Becoming Wilkinson

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Jason Mannino

Jason has decades of experience in multiple various careers that overlap including careers as an Executive Search Consultant, Executive Coach, Singer, Actor. 

 In Executive Search Jason has partnered with a variety of mission-driven clients both in house and with some of the world’s top executive recruiting agencies including Korn Ferry and Koya Partners (a division of Diversified Search Group). He also implemented in house executive search functions at world class organizations including University of Southern California, UC Berkeley, LA Care Health Plan among others. He also spent years working throughout the entertainment industry at organizations including Warner Bros. The Walt Disney Company and Universal Music among others. 

 In addition, Jason has had a lifelong love affair with the performing arts as a performer and supporter. Since moving to Palm Springs in 2021 he has sung withModern Men, Coachella Valley Men’s Chorus, and had the honor of performing in the world premiere of their commission Momentum.  He's performed multiple times with A Cabello, the Coachella Valley’s Premier Male Vocal Ensemble.. And he made his operatic debut in the lead role of Guy in TigerBear Productions' West Coast Premiere of Unbound in 2022.

 He holds a B.A. in Theater Arts from Rutgers University and an M.A. in Spiritual Psychology from University of Santa Monica and he is credentialed as an executive/career coach with the International Coaching Federation ( He is also a certified massage therapist and certified conscious breath worker.

Photo: Copyright Wilkinson/2022

Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.

To contact Wilkinson- email him at [email protected]

NOTE:  This is a re-issue of a podcast that I released last year when my podcast was new and I had few downloads and followers.  I've been re-issuing some of the better ones on Friday, now that I have additional followers who can now enjoy them.

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Michael Vaccaro had ended a 16 year relationship.  In the dumps, he searched the internet for sad songs and poems to match his melancholy mood.  But he found one poem that was uplifting.  He liked the poem so much that he printed it out and put it in his wallet, where he carried it for five or six years.  Then one day he met a man who embodied what was written in the poem.  They were inseparable from that point on.

This is a love story completely orchestrated by the Universe.  Call it fate.  Call it The Law of Attraction. Whatever words are used to describe this story- it was a time of pure magic.  And it's one that will haunt the listener for a very long time.


Wait for Him:
Wait for the guy that calls you beautiful instead of hot,
Who calls you back when you hang up on him,
Who stays awake just to watch you sleep,
who worries and takes care of you when you are ill.
Wait for the guy that kisses your forehead,
who wants to show you off to the world when you are wearing sweats,
who holds your hand in front of his friends.
Wait for the guy who is constantly reminding you of how much he cares about you,
and how lucky he is to have you.
Wait for the guy who turns to his friends and say, "That's him!"
Wait for the guy who only wants you.
- Antonio

Michael Vaccaro is an actor/writer/producer/director/print model and singer. Michael grew up in New York City, and began working as a child actor in the Robert Altman film, “Rich Kids.” His film work includes “Deleted Scenes,” “You Can’t Stay Here,” and “The Endless Possibility of Sky,” all directed by Todd Verow,  “A Play On Words,” which was nominated for Best Feature at the NYC International Film Festival, "The Other Side of Infinity," directed by James Lay, "Surf Grifters," “Look Back,” in which he plays the lead role and was a big winner at the Cannes Film Festival, “The True Blue Ripper” can now be seen on Tubi.

His TV work includes “Bronx: SIU,”(Amazon Prime) “No Brainer”(Netflix), “The Middle Ages,” alongside actress Shirley Jones, and five seasons of “Child of the ‘70s,” a sitcom he created, and he has done voices for many cartoon characters. In the ‘80s, he was an angst-ridden teen on NBC’s hit soap, “Another World.” 

He has an extensive theatre resume, appearing in many productions of “West Side Story,” and other musicals, tons of Shakespeare, and he recently starred in “O’Neill’s Ghosts” at the Odyssey Theatre in LA. He is a graduate of the Second City Improv Conservatory. 

He can be found on many TV commercials, and he often works as a print model, most recently for Miller Lite, Amazon and Audio Books. 

As a singer, he has 2 albums out which can be found at Spotify, Pandora, Apple Music, iTunes, and all online platforms, and has his own cologne, Proteus. www.MichaelVaccaro.com 

Instagram: @MichaelVaccaro 

TikTok: @michaelvacaroofficial 

Photo: Copyright Wilkinson/2023

Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.

To contact Wilkinson- email him at [email protected]

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David Zecca describes the amazing gay journey that's brought him to where he is today.

He talks about the hardships of his childhood as a young boy -  discovering his sexual identity,  being on his own and learning how to survive.

He's had multiple careers and he's truly very entrepreneurial! He discusses what made him get into sex work for a season and he shares the tender lessons that he learned through these experiences.

Finally, he shares why he had a tattoo placed on his armpit (one of the most painfully sensitive parts of the body) and what that symbolizes.

His story is interesting, heartfelt, poignant and it contains some wonderful advice for all who would listen.

David lives in Palm Springs with his fiancé Doug.

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Steve Oppenheimer is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, with a private practice in Palm Springs. 

Steve also has over 30 years of executive-level business experience, and has worked with several Fortune 500 companies, including AT&T, Universal Health Services and J Walter Thompson. 

In 2021, Steve made a career pivot and transitioned from his role of Hospital CEO to become a full-time Mental Health practitioner and entrepreneur. 

In his practice, Steve blends principals of business leadership, Mental Health Wellness and a solution-focus.  Steve has lived in Palm Springs for more than 20 years, and works with individuals and couples throughout California (in person and online).

For more information, please visit his website at www.stevenoppenheimermft.com 

In Steve's own words:

"Although the concept of change is difficult for many of us to consider,  I choose to look at change as an "opportunity" to re-imagine, and re-prioritize what we want.  

​It's an opportunity to re-examine our path in life, make positive changes, and experience personal healing.

 
Although this is typically not an easy time, it is an opportunity filled with the potential of great personal power. 

 
As we move forward through our lives, we learn that life is not always fair.  We face challenges and obstacles on a daily basis.  Some of these we overcome; some of these, we come short. 

​It's the moments of our life experience, which create, and then reinforce, not only our belief system and values, but also shape our "automatic thoughts." 

 Some of our automatic thoughts may lead us to create barriers for ourselves, which prevent us from finding a sense of satisfaction and personnel happiness.

 
Additionally, some of our automatic thoughts may lead us to feel anxious, afraid, sad, stressed, depressed, unsatisfied, desperate, angry and alone.

​
We can find ourselves trapped in a dead-end job or stuck in unhappy, or unhealthy, relationship.   

 Even when we know things in our lives are just not working and we say that we want a change...It may be the fear, embarrassment or sadness that keeps us from moving forward.  It's our automatic thoughts that keep us from creating a life that we so deeply know we deserve.  

​
Through authentic, honest and caring conversation and reflection, one can problem-solve, face life challenges, and find contentment and success.

 
You can grow, make positive changes in Your life, and find personnel happiness".

To contact Steve:   https://www.stevenoppenheimermft.com/
Photo: Copyright Wilkinson/2023

Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.

To contact Wilkinson- email him at [email protected]

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Scott Vitale is a gay man who weighed 312 pounds when he went in for his annual check up. 

His doctor said: "Scott, you're going to die".

Scott: "Everyone is going to die."'

Doc: "No, I mean soon."

He was told that if he didn't lose a lot of his 312 pounds, that would be it...

He was then referred to a doctor who did bariatric surgery.  Scott credits a lot of his success to the nutritionist who helped him learn to eat differently.  Under her guidance, he lost 45 pounds before the surgery.  Subsequently, the surgeon removed two thirds of his stomach, which caused some drastic changes in his life.

His husband Eric supported him all along the way in this journey, and accompanied him to that first visit with the nutritionist.  When they returned home, Eric began to toss all of the bread, pastas , cereals, etc. into the trash and he told Scott that he too, would not be eating those things any longer.

With his new-found energy and new life, Scott took up cycling and completed the San Francisco to LA Aids/Life Cycle ride in 2022.    He continues to cycle today and it's become his passion. Today he's maintains his ideal weight at 165 pounds.

You may contact Scott via email at: [email protected]

Photo: Copyright Wilkinson/2022

Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.

To contact Wilkinson- email him at [email protected]

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Brett Paesel is the author of the Los Angeles Times bestseller, “Mommies Who Drink, Sex, Drugs, and Other Distant Memories of an Ordinary Mom”  (Warner) and the novel, “Everything is Just Fine” (Grand Central).

Paesel’s humorous essays have appeared in several collections including “Toddler”, “Behind the Bedroom Door”, “Lights, Action, Travel”, and “Afterbirth”. She has been a contributing editor to three national magazines: Violet, Wondertime, and Parents. She has also published pieces in numerous publications including The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The Kennedy Center, and Salon.com.

In Hollywood, Brett has developed television shows for HBO, ABC, Fox, Comedy Central, WB, Nick at Nite, and Lifetime.

As an actor, Brett was a cast member for several seasons on two critically acclaimed shows: HBO’s “Mr. Show with Bob and David” and Amazon’s “Transparent”.

Contact Brett:  http://www.brettpaesel.com

Find her books: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=brett+paesel&crid=2VAIWK81VPQD7&sprefix=brett+pae%2Caps%2C160&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_1_9

Photo: Copyright Wilkinson/2023

Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.

To contact Wilkinson- email him at [email protected]

Send us Fan Mail

STEVEN SKEELS

SINGER • SONGWRITER • ACTOR • PRODUCER

"TO THINE OWN SELF BE TRUE" - WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE

Steven was living the "perfect" life in NYC.  He was married to the man who was the love of his life and they were both living an enviable, successful life on stage and in the arts.  Then one day, after picking up his husband Jerad after his matinee performance in "Wicked" on Broadway, they headed to a day off at their cabin in the Poconos.  Their car hit an unexpected patch of black ice and the unimaginable happened in the blink of an eye.

He shares the story of agonizing physical and emotional pain in the aftermath of the accident, and he also shares some very important lessons that he and his husband Jerad learned.  And he tells us some of the principals he lives by...

Over his 40 year career, Steven Skeels has established himself as one of music’s most versatile artists, equally as passionate as a performer on the concert stage singing his own material to writing and producing for other artists as well. As a singer, songwriter, and producer, he has explored nearly every genre of music and continues to explore new sounds and experiences. He has performed in over forty countries and has been seen on the Oprah Winfrey Show, as well as numerous television programs throughout Europe.

As an actor and performer, Steven was handpicked by Andrew Lloyd Webber to originate the starring role of “Rusty” in the hit musical Starlight Express, both in Germany and Las Vegas. This role garnered him a European radio Top 10 single with the title song “Starlight Express” for CBS Records. Other roles include Lt. Cable in South Pacific (American Hawaii Cruise Lines), the Scarecrow in The Wizard Of Oz (Macy’s Theatricals of NYC), and Tom Thumb in Barnum (The S.S. Norway). In film, Steven has been featured in the award-winning short film, Leaving Malcolm, and as well as composing music for the film. Steven is currently in post-production for his documentary, Becoming Whole, which chronicles his journey from humble beginnings to the top of the entertainment business.

To see his entire bio and to contact Steven, go to https://www.stevenskeels.com

Photo: Copyright Wilkinson/2023

Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.

To contact Wilkinson- email him at [email protected]

Send us Fan Mail

In 2015, Alan Fraser was in the best physical condition of his life.  But then one day after training he went home and realized that something just wasn't right.  Thankfully his (now) husband Tim jumped into action and drove a couple hours to see why Alan had stopped responding when Tim kept checking on him.  Tim found Alan unconscious in his bed, helped revive him and then rushed him to the nearest ER.  They were told later that if he hadn't come in at that time, he wouldn't be with us today. 

His condition was so bad that the medical team had to put him in an induced medical coma in order to save his life.  He was "out" for two weeks.  He describes how the induced coma saved his life, but it had other severe consequences that would impact him the rest of his life.

His story is real, it's heartfelt and it has meaning and a message for all of us...

Listen as he describes the ordeal that he had to endure and he shares what he's learned from this experience.

NOTE: This is a re-issue of an earlier episode when my podcast was new.  I'm re-sharing some of the best ones as a Friday feature, since more people will now be able to hear and learn from it.

Photo: Copyright Wilkinson/2022

Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.

To contact Wilkinson- email him at [email protected]

Send us Fan Mail

David Eugene Perry is the founder and CEO of the public relations firm David Perry & Associates, Inc. For 10 years, he was the host and creator of 10 Percent TV, the longest running LGBTQ TV show in California history. He has written for such publications as The Advocate, the San Francisco Examiner, Omni, The Desert Sun and The Utne Reader and hosts an online interview show Ahoy! He and his husband, Alfredo Casuso, live in Palm Springs with frequent trips to San Francisco, and when possible, Orvieto and Spain. His first novel, Upon This Rock, has been critically acclaimed, including praise from Tales of The City author Armistead Maupin who called the book “an elegant, twisty thriller” and from Fenton Johnson who said Upon This Rock is “the gay ‘DaVinci Code’ but a lot better.” Upon This Rock is the winner of the 2021 Ben Franklin Silver Medal from the Independent Book Publishers Association and “Best Gay Book of 2021” from the San Francisco Book Festival. The book is currently being shopped for TV and film options and actively seeking European distribution, especially an Italian translation.  Perry is currently at work on the sequel to Upon This Rock. Entitled Thorns of the 15 Roses it is a murder mystery and historical thriller inspired by the Andalusian town of Grazalema and the Spanish Civil. It is slated for completion in 2023.

Contact David:
https://www.instagram.com/davidperrysf/
https://twitter.com/DavidPerrySF
http://www.facebook.com/davidperrysf
https://www.davidperry.com/clients/upon-this-rock
Buy the book:
https://www.amazon.com/Upon-This-David-Eugene-Perry/dp/0941936066

Photo: Copyright Wilkinson/2023

Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.

To contact Wilkinson- email him at [email protected]

Send us Fan Mail

STEVEN SKEELS

SINGER • SONGWRITER • ACTOR • PRODUCER

"TO THINE OWN SELF BE TRUE" - WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE

Over his 40 year career, Steven Skeels has established himself as one of music’s most versatile artists, equally as passionate as a performer on the concert stage singing his own material to writing and producing for other artists as well. As a singer, songwriter, and producer, he has explored nearly every genre of music and continues to explore new sounds and experiences. He has performed in over forty countries and has been seen on the Oprah Winfrey Show, as well as numerous television programs throughout Europe.

As an actor and performer, Steven was handpicked by Andrew Lloyd Webber to originate the starring role of “Rusty” in the hit musical Starlight Express, both in Germany and Las Vegas. This role garnered him a European radio Top 10 single with the title song “Starlight Express” for CBS Records. Other roles include Lt. Cable in South Pacific (American Hawaii Cruise Lines), the Scarecrow in The Wizard Of Oz (Macy’s Theatricals of NYC), and Tom Thumb in Barnum (The S.S. Norway). In film, Steven has been featured in the award-winning short film, Leaving Malcolm, and as well as composing music for the film. Steven is currently in post-production for his documentary, Becoming Whole, which chronicles his journey from humble beginnings to the top of the entertainment business.

To see his entire bio and to contact Steven, go to https://www.stevenskeels.com

Photo: Copyright Wilkinson/2023

Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.

To contact Wilkinson- email him at [email protected]