BARRY CONRAD

– Photography by MM for Getty Images

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One of my best friends, Jeremiah Woods, has launched an exciting new company & cause, called Freedom Aloud.  It’s been in the making for a little while & I’m stoked to finally share the news with you guys.

Here’s the full story in Jeremiah’s own words:

FREEDOM ALOUD: OUR STORY

My name is Jeremiah Woods.  For a number of years I’ve had a passion for the abolition of human trafficking.  A large part of my resources and efforts went toward this cause alone.  The more I traveled I developed a desire to help other efforts as well.  Traveling allowed me to discover communities of people zealous about the same causes I am: humanitarian and environmental efforts.  This was good but it got me thinking about the causes of others.

“Is everyone passionate about something?” had become the question I wrestled with.  If so, what are they passionate about?  If conversation promotes action, why aren’t we all talking about our passions?  I discovered that I can stand next to others in an elevator for five floors and not say anything about my enthusiasm to anyone; Not say anything about the causes I wish to make LOUD.  I wanted to make a difference.  I wanted to get people talking, sharing, and raising money in order to further these efforts.

In 2010 I developed a company designed to give voice to the humanitarian and environmental causes and passions of people everywhere.  FREEDOM ALOUD.  Freedom Aloud company comes with a question attached: What’s your cause?  The goal is to get people talking about their causes and get others involved in its promotion and fund raising.  The colors hold their own significance.  They represent the causes I am ardent about.

RED: humanitarian efforts.

BLUE: clean water projects.

GREEN: environmental efforts.

A portion of the money raised from each product sold will go to the non profit groups giving to those efforts I am fervent about (human, water, and environmental).  However, if there is a large purchase, I will give to the humanitarian or environmental effort of the buyers choice.

FREEDOM is supposed to be made LOUD.  It’s time for humanity to stand up for what we are passionate about.  Make it LOUD.  What’s your cause?

* You can follow Freedom Aloud on Twitter by clicking the pic at the top of this post.

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– Photography by MM for Getty Images

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Studio with one Danielle Blakey & one Marty Sampson.  This song..!

– via Instagram 

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All day making music with the crazy talented Carl Dimitaga & Hayley Warner.  Digging this song!

– via Instagram 

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Modeling Myer’s Coast menswear at Manu Feildel’s cooking show in Bondi…

– via Instagram 

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– via Instagram 

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– via Instagram 

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Some of my favorite music came from the 90’s.  This is just a bit of fun.  Forgive the lyric jack-ups & dud notes haha…

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–  Photography by MM for Getty Images

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Felt inspired to do something for Easter & this song is very special to me. Recorded in one take, imperfections & all. Happy Easter…

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–  Photography by MM for Getty Images

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This past weekend, I was truly blessed to experience a day I don’t think I’ll ever forget: the wedding of Jack & Lisa.

You might go, “Yeah, and..?  People get married everyday, big deal…”.  Let me tell you why…

Five years ago, Jack was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma cancer.  He had chemotherapy and over a long period of time recovered, going into remission.  The cancer returned though, forcing him to have a stem-cell transplant, using his brother’s cells.  It was successful and Jack finally proposed to his high-school sweetheart, Lisa.

The cancer came back again.

Jack was told he needed to find a bone marrow donor.  Doctors searched all over and are still yet to find a match.  Still, the couple wanted to go through with their big day.  It was then that Mona – Lisa’s mother – wrote to 2Day FM’s Kyle & Jackie O, asking for help.  Medical bills drained all their savings, leaving them no money to pay for a wedding with.  Kyle & Jackie O called in favors and were graciously offered to pay for their entire wedding.  You can hear the on-air announcement here.

Jack & Lisa saw me open for Brian McKnight last year on tour, and just a couple of weeks ago Lisa’s brother reached out to me on their behalf asking if I’d be the entertainment on their big day.  To say I was severely humbled, completely blown away and incredibly honored, would be the grandest of understatements, wow…  Considering everything Jack had been through, even Lisa, the resilience, strength and joy they wore proudly on Saturday was nothing short of inspiring.

The father/daughter dance song they requested was BRKN RBTZ’ (Brian McKnight’s sons) Marry Your Daughter.  Got word today that this 30-second snippet was actually recorded during that moment, which isn’t much, but I’d like to share it with you guys…

This experience has really woken me up to the importance of giving blood.  How such a simple act for you and I, could literally mean the difference between life and death for someone else.  Man…  It’s just crazy.  Please get along to a blood bank and donate blood, and get your name on the bone marrow registry.

You never know who’s life YOU could save.

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Last week I attended Levi’s Water<Less™ launch party, courtesy of Sweaty Betty PR.  A great night with an even greater cause, check it out.  Big thanks to MissTez Media for the pics & footage ;)…

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