Interview with Nate Looney

This week's episode of T.H.E. Celebration is nothing short of amazing as I interview my friend, veteran farmer and entrepreneur, the brilliant Nate Looney. 

We explore topics such as urban farming and aquaponics, and what these have meant for his lfie journey and career. We also explore questions like, where do you get your food from? and What does it mean to have a food dessert when you have urban farming? 

Additionally, Nate discussed his military life and the entrepreneurial roles that led him to founding his business.  We also talk about how we met and so much more! 

Our conversation was very informative and we had a lot of fun! Be sure and check it out below:

LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEW AS A PODCAST.

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Summer Songs-Playlist

The other week I took to Facebook to see what tunes ya'll were grooving to this Summer! Here's a list of all the songs compiled to help us all chill out and have fun on the hot Summer days. Hope you enjoy!

!

Summer Songs- Playlist (In no particular order:)

1. Ray J - Let It Go

2. Emily King - Ride With Me

3. Now, Now - SGL

4. French Montana - Unforgettable ft. Swae Lee

5. Lorde - Green Light

6. Puff Daddy & The Family - You Could Be My Lover ft. Ty Dolla $ign, Gizzle

7. Coldplay - Hymn For The Weekend

8. Midnight Oil - Ships of freedom

9. Khalid - Location

10. Big Boi - Kill Jill ft. Killer Mike, Jeezy

11. Wretch 32 - Forgiveness

12. Marlene Dietrich - Dejeuner du Matin

13. Mark Ronson - Uptown Funk ft. Bruno Mars

14. Roy Orbison - Crying

15. Despacito - Luis Fonsi (ft. Daddy Yankee)

16. Kendrick Lamar-H.u.m.b.l.e

17.  Oceancrest - Body Sings Electric

18. Alice In Chains - Rooster

19. RacerX - Godzilla

20. Jill Scott - The Way

21. Nikita - Mashina

22. Katy Perry - Chained to the Rhythm

23. Anderson.Paak. - Come Down

Let's Find Time To Reflect (And Create Powerful Goals)

Did you start the year off with some awesome goals? How are they coming along?

On this week's episode, we acknowledge month 7 of 2017 by checking in on how are we doing. We reflect on how we are manifesting our goals, our dreams, and the visions that we created for ourselves at the beginning of the year.

If you still haven't created your goals and visions for this year, let's take some intentional time to do so. If you're feeling overwhelmed or that there just isn't enough time for it, have no fear because we can do it together on this episode!

Tune in and let's start manifesting!

LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE AS A PODCAST.

ALSO LISTEN ON ITUNES.

A Conversation On Bullying

On this episode of T.H.E. Celebration, we are having a conversation about a very real topic, bullying. We've all seen it. It can appear present-day on our social media timelines or in everyday spaces such as school or even at work.  

Let's dive deeper.

Our conversation will touch on how to be allies or people who use our leadership skills to interrupt or challenge bullying. And ultimately transform it from bullying to being an environment free from discrimination. We explore different roles of bullying such as the: victim, perpetrator, bystander, ally or upstander -- which are all a part  of "The Bully Box". 

I also identify great resources and give tools for us all to strengthen our personal responsibility as well as have the conversation with students, our peers, or our co-workers. 

Check out this very informative episode!
 

LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE AS A PODCAST.

ALSO LISTEN ON ITUNES.

Live and Online: Expression Session - July Edition (Featuring Asha!)

Live and Online: Expression Session is a monthly writing workshop which culminates in a featured performance by an internationally recognized artist.

On this week's episode of T.H.E. Celebration, I had the privilege of exchanging beautiful expression with the amazing poet, activist, and educator, Asha.

We really got into the art of how to be yourself. Things such as how to speak your truth and how to have self-love are just a few talking points. I really appreciate the vulnerability and authenticity that lies within this episode. Asha also really blessed us with some of her poetic art.

For so much more, check out our dynamic interview below:

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9 On My Mind - Playlist

Music can be so inspiring. It can change your mood, get you pumped up or mellow you out at the end of a long day!  I wanted to share 9 songs that have been on my mind these past few weeks. Enjoy! 

Playlist - 9 On My Mind (In no particular order)

  1. Apocalyptica - Nothing Else Matters

  2. Believer - Imagine Dragons

  3. Yellow light - Pharrell Williams

  4. Drew Barrymore - SZA

  5. Grant Green - Mr Jukes, Charles Bradley

  6. Your Song - Rita Ora

  7. Genuflect - Louise Chantál

  8. Teenage fantasy - Jorja smith

  9. Hot damn Jessica hernandez

You can listen to this playlist either on Spotify or YouTube. 

An Interview with Dermot Givens

This week I sat down with with social justice activist and lawyer, Dermot Givens. We dug deep on current topics, his life journey, and shared a phenomenal dialogue about issues that are prevalent in society today.

Dermot has been an activist his whole life and is also a member of the Black Lives Matter Justice League. He is the first and only lawyer in CA to win a criminal case defending a Black Lives Matter activist. 

Here are some of my favorite questions Dermot answered during his in-depth interview: 

1. Is it possible to have a fair trail? 
2. What is the Black Lives Matter Justice League?
3. What is a person's reaction, when they are serving a life sentence, and they first hear they have been given parole? (Dermot helps people with life sentences receive parole).
4.  What legal advice do you have for activists? 
5.  Do you have any legal advice for entrepreneurs who are getting started? 
6.  What is a plea bargain and what is its relationship to the prison industrial complex? 

LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEW AS A PODCAST.

ALSO LISTEN ON ITUNES.

We Celebrate! 5 Things To Celebrate

It's celebration time! On one of our previous episodes this month, we talked about 5 ways to fast in honor of Ramadan. If you missed that episode, check it out here.

To commemorate our completion of fasting, let's celebrate! Here are 5 things I suggest you celebrate:

1. Your Accomplishments. You'd be surprised how many of our accomplishments we have forgotten, downplayed, or breezed by.  Take the time to celebrate your personal #Wins and they will become fuel for your journey. 

2. Your Affirmations. I keep a journal of affirmations people have shared with me.  When I need a reminder of who I am and why I'm here, I read through my affirmation journal.  Let us resist minimizing the moments we are affirmed and instead, celebrate them!

3.  Your Gratitudes. Gratitudes are a game changer!  Celebrate that which you are grateful for and you will take control of your mindset, perspective, and emotions.  Plus, its fun! 

4.  Your Failures. What?! Yup, that's right! In every moment we are deciding, "what does this mean?"  By celebrating your failures, you define it, rather than it defining you.  Instead of, "it's over and I suck." Failure can mean: "I am innovative, I am pushing past all limitations, and I am bold!"  Celebrate it!

5.  What Brings You Joy. Celebrate what brings you joy!  Is it re-reading the Harry Potter series? Snuggling on the couch and watching your favorite show?  Sleeping in?  Cooking?  Creating art? Cleaning the house?  Meeting up with friends? Calling your mom? Whatever it is, find time this month to CELEBRATE IT!  Indulge in what brings you joy without guilt.  This is what balance looks like! 

I had a blast recording this episode!  Start the celebration!

You can also listen to this EPISODE AS A PODCAST BELOW OR ON ITUNES.

Bonus Episode - Live and Online: Expression Session Replay

This week is a bonus episode!  As a celebration of this extra Friday in June, I'm sharing a replay of last week's Live and Online: Expression Session. 

For those who haven't been able to attend, now is your chance!  

This week's Expression Session Replay Includes:

1. An interactive writing workshop. 
2. Experience the group poem that was created. 
3. Listen to the free write everyone created.

All replays of the Live and Online: Expression Session are available to Art Makes Impact Members. 

Not a member yet?  Learn more here

This episode is also available as a podcast. Listen below or on iTunes.

Live and Online: Expression Session - June Edition (Featuring Nia Malika Dixon!)

Live and Online: Expression Session is a monthly writing workshop which culminates in a featured performance by an internationally recognized artist. For this month, we're happy to present the Writer - Producer - Director: Nia Malika Dixon! 

Nia and I had a great time recording her interview for T.H.E. Celebration.  We got deep during this one, covering conversations on love, vulnerability, fear, getting out of the box, and the impact of storytelling. 

Here's some of my favorite questions that Nia brilliantly responded to: 

1. What is your definition of love?
2. What is a story that has impacted your life? 
3. What is resiliency and what is healing? 
4. Can you expand upon what you mean by, "I'm a 21st century century griot trying to get the narrative of the Black Muslim Women out there."
5. What have been some landmarks and crossroads on your journey to?

Plus, Nia reads poetry from her soon to be released book, A Notebook for Heartbreak.  Yes! 

Experience some love and expression, join us this Sunday and check out Nia's interview. 

OR LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEW AS A PODCAST BELOW OR ON ITUNES.