Life Through Children's Books

Alive

This week, we're celebrating our selves, and with support from two of the most influential writers in my life these days.  Hi! I think I’m sometimes guilty of taking myself for granted. Do you know what I mean? When you’re with this being that you’re so used to 24/7, it can be easy to overlook the things that might be seen as valuable to others. My attempt, with this week’s episode is to see what things about myself I overlook, and much more than that—maybe a form of celebrating being alive, by acknowledging these things?   I even invite you to create a list, as I write mine, of your best/favorite atributes.  BUT, not without the support of writing from (the) Jenny Slate and her amazing memoir “Little Weirds,” which is in so many ways a celebration of her aliveness, including the complexities of human existence. She hardly leaves anything out. Lain across the table (or the pages) are her quarks, joys, insecurities, deep reflections, explorations of her own loneliness, and other things that, honey, you’d have to read for yourself to feel the vastness of. Plus, there’s no way I could acknowledge the self without help from “Master of Me” by Keke Palmer. We might just relate on some of these things.

Still

What can be found within the depths of stillness, and why doesn't it seem like an accessible pursuit (sometimes)? Join me as I recollect the reimbursements stillness has given me at the least expected times.  Do you find it easy, difficult, or somewhere in between, to snatch moments of stillness for yourself? How do you recollect the pieces that make you who and what you are, as maybe a working class person, a performing artist, a friend, or all of the above?  This episode of Underneath the Sunbeams is named after "Still," a piano song by Ann Sweeten.

'Heartstrings'

This episode of Underneath the Sunbeams is an exploration and honoring of vulnerability. Have you ever heard the song 'Heartstrings' by Leighton Meester? A Fall season's classic. As I listened to the pop beat this time in my life, I felt something deeply resonant in the lyrics of the song. It made me think of what it really means to tie ones own heartstrings.  This week, I comb through the meaning in being a deep feeler, and what it means to evolve and do life after having experiences that might make a person want to close themself off from any potential harm--plus what beauty might be missed in the process. So much of Underneath the Sunbeams is about what special things can happen when we remain open, and so, how do we in a world filled with reasons not to? From my heart, to yours, let’s see.

The Cheetah Girls 2

Let’s clear the air with a loved film. This week, I’m joined by two people I adore, music industry professionals/artists Shadiyah Jai and Morgan Moxie as we return to the world of Disney and  This musical adventure through Barcelona does not fail to ignite the inner flame and spark a smile on our faces, and I’m sure you can relate. It’s a reminder that representation is vital, and that the impossible is definitely possible.  With destiny at play, how strong is the power of friendship? Can The Cheetah Girls withstand new tests thrown their way?  As always, my loves, this is NOT a spoiler free experience. So, if you need a refresher, or you haven’t seen this film, go immerse yourself into it before you sit down with us.

Life Through Children's Books

Children's book creators have a way of reshaping, and reframing our worlds with the best of intentions, and I have found that my love for children's books has not died, at all. If anything, it has grown. This week, I'd love to share with you five of my favorite children's books, what they each mean to me, and what they each provide me with/how these stories and images help reshape and restore my perspective. As an adult, these stories have a way of reminding me of what is possible, and that persistence is sometimes less about grit and more about softness. From stories about playing dress-up, a river adventure, community gardening, and lost space ships, I hope that by listening to me describe the cadences of these books you can feel some of what I feel while taking in these bright symbolic adventures. Library:  Julián Is a Mermaid by Jessica Love There Must Be More Than That by Shinsuke Yoshitake River by Elisha Cooper Something, Someday by Amanda Gorman & Christian Robinson The Way Back Home by Oliver Jeffers Bonus: It's So Quiet by Sherri Dusky Rinker & Tony Fucile