A long way from the block
Stories of how passion and craft take us to different corners of the world.@alongwayfromtheblock@dialoguesofjazz
- Update frequency
- every 12 days
- Average duration
- 93 minutes
- Episodes
- 121
- Years Active
- 2021 - 2025
My conversation with Oscar-Nominated, Fine Artist, Muralist and Illustrator Charlene Mosley.
Raised in Berlin, Charlene Mosley is an Oscar-nominated, San Diego- based fine artist, illustrator, concept artist and muralist. She received her BA in Studio Arts from San Diego State University …
"We are about Waking Up, Growing Up, Cleaning Up, and Showing Up." My conversation with founder and Abbot of Integral Zen, Doshin M.J. Nelson Roshi.
Doshin Hannya Michael Nelson Roshi is the founder and abbot of Integral Zen. Doshin started studying Zen in the late 60’s, but without the guidance of a good teacher, he was confused and discoura…
From Castle Hill Projects in The Bronx to owner and operator of an East Harlem Jeet Kune Do & Kali Martial Arts Studio. My conversation with Sifu Richard Garcia.
Garcia Gung Fu Institute
Owner and operator of New York City's premiere Jeet Kune Do & Kali school with classes held Monday - Saturday to students of all ages.
Expert martial arts teacher bas…
Highland Park Legends. My conversation with Rogelio "Yogi" Najera, Part 2.
My first interview with Yogi has been my most downloaded and listened to podcast so far. It resonated with so many different people and received so much positive feedback I was excited that he a…
Hear why digging in the crates and preserving this great art form called hip-hop is so important. My conversation with independent record store owner Sir Froderick.
Originally from Philly and now owner of FIVESPACE records, an independent record store specializing in hip-hop vinyl and cassettes located in San Diego. In this episode we discuss his early roots in…
As a former Rites of Passage Elder, Mzee Kadumu Moyenda talks about the importance of passing on academic excellence, cultural self-esteem and mutual respect to the younger generation.
Mzee Kadumu Moyenda was born on May 18, 1951 and grew up in New York City where he attended elementary, junior high and high school. He completed two years at Westchester Community College in Valhala…
A thank you 37 years in the making. My conversation with coach, mentor, inspirational speaker and community leader Michael Brunker.
Michael Brunker is a renowned leader in business, nonprofit, and youth development environments who holds more than 40 years of experience in empowering people and teams to exceed all expectations, i…
"They took away the drum, so I use my voice" My conversation with Poet, Playwright, Essayist, Recording artist, Author and Theatre Director Carl Hancock Rux.
Carl Hancock Rux's work crosses the disciplines of poetry, theater, music, and literary fiction in order to achieve what one critic describes as a "dizzying oral artistry...unleashing a torrent of p…
My conversation with Grammy Nominated Jazz Saxophonist and Producer Marcus Strickland
Marcus Strickland presents EXCHANGE VILLAGE: A holistic approach to Black Music with pure freedom and creativity in an ALL-Inclusive cross-media exchange of knowledge through workshops & performances…
END PERPETUAL PUNISHMENT-My conversation with Zaki Smith, a formerly incarcerated person, discusses his work with dismantling the collateral consequences of incarceration.
Michael “Zaki” Smith was a policy entrepreneur at Next100. He is an entrepreneur and activist with more than fifteen years of experience in youth empowerment and social justice. Zaki has recently wor…
“He inspired many with his personal story, commitment to children, and just the right amount of humor.” My conversation with Comedian, Author, Founder of Barbershop Books and Award-Winning Social Entrepreneur Alvin Irby.
Alvin Irby is a former kindergarten teacher turned award-winning social entrepreneur, international speaker, comedian, and author. He is Founder and Chief Reading Inspirer at Barbershop Books, a nati…
Hear how 11 close friends from Queens, NY along with their families and a 2nd grade teacher helped Rob Parker become a writer, sports journalist and founder of MLBbro.com.
In this episode Rob Parker talks about how as a 2nd grader at PS 50 in New York City his teacher pulled him to the side and told him he should be a writer. We also discuss how he's kept the same 11 …
A man of many hats. From pre-teen Jazz prodigy, Hip-Hop MC and Producer, Graffiti Artist, Creator of Unfamous Fest, Experiential Growth Facilitator to US Cultural Ambassador. My interview with Anacron Allen.
Anacron is an award-winning and published recording artist, Senior level certified Experiential Educator, and 2018-appointed United States Cultural Ambassador from Los Angeles, California. As a pre-t…
Hear how meditation and martial arts helped transform an East Harlem community. My conversation with Zen Master Stan Koehler, Roshi
In my conversation with Zen Master Stan Koehler, Roshi he goes in depth about his Peace on the Street program in East Harlem. How building a container of meditation and martial arts helped and contin…
From the hardwood to the pulpit. Hear how Terri Mann-Jacobs became San Diego's greatest high school women's basketball player of all time, and how she gives that same energy now as a Pastor.
Pastor Terri A. Jacobs was born in Detroit Michigan and is the youngest of 8 siblings. In 1982, her mother the Late Mrs. Willie J. Mann moved the family to San Diego, CA. At an early age, Pastor Ja…
Born in Grenada and raised in Brooklyn. My conversation with Gregg Bishop, Executive Director of the Social Justice Fund.
Gregg Bishop is currently the Executive Director of the Social Justice Fund, an initiative funded by The Joe and Clara Tsai Foundation. The Social Justice Fund centers its work around racial justice …
How perseverance, dedication and passion for Afro-Cuban dance led Juan Carlos from Havana to world renown dancer and choreographer.
Juan Carlos Blanco Riera was born and raised in Havana, Cuba, where he performed with several professional companies for over 15 years before coming to the U.S. As a youth, he started his performanc…
A MAN OF FAITH. My interview with Michael Smith. Father, Husband, Mentor and Elder.
In this episode we talk in-depth about his upbringing in Jersey City and some of the valuable life lessons he learned from his Father, Reason Smith. We discuss his football career at Montclair State…
From humble roots to working with some of the biggest names in Jazz, Chris Mees documents his journey.
Hard work and a drive to be one of the best Jazz booking and management agents in the country are some of things discussed in this episode. We start from his humble beginnings in Cody, Wyoming to Pl…
From stickball to the big leagues, Tom Goodwin shares his love for the game and the importance of always having fun.
In this episode Tom Goodwin documents his humble beginnings in Fresno, CA to a 14 year career as a Major League Baseball player. Passion, perseverance and the joy of playing a childhood game are som…