Allison Begalman on Hollywood and Climate Change

Allison Begalman: Like that's how things shift because wouldn't you make sure that you're looking at that process sustainably?

Why wouldn't you be thinking about these things like brushing your teeth? And so that's why we try to speak the professional language when we're talking about climate, because then I'm like having drinks with someone and then you know, we're talking about this

There's so many other really complex issues and if we don't know how to speak about them or bridge, with folks who maybe don't have the same perspective,  it's gonna be tough because, things are in a strange place right now and we need to be able to be uncomfortable.

June Intro: Welcome to Story for Good, the podcast where entertainment meets impact. I'm your host, June Neely. Since it's Earth Month and Earth Day is only a few weeks away, how fitting for today's topic to be centered around climate change. When we talk about telling stories around climate change, what does that mean?

 And what is Hollywood doing to address this issue? Well, my next guest will help answer of these questions. Today my guest is Alison Begalman, CEO of YEA! Impact and the co founder and EP of the Hollywood Climate Summit. I can't wait for you to hear this conversation.

So, Let's get into it.

June Neely:

Welcome to the show.

Allison Begalman: Thanks for having me, June.

June Neely: So I always start off with the same question for everyone, which is, how did you get your start in the entertainment industry and what brought you to Social Impact?

Allison Begalman: Yep. That is a great question. Well, I wanted to be a writer growing up, or I was told that I was a good writer by teachers. and, I thought I wanted to go into journalism and then I ended up. Doing a program in high school at NYU, their dramatic writing program. And I was like, oh, screenwriting is a cool thing.

Like I might want to try that. and then my mom was sort of like, well, it seems like the only viable way to actually make money in this industry ha ha to where we are now. long story short, is I ended up. On a, a whim applying to USC, and I got into their screenwriting program.

 So I ended up doing that and I moved, I'm from New Jersey, so I moved out.to LA and did the program and it was incredible and just met so many lovely folks. but at the same time, while I was at the program writing a ton, I also started community organizing, which I didn't even really know that I was doing that, but it was really starting in the labor space.

I started, I made friends who were labor organizers. I learned about unions. I learned about all the things that. We should all know at a younger age than that. and, I realized, oh, well, you know, I could be doing labor organizing within my own, I guess network. And so I ended up organizing within film school in a super positive, fun way, like women and queer folks together.

 we created the Feminist Media Festival, which is actually still running. It's in their, I think it's like their eighth year now, which is super exciting. So after school, I ended up moving into. Continuing up the ladder in terms of the screenwriting space. So I worked at CAAI worked at a other places and in writer's rooms.

and at the same time, I would continue to organize outside of work because it just felt inherent to me and I wanted to continue supporting other folks in my community. And eventually people would start coming to me and be like, Hey Allison, I wanna do something about it, but I like am in chain to a desk or whatever.

I just don't have time. What can I do within my job? And enough people started asking me that, that I was like, cool, how can I help these people? And also myself. 'cause I really wanted to stay active. so I ended up, with my friend Jessica. Good. We started this newsletter called Younger Team and Activist, and we just spammed like hundreds of assistants and executives in the industry were both, assistants at the time working for sort of, I guess, high level.

producers and professionals and I don't know, people responded to it. They were like, what is this? This is how I feel. and so we ended up doing a lot of events, in backyards and, ended up at Netflix and all these different places. I mean, obviously it's a longer story than that, but definitely it was a grassroots movement of young entertainment activists coming together to figure out what they could do within their work for many social justice issues.

and then we ended up turning that. with another co-founder and other folks into a consultancy called Yeah, impact. so yeah, impact is sort of my consultancy where I do lots of different things. We do grassroots marketing events and production and content, really using the skills that I built from those days of organizing.

which I always say organizing is like the best way to become a professional. then I also created the Hollywood Climate Summit with several others within Yeah. Impact. And we can talk about that later. but that's sort of, I don't know, my long, long short story and I'm happy to get into more detail.

Sorry if it was a little windy,

June Neely: No, no, it's perfect. it's interesting how you got into that activist space.

Allison Begalman: yeah.

June Neely: a lot of times, millennials and gen Z were very much like, I don't wanna just do work. I want the work to matter. And I think. That's definitely where that fits in, where everyone's like, oh, this is a great organization.

I can actually do something and actually be, more than just in this industry, just working every day.

Allison Begalman: how did you, end up advocating for climate change? how did that become more of a center focus?

That's a great question. So as part of the work we would do with young entertainment activists, we would always send out a. Surveys and pull our community and also just listen to them. Right? We'd take meetings all the time with different people and we just started to hear climate come up so much as it should have been brought up, that we were like, okay, well let's look into what is available in our space for younger professionals to get involved.

And at that time there was definitely work happening. There had been work. Happening from a lot of my now mentors, in the space for many years. But it had more been for upper level professionals, bringing in celebrities to the cause versus really looking at the. Many thousands of creatives across sector creatives too, like visual artists, social media folks, activists who are also artists.

So all those types of people as well as, you know, young producers, writers, executives, all those folks in Hollywood. and there hadn't really been a place to plug them in. So we ended up saying, cool, this is actually a need. We had a listening tour, sustainability practitioners, and it still seemed like there was a need for some sort of convening. So we again, did it as like a, let's see how this goes, kind of thing. Fully volunteer, NYU supported us with a small grant and helped us make it happen. And we did it. We were supposed to do it in person in May of 2020, but ended up being May of 2020.

So it was digital conference. We all figured out how to do that. It was like those early days of being like. what is, a, a live stream? Like, how does that work?

June Neely: Right.

Allison Begalman: Made it happen with a few hiccups and it was really successful. And so we just were like, I think we're gonna keep doing this. And we have continued to do it every year, now actually with the Hollywood Climate Summit.

So we've grown into a nonprofit organization. so a lot of my work's actually transitioning into the summit and building that out and our programs, and I'm happy to share more about that, but it really happened. And now to me it makes so much sense because the work we were doing was. Intersectional, we were talking about so many different issues and they were all touching climate.

So to me now to really focus and a lot of work at, yeah, impact is focused on climate and it, it makes sense for me as an activist to really engage in this issue, build by network around this issue and be an expert here, and then lean on other folks in other areas who have that expertise and, and, and deep network.

So I feel grateful for this having happened.

June Neely: Wow, what a time to start that. I feel like 2020, everyone was just like, oh, I started something new. I don't know if this is the best time anymore, but you know, we have to push through.

Allison Begalman: Yeah, I mean of course it was a very difficult time. Generally I had like long covid at the same Oh no.

 doing this work was also like a savior for me in a way to like get out of my head and really. Deep in something else, inside of me and not just feeling like, I don't know, scared.

'cause we didn't know anything at that time.

June Neely: Yeah,

Allison Begalman: but I'm fine now,

June Neely:

 so during your time at USC, you started teaching there at some point.

Allison Begalman: after,

 going to school there, and I really just built a class for them, that a few years ago. I think as it's not just USC, most film schools are trying to navigate, you know, so many people are coming to them and saying. wanna be in this industry, but I wanna use the platform and the art to create impact, right?

If that's what your students are coming to you and saying, well, you better figure out how to make sure that they have a well-rounded education. And to me that means like we need to give folks social justice literacy, at early ages, right? A lot of people come into college, they still don't have any of that.

So I

June Neely: Yeah, I would've,

Allison Begalman: excitement.

 yeah, I would've loved to have taken this class. It was fun. It was honestly such a good, and, and so, and I love so many students. I still talk to some of them and they're all doing incredible things. yeah, I mean, I, I can just give some examples of some things we would do in the class if that's a helpful the first class I called it, the Problem with Problematic, and I talked about like a high level evolution of social impact and entertainment and social movements over 50, you know, 50 years.

I couldn't go that far. It's not that long of a class. and just giving people an understanding of like the narrative change space and cultural strategy and, where did the word problematic come from and is it still effective? Like that type of. Sort of understanding. And then, and then as we got more deeply embedded into the work, we did a DEI class, with my friend Jamie w is an incredible DEIJ practitioner and executive.

We spoke to folks from walk of life about their experiences. we talked about tropes and we played games around tropes to really debunk like. Why are we seeing this when that's not the reality? and sometimes it got uncomfortable, but I am appreciative of the space that the whole class created.

So, always down to it on the road if other folks need a class like that or share resources, however, I can.

June Neely: Yeah, I that's definitely a class that's needed. what was the student's response? You know, kind of learning all this stuff and realizing that the stories they create can, make a difference.

Allison Begalman: It was pretty, pretty wild. I mean, I had some students coming up to me being like, I wish that I'd taken this freshman year. Or like, I wish this has like changed the way I see creation. 'cause you had screenwriters, but you also had other folks too. and I also sort of gave them, 'cause you know, this is.

for good. So a lot of people that probably listen to this are like impact professionals. And so for me, I, I looked at through actually the like impact producing lens of okay, well, starting with the issue, how can you tell a story starting with the issue? 'cause as the, as a writer, I have a process of like, cool, I build out a one pager that helps me, right?

basic pitch. I build that out. But can I do that also with impact and include that as part of that process? so like what we always say, like start with impact. Do impact at the beginning of the film, not at the end, right? So it's that kind of like, but then I tried to really integrate it in the class and in their writing processes.

So. It was fun. I hope that people are,still helpful to them and I wish I'd had that in school and I'm sure that there will be way more classes like that and there probably are.

June Neely: Yeah. So your company, yeah. Impact. You said it started as kind of like the grassroots Coalition for Young Entertainment Activists. you kind of mentioned this a little bit before, but talk a bit about how that fully transitioned into the consultant company that you have now.

Allison Begalman: Sure. I mean, of course when with a lot of stories of how companies are created, I feel like you, it's very romanticized and you forget how you're a startup and you are. Trying to figure out your space and educate people on your space if it's a up and coming space, while figuring out how to run a company.

So it was definitely, Difficult at the beginning, but we started to understand what our offering was, and I think that's why I'm also really grateful for the Hollywood Climate Summit because it helped me figure out what our unique offering was too. Right. Obviously, like we were, you know, I was 25 when I started the company, so I was really young and now I'm being 29, almost 30.

It's like, wow. I know so much more that I didn't know. I am proud of myself for pushing through regardless. 'cause young people need to do that. We need more young people in, in power. And I also think I'm in power, but I got to be in a lot of great rooms as a 25-year-old. And some of the stuff I was hearing, I was like, wow, like this is what's happening here and I wouldn't normally get access to that.

So. But I'll just say is, you know, I think we just started offering things that we had been able to already execute, right? So impact campaigns, we were already doing campaigns earlier on in the movement, right? We were, doing events, the marketing behind that, the research, the social media, like all of those things are the, the relationship building, the listening tour sessions, like all of those pieces of a campaign. We were doing that, so we just transitioned what we learned, and again, that's something I really tell a lot of people to do, is like, there's so many skills you learn as a community organizer that can translate. You just have to figure out what you like and what you're best at and how you wanna see that in your career. And then, so we were doing a lot of impact campaigns in the beginning. We did the campaign for I Am Greta with Exposure Labs, which was really awesome. Called ra. it was like a year and a half long campaign. and then we just were doing one-off events and all those types of things. So I mean, we still, we still do all of that.

but. it's really more focused fully in climate. I mean, I will take other stuff, but it has to be fully aligned and I wanna make sure that I'm the best person for that. Right. So, I try to be really careful and mindful.

June Neely: Yeah. One of the events that you did, I think this is how I found out about your company in the first place, is I went to a private screening of, To The End,

um, Yeah.

Allison Begalman: to end. That was a most recent impact campaign. what'd you think? Did you like the

movie?

June Neely: Oh yeah, I loved it. 'cause I, I mean, I had heard of Green New Deal, but I didn't know how much went into it. I had never heard of these organizations before. it was really powerful to see, all these women, working towards this one goal of trying to, make a change in our policies.

Allison Begalman: Oh yeah. I mean the Sunrise movement is, and many of these other movements are really powerful and their stories are incredible. And yeah, the women behind them are so amazing. And Rachel Lear is the director who also did knock down the house, worked on it for many years and it was definitely, you know, it's always hard to get a film that features.

Powerful women and especially women of color. So for her to move it forward, for it to do as well as it's done, it's now on Hulu. Incredible. And I loved being able to collaborate with them. we did a bunch of partnership grants, which was really exciting. We got to give to some incredible organizations.

we built out some cool campaigns and got to amplify the film in special ways. So just grateful to have worked on that. And I. I just, I feel like there's a lot to learn from a director and a project that get it moves forward around these types of issues.

June Neely: Yeah, I always give props to people who work documentary 'cause it's a much longer process than regular filmmaking and it's, so labor intensive because it's usually just you and you know, your camera and you're, you're doing all the work. but yeah, definitely recommend to the listeners to go watch a movie because.

It's a fantastic movie.

Allison Begalman: So cool. Yeah. And one of the folks from the panel, she is now the executive director of Sunrise.

June Neely: Oh, wow.

Allison Begalman: So, very exciting. Yeah. She was on the panel afterwards, after the movie,

June Neely: That's, that's really cool.

so one of the other initiatives that Yeah. Does is the Climate Ambassadors Network. can you talk a little bit about that?

Allison Begalman: I would say honestly, that that one is really transitioned into its own training, so that's no longer really like something that ya. incubating. but the training is great.

It's very interactive, brings in a lot of different facets of leadership and, and climate, to a broader network. and we've partnered the Hollywood Climate Summit with it several times, so I wish I could give more information, but happy to refer one of the, team members from Can.

June Neely: so we talked about this earlier, but you know. The big event that you guys put on is the Hollywood Climate Summit. and this is, the fifth year that you guys are doing it. 'cause you guys are doing it again in June.so I've, gone for the past two years. It's an amazing event.

Definitely anyone who's listening should, should go.But just to give the listeners a little info, it's a multi-day conference event, bringing together Hollywood activists and organizations to discuss and take on climate. you've had a lot of big name Hollywood stars and all these amazing panels and events.

 I can't imagine, undertaking it must be to put on such an event. So how did the summit, come to be and. what has been the process of putting it on every year?

Allison Begalman: Sure. It came as a. A call to action to bring in new voices into this movement in, in entertainment and younger voices. And you know, including more bipoc leaders, black and indigenous leaders in the movement. and also just making it more accessible globally. 'cause we live stream our conference and we have thousands of people join all over the world.

I think last few years we have like 50 over 50 countries represented and our goal is to grow that and to help. These countries with we're climate, media movements grow as well, however we can. But now, and I mentioned this before. Yeah. So we're, at an interesting time where the summit has grown so much.

it was at the Academy Motion, picture Arts and Sciences last year. And, I can't announce this year's stuff yet, but it's just as exciting and very, very, grateful for all the support we've been getting. But we are turning the whole summit into a nonprofit that's a full year round.not just event, but organization that is supporting the ecosystem of climate and media.

We have several programs. Our first program, obviously is the summit, our main conference in June every year. Our second program is our, pitch fest, our writing climate pitch fest, which takes place at NBC. our next one will actually be in March, which it actually was for the year before because of the strike.

So we have to push it, but we're gonna be in March of NBC and that it creates a pipeline for writers with scripts, right now narrative, but hoping to bridge out into other, types of. Writing as well. and then if you make it to the finals, about 20 finalists. Get to go pitch to executives, agents and managers, at NBC, which is super exciting.

And then, our content marketplace, which I think I can say a little bit about, we're gonna be showcasing several films this year at the summit, which is very

June Neely: Oh and there'll be more information coming out about that, but we'll have a review panel. and so that that will be a piece of what this program is.

Allison Begalman: And then third program is our consulting. And our trainings. We have a lot of experience consulting. We've worked with many. level organizations and obviously have worked with my company. Yeah. Impact, which has worked with many organizations as well. so we are gonna be really pushing that forward in a big way and helping folks who maybe want to, you know, if you're in a large company and you wanna understand, oh, well how do I access entertainment folks and media makers and really get their language and, and be able to support.

Their needs with my product. That obviously is very much vetted by us. how can I, how can I message better, you know, that's something that we are helping folks do. And then, our final program is really just our growth of the model of popups. So being able to, be at, south by Southwest.

 doing an event. and we've done Sundance. We've done, many other spaces. So our goal is to be able to just bring it to other places and share our model with others, and especially globally being able to work with, the global south, stakeholders. So much Hollywood going on there.

And we should be able to, work with lots of different leaders and amplify their needs and messaging. So that's the summit, and we're excited to expand. We're excited to keep working with our partners, but also to branch out.

June Midroll: /You're listening to Story for Good. If you like the show, please follow and subscribe to keep updated when new episodes drop. And if you're looking for more social impact goodness, but in your inbox, sign up for our newsletter at storyforgoodpod.com./

June Neely: And you guys have a wealth of information on the website as well. 'cause I, when I was poising I was like, wait a second, this is all the videos from like the past couple of years. Like, I didn't even know this is here. This is amazing. And then you guys have, the action toolkit too.what can people kind of find in the toolkit?

Allison Begalman: Yeah, I mean, we make them every year for, with all of our programming, we make sure that every piece of programming that comes out there are action items associated with that. So at the end of every program, whether that's live or virtual, there'll be, a slide at the end still with our speakers that says, you know, here's, here's what you need to do, or here's what you can do.

 we will always do that. And I think, you know, our goals long term. to be able to insert a lot of those actions within our program when it comes to the conference, right? So like really getting to know our community and the, the issues that they're facing even more to then make sure that our strategy reflects that.

that's something that I think. I think is different about the way we program. I wouldn't say every conference is really building that issue specific strategy.

and so I, and also we're all climate communicators programming, so I feel like that's also a benefit. But yeah, I'm happy to, share resources that, I don't know if you put that at the end of the podcast, but

June Neely: Oh, I certainly, yeah. No, I love offering resources to, listeners. 'cause I only know so much and I'm happy to lift up other people. Like, Hey, this person knows so much more. Check it out. this is great info.

Allison Begalman: Totally.

June Neely: If a filmmaker or writer, wanted to get into the climate space or kind of incorporate it into their own, storytelling, how would you suggest they get started?

Allison Begalman: So what I always do is I reference. All of our partner organizations, when people ask us this, obviously if you wanna get into event producing and climate communications, I'm totally your girl, on that. But in terms of, Hey, I am a producer and I want to be able to greenify my set, or, Hey, I'm a writer and I just, I wanna write a, comedy that's just about life, but is rooted in the climate.

Crisis because we are in it. here's what I would suggest on the writing end of things. one great resource is the Good Energy Playbook, which will totally include that at the end. It really sort of grounds climate as something that is really, can be infused in so many different ways. They showcase like how to make it funny.

they showcase shows that have already done it. so I would suggest that the playbook, obviously looking at the NRDC. So Rewrite the Future Program, which is an incredible program who we work with all the time, and their, their library of experts and their resources is just so extensive, so highly suggest looking at them.

And then if you're in the UK, I. There's Climate Spring, which is, doing incredible work there. And, I would suggest checking out their website and their services, or just, you know, chatting with them. And then for production, I mean the Green Production Guide is awesome, through the Sustainable Production Alliance.

So I believe it's Green production guide.com. I'll, confirm that. but I would just look there 'cause that's going to give you everything you need if you're a producer. And if you're still in school, you should look at the Green Film School Alliance because they are providing tons of resources and support types of materials you should think about.

so, Scriptation is the top paperless app in Hollywood, used on thousands of sets across the industry, and it makes your entire process. You know, paperless, but also just more efficient because you can immediately, put something on there and then give notes and then have those notes reflected in everyone's on your crew's, scripts instead of printing out a whole new batch, which is silly.

 Uh, as well as like many other incredible features that I couldn't even say in this whole meeting. 'cause there's so many great ones. Uh, so I would suggest checking out temptation and then Earth Angel. And Green Spark Group are both great. Folks, if you're looking to hire a sustainable production person or team to support you, it's a whole process.

So if you do have a budget, it's a nice thing to have. And they can also help you save money a lot of times, reusing materials, thinking about the way we're, donating our food and, and setting up our power, like all those things are really important to think about. I could go on for pretty much ever, but I would say those are like great place to start if you're like.

Starting to dip your toe in things.

June Neely: No, that's all very great. That's a lot of great information.

Allison Begalman: It's a lot of information. yeah.

June Intro: Hey listeners, if you're trying to remember all of these very helpful resources, don't worry. I got you. You can find links to all of these resources that she listed on the website under this episode and at the resources tab at storyforgoodpod. com.

June Neely: it's always hard when you're initially starting something new and you're trying to learn all these new processes, new changes. But I feel like once Hollywood gets to a point where this becomes an easy standard, it's just, it's just gonna be so much easier, you know, environmentally.

And then I think production wise as well.

Allison Begalman: Totally. And I think that's why what we're doing, what we're doing at the summit, because it's really a culture change. Like if everyone in entertainment is like, oh yeah, like I talk about this stuff with my friends and like, this is second nature to me. This is what I. Makes sense. Like that's how things shift because wouldn't you make sure that you're looking at that process sustainably?

Why wouldn't you be thinking about these things like brushing your teeth? And so that's why we try to speak the professional language when we're talking about climate, because then I'm like having drinks with someone and then you know, we're talking about this instead of. the Bear, even though I love the bear, the bear is great, but like, know, there's other things to talk about outside of just like what TV show you.

Like. There's so many other really complex issues and if we don't know how to speak about them or bridge, with folks who maybe don't have the same perspective, like, it's gonna be tough because, things are in a strange place right now and we need to be able to be uncomfortable. So. That took a turn, but that's where I'm at.

June Neely: No, it was, it's what you said is spot on. So I think it's, perfect for, what we've been talking about.

Allison Begalman: Yeah.

June Neely: So if people want to get involved, either with the summit or with what you guys do, what's the best way to, I guess, contact you or, become involved?

Allison Begalman: It's a good question. We'll definitely have some volunteer positions open for the summit soon. We're. Currently hiring in like a part-time contractor capacity, a social media person and communications manager for the summit. obviously it would go till the end of June, then who knows, maybe we'll fundraise and have a full-time team by then.

 so that those positions are open, if, and anyone can go to, our website, I believe it's like Hollywood climate summit.com/job opportunities. and apply. And then we will have volunteer roles. We haven't put those out yet, but if anyone reaches out to info@hollywoodclimatesummit.com and says, Hey, I wanna leverage X skill, this is the amount of time I have, we will do our best to include you and, chat with you about that and see if there are also other opportunities.

I would say those are like the best ways. I think the Summit really has the most opportunities because, yeah, impact is a couple projects and we're really gearing up for the summit. I also would say that if there's anyone listening who really wants to be in this space and doesn't know how, I think especially like with impact campaigns and producing, I would look at Doc Society actually, and all of their materials because they really just give you a, an understanding of how.

This work exists and the ecosystem and it looks like to be an impact producer. And I also think from the case studies they provide, you can sort of see how your skills can translate as an impact producer to other types of professions. 'cause we all know right now that it's a really tough job market.

June Neely: A lot of people are out of work in all spaces, but especially in media. so not a bad time to start learning about. your essential skills and how they can translate in a way that'll make you happy. So with every interview I do, we always end with the same kind of five rapid ish questions. so the first question is, name one TV show or film that has had a profound effect on you and why.

Allison Begalman: Oh my gosh.okay. TV show or film had a profound effect on me.I mean like my, like Go-to from like college like eternal sunshine of the Spotless Mind. which I'm, sure that's like an overused one, but it, was so creative and it showed me the potential of this industry and the beauty that can come from like, such original ideas, and just made me excited about being in this industry.

And I, I really try to, every time I feel sad about everyone being unemployed and like all these things happening, I always go back to like some of those like north stars, the seeds that got me excited about being in this industry and remembering that like. There's an ebb and flow and what up must come down and around and, and we will rebuild.

So, not to say that industry's like on fire, but it's, tough. So I just, wanna, you know, temper that eternal sunshine. Watch it if you haven't.

June Neely: That's fantastic. I do remember watching that film and like, I think I had to study the script in film school.and yeah, it's, it's definitely a fantastic film. So the second question, which I feel like this might be cheating 'cause this is what you do, but what is the cause closest to your heart?

Allison Begalman: I just have to say climate change, because it just affects everyone and no, not one person is not gonna be affected by climate change and everyone already is. And I also think to give it a little bit of hope, like I also feel like. wouldn't have kept working in this space if I didn't find such beautiful community from it.

So many of my friends now, and like I consider them family, I would do anything for them. We work together, but we also are in this movement every single day seeing things and then not changing, and they keep going and we keep going. And so I would say climate, but not just because it's an important issue because of the people who are fighting.

June Neely: name one nonprofit you would love to lift up right now.

Allison Begalman: Wow. I love that. Well, oh, our friends at Walk Good, LA They just, I'm pretty sure they just opened their studio. Maybe I, the Walk Good yard. So you should check them out. W Good. it is created by many incredible folks, including Etienne Maurice. started as a grassroots movement, after the murder of George Floyd, and they brought together.

Hundreds and hundreds of folks, especially Bipoc folks to do yoga for free. And it became a movement, like every time I've gone, it's been hun like hundreds of people, outside on a Sunday. And then they've now transitioned it into many other services in the mental health space, focusing on the Bipoc community.

And I now I have a space that's opening up a yoga studio. Believe in South Los Angeles. So walk good LA check them out. They're incredible. And go do some yoga there.

June Neely: Oh, they sound amazing. I'm definitely gonna check it out.question number four. If you could collaborate with anyone, who would it be?

Allison Begalman: Anyone, Right. you doing this to me? I don't know. Oh my gosh. I'm stressed.

 Um. I mean, I feel like everyone says Adrian Marie Brown, but I, feel like every time I read their work and listen to them talk, like I'm surprised, like maybe I don't know as much about them as other folks do, but. Their organizing strategies, like the relational organizing strategies are so, so strong and they're such an incredible writer. and they also like into magic and,spirituality, and hearing them talk, I just, feel something like lit up in myself, so I'm definitely curious.

If I ever had the opportunity to work with them, maybe invite them to the summit and, I feel like it would just be a really great experience for me to be able to like learn from someone who has so much knowledge and patience and don't know, so wise. So you put me on, on the spot there.

But that's emergent strategy if you have not read that or pleasure activism, which is behind me. Gotta get on that. Best books.

June Neely: And the last question, which is always a silly question, if you could choose one song to play every time you walked into a room, what would you choose and why?

Allison Begalman: Oh my gosh, such a good question. What song would I play? Okay, well I'm not, I'm gonna pick one that people

June Neely: I.

Allison Begalman: because I feel like, come on, like I'm not gonna get all indie pop on you, but jump by Van Halen. Like, can you imagine like walking into a room or, you know, this one's more, sorry, I'm doing another one, but this one's a little more like cheesy.

But my Bat mitzvah song that I came into was the Venga Boys. We like to party from the Six Flags theme song. 'cause my bat mitzvah was Six Flags themed because I I did that. So it could be that too. but jump feels more, adult feels more sophisticated, but like whimsy, you know.

June Neely: I love that it was Six Flags themed. Were you actually at

Six Flags or you just, that was just a theme.

Allison Begalman: no, I know I wasn't at Six Flag, no. Basically, as a kid I was obsessed with going to Six Flags because I did my first upside down ride Medusa at, I'm from Jersey, they had one of the biggest six flags. and then my friends and I just had nothing else to do. So we just got season passes and just spent all our time there.

 Um, which actually was very cost effective because, you know, we were just doing that and. Yeah, I just, I became obsessed with it. I will say now I have not been to a Six Flags in many years.

June Neely: I want to thank everyone for listening and thank you, Allison for coming on the show.

Allison Begalman: Thanks for having me, June.

June Outro: Thank you for joining me today on this episode. Story for Good is created, hosted, and produced by June Neely. For more information about the organizations or projects talked about in the show, or for media and sponsorship inquiries, visit us at storyforgoodpod.com. If you enjoyed this episode, please like and subscribe to the show, and be sure to share it with a friend.