Out of the Blue - The Podcast: Finding the Way Forward

When Brian Rizzo denied entry to an unstable man at a Portland strip club where he worked as a bouncer, he couldn't have known those seconds would forever divide his life into before and after. Moments later, that same man returned with a pistol and shot Brian in the head at point-blank range. What followed defies medical explanation. Given less than a 1% chance of survival, Brian not only li...

What happens when you've built your identity around external validation, only to discover it's all slipping through your fingers? Ellen O'Brien, a talented singer and Berklee College of Music graduate, joins us to share her remarkable journey from unconscious living to profound self-awareness. Ellen introduces us to her transformative concept of the "internal bowl" – a met...

Have you ever wondered what happens when a successful artist faces their own mortality just as their career is taking off? In this deeply moving episode, acclaimed songwriter Will Stratton takes us through his unexpected journey with testicular cancer in his early twenties—a diagnosis that arrived precisely when professional opportunities were blossoming. Will shares the crushing moment when he ha...

What happens when we refuse to be defined by limitations? Meghan Johnson's story captivates from the first moment she shares her infectious laugh and wise perspective on living with cerebral palsy. This isn't just another inspirational tale—it's a masterclass in finding authentic joy through life's unexpected challenges. Growing up as an identical twin, Meghan was fortunate to...

One ordinary Thursday in 2019, while preparing to teach a class, Kevin Carey – coordinator of creative writing at Salem State University and author of seven acclaimed books – suddenly experienced distorted vision and temporary blindness in one eye. What followed was a harrowing medical journey that nearly ended in tragedy—twice. Despite recognizing the seriousness of his symptoms, Kevin was almost...

What happens when a routine antibiotic prescription turns your life upside down? Taylor Downs never imagined that taking Flagyl (metronidazole) would lead to a harrowing journey of neurological symptoms that would persist for years. Her story is both a warning and a testament to human resilience. After several rounds of antibiotics failed to clear an infection in 2022, Taylor was prescribed Flagyl...

What does it take to transform from sleeping on park benches to helping others heal? In this deeply moving episode, Anthony Brown shares his remarkable odyssey from childhood trauma through addiction and homelessness to becoming a psychiatric nurse practitioner and author of "From Park Bench to Park Avenue." Anthony's story begins with a devastating childhood marked by poverty and w...

Susan Goldberg, our inspirational guest for this episode, was living an active and productive life as a professional musician in New York City when, in the middle of a typical busy day playing piano, out of the blue, she suddenly lost the use of her left hand. Join us as Susan, a permanent resident and fixture in the vibrant music, theatre and arts scene of Provincetown, Massachusetts, tells us ho...

Meet Gary Langis. His inspirational journey took him from saving lives off the streets of Boston to lobbying for lifesaving programs in Washington D.C. It all began with an out of the blue event that could’ve destroyed his life, but instead led him to saving the lives of countless others. Harm Reduction Resource:  National Harm Reduction Coalition: harmreduction.org Support the show Out Of The Blu...

Meet Liz Michels of Ocean View, Delaware. Liz was diagnosed with autism at 3 years old, but it wasn’t until her early teens that her first symptoms appeared out of the blue. Although doctors told her parents she would never be able to graduate high school or go to college, Liz has not only done both, but at 35 years old, she’s living a full life and has become an outspoken autism advocate. Join us...

A successful real estate developer and devoted husband and father, our next guest on the fourth episode of Out of the Blue - the Podcast, David Wiener, shares his inspiring story of finding the way forward. David and his family were all enjoying another joyous day on the slopes when, out of the blue, David – an avid, pro-level skier and expert at handling the toughest black diamond runs – hit a pa...

The 2024 winner of the Presidential Award for extraordinary service to Stony Brook University, Judy Greiman shares her inspiring story of resilience when after years of perfect examinations, out of the blue, her test results showed stage four metastatic breast cancer. Her inspirational way forward is as extraordinary as she is, and a beacon of hope for many others. Helpful Resources: Living Beyond...

No doubt about it, Michael's a Miracle. When diagnosed with cancer, the doctor's prognosis was 6 months to a year. Four and a half years later and Michael is still finding a way forward. His truth is powerful and his resilience is off the chart. An unforgettable story of courage. To support Michael on GoFundMe, visit: gofund.me/b8b2b6a2 Support the show Out Of The Blue: Exclusive content...

Wendy Liebman is a nationally known stand-up comedian and has been touring and appearing on television since the 90’s. Her career was about to take off with an upcoming Netflix special when Out of the Blue, she was struck by a car and her life was turned upside down. How she emerges victoriously is something best described in her own words, “I was healed at the speed of love!” Get ready to hear he...

This Season One preview features highlights from interviews with inspirational survivors of traumatic out of the blue events who have overcome unimaginable challenges, sharing stories of resilience and triumph. Together, we find the way forward. Support the show Out Of The Blue: Exclusive content: outoftheblue-thepodcast.org/blog