Schmooze with Suze

Back in the 1900s, as a child of immigrants to the United States, I remember always having to learn it on my own. My parents weren't familiar with American cultural norms and my world was pretty narrow. If I wanted to understand how private school girls acted, I watched "The Facts of Life." When it was time for high school, thankfully, "Beverly Hills 90210" launched. But when college came around, well, there wasn't a show that showed you how to apply, what picking a major meant, or how not to get overwhelmed and spiral... And how to recover if you did.So what happens when you can only follow society’s script for so long? And that’s what we’re going to tackle today...Straddling the line between two cultures can feel like juggling fire.  My latest conversation with Allishia Bauman, who gets to proudly serve as the Executive Director and Senior Vice President for City Year Jacksonville, is a glimpse into how her decade with an organization that creates a cycle of opportunity for young people between the ages of 18 to 25 to be student success coaches as mentors and tutors while also receiving a professional development experience. https://www.cityyear.org/jacksonville/Allishia's journey from student to community leader is nothing short of inspiring, showcasing the life-altering power of community. In our heartfelt discussion, we untangle the importance of emotional and spiritual belonging in reaching self-actualization. We open up about the hard-earned lessons in financial literacy and boundary setting. The episode is a treasure trove of insights on how to cultivate a growth mindset and the courage to break free from labels and expectations that hold us back.We're on a mission to build a world where each person is seen and valued, and this episode is a clarion call to join us in nurturing the potential within us all.Find your #Ubuntu and #Ikigai as I talk about relaunching #WithLoveJax with a Woman of Influence.Do you have some feedback, thoughts or questions? Want to be a guest on my show or have an Honorable Mensch to nominate?Connect on Instagram @SchmoozewithSuze Subscribe to the Schmooze with Suze Podcast for your dose of #Culture, #Values and #GlobalCitizenship... with a side of #chutzpah... Don’t forget to leave a review if you enjoyed this episode. Please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE and SHARE.Thank you for helping us grow!

Back in the 1900s there was a period of time that you could not safely stroll the streets of Manhattan for fear. I’m not talking about the high profile cases that made the news. Those weren’t the things that scared me. Violence that had statistics meant there were people following and tracking those crimes and those criminals. Also, money was invested into researching ways to avoid becoming a statistic.  But for me, the real stories that didn’t make the big news, was people being hit in the head by a brick, or a random jumping in the park. A sudden suffering subjected to an innocent by a stranger. It could be someone mentally ill or high on drugs… Or teens daring each other. And it was a more common occurrence. (And by the way, that story could be repeated about what has become the "Baked Apple" of today.)So, who can we put our faith into during times like those? Like these?What is Faith? And that’s what we’re going to tackle today…What comes to mind when you hear the word FAITH?Can you have FAITH and TRADITION but not RELIGION?Is FAITH-TRADITION the same as RELIGION?Can you have FAITH but not a FAITH-TRADITION?Does INTERFAITH cover all RELIGIONS or all FAITH possibilities?Elizabeth Andersen, CEO of OneJax, shares there is a world of insights waiting to be uncovered in strategic planning and the honest self-assessment required to push boundaries and bridge gaps- all in an effort to meet our Jacksonville community where they are, with the needs they have. OneJax, a nonprofit organization that promotes diversity as the foundation for a strong community through respect and understanding among people from different backgrounds, faiths, races, cultures and identities. Through advocacy, community engagement and education, OneJax believes that we can accomplish anything we put our minds to when we are Different Together. Find out more, and become part of this journey of community, empathy, and understanding at https://onejax.org/Each year since 1970, OneJax hosts a Humanitarian Awards Event to honor outstanding individuals who have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to our community. This year it will take place on Thursday, May 9, 2024 at 5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at the Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts.I look forward to seeing you there!To purchase sponsorship or tickets, go to https://onejax.app.neoncrm.com/forms/10Do you have some feedback, thoughts or questions? Want to be a guest on my show or have an Honorable Mensch to nominate?Connect on Instagram @SchmoozewithSuze Subscribe to the Schmooze with Suze Podcast for your dose of #Culture, #Values and #GlobalCitizenship... with a side of #chutzpah... Don’t forget to leave a review if you enjoyed this episode. Please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE and SHARE.Thank you for helping us grow!

For as far back as I can remember charity has been ingrained in me, like challah braided into my DNA.  From my very first nursery school classroom, at my very first circle time, I recall proudly clutching my shiny copper penny and eagerly waiting that tzedaka box to get to me. Whether it’s passing the plate or the pushka, the value of giving is part of our foundation, so why does giving it to a "Foundation" sound scary to someone like me? And that’s what we’re going to tackle today…This episode is a deep exploration of philanthropy's heart with my guest, Isaiah Oliver, who leads the Community Foundation of Northeast Florida. Together, we unravel the threads that connect family values to community involvement, revealing how personal narratives weave into the larger philanthropic fabric. The Community Foundation of Northeast Florida https://www.jaxcf.org/The stories shared in this episode, including a lively family debate over education, demonstrate the profound influence our loved ones have on our journey towards social responsibility. Isaiah and I also ponder the powerful impact that intentionally engaging in varying viewpoints can have, particularly within the realm of public service and global citizenship.Isaiah shares his WHO (society), WHAT (social impact), WHEN (if not now...?), WHERE (local, global) and WHY listening and engaging helps us get to HOW together.Whether you're a seasoned donor or just starting to find your footing in the world of giving, join us as we celebrate the stories that shape our communities and inspire us to leave lasting legacies of our own. Fairy Tales, Anita Baker https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7vrDThlryUDo you have some feedback, thoughts or questions? Want to be a guest on my show or have an Honorable Mensch to nominate?Connect on Instagram @SchmoozewithSuze Subscribe to the Schmooze with Suze Podcast for your dose of #Culture, #Values and #GlobalCitizenship... with a side of #chutzpah... Don’t forget to leave a review if you enjoyed this episode. Please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE and SHARE.Thank you for helping us grow!

Growing up in 1970s, New York City, I felt like I was always living under construction. Things that got built for people to live in, single or multi-family- were filled instantly with residents, as quickly as their various family members were able to sponsor them, and shops too. Some stayed open and some didn't make it, but for every business that closed down, something quickly took its place. Nothing stayed vacant. People were hustling to make work for their families and communities. The cycle of residential and commercial... or commercial and residential... was constant, and we didn't notice which came first. They developed concurrently, or so it seemed to me.So who are the people in your neighborhood that think about what fits where in cities and, most importantly, for whom and why? And that's what we're going to tackle today...Zoom out a little... No, a little more.There, do you see it? You might need binoculars.Not that landscape. Not just the tall buildings...(Especially not them... yet...)If you squint just right, you'll catch the silhouette of a city that's changing over the years. Block by block... Neighborhood by neighborhood... Lower your binoculars and walk around in a circle.It's not the architecture that whispers, 'I'm new'; It's a whole village- or 'ville- of thought, strategy, and vision folded into the landscape. Who knits this urban quilt of tall buildings, working streets, and bustling squares into the tapestry we call Jacksonville? It's time to unveil the unsung wizards of our urban wonderlands—the urban planners- who mastermind a mere metropolis and forge it into a beacon of progress and community.Today, my guest is Sondra Fetner, an experienced land use lawyer and urbanist. She joined the Jessie Ball DuPont Fund after running an urban development consulting firm for three years. Sondra realized, working as an attorney, her impact was only as great as her client's desire. She decided it was time to work for beliefs and ideals, that would lead to community for her kids.Mensch is the Yiddish word for a person of integrity- who makes the world better, just by being in it. This week's Honorable Mensch is Darnell Smith.Darnell has used his deep, earnest and compassionate relationship with the business, health and safety, philanthropic, spiritual and political community- to navigate his way, first and foremost, as a trusted stakeholder and custodian of care for this city. As the executive on loan through a contract with the City of Jacksonville and Florida Blue, he is accepting a call to serve us- and for that we are exceptionally fortunate. #SchmoozeWithSuze #BorrowMyBinoculars #ViewsWithSuze #Downtown #Urbanist #UrbanPlanning #UrbanDevelopment #Jacksonville #Community  #Neighborhoods #DowntownJax Do you have some feedback, thoughts or questions? Want to be a guest on my show or have an Honorable Mensch to nominate?Connect on Instagram @SchmoozewithSuze Subscribe to the Schmooze with Suze Podcast for your dose of #Culture, #Values and #GlobalCitizenship... with a side of #chutzpah... Don’t forget to leave a review if you enjoyed this episode. Please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE and SHARE.Thank you for helping us grow!

This episode I introduce new music in the INTRO and OUTRO. The piece, and the composer, are special- Dance With Me. It's the title- but also my invitation to this season.I've asked you to borrow my binoculars. We got interested... curious...We got funky. (Note the previous season's music. I choose with intention.) Now I am challenging you to trust me as we dance through the imaginary boundaries that tether us away from each other. I want to twirl toward tenacity...The composer, INBAL COHEN-RASNER,  is the CLASSICAL COMPOSITION WINNER  of the 2022 Marvin Hamlisch International Music Awards,Inbal was born and raised in Haifa, Israel, but currently share dual United States citizenship. She is a board certified and fellowship trained Radiologist specializing in adult Neuroradiology and Pediatric Radiology. She is also a music Composer and concert Pianist. She gained her formal classical music education in piano and music composition at the Music Conservatory school in Haifa, Israel. She received her medical degree from The Technion Institute. After completing her Radiology residency in 2004, she moved from Israel to the United States to further pursue specialized Radiology Fellowship training in Pediatric Radiology and Neuroradiology.Throughout her medical career, she continued to write original music scores and perform at local music events. Around 2019, she started to expand her interest in composing music for films. She was the grand winner in the Oticons Faculty International Film Scoring competition 2021 and was nominated as the Top Finalist in the Film Scoring Academy of Europe contest 2022. She has been practicing medicine her entire adult life, and thoroughly enjoys her career as a physician, but at this point, she wishes to pursue her true passion as a music composer.Inbal is a woman who is INSPIRED AND INSPIRING! She propels me to believe- over and over- that our transferrable skills can be as far away from where we began... We only need to follow the music that we hear.Dance With Me, original music https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZITPP5fj0GsComposed by Inbal Cohen-RasnerArranged by Amit PoznanskyHarmonica by Yael FeldheimFlute by Lia SchondorfAdditional violins by Yael Shachar© All Rights ReservedMensch is the Yiddish word for a person of integrity, who makes the world a better place- just by being in it. This week's Honorable Mensch is Toni Smailagic, (SMAH-ee-lah-gitch) the eyes behind the lens that captures the Vision of my 'Ville Values... What I hear in my new music, is what I see in your images, Toni- the desire to pursue passion! Out there, back here and all over the Globe of citizenship.  Follow @Cre8Jax on social media, and for resources in the Non-Profit and Creative environment.https://www.tonismailagic.com/ https://cre8jax.com/ Do you have some feedback, thoughts or questions? Want to be a guest on my show or have an Honorable Mensch to nominate?Connect on Instagram @SchmoozewithSuze Subscribe to the Schmooze with Suze Podcast for your dose of #Culture, #Values and #GlobalCitizenship... with a side of #chutzpah... Don’t forget to leave a review if you enjoyed this episode. Please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE and SHARE.Thank you for helping us grow!

Two decades ago I was a city girl living the city life walking distance to everything.  And part of being a city girl living in a city is that its heartbeat and yours start to sync up. You start to care about its streets and sidewalks, the people and purpose that blend together to infiltrate every possibility for potential. Because, as a bridge and tunnel girl from birth, always just on the other side, I had never really gotten to know it intimately. Me and the city, we were on a get in, get what you need and get out basis. But can we overcome our fear of the mess we remember and move past it to enhance our relationship and build up trust again?And that's what we're going to tackle today...My guest Laura Phillips Edgecombe is the Director of Development & Strategic Partnerships for Build Up Downtown (BUD), a privately funded, nonprofit that facilitates and advocates for preservation, smart development and great public spaces in Downtown Jacksonville through communicating, connecting and informing current and future businesses and stakeholders.  She also served as Co-Chair of Mayor Deegan’s Infrastructure Transition Committee’s Parks and Recreation Subcommittee.#DTJAX #BuildUpDowntown #JacksonvilleDo you have some feedback, thoughts or questions? Want to be a guest on my show or have an Honorable Mensch to nominate?Connect on Instagram @SchmoozewithSuze Subscribe to the Schmooze with Suze Podcast for your dose of #Culture, #Values and #GlobalCitizenship... with a side of #chutzpah... Don’t forget to leave a review if you enjoyed this episode. Please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE and SHARE.Thank you for helping us grow!

I’m always talking about my start as an immigrant's kid. Despite my lack of accent, or so I think, my birthplace in New York City and my American audacity to claim what’s mine- my heart beats in a different language sometimes.And nuance matters. And so does me being the first in my family, to do some things, along with the importance of reaching back to pull the next person behind me up.But what about culture that has historically divided us can we use to unite and inspire us?And that’s what we’re going to tackle today...Ever felt like you're hiding parts of yourself for fear of not fitting in? Join me as I navigate through the inspiring journey of my guest, Alejandra Amegin, who grappled with this inner struggle after migrating from Mexico. Diving headfirst into a new country, Alejandra hid her Mexican culture in her pursuit to blend in, which led to a journey of self-discovery where she reclaimed her Latina identity and heritage.In this episode, we peel back the layers of Alejandra's transformation. She takes us through her personal evolution, breaking the barriers she built around her identity and reconnecting with her Mexican roots. Her journey offers a window into the intricate tapestry of the American Dream, reminding us of the power of culture and identity in forging our paths. This isn’t just Alejandra’s story - it’s an exploration of how we can find our purpose and redefine our self-concept.But that’s not all. Alejandra used her experiences to create pioneering wellness programs for minority communities, tackling accessibility and affordability barriers through her initiative, Vive Yoga. So, tune in for an enlightening chat and a chance to reflect on your own journey.Do you have some feedback, thoughts or questions? Want to be a guest on my show or have an Honorable Mensch to nominate?Connect on Instagram @SchmoozewithSuze Subscribe to the Schmooze with Suze Podcast for your dose of #Culture, #Values and #GlobalCitizenship... with a side of #chutzpah... Don’t forget to leave a review if you enjoyed this episode. Please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE and SHARE.Thank you for helping us grow!

Purposeis a feeling on the inside that throbs. Someone can pick, plan, program, participate, protest, protect, patronize, philosophize, philanthropy any Purpose. The throb can be Activated. ButWhen you’re born INTO Purpose YOU grow around ITLike scar tissue. The throb comes before you can even pick yourself apart from thePurpose. AndPlenty of people dull, dilute, diminish, discourage, derail, deny, defame, disconnect, deactivate  Purpose That overpowers them.YetI have never been more determined to Display MYPurposeBecauseI’m not scar tissue.The throb since birth is a weight to Empower MYPurpose AndI am determined to Expose MYPurposeTo the world. SoThey can SEE I’ve been Musclegrowing ON myPurpose All this time. How does your personal story shape your purpose? And what happens when your personal purpose fuels your public impact? And that's what we're going to tackle today...My guest, Lakesha Burton, is a woman of courage, conviction and character. Her courage comes from her deep faith in God. Her conviction is reflected in her determination to consistently do the next right thing. And her character... Well, that has been built by a lifetime of facing insurmountable challenges and overcoming them.  In this episode, we find out how having institutional knowledge, then combining it with compassion for community, can reframe the game for someone who developed a playbook at the Police Athletic League. #BorrowMyBinoculars #ViewswithSuze   #LakeshaBurton #Jacksonville #Compassion  Lakesha's heart is in helping others in need, especially children, which is the basis for her work in establishing “Tesha’s Hands,” a 501C(3) nonprofit that she created in memory of her deceased twin sister. You can find out more at www.teshashands.org .Do you have some feedback, thoughts or questions? Want to be a guest on my show or have an Honorable Mensch to nominate?Connect on Instagram @SchmoozewithSuze Subscribe to the Schmooze with Suze Podcast for your dose of #Culture, #Values and #GlobalCitizenship... with a side of #chutzpah... Don’t forget to leave a review if you enjoyed this episode. Please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE and SHARE.Thank you for helping us grow!

Culturally, I used to be tzemisht- which is one way in Yiddish to say confused. Born in this country, but English wasn’t my first, or even my second, language. My family was confident that I would learn to speak it the old-fashioned way, by watching Sesame Street and General Hospital… And by going to “programs in the Y.” In my childhood neighborhood, the center of Jewish life was the Boro Park Y.  By high school I had gotten certified as a lifeguard and my first referral was to the Bensonhurst J. And when I went anywhere, I looked for a Y OR a J. And while I no longer felt  tzemisht as in confused- I became an alternate definition for tzemisht, COMBINED.So, why is combining communities to exponentially grow our platform as global citizens necessary in making a difference?And that’s what we are going to tackle today…I sit down with Adam Chaskin, CEO of the Jewish Community Alliance and  Eric Mann, CEO and President of the First Coast YMCA  as they share their personal journeys, revealing how their paths led them to these significant roles. They also talk about why they work relentlessly to build communities and provide life-enhancing opportunities like Together Against Hate: Promoting Unity in Our Community-  an initiative designed to actively educate and inspire our neighbors to build a more inclusive Northeast Florida. Together Against Hate: Promoting Unity in Our Community is a speaker series that will address topics impacting our area including prejudices in faith, race, antisemitism, ethnicity, LGBTQ+, gender, and diverse abilities. Starting in September, influential speakers from 904Ward, JASMYN, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), The Arc Jacksonville, The LJD Jewish Family & Community Services, OneJax, and Interfaith Center, will empower the community with the knowledge needed to have a voice in taking a stance against bias.As a visual representation of this partnership and the efforts made to unify the community, the series will culminate with the first-ever Racing Against Hate 5K Run/Walk at the Winston Family YMCA on Sunday, February 25, 2024, at 1 pm.Click here to learn more about the Together Against Hate speaker series and the first-ever Racing Against Hate 5K Run/Walk in February 2024.The educational speaker series begins on Thursday, September 14 and continues through January 2024.  Do you have some feedback, thoughts or questions? Want to be a guest on my show or have an Honorable Mensch to nominate?Connect on Instagram @SchmoozewithSuze Subscribe to the Schmooze with Suze Podcast for your dose of #Culture, #Values and #GlobalCitizenship... with a side of #chutzpah... Don’t forget to leave a review if you enjoyed this episode. Please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE and SHARE.Thank you for helping us grow!

I always had a lot of words. Probably the byproduct of being raised surrounded by non-English speakers. There was a language barrier. It separated them- so it separated me. But not just the words- the nuance, the inflection. Also the frustration, resentment, despair, shame— all of my discomfort stifled by the sounds that made up their sentence fragments. And when they struggled or sputtered, they turned to Suzie- Speaker at Large. It also made me the conduit. For the translation. But also for the sometimes not very friendly, or patient- and on occasion outright hostile- responses. So I found my words early and used them often. And stood at the ready to protect and defend.But what happens when you only find your VOICE after nearly half a century of SO many words? And that’s what we’re going to tackle today...Ready to challenge your perceptions of leadership and communication? Join us as we sit down with the insightful Commander Alexa Jenkins of the US Navy. She opens up about the nuanced dynamics of leadership, underscoring the essence of authentic communication during transitional times. Discover the pivotal difference between a boss and a real leader, and ponder if true leadership lies in genuine care for your people. Do you have some feedback, thoughts or questions? Want to be a guest on my show or have an Honorable Mensch to nominate?Connect on Instagram @SchmoozewithSuze Subscribe to the Schmooze with Suze Podcast for your dose of #Culture, #Values and #GlobalCitizenship... with a side of #chutzpah... Don’t forget to leave a review if you enjoyed this episode. Please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE and SHARE.Thank you for helping us grow!

Why does the ‘why’ behind historical events matter in shaping our present and future? How are we, as parents and citizens, responding to the responsibilities of raising the next generation with strong values and cultural identity, especially amidst the explosion of the information age? I want to delve into the significance of context in portraying history and the risks of misrepresentation. Listen in as I advocate for being protectors of truth, fostering empathy and character in our children, and facilitating their growth into responsible global citizens. So buckle up! Find out why I stand up and speak out- so that MORE of us can feel LESS alone in this journey. #viewswithsuze Do you have some feedback, thoughts or questions? Want to be a guest on my show or have an Honorable Mensch to nominate?Connect on Instagram @SchmoozewithSuze Subscribe to the Schmooze with Suze Podcast for your dose of #Culture, #Values and #GlobalCitizenship... with a side of #chutzpah... Don’t forget to leave a review if you enjoyed this episode. Please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE and SHARE.Thank you for helping us grow!

Are you ready to meet my coach? In this episode I share why I am inspired by my spiritual trainer, international speaker, educator and author Ruchi Koval- who cultivated a program designed to make me the judgmentally-leanest, non-meanest, finding-a-better-way-than-to-fight-machinist I have ever been!In her book Soul Construction: Shape Your Character using 8 Steps From The Timeless Jewish Practice of Mussar, we embark on a soul-searching journey into exploring how our relationships can serve as compasses guiding us toward our best selves. Ruchi shares her profound insights on recognizing a wise friendship, the strength in accepting others, and the transformative power of taking ownership of our mistakes.Our discussion takes a deep dive into the intricacies of mutual respect and admiration, while also shedding light on the tricky terrain of constructive feedback versus criticism that diminishes growth. Ruchi artfully guides us through these nuances, setting the stage for a better understanding of how to foster generosity and exercise restraint in our relationships. Our conversation takes an enlightening turn as we mull over the impact of our words, and the importance of silence as a counterbalance.We conclude with a heartening exploration of the concept of happiness, and how refining each of these eight character traits enables us to work through the process to attain it. Ruchi is the Co-Founder and Director of the Jewish Family Experience in Cleveland, Ohio. She has written Conversations with God, Soul Construction and is in the process of completing her third book.You can follow Ruchi on Instagram, Youtube, Facebook and on her website  www.OutOfTheOrthobox.com You can purchase Soul Construction on Amazon https://a.co/d/fTby4YoDo you have some feedback, thoughts or questions? Want to be a guest on my show or have an Honorable Mensch to nominate?Connect on Instagram @SchmoozewithSuze Subscribe to the Schmooze with Suze Podcast for your dose of #Culture, #Values and #GlobalCitizenship... with a side of #chutzpah... Don’t forget to leave a review if you enjoyed this episode. Please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE and SHARE.Thank you for helping us grow!

Back in the 1900s, when I was away at college, the first high holidays rolled around. It was such a schlep home, that I opted to stay on campus. Considering this was my first time not sitting beside my mommy at my parents' place of worship where I had grown up, I remember being excited to shop around. I had only *heard* of other denominations. And after 12 solid years of hardcore religious studies- plus a gap year in Israel- I was ready to explore.I felt so much like Goldilocks attending service after service… For this I was too hard and for this I was too soft… But there was no place that suggested I was “just right enough.” And I wish there had been a place to engage in conversations- of all kinds!- while I was trying to figure it out, so that I could remain connected instead of pulling away. SO, should we provide spaces for young adults to build relationships around their spiritual differences in an effort to contribute to a future of unity?And that is what we are going to tackle today….My guest today is Matt Hartley, a career public educator, Christian faith leader with a passion for youth and young adult leadership development and Interfaith engagement. He is currently the Director of the University of North Florida’s Interfaith Center. Do you have some feedback, thoughts or questions? Want to be a guest on my show or have an Honorable Mensch to nominate?Connect on Instagram @SchmoozewithSuze Subscribe to the Schmooze with Suze Podcast for your dose of #Culture, #Values and #GlobalCitizenship... with a side of #chutzpah... Don’t forget to leave a review if you enjoyed this episode. Please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE and SHARE.Thank you for helping us grow!

(This episode was taped on May 16, 2023. ELECTION DAY in Jacksonville, FL and the results were unknown.)I have a friend who has been seeing a therapist for about 15 years and one day she says, “I feel like this is all still here.” And the therapist responds, “it always will be.”My friend becomes upset and she shouts, “how could you say that? I thought, after all, this time I would come to an aha moment and feel relief and it would be gone.”The therapist replies, “I didn't say you would never come to that moment. I said all this stuff will always be there. This was the story of the life you lived. You just have to decide that you are not necessarily your story.”  *When it comes to our story, perhaps we have to decide what we want to keep on thinking and bonding to? How do we see ourselves and what we went through? And that is what we are going to tackle today…Are you ready to challenge your perspectives and change the world you live in? Brace yourself for an engaging Dialogue with David, my seasonal conversation with notable Jacksonville stakeholder, philanthropist, and Director of Optimism, David Miller. David shares his views on building a non-judgmental society that empowers every individual to reach their potential. His insights on the power of culture, empathy, and the value of asking questions will compel you to reconsider your viewpoints. We also explore controversial labels and discuss laws that are infringing on basic rights. I share why these matters trigger me as a third-generation Holocaust survivor, and why they should worry all of us.In the latter part of our conversation, get ready to be inspired by David's reflections on his family values and their influence on his professional and philanthropic endeavors. We talk about the Sandy Miller Metrotown Institute, a project dedicated to nurturing character and leadership among the youth. We stress the importance of interaction to foster acceptance and appreciation across diverse communities. If you're keen to understand the importance of standing up for others and making a difference in the world, this episode is for you. David shares how his personal story drives his public interest . Tune in as we honor the spirit of a “Mensch”, a Yiddish term for a person of integrity.*Mashal borrowedDo you have some feedback, thoughts or questions? Want to be a guest on my show or have an Honorable Mensch to nominate?Connect on Instagram @SchmoozewithSuze Subscribe to the Schmooze with Suze Podcast for your dose of #Culture, #Values and #GlobalCitizenship... with a side of #chutzpah... Don’t forget to leave a review if you enjoyed this episode. Please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE and SHARE.Thank you for helping us grow!

Back in the 1900s, after you took your SATs, colleges and universities would flood your parents ACTUAL, LITERAL mailbox with brochures and catalogs. While this sounds like a “barrage of garbage”… it was, in fact, very wanted and welcome because back then, the only other way to know about colleges was in your guidance counsellors office, the local public library, or if you bought the annual guide yourself. There was no “look it up online.” The one that I was obsessed with was Flagler College in St. Augustine, Florida. As a city girl, the beauty of the buildings and the nearness to the beach in those glossy, full-color photos were the dream. I never even toured it. Until I was a local.Before I got that brochure I had never heard of St. Augustine, and to be honest- I never even thought about it again. Until 2012, when I read a letter called “Why We Went.” And that’s what we’re going to tackle today…Dr. Michael Butler is a Kenan Distinguished Professor of History at Flagler College in St. Augustine, Florida. His work has appeared in many leading peer-reviewed academic publications, such as The Journal of American Studies, The Journal of Southern History, The Florida Historical Quarterly, and Southern Cultures. Dr. Butler has written over 40 book reviews and encyclopedias for various academic journals. View some of them here.Do you have some feedback, thoughts or questions? Want to be a guest on my show or have an Honorable Mensch to nominate?Connect on Instagram @SchmoozewithSuze Subscribe to the Schmooze with Suze Podcast for your dose of #Culture, #Values and #GlobalCitizenship... with a side of #chutzpah... Don’t forget to leave a review if you enjoyed this episode. Please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE and SHARE.Thank you for helping us grow!

Back in the 1990s, my daily commute to downtown Manhattan had me shlepping past the Fulton fish market to my fancy office building with windows overlooking South Street Seaport. The Meatpacking District, Hell’s Kitchen, Harlem… Undesirable and not on a real estate listing anyone would touch. Until someone had the vision to see the possibility and make that investment. And once it started… Well, fish market became FiDi and Meatpacking was rebranded as the Highline and it all suddenly seemed so obvious...So by the time I got to Jacksonville, the fourth fastest growing city in Florida, the options seemed endless. If downtown can be the Manhattan equivalent, well, Riverside, Springfield, Brooklyn are the local versions of Riverdale, Sunnyside and- well- Brooklyn. And I can see it clearly... So can my guest, she is third generation Jacksonville, a fixture in the local landscape of art, culture and entrepreneurship.But I wonder, when we can’t see someone else’s vision, should we look harder or stop looking? And that’s what we’re going to tackle today...Emily Moody is the Director of Community Engagement for Future of Cities where she's helping to co-create a vibrant arts and innovation community at Phoenix Arts District. She also owns Wolf & Cub, a brick-and-mortar concept shop and lifestyle brand in Downtown Jacksonville. Check out the latest events with Phoenix Arts District here: phxjax.com/events.Stay updated with PHX news on Instagram: @phxjax.Do you have some feedback, thoughts or questions? Want to be a guest on my show or have an Honorable Mensch to nominate?Connect on Instagram @SchmoozewithSuze Subscribe to the Schmooze with Suze Podcast for your dose of #Culture, #Values and #GlobalCitizenship... with a side of #chutzpah... Don’t forget to leave a review if you enjoyed this episode. Please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE and SHARE.Thank you for helping us grow!

This season on Schmooze With Suze we are embarking on a tour of icons here in Northeast Florida. What makes here the place and now the time? Well, let’s start with what is an icon?An icon is a person or a thing widely admired especially for having great influence or significance in a particular sphere. Do we need icons? And that is what we are going to tackle today…Name dropping is a thing where I’m from. Who saw who at what spot? How one got a hookup for reservations or tickets to a show… But my new city is more substantive, news dropping is the thing here. And for my daily dose of catch up, it's the smooth stylings and medley of musings by the incomparable Melissa Ross that I 'sippa cup' to, to stay in the know.First Coast Connect with Melissa Ross is an hour-long call-in program that features local newsmakers, civic and community leaders, artists and people planning a variety of events across Northeast Florida. WJCT’s First Coast Connect With Melissa Ross has received multiple national awards from Public Radio News Directors Inc. for best call-in program. You can listen on weekdays LIVE at 9 a.m.; Rebroadcast at 8 p.m. on 89.9FM and online at https://news.wjct.org/ Email: firstcoastconnect@wjct.orgMention @MelissainJax on TwitterComment on facebook.com/WJCTFirstCoastConnectIn addition to hosting First Coast Connect with Melissa Ross, she also co-hosts the weekly Florida Roundup, which airs Fridays on NPR stations across the state. Do you have some feedback, thoughts or questions? Want to be a guest on my show or have an Honorable Mensch to nominate?Connect on Instagram @SchmoozewithSuze Subscribe to the Schmooze with Suze Podcast for your dose of #Culture, #Values and #GlobalCitizenship... with a side of #chutzpah... Don’t forget to leave a review if you enjoyed this episode. Please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE and SHARE.Thank you for helping us grow!

Rise and shine! It’s a beautiful day for a beautiful day. Be happy. Be kind. Always do your best.Think good and it will be good. I sprinkle positive messages to my kids and myself throughout the day. Why? Because studies show that we grow, flourish and thrive when that is our environment.   Alternatively, the effects of negativity- in environment, language and attitude can be permanently detrimental. It is not always easy to find the rainbows between the raindrops… So what if you are presented with an umbrella to shield you from the storms so you can spot the beauty more clearly? And that is what we are going to tackle today… Northeast Florida's nonprofits are an engine that builds a more vibrant and inclusive community! We all work towards making this a better place to live for everyone, Believe in the Good  is a campaign for our region’s nonprofits to use as they build community support, recruit volunteers, attract new supporters and highlight the good that happens when people become part of the nonprofit community. But honestly... Like, what IS a nonprofit? And why do they want my time, talent AND treasure? My guest is Deirdre Conner, Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives and Evaluation of the Nonprofit Center of Northeast Florida.www.NonprofitCtr.org#BelieveintheGoodNEFL Do you have some feedback, thoughts or questions? Want to be a guest on my show or have an Honorable Mensch to nominate?Connect on Instagram @SchmoozewithSuze Subscribe to the Schmooze with Suze Podcast for your dose of #Culture, #Values and #GlobalCitizenship... with a side of #chutzpah... Don’t forget to leave a review if you enjoyed this episode. Please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE and SHARE.Thank you for helping us grow!

In April, I attended an Interfaith Panel Discussion followed by a Kosher for Passover- Iftar break the fast. The discussion was about what comes after death… But I was totally taken by the life in the room. The connection to God, and commitment to curiosity, was palpable. There seemed to be no wrong answers. The program began with the Jewish evening prayers and concluded with something I have never before stood to witness- but have heard hundreds of times before- in Israel- the Muslim call to prayer. How is it that a woman who has felt the holiness of Jerusalem, felt deja vu in Jacksonville? And that is what we are going to tackle today…In this episode I speak with the co-host and moderator of that evening, Rev. Rebekah Hutto, the Executive Director of the Interfaith Center of Northeast Florida.In addition to being a Minister of Word and Sacrament in the Presbyterian Church, Rev. Hutto is also an accomplished author, having written several children’s books, “The Day God Made Church” and “Paul and His Friends”, as well as contributing to various curricula.  Rev. Hutto is a Master of Divinity graduate from Duke University Divinity School and received an undergraduate degree from Wofford College. Her husband, Rev. Dr. B.J. Hutto, is the senior minister at Hendricks Avenue Baptist Church.More on the Interfaith Center of Northeast Florida here: http://interfaithnefl.orgCheck out Rev. Hutto’s books here:https://www.amazon.com/Day-When-God-Made-Church/dp/1612615643/ref=nodl_?dplnkId=be2e77d8-a5a4-4907-af16-3d16cde0ef50Do you have some feedback, thoughts or questions? Want to be a guest on my show or have an Honorable Mensch to nominate?Connect on Instagram @SchmoozewithSuze Subscribe to the Schmooze with Suze Podcast for your dose of #Culture, #Values and #GlobalCitizenship... with a side of #chutzpah... Don’t forget to leave a review if you enjoyed this episode. Please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE and SHARE.Thank you for helping us grow!

Welcome back to Season 2! In Season 1, I asked you to borrow my binoculars and have a look at this city of Jacksonville- our strengths and opportunities. As we stand poised on the precipice of a new mayor, I wanted to gain perspective from what many call the BEST in the business here.  I want to know- does authenticity, transparency and empathy have to exist in order to cultivate a climate of trust and build consensus?Can leadership be learned or does it have to be innate?And that is what we are going to tackle today…This episode’s guest, John Delaney, is the Flagler College President, the President Emeritus of the University of North Florida, and the former Mayor of Jacksonville, the largest city in land area in the continental U.S. His tenure is marked by the Better Jacksonville Plan, a $2.5 billion capital improvement plan, and the Preservation Project, creating a 100-square-mile park system, the largest of its kind for a city in the country. He served two terms and was elected without opposition for his second term, all of which he talks about in this episode. Visit : https://www.flagler.edu to see how John is leading the #2 best regional college in the South, according to US News and World report.Do you have some feedback, thoughts or questions? Want to be a guest on my show or have an Honorable Mensch to nominate?Connect on Instagram @SchmoozewithSuze Subscribe to the Schmooze with Suze Podcast for your dose of #Culture, #Values and #GlobalCitizenship... with a side of #chutzpah... Don’t forget to leave a review if you enjoyed this episode. Please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE and SHARE.Thank you for helping us grow!