Celebrate Happiness Roadshow with Sandra M

Episode #22: “Embrace Challenge with Madison McQuitty” Music by Todd Lowry

In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Madison McQuitty, a Santa Fe New Mexico dentist who grew up in Farmington NM. Madison is passionate about her work and also an avid outdoorswoman: always looking for new adventures with her husband and their pups. Running Marathons together Max and Madison have recently finished the Catalina Island Marathon, the 6th hardest marathon in the U.S.; hiked over 130 miles of the Arizona Trail and completed Rim to Rim of the Grand Canyon. Max and Madison get outside whenever they can, and they truly believe this is one of the keys to happiness.
Madison shares how challenging herself and striving towards a goal teaches her about herself and brings her a sense of accomplishment and pride. We also discuss how spending time in nature, being grateful, and being in service to others can bring peace and contentment.
Check out this uplifting conversation!

Episode #21: “Theatre, Contribution, and Community with Argos MacCullum” Music by Todd Lowry

In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Santa Fean Argos MacCallum. Argos has lived in Santa Fe since 1967, and has worked as a carpenter, plasterer, ranch manager, orchardist, furniture-maker, scene shop manager, as well as a film and stage actor and stage director. His chapbook, She Loved Gravity and Would Fall Down Exquisitely Anywhere, was published in 1987. He has worked with many theatre companies in Santa Fe, and is an artistic director and co-founder of Teatro Paraguas, a bilingual theatre promoting contemporary Latinx theatre, children's theatre, New Mexico playwrights, and poetry readings since 2004. His poems have been published in Malpais Review, Lummox Anthology, PoetryXHunger.com, THE Magazine, wildword.net, and Poetry London/Apple Magazine.
We discuss many concepts, including the energetic exchange in theatre, the power in being fully engaged in what we find meaningful, and how each of our unique contributions to the world uplifts ourselves and our communities.
I hope you'll check out this inspiring conversation!

Episode #20: Find Your *Why* with Natalia D’Elia Music by Todd Lowry

In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Natalia D'Elia, a young aspiring creative who was born in Atlanta, Georgia in 2005. Her family moved to Chicago for 2 years and then ready for a change, decided to settle in Albuquerque New Mexico. Her current creative passion is dance which she has been studying and performing in for 8 years.
Natalia trains in multiple dance styles including; Hip-Hop, Jazz, Contemporary, Ballet, and musical theatre and feels that Hip-hop and Contemporary resonate most with her, giving her a creative outlet and freedom in expression. Natalia is in her senior year at Volcano Vista High school, at Volcano Vista and has played an active part of student government for the last 7 years. In addition Natalia is the president of the Black Student Union. Currently Natalia is dancing and assisting at the VIIIZON Academy in Albuquerque. Natalia has won a scholarship to the American Music & Dance Academy in Manhattan, New York and is passionate about turning her dreams into reality.  
Natalia shares many powerful insights into the importance of community, the value of finding your "why" or what drives you, and so much more!
Join us for this inspiring conversation!

Episode #19: “Joy & Food with Chef Johnny Vee" Music by Todd Lowry

In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Chef  "Johnny Vee" Vollertsen who is celebrating his 25th year as the creator and director of the Las Cosas Cooking School in Santa Fe, NM. John's career traveled from New York, through Sydney, Australia, and finally Santa Fe, New Mexico.
 
In addition to teaching cooking for over 30 years, John writes a food column for New Mexico Magazine and the Santa Fe New Mexican and his popular cookbook is  "Cooking with John Vee." John also can be heard hosting the food Radio Talk show "Bits and Bites with Johnny Vee" on 1260 AM, and he is a founding member of the
"Chefs for Cooking with Kids" program in New Mexico public schools.
Most recently John joined the guest curator staff of The New Mexico History Museum, creating and building exciting exhibits that celebrate New Mexico's vast and unique food history, launching in July of this year.
 
In our discussion, Johnny shares the heartwarming story of how cooking with his grandmother inspired his love of the culinary arts, as well as his insights into how food brings joy and creates community. I hope you'll tune in for this uplifting conversation!

Episode #18: Healing and Joy through Movement with Trey "Vision", Music by Todd Lowry

In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Eugene S. Pickett III aka Trey'Vision, an African American (Afro-Indigenous) Artist and dancer with over 20 years of experience in dance, choreography and community development. He is the Founder of the Albuquerque New Mexico Viiizon Dance Academy, which focuses on utilizing dance and other fine arts to tell stories, share culture and create meaningful dialogues that uplift black, indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC), in marginalized, and underserved communities both in the US and around the world. Trey, an accomplished musician, choreographer, performer, and Videographer has numerous credits some of which are Dancing Earth, the Santa Fe Opera Alto Program, the Santa Fe Museum of Indian Arts and Culture Identity Project, and he has been the lead performer in countless productions from the Nutcracker to Planet Indigenous.
 
This is such a rich and inspiring conversation, Trey shares many insights into how dance and movement bring joy, healing, and uplift the spirit, and build community. We also dive into Trey's unique teaching approach, how he makes movement accessible for ALL bodies, and we end by discussing the sacredness of these "skin suits" we live in. To quote Trey:
 
"Our bodies are the most sacred dwelling I know. When we are able to dance and return to that space, the beauty of it is that we connect to our ancestors, the land and each other more."
#EugeneSPickett #trey #dance #santafedance #viiizondanceacademy #treyvision #treyvisioninterview #celebratehappiness #celebratehappinessroadshow

Episode #17: The Politics of Beauty with John de Graaf Music by Todd Lowry

In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with John de Graaf, a documentary filmmaker and author. His books AFFLUENZA and WHAT'S THE ECONOMY FOR ANYWAY? explore policy options that improve wellbeing and happiness.  He is a frequent international wellbeing speaker at conferences and college campuses and is currently working on a book called THE POLITICS OF BEAUTY.  He was an advisor to the government of Bhutan's Gross National Happiness campaign regarding the domain of Time Use.  He lives in Seattle, Washington.
 
I hope you'll tune in for this uplifting conversation where John shares his insights into how living in beauty affects wellbeing, as well as the importance of societal changes to address people's fundamental needs, and therefore (make the world a happier place, and so much more!)
#JohndeGraaf #happinessvibe #celebratehappiness #celebratehappinessroadshow #sandram #sandramcknight #sandramroadshow #sandramcelebratehappiness

Episode #16: Follow Your Heart with Red Feather Woman Music by Todd Lowry

In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Red Feather Woman aka Rose Red Elk originally from Ft. Peck Reservation, located in Eastern Montana. Rose is an Inspirational Native American storyteller, producer, author, artist, and creator of fine art dream catchers, whose has won many awards and toured throughout the US and internationally. To quote Red Feather Woman "my most important duty is the preservation of an ancient culture, inspiring and giving hope to all people." Her latest album is – Keepers of the Wisdom-Healing Stories and Meditations." More information can be found on her website: www.redfeatherwoman.com.
In this inspiring conversation, Red Feather Woman shares her journey of leaving corporate America to pursue a career in the arts, the importance of following your heart, shifting your consciousness through gratitude, and so much more!
#RedFeatherWoman #RoseRedElk #celebratehappiness #happinessroadshow #sandra #mcknight #sandramcknight

Episode #15 We Are Nature with Kina Murphy Music by Todd Lowry

In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with conservation biologist, Dr. Kina Murphy. Kina is the Chief Scientist and Africa Policy Lead for Campaign for Nature which is the organization that has called on world leaders to commit to protecting 30% of the planet by 2030. Holding a Ph.D. in Ecology and a Masters in Community & Regional Planning, Kina has worked for over 25 years throughout Africa, Asia and North America, focusing on biodiversity monitoring, market-based approaches to conservation,  and conservation finance and community-based conservation planning and policy. Currently Kina is responsible for working with countries and indigenous communities to develop spatial and financial plans needed to implement and achieve the goal of protecting 30% of the planet by 2030.
In this inspiring conversation, Kina shares her personal story of how being in nature and having a sense of place has brought her healing, a sense of inner peace, and a connection to the whole. We discuss how each of us, whether we live in big cities or more wild areas, can connect more deeply to the natural world around us and how this might cultivate peace and health within us, as "we are nature" after all.
 
#kinamurphy #celebratehappiness #happinessnow #happinessvibe #happinessroadshow #celebratehappinessroadshow

Episode #14 Happiness Walker with Paula Francis Music by Todd Lowry

In this episode, we talk with Paula Francis, a Happiness Walker, a writer and architect of peace and happiness. A mother of three beloved grown up daughters, Paula has always looked to improve the lot of society and co-founded Gross National Happiness USA.  All of which led to walking around the USA talking to individuals and community groups about happiness. To quote Paula, "the trek became a personal pilgrimage as much as a project ...a journey that changed me down to my DNA."
 
In this inspiring and fascinating conversation, Paula shares insights from her adventures walking to 35 states across the United States and interviewing people about happiness. Paula shares how, fundamentally, we all are much more similar than we might think.
Learn more about Paula's Memoir, "18 Pairs of Shoes" here.
 
Check out Paula's Walk Data here.
 
#PaulaFrancis #celebratehappiness #happinessnow #happinessvibe #happinessroadshow #celebratehappinessroadshow

Episode #13 Connecting with Your Values with Tim Sales Music by Todd Lowry

Episode #13 of the Celebrate Happiness Roadshow Podcast: 
Connecting with Your Values with Tim Sales—is here! 
 
To kick off the New Year, I hope you'll tune in for the latest episode of The Celebrate Happiness Roadshow. In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Tim Sales, an urban planner and developer based in Pasadena, California, where he serves on the City's Design Commission and Transportation Advisory Commission. Join us for this inspiring discussion where Tim shares insights into his career, his recent travel experience to Bhutan (the first country to calculate the Gross National Happiness of its people), and how connecting with his values creates happiness in his life. 
 
Tim attended the University of California Los Angeles, achieving a Master's degree in Urban Planning. He has directly managed the development of over 250 units of multi-family residential units and currently he leads RC Homes, Inc., new product segment efforts in the area of build-for-rent investment and development.
Tim has also been the executive in charge of operations for an affordable home ownership developer as well as the corporate marketing manager for two national home builders. His expertise includes market and economic feasibility studies for residential, retail, restaurants, entertainment, and cultural venues.
I hope you enjoy this poignant and uplifting conversation.