<![CDATA[Sounds Pretty Genuine]]>Sounds Pretty Genuine is a weekly conversation about belief — spiritual, political, personal — and the courage it takes to live it. We talk with people willing to examine their convictions out loud: what shaped them, where they've changed, and what they're still figuring out.

]]>genuinemedia.coRiverside.fm (https://riverside.com)Sun, 18 Oct 2026 17:24:18 GMTTue, 20 Jan 2026 21:15:03 GMT60Genuine Media<p>Sounds Pretty Genuine is a weekly conversation about belief — spiritual, political, personal — and the courage it takes to live it. We talk with people willing to examine their convictions out loud: what shaped them, where they've changed, and what they're still figuring out.</p>episodicGenuine Mediakciese@gmail.comno<![CDATA[Faith in the System with Lisa Rubin]]>

Lisa Rubin walked away from one of the country's most prestigious corporate law firms at 40 — not toward a plan, but because she'd slowly lost the thread of why she'd become a lawyer in the first place. That reinvention led her directly to the stories that implicate everything she'd spent a decade serving.

She's now MSNOW's senior legal reporter, covering the Trump trials, the erosion of DOJ independence, and the Epstein files. She has read thousands of pages of documents. She has wept on the phone with survivors. She still believes in the rule of law with the fervor of a religion.

We talk about what it cost her to leave a career she'd built her identity around, what she has seen in the Epstein files that most people aren't fully reckoning with, and what it looks like to keep faith in a system that keeps letting you down.

]]>e4034759-d522-4c9e-b84d-3274e7d474adThu, 26 Feb 2026 11:00:00 GMT<p></p><hr /><p>Lisa Rubin walked away from one of the country's most prestigious corporate law firms at 40 — not toward a plan, but because she'd slowly lost the thread of why she'd become a lawyer in the first place. That reinvention led her directly to the stories that implicate everything she'd spent a decade serving.</p><p></p><p>She's now MSNOW's senior legal reporter, covering the Trump trials, the erosion of DOJ independence, and the Epstein files. She has read thousands of pages of documents. She has wept on the phone with survivors. She still believes in the rule of law with the fervor of a religion.</p><p></p><p>We talk about what it cost her to leave a career she'd built her identity around, what she has seen in the Epstein files that most people aren't fully reckoning with, and what it looks like to keep faith in a system that keeps letting you down.</p>no00:50:2917Faith in the System with Lisa Rubinfull<![CDATA[Staying in the Ring with Brad Lander]]>This episode was recorded at NYU Law and sponsored by the NYU Journal of Legislation and Public Policy and the NYU Chapter of the American Constitution Society.

Brad Lander keeps showing up when most people would walk away. He cross-endorsed Zohran Mamdani in the middle of a mayoral race he was still running. He went back to 26 Federal Plaza three times to accompany asylum seekers out of the building—until ICE grabbed him too. He said publicly what many Jewish leaders won't about Gaza, knowing the cost. He came in third—and he's not done.

We talk about what his parents taught him about being in community, why the job of neighbor now asks more than it ever has, and what it means to stay in the ring—with your coalition, your community, your conscience—when every instinct says protect yourself.

]]>34b1769d-53bf-4728-ac66-297e3d6c5e6aThu, 19 Feb 2026 10:00:00 GMT<p>This episode was recorded at NYU Law and sponsored by the NYU Journal of Legislation and Public Policy and the NYU Chapter of the American Constitution Society.</p><p></p><p>Brad Lander keeps showing up when most people would walk away. He cross-endorsed Zohran Mamdani in the middle of a mayoral race he was still running. He went back to 26 Federal Plaza three times to accompany asylum seekers out of the building—until ICE grabbed him too. He said publicly what many Jewish leaders won't about Gaza, knowing the cost. He came in third—and he's not done.<br /></p><p>We talk about what his parents taught him about being in community, why the job of neighbor now asks more than it ever has, and what it means to stay in the ring—with your coalition, your community, your conscience—when every instinct says protect yourself.</p>no00:43:4916Staying in the Ring with Brad Landerfull<![CDATA[Walking the Grief with Sah D'Simone]]>When Sah D'Simone's mother Patricia died, he did what most of us do: he went back to work. But the grief didn't go anywhere. It froze. So he and his father walked the Camino de Santiago for 32 days — 500 miles of crying, laughing, and falling apart without anyone trying to fix them.

Sah is a spiritual teacher, bestselling author, and founder of the Somatic Dance Institute. His work is built on a simple premise: emotions get stuck in the body without motion. In this episode, he shares the raw story of losing his mother, the moment in 2018 when he finally learned to feel instead of think, and a practice for softening your heart toward the people who turn you inside out.

]]>f6e80626-66f6-467b-9b85-180c763d2f0fThu, 12 Feb 2026 04:57:29 GMT<p>When Sah D'Simone's mother Patricia died, he did what most of us do: he went back to work. But the grief didn't go anywhere. It froze. So he and his father walked the Camino de Santiago for 32 days — 500 miles of crying, laughing, and falling apart without anyone trying to fix them.<br /></p><p>Sah is a spiritual teacher, bestselling author, and founder of the Somatic Dance Institute. His work is built on a simple premise: emotions get stuck in the body without motion. In this episode, he shares the raw story of losing his mother, the moment in 2018 when he finally learned to feel instead of think, and a practice for softening your heart toward the people who turn you inside out.</p>no00:38:1015Walking the Grief with Sah D'Simonefull<![CDATA[The Work of Being Known with Andre Holland]]>Andre Holland has spent his career granting characters what Shakespeare denied Othello: a visible inner life. In this conversation, he traces that commitment back to Bessemer, Alabama, describes acting as an act of radical empathy — finding the piece of every character that lives in him too — and reflects on what it cost his father to be different selves in different rooms. Now he's learning to do that same work on himself: integrating all his parts, and letting people actually know him.

]]>192b3d02-54e6-4bc8-8e8b-e318fdaf0cfcThu, 05 Feb 2026 04:45:18 GMT<p>Andre Holland has spent his career granting characters what Shakespeare denied Othello: a visible inner life. In this conversation, he traces that commitment back to Bessemer, Alabama, describes acting as an act of radical empathy — finding the piece of every character that lives in him too — and reflects on what it cost his father to be different selves in different rooms. Now he's learning to do that same work on himself: integrating all his parts, and letting people actually know him.</p><p></p>no00:57:0114The Work of Being Known with Andre Hollandfull<![CDATA[The Sacred Act of Changing Your Mind with Ciarra Jones ]]>We're taught that changing our minds about God — or the beliefs we were raised with — is dangerous, even sinful. But what if it's actually holy? Theologian Ciarra Jones joins Kendall and Alessandra to reframe deconstruction not as losing your faith, but as a sacred act of growth. Ciarra shares her journey from Assemblies of God fundamentalism to queer-affirming spirituality, why she encourages a "slow pruning" rather than dramatic transformation, and how reimagining who God is — including as a Black woman — can reconnect us to the parts of ourselves we were taught to reject. For anyone who's left religious community but still feels spiritually hungry, this one's for you.

]]>1af4c30c-1c32-4f9c-8bab-2cbee8f12558Thu, 29 Jan 2026 04:32:21 GMT<p>We're taught that changing our minds about God — or the beliefs we were raised with — is dangerous, even sinful. But what if it's actually holy? Theologian Ciarra Jones joins Kendall and Alessandra to reframe deconstruction not as losing your faith, but as a sacred act of growth. Ciarra shares her journey from Assemblies of God fundamentalism to queer-affirming spirituality, why she encourages a "slow pruning" rather than dramatic transformation, and how reimagining who God is — including as a Black woman — can reconnect us to the parts of ourselves we were taught to reject. For anyone who's left religious community but still feels spiritually hungry, this one's for you.</p><p></p>no00:46:0713The Sacred Act of Changing Your Mind with Ciarra Jones full<![CDATA[The Alchemy of Organizing with Shannon Watts]]>In this episode of Genuine Live, hosts Alessandra Biaggi and Kendall Ciesemier engage in a profound conversation with Shannon Watts, the founder of Moms Demand Action, a grassroots organization dedicated to combating gun violence in the United States, and author of Fired Up: How to Turn Your Spark Into a Flame and Come Alive at Any Age. Shannon shares her journey, which began in the wake of the Sandy Hook tragedy, and how her initial sadness transformed into a powerful anger for action. She reflects on the importance of community, the role of women in activism, and the necessity of kindness and empathy in leadership. She also highlights the spiritual aspects of activism, highlighting how her Buddhist practices have shaped her approach to leadership.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Genuine Live and Shannon Watts

02:58 Shannon's Journey: From Grief to Action

11:40 The Role of Women in Activism

21:00 Navigating Political Landscapes and Incrementalism

34:58 Spirituality and Leadership in Activism

49:11 Transitioning from Leadership and Managing Ego

54:58 The Importance of Kindness and Community

]]>c47ca09e-4fc6-476c-a2ce-546fbd104356Thu, 22 Jan 2026 00:52:27 GMT<p>In this episode of Genuine Live, hosts Alessandra Biaggi and Kendall Ciesemier engage in a profound conversation with Shannon Watts, the founder of Moms Demand Action, a grassroots organization dedicated to combating gun violence in the United States, and author of <i>Fired Up: How to Turn Your Spark Into a Flame and Come Alive at Any Age</i><b><i>. </i></b>Shannon shares her journey, which began in the wake of the Sandy Hook tragedy, and how her initial sadness transformed into a powerful anger for action. She reflects on the importance of community, the role of women in activism, and the necessity of kindness and empathy in leadership. She also highlights the spiritual aspects of activism, highlighting how her Buddhist practices have shaped her approach to leadership.<br /><br />Chapters</p><p>00:00 Introduction to Genuine Live and Shannon Watts</p><p>02:58 Shannon's Journey: From Grief to Action</p><p>11:40 The Role of Women in Activism</p><p>21:00 Navigating Political Landscapes and Incrementalism</p><p>34:58 Spirituality and Leadership in Activism</p><p>49:11 Transitioning from Leadership and Managing Ego</p><p>54:58 The Importance of Kindness and Community</p><p></p>no00:52:0112The Alchemy of Organizing with Shannon Wattsfull<![CDATA[Grace in a Divided America with Rep. Sarah McBride]]>In this inaugural episode of Genuine Live, Hosts Kendall Ciesemier and Alessandra Biaggi engage in a profound conversation with Representative Sarah McBride, the first openly trans person elected to Congress. They explore themes of resilience, grace, and the importance of maintaining relationships across political divides. McBride shares her experiences facing political resistance, the significance of hope and courage in leadership, and the role of spirituality in guiding her decisions. The discussion also touches on the impact of mortality on perspective and the urgency of addressing complex issues like AI in a way that values humanity and fosters connection.

00:00Introduction to Genuine Live and Sarah McBride

02:54 Facing Political Resistance as a Trailblazer

06:01 Navigating Trauma and Public Spectacle

08:59 The Addictive Nature of Attention in Politics

11:54 The Strength in Restraint and Discipline

14:46 Grace as a Discipline in Leadership

18:00 The Importance of Nuance in Political Discourse

20:59 Encouraging Grace in a Polarized Culture

23:47 The Role of Faith in Leadership

27:05 Finding Gratitude Amidst Challenges

36:04 The Gift of Proximity and Understanding

37:33 Urgency for Change and the Role of Patience

39:51 Faith in Humanity and Democracy

41:20 Mortality as a Catalyst for Change

44:54 Gratitude for Life and Living

47:10 The Impact of Fear on Relationships

48:36 Finding Common Ground in Politics

49:53 Maintaining Moral Clarity in Compromise

55:27 Rituals of Repair and Emotional Energy

01:01:38 Evolving Perspectives on Engagement and Change

01:04:05 Navigating the Future of AI and Humanity

]]>37e8eb6a-577f-4f4f-9254-b4871eeab916Wed, 21 Jan 2026 23:52:46 GMT<p>In this inaugural episode of Genuine Live, Hosts Kendall Ciesemier and Alessandra Biaggi engage in a profound conversation with Representative Sarah McBride, the first openly trans person elected to Congress. They explore themes of resilience, grace, and the importance of maintaining relationships across political divides. McBride shares her experiences facing political resistance, the significance of hope and courage in leadership, and the role of spirituality in guiding her decisions. The discussion also touches on the impact of mortality on perspective and the urgency of addressing complex issues like AI in a way that values humanity and fosters connection.<br /><br /><b>00:00</b>Introduction to Genuine Live and Sarah McBride</p><p><b>02:54 </b>Facing Political Resistance as a Trailblazer</p><p><b>06:01 </b>Navigating Trauma and Public Spectacle</p><p><b>08:59 </b>The Addictive Nature of Attention in Politics</p><p><b>11:54 </b>The Strength in Restraint and Discipline</p><p><b>14:46 </b>Grace as a Discipline in Leadership</p><p><b>18:00 </b>The Importance of Nuance in Political Discourse</p><p><b>20:59 </b>Encouraging Grace in a Polarized Culture</p><p><b>23:47 </b>The Role of Faith in Leadership</p><p><b>27:05 </b>Finding Gratitude Amidst Challenges</p><p><b>36:04 </b>The Gift of Proximity and Understanding</p><p><b>37:33 </b>Urgency for Change and the Role of Patience</p><p><b>39:51 </b>Faith in Humanity and Democracy</p><p><b>41:20 </b>Mortality as a Catalyst for Change</p><p><b>44:54 </b>Gratitude for Life and Living</p><p><b>47:10 </b>The Impact of Fear on Relationships</p><p><b>48:36 </b>Finding Common Ground in Politics</p><p><b>49:53 </b>Maintaining Moral Clarity in Compromise</p><p><b>55:27 </b>Rituals of Repair and Emotional Energy</p><p><b>01:01:38 </b>Evolving Perspectives on Engagement and Change</p><p><b>01:04:05 </b>Navigating the Future of AI and Humanity</p>no00:58:2711Grace in a Divided America with Rep. Sarah McBridefull