Conscious Compassion

Thanksgiving is our farewell episode.  A moment to recap our episodes over the last year and thank our guests, listeners and everyone that participated in the creation of this podcast.  Its been a glorious and informative ride.  http://www.consciouscompassion.net

Chris is an Austrian photographer, digital marketer & content creator who sees himself as a creative global nomad who loves the freedom to work from anywhere in the world. In this episode, he shares his story of falling in love and his experience with American immigration.  The road may be bumpy but love has found a way.   

Mariama Whyte is a singer, songwriter and all-round performer. The most challenging and rewarding role of her life so far has been that of a single mother. Navigating the choices between career and motherhood has been the focus of the last 15 years of her life. She has managed it with resilience, family support and an indefatigable spirit.

Christopher Jensen is a lawyer, husband, father, baseball enthusiast and CEO of a growing company who's focus is cannabis products and making them available to people who need them.    His unlikely path to this new and exciting career and the personal experiences that led him to be an advocate for medical marijuana and the societal and social benefits that come with cannabis reform are the subject of this interview.  Tune in!

Brad is an author, teacher, and interventionist best known for helping people make a life-enhancing change alongside Oprah, Today Show, and others. Brad is the founder of Breathe Life Healing Centers, a sophisticated trauma treatment program. He created and produced the docu-series ADDICTED TO FOOD with Oprah Winfrey and his AMERICA RECOVERS podcast with Will Smith & Jada Pinker. A trauma survivor, Brad began his own recovery journey in 2003 from drugs, alcohol, bulimia, and nicotine. Brad's work demonstrates how even the most challenging case might not only recover but offer help and hope to others who suffer.   Join us as we dive into Brad's journey of self discovery and how he transformed from addict to intervention specialist.  

DONNA LYNN HILTON is a highly effective creative producer.  In December 2020 she was appointed Artistic Director, and the first woman named to executive leadership, at Goodspeed Musicals.  JUST IN TIME FOR COVID!   Join us as we branch out and discuss not so much how individuals are "making it through" but in this case how an institution has been able to forge new paths and find innovative ways to stay connected and keep going in these troubled times.  

Somehow being ridiculed for being "different" and then manifesting a medical condition that presents itself in the most humiliating way possible.  Coupled with bad medical advice all manage to come together to create a well balanced and truly gifted young performer.  Meet Max Chernin.  His path is bumpy but with enough love, support and inner reflection he has managed to put himself on a trajectory to a very fulfilling life.  Tune in and Turn on!

How far would you go to "find your purpose" in life?  So far Angie Jones has explored "car camping" and walked the Great Wall of China in search of inner peace. She's still searching but has taken time out to share some insights about her journey thus far.

Nick Fiorito is full of empathy and love.  His journey from a malicious beating to global ambassador of good will is inspiring.  His vision of  bringing the message of empathy and action to young minds world wide is just what the world needs and we are thrilled to be able to share his story.  Tune in and turn on to Nick Fiorito & Blankets of Hope . 

Dionne Monsanto is a successful business woman, a mother of three, a dancer, and a God loving, Church going woman.   None of which prepared her to handle  becoming a parent who's child committed suicide.  This may be one of our most important episodes.  Dionne takes us on a deep dive into the intimate and compounded events that lead up to this tragedy.  We come to not only understand how suicide has affected her life and the lives of her friends and family, but also how she has came to terms with her role as mother and protector.  How she has been able to rebuild her life in such a way that she is able to feel whole again while simultaneously  paying tribute to her lost child.  This is a story of courage, strength, resilience, compassion and love.  

The expression "Love Conquers All" sounds great in theory but too often fails to deliver in practice.  In the case of this dynamic father & son, the phrase is a resounding triumph.  Jay's discovery of and transition into his "true self" has been a journey shared by his entire social circle.    Joe's determination to honor his child and proceed "in love" is a model for  successful parenting.  Nothing is clear cut and it can get a little messy at times but as long as respect, dignity and mostly importantly love are at the forefront,  relationships can remain strong and everyone involved can grow together.  Tune in and turn on to this inspiring story.  

Sometimes wisdom can come in the most humble package.  Teresa Diane Stanley has been blessed with the God given talent of an  extraordinary voice.  However, the thing that truly sets her apart from so many others is her indomitable spirit and ability to adapt the changes that life presents with a gracious and kind heart.  Rather than a story of strife and tragedy this is an inspirational journey that chronicles how doing what you love, while being humble and kind, can be the most rewarding way to live. 

Porscha's story is a relatable one of a woman who's been trying to find her own voice since childhood.  Having spent most of her adolescence rebelling against well intentioned parents who insisted that she follow their path for her life without "giving her a seat at the table" she ultimately manages to not only find her voice but become an advocate for the less fortunate.  A story of self discovery, perseverance and understanding. 

After his mother lost her life in a racially motivated shooting in her church Chris found himself thrown not just by grief but by the responsibility of taking care of his younger siblings and trying to find a path to forge on with their lives without being consumed with anger and hate.  Chris ultimately becomes a motivational speaker inspiring generations to learn to live and love one another.  This is a story of forgiveness, compassion. strength, hope and familial love.  

Greg is a gifted performer, teacher and devoted friend.  He is also a man with a past chocked full of adventures, challenges, addictions and triumphs.  This story bravely gives a no holds barred look at the good the bad and the ugly side of "being human" and relays to our listeners how Greg has reinvented himself and found the self love to make life truly worth living.  

Tally is a dynamic performer with a glorious voice and a huge heart.  His story encompasses a wide range of topics from his internet campaign in support of his friend Nick Cordero during the height of the pandemic, support of his mothers battle with cancer to how he supports his own mental wellbeing.  As he prepares to return to the Broadway revival of Company he graciously offers  up a performance to round out the interview.   This is a complete experience that you won't want to miss.  

Susan is an educator, wife and mother.   Her journey is a perfect example of the Yin & Yang of life.   Though she has been blessed with a storybook marriage, career and loving family.   She has still had to deal with  devastating loss and personal trauma.   Susan's is a story of acceptance, pushing on and not being defined by "social norms".  She is living her best life and sharing it with us all.  

Sarah is a gifted and passionate physician, mother, wife and daughter.   The challenge of juggling  career and family is just the kind of challenge that she welcomes with open arms.   However, the unexpected loss of her younger sister and grandfather on the same day has reshaped her life and  driven her to be even more passionate about her family, living her life to the fullest and seeing the great unknown.   

Ann is an accomplished performer with an almost fairytale like story of her ascension to Broadway.    In her interview we get a peak at the backstage.  The real life struggle that the audience never sees. How she navigated health and emotional trials and arrived at  a more balanced and peaceful place.   A truly delightful interview that is both informative and entertaining.  

Andrew is a dynamic, highly acclaimed author of Walking to Listen as well as a public speaker and humanitarian.  His drive to connect with the essence of each and every person he meets in hopes of better understanding them and his place in this world is remarkable and enviable.   Andrew shares with us his views on interconnectivity, the human spirit and the support system that allows him to stay focused and face the world with an open heart and mind.  Tune in for this enlightening introspective discussion.  

Jenny is a young international performer in NY who has already  faced  some significant life challenges.  In this episode we explore  how she is managing her life during the pandemic and her emotional journey as she wrestles with overcoming her  fathers passing and sexual abuse.  

Joe is an acclaimed playwright/author/director/educator.  His experiences while helping his father transition during the pandemic have changed not only his relationship with his family and friends but also profoundly affected his outlook on life and impacted his work.  This is a deeply personal interview filled with introspection and discovery.   

Michael is a gifted artist that has enjoyed an extraordinarily fruitful career as an actor, singer, dancer, choreographer, producer and an enduring relationship of over 30 years.  When his health turned and his life and livelihood were threatened, he found a new clarity and strength. Having survived, he has a wealth of wisdom to share about how to live,  how to die and most importantly how to "show up" when it matters most. 

Join Matt as he shares his journey through a devastating relationship breakup during covid, mental health concerns, childhood trauma and how these experiences resulted in him  creating some amazing poetry and start a promising new novel.