Sharon Feinstein » Interviews

Paul Watson, risking his life to save the planet

Sharon Feinstein — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 22:00:11 +0000

The man is hugely inspirational. While the rest of us are getting on with making more money, dealing with our domestic world, and stressing over the day’s shopping, he’s risking his life to save the planet.
Paul Watson and his volunteers go into treacherous conditions in the Antarctic, on highly dangerous missions to stop the aggressive, bloody, Japanaese whaling fleet from brutally killing humpback and fin whales. These butchers use harpoons which explode the whales organs and decimate their bodies for around 35 minutes of excruciating, unimaginable pain. “ I cannot abide doing nothing, “ is Paul’s maxim.
Consequently, his is the only ship down there trying to stop this illegal atrocity which no government is willing to bother with, even though the Japanese are contravening all the laws and treaties in place. Paul, a Canadian, founded Greenpeace, but left because they don’t believe in direct action, and quite rightly in my view, he calls them nothing more than a feelgood organisation. He is a modern day pirate of the high seas and his clients are the whales, dolphins, seals and all marine life.
His next mission, which launches on December 7th, will see him take the most dangerous steps of his brave life – in a new fast vessel he will try to intercept the harpoon boats and position himself between them and the 36,000 kilogram whales, the creatures known for their intelligence and renowned for their extraordinary, complex songs. He has told the crew that they must be willing to die for the whales as that is exactly what could happen. He believes that each of us can make a difference, that great change comes about with indviduals who channel their passion, and I firmly believe this too, as with my Campaign to stop the Slaughter of Leatherback Turtles. One small step, and the belief, is the way to get there.

The following is a audio clip of my recent interview with Paul Watson:

Paul Watson speaking about his upcoming trip

What happened to Jeff Kinney when he made millions on Diary of a Wimpy Kid

Sharon Feinstein — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:58:02 +0000

How many people would love to make millions? Become multi-millionaires after all those years of trying to get their talent recognised. Those bleak times when doors were being slammed in their faces, and hope dashed with one breezy line or other like, Sorry, no thanks, good luck. Then, suddenly, that shining mesmerising moment when the break-through happens, gathering momentum, with all the accompanying fanfare and the cash pouring in. Now they can live the dream.
It happened to children’s writer, Jeff Kinney, whose crafty, funny, witty books, The Diary of A Wimpy Kid series, have even beaten Obama’s autobiography in the charts and knocked Dan Brown off the Number One slot.
The unusual, extraordinary difference is that Jeff wants none of the glamour, glitz, and luxury his sudden fortune could bring. The private planes, diamonds, Armani wardrobes, house in Malibu, penthouse overlooking Central Park, chauffeurs to drive his young sons to school. In fact he can think of nothing worse. He wants to live in Plainville, wear Dads’ jeans, drive an old car and keep his boys’ lives as simple and ordinary as possible. He wants to help out with the school baseball team, eat the same food and keep his head down. Next year, when Fox releases the movie of the sensational, fast-selling books, he’s going to have to try even harder to remain anonymous. But in this day of celebrity madness, consumerism and lack of spirituality, Jeff’s a cool guy who stands apart.

Here another clip of my interview with Jeff where he discusses how the fame of his book series has impacted his life:

Jeff Kinney Interview – Clip #3

Listen to the previous two audio clips from my interview with Jeff Kinney.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid, sold more copies than Barak Obama

Sharon Feinstein — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 17:11:04 +0000

There’s an underground army of kids , a kind of ground swell, who have voted with their pocket money for author and cartoonist Jeff Kinney, of the series Diary of a Wimpy Kid.
So sure of their choice are these kids that 2 weeks after the first book came out in April 2007 it went to the top of the best seller list and has been there ever since.
The kids have bought twice as many books as Barak Obama has managed to sell, so what does that tell you about the President’s supporters.
Jeff Kinney should be head of State after selling 25 million books, and reaching out to 100,000 kids, future voters, a day, who log onto the Wimpy Kid online.
The money has taken him into the super rich league but he doesn’t want cars or jet planes and his wife, Julie, isn’t interested in diamonds and designer clothes.
They are giving to Charity, they want to help sick children, they have their morals and values intact.
Fox has made the Hollywood movie and it’s to be released in the New year, so it’s most probably goodbye J K Rowling and Harry Potter and hello Wimpy Kid.
I interviewed Jeff and found him funny, charming and very likeable.
Here’s a sample for those of you who can’t meet him yourselves, but hang on his every word via his alter ego, Greg.

Jeff Kinney Interview – Clip #1

Jeff Kinney Interview – Clip #2

Update: I’ve recently posted another audio clip from my interview with Jeff Kinney.