Together, We Shall

On episode 38 of the Together, We Shall podcast, Joe and Rooster chat with High School Class of 2023 graduate Kamden Rossiter about how America’s Gen Z population perceives life and other generations. Kamden also shares his intimate perspective on living with and then grieving the loss of his sister, Ainsley. His keen insight into the strong influence that technology and politics have shaped his g...

On episode 37 of the Together, We Shall podcast, Joe and Rooster chat with fellow Marine Corps Intelligence professional Kelly O’Clair. We talk about the burden of carrying secrets and how suppression can lead to fear, anxiety, and depression. Kelly shares his revelation of how embracing his true authentic self allowed him to escape his perceived need to blend in and to hide in the shadows as a ga...

Episode 36 acknowledges Mental Health Awareness Month through conversation aimed at demonstrating how our connection to one another can be formed with sharing and listening.  Joe and Rooster chat with fellow Marine Corps Veteran Lupita Hernandez.  Lupita started running to improve her mental health to fight her depression and PTSD, but what grew from it was “Run for Their Lives,” a yearly ultra-ma...

The Together, We Shall Podcast has no script. It aims to bring people together to share their stories, and this week’s story just so happens to tie into Mother’s Day week(end) beautifully.  Lauren Perkins is the Mom of sextuplets.  She shares details of her pregnancy and the 11 years that I have followed. Her acknowledgment that as moms (people) we struggle to give ourselves grace and are really h...

On episode 34 of the Together, We Shall podcast, Joe and Rooster chat with 1st Generation American and retired United States Marine Corps Fighter Pilot, Vishal Amin. After being placed on a kill list by the terror group ISIS in 2015, Vishal found himself and his family with their backs against the wall. This episode is not about how he fought back with his F/A-18 jet, but rather how he found safet...

On episode 33 of the Together, We Shall podcast, Joe and Rooster chat with Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant Josh and Mrs. Mercedes Alvis who are raising  five military children under 10 years old.  We discuss a few of the unique aspects of raising military kids amid deployments, as well as intimate and emotional details associated with the the birth of their second born child, Gabe, who has Downs Syn...

On episode 32 of the Together, We Shall podcast, Joe and Rooster chat with the co-founder of Detroit-based run club, We Run 313, Lance Woods.  A native of Detroit, MI, Lance has always dreamed of a better life for his family and friends. It wasn't until he left home for college in Tennessee that he realized he could help create the change he wanted to see for those in his hometown. Lance unse...

March is Women’s History Month and this year’s theme is an inspiring tribute: Women Providing Healing and Promoting Hope. On episode 31 of the Together, We Shall podcast, Joe and Rooster chat with the President of the Travis Manion Foundation, Ryan Manion.  Ryan’s immeasurable service to our Nation’s Youth, Veterans, and Families of the Fallen has, provided healing and promoted hope. Ryan’s brothe...

On Episode 30 of the Together, We Shall podcast, Joe and Rooster salsa with Southeast North Carolina Ambassador Susan Mikitka. Susan went from lawyer to produce broker to a Mom of twins. At only 27 weeks into her pregnancy, Susan's twins were ready to meet the world, but their start in this world was anything but smooth. Both girls dealt with severe health conditions from the start, but while...

On Episode 29 of the Together, We Shall podcast, Joe and Rooster welcome Andrew Reid.  Migrating from Jamaica as an undocumented citizen, Andrew shares insight about becoming an American citizen, but also into his spinal injury recovery journey. As an extremely athletic senior at the University of Florida, Andrew woke up one day unable to move and paralyzed from the chest down. Through determinati...

On Episode 28 of the Together, We Shall podcast, Joe and Rooster chat with Amanda Piccirilli-Hall about the ebbs and flows of life. Growing up in Southeast Pennsylvania as a gifted soccer goalkeeper, Amanda rose to play Division I soccer at Loyola on a full-ride athletic scholarship. Of course, life has seasons and phases, and sometimes what we think will be the dream of a lifetime is changed with...

 Joe and Rooster step onto the dance floor with Virginia Angel runner and Tidewater Striders President Thomas Hicks who takes us through his “Never Give Up” daily attitude as multiple sclerosis is slowly eating away at his body. Despite his everyday battles, Thomas talks about his passion for running, his future in the sport, and the work he does giving back to the running community. 

Joe and Rooster are in the hot seat, as Tim Davis guest hosts with probing questions. Quite the dance ensues, as we find out some lesser-known facts about our co-hosts. During Episode 26, we also debut a new segment —“Tales from the Course” — which takes all three of these combat Marines by surprise. In 2021, there were over 107,000 drug overdoses in the United States. Over 70,000 of them were due...

On Episode 25 of the Together, We Shall podcast, Lori joins Joe and Rooster to take a fun and educational look back on Episodes 14-24.  Similar to Episode 13's look back on episodes 1-12, Lori shares how she was impacted by each episode, while also reading aloud a quote from each of the guests in each episode.  If you have missed an episode, 25 gives you a recap and idea of what you have miss...

On Episode 24 of the Together, We Shall podcast, Joe and Rooster chat with Tanya McGee about her adoption journey, not as the “adopter” or as an “adoptee”, but as the teenager that chose to place her firstborn for adoption. November is Adoption Awareness month and in this episode, we hear an emotional story that offers awareness for an adoption perspective seldom discussed or shared publicly. We o...

On Episode 23 of the Together, We Shall podcast, Joe and Rooster welcome US Mailman Dave Goldstein (aka US MALE) to share his journey from anger after the birth of two sons with Joubert syndrome and a lifestyle of unhealthy competitive eating to the joy his family has found through endurance sport and healthier decisions.

On Episode 22 of the Together, We Shall podcast, Joe and Rooster welcome Patrick Fellows to disprove the idea that ‘Men don’t have “those” conversations'.  September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month (SPAM) and in this episode we aim to move the conversation about depression and isolation out of your “spam” folder and into your inbox. Just three friends having a chat about movement, minds...

On Episode 21 of the Together, We Shall podcast, Joe and Rooster welcome Garia and Sebastian for some laughs, deep dives, and perspective! Garia offers her take on the secret to navigating life, both for herself as a single mom, and for her son, as he overcomes challenges with optimism and a can-do attitude every day.  Get ready to laugh out loud and pick up a few golden nuggets of wisdom in this...

On Episode 20 of the Together, We Shall podcast, Joe and Rooster welcome Kristy High and her daughter Kendall Jade for some good old story-telling fun.  Kristy provides very insightful perspective from her journey as a Caregiver, Teacher, Mother and Leader.  Leading with gratitude, Kristy's appreciation for those special moments in life shines throughout this episode. 

On Episode 19 of the Together, We Shall podcast, Joe and Rooster welcome PJ Sapienza to chat about the ways he has chosen to live an impactful life. Leading with an amazing sense of humor, PJ shares his story with vulnerability and transparency.  Serving the special needs community his entire life, PJ represents the good within all of us. Prepare to be uplifted.

On Episode 18 of the Together, We Shall podcast, Joe and Rooster chat with Vickie and Melissa (aka Team 2 for 1) about their amazing journey of friendship, and recent Camino trek in Spain. Legally blind, Melissa runs with two legs. Paralyzed, Vicky runs with one arm, one leg and two wheels. Together, they are Team 2 for 1! 

On Episode 17 of the Together, We Shall podcast, Joe and Rooster chat with Eric Noe, Athlete Rider from Virginia.  Tune in as the soon-to-be 21 year old talks about how he overcomes his daily struggles, how he found Ainsley’s Angels and his journey of waiting for an intestine transplant. 

On Episode 16 of the Together, We Shall podcast, Joe and Rooster chat with Debbie Stachkunas of #StachkunasStrong. Tune in as Debbie shares a raw and emotional storytelling highlighting her adoption journey as a single mom to four outstanding kids that spans over four decades. She shares the highlights and lowlights that shaped her family into what it is today. Lighthearted banter closes out the e...

On Episode 15 of the Together, We Shall podcast, Joe and Rooster chat with Michelle Smith, an Early Intervention/Special Education Professional and Ainsley’s Angels Senior Director. As one of the longest-tenured Ainsley’s Angels leaders and Ainsley’s preschool teacher, Michelle shares her perspective from the self-described “back seat,” as she is never one to embrace the spotlight. Always quick to...

On Episode 14 of the Together, We Shall podcast, Joe and Rooster chat with Darlene Marshall, a Holistic Wellness Coach, Personal Trainer, and Positive Psychology practitioner in Upstate New York. In this episode, they dive into the underlying research in why exercise, emotional experiences, and our lifestyle habits build well-being and what it means to build a flourishing life.  Darlene shares her...