Swan Dive

Emil Pinnock - "Each One Teach One" - Falsely Accused to Film Industry Powerhouse

Emil Pinnock [https://www.representjustice.org/people/emil-pinnock] is an accomplished film director, producer, and writer who has been active in the film industry for over 20 years. Raised in Harlem, Emil launched his film career as a child on the PBS television program Reading Rainbow. His many major motion picture credits include Beloved (Oprah Winfrey) and Gridiron Gang  starring Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson.  But the pivotal moment in Emil's life occurred in 2001, on his 19th birthday, when he and his friends were pulled over in Queens, New York, and wrongly arrested for possession of a firearm. This harrowing experience imprinted in this gentle, well-educated young man the dark underbelly of racial injustice ... and became the basis of his breakthrough, award-winning television series, "Up North." That project launched an illustrious career in television and film [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0684460/#name_known_for] that continues to flourish to this day. Emil has been tapped to write an original story about The Negro Baseball Leagues (Blackball) produced by Abigail Disney’s Level Forward; and the origin story of legendary entrepreneur Daymond John (Shark Tank, FUBU)  Emil lives by the motto, "Each one teach one" and has dedicated much of his professional life to helping others. His non-profit, Unleashing Giants, has served thousands of kids from underrepresented communities across the nation, offering an 8-week film program on the film industry via hands-on training, mentorship, and global distribution.  Emil also sits on the board of Represent Justice [https://www.representjustice.org]. At its core, Represent Justice uses the power of storytelling to engage audiences in reimagining the legal system … and creating real demand for change. Swan Dive featured the CEO of Represent Justice, Daniel Forkkio, in an extraordinary 2024 episode. Represent Justice just inked a major deal with Tubi [https://www.representjustice.org/tubi], the streaming network with 100 million viewers. Emil was instrumental in securing the Tubi partnership which will feature five magnificent short films made by formerly-incarcerated people and produced by Represent Justice. Over the next few episodes, Swan Dive will feature these filmmakers and discover how they are surviving our system of injustice.   We are honored to kick off and celebrate these important voices with the magnificent voice of Emil Pinnock. Have a Swan Dive to share? Text us! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/957886/fan_mail/new] We are always looking for Swan Dive Stories to share so hit us up, send an e mail to Ron: Ron@artbikesjax.com or Stu: Stuart@stuartsheldon.com

Artie Ahier - "Endurance" - From Hospitality Host to Arctic Adventurer

Artie Ahier [https://www.quarkexpeditions.com/staff/artie-ahier] developed a fascination with all things polar after reading Endurance at age 13. The harrowing story of Shackleton’s Antarctic misadventure so gripped young Artie that he spent his whole life dreaming of one day experiencing that desolate, people-less land. Raised in his family’s restaurant in a small New Brunswick town on Canada's Restigouche River, Artie always found happiness in nature on the water. His family didn't travel much, so his original seed of exploring the big world was sown in his best friend's living room reading National Geographic. By a series of happy accidents, Artie made his way into the hospitality business and married a chef. Their life  became one big, glorious adventure. Together, they skippered motor yachts through Florida and the Caribbean, ran hotels and a luxury guest Ranch in the remote Big Bend of Texas and opened an award-winning restaurant on Vancouver Island, where Artie has lived since 2000. Their restaurant, SoBo (Sophisticated Bohemian) [https://www.straight.com/blogra/522931/sobo-restaurant-still-must-try-spot-tofino#] was named a Zagat top 100 restaurant in Canada in 2007. For Artie, the theme was always the same, take great care of the guests and show them what natural treasures abound ... whether serving "grassroots gourmet" cuisine or leading bird, bat and nature walks.  Artie's life took a hard turn when he woke up at 50 and realized he just wasn't happy. His marriage had run its course and the restaurant business had burned him out. "I have a love of isolation in nature. The ocean and coastline of the world is my mistress," he mused. This pull toward nature and the water brought him back to skippering boats on whale, bear and bird watching tours in British Columbia, as he said goodbye to his marriage and the restaurant world. Then a phone call took him back to his childhood dream - an opportunity to guide nature tours and Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP) expeditions in Antarctica. Artie didn't think twice. In 2017, just past fifty, he made his fantasy reality and joined the expedition leadership with renowned expedition cruise company Quark [https://www.quarkexpeditions.com/expedition-team]. Artie has been guiding in the pristine waters of the Arctic and Antarctica ever since. He spent over 200 days in the Arctic this past year, reveling as he shares his passion for the outdoors with others, helping them (including your host Stu and his family) better understand his favorite mystical frozen wilderness landscape. Artie is ecstatic to now live a life surrounded by nature on an almost daily basis. When not chasing birds he can be found on his SUP, listening to music and enjoying great food and wine, but not generally at the same time. Have a Swan Dive to share? Text us! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/957886/fan_mail/new] We are always looking for Swan Dive Stories to share so hit us up, send an e mail to Ron: Ron@artbikesjax.com or Stu: Stuart@stuartsheldon.com

Dawn Feinberg - "Dawn Patrol - More Than Just Yoga" - Professional Dancer Turns Severe Injury into Miami's Top Yoga Studio

Dawn Feinberg is founder of AHANA Yoga [https://www.ahanayoga.com], voted the "Best Yoga Studio" in Miami three times by the Miami New Times [https://www.miaminewtimes.com/best-of-miami/2020/sports-and-recreation/best-yoga-11763532]. She has practiced Ahana Flow and Ashtanga yoga for over 25 years and taught for well over a decade. Prior to practicing yoga, Dawn was an elite professional dancer in NY with a big future head of her, until a severely ruptured Achilles tendon ended her dance career and forced her to take a hard look at her dreams and life goals. As a licensed movement therapist, she brings deep knowledgable about the physical and spiritual aspects of yoga, making her classes hugely popular. She is also trained in traditional Indian Kirtan music and plays the harmonium in many of her classes, inciting energy that starts slow and gentle, then builds in intensity, tempo, and volume, before dropping back into stillness.  Ahana means “light of day,” and Dawn brings radiance, music, wisdom, energy and humor into every yoga space she enters. She dispels the mythology about the peacefulness of yoga and the strength of the yoga body. And gets super real about her extraordinary family life story: overcoming addiction, a maternal grandmother who was a thirteen year old prostitute when she gave birth to Dawn's mother and much more. Strap in for a super fun, high energy episode.  About Ahana Yoga [https://www.ahanayoga.com/our-story]  Videos of Dawn teaching [https://www.youtube.com/user/dawnbyoga]  Have a Swan Dive to share? Text us! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/957886/fan_mail/new] We are always looking for Swan Dive Stories to share so hit us up, send an e mail to Ron: Ron@artbikesjax.com or Stu: Stuart@stuartsheldon.com

Barry Krutchik - "That's a Good Question" - Legendary Hollywood Interviewer Writes a Book of Classic Conversations

Barry Krutchik is an legendary Hollywood and pop culture journalist who has conducted over 2000 celebrity interviews across music, film & television over the past 40 years, capturing raw, unscripted moments — from Bob Hope to The Beastie Boys, Santana to Stevie Wonder, Jerry Seinfeld to Jay Z, Mick Jagger, Keanu Reaves, Dave Chappelle, Celine Dion ... basically, the biggest stars EVER! Whether backstage or behind the camera, Barry’s authenticity & quick humor helped high-profile stars feel at home, resulting in raw, unscripted moments. Barry makes things fun!  After a decade, he stopped doing interviews in 2002. “By the third time you're interviewing Peter Frampton, it might be time to try something else” he jokes, a surreal realization, considering that twelve-year-old Barry would’ve never believed he’d even meet Frampton. So, he launched Krutchie Entertainment [https://krutchie.com] and, using his vast trove of celebrity contacts, began booking talent and producing high-impact media events for the Grammys, MTV, BET, FOX, Cirque du Soleil, and more. Over the decades, as technology, public relations and the world of entertainment  changed radically, Barry's professional opportunities also changed. He was no longer a hungry young journalist but a seasoned gentleman in an industry looking for youth and diversity. Then, Covid destroyed his live events business overnight. Terrified, Barry had to reinvent himself.  This journeyman is now activating his extraordinary content. He has a new book coming out, Classic Conversations: ‘90s Hip Hop and R&B [https://www.amazon.com/Classic-Conversations-90s-Hip-Hop/dp/B0FP5KBQCJ/ref=sr_1_1?crid=YURYLQHE6DTG&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.SN7p5SU27m5Mx-rtFveyFg.6mLM2Mk5tk02NNNWfKTtzVxOUW-cfiNPgk1rQovhFhI&dib_tag=se&keywords=barry+krutchik&qid=1763993737&sprefix=barry+krutchik%2Caps%2C433&sr=8-1] featuring his intimate, one-of-a-kind moments and quotes with hip hop and R&B royalty. Each interview includes entertaining commentary that only Barry has the ability to provide. In addition, Barry recently returned to interviewing with a one-on-one sit down with Lady Gaga [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfWxVAikKvU]. And, he has new projects in the pipeline harnessing his treasure trove of celebrity content 💎 Hear clips from one of your favorite artists in this episode or @classicconversationsbk [https://www.instagram.com/classicconversationsbk/] as Barry digitizes his archive. Welcome to Swan Dive 🎤  Have a Swan Dive to share? Text us! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/957886/fan_mail/new] We are always looking for Swan Dive Stories to share so hit us up, send an e mail to Ron: Ron@artbikesjax.com or Stu: Stuart@stuartsheldon.com

Kimberly & Jason Ocana - "Planting New Roots" - Firefighter & Corporate Exec start Plant Medicine Retreat Center

The devastating 2022 hurricane that destroyed their Florida home was the last straw in a chain of traumas for Jason and Kimberly Ocana. A paramedic/firefighter for nearly 15 years, Jason loved being of service, but the work's constant physical and emotional challenges and the added rigors of being a first responder during COVID were taking a serious toll on his body and soul. After 17 years in corporate leadership, Kimberly had “achieved personal success.” But, in reality, she felt totally burnt out physically and emotionally, suffering chronic sickness, anxiety, and depression. On top of all this, both their young children faced major health issues. In this shared state of crisis, two weeks after the loss of their home, Kimberly asked Jason a simple but profound question, “What can we do to make you happy?” In a moment of clarity and courage, he answered, “move to Costa Rica,” a place he loved and a return to tranquility and deep nature. She was more than ready to make the pivot together. Thus was born Ananda Lodge Costa Rica [https://anandalodgecr.com], a plant medicine retreat center birthed in their collective commitment to save their own lives and make a positive impact in the world. From this point forward they would focus on healing trauma and helping others find their way to wholeness and peace.  Ananda operates on the understanding that each individual, regardless of their background, has encountered various forms of trauma, whether big or small. This work is deeply personal. Kimberly survived sexual abuse while Jason carries the weight that only those on the front lines can know. Together, they made a choice to heal and transform themselves and others with the support of sacred plant medicine in a totally beautiful, safe, intimate and healing environment. Jason is particularly drawn to providing support for first-responders, veterans, healthcare workers and others who have dedicated their lives to serving others; Ananda is one of the few retreat centers with programs dedicates to these heroes. Kimberly knows the toll sexual abuse takes on the body and spirit and has created retreats for women that address these specific issues and more.  One of their 2025 retreat guests said it best, "If you’re feeling the call to do real inner work, to shed what’s not yours, and to reconnect with who you really are ... Ananda is where you want to be." https://anandalodgecr.com/ [https://anandalodgecr.com/] Have a Swan Dive to share? Text us! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/957886/fan_mail/new] We are always looking for Swan Dive Stories to share so hit us up, send an e mail to Ron: Ron@artbikesjax.com or Stu: Stuart@stuartsheldon.com