Grown Ass Kids

This is the story of Ramon Sotelo. Ramon is a Mexican American who grew up in Central California and found that at times he was too brown for some...and not brown enough for others. 

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!!! Assuming you are in America and celebrate it. If not you can laugh at us silly Americans. I asked random people while I was out in about in Sonoma County today, several questions about Thanksgiving. It's surprising how little some of us know about this day many celebrate. It's also pretty funny. Enjoy!

Marlee and Me (sorry I couldn't resist)... continue to talk some more, only this time we have a case of the blues. 

This week I am in conversation with Seattle's woman of radio, television and blues... Marlee Walker. This is part one of our two part conversation that delves into everything and anything about media, blues music and her career in radio and television. I am a radio nerd, I love to have voices keep me company throughout the day. I met Marlee a little over a year and a half ago at one of her Blue's events and we got into a quick conversation about radio and podcasts. I was excited to meet someone who loves radio. I immediately wanted to know more about her. Marlee wanted to start a podcast and I was just getting into podcasting, so we decided to sit down and have a conversation about this new media, radio and blues... even if it took us close to two years. Better late than never !

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to spend the day in someone else's shoes? Well Renee Spears did. She wondered what it was like to be homeless on the streets of Portland, OR. Of course a day alone will not allow a person to understand the plight or to know what it really means to be homeless, but it can foster compassion and understanding.  I reached out to Renee after I learned of her story and asked her if she would sit down with me and share her experience.  This is our conversation. Enjoy!

Dallas Clayton writes Children's books. He has been lauded by many as a modern day Dr. Seuss. And while I tend toagree, I also find him to be a bit of a modern day philosopher, but perhaps the two go hand in hand.  I came into this conversation knowing only that I wanted to speak with the man that Isaw a few years back reading a book for kids to a group of adults. I don't think it getsmuch more punk rock than that.  P.S. - please excuse the audio quality 

This week I converse with creative "thinker-upper"  David Tobin about the mini audio movies he has created and how they evolved from game night entertainment to educational tools to expand the imaginations of both children and adults alike. We discuss everything from Audiojack to his years working at the Roxy on the Sunset Strip , living on a budget and chasing dreams. 

Ryan Keating educated me on the possibilities of Psychedelics being used to promote health and wellness. For the girl scared of drugs I was way too open to the possibilities. I must be on drugs And yes kids...this is a long one.  I figured that was ok since I have been away for so long. 

It's time for another host chat. This week Scheereen tells me all about the gross bugs in South Carolina and dealing with bad news . This of course takes us on an detour into the topic of death , the confederate flag and so much more. 

 It has been a year since I first spoke with Randy and became aware of his personal goal to walk around the Salton Sea and get fit. A year later his goal became a reality and the purpose of the walk expanded into something bigger than anticipated. In this episode I learn about the dangers of quick sand, the Salton Sea disappearing and holding yourself accountable. 

Instagram has done it yet again, and connected me with another individual for a podcast. This week I speak with Mahdi about growing up in Iran.  Mahdi and I connected over nature photos and the simple act of liking one another's photos. I reached out and asked him if he would like to podcast and he graciously accepted the challenge. Challenge is a bit of an understatement as he is not fluent in English, Iran has a horrible internet connection and I had to learn to speak slowly (which us English speakers take for granted). 

This episode is a host episode, in which Jeanette and Scheereen use the podcast as an excuse to catch up, while weaving in and out of conversations about babies, keeping secrets, rebelling against workplace dress codes and receiving unexpected packages. 40 is the new 19!

Dipti and I met 5 years ago on the set of a Bollywood film shooting here in the states. Text messages and emails aside, we haven't spoken since then. However, last week we spoke for the first time since March 2010 . I wanted to discuss what it is like to grow up in India, and see how her environment influenced who she grew up to be. Given that Dipti is from Bombay, she was the perfect candidate. But it became clear very fast that India was merely a location in her life. Instead it was the upbringing and support of her parents that shaped and affected how she grew up and who she grew into. This episode reminded me that we as humans have more in common than we often think. We aren't always divided by state lines and continents.