It takes guts to stand up for what’s right when others choose to run, as opposed to fight. While many walk away from adversity, Lisa Bowman stood and stayed to speak and publish the truth. Too many women are harassed, inappropriately talked to or grasped. Too often these actions are seen, and too often the only consequences come to the harassee, not the harasser. ‘Harasshole’ is Lisa Bowman’s narrative of her journey from award-winning Chief Marketing Officer at “America’s Favorite Charity”, United Way, to her allegations of harassment and retaliation that eventually resulted in her termination.  

Dedicating her career to supporting success for clients through storytelling, Audrey Vandenbroeck is a VP at Issuu, the world’s largest digital publishing and discovery platform. With every discussion and directive, she supports the stories that shape our world with a purpose and passion to elevate engagement through storytelling. Audrey helps make stories ‘go’.   

Beyond beautiful, she’s bold and brilliant as well. As a child refugee in America, Kristina Alexandra made her way as more than just a ‘pretty face’, while creating a space for others to rise and to thrive. In her career, she’s held her own in corporate America, while holding others up in New York City during 9/11. Despite the circumstances of any battle, she shows up not just ‘pretty’, but powerful.   

The most beautiful smile I’ve had the pleasure and honor to see belongs to my sister, Elizabeth Marie Mateer. Whether in tears of immense joy or intense sorrow, she wears a smile and wears it well. Diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis over 20 years ago, MS has knocked her down on many occasions, but every time she gets back up with a smile in response to the pain. Having been diagnosed with MS just over a year ago myself, I can think of no greater source of inspiration for a condition that can’t yet be cured, only endured. Her smile makes me smile.

Jessica Frew has Cerebral Palsy. Nonverbal, she communicates with an eye gaze application that she’s used since the age of 9. As a model and actress, her industry of choice is entertainment, Jessica works to inspire others and open opportunities for other non-verbal actors with communication devices. She’ll not allow her disability to silence her. She wants to show the world that people with disabilities can accomplish anything, if only given the chance.   

LaunchLeft is an alliance of left-of-center artists. An intentional space for art and activism where famed creatives launch new artists, the LaunchLeft ecosystem currently includes a podcast, live production arm, record label and NFT gallery. They work to grow and nurture collaborative projects from production through distribution with artists that span artistic disciplines, but share a commitment to integrity in process, execution and vision. LaunchLeft aspires to inspire a new model for art that places people over profit. Founded by Rain Phoenix, LaunchLeft is highlighting unconventional and underrepresented artists who champion culture change.

This exclusive interview is found in 'The Rise Edition' of AwareNow Magazine: www.awarenowmagazine.com 

Featuring: Rain Phoenix

Interviewed by: Allié McGuire

Music by: Sol Rising

Produced by: Awareness Ties

From 'Hope For Afghanistan', a column in AwareNow Magazine, Russ Pritchard shares a series of true stories entitled 'Afghan Accounts'. The first in this series is entitled 'Weekend From Hell'. 

Written & Narrated by: Russ Pritchard

What do you find at the intersection of ‘corporate’ and ‘creative’? When it comes to Nick Simon and his father Adam, you find CANTSTOPGOODBOY where the best of both worlds meet. They accepted an invitation by Eddie Donaldson to speak about the business of art and the partnership of a father and son.

This exclusive interview is found in 'The Light Edition' of AwareNow Magazine: www.awarenowmagazine.com

Featuring: Nick & Adam Simon

Interviewed by: Eddie Donaldson

Music by: Sol Rising

Produced by: Awareness Ties

Once upon a time, a little boy named Jacob fought a war.

It was a war without end.

On the day it began, the doctor told Jacob's parents, "I do not want to give you false hope," when he revealed Jacob's terminal & degenerative condition to them.

The prognosis was grim.

To paraphrase, "There would be no winning this battle," he told them.

Jacob was condemned.

Spinal Muscular Atrophy or SMA was a death sentence for children.

This story is found in 'The Light Edition' of AwareNow Magazine: www.awarenowmagazine.com 

Written & Narrated by: Lori Butierries

Music by: Sol Rising

Produced by: Awareness Ties

Hilary thought she overcame the most traumatic time in her life after she was told to plan her own funeral while pregnant with her second child. The stress caused while planning for her death, triggered premature labor. She gave birth to her preemie, and after a week in the hospital, the scare was over. Arriving to her brand-new home, fully baby-proof (they thought), Hilary was ready to return to her family of four, proudly wearing her badge of honor - Mama.

On April 6, 2003, Hilary went for a short walk with a friend. Her husband, 18-month-old son and preemie were at home while she was enjoying the fresh air, a good conversation, and movement. At home, while her husband was changing the preemie, her 18-month-old managed to quickly get into the master bathtub and turn on the hot water. He suffered severe third-degree burns. It was surreal. They trusted that the plumbing company set the water temperature gauge to “kid-safe”. They thought they did all the right things to protect their children.

This story is found in 'The Light Edition' of AwareNow Magazine: www.awarenowmagazine.com 

Written & Narrated by: Sonja Montiel

Music by: Sol Rising

Produced by: Awareness Ties