Important Links: 

https://www.autistica.org.uk/what-is-autism/anxiety-and-autism-hub/alexithymia#:~:text=Alexithymia%20is%20a%20term%20to,5%20autistic%20people%20have%20alexithymia.

https://allamericaneventrentals.com/

Important Links:

www.lasbonobas.com

https://instagram.com/lasbonobasblog?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==

https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2023/02/01/1152893248/red-cobalt-congo-drc-mining-siddharth-kara

https://www.nationalarchivesstore.org/products/bad-girls-throughout-history-110369

Names of CEO’s of top 100 companies that produce majority of greenhouse gases:

https://decolonialatlas.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/names-and-locations.png

·       2:55 – Edible Garden Project

·       7:07 – Ramsay’s Background and Upbringing

·       14:05 – Catkills Mountain Keeper’s Origins

·       20:32 – Catskill Park Intricacies

·       32:00 – The Dollar General Conundrum

·       37:30 – Fact Check Point: Statement regarding slavery in current crop production.

·       39:03 – Urban Farming

o   Sprouting Dreams Farm Liberty, NY

·       42:31 – Effects of Climate Change on Crop Production

·       44:54 – Extreme Weather à Climate Resiliency

·       50:07 – “This is the fight for humanities existence.”

·       54:15 – Get involved. Take Action.

·       55:35 – Celebrities using their platform.

·       58:28 - Meeting Mark Ruffalo

·       1:00:23 –Catskill Brewery – Gold Leed Certified

·       1:02:48 – A just transition to renewable energy.

·       1:07:09 – How can we make the world a better place?

·       1:14:39 – Fact Check Explained

Important Links:

https://www.ers.usda.gov/amber-waves/2021/november/u-s-fresh-vegetable-imports-from-mexico-and-canada-continue-to-surge/#:~:text=The%20United%20States%20receives%20fresh,percent%20(see%20chart%20below).

https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ilab/reports/child-labor/list-of-goods-print?tid=5716&field_exp_good_target_id=All&field_exp_exploitation_type_target_id_1=15413&items_per_page=10

https://www.wilsoncenter.org/publication/farm-labor-and-mexicos-export-produce-industry

https://www.nyrenews.org/

Transcript:

Speaker A: Hey, guys.

Speaker B: This is Ariana. And welcome to All Things Good, a discussion based podcast where we have important conversations about critical topics. This podcast is for any human who.

Speaker A: Is trying to make their internal and.

Speaker B: External worlds a better place to live. Have ever wondered what it was like to be on the set of a famous TV show? On this episode, we meet with my friend Showtime, who is an actor and independent fashion designer. We discuss the highs and lows of being an independent artist, how I wound up on set working with Wilhelmina models, just how growing isn't always the easiest, and how we can protect our energy on social media. Just for some context for you, we recorded this episode mid March 2023.

Speaker A: I am so excited to share this.

Speaker B: Episode with you and I hope you.

Speaker A: Enjoy here today I have my friend Showtime, also known as hi, Showtime.

Speaker C: Hello. Hello. How are we today?

Speaker A: I'm doing good. It's a Friday afternoon, so I'm feeling pretty good about this week. I had I feel like I got a lot done personally that I needed. I'm just feeling good about coming into the weekend. How about you?

Speaker C: I can't complain. I'm working on being in the moment. And at this moment I feel really good about all that has transpired this week and all that is to come.

Speaker A: I love that, especially being in the moment so hard. I am really excited to share how we met.

Speaker C: Please do. That is a story in itself.

Speaker A: It really is. We met on a set for a very exciting TV show.

Speaker C: Right.

Speaker A: And that set was drumroll marvelous, Miss Maisel. What an honor that it was for us to be able to be on that set.

Speaker C: Absolutely. And it's final season at that final season.

Speaker A: And wasn't it one of the final episodes too?

Speaker C: Yeah, I believe so.

Speaker A: It was crazy. And for you in particular, you should explain just how dedicated of an actor you are to make this work. You should explain how you got there and what you did.

Speaker C: If I remember correctly. Okay, so the shoe itself was already a couple hours away from where I was exactly.

Speaker A: Because you're from Maryland. Maryland. Are you right outside, like, Baltimore area or in Baltimore?

Speaker C: I'm like right outside of it.

Speaker A: Yeah. Okay, so you're right outside of Baltimore and you came all the way up to New York City, right. To do this. So you were a few hours away?

Speaker C: I was. I believe I came up like the night before the fitting. I'm trying to remember how it worked. Maybe it was the night before testing.

Speaker A: Yes, I think you came up if I remember correctly, you came all the way up right before testing. And then after testing, you had your fitting, right? Like a day or two later. But did you stay up here or did you go back home and come back?

Speaker C: Oh, no, I stayed for the testing. And then the fitting as well. I stayed.

Speaker A: Okay, so you stayed for that and then you went home and then you came back for the actual days of production.

Speaker C: Right.

Speaker A: And it was a two day production. And I remember actually, the second day of production was my birthday. So that was kind of like a really empowering moment for me when I applied to and took the job because I feel like I'm at a place in my life where I felt exhilarated and honored to be able to work on my birthday. Whereas I feel like previous moments in my life, it's looking how do I manage my off days to be off of work? I feel like I was in a very excited space, just like you were, to make that happen.

Speaker C: Working on your birthday is a different kind of feeling. It's the perfect way to bring in the new year that you're getting ready to go into.

Speaker A: Exactly. It is. It's like however you choose to spend your then, you know, especially working on something you enjoy. So we met on the set of Marvelous Miss Maisel and we had that two days worth of production. Did you ever make it on.

Speaker C: It the it was on the second day. The second day I made it on set at the final couple of shots that they got.

Speaker A: Okay. I never made it on set.

Speaker C: But on the contrary, our table in holding, it was full of so many fun people.

Speaker A: We had the best table.

Speaker C: Exactly.

Speaker A: Okay. So if anyone doesn't know what it's like to be a background actor or an actor in general on the set of production, there's a lot of waiting around our holding. We were in a church, I think. Right?

Speaker C: Right.

Speaker A: And I think there was five or six of us sitting at a table. We sat together the second day or both days, I can't even remember. I think we kind of kept the same group, right? Yeah, we kept the same group. But it was just the five or six of us at a table for, like, 12 hours straight on the first day. Like, just sitting there, but so many amazing conversations. I love it.

Speaker C: I really loved meeting the gentleman that was there. I believe he said he was living in the Upper West Side and he was Jamaican. During the first day when we stepped just just to stretch and get some food because we never made it on the set the first day either. He stopped by this Jamaican food cart. They started speaking. They started speaking that language. And I was very excited just to be able to witness it.

Speaker A: That's like patois, right?

Speaker C: I believe so.

Speaker A: I think that's what they call it. Oh, my goodness. That's so cool.

Speaker C: Either way, I was mind blown.

Speaker A: That's so cool. That guy was really awesome.

Speaker C: I wish I was able to stay in contact with him, but I'm sure the next time I come around, I'll run into him again, because I know he does a lot of work out there.

Speaker A: Yes, you most likely will. I find that with background, acting something that I do quite frequently, so I'll be on the same set as other people. So it's kind of like a handful of us that are on it's. More than a handful. There's a bunch of us do this continuously, and we always end up on the same set. So I think you will. And also, the food is honestly sometimes what makes the day all worth. It crafty. Like, if you have a lit crafty, it's a done deal.

Speaker C: It makes it worth it exactly.

Speaker A: For real. I want to get into a little bit about your Hobies and your interests, because we met on set, and obviously you must be drawn to acting, or was it just the TV show itself that had you interested in coming that day?

Speaker C: It is both. I've always had the interest in acting, and then when I was in college, one of my professors told me to check out that show. And that was early on, when I was a freshman in college, like in 2016. So when I saw that they were working at that time, I figured I have to at least try to get on the set.

Speaker A: Now, I want to ask you because I think I might know what you're going to say, but what about it in particular made you so drawn to Marvelous Miss Maisel? Like, once you saw that because I think I know the answer, but once you saw that, what made you have that desire to get on that set one day?

Speaker C: I would say it has to do with not only the story itself, but how they go about with the wardrobe.

Speaker A: That's what I was going to say, because that is such a huge part of what I know about you and what I know you're passionate about the wardrobe, because I always felt that way, too. I never was really into fashion design or anything like that, but immediately I'm so taken aback by the costume design.

Speaker C: It can't be ignored. It's something that's very precise and specific over there. And even when I went in for the fitting and I saw everything in.

Speaker A: The warehouse, the warehouse, it was insane. Like trying to explain to people what that's like.

Speaker C: It's a moment. It's just a moment that you have to take in. You have to be present in that moment and take it all in.

Speaker A: Yes, it's a huge warehouse. They have racks and racks and racks and, like, rows and racks on top of racks.

Speaker C: So many options.

Speaker A: Yes. Of all these vintage dresses, pantsuits, skirts, hats, purses, shoes, a lot of different.

Speaker C: Parts to put together a good outfit in that time period.

Speaker A: Exactly 100%. And I know that sewing is something that's really important and means a lot to you because you create your own outfits and designs.

Speaker C: Yeah, when you pick something up in the pandemic, well, some people, they keep it going, and it just becomes a part of their everyday lives. And I could say that's the case for me.

Speaker A: You picked this up during the pandemic?

Speaker C: I definitely did.

Speaker A: I didn't know that.

Speaker C: It's a timeline.

Speaker A: It's a timeline about this timeline.

Speaker C: Okay. So all throughout school, I'd say, like, grade school, middle school, high school, I've had to wear uniform.

Speaker A: Like, my whole were you in a private school?

Speaker C: No, they were all public schools.

Speaker A: What? Public schools? But you had to wear uniforms.

Speaker C: Okay, so when I was, like, in kindergarten, I think that was the only time that we didn't have the uniform. They transitioned to uniforms, and I got to first and second grade.

Speaker A: I'm just thinking you didn't get to show or express your individuality through outward appearance from a very young age.

Speaker C: For a long time.

Speaker A: Wow.

Speaker C: A long time. So when I graduated high school and went to college, that's when I had to figure out something. I had an idea of the couple of brands that I liked, because when you transition from elementary school to middle school, you start going to school with people that are older than you that know a little bit more. So they'll either put you on to be helpful, or they'll kind of tease you if you don't have the latest thing. You know what I mean?

Speaker A: But how do you have the latest thing when you have a uniform? You mean maybe with gadgets or toys or something?

Speaker C: Okay, so in middle school, although we had uniforms, we had to wear, like, black shoes, but the people will find ways to get around that. There'll be solid black shoes with, like, orange accents, or they'll find different ways to get around that and still incorporate name brand shoes to do it. And with me coming in, I had no idea what was what. But you'll learn quickly to make sure that you're up to date. When I graduated high school, that's when I had to figure out how to put together an outfit with brands that I liked, but also just start exploring with different brands that I didn't even know about. Just because I like the piece. That's the reason why you would go ahead and get it, excluding the names. When I was in school in college, I met some people that majored in fashion design, and they told me, you can actually make your own clothes from scratch. Like, that is a thing to me. I thought that was so foreign. I didn't know I didn't know you could actually go through with that. The very first thing I made was a pair of jeans, and I had my mom and grandma help me with that.

Speaker A: Whoa. Was this when you were in college? Were you in a class or you just went to them and you asked them to help you figure out how to do this.

Speaker C: Yeah. I didn't take a class at that time, but after I made the jeans, that's when I finally took a class on just, like, not actually going through the motions of sewing. It's more so studying the history of fashion and how things came about in your classes. Yeah, I only took one.

Speaker A: Only one? Okay.

Speaker C: One. And it was about, like, the history.

Speaker A: The history. Okay. So holy cow. You're telling me that your instagram just a quick. Plug your instagram. Let's plug your instagram real quick. You want to say your handle?

Speaker C: Oh, yeah. It is showtime still, but with three W's and two E's, there is a period in between the show and time.

Speaker A: Okay, perfect. So everybody go check them out. But I can't believe your origins of this. You make whole outfits. How did the first pair of jeans come out?

Speaker C: They came out pretty well. They came out pretty well. We got as far as we could on my grandmother's machine. She has, like, an old school sewing machine where it comes with the actual table. It's the sewing machine that's, like, in.

Speaker A: The table, like, the collector's item.

Speaker C: She has it, and it was working. We got as far as we could, and then I brought it back to school. After winter break, I went straight to the sewing room where all the fashion design majors were, and I said, could someone help me finish these? So they were admiring the piece, and I had my friend Rashad help me put in the zippers, because the jeans had zippers at the kneecaps so that they could become shorts as well. I don't know. The very first project had to be something intricate, something crazy, but that's just how it worked.

Speaker A: Yeah. Let's just go straight. I never swam before, but I'm going to go dive in the deep end.

Speaker C: Real quick and now learn quickly.

Speaker A: Yeah. Wow. And I imagine maybe you needed a stronger type of needle or machine to go through the denim. Is that part of it too?

Speaker C: I think so. I think so, because we couldn't finish putting on the zippers.

Speaker A: Okay.

Speaker C: But we got as far as we could. I'd say about, like, 85% to 90%. Done.

Speaker A: Wow. I know this is, like, way far down the line from when this originally happened, but I am proud of you. I am genuinely excited and proud of you, as if this was happening right now.

Speaker C: Thank you. Now what I do is so over the pandemic. I finally had the chance to practice that some more. I bought my own sewing machine, and I just started acquiring fabrics wherever I could find them. I would say the very first project in the pandemic were a pair of sweatpants made out of this seasonal towel that I found in Target. I just liked the design on it, so I had to get it while it was summertime.

Speaker A: Yes. I love that. And I remember when we were first talking about getting you on this podcast, one thing that I really do love is the materials you used because I see that you are very creative in where you source them. But if I'm not mistaken, I think you also repurpose materials sometimes, correct?

Speaker C: Yes.

Speaker A: I think you had like a sleeping bag jacket or something. Is that true?

Speaker C: Yes, that is very true.

Speaker A: When I saw that, my heart just exploded with happiness. I have this thing artistically. Whenever I see anything I like, it makes me drool. If it's like a picture where I like how the photographer captured the light, or the way the model is posing, or the way that sleeping bag is doing its thing in that jacket, it makes me drool. I love it.

Speaker C: Yeah. Wherever I see a nice design, I look at the design and the material first. And then once I get closer, I see how much material it is and I determine what I can make out of it from there.

Speaker A: Oh, wow. So it's almost like a reverse process because I imagine a lot of designers create their sketch and have a vision, and then they find the materials that they're going to use to produce it. But you do it the opposite.

Speaker C: It's never the same way with me. There's no telling what's going to happen next or how we're going to go about something, but we're going to reach some sort of destination. We'll get there some way, somehow.

Speaker A: Totally. You told me that you're doing something really exciting in two weeks. In two weeks. You told me that your friend is having an art exhibit, right. Okay.

Speaker C: It's a lot. I got it now. It's actually next weekend, if I'm not next weekend.

Speaker A: So one week on the 18th.

Speaker C: The 18th, the day after St. Patrick's Day. My friend is holding an art exhibit. It's in DC. Shout out to Moni. Moni Richardson. She is doing this. She is doing her thing. And when we did this shoot a few months back, she asked if she could source some pieces from me for her models. In said, absolutely, whatever you need. I have this many pieces in my house in this collection. Just take your pick and let's make it work.

Speaker A: Is this the first time that your work is going to be in an exhibit or a show like this?

Speaker C: Yes, this is the first time that my pieces will be in an exhibit. When I was in college, the first pair of jeans that I made were entered into the fashion show that they do at the end of the school year for the fashion design majors. So that was like the first made.

Speaker A: It into a fashion show for the fashion show majors. And you weren't even a fashion major?

Speaker C: It was a little controversial. Yeah. I think what they called it was like indie designers, where you just do it yourself.

Speaker A: Indie. I consider myself being indie. I'm independent because I'm not with an agency or I don't have a manager. Not to say I wouldn't like to be one day potentially. I definitely welcome support from all angles from the universe. But I like that category because I identify as an indie individual, an indie model.

Speaker C: I'm a little in the middle between deciding if you want to stay independent or go ahead and get that extra set of hands to help you get there. Because if you could do it by self, that is very commendable. There's like a community of people that are also in there with you so you wouldn't even really be by yourself 100%.

Speaker A: I so agree.

Speaker C: At the same time, that extra set of hands is crucial. Sometimes that's like the deciding factor.

Speaker A: Yeah, it's true. You're right. From both angles I identify as being independent and I work really hard to get my jobs. I'm constantly applying and auditioning and I'm always trying to network. But I do end up on jobs where I am working with these other models who are with agencies. And one job that I was really proud of through networking, it was through a studio that I worked at previously and I made a good rapport. They needed a hand model and their hand modeling agent wasn't getting back to them. And I just happened to be in the studio that day and they were like, hey, Ari, are you available this Thursday? And I was like, yes. And they were like, okay, good. We're going to book you. And it was a L'Oreal hand modeling job and I was on set with so, you know, that's something I'm really proud of. And I will hold on to that moment and that experience because being independent, you're not alone. Like you said, it might take a little extra work and it might be a little bit harder and a little bit longer to get there, but through networking. And then also the more connections you make with people, they will either refer a job to you or they'll think of you when they need to execute an idea. But of course you're right too, though, because these agents and certain modern agencies, they have access to these really high paying jobs. So they could get you that $5,000 or $10,000 gig that may not be as accessible as being an independent artist or model or creative.

Speaker C: Right. They could knock down the door for you or they could open the door for you, like actually using the doorknob as opposed to being independent where you could kick the door down. Like, I'm here, I did this on my own. I'm going to drop all my stuff here at the door. I'm here. Let's do this right now.

Speaker A: I literally love that analogy so much. I really do, because I think that really is true. They could just make it a little more easily accessible. But you said that you're at a point where you're starting to think about these things. What would that look like for you?

Speaker C: That is an amazing question. I've been doing a lot of stuff independently, just finding my way, finding my community, finding the people whose art speaks to me and looking to see who I could see myself working with down the line. And that's been not only helping me grow in my artistry, but helping me grow as a person. And I've been really enjoying that. But if I were to try to get some more help, let's say with an agency, I guess that would probably look like more acting roles, because that's been the big goal for me, just to be an actor and bring some characters and stories to life. And it's very hard at the same time because I feel like I myself am a character with a story that has to be told, but I can't rely anybody to tell said story. You know what I mean?

Speaker A: Wow.

Speaker C: So, yeah, I'm at a crossroads.

Speaker A: Okay. So it's almost like getting some extra hands on board with your fashion career and with your sewing career might enable you to focus a little bit more of your energy on this other aspect of yourself that you also would like to see grow.

Speaker C: Well, I mean, if I got more hands on deck with the storytelling part of the things I like to do, because with sewing and with fashion, with me exploring that, that's just me finding ways to be able to speak and express myself without actually speaking, so to say. Okay, because that's one of the first things we look at when people walk in, is, like, their appearance and their style. So that speaks for you when you come into the room. That's the energy you want to introduce you. And what I do is with these pieces is I kind of give that person, that character in this outfit, a backstory. And on my Instagram, I bring those outfits to life and those characters to life, and you start to see them in motion through the photography, through the videos. So what I want to do is continue on with storytelling and try to make something more elaborate.

Speaker A: So do you want to be the costume director for something, or do you want to create your own story and also do the wardrobe for your characters?

Speaker C: I'm at a crossroads.

Speaker A: Yeah, I see that.

Speaker C: Because it's right in the middle.

Speaker A: You're right in the middle.

Speaker C: Yeah, I'm right in the middle of, like I'm at a fork in the road, basically, trying to decide which way to go. But honestly, if someone needs some wardrobe for a character in their project, they can definitely come to me. And at the same time, with my own projects, I'm definitely going to plug in the craftsmanship that's going on over here.

Speaker A: Yeah, 100%.

Speaker C: I really do see myself being a director with a one of one kind of character design.

Speaker A: Yes. I could totally see that. And I think not only could I see that, but I feel like that would be really a time that you could really shine your talent and showcase what you're all about.

Speaker C: I have to do it. I have to make sure that it's me putting myself in these positions and making sure I'm telling the story the way it should be told, as elaborate as it could be. I mean, I could get some extra help with that part, but not everyone's going to see the vision. But they usually see it after, right? They usually see it after they see you put forth said vision.

Speaker A: Yeah, definitely. I mean, your friend's art exhibit is going to be a great segue into figuring out your next steps. I feel like your path that you're on, because for me anyways, a lot of the times I'm like, I need to figure it out, what am I doing next? Whether it's personal, relationship wise, romantic, or just platonic or career wise, I feel an impulse to know what I want to do. But sometimes you have to get a little bit more of an expanded point of view and it seems like you are figuring it out just as time goes on. And with this art exhibit, paying attention to your emotions and your feelings and what inspires you or maybe also noticing what might be challenging, I feel like you're going to get a lot of direction from this experience coming to you.

Speaker C: I'm excited. I am excited because then I can really be more of an effective contribution not only to myself and not only to the community, but the world.

Speaker A: Oh, my word, I love that. And I find myself in kind of the same position. What is it that you would like to give or share to the world?

Speaker C: I would say the same thing that you got when we met in holding. I think it was the second day that we were in there. No, it was the first day. We had just wrapped and you had said that the next day would be your birthday. So when you told us that, I was so excited for you to be working on your birthday on set, I was saying, listen, you're going to make it on camera. It was just a lot of energy and a lot of positive vibes being sent your way from me. And I think that's what we need out here, just this energy. I don't want to say like, a lot of positivity, specifically that, but I'm saying specifically from me, that's what I'd be providing a new light of energy and a new light of positivity.

Speaker A: Yes, I think we all need more of your positivity and your light. If anyone looks at your craft, it's very obvious that you have a lot of it to give. And then even when we were in holding, you're taking me back because we're like four or five months from that, which is crazy. Yes. So crazy. And I remember how positive you were every single time somebody would walk in, you'd be like, it's your time. I think they want you.

Speaker C: Happy to be a part of the moment. What about you? What do you want to provide out here?

Speaker A: Well, first of all, what I really want is to change the world and to make everything better and everybody happy.

Speaker C: That's wonderful. That's wonderful.

Speaker A: Thank you. That's what I want to do. But I guess more specifically with this podcast, it just really needs to be a space for people to have conversations, just to talk about life different important topics we are going through and be able to showcase our creativity and make a positive difference into everyone's lives. I think that's what I'm trying to do. Every call, every conversation, every monologue that I choose to share with you guys, like conversations with myself, every single one will be different. And we'll provide something a little bit, something to somebody might mean excuse me, it might mean something to somebody and then something else to someone else. But I just want to create a common ground where we could all comment and be the most authentic versions of ourselves, discussing important topics and sharing.

Speaker C: Positivity let me know if I'mistaken but didn't you already put together an event like this before where you had all your friends come together?

Speaker A: Yes. Thank you for remembering and sharing. And actually, right when I met you, I think it just happened. I think I just did it the weekend before.

Speaker C: That's correct.

Speaker A: I met you. I'm pretty sure, if I'm not mistaken. But yes, it's actually where the name of the podcast came from. All things good. That's the name of my festival. It's a micro music and arts festival that I've done for two years in a row now. Yes. Where I get together all these creative people I've met throughout my life and I invite them to come and just enjoy, but offer space for them to share whatever it may be, whether it's a craft or a talent, just giving them space to share with everyone. So, yes, a similar concept just now. This is like in the podcast world.

Speaker C: Yes. The expansion.

Speaker A: Expansion, yes. Because what is life if we're not expanding?

Speaker C: That was very spot on to my very last tattoo that I got.

Speaker A: Tattoo? What is it? What was it?

Speaker C: It is a direct replica of this poster. I have my room of Andre 3000. And he has this phrase over top of one of his hands as if he's holding up the phrase and it says, have you stopped growing?

Speaker A: Wow.

Speaker C: And the answer is always going to be no.

Speaker A: But you know what? The answer is never going to be no because that's you and your power and your choice.

Speaker C: No, I'm saying for me it's always going to be no because I'm always going to be trying to expand. And learn something new.

Speaker A: Exactly, and I love that, and I'm the same way, and I agree. But I guess what I was meaning is not everyone well, also, it's okay to take periods of rest, maybe choosing not to do the long, hard fight of growing as a human, because that stuff is really hard. The thing that I love about your tattoo and you finding that so important and relatable to yourself is because you do make that decision to constantly grow. Because there's a lot of people out there that maybe don't understand their potential or realize that they can create change, or maybe they just choose not to grow because it's more comfortable. It could be very uncomfortable growing.

Speaker C: My friend, he said that sometimes it's not about expanding and growing and trying to do more or attain more. Sometimes what you have to learn how to do is maintain. That's another perspective to just look at and think about. Wherever you are on your journey, you have to sometimes look at the bigger picture and see what you already have, what you're already doing and see how you can just keep that going before you try to pick up something else.

Speaker A: That's kind of like shifting to that expanded point of view of yourself or even being grateful and present in the moment with where you are currently and where you've come from.

Speaker C: Yeah, man. That was my friend Xavier. There's a lot of very wise people that I love being around. I feel like we're all reflections of who we hang out with, and we're just like a reflection of our community, and that's the energy we share out when we go out and meet new people.

Speaker A: I know you said that the importance of staying present in what you're currently doing, and I know that that's something you've been focusing a lot in regards to preserving your energy with social media, right?

Speaker C: Yeah. It's important. It is important.

Speaker A: It can suck the life out of.

Speaker C: Us if you let it. It can definitely throw you off in all kinds of ways.

Speaker A: How has that done that for you?

Speaker C: Well, I wasn't speaking for me. It is a possibility. I don't want to rule it out. I just got to be careful. I got to be mindful with what I'm taking in on there and making sure that I'm always looking at something that can either inspire me positively or motivate me to continue going on my path or help someone on their path. Because you could go through so many holes through social media, you'll find yourself looking at something you didn't even plan on looking at. You know what I mean?

Speaker A: Yeah, I really do. It's funny because I'm at a similar point where I recently went through and deleted or not deleted, I unfollowed several news. Maybe they're not always like news, but meme pages or news pages because I feel like I was just getting a bunch of information that I didn't want whatever it may be. And also I've been trying to figure out how to protect my energy in regards to global, like on the global scale. Because one issue with social media is I feel like it has us, especially the earthquake in Syria and everything like that. That was really heavy and hard for me because I'm an empath. I'm an empathetic person. And that was like, crushing. But seeing the live footage and hearing all these true stories and accounts, it made it feel like it was in my backyard. Yeah, I'm still trying to navigate how I want to consume this important information because I do want to be aware. I'm not saying I don't want it at all, but between events like that or issues around racism within our country and disparities amongst people, it's almost like trying to figure out how do I protect and preserve my energy on social.

Speaker C: Media among all of among the world?

Speaker A: I guess because it's also like celebrity gossip and stuff like that. I start to be taking on all these issues as my own. Being such literally an empath, I connect a little too hard to all the information I'm receiving.

Speaker C: I do the same. I remember when I was younger and Print Magazine was big. I mean, I'm not saying it's not now, but I remember when I was younger, there used to be so many different magazines out and a lot of celebrity gossip was out. And I would go into the grocery stores and I would collect like, Disney Channel magazines that they used to have.

Speaker A: Those are the best.

Speaker C: Oh my goodness, I had so many. I used to collect them, but right next to them would be like celebrity gossip. And I would just be so up to date with these people's lives and it felt like I knew them. And I feel like now that I'm older, I try to stay clear of all of that outside information. But I would say just like celebrity gossip specifically because I definitely try to stay up to date with what's going on throughout the world as much as I can.

Speaker A: Yes, me too. What have you been doing in particular to help you stay more in the present moment?

Speaker C: A lot of gratitude. Just like, taking in what's already here and what I already have, what's already happening. And I try reach out to my friends as much as I can just to see how they're doing at this time, but also taking time to just sit with myself. So, like, this conversation right now definitely came at the right time because I've been sitting with oneself just in the house for a moment now.

Speaker A: I'm so glad that we were able to have this connection and share your information and your truth. I feel like it's really inspiring to hear how you've come from, where you were coming from, and the interest that sparked to where you are now.

Speaker C: It's a journey. It surely is. I'm glad that our paths cross while we're both trying to get to where we're going and we're able to assist one another to get there. I'm excited.

Speaker A: I'm excited, too. I'm really excited to see how your art show is going to come out and I hope to see pictures of the models wearing your work.

Speaker C: Yes. I just might be active on the socials that day. It's been a minute. I'm sure you all will hear from me on that day because that will be a moment for sure.

Speaker A: Okay, that's great. I know we will. Just for me and for everyone listening, in response to the title of this podcast of making all things good in the world, do you have a final statement that you would like to share with everyone on? Maybe they could all help make everything right in the world as well.

Speaker C: I would say love is the way that's it mic drop moment.

Speaker A: So true. I love it. I couldn't agree more. And when I'm feeling love and I'm experiencing love and I'm giving love and I'm sharing love, that's when life is at its best. And love truly is the universal energy that rules all. If we could just all give that love and receive that love, I agree. I think the world would be a much better place.

Speaker C: Exactly. That's all I'm saying.

Speaker A: Showtime. Thank you so much for being here with me and recording this episode and I wish you the best in your fashion show and all your future endeavors.

Speaker C: Thank you, Ariana, for having me. Thank you for opening the space. And listen, you're going to be great.

Speaker A: Thank you so much. Have a good day.

Speaker C: Thank you. You as well.

Speaker B: Thank you so much for taking the time out of your day to listen to this episode. I love how the direction of this conversation unraveled and it was a pleasant and very much needed reminder of just how far I have come and that it's okay to periodically lean into maintaining my current state and successes instead of constantly trying to expand, which can be so tiring. I hope you feel inspired to do the same and provide yourself with the grace and rest that you may need. Please go follow all things good podcast on instagram at ATG podcast two two. I hope you are at key with wherever you are along your journey. I am so excited for the good things that are coming your way. Things you do not even know about yet. I look forward to next time we meet. Bye.

Reference Links: 

https://earth.org/fast-fashion-pollution-and-climate-change/#:~:text=Fast%20Fashion%20and%20Climate%20Change&text=It%20emitted%2010%25%20of%20global,and%20the%20aviation%20industry%20combined.

https://sfenvironment.org/consumer-responsibility#:~:text=Consumer%20responsibility%20is%20taking%20personal,then%20about%20recycling%20and%20composting.