I'm Frickin' Lonely...Tell Me Your Story! (Staying Connected Through Conversation)

What an honor it was to host my state senator Andrew Zwicker for this episode.   Knowing how jam-packed the senator’s schedule is (I see him attending community eventsand visiting constituents non-stop!) I was amazed that he found time for our conversation.      I had always been proud to say my congressman was a rocket scientist, back when Rush Holt was the U.S. House Representative from New Jers...

What an honor it was to host my state senator Andrew Zwicker for this episode.   Knowing how jam-packed the senator’s schedule is (I see him attending community events and visiting constituents non-stop!) I was amazed that he found time for our conversation.     I had always been proud to say my congressman was a rocket scientist, back when Rush Holt was our U.S. House Representative for New Jerse...

Today I was thrilled to host my fellow YWCA Board member Altagracia Montilla.  Observing Altagracia’s amazing inspirational and energetic positivity first hand as she shepherded the YWCA’s board and staff in team building and conflict resolution left me wanting to learn more about her.  Where did this talent, well-honed skill set, and positive outlook come from?  As it turns out, Altagracia’s reno...

My guest today will be very familiar to my Princeton audience.  Pam Hersh is Jersey through and through and has been a part of the fabric of this town for over 50 years.  She probably is best known for her writing, both for the Princeton Packet and now for TAPinto Princeton.  Her column, Loose Ends, is essential reading for anyone wanting to feel truly connected to this town!      But of course, t...

Today we are once again talking with Hiram L. Smith, PhD, Associate Professor of Spanish and Linguistics at Bucknell University.  My last podcast with Hiram felt like a cliffhanger…we barely scratched the surface of the language subject matter! Fortunately, Hiram was willing to come back for more. Before I get into the description however, I want to provide any potential listeners with a warning ....

Today’s guest is Hiram L. Smith, PhD, Associate Professor of Spanish and Linguistics at Bucknell University.  I met Hiram in a most unusual way (you’ll have to listen to hear the story) but I am so glad I did! Our conversation covered Hiram’s childhood and youth as a black boy/young man in racist Oklahoma.  Some of his tales are hair-raising.  But coming from a loving family with an emphasis on le...

When we first meet a person, or even after we have become familiar with them as they currently “are”, we usually have no idea what came before.  How did they get to where they aretoday?  What other experiences played a role in their current selves?   That’s what is so fun for me in doing these podcasts; hearing the life experiences that build the people around us.   Today’s guest is a good example...

I am very excited to share my latest conversation with all of you!  Today’s guest is Marc Uys, Executive Director of the Princeton Symphony Orchestra.  To be honest, I am a music appreciator, but one with zero musical talent myself.  So, talking with Marc was a bit intimidating!  But we had a wonderful conversation, and I could have talked with him for hours!  (I think perhaps I did…) I learned of...

Once again, my connections have come through with a wonderful guest!  A previous guest, Carol Golden, and friend Shelly Yedlin, both had a role in my meeting up with Liz Lempert.  Of course, I already knew a bit about Liz because she had been the mayor of Princeton a few years back.     I discovered that, of course, there is so much more to Liz’s story than her stint (albeit great for Princeton!)...

Today’s guest, Jamie Kyte Sapoch, is a self-described nonprofit junkie”!  I was so grateful to have an opportunity to learn from her, as my nonprofit experience over the last couple of years has been a bit baffling to me!  Jamie is truly an expert in the field of running a not for profit, from governance to capital campaigns, to just working well with teams of truly caring and smart people.  Her e...

I feel so lucky that my office was right across the street from the home of today’s guest, because with his wave and a smile, we became acquainted and later, I am happy to say, friends.    Lance Liverman is a true man of the community! He has worked passionately for the benefit of those in need.  In fact, his community service has been so impactful, the mayor of Princeton has named a day after him...

My connection to today’s guest is yet another example of how each person we meet exponentially broadens our network.  I am getting less and less lonely and more and more inspired with each episode and conversation!  Join me as I talk with Nathalie Nelson, CEO of Womanspace who I met through Joan Bartl, who I met through…never mind, you get the picture!  Womanspace is a wonderful organization, foun...

I’m particularly excited about this episode because it embodies the very reason I started this podcast: to create connections! The purpose of this episode, along with telling a wonderful story, is to help someone launch her own podcast.  And I made a new friend in the process!  Karen Kowalski, one of today’s guests, is an Occupational Therapist.  She reached out to me because her clients’ stories...

In this episode, I spoke with Paula Flory, an amazing woman who parlayed a huge shock…her Stage III breast cancer diagnosis…into a catalyst for creating a joy-focused method of care. Recognizing her own un-filled needs during treatment and recovery, Paula’s wheels (literally) started turning. This led to her creation of Move Over Breast Cancer, (MOBC) a fully mobile breast cancer support organizat...

In this episode, we welcome Joan Bartl, a woman who doesn’t sit back (although she does “sit-in”…you’ll get the reference when you listen) when she sees something wrong in the world…she acts.  Joan’s stories demonstrate what you can achieve when you have a clear sense of purpose and can inspire others to share that passion!  Joan’s story follows her path from growing up in Philly as a “normal kid”...

In today’s episode, we enter the world of books, history, journalism, and celebrity!  My guest, Landon Jones, is a renowned author and journalist.  He served as Managing Editor of both People and Money magazines, and has authored four critically acclaimed books. Lanny’s most recent book, Celebrity Nation: How America Evolved into a Culture of Fans and Followers is a cautionary tale about our natio...

Today’s guest, Carol Golden, is yet another involved and engaged individual, constantly looking for ways to improve the world.  You’ll want to hear her story about how she came up with the term “community activist” as a response to the question “what do you do?” It’s a fun one! Carol explains how her sense of the importance of community goes back to her roots.  Her parents, both “civil servants”,...

In this episode of “I’m Frickin’ Lonely”, our conversation returns to the world of art, but a very different medium from what we’ve previously covered.  Today we’re talking about cinema…and specifically community cinema. Our guest is Chris Collier, the Executive Director of Renew Theaters, a nonprofit management company that operates four member-supported theaters in the Greater Philadelphia Regio...

In this episode of “I’m Frickin’ Lonely”, my conversation is with Claudia Toby,  tireless entrepreneur, community advocate and agent for change, addressing issues such as homelessness, mental illness, food insecurity and youth mentoring.     Join us to hear about how Claudia’s 20-year background in nursing led her to her ultimate calling to serve the community.  Even during times of adversity, Cla...

In our latest episode, we return to the world of art, specifically photography…although in our guest’s view, the medium is just a conduit for life experience. Our guest is Ricardo Barros, a renowned photographer, artist, writer, filmmaker, curator, and lecturer. Having experienced the power of art as a teenager – Ricardo’s knees shook upon first exposure to Paul Strand’s photographs – he identifie...

In this episode, I was delighted to speak with Earnest James, family man, minister, mentor, speaker, and author. He is also the host of the popular podcast “Deal to Heal with E. James Podcast” , the thrust of which is to help people heal by connecting them with experts in therapy, mentoring and guidance… from suicide to self-love to domestic violence… you name it, he’s covering it. Earnest tells u...

Welcome to the latest episode of “I’m Frickin’ Lonely…”. In this episode, my guest, Valerie McKinney shares her story of how life as she knew it was completely upended two years ago! We hear about Val’s path through life…her love of manufacturing and assembly lines and how it parlayed into a pharma career, her wonderful family, and zest for living. But Valerie bravely shares with us the horrible d...

Today’s episode is one helluva story! Glenn Morton, the founder of “Father to the Fatherless Generation” shares the colorful and heart-rending story of his own troubled, very difficult childhood and how a single act of kindness totally changed his life. What was lacking in his “upbringing” inspired him to create his organization, dedicated to helping boys and young men develop into productive and...

In this episode of “I’m Frickin’ Lonely”, I welcome Leslie Maxie, a U.S. Olympian, keynote speaker and media professional. And she’s just an all-around cool person to boot!  She even has a Wikipedia entry! Leslie tells us the story of her background and how that led her to the Olympics. Having strong family support and great coaching didn’t hurt! We also talk about her subsequent media career...

In this episode of “I’m Frickin’ Lonely”, I’m returning to the world of creative performance art; exploring how the creators were able to keep their juices flowing while in physical isolation. This week’s guest, Samantha Spriggs, a dancer, choreographer and dance educator, shares some unique insights into doing something so very physical while not physically present! Talk about creative work aroun...