Jim Nog Pod

On this episode, your humble host reads one of his first stories to be published, titled "Homesick." Thom, a boy of eleven, tells of his struggles on Earth and his longing for his true home, among the stars. When will he go and leave this limited plane?

Seko1844 (@seko1844) is a graphic designer. Zar of the Moon (@zarofthemoon) is a musician and writer. They're friends and often stream on the former's YouTube channel. We discuss, among other things, flat earth, music, religion, and video games. You can support the Pod via: Patreon.com/jimnog

Krystyna Matczak is an educator and writer. She earned her MFA from City College of New York, and she currently teaches orphans in Iraq for the non-profit: World Academy of Development. We discuss, among other topics, acclimating to a new, vastly different culture; some of the causes and possible solutions to the woes of Iraq and its people; and the process and experience of writing.  You can support the Pod via: Patreon.com/jimnog

This episode's guest is Miguel, an educator and thinker, holding degrees in psychology and in philosophy. He also goes by the alias Megalith X, in reference to Neolithic stones that stand like gravestones and to Derrida, who speaks of the arbitrary but necessary relationship between signifier and signified. We talk about the recent shooting in Parkland, Florida; Men Go Their Own Way (MGTOW); and the Pickup Art (PUA). Here's a related blog post alluded to on the Pod from yours truly: "On Mass Shootings in America." You can support the Pod via: Patreon.com/jimnog

This episode features a conversation with host Jim Noguera, musician Marcos de Jesus and literature student Jaroslav Grytsayo about race, identity, and identity politics. It was originally a four-person conversation, but one of the participants withdrew his verbal contribution to the episode. So it's a bit edited. There's some missing context. Nevertheless, it was fun, jokes abound. Some politically incorrect statements were, indeed, stated. Ye be warned. But Brother Marcos made sure at certain points that white privilege was acknowledged and helped keep things more respectful.   You can support the Pod via: Patreon.com/jimnog

Daniel Yousef Tehrani (FB: @yousefsong) is a singer and musician, as well as a teacher and tutor of English and writing. We sit down to chat about, among other topics, music and its effect on people, his formative years, and his influences. He even sings and plays the setar for us, a traditional Persian stringed instrument.  You can support the Pod via: Patreon.com/jimnog

Dominick Gaffney (IG: @nyl22) is former VP of student government at Bronx CC. He comes back to the Pod to discuss, among other things: working at BCC's Writing Center, relationships and breakups, Trump, and making America better . . . again.  You can support the Pod via: Patreon.com/jimnog

Rebecca YS Perez (@writer.rebeccaysperez, IG) is a spoken word artist and writer. She recently self-published a book titled I Hope You Fall in Love: A Collection of Poetry and Prose. We talk over Skype with regards to the book, her writing process, motivations, obstacles, and so on. She reads several pieces from the book, too. You can support the Pod via: Patreon.com/jimnog

Sam Kimball (@sammytheoutlaw, IG) is a freelance journalist currently based in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. He joins me via FaceTime. We discuss such issues as the state of independent journalism in the Kurdistan Region, the difference between independent journalism and freelance journalism, and the pros and cons of freelance journalism. Please consider supporting Sam Kimball's Kickstarter: UNHEARD: The Voices of Iraq. You can support the Pod via: Patreon.com/jimnog

James Noguera (@jimnog) is a writer, teacher, and podcaster. On this special episode, Bronx musician Marcos & la Guagua (@MarcosylaGugua) acts as host, and Jim is guest. Jim reads excerpts from several of his works, and the two discuss such topics as the process of writing, teaching, and making art.

Jaroslav Grytsayo is a Ukrainian-born writing tutor. He joins host Jim Noguera in a park near his home in the Bronx to discuss his background and such topics as '90's rap music, the Left, President Trump, and President Putin.

Dominick Gaffney is former Vice President of the Student Government Association of Bronx Community College. We talk, among other things, about his childhood, growing up, his tenure, and about the president of the college. 

Jose Luis Reyes is an ESL instructor, working for the CUNY Language Immersion Program (CLIP). We talk childhood experiences in the DR, his studies at NYU, learning English, language learning strategies, and his pedagogy for teaching ESL learners. 

Daniel Boateng has taught in Africa (Ghana), China, and in the US. He is very well educated and performs and composes for several churches. We talk about his experiences teaching in various countries, his educational experiences, acquiring a foreign language (Chinese), and he even plays the keyboard for us and sings!

C. Lionel Spencer is a Bronx singer and rapper. He's also a writer and educator. We talk about his inspirations, his childhood, his family, and listen to musical snippets - including a song from his grandfather!

Marcos & la Guagua is a Bronx musician. He's gospel, hip hop, jazz - and other things. We talk music, influences, identity, and listen to snippets from his current and upcoming albums. (Notice: there's a minor sound problem for the first ten minutes or so of the conversation.)