This week, I am sharing the conversation that I had with my good friend and comedian, Derek Richards. Derek is the founding father of the Irish Comedy Tour, several USO tours, and the host of the show “A Drink with Derek”. Derek was actually chosen as one of the first performers at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba after the base began guarding jailed Al-Qaeda terrorists. You can also hear him on the air via the SiriusXM Satellite Radio and the infamous Bob and Tom Show. Derek and I talked about touring together, how the Irish Comedy Tour came about and his experience with “cancel culture”. Enjoy!

This week, I am sharing the conversation that I had with Eric Christiansen. Eric is a Los Angeles based documentary film maker. His films tend to focus on mental health and the readjustment that happens after traumatic events. His film, “Faces in the Fire” garnered critical acclaim including an Emmy for Outstanding Achievement and Eric is a seven-time Southwestern Region Emmy Award recipient. Eric has also received an International Monitor Award for Best Director and Silver and a Gold Award from the Houston International Film Festival. We spoke about his upcoming film, “Unmasking Hope”, mental health in general and masking emotions. Enjoy!

This week, I am sharing the conversation that I had with G. Scott Graham. Scott is, among many other things, a Boston based author of 15 books, a life coach, and a rostered psychotherapist. Scott lost his husband of thirty years and has been outspoken about his grief, while also combating the outdated ways we are all taught how to grieve. We talked a lot about his book, “Come as You Are: Grief and Meditation”, meditating in general, and how to jump start your life using some of the tips and tricks from one of his other popular books, “The Bucket List Workbook”. Enjoy!

This week, I am sharing the conversation I had with Tahmina Watson. Tahmina is a Seattle-based immigration attorney, podcaster, and activist. She is the founder of the Washington Immigrant Defense Network, which funds and supports legal services for detained low-income immigrants. She’s also the author of a few books, The Startup Visa: and her most recent one is called “Legal Heros in the Trump Era.” We talked about US immigration. The policies, and laws that were passed under Obama and the Trump administrations, and now Biden’s plans for the future including programs like DACA. Enjoy!

I am kicking off Pride month with my guest Lee Wind. Lee is an award-winning blogger and author of the books “Queer as a five-dollar bill” and “No Way, They Were Gay?” Closeted until his 20s, Lee writes books that would have changed his life as a young gay kid. Lee and I talk about the straight-washing of American history. Having hope for the future but also what we can do in the now and of course some of the most surprising hidden homosexual historic figures that he discovered in his studies. Enjoy and Happy Pride!

This week I am sharing the conversation I had with Gifted Gab. Gab started as a solo rap artist in Seattle and is now one-half the popular hip-hop duo, B.A.G. or Blimes and Gab. The music video for their song, “Come Correct” went viral a few years ago and with over 10M views and since then they have both put out solo albums and a joint project called, “Talk About It.” Gab has been singing, composing, and playing instruments since she was a little girl in the church choir. All grown up now, Gab is known as, “The Mayor” of Seattle. She’s also been recognized as Best Female Rappers on the rise by XXL Magazine back in 2013. Gab’s journey is a great reminder that success doesn’t happen overnight. Success in the arts industry takes a lot of hard work, dedication, and persistence. That last one, that’s the one that matters the most. Not only do you have to believe in yourself, but you have to have patience and trust that the risk you’re taking now will pay off way, way, way down the road. Enjoy!

This week I am sharing my conversation with Brad Garrett. It is impossible to cover Brad’s entire IMDB listing but you probably know him as Robert - the older, and freakishly tall brother on Every Loves Raymond. That sitcom was on the air for 9 seasons and was ranked as one of the all-time funniest television comedies by Complex Magazine. Brad of course has starred in other TV shows including Single Parents, Til Death, Fargo, and most recently Penny Dreadful. He has done a ton of voice-over work on TV shows and films like Finding Nemo, The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Bobby’s World, Justice League, Ratatouille, Garfield. Brad started out as a stand-up comedian at the age of eighteen, and cut his teeth in Las Vegas opening for Frank Sinatra, Diane Warwick, and Sammy David Jr. He has had a life full of triumphs, but also one filled with tragedy and that’s what our conversation focused on. Brad has dealt with addiction for most of his life. He has been sober for 24 years now and also had an upbringing very similar to mine. One that included a shifty father, a mother riddled with worry, and a path laced with grief, laughter, and sobriety. I can’t count how many times Brad and I have hung out after shows in the green room at his comedy club in Vegas and talked shop, politics and the darkness of our lives but I am really glad that I finally captured one of those conversations to share with you. Enjoy!

This week I am sharing my conversation with Melissa DeSaliva. Melissa is a therapist and Transformational Coach for the Queer community. She is also the author of the book, The Profitable Practice. Our conversation revolved around the queer community and how we can better navigate the waters and help fight normalizing transgender and queer lifestyles here in America. Unfotuniutley, we are living in a divided times where the reversal of gay marriage, trans friendly bathrooms and even their service in our military are being questioned. Seeing yourself represented in the world is one of the most important things in life. This world is meant to be a mirror not wall. I think we all need to do better at being mirrors not walls for the queer and trans community.

Today I am sharing my conversion with Michelle Kuei. Michelle is a confidence & leadership coach, and she’s also the author of a new memoir called, “Perfectly Normal: an immigrant’s story of making it in America.” Michelle’s journey started when she was permanently disabled as a result of a hit-and-run car accident when I was 11 years old. She grew up here in America where beauty is weighted heavily on appearance, so the stories that she told herself were harsh, and often cruel. Michelle's story is one of courage, determination, as she was forced to look inward and face her own judgments and harsh criticism before being able to let go and face the judgments from strangers. These days, Michelle helps people all over the world let go of their own harsh judgments, and accept themselves with unconditional love. She is on a mission to share her positivity with the world. Enjoy!

Today I am sharing a conversion I had with Dr. Tanisha King. Dr. King has a Bachelor's degree in Sociology, a Master's degree in Social Work, and a Ph.D. in Education Policy Organization and Leadership. Her research is centered around Black women, microaggressions, and the myth of the Strong Black woman in America. We talked a lot about race relations in America, microaggressions, and how to be a better ally to the African American community. Enjoy!