THE POPUP

The first time I met Jose Faus, I was at work, filming a video that told the stories of local artists. During filming, we had him read a poem. When he started to read, he put me in a state of awe. The power of an awe moment can be briefly described as microdosing mindfully and that is what Faus did to me in those moments, his words transformed me into a new world. I wasn’t at work anymore, I was now at a still lake witnessing two swans flying over the glassy water. Most people would witness this scene without thinking twice but for Faus this was a moment to wonder in. He didn’t just see these two swans flying but he related them to human relationships, flying in tandem off by one beat. 

When talking with Faus, I wanted to discover how to get to that awe moment he so easily put me in. His answer was more complex than you would think, again at first thought you would think it is simple, but it is not. His answer was to observe. Technically we observe moments everyday, all day long, but when diving deeper you find yourself skimming the scene and not really taking it fully in. I realized this when Faus gave the example of a bus stop. There is nothing more boring than waiting for a bus, instead of leaning into that moment, most people would allow distractions to take over like your phone. But, when truly observing, there's nothing boring here. We can watch how people interact with others. Do they circle in conversation or line up? Is this the first time people are riding a bus or is this a daily activity? Is there bus etiquette? How is the weather interacting with us, is it cold? Are people bundled up in coats or are their teeth scattering? Is it raining? Are umbrellas being used to stay dry or are people sticking out their tongue to catch raindrops? Is it hot, are people angry underneath their layers of sweat? How are the animals interacting now that we are in their space? The list of details can go on and on as long as you stay observing, you will find the story. You will find the awe. 

“There are a lot of things you could look at to daydream your day way,” Faus told me as he spoke about this bus stop. He wasn’t giving advice, but I took it as such. And it’s a challenge I want to give to you: when you see one moment, try to see a million. 

As a young girl and adult woman Mary Mendoza has been a songbird to light up the lives of many – including myself. 

“I have always been a writer. Growing up I would write lyrics for my mother and tape them on her mirror,” Mendoza explains. “For the longest time she thought that I was writing someone else’s lyrics but one day I told her the lyrics were mine. She couldn’t believe it.” 

Mendoza smiles to herself at this sweet memory because she knew that writing has always been a part of her self-expression. This is just one small example of how she spreads her love and light through words. On a bigger scale, Mendoza has recently released an album called Bluebird, in collaboration with her band, Feel Good. The release party will be hosted on September 1st, 2023 at the Waiting Room in Omaha, NE. 

The last song in the album is called Fly Away Bluebird and has a significant message that can resonate with everyone: 

“ Could it be I do deserve 

A taste of freedom, even sweeter 

Than the rumors I had heard 

Fly away bluebird 

Could it be what really hurt 

Is the cage that kept you 

Like a burden 

Now its broken 

Fly away 

Fly away

You know your cage is broken now 

If you stay 

You’ll never get to figure out how 

The wind in your wings feel

Pinch yourself so you know that it’s real ” 

When asking Mendoza if she was the bird in this song, her answer was, “I think so.” But, when I sat with these lyrics I realized we are all this bird. For how many of us are feeling trapped by our jobs, relationships, finances, or fears? The answer is too many of us…The first step in stepping out of this cage is to recognize who the gatekeeper in your life is, identify it, write it out, or speak it out so it can stop hosting a life inside of you. 

Once you identify what’s holding you back you will ask yourself, “Now, what?” But, that is a question only you can answer. The power of this song is to help you release toxicity so there is space for newness to come.

Mendoza photographed at the Waiting Room, the location of her album release party.

Ebrima Abraham Sissay, is a documenter and writer of real things. He grew up on the smallest island in West Africa called, Gambia, which stretches about 450 km along the Gambia River and is surrounded by Senegal, except for a 60-km Atlantic oceanfront. As a child, he grew up smelling the ocean and tinkering with technology like building radios. 

“I have always been praised for being a good kid; I played soccer, spray-painted, drew calligraphy, and even played the drums. I did a lot of activities that people found cool, which means a lot of other kids hung around me. However, I hung out with kids who didn’t have a voice because of my stutter,” said Sissay. 

About six years ago, after Sissay moved to America, he started going to therapy. Through therapy he learned that his stutter was manifested from a series of traumatic experiences he faced as a child. He was encouraged to start writing about his progression in therapy which is how he discovered his skill and love for documenting life. 

Currently, Sissay is the Founder and CEO of The Freedom Project which is a modern-day multicultural social enterprise focused on mental health education & equity. In other words, this organization is a media company that tackles social issues through legislation, politics, and film. 

Their latest project is a film called, I Have A Boyfriend, that is based on a real story that happened in Westport KC, MO.  The film premiere is Friday, July 28th, 2023 at the Kauffman Center. Their pledge and purpose is for change-makers to see this film and take action.  

To learn more about Sissay or his efforts to make a change, watch our full length conversation above.

Sissay photographed outside the Kauffman Center, the location of his film premiere.