Soul Force Politics

S3E3 -- Heather Mizeur teaches Radical Love as a guest on Soul Soil Podcast May 28, 2020

Until recently, the insights I have gathered from intense spiritual journeys and consciousness studies have been for my own personal growth. However, this pandemic and the challenging times we are navigating has encouraged me to step into a teaching role that empowers more people to find their deepest truths and to live in the spirit of their inner wisdom.

This is a first for me as a podcaster, to have the tables turned and be answering rather than asking the questions. I was delighted to be a guest on the show, "Soul Soil Podcast" with Brooke Kornegay and I humbly invite you to take a moment, sit in nature or some other favorite quiet spot and lose yourself in our conversation. I think you will walk away with some valuable insights and inspiration. I'm here to support you on your journey to wholeness!

S3E2 -- Resilience Test: The Week My Dog Died and I Lost My Job May 20, 2020

Could you lose your dog and your job in the same week and be okay? I learned that for me, the answer is, "Yes." It's the gift of resilience and I want to help you build yours.

S3E1 — Of Virus & Virtues: A Voyage Within Apr 07, 2020

Calamity is a fierce teacher. She has birthed many awakenings. When I stepped outside of the tiny shack that had been my isolated retreat home for 30 days in the Amazon jungle, I was entirely unaware of the unique global moment that had unfolded around me. This is the story of clueless re-entry into a world-wide pandemic and the wisdom this experience offers to navigate these challenging times. Read the Essay

S2E13 — “A Very Stable Genius” — Inside the Trump Presidency with Phil Rucker, White House Bureau Chief for The Washington Post Feb 09, 2020

Todayâ€™s guest is journalist Phil Rucker â€“ the White House Bureau Chief for the Washington Post whose co-authored book, â€œA Very Stable Genius â€“ Donald J. Trumpâ€™s Testing of Americaâ€ debuted number one on the New York Times best-sellers list. In the midst of doing the full circuit of interviews on late night talk shows, National Public Radio, and all the major media outlets last week, we got to sit down with Rucker for an in-depth conversation about this hot new book on our show.

I first got to know Phil Rucker when he was covering the Statehouse beat in Annapolis. I was a new Delegate in the Maryland General Assembly; he was a cub reporter for The Washington Post. In addition to my role as a legislator, I was also an elected member of the Democratic National Committee. In 2008, my experience as a superdelegate to the national convention and the attention that presidential candidates Barrack Obama and Hillary Clinton were lavishing on people in my position was highlighted in a front-page story Rucker wrote for The Washington Post, entitled, â€œOn the Fence and In the Spotlight.â€ We held high professional regard for each other and it didnâ€™t surprise me when he was promoted to cover the national political scene. Philâ€™s talents had him on a trajectory for great things.

A Pulitzer Prize winner, Rucker is now the White House Bureau Chief, giving him access to an array of primary sources that generate one of the most unfiltered views of this presidency. This, in part, is what makes â€œA Very Stable Geniusâ€ such a timely, interesting, and historic read for anyone that wants to better understand what is happening day-to-day behind the scenes in the Trump White House.

Let us take you there in our fast-paced, fun, humorous, provocative, and wide-ranging interview with one of Americaâ€™s top journalists.

S2E12 — Forrest Pritchard and the Art of Farming, Guided by the Wisdom of Nature Jan 21, 2020

Today’s guest is a seventh-generation Virginia farmer whose inspiring journey to the heart of sustainable agriculture made him a New York Times best-selling author for his compelling book, “Gaining Ground: A Story of Farmers’ Markets, Local Food, and Saving the Family Farm.” Join us for a heart-warming, soul-touching, and humorous look at the wisdom Forrest Pritchard has gained directly from nature to guide his farming practices in a way that is steeped in listening to the land and its animals.

Forrest reminds us that we have choices about what we eat and where we get our food — and those decisions have impacts far beyond our immediate gastronomic pleasures.

Food is medicine. We explore what that means, while diving into a deeper understanding of the consciousness that is awakening more land stewards to the ancient system of regenerative farming.

S2E11 — Congressman Jamie Raskin (D-MD) — Under Siege: Is Democracy Fragile or Resilient? Jan 09, 2020

Congressman Jamie Raskin spent 29 years as a Professor of Constitutional Law at American University’s Washington College of Law before he was elected to the U.S. Congress in 2016. You might be familiar with his dazzling intellect while watching the House impeachment hearings, where he serves as a well-regarded Member of the House Judiciary Committee. Congressman Raskin joins us on today’s show to share his brilliant insights into the foundations of our Democracy and what is at stake for the future of America’s experiment with self-governance.

You’re going to love this conversation, which runs the gamut of The Federalist Papers to Speaker Pelosi’s decision to hold the Articles of Impeachment until a proper Senate Trial is assured; from questions of abuse of power to violations of the foreign and domestic emoluments clause. With so many impeachable offenses, why were the House Articles limited to just two instances? From aggression to forbearance, what is the role of restraint in party governance? Do we need political parties? Are some Senators risking jury nullification? Oh yes, all of this and so much more!

Most especially, don’t miss the last ten minutes of this interview, where Congressman Raskin and I share an incredible Soul Force Politics moment together.

S2E10 — “Sacred Instructions: Indigenous Wisdom for Living Spirit-Based Change” — A conversation with author Sherri Mitchell Nov 28, 2019

Today’s guest is the author of an incredible book that I strongly urge you to add to your collection, “Sacred Instructions: Indigenous Wisdom for Living Spirit-Based Change.” Sherri Mitchell was born and raised on the Penobscot Indian Reservation and her professional career spans work as an attorney, policy advocate, civil rights educator for the Maine Attorney General’s office, and founding director of the Land Peace Foundation. In this compelling book, she shares with us knowledge and lived experiences that weave together the political, scientific, ethical, and spiritual aspects surrounding a multitude of complex issues that we must traverse for a deeper collective healing from the trauma of colonization.

This book brings forward unique wisdom teachings from First Nations people that can set us all on a better course. In this podcast, we explore how to silence ourselves to hear the wisdom of our highest authority and how quantum entanglement probes us to right our relationship to life itself. We discuss the myth of separation and how oneness and sameness are not equal. We deconstruct the ways that water has been colonized and how this threatens our very existence. We acknowledge the power of co-creation and untangle how our rights must always be grounded in a corresponding set of responsibilities. We end our conversation with a fascinating review of Indigenous teachings on the roles of sacred feminine and sacred masculine energies and how to keep them in balance for a harmonious way of being. Through it all, you will be struck by the deep intuitive knowing that comes from a way of life that is guided by sacred instructions. May this be the invitation for you to walk in the world in this more enlightened way as well.

S2E9 — Radical Love for LGBTQ Catholics: A Conversation with Father James Martin, SJ Nov 12, 2019

Todayâ€™s guest is one of our countryâ€™s best-known progressive voices in the Catholic church — freshly home from the Vatican, where he received a private audience with Pope Francis to discuss his growing ministry to LGBTQ Catholics. He came to the priesthood after rejecting a life in corporate America; found himself the go-to â€œResident Chaplainâ€ on the Colbert Report; and is the author of several best-selling books, the editor-at-large for America Magazine, and is a widely followed commentator on national and international news. Join us for an insightful, funny, and inspiring conversation with Father Jim Martin.

A couple of disclaimers about our interview.

Nothing about this conversation is meant to be exclusive of other faith traditions. While Father Jim and I share stories and insights that are Christ-focused, we joyfully support and honor all faiths.

And while we engage in a dialogue about various aspects of the Catholic Churchâ€™s teachings, we do not use this interview to acknowledge a history of the Churchâ€™s many failings beyond the LGBTQ issues that are the focus of this episode. Speaking for Soul Force Politics, I want to clarify that not talking about it does not mean we do not see or acknowledge the Churchâ€™s shortcomings on a variety of issues that range from discrimination against women, contributions to the annihilation of tribal culture and forced assimilation, and sexual abuse of children just to name a few. The Church is a human institution, and as such, is just as flawed as it is beautiful.

S2E8 — Will SCOTUS Radically Restore Half the Land of Oklahoma to Tribal Sovereignty? What’s at Stake in Carpenter v. Murphy: A Conversation with Rebecca Nagle Oct 02, 2019

Today’s guest is nationally-recognized indigenous and First Nations activist, Oklahoma journalist and Cherokee Nation citizen, Rebecca Nagle – host of Crooked Media’s sensational new podcast, “This Land.”

This Land is about “an 1839 assassination of a Cherokee leader and a 1999 murder case – two crimes nearly two centuries apart [that] provide the backbone to an upcoming Supreme Court decision that will determine the fate of five tribes and nearly half the land in Oklahoma.”

We have a brilliant conversation about a range of policy issues implicated by the pending SCOTUS decision in the Carpenter v. Murphy dispute. This is a fascinating case for anyone interested in law, public policy, indigenous rights, tribal sovereignty, land rights, and the challenges of fighting against the powerful oil and gas industry.

As we walk through what’s at stake, we explore themes related to the original sin of our nation’s genocide and whether those unresolved issues gave way to the birth of our current political chaos.

And we challenge you to think about your resolve as an activist to stand for the right thing, even if it is not popular.

This and much more on this episode of #SoulForcePolitics.

More about Nagle’s show, “This Land” “Patrick Murphy was convicted of murder by the state of Oklahoma in 2000. But defense attorneys soon discovered that his conviction may have been based on a lie. Hosted by Rebecca Nagle, an Oklahoma journalist and citizen of the Cherokee Nation, [This Land] podcast will provide an in depth look at how a cut and dry murder case opened an investigation into half the land in Oklahoma and the treaty rights of five tribes. Follow along to find out what’s at stake, the Trump administration’s involvement, the larger right wing attack on tribal sovereignty and how one unique case could result in the largest restoration of tribal land in US history.” Click on the image to be directed to This Land —–> Our host, Heather Mizeur, with Rebecca Nagle at her home in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. They are seated under family lithographs of John Ridge and Major Ridge. Here are links to Rebecca Nagle’s opinion editorials for Think Progress and The Washington Post that we referenced in our interview.

S2E7 — Rev. angel Kyodo williams: What is Radical Love? Sep 05, 2019

In this episode, I have the honor of introducing you to one of my teachers â€” a woman whose brilliance, insight, and wisdom has been a welcome partnership on my own journey of liberation.

Come with me to meet the Reverend angel Kyodo williams â€“ only the second black woman to be ordained as a Zen priest in the Japanese Buddhist lineage. Rev. angel is a social visionary who applies wisdom teachings and embodied practice to intractable social issues at the intersection of race, climate, and economic justice.

Radical, redemptive, accepting love is at the core of all personal and social transformation. However, as we discuss, this is a challenging concept and one that requires us to redefine our notion of what love is.

And this examination further calls on us to look more closely at how and whether we are practiced at offering this expansive love to ourselves first.

Rev. angel offers us a tool for expanding the reach of our self-exploration by plugging us into our integrity and inherent dignity through a somatic connection that is formed in a practice that she calls, â€œcentering presence.â€ Come walk with us on this path in our conversation here.

She is the co-author of one of my favorite books, â€œRadical Dharma: Talking race, love, and liberation.â€ In this Soul Force Politics podcast, Rev. angel Kyodo williams gives us meaningful insight to navigate todayâ€™s political challenges by teaching us the difference between anger that is fueling versus anger that is consuming.

And no conversation with Rev. angel is complete without touching on the challenges of disarming, disrupting, and dismantling white supremacy culture. With her characteristic fierce truth-telling-but-held-with-love approach, we learn how to locate ourselves within this system, and land with tools she gives us to create the transformational shift to a future filled with radical love for self and others.

Watch this video for instructional guidance on the “centering in presence” activity taught by Rev. angel Kyodo williams

S2E6 — Dolores Huerta: Empowering Action For Change Jul 16, 2019

I am thrilled to bring you a conversation with a woman who has defined what it means to be a social justice warrior for all of her nearly 90 years in this lifetime – the unstoppable Dolores Huerta.

She co-founded the United Farm Workers union with Cesar Chavez in the 1960s and led the successful 5-year national grape boycott that delivered key labor concessions for farm workers. Dolores helped organize and mobilize Latinx voters at the ballot box to help deliver Bobby Kennedy the California primary win and was standing next to him at the victory podium at the Ambassador Hotel in Las Angeles just moments before he was assassinated in 1968.

Throughout her entire career, Dolores Huerta has spearheaded movements for the advancements of civil rights. She is also no stranger to acts of civil disobedience, having been arrested for advocacy numerous times and also, tragically, experiencing police brutality when a San Francisco police officer beat her to the point of hospitalization while participating in a rally protesting the policies of the George H.W. Bush presidency in 1988.

Dolores is 89 years young and ran circles around me in this interview. Her passion, strength of character, vitality, and persistence is palpable. She chastises me more than once that our work must be about love AND accountability. She is all about action! Learn more about her lifetime of empowering action for change by listening to our show and visiting her current work at the Dolores Huerta Foundation.

S2E5 — Crystal Bowersox on the “Courage To Be Kind” Apr 24, 2019

Crystal Bowersox stole the nation’s heart as the darling of the 9th season of American Idol. Her voice has been described as both “dirt and diamonds.” Her music is full of light and love and she speaks a wisdom beyond her years.

We recorded this podcast – and her live performance of a song – in my ship suite on the Melissa Etheridge Cruise. I heard Crystal playing this song, “Courage to be Kind” in one of her concerts on the ship and knew that she would be the perfect guest for Soul Force Politics. Join us for this beautiful conversation about struggle, redemption, love, light, kindness, and a willingness to reach across ideological divides and the political spectrum to hug perfect strangers and remind them they are loved!

S2E4 — Former U.S. Senator and Secretary of State, John F. Kerry Mar 20, 2019

Today’s guest is one of America’s most accomplished and enduring public servants – decorated Vietnam War Veteran, 2004 Democratic Presidential Nominee, former U.S. Senator and Secretary of State, John F. Kerry.

I was blessed to have a front-row seat to watch this man in action for four years. From 2002 – 2006 I was Senator Kerry’s Domestic Policy Director in Congress and took a leave of absence from the Senate during the Presidential campaign to be the Kerry-Edwards campaign director for the State of Maryland. These were some of the most formative years of my professional career. I got to learn from one of the best.

It was wonderful to reunite with my friend, mentor, former boss, and one of my political heroes to engage in a Soul Force Politics dialogue for our listening community. If you have not yet read his new memoir, “Every Day is Extra,” I highly recommend you pick up or download a copy of this fascinating story of his life of service. We walk through some of my favorite portions of the book in this podcast episode.

Join us for this lively conversation about the global threat of climate change; war-time lessons about life, death, and government betrayal; a warm review of a surprising bipartisan friendship that came from speaking truth in a Senate prayer breakfast; a rewind to the 1996 clash of the titans in Kerry v. Weld and their ground-breaking campaign finance agreement; and thoughts about regaining America’s standing on the world stage.

S2E3 — 6 Lessons from the Covington Teens Standoff Jan 29, 2019

In this episode, our host, Heather Mizeur, shares her reflections on the lessons emerging from the national debate that was stirred from the standoff between the Covington Catholic teens and a Native American drummer at the Lincoln Memorial following the Indigenous People’s March on January 18th. “Rather than engaging in an exercise of finger-pointing and assigning blame over whose version of what happened is ‘truth,’ it might serve us better to focus on what this moment teaches us. There are some rich lessons here for all of us, should we choose to open ourselves to the opportunity.”

S2E2 — Sister Helen Prejean: Infusing Our Criminal Justice System With Radical Love Jan 10, 2019

Sister Helen Prejean, the spitfire Catholic nun internationally known for her work as a death penalty repeal advocate and author of the bestselling book, “Dead Man Walking,” joins Heather Mizeur for a #SoulForcePolitics conversation about mass incarceration, restorative justice, state executions, revenge, forgiveness, the grace of awakening, and the deep responsibility we have to take action and speak truth when we bear witness to injustice. These lessons are beautifully told in her upcoming memoir, “River of Fire,” which she previews for us here.

Watch the preview of the new documentary, “Sister,” about Helen Prjean’s life and work Read Sister Helen Prejean and Delegate Heather Mizeur’s Baltimore Sun editorial calling for an end to the death penalty in Maryland, Jan. 17, 2013

S2E1 — Melissa Etheridge & Heather Mizeur: Radical Love Can Change Politics Nov 15, 2018

“How would the world be different if politics were rooted in radical love?” In this kick off to Season 2 of the #SoulForcePolitics podcast, join Grammy and Oscar award-winning rock star Melissa Etheridge and our host, Heather Mizeur, for an in-depth discussion on how radical love can change politics as usual.

029 — The Pulse Legacy: Love Always Wins (Part 2) Jun 13, 2018

We end our first season of #SoulForcePolitics with the release of a special two-part series dedicated to exploring the healing power of love to conquer hate in the aftermath of the tragedy at Pulse Nightclub in Orlando.Â

Two years ago this week, forty-nine souls were violently and unexpectedly taken from us as they were on the dance floor shining their light, loving life, and celebrating LGBT Pride. The darkness that filled the hours after this vile attack was almost too much for many to bear. And then Melissa Etheridge came in to help us heal a little bit. She immediately wrote and recorded the song “Pulse,â€ which remains a powerful reminder of how and why we are all called to love one another. Melissa joins us for a brief interview as part of our #SoulForcePolitics podcast tribute to Pulse survivors, families of the victims, and the Orlando alliance that formed after this tragedy.Â

I went to Orlando to meet and hear the stories of Barbara Poma, Pulse Nightclub owner and founder of the One Pulse Foundation; VÃco BaÃ©z Febo, one of the survivors of this heinous hate crime whose emotional wisdom is medicine for weary souls; Mayra Benabe-Alvear, the strong, big-hearted, and remarkably joyful mother of victim Amanda Alvear; and Robin Maynard-Harris, community activist and a founding board member at the One Orlando Alliance.Â From this wonderful weekend together, I have curated a unique story of insight told through their woven and interrelated experiences. Through it all, is a story of the resilience of the human spirit and the power of love to rise above everything.Â Love always wins.

In a time when so much of the news and focus is on the negativity and the poisoned relationships around us, this podcast can be your refuge for how to defeat it with a connection to all that is beautiful and positive in this world.

So stick with us through both episodes. You wonâ€™t want to miss a single moment.Â And please, honor them with action. Choose only love. Be ONE.

028 — The Pulse Legacy: Love Always Wins (Part 1) Jun 13, 2018

We end our first season of #SoulForcePolitics with the release of a special two-part series dedicated to exploring the healing power of love to conquer hate in the aftermath of the tragedy at Pulse Nightclub in Orlando.Â

Two years ago this week, forty-nine souls were violently and unexpectedly taken from us as they were on the dance floor shining their light, loving life, and celebrating LGBT Pride. The darkness that filled the hours after this vile attack was almost too much for many to bear. And then Melissa Etheridge came in to help us heal a little bit. She immediately wrote and recorded the song “Pulse,â€ which remains a powerful reminder of how and why we are all called to love one another. Melissa joins us for a brief interview as part of our #SoulForcePolitics podcast tribute to Pulse survivors, families of the victims, and the Orlando alliance that formed after this tragedy.Â

I went to Orlando to meet and hear the stories of Barbara Poma, Pulse Nightclub owner and founder of the One Pulse Foundation; VÃco BaÃ©z Febo, one of the survivors of this heinous hate crime whose emotional wisdom is medicine for weary souls; Mayra Benabe-Alvear, the strong, big-hearted, and remarkably joyful mother of victim Amanda Alvear; and Robin Maynard-Harris, community activist and a founding board member at the One Orlando Alliance.Â From this wonderful weekend together, I have curated a unique story of insight told through their woven and interrelated experiences. Through it all, is a story of the resilience of the human spirit and the power of love to rise above everything.Â Love always wins.

In a time when so much of the news and focus is on the negativity and the poisoned relationships around us, this podcast can be your refuge for how to defeat it with a connection to all that is beautiful and positive in this world.

So stick with us through both episodes. You wonâ€™t want to miss a single moment.Â And please, honor them with action. Choose only love. Be ONE.

027 — Humanitarian, Chef José Andrés: The Power of a Humble Plate of Food to Offer Hope, Love, Care & Connection Jun 06, 2018

Today’s guest is one of the great humanitarians of our time — Chef José Andrés. He isn’t only a famous celebrity chef with amazing top-tier restaurants to satisfy your culinary desires. He is also leader of the World Central Kitchen, a non-profit organization that has fed millions in the wake of disasters that range from earthquakes in Haiti and hurricanes in Puerto Rico to wildfires in California and volcanic eruptions on the Hawaii islands and just this week in Guatemala.

He told me that the first book he read in English was John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath and he was particularly moved by a quote from the book that “Wherever they’s a fight so hungry people can eat, I’ll be there.”

José Andrés is always there.

He has a simple belief and powerful understanding of the role that food can play as a change agent. Born in Spain, Chef Andrés is a New American that exudes our nation’s can-do spirit and the knowledge that we are strongest in our unity together — we, the people, can do anything united!

Thanks for listening, and I hope that you will be inspired by José Andrés’ words, his work, and his belief that just by merely showing up with a big and open heart to serve your neighbor, you, too, can make a huge difference in this world.

Learn more about José Andrés’ non-profit work to feed a hungry world during catastrophic natural disasters through his World Central Kitchen organization. Learn more about José Andrés’ culinary work and the many award-winning restaurants he owns through his Think Food Group company.

026 — “RFK: His Words for Our Times” ~ author C. Richard Allen May 30, 2018

Few have inspired me more in public life than Robert F. Kennedy.

Imagination, courage, and determination. Justice, fairness, and equality. Compassion, mixed with toughness and discipline.

He promoted unity over division.

He encouraged dissent to strengthen conviction.

His heart was in charge, and it led him to personally witness and uplift the despair, hopes, and dreams of America’s unfinished business in forgotten pockets of the nation – from Native American reservations to the fields of migrant farmworkers; from urban blight to rural hunger. Bobby Kennedy reflected the consciousness of our best selves.

He practiced Soul Force Politics.

50 years ago we lost Bobby Kennedy to an assassin’s bullet when he was shot after winning the Democratic presidential primary in California on June 5th, 1968. Fortunately, words themselves never die. And in his book, “RFK: His Words for Our Times,” author C. Richard Allen collects, edits, and introduces us to the core of Robert Kennedy’s work through the use of his own words from testimony and speeches Kennedy gave in his short but profound career in public service.

In today’s show, we speak with Rick Allen about this book, Bobby Kennedy’s life and contributions to public policy, political thought, and the imagination of what can still be accomplished to live up to our country’s greatest calling – the belief that we can always aspire to be a better, more perfect union where equality and justice for all are the cornerstones of our democracy.

Thanks for listening and I hope that you will be inspired to read this incredible book and find the Bobby Kennedy that resides in your own heart’s desire to act for good in the world. RFK’s words are most definitely a timeless call to action and we need his wise guidance now more than ever.

A celebration of Kennedy’s life and legacy, “RFK; His Words for Our Times,” by C. Richard Allen and Edwin O. Guthman

025 — Alex & Allyson Grey: Psychedelic Mystical Experiences & the Expression of the Sacred in Visionary Art May 16, 2018

Todayâ€™s show connects you to two extraordinary, transcendental artists that are world-renowned pioneers in showcasing the exploration of consciousness and use of psychedelics to influence the visionary art realm and the expression of the sacred. I go to New Yorkâ€™s COSM — Chapel of the Sacred Mirrors â€“ to interview Alex and Allyson Grey in their personal art studios.

You truly must have a sense of their art to fully appreciate this interview. This is where the limitations of audio production can be challenging â€“ so be sure to capture at least a passing view of a few pieces of their artwork that we have showcased on our website and/or the MizMaryland Facebook and Instagram pages.

Beyond the appreciation of Alex and Allysonâ€™s other-worldly artistic talents, I have always perhaps most loved our conversations about consciousness, connection, and explorations of the sacred realms. Their views are very much in alignment with our mission at #SoulForcePolitics.

And a basic warning I should offer with this episode. We engage in an open-minded discussion of the impact that psychedelic medicines have had on the Greys in forming mystical experiences that have had a deep impact on their visionary artistic expression and world-view. I am aware that this can be a controversial topic for some listeners. I invite you to be open to a different perspective, as I have had my own shift in understanding how these medicines might be beneficial to some if undertaken with the right intention and under responsible guidance.

I always relish the role of being a thought leader and having the guts to jump into these types of conversations that can be controversial â€“ and at the same time, this topic is very near on the edge of becoming more mainstream as just this week, New York Times best-selling author, Micheal Pollan has released his new book, â€œHow to Change Your Mind: What the New Science of Psychedelics Teaches Us About Consciousness, Dying, Addiction, Depression, and Transcendence.â€

So itâ€™s time for us to start having this dialogue more openly in our communities. Artists and other creatives are often on the front-lines of helping us explore the unknown.

Thanks for listening and I hope that Alex and Allyson and I will open up new inspiration for you to be more creative, more revolutionary, and more willing to explore the depths of your own consciousness and sacred connections as a result of our conversation.

024 — Warren Berger, author of “A More Beautiful Question” May 09, 2018

Today’s guest is former New York Times journalist Warren Berger, the author of the provocative book, “A More Beautiful Question: The Power of Inquiry to Spark Breakthrough Ideas.” Explore with us the power behind one of the most underappreciated tools – one that has been available to us since childhood – the art of asking meaningful questions to ignite change and unleash innovation and creative mastery.

Do you have the courage to ask good questions of yourself and others? Are you willing to subject your bias to interrogation? Should your organization have a Mission Question rather than a Mission Statement? Most of us are quite familiar with the concept of brainstorming. What are the benefits of questionstorming?

Why? What if? How? – these are the tools of 21st Century excellence.

“How might we” is a beautiful invitation that successful leaders are incorporating into their philosophies of exploration. The value of questions is rising in our culture faster than the value of answers. Are you ready for this cultural shift?

Join us for today’s conversation to learn how you can use questioning to create your own shifts in politics, consciousness, and community engagement for a better world.

Visit Warren Berger’s “A More Beautiful Question” website to learn more about this work and ongoing project.

023 — Jennifer Hofmann: Inspired Activism from Americans of Conscience Checklist May 02, 2018

Today’s guest is Jennifer Hofmann, author of the super-popular Americans of Conscience Checklist, which provides her 70,000 online followers with a weekly advocacy list of clear actions to address the undermining of core values by decisions at the local, state, and federal levels of government. Jennifer Hoffmann’s unique approach promotes heartfelt engagement in the work of the Resistance without amplifying polarization. Her lists are free from partisan hype, insults, and vilification. Rather, she combines no-frills policy guidance with a reminder of the importance of self care, promoting gratitude, and noticing evidence of good in the world. Jennifer joins us from Salem, Oregon via our first experiment with a Skype-Studio recorded interview. Stick with us for a mind-meld with a fellow progressive activist and a supporter of thoughtful civic engagement to strengthen our Democracy.

Click on the Liberty icon to get linked to the Americans of Conscience Checklist Read Yes! Magazine’s profile of Jennifer Hofmann’s work with the Americans of Conscience Checklist

022 — Dr. Freeman Hrabowksi, Pres. of UMBC: “The True Grit Behind This Cinderella Story” Apr 25, 2018

Dr. Freeman Hrabowski is the President of the University of Maryland Baltimore County – a college that made history during this year’s March Madness by being the first #16 seed to knock off a top-ranked #1 team in the history of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament.

We talk about what it’s like to truly be a Cinderella story – including the bright light it brings to shine on UMBC’s stellar academic record and unique approach to higher education, especially in STEM subjects and for minority students; their dedication to civic engagement on campus; and why the school calls itself “The House of Grit.”

We also get a deeper understanding of the impact that Martin Luther King, Jr.’s teachings and engagement had on the life of young Birmingham Alabaman, Freeman Hrabowski.

As a participant in King’s Children’s March in 1963 which sponsored noble acts of non-violent protest that brought the city of Birmingham to its knees, Hrabowski was spat on and jailed by Bull Connor and visited by Martin Luther King at the tender age of 12.

Join us this hour to discuss these topics and more – like the importance of curiosity, asking beautiful questions, and using critical thinking while also embracing a beginner’s mind at everything we do to find our pathways to success.

021 — Dr. Martine Rothblatt: A Genius Mind and a Noble Heart Apr 18, 2018

Todayâ€™s guest is a truly remarkable genius, tenacious innovator, and creative problem solver. She also happens to be one of the kindest, most generous, and caring humans I have met. If you have never heard Martine Rothblatt speak of the many ways she has conquered the impossible, then buckle up for a sweet ride on todayâ€™s show where we meet the blending of a genius mind with a noble heart.

Her insatiable curiosity has produced everything from satellite radio and life-saving pharmaceuticals to improved lung transplantation techniques, development of potential pig-to-human organ transplants, to the first prototypes for electric helicopters, and building robotic cybernetic companions.

She is a futurist of the highest order â€“ one that does not just predict; Martine Rothblatt DELIVERS.

She has a law degree, an MBA, and a PhD in medical ethics. Dr. Rothblatt is the founder and former CEO and Chairman of Sirius XM satellite radio, the founding CEO and pioneer of an orphan drug at United Therapeutics that saved the life of her own child before making millions of dollars saving the lives of others, and a futurist that tells us what she sees in the fields of artificial intelligence, mind files, and the exploration of consciousness.

Each week at the end of our show, you hear me encourage you with words that I use as my own personal daily mantra:

Be the change you want to see. Create the world you want to manifest. Break through the illusions of impossibility. Live your lifeâ€™s purpose with clarity, intention, and truth. Choose only love. Be. ONE.

Martine Rothblatt encompasses all of this in the most magnificent way. Thank you for joining us today to listen to her wisdom.

______________

In the first video below, Morgan Freeman meets the robot Bina 48 on his National Geographic show, “The Story of God.” And after seeing this, Whoopi Goldberg went to interview Martine and Bina Rothblatt for a segment for ABC’s “The View.”

Martine Rothblatt was named one of the “100 Greatest Living Business Minds” by Forbes Magazine

020 — Priscilla Renea: Prolific, Award-Winning Songwriter & Soulful Vocal Artist Apr 12, 2018

Priscilla Renea is one of musicâ€™s freshest voices and most talented songwriters — a musical powerhouse exploding on the scene who has the ability to capture your attention through her vocals, her lyrics, her looks, AND her uncanny wisdom on how to navigate life, pivot around the barriers, meet fear with fierce truth and a heart of love, and rise above it all.

You likely know Priscillaâ€™s work without knowing her name, as she has penned #1 smash hits for nearly every popular vocal artist in the industry. And now it is time for her to make her own mark with the debut later this summer of her new album, â€œColoured.â€

Just this week, Parade Magazine, in a profile about this album, notes that Priscilla Renea â€œtriumphs on Coloured with lush vocals, infectious grooves and a way with words that is unparalleled. The maturity of her artistic vision is like a breath of fresh air.â€

Parade Magazine sums up the experience of Reneaâ€™s new album by noting that, â€œspanning classic R&B, dark-edged country and urban-soul, Coloured is a fierce, political, and personal collection of stories that reckon withâ€¦love, heartbreak, and racial trauma.â€

If you live in the Washington, DC area, I hope you will join me at Priscilla Renea’s upcoming show at the Cityâ€™s Songbyrd Music House on Sunday, May 20th.

Yes, I want you to buy and listen to her music; but I also want you to get to know her story; her heart; and her stance for fairness in the world.Â Join us for a #SoulForcePolitics conversation with one of music’s most interesting new personalities, or as others in the media have noted: Priscilla Renea, “The Brain Behind Your Favorite Bangers.”

Read Parade Magazine’s Review of Priscilla Renea’s upcoming new album, “Coloured.”

019 — Sarah McLachlan ~ “World On Fire,” Find Your Voice! Apr 04, 2018

The melodious and angelic sounds of Sarah McLachlan’s voice have sold more than 40 million albums, launched a successful women’s Lilith Fair concert series, and garnered three Grammy’s and twelve JUNO awards to honor her work. McLachlan has a knack for showing people how to do well by doing good.Â In her “World On Fire” video, she limited the production budget to the $15 cost of the video tape and worked with the record label to donate $150,000 (the usual cost of video production) to charitable missions providing access to food and water to poor villages across the globe.

Sarah McLachlan also donated all the proceeds she received from the Lilith Fair concerts to her foundation to create the non-profit Sarah McLachlan School of Music, which provides top quality instruction at no cost for at-risk and underserved children and youth. Its tag line? Find Your Voice. We decided that was also the right name for this podcast interview as Sarah explores with us the importance of self love, kindness, and empathy mixed with the passion of a revolutionary seeking to find and stand in one’s power to change the world.

Sarah playing instruments with students from the Sarah McLachlan School of Music.Â She created the non-profit music school for children and youth from proceeds she received from the Lilith Fair concert series.

018 — March For Our Lives ~ Interviews with Youth Leaders at the National Rally for Gun Reform Mar 28, 2018

A movement of youth voices — led by those traumatized at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland, Florida in February — has captured the attention of the nation and is shifting consciousness on how to move the needle on gun reform in this country. By shining their light and showing their fierce bravery, these activists are giving permission and encouragement to youth across the country to do the same. I captured some of these voices at the national March For Our Lives rally in Washington, DC last weekend. Today’s podcast is entirely devoted to their wisdom. I spoke with black, brown, white, and Asian students, some with developmental and physical disabilities, from many varied socio-economic backgrounds representing communities up and down the East Coast. Though as diverse as could be, their messages were all the same — poignant, personal, emotional, driven, and hopeful…that the time for reforming our gun laws and making our schools and communities more safe is NOW.

Interviews were conducted on March 24, 2018 during the March For Our Lives national rally in Washington, D.C.

017 — Jen Tullock: Actor, Writer, Comedian, Activist who is anything but “Disengaged.” Mar 21, 2018

To spend five minutes with Jen Tullock is to be in stitches. She carries comedic turns-of-phrase and brilliant language choices that sear into your heart, open your mind, make you think, force you to laugh, and leaves you begging for more.

Jen isnâ€™t just a smart and lovable comedian, though. Her serious acting credentials are stacking up to build an impressive resume. She and her ever-present co-collaborator, Hannah Utt, created, wrote, and (Hannah) directed, and starred in the mega popular Super Deluxe Original Series, â€œDisengagedâ€ â€“ the story of a lesbian couple who stumbles into a hasty engagement on the eve of the Supreme Courtâ€™s ruling that legalizes same sex marriage and the ways that decision both strengthens and tests their relationship.

Later this year, Jen Tullock and Hannah Utt will team up again to star alongside actors Alec Baldwin, Judith Light, and Ludacris in a feature film they have co-created at Sundance Labs called, “Stupid Happy.”

And soon to be released as a Netflix original movie on April 6th, Jen Tullock joins Dave Franco and Abbi Jacobson in a film titled, â€œ6 balloonsâ€ â€“ a story of how a family struggles to deal with a brotherâ€™s heroin addiction and the pressures to enable his need for â€œjust one more fix.â€

Listen for yourself to experience the talent and insight that oozes from one of our nationâ€™s most promising up-and-coming LGBT artists.

Catch Jen Tullock’s latest film, “6 balloons,” on Netflix starting April 6th.Â Later this year, she and Hannah Utt will team up again to star alongside actors Alec Baldwin, Judith Light, and Ludacris in a feature film they have co-created at Sundance Labs called, “Stupid Happy.”

016 — U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) On How To Be a Good Mensch Mar 08, 2018

Our guest today is Maryland’s senior United States Senator, Ben Cardin. He’s often referred to around the state as, “My friend, Ben.” While he has the common man’s touch – probably one of the most humble and approachable members of the elite U.S. Senate – Ben Cardin also displays an uncommon dedication to decency, fairness, and justice all rooted in his connection with, love of, and loyalty to family and community.

His wife Myrna – herself a fixture in Maryland politics as the person who has stood by his side for 53 years – says Ben is “the best mensch she knows.” Today we learn from Senator Cardin how the roots of his faith have influenced his public service.

We ask the Senator’s advice and wisdom on how to successfully lead the resistance against the dismantling of the country we love and how best to stand up for the values we share.

So here we have it – Ben Cardin’s guide on how best to be a social justice warrior and a really good mensch.

015 — Erricka Bridgeford, Baltimore Ceasefire 365: “You’re Not Gonna Snatch Our Greatness” Feb 28, 2018

Our guest today is one of the co-founders and guiding forces of the new Baltimore Ceasefire 365 movement which is fiercely determined to turn around the Cityâ€™s homicide rates through a grassroots initiative to promote new ways of thinking and being that honor life-affirming activities and interactions, peace, and connection to each other.Â Baltimore Ceasefireâ€™s successes have come from a collective consciousness that the cycle of killing CAN be broken and the power to do it lies in our OWN hands.

We are joined today by the incomparable, Erricka Bridgeford â€“ named by the Baltimore Sun as its 2017 Marylander of the Year. Her words are laser incisions in your heart space, opening you to a deeper connection to your inner wisdom and spiritual promptings to show up in the world to make a difference.Â Bridgeford is a kindred spirit to Soul Force Politics, as she wields significant influence to teach others how to bring their hearts into their civic actions. Iâ€™m excited about what she will awaken in you today.

014 — U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) on the philosophy of love and social justice Feb 14, 2018

Happy Valentine’s Day! Shouldn’t EVERY DAY be about love? How perfect that today’s show is dedicated to a discussion about the philosophy of love, patriotism, politics, and social justice with a man whose life, actions, and words are the very reflection of a fierce dedication to kindness, love, and compassion. Today’s guest is a United States Senator from New Jersey, and sometimes rumored potential 2020 Democratic candidate for President, Senator Cory Booker.

What I find most compelling about this public servant — above and beyond his dedication to an array of social justice issues that make my heart sing — is his non-apologetic devotion to love and his willingness to publicly proclaim his service to a higher good. That’s much of what our conversation centers around today, as Senator Cory Booker is the walking, living, breathing definition of what I mean by the need for Soul Force Politics in our country.

Senator Cory Booker is the Host of his own new Podcast, “Lift Every Voice,” which is dedicated to shining a light on overlooked issues of injustice and inequality and sharing inspiring stories of change.

013 — Rebecca Alban Hoffberger: Founder, Director, and Principal Curator of the American Visionary Art Museum Feb 07, 2018

Have you seen “The Great Mystery Show” featured at the American Visionary Art Museum (AVAM) until September 2nd of this year?Â “From psychics to physicists, it artfully peels away the veil of the unknown, playfully exploring mystery as that one secret power behind great art, science, and pursuit of the sacred.”Â My guest today is Rebecca Alban Hoffberger — the founder, director, and principal curator of AVAM.Â She is a force to be reckoned with. She exudes genius. Itâ€™s hard to keep up with her rapid-fire thoughts and insights; her quotes and scientific journals; her sheer joy and wonder — but what a delight to try! She opens worlds for us to explore together.

For this hour, you will be treated to a discussion between two friends about the mystery of life, the role of the sacred, what is authentic joy, how does art and politics and spirit and community all interrelate? Do you know that the human heart has taste bud receptors? What does that mean? How does that relate to any of this? Oh, you will find out!!

We end our conversation with an exploration of the seven education goals she has used to frame the vision of her work at the museum — an institution that has always been dedicated to the work of freethinking self-taught innovators.

012 — Congressman Joseph P. Kennedy III (D-MA) Jan 17, 2018

Today’s guest is none other than the young man many are beginning to call “The next President Kennedy.” Representing the 4th Congressional District of Massachusetts is Joseph P. Kennedy III.

This year, when the Republican leadership was bent yet again on repealing Obamacare, and Speaker Paul Ryan was quoted saying that it was “an act of mercy” to end this health care program, Representative Kennedy gave an impassioned speech suggesting, instead, that it was “an act of malice.”

In our conversation, you get a glimpse into the heart of this man that makes it his mission to bring his soul’s force for good into this world through his public service. His wisdom, kindness, compassion, and dedication are exactly what we need more of in the halls of Congress.

011 — Wellness and Resilience for 2018: Insights from a “Modern Medicine Woman,” Deborah Mizeur Jan 10, 2018

Happy New Year! Today’s show is the first of 2018 and it is all about how to start this year off right and keep it going great, no matter what curve balls life might throw at us. Here at Soul Force Politics, we are interested in giving you the tools to be more resilient in the face of conflict. How do we cultivate a better practice of awareness and observation to shape our perspective and navigate our health? We explore these concepts today with a very wise healer, teacher, advocate, and clinician who was recently profiled as a “Modern Medicine Woman” in a cover story for the October 2017 edition of Shore Monthly magazine. Our guest today is Deborah Mizeur. Yes, she also happens to be my spouse. But I promise my praise of her has nothing to do with being biased!

To learn more about Deborah Mizeur’s clinical practice, visit her website at www.apotheosismedicine.com

And for access to locally made organic herbal medicines, and to learn more about her Herbal Alchemy business partnership, visit www.herbalalchemy.me

Baltimore’s NPR Station, WYPR, interviewed Deborah Mizeur for a segment on “Food as Medicine.” You can find that link here.

010 — Congressman Andy Harris (R-MD) & Gun Control Dec 20, 2017

GOP Congressman Andy Harris and Heather Mizeur have polar opposite world views, but in the aftermath of our country’s most recent mass shootings, Heather reached out to see if they could at least try to find some ways to break through the divide on gun violence, better understand each other, and foster a dialogue that might shift the stalemate on this controversial topic. Their fascinating conversation will surprise you.

009 — A Theologian in the Senate ~ U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-DE) Dec 13, 2017

A fearless and outspoken progressive Democrat, U.S. Senator Chris Coons also has the distinction of being trained not only at Yale Law School, but also its Divinity School. He is a wise scholar, a brilliant advocate, an astute policymaker, and a dedicated, humble public servant. We discover intimate details of Senator Coons’ bipartisan friendships in the U.S. Senate and learn why it was so challenging for him to lead the prayer breakfast for President Trump last February. Join us for this conversation to be inspired by the wisdom of how we can best navigate these uncertain times.

008 — Robin Wall Kimmerer, Author of “Braiding Sweetgrass” Dec 06, 2017

Our guest today is one of my favorite authors, Robin Wall Kimmerer, who gave us all the gift of her book, “Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants.”

Elizabeth Gilbert, who you know as the author of “Eat, Pray, Love,” fame calls this book “A hymn of love to the world.”

Gilbert goes on to describe the ways that Kimmerer takes us on a journey that she says is “every bit as mythic as it is scientific, as sacred as it is historical, as clever as it is wise.”

This book’s indigenous wisdom became a guidepost on my own life’s path. I’m excited to share Professor Kimmerer’s profound teachings and insights with all of you.

Robin Wall Kimmerer is a mother, scientist, decorated professor, and enrolled member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation. She is SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor of Environmental Biology, and the founder and director of the Center for Native Peoples and the Environment

007 — U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) Nov 29, 2017

U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) is one of the most respected and astute policy analysts and legislative thinkers on Capitol Hill. In today’s conversation, we connect with him on a range of policy topics and hear his prescriptions for how activists can move the needle on tough issues like climate change and gun control. We hear about some of his successes in working across the aisle to achieve bipartisan legislative victories. And we also get to see a different side of Chris Van Hollen — one that lets us explore his love of the outdoors; how he juggled being the soccer coach for his kids while living the demanding life of a legislator; and a little about his days playing poker and riding motorcycles across the country.

006 — Actress Sonja Sohn, Director of new HBO doc film “Baltimore Rising” Nov 15, 2017

Actress Sonja Sohn discusses her directorial debut, a new HBO documentary film that takes us on a deep journey to review the hidden stories behind the civic unrest that unfolded in Baltimore after the death of Freddie Gray in police custody in 2015.

“Baltimore Rising” chronicles the City’s unrest leading up to this tragedy and takes viewers deep behind the scenes of a community on edge long before an incident that grabbed national attention.

What is so powerful about the film is that it lets Baltimore tell its story in its own voice.

Soul Force Politics was given an advance screening of the film – a story that weaves together the voices of Baltimore’s community leaders, activists, and every day citizens who are working tirelessly to heal and improve relationships with the City’s police and between and among each other.

In this hour, we will give you unparalleled access to the film’s director and the story behind the story.

#BaltimoreRisingDoc

005 — Jenna Johnson, Washington Post White House Correspondent Nov 08, 2017

Jenna Johnson has worked at the Washington Post for more than a decade and covered the Maryland General Assembly in 2014. That’s where she got to know Delegate Heather Mizeur. In September 2015, she was assigned to lead the paper’s campaign coverage for U.S. presidential candidate, Donald J. Trump. As Trump vaulted into prominence to win his party’s nomination and eventually the general election, Johnson had a front row seat to this unconventional campaign and moment in history. With the barrage of “Fake News” claims coming from Trump and his base’s misgivings about the press in general, she understands well the “us” versus “them” divide and shares insights on her understanding of what is fueling the division. And in our conversation, she peels back the curtain and gives us an insider’s view of her experience of getting to know the candidate and his supporters so intimately on the campaign trail.

004 — Rev. Delman Coates, Social Justice Advocate Nov 01, 2017

Heather Mizeur and Delman Coates teamed up in 2014 to be an unlikely ticket for Governor and Lt. Governor of Maryland. A lesbian and black baptist minister, few would have paired them together, but they proved to be a charismatic force for change on the campaign trail. Their friendship endures and in this episode of MizMaryland’s Soul Force Politics, they explore a revolutionary idea of a new abolitionism movement to reform the monetary system for a more compassionate, just, and socially responsible economy.

003 — Governor Larry Hogan (R-MD) Oct 25, 2017

Putting the notion of #SoulForcePolitics to the test, listeners of this episode are treated to a diverse and wide-ranging bipartisan discussion between popular GOP Governor Larry Hogan and Maryland’s most respected progressive voice, Heather Mizeur. Though from different ends of the political spectrum, in the spirit of Soul Force Politics, they show how to disagree on policy options without being disagreeable – modeling honorable leadership and respectful dialogue on difficult topics.

002 — Barbara Mikulski Oct 18, 2017

Maryland’s most popular politician — feisty firebrand, powerhouse & glass-ceiling-breaker, former U.S. Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) — records her very first podcast with MizMaryland | Soul Force Politics and offers her trademark charm, blunt assessments, and keen political insights, sprinkled with humor and unexpected candor about the role of faith and spirituality in a career that spans thirty years of Congressional history-making.

001 – Melissa Etheridge Oct 11, 2017

In this inaugural episode of MizMaryland: Soul Force Politics, host Heather Mizeur welcomes her friend and spiritual mentor, Grammy and Oscar award-winning rock star, Melissa Etheridge, to engage in a deeply personal and spirit-filled conversation about compassion, justice, mercy, and honorable leadership practices that choose love over fear to express truth and wisdom in the world. Looking for insider celebrity stories? We’ve got that, too! Heather prompts Melissa to peel back the curtain to share the details of several celebrity moments from appearing on stage at the Grammys bald from the effects of chemotherapy during her breast cancer treatments to her experiences meeting Donald Trump before he became President, just to name a few.

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