Amazing Americans

Dr. Glen Robison shares his breathtaking account of resilience, discovery, and the pursuit of purpose. Once told he would never succeed, he courageously stepped into the unknown and rose stronger to fulfill his calling as a surgeon and humanitarian. His story proves that the answers we seek, and the life we dream of, often emerge when we embrace uncertainty with faith and determination. Book: Show...

Ron Nelson's copper postcards were everywhere! Did you ever pick one up at the Statue of Liberty? He sold millions of the unique copper postcards. He also designed and manufactured CD covers for some very famous people, including Madonna. Ron tells us all about his interesting professional life as well as the slew of health problems that he's had to face. The guy has had 650 blood transfusions, ca...

Beth Watter's son Nick had heart surgery at less than a year old, his lungs collapsed, and he suffered brain damage due to loss of oxygen. Doctors told Beth to put her son in an institution, but she refused. This is a story of inspiration and resilience as Beth found the strength and support she needed and Nick continues to defy the odds and thrive despite his limitations. Books: Champions, We Are...

Vincent Tomeo is a poet and history teacher who's been all over the world. He has over 1000 published poems/essays. He even survived cancer and went blind for a year due to multiple sclerosis. He's humorous, cultured, and has won several awards for his writings. You'll enjoy hearing him talk about his experiences and what's important in life. Books: My Cemetery Friends: A Garden of Encounters at M...

Karen Kay Smith supressed her feelings and felt alone in helping her husband deal with Multiple Sclerosis for 15 years. This led to her developing an eating disorder. Plus, she was in charge of helping her daughter with Muscular Dystrophy. Hear how she overcame her eating disorder and feelings of deep lonliness and is now thriving while caring for her daughter and inspiring others as a certified h...

Ralph Myers' son was killed by a gangmember in a drive-by shooting. In this podcast, Ralph details the incident that took his son's life, the years he spent battling the court system thereafter, and the crisis response team he helped establish in order to help other parents going through similar tragedies. Books:  Beneath the Law: The Plight of Crime Victims in the American Criminal Justice System...

Tito Ortiz was a kid who came from nothing, but through hard work and dedication, he was able to achieve the American dream. In his freshman year of high school, he joined the wrestling team and discovered he had a gift that changed his life. He eventually found his way into mixed martial arts and the rest is history! Here’s the story of how Tito Ortiz overcame poverty, drugs, and a broken family...

Carol Jones Hasbrouck and her friend left home with $500 in their pocket and embarked on a journey volunteering with as many charities and service projects as possible. Almost 4 months and 10,000 miles later, they returned home transformed women.  Book: 10,000 Miles of Miracles: Dames Gone Wild Summer Service Adventure Helping People, Pets and Planets

Hal Eisner spent 43 of his 58-year broadcast news career in Los Angeles. He covered fires, eathquakes, school shootings, the OJ Simpson and Michael Jackson trials, and much more! He was even nearly killed by a drunk driver, while standing and covering a story in Hollywood. For his lifetime of work, Hal received the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award from the Radio and Television News Associati...

Jim Flaherty is 90 years old, but you'd never know if from listening to him. He's learned to love longevity and has lots of tips to help you do the same. He was a successful ad agency creative director, business owner, and was by his wife's side when she battled dementia. He's kept a positive attitude through it all and chooses to make the most of every day. He's now a writer, motivational speaker...

Jack Ratliff's quest for meaning and adventure took him from college in the 1950s to the edge of everything - enduring the punishing trials of UDT-SEAL training, commanding a destroyer under a mercurial captain, battling deadly forest fires in Yellowstone, and more! Book: Riding the White Bull: The Making of a Navy SEAL

Frank Atchley was an active police officer for 33 years, including 12 years as a homicide detective. He helped take down Gary Ridgeway, the Green River Killer, who was convicted of killing nearly 50 women. He also prevented a woman from being sacrificed by a satanic cult. Frank shares how a homicide investigator solves crimes and how women and others can protect themselves from being potential vic...

Henry Kusiak is trying to make it in the pro ranks after a very successful college baseball career. He just got back from playing baseball in China and has played a couple seasons with semi-pro teams in the US. He's had to take the long road toward reaching his dream, while overcoming doubts and struggles along the way. This is Henry's story of perseverance.

This is the powerful true story of Nick Morrison’s journey from the rodeo arena to rock bottom and back again. After multiple concussions and a career-ending injury, Nick lost not only his dream but also his ability to speak. Refusing to give up, he fought through pain, fear, and silence to rebuild his life through faith and resilience. Nick is now an inspiring keynote speaker and stand-up comedia...

SENSITIVE CONTENT DISCLAIMER: This episode contains sensitive subject matter related to sexual abuse. As a child, Christina Balzani was sexually abused by a relative. As an adult, she was a victim of domestic violence. After gaining the spiritual and emotional tools to overcome her trauma, Christina's lifelong mission has been to help others gain freedom and healing from past abuse. Website: Chris...

Greg Roth's mother died of cancer when he was just 11. This tragedy sent him on a lifelong mission that includes creating the award-winning documentary We Ride Why, a film about the power of love, community, and hope in the face of cancer. The documentary follows the stories of several women who have been impacted by cancer, as well as the friends and family who support them. Through their stories...

When Louie Castriota's daughter was diagnosed with special needs, he started on a 13-year journey to create Leg Up Farm, which has now transformed the lives of over 1,500 children with special needs and their families. Website: LegUpFarm.org Book: Leg Up, The Courage to Dream

This is the inspirational story of Geoffrey Bott. He a former rugby player and accomplished athlete from England and subsequently a scientist, business owner, and author. He's been through over a dozen knee surgeries, a raging house fire, divorce, and more. Not only has he bounced back from all of it, he's thrived and is here to share his story about never giving up. Books: Biological Deception Up...

Linda Dezenski was born with Cerebral Palsy. She takes us on a rollercoaster ride through the ups and downs she experienced with a body that doesn't always cooperate and a society that often misunderstands, as well as how she's managed to triumph in the midst of it all. Book: Persistence: Living an Authentic Life with a Disability

This is Kathy Teyler Jarrett’s journey of taking care of a spouse with Lewy Body Dementia in hopes of helping others recognize the signs and get proper diagnosis and treatment. She shares the signs and symptoms, how her husband’s Lewy Body Dementia was finally diagnosed, how she and others treated and cared for him, and the mistakes and pitfalls they faced along the way. Definition: Lewy Body Deme...

Maureen Anne Meehan has written 23 books, including 19 in the Mary MacIntosh suspense thriller series. She's also climbed the legal ladder to become a judge and experienced a lot of tragedy in her life, including the murder of her assistant and the loss of her husband. Her subsequent dating stories are hilarious btw! Maureen Anne Meehan on Amazon Note: this episode originally aired on 6/7/25

After facing death more than a dozen times and enduring the deep scars of trauma, Miguel De La Rocha rose from the shadows with a calling—to become the guide he never had. Miguel's mission: to guide veterans, first responders, and trauma survivors battling PTS, invisible wounds, or thoughts of suicide—toward recovery, identity rebuilding, and emotional freedom. Website:  yourfate.life Book: F.A.T....

John Simon is a brilliant neuroscientist, inventor, writer, and former pole-vaulter who had the right side of his face rebuilt after a freak accident. In addition to all of his accomplishments in the medical field and elsewhere, John wrote a fascinating sci-fi novel about a revolutionary device that forces a killer to experience their victim's terrifying final moments through the help of AI. Book:...

Navy vet Randy Tisch sold his financial business to buy a boat and sail the world. He fought 30-foot waves on the Pacific Ocean as well as some serious storms of life, including cancer. Book: Crossing the Wild Pacific: Captain's Log of the Yacht Argo

Chris Benyo ran 65 marathons, but it wasn't until his wife was dianosed with ALS that he ran his most meaningful ones! Book: All In: Living, not Dying with ALS Note: this episode originally aired on 5/31/25