Tag: music

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RIP and Defeat the Madness – Ep 19 – Tola Talks Texas

Today the magic numbers are 2 and 4, that is to say, we’re giving two RIP shout outs to rock and comedy legends, Meat Loaf and Louie Anderson, plus there’s only two (or maybe four) more episodes of Tola Talks Texas. We’re also talking about the four NFL teams left in the playoffs after their super close games this weekend – 49ers, Rams, Bengals and Chiefs – plus the top four stories including kudos to tennis champion, Martina Navratilova, for her comments regarding China’s Peng Shuai, as well as kudos to the peaceful protesters in the Defeat the Madness rally on Washington, DC. And no worries if you’re getting crushed with your stocks or cryptocurrency holdings (like I am). Because it’s a blood bath out there that’s bound to rebound. But hey, what do I know.

Have an awesome Monday everyone, and get your workout in!

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Cancel Culture Reboot – Ep 16 – Tola Talks Texas

Today we’re talking about the cancel culture (aka the call-out culture) as a modern form of ostracism and why it should be rebooted, or more specifically, treated individually on a case-by-case basis. And kudos to the new employment website, redballoon.work, for their efforts to value freedom of expression and go beyond the cancel culture where employees are free to work without fear of being on the wrong side of their employer’s politics. No doubt Americans are in need of a higher functioning democracy with less censorship and less judgement upon others for their personal choices, not to mention the need for everyone to embrace Love the Five Y’s – Step 22 of my book, How to Drink from the Fountain of Youth. Plus get ready for a long Crypto Winter – or not if you ask me – although there are plenty of reasons why Bitcoin is poised for a precipitous decline.

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Suicide Sucks – Ep 8 – Tola Talks Texas

Today we’re talking about the 10th leading cause of death in the United States: suicide. To put it bluntly – and I say this numerous times on the show – suicide sucks so don’t f**king do it! Because not only does it eliminate nearly 50,000 lives every year, that’s 1 death every 11 minutes, it has far-reaching impacts including serious emotional, physical and economic costs to society. With depression and anxiety among teens and young adults at an all time high, especially with the fear mongering from COVID and Omicron, suicide has to be thwarted and stopped. Not to mention that anxiety affects 1/3 of adults and adolescents in the United States today, further complicating matters. And kudos to all schools K-12 for their prevention efforts against bullying and other forms of abuse that adversely affect students of all ages. So what should you do if you’re anxious and distraught: save yourself with fitness and yoga, and more specifically, come take my Tola Yoga class at Plano Athletic Club starting this Saturday at 12:30p. That’s right, Tola Yoga is back, and I’d love to see you there front and center. Because who doesn’t want to empower their mind, body and soul while drinking from the Fountain of Youth? Plus kudos to the David Bowie estate as well as Bruce Springsteen, aka The Boss, for such massive sales of their music publishing rights. PS – good luck to my father with his cancer surgery at Sloan Kettering today…you’re gonna rock it! Peace – R

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Homeless in America – Ep 4 – Tola Talks Texas

Today we’re talking about the 580,000+ homeless people in America, most of those individual males and the rest single moms with children. That’s way too many, and with the help of those of us who are not homeless – including my bodybuilding idol from 1979 and seven time Mr. Olympia champion, Arnold Schwarzenegger, we need to end this epidemic now. Plus a special RIP shout-out to Man’s World Gym owner and mentor from my childhood, Joe Dodd, as well as the legendary football coach turned world-class TV broadcaster, John Madden. Not to mention more weightlifting tips from my workout today, and of course, some inspiring talk about holding the line when it comes to your cryptocurrencies…like I’m doing, even as they plunge even further.

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A Decade to Remember

Rich Tola – Filmmaker | Author | Creator, Tola Yoga

Since my childhood summers playing baseball at Nottingham Little League, I’ve been taught that the best hitters always perform in the late innings. So finish strong everyone, and have a happy and safe holiday season!

I also hope this decade has been as good to you as it has me, as this marks my most amazing one yet beginning with my film, Boulevard Zen. Exactly 10 years ago this week we premiered at the Silent Movie Theater in Hollywood. Thanks to everyone who supported me, i.e., watched or read or listened to any of my creations since the film. And a special thanks for taking my Tola Yoga classes.

No doubt I’ve built an awesome foundation in developing and producing original content as well as successfully crossing the finish line – on time and on budget – more than 15 times. Not to mention teaching my modern-day fitness style of yoga to more than 20,000 students throughout the US.

Looking forward to the next 10. Peace – R

Rich Tola productions this decade:

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Boulevard Zen – 10 Years Later

Hey everyone, hope you’re thinking, speaking and feeling positive, and most importantly, hope you’re getting your daily workouts in!

I certainly am. Not to mention I’m especially positive and grateful because today marks the 10-year anniversary of my feature film, Boulevard Zen, where “Life’s a boulevard and sometimes you get stuck.” What a day it was back in 2009, my first Hollywood premiere. Flash forward 10 years and our protagonist, the no-bullshit, east-coast attorney turned yoga master, Bobby D’Angelo, is at it again in my award winning short film, Zen Diaries: The Lockdown.

Watch the Boulevard Zen movie trailer and the 21-minute short below, plus check-out our theme song, Life’s Boulevard, performed by LA’s Best Male Vocalist of the Year, Erick Macek. Stay focused on your goals everyone, and keep rockin’ your dreams. Peace – R

Boulevard Zen is also available on Amazon click here

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Greetings from Austin!

Another day, another workout…in another great American city:

Austin, Texas

How fortunate I am to experience and explore the #1 place to live in the United States for the past two years (U.S. News & World Report), the “City of the Violet Crown” with its unofficial slogan “Keep Austin Weird”, the state capital of Texas as well as the southernmost state capital in the contiguous 48 states, the “Live Music Capital of the World” and of course, home to the music, film and interactive festival, South by Southwest (SXSW), not to mention the Austin City Limits Festival (ACL) held every year in Zilker Park.

Austin also marks the 7th major U.S. city in as many years where I’ll be teaching my fitness style of Tola Yoga through the end of July. Because no doubt life is all about the journey while relentlessly pursuing your passion, regardless of where it takes you.

Have an amazing Father’s Day everyone, and get your workout in!

Peace – R

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Tola Talks with Recording Artist & Entrepreneur, Moses Stone

Another great show with the multi-talented recording artist and entrepreneur, Moses Stone.  We’re talking all things music and movies this week including the new Star Wars: The Last Jedi, plus listening to two original songs from this charismatic rapper.

It’s also the final Tola Talks of 201 7, so we’re highlighting the best of the best including If I Were President and thank you shout-outs to my celebrity guests.  Not to mention some timeless fitness & Tola Yoga tips for 2018, and of course, the Get Your Shit Together Award.

Thanks again everyone, for tuning in these past few months…it’s been a blast!

Stay tuned for the next generation of Tola Talks to be announced on my website www.RichTola.com and my socials:  @richtola

Happy Holidays…and may the force be with you!  Peace – R

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Tola Talks with DJ Rebekka Starr and MC Freddy Figs

We’re talking all things Movies & Music today with my special guests, DJ Rebekka Starr and MC Freddy Figs. Starting with their favorite genre of Hip-Hop, we discuss the history of music from the early 1970’s to today’s wildly popular Electronica (EDM) and the Top 10 DJs that rule the raves.

On a beautiful sunny day in the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles, Tola also Talks about movies that spotlight “The Valley” including We Are Your Friends (Zac Efron) and Elektra Luxx (Carla Gugino), plus what this infamous basin is really know for: strip malls, sushi restaurants in strip malls, and of course, porn stars. We also pay tribute to the King of Hip-Hop, Eminem, and the late Adult Film Actress, August Ames, an unfortunate victim of cyberbullying. Thanks for tuning-in everyone! Peace – R

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Tola Talks with Singer/Songwriter, Cooper Phillip

Always a great time having Cooper Phillip in the studio…she’s rocks it in person and on the radio! Learn how she seeks balance, comfort and happiness amidst the ever-so ripply waters of the music business, plus find out more about her journey from Russia to Hollywood that began seven years ago.

For all you Halloween lovers, we also talk about Vatican sanctioned exorcisms, the highest grossing film in history with 10 Academy Award nominations , The Exorcist, and of course, my most delightful “10 Most Frightful Pickup Lines”.

Not to mention we play three amazing songs from the multi-talented singer-songwriter including her new hit single, Party By Myself.  Listen now: