Wisdom Shared with Carole Blueweiss

Episode Summary In this heartfelt episode, I’m joined by Kylainah Zacharcuk, author of You Can Find Me in Her Shadow: My Sister Has Special Needs and This is My Story . Kylainah opens up about the unique and often complex experience of growing up as the sibling of someone with special needs. We talk about her book, which gives voice to the often-overlooked sibling perspective, and explore the emot...

Episode Summary In this episode, actor and voiceover artist Miguel Gabriel shares his journey from struggling with impaired speech to finding his voice, literally and creatively. Thoughtful and grounded beyond his years, Miguel opens up about overcoming bullying, staying true to himself, and how kindness—his self-described superpower—has shaped his path. His reflections on rejection, faith, and fr...

Episode Summary In this episode, Michele Uriarte-Beards shares her journey as the mother of actor and voiceover artist Miguel Gabriel. When Miguel showed early signs of speech and movement challenges, Michele navigated the uncertainties of finding the right support. Facing resistance—even from within her own family—she remained determined to help her son thrive. In addition to exploring various th...

Episode Summary This is a replay of a recent episode because February is American Heart Month. Craig and Karey Packard share their inspiring story about facing an unexpected health crisis that forever changed their lives. They recount how the life-saving power of CPR played a critical role in a miraculous outcome. Their story is one of faith and resilience and a good reminder of the power of prepa...

In light of the news that the FDA is banning Red No. 3 due to health concerns, we're replaying this popular episode from last season that discusses the impact of food dyes on behavior. Join us in a touching conversation with Amy and her daughter Lizzie as they share their experiences with 18-year-old Mathew, who was diagnosed with autism. Amy discusses the challenges of raising Mathew, including h...

Episode Summary Days for Girls is an organization empowering communities worldwide through menstrual health education and resources. Today, I’m thrilled to welcome the founder of Days for Girls, Celeste Mergens, along with her husband, Don. This episode dives deeper than just menstrual equity and the work of DfG. We discuss Celeste’s memoir, The Power of Days , which chronicles her inspiring journ...

Episode Summary Craig and Karey Packard share their inspiring story about facing an unexpected health crisis that forever changed their lives. They recount how the life-saving power of CPR played a critical role in a miraculous outcome. Their story is one of faith and resilience and a good reminder of the power of preparation in the event of the unexpected.  About Craig & Karey Packard Craig and K...

Episode Summary In this bonus episode, you will hear Erica DeMarch interview me on her Balance Matters podcast. We not only discuss my TEDx talk Your Socks May Hold the Key to Aging Better.  We also dive deep into the themes of the talk—exploring what else I would have shared if given more than 10 minutes to speak. In addition, we discuss the importance of body awareness in balance training along...

Episode Summary Sheila Nevins, a prominent documentary filmmaker and best-selling author, discusses her experiences with her son's Tourette syndrome and speaks about the broader themes of aging, disability, and authenticity. Through personal stories and reflections, she sheds light on often misunderstood topics, emphasizing the importance of genuine representation over sensationalism. With humor a...

Episode Summary In this episode, I talk with Jay Silverman, an award-winning filmmaker known for his emotionally resonant work. Jay discusses his journey into feature filmmaking, which began with "Girl on the Edge, " a deeply personal film inspired by his daughter's recovery through equine therapy. His latest film, "Camera," is another heartfelt project influenced by his experiences as a father of...

Episode Summary Noah, my ATV guide in Alaska, joins me on this episode of Wisdom Shared.  Last season, we heard from Noah's mom, Melissa, who talked about her sobriety journey.  In this discussion, Noah courageously shares his difficult journey with pills. He nearly died. He offers advice, hope, and solidarity to others facing similar struggles. His powerful narrative underscores the transformativ...

Episode Summary  Sharon "Rocky" Roggio is my special guest - the producer and director of the award-winning documentary "1946: The Mistranslation that Shifted Culture." This film explores the profound impact of a mistaken biblical translation of the word "homosexual" and its consequences on culture, religion, and the LGBTQ community. Rocky shares her personal journey as a Christian lesbian, discus...

Episode Summary In this conversation with filmmaker and self-described Renaissance Man Stewart Schulman, we discuss his multifaceted career and his collaborations with John Bayless, highlighting projects like One Hand One Heart and the award-winning feature documentary Left Alone Rhapsody: The Musical Memoir of Pianist John Bayless. Schulman shares  Bayless' life from childhood illness and genius...

Episode Summary My special guest for this episode is pianist John Bayless, whose story is featured in the incredible documentary Left Alone Rhapsody: The Musical Memoir of Pianist John Bayless . In our conversation, John reflects on life before and after his stroke.  Post-stroke, John's resilience shines through as he embarks on a remarkable path of self-recovery and discovery. Teaching himself to...

Episode Summary In this poignant episode, Jacob Moench shares the challenges and joys of parenting his son Samuel, who has epilepsy and autism. The episode explores how Jacob and his wife support each other and prioritize time for their other children. Jacob also talks about his company, which offers genetic testing for preventative illness, and we discuss the ethical considerations surrounding th...

Episode Summary In this episode, Lynn Greenberg and her son Jonathan, co-authors of Robby the Dyslexic Taxi and the Airport Adventur e, share insights into Jon's journey with dyslexia. Emphasizing the transformative impact of education post-diagnosis, they discuss the power of creativity and the hidden gifts of neurodiversity. Jon, who views dyslexia as a superpower, aims, along with his mother, t...

Episode Summary Join me as I welcome back Amy and her daughter, Lizzie, for an insightful discussion. In this episode, we delve into Lizzie's harrowing encounter with toxic shock syndrome (TSS), exploring the severe implications and her journey to recovery. Amy shares the critical moments that led to her life-saving discovery of Lizzie's condition and her quick response. We also discuss Lizzie's c...

Episode Summary Join us in a touching conversation with Amy and her daughter Lizzie as they share their experiences with 18-year-old Mathew, who was diagnosed with autism. Amy discusses the challenges of raising Mathew, including how eliminating certain food dyes helped reduce his aggressive behavior. Lizzie shares insights on being an older sister to a sibling with autism, highlighting the unique...

EPISODE SUMMARY This is a  replay of a previously released episode, for Blindness Awareness Month. In this episode, we meet Josh Burch, a 48-year-old man who was born with Optic Nerve Hypoplasia. Josh talks about the challenges of growing up blind and shares how he navigates a world built for sighted people with the help of technology and his guide dog, Lou. We also hear more from Josh's stepmothe...

EPISODE SUMMARY This is a  replay of a previously released episode, for Blindness Awareness Month. Julie Burch is an accomplished author (pen name: Juliet Brilee) and stepmother to Josh, who was born blind. Now 48 years old, he lives independently with his seeing-eye dog, Lou. In this episode, Julie shares what it was like to raise a blind child. She introduces us to how she helped Josh spatially...

Episode Summary In part 2 of my conversation with retired FBI Special Agent Aaron Weeter, we learn more about life as an FBI agent. Aaron explains how he got started, what it was like to work on high-profile cases like 9/11, the DC Sniper, and January 6th, and how he ultimately specialized in drug-related crimes for most of his career. It was fascinating to learn about how Aaron and his colleagues...

Episode Summary Since 1999, more than one million people have died from a drug overdose in the United States. On International Overdose Awareness Day, we reflect on these senseless preventable deaths. Today, we hear from previous Wisdom Shared guest Anne Pratt on the loss of her brother Daniel from an accidental overdose. May this powerful personal story help spread awareness and compassion for al...

Episode Summary Our last episode explored addiction from the perspective of loved ones. In this episode, we are looking at the opioid crisis from the point of view of a retired FBI agent, Aaron Weeter, who spent 25 years specializing in drug-related crimes. From his frontline perspective, we learn how the opioid epidemic of the 90s spread to become the fentanyl epidemic we have today.  For the vis...

Episode Summary In this episode, I'm joined by two special guests, harm reduction activist Julie Stampler and award-winning documentary filmmaker Jamie Boyle.  We discuss the opioid epidemic through the frame of the incredible documentary Anonymous Sister , directed by Jamie Boyle, produced by Marilyn Ness, and executive produced by Julie Stampler. This is the story of one American family, but wha...

Episode Summary Melissa Conrey shares her story of living with drug and alcohol addiction and now, sobriety. A single mom of two, she worries about her children who have been exposed to so much. She went back to school to earn her degrees and is now a registered dietician. Melissa speaks openly about her challenges and her victories.  For the visually-minded who prefer to listen and read or for th...