PODCAST: Living with the right attitude, gratitude and exercise is Lee Silverstein's key to resilienceLee Silverstein is 60 years old. He has battled 3 different types of cancer over his life.
He credits his wife Linda and the love they have for one another, but also A.G.E. (attitude, gratitude, exercise) as the key to his perseverance, longevity and positive mindset. |
PODCAST: Raising resilient kids with education expert Jane KristoffyJane Kristoffy is a well-known education consultant in the Toronto area.
She's a teacher who operates a thriving consulting business, consulting children and their parents along with other educators. Her aim is to ensure that students are reaching their full potential in their personal and academic goals. I spoke with Jane about what parents can do to teach their kids to launch and thrive in the real world. |
PODCAST: Matthew Pullan & Running Through Cancer inspires people to do more than just runUK teen Matthew Pullan is an avid runner. This 18 year old started a blog to inspire others to run but it's turned into a way to motivate them to not take life for granted.
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PODCAST: In his grief, Jason Fiorotto created The Tory Day Fund to bring comfort to cancer patientsWhen she was being treated for breast cancer, Jason Fiorotto and his wife came up with a plan to help other cancer patients. Hear his inspiring story of how his grief gave him a purpose to bring comfort to others.
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PODCAST: Morgan Frey on teaching others to notice the abilities of physically-challenged peopleAvid knitter, baker, theatre stage manager and writer are just a few of the traits to describe Morgan Frey. She is also a triple amputee but doesn't let that get in the way of her passions.
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PODCAST: Terrence Rodriguez created REXpride and found a purpose in helping LGBTQ+ youth in TorontoThe LGBTQ+ youth of Toronto's Rexdale community have a safe place to meet and socialize, thanks to Terrence Rodriguez. He created a place that he wished had existed when he was younger and coming to terms with his own identity.
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Casey Palmer of #blackdadworries |
Emily O'Brien from Comeback Snacks |
Susan Mintz talks about COVID-19, it's impact on seniors and how to stay positiveSusan Mintz and I reunited to talk about COVID-19 and how it's impacting the senior community she lives in. She talks about the similarities she sees in this pandemic and when her husband was diagnosed with HIV & AIDS. It's a talk filled with funny moments and insights into senior life. A little bonus: Be sure to watch the outtake at the end. |
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3 students on coping through crisisCaitlin Starr, Sam Fanaki and Isobel Fanaki are 3 students in Toronto. I sat down with them to talk about their stresses and how they are managing a changing world. |
Guest Contributor: Cory Resilient on being homeless and finding purpose |
Toronto teen Caitlin Starr aims to debunk Type 1 Diabetes myths |
Death Doula Kayla Moryoussef on living with chronic illness and helping others to die a good death |
David Grant created the Brain Injury Hope Network to build a community for himself and others |
Massachusetts widow Dana Kyminas honours late husband with award for young studentsDana Kyminas of Peabody, Massachusetts lost her husband George when he was only 27 years old and they were expecting their first child.
She shares the story of their love, being high school sweethearts, his resilience in living with a congenital heart defect since birth and how she continues to honour his legacy. |
A new children's book by Marnie Hill helps with talking about griefWhen Marnie Hill's son-in-law Matt passed away from an aggressive cancer on December 24, 1997 it was an incredibly sad and difficult time for her family. He left behind her young daughter who was his wife and two very small children.
Marnie wrote a children's book titled, "Daddy's Blue Eyes" to explain his death and help heal her granddaughters, and to help others who would be going through the same experience. |
Former Australian officer Shaun O'Gorman on dealing with PTSD and helping men to open up |
Guest contributor: Marshalee Facey opens her own school in Jamaica against all odds |
Son's death turned Melissa Sheldrick to advocate for patient safety in prescription medicine |
Guest contributor: Nigel Adams on the challenges faced by Indigenous men and his mission to help |
"Do it now" says Dawn Custode in her final days living with colon cancerDawn Custode passed away of colon cancer in May 2019. I had the opportunity to interview her in late April as she was living out her last days to the fullest. Since her diagnosis over two and a half years ago, she faced the disease with one idea in mind, "Do It Now". It's the same message that she stressed to others. Here is a transcript of our telephone interview, along with the recording. |
Entrepreneurs Lisa Owen and Kristy Wieber on maintaining resilience when building a businessKristy Wieber and Lisa Owen are the co-owners of Rent frock Repeat. In 2010, they changed the way women shop for formal occasions with a dress rental business. Now the pair is starting a new venture, a monthly subscription service for day-to-day wear. Kristy and Lisa share their thoughts on going into business with a friend, staying determined and believing in yourself. |
Toronto comic Jennifer Hsiung rolls with the punches on and off stage |
Shahzad moved from war-torn Afghanistan to Toronto to start a new life |
NYC Housekeeper Luciana on the power of kindnessLuciana is a New York City hotel housekeeper. She left her home in the Dominican Republic as a journalist and built a new life for herself and children in the United States. She admits that not every guest is friendly to her but that doesn't stop her from appreciating the angels around her and continuing to deliver service with a smile. |
Lauren Chiarello of ChiChiLifeNYC on beating cancer twice and finding purposeAt 23, Lauren Chiarello was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma. She beat it twice and found that fitness was an inspiration to heal her and help others. Now 34 years old, Lauren spoke with me about her resilience, how she took a negative and turned it into a positive, and her passion to help others reach their full potential including teaching fitness at the cancer centre where she received treatment. |