The Leftscape

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Politics
**The Leftscape**

the shape of progressive conversation

Latest Episodes:

Jaleesa Johnson with Mueller soda — **Laughter Matters: Jaleesa Johnson of Mueller, She Wrote (Episode 49)** Jun 12, 2019
Show notes

To kick off the second year of *The Leftscape* in style, Robin Renée speaks with Jaleesa Johnson, comedian and co-host of the Webby Award-winning podcast, *Mueller, She Wrote.* Jaleesa shares about the ordeal of living through Hurricane Katrina in her home city of New Orleans, the development of her passion for politics, the humor, bawdiness, and serious mission of MSW, and the importance of “uncomfortable” comedy. She gives insight into her newest podcast project, *The Racial Maddow Show*, finding constructive ways to confront racism, sadness, and anger, and she gives props to some of her heroes and influences including Rachel Maddow, Kanye West, Oprah, Ellen, and Mac Miller. Don’t miss this lively conversation with a fresh voice in entertainment, political consciousness, and LGBT visibility.

Earlier in the show, Wendy Sheridan, Mary McGinley, and Robin Renée contemplate the news: Robert Mueller finally speaks, Kamala Harris is protected from a stage crasher by Karine Jean-Pierre, and the president gets a “warm welcome” in the UK. Reasons to celebrate include Loving Day (June 12th), Weed Your Garden Day (June 13th), Juneteenth (June 19th), Hike with a Geek Day (June 20th), Summer Solstice (June 21st), and the very important Ignore Donald Trump Day (June 14th). Birthday shout outs go to Timothy Simons, Timothy Busfield, Boy George, Ice Cube, Courtney Cox, Neil Patrick Harris, John Cho, the Olsen twins, Anne Frank (who would have turned 90 years old), and others. In The Blanket Fort segment, Robin talks about the healing quality of body-positive and sex-positive workshops and similar places and events.

Click to view:

A.G., Jaleesa Johnson, and Jordan Coburn, Miracle Theatre, Washington, DC 3/29/2019

Gifts from *Mueller, She Wrote* fans… including Andrew McCabe!

Jaleesa Johnson hosts Out at the Fair, San Diego County Fair, 6/1/2019

Robin Renée & Jaleesa Johnson, San Diego, CA 6/3/2019

Things to do:

Listen to Mueller, She Wrote

Listen to The Racial Maddow Show

See how Sky News trolled Trump in advance of his recent UK visit.

Watch Democrazy! by Jaleesa Johnson

httpss://vimeo.com/70061590

Watch “Self Care” by Mac Miller

httpss://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsKT0s5J8ko

Explore Body-Positive and Sex-Positive Resources:

Human Awareness Institute

Naked Yoga Alliance

Asking for What you Want

Where in the World is Monique Darling?

ReidAboutSex.com

No Bathing Suit, No Problem: Best Clothing-Optional Beaches in the U.S.

A.G., Jaleesa Johnson, and Jordan Coburn 2019-03-29 Miracle Theatre, DC — **Laughter Matters: Jaleesa Johnson of Mueller, She Wrote (Episode 49)** Jun 12, 2019
Show notes

To kick off the second year of *The Leftscape* in style, Robin Renée speaks with Jaleesa Johnson, comedian and co-host of the Webby Award-winning podcast, *Mueller, She Wrote.* Jaleesa shares about the ordeal of living through Hurricane Katrina in her home city of New Orleans, the development of her passion for politics, the humor, bawdiness, and serious mission of MSW, and the importance of “uncomfortable” comedy. She gives insight into her newest podcast project, *The Racial Maddow Show*, finding constructive ways to confront racism, sadness, and anger, and she gives props to some of her heroes and influences including Rachel Maddow, Kanye West, Oprah, Ellen, and Mac Miller. Don’t miss this lively conversation with a fresh voice in entertainment, political consciousness, and LGBT visibility.

Earlier in the show, Wendy Sheridan, Mary McGinley, and Robin Renée contemplate the news: Robert Mueller finally speaks, Kamala Harris is protected from a stage crasher by Karine Jean-Pierre, and the president gets a “warm welcome” in the UK. Reasons to celebrate include Loving Day (June 12th), Weed Your Garden Day (June 13th), Juneteenth (June 19th), Hike with a Geek Day (June 20th), Summer Solstice (June 21st), and the very important Ignore Donald Trump Day (June 14th). Birthday shout outs go to Timothy Simons, Timothy Busfield, Boy George, Ice Cube, Courtney Cox, Neil Patrick Harris, John Cho, the Olsen twins, Anne Frank (who would have turned 90 years old), and others. In The Blanket Fort segment, Robin talks about the healing quality of body-positive and sex-positive workshops and similar places and events.

Click to view:

A.G., Jaleesa Johnson, and Jordan Coburn, Miracle Theatre, Washington, DC 3/29/2019

Gifts from *Mueller, She Wrote* fans… including Andrew McCabe!

Jaleesa Johnson hosts Out at the Fair, San Diego County Fair, 6/1/2019

Robin Renée & Jaleesa Johnson, San Diego, CA 6/3/2019

Things to do:

Listen to Mueller, She Wrote

Listen to The Racial Maddow Show

See how Sky News trolled Trump in advance of his recent UK visit.

Watch Democrazy! by Jaleesa Johnson

httpss://vimeo.com/70061590

Watch “Self Care” by Mac Miller

httpss://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsKT0s5J8ko

Explore Body-Positive and Sex-Positive Resources:

Human Awareness Institute

Naked Yoga Alliance

Asking for What you Want

Where in the World is Monique Darling?

ReidAboutSex.com

No Bathing Suit, No Problem: Best Clothing-Optional Beaches in the U.S.

Philly Bi Visibility Pride 2019 — **Our First Year! (Episode 48)** May 29, 2019
Show notes

Happy Birthday to us! *The Leftscape* premiered on May 30, 2018, so in this episode the co-hosts celebrate a year of exploring “the shape of progressive conversation” and podcasting together. From fun with mythbusting, being introduced to the new *She-Ra*, and memorable conversations with guests, Mary McGinley, Wendy Sheridan, and Robin Renée run down some of their favorite episodes. What have been some of your favorite moments from the first year of *The Leftscape*? Listen to some back episodes and get in touch with your appreciations, comments, and ideas for the future.

June is Pride Month, and events will abound around the country. World Pride will be in New York City in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots. See the “Things to do” below for more Pride info. Birthday remembrances and shout outs go to JFK, Bob Hope, CeeLo Green, Mel Blanc, Morgan Freeman, Rafael Nadal, and Steve Vai.

Unfortunately, the news is not all celebration. Extreme abortion bans are cropping up around the country. Robin, Wendy, and Mary talk about how best to turn the trend around. What would effective “taking to the streets” look like? Not nearly so consequential but in the sad category go the recent farewells to Doris Day, Tim Conway, and Grumpy Cat. A bit of good news is that the CES Innovation Award that had been taken away from Lora DiCarlo for the Osé, a hands-free personal massager, has been restored. Will a Go Fund Me campaign for sex toy reviews be a new project for The Leftscape? We shall see!

Things to do:

Check heritageofpride.org for World Pride NYC/Stonewall 50 events.

Go to New Jersey’s 28th Annual LGBTQ Pride Celebration, Sunday, June 2nd, Asbury Park

Go to Philadelphia’s Pride Parade and Festival on Sunday, June 9th. Robin will be marching with Philly Bi Visibility. Feel free to join – Meet at 13th & Spruce, 10:15am – The more the merrier!

Learn about The 3% Solution.

Read *Maus*.

Featured birthday photo by Amponsah Nii Davidson from Pexels.

Harlequin and Other Fantasies - Wendy Sheridan — **Mythbusting Day II (Episode 47)** May 15, 2019
Show notes

Robin Renée, Mary McGinley, and Wendy Sheridan had so much fun busting myths in Episode 26 that it’s time to do it again! Listen in to find out about the beauty and spaciousness in New Jersey, the genders (or the lack thereof) of math and cooking, the health threats of migrants vs. anti-vaxxers, wet dog smells, and why lesbians are lesbians. If you have myths you’d like to hear *The Leftscape* bust in the future, send them to insight@leftscape.com!

Earlier in the News segment, the co-hosts discuss the letter that continues to gain signatures from former federal prosecutors who say Donald Trump would be indicted for obstruction of justice were he not president. Then there is the baby beluga “spy whale,” which leads to a side conversation in which Wendy confuses Yanni and Raffi. Later in *Why is this Awesome?*, Wendy tells us what’s great about the new *Twilight Zone* hosted by Jordan Peele and humorous tongue-tied mix-ups of Rod Serling and Rod Stewart ensue.

At the top of the show, we find out about some of the great things to celebrate this week: Honor Our LGBT Elders Day and Sea Monkey Day (May 16th), National Endangered Species Day (May 17th), HIV Vaccine Awareness Day and Armed Forces Day (May 18th), Rescue Dog Day (May 20th), and Waitstaff Day (May 21st). Birthdays include Birdy, Mark Mothersbaugh, Tina Fey, Malcolm X, Grace Jones, Cher, Busta Rhymes, Notorious B.I.G., Harvey Milk, Morrissey, and Janet Jackson (Miss Jackson, if you’re nasty).

Things to do:

Listen to “Mythbusting Day (Episode 26).”

Watch *The Twilight Zone*.

Consume reliable news. Look at the Media Bias Chart we discussed in “Magic & Media (Episode 31).”

Find out about the legend of the Jersey Devil.

Get Wendy Sheridan’s *Harlequin and Other Fantasies – Meditative Coloring for Grown-Ups*.

Listen to *Armed Forces* by Elvis Costello:

Game of Thrones - Photo @HBO — **Summer is Coming (Episode 46)** May 01, 2019
Show notes

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 with a discussion of Beltane and the various traditions of this prominent Pagan holiday.

After having a little time to get a sense for the impact of the Mueller report, the co-hosts share their thoughts and speculations in the News segment. Also in the news is the worrisome development that the Supreme Court will decide on a case on whether or not Title VII of the Civil Rights Act bans employment discrimination against people who are LGBTQ+. On a more hopeful note, an article in *Medium* praises the practice of cisgender people announcing their preferred pronouns to make it easier for transgender and gender-nonconforming people to do so.

There are some great reasons to celebrate during the month of May. It is both Meditation Month and National Masturbation Month! This week there is Beltane and May Day (May 1st), World Naked Gardening Day and Star Wars Day (May the Fourth Be With You), and Cinco de Mayo (May 5th). Birthdays include Wes Anderson, The Rock (Dwayne Johnson), David Beckham, Adele, Meek Mill, George Clooney, Bob Seger, and let’s all wish Mary a very happy birthday on May 5th!

**Note:** *The Leftscape* is going on a bi-weekly summer schedule. The next show will drop on May 15th. In the meantime, be sure to keep in touch on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and say hello anytime through the *Leftscape* website.

Photo @HBO

Things to do:

Read an opinion piece in the New York Times by Paul Krugman, “The Great Republican Abdication.”

Watch *Game of Thrones*.

Find out more about the *Pern* series by Anne McCaffrey.

Read about Beltane.

Celebrate the season! Listen to Robin Renée’s “Beltane Tunes” playlist.

**Ridiculous! Tales from the Mind of D.L. Carter (Episode 45)** Apr 24, 2019
Show notes

Mary McGinley meets up with prolific author D.L. Carter this week on *The Leftscape*. D.L. Carter, who hails from the Australian Outback, has been telling stories before she could even write. Her fanciful tales grew nonstop from a child’s imagination through *Doctor Who* and *Star Trek* fan fiction and into her many titles including *Ridiculous!*, *Obstreperous*, *The Use of Changing Magic*, and *First Destroy All Giant Monsters*. She speaks with Mary about her works in Regency romance, fantasy, mystery, and science fiction, as well as misogyny in history, humor, the creative process, and the very demanding voices in her head.

At the top of the show, Wendy Sheridan gives us the week’s celebrations. By far the most discussed is Hairball Awareness Day (April 25th). A few others have potential: National Superhero Day (April 28th), Adopt a Shelter Pet Day, Bugs Bunny Day, National Honesty Day (April 30th). The news in this episode still held the pre-Mueller Report jitters and speculation. Recorded just after Julian Assange’s arrest, the discussion reveals that the largest portion of everyone’s concern seems to go to Julian Assange’s cat. Robin Renée recognizes the powerful positive influence and complicated legacy of the late rapper Nipsey Hussle. Later, she shares a poem from her NaPoWriMo efforts, plus some others on themes of poetry, politics, sex, loss, and longing.

Things to do:

Get books by D. L. Carter.

See Embassy Cat on Instagram.

Watch *Nipsey Hussle: A Celebration of Life*.

Find poetry and other thoughts on Robin Renée’s woefully neglected blog.

Spread the word with a *Leftscape* T-shirt and mug!

**Ridiculous! Tales from the Mind of D.L. Carter (Episode 45)** Apr 24, 2019
Show notes

Mary McGinley meets up with prolific author D.L. Carter this week on *The Leftscape*. D.L. Carter, who hails from the Australian Outback, has been telling stories before she could even write. Her fanciful tales grew nonstop from a child’s imagination through *Doctor Who* and *Star Trek* fan fiction and into her many titles including *Ridiculous!*, *Obstreperous*, *The Use of Changing Magic*, and *First Destroy All Giant Monsters*. She speaks with Mary about her works in Regency romance, fantasy, mystery, and science fiction, as well as misogyny in history, humor, the creative process, and the very demanding voices in her head.

At the top of the show, Wendy Sheridan gives us the week’s celebrations. By far the most discussed is Hairball Awareness Day (April 25th). A few others have potential: National Superhero Day (April 28th), Adopt a Shelter Pet Day, Bugs Bunny Day, National Honesty Day (April 30th). The news in this episode still held the pre-Mueller Report jitters and speculation. Recorded just after Julian Assange’s arrest, the discussion reveals that the largest portion of everyone’s concern seems to go to Julian Assange’s cat. Robin Renée recognizes the powerful positive influence and complicated legacy of the late rapper Nipsey Hussle. Later, she shares a poem from her NaPoWriMo efforts, plus some others on themes of poetry, politics, sex, loss, and longing.

Things to do:

Get books by D. L. Carter.

See Embassy Cat on Instagram.

Watch *Nipsey Hussle: A Celebration of Life*.

Find poetry and other thoughts on Robin Renée’s woefully neglected blog.

Spread the word with a *Leftscape* T-shirt and mug!

J Barrett Wolf — **The Biker & The Bard (Episode 44)** Apr 17, 2019
Show notes

Poetry Month continues! Award-winning poet J. Barrett Wolf, aside from a lifetime of writing, has been a street musician, salesman, laborer, computer technician, and a police officer. He was raised in the suburbs of New York City, has lived in Connecticut, North Carolina, the Bay Area in California, and currently resides in Binghamton, New York. He has ridden motorcycles for most of the last forty years and is a proud member of The Highway Poets Motorcycle Club. His work has been published in literary and general interest magazines including *Black Bear Review*, *Portland Review of the Arts*, *Amelia*, *Fireheart*, *Scarecrow*, *Cats Magazine*, *Rye Whiskey Review*, and *Carousel*. Wolf speaks with Wendy Sheridan in today’s featured interview, beginning with a heart-rending poem in tribute to one who was lost to the Parkland massacre — much after the fact. He and Wendy move into a discussion between friends on the organized rise of conservative theocracy, the problems with progressive talking points and purity tests, looking toward coherent compromise for a better political movement, touring as an artist, and judging a biker poetry contest.

Mary McGinley shifts gears to tell us all about Shakespeare in the *Why Is This Awesome?* segment of the show. After tackling *Macbeth* in elementary school, Mary found herself on a journey to learn more and more about Shakespeare, and eventually completed the quest during the ’90s to see a production of each of his plays at least once. Mary leads an enthusiastic chat with Wendy and Robin Renée that includes modern interpretations, the sonnets, how Shakespeare changed the English language, advice for those unfamiliar with Shakespeare, and speculations on the key to his success.

The news of the week includes Kirstjen Nielsen’s departure as United States Secretary of Homeland Security, all the “acting” members of the Trump cabinet, and William Barr’s congressional testimony. Wendy announces a time capsule blogging project coming up this summer. This week, birthday shouts go out to Maynard James Keenan, Tim Curry, George Takei, Luther Vandross, Iggy Pop, Queen Elizabeth II, and the aforementioned William Shakespeare. It is also time to celebrate Bat Appreciation Day, Haiku Poetry Day (listen for the high school emo haiku), National Hanging Out Day, Easter, Earth Day, and if you partake, enjoy 4/20!

Things to do:

Follow J. Barrett Wolf on Facebook.

Get a copy of Rubber Side Down: The Biker Poet Anthology

Listen for J. Barrett Wolf’s poetry radio shows on WBDY 99.5FM.

Watch *Binghamton: Valley of Creativity*, which features an interview with J. Barrett Wolf.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nxtut81oVYw

Check out Shakespeare’s Sonnet 150 by read.my.lips.

httpss://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_WDSHqzVk8

**Like Flesh Covers Bone: Words with Poet Jan Steckel (Episode 43)** Apr 10, 2019
Show notes

Jan Steckel, award-winning poet from Oakland, CA, speaks with co-host Robin Renée about her life and work and reads from her most recent book, *Like Flesh Covers Bone*(Zeitgeist Press). Arranged into sections that mirror the steps of surgery – Incise, Dissect, Ligate, Excise, and Suture – the book speaks to moving experiences including relationships that are personal and/or informed by the interplay of gender, as well as to the current political climate which can feel like undergoing surgery sans anesthesia. The collection of poems opens up the painful and seeks to move through a process that ultimately brings healing. In this warm conversation, Jan shares her thoughts on being an out and proud bisexual in her poems and in the world, what poetry and other forms of literature can do for us, and the ways writing intersects with activism. The evocative poems she reads aloud touch on themes that range from deep praise for poet friends to sex and sadomasochism to the rise of fascist politics to the odd surprise of being recognized as a bi “elder.”

In the *Why is this Awesome?* segment, Robin raves about seeing *Mueller, She Wrote* live at The Miracle Theatre in Washington, DC. Hosts A.G., Jaleesa Johnson, and Jordan Coburn have been keeping up with the details of the Mueller investigation and all related news in a weekly podcast, plus special episodes for patrons. Rather than winding down after William Barr’s brief commentary on Mueller’s report, their humorous but serious pursuit of justice and an informed public is just getting started. You can listen to the March 29th live show and you can vote for them in the Webby Awards!

Wendy Sheridan helps us all take a break from the intensity of political news this week by geeking out about the Hugo Award nominations and paleontologist Robert DePalma’s recent find in Montana – a fascinating game-changer for our understanding of how the dinosaurs died. She also takes time to celebrate the life and work of science fiction author, Vonda McIntyre. Mary McGinley gives us the week’s reasons to celebrate – National Pet Day (April 11th), National Dolphin Day (April 14th), and National Wear Your Pajamas to Work Day (April 16th). Birthday shout outs go to David Letterman, David Cassidy, Tiny Tim, Tom Clancy, Al Green, Seth Rogen, Chance the Rapper, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and dearly-missed friend of the Leftscape co-hosts, Anthony Minson.

Things to do:

Read *Like Flesh Covers Bone* by Jan Steckel.

Check out the Bi Women Quarterly.

Support Mueller, She Wrote on Patreon.

Read “The Day the Dinosaurs Died” in *The New Yorker* and “Astonishment, skepticism greet fossils claimed to record dinosaur-killing asteroid impact” in *Science*.

Learn about the life and work of Vonda McIntyre.

The Leftscape is planning another Mythbusting Day! Share your thoughts on myths you’d like to hear get thoroughly busted.

If you’re in the U.S., don’t forget to pay your taxes by April 15th!

Jordan Coburn, A.G., and Jaleesa Johnson of Mueller She Wrote — **Like Flesh Covers Bone: Words with Poet Jan Steckel (Episode 43)** Apr 10, 2019
Show notes

Jan Steckel, award-winning poet from Oakland, CA, speaks with co-host Robin Renée about her life and work and reads from her most recent book, *Like Flesh Covers Bone*(Zeitgeist Press). Arranged into sections that mirror the steps of surgery – Incise, Dissect, Ligate, Excise, and Suture – the book speaks to moving experiences including relationships that are personal and/or informed by the interplay of gender, as well as to the current political climate which can feel like undergoing surgery sans anesthesia. The collection of poems opens up the painful and seeks to move through a process that ultimately brings healing. In this warm conversation, Jan shares her thoughts on being an out and proud bisexual in her poems and in the world, what poetry and other forms of literature can do for us, and the ways writing intersects with activism. The evocative poems she reads aloud touch on themes that range from deep praise for poet friends to sex and sadomasochism to the rise of fascist politics to the odd surprise of being recognized as a bi “elder.”

In the *Why is this Awesome?* segment, Robin raves about seeing *Mueller, She Wrote* live at The Miracle Theatre in Washington, DC. Hosts A.G., Jaleesa Johnson, and Jordan Coburn have been keeping up with the details of the Mueller investigation and all related news in a weekly podcast, plus special episodes for patrons. Rather than winding down after William Barr’s brief commentary on Mueller’s report, their humorous but serious pursuit of justice and an informed public is just getting started. You can listen to the March 29th live show and you can vote for them in the Webby Awards!

Wendy Sheridan helps us all take a break from the intensity of political news this week by geeking out about the Hugo Award nominations and paleontologist Robert DePalma’s recent find in Montana – a fascinating game-changer for our understanding of how the dinosaurs died. She also takes time to celebrate the life and work of science fiction author, Vonda McIntyre. Mary McGinley gives us the week’s reasons to celebrate – National Pet Day (April 11th), National Dolphin Day (April 14th), and National Wear Your Pajamas to Work Day (April 16th). Birthday shout outs go to David Letterman, David Cassidy, Tiny Tim, Tom Clancy, Al Green, Seth Rogen, Chance the Rapper, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and dearly-missed friend of the Leftscape co-hosts, Anthony Minson.

Things to do:

Read *Like Flesh Covers Bone* by Jan Steckel.

Check out the Bi Women Quarterly.

Support Mueller, She Wrote on Patreon.

Read “The Day the Dinosaurs Died” in *The New Yorker* and “Astonishment, skepticism greet fossils claimed to record dinosaur-killing asteroid impact” in *Science*.

Learn about the life and work of Vonda McIntyre.

The Leftscape is planning another Mythbusting Day! Share your thoughts on myths you’d like to hear get thoroughly busted.

If you’re in the U.S., don’t forget to pay your taxes by April 15th!

Big & Scary (Episode 42) Apr 03, 2019

Show notes

aka Politics, the Universe, and Everything

In this episode, Robin Renée speaks about policing and intolerance that can show up in our left-leaning communities and begins to confront the long-held fear she has had of doing so. Having hit an emotional wall around responses to major social justice issues that seem to have become sacrosanct, it is a big and scary thing to express ideas that may not always fall in line. With a particular interest in communicating with others of blended backgrounds, more conversations – perhaps eventually taking the form of a book – are on the horizon.

Robin, Wendy Sheridan, and Mary McGinley may not have all the answers to complex sociopolitical challenges, but Douglas Adams did indeed point the way to the answer to Life, the Universe, and Everything. Being that it is show #42, the co-hosts thought it was apropos to talk about The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy in this week’s Why is this Awesome? segment. Mary and Wendy share their memories of the series in its various incarnations, and Robin reveals why she really does find it useful to always have a towel.

At the top of the show, days of note are Find a Rainbow Day (April 3rd), National Sorry Charlie Day (April 6th), National Handmade Day (April 7th), and National Library Week (April 7th – 13th). On April 4th we remember Martin Luther King, Jr. on the anniversary of his death. Birthdays shout outs include Alec Baldwin, Eddie Murphy, Jane Goodall, Jill Scott, Maya Angelou, and Matthew Healy of The 1975. In the news is post-Mueller musing and decompression, Brexit confusion, and on a positive note, the awesomeness of Wendy’s protest postcards.

Things to do:

Celebrate National Handmade Day by buying something cool from Wendy on Etsy!

Read 16 Fun Facts about The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.

Hear the answer to the ultimate question of life, the universe, and everything!

httpss://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aboZctrHfK8

Watch an old school commercial and get the low down on “Sorry Charlie!”

httpss://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URE0pFN7kBE

httpss://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rk0xqDcHu04

**Of Memes and Men (Episode 41)** Mar 27, 2019
Show notes

It’s “Of Memes and Men” on The Leftscape! One does not simply “talk about feelings” may be a meme-worthy sendup of a certain type of masculinity, but some men are diving into the difficult emotions and conversations. This week, John Tod talks about hosting and taking part in a men’s group – a chance for men get together to explore and express the things they find most challenging, and to unlearn all that keeps them from their vulnerability.

Later, co-hosts Mary McGinley, Wendy Sheridan, and Robin Renée bring women and transgender leaders they admire into the spotlight. They give props to Eleanor Roosevelt, engineer and musician Wendy Carlos, scientist Stephanie Kwolek, artist/scientist Julia Van Etten, and activists Brenda Howard, Marsha P. Johnson, and Sylvia Rivera.

The news of the week was harsh with shocking mass shootings in New Zealand and Netherlands. After that and a few more serious topics, the conversation turns to a bit of humor via funny name memes inspired by Matthew Calamari and “Tim Apple.” There are also oddball reasons to celebrate like Manatee Appreciation Day and National Joe Day (March 27th), Weed Appreciation Day (March 28th), and April Fool’s Day (April 1st). March 29th is Vietnam Veterans Day and all of April is devoted to Jazz Appreciation, Mathematics Awareness, and NaPoWriMo. Birthday shout outs at the top of the show go to Mariah Carey, Quentin Tarantino, Lady Gaga, Eric Clapton, MC Hammer, Al Gore, plus the late Cesar Chavez and Marvin Gaye.

Things to do:

Explore The ManKind Project.

View the science-meets-art images of Couch Microscopy.

Pick your “Matthew Calamari” name and your “time-saving” CEO name!

Mathew Calamari Name Generator — **Of Memes and Men (Episode 41)** Mar 27, 2019
Show notes

It’s “Of Memes and Men” on The Leftscape! One does not simply “talk about feelings” may be a meme-worthy sendup of a certain type of masculinity, but some men are diving into the difficult emotions and conversations. This week, John Tod talks about hosting and taking part in a men’s group – a chance for men get together to explore and express the things they find most challenging, and to unlearn all that keeps them from their vulnerability.

Later, co-hosts Mary McGinley, Wendy Sheridan, and Robin Renée bring women and transgender leaders they admire into the spotlight. They give props to Eleanor Roosevelt, engineer and musician Wendy Carlos, scientist Stephanie Kwolek, artist/scientist Julia Van Etten, and activists Brenda Howard, Marsha P. Johnson, and Sylvia Rivera.

The news of the week was harsh with shocking mass shootings in New Zealand and Netherlands. After that and a few more serious topics, the conversation turns to a bit of humor via funny name memes inspired by Matthew Calamari and “Tim Apple.” There are also oddball reasons to celebrate like Manatee Appreciation Day and National Joe Day (March 27th), Weed Appreciation Day (March 28th), and April Fool’s Day (April 1st). March 29th is Vietnam Veterans Day and all of April is devoted to Jazz Appreciation, Mathematics Awareness, and NaPoWriMo. Birthday shout outs at the top of the show go to Mariah Carey, Quentin Tarantino, Lady Gaga, Eric Clapton, MC Hammer, Al Gore, plus the late Cesar Chavez and Marvin Gaye.

Things to do:

Explore The ManKind Project.

View the science-meets-art images of Couch Microscopy.

Pick your “Matthew Calamari” name and your “time-saving” CEO name!

Hello, Ostara! (Episode 40) Mar 20, 2019

Show notes

Robin Renée, Mary McGinley, and Wendy Sheridan are happy to welcome springtime! This episode’s conversation centers around the spring equinox and the various ways of celebrating the corresponding Pagan holiday of Ostara. For some, it is a time of clearing out and making room for the new. For some, it is a time for planting literal or figurative seeds.

A new segment, The Blanket Fort, is introduced later in the show. The Blanket Fort will feature things that foster comfort, healing, and relaxation – ways of finding peace in a chaotic world. In keeping with the week’s theme, Wendy, Mary, and Robin talk about their comfort foods of the season. Who loves chocolate? Who loves matzoh? Who loves nutless charoset? Find out everyone’s favorites at this point on the wheel of the year and comment with your seasonal traditions!

Other reasons for honoring, celebration, and activism: The Week of Solidarity With Peoples Struggling Against Racism and Racial Discrimination, National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (March 20th), National Goof Off Day (March 22nd), and National Tolkien Reading Day (March 25th). Birthdays this week include Fred Rogers, Spike Lee, Ruby Rose, Chaka Khan, Harry Houdini, Nena, Aretha Franklin, Nancy Pelosi, and a trifeca of birthdays for Star Trek fans to enjoy. Even the news took on a somewhat celebratory tone as Grace Slick licensed a song to Chik-fil-A to send the money to Lambda Legal, Arkansas Sen. Stephanie Flowers made an impassioned speech to stop a stand-your-ground law, and metalheads with kazoos got the best of the Westboro Baptist Church.

Things to do:

Enjoy the Ostara song by Wendy’s band, Music for the Goddess, that plays at the end of the episode – “The Ram and the Lamb” from the album Dancing with Hecate.

Watch Arkansas Senator Stephanie Flowers’ amazing speech:

httpss://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p56mCyqorCE

Revisit Episode 21, and watch the Harry Houdini trick, “Metamorphosis,” performed by his brother, Hardeen.

Featured Image: Robin’s coleus grown from seed, Ostara 2015.