So Important: The Interview Podcast!

Jonna Murphy on Mental Health Awareness.

Hello all, 
As I mention in the introduction to this episode, this podcast is a little bit different than the norm, in that we don't just focus on one topic, but we focus on people. My goal is to give all kinds of people the opportunity to talk about something interesting, or important, to them. 
Often our topics are lighthearted, perhaps biographical, perhaps cultural, perhaps chatting with a respected teacher about his philosophy, or a musician about their craft. But sometimes we tackle serious issues, such as Poverty. Or, as in this episode, mental health awareness. 
Jonna Murphy is a remarkable individual. She has had to deal with mental health issues in her own family, and she had made it her mission to become an authority on this topic, and to help others find the help and expertise to find help for themselves or a loved one, if there is a need. She has great insights into mental health and I think we all benefit from hearing what Jonna has to say. I salute Jonna's bravery for talking about such a difficult issue, and I thank her for sharing her great, and very practical knowledge about this topic. 
I encourage you to share this episode with any and all who may find it inspiring, or who may be looking to take a first step toward addressing this difficult issue. And Jonna, thank you again. 
If you'd like to connect with Jonna, please contact me at somportantpodcast.gmail.com. In the meantime, Jonna has shared some key links and I am happy to share them with you, below. 
Thank you for listening and thank you, Jonna. 
From Jonna Murphy: 
Here are some very educational links related to serious mental illness - specifically bipolar and schizophrenia. 
 
Over the years both NAMI and NIMH have provided us with a wealth of information.
 
This is just a start, there are many other links as well.
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/bipolar-disorder/index.shtml
https://www.nami.org/Learn-More/Mental-Health-Conditions/Schizophrenia
 
https://www.healthline.com/health/bipolar-disorder
 

Barrence Whitfield on HIS MUSIC!

So, this one is special to me.  I first saw Barrence Whitfield and the Savages perform in the 1980s and I have loved Barrence and his music ever since. Led by Barrence and long-time guitarist Peter Greenberg, the Savages put on a full-assault rock and roll attack every time. Describing their sound is never easy. The Savages build their sound on a garage band foundation, adding old-time rock and roll, hard rocking rhythm and blues, soul, and whatever else works to create the classic Savages sound. And at the heart of it all is the Savages full-throated, no-holds-barred lead singer, Barrence Whitfield.
There's nothing like the Savages sound, and we discuss their sound extensively in our discussion.
It was a great privledge to have the chance to talk with Barrence - a consummate musician and performer whom I have admired for so long a time. 
You can learn more about Barrence at his website: 
http://barrencewhitfieldsavages.com
Or visit his facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/BarrenceWhitfieldSavages/
And of course, the music of the Savages is widely available on Amazon and elsewhere, including from Bloodshot Records at:
https://www.bloodshotrecords.com/artist/barrence-whitfield-savages
The songs you'll hear on this podcast are Pain and I'll be Home Someday, from the Savages' most recent release, Soul Flowers of Titan, as well as Mama Get The Hammer and Bloody Mary, two Savages classics. Because a great part of appreciating Barrence is the live experience, I went with the version off of the great Live Emulsified album - check it out at:
https://www.amazon.com/Live-Emulsified-Barrence-Whitfield-Savages/dp/B005G6QR1E/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1537635053&sr=8-1&keywords=Barrence+Whitfield+Live+Emulsified
I hope you enjoy my conversation with the great Barrence Whitfield!
 
 
 
 

Edwin Heijmen on FILM NOIR - THE B-MOVIES!

Hello everyone! Had a fun conversation with Edwin Heijmen on one of my very favorite topics - film noir! And we talked about the B-Movie variety - the films made by the major studios to fill out double features in the 1940s and 1950s, or the films made by the so called "Poverty Row" production houses. Made on a dime, cheap sets, no-name actors...all these challenges often led the film makers to find innovative ways to get around these constraints, often resulting in some absolute classic films.
And just for you, Edwin and I give a shout out to some of our favorites!  Check them out, and I hope you enjoy our conversation. I did!
Edwin has a blog, entitled Reviews From the Bottom of the Barrel, where he writes about all things film noir. Great reading! You can find it at: 
http://rftbotb.blogspot.com/
And just remember: sometimes fate, or some  mysterious force, can put the finger on you or me for no reason at all!
 
 
 
And hey...see you at the movies!

Jeannie Brand on OSCAR BRAND'S LEGACY!

Hello everyone! 
I so enjoyed talking with Jeannie Brand, the daughter of the legendary folk singer Oscar Brand, on the great legacy of her beloved father.  Oscar Brand was not only a prolific song writer and performer in his own right; he also played a critical role in helping to launch the careers of Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, Arlo Guthrie, and countless other great performers. Here's Oscar's story - from one who knows it best!
As part of her ongoing efforts, Jeannie has written a wonderful memoir, The Folk-Singer's Daughter, about growing up the daughter of a famous celebrity. I loved it and urge you to give it a read. It's at Amazon at:
https://www.amazon.com/Folksingers-Daughter-Jeannie-Brand/dp/0692866450
Oscar Brand's YouTube site is highly recommended - full of great videos from all facets of his career. It's at: 
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnXsXmpiBfZLj3daKBAJqxA
I hope you enjoy this episode. If so, please like on I-Tunes, maybe give a good review, subscribe to the podcast on your favorite carrier...all those good things. Thank you Jeannie, and thank you, dear audience, for giving a listen!

Jim Wilson on MAKING - AND COLLECTING - RECORDS!

Our guest is Mr. Jim Wilson, a Los Angeles-based musician who has played with any number of artists, ranging from Emmylou Harris to Anthrax, with Henry Rollins and many others in between. Jim is also a gifted solo artist and he just put out a new album entitled Now Playing that frankly, I can't stop listening to, and I urge you to give it a spin! We talk about the making of the album and the great guests who appear on it, and we also features many great cuts from the album!
As if that wasn't enough...Jim also talks about his hobby - collecting records! He has a massive collection of LPs (you'll have to listen to find out how many), and Jim talks about his passion for this pursuite and why it is so important to him. Lots of fun! 
Jim's album is widely available at all the usual places, including his great website, which is here: 
http://jimwilsonmusic.blogspot.com/
and of course, there's his facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/jimwilsonwithphiljones/
Check it out!
Hope you enjoy this episode and don't be shy about sharing it, giving the show a little review and rating on I-Tunes, all that good stuff. As we say to our new listeners who are tuning it to hear Jim, Listen to the episode, stay for the show! Follow the show on your favorite carrier and listen as we talk to all kinds of people about something important to them!

Michael Tanner on FIGHTING POVERTY!

Our guest today is Michael Tanner, a Senior Fellow at the Cato Institute who has devoted many years of life to the study of poverty in America, and to developing innovative solutions to this enduring challenge. Michael seeks solutions that transcend the political back and forth of the day, and he can serve as an inspiration to all of us that strive for the day when people of all political stripes come together in search of common solutions to pressing problems. Michael's forthcoming book on the topic, "The Inclusive Economy: How to Bring Wealth to America's Poor," will be available soon. 
For those listening to hear Michael, welcome! We are glad to have you, and hope you'll become a regular listener to the show as we explore many topics with many interesting people. Thank you!

Gary Graff on the MUSIC INDUSTRY TODAY!

Hello friends, our guest today is Mr. Gary Graff, noted popular music journalist and critic. Gary has published extensively on popular music, and his highly acclaimed book on Bruce Springsteen is considered a seminal work. Gary is talking with me today about how the music industry has evolved, some of his concerns in that regard, and what can be done to get things back on track. This is a great opportunity to hear from a keen observer of the music scene, and his words are...so important! Thank you Gary for being on the program!

Adam Pohl on BASEBALL BROADCASTING!

Adam Pohl is the play-by-play announcer for the Bowie Bay Sox, the Double A affilitate of the Baltimore Orioles. Here he talks about his journey in broadcasting, his philosophy underlying his approach, and why he enjoys doing what he does. And he's a great guy!

Cantor Lindsay Kanter on her CANTORIAL JOURNEY

Lindsay Kanter is the Cantor at Temple Emanuel, a reform congretation in Kensington, Maryland. She was kind enough to speak about her Cantorial Journey, her passion for all manner of traditional Jewish music, and what she seeks to achieve when constructing a service. Best of all, Cantor Lindsay shared her beautiful music with us, and it is featured on this episode. I hope you enjoy, and please feel free to like the podcast and follow it, which can now be found in I-Tunes. And please do share. Thanks!

Master RJ Lee on TEACHING THE MARTIAL ARTS!

Master RJ Lee is the chief instructor at the Black Belt Martial Arts Center in Kensington, Maryland. Master Lee is committed to teaching the martial arts and other forms of physical fitness, and has thought long and hard about why teaching is so important to him, and how to put his philosophy into practice. He shares his thoughts on this podcast!

Moshe Engelberg on SPIRIT!

Welcome to the premiere episode of So Important, a podcast dedicated to talking to people about something that is so important to them! To start things off, we'll talk with Moshe Engelberg about spirit - and what spirit means to him!