Unpacking the Cool Factor with Thomas W. Hodgkinson

Richard Byrne on Davy Crockett and the Making of an 1830s American Musical

Davy Crockett in Washington City: Politics, the 1830s, and a New Country Musical -- with Richard ByrneFrom New York City, host Dian Griesel talks with writer Richard Byrne about his new country-music stage work, “Congressman Davy,” for which he wrote the book and lyrics (with music by Dean Schlabowski of the Waco Brothers). Byrne explains how a late-night rewatch of Disney’s Davy Crockett starring Fess Parker sparked research into Crockett’s political life, his rivalry with Andrew Jackson, the rise of the Whigs, plus Crockett’s brief moment as a potential presidential candidate. Dian and Richard discuss Washington City in the 1830s -- including its lack of sewers and trash collection, pigs in the streets, and stark class differences -- plus key figures in the musical like journalist Anne Royall and boardinghouse proprietors Mrs. Ball and Mrs. Brown. Byrne shares the project’s 2024 staged reading in DC, the released soundtrack, and a free online radio-play version debuting June 29. Learn More at any of these links: Richard Byrne Website https://www.richardbyrneplays.com/ [https://www.richardbyrneplays.com/] Congressman Davy website:  https://congressmandavy.bandzoogle.com/ [https://congressmandavy.bandzoogle.com/] Congressman Davy Bandcamp (CD/digital):  https://plentytuff.bandcamp.com/album/congressman-davy-a-musical [https://plentytuff.bandcamp.com/album/congressman-davy-a-musical] Congressman Davy streaming:  https://plentytuff.lnk.to/congressmandavy [https://plentytuff.lnk.to/congressmandavy] Free radio play of Congressman Davy (June 29):  https://congressmandavy.podbean.com/ [https://congressmandavy.podbean.com/]What happens when raw curiosity collides with uncharted truths? In Silver Disobedience® Perception Dynamics, host Dian Griesel—a provocateur of perception—dives into unscripted, no-holds-barred stories from fascinating guests across diverse lives. We unpack work, play, psychology, pop culture, trends, B.S. + more through thought-provoking questions that spark honest revelations, pivotal moments & unguarded insights—stunning even the boldest with their own "aha" truths. Raw inspiration, mindset shifts & uplifting wisdom fuel deeper self- and other understanding. No scripted fluff. Check it out!  SHOW RUN: 00:00 Western Revival Intro00:48 Musical Origins03:21 Disney Folk Heroes05:25 Why The West Endures07:19 Crockett The Politician08:32 Issues And Land Reform10:33 Andrew Jackson Rivalry12:10 Whigs And Presidential Buzz13:46 Party System Explained15:19 Plot In Washington City16:39 Anne Royall Spotlight18:57 Dirty Real 1830s Life23:04 Surprising Research Finds25:42 Production And Release Plans27:48 Closing Thoughts And Parallels

Grandma Gets Real: How Tanya Ruiz is Redefining Miniature Art as an Influencer & Creator Post Cancer

Grandma Gets Real: How Tanya Ruiz Turned Barbie, Dolls & Miniatures Into a Viral Influencer CareerHost Dian Griesel interviews Tanya Ruiz, creator of the Instagram and Facebook accounts @GrandmaGetsReal about how her lifelong relationship with Barbie evolved from childhood play to teenage fashion modeling, then to speaking on body image and considering the impact of Barbie as a cultural reflection. After her husband became ill and she stopped traveling, her granddaughters found her speaking-prop Barbies in the attic, including a Happy Family Grandma Barbie, which sparked a new Instagram project: building a realistic 1/6-scale “plastic parallel universe” using detailed miniatures. Tanya describes discovering tiny food and other collectibles online, creating dioramas and 14 miniature rooms, posting up to three times daily, going viral in 2020, growing to over two million followers, and working with some brands despite being told she wasn’t their “demographic,” while continuing to champion creativity and hobby-driven joy. You can follow Tanya here: https://www.instagram.com/grandmagetsreal/ [https://www.instagram.com/grandmagetsreal/] https://www.facebook.com/GrandmaGetsReal/ [https://www.facebook.com/GrandmaGetsReal/] https://www.youtube.com/c/GrandmaGetsReal [https://www.youtube.com/c/GrandmaGetsReal] https://www.tiktok.com/@grandmagetsreal [https://www.tiktok.com/@grandmagetsreal] Please SUBSCRIBE! I’m Dian Griesel, Ph.D. aka @SilverDisobedience to my hundreds of thousands of monthly blog readers. You can learn more about me here:   ⁠https://diangriesel.com⁠ [https://diangriesel.com/] But for starters…I am a perceptionist and communication counselor. [https://diangriesel.com] For 30 years I have helped my clients to achieve greater understanding as to how perceptions impact everything we do whether personally or professionally. "Raw, truth-driven conversations with fascinating guests — from business & psychology to careers, pop culture & the B.S. in between." Expect bold questions. Unfiltered insights. A few laughs. Real growth. Subscribe & Join the Conversation. SHOW RUN: 00:00 Growing Up With Barbie00:22 Meet Tanya Ruiz01:29 From Modeling to Body Image02:39 Granddaughters Spark Revival06:45 Grandma Barbie Origin Story09:01 Miniatures Go Viral10:48 Brands and Partnerships11:41 Finding the Miniature World13:08 Scale and Nostalgia Rooms15:03 Dollstagram Community Therapy17:27 Building Sets and Family Support21:40 Content Creator Life24:34 Planning Themes Route 6626:35 Not Their Demographic33:21 Fame Barbie Movie Wrap Up35:09 Final Advice and Outro

Climbing Kilimanjaro Without Legs? Spencer West, Motivational Speaker & Activist Talks About What IS Possible!

Spencer West on Breaking Free: Stop Following Expectations and Start Following Yourself Dian Griesel welcomes Spencer West, [https://www.spencer2thewest.com/] author of "Breaking Free: Stop Following Expectations and Start Following Yourself," [https://amzn.to/4aaxwxC] to discuss resilience, identity, and human potential. West shares how being born with sacral agenesis led to leg amputations at age five and how the expectation to be “just like everyone else” shaped his childhood, education, and coming out as gay. Spencer describes feeling trapped after college while working in Phoenix, then finding renewed purpose through a volunteer trip to East Africa that inspired him to move to Toronto and work in international development. West recounts climbing Mount Kilimanjaro with friends while raising $500,000 for clean water for 12,500 people! Throughout this conversation Spencer West highlights lessons on asking for help, self-trust, rest, and play. He also explains how his content and speaking address inclusion, accessibility, and community solutions. You can find more about Spencer West at any of these links: Website: https://www.spencer2thewest.com/ Breaking Free -- the Book: https://amzn.to/4aaxwxC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spencer2thewest SilverDisobedience© Perception Dynamics™ is a psychology and mindset podcast for anyone rethinking success, leadership, and reinvention at any age. Host Dian Griesel — perception analyst, hypnotherapist, and the provocateur of perception known as @SilverDisobedience — sits down with fascinating guests for unscripted, no-holds-barred conversations on human behavior, personal growth, mental health, relationships, pop culture, and the B.S. in between. Through bold questions that spark honest revelations and unguarded "aha" truths, every episode delivers real mindset shifts, hard-won wisdom, and inspiration for living — and aging — on your own terms. No scripted fluff. Subscribe! Show Run: 00:00 Meet Spencer West 00:54 Kilimanjaro First Impressions 01:41 Breaking Free From Expectations 02:01 Growing Up Disabled And Queer 06:30 College Identity Wake Up 10:10 Listening To Yourself 10:50 Phoenix Career Trap 12:42 East Africa Turning Point 14:59 Building A Purpose Driven Platform 22:18 Why Kilimanjaro Mattered 25:43 Lessons From The Summit 29:25 Roadmap To Action 33:42 Rest Play And Hustle Culture 37:12 Final Thoughts And Farewell

A Styled Life on Both Sides of the Camera with Gillean McLeod

Gillian McLeod on Styling, Starting Modeling at 52, and the H&M Swimsuit Ad That Changed EverythingDian Griesel interviews stylist-turned-model Gillian McLeod [https://www.instagram.com/gilleanmcleod/], who began styling after working for a clothing designer and running a kids’ clothing line, then spent 30 years in print advertising, joining a costumers union and building long-term crews with producers and photographers. Gillian describes the realities of styling on set, the need for flexibility, and how iPhones changed last-minute creative demands, along with the importance of staying in your lane on productions. She explains how she started modeling at 52 after stepping into a role on a shoot, then later went viral at 60 from an H&M swimsuit job shot with no hair or makeup, bringing both major media attention and harsh comments. Gillean discusses confidence, auditions, iconic campaigns, concerns about AI misuse of images, and advice for aspiring models to be themselves and build a strong portfolio. Please SUBSCRIBE! I’m Dian Griesel, Ph.D. aka @SilverDisobedience to my hundreds of thousands of monthly blog readers. You can learn more about me here:   ⁠https://diangriesel.com⁠ [https://diangriesel.com/] But for starters…I am a perception [https://diangriesel.com/]ist. For 30 years I have helped my clients to achieve greater understanding as to how perceptions impact everything we do whether personally or professionally. "Raw, truth-driven conversations with fascinating guests — from business & psychology to careers, pop culture & the B.S. in between." Expect bold questions. Unfiltered insights. A few laughs. Real growth. Subscribe & Join the Conversation. Show Run: 00:00 Meet Gillian McLeod00:56 From Styling to Set Life04:17 How Styling Jobs Happen06:40 Union and Set Etiquette07:02 Starting Modeling at 5210:38 The H&M Swimsuit Moment14:23 Confidence and Auditions18:50 Campaign Stories and Transformations21:31 AI and Image Theft Fears26:10 Advice for New Models30:08 Wrap Up and Where to Follow

Colorectal Cancer is on the Rise: What You Want to Know with Dr. Avishek Kumar, MD. Lt Col USAF

Colorectal cancer isn't just an "old person's disease" anymore. Do you know the signs? 👉 Share this with someone who needs to hear this! In recent years, more young adults are being diagnosed with colorectal cancer, often without family history or obvious symptoms. Why is this happening? Factors like lifestyle, diet, and stress play significant roles. Dr. Avishek Kumar, a hematologist and oncologist, [https://www.regionalcancercare.org/physicians/avishek-kumar-md/] who is also a Lieutenant Colonel and a flight surgeon in aerospace and medicine services with the  United States Air Force 482nd Fighter Wing, emphasizes the importance of recognizing warning signs. Those colorectal cancer warning signs may include things like sudden weight loss or changes in bowel habits. Ignoring these can lead to serious health issues down the road. So, if you notice any unusual symptoms, don’t brush them off. A conversation with your primary care physician can be a crucial first step. Let’s prioritize awareness and prevention together! This discussion is vital, whether you're someone who avoids doctors or someone looking to make healthier choices. Join us in spreading awareness about colorectal health! Learn more here: https://www.regionalcancercare.org/physicians/avishek-kumar-md/ Please SUBSCRIBE! I’m Dian Griesel, Ph.D. aka @SilverDisobedience to my hundreds of thousands of monthly blog readers. You can learn more about me here:   ⁠https://diangriesel.com⁠ [https://diangriesel.com/] But for starters…I am a perception [https://diangriesel.com/]ist. For 30 years I have helped my clients to achieve greater understanding as to how perceptions impact everything we do whether personally or professionally. "Raw, truth-driven conversations with fascinating guests — from business & psychology to careers, pop culture & the B.S. in between." Expect bold questions. Unfiltered insights. A few laughs. Real growth. Subscribe & Join the Conversation.