5 women who made a lasting impression on Shad
Many brilliant, fascinating women have shared their passions and perspectives on q. For International Women's Day, Shad highlights five conversations that especially resonated with him.
"Mavis told incredible stories about the civil rights movement and the role music can play in buoying revolution." — Shad
Mavis Staples on crafting a soundtrack for the civil rights era: In a special two-part interview, Mavis Staples joins Shad to discuss her decades-long career, her family's role in the civil rights movement and why — in the aftermath of Ferguson — we must collectively heed the lessons of history.
"Buffy brought tremendous energy and intelligence. I especially appreciated her passion for her community." — Shad
Why Buffy Sainte-Marie doesn't believe in burning out: In a wide-ranging and energized conversation, Buffy Sainte-Marie joins Shad to discuss over 50 years of activism and envelope-pushing, the importance of play, and why indigenous artists are cracking the mainstream in unprecedented ways.
3) Maysoon Zayid:
"Maysoon was so generous in sharing her unique experiences — and she was just a whirlwind of humour and great storytelling." — Shad
Maysoon Zayid isn't trying to 'inspire' you: Maysoon Zayid jokes that she has 99 problems, and cerebral palsy's just one. The pioneering Muslim-American comic uses humour as a way to connect audiences with the experience of people like her — people perceived as different.
4) Patti Smith
"Patti had such a calm and calming presence. There's a beautiful, understated quality to her." — Shad
Patti Smith on the power of daydream time. In her new book M Train, Patti Smith takes the reader on a winding journey through her life, her memories, her creative impulses, and her secret passions. In an interview packed with sweet and surprising moments, Smith tells Shad about the beauty of the wandering mind.
"Elizabeth has a timely, inspiring message about our need to create, and about the world's need for all our creativity." — Shad
Elizabeth Gilbert on the perils of ignoring your creative self. What was your favourite thing to do before someone told you weren't very good at it? Your answer, says Eat Pray Love author Elizabeth Gilbert, may just lead you back to curiosity.