PAST SHOWS (incomplete list)

Please forgive your Voice of Reason for occasionally writing less extensive summaries. Sometimes I can't keep up. Please enjoy what I offer below, but it's best to make sure that ya'll catch the show!

April 1, 2008: Rudolf Bahro said "When an old culture is dying, the new is created by a few people who are not afraid to be insecure." Comments from the Nightline story on Dr. Rea. Reason redeemed real octopi (octopuses) the best she could (certain toy octopi being made nearly entirely of pthalates) with news of their love lives. I'm not the only one who thinks synthetic is nasty, Roget's New Millennium Thesaurus says synthetic is a synonym for awful. Intro from Michael Brownstein's online novel Must Not Sleep, including quote from John Perkins: "The first roll of the shaman's drum in fiction, this incendiary novel asks why we're pursuing policies on a global scale almost certain to result in our destruction. Who or what is responsible for this situation? Read Must Not Sleep and find out." Reason really needs Al Gore's example of picking himself up after one of the greatest disappointments (need a better word here) anyone could ever imagine. He went from "losing" the presidency to George/a loser, to winning the Nobel Peace Prize. Now I feel bad for telling him, "you're my president" ... as if he needed some kind of consolation. My experience with yucca root, a phytoestrogen. Estrogen, estrogen mimicking, and the normalization of early puberty (age 8!?!), A Fake Group Fights for Monsanto's Right to Deceive You and the related Ben & Jerry's Fights to Keep Label. Sadly, the carcinogen 1,4 dioxane is also prevalent in baby shampoo. And who among us thought cosmetics were regulated so that lipstick isn't full of lead? Nope, it's not. Oh, and parabens suck. Further talk of gender in art and culture with the help of Heinz Insu Fenkl's excellent piece on the Starbucks mermaid/siren logo. Terence McKenna left us with: "There is a great insight which our culture is deliberately designed to suppress, distort, and ignore: that Nature is a minded entity; that Nature is not simply the random flight of atoms through electromagnetic fields; that Nature is not the empty, despiritualized lumpen matter that we inherit from modern physics. But it is instead a kind of intelligence, a kind of mind." Thank you. And special thanks to Rob Brezsny, who always provides nourishing fodder. Musically tonight, Nina Simone Remixed and Remastered gave us 'Obeah Woman' and 'Go To Hell,' while the Black Snake Moan soundtrack gave us 'Lord Have Mercy on Me.'

March 25, 2008: Subatomic particles and how witnessing influences reality. Nightline's "interesting" piece last week about chemical sensitivity/environmental illness and the Texas Board of Medicine's attack on Dr. Rea. Dr. Bronner's and the OCA bring suit against poor labeling of questionable "natural" products (carcinogenic 1,4 dioxane). Safer plastics (stick with numbers 1, 2, 4 and 5). PBS Now's fantastic piece on nasty pthalates. A bit on spiritual perfume to remind people of what we're missing when we saturate/overstimulate/poison/numb and otherwise obliterate the gift of our senses. More to come ...

March 18, 2008: Alice remarked in Wonderland, "I can't remember things before they happen." The White Queen says to her, "It's a poor sort of memory that only works backwards." Wow. This triggered a sparkling epiphany for your Voice of Reason about the whole intention/law of attraction thing ... FORWARD MEMORY. "Curiouser and curiouser," indeed. Thank you Lewis Carroll. Reason read a piece of writing from five years ago about being chemically sensitive and taking a walk. Dr. Sears says lung volume is number one indicator for risk of death ... the bigger your lung volume, the longer you'll live. Find more here. Last week, the AP reported Air Too Dirty to Breathe in 345 Counties. Ended show with red flags that you're dealing with a borderline (BPD) from Lynn Melville's Boomerang Love (to be continued). Music was Positive by Michael Franti/Spearhead, Shake Your Rump by the Beastie Boys, Be Here Now by Ray LaMontagne, and Just Like This by Limp Biscuit.

March 11, 2008: Further summary/links forthcoming ... Helen Keller quotes, BPD month/May, ecosafe, Alton Logan, pfoa non-stick, phytotox, drugged water. Music was from Pink Floyd’s Atom Heart Mother (If, Summer), and DK's After and Slowhand Hussein.

March 4, 2008: Further summary/links forthcoming ... an amusing pesticide rant (well, as funny as chemicals-designed-to-kill can be), getting 'hoisted with your own petard' (not unrelated to the first topic), "if you see something, say something," Michael Brownstein, Beastie Boys

February 26, 2008: summary/links forthcoming

February 19, 2008: summary/links forthcoming

February 12, 2008: Summary/links forthcoming. Music was O'Death, Hard Time Killing Floor Blues, and Pearl Jam.

February 5, 2008: Summary/links forthcoming. Great live Kiss from Alive! ('She' [for John Sheldon's hot dancer] and 'Deuce').

January 29, 2008: Quote from the Salton Sea: "Excuse me. I don't mean to impose, but I am the Ocean." Tonight, Reason started by expressing her gratitude for all the people who make Antidote Radio and Valley Free Radio happen, including ongoing efforts to keep the station accessible. This Saturday, enjoy John Sheldon and Blue Streak at a new spot in Greenfield, the Winterland Country Club (76 Hope Street, 772-0111). An on-air thank you to the Route 63 Roadhouse in Millers Falls for no longer scenting their bathrooms with toxic chemical spurting machines ... yay, Roadhouse! Reason provided a few teasers about upcoming antidotalicious content: how testing by specialized labs such as Metametrix can inform treatment and prevent health problems; inspiring Sounds True audiobooks and interviews with their authors; plus what the heck is acetaldehyde and why should we care? Anecdote about dysautonomia served to demonstrate the power of validation and listening to one's body, not to mention caring for others and taking warning signs seriously. Reason wanted to clarify what she means by 'prayer.' Once personally investigated, prayer is found to be simply asking ... having the willingness and humility to ask. It is fascinating that people reject it, argue about gOd (whatever it is to you) and prayer, and deny the power of prayer without having ever honestly tried it. People argue a lot, but if we're arguing, we're not inquiring. If we're not inquiring, we're not asking. And if we're not asking, how can we get any answers? Try thinking of prayer as humbly asking. Have you ever noticed that people who self-medicate to the extreme tend to be the ones who deny that life is good? (But of course.) Discussion of fear vs. faith and a reading about Henry Thomas Hamblin, founder of the Science of Thought Review. Much of the reading of late is about applied right thinking. Speaking of spirit and unseen power and such ... what is it with television shows about the "paranormal?" All the scary music is ridiculous. All it does is distract neutral viewers from what is often neutral subject matter and reinforce negative and ridiculous assumptions about other dimensions being automatically "scary" (not to mention making the shows look stupid). It's toxic, knock it off! Reason thinks spirits are pretty similar to living people ... they can be moody, etc., and we can make them go away if we but acknowledge them kindly and speak firmly. Reason then related her own personal "ghost story" (the only one she's got) and her new belief about why it happened and how she might have handled it better. Not believing in the unseen is far more bizarre than the unseen itself. Oh, and feelings ... anger and expressing it is not always bad ... see Lewis Black for example, possibly my favorite "ranter" of all time. Delectable live music was from both Led Zeppelin (Dazed and Confused) and Aerosmith (cover of James Brown's Mother Popcorn) ... oooh, talk about love.

January 22, 2008: Reason suggested listeners vote VFR the best FM radio station according to the VALLEY ADVOCATE BEST OF 2008! Polls are now open!!! Our category is on the "Dialed In" Ballot. Tell your neighbors; tell your friends; here's the link TO VOTE. Reminder about triclosan from Just say no: "Exposure to triclosan can damage the organs and disrupt hormones. ... triclosan reacts with chlorine in tap water waste to create chloroform, a toxic chemical, that eventually can end up in waterways." Reason recently reviewed a few hand sanitizers, including Hands2Go, but Dr. Weiss of CleanWellToday reminds us that BZK (benzalkonium chloride), despite its lack of odor, is still an industrial chemical with toxic effects. I LOVE his phrases: "the cost of being wrong" and "you are the decider!" Yes! Article about about ONE state's ban of mercury in cosmetics that triggers the question, 'wait, isn't it already banned?' Uhm, no. Again we're reminded of the Environmental Working Group and their project Skin Deep. Soon, we hope to have Suki of Suki's Naturals (a new-ish local company with a very nice natural skincare and make-up line) on to discuss some issues with Skin Deep, despite EWG's honorable intentions. Plastic grocery bags will soon NOT be an option when bagging our groceries at Whole Foods Markets. Oddly yet tellingly, according to a recent poll, most of the country thinks it's a good idea to ban plastic grocery bags, but the same percentage (70-80%) says they use them. On that note, please use biodegradable garbage bags! I have a favorite, but I cannot remember the brand/name. Cool piece on numerous topics, one being the placebo effect: "Several times a day, for several days ... induce pain in someone ... control the pain with morphine until the final day ... then replace the morphine with saline solution. The saline takes the pain away: placebo effect. When Fabrizio Benedetti of the University of Turin in Italy carried out this experiment, he added a final twist by adding naloxone, a drug that blocks the effects of morphine, to the saline. The pain-relieving power of saline solution disappeared. ... naloxone result seems to show that the placebo effect is somehow biochemical." Sounds like this relates to "limbic kindling," but we'll have to ask Dr. Iris Bell about that. More humorous moments with local activist and writer Sharon Wachsler's Sick Humor Postcards. A bit about prayer. Read from Khalil Gibran's The Prophet on pleasures ... to deny our desire, nature, is to deny our very being, and we will fail. Reason finds that needs and desires are the same if we go deep enough. Teaser on Henry Thomas Hamblin of the Founder of The Science of Thought Review and a bit from Emmet Fox's Power Through Constructive Thinking. Reason again tried to make spirituality more accessible/friendly to those less familiar. She says we must claim gOd, spirituality for ourselves, as our very own, directly experienced and uncontaminated, through each of us, by each of us. Emmet Fox says to practice the Golden Rule, "whether the other fellow does so or not." And ah, music ... we heard 'All Your Love' by Aerosmith, 'If That's Your Boyfriend (He Wasn't Last Night)' by Me'Shell NdegeOcello (for a fun reason that Reason explained, and the opposite of what it sounds like), and 'Emergency on Planet Earth' by Jamiroquai.

January 15, 2008: Reason was ON FIRE tonight! Introducing the show in such a state brought up the concept of inner fire/power and what we do with it. Like many modern people, Reason was not instructed in proper ways of managing her "fire" and so spent many years fighting it, trying to put it out, smother it, etc. Turns out that's really impossible as well as destructive, and when we misdirect our fire, we get burned, and often burn others. The creative fire is an expression of our true selves that must be faced, met, honored ... and if we let go, it just might provide fuel, light and warmth. Reason read a couple stanzas from Kahlil Gibran's The Prophet on being good then a bit from Emmet Fox's 'Resist Not Evil' in the Sermon on the Mount. Mark Twain said, "We should be careful to get out of an experience only the wisdom that is in it -- and stop there -- lest we be like the cat that sits down on a hot stove-lid. She will never sit down on a hot stove-lid again, and that is well; but also she will never sit down on a cold one any more." Environmentally speaking, have you switched to energy saving bulbs? Well, if you break a curly bulb, take your kids and pets and leave the house for at least 15 minutes to minimize exposure to toxic mercury! Agh. Commentary on humanity inspired by Somaly Mam's experience and activism regarding the sex trade ... in particular, if one cannot acknowledge another's suffering and treats other human beings as animals, then who is the animal? Reason can now differentiate between projection and projective identification, both of which are generally troublesome. A projection is a perspective that we put onto another that tends to be inherently false and has more to do with something about us. Projective identification is when we falsely identify with another person's projection onto us, essentially taking it on as a belief about ourselves. A personal example would be Reason's long-time dysfunctional pattern of projecting loving goodness and kindness onto people who mainly possess the opposite characteristics (of course, they LOVE that), as well as her projective identification with their negative and false projections onto her. Such things (ie, lack of truth and clarity, not to mention denial) can serve as lifelong traps to keep us in unhealthy relationships. Reason intends to escape this deadly morass. Another example is how liars, cheaters and thieves tend to believe that everyone is a liar, cheater and thief. If we are honest, yet spend too much time inappropriately enmeshed with liars, cheaters and thieves, we may begin to believe that we too are dishonest. That is projective identification. Of course, this led into a teaser on borderline personality disorder (BPD's are masters of projection). There is even a National Education Alliance for Borderline Personality Disorder (NEABPD) in Rye, NY! Sheryl Crow gave us 'It Don't Hurt' and 'Riverwide' and The 'Notic offered melodic 'Roots' with hints of Badu.

January 8, 2008: First new show of 2008 ... Happy New Year! As with anything else, we get out of Antidote Radio what we put in. As Michel de Montaigne said "A speech belongs half to the speaker and half to the listener." Reason could not help but start the show with a television ad for a drug for "restless leg syndrome" strangely named "Requip." The ad actually says, I quote, to "tell your doctor if you experience new or increased gambling, sexual, other intense urges." Gambling!?! They also said that side effects include dizziness, vomiting, etc. and something about how RLS isn’t "keeping me up anymore" (though the nausea alone might keep you down). What else can I say? [Note: it was fun to discover that Jon Stewart and I made fun of the same ad for the same reasons on the same night.] Tip: we can recycle batteries, cell phones, toner and compact fluorescent light bulbs at Whole Foods Market, so let's! Reason is very sad about Britney, who looks as though she's going to die. But people in 'la la' land, like some hippies on weed, seem to think that noticing when someone's in trouble is 'wishing it upon them.' Yeah, is that what you say when greenies talk about the environment, dude? Reason would really like to see hippie stoners, and all other types of stoners, get off the greenleaf crack. It's not helping. Reason read two translations of the same Rumi piece (snips: "I came to this earth so that I can find the way back to my Beloved." "Love is the mirror, it reflects only your essence, if you have the courage to look in its face." "Don't plant anything but love, you show your worth by what you seek." Yum.) Your 'Voice of' offered thoughts about humanity, emotions, primitive impulses, and how some people can act like a bull being provoked by crowds in "running of the bull" ceremonies: they lash out generally, even at those trying to help them, because they're in pain yet they have not the sentience to seek it's source. Story of a very unlikable boy shoving his thumbs into the eyes of a struggling shark he had caught while sitting astride said shark (now on deck). Reason tearily expressed her hope that this boy grows up to find his humanity. In the name of less-toxic utilitarianism, we compared hand sanitizers to help people get the hell off triclosan: Clean Well has a nice but relatively strong smell and uses thyme oil; EO Products is a good company, but their sanitizer reeks of alcohol (untolerable for me, though it's organic); Hands2Go is a foam, uses BZK, and has no smell. Pick your own. Reason introduced Real Purity for more pure personal care products (very clean). Mention of local holistic nurse, counselor and environmental health consultant, Peggy Wolff. Introduced Sharon Wachsler's Sick Humor Postcards. Final thought: have you ever noticed that people who have a problem giving love tend to claim it’s because other people aren’t lovable enough? A couple music tracks by Dzihan & Kamien, then DJ Cam's 'Juliet.'

January 1, 2008: Re-run of show with Gangaji to celebrate the start of 2008.

December 25, 2007: Christmas re-run of recent show with Gangaji.

December 18, 2007: Ayurvedic wisdom: "Without proper diet, medicine is of no use. With proper diet, there is no use for medicine." Recent air freshener poll horrified your Voice of Reason ... it suggested that 80% of the population uses air freshener and a quarter of the entire population uses them in EVERY ROOM. No wonder George got into office (toxic brains are toxic minds). Silly there was no option for "air freshener is toxic" ... there was only "I'm for open windows." But who exactly doesn't know that actual fresh air is how you "freshen" air? Oh, yeah ... apparently almost EVERYONE around us. Say a prayer, folks. Speaking of air and fresh and all that, Reason ranted about seeing a gorgeous woman on television (not in an ad) using various bottles of toxic chemicals to scent herself. Do we really think this little of ourselves? Why do we compulsively insist on changing our natural smell? She probably smelled great and sensuous before toxic waste-dumping all over herself. Now she's all toxo and her yummy scent "fingerprint" is altered and/or obliterated. Speaking of sexuality, there's yet another new healthy lube to try out on your precious parts! I haven't tried it, but it's called YesYesYes, does NOT include many terrible ingredients, and comes in a sensuously almost-phallic container. But watch out for personal care products by Alba. They're like hell in goo form ... shockingly made by Avalon Organics, whose products I like. I don't love Avalon products, but I like them and can tolerate them. Alba on the other hand is like nuclear waste with a half-life. Who are they kidding? Alba is scented with questionable toxic chemicals, so either Alba/Avalon is lying, suppliers are lying to them, or ignorance is doing a number on everyone. ALBA = BAD ... watch out. Recent article tells us something we should already know: Toxic Chemicals from Shampoo, Soap may Be Seeping into Drinking Water (in other words, DUH ... and no it's not "may be" unless you're using the toxic chemicals ON ANOTHER PLANET). Owners of a "biohotel" (Eloisa Navarro and Antonio Raya) in Spain are "strong believers of the influence buildings have on our health and behavior." Indeed ... so what's with the Eastworks building these days? Was it always like this? The fluorescent, optic nerve and nervous system decimating lights in there were like nothing I've ever experienced. I went for a very empty event and immediately walked right the hell back out and didn't recover for an hour or so. Maybe if they put life-friendly lighting in there, more people would show up. (What's worse, what we do or what we believe?) In toxo toy news, Aqua Dots Seizure Indicates Toxic Toys Still a Threat ... Reason couldn't help laughing at the absurdity of it all (whilst saying a prayer for the injured kids, including one in a COMA). Using the date rape drug to coat toys?! Drugs are chemicals and chemicals are drugs, so it's not that absurd, but awareness is low, so it widens the eyes (oh yeah, except for the kids that swallow a bead or two). Sick of toxic toys? Locally, enjoy a selection of safer stuff at A Child's Garden in Northampton (204 Main St., 413-584-2242) ... the proprietor of which, Kate Glynn, was just interviewed on Valley Free Radio. There is hope! But remember Katrina and all the lessons on formaldehyde poisoning we've been getting by the unfortunate victims of both? The saga goes on (as it most likely will forever): Toxic living in FEMA trailers? article says that "FEMA employees ... were ordered ... to stay away from trailers." Some children had to sleep outside the trailers to end non-stop vomiting. I ask how these people will ever be able to differentiate depression caused by natural and social disaster from the effects of chemical toxicity! I bet no one's told them about the many other terrible formaldehyde-induced problems to which they have to look forward. In fact, some people left trailers for modular homes, only to find formaldehyde warning stickers on all the walls! No, I do not recommend modular tox boxes ... EVER (unless you're being chased by a bear ... then you might run in, hold your breath, and run out the other side ... but you should also squeeze your eyes shut, as the eyes absorb chemicals too). The percentage of people reporting illness from the trailers is similar to the percentage of the U.S. population that reports sensitivity to chemicals in general. To check your own indoor air quality, maybe Advanced Chemical Sensors (888-338-4230) can help? Finally, bridging the gap between healthcare providers and people with certain chronic illnesses is EHCWM's latest publication, "Accessible Healthcare and Chemical Sensitivity," a 16-page booklet available currently from NEEDS. Last but not least, why not sign the impeachment hearings petition? In closing, to paraphrase Duncan Campbell from his interview with Gangaji: "Instead of going to the study and reading, seeking refuge in an ideology or a concept, or ideas of how to be, a religion of any kind ... take down a musical instrument and be willing to sing your own song." Then, dearest Soundgarden blessed us with 'Outshined,' 'Somewhere' and 'Searching for a Girl with My Good Eye Closed.'

December 11, 2007: The Voice of Reason went on with the show this evening, despite being "hopped up" on medication for severe dysmenorrhea and in quite a bit of pain (the meds don't take away the pain, they just make it just bearable enough that I'm willing to stay alive). Pollution doesn't help, people. Upon preparing for the show this week, I have never gotten more "toxic" news headline results, EVER (I do a certain search). The usual range is from four to ten. This week? FORTY-SEVEN. Holy toxo. In better news, our very own Mr. Chang of Amherst Chinese has bottled, labeled and marketed his schizandra berry juice, calling it Zana. Reason budgets for it along with rent, food and gas. Recently, his efforts were written up in Organic & Wellness News. If your friends and loved ones don't like the natural shampoo's you've been suggesting, here are a couple that are more mainstream and work very well, yet are very unsmelly (I can use both): Bliss lemon+sage supershine shampoo and Collective Wellbeing moisturizing shampoo. My favorite is still the local shampoo bar by Just Soap (and it's cheaper than the rest, with the least ingredients), but I also like (essential oil warning) Lamas Chinese Herb Stimulating Shampoo. In nonsense this week (otherwise known as poppycock), the author of this article proclaimed that one would "have to ingest over 7100 times more than the current daily dietary exposure to BPA [bisphenol A, a pthalate] before there would be the potential for an adverse toxic effect." No, no and NO. Comments like this NEVER take into account cumulative effects, synergistic effects or sensitivity. It's a bunch of nonsense, plain and simple. Use your logic. Funny, that article is from a place called MomLogic ... apparently they're wrong on a few things. Speaking of phthalates and children, check out Healthy Toys. Students won an award for creating a biosensor that sniffs out chemical danger. If they only knew. I'm my own biosensor. You could be one too! First organic certified hotel by BIO-Hotels opens in Spain. Some guy in Boston who does parties (James Mitchell) has written a slew of material in response to people being generally annoying. Some of it's a bit much, but I particularly enjoy his stuff about high TCI (Total Cost of Interaction) people. Don't you love it! Wow, as someone learning how not to be a codependent enabler, I especially dig his thing about how tolerating bad behavior is immoral ... when do we ever hear that? Not enough, I say. Please, every time I wrest myself from the clutches of a punk-ass [insert expletive here], I feel guilty for having made the devil stronger. Mitchell insists these high TCI people impart a toll on our collective psyche and asks "where is the outrage?" Indeed! He says, if we did them (punk TCI's) a favor by cutting them loose, we would make the world a better place, as eventually, they'd get the point. This evening's quote, by Ralph Waldo Emerson: "A sect or party is an elegant incognito devised to save a man from the vexation of thinking." Music was all Alice in Chains (including Bleed the Freak, for obvious reasons). This show has no archive ... the magic of this particular eve is lost in the ether forever.

December 4, 2007: The day went awry in so many ways, so a VFR volunteer (thank you, unpaid angel) played an Antidote Radio re-run from May 2006 with Ruurd from the Netherlands who came here and represented his chemically-sensitive-thus-unable-to-travel partner, Els check out her new book!). The studio recorder is in the midst of getting replaced, so Reason could not have archived the show, anyway, dear listeners. [Please note, sometimes upon re-running Antidote Radio, we re-play the same-runs, as choice is limited to whatever fits with the automation specs.]

November 27, 2007: Yay! Gangaji joined us on the air this evening, and it was a delight. She says, "We are what realizes itself." Yes, that's exactly why I had her on! She is my very own voice speaking to my self ... in the most divine way. Reason read the lyrics of "Blessed Teacher" by recent guest Joe Laur, as a perfect tribute to this evening's guest ... and must put in print, here and now, a thank you to my parents, who allowed me to find gOd myself by not religion-izing me. Among other things, Reason and Gangaji discussed paradox, illness, sexuality, religion, misidentification, support vs. control, and standing naked before gOd ...despite your host's tinge of nervousness. Upon listening to Gangaji's audio book recently, Reason had an ephiphanic moment of victorious relief when Gangaji explained simply that "enlightenment giving us nothing." Accessibility and direct experience are two important concepts linking Gangaji and the Voice of Reason ... the truth is accessible to all, and direct experience is the best way to know it. Reason consistently asks her listeners to find out for themselves, to be mindful, and warns of the dangers of collective, blind trust of perceived "authority." I like how Gangaji says, "I ask people to investigate it for themselves." Yes, thank you. I try to do the same. In Duncan Campbell's interview with Gangaji, he talks of "people who are willing to take the secondary experience rather than having their own direct experience." Exactly. He also says (I'm paraphrasing) that 'religion as an organized institution is designed to give comfort, not to confront people with their own pain or show them how to go deeply into their own self-empowerment.' This is exactly where religion and I disagree. Antidote Radio stands for empowerment of the individual to see gOd, the universe, as the individual's own self, and vice versa. And the Voice of Reason states emphatically that that, in fact, is exactly why we are here. Gangaji is scheduled to do a retreat in person next September at nearby Kripalu. You can reach The Gangaji Foundation by calling 800-267-9205 or emailing info@gangaji.org. Local cable access shows Satsang w/Gangaji in Easthampton on channel 5 Tues., Wed., Thurs. at 9pm. Not sure when she's on in Amherst and Greenfield. After the show, Reason received an email saying that the practice, the road, is not as easy as Gangaji says it is. However ... Gangaji is not speaking of a practice, but the truth itself. That listener missed the point. Quote this evening was from James Kern Feibleman: "That some good can be derived from every event is a better proposition than that everything happens for the best, which it assuredly does not." But I will leave you with a paraphrased invitation from Gangaji: 'Stop. Be still. Stop following your story. Stop looking for something. Stop and meet what doesn't change. Until, of course, that becomes conceptualized, just another way of avoiding stopping ... and then ... stop again.' Music was, sublimely, Radiohead's 'There There,' Ray LaMontagne's 'Be Here Now,' and Zap Mama's 'Ca Varie Varie' and 'Nostalgie Amoureuse.'

November 20, 2007: Gangaji was our scheduled guest this evening, but apparently, our enjoyment of Gangaji and her message was meant to happen another time, as the studio was nothing short of a fiasco this evening. The production room bleed-through into Reason's headphones combined with pounding, singing and echoing from some kind of makeshift concert rehearsal hall upstairs to create unreasonableness that even Reason couldn't antidote. There was no way for the show to go on ... I couldn't really think, improv or anything else, let alone be magically antidotalicious and talk with one of my favorite beings. Thankfully, Gangaji was willing to reschedule. Reason made do as best she could. Special thanks to Josh of RunAbout Cycles here in Florence who called in to help keep the show moving (perfect pun unintended). Check out this cool video of his hybrid electric/human-powered cycles. Later, VFR's own Warren of A Baha'i Perspective called in as a final treat ('twas his interview bleeding through the headphones, for which he was mighty sorry, and which the ever-awesome Ed of Active Ingredients promised to fix). Played Radiohead's first four tracks from OK Computer, plus one or two from Hail to the Thief ... PURE BRILLIANCE.

November 13, 2007: Reason spiced up the fundraising (call 413-584-1160 or visit Valley Free Radio's web site to help keep VFR on the air) with some talk of sex and orgasm and related matters you just might not believe from The Technology of Orgasm (winner of the American Historical Association's Herbert Feis Prize, the AFGAGMAS Biennial Book Award, and the Science Award from the American Foundation for Gender and Genital Medicine) by Rachel Maines and learn a lot indeed (such as how medical science didn't know there was such a thing as a female orgasm, etcetera). Quote from Dane Rudhyar shared by Rob Brezsny "Only a naive and unhistorical mind can think that facts are more powerful than myths. All radical changes in human history are the results of the spread of a myth that, in a totally convincing manner, answers a crucially experienced need at a period of crisis." The hysterical nature of women, for example, is a myth indeed. In other cultural wackiness, the misuse of me/I has become such an epidemic that Reason offered an amateur grammar lesson. We can tell whether certain sentences are incorrect using simple tests. For example, if we would not say "this has been hard on I" than we would not say "this has been hard on mom and I" ... we would say "been hard on mom and me" because we would say "been hard on me" ... get it? Or, "your mom and I have been doing well" is correct because you can remove "your mom" and say "I have been doing well," that is, it's not "me has been having a hard time" ... get it? If we would say "come to the store with me," then "come to the store with your mom and I" is incorrect. Hope that helps start a revolution of correct grammar regarding me/I! Speaking of needed revolutions, repressing healthy sexual expression is unnatural and leads to pathology. Are common conservative religious beliefs helping? This web site doesn't think so: Republican values create child molesters. On a more positive note, do yourself a favor (and thus the entire universe) and check out the WaiSays web sites. Reason read from her piece The Medical Need for Orgasms in Women, plus a snippet from 'Genetic' is a Lie. Great stuff, particularly the dietary information. Live luscious! Check out cool new global media: JustMedia and JustArts (coming soon) by the also new People Media Project (their mission is not unlike that of VFR's). Oil spills are terribly toxic, they cannot be undone, and they must be prevented. Sad recent spills in San Fran and another in Russian sea ... spare me the poppycock about "potential" damage when I know the suffering that petroleum/oil causes. There's a Lake Pleasant community forum about protecting the Montague Plains aquifer on December 5th at 7pm at the National Spiritual Alliance Meetinghouse (more info from the Montague Alliance to Protect Our Aquifer at 413-367-9352). The National Environmental Justice Advisory Council (NEJAC) is holding a public teleconference call on November 20 from 2 to 4pm EST to discuss EPA's Environmental Justice Strategic Enforcement Assessment Tool (EJSEAT). Must pre-register by 11/16 by calling Julianne Pardi of ICF International at 703-934-3873 or emailing jpardi@icfi.com. More info here. Sexpirational, sextacular music for tonight was Madonna's 'Erotica,' Joan Osborne's 'Match Burn Twice,' and Macy Gray's 'Caligula' (minus the dirty swear word).

November 6, 2007: Poignant quote from Francis Bacon: "To suffering there is a limit; to fearing, none." Long-time listeners know that exposures before the show sometimes cause Reason to slur her speech a bit, lose word recall capabilities, have difficulty reading, and suffer general loss of eloquence. Finally, she found a word for it: toxic or transient aphasia (similar to ataxia, which is loss of coordination). Inspired by a totally icky guy at a party recently, Reason shared her perspective on when others want something from us, it's because they have forgotten that they already have it themselves (ie, FIND YOUR OWN GLOW). Treat from Gangaji's teacher: Papaji, what is freedom? "Freedom is a trap! A man who is imprisoned in a jail needs to be free, doesn't he? He is trapped in the jail and he knows that the people outside are free. You are all in prison and you have heard about outside from your parents, priests, teachers and preachers. 'Come to us,' they say, 'and we will give you freedom. Come to me and I will give you rest.' That is the promise, but this is only another trap. Once you believe it, you are caught in the trap of wanting freedom. You should be out of both these traps - neither in bondage nor in freedom - because these are only concepts. Bondage was a concept which gave rise to the concept of freedom. Get rid of both these concepts. Then, where are you?" Thank you, Papaji! How much do our choices, culture and chemicals determine our health? Take a moment to contemplate the fact that only 5-10% of cancers are genetically pre-determined. Is there something you can change today? Dr. Oz has been talking about how to be healthier on Oprah this week and actually told people to use safer cleaning products! HALLELUJAH! Do better and ask it of others. Join the Sierra Club, Natural Center for Healthy Housing, Alliance for Healthy Homes, and Natural Resources Defense Council by adding your comments to their petition of the EPA regarding the toxicity of air freshener (type in 'air freshener,' click 'submit,' then docket #EPA-HQ-OPPT-2007-1016, then on 'Add Comments' ... then tell them what you know (personal experience and related science [helpful links below in "Hot Clicks" section]). Three local colleges make the top twenty in a new college ranking by how much each college does for our country. In the liberal arts category, our very own Amherst College is #5, Mount Holyoke College is #6 and Smith College is #16. Very cool. Not cool: finding GHB, a date rape drug, in toys. Nope, not kidding (but how the hell did it get there?). Organic mattresses are expensive, but Amish-made stuff from A Natural Home (866-239-4142) may enable those of us with less deep pockets to afford them (their toys and furniture look lovely too). Nominate a worthy American organization (by Jan. 8th) for an EPA Achievement in Environmental Justice Award (call 202-564-0736 or email hammond.lisa@epa.gov). On the other side of things ... oil drilling brings pollution and new diseases to indigenous people around the world. Reason compared it to rape: violating ecosystems and villages, while justifying it, then denying and/or making excuses for the damage, is RAPE. Music was 'Moonwaxing' by local songstress Celia, plus Fiona Apple's 'Limp,' Taj Mahal's 'Chevrolet' (courtesy a fan of the show), and Joan Osborne's 'Get Up Jack' ... all dedicated to one special person.

October 30, 2007: Reason was deeply moved by a recent Nature story, Silence of the Bees, on PBS. Did you know that most of our agriculture depends on bees? And that at the current rate, all the bees in America will be gone by 2035? In a particular region of China that depends on growing pears, pesticides killed ALL the bees, so they are forced to hand pollinate to produce pears. The method they developed is one of the most beautiful things one could ever imagine. Reason says, they did so wrong that they were forced to do so right ... A recent study found that females report having significantly more nightmares than males. When some suggest it could be related to women's comparatively higher rates of anxiety and mood disorders, I say, gee ... it couldn't have anything to do with the fact that males perpetrate the majority of VIOLENCE, upon WOMEN, now could it? Come on! The truth is so obvious we just don't see it, I guess. Men sure do get away with murder. In the news, a woman died from using hair straightening product (apparently they contain ten times the formaldehyde deemed safe). Disturbing and stupid Bounce commercial for new "Pure Essentials" fabric softener. I always think they must be kidding. This time, the "scent of aloe and white lilac!?!" Aside from this crap being neither 'pure' nor 'essential,' aloe doesn't have a freakin' smell. Be sure to complain, would you please? Inspired by Mark Morford's Come see our giant toxic stew!, Reason shared what she's learned about the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. Most plastics don't biodegrade (they photodegrade into tiny, indigestible bits of plastic polymers), and the North Pacific subtropical gyre swirls them into a pile. It took Charles Moore over a week to cross this pile, and C.C.Ebbesmeyer estimates it's the size of Texas. To help, San Francisco banned the use of plastic grocery bags, yay; but boo, many bills failed because of opposition from the plastics industry. More boo: Japanese researchers found that the plastic absorbs toxic chemicals (DDT, PCBs, etc.) and concentrates them up to a million times. Result, "some of the most toxic pollutants known are being released into the food web." Read more here. Moore and Ebbesmeyer "hope their combined research and public-awareness campaign will spur development of agricultural plastics which won't be as toxic as petroleum-based plastics." Let us pray. Music was two of my favorite songs by Madonna: 'Secret Garden' and 'What it Feels Like for a Girl' ... plus a lively finish by Mary J. Blige with 'Let No Man Put Asunder.' Indeed.

October 23, 2007: Finally, Reason found a place to comfortably, successfully and affordably get a haircut! Anyone who is sensitive and has resorted to cutting their own hair might try Karen at Marche for Hair (99 Market St., Northampton, 413-585-0404), who is accustomed to working with sensitive people. I scheduled carefully, brought my own products, and all was well. Yay! Quick mention of megafires and global warming (re: Sixty Minutes story). Reason posited that Amadinejad is bluffing. Even he doesn't believe some of what he says (what some people do/say is for effect and to trigger specific, predictable reactions ... we would be smart not to fall into their traps). I don't think he cares whether the Holocaust occurred or not. It's our reactions to him questioning it that he's after. We are wise to be wary of manipulators, including GEORGE. Reason also posited that we cannot make the truth any more true by killing the liar. Inherently the truth is the only thing that exists. After listeners were treated to a little taste of Gangaji's audiobook The Diamond in Your Pocket, Reason discussed the art of sustainability with local guest Joe Laur, who prefers to think of it more as regenerative vitality. The heart of all his work is accelerated learning. Experience a moment with Joe with this video from the Inspired Protagonist. Joe's main web site is Seed Systems. He's part of the Sustainability Consortium and has started The Carbon Commons (wow, site by green web hosting powered by renewable wind and solar energy!) ... worthy projects with global intentions and growing impact. I love how Joe helps companies build benefit (as opposed to profit). We discussed the connection between sustainability (vitality) and spirituality ... which brings us to another of Joe's sites: God's Dog. Our lively discussion included a heads up about the Summit on the Future of the Corporation in Boston this November. Music was Mawwal's 'Pyar Ka Diya' with Nusrat Fateh Ali Kahn from their new album, Black Flies (see them Saturday and help impeach Bush), plus Bad Company's 'Rock Steady' ... for companies who aren't sustainable (regeneratively vital), and because Joe Laur rocks.

October 16, 2007: Reason was a bit of a spaz this evening. Caffeine, mayhaps? Apparently, a great new restaurant called Tofu a Go Go has just moved to 265 Main Street in Greenfield (413-772-TOFU/8638; dinner on weekends, lunch daily, closed Wednesdays) and that it's so special, the staff moved here with it. Maytag tried to convince Reason that mysterious new "AFresh" product was the answer to her washer mold. Right. The iPhone has been found to be toxic (shock!). California is the first state to ban pthalates in products for kids; THANK YOU ARNOLD (and to the European Union way ahead of us on many issues). Listeners were treated to a wee grammar 'lesson,' so to speak. Music was Cree Summer's 'Fall,' Santana's 'Sabra Cadabra' and 'The Mosque' from Tya's Tribal Sutras.

October 9, 2007: Reason let listeners in on a tasty new secret, the Blue House Cafe at 147 Main Street in Haydenville (Williamsburg). One does not have to be vegetarian to enjoy the healthy, affordable nourishment they provide in a nice atmosphere that sometimes hosts live music. Closed Tuesdays, call 413-268-7441 for hours. Local events include a World Music Benefit for the Northeast Impeach Bush Coalition with music by Mawwal & Viva Quetzal on 10/27 at Memorial Hall in Shelburne. Get tickets here or at local Turn It Up locations. Free screenings of "Who Killed the Electric Car?" at the Green Field Market meeting room (Oct. 11, 21, 24), call 413-773-9567. The Fire Next Time: A Film About Community Conflict And Development and Environmental Issues can be seen at the Garden Cinema on Main St. in Greenfield (413-774-4881). No need for infants to suckle on endocrine disrupting pthalates, as companies like BornFree offer safer nipples and bottles. Mrs. Seinfeld has pretty cool new cookbook out, but the wasteful, irresponsible and toxic incorporation of disposable plastic bags is offensively ridiculous. I'm glad she's encouraging healthy and delicious eating, but promoting totally unnecessary use of ever more pthalates isn't helping anyone. At least Oprah could have mentioned alternatives to disposable baggies. "Breast cancer month" inspired Reason to suggest we prevent breast cancer at least as much as we're trying to cure it (less carcinogens and endocrine disruptors, anyone?). More here. Wee introduction to upcoming guest, Gangaji, her teacher, Papaji (try to look into his face and not smile), and his teacher, Ramana Maharshi. See wikipedia self-enquiry for more. Quote from Israel Salanter, "We spend our time worrying about our physical well being and the state of our neighbor's soul. Better we spend our time worrying about our neighbor's physical well being and the state of our own soul" (thanks Joe). Thomas Merton said "Do not be too quick to assume your enemy is a savage just because he is your enemy. Perhaps he is your enemy because he thinks you are a savage. Or perhaps he is afraid of you because he feels that you are afraid of him. And perhaps if he believed you are capable of loving him he would no longer be your enemy." Majora Carter of Sustainable South Bronx speaking with Charles Turner and Michael Shuman at the annual E. F. Schumacher Lectures on 10/27/07 at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center in Great Barrington, MA. Register online or call 413-528-1737. California Air Resources Board says this regulation (LA Times 9/28/07) is the first of its kind in the nation. "There are reports of ozone being generated in someone's living room . . . at levels equivalent to having a Stage 1 smog alert right in your own house." Why do we do what we do? Perhaps it's the "... 'old brain' or 'reptile brain,' a part of our brain rooted in the distant past, before humans were even human. It’s a simple brain, which doesn’t even really think. It just reacts to patterns. ... Most of our primitive fear responses come from the old brain" (quote from Tears and Healing. Music was Down to the Bone's 'Fusion Food,' Ray Lamontagne's 'Be Here Now' and St. Germain's 'Sure Thing.'

October 2, 2007: Local friend and past guest Sam joined us to discuss DSL, EMF's and related issues. Technology affects us all ... some of us notice, and some of us more than others. When we assume there is something "wrong" with us vs. interpreting symptoms as important messages from our bodies, how much do we lose? Sometimes our bodies are more intelligent than we are. Sam will return later for Part II. Reason wasn't the only one talking about Ahmadinejad and passive aggression last week. The same night as our little chat, Jon Stewart said "... it seems that Iran is not an aggressor nation but a passive aggressor nation." Rock on, Jonny boy. I love you. A perfect quote for Antidote Radio, courtesy Rob Brezsny: "Do not accept anything simply because it has been said by your teacher, or because it has been written in your sacred book, or because it has been believed by many, or because it has been handed down by your ancestors. Accept and live only according to what will enable you to see truth face to face." -Buddha, as quoted in Peace Is Every Step, by Thich Nhat Hanh. Reason talked about her mold problem, washing machines, dehumidifiers, etc. and introduced a new product that just may help (Moldzyme [more later]). Also tried an "EDV" mini-dehumidifier (silica beads absorb small amounts of moisture): Gaiam sells one EDV, but Total Vac is local and has more (see all manufacturer's products here). Latest news from Environmental Health Perspectives included Diabetes in Relation to Serum Levels of Polychlorinated Biphenyls and Chlorinated Pesticides in Adult Native Americans. Recent article How "Fresh" Is Air Freshener? suggests the media is slooowwwwly catching up with reality, but the focus on pthalates missed much of the point. The Self Health Resource Center (source for un[or less]contaminated substances such as baking soda) is now affiliated with their inspiration, Dr. Hulda Clark. They are now part of the Dr. Clark Store (this is where I get powdered glutathione for sublingual use). Other important sources for supplies, herbs, etc. include Mountain Rose Herbs, E.L. Foust and NEEDS. Music was Rocco Delucca's 'Dope,' Blind Faith's 'Can't Find My Way Home,' and Air's track one.

September 25, 2007: Tonight, we sent good energy and well wishes to all the creepy creeps out there again. What is it with the leery-peering? Is it because aspects of our uptight, religiously stained culture have pathologized sexuality and disgraced the human body? Corporations like it because they can use body parts as sex objects more readily when they're hidden all the time. Reason surmised that if pervie tweaked creepers had a healthy place/way to express themselves, they may not be so perverse. Numbness, perversity, and/or passive aggression can indicate that we have adapted to less than optimal circumstances and/or are not in touch with our feelings. We must express ourselves creatively and productively if we want to thrive and have healthy relationships and a truly happy life. (Reason boldly asserted that most modern American humans have an opportunity to thrive that is rare in human history ... let us avail ourselves of it.) We discussed types of passive aggression and various ways of dealing with it. We even discovered "passive aggressive personality disorder" this evening. Wow ... who knew. Jenny McCarthy spoke to Oprah on 9/18 about her son getting autism after being VACCINATED and encouraged mothers to heed their instincts and their live, at-home, scientific evidence (their CHILDREN). Thank you to Jenny, and to Oprah for not censoring the message ... I was impressed. Scott Pelley interviewed Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on 60 Minutes Sunday and Reason found the Iranian president to be brilliant ... a brilliant, manipulative sociopath, but brilliant nonetheless. He said a few words to Bush that I might have said myself (though I'm not a sociopath, nor do I support terrorists). Pelley's interview with Ahmadinejad may be a perfect example of trying to navigate dialogue with someone's personality disorder (or in this case, evil?). Bush is arguably as pathological and manipulative, just not as brilliant and much less strangely entertaining. Check out the transcript and tell me that Bush's comments to M.A. were not an epitome of projection (whether they were true or not)!?! The second annual State of Environmental Justice in America 2008 conference is planned for March 26-29, 2008 in Washington, DC. Reason encouraged people to email topic suggestions for a panel, presentation or other activity related to the current state of environmental justice (<250 words and due by October 1, 2007 at ejinamerica2008@yahoo.com). You can subscribe to EPA emails at environmental-justice-epa@epa.gov. Played Metallica's '2 x 4' and 'Ronnie' plus 'Running Two' from the Run Lola Run soundtrack.

September 18, 2007: Let's avoid unnecessary suffering. One of this week's frightening indicators of our culture's health: the entire country is focusing on Britney Spears five extra pounds while her spirit dies. (Her horrific performance at the VMA had nothing to do with "fat.") Americans sure know how to mindlessly participate in the downfall of a troubled soul. Reason finally got her Complaint Free World reminder bracelets! What is a complaint to you? Bits from Rachel's Democracy & Health News, such as toxic chemicals (particularly hormone-mimicking pollutants such as flame retardants) being blamed for the disappearance of Arctic boys. The Voice of Reason asks whether the human race would be better off fighting the occasional fire or enduring widespread insidious hormonal imbalances. At least we know how to put out a fire. And how can anyone be hateful toward those differently gendered or sexed than ourselves, especially when our chemical choices affect babies' development in the womb? Reason better defined borderline personality disorder, describing the epidemic of people who cannot self-soothe and who trick others into being their psychic babysitter. People with BPD seem to be "neither insane nor mentally healthy" and "continue to puzzle psychiatrists." Discussion of BPD was assisted by material from sites such as BPD Central, the BPD Resource Center and from here. Reason's favorite line: "it is unlikely that someone who requires empathy building exercises will see the need to participate in them." Indeed. Check out great articles at future guest A.J. Mahari's site. Music was Nitin Sawhney, some unknown instrumental jungle (?), and 'Aqueous Transmission' by Incubus.

September 11, 2007: Started off with a special song for terrorists who think they're going to 72 virgins, later played one for presidents with knee-jerk reactivity. Reason presented the concept of alternatives to invading Iraq and discussed the World Trade Center incident and 9/11, including her dream while it was happening. Special guest Alison Johnson told us about the Chemical Sensitivity Foundation plus her excellent books and videos about Gulf War Syndrome, the Toxic Clouds of 9/11, and Multiple Chemical Sensitivity. One NY group is doing a lot regarding WTC toxicity/environmental impact. Sign up for new EPA air quality email alerts at AirNow (how freakin ironic). AP article on Smell-O-Vision making a "comeback" (gOd help us if we are in need of this much over-stimulation). Music was Nina Simone Remixed & Remastered 'Go to Hell,' 'Obeah Woman' and Radiohead's 'A Punchup at a Wedding.'

September 4, 2007: Three delectable quotes for you this week: "No man is clever enough to know all the evil he does." -La Rochefoucauld. ... "Our scientific power has outrun our spiritual power. We have guided missiles and misguided men." -Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. ... "We fail when we get distracted by tasks we don't have the guts to quit" -Seth Godin. Web links for the alternative, non-disposable, cheaper and better for health and environment menstrual solution: Keeper and Moon cup, Diva cup, plus an interesting tidbit: from here: "The female scientists of Biosphere 2 chose The Keeper as their form of feminine hygiene while in their enclosed environment in Arizona in 1992." Cool. Reason encouraged people to check out the most excellent Henry Rollins Show on the Independent Film Channel (IFC). Reason shared a bit of ranting with Mike Adams about absurdity and such. Is MassHighway spraying way-beyond-stupid chemicals (such as glyphosate) along roads in your area? Check and see. Articles and news from this month's Environmental Health Perspectives included: Waste Couture: Environmental Impact of the Clothing Industry, Ameliorating the Developmental Neurotoxicity of Chlorpyrifos (findings such as "theophylline, which prevents the breakdown of cyclic AMP, was the only agent that restored AC signaling to normal or supranormal levels but did so at further cost to cell replication" suggest preventing beats not curing), Life-Span Exposure to Low Doses of Aspartame Beginning during Prenatal Life Increases Cancer Effects in Rats (no, aspartame is not okay). EHP Online also shared good news for coffee lovers! But Reason says just because coffee might be associated with less liver cancer, does not mean it's good for us as whole bodies/beings. EHP also shared first study to assess hair relaxers as a potential contributor to cancer ("No Link between Hair Relaxers and Breast Cancer" ... but again, cautions Reason, just because something doesn't give us cancer, doesn't mean it's actually GOOD for us). Music was from dearest of the dear Pink Floyd's 'Obscured by Clouds,' 'Remember a Day,' and from Meddle, 'One of These Days.'

August 28, 2007: Yay for BusinessWeek's recent article, Healing Our Sick Offices! Reason discussed her experiences with the Neti pot (nasal irrigation that can help with allergies and sinus trouble); guaifenesin (an apparently quite benign supplement that helps loosen and expectorate mucous and that is also used to help treat fibromyalgia); plus the re-usable Diva or Keeper cup (silicone or rubber "cups" that fit around one's cervix to collect menstrual blood) ... how to use these little cups, and how they save OUR environment from disposables and us from bloody wallets, I mean, from hemorrhaging money. Take action on an important local issue: saving the aquifer. More on zombies (people who have dead energy, who seem soul-less, and who feed off more vibrant, living souls). They really do exist. I know, I have unknowingly fueled a few of them, and they get PISSED when you tear away. They don't care if they're sicko psycho suckling drains your energy, as they just move on to the next victim. Yuck. Relatedly, Reason discussed envy, covetousness and vengefulness. Great description: "Envy is unique among the seven capital sins in that it needs another person's life to feed upon -- it is the parasite of the seven. You can be slothful all alone, and even satisfy your lust by yourself, but envy requires the other -- to hate, to obsess over, to covet (from this link)." No wonder these people feel "icky," even from a distance! More readings/quotes from Gavin de Becker's Gift of Fear and Judith Orloff's Positive Energy. Bad energy is just as toxic as poisonous chemicals. But you know, in spiritual reality, people who perpetrate bad things are ultimately hurting themselves. If we are good, then our souls progress. People of poor character and ugly nature will be left in the dust, literally. The next time someone wrongs you, try saying, "hey man, it's your soul," if only to yourself ;). Reason also presented the case for forgiveness. "Be the change you want to see in the world," indeed ... otherwise, cut the complaining! Besides, all revenge does is prove how wrong someone who claims to be justified actually is (practice forgiveness by starting with my poor grammar here). Portishead music was 'Pedestal' and 'Strangers' ... also played my favorite track from the 'O Brother Where Art Thou' soundtrack. Recording cut great stuff off my ending tonight.

August 21, 2007: Uhm, 840 weekly tractor-trailer trips down Main Street in Russell will have "no adverse affect on local air quality" ... are you kidding!?! Email Secretary Bowles at briony.angus@state.ma.us and tell him you OPPOSE the Russell Biomass plant. Excerpting local activism: "An estimated 450 people die from diesel fume inhalation every year in Massachusetts ... Plant is proposed in a residential neighborhood, 1600 feet from an elementary school and 600 feet from homes. This is in a valley with frequent air inversions that trap hazardous air pollution at ground level. Hampden and Hampshire Counties have some of the worst air pollution in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The American Lung Association cites Hampden as having the worst 24-hour particle pollution levels in the state. Both receive "F" ratings for ozone, and proponents state this power plant will exceed federal New Source Review standards for NOx, an ozone precursor. Russell Biomass thus poses an unacceptable risk to children, families and the environment." Thank you, activists. Say a prayer for small minds and pollution proponents, please. Unfortunately, Reason has some bad news: NYC is spraying toxic pesticides again (although the related lawsuit was WON). Profound idiocy (and idiocy begets more idiocy, to be sure). For more, visit the No Spray Coalition (or call the hotline 718-670-7110). Jehovah's Witnesses wake me up regularly, so Reason was inspired to discuss similarities between cults and dysfunctional relationships, such as the concept of "love bombing". Chemical percipience (percipient: one who perceives). The Department of Architecture at State University of NY, Buffalo, is conducting a study among people with various disabilities about Access to the Built Environment. Participate in the study and explain that we need non-toxic building materials. Visit the project web site or contact Gary Scott Danford, Project Director by emailing danford@buffalo.edu or calling 716-829-3485 x328. Mark Twain said, "I do not wish to hear about the moon from someone who has not been there." Reason says, "Learn from personal direct experience, your own or that of others." Consider "YOU'RE BEAUTIFUL! NOW WAKE UP!" and other Pronoia resources. Music was Waldeck's 'Wake Up,' Rob Zombie's re-mix 'Superbeast (How to Make a Monster)' and Santana's 'Incident at Neshabur.'

August 14, 2007: Various tidbits ... toxic toy news (or yet another reason to go back to making our own toys out of wood and yarn). "Chinese companies often have long supply chains, making it difficult to trace the exact origin of components, chemicals and food additives." A friend of Reason's called with debilitating symptoms for relief suggestions, and when asked what he did differently, he said that he got a new car (instantly realizing that was exactly when his symptoms started), so Reason reminded people about the toxicity of new car interiors and options for dealing with it (article 'Is That New Car Smell Toxic?' lead story on Yahoo home page Aug 16th ... subtitle: "new research suggests that car interiors may be a significant source of indoor air pollution"). Read a bit from Our Assumptions About What Causes Chronic Diseases Could Be Wrong. Dirtiest air in the country is reportedly in Arvin, CA ... we always hear about ozone, but worse may be hazardous pollutants BAKING in the heat, a problem rarely considered. There was more (including something about how Bhopal gas tragedy victims observing 250th anniversary of Battle of Plassey), and some luscious tunes, but I cannot remember them ...

August 7, 2007: It was Valley Free Radio and Antidote Radio's second birthday this week! We turned two, yay! Wow ... and a party upstairs. Reason encouraged donations, as we are indispensable! Go to VFR's web site to donate. (Regarding enviro health consulting, I am not a doctor, but I am an expert.) In a story on 60 Minutes, David Walker, U.S. comptroller general who also runs the Government Accountability Office said: "On (healthcare) cost we're number one in the world. We spend 50 percent more of our economy on health care than any nation on earth." We have the largest uninsured population of any major industrialized nation. We have above average infant mortality, below average life expectancy, and much higher than average medical error rates for an industrialized nation." (U.S. Heading For Financial Trouble? Comptroller Says Medicare Program Endangers Financial Stability. Another air quality article, yay: Breathe easy? Not when the office may be toxic. Environmentally (industrially) sick people cannot be in denial or they'll eventually die. Reason suggested some Rob Brezsny ("if you overthrow yourself again and again, you might earn the right to help overthrow the rest of us") and encouraged sensible comments on Super Allergy Girl's You Tube video. So far, too many morons. Reason also presented a Wife Swap anecdote too involved to get into here. How about some non-toxic static elimination? Reading from Thich Naht Hahn's "True Love" on Reconciliation. We sent blessings to those who long, pine or suffer. Our thoughts and feelings are energy, and energy is a real, true thing. We must pay attention to what we are creating. Music was Rocco Delucca's 'Gift' plus Traffic's 'Low Spark of High-heeled Boys.'

July 31, 2007: Reason totally improvised this evening (like, waay more than usual), and went on the air in part because listeners seemed to really appreciate the Just Soap shampoo bar mentioned recently. Why go non-toxic? To end suffering, of course. Listen to your body. Did I mention that I love jasmine tea? In more-reasons-not-to-trust-the-government-and-most-manufacturers news, it turns out that FEMA knew the Katrina trailers were toxic. Shocking! In the interests of good health and your children not developing nosebleeds, allergies and cancer, avoid formaldehyde. Remind me again why we accept this crap? Join Reason's hot campaign to stop supporting the petroleum industry (and start supporting healthier ones) by choosing products of all kinds that are FREE OF PETROCHEMICALS. If you didn't know that they're VERY TOXIC and in just about everything, here's your notice. Hi! Consider alternative products to be almost like hybrids (electric cars) for our skin. We might not be able to buy a hybrid vehicle right now, but we CAN buy non-petro personal care products. No excuses. To need less products in the first place (and if your water is municipally treated), try installing a shower filter to remove damaging chemicals. They are affordable and can be found at local hardware stores or Gaiam. Email me about the difference you find in your bathing/breathing/skin/life, etc.! Superluscious and superperfect Soundgarden tracks were 'Fell on Black Days,' 'The Day I Tried to Live' and 'Black Hole Sun.'

July 24, 2007: Reason was too depressed to antidote anything this evening. Sorry. Eric played a re-run from May.

July 17, 2007: Reason gave a shout out to Gaby. The Safer Travel Directory is a very useful resource for sensitive people. Toxicity of new car interiors in the news! Good news: Bio Beetle in Hawaii and LA rents chemically safer vehicles. Finally ... now the rest of the country/world needs to catch up. Valley? Reason's brother is getting more sensitive. Luckily he quit the job where he was having cognitive and other symptoms. He may have saved himself years of misery. If you consult a physician regarding chronic symptomology and they do not do a thorough exposure history, they are not doing their job. Of course, you can also take your own exposure history. Reason discussed Joe Vitale's new book about Dr. Len and taking 100% responsibility. Read more at the Zero Limits web site. Quoteable: Dr. Bernstein characterizes personality disorders as "Those strange mental illnesses that drive other people crazy." Indeed. Music from Erykah Badu was Didn't Cha Know, Kiss Me and A.D. 2000.

July 10, 2007: Re-run. Reason was way too sick to antidote anything this evening.

July 3, 2007: Summary upcoming.

June 26, 2007: Reason worked with listeners to antidote alcoholism, male sexual ignorance, as well as female insecurity and cattiness (women and girls, pahleeez!). Further summary upcoming.

June 19, 2007: Tonight, how NOT to approach an intelligent, attractive, health-oriented woman (incl. how no game is better than bad game). But before that, Reason reminded folks about seasonal alternatives to toxic products for our precious selves: effective, non-smelly bug repellent (faint odor of soybean oil); non-toxic, unstinky sunscreen (really nice products); and more natural deodorants by Tom's of Maine work better than most I've tried (but they do contain propylene glycol and even the unscented has a smell [less sensitive people will find they smell quite nice]). Also ... can't go outside without being tortured by ever-circling deerflies? Call 231-832-2323 or visit this site to get deerfly patches with free shipping (no, they don't smell ;). Below is a picture of my patch after one day. ALL these alternatives are available, work, and are well-priced. There is simply no excuse to poison ourselves or anything/one else. Find out how unnecessary toxic pesticides are by discovering alternatives (such as Integrated Pest Management) at Beyond Pesticides, as well as Safe Solutions, Inc., Get IPM, and/or Safe2Use. Reason commented on a few things from past shows (such as Whole Foods shoppers ALREADY VOTING for what they want in the bathroom by simply SHOPPING THERE ... Reason says, either find a healthy air freshener or don't use one). Construction starts this summer on near zero net energy homes in a Greenfield, MA solar village ... visit Rural Development or call 413-863-9781, x149. Our guest, Tedd Saunders of the Saunders Hotel Group and Ecological Solutions, talked about his work promoting greener businesses, particularly in the hotel industry. We learned that greening is a process that takes time, but we still hope it hurries up. I liked that Tedd testifies regularly that business can be green and really must to succeed in the future (he said some react like it's 'man bites dog,' as folks are used to hearing opposition from business-owners). Reason says, sustainable capitalism is the ONLY capitalism (self-evident, one would think). Traveling? Find a greener hotel to stay in. Show ended abruptly, so come back next week for Part II of how NOT to get action from a hot woman. Aerosmith's very apropos tunes for the evening: 'Lord of the Thighs (dude in question was SO not), 'Bone to Bone/Coney Island Whitefish Boy' (for all boneheads) and 'Train Kept a Rollin' (momentum is everything).

June 12, 2007: Thanks for visiting my Past Shows section! Reason presented her theory that when work is right it is not hard. Local representatives Kocut and Rosenberg voted yes on the Safer Alternatives bill, but we have yet to find out how yesterday's hearing in Boston went. Quote: "Foolish is the person who does nothing because he can only do a little bit" (Confucius?). Despite their more natural (though scented) hand soap, it was recently discovered (inquiry inspired by a local place with profoundly toxic "air freshened" bathrooms) that the "continuous scenting" of Whole Foods Market bathrooms is NOT natural or non-toxic. Reason does not believe it is a company's right to choose for their customers poison air over potential "poo smell" complaints (though I must admit, WFM bathroom chemicals don't seem quite as deadly as those of the average toxo lavatory). In Reason's world, toxic chemicals are not an option. Why as a culture do we choose asthma, cancer and mood disorders over the occasional smell of poo? Clean and ventilate! Speaking of which, Reason is nostalgic for the smell of people. Just people who do not reek of toxic chemicals and synthetic petroleum by-product concoctions created in labs by scary, profit-motivated, conscience-challenged, nose-numbed wackos. Dudes, why can't you just SMELL LIKE A MAN!?! Reason also clarified that her occasional expressions of joy over certain products are not "endorsements" ... she receives no money/kickbacks for such. She only raves about things she loves because she loves and believes in them. (Furthermore, even if paid a bunch, Reason would NOT rave about something nasty.) Very poignant anecdote from April's Sun magazine about a man with dementia praying for gOd not to forget about him. Introduction to Somatics (pain relief ... glorious, empowering [and local!] pain management and relief). Then, an extrapolation: mild therapeutic hypothermia (or at least some general cooling) might be helpful in cases of nerve gas exposure (by reducing brain inflammation)? Read more here. Music from Mawwal (local musicians playing the Montague Book Mill this Saturday) was 'Big Machine,' 'Tara Torna' and one other hot track.

June 5, 2007: Reason finally found a pillow and raved about it ... shredded latex with organic cotton from Pure Rest (or call 888-ecobaby). Affordable and comfortable! The company says their rubber tests benzene-free and that many latex allergic people can tolerate enclosed latex as the allergy is often specifically dermal. The smell of mothballs in Northampton has been from a site where Bay State Gas is trying to clean up old coal tar (toxic fumes contain napthalene and benzene). Keep windows shut and take walks elsewhere! Today, we took time to offer positive energy to Reason's creep (wacko stranger) and offered positive energy to listeners' creeps (wishing good things for negative people around us). Special guest Leise Jones from Alliance for a Healthy Tomorrow discussed the potentially precendent-setting Safer Alternatives bill in which Massachusetts would mandate that companies use safer alternatives to certain toxic chemicals (and would help companies do so). Of course, vision-less, profit-oriented chemical-cult leaders oppose the bill with total poppycock as their argument (ha, I have to say poppycock on the air, but I can call their BULLSHIT online). Mitt Romney isn't Reason's favorite presidential hopeful, as in 2005 he voted against a toxic chemical alternative study. As close to evil as we need 'round here! But MassCOSH is doing great work ... such as on the health of cleaning workers and helping stop immigrant workers from being killed by toxic chemicals. A middle school in Paramus, NJ was shut down recently due to dangerous pesticide chemicals in the soil. Check out the Environmental Working Group's updated site on the safety of personal care products Skin Deep (though some safe/GRAS substances are listed as "untested"). Also, a bit on genetic polymorphisms ... how genes and the environment interact may explain differences in reactions to environmental (ha! industrial) agents. Reason briefly discussed the thyroid (hormones again), how we shouldn't have antibodies to our thyroid and happily reported a decrease in one of her levels (could it be a certain supplement?). Music was the first few delectable tracks of Pink Floyd's Obscured by Clouds, later came Led Zeppelin's 'Thank You' and 'Bring it On Home' (cuz I freakin' BRING IT).

May 29, 2007: Oooh ... Reason discovered that her favorite muscle pain remedy Biofreeze (try Moriarty's in Florence or the web), does wonders on itchy bug bites! And we don't have to poison ourselves or smell like citronella candles to repel bugs ... case in point: Bite Away (it works for me). A very disturbing Oprah show on depression (the Truth About Depression my ass) inspired some very important commentary from Reason about how chemicals may have caused a perfectly normal woman to put a gun in her mouth and blow out her brain stem. When will the media ask WHY!?! Even Oprah's "expert" psychiatrist said "all emotions are transmitted via chemical ... that's how the brain talks to itself ... so feelings are really chemical" AND "90% of what you feel is a direct chemical reaction from your brain." COME ON! The wife who committed suicide had apparently moved into a new house with new carpet and was likely using toxic gardening chemicals (serious irritants at the very least). WHEN ARE WE GOING TO MAKE THE CONNECTION!?! Reason also reminded us how our (stupidity and) choices of building materials make a difference in many ways, such as in the RI Station fire (polyurethane foam [FUEL] with no flame retardant was used on the walls). Commentary tonight was dense, so catch the show for the real goods. Music came again from KISS Alive! ('100,000 Years' and 'Watching You'), then Motley Crue's 'Shout at the Devil.'

May 22, 2007: Thank you, I'm sorry, I love you ... said Reason, since it's so nice to hear. Reason also asked, what are you currently resisting? and confessed to resisting spirit and the creative force at times. Ellen Barkin is Reason's smokin-hot, REAL woman of the week (she's clearly taking care of herself). Dr. Oz on Oprah actually (however minimally) mentioned antibacterial soaps (but not triclosan) and his concern for pollutants affecting our hormonal systems. Reason shared her natural recipe for hand "freshener" to carry around (see reputable essential oil companies below in Hot Clicks). Check out endocrine disruptor info. Bits from highly recommended Only Love is Real. Dr Bronner's important letter about real vs. fake soaps (Dove cannot be called soap ... is called a "beauty bar" because it has detergents. "Mild" my derriere!). Formaldehyde gas chambers (Katrina/FEMA trailers) in the news again: Are FEMA Trailers Making Residents Sick? ("CBS News has discovered internal FEMA document citing cancer as a potential job hazard for those just inspecting the trailers.") plus Formaldehyde Fumes Felt in Indiana. Did you know formaldehyde alters DNA? Stay away from particleboard, fiberboard and similar, or seal it with AFM or shop at Ikea. Toxic crap, as usual, is unnecessary. Interesting web site about toxicity of car interiors and baby car seats. Music was hot, screamalicious, old-school, live KISS off a real vinyl record album (Deuce, Parasite, etc. off Alive!).

May 15, 2007: Reason started out by encouraging listeners to thank themselves for whatever they did right today (did you challenge yourself? listen to your inner voice? did you help someone? act upon a dream?). In these critical and often non-nourishing times, we don't thank ourselves enough. Try Tiger Balm to stop bug bites from itching. Donate to this awesome wheelchair recycler to help him keep going. Quotes about gOd from a recent Sun magazine. A wee splash from People of the Lie (M. Scott Peck). Reason also read Written in Early Spring by William Wordsworth ("Have I not reason to lament what man has made of man?") then defined nihilism a bit. Reason shared some gratitude for those out there doing the right thing, living more green, and making a difference environmentally. She/I ;) talked about women's voices and worked on her own by breathing before speaking (beseeching females to use their real voices). Women/motherhood/womanliness and how marketers use such instincts against women (paradox and cognitive dissonance). Discussion of following tribe vs. instinct (Myss talks of this) and its role in our demise. Religion is to god what pornography is to sex. gOd is to religion what sex is to pornography. TAKE GOD AND SEX BACK! We must COME BACK TO OUR SENSES. How ABSURD is it to buy, use, injest, rub on, disperse, give away, or throw away toxic chemicals in any form (hello, fabric softener people)? Shocking (please) news that common chemicals are linked to breast cancer ("researchers named 216 chemicals [of which] people are highly exposed to 97, including industrial solvents, pesticides, dyes, gasoline and diesel exhaust compounds, cosmetics ingredients, hormones, pharmaceuticals, radiation, and a chemical in chlorinated drinking water. ... cancer looks like an environmental disease.") Any Jewish people out there using pesticide ought to know that such substances came from Holocaust gas chamber chemicals (and reconsider such behavior) (Bayer [part of IG Farben] invented chemical warfare ... IG Farben's Degesch manufactured Zyklon B poison gas used in the gas chambers ... organophosphates after the war were marketed by Bayer as pesticides and IG Farben was broken up into BASF, Bayer and Hoechst (now Aventis). IG Farben’s managers were convicted as war criminals at the Nuremberg Trials.) Why do you think toxic chemicals are okay? Oh, and attractiveness is not a thing, it's a being. Music that moved: ZZ Top/Back from Baby's, Pearl Jam/Leaving Here, and Bob Dylan/Million Miles.

May 8, 2007: Quote from unknown source: "Stand amid eternal ways and what is yours will know your face." Reason thanked Bela restaurant again for much-needed nourishment, then began the show with a moment of reverence for what we have and for those who suffer around the world. Two delicious tips for the gluten-allergic: rice flour pancake mix by Pamela's and rice pasta by Tinkyada. It is my seventh anniversary of what I call my "crash" ... when I erroneously told myself I could handle being inside a new SUV (chemical gas chamber). I ignored the little voice that said, UH OH, and have never been the same since. Let that be your warning to watch out, and heed your instincts no matter what our toxic culture tells you. A friend just did, and it was an excruciating decision, but a necessary one (that she will now live to tell about). This brought us to survival instincts, and how we have essentially lost them. Our senses were designed to help us survive, and what we are doing to our noses, our sense of smell, is rendering it incapable of telling most of us much of anything anymore (numbing by unnecessary overstimulation and avoidable nerve-deadening chemicals). We're in trouble. Reason then spoke of how we need to take gOd back from religion. Christopher Hutchins new book God is Not Great is a perfect place to start. He and Caroline Myss (Anatomy of the Spirit) agree, most religions demonize the feminine, especially feminine sexuality. Well, I've had it. It's time to TAKE IT BACK. Take back sex from pornography and gOd from religion ... not to mention sex from religion. TAKE IT BACK. Furthermore, I am tired of how women are allowing their motherly instincts and such to be marketed nearly out of existence (and what's left of them manipulated straight to hell) by profit-driven corporate madness. Women, I call on you to STAND UP! Clarification about cognitive dissonance that it's what people do to RELIEVE inner conflict that is the issue. This month's Naked Truth Project newsletter told us to recycle our curly bulbs and further explained about Nalgene plastic drinking bottles (the bisphenol A in such plastics that leach into water was originally designed as a SYNTHETIC HORMONE). Use stainless steel bottles! Reason also stated that if someone thinks she is wrong on just about anything, it is more likely that they are wrong, they have misunderstood her, or she has not explained herself properly. Indeed ;) Sadly, Southeastern Mass is already spraying. Finally, if you have an urge to call the show, and you have done so repeatedly, try writing down your thoughts and emailing them instead. If they aren't important enough to write down, they're probably going to unjustifiably disturb Reason's on-air flow. Musical delicacies from Zap Mama's Push it to the Max (Nostalgie Amoureuse, Ca Varie Varie, and Mr. Brown).

May 1, 2007: A BIG thanks to Gaby and the Bela restaurant on Masonic St. in Northampton for helping properly (and deliciously) nourish Reason before the show. I wonder what the Ethical Corporation is ... benevolent? neutral? naughty? Reason warned the sensitive that Thorne's Marketplace has redone their floors again. Apparently (and thankfully) they used a water-based product, but the fumes are still strong enough to force some of us to wait before "Thorne-ing" again. ASSIGNMENT: for some idea of what it's like for a chemically sensitive person to use most public bathrooms (due to stupefyingly toxic air polluting devices and sprays [stop it! just clean/ventilate!]), Reason suggested listeners try to hold their breath (yes, ONE breath for the whole event) from before entering to totally exiting a bathroom (NOT EASY ... if you catch one of us running out of a lavatory with our pants undone and gasping, now you know why). Yay Oprah! She recently featured organic/reusable/washable grocery shopping bags, which you can purhase at her website (and from which she derives no profit). Lewis Black's recent joke about cognitive dissonance on The Daily Show made Reason VERY happy. Tonight's antidoting included discussion of various other things, such as: how we are just people and that I wish we could go back to smelling that way; the "I can do it" mentality and proper parenting; how wolf packs are loving and we can learn from them; Mr. Chang and faithful action; how being great is about transcending our culture and who we're told we are, etc.; Jon Stewart's repeated demonstrations of impressive humanity (Bill Moyers is back! and you can check out his interview with Jon here). How this organization helped decrease or eliminate pesticide use in California schools. To honor "air quality awareness week" (nevermind our overall well-being or what the actual air and our health/lungs tell us), we can mind our air quality at this site. Music from Jamiroquai was 'Virtual Insanity,' 'Use the Force' and an awesome Bonus Track.

April 24, 2007: On this glorious eve of strangely wrong pseudo-Spring, Reason shared her epiphany that each of our individual choices really does matter and have meaning in that each helps determine the direction of the evolution of our species. Theme was becoming more conscious of where our beliefs come from. Are we being individually mindful or participating in mob mentality? Are you sure some of what you "believe" is really yours? Regarding the VA Tech perpetrator, may we all keep in mind that silence is often passive aggression, which is AGGRESSION. May we also try to shift from focusing on the perp to asking ourselves what we can do to make the world less conducive to evil in all forms. What is our role? How can we take responsibility? What can we learn, etc.? Otherwise, suffering and loss are in vain. 60 Minutes' piece on a scary reality of black/urban/street culture: 'Stop Snitchin' ... WOW. When not "snitching" is the right thing, fine, but this is also a perfect example of toxic groupthink. Correction: turns out that Einstein may NOT have said the loss of bees would mean humans only had four years left (fine, but we still need the freakin' bees). Awesome concepts of INSTINCT over impulse and CONTEXT over content. Try using them in your life (if you don't get it, listen to the show). Little-known fact that kids with asthma tend to also have other problems (depression, anxiety, behavioral problems, and learning disabilities). Also, studies show that solvent exposure in the womb causes lower IQ linked to severe mental deficits. Worst was impact on verbal ability "but the exposed children also performed worse on tests of memory, dexterity, visual acuity and color perception" and "displayed greater hyperactivity and had more trouble paying attention." Dr. Herbert Needleman said, "We don’t know how smart our children could be if we didn’t poison them." INfreakinDEED. Reason encouraged people to take responsibility for stupidity in the future as well as stupidity in the now (do we really need less intelligence and more anxiety on the roads?) Even more reasons not to use pesticides (as if we needed any more): further proof that Parkinson's is linked to pesticide exposure. Notably, inflammation of the brain and virus exposure is a bad combination. And no, it's not okay to purposefully expose chemically sensitive people to "test" them (or for any other self-indulgent reason). If you're doing that, you're not a 'skeptic,' you're evil. Would you "test" the pain tolerance of a person by punching them? Knock it off. Reason also encouraged people to BATHE. Naturally and with non-toxic products, of course, but for joy's sake, would you please use a little Bronner's and water and cleanse thyself? Putrefying bacteria fuming off unclean bodies in enclosed spaces is simply another form of passive aggression. You too, hippies! ;) End of Pink Floyd’s first track on ‘Atom Heart Mother,’ plus ‘If’ ... then Cree Summer’s ‘Miss Moon’ (on behalf of the feminine takeover we apparently need to save the world).

April 17, 2007: Theme of the day: WE EACH MUST DO SOMETHING, plus energetic and emotional responsibility. Various goodies, such as a big lingerie sale at Mary Green (try the silk gauze), THE place for uncontaminated, fantastic fish and other delicacies (Vital Choice), self-proclaimed renegade neurologist Dr. Perlmutter's web site chock full of important news such as the latest on aspartame and how bees disappearing may be caused by cell phone radiation. Illnesses of those who helped clean up the 9/11 disaster and our unwarranted trust in percieved authority figures (federal judge Deborah Batts calls ex-chief Whitman and the EPA's appraisal of lower Manhattan as "safe" Conscience-Shocking). Reason's thoughts on society and humanity inspired by feral children. Last week, another reasonable federal judge finally signed a settlement agreement between NYC and the SprayNo Coalition: "Giuliani (claimed) that the chemicals were completely harmless. The City of NY has now admitted that these chemicals are harmful, that they persist in the environment and that much more caution will have to be used if they decide to ever spray them again." Workers won a sterility lawsuit against Amvac (Dole and Dow remain as defendants). Connection between environmental estrogens and allergies means choosing personal products carefully. No matter what either "side" says, current global (micro- and macrocosm) imbalances demand we TAKE ACTION, DON'T WAIT. A 'thank you, I'm sorry, I love you' reminder. Music was Justin Timberlake's 'What Goes Around Comes Around' plus James Morrison's 'You Give Me Something' and 'One Last Chance' (indeed, that's what we have).

April 10, 2007: Reason's menstrual cycle (the 'period,' as it's known) caused such agonizing pain that she was unable to Antidote (verb) this evening.

April 3, 2007: Reason's thoughts on what she calls "the defensive posture." New Discovery Channel series, Planet Earth, reminds us who we are and where we come from. An ex-terrorist recruiter said how they got recruits to kill innocent people: "We would take away [the perception of] their innocence ... so they were no longer innocent men, women and children ... and hence, combatants and allowed to be targeted." Check out this article on the "greening of hotels with sensitive guests in mind." Great, but we'll see. Wood floors and greener cleaners are great, but are they using more disinfectant chemicals? Bits from Philip Zimbardo's new book, the Lucifer Effect. Check out The Naked Truth Project and Reverb Rock. A bit on cosmology as well as the positivity of Intenders Circles. Reason read Diane Wilson's account of the sabotage of her fishing boat and how she survived. Don't recall what music I played (Corrine Bailey Rae's 'Butterflies' plus ?), but I can tell you that it was FREAKIN AWESOME, as usual.

March 27, 2007: Amongst and betwixt other loveliness, Reason discussed protecting ourselves from emotional vampirism with help from Dr. Judith Orloff and her new book Positive Energy. Of course, one place to start is to ourselves become the positive energy we want to see in the world. Listeners were encouraged to send positive energy to George (yes, your host is doing it too) ... and those who "take issue" with Al were encouraged to send him positive energy as well, in the spirit of ho'oponopono (Google it), not to mention wanting a better world so much that you're willing to try anything. Reason did an awesome reading of Ani Difranco's Self-evident that hopefully did the epic righteousness some justice. Music was Lynyrd Skynyrd's 'Call Me the Breeze,' Pearl Jam's 'Leaving Here,' and Robert Plant's 'Shine It All Around.' Wow, do I love music ...

March 20, 2007: On skepticism: in comparison to actual human experience, "beliefs" are somewhat insignificant (except perhaps to demonstrate our character, the imperfect nature of "knowledge," and often our need for personal/cultural evolution). This evening also included Thomas Schramm of Green Machine Shop telling us about an interesting (and seemingly inevitable) new technology, Sonopathy (sound therapy not unlike homeopathy, but this is medicine you hear). It was released today! Yes, Antidote Radio listeners heard about it first! I'll try it and let you know what I think. Reason talked of Relational Dynamics (in your relations with others, are you caring, besting, dominating, nurturing, scurrying, blocking ... are you moving toward or away, up or down, etc.?) and read from Clinton McLemore's awesome relationship book. We enjoyed tunage by Audioslave (Golden Visions), an unknown track/artist, plus Boogie Oogie Oogie (yup, I played disco and it felt GOOD).

March 13, 2007: Lots of yummies, plus the Dadly email incident on global warming. More notes to come!

March 6, 2007: According to E!, Britney Spears asks for odorless carpet in hotel rooms to protect her voice. Hmmmnn ... Also, an interesting anecdote: recently, an audience member on Oprah stated that she "doesn’t believe in the supernatural, as there’s no peer reviewed literature on it ... there’s no evidence." Until I began feeling bad about laughing, I could barely stop. I honestly feel bad for people this limited or superficial. As if millions of years of human experience means nothing ... as if human consciousness just appeared out of nowhere ... as if science has anything on direct human experience! Come on. (She was a scientist. Thankfully, another audience member stood up to say there is plenty of peer-reviewed, evidenciary material and he has authored some himself.) Anyway, this relates to the Antidote Radio tenet that waiting for science and authority figures to prove things that are inherently true means you're probably not looking in the right direction and are likely unfamiliar with bliss. Then, a wee bit on chakras (who knew). More about highly sensitive people, including a bit of reading from Julie Rosenshien's book, The Highly Sensitive Kids Guide (contact Julie through her website). Another online resource is Highly Sensitive Souls. Reason came up with an approach to be applied when a person is behaving inconveniently or being annoying and we don't necessarily understand why (and the person cannot necessarily communicate their needs directly): The Sensitivity Principle. That is, sometimes when someone is behaving a certain way (a child, a friend, etc.) and they cannot explain why, it may be in some cases that they are sensitive to light, energy, food, etc., and they could use a little of our trust or compassion. Of course, Reason gave a recent personal example. Read a tad more from Peggy Munson's Stricken. Regarding final comments in previous show: on being frigid vs. choosing to put one's life energy into something other than sexuality ... there's a difference. Sexuality and spirituality are deeply connected (as if baby-makin ain’t a clue). Sex is life, creation, and spirit connection. (We ARE proof of gOd.) I say, truth is sexy and artifice is flaccid. Music by Ray LaMontagne (Be Here Now, Empty, Barfly) and Corinne Bailey Rae (Butterfly).

February 27, 2007: Tonight's delightful plethora included an update on Iris (whose toxic mold story is currently in E magazine and was recently on Georgia's WJBF TV) ... included was the addage (provided by a doctor familiar with mycotoxin poisoning) "what you're not up on, you're down on." Good one. Reason also offered a few good Einstein quotes and her own very reasonable commentary on The Secret, mainly that the people who can appreciate the law of attraction are those who are able to tolerate paradox. Discussed highly sensitive people and Indigo Children, with bits from an article by Julie Rosenshein. Had a shockingly effective massage by Elliot Tarry (917-549-8329) who was able to seemingly undo an injury to my scalenes. Elliot was well worth the money. A recent Law & Order episode (Loophole) actually mentioned cholinesterase, the similarity of organophosphate pesticides and nerve gas, and the EPA's idea to reimburse low income families who report their childrens' reactions to pesticide exposure (very controversial). Read from Peggy Munson's awesome introduction in her book Stricken. Took first caller and answered her questions about toxic flooring, recommending AFM and to check out the resources mentioned on the 10/24/06 show (see below). Ended with a quick bit about sexuality and spirituality being the same thing and wishing for my listeners to experience rightful pleasure. Music by ZZ Top ('Brown Sugar,' 'Cheap Sunglasses' and the ever-luscious 'La Grange').

February 20, 2007: No show tonight due to being pre-empted by a special marathon on homelessness.

February 13, 2007: Further notes on the way: Special Valentine edition on how to LOVE OUR MOLECULES (and more, including healthier lube and greener sex toys [less petrochems and pthalates means less reproductive toxicity and more pleasure])! Music truly delicious (however melancholy), Ray LaMontagne and Corinne Bailey Rae.

February 6, 2007: Reason just went for it tonight, with random associations not that random. Most powerfully, however, were the insights about love, consiousness and the cosmos from Masuro Emoto's magnificent work with water crystals. His books are amazing. Reason hopes to read from them on the air soon, as they triggered her recent epiphany about the effects of choosing to expose oneself to less than loving people (wow, hello!). Reason also mentioned greener computing (see the Green Machine Shop and EPEAT for more); explained that she actually DOES do this show for her health (is not paid to review products she LOVES, etc.), as well as YOURS; read from interview with Marion Woodman from the Sun; and talked about how all these people wearing (reeking of) "African oils" might be surprised to know that they are actually putting very nasty