Tell Me

HAPPY NEW YEAR my friends!This season we take on the subject of resilience and how important building resiliency is in terms of our survival regarding our mental, physical and spiritual well being, no matter what stage of life we find ourselves. I have wanted to interview my good friend John Welling since the podcast’s inception.   His roles over the years as patriarch, Fire Chief/first responder, coach, sports official, youth mentor, volunteer with the Special  Olympics and professional team leader have led to the birth of many power of one and power of one another moments.In this episode, John candidly talks about what resiliency looks like in his own journey, the mistakes he's made, what he's learned and the practices he puts in place to make a difference in the lives of others on a daily basis.John was blessed to have two loving parents who showed him the way and they instilled in him the core values of service and sacrifice.  His father John had compassion and love for the mentally challenged and started a summer camp for children, which his family all became a part of.  His mother, Anne, is an eloquent writer and communicator and below is an excerpt from a letter she wrote to the Operations Manager of the Penn Transplant Center after his father was blessed to be the lucky recipient of an organ donor.Life isn't about keeping score. It's not about how many friends you have. Not about if you have plans this weekend or if you're alone. It isn't about who you are dating, who you used to date, how many people you've dated, or if you haven't been with anyone at all. It isn't about who you have kissed.  It's not about sex. It isn't about who your family is or how much money they have.  Or what kind of car you drive. Or where you are sent to school. It's not about how beautiful or ugly you are. Or what clothes you wear, what shoes you have on, or what kind of music you listen to. It's not about if your hair is blonde, red, black, or brown. Or if your skin is too light or too dark. Not about what grades you get, how smart you are, how smart everybody else thinks you are, or how smart standardized tests say you are. It's not about what clubs you're in or howgood you are at "your" sport. It's not about representing your whole being on a piece of paper and seeing who will "accept the written you."LIFE JUST ISNT.But, life is about who you love and who you hurt. It's about who you make happy or unhappy purposefully.  It's about keeping or betraying trust. It's about friendship, used as a sanctity or a weapon. It's about what you say and mean, maybe hurtful, maybe heartening. About starting rumors and contributing to petty gossip. It's about what judgments you pass and why. And who your judgments are spread to. It's about who you've ignored with full control and intention. It's about jealousy, fear, ignorance, and revenge. It's about carrying inner hate and love, letting it grow, and spreading it. But most of all, it's about using your life to touch other people's hearts in such a way that could have never occurred alone. Only you choose the way those hearts are affected, and those choices are what life's all about."For more information about John you can reach out to him via e-mail at: station27chief@comcast .net.For more information about Camp Jaycee and the Special Olympics and how you can get involved, please follow the links below.https://www.campjaycee.orghttps://www.specialolympics.org Support the show

Recently on Facebook, I posted that "moms get it done."In my work as a children's advocate and book author, I always say that first and foremost, I'm a mom.There is no greater or more fierce force of nature than the love a mother has for her children.  Plain and simple.  End of story.As we launch Season 3 of this episode series, I am both honored and humbled to bring you this inspiring journey.In Reversed: A Memoir, Lois Letchford describes the powerful journey of how the education system failed her son, Nicholas, saying he'd never learn to read and had no strengths. Yet how can a boy with "no strengths" build 14-foot replica of the Empire State Building out of thousands of K'NEX Construction Toy pieces from memory? Learn how one mother's amazing fight and determination to save her child (and herself) from the labels, judgment and challenges of dyslexia. Truly one of the most inspiring episodes of the "Tell Me" series.To learn more about Lois and her work, Nicholas and how you can get help if you or anyone you know is struggling with dyslexia, visit her website:https://www.loisletchford.comLisa GrahamI am a children's author, motivational speaker, Tedx Presenter and Podcast host and producer.  I love people and  strive everyday to inspire others through the sharing of one another's stories.For more information about how we are helping children through our Healing Hearts campaign and book tour, visit our website at https://www.lgrahamauthor.comWhile our books are up on Amazon and Barnes and Noble, you can order personalized books directly from me at the website above.  You can also e-mail me directly at lgrahambook@gmail.com.  Would love to hear from you!Visit my non-profit, Empower Kids for Literacy, and find out how you can help with our mission to support mental health and literacy in children. https://www.empowerkidsforliteracy.com/Finally, a heartfelt thank you goes out to Liam Graham and Anna Yanessa for providing the musical soundtrack for our show!Thanks as always for your support and can't wait until next time!See you on the path!Support the show

Meet Mae Krier, 95, one of the youngest of the original Rosie's, when she was hired by Boeing in Seattle, WA, to work as a riveter building B-17 and B-29 bombers.   ,One of Mae's lifelong wishes was for the Rosie the Riveters to have their own national day of recognition.   When Twilight Wish, an organization that grants wishes for seniors heard about it, it was full steam ahead.  Thus began a series of incredible events that launched greater awareness and worldwide appreciation and respect for the women of the Rosie the Riveters wartime efforts. Join me on the path with Mae Krier and Cass Forkin, Founder of Twilight Wish, as they share this powerful story of how one dream brought two total strangers together.  You will hear how their courage, resilience and grit transformed the world's perception of women, and the difference and impact they can make, forever. If you would like to find out more  about either the Rosie the Riveter effort or Twilight Wish you can reach Cass via e-mail at cass.forkin@twilightwish.org or simply by reaching out to her at 215.534.0402.For more about Twilight Wish, you can also visit her website by clicking the link belowhttps://twilightwish.orgFollow and like Mae’s Facebook page athttps://www.facebook.com/honorrosie/ For pictures and additional information about Mae and the Rosie the Riveter effort, you can also click on the following linkhttp://www.spiritof45.org/meet_mae_krier.aspxLisa GrahamI am a children's author, motivational speaker, Tedx Presenter and Podcast host and producer.  I love people and  strive everyday to inspire others through the sharing of one another's stories.For more information about how we are helping children through our Healing Hearts campaign, visit our website at https://www.lgrahamauthor.comFinally, a heartfelt thank you goes out to Liam Graham and Anna Yanessa for providing the musical soundtrack for our show!Thanks as always for your support and can't wait until next time!See you on the path!Support the show

Welcome to all of our listeners and subscribers!  Thanks to you, the Tell Me podcast has hit over 4500 downloads since its inception!  This is a big deal as we only have a total of 26 episodes published, so I am so thankful to all of you for walking on the path with me and my guests.  To date, we are being heard in 60 countries, 1750 cities and are in every continent.  As we grow, we are welcoming the opportunity to partner with sponsors, so if you would like to become a sponsor of our show, please reach out to me at lgrahambook@gmail.com. I truly love what I do.   As I always say, everyone has a story, and I believe there is much to learn from one another.Anyone who knows me knows my faith is very important to me.   That's why when I got the opportunity to interview Monsignor Michael Mannion, aka Father Mike, I jumped right in.  In addition to being the Chaplain for the NJ Fraternal Order of Police and working with other branches of law enforcement including the FBI,  he also ministers to veterans, parents who have lost their children to murder or addiction, and his retreat program is home to many who have felt they have simply lost their way. When you are in the presence of this man, you truly feel like you are in the presence of something so much larger than yourself.  Call it God, call it spirit, call it the best of what humanity has to offer.   It is no wonder or surprise that he enjoyed a deep spiritual relationship with one of the most beloved mothers that has ever walked the earth, Mother Teresa.But don't let the gentle nature of his demeanor fool you.  In this quiet strength, and maybe sometimes not so quiet when he's fighting for a cause he believes in, he has singlehandedly impacted the lives of millions of people.  Young and old, from all backgrounds and faiths, he has made a significant life changing and in many cases, life saving difference, in the lives of people from all over the world.Founder of Discovery House in Hammonton, NJ, The Discovery Ministries Retreat program was founded in 1974.   Since then over 30,000 youth, young adults, and family members have participated in spiritual retreats that have helped participants grow, pursue their dreams, and develop their God-given talents and gifts. To say that these experiences have included a few miracles of hope and healing is an understatement!Discovery Ministries now also provides social, recreational, and spiritual opportunities for families with chronically ill children, handicapped children, or special needs children. Discovery House thus serves as a “home away from home” for families who deserve our special care and attention and who honor us with their presence.Located in the beautiful pinelands of South Jersey (3730 Richards Ave, Mullica Township, NJ 08037) near Hammonton, the newly renovated and expanded Discovery House also hosts workshops, conferences, meetings, and training sessions sponsored by church and community groups, service and educational organizations.For more information about Discovery House and its programs through Discovery Ministries, visit their website is discoveryministriesinc.org or click on the link below: https://dmi-nj.org/You can also reach out directly to Father Mike via e-mail at: mtmannion@comcast.net.For more information about my newly released children's books and to learn more about our Healing Hearts campaign for children, visit our website at https://www.lgrahamauthor.comFinally, a heartfelt thank you goes out to Liam Graham and Anna Yanessa for providing the musical soundtrack for our show.See you on the path!!Support the show

Susan Silver and Genevieve Piturro have an amazing connection.  Their love for the Mary Tyler Moore Show...and children.Susan Silver was one of the first female TV comedy writers, with credits like The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Maude, and Bob Newhart, among others.  As the lyrics from the iconic Mary Tyler Moore Show said, “She made it after all!” From another Midwestern town, Milwaukee, with all its 1960’s values and normalcy, Susan went on to fame and fortune in Hollywood, had a successful career as one of the first women in TV sitcoms, and reinvented herself in different prominent arenas in New York.  Along the way, she “Searched for Mr. Adequate,” her well-received dating column, had many romantic adventures, loves and loss, and she’s ‘still here!’ Though her story is unique due to the career she chose, her life is relatable to all women. Hot Pants in Hollywood is a showbiz memoir and much more. It tells of a baby boomer’s life on steroids though her story is unique, due to the career she chose, her life is relatable to all women looking for advice in work or love: baby boomers dealing with divorce, dating, aging parents and young women of today.   She is also a cancer survivor and talks about the 3 Rs:  Resilience, Reinvention, and Relationships and how important a role they each play in her life today.You can find out more about Susan by visiting her website:https://hotpantsinhollywood.com Follow the link to her radio show:https://robinhoodradioondemand.com/podcast/susan-says-with-susan-silver-usa-new-versionGenevieve PIturro was a successful television marketing executive until she dramatically changed the direction of her life. In 2001, she jumped off the corporate ladder and founded the hugely successful national non-profit, Pajama Program, when a six-year-old girl’s question changed her life forever! Almost twenty years later, Genevieve’s Pajama Program has delivered 7 MILLION magical gifts of new pajamas and new books to children throughout the US. Genevieve is now a professional speaker and consultant on The Human Connection, sharing life and leadership lessons she learned through her Pajama Program journey. Her first book: Purpose, Passion and Pajamas: How to Transform Your Life, Embrace the Human Connection and Lead with Meaning, was released August 4, 2020. One of the best days of Gen's life was the day she received a message from Susan in response to a social media post.  It was Gen's birthday.Join us on the path to learn how two complete strangers were brought together for their shared affinity for both The Mary Tyler Moore Show and their love of children.See you on the path!Support the show

Author and Coach Mary Silver knows what it takes to walk a journey alone.   Mary is so easy to talk to, and is such a great coach and mentor.  We talk about everything  dating back to her childhood and her need to connect with people at an early age, to her relationships and finally to her life's work which shows others how to build one's belief system from the inside out, empowering them to find happiness and their true purpose.Mary received her Master's in Social Work from the University of Denver in 1997 and is a business & success expert, author, speaker, and coach. She helps coaches, authors, consultants, and visionaries build a business they love by using a formula that attracts their soulmate clients. The formula is unique to their style and allows them to shine while making the money their desire. This allows them to have more free time to make the impact they desire in the world.She is the author of the best-selling book Impact Millions- The Easiest Way To Attract Your Soulmate Clients Every Day, creator and developer of numerous programs, reports, articles, webinars, talks, speeches, and tele-seminars focusing in this area. She is a 3 time published author in collaborative books with other industry leaders.Yahoo Finance named her as one of the top 10 Success Coaches to follow in 2021. She was named one of the top professionals in her field in 2018 by Powerful Professionals and has been featured in major media outlets such as ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox, Bustle, ASK, Medium, Thrive Global, The Boston Globe, The CW, The Miami Herald, and many more.Mary is a coach, speaker, author, Certified Law of Attraction Coach, Certified Rapid Results Coach, Certified Cash Injection Specialist, Certified Business Breakthrough Coach, Certified Marketing Coach, and many more who focuses on helping coaches, visionaries, creatives, and heart-centered service providers attract their soulmate clients while building a business and life they love by following their own unique blueprint for success! Mary also has facilitated The Abundance Principle coaching group and the Ideal Body for the Quantum Success Coaching Academy.Specialties: Energy work such as Law of Attraction and Universal Laws, and meditation, business coaching, on-line marketing, relationship marketing and sales.Other areas that Mary is experienced in: Community education, public speaking, writing, group trainer, group facilitator, online business building, course creation, abundance coaching, purpose & passion coaching, relationship coaching, finding your soulmate, & life coaching.I really had fun with this walk on the path.  I know you will too!See you on the path!To learn more about Mary, visit her website at https://www.marybaileysilver.comFollow her on Linked In at https://www.linkedin.com/in/marybaileysilver/Follow her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/marybaileysilverFollow her on Twitter at https://twitter.com/TheMarySilverFollow her on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/marybaileysilver/ Support the show

Jeff Zoul did not like school.  In fact, he said it sucked.  Today, he is a  lifelong teacher, learner, and leader. His daily post on Twitter reads: "Work Hard...Have Fun...Be Nice...Today!" What I loved about our walk is how open and honest he was about his journey as an educator and the trials he faced growing up.  Fully transparent, he takes us on his journey from the struggles as a young boy and adolescent who never felt he fit in, to his troubled days as a teenager who never found that connection with a mentor in high school.Then in his senior year, that all changed.   One couple, Mr. and Mrs. Campbell, both educators who never had children of their own, gave him hope and validation. "They were magnets for troubled teens," said Jeff, "just good people."  Mr. Campbell looked past the labels and destructive behavior and took him on as his own.  Both heroes in his eyes, Mr. and Mrs. Campbell were role models Jeff looked up to.  They saw something in him no one else did  at a time he needed it most.While he didn't have the ideal experience as a student is an extreme understatement, the positive influence his mentors had on him inspired him to enter into education.  His goal was to do better, to provide a better experience for students by incorporating fun and laughter into teaching and to not be satisfied with simply checking off a "to do" list, but to commit to being all in and seek collaboration to help students solve their problems.He found a way and we are so lucky to have him as a resource.  During Jeff’s distinguished career in education he has served in a variety of roles, most recently as Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning with Deerfield Public Schools District 109 in Deerfield, Illinois. Jeff also served as a teacher and coach in the State of Georgia for many years before moving into school administration. Zoul has taught graduate courses at the university level in the areas of assessment, research, and program evaluation and has been recognized as a local Teacher of the Year and as an outstanding principal in the State of Georgia. He also served as principal at a national School of Excellence in Illinois. He is the author/co-author of more than a dozen books.  In 2015 he founded Connectedd with long-time friend and respected colleague Jimmy Casas.   Two of the most recent releases are Handle With Care: Managing Difficult Situations in Schools With Dignity and Respect, as well as Disruptive Thinking in Our Classrooms: Preparing Learners for Their Future.Other books include What Connected Educators Do Differently; Start. Right. Now. - Teach and Lead for Excellence; Improving Your School One Week at a Time; The Principled Principal; and Leading Professional Learning: Tools to Connect and Empower Teachers. Zoul has spoken at conferences and school districts in more than thirty states. Jeff has earned several degrees, including his undergraduate degree from the University of Massachusetts and his doctoral degree from the University of Alabama. In his spare time, Jeff enjoys running and has completed over a dozen marathons. You can follow Jeff’s blog at: jeffreyzoul.blogspot.com  Connect with him on Twitter at: https://twitter.com/Jeff_ZoulE-mail him at jeffzoul@gmail.com Connect with him on Linkedin at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffzoul Visit his website at:  https://www.connectedd.orgSupport the show

Have you ever heard a little voice inside your head?  Genevieve Piturro, my good friend and guest, tells a compellingly beautiful story about two little voices that gently but clearly spoke to her...directly from her heart.One in the middle of the afternoon in her NYC apartment and the other on a NYC subway in the form of a raindrop that kissed the top of her head.Best selling author, speaker, and founder of Pajama Program, her story will truly touch and inspire all who are blessed to hear it.Genevieve was a TV executive in NYC for 20 years when a little girl's question changed the course of her life.  It was at that moment she jumped off the corporate ladder and began listening to her heart voice as she calls it - urging  her to follow her passion for helping children.She began delivering pajamas and books to children in shelters and in 2001 founded Pajama Program, a national non-profit which is recognized not only for her story but for its success - to date having delivered 7 MILLION new pajamas and books to children through 63 chapters across the US.Genevieve is a professional speaker and personal strategist, inspiring people to listen to their heart-voice connection to achieve success and true happiness.Her first book, an Amazon best seller, Purpose, Passion and Pajamas: How to Transform Your Life, Embrace the Human Connection and Lead with Meaning, was released in August 2020.  Her debut TEDx Talk: "1 Idea + The Human Connection = 7 Million Pajamas and Books" also debuted in August 2020.Genevieve has been interviewed on various media including most recently Hallmark's Home & Family Show, OPRAH, TODAY, GMA, CNN, Fox & Friends, O Magazine and Forbes.  She has rang the Nasdaq bell in 2016 and is the recipient of many awards.She can be reached at https://pajamaprogram.orghttps://www.genevievepiturro.comE-mail : gen@genevievepiturro.comListen to your heart voice!  It's telling you something!See you on the path!Support the show

Meet Ashley Monteil...a New Jersey-based artist, illustrator, and graphic designer. I am super excited to bring you her story because as you know, this season is all about imagination and creativity.  If you've been following our show, you also know that I love to give exposure to young artists.  I had the pleasure of collaborating with Ashley on my recent children's book, Randle Finds His Light (due to be released sometime in July...go to lgrahamauthor.com to get updates!!)  I needed an illustrator, wanted to support and give an up-and-coming artist a chance, and through my local college, was able to connect.   You will hear all about our journey of the challenges and joys of the creative process.  My need to create characters, vision and storyline and her need to bring those images to paper while maintaining her art form and remaining true to her style.  We talk about the ups, the downs, and the breakthroughs that in the end, made it all worthwhile.   Ashley works in fine and digital art, and while much of her artwork focuses on an ethereal theme that have a storylike quality, she also has a passion for graphic design.  She brings beauty into functionality and purpose.I am so proud of her as she recently graduated from her class with the highest honors, Summa Cum Laude! She has an amazingly bright future and is currently in the process of moving to Portland Maine to pursue the next leg of her creative journey a.  t the  Maine College of Art.She is available for hire on a project-by-project basis and can be reached:  E-mail her atashley.cavanaugh.m@gmail.comFollow her on Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/aisfor_ashleyFollow her on Twitterhttps://twitter.com/upsidedownsushiSupport the show

We talk about the "Power of One" (PO1) influence in our lives and how it can change one life or many.  This couldn't be more evident than in the Greer Family.Asil Greer is an 8-year-old actor, model, and kidpreneur from Philadelphia, PA. He presently attends Lotus Academy and is in the second grade and is the founder/author of I Can Read, So I Can Lead, an organization encouraging children to adults to read so that one day they can lead.  Meet PO1 person Dr. Jerry Goldstein, Asil's pediatrician at St. Christopher's Children's Hospital.  Learn how Asil's journey of his love for reading started when he received his very first book I Love My Mommy from Dr. Goldstein through the Reach Out and Read Greater Philadelphia (RORGP) Program.  RORGP is an affiliate of the national nonprofit organization which incorporates books into pediatric care visits. Fast forward five years when another PO1 (power of one) MOMENT occurred as Asil was reading his favorite Dr. Seuss book while at his mama's place of work.These moments are what I call our " INSPIRATION DATES" -  moments, if we pay attention to them, which can ultimately change our lives as we discover our purpose and find our voice.We have many links below to offer assistance to parents...please check them out!Love you all and SEE YOU ON THE PATH!To find out more about me and what Empower Kids LLC and Empower Kids for Literacy is doing, visit my website at https://www.lgrahamauthor.com For more information about Asil, his programs, and books, please go to his websitehttps://icanreadsoicanlead.us/Follow him on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/asilsfashion/Asil's mother, Kwaminah, or "Mecca" as she is known by all who love her, can be reached on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/mecca.geesShe can be reached by phone at 267.693.8344 and Her e-mail is kwaminah2010@yahoo.comFor more information on Pastor Glenn Morton and his Father to the Fatherless and Seven Magicial Keys programs (among others)Visit his website https://glennmorton.com/welcome/welcomeFollow him on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/fatherlessgenFor more information on Davon Clark and ADC Kids LLCVisit his website https://adckid.wixsite.com/adckidFollow him on Twitter https://twitter.com/DClark_WorldFollow him on Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/davon-clark-0461ab65For more information on Dorian Harris and Net Community Care Dorian.Harris@ net-centers.orgParent Mentor Community Engagement Engage, Educate, EmpowerSupporting and assisting caregivers.Empowering the CommunityVisit their websitehttp://netcenters.org Follow them on Twitter https://twitter.com/hashtag/netcommunitycareFollow them on Facebook https://m.facebook.com/NorthEastTreatmentCenters/ Support the show

"You go to work and there are settings in which for all the people you meet, today is the day they will never forget." These are the words of the brilliant mind, Dr. Perri Klass,  addressing the need to never forget the human element of the medical profession.  A professor of Journalism and Pediatrics at New York University and Co-Director of NYU Florence, she is a mentor to many who leads with a wise and compassionate heart. This walk is an intriguing and fascinating personal reflection of how her passion for science, medicine and writing led her on the path of becoming a sought-out, highly respected pediatrician, journalist, healthcare advocate, and author.She is also National Medical Director for Reach Out and Read, a national program that continues to help millions of children by promoting early literacy through pediatric clinics, through the administering of advice about reading aloud to and with children, and through the distribution of children’s books provided at routine well-child visits.    Through her work with Reach Out and Read, Dr. Klass has been able to integrate her commitment to the health care of young children with her love of the written word, inspired by her mother at a very young age."When I think about children growing up in homes without books, I have the same visceral reaction as I have when I think of children in homes without milk or food or heat: it cannot be, it must not be.  It stunts them and deprives them before they've had a fair chance." Her new book, A Good Time to Be Born: How Science and Public Health Gave Children a Future, an account of how victories over infant and child mortality have changed the world, was published in October by Norton. The New York Times  said, “A Good Time to Be Born is an ambitious, elegant meditation on what the doctor-writer Perri Klass describes as one of our greatest human achievements: a reduction in child mortality... she takes the most complex human patterns of all — history, medicine, politics, art — and knits them into something unique and beautiful.”  According to Klass, "The book is about how clever we are, we humans, the things that we figure out.  The ways that we actually make progress.  It's about science, but it's also about public health, it's about parent activism, it's about people solving problems. This pandemic has been a reminder of the power of the microbial world that we are living in, that we are a part of.  But it should also be a reminder of what humans beings can do in terms of cleverness, in terms of cooperation, and in terms of understanding that we are all in this together."She writes the weekly column, “The Checkup,” for the New York Times Science Section and is the co-author, with Dr. Eileen Costello, of Quirky Kids:  Understanding and Supporting Your Child With Developmental Differences which has just been published in a fully revised new edition by the American Academy of Pediatrics.Klass attended Harvard Medical School and completed her residency in pediatrics at Children’s Hospital, Boston.  To learn more about Dr. Klass and her work, visit her website at https://www.perriklass.com/For more about the Reach Out and Read Program, visit https://www.reachoutandread.org/If you enjoy this podcast, please don't forget to share and support the show!  We appreciate you and thank you for walking with us!See you on the path!Support the show

I am a huge supporter of the arts and wanted to use this platform as an opportunity to give exposure to young artists.  I’m so happy to have with us today an up-and-coming vocalist, Anna Yannessa, a Vocal Performance major at the University of Missouri.   As we walk together, she takes us back to the days as a young girl, when her dream to become an elite soccer player and play at a professional level for the National Team seemed all she desired.  A concussion while on the varsity high school soccer team put in motion the twists and turns of her creative journey which led her to follow her passions for art, journalism, and finally, music.  We talk about how important creativity is, especially for young children, and how allowing our children to have a say and take ownership in activities when young will help them to develop, find their purpose, and ultimately, their voice.Anna provided the vocals for the musical intro to Season 1, and she lends her creative talent once again in Season 2.  You'll love this episode and music..wow, what a vibe!!!  She plans on continuing her vocal studies at the graduate level and can be reached onFacebook at https://www.facebook.com/anna.yannessa (Anna Yannessa)Instagram https://www.instagram.com/atthe_copacabana (@atthe_copacabana)Support the show

Welcome to Season #2!We just hit 2000 downloads!  Wahoo!  We are in 35 countries, almost 800 cities, and are in four out of five continents (except Africa, so we want to hear from you!)Thank you so much for your support...we couldn't have done it without you!In fact, this season, we are giving our listeners a chance to support our show. Click on the SUPPORT THIS SHOW link https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=Q8MFJJ34TPC6E or click on the heart icon at the top of this page!It will help us continue investing in our programming so we can continue bringing you stories of real people using their Power of One ability to change lives for the better.If you love our podcast and have been inspired by our stories  or would like to be a guest, we'd love to hear from you!  E-mail us at lgrahambook@gmail.com.Thanks to Anna Yannessa and Liam Graham, who continue to provide our musical tracks (check out our new intro...Anna's vibe is incredible!)  She will be a guest this season and you can reach Anna at anna.yannessa@gmail.com.OUR GUESTMy goal for this season is to focus on the Power of One and the importance of imagination and creativity in our lives, no matter our age.In this episode, we walk with Ruth Weisberg, a true Renaissance woman.  In addition to being an art model, a roving storyteller, and a keynote speaker, Ruth's approach to life is pretty simple.  She says, "My philosophy is to show up, look up and speak up.  When YOU are PRESENT, and you watch where you walk, that's where you meet the greatest people and the greatest teachers and have the most profound experiences."She would love to hear from you and can be reached at ruth@ruthweisberg.com.  Note: Ruth cannot receive any e-mails from a Gmail account. See you on the path!Support the show

In these unsettling times, it's nice to know you have a friend to go to who understands the importance of not only helping others identify and share their own feelings, but the freedom that comes from asking for support when needed.  On our very special walk, Dr. Maurice Elias shares how this applies not only to the field of education but our every day lives and overall mental health.Whether you are a teacher, counselor, para-professional, parent or caregiver, this episode will  provide powerful insights as to the significance of mindful moments, strength breaks and self-care.  If you are a school interested in learning more about SEL programming, a teacher or administrator seeking SEL certification, orsimply ramping up your school's current SEL curriculum, you don't want to miss this episode.Professor Maurice J. Elias lectures nationally and internationally to educators and parents about students’ emotional intelligence, school success, social-emotional and character development, and youth purpose.  He is a professor in the Psychology Department at Rutgers University, director of the Rutgers Social-Emotional and Character Development Lab, and co-director of the Academy for Social-Emotional Learning in Schools, which offers certificate programs in direct instruction and school leadership relating to SEL and character development for educators and student support professionals in school and out-of-school settings. An author of many successful literary works including two highly acclaimed books for young children, he is also a pioneer and  Founding Member of the Leadership Team of the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (www.CASEL.org) and currently directs the Rutgers Social-Emotional Learning Lab (www.rci.rutgers.edu/~melias/).You can reach Dr. Elias via e-mail at secdlab@gmail.com. What a wonderful way to wrap up Season 1.  See you on the path!Thank you to our Sponsor, Hardenbergh Insurance Group.  Visit their website at https://www.hig.net or reach out to them in the Delaware Valley at 856.489.9100.  They also operate in 42 states across the country.Finally, as Founder of Empower Kids, LLC, I love showcasing young talent.  I want to thank and recognize our musicians that take care of the musical Podcast Intro and Exit music.  Liam Graham is the guitarist, and Anna Yannessa, is a junior vocal major at the University of Missouri who plans on continuing studying voice performance at the graduate level.  She can be reached on Instagram @annyannessa19, on Twitter at @annayannessa and on FB at Anna Yannessa.For more information about my heart our mission at Empower Kids LLC visit me on social media:Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/lisa.ozalisgraham and https://www.facebook.com/EmpowerKidsLLCTwitter https://twitter.com/EmpowerKidsLLCLinked In  https://twitter.com/EmpowerKidsLLCInstagram https://www.instagram.com/empowerkidsllcSupport the show

Everyone needs an Erin Lawler Patterson in their lives.Back for a second time by popular demand, the Goodness Chick, as she is known world-wide, shares moments from her latest book Conversations For Good: Listening and Learning from Our Neighbors Around the World.It has been said this book is “Eat Pray Love” meets “Chicken Soup For The Soul!”One of her reviews said it beautifully:"In these COVID-19 days of isolation and quarantine, it is refreshing to read a book like this.  In the summer of 2019, the author, her husband and their three-year-old son set out on an around the world odyssey to learn about other countries, diverse peoples and themselves.  The book is a casual mix of all three....Lawler Patterson advocates reasonable risk-taking, a sense of wonder, kindness to all, compassion for those less fortunate, and a re-examination of the values by which we lead our lives each day.  In these polarized times, hearing these messages offers comfort as well as challenge."  WarrenStemming from a conversation during morning coffee one day at their then home in Medford Lakes, NJ, her and her husband made the decision to leave their secure professions, throw caution to the wind and give it up to God.  It was then they began the year-long process of planning one of the most memorable trips they would ever embark upon.  On a shoestring budget and packs on their backs, they bought a one-way ticket not sure when they'd be returning.   Conversations For Good  tells the stories of the lives of the many people they touched and who touched them through their volunteer service in local assistance programs.An accomplished author and public speaker, she is truly one of a kind and I am so proud and honored to call her my friend.  I highly recommend you check out her books, podcasts, blog and products, which can all be found on her website at https://goodnesschick.com.  Thank you to our Sponsor, Hardenbergh Insurance Group.  Visit their website at https://www.hig.net or reach out to them in the Delaware Valley at 856.489.9100.  They also operate in 42 states across the country.Finally, as Founder of Empower Kids, LLC, I love showcasing young talent.  I want to thank and recognize our musicians that take care of the musical Podcast Intro and Exit music.  Liam Graham is the guitarist, and Anna Yannessa, is a junior vocal major at the University of Missouri who plans on continuing studying voice performance at the graduate level.  She can be reached on Instagram @annyannessa19, on Twitter at @annayannessa and on FB at Anna Yannessa.For more information about my heart our mission at Empower Kids LLC visit me on social media:Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/lisa.ozalisgraham and https://www.facebook.com/EmpowerKidsLLCTwitter https://twitter.com/EmpowerKidsLLCLinked In  https://twitter.com/EmpowerKidsLLCInstagram https://www.instagram.com/empowerkidsllcSupport the show

Ready to be inspired??? Judy Newman believes, as I do, that we all have that power of one ability to create moments that can change lives for the better.   What struck me about this interview with the President of Scholastic Book Clubs is her passion for teachers, children  community and books.  She has made it her life-long mission to ensure they all remain connected through a variety of formats including distribution through Scholastic Book Clubs, her involvement and role as Board Member for the nationally acclaimed Reach Out And Read Program,in addition to facilitating and developing partnerships through grassroots community initiatives.A big believer in community, she walks the talk.  Known as the "book lady" she has gifted books instead of candy every Halloween to thousands of children and families over the last 20 years. Walk with us as Judy shares her journey and love of books which began as a young girl growing up in Newton, Massachussets.  It was here her appreciation for books began as her parents modelled the importance of reading always making sure her and her siblings had access to books and the freedom to choose what they read.   As a result she is steadfast in her belief that allowing children the freedom to choose what books they read is the most liberating and empowering gift we can give them.. She talks about her grandmother as being that power of one person who had a significant impact on her  life.  "My grandmother took me as I was..she just believed in me for who I was and I think that's what I've tried to do with my own children."We talk about her belief that ALL TEACHERS ARE ROCKSTARS.  On more than one occasion during the interview she takes the time to emphasize her respect for teachers and belief that "teachers do the most important work on the planet."  She shares that if she wasn't in her current role with Scholastic, she would have wanted to teach. Finally we get a sneak peak at her new book The New Dog In Town recently published by Scholastic on November 10th under the pen name of Pepper Springfield.   The book is the fifth in her highly successful Bobs andTweets series.She encourages anyone who shares her passions to reach out to her at  http://www.judynewmanatscholastic.com.  You may also e-mail her at jnewman@scholastic.com.See you on the path!Thank you to our Sponsor, Hardenbergh Insurance Group.  Visit their website at https://www.hig.net or reach out to them in the Delaware Valley at 856.489.9100.  They also operate in 42 states across the country.Finally, as Founder of Empower Kids, LLC, I love showcasing young talent.  I want to thank and recognize our musicians that take care of the musical Podcast Intro and Exit music.  Liam Graham is the guitarist, and Anna Yannessa, is a junior vocal major at the University of Missouri who plans on continuing studying voice performance at the graduate level.  She can be reached on Instagram @annyannessa19, on Twitter at @annayannessa and on FB at Anna Yannessa.For more information about my heart our mission at Empower Kids LLC visit me on social media:Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/lisa.ozalisgraham and https://www.facebook.com/EmpowerKidsLLCTwitter https://twitter.com/EmpowerKidsLLCLinked In  https://twitter.com/EmpowerKidsLLCInstagram https://www.instagram.com/empowerkidsllcSupport the show

I dedicate this episode to the late great Sir Ken Robinson, an educator whose 2006 TED Talk on encouraging creativity in students was viewed more times than any other TED Talk in history.  The Element: How Finding Your Passion Changes Everything  was one of his many best-selling books.   According to Robinson, "The Element is where natural talents meet personal passions. To be in your Element, it's not enough to be doing something you're good at... To be in your Element you have to love it: if you do, you'll never 'work' again."I can think of no better real-life example of this than through the passion and work of my recent guest Danielle Vuke, Event Coordinator of World Orphans.  Danielle says, "I think the most fascinating thing about a person is their story. I love the fact that God is continuously writing our stories through adventure, pain, discovery, relationships, and awareness." Walk with us as she takes us on  her powerful journey from being bullied as a young child; leaning into her faith to push through it;  the guidance and support she received from her dad encouraging her to always "keep her heart soft for the Lord"; the empathy and forgiveness she developed as a result  and the resilience she gained from staying true to her faith and pushing through to the other side.   While seemingly having it all in a fast -paced professional career, Danielle knew something was still missing.   Learn how two chance encounter opportunities with World Orphans brought her to the beautiful crossroad in life where her talents of photojournalism met up with her passion and love for children.   It was there at the crossroad she was able to find her life's true purpose through partnering with World Orphans. And she's never looked back.For information on World Orphans visit https://www.worldorphans.orgFor the Storymakers Conference follow them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/events/elston-family-church/story-maker-conference-world-orphans/2798073490516495 and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/story.maker.conferenceDanielle can be reached via e-mail at danielle@worldorphans.org.See you on the path!Thank you to our Sponsor, Hardenbergh Insurance Group.  Visit their website at https://www.hig.net or reach out to them in the Delaware Valley at 856.489.9100.  They also operate in 42 states across the country.Finally, as Founder of Empower Kids, LLC, I love showcasing young talent.  I want to thank and recognize our musicians that take care of the musical Podcast Intro and Exit music.  Liam Graham is the guitarist, and Anna Yannessa, is a junior vocal major at the University of Missouri who plans on continuing studying voice performance at the graduate level.  She can be reached on Instagram @annyannessa19, on Twitter at @annayannessa and on FB at Anna Yannessa.For more information about my heart and mission visit me on social media: Facebook https://www.facebook.com/lisa.ozalisgraham and https://www.facebook.com/EmpowerKidsLLCTwitter https://twitter.com/EmpowerKidsLLCLinked In  https://twitter.com/EmpowerKidsLLCInstagram https://www.instagram.com/empowerkidsllcSupport the show

Over the last 30 years, as owner of Tumbling Dice Entertainment with my love and husband, Kevin, I have met the most amazing women.  These women have faced many of life's challenges head-on, from abuse, to illness, to the loss of a loved one.  Through their faith, determination and pure grit, they have set out with intention to make a difference, through the formation of foundations and or taking on leadership roles in institutions they care deeply about.  They have all inspired me to be a better person and this series is my tribute to them. That being said, I have always wanted to celebrate these women and now I have the forum to do so.  These spin-off episodes of the podcast series Tell Me will be entitled "From Our Decks To Yours" and will highlight each of their stories and journeys, including the many Power of One people and moments that have shaped them into the role models, mentors and leaders they are today.  I was delighted to have the privilege of interviewing Tracey Heisler, Executive Director of CASA SHAW, for our very first kickoff episode. CASA SHAW provides quality court-based advocacy for abused and neglected children.  Children are referred to their program from a variety of sources including the juvenile court judges, attorneys, caseworkers, service providers, teachers and family members. Tracey knows first-hand from her own personal experience what children and their families experience from the failures and successes within the foster care system. She became involved with CASA as a volunteer in 1999 and fell in love with its child advocacy mission. Over the years, she has been boots on the ground in the organization, working her way up to her current position as Executive Director.  For more information about the program, please visit their website at https://casashaw.org and you can also e-mail Tracey at Tracey@casashaw.org.Walk with us as she shares her passion for children and CASA along with her very personal story of resilience, compassion and love.See you on the path!Note: This episode does touch on the subjects of child and sexual abuse.Thank you to our Sponsor, Hardenbergh Insurance Group.  For over 60 years, Hardenbergh has been raising the bar and setting the standard for what a good insurance enterprise is all about.  Hands-on customer service, knowledgable reps, amazing turnaround response time.  And they keep up with the ever-changing demands and changes in their industry.  Want a company that will take care of all of your business and family insurance needs?  Trust Hardenbergh.  Visit their website at https://www.hig.net or reach out to them in the Delaware Valley at 856.489.9100.  They also operate in 42 states across the country.Finally, as Founder of Empower Kids, LLC, I love showcasing young talent.  I want to thank and recognize our musicians that take care of the musical Podcast Intro and Exit music.  Liam Graham is the guitarist, and Anna Yannessa, is a junior vocal major at the University of Missouri who plans on continuing studying voice performance at the graduate level.  She can be reached on Instagram @annyannessa19, on Twitter at @annayannessa and on FB at Anna Yannessa.Tags: Episode is LivePublished: Aug. 07, 2020 @ 4PM EditUnpublishAdd a TranscSupport the show

Can we actually talk to God?  And if so,does He answer back?  Cass Forkin says absolutely, unequivocally, undeniably...YES YES YES!  Back by popular demand, Cass joins us once again on the path to talk about the language of God, a language she has become quite good at identifying and recognizing over the years.There are signs and answers to our most important questions around us every day...if we just ask and are open to receiving the gifts.  From the appearance of such symbols as animals, flowers, coins and even insects at significant moments, we cover it all and share some of our very personal stories of this playing out in our lives.For more information about Cass's spiritual journey, and to share your spiritual journey, you can reach out to her directly by e-mailing her at amazinggrace1111@gmail.com.  She would love to hear from you.For more information about Twilight Wish, a non-profit organization that grants wishes for seniors, visit their website at https://twilightwish.org/And  last but not least, for more information about our children's books and products and what we are doing to support literacy, especially for underprivileged children, visit our website at https://www.lgrahamauthor.com/See you on the path!Thank you to our Sponsor, Hardenbergh Insurance Group.  For over 60 years, Hardenbergh has been raising the bar and setting the standard for what a good insurance enterprise is all about.  Hands-on customer service, knowledgable reps, amazing turnaround response time.  And they keep up with the ever-changing demands and changes in their industry.  Want a company that will take care of all of your business and family insurance needs?  Trust Hardenbergh.  Visit their website at www.HIG.net or reach out to them in the Delaware Valley at 856.489.9100.  They also operate in 42 states across the country.Finally, as Founder of Empower Kids, LLC, I love showcasing young talent.  I want to thank and recognize our musicians that take care of the musical Podcast Intro and Exit music.  Liam Graham is the guitarist, and Anna Yannessa, is a junior vocal major at the University of Missouri who plans on continuing studying voice performance at the graduate level.  She can be reached on Instagram @annyannessa19, on Twitter at @annayannessa and on FB at Anna Yannessa.Support the show

As Founder of Empower Kids, LLC,  https://empowerkidsllc.com/ one of my main goals is to support the literacy effort and get books into the hands of children, especially those who, for several reasons, might not have access to them.  This program touches my heart in a big way and I hope you'll be as inspired as I was to help in any way you can.Walk with me on this fascinating interview with two top pediatricians in the Children's Hospital network, Dr. Trude Haecker and Dr. Danielle Erkoboni.  These two amazing professionals have not only the desire, but possess the intellect, compassion and heart to change the world for children, and their caregivers, one book at a time.  Dr. Haecker and Dr. Erkoboni set out with intention every moment of their day to help parents connect with their children, even babies as young as 6 months old, through modelling themselves how to read together.Dr. Trude Haecker has been the Medical Director of Reach Out and Read Greater Philadelphia since the Affiliate’s establishment in October 2002. A general pediatrician well versed in the developmental issues of young children, Dr. Haecker first brought Reach Out and Read to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) in 1996.  Under her leadership, CHOP’s Reach Out and Read program has given out more than 1.4 million brand-new and gently-used books at well and sick visits through 20 of CHOP’s Primary Care practices. Dr. Haecker is also Medical Director of Global Patient Services at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. In 2020, Dr. Haecker was elected as the President of the Pennsylvania Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics.  Dr. Erkoboni is an Assistant Professor at the University of Pennsylvania, faculty member of the PolicyLab at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and a general pediatrician at CHOP Primary Care, Norristown. Dr. Erkoboni leads efforts to promote early literacy and learning through parent-child interaction in an increasingly digital age. She currently serves as the Principal Investigator within the Literacy Lab and the Associate Medical Director of Reach Out and Read Greater Philadelphia. For more about RORG, follow their link at https://www.reachoutandreadphilly.org/ and to learn more about doctors and pediatricians walking the talk with readtogether, follow them on their Youtube Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnVUO98q8nk8RgmJl7XaeDQFinally, you can also follow them on social media at Instagram https://www.instagram.com/rorgp/on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/rorgp/and on Twitter https://twitter.com/ROR_GPThank you to our Sponsor, Hardenbergh Insurance Group.  For over 60 years, Hardenbergh has been raising the bar and setting the standard for what a good insurance enterprise is all about.  Hands-on customer service, knowledgable reps, amazing turnaround response time.  And they keep up with the ever-changing demands and changes in their industry.  Want a company that will take care of all of your business and family insurance needs?  Trust Hardenbergh.  Visit their website at www.HIG.net or reach out to them in the Delaware Valley at 856.489.9100.  They also operate in 42 states across the country.Finally, as Founder of Empower Kids, LLC, I love showcasing young talent.  I want to thank and recognize our musicians that take care of the musical Podcast Intro and Exit music.  Liam Graham is the guitarist, and Anna Yannessa, is a junior vocal major at the University of Missouri who plans on continuing studying voSupport the show