Shout Out! We're ALL Special!

Feisty and energized, the two Lords of ZLORD, teZa and Carter are at it again, on their own. In between back-to-back sessions with their special guest of two previous podcasts -- in which she offers the world her unique worldview, Dr. Dorothy Israel will return to continue offering us a unique oral history of her life as, first, a Black girl in Harlem, then as a Black mental health and social worker in Manhattan -- the Lords' conversation here centers on how every single person's life story, no matter how "ordinary" is important. "What is success?" they ask and define. Not by celebrity status, peer acknowledgment or financial sums, but the feeling of worthiness each of us has about our own special place in the world. They recount the story of one friend, who as she was preparing to leave this world from terminal cancer, went to Cracker Barrel, an odd thing for a staunch vegetarian to do. There, everyone Shushila saw, was aglow with "the spark of the Divine" or "God Within." The two Lords banter about how society forces us to question our levels of success, especially when dealing with the public, like artists and filmmakers, as our hosts are, have to do. Everything a creative person puts out is scrutinized by the public. But each artist, shared so honestly here, has to find success for themself in their own assessment of their creative achievements. Success comes from within, not from without. Also discussed is the need to address racism more here on the podcast, in this particular time in human history. Now is the time of the "opened" door through which many are allowed access to know and understand how others of color truly feel about their own special lives. Each life is special. And each person's life story is important. We'd love to know about yours. Write us at [email protected] so we can share your story with the world.