Star Wars Day, Disney Way

Listen to “Star Wars Day, Disney Way” NOW in our archives at Unity Online Radio

OR download to the podcast from iTunes

Original air date: Monday, May 04, 2015

May the fourth be with you! Things have changed since the originally-released, history-making, Star Wars Trilogy. A prequel trilogy came out, and in 2012 the brainchild of George Lucas was adopted by Disney. Disney is known for magic, fantasy, and imagination. Stacy and Malayna will talk about the impact both have had on pop culture, and how we can use what they’ve taught us so far as tools to improve our lives, as we look forward to when The Force Awakens!

Retro Outlaw interprets Leia as the Coppertone girl. Google it!

We must admit, there was a disturbance in The Force as we attempted to present our podcast on May 4th.  Here’s your guide to navigate around the technical difficulties!

We started off with some poor pronunciations of Organisms named after Star Wars characters, which you can find detailed at the link included here.

We discussed a timeline of Star Wars films releases and our memories.  I mentioned that I remembered seeing the original one at The Egyptian (but it may have been Return of the Jedi, actually….).  Stacy thought that I might have been referring to The El Capitan, across from the Chinese Theater, but nope!  Links included to show that we eventually checked our facts!

Aside from a dog barking about 5 minutes in, all was well until we mentioned the documentary The People vs. George Lucas.

The Force responded by kicking us off the air for 2 full minutes.

So skip to 18:00 minutes into the show, when we pointed out the metaphor — the idea that people being upset with the creator of the Star Wars universe is like us shaking our fists at our Creator (God, or whatever name you choose) for something we don’t like about our world.  George Lucas created this whole universe that we all love, and then we got mad at him for what did with his creation.

Han Shot First!

Around 24 minutes into the show, another glitch of about 15 or 20 seconds hit us, but we course-corrected and continued to talk about the  Han Shot First issue!  (Shooting who? Greedo!  I was right!  I second guessed myself into thinking I meant Boba Fett.  But I didn’t.  I totally meant Greedo.)

The rest went without a hitch:

Between the 26 and 27-minute mark, we got into the next installment, The Force Awakens, with JJ Abrams directing.  (Click to see a trailer!)

Stacy, as a one time, Star Wars Fan Club member, examines why it had such an impact on her young self:  1) the excitement of living in the unknown of space * Leia as a strong female role model * Technology as our friends – (Wall-E, Big Hero 6 – Androids are our phone friends) * It’s a story about family and reconnection * Embrace others – like Wookies, Ewoks, etc.

Malayna pointed out the Joseph Campbell / Hero with a Thousand Faces connection – mythical language of all human stories, from King Arthur to Beowulf… The Hero’s Journey inspired us all using the same tools. And the book The Writer’s Journey – written by a story consultant at Disney- impresses the importance of these archetypal characters, on a journey we’re all on. Any of our holy books, can be a description of our spirit’s journey through the human experience. These stories are that too – all stories are.

People vs George Lucas 2 – due out later in 2015 – the Disneyfication of Star Wars franchise.  JJ Abrams did a great job with the Star Trek universe.

We looked at the messages of Disney movies, and what we can learn from them if we look.

We talked about the TV show Heroes, which was on NBC and created by Tim Kring.  (Not Disney, not ABC.)

And finally we summed it up that all these stories about princes or princesses are about us – we are all heirs to the kingdom! As such, we have a responsibility to self, community, and environment – to being our best selves, take on that royal role.

Resonate with stories that call us to be better – step into those roles, and use them as tools to inspire!

Pop Culture Christmas Classics

Listen NOW to the Pop Culture Christmas Classics episode in our archives!

Or download the podcast from iTunes…

Original air date: Monday, December 08, 2014

Although we enjoy the variety of holidays celebrated at this time of year, we’re going to focus on Christmas tales that are retooled and retold repeatedly, and those we find once that stick with us. Whether conveyed by song, on film, or by other means, they become part of the lexicon we use to express the meaning of Christmas. Join Stacy and Malayna in reviewing some of their favorites, and compile your own list of classics to share with those you love!

Below are Malayna’s pre-show notes, but listen to hear how the conversation REALLY went! 

Santa or Jesus — it’s the same story! (Kinda)  Read the article that grew from this episode on Unity.org!

 

FromTor.com: http://www.tor.com/blogs/2012/12/bizarre-holiday-specials – by Bridget McGovern

Scrooged (1988): By the time Murray and the rest of the cast (including Karen Allen, Carol Kane, Bobcat Goldthwait, David Johansen and Robert Mitchum) start singing along to “Put A Little Love In Your Heart,” I defy you not to get a little teary (in a good way!) — (Saw it with Carlton!)

Christmas At Pee-Wee’s Playhouse (1988): In which Grace Jones arrives in a giant box and performs the only rendition of “The Little Drummer Boy” I’ll ever truly love. Plus, Pee-Wee teaches Little Richard how to ice skate, Charo performs “Feliz Navidad” with robot accompaniment, and Zsa Zsa Gabor appears as “Princess Zsa Zsa” and SO MUCH MORE. A hyper-affectionate throwback to the campy holiday TV extravaganzas of the 60s and 70s, Pee-Wee’s Christmas special is a total bizarre, sparkly delight with a heart of gold (and you can actually watch the whole thing here, thanks to the magic of YouTube! Just try not to read the comments. Ever.)

A Muppet Family Christmas (1987): [John Denver, Scooter, and the Muppets sing “The Peace Carol” for the television special John Denver and the Muppets: A Christmas Together. It also appeared on the soundtrack album.]

The Year Without A Santa Claus (1974):

Community: The show has had two fantastic Christmas-themed episodes to date; the first, “Abed’s Uncontrollable Christmas,

TV Specials:

FROM http://entertainment.time.com/2013/12/12/10-greatest-christmas-tv-specials-from-your-childhood/

• Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964) “This Rankin/Bass special has it all, from Burl Ives as the snowman narrator , to the Island of Misfit Toys, to Hermey, the elf who longs to be a dentist — and who saves the day by performing a dental extraction on the Abominable Snow Monster.”
• Charlie Brown Christmas (1965) – The first-ever Peanuts special – pathetic little tree! Actually quotes from the Bible, reminds people the holiday is about the birth of Christ and is against commercialism.
• Grinch who stole Xmas – 1966 – great song! “animated by the great Chuck Jones (the Warner Bros. animator behind some of the most celebrated Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck shorts) and narrated by Boris Karloff (who also does the creepy honors as the title character). Includes the priceless ditty “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch,” sung by Thurl Ravenscroft (a.k.a. the voice of Tony the Tiger).”
• Frosty the Snowman (1969) – Jimmy Durante (drawn complete with schnozz) narrates and sings the title song.
• Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town (1970) – Fred Astaire and toy-hating Burgermeister Meisterburger
• Year Without a Santa Claus (1974) – Snow Miser and Heat Miser, Rankin/Bass Clayamation
• Jack Frost (1979) –Claymation
• Jack Frost 1998 – Michael Keaton – reincarnated dad as snowman

• Skip to 2012 with Rise of the Guardians — Generation after generation, immortal Guardians like Santa Claus (Alec Baldwin), the Easter Bunny (Hugh Jackman) and the Tooth Fairy (Isla Fisher) protect the world’s children from darkness and despair. However, an evil boogeyman named Pitch Black (Jude Law) schemes to overthrow the Guardians by obliterating children’s belief in them. It falls to a winter sprite named Jack Frost (Chris Pine) to thwart Pitch’s plans and save the Guardians from destruction.

The Body Image Shift

Listen NOW from our archives at Unity Online Radio — or download the podcast from iTunes.

Original air date: Monday, September 29, 2014

“Evening Gown” by Jenny Hahn – JensPaintings.com

This week, Stacy and Malayna will discuss body image and the media, and how we can all make a lasting shift to appreciation and love for the wondrous vehicle that facilitates our lives. They’ll point out positive media images that can support that journey, and tools to deal with the not-so-supportive messages that are all too prevalent in the world today. “Let your adornment be the inner self …” (1 Peter 3:4)!

“…with the lasting beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in God’s sight.” (1 Peter 3:4)

1. Embrace film promo and “disgusting” – convo with Erika Eleniak, Baywatch Babe told me I looked good! Ego boost!  And how beauty and sex appeal can be limiting…

 

2. Barbie to Bratz, photoshopping (Dove Campaign for Real Beauty) and “fat shaming” – not just women either, I hear the men closest to me talking about their weight and muscles, rather than fitness levels too. And let’s not forget the cultural aspect, body image based on skin color, hair color, or physical build.

 

3. Scene in What the Bleep (celebrating its 10^th Anniversary at the Awakened World International Film Festival in Santa Barbara Oct 27 – 30) where she writes positive words and images on her body, to emulate Dr. Emoto’s experiment with water.

 

4.  Maria Nemeth, Mastering Life’s Energies: Simple Steps to a Luminous Life at Work and Play – what if you and your body went to couple’s therapy and it was revealed that it loved you, and you don’t give it what it needs? It’s a waste of energy to beat yourself up and put yourself down.

 

5. Gone with the Wind – Scarlett O’Hara is a great example of how she let her beauty ruin her life – not wanting to have another kid because she couldn’t get her 20” waist back down to 18-1/2” after having a baby. Didn’t Melanie seem more beautiful and transcendent because she was kind and loving and saw the best in others?

 

6. Ever notice how your impression changes once you get to know someone? An attractive person can become ugly, and someone who at first glance didn’t impress can become beautiful/handsome.

 

7. Then, think about people you really admire – Oprah, Deepak, isn’t because of who they are? How they make you feel? Their confidence, their comfort, their belief, whatever it is – their them-ness. Paulette Pipe’s perfection. Seeing perfection in others.

 

8. Jennifer Grey, Dirty Dancing – interesting looking, compelling. Post nose job, she’s pretty, but not memorable or recognizable.

 

9. Shift to healthy, compassionate treatment of our bodies. Bloom where we’re planted! We only have so much control over the tools we inherited in this lifetime.

 

10. Every period of history held its own standards of beauty – Been to a museum lately? And still in many cultures today, being thin is a sign of poverty, and being curvy is a sign of abundance.

 

11. Gary Simmons – Finger pointing at the moon, mistaking the symbol for the message.  Joseph Campbell – Archetypally, the heroes in myths and the gods and goddesses were larger than life for symbolic purposes. Stronger, more beautiful, to make a point. But society is confusing the myth for reality. The on-camera character for the real person.

 

12. • zaftig: pleasingly plump, buxom, full-figured, as a woman (from Yiddish זאַפֿטיק zaftik ‘juicy’; cf. German saftig ‘juicy’) (OED, MW)The television sitcom Ugly Betty portrays the life of a girl faced with hardships due to society’s unwelcoming attitudes toward those they deem unattractive. However, a person may also be targeted for harassment because of their beauty. In Malèna, a strikingly beautiful Italian woman is forced into poverty by the women of the community who refuse to give her work for fear that she may “woo” their husbands. The documentary Beauty in the Eyes of the Beheld explores both the societal blessings and curses of female beauty through interviews of women considered beautiful.St. Augustine said of beauty “Beauty is indeed a good gift of God; but that the good may not think it a great good, God dispenses it even to the wicked.”^[40]– From Wikipedia: on Beauty
    • • Media Smarts http://mediasmarts.ca/body-image/ – Canada’s Centre for Digital and Media Literacy.

    POSITIVE TOOLS:

    • Healthy is the new Skinny – Smile TV uploaded the video you can find on You Tube,
    • Dove Campaign for Real Beauty – Real Beauty Sketches
    • The Body Image Survival Guide for Parents – http://www.todaysparent.com – offers a few suggestions for kids
    • OUR SUGGESTIONS
      1. Replace reading material that celebrates the outer with ones that celebrate the inner – photo albums of people you love! Real people you admire!  (Contagious Optimism?)
      2. Use the guidelines from A Complaint-Free World for body image – no complaining, gossiping or criticizing your body or anyone else’s. Instead, be affirmative, set goals for health, happiness, celebration, enjoyment of all that the world and life has to offer.
      3. Make eating about health and fun and diversity and exploration and community/family — great app recommended by Awaken Whole Life Center Nutritionist — Fooducate
      4. Seek out role models from your community that you can spend time with, in person, and beyond—those you’d like to meet and work with and share your favorites.
      5. Make friends with your face, your body, your spirit’s partner in this life. The underlying meaning is what’s important. – if you were more like you imagine you want to be, how would you feel? Most of us want to feel worthy of love, and appreciation. Love our negative thoughts for pointing us to where we need to be healed, and stop resisting them. The pain is in the resistance – to who we are, to what we fear. Listen compassionately to them, love them, heal them, act affirmatively to create the underlying value.

     Spark Movement and saw this on their blog at Spark Summit.com – a resource kit to be an activist

    “From writing petitions, to engaging in dialogue to writing and producing theater, you will learn simple yet effective activities to inspire the girls in your community.

    In 125 colorful pages of information, activities, resources, and blogs by the young women (ages 13-22) of the SPARKteam (SPARK’s troupe of girl activists), you’ll find the creative work of a coalition of grassroots organizations who have joined together to educate and engage girls in activism.”

    • See Jane.org – website for the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media (Event Oct 6^th)
    • Amy Poehler’s Smart Girls – amysmartgirls.com “Change the world by being yourself”
      • Videos like Girls of the World, Operation Nice and Smart Girls at a Party

     

Stages of the Hero’s Journey

Original air date: Monday, May 19, 2014

Click here to listen to Stages of the Hero’s Journey from the Pop Conscious archives at Unity Online Radio!

Episode Description:

Life is full of graduations, transitions, endings, and new beginnings, which are all phases and stages in life’s journey. In this episode, Stacy ponders graduations and season finales, while Malayna  gushes about Joseph Campbell and the Hero’s Journey. Together they discuss how these resonant themes from world myths and folktales have found their way into Pop Culture. Then we’ll apply them to our own life stories, where we are the heroes of the tales!

 

Sharing Our Pop Culture Influences

Original air date: Monday, January 13, 2014
Listen to this episode of Pop Conscious on Unity Online Radio now!

Pop Conscious hosts Malayna and Stacy with their friend Scott, share their pop culture influences and how they shaped their worldview and spiritual philosophies.

They touch on: Star Wars, The Force, Joseph Campbell, Weird Al, Joe Versus the Volcano, The Hero’s Journey, Duran Duran, Sting and The Police, A Course in Miracles, Richard Bach, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Joss Whedon, Kung Fu, Billy Jack, Frozen, Disney, Anne Rice and Vampires, Lord of the Rings, Thornbirds, Thunderbirds, The Bachelor, Thompson Twins, Twilight, The Hunger Games, LGBT, and the spirituality of light and dark, family love, inner guidance, and the love of God!

Star Wars: “The Force is what gives a Jedi his power. It’s an energy field created by all living things. It surrounds us and penetrates us. It binds the galaxy together. ”

I mentioned a Richard Bach book but couldn’t remember the title — which is kinda funny, because it’s “Out of My Mind” !  Just like the title was!