You Matter!

On this episode, Karen speaks with Julie McFadden, a Southern California hospice nurse who has taken to social media as Hospice Nurse Julie. Julie will share personal insights and facts about death and dying and how her career has given her a new appreciation of the human body's capacity to take care of us in death.

NYU Head Women's Soccer Coach Michele Canning and her brother and sister-in-law Matthew and Nacole are here to talk about Matthew's and Nacole's son Cole, 5-years-old, who is battling a rare disease called Mitchell's Syndrome. Cole, who once lived a normal life of a toddler, can barely walk or eat on his own; he is only 1 of 16 people diagnosed with this disease. Michele, Matthew, and Nacole are h...

On this episode, Karen speaks with Phoenix Carnevale, an actress, media personality, fitness trainer, martial arts and self-defense expert; she has been featured on MTV, CNN, and ESPN and in Shape, Self, and Latina magazines as a health and fitness expert. Phoenix is here to talk about women's self-defense, its relevance and importance regardless of age, and to share tips for women of all ages to...

On this episode, Karen welcomes Season 5 returning guest Carla Tardif, CEO of Family Reach, a nonprofit organization dedicated to removing the financial barriers standing between a cancer patient and their treatment, and Rifka Coleman, a patient advocate who relied upon Family Reach after her own cancer diagnosis at the age of 37 during the Covid-19 pandemic.

On this episode, Karen speaks with Sheri Kurdakul, CEO and Founder of VictimsVoiceApp, a web-based app, the only legally admissible documentation tool that allows victims to store evidence that satisfies the evidence rules of each state.

On this episode, Guy Felicella shares his experience with a twenty-year addiction and homelessness; on six occasions he overdosed, died and was brought back to life. Today, Guy is an advocate for those who suffer from Substance Use Disorder and all that accompanies it, in an effort to remove the shame and stigma associated with addiction.

In this episode, Karen speaks with Jay Rosenblatt, a San Francisco filmmaker who hails from Brooklyn, New York. Jay is a filmmaker responsible for the Oscar-nominated documentary "When We Were Bullies," wherein Jay tracks down his fifth-grade class, and teacher, to examine their memories of a bullying incident that occurred over 50 years ago. Jay is here to share the story behind his film.

On this episode, Karen speaks with Bethann Mercanti, the Director of Clinical Operations for the Neurological Institute at Cooper University Healthcare in Camden, New Jersey. She has practiced in neurology as a PA for 10 years, specializing in stroke and cerebrovascular disease. She developed the Comprehensive Stroke Program at Cooper University Healthcare, achieving Joint Commission Comprehensive...

On this episode, Karen speaks with NYU alums Stephanie Wittels Wachs and Jackie Danziger. Stephanie is a voice actress, activist, and author, and the co-founder and Chief Creative Officer of the podcast network Lemonada Media. Jackie Danziger is the Vice President of Content and Production at Lemonada Media, a writer and voice over artist. Stephanie and Jackie are here to talk about Lemonada Media...

On this episode, Karen speaks with Patti McSteen, Senior Associate Vice President and Deputy, Global Campus Safety, and a new member of Campus Safety leadership. A main objective of this podcast is to highlight resources available to the NYU community; Patti is exactly that. At the end of this conversation, you will have an understanding of the value that Patti brings to Campus Safety based upon o...

Today I welcome Clara Kim, Vice President of Consulting Services at RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest Network), the nation's largest anti-sexual violence organization. RAINN created and operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline (800.656.HOPE) in partnership with more than 1,000 local sexual assault service providers across the country and operates the DoD Safe Helpline for the Department of Defense....

Today I welcome Ashley Smith; Ashley is a mental health advocate living with the diagnosis of schizophrenia, a parent, and the creator of the blog Overcoming Schizophrenia. Ashley is the author of two books related to Schizophrenia, What's On My Mind, A Collection of Blog Entries Related to Schizophrenia, and What's On My Mind, Coping Takes Work.

Today I welcome Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Ann Murdoch. Lt. Col Murdoch is a recipient of the Legion of Merit and Bronze Star and served in Afghanistan. During Lt. Murdoch's entire military career, in fact her entire life, she harbored a secret that could have cost her career, family and even her life. Although she had a male body, and by all appearances she was a married father of two children,...

Today I welcome Ken Daniels, play-by-play announcer for the NHL's Detroit Red Wings and father of Jamie Daniels who, on December 7, 2016 at the age of 23, lost his battle with Substance Use Disorder. Ken is here to share the story of his son's life and the legacy created in his memory, the Jamie Daniels Foundation.

Emma Benoit, from Prairieville, Louisiana, was just 16 years old when she survived a suicide attempt. Today, she is a powerful motivational speaker who's miraculous story and message of hope inspires audiences of all ages.

Today I welcome Brandon Farbstein. Brandon is a motivational speaker and author who inspires millions of people across the globe with his universal message of living life on your own terms and building the framework for self-acceptance. Diagnosed with a rare form of dwarfism at the age of 2 (metatropic dysplasia), Brandon has turned his life experience of suffering, isolation, and victimhood into...

Today I welcome Rafael Rodriguez, NYU's first Associate Vice President and Dean of Students, to celebrate our 100th episode of You Matter!

Susan A. Gibson, Special Agent In Charge (SAC) of the Drug Enforcement Administration's New Jersey Division. SAC Gibson is here to talk about the DEA's National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, an event that aims to provide a safe, convenient, and anonymous means of disposing of prescription drugs.

Today I welcome Keisha Greaves. At 24 years-of-age, Keisha was diagnosed with Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophy; she later started the Girls Chronically Rock clothing line to inspire others with chronic illnesses to have confidence and not let their disability define who they are. Keshia is a motivational speaker, has a Master's in Business Management, and is the Massachusetts State Ambassador for th...

Today I welcome Shea and Sidney Gomez, sisters and hosts of The Real Sisters of Sobriety podcast, a podcast about being sober in a booze obsessed world. Shea and Sidney are going to share their personal stories that led to their journey to sobriety, how they are trying to destigmatize the conversation about excessive alcohol consumption and how being boozeless today brings them much joy and happin...

Today I welcome Randy Grimes. Randy was an NFL player with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for ten years; while playing for the Buccaneers and to treat his football-related injuries, Randy considered painkillers to be a "necessary evil". Upon Randy's retirement from the NFL, he spent the next 20 years in the depths of addiction - losing friends, homes and almost his wife Lydia. Lydia stood by him through...

Today I welcome Marie Sander; Marie was diagnosed with Stage 4 colorectal cancer in September 2013, and today, is in remission. Marie has become an advocate for colon cancer awareness and is here to share her story from discovery to diagnosis to recovery, and how cancer has impacted her life. (Note: this episode will air in March for Colon Cancer Awareness Month)

Hayley is an actress, curve model and body confidence activist who appeared on such shows as Baywatch, Huge, Pair of Kings and Why Women Kill. Hayley also graced our screens to give us fashion tips as the resident style host for Good Morning America's Strahan, Sara and Keke. At the age of 14, Hayley made her fashion debut by signing with the world-renowned modeling agency Ford Models; today, Hayle...

Today I welcome Jody Plauche, a child sexual abuse and kidnapping survivor, and the author of The Jody Plauche Story - Why Gary Why?, the question asked by Jody's father as he shot and killed Jody's abuser, Jody's childhood karate instructor. As an adult, Jody educates parents regarding the tactics predators might use to manipulate their children in an effort to keep children safer.