Saving humanity, one podcast at a time…
JoJo talks with J. Allen Cross who is an author, a psychic and a witch. His book, American Brujeria: Modern Mexican American Folk Magic was released in May 2020.
They talk witchy practices, cultural appropriation and ghost hunting – or at least getting the ghosts to cross over. Join us for a lively and WOO-ful conversation.
You can find J on Instagram at @ Oregon_Wood_Witch
And did we mention he is a co-host on the super cool podcast INVOKING WITCHCRAFT?
In this episode JoJo talks with Sarah Altemus-Pope, Director of the Southern Willamette Forest Collaborative. They discuss how they are working with communities, businesses, and the Oregon Department of Forestry and The Forest Service to renew and revitalize our public lands.
Sarah went from smoke jumper to director of this diverse group of people to help preserve and sustain our natural resources. They talk about fire, preservation, and the amazing project that is the Rigdon Landscape!
You can watch this video for more details on that project.
Make sure to check out the website and follow them on Facebook for all the latest updates.
Southern Willamette Forest Collaborative
Facebook
In this episode, EugCast host Adam Wendt talks with Megan Shultz of MSH Consulting and 15th Night.
Megan talks about youth homelessness and her involvement in the 15th Night project.
15th Night is a youth-informed community movement to end youth homelessness by connecting existing resources and finding innovative ways to keep kids in school and off the streets. The project uses a collective impact model to support the health and well-being of youth who are homeless or at risk for homelessness by connecting and activating resources that exist in the Eugene community.
Megan has more than 20 years of management experience in the nonprofit sector. Her commitment to community service and helping those in need has been a central theme in her professional life. She was the Executive Director of Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Lane County for 15 years before starting her consulting firm and leading the 15th Night project coordination.
You can find out more about 15th night and Megan by following these links:
In this episode JoJo talks with Brent Hefley, bee keeper and wrangler, operator of Plan Bees a Bee relocation company (saying the Bees!) and a fountain of knowledge of native Oregon bees.
They talk honey bees – and how they are dealing with mites, but not really in danger. But the bees that are in danger due to lack of habitat are Oregon’s native bees. Learn how you can create a small but important bee haven where you live.
And the links — so many great links to find yourself in Bee Heaven.
Oregon Bee Project
OSU Extension Service
Oregon State University
Bumble Bee Watch
2 Million Blossoms
Linn Master Gardeners
Mason Bees Supply
To reach out to Brent to rescue bees or just get more info – go to his website (there is a phone number there to call too) – Plan Bees
In this episode, EugCast host Adam Wendt speaks with local entertainer Elliot Martinez about working during the pandemic and what comes next.
Elliot is the host of the Elliot Martinez Late night talk show, the Thirsty Thursdays Show on KWVA, and is the creator and host of the Mr. and Ms. Whiteaker pageants.
Some have taken to calling Elliot Mr. 3rd place because he has taken 3rd place in Eugene Weekly’s Best of Eugene in three separate categories, best bartender, radio show host, and writer. Elliot currently hosts an online trivia show called Quality Trivia and is also is available to host special trivia events.
Elliot’s website: Quality Trivia
Quality Trivia: Facebook
Booze Week International: Facebook
In this episode, JoJo talks with River McKenzie (They/Them/Theirs) of TransPonder.
They talk about TransPonder and its purpose and growing impact on the Trans Community in Eugene.
River is a non-binary queer person who works with the LGTBQIA community in both their professional and activist spheres. They work as an Administrative Director at Odyssey Community Counseling at Emergence where they are developing a trans and gender diverse counseling program. River has been passionate about LGBTQIA activism for over 20 years, working within communities on both coasts and in the southern states via social justice art performances, community organization, and changing policies at institutions.
River’s experiences of living in a variety of areas, especially in rural Louisiana, inner city Memphis, Dallas, and rural Pennsylvania have focused their framework and way of thinking around anti-oppression and decolonization. They see this as a lifelong process of addressing their own place within the system and challenging the status quo in any organization in which they participate. They have used this framework to create more gender-inclusive policies and programming at Emergence, worked to change the culture around diversity at Oregon Country Fair and its Community Village, and brings this lens and approach to their work at TransPonder.
You can find out more about TransPonder at transponder.community
And while this episode was recorded before their fund raiser, you can still donate to the good work they are doing.
To keep up with TransPonder make sure to follow them on these platforms:
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter
In this episode, Host Adam Wendt talks with Dana Fleming, Executive Director of the Eugene Education Foundation.
Dana talks about moving to Eugene and how different the education system is here compared to the ones she worked at in the southern U.S., and about the work the Eugene Education Foundation does locally and the importance of the organization to the community of teaching professionals.
They also discuss the importance of alternative funding sources for education and the complexities of working in the education field during COVID.
Contact information for Dana and the Eugene Education Foundation:
via phone: 541.790.7744 (office)
via email: eef@4j.lane.edu (main address)
EEF’s Website: Eugene Education Foundation
If you are interested in supporting EEF:
To donate online: Donation Form
To donate via snail mail:
Eugene Education Foundation
P.O. Box 1015
Eugene, OR 97440
Alternative ways to donate:
Amazon Smile: EEF is registered with Amazon Smile. Every time you shop, Amazon donates a portion of your purchase directly to EEF.
Register your Amazon account with EEF
Stock Gifts: EEF gratefully accepts gifts of stock through Edward Jones.
Edward Jones DTC#: 0057
To donate stock, please contact the EEF office at 541-790-7744 to request our Edward Jones account number, and to inform EEF Staff of the name of your security and any specific donation designations associated with your transfer.
Follow EEF:
Facebook
LinkedIn
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About EugCast:
EugCast is a volunteer-powered, cooperative chit-chat where we talk with people who may or may not live in the Eugene, Oregon area. We think they have some cool stories to share, but we’ll leave that up to you, the listener, to decide!
Roger Brubaker is a Senior Community Health Analyst Suicide Prevention/Mental Health Promotion Coordinator for Lane County.
In this episode Roger and JoJo talk about the toll that the pandemic is taking on EVERYONE’S mental health. From staggering statistics and some concrete ideas on how to deal with the never ending stress.
They take a deep dive into discovering and understanding the origin of our personal emotional response and share how we can equip ourselves with the tools to make good choices.
Roger wants all of us to know that we are not alone.
If you are interested in having Roger come and speak to your organization or business reach out to him at Roger.Brubaker@lanecountyor.gov or visit preventionlane.org
These are challenging times. Reach out if you need help or support. You are not alone.
Lane County Public Health
National Suicide Prevention Hotline
Al-Anon
Alcoholics Anonymous
National Alliance on Mental Illness
Ayisha Elliott hosts the podcast Black Girl From Eugene, and runs Black Gold Culture Camp, a camping experience for BIPOC kids which emphasizes the positive attributes and contributions of Africian American/Black People to American society.
She is also the founder of Race Equity Matters, where she leads conversations and trainings on deconstructing white supremacy, and how to be Anti-racist.
And in her spare time (HA! She has no spare time!) Ayisha is writing a book.
In this episode, Ayisha shares her own experience with police abuse, and her pursuit of racial equity and inclusion. This poignant conversation is definitely one worth listening to.
Find out more about Ayisha, and contact her at BlackGirlFromEugene
In this episode, Adam interviews Springfield resident Athena Delene. She is a professional photographer who started and stayed local. You will often find her at local gatherings capturing those enduring moments with her uncanny ability of becoming a fly on the wall.
As a self proclaimed people person she uses photography to capture the underlying essence of a person’s personality. She relates this to why she loves to live in the Eugene/Springfield Area and her love of learning the craft.
To view Athena’s work and contact her: