The Interesting #004: Arthur Musah – Mentors, Failure, Effort – Engineer & Filmmaker

Arthur Musah is a filmmaker from Ghana, Ukraine, and the United States. His first documentary NAIJA BETA premiered in 2016 at the Pan African International Film Festival in Cannes, and has won several other awards. He studied filmmaking in the MFA program at the University of Southern California as an Annenberg Fellow, and holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from MIT. He continues his exploration of African identities in a globalized age through his upcoming feature ONE DAY I TOO GO FLY. In this chat Arthur tells us about the power of having good mentors, the importance of failure, and trying.

Listen here – https://theinteresting.simplecast.fm/004  

or on iTunes – https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-interesting/id1433174918

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Arthur Musah – http://www.arthurmusah.com/

Ways to watch Naija Beta Film:

AMAZON – https://www.amazon.com/Naija-Beta-Obinna-Ukwuani/dp/B07BCCFD3B/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1523033923&sr=8-1&keywords=naija+beta

ITUNES – https://itunes.apple.com/us/movie/naija-beta/id1356372517

VHX – http://naijabeta.vhx.tv/

VIMEO – https://vimeo.com/ondemand/naijabeta/

One Day I Too Go Fly – http://www.onedayitoogofly.com/

Kickstarter Campaign – https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/arthurmusah/one-day-i-too-go-fly-documentary-post-production

The Interesting #003: Niaja Farve Ph.D. – Reach Back – Software Developer & CEO

 

Dr. Niaja Farve is a researcher, software developer and entrepreneur. A graduate from Morgan State University and MIT, Niaja pursued her studies in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. She is a software developer at a Startup, and the C.E.O of i-Trek, a non-profit that seeks to create outreach opportunities that steer students into Science, Technology, Engineering, Math, and other associated fields of study. In this chat she tells us about “reaching back to help others.”

https://theinteresting.simplecast.fm/003

Subscribe on Pocket Cast – https://pca.st/fDR7

Subscribe on Google Play – https://play.google.com/music/listen#/ps/Isawkwfr4juaa2qnlgml5nihzne

Stitcher – https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/vernelle-noel/the-interesting?refid=stpr

The Interesting – Episode 001 – Edson Breedy

The Interesting – Episode 001 – Edson Breedy

Edson Breedy is a medical student, Taekwondo athlete, and coach from Trinidad & Tobago. He has garnered numerous competition medals and continues to demonstrate his drive and dedication to the sport of taekwondo. In this chat he talks with us about focused practice, overcoming fears, and reframing obstacles into advantages. Have a listen.

https://theinteresting.simplecast.fm/001

Subscribe on Pocket Cast – https://pca.st/fDR7

Subscribe on Google Play – https://play.google.com/music/listen#/ps/Isawkwfr4juaa2qnlgml5nihzne

Stitcher – https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/vernelle-noel/the-interesting?refid=stpr

New Podcast – The Interesting

It continues to be my desire to encourage and motivate others (both young and old) to do the best they can. To engage in hard work, and to ACT. I often encounter persons (young and old) who feel lost, who are unaware of the many amazing things they can do in their lives, who feel held back, who are scared to fail and/ or scared to try. Who seem scared of hard work, or are unaware of what hard work really looks like. Persons who say, but never do. I wanted to do something about this. I wanted to ACT, to reach persons beyond the classroom, beyond my papers, beyond borders. I wanted to find a way to jump over the academic paywall and give back. To share. So, I decided to make a podcast. I call it – The Interesting. I reached out to some of my amazing friends who continue to do inspiring things!

In this first season, I chat with my guests about “Crafting knowledge, skill, and expertise.” I hope they inspire you, and persons you know too. Hope you enjoy!

Here’s a link to The Interesting – https://theinteresting.simplecast.fm

Link on Google Play >>>

Link on Pocket Casts >>> 

My Makerbot

I sketched my Makerbot yesterday.I have used it in several design projects, design experiments, and even 3D printed little toys for my friends’ kids.

Have a good one! 

Photo Journal – Monday 6 June 2016

Today I was leaving NY again heading back to work. This building under construction is coming along quickly.

I like accidental photos

Because the buildings, the sky, the reflections, all beautiful.

Lovely skyline, part of which has been taken away by condos. Ughhh..

Saw this sign at Zapata’s Tacos.

I have a busy day tomorrow… I am thinking of something new to do with my photos. A new topic, subjects,… If you have any suggestions, please suggest away!

Photo Journal – Thursday 26 May 2016

Oh yes! A healthy, filling start to the day.

I was busy indoors all day. Took this photo when I went outside later on for some fresh air.

It looked like rain, but it blew over

After work I went to training. I arrived early.

Training was intense as hell today! There was absolutely no stopping. OMG! I was drenched, and my muscles spent! It was great, but whew! Dang! Exhausting.

I had a hankering for some ice cream, and I think I needed to treat myself to it.

Another productive day in many ways. By tomorrow, if not this weekend, I should be finished with my paper and have it ready to submit! After that, on to the next one.

Photo Journal – Wednesday 25 May 2016

You know the usual. Smoothie to go!

I went to work at a coffee shop this morning. I also met an awesome dog named Charlie. She made my day. So darn cute!

Today was warm and beautiful

Doors of the Schwab Auditorium. I love large, detailed doors. In fact, maybe I will sketch and doodle some doors. I find them so regal. I love a well designed entry and facade.

Beautiful!

Very well designed.

Blue skies

There’s a lot of detail to be uncovered in the clouds…

Today was another very productive day. Here’s to tomorrow!

Photo Journal – Monday 23 May 2016

Today was a busy one. I didn’t even remember or get the time to take photos until late in the day. Whew! On my way home, I was wondering what to eat for dinner. I was feeling for something smothered in something. I was feeling for fries and something comforting smothering it. A memory of fries smothered in gravy came to my mind, I saw it on tv some time, I think on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives (Triple-D) with Guy Fieri. I decided, this what my dinner shall be. I stopped by the grocery and bought frozen fries, and a can of mushroom soup to make an imitation beef stroganoff.

I finally got the time to look up when I got home.

Lovely!

I baked my fries, and cooked my beef stroganoff…

Talk about it being just what I needed. It hugged me on the way down…

After having my very comforting dinner, I made bananas foster for dessert. Butter, sugar, bananas, lemon juice, pinch of salt to taste, and alcohol. I use rum or wine.

Voila! I usually cut my bananas into small slices. Today is the first time I cooked them as two large halves. I prefer cutting it into smaller slices, the caramelized sugar coats the surfaces of the slices more.

I topped it off with caramel condensed milk. Mmmm…

Here is a photo of my bananas foster (bananas sliced smaller) and yogurt. This photo was taken in Singapore in 2014.

Aaj bahut vyast tha! Today was a busy one. Looking forward to tomorrow.

Photo Journal – Wednesday 18 May 2016

The smoothie start. Today I put papaya in my smoothie too, no kiwi.

Today is a cold, grey, and cloudy one.

My friend Shiva defended his Masters thesis today. He did such an awesome job! Here is some of the work that he did. Check out anonchitect.com. Keep up the great work and I look forward to more from you Shiva!

Another shot of his presentation

My other friend Dhaval also defended his Masters thesis. He looked into designing for earthquake resistant buildings and the use of recycled plastics in the process. Keep up the great work Dhaval! I am looking forward to seeing a lot more from you.

I spent a lot of time again today dealing with computer stuff. All the issues are still not finished and resolved, tomorrow will be another day.

These are just two of the programs I will be using this summer, Arduino and Processing.

When I got home I had dinner and relaxed a bit. After resting I made sure to watch The Daily Show with Trevor Noah. It’s my 11pm thing. Jason Sudeikis was on tonight. He’s great!

Writing, editing, thinking, writing, thinking, and editing.

I got work done tonight so I feel very good! Let’s see what tomorrow brings.