#BigThingsThursday is a weekly series of short interviews with people who are doing big things for the community and for the world. If you know someone who's doing big things and should be featured, let me know: BigThings@LucyKalantari.com. 

When I perform the song, "Big Things", I talk about how when you have these big ideas, goals and dreams you can't just go home and take a nap. "You gotta work work work work work!" When I met Kaitlin McGaw and Tommy Shepherd, Jr., I immediately took note: they are doing the work with clear intentions and sincere passion. 

Together they form the musical duo, Alphabet Rockers, fearlessly addressing topics like skin color, cultural differences and self-love. They perform at schools, libraries and various stages across the country.

Q. BIG THINGS begin with an intention, what is yours? 
A. Our intention is to create a movement where all kids stand up, speak out and feel proud of who they are. We believe that all of us impact culture. And that as children’s music makers and performers, we acknowledge the power of our words, actions, and pictures we create onstage and in music for our kids. We want to use our cultural influence to see that kids grow up with a culture of possibility - where they fearlessly love themselves and stand up for each other.

Q. How are you fulfilling this intention? 
A. Last year we set out to write songs that reflected our goals of standing up for yourself, of being bold to speak out against injustice, and to model what inclusivity could look and feel like. We realized that our families were stuck on how to talk to their kids through some of the bigger topics of racism and social injustices, particularly around police brutality and murders of black men, women and children. We were feeling this gap, too. And we knew that we could create this music - we’d been testing it with songs about skin color and real talk about current injustices and how we each can change the world. We were ready to go there for families. In the Spring, we worked with kids in their classrooms to write songs around racism and empathy - and really got a chance to hear their way of talking about these issues. They are brilliant, our kids. AND they need us to invite them into these bigger expectations of how we act and live together in the world. During this process, we met with children’s music makers in four cities to talk about our intentions and seed the movement. We also dove into the dialogue with activists in racial justice, raising diverse families, raising brave girls, and raising proud black children. There was so much goodness, so much joy, so much possibility - and so much responsibility for us. 

Our album Rise Shine #Woke is our commitment to this intention. It’s a continuation of this movement of families, educators, activists and KIDS who want a just and joyful world. It’s here, it’s free to stream for families, and it’s available with conversation guides for families who know and want to be allies for their kids and all kids. The music is bold, it is inclusive, and it does the job. In the song SHINE, you see a black boy claiming his beauty and power in the world - one that all of us can lift up, and be so bold as to have empathy for his path. In our song STAND UP FOR YOU, we modeled the work of checking your privilege. How do you check privilege? You first work on yourself, you ask yourself questions and figure out how to shift your patterns. You then can be of service to others - and then again, it’s asking questions before assuming you have the right tools and answers. 

Writing and decoding our album makes it seem super complex. It is! But the music is current and easy. It’s chantable, and it’s got beats that even hip hop heads turn up LOUD in the car.

Q. What barriers have you encountered, and how have you dealt with them? 
A. There are no limits. 
There are no labels. 
There’s no stopping us. 
We’re turning tables. 
– From the song, “What Are You?” - Rise Shine #Woke 

For real though, the barriers are everywhere. And this current government is making it worse. Everyday, it’s harder to feel safe. And with that, we’re all uncomfortable, it’s a shared experience of injustice. Being #woke means being uncomfortable and taking action. There is no spacing out and watching TV to relax when we recognize what social platitudes we are permitting in our media. What jokes we permit in our community, etc. And for raising our babies, we have to challenge ourselves to evaluate the children’s nursery rhymes we teach, to examine the “favorite” books we had as kids, to consider that our resources need updating. We need to check our nostalgia–and make sure that what we feed our kids is of service to all people. It’s a lot. And it means swimming upstream. It’s a barrier. 

But we’ve really found, parents WANT to do good for their kids. They want their kids to be allies. They want their kids to be the ones who helped, who stood up for others, who loved beyond limits. And parents are knowing how much work we need to do on ourselves to get there. So our limits will be endless. We want everyone to love on this level with us. 

We’re in this movement with all waking hours, with all our hearts and voices. We’ll seek out funding support to make this happen - and we hope that we continue to grow with other children’s media makers in this effort.

-----

Thank you Kaitlin and Tommy, for sharing your inspiring thoughts and giving so much to the world!

Find out more about Alphabet Rockers at AlphabetRockers.com, sign their mailing, catch them live. You will be moved. Here's "I'm Proud" from their latest album, Rise Shine #Woke, available now.

#BigThingsThursday is a weekly series of short interviews with people who are doing big things for the community and for the world. If you know someone who's doing big things and should be featured, let me know: BigThings@LucyKalantari.com.     

Meet Kathy O'Connell: A force of nature and the energetic zest that delivers Kids Corner–the award-winning, live-broadcast radio show on WXPN, Philadelphia. Not only have I gotten the pleasure of meeting Kathy and spending time with her, but I also had the honor of being introduced by her on stage TWICE in the same year. Something that stood out to me was, not just the beautiful introduction that made me want to carry a portable Kathy in my pocket for all future shows, but the realization that when Kathy listens to music, she really listens. She treats each song like a best friend, learning all the ins and outs of what makes them tick. She "gets" it. She got me. But we just met! How'd she do that?

And this is just one of the many great gifts Kathy shares with the world. 

Being a radio personality brings great power. And as we know, with great power comes great responsibility, and Kathy respects this responsibility while honoring her gifts and talents. She warned me that her answers were long, and I'd like to mention that I'd be more than happy to read an entire book about her!

Q. BIG THINGS begin with an intention, what is yours?   
A. Never has a life felt so little guided by intention. I usually just kind of fall into things or react to things that fall on me.  

The Marshall Chapman song “Why Can’t I Be Like Other Girls?” ends with the question “whoever told you you could be you?!” I believe kids know who they are pretty early. It’s the baggage life piles on that distract them from that core. My intention is to be the one who lets kids know “you can be you.” Where they take that becomes up to them, eventually.

My other intention is where my deficiencies as a role model arise: to make people laugh. I am the product of Carol Burnett and Soupy Sales. Working with kids in 2017 means there’s an extra responsibility to toss in some education to the entertainment, but I truly believe anyone who gets up in front of an audience has to have one intention: to entertain. I happen to do it best by being funny. I also get in trouble sometimes by being funny. 

Q. How are you fulfilling this intention?     
A. I have a big mouth. I have always had a big mouth. My mother used to stand at the back door watching me walk home from the bus stop, talking to myself. I am in the most personal medium there is. One person talking to another person through a microphone, yet still talking to myself. 

I am a very imperfect and unworthy role model, but I’m a great pointer. I point at science, history, books, nature, humanity…a wide variety of subjects that may reverberate with my listeners. My hope is to point at something or someone that will echo in the long term beyond a one hour radio program or interview. 

I also point to kindie music by playing songs that express the concepts of tolerance, acceptance and individuality that are so important to me. And sometimes playing other people’s songs has gotten me into trouble.

Q. What barriers have you encountered, and how have you dealt with them?     
A. My biggest barrier has been closed minds. Kids’ media is not a high priority until you need it, so opening minds to both the idea of radio, public radio, and public radio for KIDS has been a big challenge. 

Closed minds take on another form, and that's where that big mouth of mine comes in. I play songs about boys who wear pink and play with dolls. I play songs about families with all kinds of combinations of parents. I play songs that celebrate historical rabble rousers. And sometimes---but not often---I’ll get a complaint.

I pretty much knew who I was when I was 10 years old and lip-synched Carol Burnett records in talent shows. I got sidetracked by real life for a long time, but radio brought me back to that kid. That was where I learned I could be me. Falling into radio for kids has empowered 10 year old Kathy while I hope I’m helping empower my listeners. 

The biggest barrier is that kids’ radio is a very small slice of the small world of kids’ entertainment. And yet it’s the most powerful entertainment force in the long run. 

I am who I am because I turned on the TV one day in 1964 and discovered Soupy Sales. He’s the reason I have 2 Peabody Awards and anyone cares what I have to say. He took an approach to talking to kids that made me who I am. 

Anyone working in either public broadcasting or kids’ media faces financial barriers. Finding solid financial support from WXPN’s listeners and community partners has been essential in addressing that barrier. [Editor's note: Donate to WXPN, right here!]

Extra: Share a favorite quote that keeps you motivated.     
“It ain’t no mystery. If it’s science or history. The thing you gotta know is everything is show biz.” –Mel Brooks “The Producers” (the musical) sung by Roger De Bris


Thank you, Kathy, for your tireless efforts to remind kids that they can indeed be themselves. And thank you for your humor, understanding, attention and love in all you do. We all love you so much!

Join Kathy on Kids Corner Live, Monday through Thursdays 7-8pm. http://kidscorner.org

I'm breaking out of my usual Big Things Thursdays format, as this week's feature is you, it's me, it's our community. 

INTENTION: Give to the Hispanic Scholarship Fund.

FULFILLMENT: For the month of February, I donated 100% of the funds from my Spanish sing alongs at Lark Cafe towards the Hispanic Scholarship Fund. Thanks to Lark Cafe, they too donated 100% of their cut from my Spanish sing alongs. And this is where the fun began...

I also do a private weekly sing along, and the attending families spontaneously participated in this fundraising effort and handed me an envelope filled with money. 

For the 3 sing-alongs I had scheduled for this event, families came and families gave. 

And then the owners of Lark personally gave more. And then one of the couple's employers gave more.

In the end, the giving totaled $559.

It made me so happy to see our community come together to be part of what started out as a simple intention. Intentions have a way of bringing communities together to do big things for others.

Community has been on my mind a lot lately, so I put together a playlist of music that's about You, Me, Our Community. I'll be Guest DJ on the Hilltown Family Variety Show this Saturday! Tune in this Saturday March 18, from 9-10am on 103.3FM WXOJ, Northampton, MA. An encore will broadcast on Sunday, (date) from 7-8am. Listen live via streaming audio at www.ValleyFreeRadio.org, or anytime to the podcast at www.HilltownFamilies.org immediately following Sunday’s broadcast!

I'll have music from Lloyd H. Miller's band, The Deedle Deedle Dees, Moona Luna, Louis Prima, and many, many more. Tune in. And lets never forget the beauty of community. 

Leap, and the net will appear. –John Burroughs 
 

Thank you everyone!

#BigThingsThursday is a weekly series of short interviews with people who are doing big things for the community and for the world. If you know someone who's doing big things and should be featured, let me know: BigThings@LucyKalantari.com.    

Meet Lilia Velasquez: immigration lawyer, human rights activist and professor, ready to be inducted into the California Women's Hall of Fame in March, 2017. She's often called La Flama de la Justicia. She always wears red. She's fierce.

Lilia believes that her work as a lawyer should not stop there. She extends her knowledge to her community as she educates immigrants about their rights, and stays active in local politics. She takes her responsibility to create change very seriously.

Q. BIG THINGS begin with an intention, what is yours?  
A. To inform, educate, and empower the immigrant community as to their rights in this country, and to defend them to the best of my ability if they are facing deportation. Every morning I get up with a mission: to seek justice for the most vulnerable segment of our population. 

Q. How are you fulfilling this intention?    
A. Since the presidential elections, there has been tremendous fear of raids and mass deportations, and even lawful permanent residents are afraid of losing their green cards. The legal community and advocacy groups mobilized immediately by organizing “know your rights” presentations and legal clinics to advise people of their rights in case they are detained.  

Q. What barriers have you encountered, and how have you dealt with them?    
A. I came to this country as an adult and the language barrier prevented me from achieving academic success during the first couple of years of college. I worked very hard to learn the language and achieved academic success in college and in law school. On the professional level, the challenges have been defending immigrants against the giant machinery of the department of homeland security, and representing people in court whose rights have been violated.

Extra: Share a favorite quote that keeps you motivated.    
“You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.” –Mae West 

Lilia, thank you for your tireless efforts. I know you have and continue to inspire many young latino women to pursue their passion with immense dedication, because that's what it takes! 

Lidia Velasquez practices law out of San Diego, CA. 

#BigThingsThursday is a weekly series of short interviews with people who are doing big things for the community and for the world. If you know someone who's doing big things and should be featured, let me know: BigThings@LucyKalantari.com.   

Meet Keri Bowers: artist, autism & disabilities advocate, and a powerhouse of a woman. She's also my husband's aunt.

Keri can make art out of anything she finds, with details so fine you'll keep discovering little hidden treasures each time you look at it. She's also very loud and headstrong when it comes to standing up for the rights of a child, so their needs and voices can be heard. Her work with families of autistic children has helped educate and guide them through their journey with greater ease.

Q. BIG THINGS begin with an intention, what is yours? 
A. In a sense, intention is my intention; a conscious effort to find gratitude, purpose and meaning in what I was given in this life. I've worked in autism/disabilities advocacy, film, writing, art and single-parenting an autistic son, Taylor, and his brother, Jace for over half my life. When Taylor was born, how could I know that autism and advocacy would become the primary hallmark of my life's heart and work? Reckless in my youth, Taylor was the muse who taught me life had to take one of two courses; one of spirituality, connectivity and re-inventing dreams; or the other of sadness, guilt, fear and wanton waste.

Q. How are you fulfilling this intention?   
A. Over the years, I've worked with thousands of children and adults with autism and other disabilities–from advocacy, to legislation activism, creating programs, theatrical productions, speaking engagements and 4 films. 6 years ago, I co-founded an international non-profit collaborative, The Art of Autism. Today, we represent hundreds of artists, bloggers, poets, musicians, animators and other creatives in our collaborative, providing spaces and places to showcase their works. 

Recently, with an "intentional" investment in creation (despite the fear of pulling it off), we provided our first live stream all-autistic panel / forum where our panel talked about autism from first-person perspectives. An outstanding success, this two-hour panel is now the starting point for many more person-first productions that will stream on demand for free all around the world. And now, in order to manifest these productions, we need to raise money to support this. The Art of Autism's next phase is global outreach.

Q. What barriers have you encountered, and how have you dealt with them?   
A. I have two types of barriers: macro and micro. The macro barrier deals with the difficult state of the world: war, bad politics & injustices, the planet's health, etc. As an empath, these cause me more angst than a broken heart. Like many, I'm fragile in my own way. It's an on-going struggle that ebbs and flows. 

The micro barriers, are the daily things: autism / family issues, my physical health, funding projects, etc. I try to overcome these with daily conscious gratitude and a reminder to keep perspective on what I DO have. This has helped guide my principles, values and actions over the years. I've made a life of grace, beauty and optimism out of what, without specific intention, would have been a very different story. I am proud of the many accomplishments I've made over my career, and especially inspired by my sons, who are now adults making their own contributions in the world with focused intention. 

Extra: Share a favorite quote that keeps you motivated.   
“Today I shall behave as if this day will be remembered” –Dr. Seuss
 

Keri, thank you for everything you do! I can only begin to imagine the amount of gratitude so many families feel for the work you've done. 

For more information on Keri's work, you can visit the-art-of-autism.com and normalfilms.com.  

#BigThingsThursday is a weekly series of short interviews with people who are doing big things for the community and for the world. If you know someone who's doing big things and should be featured, let me know: BigThings@LucyKalantari.com.  

Meet Rodney Whittenberg: music producer, engineer, composer, sound designer and filmmaker driven to make art to build community and inspire humanitarian consciousness.

I met Rodney through his latest album, We Stood Up, “an audio anthology for children, produced by Lincoln Financial Foundation, that uses stories and songs to bring the ideals of freedom, opportunity and equality to life for a new generation.” With a powerful collection of poetry, songs, interviews and speeches this album educates and inspires our youth through a medium they can easily connect with.

Q. BIG THINGS begin with an intention, what is yours?
A. Wow that’s a big question. My intention is to create and support others in the creation of art, (ie: music, film, dance, theater, poetry, etc.,) that is socially relevant, entertaining and sometimes performed at the highest level of musicianship or just totally sloppy, loud, in-your-face music that rocks like the loudest punk band. Sometimes I get it right like with my new CD, We Stood Up; and the latest film I co-produced and scored, Portraits of ProfessionalCaregivers Their Passion Their Pain. And sometimes I miss the mark completely, like in the case of my score to the b movie horror cult film Return to Sleep Away Camp.  

Q. How are you fulfilling this intention?  
A. I'm the owner and founder of Melodyvision, where I use my skills as a composer, songwriter, producer, engineer, filmmaker and sound designer to allow me to work as a creative consultant and partner to my many clients. I am always looking for committed clients who have a vision, something to say, and we both feel that I can help them achieve their goals. It doesn’t matter whether it’s an individual singer songwriter, an independent filmmaker, a neo classical trio, a major corporation or a or a non-profit. With We Stood Up It, I was brought in as a creative consultant for Lincoln Financial Foundation. They wanted to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation and the Gettysburg Address. They had a genuine, deep desire to inspire youths, in these difficult and challenging times. This project is exactly the kind of work I want to be doing. 

Q. What barriers have you encountered, and how have you dealt with them?  
A. I have been so lucky. The only barriers are my own limitations. The curse of ego. Not getting out of my own way. I can be vulnerable to overthinking, or just plain fear. Fear of not only finding the truth of the moment, but trusting and being brave enough to follow that truth through to a creative outcome. Going for it makes it happen.  

Extra: Share a favorite quote that keeps you motivated.  
“Great art communicates before it is understood.” –T. S. Eliot

Thank you for what you do, Rodney. We Stood Up is a powerful work of art! May you continue to be the facilitator and driver for making meaningful art come to life.

For more information on Rodney Whittenberg, visit www.melodyvision.com. 

#BigThingsThursday is a weekly series of short interviews with people who are doing big things for the community and for the world. If you know someone who's doing big things and should be featured, let me know: BigThings@LucyKalantari.com. 

Meet Kelly Brennan: a yoga & meditation teacher with a warm and nurturing approach that inspires people to awaken genuine joy within. That was MY impression of Kelly when I met her at a kids yoga class a couple years ago. My son took to Kelly immediately, which is saying a lot, as he was barely 2 years old. Her demeanor felt playful, safe and fun. As a yoga & meditation practitioner myself, I know the endless list of benefits of having this in my life. I was able to witness Kelly's sincere desire to have everyone she meets (not just the people who take her class!) to experience these benefits for life.

Q. BIG THINGS begin with an intention, what is yours?    
A. My intention is to help people of all ages connect body, mind and breath.  I hope to plant seeds of awareness and share yogic tools that can be used not only on the mat, but also in daily life.  Oh and I like to do all of that in a relatively fun way! 

Q. How are you fulfilling this intention? 
A. I teach yoga and meditation to all, from babies to seniors.  A large part of my week is spent with children in schools, studios, privately in home, at the library, outdoors. Little ones learn in playful ways with the incorporation of games, stories, songs. My classes often include lots of giggles! It’s such a joy to witness how yoga can help with focus, relaxation, confidence, self-regulation and more, across all age groups.

I’m also very aware of the energy I bring to my classes and try to lead by example.  I keep up my own practices so that I can be a present and patient teacher and radiate love and joy.

Q. What barriers have you encountered, and how have you dealt with them? 
A. Obstacles have come in the form of injuries, competition, doors closing, trying to find my authentic voice as a teacher, and figuring out ways to best reach certain students. Teaching is a practice, just like yoga, and there are always opportunities to learn and grow. 

Ultimately I believe that if you feel aligned with your purpose and are taking steps that feel good in your heart, life will support you on your journey.

Extra: Share a favorite quote that keeps you motivated. 
"I wish that I could show you when you are lonely or in darkness, the astonishing light of your own being." -Hafiz 

 

This, my friends, is someone who found her voice and is using it to the fullest! It's a beautiful thing. THANK YOU Kelly for sharing it with the rest of us. 

For more information on Kelly Brennan, visit www.kellybrennanyoga.com. 

#BigThingsThursday is a weekly series of short interviews with people who are doing big things for the community and for the world. If you know someone who's doing big things and should be featured, let me know: BigThings@LucyKalantari.com.

Meet Dave Kinnoin: Songwriter, producer, volunteer builder (what?!?!) and a beautiful human being who seizes every opportunity he comes across to do good for the community and for the world. Whether it's helping to build homes for families in need, or by writing music to spread joy and help a child during a tumultuous time (medical, physical or emotional), he's ready to go. 

Q. BIG THINGS begin with an intention, what is yours?   
A. I do my best every day without complaint and without regret to make this a better world.

Q. How are you fulfilling this intention?
A. I keep a keen eye out for opportunities to be kind and generous, and I act on my ideas. When I notice someone else has good intentions, I support them. My wife, Mary, our sons, Oliver and Grady, and I are volunteer builders with www.onesmallhouse.org, volunteer songwriters and music producers with www.songsoflove.org, and we act or speak up when we see an injustice.

Q. What barriers have you encountered, and how have you dealt with them?
A. No barriers, just challenges that I address with gusto. We work hard and plan well so we can afford to share our time and resources with others. When we make a mistake, we promptly apologize and make amends. When we do something right, we take the credit. We give others the opportunity to join us, and we join them in their noble endeavors.

Extra: Share a favorite quote that keeps you motivated.
“I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do.” –Edward E. Hale

What a great quote! Thank you Dave for your work, your inspiration and reminder to do good whenever we can.

For more information on Dave Kinnoin, visit songwizard.com.

(Image of Dave and Mexican boy with a shirt that says “Astronaut.” Dave says, "Hey, you never know.")

#BigThingsThursday is a weekly series of short interviews with people who are doing big things for the community and for the world. If you know someone who's doing big things and should be featured, let me know: BigThings@LucyKalantari.com.          

Meet Elizabeth Vermilyea: a trauma stress specialist with the most compassionate approach and tone that can make any seed of self-doubt melt away. I met Elizabeth back when I was in college. She was a friend of a friend, and enjoyed playing folk songs and singing. I recorded her in my school studio, and remember the calm serenity that washed over us while she played. She found her voice early on, and it went beyond singing.

Q. BIG THINGS begin with an intention, what is yours?  
A. There is a concept in Judaism called Tikkun Olam, put in its simplest form it means to “repair the world.” It is most definitely a Big Thing! My intention in my work is to repair the world through helping those who help others to do a good job and avoid harm. In my field of traumatic stress this is a very important task. When I train therapists and consult with agencies I do so with a view toward repairing the world by supporting those in the trenches doing healing work.

Q. How are you fulfilling this intention?            
A. I suppose I fulfill this intention whenever I formally consult or train or teach, but I also try to fulfill it when interacting with those who need direct support in the moment and have no means to obtain it. Some call it pro-bono work, but for me, it’s nothing so formal. For me, tikkun olam means listening to a friend of a friend in crisis and helping that person by being present, accepting, and unafraid of their crisis or of their intense emotion. It means being the secret helper in the workplace, the one people can pop in on and share a coffee and some supportive, nonjudgmental conversation. It means being a resource even when someone decides not to make use of the resource; it’s a comfort knowing the resource is available. I want people to know that they aren’t alone.
       
Q. What barriers have you encountered, and how have you dealt with them?            
A. Barriers exist all over the place, but mostly they exist within us. I meet barriers in myself when I think there’s only a limited, conventional way of helping. There are professional barriers, regulatory barriers and innumerable false reasons for not helping, however, when I have been willing to accept unconventional situations and show up anyway, many of those barriers fall away. Those barriers are mostly fearful thoughts that appear to be real obstacles. I’m learning to recognize them for what they are. I suppose getting older helps!

Extra: Share a favorite quote that keeps you motivated.  
“Perhaps all the dragons in our lives are princesses who are only waiting to see us act, just once, with beauty and courage. Perhaps everything that frightens us is, in its deepest essence, something helpless that wants our love.” 
― Rainer Maria Rilke, Letters to a Young Poet

Thank you Elizabeth for using your incredible compassion, patience and understanding to heal the world, one soul at a time. 

For more information on Elizabeth Vermilyea's work, visit elizabethvermilyea.org.

#BigThingsThursday is a weekly series of short interviews with people who are doing big things for the community and for the world. If you know someone who's doing big things and should be featured, let me know: BigThings@LucyKalantari.com.         

Meet Bill Caterini: artist, producer and educator. He keeps his motivations clear when releasing new projects onto the world. As a middle school teacher, his stance against bullying is strong and he takes this responsibility very seriously, educating our children of the world. He reminds us to treat people with kindness and smile, as our actions can have a profound effect on those around us. 

Q. BIG THINGS begin with an intention, what is yours? 
A. I really feel that my true intention is to reach, educate, and console people...for instance: 
The projects that I've been working on/completed within the last 4 years concentrate on a few different areas. 
1) Bullying - children's projects - "(Don't Be A) Bully" by E Is For Erik  www.eisforerikmusic.com 
2) Global Peace/environmental/world issues - "We Can Do More" by Bill Caterini/Sara James (see below!)

Q. How are you fulfilling this intention?           
A. Launching into only positive message projects for all ages/topics, and being a positive example while being out in the world, whether its performing music, recording, or collaborating with other artists.  I also work at a middle school in Cape May County, New Jersey (I am a NJ certified teacher w/a certificate in electronic music) and I see the daily effects of personalities and feelings, also bullying...there's a precious sensitivity that needs to be both nurtured and protected, for the youth of today. 
      
Q. What barriers have you encountered, and how have you dealt with them?           
A. I really don't let barriers get in the way of the true importance of my projects...any barriers would actually come from politics within the music industry.  I don't channel my energies into music/projects because of ulterior motives, including, but not limited to: copious amounts of money; awards; fame/press/attention... 
These are the wrong reasons to do anything in life...it should be for the people.  However, I do realize that its OK to be paid for your products/services, and there's a right way to facilitate this.  Nothing is ever accomplished with greed. 
I believe my biggest obstacles involve these types of people...greedy business types...also dirty politics...fake social media sensationalizing, and, there's always the occasional hater/basher out there. What everybody should remember is: most of these internet profiles/people actually aren't what they seem/appear to be, and that if you make a real, tangible connection (not a "virtual" connection) with a person, the effects of this can be tantamount!  It's real...!

Extra: Share a favorite quote that keeps you motivated. 
There's a story I'm very partial to, especially because I live on the ocean (NJ shore):  There's a cynic walking along the beach - while walking, the cynic realizes that there are hundreds of "starfish" laying along the surf, stranded in the thick sand, having washed up from the breaking waves.  While walking along the beach, he happens upon a young man (or woman...open to your interpretation) who is throwing these starfish back into the ocean, one-at-a-time.  There are hundreds, if not thousands, along the beach...as far as the eye can see.  The cynic finally says to the young man, "why do you even bother...there's much too many washed up for it to matter...why bother saving them?"  The young man turned to the cynic and said, "I realize there's a lot, and you think I'm wasting my time."  As he said this, he threw another starfish into the ocean, and then said, "but it mattered to this one, and all the others that I already threw back into the ocean..."

Thank you Bill for reminding us how even the simplest actions can have an effect to last a lifetime! Check out Bill's inspiring song he did with Sara James, "We Can Do More" below. 

#BigThingsThursday is a weekly series of short interviews with people who are doing big things for the community and for the world. If you know someone who's doing big things, let me know: BigThings@LucyKalantari.com.        

As we're deep into the holiday season, the joy of spreading joy deepens, generosity blooms and opportunities to give are multiplied by a gazillion! It's a busy time, and a beautiful time. One of these opportunities to practice generosity is presented by Toys for Tots, who have been around since 1947. Their mission is simple: collect toys for families who can't afford to buy gifts for their children for Christmas. We see the special bins in stores every year around this time. This went on to inspire something else...

Meet Jason Didner, a children's artist who teamed up with Steve Denyes to do Tunes for Tots–because we know the long, long list of benefits of music in children's lives. CD donations can go to the Toys for Tots bins, or to a charity like Happy Star Melodies, to give to children battling serious illnesses.

Q. BIG THINGS begin with an intention, what is yours?
A. When I learned Steve was doing Tunes for Tots, his project spoke directly to my intention to make a difference in the lives of as many children as I could, starting with making it possible for kids to feel included in the holiday season when it comes to receipts gifts. The notion of being able to do greater good with the help of my audience really appealed to me.   

Q. How are you fulfilling this intention?          
A. When a fan orders a CD or buys one at a live show, I donate a matching copy to Toys for Tots or another charity that supplies gifts to disadvantaged children. Perhaps I can't write a big ol' check, but when my fans do this with me, we can do bigger things.
     
Q. What barriers have you encountered, and how have you dealt with them?          
A. During the holiday season, my fans receive so much advertising everywhere they look, so my message has to stand out, whether through email, social media or at our live shows, Usually the mention of Tunes for Tots is met with applause. I think there's appeal at holiday time for the idea of a purchase doing some good for children in need. 

Extra: Share a favorite quote that keeps you motivated.
"It ain't over 'til it's over." 
- Yogi Berra (who lived in my hometown Montclair, NJ

Thank you Jason for spreading that love, joy and the healing qualities found in music. For more info on Jason's participation in Tunes for Tots, click here. 

#BigThingsThursday is a weekly series of short interviews with people who are doing big things for the community and for the world. If you know someone who's doing big things, let me know: BigThings@LucyKalantari.com.       

I admire school teachers beyond measure–it is a great responsibility and they have a direct impact on our community. In New York City, our public schools are overcrowded, underfunded and our school teachers are overworked, and yet many choose to go down this path because their intention is strong and pure.

Meet Lisa McGuigan: elementary school teacher, mom and a great friend. She's been teaching in NYC Public Schools for 10 years, and has what I deem the perfect temperament for it. Her approach is loving and warm, with a firmness that makes boundaries and expectations clear to the children she teaches. When I first met Lisa, I had a hunch that she was a great teacher. It was when I witnessed it first hand after a musical visit with her class, I thought, "Oh. Yeah. Kids NEED her. The world NEEDS her." 

Teaching primarily to minority and low income families, Lisa has made a difference in many lives. She's constantly thinking of creative ways to help children through the challenges they face with language barriers and social integration.

Q. BIG THINGS begin with an intention, what is yours?         
A. My intention is to make the world a more respectful, empathetic, and caring place to be, one class full of students at a time.  

Q. How are you fulfilling this intention?         
A. As a teacher, I try to instill kindness, respect, empathy, and understanding in my students on a daily basis. We usually start our mornings, in the classroom, by shaking hands with one another, saying good morning, and asking how the other person is doing that day. We then share out about our weekends, the previous night, or anything that the students wish to talk about or discuss. My students practice looking one another in the eye when speaking and listening as sign of respect towards our classmates. We also try to make individual connections to what the classmate has said or is going through – teaching empathy and understanding. The students really value this time and it has helped them to become more of a family than a just a class full of students. 
    
Q. What barriers have you encountered, and how have you dealt with them?         
A. Many times students may be disrespectful or rude to one another in class, outside of school, or be a witness to it. A lot of this behavior stems from kids being scared or nervous about a situation or they may not have been taught how to deal with the situation and they react negatively because of it.

We deal with this individually and as a class. We role-play scenarios and think about what an appropriate reaction should be. We also discuss how certain reactions and actions make us feel. Giving students coping mechanisms and skills empowers them to be able to act appropriately and respectfully. The more we work on it, the more our students will be prepared to face life with a confidence and knowledge that they can handle almost any situation.

Extra: Share a favorite quote that keeps you motivated.        
“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” ― Mahatma Gandhi

Thank you Lisa for preparing our children for the future. Our world depends on them. 

#BigThingsThursday is a weekly series of short interviews with people who are doing big things for the community and for the world. If you know someone who's doing big things, let me know: BigThings@LucyKalantari.com.      

Meet Amelia Robinson: musician, songwriter, educator, ukulele extraordinaire with a beautiful spirit. She has a fearless way of expressing herself through music, whether it's with a 500-piece bicycle bell symphony, or releasing an album with 41 beautifully diverse instruments played by people in her community. I feel like I run into Amelia everywhere I go–sometimes I really do, in person around Brooklyn, randomly. And other times, I'll run into her album cover artwork on 5th Avenue in Park Slope, or read about her in local magazines, or in emails from Lincoln Center. There's a reason for her seemingly ubiquitous presence: she offers a loving energy that inspires people to come together. What's more, she uses her super powers for good.  

Q. BIG THINGS begin with an intention, what is yours?        
A. My intention is to LOVE. To use music as a way to connect with others in hopes of reaching a deeper understanding of humanity. Currently, this journey has incited an onslaught of weird subconscious ideas that are looking like the backbone of the most ridiculous album I will maybe ever make.

Q. How are you fulfilling this intention?        
A. I'm making music.. a lot of it! Right now I am exploring the relationship I have with my craft by writing a song a week, practicing meditating writing, and trying to surrender to the present moment. I think it's really important to establish a healthy and sustaining ability to tap into one's creativity on a daily basis.   
   
Q. What barriers have you encountered, and how have you dealt with them?        
A. 1) Writing: One of my teachers once said "the hardest part of writing is the psychological trauma of doing it". Just sitting down to start is often the hardest part. But once you do it, you've done it and that's something to be proud of! Making attainable goals has helped - like "I'm going to play three notes over and over again while staring out this window...and just see what happens". 
2) The Unknown: Lately I've found it really challenging to be in the middle of a creative project and not know how it's going to take shape. There's pressure in our society to present a finished product that is shiny and glimmery and perfect and the reality is that things just don't pop out that way! You definitely have to separate your creative mind from your critical mind and allow for the ideas to flow before you think about how you're going to market something or package it. That's a hard space to be in for me sometimes, cuz my mind is so active. Running helps! 
3) Decisions: If you work for yourself as I do, it's sometimes hard to not have a team of people around you to bounce ideas off of or make decisions with, so I rely heavily on close family and friends who I trust and who can guide me towards the answers I need (which often are staring me right in the face) and remind me that things take time! (That's what I get for growing up in NYC...) 
4) Drive: There are a lot of reasons to not feel satisfied with what we have -- inside and out. It's hard to always love ourselves and trust in our abilities. Often it's because someone is telling us we need this face cream, and another is telling us our lives will not be complete without that hue of lipstick, or those beautiful suede boots. How can we feel good enough just the way we are with the gifts we were given? How can we find balances, like working to fulfill a passion while actually enjoying the ride? The key I think is to learn to love yourself–send yourself kind thoughts, and take time to do sweet things for yourself, like cook a nice meal. If you take care of yourself first, you'll be much better equipped to help others.

Extra: Share a favorite quote that keeps you motivated.       
"Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up." –Picasso

We love you, Amelia. Thank you for doing what you do and following that passion to connect with the world. 

Friends, you can catch her live at her Mils Trills 7th Annual Winter Bash! January 29th at ShapeShifter Lab, Brooklyn, NY. You can find out more info about Amelia and her Mils Trills project for kids & families, and more on her websites: www.milstrills.com and www.ameliarobinson.co.uk.

And I will leave you with this beautifully creative video made by kids from 6-11! It's super cool!

#BigThingsThursday is a weekly series of short interviews with people who are doing big things for the community and for the world. If you know someone who's doing big things, let me know: BigThings@LucyKalantari.com.     

Meet Devin L. Walker, musician, author, activist, educator, and an incredibly BUSY and dedicated person. When we chatted about what he's been up to, I felt incredibly lazy, and when you read about it below, you'll see why. This guy is doing some stuff!

Q. BIG THINGS begin with an intention, what is yours?       
A. I am grateful that early in life, during my college years, I was able to recognize my purpose in life. I learned it while as an active member in the student movement to end racism and discrimination for all people of color. My big intention or purpose is centered on eliminating the contradiction of Africa being the richest continent on earth in terms of natural resources; but her people (i.e., anyone of African descent living on or off the continent) are among the poorest people on earth. This unnatural state was created and is maintained by the current economic and political systems that places profits over people. Therefore, I, as one of the billions of people of African descent, have an obligation to help change this unnatural condition. This is my Big Thing or intention!

Q. How are you fulfilling this intention?       
A. Currently, I use my musical skills to help provide children with universal principles of love for self and others, which is the first step toward eradicating exploitation in the world.  My show is called, The Uncle Devin Show®, which is an interactive, musical experience for children that uses percussion instruments to cultivate their minds – a dynamic cross between Fat Albert and Schoolhouse Rock. In January, I plan on launching a music and arts organization dedicated to teaching children of color how to deal with and combat racism and other forms of bigotry.  Stay tuned! 
  
Also, my upcoming CD, Be Yourself, will teach children to love themselves through fun songs such as, “No Such Thing As Good or Bad Hair,” “See Yourself in the Picture,” and “The Church Usher’s Dance.”  For me, music is not an end, but a means to an end. 
  
Outside of music and for practically all my adult life, I have always been in an organization dedicated toward unifying and liberating Africa against exploitation and greed. I was the lead organizer against the closing of the only and last public hospital in Washington, DC (DC General Hospital) and I was a co-creator of a health care initiative entitled, “The People Before Profits Community Healthcare Project,” which was modeled after and inspired by the Cuban Healthcare System. The mission of this project was to elevate ourselves as a people through education and community empowerment by creating a project that will effectively address the healthcare concerns of residents within a five-block radius of a majority African (African-American) community in Northeast, DC, using an alternative healthcare model predicated on people not profit. 
  
An organization I co-founded was the Pan-African Liberation Organization (1990-2006), through which I traveled to Cuba, Panama, Venezuela and Puerto Rico, organizing in solidarity with different oppressed people, as well as working with different organizations in Azania (South Africa), Guinea, Eritrea, Zimbabwe, Haiti, Ireland, El Salvador, India, and the United States. I have also worked in solidarity with the American Indian Movement - International Indian Treaty Council.

I've also written two books that serves as appeals to the black church, where I discuss practical solutions the church can take to help eliminate inequality in the world (www.devinlwalkerbooks.com). 

Q. What barriers have you encountered, and how have you dealt with them?       
A. The biggest barrier I have encountered is the lack of critical thinking by those who are victims of exploitation. Much too often, many people accept information given to them by the powers that be and they accept it uncritically. Therefore, I learned early in life that it was my responsibility to help people think critically about information that is given to them, whether it be in school, church or other areas of society. 
  
I have dealt with this barrier by conducting painstaking research that ultimately was published in my two books and through various organizations.

Extra: Share a favorite quote that keeps you motivated.      
“To educate the masses politically does not mean, cannot mean, making a political speech. What it means is to try, relentlessly and passionately, to teach the masses that everything depends on them!” – Franz Fanon, The Wretched of the Earth

Wow! Thank you, Devin for your beautiful dedication and the load of inspiration! These are truly big things. For more information on The Uncle Devin Show, visit www.theuncledevinshow.com.

Check out this heart-warming video, "The Church Usher's Dance" bringing back the Soul Train with a twist and some help from the community. 

#BigThingsThursday is a weekly series of short interviews with people who are doing big things for the community and for the world. If you know someone who's doing big things, let me know: BigThings@LucyKalantari.com.    

Meet Steve Pullara, music maker, writer, producer and someone who makes everyone feel like they're family. His releases win awards left and right, as he sings and speaks of difficult topics while still keeping a beautiful uplifting spirit that can assuage any discordance. One of his albums, All About Bullies...Big and Small, went on to win a Grammy Award for Best Children's album. And he doesn't stop there–he also makes himself available to other artists as a mentor and advisor. 

Q. BIG THINGS begin with an intention, what is yours?      
A. My BIG THING is to give joy, reflection and a can-do inspiration from the things in life that move me to share with others. 

Q. How are you fulfilling this intention?      
A. Through this life's talents of music, art and literature I've been achieving my mission...and it keeps growing. I want to be me. That is who I share.  

I created a company called "Cool Beans Music and Art Studio," to create many albums and perform concerts for children, families and educators. I make music and lyrics often containing a gentle awareness or challenge, reflecting on matters such as bullying, dreaming for big things, getting along, growing-up into adults/parents with kids of their own, social awareness, songs about faith, and conversations between parents with their kids. But, I also write about silliness and fun, because zany songs are part of who I am too.  

My audience ranges from 2-year-olds to 90-year-olds. As there has been continuous personal exploration and evolution outside of my comfort zone, I've been branching into other genre's such as Country and Gospel, while always simultaneously having a foot in the perspective of Family Music. 

I've also been involved in creating and developing projects as a lead producer, writer, art director, etc. that helped build a peer community for charity albums.  

Q. What barriers have you encountered, and how have you dealt with them?      
A. Sometimes people don't fully understand my motives or the goals of my recordings, but as a professional with a focus and gifts, our responsibility is to create music to be heard, art to be seen and lyrics to be read. As a tip, just do not take the word "No" for an answer, but instead hear that word "No" as a beginning to get a "Yes." There are biases and all kinds of politics even in Children's Music. If you have a talent with conviction, keep looking for ways to get heard and played. Trust me, God is testing you to make you stronger.

Extra: Share a favorite quote that keeps you motivated.     
"Go hunting where the ducks are!" - President, Lyndon John B. Johnson

Thank you, Steve, for helping communities feel safe and loved. For more info on Steve and Cool Beans Music, visit www.CoolBeansMusic.com.

I'll leave you with one of mine and my son's favorite tunes by Steve, "The More Teeth Missing." Enjoy!
 

#BigThingsThursday is a weekly series of short interviews with people who are doing big things for the community and for the world. If there's someone you think I should highlight, email me: BigThings@LucyKalantari.com.   

Meet Brett Edwards, aka, Mr. Eco: artist and environmental activist teaching kids all over the globe how to make sound choices and changes for the benefit of...well, ALL beings! With his love for hip-hop and wonderful word-play, he connects with his listeners while stirring enthusiasm for environmental health. 

Q. BIG THINGS begin with an intention, what is yours?     
A. I believe monumental changes begin with youth. My intention is to spark the mind, empowering as many youth as I can to become "EcoHeroes" around environmental issues.  

Q. How are you fulfilling this intention?     
A. Through music! Specifically school assemblies and music videos on youtube. Up to this point, I have reached 140,000+ children at in person shows and my YouTube views are 785,000+. Next step is a kids television show that is in the early stages :)

Q. What barriers have you encountered, and how have you dealt with them?     
A. Far too many to mention... But the main one that is a constant is belief in myself. Because if you don't believe in yourself nobody else will. I have dealt with this by truly finding out what motivates me and always focusing on the WHY. And I feel as if I am being "pulled" not "pushed" on this mission. Gotta do soul searching! Meditation rocks:)

Extra: Share a favorite quote that keeps you motivated.    
“He who says he can and he who says he can't, are both usually right.” 
–Confucius

Thank you, Brett, for your incredible efforts and at spreading awareness and inspiring action to care for our beautiful planet. 

I'll leave you with his latest music video, "Bag Monster" from his album Renewable Rap. For more info, check out his website, www.mreco.org.

#BigThingsThursday is a weekly series of short interviews with people who are doing big things for the community and for the world. If there's someone you think I should highlight, email me: BigThings@LucyKalantari.com.  

Meet Julie & Anya: the quirky, playful and creative force behind Ants on a Log. They made an impactful debut in the kindie world with their first family album, You Could Draw the Album Art! The Philadelphia Folksong Society describes them, "The folksy duo writes music that songfully advocates for positivity, social justice, and silliness!" And they couldn't be more accurate. Julie & Anya take this responsibility of advocating social justice seriously, and wanted to do more for their community when they found out that their local oil refinery in Philly has plans to expand.

Q. BIG THINGS begin with an intention, what is yours?    
A. Ants on a Log has received great feedback about our socially conscious and educational music, and our musical CURIOUS is a response to the demand for meaningful, progressive educational performances. We wanted to create a show that leaves the audience thinking curiously, questioning, and observing the world around them. 

Q. How are you fulfilling this intention?    
A. CURIOUS encourages kids and their families to "think outside the pipeline" and get curious about other forms of energy beyond oil. The folky feminist musical tells the story of a 12-year-old girl who sees members of her community becoming sick due to the local oil refinery. When she hears of the refinery's plans to expand, she begins to learn more and organizes her neighborhood. 

Q. What barriers have you encountered, and how have you dealt with them?    
A. Learning about the stark realities of pollution, asthma and cancer rates, and poor air quality has been difficult to sit with during this production. We have learned some very startling and discouraging statistics about Philadelphia and other cities. It has been a joyful act of hope and visioning to research the amazing alternatives to oil that are already out there and will hopefully shape our future.

Extra: Share a favorite quote that keeps you motivated.   
"Judge each day not by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds you plant."
– Robert Louis Stevenson 

Thank you Julie & Anya for using your voice to education and move the community into action. CURIOUS has 3 showings in Philly on November 13th & November 19th. Get your tickets now!

I'd like to leave you with one of their lovely songs, "Rooting For the Flowers" off of their debut album, You Could Draw the Album Art. 

#BigThingsThursday is a weekly series of short interviews with people who are doing big things for the community and for the world. If there's someone you think I should highlight, email me: BigThings@LucyKalantari.com​. 

Meet Ricky Kej: Grammy award winning composer, producer and conservationist who made an astounding project for environmental consciousness. It started with what should've been a 10-minute meeting with the Prime Minister of India. Narendra Modi invited Ricky Kej and his wife, Varsha, to simply congratulate them on their Grammy win–the first New Age nomination and win for India. An hour later, they found themselves with an idea based out of their mutual altruistic desire of reminding humanity to respect and preserve our environment. "...we need to return to a symbiotic relationship with our habitat."* Unbelievably, this album was written, recorded and produced in about 2 months, to be presented and handed out at COP 21 in Paris, December, 2015. 

Q. BIG THINGS begin with an intention, what is yours?   
A. My intention is to try and ensure I leave this world a better place than what it was when I entered :-)

Q. How are you fulfilling this intention?   
A. By working hard, creating awareness, spreading a message through the language of music, and searching for like minded people to do the same.

Q. What barriers have you encountered, and how have you dealt with them?   
A. My only barriers have been the limitations of my imagination, and my recurring laziness, which I try and overcome through constant self motivation

Extra: Share a favorite quote that keeps you motivated.  
“The reasonable man adapts himself to the world: the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man.” ― George Bernard Shaw

Thank you Ricky, for doing really BIG THINGS for our world. There are many things about this intention that moves me to my core, one thing is remembering where we are from. And just like we'd want to care for the home we live in, we must care for the home of homes. Earth. 

I leave you with this wonderful song and video off of Ricky Kej's Shanti Samsara album, "One Song".
 

 

Shanti Samsara is currently on the Grammy ballot for Best World Music!

*Excerpt extracted from the Shanti Samsara companion book.

#BigThingsThursday is a weekly series of short interviews with people who are doing big things for the community and for the world. If there's someone you think I should highlight, email me: BigThings@LucyKalantari.com​.

Meet Lloyd H. Miller: musician, songwriter and performer who's passionate about history and passionate about community. For over 13 years, he's been entertaining children and their families while simultaneously teaching them wonderful pieces of history. Whether with his band the Deedle Deedle Dees or his solo sing-alongs, he gets every single person (of any age) involved in the action. 

Q. BIG THINGS begin with an intention, what is yours?  
A. My intention is to bring music where it's not. Where it can heal people. I'm best known to the national family music scene for doing songs based on history and these are part of this mission. Lots of kids have had very negative experiences with social studies -- and with school in general -- and I want to help right that ship in whatever small way I can. I want to get kids excited about stories from stories from history. And stories in general. Show them how stories from their own lives and those of people they know are the stuff of music and art. I'm also very concerned with the "hidden people" of our society. People with serious disabilities. Kids and adults with life-threatening illnesses. People with mental illness. Kids in low-income schools that people tend to call "failing schools." These are all groups that society at large, if we're honest, doesn't really want to deal with (even though people give lip service to helping these groups). I want to bring song to these communities -- and show them they have their own songs to sing. 

Q. How are you fulfilling this intention?  
A. I'm continuing to make my esoteric and combative history-themed albums although they never make any money. And I'm spending more and more time in neighborhoods, schools, and facilities where kids and adults don't get the amazing musical experiences that families with money can have.

Q. What barriers have you encountered, and how have you dealt with them?  
A. Thirteen years after starting the Deedle Deedle Dees, I'm still trying to find my niche. Festivals and kids programming is aimed pretty young -- and tends to focus on upbeat, non-controversial topics. Someone recently told me that I might encounter resistance on the national level with my song about Charles Darwin. I put my head on the table and tried not to cry.

Extra: Share a favorite quote that keeps you motivated. 
“A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by little statesmen and philosophers and divines. With consistency a great soul has simply nothing to do. He may as well concern himself with his shadow on the wall. Speak what you think now in hard words, and to-morrow speak what to-morrow thinks in hard words again, though it contradict every thing you said to-day. — 'Ah, so you shall be sure to be misunderstood.' — Is it so bad, then, to be misunderstood? Pythagoras was misunderstood, and Socrates, and Jesus, and Luther, and Copernicus, and Galileo, and Newton, and every pure and wise spirit that ever took flesh. To be great is to be misunderstood.”  - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Thank you, Lloyd, for giving so much to our community. Personally, I have learned more history (than I care to admit) thanks to you. You continue to be a personal inspiration and mentor on many levels. 

Be sure to catch the Deedle Deedle Dees at their CD release concert at Jalopy Theater on Saturday, October 22nd!

I'll leave you with one of my son's favorite Lloyd songs, "The Rocket Went Up!" off the new Deedle Deedle Dees album, Sing-a-long History, Vol II: The Rocket Went Up! available now on iTunes and CDBaby

#BigThingsThursday is a weekly series of short interviews with people who are doing big things for the community and for the world.

Meet Linda Nelson: producer, songwriter, arranger and a very experienced music industry professional. I met Linda through The Recording Academy when I listened to her song for consideration for the next Grammy Awards. The song was a beautiful arrangement of rap and classical music, with a moving and inspiring message. When I asked more about it, I found out it was the theme song for her organization, Inspiring Youth Dreams.

Q. BIG THINGS begin with an intention, what is yours? 
A. My intention is to inspire youth to live their dreams in the music industry.  

Q. How are you fulfilling this intention? 
A. I fulfill the intention by taking them to the Grammys and all Grammy Week events as my guest.  

Q. What barriers have you encountered, and how have you dealt with them? 
A. Barriers are mostly funding the events...I do a celebrity auction to take the youths to the Grammys and all Grammy week events. 

Check out her wonderful song, "Inspired." It really is inspiring.


For more information on Inspiring Youth Dreams, visit inspiringyouthsdreams.org.

#BigThingsThursdays is a weekly series of short interviews with people who are doing big things for the community and for the world.  

Meet Jon Samson, music therapist, songwriter, producer...this list can get pretty long, but I love that it ends with Professional Goofball, because this man is unafraid to embrace the silly. 

Q. BIG THINGS begin with an intention, what is yours? 
A. My intention is to inspire people of all ages and to facilitate a sense of fun, creativity and well being.  

Q. How are you fulfilling this intention? 
A. Aside from running a music therapy practice where I work with all ages to facilitate expressive, emotional and/ or musical goals, I produce original songs which are multi-layered, so new aspects can be discovered by different folks during different stages of life. While on the surface people know me as a "children's music" artist, my real audience is the Child Archetype which resides in every single human on this planet. As we "grow up" we often lose touch with that eternally playful aspect of ourselves, and I produce my music with this part at heart.  

Q. What barriers have you encountered, and how have you dealt with them? 
A. There is still a stigma attached to "therapy". People often see it as something that is only necessary as a result of a trauma or crisis. As a music therapist, however, I offer creative tools for self care and reflection, which I consider to be preventative medicine. One of the most inspiring teachings I can share is this: The opposite of depression is.... expression. Too often, people are afraid to say what's on their mind, even from a young age... and the more we hold onto our fears and experiences without fully processing them, the heavier we feel. So one of my goals is to help people feel lighter on a more consistent basis. Let's be clear, however, life is not about feeling happy go lucky 24/7, but being authentic and fully present is something which helps us to integrate our emotions, and to be comfortable with who we are. 

These are big things indeed, and we're grateful for his contribution to the world. I'll leave you with Jon's newest song and video, "Focus On ADD".

"I produced 'Focus On ADD' to inspire teachers and parents to encourage the innate abilities in children, instead of telling them to 'focus' on things that don't suit them. I even used the musical notes 'A-D-D' to get the point across." -Jon Samson

For more information on Jon Samson and CoCreative Music, visit www.cocreativemusic.com.

#BigThingsThursdays is a weekly series of short interviews with people who are doing big things for the community and for the world. 

Meet Carmen Castillo-Barrett, Executive Director of the non-profit organization, Kiddie Science in Brooklyn, NY. My son enjoyed summer classes with Ms Carmen at Elk Cafe for 2 summers in a row since he was 2 1/2. The level of detail he remembers about his experience from last year, is a true testament to the dedication of Ms. Carmen's mission, "to plant the seeds of science in the hearts and minds of young children..." 

Q. BIG THINGS begin with an intention, what is yours?
A. I want to leave a mark in this world. I want kids and grown-ups to get excited about science and appreciate its beautifully complicated simplicity. 

Q. How are you fulfilling this intention?
A. I teach fun, hands-on science workshops to young kids through a nonprofit I established, Kiddie Science. I hope that by working with an age group that is already naturally curious that I can plant the seed of science into the hearts and minds of young scientists. 

Q. What barriers have you encountered, and how have you dealt with them?
A. As a Dominican woman in the field of science, the barriers have been plenty! I deal with them by reflecting on how far I've come, taking a deep breath, and moving forward by any means necessary.

Thank you, Ms. Carmen for doing big things in our community. And I'm proud to say that my son has been reaping the benefits of your mission for the past two summers and looks forward to more. 

For more information on Kiddie Science, visit www.kiddiescience.org.