In this episode, actor and voiceover artist Miguel Gabriel shares his journey from struggling with impaired speech to finding his voice, literally and creatively. Thoughtful and grounded beyond his years, Miguel opens up about overcoming bullying, staying true to himself, and how kindness—his self-described superpower—has shaped his path. His reflections on rejection, faith, and friendship offer wisdom that resonates at any age.

In this episode, Michele Uriarte-Beards shares her journey as the mother of actor and voiceover artist Miguel Gabriel. When Miguel showed early signs of speech and movement challenges, Michele navigated the uncertainties of finding the right support. Facing resistance—even from within her own family—she remained determined to help her son thrive. In addition to exploring various therapies, she found unexpected help in the theatre community, which not only provided Miguel with a creative outlet but also set him on a path to a professional acting career. Michele also reflects on Miguel’s experience with bullying—how those who once bullied him ultimately became his bodyguards. It’s a powerful parallel to his journey from struggling with speech to becoming a successful voiceover actor. 

This is a replay of a recent episode because February is American Heart Month.Craig and Karey Packard share their inspiring story about facing an unexpected health crisis that forever changed their lives. They recount how the life-saving power of CPR played a critical role in a miraculous outcome. Their story is one of faith and resilience and a good reminder of the power of preparation in the event of the unexpected.

In light of the news that the FDA is banning Red No. 3 due to health concerns, we’re replaying this popular episode from last season that discusses the impact of food dyes on behavior.

Join us in a touching conversation with Amy and her daughter Lizzie as they share their experiences with 18-year-old Mathew, who was diagnosed with autism. Amy discusses the challenges of raising Mathew, including how eliminating certain food dyes helped reduce his aggressive behavior. Lizzie shares insights on being an older sister to a sibling with autism, highlighting the unique bond they share. This episode offers a candid look into a family’s journey with autism, filled with challenges, love, and resilience.

Days for Girls is an organization empowering communities worldwide through menstrual health education and resources. Today, I’m thrilled to welcome the founder of Days for Girls, Celeste Mergens, along with her husband, Don. This episode dives deeper than just menstrual equity and the work of DfG. We discuss Celeste’s memoir, The Power of Days, which chronicles her inspiring journey—from growing up in poverty and overcoming abuse to leading a global movement. They also open up about Celeste’s rare hereditary movement disorder that affects her and four of her grandchildren.

In this bonus episode, you will hear Erica DeMarch interview me on her Balance Matters podcast. We not only discuss my TEDx talk Your Socks May Hold the Key to Aging Better.  We also dive deep into the themes of the talk—exploring what else I would have shared if given more than 10 minutes to speak. In addition, we discuss the importance of body awareness in balance training along with exploring methods that can help with awareness through movement, like the Feldenkrais Method and yoga – powerful tools for improving balance and preventing falls.

Sheila Nevins, a prominent documentary filmmaker and best-selling author, discusses her experiences with her son’s Tourette syndrome and speaks about the broader themes of aging, disability, and authenticity. Through personal stories and reflections, she sheds light on often misunderstood topics, emphasizing the importance of genuine representation over sensationalism. With humor and candor, Sheila shares her journey of seeking answers and navigating the complexities of life. Her commitment to storytelling is marked by a willingness to confront uncomfortable truths, making for a compelling and insightful conversation. Sheila shares a wealth of wisdom for us all.

In this episode, I talk with Jay Silverman, an award-winning filmmaker known for his emotionally resonant work. Jay discusses his journey into feature filmmaking, which began with “Girl on the Edge,“ a deeply personal film inspired by his daughter’s recovery through equine therapy. His latest film, “Camera,” is another heartfelt project influenced by his experiences as a father of a daughter with impaired speech. Jay shares how his work has become a vehicle for expressing the lessons and wisdom he’s gained from these personal experiences, driven by a passion to touch others through his storytelling.

Noah, my ATV guide in Alaska, joins me on this episode of Wisdom Shared.  Last season, we heard from Noah’s mom, Melissa, who talked about her sobriety journey.  In this discussion, Noah courageously shares his difficult journey with pills. He nearly died. He offers advice, hope, and solidarity to others facing similar struggles. His powerful narrative underscores the transformative power of sharing personal experiences in the hopes of helping others.

Sharon “Rocky” Roggio is my special guest – the producer and director of the award-winning documentary “1946: The Mistranslation that Shifted Culture.” This film explores the profound impact of a mistaken biblical translation of the word “homosexual” and its consequences on culture, religion, and the LGBTQ community. Rocky shares her personal journey as a Christian lesbian, discussing her efforts to seek acceptance and understanding from her father, a church pastor. Through these conversations, listeners gain insight into Rocky’s experiences and the broader implications of this pivotal mistranslation.

In this conversation with filmmaker and self-described Renaissance Man Stewart Schulman, we discuss his multifaceted career and his collaborations with John Bayless, highlighting projects like One Hand One Heart and the award-winning feature documentary Left Alone Rhapsody: The Musical Memoir of Pianist John Bayless. Schulman shares  Bayless’ life from childhood illness and genius piano playing at age four to Julliard as Leonard Bernstein’s protege; from his Baptist upbringing to conversion to Judaism; and from playing the piano around the world as a Steinway then Yamaha artist with two hands to his re-invented life post-stroke re-learning to play the piano with his non-dominant left hand.  Stewart’s stories about his life and the filmmaking process are delightfully accented by John’s music and one-man show, One Hand One Heart.  I hope this episode (and John Bayless episode!) inspires you to see the fabulous film, Left Alone Rhapsody.

My special guest for this episode is pianist John Bayless, whose story is featured in the incredible documentary Left Alone Rhapsody: The Musical Memoir of Pianist John Bayless. In our conversation, John reflects on life before and after his stroke.  Post-stroke, John’s resilience shines through as he embarks on a remarkable path of self-recovery and discovery. Teaching himself to play with just his left hand, he defied the odds and embraced a new chapter. John’s story and music  make this episode a must-listen, just as the documentary is a must-watch.