Drop By Drop Podcast

The fight for marriage equality in America is comparable to the freedom of marriage for interracial couples. This idea began with much controversy and resistance, but slowly became a widely accepted norm until eventually the laws and societal norms followed suit. As of May, 2014 44% of Americans were living in a state that supports marriage equality. This is a huge accomplishment for our country, which stands for equality and freedom for all, but it was not without much effort and hard work from committed individuals like Tracy Hollister and many other talented campaign leaders across the country. Tracy Hollister is now working as a program manager at Marriage Equality USA, and has been a part of several state campaigns to win marriage or defeat other anti-marriage equality amendments like NC's Amendment One. Tracy tells us about her journey as a marriage equality advocate, and it has not been an easy road. She and her team are still working around the clock to protect LGBT families from discriminatory laws around the country as well as expand awareness and acceptance of the LGBT community. I greatly enjoyed interviewing Tracy for this podcast. Her story is an inspiration to me because even though she knew that the chances of winning were slim, she pushed forward full steam ahead and kept her team motivated to do the same. Even after experiencing failure and defeat, she persisted. Tracy Hollister is a leader in every sense, and acts as a servant to others through her commitment to the marriage equality movement. Thanks Heather Hollick for connecting me with Tracy (Listen to Heather's Story Here). Check Out "Getting To I Do: Our Journeys to Marriage Equality"  Tell your story! Getting To I Do is a project to collect and share multimedia-rich personal stories about relationships, family, marriage, advocacy, and equality in an online gallery. Sharing the personal stories of our own dreams, ideals, and experiences with our families, friends, neighbors, colleagues, and communities is one of the most powerful ways to bring people to support civil marriage. Connect with Tracy Hollister: thollister@marriageequality.org Connect with Marriage Equality USA:   www.marriageequality.org  (347) 913.6369 Be sure to Rate and Review Drop by Drop Podcast on iTunes! 

Thanks for tuning in to another episode of Drop by Drop Podcast; This episode features an artist who travels the world creating public art displays to inspire wonder and spread positivism. His name is Georges Le Chevallier. He tells us what he thinks art really is - and its kinda hard to describe. You try answering that question: What is art? Chevallier has extended that question into a worldwide public art display that features question marks made of all different types of materials. He's done this in Paris, Guatemala, Tanzania, and many other places. He believes that art should inspire the viewer to ask questions, and an artist should always be questioning as well. Since these art displays are public, it gives him the opportunity to separate himself from the work and capture the genuine responses of viewers without them knowing he created the work. One of the many great things about creating public art. On several of he public art projects, he was able to get kids involved in creating the work. He received a grant from Travelocity called Travel for Good, which allowed him to go to Tanzania (Kilimanjaro Region and Bagamoyo), Africa to do art with kids there. One of the projects that he and the kids in Bagamoyo created a huge baobab tree. It was made from drawings of the silhouettes of the kids. We discussed a few other projects, all of which were really cool. (Including the butterfly garden that you see pictures of). You need to also check out his blog. it's all about art, travel, and food (the three best things ever!).  I think you'll really love this podcast; It's a collection of great ideas and stories from a really amazing dude. Give it a listen! Download it and listen in your car. Below are the pictures from his trip to Africa:   Please rate and review us on iTunes. Every rating sincerely makes a difference to us. Thank you. Connect with Georges Le Chevallier: Facebook Page YouTube Twitter: @glcART Instagram: glcart Blog: Back of the House Connect with Drop by Drop Podcast: Facebook Twitter: @DropbyDropCast Pinterest Email: DropbyDropCast@gmail.com We Love to Hear Your Feedback! Thanks for Listening...

Drop by Drop Podcast: Music Industry vs. Pop Culture The music industry is always changing and evolving. Invariably, new trends will come out and new genres will emerge. Some people think that music and pop culture are one in the same, but this is not necessarily true. On this episode of Drop by Drop Podcast, we spoke to Mary and Craig Brandwynne, owners of Center Sound Records in Raleigh, NC. Center Sound Records specializes in audio production for film and television, in addition to producing musical artists as an independent record label. After working in the music industry for many years as musicians, they decided to take it to the next level and established the company in 2007. Mary and Craig gave us an inside look into what it's like working behind the scenes in the music industry. When they produce an artist, their primary focus is on preserving the integrity of the music by establishing a personal connection with the musician or singer they're working with. It's about building a level of trust, so the true personality will shine through in the music. The goal is to create something with feeling, that really resonates with the artist, and of course has good production quality. They also touched on the topic of "Pop Culture", which is basically current trends that are being marketed and consumed by the general public. Many large record labels sign artists and shift their sound and look towards these trends. This can make the music seem less genuine because it doesn't represent the organic style of the artist. The image sometimes becomes the biggest selling point, while the music fades into the background, which is exactly what they try to avoid at Center Sound. Mary shared her personal accounts of working in the industry as a musician, and the pressure she felt as a woman to change her image. Much of the pop culture trends today are leaning in the direction of a sexual image, and that just doesn't work for every artist. Some people are performers and some people are simply musicians trying to communicate a message through music. Listen to the interview and tell us what you think! Please give us a rating on itunes and leave us a comment on our website, facebook or twitter. Sign up for the newsletter to get monthly podcast updates. Thanks for listening!

Drop by Drop Podcast: Homeless but Hopeful Busyness tends to suck people out of the present moment...I know it happens to me from time to time. We get caught up in our own lives and start worrying about insignificant matters. Sometimes we just need to take a step back and look around. This podcast episode  is about being present, and extending your gratitude to someone in need - particularly a homeless person. It's understandable that obligations tend to take over, but it's pulling us away from one of the most meaningful parts of our lives - Human Connection. Soon I will be a college graduate. I'm at the age where I don't have as many friends as I used to because a lot of people my age are starting families and new careers. Relationships need to be nurtured, and it gets difficult when you have a little time and a lot of priorities. Having a relationship with my community has really enriched my life because it gives me a nice dose of human connection that I need and I get to help people along the way. In this episode of Drop by Drop Podcast, we interviewed photojournalist Kim Palaferri. It's her job to connect you to the outside world through stories and photos in the newspaper. She goes out everyday to meet new people and shares their stories with the world. Since you might not always have time for real human connection, she tries to report meaningful news about real people in the community. One story she did, called "Homeless but Hopeful", she was documenting a-day-in-the-life of a homeless man. She followed a homeless man, named Mark, for a whole day and took pictures of his daily life. She visited a shelter called The Gathering Inn, where she sat down and enjoyed a meal with the residents. Working with editor Philip Wood, the story was published in The Press-Tribune of Roseville, CA. She was surprised at how much this project affected her. It changed her perspective on people and inspired her to really get involved in helping out. After she finished the project, she and her family went and handed out sweatshirts to homeless people in the park on a cold evening. Still feeling like there was more to do, they made a bunch of Gratitude Bags and started handing them out to homeless people they saw while driving around. Listen to Kim's story, learn how to make your own gratitude bags, and take a moment to BE PRESENT . I urge you to connect with the world around you, get involved, and get close to your community. It's amazing  how much the simple act of "being present" will enrich your life.   dreamhost reviews

  Leadership & Vibrant Organizations with Life Coach, Heather Hollick. In this interview on Drop by Drop, Heather Hollick tells us about her mission: to make the world a better place to work. She's a life & career coach out there turning dysfunctional workplaces into vibrant organizations. She also does keynote speeches and workshops, fostering leadership and personal growth. Working with teams & individuals, Heather changes the way people look at work so they can wake up and say, "I get to go to work today!" By teaching powerful leadership techniques she's increasing awareness, so idea-sharing becomes fluid and effortless. Life is a constant game of finding your "Sweet Spot". She's teaching people how to be more savvy, so you can be passionate and prosperous with the work you do. She talks about introverts and extroverts in the workplace, and how communication and collaboration can be easier if we can remember a few simple points. Listen to the interview and download for free... In This Episode: - "Coaching is not a weakness, it's a sign you want to be great." - What is life coaching/career coaching? - Introverts & extroverts as leaders - Optimizing your leadership skills - Building vibrant organizations - Finding your "Sweet Spot" Check out Heather's blog and find out her speaking events & workshops.

In this episode of the Drop by Drop Podcast, you will discover the story of a man who traveled in Sri Lanka. He tells us about his experience volunteering at an elephant orphanage in Walle Devalle and gives us a glimpse into the culture. His name is Jeremy Deihl, a photographer from New Orleans, LA. He says that volunteering in Sri Lanka was one of the best experiences of his life. He described it as surreal. Drop by Drop Podcast: A Volunteer's Travels in Sri Lanka You may or may not know what an elephant orphanage is, but in Sri Lanka there is an abundance of them. In this podcast Jeremy explains the meaning of elephants in Sri Lanka along with why these "orphanages" are necessary. Elephants are a powerful symbol in Sri Lanka, and they have a powerful presence. They symbolize wealth and prosperity, and because of that they are not always properly cared for. Jeremy and his friends volunteered at Millennium Elephant Foundation. If you go to the website, you can see pictures of the elephant herd, learn more about the volunteer program, and sign up to volunteer. You'll hear about what its like to spend time every day working with the elephants and living in Sri Lanka. Jeremy stayed with a host family who cooked delicious meals everyday and took care of them. He jokingly referred to the mother of the family as "Host Mom" because she was so friendly and caring. He got to learn some of the language and took part in a Buddhist festival. This podcast is sprinkled with interesting facts and experiences about the culture and people of Sri Lanka. Have a listen and share with everyone you know! He made a book about his experience in Sri Lanka called Sri Lanka: A Volunteer's Photographs View his work at Jeremy Deihl Photography Please share your thoughts and ideas in a comment, or contact us. Kylie@dropbydropcast.com or Brian@dropbydropcast.com Twitter @DropByDropcast Facebook.com/DropByDropCast

In this episode of the Drop by Drop Podcast, you will learn the TRUE meaning of the word "Recycle". If you think that you're Eco-Friendly, then you haven't met Martin Adlington. He calls himself and Environmental Artist. Martin is a New Zealander who spends much of his time "hunting and gathering" things that can be reused and made into art. In other words, he digs in the trash. Martin is not afraid to jump right in, and he finds some phenomenal stuff. He finds things to use in art from many places including thrift stores and the dump. This is the guy who picks up after people, and makes use of things that were once thought of as trash. Many people call this "up-cycling" now, but I would consider Martin the pioneer of this idea. He's the real deal. Drop by Drop Podcast: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle & Refuse His art is conceptual and sends a message about consumerism - the idea that we really don't need (or sometimes even want!) most the stuff that we buy. It carries the message that many beautiful and valuable items end up in the trash, and if people could learn to think before they buy, this problem could be reduced. One of his favorite works of art is called "Barbie Buddha". He found a headless Buddha in the trash and attached the head of a Barbie. Since Barbie dolls have been one of the most influential commercial influences on society, he hopes that people can understand the message. If Barbie could just look inside herself, she would realize that she doesn't need all those clothes, shoes, and cars. It's interesting to see how much people think they can afford to throw away...You can see some of the cool stuff he finds and the recycled art he makes out of it on his art blog. Martin is also involved with in his local area. Not only is he a member of the group, but he also helps out with managing the website and blog. He tells us about his experiences, how it has helped him, and how it is helping the community. Connect with Marting Adlington: Twitter @adlingtonpost Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/MartinAdlington Website: martinadlington.weebly.com While your listening, feel free to check out some hot deals at https://myvapordeal.com

We would like to welcome Colleen Chanel to Drop by Drop Podcast. On this episode, Colleen Chanel tells us her story, and about her experience as a musician. She has recreated herself and learned how to collaborate as she and her career have evolved over the course of her life. She wasn't always a singer...in fact, she never even took lessons. Actually, she started out in finances. Her experienc with singing has touched her heart and the hearts of others. She uses her gift to bring light into the world and she has a very inspiring motto: "Aspire Locally, Transform Globally, and Pay it Forward."  At the end of the podcast, Colleen sings a capella for us! Drop by Drop Podcast: Music Changes the World with Colleen Chanel Colleen's music is produced by Center Sound Records. Please enjoy the free download of "Fly Like an Angel" below. Colleen is a jubilant and delightful character, I am grateful for the opportunity to meet and speak with her on this podcast interview. To learn more, visit her website. [download id="164"]"Don't Let the Dreamer Die" Princess Diana Memorial [download id="164"]

In this session, I'm happy to welcome Brandon Johnson to Drop by Drop Podcast. Brandon is the director and editor of the RapeNoMore film & art campaign to discuss the documentary he's working on in South Africa. The campaign will eventually have pieces from other areas of the world to raise awareness of "rape culture". He just returned from his second trip to South Africa and has worked on the first segment of the "ActiveArt" movement to combat rape culture. Rape culture is seen in many areas of the world; It exists everywhere in some form.  Essentially, "rape culture" is when rape has become an accepted part of the culture in some way. We all know how terrible this issue is, but it seems like nobody is talking about it. In this podcast,  we're talking about how rape is affecting cultures around the world and how we can improve these conditions one conversation at a time. He and his team have a lot planned for the future, which includes work in India, Brazil, and the United States. Drop by Drop Podcast: Combating Rape Culture   First Trailer: RapeNoMore Documentary Trailer from Joseph Johnson on Vimeo. Brandon's worked with the local people and artists in Johannesburg to produce the first part of the RapeNoMore Campaign. We discuss the importance of addressing "rape culture" and how it reflects differently in different cultures. You may not think that a rape culture exists in the US, but it does. It is the shunning of rape victims, the silence, and sexist terms that objectify women. Rape culture manifests differently in every region of the world. Poetry Performance in Johannesburg: RapeNoMore Promo 004: The Performance from Joseph Johnson on Vimeo.What is RapeNoMore? "The RapeNoMore campaign is composed of a growing number of artists and concerned supporting individuals from around the world who want to combat rape through artistically addressing rape culture directly with ActiveArt projects. What is ActiveArt? Any artistic work that directly addresses, engages, or involves the viewer. It is art that does not wait for you to come to it. Instead it goes to you (and in some cases seeks you out) with the end goal of achieving cultural impact and social change." In this Episode: What is Rape Culture? How bad it really is Recognizing Rape Culture Why it's important to talk about it How you can talk to your kids about it Rape Culture in the US Using Active Art to make a change Learn more about rape culture: What is Rape Culture? 10 Things to End Rape Culture Rape Culture: Know It When You See It Find Out More: http://rapenomore.org/ @RapeNoMoreORG

Welcome to the Drop by Drop introduction podcast! In this episode we give a brief overview of what this podcast is all about. Please consider sharing with your friends and family, liking us on Facebook, and following on Twitter @DropByDropCast. I hope you love it, thank you so much for listening Drop by Drop Episode I