Blogs — Jejune Magazine

Brains and Beauty: Adaire Byerly's Neural Observations On Human Behavior

Brains and Beauty: Adaire Byerly's Neural Observations On Human Behavior

As an ex-neuroscientist, I was super excited to hear about Adaire Byerly’s plan to integrate the fashion and entertainment industry with the neuroscience world. As an ex-model herself, she saw an obvious hole in the fashion and entertainment industries where people are not looking beyond the visual, and she wanted to dive in deep, cellularly deep.

Currently, Adaire is looking at the neural exploration of compassion, and she is applying that sensitivity to her company, Entertainment Mindframe, which is bridging the gap between the entertainment industry and science. By incorporating modern-day sciences and her first-hand experience in the industry as an actress/model, she hopes her findings can be implemented into intellectual and developmental training for professionals. Please read our exclusive interview here to learn more about Adaire and her work.

Elizabeth Cline, Benita Robledo, Rachael Wang, and Lauren Fay Fight For The Garment Workers

Elizabeth Cline, Benita Robledo, Rachael Wang, and Lauren Fay Fight For The Garment Workers

We are talking a lot about how fashion brands are being affected by COVID-19, but what of their workers? Factories around the globe have been closed down and orders are being cancelled and unpaid for. If garment workers are still working it is to make masks, and they are often not given PPE. What can be done? How can we help? Learn more here.

Anjelika Washington Is A Hero In The Making

Anjelika Washington Is A Hero In The Making

CW these days seems to be the place to go for your superhero needs, and their new show Stargirl, premiering May 11th, is no exception! As a superhero fan myself, I know I’m excited to see another show that focuses more on the female superheroes in the DC world. I’m particularly interested in seeing Anjelika Washington’s character, Beth Chapel (aka Doctor Midnight). This super smart crimefighter can see in the dark and kick butt! Even though night-vision isn’t Anjelika’s first choice for a super power, she is a hero in her own right. When she isn’t gracing our screens, she can be found working with sick kids, and their siblings, at the Children's Hospital of LA. To learn more about this quickly rising star, please read our exclusive interview here.

SWAC: Influencer, zIssue 22, Most PopularKira BuccaMay 4, 2020super hero, hero, actress, sick kids, hospital, CW, blackgirlmagic, Give back, youthComment

Sustainability Runs In The Genes: Talks With Daniel Kahalani Of DNA Footwear

Sustainability Runs In The Genes: Talks With Daniel Kahalani Of DNA Footwear

When I had the pleasure of meeting Daniel Kahalani, earlier this year at Coterie, I was thrilled to see his booth filled to the brim with a neat, colorful assortment of trainers that resemble a hybrid cross between Vans and Keds. However, most intriguing, was a sign with the image of a shoe and a plastic bottle, emblazoned atop read the text, “This Was A Bottle.”

Daniel is charismatic, knowledgeable, and, most importantly, passionate in his work. He excitedly spoke to us about DNA Footwear and their new sustainable collection “This Was A Bottle.” From up-cycled textiles, including plastic bottles, ethical manufacturing, recycled packaging, and much more, DNA Footwear is a product of love, pride, and hope for the future of ingenuity regardless of profession or industry. Please read here to learn more about DNA Footwear.

What it's like to Work in Retail Pharmacy during COVID

What it's like to Work in Retail Pharmacy during COVID

If you’ve never worked in retail community pharmacy, you probably don’t know how hectic it can get when there isn’t a pandemic out there roaming the world. Now that this immense x-factor is sweeping the nation, it’s certainly complicating things. Furthermore, population-dense metropolises such as New York, where I live, are impacted the most with the sheer number of cases and repercussions, trickling from the front lines to our business, economic and personal levels.

Leonardo Nam's World of Hope

Leonardo Nam's World of Hope

Leonardo Nam, much like his character in Westworld, has a gift for creation — studying architecture in college before pursuing a career in acting. Leonardo's interests manifest in his works of charity. The Argentine-Australian actor has worked with Habitat for Humanity and many other organizations in an effort to give back. Please read our exclusive interview to learn more about Leonardo.

COVER - Uniquely Female

COVER - Uniquely Female

Right now, we might be wearing less make-up than ever before. With shelter in place, humans are putting less and less work into their appearance. We can give our faces and bodies a break, and when we go back to putting on make-up, let’s make better choices. Let’s move this planet towards a kinder more sustainable direction. Your face has been healing. Let’s only put on clean, natural, organic, vegan make-up brands! And if this editorial isn’t convincing that those type of brands are nothing but beautiful, I don’t know what is!

Allison Munn: The Importance Behind The Vote

Allison Munn: The Importance Behind The Vote

Allison Munn - kind, resolute, funny - has an extensive catalog within the entertainment and performance arts. Whether it be her early tenure performing in theater, or roles on the small screen, Allison displays a tenacity that is uniquely her own. “I did that show for two and a half years - eight shows a week, for over 500 performances,” the South Carolina native stated when referring to her lead role of ‘Luisa’ in off broadway's “The Fantasticks.”

Alison's work and passions also extend to her work advocating for political involvement, having worked with Rock The Vote, encouraging voter registration. She believes in female empowerment and using your voice to create change. Please read our exclusive interview here to learn more about Allison.

Reece Caddell: The Next Generation of Comedy

Reece Caddell: The Next Generation of Comedy

Acting and sketch comedy both lend themselves as something like an intrinsic derivative of performance. Legendary shows like SNL, Chapelle' show, and few in the like, can masterfully execute and package humor, wit, and controversy, while making it digestible for the masses.

The young actress, YouTuber, and star of Nickelodeon’s sketch comedy series, “All That!”, Reece Caddell is pioneering a new comedic generation. Reece's extensive resume includes Reece starting at just five years old in HBO’s “Hello Ladies”. She has stayed busy working on ABC’s critically acclaimed comedy “Fresh Off The Boat”.

Aside from acting, Reece is involved in charities such as Compassion International, which helps raise kids out of poverty all over the world. When Reece turned ten years old, she organized what is now an annual donation drive for the Burbank Animal Shelter Kitten Fostering Program. Please read our exclusive interview here to learn more about Reece Caddell.

SWAC: Influencer, zIssue 21Jejune ContributorApril 22, 2020actress, #actress, comedy, performers, performer, performing, animal rights, #animalrescue, animals, animal rescue, #animalrights, empowering girls, Shelter-in-place, kids, youthComment

Izzy Thomas: Fed Up & Compassionate

Izzy Thomas: Fed Up & Compassionate

Music, as with any art, literature, theatre, visual, tend to take a philosophical stance whether deliberate or not. Once released, every note, stroke, or sentence can be dissected and interpreted, where meaning is relinquished to the observer.

On singer songwriter Izzy Thomas’s new single, “Mad,” Izzy makes it unmistakably clear how she feels towards the modern dating scene. Lyrics like “You’re so full of shit ‘cause you won't admit that you want me,” conclude any lingering uncertainties pertaining to theme and message.

Izzy’s fierceness is equally conveyed in her autism awareness campaigns. She spends much of her time visiting educational institutions advocating for autism awareness and anti-bullying efforts. Please read our exclusive interview here to learn more about Izzy Thomas.

Gwen Hollander & The Transgender Otter We Need

Gwen Hollander & The Transgender Otter We Need

As far as acting goes, ironically, unconventional roles continue to become more commonplace. Today, actress Gwen Hollander can be seen as an anomaly amongst anomaly's, indicative of her role as Sheryl on the hit Showtime series Kidding. Sheryl is a puppeteer of Astronotter, a transgender otter who is also an astronaut. In addition to this being a fascinating character, if you can only knew how perfect Astronotter is for Gwen, with Gwen’s love for otters (more on this in the interview)!

Gwen's work extends beyond the screen. She lost her mother to breast cancer eight years ago and has been singing at the National Breast Cancer Coalitions Deadline 2020 benefit for the past few years. She is an animal lover, volunteers with ASPCA, and also supports Hilarity for Charity. Please read our exclusive interview here to learn more about Gwen Hollander.

SWAC: Influencer, zIssue 21Jejune ContributorApril 17, 2020actress, LGBTQ+, lgbtq, LGBTQ rights, puppets, kids, animals, animal rescue, animal rights, transgender rights, Transgender, save the animals, Shelter-in-placeComment

Elli Moore: Women Breaking Boundaries in Music Production

Elli Moore: Women Breaking Boundaries in Music Production

Female music producers can almost be considered an anomaly. An alarming gender gap exists, with only an estimated 1 in 47 music producers being female. However, there is an emerging group of women altering norms, composing authentic, innovative melodies.

Elli Moore, one half of the pop female writing/production duo, LYRE, along with music partner Alina Smith, is creating an international buzz in the music scene. The LYRE produced tracks such as Gabbie Hanna's, "Honestly".

In addition to her work as a producer, Elli partners with the organization "She Writes", teaching other young aspiring women how to write and produce music.

Elli has branched out as a solo artist, with her most recent single "OK". Her debut EP, "Confections" is out now. Please read our exclusive interview to learn more about Elli.

SWAC: Influencer, zIssue 21Jejune ContributorApril 15, 2020music, singer, singer song writer, empowering women, musician, women's rights, producer, pop, LA, writer, pop star, feminist, female artists, empowering, Shelter-in-placeComment

The Ultimate Guide To Your Best Diet - Part 3: How To Lose Weight Without Cutting Carbs

The Ultimate Guide To Your Best Diet - Part 3: How To Lose Weight Without Cutting Carbs

Jejune is excited to put out The Ultimate Guide to Your Best Diet in eight “digested” parts. This is Part 3: How To Lose Weight Without Cutting Carbs.

Alyshia Ochse: The Power Behind Our Stories

Alyshia Ochse: The Power Behind Our Stories

Actress, writer, humanitarian, and podcast host Alyshia Ochse, is as inquisitive and sharp, with a candid and classic journalistic approach to her interviews, as she is delightful to watch act. Alyshia is involved in Young Storytellers, an organization that “sparks creative self-discovery through storytelling.” The program highlights youth as the center of their own story, emphasizing that their stories matter, and celebrates their unique voices. Please read our exclusive interview here to learn more about Alyshia.

Paw Works Saves Lives

Paw Works Saves Lives

Each year, approximately 1.5 million shelter animals are euthanized (670,000 dogs and 860,000 cats, data estimates 2015- 2018). It is estimated that 6.5 million companion animals enter U.S. animal shelters nationwide every year (view data overview) .

In 1994, under the direction of Richard Avanzino, the San Francisco SPCA launched the no-kill revolution by ending the killing of healthy dogs and cats in the city. Paw Works is one of a few non profit rescue shelters building on the no kill legacy. Paw Works, founded by Chad Atkins and Larissa Wohl, was established with the clear mission to help make Ventura County “No Kill.” Paw Works takes in over 1,600 abandoned animals from multiple counties in Southern California, as well as from other rescue organizations throughout the state yearly. 98% of every donated dollar goes back directly to the rescue, care, education and adoption to Paw Works animals saved. Please read our exclusive interview with Chad Atkins, from Paw Works, and Larissa Wohl, who follows around Paw Works in their Hallmark Channel special Tails of Joy, to learn more about their beautiful work.

Articles, zIssue 21, Most PopularJejune ContributorApril 9, 2020animals, #animalrescue, animal rights, #animalcruelty, #animalrights, save the animals, environment, #environment, #nature, #Nature, nature, #petcare, #nokillshelters, covid-19Comment

Carrie Berk: Peace, Love, and Cupcakes

Carrie Berk: Peace, Love, and Cupcakes

From a children's book author to a spectacled, no nonsense, high school theatre critic in Stage Fright, Carrie Berk's career is nothing short of astounding - especially given her brief period activing working in entertainment.

In second grade, Carrie wrote The Cupcake Club, which explores relevant and compelling themes such as bullying, self esteem, and more. Today, Carrie campaigns against many of these issues through social media and her fashion/lifestyle blog Carrie's Chronicles, while serving as an ambassador for No Bully. Please read our exclusive interview here to learn more about Carrie.

The Ultimate Guide to Your Best Diet - Part 2: How to have your Macro and Micro-nutrients too (and why!)

The Ultimate Guide to Your Best Diet - Part 2: How to have your Macro and Micro-nutrients too (and why!)

Jejune is excited to put out The Ultimate Guide to Your Best Diet in eight “digested” parts. This is Part 2: How to have your Macro and Micro-nutrients too (and why!).

Preserving the arts with Tafari Anthony

Preserving the arts with Tafari Anthony

Pop, R&B, Soul, however you choose to define it, this Toronto based artist and his youthful renditions of classic pop melodies and transient synths are a subtle demarcation of shift in R&B.

After a brief hiatus following the release of his two previous EP’s, “Die For You” and “Remember When,” musician, creator, Tafari Anthony unveiled his new single “Centerfold.” “Centerfold” is a cathartic release that easily channels post break-up emotions. It's a poetic detailing of the frustrations that comes with unfulfilling relationships.

Tafari’s music has been nominated for a Toronto Independent Music Award, with one of his singles being named one of CBC's Most Influential Songs of 2016.

He’s also been hard at work for a charity called Autism Canada. In addition, Tafari helps perform for events supporting music and songwriting education for children. He recently performed for a nonprofit called Rainbow Railroad which supports getting refugee status for LGBTQI people in places where being LGBTQI is still harmful. Please read our exclusive interview here to learn more about Tafari Anthony.

zIssue 20, SWAC: InfluencerJejune ContributorApril 3, 2020musician, music, #singer, singer, singer song writer, LGBTQ+, lgbtq, LGBTQ, lgbt, LGBTQ rights, children, youth, romance, #love, loveComment

An Inside View Of NYC’s ICU, During The Mounting COVID-19 Crisis

An Inside View Of NYC’s ICU, During The Mounting COVID-19 Crisis

Six weeks ago, my life was changed forever. I got one of those texts that you never want to get: “Kira, I had a heart attack. I’m in the ICU…”. Unfortunately, this couldn’t come at a worse time as the COVID-19 pandemic quickly took over the New York City hospitals. Please read further to learn about one ICU patient’s story in the midst of a crisis.

Articles, Editor's Pick, zIssue 21, Most PopularKira BuccaApril 2, 2020health insurance, health care, healthy, covid-19, stay strong, eat healthy, emergency, hospital, ICU, NYCComment

Hilary Roberts: From Pain to Happiness and Everything in Between

Hilary Roberts: From Pain to Happiness and Everything in Between

For Hilary Roberts, music goes beyond a top spot on the Billboard top 100 (she's got plenty of those); it’s multipurpose in function and personal. Hilary, as a victim of abuse, creates music to help encourage and strengthen the many who suffered through similar experiences.

She founded the Red Songbird Foundation which aims to help survivors of trauma caused by sexual, physical, and verbal abuse, by providing counseling, assisting members to enter treatment.

Hilary is currently working on finishing her first LP. Her past chart-toppers released this year include “There For You,” (charted #3 on Billboard Dance Club Chart in the US) and “Back To Life” (charted #1 on Billboard's Dance Club Chart in the US) and "Fight to the Other Side”. Please read our exclusive interview to learn about Hillary.