Pretty Funny Nicole Presents Pretty Amazing People Nicole Majdali

A very special episode with Steve Sosebee Co-Founder of HEAL Palestine.  Steve is an activist and humanitarian doing incredible work especially for Palestine. He shares his journey from experiencing the first intifada as a student. He was inspired to go back and "serve a just cause which is equality for Palestinians" and began a career in journalism in Palestine. This began bringing the first injured child Mansour who needed medical care that was not available there to the United States. He has since then created two non profit organizations to help HEAL Palestinian children. I asked Steve prior to interview to discuss conditions and reality of situation in Palestine since he is in contact and on the ground there often. It is a tragic situation but inspiring to hear the love and strength of the Palestinian children and beautiful humanity that does exist around us. 
https://www.healpalestine.org

A very special podcast episode with write, speaker and human rights activist Miko Peled.  The Generals Son and Injustice are two incredible books written by Miko. We discuss his journey as written in The Generals Son and more. 

The Generals Son- Driven by a personal family tragedy to explore Palestine, its people and their narrative, Miko’s first book is about his life transformation, titled “The General’s Son: Journey of an Israeli in Palestine.” This autobiographical work taking the reader through the life of Peled’s family since his grandparents immigrated to Palestine in the early 20th century, describing their work and their life in detail. Peled’s maternal grandfather, Avraham Katznelson was a signer on the Israeli Declaration of Independence. His father, Matti Peled was a general in the Israeli army and pioneered an Israeli-Palestinian dialogue in the 1970’s which led him to meeting Yasser Arafat in an effort to convene him to recognize the State of Israel and adopt the Two State Solution. In 1997, Miko’s sister lost her daughter, Smadar, in a suicide bombing in Jerusalem. This tragedy is what finally drove Miko to embark on his journey to discover Palestine.

I am officially certified scuba diver now and have so many more questions and interests. I asked Grant back! We talk about free diving, mindset of divers, sharks and so much more. Check him out precisiondiving.com
These are only some of his credentials. 
Grant W. Graves is an award winning director and director of photography. His emphasis in his work has been on all things water; fresh, frozen, and salt. He works in topside environments in fiction and non-fiction as well, generally in hard to access or difficult shooting situations having contributed to programming with most of the major outlets. He is an accomplished photographer and writer. He has a B.S. in marine biology and is a Cambrian Foundation Research Diver and West Coast Coordinator with NOAA diving status.  He is the former president of USA Freediving and the USA Freediving Team for fifteen years. He has been a broad member of the international governing body for freediving (AIDA) in the past for many years. He is the current Chair of the Disciplinary Committee for AIDA and a member f its Technical Committee. He is a freediving instructor trainer and is a founding developer of PADI’s Freediver program.Graves also holds a US Coast Guard 100 ton Master Captain’s License. He is the District Staff Officer for Emergency Management, a Vice Division Commander, and Flotilla Staff Officer with the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary chairing his flotilla’s Emergency Planning Committee. He has an MS in emergency management and a BS in marine biology from California State University Long Beach. He earned an additional masters at the University of the People in their Master of Business Administration program. He is a member of the Honor Society and Phi Kappa Phi for his academic achievements. He is a FEMA Master Public Information Officer, Master Exercise Practioner, National Emergency Management Executive Academy (NEMEA) graduate, National Emergency Management Advance Academy (NEMAA) graduate, National Emergency Management Basic Academy (NEMBA) graduate, a National Emergency Management Basic Academy (NEMBA) Instructor, CalOES outreach instructor, a candidate in the Master of Continuity of Operations (COOP) program, and he has completed his California Office of Emergency Services certificate as an Emergency Management Specialist, as a Public Information Officer Specialist, Terrorism and Homeland Security Specialist, TEEX Critical Infrastructure Protection, and National Sports and Security Professional Development Series. He is the Los Angeles Region Leadership Development Lead with the American Red Cross, as well as a Public Information Officer, Shelter Manager, Advanced Instructor, and COOP Instructor.

Through her own journey as an actor Warner Loughlin developed revolutionary Warner Loughlin Technique (link below). The Warner Loughlin Technique is used by celebrities such as Amy Adams, Ryan Reynolds, Zooey Deschanel and so many more. I personally went to Warner Loughlin Studios my first week moving back to Los Angeles and never looked back. Her technique and studio made acting so much more fun and creative. I wanted to know more about Warner on a personal level and you will hear her talk about college stories, on set stories and her journey into being a renowned acting coach to some of the most loved actors in Hollywood. Warners warmth and positivity is so encouraging. To know Warner is to love Warner and you will too once you listen. Enjoy!
Check out her website https://warnerloughlin.com
Buy her book https://a.co/d/5xpv89D

Azim Khamisa is an inspiration. This is a powerful episode where Azim shares then and now. It was wonderful to hear the update on Tony Hicks and his Grandfather as well. Please enjoy this special episode.
Following the loss of his only son Tariq in 1995 to a senseless, gang-related murder, Azim chose the path of forgiveness and compassion rather than revenge and bitterness. This amazing choice led to the establishment of the Tariq Khamisa Foundation (www.TKF.org) and the subsequent forgiveness movement which has reached millions. Founded by Azim Khamisa in honor of his son, the Tariq Khamisa Foundation (TKF) was established in 1995 after Tariq Khamisa, a 20-year-old college student was killed by Tony Hicks, a 14-year-old gang member. Tony became the first child in California under the age of 16 to be convicted as an adult. He was sentenced 25 years to life in prison. Believing there were “victims on both ends of the gun,” Tariq’s father, Azim Khamisa, reached out in forgiveness to Tony’s grandfather, Ples Felix, to begin the process of healing; together they established TKF. TKF’s goal is to stop youth violence through education, mentorship, and community service programs.

Hailed by dignitaries such as the Dalai Lama, former President Bill Clinton, and Al Gore, Azim carries his inspirational message of forgiveness, peace, leadership, and hope into a world in desperate need of each.

This is only some of his credentials. It was a fascinating day speaking with Grant. So many stories and adventures. I had no idea his extensive certifications and qualifications. We definitely needed more than an hour. It was a huge learning experience exploring a world I have always wanted to know more in depth. Pun intended!
Grant W. Graves is an award winning director and director of photography. His emphasis in his work has been on all things water; fresh, frozen, and salt. He works in topside environments in fiction and non-fiction as well, generally in hard to access or difficult shooting situations having contributed to programming with most of the major outlets. He is an accomplished photographer and writer. He has a B.S. in marine biology and is a Cambrian Foundation Research Diver and West Coast Coordinator with NOAA diving status.  He is the former president of USA Freediving and the USA Freediving Team for fifteen years. He has been a broad member of the international governing body for freediving (AIDA) in the past for many years. He is the current Chair of the Disciplinary Committee for AIDA and a member f its Technical Committee. He is a freediving instructor trainer and is a founding developer of PADI’s Freediver program.Graves also holds a US Coast Guard 100 ton Master Captain’s License. He is the District Staff Officer for Emergency Management, a Vice Division Commander, and Flotilla Staff Officer with the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary chairing his flotilla’s Emergency Planning Committee. He has an MS in emergency management and a BS in marine biology from California State University Long Beach. He earned an additional masters at the University of the People in their Master of Business Administration program. He is a member of the Honor Society and Phi Kappa Phi for his academic achievements. He is a FEMA Master Public Information Officer, Master Exercise Practioner, National Emergency Management Executive Academy (NEMEA) graduate, National Emergency Management Advance Academy (NEMAA) graduate, National Emergency Management Basic Academy (NEMBA) graduate, a National Emergency Management Basic Academy (NEMBA) Instructor, CalOES outreach instructor, a candidate in the Master of Continuity of Operations (COOP) program, and he has completed his California Office of Emergency Services certificate as an Emergency Management Specialist, as a Public Information Officer Specialist, Terrorism and Homeland Security Specialist, TEEX Critical Infrastructure Protection, and National Sports and Security Professional Development Series. He is the Los Angeles Region Leadership Development Lead with the American Red Cross, as well as a Public Information Officer, Shelter Manager, Advanced Instructor, and COOP Instructor.