Episodes

Today we welcome Jennifer Kaufman, educator, advocate, speaker and the grandmother of a child with autism. Jennifer is here to offer insights from her book, “Grandparents on the Spectrum: A Journey from Both Sides of the Desk.” Jennifer speaks to the people who are closest to autism but often feel the least equipped – grandparents who want to help but don’t know how, and first responders who need practical tools, not theory. She is a leading voice in the autism community offering support and lov...

Today’s guest Tom Murphy is one of the nation’s top nature photographers. His photographic passion and specialty is Yellowstone National Park. Sicne 1975 Tom has traveled extensively within its 3400 square miles, hiking and skiing on extended trips throughout the back country. He has skied across the entire park several times. Tom is featured in the PBS documentary “Christmas in Yellowstone” and his works can be found in private, public and museum collections around the world. Dedicated to honor...

Today, we get back to the funny stuff with a guy who is ‘serious’ about comedy. Meet Eddie Brill, a native New Yorker who came to Boston to attend Emerson College, getting his start in comedy there and never looking back. Eddie has toured all over the United States and throughout many parts of the world. He was previously the warm-up comic and comedy talent coordinator of The Late Show with David Letterman. He founded and was the creative director for the award-winning Great American Comedy Fest...

Ron Moody is living a life of music, from the performance side to a career behind the scenes. Ron formed a group back in the 1960’s called, “Ron Moody and the Centaurs.” This Southern Beach Rock band had their share of solid hits and Ron, a member of the Beach Music Hall of Fame, regularly performs his old standards along with many original tunes he has composed the years. Ron Moody is unique in the world of music. He is that rare individual who has spent his entire life immersed in both sides o...

It is 1931. Adolph Hitler is less than two years away from becoming dictator of Germany. But he is currently walking a political tightrope with his future still uncertain. In September of that year Hitler’s 22-year-old niece Geli Raubal is found dead of a gunshot wound in the future Fuhrer’s Munich apartment. Their odd relationship raised many questions. Was her death a suicide as Hitler claims, or was there a more sinister side to the story? Our guest Peter Clenott has written a thrilling novel...

If something inside of you keeps whispering the words, “this matters-do something,” then you’ve come to the right podcast! Today’s guest is Dr. Tom Bourdon who helps individuals and teams create meaningful, values-driven change. His new book offers practical tools to moving forward. We’ll be exploring “It Lit a Fire: Let Your Inner Spark Ignite a Change reAction.” Tom has offered a companion for anyone who feels a call to do more—whether your flame is just beginning to flicker or is already bla...

Jeff Bell is an author, speaker, and award-winning broadcast journalist. He was the news voice of KCBS on the West Coast for three decades and among many other honors was a two-time winner of the coveted Edward R Murrow Award for Best Newscast in America. His two books, “Rewind, Replay, Repeat,” and “When in Doubt, Make Belief,” have established Jeff as a leading voice for adversity-driven advocacy, mental health awareness, and “Greater Good” (purpose- and service-based) motivation. Jeff shares ...

Today’s episode is guaranteed to make your mouth water! I welcome Matthew Wozny , founder of The Beacon Hill Bakery in Boston. This Harvard MBA grad is also the guy who gets up extra early to craft incredibly delicious baked goods. Matthew creates classic Polish pastries and breads based on the scrumptious treats he grew up loving. He searches the world over and our conversation is as much about Polish royalty and the history of baked goods as it is about the product. Read all about him and his ...

In part two of a special series on Parkinson’s Disease during April, PD Awareness Month, , we continue our discussion of the book, “Jordan’s Rich Journey: A Path of Purpose, Strength and Hope with Parkinson’s.” I welcome the co-author Dr. John A. DiCicco along with Brett Miller, the founder/owner of 110 Fitness in Rockland, Massachusetts. Brett and his team have created a groundbreaking fitness and training program specifically for people with Parkinson’s Disease and other disabilities. There is...

The Sunday Times says, “You’ll never look at a keyboard the same way after reading Danny Bate’s fascinating, linguistic history.” I couldn’t agree more as we entertain the author of “Why Q Needs U: A History of Our Letters and How We Use Them.” Danny Bates is a linguist, writer, broadcaster and host of the podcast “A Language I Love Is…” You’ll come away with a newfound appreciation and respect for one of humanity’s most successful technologies – the alphabet!

Rory Moran serves as Director of Executive Protection & Threat Analysis at United Security, Inc., bringing more than 25 years of experience in law enforcement, corporate security, and protective cyber intelligence. A former U.S. Secret Service Supervisory Special Agent, Rory has led complex protective operations for Presidential, Vice Presidential, Pope, and foreign dignitary visits, as well as National Special Security Events including the United Nations General Assembly. His expertise spans p...

Today’s guest is truly a man of words and letters! Robert Pinsky is a poet, essayist, translator, teacher, and speaker. His first two terms as United States Poet Laureate were marked by such visible dynamism—and such national enthusiasm in response—that the Library of Congress appointed him to an unprecedented third term. Throughout his career, Robert Pinsky has been dedicated to identifying and invigorating poetry’s place in the world. As Poet Laureate, Robert Pinsky founded the Favorite Poem...

Brandon Gilson is the founder and owner of The Best Seats VIP Concierge company. He offers entertainment concierge services to more than 10,000 companies and individuals worldwide. As Brandon puts it, the only limitation is your imagination. He does it all— tickets to the hottest shows, backstage meet-and-greets, celebrity encounters, first class travel amenities and so much more. Meet a young guy who works around the clock making others happy. Dreams can come true!

Joining me in conversation today is Sam Smith, a former professional rugby player from England who due to injury was forced to retire in his middle twenties. Sam soon after became a successful entrepreneur but struggled with identity issues that s0 many former professional athletes do. Like many, he hit bottom but eventually found a path forward. Today Sam serves as a life coach to former athletes across the globe. His lived experience and kindness has helped many men and women regain their life...

In the first of a two-part series, we discuss in more detail our book, “Jordan’s Rich Journey: A Path of Purpose, Strength and Hope with Parkinson’s.” I welcome the author of the book Dr. John A. DiCicco along with Cathi Thomas, MS, RN, CNRN Program Director at the Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders Center at the Boston University Medical Campus. We will be promoting the annual Optimism Walk sponsored by the American Parkinson Disease Association and highlighting the importance of hope a...

So many of us are burdened with fear. The fear of failing is one of the most intense. But failure is a fact of life none of us should ignore because all of us experience it. Today’s guest Deborah Grayson Riegel has co-authored a book that addresses the issue in a bold new way. Her book is entitled :Aim High and Bounce Back: A Successful Woman’s Guide to Rethinking and Rising Up from Failure.” Deb offers a support system based on personal experience and the latest research that makes us rethink t...

On today’s episode meet Michael Soenen, creator and lead- producer of a raw, incredibly impactful documentary entitled, “Nothing to See Here: What Happens When Bloods, Crips, Police and Victims of Violence Make a Film.” It is a fascinating discussion about how this unique project, against many odds, got launched and took shape and how the film is making a difference in Watts, one of the most danger-filled neighborhoods in Los Angeles. Art has the power to affect us and can often bring about chan...

You’ve got front row seats to life lessons from a musical icon. In Lead Like The Boss: The Bruce Springsteen Framework to Elevating Your Leadership, my guest veteran strategist, marketer, and management consultant, Andy Freed, delivers a compelling and actionable message about leadership and communication for everyone expected to inspire others to perform at their best. Freed ditches the sterile, tired formulaic approach you’ll find in most “leadership guides” and focuses squarely on the crux of...

Matt Robinson has written a charming children’s book about the love of music and fulfilling one’s dreams. “Pete’s Beat,” is about a young boy with big dreams of becoming an outstanding drummer. He’s teased and punished for tapping on anything he can find, at times driving others a bit crazy, all while searching for his own sound. Life for Pete changes when the leader of a local drum circle notices Pete and takes him on a journey of musical and self-discovery!

Mayflower II – the replica of the ship that brought the Pilgrims to America in 1620 and launched a nation – is seen by some 2.6 million visitors every year in Plymouth. The ship is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. But there is a lot more to the replica of the Mayflower launched in the middle 1950’s than meets the eye. Researcher Richard A. Stone has written the definitive, fascinating history of it all in a book entitled, “Project Mayflower: Building and Sailing a 17th-Century...

In today’s conversation we meet Alan “Jake” Jacobson, founder of the Flo Creed-Jacobson Initiative, with the mission to help children and adults develop confidence, optimism, resilience and self-awareness through mindfulness. The organization was named in honor of Alan’s late wife Flo who served her community as a decorated Boston police officer, mentoring countless people as a “Big Sister,” and volunteering for many causes. Officer Flo Creed made it her life’s work to give back to others with a...

Meet the irrepressible Linda Chorney, author of “It Ain’t Over Till the Indie Sings: Dedicated to Independent Musicians – The Unsigned, Unsung Heroes.” Linda recently released the audiobook version, a vibrant, dramatic and often hilarious account of how this independent artist and rebel upset the status quo music world after receiving not one but two Grammy nominations! Along with her unforgettable and inspirational story, the audiobook offers a fine selection of Linda’s original music. This und...

I welcome back a talented friend Kerry Brett, author of Shot@Love: A Celebrity Photographer’s Unfiltered Lens on Dating and Finding Love. Kerry is one of the top photographers in her field and host of the highly rated award-winning podcast “Shot At Love.” We talk about the trials and tribulations of on-line dating, what Kerry has observed and learned through her personal experience and advice she has for anyone looking for love in the digital age.

Meet history professor James Hankins, author of the first of two volumes entitled, “The Golden Thread: The Ancient World and Christendom” which explores world history from antiquity to 1500. It is a massive project ( the book is over 1200 pages) and in our discussion we focus on the need to educate our population more effectively, to learn from those who set the stage of civilization politically, religiously and culturally, to be curious about the ancient world where western values and tradition...