Our new podcast takes an honest look at  how we chose to respond to the Trump years, one of the most disturbing and polarizing times in our lives. We are not interested in hating  President Trump or loving him, the podcast isn’t about that, but about the time we live in.

Instead, we talk about how we have stayed grounded during this difficult period.  How we have worked to channel the times and our creativity and energy to good purpose.

The podcast is personal, not political, a discussion about how the election of 2016 changed my life in what I hope have  been positive, not divisive or hateful ways. And  how Maria’s work began to focus more and more and in creative ways on the struggle for women to find their voices.

My life was turned upside down, and the odd thing is that was good for me, and I think, for many other people in ways I didn’t expect.  There was – is -a kind of awakening that seems patriotic and hopeful to me. I am paying attention to our world now.

A lot of us are paying attention. In a democracy, that means everything.

The election was a perfect storm for me, even as it was so difficult, even frightening,  for so many people in so many different ways. I decided to do good rather than argue about what good was. I vowed not to learn to hate or demean people who disagreed with me. My life changed, radically. I found my calling, work I have always wanted to do, but could never figure out how to do.

I started to use all the tools of my disposal – my blog, my writing my photography – on behalf of the most needy and vulnerable people I could find. It came together as if pre-ordained, or perhaps the angels were busy again.

This changed me, and I believe much for the better. I saw this in my work, my writing, my life. This is what the podcast is about, in our own words, our own voices. We responded in different ways to this challenge, but it drew us even closer together.

Out of this change came a true miracle – the Army Of Good – a network of people from all over the country, most of whom I will never meet,  who  joined in this effort to skip the hostility and endless argument and commit small acts of kindness to elderly people and refugees.

This work has kept me feeling strong, fulfilled and grounded. In the Mansion and Bishop Maginn High School, I have found a powerful way to focus attention on the voices and lives and needs of the elderly, and the beautiful refugee children working so hard to learn how to live in America.

I believe it has done the same for so many others. (You can support this work by contributing via Paypal, [email protected], or by check, Jon Katz, Mansion/Refugee Fund, P.O. Box 205, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816. There is so much work to do, thanks.)

My love to the $5 people, who send me small bills and thank me for letting them contribute.

I promised to do good in one form or another every day, and I have largely kept that promise. It is not build into the structure of my life. Amazon Wish Lists seem to follow me wherever I go, the real future of fund-raising.

Maria’s work and life have also changed, and I don’t wish to speak for her, she speaks for herself on the podcast, another way to tell our story. It is an important conversation for us.

It has been the joy of my life to see her creativity grow and deepen.

This podcast is not about anger or hate or argument – cable news and social media can handle that. It’s about the struggle of two people to stay grounded in turbulent times, to use our work to do good and stay hopeful and creative.

Check it out here, and please consider making a donation in any amount if you find it valuable or worthwhile.