In this episode, we explore how best to live while in a body. It seems we’ve been living with a mind, body, spirit split for a while now. Assuming we are comprised of these three component parts, it’s in our collective interest to learn more about them and how best to navigate our time here.

Brain mapping and new research into AI neural networks promise to deliver a future where we can shed our bodies like a snake shedding skin and step into a house of our own choosing. I wonder though, how we feel ready to go ‘round inserting our consciousness willy-nilly into any old sheath when we have hardly learned to cope with the everyday burdens of existing in our current flesh.

We are gifted or afflicted with bodies that, more often than not, don’t align quite right with our perception of ourselves. This is troublesome because the body is a form of self-expression, a dynamic manifestation of our attitudes, aspirations, our trials, our tone, our choices. If you've been furnished with a body that reflects your innermost workings, I applaud you, but I know that I for one, the I, the me who names myself, would like to find a way to be happier while existing in a body. How should a person be?

Here to help me examine this question is Beck Beverage, an artist, musician, dancer, and certified personal trainer who owns a gym called Sweet Momentum. Beck has a quiet joy about him that draws clients who’ve struggled with illness, chronic pain, body dysmorphia, eating disorders, and many other issues I’ll group under the broad umbrella of “Body Feelings” to seek training with him. 

I’ve never met someone who explores movement like Beck, who perches on the tip of a rock to find the stillest stillness, lowers himself off limbs of trees to hang in the breeze, and walks barefoot across the forest floor, attending, listening. Or maybe I’ve met hundreds of people like Beck — children  — stainless, fresh humans who move with curiosity and ignorance and are happy to report back to you on every feeling they encounter. Beck shares his personal embodiment journey and offers tips for ours.  

You can hear our full conversation here. 

Check out Beck's gym here. 

Our first Rose City Variety Show was a big hit. We were blessed to be welcomed with open arms by the art and music communities in Portland. Our beautiful, light-filled variety show features the queer and multi-disciplinary artists of Future Prairie. The show is inspired by the chautauquas of the 19th and early 20th centuries, where people from all walks of life came together to experience education, entertainment, and culture for the whole community, with speakers, teachers, musicians, and entertainers. We have a rotating cast of artists, dancers, teachers, painters, singers, poets, and more. Since 1995, the City of Roses has been known as an artistic hotspot full of feminist activism, innovative community development, and audacious art making. We can't wait to get this series started and introduce you to our city's artists and all they have to offer. 

Our first artist of the evening was Daisy Dee, who did live drawing of the show's performers but also the audience members. 

Musician Maiah Wynne then shared a set of songs she's been polishing at shows all around town and even got to showcase recently by playing with the Portland Cello Project!

Poet Anna Suarez then shared two new pieces from a series about queer femininity and body positivity. 

Singer Joni Renee then sang a cover of "5748 km" by Lisa LeBlanc, accompanied by Sean Cummings on the guitar. 

Artist Andi Bixel gave a lecture about her artistic and entrepreneurial journey. 

Artist Shen Telles gave a live, You Tube-style makeup tutorial that featured a surprising twist ending!

We closed out the evening with two short films from local screenwriter and director Anna Weltner.