Di-a-logue, An American Mosaic: Recent Episodes
John Van Dyke
A book. BOOM! It's a Big Country for an Old Man, the true story of a remarkable septuagenarian who woke up on November 2016 and embarked on a pursuit to discover his country.
A Gen Z talks about being brought up to be either Republican or Democrat and you fit in that box, or that box. Red or Blue.
Most of what we hear is engineered to tell us who we are, what to do, and how to think about ourselves and our nation.
We all have a story. Stories are important to our understanding of places, people, and ourselves. That is the heart of An American Mosaic and project Di-a-logue.
Individuals, corporations, churches, watch what you say. There might be reprisals depending on where you are, who you are, and how you are identified. We live in a divided country today, and not always by choice.
Globalization is ending. How do we deal with that, do we stay divided or do we unite as a country. Living in a changed America.
Making war on Ukraine is not going well for Putin. Does he think he can go back in time to the USSR? The rest of the world is waking up and saying no.
We are being tested like never before. Most of the world stands with Ukraine as Putin wages war on them. This is a wake up for all who value democracy. We will have some important choices to make soon.
Driving the backroads of America talking to strangers. America is changing, we are discarding the old, making room for the new. There are casualties along the way.
We don't need to agree, but we can still have a conversation. Sometimes a conversation makes you feel good. That's how I feel when I listen to this conversation with Walt in Seattle. You never know what's on the other end of a conversation.
I stopped in Elgin North Dakota looking for coffee and found the newspaper office. I went in and met Jill, the owner, editor and publisher. Ever wonder about life in the little places? The newspaper editor can tell you everything. Jill covers a couple of counties and three small towns in this mostly farming area in North Dakota.
So many people are leaving positions and not for a new one. It isn't retirement, so what's next? I am curious about what we do next and how we find a new passion or career path. I reposted a conversation from a year ago that I think is inspiring and breaks down one persons creative journey to a surprising new place.
In this episode I am talking with Mary, the legendary Mermaid sand sculpture artist of Venice Beach California. Mary is part of the fabric in this mashup of humanity along the boardwalk of Venice. She's came to Venice as a young girl and fell in love with it. An interesting story in a truly unique place.
It's a rap, last year is over. I'm optimistic about some things happening going forward. Setting aside the chaos of culture wars, politics, and the pandemic, there are some very interesting tech breakthroughs ahead. See you on the other side.
Creating a Portrait of America with pictures and conversations, many are shared with this podcast. An American Mosaic is ending another challenging year with these thoughts. Gen Z, Tech, Business, Elon Musk, Maria Ressa, and Living with Covid.
A conversation with Rick Najera, actor, director, comedian, writer, and author of the book "Almost White." I am at the Studios in Burbank CA and was fortunate to get this conversation. Rick has a lot of credits to his name, Broadway Play, TV, Film, and writing. He is one of "those Mexicans", just a couple of generations from those crossing the border that we never hear about. He had a lot to say when we sat down to talk. This is a video recast from a conversation in 2018.
In a changing America, we need to understand the shifts in generations and how they think about things. Gen Z is the demographic on the minds of anyone planning for the future. I am talking with Matt a 19 year old who is in his first year of college as a sophomore. He did head start in high school and is heavy into computer science and math. Tech is his interest. I was pleased he spent the time for a wide ranging conversation and I found it insightful.
A changed America. Has it impacted you? Listen to 10 people talking about this. This is from a short video highlighting some of my conversations around the country in the last 3 years.
All that free stuff, services, turns out it wasn't. I'm in Seattle talking with Laura a product manager in leading edge tech. She breaks down how we gave away our personal information, and how we got to where we are today. "We are the product."
I am deep in Coal Country West Virginia talking with Sandi who runs a B&B. A coal miners daughter talks about growing up when it was a boom town, and life today.
Boom, and four years later we are still trying to figure out who we are. Part of the Mosaic. A journey of discovery.
I've had some great conversations and discoveries on the road. This is a favorite from Welch West Virginia. Who we are, part of the American Mosaic.
Exploring roads less traveled in Oregon. And, learning to be flexible in a season of fires.
Exploring the iconic Highway 395 in the high Sierras of California. There are some awesome places to discover off of this road. This was a post Covid father, son trip to catch up on some quality time that was sorely missed. It is also the first of a reset for An American Mosaic.
Americans are taking to the road. Some are taking the roads less travelled. American Mosaic is going on the road in the Camper Van discovering places and taking notes on what is cool and where to find that special spot to stay. Of course there will be conversations along the way.
I am talking with Florence who achieved several firsts in Philadelphia as the first woman owned broker dealer business in the country. She also was a real estate developer who renovated historic buildings.
What if our great experiment fails? We are in a changing America. Democracy is fragile, and we seem to be questioning it. Listen to some people talking about change.
Looking across divides to understand who we are today. I am talking with Caprice, a restaurant owner in Detroit.
A singer, song writer, talks with me about his life and view from the road. He lives in his van and travels year round performing. I met Justin "Reverend" Hylton in Austin Texas in a coffee place on South Congress Street.
A newly minted author, Dave Mason, talks to me about how he found writing, discovered he liked it and wrote his first novel. Dave has had a very successful career, a founding partner in a Chicago design firm, and a founder of a sports software company. This is really about what we do next.
Asian Americans are under attack, why? They have long been silent. I wanted to put up this very good conversation from the past with Clarence, a Japanese American who is outspoken about the treatment of Japanese Americans and the Internment during WW2. This is part of the conversation.
Choosing an alternative living style is something many are doing. Living on boats has long been a dream of many. Now RV's are gaining popularity for different reasons. In this episode, I am talking with Bill who has lived with his wife on a sailboat for over 30 years. They are now considering life in an RV.
I'm deep in Coal Country, Southern West Virginia, talking with Sam a dentist who is doing good things there.
I'm in Quartzsite Arizona surrounded by a few thousand vans, buses, and Rv's, talking with Shirley about life on the road. Living in vehicles is becoming a way of life for some. The new nomads.
The star of the Presidential Inauguration had to be Amanda Gorman, the young poet reading "The Hill We Climb". Simply amazing.
What do you hear? What do you see? A respectful conversation reveals a lot about who we are. I felt positive after this conversation. It's not all bad out there.
Is media controlling our brains? "It's all fake news." Eight people talking about media and social media in their lives today.
A love of the sea, and the land. Listening to stories. Taking ideas from the past.. Growing up, choices, and what we connect with.
A business model that worked. I talking with Levi a young Amish man, in Southern Iowa, who talks about building his business and other ideas.
It seemed urgent. My journey to discover my country and talk to people. How this project started.
Films tell us a lot about us and the world around us. In this episode I am talking with Tova, a film curator, and essayist, who watches a lot of films.
Cowboys are as American as apple pie. Rodeo is their sport. I am in Montana at the Last Chance Stampede talking with Joe about his life as a cowboy. It is in his blood.
This is our America. Americans have just stood up and raised their voice in record setting numbers.
Covid fatigue has put us all on edge. The government has said it is no longer taking any preventative measures, yet 227,000 have died and the count is rising rapidly. We are on our own. In this episode, I am repeating a great conversation last March, from Bergamo Italy. A reminder, we are not done with this.
The life of a designer, and how we see things as designers. I am talking with Amy Lam, who started asking me questions about my thoughts on design. Turning the tables and creating an interesting discussion on design.
What people have to say. I have been collecting conversations for over three years from people around the country. Listen to some highlights.
Applying for a teaching position, Amy runs into a white male wall. She shares her experience with me on this episode.
A job search story from New Orleans. Ghosting is everywhere in today's job market. A game designers search for a job, and talking about New Orleans today.
Alberto's story fits squarely with all that is going on today. His industry is in free fall. He is an immigrant. He deals with issues of race. His life is disrupted by Covid, and he is concerned about the culture of divisiveness. Talking with him, I felt optimistic, it is a good conversation.
On August 28, 1963 Martin Luther King gave his famous speech at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. The march and gathering was unprecedented in size and changed the course of the country. Today we are revisiting what has been accomplished. This is worth listening to, one of the great speeches of our times.
This is may be one of the best discussions on VOTING. Our second virtual round table event includes 8 diverse people from around the country sharing their experiences and views on voting. It is the most important subject in our country today.
In this episode, I am talking with Shayna in Butte, Montana. She wanted to follow up a previous conversation. Her life is upside down after confronting her race, and dealing with Covid 19 that is just now taking hold in her town.
7 Amazing people of different races came together for a virtual live round table discussion on race. Each shared personal experiences and how racism has impacted them. This is the full recording of the event. You can view it on YouTube. An American Mosaic channel.
Excited to launch DI-A-LOGUE events. A series of virtual live stream events talking about things that matter. You can find us as An American Mosaic at EVENTBRITE. di-a-logue.eventbrite.com
In this episode, I am having a conversation on racism today, and a culture based on a two tiered system in America. Are we all a little bit racist?.
Americans and our country seem to be telling different stories. Traveling around the country, I am finding an American story that government and media seem to be rewriting.
A conversation with Rex Peteet, iconic graphic designer in Austin Texas. Rex was one of a handful of designers that established a style that was distinctly Texas. We share some stories about life, design, and surviving.
I have gathered so many stories about people growing up, the things that shape us. Talking to strangers can make a connection. This is a short story about an encounter in a rural town in Kansas.
I am in Butte, Montana, talking with Shayna, 24, part Native American, raised by grandparents, 4.0 student and a survivor.
We hate them and we love them. It's how we get our stuff, even when the country is shut down. I am in the cab talking with Brian, in Moberly, Missouri. He has logged over 3 million miles on the road.
I wanted to know about demonstrations in Michigan, I called Brittany in Flint, to get her perspective. I talked with her last September on camera, and she is one of many that I will be contacting to catch up with their lives today.
Join Sarah and myself taking a deep dive into our disrupted lives today. We talk about work, parenting, education, and what does normal mean today.
I am having a conversation in New York with Karen, a long time New Yorker, about life there now. As most of us know, they are being hit hard by COVID-19. I think we can learn from listening to others during this difficult time.
We hear so much about Italy with charts and graphs and projections. I thought it would be interesting to hear from someone there, living through it. Maybe we can learn something.
What are we thinking about. What will we be thinking about. What will this look like when it is over. There will be so much to talk about.
I am talking with Tessa in Toledo Ohio. She is young, educated, planning a family and while conservative has some conflicts about our political climate today. Conversation leads to understanding, this is worth listening to.
An American Mosaic is growing. Some exciting new opportunities for conversation and dialogue. And looking forward to some great content for the podcast.
Every trip is different. I drive the secondary roads and it is a good way to see things. Michigan and Ohio are diverse and both have seen once prosperous industries go away. This trip was to find conversations to film and also shoot the surrounding areas.
Why travel around the country talking to strangers on camera about their lives today? This episode seemed like a good answer. It is from an interview over a year ago that was shot for content for my documentary project. An American Mosaic started for me in 2016 as a way to understand who we are.
I am on the road in Marfa Texas, and met 'Jeddah' from Saugerties NY. She was meeting up with some friends taking in the cultural vibe of Marfa. We sat down in the lobby of a new hip hotel and had a very interesting conversation on a variety of topics. This is her story.
What is the attraction? Venice California is a one of kind place. A melting pot of humanity. I am talking with Michael Jost of Radio Venice TV. He is a musician and host a weekly broadcast featuring guest artists from around the world. He has a unique perspective from his 3rd floor studio above the boardwalk.
Nadine is a friend of many years, yet sitting down talking, I learned so much. It was renewing and refreshing. Raised in a commune, mother, professional, and going through personal loss, Nadine shares a lot with me in this podcast.
Podcasts are cool and a great way to learn things. I started Di-a-logue without much of a plan, yet there is some really great content. Conversations, a dialogue with different people around the country. This is part of An American Mosaic project I started in 2017. It is time to take the training wheels off and grow an audience. Your help is needed. Take a listen to a couple of Episodes and join me on this journey by liking, subscribing and commenting, that really helps these voices get heard! Connecting through conversations. Thanks.
Everything here is about rebuilding. Detroit, a very large American city hit bottom and emptied out. Providing opportunity where there was no opportunity for those with ideas and courage. I am talking with Andrew, 24, smart and sees opportunity. This is one of my favorite conversations with someone who is our future. It is worth listening to.
I think this is something everyone should hear about Tech. All that free stuff, wasn't free. I am in Seattle talking with Laura, a very sharp executive in tech, who grew up in the formative years of all this stuff we have today. It's huge business, and all about money. We are the product, the content, and the source of their profit.
I am in Phoenix Arizona, talking with Danny a young Mexican, American citizen. He speaks for a lot of young people today about their struggles to get ahead. This is an excerpt from a longer conversation.
I am in the Dakotas talking to a newspaper editor, a Tribal Police officer, and a Native on the street. After so much media and demonstrations, I wanted to learn what people there thought. Each has a perspective on Standing Rock and the Dakota Access pipeline.
The low power FM movement is alive and well in Butte Montana. I am talking with Clark, the station manager of KBMF 102.5, a public access station that is part of a renewal of this historic town. Artists and creative people are putting life back into Butte.
Finding interesting conversations is what I do. Road trips are at the heart of An American Mosaic. I am planning the first trip in a new camper van to North Dakota and Standing Rock to catch up on what is happening there and the many places along the way.
This is a wonderful conversation with Archis Gore a founder of Polyverse Corporation. He shared his story of Microsoft bringing him to the U.S. and we talked about tech and society and life today. He is bright, thoughtful and humble. This is a conversation worth listening to.
I am in Furley Kansas, a two street town with a grain elevator and a church. The church is owned by Todd Matson, a successful artist who lives and works there. He grew up in the area and came back and bought the church building for a studio. We talked about his work, Furley, and a little about politics.
She's 24, an entrepreneur, and has got it together. Bailey's office is a coffee shop in Fredericksburg Texas, her sign is the back of her laptop which reads, "Questions about real estate?, I'm a local realtor, Let's Talk". She had some interesting things to say.
I'm in Austin Texas talking with Alvaro about Millennials and our lives online. It is a good conversation and an insight into the thinking of a new generation of Americans.
Charleston West Virginia was the beginning of a road trip through coal country. In this episode, I am talking with Tiffany who works as a bartender and server in a top restaurant in Charleston. She shared her story, which might be common, except she stays above the line by being a workaholic.
Three inspiring millennials who created their own opportunities. It is not always all about technology. One is Mexican American, one is an Immigrant, and one is Amish. On the road in America.
Stories from the road. In this Episode, I am talking about the documentary project "An American Mosaic". A journey that started two years ago. A series of road trips, meeting and talking to people just like you and me.
I am in Parker Arizona talking with Rhesa a member of the Colorado River Indian Tribes. She shared what life is like on the Reservation.
Texas is big country. This episode is some of my observations as I traveled to Marfa Texas and back to Austin in search of conversations.
I am having a conversation with Alvaro in Austin. We talked about his view of things today. He is 25 and sees nothing but opportunity ahead. I always learn something talking to young people today.
I am in a small West Texas town, talking to Joey, about prescription pain killers, being Texan, a little politics, and his life after drugs. A real conversation with a pretty cool guy.
Every road trip has stories that do not get recorded, so I am going to share notes from some of the trips. I always take the lesser roads with so much more to see and perhaps a conversation along the way.
I am talking with Scotty in Welch WV. He works in coal, as his father and grandfather, uncles and others have for generations. It's a way of life and as a young man he likes it. Right now things are good and he is optimistic for the town and community. A visit to Welch is one remembered.
I am in Seattle talking with Laura, a professional in leading edge tech. Today there is much to talk about as a woman. This is part of a special conversation with an exceptional person.
It is hard to avoid politics in New Hampshire, especially just after a primary. I was fortunate to have a conversation with Lincoln Soldati, a former country attorney who ran in the primary for congress. He was the old white guy, with something to say. It is one of my favorite conversations.
In this episode I talk with people in Janesville Wisconsin, a story of surviving and reinventing. A huge General Motors plant closed at the time of the great recession, a double financial blow that took it's toll.
A difficult subject. Are we creating a culture of fear today? As I travel, I find some are afraid to say what they really think. Yet, we have leadership and some that will say anything. Perhaps we are all a little afraid. No one will admit that. Fear is what we should fear most.
In this episode, I am talking to Keith, 28, raised in Hugoton Kansas. We are in a lively coffee, cafe, and beer place near the campus of Kansas State University in Manhattan. Keith is the manager.
I met Maurice in Stockton CA. He knows what growing up in the hood is like... and surviving. He helps others to survive and achieve something. You would be fortunate to have him as a friend and mentor.
I traveled to Montana in search of Cowboys. At the Last Chance Stampede in Bozeman, I found what I was looking for. The Cowboy way is a lifestyle and a culture. Deeply American and perhaps old fashioned. This is a conversation mostly about kids, rodeo and family values.
Sitting on a boat in a harbor. Stories, fishing, the sea, and markers in life that connect us to our past. I love talking to elders who have experienced things that we can only read about. Sometimes, I am fortunate to meet someone who has some good stories. Doug, was one of those. We sat on his boat and talked.
Some of the voices from An American Mosaic project. I am working on a trailer and this is a first cut soundtrack. Only a small sample of the many conversations. We are a big diverse country, and we need to start talking and listening to each other more often. Real conversations.
I was asked why I would come to Portsmouth Ohio. "Dreamland", a book by Sam Quinones reveals much about the beginnings of the Opioid crisis. Portsmouth, was at the epicenter. I needed to see for myself, and have recorded my observations. I highly recommend the book, a visit no.
In the mountains of West Virginia, coal country, I spent time talking with the people who for generations have worked in the mines. Mountains, and Miners. It is a culture and a way of life. I met Sandy and Tony in Gary holler near The town of Welch, once called "little New York" in it's heyday. They run a B&B.
In this episode, Sarah joins me in a deep dive conversation about our documentary project, An American Mosaic. While I travel around gathering conversations, Sarah helps make sense of them. We always cover a lot of territory and this is no exception.
In this episode, I talk with Matt, a millennial, house dad, tech worker, and fly fisherman in his very cool gear and outfitter store. It was a conversation that resulted in a friendship. Having real conversations can be rewarding. An American Mosaic.
In this Episode of Dialogue, I am sharing my observations while driving the back roads of the San Joaquin Valley. Stockton, Modesto, Fresno, Kingsburg and Hansford. I am shooting photos and video, and on the hunt for conversations.
In this episode, I talk with Victoria in Manhattan Kansas, who is a collage graduate managing a coffee shop and trying to figure out what's next for her. She is determined not to replay her childhood circumstance. We covered a variety of subjects about life and Kansas.
In this episode, I talk with Rex, a film maker in Oxford Mississippi, who hates Christian Films, and wants to change them and the message of Christian leaders today. It is a refreshing conversation and one of hope.
I was on the street in downtown Nashville, and met Terese who shared a conversation about growing up in Gary Indiana, in a mixed neighborhood. She works out of Chicago and was visiting. Conversations on the street can be a little noisy, but worthwhile.
Truck drivers are today's forgotten people. I jumped in the cab with Brian, a long haul trucker at a truck stop in Moberly Missouri. Over 300 days and 150,000 miles a year, he has a unique perspective of life from where he sits. He shared some stories and thoughts with me.
A Seattle guy exploring the south, and the people. This is a conversation with what might be a typical baby boomer in a small Alabama town. It always amazes me how much we are a product of our local surroundings and beliefs. Yet how much we all, as a country, might have in common. I think it is good to get to know each other.
Rick Najera, an award winning actor, director and author, is one of "those Mexicans" who has done some extraordinary things. We talked about being Latino, growing up in southern California, family, being American, his book "Almost White", and success.
I, like many others, had a wake up call after the 2016 election. I needed to get past old assumptions and discover my country and who the American people are today. So far, I have talked with 36 people, in 9 states and the project is just getting started. It is about making connections.
Realizing a dream. Alice who after 3 tries finally immigrated and became a U.S. citizen. Watching our movies and seeing our life, it inspired her to come to America. As it has for many over the years.
A small rural town in Iowa is an anomaly. I had a conversation with the Pulitzer Prize winning editor of the Storm Lake Times, who is outspoken about immigrants and not afraid to take on big corporate agriculture business and environmental issues. He had a lot to say about farming today, immigrants, and Iowa.
An American Mosaic is a project that I needed to do following the 2016 election. Waking up and not recognizing my country, I realized I was living in my bubble and needed to understand who the American people are today. I could no longer just assume everything was ok. This is the voice track from a video trailer for the project.
Everyone has their version of the American Dream, or at least an opinion. Immigrants bring a dream with them, others find it here. These are two different success stories. Part of the American Mosaic.
The second episode of Di-a-logue from An American Mosaic, is a conversation with a Japanese American who as a kid growing up knew nothing about the concentration camps during WW2. A time of silence. We are talking about information, conversations and social media in today's political charged culture of divisiveness.
The very first episode of Di-a-logue from An American Mosaic! Each episode is ordinary and extraordinary people talking about what they are thinking today. This is a sampler from the road, around the country, part of the American Mosaic.