Mickey Weems

co-host
 

Mickey is a scholar with terminal stage 4 prostate cancer. He has been trained as a Myrtle Beach lifeguard, U.S. Marine, and Brazilian Candomblé adherent. He has a PhD from Ohio State (Somatic Studies, Cultural Studies, College of Education) and two MAs (Anthropology from UH Manoa and Folklore from Ohio State). Not wanting to compromise his quality of life for the time he has remaining, Mickey refuses chemotherapy and hormonal therapy, opting only for targeted radiation. He is working on producing music, a comic book about a superhero with stage 4 prostate cancer, and this podcast. He also lifts weights six times a week and goes dancing until dawn twice on weekends. A fan of multiple religious traditions as well as atheism, Mickey is a queer Muslim with pronounced Zen tendencies, and a follower of a Sufi path based upon ijtihad or reason.

 

Donna Blanchard

Co-HOST
 

Donna is the managing director of Kumu Kahua Theatre, executive team member of the ‘Ohina Showcase, Labs and Films, president of the Hawaii State Theatre Council, recipient of Pacific Business News’ “Women Who Mean Business” 2022 recognition, and a former community advisory board member of Hawai‘i Public Radio. She's an accomplished nonprofit and for-profit business development professional with more than 20 years of experience in business rescue, management, and alignment for strong resiliency, stability, and growth. She is also a published writer, voice artist, and an award-winning actor and director.

 

James Charisma

Producer
 

James is an award-winning editorial director and creative consultant specializing in digital and print media. He is the co-founder of The Hawai‘i Review of Books, contributing editor of HONOLULU Magazine, and creative director of the Honolulu-based design agency Charisma Industries. James is also the editorial director of ‘Ohina, Hawai‘i’s largest annual short film festival and independent production studio; as well as a regular contributing arts, entertainment, business, and travel writer for publications including The Los Angeles Times, New York Magazine, Playboy, VICE, Business Insider, Complex, LA Weekly, and others.

 

Susan Wright

CONTENT ADVISOR & PUBLIC RELATIONS
 

Susan is currently a director of creative services for a leading Honolulu-based marketing communications agency. She has years of public relations, corporate communications, and creative marketing experience from her work both on Oʻahu and in Los Angeles, including in-house posts with major motion picture studios, as well as entertainment marketing and literary agencies. Susan holds a Bachelor’s in Visual Arts (film and television), volunteers her time in support of emerging filmmakers, and is a published writer of short fiction.