Strength To Be Human --Global Arts & Affairs Podcast, Hosted by Mark Antony Rossi

S2 E107: Our Literary Influences

We are chatting about the literary figures that influenced us throughout our lives. There's a few you might share and others will be new and surprising.

S2 E106: Metal Future -- Reflections on Rush

Metal Future is proud to present a first in this year's continual series of reflections on great bands that went into retirement. The first is Canadian progressive rock power trio Rush. Also a few notes on their incredible drummer Neil Peart who died recently of brain cancer.

S2 E105: Essentials For An Independent Author

The freedom from being an independent author is an incredible responsibility and a noble gift. I outline briefly on the show my three A's -- Attitude - Attention - Advertise as a method to help focus writers on becoming the best their talents can offer humanity.

S2 E104: Digital Culture and Modern Literature

In this episode we discuss the positive and negative impact digital culture has had on modern literature.

S2 E103: Mailbag III

The third episode in the email questions from listener series and the first for the year 2020. Thanks for the compliments and inquiries. Nice to hear some music questions as well.

S2 E102: Emotional Turbulence and the Writing Process

Emotions like any other vital element of writing needs to be regulated through organization and discipline to allow the writing to not be overtaken in the moment. We strive above all else to create enduring Art. Let us not allow our humanity to stray too far into the chaos that can be this complex world.

S2 E101: Suspect Language

The deliberate use of deceptive language by governments, corporations or renowned institutions are a direct threat to Democracy. A far greater danger than ditzy politicians who come and go like bad pastries. Suspect language stays in the system, in the minds of average citizens who do no bother to question what is heard or change what they see. Orwell warned us the first signs of a dictatorship is its invasion of language.

S1 E100: Classic Spotlight -- Thoughts on O.Henry

This milestone episode (#100, yeah) is the last of the Classic Spotlight Series for 2019. Tonight we shine a light on the enduring short story writer William Sydney Porter, better known as O. Henry. We will discuss his stories, motivations, social life, criminal convictions and acute eye for humanity and presenting humane situations full of hope and love.

S1 E99: Metal Future -- Rock Bands Retired, Retiring and UnRetired

In the last metal future episode of 2019, we explore the phenomena of bands who claim retirement only to come back in a few or two for more glory, more money and more health issues. We must face the fact, even if they don't, that people in the 60's and 70's running around the stage and living from a suitcase is not only impractical it might be unhealthy. Is it mind over matter? Or just move over and make some more money? You decide.

S1 E98: Writing to Affect Change

In the library of substantial writing comes a category often overlooked and quite ironic in origin. The writing from decidedly nonwriters composed and delivered to affect change. We outline a few historic examples of major social change using writing such as Martin Luther, Thomas Paine, Martin Luther King Jr., and Vaclav Havel. And some personal examples of "local" writing to test corporate products, city governments, shoddy restaurants, etc.