Tangential Inspiration

You know Colleen loves a good cookbook.  So, this episode Colleen covers one of the pioneers of the modern cookbook, and an amazing modern woman, Julia Child.  You won't believe this woman's amazing life before she even set foot in the kitchen.  Teresa has two stories of two incredible young people.  One is a burn victim who is creating a movement to help other burn victims and prevent new ones. ...

Despite the Tangential Inspiration crew having the plague this week, we have a great podcast for you.  We may sound a little sick, but our spirits were soaring with these great tales of inspiration.  Colleen has two very interesting stories about archeology of all things- the mysterious Nazca Lines and King Tut's tomb.   Teresa does a story about Chris Nikic, a young man with Down's Syndrome who h...

We were lucky enough to be able to interview Jon Slifka.  You probably haven't heard of him, but you will, and for good reason.  Jon is an amazing advocate for the disabled community in Connecticut and elsewhere.  In a wheelchair himself, Jon has used his experience to help improve access and quality of life for other people with disabilities.  And the part we love best about Jon is his amazing at...

Hello, fellow inspiration enthusiasts!  This episode is short, but packed with inspiration.  Hear Teresa tell the stories of two young men who are helping others in some creative ways.  Then Colleen talks about eight common traits of people who have found happiness and you can do it too!  It is a great episode and you are going to feel good listening from start to finish! #BeKind #WeStandWithUkrai...

In a world where there is so much just negative and trashy stuff, it's nice to find some kindness, decency, and wholesomeness.  We found some and we are willing to share it with you.  Starting off, Jerry Seinfeld's wife, Jessica Seinfeld, is not only a superstar in the kitchen, with a lot of great cookbooks, but she is also helping young families in need in New York City.  Some of our younger list...

Theodore Roosevelt- President, Rough Rider, Soldier and . . . nature lover?  Of all the US Presidents, Theodore Roosevelt may have the most macho image, but he was also thinking about preserving the beauty and resources of the United States for future generations.  This guy is really very interesting.  We also have a story about a cat, reunited across the globe, with the little girl who had to lea...

Hello, fellow seekers of Inspiration.  You have found what you are looking for, inspiration is inside.  Teresa starts off with the story of two deaf mountain climbers whose next adventure is Mt. Everest.  Then Teresa tells the tale of two soldiers on opposite sides of a war who decades later help each other heal and find forgiveness for each other and themselves.  It is a beautiful story.  And the...

You always hear about the scandals and dirty laundry of Hollywood celebrities.  But what about the good guys out there trying to improve the world with the gifts they have been given?  Let's start off with Jeremy Renner, who is using his Marvel celebrity to take decommissioned city vehicles to make mobile centers that are helping out communities all over the world.  Then there is the adorable Matt...

Alright.  I admit it.  That is not a great title.  But I am super tired and it's late.  So it is what it is.  That does not mean that the stories aren't first-rate and inspiring.  Colleen talks about the Home Edit ladies, which is not just a story about being organized, but a story about some pretty amazing strength.   And speaking of strength, Teresa talks about elderly athletes, some over 100 ye...

It's really Spring- everything is in bloom and allergies abound!!  We love this time of year, nature is waking up and the sun is shining a bit more.  A great time to go outside, take a deep breath, and listen to some inspiring stories.  While you check out those new blooms, think about the honeybees, and how they need our help.  Teresa will talk about a way to help the bees using some science and...

Spring is in the air and so is inspiration!  Teresa starts off with the amazing story of Birute Galidakas, who lived in the jungles of Borneo for years studying and helping to protect the wild orangutans.  Then there is the magic of the Landfill Harmonic, a group of children from Paraguay, who use instruments made out of landfill garbage, to play incredible music around the world.  And Colleen tal...

Welcome to Inspiration Country!  In this episode, we are going to be exploring Title IX, the law that requires educational institutions that receive Federal funds to not discriminate in educational or sports activities.  I know, I know - sounds dry as toast, but let me tell you it isn't!  Especially when you talk about Patsy Mink, the feisty Congresswoman behind Title IX.  What an incredible story...

Welcome to another episode of the Tangential Inspiration Podcast.  In this episode, we cover Vietnam War hero, Doug Hegdahl, who helped save the lives of 256 prisoners of war by playing dumb.  Colleen does a deep dive into the lovely Julie Andrews, Ms. Mary Poppins herself, and her incredible career.  And Teresa shares the story of Janic Lintz, whose love for her daughter made her a crusader for t...

Ha ha.  LOL.  LMAO.  🤣.  However you say it, everyone loves to laugh.  This week we cover the health benefits of laughter and Carol Burnett, who is one funny lady, and one of the first Queens of Comedy.  Carol's humor, compassion, and love make her one of our favorite people!  And laughter is not the only way to feel good- you can dance your pants off too.  Although I can pretty much guarantee th...

Warning- Big Inspiration Ahead!  Ok, now that you have been warned, get ready for an inspiration avalanche.  Colleen is going to talk about the show-stealing Superbowl sign language performers.  Teresa is going to talk about the amazing life of Jimmy Carter, and how his impact in the world increased AFTER he was done with the most powerful position in the world.  Then Teresa talks about Sid Bush,...

You are just walking along, slip your headphones on, and BAM - Inspiration by Podcast.  That is what you are in for this episode.  As Black History Month closes out, we have the indomitable Mary McLeod Bethune, an early civil rights leader.  Then there is former NFL player Steve Gleason, whose biggest success is his off-the-field battle as an advocate against ALS, a crippling and fatal disease.  A...

This episode covers a lot of great inspiration!  It starts off with Colleen talking about the Pioneer Woman, Ree Drumond, who used her life being turned upside down to start a blog that turned into something much bigger (and more delicious).  Then Teresa and Colleen discuss the absolutely brilliant and brave women behind the Hidden Figures book and movie, and a few other "human computers" that mad...

This episode is a little longer than normal, but that is just because there are so many inspiring things going on in this episode!  First, we welcome our new co-host, Colleen Torgerson!  This is so exciting and fun.  In this episode, Teresa covers the Tuskegee Airman, the first Black fighter squadron with an incredible war record, and David Attenborough, who pioneered nature documentaries in his E...

Happy February!  So, a little different this week, instead of two shorts and a long story, we have two longer stories.  In celebration of Black History Month, we have a story about the first Black Supreme Court Justice and a true hero of the Civil Rights Movement, Thurgood Marshall.  Then, we have the story of three brave women who challenged their role in war and made significant contributions to...

Inspiration.  That is what you will find in this episode, plain and simple.  Teresa continues her deep dive with Part 2 on the indomitable Coretta Scott King.  Everybody should know about this woman and her major role in the Civil Rights Movement.  There are also some great stories of people opening up their homes and businesses to help out people (and animals) left in the cold.  And learn about M...

Here in the States, we just celebrated Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.  This amazing civil rights leader is well-known around the world.  What is not as well known is the story of Coretta Scott King, MLK's wife.  This woman is so inspiring and played a huge role in Martin Luther King's success and the civil rights movement.  This is a story that needs to be told and celebrated right alongside Martin...

Three great stories for you this week!  First, the story of Nancy Russell and her amazing efforts to preserve the scenic Columbia Gorge, then a deep dive on Bono, the singer for the band U2, and his amazing work fighting for impoverished people throughout the world, and third, a story of how a school in Redmond, Oregon is giving students valuable skills and helping the local homeless.  Lots of ins...

Happy New Year and welcome to the first episode of Tangential Inspiration for 2023.  We start off talking about New Years' Resolutions and how we can impact others with our resolutions.   Then Teresa does a deep dive on the book An Invisible Thread by Laura Schroff- it is an amazing story you will want to hear about how two total strangers found each other and changed each other's lives.  And then...

Happy Holidays to everyone.  While we celebrate Christmas, there are 14 religious holidays in the month of December, Christian, Catholic, Buddhist, Jewish, Islamic, Wiccan, and others.  So we wish you the best for you and yours in whatever manner is right for you!  Come join us as Amy and Teresa discuss holiday memories, holiday favorites, great charitable organizations, gift ideas, and the spirit...

This is our favorite time of year, coming up on the Holidays!  We have the gift of inspiration to share.  Amy starts off with the story of a gym owner in the U.K. who is using his time to train people with disabilities and the elderly in order to give them a better quality of life.  Then Amy tells the amazing story of Ryan Dant, a young child with the crippling and deadly disease, MPS, and the det...