What do you do when your passion never goes away? We experienced a rare beautiful realness while sitting down with Crystal Clarity, a Brooklyn based illustrator, muralist, painter, and arts educator. We talk about not following the rules of movement society, why there's no giving up, the sensory nature of the artist soul, and more. Follow Crystal on Instagram: [at]msclarity83 Support our show with any dollar amount monthly to keep us going by becoming a Weapon of Choice Member at this link: www....
Jan 18, 2019•1 hr 18 min
How do you practice filling your glass beyond half full? In this episode we had the honor and privilege to sit down with Seher in Brooklyn to hear her story and thoughts on journeying upon different creative avenues, balancing and mitigating trajectories for success, opening windows for self-evolving and healing, and more. Dig in and enjoy! Follow Seher on Instagram: [at]seher Support our show with any dollar amount monthly to keep us going by becoming a Weapon of Choice Member at this link: www...
Dec 18, 2018•1 hr 48 min
How do you honor your hopefulness? We had the immense pleasure of sitting down with performance poet Joseph Capehart in Brooklyn, NYC for an insightful, beautifully honest conversation. We talked about the creative processes, navigating personal and professional art life as a black man, the importance of being unapologetic in the name of growth, and more. Enjoy! Follow Joseph on Instagram: [at]sirjosephcapehart Twitter [at]jhartcape Featured song: "History" by Mmyykk Support our show with any do...
Nov 28, 2018•1 hr 49 min
Do you censor yourself in your daily life? Palestinian American artist Lamia Abukhadra takes us down a brilliant unique road of changing the story in the name of justice; her exploration and experimentation will have us all thinking long and hard about the many ways we communicate history and voice truths in the complex world. It was a joy and honor to hear Lamia's story and learn about her powerful interdisciplinary art-making. Enjoy! Follow Lamia on Instagram: [at]lamiaabukhadra Featured song:...
Nov 19, 2018•1 hr 31 min
How do you imagine building on the progressive political wins of 2018? We talked with civil rights activist and author DeRay Mckesson about visions for a better, more just future for all, understanding and focusing on the implications of various forms of systematic oppression, the power of joy, imagination, and more. Purchase Deray’s book, "On the Other Side of Freedom" here: https://deray.com/buy/ Follow DeRay on Instagram: [at]iamderay and Twitter:[at]deray Support our show with any dollar amo...
Nov 13, 2018•28 min
What do you have when you listen deeply to another’s truth? Olivia Gatwood joined us in Minneapolis to talk about her journey, the complexities of creating and building a career, the beauty and struggles of evolving as an artist, and more. Be inspired by her words and voice. Featured poems by Olivia Gatwood: “Ode to the Women on Long Island” (39:04) “Alternate Universe in Which I Am Unfazed by the Men Who Do Not Love Me” (56:21) Purchase Olivia’s book, “New American Best Friend” here: https://bu...
Nov 10, 2018•59 min
Who motivates you to “level up”? Behold our Brooklyn interview with author and radical historian Blair Imani. If you’ve never heard her story, start here, and don’t stop paying attention to her pivotal work and contributions across movements. You’ll be inspired and energized to be as bold as Blair, and she and others would love to see you in the fight for inclusion, justice and equality! Purchase Blair’s new book, “Modern HERstory” here: https://blairimani.com/books/ Follow Blair on Instagram an...
Oct 12, 2018•1 hr 22 min
How do you show up for community with a humble heart? Sagirah Shahid joined us to talk about her life and its clear connections to her creativity. Her memories are voiced to fill up the library of thoughts in our minds as she gives us insight into her personal and creative journey. It was such an honor to share this beautiful time with Sagirah, and we know you'll enjoy this conversation! Featured poems by Sagirah Shahid Follow Sagirah on Twitter: @sagirahS Support our show with any dollar amount...
Oct 05, 2018•1 hr 59 min
What does it mean to have balance in your life? Our amazing and introspective guest, James Spooner, reflectively illustrated some of his life and work when he sat down to talk with us at his L.A. vegan tattoo studio, Monocle Tattoo, where he never loses sight of a greater need for his people seeking healthy, meaningful and lasting ink. James leaves a trail of revolutionary sparks, going back to his groundbreaking documentary, AFRO-PUNK, and beyond. Look forward to his writing, too, as he gets re...
Aug 17, 2018•1 hr 49 min
How do you live from your core? Our guest, Mica Grimm, shared with us some of her layers, some of what she's learned from movements and a life growing further into consciousness, and more. Her approach to art and awakening embodies her passion for her people and a better, more just world. It was a joy to share time and space with Mica. Enjoy her words, and let them stay with you. Follow Mica on Instagram: @micamaryjane Featured Song: Indigo Party by Renée Copeland Support our show with any dolla...
Jul 30, 2018•1 hr 35 min
What have you wanted to say and have yet to say it? No one tells the truth quite like visual artist, photographer, and writer, Star Montana. She speaks every version of the truth, including the ugly truth, and she makes the ugly truth beautiful. That's the kind of truth we need more of, and we are grateful as ever to share her words and passions with you. Follow Star on Instagram: @starmontana Featured Song: "Breathe" from the Dismembered & Unarmed compilation album Support our show with any...
Jul 19, 2018•1 hr 55 min
Robin DiAngelo, PhD, author of one of this year’s most important and thought-provoking books (New York Times Bestseller, “White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism”), sat down with us in St. Paul, Minnesota to go deep and challenge our sensitivities to race, privilege, power, and complicitness. Share this episode with family, friends, and colleagues. Listen to this conversation often to stay grounded in the collective work, learning, and unlearning we must do to put...
Jul 13, 2018•1 hr 39 min
In what ways does truth pour out of you? Real dialogue with ourselves and each other sets us down a path of discovery, healing, and shared liberation. This episode’s guest is Jasmine Boudah, author, educator, revolutionary doula, social justice and breastfeeding advocate, among other things. We were blessed and delighted to get real and righteous in this interview! Featured Song: "You Got It, Pts. I & II" from the Dismembered & Unarmed compilation album Buy Jasmine's book Mothering Throu...
Jul 06, 2018•1 hr 31 min
What is one of the best ways to sustain ourselves? We can have intimate, candid conversations about important issues and personal journeys. This episode’s interview with Resmaa Menakem explores deep perspectives on historical trauma in the body, race, resilience, measures of strength through community and creativity, and more! Featured Song: "Processions" from the upcoming Dismembered & Unarmed compilation album (6/15/18) https://dismemberedandunarmed.bandcamp.com/ Buy Resmaa's book My Grand...
Jun 03, 2018•1 hr 54 min
Alexis Pauline Gumbs graces Weapon of Choice to tell us about her work, creative journey, challenging us to deeper reflections on darkness and light and everything in between, heritage and humanity, as well as her new book, M Archive, which can be found here: https://www.dukeupress.edu/m-archive Support our show and become a member at this link: https://www.patreon.com/weaponofchoicepodcast Please rate and review Weapon of Choice Podcast on iTunes Follow us on social media here: Facebook: @weapo...
Apr 13, 2018•1 hr 44 min
Weapon of Choice opens its second season with its first live show, and it was special. Russian political punk art collective Pussy Riot stopped in St. Paul, Minnesota on their first U.S. tour, and we were honored they asked us to open for them at the Turf Club with a Q & A. We had a blast and hope you enjoy it all! Featured song: “Straight Outta Vagina" by Pussy Riot Support our show and become a member at this link: https://www.patreon.com/weaponofchoicepodcast Please rate and review Weapon...
Mar 19, 2018•51 min
Tommy and Andrew are excited and grateful to bring you a new season full of powerful voices immersed in art intertwined with taking action. Stay tuned for new episodes, and spread the word! Support our show to keep us going and become a member at this link: https://www.patreon.com/weaponofchoicepodcast Featured song: "In Shadows"by William Ross Chernoffs Nomads Please rate and review Weapon of Choice Podcast on iTunes Follow us on social media here: Facebook: @weaponofchoicepodcast Instagram: @w...
Mar 19, 2018•6 min
What is your capacity to double down on our collective liberation? Sarah White, Minneapolis artist with no bounds, shared a multitude of thoughts on art and life, her experiences balancing different worlds, and challenging ourselves to be powerful agents of beautiful change. We’re grateful she sat down with us to wrap up this amazing first season of the pod! Huge thanks to everyone for listening to Weapon of Choice! Featured Song: Through People - Sarah White Hear more of Sarah's music at https:...
Mar 19, 2018•1 hr 30 min
How will you take responsibility for your consumption footprint? We sat down with Julie Kearns, the founder and finder of Junket: Tossed and Found, the revolutionary reusable goods store in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Julie discusses her visionary work to open our minds to the beautiful and honest possibilities of truly changing our collective habits to preserve humanity and honor the future generations. It’s on us. Support our show and become a member at this link: https://www.patreon.com/weaponofc...
Mar 19, 2018•1 hr 8 min
How much do we learn about ourselves through our work? What do our friendships teach us about ourselves? We sat down on the Penumbra Theatre stage in St. Paul, Minnesota with Obie Award-winning director Lou Bellamy. Mr. Bellamy is the founder and Artistic Director Emeritus of Penumbra Theatre and has accomplishments that would take 3 hours to name off. We talked about the importance of never losing sight of history to guide us creatively into the future, the freedom of living boldly into blackne...
Mar 19, 2018•1 hr 8 min
How does the earth move you to dance and sing? We sat down with ecosexual pop singer Ecca Echo to talk about the power of voice, movement and music and it's relationship to the planet, the ecological implications of the internet, tapping into the fearless self, and more. Featured song: "Froth Forth" by Ecca Echo https://soundcloud.com/ecca-echo Support our show and become a member at this link: https://www.patreon.com/weaponofchoicepodcast Please rate and review Weapon of Choice Podcast on iTune...
Mar 19, 2018•1 hr 22 min
Many of you would agree with hosts Tommy and Andrew that the world needs art that addresses the issues we care about now more than ever. Powerful conversations are happening-and not just in these interviews, but everywhere. We love and appreciate listener feedback, especially when listeners send us messages quoting our guests! We believe that a people-powered podcast is important. Now we need your help as a sustaining listener member, and you can pledge your support today! Supporting us at any a...
Mar 19, 2018•2 min
New York based comedian, musician, and writer Marcia Belsky joined us over the phone from Brooklyn, New York to talk about her passion for making people laugh, paving her own path in the male-dominated stand up comedy scene, remaining fervently outspoken in the face of sexism, drowning out droning misogynists, and more. Keep up with all the great things Marcia creates at www.marciabelsky.com This episode's featured song is "All Older White Men" by Free the Mind (Marcia's band) Here's the hilario...
Mar 19, 2018•1 hr 3 min
What's your "cover story"? What are your layers of truth? We joined Ricardo Levins Morales in his studio in Minneapolis, Minnesota to talk intriguing inspirations to create art. We discuss hope for the future, how to create sustainable narratives in pursuit of justice, visioning for the long term, and more. Featured song: "Carpet" by Renée Copeland https://soundcloud.com/ren-e-copeland Please rate and review us on iTunes and follow us here: Facebook: @weaponofchoicepodcast Instagram: @weaponofch...
Mar 19, 2018•1 hr 16 min
How do you tap into the fluidity of your identity? We headed over to Northeast Minneapolis Arts District and joined visual artist Leslie Barlow for an intimate conversation on channeling identity through art and daily life. Enjoy! Be sure to rate and review us if you like what we're bringing you! Featured song: "NotOnMyWatch" by Muja Messiah Bandcamp: https://mujamessiah.bandcamp.com Follow us: Instagram: @weaponofchoicepodcast Facebook: @weaponofchoicepodcast Twitter: @weaponchoicepod
Mar 19, 2018•1 hr 18 min
We hit up last Sunday's Stand 4 Kaepernick #takeaknee rally at the Minnesota Vikings game in Minneapolis, Minnesota to hear from some fellow freedom fighters. Dear Listeners, we want to know, what does "showing up" mean to you? Email us weaponofchoicefans@gmail.com Featured poem: Red Bull by Renée Copeland More of Renée's music on Soundcloud: https://m.soundcloud.com/ren-e-copeland Rate and review us on iTunes. Follow us: Instagram: @weaponofchoicepodcast Facebook: @weaponofchoicepodcast Twitter...
Mar 19, 2018•1 hr 2 min
Minneapolis based hip-hop artist Tufawon invited us into his studio to talk about his time at Standing Rock, his experiences on the Big Oil divestment front lines around the world, and creating art for social change. Featured Song: "Like Her" by Tufawon https://soundcloud.com/tufawon Rate and review us on iTunes. Follow us: Instagram: @weaponofchoicepodcast Facebook: @weaponofchoicepodcast Twitter: @weaponchoicepod
Mar 19, 2018•1 hr 38 min
When you hear the words "theatrical dance", what comes to mind? Most of us can part ways with how we imagine the art form after hearing this interview. Dr. Ananya Chatterjea is a renowned choreographer, dancer, founder and Artistic Director of Ananya Dance Theatre. On this episode, Ananya breaks down the journey of creating her works, how a show evolves over the coarse of rehearsing for a whole year before each performance, and the battles always worth fighting for in dance. Today's featured son...
Mar 19, 2018•1 hr 26 min
The bi’ bi-lingual political punk band DOWNTOWN BOYS immediately steps off stage and sits down with Tommy and Andrew to talk decolonization in the music industry and more. Their new album, Cost of Living, is out now. Plus, learn about the origins of Weapon of Choice. Listen to Downtown Boys new album: https://downtownboys.bandcamp.com/ Today’s featured song: Love Hype by Renee Copeland Follow Renee at her soundcloud page: https://soundcloud.com/ren-e-copeland Instagram: @weaponofchoicepodcast Fa...
Mar 19, 2018•43 min
