A Song Called Life

David N. Myers, a distinguished professor and accomplished author, holds the Sady and Ludwig Kahn Chair in Jewish History at UCLA. Since fall 2017, he has also served as the director of the Luskin Center for History and Policy and leads the UCLA Initiative to Study Hate. With a background in graduate studies at Tel-Aviv, Harvard, and Columbia Universities, Myers is renowned for his significant contributions to modern Jewish intellectual and cultural history. He has authored six books and played a pivotal role in editing or co-editing eleven others. His book, "American Shtetl: The Making of Kiryas Joel, a Hasidic Village in Upstate New York," earned him the prestigious 2022 National Jewish Book Award in American Jewish Studies.

Corey Kang, a Los Angeles-based stand-up comedian, brings his unique comedic style to the stage. Hailing from the vibrant streets of Miami, Corey offers fresh perspectives on life with an unapologetically genuine approach that resonates with audiences.

Myka Miller holds the position of Executive Director at the Guitar Center Music Foundation and concurrently works as a freelance oboist in Los Angeles, CA. In her previous role as the Executive Director of Harmony Project, she successfully managed significant growth in both student enrollment and the program's budget. Initially serving 250 students with a budget of $300,000, she transformed it into an institution catering to over 3,500 students with a budget of $4.9 million. Under her leadership, the Harmony Project received the prestigious "Coming Up Taller" award from the President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities and was recognized as a Bright Spot in Hispanic Education during the Obama Administration.

Currently residing in Hollywood, Myka actively participates in various musical endeavors, including collaborations with orchestras, rock and salsa bands, experimental ensembles, and jazz projects. She is a consistent member of Adam Rudolph's avant-garde GO Organic Orchestra and the daKAH hip-hop orchestra.

Steve reunites with Osi for his fourth appearance on the podcast, shedding light on the latest global events. They navigate the evolving tensions between Ukraine and Russia, revisiting pivotal moments since Steve's February discussion. Additionally, they discuss the limited media attention given to the Armenia/Azerbaijan conflict, among other pressing issues.

Steve Swerdlow is an  Associate Professor of the Practice of Human Rights in the Department of Political and International Relations at the University of Southern California. A human rights lawyer and expert on the former Soviet region, Swerdlow was Senior Central Asia researcher at Human Rights Watch, heading the organization’s work on Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, and founding its Kyrgyzstan field office. Swerdlow has worked as a consultant with the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the International Labour Organization (ILO).

In Episode #125, we are thrilled to welcome back Michael Mollo, one of the first guests to appear on the podcast back in Episode 5. Michael and Osi discuss their experiences while collaborating on Michael's upcoming debut album, Blue Door Records. They discuss themes such as self-discovery through music, the significance of crafting your own definition of success, and more.

Michael Mollo is a musical native of the Pennsylvania mountains. As composer and songwriter in Santa Monica, California, his music can be heard in a number of film, television and game scores. Michael also oversees global operations for Velvet Green Music. The first single, titled "Blue Ramble," from his upcoming debut album will be released on September 29th, 2023. You can listen to this track by clicking on the links below.

Blue Door Records full album release, Friday October 13, 2023

“Born to Ramble” on Spotify

https://open.spotify.com/album/2CKHIu8NuZMrwj9PEmBCpt?si=Ogv1MoNbSgO30eBXOTM6gg

“Born To Ramble” Official Music Video

https://youtu.be/xCVvANhYvf8?si=1gnomyTSPiNdNiMb

Hana Katana is a musician, author, action actress, & content creator from Austin, Texas.

Hana is back on the podcast, joining Osi in this week's episode. The two reconnect and discuss a diverse array of subjects, spanning from their experiences living with insane roommates to their thoughts about the forthcoming 2024 election and its potential candidates, and more.

Mac Lawson aka “Big Mac Lawson” is a stand-up comedian based in Miami, Florida. She has past experiences with sketch comedy, modeling, acting, writing, entrepreneurship, and former musician. She is the host of her brand new podcast “Mac After Dark.”

Mac and Osi discuss Mac's journey into stand-up comedy, including a pivotal moment marked by a significant head injury that served as the catalyst for her comedic career. They also discuss the lessons they’ve learned from living in LA, and much more.

Liz Zagone is a Los Angeles-based stand-up comedian. She is the host and co-producer of 'Bitch N Purge', a monthly live comedy show where people share their hilarious stories about working in the service industry.

Liz joins Osi in this week’s episode to share her experiences as a comedian in LA, having come from Chicago and adjusting to a new scene. Additionally, she talks about how being a bartender complements her life as a comedian and more.

LX Xander joins Osi on this week's episode to discuss the most wholesome and least problematic industry out there. You guessed it: the music industry. They dive into what gives the music industry its questionable reputation, how artists often find themselves in unfavorable situations, the culture of the music industry in Los Angeles, and much more.

Hailing all the way from North England, LX Xander is a Billboard-charting music producer based in Los Angeles, CA. He has worked with artists such as Lil Uzi Vert, Kodak Black, Rick Ross, Fetty Wap, and many more.

DJ KZA is a multi-talented artist hailing from San Diego, CA, known for his skills as a producer, designer, and of course, a DJ. KZA reveals the fascinating story of his journey into the world of DJing, his exhilarating experience performing at Coachella for the very first time, his unique insights into what sets exceptional DJs apart from their counterparts, and more.

At just 15 years old, Drizzy Tae is a rising young artist determined to prove his place among top emerging artists . Hailing from Arkansas, this self-proclaimed "youngest 'n hottest" artist is building a powerful following and making waves with his catchy tracks and relentless dedication to his craft. Listen to his latest album, "Young Goat 2," available on all streaming platforms.

Instagram: @DrizzyTae

TikTok: @DrizzyTae

Shushan Karapetian is the director of the USC Institute of Armenian Studies. Her research focuses on the intersection of language and transnational Armenian identity. She also hosts a podcast series “Language Therapy with Dr. K.”

Travis Marsh is a multi-platinum top 100 billboard producer. He started out in Nashville touring with Joel Crouse opening for all the huge country acts as the utility player and backing vocalist. Travis has gone on to produce and work with some of the biggest R&B and Hip-Hop artists today. Some wins are: Boogie wit da hoodie, French Montana, Drake, G Herbo, Kid Cudi, Lil Durk, Teyana Taylor, Lil Zay Osama, Young Nudy, Rotimi, Offset, Kelly Rowland. Gashi & PARTYNEXTDOOR. He has also scored for Amazon, Netflix and has songs placed in major motion pictures.

Margaux Avedisian, whom the Wall Street Journal called "The Queen of Bitcoin," is Co-Founder and CEO  at Beyond the Runway, a revolutionary online shopping platform that empowers consumers to try on clothes with a custom-fit virtual avatar. Margaux has more than a decade of experience as an entrepreneur on the ground floor of innovative technology. In her work, Margaux has connected hundreds of entrepreneurs with business leaders, technologists, policymakers, and creatives to promote tech startups and cryptocurrency. She has spoken at numerous conferences and had a podcast, Burning Bridges with Margaux. She has a BA from Mount Holyoke College and an MFA in Fashion Merchandising from the Academy of Art University. She is also a standup comedian who performed in the Mike Tyson mansion from The Hangover, SXSW, Carolines on Broadway, NY Comedy Club, Greenwich Comedy Club, and many others.

Lauren and Osi discuss the the social and economic factors that play a crucial role in shaping an individual's health outcomes, beyond just biological factors. They also dive into then widespread issue of "Long COVID" - a condition where individuals experience lingering symptoms of COVID-19 for prolonged periods, sometimes even for years after the initial infection.

Dr. Lauren Wisk is an Assistant Professor in the Division of General Internal Medicine & Health Services Research at UCLA, and previously held the position of Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School and Research Associate at Boston Children's Hospital. Her research program centers around health and healthcare utilization among young people and their families, particularly those with chronic medical conditions, utilizing a biopsychosocial model, social determinants of health model, and life course framework.

Kat Matutina is a multi-talented entrepreneur who is also a music curator, fitness instructor, wellness coach, podcast host, event coordinator, and private chef. She founded Ass Camp, Mayumi Goods, and Mayumi Skin and promotes natural products for the body and skin while making strength training fun and accessible.

Kat and Osi cover various topics, including the challenges of balancing multiple passions, common misunderstandings about veganism, the dark side of the food industry, valuable lessons learned from traveling abroad, and more.

Sleep expert Dr. Richard Castriotta sits down with Osi to explore the intriguing link between your sleep quality (or lack thereof) and your daily performance. With his wealth of knowledge in the field of sleep medicine, Dr. Castriotta offers invaluable insights and practical tips to help you achieve optimal sleep, paving the way for a more productive and fulfilling life.

Dr. Castriotta is the director of the Keck/USC Sleep Disorders Center. He is an internationally-recognized leader in pulmonary, critical care and sleep medicine as a clinician, teacher and researcher. He has been a pioneer in the field of sleep medicine, establishing a sleep laboratory in 1981 and a formal sleep medicine fellowship program in 1999.

Esin and Osi delve into the world of film composition - exploring the key elements that make a great film score, sharing our personal favorite composers, discussing Esin's journey into the industry, and much more.

Esin Aydingoz is a media composer, born and raised in Istanbul, Turkey and currently residing in the USA. She worked on a vast variety of projects including animations, TV series, movies, video games, albums, concerts and musicals, and has recently worked on Tim Burton's hit Netflix series, Wednesday, starring Jenna Ortega. Aydingoz was a part of the music team and arranged some of the hit cover songs in the series such as The Rolling Stones' Paint It Black, which reached #1 on the Billboard Classical Charts and has been streamed on Spotify alone nearly 14 million times in a very short time. She was recently nominated for the prestigious “David Raksin Award for Emerging Talent” for the 4th Annual Society of Composers and Lyricists Awards. Even though she is only 29 years old, she has already accomplished a lot in her career. Her first feature film, Simchas and Sorrows, got distribution from Gravitas Ventures, and her second feature Black Barbie had its world premiere at South by Southwest just a few weeks ago. Aydingoz is currently working as the Assistant Chair of Berklee College of Music's Screen Scoring Department and the secretary for The Alliance for Women Film Composers, for which she has been a board member for four years. She arranged, produced, recorded and assistant music directed for various album and concert projects for Disney Music Group, starred with Olivia Rodrigo in multiple music videos for High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, arranged an orchestral medley for Disney+'s inaugural launch in Turkey, where she also got to perform with Istanbul Film Music Orchestra and wrote additional music on a lot of popular series such as Apple TV's SEE as well as Netflix's Princess Power and The Witcher: Blood Origin, starring Michelle Yeoh. She was recently a fellow at Los Angeles Film Conducting Intensive, where she recorded and conducted her music at Warner Brothers. Aydingoz is also creating some buzz in the concert world. The world premiere of her orchestral and choral piece "A Shattered Fantasy" had its world premiere in October 2022 at Auditorium Stravinski in Montreux and was televised twice on La Télé on New Year's Eve.

Hana Katana is a musician, author, action actress, & content creator from Austin, Texas.

Hana sits down with Osi to share her journey in the music industry, the inspiration behind her becoming a stunt performer, dealing with controversy as a content creator, and more.

As we mark our 100th episode, Osi takes a moment to express gratitude to all who have contributed to the journey so far. He reflects on some of his most memorable episodes and offers a glimpse into the exciting content ahead for the podcast.

MAVRYCK joins Osi to discuss her new project, “The Fifth Year”, and more. 

MAVRYCK is a multi-talented artist based in the Inland Empire of Southern California. As a singer, songwriter, and producer, she creates music that draws from early 2000s R&B and adds a modern, innovative twist. Her debut project, "The Fifth Year," released in October 2022, offers listeners a unique perspective on a past toxic relationship. With a love for a variety of genres, MAVRYCK is always pushing herself to incorporate new sounds into her work. Fans can look forward to more great projects and collaborations from MAVRYCK in 2023.

Aimee Batuski is a Pleasure and Intimacy Expert, committed to helping women live turned-on, connected, satisfying lives. 

Osi and Aimee discuss what inspired her to become an intimacy coach, the importance of taking accountability in your relationships, acknowledging the effect your behaviors have on your partner, putting pleasure first, and more.

Ben Herwitz is a stand up comedian based in Los Angeles, CA and performs at clubs, colleges and casinos throughout the country. You might have seen him on No Offense on Fox Soul. He also has a weekly podcast called Ben the Menace that you can stream on YouTube, Spotify and anywhere that you get your podcasts. 

Ben joins Osi to share his experiences as a stand up comic, his background in psychology and how he transitioned into comedy, and more.

Dr. Aaron Blaisdell is a UCLA Psychology Professor where he directs the Comparative Cognition Lab. He is also a member of the Brain Research Institute, the Integrative Center for Learning & Memory, and the Evolutionary Medicine program. Dr. Blaisdell joins Osi to discuss his work with comparative animal cognition, and the various ways animals build and use representations of their world. Listen to find out what your pet's really thinking!

Kasey Ma is a fashion/lifestyle blogger, an influencer, Twitch streamer, and business owner. Kasey joins Osi to discuss her entrepreneurial journey, the challenges she had to overcome, and crucial lessons learned along the way. They also discuss some of Kasey's new business ventures, tips for new Twitch streamers,  and more.

Ahmed joins Osi to discuss how he got his start in stand up comedy, our thoughts on how comedy has changed over the years, his decision to quit his job and bet on himself, and more.

Ahmed Al-Kadri is a stand up comedian and actor based in Los Angeles, CA. He's known for Warriors of Stone, Cat Caller, and Back to the 80s.

Malik joins Osi to discuss his journey as a stand-up comedian, working with Michael B. Jordan on the set of Creed, his experience as co-host of The Fighter and The Kid, and more.

Malik Bazille is an actor, comedian, and writer, known for Creed, Burning Sands, and The Fighter and The Kid.

Reality and Osi discuss her decision to leak a classified government document to the media, her time spent in prison, and more. 

Reality Leigh Winner is a former American intelligence specialist, charged with removing classified material from a government facility and mailing it to a news outlet. On June 3, 2017, Winner was arrested on suspicion of leaking an intelligence report about Russian interference in the 2016 United States elections to the news website The Intercept. Prosecutors said her sentence was the longest ever imposed in federal court for an unauthorized release of government information to the media.

Miles joins Osi to discuss his experience both as an improv comedy performer and co-host of the 'May I Elaborate' podcast with JB Smoove. They also talk about how Miles was introduced to comedy as a kid, the similarities between music and improv, and Miles' new book, "The Tyrell Show: Season One."

Question: Would you rather be the world's best tuba player or an okay guitar player? (you probably know our answer)

Miles Grose is an experienced sketch and improv comedy performer. He is a NYC native and during his time there he studied with comedy guru Steve
Kaplan at The Manhattan Punchline Theater and heralded Second City alumnus Martin Friedberg at The Original Improv. As a sketch performer, Miles
was a regular on the sketch scene counting The Comic Strip, Stand Up NY and The New York Comedy club as some of his regular haunts. Miles is now
based in Los Angeles and over the years he has continued his development in the improv world. He studied at The Groundlings and perform.

Mato joins Osi to discuss his experiences both as an artist and composer, writing the music for FX/Hulu series Reservation Dogs, why it’s special for him to contribute music to indigenous film/tv projects, his creative process, and more. 

Mato Wayuhi is a multidisciplinary artist originally from South Dakota. He works in film/TV both as a producer and musical composer, as well as writing his own music, garnering critical acclaim from NPR, Amazon Music, and Apple Music. Most notably, Mato is the composer for the award-winning FX/Hulu series Reservation Dogs. "Mato’s music is everything that good Indigenous art is right now. We are in a Renaissance and his music speaks directly to that movement. It’s unapologetic, it doesn’t need permission to exist and it’s made with an urgency — An urgency to move us into a new era" says Sterlin Harjo, creator and showrunner of Reservation Dogs. A recent graduate of the University of Southern California, Mato continues to work and play in Los Angeles, spending parts of his summers attending ceremonies and bumming around with family back home.

Sapna and I discuss the history behind Roe v. Wade, the impact we've seen on abortion clinics and reproductive rights organizations in just one month since the overturning of Roe v. Wade, who this will negatively impact the most, and more. Timestamps provided at the bottom --

Sapna Khatri is the Sears Clinical Law Teaching Fellow for 2021-2024 at UCLA School of Law and the Williams Institute. Her research takes an intersectional approach exploring the discriminatory impact of new technology and barriers to accessing sexual and reproductive healthcare. She previously worked as Advocacy and Policy Counsel and Staff Attorney at the ACLU of Illinois. Khatri worked on a range of reproductive health and justice issues, including religious refusals to reproductive healthcare and the connection of crisis pregnancy centers to faith-based medical providers. As Advocacy & Policy Counsel, Khatri focused on privacy, technology, and surveillance matters. She built an expertise in protecting biometric information privacy and successfully drafted and lobbied for the passage of the Protecting Household Privacy Act—a first of its kind law regulating government access to smart home devices.

2:12 - Understanding the history behind Roe v. Wade

8:52 - The Pro-Life argument

16:52 - How have abortion clinics and reproductive rights organizations been impacted since the overturning of Roe v. Wade?

24:17 - What is a “good” abortion vs a “bad” abortion?

30:07 - Who will this negatively impact the most?

35:59 - Voting and why it still matters

3:32 - How have corporations and politicians responded so far?

49:34 - Next steps and what to keep an eye on

55:49 - Where to learn more and how you can help

Mark and I discuss the unique role that audio engineers play in music, his experience working with Jack Harlow, and EchoPunch - a social media tool designed to help artists spend less time marketing, and more time creating. 

Mark Abrams is a Producer and Mixer who has been involved with hundreds of records and has worked with artists such as Kanye West, Jack Harlow, Coldplay, Sam Smith, and more. He is also the creator of social media tool, 'EchoPunch.' EchoPunch helps musicians figure out what to post, when to post it, and even post it for you. Mark's goal is to help musicians spend less time on marketing, and more time on making music.

Visit echopunch.com for a free trial.