John Lewis + John Salley Are Black In America
06/29/20 • 107 min
Today I reconnect with my friends John Salley & John Lewis to discuss the black experience, race in America, food injustice, and where we go from here.
A legit living legend, John Salley is the first basketball player in history to win four NBA championships with three different teams -- the Pistons, Bulls & Lakers -- in three different decades.
A long-time vegan, Salley is also a passionate animal rights and healthy nutrition advocate (which we discussed in RRP 180). In addition, he’s an absolutely relentless entrepreneur, involved in a myriad of enterprises from vegan wine to cannabis.
A prominent, ultra-positive voice in the vegan movement, John Lewis -- aka The Badass Vegan -- is a public speaker, personal trainer, and entrepreneur who can now add filmmaker to the resume. In partnership with mutual friend Keegan Kuhn (RRP 91, 176, 278, & 397), the co-director behind Cowspiracy, What The Health, and Running For Good, John is inching towards completion of They’re Trying To Kill Us -- a powerful upcoming documentary that examines the impact of food & health injustice on disenfranchised African American communities (a subject I first explored with John in RRP 260).
Today we break bread. Black Lives Matter. Police misconduct. The pernicious nature of systemic racism. How religious institutions embed white supremacy.
We also discuss the importance of black leadership and entrepreneurship. And we close with thoughts on food injustice -- how our broken food system negatively and disproportionately impacts communities of color.
But most of all, this is a conversation about what is necessary to make things right. What black and brown communities need from white allies. And the ways in which we can grow, change, and do better -- together.
Note: Check out the recently released and incredibly compelling trailer for They're Trying To Kill Us. Then visit the film's Indiegogo campaign to learn how you can support the film.
Language Advisory: This one is packed with expletives, so pop on the earbuds if you got kiddos in the backseat.
Finally, I suspect this will be an uncomfortable conversation for some; maybe for many. I invite you to listen or watch with an open mind and heart.
Notwithstanding, these guys are a total blast. I love them both. I'm grateful for their friendship -- and their honesty.
The visually inclined can watch our conversation on YouTube. And as always, the audio version streams wild and free on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Strap in.
Peace + Plants,
Rich
Today I reconnect with my friends John Salley & John Lewis to discuss the black experience, race in America, food injustice, and where we go from here.
A legit living legend, John Salley is the first basketball player in history to win four NBA championships with three different teams -- the Pistons, Bulls & Lakers -- in three different decades.
A long-time vegan, Salley is also a passionate animal rights and healthy nutrition advocate (which we discussed in RRP 180). In addition, he’s an absolutely relentless entrepreneur, involved in a myriad of enterprises from vegan wine to cannabis.
A prominent, ultra-positive voice in the vegan movement, John Lewis -- aka The Badass Vegan -- is a public speaker, personal trainer, and entrepreneur who can now add filmmaker to the resume. In partnership with mutual friend Keegan Kuhn (RRP 91, 176, 278, & 397), the co-director behind Cowspiracy, What The Health, and Running For Good, John is inching towards completion of They’re Trying To Kill Us -- a powerful upcoming documentary that examines the impact of food & health injustice on disenfranchised African American communities (a subject I first explored with John in RRP 260).
Today we break bread. Black Lives Matter. Police misconduct. The pernicious nature of systemic racism. How religious institutions embed white supremacy.
We also discuss the importance of black leadership and entrepreneurship. And we close with thoughts on food injustice -- how our broken food system negatively and disproportionately impacts communities of color.
But most of all, this is a conversation about what is necessary to make things right. What black and brown communities need from white allies. And the ways in which we can grow, change, and do better -- together.
Note: Check out the recently released and incredibly compelling trailer for They're Trying To Kill Us. Then visit the film's Indiegogo campaign to learn how you can support the film.
Language Advisory: This one is packed with expletives, so pop on the earbuds if you got kiddos in the backseat.
Finally, I suspect this will be an uncomfortable conversation for some; maybe for many. I invite you to listen or watch with an open mind and heart.
Notwithstanding, these guys are a total blast. I love them both. I'm grateful for their friendship -- and their honesty.
The visually inclined can watch our conversation on YouTube. And as always, the audio version streams wild and free on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Strap in.
Peace + Plants,
Rich
Previous Episode
ROLL ON: Owning Your Story
Welcome to the second installment of our newly-minted 'ask me anything' themed series, 'Roll On:' -- a twist on my usual format in which I share my thoughts on select topics and answer audience questions.
Serving up co-host duties is Adam Skolnick, an activist and veteran journalist perhaps best known as David Goggins' Can't Hurt Me co-author. Adam has written about adventure sports, environmental issues and civil rights for outlets such as The New York Times, Outside, ESPN, BBC, Men’s Health and many others; and he is the author of One Breath, which chronicles the life and death of Nick Mevoli, America's greatest freediver.
Today's conversation begins with a few thoughts on the current protests and a review of recent podcast feedback.
We also discuss the intersectionality of food insecurity and social justice. And we examine the importance of healing our food deserts -- a featured theme in next week's episode with filmmaker John Lewis and NBA legend John Salley.
The podcast then pivots to answer five relatively philosophical questions submitted by audience members on our Facebook Group page:
- How do we move past the stories that hold us back?
- When do you remain open and when do you stand your ground?
- How do you deal with imposter syndrome?
- How do you deal with conflict? And
- How do you discern truth from fiction in the era of fake news?
It's about reclaiming your truth. Breaking down negative feedback loops. And crafting a gentler, more objectively honest narrative about who you are and what you're capable of.
The visually inclined can watch our conversation on YouTube. And as always, the audio version streams wild and free on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
This series (and recent episodes) is an experiment in venturing out of my comfort zone. An effort to grow. And a commitment to evolve the show. I appreciate you taking the leap with me. I hope you find the content valuable -- and in service to forging a stronger RRP community.
Peace + Plants,
Rich
Next Episode
Kevin Smith & Harley Quinn Smith Dare To Enter The 'Vegan Abattoir'
Over the last several episodes, I’ve endeavored to shoulder healthy and thoughtful conversations about what matters most right now — the pandemic, racial injustice, systemic racism, police brutality and food injustice.
Today we shift from that somber gear for an interlude of reprieve.
Enter entertainment’s ultimate plant-based father-daughter duo: Kevin Smith and Harley Quinn Smith.
For the few unfamiliar among us, Kevin is an indie film making legend, actor, comedian, comic book writer, author and early podcast pioneer — a voice I credit as a huge influence on my personal career behind a microphone.
In 1994, Kevin burst into prominence with his hyper low-budget comedy Clerks, a film he wrote, directed, co-produced, and filmed in the convenience store where he worked. Premiering at Sundance, it was fêted with the festival’s highest award before going on to become an indie cult classic.
In addition to countless appearances in both movies and television, Kevin has created a litany of films, affectionately and collectively referred to by his many rabid fans as the View Askewiverse, a nod to Kevin’s production shingle, View Askew Productions.
Returning to his roots (did he ever leave?), Kevin toured his latest film, Jay and Silent Bob Reboot (featuring names like Chris Hemsworth and Ben Affleck) to roadshow box office success, promoting it with pre-pandemic live events in over 60 cities across North America.
An iconic and beloved character amongst indie film fans and comic book nerds, Kevin has always been immediately recognizable and famous for his hockey jerseys, backward hat and well, his weight. But in February of 2018, Kevin had a near-fatal heart attack.
A lifestyle change was needed. Desperately. Enter Harley.
An actress, animal rights activist and bass player for the bubblegum punk band, The Tenth, Harley suggested —some might say coerced—Kevin to adopt her plant-based ways. Kevin obliged. In short, he dropped 50 pounds and kept the weight off. His blood work normalized. And the rest is history.
Together they recently launched Vegan Abattoir—a daddy daughter podcast affair that provides plant-based answers to the vegan-curious questions they get from a meat-eating and dairy-drinking audience. Dare you enter? If so you can catch yours truly in episode 2.
Picking up where I left off with Kevin in last year’s barnburner 2.5 hour Vulcan mind meld (RRP #433), Today’s discussion centers primarily on veganism and animal rights. What led Harley to adopt this lifestyle, the way it has transformed her life, and that of her Dad.
It’s about the many projects these two have up their sleeve, from restaurants to non-profits, to upcoming films.
It’s a peek into the life of a Hollywood family, and the complicated dynamics of the movie biz and stardom — including a touching remembrance of Stan Lee and the story behind Harley landing a Manson girl part in Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon A Time In Hollywood.
The gleeful banter between Harley and Kevin is infectious. And while this conversation is light, I promise there is much to be gleaned — especially if you are new to the vegan world or perhaps contemplating a more-plant based approach to your plate and life.
I’ve interviewed a lot of people. Few are as skilled as Kevin in the art of conversation. And Harley just made it all so much better. Enjoy!
Peace + Plants,
Rich
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