Hello friends and damn-givers!
I’m typing this newsletter from the lobby of a tiny state college in Lenoir City, TN. There aren’t many quiet, air-conditioned places to knock out some work in this small town. My partner and our children have been here for three weeks spending time with my in-laws, their two dogs, and their three cats. I arrived yesterday and I’ll be here for a week before we head back to New York City. In the meantime, I’ll spend the next few days cooking delicious meals for the family and smoking my pipe while reading Barbara Jenkins’ forthcoming memoir on the back porch. For my New York friends, a back porch in an outdoor space that you don’t have to pay a bajillion dollars for.
How are you doing? How are you giving a damn right now? Are you taking care of yourself? Reply to this email and let me know! I love hearing from you.
Let’s dive right in. Here are a few things I think you should read, watch, listen to, and consider:
PODCAST(S) TO LISTEN TO:
The last couple of LGAD Podcast conversations have been epic! Listen to #255 with Megha Desai about her incredible work at The Desai Foundation and #256 with Natalie Antelava about CODA Story, ZEG Storytelling Festival, and much more. Tune in! Share with a friend or two! Leave a review! Thanks:)
BOOK TO READ:
Soul Boom: Why We Need A Spiritual Revolution is stunning and helpful. Religion and spirituality have hurt countless people since the beginning of time. Most days, I want nothing to do with them. BUT I believe they have also helped in countless. I agree with Jesuit Priest Pierre Teilhard de Chardin when he said, that "We are not human beings having a spiritual experience; we are spiritual beings having a human experience." Now, I’m happy for you not to believe that. But no matter who you are or what you believe, I think Rainn’s book can you find healing and wholeness.
SONG TO LISTEN TO:
Margo Price covered Leon Russell’s Stranger In A Strange Land and it’s so fucking good.
Stop the money chase
Lay back, relax
Get back on the human track
Stop racing toward oblivion
Oh, such a sad, sad state we're in
VIDEO TO WATCH:
Elise Joshi, Executive Director of Gen-Z For Change, interrupted White House Press Secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre, to urge the Biden Administration to stop approving new coal, oil, and gas projects. Elise is visibly nervous as she stands us to interrupt Karine. I’m so proud of her and I’m so pumped that the young people are kicking ass and leading the way.
ARTICLE TO READ:
Two days ago, Sinéad O'Connor passed on. I’ll never forget the first time I watched Sinéad sing Bob Marley’s War and then rip up a photo of Pope John Paul II live on SNL. Her career was never the same after that. What a legend! My friend Rod shared this article with me: Remembering Sinéad O’Connor’s Sublime Music and Righteous Rage.
QUOTE TO PONDER:
”This is the true joy in life, being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one. Being a force of nature instead of a feverish, selfish little clod of ailments and grievances, complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy. I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the whole community and as long as I live, it is my privilege to do for it what I can. I want to be thoroughly used up when I die, for the harder I work, the more I live. I rejoice in life for its own sake. Life is no brief candle to me. It is a sort of splendid torch which I have got hold of for the moment and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations.” — George Bernard Shaw
That’s it for this week! Thank you for reading. I'm truly grateful. Consider forward this email to a friend? Or send them this link so they can sign up. And you can always email me about anything. I’ll be back next week with good news and steps we can take together to make our world a much better place. We have a lot of work to do. Love y'all.
Peace and love,
Nick Laparra