AwareNow™: The Official Podcast for Causes

Welcome to ‘The Resonant Mind’. Get ready to explore the hidden harmonics of the mind — where neuroscience, personality, music, and consciousness spiral into one unified pattern. This space is dedicated to the science of resonance and the human experience. Let’s start with a “who, what, when, where, and why” introduction. Featured in 'The Gratitude Edition' of AwareNow Magazine: www.awaren...

Featured in 'The Gratitude Edition' of AwareNow Magazine www.awarenowmagazine.com Written by: Sonja Montiel Music by: Tristan Barton Produced by: AwareNow Media

Featured in 'The Gratitude Edition' of AwareNow Magazine www.awarenowmagazine.com Written & Narrated by: Paul S. Rogers Music by: Shahead Mostafafar Produced by: AwareNow Media

From the frontlines of law enforcement to the front rows of icons, Nina Hobson has spent her life protecting others—royalty, rock stars, and everyday citizens alike. But when corruption crept into the very system she served, she risked everything to expose it, turning her badge into a beacon for truth. Behind the strength of a protector lies the story of a woman who has faced danger, loss, and bet...

Michael Burns is no stranger to heavy lifting—both in the gym and in life. After being diagnosed with small cell lung cancer, he fought through chemotherapy and radiation, refusing to let go of his passion for powerlifting. Today, cancer-free and holding multiple records, he stands as living proof that resilience and faith can move far more than weight. Featured in 'The Gratitude Edition'...

There’s a rare kind of grace that comes from living with something that tries to take everything from you. Nicole Pedra knows that grace well. Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, she’s learned that gratitude isn’t just a feeling—it’s a practice. A model, actress, and fierce advocate, Nicole has turned what could have been a closed door into an open invitation for others to find strength in vulnerab...

Most of us don’t look at a plant and see a home — but Cody Ley did. As a farmer, chemist, builder, and founder of Hemp for Humanity, Cody is redefining what’s possible when nature and innovation work together instead of apart. In this conversation, we explore how one seed can spark a movement, reshape a supply chain, and quite literally build a healthier way to live. Featured in 'The Gratitude...

At 23, Patti Bevilacqua’s dream career as a PE teacher was cut short by a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. What felt like an ending became the beginning of a powerful new story—one that led her to earn a PhD, step onto the TEDx stage, and inspire thousands as a resilience educator. Today, Dr. Patti Bevilacqua shows the world that MS doesn’t just mean multiple sclerosis—it means 'mindset shift&...

Peter Samuelson has lived a life that spans red carpets and real-world rescue, building stories on screen while rewriting the stories of children who were never given a fair beginning. From producing films to founding First Star, his path hasn’t followed the script. It’s been shaped by purpose, grit, and an unshakable belief in what’s possible for young people. In this conversation, we go past the...

Beyond a book, ‘Yumi and Monster’ is a story that serves as a bridge between ability and disability. In the transition of former versions of ourselves to present versions, where we meet our monsters where they’re at, not in confrontation but in companionship, this tale is one that brings new levels of comfort and compassion with bold advocacy and brilliant artistry from the one and only Kam Redlaw...

Featured in 'The Beauty Edition' of AwareNow Magazine www.awarenowmagazine.com Written by: Sonja Montiel Music by: Muted Produced by: AwareNow Media

Featured in 'The Beauty Edition' of AwareNow Magazine www.awarenowmagazine.com Written & Narrated by: Paul S. Rogers Music by: Marshall Usinger Produced by: AwareNow Media

When my dear friend, Damian Washington, told me he was walking a 5K from his home in Paris to the Eiffel Tower and back—for me (Allié), for our film ‘Because I Can’, and for our MS community—I was moved beyond words. I laughed through tears as I watched and listened to him narrate each moment with humor, honesty, and heart. This walk wasn’t just his—it was ours, step by step, proof that together,...

When we talk about equality, we often forget one of its biggest missing pieces: disability. For many, ableism is a word they’ve never heard, yet it shapes how millions of people live, work, and are treated every single day. Today, I’m sitting down with Celia Chartres-Aris and Jamie Shields, two unapologetic truth-tellers who are breaking the silence and giving us the language—and the courage—to fi...

When life told Adam Powell to stop, he found another way to go. Living with multiple sclerosis, Adam learned early on that strength isn’t about how far you go — it’s about how you keep going. Now, with neural sleeves helping him move in ways once impossible, his journey continues as proof that hope is more than a feeling — it’s a force in motion. Featured in 'The Beautiful Edition' of Awar...

There are lives that unfold quietly — and then there are lives that shout. Yuly Grosman’s story is the latter: a journey that began with an escape from the Soviet Union and evolved into a symphony of survival, risk, and revelation. In his book The Most Beautiful and Dangerous Business: Uncommon Lessons for Unstoppable Leadership, Yuly invites us to see that leadership isn’t found in safety, but in...

In a world that often confuses power with permanence, Roxanne Messina Captor reminds us that true influence is measured in impact, not applause. An Emmy-nominated writer, director, and producer—and a three-time breast cancer survivor—she has spent her life turning challenge into creation, and policy into possibility. From mentoring under Francis Ford Coppola to leading California’s arts movement a...

Sina Sinbari’s story is not defined by what cancer took from him but by what it gave him: perspective, purpose, and an unshakable faith in resilience. In the midst of hospital stays, loss, and relentless treatments, he discovered that battles can hold unexpected blessings. Today, he shares how struggle became the canvas for strength and hope. Featured in 'The Beautiful Edition' of AwareNow...

Food connects us all, yet so much of it ends up wasted—along with the resources, energy, and human effort that brought it to our tables. Make Food Not Waste isn’t just tackling that problem; it’s redefining how we think about what’s possible when purpose meets practicality. At the heart of it all is Executive Director Danielle Todd, whose vision is turning leftovers into lasting change and proving...

What happens when one man refuses to accept the limits society places on others? For Jake Weiner, that question became the catalyst for ZOOZ Fitness—a space where people of all abilities are not only welcomed but celebrated. In this conversation, Jake opens up about the personal journey, the challenges, and the humanity behind creating an inclusive fitness revolution that’s transforming lives and...

Beauty is often seen, but rarely felt—until empathy enters the frame. For actress and advocate Tricia Helfer, beauty is about more than appearance, it’s about awareness. From portraying a woman rediscovering her worth after breast cancer in Hello Beautiful, to standing up for animals whose voices often go unheard, Tricia reflects a truth we often forget: empathy is the bridge between strength and...

Featured in 'The Edge Edition' of AwareNow Magazine www.awarenowmagazine.com Written & Narrated by: Allié McGuire Music by: Nocturne Samurai Produced by: AwareNow Media

Featured in 'The Edge Edition' of AwareNow Magazine www.awarenowmagazine.com Written & Narrated by: Paul S. Rogers Music by: CTRL S Produced by: AwareNow Media

Featured in 'The Edge Edition' of AwareNow Magazine www.awarenowmagazine.com Written & Narrated by: Sonja Montiel Featuring: Dr. Victor Rios Music by: Ardie Son Produced by: AwareNow Media

Narcolepsy is often misunderstood, reduced to punchlines about “falling asleep anywhere.” For Michelle Weger, it reshaped her life completely, rerouting her from the dream of becoming a neurosurgeon to building a multi-million-dollar business engineered around rest, resilience, and radical systems thinking. Alongside her Great Dane service dog, Quinn, Michelle is redefining what it means to live—a...