Choosing Positivity In A Negative Environment

There is something incredibly powerful about choosing to live a positive life. Positivity isn’t about ignoring reality or pretending problems don’t exist—it’s about believing that solutions do. When you lead with that mindset, opportunities begin to reveal themselves in ways you might never expect. Doors open, conversations shift, and possibilities appear where once there were only obstacles.

A positive outlook sharpens your vision. Instead of being paralyzed by what’s wrong, you become energized by what could be right. Challenges turn into lessons. Setbacks become stepping stones. When you believe that progress is possible, you naturally take actions that move you forward. People are drawn to that energy. Collaboration grows. Momentum builds. Positivity creates motion, and motion creates opportunity.

On the other hand, constant negativity has a quiet but destructive power. Being around people who only see problems—and never solutions—can slowly drain your spirit. Their conversations are rooted in fear, blame, and limitation. Over time, that mindset can seep into your thinking if you’re not careful. You may start doubting yourself, hesitating to take risks, or believing that success is always out of reach. Negativity doesn’t usually attack all at once; it erodes confidence one thought at a time.

This doesn’t mean abandoning people or pretending struggles don’t matter. It means protecting your mindset. You can acknowledge problems without living in them. You can listen without absorbing defeat. The key is choosing where you place your focus and whose voice you allow to shape your outlook.

When you choose positivity, you choose growth. You choose resilience. You choose to believe that life has more to offer and that you have something valuable to contribute. Opportunities flourish in that space—because optimism fuels action, and action changes everything.

In the end, positivity is a decision you make every day. Choose it wisely, nurture it intentionally, and surround yourself with people who look for solutions, not just problems. Your future depends on it. JHS

 

Watch the Counterparts Show July 18th 2023 at 7pm Central to learn about the SAG-AFTRA and the WGA Strike and how you can help. Even if you're not in the entertainment industry, you can help! Please tune in!

www.counterpartsshow.com

The 2023 SAG-AFTRA Strike: A Fight for Equity and Modernization.

The entertainment industry has always been a realm of glitz and glamour, where our favorite stars come to life on screens big and small. However, behind the scenes, the reality for many actors, voice actors, and media professionals is not always as glamorous as it appears. In 2023, the SAG-AFTRA strike emerged as a resounding call for change, demanding fair compensation, improved working conditions, and industry-wide reforms.

At the heart of the strike was the need for equitable compensation in the face of a rapidly evolving digital landscape. The rise of streaming platforms and digital content consumption has transformed the way we engage with entertainment. Yet, as the industry has shifted, traditional compensation models have struggled to keep pace. SAG-AFTRA members recognized the disparity and fought to ensure their valuable work in the digital realm was adequately recognized and compensated.

Residuals became a major point of contention during the strike. With the growing dominance of streaming services and video-on-demand platforms, the distribution of revenue generated from these platforms needed to be reevaluated. SAG-AFTRA pushed for improved residuals, aiming to secure fair compensation for their work in the ever-expanding digital arena.

Another critical aspect of the strike was the focus on health and safety. The grueling hours and demanding schedules endured by industry professionals took a toll on their well-being. The strike highlighted the importance of work-life balance and the need for better rest periods, aiming to create safer and more sustainable working conditions for all.

The 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike was more than just a fight for individual gains. It served as a catalyst for industry-wide reforms. The demands raised by SAG-AFTRA members shed light on the need for modernization, ensuring that the entertainment industry adapts to the evolving dynamics of content creation and consumption. It sparked conversations about fair treatment, diversity and inclusion, and the equitable distribution of opportunities.

Ultimately, the strike served as a powerful reminder that the entertainment industry thrives because of the hard work and dedication of its professionals. It highlighted the collective strength of SAG-AFTRA members and their unwavering determination to bring about meaningful change. By standing together, they sent a clear message: the industry must evolve, adapt, and prioritize the fair treatment and compensation of its talented workforce.

As negotiations continue and the entertainment industry charts its future, it is crucial for all stakeholders to listen, engage, and work toward a more equitable and sustainable industry. The 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike will be remembered as a pivotal moment that challenged the status quo and paved the way for a brighter, more inclusive future for all those involved in the world of entertainment.

What's the Impact of Love Songs?

Love songs have been a part of human culture for centuries. From ballads to pop songs, these musical expressions of love have the power to touch the hearts of listeners and evoke powerful emotions. Love songs can change a person's life in many ways, and in this blog post, we'll explore just how this is possible.

1. They can inspire us to take risks in love.

Love songs often depict the beauty and magic of falling in love, and can encourage listeners to take risks and pursue their own romantic interests. Whether it's through the lyrics or the melody, love songs can help us tap into our own emotions and desires, and give us the courage to take a chance on love.

2. They can help us express our own feelings.

Love songs can also serve as a way for us to express our own feelings, even when we struggle to find the right words. When we listen to a love song that captures the essence of how we feel, we can use the lyrics as a starting point to express our own thoughts and emotions. Love songs can be a powerful tool for connecting with others, and for expressing our own innermost feelings.

3. They can remind us of past loves.

Love songs can also serve as a powerful reminder of past loves, both good and bad. When we hear a song that we associate with a particular person or relationship, it can evoke strong memories and emotions that we may have forgotten. Love songs can help us process these emotions, and can even serve as a way to heal from past hurts.

4. They can improve our mood.

Love songs have the power to improve our mood, even on the darkest days. When we listen to a love song that resonates with us, it can evoke powerful emotions and create a sense of joy and happiness. Love songs can serve as a form of self-care, and can help us to feel more positive and hopeful about the future.

5. They can bring people together.

Finally, love songs have the power to bring people together. Whether it's through singing along to a favorite song or bonding over a shared love of a particular artist, love songs can help us to connect with others and build meaningful relationships. Love songs can be a powerful force for creating community and fostering a sense of shared experience and understanding.

In conclusion, love songs can change a person's life in many ways. Whether they inspire us to take risks in love, help us express our own feelings, remind us of past loves, improve our mood, or bring people together, love songs have the power to touch our hearts and souls in a way that few other things can. So the next time you hear a love song that speaks to you, take a moment to appreciate the impact it has on your life, and on the lives of those around you.

Watch our latest show on the top 20 LOVE songs of all time per a few online lists.  Let us know if you agree with our list.  www.counterpartsshow.com

Acting Techniques

Acting techniques are methods actors use to create believable and authentic performances. There are many different techniques that actors can use, and the right technique for a particular actor will depend on their individual strengths and the demands of the role they are playing. 

Some of the most well-known acting techniques include:

The Stanislavski Method: Developed by Russian actor and director Konstantin Stanislavski, this technique emphasizes the importance of finding truth in one's acting and using personal experiences to connect with the role.

The Method: Similar to the Stanislavski Method, this technique also encourages actors to use their own emotions and experiences to bring authenticity to their performances. The Method was developed in the United States and is often associated with actors such as Marlon Brando and Robert De Niro.

The Meisner Technique: Developed by American actor and teacher Sanford Meisner, this technique emphasizes the importance of listening and reacting truthfully in the moment. It also places a strong emphasis on improvisation.

The Shakespearean Technique: This technique is specifically tailored to the demands of performing Shakespeare's plays. It involves careful attention to language, rhythm, and physicality, as well as an understanding of the historical and cultural context of the play.

The Classical Technique: This technique is used in the performance of classical plays, such as those by Greek and Roman playwrights. It emphasizes the importance of clarity and precision in language, as well as the use of gestures and posture to convey meaning.

Overall, acting techniques are tools that actors can use to bring depth and believability to their performances. It is important for actors to be familiar with a range of techniques, as different techniques may be more or less effective for different roles and acting styles.

Breaking down the Homelessness Crisis in America

Unless you've experienced homelessness, it's very difficult to explain it to someone who's always had a roof over their head, however, it's necessary in order to evoke change. So how do we do that? Well, first you must find those that have been helping for many years and engage with them in a meaningful way. I can't think of anyone better than Bobby Watts to explain the challenges and inspire change within the social justice space.

Bobby Watts is the chief executive officer of the National Health Care for the Homeless Council, which supports the 300 federally funded Health Care for the Homeless programs and 100 Medical Respite providers with training, technical assistance, sharing of best practices, research, publications, and an active policy and advocacy program working to eliminate homelessness.

We were very honored that Bobby agreed to visit us at the Counterparts Show. We had a great time not only getting to appreciate his journey but also learning about subsidized housing and some of the challenges we're facing in the fight to end homelessness.

As someone who's experienced homelessness, I recommend watching and sharing this episode and reaching out if you need any assistance or know someone who does. Thank you to Bobby and everyone at the Council for the amazing work they do. Visit https://nhchc.org/ to learn more.

Watch the Counterparts episode with Bobby Watts here: www.counterpartsshow.com

Thank you and don't forget our Livestream show is every Tuesday at 7PM Central / 8PM EST.

Born and Raised in The Bronx! Counterparts Show

 Yo!!!  You from Da Bronx!!??  Nice!  Welcome!  Our first episode on The Bronx from our show Counterparts was a ton of fun but we felt we barely scratched the surface.  What did you expect, we had a lifetime of memories and experiences to cover.  We will be doing a part 2 for sure.  

In the episode, we covered the building I grew up in called Chester Hall.  The address was 1058 Southern Blvd.  A beautiful pre-war building that was considered luxury living back in the 30s.  During my time living there, it was a well-kept and clean build.  Unfortunately, the years and the landlords were not kind to it and it fell under deep dispare. I am happy to report, that Chester Hall is getting a facelift and hopefully full renovation.  One of my bucket list items is to visit the building and enter the apartments I lived in.  410, 304, and 503.  

Maybe take some pictures and pay honor to the space where my creative energy was developed.  In part 2 of our Bronx series, we will cover more of the history of the boro and talk about how my grandparents kept me out of trouble.  Maybe I'll tell the story a few breakdancing stories.  Stay tuned!  

The company that built 1058 Southern Blvd or Chester Hall as I remember calling it, was called A-Re-Co (American Real Estate Company) and the neighborhood had quite a few of these buildings that were all built between 1908 - 1912. Apparently, A-Re-Co bought the last farmland. The neighborhood was known as Areco for decades. These were all built about the exact time the subway lines reached Hunts Point.

I like sharing this picture cause it was taken during the time when I was living in that building behind the train. 1058 Southern Blvd in The South Bronx!! If you lived around here during the 80s let me know! (right)


To contact us or see some of our shows, Visit our page: www.counterpartsshow.com

Hang Tight Earthlings! It will be Glorious!

 When you're afraid that someone will ruin your plans of deceiving a civilization, you must shut them down at all costs. And if they don't go away, then you must scream, threaten, cheat, and lie to make sure they can never again participate in preventing their destructive plans and their criminal activities. Especially their money flows.

But these poor souls don't realize that the criminal wants to get caught and will continue to make mistakes and say stupid things in that direction. They can't help to get tongue-tied or let a little truth slip out when they're speaking. We laugh at it but it's really a sad thing to witness. Someone who can't confront those they are lying to will stumble as so much video footage has proven. Of course, these criminals control how this info gets distributed to millions, so it gets manipulated. Many are still under a veil of lies, but many more, and I mean MANY MORE, have removed this veil to take a closer look and now know that something is wrong. It doesn't take long to see something isn't right. For me, the viewpoint shift happened in 2018 and it took about 2 days of reading and listening to someone and then seeing things for myself. Seeing it was huge and in just 2 days, I realized I had been duped for most of my life. I can only pray and hope that more people will take the time to lift that veil slightly and see what's there. Just give it chance to see the information.

The next 18 months will be glorious but very scary to many who haven't lifted the veil and those that don't even believe there is a veil will become very dangerous and destructive people. Stay away from them and protect your family and friends. God bless you all. JHS

www.counterpartsshow.com 

   

ZELO.XL - She Really Want Me

She Really Want Me by ZELO.XL 

Directed by John Henry Soto​. 
Director of Photography Lisa Zalenski​.