A Pretty Normal Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Episode #51: Becoming More Sustainable with Harriet Robinson May 17, 2020

Show notes

Hello everyone and welcome to A Pretty Normal Podcast, a show that re-imagines what society considers normal. Each week I interview different guests about the topics they’re most passionate about.

This week I had the opportunity of interviewing Harriet Robinson, a journalist, presenter and the host of Wannabe Greener, a podcast that focuses on sustainability and other eco-topics.

Harriet meets inspirational people whose actions are making big changes in terms of sustainability. Their interactive discussions break down myths and offer advice and tips and answer questions from listeners.

As you can tell from the clip at the beginning, I wanted to speak with Harriet about her eco journey and wanted to get some advice for people who want to reduce their own environmental footprint, but don't know where to start or think it’s too expensive to do so.

You can connect with Harriet Robinson on Instagram @wannabe.greener

and listen at Wannabe Greener

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Remember to leave us a rating and review if you enjoy the content brought to you every week. Message us if you would like to come on the show or know anyone who you would like to see come on the show.

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/aprettynormal/support

Episode #50: Supporting African Artists with Soraya Sheppard May 11, 2020

Show notes

Hello everyone and welcome to A Pretty Normal Podcast, a show that re-imagines what society considers normal. Each week I interview different guests about the topics they’re most passionate about. This week I had the opportunity of interviewing Soraya Sheppard, the founder and president of Color Me Africa Fine Arts, a majority woman owned and run non profit organization centered on creating awareness of African visual artists in the U.S and Canada. Soraya immigrated to the United States during the uprising in South Africa in 1987 where many of her friends and family were being arrested for resisting the apartheid regime.In 2011 Sheppard, a single mother of four adult children returned to her birth country to explore new possibilities and opportunities. What she discovered was a sense of despair, resignation, hopelessness and frustration at the government for failing to deliver on its mandate. This is Soraya's story and what drove her to create Color Me Africa Fine Arts.If you enjoy this interview and believe in what Soraya and Color Me Africa Fine Arts is doing make sure to connect with her at the link below. As I said in last weeks monologue, there are many ways to participate in #GivingTuesdayNow and non-profit organizations would greatly benefit from any sort of contribution you can give right now so make sure to go check them out and connect with Soraya.You can connect with Color Me Africa Fine Arts on Instagram @colormeafricafineartsand learn more at www.colormeafricafinearts.com Subscribe to the show and follow us on Facebook // Instagram // Twitter // YoutubeRemember to leave us a rating and review if you enjoy the content brought to you every week. Message us if you would like to come on the show or know anyone who you would like to see come on the show. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/aprettynormal/support

A Pretty Normal Monologue: Support #GivingTuesdayNow May 05, 2020

Show notes

Hello everyone and welcome to A Pretty Normal Podcast, a show that re-imagines what society considers normal. Each week I interview different guests about the topics they’re most passionate about. This week I wanted to focus my weekly monologue on an industry that I truly hope does not get forgotten about amidst all of the chaos and confusion of Covid-19 and that is the non-profit industry. Non-profit organizations are essential to our society, they raise awareness, fight for social causes and educate and improve the lives of the public. Donations are the lifelines of non-profit organizations and without them many smaller less well known organizations will no longer be able to fund research, their staff or any of their programs and services. Giving Tuesday is a day of giving and unity that takes place all over the world. Its usually held right around the beginning of the holiday season however this year it will be organized much earlier in an effort to focus on boosting fundraising and support for the nonprofit community. Now if you are strapped for money and face financial uncertainty because of this pandemic, I don't blame you for not being able to chip in. The well being and security of you and your family understandably comes first. So listen and visit now.givingtuesday.org to a few other ways you can support without giving financiallyCitation: https://now.givingtuesday.org/ideashttps://www.thenonprofittimes.com/report/npt-top100-an-in-depth-study-of-americas-largest-nonprofits/https://www.samaritas.org/About-Samaritas/News-Updates/artmid/582/articleid/1380https://www.councilofnonprofits.org/sites/default/files/documents/letter-to-congress-include-nonprofits-in-coronavirus-package-3-11-2020.pdfhttps://www.classy.org/blog/stimulus-package-for-nonprofits/Thank you to everyone who supports the show and has shared the show with a friend or a loved one. Subscribe to the show and follow us on Facebook // Instagram // Twitter // YoutubeRemember to leave us a rating and review if you enjoy the content brought to you every week. Message us if you would like to come on the show or know anyone who you would like to see come on the show. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/aprettynormal/support

Episode #49: Child Marriage, Human Trafficking and Menstrual Restrictions with Rima Nashashibi May 03, 2020

Show notes

Hello everyone and welcome to A Pretty Normal Podcast, a show that re-imagines what society considers normal. Each week I interview different guests about the topics they’re most passionate about. This week I had the opportunity of interviewing Rima Nashashibi, the founder and president of Global Hope 365, a non profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of women and girls, by advocating for their safety, education and empowerment with a focus on ending child marriage, human trafficking and menstrual restrictions. Human trafficking is a crime that forcefully exploits women, men, and children. According to the United Nations, human trafficking affects every country in the world, but it’s not talked about enough. I'm very proud to offer this platform to Rima to discuss these important topics and to raise awareness.You can connect with Global Hope 365 on Instagram @Globalhope365and learn more at www.globalhope365.orgHere are a few ways you can get involved in the fight against child marriage, human trafficking and menstrual restrictions:Donate: https://www.globalhope365.org/donateCA Coalition to End Child Marriage https://cacoalitiontoendchildmarriage.org/The Digital Advocacy Campaign: https://actionnetwork.org/letters/end-child-marriage-in-the-state-of-california/Add Partners to the CA Coalition to end Child Marriage: Organizations, Elected officials, community leaders, and youth Ambassadors: https://cacoalitiontoendchildmarriage.org/join-us/To invite Rima Nashashibi to speak: contact Kristin@GlobalHope365.org.To volunteer: Ali@GlobalHope365.org Subscribe to the show and follow us on Facebook // Instagram // Twitter // YoutubeRemember to leave us a rating and review if you enjoy the content brought to you every week. Message us if you would like to come on the show or know anyone who you would like to see come on the show. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/aprettynormal/support

A Pretty Normal Monologue: Protesters Gone Wild! Apr 27, 2020

Show notes

Hello everyone and welcome to A Pretty Normal Podcast, a show that re-imagines what society considers normal. Each week I interview different guests about the topics they’re most passionate about. This week I wanted to focus my monologue on the protests occurring all over the United States and around the world. While there are definitely more than plenty of bad actors and selfish people latching themselves onto these protests, my goal was not to rant about why they shouldn't be protesting in the first place, but instead tell them that they are focusing their energy towards the wrong goals. With no arrests happening, (where would you even put people right now) and the advice of the medical community not deterring them, the protesters should instead start to protest actual injustices in our system. Keep that same energy when it comes to our greedy for profit healthcare system. If you're going to protest, at least make it something worth protesting over. I also discuss how societies mindset that welfare is "government handouts" and is "un-american" has lead to unnecessary complaining and astroturf protesting. Let me know what you think about the protests over on social media @aprettynormalpodcast.Citation:Coronavirus: The US resistance to a continued lockdown‘We cannot keep going this way.’ SLO County residents protest shelter-at-homeIt is time to cancel student debt and make higher education free Feds order Alex Jones to stop selling phony coronavirus curesThe coronavirus’s unpredictable impact on next year’s health insurance rates, explained Thank you to everyone who supports the show and has shared the show with a friend or a loved one. Subscribe to the show and follow us on Facebook // Instagram // Twitter // YoutubeRemember to leave us a rating and review if you enjoy the content brought to you every week. Message us if you would like to come on the show or know anyone who you would like to see come on the show. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/aprettynormal/support

Episode #48: Luis Martin, "The Art Engineer" Apr 26, 2020

Show notes

Hello everyone and welcome to A Pretty Normal Podcast, a show that reimagines what society considers normal. Each week I interview different guests about the topics they’re most passionate about. This week I had the opportunity of interviewing Luis Martin also known as The art engineer. Luis is a collage artist, podcaster and new age capitalist. He creates with the “hustler’s” essence of his home base, New York City and keeps tuned in and inspired with his native California soul. All of his channels of creation offer an abundance of possibility and empowerment. I had the pleasure of meeting Luis back in December before this global pandemic at a podcasters meet up in Manhattan. It was really awesome to meet a fellow podcaster who is also a collage artist and although I had hopes of this interview being in person so we could do some collaging together and share our processes, Luis has been doing some amazing work during this quarantine and I couldn't let his beautiful pieces of art keep coming up on my news feed without extending an invitation to come on the show. I had a blast with this interview and hope that this is the first, but not the last time I get to interview the art engineer. You can connect with Luis Martin on Instagram @artengineerand check out his art at www.collagedream.comSubscribe to the show and follow us on Facebook // Instagram // Twitter // YoutubeRemember to leave us a rating and review if you enjoy the content brought to you every week. Message us if you would like to come on the show or know anyone who you would like to see come on the show. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/aprettynormal/support

Episode #47: Coronavirus, Bill Gates and the World Health Organization Apr 22, 2020

Show notes

Hello everyone and welcome to A Pretty Normal Podcast, a show that reimagines what society considers normal. Each week I interview different guests about the topics they’re most passionate about. This week I had the opportunity to talk with two fellow New Yorkers about the current state of the United States economy, whether the media has caused unnecessary panic and fear, Bill Gates and his sway in the World Health Organization and more. Enjoy this off the cuff conversation and let us know on Instagram or Twitter what your opinion is! Do you think the media has overblown the coronavirus situation or are we underrating how dangerous this can get? Subscribe to the show and follow us on Facebook // Instagram // Twitter // YoutubeRemember to leave us a rating and review if you enjoy the content brought to you every week. Message us if you would like to come on the show or know anyone who you would like to see come on the show. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/aprettynormal/support

A Pretty Normal Monologue: The Origin and Future of 4/20 Apr 20, 2020

Show notes

Hello everyone and welcome to A Pretty Normal Podcast, a show that re-imagines what society considers normal. Each week I interview different guests about the topics they’re most passionate about. This week I wanted to focus my attention on the mystery behind the origin of the worldwide unofficial stoner holiday known as 4/20. I also dive into the the economic and medicinal benefits of marijuana legalization. Being that this entire month of April is technically 4/20, what better day than 4.20.20 to talk about the history of 4/20 and where the cannabis plant stands in a few countries.Citation:What Are the Benefits of Marijuana?Harvard Health Blog - Medical MarijuanaThe Potential Benefits of Medical Marijuana | Dr. Alan Shackelford | TEDxCincinnatiAndrew Yang Speech These states now have legal weed, and which states could follow suit in 2020“Good people don’t smoke marijuana” -Senator Jeff Sessions Two-thirds of Americans support marijuana legalization4/20: Five Myths and One Truth About the Unofficial Holiday420 Meaning: The True Story Of How April 20 Became ‘Weed Day’Mexico’s legalization of hemp, marijuana could be ‘quite significant’ for US marketsCanada Defends Marijuana Legalization In Response To International SkepticismReefer Madness ClipThank you to everyone who supports the show and has shared the show with a friend or a loved one. Subscribe to the show and follow us on Facebook // Instagram // Twitter // YoutubeRemember to leave us a rating and review if you enjoy the content brought to you every week. Message us if you would like to come on the show or know anyone who you would like to see come on the show. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/aprettynormal/support

Episode #46: The Future Was Now with J.R Harber Apr 19, 2020

Show notes

Hello everyone and welcome to A Pretty Normal Podcast, a show that reimagines what society considers normal. Each week I interview different guests about the topics they’re most passionate about. This week I had the opportunity to interview J.R Harber, an environmentalist, founder of a nonprofit animal rescue, and author of the timely, new post-pandemic fiction novel The Future Was Now.As an advocate for stronger environmental and watershed protection, among other things, Harber pens a cautionary and timely tale that explores contemporary events such as a global pandemic, environmental pollution, artificial intelligence, universal income, and privacy protection all while challenging us to consider what we would sacrifice to give all a safer world.The Future Was Now wrestles with different approaches to how people live and consume resources after a global pandemic destroys the world that we know today. The new society that rises from the ashes is forced to make tough decisions in order to ensure a sustainable world for future generations. This post-apocalyptic novel examines responses to current themes in distinct potential societies that we could become tomorrow.You can get the book at www.beyondhorizonseries.comSubscribe to the show and follow us on Facebook // Instagram // Twitter // YoutubeRemember to leave us a rating and review if you enjoy the content brought to you every week. Message us if you would like to come on the show or know anyone who you would like to see come on the show. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/aprettynormal/support

A Pretty Normal Monologue: What About China!!! Apr 16, 2020

Show notes

Hello everyone and welcome to A Pretty Normal Podcast, a show that re-imagines what society considers normal. Each week I interview different guests about the topics they’re most passionate about. This week I wanted to focus my monologue on something I believe deserves a lot of attention and discussion. China continues to build a virtual, cyber wall between their citizens and critics in the outside world. The Chinese Communist Party is taking its online censorship to a new extreme by blocking its people from playing Nintendo’s Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Many players have taken to Animal Crossing to continue the Hong Kong protests. The communist regime has noticed an authority vacuum in online multiplayer games, which enables people to freely socialize without monitoring. So new laws are being made.One-player online games will also be subject to surveillance, as a new real-name mechanism is going to be implemented in China. Also, the new law will not allow for zombies and plagues, map editing, roleplaying, as well as organizing a union in gamesListen to my weekly monologue and let me know what you think about China and the cyber wall they are creating. Monologue Research Links:China to ban online gaming, chatting with foreigners outside Great FirewallChina bans sale of Animal Crossing: New Horizons after it becomes a haven for Hong Kong protestersWhy Hong Kong is protesting: Their five demands listedInside Chinese camps thought to be detaining a million Muslim UighursThe Wuhan coronavirus has hit Xinjiang, where China has imprisoned at least 1 million Uighur Muslims. Its filthy detention camps will make inmates sitting ducks.A million Muslims are held in detention camps that China now portrays as 'humane'GENEVA / CHINA HUMAN RIGHTSThank you to everyone who supports the show and has shared the show with a friend or a loved one. Subscribe to the show and follow us on Facebook // Instagram // Twitter // YoutubeRemember to leave us a rating and review if you enjoy the content brought to you every week. Message us if you would like to come on the show or know anyone who you would like to see come on the show. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/aprettynormal/support

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