Waking Up In America

Accepting Your Quest

Tajci — Sat, 25 Mar 2017 01:07:05 -0400

In this episode, I’m sharing with you an audio story I recorded for Matthew (my husband) for his birthday in 2016. It is a story of accepting one’s quest, the role we are given in it and going through it believing that we are not alone – even when the quest is battling Stage 4 cancer. Waking Up in America – the podcast series is about people, music and stories that can help us heal, love and uplift others. Matthew Cameron: “I Want to Live Through This” Two days after Valentine’s Day of 2017, Matthew was diagnosed with Stage 4 Adenocarcinoma of the Lung. After the initial shock subsided, he said he wanted to live through it. And since then, each day he wakes up ‘feeling alive’ and ends each day with gratitude saying: “Thank you for a beautiful day!” Even on those days when he was bedridden suffering excruciating pain. His letter announcing his diagnosis and his attitude toward it moved thousands of people to show their support and to consider the precious moments of their own lives. This episode features the audio story recorded on his birthday and reflects on Matthew’s role as Sam and Frodo, referencing one of his all time favorite books “The Lord of the Ring.” Connect with Matthew: FB: facebook.com/matthew.cameron GoFundMe Page: gofundme.com/caring-for-the-camerons Website: stormlightpictures.com/ Waking Up in America is partly supported by donations from Patrons at Patreon.com

Irenka: Unafraid to Be Herself

Tajci — Sat, 11 Feb 2017 01:08:45 -0500

Irenka, music artist from Belgium, based in Nashville TN talks about being unafraid to be who you are meant to be. Her own experience of not fitting in and being suicidal for 10 years of her young life drives her to inspire others to live courageously and authentically. Waking Up in America – the podcast series is about people, music and stories that can help us heal, love and uplift others. Meet Irenka: Shaped by the streets of Brussels and Paris, Irenka’s colorful music transcends border and genres effortlessly. She fuses self-penned enchanting European melodies with warm smoky vocals in French and English. Her vocal styles from deep to ethereal are easily compared to Annie Lennox, Gwen Stefani, Sade, and Enya. In 2014, she released her self-produced debut EP Wait 4 It…, with songs like the sarcastic jazzy “I Don’t Need No Lover”, the ethereal “Dreamland”, and the funky French “Comme Si”, that topped Muse Boat Radio’s charts for 8 weeks at #1. Irenka has played hundreds of shows nationally from Florida to California, and performed with internationally acclaimed multi-instrumentalist Regi Wooten, from the Wooten Brothers band, who has described Irenka’s music as groovy, unique and soulful. As a French speaking artist, she has been featured on Radio Canada and national French TV channel, France 2. Connect with Irenka: FB: facebook.com/irenkastyle Twitter: twitter.com/irenkastyle Instagram: instagram.com/irenkastyle YouTube: youtube.com/c/irenka SoundCloud: soundcloud.com/irenkastyle Web: BlackSwanWorld.com “Dreamland” by Irenka Dreamland is available to download for FREE at www.blackswanworld.com/enter.php Waking Up in America is partly supported by donations from Patrons at Patreon.com

WUIA Podcast Series – I Stopped Anyway I Stopped Anyway

Tajci — Fri, 03 Feb 2017 20:25:26 -0500

Waking UP in America – Podcast Series Waking Up in America – the podcast series is about people, music and stories that can help us heal, love and uplift others. In this episode, Tajci tells a story of helping a woman whose truck broke down in the remote hills of Kentucky, on the weekend of a tremendous divide in America. Story and poem in this podcast episode: Last Sunday I drove down a remote Kentucky road. I passed a woman in a long gray coat leaning on her cane and waving at me. She stood next to her truck. I sped by her just like the car before me did. Then, I took a second look in my rear view mirror. The hood of her truck was up. “I couldn’t help her even if I stopped” a thought flashed through my mind. “I don’t know anything about cars and I am incredibly out of my element here, where I don’t know people and my phone barely gets any signal.” But I had just spent a weekend with some amazing women and we talked about, among other things, our need to transcend fear, get out of our comfort zone, become stronger and take care of all of our brothers and sisters – not just the ones we agree and feel comfortable with… I also had two meetings scheduled that coming week – with organizations that take care of suffering, struggling and broken women. I hit the brakes and put my car into reverse. “I don’t know anything about cars, and I’m not from here but I can at least stay with you until someone more competent shows up.” I told her when as I backed up to her and rolled down my window. “Thank you” she said and after she told me what had happened she smiled: “I like your hair.” “And I like yours,” I replied. Mine was all pink and purple and she had pink highlights in hers. For a while I stood next to her and between waving at cars, I texted my friend with whom I had just spent the weekend. She sent me a phone number of a local mechanic who answered the phone only to say he didn’t work on Sundays. It was cold. The woman’s back was hurting and she was really upset. Several cars passed by with not one stopping. “Well… maybe I wouldn’t have stopped either” I thought, “for two women with pink hair standing on a side of the road in KY. I used to judge women by their appearance too…” She told me she had just moved to KY from up north to be closer to family, but her situation was hard and complicated. She was staying at someone’s house ‘in the sticks.’ She was a beautiful woman who went through a lot. After our failed attempt to have someone more resourceful come to rescue, we decided I was going to take her back to the house. I sent a prayer out for someone to pass by so we could take her up together, because I just felt a bit too vulnerable to go alone. I trusted her, but I didn’t know the area well enough to know what we could get into. As we moved her stuff (that included a guitar and two cute little puppies) into my van, another woman who had been at the same gathering I was returning from drove by with her husband. She recognized me and stopped. The four of us drove my pink-haired friend back to the house. As I navigated the small dirt road with my ‘suburban mom minivan’ I listened to her tell me about her music, singing and how much she loved Scotland. Before we left her in a small dark house, the couple that came with us gave her some money and I gave her my card… to stay in touch. I sensed her hurt. She shared her pain briefly with me – but also her faith… Maybe someone that I had interviewed on Waking Up in America would turn out to be a resource for her… I was grateful I had stopped. I drove back to Nashville in silence. I felt sad. I turned on the news… I prayed that we could ...

Healed, She Went to Get Her Sisters From the Streets (with Regina Mullins)

Tajci — Tue, 18 Oct 2016 14:07:11 -0400

Regina Mullins, a former prostitute whose life was restored by Magdalene Program at Thistle Farms in Nashville, talks about her turning point. “Waking Up in America” Season 3 – EP 15 Full transcript available here. CONNECT WITH REGINA AND THISTLE FARMS Web: ThistleFarms.org FB: ThistleFarms Twitter: @thistlefarms Instagram: ThistleFarms Experience Levi Hummon’s song “Wildflower & Roses” Levi Hummon is the son of Becca Stevens, founder of Thistle Farms. He wrote “Wildflower and Roses” – inspired and dedicated to the women of Thistle Farms. CONNECT WITH LEVI: Web: Levihummon.com FB: levihummonofficial Twitter: levihummon Instagram: levihummon/ HIGHLIGHTS: 2:37 – “a lot of us we don’t know what love is.” 5:20 – raised in church, began to ‘hate church’ but her mother voice always rang in her mind and heart 6:05 – promiscuous, pregnant at 16, Regina thought she had made God so mad that there was no way back to God. 8:26 – shame and guilt overcomes Regina 8:44 – Regina’s answer to “Why did you keep your son?” 9:49 – what led Regina into addiction and abuse 11:52 – Jail was like deliverance – a chance to start over. And an answer to a prayer. 14:54 – scared to go back to the old lifestyle after prison… Regina receives an invitation. 16:42 – restoring trust through showing unconditional love 21:06 – One Word Answers 22:17 – email question from Ana from Germany 25:23 – “Wildflower & Roses” by Levi Hummon THIS SHOW IS PARTIALLY FUNDED BY Patrons at Patreon.com/WakingUP Filmed at “O” Gallery in Marathon Village, Nashville, TN Music, TV show, blog, courses to help you make changes you want to see happen.

Survivor of Sex Trafficking Clemmie Greenlee Turns Pain Into Compassion

Tajci — Tue, 11 Oct 2016 10:22:38 -0400

Survivor of sex trafficking, addiction and abuse and nationally recognized activist and founder of “Nashville Peacemakers,” Clemmie Greenlee works on a grass-root level to stop gang violence and human trafficking. “Waking Up in America” Season 3 – EP 14 Full transcript: Coming Soon CONNECT WITH CLEMMIE AND NASHVILLE PEACEMAKERS Web: Nashvillepeacemakers.org FB: Nashville-Peacemakers This interview features “Nowhere” by T-ran Gilbert: T-rangilbert.com THIS SHOW IS PARTIALLY FUNDED BY Patrons at Patreon.com/WakingUP Filmed at “O” Gallery in Marathon Village, Nashville, TN

Overcoming Abuse and Finding Freedom (with Kim Belew)

Tajci — Tue, 04 Oct 2016 14:22:09 -0400

Conscious rapper Kim Belew talks about recovery from sexual abuse and addiction. “Waking Up in America” Season 3 – EP 13 Full transcript available here. CONNECT WITH KIM BELEW Web: KimBelewmusic.com/ FB: kkbelew Twitter: @lilkimnky Instagram: @consciousrapchic HIGHLIGHTS 1:48 – Kim’s story through Spoken Word “The Gift” 4:26 – Kim’s story (this is hard, not for small children) 8:00 – turning to substance abuse 10:48 – nurses help Kim heal 15:24 – why do we need to speak about hard and uncomfortable stories 16:20 – One Voice at a Time – to break the silence 16:54 – How the book “The Four Agreements” helped Kim 19:58 – Email from Kelsey from Overland Park, KS 20:24 – “You are enough. You are loved.” 21:57 – One Word Answers 25:28 – “Freedom” by Kim Belew THIS SHOW IS PARTIALLY FUNDED BY Patrons at Patreon.com/WakingUP Filmed at “O” Gallery in Marathon Village, Nashville, TN Music, TV show, blog, courses to help you make changes you want to see happen.

Staying Safe in a Dangerous World (with Moose Moore)

Tajci — Tue, 20 Sep 2016 10:43:42 -0400

Michael “Moose” Moore, founder and principal teacher at “The Vigilance Group” talks about staying safe in a dangerous world. “Waking Up in America” Season 3 – EP 11 Full transcript click here. CONNECT WITH MOOSE and THE VIGILANCE GROUP: WEB: Vigilancegroup.com FB: The-Vigilance-Group Twitter: @VigilanceGroup CONNECT WITH AMY ESTRADA: FB: AmyEstradaMusic —- HIGHLIGHTS: 2:17 – what is the Vigilance Group 6:30 – how does it feel to fly a fighter jet 7:14 – Moose’s turning point 10:49 – finding his ‘God’s work’ 13:16 – parents struggle with what to teach their children so they are safe 17:33 – One Word Answers 18:48 – question from the audience, Stanley from Detroit, MI 20:53 – Moose teaches Tajci a self-defense move. 24:37 – Amy Estrada performs her song “Pretty” Blog: COMING SOON —- THIS SHOW IS PARTIALLY FUNDED BY Patrons at https://www.patreon.com/WakingUP Filmed at OGalleryart.com: http://ogalleryart.com/ Filmed at “O” Gallery in Marathon Village, Nashville, TN Music, TV show, blog, courses to help you make changes you want to see happen.

Waking Up to an Empty Chair (with Patti Herrington)

Tajci — Tue, 13 Sep 2016 09:16:00 -0400

Patti Herrington lost her son to suicide. After the first shock of grief and despair subsided, she knew she had to go on living. Her experience inspired her to found Firefly Ministries to help prevent suicide and bring hope to the hopeless. “Waking Up in America” Season 3 – EP 9 Full transcript: COMING SOON CONNECT WITH PATTI CONNECT WITH PATTI: Fireflyoutreach.com FB: FireflyOutreach CONNECT WITH MATT KENNON: Mattkennon.com HIGHLIGHTS 2:40 – Patti came home one night and found her son Connor… 4:36 – “How is that ever going to be possible to think that I could ever find happiness?” 7:48 – About wounds of the soul 9:40 – What Connor struggled with 13:36 – The beginning of Patti’s recovery 14:55 – Sense of Guilt 16:33 – Patti had only two choices to lay down and die or do something… 19:17 – who are the suicidal people – misconceptions and statistics 20:59 – question from the audience, Natasha from New Jersey 23:24 – One Word Answers 25:27 – Matt Kennon performs his top 40 hit song ‘The Call’ THIS SHOW IS PARTIALLY FUNDED BY Patrons at https://www.patreon.com/WakingUP Filmed at OGalleryart.com: http://ogalleryart.com/ Filmed at “O” Gallery in Marathon Village, Nashville, TN Music, TV show, blog, courses to help you make changes you want to see happen.

Raising a Hand for a Cause (with David Clements and Kevin Black)

Tajci — Tue, 06 Sep 2016 10:46:01 -0400

Two dads Kevin Black and Dave Clements working for a cause – to find cure for Rett Disease. After country singer Kevin Black lost his daughter to the complications of Rett syndrome, his friend and photographer Dave Clements decided to inspire artists throughout the globe to raise a hand for cure. “Waking Up in America” Season 3 – EP 9 Full transcript: Click here CONNECT WITH DAVE CLEMENTS AND KEVIN BLACK Raisingahand.com Dwcphotography.com Kevinblack.com/ FB: Raisingahand Please donate to Rett Syndrome Research: Rettsyndrome.org I’m Raising My Hand For A Cause With These Two Texas Dads People who have survived tremendous pain all say the same thing: healing begins the moment when, instead of fighting, we lean into it. Embracing pain – without resistance – creates just enough of a movement to set the pain in motion. Once it moves, it’s no longer stuck and growing inside. Instead it flows freely and loses its grip. I first heard about Rett Syndrome from Julia Cole, an up-and-coming singer/ songwriter from Nashville who I featured on my TV series, Waking Up in America. She told me about ‘two friends from Texas,’ country singer/songwriter Kevin Black and photographer Dave Clements. They published a book called Raising a Hand – a Photographic Music Festival With a Cause to raise awareness and funds for Rett Syndrome research. Their story is one of experiencing tremendous pain, sharing it and turning it into hope and healing for many others. When a copy of Raising a Hand arrived in the mail a few days later, it felt like an invitation to pause, set my business aside, and connect into the love, pain and the hope it represented. Beautifully bound with heavy covers and glossy paper, the book felt sacred. Read more here <<< HIGHLIGHTS: 1:50 – what is Rett Syndrome? 4:44 – the moment in which Dave and Kevin’s stories merge 7:23 – Dave didn’t numb the pain he felt for his friend. Instead he did this. 8:52 – “Raising a Hand “book is for Rett research and awareness 13:04 – Kevin Black tells about parent’s pain of losing their child 16:02 – Kevin’s turning point 20:09 – one word answers 22:35 – “A Tear For You” – performance by Kevin Black Share These: —- THIS SHOW IS PARTIALLY FUNDED BY Patrons at https://www.patreon.com/WakingUP Filmed at OGalleryart in Marathon Village, Nashville, TN

Waking Up from an Addiction (feat. Alexander “Stopp” Roberts)

Tajci — Tue, 12 Jul 2016 11:21:24 -0400

Alexander “Stopp” Roberts is a young musician and songwriter who talks about his drug addiction and recovery. “Waking Up in America” Season 3 – EP 8 Full transcript: Click here If you are struggling with an addiction visit: AmericanAddictioncCenters.org Or Recovery.org CONNECT WITH ALEXANDER STOPP ROBERTS Web: AlexanderStopp.com FB: AlexanderStoppMusic Twitter: @AlexanderStopp Instagram: alexanderstoppmusic How Depression of a Ten Year Old Turned Into an Addiction As a kid, Alex dreamed of becoming a pilot. He was fascinated by the idea of being “free enough to fly through the air,” as he says at the beginning of our interview. Alex moved from Philadelphia to the suburbs and never managed to fit in. He was a target of a lot of bullying, became depressed and withdrew into himself. His only outlet was creativity – imagination and drawing. But he got chastised by his teachers for it and told he had the ‘worst case of ADHD’ a teacher had ever seen. Alex tried to tell his parents, but at 10 or 11 years old, Alex didn’t know how to express it. He just wanted to die. Read more on my blog: >>> HIGHLIGHTS: 2:52 – Who Alex was before the world told him who he should be. 5:50 – At 10 or 11, Alex became suicidal. 7:18 – Alex’ advice to parents of young children. 12:12 – How the addiction progressed until Alex hit the bottom. 15:35 – Process of recovery. 18:18 – Email Question from a viewer from Cincinnati 18:58 – Email Question from Rob from Virginia. 19:39 – One Word Answers 22:39 – Alex performs “The Aftermath of Me” Share These THIS SHOW IS PARTIALLY FUNDED BY Patrons at https://www.patreon.com/WakingUP Filmed at OGalleryart.com: http://ogalleryart.com/

On Love, Redemption and American Civil War (Feat. Robert Hicks)

Tajci — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 02:35:00 -0400

NY Times Bestselling Author Robert Hicks draws inspiration from the American Civil War as a turning point to write about love, loss and redemption. How do we move away from the collective memory of pain caused by wars and past conflicts – that’s the topic of this episode of Waking Up in America, with Robert Hicks. His new book ‘The Orphan Child” comes out in September 2016. “Waking Up in America” Season 3 – EP 7 Full transcript: Click here —— CONNECT WITH ROBERT HICKS Web: Robert-hicks.com FB: robt.hicks Twitter: @robert_hicks CONNECT WITH THOMM JUTZ Web site: thommjutz.com 1861 Project on FB: 1861project FB: thomm.jutz Twitter: @thommjutz Civil War as a Turning Point “You only have two ways to respond to bad things that have happened in your life: you can either be bitter and angry and out trying to get revenge, or you can somehow want to make the world better,” says NY Times Bestselling Novelist Robert Hicks in this episode of Waking Up in America. Robert writes about love, loss and redemption, in the setting of the American Civil War, about which he says was an important turning point in history. Thomm Jutz, Nashville based songwriter/ producer performs “Hallowed Ground” from the acclaimed “The 1861 Project.” —- HIGHLIGHTS: 5:57 – Why the Civil War is Important 7:40 – Robert explains why he loves to write about love, loss and redemption 10:10 – “You should never move away from history…” 16:54 – “loss and gain, happiness and sorrow, all of it is a part of a rich fabric of who we are, of who we can be.” 19:27 – Email Question from Brian from Nashville 20:35 – Email Question from Tomislav from Osijek, Croatia 22:17 – One Word Answers 23:36 – Robert Introduces songwriter and producer Thomm Jutz 25:16 – Thomm Jutz performs “Hallowed Ground” from “The 1861 Project” Some of My Favorite Quotes From This Episode: —- THIS SHOW IS PARTIALLY FUNDED BY Patrons at Patreon.com/WakingUP Filmed at OGalleryart.com

Empowering Lives Through Fitness and Health (with Tash Weddle)

Tajci — Tue, 07 Jun 2016 02:00:10 -0400

This episode is packed with practical tips on health and fitness. A personal transformation inspires coach Tash Weddle to work with low-income women and help them change their lives through fitness and wellness training. This episode is packed with practical tips on health and fitness. “Waking Up in America” Season 3 – EP 6 Full transcript: Click here THIS SHOW IS PARTIALLY FUNDED BY Patrons at Patreon.com/WakingUP Filmed at OGalleryart.com —— CONNECT WITH TASH and THE NEW BEGINNINGS CENTER Web: TheNewBeginningsCenter.org FB: NewBeginningsCenter Instagram: thenewbeginningscenter CONNECT WITH KAT HUNTER Web site: kathuntermusic.com FB: kathuntermusic Twitter: kathuntermusic Through Health and Fitness to Making Big Life-Changes Tash Weddle, president and CEO of The New Beginnings Center in Nashville, TN holds the distinction of Master Strength Coach. Her dedication to excellence and the drive to succeed brought her a dream career, but she needed more to be truly fulfilled. Today she works with high paying clients as well as low-income women in helping them to live healthy, balanced and happy lives. In this episode we talk about emotional eating, addictions, steps to establish a healthy routine and making health a priority. Tash’s long time friend and client, Nashville based singer/ songwriter Kat Hunter sings her beautiful original “Second Wind” Highlights 3:09 – As a college athlete on full scholarship, Tash’s injuries end up in emotional eating 5:04 – People change for two reasons… 7:17 – Tash finds her empowerment. 8:39 – With help of a friend Tash founds New Beginnings Center 12:10 – Tash’s program gets great results 14:13 – Steps to better health – changing one habit at a time 18:10 – It’s not about the food, or exercise… it’s about the lack of self-nurturing behaviors 20:45 – Email Question from the audience 22:15 – One Word Answers 23:26 – Kat Hunter and Tash introduce the song 25:43 – Kat Hunter sings “Second Wind” Share with the world:

Career Change and Valuable Advice from Oprah

Tajci — Tue, 24 May 2016 02:45:07 -0400

Scott Wilcox’s career change was triggered by a middle-school students he was teaching. Encouraged by the feedback from fans and advice from Oprah, Scott is now a music influencer in Wisconsin. “Waking Up in America” Season 3 – EP 5 Download as podcast: on iTunes Read the blog: Full transcript: Click here —– THIS SHOW IS PARTIALLY FUNDED BY Patrons at Patreon.com/WakingUP Filmed at OGalleryart.com —— CONNECT WITH SCOTT WILCOX Web: ScottWilcox.net FB: ScottWilcox.songwriter Twitter:@Songwriterscott —- In order to make his dreams come true, Scott Wilcox had to let go of something he thought was true his entire life. He grew up believing the well-meaning worries that stops so many musicians before they even start: Music is a hobby. Don’t quit your day job. So he built two successful careers in advertising and in special education until a middle schooler called him out and forced him to face his dream. In today’s episode, find out about a series of turning points (including one that involved Oprah Winfrey) that propelled Scott’s career change – to go from a hobbyist to a professional musician and how he is inspiring others. —- When A Career Change Breaks the Glass Ceiling (from the blog) HIGHLIGHTS: 3:08 – Music is a hobby, don’t quit your day job – where did that come from? 7:40 – How Scott was using his creativity and music as a special ed teacher 8:35 – Middle School Student Calls Scott and Hypocrite 13:24 – Getting on Oprah’s show 16:16 – What would Scott tell someone else in his position – from this new perspective 18:27 – From wanting our own success to lifting up others. 19:30– One Word Answers 20:47 – Email Question from the audience 21:56 – Scott introduces his song 24:35 – Scott sings his original: “Locally Famous (Widely Unknown)” —- Filmed at “O” Gallery in Marathon Village, Nashville, TN Music, TV show, blog, courses to help you make changes you want to see happen.

Life Coaching – What Is It, Who Is It For?

Tajci — Tue, 10 May 2016 02:30:59 -0400

What is life coaching and who is it for? Dez Stephens, founder of Radiant Health Institute, a training coaching program joins us to discuss. —– “Waking Up in America” Season 3 – EP 4 Download as podcast on iTunes Blog: Life Coaching – Who Is It For? Full transcript: Click here —- THIS SHOW IS PARTIALLY FUNDED BY Patrons at Patreon.com/WakingUP Filmed at OGalleryart.com —— Connect with Dez Stephens FB: Dez Stephens RadiantHealthInstitute Twitter: RadiantHealthIn LinkedIn: Radiant Health Institute Google+: Dez Stephens Instagram: Dezstephens/ Pinterest: dez_stephens/ Nancy Moran and Fett: Azaleamusic.com —- Dez Stephens is a founder of Radiant Health Institute, a ICF certified training program. In this episode Dez and Tajci talk about how coaching can help us achieve our goals, have better relationships and live a well-rounded healthy lives. Dez demonstrates a coaching session with Tajci as a client. Nancy Moran and Fett sing an uplifting original “Unconditional Love.” Excerpt from my HuffPost blog on Life Coaching: Dez and I talk about how a life coach can help us through life’s challenges, struggles and transformations, and about how life coaches are different than mentors and friends. We do a sample coaching session which gets a little bit personal, and she tells me about the turning point in her life that allowed her to shift into her role as one of the leading coach trainers in central Tennessee. She brought along her friends Nancy Moran and Fett to perform an uplifting song called “Unconditional Love,” and we smile and let our feet and hearts dance to the music. But my favorite part of our conversation is talking about Dez’s global outreach. Recently, Dez trained 50 women in Honduras to be life coaches, and is scheduled to train even more in Panama, Puerto Rico, Guatemala and Croatia. “I visited there three years ago and I noticed that women don’t have opportunity. Hondurans live, on average, on a $1 a day, U.S. So I thought, they could coach online. They could coach tourists. They could coach their communities.” When Dez returned later to conduct the life coach training, she was encouraged by her efforts to create opportunities for these women, who could now call themselves ‘entrepreneurs’ — something that’s less common for women there than it is in the U.S. She decided to volunteer a portion of her time and expertise each year to train and certify new coaches around the globe. —- HIGHLIGHTS: 17:39 – One Word Answers 22:00 – Nancy Moran and Fett perform “Unconditional Love.” —- Filmed at “O” Gallery in Marathon Village, Nashville, TN Music, TV show, blog, courses to help you make changes you want to see happen.

Waking Up to Stop the Violence (with Daquan Summers)

Tajci — Tue, 26 Apr 2016 11:18:27 -0400

Daquan Summers (18), who faced a felony at the age of 12, now leads an anti-violence movement in Nashville, TN. “Waking Up in America” Season 3 – EP 3 Download as podcast on iTunes Blog: What This Teenage Leader of Positive Change Taught Me Full transcript: Click here —- THIS SHOW IS PARTIALLY FUNDED BY Patrons at Patreon.com Filmed at OGalleryart.com —— Connect with Daquan Summers FB: Daquan.summers.7 Instagram: _daquanimal Twitter: @Daquansummers0 Help Daquan pay for college: GoFundMe Campaign Daquan Summers Speaks Against Violence and For Change In this episode Daquan Summers, who faced a felony at age 12, tells what happened that changed the direction of this life. This high school senior speaks at the City and School District events, leading an anti-violence movement and helping others to change their lives as well. —- Highlights From This Episode: 4:41 – “I knew I was getting in trouble when…” 5:28 – Why he left the gang 7:30 – growing up and seeing gangs, shooting… 8:24 – “I had to do better for myself despite what other people were going to say about me. 8:35 – “the biggest thing about change is that a lot of people are scared what other people are going to say about them once they change.” 10:40 – “Stop doing the same old stuff that you see other people doing and expecting a different result…” 10:57 – “A lot of people make excuses…” 12:22 – “I’m not only tired of the situation for me, but I’m tired of the situation for the same people…” 13:19 – On Harriet Tubman 14:07 – “You can be inspiring too, whether you live in a mansion, whether you live in the Projects.” 14:38 – “Help and Need are similar because a lot of people see them as a weakness” 16:20 – What can we do better? 17:42 – Ms. Rosa asks a question about how to help a young man who is going in a wrong direction. 21:52 – One Word Answers 23:34 – Daquan performs his poem “No Excuses for Failure” —- Filmed at “O” Gallery in Marathon Village, Nashville, TN Music, TV show, blog, courses to help you make changes you want to see happen.

What Happens When You Tell the Other #HalfTheStory (with Larissa May)

Tajci — Tue, 12 Apr 2016 11:13:53 -0400

Twenty year old fashion blogger Larissa May, realizes the power of transparency and truth and launches a social media movement #HalftheStory “Waking Up in America” Season 3 – EP 2 Download as podcast on iTunes Blog: Tell the Other #halfthestory to Connect Full transcript: Click here —- THIS SHOW IS PARTIALLY FUNDED BY Patrons at Patreon.com Filmed at OGalleryart.com —— Connect with Larissa May and #HalftheStory Web: halfthestoryproject.com | livinlikelarz.com FB: halfthestoryproject | Livinlikelarz/ Twitter: @livinlikelarz | @halfthestory_ Instagram: @halfthestory | @livinlikelarz —– Connect with guest MUSICIAN Julia Cole: juliacolemusic.com/ —- Larissa May, a fashion blogger, artist and founder of #HalftheStory social media movement talks about her struggles and solutions to use the social media in a positive way rather than becoming a victim of it. —- Save this Image and Post the Other #halfthestory HIGHLIGHTS: 2:09 – ” I thought that I had to be someone else. I thought that I had to fit inside a box. ” 3:28 – “Social media is not good or bad. It’s only half the story…” 4:26 – Building your world around social media – during transitioning from high school to college 5:43 – “use social media for the passion… then you find the people” 6:45 – “I just got distracted by trying to be someone that I wasn’t.” 7:58 – “most people think that vulnerability has to be something depressing. But vulnerability can be something that makes you happy… because other people don’t support it.” 9:38 – New York Fashion Week: “I was running from the Betsey Johnson show…” 10:53 – “I realized this is only half the story and people are misunderstanding art as reality….” 13:21 – “Half The Story allows the story to be about you and not about what you’re doing…” 17:10 – #HalftheStory having an impact on a student in New York who was struggling with an eating disorder.. 19:50 – “#HalfTheStory is a personal statement at first. Also, then it becomes a moment.” 20:20 – What about when people get addicted to the number of likes? 20:53 – Would you say that physical friendships are still as important as social media? 21:52 – Julie Cole performs “Half the Story” Song —- Filmed at “O” Gallery in Marathon Village, Nashville, TN Music, TV show, blog, courses to help you make changes you want to see happen.

From Brokenness to Serving the Homeless (with Brett Swayn)

Tajci — Mon, 28 Mar 2016 21:46:49 -0400

Brett Swayn had been homeless, broken ‘by his brokenness,’ and had himself felt utter desolation. He knows what a miracle feels like. In this episode we talk about how his turning point shifted him from chasing a dream to satisfy the person he thought he was, and into a much more purposeful life of helping others and providing healing in their lives. Season 3 - EP 1 Read full blog on Huffington Post. Download as podcast on iTunes Click here for full transcript. THIS SHOW IS PARTIALLY FUNDED BY Patrons at Patreon.com/WakingUP. Click on the link to become one and receive special perks. Filmed at O Gallery in Marathon Village, Nashville Check out the highlights 03:00 - Brett talks about his growing up in Australia 05:33 - Getting stuck in chasing a dream of a person Brett thought he was 06:54 - the dream collapses 07:34 - becoming a 'monster' 08:18 - '[the Bible] literally reading me as I’m reading it' 09:30 - experiencing 'utter desolation' before the miracle happens 13:34 - arriving to Nashville and becoming homeless 14:56 - 'why do you worry about little things?" 17:33 - talking to Devin, one of the formerly homeless guys from The Cookery 20:34 - One Word Answers 22:32 - Brett sings his song "Move" Connect with Brett and The Cookery - Where Lives of the Homeless Are Restored Web: TheCookery.org FB: TheCookeryNashville #wakinguprevolution

Waking Up On (and FOR) Christmas

Tajci — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 13:56:35 -0500

This Special Christmas Episode of "Waking UP in America" is packed with amazing guests, gift ideas, beautiful music and featuring an awesome Country music singer and actor Waylon Payne! SPONSORED by Grgich Hills and Ilirija Resorts FEATURING: WAYLON PAYNE, country singer and actor, KRYS MIDGETT, founder "Give a Little Nashville", BRETT SWAYN, founder "The Cookery", KEISHA OLDS, founder "Spoilt Magazine", MICHAEL ALVEY trio, BRIAN HANSON on piano FILMED at SEALE KEYWORKS, Franklin TN Sound engineered by BRYAN LENNOX SET DESIGN by Angela DeYoung Waking UP For Christmas This year, I've been exploring turning points that shift us into living with joy and purpose, and then bring goodness and love into our world. Isn't that what Christmas is about? It's a pretty big turning point in the history of the world that shifted us (or at least intended to shift us) into light, love and peace. The Gregorian calendar - one that has been used as an unofficial global standard for a while now - has always been centered around that turning point. Every year as Christmas comes around, we collectively try to bring more of that light, love and peace into our world. We decorate our surroundings in ways that visually represent this 'special' time, we make delicious food that gathers us all together and nourishes our bodies, we create art and music that tell stories of the faith and miracles that accompanied the First Christmas, we wait for Santa Claus to deliver his gifts - presents which symbolically represent God's gift to humanity. Presents that hold love and a message: I see you, I care about you, I love you. You matter. When on Christmas morning children run down the stairway and look under the tree, that is what deep within their hearts they are looking for: a wish come true, a present that's more than just a thing. Wrapped in love, representing to them someone that cares for them. Someone that says: "I love you... I see you... You matter." This message is what I believe we are all called to do, not only on Christmas but on every day of the year. So I invited a few guests to share their ways to give, uplift, love and care for our world in this special episode of Waking Up in America filmed in Nashville and filled with great music. Featured Songs: "How I Love the Christmas Season" by Tajci Performed by Tajci "Move" by Brett Swayn Performed by Brett Swayn "O Holy Night" Performed by Waylon Payne "Where in the World" by Brian Hanson Performed by Waylon and Tajci "Silent Night" Performed by Tajci "Sto je Bozic" by Hrvoje Hercek Performed by Tajci "What Child is This" Performed by Michael Alvey Trio "I Wonder As I Wonder" Performed by Tajci "O Tannenbaum" Performed by Michael Alvey Trio

Waking Up Healed

Tajci — Mon, 23 Nov 2015 19:44:25 -0500

There is no better place for having a Thanksgiving Tea than the Thistle Stop Cafe in Nashville, TN where gratitude activates grace and love truly heals. Join us as three courageous women survivors of abuse, sex trafficking, addiction and prostitution share their "waking up healed" stories. Season 2 - EP 35 (Special) Watch episode with Becca Stevens, founder of Thistle Farms: Love Heals Every Body Read Tajci's blog on Tajci.net From Tajci's Blog: I used to always fall apart on Thanksgiving Day. I felt overwhelming gratitude, but also an inability to truly accept the grace and love it brought to me. As an immigrant, I was grateful for every open heart that showed me kindness and welcomed me into their home - both physically in sharing the resources and opportunities of their country and in offering me a seat at their table, and spiritually in inviting me into their hearts, our shared home where Love is the host. As a traveler and a seeker, I was grateful for the bumps, high peaks and low valleys of the road I’d been on. But for a long time, along with the gratitude, I carried regret, guilt and self-judgment, not willing to leave it behind. A move to Nashville, Tennessee came as the perfect external shift to trigger an internal one, and the opportunity to try to let go of some of that baggage. Only a few months after the move, a friend invited me to the meditation circle at Thistle Farms, a community for women who have survived sex trafficking, abuse, addiction and prostitution founded by Reverend Becca Stevens.

End of Season Episode of Waking UP in America

Tajci — Tue, 17 Nov 2015 15:39:13 -0500

A look at the season of interviews and stories we featured on this show, and why we believe it's important we keep telling these stories of awakening. Season 2 - EP 34 Read Tajci's End of Season blog on Tajci.net From Tajci's Blog: Making Big Life Shifts – It’s Not That Scary After You Learn a Few Lessons From Those Who Have Done It Over the past year I’ve interviewed 32 guests on my show Waking Up in America about turning points in various aspects of their lives. Many of them had CLEAR life-altering events that caused them to change their behaviors and thought patterns. For some it was a SERIES of external triggers that finally awoke them, while for a few they were able to listen to that WHISPER deep within their soul and avoid a loud wake-up call. Here are some of the things they learned and what we can apply to our own lives. (For the full list, visit WakingUpinAmerica.net) 1. “Everything is dependent upon our ability to sit with discomfort. And not numb it, and not reject it and not use it to hurt other people… but just sit with pain. Everything beautiful comes from there.” – Glennon Melton I learned from Glennon Melton that it’s only when we are able to sit with discomfort that we can understand WHY and WHAT we need to shift in our lives in order to move out of it. 2. Change requires risk, and with any risk comes the possibility of failure. Fear of failure and humiliation keeps us inactive. Four ‘ordinary Moms’ shifted from passively waiting to stepping into their power to help with the hunger in Croatian schools. In just a few months they secured over a half million lunches and moved the government to address this problem.