Original air date: March 1st, 2023 Why is controversy a good thing? What does it mean to have five eyes? Why is there no such thing as spectatorship?  This is what we set out to uncover in Part 2 of our Special Series with Peter Sellars, world-renowned theater and opera director. Join us as we discuss imagining new and revolutionary solutions to issues and injustices by centering art and community care.  Visit our website to explore other episodes, suggest guests, provide feedback, or invite Wendy to be a guest on your podcast!  ..read more

Original release date: February 16, 2023.  Why were snakes at the original Olympics? How are the arts and sports intimately connected? How did the Greek tragedy come to be? We cover all of these questions in Part 1 of our Special 2 Part Interview  with Peter Sellars.  Peter, with his gift of storytelling, takes us on a journey to the Olympics in ancient Greece, where health, theater, and the arts were of equal importance in this celebration of togetherness. Fast forward to today, we look at how arts and sports are both lifelong commitments to navigating struggle in thrilling, l ..read more

This is the story of how noticing the abundant produce on citrus trees turned into what is now a 15 year old nonprofit, Food Forward, that transports nearly 90 million pounds of food to communities in need. Join us today as Rick Nahmias, founder and CEO of Food Forward, tells us that story and gives us insider tips to starting your own nonprofit, growing a team, and building meaningful relationships that help bring food where it belongs.  Visit our website to explore other episodes, suggest guests, offer feedback, or invite Wendy to be a guest on your podcast!  Episode Resources + M ..read more

If you’re even the slightest bit curious about community movement building, look no further. In today’s episode, Olivia Farr, nonprofit and environmental activist extraordinaire leading the Bedford 2030 campaign, tells us the why and how of meeting people where they’re at, and ultimately, creating ripple effects when it comes to making change in your community.  Visit our website to explore other episodes, suggest guests, offer feedback, or invite Wendy to be a guest on your podcast!  Episode Resources + Mentions:  Hannah Richie’s “Not the End of the World: How We Can Be the Fi ..read more

This episode is abundant in resources for anyone and everyone interested in food equity, health, community activism, or journalism. Corby Kummer is more than a renowned journalist and food writer, he is a changemaker working to break down the barriers to nutrient-rich and culturally-appropriate food.  He asks the sort of perspective-shifting questions, as a writer and as the Executive Director of the Food and Society Program and the Aspen Institute, that can reframe our understanding of food access and food justice and, as he says, can help shine light where it’s not been shined before. T ..read more

How is pain different from suffering? Why is community a spiritual practice? In this episode, you’ll not only learn the answers to these questions, but uncover the story of Dr. Bill Resnick’s journey as a clinical psychiatrist, and mindfulness teacher. AND we’re gifted a ten-minute mindfulness meditation, a poem read aloud, and a sprinkling of Buddhist parables.  Dr. Bill Resnick is a clinical psychiatrist with an MD from University of Pennsylvania, working as a clinical psychiatrist for over 20 years. He now teaches residents Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy, along with being an avid ..read more

See last episode for Dr. Bill Resnick's full-length interview!    How is pain different from suffering? Why is community a spiritual practice? In this episode, you’ll not only learn the answers to these questions, but uncover the story of Dr. Bill Resnick’s journey as a clinical psychiatrist, and mindfulness teacher. AND we’re gifted a ten-minute mindfulness meditation, a poem read aloud, and a sprinkling of Buddhist parables.  Dr. Bill Resnick is a clinical psychiatrist with an MD from University of Pennsylvania, working as a clinical psychiatrist for over 20 years. He now teac ..read more

Today, we’re learning why yogurt is more than just protein and probiotics, but is the final result of an intricate and ancient yogurt-making practice that creates ease and cultiavtes belonging. Homa Dashtaki founded The White Moustache, a yogurt company that honors traditional Persian techniques and her Iranian descent. After a law career, Homa has published Yogurt & Whey: Recipes of an Iranian Immigrant Life and her yogurt has garnered acclaim from the New York Times, Vogue, Bon Appétit, and Food & Wine.  Visit our website to explore other episodes, suggest guests, offer feedback ..read more

Join us (again) for a conversation with the former NBA World Champion and one of the premier NBA defenders of his era, Metta Sandiford-Artest, previously known as Metta World Peace. Metta has been a leader in de-stigmatizing mental health in the world of professional sports and beyond by embracing vulnerability and sharing his life story. Episode Resources: This re-release comes at a perefct time as we enter into colder, darker months. There are resources to support you.   Here are some at UCLA:  UCLA Counseling and Psychological Services  RISE Center at UCLA  Stress and ..read more

3 guests. 2 hosts. And one big question: why study food? Join Dr. Amy Rowat, Chef Julia Rhoton,  Laila Adarkar, and guest host, Kayleigh Ruller, on this  exploration.  Food--accessing it, cooking it, gathering around it--is a powerful tool for inciting change on both an individual and community level. It’s a lens for understanding environmental, social, and political issues, near and far. How do we leverage the power of food? What does it mean to prioritize Food Studies in a large university setting?  UCLA is exploring these very questions  through its educational pro ..read more