Team Peri Step Out of Line

Dana Arschin is a 3X Emmy Award-winning journalist, mother of two, granddaughter of an Auschwitz survivor, and a dedicated Holocaust storyteller. Her life's work is centered around one mission: ensuring the stories of survivors are never forgotten. Her dream was to ‘make it' as a journalist in New York, and that journey began at News 12 in Brooklyn. She later joined Fox 5 NY, where she launched a powerful series featuring interviews with Holocaust survivors. The rest, as they say, is history.But when we say “never again”, what do those truly mean? As history continues to repeat itself, it's fair to ask whether telling these stories really makes a difference for the next generation. The simple answer is yes. These testimonies—whether from the Holocaust or other genocides—are sometimes all we have left, and as such, it is our collective responsibility to keep their memories alive. And still, it is often times more complicated than that.

How many times must someone be tested to prove they can handle anything? Ramy Gafni, author, comedian, makeup artist, and CEO of Ramy Cosmetics/Ramy Beauty Therapy has been tested—again and again (3 times because why not?!). From beating cancer to managing type 2 diabetes and surviving a near-fatal moped accident that left him with a traumatic brain injury, his resilience, perseverance, and dark sense of humor have carried him through it all.Despite these challenges, Ramy built a successful career while maintaining an infectious positivity (which he more than likely inherited from his mother). His sharp wit and humor led him to perform in comedy clubs across New York City prior to the pandemic. Though currently on hiatus, he hopes to return to the stage again.

Seamlessly integrating her passion for adaptive fashion design with her career as a costume designer/wardrobe stylist in the entertainment industry, Lynn Brannelly decided to maximize her superpower for the greater good. Presented with an opportunity to work with models of all abilities at Runway of Dreams with Alexander Andronescu (her now business partner in their adaptive adventure, Sewn Adaptive) at New York Fashion Week. Lynn came to the realization that she had at last found her passion. As soon as she entered and embraced the disability community, she naturally fell into the adaptive design world and began to make considerable headway into filling the gap existing between fashion and its accessibility through design. Undiagnosed with Dyslexia up until the age of 35, Lynn was often ashamed and very much aware of her limitations. As with any protagonist of a story, Lyn's weaknesses soon became her strengths as she realized that her disability and the way that she was able to uniquely envision design and its adaptability was easily her biggest attribute and superpower.

Turning the Paige and revisiting one of our alum podcast guests, Hayley Paige, on what's been happening in her life since we first connected. Soon after we posted her original podcast back in 2020, Hayley fought with everything she had, emotionally, intellectually, and monetarily to win her case and along that arduous journey. She discovered she had more backbone, resilience, and fortitude to Step Out of those Lines. Hayley never stopped designing for her own self, nor did she lose herself in the chaos that ensued during the next four years. She came out on the other side of this court case a winner, stronger than before, and it is because of the army of supporters, family, friends, and her legal team that she surrounds herself with. Hayley's advocacy for young women in business stems from her negative experiences and led her to testify in Congress in 2024 (Note: in a hot pink Elle Woods-inspired suit) on behalf of creatives fighting to maintain ownership of their ideas and intellectual property. Today, she is a speaker, panelist, entrepreneur, foundation CEO, wedding dresses/shoes/bags designer, and so much more (she also likes to say that she has the best taste in music).

Being an entrepreneur and director of a casting agency for people with disabilities (visible and invisible) seemed to be a natural fit for Elle Jones Hartman. When her daughter, an aspiring film director became legally blind at the age of 22 as a result of a brain tumor, Elle's HR/PR background was put to the test. It was then that Elle stepped out of line and opened up the Elle Jones Casting Company, working alongside her daughter, Zoë. 

When you are the subject of a social experiment, your perception of what is considered ‘fair play' in the quintessential female/male gender roles changes… Emily Hay was one of the families observed in 2020 & 2021, as she partook in the Fair Play documentary. Produced by Hello Sunshine and based on author Eve Rodsky's book (who we interviewed in 2023), Fair Play, not only did this experience alter Emily's familial relationships but the rewards infiltrated into her professional life. 

Part of the human experience, particularly for people with disabilities, is to gradually shift mindsets and create a normalcy for disability inclusion. Let's face it, when you have a physical disability and are in a wheelchair, you're bound to run into problems left and right. Joci Scott, actor, singer, Rollettes dancer, and disability advocate strives to be the change by showing the world what people with disabilities can do. She flourishes in a community that she, herself, has helped create, consisting of people who are trying to navigate the world that we live in while representing the disabled population. 

Why Hello There Sunshine…☀️  Telling authentic stories of women's journeys is what Hello Sunshine is all about. Sarah Harden, CEO of the multi-million dollar media company, along with its founder, Reese Witherspoon, have more than embraced the Step Out of Line theory in their commitment to highlighting every woman's journey, with a passion for showcasing those from marginalized populations. Sarah and the entire team at Hello Sunshine strongly believe in the power of equalizing the playing field while empowering women from all walks of life to take ownership of their voices, shift mindsets, and change the narrative of storytelling. Hello Sunshine embodies a commitment to brightening the world by sharing impactful, meaningful, and authentic accounts in order to make a lasting impact within the media landscape. 

When you're raised by a family with a ‘sink or swim' attitude, and are treated the same as your siblings, you have no choice but to power through and roll with whatever life brings you, and if you have to shatter a few glass ceilings on the journey, so be it. After years of being in the corporate world and accepting whatever little (if any) accommodations offered to her, Alycia Anderson always felt that she never wanted to receive any special treatment and was constantly fighting an uphill battle to balance her medical complications with her work obligations. Today, Alycia is a motivational speaker, disability advocate, podcaster, DEI workplace champion, entrepreneur, tennis player, and so much more. 

As someone who is constantly unpacking and repacking suitcases in her professional life, Isabelle Noack, Marketing, Sales & Branding at Google, is a global traveler who aims to fight against all of the injustices faced in today's world. Isabelle is extremely passionate about all matters of diversity, equity, and inclusion, in particular accessibility and creating a world that is more accepting of all. Her background in journalism continues to influence her storytelling and bring attention to these global issues as the norm. It comes as no surprise that Isabelle's passion for social justice started with her unique upbringing and as a teenager, she moved from Africa to the United States on her own to finish high school and go to college. Stepping out of line is her constant and she has been known to travel on her own to Africa and show viewers of her YouTube channel a different side of the continent. 

We've all been there, crying in our cars and feeling alone and insignificant. But how many of us can say that because of that pivotal moment, we were inspired to create social change by Stepping Out of Line? Chelsie Hill, founder of the Rollettes, motivational speaker, author, creator, mother to Jaelyn Bloomfield, serial entrepreneur, and professional dancer is every woman times ten. When she realized that there wasn't a seat for her in the dance world, she rolled in and created her own dance movement. One of her many passions is her creation, the Rollettes, and Chelsie has made it her mission to change the world by showing that all are welcome in the dance world and that the notion of inclusivity matters. She grew up as a dancer and her entrepreneurial drive and competitive nature were always something that was ingrained in her DNA, and that, combined with her ability to roll with the punches, inspires her daily to roll out of line.  Consider donating to the Rollettes Experience's GoFundMe to be a part of this inclusive dance movement by clicking here.

On and off the plate, women are gaining ground behind the glam and fanfare of the baseball diamond. Particularly in such a male-dominated industry, Brielle Speranzini, a Business Manager in the marketing department at the New York Mets, has seen a notable increase within the organization in the inclusion of female executives. Brielle's journey to date has had her rely on her gut instinct, take chances, push herself to explore new experiences rather than settle into what is seemingly an easier path, and encourage all to step out of line in some form or another every single day.

On the off chance that you don't have a fireman to rescue you, one has no choice but to rely on their own whits and advocacy efforts. As it is Women's History Month, Team Peri is giving you a woman who is making history. Emily Ladau is someone that you want by your side while you are fighting to be heard, to be seen, and to be treated as any other individual.  Emily, a disability advocate and author, started her journey as an English major and ended up finding her passion as an advocate for change, acceptance, and undeniable rights for those within the disability community. What is it like growing up with a physical disability in a mainstream school? How does society perceive those with extremely apparent disabilities? Why are we still fighting the same fight over and over again? Both Peri & Emily, each through their individual paths, sought advocacy at Adelphi University and beyond, and stepping out of line just became a natural progression of their ability to shift perspectives and the social paradigm. 

Fair Play: Unicorn or Reality? Can women truly ‘have it all' without having to ‘do it all'?   Eve Rodsky is a champion of gender equality and disability advocacy. Her aspirations growing up included being a hip-hop dancer for the New York Knicks, President of the United States, and Senator of New York. Today, she stresses the need for women to use their power to step out and into the world and for men to use their power to step into the home. The roles of men and women in the fifties and sixties are no longer appropriate in the present day, nor has it been for a long time. Defying this social construct is what has made this Harvard Law School graduate Step Out of Line on so many levels. 

You might recognize her as Zelda, the snarky Polish maid slamming potatoes on the dining room table in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, where her sarcasm added color and humor to every one of her scenes. Perhaps, you might just say that she was the glue holding The Weissman family together. ⁠Matilda Szydagis⁠ found her voice and stepped out of line at a young age where despite being bullied in school, she entered, won, and dominated every speech contest year after year. Matilda persevered by believing in herself and not letting the noise distract her from what she was capable of as a creative. 

Turning the tables on Ryan Kristafer, where we interview this charismatic Good Day NY entertainment anchor/reporter and put Kristafer in the hot seat. Spreading kindness goes hand-in-hand with the career path that he has chosen for himself. Kristafer first caught the entertainment bug while DJ'ing small parties and emceeing at Mohegan Sun, and he secretly longs to be the next Bob Barker. 

Category: Award-Winning Actors for the 100th Team Peri Podcast Episode: “A neuroscientist who can play the harp, a vegan who has vast knowledge of Yiddish words and who knows how and when to use them, and a changemaker who has created an entire community advocating for mental health.”  Who is Mayim Bialik?  Recorded just days prior to Peri finishing up her MBA coursework, this unfiltered, unhinged, and no-holds-barred conversation makes this podcast a Big Bang. We've covered almost every topic imaginable, from Mayim's Step Out of Line moment that determined the course of her life, her love of the entertainment industry and balancing her religious beliefs, motherhood, acting, podcasting, and just being Mayim Bialik. We don't want to give away too much but we guarantee that you'll have all the feels when listening to the entirety of this podcast. You'll laugh you'll cry, be inspired, and fall in love all over again with Mayim as we did.  NOTE: This episode was recorded on April 26, 2023, before the SAG-AFTRA strike 

Whenever Curtis decides to throw in the towel and go back to school to complete his MBA, Tom Mizer & Curtis Moore, gets another gig. Since college, Tom & Curtis have been songwriting partners, have multiple Emmy nominations, and are up for an Emmy this year for their work on Season 5 of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. How do you make an industrial musical on sanitation in three weeks? You trust your gut, grab inspiration from wherever it comes, and just write.

Modern-day matchmaker Aleeza Ben Shalom doesn't only see things in black and white, but rather, she appreciates the differences and unique circumstances of every one of her clients. You must've seen her in Netflix's Jewish Matchmaking, and if you're like us, binge-watched the entire series. Stepping out of line was no easy feat for Aleeza, as it was an uphill climb through uncharted territory in her personal life. Aleeza shared how she had to be strong in her convictions in her pursuit of becoming a more observant Jew. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sometimes stepping out of line takes 20 years to come to fruition. Don Schoendorfer is the author of Miracle Wheels and holds a Ph.D. in the biomedical engineering field. Haunted by an image he saw on vacation in Morocco of a woman crawling on the ground, Schoendorfer was encouraged to take a leap of faith and launch his own nonprofit organization, the Free Wheelchair Mission. His intention was to design an affordable wheelchair out of parts purchased at Home Depot and Toys “R” Us. Schoendorfer's prototype's success left him no choice but to pursue his humanitarian efforts by starting a nonprofit. The need for wheelchairs in Third World countries is too great to be ignored, and Schoendorfer knew he had to get his hands dirty and get physically into the mix by creating wheelchairs that could be put together and given away to those in need with the help of missionaries and NGOs. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sometimes your naïveté in a given situation works in your favor. Such was the case when Danielle Robay booked a one-way ticket to Los Angeles to “work on the internet,” for what she believed would be the new era of news media. Boy, was she right! As a journalist within the entertainment reporting industry, Robay caught a few lucky breaks, interviewed some celebrity dogs, lived in her grandmother's friend's garage, and managed to make a name for herself through her tenacity and grit. When Robay was younger, her dance teacher told her, “if you feel like you have to pee or you have nerves, it means you care.” She still carries this motto, and as the host of the PrettySmart podcast and an E! Entertainment Television segment, to this day, she still feels those butterflies before an interview (We get you, Danielle. So do we.). Danielle turned the tables on us and asked questions about all things podcasting and getting through the tough times. Our fireside chat (minus the fire) puts things into perspective and brings out the core of stepping out of line. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Find the disconnect. Change the narrative. Invite everyone to the party. Professional makeup artist, Terri Bryant, experienced a shift in her agility to complete the necessary tasks of her job in a timely matter. Jumping ahead to five years later, Bryant received an official diagnosis to her increasing symptoms - Parkinson's disease. Now that she concretely knew where the disconnect was in her craft as a makeup artist and why medically it was occurring, she was determined to fabricate a solution. By using gadgets from her husband's toolbox, she created makeup adaptations that made it easier for her to use the tools of her trade. Historically an educator, Bryant quickly came to the realization that many others like herself were not ‘invited to play in the space' and would benefit from these changes to the industry, regardless of their individual abilities.Universal design is what Guide Beauty Cosmetics strives to achieve in their product line and mission. Along with celebrity spokesperson and Chief Creative Officer, Selma Blair, founder Terri Bryant is changing the way in which the industry creates solutions to aid those with varying abilities in accessing beauty. ‘Beauty for all' is a concept that Bryant and Blair are committed to introduce to the market. Bryant noted that engineering adaptations should “not be the first stop on the train” and instead, companies need to find way to inclusively develop answers to make products accessible to the masses. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The 24/7 Cupcake ATM, anyone?!Team Peri is starting off this year's 2023 Women's History Month with the brainchild and co-founder of Sprinkles, Candace Nelson. Candace is a self-described serial entrepreneur, author of the Wall Street Journal's bestselling book, “Sweet Success: A Simple Recipe to Turn Your Passion into Profit,” an Angel Investor, mentor, and a mother to two boys among other things. You might recognize her from her days on Cupcake Wars and her Netflix series, Sugar Rush, where she enjoyed being the talent as well as behind the camera. Today, you will find Candace with her business partner/husband developing Pizzana as she continues on the unconventional path of a successful entrepreneur. The events of 9/11 and the slowing down of the economic 90s dot-com boom, was the impetus for Candace to step out of line to follow her passion and become a pastry chef. As Candace stated about her mindset at that point in time, she realized that everything in life was fleeting and that she wanted to shift gears and do something that brought her joy and “injected more meaning into the world even if that was a small piece of cake”. This dream led her to create her own opportunities and gave her clarity to hone in on her ideas and when to pursue them. Only the ideas of which she is truly passionate about are the one's that she follows through with. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Brace yourselves…we've got the rabbi and boy, does she know how to “Step Out of Line.” The woman behind it all, Alex Borstein, unbeknownst to her, was the impetus behind our podcast and the Step Out of Line movement which has inspired our Team Peri community. As a tribute to her grandmother, a Holocaust survivor and her mother, Alex dedicated her 2019 Emmy award in an acceptance speech ending in the mantra, “Step Out of Line Ladies!”. Her words were a call to action that has resonated with anyone who has ever felt like they did not fit in, much like Peri. ‘Tits Up' everyone because this podcast is one to remember as we discuss everything from the meaning behind Susie Myerson's keys to Alex's on point analysis of Bridgerton. Thank You and Goodnight! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Step Out of Line and be inspired by Team Peri's "Step Out of Line" podcast, a weekly show that provides a safe space for reflection, personal stories and experiences that motivate you to keep moving forward. Sit down with the dynamic daughter and mother duo and meet special guests who have made a positive impact on the world. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Walking the runway is not a piece of cake for somebody with a disability, yet Mindy Scheier has made it her life's mission to make sure that children and adults with physical disabilities can have the same opportunities as anyone else. Bringing fashion into the forefront with accessible design seemed like a natural fit for Mindy, as she has made a career in the fashion industry. Her son, Oliver inspired her to ‘Step Out of Line' and be the catalyst to introducing the fashion industry to the marginalized demographic group of individuals who do not fit the traditional mold.Tommy Hilfiger was one of the first global brand's to embrace Mindy's idea and address this niche market. Through Mindy's advocacy's and Tommy Hilfiger's example, slowly but surely, the fashion industry is following suit. Mindy's nonprofit organization, Runway of Dreams showcases designers with adaptable products worn by models with physical disabilities. Oftentimes, the notion of beauty and disability is not aligned. Mindy has normalized and brought this concept to the fashion industry so that products can be created these individuals in mind. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Having only recently in the past few years been officially diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), Kaylee Bays decided that it was time for her to dance again. Her second time dancing in a wheelchair was Jax's flashmob for the empowering single, “Victoria's Secret”. Once a professional dancer, Kaylee knew that dance was something that she needed to integrate back into her life. However, as one can imagine, nothing in life is geared toward a person who has a physical disability, and sometimes, you have to Step Out of Line to make that change for yourself, and for others who come after you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bass guitar player for Kelly Clarkson & Katy Perry is so much more than just being a rockstar. Kyle Whalum explores the limits of pain and the art of suffering in his “hobby,” ultra-marathon running. His core strength is a product of him learning how to be comfortable existing outside of the lines. From prioritizing his own mental health in regards to an impostor syndrome, focusing on his music career, parenting two children (including his daughter who is moderately autistic), turning his ADHD impulsivity into creativity, running marathons in insane conditions, and being a husband to his supermom of a wife, Kyle is an outstanding individual. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Marcia Kilgore is a serial entrepreneur who has debunked mainstream beauty distribution and sales markup with her new venture, Beauty Pie. Founder of the Bliss Spa, FitFlop footwear, among others, Kilgore always ‘stepped out of line' by seeking out friends and mentors who challenged her rather than succumb to the archetype girl group while growing up in Canada. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You might remember Josh Randall from his epic wrestling, Hulk Hogan, and Macho Man proposal that received 29.6M views on TikTok. Everyone deserves to have their moment and to share their voice with the world. Josh has made himself an invaluable facilitator so people can create that moment. As the casting producer & warmup host of American Idol and Are You The One?, as well as the producer for I Can See Your Voice, Josh makes himself an asset to the productions by saying yes to any and all opportunities that come his way. While positioning himself as a mentor to assist young talent in showcasing their true artistry, Josh is realizing his own personal career goals. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On one of the most darkest days in modern American times, we can take solace knowing that Paul (Paulie) Veneto has made it his mission to make sure that the very first responders on 9/11, the airline personnel who were on the flights that went down, are remembered and recognized for their service. Since 9/11, Paulie always wanted to honor his airline co-workers but was unable to do so due to his addiction to Opioids. In 2021, twenty years after the tragic events, Paulie decided that it was time to take action and as he was finally free of his drug addiction, was able to fulfill his dream of pushing an airline beverage cart from Boston to Ground Zero in New York. Today, on 9-11-2022, Paulie is completing a push from Washington Dulles International Airport to the Pentagon, marking the approximate route taken by American Airlines Flight 77, as a tribute to the flight crew and military personnel. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sneakers that make an impact through social change is what Moe Hachem's life's work is all about. By upcycling and recycling sneakers, Sneaker Impact can promote the concept of their sustainability. Through recycling gently used running sneakers, the social enterprise is able to take action and prevent the shoes from ending up in landfills. In third-world countries, sneakers are used as a vehicle of transportation; they are a necessity. By reducing waste and creating economic impact, Sneaker Impact contributes to global health. From collecting sneakers at select marathons across the U.S. by offering biodegradable bags to recycle the sneakers, to bringing the enterprise's mission to the public, Sneaker Impact is helping to create opportunities for people in need by creating jobs and promoting good health. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Like father like son, Mark & John are two entrepreneurs who when they saw a need, created their own happiness. Upon graduating high school, no job or program peaked any of John's interests. After a few failed business attempts with his dad, most notably a food truck (newsflash, neither of them can cook), they came up with John's Crazy Socks. Mark & John have since built an inclusive and diverse company that celebrates people with all abilities. Today, John is the owner of the world's largest online sock store which has over 4,000 different types of socks and is like no other company. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's hard to step into Superman‘s boots but Francesco Clark follows in his footsteps. In 2002, Francesco was working in the fashion industry at the esteemed magazine, Harper's Bazaar. After a devastating pool accident at the age of 24 that resulted in a spinal cord injury, Francesco went into a depression as he came to terms with the realization that he was paralyzed. It was only after Christopher Reeve died that Francesco had an epiphany that his own life needed to be lived to the fullest. “Believing in yourself despite the circumstances” is Francesco's number one piece of advice as he continues to Step Out of Line. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's a tale of a Paralympian fighting to compete and successfully medaling in the 2022 Olympic Beijing Games. For Brenna Huckaby, a 3x Olympic gold medalist, world champion, and cancer survivor, the bronze medal won in 2022 is perhaps the most meaningful. Accordingly to Brenna, the medal represents and encourages those who continue to fight an uphill battle of accessibility and inclusion to keep pushing the glass ceiling. Brenna hopes that her message of strength and resilience inspires those like herself who have fought and are still battling cancer and other life-threatening illnesses. Forever an athlete, Brenna's love for gymnastics translated post-cancer to snowboarding, as she felt that the balance beam's feel was replicated in her new sport. Visualizing her goals by looking to the next mountain to shred, Brenna continued to build upon her skills into what is today a champion status. Brenna's self-proclaimed “Step Out of Line” moment was when she realized that her own self-worth was not based on winning medals and that she alone was enough. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What was once a resentment of the impingement that Samual Mikulak's career put on his mental health and self-worth has now become a source of introspective assessment of how grateful he is to have experienced all that he has professionally. In this mindset, Sam competed in his third and most likely final Olympics at the Tokyo 2020 games and was able to experience it on a different level. The beauty of what Sam has discovered about himself over the past few years is that his intellectual and emotional intelligence matters. Today's Olympians need to be aware that not only are there physical limitations that they might encounter in their sport, but there are also mental roadblocks inherent in a high-competition situation. Each athlete is trained to some extent to deal with the obstacles, but not enough to date has been done. Sam, a retired, 3x US Olympic Artistic Gymnast, world champion, Head Coach at Evo Athletics, and founder of Mikulak Clinic, has always been a people pleaser. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rubin Ervin can get people to do anything for a five-dollar gift card. Rubin has a talent for ‘reading the room,' and he is not afraid to use it. His warm-up career has taken him from Orlando to Chicago to Los Angeles to Israel, being the front-runner for The Kelly Clarkson Show, Family Feud, Miss Universe, and America's Got Talent. A born entertainer, his love of toys, fun fashion, people, and having a good time enables him to connect with anyone from the average audience member to an A-list celebrity. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The one where we did not have to curb our enthusiasm for Maggie Wheeler. She's real, she's here, and she's spectacular. You'll recognize Maggie as the genius behind Chandler Bing's muse, Janice Litman-Goralnik (née Hosenstein). Maggie is a children's book author, actress, voice-over artist, and co-director of the inter-generational Golden Bridge Community Choir. Maggie's epiphany at the age of eight years old was when she attended a summer camp that changed her life by introducing her to folk music. From that moment on, Maggie began to explore how music would fit into her life. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ashamed by his early diagnosis in the second grade of having a learning disability, Jonathan Cohen knew that he processed things differently than his peers. His ability to think outside of the box and competitive spirit has led Jonathan to be the entrepreneur, filmmaker, mental health advocate, and inventor that he is today. Jonathan's creative thinking and negotiation skills gave him the tools to interpret the game of life so that he could manipulate the arbitrary rules to make sense in any given situation. Stepping just outside of the line, Jonathan's entrepreneurial mindset showed up as a young child when he rented his old Michael Jordan sneakers to a classmate when his mother did not give him permission to sell them. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you want it, you can achieve it. Adriana Carrig went against the grain by proving the naysayers wrong and turning her experience as a victim of bullying into a vision of kindness. Little Words Project (LWP) was born out of a need to nurture the notion that each and every one of us is worthy of hope, love, kindness, and even empowerment. Words matter and Adriana encourages the LWP community to “use kind ones.” Little words, big ideas. This female-founded brand was created to promote the concept that kindness is a universal idea. The nostalgic bracelets are a symbol of hope as they serve to provide little reminders in a big way to those that need it most, and then when the time comes, pay it forward. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Once Dana Blair hit the spotlight, she just knew that she had found her home. From studying dance and acquiring an MBA at Adelphi University to then furthering her education at the Parsons School of Design for Fashion Marketing, she worked behind the scenes in the world of branding and marketing. On a whim, Dana ultimately found herself where she truly belongs, in front of the camera. As a storyteller, it seems only a natural fit for her to Step Out of Line and become a journalist, TV personality, and producer.While Dana wears many hats as a female entrepreneur, she took that first leap of faith and moved to New York from her small hometown in Louisiana by following her spirit and manifesting her success. Both on and off the screen, it is clear that Dana's energy and personality are pure magic. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Growing up, at the Simon dinner table, argument was sport, and to hold one's ground was admirable. Where rhetoric was prized, David Simon's career as a journalist perhaps was an extension of his roots. With a house full of books and newspapers from every possible publication, he took on the world by putting his words to paper and battling with his wits. Since day one, David's father instilled in him to stand by his work and weather the storm when it is called for. Journalism became the catalyst to David's path. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Meet Moshe Turk, the co-founder and National Race Director of Team Lifeline, a project of the nonprofit Chai Lifeline. After 12+ years of having the privilege of working with Moshe in our Team Peri capacity, we finally were able to sit down and get the deets on how he has Stepped Out of Line in his life and the truth behind the folklore of how Team Lifeline came to fruition. Moshe approaches his work with dedication, humor, and passion and his leadership has led Team Peri to raise $800,000 to date for the children of @chai_lifeline. Chai Lifeline has been our family's lifeline for 22 years and without their help and many services, Peri would not be who she is today. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Glass ceilings were made to be broken and throughout Dr. Christine Riordan's education and career, she has done just that. As an undergraduate engineering student, she often found herself to be the only woman in the class. This year Adelphi University is celebrating its 125th anniversary and Dr. Riordan, as the first female president of the university, has had to deal with extraordinary circumstances and has worked tirelessly to ensure that not only Adelphi but all New York State's Higher Education institutions have been able to persevere and come up with new ways of teaching during the global pandemic.Each one of us fulfills a piece of a larger puzzle and as President Riordan puts it so aptly, in her leadership role, she helps provide the border of complex puzzles that are missing the picture of where it is going to go. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A self-proclaimed "Jewish kid who wanted to play professional basketball" turned producer, Brandon Reese, has always stepped out of line throughout his life. Brandon used basketball to explore the world by playing in Israel, Ukraine, Poland, Holland, Canada, and the United States and teaching students the art of b-ball in Kuwait.After rupturing his kidney in a basketball game in Kuwait, Brandon had to shift gears and focus on his career in the creative arena, which is how Bus Driver Productions was born. Brandon's goal is to inspire the world to see things from new perspectives and open their minds to new beginnings. Today, he runs a successful podcast video production company and captures photographs that tell a story. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode of “Step Out of Line” is not for the feint of heart. As an entrepreneur in the health and wellness forum, Jay Cardiello, breaks down his three biggest challenges that he has faced so far in his life and how he has climbed out of the pit of despair to become the man that he is today. The raw emotion displayed by Cardiello grabbed our hearts immediately and instantly, we knew how special a person he truly is.As a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, Cardiello leads by example and lives every day as if it is his last. Jay lives by the motto, "Never give yourself the opportunity to ask what-if" because you never know what can happen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adelphi University alumnus, Michael Sammis always believed that the university was a hidden gem. Throughout his career, he has combined his passion for music with his financial background into a path that has taken him all over the world. Always a Long Islander at heart, an internship through Adelphi provided Michael with the competitive edge over his peers to land his first job. As the President of Universal Publishing Production Music, a division of the Universal Music Publishing Group, Michael continues to Step Out of Line through his leadership role and has not let the global pandemic interfere with his work and has even guest lectured on zoom to Adelphi Willumstad Business School students. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sam Rosalie says that she doesn't “always have rays of sunshine coming out of her butt,” but we think otherwise. As one of the producers of the Elvis Duran & The Morning Show, Sam began as an intern while attending Rutgers University. Sam worked hard to find her own career path by taking on new challenges and a variety of internships until she found her niche in radio and entertainment. As a huge advocate for mental health/wellness, she focuses on redirecting her natural people-pleasing persona to improve the ongoing evolution of her true, authentic character. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You don't plan to fail, you fail to plan. Amanda Munz was 23 years old when she decided to pivot and form her own nonprofit The Fashion Foundation, which she set up after methodical planning, training, and earning an MBA. Amanda realized that repurposing designers' sample products and surplus goods could be used to give back to the children in New York City's education system.Amanda's first big supporter was designer Rebecca Minkoff when she donated boxes and boxes of merchandise for The Fashion Foundation to sell for the cause. What started out in 2014 with Amanda in her basement with one clothing rack then became a nonprofit that needed a larger space for all of the donated inventory. This turning point became the catalyst for the foundation's success. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Vita Raykhman was challenged with breaking into the competitive beauty industry of hair products by creating and developing an artistic, fun, and inclusive haircare brand. As a Co-Founder and Creative Director of Amika and creative director of Eva NYC, Vita utilizes her fine art skills in her creative position at Heat Makes Sense, Inc. Focused on establishing a community, Vita's companies strive to focus on the collective to ensure the best experience for all. Vita is known for creating a brand from an idea and transforming it into a successful business venture that to this day, is thriving. It is clear that she understands what is it like to be a young creative looking to begin a career in marketing and is generous enough to mentor, teach and share her wisdom. What draws us to her brands is the creative packaging design but what keeps us loving Amika and Eva NYC are the products themselves. Both of the brands' mantra is to be “kind + clean” and cruelty-free and aspire to continue to promote environmental sustainability and recycling. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In celebration of Josh's upcoming 5th birthday on October 30th, let's all be like Josh and be unapologetic with the way you want to live your life. Team Peri fell in love with Josh on TikTok early in the pandemic and things just steamrolled from there. We finally sat down with Josh + Kimberly & Andrew for what seemed like only a few short minutes but in reality, was an entire afternoon, and talked as if we have known each other forever. The important work that Kimberly & Andrew are doing for the Be Like Josh Foundation can teach the world that all beings are worthy of living their best life. There is nothing to be feared about any living creature's disability. Normalizing the concept of disability and eradicating the stigma will assist in the notion of inclusion, acceptance, and diversity for all. Kimberly & Andrew are at times fighting an uphill battle and strive to make their voices heard. We all need to get on board with the Josh Mission. As a person with a profound physical disability and complex medical issues, Peri especially can relate to Josh, Bitey Ford, and friends and their desire to live their lives to the fullest. Clearly, the foundation's advocacy efforts are critical to canines with neurological abnormalities and Kimberly & Andrew are adamant about bringing their pack to a city near you on their two-year upcoming tour.For more information on the Be Like Josh Foundation and to donate to the organization's rescue medical fund/the tour, visit www.belikejosh.org. To donate to the tour directly on Instagram, visit @joshthedoodle and @fatherofpaws. To donate to the tour directly through the Be Like Josh Foundation website, visit https://www.belikejosh.org/tour. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.