JACKIE PRIMROSE MONAHAN

Jackie headlines at the hottest clubs, regularly appears on TV, and has a cult indie-film following. Voted comic-to-watch by Esquire magazine.

“Jackie Monahan is Unstoppable”

– Curve Magazine

“Queen of Deadpan and an absolute delight”

– Roger Ebert

Jackie’s dynamic presence both on television and on stage combines an unapologetic fearlessness and spontaneous combustion that will make you want to dance. Jackie won Time Out New York’s Joke of the Year and according to The Comedy Bible, “Jackie wins over the crowd with her contagious energy. Jackie is fearless and patient. She keeps the energy up with every joke and she always delivers. She shines when being herself which is silly, relatable and disarming. She embraces universal humor that is genuinely entertaining to all audiences.”

Jackie does stand up at all major comedy clubs all over the globe as well as at recovery centers, jails, hospitals, and institutions. You may have seen her on Adult Swim’s “The Eric Andre Show”, Last Comic Standing, or Comedy Jam on Showtime.

Jackie Primrose Monahan has been called “The queen of deadpan” by Roger Ebert, “a f%cking genius” by Roseanne Bar, and “the funniest b$tch on the block ” by Amy Schumer whom Jackie toured with for 6 years.

Jackie starred in and co-wrote Madeleine Olnek’s beloved Sundance feature film “The Foxy Merkins” which was also nominated for an Independent Spirit Award. Jackie was Zylar in Olnek’s Sundance hit “Codependent Lesbian Space Alien Seeks Same” which received rave reviews from both Variety and The Hollywood Reporter. She has professionally trained at UCB and Groundlings and she was born with a spot-on sense of timing and a unique look at life that cannot be duplicated.

“Jackie Monahan is funnier than 90% of the comedians out there”, says Jude the Comedy Dude from Now Hear This. 

PESHANG HAMA KARIM

Peshang Hama Karim is a motivated young man from the high mountains of Kurdistan, in Northern Iraq. His undergraduate degree in Civil Engineering has brought him knowledge and insights about civilizing a nation; particularly meaningful given his birthplace in a troubled region dear to his heart called Halabja. His love of land and its loss of cherished lives there lends him a special sensitivity to adversity and community and the desire to sustainably improve not only his homeland but lands worldwide.

Obtaining his Masters in Environmental Engineering in Warsaw, Peshang has a vision of a greener, safer, gentler world and bringing his sense of responsibility both environmentally and environMentally to the global home and future generations. He carries a personal quote dear to his heart; “I dream to raise social consciousness wherever I am and however I can. From presenting at seminars and media outlets to signing protocols with Authorities in my homeland, I will continue to do this and more because my mission is to save Humanity. To achieve this would be my greatest triumph. And to strive for this triumph would be my greatest achievement.”

Co-Founding and managing environmental organization “Jingedosty” (aka “Eco Friends”) allowed his homeland to enter a new era of social awareness regarding environmental issues. Jingedosty’s many national and international activities led him to participate in several important world-wide events such as the UN Youth Climate Summit and CAP 21 among others. Recently he was selected to participate in & represent the voice of youth in Iraq at the UN’s Climate Conference for Youth in Glasgow (COY16) during the COP26.

Launching his PhD. studies in Environmental Sciences in Warsaw provided Peshang an ideal opportunity to dive into an ocean of knowledge and experience many new scientific achievements in Poland, which he eventually intends to apply in his home country.

His many published articles about Climate Change and meetings with significant Influencers in his native country lend further meaning to his distinction as one of Al Gore’s Climate Reality Leaders. Peshang’s love of cultures, communication, and cross-collaboration is a hallmark of his invaluable leadership voice.

CHRIS BIRKETT

Chris Birkett is a multi-talented, award winning producer, singer/songwriter, composer and sound engineer. His music collaborations with A-list international artists like Sinead O’Connor, Alison Moyet, Dexys Midnight Runners, Talking Heads, The Pogues, Bob Geldof, Quincy Jones, Mel Brooks and Steve Earle have sold over 100 million records and earned four Canadian Junos, a Grammy, a Polaris Music Prize and three international AMPEX Golden Reel Awards for excellence in the music business.

Chris is no stranger to Canadian music, having co-produced five award winning albums for the legendary Buffy Sainte-Marie, including her comeback album “Coincidence and Likely Stories” (1992) and the Juno winning “Running for the Drum” (2009).

His career began as a guitarist, playing in London clubs before touring with Memphis artists Rufus Thomas, Ann Peebles and King Floyd. At 23, Chris was performing with the pop group Love Affair, whose song “Everlasting Love” ruled the UK charts. The following year, he joined the band Omaha Sheriff who had just signed a major recording deal with Tony Visconti, manager of Good Earth Records and producer for David Bowie and the Moody Blues.

With Visconti as a mentor, Chris expanded his career to include producing, engineering and mixing many UK and international hits including Sinead O’Connor’s #1 song “Nothing Compares 2 U”. His London studio was a beehive of activity that was rated #2 in the world on Billboard’s top studio charts.

At the same time, Chris’ own single “Where Do We Go From Here?” was picked by Ed Bicknell (Dire Straits’ manager) to play alongside U2, Peter Gabriel, Bob Marley, Tears for Fears and Queen on Polygram’s “One Voice One Love” album.

In 1993, Chris left the UK for France and built a recording studio inside his chateau near Bordeaux. There he produced albums with the Buena Vista Social Club and other world-class musicians, including Etran Finatawa, whose debut album was nominated for a 2006 BBC Radio best world music award. He then moved his studio to Paris, where he released his second album, “Freedom” and received growing acclaim for his work with world musicians like Algerian sensation Ali Amran.

In 2012, Chris moved to Canada, opened a recording studio in Toronto and finished work on his third album “Be Creative” featuring performances from many talented Canadian artists including Glen Milchem (Blue Rodeo) and Rick Emmett (Triumph). Now a Canadian citizen, Chris’ credits include co-producer of Buffy Sainte-Marie’s Polaris and Juno award winning album “Power in the Blood” (2016) and the recent Juno winner, Medicine Songs (2017), both for True North Records. In 2019 he released 11:11, his fourth album under the band name The Free Spirits.

Chris is currently creating new recordings for a range of talented Canadian and European musicians and is immersed in his own upcoming albums: Songs from the Kauai Hotel Room and a collection of fun-loving songs with his new collective, The Happy Campers. In February 2021, he released the single Precious Love for his documentary filmmaker wife Joan Prowse.

Among his many Precious Loves Chris enjoys performing his original music live at musical venues, clubs and online events.

The Lower Extremity Amputation Prevention (LEAP) Alliance, a Nevada-based not-for-profit organization has announced it has successfully obtained a CMS-Medicare determination that confirms podiatric physicians will be reimbursed for the eligible services they provide when they participate in Medicare Connected Care, a CMS public education campaign to raise awareness of the benefits of its chronic care management (CCM) program. CCM services are generally non-face-to-face services provided to Medicare beneficiaries who have chronic conditions expected to last at least 12 months, or until the death of the patient. 

According to Lawrence Rubin, DPM, director of the LEAP Alliance, this determination enables the LEAP Alliance to begin forming a nationwide network of solo and small group practice podiatrists who will integrate their services with the services of collaborating primary care and specialty physicians. Together they will provide comprehensive preventive care and treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) and peripheral artery disease (PAD). Dr. Rubin says the podiatry network goal is, "to have at least one podiatrist in a Medicare Connected Care provider team that helps save limbs and lives in every community in the country."

http://www.leapalliance.org

Dan Noonan, who was first due on 3 Truck to this deadly fire, has been a tireless advocate for awareness of occupational cancer and toxic exposure in the fire service, in particular the cancers and deaths sustained by many of the 699 FDNY members who fought this fire.

He is a featured Speaker at FDIC, Firehouse World and Firehouse Expo. Dan is an Awareness Ambassador for the New York Cancer Resource Alliance - First Responder, "Get Checked Now!" Program, and Campaigner for F.A.C.E. S (Firefighters Against Cancer and Exposures.)

Frank Leeb is a Deputy Assistant Chief in the Fire Department of New York and is the Acting Chief of Training. Frank has been a member of the FDNY since 1992, and holds a bachelor's degree in Fire Service Administration and a Master’s in Security Studies.

To honor the sacrifices made by these firefighters, Chief Frank LEEB has overseen FDNY’s plan to host a special ceremony, courtesy of the Fire Bell Club, and to install commemorative plaques at the Telephone Company building and at the FDNY Fire Academy.

How To Be Liberated from Suffering to become a Vibe Raiser?  My guest is Rev. Joya Sosnowski who is a metaphysician & sonic synthesis practitioner, devoted to expanding consciousness & the Higher Self. Having overcome severe trauma herself, she employs extensive trainings in mindfulness, healing with sound & voice, metaphysics, and spiritual psychology to assist people in releasing all forms of traumas and reconnect with their True Soul Self. In addition to her sound healing practice, Joya hosts singing circles, a spiritual study group on Sunday Mornings, and the Vibe Raiser Event, where people come together to raise the vibration of the collective consciousness through chant & dance. Her first book, Practical Spirituality: 15 Practices to Bring Heaven to Earth is due out this fall. 

Dr. Cynthia Miller-Idriss directs the Polarization and Extremism Research & Innovation Lab in the Center for University Excellence at the American University. Dr. Miller-Idriss is also a professor in the School of Public Affairs and in the School of Education. She has testified before the US Congress and regularly briefs policy, security, education and intelligence agencies in the US, the United Nations and other countries on trends in domestic violent extremism and strategies for prevention and disengagement.



Dr. Miller-Idriss is an award-winning author of the book, "HATE IN THE HOMELAND: The New Global Far Right."