December 18, 2024 Show

Jeff and Susan Eastman, North Canton Paranormal Detectives

If you are like millions of other Americans you have long been a fan of "ghost hunting" shows. But Jeff and Susan Eastman took their fascination with these programs to another level. An accomplished tinkerer, Jeff set up a workshop in his family home's basement and began devising his own "ghost hunting" devices. In time, his tinkering evolved into the Ohio-based North Canton Paranormal Detectives which has conducted "ghost hunting' expeditions over an increasingly broader geographic range. And they also market devices through their web site http://ncpdOhio.com that are designed to detect the electromagnetic frequencies (EMFs) it is believed ghosts emit. This equipment has been shown on various television shows - Kindred Spirits, Ghost Adventures, Sleepless Unrest: The Real Conjuring Home. The devices that area for sale include a Para-Light that lights up when it detects EMF and a trip wire that has the same sensitivities but works over a much larger range.

People often consider the Holiday season to be a period during which celebrants experience great joy and happiness. It has, however, been shown to have its darker side, as it is marked by an increase in respiratory disease. But Tony Duell, a health educator, maintains that people can protect themselves against these challenges by working to eliminate any co-morbidities, such as heart disease, diabetes or high blood pressure, that they might have.

By his reckoning, the pandemic proved that taking these precautionary steps is essential; in stressing this point, he notes that 95% of people who died from Covid had at least one co-morbidity. And Tony maintains that because the American health care system is often dysfunctional people must take responsibility for guarding themselves against these dangers.

Tony is the founder of the Alabama based Centurion Labs. Its web site is https://centurionlabs.com/

December 4, 2024 Show

Norbert Heuser

If you are like literally millions of other Americans you are constantly journeying into virtual reality taking, any number of routes into that plane. And who can blame you because these excursions grant you a far wider reach than you might otherwise enjoy. And that can be exciting.

But according to Norbert Heuser, an expert in technology as it relates to personal health, your journeys into VR can have their dark side. Our devices, such as smart phones might be emitting Electro Magnetic Radiation (EMR) that can mess with your brain waves, cause headaches, or worse, lead to more serious issues like behavioral changes over time and even possibly cancer.

To protect yourself from these dangers, Norbert offers some guidelines. Turn off your devices when they are not in use, reduce exposure time, use EMR harmonizing devices, keep your devises at a distance from your body.

Norbert's web site is https://improveyourlifewithnorbert.com/

Dr. David Kanani

The United States is often viewed as being a leader in technology whether it is employed in medicine or in a myriad of other field. But Dr. David Kanani,, president of Los Angeles ORT College, asserts that it currently risks losing this primacy, falling into a downward trajectory that result in its facing national security threats.

But he also maintains that this downward momentum can be turned around if our educational system is modified in positive ways. By his accounting, teachers should be empowered to turn classrooms into dynamic environments that motivate students to excel in STEM fields as they become prepared to provide employers with a robust pipeline of talent.

Dr. David Kanani is president of Los Angeles ORT College. He has a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) from Princeton University.

November 21, 2024 Show

is a woman of many talents. She has won recognition as the author of a series of self-help books- Upsize Woman in a Downsize World™, Dress to Look Your Best: Fashion Secrets the Experts Don't Share (an International best seller) and her book PRESENT: 7 Keys to a Powerful, Persuasive Presentation. She conducted powerful, provocative workshops that guided participants towards personal growth and transformation on an emotional as well as physical level. Between 1997 and 2002, she was the national spokesperson for the largest retailer of women's plus size fashions in the world. In that capacity she appeared on numerous radio and television shows, including Hard Copy, The Richard Simmons Show and The Oprah Winfrey Show. When Debbie retired, she chose to communicate to audiences in still another way. She is a singer/songwriter who has performed a wide range of musical styles from opera to jazz to blues and everything in between. Her web site is http://www.debbiedarling.com  Having spent the last several years as a caregiver to her father with Alzheimer's and trying to navigate the healthcare system on his behalf, she is writing her next book - a How To Guide on becoming a good caregiver and what to look for when it is time to place your loved one into a care facility.

Lexi Ritt


People often feel overwhelmed by the challenges they face as they nurture a loved one with dementia. But the support that the Caregiving Coaching Program which is offered by the Cleveland branch of the Alzheimer's Association can help them regain their equilibrium. The Care Coaches are all master-level licensed social workers.

Often, they regain their sense of calm and confidence simply because their coach has made them more aware of the support that is available to them. But there are instances where the coaches have to go a step further.

They must guide participants towards making their care-giving challenges more manageable by involving friends and family in their efforts. And that can be a difficult step for people who are unaccustomed to asking for help.

Lexi Ritt serves as the program manager of support groups for this Alzheimer's organization chapter. Its web site is https://www.alz.org/cleveland/

November 6, 2024 Show

Like the NYC borough - Brooklyn – with which it is closely linked, Gleason's gym has passed through its rough times as well as its glam periods. After Peter Robert Gagliardi, first established it during the Depression (1937) he could not charge enough dues to maintain the place. So, he had to drive a taxi 10 to 12 hours a day just to keep it open.  But during the ensuing years, it has attracted a celebrity clientele that has included Jake LaMotta, Muhammad Ali and Roberto Duran and Hillary Swank as she prepared to star in Million Dollar Baby. However, Gleason's current owner, Bruce Silverglade, is committed to ensuring that the gym continues to serve people with a wide range of needs, not just bold face names. He remains particularly proud of its STOP-PD program, which helps people who are living with Parkinson gain mobility and strength.
Gleason's web site is http://www.gleasonsgym.com

The residents of Bryn Gweled represent a diverse group of people who have come together for a good reason. They have chosen to live as a community in a wooded oasis – 240 collectively-owned acres in Bucks County Pennsylvania, right outside of Philadelphia. Each of the 75 families that live in this community builds a home and owns all the improvements they make to this home. But they do not own the land, which remains the property of Bryn Gweled Homesteads. When any major alterations, additional buildings, or landscaping of a homestead are contemplated, plans are submitted to the Community Planning Committee as well as to the immediate neighbors for approval. Jonathan Sprout is a long term resident of this community. He has recorded numerous albums in his American Heroes series which encourages listeners to reconsider whom they might consider a hero. His web site is https://jonsprout.com/cms/

October 16, 2024 Show

Cleveland Fit for Life

Cleveland Fit for Life's Senior Movement Fitness Program targets people over 65, the fastest growing age demographic in America. But this gym goes far beyond simply working to keep members of this demographic healthy. It also offers individualized programs to people of all ages, helping them achieve their personal bests. No matter what the specifics, wellness remains its major goal. And in addition to working with individual clients, this gym also markets its services to corporations as being a cost saving measure. It has been estimated that American corporations lose over $300 billion annually in productivity due to chronic diseases. By many accounts, these figures are linked to the fact that nearly 70 percent of all American adults are either overweight or obese and only 15 percent of them engage in physical activity on a regular basis. Carl Harmon is the owner and president of Cleveland Fit for Life. Its website is http://www.clevelandfitforlife.com   info@clevelandfitforlife.com  

Malika Moore

Aging and Amazing


Despite the fact that they both begin with the letter "a" the words "aging" and "amazing" are rarely used in conjunction with one another these days. Rather, the elderly are often depicted in negative terms. None of that, however, deterred Malika Moore from forming Aging and Amazing during 2019.

They both begin with the letter "a." However, the words "aging" and "amazing" are rarely used in connection with one another these days. If somebody can still perform yoga poses with great gusto or play concertos in their 90s, superlatives – "wonderful," "inspirational" - might be tossed their way. Their talent and dedication might be afforded due respect. But less face it, most older people do not enjoy that degree of adulation; in fact they are often viewed in negative terms on the media and elsewhere. But these inconvenient truths did not stop Malika Moore are from labeling the organization she formed during 2019 Aging and Amazing. Based in Washington, D.C. it offers an online community for elders and their care givers. And it also connects people with local professionals whose expertise might prove very valuable to them.

Aging and Amazing's web site is https://www.agingamazing.com     

October 2, 2024 Show

Michael Green

Over the decades, Nevada has become known for many things – glamorous casinos, glitzy performances presented at affordable prices, gangsters running the show. But these days it is gaining a bit of "notoriety" or whatever word you might chose to use for something entirely different. While some states tilt reliably Democratic or reliably Republican, Nevada's allegiance is unpredictable. That unpredictability could be attributed, among other things, to the fact that Nevada's population is growing and these new arrivals might not necessarily follow any established patterns. And as they set their own course their votes could help determine the election results in Nevada and possibly even in the entire country. So, it has come to be known as one of six or seven battleground states. Nobody knows exactly how the voting will turn out. But Dr. Michael Green, a professor at the University of Las Vegas Nevada, has some intriguing comments about these matters. His web site is https://www.unlv.edu/people/michael-green

September 18, 2024 Show

Dr. Collin Miller

Naturopathic doctors work from a mindset that includes these principles: Natural healings occur when obstacles to healing are removed. Physical or mental symptoms can be resolved by treating the body, mind, and spirit as being a totality. Treatment plans should not have harmful side effects or control symptoms negatively. Self-care can help empower people against ill health. The body can only work optimally when all of its systems are in balance/homeostasis with one another. Gentle input can help the body to reestablish homeostasis. Naturopathic doctors have doctorates from schools that specialize in naturopathic medicine. The healing therapies they employ may include acupuncture, herbal medicine, homeopathy and medical imaging. Dr. Colin Miller owns the Ohio based Dawning Light and Wellness. He has an undergraduate degree in Medical Anthropology from Stanford University and a Doctorate from the National University of Natural Medicine (NUNM) in Portland Oregon. The web site for his wellness center is

 https://www.dawninglighthealthandwellness.com 
 

September 4, 2024 Show

Jason M. Joyce, M.Ed., LPCC-S, LICDC-CS

The Ohio-based Hitchcock Center for Women is distinct from other similar facilities in one important way. It allows children up to 12 years old to remain with their mothers while these women are receiving residential treatment for addictions.  It makes these accommodations available because of a deeply-held belief that women who are in recovery should not have to choose between getting the help they need and caring for their children. It also takes this step because it maintains that it has the major adage of allowing families to avoid the separations that could leave children with a sense of abandonment.  Jason Joyce is the CEO and President of the center. He has previously served in leadership capacities within several Ohio-based mental health and addiction recovery services. The center's address is http://www.hcfw.org 

A jazz singer, Carol Leslie has made a name for herself locally as she has performed with an impressive array of bands and venues in her adopted home town of Cleveland Ohio. But her resume goes far beyond these adventures. It includes some exotic stop offs as she made her way across the Atlantic from Scotland to her present home. Among other things, she had the opportunity to record radio jingles while she relaxed amongst the palm trees, sun, and pink sand that make Bermuda an island paradise. In addition to getting great satisfaction from her work as a jazz singer, Carol was long challenged by her day job as an occupational therapist, helping clients navigate their lives more effortlessly. And most recently, she has worked as a hypnotherapist, guiding people towards becoming less burdened by anxieties and stressors.

Her website is https://www.carol-leslie-jazz.com/

August 21, 2024 Show

Dr. Thelma Reese

You hear a great a great deal these days about how schools are out of control. Many students are not even attending class and those who do attend are failing proficiency tests. Also widely broadcasted is the fact that the pandemic left students from low income families who were already struggling academically even further behind. And then there is the fact that fewer people are entering the teaching profession and many who do enter it are leaving.  Obviously, nobody has any easy means of resolving these challenges as we start the new school year. But Dr. Thelma Reese definitely has some ideas that deserve our attention. A retired professor of English and Education, she served as the director of the Mayor's Commission on Literacy for the City of Philadelphia and hosted a local cable show. Her book How Seniors Are Saving the World can be purchased at this link. You can read more about Dr. Reese at this link

August 8, 2024 Show

The Ohio-based Praxis Fiber Workshop does not give itself undue amounts of credit. But as it works to promote fiber arts, it hopes that in its own way it can in its own small way help to weave together our country which has become very fractured. Or, at least it can provide a setting for people who working in that direction while they practice their craft.  A huge space, the studio features 27 floor looms, 3 large print tables, a full dye lab, granting people who are already proficient at the fiber arts an opportunity to produce their art work. And it also has workshops for people who want to be introduced to looms and all the intricacies that surround them at their own pace.  Jessica Pinsky, who now serves as that fiber workshop's executive director, helped to form Praxis Fiber Workshop in 2012. Her artwork includes bridges, painting, weaving and sculpture. Praxis web site is http://www.praxisfiberworkshop.org
 

An Ohio native, Pegi Robinson has won recognition for her work raising awareness about near death experiences whereby somebody ventures out of their physical body but returns to this earthly plane. Her interviews with experiencers have been viewed by thousands on NDETV .   But it is what she has done quietly in the privacy of her home that might be her most noteworthy accomplishment. She has fostered 60 children, many of them with special needs, nurturing them as they grow from their being toddlers to be adults. Her efforts bring to mind many intriguing questions for which she has replies that are warrant your attention.  What can be done to encourage more people to become foster parents? What governmental or other support can you get as a foster parent? What hints would you have for other people who are considering becoming foster parents?
 

July 17, 2024 Show

Many people's bodies seem to love adding on the pounds while being resistant to giving up this extra weight. And for some individuals this vicious circle only seems to grow more vicious as they age. An exercise regime might be able to help people who have fallen into this all too common trap. But they might be reluctant to head down that route, particularly if physical activity has never been a part of their lives and can bring back hurtful memories of having been chosen last for sports teams. That is where the support that Michael Ungar offers might prove essential. Working with clients in their homes or virtually, he helps them prevent falls by improving their balance and strengthening their muscles. He is an ACE (American Council on Exercise) certified Personal Trainer. He is a trainer with at Home Senior Fitness. Its web site is http://athomeseniorfitness.net

After Barbara Speicher earned a Bachelor's Degree in English and a Master's Degree in Education, she taught elementary school for 23 years. As her career progressed, the found that writing curriculum-based songs was a memorable, novel, fun, and easy way for the students to learn important facts and information in a number of subjects. Being concerned that young people are becoming less and less knowledgeable about our heritage, she created two CD's with companion workbooks: Learning American History by Song and Learning About Patriotic Holidays and Symbols by Song. She markets her music through an educational site, Songs for Teaching, and her personal website: http://www.barbaraspeicher.com

Jonathan Sprout

Singer-songwriter and recording artist, Jonathan Sprout has dedicated the past 30 years of his life to creating meaningful and captivating "hero music" for children. His journey began during 1994 after he read the results of a nationwide poll which concluded that children's top 10 heroes included cartoon characters and professional athletes whose off-field antics were anything but heroic. Since that point, Sprout has written over forty songs and has released four American Heroes albums designed to acquaint children with remarkable men and women he whom he believes deserve to labeled "heroes." These individuals include a wide range of personages from Pochontas to Neil Armstrong. His American Heroes #3 album was nominated for a Grammy® during 2010. He has also performed more than 5,500 concerts and led more than 800 songwriting workshops for children.

His web site is http://www.jonsprout.com  His compositions are also available through http://www.songsforteaching.com

June 19, 2024 Show

Tak & Mely Sato

The Center for Aging in the Digital World describes its mission as follows: To empower all seniors to become digitally literate and embrace the use of appropriate technology in their daily lives. We help them achieve this necessary life skill through education, services and advocacy.

Mely Sato, Executive Director, and Tak, President and Director of Curriculum of all educational programs, believe that "digital literacy" is a 21st century "life skill" that seniors should embrace. Its flagship program "Discover Digital Literacy!" is designed with that objective in mind. Each cohort is eligible to take part not only in the 16-class Discover Digital Literacy! program but upon graduation, also in continuing education classes and social events they provide. Mely describes their nonprofit as providing holistic support around digital literacy education so no seniors are left lonely or isolated, which also is their vision. Tak Sato, MBA has over 30 years of experience as a business and technology strategist and is a columnist for the "Northeast Ohio Boomer" magazine and also at the "Westlake | Bay Village Observer" newspaper. Mely has been in higher education for more than 25 years and has a Master of Education in Adult Learning and Development. The Center for Aging in the Digital World's website is www.empowerseniors.org
 

June 5, 2024 Show

Dating in your 20s or your 30s can be an emotional roller coaster. So, it is hardly surprising that it has become the topic of, among other things, innumerable dramas, songs, hit television shows and films. But all of the attention that has been paid to younger dating partners is definitely overlooking one thing.

Financial and health considerations, not to mention scars from pervious relationships, can make it quite challenging to form strong relationships after you have passed milestone birthdays. And that is why Marie Elium, editor of Northeast Ohio Boomer Magazine, suggests that people take a slow and patient approach to this challenge.

In making that point, she quotes Natalia Pajestka, a matchmaker with It's Just Lunch who stresses the need to remain in the present instead of overwhelming your date with details about your past.

The web site for Northeast Ohio Boomer is http://www.northeastohioboomer.com

Jerry Devis

The Farrell family learned an important lesson as they nurtured Carol who lived for years with Alzheimer's. The fact that there are precious few activities for people with dementia who are aging at home results in these individuals being burdened by considerable loneliness that worsens their condition. And they wanted to fill what they considered to be an oversight as they formed the Carolyn L. Farrell Foundation during 2011.

More than almost anything else they wanted the activities this organization offers to make obvious one essential point: It is often assumed that people who are experiencing serious cognitive declines can no longer participate in creative endeavors, but when they have access to appropriately designed activities they can thrive and find joy in these experiences.

Jerry J. Devis serves as the Farrell Foundation's Executive Director. He previously taught art at all levels, K-12. The Ohio-based organization's web site is http://www.farrellfoundation.org 
 

May 15, 2024 Show

Barbara Becker Holstein

maintains that people of all ages, particularly women, are often so dragged down by the negativism which surrounds them that they become unable to reach their fullest potential. But a practitioner of what she labels "positive psychology" Barbara maintains that this negativism can be overcome by following a daily regime that begins with a blessing, such as this simple verse which reads in part: "You can work your way towards becoming what she terms your enchanted self. "As you clear off the ice, and watch your step may your dreams of delight be forming, so that as soon as the sun shines bright you will be ready and able for the wonderful treats in storage for you!" Barbara, a New Jersey-based psychologist, has written books and created podcasts that detail elements of the positive psychology that she espouses. Her web site is https://www.enchantedself.com

Elena LaVictoire

Traditionally, America's public school system has been revered for the role it played in preparing young people to take their place in the world. However, times have changed, and these days millions of Americans no longer have faith in this system, questioning if it even comes close to serving its "intended purpose." And as this skepticism deepens many parents are looking for alternatives to traditional classroom learning, with ever increasing numbers of them turning to home schooling. However, despite the fact that it might be gaining in popularity, this arrangement brings some tough questions to the fore.  Does home schooling provide students with the same essential socialization that in class learning might? Are parents who might have no training as educators really equipped to teach their children? Although there are no easy answers to these questions, Elena LaVictoire who has home schooled her children and grandchildren for years does have some intriguing responses.

Caring for somebody with dementia or other disabling diseases has always proved to be a challenging undertaking even under the best of circumstances. Due to worker shortages and other factors, however, nurturing a loved one who has special needs has become particularly taxing these days.

But help might be on its way in the form of the products sold by Memorable Pets. Cuddly, these dogs, cats and baby dolls calm and occupy the people who interact with them. Joy for All robots are a particularly popular item, possibly because they have interactive features. For example, the Joy For All- Robotic Black & White Tuxedo Cat Companion Pet  becomes increasingly more relaxed when you pet him until he eventually closes his eyes for a short snooze.

Bettina Dickson Rusher and her sister, Frances, founded Memorable Pets in response to the lessons they learned as they cared for their mother. The company's web site is http://www.memorablepets.com

April 17, 2024 Show

You might feel that you are not harming yourself in any discernible way when you add a few cups of sugar to the coffee you enjoy every morning. And you might also think the grab-and-go breakfast bar you gulp down as you rush out the door to work is also essentially harmless.

But these small indulgences might end up harming you more than you might imagine. Before you even realize it, they can add up to nearly 77 grams, the average amount of added sugars American adults consume daily, placing yourself in danger of experiencing health issues in the future.

But Troy Duell, host of the Frontline Health Podcast and CEO of Centurion Labs, however, notes that you can easily avoid these imbalances. Among other things he suggests that you become adept at identifying added sugars –sucrose, fructose, and high-fructose corn syrup – in your food and drinks.

The web site for the Alabama-based Centurion Labs is http://www.centurionlabs.com
 

has been known to say that he was born in hell - in Europe during World War II – and then proceeded to travel a long and crooked path that eventually led him to heaven. And by his own accounting, he was assisted as he travelled down that road by friends he met personally as well as by those he never encountered face to face. But he often suffered from a lack of self-discipline until he was poisoned by pesticides during 1980 and began devoting himself to improving his health and helping others to improve theirs. Accordingly, he spent countless hours developing an oil blend that is both better balanced and more effective than flax oil. And he later followed that discovery with probiotics blends and digestive enzyme blends. The web site for the Vancouver, British Columbia company he established, Urdo's Choice, is https://www.udoschoice.com/

April 3, 2024 Show

The Las Vegas-based Mob Museum, the National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement is located in a restored former Post Office and Courthouse. And that building has special historical significance that makes it ideally suited to personifying the museum's mission: exploring the age-old battle between good guys vs. bad guys. Because it once housed one of the Kefauver Hearings which entranced a national television audience as Senatorial investigators and gangland characters did battle with one another to the delight of the American public. And the museum is not only designed to educate visitors, it also aims to entertain them. Accordingly, a "Speakeasy located in the museum's basement is designed to allow visitors to experience the ambience of the speakeasies that operated throughout the country during Prohibition.

The museum's web site is http://www.themobmuseum.org  Claire White serves as Its Director of Education.

Dr. Nuccitelli

Back in Wally and Beaver Clever days, bullies were pretty much limited to harassing others on a face-to-face basis; their reach was restricted to their immediate surroundings. However, the advent of computers has changed all of that. And well aware that modern day bullies - ipredators - can harm people over a broad geographic range the New York City based iPredator is working to keep young people and others safe online.

And hoping to achieve that objective it prioritizes informing people who might otherwise be vulnerable about the games ipredators play to gain power as they target others. It, likewise, provides essential infomation about the psychology that drives ipredators to wreak havoc over the internet. Dr. Michael Nuccitelli founded ipredators.

March 20, 2024 Show

These days, a crimp in your back or a nagging pain in your shoulders might not necessarily have come from your being a weekend warrior who exercises vigorously but not often enough. And for that matter, parts of your body might not be throbbing because you have been working out in the gym full speed ahead. On the contrary, these discomforts might be attributable to something much less dramatic: your spending hours a day bending over your computer or otherwise interacting with technology. But Dr. Jeff Fisher, the originator of Fisher Traction, maintains that by making a few simple adjustments you can click away at your keyboard all day and still have virtually no aches and pains. One important hint: check your posture before you even begin bending over your computer, making certain that your shoulders are rolled back, your spine is straight, and your chin is tucked in.

The web site for the California-based Fisher Traction is http://www.fishertraction.com 

Bruce Silverglade

Gleason’s Gym won fame and fortune as being a place where celebrities trained for matches. But its current owner Bruce Silverglade wants it to be a place where a much broader group of clients can test their athletic talents. These days, people tend to spend their time socializing and working with other folks who look like them. And the pandemic might have contributed to making that pattern even more the norm as people isolated themselves away from places people often socialize. But inclusiveness not exclusivity remains the norm at the Brooklyn-based Gleason’s Gym. People who might be preparing for professional bouts share close quarters with folks who are taking up boxing to get some exercise and try something new but have no intention of competing on any level. All sizes and show shapes, not to mention a great array of ethnic or racial backgrounds, are represented amongst its regular customers. That is hardly surprising as its current owner Bruce Silverglade remains committed to serving a broad clientele. Gleason’s Gym was first opened first during the Depression (1937) by Robert Gagliardi. Website is http://www.gleasonsgym.com

March 6, 2024 Show

These days, you hear a great deal about supplements and how they can help your body to achieve wellness. However, that dialogue has not necessarily offered a clear understanding of what they can accomplish and what common-sensical steps should be followed when you take them. Many questions remain.  Do supplements go through rigorous tests before claims are made about them? Are they tested by the FDA for safety and effectiveness? Will any supplements interact in negative ways with other medication that I am already taking?  If I go to a physician, I will be given a prescription that indicates precisely how much of a pharmaceutical I should take. But with supplements, I do not have that kind of certainty.  Dr. Michael Garko, a Florida-based nutritionist, can help to answer some ongoing questions you might have about supplements. He is  the spokesperson for Strauss Naturals and his website is: https://straussnaturals.com/ask-dr-garko/

from Songs for Teaching

If you are, for example, a social Studies teacher who wants to enliven your lectures about the Civil Rights Movement, Songs for Teaching grants you an easily accessible way to achieve this objective. You can download excess of 55 songs from Songs for Teaching that address African American themes of pride, history, and culture.  And the Arizona-based Songs for Teaching not only benefits educators as it enriches their lessons. It also benefits musicians as it grants them a platform for the songs. By the standards of other platforms, the royalties they receive when their songs are downloaded are generous: 60% of all downloads sold for items that are sold exclusively on this website.  The Arizona-based Songs for Teaching has been in operation since 2012 . Its web site is http://www.songsforteaching.com. Alice Burba owns this company.

 

February 21, 2024 Show

Christopher Cook

The Cleveland Heights – University Heights School District sponsors a program that runs against long-established educational traditions. Instead of expelling students whose behavior has become overly disruptive, it works to ensure they will graduate with their class. And many young people who have participated in that district's Alternative to Expulsion program have risen to the challenge as they achieved that goal.This program has garnered considerable praise, but it also raises many questions that prompt no easy answers. Might the participants in this program have managed to stay out of trouble in the first place if the schools had been more sensitive to their needs? Did the pandemic leave them with scars that cannot easily be healed by any program? Has their behavior reached the point where it would be next to impossible for them to steer themselves in more positive directions?

Christopher Cook heads this effort. The district's web site is http://www.chuh.org  .

When Jeannie Fleming-Gifford first began assuming caregiving duties for her mother, she was far from certain that she wanted to embark upon that journey. But in time she began to realize that being tossed into that role was actually a gift because it brought her great personal growth. And that is why she labeled the book she wrote about her experiences The Gift I Never Wanted: The Journey of Caregiving and Lessons Learned.

Jeannie hopes to help others who face the same challenges she did by passing along hints that will help them deal with the frustrations they encounter as they care for their aging parents' finances.

She suggests that they start this process by having a serious family discussion that might begin with open-ended questions such as "Are you concerned about anything related to your personal finances?" And then, the next step might involve working with them on a plan that will help to alleviate their concerns.

February 7, 2024 Show

Dr. Michael Scott Green

Does Las Vegas live by its own set of moral standards, remaining essentially oblivious to the ones that prevail elsewhere in America? Does it well deserve the title Sin City? Or is that simply a name the media has attached to it? Is it really a place where you can follow your whims without facing any repercussions because what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas? Or is it actually more quintessentially American than some people might imagine. There are several reasons why that could be the case. It shares one thing in common with other American cities. Its growth has been supported by a strong profit motive. And at certain points in its historical timeline, it grew because the federal government was tossing large sums in its direction.  Dr. Michael Scott Green, a professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas has some unique insights about this fascinating city.

Carl Harmon

All of the programs that Cleveland Fit for Life markets have the same goal in mind: they each promote wellness. It targets people over 65, the fastest growing age demographic in America, through its Senior Movement Fitness Program. But it goes far beyond simply working to keep members of this demographic healthy. It also offers personalized programs to people of all ages, helping them achieve their personal best.  It has been estimated that American corporations lose over $300 billion annually in productivity due to chronic diseases. By many accounts, these figures are linked to the fact that nearly 70 percent of all American adults are either overweight or obese and only 15 percent of them engage in physical activity on a regular basis. So, as this studio markets its fitness programs to corporations it presents them as being cost reduction efforts.  Carl Harmon is the owner and president of Cleveland Fit for Life. Its website is http://www.clevelandfitorlife.com

January 17, 2024 Show

According to a report published by Feeding America, a major food assistance organization, an estimated 49 million Americans turned to hunger relief programs for support during 2022. And these figures might cause some people to look around them and ask: "I see help wanted signs virtually everywhere. So, why don't people just get a job and then they will be able to buy food and will not need food assistance? The work is out there for people to take it. And if they don't want to work, why should anybody offer them a helping hand?  There are no easy answers to these questions. But Bill Laurenson, president of the Board at the Heights Emergency Food Center has some interesting insights. The center serves an average of 900 individuals people a month and has been open since 1981. Its website is https://www.heightsfoodcenter.org/

Pegi Robinson

Traditionally, Americans have been reluctant to talk about serious illnesses, much less about death. If, for example, cancer was mentioned at all it was simply called the Big C. But times have changed, and they are now more willing to reveal that they had a near death experience (NDE).  What stands responsible for this increased openness? And is our world necessarily a better place because people have become more open about discussing NDE? Or is it simply moving along the same trajectory one way or another? Nobody can respond to these questions with any degree of certainty.  But Pegi Robinson has gained some strong insights as she has interviewed numerous experiencers, Many of them report that their NDE were life altering, directing them to take up a new profession or strengthening their personal experiences. She has recorded many of their recountings for her NDETV show which can be downloaded at

https://youtube.com/@NDETV316?si=RDIteMbajcB82m5G

January 3, 2024 Show

Dr. Lisa Rainsong considers birds, crickets, katydids, amphibians not humans who lived during a long-ago eon to be the world's first musicians. And in keeping with that fact, Lisa, a professor at the Cleveland Institute of Music, has recorded their songs extensively.

But she acknowledges that this challenge has often proved difficult because, as is often true with birds, you're more likely to hear insects and amphibians before you see them. Their coloring can be perfectly camouflaged into their environment, so spotting them is a challenge.

Lisa's field research on the crickets and katydids of Northeast Ohio includes surveys for park districts throughout the region. Her online field guide, Listening to Insects, can be found at https://listeningtoinsects.com

Her educational blog, Listening in Nature, has six years of educational tutorials and stories from the field about her exploration of birds, insect song, and amphibian song. http://listeninginnature.blogspot.com

David Nassaney

When David Nassaney's wife, Charlene, suffered a severe stroke that greatly limited her mobility and ability to talk, he was thrust into a role for which nothing had ever prepared him. And one he certainly did not expect he would ever end up assuming. He became a caregiver. And he soon learned how exhausting and stressful assuming that role can be.

The first 2 to 3 years he spent as a caregiver were rough on many levels, but he soon learned a lesson that helped him handle that role while maintaining his equilibrium. As he puts it, "When you get on an airplane, they tell you to put on your emergency equipment before you help others with theirs. And extending this mantra to the role caregivers assume, they must first take care of themselves before they can help somebody else."

His web site is http://www.caregiverdave.com

December 6, 2023 Show

Laura Marks

During the 1890s, a tree enjoyed many more years of life after Cleveland Heights residents protested against it being removed so a trolley line could be extended. And throughout the decades that community has continued to show respect for trees as witnessed by the fact the Heights Tree People recently planted its 1000 tree in that community. Its efforts have been supported by numerous grants, such as one from Future-Heights that enabled it to build an urban arbor to Cleveland Heights' Caledonia District.

In partnership with Heights Libraries, HTP is planting a mini forest behind one of that system's facilities. Mulk has already been laid for the saplings that will be planted in the spring.

Laura Marks is a cofounder of HTP and the great-grand daughter of Henry Caine who was involved in the long ago rerouting of the trolley line to save a tree. HTP's web site is http://www.heightstreepeople.com 

Lexi Ritt


People often feel overwhelmed by the challenges they face as they nurture a loved one with dementia. But the support that the Caregiving Coaching Program which is offered by the Cleveland branch of the Alzheimer's Association can help them regain their equilibrium. The Care Coaches are all master-level licensed social workers.

Often, they regain their sense of calm and confidence simply because their coach has made them more aware of the support that is available to them. But there are instances where the coaches have to go a step further.

They must guide participants towards making their care-giving challenges more manageable by involving friends and family in their efforts. And that can be a difficult step for people who are unaccustomed to asking for help.

Lexi Ritt serves as the program manager of support groups for this Alzheimer's organization chapter. Its web site is https://www.alz.org/cleveland/

November 15, 2023 Show

We are moving towards the holiday season, and that means we have reasons to celebrate. But it also means things are happening that generally make people less than joyous. The days are getting shorter. It might be dark when you drive home at night or get up in the morning. But Neal Owens who owns the Maryland-based Sunbox maintains that there are ways we can compensate for what nature is not providing in the form of light. He claims that sitting under a bright light lamp of at least 10,000 lux on a daily basis can go a long way towards helping people cope with the darkness that surrounds them.  And going a step further, he notes that these devices can benefit people living with Alzheimer's as it leaves them less prone to mood swings. The web site for Sunbox which sells a wide variety of different bright light lamps is https://sunbox.com

Queen Mother Falaka Fattah

Ever since it was first initiated by community activists David and Queen Mother Falaka Fattah during the 1970s, the Philadelphia-based House of Umoja has committed itself to making the word "umoja" (unity) a reality in people's lives. And it has lived up to this commitment by providing more than 500 young Black males housing, granting them a sense of belonging, identity, and self-worth. It has also turned the The Adella, a mechanism for conflict resolution and problem solving, into a widely used tool. A summer program, the Umoja Youth Peace Corps provides weekly field trips plus training in study skills and career development.  Queen Mother Falaka Fattah now serves as this organization's CEO. She previously worked as a journalist, writing for the Philadelphia Tribune, The Philadelphia Independent and The Philadelphia Afro-American, The Bulletin, and national magazines. The organization's web site is http://www.houseofumoja.net

Dr. Lisa Corsa

Being a weekend warrior, somebody who exercises vigorously a few days a week but remains essentially sedentary the rest of the time, can benefit you in numerous ways. At the very least, it can help you achieve a wide array of personal best as you, for example, surpass how fast you have ever previously run. But it can also have a distinct disadvantage. It can leave you with aches and pains that keep you up at night. And it some cases, it can even result in your suffering from serious injuries - tennis elbow, hamstring woes, or rotator cuff issues.

People who suffer from these discomforts sometimes end up having surgery followed by long recovery periods that keep them out of action. But Dr. Lisa Corsa, the chief physiotherapist at the Florida-Based Premier Therapy Solutions, has had considerable success in managing them through physical therapy.

Her web site is https://ptviphealth.com/boca-raton-physical-therapy-center/

Pegi Robinson

Concerned that others would not take them seriously, people have generally been leery about mentioning any Near Death Experiences that they might have had. And if they do relate them at all they remember these experiences as having followed a familiar pattern: They were lifted through a tunnel to what might be described as a higher plane. And they were, subsequently, returned to their previous existence which was little changed by their NDE.

But many people that Pegi Robinson interviewed about their Near Death Experiences report that their experiences did not necessarily follow that familiar partner. Rather, they had myriad twists and turns that impacted upon the remainder of their lives. They might, for example, have found themselves directed towards taking up a new profession or strengthening their personal relationships.

Pegi Robinson has recorded many of these recountings for her ndetv show which can be downloaded at https://youtube.com/@NDETV316?si=RDIteMbajcB82m5G

Janice Lombardo

For years serious diseases, such as cancer, much less death were never openly discussed in polite company. The most anybody would say – and they said it under their breathe if at all – is so and so has the Big C. Now, however, times have changed. People are more vocal about these matters than was ever previously the case. And death doulas are working to make certain that end of life transitions are treated like what they are – another part of life - as they provide both physical and emotional support to clients and their families.

Janice Lombardo, a death doula and founder of the Ohio-based My Angel Janice CEOLD uses as her tag line: "We plan for birth, let's plan for death too." She has over 22 years' experience as a medical advocate, caregiver and earned Death Doula certification from IAP College during April 2020. Her web site is https://deathdoulas.com/ohio

Donna Halper

Donna Halper might be described as being a Jill of all trades in the best sense of that term, because she has worked in a wide variety of different professions.

She spent over four decades in broadcasting, including more than 28 years as a radio programming and management professional, working with both college and commercial stations throughout North America. And she gained considerable recognition, not only for discovering the band Rush but also for authoring, among other books, "Boston Radio 1920-2010," which tells the story of Boston radio in words and pictures. In recognition of her efforts, Donna was recently inducted into the Massachusetts Broadcasters Hall of Fame and given the Pioneer Broadcaster Award. The picture attached to this blurb shows Donna receiving her award from WBZ radio announcer, Jordan Rich.

But now Donna L. Halper, PhD has switched gears a bit. She is currently an associate professor of Communication and Media Studies at Lesley University in Cambridge Massachusetts. Her web site is http://www.donahalper.com

 

Michael Green

Las Vegas has long been renown for being a place that does not live by the morality which rules the rest of America. But does it really deserve that distinction? Is the old refrain which promises that what you do there stays there actually true? Can you really have a good time there without facing any repercussions when you get home?

Or is Las Vegas more quintessentially American than you might be led to believe? Is it, as it has often been dubbed, sin city? Or is it the one remaining place in America where, thanks to the Culinary Union, people who have little formal education can gain entrée into the middle class by working hard?

Michael Green, a professor at the University of Las Vegas Nevada, has long studied Las Vegas' ongoing evolution and he has some intriguing responses to these questions. His web site is https://www.unlv.edu/people/michael-green

Mike Malterre

You have probably always been told to apply sunscreen to your skin whenever you venture outside during the summer because it will protect you from the sun's harmful rays. But now many environmentalists are questioning that much repeated advice.

They maintain that sunscreen cannot accurately be described as being protective in any meaningful way because many brands contain Oxybenzone which can harm corrals. And residue from sunscreen flows into oceans at the staggering rate of 14,000 tons a year. That figure includes residue from people who apply it before they visit oceans as well as from people who apply it before they jog or picnic.

But Mike Malterre maintains that this environmental destruction does not have to continue as sunscreens that are safer than the traditional ones are now on the market. He is the executive vice president of Stream2Sea. Its web site is http://www.stream2sea.com  .

Scientists have determined that sunscreen can harm our ocean's coral reefs. Why can this product prove harmful?

Bruce Silverglade

Gleason’s Gym won fame and fortune as being a place where celebrities trained for matches. But its current owner Bruce Silverglade wants it to be a place where a much broader group of clients can test their athletic talents. These days, people tend to spend their time socializing and working with other folks who look like them. And the pandemic might have contributed to making that pattern even more the norm as people isolated themselves away from places people often socialize. But inclusiveness not exclusivity remains the norm at the Brooklyn-based Gleason’s Gym. People who might be preparing for professional bouts share close quarters with folks who are taking up boxing to get some exercise and try something new but have no intention of competing on any level. All sizes and show shapes, not to mention a great array of ethnic or racial backgrounds, are represented amongst its regular customers. That is hardly surprising as its current owner Bruce Silverglade remains committed to serving a broad clientele. Gleason’s Gym was first opened first during the Depression (1937) by Robert Gagliardi. Website is http://www.gleasonsgym.com

Gayle Reeves
Many people dread one thing above almost anything else. As they need help with the tasks of daily living - walking, grooming, toileting, dressing, eating - they will end up having to enter a long-term nursing facility. But that dread can dwindle if they get the advice of an elder care attorney like Gayle Reeves who can steer them towards ways of making these challenges less foreboding.

They can, for example, inform clients about the asset and income guidelines they must meet to qualify for Medicaid benefits that will cover many of their medical expenses. And they can help them decide when they should begin the planning process that will culminate in their meeting these guidelines when the time comes?

Gayle Reeves is Past President of the Lorain County Bar Association. She currently a partner with the Ohio based Dooley, Gembala, McLaughlin, Pecora Attorneys at law Her web site is https://www.dooleygembala.com/our-attorneys/gayle-a-reeves/
 

The professionals at We Care...Because You Do, a program of the Ohio-based Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging, are often called upon to help clients deal with difficult decisions that they might have been putting off for too long.  Has their loved one declined physically or mentally to the point where he or she can no longer be safely cared for at home? If the answer to that question is, for whatever reasons no, what alternatives are the most optimum? How can the alternative that they select be afforded? And possibly the most difficult challenges of all: How can they protect themselves from feeling they have failed their long-term partner if he or she ends up being institutionalized? How can they deal with the changes that will bring into their lives?  Linda Scharf is a care consultant with We Care and also trains other care consultants. The program's web site is

https://www.benrose.org/-/for-older-people-and-families/wecare 

Sherry Griffith

Griffith's writings and the sessions she shares with clients send a strong message: Only our restrictive beliefs about ourselves, coupled with everything we have have been taught about the world that surrounds us are stopping us from leading the life we desire.

She also maintains that individuals begin to transform themselves when they examine their core beliefs and, subsequently, replace the ones that are impeding their progress. And her recent book - "Discovering the Great I AM, One Woman's Journey to Find God," – presents some practical means by which people can work their way through this process.

As a practical nurse, Sherry worked in all areas of hospital nursing for 24 years. And then, at 38 after she decided to switch career paths, she obtained a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and followed it with a Master of Clinical Social Work Degree.

Sherry's web site is https://www.consciousmanifestationbooks.com .

Dr. Michael Garko

Most typically, our kidneys perform their intended functions adequately: maintaining our overall health as they filter waste products and excess fluids from the bloodstream, regulate electrolyte balance, and produce hormones that control blood pressure. However, over time – possibly due to their becoming overloaded with toxins - they sometimes stop functioning at an optimum level. And if this malfunction is not managed properly, it can lead to serious complications and potentially even be fatal. Dr. Michael Garko, a credentialed nutritionist, maintains that by following a natural protocol, people can protect themselves from suffering these ravages. He suggests that they

Maintain a balanced diet that consists of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats while also limiting the intake of processed foods, and unhealthy fats.

Reduce their sodium Intake, as excess sodium can raise blood pressure and strain the kidneys.

Michael is CEO and President of Nutralogics. Its web site is
https://www.nutralogics.com/ 

Carol Leslie

Carol Leslie's journey as a jazz singer carried her thousands of miles away from her home country, Scotland, and included a stop-off in Bermuda. The opportunity to record radio jingles while she relaxed amongst the palm trees, sun, and pink sand she found there must have made it hard for her to leave that island paradise. But she kept moving until she finally settled in her American home - Cleveland, Ohio to be exact – where she has performed at numerous different venues and an impressive list of local bands.

In addition to getting great satisfaction from her work as a jazz singer, Carol has also been challenged by her

day job as an occupational therapist, helping clients navigate their lives more effortlessly. And most recently, she has worked as a hypnotherapist, working with people to make them less burdened by anxieties and stressors.

Her website is https://www.carol-leslie-jazz.com/about-carol-leslie/.AC

June 7, 2023 Show

We all know that concussions can have serious consequences. But Dr. Udo Erasmus, a health educator, has what he considers good news. He maintains that concussions do not have to leave permanent damage because the brain can heal itself if it is supplied with essential fatty acids. A concussion that occurs when somebody is playing sports might initially appear to be nothing more than the price of being physically active. These injuries, however, can lead to confusion, headaches, and even more serious consequences in the future. Dr. Udo Erasmus, a consultant to the dietary supplement industry, acknowledges that concussions, which occur when the brain bangs against the skull, cannot always be avoided. But he maintains that following nutritional guidelines can help the brain heal after somebody has suffered one. He notes that "We've learned if we saturate the brain with what it is made of we can create the nutritional foundation making it possible for the brain to heal itself." And he suggests that balanced omega 3-6-9 oil combined with bioactive essential fatty acids can prove particularly helpful in this regard. Udo's web site is http://www.udoerasmus.com  . He has made thousands of TV and radio appearances both in this country and internationally.

May 17, 2023 Show

Dr. Nuccitelli

These days, children play games over the internet before they can even read. And the older they get, the more valuable it becomes to them. They might discover that it can make completing school assignments much easier. Or they might start envisioning it as being a modern-day magical carpet ride that can take them to Oz even though they never actually left Kansas. And whenever they feel lonely, they can enjoy socializing over it with friends who live far away from them.

But Dr. Michael Nuccitelli, a New York City-based psychologist, has become acutely aware that the internet also has a dark side. Among other things, it can bring the people who use it into contact with abusers (ipredators) who can harm them psychologically and emotionally. And he formed ipredators to make more people aware of this inconvenient truth.

This organization's web site is www.ipredator.co

Dr. Michael Garko

We all realize that the heart is quite an amazing organ. However, becoming aware of some essential facts about it can help us better understand just how amazing it really is. Even though it is only about the size of your fist, it is the strongest muscle in your body. And it keeps you alive by pumping blood through your entire system about 100,000 a day. In fact, under certain circumstances, it can even continue beating outside your body. Also noteworthy: your heart can change shape depending upon which emotion you are feeling.

But despite the fact it is truly amazing, your heart needs your help to remain healthy. An expert in the field of nutrition and lifestyle medicine, Dr. Michael Garko maintains that regular exercise remains the most essential aspect of a heart healthy lifestyle.

Dr. Garko is CEO and President of Nutralogics. Its web site is https://www.nutralogics.com/

Craig Matis

When Craig Matis formed Connect to One during 2013, he had one main goal in mind. He wanted to help people who are living with special needs gain more self-confidence as they develop strong personal relationships. He maintained that if it accomplished that objective it would serve as an important adjunct to organizations that simply encourage members to socialize as a group.  The applications that prospective members send to Connect to One ask them to indicate, among other things, the nature of their disability and the type of relationship they are seeking – dating, friendship, networking. Their responses are reviewed and verified before they are placed in a password protected directory.  Members can view the profiles that have been posted in this database and place requests to meet another member. The recipient of this request can either accept or refuse it. This organization’s web site is http://www.connectcle.org

April 19, 2023 Show

The Cleveland Heights-University Heights School District has adopted something that clearly runs against long-established educational traditions. Instead of expelling students whose behavior has become disruptive, this district makes it possible for them to graduate with their class by enrolling them in its Alternative to Expulsion Program. And many of these young people have risen to the challenge by earning their high school diploma.

This effort has garnered praise from many quarters. It has, however, also raised many questions that prompt no easy answers. Might the participants in this program have managed to stay out of trouble in the schools had been more sensitive to their needs right from the very beginning? Did the pandemic leave them with scars that cannot easily be healed by any program? Has their behavior reached the point where it would be next to impossible for them to steer themselves in more positive directions?

April 5, 2023 Show

Pegi Robinson

These days, stories about people being brought back to life after they experience a near fatal drug overdose have become almost commonplace. And much has been published about the role that Narcan plays in leading them out of danger. But near-death experience (NDE) researcher, Pegi Robinson, maintains that while they might be dramatic these retellings fail to recount one important fact.  She maintains that at least some of these survivors might experience NDEs before they return to consciousness. NDEs occur when somebody’s soul enters a higher dimension before it rejoins the experiencer’s body; they often come in the wake of a stroke or other trauma, Pegi heads the Mid Ohio Valley Chapter of the International Association for Near Death Studies, which is committed to increasing the public’s awareness of NDEs. This North Carolina-based organization’s web site is http://www.iands.org

maintains that people do not have to lie in bed night after night with a whole range of negative emotions – nervousness, anxiousness, frustration – surging through them because they cannot fall into a restful sleep. On the contrary, they can start getting the rest they crave sooner than they might ever suspect if they follow some simple procedures.

Among other things, he stresses the importance of creating a quiet, dark comfortable sleeping environment, keeping any possible distractions, such a television or a computer out of your bedroom. He also maintains that insomnia can be brought under control if you utilize newly developed technology that allows users to “even out” or “harmonize” their brains by listening to their own brain waves echoed by tones in real-time.

Lee is the CEO of Cereset, which he founded in the hopes of curing his own sleeplessness. Its web site is http://www.cereset.com  .
 

March 15, 2023 Show

Aaron Zober

By some accountings, folks who prefer a plant-based diet and those who enjoy a juicy steak, or a hamburger, will never find common ground. But members of the California-based The Appropriate Omnivore have proved those skeptics wrong. Overlooking the fact that they follow very different diets, they have joined forces by taking up as their mantra - the exact diet you follow is not as important as is the fact you eat nutrient-dense foods, such as sourdough bread, that have long been mainstays of people’s diets. And these days they stress that eating an appropriate diet can do more than just benefit your health in a myriad of ways. It can also help you keep your food budget from spiraling out of control, an important consideration during this historical juncture when people experience sticker shock every time they visit a grocery store.  Aaron Zober originated the Appropriate Omnivore. Its web site over which it streams its podcasts is http://www.appropriateomnivore.com

Barbara Becker Holstein

 Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein, a New Jersey based psychologist, practices what she labels positive psychology, which has incorporated as its mantra: Women of all ages have a great capacity for happiness and purpose. However, they often don’t know how to use their strengths to their best advantage on any level. So, they suffer a loss of physical and emotional energy that interferes with their mental health and their ability to live out their desires. But Barbara maintains that these negatives can be overcome by following a daily regime that starts with a blessing, such as this simple verse which reads in part. “As you clear off the ice, and watch your step may your dreams of delight be forming, so that as soon as the sun shines bright you will be ready and able for the wonderful treats in storage for you!”

March 1, 2023 Show

Elizabeth Maxwell

People with Down syndrome and their families will find something that can greatly enrich their lives the minute they walk into GiGi’s Playhouse Cleveland: a supportive and welcoming environment. The commitment it makes to the people who participate in any of the 20 FREE educational and therapeutic-based programs it offers begins when parents receive a prenatal diagnosis that their fetus has Down Syndrome. This support can greatly reduce the anxieties these parents feel about the challenges that might lie ahead of them. And it continues in age-appropriate ways as people who are living with Down Syndrome reach adulthood. In addition to the purposeful programs, families are connected as they support and celebrate each other and their loved ones. 

GiGi’s Playhouse Cleveland is part of an international organization with 57 Playhouses located throughout the United States and Mexico. Its website is https://gigisplayhouse.org/cleveland/  Lizz Maxwell is the Site Director.
 

Wayne Elliott

Heart disease remains the leading cause of death for both American men and women; an estimated 670,000 Americans died from it during 2020. But according to health and wellness educator Wayne Elliott, these facts and figures, no matter how grim they might sound, do not have to represent cause for alarm. Because by his accounting simple and affordable non-surgical interventions can protect people from the devastating impact of heart disease.  Speaking to that point, he indicates that when taken in the right proportions and with regularity certain herbs – aged garlic extract, European mistletoe, Motherwort flower, Cayene fruit, Bilberry leaf - have significant cardiovascular benefits. He also notes that chelation therapy which uses a chemical compound (EDTA) can make blood vessels more flexible, removes hardening mineral deposits from blood vessels and release nitric oxide, leading to vasodilation

Wayne serves as the media spokesperson for Strauss Naturals. That company’s web site is http://www.straussnaturals.com 

February 2, 2023 Show

Susan Gibson

Probably nothing terrifies people more than does the thought that they or a loved one might slide into dementia as they develop Alzheimer’s. However, Susan Gibson, the formulator of Vivolor Memory Support, maintains that these declines can be managed, albeit not totally reversed, if people follow simple nutritional and lifestyle guidelines.  For example, Susan notes that that exercise improves cognitive function; in fact, she ranks it as being the most powerful thing somebody can do to ensure their brain remains healthy. By her accounting, taking a 30-minute brisk walk at least 3 times a week can lead to a 46% reduction in dementia. But she acknowledges that although the regime she recommends might help people at any stage of memory loss, it is generally most effective when started early. Susan brings to her efforts a diverse educational background – a pharmacy degree and Harvard MBA. Her company’s web site is https://vivolor.com/  

Neal Owens

These days, literally millions of Americans face serious mental health challenges. And a wide range of opinions have been forwarded as regards what can be done to help them regain their emotional equilibrium. Some argue that medication can make them better able to cope. Others, meanwhile, have claimed that everything from medication to acupuncture or exercise can serve this same purpose. While he doesn’t discount any of these observations, Neal Owens, who owns the Maryland-based Sunbox, claims they might be overlooking one important thing. He maintains that sitting under a bright light lamp of at least 10,000 lux on a daily basis can go a long way towards helping people cope with the emotional challenges they face. This therapy, he maintains, can prove particularly beneficial for people living with Alzheimer’s as it can leave them less prone to mood swings. The web site for Sunbox which sells a wide variety of different bright light lamps is https://sunbox.com 

Dr. Thelma Reese

A CNN report concluded that math and reading scores for 9-year-olds in the US fell between 2020 and 2022 by a level not seen in decades, and it interpreted this drop as being a foreboding sign of the state of American education. What can be done to bring these test results up to standards? Do students need smaller classes longer school hours. Should they receive counseling that could help them rebound from the pandemic which kept them out of the classroom for months on end? Obviously, nobody has any easy responses to these questions which touch upon very complex issues. But Dr. Thelma Reese definitely has some responses that deserve our attention. A retired professor of English and Education, she served as the director of the Mayor’s Commission on Literacy for the City of Philadelphia and hosted a local cable show. Her book How Seniors Are Saving the World can be purchased at this link.

December 21, 2022 Show

www.UdosChoice.com

Good nutrition provides the body with the basic building blocks and essential nutrients that support its many biological tasks. At Udo’s Choice, we make the greatest public health impact by purposefully focusing on the following areas of nutrition, to help you: Get your fats right, improve digestion, and increase your consumption of greens.

In addition to Udo’s Hall of Fame status with the CHFA and National Nutrition, our Udo’s Choice products have consistently won awards in the their respective categories for quality and effectiveness since the 1990s.

In the second-half of the program: Harriet and Zman take a look back at 2022.

December 7, 2022 Show

People write every day without making certain their words are perfectly aligned with each one of them sending an important message. And when it comes to Tweeting, blogging, or filling up their Facebook page people might be more concerned about making an impact – possibly, even being a bit flamboyant - than they are about following established guidelines. They might figure that is the way that they will get “likes” and “followers.” 

There are, however, times when they become obliged to pay close attention to how they express   themselves. When they write college application letters. When they compose advertisements for their business. When they write research papers. When they finally compose that long awaited Great American novel and want to make it shine. These are the occasions when the services offered by the Savvy Red Pen can come in handy. That company’s website is http://www.thesavvyredpen.com  ,and it was originated by Gail Kerzner. 

These days people experience sticker shock whenever they venture into a grocery store and notice how the prices on their favorite items have increased exponentially in an amazingly short period of time. And they are wondering, “These expenses are breaking my budget. What can I do that will make my groceries more affordable?” Gary Growden, a veteran of the food processing industry, does not claim he has any easy answers to these queries.

But he does maintain that learning some methods by which food can be preserved might in time become a real budget saver. For example, he notes that drying it in the sun or in an oven is considered to be the easiest and the least labor-intensive way to preserve food; it removes the water that most bacteria and mold need to grow.

This company’s web site is http://mymapware.com   

Dr. Michael Nuccitelli

The internet has won hearts and minds because it can in a manner of speaking transport people virtually anywhere they might choose to go – a 21st century magic carpet ride. So, they speak about it in glowing terms. But as the New York City-based psychologist Dr. Michael Nuccitelli notes this technology has a dark side. All too often, it becomes a vehicle for internet predators (ipredators) or cyberbullies and other undesirable types to work their mischief. And because he realizes that this misbehavior can greatly harm those whom it targets, Michael has committed himself to spreading what he considers to be an important lesson. Keeping yourself safe online starts with taking one thing into account. Cyberbullies begin their games by worming themselves into people’s confidence. In that sense, their behavior mirrors that of predators who function through personal contact and the same precautions are needed.

Jeremy Manson

Young people who enter care centers have the same hopes and expectations as do others in their age grouping. They want opportunities to develop and hone their talents. And as long as they remain mentally alert, that might be a realistic hope even if they face serious physical challenges. Unfortunately, however, the facilities they enter are often ill equipped to answer their needs; they are designed to serve another generation. So, the young people who reside in them languish. Jeremiah Mason knows from personal experience the frustrations they face. After an automobile accident left him a triple amputee, he entered a Virginia care center. And since that point, he has been working to serve as an advocate for young people in care centers. While individuals under 65 years of age represent only a small percentage of individuals in these institutions, their number in the hundreds of thousands on a national level.

There is a question that individuals who are involved in social movements on an ongoing basis ask themselves regularly: Have my efforts and the efforts of many other people actually made this world a better place? And Linda Krasienko, a long-term gay activist is no exception to thus general rule. Sure, she obviously knows that the legalizing of gay marriage represents a great step forward. However, how far has that legalization really gone to make life easier for people whose lifestyle does not conform to accepted norms?  But now, however, help might be on the way for these individuals. Studio 117, an entertainment venue located on the boundary between Cleveland and Lakewood, Ohio will be expanding to include a wider range of facilities, including a retirement community, a clinic, and a motel. This project will be completed over the next two years.  
Studio West 117’s web site is http://www.StudioWest117.com    

Bridget Siljander

The Youth Legacy Foundation is committed to dispelling an assumption which it believes has gained far too much coinage - people with disabilities are by the very nature of things on the receiving not the giving end of assistance. And committed to accomplish this mission the Minnesota-based organization has been linking young people with volunteer opportunities that will help them gain confidence and experience. To help them along on this journey, it connects them with role models – some of whom are disabled and some of whom are not disabled – who will support their efforts. Some youths participate as individuals while others take place in various activities as part of a group, benefiting from companionship. The Foundation was formed during 2011. Bridget Siljander serves as its executive director. She has been active in the disabilities community since 1997 and this is the third organization she has helped to develop.
The foundation’s web site is http://www.youthlegacyfoundation.org

Throughout history, social norms have dictated that generations be separated from one another in ways almost too numerous to count. But the pandemic widened the gaps between age groups to a greater extent than had ever previously been the case as it kept people isolated from one another. As a precautionary measure against the virus spreading, grandchildren were not allowed to visit their grandparents. At the height of the health emergency senior citizens were advised not to leave their homes unless it was absolutely necessary.

But the Sherbrooke Centre in Canada’s Saskatchewan Province has progressed far beyond the point where such precautions were the norm. Togetherness is the name of the game as six graders attend classes in the center and socialize with residents. Eric Anderson serves as its Communications Leader. Information about the program can be downloaded from this link

Bruce Silverglade

Gleason’s Gym won fame and fortune as being a place where celebrities trained for matches. But its current owner Bruce Silverglad wants it to be a place where a much broader group of clients can test their athletic talents. These days, people tend to spend their time socializing and working with other folks who look like them. And the pandemic might have contributed to making that pattern even more the norm as people isolated themselves away from places people often socialize. But inclusiveness not exclusivity remains the norm at the Brooklyn-based Gleason’s Gym. People who might be preparing for professional bouts share close quarters with folks who are taking up boxing to get some exercise and try something new but have no intention of competing on any level. All sizes and show shapes, not to mention a great array of ethnic or racial backgrounds, are represented amongst its regular customers. That is hardly surprising as its current owner Bruce Silverglade remains committed to serving a broad clientele. Gleason’s Gym was first opened first during the Depression (1937) by Robert Gagliardi. Website is http://www.gleasonsgym.com
 

David Nassaney

Speaking from long experience, David Nassaney is fast to note that the gas distribution industry has transitioned dramatically since he first entered it as a worker for family-owned gas stations during the 1960s. But alert to its nuances, he also maintains that much about the way this industry functions has remained constant.

The oil companies will almost invariably act in their own best interest even if their tactics rarely end up benefiting dealers. Consequently, these entrepreneurs are often forced to deal with customers angry about rising prices even though those increases do not necessarily lift their profits.

Interviews that Dave has had about these matters with numerous television stations throughout the country can be downloaded at https://www.gasolineexpert.com And his book that details experiences as a gas station owner – Getting Hosed? Secrets, Confessions and Tales from a Gas Station Owner can be purchased from Amazon.

Malika Moore

It might be a hard truth to accept. But despite the fact that they both begin with the letter “a” the words “aging” and “amazing” are rarely used in conjunction with one another these days. If somebody can still play a concerto with great gusto in their 90s, superlatives – “wonderful,” “inspirational” - might be tossed their way. Their concerts might be afforded due respect. But less face it, that degree of adulation is hardly the norm. For the most part older people are viewed in less than positive terms.

None of that, however, deterred Malika Moore from forming Aging and Amazing during 2019 and overseeing its development. This Washington, D.C. – based organization offers an online community for elders and their care givers. And it also connects people with local professionals who specialize in treating the elderly.

Aging and Amazing’s web site is https://www.agingamazing.com/ 

August 17, 2022 Shows

Julie E


Registered dietician Julie E. runs against traditional thinking when she claims that despite the fact periods of forgetfulness are often labeled senior moments much younger people can experience them.

And in supporting that claim, she notes that brain fog is often attributable to candida (yeast) overgrowth rather than to the aging process. And this overgrowth is often accompanied by additional symptoms: gas, bloating, eczema and dandruff, nail fungus, headaches, mood swings, anxiety, depression, itching in the ears and in the genital region.

Working from that understanding, Julie E. suggests that her clients bring their candida overgrowth under control by making dietary changes-eliminate or seriously restrict all sugar and alcohol; restrict carbohydrates such as fruit, starchy vegetables, grains, and legumes. She also recommends that they take a high potency pro-biotic or an herbal anti fugal.

Julie’s web site is https://www.julieehealth.com/
 

Carol Leslie

People feel very relaxed as they undergo hypnotherapy. But as they enjoy that peacefulness, this process is having a powerful effect upon their body.

By retraining the brain, it can help people gain the strength to break negative patterns that have proved disruptive by creating stress in their lives. But while it can greatly benefit people it is not miraculously wipe away all their pain.

So, the Ohio-based Carol Leslie begins the sessions she holds with clients by helping them gain a realistic understanding of what hypnotherapy can accomplish for them. To use her terminology, she gently guiding them awaHy from a “Hollywood” vision of it as being a cure all. And she then works with them to evolve strategies that will allow them to relax their brains and allow healing to occur. She conducts all sessions virtually or by phone.

Carol Leslie’s web site is https://carol-leslie-hypno.com

August 3, 2022 Show

Staffing remains an ongoing challenge and smaller establishments are facing stiff competition from fast food that are better equipped to handle drive-through orders and can afford to charge lower prices. Then, there is the fact that many people, leery of becoming infected by the virus, are avoiding all public places.


Throughout history many businesses have become the victims of changing economic times. Are restaurants or are at least a substantial number of them slated to endure the same fate, no matter what anybody does to try and save them. Or can steps be taken to help ensure their continued viability? There are no easy answers to those questions. But Tommy Fellow who has run the Ohio-based Tommy’s for 50 years no doubt has some intriguing responses.

Tommy’s web site is http://www.tommyscoventry.com 

At this point, many people are wondering: Is the fact that for profit nursing homes often fail to keep their promises tied to their desire to lower expenses? Does the fact that they are understaffed stem from management’s desire to save money as much as it does from the fact they simply cannot attract enough workers?

Working through the Virginia-based Dignity for the Elderly, Sam Kukich has studied many facilities and found that the suspicions she and others hold about them have been largely substantiated. This organization is not, however, content to merely document an inconvenient truth - these institutions are riddled with shortcomings that could endanger residents. It has teams that are working throughout the United States as well as in Canada and Kenya to upgrade the care that nursing home residents receive.

Dignity for Aged website is http://www.dignityfortheaged.org 

July 20, 2022 Show

Anthony Nunez

As the CEO of INF Care Anthony Nunez has been instrumental in developing RUDY, in common parlance a robot, who can help seniors or disabled individuals stay safe and connected. And he road tested this technology during the pandemic as he worked with Medicaid to bring just the software from RUDY into homes throughout the Washington DC area.  And now the Virginia-based INF Care is launching a new service called AT HOME CONCIERGE which is a support system to help independent older adults remain independent at home.  As the name implies it is designed to make it possible for seniors and others with special needs to age at home. These check-ins focus on daily connectivity for individuals at home, getting answers on informational requests and help with scheduling but most importantly, listening to the client. Subscriptions can be purchased on a month-by-month, with there being no fee for cancellations and everything is included.

INF’s web site is www.inf.care
 

Donna Halper

The years young people spend in college are traditionally thought to be the best years of their lives. They have evolved beyond their teenaged angst and are not yet obliged to take on adult responsibilities. Yet, that idealized image no longer seems to represent the realities of college life for many students. If nothing else, they are pressured by the thought of repaying college loans, debts that might oblige them to accept a high paying rather than an ideal job. And the pandemic continues to spread a somberness over everything.

Donna Halper, a professor at Leslie University in Boston, remains uniquely position to help us better understand the factors that are making their college years less than joyous for many students. She worked in youth orientated radio during the 1960s and 1970s, so she can compare the lives of students from two very different generations. Her website is http://www.donnahalper.com
 

July 6, 2022 Show

was instrumental in forming the Florida-based National Red Alert Company, which markets rapid response systems that allow people to bypass 911 as they contact emergency assistance. His involvement with this company evolves naturally from his passion for utilizing technology in ways that can save lives by speeding response times.  In discussing the potential of the system, he has helped develop, Robert notes that: “US regulators estimate that as many as 10,000 lives could be saved every year by reducing police response times by as little as one minute. In addition to saving lives, it could spare crime victims needless mental and physical trauma by faster police response.” Robert has also played a major role in developing web-based marketing systems for independent businesses. Intermeshing tried-and-true fundamentals with web-based system technologies, this system allows these businesses to compete effectively with known retail giants.

The web site for National Red Alert is https://nationalredalert.com/ 

Dan Barker

The First Amendment to the United States Constitution delivers a strong message: church and state must remain separated. But over the centuries considerable disagreement has raged as regards how this separation should express itself. And that debate has become particularly intense in recent years as many political candidates have made their religious beliefs the cornerstone of their campaigns.

Are they stepping over boundaries when they bring religion into realms where it night not belong? Or are they simply utilizing their freedom of speech rights? Nobody has the definitive response to that query. But it is the type of question that the Wisconsin-based Freedom From Religion Foundation, which promotes separation of church and state, approaches from many angles. Dan Barker is the President and co-founder of this organization, coming to his position after gaining renown as a preacher with a bent for song.

The foundation’s web site is http://www.ffrf.org

June 15, 2022 Show

Check the Dancing Wheels web site for information on its upcoming events.

As she describes it, Sara Lawrence-Sucato wears many hats within the Dancing Wheels organization. Retired after sixteen years dancing with the troupe that features both seated and standing dancers, she now serves as the company's rehearsal director and also handles outreach and in-studio classes for the School of Dancing Wheels.

Thanks to her experiences, she can offer valuable insights into some intriguing questions. Should integrated dancing be incorporated into more generalized programs for individuals with mobility issues? Can participating in integrated dancing help standing dancers gain more meaningful understanding of body movements than they might otherwise gain? Has integrated dancing ever been taught to veterans or others who were injured in wars as a means of helping them cope with their injuries?

Dancing Wheels was first organized during the 1980s and since its inception, it has become a leading source of inspiration and knowledge for other integrated dancing troupes. Its website is  https://www.dancingwheels.org

June 1, 2022 Show

Mary Verdi Fletcher

Dancing Wheels delivers a strong message: performers in wheelchairs – seated dancers - can navigate around the stage with as much panache and dexterity as can dancers who move in more traditional ways. In fact, their presence can make a performance even more captivating than would otherwise be the case.  And their talent plus their resilience stands responsible for the fact that this troupe has received considerable recognition since it first began performing during the 1980s. The company has grown over the years until it currently serves as a training site for students from around the globe. Could Dancing Wheels become as successful as it has been if it was started now? Or would tough economic times make it virtually impossible for this venture to survive? There are no easy answers to these questions. But Mary Verdi Fletcher who originated the group has some intriguing responses.

Dancing Wheels web site is​ is https://www.dancingwheels.org 

Check the Dancing Wheels web site for information on its upcoming eventa..

Second Half of Show: 

Practical thoughts about guns and gun control from an enthusiastic gun-owner.

May 18, 2022 Show

Pegi Robinson

May 5, 2022 Show

Lauri Scharf

At one point, when an older person began to falter long term care in a nursing facility was almost the only available option for that individual. But times have changed and these days many even those who have been diagnosed with dementia, manage to remain in their own homes.

However, that arrangement might be contingent upon their receiving the type of support that We Care…Because You Do, a program of the Ohio-based Benjamin Rose Institute can provide. We Care can help the elderly and their care givers deal with major challenges: planning for long-term care; handling financial and legal concerns; exploring housing options and respite possibilities. And its offerings can prove more vital than ever as COVD precautions continue to make connecting with services more difficult than ever.

Lauri Scharf is a care consultant with We Care and also trains other care consultants. This program’s web site is https://www.benrose.org/-/for-older-people-and-families/wecare

Dr Julie Gatza

The pandemic resulted in literally millions of people experiencing welcomed personal growth. They might have gained a greater appreciation for nature or strengthened their relationship with loved ones. But human nature being what it is, some less than optimum habits also came into play during the pandemic. People journeyed to their refrigerator and indulged in some high calorie treats more often than might have been optimum. The result of this indulgence: weight gains of 20 pounds or more became almost the norm.

How can people manage to lose that unwanted baggage? There are no easy answers to that riddle. However, Dr. Julie Gatza, co-founder of the Florida Wellness Institute, has some established some guidelines that can help people get back into their fighting shape. She maintains that, while this challenge might not prove easy, making lifestyle changes can help them reach their goals.

Her web site is https://naturessources.com/dr-julie-gatza

April 20, 2022 Show

Queen Mother Falaka Fattah

Initiated by community activist David and Falaka Fattah the Philadelphia-based House of Umoja began operating during the 1970s. And since that point, it has committed itself to making the word “umoja” (community) a reality as it has become a source of counsel and personal development for neighborhood youths. In addition to providing homes for many young males who might not otherwise have stabilized housing, it has also turned the The Adella, a mechanism for conflict resolution and problem solving into a widely used tool. Through its planting seeds program, The House of Umoja's Planting Seeds posts posters emblazoned with anti-violence messages throughout marginalized neighborhoods. While it acknowledges that this strategy is simple rather than elaborate, the messages these posters spread will have the power to counteract the negativism that is spread by the media and other sources. An array of them can be downloaded at https://www.houseofumoja.net/planting-seeds.html    The House of Umoja’s web site is https://www.houseofumoja.net/