S1.E1 ∙ Episode #1.1

The colorful story of former Republican Congressman Pete McCloskey offers an example of an authentic hero, a true political "maverick". The documentary cuts through contemporary biases based on ideologies and party affiliations to open a unique window onto an important span of our nation's history. In so doing, it enables that history to illuminate present day politics and issues in a new light.

The English and Japanese language film recounts the life of Japanese scientist Jokichi Takamine who donated Sakura trees to Washington DC towards the end of his life. Upon returning to Japan from Scotland in 1883 he opted to not follow the path of His parent and grandparent who were doctors, but instead to take on the bigger picture and become a scientist. In 1884 now in New Orleans in United States Of America for the World's fair he met 18-year old Caroline Hitch and decided to get married.

Margie Livingston is an award winning, Seattle-based artist. In this studio visit she explains her innovative and laborious techniques for making sculpture out of acrylic paint.

A woman whose father is a public servant travelled and moved often as a child and hence was raised in Kagoshima, Okinawa and even Taiwan. Following her high school graduation she married a man from a rich family, but the man neither liked his father nor accepts money from him. Instead he works as a teacher. She had grown up well-to-do as well, but being a mere teacher's wife now she has to accomplish all the housework on her own including taking care of their two daughters. Her brother visits them one day looking for help in finding a job. He has written a poem and submitted it to a magazine. Her father also visits. Still looking for work the brother travels to China. She also begins writing and submitting poetry now. Her name is Hisajo Sugita.