America Connects with Rob Dalton UBNGO

In this episode we discuss the ties and the differences between the elements of Faith and Religion. Some see them as the same, tied together, or even miles apart. We talk with Rabbi Jana De Benedetti, two founders of a church Josh Johnson and Michael Popham, and a religion historian Dr. Bryan Rigg. We also folded in two slices of Americana Celeste Oakland and Chet Manchester for some added color and balance with their own experiences. I am curious to see where you stand after you watch the show.

On this episode of America Connects, we discuss the issues and difficulties with navigating thru a divorce during the pandemic. I was shocked myself to learn that so many people are going thru a divorce while still living together, among other things. We spoke with Dr. John Schinnere‪r a specialist with men's behavior, Nikki Bruno and empowerment coach, Stacy Phillips a divorce lawyer. We also spoke with a slice of Americana, Bryan Rigg, who has some insights and experience as a husband and father post-divorce.

No matter how any of us feels about it, social media is here to stay. Most of us are reliant on
it. In many respects, social media has supplanted other forms of business and interpersonal
communication in the 21st century, and especially now in the Covid-era—for better or worse.
In this episode we explore different aspects of social media with a group of guests, all savvy
online experts and social media practitioners: Brehnen Knight of Engage Youth; Raha Lewis, a
journalist and Influencer; Jude Mikal, a specialist in Social Media Studies; and Dev Patel, a
social marketer in North Dallas. We ask: Can social media activity replace face-to-face
interaction? And is it healthy to do so? Is there a downside to needing to be accepted and
“liked” online? Do we, as a society, spend too much time on or put too much emphasis on
social media as a means of connecting? How do we balance participation in social media with
other aspects of our lives, and is it even possible to do so?

On this episode we take a deep dive into what changes there are in place and how losing a loved one is so different now with social distancing in place. The funeral process and all elements or mourning have shifted for safety, at the expense of getting the physical comforts and condolences from those who care. Our panel speaks openly about what they know and their experiences in caring for others. Dr. Walter Simmons, an E.R. Doctor, Scott VanCamp, a grief counselor, Tony Adkins, Funeral Director and Channing Humphry, a friend who has lost 5 family members in the past year. And myself, having lost my oldest son 6 weeks ago in a car accident. Learn from us on what we have learned and be ready to help each other get thru the tough times of losing someone.

Guest List: Dr. Walter Simmons, Scott VanCamp, Tony Adkins, and Channing Humphry

This episode is more fun and tongue in cheek as we talk about how maybe just owning a pet or pets, and taking them out into the public, service animal or not, faux E.S.A or not, that maybe we've gone a bit too far allowing our so many of our pets into so many places with full access to public and retail outlets. We have a few stories, a few tall tales, as well as the discussion need for the real need for E.S.A's in some peoples' lives. Don't be too hard on our guests, if we don't laugh at ourselves, we'll just all get mad at each other.

In this episode we talk with Ed Begley Jr, his wife, and others about how to better use our natural resources to generate our electricity. This isn't just how to save energy, but how to change the ways we generate our power. The stats are NOT balanced: roughly 60% Fossil Fuels, 20% nuclear, and 20% Renewable Resources. We talked with Brelon May who works at the National Renewable Energy Lab, Patrick Byington a conservation and energy expert, as well as Stuart Cooley with U.S. Green Building Council - Los Angeles (www.usgbc-la.org). We hope that you learn more and understand that there is still time to make the shift to more renewable sources, but the clock is ticking.