The Leftscape

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**The Leftscape**

the shape of progressive conversation

Latest Episodes:

BethAnne Yeager, winter day — **As I Fell in Love With the World (Episode 108)** Sep 08, 2021
Show notes

Beth Anne Yeager is recovering from practicing law, and is now seeking wisdom through studying Ecopsychology, training in Somatic Experiencing, and practicing and teaching yoga and meditation. Her passion is Nature, dancing in the snow, and loving all things wild. In the featured interview, she interweaves the desperate seriousness of climate change with American exceptionalism, white supremacy, and denial, as well as our human potential to mitigate the damage with prosocial behaviors, empathy, and learning from other species with which we share the planet.

Co-hosts Wendy Sheridan and Robin Renée start off the show with a “water is dangerous” *Rewind*, then report *3 Random Facts* involving unisex baby names, Kenny Loggins’ wedding, and the mammals who menopause. In the *News*: US troops’ departure from Afghanistan after nearly 20 years, the terrible new anti-abortion law in Texas, and something positive: Happy Bisexual Visibility Month! In *Why Is This Awesome?* Wendy talks about the joy of gardening in The Garden State.

Things to do:

Read books referenced by Beth Anne Yeager:

The Body Keeps the Score, Bessel van der Kolk, MD

Braiding Sweetgrass, Robin Hall Kimmerer

My Grandmother’s Hands, Resmaa Menakem

Get back to activism with Crooked Media’s No Off Years.

Attend a Women’s March on October 2, 2021 to defend reproductive rights.

Support Planned Parenthood and the National Network of Abortion Funds.

Enjoy some essential yacht rock. 🙂

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VS52sEUqxMo

Sound engineering by Wendy Sheridan
Show notes by Robin Renée
Fake sponsor messages by Ariel Sheridan
Web hosting by InMotion
Remote recording by SquadCast

**Your Body is Beautiful (Episode 107)** Aug 24, 2021
Show notes

Serell Brown is the mother of two teens. She describes herself as a fun-loving hard worker with old school morals. She is the founder and creator of Nubian Nudist, an organization for black nudists and naturists that is based in New Jersey and has members across the US as well as some abroad. Serell talks candidly about the origins of her nudism, creating social spaces for body-positive acceptance, and releasing shame to begin loving all of yourself.

Before the featured interview in *The Blanket Fort*, Wendy Sheridan and Robin Renée take a personal look at the important work of processing negative emotions. The *3 Random Facts* that get things started this time involve koala fingerprints, penguin urine, and a fateful moment in the life of LBJ. In the *News* is the US withdrawal from Afghanistan and help needed for abandoned Afghans, Andrew Cuomo’s replacement by new New York Governor Kathy Hochul, Proud Boys v. Antifa in Portland, rally boos for Trump, a Sex Pistols legal battle, and two “water can be dangerous” stories. At the end of the show, Robin and Wendy address a listener’s question, “What are the real reasons people are choosing not to get vaccinated and what would change their minds?”

Things to do:

Check out the Nubian Nudist group on Instagram and Twitter.

Learn about the American Association for Nude Recreation (AANR).

Find your representatives and senators. Call them to say you care about all the abandoned Afghans and want them evacuated as quickly as possible using Categorical Humanitarian Parole.

Find a therapist. Read about finding a non-judgmental therapist.

Read “Facebook Fauxlore: Kerouac, Burroughs, and a Fight Over the Oxford Comma That Never Was.”

Support *The Leftscape* on Patreon.

You got questions? We got answers! Write to us!

Sound engineering by Wendy Sheridan
Show notes by Robin Renée
Fake sponsor messages by Ariel Sheridan
Web hosting by InMotion
Remote recording by SquadCast

Wendy Sheridan drawing of feelings — **Your Body is Beautiful (Episode 107)** Aug 24, 2021
Show notes

Serell Brown is the mother of two teens. She describes herself as a fun-loving hard worker with old school morals. She is the founder and creator of Nubian Nudist, an organization for black nudists and naturists that is based in New Jersey and has members across the US as well as some abroad. Serell talks candidly about the origins of her nudism, creating social spaces for body-positive acceptance, and releasing shame to begin loving all of yourself.

Before the featured interview in *The Blanket Fort*, Wendy Sheridan and Robin Renée take a personal look at the important work of processing negative emotions. The *3 Random Facts* that get things started this time involve koala fingerprints, penguin urine, and a fateful moment in the life of LBJ. In the *News* is the US withdrawal from Afghanistan and help needed for abandoned Afghans, Andrew Cuomo’s replacement by new New York Governor Kathy Hochul, Proud Boys v. Antifa in Portland, rally boos for Trump, a Sex Pistols legal battle, and two “water can be dangerous” stories. At the end of the show, Robin and Wendy address a listener’s question, “What are the real reasons people are choosing not to get vaccinated and what would change their minds?”

Things to do:

Check out the Nubian Nudist group on Instagram and Twitter.

Learn about the American Association for Nude Recreation (AANR).

Find your representatives and senators. Call them to say you care about all the abandoned Afghans and want them evacuated as quickly as possible using Categorical Humanitarian Parole.

Find a therapist. Read about finding a non-judgmental therapist.

Read “Facebook Fauxlore: Kerouac, Burroughs, and a Fight Over the Oxford Comma That Never Was.”

Support *The Leftscape* on Patreon.

You got questions? We got answers! Write to us!

Sound engineering by Wendy Sheridan
Show notes by Robin Renée
Fake sponsor messages by Ariel Sheridan
Web hosting by InMotion
Remote recording by SquadCast

'89 the Brainchild — **Meet ’89 the Brainchild (Episode 106)** Aug 11, 2021
Show notes

’89 the Brainchild is a rap performer and entertainer from New Jersey. He flew under the radar for years and began finding buzz through performing in the NJ/NYC area just before the pandemic shutdown. Also a stage production manager, ’89’s recordings include “Father’s Day,” *Not Who I Thought I Was (the last of my rage)*, and *Patterns*, which has been described as a mix of hip hop, house, techno, and nu-disco reminiscent of Jungle Brothers, Heavy D, and Big Daddy Kane. He speaks with Wendy about the dreams and experiences that led to his music, hip hop technology, ageism in the music industry, and self-acceptance around fantasy vs. reality of life as a creative artist.

Before the featured interview, co-hosts Robin Renée and Wendy Sheridan share *3 Random Facts* about outsider musician and artist Wesley Willis, time at the North Pole, and an infamous 1968 fight between Beat Generation icons Jack Kerouac and William S. Burroughs. In the *News*: being a realtor and shopping for a home while black in Wyoming, MI, a very serious report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), how delta variant symptoms may differ from the original COVID-19, 1000-year-old remains of a nonbinary leader, and how, once again, Donald Trump will NOT be regaining the US presidency (Louder for the people in the back!). In *The Geekscape*, Wendy and Robin reveal their useless superpowers. In *You Got Questions? We Got Answers!*, the question is “How is COVID impacting music festivals and how are musicians adapting?” sent in by Linda Gaffney.

Things to do:

Download tracks by 89 the Brainchild on Bandcamp.

Follow him on Twitter and Instagram.

Read the IPCC’s stark warning.

Be aware of concerts and festivals that are rescheduled or cancelled due to the pandemic.

See the inadvertent origins of the name of the new mini-segment:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GitK6i3HQdU

Sound engineering by Wendy Sheridan
Show notes by Robin Renée
Fake sponsor messages by Ariel Sheridan
Web hosting by InMotion
Remote recording by SquadCast

Patterns by '89 the Brainchild - cover art — **Meet ’89 the Brainchild (Episode 106)** Aug 11, 2021
Show notes

’89 the Brainchild is a rap performer and entertainer from New Jersey. He flew under the radar for years and began finding buzz through performing in the NJ/NYC area just before the pandemic shutdown. Also a stage production manager, ’89’s recordings include “Father’s Day,” *Not Who I Thought I Was (the last of my rage)*, and *Patterns*, which has been described as a mix of hip hop, house, techno, and nu-disco reminiscent of Jungle Brothers, Heavy D, and Big Daddy Kane. He speaks with Wendy about the dreams and experiences that led to his music, hip hop technology, ageism in the music industry, and self-acceptance around fantasy vs. reality of life as a creative artist.

Before the featured interview, co-hosts Robin Renée and Wendy Sheridan share *3 Random Facts* about outsider musician and artist Wesley Willis, time at the North Pole, and an infamous 1968 fight between Beat Generation icons Jack Kerouac and William S. Burroughs. In the *News*: being a realtor and shopping for a home while black in Wyoming, MI, a very serious report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), how delta variant symptoms may differ from the original COVID-19, 1000-year-old remains of a nonbinary leader, and how, once again, Donald Trump will NOT be regaining the US presidency (Louder for the people in the back!). In *The Geekscape*, Wendy and Robin reveal their useless superpowers. In *You Got Questions? We Got Answers!*, the question is “How is COVID impacting music festivals and how are musicians adapting?” sent in by Linda Gaffney.

Things to do:

Download tracks by 89 the Brainchild on Bandcamp.

Follow him on Twitter and Instagram.

Read the IPCC’s stark warning.

Be aware of concerts and festivals that are rescheduled or cancelled due to the pandemic.

See the inadvertent origins of the name of the new mini-segment:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GitK6i3HQdU

Sound engineering by Wendy Sheridan
Show notes by Robin Renée
Fake sponsor messages by Ariel Sheridan
Web hosting by InMotion
Remote recording by SquadCast

**Daniel Kaye: Making Life Better (Episode 105)** Jul 28, 2021
Show notes

After a short summer hiatus, *The Leftscape* is back with a new theme for the second half of 2021. This is the season of ACCEPTANCE. What does acceptance mean to you? When is it passive and when is it powerful? What things ought we accept? What must we never accept? Let’s see how this theme weaves in and out of the conversations through the rest of the year. The first featured guest of the season is Daniel Kaye.

Daniel Kaye has been a writer and artist for over 25 years, working as a journalist, editor, columnist, editorial cartoonist, and book illustrator. He is the creator of the comic strip, *MILO K., hermit crab*. His most recent book, with text by Rabbi Howard Bogot, is *Never Tell a Hermit Crab We Can’t Repair the World*. Daniel is also the Director of Life Enrichment and Community Engagement at a Life Plan Community in the Philadelphia area. He shares openly about dealing with anxiety and depression and the many ways he works toward making life better for himself and others.

Earlier in this episode: The exploration of *Ikigai* continues. This time, co-hosts Wendy Sheridan and Robin Renée focus on the plusses and minuses of monetizing what they most enjoy doing. In the news, the Tunisian government has been dismissed by the president, Joe Biden authorizes funds to help evacuate Afghani interpreters as the U.S. leaves the 20-year war, attempts to stifle discussions of racism in schools abound, and a queer valedictorian in South Jersey gets rudely cut off, then completes his moving speech. Oh, and a guy spent some time trapped in the mouth of a whale. Robin and Wendy get things started with *3 Random Facts* about B1 cells, The Final Concert, and the origins of the pop out cake. At the end of the show is the new mini-segment, *You Got Questions? We Got Answers!*, Robin responds to “Is Guardians of the Galaxy yacht rock?”

Things to do:

Learn more about the work of Daniel Kaye and order his books. All proceeds go to charity.

Check out *MILO K., hermit crab* on webtoons.com.

Watch *Cells at Work!* on Netflix.

Consult the Yachtski scale at yachtornyacht.com.

Watch Bryce Dershem deliver his inspiring valedictorian address:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxLwg9lsbqY

You Got Questions? Send ’em to insight@leftscape.com. We Got Answers!

Sound engineering by Wendy Sheridan
Show notes by Robin Renée
Fake sponsor messages by Ariel Sheridan
Web hosting by InMotion
Remote recording by SquadCast

Never Tell a Hermit Crab We Can't Repair the World — **Daniel Kaye: Making Life Better (Episode 105)** Jul 28, 2021
Show notes

After a short summer hiatus, *The Leftscape* is back with a new theme for the second half of 2021. This is the season of ACCEPTANCE. What does acceptance mean to you? When is it passive and when is it powerful? What things ought we accept? What must we never accept? Let’s see how this theme weaves in and out of the conversations through the rest of the year. The first featured guest of the season is Daniel Kaye.

Daniel Kaye has been a writer and artist for over 25 years, working as a journalist, editor, columnist, editorial cartoonist, and book illustrator. He is the creator of the comic strip, *MILO K., hermit crab*. His most recent book, with text by Rabbi Howard Bogot, is *Never Tell a Hermit Crab We Can’t Repair the World*. Daniel is also the Director of Life Enrichment and Community Engagement at a Life Plan Community in the Philadelphia area. He shares openly about dealing with anxiety and depression and the many ways he works toward making life better for himself and others.

Earlier in this episode: The exploration of *Ikigai* continues. This time, co-hosts Wendy Sheridan and Robin Renée focus on the plusses and minuses of monetizing what they most enjoy doing. In the news, the Tunisian government has been dismissed by the president, Joe Biden authorizes funds to help evacuate Afghani interpreters as the U.S. leaves the 20-year war, attempts to stifle discussions of racism in schools abound, and a queer valedictorian in South Jersey gets rudely cut off, then completes his moving speech. Oh, and a guy spent some time trapped in the mouth of a whale. Robin and Wendy get things started with *3 Random Facts* about B1 cells, The Final Concert, and the origins of the pop out cake. At the end of the show is the new mini-segment, *You Got Questions? We Got Answers!*, Robin responds to “Is Guardians of the Galaxy yacht rock?”

Things to do:

Learn more about the work of Daniel Kaye and order his books. All proceeds go to charity.

Check out *MILO K., hermit crab* on webtoons.com.

Watch *Cells at Work!* on Netflix.

Consult the Yachtski scale at yachtornyacht.com.

Watch Bryce Dershem deliver his inspiring valedictorian address:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxLwg9lsbqY

You Got Questions? Send ’em to insight@leftscape.com. We Got Answers!

Sound engineering by Wendy Sheridan
Show notes by Robin Renée
Fake sponsor messages by Ariel Sheridan
Web hosting by InMotion
Remote recording by SquadCast

Ask Us Anything! 100th Episode Celebration, Part 2 Jul 14, 2021

Show notes

On Friday, April 23, 2021, The Leftscape celebrated having just posted the 100th episode. Here’s the second half of the Zoom celebration where Wendy Sheridan and Robin Renée field questions from their first Ask Us Anything. Hear how Robin and Wendy met and their thoughts on the fun and challenging parts of producing a podcast. Who are their fantasy guests and favorite toons? What do they think about negotiating sex in pandemic times? The wide-ranging and light-hearted conversation features previous show guests Cedric Maurice, JD Stillwater, and John Tod, plus patrons and questions from the Facebook page.

The new season starts with Episode 105 at the end of July!

Listening Party! 100th Episode Celebration, Part 1 Jun 30, 2021

Show notes

On Friday, April 23, 2021, The Leftscape celebrated having just posted the 100th episode. Listen in to the Zoom party where Wendy Sheridan and Robin Renée caught up with previous show guests. Cedric Maurice (Mo Love) speaks about co-creating the new podcast, Black Fluidity: Bi Black Men Talk, JD Stillwater shares insights from his forthcoming book, Implications: The Interfaith Promise of Science, and John Tod gives an update on the growth and current process of the men’s group he founded and facilitates. Leftscape listeners Johnny Hallelujah and Laurence Peters join the conversation.

Don’t miss the next post which will feature the second half of the party — Robin and Wendy field questions from their first Ask Us Anything!