Blinds in a box, underwear in a box, dresses coats, you name it people are getting it in a box, there is even a bunch of food companies selling guess what, meals in a box.
So why not do the same for pets. Yep pets, Kevin MacKenzie, author and award winning Customer Service and Sales rep with many years of experience in the pet industry has come up with the unique idea to place premium products in a box. Each box has, treats, toys and other things in it, and what is interesting is that the box contains the items based on the pet’s size and other attributes. Kevin joins us for a Candid Conversation about the Pet Shop in a Box.
Kevin welcome to Candid Conversations
Cliff T.: Pet Store in a Box, why, what was or is the motivation behind this venture?
Kevin M.: Thanks for the opportunity to talk to you and your readers about my story. It has been said if you can find something you love and do it as a job you will never work a day in your life. As I child I always wanted to see different pet stores. Then at age 15 I got my dream job where I worked in a retail pet store for over 10 years and loved every second of it.
After that I worked for a larger manufacturer and distributor of pet supplies. My new customers were the same stores I loved to visit as a young boy. I was there for 17 years and loved helping pets and owners alike. I always enjoyed teaching pet owners and training the staff at the pet stores who would take my knowledge and pass it along to pet owners and their pets. In a very small way I've likely helped in the care of over one million pets!
In 2013 I left the pet industry but it still remained in my heart. I wrote a book on motivation called 123 Ways to Get Motivated AND Stay Motivated available on Amazon in August 2016 and soon started my second book on sales shortly after. It was then that I had a eureka moment during the second chapter and I came up with Pet Store In a Box.
Cliff T.: How long did it take to develop the program?
Kevin M.: The idea came flooding in at me really. I started thinking about all my observations during my almost 30 years in the pet industry. I wanted pet owners to spend more time playing with their pet and less time shopping for their pet.
We all lead busy lives and pet owners are no different. Many pets are left at home for extended periods of time and get bored with the same toys for weeks or months. Sometimes pet owners don't think about the type of toys, treats or accessories that is best for their cat or dog. You won't get that kind of experience and advice at a big box store where the employee in the pet section was just working in the paint department earlier in the day.
During the check out process at Pet Store In a Box you are asked a few questions to learn about your pet. This way we have literally dozens of combinations of boxes. We factor in your pets size - from a tiny ‘tea cup’ puppy to a giant 100+ pound one, then there is the pets age - puppy / kitten to senior pets, how aggressive of a chewer your pet is from cuddler to very aggressive chewer and so on.
Cliff T.: Were there any challenges when you started to build this project? And if so what were the ways you overcame them?
Kevin M.: Getting people to understand the concept for some was a challenge especially for the older generation. Once I described it as a monthly subscription (think magazine delivered once a month to your home) but for pet supplies most people got it.
Cliff T.: Kevin even as I sit here asking these questions I have to smile, I think this is so uniquely interesting. That said pets and they’re owners can be quite picky. How do you go about ensuring the best possible result with respect to Pet Store in a Box?
Kevin M.: As mentioned we take not just the pet into consideration but also the time of year. We consider seasonal times as well. Take for instance this month’s shipment for dogs. We sent out portable water bottles that have a small dish attached. Perfect for when your pet needs a drink in the heat.
Our customer’s pets are unique and we think their box should be as unique as they are. No cookie cutter approach here.
Cliff T.: OK, so this is a subscription service, typically how long does a customer subscribe for?
Kevin M.: We have month to month boxes if someone wants to just try us out but our annual subscriptions are by far the most popular because of the extra savings and free shipping (within Canada).
Cliff T.: Can the customer keep ordering the same things in the box or can they change what comes in the box each month?
Kevin M.: Once the customer places the order we take it from there unless they wish to change a particular variable during the subscription timeworn example, if your pet moves from an aggressive chewer to a light chewer or from adult cat to a senior cat. We are here to help so just ask.
Cliff T.: There is no peace treaty in the box, can you explain that and the philosophy of the pet comes first?
Kevin M.: We offer so much variety to our customers. We have single cat boxes, multi-cat cat boxes, single dog boxes, muti-dog boxes, boxes for one cat and one dog and what we the menagerie box for homes with at least two dogs and two cats. If you have cats and dogs in the same house you just might need a peace treaty.
As a kid we had a Siamese cat and a English Bulldog and most days a peace treaty was necessary.
If you hold a two different pet treats or toys in your hand and your pet loves one over the other what one are you buying? Price at that point often isn't even considered because you want what is best for the pet and what the pet wants. That's why the customer isn't first, the pet is. That's the way it should be. The bottom line is we care that much about your pet.
Cliff T.: Kevin can you give our readers an idea of the size of the box and what kind of things they may see when they open it?
Kevin M. Due to the various products for both cats and dogs we aim to have 6-8 premium pet treats, toys and accessories each and every month. Some months might have three toys and others only one where you might get four treats one month and two the next.
What will remain the same each month and for all dogs and cats is the value in each box. You will be saving money versus what you pay in the stores plus you save gas and time going and there is the most priceless thing: more time to play with your pet.
You might say we ship purrs and tail wags every month!
Cliff T.: 28 years in the business, you really love your job, but I also sense that you love animals too. Is this what really drives you to do this kind of work?
Kevin M.: Absolutely! I wouldn't have it any other way. That's why my level of care comes out in every single box we ship. Your pet isn't like your family, it IS your family.
Cliff T.: I also noticed that your partnering with other organizations like the SPCA. What is the connection to them?
Kevin M.: We are proud to donate a percentage of proceeds from each and every box to our local humane society. It's important to us that we give back.
Cliff T.: It is obvious that you’re a pet lover, do you have pets?
Kevin M.: I've had everything from goldfish to alligators but currently we only have one fish. My youngest son is allergic to cats and my wife, ironically, isn't a dog person.
Cliff T.: What is the most important message you want to offer or get out regarding the care of animals?
Kevin M.: Pets need variety and high quality pet treats, toys and accessories please consider a subscription from Pet Store In a Box. It's a great gift for pets and the people who love them.
Finally, summer is here. Please do not leave your pet in a car alone, not even for a second.
Cliff T.: Kevin thanks very much for sharing your story and passion for pets with me and the readers of Candid Conversations.
Kevin M.: It has been my pleasure. Thanks again.
Kevin Mackenzie founder of Pet Shop in a Box joined us from Courtice ON, check out them out on the web at www.petstoreinabox.com.
Showing posts with label Interesting Person. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Interesting Person. Show all posts
Monday, July 3, 2017
Tuesday, June 6, 2017
LindaAnn Is Back - Come Up And Read Her Candid Conversation
Look who is back for a SECOND Candid Conversation: LindaAnn Loschiavo. Remember she did an interview with us about Mae West and her work. Of course, LindaAnn has other projects she is working on --- like a documentary. That is where we begin this edition of Candid Conversations. LindaAnn, welcome back to Candid Conversations.
LindaAnn L.: Always a great pleasure, Cliff, and thank you for the opportunity.
Cliff T.: A documentary sounds interesting. Please do share with us what or whom it’s about?
LindaAnn L.: Born in Waco, Texas, Mary Louise “Texas” Guinan [1884-1933] moved to Greenwich Village in 1907 and found a neighborhood that suited her temperament. Within a few years, she had relocated her entire family to New York City. She is an extraordinary, amazing and versatile woman. She was a star of Western movies during the silent era, doing her own stunts in dozens of flickers; a Broadway star; a film actress for Warner Bros. (when “talkies” became the new Hollywood standard); and also the most famous speakeasy hostess during the Prohibition Era. During the 1920s, her salary was $750,000 for ten months of work a year. My blog can offer more details: http://TexasGuinan.blogspot.com
Cliff T.: What prompted the interest in Greenwich Village?
LindaAnn L.: In 1907, Texas Guinan either moved to Washington Square South because she heard it was the center of “bohemia” or she settled here because she was, at the time, still a struggling actress who needed to find cut-rate boarding house. As she earned more money, she moved to 17 West 8th Street and lived there until her death (November 1933). Her parents shared the same address; her brother Tommy Guinan and many of her under-age showgirls lived directly across the street. Since I live around the corner, I pass her former residence often.
Cliff T.: Wow that is so cool. Are you at the beginning stages of the documentary? What will be the focus for this doc?
LindaAnn L.: We’re in “production” and have completed all the interviews except for one: her blood relative who lives in a remote area of Idaho. As soon as the Idaho interview has been filmed, this project will move into its “editing” and “post production” phase.
The documentary’s focus is on her unusual life as an “Alpha female” maverick in everything she did. For example, when she entered the silent film industry, all protagonists were male and hero roles went to actors like William S. Hart. [William Surrey Hart (1864 – 1946), an American silent film actor, screenwriter, director and producer, is remembered as a foremost Western star of the silent era]. If any females did appear onscreen, invariably they were victims who needed to be rescued. Texas Guinan, with her superb trick riding and ability to shoot and do dangerous stunts, turned everything around; soon scripts were written for her (i.e., “The Gun Woman”). She became the star as well as the courageous, capable heroine who saved the day.
Cliff T.: To say that you have your hands full is an understatement. How are you managing this plus doing the other things like maintaining the Mae West blog?
LindaAnn L.: In order to have a fulfilling writing life, you need discipline and a determination to make time for the blank page. In addition to doing my second documentary film on Texas Guinan and writing a daily blog, in this year alone (2017), I have also had four new short stories published, numerous poems [Mused, Spring 2017 issue just published three of my poems, for instance] and I’ve also written stage reviews, two essays, and I have starred in someone else’s NYC film. One of my recently printed essays, adapted from a podcast interview I did in 2015, was about my experience writing my first stage play at age 9 -- then directing, casting, and producing the play at age 10 in NYC, where it ran for several months.
It also helps that I have never owned a TV set. I’m not a “couch potato” who spends the evening watching someone else’s life instead of getting on with my own dreams.
Cliff T.: That is awesome, speaking of the Mae West blog, how do manage to keep the blog fresh? AKA the secret in the sauce that keeps an audience coming back, what would that be?
LindaAnn L.: It’s no question that, after doing my Mae West Blog – http://MaeWest.blogspot.com – for 12 ½ years, posting daily becomes more difficult because I’m always seeking fresh, unique content. For instance, Louisa, a Mae-maven, made a special request. Louisa had never seen an article on Elvis Presley and Mae, even though The King of Rock & amp; Roll visited Mae in Los Angeles with actor Nick Adams to ask her to appear in his next motion picture, “Roustabout.” In a rare out-of-print magazine, I managed to find an account of that visit, thereby delighting numerous Elvis fans. Additionally, I discovered a long out-of-print article, analyzing Mae’s motion pictures. I excerpted this “lost” article for my Mae West Blog from January 3rd, 2017 – May 23rd, 2017, dividing the text into 92 segments. Cliff, you can tell how in-depth that “lost” article must have been when it took 92 posts to reprint it!
Cliff T.: Yes that does sonund like a challenge, the reason I ask is that Mae West and her contemporaries are no longer with us, thus keeping fresh perspectives would be a challenge, or do you think otherwise?
LindaAnn L.: Mae West fought to put homosexuals and drag queens on Broadway in her 1927 play “The Drag.” However, that play did not run on The Great White Way because City Hall sent her to jail instead. She also fought to get black actors on Broadway by writing a daring bi-racial play in 1930 “The Constant Sinner.” When some black actors were threatened with lynching, the Shubert brothers hired white actors to play those roles in blackface. Always ahead of her time, Mae West’s civil rights battles and her insistence on diversity have kept her ideas contemporary and attractive to younger generations. The most remarkable news item I read yesterday is that a Utah theatre company is going out on a limb to revive “The Drag” in their next season. This is a daring decision in Utah, where only family friendly plays are staged. Frankly, I don’t know if the Utah county politicians will permit this production to occur, Cliff, but I have my fingers crossed.
Cliff T.: Best of luck with that. What is the most common feedback you get from people when they log on to the site?
LindaAnn L.: Regarding “the most common feedback,” I have two replies. First, the relatives of individuals named on the site will either ask for more information or say thanks for remembering this loved one. Second, fans will ask for book recommendations --- since many Mae West biographies have been published.
Cliff T.: LindaAnn, getting back to Greenwich Village, when do you expect to have the documentary done?
LindaAnn L.: If my film partner goes to Idaho this summer for that one final interview, we can start editing and finish this year. After that, we’d submit it to documentary film festivals.
Cliff T.: Excellent, we will have to do a 3rd Candid Conversation when it comes out.
LindaAnn L.: That would be lovely. Certainly a few links and a trailer would be on You Tube, so your readers can meet Texas Guinan.
Cliff T.: Thanks again for dropping in to do another Candid Conversation.
LindaAnn L.: Thank you, Cliff, for being a steadfast chronicler of artistic ventures.
LindaAnn Loschiavo, blogger, dramatist, author, and now documentary filmmaker wrote to us from Greenwich Village, N.Y.
LindaAnn L.: Always a great pleasure, Cliff, and thank you for the opportunity.
Cliff T.: A documentary sounds interesting. Please do share with us what or whom it’s about?
LindaAnn L.: Born in Waco, Texas, Mary Louise “Texas” Guinan [1884-1933] moved to Greenwich Village in 1907 and found a neighborhood that suited her temperament. Within a few years, she had relocated her entire family to New York City. She is an extraordinary, amazing and versatile woman. She was a star of Western movies during the silent era, doing her own stunts in dozens of flickers; a Broadway star; a film actress for Warner Bros. (when “talkies” became the new Hollywood standard); and also the most famous speakeasy hostess during the Prohibition Era. During the 1920s, her salary was $750,000 for ten months of work a year. My blog can offer more details: http://TexasGuinan.blogspot.com
Cliff T.: What prompted the interest in Greenwich Village?
LindaAnn L.: In 1907, Texas Guinan either moved to Washington Square South because she heard it was the center of “bohemia” or she settled here because she was, at the time, still a struggling actress who needed to find cut-rate boarding house. As she earned more money, she moved to 17 West 8th Street and lived there until her death (November 1933). Her parents shared the same address; her brother Tommy Guinan and many of her under-age showgirls lived directly across the street. Since I live around the corner, I pass her former residence often.
Cliff T.: Wow that is so cool. Are you at the beginning stages of the documentary? What will be the focus for this doc?
LindaAnn L.: We’re in “production” and have completed all the interviews except for one: her blood relative who lives in a remote area of Idaho. As soon as the Idaho interview has been filmed, this project will move into its “editing” and “post production” phase.
The documentary’s focus is on her unusual life as an “Alpha female” maverick in everything she did. For example, when she entered the silent film industry, all protagonists were male and hero roles went to actors like William S. Hart. [William Surrey Hart (1864 – 1946), an American silent film actor, screenwriter, director and producer, is remembered as a foremost Western star of the silent era]. If any females did appear onscreen, invariably they were victims who needed to be rescued. Texas Guinan, with her superb trick riding and ability to shoot and do dangerous stunts, turned everything around; soon scripts were written for her (i.e., “The Gun Woman”). She became the star as well as the courageous, capable heroine who saved the day.
Cliff T.: To say that you have your hands full is an understatement. How are you managing this plus doing the other things like maintaining the Mae West blog?
LindaAnn L.: In order to have a fulfilling writing life, you need discipline and a determination to make time for the blank page. In addition to doing my second documentary film on Texas Guinan and writing a daily blog, in this year alone (2017), I have also had four new short stories published, numerous poems [Mused, Spring 2017 issue just published three of my poems, for instance] and I’ve also written stage reviews, two essays, and I have starred in someone else’s NYC film. One of my recently printed essays, adapted from a podcast interview I did in 2015, was about my experience writing my first stage play at age 9 -- then directing, casting, and producing the play at age 10 in NYC, where it ran for several months.
It also helps that I have never owned a TV set. I’m not a “couch potato” who spends the evening watching someone else’s life instead of getting on with my own dreams.
Cliff T.: That is awesome, speaking of the Mae West blog, how do manage to keep the blog fresh? AKA the secret in the sauce that keeps an audience coming back, what would that be?
LindaAnn L.: It’s no question that, after doing my Mae West Blog – http://MaeWest.blogspot.com – for 12 ½ years, posting daily becomes more difficult because I’m always seeking fresh, unique content. For instance, Louisa, a Mae-maven, made a special request. Louisa had never seen an article on Elvis Presley and Mae, even though The King of Rock & amp; Roll visited Mae in Los Angeles with actor Nick Adams to ask her to appear in his next motion picture, “Roustabout.” In a rare out-of-print magazine, I managed to find an account of that visit, thereby delighting numerous Elvis fans. Additionally, I discovered a long out-of-print article, analyzing Mae’s motion pictures. I excerpted this “lost” article for my Mae West Blog from January 3rd, 2017 – May 23rd, 2017, dividing the text into 92 segments. Cliff, you can tell how in-depth that “lost” article must have been when it took 92 posts to reprint it!
Cliff T.: Yes that does sonund like a challenge, the reason I ask is that Mae West and her contemporaries are no longer with us, thus keeping fresh perspectives would be a challenge, or do you think otherwise?
LindaAnn L.: Mae West fought to put homosexuals and drag queens on Broadway in her 1927 play “The Drag.” However, that play did not run on The Great White Way because City Hall sent her to jail instead. She also fought to get black actors on Broadway by writing a daring bi-racial play in 1930 “The Constant Sinner.” When some black actors were threatened with lynching, the Shubert brothers hired white actors to play those roles in blackface. Always ahead of her time, Mae West’s civil rights battles and her insistence on diversity have kept her ideas contemporary and attractive to younger generations. The most remarkable news item I read yesterday is that a Utah theatre company is going out on a limb to revive “The Drag” in their next season. This is a daring decision in Utah, where only family friendly plays are staged. Frankly, I don’t know if the Utah county politicians will permit this production to occur, Cliff, but I have my fingers crossed.
Cliff T.: Best of luck with that. What is the most common feedback you get from people when they log on to the site?
LindaAnn L.: Regarding “the most common feedback,” I have two replies. First, the relatives of individuals named on the site will either ask for more information or say thanks for remembering this loved one. Second, fans will ask for book recommendations --- since many Mae West biographies have been published.
Cliff T.: LindaAnn, getting back to Greenwich Village, when do you expect to have the documentary done?
LindaAnn L.: If my film partner goes to Idaho this summer for that one final interview, we can start editing and finish this year. After that, we’d submit it to documentary film festivals.
Cliff T.: Excellent, we will have to do a 3rd Candid Conversation when it comes out.
LindaAnn L.: That would be lovely. Certainly a few links and a trailer would be on You Tube, so your readers can meet Texas Guinan.
Cliff T.: Thanks again for dropping in to do another Candid Conversation.
LindaAnn L.: Thank you, Cliff, for being a steadfast chronicler of artistic ventures.
LindaAnn Loschiavo, blogger, dramatist, author, and now documentary filmmaker wrote to us from Greenwich Village, N.Y.
Monday, May 8, 2017
Candid Conversations Presents Ragan Whiteside
In a world where music seems to sound the same it's nice to see that other genres are still being pursued. More interesting to see is the talent pool that is out there take for example the world of Jazz, it's still evolving and many people are jumping into learn and develop new music in this very diverse universe called Jazz, from the blues to contemporary Jazz artists are moving the music into new directions and creating new sounds for audiences to enjoy.
I am pleased to have found one such artist, Ragan Whiteside, she is set to release her newest album called Treblemaker. She joins me today for a Candid Conversation about the album and her music.
Cliff T.: Ragan thanks for taking some time out to do a Candid Conversation.
Ragan W.: Thank you so much for having me!
Cliff T.: Treblemaker, interesting name for an album, is there a theme behind this title or is this album featuring music that has a strong emphasis on Treble?
Ragan W.: I wish I could say it’s related to a theme, but really it was just a cool pun. :) Although I am a flautist, I am all about the bass.
Cliff T.: I have to admit I am a drum kind of guy myself but bass does move me too. Is the flute the centerpiece instrument?
Ragan W.: Yes, the flute is definitely the centerpiece, with a few guests joining throughout the album with various instruments: Tom Browne (trumpet), Marion Meadows (sax), Kim Waters (sax), Frank McComb (keys and vocals), The PR Experience (Marvin Pryor – trombone, Nelson Render – trumpet, Travis Kimber – sax), Rich Harrison (drums), Jorel “JFly” Flynn (drums), Derek Scott (guitar), and Phil Casagrande (keys).
Cliff T.: In the press release it is mentioned that your music is intended to shake up perceptions of what a flute and Jazz artist can do, can you give us a sense of what perceptions you see need to be changed?
Ragan W.: There is a general perception that flute is a soft, flowery, background instrument. While it can be that, the flute can also be very percussive and funky. I always set out to show that the flute can be a mainstream instrument, just like sax and guitar.
Cliff T.: Ragan, you’re no stranger to the scene, this is your fourth album, what do you think sets Treblemaker apart from your earlier work?
Ragan W.: When we started working on this album, we set the intention of creating songs that focused on making people feel good. That type of focus really opened us up creatively and allowed us to expand more.
Cliff T.: Is there a favorite track on this album, and if so which one and why?
Ragan W.: That’s a tough one – each one is close to my heart for one reason or another. I guess if I had to choose, I would say “See You at the Get Down” since it fulfills a long-time dream of mine to have a full horn section on a tune. I am a huge fan of bands that feature horns like Earth, Wind & Fire and Tower of Power. I’m a sucker for a good horn line.
Cliff T.: I see that you actually worked with Patrice Rushen, wow that is cool. What was it like to work with her and the likes of Bob Baldwin and did they help out on this album?
Ragan W.: Patrice Rushen is such an inspiration – she is doing all of the things I aspire to do one day. On top of that, she’s a nice person. She wasn’t involved with Treblemaker, but Bob was. I’ve worked with Bob for many years and have learned a lot from him. His ear is absolutely sick, so you can’t get away with anything that even hints at being a wrong note!
Cliff T.: At age 5 you got into music, have learned to play piano, violin drums but in the end choose to play the flute as well as sing. The flute, what drew you to it? And, what about Jazz drew you to this genre.
Ragan W.: Believe it or not, I did not want to play the flute. When it came time to choose an instrument in the 4th grade, I wanted to play the drums but they didn’t let girls play the drums at the time. So I said, “ok, I’ll play the trumpet” but they ran out of trumpets. The only instruments they had left were the flute and the clarinet. The flute was shinier so I went with that. (smile). As for what drew me to Jazz…it’s the freedom of expression that is most appealing to me.
Cliff T.: I know the feeling I wanted to play drums in high school, instead I took up the Euponium, trust me I am a better writer than a musician. Randis Music is your label, since 2007, congratulations on that as well.
Ragan W.: Thanks! Dennis Johnson (producer/songwriter/engineer) and I formed it when it seemed like Smooth Jazz opportunities were drying up. (Randis is a combination of our names). It feels good to know that I have an opportunity to release music on my own. Thank goodness for technology!
Cliff T.: Will you be going on tour to promote this album?
Ragan W.: Yes – we are in the process of lining up dates now.
Cliff T.: Excellent, Ragan thanks again for doing a Candid Conversation. I really appreciate your time, and wish you much success with Treblemaker and Randis Music.
Ragan Whiteside, flutist singer. Her newest work Treblemaker on Randis Music debuts this month. She spoke with us from Atlanta, GA.
Treblemaker (2017) – Hear sound clips at www.raganwhiteside.com/music
Quantum Drive (2014)
Evolve (2012)
Class Axe (2007)
Contact:
Randis Music
212-561-0253
info@randismusic.com
www.raganwhiteside.com
www.facebook.com/raganwhitesidemusic
www.twitter.com/raganwhiteside
Interesting fact, Ragan Whiteside holds a degree from Harid Conservatory, where her sound was honed with the tried-and-true classical training, graduating with a Bachelor of Music Performance degree.
I am pleased to have found one such artist, Ragan Whiteside, she is set to release her newest album called Treblemaker. She joins me today for a Candid Conversation about the album and her music.
Cliff T.: Ragan thanks for taking some time out to do a Candid Conversation.
Ragan W.: Thank you so much for having me!
Cliff T.: Treblemaker, interesting name for an album, is there a theme behind this title or is this album featuring music that has a strong emphasis on Treble?
Ragan W.: I wish I could say it’s related to a theme, but really it was just a cool pun. :) Although I am a flautist, I am all about the bass.
Cliff T.: I have to admit I am a drum kind of guy myself but bass does move me too. Is the flute the centerpiece instrument?
Ragan W.: Yes, the flute is definitely the centerpiece, with a few guests joining throughout the album with various instruments: Tom Browne (trumpet), Marion Meadows (sax), Kim Waters (sax), Frank McComb (keys and vocals), The PR Experience (Marvin Pryor – trombone, Nelson Render – trumpet, Travis Kimber – sax), Rich Harrison (drums), Jorel “JFly” Flynn (drums), Derek Scott (guitar), and Phil Casagrande (keys).
Cliff T.: In the press release it is mentioned that your music is intended to shake up perceptions of what a flute and Jazz artist can do, can you give us a sense of what perceptions you see need to be changed?
Ragan W.: There is a general perception that flute is a soft, flowery, background instrument. While it can be that, the flute can also be very percussive and funky. I always set out to show that the flute can be a mainstream instrument, just like sax and guitar.
Cliff T.: Ragan, you’re no stranger to the scene, this is your fourth album, what do you think sets Treblemaker apart from your earlier work?
Ragan W.: When we started working on this album, we set the intention of creating songs that focused on making people feel good. That type of focus really opened us up creatively and allowed us to expand more.
Cliff T.: Is there a favorite track on this album, and if so which one and why?
Ragan W.: That’s a tough one – each one is close to my heart for one reason or another. I guess if I had to choose, I would say “See You at the Get Down” since it fulfills a long-time dream of mine to have a full horn section on a tune. I am a huge fan of bands that feature horns like Earth, Wind & Fire and Tower of Power. I’m a sucker for a good horn line.
Cliff T.: I see that you actually worked with Patrice Rushen, wow that is cool. What was it like to work with her and the likes of Bob Baldwin and did they help out on this album?
Ragan W.: Patrice Rushen is such an inspiration – she is doing all of the things I aspire to do one day. On top of that, she’s a nice person. She wasn’t involved with Treblemaker, but Bob was. I’ve worked with Bob for many years and have learned a lot from him. His ear is absolutely sick, so you can’t get away with anything that even hints at being a wrong note!
Cliff T.: At age 5 you got into music, have learned to play piano, violin drums but in the end choose to play the flute as well as sing. The flute, what drew you to it? And, what about Jazz drew you to this genre.
Ragan W.: Believe it or not, I did not want to play the flute. When it came time to choose an instrument in the 4th grade, I wanted to play the drums but they didn’t let girls play the drums at the time. So I said, “ok, I’ll play the trumpet” but they ran out of trumpets. The only instruments they had left were the flute and the clarinet. The flute was shinier so I went with that. (smile). As for what drew me to Jazz…it’s the freedom of expression that is most appealing to me.
Cliff T.: I know the feeling I wanted to play drums in high school, instead I took up the Euponium, trust me I am a better writer than a musician. Randis Music is your label, since 2007, congratulations on that as well.
Ragan W.: Thanks! Dennis Johnson (producer/songwriter/engineer) and I formed it when it seemed like Smooth Jazz opportunities were drying up. (Randis is a combination of our names). It feels good to know that I have an opportunity to release music on my own. Thank goodness for technology!
Cliff T.: Will you be going on tour to promote this album?
Ragan W.: Yes – we are in the process of lining up dates now.
Cliff T.: Excellent, Ragan thanks again for doing a Candid Conversation. I really appreciate your time, and wish you much success with Treblemaker and Randis Music.
Ragan Whiteside, flutist singer. Her newest work Treblemaker on Randis Music debuts this month. She spoke with us from Atlanta, GA.
Discography:
Treblemaker (2017) – Hear sound clips at www.raganwhiteside.com/music
Quantum Drive (2014)
Evolve (2012)
Class Axe (2007)
Contact:
Randis Music
212-561-0253
info@randismusic.com
www.raganwhiteside.com
www.facebook.com/raganwhitesidemusic
www.twitter.com/raganwhiteside
Interesting fact, Ragan Whiteside holds a degree from Harid Conservatory, where her sound was honed with the tried-and-true classical training, graduating with a Bachelor of Music Performance degree.
Thursday, July 7, 2016
Black Cats Tell All With A Whole Lotta TLC And Help A Candid Conversation With Layla Morgan Wilde
I like cats, I like them a lot, especially big fluffy cats. Now there is a lot of myths about cats especially black cats that have been held for a long time. It’s hard to believe, but people are actually terrified of black cats. They are often associated with evil and bad luck. Well one person is trying to dispel some of the myths about cats in particular black cats. I am pleased to welcome Layla Mogran Wilde from catwisdom101.com. She is a cat lover and is working to dispel some black cat myths through Black Cats Tell All. Hey Layla thanks for doing a Candid Conversation.
Cliff T.: So you are part of cat wisdom and that sounds interesting, can you give us some idea of what that means, as in what is cat wisdom all about?
Layla W.: When I founded Cat Wisdom 101 in 2011, I wanted CatWisdom.com but the URL was taken. After five years of blogging, I'm ready for a new version. Cat wisdom is the timeless and universal wisdom I glean from my feline muses.
Cliff T.: So is the goal here to educate and entertain people with and without cats in their lives?
Layla W.: It's safe to say that all of my readers love cats. Most have cats but some are in between cats for whatever reason and find my comfort and connection with other cat lovers in my community.
Cliff T.: The reason for the question is that I see that you are a cat consultant, I have to admit I have not heard of such a job, please let us know what it is you do?
Layla W.: Twenty years ago, it was rare to find cat behaviorists, cat experts of any kind but now we have them on TV like Jackson Galaxy on Animal Planet There are hundreds of books and many blogs like mine delving into cat care, cat behavior and cat culture. I originally worked with behavioral issues in cats but in the past year devoting more time to advocacy work, consulting in the pet industry and with celebrity cats. I might consult on how to reduce stress on a cross country move, travel safely to a photo shoot and how to navigate social media when a cat becomes popular.
Cliff T.: How did you end up working with cats? What got you interested in doing this kind of work?
Kayla W.: Cats are a life long passion but I fell into this field by accident. When I was living in Toronto in the mid-nineties, I noticed feral cats in my back yard and started feeding them. When the time came for me to move, I worried who would take care of the cats. We didn't have the network of cat rescue groups we do today.
I called my local paper, The Annex Gleaner and asked if they would put out a call for volunteers. I figured I might as well start a grassroots rescue group. They paper printed an article by a rookie journalist named Rebecca Caldwell. I had no clue what to expect.
One day the doorbell rang and a young woman on a bicycle asked if I'm the person with the rescue group. I nodded, she handed me a hundred dollar bill and the Annex Cat Rescue was born. Overnight, my home become a hive of volunteers and I had to learn how to manage a rescue group. One of the volunteers was a lawyer who did all our legal work pro bono do get our charitable status. Other volunteers did TNR and a group would make catnip toys in my living room for fundraising. I'm proud to say, I was the inventor of the long tail or kicker type catnip toy in leopard and other fabrics. ( I wish we had Instagram then!). For a couple years my home phone number was the point of contact for the group. I fielded all calls about emergencies, vetting prospective adoptees, organized foster homes and implemented new adoption protocols.
When I moved to the U.S. in 2001, I left the group in capable hands who eventually wrote me out of their history. http://annexcatrescue.ca/2010/08/annex-gleaner/ This is the only remaining evidence naming me as founder. It's from The Annex Cat Rescue's old website. The new one has reinvented the history saying it was founded by a group with no mention of me. They stripped me of my legacy. I've attempted to make contact several times over the years to no avail. It's a shame since there is so much more I could do for them now.
Cliff T.: Indeed it is sad to see that your legacy was taken like that. Hopefully that will change. So is there a good day and bad day scenario for cats and people working with them?
Layla W.: In my experience those who work with cats whether formally or as volunteers are a passionate bunch who care deeply about cats. There is always more need than the ability to fill the need, whether it's education, funding, staff. It's never enough which is why there is a high burn out rate for shelter and rescue workers. On a good day, nothing is more satisfying than saving a life or making a difference in the lives of cats and those who love them.
Cliff T.: What is the biggest challenge you see in your work that cat owners need to deal with and also what those who do not have a cat need to overcome?
Layla W.: The biggest challenge is empowering clients to take responsibility for their part of the issue. Most cats don’t think they are the problem or have a problem. They're simply responding to their owners behavior. Most of the time it's the owners who have created the issue and not the cat.
Cliff T.: Let’s look into Black Cats Tell All, what exactly is the goal.
Layla W.: In a sentence: to reframe black cats as adorable adoptables. My ultimate goal and dream is a color-blind world where cats are not judged by the color of their fur.
Cliff T.: Is it that bad for black cats, I mean are they more a target than say other cats?
Layla W.: It depends where you live in the world. A black cat in Japan is considered lucky. In Canada and The U.S. black cats are targets of cruelty based on ignorance and superstition.
Cliff T.: Layla, what are the biggest myths about black cats that are out there. What kinds of things are said about them and is there also violence they face?
Layla W.: The biggest myths are based on superstitions like black cats are in league with the devil and it's unlucky if one crosses your path. The long association of cats and witches goes back hundreds of years to the Dark Ages but gets activated every Halloween with stereotypical, scary black cat iconography.
Cliff T.: Can you give us a glimpse into Black Cats Tell All, meaning how do you plan to give black cats a voice, I noted that you seem to want to do that in the voice of the first person.
Layla W.: All the contributing feline "authors" are narrating their story from the perspective of the cat. It's up to their owner/slave/ assistant to translate the story accordingly. It offers a fresh perspective and plenty of creative opportunities to promote a positive message. The only caveat is to not include graphic violence or anything to perpetuate existing myths.
Cliff T.: I do know that there are some issues generally with cat population control etc that said I am assuming that Black Cats Tell All is meant to give a voice to cats and issues they face specifically black cats. Layla what has the feedback been like?
Layla W.: Black cats are 50% less likely to be adopted in a shelter. That means they are at higher risk to be euthanized. The response from black cat lovers is encouraging. They know the truth of how wonderful black cats and can't believe others don't. We've had some great press and social media support including a Facebook live video event by Cole and Marmalade. Fundraising is never easy and we're 50% funded but our campaign ends on July 14. One way or another I'm committed to bring this project to fruition.
Cliff T.: Excellent well thanks for filling us in on some of the details and for doing a Candid Conversation.
Layla W.: Thank-you. It's always a pleasure to share my passion for cats.
Layla Wilde is the creator and editor of Black Cats Tell All, a Nonprofit Kickstarter project via Cat Wisdom http://catwisdom101.com and she wrote to us from New York. The kickstarter campaign link is http://kck.st/29mh1hq Visit CatWisdom101 across all social media @catwisdom101
Cliff T.: So you are part of cat wisdom and that sounds interesting, can you give us some idea of what that means, as in what is cat wisdom all about?
Layla W.: When I founded Cat Wisdom 101 in 2011, I wanted CatWisdom.com but the URL was taken. After five years of blogging, I'm ready for a new version. Cat wisdom is the timeless and universal wisdom I glean from my feline muses.
Cliff T.: So is the goal here to educate and entertain people with and without cats in their lives?
Layla W.: It's safe to say that all of my readers love cats. Most have cats but some are in between cats for whatever reason and find my comfort and connection with other cat lovers in my community.
Cliff T.: The reason for the question is that I see that you are a cat consultant, I have to admit I have not heard of such a job, please let us know what it is you do?
Layla W.: Twenty years ago, it was rare to find cat behaviorists, cat experts of any kind but now we have them on TV like Jackson Galaxy on Animal Planet There are hundreds of books and many blogs like mine delving into cat care, cat behavior and cat culture. I originally worked with behavioral issues in cats but in the past year devoting more time to advocacy work, consulting in the pet industry and with celebrity cats. I might consult on how to reduce stress on a cross country move, travel safely to a photo shoot and how to navigate social media when a cat becomes popular.
Cliff T.: How did you end up working with cats? What got you interested in doing this kind of work?
Kayla W.: Cats are a life long passion but I fell into this field by accident. When I was living in Toronto in the mid-nineties, I noticed feral cats in my back yard and started feeding them. When the time came for me to move, I worried who would take care of the cats. We didn't have the network of cat rescue groups we do today.
I called my local paper, The Annex Gleaner and asked if they would put out a call for volunteers. I figured I might as well start a grassroots rescue group. They paper printed an article by a rookie journalist named Rebecca Caldwell. I had no clue what to expect.
One day the doorbell rang and a young woman on a bicycle asked if I'm the person with the rescue group. I nodded, she handed me a hundred dollar bill and the Annex Cat Rescue was born. Overnight, my home become a hive of volunteers and I had to learn how to manage a rescue group. One of the volunteers was a lawyer who did all our legal work pro bono do get our charitable status. Other volunteers did TNR and a group would make catnip toys in my living room for fundraising. I'm proud to say, I was the inventor of the long tail or kicker type catnip toy in leopard and other fabrics. ( I wish we had Instagram then!). For a couple years my home phone number was the point of contact for the group. I fielded all calls about emergencies, vetting prospective adoptees, organized foster homes and implemented new adoption protocols.
When I moved to the U.S. in 2001, I left the group in capable hands who eventually wrote me out of their history. http://annexcatrescue.ca/2010/08/annex-gleaner/ This is the only remaining evidence naming me as founder. It's from The Annex Cat Rescue's old website. The new one has reinvented the history saying it was founded by a group with no mention of me. They stripped me of my legacy. I've attempted to make contact several times over the years to no avail. It's a shame since there is so much more I could do for them now.
Cliff T.: Indeed it is sad to see that your legacy was taken like that. Hopefully that will change. So is there a good day and bad day scenario for cats and people working with them?
Layla W.: In my experience those who work with cats whether formally or as volunteers are a passionate bunch who care deeply about cats. There is always more need than the ability to fill the need, whether it's education, funding, staff. It's never enough which is why there is a high burn out rate for shelter and rescue workers. On a good day, nothing is more satisfying than saving a life or making a difference in the lives of cats and those who love them.
Cliff T.: What is the biggest challenge you see in your work that cat owners need to deal with and also what those who do not have a cat need to overcome?
Layla W.: The biggest challenge is empowering clients to take responsibility for their part of the issue. Most cats don’t think they are the problem or have a problem. They're simply responding to their owners behavior. Most of the time it's the owners who have created the issue and not the cat.
Cliff T.: Let’s look into Black Cats Tell All, what exactly is the goal.
Layla W.: In a sentence: to reframe black cats as adorable adoptables. My ultimate goal and dream is a color-blind world where cats are not judged by the color of their fur.
Cliff T.: Is it that bad for black cats, I mean are they more a target than say other cats?
Layla W.: It depends where you live in the world. A black cat in Japan is considered lucky. In Canada and The U.S. black cats are targets of cruelty based on ignorance and superstition.
Cliff T.: Layla, what are the biggest myths about black cats that are out there. What kinds of things are said about them and is there also violence they face?
Layla W.: The biggest myths are based on superstitions like black cats are in league with the devil and it's unlucky if one crosses your path. The long association of cats and witches goes back hundreds of years to the Dark Ages but gets activated every Halloween with stereotypical, scary black cat iconography.
Cliff T.: Can you give us a glimpse into Black Cats Tell All, meaning how do you plan to give black cats a voice, I noted that you seem to want to do that in the voice of the first person.
Layla W.: All the contributing feline "authors" are narrating their story from the perspective of the cat. It's up to their owner/slave/ assistant to translate the story accordingly. It offers a fresh perspective and plenty of creative opportunities to promote a positive message. The only caveat is to not include graphic violence or anything to perpetuate existing myths.
Cliff T.: I do know that there are some issues generally with cat population control etc that said I am assuming that Black Cats Tell All is meant to give a voice to cats and issues they face specifically black cats. Layla what has the feedback been like?
Layla W.: Black cats are 50% less likely to be adopted in a shelter. That means they are at higher risk to be euthanized. The response from black cat lovers is encouraging. They know the truth of how wonderful black cats and can't believe others don't. We've had some great press and social media support including a Facebook live video event by Cole and Marmalade. Fundraising is never easy and we're 50% funded but our campaign ends on July 14. One way or another I'm committed to bring this project to fruition.
Cliff T.: Excellent well thanks for filling us in on some of the details and for doing a Candid Conversation.
Layla W.: Thank-you. It's always a pleasure to share my passion for cats.
Layla Wilde is the creator and editor of Black Cats Tell All, a Nonprofit Kickstarter project via Cat Wisdom http://catwisdom101.com and she wrote to us from New York. The kickstarter campaign link is http://kck.st/29mh1hq Visit CatWisdom101 across all social media @catwisdom101
Thursday, February 4, 2016
An inspiring Candid Conversation about Thank God It's Wednesday with author Mark Langford
Balance is hard to achieve these days especially for those who are in the corporate world. However it can be done. Though sometimes it has to come with a turning point in life, as was the case for Mark Langford, author of THANK GOD IT’S WEDNESDAY! THE BUSINESS PROFESSIONAL’S GUIDE TO REALIZING PURPOSE, PASSION AND LIFE/WORK BALANCE. Mark it is a pleasure to meet up with you thanks for doing a Candid Conversation.
Mark L.: My pleasure, Cliff and I appreciate your interest in promoting life balance to your readers. You have a great blog concept and I’m honored that you asked me to contribute to it!
Cliff T.: Thank you, I mentioned that sometimes an event has to come to pass for people to change things and direction in their lives, you had just such an experience. What were you doing and what happened that caused you to decide to make some changes and what was the event that caused the sudden stop in your life?
Mark L.: Well, I can trace the inception of my current station in life as a Transformational Career Coach back to a near death experience I had while living and working overseas in 2004. I was working in Switzerland launching one of the world’s first deployments of Internet television. In full health and at the pinnacle of my career I contracted a penicillin-resistant staph (MRSA) infection following a routine, outpatient Arthroscopy. It caused me to spend 41 days immobilized in a foreign hospital, undergo a dozen invasive and very painful surgeries, and to lose 35 pounds (and I’m a guy that needs to gain weight, not lose it!). I came out of one 9-hour surgery in really bad shape and my lungs filled-up with fluid – it felt like I was drowning in my bed. Between the panic of not being able to breathe, the non-stop pain, and emotional fatigue, I finally surrendered all my resistance and I told “God” that I wanted out. I was really ready to be done with it all. In that moment – when I dropped all my resistance - that I entered into a state of utter bliss and complete knowing. It was like being in full awareness and omnipotence – like stepping into the Library of Congress for the Universe that stored all knowledge and intelligence.
I truly believe that I communed with some higher power that evening. I felt as if I was being held like a babe in arms and I experienced the most pure, unconditional love I have ever known. The most amazing part was that this divine entity allowed me to ask it questions. It provided me with answers to all of my burning curiosities about things like life, love, and why things are like they are in the world. For hours I laid there in this dreamlike state, asking question after question and being granted answers that came in the form of thoughts and feelings (not words). Ultimately, I posed the question everyone wants to know and asked, “why am I here?” and to my utter astonishment, I received a response. This Being conveyed to me that I was born to be a teacher and healer. But what I forgot to ask in my amazement was “how” I was supposed to apply this gift in my life.
Cliff T.: Wow. Talk about getting shaken and stirred. So after getting back on your feet what did you decide to do?
Mark L.: I wish I could say everything fell magically into place after that mystical encounter. Instead, it launched me into a deep 10-year study of how to integrate higher consciousness and spirituality into my life and career and how to help others do the same. My ultimate breakthrough came when I began working with a life coach. That’s where it all clicked and became clear that I was meant to use my gifts in the business world and to support they type of people I knew best: business professionals like myself to move past their “Work Sickness” (live to work syndrome) and to how to create the time and space to let their unique gifts to emerge.
Cliff, what I can tell you is that now I feel gratitude every day because I get to do what I absolutely love. I get to help people to define and live their passions and purpose and to guide organizations to figure out their greater good. I feel like I am living proof that someone can have a great career as well as the level of life/work balance they desire.
Cliff T.: Was this the path to learning about as you put it “Work Sickness?” What was that like to realize that work was not helping, but in fact was hurting you?
Mark L.: So perhaps I should first explain a little about what I mean by the term “Work Sickness”… Work Sickness stems from following someone else’s “playbook” – external beliefs and expectations - to the exclusion of your own personal inner knowing. It manifests itself in the form of being constantly on the “grid” (i.e., checking email, texts and making oneself available to work even during personal time), feeling anxious and unfulfilled, and often shows up in the form of cynicism, fatigue and being overwhelmed. Work Sickness also saps energy, limits creativity, and evaporates hope leaving its victims feeling trapped by routine with seemingly no means of escape.
And, just to be clear, I am not saying that work is “bad.” In fact, work is a fundamental component of human existence as it transforms thoughts into things that improve and expand our ability to experience life. However, working to live is another story. If you have Work Sickness, then you do things out of compulsion instead of from joy. And, when the joy of living is eclipsed by a sense of obligation, self-sacrifice and lack-of-control, that’s when it hurts you – psychologically emotionally and even physically.
Fortunately, I found that there is a cure for Work Sickness and it doesn’t require any heavy-duty therapies, renunciation of wealth or metaphysical incantations. The way to overcome this disorder is to plug into the highest performing asset in your personal portfolio – your own creative ability. The antidote to Work Sickness is to employ a combination of tapping your inner wisdom, implementing efficient work practices and having the courage to take bold actions. These principles used together in a conscious and consistent manner provide a foundation for a healthier, happier and more inspired career. And, needless-to-say, healthy, happy and inspired people are not afraid to use and express their full creative abilities and develop an immunity to Work Sickness.
Cliff T.: The book is called THANK GOD IT’S WEDNESDAY!, Love the title. Can you describe what it is that you are attempting to impart to your reader, audience?
Mark L.: TGIW is about you and how you can gain more clarity, confidence and control in your life and career. The book helps you figure out what your purpose is, how to align your entire life around it and how to use more of your talents and abilities to bring your unique gifts into the world. TGIW teaches that your Professional Purpose (graphically represented below) is the intersection of:
The book also shows how your “outer game” – or what your environment and what you are experiencing – is simply a reflection of your “inner game” – or your dominant thoughts and beliefs and what you “tune into.” It offers strategies on how to connect with your inner genius using creative insights, innovative ways to evoke your creative “Source Energy.” It also offers hands-on exercises and samples of success that illuminate the path to personal and professional success.
Cliff T.: You mention that the idea is to plug into creative “Source Energy,” can you describe what this means?
Mark L.: OK, but I’m going to get a little metaphysical. I use the term Source Energy to describe the vibrational, self-aware energy that gives rise to everything that exists in the Universe. Everything originates and ends in Source Energy and it is the very definition of “life.”
Perhaps the most salient aspect of the Universe (the medium though which Source Energy is able to express itself) is the way it enables human thought to manifest physical reality. Like a computer system, the Universe (framework) along with the Natural Laws (operating system) provides the means in which we can conceive (input) and create (output). Consider for a moment that absolutely everything man-made finds its genesis in creative thought. We can literally “will” things into and out of material existence. Starting from thought, we form plans and concepts. We can then choose to transform our thoughts into things by taking action on them. The sequence that transmutes thoughts into things is called the “Creative Process,” and it is a gift given to us by Source Energy and supported by the Universe and Natural Laws.
Like composers, we provide the creative direction for any type of music we wish to compose —be it melodic, dissonant, soothing, agitating, cheerful, sorrowful, inspiring or even horrific. The Creative Process is available to every one of us 24 hours per day, 7 days per week throughout our entire lives and allows us to manifest whatever we can conjure up and believe in.
Stated simply, you and I have the power to create whatever we desire. Energy makes up everything in the Universe - from the sun and stars to the lint in your pocket. In Physics, there is a principle called the Law of Conservation of Energy. This Law stipulates that energy can only change form and can never be created or destroyed. This transmutation of energy from one state into another is the very secret to conscious manifestation. A creative thought backed by action is behind every invention, discovery and development that ever came to fruition. The real power of manifestation comes when you learn to use it intentionally to choose whatever it is you wish to experience.
Cliff T.: Also noticeable is a focus on the spiritual. That leads to a question, how can a career driven person gain wisdom and spiritual insight, while still staying the course of a corporate path? The two worlds seem to collide. How does one make them mesh together and does the book act as a guide to doing that?
Mark L.: Teilhard de Chardin, the famous French philosopher and Jesuit priest, once said, “We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience.” I love this quote because it is often forgotten that humans are three part beings: mind, body and soul. If you believe this, you come to realize that you are never not a spiritual being – even at work. “Spirituality in the workplace” sounds almost oxymoronic. However, spirit is the self-aware energy that gives life and order to the universe and everything therein. We are inherently spiritual beings and there is no switch we can flip to stop the flow of spirit from running through us. We can, however, disconnect from (forget) our spiritual source through denial or ceasing to be self-aware. Re-connecting to spirit merely requires becoming “conscious” of it and allowing it to guide our thoughts, words and deeds instead of ceding that control to the mind-based ego.
Work environments today are rife with individuals disconnected from their spiritual source. This separation allows Work Sickness to set in and causes people to operate from the ego (scarcity and lack) rather than the spirit (love and unity). In a spiritually disconnected state, people tend to make decisions based solely on data provided by their physical senses. Such head-based decision-making places focus on the finite world and often manifests itself in the form of self-interest and short-term solutions. By contrast, conscious decision-making uses both the head and the heart.
So the question becomes, “how does one achieve decision-making that is more heart-centric and conscious?” Deepak Chopra, noted physician and holistic health guru advises people to “make a decision to relinquish the need to control, the need to be approved, and the need to judge.” He says that, “those are the three things the ego is doing all the time.”
TGIW teaches how to stay conscious and connected to Source Energy at work by becoming a Spiritual Professional – or a being who make heart-centric decisions. Spiritual Professionals are conscious business leaders who exhibit the following characteristics:
• Go “within” themselves for answers
• Believe in themselves and act authentically
• Know their personal values and act upon them
• Integrate “making a difference” into their business
• Display willingness to be vulnerable
• Understand that there is no scarcity or lack
• Lead by example and are role models
• Express themselves through love
Unfortunately, the business world equates “spirituality” to “religion” and it does readily nurture and support the spiritual aspect of our human “beingness.” As a result, the professional work world has yet to embrace the notion Spiritual Professionals -- but the expanding global consciousness and books like TGIW are starting to change that.
Cliff T: The book seems to be geared towards the busy business person. Would, or could anyone get something from reading this book?
Mark L.: It is. I wrote Thank God It’s Wednesday! for those who aren’t happy with what they’re doing and who feel a tickle deep down in their souls to do or be something bigger. I wanted to provide a guide on how to identify what that tickle is (your soul whispering that you have untapped gifts to bring into this world), and what to do about it (create time and space to explore, define and realize your purpose). Basically the intent of this book is to those who feel stuck, and/or who have Work Sickness, to break through and to create a better version of themselves – kind of like a software upgrade.
Cliff T.: How has writing the book helped you? Have you been able to continue on your career path while still expressing the creative and spiritual side that you tapped into?
Mark L.: The book truly originated from Source Energy. Thoughts and ideas emerged in my head and I simply captured, organized, and committed them to paper. Writing it helped focus my thoughts and ideas and having it published enabled all the tools and techniques it contains to be shared with a wide audience who feel stuck or inflicted with Work Sickness.
I walked the talk in TGIW by transitioning out of the corporate world and becoming an author, motivational speaker and professional career coach. I believe that I am becoming a Spiritual Professional who lives and works from the heart instead of the head – well, at least most of the time. I have to admit that I still “fall asleep” from time-to-time and forget who I am - a spiritual being having a human experience. When I realize that I have nodded off (from my higher consciousness), I use the techniques detailed in TGIW to reconnect to Source Energy. One of them, for example, is simply to ask, “what am I thinking?” When you ask this question, you realize that you are not your thoughts and that there is an “observer” of your thoughts. When you ask this question, you jump right into your Higher Consciousness, and it is from this place that you can direct and guide your lower conscious thoughts, behaviors and actions much like a director of a movie or a play who is watching everything transpire.
Cliff T.: Well it sounds like you really have come into your own with this book. THANK GOD IT’S WEDNESDAY sounds like a great read for anyone, but especially for career minded looking to tap their true purpose and potential. Thanks for sharing your insights with me and the readers of Candid Conversations.
Mark L.: Thanks for all the great questions, Cliff. I enjoyed talking with you and I invite your readers to reach out to me if they want to learn more about how to get unstuck or to move past Work Sickness.
Mark Langford is the author of the book THANK GOD IT’S WEDNESDAY! The Business Professional’s Guide to Realizing Purpose, Passion and Work/Life Balance.
Mark wrote to us from Los Angeles in the U.S., For more about TGIW and Mark visit, http://TGIW.com.
Mark L.: My pleasure, Cliff and I appreciate your interest in promoting life balance to your readers. You have a great blog concept and I’m honored that you asked me to contribute to it!
Cliff T.: Thank you, I mentioned that sometimes an event has to come to pass for people to change things and direction in their lives, you had just such an experience. What were you doing and what happened that caused you to decide to make some changes and what was the event that caused the sudden stop in your life?
Mark L.: Well, I can trace the inception of my current station in life as a Transformational Career Coach back to a near death experience I had while living and working overseas in 2004. I was working in Switzerland launching one of the world’s first deployments of Internet television. In full health and at the pinnacle of my career I contracted a penicillin-resistant staph (MRSA) infection following a routine, outpatient Arthroscopy. It caused me to spend 41 days immobilized in a foreign hospital, undergo a dozen invasive and very painful surgeries, and to lose 35 pounds (and I’m a guy that needs to gain weight, not lose it!). I came out of one 9-hour surgery in really bad shape and my lungs filled-up with fluid – it felt like I was drowning in my bed. Between the panic of not being able to breathe, the non-stop pain, and emotional fatigue, I finally surrendered all my resistance and I told “God” that I wanted out. I was really ready to be done with it all. In that moment – when I dropped all my resistance - that I entered into a state of utter bliss and complete knowing. It was like being in full awareness and omnipotence – like stepping into the Library of Congress for the Universe that stored all knowledge and intelligence.
I truly believe that I communed with some higher power that evening. I felt as if I was being held like a babe in arms and I experienced the most pure, unconditional love I have ever known. The most amazing part was that this divine entity allowed me to ask it questions. It provided me with answers to all of my burning curiosities about things like life, love, and why things are like they are in the world. For hours I laid there in this dreamlike state, asking question after question and being granted answers that came in the form of thoughts and feelings (not words). Ultimately, I posed the question everyone wants to know and asked, “why am I here?” and to my utter astonishment, I received a response. This Being conveyed to me that I was born to be a teacher and healer. But what I forgot to ask in my amazement was “how” I was supposed to apply this gift in my life.
Cliff T.: Wow. Talk about getting shaken and stirred. So after getting back on your feet what did you decide to do?
Mark L.: I wish I could say everything fell magically into place after that mystical encounter. Instead, it launched me into a deep 10-year study of how to integrate higher consciousness and spirituality into my life and career and how to help others do the same. My ultimate breakthrough came when I began working with a life coach. That’s where it all clicked and became clear that I was meant to use my gifts in the business world and to support they type of people I knew best: business professionals like myself to move past their “Work Sickness” (live to work syndrome) and to how to create the time and space to let their unique gifts to emerge.
Cliff, what I can tell you is that now I feel gratitude every day because I get to do what I absolutely love. I get to help people to define and live their passions and purpose and to guide organizations to figure out their greater good. I feel like I am living proof that someone can have a great career as well as the level of life/work balance they desire.
Cliff T.: Was this the path to learning about as you put it “Work Sickness?” What was that like to realize that work was not helping, but in fact was hurting you?
Mark L.: So perhaps I should first explain a little about what I mean by the term “Work Sickness”… Work Sickness stems from following someone else’s “playbook” – external beliefs and expectations - to the exclusion of your own personal inner knowing. It manifests itself in the form of being constantly on the “grid” (i.e., checking email, texts and making oneself available to work even during personal time), feeling anxious and unfulfilled, and often shows up in the form of cynicism, fatigue and being overwhelmed. Work Sickness also saps energy, limits creativity, and evaporates hope leaving its victims feeling trapped by routine with seemingly no means of escape.
And, just to be clear, I am not saying that work is “bad.” In fact, work is a fundamental component of human existence as it transforms thoughts into things that improve and expand our ability to experience life. However, working to live is another story. If you have Work Sickness, then you do things out of compulsion instead of from joy. And, when the joy of living is eclipsed by a sense of obligation, self-sacrifice and lack-of-control, that’s when it hurts you – psychologically emotionally and even physically.
Fortunately, I found that there is a cure for Work Sickness and it doesn’t require any heavy-duty therapies, renunciation of wealth or metaphysical incantations. The way to overcome this disorder is to plug into the highest performing asset in your personal portfolio – your own creative ability. The antidote to Work Sickness is to employ a combination of tapping your inner wisdom, implementing efficient work practices and having the courage to take bold actions. These principles used together in a conscious and consistent manner provide a foundation for a healthier, happier and more inspired career. And, needless-to-say, healthy, happy and inspired people are not afraid to use and express their full creative abilities and develop an immunity to Work Sickness.
Cliff T.: The book is called THANK GOD IT’S WEDNESDAY!, Love the title. Can you describe what it is that you are attempting to impart to your reader, audience?
Mark L.: TGIW is about you and how you can gain more clarity, confidence and control in your life and career. The book helps you figure out what your purpose is, how to align your entire life around it and how to use more of your talents and abilities to bring your unique gifts into the world. TGIW teaches that your Professional Purpose (graphically represented below) is the intersection of:
- What you love to do
- What you do well and,
- What the world needs, and
- What you can get paid for
The book also shows how your “outer game” – or what your environment and what you are experiencing – is simply a reflection of your “inner game” – or your dominant thoughts and beliefs and what you “tune into.” It offers strategies on how to connect with your inner genius using creative insights, innovative ways to evoke your creative “Source Energy.” It also offers hands-on exercises and samples of success that illuminate the path to personal and professional success.
Cliff T.: You mention that the idea is to plug into creative “Source Energy,” can you describe what this means?
Mark L.: OK, but I’m going to get a little metaphysical. I use the term Source Energy to describe the vibrational, self-aware energy that gives rise to everything that exists in the Universe. Everything originates and ends in Source Energy and it is the very definition of “life.”
Perhaps the most salient aspect of the Universe (the medium though which Source Energy is able to express itself) is the way it enables human thought to manifest physical reality. Like a computer system, the Universe (framework) along with the Natural Laws (operating system) provides the means in which we can conceive (input) and create (output). Consider for a moment that absolutely everything man-made finds its genesis in creative thought. We can literally “will” things into and out of material existence. Starting from thought, we form plans and concepts. We can then choose to transform our thoughts into things by taking action on them. The sequence that transmutes thoughts into things is called the “Creative Process,” and it is a gift given to us by Source Energy and supported by the Universe and Natural Laws.
Like composers, we provide the creative direction for any type of music we wish to compose —be it melodic, dissonant, soothing, agitating, cheerful, sorrowful, inspiring or even horrific. The Creative Process is available to every one of us 24 hours per day, 7 days per week throughout our entire lives and allows us to manifest whatever we can conjure up and believe in.
Stated simply, you and I have the power to create whatever we desire. Energy makes up everything in the Universe - from the sun and stars to the lint in your pocket. In Physics, there is a principle called the Law of Conservation of Energy. This Law stipulates that energy can only change form and can never be created or destroyed. This transmutation of energy from one state into another is the very secret to conscious manifestation. A creative thought backed by action is behind every invention, discovery and development that ever came to fruition. The real power of manifestation comes when you learn to use it intentionally to choose whatever it is you wish to experience.
Cliff T.: Also noticeable is a focus on the spiritual. That leads to a question, how can a career driven person gain wisdom and spiritual insight, while still staying the course of a corporate path? The two worlds seem to collide. How does one make them mesh together and does the book act as a guide to doing that?
Mark L.: Teilhard de Chardin, the famous French philosopher and Jesuit priest, once said, “We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience.” I love this quote because it is often forgotten that humans are three part beings: mind, body and soul. If you believe this, you come to realize that you are never not a spiritual being – even at work. “Spirituality in the workplace” sounds almost oxymoronic. However, spirit is the self-aware energy that gives life and order to the universe and everything therein. We are inherently spiritual beings and there is no switch we can flip to stop the flow of spirit from running through us. We can, however, disconnect from (forget) our spiritual source through denial or ceasing to be self-aware. Re-connecting to spirit merely requires becoming “conscious” of it and allowing it to guide our thoughts, words and deeds instead of ceding that control to the mind-based ego.
Work environments today are rife with individuals disconnected from their spiritual source. This separation allows Work Sickness to set in and causes people to operate from the ego (scarcity and lack) rather than the spirit (love and unity). In a spiritually disconnected state, people tend to make decisions based solely on data provided by their physical senses. Such head-based decision-making places focus on the finite world and often manifests itself in the form of self-interest and short-term solutions. By contrast, conscious decision-making uses both the head and the heart.
So the question becomes, “how does one achieve decision-making that is more heart-centric and conscious?” Deepak Chopra, noted physician and holistic health guru advises people to “make a decision to relinquish the need to control, the need to be approved, and the need to judge.” He says that, “those are the three things the ego is doing all the time.”
TGIW teaches how to stay conscious and connected to Source Energy at work by becoming a Spiritual Professional – or a being who make heart-centric decisions. Spiritual Professionals are conscious business leaders who exhibit the following characteristics:
• Go “within” themselves for answers
• Believe in themselves and act authentically
• Know their personal values and act upon them
• Integrate “making a difference” into their business
• Display willingness to be vulnerable
• Understand that there is no scarcity or lack
• Lead by example and are role models
• Express themselves through love
Unfortunately, the business world equates “spirituality” to “religion” and it does readily nurture and support the spiritual aspect of our human “beingness.” As a result, the professional work world has yet to embrace the notion Spiritual Professionals -- but the expanding global consciousness and books like TGIW are starting to change that.
Cliff T: The book seems to be geared towards the busy business person. Would, or could anyone get something from reading this book?
Mark L.: It is. I wrote Thank God It’s Wednesday! for those who aren’t happy with what they’re doing and who feel a tickle deep down in their souls to do or be something bigger. I wanted to provide a guide on how to identify what that tickle is (your soul whispering that you have untapped gifts to bring into this world), and what to do about it (create time and space to explore, define and realize your purpose). Basically the intent of this book is to those who feel stuck, and/or who have Work Sickness, to break through and to create a better version of themselves – kind of like a software upgrade.
Cliff T.: How has writing the book helped you? Have you been able to continue on your career path while still expressing the creative and spiritual side that you tapped into?
Mark L.: The book truly originated from Source Energy. Thoughts and ideas emerged in my head and I simply captured, organized, and committed them to paper. Writing it helped focus my thoughts and ideas and having it published enabled all the tools and techniques it contains to be shared with a wide audience who feel stuck or inflicted with Work Sickness.
I walked the talk in TGIW by transitioning out of the corporate world and becoming an author, motivational speaker and professional career coach. I believe that I am becoming a Spiritual Professional who lives and works from the heart instead of the head – well, at least most of the time. I have to admit that I still “fall asleep” from time-to-time and forget who I am - a spiritual being having a human experience. When I realize that I have nodded off (from my higher consciousness), I use the techniques detailed in TGIW to reconnect to Source Energy. One of them, for example, is simply to ask, “what am I thinking?” When you ask this question, you realize that you are not your thoughts and that there is an “observer” of your thoughts. When you ask this question, you jump right into your Higher Consciousness, and it is from this place that you can direct and guide your lower conscious thoughts, behaviors and actions much like a director of a movie or a play who is watching everything transpire.
Cliff T.: Well it sounds like you really have come into your own with this book. THANK GOD IT’S WEDNESDAY sounds like a great read for anyone, but especially for career minded looking to tap their true purpose and potential. Thanks for sharing your insights with me and the readers of Candid Conversations.
Mark L.: Thanks for all the great questions, Cliff. I enjoyed talking with you and I invite your readers to reach out to me if they want to learn more about how to get unstuck or to move past Work Sickness.
Mark Langford is the author of the book THANK GOD IT’S WEDNESDAY! The Business Professional’s Guide to Realizing Purpose, Passion and Work/Life Balance.
Mark wrote to us from Los Angeles in the U.S., For more about TGIW and Mark visit, http://TGIW.com.
Monday, December 14, 2015
Kardtects Creator Jenny Kile Talking Towers and Cards on Candid Conversations
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| The record breaking tower |
Jenny welcome to Candid Conversations
Jenny K.: Glad to be here, Cliff. Thanks for having me. I’m excited to talk about the many fantastic things happening with Kardtects (card architects).
Cliff T.: This sounds so cool. From what I read in your press release it took you something like 11 hours to build the tower. Normal time to do this is apparently 80 hours! What made the job easier, let me guess the cards, right?
Jenny K.: Yes. You’re right. It’s our exclusively designed building cards. They are unique in texture, thickness, size, and design, and so building with Kardtects Building Cards is a lot easier and faster than building with the ordinary, smaller and more slippery playing cards. Building the impressive 26 foot tower proved this point quite well. I will be building another tower, higher, in the months to come.
But I should say, I only build towers to demonstrate the vast possibilities of what others can do with the cards. My favorite structures are actually the Castles, Egyptian Temples, Pyramids, Jungle Huts, Snakes, (one square) Garages, Roads, etc. built by children (and adults). It’s wonderful to see the Kardtects cards being played with across the country. Some awesome card houses are being constructed. Some one level, some higher. All are great!
Cliff T.: Kardtects is the company behind this, and I am assuming you’re the gal at the helm of the good ship Kardtects. Was the creation of the company based on past experience building with cards?
Jenny K.: It is all lollipops and fun here. Although I played with a similar type ‘card’ when I was younger, these were not officially meant for building. They were old file cards with tabs used in a business my Dad worked for and were being thrown out (Computers were taking their place).
Instead of making it to the trash, however, these cards were brought home by my Dad for my brothers, sisters, and I to play with. We used them to build ‘card’ towers, fortresses, and other card structures from them. They were an absolute joy. Even though they were pink.
I then later brought out from storage those same cards that I played with for my own children to play with. I watched them build and enjoy them as much as I had.
I decided I wanted to share the activity of card building with everyone. My Dad’s cards made it so much easier to build a card house. And so, yes, from years of card building experience with various types of cards, I believe Kardtects has been able to fine-tune, further develop, and has perfected the ultimate building card for all to build with.
Cliff T.: So what is the secret if there is any to building a card tower?
Jenny K.: You know, that is one of the most spectacular things about Kardtects. Although there are a few simple key steps to learn for better and more secure building, I believe anyone can build a card house with Kardtects cards. There isn’t any secret. If you can lean one card against another, follow the tips on how to build the ‘Kardtects Square’, then you can become a Master Kardtect (card architect). Kardtects has many videos on site showing these steps and what to build.
Cliff T.: 11 hours is still a bit of time to build, would you suggest that a person take breaks during the building process? And did you do that or did you just plow on and build the tower?
Jenny K.: Because building an almost 27 foot tower of freestanding building cards requires a location which allows a Master Kardtect to build that high, and in my case, a scissor lift to be driven on the floor to get me to that height, I’m not suggesting everyone do that.
And although I did just build right through the entire 11 hours without food, water, or restroom breaks (kidding), a six foot tower takes only about 10 minutes to build once a Master Kardtect, and maybe only a chair to stand on, so that is what kind of tower I suggest building.
I suggest first Mastering the Build of the Square. Which is leaning two cards together, adding the third, and then completing the square with the fourth. On this Square Foundation, add the roof. A Kardtect can then decide to go wider or higher by doing the same; Lean cards against others, add roofs, and it is amazing to see what can be built! It really is that simple! AND FUN! Again, videos are on site and YouTube. And we continue to update and offer more.
Cliff T.: I also noticed in the press release that you sell card building sets. That sounds like fun. Can you describe the sets?
Jenny K.: Currently, we offer three different sets. A Castle building set, a Desert/Egyptian building set, and a Jungle set. These have different artistic designs. So when you build a card structure with the castle set, it can look like a castle. With the Desert Set, you might choose to build a pyramid.
Each Master set includes enough Kardtects Building Cards to build an impressive structure. The cards are powered by imagination and so what one builds is limitless. The building sets offer this unending fun.
Cliff T.: As you mentioned what goes up has to come down, how did you get the tower down and in the sets themselves are there any special cards for the knocking down the tower?
Jenny K.: Destructions inspire new Creations. Within each set are included ‘Destroyers’. These are cardboard Disks with various Destroyers (characters) printer on them. After a card house is built, a Kardtect throws his ‘Destroyers’ at his structure to knock it down. He then builds again. Kardtects is fun from beginning to end, and the fun never stops.
The large towers, however, are built quite strong. Numerous Disks, and a bit of time, is needed to knock them down. So Kardtects loves to have fun with these Knock Downs in a different way. Sometimes we ask a child to punch through it, sometimes they run through it, and sometimes a Godzilla like monster comes and destroys it. It’s always exciting. Here’s a video of a 40 second destruction by ‘the Monster’ (we cut out the small child crying at the end…we got a little carried away and were a bit ‘too monstery’ after the tower came down. Hey, we live and learn. The Kardtects Monster is calmer, friendlier now.)
Other destruction videos are online.
Cliff T.: Do you and Kardtects design your own cards and sets and how long have you been in the business of creating cards for building with?
Jenny K.: Kardtects has been in business for just over a year. I have seen wonderful enthusiasm towards the building cards and what kids can do with them. The business continues to expand, but as of now, I am the one who has designed and created the cards (with support from family and friends).
Cliff T.: How long does a design take to create and put out on the market?
Jenny K.: There are lots of considerations to take into account when creating artistic prints for the cards. And then there are many other small details that make a huge difference to the end product. Other themes and specialties are in the making and testing. But once the various characteristics are all worked through, it’s just a matter of getting them produced. This doesn’t take too long.
Kardtects has a remarkable team to work with. Artists from around the world helped create the ‘Destroyers’(characters on the Disks), and several others have assisted in other elements. This team is bringing card building to all and it is proving to be an extremely fulfilling endeavor. More so each day.
Kardtects gets to see smiles on kid’s faces who have just built their first card house! At first they might have thought it was something they couldn’t do, but by following the tips, they can easily accomplish it. This builds confidence. And so Kardtects is inspired by the fact that Building builds values and a sense of real achievement for a child. This is heartwarming for me. I love that a simple product ‘BUILDS’ so much! It’s just wonderful.
Cliff T.: This sounds like a job that is a lot of fun. Jenny thanks for doing a Candid Conversation.
Jenny K.: Thank you. I always love talking about the cards because they are something I hold dear and know how much fun they can be. I still enjoy them. So go ahead, and become a Master Kardtect today! Build a card house!
Jenny Kile head of Kardtects a company that creates and sells playing cards specifically for building towers and card houses wrote to us from Wilkes Barre PA.
For more information about the company please visit http://kardtects.com
To see some of the videos they have visit
Youtube:
Note: generally speaking pictures are not posted on Candid Conversations as the blog is generally treated like a radio interview only we do it online. That said on special occasions you may begin to see photos appear. These will usually be for promotional value only and are posted with permissions from the creator.
Monday, November 9, 2015
Shakespeare's Twelfth Night Gets Jazzy - A Candid Conversation With Becca Kidwell Explains
To say that I am well versed in the plays of Shakespeare would be a stretch, though I have read two books, MacBeth and the Merchant of Venice.
I do like it when I find some interesting twists on the norm. Like the one I found the other day. Imagine Twelfth Night a Shakespeare play done to a jazz theme. A very interesting twist on a classic and to speak more about this I am happy to welcome Becca Kidwell from Swiftly Tilted Theatre Inc., the company bringing this show to the stage in New York.
Cliff T.: Becca, a Shakespeare play done in a jazz bar setting that is very different indeed.
Becca K.: Twelfth Night is one of Shakespeare’s most musical plays; it had more songs in it because the new actor in Shakespeare’s company that played the Fool in many of his later plays had a musical background. Also, we are dealing with drowning in one of the first scenes of the play and that most of the characters are drowning in their own sorrows or passions or in drink and that a jazz bar is actually a logical choice for the show.
Cliff T.: I Agree it is unique and very logical. As I mentioned I am not versed in Shakespeare. But from what I have read this is a story about love gone amiss, would that be accurate? Or to put it another way can you explain what Twelfth Night is about?
Becca K.: Twelfth Night is about a group of relatively wealthy folks who spend their time longing after what they don’t have or what they’ve lost. The twins, Sebastian and Viola have lost their family and each other in a shipwreck and are really looking for life after their loss; they find love by accident. Sebastian is saved by the sailor Antonio and wanders around unsure of what his next move will be. Viola dresses up as a man and joins Orsino’s court as a servant. Orsino has seen a beautiful woman named Olivia whom he has never talked to himself, but he is lovesick for her and keeps sending his servants to court her, but she wants nothing to do with him. She falls for Viola (dressed as a man), and Olivia begins to pursue him (her). Toby, Olivia’s uncle, lives off of Olivia’s money and spends his time getting drunk and playing pranks on anyone he can. He has his friend, Andrew Aguecheek, court Olivia, but as the plot unfolds, it becomes evident is around largely for his bankroll for Toby. By the end of the play, all the lovers have found the partners they are meant to be with: Orisino with Viola, Olivia with Sebastian, Toby with Maria. Most of Toby’s pranks are unraveled and forgiven with the exception of the extremely cruel one played on Olivia’s Puritanical servant Malvolio, which more or less is forgiven in the text, but not in my production.
Cliff T.: Can you explain why you decided not to forgive the prank in your production?
Becca K.: I have always thought it is an extremely cruel prank (they lock him away and make everyone thinks he's mad). They remember him as an afterthought. Malvolio is so uptight and thinks that he was more virtuous than everyone else that in my view, this prank would be the final straw. In his own way, he's going to drown himself in his own rage and look for ways to make others miserable.
Cliff T.: I can see how this play could lend itself to a jazz theme given that many jazz tunes are about love lost. Yet this play is considered to be a comedy. In your adaptation of the play are you mixing humor with the theme of love gone wrong or are you planning on staying true to the original plot of the play?
Becca K.: Shakespeare’s comedies actually tend to lend themselves to more dramatic—or at least melodramatic interpretations. (Much Ado About Nothing is one step away from being a tragedy, if the timing had been only moments off). These characters are highly choleric. Sebastian thinks Viola is dead and Viola thinks Sebastian is dead so they’re not too keen on carousing and partying, which is all the rest of the characters do. I’ve compared Orsino to Gatsby and Olivia to Daisy. These two characters love being in the depths of their own despair, which lends itself to comedy if you know they’re not going to have tragic endings. The other characters such as Toby, Maria, and Andrew provide the “low comedy” with the various pranks and drunken carousing.
Cliff T.: Ah I understand. What prompted the choice, why this play? What about the Twelfth Night caught your interest? And what kind of message do you want the audience to get and take away with them after they see the play?
Becca K.: My first reason was that I wanted a non-holiday play for the holidays. While the play is called Twelfth Night it is rarely played on or around this time. By it playing around Christmas and New Year’s, it has given me the opportunity to set the show between New Year’s Eve party and a Twelfth Night party (for US people, that is approximately the equivalent of Mardi Gras). I was looking to do a lighthearted piece after our production of Radiance, The Passion of Marie Curie by Alan Alda. I love Shakespeare and love sharing it with others. It’s fun and one of Shakepeare’s easier plays to understand, and I thought it would be a good place for our company to start with Shakespeare. I’m not really looking to send a “message,” but if I was to send one with this production it would be: to not take life to seriously and take time to enjoy all the little moments life provides. With the exception of the twins, everyone else’s misery in this play is mere hubris.
Cliff T.: I also noticed that you are hosting some events, Twelfth Night Music Jam and a workshop. Both sound really interesting can you describe what people attending each will experience?
Becca K.: The class will be an introduction/ re-introduction to Shakespeare using the text of Twelfth Night as its basis. This will hopefully add an additional level of appreciation for the production, which is why participants in the class get discounts on tickets and a copy of the text. At the music jam, they will hear the original jazz music composed for the show performed by the cast and composer in a small casual coffeehouse/bar atmosphere, QED Astoria. Additional music by Jenni Lark and Zac Pierce-Messick will also be performed. Both of these events should provide additional excitement to see the production.
Cliff T.: Becca, how long have you been with Swiftly Tilted?
Becca K.: I created Swiftly Tilting Theatre Project, Inc. in 2013. I was a high school teacher encouraging students to go after their dreams, and I realized that I was not going after my dreams, directing theatre.
Cliff T.: I know what you mean, I work in a call centre, not my dream but, doing interviews like this one is. Can you describe the mission of Swiftly Tilted?
Becca K.: Our passion is To impact a small corner of the world and leave it a little better than before. To search for truth and to share love. To share our knowledge and skills in order to build a theatrical community, that provides affordable, quality, professional theatrical productions for the public through participation as artists, audiences, and students.
Cliff T.: From the sound of it this is not just a job for you but a labor of love. How did you get involved in theatre and with Switly Tilted Inc.?
Becca. K: I wanted to be a theatre director since I was in high school, but took a long, circuitous path to end up working “in” theatre. I got my undergraduate degree in drama, but then I spent time in the business world, got my graduate degree in teaching, and taught high school for five years and starting the company. My husband and I moved to New York from Boston. He has been incredibly supportive of me getting the company going. I do not have a “day job”, but I really wouldn’t have the time or energy for one. This company takes my heart and soul into all of its work.
Cliff T.: If I am not mistaken show times for the play run from December 27th to January 3rd. With a debut on the 24th, where and at what times are the performances going to be held at?
Becca K.: Due to the holidays, the schedule is somewhat irregular. The dates and times are: 12/24/2015 - 2:30pm – Preview, NO SHOW DECEMBER 25,12/26/2015 - 7:00pm, 12/27/2015 - 4:30pm,12/28/2015 - 7:30pm, NO SHOWS DECEMBER 29, 30, 31, 1/1/2016 - 7:30pm, 1/2/2016 - 7:00pm, and 1/3/2016 - 4:30pm. The performances are all held at The Secret Theatre, 4402 23rd St, Long Island City, NY.
The Shakespeare class is being held on 12pm on 12/6/2015 and The Twelfth Night Debut Music Jam is being held at 7:30pm. Both of these events are being held at QED Astoria, 2716 23rd Ave, Astoria, NY. Both of these locations are a short trip on the subway from Midtown Manhattan.
Cliff T.: Excellent thank you so very much for taking time in your busy schedule to chat with me and my readers by email.
Becca K.: My pleasure. Thank you for your interest!
Becca Kidwell is the Director and the person who has adapted and directed Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night a play that will be presented by Swiftly Tilted Project Inc.
As mentioned the play will be held at The Secret Theatre, 4402 23rd St, Long Island City, NY. For dates times and tickets visit http://swiftlytwelfth.brownpapertickets.com, or call 1-800-838-3006.
BIO: Becca C (Rebecca Cecilia) Kidwell, Artistic Director is directing Twelfth Night, and directed Swiftly Tilting Theatre Project’s other productions: Radiance, The Passion of Marie Curie; Don’t Speak Cabaret; and Priscilla Dreams The Answer (staged reading).
Some of her favorite directing projects are: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe, Julie Johnson, and Measure for Measure. She also sings in cabarets such as Seth’s Talent Show & Metropolitan Room’s Kiddie Kabaret.
She is the author of Feeling Pain Is Normal: An Analysis of Parental Grief in Next To Normal and the original author and editor of The New England Theatre Geek Blog. She has a BA in Drama from The University of Georgia and a MAT in English Education from Boston University. http://beccackidwell.glump.net
To learn more about Switly Tilted Project inc. visit swiftlytiltingtheatre.org. Becca Kidwell wrote to us from New York, NY.
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