Connectopod™

LAPL What's Cookin'? Series episode 2: It's all Rice

Canoga Park Library's series on nutrition continues with first-time podcasters Fariha Karim, Joie Solano, and Samantha Peruch, who connect cultures and cuisines with humble grains of rice.
How did rice travel the globe and why do people of such diverse cultures claim it as a staple?
 
That's Fariha third from the left, Samantha at the head of the table, and Joi sitting next to her on her left.

LAPL What's Cookin'? Series episode 1: Comfort Food

The Canoga Park Branch Library talking about nutrition. 1st time podcasters Alexandra Espinoza and Mitzy Rodriguez get out of their comfort zone! Using the 'roving reporter mics' they ask complete strangers (as well as a few strange acquaintances) about their comfort foods. 
Mitzy and Alex on the far right

#TMH Series- An interview with Andre Devancans on his LGBTQ episode

Andre Davancans is a talented guy. He creates music, is taking 3 APs at Van Nuys High School, and does well on the swim team and wrestling team. Like many kids who seem to have it all, he struggles to feel good mentally, about himself and the world around him. You'd never know it to be with him. He is quick with a laugh and is usually the first to step up to help others. It is no surprise then that in defining himself as part of the LGBTQ community, he is emerging as a leader to help others find their way. This is a short interview with him about his episode for #TMH series.

LAPL- Palms- Rancho Park Teens are Leading Change

Librarian Emily Meehan is calling all teens this summer for Los Angeles Public Library's initiative "Teens Leading Change." Palms Rancho Park is teaming up with the Mar Vista and Robertson branches to to create their program "Support and Advocate for Youth in Need." Emily asks "What does homelessnes look like?" Did you think of families and fellow students? After a short interview workshop, first time reporters Rana Almahdi, Rasha Almahdi, and Ben Santos, interviewed Emily to find out what the project entails, its goals, and how to get involved. Great job team!
If you are a teen who wants to advocate for a stronger community, contact EMeehan@LAPL.org (Librarians Rule!!!)
If you are experiencing homelessness, Emily gave us some resources to pass on. 
Midnight Mission 
Los Angeles Homelessness Services Authority
Safe Space for Youth (especially if you are a teen alone)
LAUSD Homeles Education Program
Homelight Family Living
 

Changing the Narrative Bonus: K-Pop to A-Pop!

Featured in our last episode, here are the full covers of the K-pop hits La Ta Ta (by (G)I-dle) and As if it Were Your Last (by BLACKPINK) by our very own Avery Carter and Alynnah Walker, produced by Young Ambition for this Connectopod / Social Justice Learning Institute collaboration series Changing the Narrative. 
From shy to fly, these two 11 year olds took us from Inglewood to Korea and back with a little Seoul Music.  We dare you to listen to this and a.) not dance and b.)not think they are pros. Enjoy!
Visit the Changing the Narrative page on our site for more content and read more about Alynnah and Avery on our blog- Art is Everywhere.
 
 
 
 
 
Created in a 5 week collaboration between Connectopod and The Social Justice Learning Institute, developed and taught by by Andrea Lopez, Daniel P. Castillo, and Betsy Foldes Meiman
Original concept for Changing the Narrative by Daniel P. Castillo.
Changing the Narrative is supported in part by a generous grant from the California Arts Council, a state agency. Learn more at arts.ca.gov 
Thank you! 
 Changing the Narrative is Produced by Betsy Foldes Meiman
 
 
 
 
 

Changing the Narrative Episode 5- Art is Everywhere

How does art influence us as individuals and as communities? How do we process our world into artistic expression that makes us think, brings us joy, and connects us? In the Story Corps booth at the Annenberg Space for Photography, musician/ film maker Kevin Miles and voice over artist Betsy Foldes Meiman  discuss  the social justice power of photography, a high school football hero Tashad Rutherford (Truth) slams his poem "Outsource," Alynnah Walker and Avery Carter give  cultural wisdom and connection through K-Pop. Stick around after the Connectopod "End Yell" to hear these two soft spoken 11 year olds break out amazing covers (in KOREAN people!) of La Ta Ta and As If It's Your Last, produced by Young Ambition (the perceptive Kevin Miles!). 
 
Visit the Changing the Narrative page on our site for more content and read more about this story on our blog.
 
 
Edited/engineered by Joe Foldes . This is Joe's first fling as a Connectopod editor. He is a musician and freelance web designer/coder based in Brooklyn, NY. 
Created in a 5 week collaboration between Connectopod and The Social Justice Learning Institute, developed and taught by by Andrea Lopez, Daniel P. Castillo, and Betsy Foldes Meiman
Original concept for Changing the Narrative by Daniel P. Castillo.
Changing the Narrative is supported in part by a generous grant from the California Arts Council, a state agency. Learn more at arts.ca.gov 
Thank you! 
 Changing the Narrative is Produced by Betsy Foldes Meiman

Changing the Narrative episode 4- Mountain Top

Sometimes it's hard to see the view. Sometimes there is no view at all. From the "valley" of Inglewood and South Central, Jonathan Zeno shares how the words of slain Black Panthers leader, Fred Hampton, influence his perception of the state of black culture and inspires empathy and strength as he climbs that mountain to a more optimistic outlook.
Avion Warner, whom you will meet in the next episode, shares a poem, written from a dark place, as he struggles with his families eviction from their longtime home amidst the real estate boom exploding in Inglewood. 
Quest tells of Better Days as she works and dreams of her music success. You'll say you knew her when!
 
Music by Young Ambition. You can listen to more of Young Ambition and Quest on SoundCloud.
Correction: Tashad Rutherford is credited in this episode but is not included, but he will actually be featured in the next two episodes. 
Visit the Changing the Narrative page on our site for more content
 
Produced by Betsy Foldes Meiman
Edited/engineered by Joe Foldes . This is Joe's first fling as a Connectopod editor. He is a musician and freelance web designer/coder based in Brooklyn, NY. 
Created in a 5 week collaboration between Connectopod and The Social Justice Learning Institute, developed and taught by by Andrea Lopez, Daniel P. Castillo, and Betsy Foldes Meiman
Original concept for Changing the Narrative by Daniel P. Castillo.
Changing the Narrative is supported in part by a generous grant from the California Arts Council, a state agency. Learn more at arts.ca.gov 
Thank you! 
 
 

Pacoima Rising episode 2: Finding Home. An interview with Jonathan Fein Proano of the International Rescue Committee

What makes a person choose a job in a helping profession? How does one handle with working with a population that has experienced fleeing their homeland? The Connectopod Youth Reporters are marking the end of 2018 with a powerful interview. In this episode, lead interviewer, Angelica Benitez, along with co-reporters, Victoria Benitez and James Alltop, sit down with Jonathan Fein Proano, Citizenship and Financial Capability Coordinator with the International Rescue Committee's Los Angeles / US Programs office. Phew! - that job title is a mouthful - and with good reason! Because Jonathan's job duties working with refugees and asylees in Los Angeles cannot be summed up easily. Both our reporters and Jonathan draw connections between all people who have sought refuge in the United States for many reasons and those that IRC serves. At a time of year when many are spending time with family and loved ones, IRC's work reminds us that there are many who are not able to be with their loved ones at the moment. And yet, there are many people like Jonathan, and many helping organizations ready and willing to serve those "finding their way home" this time of year. We are moved by The International Rescue Commitee's mission, and we think you will be, too!
"Finding Home" is the second episode in a 3 part series requested by wonder librarian, Marcia Melkonian, at the Pacoima Library, paid for by The Nicholas Beck Trust. Connectopod will cover 3 of the nonprofits that uplift and celebrate this dynamic family oriented neighborhood: Arts Incubator, International Rescue Committee, and MEND. Tune in to hear what makes Pacoima great!
Like us and follow us on all the socials @Connectopod 
Wishing you a safe and Happy 2019!
 
 

Pacoima Rising, ep. 1- Home Is Where the Art Is!

 
Reduce, Re-use, Resquache! (warning: saying that word is addictive). This is the mantra of the artists Diana Castro and Cecilia Lopez at Pacoima Beautiful's Arts Incubator,  interviewed by Connectopod reporters Victoria Benitez and James Alltop.
The Arts Incubator (another great word!) is the dynamic new program of Pacoima Beautiful, an organization that has been advocating for environmental equity in the San Fernando Valley since 1996 through clean ups, youth mentorship, grass roots activism and ever developing new programs and initiatives. Director Sandra Ramirez sat down with reporters Angelica Benitez and Sabir Salim at the studios on Van Nuys and Cayuga in Pacoima to understand what exactly is incubating and how!
Pacoima is blooming with colorful murals and arts festivals. Find out how the Arts Incubator program supports and fosters artists to benefit the community. And look for Artvertise on bus shelters near you!
"Home is Where the Art Is" is the first episode in a 3 part series requested by wonder librarian, Marcia Melkonian, at the Pacoima Library, paid for by The Nicholas Beck Trust. Connectopod will cover 3 of the nonprofits that uplift and celebrate this dynamic family oriented neighborhood: Arts Incubator, International Rescue Committee, and MEND. Tune in to hear what makes Pacoima great!
Visit us at Connectopod.net to see what we're up to. Follow us on the socials, please and thank you!
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Produced by Betsy Foldes Meiman
 
 
 

Legacy

This powerful Poem is written and performed by Changing the Narrative Podcaster Jonathan Zeno with a beautiful sound design by Daniel P. Castillo. 
It will be featrured in the upcoming episode of Changing the Narrative entitled "Wanting to Live." This episode centers around Paul Terry's interview with advocates Derek Steele and David Turner about mental health in communites of color.
 
Produced by Betsy Foldes Meiman 
created in a summer program collaboration of Connectopod and the Social Justice Learning Institute funded in part by a generous media arts grant from the California Arts Council, a state agency. Find out more at arts.ca.gov
curriculum created and taught by Andrea Lopez, Daniel P. Castillo, and Betsy Foldes Meiman