Episode 57 Roosevelt Credit, vocalist, composer
Release Date: 02/04/2019
Episode 392 Pascale Jean-Gilles
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
My guest today is Pascale Jean-Gilles. Pascale and I bumped into each other last week at two local events: a high school student-led protest in solidarity with Minneapolis in our town and at the County Legislature Building with hundreds of people showing up to support the “Safety and Dignity for All ACT”, a bill to ensure guardrails with ICE agents in our county. Having known Pascale since she was 2 years old, it was a pure delight to reconnect with her and learn about who she is as a thoughtful, compassionate, dedicated young woman. Pascale is Chief of Staff for NY State...
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Episode 391 Mea Culpa
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
On this week’s episode, I propose that mea culpa is a good place to start as we honor Black History Month. The Latin phrase mea culpa is an exclamation of apology or remorse, admitting that one has caused harm. For true racial healing to happen in this country, I long for us to own up to the threats, controls and discrimination embedded in our country’s systems. I am relieved to notice more white people expressing their own forms of mea culpa, as they are dedicated to learning, open to admitting harm, and willing to take responsibility. That feels like a meaningful way to celebrate Black...
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Episode 390 Beth Adubato
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
My guest today is Beth Ellen Adubato. I met Beth last month and was so impressed with her background and dedication to making a positive impact in the world. From her own personal experience of being sexually assaulted in college, Beth has championed women’s issues for decades and created an organization that supports women of domestic violence. She has been a journalist, researcher and professor of criminal justice, at both Saint Peter’s University and Rutgers University, training her students to be critical thinkers, who care for others with empathy. Beth now feels compelled to...
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Episode 389 MLK Day
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
On this week’s episode I honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and celebrate this inspiring civil rights leader and his work for racial equality and social justice. I feel it’s imperative to be reminded who Martin Luther King, Jr. was and what he fought for, particularly amidst our current toxic atmosphere of erasure. I highlight 10 significant facts about Dr. King, and play an audio clip of what Dr. King had the audacity to believe. It moved me deeply, as a child, to hear Dr. King speak and now 60 years later, I marvel at how poignantly his words resonate for us at this moment in time. ...
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Episode 388 Justice
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
On this week’s episode, I describe the word Justice that I’ve chosen for 2026. I want this word to be integrated into my thoughts, words and actions this year. I want justice to guide me, inspire me, and empower me to advocate for fairness, accountability, and restorative relationships. Yes, I will start with myself, but, oh how I want to live in a world where justice is upheld and can radiate throughout this country. May 2026 be a year where injustices are no longer tolerated and people are held accountable for their dehumanizing behavior. May we work in solidarity to cultivate...
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Episode 387 Reflections of 2025
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
On this week’s episode, I mark the beginning of our podcast’s 9th year and reflect on the 5 people I honored and the 45 stories I shared from 2025. It was a very challenging year personally and politically, yet I trust that there are spiritual lessons and opportunities for learning and healing. May we all practice restoring humanity, dignity, compassion and justice. Blessings for a healing, engaged, empowering year. May you be safe and healthy, and join me in searching for the mysterious, wondrous ways the Universe is conspiring to help us evolve, help us to live more authentically, more...
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Episode 386 Humbled
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
In addition to the wide range of emotions, this past week, I’ve also felt humbled. Humbled by my friend, Wayne who is living with the brutal disease ALS. Paul and I spent 4 days and 4 overnights with Wayne, while his wife was out of town. I am humbled by the human spirit that can still nurture a positive attitude, despite being so physically limited. Humbled by resilience, the choice to remain grateful and generous. Humbled by the aides who make personal sacrifices to show up with kindness, patience, and professionalism. Humbled by what this brings out in my husband, in me, as we...
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Episode 385 Fullness of December
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
On this week’s episode, I acknowledge how full the month of December can be. Are you also finding this month to be full with holiday preparations, full with things to do, full with parties and events to attend, and full of emotions? It can be exciting and stressful. Our bodies will partner with us in the overwhelm and help carry the full load for us. May we be present to the fullness of life, the hurt, pain, tenderness and generosity. May we allow ourselves to feel deeply. May we nurture ourselves in our vulnerability. May we embody love, truth, and justice and allow those words to...
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Episode 384 If You Give a Mouse A Cookie
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
On this week’s episode, I share how my week reflected the snowball effect captured in the humorous children’s book and brilliantly illustrated by Felicia Bond. One thing leads to another and another and another, and before you know it, a simple gesture set off tasks, projects and investment well beyond what we initially intended. It began with the clearing out of kitchen shelving, then the kitchen pantry, then a new hinge for a cabinet door, which reminded us that the kitchen window needed replacing. Listen to see what unfolds from there! I’m guessing you might be able to relate!...
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Episode 383 Embracing Change
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
On this week’s episode, I reflect on all the change that happens around us and the wisdom of learning to embrace change. There are the changes in season, temperatures, clothes and food, changes in friendships and activities. I also noticed when organizing my Holiday Card list, how many people changed homes so I needed address updating. I was struck by the number of loved ones who have died this past year. Their absence has an impact on me along with a web of other people, all experiencing changes without these individuals in our lives. I am comforted by the Buddhist teaching on...
info_outline For 2019's Black History Month, we are featuring 4 wonderful people, all who have a tie to my absolute favorite dance company in the world: the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Our first guest of the month sings with the Alvin Ailey gospel choir. The second is a young singer who had never seen Ailey live and came with me as my guest this past December, while the company celebrated it's 60th Anniversary - one of my greatest joys is introducing new people to this magnificent dance company. Who knows, perhaps one day she too will sing with Ailey’s gospel choir! Our 3rd guest is the percussionist for Ailey’s live band and finally we feature a spectacular Ailey dancer, who has been with the company for 26 years!
May you be inspired by Roosevelt Credit, Tahira Clayton, Gary Fritz and Matthew Rushing as we honor Black History month and the legacy and profound spirit of Alvin Ailey!
My guest today is Roosevelt Andre Credit. Roosevelt is a gifted singer, performer, conductor, arranger and music educator. Roosevelt is also one of the most enthusiastic, positive humans I have ever encountered! His large heart, deep spiritual conviction and uncanny ability to find the good in just about every person and situation, plus his natural ability to light up a room and get the party started, truly inspires me. Roo grew up in Oakland, CA, studied opera at Oregon State University, and went to Northwestern University for graduate school. Roosevelt has had a rich, varied career from the Tony Award winning Broadway production of “Showboat”, the touring company of “Porgy and Bess”, to singing in professional NYC church choirs, conducting choruses and festivals, singing with the Alvin Ailey gospel choir for the live music performances of Ailey’s signature piece “Revelations”, helping to write the music for the movie “12 Years A Slave” and appearing on John Oliver’s HBO show Last Week Tonight. Roosevelt also has recorded two of his own CDs: “Old Time Religion”and “Get On Board”.
Roo lives from a place of grace and gratitude, enjoys moments of synchronicity and connection, which delightfully appeared during our conversation, and truly is a vessel of love and light! Check out the show notes below for links to Roosevelt’s website www.rooseveltacredit.com, where you can hear his music, purchase his CDs, find a great video of Roosevelt’s hysterical embodiment of Fats Waller, singing “Your Feets Too Big”! I’ve also included links to videos of Roosevelt's appearances with a gospel choir on John Oliver’s show. “Well done good and faithful servant!!!” Enjoy the podcast!
Links:
www.rooseveltacredit.com
Last Week Tonight with John Oliver - YouTube link
“Old Time Religion”