A long way from the block

Anthony Thomas
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Stories of how passion and craft take us to different corners of the world.@alongwayfromtheblock@dialoguesofjazz

  1. 4D AGO

    Ep. 123- A community of runners-my conversation with Hannibal Smith and friends

    In the latest episode, I again sat down with my friend Hannibal Smith. Listeners may remember him as the NXPT FIT co-owner and ultra runner. Hannibal recently participated in The Dia De Los Muertos 200 mile Machete Madness ultra trail event.  Originally we had planned on this being a one on one interview about his experience running 200 miles for the first time. A day before the interview Hannibal requested I come to his house and not only interview him, but also his fellow runners and the support team who made all this possible. I agreed and conducted my first ever round table interview with a group of about 8 people. It was a fascinating dialogue where we discussed the ups and downs of the event; like finding the motivation to prepare for it, the unimaginable mental and physical stresses they endured on both the body and mind, and the exhilarating feeling of those who finished or even for those who got close. An exciting addition to the interview was when The Machete Madness founder, Victor Carrillo showed up to talk about his own journey as a runner and what goes into putting on an event of this magnitude. These stories are all unique and inspiring. They show what can happen with the help of a community, and how implementing the philosophy and mantra of NXPT FIT, "No Excuses" can play out in life.  https://www.nxptfit.com

    2h 25m

  2. NOV 23

    Ep. 122-Sound Reformation-my conversation with Darryl Yokley

    In this episode I sat down with Grammy winning tenor saxophonist, composer and educator Darryl Yokley. Born to an African-American father and a first generation Mexican mother, Yokley draws deeply from his diverse cultural roots.  During our conversation we hear about him playing multiple instruments at an early age, his exposure to jazz and classical music and the influence of John Coltrane. The conversation moves into a deep dive of his new album, which is dedicated to the great novelist and father of magical realism, Gabriel Garcia Marquez - "Un Mundo En Soledad." We also dive into the daunting task of studying the author's memoirs and rereading his novels to do a proper tribute. He also touches on being part of Alicia Keys' Grammy winning Broadway show, "Hell's Kitchen." https://www.darrylyokley.com

    46 min

  3. OCT 4

    Ep. 121-Spreading love, one song at a time—my conversation with Thanda Choir

    During my recent trip to South Africa, I was honored to be invited to a rehearsal of Cape Town’s own Thanda Choir. Afterwards, I sat down with two choir members, Iva Sogiba and Siyasanga Mhlekwa, and two managers, Asavela Mpayipeli and Zikhona Mapisa. We discussed the choir’s founding and the importance of recognizing and bringing awareness to Khayelitsha Township. Our conversation encompassed the church music that has inspired them and the passion and hopes for healing that Mhlekwa and Sogiba, along with their fellow choir members, bring to their songs. Traumas experienced by choir members and the larger community both are attended to with care, through the mentorship of Mpayipeli and the strong mothering of Mapisa, a well-known gospel artist in her own right.  https://thandachoir.co.za

    56 min

  4. SEP 6

    Ep. 120-Running for justice—my conversation with Deo Kato

    In this inspiring episode, I sit down with the Ugandan-born, UK-raised runner Deo Kato—a man who, doing what had never been done, ran from Cape Town to London to raise awareness of social injustices and human migration. It all started in 2020, when he first connected running with activism. For 381 days in a row, he ran a 10k, to honor the Montgomery Bus Boycott and its duration. During our conversation, he considers the ways his childhood in Uganda developed his deep appreciation for community, a sustaining value throughout the ups and downs, trials and tribulations, he has faced. His running has, in profound ways, reflected that, taking place in all terrains and weathers. He once ran through Egypt when the temperature approached 125 degrees Fahrenheit. He talks about his biggest setback—being imprisoned for three weeks in South Sudan for so-called improper paperwork. The support he received from his fellow prisoners gave him a new motivation to continue when he was considering quitting. We end with his final, solo journey into London from Greece, arriving at 10 Downing Street—home to the UK prime minister—where he took a knee with hundreds of supporters behind him.

    1h 23m

  5. AUG 19

    Ep. 119-Everyday life is the way—my conversation with Born I

    Ofosu Jones-Quartey—performing as Born I—is a conscious hip-hop artist and meditation teacher. A native of Washington D.C., his early life was impacted by the crack epidemic of the 1980s and 90s. His strong, educated, cultured Ghanaian parents helped him navigate tough times. Born I talks about being exposed to Buddhism at an early age, by his mother. His interest in conscious hip-hop led him to black history and spiritual studies. He discusses the appeal of the Dharma path and how he once considered living a monastic life. We dive into how he now balances his spiritual practice with being a husband and father; his connection with jazz music and the great John and Alice Coltrane; his great sense of fashion and why his attire is important to him; and—lastly—the release of his latest book, Lyrical Dharma: Hip Hop as Mindfulness, and his new CD, Komorebi. https://bornimusic.com

    1h 15m

  6. JUL 19

    Ep. 118-The crucible of survival—my conversation with Ken “Shadow” Goodman

    For this episode, I sat down with Brooklyn native Ken “Shadow” Goodman, founder and chief combatives coach of 52 Blocks VTK (Violent Tactics Knowledge). We talk in depth about what it was like growing up in Bed-Stuy and trying to navigate the pull of the streets. He learned early on from elders in the community, but street life eventually got the best of him, and he ended up spending over twenty-five years inside the New York State prison system. It was there that he honed his skills as a 52 blocks practitioner. Our conversation ends with Shadow discussing his new path in life, giving back to his community in a positive way. Since his release from prison in December 2014, he’s used martial arts as a tool for healing, fostering resilience, and finding the will to prevail in the midst of chaos.

    1h 35m

  7. JUN 23

    Ep. 117-Humble beginnings—my conversation with Oscar-winning director Guy Nattiv

    Guy Nattiv—the Israeli-born director, producer, and screenwriter—won an Oscar in 2019 for his short film Skin. His latest release, Tatami, is out now in select theaters. In this episode, we speak about the subject matter of Skin, his filmmaking process, and the impact it had on him and on the actors. It's a highly unconventional story of revenge, making Nattiv, in my mind, one of the most important filmmakers today. We discuss his upbringing in Israel and some of his personal and professional influences, including those fostered at Camera Obscura film school in Tel Aviv, from which he graduated in 2012.

    58 min

  8. JUN 2

    Ep. 116-Healing rituals—my conversation with Naïssam Jalal

    My guest for this episode is flautist, vocalist, and composer Naïssam Jamal. Born in Paris to Syrian parents, she entered a conservatory at age six to study classical flute. We discuss her early life in Paris and issues surrounding her cultural background; she talks about her experiences in the conservatory and her subsequent travels throughout the Middle East and Africa. Master musicians whom she’s met along the way have been major influences. Her latest album is Souffles, French for “breaths.” It’s composed of eight pieces, all duets, and features jazz saxophone legend Archie Shepp. Join us.  https://naissamjalal.com

    1h 58m
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About

Stories of how passion and craft take us to different corners of the world.@alongwayfromtheblock@dialoguesofjazz

Information

  • Creator
    Anthony Thomas
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2025
  • Episodes
    124
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 A long way from the block
  • Show Website
    A long way from the block