Hi! My name is Shawn. I love meeting new people, trying new things, and having new experiences. I care about community so much more than capitol, and strive to leave each situation better than I found it. I'm an artist - storyteller, actor, singer, dancer, and I create projects that encourage people into community. Much of my work takes place with The People's Own Organic Power Project (www.thePOOPproject.org :)

I'm devoted to social justice and liberation for all. I'm queer, Jew-ish, and believe deeply in the power of kindness. I've been an educator in NYC schools for many years, and recently have been working primarily with young children. I'm a mindfulness practitioner, meditator and certified meditation teacher.

I love to cook, and am a fermentation enthusiast; wanna make pickles, sauerkraut, kimchi, yogurt, wine or naturally bubbly soda? I'd love to teach you!

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

After 17 years living in NYC, I'm ready to seek out a different pace and way of my life, but I'm not sure where to settle next. I also run my own company, The POOP Project :) We boldly break potty taboos with art, theater and education that encourages love for our selves and bodies, our global neighbors, and the world we share...from the bottom up!

I'm launching a new tour called ASSUME THE THRONE, and will be heading cross country in the POOP Mobile, Oct - Jan 2019, staying with folks and performing in living rooms. I want to remind people of their inherent royalty, and demonstrate how rich we already are by living off the economic grid and off "waste" wherever possible. I'd love to crash with you, or perform in your living room!

Interests

• arts
• singing
• environment
• meditation
• gardening
• politics
• music
• sustainability
• dance
• theatre
• creativity
• mindfulness
• queer
• art museums
• fermentation
• sustainable living
• theatre of the oppressed
• gays

Music, Movies, and Books

I've been listening to the same music since college, see around five movies a year, and sort of live in a pop culture cave. Please give me something new!

Old music favorites include Bjork, Radiohead, Laura Nyro, Rufus Wainwright and The Musical Theatre. Movies...used to love Amadeus, Amelie, all the Simpsons. I love fiction like 100 Years of Solitude, The Unbearable Lightness of Being, Lolita. Lots of nonfiction, too.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I completed an 8 day silent meditation retreat. Eight days of silence!!! Once you meet me, you'll understand how fantastic this is. I could talk the label off a soup can.

Teach, Learn, Share

Soooo happy to teach:
Fermentation (pickle, sauerkraut, wine, yogurt, etc.)
Meditation (certified in the Vajryana school)
How to integrate arts-based methodology into other lessons
Basics of composting, for food scraps or humanure
Body movement, proper alignment
Free breath / singing, accent reduction

I want to learn:
Bread baking
More fermentation techniques!
About your community
Drawing, painting, origami
Social media skillz
Microbiology

I want to share:
Stories
Laughter
A snack, drink or toke
Hugs

What I Can Share with Hosts

Positive attitude
Experience in communal living
Clean and helpful
Expertise in sustainable living
Recipes

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Czech Republic, France, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Oman, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Scotland, Spain, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Wales

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States