SOHP Episode 4: Neil

HAPPY NEW YEAR! 2019 has finally arrived and so has Episode 4 of the “Spark Of Hope Podcast!” On this episode, I interviewed Neil Lowery. Neil is from England and has been a Star Wars fan since he first saw it in London in 1978. He is active on Twitter as “neil positive” and that is where I first met him. On this episode, we discuss how he has dealt with his learning disability and recent health issues as well as his love of Star Wars and how it gets him through those challenges.

Neil is a positive force in the online Star Wars community and I hope you enjoy our conversation!

Click here to DOWNLOAD Episode 4

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You can find Neil on Twitter @LoweryNeil, on Facebook as Neil Lowery, and on Instagram @positivity_one. His podcast is called “Cloud Car Co-Pilot” and you can find it on iTunes and Anchor.

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SOHP Episode 3: Sandra

Episode 3 has finally arrived!  On this episode, I interviewed Sandra.  Sandra is an educator and the social media manager for the Fangirls Going Rogue podcast!  We chat about how she became a Star Wars fan, how she uses Star Wars in the classroom, how she has dealt with the passing of her mother two years ago, and how Star Wars connects us all!  So, sit back and enjoy the show!

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD EPISODE

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Here is a little bit more information about Sandra:

Manage Fangirls Going Rogue and Geeky Friends using several social media outlets.

Through social media, we reach approximately 2600 on Facebook, 4200 on Twitter, and 850 on Instagram. Provide and share engaging content, lead discussions on Star Wars television shows and movies, offer constructive interaction with users, and create a positive, safe place for all fans.

Interviews

• Looking for Leia Film
• Her Universe Fangirl of the Day: June 2013
• Every Day Fangirl: October 2015
• FULLY OPERATIONAL FANDOM: THE PERSONAL IMPACT OF STAR WARS

Podcast Guest

• LIVE: Walt Disney World CWK Meet Up, featuring Ashley Eckstein (151)
• Teaching With Geekdom: Fangirl Chat
• FANGIRLS GOING ROGUE EPISODE 20 (JUNE 2015)
• You Talk We Listen: Rogue One
• The Disney Universe Fangirl Special

Blog Post Contributions

• ‘As I Am’ – Star Wars Changed My Life
• Behind The Mask
• Star Wars Is For Everyone
• Creed – Review by Sandra Choute
• Barnes & Noble Fangirl Friday

Other Related Items

• Star Wars in the Classroom: Rogue # 157
• Geeky Friends Facebook Page

SOHP Episode 2: Michelle

And now, presenting the second episode of the “Spark of Hope” Podcast!  On this episode I chatted with my friend Michelle, who is incredibly inspirational.  She has gone through so much in her young life.  She talks about being born in Tokyo, Japan and moving to the states, dealing with the death of her father, finding a new career, accepting what has happened to her, and so much more. You’ll also find out how she really feels about Boba Fett and Return of the Jedi!
#NeverTooOld  #ListenToThePositive  #DoGood

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CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD EPISODE

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Here is a little bit more information about Michelle:  

Michelle loves books, naps, puppies, pizza, and gifs of puppies eating pizza. She founded the @travelingbooknerds bookstagram, where she shares creative bookish photos to over 10K followers. She has contributed creative non-fiction to Rebelle Society, and is currently workshopping her first novel at the Writing Pad. She lives, writes, and photographs her book collection in West Los Angeles with her two chihuahuas-mix rescues, Halston Rose and Kennedy Eastwood, who is actually half porg, half Yoda.

You can find Michelle on Twitter and Instagram @tediously_brief. You can listen to her on the Tumbling Saber Podcast.  Follow them on Twitter and Instagram @TumblingSaber!

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Theme song and vocal tag arranged and performed by Megan Cullinan (that’s me!) and mixed by Steve Resler.  Original music composed by John Williams.

Spark of Hope Podcast Episode 1: “Eve”

It’s finally here!  My first episode of the “Spark of Hope” Podcast!  On this episode, I talk to my very good friend Eve, who of course is a massive Star Wars fan. She talks deeply about the effects depression and anxiety has had on her life since she was young.  We also talk about how Star Wars inspires her, how she has found her tribe, and how she really feels about Emperor Palpatine!!
#FindYourTribe  #YeahPrettyMagical

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CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD EPISODE

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Here is a little bit more information about Eve:                                     
“Eve, the co-host whose name isn’t really Eve, loves long twitter threads, silly memes and inside jokes. The Empire Strikes Back, Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader are her absolute favorites. When she’s not geeking out on the internet, Eve writes and takes photographs professionally in a cozy Pennsylvanian suburb.”

You can find Eve on Twitter @skywalker_eve.  You can listen to her on the Unmistakably Star Wars Podcast.  Follow them on Twitter and Instagram @UnmistakablySW!

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Theme song arranged and performed by Megan Cullinan (that’s me!) and mixed by Steve Resler.  Original music composed by John Williams.

Welcome!

Hello and welcome to the official website of the “Spark of Hope” Podcast!  I am your host, Megan Cullinan!  This idea has been simmering in my head for about a year and I’m so happy that it is finally coming to fruition!

The reason I wanted to start this podcast is to interview amazing people who have been through really incredible or difficult situations in their lives but have found a way to persevere and thrive through those obstacles AND who have found inspiration through Star Wars!  I want to talk to people who have also found a way to spread hope and positivity to others in their life and to the fan community.  I myself am a HUGE fan of Star Wars and I’ve had a pretty incredible journey these last two years.

In August of 2016, I was diagnosed with breast cancer and it changed my life.  I’m in my mid thirties and it was a complete shock as I didn’t have any family history and considered young to have developed cancer. I am so happy to say that I am now cancer free, but my journey getting there wasn’t easy.  But staying positive and hopeful was something that truly helped me get through that journey. And Star Wars was something that taught me that. Last year, about two thirds of the way through my treatment, I started a blog inspired by my cancer journey and I used Star Wars to help format my blog called “I Rebel: My Cancer War.”  This podcast also grew out of that. My whole reason for starting my blog was to help people get through difficult situations and find hope through those dark times. The name of this podcast is taken from a line in “The Last Jedi” opening crawl: “Only General Leia Organa’s band of RESISTANCE fighters stand against the rising tyranny, certain that Jedi Master Luke Skywalker will return and restore a spark of hope to the fight.”

To me the Spark of Hope was about finding the spark inside yourself to create something better, much like Rey did in “The Last Jedi.”  You see that in Leia and Luke and Padme and so many other characters throughout the series. And I don’t want to limit this podcast to just Star Wars fans as many of us are fans of so many other fandoms.  So we will be chatting about lots of great stuff!

I hope you will fly with me on this amazing journey!  Stay tuned for my very first episode coming out soon!

~Megan~

“We are the spark, that will light the fire, that will restore the Republic.” Vice Admiral Amilyn Holdo – Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi