Our guest this episode is Malu Halasa, a prolific and passionate observer of the Middle East through the lens of art and culture. Our conversation explores how she provides readers with a unique window into the changing mores of the region, having written and edited over 8 anthologies, and several novels and short stories of her own.

Born in Oklahoma, to Jordanian and Filipino parents, raised in Ohio, a graduate of Barnard College, Columbia University, Malu now lives in London, where she is currently a Literary Editor at The Markaz Review.

As a journalist, Malu’s contributions include music journalism for Rolling Stone, and writing for Huffington Post, and The Guardian.

Anthologies she has edited include:

· “Syria Speaks: Art and Culture from the Frontline”,

· “Culture in Defiance: Continuing Traditions of Satire, Art and the Struggle for Freedom in Syria”,

· “Transit Tehran: Young Iran and Its Inspirations”

· “The Secret Life of Syrian Lingerie: Intimacy and Design”,

· “Woman Life Freedom: Voices and Art from the Women’s Protests in Iran”,

· And a new book coming out in January called “Sumud: A New Palestinian Reader”

Her debut novel “Mother of all Pigs” is an epic Jordanian family saga chronicling the comedy and pathos of the patriarchy in decline.

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What could be more theatrical than stories told in a courtroom? Especially those told to represent individuals who cannot afford adequate defense when accused of a crime?

In this episode we chat with Matt Cleaver, Staff Attorney with Brooklyn Defender Services, a passionate public defender and a human rights activist. Trained in theater, experienced in arts administration and theater management, Matt pivoted to a career in law, to make a difference in lives of those disadvantaged in society. He brings a unique perspective to his role, representing and advocating for clients whose stories are often silenced by the nature of legal system. In our chat Matt shares anecdotes of using story to engage prosecutorial adversaries as collaborators, the need for specificity to amplify the stories of his clients, and the significance of language we use that can subtly impact the outcome of any defense.

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In this episode we couldn’t be prouder to chat with jazz vocalist Tierney Sutton.

A nine-time Grammy nominated artist, with an international performing career, Tierney is known for unique and inventive arrangements of jazz standards and other musical genres, a 20-year relationship with her band, and deft retellings of songs’ stories that we thought we knew. She is now performing own compositions in one of her most recent collaborations (or “consultations” as she explains on the podcast) with the San Gabriel 7 in the album and music video Good People.

You can learn about all things Tierney, find a calendar of where she is performing, and links to listen to recordings her music and her on YouTube pages listed on her site: https://tierneysutton.com/

If you don’t know her work there are so many stand outs we would recommend listening to, including albums featuring songs from artists as diverse as Joni Mitchell and Sting, and songs we know from movies. (She has great stories about the band working with Clint Eastwood to creating the soundtrack to the movie “Sully”.)

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