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What do you do when your entire identity has been built around another person and suddenly they're gone? For Jennifer Marie, the answer came in the form of Houston's vibrant theater community. After a devastating divorce ended her 20-year relationship, she found herself without friends, activities, or a sense of self. Looking back to who she was at 16, before her marriage, she rediscovered a forgotten passion for theater that would ultimately rebuild her life.

Jennifer Marie takes us on a deeply personal journey through Houston's diverse theater landscape, sharing how she went from attending her first post-divorce show alone to becoming a subscriber at three different theaters who sometimes attends performances twice weekly. She reveals the accessibility of Houston theater, with numerous venues offering pay-what-you-can options, volunteer opportunities for free tickets, and the annual Theater Week promotions each August. From Catastrophic Theater's thought-provoking productions to Stages' commitment to diverse casting, the conversation illuminates how theater provides not just entertainment, but healing.

The power of live theater emerges as a central theme - unlike passive television viewing, the communal experience of witnessing stories unfold alongside fellow humans creates connections that prove particularly valuable during periods of isolation. Jennifer describes how theater helped her rebuild her social circle, eventually leading to her "52 friend dates" experiment where she committed to meeting a different friend weekly for a year. Her story reminds us that healing often comes through deliberate action, community engagement, and rediscovering passions that define us separately from our relationships.

Whether you're a theater enthusiast or someone navigating a major life transition, this conversation offers insight into how the arts can facilitate personal transformation. Ready to explore Houston's theater scene yourself? Check out one of the many accessible venues mentioned in this episode, or share your own theater experiences with us through our talkback channel!

For more information on Houston Theaters, here is Jennifer Marie's list

Catastrophic

Mildreds Umbrella

Stages Theater

4th Wall Theater Company

TUTS

Main Street Theater

Dirt Dogs

Alley Theatre

Classical Theater Co.

Ensemble Theater

Houston Theater Week

Seat Junkie

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What if our greatest failures are actually doorways to our most authentic lives? In this deeply reflective conversation, we're joined by Mel, who shares her journey of growing up in what she lovingly describes as "the Adams Family" – a household of eccentric intellectuals who valued knowledge above all else.

Mel's family shaped her unique perspective on life's ups and downs: "Money comes and goes, but knowledge is the thing that you hang on to." This philosophy has guided her through a creative career spanning film, camera work, and now digital archiving and preservation.

The heart of our discussion explores the concept of failure and how we respond to it. With remarkable self-awareness, Mel acknowledges her "psychotically determined" nature – recognizing both its power and its potential toxicity. We travel through fascinating examples, including how Pete Buttigieg's presidential campaign "failure" ultimately led him to a cabinet position perfectly matched to his skills as a former mayor.

Perhaps most importantly, we examine how maintaining composure during confrontation becomes a superpower. "You can act mad, but you can't be mad," Mel advises those entering advocacy spaces. This distinction between expressing emotions authentically versus being controlled by them offers wisdom applicable to any meaningful dialogue.

Mel leaves us with a powerful thought to carry forward: "Learn to love your mistakes and your ugly sides a little bit more, because your ugly sides need some love too." In embracing our whole selves – failures, flaws, and all – we discover the pathway to living more authentically every day.

Join us for this thoughtful exploration of resilience, self-acceptance, and finding meaning in life's unexpected detours. What failures might actually be redirecting you toward something better?

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We hope you will listen often.

For more information, visit our website 22sides.com

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Ever wondered what it really takes to put food on your table? Not the grocery store experience, but the raw, primal connection to actually harvesting what you eat?

Two experienced hunters take us deep into the world of hunting - from exotic game ranches in Texas to practical deer hunting for family sustenance. They explore hunting the eland (Africa's largest antelope) on a 10,000-acre ranch, sharing both the technical challenges and the substantial investment required ($15,000+) for such pursuits. But this conversation goes far beyond logistics.

The dialogue reveals hunting as a multifaceted experience: disconnecting from technology in remote natural settings, forming deeper bonds with family members, and experiencing the unique satisfaction that comes from providing your own food. "It's like this is mine, I did this, I went out and got it myself," one hunter explains, capturing that sense of accomplishment that no grocery store purchase can replicate.

Ethical considerations stand front and center throughout. Both speakers emphasize only hunting what they'll eat, using appropriate firearms to ensure clean kills, and respecting the natural role of predator species. There's a thoughtful distinction made between hunting for food versus trophy hunting, with preferences clearly stated for the former.

Whether you're a seasoned hunter, curious about where your food comes from, or simply interested in understanding different perspectives on our relationship with animals and nature, this conversation offers authentic insights into a practice as old as humanity itself. The primal satisfaction of providing your own food creates a connection that modern convenience simply can't replicate.

Support the show

We hope you will listen often.

For more information, visit our website 22sides.com