Shows
TheThinkingAtheistIsrael, Palestine, Liberty, and the Left (with Jasmin Faulk)Jasmin Faulk is an ex-Muslim human rights activist with an insider's perspective on Islam, the war on women, and the often awkward perspectives of the West.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support.
2025-09-3054 min
A Little Bit CultyFrom Veil to Voice: Jasmin Faulk’s Rebellion Against Fundamentalist Islam (Part 2)In Part 2 of our conversation, Jasmin opens up about life after escaping Saudi Arabia—landing in Wyoming, rediscovering autonomy, and slowly unlearning the rules that once governed every part of her existence. She shares how nature, therapy, and motherhood helped her begin to heal, and how writing her memoir The Last Sandstorm gave her the language to process what she’d been through.We also dive into some thorny topics: the culty dynamics within DEI work, what happens when identity politics override lived experience, and how moral absolutism shuts down real dialogue. Jasmin doesn’t shy away from t...
2025-08-071h 05
A Little Bit CultyFrom Veil to Voice: Jasmin Faulk’s Rebellion Against Fundamentalist Islam (Part 1)This week’s guest is Jasmin Faulk, an author and advocate who risked everything to reclaim her freedom. Born to a Saudi father and Italian mother, Jasmin grew up in a country where girls were silenced, veiled, and made invisible.In Part 1 of this two-part conversation, Jasmin takes us inside the dark realities of growing up under fundamentalist Islam in 1980s and 90s Saudi Arabia—from gender segregation and religious policing, to the suffocating control of male guardianship. We unpack the slow burn of her rebellion, including the moment she pulled off her veil in public, and the...
2025-08-0450 min
Yasmine Mohammed PodcastJasmin's Odyssey: Saudi Arabia to Western FreedomJasmin was born to an Arabian father and an Italian mother in Saudi Arabia and raised in fundamentalist Islam. Jasmin started wearing burqa in her tweens. She would get into verbal altercations with the “Mutawaa” (religious police) who monitored everyone and would harass, beat with canes, or take women to jail if they didn’t comply as they are silenced and not seen in any public place. Jasmin experienced segregation in all aspects of her life and did not even own her own ID card as women belong to their guardian male. From a child to adulthood, when Jasmin...
2025-07-081h 21
Cults to Consciousness8 Women from 8 Cults Compare NotesCelebrating 200 episodes with these 7 other incredible women! We explore ways in which women are harmed, silenced and exploited within 8 different cults from their unique perspectives. The stories and wisdom were beautifully shared amongst survivors supporting each other. They also share ways in which they believe women can take back their power in or outside a cult and gain clarity and freedom.
Click here to watch on YouTube
FIND AND SUPPORT OUR GUESTS!
Daniella Mestyanek-Young: previous interviews
IG: @daniellamyoung_
TikTok: search #groupbehaviorgal
Webs...
2025-07-022h 02
Cults to ConsciousnessHer Confining Teenage Life Growing Up in Saudi Arabia ft. Jasmin FaulkAfter an incredible conversation with Jasmin Faulk-Dickerson about her story of escaping Saudi Arabia without legal ramifications, today we are joined with her LIVE to further discuss the difficulties she faced as a teenager growing up as an Italian-Arab in a fundamentalist Islamic family.
Click here to watch on Youtube
Watch our initial interview with Jasmin: https://youtu.be/Qc3mJ9hIuVw
Find and Support Jasmin!
IG: jasmin.faulk https://www.instagram.com/jasmin.faulk?igsh=MTRtbHo2dzVnd3VoMA==
Website: http...
2025-05-081h 04
Negotiators PodcastMONDAY NIGHT LIVE Derek Arden with Karen Young Discuss LinkedIn Marketing Strategies
Welcome to Monday Night Live
Welcome to this week’s exciting episode of Monday Night Live!
Special Guest: Jasmin Faulk 🌟
An Extraordinary Journey of Courage, Culture & Resilience📺 Watch this powerful episode now — and be inspired!
Who Is Jasmin Faulk?
Jasmin Faulk is a woman of extraordinary strength and depth, whose life story reads like a gripping novel — but it’s all true. Born in Saudi Arabia to a Muslim father and an Italian Catholic mother, Jasmin spent the first 25 years of her life navigating the complex world of dual identi...
2025-04-1634 min
The Life ShiftTrust the Journey: Inspirational Insights from Life Shift PodcastIn this recap episode, we explore the powerful responses from guests reflecting on their pivotal life shift moments and what they would tell their past selves. Throughout the discussions, themes of patience, self-belief, and shedding shame resonate deeply, highlighting the emotional journeys we all face. My guests, including Jasmin Faulk-Dickerson and Lewis Crompton, share their insights on being true to oneself and maintaining faith during challenging times. Their heartfelt messages serve as a reminder that, despite the struggles, we will ultimately be okay, and we’re encouraged to trust the journey ahead. Join me as we reflect on these in...
2025-04-0405 min
Read The Damn BookThe Last Sandstorm with Jasmin Faulk-DickersonIn this episode of My Simplified Life, host Michelle Glogovac speaks with Jasmin Falk-Dickerson about her memoir, The Last Sandstorm, which chronicles her unique experiences growing up in Saudi Arabia as a child of a Saudi father and an Italian mother. Jasmin discusses her journey of self-discovery, the challenges of navigating cultural identity, and her advocacy for social understanding. The conversation touches on the importance of women's rights, the impact of media exposure, and the ongoing struggle for equality in a rapidly changing world. Jasmin emphasizes the need for empathy and connection among individuals, regardless of their backgrounds, and...
2024-12-1735 min
Cults to ConsciousnessEscaping SAUDI ARABIA: How She Became FIRST Documented Ex-Muslim Woman to Flee Without RepercussionA product of the first generation of bi-ethnic children in Saudi Arabia, as an Italian-Arab, Jasmin Faulk-Dickerson faced new challenges. She lived a double life. One which was very Western, liberal and open and another which was Eastern, focused on Islamic law and extremely strict. Her heart yearned for a western life, but situation didn’t allow for it. Determined to flee to America with a man she fell in love with, she tricked her father into giving legal permission for her to travel on her own. He didn’t know she would never return.
Find and Support Jasmin!
IG...
2024-11-041h 37
The Life ShiftTwo Cultures, One Authentic Self | Jasmin FaulkIn this episode of "The Life Shift Podcast," Jasmin Faulk shares her extraordinary journey of growing up and finding herself within the contrasting cultures of Saudi Arabia and Italy. Jasmin shares the internal conflicts and societal challenges she faced, her use of imagination as a means of coping, and her ultimate quest for living an authentic life. This episode offers a heartfelt and inspiring narrative about resilience, creativity, and the courage to embrace one's true identity.Navigating Dual CulturesJasmin's upbringing between Saudi Arabia and Italy presented unique challenges and opportunities, shaping her worldview and...
2024-09-101h 11
Let’s Talk Memoir34. Excavating Cultural Identity in Memoir featuring Jasmin Faulk-DickersonJasmin Faulk-Dickerson joins Let’s Talk Memoir for a conversation about growing up in Saudi Arabia under an oppressive regime, what being a woman of color does and doesn’t mean to her, invisible identities, writing about ethnicity, race, and culture, her advocacy work, and how she navigated the socio-political in her memoir The Last Sandstorm.
Also in this episode:
-Recognizing our privilege as we write
-Knowing what to leave out of our manuscripts
-How hyper liberalism has impacted her
Memoirs mentioned in this episode:
B...
2023-03-2137 min
I Want You To MeetThe Last Sandstorm - Radio interviewMy appearance on KPTZ Radio’s show Cats in Our Laps with host Phil Andrus. We discuss my memoir, The Last Sandstorm, which includes a reading and conversation.
2022-08-1527 min
I Want You To MeetCrystal McDonald: The Catholic Church; The Controversy; The AftermathThis season's finale is a follow-up episode of season 3’s finale “Confronting the Culture of Shame”, the most listened to episode of my podcast to date. In this episode, Crystal takes us through the aftermath of that first episode, and what has happened since. We are also joined by a special guest who shares insights from a powerful perspective.
Crystal McDonald grew up in Hawthorne, CA a suburb of Los Angeles. Attending Catholic School in Elementary and Middle School, she converted to the Catholic faith practice when she was 10 years old. Crystal found the support and love in her...
2022-06-051h 22
I Want You To MeetMary Boissel: Teachers Who Change LivesMary Boissel Corcoran is an educator and more! She grew up in Ireland in a liberal family and her college education in Dublin led to a BA in Psychology /English and a BA in French Language, completing her academic goals with a with a Masters in Pastoral Care. Throughout her educational and professional career, Mary received diplomas in Community Development, Marketing, and Setting up Businesses. Mary’s international life led her to live and work in many places, including Austria, Switzerland, France, Germany, Cote D’Ivoire, Gabon, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Russia and Croatia. She returned to Ireland in 1996 and...
2022-04-2059 min
I Want You To MeetKent Olaf: King of Pop Tribute ArtistHailing from Norway, Kent Olaf is one of the top Michael Jackson impersonators around today. He became a fan of Michael Jackson in 1987, practicing the dance moves and mastering the art since 1994. Studying and observing the choreography of the King of Pop, Kent Olaf transformed himself into a top level dancer. In 2005 fans of Michael Jackson got a first glimpse of Kent Olaf when he performed at the 2005 European Jackson Event. Soon after, he became known in the fan community for his perfected dancing skills.
Kent Olaf has performed on national TV, toured Norway with big production tribute...
2022-01-231h 19
I Want You To MeetCade Russo-Young: Making LGBTQ+ HistoryCade Russo-Young is a second generation dyke and native New Yorker. She was born in 1980 to lesbian moms and has a sister born in 1981. Her moms used known donors to conceive. In 1991 her sister’s donor sued her family for paternity and visitation and in 1993 her family became the first lesbians in history to win a court case against a donor. Their family’s story is now the subject of the mini-series documentary “Nuclear Family” by Cade’s sister, filmmaker and producer Ry Russo-Young.
Cade is a graduate of Smith College where she studied Women’s Studies and designed her owned concen...
2021-12-201h 29
I Want You To MeetChenoa Murphy: Black Classical MusiciansChenoa Murphy was born and raised in Memphis, TN. At the age of two, Chenoa attended her first classical music concert given by the Japanese violin students of Dr. Shinichi Suzuki. This sparked her interest in music and she was enrolled in the Suzuki Violin Method a year later.
Demonstrating her love and enthusiasm for music, Chenoa continued to develop her natural ability and trained gift in violin and vocal studies throughout her childhood and teenage years. She attended the Overton High School of Performing Arts, summer music camps such as Aspen Music Festival, Interlochen Summer Arts...
2021-11-121h 20
I Want You To MeetYasser Alghaslan: The Middle East - Yesterday, Today, & TomorrowYasser Al-Ghaslan is a Saudi journalist, and media personality. A graduate of King Saud University, in Riyadh with a major in journalism and media. In 1990, Yasser began his journalistic career as a press correspondent with the RAI (the national public broadcasting company of Italy) covering the second Gulf War. Early in his career, he joined several of the most prominent Saudi and Arab newspapers, including Riyadh Newspaper, where he worked as a reporter in the local news department with many contributions in the departments of culture and social investigations. He later joined the editorial staff of the newspaper’s ec...
2021-10-101h 25
I Want You To MeetCrystal McDonald: Confronting the Culture of Shame*Season Finale*
Crystal McDonald grew up in Hawthorne, CA a suburb of Los Angeles. Attending Catholic School in Elementary and Middle School, she converted to the Catholic faith practice when she was 10 years old. Crystal found the support and love in her Catholic School that she didn’t feel in her childhood home. After moving to Olympia in the Summer of 2000 she met and Married her husband and together are raising three beautiful children. The recent COVID-19 pandemic and civil unrest of our nation has Crystal facing conflict between her personal faith in Jesus and the teachings of...
2021-04-261h 24I Want You To MeetMonica Peabody: Grassroots Justice, Banjo & Soup!Monica Peabody grew up singing in family hootenanies and square dancing at granges in the sandhills of Nebraska. She plays and teaches clawhammer banjo and loves to travel, especially touring with her old time band, Yodelady. She works at the Olympia Food Co-op and loves collectives, food justice and community building. She's on the Board of Directors at POWER (Parents Organizing for Welfare and Economic Rights). She commutes mostly by bicycle.
More information on Monica’s music: Yodelady
More on the Olympia Food Co-op
More about POWER
2021-04-211h 26I Want You To MeetPastor Amy LaCroix: Religion As Social JusticePastor Amy began her ministry at First Christian, Olympia July 1, 2010. Amy moved to Olympia from Indianapolis, In. where she served as an associate at Allisonville Christian Church and First Congregational United Church of Christ. She earned her Master of Divinity degree from Christian Theological Seminary and is currently working on her Doctor of Ministry degree at Claremont School of Theology. Her undergrad work, in theatre, was at Texas Christian University and Indiana University Purdue University in Indianapolis, IN. Prior to accepting her call into ministry she owned a used bookstore, was a massage therapist, and was co‐founder of th...
2021-04-091h 24I Want You To MeetHanneke Cassel: Faith & Play As Super PowersA prolific composer, Hanneke writes music from personal experiences of love and loss as well as to commemorate the joys and sorrows in the lives of loved ones. Hanneke’s latest release, Trip to Walden Pond, features traditional Scottish and Cape Breton tunes and seventeen new pieces composed in the Scottish idiom. While her lively style is very much evident, this new album carries a deep, soulful sound with songs of celebration and farewell. Produced by Finnish musician Antti Järvelä (FRIGG, JPP, Baltic Crossing), the album showcases long-time musical collaborators cellist Mike Block, guitarists Keith Murphy and Christopher Lewi...
2021-03-161h 08I Want You To MeetVicky D'Ascoli: Conquering Genetic Hearing Loss & Living OptimallyVicky was born in Bermuda to Military father. She lived most of her life between California and Colorado. For 9 year she lived in Saudi Arabia working at the King’s hospital. After her time in the desert of Saudi Arabia, she fulfilled a big dream and moved to the desert of Arizona.
Vicky says: “I am what is known as a geriatric Mom, I was 41 years old when I had my one and only child in Saudi Arabia. I have two step children, one in Colorado and one in Maine. Have a granddaughter who is 2 and a granddo...
2021-03-081h 10I Want You To MeetRaymond C. Mobley: The Legacy of Dr. KingBlack History Month series
Raymond returns to the podcast in this live conversation during the Northwest Scottish Fiddlers annual event. We celebrated Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with our special guest Raymond.
Raymond C. Mobley is an artist based in Olympia, WA. He composes, records and produces R&B, hip-hop and jazz music. He is a veteran who has proudly served his country until retirement. As a black American in a bi-racial marriage, Ray talks about how he comes to terms with the challenges in society's racial injustices and how he rises above it thanks t...
2021-03-0155 minI Want You To MeetBriar: Finding the BluesBlack History Month series
Briar is a singer of vintage jazz, blues and original music. By blending a powerful voice with stories about the history and origins of her music, she shines a light on singers and tales that have been forgotten by the country that created them. Raised in the small community of Chimacum, Washington, Briar uses her music to help explore her unique background as a black woman from the rural Pacific Northwest.
Whether belting Bessie Smith numbers or crooning original songs about Sherlock Holmes, her performances are defined by her combination of...
2021-02-221h 14I Want You To MeetAlisa McDuff: Racial Identity & Self AdvocacyBlack History Month series
Alisa McDuff has spent her whole life facing challenges like a champ. Born to black parents, she was raised by her adoptive white father who married her mother when she was a toddler. After losing her mother at a very young age, she was raised by her white father and an entire white family when years later her father remarried and she gained a new mother and adult siblings, all white. These events and people shaped Alisa’s life and helped her become a strong advocate of racial understanding. She has experienced life as...
2021-02-151h 11I Want You To MeetTehran: 1/2 Black + 1/2 Persian = 100% Amazing!Black History Month series:
Tehran Von Ghasri is ½ Black, ½ Persian, and ½ Amazing; these are the ingredients that make Tehran “SoParvaz” one of the most dynamic entertainer newcomers today. Exploding on the SCENE hosting, performing, and throwing events from s Read More old out comedy shows to rock concerts his energy, excitement, and unique sense of humor have made him a formidable comedian/entertainer in his own right.
Hosting highly rated TV and Radio programs, the 25 yr old sharp witted Law student has been compared to a mix of Dave Chappelle and Stephen Colbert meet Maz Jobrani. Tehran has the best of both...
2021-02-031h 11I Want You To MeetMaz Jobrani: Pandemic WarriorMaz Jobrani is a comedian, actor and host of his own podcast, BACK TO SCHOOL WITH MAZ JOBRANI on the All Things Comedy Network. His new standup comedy special PANDEMIC WARRIOR is now available for streaming on PeacockTV.
As an actor, he was most recently seen playing the loveable “Fawz” on the CBS comedy SUPERIOR DONUTS. He has made many appearances on television’s most popular shows including GREY’S ANATOMY, CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM, BETTER OFF TED, LAST MAN STANDING, and SHAMELESS. He has also been a regular guest on THE LATE SHOW WITH STEPHEN COLBERT AND THE LATE...
2021-01-2942 minI Want You To MeetAnnie Barrett: Wisdom for Vibrant Soulful LivingAnnie Barrett is a Bilingual Educator, Certified Integrative Health and Wellbeing Coach, Yoga Health Coach, Ayurvedic Wellness Consultant, Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher and Trainer.
Annie has worked in the field of education since 1995, and in the fields of yoga, and wellness since 1998. She educates and empowers groups and individuals to live more vibrant lives with the tools of holistic wellness, coaching, mindfulness, habit change science and yoga.
As an educator and public speaker, she is skilled at conveying holistic health and wellness information to a variety of diverse populations in a clear and effective manner. Sh...
2021-01-241h 18I Want You To MeetSamira & Ali: We're Not So Different!Samira is a Fresno native that lived in Texas for several when she later moved to the Bay Area with her two bi-racial sons . She graduated Summa Cum Laude with a B.S. in Technical Management. As a hyphenated American (Iranian-Muslim) woman, she is passionate about people and celebrating diversity. She is an award winning Program Manager and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) champion. She is also the co-founder of several DEI initiatives that focus on intersectionality and organizational accountability.
Ali is a Bay Area native having spent most of his time between Richmond and Oakland. Both his...
2021-01-161h 16
We're Not So DifferentEpisode 30 – I Want You To Meet with Jasmin Faulk-DickersonWe talk with Jasmin Faulk-Dickerson the host of the podcast “I Want You To Meet.” We discuss her background being born in Saudi Arabia, her fight for women, her role as a teacher, our failure to recognize the urgency of education, reframing gender roles in parenting and why we all want to be seen, heard, and loved. Jasminfaulkdickerson.com
2021-01-1651 minI Want You To MeetMaría San Miguel & Galen Fraser: Motivated Dynamo Duo Making Things Happen!MARÍA SAN MIGUEL
Beginning the violin at age three, Maria developed a passion for the instrument as well as a true vocation for music. She pursued her studies at the Conservatorio Profesional de Música de Valladolid and finished her music studies in University at the Conservatorio Superior de Música de Castilla y León. Her interest in trying to complete her music education brought her in touch with other music styles, eventually collaborating with the Edu Soto Plan Renove Band, Mariachi Guerrilla and more. Her new-found fascination for other culture´s music and its origi...
2021-01-101h 23I Want You To MeetDean Edwards: Comedy, Impersonations & Social TruthsSeason 2 Finale with Comedy stage and impersonations icon Dean Edwards.
Dean has been in the business for a minute, from Saturday Night Live to Spiderman 3, his versatility is unmatched. If you don’t like laughing, stay away from Dean, not just on stage, but his personality will light up a room.
Stand-up comedian, actor, singer, writer, musician and voice artist. His work as a voice actor includes Scottie Pippen and Spike Lee in Celebrity Deathmatch, a robot in Robotomy, and Donkey in Scared Shrekless after Eddie Murphy was unable to reprise the role (Edwards had im...
2020-12-201h 24I Want You To MeetThe Derivative Duo: Gay & Lesbian Feminist Parody OperaThe Derivative Duo, Barbara Glenn and Susan Nivert, are feminist comedienne opera singers who live in Seattle, Washington, and who have traveled across the United States for over the past twenty years, singing parodies of opera songs that queer, ironize, and feminize the themes and style of "high opera." The Derivative Duo also parody the iconic diva with their costumes which are high camp, both glamorous and a mockery of glamour.
- Walter Eugene Grodzik
Barb and Susan found home in Seattle over 4 decades ago. With background stories that highlight the struggles of gay and lesbian Americans during a time...
2020-12-131h 12I Want You To MeetRohany Lan: From Child Refugee to Adult EntrepreneurRohany was born in 1978 in the midst of the khmer rouge regime in Cambodia to a Muslim family during which many of her extended family members were killed because of their religion. In order to survive, her family had to conceal their identity as they were not allowed to practice their religion in their country. At the peak of the genocide that exploded during that era, Rohany’s mother lost 3 children due to starvation and promoted them to seek refuge.
After her family escaped the brutal genocide in 1979, they fled to a refugee camp in Thailand which ho...
2020-12-061h 18I Want You To MeetI Want You To Think About: Organizational JusticeThe concept of organizational justice is based on the idea of fairness. How an environment that is built on healthy balance, equity and justice can affect employees, and how the lack of such environment can equally and negatively impact the well being and performance of employees.
Today I want to focus on one particular organization that is doing just that.
TOGETHER! is a nonprofit organization founded in 1989 that serves youth and families in the South Sound with a mission to advance the health and well-being of all young people. They offer direct service youth programs, mobilize c...
2020-12-0242 minI Want You To MeetAparna Khanolkar: We Are Responsible For Everything In Our LivesAparna has been a student and practitioner of Ayurveda on various levels for almost 20 years. Trained as an Ayurvedic Lifestyle Counselor through the American Institute of Vedic Studies, she is also a student of New World Ayurveda as a Consciousness Mentor. Aparna has studied Ayurvedic Cosmetology with Vyoma Ayurveda in India. She is a mother to two beautiful children, an Ayurvedic postpartum doula and author.
From Aparna’s website: A former chef of the Chopra Center for Well-Being, in San Diego, I have been a Vedic Chef for nearly 20 years and have author of three cookbooks. I ha...
2020-11-281h 15I Want You To MeetElliot Edmunds: The Duty and Dilemma of a Black Police OfficerElliot Edmunds is police officer serving in patrol at the Evergreen State College Police Department. A true life-long learner, Elliot earned his B.A. in Art History at John Carroll University in Ohio, M.B.A. at City University of Seattle, and is currently finishing up a Criminal Justice associates degree online. Elliot’s education is also made up of his time in the Army where he deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan.
Born in New Jersey to parents who lived through the civil rights movement in the south, Elliot spent much of his childhood traveling around the Uni...
2020-11-221h 11I Want You To MeetAlasdair Fraser: A Legacy Fueled By QuestioningAlasdair Fraser is one of the greatest carriers of the Scottish fiddle music tradition, a fiddler whose warmly expressive playing, mastery of his instrument and deep understanding of his native music as a venerable and continually evolving art is an inspiration to generations of musicians on both sides of the Atlantic.
Alasdair was born in Clackmannan on May 14, 1955 and began taking classical violin lessons at the age of eight, enduring much teasing and leg-pulling from fellow school pupils at a time when carrying a fiddle case around was considered far from cool. Undeterred, he persevered and found...
2020-11-151h 26I Want You To MeetRepresentative Beth Doglio: The Stakes Are Too HighBeth Doglio is a State Representative, community organizer, climate leader, mother of two, and candidate for the House of Representatives in Washington’s 10th District.
Throughout her career, Beth has worked for a thriving, sustainable, just and compassionate future for all. In Congress, she will be a champion for working families, seniors, veterans, and our environment – bringing years of advocacy and leadership to a political system in need of new and energetic collaborative approach.
Serving in the Legislature since 2017, Beth is one of Washington’s foremost leaders on the environment, housing, gun safety, and issues facing...
2020-10-281h 06I Want You To MeetTabay Atkins & Sahel Anvarinejad: When Dharma CallsTabay Atkins is the youngest certified yoga teacher in America, and a vegan chef. His Mom Sahel Anvarinejad is a cancer survivor. yoga teacher and vegan chef.
Tabay got his 200 hour Vinyasa certificate at the age of 10 and became a 500 hour certified vinyasa teacher at the age of 14. He is now 15 years old and has 9 specialty yoga certificates. Tabay has joined his mom, Sahel, on her long list of specialized yoga teacher trainings from all over the world.
Tabay’s journey with yoga started when his mom Sahel was just 2 weeks cancer free and he was 6 years old. During that tim...
2020-10-251h 40I Want You To MeetEvie Ladin: Hailing The Strength Of Our Own ResilienceBanjo player, singer, songwriter, percussive-dancer, choreographer and square-dance caller, Evie has always been surrounded by music – credit to her upbringing as daughter of an international folk dance teacher, and an old-time folk music devotee, she grew up thinking that playing music, dancing, singing with others was what people do. Though entrenched in the traditional cultural arts of Appalachia, her home was in New York City, Baltimore, now Oakland – in cities, not mountains. But tradition bearers came through and played in her living room, with weekends spent at music festivals and house parties. Evie’s performances, recordings and teaching reconnect Appalachian music/da...
2020-10-171h 11I Want You To MeetI Want You To Think About: EquityAre you passionate about social justice? Have you thought about the difference between equality and equity? I believe equality can exist without equity, while equity cannot exist without equality. So many demographics in our society are affected by the inequities that continue to hinder their health and progress. Why is this an important conversation? Because it allows us to see the quality of other people’s lives and experiences . I am joined by sociology professor Kate Ayers to discuss how we can understand the value of equity and its pressing need in society.
In this episode I recommend th...
2020-10-1535 minI Want You To MeetKyle Pittman: Native American Identity, Not A Monolithic VoiceKyle Pittman is a Nez Perce and Yakama descendent and was raised on the Puyallup Indian Reservation in Tacoma, Washington. Kyle is a former student of Northwest Indian College and a graduate from The Evergreen State College’s Native Pathways Program where he earned a BA in Native American & Indigenous Studies. He focuses his studies on American Indian histories and cultures, federal Indian policy, and Indigenous research methodologies while continuing to be an active participant in Native communities.
Kyle offers insightful and educational methods to help gain a deeper respect and understanding of the past and present ex...
2020-10-101h 32I Want You To MeetCayley Schmid: Let Your Interests Be Your FoundationCayley Miranda Schmid is a teacher, performer, and event organizer who has been based in Bellingham, WA for twenty-five years. She runs the Bellingham Folk Festival and Bellingham Irish Festival, teaches individual and group lessons for fiddle players of all ages, and performs with bands, Polecat and Giant’s Causeway.
Cayley has accomplished many impressive projects and has achieved this by following a simple formula: putting her interest at the center of her curiosity and building upon that "interest foundation" a remarkable outcome that, not only serves her personal and professional growth, but serves the artistic evolution of...
2020-10-051h 18I Want You To MeetJoe Seamons: Racial Justice Activism Through EducationThis is Joe’s second conversation on the podcast. In this episode he dives deeply into the role of white Americans in the ongoing fight for racial justice, as well as the need to create safe and uncomfortable spaces to have important conversations about the inequities that have perpetuated systemic racism in the country.
Joe Seamons is a musician and educator based in the Pacific Northwest and dedicated to helping people connect with their heritage through music and storytelling. As director of The Rhapsody Project, he works with youth in Seattle to explore the influence of regional and...
2020-09-271h 18
I Want You To MeetNatalie Haas: Perseverance & Passion = SuccessSeason One Finale.
Natalie is one of the most sought after cellists playing traditional music today. She and Scottish fiddler Alasdair Fraser have toured as a duo for twenty years, wowing audiences at festivals and concerts worldwide with their unique sound. Their first album together, Fire & Grace, was awarded Best Album of the Year in the Scots Trad Music Awards 2004. Natalie has also toured with Mark O'Connor as a member of his Appalachia Waltz Trio. She and O'Connor premiered his double concerto for violin and cello, ¨For The Heroes¨, with the Grand Rapids, East Texas, and San Di...
2020-09-111h 03I Want You To MeetI Want You To Think about: OtheringHave you ever been othered? Have you othered someone? Are you familiar with the affects of othering in society? Depending on which side of the othering verb you stand, you may or may not be affected by this dangerous and harmful practice that is common all around the world. Change begins with a thought and today I Want You To Think about: Othering.
2020-09-0730 minI Want You To MeetAdam Johansson: The Law of Jante - You Are Nothing & The Collective Is EverythingAdam is a guitar player from Northern Sweden who practically grew up on stage. His dad rocking the piano with one hand and Adam’s stroller with the other. A few years later, trying to fall asleep behind a guitar amp, Adam got the idea to start playing himself. His roots are in jazz and blues, but he instantly fell in love with traditional/folk-music at the first encounter, at the age of 13. Since then he has been studying and playing folk-music and traveling all over the world. Adam’s musical expression is characterized by clarity, playfulness and a stro...
2020-09-0455 minI Want You To MeetLouise Bichan: Family Landscape Across Continents & Art FormsLouise is an artist and musician who grew up in Orkney, a group of islands in the north of Scotland. She graduated from the Glasgow School of Art in 2011 with an honours degree in Visual Communications, specialising in photography.
Growing up on a farm, she has always been inspired and influenced by the landscape and nature around her and feels privileged to be able to use her creativity and love for art and music to make her living. Louise shoots mainly on 35mm film using an Olympus OM2 once belonging to her father. She uses natural light to...
2020-08-281h 03I Want You To MeetEnda Scahill: Self Care - The Key To Personal & Artistic SuccessEnda has guested with The Chieftains, recorded with Grammy winner Ricky Skaggs, toured with Frankie Gavin and Stockton's Wing, was an original member for 10 years of Instrumental Band of the Decade The Brock McGuire Band and now leads his new award winning group We Banjo 3 Galway born banjo player Enda Scahill is one of the most critically acclaimed banjoists in Ireland today.
Enda has long established himself as one of the finest exponents of traditional Irish banjo playing and is widely recognised for his technical prowess and banjo teaching abilities. In 2008 Enda published his Irish Tenor Banjo Tutor.
2020-08-211h 12I Want You To MeetLaura Cortese: “Accidental Girl Power” The Art Of AuthenticityLaura Cortese is the bandleader and primary songwriter for Laura Cortese & The Dance Cards, a group of four musicians expanding the boundaries of what an indie-folk band can be. Laura Cortese & the Dance Cards take their extensive string music background, add their knowledge of folk and roots music, and incorporate an edgy pop sensibility to create their latest album, BITTER BETTER. A stunning lesson in all the ways string instruments can be played – bowed, plucked, percussively – the album showcases Cortese and multi-instrumentalist producer Sam Kassirer (Lula Wiles, Lake Street Dive) striving to capture the most adventurous approach to each moment. The...
2020-08-141h 08I Want You To MeetRushad Eggleston: Be An Imp & Make The Impossible PossibleRushad Eggleston (“Rushadicus”) is a revolutionary cellist, composer, poet-philosopher, and entertainer whose unforgettable performances captivate and inspire all generations and types. With an intimate knowledge of classical music, jazz, and bluegrass under his fingers, coupled with an infamously infectious sense of rhythm, Rushad is a whole futuristic wonder-band expressed through just one person. Using his cello (and occasionally a guitar) as the steering wheel, Rushadicus will take you on a rocket-fueled melodic journey through space and time, and from the ridiculous to the sublime. Hopping nimbly around the stage with his cello strapped to his body while passionately singing song...
2020-08-081h 02I Want You To MeetMoira Smiley: Personal Empowerment Through Voice & MovementSinger, composer, and song-collector Moira Smiley has sung in arenas, cathedrals, kitchens, back porches, sound stages, and on glaciers. She’s performed with the likes of Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Tune-Yards, Tim O’Brien, Eric Whitacre, Los Angeles Master Chorale, New World Symphony, Solas, and The Lyris String Quartet. Moira’s original compositions, choral arrangements, and folk music are being sung by millions of voices around the world today. Original sheet music for more than 170 pieces are available through this website, and Moira’s sheet music library.
Moira uses voice and body movement to create collective connections as well as inter...
2020-07-311h 03I Want You To MeetRaymond C Mobley: Let Me Breathe Like You BreatheRaymond C. Mobley is an artist based in Olympia, WA. He composes, records and produces R&B, hip-hop and jazz music. He is a veteran who has proudly served his country until retirement. As a black American in a bi-racial marriage, Ray talks about how he comes to terms with the challenges in society's racial injustices and how he rises above it thanks to his upbringing and color-free view on life. Ray released his debut album "Breathe" on July 17th with Green Monkey Records.
In Raymond's words: "This album is a reflection of my life. I wrote, performed, r...
2020-07-241h 10I Want You To MeetMegan Reilly Koepsell: Listening To The Voices Of Our AncestorsMegan Reilly Koepsell was born and raised in Madison, Wisconsin and lives in Highlands Ranch, Colorado. She has had a life-long interest in family history and has been spending nearly every available waking moment doing genealogy for over ten years. Her ancestors began reaching out to her to find them in her genealogical searches shortly after she began getting involved in genealogy. She has served as president, vice president/program chair, and member interests chair for genealogical groups in Highlands Ranch and Denver. Megan is a frequent presenter on genealogy topics in the Denver Metro area.
By profession, Megan is...
2020-07-181h 02I Want You To MeetKate Ayers: LGBTQIA+ Then & NowKate Ayers is a professor of applied sociology specializing in social justice, with a focus on deviance and group dynamics; lending her expertise to various organizations including women’s prisons, juvenile detentions and restitution services. She has worked in the theater industry as an actor, writer, director, and sound designer for over three decades and is also the director of music at the First Christian Church in Olympia, WA.
Kate grew up in a conservative home in Indiana where as a young gay woman she came of age during the AIDS epidemic and the fight for equality.
2020-07-1158 minI Want You To MeetJoe Seamons: American Music Roots & Social JusticeJoe Seamons is a musician and educator based in the Pacific Northwest and dedicated to helping people connect with their heritage through music and storytelling. As director of The Rhapsody Project, he works with youth in Seattle to explore the influence of regional and personal history through the lens of American blues and folk songs. He serves as board chair of the Maxville Heritage Interpretive Center.
Joe's work to interpret, document, and reflect upon the ethos of Northwest folk songs and stories--post-colonization--continues regularly on his blog.
Read more about Joe: https://www.joebanjo.net/
Projects, including The Rhapsody Project: https://www...
2020-07-051h 12I Want You To MeetWelcome! Intro EpisodeIn this episode Jasmin introduces the idea and intention of this podcast, and addresses the need to view the Covid-19 pandemic as well as the global social unrest as an opportunity to create positive and needed change in the world, right now.
Jasmin is a writer, speaker, podcaster and blogger.
She is an identity advocate and draws motivation from her personal story to promote social justice.
Jasmin lives in Washington State. She was born in the Middle East to an Italian mother and Arabian father. She immigrated to the United States in 1999 and pursued...
2020-07-0517 min