Rhythm Of Life podcast episodes

Host Steve Ordower had the distinct honor of covering the All Black National Convention, held just outside of Chicago, in Lombard Illinois, in October of this year - 2024. He felt as if he was invited to an important family meeting that was filled with the spirit of love, self-reflection, critical thinking combined with a willingness to have tough conversations, empowerment, and an absolute commitment to the Black Community. Spearheaded by Dr. Boyce Watkins, who created the Black Business School- that provides culturally relevant business education to the Black Community, this convention’s purpose is to chart the course of the future of the black community. In his words. “By educating our children, building economic independence, and supporting our own, we secure the freedom, success, and spiritual elevation of generations to come.” “This convention is about taking ownership of our future.” Over 60 experts from around the world came to share their wisdom over 3 days on topics such as economics, education, health, politics and spirituality. Part of the pledge of the convention includes to, “uplift, empower and protect my community by committing to educating our children, building generational wealth and defending the village at all costs.” Stay tuned to learn about the All Black National Convention through our limited series about this extraordinary event. The first episode is an interview with the head of the financial therapy department of the Black Business School, Dr. Alicia Watkins, who is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Psychotherapist, specializing in anxiety, depression and life transitions in all age groups. She provides culturally specific therapy for attendees of the school. To find out more about Dr. Alicia Watkins, click on the link below: https://coachingwithdralicia.teachable.com/courses/ To find out more about The Black Business School and support Rhythm Of Life, click on the link below: https://blackfinancialliteracystore.com/?sca_ref=7881422.pvFoyHn8KT #black #financialfreedom #finance #boycewatkins #blackbusiness #blackbusinessowners #blackbusinessowner #blackhistory #racismawareness #podcast #blackpower #boycewatkins #drboycewatkins

Host Bob Hercules sits down with the prolific author, journalist and filmmaker, Alex Kotlowitz, who is best known for his books exploring the intersection of poverty, urban violence and race, which includes his landmark book, THERE ARE NO CHILDREN HERE. #rhythmoflife #podcast #podcasts #podcastshow #podcasting #writer #writerslife #thisamericanlife #iraglass #independentfilm #theinterrupters #therearenochildrenhere #poverty #race #journalism #alexkotlowitz

Chicago, IL - Where conversation flows...and life is explored -- that’s where the new podcast, Rhythm of Life, begins. Initial episodes include a fascinating conversation Steve Ordower has with filmmaker, Bob Hercules about his illustrious career, including his most recent Peabody Award winning documentary, Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise. They touch on the power of forgiveness in this project as well as in another potent film Hercules directed, Forgiving Dr. Mengele. We also hear from the accomplished journalist, author and filmmaker, Alex Kotlowitz as he discusses his winding and atypical career with Bob Hercules. He reflects on writing books at the intersection of race, poverty and violence as in, There Are No Children Here, as well as working with such luminaries in different mediums as Ira Glass and Michael Moore. Another engrossing episode is with Mavis Staples, as she talks with Steve Ordower about her incredible musical journey from the time she started signing with her family, to collaborating with Prince. She also reflects how her father, Pops, was playing blues licks on the guitar. They simply didn’t realize the influence the blues was having on their music, that give it such a distinctive sound.Join us to stimulate your mind, and broaden your perspective.Another episode features an insightful conversation Bob Hercules has with musician, visual artist, and political activist, Jon Langford. According to the LA Times...Summarizing Jon Langford’s contributions to punk rock and all of its permutations, as well as his career-long obsession with American roots music, is liable to overwhelm anyone, exploring such topics as political frustration and career disillusionment. Audience members also get an inside and captivating look into making the groundbreaking documentary film about interfaith marriage, Leaps of Faiths. Filmmaker Bob Hercules sits down with co-directors Steve Ordower and David Kovacs to talk about this 5 1⁄2 year journey, and how they observed that this relatively new structure of raising children in two faiths has created a powerful paradigm for genuine acceptance. And, Actor Ernie Hudson reflects on his journey through his prolific career with Steve Ordower, including working with such icons as Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin, along with his reflections on what draws him to certain projects over others.Enrich your life by listening to the Rhythm Of Life podcast: Where conversation flows...and life is explored.Future episodes will feature in-depth conversations with such notable figures as Newton Minow, former chair of the FCC, reflecting on how the media and television, which he called “a vast wasteland,” have evolved. Stephan Garnett, lecturer at Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, will share his perspective on the state of journalism today. #rhythmoflife #podcast #podcasts #podcastshow #podcasting #erniehudson #mavisstaples #mavis

Bob Hercules interviews Steve Ordower & David Kovacs about their new documentary film about interfaith marriage, LEAPS OF FAITHS. LEAPS OF FAITHS is available on Amazon, iTunes, and VUDU. Watch the film here: https://www.filmmovement.com/product/leaps-of-faiths Love tests faith. Faith tests love. Interfaith marriage - how does that work? What about the in-laws? How to raise the kids? For 30 years, Catholics and Jews in Chicago have found that the answers don't have to be so hard - boundaries can be crossed - divisions healed. And the kids? We follow five who grew up learning both Judaism and Catholicism from 8th grade through high school, college and beyond. Their families imagined possibilities - and discovered them. LEAPS OF FAITHS is about interfaith (Jewish-Catholic) marriage, with implications for other kinds of intercultural families. In the film, love is tested by faith, and faith is tested by love. A Jew and a Catholic may have grown up looking at the other faith as ‘over there’ or ‘the other’ … but when they fall in love, that’s no longer possible. Now they’re family, and that’s when things get really interesting. 80% of Reform Jews who got married in the last 5 years intermarried, and a majority of American Jews today are partnered with someone of a different cultural or religious background. In a world that can seem increasingly polarized and tribal, interfaith families are crossing borders. "Though it focuses exclusively on Catholic-Jewish unions, it totes the universal message that religion need not divide people... What they are doing, basically and effectively, is giving us a series of love stories between men and women, parents and children, people and their God. It’s uplifting." The Chicago Tribune "The film is split into three main parts and is upfront about its outcomes, which is to explore how families make the choice about which religion to raise their children in and how their children look back at their lives as they’ve grown... Several different professionals in each faith are interviewed and provide different perspectives on the issues, as well as the children who grew up in interfaith families. Their interviews are the most impactful as they provide the most powerful insight into how this impacts families and that it is possible to raise children among two faiths... The concepts of the film can be taken across different cultures and types of interfaith marriages. I recommend this film for middle school, high school, and college audiences as well as school, public, and academic library collections." - Lara Fountaine, NC State University Libraries, EMRO (Recommended) #rhythmoflife #podcast #podcasts #podcastshow #podcasting #interfaith #interfaithdialogue #interfaithharmony #interfaithmarriage #jewish #catholic #jewishlife #catholiclife

Host Steve Ordower sits down with filmmaker Bob Hercules to discuss his recent documentary, “Maya Angelou l And Still I rise”, along with the rest of Hercules’ prolific career. Bob Hercules is an independent filmmaker and co-owner of Media Process Group — a Chicago-based production company. Hercules' work has been seen widely on PBS, Discovery Channel, IFC, The Learning Channel and in film festivals around the world. Herculesʼ latest film, Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise, premiered at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival and went on to win 19 awards on three continents. The film won a Peabody Award in 2017 and was nominated for an NAACP Image Award and aired on PBSʼ American Masters in February 2017 and on the BBCʼs Storyville in March 2017. Hercules also made two films focusing on dance: Joffrey: Mavericks of American Dance and Bill T. Jones: A Good Man. The Joffrey film, narrated by Mandy Patinkin, tells the full story of the groundbreaking ballet company and their many rises and falls. It premiered in January 2012 at the Dance on Camera Film Festival at Lincoln Center and aired on PBSʼ American Masters in December 2012. A Good Man aired on American Masters in 2011 and played at many film festivals including IDFA, Silverdocs, Full Frame, DOXA and the Southern Circuit. Hercules' acclaimed 2006 feature documentary, Forgiving Dr. Mengele, tells the remarkable story of Auschwitz survivor and former 'Mengele twin' Eva Mozes Kor, whose decision to forgive the perpetrators as an act of self-healing sparked a firestorm of criticism. The film won the Special Jury Prize at the 2006 Slamdance Film Festival and the Crystal Heart Award at the 2006 Heartland Film Festival. It is currently in home video release from First Run Features. Other films include: His 2009 documentary, Radical Disciple: The Story of Father Pfleger, chronicles the radical priest whose controversial tactics to fight racism put him at odds with the Catholic hierarchy. The Democratic Promise: Saul Alinsky & His Legacy (Documentary, 1999). A chronicle of the legendary community organizer and his modern-day legacy, narrated by Alec Baldwin. It’s a Mall, Mall World (1992). One-hour program examining the phenomenon of indoor shopping malls (part of the PBS series "The 90's") Program Producer, Director, Co-Writer. PBS, 1992. #rhythmoflife #podcast #podcasts #podcastshow #podcasting #documentary #independentfilm #independentfilmmaker #indiefilmmaking #gordonquinn #kartemquin #mayaangelou #journalism

Host Steve Ordower sits down with music icon Mavis Staples to discuss her family starting out as The Staple Singers, her collaborations with notable artists such as Prince, her father's distinctive guitar style, and her experience appearing on the Gospel music TV show, Jubilee Showcase. #rhythmoflife #podcast #podcasts #podcastshow #podcasting #mavisstaples #mavis #gospel #gospelmusic #grammy #grammys #grammyawards #grammyawardwinner #civilrights #civilrightsleader #blacklivesmatter #blackpower #drking #martinlutherking #drmartinlutherkingjr #mlk #mlkday #jubilee #jubileeshowcase

Today on the show, host Bob Hercules welcomes the dynamic musician and visual artist, Jon Langford, to discuss his illustrious career. Jon has lead several bands, most notably The Mekons, The Waco Brothers, and Pine Valley Cosmonauts. Since the mid-1980s, Langford has been one of the leaders in incorporating folk and country music into punk rock. #rhythmoflife #podcast #podcasts #podcastshow #podcasting #erniehudson #mavisstaples #mavis #punkrock #punkrockers #jonlangford #themekons #thewacobrothers #wacobrothers #mekons #welsh #thisamericanlife #music #altcountry

Host Steve Ordower has a fascinating, inspiring and downright hilarious conversation with actor Ernie Hudson, as they discuss his long and winding journey with his career. Ernie reflects on his serendipitous meeting with director Gordon Parks, his breakout role in "The Great White Hope," playing the lead role in the play about the life of fighter Jack Johnson, along with his time attending the Yale school of drama. Hudson has been a fixture in film and television for decades, and he talks about some of his favorite roles on screen, where he honed his craft, as well as working with Ordower on the film, THE MAN IN THE SILO. We also get a glimpse into Hudson's personal philosophy that has guided him throughout his life. This podcast is hosted by Buzzsprout, and we couldn't be happier with this company. You can find out more information about their excellent services for podcast distribution and monetization, as well as sign up here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1017514 #rhythmoflife #podcast #podcasts #podcastshow #podcasting #erniehudson #independentfilm #indiefilmmaking #independentfilmmaker #indie #movie #movies #film #acting #actor #blackactor #blackactors #screenplaywriter #writer #ghostbusters #blacklivesmatter #blm #actorslife

Host Bob Hercules sat down with attorney Flint Taylor to discuss the murder of Black Panther leader, Fred Hampton in 1969, who is the subject of the recent film, “Judas & The Black Messiah.” With five Oscar nominations, including for best picture, this movie ultimately took home an Academy Award for Daniel Kaluuya’s performance as Fred Hampton in the Best Supporting Actor category. Along with his partner, Jeff Haas, in the People’s Law Office, Flint Taylor takes us through the journey of how they uncovered and proved the truth about what happened to Fred Hampton and fellow Black Panther, Mark Clark. They were able to alter the public’s perception being put forth by Cook County State’s attorney Edward v. Hanrahan and other public officials that the Panthers were a terrorist organization and were the aggressors in this altercation. Even though the media reported this fabrication initially as the truth, these two remarkably persistent lawyers were able to shine a light on the orchestrated assassination of Fred Hampton which was part of a larger Counterintelligence program initiated by the FBI, aimed at surveilling, infiltrating, discrediting, disrupting and neutralizing American political organizations and leaders deemed subversive. Flint Taylor is an American human rights and civil rights attorney based in Chicago, Illinois, who has litigated many high-profile police brutality, government misconduct and death penalty cases. Taylor has pursued public interest law to take on allegations of corrupt police tactics and wrongful convictions in the city of Chicago and elsewhere. Taylor was part of a team of negotiators in the 2015 landmark decision by the City of Chicago to award reparations to the survivors of police torture, becoming the first municipal government to do so. #rhythmoflife #podcast #podcasts #podcastshow #podcasting #fredhampton #judasandtheblackmessiah #blackpower #police #cointelpro

Host Steve Ordower had the pleasure of speaking with The Gentlemen of Crypto….made up of King Bless and Isaiah Jackson aka Bitcoin Zay who’s mission is to “bridge the gap between crypto-currency and the community.” They jointly run the KRBE Digital Assets Group which offers consulting to business, and they offer a masterclass about the Crypto industry. They are both Certified Bitcoin Professionals and Bitcoin Zay has most recently come out with the 2nd edition of his book, “Bitcoin & Black America.” A wide array of topics were discussed including how Bitcoin can empower those who have been historically disenfranchised by our current system of fiat currency…the role of the Federal Reserve and centralized banking, the importance of peer to peer transactions, and the beginnings of mass adoption of Bitcoin, as we see the Mayors of major cities taking part of their salaries in Bitcoin as with New York and Miami…as well as some professional athletes accepting part of their salaries in Bitcoin. If you’ve been wondering about the implications of this emerging landscape, this episode may shed some light on this subject for you. Not investment advice: All views of Steve Ordower and his guests on this show are solely their opinions, and you should not treat any of these opinions as a specific inducement to make a particular investment or follow a particular strategy. This podcast is for informational purposes only. #rhythmoflife #podcast #podcasts #podcastshow #podcasting #bitcoin #bitcoinexplained #crypto #digitalcurrency #gentlemenofcrypto #federalreserve #federalreservebank #economy #economics #economy_news