We recently connected with Randy Williams and have shared our conversation below.
Randy, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?
It started with the spread of a fashion-abomination called Crocs. You see, years ago, these dastardly embarrassments to mankind were only seen on a handful of rare humans, who obviously had zero fashion taste or shame whatsoever. Unfortunately, over the past few years, these holed, rubber monstrosities have been spreading like the plague, infecting almost every level of society, on every corner of the earth.
Concerned, to say the least, I approached local and federal lawmakers to see what could be done. A ban on these disgraceful clogs? Fines to companies who peddle them? A “fugly” fee to be imposed on each pair sold, to help re-educate those lacking even the most basic fashion sense? At very least, an advisory on each shoebox explaining how utterly ridiculous and foolish anyone who puts these things on their feet will look?
Sadly and surprisingly, my calls for help went unanswered while the world was continuing to suffer with the exponential growth in sales and use of these grotesque loafers. It was at that period of my life, when I entered a dark time – I just couldn’t believe this was happening and no one was doing anything about it. I was in a bad place for a while.
After many months of soul searching, including a trip to the mountains of Bhutan to pray about it in temples perched high in the Himalayas, it finally came to me: I would create my own nation…a nation free of Crocs and severe penalties to anyone who dared to wear them or even bring them across our borders.
Additional reading:
History: https://slowjamastan.org/history/
Randy, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
The Sultan has a background in broadcasting, gracing the public airwaves since the tender age of 16. By my junior year in high school, I was hosting a late night “Slow Jams” show on my town’s local radio station. Today, the show is heard on over 200 terrestrial radio stations in 14 countries. I’ve written two best-selling books, produced an award-winning film and appeared on Shark Tank with Brian McKnight.
When I’m not on the radio, I’m probably traveling to a country most haven’t heard of. To date, In May of 2023 I finished my mission to see every country in the world, all 193.
With my radio listeners, I build wells in rural African villages without clean water sources. But enough about me, let’s talk about me.
As the newly (and self)-appointed leader of the world’s newest nation, “The Republic of Slowjamastan,” I have the task of ruling over a very special 11-acre sovereign territory that includes over 16,000 registered citizens.
Additional reading:
Sultan bio: https://slowjamastan.org/the-sultan/
Radio bio: https://slowjams.com/about-r-dub/
Travel blog: https://www.ramblinrandy.com/
Africa water project: https://slowjams.com/blog/slowjams4kids/
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
The Republic of Slowjamastan is an 11.07-acre sovereign nation completely surrounded by The United States. We’re about an hour south of Palm Springs and 37 miles north of Mexico.
Currently, our most popular activities include:
-Taking selfies in front of our main sign(s)
-Visiting Independence Square
-Searching for the elusive Slowjamastan racoon, which also happens to be our national animal
-Watching the glorious Slowjamastan sunrise/sunset
We look forward to introducing new and exciting additions to our nation, including but not limited to: a lazy river, an armadillo farm, an all-you-can-eat Mongolian BBQ establishment and of course a giant statue/monument of The Great Leader (me). We may need to adjust our tax structure, because the funds aren’t coming in as fast as we’ve hoped.
We also host a handful of activities throughout the year, including opportunities to have your Slowjamastani passport stamped, join in on the commemoration of new states and even meet The Sultan. During our last get together, The Slowjamastan Spooktakular, besides giving out “Sultan Sweet Sacks” to the kids and adults, we unveiled our newest asset: The Slowjamastan Fire Department Fire Engine.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
What form of government do you have? • What does your government stand for?
• How many ministers and citizens do you have?
We’re a dictatorship most of the time. On occasion, we’ll hold special voting ceremonies and referendums. Recently, I allowed citizens to vote on what should be our national fruit, sport and even what our national animal (the mascot) should be named I even allowed the people to decide for or against an invasion and annexation of Yuma.
We have a glorious cabinet of czars, secretaries, ministers and directors.
By now you know what we stand for. We are united against Crocs and a handful of other unspeakable things and actions. See our laws here: https://slowjamastan.org/laws/
We have over 500 registered citizens, 1000 conditionally approved and over 3,500 in queue.
Additional reading:
Recent election results: https://slowjamastan.org/2022/02/11/hoards-flood-across-border-to-see-sultan/
Political stance and more: https://slowjamastan.org/about/
Cabinet and Parliament: https://slowjamastan.org/parliament/
Citizens: https://slowjamastan.org/citizens-laws-misc/
Contact Info:
- Website: www.slowjamastan.org
- Instagram: @slowjamastan
- Facebook: facebook.com/slowjamastan
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/slowjamastan/
- Twitter: @slowjamastan
- Youtube: youtube.com/@slowjamastan
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/republic-of-slowjamastan-westmoreland
Image Credits
Slowjamastan Ministry of Propaganda