Tag Archives: U2

Feb2

Awarding Excellence, Defining an Era

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Listen NOW to Awarding Excellence, Defining an Era

or download the podcast from iTunes

Originally aired Feb 2, 2015

With the Super Bowl and Awards Shows getting all the media attention, we started looking at the patterns that emerged. Both bring together the best in their field, not just in competition, but in celebration. All involved, including the entertainment that surround them, are like snapshots of their moment in history, preserved for posterity. In this episode, we’ll look at musical performances, advertisements, host vignettes and the pop culture that helps us define each era.

Overall themes we touched on:

  • Season for Nonviolence – protest, competition, toward oneness?
  • Superbowl – competition brings people together, sportsmanship…
  • Half time shows and national anthem – defining an era
  • Awards shows – competition, excellence, defining an era

From Katy Perry’s pre-Superbowl interview:

Can you imagine if over 100 million people smile all at once, what kind of energy will we be creating around the world at that moment?

We spoke about the iconic Superbowl performances this year:

  • National Anthem – Idina Menzel
  • America the Beautiful by John Legend (LOVE!) (will be Oscar performer of “Glory” from Selma)
  • Halftime – Katy Perry, Lenny Kravitz, Missy Elliott

And talked about how there must be parallels between Superbowl performances and Oscar-nominated songs!  (And found these, since the show!)

  • 2002 – U2 ‘s song for Gangs of New York was nominated and they performed at the Superbowl
  • 2003 – Sting was nominated for an Oscar for his song for the film Cold Mountain, and he performed at the Superbowl with No Doubt and Shania Twain.

And so much more!  Listen to hear the whole conversation!

Also check out our post on Beliefnet.com, Lessons Hidden in Award Show Ceremonies

Jan21

When I Grow Up: Then and Now

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Original air date: Monday, January 20, 2014
Episode Description:

Our Pop Conscious team will discuss how we learned about and celebrated the life of Martin Luther King Jr. through pop culture. We also talked about and how pop culture and the media shaped who we wanted to be when we grew up, and what media support who we are and want to be now.

Here’s a link to the U2 song we mentioned, Pride (In the Name of Love).

Our friend, Dr. Scott Bowman, (Texas State University, Criminal Justice Professor, Soc. Justice Advocate), had this to say:

“…it was nice to be reminded of the deeper spiritual aspects of Dr. King.  I think you guys definitely conveyed that message on the show.

As a side note, I thought that you guys were going to mention Nelson Mandela when you talked about the Warrior path (honestly, only because it was recent).  In the spirit of pop culture, one of the most powerful movies that I have EVER seen is “A Long Night’s Journey Into Day” about the South African, post-apartheid “Truth in Reconciliation Act.”  It is about forgiveness, restoration, and healing…  http://www.hulu.com/watch/337499.”
And here’s Malayna with Rhonda Byrne, author of The Secret, at The Inn of the Seventh Ray, as mentioned on today’s show.

Malayna with Rhonda Byrne

Here are the trailers for some of the movies we mentioned:

Clash of the Titans (1981)