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A Personal Experience With Neurodiversity

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Written By Kyle C.

Simona Rock visited the studio on Tuesday during Open Air’s “Life On Purpose” to share her experience with neurodiversity: its impact on her and the resources that have helped her understand the world. Simona is a holistic nurse focused on cardiac rehab and lifestyle medicine. In her work as a nurse – in addition to her role as educator, performer, and energy worker – Simona teaches mindfulness to help process this world around us. It was through this practice of mindfulness and meditation that she began thinking about the ways in her life she has always felt different.

Simona shared that her diagnosis of being on the Autism spectrum was a slow process that only resulted in a diagnosis about a year ago. She didn’t even consider her status on the spectrum until she began looking back on her childhood through the eyes of her nephews and TV personalities. She recalled her teachers showing concern for what she perceived as just being “quiet.” She remembered instances of feeling overwhelmed by the stimuli of her senses. Simona shared that her life story was one of discovery including through spirituality from Christianity to meditation always in an attempt to find identity. As she explored what in life can offer her comfort, Simona said that connection to the world was like “unlocking the puzzle of me.”

To hear Simona’s full interview and learn how to be an ally of the neurodivergent community or hear resources including Autism coaching click here.


More Posts for Show: Open Air

Twin Leaf Brewery interview

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Written by Kyle C.

On Tuesday, August 20th, on his show B Sides & Brews, Buffalo Mike interviewed Tim Weber, the owner and head brewer of Twin Leaf Brewery. Tim was happy to share his background and introduction to brewing as well as his more recent endeavors. He has been a professional brewer for 10 years and was a homebrewer for about 8 before that. Twin Leaf opened in March 2014 after Tim moved to Asheville in 2012.

Tim’s beer journey began in college. He majored in engineering but found himself enrolled in a microbiology lab course. The professor talked about working in a yeast lab, and Tim’s curiosity was piqued. He found a summer job at Iron Hill Brewery in Delaware, and by 2006 he was hooked. He bought his own brewing equipment and made brewing his life. He only brewed on weekends, but Tim didn’t own a TV, so all his spare time was spent reading and learning about his craft. He started, as most people do, on the stove, and over the years used his engineering background to build more and more technologies. Eventually, Tim had himself a homebrew robot that did most of his process for him!

Tim’s very first brew was a Hefeweizen. He said he “did almost everything wrong, but I loved it anyway.” His favorite beer style is a German pilsner. He is a beekeeper on the side and says of his hobbies—beer and bees—“the more you learn about them, the more you realize you don’t know what you’re doing.”

To hear the full interview with Twin Leaf’s Tim Weber, listen here at the archives.


More Posts for Show: Brews & Blues

Migrant Solidarity in the Mediterranean Sea by Quoyle (ACAB2023)

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report back from a wayward American anarchist in the Mediterranean search-and-rescue scene - Sunday 3:30 @ Different Wrld" over a photo of a sailboat and other worn out boat at seaThis week, we’re sharing a presentation from the 2023 Another Carolina Anarchist Bookfair in so-called Asheville, NC. From the presentation:

The Mediterranean Sea is Europe’s deadliest border. For years, non-state actors like Sea-Watch and other NGO’s have played a part in humanitarian search-and-rescue operations. In spite of legal repression and the technical challenges of maintaining a “civil fleet”, anarchists, anti-fascists, and other activists try to stop needless death at sea.

Hear a report back from a wayward American yacht-punk who spent the summer doing rotations on two different SAR (Search And Rescue) ships. We’ll discuss the general political situation, the reality of everyday operations and how you could get involved.

For more audios from ACABookfair 2023, check out the site. To hear a 2023 interview we conducted with an activist with Maldusa on a similar topic, you can find it at our website and a longer edition of this presentation can be found there as well.

We also have this 2016 interview by A-Radio Berlin that we aired in 2016 about conditions  a No Border Camp in Greece. And here’s one we conducted with an immigrant from Africa and a supporter in Germany in 2016. Also, check out this podcast called The Civil Fleet with voices of others involved in solidarity in the Mediterranean route.


More Posts for Show: The Final Straw Radio

Studies revealed in recent Alzheimer’s conference show air quality affecting dementia

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Written by Jordan Lenoir 

Environmental degradation, and more specifically wildfire smoke, worsens air quality tremendously and does not only affect the general health of people, but according to the Alzheimer’s Association, deeply affects Alzheimer’s disease and brain health.

In yesterday’s segment of Asheville FM’s Newshour, Patryk Battle interviewed Katherine Lambert of the Alzheimer’s Association regarding exciting developments from the association’s recent conference which discussed wildfire smoke and how it affects brain health, and how to lower risks of dementia diagnosis regarding air pollution.  

The Alzheimer’s Association “has a vision of a world without Alzheimer’s and all other dementia” and aims for this by not only caring, supporting, and educating, but also lots of research. Lambert dived into the Alzheimer’s Association’s recent international research conference where there were “lot’s of exciting developments on the research front.” Some topics that were discussed at this conference include biomarkers, blood tests, rural and underserved communities, pharmaceutical trial reports, lifestyle intervention, and diagnostic tools. 

In recent years, wildfires have become more and more prevalent in North Carolina, which led Battle to sharing, “wildfire smoke is way more significant than a lot of us may think.” Lambert revealed that she was interested to find out just how prevalent wildfire smoke has become and that “wildfire smoke is an increasing threat to brain health.” Lambert shared that “breathing in wildfire smoke can be particularly hazardous” and “the exposure to wildfire smoke increases the risk of being diagnosed with dementia more than other forms of pollution.” 

Lambert revealed that researchers have shared some ways to lower risks: regularly update home air-filtration systems, stay inside during unhealthy levels of air quality, and wear a mask (outside) when air quality levels reach a certain point.  

For more on this topic, listen to the full episode on Newshour.


More Posts for Show: Asheville FM News Hour

That’s So Last Century! with DJ rohbear

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Twice a year 103.3 Asheville FM changes its on-air schedule to make room for new shows and give current DJs a chance to move time slots or drop from the schedule, based on their needs. (Programming at Asheville FM is done entirely by volunteer DJs and show hosts.)

This article is part of a series introducing you to the new shows hitting our schedule.

As its name suggests, That’s So Last Century! is a collection of songs from the 20th century. DJ rohbear will spin a wide array of genres, including rock, pop, blues, soul/funk, and jazz! The songs you hear each episode are tied together by different themes, making for a fun and interesting listening experience. 

In the premiere episode, DJ rohbear played a collection of songs relating to the number one, “firsts,” and “beginnings.” With a tune timeline ranging from 1956 to 1999, the episode was filled with quite the mix of sounds! 

That’s So Last Century! airs on Sundays at midnight. 

You can listen to the latest archive of That’s So Last Century! here: https://ashevillefm.org/show/thats-so-last-century/


More Posts for Show: That's So Last Century!

Ghosts of the Neon Arcade with DJ RussBaby

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Twice a year 103.3 Asheville FM changes its on-air schedule to make room for new shows and give current DJs a chance to move time slots or drop from the schedule, based on their needs. (Programming at Asheville FM is done entirely by volunteer DJs and show hosts.)

This article is part of a series introducing you to the new shows hitting our schedule.

DJ RussBaby brings you Ghosts of the Neon Arcade, a brand new show centered around ’70s and ’80s synth tunes. Tune in for a mix of punk, new wave, synthpop, and post-punk deep cuts, as well as more popular tracks. DJ RussBaby says the show was inspired by memories of spending time (and that week’s allowance) at the local arcade with a Walkman on. 

In the premiere episode, DJ RussBaby played a collection of songs by Duran Duran, SSQ, A Flock of Seagulls, Depeche Mode, and others. The show features plenty of fun, pulsing synths and makes for an exciting listening experience. 

Ghosts of the Neon Arcade airs on Sundays at 11am. 


More Posts for Show: Ghosts of the Neon Arcade