Mukund Marathe (Lite), Part 1 - 2x Jeopardy! Winner, Tenor, & Teacher

Lite version - for full, un-cut, ad-free access, visit http://patreon.com/peaceofpersistence.

Mukund Marathe discovered Beethoven at age 8 and the Beatles at age 9, and the resulting pleasant confusion has remained with him all of his musical life, as evidenced by the fact that he has performed almost every kind of music imaginable, from early music to modern jazz.  His favorite musical activities include the Evangelist in the Bach Passions, Sportin’ Life in Porgy and Bess, Lyle Lovett songs in church, and being what he calls a utility infielder (meaning he sings tenor or alto in various groups). Mukund was a member of the New York City Opera company for 27 years, toured with the Gregg Smith Singers, and has sung with jazz legend Dave Brubeck, on The Letterman Show, on South African television, and literally all around the world. He spends his free time reading science fiction, practicing calligraphy, dancing, making his garden grow, recently becoming a two-time Jeopardy! champion, and explaining to his two sons why people say such Awful Things about Tenors.  He says his wife, Mezzo-soprano Mary Marathe, already knows.

Show notes!
Upbringing - Mukund grew up with his Indian parents, who had an Indian shop in Rockefeller Center and insisted on him having a more American experience in a very multi-cultural Astoria, Queens. Half-jokingly, they said he'd either grow up to become a singer or a comedian, and he shocked them all when he did.

Mukund discusses how his travels have broadened his outlook. On one trip, a sextet in which he sang toured South Africa for a month, landed in South Africa the day they ended Apartheid. He describes the feeling of hope and trepidation and optimism throughout the country. On another, he went to Japan to sing Bach arias and discovered how much the Japanese loved classical music, and he believes they shared with the culture ways in which Bach can be fun.

Mukund sees himself as very lucky for being able to sing for so long already, compared to dancers and professional athletes, but he knows that eventually he'll have to retire or transition. Thankfully, he really enjoys teaching, and he discusses how he fell into teaching.

Jeopardy! He watched it every day as a child and loved that it was a rare show that rewarded you for being smart, and he's always wanted to be on the show. Mukund tells us about the audition process, from the online exam to the written test, mock game, and recorded interview, to being put into their contestant pool.

Mukund had a really enjoyable time because of the staff and coordinators and the wonderful job they did trying to keep everything fun during a stressful time. It went by fast, but he loved hanging out with his fellow contestants and had an amazing time on the show.

This is a two part episode! Stay tuned next week to hear more from Mukund in a really honest conversation about his struggles, humor as a great peacemaker, his advice to the world, and so much more.

Thanks again for joining us on The Peace of Persistence Lite! To hear more about how Mukund and Mary raised two children as musical freelancers, culture shocks, exercise, and how Mukund learns by teaching, visit http://www.patreon.com/peaceofpersistence for double the content and zero ads.

Wendy Yellen (LITE) - Transformation Acceleration Expert

Lite version - for full, un-cut, ad-free access, visit http://patreon.com/peaceofpersistence.

In this lite version, host Abigail Wright talks with transformation acceleration expert Wendy Yellen about the powerful work of eidetics, Wendy guides us through an experience of it, and she tells us how she wishes everyone would consider the impact of their thoughts and actions.

Wendy Yellen lives outside of Santa Fe, New Mexico near the top of a 7,200 foot high mesa, with her husband and partner of 39 years, Michael. Together they share a love of exotic birding adventures in beautiful natural places around the world. Wendy graduated from Brandeis University and received her Master’s in Social Work from Smith College. She then went on to study neo-Reichian body work and other traditional and non-traditional forms of healing from masters around the world. But she let all of this go once she discovered the power of the work you’ll experience today. Wendy has been working as a transformation acceleration expert for almost 40 years and is honored to be named one of the International Top THREE Transformational Experts in her field.

Show notes!
We talk about eidetics, which Wendy says is more easily understood through the experience of it. She explains it as a way of working with the mind, body, and spirit to, instead of helping you see what's wrong, removes the crust of your history to operate as who you were before you were shaped by your history. 

Wendy guides us in an experience of eidetics!

Wendy explains how eidetics works and that, even though it sometimes uses images from the past, it's all about your current state of being. She discusses how our history can cover over our potential.

Wendy addresses common reactions and concerns with the experience through which she led us. She recommends reviewing your experience with the image and the problem you chose at the beginning of the exercise, to examine how they're related and guides us to remember that this is not a mental exercise but that the results of sitting with the images creates gradual, often subconscious change. She tells the story of an award-winning creative client who went through a traumatic experience with her mother as a child, leading to feelings of never being enough and believing she wasn't worth being paid as an adult. Working through images with Wendy, she was able to move past that feeling and begin to book jobs that paid.

If you're interested in continuing with eidetics, Wendy offers a free confidential meeting by going to www.measiwanttobe.com. During the conversation, you'll discuss your experience with the experience she brought us through earlier, along with where the work could take you if you want to shift that piece in your life.

Wendy can't imagine she'll continue to work in this line of work when she's much older, 85 or 90, but she's not waiting to retire or do something else. She loves this work and feels cradled by it - as though the spiritual experience of the exploration loves her back.

What would you like the world to see differently?
She wishes we would take a second to reflect before saying or doing something, to really see the impact we have on others with our mood, our words, and our assumptions. Not only do we harm each other, but we miss opportunities to make a difference.

Tommy Wazelle (LITE) - Tenor, Dad, & Voice of "Pig" (Peg + Cat)

Lite version - for full, un-cut, ad-free access, visit http://patreon.com/peaceofpersistence.

Host Abigail Wright talks with Tommy Wazelle, tenor, dad, and the voice of Pig on the popular PBS Kids Show Peg+Cat about staying active, gratitude, accepting each other + more.

Tommy is the voice of Pig on the Emmy award-winning PBS Kids show Peg+Cat. He also has performed around the world as a tenor, performed in shows such as The Who's Tommy, Phantom of the Opera, Showboat, the Rothschilds, Ragtime, and more, and he has appeared in television, radio, recordings, and on an Italian cruise ship. Dedicated to the development of new works, he most notably performed as Paul in Paul's Case with American Opera Projects, a role that was specifically designed for his voice. He and his wife and two children live on Manhattan's Upper West Side.
 

Show notes!
Tommy discusses his family's musical background, including his own musical background in shows and also playing trumpet as a kid.

Tommy talks about his experience with Peg+Cat! He was referred to their creators by the director of American Opera Projects. He loves it, and is excited that he never knows what Pig is going to do next. He discusses the process of getting the material, the liveliness of the character, and how Pig and Tommy both like to quietly observe the room.

Tommy's incredibly active, with his wife and children and in his own life. It started as a young age, with his mom as his soccer coach, he and his dad played baseball. He ran track, played basketball. He wishes his kids could just run around the yard, but they scoot with them, fly kites, take them to Super Soccer Stars, and he tries to play tennis in the summer. He works hard to stay active so that he feels good and not low in energy.

Tommy's always been happy and sees the benefit of gratitude for life and all that he has. On the other hand, he attributes a certain amount of discontent to helping him want to achieve more, adding to his overall contentment.

Tommy discusses his childhood, difficulties with being accepted when moving from place to place, and how he wishes the world could accept one another as they are without judgment.

Closing advice: Be kind to one another. Show some love! 

See and hear more about Tommy's wishes for his children, his battles with his ego, the important balance between contentment and discontent and more by visiting http://www.patreon.com/peaceofpersistence.

Find Tommy on Peg + Cat at http://pbskids.org/peg/ and at http://www.wazelle.com.

Shannon Algeo (LITE) - Mindfulness Teacher, Speaker, and Coach

Lite version - for full, un-cut, ad-free access, visit http://patreon.com/peaceofpersistence.

Host Abigail Wright introduces Shannon Algeo, a speaker, coach, and mindfulness teacher. Shannon is the co-founder of SoulFeed Podcast, and the creator of Awaken.Yoga, which provides affordable online yoga and meditation classes. As a coach, he also speaks and leads corporate mindfulness programs.

Show notes:
Mindfulness primer:
Mindfulness can be meditating for any period of time, or sensing the body from the inside out. Shannon discusses the idea from Eckhart Tolle's The Power of Now of sensing your body, your hand, your pinky finger. "Mindfulness is sensing and coming to know your location in yourself and in the world." He calls it a radical practice, compared to the rest of life, which can be so focused on stuff and identifying with stories that our thoughts tell us. He discusses the breath and experiencing boredom as a way to retrain the brain, seeing it as a counter-culture practice that helps us to connect to who we are beneath the surface.

Use attention and intention to have a "more nuanced, more felt experience." Referencing Brene Brown, Shannon also talks about how when we numb our negative feelings and thoughts, we also numb joy and connection - that we can't be selective about what we numb in life.

The people we draw into our inner circle are reflections of ourselves. When we're activated by someone else's energy, negatively or positively, it's a chance to evaluate opportunities for our own healing and growth - what it is we want to desire or create. When we do the work within ourselves to understand when we have more toxic relationships, it can help us to create boundaries to show others what we need. It comes back to mindfulness and responsibility in our own relationships.

What would you like the world to see differently?
"Who you are anywhere is who you are everywhere." You are enough, you are a leader, and people need you. "It's time to show up."

Any other advice for us?
If we're gentle (peaceful) with ourselves while being persistent and committed, "then we're going to be so powerful."

For more about Shannon's upbringing, how to learn to love yourself, lessons learned from producing the SoulFeed podcast, and so much more, go to www.patreon.com/peaceofpersistence.

Samba Schutte (LITE) - Comedian, Actor & Writer

Lite version - for full, un-cut, ad-free access, visit http://patreon.com/peaceofpersistence.

Samba Schutte is an actor, comedian and writer born in Mauritania, raised in Ethiopia, and schooled in Holland at the Utrecht School of the Arts. His comedy shows have spanned the globe, and he's known as the star of Watch Dogs: Amazing Street Hack, The Tiger Hunter, starring Danny Pudi, and Haleema, which premiered at the 2013 Berlinale Film Festival.

Show notes:
Samba discusses his birth and his love of Ethiopia, of his birthplace in the Sahara, and the desert. He moved to Holland at age 18 to study theatre, and he learned to speak Dutch when he moved there. As a shy child, he never thought of being a comedian, until his friends pressured him into trying it at an open stage in Holland - he loved it.

Only when moving to Holland did he realize what he had in Africa, and it taught him to always be grateful for who he is and what he has. He sees perspective as a key to having any kind of happiness or success in life.

"Laughter is key to getting through life in a joyful and sane way." He discusses how his sense of humor helps him to connect, cope, and heal in life.

Samba highlights the importance of accepting struggle as a part of life - and chocolate cakes. Clearly, he understands the importance of honoring and connecting to his inner child, and he shares that as a key to connecting with others.

Social media has a good side and bad side. The danger rests in comparing yourself when others post. On the other hand, it helps people connect, and Samba tries to use his social media platforms to post positively and help others laugh.
He follows the Ralph Waldo Emerson quote, "To laugh often and much; To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded."

Any advice for us?
Laugh, every day if you can. Remember your inner child, play, and dare to be who you think you are.

Find Samba at http://www.sambaschutte.com/ and @sambaschutte

Soprano, Author & Survivor Charity Tillemann-Dick

For this week only, enjoy this free preview of the extended versions our subscribers will enjoy on Patreon.com. Starting next week, visit www.patreon.com/peaceofpersistence to continue to enjoy full, extended, ad-free versions of The Peace of Persistence

In this week's extended audio-only! episode, host Abigail Wright speaks with Charity Tillemann-Dick, soprano, survivor of two double-lung transplants, and author of The Encore: A Memoir in Three Acts. Catch the full episode here:

Charity Tilleman-Dick is a soprano and top-selling Billboard classical artist. After receiving a diagnosis of Idiopathic Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension, Charity has had two double lung transplants, has been the National Spokesperson for the PHA (Pulmonary Hypertension Association), and continues to perform, being featured as a singer and speaker around the world.

She speaks candidly and enthusiastically about her upbringing (with 11 brothers & sisters), surviving two double-lung transplants and cancer, singing, relationships, finding the divine in yourself and others, living up to our potential and feeling complete, her love of food, and her book. The Encore: A Memoir in Three Acts is published by Simon & Schuster, and it comes out on October 3. Pre-order your copy on Amazon

You can also catch Charity at one of her upcoming book signing events, and she answered our last question, "do you have any advice for us," by saying she loves to give advice! Go to www.charitysunshine.com, and she's happy to answer any advice requests you might have. Thanks, Charity!

Sing for Hope's Camille Zamora

For the next 2 weeks only, enjoy this free preview of the extended versions our subscribers will enjoy on Patreon.com. More details to follow soon!

In this week's extended audio episode, host Abigail Wright sat down with soprano Camille Zamora, co-founder and co-executive director of Sing for Hope. Here's what she had to say:

Show Notes:

Sing for Hope is a group of over 2,000 artists who bring their talent and "a shot of hope" to those who need it most. Abby and Camille sat among some of their annual street pianos, designed by local artists, that went out among the NYC parks this summer and now are being used by local schools. Sing for Hope placed their 400th piano this summer, and they bring the community together, support artists, and allow artists to give their gifts to schools, hospitals, AIDS hospices, veteran hospitals, senior centers and more.

Through Sing for Hope's channel of giving through the medium of art, Camille shared that she has found her most authentic self. Community volunteerism and performing are parts of her balanced diet, as she feels a calling to share creativity in social justice work, perform as a singer, and enjoy parenting her son.

She discussed how Sing for Hope evolved out of a need to respond to tragedies such as 9-11, AIDS, and Hurricane Katrina. Their long-term dream is to own a space - a centralized hub to support all of their activity. 

Her goals? To continue to support her son's dreams (from whom she learns so much), to continue to sustain and support Sing for Hope, and to further her goals as a singer - including classical Spanish repertoire, such as her touring pops show, Tango Caliente, featuring bandoneon and dancers.

After speaking about her mentors and how they've taught her about the power of artistic habits of mind, she discussed her role as a speaker at this changing moment of the arts and culture landscape. Some people question arts volunteerism, and to them she said that art is an enormous currency. "Like any currency, you should earn some of it, and you might enjoy giving it away," Camille suggested - a different kind of stretching one's talent. She believes that arts and culture should be included in the conversation surrounding social change, especially for large scale systemic change and educational revamping.  

As an artist, Camille discussed success as achieving authenticity of communication, whatever the medium, and how she found her artistic authenticity from a young age until now.

What habits and traits lead to her happiness and success?
Exercise, a love of good food and friends, simple pleasures, and mindfulness of the innate joy that can be found in the simple moments.

What would she like the world to see differently?
We all sell ourselves short. Access to creativity and expression is one profound way to allow our potential to bloom, to allow ourselves to be greater, and "to excavate the imagination." "Live bigger," she says.

Any other advice for us?
Nobody gets through life unscathed. Know that the wounds are part of it, but also the beauty and the humor of the everyday can allow you to generate joy. 

Extras: Better than before - Loopholes & a New Year

Do you have an easier time breaking resolutions than making them? Host Abigail Wright discusses Gretchen Rubin's concept of loopholes and how identifying them might help.

Extras: Better than before - Cold or Warm Turkey?

Sometimes your best instincts are right! Host Abigail Wright discusses whether abstaining from temptation or being moderate in all things helps to form or break habits best.

Extras: Better than before - Clean Slate

When's the best time to form a new habit? Abigail Wright discusses Gretchen Rubin's book Better than before, and an invitation by Hal Elrod this Nov to create a clean slate!

Extras: Motivation! 4 Tendencies

Host Abigail Wright discusses Gretchen Rubin's 4 tendencies... how people respond to expectations can help us understand motivation of ourselves and those around us.

Take the quiz!
https://gretchenrubin.com/take-the-quiz

News: Exciting Announcement!!

TPOP is going to be on TV! Host Abigail Wright suggests connecting and presence to deal with change and tells you how to tune in this Sunday on MNN. 

Every other Sunday on MNN at 1:30pm, anyone in the world can livestream from:
http://www.mnn.org/live/2-lifestyle-channel

In NYC, watch on:

FiOS : 34

RCN : 83

Spectrum : 56 & 1996

Bill McKibben - Activist and Author

TPOP host Abigail Wright interviews activist and author Bill McKibben in this episode about climate change, our global community, and how to live going forward in our time of growth.

Extras: 5 Ways to Wellbeing Bonus - Care for the Planet

TPOP Host Abigail Wright talks about Live it Well UK's 6th bonus to wellbeing, care for the planet, and how to tie them all together for a better life and world.

Extras: 5 Ways to Wellbeing #4 - Keep Learning

TPOP Host Abigail Wright talks about the Centre for Wellbeing's 4th way to wellbeing, keep learning, and tips to doing it regularly, even during busy times.