AwareNow™: The Official Podcast for Causes

Some houses whisper, but in Todd Brown’s debut novel When Shadows Burn, the past doesn’t whisper — it screams. Set in a small Southern town with secrets as heavy as its history, this Southern Gothic thriller explores identity, silence, and the cost of truth. Today, we step into the shadows of Raven’s Cross with the author himself, to uncover the artistry and intention behind a story that feels hau...

When you sit down with Jenny Olson, you don’t just hear a story—you feel it. A mother who’s walked through the unthinkable, she’s turned heartbreak into hope through her words, her book, and her voice on countless stages. Today, we speak not just about pediatric cancer, but about courage, love, and the fierce strength that comes only from being a mom. Featured in 'The Edge Edition' of Awar...

Art often lives at the edge—between what’s seen and unseen, past and present, concept and emotion. For Sima and me, that edge is also personal. We both share a love of art and the reality of living with multiple sclerosis. MS doesn’t define us, but it does sharpen our perspective—on patience, on resilience, and on the value of spaces that hold more than meets the eye. This is Sima’s story: where i...

Creativity isn’t always a straight line — sometimes it’s a storm, sometimes it’s a spark, and sometimes it’s both at once. Today I’m joined by someone who knows that tension well: Nick Harauz, a creative technologist, educator, and storyteller who has spent over two decades shaping the way we see and share ideas. Featured in 'The Edge Edition' of AwareNow Magazine: www.awarenowmagazine.com

When a story about autism is told without autistic voices, it often falls flat or feeds stereotypes. Once More Like Rain Man changes that, with Bella Zoe Martinez not only writing the script but also bringing it to life on screen. In this conversation, Bella and I sit down for real talk about what it means to rewrite the narrative on autism, inclusion, and authenticity. Featured in 'The Edge E...

There are some stories that aren’t just told—they’re lived, rewritten, and embodied. Sitting down with Darwin Del Fabro felt less like an interview and more like a shared moment of reflection between two people who’ve spent time on the margins, now meeting in the middle with open hearts. In this conversation, Darwin speaks not only as an artist but as a trans woman who is still becoming—truthfully...

From the shadows of his bedroom studio in Milwaukee to the vibrant music scene of Chicago, GREYISHERE has been building more than just a sound—he’s been building a movement. With original production, fearless vulnerability, and a genre-blurring approach, GREYISHERE is pushing the boundaries as a music artist. At the heart of it all is his unshakable message: music is a lifeline for mental health a...

Words are more than sounds strung together—they’re colors painted across the canvas of our conversations. For Yrmis Barroeta, language is both a palette and a mirror, revealing not just how we communicate, but who we are becoming. In this dialogue, we explore the artistry of expression, the shades of selfhood, and the power of speaking with impact. Featured in 'The Edge Edition' of AwareNo...

Connection runs like a thread through Ryan Guzman’s story—whether navigating his Mexican American heritage, building community on and off set, or stepping into the role of Eddie Diaz on ABC's drama series 9-1-1 with empathy and authenticity. In our conversation, my questions opened the door to reflections on identity, resilience, and legacy, and his responses revealed a man shaped as much by f...

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

Some stories stay with you—not because they’re easy to hear, but because they change the way you see the world. Brett Staples was more than his diagnosis. He was a son, a friend, a light in the room… and when that light dimmed, his father, Bob, refused to let it go quietly. This is a story about love that refuses to fade, grief that refuses to stay silent, and a mission to make sure that what happ...

Some people design experiences you see. Bobby Chang designs experiences you feel. As VP of Design and Business Development for Ark Dynamics, he’s reimagining what motion simulation can do—not just for entertainment, but for emotional resonance and therapeutic breakthroughs. Today, we meet for the first time to explore how the fusion of movement and emotion might just change the way we play, heal,...

Captain Zachary "Zac" Singer is the founder of Sail MS, a nonprofit born from his own journey with multiple sclerosis. A licensed tugboat captain with a life spent at sea, Zac transformed his diagnosis into a mission—using the power of sailing to offer freedom, connection, and healing to others with MS. Through Sail MS, he merges maritime skill with deep purpose, helping others navigate...

Desmond “Dez” Clark is a former NFL tight end turned visionary entrepreneur and motivational speaker who now leads Bear Down Logistics with the same relentlessness that defined his football career. Embracing a top‑1% mindset, Dez believes that true impact isn’t measured in applause—it’s forged through relentless preparation, process, and purpose. Featured in 'The Sports Edition' of AwareNo...

We’ve all been told to "find our voice"—but what if we were never taught how? CC Rice, a master voice and body language expert, invites us not just to speak louder, but to speak truer. In this conversation, we explore the power, pain, and possibility of what it means to reclaim the voice we were born with—and how doing so might just set us free. Featured in 'The Sports Edition' o...

For more than a decade, Tri Bourne chased greatness on the beach—rising through the ranks as a professional beach volleyball player and representing Team USA in the Olympics, and redefining what resilience looks like in sport. But this isn’t just a story about volleyball. It’s about grit and grace, about the power of choosing your moment instead of letting the moment choose you. In this conversati...

Aaron Taylor is a College Football Hall of Famer, Super Bowl champion, and one of the most respected voices in the game. A two-time All-American at Notre Dame and Lombardi Award winner, he went on to play in the NFL before injuries ended his career early. But Aaron’s most powerful work began off the field—becoming an advocate for mental health and redefining what strength looks like beyond the hel...

Santia Deck doesn’t just break records—she breaks barriers, builds businesses, and redefines what it means to be a modern athlete. From her days as a collegiate track star to becoming the highest-paid woman in professional football, and now a founder, author, and advocate, her journey is as dynamic as it is disruptive. In this conversation, we talk about what sports taught her, what success means...

Featured in 'The Marked Edition' of AwareNow Magazine www.awarenowmagazine.com Written & Narrated by: Allié McGuire Music by: Yehezkel Raz Produced by: AwareNow Media

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

In a world where the unhoused are often unseen, Cathy Bryant makes it her mission to look deeper—and act harder. As one of the founding forces behind Streets of Paradise, Cathy leads with heart, healing, and hands-on leadership, transforming a grassroots dream into a movement of dignity, shelter, and second chances. Featured in 'The Marked Edition' of AwareNow Magazine: www.awarenowmagazin...

He may be known for his breakout role in That ‘90s Show and his latest leap into the thriller genre with The Better Sister, but Maxwell Acee Donovan is doing something even more gripping behind the scenes. Alongside his sister Clare, he’s co-founded Nature’s Negotiators, a nonprofit movement created by Gen Z for Gen Z—raising funds and awareness for climate justice in real time, not just someday....

Featured in 'The Marked Edition' of AwareNow Magazine www.awarenowmagazine.com Narrated by: Dr. David Preston Interview by: Sonja Montiel Music by: Max H. Produced by: AwareNow Media

Featured in 'The Marked Edition' of AwareNow Magazine www.awarenowmagazine.com Written & Narrated by: Allié McGuire Music by: Roie Shpigler Produced by: AwareNow Media

Damian Washington knows there’s nothing funny about multiple sclerosis — and that’s exactly why he brings the jokes. With a sharp mind, a quick wit, and a heart rooted in advocacy, he uses humor to disarm the fear and deliver the truth. Because when MS gets serious, Damian gets real — and in doing so, gives others the permission to be real too. Featured in 'The Marked Edition' of AwareNow Magazine...