What can we help you find?

My initial thought was to find information about  William Shakespeare's mother, Mary Arden.  I was curious as to the role she played or didn't play in her son's life.  That search led me to Shakesp…

My initial thought w…

My initial thought was to find information about  William Shakespeare's mother, Mary Arden.  I was curious as to the role she played or didn't play in her son's life.  That search led me to Shakespearian expert and Columbia University English Professor, James Shapiro.  His initial responses was, "your podcast will last about 30 seconds because we don't know much about her."  That said, he mentioned that he and his  brother Michael, also a professor at Columbia University (Graduate School of Journalism), would be interested in sharing stories about their mother who had also been a teacher…

Jackie Dubrovich and I had a wonderful conversation about her families historical journey to to America. We also took a few minutes to share our similarities. Interestingly enough, both of us have sto…

Jackie Dubrovich and…

Jackie Dubrovich and I had a wonderful conversation about her families historical journey to to America. We also took a few minutes to share our similarities. Interestingly enough, both of us have stories to share of an Olympic experience, but from different perspectives. It was fun to reminisce about my experience at the 1980,  XIII Olympic Winter Games in Lake Placid, New York. These particular winter games are  remembered for the U.S. Men's Ice Hockey Team's "Miracle on Ice" gold-medal run plus Eric Hieiden's five  gold medals in speed skating and so much more. I was a college student at…

"Dorothy" was the name that the institution assigned to this new born baby girl that had been dropped off at this facility by the unmarried biological mother. At this time, there was unprecedented pre…

"Dorothy" was the na…

"Dorothy" was the name that the institution assigned to this new born baby girl that had been dropped off at this facility by the unmarried biological mother. At this time, there was unprecedented prejudice against illegitimate children and unwed mothers. This facility was government run and theoretically a highly regarded home for foundlings from the ages of 5 to 12 years old. At which point they were to have trained the children who were not returned to their families, with skills in order for them to be placed in homes as house maids, servants, etc. The environment that shaped Dorothy was b…

Letting go of the busyness, was a gift Jennifer gave to herself. Her grandmother was always keeping busy as was her mom, but Jennifer wasn't happy just doing things that she didn't really want to  d…

Letting go of the bu…

Letting go of the busyness, was a gift Jennifer gave to herself. Her grandmother was always keeping busy as was her mom, but Jennifer wasn't happy just doing things that she didn't really want to  do.My guest wanted to satisfy her interests of both the right and left sides of her brain.  Becoming an engineer seemed like a logical career choice because her father was an engineer.  Twenty years later, she realized she was bored and needed more.  She retired and  completed her Masters degree in Industrial Design. When Jennifer mentioned to her mom that she may pursue an architecture degree,…

Gerry Strain is a former Football player in Scotland. He played Football ( known as Soccer in America) for many many years and eventually he had to come to the understanding that he wasn't going to ri…

Gerry Strain is a fo…

Gerry Strain is a former Football player in Scotland. He played Football ( known as Soccer in America) for many many years and eventually he had to come to the understanding that he wasn't going to rise to the professional level that he aspired to for many reasons. He feels it had a lot to do with not being from the proper socio-economic class.  Eventually, Gerry became an agent and now he's the Director of Hamilton Academical Football Club. When Gerry first contacted me, he sent me a list of women that have impacted his life. First and foremost, his mum and nana. Then he went on to mention …

In time, Tina became "the fixer" in the household. The fights and yelling was too much for Tina and she also took on the role of being her younger sister's protector.  She felt that she needed to cal…

In time, Tina became…

In time, Tina became "the fixer" in the household. The fights and yelling was too much for Tina and she also took on the role of being her younger sister's protector.  She felt that she needed to calm everyone down most importantly for herself to feel safe.Feeling abandoned and neglected early on in her life, my guest's mother, was a highly sensitive child and she didn't get as much attention as she needed as a child.  The family deemed her "the neurotic child."  It seemed as though the only thing that Leilani's family seemed to valued was her beauty. Leilani became a swimsuit model as a yo…

Beth was raised in Worcester, MA and she was the youngest of three children. Unfortunately, she was born seventeen years after her second oldest sister. She was basically raised as an only child and Â…

Beth was raised in W…

Beth was raised in Worcester, MA and she was the youngest of three children. Unfortunately, she was born seventeen years after her second oldest sister. She was basically raised as an only child and  unfortunately didn't get much attention from her parents. Alan's grandparents felt that she was a pretty blond haired, blue eyed young lady and that she'd get married and start a family. They never instilled any ideals about higher Education and basically left her to fend for herself.Well, she and her husband did fall in love and started a loving family but then her dreams were crushed  when she…

Throughout my conversation with Jordan, she spoke of what a loving family  she's a part of. So much open conversation,  a vast view of politics and current events going on in the world. Jordan is qu…

Throughout my conver…

Throughout my conversation with Jordan, she spoke of what a loving family  she's a part of. So much open conversation,  a vast view of politics and current events going on in the world. Jordan is quick to point out that "my entire life I was raised in such an unapologetically feminist household. Both parents are/were feminists and both parents believed in female leadership." So it's no real surprise that Jordan is now helping women get elected in the House and/or Senate, that have never elected a female candidate before.Jordan describes her mother as strong and loving, very protective and su…

At 50, Julie's mom got divorced, became a Real Estate agent and started a new life. Julie Campbell says, " we are more than our fears." And she knows first hand that it's possible to move on from you…

At 50, Julie's mom g…

At 50, Julie's mom got divorced, became a real Estate agent and started a new life. Julie Campbell says, " we are more than our fears." And she knows first hand that it's possible to move on from your past and move on from your limiting beliefs. Julie is a New York actor and founder of Center Stage Connections, where she uses her acting background and tools to help others "move beyond limiting beliefs, communicate with authenticity and presence , speak with courage and Clarity and make connections with colleagues and clients that build Relationships, grow your business and create the work and…

Sarah is a writer and this is the  first time her work has been published in the New York Times. the link is below. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/23/style/modern-love-looking-for-my-mother.htmlThi…

Sarah is a writer an…

Sarah is a writer and this is the  first time her work has been published in the New York Times. the link is below. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/23/style/modern-love-looking-for-my-mother.htmlThis is an unusual love story where a Pakistani woman proposed to her lover which was culturally not the norm. They were both young and very much in love. Unfortunately, Kaukab, translated from Arabic, means "star" or "constellation"  was diagnosed with Leukemia  a few years after their daughter's were born. Sarah's parents went to London  for a bone marrow transplant.This was the beginning of tea…

This is a story of a woman who didn't realize she had neurological conditions that were perhaps altering her abilities until she was in her forties. You ask how is that possible? Well, Sadie thought t…

This is a story of a…

This is a story of a woman who didn't realize she had neurological conditions that were perhaps altering her abilities until she was in her forties. You ask how is that possible? Well, Sadie thought that everyone was just like her. She assumed everyone else's brain worked just like hers. Her biggest cheerleader was her grandmother, who since Sadie was a little girl, has catalogued everything her granddaughter has written or drawn.  Adele says of her grandmother "she is perfect and just brimming with fantastic folksy Wisdom.""Do I Know You, A Faceblind Reporter's Journey into the Science of Si…

My guest grew up in Chicopee, MA, a mill town, textiles/paper, with hard working moms and dads just trying to provide for their families. The  large immigrant community was trying to develop new skil…

My guest grew up in …

My guest grew up in Chicopee, MA, a mill town, textiles/paper, with hard working moms and dads just trying to provide for their families. The  large immigrant community was trying to develop new skills while developing new ties with their new neighbors.  Ken's father's family was from Quebec, Canada and his mom, Cindy, her family immigrated from Scotland. There's quite a bit to this story that Ken shared with me and I'm  not going to reveal all of it other than saying it was at times very difficult to navigate.  When things are left better off not spoken about, that leaves lots of unanswe…

As a licensed Marriage and  Family Counselor, author and public speaker, Roya Dedeaux hears lots of 'mom' stories. The one she's most proud of is the story of her own mother, Pam. Pam and her sibling…

As a licensed Marria…

As a licensed Marriage and  Family Counselor, author and public speaker, Roya Dedeaux hears lots of 'mom' stories. The one she's most proud of is the story of her own mother, Pam. Pam and her siblings as well as her mother, Roya's grandmother, were all educators.  Education and learning was always a topic of concern whenever they got together.   So when Roya's mom said she wanted to 'unschool' Roya and her sisters, the girls were all very confused.Roya was just finishing up 4th grade and mom said  "I'm not sending you back to school next year." Well you can imagine the confusion amongst th…

As a teen, Sam neglected to really connect with his mother. Unfortunately, Eleanor  passed away at a very young. In time, as a journalist, Sam realized  he had the skills to research his mom's past …

As a teen, Sam negle…

As a teen, Sam neglected to really connect with his mother. Unfortunately, Eleanor  passed away at a very young. In time, as a journalist, Sam realized  he had the skills to research his mom's past and get to know her from the beginning. In "Who She Was, My Search For My Mother's Life," you'll find the story of a beautiful young woman who had so many hopes and dreams and life, WWII, the Holocaust and more just got in the way.Eleanor had everything going for her. She was smart, beautiful, creative and she had many friends. She graduated high school at 16 as the valedictorian of her class.  T…

Did your mother ever suggest you take a 'SeaMester'-a semester off from college to sail to the caribbean and keep a journal? Or maybe your mom convinced your dad to quit his job and jump in the car fo…

Did your mother ever…

Did your mother ever suggest you take a 'SeaMester'-a semester off from college to sail to the caribbean and keep a journal? Or maybe your mom convinced your dad to quit his job and jump in the car for a once in a lifetime family vacation to Alaska? Or how about, forgo Christmas in order to participate in an anti Vietnam war protest in DC?Most likely not, but Tim Wacker's mother did . Ronnie Wacker, a woman of unfailing generosity and love for her family, lived life by example. Tim has many remarkable stories to share about his mother and all that she had to give. Sometimes we look back with r…

Rachel's father was a prominent doctor and pastor in Brazil. Unfortunately, Rachel's dad passed away when she was only 9 months old. After a few short years, Theresa, Rachel's mother, finds herself mo…

Rachel's father was …

Rachel's father was a prominent doctor and pastor in Brazil. Unfortunately, Rachel's dad passed away when she was only 9 months old. After a few short years, Theresa, Rachel's mother, finds herself moving to the US on behalf of a sponsorship from a Christian church mainly because of her diseased husband's reputation.The two women relied heavily on the church community for support, including everything from meals, clothing, babysitting, etc.While mom was trying to continue her education and hold down three jobs, Rachel often was being cared for by neighbors and fellow church members. However, R…

In his 20's, Kevin took a job unexpectedly and stuck with it for a while. He made great Money, had a car and beautiful girlfriend, but he realized he still wasn't happy on the inside. He was caught up…

In his 20's, Kevin t…

In his 20's, Kevin took a job unexpectedly and stuck with it for a while. He made great money, had a car and beautiful girlfriend, but he realized he still wasn't happy on the inside. He was caught up and looking for happiness in the wrong places.Now he's motivated and confident and he's helping others get to that "next lever in life"-one that matters. Kevin explains that "it's where each of us can make things happen by embracing the positive messages and intentions that work for us." Kevin and his podcast co-host Alan Lazaros, are helping people "level up their life, their love, their health …

"It was all just about her," Lang explains. Her mom, Ann, was never  going to change. A mother who stuck to her routine whether it was taking a long bath, bike ride, going to the gym , it was all abo…

"It was all just abo…

"It was all just about her," Lang explains. Her mom, Ann, was never  going to change. A mother who stuck to her routine whether it was taking a long bath, bike ride, going to the gym , it was all about he needs and wants and not her daughter's. Ann had a tough childhood, grew up in a strict household, so she was going to raise Diane the same way. There are so many layers to this story, including Diane saying "she has no fond memories of her mother and no other female role models in life." Diane even mentioned that she's blocked out many of her teen years because the family relationship was s…