John Poveromo is the next guest on the Anne Leighton
Inclusion Interview Show. Which goes live Tuesday evening 6 pm ET/3 pm
PT/midnight (Wed. morning Cape Town time.
I fell in love with the range of musicians, comedians, and
health experts that John has on his podcast, "Dystopia Tonight.” John's a working comedian with a wide range of
talent including cartoon art, writing, filmmaking, organizing, and creating
projects.
We talk about personal experiences with depression, mental
health, and the challenges of navigating the current political and social
climate. The interview also shares our experiences with social media,
creativity, and travel, with a focus on the importance of empathy,
understanding different perspectives, and supporting those who are struggling. He
created an indie movie, "Duppet," a short that visualizes depression.
Two other deep topics were our love for the TV show,
"Supernatural" and John's hair care routine!
Everyone should tune in to John's M.S. Telethon happening
this March 26-27. Type up this link for
the Telethon broadcast page:bit.ly/dystopiaallnight25
Wishing you
a great 2025. I’m looking at my home as the safest place in the world, because
it’s just me and the cats. Even so, I’ve been going out a lot over the winter,
which has been a great way to start my days. I think the cold weather
just wakes me up, especially if I’m wearing the seasonal colors reds and greens
this time of the year.
Years ago, I
wrote articles for a Feng Shui Master. Often, we collaborated on pieces
about renewal in the new year and developing awareness of the world around us
and ourselves. Red stands for heat and fire energy, and green is for the
earth and money.
I’m thankful
for the warmth and earth energy some poets and I will be surrounded with this
Sunday, January 19, from 1 till 5 pm, when a group of us will read at the Poe
Cottage to celebrate Edgar Allan Poe’s birthday. I’ll be sharing “The
Bells” and a new poem I wrote called “Black Cat” about standing up to a monster
who has been exorcised from my neighborhood, and never had a black cat!
On the 25th,
I’m presenting a new poem about Etta James for We the She at Silvana, 300 West
116th Street for a blues night my buddy Val Kinzler is
organizing. When I was given this assignment, it was to write a blues poem
about all the blues women. I said “I’d like to write about Etta, because she
embodied the We the She spirit,” telling me to check out Bonnie Raitt when I
interviewed her back in the 1980s. The idea is how she was lifting other women
up! A few days later, Val sent a note, “Hey, it’s Etta’s birthday January 25!”
This month I
wrote a poem, “Acceptance of Exceptionalism” for one of my friends, Lucy
Kalantari, who is up for her second Grammy award for her music, and she’s also
produced Grammy-winning and nominated albums for other artists.
I wrote the
poem before I met Lucy. One of my clients, songwriter/playwright Eileen
Sherman (who wrote “Kwanzaa’s Pure Light,” a song I’m plugging to schools )
throws luncheons early January at an amazing New York City restaurant. This
year she invited us to Sardi’s, which has been on my bucket list for decades.
As soon as I spoke, Lucy jumped up, “Anne! This is the first time we’re
meeting!” I cheered on her Jazz Cats. In private I told her I wrote a poem for
her! It's about how each generation becomes more self-assured because of our
mothers; my mom taught me to fight City Hall, which is a great thing to write
about, because I think we all have responsibilities to ourselves and future
generations!
Richard Skipper's on Interview Show this week. He sounds great, and he looks like a dream because he's a wonderful entertainer that celebrates life, music, and "Hello Dolly." We talk about making connections with people and inclusion. Richard's performing in New York City on Dec. 27 at the GreatRoom 42.
I'm thrilled that Richard.Skipper will be joining my #YouTube #podcast, The Anne Leighton Inclusion Interview show, broadcasting starting 6 pm ET/3 pm #PalmSprings time/11 pm UK time on Tuesday, December 3, and the two became friends. She encouraged him to work on creating his "Hello Dolly" show.
I discovered Richard in 2023 from a friend Princess Wow, who still leads a podcast on #Facebook. Richard used to run a podcast on YouTube. He interviewed two of my artists (Elliott Murphy and Sharon Katz). All of us were blown away by how well he prepared for their interviews.
Enjoy this interview. We talk about preparation, his work as a Carol Channing imitator, inclusion, and--of course-- Dolly. here's a lot I've learned from him; you will too!
My interview with Jaclyn Bradley on leadership and education for the Anne Leighton Inclusion Interview show premieres on YouTube this Tuesday evening at 6:00 pm ET/ 3 pm LA time / and Wednesday morning at midnight in Amsterdam.
Let’s be Animals
and deal with bullies
instinctively
Let’s be inspiration
with our imaginations
naturally
Dream of bliss like big cats
Our bodies’ blessed thin or fat
cuddling and slinking
even if you’re snoring
If we get disrupted,
a little growl gets us respect
Let’s be Animals
and deal with bullies
instinctively
Let’s be inspiration
with our imaginations
naturally
Go Reach up like giraffes!
You know about going high
someone’s low let us sigh
Let’s hope they realize
We’re in a place to herald
ways we can see the whole world
Let’s be Animals
and deal with bullies
instinctively
Let’s be inspiration
with our imaginations
naturally
Even fast Impalas
their nirvana together
Staying very close
running across those dirt roads.
Living true like fresh veggies
Aware of their own beings!
Let’s
be Animals
and deal with bullies
instinctively
Let’s be inspiration
with our imaginations
naturally
Let’s laugh like hyenas
Listen hard, they’re not crying
knowing each other.
Protect, watch one another
Every noise makes them unique
You know, let’s laugh together.
Let’s be Animals
and deal with bullies
instinctively
Let’s be inspiration
with our imaginations
naturally
We fly like the parrots
Letting us know they’re starlets
They make great messes
They teach us to say Stop! Enough
‘Cause they tell it like it is
Let’s speak up when it gets rough
Let’s be Animals
and deal with bullies
instinctively
Let’s be inspiration
with our imaginations
naturally
