Their Story Matters with Sara Troy and her guest Marleen Karen, on air from March 21st
Maureen had a stroke which interrupted her career, but what she learnt from it and how it has helped her become a better mentor, is profound. She helps women of colour, find their own way forward into living a life of choice, care, community, and communication, so they are living their best life.
We empower BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Colour) professional women who are stuck on the corporate ladder to move forward in their career.
?are you a professional female who’s sick and tired of only “staying in your lane” when you KNOW that you were meant for more?
?is the excuse of HR hiring another candidate who was the right fit when you not only have all the requirements, but EXCEED them as well?
?is being overlooked, ignored and only being given menial tasks no longer your cup of tea?
?are you exhausted from having those same old headaches and pain of constantly overworking in your position, but not being valued or appreciated for your labour?
Ever since leaving high school, I have always been either the only or one of 2 or 3 Black female students in the classroom. However, I did not let that disparity prevent me from excelling and proving myself and my worth. By continually progressing due to being denied advancement on the educational and professional front, I quickly realized that I was an example of a dichotomous division in those circles. Also, I became acutely aware of limitations that I, as a Black female, would have to face since there’s a huge lack of representation which hinders my ability to take part in innovative and inclusive practices.
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Their Story Matters with Sara Troy and her guest Gordon Knight, on air from February 14th
Gordon Knight, author of Deep 6 Diaries, The True Story of One Little Guy Trying to Defend Himself, His business, and His Elderly Father from Bullying Bureaucrats and Government Criminality.
The Government of Canada, that’s who. Does that surprise you?
It should shock you, but you can’t be blamed for not knowing. Canada’s been suppressing news on all this, even banning an explosive book exposing the whole sordid tale. More on that in a moment.
The US government outsourced its control of product safety and importation to another government in a foreign country, in this case; Canada. That’s bad enough, but it gets worse.
That Canadian government agency doing the testing and certifying, an outfit called CSA Group, isn’t doing much testing or certifying. Instead of doing the work, they’ve been caught faking the testing and forging the certifications, selling counterfeits to enable imports into the US. We know this, as we’ve heard from a long stream of whistleblowers, of civil service insiders sending us evidence. Indeed, an Ohio court even ruled in 2011 that CSA is guilty of “conspiracy to defraud” the public, of “falsifying testing results,” and “falsely certifying” unsafe products. Canadian civil servants make a ton of money doing this in the US. By law, products must be certified, no choice there, so Canada’s little racket makes a mint by selling fakes and nobody holds them to account because, well, they’re the government.
This no-accountability stuff goes pretty deep. You see, Canada isn’t supposed to be operating inside the US at all. It’s illegal. They’re here, illegally, operating government businesses across the US to facilitate the offshoring of American jobs, mainly to China.
Did you know Canada was doing that? From inside the US? This Canadian outfit also sells influence over legislation – actual dollars for votes. They’ve passed “Manson’s Law” in Canada, making legislation itself the private property of whoever drafted it. They legalized the bribing of civil servants. They pull a ton of money from that too, of course. All this is possible because these same civil servants run the functions of the courts – they pick the judges for cases, intake the exhibits, edit the evidence, etc. They do trial rigging in Canada, and that affects all they do in the US. And all they do, therefore, is untouchable at law.
And I’ll bet you didn’t know about all that, did you?
I wrote a book recently, called Deep 6 Diaries, exposing the horrid scale of corruption in the civil service in Canada and the US. The book was released late last year. The civil service knew it was coming. They’d tried to wipe out my small publishing company with a series of court cases since 2011. That’s eleven years folks, that’s a lot of lawfare. That’s part of what Deep 6 Diaries was chronicling and it’s what the government wasn’t keen on you reading about. So they suppressed it.
This summer, the Canadian government advised VISA, AMEX and the other credit card companies that my company was engaged in money laundering or finance fraud. I don’t know which, by the way, as I wasn’t allowed a copy of the allegation. What I do know is that any such allegation from a G7 country results in the immediate blacklisting of the alleged money launderer. Our website, Deep6Diaries.com, the intended salespoint for the book, suddenly couldn’t sell anything by credit card.
About thirty days later, the government reached into my company’s bank account and seized $25k. This was punishment for all that money laundering they’d claimed we were doing. Two weeks later, they seized another $25k. That’s $50k in fines without a hearing, without a trial, and without the right to read the allegation. And folks, my business is publishing, we’ve never worked in finance in any way. The alleged crime is nonexistent.
Of course, the civil service knows this, but they also know they can suppress an embarrassing book by just filing the charge. A book banning, just by filing.
Well, as a fallback, we launched Deep 6 Diaries on Amazon. Then, just a few days after launch and a mere handful of sales, Amazon shut us down. Why so? Well, they’d received a letter from the Canadian government advising that our new book was counterfeit.
Ponder this; I wrote the book myself, my own company published it, yet the civil service banned my book by claiming that I was somehow counterfeiting my own product.
The bureaucrats know their argument is nonsense, but it works. The book was banned. Deep 6 Diaries, exposing foreign government corruption inside the US, is now the rarest book in America.
That’s the tip of the iceberg, too. There’s also a warrant out for my arrest in Canada. The civil service arranged for a court ruling that found me guilty of complying with a law the civil service found inconvenient. That’s “complying,” mind you, not defying the law. In truth, there was no defying of any law, either by me or the legal counsel who ensured our compliance. Rather, the ruling is a ruse. What they’re really after is the silencing of someone who knows too much and, from their perspective, is a bit too dangerous.
Well, on that surreal basis, I’ve been given a life sentence in prison. Naturally, I fled that country two years ago for the comparative paradise of Texas, and I’ve since filed for political asylum. And what drove all this?
I exposed the corruption of the administrative state, and for that, the powers of government have been arrayed against me. My friends, Canada is a post-legal society, and the US isn’t far behind. And you’re not even allowed to read about it.
Gordon Knight, author of Deep 6 Diaries,is the owner of PS Knight, a publisher of electrical guidebooks. For more than 50 years Knight’s family business has been publishing such guidebooks on how to install electrical wiring safely and in compliance with electrical laws. But Knight has a competitor — the Canadian government, which also publishes its own guidebooks.
In 2012 the Canadian government began suing Knight, arguing that Knight had breached their copyright in quoting from laws that the civil service had drafted. That is, they argued that they owned the law privately.
Since then Knight has endured a series of dirty Rulings from several levels of Court. In one such Ruling, the Judge was concurrently employed by the same civil service entity that was suing us. As one might expect, this Judge ruled in favour of his employer.
Right now, after nine years of litigation and a run all the way to the Supreme Court, in order to protect the private interests of the civil service, the Courts of Canada have Ruled that laws are indeed privately owned by whomever drafted or lobbied for their passage into law.
Gordon Knight has fled Canada.
This book is banned right now, but we hope it will be available soon, and will post the link then. In the mean time, there is lots of detailed facts and info from here
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Their Story Matters with Sara Troy and her guest Una Delores Bruhns, on air January 17th
I cast my story in Johannesburg, South Africa, during Apartheid where I was not content to be oppressed by the regime withering in the African sun where there was no room for growth.
An award-winning writer, she received a Haiku Sakura Award at the Cherry Blossom Festival in 2008, the Community Ambassadors Award from the Writers International Network in 2015 and the Tanka Award from the North Shore Writers Association in 2016.
Apartheid is a powerful memoir of Una’s Personal and political struggles growing up in the peaceful community of Vrededorp, Johannesburg, South Africa.
By age nine, the political arena in South Africa changed; Una and her family are assessed, segregated and uprooted from their home in Vrededorp by the Apartied Authorities and moved to Coronationville, a Johannesburg suburb.
Witnessing “The Sharpville Massacre” in March 1960, a sudden shift of lens brought a new focus on her young mind that forever changed how she viewed those in power. After a failed marriage, she is now a single mother and determined to find a better life for herself and her son.
She falls in love with a German immigrant. With her fierce spirit, she begins challenging the Immorality law and they fight for their love under the watchful eye and harassment of the local police.
Her poems bring raw vulnerability and frustration to the forefront of what it feels like to be held back and watch injustice continue.
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Their Stroy Matters with Sara Troy and her guest Jon Taylor on air from January 10th.
The Elephant:
I am truly sorry for the shame, embarrassment and disappointment my choices have brought to my family, friends and technical diving community.
In 2016 I pleaded guilty to a Human Trafficking charge and was sentenced to 4 years in prison, I NEVER WAS A PART OF THE HUMAN TRAFFICING, I JUST DID NOT PAY ATTENTION. I was released 3.5 years later, with six months off for good behavior. I was recommended for 12 months at a halfway house but received none. Unfortunately for me, the definition of Human Trafficking in the eyes of the government is very broad. I am incredibly ashamed for putting myself in a position to be accused of a charge that sounds so terrible. This is my story on my accountability, what I learned, and how I see things now in a far more engaged and compassionate way.
What I did NOT do:
Several rumors have been circulating, most within the technical diving community, a small group of very vocal and very unsuccessful keyboard commandos. These people are saying just about the worst things you can say about another human being. The majority are false, with the intent to destroy my success. To be clear, I did not have sexual intercourse with an underage girl. I did not “traffic” any human as per the accepted definition (the use of force, fraud, or coercion to obtain some type of labor or commercial sex act). The definition of the charge clearly implies that a “profit” or “benefit” needs to be part of the equation. I was absolutely notinvolved in any facet of the business side of this terrible situation.
What I DID do:
In short, I was trying to convince myself that I was Charlie Sheen. I was using/buying drugs (for personal consumption) and running around with every woman that would entertain my company. In every way, I’m a lot luckier than Mr. Sheen. I lived a very decadent and hedonistic lifestyle, surrounding myself with some very bad people that were in fact guilty of everything, every heinous act noted above. I chose to behave this way in one of the most conservative districts in America. It obviously didn’t end well. Was I consciously aware of the horrible things some of the people I associated with were doing? I was not…but given my skill set, that’s simply not the whole truth.
The Rabbi:
In November of 2016 I self-surrendered to FCI Danbury. In prison, I met a man that altered the course of my life forever. His name is Rabbi David Wax. I’ve never met an innocent person in prison, except for the Rabbi. He did what he did out of a deep obligation to G-d. We spent every Shabbat together, kept kosher and spent as much time in temple as the prison staff would allow. Rabbi Wax and I spent hours together, his guidance and teachings changing me in a way that I can’t possibly articulate. One evening while studying DUTIES OF THE HEART, I was discussing my situation and his response was powerful: “You have all the answers.” After a few moments, he said something like the following: “I find this hard to believe considering your ability to think, your ability to understand complex scripture, your ability to argue, your ability to recognize the most complex moral issues and draw conclusions that many won’t reach even after years of Rabbinic study. You didn’t realize what was going on with these people you were dealing with? Did you consider the possibility that the reason you didn’t know is because you chose not to know? Did you made the conscious choice of ignorance? If that’s the case, aren’t you in fact responsible even if you weren’t directly involved? What would you have done if you knew?” This went on for a bit, but I answered the last question this way: “If I had known that these people were treating human beings the way they were, I would have stopped it by any means necessary”. The Rabbi replied, “I have no doubt and that’s why you are in fact guilty and responsible in at least in the eyes of G-d.” Checkmate. I was done, the Rabbi had me dead to rights, but that’s not the point. I had me dead to rights as well. So I am responsible. It was my deliberate choice of ignorance. I think of that moment daily and remember it as if it was yesterday. Rabbi Wax said “You don’t know why G-d put you here. Maybe you would have been killed in a car accident next week? Perhaps you needed saving from yourself?” I miss Rabbi Wax with every inch of my being. I hope to see him soon and am working towards that.
It seems these days everyone wants to be a gangster until it’s time face the music and do gangster shit. in prison everyone did do gangster shit, I had to watch my back. If I approached prison the same way I entered the cave diving community (arrogance with a double side of hubris), I’d be dead now. While I deeply regret the terrible choices I made that landed me in prison, I don’t regret one minute of my time there. I needed it. Prison was a learning experience that taught me genuine empathy. It was truly a gift. There were two ugly situations I was forced to deal with, but the curious thing is that the way they were handled showed me just how good some of my fellow prisoners could be. Potential exists behind bars. In fact, it’s in no short supply. The gut wrenching sadness of prison is the wasted talent. There are so many intelligent people being warehoused that could, in the right circumstances, greatly benefit society. Unfortunately there are also some people there who need to be locked away forever. I think as a society we need to decide if prison is about revenge or rehabilitation. The Versailles treaty post WW1 was about revenge and that didn’t end well. It guaranteed the inevitability of WW2 at a cost of about 50,000,000 lives. I think there’s a better way and I think the answer is education.
Release:
I was released to the Northern District of Florida and ended up living in what my friends affectionally called “The Crack Hotel” for 14 months. I was $185,000 in debt without a car. I walked everywhere, averaging about 19 miles per day six days a week. I met three people that sadly due to their lifestyles and addictions are now deceased. I was amazed by their potential and wanted to do anything I could to help. For the most part, though, I failed. One particular person was a heroin addict named Samantha. In an instant I knew that at one point in her life she was captivatingly beautiful and as smart as they come. She needed surgery and had an infection that was being managed with IV antibiotics. Her heroin dealer kept coming to the hospital, teasing her with heroin if she agreed to leave and “trick” in return for more drugs. I found her three times when I couldn’t afford the cab rides but spent the money anyway. Little Caesars pizza came in handy. However I won’t eat it to this day as the flavor is a memory engulfed in sadness from the situation. The last time she went back to the hospital, her body resisted the IV drugs and she passed away. That was heartbreaking, I didn’t like her in a romantic kind of way but she was from NY so we had plenty of things to talk about. From time to time I would let her crash in my second bed at the hotel, I hated seeing such a waste of talent, beauty and brains. Law enforcement in the area is on point. They are very well trained, reasonable, and qualified. I used to shoot and train for gun fights with several of them. When LE found that scumbag, they were much more focused on his warrants and drugs than how he ended up in a dumpster supposedly beaten with a bat. What comes around goes around for people that prey on the innocent. Good for law enforcement. It;s no surprise that months later when I saw another scumbag hit an 18 YO prostitute high on drugs, there was little concern about the condition he was found in. Again, bravo to the police. The first words that comes to mind is “Batter up”. In all fairness, the dumpster was located in a very convenient location.
The Prosecution & Law Enforcement:
I’ve been asked “Do you think what happened was fair?” My answer is as follows: My personal feelings don’t matter, The prosecutor has an obligation to protect the people from threats of all kinds. This particular prosecutor has a deep sense of community and stops at nothing to honor the commitment he has made. With his background, education and accomplishments, he could go to any high powered law firm in America and make 10+ times what he makes now. He choose a better path and at great personal cost. There is no way I could ever in good conscience criticize a man that has sacrificed so much. There’s no way I will belittle such a selfless human being. I’ve gathered all of the information I could about the law enforcement officials that investigated me and the same holds true for them. These are good people that protect even scumbags like me at great personal cost. We see so much in the press about corruption, police overreach, racism, etc. I can tell you with 100% certainty that the supermajority of what we’re told is complete bullshit designed to manipulate a population that doesn’t have the time to perform due diligence. No one picked my name out of a hat. My out of control actions put me on the radar, nothing else. My choices sent me to prison. End of story. This war we have against the police and law enforcement in general is not insane, it’s morally corrupt and spiritually bankrupt – designed to promote a false narrative. Great care has gone into it’s delivery. It makes as much sense as legalizing drugs. It’s corrupt at it’s very core. I believe the prosecutor, LE and probation SAVED MY LIFE.
The Aftermath:
I can’t possibly express the deep feelings of shame, regret and sorrow I have towards the individuals that were treated so badly by people I enabled. It’s not easy to live with, and if I’m being honest, it shouldn’t be, The suffering it has caused my family, friends and my community as well as myself will forever be something I am repaying. This is the truth that everyone deserves. Others can groan over the choices they’ve made. I am certainty done hiding from mine.
The Why:
So how did I end up in this position? I don’t have the education or experience to answer that question in it’s entirety, but there’s one prevalent underlying theme. I’ve let anger, resentment and hate govern the supermajority of my life. I look back and know those seeds took root when I was a small child and as I look back, I see just how foolish I’ve been. I can tell you all about me being the pudgy kid people made fun of. I can tell you that I resented my father because he was so kind and charitable to complete strangers yet was too hard if not cruel to his immediate family. All of these things may be true and all are part of a mosaic of fact, but it’s all water under the bridge.
I beg every single person reading this to figure out how to LET GO of the garbage that exists in their lives. I know this will come at an immediate cost, but the long term dividends that choice will deliver can’t be overstated. Anger, hate and resentment are cancers that will surreptitiously destroy every part of your life without remorse. I had to go through hell to figure this out, I hope you choose a better path. These feelings extend even to my haters.
Haters are going to hate. We don’t blame the sky for being blue or water for being wet. We can’t control the actions of others. A piece of advice: Don’t let people rent space in your head unless they are willing to pay for the privilege. Simply put learn to let go, wish well and move on.
I was recently dating someone I REALLY cared for, but realized I’d never make her happy so things ended. The strange thing was that I just wanted her to be happy even without me. There was no jealousy, no anger, no frustration. There was a warm feeling, a smile and a desire for her to be happy with someone else. These are strange times and I’m a fish out of water.
Again, I am truly sorry for the shame, embarrassment and disappointment my choices have brought to my family, friends and technical diving community. I truly hope that forgiveness and allowing me to pursue my life in a brighter light, is given.
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Their Story Matters with Sara Troy and her guest Robert Requejo Ramos, on air from December 6th
An absolute maelstrom of energy will pull viewers in as they watch the exhilarating documentary feature, SOUTH BEACH SHARK CLUB.
Locked and loaded with an intoxicating mix of colorful characters, unmatched archival footage, and thrilling shark fishing footage on par with anything shark week has to offer viewers.
But at the heart of this beautifully directed and edited film from Robert Requejo Ramos is a powerful never-before-told story of a bygone era on Miami Beach. A time and place inhabited by surfers and skaters, a diverse culture of young Cuban immigrants, a vibrant Jewish population, and other communities that form a unique mosaic exclusive to the region.
Garnering critical and audience praise, the World premiere of SOUTH BEACH SHARK CLUB was screened to sold-out audiences at the 2022 Miami International Film Festival, where it received the Documentary Achievement Award.
Now, SOUTH BEACH SHARK CLUB is set to sink its teeth into ravenous documentary audiences at the prestigious DOC NYC, the United States’most important documentary film festival. The film made its New York premiere on November 13th at the Cinepolis Chelsea Cinemas, with director Robert Requejo Ramos and producer Pedro Gomez in attendance.
Before Miami’s South Beach became a glamorous party hub, a group of local outcasts in the club one-upped each other in an ongoing quest for the next big catch. Starting as reckless teens, Rene de Dios, JD “Jimbo” Hammer, and Shannon “Seaweed Jr.” Bustamante paddle into the deep ocean, with bloody bait in tow, to lure the ultimate prey: shark. With a lifetime of exploring Florida’s shores behind them, these colorful rogues guide a new generation into the world of sustainable sport fishing. – Courtesy Brandon Harrison, DOC NYC.
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