Coach Dan John

265. Dan John on Never Let Go

Coach Dan John discusses the importance of reverence, perseverance, and appreciation for education. We have been on a journey for several episodes exploring the philosophies of The Sword in the Stone.

I am grateful for Dan’s friendship and wisdom. Dan has a knack for uncovering profound life lessons during our discussions and I am fortunate to be on the receiving end of these treasures.

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NAPAWF

263. NAPAWF on the AAPI community and reproductive justice

The National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum (NAPAWF) is the only organization focused on building power with AAPI women and girls to influence critical decisions that affect AAPI lives, families, and communities. Using a reproductive justice framework, they elevate AAPI women and girls to impact policy and drive systemic change in the United States.

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35. Larry Nager on the art of life: Music, Cuban-American collaboration and Washboards

Larry Nager is an award-winning writer, music historian, documentary filmmaker, educator and musician based in Nashville, TN. Larry shares his experiences on his current project, Havana Time Machine, a PBS Great Performances event airing on October 6. It was filmed entirely in Cuba, and features GRAMMY-winning Americana performers Raul Malo & The Mavericks in concert with some of Cuba’s finest musicians. (see the link below for artists) Larry and I chat about music and the ability for art in all forms to bring people together. We discuss the politics of today and how history keeps repeating itself, but what each of us can do to make a difference.

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34.Antje Wiegand on cultural barriers

I have been enjoying all of my conversations, but I feel especially privileged to have spoken with strong women who inspire me. On previous podcasts I’ve spoken to real life Wonder Women like Hailey, a transgender gay woman who had to fight for her identity; Helena, a woman who left her religious cult to save her life; and Commissioner Sheehan, the first openly gay elected woman in Central Florida, who discussed her fight with politics and the aftermath of the Pulse shooting tragedy. Today I had the privilege to speak with Antje Wiegand. Antje had to overcome her own challenges being born with hip dysplasia and being bullied as a child. Today, she teaches others about Cultural Awareness to dismiss stereotypes amongst the community in Germany. She also shares some emotional stories of her work with Syrian and Nigerian refugees. Although I see myself as someone who advocates for diversity, after speaking with Antje, I learned that having true respect is more than just embracing someone’s culture, but embracing them simply as humans.

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33. Alex Hernandez on space opera, biopunk, and the family genealogy

September 15 marks that start of National Hispanic heritage month, and I was happy to chat with Alex Hernandez, a Cuban-American science fiction writer based in South Florida. He blends the sub genres of space opera and biopunk into his stories. Many of his books often themes of migration due to his family history with immigrating from Cuba. We discuss his heritage, genealogy, and how his life influences his work. Don’t think you are a fan of the genre? Once I learned what it was, I was surprised to learn that I like space opera and biopunktoo, being a fan of Star Wars, Cowboy Bebop, and Orphan Black.

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29. Matt Hinckley on sustainable food

It’s time to talk about food!!! As many of you know, I love food.  However, being a lover of all foods often raises questions about animal rights, sustainability, being eco friendly, and overall health.  Today I talk with chef Matt Hinckley of Hinckley’s Meats about all of these topics.  Matt has traveled the world researching food and cultures and formerly worked in Disney and Michelin star restaurants. We all love to eat, but what are some better choices we can be making towards the environment or animal rights?  We may not have all the answers, but Matt shares some interesting insights on the food industry; including the large role immigrants play in keeping restaurants alive and substance abuse amongst chefs due to the high pressure of the job.

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