Optimistic Tales

Dr Moody continues his “ five albums on a deserted island ” discussion with Anthony, Michael, and Jon. This “neo-Fab Four” further examines the magic of music as they dive deeper into back-catalogs, begging for box sets and exploring their own fanaticism with Pop Music. 

Dr Moody discusses with Anthony, Michael, and Jon the “ five albums" they would want to have on a deserted island to keep from going insane. 

Dr Moody continues his discussion with Anthony, Michael, and Jon about how the magic of music has impacted their lives over decades of friendship. As previously asked, “ Have you ever had a special connection with someone through music ?”  This glory-dazed celebration of laughter, revelry, and musically-fueled rollicks will prove you’re not alone.

Dr Moody talks with Anthony, Michael, and Jon to discuss how the magic of music has impacted their lives over decades of friendship. Have you ever had a special connection with someone through music ? This fun-filled celebration of laughter, revelry, and musically-fueled mayhem will prove you’re not alone.

Dr Moody talks with Amber Dawn , a local musician and highly regarded voice coach and vocal consultant for creatives. She is also the founder of Amber Dawn Vocal Studio in Gulfport, MS.  Amber Dawn’s optimistic tale began at a early age when she found that her passion and purpose in life was to help others walk their most authentic path to self-fulfillment…one voice at a time.  

Dr. Moody talks with Mr. Ray Leone, a board-certified music therapist and Director of Medical Music Therapy at A Place to Be , a nationally recognized therapeutic arts organization creating community, belonging, and hope. As Director of Medical Music Therapy, Ray oversees and manages the music therapy program at the Inova Health Systems in Northern Virginia.  Mr. Leone’s optimistic tale centers ar...

Dr Moody talks with Dr. Marco Iacoboni, a neurologist, neuroscientist, Professor of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, and the Director of the Neuromodulation Lab at the Ahmanson-Lovelace Brain Mapping Center at UCLA. He is also the author of the book, Mirroring People: The Science of Empathy and How We Connect with Others .  Dr. Iacoboni is an optimist, whose unique research provides us with t...

Dr. Moody talks with Mr. Hosea London, leader & manager of the Excelsior Band© , a cultural and musical icon on the Gulf Coast since 1883. Hosea’s optimistic tale is rooted in an empathetic desire to share his passion for music with his community.  Mr. London is the current music director of The Jazz Studio , a premiere, year-round, Jazz music education program for aspiring youth musicians. Th...

Dr. Moody talks with Catharine Hannay, founder of MindfulTeachers.org , a website that features teaching resources on mindfulness, compassion, and social-emotional skills, as well as self-care resources for educators and other helping professionals. Backed up with 20 years of teaching experience, she has been writing, since 2012, about navigating an increasingly complex, interconnected world on to...

Dr. Moody continues his previous talk with Elizabet Elliott, Executive Director/Curator of the Alabama Contemporary Arts Center ( www.alabamacontemporary.org ).  In this final episode of a two-part series, Dr. Moody and his guests “ get weird and exercise some demons ” through an exploration of what it really means to be an Artist at Heart in the deep, Deep South.  Also joining the conversation is...

Dr. Moody talks with Elizabet Elliott, Executive Director/Curator of the Alabama Contemporary Arts Center (ACAC, www.alabamacontemporary.org ). The ACAC is a non-collecting organization committed to providing living artists space for difference, empathetic communication of ideas, and diverse cultural representation.  Elizabet’s optimistic tale is a consequence of the integral role she plays in bui...

Dr. Moody talks with Mr. David Dai, a Math Teacher at the Barton Academy for Advanced World Studies. His remarkable accomplishments include numerous Teacher of the Year awards; however, his most prestigious award to date is his recent Nappie Award as the Coolest Public School Teacher in Mobile . David’s optimistic tale is simple—a local boy who leaves home, learns great things, and then chooses to...

Dr. Moody talks, once again, with Ms. Joni Hendee, Marketing & Public Relations Director at the Dumas Wesley Community Center (DWCC).  As Dumas-Wesley celebrates its 120th year of community service, Ms. Hendee discusses several of their signature programs, such as the Annual Toy Store, which provides eligible families the opportunity to purchase new toys at a fraction of the cost during the ho...

Dr. Moody talks with Nicole Shakespear, a Registered Behavior Technician with 15+ years of dedicated service. She is fueled by a genuine desire to make a positive impact on the lives of other people. Nicole's passion for community service, steadfast commitment to social welfare, and strong entrepreneurial drive for change is truly an optimistic tale worth sharing.

Dr. Moody commemorates his 35th wedding anniversary (a truly optimistic tale) with the first public release of a song he wrote for his wife, some many years ago. Perfect Silhouette (c) 1997 E.M. Moody. All Rights Reserved.

Dr. Moody continues his talk with Mr. Terrance D. Smith, currently the  Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation Fellow  (publicinnovation.jhu.edu) at John Hopkins University in Baltimore. The discussion for this episode takes place approximately seven years after the previous interview in Part 1.  Mr. Smith's optimistic tale, as a mentor, counselor, teacher, and academic, is one of restoring vi...

Dr. Moody talks with Mr. Terrance D. Smith, founding Director of the Mayor's Office of Strategic Initiatives (osi.cityofmobile.org) for the City of Mobile and currently the Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation Fellow (publicinnovation.jhu.edu) at John Hopkins University in Baltimore. Mr. Smith's optimistic tale is one of restoring vibrancy to the communities he so passionately serves, on...

Dr. Moody talks with Prudence Farrow Bruns, PhD, life-long practitioner, teacher, and scholar of Transcendental Meditation (tm.org). She is also the author of Dear Prudence: The Story Behind the Song . Dr. Bruns shares her personal experiences to find truth and inner peace, which freed her from the shackles of internalized stress. Her optimistic tale is one of joy, laughter, and the positive hope...

Dr. Moody talks with Andrea Gellatly, co-founder of MakeMIA Makerspace (facebook.com/makemiamakerspace), a nonprofit organization that promotes education in science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics [STEAM] through hands-on experience. Her collaboration with Magic Wheelchair (magicwheelchair.org), a nonprofit organization that builds epic costumes for kiddos in wheelchairs, under...

Dr. Moody talks with Mr. Orlando Armando, community activist and current Director of Educate Mozambique ( facebook.com/educatemutua ), a nonprofit and community-based organization which aims at promoting community development and social welfare through educational and social assistance programs for those in need. Orlando is a true testament of what Thinking Globally and Acting Locally can achieve....

Dr. Moody talks with Isaac Winfield and his mum, Claire Chapman, co-founders of the Friends of Isaac's Food Bank in Redditch, England.  Isaac's optimistic tale begins with his heart-felt wish to put food on the table of those less fortunate by creating a simple and sincere means of collecting and distributing donations straight from his own driveway.  For information on how to contact or...

Dr. Moody collaborates with LA Armour to present their moving and unplugged rendition of this classic Bahamian sea shanty.  The John B. Sails [Arr. by Moody/Armour] (C) 2022 E.M. Moody and LA Armour; (P) 2022 Eric M. Moody. All Rights Reserved.

Dr. Moody talks with Laurie Anne Armour-Nix, singer-songwriter [laurieannemusic.com] and Senior Database Administrator for Housing First, Inc., a non-profit whose mission is to end homelessness in SW Alabama.  Laurie Anne's optimistic tale is earnestly revealed through her personal journey to search for compassion, patience, and understanding. 

Dr. Moody talks with Dr. Kenneth Rutherford, a Professor of Political Science at James Madison University.  As co-founder of the Landmine Survivors Network (LSN), Dr. Rutherford is a co-recipient of the 1997 Nobel Peace Prize awarded to the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL).  Ken is a landmine survivor, whose optimistic tale begins three decades ago in the Upper Juba Region...

Dr. Moody collaborates with Maura Hawkins and Luisa Salazar to present a uniquely-styled rendition of an old, traditional hymnal--confirming that music truly does shrink the gap between generations. When The Saints Go Marching In [Arr. by Hawkins, Moody, and Salazar] (C) 2022 Eric M. Moody, Maura Hawkins, and Luisa Salazar; (P) 2022 Eric M. Moody. All Rights Reserved.