Podcasts about connect communities

Single Parent Stroke Recovery: How Jeff Manuel Is Rebuilding His Life for His Kids Jeff Manuel was working two jobs to provide for his two teenage kids – a full-time role in electrical sales plus evening grocery-delivery shifts – when a stroke at 52 changed everything about how he could show up for them. Four years later, he’s not back to where he was. He’s become someone different, and by his own account, someone he likes better. A Normal Saturday Morning, Then Everything Changed Jeff’s stroke happened on a Saturday in March 2022, but the warning signs started the night before, on his last work shift. The next morning he made coffee, showered, and drove to drop off his kids’ things at their mother’s house in West Kelowna. When she opened the door, she immediately knew something was wrong – his face had visibly dropped. A local clinic ran a squeeze test that came back fine and prescribed inhalers for what they assumed was a breathing issue. It wasn’t until Jeff tried to pick up oranges with his left hand an hour later, and couldn’t, that they went to the hospital. A CT scan confirmed he’d had a stroke. He couldn’t move his arm or his leg. Raising Two Teenagers From a Hospital Bed Single parent stroke recovery comes with a particular kind of weight: the practical question of who looks after your kids while you can’t. Jeff and his ex-wife were separated but living close by, and when he was hospitalized for three months, she and their children – a boy and a girl, both thirteen at the time – stepped in to support him. She’s been doing a lot for me, and I really appreciate it. What could have been an awkward or strained dynamic instead became a stronger friendship than the one they’d had before the stroke. Jeff is candid about why the timing mattered to him: Thank goodness it happened when I was only fifty-two and not seventy-eight, when they’d got their families all grown up and their own worries. I didn’t want to be a worry to their father. His kids are now nearing graduation, and he stays in touch by text and phone, even though he doesn’t get to see them as often as he’d like. Two Years Learning to Live Again After hospital, Jeff moved into a residential rehabilitation program called Connect Communities, where he spent two years relearning basic independence – from walking to cooking to managing a wheelchair-accessible home. Progress wasn’t linear: partway through, his wheelchair tire caught on a mat and led to a fall that required a hip replacement, adding more recovery time on top of the stroke rehab. The program used occupational therapy milestones to unlock privileges – once he could complete a task within a set time, he earned the ability to grocery shop and cook for himself, working up to preparing a meal every night. That system became his bridge from full-time care toward the assisted living arrangement he’s in now, which he describes less as being stuck and more as “graduating” toward independent living. Managing Pain That Doesn’t Go Away Chronic pain has been one of the harder, more persistent parts of Jeff’s recovery – constant pain and tension on his left side, in his shoulder in particular. After four years of prescribed medication, Jeff made his own decision to stop his pharmaceutical pain pills and manage his pain with medicinal marijuana gummies instead, taken a few times a day. He credits them with helping not just with pain, but with sleep and digestion too. This is Jeff’s personal experience and decision, made under his own judgment about his body after years of living with it post-stroke – not a treatment recommendation, and as always, any change to medication should be made in consultation with your own medical team. A Rebirth, Not Just a Recovery What comes through most clearly in Jeff’s story isn’t the physical rehabilitation – it’s the internal shift alongside it. He describes the last ten years before his stroke as a period of grief he hadn’t fully processed, following the deaths of his mother and sister, and a tendency to put himself first that he says didn’t serve his family. The stroke, paradoxically, became the catalyst for the opposite: I’d like myself again because I know I’m a good person. He talks about his recovery in openly spiritual terms – leaning on his mother’s belief that “everything happens for a reason,” and describing his body’s limitations as temporary: “This is only part of your meat suit.” He’s quick to add that this reframing isn’t about denying the hard days. It’s about noticing small, cumulative wins: Sometimes you’re not aware of what’s happening, and then you think about it – I couldn’t do that yesterday, now I can. What Keeps Him Going Jeff found Recovery After Stroke the same way many listeners do – searching for answers in a hospital bed, trying to understand what had just happened to him. I’ve seen so many other people going through it. It really did help me. Now, four years on, he’s paying that forward by sharing his own story, pain and all, with the same honesty he found helpful when he needed it most. If Jeff’s story resonates with your own recovery – or your own path back to being fully present for the people who depend on you – Bill’s book, The Unexpected Way That A Stroke Became The Best Thing That Happened, digs deeper into this kind of transformation: recoveryafterstroke.com/book. If this show has helped you, you can support it directly at patreon.com/recoveryafterstroke. This blog is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please consult your doctor before making any changes to your health or recovery plan. Jeff Manuel: Raising My Kids Through a Stroke and Learning to Like Myself Again (Interview) A single dad’s 4-year journey from hospital to independence – raising his kids, relearning to cook, and rebuilding who he is. Highlights: 00:00 Jeff’s Journey: Single Parent Stroke Recovery04:01 The Day of the Stroke06:42 Personal Transformation Post-Stroke09:03 Rewiring the Brain and Recovery11:04 Support During Recovery13:32 Mindset and Spiritual Growth15:25 Challenges of Recovery18:52 Personal Transformation and Reflection20:24 Daily Life in Assisted Living24:01 Pain Management and Coping Strategies26:28 Future Aspirations and Independence28:13 Finding Community and Sharing Stories Transcript: Jeff’s Journey: Single Parent Stroke Recovery Jeff Manuel (00:00)Once you get over what has happened, you become a better person. I like myself again because I know I’m a good person. if it takes another four or five years to walk again, it takes that. But if I can get as many tools into my tool chest, I can use later in life. Bill Gasiamis (00:18)Welcome back Recovery After Stroke. I’m Bill Gassiamis. My guest today is Jeff Manuel, a single father of two teenagers who was working two jobs full time in electrical sales plus evening grocery delivery when he had a stroke at 52 that left him with left-side paralysis. Jeff describes his stroke as involving a clot and possibly a bleed as well. The exact clinical picture is something we talked through together in the episode. We get into what it’s like raising teenagers through three months in hospital and two years in residential rehab, and how his relationship with his ex-wife has changed since the stroke, how he’s learned to cook again with one hand and the pain management approach he’s landed for himself after four years of recovery. Quick note before we dive in, if you’re feeling stuck in your own recovery, I now offer one-on-one coaching for stroke survivors. It’s not therapy or medical treatment, it’s lived experience support, structure, accountability, and someone who’s actually been where you are, having survived three strokes myself. I only work with a small number of people at a time, so it stays meaningful. You can apply at recoveryafterstroke.com/momentum. If Jeff’s story resonated with you, I also wrote a book about my own experience called The Unexpected Way. That a stroke became the best thing that happened, it is available at recoveryafterstroke.com/book. And if this show has helped you, you can support it directly at patreon.com/recoveryafterstroke. Here’s my conversation with Jeff. BIll Gasiamis (01:58)Jeff Manuel. Welcome to the podcast. Jeff Manuel (02:01)Thanks for having me. BIll Gasiamis (02:01)Tell me a little bit about what life was like before stroke. What were your daily tasks? What kind of things did you get up to? Jeff Manuel (02:10)at the time I had two jobs. I had full time journal day and then after after the day job I would go and And I was I was before I was in a loop to try to catch up and Provide for my family. BIll Gasiamis (02:22)What kind of jobs did you do? Jeff Manuel (02:23)I was my last job was in sales, electrical sales. And I used to I would pick groceries for customers that were just driving by and picking up the groceries. So I’d pick mostly the the dry goods and have it ready for when they eat when they were ready to pick up the groceries. BIll Gasiamis (02:41)Was that the after hours job? Jeff Manuel (02:42)Pardon me? BIll Gasiamis (02:42)Was that the after hours task? Jeff Manuel (02:45)Yes. BIll Gasiamis (02:45)And how many hours a a week would a day would you say you were working then? Jeff Manuel (02:48)I’d be I’d probably have four four four shifts a week. Sometimes less. BIll Gasiamis (02:53)And on the day of one of your shifts. Jeff Manuel (02:54)It was manageable at the time. BIll Gasiamis (02:56)It was manageable. Jeff Manuel (02:57)Yes. BIll Gasiamis (02:57)And on the day of one of the shifts that you went to your regular job and then you did one of those shifts, how many hours would you say that? Jeff Manuel (03:06)Five hours. I believe I worked the five hours that was on my stroke happened on a Saturday. This was a Friday night. So I believe it was five hours. Cause I was started it at five and I finished at ten. BIll Gasiamis (03:07)The added So with your full time job, the regular job, that would be a normal eight hour day and then you would do an additional five hours? Jeff Manuel (03:30)Yes. BIll Gasiamis (03:30)Okay. And w other than work, what else did you get up to? Jeff Manuel (03:37)I’m a single father of two kids. So as much time as I could spend with him I spent with them even though we were not living in the same house. BIll Gasiamis (03:45)Understood. How old were the kids? Jeff Manuel (03:46)Thirteen. BIll Gasiamis (03:47)Two boys, two girls. Jeff Manuel (03:49)boy to give us BIll Gasiamis (03:50)Sorry, Jeff, what was that? Jeff Manuel (03:51)Boy and a girl, I’m sorry. BIll Gasiamis (03:52)A a boy and a girl. And you were working the extra hours to cover everybody and make sure they had everything they needed. Jeff Manuel (04:00)Yes. The Day of the Stroke BIll Gasiamis (04:01)And what what happened on the day of the stroke, Jeff? Jeff Manuel (04:05)Well, I woke up Saturday morning, everything was fine. Put on the coffee machine. Went and got a quick shower. Packed up my clothes cause I was going to to their house ’cause they lived with their mother in West Kelowna. And I was living in Peachland at the time. So I drove on the highway, popped into McDonald’s, cup of coffee, couple of sandwiches, and then they were just two minute drive away. knock on a door. She opens the door and she says, What the heck happened to you? I said, What do you mean? She said your face is on the ground. My whole left side, I guess, just collapsed. So then she says we’re going to the clinic. Is it okay? So go over does a squeeze test. I mean both hands, fine. And I was walking and talking and doing everything. Like nothing happened yet. I said the only the only issue I had was a little bit of breathing problems a couple of months previous. So we prescribe some inhalers and see if that helps. Mm got the inhalers, tried out an hour later. Didn’t do anything for me. Then I tried picking I had a shift at twelve o’clock and this was probably about eleven. And I went into the kitchen and tried picking up oranges with my left hand and I couldn’t grab it and put it in the bag and she said, We’re going to the hospital. So, okay. Then I was getting worried. So I didn’t know what it was. BIll Gasiamis (05:29)And and then you spent some time in hospital doing tests, were you? Jeff Manuel (05:32)Heard me? BIll Gasiamis (05:32)Then you spent some time at hospital, were they testing you? Jeff Manuel (05:34)Interested C D scan. Then he comes down and tells me that Mr. Manuel you had a stroke. Said okay. And then I still can’t comprehend what that actually meant. But I knew it was something wrong. And it wasn’t till the next day that I couldn’t move my arm or my leg. BIll Gasiamis (05:52)Mm-hmm. And how long ago was that, Jeff? Jeff Manuel (05:56)That was in Right of twenty twenty two. BIll Gasiamis (05:59)March of twenty twenty two. Jeff Manuel (06:01)Yes. BIll Gasiamis (06:01)Got it. And you seem to be quite still significantly emotionally upset about it. Do you find that you’re have a a few challenges about dealing with your emotions? Jeff Manuel (06:11)that’s cool. I’m sorry, Bible is not upset. It’s happiness. BIll Gasiamis (06:18)It’s happiness. Jeff Manuel (06:19)I’ve turned a big corner this year And I’m happy I’m happy where I am I’m happy for who I am This is just temporary. I know that. And I’ve learned to live with it for four years and it’s okay. I’m good. BIll Gasiamis (06:34)Lovely, man. So who are you now? Who are you now that you’re happy with who has turned the corner? Personal Transformation Post-Stroke Jeff Manuel (06:42)I’m I’m more of myself a long time ago with the name. In the last ten years it’s It’s just listening to other people having a broadcast and internalizing it and using it for the good. And trying to help people as much as I can. Even it just means a smile and hey you’re doing a great job. That means the world to people. And for some people they can’t say it, so I’d say it for them. BIll Gasiamis (07:02)Mm. So the the the guy from ten years ago wasn’t happy. What was wrong with that guy? Like what is it that he wasn’t doing that wasn’t serving you? Jeff Manuel (07:15)I wasn’t paying attention to what I had to pay attention to my my wife and kids. I was up north and in the North Territories, which is Canada’s Arctic, for twelve years. Awesome years. Beautiful people. BIll Gasiamis (07:32)And what were you doing there? What was the task? Jeff Manuel (07:35)Doing a couple of different jobs. My last job was I was assistant manager of like a Costco. But it was a a locally owned Inn Valley store, so BIll Gasiamis (07:42)I went Jeff Manuel (07:46)When my boss would be out of town I would have to look after the stores and transfer to other parts of the Arctic. BIll Gasiamis (07:46)And were you away from your family at that time? Did that have you away from your family? Jeff Manuel (07:55)No, my family lived right in the same community, so BIll Gasiamis (07:57)Uh-huh. And what you you weren’t satisfied with the way you were going about life? What was the difference between now and then? Because you’re quite co comfortable suggesting that there’s been a shift, a change? Were how how were you not Jeff Manuel (08:13)I was drinking way too much. And then along with grief. BIll Gasiamis (08:18)What was the grief in relation to? Jeff Manuel (08:19)my mother and my sister had passed away from cancer. But like pretty close to tw twenty years ago now. So and recently it’s been my brother. So it’s been I’ve been thinking a lot about that. BIll Gasiamis (08:32)And were you using alcohol to cope before the stroke? Jeff Manuel (08:34)Yes. BIll Gasiamis (08:35)And did that mess up your relationships? Jeff Manuel (08:36)Not necessarily. BIll Gasiamis (08:37)How how was it that you weren’t doing the right thing by your family? Jeff Manuel (08:41)I’m just thinking more about myself than others. BIll Gasiamis (08:44)Putting yourself first. Jeff Manuel (08:46)Yes. BIll Gasiamis (08:46)Mm-hmm. Got it. And then the stroke happened and how did that change everything? Because the stroke made you unwell. It put you in hospital. But how did that shift the way that you behaved and the the way you went about life? Rewiring the Brain and Recovery Jeff Manuel (09:03)Well, in this is my fourth year, so this year I know that my brain is rewiring itself because I can see minuscule changes every single day. And sometimes you’re not aware of what what what’s happening and well then you think about it and I couldn’t do that yesterday, now I can do it. BIll Gasiamis (09:24)understood. And hello Jeff Manuel (09:26)And it’s a it’s a it’s it’s a positive positive thing that happens to you every single day. BIll Gasiamis (09:32)Got it, I appreciate that. So you’re seeing small significant changes that are adding up and you’re getting results from that. And it’s been for years now. Jeff Manuel (09:40)Yes. I’m happy to say BIll Gasiamis (09:41)Understood. That’s excellent. Now, what kind of stroke was it? Did they determine the cause and have they put you on some kind of medication or program to prevent another one? What was the issue with the stroke? Jeff Manuel (09:54)No, it was a hemorrhagic stroke on the the right side. Yeah, I was prescribed a whole bunch of pills and stuff. I guess it helped at the beginning. I couldn’t tell. BIll Gasiamis (10:03)Did they tell you what caused the brain hemorrhage? Do you know? Jeff Manuel (10:06)the the doctor said said there was a clot in my this part of the artery on the my right side and my neck. And he also told me that I had a heart attack the week before. But I didn’t see it, I think. It was just a mark one, I guess. BIll Gasiamis (10:21)So so was So was it a brain hemorrhage or an ischemic stroke? Jeff Manuel (10:27)Maybe it’s a brain hemorrhage. BIll Gasiamis (10:28)Bleed in the brain? Jeff Manuel (10:29)Yes. BIll Gasiamis (10:30)Okay. But the clot usually refers to an ischemic stroke, which is like a very different from a a bleed on the brain. Jeff Manuel (10:39)No, the it was just the vein that was clouded. BIll Gasiamis (10:41)Uh-huh. As well as a brain hemorrhage. Jeff Manuel (10:43)Yes. BIll Gasiamis (10:43)So you were really going through it. You had a heart attack, a clot issue and a brain hemorrhage all at the same time? Jeff Manuel (10:49)Yes. BIll Gasiamis (10:49)Wow. Under. Got it. So how long did you spend in hospital, Jeff? Jeff Manuel (10:55)I was there from march twelfth to June fourth ninth in the hospital. BIll Gasiamis (11:02)About three months. Support During Recovery Jeff Manuel (11:04)Yes. BIll Gasiamis (11:04)And who was there to support you during that time? Because if you’re if you’re no longer married and you live separately from your your former wife, who was by your side? How how did you get through that time? Jeff Manuel (11:18)That’s funny because it was my ex wife and my children. She would bring in to see me and f they would feed me and look after me. BIll Gasiamis (11:28)That’s very cool. She stepped up. Jeff Manuel (11:31)She did she’ve been doing a lot for me. And I really appreciate it. BIll Gasiamis (11:35)Yeah, that is lovely. And then you left from the hospital. At some point they dismissed you or discharged you. Did you have to go into rehab after that to try and get your your left side up back up on board? Jeff Manuel (11:51)Well, in the hospital I was doing really hard but but I couldn’t I could still couldn’t walk or go up steps or anything, but they applied to put me into Connect. It’s called Connect Communities. And there was a whole bunch of different houses you live in. And it’s like you have your own room, you have your shower days, and you get fed three meals a day. But everything was wheelchair accessible. And it was the best two years I had. There was that place was amazing. The people were amazing. And what they offered ya and taught you was amazing. BIll Gasiamis (12:26)Yeah. It sounds like you’ve gone on qu quite a spiritual kind of shift, some kind of a journey, an internal journey as well as the physical healing of your body. Jeff Manuel (12:35)Exactly. This I can live with. This is only part of your meat suit you’re aiming your leg. It all depends on what’s upstairs and how you can teach p other people to live with what’s happening. BIll Gasiamis (12:49)What’s one of the biggest things that you learnt when you were in there, by the time you left after two years? Because at the beginning I imagine you wouldn’t have been as upbeat, as positive as you are now. Mindset and Spiritual Growth Jeff Manuel (13:02)No, because You still are learning your your limits of being disabled or paralyzed. You still gotta live it’s like a regrowth. You learn from a baby again to crawl and then walk. And it’s like up until then it’s learning you think about things if you have to use the watchroom you think about it like twenty five different times before you actually use it. It’s a like a learning process. And I’m just starting to learn again. BIll Gasiamis (13:37)So it sounds like the biggest recovery that you had that’s been the most meaningful then was that kind of mindset part of your recovery, the spiritual part of your recovery. Jeff Manuel (13:47)I I I think once you get over what has happened, you become a better person. But I I’d like myself again because I know I’m a good person. And if it takes another four or five years to walk again, it takes that. But if I can get as many tools into my tool chest, I can use later in life. BIll Gasiamis (14:09)Yeah. Yeah. And you know what I love about that is you’re kind of setting an example for your kids, right? Y they may not know it and Jeff Manuel (14:16)I tried to my best to set an example because I always said, Thank goodness it happened when I was only fifty two and not seventy eight when they got their families all grown up and their own worries. Didn’t want to be wrong about their father. They stepped up and being adults when they were thirteen. BIll Gasiamis (14:34)Yeah. Were you also a smoker then? Jeff Manuel (14:35)Yes. BIll Gasiamis (14:36)Okay. Jeff Manuel (14:36)I did quit three months before going into hospital but I’m back smoking again, so BIll Gasiamis (14:41)You’re back smoking again at the moment? Jeff Manuel (14:43)Yes. BIll Gasiamis (14:44)And drinking? Jeff Manuel (14:44)The occasional drink. I’ve tested my limitations and see where it led. But I don’t I don’t over anything, I’m sorry. BIll Gasiamis (14:50)Can I be can I be Can I be perfectly blunt with you? Jeff Manuel (14:57)Yes, you can. BIll Gasiamis (14:58)Why don’t you reduce the amount of time it takes for you to get on your feet from four years to a s a shorter amount of time? And the best way to do that and avoid another stroke and be a real example for your kids is to stop smoking and drinking. That’ll make you more in a in put you more in the zone of allowing your brain to heal rather than continuously putting it in a space where healing is not possible. Challenges of Recovery Jeff Manuel (15:25)So understood. BIll Gasiamis (15:26)I know the challenge with smoking and drinking is beyond just putting it down and not touching it. I know it’s linked to a lot of other emotions and a lot of other things. I used to smoke and drink as well. But the work to be done is in the it’s in when you don’t have those things to go back to to regulate your emotions or change your mindset, that’s where the work is need to be done. You need to pick up the skills that make it possible you for you to deal with those particular emotions or those particular things that are going on that make you drink, that make you smoke. And that will enable you to also deal with those challenges of the grief that you’ve suffered in the past. And also will simultaneously make the right environment for healing the brain. And that should speed up the amount of time it takes for you to get back on your feet. Jeff Manuel (16:20)That’s gonna be my start processing. BIll Gasiamis (16:22)Yeah. I thought you know, we’re here to be honest and frank, and you’re being honest and frank. And I thought, well, I might as well just put it out there. There’s a lot of people that want to get better after stroke, and sometimes they’re doing the things that are getting in the way of recovery without realizing that they’re getting in the way of their own recovery. And that’s kinda like my job, you know, is to sort of say, Hey, here’s a mirror, pay attention to this. Have you seen this before? Are you aware of this? And and then that way, maybe together. You know, we’ve learned something today and we can overcome and then we can move forward a little better. Jeff Manuel (16:56)That’s good advice. BIll Gasiamis (16:57)Are you back to independent living now? Jeff Manuel (16:59)No, no, no. I mean long term care. I was in BIll Gasiamis (17:02)Yep. Tell me about that. Jeff Manuel (17:03)It’s it’s it’s it’s good for me right now for what I need. two years ago I had broken my my hip, so I had to get a hip replacement. So it was extremely hard trying to get your legs into the bed. BIll Gasiamis (17:17)Did you have a fall because of the stroke? Jeff Manuel (17:20)Not because of the stroke, but there was a a mat that that my tire got jammed into. BIll Gasiamis (17:26)The wheelchair tire. Jeff Manuel (17:27)Yeah. BIll Gasiamis (17:29)man, I got it. Jeff Manuel (17:30)It just slowed down my my mobility a bit in my rehab of the the walking but but it was okay. I got through it. BIll Gasiamis (17:42)Got it. And they did a they did a hip replacement. Jeff Manuel (17:46)Yes. BIll Gasiamis (17:46)Understood. So then there was some rehabilitation associated to the hip replacement as well to get you back on your feet. Jeff Manuel (17:55)Well, caught sorta say get me on my feet, get me in the wheelchair. Yeah. it was another six weeks in hospital. BIll Gasiamis (18:00)Yeah, got it. Okay. Yeah. You had a quite a journey, man. Like a lot of sort of downtime as a result of this condition and then all the little complications and bumps in the road. How have you sort of dealt with that mentally? Have you had somebody to talk to? Have you done some therapy? Like how is it that you’ve been been managing to, you know, wrap your head around all of this stuff? Jeff Manuel (18:30)and my mom always had a good say and she said everything happens for a reason. We just don’t know what that reason is at that time. And it’s like, okay, this had happened to me, so now I’m getting to learn why it happened because this is the rebirth of me. In my journey. I’m not the guy I was four years ago or five years ago. I’m me now. Somebody different. Personal Transformation and Reflection BIll Gasiamis (18:52)Mm-hmm. Had you had you in those last ten years before the stroke, had you forgotten about that side of you, that kind of spiritual element of you that you’ve rediscovered? Was it lost in the grief and in the drinking and in the all the work? Jeff Manuel (19:09)It went away somewhere, I don’t know exactly where it went, but it went away. You know, being being on this on this side of the the grass, I guess, I don’t know how you would say it, but going through the healthcare system, you get to see a whole lot of people. And y and you you can sense their their expressions and stuff. A lot of good people. A lot of good people too. BIll Gasiamis (19:32)How’s your relationship with with your former wife and kids now? Are they nearby? Do you see them often? Jeff Manuel (19:37)And they are nearby, but I don’t see as often as you want. I see at least probably about once a month. Well, we’re in contact, we text each other and phone each other every now and then. to graduate next year, so BIll Gasiamis (19:47)Are the kids in school? they’re graduating, so they’ve been busy with school and Jeff Manuel (19:53)Their friends and stuff, so BIll Gasiamis (19:54)Pretty normal. Jeff Manuel (19:56)Yeah, that’s normal teenagers. BIll Gasiamis (19:57)Yeah, understood. And your relationship with your ex wife, is it very cordial? Do you guys get along, even though you guys are exes and Jeff Manuel (20:05)Yeah. Yeah, we get we always got along, but we’ve been way better friends the last couple of years. BIll Gasiamis (20:14)Yeah. That sounds like it’s a it’s a great relief for you. And also she’s able to really kinda take care and help out with the children. Jeff Manuel (20:24)Exactly. Daily Life in Assisted Living BIll Gasiamis (20:24)What is a day like in your facility there where you live? What what do you guys get up to? How do they keep you occupied? What’s it what’s that like? Jeff Manuel (20:33)There is a there’s a you have breakfast at eight to ten and then lunches from twelve to one and dinners from five to six. And then you have the rec department that do little games and stuff in the activity room. I usually go out and and enjoy the fresh air and the sun. It’s warming up here. much fresh year and San John I can get the better. BIll Gasiamis (20:55)And And do you have a few people that live in the facility with you? Is it quite a large facility? How many people are in there? Jeff Manuel (21:05)yeah, there’s three different floors. I’m on the main floor. And there’s probably BIll Gasiamis (21:10)Mm-hmm. Jeff Manuel (21:13)Probably two hundred people, two fifty in three floors. BIll Gasiamis (21:16)Mm-hmm. A lot of people that I’ve spoken to in the past about those types of facilities get really down about They kind of don’t feel like they should be there or need to be there. How do you manage being there? Jeff Manuel (21:29)I’m not totally at the point where I can go live by myself. Right now I still need I still need this. Until I can afford something that is realistic. And you have to be realistic. You gotta think about things a hundred and fifty times more than you would regularly think about things. BIll Gasiamis (21:34)So it’s a cent. Jeff Manuel (21:47)I can still cook, but Right now I gotta concentrate on being me. BIll Gasiamis (21:51)And getting better. And getting back on your feet. Jeff Manuel (21:54)Exactly. BIll Gasiamis (21:54)So you can still cook, which is awesome. So you adapted to cooking with one arm? Jeff Manuel (21:59)yeah, no problem. As long as you you know what you can do, your limitations, you can do anything. BIll Gasiamis (22:04)What’s the hardest part about preparing food with one arm? Jeff Manuel (22:07)Well, you it’s pretty hard to make a salad with one arm ’cause you can’t hold the tomato or the cucumber with the other. That’s about it. That’s where you get the you can get these the plastic cutting boards that have spikes in So you just lay out your vegetables. And then you can use the one hand to cut it off. BIll Gasiamis (22:27)And is cooking encouraged to cook for yourself or is that just part of your occupational therapy? Jeff Manuel (22:34)at Connect you kinda you led up to being able to cook so the O T would give you a certain task and if you could achieve that task within a certain time limit you you would get X amount of dollars per week to go grocery shopping so you could cook for yourself. usually and every night I would cook a meal for myself. And then that graduated into becoming more self sufficient for myself so I could go in assisted living. So they found a place on the west side in assisted living and I lived there for a year and two years. BIll Gasiamis (22:55)And the Jeff Manuel (23:09)Like just threw you throws your curveball. BIll Gasiamis (23:11)Yeah, it sure does. Jeff Manuel (23:11)And up there, but but you know what? I kinda like it. Because you get to meet people, you have discussions. When you when you’re dying for communication You can talk to anybody. BIll Gasiamis (23:22)Yeah. Your facility there, there’s is there a lot of downtime? Do you guys get to intermingle and connect with each other and share spaces together? Jeff Manuel (23:34)Yeah. We can do that. Until we up in the morning and that we go to bed tonight. BIll Gasiamis (23:40)Yeah. So it sounds like it’s the great kind of a great place for you, like a a like a space between being independent again to kind of help you get through all the things you need to get through before you qu kind of was it like graduate to independence, I suppose. Is that like i is w is that how you would describe it? Pain Management and Coping Strategies Jeff Manuel (24:01)That’s that’s pretty good. I think to me now mentally the better I can become, the better my whole body will become. BIll Gasiamis (24:08)Hmm. What would be the hardest part of this stroke journey for you that that you kind of would be able to recall from all of this journey, the thing that was the hardest for you to deal with or overcome or or be challenged by? Jeff Manuel (24:24)Still still deal with the post stroke pain. It’s the hardest. BIll Gasiamis (24:30)The fatigue. Jeff Manuel (24:31)The the constant pain. BIll Gasiamis (24:33)the pain. Yep. Is that on your left side? Jeff Manuel (24:35)And arm, leg and shoulder, yeah, all on the left side. BIll Gasiamis (24:39)Do they medicate you for that? Do they try and give you some kind of pain relief? Jeff Manuel (24:43)No, I found my own. More medicine. BIll Gasiamis (24:45)Understood. And is that manageable then now the pain? Does it kind of help ease the pain? Jeff Manuel (24:50)Yes, it does. BIll Gasiamis (24:51)Okay. Jeff Manuel (24:52)It eases it away for me and and helps me not think about it. BIll Gasiamis (24:57)Uhhuh. Understood. So is the smoking related to medic medicinal marijuana, perhaps? Jeff Manuel (25:04)No, I ’cause I don’t smoke it. I it’s take the gummies. BIll Gasiamis (25:07)okay. So it’s it’s medicinal marijuana then. Jeff Manuel (25:09)Yeah. Well it’s all legal in Canada, so BIll Gasiamis (25:11)The the Yeah, it’s legal almost everywhere now. And it sounds like it’s actually very supportive of a lot of people that gummies sin seem to be a good alternative to you know, like the the Yeah. Or and also for some people it seems to be a better solution than the pharmaceutical painkillers. Jeff Manuel (25:25)Smoking it. Yeah, these are I I g I s had to stop taking my pharmaceutical pills altogether. BIll Gasiamis (25:40)Why were they causing Jeff Manuel (25:41)After af after four years I should know what’s happening to my body. I didn’t feel no but it no better after four years of taking the drugs. So I decided no more drugs. I’ll just have a gummy, figure out how I feel. BIll Gasiamis (25:53)Yeah. Jeff Manuel (25:57)Yes, this is working. I like it. BIll Gasiamis (25:59)How often do you have to take it? Jeff Manuel (26:01)Mm. Wait, four four times a day. BIll Gasiamis (26:03)Okay. So you notice when it’s starting to wear off? Jeff Manuel (26:06)Yeah, it’s only when it comes to extremes that it would take another BIll Gasiamis (26:09)And it helps you sleep, I imagine. Jeff Manuel (26:10)It helps the whole body. From your digestion and it has helped me. BIll Gasiamis (26:14)Yeah. Jeff Manuel (26:14)And actually sleep also. Sleeping eight, nine hours a day. BIll Gasiamis (26:17)Wow, that’s great, man. Do you have a lot of contact with your medical team, the people who helped you through the early phases? Do you have regular follow ups or anything like that to check in with them? Future Aspirations and Independence Jeff Manuel (26:28)No, sir. I haven’t once. BIll Gasiamis (26:30)Does does the facility there have medical professionals that you can access? Jeff Manuel (26:33)Yes. Does the doctor assigned to me? That comes every supposed to come up every three or four weeks. BIll Gasiamis (26:41)So what’s one of the things that you hope to do after you graduate from being in assisted care to being in independent living? Jeff Manuel (26:52)It’d probably have to be assist lived against. BIll Gasiamis (26:54)So again. Jeff Manuel (26:55)Assisted living. BIll Gasiamis (26:56)Yeah. My question was when you do kind of graduate from being in the assisted living to being independent in your own place again, what’s something that you’re kind of looking forward to be able to do? Jeff Manuel (27:10)The independence BIll Gasiamis (27:11)Can you have guests come and visit you at the facility that you’re at and hang out with you for the day? Jeff Manuel (27:18)Yeah. And if I want, I can transfer in the vehicle and we can go somewhere else. BIll Gasiamis (27:23)Understood. So Jeff, somehow you came across my podcast. What was it that made you do the search and find it? Jeff Manuel (27:29)Well, as soon as I was when I was in the hospital I started searching up stroke and disability and everything started popping up on my YouTube page and then I seen podcast recovery after stroke, so I started watching it and within the last year seen so many other people going through what you you’re going through. It inspired me. It really did help me. BIll Gasiamis (27:59)And then you thought it was time to tell your story. Jeff Manuel (28:00)Yes. BIll Gasiamis (28:01)Yeah. Good move. I really appreciate you reaching out, letting me know what was happening to you, what you were going through, and also joining me on the podcast. Thank you so much for your time. Finding Community and Sharing Stories Jeff Manuel (28:13)Thank you, Bill. Bill Gasiamis (28:14)Well, thanks so much to Jeff for coming on the show and being so open about what the last four years have actually looked like. The hospital stay, the rehab, the setbacks, and the mindset shifts that came with all of that. If there’s one thing to take from this conversation, it’s Jeff’s line. I’d like myself again because I know I’m a good person. That’s recovery in a sentence. Not just getting your body back, but finding your way back to yourself. If you’re feeling stuck in your own recovery the way Jeff once did, I offer one-on-one coaching for stroke survivors, structure, accountability, and support from someone who’s lived it. You can apply at recoveryafterstroke.com/momentum. If you’re a parent navigating your own recovery or you know someone who is, please share this episode with them. My book, The Unexpected Way That a Stroke Became the Best Thing That Happened. is now available at recoveryafterstroke.com/book. And if this show has helped you, you can support it at patreon.com/recoveryafterstroke. Thanks for listening. I’ll see you in the next episode. The post Jeff Manuel: Raising My Kids Through a Stroke and Learning to Like Myself Again appeared first on Recovery After Stroke.

On this week's episode of The Rural Woman Podcast™, you'll meet Kass Patterson.Kass is a broadcaster and storyteller who has spent her career sharing community voices and offering a behind-the-scenes look at the world of chuckwagon racing with the World Professional Chuckwagon Association since 2019. Passionate about mental health and the healing power of horses, she uses her platforms in both social and legacy media to connect audiences with authentic stories from the track, the barn, and beyond.For full show notes, including links mentioned in the show, head over to wildrosefarmer.com/238 . . .THIS WEEK'S DISCUSSIONS:[08:09] - Transitioning from Agriculture to Journalism[17:41] - Introduction to Western Sports and Personal Journey[26:40] - The Importance of Horses in Western Sports[33:49] - The Impact of Chuck Wagon Racing Stories[37:01] - The Impact of Loss in Western Sports[40:22] - Transitioning to Summer Adventures. . .This week's episode is brought to you by Patreon . . .Let's get SocialFollow The Rural Woman Podcast on Social MediaInstagram | FacebookSign up to get email updatesJoin our private Facebook group, The Rural Woman Podcast Community Connect with Katelyn on Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest. . .Support the ShowPatreon | PayPal | Become a Show SponsorLeave a Review on Apple Podcasts | Take the Listener SurveyScreenshot this episode and share it on your socials!Tag @TheRuralWomanPodcast + #TheRuralWomanPodcast. . .Meet the TeamAudio Editor | MixBär.Patreon Executive ProducersSarah R. | Happiness by The Acre. . .More with KatelynOne on One Podcast Consulting | Learn More

Robin Catalano is the founder of Robin Catalano Digital and Content Marketing, where she helps small and mid-sized businesses, particularly women-led brands, discover and express their unique voices through powerful storytelling and smart strategy.    Robin has written over 1,000 blog posts, published more than 75 articles, and edited more than 350 books for top-tier publishers like Penguin Random House, Simon & Schuster, and Workman.   As the travel editor for Greylock Glass, she explores lesser-known destinations throughout the Northeastern U.S., bringing rich, narrative depth to her features.    She emphasizes the importance of investing in quality services, staying authentic to one's business path rather than mimicking others, and being generous with connections and referrals.    Her structured morning routine, which includes journaling, reading, and meditation, fuels her creativity and focus.   Website: Robin Catalano  LinkedIn: Robin Catalano   Previous Episode: iam352-creative-content-writer-tells-stories-to-connect-communities-and-culture   Check out our CEO Hack Buzz Newsletter–our premium newsletter with hacks and nuggets to level up your organization. Sign up HERE.  I AM CEO Handbook Volume 3 is HERE and it's FREE. Get your copy here: http://cbnation.co/iamceo3. Get the 100+ things that you can learn from 1600 business podcasts we recorded. Hear Gresh's story, learn the 16 business pillars from the podcast, find out about CBNation Architects and why you might be one and so much more. Did we mention it was FREE? Download it today!

In the episode of Pinoys in Australia, let's get to know Niño Deomano, who migrated from the Philippines to New Zealand and later moved to Australia. What challenges did he face, and how uses singing to serve the Filipino community? - Sa episode ng Pinoys in Australia, kilalanin natin si Niño Deomano na nag-migrate mula Pilipinas pa-New Zealand at lumipat sa Australia. Ano nga ba ang mga hamon at paano ito nakapapagsilbi sa Filipino community?

In this episode, we sit down with Janet Wile, Supervisor of Library Services for Central Unified School District in Fresno, California. Janet's journey has taken her from history teacher to passionate advocate for school libraries and literacy programs. IN THIS EPISODE, WE DISCUSS:Janet's innovative programs that get students excited about readingThe challenges of encouraging literacy in a "book desert” Partnering with Reading is Fundamental (RIF) and its effect on studentsThe importance of creating welcoming, inclusive library spacesThe role of school libraries in providing safe spaces for studentsJanet offers us her incredible insights into building community connections through literacy and the power of putting books directly into students' hands. Her work highlights the transformative impact of innovative library programs on entire school communities.GUEST BIO:Janet Wile is the Supervisor of Library Services for Central Unified School District located in Fresno, CA.  She was the Teacher Librarian at Central East High School for thirteen years where she created long lasting programs, Athletes as Readers and Leaders (now in its 15th year), Slammin' in Your Library (now in its 18th year) and was well regarded for her collaborative lessons in all subject areas. In 2014 Janet moved to the district office to oversee twenty two school libraries as well as Instructional Materials. Janet was fortunate to be a participant in the Lilead Fellows Program, an intensive professional development program which brought together district library supervisors from all over the country to equip and empower them to be effective leaders for change in their districts.  Her work in Lilead altered her advocacy including the role of Teacher Librarians in her district as well as expanded library hours for all sites.Janet is also an instructor in the Teacher Librarian Credential Program at Fresno Pacific University, and well as a member of the California Recommended Literature List Committee. Janet served for five years on the California Young Reader Medal Committee and then served as Co-Administrator of the committee for five years.  Janet lives with her two beloved dogs and according to her co-workers, has more library t-shirts than anyone else they know.RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:Send Janet and email at jwile@centralunified.comLearn more about the Rebel Project Literacy Curriculum, a fully integrated literacy and project based learning curriculum, at  projectup.us or inkwire.co/rplc Get your copy of Rebel Educator: Create Classrooms Where Impact and Imagination MeetLearn more about Rebel Educator, explore our professional development opportunities for educators and students, and check out our project library.Visit us at UP Academy to learn more about our personalized and inclusive learning environment.Connect with Tanya and UP Academy on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram and learn more about her journey here.Enjoying the show? Leave us a rating and review and help more people find us!bit.ly/RebelEducatorApplePodcastsWe'd love it if you could take a few minutes to fill out this survey to let us know how we can bring you the best possible content: forms.gle/JcKHf9DHTZnYUmQr6 Interested in being on the Rebel Educator podcast? Fill out this form and we'll reach out to you if we think you'd be a great fit for an upcoming episode. https://forms.gle/CZJXLQDdevPh22ZN7Want to learn more about opening your own UP Academy? Check out the Rebel Educator Accelerator:www.rebeleducator.com/courses/the-acceleratorMORE ABOUT THE REBEL EDUCATOR PODCAST:In each episode of the Rebel Educator podcast, I deconstruct world-class educators, students, and thought leaders in education to extract the tactics, tools, and routines that you can use as teachers and parents. Join me as we discuss how to shift the classroom, the learning environment, the mindset, and the pedagogy, to resist tradition, reignite wonder, and re-imagine the future of education.This podcast is dedicated to all of the educators who work thankless hours to make our next generation the best it can be.  It was designed to begin conversations on how we can redesign education for the future of work and the success of our students.  It is meant for teachers, students, administrators, homeschoolers and anyone who interacts with and teaches youth.

On this week's episode of The Publisher Podcast by Media Voices, we hear from Rhiannon J Davies, Founder and Editor at Greater Govanhill, a community magazine and media project. Launched in 2020 in the middle of the pandemic, it now has a website, radio show, award-winning podcast and community newsroom space, as well as doing events, training, workshops and outreach with marginalised communities. Rhiannon also established the Scottish Beacon, which is a collaborative of independent, community-based publications all around Scotland. Rhiannon goes behind the scenes on the logistics of producing a free bimonthly magazine, from local ad and membership revenue to grants for projects, as well as her dedication to maintaining quality, and the importance of offering a platform for voices not usually heard in the media. She also explains her ambition to support other local publications through collaboration and amplify stories which come out of local communities. This season is sponsored by BlueConic, the operating system that puts data into action for marketing and growth doers. The industry-first solution empowers doers with an unmatched range of capabilities to access relevant customer data, create resonant customer experiences, and drive maximum returns for their business. More than 500 businesses worldwide rely on BlueConic to unlock their full customer data potential, including Forbes, Heineken, Mattel, Michelin, Telia Company, and VF Corp.

Henry Lake talks with Melanin in Motion Founder Anthony Taylor about breaking stereotypes, the importance of connecting Black, Indigenous, and POC youth, adults, and families to active living and personal development in nature, outdoors, and adventure-based experience, the Burton Mystery Series, visit their websites https://www.melanininmotion.org/ and https://burtonmysteryseriestheow24.splashthat.com/

St. Anthony and surrounding areas are about to get a new public transit system. The Northpine Foundation and St. Anthony Basin Resources Inc. announced the investment on Wednesday. SABRI Transit Solutions will receive $250,000 over the next two years for the project. The system will connect about 600 residents living and working in St. Anthony and the surrounding region, Chris Mitchelmore is the Executive Director of St. Anthony Basin Resources Inc.

Zayo's BEAD in the Box program, makes the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program withing easier reach of the ISP community, Practical steps in Bridging the Digital Divide Its one thing to allocate money to help revitalize rural America. It's a whole other challenge to turn those investments into connectivity. In this podcast, Bill Long, Chief Product and Strategy Officer at Zayo discusses how Zayo is helping make the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program work at the grassroots level with the BEAD in the Box program. According to Long, the Internet is the highway of today's economy. That highway passes right through rural America, but too often lacks an exit ramp. Too many communities have been left behind, while a digital divide has emerged. The divide impacts lives, limiting economic opportunity, income growth and more, in many places. New legislation designed to deliver connectivity, has a speedbump. It might seem too daunting for an ISP to apply. In this podcast Long discusses how Zayo's Bead in the Box, changes the math on that problem. “Those local ISPs are great candidates for this $43 billion BEAD funding,” says Long. “Zayo has what we're calling Bead in the Box, where if you reach out to our team, we can help. We can partner with you to go and apply together for those funds.” The funds can help ISPs build to homes and businesses in rural areas, while Zayo's program helps ISPs have an easier time journeying through the application process. On June 16, 2023, Zayo was awarded $92.9 million as part of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Middle Mile Grant Program. NTIA received more than 260 applications, collectively requesting $7.47 billion from the $1 billion available and Zayo is the only national provider to receive this funding. The funding will be used to build critical middle-mile connections, providing broadband connectivity for those in need. Without extensive middle-mile network enhancements, it becomes difficult and costly to establish reliable networks in underserved and unserved communities. Learn more about BEAD in the Box Visit https://www.zayo.com/

This week on the podcast, Christopher talks with Joshua Edmonds, CEO of DigitalC, a nonprofit in Cleveland, Ohio, dedicated to bridging the digital divide. DigitalC provides fast, affordable internet at $18/month, along with digital literacy training and device deployment. They've recently secured a $20 million contract from the city to expand their infrastructure, aiming to connect 23,000 households in 18 months. Christopher and Joshua stress the importance of prioritizing people over profit, emphasizing the need to serve unserved and underserved populations to comprehensively address the digital divide. ★ Support this podcast ★

Connecting communities with composting programs, all across Labrador. We hear from an environmental consultant with dreams of making that happen.

In this episode we chat with Danielle Katz of Rivers for Change. This inspiring nonprofit uses the power of adventure, conservation, and education to foster a deep connection between communities and rivers, all while promoting the essential concept of source to sea literacy. Danielle's lifelong passion for the water blossomed from her earliest memories, when at just four months old, she experienced the river through her dads white water rafting company. As her love for rivers grew, she embarked on a transformative journey in 2009, paddling source to sea down the mighty Mississippi River. This experience shifted her perspective on how we should interact with these precious waterways. Inspired to do something about it, Danielle co-founded Rivers for Change, merging her love for adventure with her dedication to conservation. Now, 14 years later, they are changing the way people perceive and engage with water through their impactful source to sea grants, river cleanups, and Sea School program. If you've ever wondered about the transformative power of water and how it unites us all, then this one's for you! Life in Motion is brought to you by Actual Outdoors. They help build beautiful brands that highlight the approachable and authentic parts of outdoor recreation. Said simply - they “keep it real”. Find them online at actualoutdoors.com or on Instagram at @actualoutdoors.  Tweet us and let us know what you think of this episode! @illuminecollect Find more episodes at www.illuminecollect.com/blogs/life-in-motion-podcast Since 2017 Illumine has donated over $30,655 to outdoor nonprofits and shared over 153 stories on the Life in Motion Podcast.

At first glance Schenectady, New York, may seem an unlikely place to be on the leading edge of technological innovation. But the leafy, mid-sized city, which sits about 160 miles north of Manhattan, is quickly becoming a smart city: building and adding far-reaching enhancements to its infrastructure and municipal operations that, according to Police Chief Eric Clifford, improve everything from public safety to climate-change resilience. On this episode of The Big REthink, Clifford joins host Susan Campbell to discuss how he and his colleagues are transforming Schenectady, and what other cities can learn.

This podcast is a commentary and does not contain any copyrighted material of the reference source. We strongly recommend accessing/buying the reference source at the same time. ■Reference Source https://www.ted.com/talks/johanna_figueira_simple_effective_tech_to_connect_communities_in_crisis ■Post on this topic (You can get FREE learning materials!) https://englist.me/99-academic-words-reference-from-johanna-figueira-simple-effective-tech-to-connect-communities-in-crisis--ted-talk/ ■Youtube Video https://youtu.be/EILCl5q9YYA (All Words) https://youtu.be/WANusyJCg_c (Advanced Words) https://youtu.be/4Gc1wFhNJ0s (Quick Look) ■Top Page for Further Materials https://englist.me/ ■SNS (Please follow!)

Today we interview Chelas Montanye, Co-Founder and Creative Art Director for Art of Recycle, about their unique community center. We'll talk about their free community arts activities, the unique ways they help teachers, and how they creatively repurpose resources that are destined for the landfill. To support Art of Recycle and discover more ways to help, visit: https://artofrecycle.org/To learn more about the show, view transcripts, and more visit:https://www.actsofimpact.comSpecial thanks to Chelas and the Art of Recycle team. Music by Alex Grohls.

Ken talks with Terra Osman, Founder, Farmish App  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

MHD and Co-Host, Chavonne Taylor, speak with Denise Carlos and Hector Flores from Las Cafeteras, a powerful band from East LA that crosses and blends various styles and genres from Afro-Mexican to Rock to HipHop to Soul to Punk to Cumbia and many more. They've performed with legendary artists such as Common, Lila Downs, Ozomatli, and Los Lobos (just to name a few). Denise Carlos is lead vocalist and lyricist for the band and holds her Master's degree in Clinical social work. Hector Flores is an Artistic Director and Co-Founder of Las Cafeteras. He was also an organizer for over 10 years in East and South LA before transitioning to his career as a musician. www.lascafeteras.com

This episode features John Putnam, director of UniCity – the smart city division at Cincinnati Bell, now known as Altafiber. We discuss UniCity's 3,000 public Wi-Fi hotspots and how the division engages partners on providing connectivity and digital training services across its service areas in Northern Kentucky, and Cincinnati and Dayton, Ohio. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this episode, we explore the power of language, and the importance of using humanizing language in journalism. My guest is Aubrey Nagle, editor of Reframe at Resolve Philly  – “an initiative that aims to help journalists more fairly and accurately report on misrepresented and excluded communities.” In our conversation, we focus on the importance of recognizing the humanity in the sources and stories journalists cover, and we discuss how we all can elevate humanity, connect with fellow community members, and de-prioritize misinformation and false equivalencies by using humanizing language. Find out more about Reframe @ReframeNews

In our conversation Paige shares the inspiration for starting Naborforce and the lightbulb moment that gave her the idea for a business model and the confidence to make her idea a reality. Naborforce is an online platform that connects “nabors” to seniors requesting help for everyday tasks such as  household chores, groceries and  driving. “Nabors” get extra income and a meaningful way to connect to people in their community. Paige's finance experience gave her the skills to research the market and create a business model that fit the varying market needs by region.  Today, NaborForce offers  standard hourly pricing or monthly plans and packages so seniors can get assistance from a trusted network of care providers. Naborforce is also signing up partnerships with employers so employees can get help balancing work with the type of caregiving activities that often push stretched employees to leave their jobs.  In our conversation, Paige shares the milestones in getting Naborforce started, how she is building her business and her expansion plans. We love Naborforce's mission and are thrilled to share this conversation with you! Follow us on IG for updates @meantforit

Catherine Cathers, an Arts and Culture specialist located in the city of Coral Gables, joins in to discuss the projects that she has administered. The Covid-19 pandemic has affected many communities in negative ways, increasing anxiety and depression on a nationwide scale. Art and music are the perfect way to bridge the gap between communities that can no longer communicate face-to-face. Listen in to our podcast to find out how projects overseen by Mrs. Cathers have bridged this divide and how the art scene aims to bring people together even in the roughests of times. Music: Ruby Electric - Blue Whale (Premium Beat)

Dr. Lilian Pintea of the Jane Goodall Institute joins us this week on The Lookfar Podcast: Voices from the Wild. From his upbringing in rural Moldova and Romania to his studies at Moscow State University and the University of Minnesota, Lilian has long been passionate about wild animals and their habitats. As Vice President for Conservation Science at the Jane Goodall Institute, Lilian has spent nearly twenty years applying satellite imagery and other remote sensing and data integration technologies to Dr. Goodall's community-led conservation work in Gombe National Park, Tanzania and throughout the chimpanzee range in Africa.

In this episode, we explore the importance of making connections across sectors to achieving healthy communities. Our guest is Nang Mo Kham, senior health specialist at the World Bank, based in Myanmar. Nang sees herself as someone who can help establish a system that knits together local services, including education, public health, and others, to improve access for everyone, no matter their social status, background, or ethnicity - and thus improve the overall health of her community. This is Civity week on NIC. Civity is a culture of deliberately engaging in relationships of respect and empathy with others who are different. Nang's work aligns with the civity principles of building relational infrastructure to bridge difference and move from us-vs-them to ‘we all belong.' We are also joined in this episode by Civity intern, Maya Fiorella.

Laura Claster Bisesto is Head of Policy & Privacy at Nextdoor, where she leads Nextdoor's privacy counseling program and is responsible for developing Nextdoor's global product policy, public policy, and government relations programs. Laura has extensive experience advising technology companies at different stages of growth, including Lyft, Checkr and Verizon Media, which owns internet brands such as Yahoo, Aol, HuffPost, TechCrunch, and Tumblr, prior to divestiture. Prior to going into tech, Laura spent five years as a Deputy District Attorney in San Diego and San Francisco counties where she served as lead prosecutor in over two dozen jury trials with charges that ranged from misdemeanors to serious and violent felonies. Laura received her J.D. from U.C. Hastings. In law school, she externed for California Supreme Court Chief Justice Ronald M. George, and after law school, she clerked for the California Supreme Court's criminal central staff.   Laura is a proud Bruin and received her undergraduate degree from UCLA. Laura lives in Orinda with her husband and son. She serves on the UC Hastings Alumni Association Board of Governors and volunteers on the Board of Directors of the San Francisco Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), an organization that supports foster youth through advocacy and mentorship. Help us grow! Leave us a rating and review - it's the best way to bring new listeners to the show. Don't forget to subscribe! Have a suggestion, or want to chat with Jim? Email him at Jim@ThePoliticalLife.net  Follow The Political Life on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter for weekly updates.

Rhinelander woman who run an in-home daycare faces felony counts of second degree sexual assault and using a computer to facilitate a sex crime Wisconsin lawmakers set to vote on police reform measures and bills making it more difficult to vote absentee Three Lakes joins Connect Communities program to revitalize the downtown area Local health departments offer vaccine clinics today and tomorrow

Today's conversation is with Fahan Ahmed, one of 14 African women who form Magnificent Mamma's Kitchen, an employment program with the City of Moonee Valley, providing culturally appropriate (and DELICIOUS) food to local residents impacted by the pandemic. Fahan is from Somalia via Egypt and she's made a good life for herself and her six children in Melbourne. At the same time, she speaks of July's sudden lockdown of housing towers in Flemington and North Melbourne as traumatic, shocking and discriminatory. She wants to use her food as a medium to connect communities and her big ambition is to see her chilli sauce eaten and enjoyed far and wide.https://mvcc.vic.gov.au/magnificent-mammas-kitchen/Follow Dirty Linen on Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/deepintheweedspodcast/?hl=enFollow Danihttps://www.instagram.com/danivalentFollow Deep In The Weeds on Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/deepintheweedspodcast/?hl=enFollow Rob Locke (Executive Producer)https://www.instagram.com/foodwinedine/Follow Huck (Executive Producer)https://www.instagram.com/huckstergram/

Colleen Jennings-Roggensack, arts leader and visionary, is Vice President for Cultural Affairs for Arizona State University and Executive Director of ASU Gammage. In this inspiring and warm conversation, Colleen speaks with Hal about the safety measures she’s implementing for ASU’s audiences, the educational and outreach programs she is championing for children and families, and the thing she’s most hoping will change about the theatre in her lifetime. Colleen has artistic, fiscal and administrative responsibility for the historic Frank Lloyd Wright designed ASU Gammage, ASU Kerr Cultural Center, with responsibility for Sun Devil Stadium and Desert Financial Arena for non-athletic activities. She oversees the activation and transformation of Sun Devil Stadium into a year-round hub of cultural activity as ASU 365 Community Union. Colleen was also appointed by ASU President Michael Crow to co-lead the Advisory Council on African American Affairs. The council will enhance diversity, growth and opportunity for Black undergraduate and graduate students, faculty and staff. She serves on The Broadway League's Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Committee, Government Relations Committee, the Executive Committee and the Board of Governors, Labor Committee and co-chairs the Legislative Council and Road Presenters/Intra-Industry Committee and is Arizona's only Tony voter. Colleen is a founding and current member of the Creative Capital Board and Senior Advisor to Women of Color in the Arts, former Association of Performing Arts Professionals board president, served on the National Council on the Arts at the bequest of President Clinton and is a Life Director of the Fiesta Bowl. She is a consultant to universities, international governments and a featured speaker at conferences. In 2020, she has served on multiple panels addressing human rights, justice, diversity, equity and inclusion and the future of Broadway; including interviews with W. Kamau Bell and Tony Award director Kenny Leon related to the pandemic of racism; and participated in the TheaterMakers Summit on getting Broadway touring productions back on the road. Colleen is the recipient of numerous awards including the 2020 National Coalition of 100 Black Women Education Legend, 2019 Valley Leadership Woman of the Year, 2019 ASU West Pioneer Award, National Society of Arts and Letters Medallion of Merit, Valle del Sol’s Mom of the Year, APAP Fan Taylor Award, Black Philanthropy Initiative Honor, The Broadway League's Outstanding Achievement in Presenter Management and Arizona's Governor’s Arts Award. In 2012, The Arizona Republic recognized Colleen for Arizona’s 100th Anniversary as one of the individuals who had the greatest impact in the era. Follow Colleen on Instagram @CJRoggensack. Look out for ASU’s upcoming season of performances at https://www.asugammage.com/. For all things Broadway Biz, visit our Instagram @BroadwayBizPodcast or our website broadwaybizpodcast.com. Have a question for Hal or a topic you'd like him to explore? Send Hal an email at broadwaybiz@halluftig.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on the Tales of a Red Clay Rambler Podcast I have an interview with Sharif Bey. Bey has extensive experience in ceramics/sculpture, art community programming, and art teacher training, all of which he utilizes in his role as an associate professor of Art Education at Syracuse University. His recent work includes figurative sculpture and large-scale ceramic necklaces that address identity and adornment. In our interview we talk about helping teachers prepare for K-12 classrooms, balancing theory and application in art education teacher training, and his interest in West African nkisi power figures. To see examples of Sharif’s work visit www.sharifbeyceramics.com/   On today’s Amaco Community Corkboard we have the Show Us Your Glaze photo contest. For this year’s celebration the Clay Week organization (@clay_week) is teaming up with Ceramic Materials Workshop to host a photo contest featuring your favorite glazes. To enter post an image on Instagram of a pot with your favorite glaze along with the recipe. You will be entered to win $200 towards an online glaze chemistry workshop with Ceramic Materials Workshop (@ceramicmaterialsworkshop). Make sure to use the hashtag #showusyourglaze and #clayweek2020 so we can find your submission. Post your entry by October 2nd at midnight to be eligible. To find out more about Clay Week visit www.clayweek.org.   Michiana Pottery tour is a proud sponsor of the Tales of a Red Clay Rambler podcast. Join 26 potters from around the country for the 9th-annual Michiana Pottery Tour, happening virtually beginning on September 26th. You'll find a list of participating potters, links to their webstores, and more information at www.michianapotterytour.com or on our Instagram page: @michianapotterytour   Ceramic Materials Workshop is a proud sponsor of the Tales of a Red Clay Rambler. Ceramic Materials Workshop is a place online to learn about how materials really work. They’ve been teaching about glazes at the most prestigious ceramic universities for years, and now offer online classes that are open to everyone around the world. Class sessions begin every January, April, July and October 1st, or you can try their new self-guided online workshop the Middle Glazes: The Story of Mid Temperature Glazes available now. Use the coupon code REDCLAY, all one word, for 25% off the Middle Glazes for a limited time. Find out more and sign up at www.ceramicmaterialsworkshop.com.

In this episode of the Call Me Al Podcast, Al Condeluci interviews Robert Stack. Mr. Stack worked in the nonprofit and government field for the last three decades. Over the past 30 years he developed one of the largest nonprofits in his state and one of the largest nonprofits in his field.   His knowledge as an entrepreneur, manager and successful businessman has earned him countless awards and recognition from government and corporate leaders. He has successfully managed and built a nonprofit with over $200 million in revenue annually from his kitchen table with very little resources.   Robert is an adjunct professor for public policy, has an MBA and currently manages his multistate operation with offices in Arizona, Maryland, Utah, New Mexico, Texas, Tennessee, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, and New York from both the Empire State building and his national headquarters in Princeton, New Jersey.   He is an expert in nonprofit development, management and fundraising. Robert Stack has operated offices in Cairo, Egypt and is consulted by governors and government leaders on public policy and nonprofit development.   For more interviews subscribe to the Call Me Podcast on itunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/call-me-al/id1441852995   Season 3 of the Call Me Podcast is brought to you by CONNECT Communities. CONNECT’s mission is to Make Lives Better. We achieve this by providing complex and specialized services for people living with brain injury and stroke in a nurturing and innovative community environment. Through our Life Redesign Model™, we empower people by applying our knowledge and experience to coach, challenge and motivate each person to reach their unique personal goals and build a fulfilling life for themselves. CONNECT is one of few organizations accredited through Accreditation Canada using the Acquired Brain Injury standards. For more information visit their website: https://connectcommunities.ca/

Al interviews Genia Stephen. Genia Stephen is a speaker, host of the Good Things In Life podcast, and founder of Good Things in Life which helps parents support their kids with intellectual disabilities to build good inclusive lives at home, at school and in the community.    Genia has a sister with an intellectual disability and a son with an intellectual disability. Her mother introduced her to important ideas and thought leaders early in her life. She is a Registered Midwife, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant and is currently completing her MSc in Evidence-Based Health Care at the University of Oxford.   For more interviews subscribe to the Call Me Podcast on itunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/call-me-al/id1441852995 Season 3 of the Call Me Podcast is brought to you by CONNECT Communities. CONNECT’s mission is to Make Lives Better. We achieve this by providing complex and specialized services for people living with brain injury and stroke in a nurturing and innovative community environment. Through our Life Redesign Model™, we empower people by applying our knowledge and experience to coach, challenge and motivate each person to reach their unique personal goals and build a fulfilling life for themselves. CONNECT is one of few organizations accredited through Accreditation Canada using the Acquired Brain Injury standards. For more information visit their website: https://connectcommunities.ca/

Although it might not look like it right now, I’m convinced the travel industry has a future. Tonya Fitzpatrick, the co-founder of World Footprints, a socially conscious travel media platform that includes the award-winning World Footprints podcast, brings us up-to-date on current travel challenges and industry trends. Tonya explores the future of travel globally and domestically and how she continues her connection to people around the world. The future is bright. People will travel again.

Al interviews Cindy Vogan. Cindy Vogan is the founder and CEO of Whole Life Services Inc. (WLS) in Hermitage Pennsylvania.  She graduated from Clarion University of Pennsylvania in 1989 with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, and Robert Morris University in 2013 with a Master’s Degree in Non Profit Business Management. Cindy’s career began a Residential Program Worker, providing supports to individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities. She then went on to be Program Specialist in a Sheltered Workshop environment. Having developed a passion for this work, Cindy founded Whole Life Services, a Non-Profit organization specializing in providing person-centered supports to meet the unique needs of individuals and their families.  The agency opened in her home in 2001 with two employees, serving one individual. The agency now has grown to employ 133 employees and is serving 93 individuals.  The Administrative Offices are at 1565 East State St. in Hermitage Pa.  Also located at East State is our consignment store Studio C.  The Licensed Adult Training Facility is located at 3199 Innovation Way, at Linden Pointe in Hermitage.  Whole Life Services Inc. operates (8) individualized residential homes in Mercer County. Whole Life has established other locations in the community that are owned and operated by private owners or operators. Included are:  Olive’s Boutique, a gift shop in Sharon Regional Hospital, Get 2 Work Productions, and The Valley Fab Lab. Cindy is passionate about building teams that will work together to achieve positive outcomes.  In order to accomplish this, she strives to empower others to utilize their gifts and talents.  She credits her leadership skills to her involvement in several programs during her youth including Upward Bound, Junior Achievement, and a Presidential Classroom for Young Americans, believing that early intervention and support for teens is key to a successful adult life. Cindy resides in Hermitage with her son.  She also has a daughter and two grandchildren. For more interviews subscribe to the Call Me Podcast on itunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/call-me-al/id1441852995 Season 3 of the Call Me Podcast is brought to you by CONNECT Communities. CONNECT’s mission is to Make Lives Better. We achieve this by providing complex and specialized services for people living with brain injury and stroke in a nurturing and innovative community environment. Through our Life Redesign Model™, we empower people by applying our knowledge and experience to coach, challenge and motivate each person to reach their unique personal goals and build a fulfilling life for themselves. CONNECT is one of few organizations accredited through Accreditation Canada using the Acquired Brain Injury standards. For more information visit their website: https://connectcommunities.ca/

Al interviews Dr. Guy Caruso, Ph.D. Guy, who grew up in New York State, is the father of six children - five sons and a daughter. He and his wife, MaryJo, live outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He is the Western Coordinator for the Institute on Disabilities at Temple University, which is Pennsylvania’s University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research, and Service. Guy is responsible for coordinating Institute training and related activities in the western part of Pennsylvania. He works on several Institute grants and provides technical assistance to the Pennsylvania Independent Monitoring for Quality Program (IM4Q). IM4Q is a state funded and statewide program in which over 5000 interviews are conducted by people with disabilities, family members and interested others to discovery how people served/supported view their life and how we can help improve their lives. Guy has worked in human services for 49 years both in institutional and community settings (vocational, educational, residential, and recreational) and in several capacities – advocate, teacher, trainer, researcher, evaluator, and founder of values-based training groups. He has worked in ARCs, private rehabilitation, schools, universities, and as a consultant in the US and Canada.  Much of his work has been with families and people with disabilities using person centered approaches in helping family and people with disabilities plan their futures. He received his master’s and Ph.D. from Syracuse University, studying and mentoring with Wolf Wolfensberger, Ph.D., where he became a teacher/trainer in Normalization and now Social Role Valorization* (SRV),  a theory/practice to help people with disabilities, often devalued by society, gain valued roles in life. He is a member of the North America SRV Council and International SRV Association. Guy has been actively involved over the years with L’Arche, citizen advocacy, self advocacy, and Partners in Policy Making. As a Partners teacher he has had the wonderful opportunity to share and learn from Partners in many states and territories.  To learn more about Social Role Valorization (SRV) go to (https://socialrolevalorization.com/);  and for information on Dr. Wolf Wolfensberger in Wikipedia ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolf_Wolfensberger). Facebook Group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/280067349420572/  For more interviews subscribe to the Call Me Podcast on itunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/call-me-al/id1441852995 Season 3 of the Call Me Podcast is brought to you by CONNECT Communities. CONNECT’s mission is to Make Lives Better. We achieve this by providing complex and specialized services for people living with brain injury and stroke in a nurturing and innovative community environment. Through our Life Redesign Model™, we empower people by applying our knowledge and experience to coach, challenge and motivate each person to reach their unique personal goals and build a fulfilling life for themselves. CONNECT is one of few organizations accredited through Accreditation Canada using the Acquired Brain Injury standards. For more information visit their website: https://connectcommunities.ca/

The world is more connected than ever, but some communities are still cut off from vital resources like electricity and health care. In this solution-oriented talk, activist Johanna Figueira discusses her work with Code for Venezuela -- a platform that gathers technologists to address Venezuela's needs for information and medical supplies -- and shares ideas for how it could be used as a model to help other communities in need.

The world is more connected than ever, but some communities are still cut off from vital resources like electricity and health care. In this solution-oriented talk, activist Johanna Figueira discusses her work with Code for Venezuela -- a platform that gathers technologists to address Venezuela's needs for information and medical supplies -- and shares ideas for how it could be used as a model to help other communities in need.

The world is more connected than ever, but some communities are still cut off from vital resources like electricity and health care. In this solution-oriented talk, activist Johanna Figueira discusses her work with Code for Venezuela -- a platform that gathers technologists to address Venezuela's needs for information and medical supplies -- and shares ideas for how it could be used as a model to help other communities in need.

The world is more connected than ever, but some communities are still cut off from vital resources like electricity and health care. In this solution-oriented talk, activist Johanna Figueira discusses her work with Code for Venezuela -- a platform that gathers technologists to address Venezuela's needs for information and medical supplies -- and shares ideas for how it could be used as a model to help other communities in need.

Al interviews Janelle Breese Biagioni. Janelle is a Registered Professional Counsellor with the Canadian Professional Counsellors Association (No. 3066) and the widow of Constable Gerry Breese. She specializes in traumatic life losses arising from a death or catastrophic injury. The year before the life-altering loss of her husband, she had lost her brother (39), who sustained a brain hemorrhage. And two weeks before her husband died, one of her closest friends (43) who also suffered a brain injury three years prior, succumbed to a brain tumour. Within 18 months three of the most important people in her life were gone—all due to brain injuries. Janelle’s survival ignited a passion to serve and help others to heal from their deep losses. She calls herself a “hope generator,” and has dedicated the past 26 years to learning, developing skills, and helping others heal their broken hearts through grief and bereavement. Janelle has published seven books including A Change of Mind: One Family’s Journey through Brain Injury and Life Losses: Healing for a Broken Heart. Her vignettes are published in Chicken Soup for the Grieving Soul and Chicken Soup for the Father & Daughter Soul. Janelle’s articles have also been published in the Grief Digest, Living with Loss, Headline and Brain Injury Journey magazines. Janelle also appeared in A Change of Mind; a documentary on the societal impact of brain injury. For more information please visit her websites: http://traumaticlifelosses.com/ and http://janellebb.com/ Janelle is married to Lyle and resides in Victoria, BC. She is mother of Myriah and Dale and grandmother of Sampson, Atticus and Greyson.  Season 2 of the Call Me Podcast is brought to you by CONNECT Communities. CONNECT’s mission is to Make Lives Better. We achieve this by providing complex and specialized services for people living with brain injury and stroke in a nurturing and innovative community environment. Through our Life Redesign Model™, we empower people by applying our knowledge and experience to coach, challenge and motivate each person to reach their unique personal goals and build a fulfilling life for themselves. CONNECT is one of few organizations accredited through Accreditation Canada using the Acquired Brain Injury standards. For more information visit their website: https://connectcommunities.ca/

Al interviews Patti Flaherty. Patti is the President and COO of Connect Communities in Canada. Patti lived in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada and has worked in the field of brain injury and rehabilitation for 25 years. Before joining CONNECT as Executive Leader in 2007, she was a Senior Operating Officer at Vancouver Coastal Health responsible for the site operations of the GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre. Patti has a degree in physical education, a Master’s of Education and completed the Executive Health Leadership Program at the Rotman School of Management. Patti has helped develop and promote CONNECT’s Life Redesign Model, an approach that emphasizes social capital and resident-centred goal-setting in a creative and flexible environment. Season 2 of the Call Me Podcast is brought to you by CONNECT Communities. CONNECT’s mission is to Make Lives Better. We achieve this by providing complex and specialized services for people living with brain injury and stroke in a nurturing and innovative community environment. Through our Life Redesign Model™, we empower people by applying our knowledge and experience to coach, challenge and motivate each person to reach their unique personal goals and build a fulfilling life for themselves. CONNECT is one of few organizations accredited through Accreditation Canada using the Acquired Brain Injury standards. For more information visit their website: https://connectcommunities.ca/

Robin Catalano believes in the power of storytelling to connect communities and cultures. She's applied her creative approach to content creation and strategy for magazines, books, blogs, websites, and a wide variety of marketing projects, and has published more than 75 articles and 1,000+ blog posts. As an editor, she has worked on more than 350 books for publishers including Penguin Random House, Workman, and Simon & Schuster. She also serves as a book coach for independent authors, helping them take their ideas from concept to print. A journalist and avid traveler, Robin is the travel editor of the Greylock Glass, where she specializes in telling the stories of roads less traveled within 5 hours' driving distance of the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts. Website:  https://robinwriter.com/   My travel writing on the Greylock Glass: https://www.greylockglass.com/author/robincatalano/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robincatalano/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robin.catalano17 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robincatalano/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/robin_catalano

Al interviews David Isitt. David Isitt is the Founder of Better Connected in Queensland, Australia. Better Connected was established to counteract these situations, to walk beside you, to listen and provide support and guidance. Season 2 of the Call Me Podcast is brought to you by CONNECT Communities. CONNECT’s mission is to Make Lives Better. We achieve this by providing complex and specialized services for people living with brain injury and stroke in a nurturing and innovative community environment. Through our Life Redesign Model™, we empower people by applying our knowledge and experience to coach, challenge and motivate each person to reach their unique personal goals and build a fulfilling life for themselves. CONNECT is one of few organizations accredited through Accreditation Canada using the Acquired Brain Injury standards. For more information visit their website: https://connectcommunities.ca/

Al sits down with Dori Ortman. Currently, Dori serves as Family Faculty at LEND (Leadership Education in Neuro/Developmental Disabilities) of Pittsburgh, a program affiliated with the University of Pittsburgh and Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC. She is also LEND’s Family and Self-Advocacy Training Director and Clinic Coordinator. Season 2 of the Call Me Podcast is brought to you by CONNECT Communities. CONNECT’s mission is to Make Lives Better. We achieve this by providing complex and specialized services for people living with brain injury and stroke in a nurturing and innovative community environment. Through our Life Redesign Model™, we empower people by applying our knowledge and experience to coach, challenge and motivate each person to reach their unique personal goals and build a fulfilling life for themselves. CONNECT is one of few organizations accredited through Accreditation Canada using the Acquired Brain Injury standards. For more information visit their website: https://connectcommunities.ca/

Al interviews John Murphy. John works at Disability Rights Nebraska, which is the designated Protection and Advocacy organization.  Disability Rights provides consultation, training and technical assistance to the boards and coordinators of the five independent Citizen Advocacy offices in Nebraska.   Season 2 of the Call Me Podcast is brought to you by CONNECT Communities. CONNECT’s mission is to Make Lives Better. We achieve this by providing complex and specialized services for people living with brain injury and stroke in a nurturing and innovative community environment. Through our Life Redesign Model™, we empower people by applying our knowledge and experience to coach, challenge and motivate each person to reach their unique personal goals and build a fulfilling life for themselves. CONNECT is one of few organizations accredited through Accreditation Canada using the Acquired Brain Injury standards. For more information visit their website: https://connectcommunities.ca/

In this episode we’re diving deep into how healthy soil, and healthy relationships, are at the core of regional economic development.  Tune in to hear from Nikki Silvestri, founder of Soil and Shadow, a project development firm that designs human and environmental strategies. As the former Executive Director of People’s Grocery and Green for All, […]

Nora Roughen-Schmidt, Luke Zahm and special guest Errin Welty of the WEDC attempt to give 20 tips in 5 minutes. You'll want to listen to this one a couple times. SPOILER ALERT: There are more than 20 tips. Errin Welty is a Downtown Development Account Manager with the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, and works with businesses and property owners in Main Street and Connect Communities across the state. Errin’s background is in downtown revitalization, small business development, market analysis and real estate development with work in six states and communities of all sizes.

Featuring tom cipullo (moderator and sound editor), Demilade Haastrup, Vanessa Rossel, Willony Barclay.The podcast guests talk about library programs for the month of December: The New cloudLibrary downloadable books service; Let’s Play Games gaming events; Anime and Manga clubs; Make your own Sugar Scrubs, and why a chocolate bar is not a good idea for a facial scrub; Tis the Season to be Stressed event and 7 Ways to Reduce Stress During the Holiday Season; Computer Classes, and MORE! All events are not at all locations. All events are not at all locations. See the current print edition of Happenings or Happenings Online for schedules. Remember to check each event for age appropriateness or attendance limits. CLICK HERE to listen or right-click to save the podcast. Length: 10:52. PLAY If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element www.pbclibrary.org "Connect Communities, Inspire Thought, and Enrich Lives"

Luke Zahm and Nora Roughen-Schmidt welcome back Errin Welty to chat about available business resources and the importance of engaging your community. Errin Welty is a Downtown Development Account Manager with the WEDC, and works with businesses and property owners in Main Street and Connect Communities across the state.

Nora Roughen-Schmidt and Luke Zahm speak with Errin Welty from the WEDC about placemaking. Placemaking is a multi-faceted approach to the planning, design and management of public spaces. Placemaking capitalizes on a local community's assets, inspiration, and potential, with the intention of creating public and retail spaces that promote people's health, happiness, and well-being. Errin Welty is a Downtown Development Account Manager with the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, and works with businesses and property owners in Main Street and Connect Communities across the state. Errin’s background is in downtown revitalization, small business development, market analysis and real estate development with work in six states and communities of all sizes.

Featuring tom cipullo (host and sound editor), Demilade Haastrup, Vanessa Rossel, Willony Barclay The podcast guests talk about library programs for the month of November: the 15th Annual Families Reading Together event at the Morikami gardens; a Feast of Family Fun Festival series of events; various STEM/STEAM activities for science, technology, engineering, art and math; English Exchange at multiple library locations: Practice speaking English in a fun and informal atmosphere; Intermediate and Beginner level Tai Chi exercises; and MORE! All events are not at all locations. See the current print edition of Happenings or Happenings Online for schedules. Remember to check each event for age appropriateness or attendance limits. CLICK HERE to listen or right-click to save the podcast. Length: 13:02. PLAY If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element www.pbclibrary.org "Connect Communities, Inspire Thought, and Enrich Lives"

Featuring tom cipullo (host and sound editing), and Ariel Carmichael. The podcast guests talk about library programs for the month of October: Children and Teen programs throughout the library system such as making Moon Sand, anime and manga, fossils, ¡Cuentos y canciones para ti! which are stories and songs in Spanish and English, Sensory Story Time Specially designed for children with sensory challenges, and Adulting 101 for teens. And for adults, Read Together Palm Beach County, Family History Month and MORE! All events are not at all locations. All events are not at all locations. See the current print edition of Happenings or Happenings Online for schedules. Remember to check each event for age appropriateness or attendance limits.CLICK HERE to listen or right-click to save the podcast. Length: 9:58.PLAY If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element www.pbclibrary.org "Connect Communities, Inspire Thought, and Enrich Lives"

Featuring tom cipullo (host and sound editor) Daneila Robinson Demilade Haastrup Tom Norris The podcast guests talk about library programs for the month of September: including Library Card Sign-up Month and the many benefits of having a Palm Beach County Library Card; the Read-down-your-fines Dewey Bucks program for children; Hispanic Heritage Month multicultural events (part of the podcast is presented in Spanish) including music, dance and arts & crafts at multiple locations; Dr. Rose Feinberg and Multiple Intelligences; KNOW THE ISSUES, a discussion of local voting issues for 2018; the Books by Mail and Book Deposit Collections library services; and MORE! All events are not at all locations. All events are not at all locations. See the current print edition of Happenings or Happenings Online for schedules. Remember to check each event for age appropriateness or attendance limits. CLICK HERE to listen or right-click to save the podcast. Length: 18:05. PLAY If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element www.pbclibrary.org "Connect Communities, Inspire Thought, and Enrich Lives"

Featuring tom cipullo (host and sound editor), Kandace Ryan, Nicole Hricik, Kristina Wernisch, Mina Cader, and Ning ZhangThe podcast guests talk about library programs for the month of August, including: Exciting Back to School events; Dungeons & Dragons fantasy gaming events; Fantasy Football; Fun crafting and coloring events; Coding classes for STEM education; Book Tasting for young readers; Touch-A-Bookmobile tours of our bookmobile... and MORE! All events are not at all locations. See the current print edition of Happenings or Happenings Online for schedules. Remember to check each event for age appropriateness or attendance limits. CLICK HERE to listen or right-click to save the podcast. Length: 12:59. PLAY If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element www.pbclibrary.org "Connect Communities, Inspire Thought, and Enrich Lives"

Featuring tom cipullo (editor, host)Tom Norris Nicole Hricik The podcast guests talk about library programs for the month of July: Libraries Rock! our Summer Reading Program events; Gaming events at many locations; Harry Potter birthday celebrations, music events such as our In Concert Series, including performances by Robert Ross, Jason Colannino, Tchaa, and others; Storytelling, crafts, writing, and MORE! Events are not at all locations. See the current print edition of Happenings or Happenings Online for schedules. Remember to check each event for age appropriateness or attendance limits. CLICK HERE to listen or right-click to save the podcast. Length: 11:57. PLAY If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element www.pbclibrary.org "Connect Communities, Inspire Thought, and Enrich Lives"

Featuring Tom Cipullo (host), Jayme Bosio, Tom Norris, Doris Mendez-DeMaio The podcast guests talk about library programs for the month of June: Featuring the annual system-wide Summer Reading Program, where this year's theme is Libraries ROCK! For all ages. And the Library Adventure Museum Pass drawings begin, where Child card members can enter into a drawing to select free passes to local museums. Also, "Getting Started With FamilySearch" and other events on genealogy; Wycinanki Polish paper cutting; Knit & Crochet With Project Linus; and the Free Lunch program starts for children ages 18 and younger; and MORE! All events are not at all locations. See the current print edition of Happenings or Happenings Online for schedules. Remember to check each event for age appropriateness or attendance limits.CLICK HERE to listen or right-click to save the podcast. Length: 10:48. PLAY If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element www.pbclibrary.org "Connect Communities, Inspire Thought, and Enrich Lives"

Featuring tom cipullo (host and sound editing), Maribel Dejesus, Chris Jankow, Isabel Toolsie, and Willony Barclay The podcast guests talk about library programs for the month of May, beginning with Haitian Heritage Month with multiple events including a performance by Louines Louinis Haitian Dance Theater, Inc.; the documentary “Boca Raton: The Secret Weapon That Won WWII”, Book + Art Discussion: “Muck City: Winning and Losing in Football’s Forgotten Town”; Jewish Heritage Month events; and MORE! All events are not at all locations. See the print edition of Happenings for schedules. Remember to check each event for age appropriateness or limits.CLICK HERE to listen or right-click to save the podcast. Length: 11:37. PLAY If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element www.pbclibrary.org "Connect Communities, Inspire Thought, and Enrich Lives"

Featuring tom cipullo (moderator and sound engineer), John Campbell, Christina Stone The podcast guests talk about library programs for the month of April: Money Smart Week, Stess Awareness Month, Holocaust Remembrance Day, Adult Coloring classes, Tabletop Tuesdays and other gaming events, our BIG library catalog update, and MORE! All events are not at all locations. See the print edition of Happenings for schedules. Remember to check each event for age appropriateness or limits.CLICK HERE to listen or right-click to save the podcast. Length: 12:55. PLAY If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element www.pbclibrary.org "Connect Communities, Inspire Thought, and Enrich Lives"

Featuring Tom Cipullo (host and sound editor); Jing Yan; Tom Norris; Doris Mendez-DeMaio; Daneila Robinson; Marisa Montesino The podcast guests talk about library programs for the month of March, including: Songs for Everyone with Bob Gelb; line dancing; Chinese Calligraphy; Dr. Seuss’ Birthday celebrations; Cross-stitching class; Oculus Rift events for both teens and adults; other crafting events; a Trivia Contest; Yoga and Relaxation events; College preparation events for teens; and MORE! All events are not at all locations. See the print edition of Happenings for schedules.Remember to check each event for age appropriateness or limits.CLICK HERE to listen or right-click to save the podcast. Length: 11:55. PLAY If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element www.pbclibrary.org "Connect Communities, Inspire Thought, and Enrich Lives"

Featuring tom cipullo (host and sound editor), Tom Norris, Amber Puckett, Caitlin Brisson, Maribel DeJesus The podcast guests talk about library programs for the month of February: Black History events at all locations, concerts, stories and more; the Friends of the Library Book Sale at Hagen Ranch Road Branch; What’s All That Jazz About? with Shenole Latimer; multiple Orisirisi storytelling events; Book Discussion: “The Underground Railroad,” by Colson Whitehead; baby painting; jazz flute, and MORE! Remember to check each event for age appropriateness or limits.CLICK HERE to listen or right-click to save the podcast. Length: 11:48. PLAY If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element www.pbclibrary.org "Connect Communities, Inspire Thought, and Enrich Lives"

Featuring Tom Cipullo(host), with guestsChris Jankow, Christina Stone, Ariel Carmichael, Amanda Woolf, Tom Norris The podcast guests talk about library programs for the month of January: The Writers Live series, including National Book Award finalist, Edwidge Danticat; also James O. Born, who co-authored "Haunted" James Patterson; and others coming in February. Also coloring, and sewing events at various branches; CIA in the Everglades: The Archaeology of the Cold War in South Florida; Bridging Cultures Series: Tea & Chinese Calligraphy; Virtual Reality demonstrations; "The Night the Moon Fell: A Maya Myth," a bilingual story event; Storytelling: I’ll Tell You Mine, If You’ll Tell Me Yours... and MORE! Remember to check each event for age appropriateness or limits.CLICK HERE to listen or right-click to save the podcast. Length: 10:51. PLAY If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element www.pbclibrary.org "Connect Communities, Inspire Thought, and Enrich Lives"

Featuring Tom Cipullo (moderator and sound engineer) and Amanda Woolf The podcast guests talk about library programs for the month of December: The Book + Art Discussion topic “Silent Spring,” by Rachel Carson, Acoustic Java Jam at the Acreage Branch, computer classes, Talking Books, crafts, and MORE! Remember to check each event for age appropriateness or limits.CLICK HERE to listen or right-click to save the podcast. Length: 8:30. PLAY If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element www.pbclibrary.org "Connect Communities, Inspire Thought, and Enrich Lives"

At age seven, alongside her parents and many of her 12 siblings, Oshra Friedman left Ethiopia and escaped to Israel via Operation Moses.* Now a proud Israeli, Oshra has devoted her adult life to bridging socioeconomic gaps and promoting social mobility for groups on the periphery, including but not limited to Ethiopian, Russian and Arab Israelis. “I saw my journey as an adventure to know more and learn more. We saw people dying on the way, children are starving, but I always looked up at my parents eyes and I knew that there was hope.” Oshra received the esteemed 2014 Yaffa London Yaari Prize of the New Israel Fund for her work helping single mothers while working for Rashi's Katzir Scholarship Fund. Her goal is to protect the basic rights and well-being of all Israelis and provide justice and equality for all makes her a true social change warrior! *Operation Moses: refers to the covert evacuation of Ethiopian Jews from Sudan during a Civil war that caused a famine in 1984.

Featuring Tom Cipullo (moderator and podcast editor), Caitlin Brisson,Diane Briel,Alena GeidelThe podcast guests talk about library programs for the month of November: the 14th Annual Families Reading Together at the South Florida Science Center and Aquarium. The book this year is “The Peace Book,” by Todd Parr; Camille Aubray’s book, “Cooking for Picasso”, Laurie Albrecht from PBC Cooperative Extension presents a program on native plants; multiple turkey informational programs; events on how to handle "holiday stress"; "Tellabration" a celebration of Storytelling; and MORE! Remember to check each event for age appropriateness or limits.CLICK HERE to listen or right-click to save the podcast. Length: 16:29. PLAY If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element www.pbclibrary.org "Connect Communities, Inspire Thought, and Enrich Lives"

Featuring John Campbell (moderator and sound engineer), with Caitlin Brisson, Jayme Bosio, Tiffany Snell The podcast guests talk about library programs for the month of October: “The EARTH Book” by Todd Parr and the book "Invisible Cities" by Italo Calvino and Julie Mehretu's "Epigraph, Damascus." Story Salsa With Liz Mangual: a bilingual story celebration at multiple locations; The Genealogical Society of PBC will host a genealogy fair; Dungeons & Dragons gaming, and MORE! Remember to check each event for age appropriateness or limits.CLICK HERE to listen or right-click to save the podcast. Length: 12:01. PLAY If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element www.pbclibrary.org "Connect Communities, Inspire Thought, and Enrich Lives"

Featuring John Campbell (moderator and sound engineer), Tom Norris, Elizabeth Braunworth, and Maribel DeJesus The podcast guests talk about library programs for the month of September: Hispanic Heritage Month brings many performers and events to the library including the dance group, México Mágico, and "Music of the Andes" featuring music from Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia and many other musical, dance and cultural programs. The library will also celebrate Banned Books Week throughout all the branches. And then science excitement with Exciting Electrons! at every library branch. There are also art activities, Talent Night at the Hagen Ranch Road location, movies, and MORE! Remember to check each event on our Happenings page for age appropriateness or age limits.CLICK HERE to listen or right-click to save the podcast. Length: 18:18. PLAY If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element www.pbclibrary.org "Connect Communities, Inspire Thought, and Enrich Lives"

Featuring John Campbell (moderator and sound engineer), Tom Norris and Chris Jankow The podcast guests talk about library programs for the month of August: Solar Eclipse News, Fantasy Football, Writers’ Workshops, LEGO Block Parties, Stanley Kubrick Film Festival: Part III, games, yoga, movies, coloring, crafts and MORE! Remember to check each event for age appropriateness or limits.CLICK HERE to listen or right-click to save the podcast. Length: 16:03. PLAY If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element www.pbclibrary.org "Connect Communities, Inspire Thought, and Enrich Lives"

Featuring John Campbell (moderator and sound engineer) Jayme BosioChris JankowJames Larson The podcast guests talk about library programs for the month of July: How to "Avoid the Summer Slide" for students away from school; Free Lunch offered to children under 18 at some library branches; activities on backyard gardening and container gardens; "Build a Better World" summer reading activities; a seedling and plant exchange; Harry Potter birthday celebrations; explanations of the Interlibrary Loan service and the SEFLIN One Card, and MORE! Remember to check each event for age appropriateness or limits.CLICK HERE to listen or right-click to save the podcast. Length: 17:36. PLAY If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element www.pbclibrary.org "Connect Communities, Inspire Thought, and Enrich Lives"

Featuring John Campbell (host and sound engineer), Doris Mendez-DeMaio Katrina BrockwayErica MillenThe podcast guests talk about library programs for the month of June: The "Build a Better World" SUMMMER READING PROGRAM with prizes for participants (based on age) for children and adults; School District Lunches FREE for children under 18 at selected branches; a “Harry Potter” Film Series and Celebration at the Lantana Branch; Tabletop Tuesdays with various board games at the Main Library; the continuing LAMP Program drawing for free museum passes; Reading Buddies; computer classes, and MORE! Remember to check each event for age appropriateness or limits.CLICK HERE to listen or right-click to save the podcast. Length: 16:45. PLAY If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element www.pbclibrary.org "Connect Communities, Inspire Thought, and Enrich Lives"

Featuring John Campbell (host and sound engineer), Jayme Bosio, Elizabeth Braunworth, Maribel DeJesus.The podcast guests talk about library programs for the month of May, including our Haitian Heritage Celebration and the unveiling of the Haitian Cultural Collection, Legal Research Help and Genealogy Help classes, Reading Buddies for children and Coding classes, and MORE! Remember to check each event for age appropriateness or limits.CLICK HERE to listen or right-click to save the podcast. Length: 13:35. PLAY If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element www.pbclibrary.org "Connect Communities, Inspire Thought, and Enrich Lives"

Featuring John Campbell (host and sound engineer), Arlene Wood-French, Chris Jankow, and Josh Stone.The podcast guests talk about library programs for the month of April: including Patrick Ball, One of the premier Celtic harp players in the world, will perform and share stories at various branches beginning on April 18; a special Georgia O’Keeffe event at Norton Museum; Palm Beach Shakespeare Festival special events at multiple locations; the Library now offers audiobooks in mp3 format which reduces a normal 15-CD audiobook down to 1 or 2 CDs because mp3 files use less storage space on the disc; Earth Day celebration events; and MORE! Please check each event for age appropriateness or limits. CLICK HERE to listen or right-click to save the podcast. Length: 14:23. PLAY If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element www.pbclibrary.org "Connect Communities, Inspire Thought, and Enrich Lives"

Featuring John Campbell (host, moderator, producer, prime suspect and sound engineer)Josh StoneTom NorrisElizabeth BraunworthThe podcast guests talk about library programs for the month of March: It's National Craft Month and the library has Knit and Crochet programs with expert “blanketeers,” Adult Coloring, Sewing Circle, and other crafty events. We also have new updates on our digital Hoopla collection with new movies and comics and Overdive updates. And our libraries explore Irish heritage and celebrate the stories of Dr. Seuss and MORE!CLICK HERE to listen or right-click to save the podcast. Length: 16:21. PLAY If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element www.pbclibrary.org "Connect Communities, Inspire Thought, and Enrich Lives"

Featuring John Campbell (host and sound engineer), Maribel Dejesus, Matt Selby and Tom Norris.The podcast guests talk about library programs for the month of February: the Healthy Mind & Body series of healthful and mindful events; Black History Month events and celebrations including showings of the documentary film The Loving Story about Mildred and Richard Lovings’ legal battle for violating a state law that prohibited interracial marriage; Robot programs for ages 5-8 with Bee Bots and for ages 9-12 with Ozobots, and much MORE! See the print edition of Happenings for all the information.CLICK HERE to listen or right-click to save the podcast. Length: 17:15. PLAY If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element www.pbclibrary.org "Connect Communities, Inspire Thought, and Enrich Lives"

Featuring John Campbell (host and sound engineer),Maribel DeJesus,Masoomeh Cader, Mona Sadek The podcast guests talk about library programs for the month of January: Bridging Cultures Series at several branches, exploring the cultures of many locations around the world, Presidents and Their First Ladies, Dramatically Speaking: Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln (one our most popular events, so preregister before all seats are gone!), Writers Live Wine & Words With Andrew Gross, and MORE!CLICK HERE to listen or right-click to save the podcast. Length: 13:07. PLAY If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element www.pbclibrary.org "Connect Communities, Inspire Thought, and Enrich Lives"

Featuring John Campbell (host and sound engineer), Liz Locke, Elizabeth Braunworth, and Susan Berger The guests discuss library programs for the month of December, including events for both adults and children in celebration of the holidays. They talk about crafting activities, including creating Thank You cards for Forgotten Soldiers Outreach, and programs that help people de-stress at this busy time of year. They also discuss some of the ways that CreationStation at MN can be used to make greeting cards and family gifts. Susan Berger highlights business workshops, including a Homebuying presentation and a workshop on the new Consumer Reports Online, and MORE!CLICK HERE to listen or right-click to save the podcast. Length: 15:55. PLAY If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element www.pbclibrary.org "Connect Communities, Inspire Thought, and Enrich Lives"