Author: Dr. Craig Considine

http://www.craigconsidinetcd.com/about
Talks

Video: Demystifying Islamophobia in the Age of Trump – A Conversation Between Khaled Beydoun and Craig Considine

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Source – Islamophobia Resistance Campaign: “Demystifying Islamophobia in the Age of Trump: A Conversation” took place at Rice University on March 7, 2019, in which scholars Dr. Craig Considine and Professor Khaled Beydoun engaged in an interactive conversation with members of the Rice community and beyond. The conversation focused on the dynamics and responses to…… Continue reading Video: Demystifying Islamophobia in the Age of Trump – A Conversation Between Khaled Beydoun and Craig Considine

Interviews

Latino Muslims in Houston – A Documentary By Vice (Minority Reports)

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I had the pleasure of sitting down with Lee Adams of Vice’s “Minority Reports” to talk about a range of topics including: migration and immigration patterns, the intersection of Islam and U.S. identity, and Islamophobia in the age of Trump. As always, it is a pleasure to be on the side of the IslamInSpanish community…… Continue reading Latino Muslims in Houston – A Documentary By Vice (Minority Reports)

Talks

Prophet Muhammad’s Love of Humanity – “Lessons For Our Time”

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Prophet Muhammad is one of the most vilified and misunderstood people in the history of the world. In this talk, “Prophet Muhammad’s Love of Humanity: Lessons for Our Time,” I will dispel misinformation about Muhammad in an accessible, appealing, and scholarly way. I will present historical sources and stories about Muhammad’s relations with Jews, Christians,…… Continue reading Prophet Muhammad’s Love of Humanity – “Lessons For Our Time”

Talks

Video: Christian Scholar Examines Prophet Muhammad’s Covenants and Pluralism

Dr. Craig Considine2 Comments

Dr. Craig Considine speaks at the 5th annual Forum for Promoting Peace in Muslim Societies. The Forum, led by Sheikhs Abdallah bin Bayyah and Hamza Yusuf, was titled “Alliance of Virtues: An Opportunity for Global Peace.” Dr. Considine spoke on a panel titled “Covenants, Treaties, the Nation State and Muslims in the Global Order.” The host…… Continue reading Video: Christian Scholar Examines Prophet Muhammad’s Covenants and Pluralism

Talks

Video: Christian and Muslim Perspectives on Loving Thy Neighbor

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Dr. Craig Considine had the privilege of speaking at Hub Talks in Pleasanton, California on July 13, 2018. His talk focused on the fear and ignorance fueling Islamophobia and offered solutions by means of Christian teachings. Dr. Considine shared his own personal and academic approaches on the matter of loving his Muslim friends, neighbors, and co-nationals.…… Continue reading Video: Christian and Muslim Perspectives on Loving Thy Neighbor

Talks

Video: Christians Defending Muslims – The Spirit of Prophet Muhammad’s Covenants with Christians

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Dr. Craig Considine gives a talk at the Parliament of World’s Religions in Toronto, Canada. He provides an overview of his personal experiences in interacting with Muslims and examines the ways in which Christians defend and protect Muslims. The anchor of the talk is Prophet Muhammad’s Covenants with Christians and their spirit of religious pluralism.

Activism · Talks

Prophet Muhammad’s Covenants With Christians – An Offering at the Parliament of the World’s Religions

Dr. Craig Considine1 Comment

The Covenants Initiative is a collection of scholars that is spearheading a movement to promote the Covenants of Prophet Muhammad with the Christians of the World. This initiative calls Muslims to the Covenants of Muhammad, which command them not to attack, but rather defend peaceful Christians until the end of time. On Saturday evening (November…… Continue reading Prophet Muhammad’s Covenants With Christians – An Offering at the Parliament of the World’s Religions

Activism · Interfaith

Meeting With Worldwide Leader of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community

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It was an absolute pleasure and honor to spend time with His Holiness Mirza Masroor Ahmad, the leader of the worldwide Ahmadiyya community. On October 26th, 2018, alongside Professor Emran El-Badawi of the University of Houston, we discussed a range of issues, including the Constitution of Medina, embracing humanity, and peace-building. I will never forget…… Continue reading Meeting With Worldwide Leader of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community

Books · Talks

Video: “Muslims in America: Examining the Facts” Book Talk at University of Denver

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On September 14, 2018, the Center for Middle East Studies at the University of Denver, directed by Dr. Nader Hashemi, hosted a book talk on Muslims in America: Examining the Facts. The Department of Religious Studies at the University of Denver co-sponsored the event, and department chair Dr. Andrea Stanton gave opening remarks. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzrjbZaD2Wo&t=35s

Work

New Book Presents Facts About U.S. Muslims

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By Amy McCaig of Rice University News and Media A new book from a Rice University sociologist responds to stereotypes of and misinformation about Muslims in the United States from the time of the trans-Atlantic slave trade to the present day. “Muslims in America: Examining the Facts” (ABC-CLIO, 226 pages, $63) presents evidence-based documentation to…… Continue reading New Book Presents Facts About U.S. Muslims

Books

U.S. Supreme Court Ignores Facts, Upholds Institutional Islamophobia

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Do Muslim immigrants and Muslim refugees pose a threat to U.S. national security? This question is one of 31 questions that drives the forthcoming book Muslims in America: Examining the Facts. In short, the answer to this question is a resounding “no.” The facts surrounding national security and violence on U.S. soil reveal that U.S.…… Continue reading U.S. Supreme Court Ignores Facts, Upholds Institutional Islamophobia

Politics

Do U.S. Muslims Condemn Terrorism?

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Recently, Muslims in the United States have been accused of being sympathetic to – or outright supportive of – acts of terrorism carried out in the name of Islam. For instance, a 2018 report issued by the Department of Justice and Department of Homeland Security pictured Muslims as potential domestic terrorist threats. President Donald Trump…… Continue reading Do U.S. Muslims Condemn Terrorism?

Film-work

The Role of Activism in Criminal Justice Reform

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Talks

The Prophet’s Relations with Christians – Connecting in the Classroom

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Film-work · Interfaith

True Story of Muslims Protecting Christians Nominated For An Oscar

Dr. Craig Considine1 Comment

Picture this. Al-Shabab gunmen, based around northern Kenya, open fire on a bus and ask dozens of passengers on board to identify the Christian passengers. The Muslims on board refuse and decide to instead shield their fellow Christians. Some Muslims even offer their hijabs so the women can not be identified by their religion. As…… Continue reading True Story of Muslims Protecting Christians Nominated For An Oscar

Israel

Jerusalem Christians Shut Doors of Holy Sepulchre in Protest Against Israeli Policies

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The various Christian factions at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre have united in the face of an “unprecedented level” of Israeli state abuse against Churches and Christians. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is the place many Christians believe Jesus was buried. As such, it is also considered to be the holiest site in…… Continue reading Jerusalem Christians Shut Doors of Holy Sepulchre in Protest Against Israeli Policies

Islam

The Sanctity of Life and the Legacy of Prophet Muhammad

Dr. Craig Considine4 Comments

What does it mean to be Muslim? It is a striking question, especially when a Catholic – such as myself – considers it after years of research on Muslim-Christian relations. One matter which has struck me in my experiences with Muslims is the sanctity of life that so many of them hold dear in their…… Continue reading The Sanctity of Life and the Legacy of Prophet Muhammad

Irish America · Irish Diaspora · Irish identity

The Irish Were Once the Muslims, Mexicans, Haitians and Africans: That’s Why I’m Anti-Racist

Dr. Craig Considine1 Comment

“Irish America,” if I may use that term, has a problem with racism. As Niall O’Dowd of Irish Central (as discussed here) recently pointed out: “The belief among many [Irish Americans]… is that America today is fading fast because of overly intrusive government, too many handouts, minority mollycoddling, and a fear of saying the wrong thing.”…… Continue reading The Irish Were Once the Muslims, Mexicans, Haitians and Africans: That’s Why I’m Anti-Racist

Books · Talks

Rice U Talk: “Islam, Race, and Pluralism in the Pakistani Diaspora”

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Books

Muslims in America: Examining the Facts

Dr. Craig Considine2 Comments

Title: Muslims in America: Examining the Facts  Publication Date: June 30, 2018 Author: Craig Considine Publisher: ABC-CLIO Pages: 212 Volume: 1 Size: 6 1/8X9 1/4 Topics: Current Events and Issues/Ethnicity – Religion/Society This installment in the critically acclaimed “Contemporary Debates” series uses evidence-based documentation to provide a full and impartial examination of beliefs and claims…… Continue reading Muslims in America: Examining the Facts

Islam

Forgiveness in Arkansas – Forgiveness in Islam

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This is quite the story of forgiveness, arguably one of the main teachings of the Islamic tradition (and Christianity for that matter). The story goes like this: Abraham Davis, 20, was caught on CCTV helping a friend vandalize the Masjid Al Salam in Fort Smith, Arkansas, with racist graffiti in October 2016. Davis was sentenced…… Continue reading Forgiveness in Arkansas – Forgiveness in Islam

Interfaith · Islam · Talks

Video: Lessons From Al Andalus – Leading in a Pluralistic Society

Dr. Craig Considine1 Comment

On December 31st, I had the opportunity to speak on “Lessons From Al Andalus – Leading in a Pluralistic Society” for IslamInSpanish at the 2nd National Latino Muslim Convention at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas. I focused on the period of “Islamic Spain” and how Al-Andalus’ pluralistic vision is an important…… Continue reading Video: Lessons From Al Andalus – Leading in a Pluralistic Society

Islam · Religion · Video

Video: Christian-Muslim Relations in the Early Years of Islam

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In early December 2017, I had the opportunity to give a lecture for the Dialogue Institute Dallas in Dallas, Texas. I talk about the Christian-Muslim relations in the early years of Islam in light of the covenants Prophet Muhammad made with the Christians.

Politics

Trump Promotes Christian Extremism and White Supremacy on Twitter

Dr. Craig Considine1 Comment

Once again, Donald Trump has legitimized Christian extremism, White supremacy and the far-right by retweeting anti-Muslim videos posted by Britain First. a far-right extremist political organization based in the U.K. In recent years, Britain First has threatened “militant direct action” against Muslims. The group also operates a “defense force” and gives anti-Muslim activists “self-defense training”…… Continue reading Trump Promotes Christian Extremism and White Supremacy on Twitter

Politics

Slavery is Alive and Well in Libya

Dr. Craig Considine2 Comments

Slavery is not a thing of the past. Fact. There is a modern-day slave market in Libya where African migrants are caught in a brutal chain of human trafficking, as Reuters reported. Narciso Contreras, a Pulitzer Price-winning photographer, spoke to migrants turned Libyan slaves (as documented in the Reuters piece). Contreras stated: “What I found…… Continue reading Slavery is Alive and Well in Libya

Politics

Politics of Grieving – Do Nigerian Muslim Lives Matter?

Dr. Craig Considine1 Comment

A suicide attack at a mosque in Mubi, northeastern Nigeria, has killed at least 50 people, Al Jazeera has said. The explosion occurred during morning prayers. No group has yet claimed responsibility, but Boko Haram carries out regular attacks in the region. Some 20,000 people have been killed in Boko Haram’s eight-year insurgency. The BBC…… Continue reading Politics of Grieving – Do Nigerian Muslim Lives Matter?

Politics

U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum Says Rohingya Face Genocide

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Wake up, people. The U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum (Washington, D.C.) and Fortify Rights, an NGO that investigates human rights violations in Southeast Asia, said in a recent report that Myanmar’s state security forces appear to have “targeted the Rohingya group with several of the enumerated acts in the law of genocide.” Genocide. In 2017. The…… Continue reading U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum Says Rohingya Face Genocide

Interfaith

Peacekeeping Vs. Peacemaking: What’s the Difference?

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Back in 2008, I had the opportunity to meet with Judea Pearl, the father of Daniel Pearl. Following the murder of his son, Judea reached out to people across the United States hoping to counter religious extremism and build bridges of understanding between people of different faith communities. I asked Judea if he could tell…… Continue reading Peacekeeping Vs. Peacemaking: What’s the Difference?

History · Interfaith

Why a Muslim Holds the Key to the Holiest Church in Christendom

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During the Caliphate of Umar Ibn Al-Khattab, Muslims started to expand northwards into the lands of the Byzantine Empire. The majority of the Christians in the region were Monophysites, who had a more monotheistic view of God that was similar to what the new Muslims were preaching, as Lost Islamic History notes. “They welcomed Muslim…… Continue reading Why a Muslim Holds the Key to the Holiest Church in Christendom

Politics · Religion

The Christian Double Standard on Religious Violence

Dr. Craig Considine4 Comments

Imagine…. Imagine if people blamed Christianity for this act of violence. Imagine if people searched frantically through the Bible in the hope of digging up verses which could have justified this action (which is entirely possible). Imagine if people used this attack to pass legislation banning all Christians from entering the country. Imagine if people…… Continue reading The Christian Double Standard on Religious Violence

Work

Islam and the People of The Book: Critical Studies on the Covenants of the Prophet

Dr. Craig Considine1 Comment

I am  excited to share the new book of John Andrew Morrow (editor), Islam and the People of the Book: Critical Studies on the Covenants of the Prophet. My own chapter in the book focuses on how the Covenants of Prophet Muhammad with the Christians of his time embodied the spirit of religious pluralism. Islam…… Continue reading Islam and the People of The Book: Critical Studies on the Covenants of the Prophet

History

Viking and Muslim Interactions: The Untold Stories

Dr. Craig Considine3 Comments

The History channel’s original drama television series – Vikings – is one of my favorite programs. The world of the Vikings is brought to life through the journey of Ragnar Lodbrok, the first Viking to emerge from Norse legend, and his family members. The television series transports viewers to the mysterious world of Viking farmers…… Continue reading Viking and Muslim Interactions: The Untold Stories

Politics

The Muslim Nation as a Civic Nation

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Scholars have dedicated much time and effort to unpack the various kinds of nation-building projects, but the distinction between “civic nation” versus “ethnic nation” is perhaps the most widely-employed conceptual building block in the study of nationhood and national identity. While these types of nations share common elements like historical territory and common culture, they…… Continue reading The Muslim Nation as a Civic Nation

Work

The Latest Wave of Islamophobia: Hate Crimes Against Non-Muslims

Dr. Craig Considine1 Comment

The USA Today reports a Delaware man threatened his neighbors who he believed to be Muslims. The man – Gerard Medvec (63 years old) – alluded to firebombing their house – or “taking the fight to them” – and said he “seriously thought about throwing some Molotov cocktails” at his neighbors’ house, according to court…… Continue reading The Latest Wave of Islamophobia: Hate Crimes Against Non-Muslims

Book Reviews

Book Review | Craig Considine’s “Islam, Race and Pluralism” Provides a Path to Unity

Dr. Craig Considine1 Comment

By Damir Rafi An Irish Muslim willing to sacrifice his life for his new country; A second-generation Pakistani in diaspora embodying the American Dream; an Ahmadi emigrating to America due to violent persecution in his previous homeland; a doctor working abroad to provide for his family thousands of miles away. Craig Considine’s new book, Islam, Race…… Continue reading Book Review | Craig Considine’s “Islam, Race and Pluralism” Provides a Path to Unity

Talks

Dialogue Matters: Christian Muslim Relations in the Early Years of Islam

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On December 1st, 2017 I will be speaking at the Dialogue Institute of the Southwest in Dallas, Texas. The event starts at 7:00PM. The title of the talk is “Christian Muslim Relations in the Early Years of Islam.” I will be engaging mainly with the concept of religious pluralism and how it relates to the…… Continue reading Dialogue Matters: Christian Muslim Relations in the Early Years of Islam

Politics

The Rohingya Are the New Palestinians

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The systematic persecution of Palestinians has long occupied a place in the consciousness of the ummah, the global community of Muslims. Muslims worldwide have watched for decades as Palestinians have been repeatedly displaced, subjected to disproportionate collective punishment, and denied statehood. While the Israeli occupation continues to stir up feelings of anger and powerlessness, another ethnic…… Continue reading The Rohingya Are the New Palestinians

Islamophobia · Racialization and Racism · Racism

Islamophobia Represents a Form of Racism Mixed with Cultural Intolerance

Dr. Craig Considine2 Comments

Published by Amy McCaig at Rice University News and Media Islamophobia represents a form of racism mixed with cultural intolerance as a whole, rather than simply intolerance of Muslims and Islam, according to a new paper from a Rice University sociologist. “The Racialization of Islam in the United States: Islamophobia, Hate Crimes and ‘Flying While…… Continue reading Islamophobia Represents a Form of Racism Mixed with Cultural Intolerance

Irish identity · Islam

The Fusion of Sufism and Irish Identity

Dr. Craig Considine4 Comments

An excerpt from Chapter 5: “The ‘good Muslim’/’bad Muslim’ dichotomy” in Islam, Race, and Pluralism in the Pakistani Diaspora (Routledge, 2017) by Craig Considine What do we know of Sufism (Islamic mysticism) and its links to Irish mysticism? To put it simply, not much. ‘Mysticism’ is a type of spirituality aimed at union with the…… Continue reading The Fusion of Sufism and Irish Identity

Racialization and Racism

Sharia, Sikhs and the Racialization of Islam

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Jagmeet (Jimmy) Singh Dhaliwal (pictured) is a Canadian politician who represents the riding of Bramalea-Gore-Matlon in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. From 2015-2017 Jagmeet served as deputy leader of the Ontario New Democratic Party. He is also the first turban-wearing Sikh to sit as a provincial legislator in Ontaria. Jagmeet made headlines in a Huff Post…… Continue reading Sharia, Sikhs and the Racialization of Islam

Politics

Catholic Bishop in CAR Gives Refuge to 2,000 Muslims Fleeing Christian Militias

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Juan José Aguirre Munoz, a Spanish-born Catholic bishop in the Central African Republic (CAR), has given refuge to 2,000 Muslims who are living in fear of attacks from a mainly Christian militia. Munoz’s church compound is based in the south-eastern city of Bangassou. CAR has been experiencing sectarian violence since 2013, when the largely Muslim…… Continue reading Catholic Bishop in CAR Gives Refuge to 2,000 Muslims Fleeing Christian Militias

News · Personal

Gulf News Interview: “The Making of a More Cohesive Society”

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Syed Hamad Ali of Gulf News carried out an interview on my new book, Islam, Race, and Pluralism in the Pakistani Diaspora. In addition to diving into the book, Ali’s article sheds light on Pakphobia, a term I introduce in the book, Islamophobia, Muslim Diasporas, American/Irish identities, white nationalism and racial profiling. You can read…… Continue reading Gulf News Interview: “The Making of a More Cohesive Society”

Politics

It’s Time for World Leaders to Finally Stop the Slow Genocide of Rohingya Muslims

Dr. Craig Considine1 Comment

Speaking recently to pilgrims and tourists in St. Peter’s Square in Rome, Pope Francis called for an end to the violent persecution of the minority Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar. The Pope, who has promoted the “dialogue of civilizations” and the “culture of encounters,” continues to be a vocal advocate of religious freedom and critic of…… Continue reading It’s Time for World Leaders to Finally Stop the Slow Genocide of Rohingya Muslims

Books

Library Availability for Islam, Race, and Pluralism in the Pakistani Diaspora

Dr. Craig Considine1 Comment

Last updated November 13, 2017 Thank you for showing interest in Islam, Race, and Pluralism in the Pakistani Diaspora. If you are reading this post, you are likely to be interested in reading the book. Below is a list of library locations where the book can be accessed. It is available in either hardcover or…… Continue reading Library Availability for Islam, Race, and Pluralism in the Pakistani Diaspora

Islamophobia · Publications · Racism

The Racialization of Islam in the United States

Dr. Craig Considine1 Comment

My new peer-reviewed journal article is now published by Religions. Here is the abstract: This paper explores the intersectionality of race and Islamophobia by using a set of empirical data relating to the experiences of American Muslims and non-Muslims in the United States. Through a multi-tiered methodology, the paper reveals how racialization processes interact with…… Continue reading The Racialization of Islam in the United States

Interfaith

Top Allies of Pope Francis Denounce Islamophobic Views of Some U.S. Christians

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The Independent published an important piece on Pope Francis’ effort to combat Islamophobia and promote the dialogue of civilizations between Muslims and Christians. Two people close to Pope Francis – Antonio Spadaro and Marcelo Figueroa (a Protestant) – wrote a joint article in La Civiltà Cattolica, a journal published by Jesuit priests in Rome and…… Continue reading Top Allies of Pope Francis Denounce Islamophobic Views of Some U.S. Christians

Politics

Presidential Silence is Complicity

Dr. Craig Considine2 Comments

Mark Dayton, the governor of Minnesota, denounced the recent bomb attack on a mosque in Minnesota as a “terrible, dastardly, cowardly” act of terrorism. The explosion at the Dar Al Farooq mosque in Bloomington was caused by an improvised explosive device as congregants began to gather for prayers. The FBI has taken the lead on the…… Continue reading Presidential Silence is Complicity

Books · Video

Video: Endorsements of “Islam, Race, and Pluralism in the Pakistani Diaspora”

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Books

Islam, Race, and Pluralism in Diaspora: Experiences of Young Pakistani Men in Boston and Dublin

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One afternoon in the summer of 2013, I sat down with a young Ahmadi American Muslim of Pakistani descent. He told me an unsettling story, one that touches on some of the most pressing issues of the post-9/11 era. The young man, henceforth “Muhammad,” was traveling on an Amtrak train along the East Coast. Sitting…… Continue reading Islam, Race, and Pluralism in Diaspora: Experiences of Young Pakistani Men in Boston and Dublin

News · Outreach

Appearance on The Comedy Cellar’s “Live From America Podcast”

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The video below shows me speaking about Islamophobia on the Live From America Podcast of The Comedy Cellar in New York City. Noam Dworman and Hatem Gaber invited me on the program alongside NBC star analyst and former FBI agent Clint Watts. This is only a clip of the full interview which was recorded following…… Continue reading Appearance on The Comedy Cellar’s “Live From America Podcast”