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Right in Front of My Face

Right in Front of My Face

By: Shannon Hull
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About this listen

 This podcast features conversations with real people going through real things happening in life all around us. The interviews contain honest, respectful discourse about the invisible battles people are fighting right next to us that don't make our Instagram and Facebook feeds. The goal to shed light on hidden issues that many of us are dealing with in secret, and how kindness and understanding can truly break barriers. Life is about more than politics and Twitter battles. Hopefully, we can all feel less alone by hearing that other people are sharing both their pain and joy. Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Inside the Menendez Story: A Cousin's Fight for Rehabilitation

    Inside the Menendez Story: A Cousin's Fight for Rehabilitation
    Dec 12 2025
    What if everything you thought you knew about the Menendez brothers was only half the story? In this season 5 finale, I sit down with one of my oldest friends, yoga instructor and advocate Anamaria Baralt, who also happens to be the first cousin of Eric and Lyle Menendez. Twenty-five years ago, Anamaria quietly told me who her cousins were and asked me to keep it to myself. Today, she is standing in front of walls of cameras, speaking for her family, and trying to change how we think about abuse, justice, rehabilitation, and what it means to hold two truths at the same time. We talk about how Anamaria went from a "normal" life as a mom, yoga teacher, and graphic designer outside of Seattle to serving as a public representative for her family during the resentencing process. She shares what it was like to out herself at a press conference, watch her TikTok explode overnight, and become the person Eric and Lyle trust to use her voice on the outside. Content note: This episode includes discussion of murder, child abuse, sexual abuse, addiction, and the criminal justice system. Please care for yourself as you listen.

    In this episode:
    • The complexity of holding two truths: grieving her aunt and uncle while supporting her cousins, Eric and Lyle Menendez
    • Why Anamaria chose to go public after decades of silence
    • How media portrayals, from the '90s to Monsters, skew the real story
    • Who Eric and Lyle are today after 35 years in prison
    • Why rehabilitation and trauma-informed sentencing matter
    • What modern brain science reveals about abuse, trauma, and decision-making
    • What happened during the resentencing and latest parole denial
    • How Anamaria is navigating advocacy, motherhood, and national attention
    • Her vision for prison reform, awareness around child abuse, and using her voice for change
    Anamaria Baralt is a yoga instructor, personal trainer, artist, and mom of two living outside Seattle. She is also the niece of José and Kitty Menendez and first cousin of Eric and Lyle Menendez. After decades of living quietly with an unimaginable family history, she stepped into the public eye to speak on behalf of her family during the Menendez resentencing process. References and resources mentioned Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story (Ryan Murphy series): https://www.netflix.com/title/81665094 The Two Angry Men podcast episode featuring Eric and Lyle Menendez: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/2-angry-men/id1728521271?i=1000694271365 Lyle Menendez's Green Space Project and Eric Menendez's Life Care and Hospice work inside prison: https://apnews.com/article/menendez-brothers-murder-erik-lyle-freedom-prison-b1eede9677e78df88f6709703cc8b716 Anamaria's TikTok account, where she shares advocacy, education, and a few dog cameos: ttps://www.tiktok.com/@anamariabaralt

    You can find me on Instagram @rightinfrontofmyface or send me a note at rightinfrontofmyface@gmail.com. If this conversation hit home for you, please share it with a friend and leave a review. It really does help more people find these stories. And as always, don't forget to look around—you never know what's happening right in front of your face. Thank you to my sponsors Cassie and Jeremy Johnson with Windermere Real Estate: https://johnsonandwalker.com/
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    1 hr and 11 mins
  • Seattle School Board Budget Accountability: Vivian Song on the $1.2 B Crisis (Seattle School Board Candidate)

    Seattle School Board Budget Accountability: Vivian Song on the $1.2 B Crisis (Seattle School Board Candidate)
    Oct 23 2025
    Seattle spends more than $1.2 billion each year on public education, nearly the same as running the entire city. So why do so few people know where that money goes, or who's actually in charge of it? In this episode of Right in Front of My Face, I sit down with Vivian Song, candidate for Seattle School Board District 5, to talk about how local politics directly shape our schools, and why most of us aren't paying enough attention. I'll be honest: I didn't think I'd ever get this invested in local education policy. But the more I've learned through this podcast, the more I realize how deeply city culture, education, and accountability are intertwined. With a $1.2 billion budget nearly equal to that of Seattle's entire city government, the Seattle Public School system has enormous influence, and yet, shockingly little oversight. Vivian and I dig into the Student Outcomes Focused Governance model, how it's changed school board oversight, and what happens when financial committees disappear. We also talk about what accountability really looks like, how to rebuild public trust, and why marketing might actually be one of the smartest tools for saving public schools. This conversation made me think differently about how education works and how my vote connects to it all. No matter where your kids go to school (or if you have kids at all), this episode is for anyone who cares about how our community's future is being shaped.

    Topics Covered:
    • Why local elections matter more than you think
    • The $1.2 billion question: who's watching Seattle's school budget?
    • Understanding Student Outcomes Focused Governance
    • How public education decisions affect everyone—even private school families
    • Lessons from Vivian's first term and why she's running again
    • The importance of transparency, community trust, and clear communication
    • How public schools can regain enrollment and rebuild confidence
    • The role of AI and technology in shaping the future of education
    About the Guest: Vivian Song is a Harvard graduate, finance professional, and former Seattle School Board Director now running for District 5. A parent of four, she's passionate about public education, fiscal accountability, and ensuring equitable opportunities for every student in Seattle. https://www.songforseattleschools.com

    You can find me on Instagram @rightinfrontofmyface or send me a note at rightinfrontofmyface@gmail.com. If this conversation hit home for you, please share it with a friend and leave a review. It really does help more people find these stories. And as always, don't forget to look around—you never know what's happening right in front of your face. Thank you to my sponsors Cassie and Jeremy Johnson with Windermere Real Estate: https://johnsonandwalker.com/
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    48 mins
  • Inside Seattle Politics: A Conversation with City Council President Sara Nelson

    Inside Seattle Politics: A Conversation with City Council President Sara Nelson
    Jun 12 2025
    This episode is a little different — and honestly, one of the most meaningful conversations I've had on the podcast. It all started when someone threw a rock through the window of my husband's pediatric dental office in Green Lake. That incident led me down an unexpected path of navigating city programs, talking to local leaders, and eventually, sitting across from Sara Nelson, President of the Seattle City Council. Sara joined me in my home studio for a candid, unfiltered conversation about what it really takes to lead in this city — and why she's running for a second term. We covered a lot: the realities of public safety, support for small businesses, addiction treatment, housing, and the power (and limits) of what City Council can actually do. She didn't dodge a single question, and nothing was edited out. What you'll hear is an open, honest exchange between two people who care deeply about Seattle and want to see it thrive. In this episode:
    • The Back to Business Fund and how it directly impacted my family
    • What Seattle City Council members can and can't control
    • Sara's approach to public safety, housing, and addiction treatment
    • What it's like to lead with integrity under constant public scrutiny
    • Her biggest wins — and what she wants to accomplish next term

    A quote that stuck with me was: "I ran to fix the city — and I'm not done." If you live in Seattle, I hope this episode helps you feel more informed and connected to the people shaping our future. And I hope it reminds you that your voice matters — not just on social media, but at the polls.

    Connect with Sara Nelson: Website: https://www.saraforcitycouncil.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saraforcitycouncil

    You can find me on Instagram @rightinfrontofmyface or send me a note at rightinfrontofmyface@gmail.com.

    If this conversation hit home for you, please share it with a friend and leave a review. It really does help more people find these stories. And as always, don't forget to look around—you never know what's happening right in front of your face.

    Thank you to my sponsors Cassie and Jeremy Johnson with Windermere Real Estate: https://johnsonandwalker.com/
    Show More Show Less
    49 mins
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