I finally feel my age when I see young people I’ve known for a long time become their adult selves, where the choices they have made help codify them as the people they have always meant to be. So it is with one of our guests today, Alexandra Mallick, whom I have known from the time she was a college student dating the son of very close friends of mine. I always liked her verve and style and sass. At one time she even worked for me while I had a daily radio show. I knew wherever she would end up, she could make a real difference.
And now it is clear, that after a decade that included working in an art gallery, working in non-profits as a fundraiser, working for Spin, and owning an art gallery, Alex has found her mission.It is to help reform the way justice is meted out in California, it is to help youth who are incarcerated and neglected, and it is to promote restorative justice.She is my guest today along with the co-executive director of Re:Store Justice, Adnan Khan. I think you will understand why I wanted to talk with these two powerful young advocates.
1. Finding parking in Manhattan on the weekends in the summer.
2. Cotton eyelet fabric. Cool, pretty, and a good word in Spelling Bee.
3. Hot dogs. Don’t scream at me. I know they’re terrible and have nitrates and filler and all that. But in the summer, on a grill a beef or turkey hotdog is a special treat. And I even like them with baked beans. I’ve eaten one already over Memorial Day, and I am sure I’ll eat another before the summer is over.
4. Straw hats. It took me years to get over my hat shyness. I never looked good in hats and always felt like I was wearing a costume. Oh Look, Lisa thinks she’s in a production of Oklahoma.Now I wear them a lot. For shade, for my skin, and always on a long walk or at the beach.Big brim or small, I appreciate the hard work of the summer chapeau.
5. Shannon Watts. the Founder of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America.
Shannon Watts is a mother of five who, prior to founding Moms Demand Action, was a stay-at-home mom and former communications executive. The day after the Sandy Hook tragedy, Shannon started a Facebook group with the message that all Americans can and should do more to reduce gun violence. The online conversation turned into a grassroots movement of Americans fighting for public safety measures that protect people from gun violence. Moms Demand Action has established a chapter in every state of the country and is part of Everytown for Gun Safety, the largest gun violence prevention organization in the country, with more than 5 million supporters. In addition to her work with Moms Demand Action, Watts is an active board member of Emerge America, one of the nation’s leading organizations for recruiting and training women to run for office.
And now, a very thoughtful five things from Alex Mallick and Adnan Khan.
1. Cappuccino (with foam art)
2. Soft Shit. Pillows, towels, goose down comforters, cozy sweaters, couches, cashmere, etc.
3. Privilegesplaining (variation of mansplaining).
4. Comedy and humor as a survival tool.
5. The idea that an individual can change things.