Celebrate Your Story

As the US stands on the brink of a potential recession, many Americans are trying to figure out how best to save money and plan for their future.    Geoff Beattie knows the importance of financial planning and growth. Starting his career as a successful lawyer in Toronto, Geoff spent many years in the profession before transitioning to a career in wealth management. Currently a well-respected busi...

Vicky Ward knows when there is more to the story, as she has built a career covering high-profile events and individuals, always going the extra mile to find the underlying motivations.   Vicky Ward is the New York Times bestselling author of Kushner, Inc. Greed. Ambition. Corruption. The Extraordinary Story of Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump .  She is also the host of the popular podcast series "C...

As we approach Thanksgiving and the holiday season, we at Celebrations Chatter have been thinking a lot about the spirit of giving and gratitude. An important part of building better communities and relationships is helping out those in need, and I can think of few organizations that do this as well as The Gift of Life International.   The Gift of Life International is a Rotary International based...

Vicky Ward knows when there is more to the story, as she has built a career covering high-profile events and individuals, always going the extra mile to find the underlying motivations.   Vicky Ward is the New York Times bestselling author of Kushner, Inc.: Greed. Ambition. Corruption. The Extraordinary Story of Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump.  She is also the host of the popular podcast series "C...

Community is at the heart of everything we do. From the moment we are born, who we are as individuals is directly connected to the community we are surrounded by.   Ambassador Shabazz knows this well. As the daughter of Malcolm X and Betty Shabazz, some of her earliest memories are of communities rallying together to advocate for change. As a result, Ambassador Shabazz grew up to be a determined,...

Community is at the heart of everything we do. From the moment we are born, who we are as individuals is directly connected to the community we are surrounded by.   Ambassador Shabazz knows this well. As the daughter of Malcolm X and Betty Shabazz, some of her earliest memories are of communities rallying together to advocate for change. As a result, Ambassador Shabazz grew up to be a determined,...

Innovative technologies have opened up a new era of connection, allowing us to build more relationships in new, meaningful ways. The opportunities today are nearly endless, as we can now keep in touch with loved ones abroad and make honest, heartfelt relationships with people that we have never met in person (and perhaps, never will).   Emmet B. Keeffe III has been at the front line of this evolut...

Consumers today are more conscious than ever about the brands they use. They see their dollars as a way to support causes and companies they believe in, and use them to make their voice heard in the marketplace.    Retail thought leader Joel Bines noticed this movement and defines it in his new book, The Metail Economy. Joel is an expert business leader from AlixPartners who has a track record of...

Thanks to the internet, today's world is more connected than ever. Communication is as simple as sending an email, home goods can be ordered to your door at the press of a button, and online communities have brought us closer together.   But it wasn't always that way. It took many years, extensive research, and brilliant leaders behind it's creation. Vint Cerf, one of the "Fathers of the Internet"...

The old leadership model of command and control in the workplace has broken down in the past few years. The rise of remote work, the great resignation, and many other factors have proven that traditional leadership styles no longer apply in the world today. Companies not sure how to change, have lost employees who are unfulfilled or feel unappreciated by their leader.    Luckily, Stephen M.R. Cove...

While the fall can be exciting for many surrounding the back-to-school rush, it can also be a reminder of loss and grief as the 9/11 anniversary approaches.   The tragedy affected our entire community, but grief itself is a community experience. Showing up for others in their moments of trial can make all the difference.   On this episode of Celebrations Chatter, we gathered a group of experts to...

The lasting effects of the pandemic era still linger over many of our institutions and societal rituals.    The way we conduct memorial services is one example. The inability to practice traditional grieving during Covid led families and funeral homes to adopt new technology. Even as life resumes in the new normal, many of the habits, innovations, and trends that started during Covid still carry o...

Immediately following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, about a dozen businesses cut ties with the nation in a show of solidarity with the Ukrainian people. The United States and our NATO allies imposed severe sanctions against Russia, as well Russian business leaders, politicians, and Putin himself.   Professor Jeffrey Sonnenfeld and his team, sparked by the volunteered withdrawal from private bus...

Do thoughts of death keep us motivated to live a better life?   As I get older, I'm becoming more conscious of mortality. Age has forced me to ask hard questions about faith, family, legacy, and the desire to end well.   To help me talk through this difficult subject, I put together an incredible council to discuss how to live well so that we can end well. In this special episode of Celebrations C...

It's that time of year again: college students across America are preparing for the fall semester to begin. Millions of students are looking forward to making new friends, attending sporting events, and jumping headfirst into the next chapter of their lives.   But what about us parents left behind?  As they send their children off for higher education, most parents notice changes in the relationsh...

Can finding the right mentor at the right time make all the difference for young women? If you were to ask Illana Raia, she'd say yes.    Studies have shown that girls' confidence drops between ages 8 and 14, and many girls start to quit their hobbies and interests before they get to high school.     To counter this, Illana Raia founded Être Girls, a company whose mission is to keep girls close to...

Noha Waibsnaider is the Co-Founder and CEO of GatheringUs, a service for virtual funerals and gatherings. GatheringUs provides families with free tools to share memories, fundraise to help with funeral expenses, and donate to charities in honor of their loved ones. Noha founded GatheringUs in 2018 when her large family was faced with several deaths in a short period, making attending and planning...

As members of the 1-800-Flowers Board of Directors, Adam Hanft and Jim have a friendship stretching far back. Founder and CEO of Hanft Ideas, Adam is a globally known expert in strategy, marketing, branding, and messaging.   He is co-author of "Dictionary of the Future," a columnist for Huffington Post, Fast Company, and many more, and was a digital strategy consultant to President Obama's 2008 ca...

Today on Celebrations Chatter, we welcome leadership expert and keynote speaker Stephen Shedletzky, better known by his nickname "Shed." Shed's ability to help people compartmentalize and develop their points of view made him and Jim fast friends. Shed's prolific career leading teams and building culture stems back to his experiences growing up. Let's find out how Stephen Shedletzky shares it forw...

The War in Ukraine is the largest ground conflict in Europe since the end of World War II. Millions of people have been displaced, their lives dramatically changed, and the death toll is rising daily.    Despite this, the bravery of the Ukrainian people in the face of insurmountable odds has inspired the world. Humanitarian and military aid from the international community has been able to make a...

Today's guest, Geoffrey Zakarian, is not only an acclaimed chef and television personality but also Harry and David's Culinary Ambassador. Geoffrey has made his mark as a restaurateur known for his sophisticated taste and signature style.   Since his days at New York City's Le Cirque in the 1980s, Geoffrey has risen to prominence as a chef and television personality through his world-class culinar...

Today's guest on Celebrations Chatter is Dr. Deborah Birx, former White House Coronavirus Response Coordinator and author of Silent Invasion: The Untold Story of the Trump Administration, Covid-19, and Preventing the Next Pandemic Before It's Too Late. In this episode, Dr. Birx shares her expert insight into the field of epidemiology with Jim, as well as her involvement in fighting the Covid-19 pa...

Dr. Chloe Carmichael is a clinical psychologist and the author of "Nervous Energy: Harness the Power of Your Anxiety." Her private practice focuses on stress management, relationship issues, self-esteem, and coaching. Since earning her Doctorate Degree in Clinical Psychology from Long Island University, Dr. Carmichael has been featured on VH1, Inside Edition, Fox, and ABC Nightline, and published...

Here on the Celebrations Chatter podcast, we aim to highlight the power of community, connection, and relationships. Today's guest, David Siegel, knows how important these values are. David is the CEO of Meetup, the largest online platform for finding and building local communities. Through Meetup, David helps others meet new people, learn new things, find support, get out of their comfort zones,...

As we close out Mental Health Awareness month, we need to remember the conversations surrounding it are a year-round affair. 1 in 5 Americans will experience a mental illness in a given year, so understanding how to manage and care for your mental health is imperative to living a healthy life.   Today on Celebrations Chatter, we will hear from a panel of mental health experts: Dr. Daniel T. Willin...