Gratitude isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a life-changing practice. It’s the energy that fuels our happiness and resilience. When we take just 10 seconds a day to appreciate those who’ve helped us, we can shift our entire mindset.
On today’s Tola Talks, Rich shares insights on gratitude, societal changes over 50 years, and personal growth tips, blending personal stories with research to inspire daily positivity and reflection. Plus, fun facts and birthday shout-outs to Eric Clapton, Tracy Chapman, Warren Beaty and Celine Dion.
Rich shares personal stories about his mother, historical milestones, and life lessons, blending heartfelt tribute with educational insights on innovation, history, and personal growth. Plus, a Happy Birthday shout-out to the Queen of the 90’s film and TV…Sharon Stone.
Watch now and discover: → Personal stories and tributes to Rich’s mother. → Historical milestones: invention of the telephone and the Dot-com boom. → Happy Birthday to Sharon Stone! → The importance of passion, pride, and resilience. → Rich’s poem, Ode to My Mother.
Join Rich as he dives into the Top 10 reasons to reconsider social media for tweens, reflecting on personal experiences from the disco era to today’s digital age. Discover insights on mental health, social skills, and the impact of screen time. Plus, explore the latest trends in crime rates and the rise of micro-vacations. Don’t miss this engaging episode of Tola Talks!
Watch now and discover: → Using social media 3 hrs/day doubles the risk of anxiety and depression for tweens. → Inappropriate content online can lead to self-harm, eating disorders and bad viral challenges. → Social media platforms design features (likes) that can lead to addiction and impulse control. → 2025 crime data throughout 35 U.S. cities found across-the-board decreases from 2019. → Elon Musk & Tesla’s Optimus robot is coming in 2026, with unsupervised Robotaxis already in Austin, TX.
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In this episode of Tola Talks, metaphorically speaking and with the utmost compassion, Rich Tola gives his Top 10 Reasons why we’re going To Hell in a Hand Basket. From World Peace to American Peace – or lack thereof – Tola touches upon obesity rates, reading and math proficiency scores of today’s tweens and teens, the U.S. Federal budget deficit reaching astronomical levels, the cost of living in the U.S. of more than $6500 per household, as well as the recent Gallup poll with Ethics rating of U.S. professions at record lows. Rich also gives a Movie Review of the new blockbuster by James Cameron, Avatar: Fire and Ash. He also recounts personal tragedies plus his beliefs on how immigrants today can and should become U.S. citizens.
Watch now and discover: → World Peace and American Peace has been a challenge for all earth’s citizens. → The average of a new hire in the United States is 42 years old. → The latest Gallup poll says Ethics ratings for U.S. professionals are at record lows. → Movie review of the new James Cameron blockbuster, Avatar: Fire and Ash → Why immigrants have made the U.S. should become citizens after 5 years.
Hey everyone, hope your 2024 is off to a great start!
As for small victories along the way, on behalf of the very talented cast and crew of my short film, Zen Diaries: The Lockdown, we’re honored to receive a 4-Star Review from Short Films Matter. Here’s what they say:
* * * * A drama that delves into the transformative power of confronting personal weaknesses.
SYNOPSIS: Ten years after his wife was killed in a drive-by shooting gone bad, former hot-shot attorney turned yoga master, Bobby D’Angelo, is dealing with another shooter in his life. This time causing a police lockdown of his Los Angeles studio. A zenful place “where self-doubt goes to die”, but it’s also where tempers start to flare between students and strangers as Bobby vows to ‘protect his family’ while trying hard to inspire and not insult them with his tough love words of wisdom.
REVIEW: Rich Tola’s short sequel to his 2009 feature film ‘Boulevard Zen’ takes center stage during a police lockdown of his yoga studio, prompted by an external situation, yet it skillfully weaves a narrative focused on internal conflicts. The crux of the story revolves around an outsider forced to confront his realities, under the candid guidance of the brutally honest Bobby D’Angelo, portrayed by Tola himself. The ensemble cast navigates the anxieties stemming from external conflict, with A.P. Moses delivering a compelling performance as Mr. Sloan, a character grappling with weightissues and self-esteem.
Tola’s film delves deep into the theme of personal transformation, emphasizing the need to confront and overcome our weaknesses. The societal implications of these individual struggles add depth to the narrative, creating a thought-provoking ensemble piece that resonates with universal themes. The well-acted cast brings authenticity to their roles, complemented by Salvadore Sclafani’s cinematography, which adds visual richness to the storytelling. The sequel stands out as a commendable film, offering a compelling exploration of self-discovery and the potential for positive change within individuals and society at large.
FILM: 20-minute dramedy (completed from start-to-finish in less than 90 days for $2,000) starring Rich Tola, Jonny Haug, Kayla Moore, Romi Valenti, Anita Davenport, Jennifer Cheung, and A.P. Moses.
Tola Talks about the cowardly ambush in Ferguson, the invention of Palcohol – the new powdered alcohol, and the three boys who stepped up to defend a girl with Down syndrome at their basketball game. Plus, it’s Throwback Thursday so we’er going back 40 years to 1975 when Bruce Springsteen released Born to Run and the Godfather Part II won 6 Oscars, not to mention personal stories about bullying & Little League Baseball. Weekdays on youtube.com/tolatalks
