Rhythms of Progress

Rhythms of Progress

by Shozzett Silva
Season 1
Disco — Jeff Illes on How Shaking It (in Platform Shoes) Shook the System.
Disco didn’t just light up dance floors — it became a symbol of civil disobedience. It gave marginalized communities the rhythm to resist and the freedom to shine. In this episode, Jeff Illes — advocate, scholar, and beloved voice in the LGBTQIA+ community- joins us to unpack how disco powered a movement for visibility, equality, and joy. Reminding us that music doesn’t just move bodies — it moves history. Because when the world says “stay still,” disco says: NO WAY!!!— grab your glitter and SHAKE IT UP!! ✨ LET’S BE FRIENDS Podcast Website Follow us on INSTAGRAM MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES The Trevor Project Trans Equality Entertainment Community Fund⁠ – Supporting artists & performers. Musicares.org⁠ – Helping musicians stay healthy & thriving. 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline – You are not alone. Mental Health Resources by county – Thanks, Headspace. 13 Mental Health Resources That Are Absolutely Free– Thanks, Oprah!
SFARTS: Strategic Fear Amplified by Religious Talk & Scapegoating.
What happens when politicians weaponise fear, transgender lives and people of color instead of fixing potholes? 🔧🛣️💥 It’s called SFARTS™: A satirical PSA exposing how culture wars distract us from actual progress. Warning: May cause spontaneous smiles, 🤔 critical thinking, and an overdose of fabulousness! 🎧Stay tuned for the next episode. Rhythms Of Progress – 🎶 Music, activism, and change! RESOURCES The Trevor Project Trans Equality Entertainment Community Fund⁠ – Supporting artists & performers. Musicares.org⁠ – Helping musicians stay healthy & thriving. 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline – You are not alone. Mental Health Resources by county – Thanks, Headspace. 13 Mental Health Resources That Are Absolutely Free – Thanks, Oprah!
The uCue: Autism, Music and How Elise Ruggiero Turns Juice Box Bangers Into Journal Citations.
Nursery rhymes aren’t just for nap time. Check out how Elise Ruggiero uses a cool tool called the uCue and turns classics like “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” and “The Wheels on the Bus” into data that’s transforming our understanding of autism. That’s right—she’s turning playground bangers into scientific breakthroughs. So grab your juice box and press play. Science you can dance to? Yes, please! - Photo by Eileen Ruggiero LET’S BE FRIENDS Podcast Website Follow us on INSTAGRAM ELISE: SHE’S GOT SKILLS Work with Elise! Read the uCue Article Soundscapes of the Mind The uCue MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES Entertainment Community Fund⁠ – Supporting artists & performers. Musicares.org⁠ – Helping musicians stay healthy & thriving. 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline – You are not alone. Mental Health Resources by county – Thanks, Headspace. 13 Mental Health Resources That Are Absolutely Free– Thanks, Oprah!
Thank TRANSA: Elia Einhorn & Friends Fight Fascism One Track at a Time.
Explicit
Join Elia Einhorn as he cranks up the volume on resistance and teams with over 100+ cultural icons to outplay fascism, outshine hate, and inspires all of us to keep trans and fundamental rights in the headlines. (FYI. This episode was recorded post 2024 U.S. election vibes.… and yep, it’s still giving “how is this real life?") Need some names? You got it! Andre 3000 Jeff Tweedy Sam Smith Beverly Glenn-Copeland Sade Fleet Foxes Listen to the album TRANSA. FOLLOW US Rhythms Of Progress – 🎶 Music, activism, and change! Work with Elia Einhorn – He’s got skills! RESOURCES The Trevor Project Trans Equality Entertainment Community Fund⁠ – Supporting artists & performers. Musicares.org⁠ – Helping musicians stay healthy & thriving. 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline – You are not alone. Mental Health Resources by county – Thanks, Headspace. 13 Mental Health Resources That Are Absolutely Free– Thanks, Oprah!
Gratitude & Global Grooves
🌍 Gratitude and grooves from around the world A Global Thank You Playlist To Dance To 🌻 🇮🇳 India to 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇯🇵 Japan to 🇵🇭 the Philippines, 🇲🇽 Mexico to 🇺🇸 the U.S. 💃🕺🧑‍🦽🧑‍🦯🧑‍🦼 Dance in whatever way is accessible to you. 🎶 Music reminds us we belong. — Lizzard & Stoney 🐾 Rhythms of Progress INSTAGRAM Rhythms Of Progress RESOURCES Entertainment Community Fund⁠ – Supporting artists & performers. Musicares.org⁠ – Helping musicians stay healthy & thriving. 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline – You are not alone. Mental health resources by county – Thanks, Headspace. 13 Mental Health Resources That Are Absolutely Free– Thanks, Oprah!
Writing Is Advocacy (and Smitty Approves) — with Playwright & Screenwriter Chisa Hutchinson
Explicit
Anyone can put letters on a page ✍🏾, but heroes show us what we’re afraid to admit while turning our ugly-cry into comedy 😂. Writers make us feel, and suddenly, our protest signs get really insightful. 🪧 In episode 2 of Rhythms of Progress, host Lizzard and Chisa Hutchinson dig into how plays and screenplays challenge norms, spark movements ⚡, and relabel society’s too-neat little boxes. 📦.📦. INSTAGRAM Rhythms Of Progress CHISA'S WORK Amerikin now playing at 59E59 Theaters Three Women on STARZ Shailene Woodley Betty Gilpin DeWanda Wise The Subject Jason Biggs COLLABORATE WITH CHISA Chisa's Reps RESOURCES Entertainment Community Fund⁠ – Supporting artists & performers. Musicares.org⁠ – Helping musicians stay healthy & thriving. 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline – You are not alone. Mental health resources by county – Thanks, Headspace. 13 Mental Health Resources That Are Absolutely Free– Thanks, Oprah!
Music Is Advocacy with Journalist Macayla Cook
Explicit
Music: It makes us dance, cry, protest, and occasionally ugly-cry in the car at a red light. But it’s also advocacy. In this first episode of Rhythms of Progress, host Shozzett Silva, aka Lizzard, and guest Journalist Macayla Cook dig into how music challenges norms, sparks movements, and gets artists into hot water when they step outside society’s neat little boxes. Why do we expect musicians to be political—but only if it won’t ruffle too many feathers?🔥 How does fan culture police activism?🔥 Why has music been one of the only places where men are “allowed” to be vulnerable? From protest anthems to unexpected tearjerkers, we’re unpacking how music isn’t just a vibe—it’s a revolution. 🎧 Hit play and join the movement! NOTE: This episode was recorded in late September 2024, when we didn't know the presidential outcome; there was hope and sensory overload with political ads. Simpler times. FOLLOW US Rhythms Of Progress – 🎶 Music, activism, and change! Macayla Cook’s Journalism – Thought-provoking stories ahead! Macayla Cook's LinkedIn – She’s got skills! RESOURCES Entertainment Community Fund⁠ – Supporting artists & performers. Musicares.org⁠ – Helping musicians stay healthy & thriving. 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline – You are not alone. Mental health resources by county – Thanks, Headspace. 13 Mental Health Resources That Are Absolutely Free– Thanks, Oprah!