Aspire with Osha: art, nature, humanity

Osha and guest, Erin Kelly, discuss the California Billionaire Tax Act, a one-time tax on billionaires to help fund the gap left by the bill Congress passed that gave huge tax cuts to the wealthiest 1 % and cut funding for healthcare. (called "The big beautiful Bill" by its sponsors).As a result of the cuts, our healthcare costs continue to rise, millions will lose their coverage, and hospitals and clinics will shut down, threatening the very fabric of our healthcare system. How does the Billionaire Tax Act work to address the coming healthcare collapse? How does it work? Who pays and how much? Will it cause billionaires to flee California to avoid a one-time tax, or is that a scare tactic? Listen to learn more. For more info  https://billionairetaxnow.org/Funding details  https://www.fppc.ca.gov/If you enjoyed this show, please leave a positive review and share with your friends. Thank you!  Osha

With wealth inequality growing by the minute, and the dismantling or hollowing out of public programs, there is now, perhaps more than ever, a need for charitable giving. In today’s interview, we’ll reveal the results of an important report on the status of the Giving Pledge - 15 years after its creation.   You may be wondering, what is the Giving Pledge? Founders Bill Gates, ex-wife Melinda French and Warren Buffet established the Pledge to encourage greater charitable giving by billionaires to fulfill their commitment to the public good. Stay tuned to hear what this report reveals about philanthropic giving. The funding bill passed in 2025 by Congress transfers even more wealth from working people to billionaires and large corporations by lowering their tax rates. Are they using that wealth to give back to the common good through charitable giving? How have things changed in the past 15 years?BioOur guest is Bella DeVaan, Associate Director of the Charity Reform Initiative and a Co-editor of Inequality.org.  DeVaan graduated cum laude with a B.A. in American Studies from Columbia University, where she studied inequality and philanthropy. This podcast covers a lot of information, so I'm including relevant links.Report on the Giving Pledge, 15 years later: https://ips-dc.org/report-giving-pledge-at-15/https://inequality.orghttps://inequality.org/subscribeBook: Burned by Billionaires - by Chuck Collins If you enjoyed this show, please leave a positive review and share with your friends. Thank you!  Osha

Hello Friends,This is Osha and I want to share a poem that came tumbling out yesterday morning in response to the murders of Renee Good and Alex Pretti and all the brave souls who gathered in the streets of Minneapolis, in below freezing cold to protest. I stand with you.If you enjoyed this show, please leave a positive review and share with your friends. Thank you!  Osha

How is the billionaire class harming you? The answer may be deeper and more pervasive than you imagined.My guest, Chuck Collins, author of Burned by Billionaires, is an expert in the subject of rising wealth inequality. The share of US wealth concentrated in the top .01% has grown exponentially.  Within one year, during the pandemic, while many people and small businesses were struggling to survive, the total wealth of the billionaire class grew by about 54%.  Chuck Collins is a senior scholar at the Institute for Policy Studies where he co-edits Inequality.org - and is the author of numerous books and articles.The greatest social disruption is driven by households in the top one-tenth of one percent. The excesses of the few have out-sized costs for the rest of us. As we talk, you may recognize some of the harms you have experienced in your own life. How about the rising costs of food, housing, health care, education, and the increasing effects of the climate crisis and media consolidation. Is this situation sustainable?How can we change the status quo and shift to a healthier more prosperous system for everyone?  You may recognize my guest, Chuck Collins, from our previous episodes: #54 How Trillions in Hidden Wealth Impacts Us;  #52 Unveiling the Power of Activism in the Climate Crisis, and in the more recent episode #59, Hijacked by Billionaires.   Why so much attention to this issue? Because a small adjustment to wealth accumulation by the few can have a tremendous benefit for the future of humanity and our planet. This episode is a call for a better world, one where we can thrive together. After listening, you may want to gather and talk with your neighbors and friends, share stories and ideas, and celebrate the joy of community. When we join our voices and work together, we are powerful. For more information:Chuck Collins https://www.chuckcollinswrites.comAn excellent newsletter  https://inequality.orgExcessive CEO Pay:  https://inequality.org/article/pope-ceo-pay/Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Rashida Tlaib are spearheading an effort behind one particularly promising solution: hefty tax hikes on companies with huge gaps between their CEO and median worker pay. Their recently introduced Tax Excessive CEO Pay Act would base the CEO-worker pay ratio on five-year averages of the total compensation for a firm’s highest-paid executive and median worker. The tax increases would start at 0.5 percentage points on companies with gaps of 50 to 1 and top out at five percentage points on firms that pay their CEO more than 500 times median worker pay. Billionaire wealth concentration. https://inequality.org/article/billionaire-wealth-concentration-is-even-worse-than-you-imagine/Charity Reform Initiative https://inequality.org/action/charity-reform-initiative/If you enjoyed this show, please leave a positive review and share with your friends. Thank you!  Osha

Honoring Dorothea Lange, the American documentary photographer and photojournalist who, through her snapshots and commentary, recorded the consequences of the Dust Bowl, the Great Depression and WWII in California.Snapshots in black & white illustrate the human suffering and struggle to survive of farmers fleeing the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression, and the internment of Japanese American citizens.A walk through the past brings us back to today. Here we are, 95 years years after the Dust Bowl and Great Depression. Poverty is spiking in the country with the highest concentration of billionaires in the world, the U.S.A. Through the machinations of the billionaires and fossil fuel corporations, the White House has rolled back progress in dealing with  the climate crisis. Remember the suffering and loss caused by the Dust Bowl? Remember the devastation caused by the Great Depression? I don’t. I wasn’t even born yet. But we have much to learn from that bleak period. Much that applies to our times, to 2026 and beyond. For information on those times, see my blog post https://oshahayden.com/honoring-dorothea-lange-95-years-later/ After experiencing the live performance of Last West Roadsongs for Dorothea Lange at the Sonoma Valley Museum of Art, this is what floated up for me. https://svma.org/exhibition/last-west/For more: https://oshahayden.com/RELEVANT HISTORY The DUST BOWL “Between 1930 and 1940, the southwestern Great Plains region of the United States suffered a severe drought. Once a semi-arid grassland, the treeless plains became home to thousands of settlers when, in 1862, Congress passed the Homestead Act. Most of the settlers farmed their land or grazed cattle. The farmers plowed the prairie grasses and planted dry land wheat. As the demand for wheat products grew, cattle grazing was reduced, and millions more acres were plowed and planted.Dry land farming on the Great Plains led to the systematic destruction of the prairie grasses. In the ranching regions, overgrazing also destroyed large areas of grassland. Gradually, the land was laid bare, and significant environmental damage began to occur. Among the natural elements, the strong winds of the region were particularly devastating.With the onset of drought in 1930, the overfarmed and overgrazed land began to blow away. Winds whipped across the plains, raising billowing clouds of dust. The sky could darken for days, and even well-sealed homes could have a thick layer of dust on the furniture. In some places, the dust drifted like snow, covering farm buildings and houses. Nineteen states in the heartland of the United States became a vast dust bowl. With no chance of making a living, farm families abandoned their homes and land, fleeing westward to become migrant laborers.”“In all, 400,000 people left the Great Plains, victims of the combined action of severe drought and poor soil conservation practices.”“In his 1939 book The Grapes of Wrath, author John Steinbeck described the flight of families from the Dust Bowl: "And then the dispossessed were drawn west--from Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico; from Nevada and Arkansas, families, tribes, dusted out, tractored out. Car-loads, caravans, homeless and hungry; twenty thousand and fifty thousand and a hundred thousand and two hundred thousand. They streamed over the mountains, hungry and restless--restless as ants, scurrying to find work to do--to lift, to push, to pick, to cut--anything, any burden to bear, for food. The kids are hungry. We got no place to live. Like ants scurrying for work, for food, and most of all for land." Library of Congress US History If you enjoyed this show, please leave a positive review and share with your friends. Thank you!  Osha

Today we are talking about the billionaires that have hijacked the American government. My guest, Chuck Collins, is uniquely qualified to talk about this issue. As heir to a family fortune, he had an insider’s seat at the table of wealth management - and what he learned about how things operate - caused him to do something considered radical - by the others at the table. He chose to donate his inheritance and dedicate himself to exposing the corrupting influence of dynastic wealth.  This is Aspire with Osha; art, nature, humanity,  and I’m your host, Osha Hayden. My guest Chuck Collins, has been on the show several times. Let me tell you more about this remarkable man.Chuck Collins is the Director of the Program on Inequality and the Common Good at the Institute for Policy Studies where he co-edits Inequality.org.  Author of several books on wealth inequality, including most recently, The Wealth Hoarders: How Billionaires Pay Millions to Hide Trillions. He also wrote a novel, Altars to an Erupting Sun and has a new book coming out this Fall, and we’ll hear more about that.You may have listened to our previous interview from Nov 5, 2023,  available on my podcast https://oshahayden.com/podcast/how-trillions-in-hidden-wealth-impacts-us-insights-from-chuck-collins/Osha and Chuck Collins discuss what happens when wealth is transferred from working citizens to the top .01% and billionaires are able to influence policy and elections.Are you curious about how billionaires have captured such a large percentage of the world’s wealth? About how they have rigged the system in their favor and yet pay so little in taxes?  Chuck Collins states that “the combined wealth of the nine-figure club is now $16.1 trillion, up $2 trillion from a year ago.”  What are some steps we can take to challenge the takeover of our government by Billionaire oligarchs?We discuss what happens when mega billionaires seize control of the levers of power, and how that affects middle class and poor citizens.In Tolkien’s masterpiece, The Lord of the Rings, he describes the rings of power and the one ring to rule them all.  In the trilogy, evil and hatred are on the rise and the dark lord Sauron seeks to find this ultimate ring of power. Because - once he takes possession of the ring, he has control over everything. But the ring is toxic in its power, it utterly corrupts the soul of whoever carries it. Osha notes the relevance of this story to the corrupting influence of extreme wealth and power.It’s worth noting that although one of Musk’s corporations, Tesla, is valued at over $1 trillion, it paid zero income tax last year. (ITEP, Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, Jan 30, 2025) https://itep.org/tesla-reported-zero-federal-income-tax-in-2024/The US Debt is now over 36 trillion. It is estimated that the budget package being proposed would add another 5.1 trillion to the deficit. Who is on the hook for that deficit?Chuck Collins has a new book, Burned by Billionaires, coming out this Fall. Learn more about Chuck’s work and his books: https://inequality.orghttps://www.chuckcollinswrites.com/Other Sites of Interest:https://www.postcarbon.org/.  Richard Heinberg, author of If you enjoyed this show, please leave a positive review and share with your friends. Thank you!  Osha

In an inspiring conversation with Justine Willis Toms, co-founder of New Dimensions Radio, Osha and Justine discuss the power of deep listening and holding space as they navigate the troubled water of these times with vision, spirit and joy. Justine shares powerful practices and lessons from her storied career. As one of the founding conveners of the Millionth Circle Initiative, she has been engaged in Circle Work for decades and speaks about the value of these Circles, especially in difficult times. The Millionth Circle Initiative, is based on Jean Shinoda Bolen’s groundbreaking book, The Millionth Circle.About Justine Willis Toms is Co-Founder, Executive Director and Host of New Dimensions Radio & Media which has been broadcasting since 1973. New Dimensions is an internationally syndicated radio series, featuring dialogues with the world’s most visionary wisdom leaders. Justine, along with co-founder Michael Toms, was inducted to the 2011 Broadcasters Hall of Fame.Justine Willis Toms has also hosted the radio series In Her Company: Deep Dialogues with Women of Wisdom, and has produced many award-winning radio series. Besides her radio work, she leads workshops on Finding Grace in a Chaotic World.  She is coauthor with Michael Toms of True Work: Doing What You Love and Loving What You Do, and author of Small Pleasures: Finding Grace in a Chaotic World. In June 2004, she was one of thirty people in the world invited to participate in the Synthesis Dialogues with His Holiness the Dalai Lama.Check out New Dimensions Radio & media:  https://newdimensions.org/You can hear Justine on her podcasts: New Dimensions Radio, and New Dimensions Cafe  https://newdimensions.org/podcasts/Learn about Circle Work:  https://millionthcircle.org/Jean Shinoda Bolen: https://www.jeanbolen.com/@aspirewithOsha, @buzzsprout, @newdimensions.org, @millionthcircle.org, @oshahayden.comIf you enjoyed this show, please leave a positive review and share with your friends. Thank you!  Osha

Today we’re talking with guest, Larry Tye, about how the joyful swinging sounds of jazz broke through racial barriers during the time of Jim Crow - not only in America - but across the world — and how famous jazz men, Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong & Count Basie, basically wrote the soundtrack for the Civil Rights movement in America.ABOUT LARRY TYEMy guest is Larry Tye, New York Times bestselling author who has written nine books - including his recent, The Jazzmen: How Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong & Count Basie Transformed America. From 1986 to 2001, Tye was an award-winning reporter at The Boston Globe, where his primary beat was medicine. Tye graduated from Brown University, was a Nieman Fellow at Harvard University, and taught journalism at Boston University, Northeastern, and Tufts.In the preface to his book, The Jazzmen: How Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong & Count Basie Transformed America, Larry Tye states:“This book lies at the intersection of two American stories — one about this country at it most hidebound and straightlaced, the other about jazz, the all-American music form, at its most locomotive and sensuous. We’ll follow those contortions in the enclosed and electrifying settings of honky tonks - and concert halls.” Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong & Count Basie were trailblazers who brought jazz to the masses and in so doing, broke racial boundaries. Ultimately, they became global ambassadors for the United States as they exported their joyful swinging sounds and brought crowds to their feet. For more information, you can read Larry Tye's deeply researched book, The Jazzmen: How Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong & Count Basie Transformed America.It’s ironic that the grandson of slaves, an abandoned son raised by a family of Lithuanian Jews, and the son of a coachman & laundress rose to fame and became the face of jazz on the international stage - they met the Queen, were toasted by numerous Presidents, were on the celebrity A-list.  Because of them, people began to see black men in a different light. The Jazzmen created the soundtrack for the Civil Rights Movement and opened doors for those to come.My question for you:  Can we help lift and unify the world through our art forms? Can we go go viral with the expression of joy? What would you rather experience and support - doom and negativity - or joy and hope? Perhaps the example of these jazzmen shows us the way.Thanks for listening. Have an inspired week - and live your joy!https://larrytye.com@buzzsproutIf you enjoyed this show, please leave a positive review and share with your friends. Thank you!  Osha

Join our journey through the captivating world of art and its profound influence on societal transformation with Ken Grossinger, a strategist and documentary producer with a wealth of experience. This episode promises to reveal the often underestimated power of art to incite and sustain meaningful change. We reminisce about the civil rights movement and the United Farm Workers, where anthems and theatrical performances weren't just acts of expression but were essential to the courage and unity of those fighting for justice. Ken provides insights into how these artistic endeavors have left an indelible mark on our society.Our conversation takes an exciting turn into the realm of cinema, where we unpack the extraordinary impact of films like "The China Syndrome" and "Nine to Five" and "Chasing Ice" on public awareness and activism. These cultural landmarks demonstrate the unique ability of movies to inform and mobilize, creating ripples of change that extend far beyond the silver screen. We also discuss the evolution of environmental activism's artistic expression. From silent landscapes to resonant songs in the campaign against Alaska's Pebble Mine, we see how art has become an integral voice in the chorus for environmental preservation.The episode rounds off with a look at the transformative role of museums and foundations in community activism and social justice. Museums are stepping out of the shadows to become beacons of progress, taking an active stance on pressing issues by engaging with the stories and struggles of the communities they represent. Through the lens of initiatives like the Art for Justice Fund and the JPB Foundation's integrated funding approach, we uncover how strategic collaborations between artists, philanthropists, and activists are crafting a new narrative for social change, proving that the brush, the lens, and the pen are mightier than ever before.For more info: https://www.artworksbook.comIf you enjoyed this show, please leave a positive review and share with your friends. Thank you!  Osha

When the harsh realities of racism and gun violence collide, the result can be life altering. This week's guest, Dr. Brian Williams, a trauma surgeon turned congressional candidate, opens up about one such pivotal night that altered his trajectory: the July 7, 2016 Dallas protest shooting.  Amid the chaos of that evening, Dr. Williams found his voice in advocacy, pushing for societal healing and unity in the face of discrimination and tragedy.  As we listen to his journey, you'll feel the weight of history and the urgency of his mission to serve a nation, especially as he reflects on his family's military legacy and the racial barriers they've endured.Our conversation with Dr. Williams doesn't shy away from the uncomfortable truths that lay at the intersection of professional obligation and racial identity.  His impromptu call for unity, born from the depths of despair and hope after the Dallas shooting, serves as a powerful reminder of the work needed to forge safer communities.  Dr. Williams's experience as a Black man in America and his commitment to ending violence extend into our discussion on the role of empathy and storytelling. It's an exploration of how these tools can lead to profound social change and the importance of acknowledging our shared humanity to overcome health disparities and systemic injustice.By the end of our dialogue, it's evident that Dr. Williams is not only a physician committed to saving lives but also a visionary aiming to reshape the fabric of our society.  He shares insights from his book, "The Bodies Keep Coming" and discusses his aspirations for Congress—where his unique perspective as a trauma surgeon, veteran, and Black American can influence policy for the betterment of all. This episode is an invitation to recognize the potential for change that each of us holds and the critical impact our individual actions can have on the collective journey toward equity and justice. Join us for this powerful episode, and leave with a renewed understanding of the complexities of race, gun violence, and the potential for healing in America.The Bodies Keep Coming: Dispatches From a Black Trauma Surgeon on Racism, Violence, and How We Heal https://brianwilliamsmd.com/https://drbrianwilliamsforcongress.com/If you enjoyed this show, please leave a positive review and share with your friends. Thank you!  Osha

Ever wondered how those with over $30 million maintain and grow their wealth while paying bare minimum taxes? Join us as we unveil the dark underbelly of wealth accumulation and preservation with Chuck Collins, acclaimed author of 'Wealth Hoarders'. In a candid conversation, Collins unravels the complex web of the wealth defense industry, detailing how the wealthy maneuver their fortunes off the balance sheets, and shockingly, position the US as their preferred tax haven.  How has the U.S. become the favored country for  Russian oligarchs, criminals and drug lords to hide their ill gotten gains?  The revelations don't stop there. We delve deeper into the grim consequences of hidden wealth on our local communities. Examining the Getty family's tax evasion strategies that ran California a loss of $300 million, the manipulation of South Dakota's trust industry to allow wealth to accumulate forever beyond taxation, and the rising ghost neighborhoods as a result of hidden wealth driving up housing prices - it's all here. And for those seeking solutions, Collins doesn't disappoint. We discuss how the US and UK can spearhead a global transparency system, and highlight revealing films like 'The Laundromat' and 'We're Not Broke'. Get ready for a compelling dialogue that starkly exposes vast wealth disparities and the urgent need for reform.https://inequality.orghttps://www.icij.orghttps://www.chuckcollinswrites.comWatch the trailer for The Laundromat here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuBRcfe4bSoWatch We're Not Broke here - free:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPHlhzRSEnwIf you enjoyed this show, please leave a positive review and share with your friends. Thank you!  Osha

Have you ever wondered if your investments could pack a powerful punch for both your wallet and the world? Dale Wannen, veteran wealth manager and founder of Sustainvest Asset Management LLC, takes us on a deep dive into the transformative realm of sustainable investing. With over two decades of experience, Dale illuminates the journey of sustainable investing, debunking the myth that prioritizing ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) factors means sacrificing financial gains. From using ESG ratings to avoid the pitfalls of greenwashing to highlighting the growing influence of electric and hydrogen vehicles, Dale provides a comprehensive and insightful exploration of the rapidly evolving investment landscape.Let’s not stop there. We turn the spotlight onto the power of small investors to effect meaningful change through shareholder activism, a compelling topic that often gets overshadowed. Dale unravels how, with the right tools and knowledge, even the smallest investor can influence the trajectories of publicly traded companies. We navigate through the process of compiling shareholder proposals, the role of regulatory bodies, and the crucial importance of casting informed votes. Lastly, we delve into the vast and exciting possibilities that the future holds for sustainable investing. From the burgeoning popularity of robo advisors and AI-driven investing, to the intriguing potentials of cryptocurrency and the metaverse, Dale shares his predictions and insights. His recent book, 'Don't Feed the Clowns: Sustainable Investing for Everyday Life,' serves as a beacon for those looking to align their investments with their values. Join us for this empowering and thought-provoking conversation that will inspire you to contribute positively to our planet's future, through informed and responsible investment choices.Sustainvest Asset Management LLCIf you enjoyed this show, please leave a positive review and share with your friends. Thank you!  Osha

What if our individual actions and social movements could change the course of the climate crisis? Today's enthralling conversation with Chuck Collins, a prominent campaigner and author, challenges us to contemplate this very question. He shares his wisdom on the power of activism, the importance of building resilience, and the urgent need to take action in our fight for environmental justice. Through his new novel, Altar to an Erupting Sun, he prompts us to consider the moral and ethical implications of our current climate predicament.In this conversation, we challenge the unchecked authority of the fossil fuel industry and its impact on our society. We delve into potential forms of resistance like physical disruption, capital divestment, and the exposure of dark money. Our discussion is not just about the global stage, but also about local action. We discuss the commendable sustainability endeavours of Sonoma County, using it as a beacon of hope for other communities. The intricate web of corporate power and money is laid bare as we scrutinize the influence of the Koch Brothers on our political landscape.Join us as we dig deep into the issues surrounding the climate crisis and the struggle for environmental justice. We navigate through the convoluted realms of corporate power, while also gratifyingly highlighting the power of individuals and communities in this battle. So, tune in as we explore the importance of stepping up where we have agency, taking bold action, and driving towards a more equitable society. Chuck Collins' insights are sure to spark your resolve as we strive towards a greener and fairer future.Chuck Collins is a campaigner and storyteller who has worked for decades on environmental and economic justice campaigns.  He is the Director of the Program on Inequality and the Common Good at the Institute for Policy Studies where he co-edits Inequality.org.  He is cofounder of DivestInvest.org, a global movement to divest from fossil fuels and invest in climate solutions; and trustee of the Post-Carbon Institute and Resilience.org. Author of several books on wealth inequality, including most recently, The Wealth Hoarders: How Billionaires Pay Millions to Hide Trillions -      His first novel, Altar to an Erupting Sun has won high praise. If you enjoyed this show, please leave a positive review and share with your friends. Thank you!  Osha

Osha and Philip Shepherd discuss Deep Fitness, an anti-aging  exercise practice that builds muscle, promotes the health of every tissue and organ in your body, and brings you into harmony with your body-mind-spirit.  Research has proven that aging can be - at a cellular level - reversed by putting stress on our muscles which then triggers longevity regulators that science has revealed.  Can you just take a magic pill? No. What’s required is to push yourself beyond your comfort zone.  And this is where mindful and embodied presence brings you home to yourself.It does require some effort on your part - but the good news is - our bodies have evolved to protect and repair our DNA - and it only takes 30 minutes once or twice a week to gain the benefits.No matter how old you are, current research shows that you can gain muscle mass and get stronger.  We now know that when muscles are challenged to work, messenger molecules are released that promote the health of every tissue and organ. Science has discovered that strength training is powerful anti-aging medicine.  Philip Shepherd and Andrei Yakovenko co-authored the book:Deep Fitness: The Mindful, Science-Based Strength-Training Method to Transform Your Well-Being in Just 30 Minutes a Week.According to Dr. Doug McGuff, MD. and physiology expert, “Aging and diseases of modern civilization are 100% related to pathological muscle loss that occurs with aging.” Philip Shepherd and Andrei Yakovenko have studied metabolic health and the science of exercise and claim that we can build muscle and increase our fitness dramatically in just 30 minutes a week.  These discoveries are the result of cutting edge research that has proven the powerful effects of this type of exercise training.Prior to co-authoring Deep Fitness, Philip Shepherd created The Embodied Present Process, which he developed over 40 years of teaching embodiment practices and now shares worldwide. His other books include Radical Wholeness and -  New Self, New World.Originally from Ukraine, Andrei Yakovenko worked as a geophysics scientist prior to setting up up New Element Training, a group of strength-training studios in Toronto, Canada. In his ten years of running his gyms he has trained thousands of clients.If you enjoyed this show, please leave a positive review and share with your friends. Thank you!  Osha

Osha Hayden interviews Andrew Boyd, author of I Want a Better Catastrophe: Navigating the Climate Crisis with Grief, Hope, and Gallows Humor.As the earth passes the tipping point of 1.5°C, and slides into floods, droughts, melting ice caps, and the mass extinction of species, many of us are trying to reckon with feelings of anxiety and despair.  The science is crystal clear, and yet the fossil fuel companies continue to drill for more and more oil. How do we navigate the climate emergency and come to terms with the catastrophic consequences of humanity’s inaction? How do we remain engaged in working to make a difference? Is there still hope?  Could you use a guide to the-end-of-the-world-as-we-know-it?In his new book, I Want a Better Catastrophe: Navigating the Climate Crisis with Grief, Hope, and Gallows Humor, veteran activist, thinker, doer, storyteller, and CEO of the Climate Clock,  Andrew Boyd navigates between the denial and doom many of us feel to find a third way of approaching our situation: courageously facing the data and its ramifications, and helping people imagine what’s still possible and where we might still exercise agency. You may be thinking, “Oh, no, this is going to be depressing - but my guest, Andrew Boyd, brings, wit, wisdom and gallows humor to our existential questions.Andrew Boyd interviewed 8 leading climate thinkers and heard a whole range of responses to the existential dilemma of the Climate Crisis. In this interview, he shares some of the insights that surfaced.   Some topics that came up in this lively discussion:Where are we now and where are we headed as the climate crisis worsens?How to hope: 4 types of hope4 paths of declineEconomic realitiesThe role of community and equityChallenges and giftsFinding inspiration and even humorMoving forward with renewed hopehttps://bettercatastrophe.com/https://andrewboyd.com/https://www.theclimateribbon.org/https://climateclock.world/“It always seems impossible until it’s done.” Nelson MandelaIf you enjoyed this show, please leave a positive review and share with your friends. Thank you!  Osha

In Part Two, Osha Hayden and Jack Leissring discuss pushing the boundaries of art, creativity and the human condition. Our conversation winds through Leissring’s first foray into design and collecting art as a youth, on to his inspiration for the design of the JCFLA Studio, home of his art collection and the importance of architecture and the shape of our spaces. In this age of the influence of propaganda and advertising psychology, how do we unpack the true from the false, free ourselves from outside influences, and think for ourselves?  Leissring suggests some interesting books on his list of excellent books to read.ABOUTJack Leissring is well known in Sonoma County for his world class collection of art, which he bought over decades, now housed in the JC Leissring Fine Art Collection. In addition to collecting art, Jack Leissring is venerated as a multi-talented Renaissance man who paints, sculpts, designs & builds buildings - He is also a jazz pianist and …. in his spare time- has written and published over 40  books on a variety of subjects. And, by the way, he worked full time as a phy­sician, and formed the Sonoma County Medical Society. In his retirement, he continues to write,  and create art and jazz compositions for piano.  https://www.jclfineart.comhttps://www.jclfineart.com/about.htmhttps://www.jclfa.com/index.htmlIf you enjoyed this show, please leave a positive review and share with your friends. Thank you!  Osha

In this conversation with Renaissance man, Jack Leissring, we discuss the sacred labyrinth, how it relates to the human condition, and how he has used his passion for art to create a world class art collection.   For Mr. Leissring, the labyrinth, which in mythology, was built to contain the Minotaur - (half-man/ half-beast) - is a potent symbol for the human condition and the search for meaning. Few people know more about the labyrinth than my guest, Jack Leissring, who has built four of them. This is a story about a man who fell so deeply in love with art that he designed his world around collecting art - and creating it.In Part One, we learn about the myth of King Minos and the minotaur and the maze that Daedalus created to contain the beast. We go on to discuss the early influences that shaped Mr. Leissring’s passion for art and design.You will also hear some excerpts of Leissring playing his original compositions on piano.Jack Leissring’s world class collection of over 4000 artworks includes over 470 artists, such as Duchamp’s brother Jacques Villon, John Sloan, James Spitzer, Warrington Colescott, local artist Maria de los Angles,  and Jerrold Ballaine, among many others.  ABOUTJack Leissring is well known in Sonoma County for his world class collection of art, which he bought over decades, now housed in the JC Leissring Fine Art Collection. In addition to collecting art, Jack Leissring is venerated as a multi-talented Renaissance man who paints, sculpts, designs & builds buildings - He is also a jazz pianist and …. in his spare time- has written and published 32 books on a variety of subjects. And, by the way, he had a full time day job as a phy­sician, from which he is now retired.  You can view some of Jack Leissring's art  via these sites:https://www.jclfa.comhttps://www.jclfineart.comIf you enjoyed this show, please leave a positive review and share with your friends. Thank you!  Osha

In Part 2, you’ll hear how to break through creative blocks with creative liberation fighter and creativity coach, Jill Badonsky. Osha and Jill talk about positive ways to frame the questions we ask ourselves, thus leading to better outcomes. Jill shares how she uses situations that might seem uncomfortable to fuel creative humor and reframe our approach to new projects, groups, events.How do you find your own artistic voice? Osha and Jill explore the path to finding your voice. You can learn about the many options available for exploring creativity in Jill Badonsky’s classes, retreats, Kaizen Creativity Coaching, and the Underground Highway to Creative Results, to name a few. About Jill Badonsky is a nationally recognized workshop leader, award-winning speaker, and author of The Nine Modern Day Muses (and a Bodyguard):, plus the award-winning, The Awe-manac: A Daily Dose of Wonder and The Muse is In: An Owner’s Manual to Your Creativity.She is an Author/Illustrator, Inspirational Humorist, and Founder of Kaizen-Muse Creativity Coaching Training. How to find Jill Badonsky: https://themuseisin.com/http://www.kaizenmuse.com/Check out her podcast, A Muses Daydream.Need a good laugh? Watch - Ain’t No Ballerinas in Hip Hop https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-poa0ABhe00If you enjoyed this show, please leave a positive review and share with your friends. Thank you!  Osha

Osha and Jill Badonsky discuss the benefits of creativity and shine light on the creative process.  You’ll get an introduction to the 9 modern day muses and a bodyguard based on Jill Badonsky’s book of the same name.  We discuss- the benefits of creativity - how to protect your creative process- trusting the creative process - finding your flow- having fun with it! How do we cope with the multiple losses we’ve endured with the pandemic and the divisive  politics in our country? Do we shut down - or pick up a brush or pen and show up to create? Jill talks about her Wild Abandon Art process and how it allows people to continue to show up regardless of what’s happening in the world.AboutJill Badonsky is a nationally recognized workshop leader, award-winning speaker, and author of The Nine Modern Day Muses (and a Bodyguard):, plus the award-winning, The Awe-manac: A Daily Dose of Wonder and The Muse is In: An Owner’s Manual to Your Creativity.She is an Author/Illustrator, Inspirational Humorist, and Founder of Kaizen-Muse Creativity Coaching Training. How to find Jill Badonsky: https://themuseisin.com/http://www.kaizenmuse.com/Check out her podcast, A Muses Daydream. Need a good laugh? Watch - Ain’t No Ballerinas in Hip Hop https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9FeW6tJK94If you enjoyed this show, please leave a positive review and share with your friends. Thank you!  Osha

In Part 3 Osha and Amikaeyla talk about how we can transform the lead of hate or despair to the gold of love and peace. Amikaeyla shares more about how she healed herself from the trauma of a hate crime that led to years of rehabilitation. How do you reorient yourself after a painful, traumatizing experience? It is how we move on that defines us, is it not?With so much hatred and division being drummed up by certain media channels, it’s refreshing to hear the positive stories that connect us as human beings inhabiting this beautiful earth together. You’ll hear the story of how an Iraqi refugee woman’s paralyzing trauma was transformed through Amikaeyla’s healing song and presence. And a special bonus: you’ll hear Amikaeyla singing Parana E - Taking it to the Streets.About Amikaeyla GastonProclaimed as one of the “purest contemporary voices” by National Public Radio (NPR), Amikaeyla is a public keynote speaker, performer, educator, and author. She travels the world serving as a Cultural Arts Ambassador for the State Department and is the Founder of the International Cultural Arts and Healing Sciences Institute (ICAHSI) and co-Executive Director for World-Trust.org  Educational Services Organization. Appearing internationally on Television, Radio, and Film with appearances on PBS, HBO and the Sundance Film Festival, Amikaeyla is the winner of twelve WAMMY Awards for Best Jazz, World, and Urban Contemporary Vocalist. Learn more:  https://amikaeyla.com/Watch Amikaeyla’s Ted Talk to see how transformation happens:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nw09D3GJrAEFollow Amikaeyla on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Amikaeyla/100063624638333/Thank you for listening. If you enjoyed this podcast, please share it with your friends, like us on social media, leave me a positive review. In deep gratitude, OshaIf you enjoyed this show, please leave a positive review and share with your friends. Thank you!  Osha

Osha and Amikaeyla Gaston continue their conversation on the healing power of music to transcend cultural barriers. We talk about her work as a Cultural Arts Ambassador across the world and how she uses the language of music to build bridges for healing and opening to new perspectives. You’ll hear about one young man whose life was completely transformed. In these times, when bridges to peace are desperately needed, Amikaeyla is lifting spirits and bringing people together across the divides. Her presence is a gift, her angelic voice - a healing tonic for the soul.  Amikaeyla is truly a force for change.Learn more:  https://amikaeyla.com/Watch Amikaeyla’s Ted Talk to see how transformation happens:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nw09D3GJrAEHear Amikaeyla speak on building bridges for healing at World Trust:https://www.world-trust.org/amikaeylagaston?gclid=Cj0KCQiAiJSeBhCCARIsAHnAzT8Maxhn7xyIAQW4CSk3uGCiwEEmMq9kHVhmtZDc37rNHR-NWT4PmN8aAkyyEALw_wcBFollow Amikaeyla on Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/people/Amikaeyla/100063624638333/Thank you for listening. If you enjoyed this podcast, please like it on social media,  leave a review, tell your friends. With deep gratitude, OshaIf you enjoyed this show, please leave a positive review and share with your friends. Thank you!  Osha

Osha and Amikaeyla Gaston discuss the healing power of music. Come along with us to discover the Power of Music for Healing People and Communities.  On today’s show, you’ll hear the inspiring story of Amikaela Gaston, who uses her powerful voice to initiate healing and peace around the world.You’ll hear about the ancient origins of music and drumming from cultures around the world.About Amikaeyla GastonProclaimed as one of the “purest contemporary voices” by National Public Radio (NPR), Amikaeyla is a public keynote speaker, performer, educator, and author. She travels the world serving as a Cultural Arts Ambassador for the State Department and is the Founder of the International Cultural Arts and Healing Sciences Institute (ICAHSI) and co-Executive Director for World-Trust.org  Educational Services Organization. Appearing internationally on Television, Radio, and Film with appearances on PBS, HBO and the Sundance Film Festival, Amikaeyla is the winner of twelve WAMMY Awards for Best Jazz, World, and Urban Contemporary Vocalist. Bonus feature: Experience the healing energy of Amikaeyla’s music with her song, “Dreamer.”Learn more:   https://amikaeyla.com/If you enjoyed this show, please leave a positive review and share with your friends. Thank you!  Osha

Supervisor Damon Connolly responds to questions from host Osha Hayden about how to create solutions to the important issues facing Sonoma and Marin County residents.  He is running for the California State Assembly.We talk about ways to address climate change, the drought, diminishing water supply, housing, the Sonoma Developmental Center SDC, and PG&E’s influence on the CPUC, among other topics. As a co-founder of Marin Clean Energy - who also helped create Sonoma Clean Power to provide clean green energy to our communities, Supervisor Connolly has been on the front lines of implementing clean, energy efficient solutions. He is an advocate for empowering residents to install rooftop solar panels.Supervisor Damon Connolly has been on the ground in Marin County of years working on solutions to the pressing issues we face. He was among the first advocates to stand up for making California a sanctuary state for women needing abortions to protect their health.Remember - voting is your superpower! So be sure to get your vote in for this Tuesday’s mid-term election. That’s November 8th. There are lots of super important issues on the ballot including codifying women’s reproductive freedom and the right to choose and have control over their own bodies and lives.Please Vote and let your voice be heard. If you enjoyed this show, please leave a positive review and share with your friends. Thank you!  Osha

Osha Hayden and Laurelee Roark discuss the healing benefits of psychedelic plant medicine and psilocybin mushrooms. A growing body of scientific research confirms the use of psilocybin for treating issues including depression, PTSD, OCD, and eating disorders. Noted author, Michael Pollan’s book, How to Change Your Mind, documents the research and use of psychedelics and its astounding benefits when used in a therapeutic setting. You may have watched his recent Netflix series, How to Change Your Mind. Psychedelics are making news due to the astonishing results which far surpass those achieved through conventional treatments such as anti-depressants. It’s interesting to note research that indicates that the anti-depressant medications when used long term for treatment resistant depression may have no more benefit than a placebo. This research is ongoing and should not dissuade a patient from taking anti-depressants in an acute state of depression. As always, if in doubt, check with a medical professional.We talk about the importance of taking plant medicine with a “Sitter” who is trained as a guide to assist participants in their journeys and help integrate the profound epiphanies that often occur.  Many participants who have experienced a therapeutic guided psychedelic journey have stated that the results were life-changing.AboutLauralee Roark, MA, CCHT,  is a Body Image Therapist, educator and author of two books on  recovering from eating disorders. Beyond Hunger https://beyondhunger.org/ is a non-profit dedicated to providing eating girder prevention and education programs.  Listen to her podcast:  It’s Not About FoodBooks co-authored by Lauralee Roark & Carol Normandi:It’s Not About Food:  End Your Obsession With Food and Weight Over It:  A Teen’s Guide to Getting Beyond Obsessions with Food and WeightListen to other episodes featuring Laurelee Roark:Beyond Hunger: Food, Weight and Healing - Chapter 1 with Laurelee Roarkhttps://oshahayden.com/podcast/beyond-hunger-food-weight-and-healing-body-image-therapist-laurelee-roark-chap1/Beyond Hunger:  Food, Weight and Healing - Chapter 2 with Laurelee Roarkhttps://oshahayden.com/podcast/chapter-2-beyond-hunger-food-weight-and-healing-body-image-therapist-laurelee-roark/Laurelee Roark https://www.laureleeroark.com/If you enjoyed this show, please leave a positive review and share with your friends. Thank you!  Osha

In Chapter 2 of Beyond Hunger - Food, Weight and Healing, Osha and  Body Image Therapist, Laurelee Roark, discuss solutions - how to recover from the suffering of obsession with food and dieting and the impossible standards of “beauty.” Laurelee describes a tried and true 3-prong process of recovery and offers guidance for connecting with your body’s wisdom and deepening appreciation of your true source of beauty. You’ll learn about Laurelee's work  with the non-profit,  Beyond Hunger https://beyondhunger.org/  an eating disorder prevention and education program for schools and a highly successful peer education program. AboutBody Image Therapist, Laurelee Roark , MA, CCHT is co-author with Carol Normandi of  It's Not About Food: End Your Obsession With Food and Weight  and  Over It:  A Teen’s Guide to Getting Beyond Obsessions with Food and Weight.  Laurelee RoarkIf you enjoyed this show, please leave a positive review and share with your friends. Thank you!  Osha

Chapter 1 - Do you struggle with your weight? Learn how to end your obsession with food and weight with Body Image Therapist, Laurelee Roark, MA, CCHT - co-author of    It's Not About Food: End Your Obsession With Food and Weight  and                       Over It:  A Teen’s Guide to Getting Beyond Obsessions with Food and Weight.  In Chapter 1, Osha interviews Laurelee Roark on the prevalence and dangers of eating disorders and some of the psychological, social and media factors that have contributed to the rise in the number of people suffering from eating disorders.  Listen to Chapter 2 of this episode to hear about solutions and learn more about strategies for recovery and how to love and honor your body and celebrate your true beauty. Laurelee Roark is a Body image Therapist,  licensed Hypnotherapist,  author and educator specializing in body image and eating disorders.Tune in to her podcast, It’s Not About Food, for more information.Laurelee Roark & Carol Normandi co-founded Beyond Hunger https://beyondhunger.org/ an eating disorder prevention and education program for schools.If you enjoyed this show, please leave a positive review and share with your friends. Thank you!  Osha

Today’s show is about passion -  I’m talking about the kind of passion that drives you to explore your creativity, to fall in love with a painting or sculpture, to pursue and expand your knowledge and skills and to contribute your own authentic expression to the worldAbout LindaOsha's guest today is Linda Loveland Reid - Artist, Art Historian & Lecturer, and - Theater Director and - published Author. As an OLLI Instructor for both Sonoma State and Dominican Universities, Linda Loveland Reid delivers fascinating lectures and classes on art & artists. She holds a double B.A. in History and Art History from Sonoma State University, graduating cum laude. Linda is an instructor for Osher Lifelong learning institute (OLLI) at SSU and is chair of the SSU OLLI Art Club.We talk about:the path to becoming an artist even when you don’t think you’ll ever be good enoughhow creating art contributes to a person’s lifehow to navigate the diverse rivers of creativitytaking the next big step how to draw out the best in people what can help us step up to the challenges we face in these turbulent timeswhere to learn more about Linda’s art and lectureshttp://LindaLovelandReid.comhttps://www.sebarts.orghttps://olli.sonoma.eduIf you enjoyed this show, please leave a positive review and share with your friends. Thank you!  Osha

Osha and Shugri Said Salh discuss The Last Nomad: Coming of Age in the Somali Desert, a riveting story of survival & spiritual strength by a brilliant Somali American woman, Shugri Said Salh.  We’ll explore the contrast between Nomadic life in the Somali desert and life in the city - and  hear about her harrowing escape from war torn Mogadishu.We’ll  explore the contrast between Nomadic life in the Somali desert and life in the city - and  hear about her harrowing escape from war torn Mogadishu. Above all, this is a story of a strong, resilient woman with a deep heart guided by wisdom and compassion.Steeped in the art of Nomadic storytelling and poetry, Salh learned to weave entertaining tales with vivid imagery and descriptions. The Last Nomad is her first book; she is already working on the next one.As a young girl in the Somali desert, Salh learned to navigate complexity.  Osha Hayden and Shugri Salh discuss how Salh learned to navigate the changing landscape - from her nomadic pilgrimages with her grandmother to find water during the drought season, to dodging attacks by lions and warthogs. Inspired by the independence and strength of her nomadic Ayeeyo, (grandmother), and despite of the loss of her mother when Salh was just six, she excelled.Salh describes the deep cultural and social roots of the Somali tradition of female genital mutilation, bringing a deeper understanding to how this practice is woven into the fabric of life there. Through the characters in her next book, she will illuminate more about the ramifications of female genital mutilation on women’s lives.Balanced between the worlds of the desert and city, Salh learned to adapt to constant change. Her inner strength and xenial family connections helped her survive when the civil war tore her world apart, forcing her to flee and seek refuge as an immigrant. Osha and Salh discuss the signals that that a civil war is brewing.Adapting to a new life, landscape and culture in North America was her next challenge. Then came the Covid pandemic; which thrust Salh, as an Infusion Nurse, into immediate danger in a rapidly changing medical environment. She knew how to adapt, navigate the challenges, and survive. As the last in the line of her nomadic heritage, Salh is inspired to gather the stories of her life and her ancestors and capture them for her own children and entranced readers everywhere.Shugri Said Salh was born in the Somali desert. In 1992, after civil war broke out in her home country, she emigrated to North America. She attended nursing school at Pacific Union College and graduated with honors. When she isn’t writing or telling stories, she works as an infusion nurse. Salh lives in Sonoma County with her husband and three children. Author of The Last Nomad: Coming of Age in the Somali Desert, she is working on her next book.You can learn more about her on her website:  shugrisalh.comIf you enjoyed this show, please leave a positive review and share with your friends. Thank you!  Osha

Carbon. There’s too much of it in the atmosphere. We feel the effects -  the rising heat - the droughts. We watch as our rivers and reservoirs run dry. What if - we could draw tons of carbon out of the atmosphere and reduce water use at the same time? Osha interviews Barry Vesser of The Climate Center in Santa Rosa, CA about their initiatives to address the climate crisis.  Here's where you can make a difference. We know it can be overwhelming - if you can set aside  just 5 minutes a day to call your  representatives and  urge them to support important legislation, you can help shift our trajectory to a healthier future. If you live in CA, you can call Governor Gavin Newsom to support AB 2649 The Natural Carbon & Sequestration Act. For more info and simple acts you can take to make a difference, go here:  https://theclimatecenter.orgCalifornia is seen as  a world leader in  finding solutions to the climate crisis. Listen to the show and discover some solutions that can make a difference. We have some wind at our back so this is the time to act. Barry Vesser, is the Chief Operating Officer at The Climate Center since 2019.  He is an advocate and organizer - working to educate and promote policies to address the climate crisis. His M.A. is in International Public Administration from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies.  Barry Vesser currently leads The Climate Center’s program and policy development and the implementation teams.If you enjoyed this show, please leave a positive review and share with your friends. Thank you!  Osha

What could you accomplish if you had the confidence and belief that you would succeed? What if you decided to take the first bold step?Osha interviews Shawn Langwell on his newest book, Ten Seconds of Boldness: The Essential Guide to Solving Problems and Building Self-Confidence. About: Shawn Langwell is a top-producing media salesperson with more than three decades of sales and marketing experience. He is a sought-after international speaker for recovery and has over 35 years of continuous sobriety.  Beyond Recovery is his first book.Shawn’s personal mission is to add value to people and businesses everywhere. More specifically: To encourage, inspire, and help people become brave and confident enough to believe they can accomplish their dreams and goals.Osha and Shawn discuss the factors that hold people back from achieving their dreams and the steps they can take to propel them forward to success.Shawn’s personal mission is to add value to people and businesses everywhere. More specifically: To encourage, inspire, and help people become brave and confident enough to believe they can accomplish their dreams and goals.Learn more about Shawn Langwell here: https://shawnlangwell.com/about/If you enjoyed this show, please leave a positive review and share with your friends. Thank you!  Osha