Tangential Inspiration

Some really great stories for you on today's podcasts.  Amy starts off with the heartwarming story of a young man who uses his Make-a-Wish wish to bring joy to other sick children.  Then there is the story of Mitch Albom of Tuesdays with Morrie fame, and his new book Finding Chika which covers more incredible lessons of love, living, and loss.  This guy really has an amazing perspective.  Teresa w...

It's already December.  The days are rocketing by now and 2022 is just around the corner.  This week we get some updates on previous podcasts, and then Amy tells us how a group of women is fighting the effects of climate change in Bangladesh.  Then we learn about the amazing Jacinda Ardern, Prime Minister of New Zealand who is fighting the pandemic as well as helping children and families.  One of...

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving here in the US.  A time when we reflect on our lives and express gratitude for what we have.  We at Tangential Inspiration are thankful to share our stories with you and hope that along the way you find some inspiration that sparks action, hope, and kindness.  This week, we share some stories about people who share with others in different ways.  Amy starts off with Edesia...

Just one more week until Thanksgiving.  November is moving fast!  Time to take a moment to slow down, breathe deep, and find some inspiration.  This week, Amy starts off with a contest set up by famous documentary filmmaker, Ken Burns, which celebrates hometown pride.  Teresa does a deep dive on Green Beret and football play Nate Boyer who is using football to tell the story of one America and hel...

Ok- now it is just dark and wet in the Pacific Northwest.  What better time to bundle up inside and get inspired by a podcast.  Let's get the ball rolling with Vanessa Severo, a Brazillian writer, and actress who is telling the amazing tale of Frieda Kahlo, the famed Mexican artist, on the stage.  Then there is another stage performer, Broadway star Sutton Foster, who has written Hooked, How Craft...

November is here.  The leaves are almost all down and in the Pacific Northwest, we are getting ready for a few months of wet and cold weather.  Halloween is over and Mariah Carey's All I Want for Christmas is about to start playing non-stop.  Where can you find some inspiration as the weather turns all gloomy?  Right here.  Teresa tells you the story of how music can change the lives of people liv...

Just days out before Halloween, Fall is in full swing and here in the Pacific Northwest, when it's not dumping rain, the trees are gorgeous!   Some great stories for you this week.  Amy tells the story of Club Kindness, an organization that is doing amazing things, that grew out from the love of a young man who brought hope to others even though he was terminally ill.  Teresa talks about comedian...

This week we start off with a plethora of inspiring stores- short hits on inspiring people.  Then Teresa talks about the unconventional John Pavlovitz who preaches love and hope as superpowers that we can all use to fight the darkness.  Amy talks about a couple who opens their homes to dozens of college students to build community and give the students a taste of home by providing home-cooked meal...

We have some fantastic stories for you this week.  We start off with a young (and I mean young) lady, Sofie Cruz, who is standing up for keeping immigrant families intact.  Amy tells the story of Craig Melvin, a news anchor on the Today Show, and how he has broken the cycle of alcoholism in his family and really leaned into the role of father for his children.  Amy also shares two short stories ab...

50 episodes!  We can't believe we have already done 50 episodes.  Thank you to all those who have listened to us!  We LOVE, LOVE, LOVE our listeners! Our 50th episode is really great.  First, we have the amazing Betty Soskin- the hundred-year-old National Park Ranger who has been dropping historical truth bombs and challenging the politically correct history for years.  Then there is the heart-war...

We are closing out September and closing in on episode 50!.  This week, we start off with two just amazing stories loosely connected to some amazing food, but directly connected to happy hearts.  These bring the warm fuzzies.  Then it is all about Momma Smash- the amazing indomitable spirit of of Serena Williams.  Not only is she a powerhouse on the tennis court, she has an amazing heart!  Amy bri...

Fall is definitely in the air in the Pacific Northwest.  We have had some much-needed rain and it certainly is cooling off and getting darker earlier.  And while we will be missing all that sunshine, we can still find the light.  This week, Teresa starts us off with two short stories about young men who are doing great things in their community to help others.  Then,  Amy tells the harrowing but a...

It's already the middle of September, where is the time going?  Amy brings us some incredible cafes that are doing a lot more than serving coffee- they are serving hope and kindness.  Teresa shares some really inspiring stories about John and Cindy McCain and their unique way of navigating life and politics where the focus is on doing what is right, not what is popular.  Teresa also talks about so...

So September is our mental health awareness month, and many of our stories will feature people overcoming mental health issues or raising awareness of this important, but often not talked about issue.  We start off with a 3rd-grade teacher who has incorporated singing as a way to increase math test performance and journaling to help kids prosper emotionally.  Teresa deep dives into two celebrities...

We have a few Olympic hold-overs, starting off with the Special Olympics Athletes finally getting the same financial rewards as Olympic Athletes for medaling and the heart-warming s story of Polish Olympian, Maria Andrejczyk.  This one may make you cry a few happy tears.  Amy brings in our theme this month with mental health awareness and the incredible Michelle Williams, who candidly talks about...

As we move into September, we are going to do a few stories on mental health and mental health awareness.  Mental health is a huge issue worldwide and more needs to be done to help those who are suffering as well as more intervention to help prevent mental illness and eliminate the stigma of mental health issues.   In this episode, we start off with New York's Trash Walker who is bringing awarenes...

The Olympics may be over, but August is still our Olympics month, and there is still some inspiration to be squeezed out of the Games.  Teresa starts off with the compelling story of the world's fastest blind man and his amazing running partner.  Then Teresa introduces us to a teenage refugee who risked her life fleeing from war-torn Syria, only to find herself become an Olympic swimmer.  Then Amy...

So the Olympics have come to a close.  We were definitely inspired by so many of the Olympic stories, both past and present.  This episode is CRAMMED with inspiring athletes.  First, though, Teresa tells the tale of Grandma Gatewood, who in her mid-sixties, hiked the 2,050 mile Appalachian Trail on her own, and followed it up by doing the Oregon Trail by herself!  Amy does a deep dive into Olympic...

The Olympics are still going strong, and so is our passion to inspire!  Amy brings us two short stories- Dinner in White and a 96-year-old nurse who just retired after caring for who knows how many thousands of patients.  Teresa sticks with our Olympic Theme with former Olympic Gold Medalist, Scott Hamilton, who is still doing amazing things.  Teresa also covers the Peter Westbrook Foundation, whi...

The Olympics are still going strong and so is the inspiration.  Teresa starts of with Anthill Creations, a non-profit making playgrounds out of upcycled materials in the poorest parts of India.  Next up is a deep dive on Eunice Kennedy Shriver, who despite many family tragedies, focused on improving the lives of special needs individuals and created the Special Olympics as a celebration of what am...

We are still focused on the Summer Olympic Games, scheduled to start on July 23, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan.  First, Amy starts off with some hometown heroes in Portland, Oregon who are making a difference in their community by helping others.  Then Amy shares the amazing story of Ibtihaj Muhammad, a US Olympic fencer who has held tightly to her faith as she pursues her dreams.  Next, Teresa takes us o...

Still some Olympic fever going on as we approach the Summer Olympics in Japan.  But first, Guiseppe Paterno shows us it is never too late, graduating from college at the age of 96.  Amy gives us a lesson on surfing and the amazing Olympian, Carissa Moore, who is surfing towards Gold in Japan when surfing becomes an Olympic sport for the first time.  And keeping with the Olympian theme, Amy tells t...

Amy and Teresa have Olympic Fever this week.  As we approach the 2001 Summer Olympics, we look towards current and past athletes for some inspiration.  At the starting block is the My Hero Project, which highlights extraordinary people making a difference.  Lapping the competition is the inspiring story of Black Olympian and the first woman to win three Gold Medals in a single Olympics, William Ru...

Despite the heatwave hitting the Pacific Northwest right now, this episode is a bit damp.  We start off with Amy telling us about surfers getting together to help bring clean water to the world.  Then there is a deep dive on Scott Harrison, a nightclub promoter who turned his talents to bringing water to Africa.  It's an amazing story!  And the last story, well it has a few happy tears, so there i...

What a great week!  Amy tells us about Arielle Estoria, spokeswoman, model and poet.  You need to see this woman rhyme.  Teresa talks about Team Hoyt, an inspiring story of a dad's love for his son, and their amazing race career.  Teresa also talks about former president, George W. Bush's amazing book of portraits and stories of immigrants and their impact on America.  And as a bonus, there is qui...