Adversity

Explicit content warning

07/26/23 • 43 min

You think you know adversity? Female jazz guitarists are a rare breed, and it takes a lot more than musical chops to survive in the predominantly male field. Not only does Amando Monaco succeed, having released multiple albums as a solo artist and with various bands, but she is also an associate professor at the esteemed Berklee College of music. She continues to create, compose and play music despite her Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis nearly two decades ago. Amanda discusses creating art after 9/11, during a pandemic, and nearly nonstop despite a potentially debilitating illness.

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I Am Funny

They perform in front of energetic, live audiences. Their videos have been viewed by millions. But when comedians create their art, they do it alone and in a vacuum. Comedian Rajiv Satyal describes his process of taking jokes from their creation to presentation in front of an audience that will instantly pass judgment. Rajiv also discusses his wild career, from his very first performance (to an audience of one: a VERY famous athlete) to opening for comedy legends (like Dave Chapelle, Tim Allen, and Kevin Nealon to name a few) to creating the viral video I Am Indian (which has been viewed over 50 million times) to performing on all seven continents (yes, that includes Antarctica). And naturally, there are more than a few laughs along the way.

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Joe Cortina is a classically trained painter. Also, he designs experiential environments at museums as varied as The Smithsonian, Presidential Libraries, professional sports stadiums and Hall of Fames. Also, he is a five time EMMY winner and directed the 1992 Barcelona Olympic coverage for NBC. And probably most challenging, he was Evan’s boss for seven years. Joe talks about his wide-ranging career and shatters some myths, such as the customer is not always right, and when it’s okay to do business with friends and family.