Hey! That’s My Hummus!

We’ve been gone for a few weeks: Faiqa has had a school year ramp up to success! And Mike was studying feverishly for the PMP exam — which he PASSED! And with Faiqa taking a break for a few weeks, we have a pretty amazing guest host who took her place this week. Penina Beede is a rising stand-up comic who has performed in clubs in all three comedy hubs in the country: New York, Los Angeles, and the area in the middle of Connecticut that’s sort of Hartford but not really.  Mike and she knew each other from the Jewish youth group (USY) world, and Mike followed her on social media as she traveled halfway across the planet, joined the Israeli army, found love in Israel, realized it wasn’t quite for her, came back home, and realized her dream to perform comedy.  She talks about her experience as a female comic in an environment which has had its history of being hostile towards women, and her reflections on the growing number of men who have been called out for their acts of assault and harassment — and what the future holds for a profession which has had a need for change in power structure and balance for a long time. We also talk about hummus a little bit. Because this is a show about, albeit in a roundabout way, hummus. Penina joined us on this episode mere hours before getting on stage and performing a set at New York’s Dangerfield’s Comedy Club.  You can find more information about Penina and her upcoming appearances on her Facebook page, Penina Beede, Funny. [https://www.facebook.com/realpeninabeede/]She can also be followed on social media @realpeninabeede (on Twitter [https://twitter.com/realpeninabeede] and Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/realpeninabeede/]). We’d love to hear what you think about this week’s episode! Tell us!  Leave a comment on our Facebook Page [https://www.facebook.com/heythatsmyhummus] or on Twitter at @thatsmyhummus [https://www.twitter.com/thatsmyhummus].  And while you’re at it? Rate us on iTunes. [https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/hey-thats-my-hummus/id424765743]We won’t tell you how many stars we’re aiming for specifically, but you know — all of the stars. Today’s episode is brought to you by Lola –a company founded by women for women which delivers feminine hygiene products to your door monthly — products made from cotton with no dyes, toxins or synthetic stuff.  And they have been helping low-income women in the United States by providing products for them at no cost!  For$5 off your first month, go to http://www.trymylola.com/hummus [http://www.trymylola.com/hummus] . And also? We encourage you to use our Amazon portal for all of your Amazon.com shopping needs — especially as Cyber Monday is coming up with lots of great deals! Just go to https://www.heythatsmyhummus.com/amazon [https://www.heythatsmyhummus.com/amazon] and shop from there! Doesn’t cost you anything additional, and it provides us with a little cash this way and that.  Please show us the love… Music: * Man Bites Dog [http://freemusicarchive.org/music/manbitesdog/] – Perfect One [http://freemusicarchive.org/music/manbitesdog/Safe_and_Sound_EP/Man_Bites_Dog_-_Safe_and_Sound_EP_-_02_-_Perfect_One] (CC BY-SA 3.0) [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/] * Simun Mathewson [http://freemusicarchive.org/music/simun_mathewson/] – Scuba [http://freemusicarchive.org/music/simun_mathewson/Circuit/Scuba](CC BY 4.0) [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/] * Lee Rosevere [http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Lee_Rosevere/] – New Day [http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Lee_Rosevere/Music_for_Podcasts_4/Lee_Rosevere_-_Music_for_Podcasts_4_-_04_New_Day](CC BY 4.0) [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/]

This episode has practically everything. And it found its theme accidentally. You see, our theme music is a song calledPerfect One [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYsE7_jOKrY] by Man Bites Dog. Which I often mis-identify asPerfect World [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zoZxW8au0js], a song by Huey Lewis and the News from their Small World [http://amzn.to/2iCRTww] album. So, naturally, we had to discuss one of the greatest bands to come out of the San Francisco Bay area, and then we waxed nostalgic about listening to the radio, joining the Columbia House Record and Tape Club, and so much more. But our main topic is the latest revelations about (former) film industry mogul Harvey Weinstein — and how there has been such a culture of rampant sexual assault and harassment in Hollywood.  This led to women and men telling of their experiences in Hollywood. And it also helped to establish the #MeToo hashtag on social media where women and girls have been counting themselves as those who have been victims of sexual harassment and assault.  Actor Mayim Bialik discussed this in her New York Times Op-Ed titledBeing a Feminist in Harvey Weinstein’s World. [https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/13/opinion/mayim-bialik-feminist-harvey-weinstein.html]She received some backlash for comments expressing that her modest dress and attitude has protected her from the risk of assault and harassment — and then she clarified in an apology for the “victim blaming” of her op-ed that the way one dresses does not guarantee protection where it comes to harassment and assault. It’s an important subject:  How many of you were aware of the #MeToo campaign on social media — and blown away by the number of women who declared that they have been put in that position?  Should there be a specific response from men who want to be allies and change the culture?  How will the culture of Hollywood change? Let us know — by leaving a comment on our Facebook Page [https://www.facebook.com/heythatsmyhummus] or on Twitter at @thatsmyhummus [https://www.twitter.com/thatsmyhummus]. Today’s episode is brought to you by Lola –a company founded by women for women which delivers feminine hygiene products to your door monthly — products made from cotton with no dyes, toxins or synthetic stuff.  And they have been helping low-income women in the United States by providing products for them at no cost!  For$5 off your first month, go to http://www.trymylola.com/hummus [http://www.trymylola.com/hummus] . And also? We encourage you to use our Amazon portal for all of your Amazon.com shopping needs! Just go to https://www.heythatsmyhummus.com/amazon [https://www.heythatsmyhummus.com/amazon] and shop from there! Doesn’t cost you anything additional, and it provides us with a little cash this way and that. SO USE IT! BUY STUFF! In fact — Here are some links to some of the best albums EVER. Music: * Man Bites Dog [http://freemusicarchive.org/music/manbitesdog/] – Perfect One [http://freemusicarchive.org/music/manbitesdog/Safe_and_Sound_EP/Man_Bites_Dog_-_Safe_and_Sound_EP_-_02_-_Perfect_One] (CC BY-SA 3.0) [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/] * Komiku [http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Komiku/] – Entering the Head Quarter of Angry White Male [http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Komiku/ULTRA_PERSON_VOL3/Komiku_-_ULTRA_PERSON_VOL3_-_06_Entering_the_Head_Quarter_of_Angry_White_Male](CC0 1.0) [https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/] * Huey Lewis and the News – Bad is Bad httpv://youtu.be/7CscPTI8fwA

Today we talk with Monica Maday — “just another Jesus loving, Christian trans woman trying to do her best each and every day.” [https://www.HeyThatsMyHummus.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/DMhIWUDXkAEniec-1-225x300.jpg] [https://www.HeyThatsMyHummus.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/DMhIWUDXkAEniec-1.jpg]Monica, 47, has been gaining a lot of traction for her motivational posts on social media. She is transgender — having begun this part of her journey in August 2014 — and has shared many aspects of her transition to inspire others, and was recently one of five women featured in PinkNews [http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2017/10/12/5-transgender-women-who-shared-their-beautiful-transition-stories-to-inspire-others/] for their beautiful transition stories (alongside Jenny Boylan and Andreja Pejic). You can find Monica on Twitter: @MonicaJeaninTN [https://twitter.com/MonicaJeaninTN] and on Instagram: @mjintn [https://www.instagram.com/mjintn/] What did you think of our conversation? What other questions would you have asked? We would LOVE to hear from you! Let us know — by leaving a comment on our Facebook Page [https://www.facebook.com/heythatsmyhummus] or on Twitter at @thatsmyhummus [https://www.twitter.com/thatsmyhummus]. Today’s podcast? Brought to you by (surprise, surprise) our Amazon Portal! If you’re going to buy something on Amazon, be it a bible, birkenstocks or brownie mix, please just go to https://www.heythatsmyhummus.com/amazon [https://www.heythatsmyhummus.com/amazon] and shop from there! Doesn’t cost you anything additional, and it helps us out a little. (If you’re making brownies, please send some to us, too.) Also — we’re sponsored by AdvanceAutoParts.com [http://www.advanceautooffer.com/hummus]. Save 20% off your first order of all things automotive (brakes, bucket seats, BMW floor mats) when you use our link: http://www.advanceautooffer.com/hummus [http://www.advanceautooffer.com/hummus] and the promo code AAP20CAST . Music: * Man Bites Dog [http://freemusicarchive.org/music/manbitesdog/] – Perfect One [http://freemusicarchive.org/music/manbitesdog/Safe_and_Sound_EP/Man_Bites_Dog_-_Safe_and_Sound_EP_-_02_-_Perfect_One] (CC BY-SA 3.0) [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/]

The country is reeling from the most devastating mass shooting in recent times which occurred in Las Vegas, NV last week. And, once again, the topic of gun control has come up in local media and government. What are we going to do about the access to firearms? What needs to change? And the answer that often results? “It’s too soon to discuss this.” Right now it’s time to mourn for those whose lives were lost. To help the grieving families. Only after that healing has occurred should we talk about this. Except then another shooting happens. And another one. And another one. And the conversation is not yet had. Is it too soon to talk gun control now? And if not now — when? On this episode we (eventually) get around to talking about this issue — what hasn’t been working? What happened this time that makes it any different from any of the other mass shootings? What can be done about it without infringing upon the rights of those who legally own firearms? The shooter used “bump stocks” to emulate the rapid fire of a fully-automatic rifle. Is that what killed people? Should devices like these be outlawed? It’s a pretty serious topic, but we try our best to make it all entertaining and engaging in our own way. What do you think? Are we on the right track? Let us know — by leaving a comment on our Facebook Page [https://www.facebook.com/heythatsmyhummus] or on Twitter at @thatsmyhummus [https://www.twitter.com/thatsmyhummus]. Today’s episode is brought to you by LootCrate! Every month a new mystery box of extremely cool sci-fi/fantasy stuff with a specific theme is curated and sent to you — with a value at least twice as much as what you’ll pay for it! Sign up using our link – http://www.trylootcrate.com/hummus [http://www.trylootcrate.com/hummus] — and subscribe with the promo code bridge10 for 10% savings. And as always? We encourage you to use our Amazon portal for all of your Amazon.com shopping needs! Just go to https://www.heythatsmyhummus.com/amazon [https://www.heythatsmyhummus.com/amazon] and shop from there! Doesn’t cost you anything additional, and it provides us with a little cash this way and that. SO USE IT! BUY STUFF! Music: Man Bites Dog [http://freemusicarchive.org/music/manbitesdog/] – Perfect One [http://freemusicarchive.org/music/manbitesdog/Safe_and_Sound_EP/Man_Bites_Dog_-_Safe_and_Sound_EP_-_02_-_Perfect_One] (CC BY-SA 3.0) [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/]spinningmerkaba [http://freemusicarchive.org/music/spinningmerkaba/] – I Dunno (Grapes of Wrath Mix) [http://freemusicarchive.org/music/spinningmerkaba/Boneyard_1666/spinningmerkaba_grapesofwrath_256_1372] (CC BY 4.0) [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/]TRG Banks [http://freemusicarchive.org/music/TRG_Banks/] – Appalachian Mountains [http://freemusicarchive.org/music/TRG_Banks/Bills_Adventures/Appalachian_Mountains] (CC0 1.0) [https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/]

We have another special guest! Author RW (Bob) Spryszak [http://www.rwspryszak.com/] is the co-founder and fiction editor at Thrice Fiction Magazine [http://www.thricefiction.com/]. A native of Chicago, he started writing at an early age and fine-tuned it as member of a Marjorie Peters’ Southside Creative Writers Workshop and then as a student at Columbia College of Chicago. In the late 1980s he was writing in the pre-internet “alt-zine” realm and then managed The Fiction Review out of Chicago. He has some pretty incredible and powerful (and surprising!) life experiences (which we discover only a few minutes into our interview). Listen and find out! Thrice Fiction also has two books which they have published — written by two authors who have written for Thrice. Feel free to browse through our Amazon links below: What did you think? We’d love to hear from you! Please let us know: on our Facebook Page [https://www.facebook.com/heythatsmyhummus] On Twitter: @thatsmyhummus [https://www.twitter.com/thatsmyhummus]. Today’s podcast is brought to you by our Amazon portal. Go to https://www.heythatsmyhummus.com/amazon [https://www.heythatsmyhummus.com/amazon] and shop from there! Doesn’t cost you anything additional, and it provides us with a little cash this way and that. SO USE IT! Also brought to you by Gamefly [http://www.gameflyoffer.com/hummus] — the Netflix of video game titles! When, you know, Netflix was still mailing out DVDs and stuff. But it works for multiple gaming platforms — and if you use our link (http://www.gameflyoffer.com/hummus [http://www.gameflyoffer.com/hummus]) you can receive a free 30-day membership! Music: Man Bites Dog [http://freemusicarchive.org/music/manbitesdog/] – Perfect One [http://freemusicarchive.org/music/manbitesdog/Safe_and_Sound_EP/Man_Bites_Dog_-_Safe_and_Sound_EP_-_02_-_Perfect_One] (CC BY-SA 3.0) [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/]