August 12, 2025 • 20 mins
In this podcast episode, Lisa and Lauren chat with Cali Gilbert, the founder of Tower 15 Productions (https://www.tower15productions.com/), about using art as a way to reconnect with someone. From sparking shared memories to creating new ones, art has a unique way of bridging distances — both physical and emotional — and opening doors to deeper understanding.
Learn more about the Take an Art Break Movement on the Art is Moving website here.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Lisa (00:02):
Welcome to the Take an Art Break podcast.
Today, we're really excited.
We're with a friend and anartist, Cali Gilbert.
Cali, introduce yourself to ouraudience.
Cali (00:12):
Hi, everyone.
Thank you, first of all, forhaving me.
Thrilled to be here.
Kelly Gilbert, I considermyself an artist, and I'm an
author, photographer, filmmaker,and painter.
And I just, I'm a creative.
I love creating.
I'm the founder of Tower 15Productions.
which is a nonprofit, but wehave two missions, basically.
(00:33):
We produce social impactdocumentary films that raise
awareness and help inspirepositive change in the world.
And we also support womenthrough entrepreneurship,
mentoring, and training.
So I'm very passionate aboutsharing art, but also giving
back to our community as well.
Lauren (00:52):
Yeah, thank you for that introduction.
It's nice to have you here.
We wanted to talk today aboutthe question, how can art help
us reconnect with someone orsomething?
And I feel like that's a reallya question that you could
definitely answer consideringyour life and work and what
(01:15):
you're actually currently doing.
Cali (01:16):
Yeah, absolutely.
I guess it started back in...
2023, the end of 23, when mymom passed away.
And I moved my dad, who is alsoan artist, from the East Coast
in with me here in California.
And at the time, he had put hisart basically on hold to raise
(01:37):
a family and experience life.
And so he needed an outlet fornot only the grief of losing his
wife of 53 years, but also thishuge, huge transition of moving
to a new state, new house, neweverything, right?
And so I said, well, why don'twe resurrect your art?
(02:00):
And so when we found a house,we found a house in San Diego.
The first thing I did was Ibought him an art table.
and I sat it by the windowoverlooking the ocean, and that
became his space.
And it was wonderful because hewas able to tap into this
hidden gem that he had allalong, but had become dormant,
(02:24):
right?
And so it was really wonderfulto see him become alive again
through his art.
Lisa (02:32):
That's beautiful.
Cali (02:32):
And that's basically where it began.
And we have a little...
Little Kitty Kelly hasdecidedo o c
Speaker 00 (02:39):
and join
Speaker 01 (02:41):
us.
Hey, Kitty.
The muse is in the house.
Speaker 00 (02:44):
She's like, hi.
Right here, little girl.
So,
Speaker 01 (02:48):
um...
It was a huge transition,moving, the loss of a wife, your
mom.
How do you feel like art orcreativity connected you and
your dad?
I see your dad looking at theocean and creating and kind of,
because art is process, right?
How did it connect you two andheal you both?
Speaker 00 (03:08):
Yeah, it was so great because once I did that, I
was like, we need to createsomething that we can do
together.
And so we created a new brandcalled the Mermaid and the
Veteran because my dad's a20-year military veteran.
And we just started joininglocal art communities.
We joined the OceansideCarlsbad Art League.
(03:29):
We started doing these firstFriday art walks.
And really getting involved inthe community, which was, and he
loved it, right?
Because it's all new, right?
And so it was new friends andnew people and new experiences
that he was able to have.
And we did it together.
So it was really nice.
It was like, we're this packagedeal that went everywhere
(03:52):
together.
And it was so much fun.
We loved it.
Speaker 03 (03:55):
Yeah, it's funny.
Do you think you were morelikely to do it because...
you were doing it together.
I mean, like Lisa and
Speaker 02 (04:03):
I talk
Speaker 03 (04:04):
a lot, like we've done a lot more together because
we've been side by side.
And it's almost like you havethat person with you reminding
you like, number one, you can dothis.
And number two, like it's like,I'm right with, I'm right there
with you.
Exactly.
Speaker 00 (04:21):
Exactly.
Yeah.
And everywhere we went, thegreat thing about San Diego,
it's very military heavy.
And so it was incredible.
everybody just welcomed himwith open arms.
Right.
And I think that really helpedbecause it was, he was able to
share something that he wastruly passionate about to a
community that was verywelcoming.
And so it was like this win-winon, in every aspect of starting
(04:47):
over and, and, We moved out ofour San Diego place recently and
I looked back and I said, well,you know, that was the perfect
spot to land for him because itwas exactly what he needed.
He needed that community.
He needed to be able to getback to something that he loved
and to grow and to find thatthat's something that that
(05:09):
became a routine.
Right.
Because he needed thatstructure.
Speaker 02 (05:13):
And
Speaker 00 (05:13):
so that was huge for him.
And I think being able to do ittogether, we got to explore so
many things together, we createda new motto for us.
And it was every day is anadventure.
And where's life going to takeus right today.
And by doing so it was it trulywas an adventure.
We met new people, we had newexperiences.
(05:33):
And we got to do something thatwe love and enjoy it at the
same time.
So that was really great.
Speaker 01 (05:40):
Did you, through this whole process, it's been
like a year plus, right?
Speaker 00 (05:45):
Yeah.
Speaker 01 (05:46):
Have you seen your dad get younger, may it be,
through
Speaker 00 (05:51):
the process of art?
I've had so many people commenthow much younger he looks from,
because we documentedeverything, right?
It was literally like from thetime we were at the airport
about to cross the country toevery single step of the journey
we documented everything.
And even the first few months,my friends were saying, oh my
(06:11):
gosh, he's changed so much.
He looks so much younger,right?
And that's been amazing.
And what I've seen recently,which is very exciting, is that
he's attempting new aspects ofhis drawing.
He does pen and ink drawings.
And he's taking one aspect ofsomething, say a butterfly, And
(06:35):
that'll be the centerpiece.
And then he just allows hisimagination to create the rest
of it.
And so that's and he just getsso excited when he does that,
because it's like he's like, whoknew?
And so, yeah, that's beenreally exciting because it's
like he's he's evolving as anoff as an artist.
Right.
(06:55):
He's going to be 85 inNovember, but he's still growing
as an artist, which iswonderful to see.
Speaker 03 (07:00):
I love that, that that's still happening.
If you can imagine a versionwhere you guys weren't doing
this and then you are, if youcould give a comparison, what
has it done for the two of youindividually?
We know what it's done for youindividually, but what has it
(07:22):
done since you're doing ittogether?
Speaker 00 (07:25):
Well, it's allowed us to...
realize that there's unlimitedpossibilities out there, right?
There's, we both were, I mean,now we're making a movie, which
is we've already made one, we'remaking another one.
I would have never thought thatwould have been possible,
right?
And so when we made the firstone, it was basically this kind
(07:50):
of challenge from my filmmastermind group to create a
film, we did it last year, Andit was funny because at the time
it was like, I had so much onmy plate that I was like,
there's no way, no way, I just,I can't do this.
I was working on two books andhelped him write his memoirs and
(08:10):
all of this.
And then when the books weredone, I was like, you know, let
me go watch this Zoom call andsee what it's all about.
And I was like, oh, I could dothat.
We could do that, right?
And we made the film in twoweeks.
I mean, it was incredible.
Literally, it was just like theidea came.
It was called Paint and Snap.
And it was basically about howto take art and create the world
(08:36):
that we want to live in.
So, you know, like in themovie, Mary Poppins, when they
jump into the painting.
Right.
So it was kind of like, what ifwe created a painting of the
world that we want to live in?
Right.
And so we started doing that.
And it was so funny.
We just, you know, shot at thelocal park down the road and
just invited some friends.
(08:57):
And it's just like a quick 10minute film.
But it was so much fun becauseit was just like, OK, dad, let's
do this.
Let's do this.
You know, and he was like, sogung ho.
And so it was like, all right.
cool we made a film you knowand so this one he's like I
don't really I don't really wantto be in it but I do want to be
kind of like behind the scenesyou know and I was like
absolutely I'm like you'll be myproducer right so now we're
(09:21):
actually working on a film whichwe're really excited about
called Warriors Canvas and thisfilm is about how to take art
and writing and and use it as ahealing modality for veterans
suffering from PTSD.
And so same thing.
It's funny how I always saywhen you're in alignment with
(09:43):
something, everything flows,right?
And literally I had come upwith the idea as we were packing
up the San Diego place, wearrived in LA and the idea
started to flow.
And I reached out to someveteran organizations and
literally within hours, they'relike, yes, And we started
production, like, the next day.
(10:04):
I mean, it was crazy how fastit all came together.
And so, yeah, so things that wewould have never thought
possible, we're now doing, whichis really cool, because we're
like, okay, well, if we can dothis, then...
Yeah, I love
Speaker 03 (10:17):
that.
I love that.
Speaker 01 (10:19):
I love it too.
It's like you are living theartist's life or life is art,
you both.
And then it's like you're whathappens when you live in
creative life.
It's like pure potential, purepossibility, right?
Speaker 00 (10:32):
Exactly.
Yeah.
And like one of theorganizations that we reached
out to was, of course, the VAhere in L.A., And as I was
researching them, I found outthat they were actually having
an art festival at the end ofthe month.
And so I was like, oh, andthey're like, and the
submissions are still open.
I'm like, Dad,
Speaker 02 (10:51):
right?
Yeah.
Speaker 00 (10:52):
Right.
And so I reached out to the oneof the women involved.
And I said, you know, I'd liketo submit my dad's painting.
And she's like, absolutely.
Right.
And so we did that and went andmet her.
And she was incredible.
And we told her about the film.
And she's like, well, you'rewelcome to film whatever you
want when you're here.
And you know, having of coursethe veterans permission.
And she's like, but whateveryou want, you know, you're open
(11:14):
to do that.
And so it was just like, justanother piece of the puzzle.
Right.
Speaker 03 (11:18):
Yeah.
And I just, I'm thinking aboutjust this film that you're
working on now in terms of likethis idea of connection, right.
Of like, you're connectingveterans with each other,
veterans as artists to theworld.
And then the, the process thatthey're going to go through.
(11:38):
And it's like this, thistimeline of, you know, their
history and they've carried itwith them and they're going to
be able to communicate it andprocess it, but also connect
with it.
Speaker 02 (11:49):
Exactly.
Exactly.
Speaker 03 (11:52):
Kind of tell their story.
I mean, that's, I think that'sreally powerful.
And I love the aspect of that.
Like you're doing it with yourdad and the power that that has
with it.
I think like what I'm kind ofgleaning from this conversation
is that like obviously Lisa andI are like big proponents of one
(12:15):
individual can do anything, youknow, what you do do does
matter and you can have apositive impact on the world.
And we promote like just eventaking an art break is having a
positive impact.
But when you add a fellowperson that almost is that, you
know, is, is sort of going to beyour passion on those days
where you want to kind of runaway or shelter yourself and is,
(12:36):
is gonna, you know, carry,carry you through it.
And then you, you kind of havethat, potential that you just
keep climbing and climbing.
There's so much power in that.
Speaker 00 (12:47):
Yeah, absolutely.
Speaker 03 (12:48):
Yeah.
Speaker 01 (12:51):
What I love is like, um, Just in like, you're
telling a story, but elders andveterans, usually they're kind
of like marginalized, right?
We think of them.
So what I'm feeling is it'salmost like you are seeing them
through their art and then youare witnessing through their
(13:11):
art.
And your dad is like a hugetestimony to that, right?
Speaker 00 (13:15):
Yeah.
And the cool thing, though, isthat, you know, every veteran
has their own unique story,right?
Yeah.
So this is their outlet ofbeing able to express that story
in only the way that they can,right?
But it relates to so manypeople because it's like, oh,
okay, wow, I never saw it fromthat vantage point or I never
(13:36):
understood it from that way,right?
And so it's allowing theseartists to be able to share
their stories in a way that'screative that also inspires
others to do the same thingbecause there's so many, of
course, that are that are shutdown right that that don't know
how to express right and here'sa way of doing that and that's
(13:59):
what that's what the main goalis it's really to inspire others
to be able to share theirstories and find healing at the
same time
Speaker 03 (14:07):
yeah well i i can't wait to um see the final you
know sort of uh artwork fromthat um yeah and uh thank you
for taking the time to chat withus today lisa do
Speaker 01 (14:21):
you have any other i do i want to follow up so you i
know that you wrote a bookabout this how can you help
other um i guess people that areour age and whose parents are
elders kind of yeah um make themfollow the creative path or
inspire them and how thatconnects you to something
(14:42):
larger.
Speaker 00 (14:42):
So in November of last year, I helped my dad
publish his first book, The NineLives of Joe, which is his full
story of his life.
And I also knew that I wantedto write a book about this new
chapter that we're experiencingtogether.
And so my book is called ASecond Chance with Dad.
And it's basically four adultchildren caregivers who are
(15:06):
experiencing this for the firsttime, right?
And not really sure where togo.
So along with the book, we alsohave a caregiver guide.
which really is step-by-stepand then like printouts for
doctor's appointments, doctorchecklists and activities they
can do together and just a lotof self-care, right?
(15:28):
Because you can't do it and youcan't just keep going and keep
going.
You're going to getoverwhelmed, right?
So it's really important tofocus on self-care and knowing
that you're helping this otherindividual, but you got to keep
that balance, right?
So it's sharing the story ofour experience, but then also
offering some tools, a toolkitbasically for the caregiver
(15:51):
who's now experiencing this forthe first time.
Speaker 03 (15:54):
Yeah, I love that.
We will definitely provide alink to that.
How about any like super easyway for someone to dive into it
because a lot of people aren'tin the position of you where
they do consider themselves anartist and that their their
elder is an artist as well whatif it's people that are sort of
(16:16):
searching and don't really evenknow where to start what what's
something you would suggest
Speaker 00 (16:21):
yeah so it's well the main thing is communication
right so it's that communicationwith the parent right and it's
finding out What do you like todo?
What is something that, and weput this in the book too, what
is something that you'd love todo when you were younger, but
you set aside, right?
(16:41):
That you would like to doagain, right?
And then they do it together,right?
I love that, yes.
And so that way it's, you'restrengthening the relationship,
right?
Unknown (16:52):
Yes.
Speaker 00 (16:52):
by experiencing something new.
I mean, some parents probablylove to do things that they
never even mentioned because itwas like, oh, well, now I've got
the responsibility of, youknow, raising a family and
doing, you know, and they putthis dream aside.
And so it's like, what is thatone thing?
So it's that communication offinding out things that they
love.
And then the same thing withthe parent and the child.
(17:14):
The parent can say, you know,what is something that you've
put off that, you know, And thenso same thing.
And then it's just, you know,experiencing it together and
finding things that they likeand even new things.
Right.
It's like finding things thatit's like, what is something out
there that is like all the ragethat would be kind of cool to
check out?
Right.
Pickleball.
(17:35):
Right.
Right.
Yeah.
And trying to do that together.
So it's just finding somethingthat they both love and
experiencing it together.
Speaker 01 (17:44):
It's like dreaming and then dreaming together and
then dreaming bigger, which
Speaker 00 (17:49):
is really cool.
Yes.
Yeah.
And that's basically what we'redoing because we're like, okay,
well, let's just, let's go herenow.
You know, I love that.
Speaker 01 (17:59):
So Kelly, where can people find you?
Tell us about what's on yourhorizon and what,
Speaker 00 (18:06):
Yeah.
Speaker 01 (18:08):
Yeah.
Yeah.
Speaker 00 (18:09):
Calligilbert.com is my main website and that's where
you can find out all about mywork as an author.
All my books are there.
My, um, some of the films arethere.
Um, tower15productions.com isthe main site for the film
production and the nonprofit.
Um, what we're doing right now,which is super special is, um,
(18:33):
I lived in LA before my mompassed away.
And so Santa Monica and thePalisades was my community.
It's where I spent most of mytime.
And so through Tower 15Productions, we've created the
Pacific Palisades RebuildingFund.
to support women who had lostbusinesses and homes in the
(18:53):
fires and we're helping themrebuild and so a portion of all
the work that we do goes tobenefit that and then we also
have a 325 campaign which is ourmain fundraiser where the goal
is to find 325 women to donate athousand dollars each and then
that will help these women inthe process of rebuilding not
(19:14):
only their their businesses buttheir lives i mean they're
basically starting over fromscratch and So yeah, and I'm
also working on a film aboutthat.
We have a film called PallyStrong, Women Rise to Rebuild
Pacific Palisades, which willchronicle the stories of these
women and their journeys oftransformation.
And so yeah, that's basicallywhat I'm doing right now.
(19:36):
So they're the two mainwebsites and very easy to get a
hold of.
Speaker 03 (19:41):
All right.
And we'll put links to those.
So everyone who is interestedin following up with you or
wants to connect with you orlearn more about you can do
that.
Yeah.
Speaker 00 (19:51):
Yeah.
Thank you.
Speaker 01 (19:52):
All right.
Yeah.
Thank you so much.
Keep on creating.
Oh
Speaker 00 (19:56):
yeah.
I have to, I've often saidcreating to me is like
breathing.
I just, I have to do it.
I
Speaker 03 (20:03):
hear that.
I hear that.
Speaker 00 (20:06):
Bravo.
Welcome to the Take an Art Break podcast.
Today, we're really excited.
We're with a friend and anartist, Cali Gilbert.
Cali, introduce yourself to ouraudience.
Cali (00:12):
Hi, everyone.
Thank you, first of all, forhaving me.
Thrilled to be here.
Kelly Gilbert, I considermyself an artist, and I'm an
author, photographer, filmmaker,and painter.
And I just, I'm a creative.
I love creating.
I'm the founder of Tower 15Productions.
which is a nonprofit, but wehave two missions, basically.
(00:33):
We produce social impactdocumentary films that raise
awareness and help inspirepositive change in the world.
And we also support womenthrough entrepreneurship,
mentoring, and training.
So I'm very passionate aboutsharing art, but also giving
back to our community as well.
Lauren (00:52):
Yeah, thank you for that introduction.
It's nice to have you here.
We wanted to talk today aboutthe question, how can art help
us reconnect with someone orsomething?
And I feel like that's a reallya question that you could
definitely answer consideringyour life and work and what
(01:15):
you're actually currently doing.
Cali (01:16):
Yeah, absolutely.
I guess it started back in...
2023, the end of 23, when mymom passed away.
And I moved my dad, who is alsoan artist, from the East Coast
in with me here in California.
And at the time, he had put hisart basically on hold to raise
(01:37):
a family and experience life.
And so he needed an outlet fornot only the grief of losing his
wife of 53 years, but also thishuge, huge transition of moving
to a new state, new house, neweverything, right?
And so I said, well, why don'twe resurrect your art?
(02:00):
And so when we found a house,we found a house in San Diego.
The first thing I did was Ibought him an art table.
and I sat it by the windowoverlooking the ocean, and that
became his space.
And it was wonderful because hewas able to tap into this
hidden gem that he had allalong, but had become dormant,
(02:24):
right?
And so it was really wonderfulto see him become alive again
through his art.
Lisa (02:32):
That's beautiful.
Cali (02:32):
And that's basically where it began.
And we have a little...
Little Kitty Kelly hasdecidedo o c
Speaker 00 (02:39):
and join
Speaker 01 (02:41):
us.
Hey, Kitty.
The muse is in the house.
Speaker 00 (02:44):
She's like, hi.
Right here, little girl.
So,
Speaker 01 (02:48):
um...
It was a huge transition,moving, the loss of a wife, your
mom.
How do you feel like art orcreativity connected you and
your dad?
I see your dad looking at theocean and creating and kind of,
because art is process, right?
How did it connect you two andheal you both?
Speaker 00 (03:08):
Yeah, it was so great because once I did that, I
was like, we need to createsomething that we can do
together.
And so we created a new brandcalled the Mermaid and the
Veteran because my dad's a20-year military veteran.
And we just started joininglocal art communities.
We joined the OceansideCarlsbad Art League.
(03:29):
We started doing these firstFriday art walks.
And really getting involved inthe community, which was, and he
loved it, right?
Because it's all new, right?
And so it was new friends andnew people and new experiences
that he was able to have.
And we did it together.
So it was really nice.
It was like, we're this packagedeal that went everywhere
(03:52):
together.
And it was so much fun.
We loved it.
Speaker 03 (03:55):
Yeah, it's funny.
Do you think you were morelikely to do it because...
you were doing it together.
I mean, like Lisa and
Speaker 02 (04:03):
I talk
Speaker 03 (04:04):
a lot, like we've done a lot more together because
we've been side by side.
And it's almost like you havethat person with you reminding
you like, number one, you can dothis.
And number two, like it's like,I'm right with, I'm right there
with you.
Exactly.
Speaker 00 (04:21):
Exactly.
Yeah.
And everywhere we went, thegreat thing about San Diego,
it's very military heavy.
And so it was incredible.
everybody just welcomed himwith open arms.
Right.
And I think that really helpedbecause it was, he was able to
share something that he wastruly passionate about to a
community that was verywelcoming.
And so it was like this win-winon, in every aspect of starting
(04:47):
over and, and, We moved out ofour San Diego place recently and
I looked back and I said, well,you know, that was the perfect
spot to land for him because itwas exactly what he needed.
He needed that community.
He needed to be able to getback to something that he loved
and to grow and to find thatthat's something that that
(05:09):
became a routine.
Right.
Because he needed thatstructure.
Speaker 02 (05:13):
And
Speaker 00 (05:13):
so that was huge for him.
And I think being able to do ittogether, we got to explore so
many things together, we createda new motto for us.
And it was every day is anadventure.
And where's life going to takeus right today.
And by doing so it was it trulywas an adventure.
We met new people, we had newexperiences.
(05:33):
And we got to do something thatwe love and enjoy it at the
same time.
So that was really great.
Speaker 01 (05:40):
Did you, through this whole process, it's been
like a year plus, right?
Speaker 00 (05:45):
Yeah.
Speaker 01 (05:46):
Have you seen your dad get younger, may it be,
through
Speaker 00 (05:51):
the process of art?
I've had so many people commenthow much younger he looks from,
because we documentedeverything, right?
It was literally like from thetime we were at the airport
about to cross the country toevery single step of the journey
we documented everything.
And even the first few months,my friends were saying, oh my
(06:11):
gosh, he's changed so much.
He looks so much younger,right?
And that's been amazing.
And what I've seen recently,which is very exciting, is that
he's attempting new aspects ofhis drawing.
He does pen and ink drawings.
And he's taking one aspect ofsomething, say a butterfly, And
(06:35):
that'll be the centerpiece.
And then he just allows hisimagination to create the rest
of it.
And so that's and he just getsso excited when he does that,
because it's like he's like, whoknew?
And so, yeah, that's beenreally exciting because it's
like he's he's evolving as anoff as an artist.
Right.
(06:55):
He's going to be 85 inNovember, but he's still growing
as an artist, which iswonderful to see.
Speaker 03 (07:00):
I love that, that that's still happening.
If you can imagine a versionwhere you guys weren't doing
this and then you are, if youcould give a comparison, what
has it done for the two of youindividually?
We know what it's done for youindividually, but what has it
(07:22):
done since you're doing ittogether?
Speaker 00 (07:25):
Well, it's allowed us to...
realize that there's unlimitedpossibilities out there, right?
There's, we both were, I mean,now we're making a movie, which
is we've already made one, we'remaking another one.
I would have never thought thatwould have been possible,
right?
And so when we made the firstone, it was basically this kind
(07:50):
of challenge from my filmmastermind group to create a
film, we did it last year, Andit was funny because at the time
it was like, I had so much onmy plate that I was like,
there's no way, no way, I just,I can't do this.
I was working on two books andhelped him write his memoirs and
(08:10):
all of this.
And then when the books weredone, I was like, you know, let
me go watch this Zoom call andsee what it's all about.
And I was like, oh, I could dothat.
We could do that, right?
And we made the film in twoweeks.
I mean, it was incredible.
Literally, it was just like theidea came.
It was called Paint and Snap.
And it was basically about howto take art and create the world
(08:36):
that we want to live in.
So, you know, like in themovie, Mary Poppins, when they
jump into the painting.
Right.
So it was kind of like, what ifwe created a painting of the
world that we want to live in?
Right.
And so we started doing that.
And it was so funny.
We just, you know, shot at thelocal park down the road and
just invited some friends.
(08:57):
And it's just like a quick 10minute film.
But it was so much fun becauseit was just like, OK, dad, let's
do this.
Let's do this.
You know, and he was like, sogung ho.
And so it was like, all right.
cool we made a film you knowand so this one he's like I
don't really I don't really wantto be in it but I do want to be
kind of like behind the scenesyou know and I was like
absolutely I'm like you'll be myproducer right so now we're
(09:21):
actually working on a film whichwe're really excited about
called Warriors Canvas and thisfilm is about how to take art
and writing and and use it as ahealing modality for veterans
suffering from PTSD.
And so same thing.
It's funny how I always saywhen you're in alignment with
(09:43):
something, everything flows,right?
And literally I had come upwith the idea as we were packing
up the San Diego place, wearrived in LA and the idea
started to flow.
And I reached out to someveteran organizations and
literally within hours, they'relike, yes, And we started
production, like, the next day.
(10:04):
I mean, it was crazy how fastit all came together.
And so, yeah, so things that wewould have never thought
possible, we're now doing, whichis really cool, because we're
like, okay, well, if we can dothis, then...
Yeah, I love
Speaker 03 (10:17):
that.
I love that.
Speaker 01 (10:19):
I love it too.
It's like you are living theartist's life or life is art,
you both.
And then it's like you're whathappens when you live in
creative life.
It's like pure potential, purepossibility, right?
Speaker 00 (10:32):
Exactly.
Yeah.
And like one of theorganizations that we reached
out to was, of course, the VAhere in L.A., And as I was
researching them, I found outthat they were actually having
an art festival at the end ofthe month.
And so I was like, oh, andthey're like, and the
submissions are still open.
I'm like, Dad,
Speaker 02 (10:51):
right?
Yeah.
Speaker 00 (10:52):
Right.
And so I reached out to the oneof the women involved.
And I said, you know, I'd liketo submit my dad's painting.
And she's like, absolutely.
Right.
And so we did that and went andmet her.
And she was incredible.
And we told her about the film.
And she's like, well, you'rewelcome to film whatever you
want when you're here.
And you know, having of coursethe veterans permission.
And she's like, but whateveryou want, you know, you're open
(11:14):
to do that.
And so it was just like, justanother piece of the puzzle.
Right.
Speaker 03 (11:18):
Yeah.
And I just, I'm thinking aboutjust this film that you're
working on now in terms of likethis idea of connection, right.
Of like, you're connectingveterans with each other,
veterans as artists to theworld.
And then the, the process thatthey're going to go through.
(11:38):
And it's like this, thistimeline of, you know, their
history and they've carried itwith them and they're going to
be able to communicate it andprocess it, but also connect
with it.
Speaker 02 (11:49):
Exactly.
Exactly.
Speaker 03 (11:52):
Kind of tell their story.
I mean, that's, I think that'sreally powerful.
And I love the aspect of that.
Like you're doing it with yourdad and the power that that has
with it.
I think like what I'm kind ofgleaning from this conversation
is that like obviously Lisa andI are like big proponents of one
(12:15):
individual can do anything, youknow, what you do do does
matter and you can have apositive impact on the world.
And we promote like just eventaking an art break is having a
positive impact.
But when you add a fellowperson that almost is that, you
know, is, is sort of going to beyour passion on those days
where you want to kind of runaway or shelter yourself and is,
(12:36):
is gonna, you know, carry,carry you through it.
And then you, you kind of havethat, potential that you just
keep climbing and climbing.
There's so much power in that.
Speaker 00 (12:47):
Yeah, absolutely.
Speaker 03 (12:48):
Yeah.
Speaker 01 (12:51):
What I love is like, um, Just in like, you're
telling a story, but elders andveterans, usually they're kind
of like marginalized, right?
We think of them.
So what I'm feeling is it'salmost like you are seeing them
through their art and then youare witnessing through their
(13:11):
art.
And your dad is like a hugetestimony to that, right?
Speaker 00 (13:15):
Yeah.
And the cool thing, though, isthat, you know, every veteran
has their own unique story,right?
Yeah.
So this is their outlet ofbeing able to express that story
in only the way that they can,right?
But it relates to so manypeople because it's like, oh,
okay, wow, I never saw it fromthat vantage point or I never
(13:36):
understood it from that way,right?
And so it's allowing theseartists to be able to share
their stories in a way that'screative that also inspires
others to do the same thingbecause there's so many, of
course, that are that are shutdown right that that don't know
how to express right and here'sa way of doing that and that's
(13:59):
what that's what the main goalis it's really to inspire others
to be able to share theirstories and find healing at the
same time
Speaker 03 (14:07):
yeah well i i can't wait to um see the final you
know sort of uh artwork fromthat um yeah and uh thank you
for taking the time to chat withus today lisa do
Speaker 01 (14:21):
you have any other i do i want to follow up so you i
know that you wrote a bookabout this how can you help
other um i guess people that areour age and whose parents are
elders kind of yeah um make themfollow the creative path or
inspire them and how thatconnects you to something
(14:42):
larger.
Speaker 00 (14:42):
So in November of last year, I helped my dad
publish his first book, The NineLives of Joe, which is his full
story of his life.
And I also knew that I wantedto write a book about this new
chapter that we're experiencingtogether.
And so my book is called ASecond Chance with Dad.
And it's basically four adultchildren caregivers who are
(15:06):
experiencing this for the firsttime, right?
And not really sure where togo.
So along with the book, we alsohave a caregiver guide.
which really is step-by-stepand then like printouts for
doctor's appointments, doctorchecklists and activities they
can do together and just a lotof self-care, right?
(15:28):
Because you can't do it and youcan't just keep going and keep
going.
You're going to getoverwhelmed, right?
So it's really important tofocus on self-care and knowing
that you're helping this otherindividual, but you got to keep
that balance, right?
So it's sharing the story ofour experience, but then also
offering some tools, a toolkitbasically for the caregiver
(15:51):
who's now experiencing this forthe first time.
Speaker 03 (15:54):
Yeah, I love that.
We will definitely provide alink to that.
How about any like super easyway for someone to dive into it
because a lot of people aren'tin the position of you where
they do consider themselves anartist and that their their
elder is an artist as well whatif it's people that are sort of
(16:16):
searching and don't really evenknow where to start what what's
something you would suggest
Speaker 00 (16:21):
yeah so it's well the main thing is communication
right so it's that communicationwith the parent right and it's
finding out What do you like todo?
What is something that, and weput this in the book too, what
is something that you'd love todo when you were younger, but
you set aside, right?
(16:41):
That you would like to doagain, right?
And then they do it together,right?
I love that, yes.
And so that way it's, you'restrengthening the relationship,
right?
Unknown (16:52):
Yes.
Speaker 00 (16:52):
by experiencing something new.
I mean, some parents probablylove to do things that they
never even mentioned because itwas like, oh, well, now I've got
the responsibility of, youknow, raising a family and
doing, you know, and they putthis dream aside.
And so it's like, what is thatone thing?
So it's that communication offinding out things that they
love.
And then the same thing withthe parent and the child.
(17:14):
The parent can say, you know,what is something that you've
put off that, you know, And thenso same thing.
And then it's just, you know,experiencing it together and
finding things that they likeand even new things.
Right.
It's like finding things thatit's like, what is something out
there that is like all the ragethat would be kind of cool to
check out?
Right.
Pickleball.
(17:35):
Right.
Right.
Yeah.
And trying to do that together.
So it's just finding somethingthat they both love and
experiencing it together.
Speaker 01 (17:44):
It's like dreaming and then dreaming together and
then dreaming bigger, which
Speaker 00 (17:49):
is really cool.
Yes.
Yeah.
And that's basically what we'redoing because we're like, okay,
well, let's just, let's go herenow.
You know, I love that.
Speaker 01 (17:59):
So Kelly, where can people find you?
Tell us about what's on yourhorizon and what,
Speaker 00 (18:06):
Yeah.
Speaker 01 (18:08):
Yeah.
Yeah.
Speaker 00 (18:09):
Calligilbert.com is my main website and that's where
you can find out all about mywork as an author.
All my books are there.
My, um, some of the films arethere.
Um, tower15productions.com isthe main site for the film
production and the nonprofit.
Um, what we're doing right now,which is super special is, um,
(18:33):
I lived in LA before my mompassed away.
And so Santa Monica and thePalisades was my community.
It's where I spent most of mytime.
And so through Tower 15Productions, we've created the
Pacific Palisades RebuildingFund.
to support women who had lostbusinesses and homes in the
(18:53):
fires and we're helping themrebuild and so a portion of all
the work that we do goes tobenefit that and then we also
have a 325 campaign which is ourmain fundraiser where the goal
is to find 325 women to donate athousand dollars each and then
that will help these women inthe process of rebuilding not
(19:14):
only their their businesses buttheir lives i mean they're
basically starting over fromscratch and So yeah, and I'm
also working on a film aboutthat.
We have a film called PallyStrong, Women Rise to Rebuild
Pacific Palisades, which willchronicle the stories of these
women and their journeys oftransformation.
And so yeah, that's basicallywhat I'm doing right now.
(19:36):
So they're the two mainwebsites and very easy to get a
hold of.
Speaker 03 (19:41):
All right.
And we'll put links to those.
So everyone who is interestedin following up with you or
wants to connect with you orlearn more about you can do
that.
Yeah.
Speaker 00 (19:51):
Yeah.
Thank you.
Speaker 01 (19:52):
All right.
Yeah.
Thank you so much.
Keep on creating.
Oh
Speaker 00 (19:56):
yeah.
I have to, I've often saidcreating to me is like
breathing.
I just, I have to do it.
I
Speaker 03 (20:03):
hear that.
I hear that.
Speaker 00 (20:06):
Bravo.
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