ORIGIN Magazine Issue 25 by THRIVE. ORIGIN + MANTRA Magazines

T H E

C O N S C I O U S

TOP ADVENTURE

CREATIVES

CONSERVATION MAVERICKS E QUAL RIGHTS V I CTORY WORLD WILDLIFE FUND

PROTECTING ANIMALS + ENDANGERED SPECIES INTERVIEW:

LEGEND JANE GOODALL

C U L T U R E

M A G A Z I N E

OCEAN HEROES

TOP

MUSICIANS

ENDING POVERTY

NEW

outnumber the cells of our body by a factor of ten to one, the powerful sway of the microbiome across all of our most fundamental life processes is further validated. I am a board-certified neurologist. And the training and clinical David Perlmutter, M.D. Board Certified Neurologist, #1 New York Times Best-Selling Author & Expert in the Human Microbiome

Introducing Dr. David Perlmutter

experiences I‘ve had over the past 35 years in dealing with brain health, as well as general health, have provided me a strong platform in terms of practicing medicine using the intense array of modern medicines and other interventions. But without question, our most powerful allies in maintaining health reside within us.

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SAVE NATURE

LOOK STYLISH DATE FLOWER BEIGE ORIGINMAGAZINE.COM 7

origin issue 25

SIDE ONE

SIDE one

SIDE TWO

SIDE ONE

SIDE TWO

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CONTENTS SIDE ONE

SIDE TWO

NEIL YOUNG The music legend and activist on why GMO labeling matters and why we need to stop Citizens United and Monsanto

GLOBAL CITIZEN Sixty thousand fans. The biggest names in music. The end of extreme poverty?

ALISON EASTWOOD On growing up in a Hollywood family, keeping herself grounded while in the spotlight, and how we can all do our part to help animals in need

INDIGO GIRLS: EMILY SALIERS On growing as an artist, helping the environment, and doing things that scare her

WWF: WORLD WILDLIFE FUND Protecting the oceans, saving endangered species, and changing the world

OCEAN ICON WALTER MUNK Reflecting on seventy-six years in oceanography and the future of the planet

LEGENDARY CONSERVATIONIST JANE GOODALL On empathizing with animals and touching peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hearts

TOP ADVENTURE CREATIVES They document, capture, and create beauty to inspire action and change

ECO ROCKSTARS + ENVIRONMENTAL MAVERICKS What is your greatest concern for the environment, animals, or society? What do we do?

BETHENNY FRANKEL On love, life, and yoga BOULDER, COLORADO Artisans around the country craft cocktail bitters, granolas, crackers, yoga towels, iPhone cases, and much more, and we celebrate it

AVRIL LAVIGNE On her struggle with Lyme disease, expressing her emotions through music, and what inspired her to write a song honoring Special Olympians

DAN MATHEWS: SENIOR VP OF PETA On gay rights, empathy for animals, and getting married under the Las Vegas sign

DJ QBERT: SONIC SCIENCE On his innovatively interactive album packaging created with Kate Stone

OCEAN HEROES

What can we do to save the oceans? SIDE ONE

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origin issue 25 ORIGIN TEAM

This is our time.

EDITOR’S LETTER

Let’s protect what we love. What an amazing issue filled with Ocean Heroes, Environmental Rockstars, Adventure Creatives, and Conservation Mavericks that are really making a difference. Thank you to Global Citizen, Pearl Jam, Beyoncé, and the musicians fighting poverty and shining the light on our biggest humanitarian issues. This issue is different from anything we’ve done before. I wanted to focus on the real celebrities, those who help others and create positive change. Truth Bombs I am passionate about: #1: Take no crap. Less processed foods. Let’s go 100 percent organic and plant-based, for the planet and for the animals. Let’s stop putting chemicals on our skin, in our bodies, and in our homes. Thanks, Neil Young, for your stand against Monsanto. #2: Look up: shit is on fire. Let’s start using our voices to really shake stuff up. Climate change is real except to total nutters. Let’s kick the meat. Going vegan is the number one way to save this planet. Let’s stop sitting in the dark vegan corner and start using our voices to protect this planet. #3: Conservation + clean energy is the new black. Being environmentally mindful and protecting endangered species and nature is the sexiest thing we can do. Let’s toss the single-use plastic, fracking, and gas-guzzling cars. Let’s invest in solar and in people and companies that are creating a new clean future. #4: Honor the real rockstars. So proud to have my heroines Jane Goodall, Sylvia Earle, and 100+ Ocean Heroes and Environmental Mavericks in this issue. These badasses inspire me to do more to protect animals, our oceans, and the world that we love. #5: What’s in the ocean needs to stay in the ocean. There is no way to eat fish sustainably. Thank you to ocean legend Sylvia Earle for amplifying the message. We have to protect every living being in the ocean as if our future depends on it. It does. #6: Have more hot sex and dark chocolate. This should be self-explanatory. #7: Watch our energy. Let’s hold ourselves responsible for the energy we bring to the room, a situation, our lives, and our families. Let’s focus on creating the life and the world we want. Let’s think bigger possibilities and less stuff. More love. More hot sex and self-care. We get to really shape this world. Let’s create it together. #8: Be less of an asshole. Let’s really notice how often we have a sense of entitlement and watch the tone we have with people. #9: Let it go. If it constantly stresses us out, let that shit go. Take control of our monkey minds and stop caring so much about the stuff that is so damn hard. #10: Kick the mediocre. It simply amazes me how most people think they’re actually good at what they do when the reality is that most people are terribly mediocre. Let’s step it up this year. Let’s own our field. #11: Did I mention the asshole thing? Less of that.

PUBLISHER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Maranda Pleasant Twitter: @marandapleasant EXECUTIVE EDITOR Colin Legerton Creative DIRECTOR Melody Tarver JUNIOR COPY EDITOR Elizabeth Kellar ECO EDITOR Ian Somerhalder ANIMAL EDITORS Barbi Twins contributing editorS Martha Shaw Chip Comins Jenny Nichols David Helvarg Robert Clyse Jackson Moby GLOBAL YOUTH EDITOR Ocean Pleasant COVER PHOTOGRAPHY WHALE FAMILY Taro Smith WILDLIFE Pearl Jam: Danny Clinch Animals: World Wildlife Fund Fish and Coral: World Wildlife Fund Shark: Taro Smith Contact us Head Ninja editor@originmagazine.com Advertising ads@originmagazine.com Media + Events press@originmagazine.com Ideas ideas@originmagazine.com Subscriptions originmagazine.com/subscribe

Ad Rates + Specs originmagazine.com/advertise RATES BEGIN AT $3400 / FULL PAGE PHONE 713.922.8584 Join Our Team team@originmagazine.com Twitter: @originmagazine

Mantra Yoga + Health editor@mantramag.com Twitter: @mantrayogamag thrive magazine editor@mythrivemag.com Twitter: @readthrive

Maranda Pleasant ORIGIN Magazine • Mantra Yoga + Health • THRIVE Magazine • REAL Magazine Founder / Editor-in-Chief

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CS: After two decades of reconstruction work, I want to work on projects that lay at the intersection of cultural diplomacy and national identity—ones that empower local communities to define progress, not have it sanctioned by others. Success will only happen with Afghans leading the charge, and it is far, far more important for Kabul to create and support a purpose-driven school of architecture than to invite a high profile designer to build. PDM: Post-Architecture for Humanity, can you talk about other building initiatives you’re working on? CS: The Re:Build project to build re-deployable structures for Syrian refugees is perhaps one of the most important projects that came out of Architecture for Humanity. We often discuss housing refugees, but not how you help return refugees back to their home countries. As a result, in a post-disaster or post-conflict situation, we end up with intractable refugee camps that end up staying for decades. So a small team of us developed a solution that can be built quickly with local materials and a core frame and can be re-deployed as refugees return home or are displaced yet again. Additionally, the structure—whether a home, school, or health clinic—can grow its own food via an integrated roof garden that also houses rainwater catchment and solar power. PDM: There are more refugees in the world than at any other time, some of the largest displacement since World War II. I’d love to hear your thoughts on the role architecture can play in creating not just a coping mechanism, but actually a creative response.

“

In the next thirty years, we could see upwards of 170 million people displaced. Rather than zeroing in on the lack of housing, or education, or health—all of these things are deeply interlocked.”

Paul D. Miller: How was Afghanistan? Founder, Small Works

C a me ron S i ncl a i r Afghanistan, Syria, and the Architecture of Empowerment Interview: Paul D. Miller AKA DJ Spooky

12 ORIGINMAGAZINE.COM

Cameron Sinclair: Seeing Kabul in the winter is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that I simply couldn’t refuse, so I’m glad I went. It was certainly more dangerous than I was led to believe, but it’s a beautiful and amazing country. As a builder, it was stunning to see a city that has been defined by security, and as someone who believes that the places we live in can become vessels of peace, it was a pretty tough space to try to occupy. PDM: I understand you are looking at restoration and educational initiatives. Could you tell me more?

CS: In the next thirty years, we could see upwards of 170 million people displaced. Rather than zeroing in on the lack of housing, or education, or health—all of these things are deeply interlocked. Families want their child to get an education; families want safe access to healthcare; families want a roof over their head. When we silo issues, we end up with solutions that are in conflict with each other. PDM: What are other architects doing that inspires you? CS: For me, I think the most exciting thing in architecture is the re-emergence of the locally-focused architect. In Kabul, I was lucky enough to meet with Ajmal Maiwandi, who is doing incredible work with a team of dedicated architects with the Aga Khan Foundation. Truly stunning, stunning work. Some of the best work that’s happening right now is from architects who have remained in their home countries and who have focused on a local or national identity and the idea of critical regionalism.

Vehicle of Consciousness

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NEIL YOUNG The Music Legend and Activist on Why GMO Labeling Matters and Why We Need to Stop Citizens United and Monsanto

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photo: PEGI YOUNg

“I trust people. So I make my music for people, not for candidates.”

I don’t like the current political system in the USA and some other countries. Increasingly, democracy has been hijacked by corporate interests. The money needed to run for office, the money spent on lobbying by special interests, the ever-increasing economic disparity, and the well-funded legislative decisions, all favor corporate interests over the people. The Citizens United Supreme Court ruling is proof of this corruption, as are the proposed trade deals that would further compromise our rights.

These corporations were originally created to serve us, but if we don’t appropriately prioritize they will destroy us. Corporations don’t have children. They don’t have feelings or souls. They don’t depend on uncontaminated water, clean air, or healthy food to survive. They are beholden to one thing—the bottom line.

my new album, The Monsanto Years, which covers many of these issues. I support those bringing these issues to light and those who fight for their rights, such as freedom of choice. But freedom of choice is meaningless without knowledge. That’s why it’s crucial we all get engaged and get informed. That’s why GMO labeling matters. Mothers need to know what they are feeding their children. They need the freedom to make educated choices at the market. When the people have voted for labeling, as they have in Vermont, they need our support when they are fighting these corporate interests trying to reverse the laws they have voted for and passed in the democratic process.

I choose to speak Truth to this Economic Power. When I speak out on corporations hurting the common man or the environment or other species, I expect a well-financed disinformation campaign to be aimed my way.

I do not trust self-serving misinformation coming from corporations and their media trolls. I do not trust politicians who are taking millions from those corporations, either. I trust people. So I make my music for people, not for candidates.

Such is the case with the reaction to

Keep on rockin’ in the free world.

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Interview: Maranda Pleasant

Global Citizen Co-founder

Ryan Gall

Sixty thousand fans. The biggest names in music. The end of extreme poverty?

his September, sixty thousand people will descend on the Great Lawn of New York City’s Central Park for the 2015 Global Citizen Festival. Haven’t heard of it? Well, that may change this year with Pearl Jam, Beyoncé, Ed Sheeran, and Coldplay headlining. Since 2012, Global Citizen has convened thousands of people, some of the biggest names in entertainment, and world leaders from across the globe, all for one reason: to end extreme poverty by 2030. Ahead of this year’s momentous event, ORIGIN Magazine caught up with Ryan Gall, co-founder of Global Citizen and executive producer of the Global Citizen Festival, to find out where the idea for Global Citizen came from, what’s been achieved so far, and why 2015 is a historic year for the movement to end extreme poverty. Maranda Pleasant: You were a founding member of the Global Citizen Festival along with Hugh Evans. Where did the idea come from and how has the movement evolved over the last four years?

GLOBALCITIZEN.ORG 16 ORIGINMAGAZINE.COM

Ryan Gall: The first time Hugh and I discussed the prospect of creating the Global Citizen movement was in 2010 after meeting him at a conference in New York. The idea of the Festival first came to me a year earlier while at Austin City Limits Music Festival. That Festival was unique at the time with four main stages, each of which was branded with a major sponsor—so you might have the Dell stage on one end and the Honda stage at another. I thought to myself, “What if artists performed on stages that were cobranded with a both a sponsor and a charity?” Soon after, I started to toss around ideas with my business partner, Babs Burchfield. Initially, we thought we’d find a nonprofit partner for each of the eight UN Millennium Development Goals and have the concert take place in Central Park during the UN General Assembly in September. To drum up interest, we flew to New York to attend the Millennium Campus Conference at Columbia University where several nonprofit leaders were speaking, and that’s where we met Hugh Evans. It happened to be Hugh’s first day in America; he had just

arrived in New York to set up the Global Poverty Project office in the States. Hugh’s speech that day was beyond inspiring, and I truly believed in his theory of building a movement to fight poverty by tackling all aspects of it. Babs and I, along with our friend Hunter Heaney, approached Hugh after his speech and that’s really where it all began. We developed the Festival to be the catalyst for people to log on and take actions. Today, we are seeing incredible growth year-round, not just around the time of the Festival, which is a real testament to the strength of the movement and the dedication of the Global Citizen community. In the last year alone we’ve seen an increase of 470 percent in active and engaged users. The ways in which we challenge our community to take action are constantly evolving also. This year, one of the key actions we asked global citizens to take was to call the U.S. State Department to lobby them to increase USAID contributions to less developed countries from 30 percent to 50 percent. On the day we announced the 2015 Festival lineup, our users filled the State Department’s voicemail system twelve times over. ›

Photo: Anthony Quintano / NYonAir

“

Our hope is that when you find an issue that matters to you, you’ll naturally want to learn more and then share that knowledge.

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Global Citizen

RG: Two years ago, a 5.5 billion dollar plan to eradicate polio by 2018 was adopted by the world. Since then, polio cases have reduced from more than three hundred thousand per year in 1988 to less than four hundred in 2014 and just thirty so far this year. Rotary International raised more than one billion dollars to put towards this fight over the last two decades. It’s not nearly enough to eradicate the disease entirely, but it brings us very close to a polio-free Africa, which is an exhilarating prospect for the world and demonstrative of the true power of advocacy and fundraising working hand in hand. Three years ago, Hugh and I went to India to partake in a polio vaccination program where millions of children are vaccinated from polio. It’s an incredible feat where armies of women go door-to-door, set up at train stations and city centers, and attempt to vaccinate every child they can find. The year we went, India had just announced it had been polio-free for one year. It takes being free for three years to actually state you are polio-free, and last year in 2014 they were able to do that. It’s promising to hear that Nigeria just announced being polio-free for one year. So far, smallpox is the only disease to be eradicated by vaccines. Polio could be next if we keep up the hard work on the ground that is being done by many organizations, including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, UNICEF, Rotary International, and many others.

”

MP: In what parts of the world have you seen the most positive change over recent years?

I am honored to be a part of the Global Citizen Festival. This year is especially rewarding as we all join focuses and utilize our talents for one goal: to end extreme poverty globally.

Beyoncé

MP: What do you see as being the biggest roadblock to achieving the goal of ending extreme poverty by the year 2030? RG: I think it comes down to two things: 1) a lack of perspective on the issues (as Richard Curtis, this year’s creative director, says, “You can’t fight for your rights if you don’t know what they are”) and 2) knowing that no matter if you’re in New York City, London, or Sydney, you can make a difference in the life of a child on the other side of the world. One of our main priorities is making sure people have access to knowledge to help them understand that accepting the status quo is not their only option.

Photo: Kevin Mazur

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MP: Can you share a favorite moment from the Global Citizen Festival over recent years? RG: Last year when JAY Z arrived at the park he asked for some of our Festival merchandise to be brought to his dressing room. We brought him a few of the shirts and hoodies that we designed, thinking maybe he was going to sign some autographs or give to his team. When he opened the show with “Empire State of Mind” and came out wearing our Global Citizen hoodie, I was speechless. Artists never wear gear from a concert they are playing, and seeing him rock that hoodie in his hometown in front of sixty thousand fans (and millions of others around the world watching on TV and online) was a moment I’ll never forget.

“

PHOTO: DANNY CLINCH

MP: What is something the organization is most proud of in terms of mobilizing the Global Citizen community? RG: Last year we circulated a petition calling on U.S. leaders to support the Water for the World Act, a bill that would help the U.S. Government to more efficiently increase access to water, sanitation, and hygiene to millions around the world. Global Citizens responded by taking fifty-three thousand actions—putting their names to a petition— supporting access to water and sanitation worldwide. Our movement helped empower the organizations working to support the Water for the World Act and ensure Congressional leaders paid attention and ultimately passed the bill. ›

We hope Pearl Jam fans will sign up to become Global Citizens—not just to earn tickets to the show, but to be part of a movement that encourages leaders of nations with the greatest wealth to apply aid, trade, and governance policies in support of nations and communities in the greatest need. People living on less than $1.50-a-day deserve the opportunity to lift themselves up out of extreme poverty. Stone Gossard (Pearl Jam)

“

We love the Global Citizen movement and we love opening for Beyoncé so this ticks both boxes.

“

Chris Martin (Coldplay)

Photo: Anton Corbijn

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Global Citizen

ny “

With at least 1.3 billion people living in extreme poverty on Earth today, there has never been a better time to become a Global Citizen and do whatever you can to make a difference for your fellow man.

“

Neil Young

”

Photo: Theo Wargo / Getty Images

Change only takes place when and where there is action. I believe through actions, whether it be by raising awareness, getting involved, or educating ourselves, the goal to end extreme poverty by 2030 is possible.

“

Shawn “JAY Z” Carter

PHOTO: GARY BURDEN

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photos: Courtesy of Global Citizen | Getty/WireImage

The number of people around the world living in extreme poverty is staggering. They are humanity’s most vulnerable, and as Global Citizens, we must work to be their voice so that they can live with the same human rights we are privileged to have.

” Alicia Keys

AK GLOBALCITIZEN.ORG

photos: Courtesy of Global Citizen | Getty/WireImage ORIGINMAGAZINE.COM 21

Global Citizen MP: What is the best advice you could give to someone enthusiastic about effecting change but not sure where to begin?

“

Our earliest musical influences were artists from around the world who made us aware of issues beyond our own backyards. We hope to continue that tradition of raising awareness by joining an incredible group of performers on stage at the Global Citizen Festival to shine a light on the unacceptable fact that over 1.2 billion people on our planet still live in extreme poverty.

“

Photo:Richard Chapin Downs Jr. / Getty Images

No Doubt

I look forward to sharing the stage with such an amazing lineup of artists in an effort to raise awareness, educate others, and work toward the goal of ending extreme poverty by 2030. I truly believe it’s possible if we all work together.

To achieve this, we are working to make the Festival more interactive. We understand that only sixty thousand people can be there in person, so we want to use every possible digital tool to allow anyone, anywhere, to join us on September 26. MP: How can ORIGIN readers get involved with the Global Citizen movement?

Ed Sheeran

Photo: Ben Watts

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MP: Why is 2015 such an important year, and what can we expect at the Festival this year? RG: This is going to be the biggest Festival yet. Not only are the headliners incredible, but we are also at an incredible time in human history. This year, the United Nations will release its new set of global goals designed to fight inequality, protect our planet, and end extreme poverty by 2030. So the stakes are really high, and we want the Festival to channel the power of hundreds of thousands of Global Citizens all lending their voices to achieve policy and financial commitments that will shape the success of these goals.

“

GLOBALCITIZEN.ORG

RG: I think the best way to effect change is to do some research and find out which issues matter to you. On globalcitizen.org, you can take action on a range of issues from clean water to education to the environment. Our hope is that when you find an issue that matters to you, you’ll naturally want to learn more and then share that knowledge. Also, a lot of people are thinking that throwing money at the problem of extreme poverty is the solution. While giving money is effective, charity won’t end poverty. Over the last two decades or so, child mortality rates have dropped dramatically. The advocacy movements that led to the creation of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM) and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, were the key reasons for this. With activist support across the world, bold partnerships like this have been able to mobilize and rapidly disburse billions of dollars. Since 2000, Gavi alone has immunized hundreds of millions of children in some of the world’s most vulnerable, remote, and socially excluded communities, saving an estimated seven million lives. My advice: log on, show up, get involved.

RG: Definitely check out globalcitizen.org, create a profile (like on many social media sites), engage with other Global Citizens, find a level of engagement that excites them, and have fun with it. These are serious issues, but many of the people who sign up to be a Global Citizen stay engaged because they really enjoy the sense of community it brings them and they can see the impact that is possible when working together on an issue, not to mention the opportunity to attend awesome free concerts across the world.

photos: Courtesy of Global Citizen | Getty/WireImage

“

ORIGIN SERIES:

Same Questions | Different Artists | Powerful Answers

One of our favorite Actors on the Hit Show Castle

Seamus Dever on being Vegetarian, Remembering the Wins and Forgetting the Losses, and balancing Patience with Ambition I n t e r v i e w: Ro b e r t P i p e r

Robert Piper: What inspires you?

Seamus Dever: I think about all the people who have created something that lives after them—works of art, plays, music, films, literature, poetry that will be read, seen, performed, and heard for the rest of time. If I could do something that lives after me, then I think I will have had a life well led. RP: What is the hardest obstacle you’ve had to overcome in your life?

SD: Learning patience. It seems like you are constantly paying dues in my line of work. Sometimes you are paying dues for six years in a row. You plateau for a long time. It’s hard to remain patient when it seems so debilitating to do so. The balance comes with staying ambitious while being patient. A lot of people just capitulate and say, “Well, that’s just the way things are.” I think that can be deadly for creative people. RP: How do you stay healthy?

”

Anger and desire for revenge can be a great motivating force. It’s either that or you allow it

SD: I exercise every day: weights, yoga, Pilates, running. I’m a vegetarian, so it’s not like I eat a lot of meat or bacon. I used to be a vegetarian in denial, what a lot of people call a “pizza-tarian,” but now I try to eat a lot of salads. I try to get a lot of sleep, but Castle tends to make you get up early, so sometimes I don’t meet my sleep goals. I drink a lot of water. Sparkling water has helped me give up soda. RP: How do you deal with overcoming failure?

remember the wins and forget

SD: In the acting world, severe arrogance. You have to tell yourself􀀃 it’s their loss for not hiring you, I would have done a great job. And then you use it as fuel to make you work harder. Anger and desire for revenge can be a great motivating force. It’s either that or you allow it to affect your confidence and that can be crippling. You try to remember the wins and forget the losses.

the losses.

RP: What projects are you currently working on?

to affect your confidence and

”

that can be crippling. You try to

SD: Finishing up Castle for the season and producing and acting in a feature called The Extraordinary Farewell, which we are doing a crowdfunding campaign for on Indiegogo. I’m also building an oak Craftsman-style table. Working with my hands keeps me sane.

PHOTO: Manfred Baumann ORIGINMAGAZINE.COM 23

“There are moments in conservation when extraordinary things happen, when people come together to achieve the unexpected. And that’s what keeps us all going.

”

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WWF

W o r l d

W i l d l i f e

F u n d

W o r l d W i l d l i f e F u n d V i c e P r e s i d e n t , E x t e r n a l Aff a i r s

Steve Ertel Protecting the oceans, saving endangered species, and changing the world I n t e rv i e w: M a r a n d a P l e a s a n t

Maranda Pleasant: World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is known for its iconic panda logo and work to protect the planet’s most endangered species, but its mission involves more than wildlife. Our oceans are in trouble. How is WWF working to protect them? Steve Ertel: Our passion to protect the planet’s wildlife and wild places animates everything we do, and protecting our oceans is vital. Oceans cover 71 percent of our planet’s surface and support one billion people who rely on fish as an important part of their diet and livelihoods. From the polar regions to the warm waters of the tropics, our oceans are home to an incredible kaleidoscope of species. WWF works to safeguard healthy oceans around the world, the marine life that lives there, and the communities that depend on them. A shining example is the Great Barrier Reef, home to nearly six thousand species, including marine turtles, dugongs, sharks, rays, and over four hundred types of coral. The reef is under serious threat from pollution, coral bleaching, and poor fishing practices. But thanks to a campaign with help from more than five WWF.ORG | PANDA.ORG

hundred thousand WWF supporters from 177 countries, Australia promised in July of this year to prioritize the health of the reef over damaging activities like dumping dredge soil. MP: WWF also engages with businesses, including many that source their products from the sea, to help them transform their supply chains into ones that embrace sustainability. SE: Whether it’s communities, other NGOs, or major companies, we need to collaborate with others to tackle the biggest environmental threats facing our planet. Once you show people the connection between places like the Amazon or the coral reefs of the Pacific and the impacts that producing and consuming everyday products have on those places, people are compelled to act. Last year, for example, we worked with Hyatt Hotels on a complete ban of shark fin soup from their restaurants worldwide, including all event and banquet bookings. Sharks are crucial for maintaining the health of marine ecosystems, but the demand for shark fin soup

in Asia has led to a major decline in global shark populations. We’re also working with the hotel chain to help them responsibly source more than 50 percent of their global seafood by 2018. MP: A large portion of the seafood we eat actually comes from illegal sources. How big of a problem is this? SE: Illegal seafood has no place on our plates. Illegal fishing practices are threatening both the health of marine ecosystems and the global economy. A staggering 86 percent of fish species are currently at risk due to illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, and twenty-three billion dollars is lost annually. If you care about this issue, you can help WWF make sure that the fish we all buy is caught responsibly. At the grocery store, buy fish with the MSC label. Go to WWF’s Action Center and lend your voice to our illegal fishing petition. Tell the National Ocean Council you want real, tangible solutions for the traceability of seafood in U.S. markets.

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WWF

Photo: naturepl.com / Andy Rouse / WWF

MP: Outside the oceans, other wildlife is falling victim to illegal practices as well. Could you explain the illegal wildlife trade and the impact it’s having on wildlife? SE: Elephants, rhinos, and tigers are being wiped out in unprecedented numbers. Tens of thousands of elephants are killed every year for their ivory tusks. Most people don’t know this, but the United States is the second largest destination for illegal wildlife products. WWF is working to stop the killing, stop the trade, and stop the demand. This past year has yielded some promising wins—China, one of the world’s biggest buyers of ivory products, has agreed to shut down its ivory market, and the Obama administration has taken significant steps to stop illegal trafficking. One of the most powerful ways to stop illegal wildlife trade is by educating consumers and helping them make the right choices about the things they buy. Whether it’s an antique shop selling ivory in Manhattan, a store in the Caribbean selling coral jewelry and tortoise shell accessories, or a high-end Russian market selling caviar, ask the right questions before making a purchase: What is this product made of? Where did this product come from? Does the country I’m visiting allow the sale and export of this product? Do I need permits or other documents from this country or the United States to bring this item home? The best piece of advice: if you’re in doubt, don’t buy it.

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Photo: naturepl.com / Steven Kazlowski / WWF

“Most people don’t know this, but the United States is the second largest destination for illegal wildlife products. WWF is working to stop the killing, stop the trade, and stop the demand.

MP: Our wildlife and oceans appear to be up against insurmountable odds. What can people do if they’re looking for real ways to make a difference? SE: Take action. Start with what’s really important to you and let your passion drive your involvement. Is it protecting our oceans, our forests, our climate, our wildlife, the way our food is produced, or making sure fresh water exists for everyone? WWF’s Action Center is updated continually with multiple petitions and pledges you can lend your voice to. There is power in collective action. WWF activists have successfully rallied for critically endangered Irrawaddy dolphins, motivated the President to crack down on illegal wildlife trade here in the U.S. and around the world, and stopped the destruction of forests with the evolution of FSC-certified paper and wood products. MP: There’s so much to worry about when it comes to safeguarding our planet’s future, but it sounds like there’s also much to be hopeful for.

Photo: Staffan Widstrand / WWF

SE: Successful conservation—fueled by inspiration and determination—gives us immeasurable hope. We’ve seen it in places like Mozambique, where fishermen are catching bigger fish as a result of protected marine reserves. We’ve seen it in parts of Africa, where we’re using technology to protect wildlife and track the criminal poachers hunting them. We’ve seen it in places like Brazil and Nepal, where forests are growing once again and tiger populations are doubling. And we’ve seen it with our own Congress and administration, which recently closed our borders to illegal fishing. There are moments in conservation when extraordinary things happen, when people come together to achieve the unexpected. And that’s what keeps us all going.

Photo: naturepl.com / Ingo Arndt / WWF

Photo: Wim van Passel / WWF

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{ ocean photographer { ta ro s m i t h , p h . d .

“As far back as I can remember I have loved the natural world, in particular the mystery of the sea and its creatures. After time directly encountering the horrors of the shark finning and manta gill ray industry, it was time to turn the lens toward living, thriving animals and even interactions between them and human subjects. It is through beauty and awe that people draw inspiration to fight for the protection of these majestic animals and the health and survival of our world’s oceans. I believe that it is through powerful imagery that we can ignite change.

“

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Ocean Interview: Eliana Alvarez & Leah Goudsmit

icon L e g e n d a ry O c e a n o g r ap h e r

Walter Munk Reflecting on seventy-SIX years in oceanography and the future of the planet

Eliana Alvarez & Leah Goudsmit: What does the ocean mean to you? Walter Munk: Everything. It’s my job, it’s my nourishment, my mistress, my past, present, and future at the same time. It’s everything in my life. EA/LG: How do you think people can protect the ocean? WM: They should treat the oceans like we do anything else that we care about—with consideration, with care, and affection. That’s it. For that we must educate. People have to realize that the air we breathe and the water we drink come from the ocean and will go back to the ocean one way or another, no matter how far away we may be from it. It’s a perpetual cycle. The amount of water on the planet does not change, only its quality. Fresh water is like a fossil fuel; we should not waste it. EA/LG: What questions should be asked to protect the environment? WM: What do we expect the climate to do? How will it affect people? And how can we protect people from hardship? We should be willing to face the facts that things may not go very well. We may have to adjust our lifestyle, and we must be prepared to accept that. Are we really willing to leave our planet to our children and future generations in a worse state than when it was entrusted to us? EA/LG: Are you involved in any climate science projects? WM: I am involved in making measurements in polar oceans, and they are changing more SPIRITOFDISCOVERY.CO 30 ORIGINMAGAZINE.COM

than anything else. I think we have to be prepared for major changes associated with the melting of floating ice and the melting of the Greenland glacier. EA/LG: In your life, what have you learned that you would like to share with young students and scientists? WM: It’s important that you work on things that you care about and do a good job and not be too worried about consequences. Don’t be afraid to get involved. I have hopes that the students at Scripps will do daring research and experiments. More and more students are playing it safe and not taking any risks. You might not succeed, but that’s just part of the game. EA/LG: You and other scientists met with the Pope on a five-day [Pontifical Academy] summit titled “Sustainable Humanity, Sustainable Nature: Our Responsibility,” which led to the Pope’s stand on climate change. What was discussed? WM: We spoke on how to protect humanity by conserving the natural reserves that we need to survive. We have to have more consideration for people who have lesser means than we do. It is a problem of survival. There is no question that a very large number of people have to move; you cannot live where the water comes over you. I have not heard one suggestion on how we are going to move one hundred million people out of low-lying areas and what countries would be willing to accept them. We walked away with a feeling of what is really required if we want to survive into the next generation. It will

require more consideration, thoughtfulness, and unselfishness than people have generally shown in the past. It was a moving experience. EA/LG: You are invited to attend the eightieth birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to talk about the effects of climate change and taking action to resolve this global issue. WM: I am so delighted that His Holiness the Dalai Lama decided to join the announcement of the Pope. I am looking forward to listening. We have to work together to do a better job than we did in the last few generations. EA/LG: What would you like to tell the world? WM: I would like to ask them to realize that this is going to be a difficult few hundred years. No matter what we do, we have to give up some of the advantages of the wealthy Western nations and help out people who are less fortunate. That is the key. I think we can do it if we have more compassion for one another. We’ve gotten awfully selfish. I am prepared to do it. EA/LG: Do we still have hope for the planet? WM: Yes, we still have hope; it is what keeps us going. We shouldn’t think it’s easy, but we must have the hope to be able to succeed. There is still hope and time to act, but they both are fast running out. Professor Walter H. Munk has been with Scripps Institution of Oceanography since 1939. In the documentary Spirit of Discovery, he shares his wisdom with a new generation of scientists.

“It’s important that you work on things that you care about and do a good job and not be too worried about consequences. Don’t be afraid to get involved.”

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Ocean Heroes What are you passionate about? What can we do to save the oceans?

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Ocean Heroes

Mehgan Heaney-Grier

Freedive Champion. Adventurer. Marine Conservationist. Biologist Star of Treasure Quest: Snake Island Leader of the Ocean Ambassadors for the Colorado Ocean Coalition

I am passionate about my family, adventure, good wine, nature and the outdoors, sharks, the ocean, and working hard to preserve it all for future generations. My take on saving the oceans: 1) THINK. LEARN. ACT. The more you know, the better and more educated choices you have the opportunity to make. 2) Understand how all things are interconnected, including you. Then see #1.

Andy Sharpless CEO, Oceana

I am passionate about saving the oceans and feeding the world. At Oceana, the largest ocean conservation organization, we campaign to win policy victories that will restore ocean abundance so fisheries can serve as a sustainable source of protein for people around the world. We can make our oceans abundant again by implementing science-based fisheries management, which includes setting catch limits, reducing bycatch, and protecting habitats. Studies show that effective fisheries management can significantly increase the amount of wild seafood caught worldwide. This will enable hundreds of millions of people to enjoy a healthy seafood meal each day. oceana.org

“ Studies show that effective fisheries management can significantly increase the amount of wild seafood caught worldwide.

”

—ANDY SHARPLESS

3) Never, ever lose hope. We must not lose hope. If, by chance, you find that you are losing hope, tap back into those who inspire you. Then see #2. Photo: Courtesy of freediver.com mehganheaneygrier.com | freediver.com

Amber Jackson & Emily Callahan Co-founders, Blue Latitudes LLC

There comes a time when the useful life of an oil platform comes to an end, and that’s when we dive in! We are environmental scientists on a mission to inform the public and policymakers on the ecological and economic benefits associated with repurposing an offshore oil platform as a reef through the Rigs to Reefs (R2R) program in California. We believe that repurposing these rigs provides a silver lining to the realities of offshore oil and gas development. We want to empower the public and policymakers with our research so that they can make informed decisions on future management of ocean resources. rig2reefexploration.org

Shawn Heinrichs

Photographer/Filmmaker/Conservationist, Blue Sphere Media

My love of the ocean fuels me, and I am captivated by its grace and beauty. People only protect what they love, so I am on a mission to capture inspiring and dramatic imagery that connects the global community to the beauty and vulnerability of threatened marine species. Through this connection, I hope the world will share my passion and be inspired to act before it is too late. So what can you do? Be the change you wish to see in the world—learn, engage, act, and make sustainable choices in your consumption, energy usage, and waste disposal. bluespheremedia.com | shawnheinrichs.com

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ocean heroes What are you passionate about? What can we do to save the oceans?

Barton Seaver Chef. Author Director, Healthy and Sustainable Food Program, Center for Health and the Global Environment, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

I am passionate about exploring the confluence of environmental and human health. I believe that the goals of conservation must constantly revisit a stated purpose. All too often we fail to ask what we are trying to sustain. Ultimately, sustainability must be measured by the endurance of thriving human communities. For too long we have placed an irrational burden upon our oceans by demanding only a narrow selection of species, which has led to unsustainable fishing and economic practices. If we instead ask the ocean what it is willing to supply, we engage in an inherently more sustainable relationship. bartonseaver.org

Charlotte Vick

Strategic Partnership Director and Google Ocean Content Manager, Mission Blue/Sylvia Earle Alliance

I’m passionate about our ocean! It’s fundamental to all known life systems on our planet, whether land, sea, or atmosphere. It’s the planet’s quintessential life-giving feature, interacting with sun, planetary rotation, and chemical and physical material found in, on, and below our thin Earth crust. Ocean is essential to life here. We are not. Action based on knowledge achieves results. Don’t know Earth’s water and carbon cycles? Google them. Need inspiration? Observe nature around you. Looking for a starting point? Explore websites like our Google Earth page. THINK! Teach children truths they must know: to learn, love, and respect the global ocean. Photo: Tracy Anderson Photography mission-blue.org/google-earth | mission-blue.org

“ Ocean is essential to life here. We are not.

Danni Washington Media Personality Co-founder, the Big Blue & You

My life work focuses on raising awareness within communities of color about the importance of the oceans and what we can do collectively to reconnect with the most important source of life on this planet. I am passionate about empowering youth to become stewards of the natural world through digital media, events, and workshops. I believe that we can save the oceans by taking individual responsibility for our daily actions. Actions like bringing your own shopping bag or reducing the demand for other single-use plastics like straws and utensils can help eliminate the stream of pollution in our waters. Photo: Erica DiGiovanni danniwashington.com | sealovebelove.com

”

David Doubilet Underwater Photojournalist, National Geographic

My passion is to open people’s eyes to the sea using the power of photography as a universal language to convince the unconvinced among us that the oceans are fragile and finite. As the oceans go, so do we. I have learned that images have the power to educate, honor, humiliate, and illuminate. We can produce imagery to share the beauty of the oceans and what is there to protect. We can also expose the truths about overharvest, climate change, and habitat loss to give oceans a voice. Photo: Gary Bell daviddoubilet.com

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—CHARLOTTE VICK

Ocean Heroes

“ The human body can’t sur vive for more than three to five days without water.

”

—ROBBYNE KAAMIL

Dan Laffoley

Marine Vice Chair, World Commission on Protected Areas, International Union for Conservation of Nature

I’m passionate about protecting our ocean. We now know we have depleted the ocean and abused its bounty in the past. We also know it is central to our well-being. So protecting it, allowing it to recover and sustain us, is the key to future health and prosperity. Lend your voice to safeguarding its special places through projects that establish Marine Protected Areas. Reduce your ocean footprint—safely recycle plastics on land, avoid using cosmetics that harm the seas, and if you eat fish only eat those that come from truly sustainable sources. danlaffoley.com | iucn.org

Robbyne Kaamil Actress. Comedian. Activist

I am passionate about water and the life it gives. The human body can’t survive for more than three to five days without water. Water is crucial to our existence and our Earth can’t survive without our oceans. We can save the oceans by not using disposable products. Plastic bags, containers, and bottles become ocean trash. We wouldn’t like it if our neighbors used our living rooms as their garbage dumps. But that is exactly what we do to all the sea life when our garbage ends up in the ocean.

Tracey Read CEO/Founder, Plastic Free Seas

Carl Safina President, The Safina Center

The creatures of the sea hold special mystery, and they are among the most exciting, graceful, and beautiful on Earth. Just consider the living riot of a coral reef, the beauty of an albatross, the awesome power of a giant turtle, the grace of a dolphin. Now multiply that by the millions of creatures in the sea. Wow! To save the seas, we can eat sustainably and be conscious of the seafood we eat. Try to cut down drastically on plastic. Recycle. Use less energy and more renewable energy. We can all live better by doing better for ourselves and the sea!

My passion is caring for the oceans! The best part of my job is connecting people to the sea and the myriad life it holds. We want trash-free seas for our children, and by exposing people to the problems of plastic marine pollution we can inspire and empower them with solutions. Ocean cleanup starts on the land; through our purchases and actions we can have a positive or negative impact. It is time to rethink our behavior: the easiest thing we can all do is to say NO to single-use disposable products, buy less, and waste less. Photo: Wyman / Weekend Weekly Magazine plasticfreeseas.org

safinacenter.org | carlsafina.org

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ocean heroes What are you passionate about? What can we do to save the oceans?

Judi Lowe

Ph.D. Candidate, ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University

I’m passionate about the impact of dive tourism on coral reefs and the livelihoods of local fishers in less developed countries. Divers travel to enjoy coral reefs, fish, sharks, whale sharks, manta rays, and turtles. The world’s most beautiful coral reefs lie in the tropics, roughly around the equator. The same locations are home to many of the world’s poorest people, who rely on coral reefs for food security and income. Dive tourism must diversify the livelihoods of local fishers, reducing reliance on coral reefs. My research builds a best practice model of dive tourism for marine conservation and livelihoods. coralcoe.org.au | thedivetourist.com

Octavio Aburto

Assistant Professor, Scripps Institution of Oceanography Professional Photographer, International League of Conservation Photographers

I believe that I can make the biggest contribution to conservation and management issues for marine ecosystems in Mexico and worldwide by translating natural history and scientific issues into images that can directly impact and influence public perception, practices by local people, and government policy. We have four urgent actions to make: 1) complete protection of 20 percent of all oceans, 2) complete fishing ban of shark species, 3) strict fisheries regulations for sardines and anchovies, and 4) no more trawling fishing. With these four actions, we can recover the oceans’ productivity in just one decade. Photo: Catalina Lopez scrippsscholars.ucsd.edu/maburto/ | octavioaburto.com

“ To make a change, fir st embrace the fact that we need a healthy ocean in order to sur vive and thr ive.

”

—SVEN-OLOF LINBLAD

Joe Kistel Founder/Director, TISIRI

I am passionate about spreading the awesomeness and importance of ocean environments. As director of TISIRI, I am able to facilitate habitat creation projects as well as underwater reef repair initiatives. I do my best to visually capture these efforts to create short documentaries that demonstrate the importance and necessity for ocean conservation programs. The health of our oceans can benefit from a “treat it like we need it” global attitude. Awareness is critical; most do not have an in-depth relationship with our oceans. Increasing the understanding of ocean health will increase appreciation and lead to better care of offshore resources. Photo: Larry Davis tisiri.org

Sven-Olof Lindblad Founder/CEO, Lindblad Expeditions

I’m passionate about trying to find creative ways to engage people with nature and the environment, both from the perspective of finding wonder and inspiration and to recognize the essential value healthy natural systems provide to people. To make a change, first embrace the fact that we need a healthy ocean in order to survive and thrive. Then become active in whatever way acts on that belief. There is no single answer; it’s complex. I have chosen to focus on supporting National Geographic’s Pristine Seas Program, which is committed to working with governments and other partners to create large marine protected areas. expeditions.com

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Ocean Heroes

Courtney Mattison

Artist. Ocean Advocate Editorial Manager, Mission Blue

I love coral reefs for the vibrancy, complexity, and diversity of the tiny creatures that shape them. By bringing the beauty of coral reefs and the human-caused threats they face above the surface and into view, my hand-built ceramic sculptural works aim to spark curiosity about these fragile ecosystems and inspire viewers to care enough about the ocean to protect it. By pressuring our political leaders to establish and enforce a global network of marine protected areas that regulate fishing, mining, and other harmful activities, we can help the ocean recover as we limit climate change and ocean acidification.

Leesa Cobb

Executive Director, Port Orford Ocean Resource Team

Photo: David Decoteau / Downtown Photo courtneymattison.com

I believe it’s critical to connect people on the coast to stewardship of the ocean right out their front door. We need to take responsibility for where we fish, surf, and play on the beach. It’s everyone’s ocean, but we have a special responsibility to protect our place.

David E. Guggenheim, Ph.D. Founder/President, Ocean Doctor

What can we do? Engage. The time to speak up and step up to help the ocean is NOW. Join an organization that works to protect the ocean from pollution, overfishing, and habitat destruction. Write to your elected representatives and let them know a healthy ocean is critical to life on this planet.

The oceans naturally inspire passion, and I still feel the same wide-eyed amazement I did as a boy from the profound mystery and incredible beauty the oceans inspire. Today I’m passionate about exploring and protecting the oceans internationally, especially around Cuba, while discovering incredible colleagues and friends who share the passion.

oceanresourceteam.org | posustainableseafood.com

“ By pressur ing our political leader s to esta blish and enforce a global networ k of mar ine protected areas that regulate fishing, mining, and other har mful activities , we can help the ocean recover as we limit climate change and ocean acidification.

”

Never stop asking annoying questions. Each of us has a powerful agent of change we carry with us everywhere: our wallet or purse. Ask your grocer or restaurateur about the fish they’re serving. Ask resorts if they’re sustainable. In unison our words will reach the decision makers and change the world! Photo: J-P Balas

oceandoctor.org

—COURTNEY MATTISON

Patty Elkus

Board Member, Directors Council, Scripps Institution of Oceanography Executive Committee, Board of Directors, Mission Blue/Sylvia Earle Alliance Global Advisory Council, BLUE Ocean Film Festival

My passion is bringing together talented yet disparate ocean leaders—a matchmaker for the oceans. An Antarctic trip with the Birch Aquarium at Scripps was my epiphany on ocean health. Since then I’ve worked with ocean leaders, including iconic oceanographer Professor Walter Munk, Dr. Margaret Leinen of SIO, and Dr. Sylvia Earle, to disseminate critical science in layman’s terms for the public at large. With knowledge comes power, as well as the ability to conserve marine life and protect ocean environments. The key to saving our oceans is public awareness and providing tangible tools to enact real conservation and protection. Ocean Convergence!

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ocean heroes What are you passionate about? What can we do to save the oceans?

Paul Butler “ People are the only threat to the oceans; we put too much in and take too much out of the seas .

”

—RODERIC B. MAST

Senior Vice President, Rare

One-sixth of our global population relies on fish as a primary protein source, yet almost every fishery is under stress with stocks in decline. One of the great challenges in marine conservation is open access for fishing and the “race to fish” mentality as fish stocks decline. Instead of racing, local fishermen should receive exclusive access to a designated fishery area. Granting exclusive access can then spur a sense of local ownership of the area, and local fishers and community members will have a clear reason to take up conservation measures. Along the way, fishers become better stewards of the ocean. rare.org

Ellen K. Pikitch, Ph.D.

Professor/Executive Director, Institute for Ocean Conservation Science, Stony Brook University Board Member, Ocean Sanctuary Alliance

Our use of the ocean is way out of balance. About 99 percent of the ocean is open to fishing, with a small remainder fully protected. New science shows that leaving more fish in the ocean would enhance its worth by increasing tourism revenues, employment, and fisheries production. The creation of sanctuaries is a trifecta for saving the ocean. Sanctuaries enhance resilience to climate change, provide a safe haven for marine life to flourish, and sustain fisheries outside their boundaries through spillover. This fall, the nations of the world will vote on a commitment to expand sanctuaries globally. oceanconservationscience.org | oceansanctuaryalliance.org

Roderic B. Mast President/CEO, Oceanic Society Co-Chair, IUCN SSC Marine Turtle Specialist Group

Debbie Kinder

CEO/Co-founder, BLUE Ocean Film Festival

I knew I wanted to be involved in ocean conservation, but there are so many issues that I didn’t want to choose just one problem to devote my time to, because they are all so interconnected. Visual media is the most powerful tool we have for raising awareness and inspiring action. It’s how we can reach a global audience in a short span of time and in such a way to help everyone understand very complicated issues. blueoceanfilmfestival.org

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I am passionate about conserving sea turtles and their ocean habitats worldwide. Iconic marine species like turtles, whales, manatees, and sharks can help us capture people’s attention and motivate the public, as well as corporations and governments, to make the behavior changes needed to return the world’s oceans to health. People are the only threat to the oceans; we put too much in and take too much out of the seas. Oceans will heal when we adopt “Blue Habits” to lower our carbon, plastic, and seafood footprints. Individual commitments are also needed to leverage bigger changes in corporations and governments. oceanicsociety.org | iucn-mtsg.org

Ocean Heroes

Serge Dedina, Ph.D.

Executive Director, WILDCOAST/ COSTASALVAJE Mayor of Imperial Beach, California

I am passionate about making sure that we collectively and proactively preserve all of the world’s most iconic coastal and oceanic wild places—those keystone ecosystems that are irreplaceable, breathtakingly beautiful refuges for fish and other marine wildlife. The most important thing we can do to save our oceans is to dramatically expand our efforts to establish new marine protected areas and make sure that critical fish spawning sites and ecosystems remain undisturbed. Finally, we have to immediately stop using the oceans as a dumping ground for our urban and industrial waste.

John Racanelli

Photo: Jeff Wallis wildcoast.net

President/CEO, National Aquarium

I’m especially passionate about interacting with kids. I love experiencing their wonder, awe, and enthusiasm. My greatest moments come when I know I’ve made a connection with someone who has perhaps never realized just how important the ocean is to their life and livelihood. The ocean supplies oxygen, modulates climate, and provides sustenance. To let it keep us alive and thriving, we must take fewer resources and add fewer pollutants, plastics, and carbon. We must stop altering its habitats and start designating marine protected areas. Finally, we must recognize the ocean’s relevance to each of us, no matter our lifestyle. Photo: National Aquarium aqua.org

“ But collectively we’re a billion dollar global industr y that shares our underwater knowledge with millions of people around the wor ld each year. We are ocean ambassador s perfectly positioned to be catalysts for change.

”

Laurie J. Wilson Founder, Blue Ocean Network

I believe that the biggest threat the ocean faces is “business as usual.” But we can do something about that! I’m passionate about helping dive tourism operators embrace a sustainable business model. I watch resorts that do so turn more profit while becoming tools for positive change. We’re unlikely leaders: a bunch of mom-and-pop businesses using an old business model that peaked in the eighties. But collectively we’re a billion dollar global industry that shares our underwater knowledge with millions of people around the world each year. We are ocean ambassadors perfectly positioned to be catalysts for change. Photo: Robert Frerck / odysseyphoto.com blueoceannetwork.com | blueoceanbusinesssummit.com

—LAURIE J. WILSON

Jim Toomey

Syndicated Cartoonist, “Sherman’s Lagoon”

I am passionate about informing the world about our ocean—its complexity and beauty, its value to us, and the perils that it faces. Through my newspaper comic strip, public speaking, and filmmaking, I try to tell as many people as possible, of all ages and from all walks of life, that we are destroying the ocean at such an alarming rate that we can’t wait for a systematic solution. We can’t wait for our political leadership to warm up to the idea, and we can’t wait for the free market to find alternatives. We must act as individuals, now. jimtoomey.com | shermanslagoon.com

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ocean heroes What are you passionate about? What can we do to save the oceans?

Linda K. Glover

Oceanographer, GloverWorks Co-author, Ocean: An Illustrated Atlas Editor, Defying Ocean’s End

I am passionate about the vast, beautiful, mysterious ocean, with life forms not yet discovered and so much we don’t yet know. We do know it provides half the oxygen we breathe and—through evaporation to clouds to rain—provides most of the fresh water on Earth. We must protect our ocean. First, we must continue to learn: What’s there? How does everything work? How are we damaging the natural processes? How can each of us reduce carbon emissions, harmful overfishing, and our use of plastics? Photo: Rob Cannon mission-blue.org

Vicki Nichols Goldstein

Founder/Director, Colorado Ocean Coalition

I’m passionate about helping people understand their connection to the ocean. The power inland states have to make change is often overlooked. In 2011, I founded the Colorado Ocean Coalition to inspire inland people to become committed and united stewards of our ocean. I have always felt that you don’t have to see the ocean to protect it, and now I’m helping to make that happen. The ocean belongs to all of us. Recognize that our rivers flow to the sea and care for them. Speak out for strong ocean protection and remember that your actions can make a difference. Photo: Matthew W. King coloradoocean.org | bluethedive.org

“ People

need to under stand that species extinctions , ha bitat destr uction, ocean acidification, and pollution are all chipping away at the resilience of the thin layer of life that sustains us on Spaceship Ear th.

”

— EDITH WIDDER, PH.D.

Edith Widder, Ph.D. CEO/Senior Scientist, Ocean Research & Conservation Association, Inc. (ORCA)

Our biggest challenges for the ocean and for the planet are problems of perception. People need to understand that species extinctions, habitat destruction, ocean acidification, and pollution are all chipping away at the resilience of the thin layer of life that sustains us on Spaceship Earth. Our problems are solvable if they are clearly defined. To do so, we need to monitor our planetary life support systems the way doctors monitor a patient’s vital signs and then use that information to protect ecosystem services as though our lives depend on it, because they do. teamorca.org | kilroyacademy.org

Bonnie Monteleone Executive Director, Plastic Ocean Project, Inc.

“A stupid problem,” an elderly woman said to me as she looked at my images of sea life maimed by plastics. Yes, it really is! We can’t see carbon emissions or mercury infiltrating our water, but plastic is visible and should be much easier to manage. I am passionate about stopping a stupid problem. The trick is to give plastic value so it doesn’t end up in the wrong place. I believe turning plastics into oil, a commodity found in nearly every household item, road, and car, is one thing we can do to save our ocean. plasticoceanproject.org | theplasticocean.blogspot.com

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Ocean Heroes

“ Suppor t large initiatives , push gover nments to be accounta ble, pressure industr y to change through your consumer choices .

”

—JENNIFER PATE

Jennifer Pate Head of Film, eXXpedition

We have the chance to create a healthier future, but we need to act now—starting with behavior changes at home, in our communities, and in our governments and industries. What we need to do is wake up to the fact that we only have one home and that everything is interconnected. We need to raise awareness that issues like plastics and toxics are not just “out there” in the oceans, but “right here” in our backyards, on our dinner plates, in our bodies. Support large initiatives, push governments to be accountable, pressure industry to change through your consumer choices. Photo: Karen McCarthy Woolf exxpedition.com | jenniferpate.com

Joel Harper

Author/Publisher, Freedom Three Publishing

My passion lies in educating and inspiring the next generation of young ocean stewards and their parents via the use of educational picture books. My books focus on the dire need to protect watersheds from the crisis of storm drain pollution, commonly referred to as urban runoff. I have dedicated ten years of my life, working with relentless passion and urgency, to educate communities on these issues. All the Way to the Ocean has sold forty thousand copies and been translated into Spanish and Mandarin with an animated movie set to be released this summer! My new book, Sea Change, debuted this year. Photo: Bernard Masson allthewaytotheocean.com | seachangestory.org

Jenna Cummings

Director of Marine Studies, Canterbury School of Florida

Tom Campbell Tom Campbell’s Productions

I’ve been on, in, or around our oceans all my adult life, since I was nineteen years old. As a professional military diver, then avid spear fisherman, I began to see the decline in wildlife in many of our oceans, as well as increased pollution. I hung up my spear gun for a camera and later became a professional marine cinematographer. That passion gave me a means to produce documentaries to help protect our Last Frontier, the world’s oceans. By watching documentaries about our oceans’ wildlife, and participating in events that create awareness, even one person can make a difference.

I am passionate about our oceans and educating others. I strive to make students aware of the world around them and to help preserve the wonders of the ocean by creating real world science research and conservation projects where students can immerse themselves in learning about and saving our ocean. I believe that our children can help us save our oceans. My students bring excitement, energy, and creativity whenever we are, in the lab or in the field. We need to utilize that to empower our community members to work together to restore and protect our local waterways. canterburyflorida.org

Photo: Beth Davidow tomcampbell.com

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ocean heroes What are you passionate about? What can we do to save the oceans?

Susan Shaw, Ph.D.

Founder/Executive Director, Marine & Environmental Research Institute

As an environmental health scientist and marine toxicologist, I have dedicated my life to generating science that drives change and inspires solutions to man-made ocean pollution. Today, our oceans are deteriorating faster than we ever imagined. They are literally dying on our watch. Healing our seas is a survival issue for humankind. As Rachel Carson knew, wildlife serves as our alarm bells for the harmful impacts of toxic chemicals. Today, one-third of marine mammals risk extinction because of ocean pollution. With knowledge, our collective actions can stop the flow of human waste, toxics, and plastics. Ocean conservation is human conservation.

Sheldon Whitehouse

United States Senator for Rhode Island Co-chair of the Senate Oceans Caucus

For our Ocean State, the oceans are a way of life. We fish; we sail; we have a robust marine economy. Our beaches and bay are famous. But worldwide, our oceans are warming, rising, and becoming dangerously acidic as a result of carbon pollution and climate change—endangering much that we hold dear. Pope Francis asks, “Who turned the wonderworld of the seas into underwater cemeteries bereft of colour and life?” We must now become not just takers from the ocean, but caretakers of it. Photo: Office of Senator Whitehouse whitehouse.senate.gov

“ Today, our oceans are deter iorating faster than we ever imagined. They are literally dying on our watch.

”

—SUSAN SHAW

Romain Troublé Executive Director, Tara Expeditions

The ocean—to me, to us—is beautiful, immense, and infinite. The ocean makes us dream. It is the source of all life on not only our planet. Not so long ago we discovered that the ocean is our “blue lung.” It produces half of our oxygen, allowing us to breathe anywhere on Earth. I used to be a professional sailor. For more than ten years now we’ve been organizing environmental and scientific expeditions at sea. I wish to give the ocean a voice during the crucial UN climate conference in Paris later this year. Support the #OceanForClimate! Photo: V. Hilaire / taraexpeditions.org taraexpeditions.org | ocean-climate.org

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meriresearch.org

Jacqueline Savitz Vice President, United States Oceans, Oceana

We get a tremendous amount of riches from our oceans. They feed hundreds of millions of people (more if we manage them well), they produce oxygen for us to breathe, and they provide us with recreational opportunities and spiritual fulfillment. We literally owe it to ourselves to protect them. We can benefit from improved fishery abundance if we set and enforce scientifically-based limits and protect habitats that fish need for breeding, spawning, and feeding. We also must cut carbon dioxide emissions drastically, and soon, to prevent ocean acidification and the resulting ecosystem collapse. oceana.org | huffingtonpost.com/jackie-savitz/

Ocean Heroes

Barbara A. Block

Prothro Professor of Biology, Stanford University

Our research is focused on how large pelagic fish utilize the open ocean. We are trying to learn more about tuna, marlin, and large sharks, and have pioneered the successful development and deployment of electronic tags on pelagic fish. I want to build a wired ocean that helps us take back the seas from poachers and illegal fishers. To do this, we need the latest technology applied to large pelagic fish and sharks, surveillance technology that helps protect marine protected areas, and tags that help prevent shark finning and illegal fishing. We must use modern sensors to help protect our seas! tunaresearch.org | tagagiant.org

Lawrence Curtis Underwater Cinematographer/ Immersive Theater Artist, Aqua Media Lab

Defining my passion can’t be summed up in a single word. I’m passionate about dolphins, whales, conservation, and creating wonder through immersive art. My passion dwells deep inside me. It emerges in bringing ocean conservation and art together. It forms my identity and defines how I live. How do we save the oceans? Be conscious of yourself and your behavior. Go out into nature. Muse on how you feel. Find your way through expressing yourself. Stand on your integrity and be a voice. Be conscious about yourself, what you consume, and what companies you support. It’s rather simple if you think about it. Photo: Mila Bridger

“ Life on our planet is defined by the health of our ocean.

”

—NAINOA THOMPSON

Nainoa Thompson President, Polynesian Voyaging Society

Life on our planet is defined by the health of our ocean. We are a blue planet and an ocean world. As I am from Hawaiʻi, the ocean is part of my culture and who I am. My ancestors were great ocean explorers. Through the Mālama Honua Worldwide Voyage, we seek to learn and encourage all to protect our ocean for the future of our children. In order to take care of our ocean, we need to be knowledgeable. We can’t care for something we don’t understand. This is the purpose of why we explore and why we voyage. Photo: Polynesian Voyaging Society and ʻŌiwi TV hokulea.com

Dana Beach

Executive Director, South Carolina Coastal Conservation League

I am inspired by the beauty and majesty of the ocean and its most charismatic denizens—whales, dolphins, sea turtles, sharks, and albatrosses—and by the beauty, complexity, and biological abundance of coral reefs and coastal estuaries. But the inclination, and even obsession, of humans to destroy the Earth’s most glorious ecosystem is horrifying and unforgivable. This shameful expression of our lack of moral character must not be the legacy we leave future generations. ACT NOW! We can work in our own homes and communities on issues like plastic bag bans, responsible fishing practices, and stopping offshore oil exploration and drilling. coastalconservationleague.org

ORIGINMAGAZINE.COM 43

ocean heroes What are you passionate about? What can we do to save the oceans?

Jenifer Austin Manager, Google Ocean Program

There is so much we don’t know about our ocean; I’m inspired to use technology to better understand it. We live in a very exciting time when, for the first time, we can share imagery of the ocean as never before, like with our underwater street view platform in Google Maps. We need to keep engaging more people to care by showing them the incredible things down there below the surface. When we bring underwater street view to the classroom through Google Expeditions, we’ll ignite the imagination of the next generation. With knowing comes caring, and with caring, there’s hope.

“ With knowing comes car ing, and with car ing, there’s hope.

”

—JENIFER AUSTIN

maps.google.com/ocean

Sam Low, Ph.D.

Author/Documentarian/Cronkite Award Winner, Hokule'a Polynesian Voyaging Society

Sailing aboard a replica of an ancient Polynesian voyaging canoe has taught me to respect the wisdom of my Hawaiian ancestors who lived in sustainable harmony with the moana (ocean) and the āina (land). Always recycle and resist plastic containers. hokulea.com | samlow.com

Cathy Drew

Oceanographer/Founder/Executive Director, The River Project

David W. Grunden Shellfish Constable, Town of Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts

Our coastal salt ponds provide us with a multitude of recreational activities—swimming, shell fishing, and boating, to name a few. When healthy, they support one of the most productive and diverse habitats—estuaries, the nursery of the sea. It is of utmost importance to protect, preserve, and improve these ponds. It really is as simple as “THINK GLOBALLY, ACT LOCALLY.” All the local efforts have a cumulative effect. Get involved and care for places that are special to you. You can make a difference! Photo: Mark Alan Lovewell oakbluffsma.gov

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I am most passionate about truth and beauty and the ocean. Right now for me that takes the form of progressive ecosystem dynamics in New York Harbor and the Hudson River Estuary. Estuaries are where most people meet the ocean. One excellent way to help save the oceans is to eat sustainable fish. Ask the restaurant or store: Where does this fish come from? Is it wild or farmed? How was it caught? Educate yourself, talk about it, and let the message that we care ring out loud and clear, all the way up our food chain. riverprojectnyc.org

Ocean Heroes

“ We can’t save our oceans; oceans will outlive humans and will probably be better off without us.

”

—ANNA CUMMINS

Matthew Gianni

Co-founder/Political and Policy Advisor, Deep Sea Conservation Coalition

I am continually amazed by the extraordinary wealth of species and biodiversity in the oceans, and the many strange and unique oceanscapes, particularly in the deep sea. I am passionate about preventing the senseless destruction of these places. Get educated about seafood, where it comes from, and how it is caught. Get your grocer, fishmonger, and favorite restaurants to only sell sustainable fish. Recycle plastics; we need to keep them out of the ocean. And demand that your politicians protect the oceans. Don’t take no for an answer! savethehighseas.org

Mikki McComb-Kobza, Ph.D. Executive Director, Ocean First Institute

I am passionate about sharing my love of the ocean, the joy of exploration, and the importance of science. I have been a scuba diver for thirty years and have seen an ocean of change. As a shark researcher, I’ve witnessed shark populations decline—an indicator that our ocean is in deep trouble. I strive to help individuals and businesses alike find more sustainable ways to connect with the ocean in their everyday lives. Sustainability is my cornerstone and I believe that every action and decision, no matter how small and seemingly insignificant, can have a positive impact. Photo: Ilena Zanella / Mision Tiburon oceanfirstinstitute.org

Anna Cummins & Marcus Eriksen Co-founders, 5 Gyres Institute

Georgienne Bradley Director, Sea Save Foundation

I am passionate about protecting our oceans. We depend upon oceans for our oxygen, to regulate climate, and for much of the protein currently consumed by our species. Diving for over twenty years, I have seen huge changes in the health of our coral reefs and a dramatic plunge in the number of fish. Advanced technology and growing population are applying pressure on our oceans. We are near a tipping point, but I think we still have a chance to reverse these trends. Volunteer for an ocean conservation organization. Whether working virtually or at the beach, collectively we can make a difference.

Marcus and I are passionate about the moment we can engage someone with our story—having seen firsthand across fifty thousand miles that our oceans have become plastic smog—and inspire them to want to get involved in solutions. An informed citizenry can drive big changes. We can’t save our oceans; oceans will outlive humans and will probably be better off without us. To protect the health of our oceans for the next generation, the best thing we can do is get money out of politics and return stewardship of natural resources back to the public. 5gyres.org | marcuseriksen.com

seasave.org

ORIGINMAGAZINE.COM 45

ocean heroes What are you passionate about? What can we do to save the oceans?

Robert Farrell Assistant Chief, Marine Enforcement, California Department of Fish and Wildlife

We need to prioritize global protection of ocean resources through effective enforcement of regulations that promote responsible and sustainable practices. Communities need to care. We must raise awareness and make sure everyone knows what the rules are and why they are in place. We must ensure the rules make sense for all constituents and that they are enforceable. Finally, we must take appropriate action when the rules are violated. Photo: Debra Hamilton wildlife.ca.gov

Carl Gustaf Lundin Director, Global Marine and Polar Program, International Union for the Conservation of Nature

Growing up in marine biological laboratories, I desired to understand how the oceans work. My passion for ocean conservation is because we live off the health of the oceans and we have it within our power to take care of the oceans and their inhabitants for future generations. We all need to consider what we take out of the sea— like food and energy—versus what we put in—plastics, poisons, and carbon—and make sure that we change the balance in favor of ocean health, since our own health depends on it. iucn.org

“ We need to transfor m our ocean relationship from a buse to stewardship, from exploitative consumption to valuing the ocean’s gifts .

Mark J. Spalding President, The Ocean Foundation

I’m passionate about keeping the coasts and ocean healthy. Plants and animals (including humans) need the ocean’s gifts. Her beauty and rhythms soothe us. She provides oxygen, food, and rain. She filters our pollution and processes our waste. She regulates our climate and temperature. We need to transform our ocean relationship from abuse to stewardship, from exploitative consumption to valuing the ocean’s gifts. We need to plant seagrass to sequester carbon in the ocean, design our use of the coast to do no harm, and avoid single-use plastics! Support the community of people acting to keep the coasts and ocean healthy. oceanfdn.org | seagrassgrow.org

”

—MARK J. SPALDING

Jon Bowermaster Writer/Filmmaker, Oceans 8 Films/ One Ocean Media Foundation

My interest has long been the relationship between man and the planet’s one ocean. More than four billion people live within a stone’s throw of the ocean, so what happens to it affects them immediately, daily, whether pollution, more frequent storms, or rising sea levels. I think the best way to protect the ocean is to encourage people onto it and into it. The more familiar people are with the ecosystem that lives below the surface—invisible until you’re actually in the ocean—the more likely they are to do what they can to protect it. oceans8films.com | jonbowermaster.com

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Ocean Heroes

Malin Frick Environmental Educator/ Conservationist, WildAware

I love sharks. Sharks have been around for 450 million years and are the elders of the oceans. They are evolved to perfection and are essential for the ocean’s ecosystem. Humans kill more than one hundred million sharks annually for shark fin soup, as bycatch, and for fish and chips. Without sharks as an apex predator, the ocean’s ecosystems will collapse and die. And if the oceans die, we die. So, aren’t sharks worth saving? Say no to shark fin soup, ask if your fish and chips is flake (shark), and be the voice for the voiceless. Photo: Jake Lloyd Jones wildaware.com | nonswsharkcull.net

Margaret Leinen, Ph.D.

Director, Scripps Institution of Oceanography Vice Chancellor for Marine Sciences, UC San Diego

I am passionate about the capability of science to provide real solutions to the extraordinary challenges that face the oceans. The most important thing we can do to save the oceans is to know for each of these challenges: what we are facing, how fast it will happen, and how it is caused. sio.ucsd.edu

“ Choices we make about our consumption will determine the quality of life we have in the future.

”

Shari Sant Plummer President, Code Blue Foundation

A healthy ocean ecosystem is essential to the health of the entire planet and necessary to human survival. I work with scientists, photographers, and filmmakers to inspire a global ocean conservation movement. We are in a race to educate humans about their own vulnerability and their dependence on something many have never seen. Choices we make about our consumption will determine the quality of life we have in the future. Wildlife and wild systems that keep the planet functioning are essential for human survival. We need a paradigm shift in the way we relate to the natural world around us, especially the ocean. Photo: Sylvia Earle codebluefoundation.org

—SHARI SANT PLUMMER

Mariasole Bianco President, Worldrise

I am a passionate change-maker for the ocean. I am committed to providing my passion and expertise to implement inspiring solutions for marine conservation and facilitate involvement and professional empowerment for young marine conservationists. My passion is the heart of my enthusiasm and dedication. To save the ocean we need to fully acknowledge the role that the ocean plays as our life supporting system, establish and effectively manage areas where it can recover, and invest in the professional empowerment of the future conservation leaders. We can save the ocean, we just need to act. worldrise.org

ORIGINMAGAZINE.COM 47

ocean heroes What are you passionate about? What can we do to save the oceans?

Martha Shaw CEO/Founder, Earth Advertising

While working at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, I realized that the Earth needed representation. So we started an ad agency and took on the biggest client in the world. This meant working with businesses to reduce their impact on the ocean, water, air, and soil. I like coming up with new ways to communicate that create win-win scenarios. Inspire the public with stories, music, poems, books, photos, films, art, cartoons, theater, and magazine articles like this one that showcase the magnificent intelligence of the ocean and its inhabitants. Everyone can be an ocean hero, and that’s how many people it’s going to take! Photo: Martha Shaw earthadvertising.com

Nancy Knowlton

Sant Chair Marine Science, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian

Richard Vevers

Founder, Underwater Earth Executive Director, XL Catlin Seaview Survey

I watched the coral reefs that I studied as a student vanish in the blink of an eye, and for decades I wrote and spoke of ocean obituaries. But big scary problems without solutions lead to apathy, not action. Today I scour the world for stories of Ocean Optimism.

My passion is developing disruptive ideas that can tackle the biggest environmental issue we have ever faced: the issue of Ocean Change, which few people are even aware of. Our team invented technology that allows people to explore the oceans virtually for the first time ever. This technology is making Ocean Change plainly visible for all to see and understand.

Most of the damage suffered by the ocean up until now has been caused by local insults— overfishing, pollution, and destruction of habitats. If we tackle these problems now, we buy ourselves time to work on climate change. Small steps taken by many people in their backyards add up.

To save the oceans, we need to embrace technology and work with big business to find the hidden opportunity that comes with every big issue. Creative thinking can solve any issue, even one of this magnitude. Photo: Jayne Jenkins xlcatlinseaviewsurvey.com | underwaterearth.org

Photo: Robin Weiner ocean.si.edu

“ I watched the coral reefs that I studied as a student vanish in the blink of an eye, and for decades I wrote and spoke of ocean obituaries. But big scary problems without solutions lead to apathy, not action.

”

—NANCY KNOWLTON

Michelle Pugh Founder/Owner, Dive Experience

My appreciation of the ocean through art has been a lifelong love. When I was a child in Ireland, my family vacationed on the coast. My fascination with sea life grew as I explored the rich tide pools and painted shore scenes with my mother. Those two activities in concert forever wed science and art together for me.

Thirty-eight years ago, I came to St. Croix to teach diving for a few months and never left. Diving is a way to show people that reefs are worth protecting and the ocean needs our help. When you dive up to three times every day, you have a unique perspective. From that springs responsibility. I like to inspire divers to help protect what they have traveled so far to see.

The oceans need more champions who will promote the creation of more marine protected areas (MPAs) around the globe. We must establish more strongly linked networks of MPAs and nations working together to build a life-sustaining system of sanctuaries across the seas.

If we start locally to preserve our underwater resources, we can spread it worldwide. My next step is to have plastics banned from the island. Can you imagine a world without plastic pollution?

neaq.org

divexp.com

Nigella Hillgarth, Ph.D. President/CEO, New England Aquarium

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photo: Hugo van Lawick / National Geographic Society 50 ORIGINMAGAZINE.COM

Dr. Jane Goodall, DBE Legendary Conservationist

On Empathizing with Animals and Touching Peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hearts Interview by Lauren Kearney

ORIGINMAGAZINE.COM 51

Dr. Jane Goodall, DBE Jane Goodall: I went to a conference where all chimpanzee field researchers came together, and some from non-invasive captive research. Shocked to see how forests were being destroyed across Africa and chimpanzee numbers were plummeting due to habitat destruction, snares, and the bushmeat trade. Some live animal trade too. Also saw secretly filmed footage of chimps in lab research. Left the conference as an activist. LK: How did you learn to be a graceful, but powerful, activist? JG: I had a wonderful mother, who was a great example. And it is just the way I am. LK: Animals are exploited in every possible way—for experimentation, for entertainment, for food, for fashion. Which area of animal suffering needs the most attention right now? JG: They all need attention, and fortunately different people get inspired to take up different issues. LK: Do you believe there is a way we can make the meat industry more ethical and humane with the ever-growing population? JG: We have to create more and more vegetarians, and help people to understand that it is not only the suffering of the animals (which is what made me vegetarian) but also the incredible harm to the environment, the tremendous amount of greenhouse gas created by the whole vast machinery of intensive animal farming. LK: Have you seen a great change in the state of wildlife from when you first started out? JG: I have seen horrendous changes. Just in East Africa alone, the situation is totally different from when I first went there in 1957. LK: Why do you think some people genuinely don’t care about our wildlife and our environment? JG: One reason is that children don’t get outside into nature enough. Another is ignorance, lack of understanding. Some don’t want to understand. Some people actually do not like animals—hard for me to understand, but true. Many are not concerned because

they feel it does not affect them, so why should they waste time caring. They do not understand the interconnectedness of life on Earth and how we are destroying our own future on the planet. LK: What would you say to those people who have no interest in our world? Is there a way we can persuade them to change their attitude? JG: The only way is to try to reach their hearts, and I find this works through storytelling. LK: Do you have any advice for young activists on how they can be the most effective? JG: Become as knowledgeable as possible. Realize that change—whilst we want it to happen fast—is usually the result of a great deal of work, and often comes as a result of a series of compromises (so long as we do not compromise our values). Never be arrogant or abrasive. Treat your opponent respectfully if they really and truly believe they are right. And, as I’ve said, you have to try and suss them out, find what matters to them, and reach the heart. And never give up.

”

Lauren Kearney: How did your journey start?

Animals are as deserving of a place on this planet as we are, and the difference between us is that humans have a voice they can use to help the animal cause, and it is up to all of us to use it to make a positive difference!

”

LK: It’s easy for us in the Western world to care about the bushmeat trade, but what about those living in poverty in Africa who are starving to death? Why should they care and what will it take for them to understand the consequences of their actions? JG: The Jane Goodall Institute in

Africa—Congo and Tanzania—is trying not only to ensure all bushmeat hunters are tracked and punished, but also to change the attitude of people—what they eat, what they understand about the forests and wildlife, what their children care about. We work with governments so this illegal practice stops and captured chimps and other wildlife are confiscated from markets, private properties, etc. Then the chimps come to our sanctuaries, where we teach them how to survive in the wild, how to trust humans. By educating people and offering them alternative options for making money to support their families, we hope that soon enough the bushmeat trade will be stopped or at least reduced on a considerably big level. LK: Corruption seems to be feeding the illegal wildlife trade. What politically or legally must be done to stop the illegal wildlife trade? JG: There is a lot of corruption all over the world and not only when it comes to illegal wildlife trade! There are a few ways to ensure this stops: If there are no customers, there will be no trade. If harsher laws are put in place, less will dare to break them. The more we spread the word, the further it will go and more it will change! LK: A lot of animal cruelty comes about through a lack of empathy towards animals. Can you explain the emotional difference between animals and human beings? JG: I believe sharing stories and experiences is the best way to teach people to empathize! There are many people out there (me being one of them) who can vouch that animals have feelings; they feel compassion and love, as well as pain! Sometimes even children will teach their parents, via having a pet and realizing it has changed the life of everyone in the family in a unique way! I think the most important thing to do is to be willing to listen, willing to care, and willing to admit mistakes and change your ways for the better! Humans have brains that can ask higher levels of questions and react accordingly, and most animals are only directed by their instinct! Animals are as deserving of a place on this planet as we are, and the difference between us is that humans have a voice they can use to help the animal cause, and it is up to all of us to use it to make a positive difference!

photo: Morten Bjarnhof / GANT 52 ORIGINMAGAZINE.COM

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Top

ADVENTURE CREATIVES T h e y D o c u m e n t, C a p t u r e , a n d C r e at e B e a u t y t o I n s p i r e A c ti o n a n d C h a n g e .

T h e y U s e A r t t o I n f o r m a n d P r o t e c t, Gi v i n g a G r e at e r V o i c e t o E n d a n g e r e d S p e c i e s , I n di g e n o u s P e o p l e s , T h r e at e n e d L a n d , a n d t h e O c e a n s . C o n s e r vat i o n i s t s . P h o t o g r a p h e r s . F i l m m a k e r s . A d v e n t u r e r s . A r t i s t s . Sc i e n t i s t s . E x p l o r e r s . PHOTO: Cristina Mit termeier

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T O P A D VEN T URE C REA T IVES

Andy Maser Emmy Award-winning Director/Director of Photography Freelance for National Geographic, PBS, World Wildlife Fund, and brands

I came to film from a recreational background. I grew up playing on mountains and in rivers and developed a love for those places. Over the years I’ve grown to be passionate about protecting the places that I love to play. I feel like that’s a level that everyone on Earth can connect on— we all love to play! My passion is producing film that taps into that basic joy and inspires people to action.

Pete McBride Photographer/Filmmaker, Pete McBride Productions

Photo: Pete Mather andymaser.com

[

“My passion is producing film that taps into that basic joy and inspires people to action.” — AN D Y MASER

]

Working as one who conveys stories through visuals—photography and film—I am always inspired to capture those rare, fleeting moments that pass so quickly, but often etch upon our memories permanently. Imagery, however, is just a tool to share what “carries my blood”—my late grandfather’s term for passion. The stories of wild places and things—those that still exist and those that have been lost—rivers, forests, elusive wildlife, and courageous friends are what truly move my soul. Photo: Pete McBride petemcbride.com

Morgan Heim Conservation Photographer + Filmmaker, Day’s Edge Productions

Every time I pick up a camera, it is for one purpose—to capture a moment in an animal’s life that will make us consider what that life means. Inevitably, their stories intertwine with ours. How we treat them. Why we need them. What we love or hate about them. Their lives are more dynamic than anything we could imagine. I want to share how much that matters. They are the greatest thing that ever lived. Photo: Nathan Dappen / Day’s Edge Productions morganheim.com daysedge.com

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T O P A D VEN T URE C REA T IVES

Nicolas Brown Adventure/Conservation Filmmaker

Storyteller & Explorer, words | pictures | action + Amazon Watch

My passion is our beautiful planet and all the wonderful wildlife living here with us. We must never forget that humans are just another animal species. We have the potential to destroy so much of the world—especially when we act mindlessly. But we equally have the potential to preserve and protect our planet. For me storytelling is a way of inspiring people. I want other people to care about the wild as much as I do.

Photographer working to shake the world awake through storytelling in the Amazon and beyond.

Photo: Ami Vitale passion-pictures.com

Caroline Bennett

What role should indigenous knowledge and practices play in confronting our greatest modern challenges like climate change? I’m wild about leveraging the immense power of visual storytelling to bring critical voices from Earth’s last wilds to global conversations, decision makers, and the world in a way that connects us as fellow humans and spurs action to protect this planet that we share. We are at the crossroads of a digital revolution and a values-driven era with an amazing opportunity for photoactivism! Photo: Courtesy Amazon Watch carolinebennett.com | amazonwatch.org

Robert Clyse Jackson Independent Filmmaker

reates short documentary films to preserve history C and inform the future. I have a lot of passions,but most of them see the light of day through the process of creating short documentary-style films. The process of developing a strong relationship with a subject or location; earning unparalleled access into that person’s life or location’s nuances; waking up each morning feeling invigorated by the opportunity to share an important story that deserves magnification to the greater world. For these reasons and many more, my work is my paramount passion. Photo: Didrik Johnck robertclysejackson.com

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“We have the potential to destroy so much of the world—especially when we act mindlessly. —nicolas brown

T O P A D VEN T URE C REA T IVES

Cristina Mittermeier Conservation photographer Executive Director, Sea Legacy

Her photography focuses on the fragile intersection between indigenous people and nature. My passions lie in places where the beauty and frailty of our planet’s natural and cultural wonders best shine. I roam the world searching for ways to protect things that are irreplaceable and whose disappearance would be a tragedy, whether we are aware of it or not. From languages to traditions and from wildlife to habitats, the gift of creativity and the ability to communicate are the vehicles I use to express those passions. Photo: Cristina Mittermeier sealegacy.org

“I roam the world searching for ways to protect things that are irreplaceable and whose disappearance would be a tragedy, whether we are aware of it or not.” — c r i s ti n a m itt e r m e i e r

Chelsea Richer Independent Filmmaker

reates documentary films promoting the well-being C of our environment and humanity. It is part of our original human equation to embed ourselves in the roots and reflections of wilderness. My passion is creating documentaries to encourage that. While I do not think that watching scenery on a monitor brings the same benefits as physically being outside, I do believe that powerful imagery plays a vital role in driving people to seek out nature. And, when people return to the great outdoors, they are more inspired to protect our precious resources. Photo: Robert Clyse Jackson chelsearicher.com

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Jenny Nichols Filmmaker, Pongo Media

The moment (when watching your film) the audience utters in unison “ah-ha!” The “ah-ha” moment as a filmmaker is when you succeed in making connections, communicating a message, appealing to your audience’s values, engaging. That’s why I’m passionate about showing subjects in a way that re-engages or re-defines, communicating science, culture, and conservation through film. Bringing stories to people who may otherwise assume they are not interested in the subject or irrelevant to the solution. Photo: Joe Riis / Elk River pongomediaproductions.com

- JN -

Ethan Welty Conservation and adventure photographer

Joanna Nasar

Environmental scientist Urban foraging evangelist

I’m passionate about t elling stories that make people fall madly in love with the ocean like I have.I see the power of those stories every day working at Turtle Island. For instance, we got American Airlines to stop shipping shark fins and halted efforts to take away protections for Hawaiian sea turtles simply because our community heard our story and then took action by giving or signing a petition. I’m passionate about telling stories that create an upwelling of support for our oceans.

I am passionate about the Earth’s wild beauty and the diversity of human experience, the overarching themes I seek to celebrate and share through my photography. My research tackles the underlying questions of sustainability and change—How quickly are glaciers retreating? How do we encourage energy-efficient behavior? As the world population grows, and people migrate to cities, I have wondered: just how much food can we possibly grow in a city?

Photo: Laurent Guezou seaturtles.org catinwater.wordpress.com

Photo: Obadiah Reid weltyphotography.com fallingfruit.org

Filmmaker. Director of Communications at Turtle Island Restoration Network

This badass works to protect our oceans and wildlife by telling stories that inspire action.

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Metropolis Multiplied Interview: Paul D. Miller AKA DJ Spooky

Daniel Libeskind’s

Vision of 21st centur y architecture at Ground Zero Image: Michael Arad & Peter Walker

n a world where architecture has become one of the most important fields facing how we think about the future of cities in response to climate change, overpopulation, and the ever shifting sands of geopolitics, Daniel Libeskind is one of America’s premier practitioners of architecture and urban planning. ORIGIN Magazine caught up with him to dialog about his visions on art, design, and the future of architecture and urban planning. Paul D. Miller: You’ve always done this kind of hand-drawn aesthetic that’s—for me at least—very lyrical. Going to Ground Zero and some of the politics of urban design, what are some of your thoughts now for the next couple years? Daniel Libeskind: The truth is, the way you write music, it’s a code. It has to be very precise. It’s scientific, but ultimately it also depends on interpretation. It’s very similar to how you grow a master plan: it’s an objective document, but at the same time it is a lyrical document which allows through interpretation to become a harmonious work of art. Of course, on the large scale at Ground Zero, it’s just like a performance of an orchestra. No composer or even conductor is visible on the stage playing an instrument; it is

LIBESKIND.COM 60 ORIGINMAGAZINE.COM

really presenting the score to be able to have a performance and be objectively played by others, and that’s exactly what Ground Zero is. It started with a drawing, a series of drawings, a model, and now it’s actually on the way. You can hear the resonance. You can see. You can walk through some of the spaces.

architect of each of the elements, I present a kind of score for other architects to be able to follow and create an element of design that is very sensitive to the memorial, to streets where there’s shopping and busy life, and to create a balance between memory and the future.

Not all of it is completed, but it’s a work in progress. I think as it gets completed—and it will be completed—you will see that all of the elements that were so important to me are, of course, not only spatial and urbanistic elements, but symbolic elements, lyrical elements, elements of the unexpected, which will be part of that new neighborhood which will be so central to this great city.

Because I think at the core of my design—and I think that’s very important—is that you can’t shift New York to a minor register after this event. You cannot suddenly make Lower Manhattan into a sad place because we saw such a dramatic loss of life. You have to balance the memory, which is so important, and use it as a kind of Archimedean Point to create a lively, incredibly interesting, and culturally significant piece of a city and neighborhood.

PDM: One of the questions I always wanted to ask you is: What do you think about material? Everyone has so many options now at every level. What becomes part of your repertoire? DL: Well it’s extremely important, because ultimately architecture is real. You have to open a door, you have to be able to enter a place, you have to have a street, you have to have a scape; you have to have a physical support for your meditation, for your work, for your imagination. As someone who has worked for so many years on Ground Zero, I also wrote the directions for how to materialize it. Where are the entrances? How is the quality? Even though I’m not the

PDM: If you were going to offer advice to a young architect starting now, because our economy has changed, the materials have changed, and everything is digital, do you have any advice or parting shots for anybody? DL: Don’t look at the superficial success, at the short-term success. Look at the deep spiritual questions that architecture has to answer. Who do you build for? Where? What should you build? Be innovative. Don’t listen to the tried and tested wisdom. Take a risk! Young people have the advantage because they have their whole lives open to be astonished.

Daniel Libeskind

Photo: Bitter Bredt

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AREDAY SUMMIT. AS P EN . AUGUST

8-13

rockstars environmental

MAVERICKS

W h at i s y o u r g r e at e s t c o n c e r n f o r t h e e n v i r o n m e n t, a n i m a l s , o r s o c i e t y ?

W h at d o w e d o ?

Sylvia A. Earle, Ph.D. Founder, Sylvia Earle Alliance & Mission Blue

Laura Turner Seydel Chairperson, Captain Planet Foundation Atlanta, Georgia

As co-founder of Mothers & Others for Clean Air, a program of the American Lung Association, I’m deeply concerned about the effects carbon pollution has on the health of the most vulnerable—our children. The EPA’s Clean Power Plan is critically important as it will set sensible limits on CO2 and other harmful pollutants from power plants, ultimately cleaning our air. Tell your elected officials you support the EPA’s plan. captainplanetfoundation.org | mothersandothersforcleanair.org

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Malibu, California Oceanographer. Explorer. Author. Lecturer. Time Magazine Hero for the Planet.

Ignorance is the biggest problem of all for the ocean—and for many other things as well. Knowledge is the key to making a difference. It isn’t too late to shift from the swift, sharp decline of ocean systems in recent decades to an era of steady recovery. There is time, and there is a growing awareness, which is the best way to counter indifference. People who know might care. Photo: Todd Brown mission-blue.org

Founder, Under the Canopy & MetaWear Organic President, Portico Brands New York, New York ECOfashion Pioneer. Serial ECOpreneur. Global Changemaker & Sustainable Lifestyle Expert.

My greatest concern is that we are polluting the home we depend on while compromising human and planetary health and future generations. We need to make smart choices that support organic and sustainable food, fiber, and other lifestyle products. It is essential that we collaborate and connect with each other as we all live together “under the canopy” of the planet’s ecosystem. marcizaroff.com | underthecanopy.com

Leilani Munter

Louie Psihoyos

Race Car Driver. Environmental Activist. Carbon Free Girl

Director, Racing Extinction Executive Director, Oceanic Preservation Society (OPS)

Charlotte, North Carolina

Boulder, Colorado

Never underestimate a vegan hippie chick with a race car.

Academy Award-winning Documentary Filmmaker. Former National Geographic Photographer.

Our planet is currently undergoing a mass extinction of species called the Anthropocene—the Age of Man. Half of all species on Earth could disappear by the end of the century because of our collective impact. The single most impactful thing you can do today is adopt a more plant-based diet. A vegetarian driving a Hummer emits less carbon than a meat eater on a bicycle.

Climate change is my greatest concern. Charles Darwin said, “It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is the most adaptable to change.” Our generation must fulfill the most noble of duties by ensuring the survival of future generations through the most basic of survival mechanisms— adaptation. Make your next car electric, put solar panels on your roof, and go vegan.

racingextinction.com | opsociety.org

“H a l f o f a l l s p e c i e s o n E a r t h c o u l d di s a p p e a r b y t h e e n d o f t h e c e n t u ry b e c au s e o f o u r c o l l e c ti v e i m pa c t.

Photo: carbonfreegirl.com carbonfreegirl.com

”

—Louie Psihoyos

“O u r g e n e r ati o n m u s t fulfill the most noble o f d u ti e s b y e n s u r i n g t h e s u r v i va l o f f u t u r e g e n e r ati o n s t h r o u g h t h e m o s t b a s i c o f s u r v i va l m e c h a n i s m s — a d a p tati o n .

”

—Leilani munter

AREDAY.NET

Stefanie Spear Founder and CEO, EcoWatch Cleveland, Ohio

My greatest concern for future generations is in regards to a warming planet. Though strides are being made, I don’t believe world leaders will act fast enough. As world leaders prepare for the climate talks in Paris, they should take heed of Bloomberg’s New Energy Outlook 2015 that says, “Despite the surge of renewables, CO2 power-sector emissions will rise 13 percent by 2040 and CO2 content of the atmosphere is on course to exceed 450 ppm by 2035.” Clearly, stronger policy action on emissions will be needed. ecowatch.com

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ECO ROCKSTARS. ENVIRONMENTAL MAVERICKS.

Marci Zaroff

ECO ROCKSTARS. ENVIRONMENTAL MAVERICKS. W h at i s y o u r g r e at e s t c o n c e r n f o r t h e e n v i r o n m e n t, a n i m a l s , o r s o c i e t y ? W h at d o w e d o ?

Carrie Besnette Hauser, Ph.D.

President & CEO, Colorado Mountain College Glenwood Springs, Colorado

Only a well-educated populace can face the future’s environmental and social challenges. Educated citizens are critical thinkers and better stewards of their communities and our Earth. In this post-recession world, employers demand bettereducated workers. By 2020, 75 percent of jobs in Colorado will require a post-secondary credential. But, nationally, 20 to 60 percent of high school graduates are not ready for college. Colleges need to partner with K-12 schools to close this gap. Photo: David Clifford coloradomtn.edu

Robert Styler President and Co-founder, Powur.com Encinitas, California Innovated world's first residential solar lease sales model in 2005.

Sally Jewell Coxe

Founder & President, Bonobo Conservation Initiative Democratic Republic of Congo & Washington, DC

My passion is saving the endangered bonobo and the Congo rainforest. Bonobos are humankind’s closest relatives, sharing almost 99 percent of our DNA. Peaceful, matriarchal, and bisexual, bonobos “make love, not war” by sharing resources, rather than fighting over them like chimpanzees and humans do. Besides teaching us a lot about ourselves, bonobos play a critical role in maintaining and protecting the world’s second largest rainforest, essential for mitigating climate change and sustaining all life on Earth. Photo: Michael Hurley bonobo.org

We have the solutions. We need distribution. Jigar Shah, the founder of SunEdison, called me with a mission: “We need to get ten trillion dollars of clean-tech products to market in ten years. You should build the sales network.” Two years later, we decentralized the production of energy through solar and the creation of wealth through our innovative network of Powur advocates. Our greatest renewable energy is the human spirit. Photo: Jack Leishman powur.com

Peter Hans Ward “O u r g r e at e s t r e n e wa b l e energy is the h u m a n s p i r it.

”

—ROBERT STYLER

AREDAY.NET

64 ORIGINMAGAZINE.COM

Special Projects, American Renewable Energy Institute Carbondale, Colorado Entrepreneur. Climate activist. Chef. Part-time ski bum.

My greatest concern is that the status quo will remain unchanged and global citizens will continue to be overshadowed at the expense of unsustainable and destructive corporate interests. As our world becomes more globalized, it is crucial that we start looking and listening to our neighbors, communities, and local leaders for solutions that address our carbon use and the implementation of renewable energy systems. Know your farmers, know your food. Photo: Peter Hans Ward humbleplum.com | areday.net

Sturman Industries Initiative Woodland Park, Colorado

High-tech innovation leaders responsible for Sturman Industries and over 100 patents.

There is a need to establish near-term environmental balance and address fossil fuels and high-power electric line EMF generating emissions and cancer. We recommend replacing “analog” motion and fluid controls with “digital” transforms equipment. This facilitates ultra-efficient operation of any equipment, including mobile and stationary engines using carbon-free and bio fuels, wind, and solar and their practical energy storage, water supply, and use. It’s green, clean, and requires up to ten thousand times less energy! sturmanindustries.com

Diana Dehm

Sustainability Radio Host Founder, Trash On Your Back 5-Day Challenge Los Angeles, California Founded a global radio platform for people to share sustainable solutions.

Leaving a sustainable planet for our next generation is our greatest challenge and the greatest collective opportunity for our nation. We have the capacity and the brainpower to innovate, educate, activate, and re-imagine our way to our sustainable planet. We can either get on board or be left behind. With innovations in energy, water, waste, and food, we can crack the code on renewability and sustainability while having fun and making conservation sexy! snetoday.com | trashonyourback.com

Greg Reitman

Film Director/Producer/Activist, Blue Water Entertainment Santa Monica, California Blue Water Entertainment produces films that transform the world.

Ginna Kelly

President, Climb for Conservation New Haven, Connecticut Founder and president of the nonprofit Climb for Conservation, Inc.

I am deeply concerned about the sixth mass extinction. In less than one hundred years, over half of all species on Earth may be extinct. Rates are up to one hundred times higher than normal. A sixth mass extinction would rival the last catastrophe when the dinosaurs died sixty-five million years ago. My goal with Climb for Conservation is to inspire climbers to raise awareness and funds to save critically endangered species.

If we are to transform the world, we must first begin by transforming ourselves. Trees ask us to examine how we live in the natural world, with one another, and intrapersonally. If we value ourselves, we value trees; if we treat our environment right, we treat ourselves right. We are each a microcosm; if each of our individual worlds is in balance, the whole planet is in balance. Change begins within: the world is as you are. Photo: Ron Rinaldi bluewatercompany.com | gregreitman.com

climbforconservation.org

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Eddie & Carol Sturman

ECO ROCKSTARS. ENVIRONMENTAL MAVERICKS. W h at i s y o u r g r e at e s t c o n c e r n f o r t h e e n v i r o n m e n t, a n i m a l s , o r s o c i e t y ? W h at d o w e d o ?

Stephen Katsaros CEO, Nokero International Denver, Colorado Mechanical Engineer. Inventor. Patent Agent.

I invented Nokero—a solar light bulb—to improve life for the 1.3 billion people who burn kerosene for light. Emissions from kerosene lamps hurt humans and the environment. Nokero’s lights harness sunlight to provide clean, affordable, and safe light at night. To date, we have sold 1.3 million lights across 120 countries, saving tens of millions of dollars and providing millions of hours of light in the world’s poorest countries.

“ C l i m at e c h a n g e t h r e at e n s a l l t h at w e l o v e , s o w e h av e a r e s p o n s ibi l it y t o a c t.

Photo: Nokero International, Ltd. nokero.com

”

—CHLOE MAXMIN

Chip Comins

Chairman & CEO, American Renewable Energy Institute President, American Spirit Productions Founder, AREDAY

My greatest concern is that we will not transition from fossil fuels to sustainable strategies in time to alleviate the deepest impacts of the sixth great extinction. We are now on the verge of a revolution in planetary systems, both physical and technological, that will ensure the survival of not only the human species but most of the myriad species that now exist on Mother Earth. At AREI we advocate for rapid implementation of renewable energy and energy-efficient strategies at the necessary speed and scale to solve the environmental and economic crises. areday.net

Mona Newton

Executive Director, Community Office for Resource Efficiency (CORE) Aspen, Colorado Executive Director of CORE in Aspen and Carbondale, Colorado.

Chloe Maxmin

Founder of Divest Harvard & First Here, Then Everywhere Maine Youth climate activist.

Climate change threatens all that we love, so we have a responsibility to act. This is why I call for a “radical now,” not a radical future. We must live the values that we believe in order to create a different world and different forms of power. A part of this “radical now” includes divesting from fossil fuels, withdrawing moral and financial support from an industry that drives the climate crisis. Photo: Marti Stone firstheretheneverywhere.org | gofossilfree.org

AREDAY.NET 66 ORIGINMAGAZINE.COM

My greatest concern is the lack of action to price carbon emissions in the U.S. and around the globe. Let’s enact a fee and dividend on carbon. If we pay societal and environmental costs of carbon and disburse those fees back to households, we will steadily choose solutions that will reduce carbon emissions and create innumerable benefits. CORE’s Energy Smart Program uses payments for carbon emissions and provides incentives for building improvements. aspencore.org | energysmartcolorado.com

Analyst, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research Potsdam, Germany Analyzes water security, climate change, and migration in South Asia.

I wonder how our children’s generation will look back on us. Will they ask why we allowed the violence of climate change to unfold when we still had the chance to make a difference? Our energy systems will undoubtedly transition to renewable sources. The crucial factor is time. If we want to avoid the raft of climate risks, CO2 emissions reductions need to happen now. Photo: Brian Clopp / photograph.me pik-potsdam.de

Michael Bennet

U.S. Senator for Colorado Pragmatic, Innovative, and Independent Thinker Committed to Conservation.

Colorado’s majestic landscapes are one of our most valuable assets, and it’s important that we work to preserve these treasures. Our office has successfully supported community efforts to protect areas like the Hermosa Creek Watershed and the Roan Plateau. We’ve also championed the creation of national, state, and local parks through the Land and Water Conservation Fund. We’ll keep working with local partners to preserve these lands for future generations. bennet.senate.gov

William Robert “Bob” Irvin President and CEO, American Rivers Washington, DC President & CEO of American Rivers. Avid fly fisherman.

Healthy, flowing rivers are the lifeblood of our communities. As I fish, I see firsthand that too many rivers have been dammed, diverted, and destroyed, with high costs for people, fish, and wildlife. We must manage water in ways that recognize the value of healthy rivers and ensure balance among water users. We’ve proven that when stakeholders build trust and work together, we can achieve solutions that work for everyone. Photo: Krista Schlyer americanrivers.org

Mark Herrema CEO, Newlight Technologies Irvine, California Combining air with greenhouse gases to produce carbon-capturing AirCarbon.

I am most concerned by climate change. We cannot be intimidated by the size of the problems we face. Problems start small, and solutions start small. But small things become big things. Photo: Newlight Technologies newlight.com

“A s I f i s h , I s e e f i r s t h a n d t h at t o o m a n y r i v e r s h av e b e e n d a m m e d , di v e r t e d , a n d d e s t r o y e d , w it h h i g h c o s t s f o r people, fish, and wildlife.

”

—william robert “bob” irvin

AREDAY.NET

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Kira Vinke

ECO ROCKSTARS. ENVIRONMENTAL MAVERICKS. W h at i s y o u r g r e at e s t c o n c e r n f o r t h e e n v i r o n m e n t, a n i m a l s , o r s o c i e t y ? W h at d o w e d o ?

Jonathan Granoff

“If we don’t confront c l i m at e c h a n g e , we won’t end p o v e r t y. I t ’ s t h at s i m p l e .

President, Global Security Institute New York, New York

Attorney. Author. Professor. International Peace Advocate, Activist, and Practitioner.

Ask yourself every day: Is my love alive, true, generous, and open? How can I bring love into action? Ask every politician and leader: What are your plans to end poverty? What are your plans to protect the climate? What are your plans to eliminate nuclear weapons? To answer these correctly is to bring love into action.

”

Photo: Michael Collopy gsinstitute.org

—RACHEL KYTE

Graciela Chichilnisky CEO & Co-founder, Global Thermostat New York, New York

To survive, humans need food, water, and air. Yet biodiversity, the Earth’s bodies of water, and the planet’s atmosphere are all under threat. We are in the midst of the sixth largest extinction event on Earth. Our species’ survival is at risk due to our own actions. We need a transformation of the world economy and of how we use and share the Earth’s resources. We are running out of time. We are truly at the point of no return. globalthermostat.com | chichilnisky.com

Richard C. Goodwin

Founder, Goodwin Foundation Snowmass Village, Colorado

Rachel Kyte

Vice President and Special Envoy for Climate Change, World Bank Group Washington, DC Oversees work on climate change adaptation, mitigation, and climate finance.

My greatest concern for the environment is for us all to deal with the ultimate global problem—combatting the impact of climate change. But it’s not just an environmental challenge. It’s really a fundamental threat to development in our lifetime. If nothing’s done, then we’re on track for temperature rises, which will put people’s lives at risk. If we don’t confront climate change, we won’t end poverty. It’s that simple. worldbank.org/climate

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Goodwin Foundation supports over 100 organizations and Middle East peace.

We all know about global warming and its effect on climate change. The degradation of our environment is my major concern. Global warming and its effect on climate change are devastating. Most of the warming trend is human-induced and rapidly proceeding. We all need to take action by driving smarter cars and retrofitting our buildings to take advantage of free solar energy. It’s the patriotic thing to do. Photo: Lisa R. Dresback mepdn.org

Co-founder, WECAN Mill Valley, California Co-founder and Executive Director, Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network ( WECAN).

The climate crisis is urgent, with a very small time window to take bold action. It makes no sense to try to protect the Earth and heal damaged ecosystems by further subjecting Nature to the very systems, like our current economic structure, that caused the damage in the first place. We need systemic change and the courage to change everything about how we are living with each other and the Earth. Photo: Gabriele Schwibach wecaninternational.org

Abby Stern Program Manager, AREDAY

Andrew Behar

Aspen, Colorado

CEO, As You Sow

24-year-old environmental engineer, yogini, and climate activist.

Oakland, California Leads NGO dedicated to increasing environmental and social corporate responsibility.

My greatest concern is that corporate power will remain out of alignment with the hopes and dreams of the people of planet Earth. We must all take responsibility for everything that we buy, that we do, that we eat. We must all own what we own and not abdicate our power. This shift in consciousness to a multi-generational time-horizon will create a glide-path to an abundant and just future. Photo: Jacquy Aragote / Inner World Films asyousow.org | proxypreview.org

“W e m u s t a l l o w n w h at w e o w n a n d n o t a bdi c at e o u r p o w e r .

”

My generation—the Millennials, born between 1980 and the mid-2000s—is now the largest generation in the U.S. My greatest concern is that we will conduct business and daily life in a similar fashion to our parents and not act at the speed and scale necessary to combat climate change. Solutions arise when groups of like-minded individuals come together. We must educate, collaborate, and collectively speak up to protect our planet. areday.net

—ANDREW BEHAR

“M y g r e at e s t c o n c e r n i s t h at w e w i l l c o n d u c t b u s i n e s s a n d d a i ly l i f e in a similar fashion to o u r pa r e n t s a n d n o t a c t at t h e s p e e d a n d s c a l e n e c e s s a r y t o c o m b at c l i m at e c h a n g e .

”

—ABBY STERN

AREDAY.NET

Garvin Jabusch

Co-founder & Chief Investment Officer, Green Alpha Advisors, LLC Boulder, Colorado Building fossil-free portfolios for the Next Economy. Manager of $NEXTX.

At heart, my approach to investing is simple: don’t invest in causes of global systemic risks, notably fossil fuels, and do invest in solutions to those risks. A stock portfolio is a vision for the future, so my advice when investing is to look at holdings and make sure they both represent the future you believe is emerging economically and reflect the world you want to see. Photo: Lawrence Pritchard greenalphaadvisors.com | blogs.sierraclub.org/gaa

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ORIGIN SERIES:

Same Questions | Different Artists | Powerful Answers

P ow e r Ac t o r

Lela

Loren Getting grounded, sweating it out, and loving yourself I n t erv i ew: C h e lse a Logan

Chelsea Logan: As an actor, you’re always learning a new character. What keeps you inspired? Lela Loren: I think what inspires me or what keeps me inspired is my curiosity. I am—since I was a child—curious about everything. I like to look at how things work and why people are the way they are. I love to ask people questions. I want to know everything about them, even things that may be seemingly socially inappropriate. CL: What has been the biggest lesson that you’ve learned so far in your career? LL: I think the biggest lesson is the common one that gets in the way of most of us as artists—there are these messages in society that if you aren’t hitting certain metrics, then you’re not successful and you’re not valid. The thing is, if you’re going to take the artistic path, you sort of have to make peace with the idea or the possibility that you may never make any money or get any acknowledgment or accolades for what you’re doing. CL: With your busy schedule, what do you do to maintain the balance in your life? LL: I have certain authors I read. There’s this really wonderful author called Clarissa Pinkola Estés. Her stories kind of bring me back to something deeper and a little bit more grounded. I exercise. You get a

little more perspective after you’ve sweated it out a little bit. CL: Tell me about your current project, Power. What can viewers expect to see? LL: If they liked Season One, Season Two definitely ramps it up a notch. The way I describe Season Two is “the season of consequences.” It’s a season of knowledge where people are finding out things. It deals with trust—how you trust people when you have doubt, how you trust people when you know they have differing agendas, and where love exists in all of that.

“If you’re going to take the artistic path, you sort of have to make peace with the idea or the possibility that you may never make any money or get any acknowledgment or accolades for what you’re doing.” CL: That is an excellent segue to my last question: what does love mean to you? LL: Love is still something I’m learning about. I’m learning how to have a healthy form of love, how to make it lasting rather than just have it be a flash in the pan. I’m learning also that as you get older, it’s always a process of self-love, learning how to really do that for yourself instead of trying to find it outside yourself. PHOTO: LELA LOREN

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I n t e rv i e w: B a r bi T w i n s Ac t o r . Ac t i v i s t. Fa s h i o n D e s i g n e r

Alison Eastwood On growing up in a Hollywood family, keeping herself grounded while in the spotlight, and how we can all do our part to help animals in need

Barbi Twins: You’re an accomplished film actor, director, model, and fashion designer, and you come from a famous Hollywood family. What gave you this sincere empathy to help the underdogs, the suffering animals? Alison Eastwood: I’m not sure what gave me empathy for animals, but I do know that I have always loved animals since I was a very young child. I always felt a need to nurture and protect them. Perhaps I could see they needed that, and caring for them made me happy. BT: Who were your role models as a child that made you the animal activist you are today? AE: I grew up in beautiful Carmel, California, and I have extremely sweet parents that always loved nature and animals. They instilled such an appreciation for beauty and kindness that it was inherent. BT: Growing up, what kept you balanced, grounded, and centered? AE: I was fortunate enough not to grow up in Hollywood, so I feel that was a blessing. Being surrounded by nature and animals always kept me grounded and happy. My parents were smart to keep my brother and I away from that nonsense. I do live in the LA area now, but I keep my balance by hiking in the mountains with my dogs and taking trail rides every week on my horse. BT: You’ve become famous for your animal activist work. What is your main message to other animal activists that look up to you? AE: My main message to folks who love animals is that you can do something every day to help them. Even if you have no money or time, per se, you can find ways to contribute on any EASTWOODRANCH.ORG 8 ORIGINMAGAZINE.COM

level: sharing shelter animals on social media, donating old blankets or towels to a local shelter, starting a petition online for an animal cause. Spreading the word about real issues is still helping. Just being conscious of helping animals every day will help guide you to make beneficial decisions for animals. BT: You’ve created your own great organization, the Eastwood Ranch Foundation. Can you tell us a little bit about this organization? How can others support your cause? AE: I started Eastwood Ranch Foundation a few years ago after I developed, co-starred, and produced a show for Nat Geo Wild called Animal Intervention. I always loved animals but when I got to travel the U.S. and see what was really going on in our country, I decided to take action and be a real advocate for them. It’s easy to just see what you want to see in your own comfort bubble, but to really get out there and experience the suffering of animals is an awakening. I had to become proactive and take a stand. BT: What other animal organizations are you involved with that help wildlife, conservation, and our planet? AE: I try to support any and all animal causes or organizations out there if they are good and reputable. Sadly, there are a lot of people and organizations that raise money but don’t do much or don’t have good intentions. I’ve worked with organizations such as Marine Animal Rescue in Southern California. [Director] Peter Wallerstein does great work rescuing sea life along the shores of LA, and I helped raise money for sanctuaries such as Chimp Haven, who are now taking in over two hundred medical lab chimps released from government-funded medical testing labs.

BT: Do you find it difficult as a Hollywood starlet to live “green” in a city that demands luxury? Can you give us some simple green tips that everyone can do to be proactive towards a healthier planet? AE: I always felt that with luxury came cruelty. I do my best to live a happy, prosperous life, but I don’t indulge in a lot of luxury. My husband and I are very mindful of what we eat and what we wear. I don’t visit places that exploit animals or buy things that are derived from cruelty. I’m sure I’m not perfect, but I make a conscious effort to do no harm and always support people, places, or things that are on the up-and-up. BT: Tell us about your TV projects involving animals, as well as the other projects that we can all look forward to. AE: I’m working on a few TV shows right now that involve animals and animal welfare, but I can’t go into the details at the moment. Stay tuned! BT: What do you want Alison Eastwood to be most remembered for? AE: I’d like to be remembered for being a good-hearted soul that left this planet better than I found it. Alison Eastwood is a actor, fashion designer, and activist, to name a few. She has appeared in a number of films with her father, Clint Eastwood, including Absolute Power and Tightrope, for which she received a Young Artist Award nomination. She also focuses her time on supporting animal causes, most notably through the Eastwood Ranch Foundation in Southern California.

PHOTOS: VOLKER FLECK

“It’s easy to just see what you want to see in your own comfort bubble, but to really get out there and experience the suffering of animals is an awakening.”

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ORIGIN SERIES:

Same Questions | Different Artists | Powerful Answers

Interview: Robert Piper H a r t o f D i x i e A CTOR

Karla Mosley On dealing with an eating disorder, learning from her mistakes, and how cats make for excellent cuddlers

Robert Piper: What inspires you? Karla Mosley: I’m most inspired by people who are doing what they love in a big, loud way. And big and loud doesn’t always have to be big and loud. Sometimes these people can appear as a quiet storm, but in their full expression everyone feels the impact. RP: What is the hardest obstacle you’ve had to overcome in your life? KM: I battled an eating disorder in my younger years and still feel the remnants of that experience. Ultimately, for me, I had an underlying belief or fear that I’m not enough as I am. Sometimes I discover those kinds of thoughts still lurking in my subconscious, and the best thing I can do is show up anyway. Wear the bathing suit, perform the challenging scene, love myself and others more. RP: How do you stay healthy? KM: As a notorious multi-tasker, I love exercise that serves several purposes. I ride my bike to work, do yoga to relax, and go out dancing to get my booty-shaking on! RP: How do you deal with overcoming failure? KM: I don’t think failure is to be overcome as much as it is to be learned from. When I fail or make a mistake, I ask myself what lesson I was supposed to learn or how I can show up differently next time. But first, I might let myself cry, listen to a podcast, and cuddle with someone. Anyone. Cats are great for that. AMMOTHEATER.COM 10 ORIGINMAGAZINE.COM

RP: What projects are you currently working on?

“ Ultimately, for me, I had

an underlying belief or fear that I’m not enough as I am. Sometimes I discover those kinds of thoughts still lurking in my subconscious, and the best thing I can do is show up anyway.”

KM: Aside from The Bold and the Beautiful, I’m also a founding member of the LA-based Ammunition Theater Company. We have a focus on diversity in storytelling and community activism. I’m also busy writing music and will perform live in LA this fall. Karla Mosley is a television and film actor known for her roles in The Bold and the Beautiful, Hart of Dixie, and Battle Creek. She also appeared in the Golden Globe-nominated Burn After Reading. PHOTO: JOSEPH BRISCOE

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ORIGIN SERIES:

Same Questions | Different Artists | Powerful Answers

M u s i c i a n . r e s ta u r at e u r . o n e h a l f o f t h e I n d i g o G i r l s

Emily Saliers On growing as an a rt i st , h e l p i n g t h e e n vi ro n m en t , and doi ng t h i n gs t h a t sc a re h er Interview: Maranda Pleasant

Maranda Pleasant: What makes you come alive or inspires you? Emily Saliers: A great movie, good live music, a good book, an engaging conversation, traveling, the wind in the trees, the way everything smells when it starts to rain. Countless things! Even coffee, but it has to be really good coffee. MP: What makes you feel vulnerable? ES: The thought of anything bad happening to my wife, daughter, and family; working on a solo record. MP: If you could say something to everyone on the planet, what would it be? ES: Don’t do to someone else what you wouldn’t want done to you. MP: How do you handle emotional pain? ES: I sit with it and observe it and know it will pass. I also try to get sleep, eat wholesome foods, and work out in some manner. I talk to my close friends and family, and I pray. I cry when I feel like crying. MP: How do you keep your center in the middle of chaos? Do you have a daily routine? ES: Eating wholesome foods and getting plenty of sleep is crucial for me. I also have faith that my life is in good hands. I honestly try to see how I can grow from uncomfortable circumstances. I make sure I have quiet time to myself to read. MP: What’s been one of your biggest lessons so far in life? ES: Feelings are not everything! There is very little absolute truth in life. INDIGOGIRLS.COM 12 ORIGINMAGAZINE.COM

MP: What truth do you know for sure? ES: God exists. MP: What is love for you? ES: Love is never having to say you’re sorry. JUST KIDDING! Love is selflessness and self-fullness; it can only be known deeply with an open, vulnerable heart. Love is pure and kind and forgiving. It is the greatest gift of all. MP: Causes or organizations that you’re passionate about?

also pray as part of my mindfulness practice and try to recount my day, all my triumphs and foibles, before I go to sleep at night. These practices keep me calm for the most part. MP: Tell me about your latest projects. ES: Amy and I have finished our latest record, One Lost Day, and are about to begin touring with our band to play the new music. I am also working on a solo record, produced by Lyris Hung, and I am co-writing a cookbook with my cohorts at my restaurant, Watershed on Peachtree, in Atlanta.

ES: Honor the Earth is a group Amy and I helped start over twenty years ago to raise money for and awareness about indigenous environmental and cultural issues. We do a lot of work around environmental justice issues, so that involves fighting against destructive practices like fracking, nuclear waste dumping, mining, and oil pipeline construction as a result of tar sands production.

MP: Why are these important to you?

We have found that we can best see “environmentalism” through the lens of traditional native peoples’ vision of protecting the earth, which sustains us all no matter who we are, for generations to come. We are also against the death penalty. We do lots of support work for LGBTQ groups, and we are active in efforts to get out the vote.

I have been talking about making a solo record for a very long time, and I am finally doing it. It’s important for me to explore the creative parts of me that I don’t explore with Indigo Girls, and it also feels pretty good to do something scary and on my own.

MP: Tell me if you have a yoga or mindfulness practice. What influence has it had on your life? ES: I have just begun yoga. I have taken a handful of level one flow classes with a wonderful instructor, Nicole Jurovics, in Atlanta. Now I know why yoga is so lifegiving for so many. I have never experienced a practice that combines such physical challenge and spiritual wellbeing in my life. I

ES: It’s important for Amy and me to continue to write and release new music because it helps us grow as artists, and hopefully we can remain relevant to our listeners and maybe even pick up a few new listeners along the way. If life ever stops inspiring us to write, it’s time to stop doing what we do.

The cookbook is a new adventure. We have a wonderful new chef, Zeb Stevenson, and we want to create a book that captures the then and now of Watershed, because we’ve been around for a while, and I love our commitment to good, responsible food and community. I’ve never written a cookbook before, so I look forward to the entire process. Engaging in new creative projects keeps me energized. I feel deeply grateful for all of the opportunities that life has given me.

PHOTO: JEREMY COWART

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It’s i mportant fo r me to expl ore th e cr eative parts o f me that I d o n’t expl ore wi th Indigo Girl s, and i t al so feel s pr etty good to do so meth ing scary and o n my own.”

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ORIGIN SERIES:

Same Questions | Different Artists | Powerful Answers

G r ac e l a n d Ac t o r + Ac t i v i s t

Serinda Swan Skydiving for a cause [

I n t e r v i e w : R o b e r t P ip e r

]

Robert Piper: How do you stay healthy? Serinda Swan: How do I stay healthy? I actually leave a lot of that up to my dog. He makes me get up pretty early in the morning. We go for walks together. I was born and raised in Vancouver, Canada, and then I moved to Hawaii when I was fourteen. I think outdoors has been my second home. My parents wouldn’t be like, “Go and do a puzzle,” they’d be like, “Hey, there’s a forest across the street. You need to go play in it.” I think since such a young age I’ve been super active. I was a gymnast for twelve or thirteen years. Then I got into surfing and now I paddle board and hike and do whatever I can. I think it’s my love of the outdoors. That and I have two incredible trainers that whoop my ass whenever I’m in LA. RP: Can you explain some of the charity work you’re involved with? SS: Sure. Philanthropy has always been something that I’ve been kind of interested in because I think it was instilled at a very young age through my parents. They did it in a way that was actually very interesting as a child. It wasn’t, “You have to give up our allowance to someone else.” Obviously, there’s that dependency for that person, but when you’re a child sometimes you’re like, “But I really wanted that toy.” They would figure out ways to put it in a game or ways that we could raise money together and foster a child. As part of my Christmas present I’d be giving chickens to a family in Nepal through the Heifer Foundation. I think they expanded my world when I was young to know sort of the other issues that were going on globally.

Growing up, I realized as an actor I had to figure out how to use my platform in order to give back as well and use that spotlight to shine, or at least to balance that light and to try to shine light onto the other issues that were happening in the world. Recently, we’ve done 18for18, an anti-sex trafficking awareness campaign which is tons of fun for people who like skydiving. For people who don’t, it’s absolutely terrifying and I don’t suggest you do it. For people that like extreme sports and like to push themselves, we just ask that once in your life you face a fear to represent the 1.2 million women and children that will be sold in sex trafficking this year. That’s something that seems to work. We’ve raised hundreds of thousands of dollars in the few years since we’ve started. I think we’ve reached over fifty million people with online impressions. That was one of the campaigns I did. I went to South Sudan and Kenya with the UN Foundation, and World Refugee Day is June 20, so we’ll be doing some more work for them. Serinda Swan is an actor and activist. She currently stars in the hit show Graceland. You may have also seen her in Chicago Fire, Breakout Kings, and The Tomorrow People.

“Growing up, I realized as an actor I had to figure out how to use my platform in order to give back.” PHOTO: STEFANIE VINSEL

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ORIGIN SERIES:

Same Questions | Different Artists | Powerful Answers

Interview: Robert Piper

Author. Entrepreneur. Fashion Designer

Nicky Hilton On Learning to Take Risks, Staying Healthy, and Creating a Better World

Robert Piper: What inspires you, Nicky? Nicky Hilton: People who are doing things that are changing the world and making it a better place. It’s important that we all do what we can with whatever we have. RP: How do you stay healthy? NH: In the last few years I’ve gotten much more into my health. I work out regularly. I’m much pickier about what I put in my body. I always read labels now, whereas before I didn’t even think to. RP: What’s the best advice you could give someone about life? NH: Don’t be afraid to take chances. The biggest risk is not taking any risk. RP: What projects are you currently working on? NH: I have my limited-edition Cat-Eye Kits with Smashbox Cosmetics now available, which comes in three different travel sets, that each are inspired by the style vibe of my three favorite cities: New York, London, and

nickyhilton.com

Los Angeles. I also have my new handbag line, Nicky Hilton x Linea Pelle, out this September. I’m really excited for this collaboration because Linea Pelle produces such beautiful bags and I think ladies are really going to love this line.

“It’s important that we all do what we can with whatever we have.”

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ORIGIN SERIES:

Same Questions | Different Artists | Powerful Answers

R e a l i t y T V S ta r + Au t h o r

Bethenny Frankel O n L o v e , L i fe , and Yo g a Interview: Chelsea Logan

Chelsea Logan: To say you’re busy right now is an understatement. Both your book and The Real Housewives of New York premiere on April 7. How do you balance it all?

practice to be unexpected.

Bethenny Frankel: It used to be that I would say getting a good night’s sleep if you can get it. It makes all the difference in the world the next day. I still feel that way, but I would say having quality time with your children, if you’re a mom. If I am not with my daughter, that’s when all my meetings happen. That’s when I get right on a plane. That’s when I go and do my book tour. When I am with her, it’s just all with her. I always know that I am where I am supposed to be. I don’t feel torn and I think that is really important. I am also very, very organized. I balance it all by being extremely organized, and I am a very efficient delegator.

BF: Sleep. It’s like giving yourself a massage. You finish a class, you feel like you have just gotten a mind, body, and soul massage.

CL: You touched on when you are with your daughter you’re fully present with her. Is that something that yoga has helped you improve on—the ability to be fully present? BF: I mean, yoga is a gift that you give yourself. Right now, I am moving. I am moving an office and an apartment. It would be almost too much of a disservice to be doing a yoga class right now. When you are like a maniac, you just have to accept where you are and what’s going on in your life. I always am able to pick it back up again and never has there been a time that I do it that I don’t say thank you. It’s a gift to yourself. CL: I love that. What made you first get into yoga? BF: I was at a gym and I had always heard about it. It was intriguing. I didn’t like it the first time. I think that yoga, it really is a process. Yoga has so many different practices. I don’t really enjoy Ashtanga. I don’t really enjoy Bikram because I don’t like knowing what’s coming. In life, no two days are the same for me. It’s like a snowflake. I like my

CL: What are some of the benefits of yoga that you have seen in your life?

CL: I just saw the trailer for the Season Seven premiere of The Real Housewives of New York. There is a part where you are in the backseat of the car talking with Ramona and you say, “Failed show, failed marriage.” How do you pick yourself back up after that? BF: They are not very similar failures. One is so personal. One is professional and ultimately feels a little bit like a success, because I didn’t enjoy doing the talk show. I think that if you don’t enjoy doing something you are not going to be good at it. They are two very different experiences. A failed personal experience is just fear and anxiety. CL: Did you find it difficult to film this season when you had so many personal things going on? BF: Well I said this to Andy [Cohen] recently: If I had done this two years ago, I couldn’t have done it. It would not have been good television. It would have been too dark and it just would not have been a good place. Now it is. There is a story. There is some hope from the beginning of the season to the end of the season. It was definitely a transitional time for me and for a lot of people. I think it was a little bit therapeutic.

them. Some people believe that they should have two different lives, and one is what they show on TV and one is their personal life. I am not that person. I am pretty exposed. There is a lot to being in the public eye, but I am very blessed. CL: A lot of people are going to look at your track record of relationships and read your new book, I Suck at Relationships So You Don’t Have To, and wonder why they should listen to you. How do you respond to the critics? BF: It’s a “do as I say, not as I have done.” I think that the whole premise of the book is that I have failed so much, but I have learned so much more in life from my failures than my successes. CL: What do you hope to teach your daughter about relationships and love? BF: To love yourself and to not settle for less than what you deserve. To be independent and not try to think someone is going to save you or look to someone else to make you happy or look to someone else to complete you. That if you’re happy on your own you are going to be okay. CL: What are some of the upcoming projects that you are working on?

CL: How do you find the balance of what to share and what not to share? Or is everything fair game?

BF: I have so many different products coming out. I have salad dressing, a natural energy drink, and non-alcoholic Skinny Girl sparklers. I have microwave popcorn. I have coffee. I have a lot of different TV offers. My book is coming out and the show is coming. I am in a nice place right now. I enjoy business. I enjoy inspiring women. I enjoy writing. I enjoy communicating and connecting.

BF: I am always willing to share my perspective and my personal experience and my journey. There are friends of mine that wouldn’t want to be on the show, for example. I wouldn’t put them on the show. It’s not for

Bethenny’s new book, I Suck At Relationships So You Don’t Have To, is available in stores. New episodes of The Real Housewives of New York are currently airing on Bravo.

PHOTO: MATHIEU YOUNG / BRAVO MEDIA 16 ORIGINMAGAZINE.COM

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Some people believe that they s h o u l d h ave t wo d i f fe r e n t l i v e s , and one is what they show on TV and one is their p e r s o n a l l i fe . I a m not t h a t person.

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ORIGIN SERIES:

Same Questions | Different Artists | Powerful Answers

“

I put a lot of time and effort into the exercise I get, the amount of rest and sleep I get, and the amount I eat.

Robert Piper: How do you stay healthy? Jennifer Ashton: Well, I am a selfproclaimed “fitness addict,” so I am one of those people who actually really, really enjoys working out. I don’t feel like I have a normal day if I don’t exercise or work out. To kind of keep me mentally engaged, I am always training for something, whether it’s a mini-triathlon or right now I’m training for a one-mile ocean swim that I’m gonna do this summer. So it’s kind of my hobby. But I would say the short answer to your question is that I put a lot of time and effort into the exercise I get, the amount of rest and sleep I get, and the amount I eat. And I think those three things are really kind of my wellness and health foundation. RP: Can you explain some of the health benefits and science behind meditation?

Dr. Jennifer Ashton

B o a r d - c e rt ifi e d O B / G Y N . au t h o r . TV c o r r e s p o n d e n t

On exercising, staying healthy, and meditating for both mind body I n t e rv i e w: Ro b e rt P ip e r

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JA: I’ve been wanting to learn meditation for years, and I just didn’t know how to go about doing it. So it was kind of a cosmic intervention, I think, because I finally met two people who coincidentally had learned Transcendental Meditation from the same teacher, a man named Bob Roth at the David Lynch Foundation. It was so ironic that I had met these two people that didn’t know each other, they had both learned from Bob, they both said that it was amazing, and I said, “That’s it. This has gotta be a sign. I’ve been wanting to do this for a long time; I’m gonna finally do it.” So it was the weekend after Thanksgiving, I went for my

”

four lessons, and I have practiced meditation every single day since then—at least once a day if not twice a day—and I love it! Personally, I’ve seen the difference in terms of the amount of mental energy I have. My mood is better; I’m more optimistic; my kids say I have a longer fuse, which is always a good thing. There have been studies done on people who meditate and they have found that they actually have increased grey matter in certain parts of their brain and more neural conductivity, meaning more connections between certain parts of the brain. They have increased capacity for, in some cases, memory, or reasoning. If you consider risk versus benefit, I mean, what is the risk of meditating? You just spend twenty minutes meditating. It’s one of the things you can say is pretty much zero risk and there is the potential for massive benefit. Even if it’s just minimal benefit, who wouldn’t want that? I really felt it was the only part of my life that I was kind of neglecting. I feel great that I started to do it, and I was enjoying it so much. I guess my family really saw the difference that it made for me; my fifteen-year-old daughter then went and she learned meditation also, and she’s been doing it every day. Dr. Jennifer Ashton is a board-certified OB/GYN, author, and TV correspondent. She is co-host of The Doctors, and appears as Senior Medical Contributor on ABC News, Good Morning America, and World News Tonight with David Muir.

PHOTO: JENNIFER ASHTON

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I n t e r v i e w : R o b e r t P ip e r

N e w Y o r k T i m e s b e s t s e l l i n g a u t h o r o f H a p p i e r at H o m e , T h e H a p p i n e s s P r o j e c t , a n d B e tt e r T h a n B e f o r e

Gretchen Rubin { Her Best Tips for Health and Happiness } Robert Piper: What inspires you? Gretchen Rubin: The thing that inspires me most is reading and just observing the people around me. I think those are the two things that make me want to write. Reading makes me want to write my own books, and just trying to understand what I see in the world around me makes me want to figure things out. RP: What makes you happy?

“ Think about what kind of person you are and shape your habits, and your happiness, to show what’s true about you instead of thinking that you can just import the right answer from the outside.”

{

GR: Reading makes me happy. Writing makes me happy. Relationships make me happy. Self-knowledge makes me happy. I mean, one of the things that surprised me the most is how often we assume that because something’s fun for someone else, it makes somebody else happy, it will make us happy. I spend a lot of time saying to myself, “Well, is that really what I like to do? Is that really something that makes me happy?” and letting go of the things that don’t make me happy. RP: From your research about happiness and habits, what are some of the best tips you could give us? GR: Well, I think the big myth about habits, and happiness too, is that there’s somehow a magic “one size fits all” solution. That, “If it works for you it’s going to work for me,” and it’s just a matter of figuring out what that habit would be, whether that’s do it first thing in the morning, or start small, or do it for thirty days, or give yourself a cheat day. What I found is, really, you always have to begin by nailing what is

gretchenrubin.com 20 ORIGINMAGAZINE.COM

true about you, because something that works very well for someone else might not work for you at all. And so you really have to begin by figuring out what kind of person you are. The tip is to really take a look at yourself. One place where this comes up a lot is with morning people and night people. If you’re a night person you can barely get out of bed in time to get to work or get your kids off to school. You’re at your most productive and creative much later in the day, and for you, something like getting up early to go for a run is not going to set you up for success because you’re not a morning person. The big tip I would haveis think about what kind of person you are and shape your habits, and your happiness, to show what’s true about you, instead of thinking that you can just import the right answer from the outside. RP: What projects are you currently working on? GR: Well, my book Better Than Before came out in March, so I’m still doing a lot of events around that. I’m doing a lot of speaking and talking about habits, which is this subject that obsesses me. That’s a lot of fun. I also have a new podcast with my sister. We just launched it two months ago, called Happier with Gretchen Rubin. Gretchen Rubinis the New York Times bestselling author of Happier at Home, The Happiness Project, and her most recent book, Better Than Before.

Photo: Elena Seibert

“Failure opens an unguarded, vulnerable, and wide-open space. And from that space the best part of ourselves comes out.” PEMA CHÖDRÖN

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Available September 1 at booksellers everywhere soundstrue.com/fail-better

ORIGINMAGAZINE.COM 21

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ORIGIN SERIES:

Same Questions | Different Artists | Powerful Answers

Maranda Pleasant: What makes you come alive or inspires you? Beth Riesgraf: Passion. Confidence. Gratitude. The possibility of making positive change in the world. It’s the sort of “spark” one gets the moment they decide to go after what they want, really fight for it, work hard, and not give up. I love that spark; it’s beautifully contagious. MP: What makes you feel vulnerable? BR: I would say, being a parent. Loving someone so much it scares you. Knowing you’d do anything for them and then realizing there will come a time when you have to loosen the reins and let them figure it out on their own, and then trusting that you/they are making the right decisions. MP: How do you keep your center in the middle of chaos? Do you have a daily routine?

“

It’s important for me to play women who can overcome adversity, make change, and take control of their lives. I think it’s a great time for women in TV and film in general, and I want to help tell these stories.

”

Complications and Leverage Actor

Beth Riesgraf On caring for yourself to care for others amid all of life’s “complications” I n t e rv i e w : M a r a n da P l e a s a n t

22 ORIGINMAGAZINE.COM

BR: I find that if I use my time well and take care of my mind/body when I’m outside of work, then I feel more supported throughout my day. So, instead of waking up and going straight for my cell phone or running to the gym, I take a few deep breaths, envision what I’d like to achieve that day, then rid my mind of anything that isn’t going to help me get there. If something boils up under stress later, I remind myself to breathe and focus back to how I decided my day was going to go. It’s simple but it works. MP: What’s been one of your biggest lessons so far in life? BR: That if I don’t take care of myself and be kind to myself, then I can’t take care of anyone else. I think when my son was a baby I got used to not getting enough sleep, rushing and skipping meals, and feeling tired a lot of the time. That lifestyle wears you down fast, so I started to take better care of myself. I exercise, sleep eight hours a night, take vitamins, eat organic foods, skip foods that aren’t good for me, and I surround myself with amazing artists and friends. MP: Causes or organizations that you’re passionate about? BR: The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. The Orphan’s Project creates support and provides successful elephant and rhino rescues and rehabilitation. I am also an avid supporter of Be The Match, which finds matches for bone marrow donors. MP: Tell me about your latest projects. BR: Complications is a new and unique drama/thriller for the USA Network. I’m really thrilled to be a part of this show. It’s fast-paced, intense, and filled with fantastic performances. Its theme focuses on heroism, the struggle between doing what’s right and what’s dangerous, and makes us wonder how far we would go to help someone in need, even if it means making our own lives more… complicated. (See what I did there?!) MP: Why is this important to you? BR: I am drawn to roles that are strong, intelligent, and a little edgy. With Complications, I navigate my character Samantha Ellison through some really emotionally challenging times. It’s important for me to play women who can overcome adversity, make change, and take control of their lives. I think it’s a great time for women in TV and film in general, and I want to help tell these stories.

“

ORIGIN SERIES:

Same Questions | Different Artists | Powerful Answers

MP: How do you handle emotional pain? TD: Emotional pain makes me want to isolate. Or hit back. It’s very tough to rise above my natural inclinations. I’m always working on this. MP: How do you keep your center in the middle of chaos? Do you have a daily routine? TD: Sleep. Sleep. Sleep. And some quiet time. I don’t always win at this, but I know I do better when I meditate. Forget things and have a quiet moment. MP: What’s been one of your biggest lessons so far in life? TD: Liking who I am, cutting myself some slack, and trusting more those around me.

“

Love is when I smile and breathe deeply down to my toes. I’ve given myself a gift of caring for myself and learned a new way to look at my issues.

”

MP: What truth do you know for sure? TD: I know peace exists. And we are always changing. It’s scary. Maranda Pleasant: What makes you come alive or inspires you? Singer

Taylor Dayne On love, sleep, and real peace Interview: Maranda Pleasant

Taylor Dayne: That’s a great question. I feel I am blessed that I have found my stride and relaxed into my life’s purpose. I’m passionate about nature and the respect, peace, and beauty I derive from it. My voice, my live performance, and when I’m in the studio. My children and love. MP: What makes you feel vulnerable? TD: Loving a man truly and really brings me to my knees. Being wrong and having expectations. My son always makes me feel vulnerable. MP: If you could say something to everyone on the planet, what would it be? TD: Oooh, tough question. Be kind. It’s very needed to be respectful to all. And love the woods and nature and the water and animals. Stop the BS with poaching and hunting. Preservation is critical.

MP: What is love for you? TD: Love is when I smile and breathe deeply down to my toes. I’ve given myself a gift of caring for myself and learned a new way to look at my issues. And I’m lying in some fresh sheets looking out the window at some visual beauty… a mountain, an ocean, a stream, a forest. A lovely man lying next to me or my babies sleeping. MP: Tell me if you have a yoga or mindfulness practice. What influence has it had on your life? TD: My mom lived on an ashram on the early eighties. She turned me on to kundalini yoga and chanting and Transcendental Meditation. That was the first time I ever knew real peace. MP: Tell me about your latest projects. TD: I am currently on the road touring behind my Greatest Hits Live release. Check out all my tour dates on taylordayne.com. My new song “Dreaming” is on iTunes now. I am also recording standards and some AC jazz.

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ORIGIN SERIES:

Same Questions | Different Artists | Powerful Answers

Get Hard Actor

Edwina Findley Dickerson On Losing Her Mom to Cancer, Setting Goals, and Personal Transformation Interview: Robert Piper

Robert Piper: What inspires you?

“I just love seeing people embrace freedom, faith, and courage in the face of enormous odds.”

Edwina Findley Dickerson: I’m very inspired by personal transformation. I’m so inspired when people who have been living with or struggling against significant obstacles break through and reach the other side of that challenge victoriously. I just love seeing people embrace freedom, faith, and courage in the face of enormous odds. In addition to being an actress, I’m a motivational speaker, and have an organization called AbundantLifeU. For years, I have traveled the country leading empowerment workshops and seminars, and the most rewarding moments for me are when people testify to their lives and circumstances being changed and transformed. It makes it all worthwhile for me. RP: What is the hardest obstacle you’ve had to overcome in your life?

edwinafindley.com 24 ORIGINMAGAZINE.COM

EFD: I think the hardest obstacle I’ve ever had to overcome in my life is the illness and passing of my mother to cancer. I grew up as an only child, and my mother was a single mom. It’s always been “us.” If it weren’t for her nurturing and guiding my artistic talents at a young age, I don’t think I’d be a professional actress and performer today. My mother was diagnosed with cancer while I was planning my wedding—truly it was the best of times and the worst of times. One day I was looking for bridesmaids’ dresses, the next I was making arrangements for her to receive emergency chemotherapy treatments. It was so hard. Walking so intimately with my mom through the devastating cancer experience was excruciating for both of us. No one could’ve made me believe that in two years she would pass away. It’s still hard to believe she’s gone; she passed away eight months ago. But I’m still on a journey of overcoming. I have a deeper compassion for those living with cancer, as well as their family members. And now when someone tells me that a loved one passed away, I feel it deeply, as though it were my own relative. The process of overcoming for me has come from a strong faith in God. RP: How do you overcome failure? EFD: Honestly, I am pretty passionate about avoiding failure! When I was about to graduate from college, my pastor in New York preached a sermon regarding why

people don’t set goals. One of the top reasons was a “fear of failure,” and I realized at that moment that a fear of failure was crippling me and I hadn’t even realized it. As a result, I wasn’t setting clear goals for my life. I had always been an overachiever, so I felt I could just “wing it,” reasoning that if I don’t set clear, written goals I wouldn’t have to account for anything if I failed. Now I’m the opposite! I am always setting goals, and I get very specific about where I’m going and take the time to learn the steps needed to take to get there. While success has hardly come overnight for me, it always comes. RP: What projects are you currently working on? EFD: I’ve definitely been blessed with some great projects to keep me busy! I recently played Kevin Hart’s wife in the movie Get Hard, with Will Ferrell. It was super hilarious working with those two! I am one of the stars of a new TV series called If Loving You Is Wrong on the Oprah Winfrey Network, written and directed by Tyler Perry. The show airs Tuesday nights at 9 p.m. on OWN. My nonprofit organization, AbundantLifeU, is launching a school—The School for Life—in Hollywood, led by my husband, Kelvin Dickerson. And I have two more movies coming out soon, Free in Deed, based on a true story, and Where Children Play. You can learn more about these projects and more at edwinafindley.com.

Photo: Benjo Arwas

AWA K E : T H E L I F E O F YO G A N A N D A Available on DVD September 1st from Alive Mind Cinema “Engrossing and informative “Compelling...enough to make from start to finish.” a modern soul look inwards” - The Village Voice

- The New York Times

The box-office hit Awake: The Life of Yogananda brings to life the spiritual insights of the Hindu swami who wrote the best selling spiritual classic, Autobiography of a Yogi. Discover the wisdom of the ancient Vedic tradition and how yoga came to the West. Available now on DVD for $29.95 from Alive Mind Cinema. alivemindcinema.com/awake

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ORIGIN SERIES:

Same Questions | Different Artists | Powerful Answers

Robert Piper: What inspires you? Diego Klattenhoff: It is hard not to be inspired when you’re living in New York. It doesn’t matter what you do. I think that there is so much going on in this city. I like walking around or taking the subway, thinking about all the history here, looking at the architecture and all the people; of course, the museums.It’s tough to find a better place to live. RP: How do you stay healthy? DK: I go to the gym as much as possible. RP: What is the hardest obstacle you’ve had to overcome in your life? DK: I think it is always tough no matter where you are in your journey. Always staying focused and knowing why you are doing what you are doing. RP: How do you deal with overcoming failure?

The Blacklist actor

Diego Klattenhoff On Knowing When to be Hard on Yourself and When to Let it Go

Everyone fails. Everyone is constantly failing. It is all part of life, and especially this job of being an actor.

DK: Everyone fails. Everyone is constantly failing. It is all part of life, and especially this job of being an actor. I think it is important to know when to be hard on yourself and when to let things go, but always keep going. RP: What projects are you currently working on? DK: Besides The Blacklist, I have a film that I will be working on, but it is currently a closely guarded secret, so you will just have to wait and see.

[ Interview: Robert Piper ]

Canadian actor Diego Klattenhoff currently stars as FBI agent Donald Ressler in NBC’s The Blacklist. He also portrayed Mike Faber in Homeland, and appeared in Whistler and Men in Trees.

Photo: NBC 26 ORIGINMAGAZINE.COM

7 8

BOULDER, COLORADO

Artisans around the countr y craft cocktail bitters, granolas, crackers, yoga towels, iPhone cases, and much more, and we celebrate it. DOUG BROWN

Artisans around the country craft cocktail bitters, granolas, crackers, yoga towels, iPhone cases, and much more, and we celebrate it—the more ferment bubbling up around sustainable entrepreneurism, the better. We need more of it! One particularly effervescent patch of green DIY is centered in Boulder, Colorado, a foothills town about thirty miles northwest of Denver that is home to a wide range of brands, from long-standing behemoths (that began as DIY projects) like Celestial Seasonings to up-and-comers like Quinn Popcorn.

We plan to introduce you mighty Originistas to what’s happening in and around Boulder as often as we can. The small city—population around 100,000—punches far above its weight. For all of us who care about creating the successful companies of the future—focused on sustainability and the environment, promoting health, taking care of workers, and wildly successful—what has happened in Boulder should serve as a case study.

1. Boulder Organic!: A child’s bout with the flu inspired Boulder entrepreneur Kate Brown to make her own feel-good soups. Now, fresh Boulder Organic! soups are for sale in the refrigerated section of stores nationwide. boulderorganicfoods.com. 2. OzukÉ: Pals Willow King and Maya King (no relation) became crazy for fermentation in 2011. Ozuké is available in stores across the country, including Whole Foods Markets. ozuke.com. 3 & 4. Kim & Jake’s: After baker Jake Rosenbarger was diagnosed with celiac disease, he switched Kim & Jake’s to gluten-free snack food. Kim & Jake’s baked goods are for sale in markets around the country. kimandjakes.com. 5. Yummari: Yummari is an organic snack food company that crafts natural fuel endurance based on recipes used by the longdistance running Rarámuri tribe of Mexico. yummari.com. 6. Little Secrets: Longtime Boulder food entrepreneur Chris Mears wanted candy not saturated with GMOs, preservatives, and nasty dyes. So he came up with Little Secrets candy-coated, bite-size chocolates. The chocolate is all fair trade, the colors come from nature, and none of the little candy coins contain even a sliver of GMO. sharelittlesecrets.com. 7. Boulder Brands: By the end of 2015, Boulder Brands plans to source 100 percent of its palm oil from companies that have been independently verified by the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil and the Palm Oil Innovation Group. 8. Purely Elizabeth: Purely Elizabeth’s product line includes granola, oatmeal, muesli, and cereal with a focus on ancient grains, unrefined sweeteners, and superfood seeds. purelyelizabeth.com

ORIGINMAGAZINE.COM 27

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ORIGIN SERIES:

Same Questions | Different Artists | Powerful Answers

RP: What is the hardest obstacle you’ve had to overcome in your life? BCG: Learning to live with the discrepancy between my inner life, my expectations, and what is happening in the outside world. That feeling that you are ready for something and not seeing it externally yet. Remembering that life is happening now. Trusting yourself enough and believing that every action makes a difference, even if you don’t see the result right now. Control what you can, let go of the rest. RP: How do you stay healthy? BCG: I try to stay on top of my game physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Music has a profound effect on me. I work out some, probably not enough. I have great friends. That’s key for me for: surrounding myself with people who are supportive and kind.

“ Trying not to fail is the opposite of art. Failure assumes the world is black and white—no gray.

”

RP: How do you deal with overcoming failure? BCG: I don’t buy into the word “failure.” I used to but not anymore. Trying not to fail is the opposite of art. Failure assumes the world is black and white—no gray. I’ve come to find, it’s all gray. However, when I get down, I remember how far I’ve come, the story of it all. RP: What projects are you currently working on? R i d e , L i f e o f a K i n g , a n d Lov e I s A l l Y o u N e e d ? ac t o r

Blake Cooper Griffin On living in the moment, the icons who inspire him, and surrounding yourself with a positive support network Interview: Robert Piper

Robert Piper: What inspires you? Blake Cooper Griffin: My dog. She’s a scrappy little rescue and probably my favorite “person” in the world. Watching the news inspires me to keep going and reminds me why I should never complain. I’m inspired by those who don’t let others define them: Martin Luther King Jr., James Dean, Vincent Van Gogh, Hillary Clinton, Tennessee Williams, director Steve McQueen. They’ve all changed the conversation by making their voices heard.

BCG: You can currently see me in the film Life of a King starring Cuba Gooding Jr. on Netflix, Helen Hunt’s newest film Ride, and on Disney’s Jessie. I also just wrapped a film called Love Is All You Need?, about a guy and girl who live in a world where being gay is the norm and they are bullied once their relationship goes public. The story is very powerful. I’ve never been more excited about a project. It’s going to blow people away. Blake Cooper Griffin is an actor who has appeared in Life of a King, Ride, and Love Is All You Need? His television roles include parts in Disney’s Jessie and NBC’s Castle. He graduated from the School of Drama at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. PHOTO: ROB DALY

28 ORIGINMAGAZINE.COM

An Extraordinary Visionary Who Influenced Millions…

Paramahansa Yogananda’s teachings on yoga, meditation, and realizing our divine potential have influenced people from every walk of life. Although best known as the author of the spiritual classic, Autobiography of a Yogi, Yogananda also served as a profound innovator and agent of social change through his teachings and the example of his life. He knew the survival of the human race depends on a spiritually grounded, holistic vision of life.

This stunning companion book, based on the award-winning documentary film, captures the drama of Yogananda’s life through images and words.

F EATURES I NCLUDE : over 400 photos • interviews with Krishna Das, George Harrison, Deepak Chopra, and many more • the complete film script • behind the scenes with the ﬁlmmakers • sidebars with further insights into Yogananda’s philosophy, and much more.

Hardcover, 288 pages, $45

S e l f - R e a l i z at i on F e l l o w s h i p FOUNDED 1920 BY PARAMAHANSA YOGANANDA

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ORIGIN SERIES:

Same Questions | Different Artists | Powerful Answers

Si n g e r- S o n g w r i t e r

Matt Nathanson On feeling vulnerable, staying present, and not being terrified

I n t e rv i e w: M a ry B ru c e

Mary Bruce: What makes you come alive? Matt Nathanson: The thing that makes me feel most alive would be when I’m hanging out with my family and feeling my connection with them and feeling safe and content in that. And the other is listening to or performing music. It’s huge! Music for me is this thing that’s sort of saved my life over the course of my whole life, whether it be writing songs or listening to other people’s stuff. When I was a kid I just had headphones on all the time, and it changed the way I see things and the way I interpret things. When I play, I open up. I’m in the heat of the performance and it’s a healing thing. It’s great! It’s like a spiritual elevation that occurs when you’re playing and becoming one with the instrument or players on the stage. It takes on this incredible feeling of levitating and the molecules spin differently in the moment. MB: What makes you feel vulnerable? MN: The joke of it all is I think I feel vulnerable most of the time. I feel on guard. I’ve gotten pretty good at putting my fists down and kind of allowing the world to be, so that I don’t feel threatened as much. I feel vulnerable a lot interacting with human beings and being honest with people, and if I read their energy kind of not getting or shutting me down or this feeling of where we’re not connecting, that’s kind of a vulnerable place for me. I have a strong desire to connect. And MATTNATHANSON.COM 30 ORIGINMAGAZINE.COM

PHOTO: BRENDAN WALTER

“

It’s like a spiritual elevation that occurs when you’re playing and becoming one with the instrument or players on the stage.

so when I don’t get that, I leave that situation feeling particularly wounded. And so I have to go against that defensive mechanism every time I have that experience. Staying present and staying myself in the midst of others is important. MB: How do you keep your center in the midst of chaos? MN: I would have to say that the only way I get back to my center is either by talking to my wife or by spending time by myself. I journal every morning, so that helps, and also putting music on helps me regroup. MB: If you could say something to everyone on this planet, what would it be? MN: Stop being so fucking terrified! Everybody’s moving from a place of fear that we have misogyny and racism, entitlement, greed. We have no middle class; we have such a division of what’s going on and it’s all based on fear. And television and the media only keep pounding that concept into us. You can’t let it run your life. It gets in the way of all the good shit. Shake the panic! MB: What truth do you know for sure? MN: Oh man! That’s a great question! I know that human beings are better together than they are apart, as much as I fought that all my life.

MB: You are so funny on stage you could have done stand up. How did this come about? MN: The funny thing is I have to do it because it makes me feel comfortable to be that way. I like interacting with human beings, so being on stage feels like a larger version of that—kind of like throwing a party. It’s like knocking into the human collision of everyday life and it just so happens to break down the wall between the audience and me and helps the songs communicate better. MB: What do you want your legacy to be? MN: I just want my kid to not hate and to be a good human. That’s what you try to do. You hope that they are the next evolution of your thing. I just want her to be confident and powerful and all the things that took me a long time to even get close to. MB: What’s your latest project? MN: I’ve got a new record coming out in the fall. I’m super psyched. “Gold in the Summertime” is the new single out now. It’s real light. The others feel like heavy lifting. The record’s real heavy, so it’s a nice balance. It feels so good to play, so effortless to be a part of that song. It feels like joy! I think it’s good.

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ORIGIN SERIES:

Same Questions | Different Artists | Powerful Answers

Ei ght-t ime Gr ammy n omi n ee

Avril Lavigne O n h e r s t r u g g l e w i t h Ly m e d i s e a s e , e x p r e s s i n g h e r e m o t i o n s t h r o u g h m u s i c , a n d w h a t i n s p i r e d h e r t o w r i t e a s o n g h o n o r i n g S p e c i a l O ly mp i a n s Inte rview: Mar an da Pleas an t

Maranda Pleasant: What inspires you? Avril Lavigne: Being able to express myself through music and art has always been when I feel the most alive. I love cooking, painting, writing, performing, decorating, and designing for my clothing line, Abbey Dawn. I also love to act and sing. I enjoy meeting new people through my travels during tours and through my work with the Avril Lavigne Foundation, which supports young people living with serious illnesses or disabilities. I’ve met so many young people from all walks of life who are pursuing their dreams no matter what challenges they face, and that experience is what inspired my new song “Fly” for the Special Olympics. MP: If you could say something to everyone on the planet, what would it be? AL: I want people to feel inspired to reach out and be inclusive and supportive of others in their community who might be facing any kind of challenge, whether it is a health issue or a disability. Every person faces their own unique challenges and you may not always know what others around you are going through. We should all focus on trying to be compassionate to others at all times, and be as understanding as possible towards people we know are hurting. We should try to be there to lift each other up. MP: How do you handle emotional pain? AL: I cry, I talk about it to my family, and I write about it in my music. I don’t like to hold it in. I’m very expressive. Expressing my emotions and experiences through music has always been an important outlet for me. Many of my songs are influenced by personal events and experiences that I have gone through. THEAVRILLAVIGNEFOUNDATION.ORG 32 ORIGINMAGAZINE.COM

MP: How do you stay balanced in the middle of chaos? Do you have a daily routine? AL: I meditate and try to walk outside daily. I prefer to now spend my time with people that I know truly care about me and are there for me at the end of the day—through the ups and downs—because that is what life is about. That has been shown to me this past year, as I’ve been sick with Lyme disease. Thankfully, I am almost recovered! MP: What has been one of your biggest lessons in life so far? AL: To always listen to myself. Staying true to yourself and trusting your instincts is very important. I’ve learned this both through creating music, where I’ve always stayed focused on recording music that is true to who I am and to my fans, and through my recent health struggles, where I knew something more was going on than what I was hearing from different doctors; I had to trust myself and continue to pursue a diagnosis. MP: What is “love” for you? AL: Love is more than a word to me. It’s something that I see and feel in the people around me that makes me believe it and feel loved. It’s nurturing and unconditional. It is consistent and reliable. MP: Which causes or organizations are you passionate about supporting? AL: I’m really excited about my foundation’s partnership with the Special Olympics right now. In addition to inviting more than two hundred athletes from fourteen countries to attend my shows last year, my foundation will

sponsor thirty athletes at the World Games this summer, thanks to the support from my incredible fans. The music video for “Fly” features Special Olympics athletes from all over the world. MP: What are projects you are currently working on? AL: I have two film projects lined up for me this year. I’m so excited to act; that has been a huge passion for me. I am writing at home and have recorded a couple of tunes already. I’m also really focused right now on supporting the Special Olympics leading into the World Games, this summer in Los Angeles. All net proceeds from my song “Fly” will support Special Olympics—so of course I have to ask people to download the song—and we want to inspire as many people as possible. The song is available on iTunes. MP: Why is this important to you? AL: I’ve had the opportunity to meet so many incredible young athletes through the Special Olympics. The positivity and joy I saw in them really inspired me and made me want to do more to support them. “Fly” was inspired by this spirit—to lift people up and inspire them to keep trying, and to not give up no matter what challenges they might face. Avril Lavigne is a Canadian singer-songwriter. Her music has earned her eight Grammy nominations and has sold over thirty million albums worldwide. As an actor, she appeared in the The Flock alongside Richard Gere. Her Avril Lavigne Foundation supports youth living with illnesses and disabilities.

PHOTO: ROBB DIPPLE

“Ever y person faces their own unique challenges and you m ay n o t a l w ay s know what others around you are g o i n g t h r o u g h .”

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I n t erv i ew: Ba r bi T wins

Dan Mathews

S e n i o r V P o f P ETA

O n gay r i g h t s, e m p at hy fo r a n i m a l s , a n d g e t t i n g married under the Las Vegas sign

Barbi Twins: You are Senior Vice President of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, the largest animal activist organization in the world, leading the most successful media campaigns—with some very controversial ads—and you have become a major celebrity of the animal rights movement. What prompted you to dedicate your life to fight animal cruelty? Dan Mathews: Most people are sensitized to animals through their cats and dogs, but for me it was a flounder. I used to go fishing with my dad as a kid and always felt bad about yanking these panic-stricken creatures from the water. I stopped eating fish as an adolescent and went vegan at twenty. BT: Aside from just loving animals, what else does it take to work for the biggest animal organization, which is a mainstream brand, draws monster TV ratings, and has the endorsements of every major Hollywood celebrity? DM: It takes a lot of patience to work at PETA, because we ask a lot of society and most people are only part of the way there. Most people, especially activists, recognize their differences with others rather than what they have in common and that leads

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to frustration more than persuasion. It’s a challenge, but even when I meet a hunter, rather than engage in a useless argument about that, I’ll find an animal issue they support and talk about that first to set a friendlier playing field. I’ve seen much better results like this, and from the unlikeliest people. BT: Aside from being an animal activist, you’re openly gay. Can you help us draw parallels between gay rights and animal rights? Does one cause help the other? DM: As someone who was gay bashed as a kid, I learned firsthand how a lot of people only feel good about themselves when they sense that someone or something is on a lower rung than they are. This inferiority complex drives racism and sexism as well as outdated attitudes about animals. BT: You recently hit the news in what was called your own “vegan gay marriage.” Explain to us exactly what that was. What was the main animal rights message you were trying to convey to others with this event? DM: We got hitched on Thanksgiving. It was a thrill to turn this traditional family holiday around with a gay wedding and a vegan Thanksgiving reception afterward, which was

mentioned in most of the press I saw. Jack and I waited for the gay marriage ban to be overturned in Nevada so we could have a tacky wedding in the “marriage capital of the world.” Even after the law was changed, some chapels still refused gays, so we opted to tie the knot right in the middle of the street under the “Welcome to Las Vegas” sign. And with Chrissie Hynde as our best man and Pamela Anderson the maid of honor, it was a surreal dream come true! BT: What does it take to win the heart of Dan Mathews? Tell us a bit about your husband and a day in the life of a vegan marriage. DM: I’ve never dated anyone because they were vegetarian, just like I’m gay but don’t only go to gay bars. I hang out with people because they are fun, smart, and kind, and if they happen to be veg I’m thrilled. Jack wasn’t veg when we met, but he never ate meat in front of me and I never pressured him. Instead I just cooked a lot and showed him the wonders of spicy vegan mock meats. I’m a seitan worshipper! He got really into it and is a great cook himself. In less than a year he stopped eating meat and just mentioned it to me casually. Now, seven years later, people invite us to dinner just so we’ll cook for them! Jack has far exceeded me as a vegan chef.

PHOTOs: DENISE TRUSCELLO / FILM MAGIC

BT: If Dan Mathews had his own controversial animal rights campaign, what would your tagline be? DM: I’ve always thought it would be fun to have a vegan campaign aimed at gays called “Don’t be a Dairy Queen.” BT: How do you want Dan Mathews to be remembered in the future of animal rights history? (Besides being “h-o-t!”) DM: I’d like to be remembered by two simple words: any two words, as long as they’re simple. BT: In your experience, do you think compassion for animals can be taught or are you just born with it? What in your experience may be the best technique for people to finally feel empathy for animals? DM: Compassion for animals is something that every child has naturally but they are lured away from these instincts by society’s nasty habits. Our job as a movement has been to make animal rights mainstream enough that parents no longer tell kids they must eat meat or hunt or fish or wear animal skins. And it’s working! The reason I don’t get burned

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Back in the eighties, people t h o u g h t a ve g a n wa s s o m e o n e fr o m Ve g a s . I t ’s a d i ffe r e n t wo r l d n ow a n d I fe e l l u c k y t o h ave been a part of t h e r evo l u t i o n , b o t h fo r a n i m a l r i g h t s a n d g ay rights.

out after thirty years working at PETA is because I have seen so many huge shifts in our culture. Back in the eighties, people thought a vegan was someone from Vegas. It’s a different world now and I feel lucky to have been a part of the revolution, both for animal rights and gay rights. BT: Do you think being gay gave you an advantage to have empathy towards animal cruelty? How and why? DM: Attitudes toward gays have shifted much like they have for animals. People have a hard time relating to those who are different and often strike out against them in ignorance. But society is really starting to wise up at last as more enlightened generations emerge. BT: What are some future projects that Dan Mathews fans can look forward to? DM: The project I’m most excited about is promoting vegan eating in jail: not just because it’s a captive audience, but because inmates really struggle with how to better their lives. Maybe I’m inspired by people I’ve met in lock-ups after protests. I’ll soon be serving a vegan lunch to eight thousand inmates in Arizona; the food ain’t bad, but it is a bit bland. I might smuggle in some Sriracha.

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ORIGIN SERIES:

Same Questions | Different Artists | Powerful Answers

Gangland Undercover, Haven, and Prisoner X actor

Damon Runyan

On Taking Chances, Failing Bigger, Committing with All Your Heart, and His Struggle with Finding a Father Interview: Robert Piper

Robert Piper: What inspires you? Damon Runyan: I’m inspired by love, by the moments that we commit to something with all our heart—be it a person, a project, an animal, anything really. It’s undeniably inspiring, that acknowledgment of existence, that I love, that I care. That fills me with purpose. RP: What is the hardest obstacle you’ve had to overcome in your life?

RP: How do you stay healthy? DR: I cook all the time. It’s a passion of mine. Mostly, I eat clean, unprocessed food, a lot of vegetables, and protein. I work out daily; at home, I row and do yoga and P90x. At the gym I work out with my friend and trainer Ben Dussault at the Anchored Social Club, focusing on balance and strength. Whenever I can get outside, I love stand-up paddle boarding, surfing, and cycling. RP: How do you deal with overcoming failure? DR: Failure is always present as an actor. I make my living by taking chances. If I’m not risking something, then I’m not doing my job, so I’m constantly failing. In fact, I’m trying to fail bigger. I try to focus on the positive, the moment, and try to realize where I’m at in an attempt to understand the failure. I’ve failed so

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many times in my life that my recovery time has improved. I’m better at redirecting my attention. I’ve trained in Radical Aliveness and Core Energetics over the past couple of years and that has allowed me to see how much we project our failures onto others. It has taught me to accept myself. There is real power in owning your truth. RP: What projects are you currently working on? DR: Currently, I’m starring in Gangland Undercover on History. I play Charles Falco, based on the real-life drug dealer-turnedinformant. I’ve just finished a feature called Prisoner X about a time-traveling jihadist, in which I play a CIA interrogator, written and directed by Gaurav Seth. I’m in rehearsals for the Mike Bartlett play Bull, which opens on March 17. It’s a fantastic play about corporate Darwinism set in modern-day London. He is one of my favorite writers and I’m thrilled to be gifted with his dialogue.

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It took me a long time to see the world as I want it, without constantly looking for approval. I still fall,

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DR: The hardest obstacle for me has been to find a father. I am the product of three fathers, and my connection to each of them has left me wanting. Each have their own strengths and weaknesses, but I’ve always been in competition with them in some way. Growing up in that fashion is a breeding ground for insecurity and doubt; it also leaves you questioning motives. It took me a long time to see the world as I want it without constantly looking for approval. I still fall, but I’m better suited for survival.

but I’m better suited for survival.

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ORIGIN SERIES:

Same Questions | Different Artists | Powerful Answers

Actor, model, comedian, and TV host Interview: Robert Piper

April Rose On the importance of healthy relationships, having a good support group, and the right way for women to exercise

Robert Piper: How do you stay healthy? April Rose: I think the most important thing is being in healthy relationships. That might be a weird answer, but I think emotional health is a big contributor to physical health. I think [having] good romantic relationships, but even friendships and family, around you and having strong, supportive people around you helps you have an overall healthy lifestyle. RP: What inspires you? AR: Gosh. I’m a girl, so every day I have a different opinion about or a different feeling about something that inspires me, but I think the thing that’s driven me is I’ll take a look at successful people and just try and see what their path was and follow that with my own twist, obviously. I guess I’m inspired by other people who are successful. RP: Can you talk about overcoming obstacles and some of the obstacles you’ve had to overcome in your life? AR: I guess really having a good support group around me and talking about what I’ve gone through is important. RP: Can you talk about resilience and how it’s impacted your career? AR: You know, it’s funny. I think rejection is a huge part of the business

and there’s so many cute girls that grow up with kind of being adored or people kind of bending over backwards for them. I see a lot of girls who aren’t used to rejection because of that, and now all of a sudden they drop out of the business. Rejection’s just something that you need to get used to and you need to accept it and you need to know there’s always going to be someone that’s smarter, prettier, younger, or knows the right person over you. RP: Any recommendations for working out? AR: Just do it. I’m really bad at working out and I eat a lot. I have to eat every two hours. My metabolism—I bring snacks with me all the time. My friends make fun of me, but I just run on very tight fuel or something. I’ve been more conscious about getting to the gym and working out and breaking a sweat, and just working out the right way. A lot of girls will do regular crunches, when that is building muscle in the middle of your stomach on top of—right in the middle area, where you might not want it to be. There’s certain types of sit-ups and crunches and moves that kind of build the core set of your muscles inside. There’s a different way of looking at exercise and optimizing it for the female body, if that makes sense. April Rose is an actor, model, comedian, and TV host.

“Rejection's just something that you need to get used to and you need to accept it and you need to know there's always going to be someone that's smarter, prettier, younger, or knows the right person over you.”

APRILROSEONLINE.COM

PHOTO: jason odell ORIGINMAGAZINE.COM 37

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ORIGIN SERIES:

Same Questions | Different Artists | Powerful Answers

Olympic gold-medal figure skater + NBC Correspondent

Tara Lipinski On Dealing with Stress, Using Failure to Fuel Success, and How she Keeps her Head Clear Interview: Robert Piper

essentiallytara.com

Photo: Adam Seacore

Robert Piper: What inspires you? Tara Lipinski: A clean blank sheet of ice. I love stepping onto the ice knowing I can create whatever I want or am feeling that day. It inspires me to be creative and artistic. It’s a great therapeutic outlet to utilize both my heart and body at the same time. RP: What is the hardest obstacle you’ve had to overcome in your life?

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I love stepping onto the ice knowing I can create whatever I want or am feeling that day.

TL: Career-wise, I was not the most naturally talented ice skater. Of course I had a knack for it,but practice was always the answer for me. I needed to put in the time to get back the confidence that led me to Olympic gold. I would say facing the obstacles surrounding the day-to-day pressures of an elite athlete at a very young age was not the easiest task. Learning to deal with the nerves and feeling the pressure of representing my country, all while wanting to achieve my own dreams, was a big obstacle to plow through. RP: How do you stay healthy? TL: I love to work out. I need to work out! Nothing makes me feel better than walking out of a spin or barre class knowing my body and mind got some attention. I also have a sweet tooth, so I try to balance some meals throughout the week with veggies, fruits, andprotein. RP: How do you deal with overcoming failure? TL: I am very competitive, so when I fail I use what I learned from that mishap to fuel success. As long as I leave my frustration behind, I know I am moving toward my goal again. RP: What projects are you currently working on? TL: I just recently launched a blog, EssentiallyTara.com. I have been wanting to find another platform to interact with my fans, and it only made sense to start with this blog to share my life, which includes my love of fashion, home, and travel. It is a ton of work, since I am a bit of a control freak and need to be part of every little thing, but it is also a very rewarding process. It’s a great creative outlet for me. Tara Lipinski won an Olympic gold medal in ladies’ single figure skating at the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan, becoming the youngest woman ever to earn this title. She was a commentator at the 2014 Winter Olympics along with fellow skater Johnny Weir.

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on their world. I guess that’s what I’m always thinking about: “What do skratchers do on other planets?” Since the universe is infinite, that inspires me with endless ideas. PDM: I think your work looks at records as “archives of history.” You’ve even had moments where you think about talking with aliens by scratching. How is the new project different? DQ: The new project is still in the process of becoming that end result of a video encyclopedia of skratchers on other worlds. Extraterrestria is the Encyclopedia Britannica of alien skratch music on other planets and in other dimensions. At this same time, I released another album. I had to come out with an in-depth look on our own planet with a second album called GalaXXXian, which is a look into hip hop culture on Earth, with MCs rapping and mirroring this planet’s present evolution.

DJ QBert’s

Innovatively Interactive Album Packaging Created With Kate Stone

Sonic Science Interview: Paul D. Miller AKA DJ Spooky

t’s a basic premise that without the turntable there would be no DJ. But as we move further and further into the twenty-first century, the role of vinyl and the culture that it created—records, mixing boards, sound systems, and yes, cutting and scratching— have all evolved to become more of a reflection of our digital media environment.

DJ QBert, in collaboration with Kate Stone, designed a Bluetooth-enabled DJ controller right into the artwork and packaging of his new albums Extraterrestria and GalaXXXian. ORIGIN Magazine caught up with QBert to discuss graphic design and the sound of the twenty-first century DJ.

at how to put together scratches and beats. What informs your thought process? It’s half interstellar and half graphic design. You’ve always had spaceships, crazy science fiction, and storytelling as part of your process. What’s up with that? DJ QBert: I think it comes from wanting to have these visuals in my head come to life in a film or some kind of display that would allow others to see what another world would look like. So then I make the music as if I was scoring it. I do my best that the sounds will fit the theme of that track, but then there are many other times where it can be random and things happen for no reason, just for fun! A storyline can let me organize changes in the music better, like acts in a play. It’s just like how we made Wave Twisters the movie.

Paul D. Miller: Your mixes invoke intangible We would love to make a film of all these things like “soul” to think about buildings and different races in other galaxies, kinda like taking a look into how b-boys would do things architecture. I’d like to hear how you arrive DJQBERT.COM 40 ORIGINMAGAZINE.COM

PDM: Why do you focus on some of the materials in your project, and what makes you think about the kind of strategies you use to balance between global DJ culture and the very specific styles of hip hop you create? Do you ever think of your music as coming from Asia or is it all about America, West Coast, East Cost, Global? Next to the advance in tech, what do you think the biggest progress has been in DJ culture? DQ: I’m not really thinking about cultures in any part of the world, but more so on how if Earth was to have a culture that an alien race would see, well then that’s what I’d want them to hear. So I’m kinda just looking to do things that have never been done, but still have that skratcher b-boy element included. Very interesting experiments happen and it’s not always a good thing, but learning from doing it—all the beautiful mistakes—and accidentally coming up with something I love is the real fun! I believe the biggest advancement in DJ culture is that DJs are being vocal and are a voice to raise the consciousness of the masses towards making our planet awaken from the hypnosis of the matrix. Lots will get on the mic and tell huge audiences to pray for world peace. And there’s a scientific study that shows when everyone prays for peace, whole war zones on the planet actually cease fighting for that day! Can you imagine if everyone on the planet turned off their TV to stop the intake of fear from the news channels and just concentrated on love? The whole planet would instantly propel itself into the ascension process and turn into a heavenly state in a higher vibratory dimension!

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I’ m not really thinking ab o u t c u lt u r e s i n a n y pa rt o f t h e wo r ld, b u t m o r e s o o n h ow i f Ea rt h was t o h av e a c u lt u r e t h at a n ali e n r ac e wo u ld s e e , w e ll t h e n t h at ’s w h at I ’d wa n t t h e m t o h e a r .

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ORIGIN SERIES:

Same Questions | Different Artists | Powerful Answers

Hawaii Five-0, Murder In The First, CSI, and Criminal Minds actor

Ian Anthony Dale On His Amazing Mom, Being Stereotyped, His Deep-Fried Childhood, and Letting Failure Make You Stronger Robert Piper: What inspires you? Ian Anthony Dale: I am inspired by those who dedicate their lives to bringing about positive social change throughout the world. My mother dedicated over fifty years of her life to the nursing profession, giving selflessly of her time, energy, and passion for the benefit of others. I always marvel at what an indelible and honorable contribution she has made and hope to be able to make a similar impact over the course of my life and career. RP: What is the hardest obstacle you’ve had to overcome in your life? IAD: Bridging the gap between how people perceive me and how I would like to be perceived. When I came into this business, there was still a very narrow view of where someone like me could fit in. Many of the opportunities available to me were merely a perpetuation of an already unfavorable status quo. I had to be very careful not to sacrifice my integrity for the sake of a job. With limited opportunity early on, that wasn’t always the easiest thing to do. RP: How do you stay healthy? IAD: I run or hike three to four times per week and believe that an “everything in moderation” approach to dieting is the best way to keep your mind and body healthy and your taste buds happy. I grew up in a household where the FryDaddy was always bubbling, and butter and salt

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PHOTOS: Vince Trupsin

Interview: Robert Piper

were never in short supply. I’ve never been one to choose the healthy option over the non-healthy option if the healthy option was lacking in taste. I believe a little bad is good for you from time to time. When it comes to maintaining a healthy soul, nothing beats traveling. RP: How do you deal with overcoming failure? IAD: Failure is just part of life; it happens to everyone. Yet, it doesn’t have to be crippling if you don’t let it. I believe there is a right way to fail and a wrong way to fail. If you can look at your failure and answer yes to the questions, “Did I give it my absolute best effort?” and “Have I learned something valuable?” then you have failed in the right way. By these standards, I’ve failed many times in my career. But every failure has made me stronger and wiser. Inevitably, success has always followed. RP: What projects are you currently working on? IAD: In addition to my work on Murder in the First and Hawaii Five-0, I recently began shadowing directors. I’ve always looked at directing as the next step for me in my creative career, and after spending the better part of the last decade on a television set absorbing as much as I could from in front of the camera, I’m now eager to learn as much as I can from behind it. When not on set, my energy has been focused on helping raise money to complete Bulbul: Song of the Nightingale, a documentary that brings attention to the social and human injustices suffered by the Banchara tribe in India. The Banchara have existed at the bottom of Indian society for centuries, relying on prostitution as their economic lifeblood, forcing girls as young as twelve into the trade. By sharing the story of the Banchara, our hope is to raise awareness and spark sustainable change within their community through health care, education, and alternative economic opportunities.

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But every failure has made me stronger and wiser. Inevitably, success has always followed.

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ORIGIN SERIES:

Same Questions | Different Artists | Powerful Answers

Awkward actor

A s h ley R i ckar ds On overcoming an eating disorder, staying spiritually centered, and treating her body with respect Interview: Robert Piper

Robert Piper: What inspires you? Ashley Rickards: My fans firstly. They make me want to be a better person and really motivate me when times get tough. Also Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing” and, oddly enough, hubcaps. That’s a long story... RP: What is the hardest obstacle you’ve had to overcome in your life? AR: Probably my eating disorder. It ruled my life for years, and I didn’t know how I could live with it forever, but I didn’t know how I could live without it. It was a struggle to recover from, and it’s only a daily reprieve, but as long as I stay spiritually centered, I don’t veer off track or get tempted. RP: How do you stay healthy? AR: I eat organic as much as possible, cleanse regularly, and love outdoor activities like paddle boarding, hiking, swimming, kickboxing, and yoga. But honestly it’s more of a psychological thing for me. If I feel good on the inside, I treat my body with more respect.

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It was a struggle to recover from, and it’s only a daily reprieve, but as long as I stay spiritually centered, I don’t veer off track or get tempted.

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RP: How do you deal with overcoming failure? AR: I move on as quickly as possible. I tend to be really hard on myself anyway, which is great for work ethic and such, but sometimes outcomes are just out of your control and there was nothing you could’ve done anyway. If I’m at fault, I make note and do my best to try again. “No” isn’t really a word I understand. RP: What projects are you currently working on? AR: Well, I just finished directing my second episode of Awkward, we’re filming our fifth season, and my book A Real Guide To Really Getting It Together Once And For All (Really) is on bookstands now! Ashley Rickards is an actor and author of A Real Guide To Really Getting It Together Once And For All (Really). She plays the lead role in MTV’s Awkward. PHOTO: MTV 44 ORIGINMAGAZINE.COM

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D e v i o u s M a i d s , Ac t o f Va lo r , a n d Ru s h H o u r 2 ac t o r

Roselyn Sánchez O n W o r k i n g i n a Bu s i n e s s B a s e d o n R e j e c t i o n , A lway s Hav i n g t o P ro v e Y o u r s e l f, a n d C e l e b r at i n g W h at M a k e s h e r D iff e r e n t

Interview: Robert Piper

Robert Piper: What inspires you? Roselyn Sánchez: Many things inspire me, but at this moment in my life, my daughter is my greatest inspiration. Working hard has taken on a whole new meaning since I had her. I want to make a great life for myself so she can have a great life. RP: What is the hardest obstacle you’ve had to overcome in your life? RS: My greatest obstacle has to be accepting that the business that I chose to be part of is based on rejection and constantly trying to prove yourself. Letting go of seeing my accent and the way I speak as a limitation. Accepting it as who I am and where I came from. RP: How do you stay healthy? RS: I stay healthy through eating well, working out—simply living a healthy lifestyle. RP: How do you deal with overcoming failure? RS: I don’t believe in failure. I believe every setback is an opportunity to learn, regroup, get stronger, and try again. This is my motto: Rejection is God’s protection. When people feel that they have failed, it’s usually because somebody or something caused them to feel that way and taste defeat. I refuse to dwell on that. Yes, it sucks at first, and the feeling is valid, but it all happens for a reason. Let go...

RP: What projects are you currently working on? RS: I’m shooting the third season of Devious Maids. I am developing three projects: one is a TV series, one is a TV movie, and the other is a children’s book. I have my foundation in Puerto Rico, and we just did the first edition of Kids Couture Fashion Show by Roselyn Sánchez to benefit a young cancer patient, Jared Santos. Roselyn Sánchez is a Puerto Rican actor, producer, and writer. She is known for her role as FBI agent Elena Delgado in the CBS police prodecural Without a Trace. She plays Carmen Luna in Lifetime’s Devious Maids.

“I don’t believe in failure. I believe every setback is an opportunity to learn, regroup, get stronger and try again.

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Photo: Omar Cruz ORIGINMAGAZINE.COM 45

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ORIGIN SERIES:

Same Questions | Different Artists | Powerful Answers

focus actor

Adrian Martinez On real connection, drawing strength from art, and asking the universe for guidance Interview: Robert Piper

Robert Piper: What is the hardest obstacle you’ve had to overcome in your life? Adrian Martinez: Myself. Fear of success. Fear of failure. I have felt them all. But fear is an acronym for “false evidence appearing real.” So you hold on to that and just keep going. Being open and receptive to the spirit that connects us all, maintaining friendships, striving at real connection—all that keeps me a step ahead of fear too. RP: What inspires you? AM: Children do. They seem to be the ones focusing on really connecting emotionally and openly, while the grown-ups seem to be focusing on surface connections, like Facebook. I also draw strength from the stillness and power of art. One of my favorite places is The Cloisters museum in Upper Manhattan—the Unicorn Tapestries, the view of the Hudson, the flowerbeds. You can’t help but be inspired by the waves of wonderful. RP: How do you deal with overcoming failure? AM: It’s important to be gentle with oneself. You would never mock the runner who stumbles in a marathon at the thirteenth mile. That runner is you. RP: What projects are you working on? AM: I’ve got a few. Really excited about the movie Focus and working opposite Will Smith and Margot Robbie. It’s funny, but that opportunity was life’s way of showing me to never give up. I had come off a horrific ADRIANMARTINEZ.NET 46 ORIGINMAGAZINE.COM

experience on a movie where I was treated pretty badly. It shook me up. I literally asked the universe for guidance; I felt like a drowning man. Then I heard about Focus and saw they were looking for this character that I was right for. I told my agent to get me in on it, and the next thing I knew was being treated like all those years of sacrifice mattered. I was filming in the Superdome with Mr. Smith one day and riding around in a sports car through Buenos Aires the next. Surreal, wonderful. Grateful to everything that helped make it happen. I’ve got fuel in my tank now. Another project is a TV show idea of a modern-day Latino Archie Bunker / Glenn Beck type; his name is Hank. The time is right for a satirical look at race in this country.

“It’s important to be gentle with oneself. You would never mock the runner who stumbles in a marathon at the thirteenth mile. That runner is you.” Adrian Martinez has more than eighty film and television credits, appearing alongside Ben Stiller in The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, in Casa de Mi Padre with Will Ferrell, and in Focus opposite Will Smith. Adrian is also recognizable from national commercial spots for State Farm. PHOTO: ROSS FERGUSON

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Actor, fashionista, and entrepreneur

Cara Santana

On being inspired by daily life, overcoming addiction, and taking risks   Robert Piper: What inspires you? Cara Santana: As an artist, I’m really inspired by everything around me—from travel and art, to friends and family, social voices in media and politics. I get a lot of inspiration from daily life. I think it is important to stay open to the world around you, so that you are constantly in a state of growth and evolution, which can only happen through inspiration. RP: How do you stay healthy? CS: I enjoy working out. That is important for me. Whether it’s a hike with my dog or an hour at the gym, I like to maintain an active lifestyle. I eat in moderation, splurging when I feel it’s appropriate and not overeating out of complacency or boredom. I’ve been lucky to always have a healthy relationship with food. I also love to be consistent with meditation and make sure that I am supplying my body, mind, and soul with everything it needs to function. RP: What is the hardest obstacle you’ve had to overcome in your life? CS: I feel very blessed that at a young age I was able to navigate my battle with drug and alcohol addiction, and through recovery live a sober life. There is such a stigma attached to addiction and it was hard for me to both confront and overcome it. I am very proud and grateful that with the support of family and friends, I was able to do so. Being over ten years sober, and getting to this point and maintaining it, has and will always be my greatest obstacle and accomplishment. RP: How do you deal with overcoming failure? CS: Failure is inevitable. If you aren’t taking risks, then you won’t fail. I’m a risk taker, so I have come to accept that at times I will fail. To me, that is better than not trying at all. RP: What projects are you currently working on? CS: I’m currently shooting Salem, which I CARADISCLOTHED.COM

am so proud of. I play a Native American Indian who is in love with Shane West’s character. It’s been such a challenge to step into the sixteenth century and learn a new culture and really delve into that world so I can represent it with honesty. I have learned so much and it’s been fun. While in the midst of that, I launched a beautyon-demand app called The Glam App, which provides affordable and convenient beauty straight to your door. It’s activated in LA and NYC and we are working on our national reach now.   Cara Santana is an actress, fashionista, and entrepreneur. She recently launched the on-demand beauty app The Glam App and can be seen in the upcoming season of Salem on WGN America. She also runs the popular fashion blog, Cara Disclothed.

Interview: Robert Piper

“I think it is important to stay open to the world around you, so that you are constantly in a state of growth and evolution, which can only happen through inspiration.”

PHOTO: MARC CARTWRIGHT ORIGINMAGAZINE.COM 47

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Same Questions | Different Artists | Powerful Answers

Texas Rising actor

Dillon Lane On the speed of the world, the responsibilities of adulthood, and another way to view failure

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I was so anxious to grow up, and now I’m wishing I was still a kid.

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Interview: Robert Piper

Robert Piper: What inspires you? Dillon Lane: We live in a very inspirational point in time. Things are progressing faster and further than ever before. What inspires me most is the world we live in adapting at such a rapid rate. RP: What is the hardest obstacle you’ve had to overcome in your life? DL: The hardest obstacle I’ve ever had to overcome is probably my first steps into adulthood: paying rent, groceries, cooking, taxes. I was so anxious to grow up, and now I’m wishing I was still a kid. RP: How do you deal with overcoming failure?

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DL: I don’t look at it like failure, more as simply something that didn’t work. Like Edison said, he never failed. He just found ten thousand ways how not to make the light bulb. RP: What projects are you working on? DL: [I’m] waiting for the release of History Channel’s newest miniseries, Texas Rising, in which I play Yancey Burns, the youngest of the Texas Rangers after the fall of the Alamo. Currently auditioning, writing, practicing, and working hard. Dillon Lane plays the youngest Texas Ranger in Texas Rising. He has also appeared in Longmire, Bucket and Skinner’s Epic Adventures, and Good Luck Charlie.

PHOTO: CHARLES “CHAZ” RODRIGUEZ

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ORIGIN SERIES:

Same Questions | Different Artists | Powerful Answers

S t r a i gh t O u t ta C o m p t o n ac t o r

the first person to attend college in our entire family.

Marlon

Something that makes me wake up every morning and push to be all I can be, is knowing the youth of our generation are always watching us and looking for guidance, especially in urban neighborhoods like where I grew up in South Central Los Angeles.

Yates

On drawing inspiration from family, not regretting your choices, and representing South Central

RP: What is the hardest obstacle you’ve had to overcome in your life?

Interview: Robert Piper

MY: The hardest obstacle I’ve had to overcome in life was losing my father at such a young age and basically being left without guidance. I had to learn a lot on my own. Also, walking away from my first love, which was football, was so sad. It’s all I had ever known growing up and to let it go was really tough. RP: How do you stay healthy? MY: I stay healthy by waking up every morning at 7 a.m., doing tons of yoga and cardio and making sure I treat my body like the temple it is. Everything you get out of your body comes from what you put in, so I make sure it’s all quality food, sleep, and exercise. RP: How do you deal with overcoming failure? MY: I deal with overcoming failure by being prepared for what’s next and never giving up. I walked away from something I loved, and I told myself I would never do that again. You can’t regret your decisions once you’ve made them.

Robert Piper: What inspires you? Marlon Yates: I have a few different causes for my inspiration every day. My number one inspiration has been my mother and realizing how hard she has worked to make sure my brothers and I stayed away from trouble, living in an environment where trouble is always lurking around the corner. Another inspiration is my older brother, and seeing him get a full football scholarship in college then enrolling in medical school has been very rewarding. He is

“I walked away from something I loved, and I told myself I would never do that again. You can’t regret your decisions once you’ve made them.

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RP: What projects are you currently working on? MY: I’m currently working on a project for TV One, and [I’m] extremely excited about the day Straight Outta Compton drops in theaters this summer. It’s an amazing story and as an LA native I’m thrilled to be a part of it. Marlon Yates is an actor in Straight Outta Compton. He also appeared in the TV movie Will to Love. PHOTO: BOBBY QUILLARD ORIGINMAGAZINE.COM 49

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actor

Lenny Jacobson On getting in the zone, vulnerability, and preferring chaos

Interview: Maranda Pleasant

Maranda Pleasant: What makes you come alive or inspires you? Lenny Jacobson: The opportunity to perform. It’s just the feeling of anticipation and then once you’re in the middle of it—you get in the zone. That’s what you hope for. MP: What makes you feel vulnerable? LJ: Everyday life. I think vulnerable is something you should always be. [It] makes you open to each experience. I try not to see vulnerability as a negative. MP: If you could say something to everyone on the planet, what would it be? LJ: Just “Be nice to each other.” Not a lot, but seems like the most obvious thing. MP: How do you handle emotional pain? LJ: Not always great but I’m getting better. Having people to talk to or lean on helps. MP: How do you keep your center in the

middle of chaos? Do you have a daily routine? LJ: Sometimes chaos is a little easier to handle than the regular moments because your body just takes over. No time to think. Just do. I do not have a daily routine. Not sure if that’s a good or a bad thing.

LJ: Those dealing with education and helping those with depression and other mental disorders. Also, autism and cancer research. “The opportunity to perform. It’s just the feeling of anticipation and then once you’re in the middle of it—you get in the zone. That’s

MP: What’s been one of your biggest lessons so far in life?

what you hope for.”

LJ: Appreciate your friends and loved ones. There’s no way of knowing what’s coming next, so appreciate those who are close to you.

MP: Tell me if you have a yoga or mindfulness practice. What influence has it had on your life?

MP: What truth do you know for sure?

LJ: Some meditation. I wish I used it more.

LJ: I honestly can’t answer that question. For sure? Not sure there is a truth that’s “for sure.”

MP: Tell me about your latest projects.

MP: What is love for you?

LJ: New show, Big Time in Hollywood, FL. Airing now on Comedy Central.

LJ: My friends and family.

MP: Why is it important to you?

MP: Causes or organizations that you’re passionate about?

LJ: Besides the obvious reasons of income and being able to work, this show and the people involved have become my life and family.

PHOTO: BEN MILLER, STYLIST: FRANZY STAEDTER, GROOMING: CHRISTINA GUERRA/CELESTINE AGENCY 50 ORIGINMAGAZINE.COM

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ORIGIN SERIES:

Same Questions | Different Artists | Powerful Answers

Luca Oriel

Shameless actor

On making a tough decision, inspirational kids, and carb-friendly metabolism Interview: Robert Piper

Robert Piper: What is the hardest obstacle you’ve had to overcome in your life? Luca Oriel: A difficult obstacle I overcame was when I had to choose between playing football for my high school and leaving my team to do a film in Miami. I had done all of the summer conditioning for football and had developed a strong relationship with all my teammates and coaches, especially Coach Roby, who took me under his wing. A year prior, I’d done a staged reading for this movie, but nothing came of it, so I moved on and put all of my focus into football. Fast-forward a year, the director calls from London saying he got funding for his film Calloused Hands and would like for me to send in a self-taped audition, which I thought I’d never get. When he offered me the part, I was torn about leaving the team and letting a lot of people down. I debated what to do, had a lot of sleepless nights. I decided to do the movie since that’s what I saw myself doing in the future. In the end, my team and coaches respected my decision, and all came out to support the film.

“Young people can be a strong force and have a positive influence on both older and younger generations.” RP: What inspires you? LO: Really anything from art, music, to creative people, and life itself inspires me. Especially, young kids inspire me the most when I see them doing great things in their selected industry and community. It shows that young people can be a strong force and have a positive influence on both older and younger generations. RP: How do you stay healthy? LO: I lift weights five to six times a week and train in kickboxing three times a week for cardio. I try to eat healthy, but it’s hard, being that my favorite food is Italian, which is a lot of carbs. Thank God for a fast metabolism! RP: How do you deal with overcoming failure? LO: Failure is a hard thing to overcome, but what helps me is accepting the failure and trying to figure out the mistakes I made and to learn from them. Failure can help you grow and improve, so I don’t necessarily see it as a bad thing. RP: What projects are you working on? LO: I am on Season Five of Showtime’s Shameless. Luca Oriel is an actor on Showtime’s Shameless. His film credits include Calloused Hands and Wake. PHOTO: ERIK HYLER ORIGINMAGAZINE.COM 51