Free & Equal Network Podcast with Christina Tobin

On March 20, 2014 Christina Tobin interviewed Paul Masvidal, guitarist and vocalist with progressive metal band Cynic, who will be performing at Free & Equal's United We Stand Festival May 10th at UCLA. Masvidal formed Cynic as a young teen in the late '80s in Florida; was recruited by the late Chuck Schuldiner to play guitar with Death in 1991; released the first Cynic record in 1993, and broke up after several years; Masvidal went on to attend UCLA, Musicians Institute; he studied jazz, worked in television and film, released an album with a folkgroup, Æon Spoke. He regrouped with Cynic in 2008, releasing four albums in five years. He talks about how important it is to have integrity and follow your heart in your work, how Frank Zappa went up against the government on music censorship, how big Pharma is keeping people sick instead of searching for cures, and how he worked with Jim Carrey on a children’s book, How Roland Rolls. Discussing the spiritual path of Cynic’s music (Paul is a Buddhist), he observes that “Everything that we think is working against us is actually a tool to help us grow.” Masvidal discusses his volunteer work with terminally ill people, helping them cope, how rewarding it is to “be of service to the planet and to your fellow humans.” Christina Tobin urges listeners to visit CynicOnline.com. “The more we support his music the more he can give back to the community.”

Independent American Rapper and urban activist Immortal Technique engages in an enlightening and provocative discussion with Free & Equal’s Christina Tobin. Immortal Technique is a headlining performer at Free & Equal's United We Stand Festival on May 10th, 2014 at UCLA. www.UnitedWeStandFest.com Born Felipe Coronel in Peru in 1978, Immortal Technique now lives in Harlem, wealthy in terms of love, community, and self-respect having kept his message real. He reminds us that although many people define “success” in terms of material wealth and control, there are a lot of people whose “idea of success is just to be free and equal." He talks about traveling to Afghanistan in 2008 and working with Omeid International (Omeid.org) to build an orphanage, school and start a medical center there and how he values the positive effects of music as much as music itself. They discuss the downside of party politics, noting that even the socially concerned wing has turned a blind eye on the drug-addicted population, who need medical and psychological treatment; they don’t need to be sold to the prison industrial complex. Immortal talks about how he is open minded about different forms of government. The problem, he says, with the two-party system is that “not everything has a yes or no answer.” People tend to like some things on one agenda, other things on another agenda, but not the whole agenda of any one group. This is why independent politics are so important—and why independent music is so important. He says that extreme agendas are inexcusable considering “the range of ideas and the range of intelligence that human beings have. We can’t be married to one political ideology.” He advocates diversity and tolerance. His message is spreading to a wider population as poverty spreads from its concentration in minority communities to the former middle class. His new album will be released some time this year by Viper Records (www.viperrecords.com). Always an honest leader who will not compromise his integrity, Immortal Technique says it straight. The most shocking thing these days about his lyrics is probably not the profanity, but the fact that now his message is directed at about forty percent of the population: “We act like we share in the spoils of war that they do. We die in wars.…We don’t get weapons contracts. We don’t get cheap labor for our companies. We are cheap labor. Turn off the news and read, read, read, read.”

Independent American Rapper and urban activist Immortal Technique engages in an enlightening and provocative discussion with Free & Equal’s Christina Tobin. Immortal Technique is a headlining performer at Free & Equal's United We Stand Festival on May 10th, 2014 at UCLA. www.UnitedWeStandFest.com Born Felipe Coronel in Peru in 1978, Immortal Technique now lives in Harlem, wealthy in terms of love, community, and self-respect having kept his message real. He reminds us that although many people define “success” in terms of material wealth and control, there are a lot of people whose “idea of success is just to be free and equal." He talks about traveling to Afghanistan in 2008 and working with Omeid International (Omeid.org) to build an orphanage, school and start a medical center there and how he values the positive effects of music as much as music itself. They discuss the downside of party politics, noting that even the socially concerned wing has turned a blind eye on the drug-addicted population, who need medical and psychological treatment; they don’t need to be sold to the prison industrial complex. Immortal talks about how he is open minded about different forms of government. The problem, he says, with the two-party system is that “not everything has a yes or no answer.” People tend to like some things on one agenda, other things on another agenda, but not the whole agenda of any one group. This is why independent politics are so important—and why independent music is so important. He says that extreme agendas are inexcusable considering “the range of ideas and the range of intelligence that human beings have. We can’t be married to one political ideology.” He advocates diversity and tolerance. His message is spreading to a wider population as poverty spreads from its concentration in minority communities to the former middle class. His new album will be released some time this year by Viper Records (www.viperrecords.com). Always an honest leader who will not compromise his integrity, Immortal Technique says it straight. The most shocking thing these days about his lyrics is probably not the profanity, but the fact that now his message is directed at about forty percent of the population: “We act like we share in the spoils of war that they do. We die in wars.…We don’t get weapons contracts. We don’t get cheap labor for our companies. We are cheap labor. Turn off the news and read, read, read, read.”

Ness and Karaam of A-Alikes, who will be appearing at Free & Equal's United We Stand Festival May 10th at UCLA, talk with Christina Tobin about how they met up in college in Florida and moved to NYC in the nineties to join the hip-hop scene there. They talk about the respect that have for Chuck D of Public Enemy and how important hip-hop has been for black communities. They explain that their popular song "No Savior" is a warning against thinking Obama's getting elected is going to save black communities because, as they say, "You have to save yourself." Their music is all about "the people over the dollar." A-Alikes' new EP is "Us Against Them" and the latest single "They Watching" is about the surveillance state and plays on Rockwell's 1984 hit, "Somebody's Watching Me." Go to aalikes.net check out their music. www.UnitedWeStandFest.com This interview took place on March 3, 2014.

Ness and Karaam of A-Alikes, who will be appearing at Free & Equal's United We Stand Festival May 10th at UCLA, talk with Christina Tobin about how they met up in college in Florida and moved to NYC in the nineties to join the hip-hop scene there. They talk about the respect that have for Chuck D of Public Enemy and how important hip-hop has been for black communities. They explain that their popular song "No Savior" is a warning against thinking Obama's getting elected is going to save black communities because, as they say, "You have to save yourself." Their music is all about "the people over the dollar." A-Alikes' new EP is "Us Against Them" and the latest single "They Watching" is about the surveillance state and plays on Rockwell's 1984 hit, "Somebody's Watching Me." Go to aalikes.net check out their music. www.UnitedWeStandFest.com This interview took place on March 3, 2014.

On December, 18, 2013, Christina Tobin interviewed Diane Goldstein, board member and spokesperson for Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP). Goldstein is a retired lieutenant from Redondo Beach who believes we need to reform our criminal justice system and move our drug policy under a public health model. She talks about how critical resources for fighting crime are being diverted to the drug wars and how people struggling with substance abuse and/or mental health issues are not getting the help they really need. Goldstein notes that some may think that the idea of law enforcement against prohibition is something of an oxymoron, but over 5,000 current, retired, and former criminal justice professionals, from police officers and supreme court justices, are members of LEAP. Goldstein talks about how criminal justice system lobbyists tend to focus on self-serving agendas, growing the system, rather than serving the people. She also talks about how her own brother’s struggles with substance abuse helped her see that the way the drug problem is being addressed in American is not working. “If we ground our government in compassion we would be better off as a society in general.” For more information go to www.LEAP.cc

On December, 18, 2013, Christina Tobin interviewed Diane Goldstein, board member and spokesperson for Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP). Goldstein is a retired lieutenant from Redondo Beach who believes we need to reform our criminal justice system and move our drug policy under a public health model. She talks about how critical resources for fighting crime are being diverted to the drug wars and how people struggling with substance abuse and/or mental health issues are not getting the help they really need. Goldstein notes that some may think that the idea of law enforcement against prohibition is something of an oxymoron, but over 5,000 current, retired, and former criminal justice professionals, from police officers and supreme court justices, are members of LEAP. Goldstein talks about how criminal justice system lobbyists tend to focus on self-serving agendas, growing the system, rather than serving the people. She also talks about how her own brother’s struggles with substance abuse helped her see that the way the drug problem is being addressed in American is not working. “If we ground our government in compassion we would be better off as a society in general.” For more information go to www.LEAP.cc

On December 24, 2013, Christina Tobin interviewed David Bronner, CEO of Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps, a 100% organic & non-GMO company that makes the world's bestselling natural soaps, in addition to other products like coconut oil. David discusses the founding of Bronner's Soaps by his grandfather, Emanuel Bronner, and his story of escaping Nazi Germany. He discusses his grandfather's ultimate protest against the petro-chemical industry, using petroleum-based soaps and products, mixed in with many other harmful chemicals, and the impact it had not only on our bodies but our environment too. Dr. Bronner's Soaps is 100%-plant based. David Bronner has been key in getting the company certified organic, non-GMO, and Fair Trade. He even helped reform some of the many loopholes in the USDA Organic standards. Dr. Bronner's implemented the use of hemp seed oil in many of their products. He discusses his support of the legalization of cannabis and hemp, the importance of Fair Trade practices, the Fair Trade olive oil he gets from both Israel & Palestine, the need to realize the oneness of humanity in the face of a nuclear-armed world, the benefits of psychedelic medicine, his fight for GMO labeling in CA & WA (taking on the Goliath of Monsanto), leading by example using his company as a larger vehicle for good in the world, and the need for more choices in our electoral process so we can restore the free, peaceful, and harmonious society we all want. Please find Dr. Bronner's at www.DrBronner.com

On December 24, 2013, Christina Tobin interviewed David Bronner, CEO of Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps, a 100% organic & non-GMO company that makes the world's bestselling natural soaps, in addition to other products like coconut oil. David discusses the founding of Bronner's Soaps by his grandfather, Emanuel Bronner, and his story of escaping Nazi Germany. He discusses his grandfather's ultimate protest against the petro-chemical industry, using petroleum-based soaps and products, mixed in with many other harmful chemicals, and the impact it had not only on our bodies but our environment too. Dr. Bronner's Soaps is 100%-plant based. David Bronner has been key in getting the company certified organic, non-GMO, and Fair Trade. He even helped reform some of the many loopholes in the USDA Organic standards. Dr. Bronner's implemented the use of hemp seed oil in many of their products. He discusses his support of the legalization of cannabis and hemp, the importance of Fair Trade practices, the Fair Trade olive oil he gets from both Israel & Palestine, the need to realize the oneness of humanity in the face of a nuclear-armed world, the benefits of psychedelic medicine, his fight for GMO labeling in CA & WA (taking on the Goliath of Monsanto), leading by example using his company as a larger vehicle for good in the world, and the need for more choices in our electoral process so we can restore the free, peaceful, and harmonious society we all want. Please find Dr. Bronner's at www.DrBronner.com

During an interview on December 16, 2013, Christina Tobin talks with New York Times best-selling author, lecturer, spiritualist, activist Marianne Williamson, who has recently announced that she will be running as an Independent, seeking election to the U.S. House of Representatives, California’s Congressional District 33. According to Williamson, “The average citizen is locked out, locked out politically, locked out educationally, and locked out economically…. Looking to the political status quo to fix this situation has become absurd, because they created it, and they depend on it, and they work within it. That’s why I’m running as an Independent candidate.” She notes that the major successful social justice movements came from the people. They didn’t come from a major political party, a “calcified institutional corner that is only looking to protect its own power. That’s not where we are going to find deliverance from the problem… and so I’m running.” Get more information at http://www.marianneforcongress.com

During an interview on December 16, 2013, Christina Tobin talks with New York Times best-selling author, lecturer, spiritualist, activist Marianne Williamson, who has recently announced that she will be running as an Independent, seeking election to the U.S. House of Representatives, California’s Congressional District 33. According to Williamson, “The average citizen is locked out, locked out politically, locked out educationally, and locked out economically…. Looking to the political status quo to fix this situation has become absurd, because they created it, and they depend on it, and they work within it. That’s why I’m running as an Independent candidate.” She notes that the major successful social justice movements came from the people. They didn’t come from a major political party, a “calcified institutional corner that is only looking to protect its own power. That’s not where we are going to find deliverance from the problem… and so I’m running.” Get more information at http://www.marianneforcongress.com

On December 10, 2013, Christina Tobin interviewed Lee Camp, writer & comedian-turned-activist whose twice weekly webseries “Moment of Clarity” has a massive YouTube following. Infamous for having called Fox News a “Parade of Propaganda” while appearing as a guest on the network, Camp talks to Christina about the need to say what you really think about political issues. They discuss how the old rule of etiquette to avoid political issues and controversial topics is in itself an equally political stance defending the status quo. According to Camp, “We’re in dire times. We’re in the middle of something very serious going on in this world.” Camp describes his various “rants” on the NSA, “the largest surveillance infrastructure created in history,” the NDAA, third party candidates being arrested for trying to attend debates, and how he once got Chris Hedges to smile.

On December 10, 2013, Christina Tobin interviewed Lee Camp, writer & comedian-turned-activist whose twice weekly webseries “Moment of Clarity” has a massive YouTube following. Infamous for having called Fox News a “Parade of Propaganda” while appearing as a guest on the network, Camp talks to Christina about the need to say what you really think about political issues. They discuss how the old rule of etiquette to avoid political issues and controversial topics is in itself an equally political stance defending the status quo. According to Camp, “We’re in dire times. We’re in the middle of something very serious going on in this world.” Camp describes his various “rants” on the NSA, “the largest surveillance infrastructure created in history,” the NDAA, third party candidates being arrested for trying to attend debates, and how he once got Chris Hedges to smile.

On December 18, 2013, Free & Equal’s Christina Tobin talked with Michael Levitin, journalist and activist, former correspondent with Newsweek, Time, LA Times, and Daily Telegraph, currently editor of Occupy Wall Street Journal and Occupy.com, a central hub of the occupy movement across the world. Levitin talks about how when he was writing for corporate media, although he was able to cover worthwhile subjects such as protests and environmental issues, he was never able to use the “appropriate vocabulary.” Working now in the alternative media, he is able to use a new language, not a corporate language, that is more appropriate for the 99%. Levitin discusses a new campaign he is working on called Fed Up 100, launching on December 23rd on the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Federal Reserve. Levitin explains that the Fed issue was a foundational grievance of Occupy protests. He explains that the Fed is a private bank, not part of the Federal government. With a truly Federal central bank, we the people could create our own money debt-free. Visit http://tinyurl.com/fedup100 Levitin also speaks about the commons.occupy.com project, which is a forum for discussion allowing different people to collaborate on specific projects. He will be speaking at Free & Equal's upcoming “United We Stand” Festival at UCLA on May 10th.

On December 18, 2013, Free & Equal’s Christina Tobin talked with Michael Levitin, journalist and activist, former correspondent with Newsweek, Time, LA Times, and Daily Telegraph, currently editor of Occupy Wall Street Journal and Occupy.com, a central hub of the occupy movement across the world. Levitin talks about how when he was writing for corporate media, although he was able to cover worthwhile subjects such as protests and environmental issues, he was never able to use the “appropriate vocabulary.” Working now in the alternative media, he is able to use a new language, not a corporate language, that is more appropriate for the 99%. Levitin discusses a new campaign he is working on called Fed Up 100, launching on December 23rd on the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Federal Reserve. Levitin explains that the Fed issue was a foundational grievance of Occupy protests. He explains that the Fed is a private bank, not part of the Federal government. With a truly Federal central bank, we the people could create our own money debt-free. Visit http://tinyurl.com/fedup100 Levitin also speaks about the commons.occupy.com project, which is a forum for discussion allowing different people to collaborate on specific projects. He will be speaking at Free & Equal's upcoming “United We Stand” Festival at UCLA on May 10th.