All About The Joy

Why Joel Lava Is Running for Congress: Accountability, Community, and Real Leadership

In this Private Lounge conversation, Carmen sits down with Joel Lava, who is running for the U.S. House of Representatives in California’s 30th District. Joel talks openly about why he decided to run, what pushed him from activism into a congressional race, and why he believes Democratic leadership has lost its sense of urgency and fight.Joel explains his frustration with the lack of impeachment discussions, the importance of Rule 9, and why he believes elected officials should be mobilizing communities instead of avoiding hard conversations. He shares how his weekly rallies outside Rep. Laura Friedman’s office grew from two people to dozens, and why accountability and accessibility from representatives matter.Carmen and Joel dig into the realities of running for office, the pressures candidates face, and how good people can get swallowed by the institution. They discuss AOC, the Taiwan moment, double standards in politics, and the expectations placed on public figures.Joel also talks about gun violence, the influence of gun and ammo manufacturers, the Tiahrt Amendment, and why focusing only on “assault weapons bans” misses the real problem. He breaks down how little the public knows about gun brands, why that’s intentional, and what meaningful reform would actually require.This is a candid, detailed, and deeply human conversation about politics, accountability, community power, and what it really means to step into public service.Topics include:• Why Joel decided to run for Congress• Rule 9, impeachment, and Democratic strategy• Community mobilization and political courage• Town halls, accessibility, and constituent accountability• AOC, Taiwan, and media double standards• The realities of campaigning and public expectations• Gun violence, the Tiahrt Amendment, and industry influence• Affordability, accountability, and the future of leadershipThank you for stopping by. Please visit our website: All About The Joy and add, like and share. You can now watch the livestream version of the show on YouTube at @CarmenLezeth You can also support us by shopping at our STORE - We'd appreciate that greatly. Also, if you want to find us anywhere on social media, please check out the link in bio page. Music By Geovane Bruno, Moments, 3481Editing by Team A-JHost, Carmen Lezeth DISCLAIMER: As always, please do your own research and understand that the opinions in this podcast and livestream are meant for entertainment purposes only. States and other areas may have different rules and regulations governing certain aspects discussed in this podcast. Nothing in our podcast or livestream is meant to be medical or legal advice. Please use common sense, and when in doubt, ask a professional for advice, assistance, help and guidance.

Billionaires, Broken Politics, and the SOTU We Couldn’t Watch

Carmen and guest co‑host Billy take the State of the Union as a starting point to examine the deeper fractures in American politics. They dig into the outsized influence of billionaires, the fallout of Citizens United, Fox News distortion, media silos, and the collapse of political decorum. The conversation moves through wealth inequality, the healthcare crisis, GoFundMe medicine, and the moral erosion shaping today’s political landscape. With blunt honesty and lived experience, they explore what this moment reveals about democracy, culture, and the forces pulling the country apart.Thank you for stopping by. Please visit our website: All About The Joy and add, like and share. You can now watch the livestream version of the show on YouTube at @CarmenLezeth You can also support us by shopping at our STORE - We'd appreciate that greatly. Also, if you want to find us anywhere on social media, please check out the link in bio page. Music By Geovane Bruno, Moments, 3481Editing by Team A-JHost, Carmen Lezeth DISCLAIMER: As always, please do your own research and understand that the opinions in this podcast and livestream are meant for entertainment purposes only. States and other areas may have different rules and regulations governing certain aspects discussed in this podcast. Nothing in our podcast or livestream is meant to be medical or legal advice. Please use common sense, and when in doubt, ask a professional for advice, assistance, help and guidance.

The Lost Art of Manners: Dignity, Decency, and Why It Still Matters

In this episode, Carmen explores what manners truly represent — not as rigid rules or performative politeness, but as everyday acts of dignity, awareness, and human connection. Through personal stories and real‑world examples, she reflects on how small gestures like “please,” “thank you,” “excuse me,” and “I’m sorry” shape the way we move through shared spaces. Manners, as Carmen explains, were never just about sounding proper. They were about respect — for elders, for strangers, for the people we encounter in grocery aisles, offices, sidewalks, and everywhere in between. “Manners was about having a sense of dignity,” she says, and that dignity is something we offer each other through presence, consideration, and empathy. From knowing when to listen, when to speak, and when to walk away, to recognizing how our behavior impacts others, this episode is a reminder that the simplest habits can shift the energy around us. As Carmen puts it, “Manners are about simply saying, I see you, I know that I exist in the world with you.” A grounded, thoughtful conversation about decency, awareness, and the small choices that make us better to one another.Thank you for stopping by. Please visit our website: All About The Joy and add, like and share. You can now watch the livestream version of the show on YouTube at @CarmenLezeth You can also support us by shopping at our STORE - We'd appreciate that greatly. Also, if you want to find us anywhere on social media, please check out the link in bio page. Music By Geovane Bruno, Moments, 3481Editing by Team A-JHost, Carmen Lezeth DISCLAIMER: As always, please do your own research and understand that the opinions in this podcast and livestream are meant for entertainment purposes only. States and other areas may have different rules and regulations governing certain aspects discussed in this podcast. Nothing in our podcast or livestream is meant to be medical or legal advice. Please use common sense, and when in doubt, ask a professional for advice, assistance, help and guidance.

The Truths We Weren’t Taught

On this episode of Culture and Consequence, Andrea and I sit down for a wide‑open conversation about the state of American life — from healthcare and wealth to history, race, and the stories we were never taught. What starts with a simple question about GoFundMe and medical bills turns into a deeper look at how we’ve been shaped by propaganda, what we choose to believe, and why truth still matters if we want a better future.We talk about the Olympics, politics, education, and the uncomfortable moments that force real growth. We name the lies, honor the history that’s been erased, and reflect on what it means to stay awake in a country that often rewards denial. It’s candid, it’s layered, and it’s the kind of conversation that asks you to sit with the truth — even when it stings.Resources mentioned: Frederick Douglass Family Initiatives:https://fdfi.org/Kimberly Jones: How We Win:https://youtu.be/llci8MVh8J4?si=rBOMZB8JWm25xjo9History Channel’s Abraham Lincoln Documentary:  https://www.historychannel.com/Thank you for stopping by. Please visit our website: All About The Joy and add, like and share. You can now watch the livestream version of the show on YouTube at @CarmenLezeth You can also support us by shopping at our STORE - We'd appreciate that greatly. Also, if you want to find us anywhere on social media, please check out the link in bio page. Music By Geovane Bruno, Moments, 3481Editing by Team A-JHost, Carmen Lezeth DISCLAIMER: As always, please do your own research and understand that the opinions in this podcast and livestream are meant for entertainment purposes only. States and other areas may have different rules and regulations governing certain aspects discussed in this podcast. Nothing in our podcast or livestream is meant to be medical or legal advice. Please use common sense, and when in doubt, ask a professional for advice, assistance, help and guidance.

Kelly Quinn on Craft, Courage, and Building a Life in Acting

In this episode of The Private Lounge, Carmen sits down with actor Kelly Quinn for a candid, funny, and deeply honest conversation about the realities of building an acting career outside of Hollywood. Kelly opens up about her unexpected path from law enforcement to acting — including undercover work that required her to “blend in everywhere,” a skill she now recognizes as early training for the craft. Carmen and Kelly revisit their time studying with renowned acting coach Howard Fine, reflect on the shift from Los Angeles to Chicago’s more intimate casting landscape, and break down the surprising differences between the two markets. Kelly shares what it’s like to audition from anywhere — even a Disney hotel hallway while trying to film a full‑body slate — and how Chicago’s smaller community helped her gain traction and build meaningful creative relationships. They dive into the unglamorous truth of the industry, the emotional stamina required to face constant rejection, and the importance of creating your own work. Kelly talks about producing her first short, discovering sketch comedy, and learning to trust her instincts as an actor — especially after years of being told to tone herself down. She explains how embracing her authentic self transformed her auditions and made the work more joyful and alive. This episode is a grounded, generous look at the craft, the hustle, and the heart behind acting — perfect for anyone curious about the industry or navigating their own creative path.Thank you for stopping by. Please visit our website: All About The Joy and add, like and share. You can now watch the livestream version of the show on YouTube at @CarmenLezeth You can also support us by shopping at our STORE - We'd appreciate that greatly. Also, if you want to find us anywhere on social media, please check out the link in bio page. Music By Geovane Bruno, Moments, 3481Editing by Team A-JHost, Carmen Lezeth DISCLAIMER: As always, please do your own research and understand that the opinions in this podcast and livestream are meant for entertainment purposes only. States and other areas may have different rules and regulations governing certain aspects discussed in this podcast. Nothing in our podcast or livestream is meant to be medical or legal advice. Please use common sense, and when in doubt, ask a professional for advice, assistance, help and guidance.