BEYOND + BACK PODCAST: Episode 18 with SKATING POLLY

18: Kelli Mayo & Peyton Bighorse of Skating Polly

TRT 1:03:36 // ORIGINAL AIR DATE: 9/21/19

In this episode, we go beyond and back with musicians Kelli Mayo and Peyton Bighorse of the band Skating Polly.

SKATING POLLY: Kurtis Mayo, Kelli Mayo, Peyton Bighorse [Photo by Michael Haight]

SKATING POLLY: Kurtis Mayo, Kelli Mayo, Peyton Bighorse [Photo by Michael Haight]

Kelli Mayo is 19 years old and Peyton Bighorse is 23, but their band Skating Polly has already existed for 10 years. During that time they’ve played hundreds of live shows, toured with many of their heroes and released five studio recordings. They are a family band, Peyton’s mom and Kelli’s dad are a couple, and a few years ago they added their brother Kurtis Mayo on drums. 

This is a story of two women who were encouraged to be creative and express themselves, from a very young age. If you’re a parent, this episode shows the importance of sharing your love for creativity with your kids, and to encourage theirs. We all were kids once, so if you didn’t get encouraged as a child, this could be a vicarious pleasure to hear about Kelli and Peyton’s experience.

Kelli & Peyton’s story makes me think about what’s possible when we are encouraged to pursue our dreams. Many of us, including me, didn’t have encouraging or supportive parents, and we’ve also had serious dreamkillers along the way. Right now in my own journey, I’m seeing how important it is to do my work, without falling prey to doubt or distraction, without waiting for permission or approval. Because only we can give ourselves permission to do what we want to do. Nothing else is holding us back. Creativity is free, and it’s ours for the taking. 

Skating Polly tours all the time, and you owe it to yourself to go see a live show. They bring a level of passion, energy and musicianship that is galvanizing.


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EPISODE SPONSOR:

WILLIE’S REMEDY


This episode is brought to you by Willie’s Remedy!

Founded by Willie Nelson and family, Willie’s Remedy offers hemp-derived cannabis products to supplement a legendary life well-lived. Choose from coffee, loose leaf teas, tinctures & balms infused with certified organic, full-spectrum hemp oil.  Their coffees and teas offer a perfect harmony of focus from caffeine plus calm from cannabis. Shop online at www.williesremedy.com

Thank you WILLIE’S REMEDY for supporting

the Beyond + Back podcast.



SONGS IN THIS EPISODE:

  • “Louder in Outer Space (feat. Louise Post & Nina Gordon of Veruca Salt)” by Skating Polly from New Trick EP

  • “Queen For A Day (feat. Exene Cervenka)” by Skating Polly from The Make It All Show

  • Audio excerpt from Skating Polly’s first live show

  • “Play House” by Skating Polly



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BEYOND + BACK PODCAST: Luke Storey

TRT 1:00:56 // ORIGINAL AIR DATE: 10/5/19

In this episode, we go beyond and back with speaker, teacher and podcast host Luke Storey.

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Luke Storey wears many hats. He’s a former Hollywood Celebrity Fashion Stylist, motivational speaker, kundalini yoga and meditation teacher and world-class biohacker. He is the creator and host of The Life Stylist Podcast, a show for people who are dedicated to living life at the highest level of human potential. Prior to this, Luke was a musician for 15 years and then co-founded School of Style, a fashion school for aspiring stylists.

In this episode we talk about what it’s like to create your own life, to re-create it when the time comes, and the challenges that presents when people want you to explain just exactly what it is that you do. Luke is an eternal seeker and approaches life with an open-minded curiosity that is key when you want to engage your creativity. We talk about authenticity, vulnerability and influence. This episode is for you if you’re on your path, but you don’t know exactly how to explain that path to everyone else around you.

SONGS IN THIS EPISODE:

  • “Unraveling” by Stewboss from the album Pilgrims and Runaways [featuring Luke Storey on bass]

LINKS:

BEYOND + BACK PODCAST: Bonus Episode - Krissy Teegerstrom on the THIS SONG podcast

TRT 33:33 // ORIGINAL AIR DATE: 10/19/19

In this bonus episode, I’m sharing my experience being interviewed on the This Song podcast, followed by the full episode.

Elizabeth McQueen + Krissy Teegerstrom

Elizabeth McQueen + Krissy Teegerstrom

Bonus episode: I'm sharing the full episode of my appearance on the This Song podcast hosted by KUTX's Elizabeth McQueen. This was my second interview ever and the first one I did before a live audience. Naturally, I was nervous. In my introduction to this bonus episode, I talk through how I managed my nervousness so I could show up for the live interview. Then I share the full episode where I talk about my love for Jeff Buckley, followed by Elizabeth McQueen interviewing me about my journey to see myself as an artist and  why I started the Beyond + Back podcast. Thank you Elizabeth McQueen for your permission to allow me to share this episode.

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BEYOND + BACK PODCAST: Episode 19 with MATTHEW BEDE MURPHY and the artists of LAND GALLERY

TRT 1:07:40 // ORIGINAL AIR DATE: 11/2/19

In this episode, we go beyond and back with artist Matthew Bede Murphy & the artists at LAND Gallery.

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LAND studio & gallery is a unique nonprofit day habilitation program that teaches life skills through the modality of art. Located in Brooklyn, NY, LAND was founded in 2005 by the League Education and Treatment Center (LETC) and serves as both studio and gallery for 16 adult artists with developmental disabilities.

In February 2019, I visited LAND and spoke with six of the artists there, and then I visited the co-founder Matthew Bede Murphy at his home in Brooklyn.

This is an episode for close listening. You’re going to hear 7 different voices and 7 different manners of expression.

[L to R]: Myasia Dowdell, Rudy Bansraj, Robert Latchman,

Robert Latchman’s bridge, Michael Pellew, Kenya Hanley

Matthew Bede Murphy at home in Brooklyn

Matthew Bede Murphy at home in Brooklyn

In my conversation with Matthew, we discuss how art can have a role in our discovery of Self. He shares his struggles in understanding his own identity as a young gay man, and how art therapy helped him to know his whole self. Trigger warning, there is a very brief mention of suicidal thoughts, but the bulk of our discussion explores the healing potential of having a creative practice and a safe space to express yourself. I’m so grateful for Matthew’s candor and inspired by his empathy, and I was truly honored to visit with these six artists at LAND: Rudy Bansraj, Michael Pellew, Kenya Hanley, Stephon Bryce, Robert Lachman and Myasia Dowdell.

I’m so grateful for Matthew’s openness in sharing his metamorphosis as a natural art child who had a long journey to meet his destiny as a free thinker. I’m inspired by how he survived his own traumatic struggles with identity, to continue on to create a safe space for sixteen artists to be exactly who they are. My own creative practice has been a healing force in my life, and in many ways it has introduced me to a deeper knowledge of myself. Where ever you are in your creative practice, I hope you set up a safe space for your own self to express and explore. To follow your creative obsession, your arrow, and to mine your own gold. To have confidence, and to keep going.


Thank you, Matthew Bede Murphy & the artists at LAND Gallery, for talking with me.


Below images by Krissy Teegerstrom, L to R: LAND’s front door; Myasia Dowdell at work; Stephon Bryce;

Kenya Hanley; Michael Pellew’s work; Kenya Hanley


EPISODE SPONSOR:

TOURISTS


This episode is brought to you by TOURISTS!

This episode is brought to you by TOURISTS, a hotel and riverside retreat set on the banks of the Hoosic River in the Berkshires city of North Adams, Massachusetts. The 48-room property is a union of design and nature, home to woodland trails and riverbank vistas. Using common, organic materials, your room is both haven and trailhead, connecting you with your vacation self and serving as a basecamp for exploration and adventure. Head out to see art at The Clark and MASS MOCA and then return to the property for world class food, drinks and entertainment.  Book your stay at www.touristswelcome.com .

Thank you TOURISTS for supporting

the Beyond + Back podcast.

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