Collected Layers

An Ode to Avicii

Avicii had a profound impact on our Founder, John Tessitore. We marked Avicii's passing last year with an ode to that impact and a conversation around mental health and music.

Joseph's Corner - Ch. 6 - Meanwhile on Earth

Enjoy the last episode of Collected Layers season 3! We'll be back later this year!   From my books ‘Letters to the Universe’ up until ‘Andromeda’ I was doing a lot of soul-searching.  I was trying to find out who I was.  I was trying to make any sense that I could out of the things I had went through in my 20’s.  I finally knew in my head that I wanted to live, I just didn’t physically feel that way.  My earlier writing was a product of my seclusion and meditation.  Although it was more positive than my schizoaffective and panic-driven-manifesto days, it was still very ungrounded.  Yes, I was aware and hopeful, however I was not very present and still felt like I was watching my days pass away from afar.  I was the third-person omniscient narrator of my story, and it was boring always knowing what was going to happen.  With ‘Meanwhile On Earth’ I decided to take a break from the spiritual and visit this wonderful place called Earth.  It was my attempt at coming back to myself.  And when I got back I was very surprised that the talk of the town (more the talk of the internet) was sexism, racism, lies, and fear.  Even the people that claimed they were there to serve, were really just serving up fear. Damn, I thought I’d be coming back to a place of peace, love, and understanding?  It was with ‘Meanwhile On Earth’ that I realized why so many people like myself ran away to a journal to get lost deep into the mind.  It felt a little safer in there.  “Meanwhile on Earth, I don’t want to hear another word.”

13 On the Front Line with Grace and Ned

As caseworkers and social workers, the front line means getting someone to the next day. Ned and Grace are a father/ daughter combination who work with at risk populations in New Jersey. This often means helping individuals with mental illnesses and substance abuse disorders get beds at inpatient facilities, help find jobs, housing, security, among a range of other services. A key piece of this episode is how long many sufferers, from both substance abuse issues and mental health issues, have to maintain motivation before they can get the proper inpatient care they need to succeed. People like Grace, Ned and the tens of thousands of other case workers do the work on the front lines, helping those suffering today. Music by bensound.com

Joseph's Corner - Ch. 5 - Andromeda

The fourth poetry book that I wrote was named Andromeda. You’ve probably heard the word Andromeda if you are into Astronomy or Greek Mythology. So it won’t be a surprise when I tell you that this book was inspired by both. I have always had a passion for digging into the roots and meanings of why things are the way that they are.  How did some of the earliest forms of civilization see stories in stars? Or were the stars telling the stories? I guess we’ll never really know but I was hell-bent on trying my best to find out. I can promise you this, I do not have a magical cure for depression, however I will promise you that if you go out and look at the stars you’ll be amazed again and again and again. Without fail you will have to ruminate that your life IS worth living after all. If you feel like you can’t see the miracle that is your life, go outside and look up tonight. If Andromeda was saved and still shines bright, you are going to be alright.

12 Joseph Fusaro's Life Story, part 2

Check out the 2nd half of Joseph Fusaro's life story - one of the best raw conversations we've ever had on Collected Layers.