pandemic and heightened racial awareness.   From feeding hundreds of thousands to inspired community art projects - MCL expanded its mission during the last year - helping to fill the needs that Josiah saw in his community.   Josiah is a tough person to pin down for a conversation, as he is always on the move, and I hope that you are encouraged and motivated by learning about all that he is doing.Thank you for supporting our podcast - here are a couple of other ways to support our show:Make sure to share this episode and subscribe!Help support this podcast by Buying us a Cup of CoffeePurchase a Peace Love Hoptimism T-Shirt or Hoodie

On this episode, I welcome choral conductor,  educator, and community builder  G. Phillip Shoultz, III to Peace Love Hoptimism.   Dr. Shoultz is currently Associate Conductor and Director of Learning and Engagement with the choral group VocalEssence in Minneapolis, MN.    He is the founding conductor of the VocalEssence Singers Of This Age and continues to engage singers, even during the time of COVID-19 with his Take 5 with GPS daily livestream.Phillip is known for fostering community and inspiring action among people of all ages and abilities and he enjoys a multifaceted career as conductor, educator, singer, and speaker.  He is in demand around the country as a choral clinician, adjudicator, and consultant.Phillip is also actively involved with the Lullaby Project at Carnegie Hall which pairs pregnant women and new mothers and fathers with professional artists to write and sing personal lullabies for their babies, supporting maternal health, aiding childhood development, and strengthening the bond between parent and child.A long-time friend, Phillip and I have a wide-ranging conversation about Take 5 with GPS during the pandemic,  helping foster and educate a community in the wake of the death of George Floyd, and his work with the Lullaby Project.Thank you for supporting our podcast - here are a couple of other ways to support our show:Help support this podcast by Buying us a Cup of CoffeePurchase a Peace Love Hoptimism T-Shirt or Hoodie

On this episode, I welcome singer, director, producer, educator, and now podcaster Dean Anthony to Peace Love Hoptimism.   Dean has had an impressive career spanning over 30 years and innumerable turns as performer, director, educator, and producer.    Frequently engaged as a stage director, Mr. Anthony’s artistic process is hallmarked by an energetic, gritty, and physical style.  Dean is currently the Director of Opera with the Janiec Opera Company at the Brevard Music Center and has served on the Brevard faculty since 2008 - all while maintaining a busy schedule as a freelance director and guest educator with various opera companies and institutions across the United States. In 2021, Dean launched a new podcast, The Recovering Artist Podcast, where he covers a wide range of topic centered on healing and recovery in the performing arts.  Speaking of his new show he says, "I've been on my own journey in recovery that has been truly life changing . I was compelled to create a platform for others in the Performing Arts Community to have a VOICE."Dean and I discuss his path to recovery from alcoholism and how it relates to his career as a director, how he has managed the global pandemic, as well as his thoughts and insights on acting, direction, and young professional artists. You can learn more about Dean Anthony and his ongoing work both in music and on his podcast at:website: https://www.deananthony.net/Thank you for supporting our podcast - here are a couple of other ways to support our show:Help support this podcast by Buying us a Cup of CoffeePurchase a Peace Love Hoptimism T-Shirt or Hoodie

Singer-songwriter Lilli Lewis is the embodiment of peace, love, joy, optimism, and selflessness through her life-practice of "radical decency."   A classically trained musician,  Lilli has now found a home in music that has been called “like listening to  light” by actor and singer Mandy Patinkin.   Her music is an eclectic mix of folk, blues, jazz, gospel, and soul.   Based in New Orleans, Lewis has a band, The Lilli Lewis Project, and serves as  VP and A&R Head at the  Louisiana Red Hot Records record label. Lilli stopped by to take a deep dive into  musical journey as well as her current projects  and her new album My American Heart.   We discuss her work in the last year with the Movement Voter Project,  Folk Alliance International, and writing a song called "Mask Up! Covid Down!" to help encourage the people of New Orleans to wear their masks to help stop the spread of Covid-19.    We also talk about navigating the music industry during a time of heightened conversations around cultural equity, race and social justice coupled with a global pandemic.  You can find Lilli Lewis at:website: http://www.folkrockdiva.comThank you for supporting our podcast - here are a couple of other ways to support our show:Help support this podcast by Buying us a Cup of CoffeePurchase a Peace Love Hoptimism T-Shirt or Hoodie

After a year like 2020 - couldn't we all use a little more optimism in our lives?  Welcome to Peace Love Hoptimism - yes I said "Hoptimism."   What is hoptimism?  To me it is optimism with action.   Join us each week as I interview incredible people and hear inspiring stories of how they used their voice, talent, creativity, and experiences to help solve problems, build community, and shape a better world for everyone - all in the spirit of joy, peace, love and hoptimism.Continue the conversation with us on the Peace Love Hoptimism Facebook page