You Matter!

On this episode, Karen speaks with Allen McFarlane, NYU Associate Dean of Students, Outreach and Engagement. Allen is here to talk about the ways in which the Office of Dean of Students supports students here in NYC and abroad.

On this episode, Karen speaks with Grace Cosachov Protos, Executive Director of NYU Work Life office, which serves as the bridge between university-wide policy and the unique needs of NYU employees that aims to create a culture of support and harmony in both work and life. HAve a listen and learn about all of the resources provided by this office.

On this episode, Karen speaks with Mike Wolo; approximately twenty years ago, in the fall of 2003, Mike was crushed by 10,000 pounds of granite stone and stopped breathing for six minutes. Mike suffered a traumatic brain injury and was told by physicians that he would never be the same again, and to say goodbye to who he was prior to the accident. Mike refused this outcome and defied all odds. Thi...

On this episode, Karen speaks with Sonny; on September 27, 2018, Sonny was charged with two counts of transporting an illegal substance across state lines, in the southeastern part of the United States. Sonny served four years in prison after pleading guilty for his crimes; he is here to share his experience as an incarcerated person in this educational and informative episode.

On this episode, Karen speaks with Amanda Quick, the author of the memoir "The Sex Trafficker's Wife," a story of crime and betrayal. While Amanda was at home raising her three small boys, her husband was at work, unbeknownst to Amanda, living a life of crime, sex trafficking minors. This is Amanda's story.

Today I welcome John Matherson, Associate Vice President of Global Card Services and Security Systems at NYU; John is here to talk about his professional journey as a subject matter expert in engineering, technology and security systems that ultimately brought him to the Department of Campus Safety at NYU in a senior leadership role.

On this episode, Karen speaks with Dr. Marisa Randazzo, the Executive Director of Threat Management at Ontic, where she leads strategic consulting and services to support the development of threat assessment protocols; she also serves as the Director of Threat Assessment for Georgetown University. Previously, Dr. Randazzo led SIGMA Threat Management Associates LLC as the Chief Executive Officer an...

On this episode, Karen speaks with Heather Glogolich. Heather is currently a Captain with the NJ Institute of Technology Police Department, the Vice President for the professional organization New Jersey Women in Law Enforcement (NJWLE) and a law enforcement advisor for the web-based app VictimsVoice, a legally admissible documentation tool that allows victims to store evidence that is admissible...

On this episode, Karen speaks with Louis Molina, Commissioner of the New York City Department of Correction since January 1, 2022. Commissioner Molina is a Bronx-born ex-Marine with over twenty years' experience in the criminal justice arena, having served prior stints in the New York City Police Department, in the field of human services assisting the homeless population, in the Brooklyn District...

On this episode, Karen speaks with AJ Croce, the son of legendary singer songwriter Jim Croce, who tragically died in a plane crash in 1973 when AJ was just 2. Croce died at the height of burgeoning success but left behind a number of noteworthy hits. His 1972 breakthrough album  You Don't Mess Around with Jim  produced top-charting singles like "Time in a Bottle" and "Bad, Bad Leroy Brown." Liste...

On this episode, Karen speaks with Leslie Weirich, a passionate suicide prevention educator and advocate, and the mother of Austin. On September 10, 2016, on World Suicide Prevention Awareness Day, Leslie awoke to the news that her son had taken his life; he was 20. This is Leslie's story.

Meet Taylor O'Brien, diagnosed with Stage 3C low-grade ovarian cancer on September 13, 2022.  According to the American Cancer Society, this cancer mainly develops in women over 55 or after menopause. On June 24, 2023, Taylor celebrated her 29th birthday; this is her story.

On this episode, Karen speaks with Kit Turner. On November 28, 2021, Kit lost her 20 – year - old son Myles to suicide; Kit is here to share her son's story and how she has turned her heartbreak into advocacy regarding suicide prevention.

On this episode, Karen speaks with two members of the NYU Department of Campus Safety: Anne Marie McLaughlin, Director of Emergency Management and Continuity and Andrew McMahan, Associate Vice President, Global Resiliency and Security. Anne Marie and Andrew are going to talk about preparation, process and response to emergencies at NYU in New York City and at our degree granting locations and Glob...

On this episode, Karen speaks with Brooke Eby; in March 2023, at the age of 33, Brooke was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or Lou Gehrig's disease, a progressive neurodegenerative disease with no cure. Most doctors give a newly diagnosed person 2-5 years to live. With lots of support from family, friends, and co-workers, Brooke turned her fear and grief into laughter by educati...

On this episode, Karen speaks with Dr. Jason Pina. At the time of this interview, Dr. Pina was Vice President for University Life & Global Programs at New York University; he was recently promoted to Senior Vice President for University Life. Prior to his appointments at NYU, Dr. Pina served as Ohio University's Vice President for Student Affairs. Dr. Pina is here to talk about his journey as a hi...

On this episode, Karen speaks with Cindy Liccardo, Esquire. Cindy was diagnosed with lung cancer on June 17, 2021; she had a left upper lobe lung resection surgery in November, completed her treatment in December and in January 2022, the cancer had metastasized to her brain. Following rigorous segmental brain radiation treatment, today, there is no evidence of cancer in her body. Cindy is here to...

On this episode, Karen speaks with Michelle Rotella, Assistant United States Attorney and Project Safe Childhood Coordinator responsible for the intake of all child exploitation matters in the 9-county Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Michelle is a subject matter expert in child exploitation and cybercrime and serves on a nationwide committee as Attorney Advisor for national child exploitation an...

On this episode, Karen speaks with Courtney Friel, an anchor and reporter for KTLA in Los Angeles, California, and the author of a memoir, "Tonight At 10: Kicking Booze and Breaking News," which details her ascent in the news business while dealing with alcohol and drug addiction. Courtney is here to share her story and her journey to recovery

On this episode, Karen speaks with a frequent guest of You Matter!, Dr. Gregg McDonald, Chief Deputy Coroner for Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, and the Dean of the School of Health Sciences and Chair of the Department of Forensic Medicine and Pathology at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr. McDonald and I are going to discuss in this educational episode, what DEA Administrator...

On this episode, Karen speaks with Diane R. Button. Diane is a founding partner of the Bay Area End-of-Life Doula Alliance in Northern California, and an instructor for the University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine End-of-Life Doula Professional Certificate Program. Her latest book, Dear Death, combines the insights gained from her research on "The Four Pillars of a Meaningful Life," with o...

On this episode, Karen speaks with Dr. Adam Hill, a pediatric palliative care physician, author and recovering alcoholic. Dr. Hill openly shares his story of depression, suicidal thoughts and alcoholism while working in the field of medicine; he wrote "Long Walk Out of the Woods" in which he shares his story and lifts the veil of secrecy regarding caregiver mental health.

On this episode, Karen speaks with Sandra Joseph, #1 bestselling author and keynote speaker, and the longest-running leading lady in the longest-running Broadway show of all-time, Christine in The Phantom of the Opera, which spanned ten years and more than 1,300 performances. Sandra has also been seen on numerous national broadcasts, including The Oprah Winfrey Show, CNN, The Today Show, Dateline,...

On this episode, Karen speaks with Chairman of the New Jersey State Parole Board, Samuel J. Plumeri. Chairman Plumeri is here to educate listeners about parole as well as share his professional journey that lead to his current position, heading the state's lead reentry organization, ensuring that formerly incarcerated persons return to society as law abiding citizens.

On this episode, Karen speaks with Kim Alexis, author, actress and supermodel who has appeared on the cover of magazines like Sports Illustrated, Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, Glamour, Self and Cosmopolitan, and in 1983, was the face of Revlon. Kim is here to share her journey to fame that began at the age of 17 when she was discovered by Elite Talent Agency, and how today, Kim's mission at the age of 6...