Beyond the loss, the distance, and the isolation brought on by the global pandemic, Bilal Ghalib has found creative and effective ways to keep learning; about himself, his loved ones, and humans in general. He also has never stopped experimenting with ways of connecting with people or tapping into his own talents and fears. Today on the podcast, we spend the hour speaking with Bilal about his reflections over the past year, what he has figured out and what he struggles with. We tackle history and the parts of our past that are difficult to talk about or make sense of. We speak of family and the complication of distance when being the outsider /foreigner becomes a way of life. We also manage to discuss what gaming means to us, so far, with limited experience.
Bilal is a very special person who has appeared on this podcast numerous times over these past two decades, and Im very thankfully to have had this time together and to be able to share it with you the listeners.
When the global pandemic broke out, David Brightbill was struggling to make it home to his cooperative community in Florida. In the months that followed he faced a personal health scare and became aware of the shortages of PPE among first responders in his region and across the country.
Now over a year into the pandemic, he is part of a network of maker spaces that rose to the occasion – providing that much needed equipment. He has also navigated, like so many senior citizens, the new world of vaccines and testing.
Today on the podcast we dive into supermarkets as healthcare centres, governors who do terrible things, masks and the noses that stick out over them.. and much more. Davey is a longtime friend and a unique human being that it brings me great joy to talk to. Tune in to hear it all.
Back in the winter of 2016, Madhavan Pillai welcomed me with open arms and warm conversations in the mountainous tranquility of Ooty, Tamil Nadu, India. He was new to the city and we talked about the kinds of projects in art and photography that he hoped to make a reality for the community.
4 years later, Maddy’s creativity and commitment is as contageous as ever.
Today on the podcast, Madhavan Pillai speaks about his experiences over these past years, and his current project called “People of India”, a project that brings together artists from around the nation, as part of the ongoing effort to decolonize photography in India.
When you’re conerned about the state of the legislative and executive branch following a horrendous attack on congress – call Vin from Jersey, he’ll straighten us all out.
In the spirit of celebrating the holidays and spending time, virtually, with your loved ones, this holiday edition of CTRP features an interview with my nephew: Alexander Rendeiro. Since we can’t be together in person, he joins me from New Jersey to discuss what his year has been like as a high school student and an avid connoisseur of music, gaming, and all things internet.
Michael Schaap is a documentary maker, a voice over artist, and an arm-chair historian who I have had the pleasure of knowing for almost two decades. For the past four years he has been watching in frustration and sadness as the US and the rest of the world, walk down a dangerous path not unlike what we’ve seen before. Today on the podcast, an end of the year, Hanakkuh-Christmas-Kwanzaa-Festivus special looking at the glboal impact of the election in the US. And like every good holiday film, if you listen close you’ll hear an inspiring message… as well as Michael’s cat chewing on cables and documents.
