B Inspired

Donna Usavage and Jane continue their series of podcast episodes featuring inspiring individuals who understand the importance of reciprocity. Conserving and protecting land and water resources that ultimately connect our local rivers and streams to the ocean is the mission of Ryan Beltz as executive director of the Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy. Ryan manages the Conservancy that provides hundreds of volunteers who understand the importance of clean water to have some fun at the Conservancy's events while taking care of their environment. Volunteer today! Visit perkiomenwatershed.org to sign up and learn more.

Debbie Spleen credits her mentors--Sandy Wood and her mother Sue--for encouraging her love of making art, the freedom to experiment, and the courage to follow her own creative paths. Following her teaching career, Debbie has taken up repurposing furniture she finds at flea markets in colorful whimsical designs. Most recently, she's devoted hours to a fundraising cause to benefit the senior community that she hopes goes viral.

Since the days when fine artist Rhonda Counts showed her childhood friends how to mix paints from berries and ground stones, she has been passionate about creating art. Along the way, she's had a unique and rewarding art education that included a 30-year magical career with the Walt Disney World in Florida and, in her “retirement,” several years developing a mammoth theme park in China even though the park was abandoned before it opened. Today she continues her love affair with nature, incorporating its elements into self-developed textured paintings, and spending time with other artists for support and inspiration. 

Lynne Conner, candidate for a seat on BASD's School Board for Region #3, has hopes to create a greater team spirit to the communication and problem solving efforts. Lynne sees herself as a research-oriented problem solver. She takes personal risks-- she's parachuted and scuba dived at night, for example--knowing the odds favored successful, once-in-a-lifetime, experiences. She wants to bring that confidence to solving district issues--not fearful of change but determined to follow the research.

Jason's FB post in which he shared his disappointment with the type of communication he's witnessed at recent school board meetings caught my attention. Here's not the first to complain about the disrespect and dysfunction but may be the first to be public about it. In meeting with him, he shared his determination, if elected, to be a positive force--like one he effected in his career in the Coast Guard--convinced that his example will be contagious. I'd vote for that, and I hope voters in Region 2 will do the same. Change is needed.

Newly retired from a lifetime in education, Dr. Michelle Wiley, candidate for BASD School Board Director for Region #1, wants to share her leadership experience & practical ideas as her way to give back to her community. She is dedicated to practicing effective, respectful communication in problem solving and developing a healthy culture within and without the district. I loved knowing that she has her own sewing studio in her home.

Michael Frederick is certain that every young boy and girl dreams of driving a big red firetruck. His own childhood dream has come true as a volunteer firefighter where he has been determined to serve his community. Michael urges others to consider volunteering, assuring us that not all volunteers run into burning buildings, but that every firehouse welcomes volunteers who want to serve.

Jeff Graber started his work as an artist at 13.  Recalling his journey as an artist and as a businessman, he recognizes that for him being part of a team, taking pride as a team in the work that they do is the fulfilling part of his business. And then there are the bears of Bear Fever.  The project debuted 30+ sculptures in 2005; it celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2025 with over 90 sculptures. The last 20 years of bears wouldn't have happened without him.  

Advertising prodigy early on, Jenna Armato built an advertising agency connected to her Barbie McDonald's house, and she hasn't stopped helping businesses and individuals enhance their image, leadership and communications skills since!

Donna Usavage invites Dolores Shank-Samiec, volunteer at the Boyertown Area Multi-Service's Preston Pantry, to share how the donations of food are collected and distributed along with her personal history of making a difference to make the world a better, healthier place. There's no doubt that the efforts are a win-win-win for everyone; love in action abounds.

Krista Gross and Ellen Martignetti, Events Planner and Main Street Manager for Building a Better Boyertown, celebrate the success of the first annual "Making HERstory" event held recently by sharing their impressions of the event, their motivations, their own journeys, future plans, and advice to women.

Donna Usavage invites Anita Zuber, founder and force behind the annual event "Once Upon a Prom," to share her life experiences and stories from the annual event that offers prom and special event dresses and accessories free to young women. Quoting from "Braiding Sweetgrass," the book that inspired the series, Donna finds the spirit of the event an example of a community ceremony that "marries the mundane to the sacred."

Quinn Jamison took advantage of a disappointment in her life. Journaling to understand the painful event has led to a new passion: writing and publishing a series of romance novels with a time traveling twist. The Art of Time and The Art of Bending Time are currently available with a third novel “on the way.” “Never give up” is the inspiration she offers through her life experience and her artistic journey. 

They said it wouldn't last. Our marriage, that is. That was 57 years ago. Yet, our long distance love affair's sketchy beginning and a stubborn determination to prove them wrong suggests that maybe, to our own surprise, we knew what we were doing after all. "We won't...and didn't...let go."

Happy Valentine's Day! While technical difficulties prevented the full conversation with Chris Karver to be shared, Chris reads the "love story" she submitted to The Boyertown Area Expression, a story underlining the real meaning of love found in the stories of Snow White and Cinderella. Hint: real love is not found in the charming princes!

I'm inspired by elderly bees. I learned to recognize them and appreciate their gifts through a Facebook post. I can relate to them!

Pastor Amy Smith Joins Jane & Donna to explore further aspects of the reciprocal arrangement found in nature and indigenous cultures and more foreign to our own. Searching for the roots of fear, offering support to those who struggle, providing "Here's How" simple ideas to tweak our culture--one mind at a time--to a win-win way of living.

Lisa Cellini, owner of The Swamp Door, shares her journey and challenges from media maven--journalist, broadcaster, promotions consultant, and motivational speaker--to the force behind a growing retail store and community in itself featuring treasures from over 70 vendors in over 7,000 square feet. From humble beginnings, trauma, and the nightmare of addiction, Lisa's success showcases uncommon resilience.

Reading "Braiding Sweetgrass" by Robin Wall Kimmerer has inspired Donna Usavage's quest to showcase in future episodes the efforts of folks in the community who practice the Golden Rule through a faith perspective that fosters the collaboration and reciprocity found in indigenous communities .

Mandy Lobaugh took a leap of faith 16 years ago and opened Creative Minds, a school modeled on Maria Montessori's method of learning where children are encouraged to learn in their own way, in their own time. Assisted by BFF (and her devoted mom) Judy Hunter, Mandy has created a supportive "family" among staff and students where learning comes naturally.

Amanda Ehst is a lifeline at Berks Arts Council as Community Programs Manager for those of us submitting PA Partners on the Arts grants, but she's just begun to help us all add art to life. From a potential biology major, pre-school teacher, band director, music festival coordinator, and now student in a master's program with students around the globe espousing art programs for mental and physical health for all brains everywhere, she is an inspiration. Like the hermit crab needing a bigger shell, she's fearlessly growing into a new journey bringing art to all.

While visiting her sister, Anita Heft visited a Himalayan Salt Cave in Connecticut, recognized the benefits of the therapy, and was inspired to bring one closer to her hometown. Anita wants her clients to come away from a session at her Himalayan Salt Cave feeling better, breathing better, freer of joint pain or migraines. I want to try all the stress and pain-relieving techniques offered in the 3,000 square feet space:  massage, reiki, foot baths, meditation, sound therapy. Anita claims that it's like being at the beach; the rooms lined with bricks of Himalayan salt for private, couples, or group sessions release healing negative ions. The foot baths are to locate the troublesome spots within your body that need attention.  I'm fascinated by the power of different forms of energy and was happy to learn a bit about the energy of pink salt! 

In Part 4 of the limited series exploring the nature of the existential “Hero's Journey,” JD Stahl offers a wide-ranging discussion that offers his own experience in detaching from the forces—expectations, assumptions, searches for meaning and happiness that fettered him from the person he was meant to become. Suggesting that we are all in search of the chemical oxytocin through our addictive behaviors, he offers the need to strip ourselves of distractions, to confront and accept our dualistic nature to find the peace and the freedom that is our true nature. There's more. Listen in. 

Looking for ideas for family fun in Boyertown? Just ask volunteer Tracey Mackey and Mayor Lori Carnes. Their latest project “Halloween Happenings” proved more popular than they imagined among homeowners and the community and motivates them to take more risks in furthering other projects. Saving the Boyertown pool and the Colebrookdale Craft Depot are just a few of Lori's projects. And she has plans to fill the calendar going forward! Tracey offers her efforts in Boyertown Borough Council's Park and Recreation committee and the Boyertown Historical Society and wherever else she's needed—determined, with Lori, to create a community that cares. 

Dr. Olapeju Simoyan (a.k.a. Peju, The Doctor Writer and The Doctor Singer) is a physician who strongly believes in bridging the gap between science and art. Peju combines her various interests in innovative ways: writing, singing, photography. She has released a CD of Christmas music, a book exploring the histories of some of our favorite carols as well as a devotional booklet to aid in personal development. Addiction medicine is her calling as she works with clients to slow down, recall the life cycle of the butterfly, and reflect on the process of growth to stay grounded.

Brought up on the family farm, BASH alum Adam Heimer trained as an electrician at Berks Career & Technology Center, but as added plumbing and hosts of other skills to his resumé as owner of Adam's Royal Car Wash in Gilbertsville and the upcoming Main Street Car Wash in Pennsburg along with creating programs for others' car washes. Community-minded, Adam stepped up with several friends to volunteer his efforts to save the Boyertown Community Pool from extinction. Ideas for improving community life? He's got a ton and the energy...the skills and connections to make ideas reality. For fun he travels the world and learns the languages he needs.

In episode #3, JD shares the process of amalgamating the variety of sources that informed his perspective: religion, philosophy, science, literature, music, and his own poetry. Each "road" led to a common core--"unconditional love"--the acceptance of the dualities of life--the light and the dark --that are presented along each individual's path to serenity through enlightenment.

Carmelo's Pizza holds decades of memories for many who grew up in Boyertown. New owner Mark Potash needed a fresh start after 20+ years in the construction business when his son was murdered but kept the name out of respect for its history. Carmelo's has been completely renovated and added the popular Italian Water Ice to its offerings. Mark finds himself in the kitchen offering pizza, finding "promise in a new day."

In this episode JD recalls moments throughout his life that led to his need to detach from everything and everyone in order to return to a space where he could be free. Naming the many familiar attachments/addictions he's recognized in himself and others, acknowledging the fear of releasing those familiar dependencies, and choosing to let go of the stigma and shame that interfere in any recovery process provides a necessary moment, a space, where faith and recovery really begin and personal power resides.

Approaching Hallow's Eve (a.k.a. Halloween) and All Saints Day where ghosts and goblins are welcome entertainment, psychic medium Cristina Leeson tells of her experiences-- recounted in her recently-published book Live in the Light; Respect the Dark--dealing with the reality of ghosts who are stuck between dimensions, who attach themselves to people and places and create hosts of problems. In writing the book, Cristina fulfills a duty to help others understand and protect themselves from negative energies and open our awareness to our divine purpose connected to Source offering love for all. For Cristina, there are no coincidences; we all have the ability to tap into other spiritual realms and energies. Join her on the journey to joy.

“B Inspired" begins a limited series with Jeff Stahl, former Boyertown High School Business, Computer Science, and teacher of the Gifted, who shares his journey since leaving teaching. JD's journey includes recovery from multiple addictions--physical, social, and emotional—that has led to publication of a series of books entitled The Tree of Knowledge, five volumes of over 2,000 pages that address philosophical and spiritual teachings, poetry, music, and science on his way to what is best described as an enlightened life. JD is eager to share what he's learned with those struggling to understand life's meanings and their own addictions. He holds certification in Addiction Studies as well as work in the Recovery Industry. Contact: jeffdstahl@gmail.com

When Adriane Zapien, Boyertown Area Historical Society Board member learned that Boyertown's annual Halloween Parade--a tradition since 1912--was to be discontinued for lack of an organizer, she volunteered to keep it alive. I am inspired by her initiative in saving the parade and her commitment to preserve the community's history in hosting "Old Souls Strolls" featuring stories and histories of the community's oldest buildings and residences. Learning about her mission as cosmetologist, the care and compassion she develops with her clients showcase a very special person involved in a very special kind of place.

Farryn Kauffman shares her journey toward healing clients of aches and pains, a journey she traveled herself in healing a sports injury. After earning a doctorate in physical therapy and exploring different ways to practice her craft, she now heads up a clinic and offers her determination, competitive spirit, and compassion to assisting others in pain to becoming pain-free, stronger, and more flexible...and to rescuing puppies. I found a kindred spirit and appreciate her dedication to helping others in need.

As a young girl, BASH grad 2020, Lynn Scherer held the flashlight while watching her father work on cars and developed a curiosity about how things worked under the hood. She saw it like completing a puzzle. And so, while her father passed and with her mother out of her life, she was left to decide the direction of her future. And it was becoming an auto mechanic, working on cars, not heading off to college, that made her happy and continues to fascinate her. She advises the same for others: follow your heart.

When Boyertown newcomer Diane Sullivan reached out to ask if there was a book about the Bear Fever project that she could share with her mother, a resident of Chestnut Knoll, she was disappointed to learn there wasn't one available. But Momma Bear, a.k.a. Jane Stahl, allowed her to know that she hoped that someday, someone would step forward and take on the project. Diane offered that, newly retired, she was looking for a project and she loves the bears. The rest, as they say, is becoming history as Diane is collecting and organizing information to publish a booklet to accompany Studio B's project for summer 2025 to celebrate Bear Fever's 20th anniversary. Stay tuned for more information along with ways to become involved.

"It took one phone to spread the word" that inspired dozens of members of Boyertown High School's Class of '65 to gather over several days at their popular haunt in celebrating the visit of their classmate--Robert "Boogie" Bower--proving that friendships created decades ago often last a lifetime.

Rachael and Gene Kehler have put their hearts into their work--The Peppermint Stick Candy Store and their most recent project: The Peppermint Stick Ice Cream Parlor. What a testimony of their creativity, research, networking, skills, and remarkable energy the vintage ice cream parlor showcases! Boyertown is so fortunate to have their hearts and projects smack dab in the middle of town.

In this extra-long episode, Cristina Leeson shares her personal journey in developing her psychic abilities and her decades-long practice of creating safe spaces to help others tap into their abilities through readings, classes in intuitive development, yoga, meditation, reiki, hypnotherapy, and more. We discussed numerology, ghosts and spirits, healing, synchronicities, and the openness needed for spiritual development and recognizing the reality of other dimensions. Her new book Live in the Light; Respect the Dark shares stories of crossing ghosts, clearing and locking down your home and other spaces to feel safe and peaceful. Find her newsletters, free meditations, YouTube classes, and intuitive guidance on cristinaleeson.com.

Fascinated with the complexity of the working of the brain, primary care physician Alvin Moyer felt something was missing until a residency in palliative care, tending to his sister in her final days, and serving as the physician to a young boy whose cancer was incurable provided a clue. Coming from a large family, he had a lifetime of experience and lived understanding that life ends for all that allowed him to guide folks in managing their care and their departure.

Talk about passion and enthusiasm! Let me introduce you to reading tutor Sarah Drewicz whose Storybook Tutoring business is all about making sure all children can read. Sarah always wanted to be a teacher, but she found her passion learning about the science of reading and then offering to work with the children in her neighborhood--one-on-one--who were struggling. Knowing that about 20% of children need at least a little help--and some a lot, getting all children's reading skills to grade level and above is her goal. And she's determined to get them all there!

Theresa Werba's stories of life as an adopted daughter who left her only home at 15 to escape abuse include finding her birth parents, sharing traumas in relationships, and accepting a diagnosis as autistic despite her gifts of language. In sharing her poetry, she offers us gifts of understanding from her experience.

Principal Lisa Derenzo's message to her students: "The World needs who you were made to be." Lisa's leadership practices focus on building a caring community, looking for the best in every child and staff member, finding each one's superpower, and acknowledging respectful and compassionate behaviors in a myriad of ways.

Mike Strzelecki challenges himself, his family, and friends to participate with him in micro adventures. He shares some of his recent and favorite adventures. And he offers ideas for micro adventures to listeners in the Boyertown/Reading/Hamburg/Philadelphia area--any of which can be modified for any geographic area.

Heather Chandler is intent on maintaining Sealstrip Corporation's status on Pennsylvania's list of best places to work, and it shows in the many ways the company cares about its employees' health and well-being. There's recess every Thursday. Tuesdays provide healthy snacks. Creative themed projects highlight the company's goals. Leadership teams work toward greater productivity and safety. There's no stopping her efforts to improve her own life and her beloved workplace.

While leaving his formal role as pastor, Lee Levengood, owner of Everything Printing, finds opportunities to provide care and support to his family, employees, clients, and the business and non-profit community.

Jody Dolansky, real estate agent with Zuber Realty, has another dream: expressing her life's experiences in song. Her band Steel Hemlock is making itself known in the area. Her poetry, transformed in her songs' lyrics, relay life's challenges as she's met them.

As Spotify closes out my option to record on their site, I am charged to learn to do so on another platform. I'm hopeful I will learn. But...if the transition is more difficult than I anticipate, you'll know why I have not dropped any new episodes. Let us hope I learn quickly and not give up!

Hardy Farrow brings a wide range of entrepreneurial experiences from the many places he's lived to Longacre Company as its new owner along with a deep appreciation of small-town life and the type of personal service he's determined to continue to provide.

Beautiful, energetic, and determined to make a difference, Aishah Hunter takes her leadership gifts into modeling, hosting, and coaching areas made just for her style.

An icon in the Boyertown community, Ralph Borneman shares his life's journey following the loss of his mother at 7 years old including his athletic and teaching years, his entry into the insurance world, and the many father-figures provided him along the way. "People helping people" is what he does for the love of it.

Oral surgeon and community leader Jack Lignelli reviews a lifetime of achievements that began with his father's expectation of A's in all subjects on his report cards. Commenting on his own efforts in the establishment of the Boyertown Sports Center and the Boyertown YMCA building, he acknowledges the many other community members who led their expertise toward the success of the projects. And there's special pride in the practice he's built and the care he's provided a lifetime of patients.