The Contrast Project Lounge: Randon. Relevant. Real.

Embodiment, Trauma & Resilience - Denise Elysa’s Journey HomeIn this episode of The Contrast Project Lounge, Tracy Rigdon sits down with Denise Elysa, an energy healer, somatic inquiry practitioner, and host of Coming Home to Ourselves. Denise’s story is one of resilience forged in the shadows of chronic illness, medical dismissal, and the long, difficult process of rebuilding a life when the...

The conversation explores the challenges and experiences of an artist transitioning their identity and work from one cultural context to another, specifically focusing on the shift from the West coast to Duval. It highlights the artist's concerns about reception and validation within the new community, as well as the interactions that affirm their place in the new environment. Takeaways • The...

"Designing Compassion: The Art and Intention of Jenica "Hen" Weyand"In this conversation, Tracy Rigdon and Charles Gaskins explore the themes of connection, kindness, and authenticity in a chaotic world. They are joined by Jenica “Hen” Weyand, founder of House of Hen Studios, who shares her insights on creating safe spaces, emotional spending, and the importance of leaving thin...

Brenda Kato on Art, Music and Emotional WellnessIn this episode of the Contrast Project Lounge Podcast, Wednesday Nite Live Edition, hosts Tracy Rigdon and Jim Alabiso welcome artist Brenda Kato to discuss a variety of topics including Taylor Swift's new album, the evolution of Jacksonville's art scene, and the upcoming Jacksonville Mural Festival. They explore the intersection of art and...

In this episode of Wednesday Nite Live, host Tracy Rigdon sits down with Jorge Rivera, creator and host of St. Augustine Tonight, to dive into the heartbeat of Florida’s oldest city. Rivera opens up about his journey in building a late-night style variety show rooted in community, storytelling, and cultural pride. From the rich history of St. Augustine to the evolution of podcasting and AI’s growi...

In this episode of the Contrast Project Lounge Podcast, hosts Tracy Rigdon and Charles Gaskins engage with artist Danielle Cleary to discuss the significance of public art, particularly in the context of recent controversies surrounding the removal of colorful crosswalks in Jacksonville. The conversation explores the impact of art on community identity, the challenges faced by artists in the face...

Stephen Ezell, roaster, educator, and Yemen project consultant, joins Wednesday Nite Live with Tracy Rigdon, Jim Alabiso, and Charles Gaskins to strip coffee down to truth and technique. We map his path from Boot Coffee and mentorship to teaching hundreds of roasters, unpack the Yemeni Coffee Project’s real logistics and risks, and show how to spot meaningful defects (and ignore the internet noise...

In this conversation, Michelle Calloway shares her journey from photography to filmmaking, highlighting her latest project, Tallulah Park. She discusses the importance of community support, the role of music in film, and the therapeutic nature of writing. Michelle emphasizes vulnerability and authenticity in storytelling, reflecting on her personal growth through auditioning and filmmaking. As she...

"Rebuilding Life: Yahweh Kent's Journey of Alignment and Resilience"Join Tracy Rigdon as he sits down with Yahweh Kent, host of "Aligned AF: Real Talk for the Evolving Soul." Yahweh shares his incredible journey of personal rebuilds, from overcoming cancer and divorce to embracing spirituality and becoming a father again at 55. Discover how Yahweh found alignment through me...

"Personal AI as co-writer, not replacement. Patrick Magee maps “going meta,” faster prototyping, and keeping the emotional core of a song intact."Join hosts Tracy Rigdon, Jim Alabiso, and Charles Gaskins as they dive into the world of AI-assisted music creation with special guest Patrick Magee. Discover how AI is transforming the music industry, the concept of "going meta," and...

How Alicia Smith Is Rallying a New Generation to Save the St. Johns River. In this episode of Wednesday Nite Live, host Tracy Rigdon and co-host Jim Alabiso sit down with Alicia Smith, the Advisory Council Chair of Rising Tides, a powerhouse volunteer organization working alongside the St. Johns Riverkeeper. But this isn’t your average “community spotlight.” Alicia is the kind of boots-on-the-grou...

From Punk to Plate: James Arthur Bayer III on Music, Community, and the Future of Jacksonville | Contrast Project Lounge Podcast | Wed Nite LiveJacksonville isn’t just a city, it’s a gritty, beautiful battlefield where art, sound, and soul fight for survival. In this episode of The Contrast Project Lounge Podcast, hosts Tracy Rigdon and Charles Gaskins sit down with the one and only James Arthur B...

What does it mean to be American when your government treats your heritage like a threat? In this episode of Wednesday Nite Live from The Contrast Project Lounge Podcast, we sit down with Leticia Lopez, an American-born citizen with Hispanic heritage, to talk about the reality millions are living in: constant fear under the shadow of mass deportations and ICE detention raids. We cover the dystopia...

In this episode, Tracy Rigdon and Charles Gaskins engage with Jennifer Wolfe, the founder of a Jacksonville affiliate of Women Writing for Change. They discuss the mission of the organization, which focuses on building community through writing and art, particularly emphasizing the importance of women's voices in literature. Jennifer shares insights on the therapeutic aspects of writing, the i...

In this episode, host Tracy Rigdon sits down with Raymond Goode, a creative force who has lived a hell of a story—and now tells them like no one else can. From battling depression and suicidal thoughts to becoming a celebrated author, director, and creative leader, Raymond’s journey is a masterclass in resilience, storytelling, and community building. This isn’t some sanitized "overnight succ...

In this episode of the Contrast Project Lounge Podcast, host Tracy Rigdon and co-host Charles Gaskins welcome John Meeks, a veteran and educator, who shares his journey from military service to teaching. John discusses the importance of advocacy for teachers and unions, the challenges facing civics education in Florida, and the need for community engagement. He emphasizes the significance of mutua...

In this powerful episode of The Contrast Project Lounge, hosts Tracy Rigdon and Jim Alabiso welcome Al Emerick a transformational speaker and creator of ValueMapping®, for a conversation that digs deep into one of the most misunderstood concepts in modern culture: value. Let’s be clear—this isn’t some buzzword bingo on personal branding or another empty TED Talk. This is about how we’ve screwed up...

In this engaging conversation, we spoke with Dr. Tim Gilmore about the concept of psychogeography, exploring its implications in understanding place and identity, particularly in Jacksonville. We discuss the historical narratives that shape the city, the writing process, and the importance of community engagement in storytelling. The conversation also touches on darker themes, including the impact...

From the iconic pages of The Wall Street Journal to underground punk stages and now transforming Jacksonville’s creative landscape Noli Novak has done it all. In this episode of The Contrast Project Lounge Podcast, hosts Tracy Rigdon and Charles Gaskins dive into Noli’s extraordinary journey. Born in Yugoslavia, she navigated political upheaval and cultural shifts before landing in the U.S., where...

🎙️ What Happens When You Return to Morning TV After Years Away? 🎙️ In this must-watch episode of The Contrast Project Lounge Podcast, hosts Tracy Rigdon, Jim Alabiso, and Charles Gaskins sit down with the unstoppable Eden Kendall to dive into her incredible journey through radio, morning television, and the world of podcasting. From the fast-paced world of live TV to the freedom of podcasting, Ede...

In this powerful episode of The Contrast Project Lounge Podcast, host Tracy Rigdon sits down with Dr. Barb Vokatis, a professor, literacy expert, and advocate for innovative education and therapy animal programs. 🎙️✨ Dr. Barb shares eye-opening insights on how therapy dogs are breaking barriers in classrooms, helping neurodivergent children, including those with autism, build confidence, enhance...

In this episode, Host Tracy Rigdon sits down with Jacksonville musician Mike Linsky to dive deep into the power of music, nostalgia, and the impact of cultural experiences. From his military upbringing to his church roots, Mike shares how his diverse background shaped his musical journey. 🔥 They discuss the Jacksonville music scene, the art of collaboration, and how icons like Taylor Swift, Princ...

In this episode of the Contrast Project Lounge Podcast, host Tracy Rigdon and co-hosts Jim Alabiso and Charles Gaskins welcome local hip hop icon Mal Jones. They discuss Mal's significant contributions to the Jacksonville hip hop scene, including his founding of the Lyricist Live event, which promotes clean expression in music. The conversation also explores Mal's cultural ambassadorship i...

In this episode of the Contrast Project Lounge Podcast, host Tracy Rigdon and co-hosts Jim Alabiso and Charles Gaskins welcome Zach Duke, a creative force in photography and music video production. Zach shares his journey from uncertain beginnings to finding his passion in photography and art. He discusses his early projects, including a clothing line and events that supported charitable causes. T...

In this engaging conversation, the hosts and guest Ebony Williams explore a variety of themes including the vibrant art scene in Jacksonville, personal travel experiences, the complexities of relationships and divorce, and the challenges of dating in today's world. They reflect on generational differences in perspectives on life, the importance of quality in media and art, and the significance...