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Vision Cafe
Positive Media Breakthrough: A Conversation with Oasis TV CEO, Robert Schnitzer
by Sydney L. Murray
With so much information available at our fingertips, the choice of what we feed into our minds goes beyond a trivial occupation of time. It’s really a matter of choosing our realities.
Oasis TV, the world’s leading holistic and personal growth network, offers breakthrough body-mind-spirit programming to millions of viewers all over the world. With an online library of 500 hours of original shows on love and relationships, spirituality, holistic health and green living, Oasis TV is inspiring millions to create the life they truly want.
The independent network provider is expanding its on-demand service currently available 24/7 on cable television in Los Angeles to 50 cities across the United States. Recently I had the chance to speak with Robert Schnitzer, CEO of Oasis TV, about this media breakthrough that invites us all to unite to create a better world.
Vision Magazine: What was your impetus to create Oasis TV?
Robert Schnitzer: The impetus was the viability to merge my passion for metaphysics, spirituality and world peace. After spending many decades making and marketing independent feature films, I decided to set what the next chapter in my life was going to be by combining my personal bliss with my professional experience. It was time to shift the rudder on the river of life and see where it would take me. Soon I realized that Oasis TV would have a shot, given my experience and the need for it in the media.
VM: When did you start Oasis TV?
RS: I started in ’96 with the concept. In ’97, we went on satellite TV for six months, but the market for digital cable was in its infancy. So when streaming video online came along, we decided to shift gears and put all our energy behind that. Then in 2006, we returned full circle to television in the form of cable with free video on-demand in Los Angeles in 1.3 million homes. Now we’re expanding to approximately six million more homes in 50 cities including San Diego, Santa Barbara and many more along the west coast.
VM: Tell me about some of the everyday heroes you’ve run into throughout the years in your Oasis TV ventures.
RS: It’s such a thrill to be one-on-one with Neale Donald Walsch, James Redfield, Marianne Williamson—people who are putting out a lot of light in these dark times. More and more, I see people who, as Marianne Williamson says, get off the yoga mat once in awhile and become an activist for what they’re passionate about. What it’s going to take to make a difference is everyone in their own way doing what they do best—and doing it with loving kindness and sincere service to all stakeholders. It’s going beyond the old paradigm of our shareholders, advertisers, and customers to the new paradigm of the local community and the planet.
VM: What is some of the new programming that you’re excited about?
RS: We have “Suzuki Speaks” with David Suzuki, a physicist and cosmologist. This is an incredible television special about Suzuki’s teachings in the most entertaining way using new animation technology. Another one that’s really interesting is a brand new program called “The Secret Code” with Norm Shealy, the president of the American Holistic Association who just produced an incredible documentary called, Medical Renaissance: The Secret Code.
We also have a series called “Spirituality in the Arts” and the first episode is David Carradine’s last public presentation in which he opens up and reveals his demons and his angels. That’s a beautiful piece and will run nationwide February 15.
We have a broad range of programming that includes yoga (our studies showed that people really benefit by having a 24/7 yoga class available on-demand right in their living rooms).
We are humbly honored to be part of the community and I want everyone to know that it’s not a closed system; our door’s open for potential contributors, programming and participation.
VM: What does 2010 hold for you and Oasis TV?
RS: In January, we’ll be launching our linear channel. In February or March, we’ll be on mobile with iPhone and BlackBerry. It’ll be at everyone’s fingertips for free, even if it’s a two-minute burst of inspiration while stuck in traffic. We’re looking forward to expanding into more markets within the United States and we’re in development with international deals as well. Also, we’re in the process of establishing a studio in our world headquarters and we’ll be doing a lot of shooting at this location.
Another goal is to expose alternative ideas to the younger generation. Unlike their parents and grandparents, they are under what I would call electronic assault. They can’t look anywhere without a colored plasma screen, cell phone, or computer. If we can inject into that the value of treating others as we would like to be treated and appreciating people for their diversity—the stuff that’s subtly omitted or censored from the media, then they can get a little exposure and make a difference.
VM: How do you feel about the future? Do you have hope for our world?
RS: I would have to say that I am an optimist. Ultimately, I hold a vision of a much healthier, happier, and more peaceful world. I believe that these gyrations we’re going through will be painful on so many levels—financial, economic, political and personal. Yet there’s a step beyond which is that mankind will emerge into a much more free world. I think that beginning in 2013 or 2014, we’re going to start to see the fruits of the efforts of the unsung everyday heroes working in their own fields to make a difference, whether it’s as a writer, a baker, a retailer, a lawyer or a healer. Community is more important now than ever. None of us are alone in this and through the printed media, the electronic media, and the Internet, those tools can be put to good use to bring it all back home. That’s what Oasis TV is trying to do: to make a little bit of a difference and realize our mission to help create a happier, healthier and more peaceful planet.
To check out Oasis TV’s cutting edge alternative programming airing 24/7 visit oasistv.com.
Bird’s The Word
by Galina Caraman
Heroes, heroes, heroes! That’s what was popping out in my mind a lot this month. I’m not seven anymore but I still believe in heroes. I believe that they are everywhere and in each of us—sometimes hidden between layers of everyday problems and worries—but they still exist and when you least expect it they come out. And I’m determined to find them! To me, heroes are those that made somebody’s day better, put a smile on a face, helped an elder cross the street, stopped a forest fire, risked their lives to save somebody else’s—anybody that made this world a better place or did a good deed without expecting a reward for it. Heroes are very humble creatures. In most cases they don’t even know that they did something out of the ordinary; this is the meaning of life to them—to help others!
Project Wildlife is one of the largest non-profit wildlife rehabilitation organizations in the United States. Established in 1972, Project Wildlife cares for injured, orphaned, and sick native wildlife of San Diego County and after one to three months, the rehabilitated animals are released back into their natural habitats. It’s like a hospital/orphanage for wild animals. But sometimes animals never get 100 percent healthy again and it’s therefore impossible for them to survive in the wild. In those cases, Project Wildlife keeps them safe as “volunteer’s assistants” in an education program that goes around town and teaches children and adults about the value of wildlife.
I think that anyone who works or volunteers for this organization is an everyday hero. I went straight to the top and spoke with Lisa Culver, the executive director of the organization. Surely it must be very challenging to lead 550 volunteers who care for over 10,000 animals from more than 320 species. Culver was shocked and humbled to be called a hero. Well, duh, what did I expect? That’s characteristic of a hero—they don’t enjoy the media.
“Any of these volunteers are more of a hero than I am; they are the ones that heal and care for the animals!” she exclaimed. “Even Baby Great Horned Owl is more of a hero then I am!”
I tried to speak with some of the volunteers but they were all running away from me; they had lots more important things to do. So I have decided, the hero of this month is Baby Great Horned Owl. She couldn’t refuse my nomination. Well, at least not in a language I understand. The baby owl was brought to Project Wildlife in March 2009, most likely only a few weeks old and suffering from a broken wing. Project Wildlife was able to set the wing; however due to the nature of the break, the owl would not be able to survive in the wild with its limited ability to fly and hunt effectively. This little hero owl will become an animal for education and teach our community about the beauty of wildlife. Can you imagine how many hearts she will touch in her lifetime?! She has already accomplished a lot for a 10-month-old!
This article was reprinted from Good Times Ocean Beach, Volume 3. For more information about Project Wildlife, visit projectwildlife.org.
Thinning Down in the New Year
by Marlene Buffa
A new calendar year urges us to set new intentions for the coming 12 months. Often playful, sometimes serious, these resolutions allow us to focus on what we hope to accomplish as we ponder the possibilities we map out for ourselves. Faced with a pencil and blank sheet of paper, we look up towards the ceiling as we strive to articulate our dreams, aspirations and adventures for the coming year.
One popular goal is to lose weight—from striving to lower that number on the scale to shedding the thoughts, beliefs and circumstances that block us from becoming who we truly are.
Thinning Out
From people who no longer empower us to bad habits and needless possessions, we consciously make decisions for our new year by thinning out the herd of our lives.
Forgiving, removing and releasing the old worn out patterns speaks loudly as a resolution for change. No matter what you choose to discard in your life, it all points to your spiritual center, what you allow—or don’t allow—to affect you in your world. With the cacophony of society rising every year, our culture demands more and more of our attention to both the subtle nuances of life, as well as the clanging cymbals (symbols) of reality. While we cannot control what life puts in our path, we hold the power to determine our reactions. By thinning out that which negates our highest life experience, we declare our focus and intention to live fully within what matters.
Thin skinned
We’re human. We take things personally. We allow the microscopic disturbances of life to permeate our spirit and burrow into our very being. Absorbing the positive and negative components swimming around us, we lack the filters necessary to differentiate between that which empowers us and that which may harm us.
Differentiating between toughening and thickening the barrier of our spirit to prevent the invasion of negativity offers a vital challenge. While our perceptions may bring us understanding and acknowledgement about what we choose to admit into our consciousness, thickness (or depth) still provides an interaction between the world around us and our inner selves. If we toughen up, we no longer observe the potential good—or bad—in our lives; we simply construct a defensive barrier to all new ideas, thereby denying the gift of growth in the process. The essential lesson is what happens outside of us need not be incorporated into our spirit.
A new calendar year presents opportunities for growth and for thinning out your life. Return to the basics of your nature. Acknowledge who you are and proudly display your unique qualities. Keep those people, objects and attitudes that empower and bolster your journey. And finally, know what to absorb and what to repel when the energies around you appear as a challenging opportunity for growth!
Taking a quiet sideways glance at life, Marlene Buffa offers insight through her words and experiences. A student of new-thought teachings, Marlene finds practical spirituality around every corner and seeks wisdom through observation of life’s inter-relationships. Visit her at wordsofmind.com.