HarmonyTALK

Isabel Bohn and Jeff McGinnis founded the Pennsylvania Center for Adapted Sports to fill a gap in available recreation and sports activities for the disabled on the East Coast. Thirty-five years and mountains of challenges later, they are thriving. The Center has produced 11 Paralympians, but more than that, it’s “really changed people in so many positive ways” and built a flourishing community of...

In this heartfelt episode of HarmonyTALK, host Todd Stevens sits down with Mitch Motivates, author of “My Addiction, My Superpower.” Mitch opens up about his early struggles with substance abuse and the turning point that led him to a life of sobriety and purpose.  In 2006, one week shy of his 19th birthday, Mitch Leff found himself in rehab for drug addiction. After spending time in rehab, halfwa...

Author Amy Ferris has just published a new memoir that lives up to its title-- Mighty Gorgeous, a Little Book About Messy Love.”   From her home in northeastern Pennsylvania, Amy chats with Harmony TALK host Lisa Champeau about everything from dropping out of high school at age 15 to being nominated for a big award in Hollywood.  But most significantly, Amy talks from the heart about how important...

Harmony TALK host Lisa Champeau chats with social impact entrepreneur Jeff Abella, who co-founded a bar-to-bean chocolate and coffee business called Moka Origins. Hear Jeff reveal how his team helps farmers and the environment in developing countries and somehow gets all the cacao and coffee beans across oceans to the U.S. to roast, package and sell. A small company up against Big Chocolate and do...

First-time author Nancy Thode has written a biography of her mother, the writer Ann Head, whom Nancy describes as a woman “very much ahead of her time.” Ann Head supported her family through her writing, something very rare in the 1940s and 50s, and even in the 1960s.  Her short stories were published widely by the magazines of the day, such as McCall’s and Colliers, and one of her novels, Mr. &am...

It started with a stamp from the Belgian Congo and took Professor Ed Williams around the world—along with hundreds of students, older adults, and college deans. “It” is the retired professor’s passion for travel, and not just any travel. Learning Vacations. Ed shares his journey with host Lisa Champeau on how he made a career of travel education with a focus on China, the “sleeping giant” who slee...

In this episode of Harmony Talk, host Greg Frigoletto engages with Akea Brionne, an interdisciplinary researcher and artist, exploring her journey from a young dreamer to an accomplished artist. Akea shares her early experiences with art, the impact of her environment on her creativity, and the significance of family history in her work. They discuss her film 'Mississippi Goddamn,' the recognition...

In this episode of Harmony Talk, host Lisa Champeau interviews Jay Jacobs, the CEO and Founder of Timberlake Camps Family Group. Jay shares his journey from a young camper to a successful camp owner, discussing the importance of camp in building character, community, and resilience in children. He elaborates on his innovative approaches to camp programming, the significance of the SCOPE initiative...

In this episode of Harmony Talk, host Greg Frigoletto engages with Bob Buda and Leslie Watnik, two passionate educators dedicated to transforming children's learning experiences through STEM education. They share their journeys from traditional teaching roles to innovative camp experiences, emphasizing the importance of hands-on learning and critical thinking. The conversation explores the evoluti...

In this episode of Harmony Talk, host Todd Stephens interviews Chris Thomas, an award-winning composer known for his work in film, television, and theme parks. Chris shares his journey from a young music enthusiast to a professional composer, discussing the support he received from his family, his passion for cinema, and the collaborative nature of film music.  Chris also addresses the impact of A...

Summary In this episode of Harmony Talk, host Lisa Champeau interviews Dr. Byerley, the Dean and President of Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine. They discuss the founding vision of the medical school, its mission to serve the community, and the innovative educational programs in place to train future physicians. Dr. Byerley shares insights into the importance of community engagement, the c...

Nicole Zuraitis is a 2X GRAMMY® winning and 4X GRAMMY-nominated jazz singer- songwriter, pianist and arranger, New York-based bandleader, and winner of the prestigious 2021 American Traditions Vocal Competition Gold Medal. With a “heart as big as her remarkable voice,” (Jazz Police), Nicole is a trailblazing artist who is redefining vocal jazz, earning her a place as one of the top artists and "pr...

He has one of the most iconic voices in Philadelphia sports history.  On August 17, 1994, Marc Zumoff was named the television voice of the Philadelphia 76ers, fulfilling his childhood dream. His career spanned four decades and includes covering the Rio Olympics in 2016 for NBC, assorted assignments for Turner Sports, NBA-TV, the Philadelphia Flyers, Philadelphia Union and various other pro, colle...

Brian Balthazar is a TV personality and executive producer who has built a career creating, producing, and appearing on some of the country’s most popular networks and programs. Brian has amassed more than 300 appearances as a television host, journalist, and pop culture guest on a variety of shows including The TODAY show, The Talk, Good Morning America, and more. This is a great peek behind the...

Adam Brawer is an authority on the Los Angeles residential real estate market, having called Los Angeles home for the past two decades. Adam's knowledge, meticulous attention to detail and best-in-class client service allows him to offer an exceptional experience when buying or selling property. Combining his personal and professional network with a high-level entertainment background, Adam helps...

Mike Geno is a Philadelphia-based artist who is widely known for, among various food subjects, still-life paintings of cheese which he calls “cheese portraits”. Mike is a full time artist who has taught drawing, painting and design at various schools including Temple University, Moore College and Drexel University. His work has exhibited nationally and has been featured in the New York Times and v...

Micah Dawanyi is a wearer of many hats- author, coach, illustrator, and speaker, to name a few. Micah grew up as an athlete, but at 15, he was forced to cut his soccer career short after suffering from a series of medical conditions and injuries, the most notable being a life-threatening heart condition. At 16, he earned his first national coaching license, becoming the youngest licensed coach in...

Stacy is a seasoned veteran of the health & fitness industry with 40 years of experience teaching classes & coaching clients. She has been teaching a variety of Fitness classes since 1985. She recently completed a 200 RYT for Baptiste Journey to add to her resume in addition to the countless hours and certifications in other Yoga programs as well as TRX Training, Kettlebell, Barre, Pilates...

After a concussion in training camp ended his dreams of playing for the New York Jets, Russ Cooke found himself pumping gas in his home town. In this episode he talks with Todd Stephens about his unlikely transition from the locker room to the board room. Today he’s focused on the mental health and wellbeing of student athletes who face increasing rates of anxiety and depression, through his work...

In this episode of Harmony Talk, Host Lisa Champeau visits with Barre Trash Founders, Lucas Labrador, and Louis De Felice. They discuss the journey of founding Barre Trash, a dancewear brand that has quickly gained popularity. They share insights into their backgrounds as ballet dancers, the challenges of starting a business, and their unique approach to understanding customer needs. The conversat...

In this episode of Harmony Talk, host Greg Frigoletto interviews Robert May, the creator of SenArt Films, who shares his journey from a small-town dreamer to a successful film producer and director. Robert discusses his early inspirations in film, his transition from being an EMT to the film industry, and the importance of storytelling. He reflects on his experiences at the Oscars and offers valua...

Heather Clements combines realistic portraiture, expressive abstraction, and elements of flora and fauna to represent a symbiotic relationship with nature.  After growing up in Northern Virginia, she earned her BFA in painting from the Maryland Institute College of Art before moving to Panama City, Florida.  For Heather, creating art not only adds beauty with meaning into the world, but is a means...

Dana is on a mission to tackle the growing problem of microplastics. Her research focuses on identifying and quantifying these tiny plastic particles in wastewater. This research is particularly important as microplastic discharge remains unregulated worldwide, highlighting a critical gap in environmental protection. Beyond the lab, Dana is a dedicated advocate for raising awareness about micropla...

Bridey Thelen-Heidel, the author of Bright Eyes-A Memoir, is a teacher and TEDx speaker who speaks to advocacy groups and survivors about healing our childhood trauma triggers and going "no contact" with abusive family members. A fierce advocate for LGBT+ youth, she's been voted "Best of Tahoe Teacher" several times, and celebrated by the California Teachers' Association.   www.bridey-thelenheidel...

In this episode of Harmony Talk, Todd Stephens interviews Jim Weiss, Founder and Chairman of Real Chemistry, a global marketing and communications firm focused on the healthcare industry. Jim discusses the vital role of communication in healthcare, his journey from corporate life to entrepreneurship, and the importance of mentorship and giving back to the community. He shares insights on leadershi...