Mike Starghill isn't an artist. He isn't a journalist.

But he sure is an amazing photographer. And can sure tell a visual story. Hmmm...

Listen in as Mike unpacks his first ah-ha moment when he saw the work of a photographer that showed something he had never seen before. And then his creativity was ignited and he never looked back.

Michael Starghill is a Houston-based commercial + editorial photographer specializing in portraiture, sports, and documentary photography. Starghill was born and raised in Houston before leaving to attend American University in Washington, DC. While taking a photography elective, a serendipitous meeting with a Walter Iooss, Jr. exhibit at a gallery piqued Michael’s interest in photography, which eventually turned into a career. Since returning to Houston in 2013, Michael has done work for local, national, and international publications, Fortune 500 companies and photographed two World Series. Michael lives in Houston with his wife, Abby, and their two daughters, Zamora and Violet.

You can find Mike at https://www.michaelstarghill.com, on FB at https://www.facebook.com/MichaelStarghillPhotography and on IG @starghill

Gun violence. Where do we even begin? Liz Russell starts at the beginning and the moment she could no longer ignore that guns are everywhere.

And she charts a path forward for us to move from awkward and uncomfortable, so taking small steps to save each other and our children.

CW: Our guest shares details about gun violence at her job.

Liz Russell is a dedicated community activist and gun violence prevention advocate with a deep passion for public service. With years of experience in the nonprofit sector, Liz has become a powerful voice for change, working tirelessly to create safer communities through her gun violence prevention work. As a committed parent and partner, she balances her professional life with active volunteerism, supporting her children's school and their activities as well as causes that support the wellbeing of children and families in her community. Liz's unwavering belief in the importance of giving back drives her continued efforts to make a positive impact on the lives of others.

We all have childhood trauma... all living beings. But Thessaly might have the best story by far. Imagine waking up one day in high school and finding out your parents are professional pot smugglers? Ha! What a trip. :)

Listen in about what it was like to find out and what it has been like to come to terms with her parents humanity and with all of the world listening.

You can find Disorganized Crime at: https://open.spotify.com/show/1thTOlbk7M1lAxuKekELSh?si=68a13e6022f04686

Her neck was guillotined by boxes that feel off a shelf. And the irony that a millimeter of fat saved her life.

LC Arisman fought her way back. And is learning what her body is capable of every day. And how to rest, it too.

(We took notes.)

We have royalty on the pod today.

Brandye Lee is super smart and her dance career speaks for itself. She lays out her hopes and dreams for the dance community and the cultural changes she hopes to see.

And her role in guiding the next generation? Well, we are glad she's at the helm.

Rebecca Malotke-Meslin gets our vote!

We.learned.a.lot. about running for local office, from getting an inkling of a nugget that this might be worth pursuing, to picking up that packet and getting signatures, to fundraising, and putting it all on the line.

Sheesh! This episode has lots of twists and turns and Rebecca reminds us that fully pursuing a lifelong dream is worth it. No matter the outcome.

Carlene Danzy has been curious about the process of death and dying since she was a young girl outside her mother's hospital room. She noticed that the bodies would come into the hospital, but a lot of them left on a cart under a sheet. Yeeps!

(...gosh kids are so annoying with their observations and curiosities.)

Fast forward, and she's finally taking the leap to answer those questions for herself. And what she's discovering is that we all need love, tenderness, care, and respect, even (or especially) in death.

Anne Gregory Teicher's first word was "dog." I guess that's where it all started. And honestly, it hasn't stopped.

From falling in love with a dog, to inadvertently becoming a foster dog mom, and then starting an animal rescue with her husband, Anne is leading the charge for our beloved pets and...our communities.

She lays it all on the table and doesn't hold back. We.learned.a.lot. And you will too.