Shows
Reliable Sources (Episode 177)Co-hosts Robin Renée and Wendy Sheridan get ready for The Leftscape‘s summer hiatus and share some of their plans for the season. Wendy makes a big announcement about being chosen to create an outdoor fiber arts display for the Rahway Train Station. Robin’s season will be a bit more relaxed; they’ll perform a couple of shows and go to quite a few more, attend a retreat and plan another for the fall, and catch some time in the sun.
Wendy initiates this episode’s featured conversation with her July 4th tarot reading. It may or...2025-07-0957 minThe LeftscapeReliable Sources (Episode 177)Co-hosts Robin Renée and Wendy Sheridan get ready for The Leftscape‘s summer hiatus and share some of their plans for the season. Wendy makes a big announcement about being chosen to create an outdoor fiber arts display for the Rahway Train Station. Robin’s season will be a bit more relaxed; they’ll perform a couple of shows and go to quite a few more, attend a retreat and plan another for the fall, and catch some time in the sun.
Wendy initiates this episode’s featured conversation with her July 4th tarot reading. It may or...2025-07-0957 minRedefining “Patriot” (Episode 176)
Isabella Braveheart photo by Dauss Miller
Isabella Braveheart is an evolutionary performance artist and activist, speaker, playwright, director and producer who transmutes the pains of humanity into the voice of truth through bold multimedia transmissions and heart-centered, experiential events in service of bringing our global family back to wholeness and love. She has been called a Deep Water Heart Surgeon and an Urban Priestess and she calls herself a heart-trepreneur. Don’t miss her spoken word performance of “Patriot” and her thoughts on how we might reclaim this fraught term while prioritizing personal, then societal healing.
To s...2025-06-2748 minThe LeftscapeRedefining “Patriot” (Episode 176)
Isabella Braveheart photo by Dauss Miller
Isabella Braveheart is an evolutionary performance artist and activist, speaker, playwright, director and producer who transmutes the pains of humanity into the voice of truth through bold multimedia transmissions and heart-centered, experiential events in service of bringing our global family back to wholeness and love. She has been called a Deep Water Heart Surgeon and an Urban Priestess and she calls herself a heart-trepreneur. Don’t miss her spoken word performance of “Patriot” and her thoughts on how we might reclaim this fraught term while prioritizing personal, then societal healing.
To s...2025-06-2748 minMen of Stone (Episode 175)Co-hosts Robin Renée and Wendy Sheridan head back to the Blanket Fort this time to regroup, check in, and hide out. But there’s not much actual hiding to be had from the firehose of news and unrest. They catch up on the intentional ways they each are staying sane through the mayhem — painting, gardening, exercising, immersing in fiction, and curating the news for personal consumption among them. ICE raids, the National Guard, and the chaos stoked in Los Angeles can’t be ignored, nor can thinking about ways to protest in the streets and elsewhere, wishing for the lea...2025-06-1259 minThe LeftscapeMen of Stone (Episode 175)Co-hosts Robin Renée and Wendy Sheridan head back to the Blanket Fort this time to regroup, check in, and hide out. But there’s not much actual hiding to be had from the firehose of news and unrest. They catch up on the intentional ways they each are staying sane through the mayhem — painting, gardening, exercising, immersing in fiction, and curating the news for personal consumption among them. ICE raids, the National Guard, and the chaos stoked in Los Angeles can’t be ignored, nor can thinking about ways to protest in the streets and elsewhere, wishing for the lea...2025-06-1259 minWho Told You That You Were Naked? (Episode 173)
Rev. Dr. Beverly Dale, also known as “Rev. Bev,” is a sociologist-turned-pastor who has made a career of teaching a pleasure-centered, justice-focused, and sex-positive Christianity as an ecumenical campus minister at the University of Pennsylvania, as faculty at Lancaster Theological Seminary, and as a local pastor. Her latest book is Who Told You That You Were Naked? Meditations on the Sexual Body from PIlgrim Press. It is a book to help people heal from the problematic teachings about sexuality from the Church by offering tools to help people feel comfortable about their body and pleasure.
Befo...2025-05-151h 15The LeftscapeWho Told You That You Were Naked? (Episode 173)
Rev. Dr. Beverly Dale, also known as “Rev. Bev,” is a sociologist-turned-pastor who has made a career of teaching a pleasure-centered, justice-focused, and sex-positive Christianity as an ecumenical campus minister at the University of Pennsylvania, as faculty at Lancaster Theological Seminary, and as a local pastor. Her latest book is Who Told You That You Were Naked? Meditations on the Sexual Body from PIlgrim Press. It is a book to help people heal from the problematic teachings about sexuality from the Church by offering tools to help people feel comfortable about their body and pleasure.
Befo...2025-05-151h 15The LeftscapeShouldn’t We Be Doing Something? (Episode 172) Anji Marth has been a professional tattoo artist and painter since 1999. Her published books include Tar and Gravel, Knuckle Sandwich, the Resonant Eye series, The Horrors Coloring Book for Adults, and the Paintings From Quarantine series, painted during the pandemic. She also works in taxidermy as assemblage art as well as illustration. A longtime activist, Anji grew up in coal country, Pennsylvania and has lived in the Pacific Inland Northwest for almost 30 years. In this featured conversation, she discusses her recent experiences in activism in Spokane, WA and what inspired her to create and distribute a new zine aimed a...2025-05-011h 04Shouldn’t We Be Doing Something? (Episode 172) Anji Marth has been a professional tattoo artist and painter since 1999. Her published books include Tar and Gravel, Knuckle Sandwich, the Resonant Eye series, The Horrors Coloring Book for Adults, and the Paintings From Quarantine series, painted during the pandemic. She also works in taxidermy as assemblage art as well as illustration. A longtime activist, Anji grew up in coal country, Pennsylvania and has lived in the Pacific Inland Northwest for almost 30 years. In this featured conversation, she discusses her recent experiences in activism in Spokane, WA and what inspired her to create and distribute a new zine aimed a...2025-05-011h 04Prelude (Episode 169)
The Leftscape is back after an extended holiday hiatus. Co-hosts Robin Renée and Wendy Sheridan have a casual chat and reveal a new direction for the show. Moving forward, expect less news that imitates doom-scrolling and more reporting on ways we as progressives can come together to make an impact and to nurture communities. Expect thoughtful conversations and a couple of new segments to go with old favorites.
Wendy introduces and reads the chapter titles of On Tyrrany by Timothy Snyder, which will be explored more deeply in upcoming episodes. As this minisode is p...2025-01-2019 minThe LeftscapePrelude (Episode 169)
The Leftscape is back after an extended holiday hiatus. Co-hosts Robin Renée and Wendy Sheridan have a casual chat and reveal a new direction for the show. Moving forward, expect less news that imitates doom-scrolling and more reporting on ways we as progressives can come together to make an impact and to nurture communities. Expect thoughtful conversations and a couple of new segments to go with old favorites.
Wendy introduces and reads the chapter titles of On Tyrrany by Timothy Snyder, which will be explored more deeply in upcoming episodes. As this minisode is p...2025-01-2019 minFour-Year Blanket Fort (Episode 168)Painting by Wendy Sheridan
Robin Renée and Wendy Sheridan speak for the first time after the U.S. presidential election. Together they process the loss by Kamala Harris and Tim Walz to Donald Trump and JD Vance. Between surmising why a majority of Americans voted for the Republican ticket and worrying what changes the next four years may bring, they begin to work through the deep sadness and disappointment, anger, frustration, and fear of encroacing fascism. With many more questions than answers, Wendy and Robin take the first small steps toward sorting out how to cope, how to p...2024-11-1553 minThe LeftscapeFour-Year Blanket Fort (Episode 168)Painting by Wendy Sheridan
Robin Renée and Wendy Sheridan speak for the first time after the U.S. presidential election. Together they process the loss by Kamala Harris and Tim Walz to Donald Trump and JD Vance. Between surmising why a majority of Americans voted for the Republican ticket and worrying what changes the next four years may bring, they begin to work through the deep sadness and disappointment, anger, frustration, and fear of encroacing fascism. With many more questions than answers, Wendy and Robin take the first small steps toward sorting out how to cope, how to p...2024-11-1553 minStart With the Workers (Episode 167)
Lemalé Torres has a calling in educating union members on how they can be empower themselves to take charge. She is passionate about understanding the political landscape as an advocate of social justice. Another role in her life deeply affects how much she cares about the issues — motherhood. She met co-host Wendy Sheridan at an event sponsored by Indivisible. They sat down to talk about Torres’ knowledge of Project 2025 and its plans for labor laws from a union perspective as well as what it has to say about education, families, and more. Lemalé Torres says, “The work starts w...2024-10-311h 28The LeftscapeStart With the Workers (Episode 167)Lemalé Torres has a calling in educating union members on how they can be empower themselves to take charge. She is passionate about understanding the political landscape as an advocate of social justice. Another role in her life deeply affects how much she cares about the issues -- motherhood. She met co-host Wendy Sheridan at an event sponsored by Indivisible. They sat down to talk about Torres' knowledge of Project 2025 and its plans for labor laws from a union perspective as well as what it has to say about education, families, and more. Lemalé Torres says, "The work starts with co...2024-10-311h 28The LeftscapeStart Local, Get Vocal, GOTV! (Episode 165)Lisa Vandever is an organizer and activist with over 30 years of experience in media, communications, arts and events. A lifelong Democrat, she is a co-leader of the progressive group, Indivisible Rahway, and an active member of Fair Ballot Alliance NJ and OneNJ7. An enthusiastic Garden Stater by way of Oregon, Chicago and Brooklyn, she has been happily settled in Rahway, NJ for two decades with husband, Alan, and two ginger tabbies, Clive and Radley. Everyone who is interested in the 2024 U.S. election, getting involved in local politics, and activism will learn a lot from this discussion that begins focused...2024-10-021h 15The LeftscapeBreaking Down Project 2025 (Episode 161)Co-hosts Robin Renée and Wendy Sheridan discuss the enormous and detailed Project 2025, a collection of policy proposals created by The Heritage Foundation to reshape the United States government in the image of current-day far right conservativism. It seeks to mandate conservative Christian values, dismantle many social programs and government departments, and to provide ready-made policy positions and personnel for the next Republican president. This description barely begins to do justice to the sweeping, detrimental changes this tome proposes. Wendy and Robin begin to look at its elements broadly and anticipate future conversations about Project 2025 along with discovering and taking p...2024-06-211h 21The LeftscapeSaving the Planet With Joy (Episode 160)Ray Katz is a web developer—one of Philadelphia's first. He has many hobbies including collecting artifacts related to the history of space flight and animation. His passion and most pressing endeavor, however, is to find effective ways of dealing with climate change. To that end, he has created a new and unique movement, The Saners. He is also the host of the 5 Minutes to Save the Earth podcast. Don't miss his inspired thoughts on how a grassroots environmental movement can learn from past and present brilliance, use a decent dose of humor, and stand up to the status quo wi...2024-06-071h 14The LeftscapeEnough (Episode 159)When Abby Driscoll, a senior at Fort Defiance High School in Verona, VA had a piece placed in a school art show, she likely didn't expect the drama that ensued. Listener Tony Rogers of Fairfax, VA sent the story to The Leftscape via X/Twitter to spark conversation between co-hosts Robin Renée and Wendy Sheridan. This featured discussion ranges from thoughts on the artwork, "But Not Enough to Save You," to serious concerns about censorship, art and book banning, and right-wing influence on school boards, the importance of down-ballot electoral races, and the power of art as activism.
The e...2024-05-231h 07The LeftscapeOut Of His Shell (Episode 157)Meet Protest Singer Michael Naphys
Michael Naphys is a singer/songwriter from South Jersey. Music has always been a big part of his life, and he has some musical releases including his first original album, Coming Out of my Shell, that we'll learn about in this conversation. Michael performs live acoustic sets in Southern New Jersey including at Whims Brewing in Atco where co-host Robin Renée was lucky enough to catch his set not long ago. He finds using music to express his views on political issues to be very rewarding and empowering, and joins us on The Leftscape t...2024-04-251h 02The LeftscapeFenceSitter Film Festival (Episode 156)Kyle Schickner has been a bisexual activist for the past 30 years. His company, FenceSitter Films makes films that tell the stories of women, people of color, and the LGBTQ communities. Kyle was our guest back in November 2021 on Leftscape Episode 113 when we talked about his film, A White Man Walks Into a Barbershop, a documentary of his cross country road trip focused on having down-to-earth conversations about race and racism. Now he is the director of the upcoming FenceSitter Film Festival which is coming right up, April 18th through the 21st at Bernardsville Cinema in Bernardsville, NJ.
In the Why...2024-04-131h 16The LeftscapeWords, Music, Ghosts, Oceans (Episode 152)When Jan Steckel was a guest on The Leftscape back in April of 2019, she read from her book of poetry, Like Flesh Covers Bone (Zeitgeist Press, 2018), which went on to win two Rainbow Awards. Her earlier poetry book, The Horizontal Poet (Zeitgeist Press, 2011), won a 2012 Lambda Literary Award. Jan Steckel's creative prose and poetry have appeared in Scholastic Magazine, Yale Medicine, Bellevue Literary Review, Canary, Assaracus, and elsewhere. This time in our featured interview, the Oakland, California based writer is back to share from her new debut fiction collection, Ghosts and Oceans (Zeitgeist Press, 2023).
In The Artscape, Wendy Sheridan asks...2023-12-141h 15The LeftscapeNo Art for Art’s Sake (Episode 151)John Oliver Mason is a freelance writer and has written for newspapers in the Philadelphia area for thirty years, covering such community-based events as town watches, school boards, community associations, Labor issues, and demonstrations. He has written for magazines and blogs as well and he is an advocate who specializes in writing about people in the community who are empowering themselves to make their communities better. He is a poet who has broken into fiction with his novel, Soldier of the Cross. He is a media consultant and a longtime community and labor activist. In this interview, he reveals his cu...2023-12-0152 minThe LeftscapeArt, Barf, and Mermaiding (Episode 147)Teanna Byerts wants you to know that adventure is out there -- You just need some imagination! Byerts is an artist, writer, photographer, kayaker, horseman, and mermaid. She nerds out about science, science fiction, fantasy, superheroes, animation, and weird, early lifeforms. She has paddled in the wake of dolphins, trained actual wild mustangs, and lived with a small pride of mini panthers. She believes that storytellers and artists should inspire and educate and very much lives up to that objective. In this friendly, artist-to-artist conversation with co-host Wendy Sheridan, Teanna Byerts shares about some of her great experiences with painting...2023-10-041h 15The Leftscape20 Years of CineKink (Episode 144)Lisa Vandever is the co-founder and director of CineKink Film Festival, which is just entering its 20th anniversary season. A writer, producer and consultant in film and communications, Lisa was formerly the director of programming for a regional network of public television stations, worked as a development executive for two New York-based independent production companies, and she currently freelances with a wide range of organizations and companies. Active in local political organizing, she lives in Rahway, New Jersey with her husband and their two ginger tabbies, Clive and Radley. Leftscape co-hosts Wendy Sheridan and Robin Renée chat with Lisa a...2023-07-061h 29The LeftscapeBig Sister Plaster Caster (Episode 143)Vince Osborn resides in Chicago, is an avid cyclist, and is a devoted music enthusiast. He is a Founder of the Museum of Post-Punk and Industrial Music in Chicago, which was established by drummer Martin Atkins in 2021. He met co-host Robin Renée in the Devo fandom around the same time he first connected with Cynthia Dorothy Albritton, better known as Cynthia Plaster Caster. In this interview he recalls his longtime friendship with Cynthia, her art, and her stories of a rock 'n' roll life as "just a fan."
In The Earthscape segment, Robin and co-host Wendy Sheridan discuss their r...2023-06-211h 12The LeftscapeKorean War and Peace, Part 2 (Episode 141)Our interview with Kurt Esslinger in the last show was too good to leave any on the cutting room floor. As a refresher, Kurt Esslinger works on behalf of the Presbyterian Church USA with an ecumenical council of churches in Korea to help bring peace to the Korean Peninsula. A Texas native, he has been living and working in Korea for ten years. This conversation is a look at then President Donald Trump's part in the beginning of peace talks between North and South Korea, the vastly different perceptions of him and his role in those talks between progressives in...2023-05-171h 09The LeftscapeKorean War and Peace, Part 1 (Episode 140)Kurt Esslinger is assigned by the Presbyterian Church USA to work with an ecumenical council of churches in Korea to help with their campaign for peace on the Korean Peninsula. Having grown up in Texas, he has been living in Korea for the last 10 years. Since middle school he has been wrestling with what it means to identify as a Christian while also identifying as left-wing ("jwa-pa" in Korean). In this interview, he explains the basics of the conflicts between North and South Korea, what led to them, and his understanding of the current situation. Be ready for some perspectives...2023-05-041h 40The LeftscapeForging a Path, Keeping a Tradition (Episode 139)Suzan Nickelson is the CEO and Director if Operations of Holistic Solutions, a cannabis dispensary in Waterford Township, New Jersey. It is the 33rd medical cannabis dispensary to open in New Jersey and the first black and woman-owned dispensary in the state, which was very recently approved for adult recreational sales. She also runs Ital Daughters, LLC, a cannabis and hemp consulting company that specializes in assisting minorities, women, veterans, municipalities, and stakeholders in understanding the regulatory aspects of the cannabis industry. Nickelson comes from a long line of herbalist women who have curated cannabis on the island of Jamaica...2023-04-191h 15The LeftscapeHard-Wired for Touch (Episode 138)Edie Weinstein is a colorfully creative journalist, licensed social worker, psychotherapist, and the author of The Bliss Mistress Guide To Transforming The Ordinary Into The Extraordinary. She is also a public speaker and the founder of Hugmobsters Armed With Love, which offers free hugs worldwide. She recently experienced a longtime dream come true by offering her first TEDx talk -- Overcoming the Taboo of Touch. Edie was first featured on the show way back on Episode 36 in 2019. In this new conversation with co-host Robin Renée, she tells her story about her journey to the TedX stage, the importance of t...2023-04-041h 15The LeftscapeInvited In: Hearing Our Queer Kids (Episode 137)Dr. Lulu, aka the Momatrician, is a Nigerian-born pediatrician, parent coach, author, and the CEO of Dr. Lulu’s Life Coaching Lounge. She is the mother of a transgender young adult and works with parents struggling with accepting and supporting their LGBTQ+ children. A former Lt Col and Commander in the US Air Force, Dr. Lulu is also an award winning LGBTQ+ and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) advocate. She has been featured on local, national, and international media, including Oprah Winfrey’s The Life You Want masterclass. In this powerful conversation, she covers topics including the intersectional experiences of quee...2023-03-221h 16The LeftscapeCatching Up With AI (Episode 136)Writer and game developer Arinn Dembo has been involved with game development for over 25 years. She has helped build a number of popular franchises in science fiction gaming including Homeworld and Sword of the Stars. She has also worked on two different Artificial Intelligence projects and has been interviewed for the AI Ethics course taught by Athabasca University. Dembo recently spoke with Wendy Sheridan about the expert systems that are in use for making artwork today -- how they work, their capabilities, limitations, biases, and the need for our laws and ethics to catch up with the current use of...2023-03-081h 24The LeftscapeScience, Revelations, and Insights (Episode 135)A graduate of Cornell University, JD Stillwater is a science ambassador and an author who writes and speaks about profound insights from natural reality that drive paradigm shifts and cultural awakening. He spoke with us back in April 2020 for Episode 79, The End of Certainty, about his presentation, Seven Candles. In this conversation, he shares his current thoughts on science as a point of common understanding, the origins of humans' propensity for world harm, and the potential course-correcting power of Religious Naturalism.
Co-hosts Wendy Sheridan and Robin Renée are happy to be back after a winter hiatus and catch up a...2023-02-221h 26The LeftscapeThe Science Fiction Conversation (Episode 134)David M. Higgins is a Senior Editor for the Los Angeles Review of Books, and they are the Chair of the English Department at Inver Hills College in Minnesota, where they teach classes on science fiction, graphic novels, and American literature. They are the author of Reverse Colonization: Science Fiction, Imperial Fantasy, and Alt-Victimhood, which won the 2021 Science Fiction Research Association Book Award. Leftscape co-hosts Wendy Sheridan and Robin Renée have a lively discussion with Higgins on the meaning of reactionary victimhood, how it is enabled by reverse colonization fantasy by many on the political right, takes on current sc...2022-11-301h 27The LeftscapeSwing State Reflections (Episode 133)Susan Szanyi is a lifelong resident of Ohio. Thanks to her job as a Program Manager for an international company, she is fortunate to travel throughout the US and Europe and she has gotten perspectives on the US political landscape from around the world. Advocating for animals was her first foray into politics. She got engaged with electoral politics starting with the 2016 presidential election. She was a volunteer for the Elizabeth Warren campaign in 2020. Susan shares her thoughts on the recent midterm election, the dynamics of politics in the swing state of Ohio, and the need for reflection and deep...2022-11-171h 31The LeftscapeMythbusting: Body Facts and Birth Control (Episode 132)Co-hosts Wendy Sheridan and Robin Renée take a look at a growing issue since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade this past June -- a movement to make access to birth control the next to go. Sparked by a recent article from the UC Berkeley Human Rights Center, they look at the lack of information, purposeful disinformation, religious fervor, and social media efforts merging to form this latest threat to choices and autonomy. Wendy gives an apparently much-needed 101 on the menstrual cycle and reminds everyone about the importance of reproductive health. Robin reminds listeners to help guide those yo...2022-11-021h 15The LeftscapeWorld Citizens (Episode 130)In keeping with this season's theme of DEMOCRACY, The Leftscape revisits special guest Matt Bird from "Down the Rabbit Hole (Episode 98)." Matt talks about his creative background, current projects as a musician and DJ in Melbourne, and gives an overview of politics in Australia and his thoughts on what it takes to be a good world citizen. Originally posted on March 21, 2021, this interview is also a time capsule view of how someone on the other side of the planet experienced "the former guy" as US president.
Before the featured interview rewind, Robin Renée and Wendy Sheridan head to The B...2022-09-211h 42The LeftscapeDemocracy: The Long View (Episode 129)Dr. Elisebeth VanderWeil on Democracy, Fear,
the Future, and How History Can Help
Elisebeth VanderWeil, PhD, is the author of Apocalyptic Best Practices: A unique approach to fear and change. She also works as Organization Development Specialist for Pioneer Human Services and Principal Consultant at Hand in the Dark Consulting, as well as volunteer librarian for The Whidbey Institute. When she isn’t doing one of these things, she is expanding her amigurumi crochet repertoire, playing with her dog, or discussing the finer points of Star Trek. Dr. VanderWeil was the guest on Episode 67, "To Be Free, With Fear." In to...2022-09-081h 32The LeftscapeA Need To Survive (Episode 128)Featured guest Stacy Staggs is a wife and mother to twin girls who are the lights of her life. The girls also live with complex medical needs and disabilities. Since the twins' birth, Stacy has been advocating for their access to healthcare, public education, and community inclusion. She volunteers across a number of organizations mainly as the Director of Community Engagement for Little Lobbyists and as a Consultant with Long COVID Families. Listen to her compelling stories about family, healthcare activism, her perspective as the democratic process threatened the Affordable Care Act, and the importance for all people, regardless of...2022-08-221h 15The LeftscapeStand and Be Counted (Episode 127)Tolley Casparis has been a progressive activist since the age of 15. Now at 57, she continues to work tirelessly to uphold democracy and civil rights. She lives in Los Angeles and works as a casting director and a death doula. In this inspiring interview, Casparis talks about the deeply important activities and indirect effects of grassroots activism, the issues she champions including the environment, bodily autonomy, and gun control, and why the connections we form and cultivate matter so vitally.
All the news co-hosts Wendy Sheridan and Robin Renée can handle this time includes the U.S. Senate's passing of th...2022-08-101h 23The LeftscapeIn the Town, For the Town (Episode 126)Danny Vargas is a freelance graphic designer, musician, activist, and the youngest member of the Rahway Democratic Committee. He's committed to making the city he grew up in a place where he wants to live his best life and to make the area a destination for music and art. In the first featured interview in The Leftscape season on DEMOCRACY, Vargas recalls joining his local committee, what it does and how it works, talks about the things he finds most important in politics, and also shares some tales of the indie musician life.
After a check-in at the top of...2022-07-271h 19The LeftscapeBack to the Blanket Fort (Episode 125)Robin Renée and Wendy Sheridan are back from summer vacation and are ready to begin a new season of The Leftscape. This season's theme will be on DEMOCRACY. Upcoming shows will explore the U.S. democratic system, how we might rescue and preserve it, which systems might work better, democratic approaches in small groups and relationships, what we can learn about democracy from other times and places, and more.
In this episode, Wendy and Robin start off with a check-in about what they did over the break followed by Three Random Facts about boar taint, dolphins passing the pufferfish, a...2022-07-131h 11The LeftscapeWhy Not Me? (Episode 124)Casey Probus and Lisa Ferraro Act Locally
Co-hosts Wendy Sheridan and Robin Renée have recently been reminding listeners of the growing importance of local politics. Wendy takes a deep dive into her local political landscape in this episode by way of an interview with candidates Casey Probus and Lisa Ferraro:
Casey Probus was born and raised in Rahway, NJ, where she lives with her daughter who attends a Rahway Elementary School. Casey attended Rahway public schools where she was a part of the 2003 State Championship Girls Basketball team. She currently works as a union mechanic and crane operator and i...2022-05-191h 25The LeftscapeBetter and Better Together (Episode 123)Susan Billmaier's professional background is in Religion, Ethics, and Philosophy applied to higher education and non-profit management. This coincides with a lifetime of self-education in healing arts, religious ritual, and psychological study of the "big questions" like "Who am I?" and "Why am I here?" Her website, WithPearls.com, focuses on shifting humanity from a consciousness of separation to a consciousness of Oneness. In this interview, Susan speaks about living and working with deep intention around spirituality and the betterment of community, discerning true seeking from spiritual bypass and cultural appropriation, the practices she has come to rely on to...2022-05-041h 28The LeftscapeHappy 420! Weed or Kink? (Episode 122)This episode is a bit... different. Co-hosts Wendy Sheridan and Robin Renée are celebrating 4/20, so aside from the pre-recorded interview, the banter is a bit loosey-goosey. Join in on the fun in whatever way you choose!
Featured guest Malcolm Underwood describes himself as "born in the south, forged in the north and sharpened by the road and the world." He is doing what he can to help make his little corner a safer place for everyone. One of his dwelling places is in the world of BDSM (bondage and domination, sadism and masochism). BDSM is often misunderstood and is f...2022-04-201h 23The LeftscapeWhere’s the Freedom? (Episode 121)A Primer on Freedom in the Constitution and Beyond With David S. Schwartz
Professor David S. Schwartz first appeared on The Leftscape back on Episode 65 to talk about his then new book, The Spirit of The Constitution: John Marshall and the 200-Year Odyssey of McCulloch v. Maryland published by Oxford University Press in 2019. He teaches and writes in the areas of Constitutional Law, Evidence, and Civil Procedure. His scholarship includes articles published in the Georgetown, Notre Dame, and University of Pennsylvania Law Reviews, and he has co-authored two casebooks. In this episode, he speaks with co-host Wendy Sheridan (who happens t...2022-04-061h 31The LeftscapeFinding the Words (Episode 120)Tanya Shaffer is an award-winning playwright and author of the acclaimed travel memoir, Somebody’s Heart is Burning: A Woman Wanderer in Africa. Her stories and essays have appeared on Salon.com and in more than a dozen anthologies. She blogs on a range of topics, from parenting to Buddhism to creativity to travel, and hosts the podcast Off-Leash Arts: Conversations on Creativity. Currently based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, she leads writing workshops in a practice she calls Off-Leash Writing. Shaffer reads from a recent essay on women and aging and shares wisdom on freeing the writer within.
Before the fe...2022-03-231h 19The LeftscapeBig Questions on Doing Something (Episode 119)Peter Gil-Sheridan on His New Comedy, This Space Between Us
Peter Gil-Sheridan is a playwright and a professor at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, NY. Peter was a founding member of The Pool, a pop-up theatre company formed with Lynn Rosen and Susan Bernfield and he is a regular writer-in-residence with the Silverton Theatre Mine in Silverton, CO. His new play, This Space Between Us, is running off-Broadway, produced by Keen Company, at Theater Row on 42nd Street. Wendy Sheridan speaks with him about this new comedy, which explores the expanse of cultural and political differences within a family as one...2022-03-091h 24The LeftscapeNavigating Pay-to-Play Politics (Episode 118)Halina Brooke practices as a therapist in the Phoenix area and can often be found doing advocacy for clients and the therapy professions with like-minded comrades, sometimes while crafting. As a counselor and advocate, she has a passion for supporting clients and clinicians alike in moving past relational ruptures and distressing experiences. We spoke with Halina about a year ago on Episode 97, "Therapy, Activism, and Reclaiming Freedom." This time she's back to approach freedom from another angle: How free are we to work within our governmental systems to get bills passed in our legislatures?
In the Ikigai segment, co-hosts Wendy...2022-02-231h 30The LeftscapeRoom for Improvisation (Episode 117)Stephanie Sellars on Polyamory and Her Film, Lust Life Love
Stephanie Sellars is a New York-based filmmaker, writer, and performer. Her award-winning debut feature film, Lust Life Love, premiered at the Berlin Independent Film Festival and was recently released by 1091 Pictures on worldwide VOD platforms. She has also written, produced, directed, and acted in many award-winning short films, and her jazz album, Girl Who Loves, can be found on Spotify, iTunes and other music platforms. She holds an MFA in film from Columbia University and is finishing her MFA in creative writing at Bennington Writing Seminars. In this featured interview...2022-02-091h 21The LeftscapePoetry and Politics With Eliot Katz (Episode 116)Eliot Katz is the author of seven books of poetry including Unlocking the Exits and Love, War, Fire, Wind. His most recent books include a readable, scholarly volume, entitled The Poetry and Politics of Allen Ginsberg, and the free, downloadable President Predator -- poems to help make america trump-free again. Called “another classic New Jersey bard” by the late, great poet, Allen Ginsberg, Katz has been a longtime activist for a wide range of peace and social justice causes, including many years spent as an advocate for Central Jersey homeless individuals and families. In this interview, Katz discusses Franklin Roosevelt's Four...2022-01-271h 27The LeftscapeFinding Freedom (Episode 115)Welcome to the first show of 2022! Over the course of this new season, co-hosts Robin Renée and Wendy Sheridan and their guests will explore aspects of FREEDOM. The season's featured interviews begin with Robin's conversation with Brian Loebig.
Brian Loebig is an enthusiastic small business owner, entrepreneur, teacher, and speaker who loves to share his knowledge with groups large and small. He has extensive expertise in social media marketing, search engine optimization, and online advertising and is a sought after speaker and presenter on those topics. Brian comes from a large, eclectic, and diverse family which gives him a uni...2022-01-121h 17The Leftscape’89 the Brainchild: An Artists’ Life (Episode 106 Redux)Please enjoy this interview with rap performer and entertainer '89 the Brainchild while we take a little winter rest and relaxation (and prep for next season). '89 talks about his music -- which has been called a mix of hip hop, house, techno, and nu-disco -- and shares his thoughts on acceptance and self-acceptance in the music industry. Check out the whole episode and show notes at Meet '89 the Brainchild (Episode 106). You can always find us on social media @Leftscape and here on Patreon.
Happy New Year! Here's to peace and progress in 2022. We're looking forward to sharing new e...2021-12-2732 minThe LeftscapePedro Serrano on Being the Stranger (Episode 114)Pedro Serrano was born in Newark, NJ and grew up in the Columbus Homes Housing Projects. His childhood memories include "riots, cockroaches big enough to ride to school, and cherry blossoms in the spring." He is a spoken word artist, was the producer and host of Generation Q, a gay community affairs program on WRSU 88.7 FM, and is a longtime member of the NJ punk rock scene. In his bio for The Good Men Project, he says, "... consider me a product of public housing, food stamps and PBS." In this last featured interview in this season's Acceptance series, Pedro talks...2021-12-011h 25The LeftscapeTalking Race on a Road Trip (Episode 113)Kyle Schickner is a writer, director, filmmaker, and activist. He is the driving force behind Fencesitter Films, a film company that focuses on telling stories about people of color, women, and BLGTQ communities. Kyle’s latest film is A White Man Walks Into a Barbershop, a documentary of his cross country road trip focused on having down-to-earth conversations about race and racism. In the featured interview, Kyle speaks with co-hosts Wendy Sheridan and Robin Renée about his journey through Washington, DC, Minneapolis, Los Angeles, and other towns and cities across the US. He shares what he learned and why white...2021-11-171h 25The LeftscapeFood Stories (Episode 112)Emma is a writer, editor, and multimedia storyteller based in the Washington, DC metro area. She is the person behind Plate Less Ordinary, where she shares stories about food, culture, and technology. In a world that prioritizes quantity — see social media algorithms and food porn — Emma chooses quality. She believes everyone owes it to themselves to eat well and hopes those who visit her website will learn something and come away with a new perspective. In this featured interview, Emma brings to light some of the ways food can be an offering or collaboration to connect people of differing lifestyles and...2021-11-031h 24The LeftscapeThe Four Cards of Acceptance (Episode 111)Christiana Gaudet began reading tarot professionally in Putnam, Connecticut in 1994. She now offers private readings from her office in Palm City, Florida and serves a worldwide clientele remotely. She is the author of Fortune Stellar: What Every Professional Tarot Reader Needs to Know and Tarot Tour Guide: Tarot, The Four Elements, and Your Spiritual Journey. Christiana was our featured guest way back on Leftscape Episode 31 when she talked about the difference between thinking magically and magical thinking. This time she's back to talk about what we can learn from what she has come to know as the Four Cards of Acce...2021-10-201h 46The LeftscapePaint With Ambiguity (Episode 110)John Leman is a world traveler, outdoor adventurer, and curiosity-driven extrovert who is intent on exploring the depths of the human experience. Formerly a special education teacher, he is currently enrolled in the M.S.Ed. program in Mental Health Counseling and Counselor Education at Indiana University, where he also serves as a Research Coordinator with the Kinsey Institute. While he currently resides in Indiana, he has previously lived in Singapore, upstate New York, and Philadelphia. John tells the story of his deconversion from Evangelical Christianity, flowing through diverse ideas, opening to ongoing self-acceptance, and the importance of approaching all...2021-10-061h 18The LeftscapeJust Figuring Things Out (Episode 109)Caroline Vahrenkamp has been fighting Stage IV thymoma since 2015, but she is more than her cancer diagnosis. In her free time, Caroline likes to cook and to travel with her kids and she creates a compelling travel and history podcast, Wonders of the World. While undertaking her cancer journey, she navigated and accepted her identity as a transgender woman. In the featured interview, she outlines the experience of the diagnosis, the very interesting Harry Potter-related story of awakening to her gender, and the hope and joy that has come to the fore after "just figuring things out" and coming to...2021-09-221h 15The LeftscapeAs I Fell in Love With the World (Episode 108)Beth Anne Yeager is recovering from practicing law, and is now seeking wisdom through studying Ecopsychology, training in Somatic Experiencing, and practicing and teaching yoga and meditation. Her passion is Nature, dancing in the snow, and loving all things wild. In the featured interview, she interweaves the desperate seriousness of climate change with American exceptionalism, white supremacy, and denial, as well as our human potential to mitigate the damage with prosocial behaviors, empathy, and learning from other species with which we share the planet.
Co-hosts Wendy Sheridan and Robin Renée start off the show with a "water is dangerous" Rew...2021-09-081h 28The LeftscapeYour Body is Beautiful (Episode 107)Serell Brown is the mother of two teens. She describes herself as a fun-loving hard worker with old school morals. She is the founder and creator of Nubian Nudist, an organization for black nudists and naturists that is based in New Jersey and has members across the US as well as some abroad. Serell talks candidly about the origins of her nudism, creating social spaces for body-positive acceptance, and releasing shame to begin loving all of yourself.
Before the featured interview in The Blanket Fort, Wendy Sheridan and Robin Renée take a personal look at the important work of pr...2021-08-241h 22The LeftscapeMeet ’89 the Brainchild (Episode 106)'89 the Brainchild is a rap performer and entertainer from New Jersey. He flew under the radar for years and began finding buzz through performing in the NJ/NYC area just before the pandemic shutdown. Also a stage production manager, '89's recordings include "Father's Day," Not Who I Thought I Was (the last of my rage), and Patterns, which has been described as a mix of hip hop, house, techno, and nu-disco reminiscent of Jungle Brothers, Heavy D, and Big Daddy Kane. He speaks with Wendy about the dreams and experiences that led to his music, hip hop technology, ageism...2021-08-111h 32The LeftscapeDaniel Kaye: Making Life Better (Episode 105)After a short summer hiatus, The Leftscape is back with a new theme for the second half of 2021. This is the season of ACCEPTANCE. What does acceptance mean to you? When is it passive and when is it powerful? What things ought we accept? What must we never accept? Let's see how this theme weaves in and out of the conversations through the rest of the year. The first featured guest of the season is Daniel Kaye.
Daniel Kaye has been a writer and artist for over 25 years, working as a journalist, editor, columnist, editorial cartoonist, and book illustrator. He...2021-07-281h 29The LeftscapeArt and Inspiration (Episode 104)Dr. Edward Vessel is a Senior Research Scientist at the Max Planck Institute for Empirical Aesthetics (MPIEA) in Frankfurt, Germany. His research group, the Visual Neuroaesthetics Lab, uses behavioral and brain imaging techniques to study the psychological and neural basis of aesthetic experiences, such as when a person is aesthetically “moved” by visual art, poetry, architecture, music, or natural landscapes. Through his work and service, Dr. Vessel aims to elevate the international profile of neuroaesthetics research: he is a board member of the International Association of Empirical Aesthetics, and hosts events focused on neuroaesthetics both at MPIEA and international conferences. He r...2021-06-171h 07The LeftscapeWarning: Triggers (Episode 103)Genea Barnes is committed to the elevation of humanity. Her work as an Elevation Guide focuses on helping individuals and groups to create greater effectiveness and ease in their lives. Neuro Linguistic Programming and hypnosis are among the tools she uses to neutralize self-sabotaging behavior, unwanted patterns, and emotional triggers with the aim of increasing self-worth and self-esteem. Genea speaks with Wendy Sheridan about elevation, the challenges/opportunities most of us find ourselves in, and what it looks like to apply the healing methods she uses in everyday life.
Happy Pride Month and African American Music Appreciation Month! Of course...2021-06-021h 19The LeftscapeA Radical Expression of Love (Episdoe 102)Sharice Richardson is a nonbinary, queer, Pagan healer and proprietor of Sun Crow Hands-On Healing. They are a Cuddle Sanctuary trained Professional Cuddler and Level II - Usui Reiki Practitioner, who trained under Reiki Master Sea. Sharice is deeply committed to utilizing the spiritual power of love and compassion to liberate, heal, and energetically transform lives. Having first met years ago in the Rutgers University LGBT activist community, Sharice and Robin catch up on their respective spiritual paths, gender evolution, both/and identities, and muse about political histories and the ultimate importance of love.
The 3 Random Facts co-hosts Robin Renée...2021-05-191h 33The LeftscapeNJ Assembly Candidate Elizabeth Graner (Episode 99)Elizabeth Graner is an educator, a mom, and a Democratic candidate for New Jersey’s 21st Legislative District. She grew up just outside Pittsburgh as the oldest child of five siblings in a first-generation Irish American home. She moved to New Jersey after college and worked in New York City in corporate human resources and immigration law before realizing her true calling as a teacher. Elizabeth wants to further that calling to advocate for her students and their families in state government. Wendy Sheridan talks with the candidate about how she found her way to politics, what it's like to be...2021-04-071h 21The LeftscapeDown the Rabbit Hole (Episode 98)A Chat About Great Sounds and Politics With Musician Matt Bird
Matt Bird is a musician and DJ in Melbourne, Australia. He grew up in a small country town in Central Victoria, then learned saxophone improvisation and played in a Commitments cover band as a teen. After several years of travelling and living in England, he returned to Melbourne to a record company job, a graveyard shift on a local radio station, and gigging with various bands around town. He is now a partner at a business management firm specializing in royalty accounting, licensing, and data analysis, he runs his...2021-03-241h 33The LeftscapeTherapy, Activism, and Reclaiming “Freedom” (Episode 97)Halina Brooke is a therapist, mental health counselor, and longtime advocate in Phoenix, Arizona. She is a PhD student with a research focus on how therapists cope with ethical and clinical mistakes. When she's not being the squeaky wheel for a good cause, you can find her teaching and mentoring college and grad students or wading through research on professional ethics and counselor education. In this featured interview, Halina discusses her work on a campaign to stop SB 1482, legislation that prevents the banning of so-called conversion therapy. She shares her ideas on the importance of engaging in substantive political conversation...2021-03-101h 26The LeftscapeBreaking Free (Episode 96)Mrs. Shay Cook on Financial Freedom and How Conspirituality Keeps an Eye on Cult Thinking
Mrs. Shay Cook is the Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Crusaders for Change, LLC, which she began in May 2016. C4C is focused on empowering and equipping the broader community with tools they need to become financially free through counseling, coaching, and classes. Shay is a certified Accredited Financial Counselor® and Financial Fitness Coach®. She also holds a Bachelor’s & Master’s degree in psychology. Mrs. Shay Cook lives in Odenton, MD with her husband and English Bulldog. In this featured conversation, she shares her th...2021-02-231h 18The LeftscapePolitiCALM in the Chaos (Episode 95)Christina Romelus is the founder of PolitiCALM, a new organization dedicated to improving the lives of individuals entering, engaging in, and exiting public life. She was elected to public office as a Boynton Beach, FL City Commissioner at the age of 27 in 2016. Through her years in public service, she strived to be a voice for those not normally represented in government. Romelus launched PolitiCALM on Inauguration Day, January 20th, the same day this featured interview was recorded. She shares her thoughts about that historic day plus how PolitiCALM aims to provide coaching, mental health support, and campaign guidance to those...2021-02-101h 10The LeftscapeGetting It – Read Up on Healthy Hookups (Episode 94)Allison Moon is the author of five books including the award-winning sex-ed guide Girl Sex 101, the erotic memoir Bad Dyke, and the Tales of the Pack series of novels about lesbian werewolves. Allison was a 2011 Lambda Literary Emerging LGBT Authors Fellow and she has a degree in Neuroscience from Oberlin College. As a sex educator, Allison has presented her workshops — on polyamory, sexual self-expression, erotica writing, strap-on sex, and more — to thousands of people around the US and Canada. Her new book, Getting It: A Guide to Hot, Healthy Hookups and Shame-Free Sex, has just been released by Ten Speed Press...2020-12-301h 06The LeftscapeThe Quest for Sisterhood (Episode 93)Dr. Stephanie Brown on Black Women Post-Election, Creating Community, and Self-Care for All
Dr. Stephanie Brown is a family physician who has been practicing for over 20 years. Over the past few years, she decided to expand her wellness focus to include emotional, spiritual, and relational healing as well as physical. She became a life coach because of her desire to create a safe space for women to overcome anything that may be holding them back. In May of 2020 she launched S.O.A.R. (Sisters Overcoming and Rising). It is a platform that includes a radio show, a podcast, a...2020-12-161h 14The LeftscapeAsexuality. Animaniacs. (Episode 92)Samantha Poole has been a member of the Asexual Visibility and Education Network (AVEN) since it began in 2002. She was recently credited by members of AVEN as being the first person to coin the now frequently-used terms describing romantic attraction apart from sexual attraction. She defines herself as heteroromantic asexual. Samantha is a psychiatrist with a special interest in the LGBTQ+ population. In her spare time she likes to bellydance, play the banjo, attend cosplay cons, as well as DEVOtional, the annual Devo fan gathering, where she met co-host Robin Renée in 2005. Listen in to Samantha's conversation with Robin a...2020-12-021h 04The LeftscapeCognitive Dissonance With Pandora Scooter (Episode 91)Pandora Scooter is a poet, performer and provocateur. She's an award-winning playwright and spoken word artist. She is the winner of Best Musical with Rachel Felstein for her punk rock, all-female feminist musical, wRETCH. Two of her solo shows, OUTwordly Fabulous and I AM ENOUGH, both focused on helping LGBTQ+ teens, have toured the U.S. She has taught at Mason Gross School of the Arts, Drew University, Rider University, and currently teaches at NYU. In this featured interview from August 2020, Pandora reads from her work-in-progress, Cognitive Dissonance or How to Speak to Woke White People. She critiques liberals' tendency t...2020-11-181h 05The LeftscapeA Socially-Distanced Samhain (Episode 90)Wendy Sheridan, Mary McGinley, and Robin Renée discuss the U.S. presidential election and try to manage their stress as votes are counted. They have some fun with random facts, speculate about what could be happening in voting trends, and contemplate the challenges to making the best case for liberal and progressive candidates. Robin and Mary report on The Leftscape Election Night Hangout, which included previous show guests, John C. Tod, Anne Sabagh, Elisebeth VanderWeil, and Analysis. Then the co-hosts recount their recent socially-distanced Samhain gathering and spend some time remembering loved ones and other notable people who have d...2020-11-041h 01The LeftscapeAnji Marth’s Paintings From Quarantine (Episode 89)Anji Marth been a professional tattoo artist and painter since 1999. Her published books include Tar and Gravel, Knuckle Sandwich, the resonant eyes series, and The Horrors coloring book for adults. Her current project is a series of abstract paintings, Paintings From Quarantine. She also works in taxidermy as assemblage art as well as illustration. Anji grew up in coal country, Pennsylvania and has lived in the Pacific Inland Northwest for 24 years. She and Wendy share a wide-ranging conversation on the left/liberal/conservative/right political spectrum, what it is to be a prepper, and her painfully beautiful paintings in response...2020-10-221h 19The LeftscapeChange the Calculus (Episode 88)Lisa Yancey on Reframing Business and Building Abundance
Lisa Yancey is an entrepreneurial strategist who has built a practice solving problems for nonprofit organizations. Through her company, Yancey Consulting, she specializes in strategic organizational planning, leadership coaching, and much more. She is also the co-founder of The We’s Match, which is dedicated to creating an ecosystem of scale wealth and wellness for Black women entrepreneurs and of SorsaMED, a biologics company dedicated to building plant-based options for chronic pain management with a focus on sickle cell anemia. Lisa Yancey is a member of the New York State Bar Association an...2020-10-071h 15The LeftscapeYolandaNanda! (Episode 87)Rev. Yolanda is a singer/songwriter/trans-femme genderqueer performance artist and interfaith minister, originally from Muscle Shoals, Alabama -- the hit recording capital of the world. Rev. Yolanda has been honored with induction into the GLBT Hall of Fame, the Blues Hall of Fame, and also with two MAC Awards from the Manhattan Association of Cabarets and Clubs. A brand new recording, YolandaNanda, is based on her love for mantras of the Buddhist, Hindu, and Sikh traditions. She shares her story of journeying from a Christian background to growing to understand her sexuality and gender to life and spirituality through...2020-09-231h 18The LeftscapeTime Management for Busy Activists (Episode 86)Tom Limoncelli is a time management author and trainer from New Jersey who also happens to be an internationally recognized bisexual activist. In this featured interview, he merges his knowledge in these fields with life, work, and LGBTQ equality movement experiences to share advice on time management for activists. Listen in for tips you can start using right away like "Invest 5," "The Small Batch Principle," and "Time Boxing" to get more done and to achieve better focus so there is less to do. Tom's books include Vol 1: The Practice of System and Network Administration, Vol 2: The Practice of Cloud System...2020-09-091h 14The LeftscapeThe Happiness Paradigm (Episode 85)Ginny Sassaman is a co-founder and past president of Gross National Happiness USA. She has a Masters in Mediation and a Certificate in Positive Psychology. Ginny created the Happiness Paradigm as a platform for teaching, writing about, and advocating for greater personal happiness and creating systems change for maximum well-being for all. Since 2013, she has served as a lay preacher in Unitarian Universalist churches on these topics. A book of 16 of these sermons, called Preaching Happiness: Creating a Just and Joyful World, was published in May 2020 by Rootstock Publishing. In this uplifting featured interview, she talks about how factors like...2020-07-221h 13The LeftscapeBlack Masculinity and the She-Ra Finale (Episode 84)Dillon Carmichael is the founder of Redefining Black Masculinity. The Redefining Black Masculinity project works to document and express the black masculine identity in all of its facets, with the intention of providing insight and helping to expand the culture through deeper understanding. In this interview, Carmichael, who hails from Irvington, NJ, shares the family story that helped spark the project, he explains a bit about how black masculinity is traditionally policed with "no homo" assertions and more, and he talks about what he learned about masculinity and race while attending an all boys' school in Pennsylvania. He discusses his...2020-07-081h 25The LeftscapeLove Is All We Have (Episode 83)Talking With Songwriter, Composer, and Producer Drew Yowell
Drew Yowell is a producer, songwriter and artist who has worked with legends like Phoebe Snow, David Lasley, Desmond Child, David Benoit, Dae Bennett, and Herb Alpert. He has played guitar for Sophie B. Hawkins and Kristin Hoffmann, among many others. He was recently nominated for his original composition on an MTV prosocial promo campaign. In addition to composing for MTV, he composes and produces music for VH1, LOGO, and Centric. In this conversation with Robin Renée, Drew offers some much-needed inspiration. He shares stories about working from home as a m...2020-06-241h 12The LeftscapeTalk Like L.O.V.E.R.S. (Episode 81)Dwayne Smith on Communication in Relationships and Lessons from Polyamory
Dwayne Smith, a PhD student in computational social science at George Mason University researches criminal justice policy reform, restorative justice initiatives, and the impacts of public policy on black communities. He works in cyber security. He is a pilot and a fitness competitor. When he's not working on all those things and more, he finds the time to work on a book on communications with Life Coach Lori Carpenter and to tell The Leftscape all about it. Check out what Dwayne has to say about what he's discovered through polyamory...2020-05-271h 13The LeftscapeLet Your Bi Flag Fly (Episode 80)A Conversation with Nicole Kristal and Ashlei Shyne
Ashlei Shyne is an actress, improviser, writer, filmmaker, and activist. After recognizing the lack of LGBTQ+ representation within the comedy community, she created Rainbow Bright Comedy, an LGBTQ+ improv troupe, in order to give queer people of color a platform. As an Out & Proud Black Bisexual woman, Ashlei uses her unique voice and perspective to fight racism, bi erasure, and biphobia in all communities.
Activist and author Nicole Kristal created Still Bisexual in 2015 after growing frustrated with the lack of social acceptance for bisexuals despite wider gains for gays and lesbians. She th...2020-05-131h 23The LeftscapeNeon Blessings, Beautiful Wounds (Episode 78)Rich Orloff on Psychedelics, Writing, and New York City in the Time of COVID-19
Playwright Rich Orloff is the author of 18 full-length plays (most comedies, mostly award-winning) and over 80 short plays, which have received 2,000 productions on six continents - and a staged reading on Antarctica. His lifelong journey of inquiry, growth, and humor is reflected in his work, but an exploration of psychedelic-assisted underground therapy in recent years led to a deepening of perception and unexpected spirituality as well as to his autobiographical monologue, It's A Beautiful Wound. In this conversation with Robin Renée, Orloff reads an excerpt and d...2020-04-151h 17The LeftscapeThis is a Super Sexy Show (Episode 74)Rachel Green has been called a shaman and proudly calls herself a sexy, slutty comedian. She came to standup comedy when she realized her sex and dating stories were too interesting not to share with the world. In this super sexy episode, Rachel talks about enjoying sex and her comfort with speaking of it without shame, learning to turn everyday life into funny stories and observations for the stage, the purpose of comedy, and creating great shows without the typical comedy bro pitfalls. Also an actor, singer, violinist and voiceover artist, Rachel Green was featured in the New York Comedy...2020-02-191h 03The LeftscapeWiccan Ethics, Activate! (Episode 73)Author Susan R. Kagan on Wiccan Ethics, Writing, Decluttering, Politics, Activism, and Why NOT to Be a Puritopian
Susan R. Kagan was born and raised in a small town in Indiana, from which she fled for more cosmopolitan environments as soon as she could. She is the author of Ruxandra, a supernatural historical fiction novel about the granddaughter of Vlad the Impaler and the nonfiction book Basic Wiccan Ethics: Avoiding a Perilous Path. Susan is a Third Degree High Priestess associated with Bee Hive Coven. From her home in New Orleans, she speaks with Wendy Sheridan on discovering the need...2020-02-121h 06The LeftscapeMovement, Breath, Energy: A Conversation With Maria Lodge (Episode 72)The Leftscape is back after a month-long hiatus. New episode #72 features Mary McGinley's interview with Maria Lodge. Maria has 32 years of experience as a physical therapist. She is a longtime yoga practitioner, a Reiki Master, and she is certified in Thai Yoga Bodywork. Maria is also Mary's niece! The conversation takes us through Maria Lodge's time with First Aid Squad, her yoga teacher training in Costa Rica, how she presents Reiki to skeptics, and the emphases and intentions at her own business, Asana Wellness Physical Therapy in Delran, NJ.
In the new segment at the top of the show, 3 Random...2020-02-051h 01The LeftscapeTables, Bins, & Books: The Camden County Pop Up Library (Episode 66)Tom Martin of Haddon Township, NJ has a passion for books. His dream of having a bookmobile grew into the creation of the Camden County Pop Up Library, through which he promotes literacy and community by giving away books four to five times a week. His regular stops include underserved areas in Camden and nearby locations such as outside a methadone clinic, transportation center, and soup kitchen. Listen in as he shares his inspired and inspiring thoughts on the project with co-host Robin Renée.
In All the News We Can Handle, Robin, Mary McGinley, and Wendy Sheridan discuss people w...2019-11-271h 07The LeftscapeFalse Divisions: David Jamison on Race (Episode 60)This episode's featured guest is David Jamison, Assistant Professor of History at Edward Waters College in Jacksonville, FL. His doctorate is in African Diaspora history and his dissertation was on slave resistance during the colonial era. His mission is to inspire others to learn about, reanalyze, and deconstruct our ideas about race. The racial categories we've been born into believing in have not existed since the beginning of time, but only for about 400 years. Listen in to David's conversation with Robin Renée about how we have learned to divide ourselves to our own detriment and how we may begin t...2019-10-161h 05The LeftscapeGreen Paper Ballots (Episode 54)Mary McGinley, Wendy Sheridan, and Robin Renée get together this time around to chat about ways we can all vote with our dollars. Whether electronic, plastic, or old-fashioned green "paper ballots," we have the power to choose to spend or not spend our money in each potential transaction. Do you choose Costco over Walmart? Do you avoid Hobby Lobby, Chik-fil-A, or Wendy's? How much effort do you put into supporting businesses you think are a net positive in the world? Listen to this conversation as Mary, Wendy, and Robin weave through the questions and complications. Scroll down to explore l...2019-08-2157 minThe LeftscapeAsk the Bi Guy, Kel Monroe! (Episode 52)In this episode, The Leftscape welcomes writer and activist, Kel Monroe. Ask The Bi Guy, Kel's latest endeavor, puts his skills and knowledge toward assisting those who could use a boost in the world of dating. From creating classes to helping rewrite online profiles to one-on-one coaching, the Ask the Bi Guy project is gearing up to help people make higher quality connections. Spoiler alert: This creative, bisexual man with the lived experience of successful dating and authentic relating has a secret mission. It's to reframe old scripts around dating and masculinity, dispel myths, and by facilitating better communication and...2019-07-241h 10The LeftscapeSummer is Coming (Episode 46)Of Game of Thrones and Beltane
As much of the world is talking about the final season of Game of Thrones, The Leftscape joins the party! Wendy Sheridan, Mary McGinley, and Robin Renée talk about who's watching and who isn't, what is entertaining about the show and what is frustrating, fantasy vs. science fiction, and the misogyny in the fantasy genre that can put a damper on its appeal. Wendy offers up some ideas for fantasy works she particularly enjoys in which women live in their power. Later in the show, Robin, Mary and Wendy welcome the warm season w...2019-05-011h 17The LeftscapeOpinionated: The Cultural Activism of John Cecil Price (Episode 33)It is almost Black History Month as Wendy Sheridan, Mary McGinley, and Robin Renée welcome you to this week's episode of The Leftscape. February 1st is National Freedom Day, which honors Abraham Lincoln's signing of a joint House and Senate resolution that later became the 13th Amendment. Also coming up is the seasonal holiday of Imbolc and its secular analogue, Groundhog Day. On February 5th, the Year of the Pig begins and on that day we are also invited to celebrate National Shower with a Friend Day! Birthday nods and remembrances this week include Jackie Robinson, Portia de Rossi, Br...2019-01-3057 minThe LeftscapeGet Off My Lawn, Thanksgiving! (Episode 25)Finding Gratitude Beyond Obligation
It's the day before Thanksgiving, and everyone at The Leftscape wishes a happy holiday to all who celebrate! Robin Renée, Wendy Sheridan, and Mary McGinley have things to be thankful for, though they are also well aware that the holidays can be fraught with inconvenient backstories and obligation. Wendy and Mary are tired of Thanksgiving as a day that demands large amounts of cooking and/or forced gratefulness. All take a moment to acknowledge that for many Native Americans it is a National Day of Mourning. Robin recalls holiday seasons past that were painful, and t...2018-11-2157 minThe LeftscapeBlossoming (Episode 13)The Leftscape is back after a week away, which allowed time for Wendy Sheridan to attend WorldCon 76 in San Jose, CA. Wendy brings us news on the women's sweep of the Hugo Awards given by the World Science Fiction Society, plus a protest outside the convention. This episode's feature is Wendy's interview with Joy Denebiem, who tells a wonderfully freewheeling and personal account of her gender transition at the age of 58, with great insight from her partner, Cheryl Martin. The blossoming that Joy has experienced through her journey to gender confirmation is audible and a truly enjoyable, educational listen.
Mary M...2018-08-291h 06The LeftscapeCaptive on a Carousel (Episode 9)With credit due to Joni Mitchell for the lyric "captive on a carousel of time," the title of today's episode refers to two topics that come up in conversation for Wendy Sheridan, Mary McGinley, and Robin Renée this week, plus the sense of overwhelm that in times like these, can pervade the experience of current events. July 25th is an occasion for several remembrances and celebrations, including National Merry-Go-Round Day. Robin spotted a "Permit Pete" at the beach, and Wendy reveals her decision about running for political office.
Later, we learn that it is Captive Nations Week, which gets nic...2018-07-2544 minThe LeftscapeJersey Pride LIVE (Episode 2)A Celebration in Any Weather
And was there ever weather! Take a journey through a magazine of recorded clips as Wendy Sheridan, Robin Renée, and Mary McGinley brave the wind and the rain to check out Jersey Pride in Asbury Park on Sunday, June 3rd, 2018. Dawn, a festival attendee, talks about how she feels freer to be her pansexual self there rather than where she lives in the Atlantic City area. Mary views the AIDS Quilt and Wendy and Robin speak with Scott Rudder of the New Jersey CannaBusiness Association. Robin catches up with her old friend and fellow m...2018-06-0647 min