Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire

My guest today is Warren Odze. Warren is a successful drummer who has had a rich, versatile career; he has played, recorded &/or toured with Rod Stewart, Judy Collins, Bernie Leighton, Milt Hinton, Hank Jones, Peter Allen, Henry Gross as well as played on countless Broadway shows.

Warren appreciates that his parents introduced him to quality music, listening to legends like Count Basie, Ella Fitzgerald and Louie Armstrong. Jo Jones (aka Papa Jo Jones) was a family friend and actually played Warren’s bar mitzvah! He shares honest insights of the world of a professional musician, wisdom that applies to life in general. He talks openly about his own sobriety and lessons he learned after his divorce to be a better father. He  marvels at musicians who, regardless of the intense pressure they are under, can bring chill to the gig. Warren names ‘the magic cats’, inspiring musicians like Steve Gadd, Elvin Jones, Frank Sinatra and Chick Corea, who embody being in the zone. He describes his personal journey of stage fright and anxiety and his determination to learn to relax, get out of his own way, so he could perform from a more grounded, intuitive place. Here’s a taste of some of Warren’s wit & wisdom: “I’m a first generation spoiled Long Island brat!” “When you are 18-20 years old, you are supposed to feel like you are going to change the world!” “I never really wanted to practice, I just wanted to play!” “I’m not famous and I’m not the best, but I’ve had a charmed life.” “Knock it out of the ballpark, wherever you go!” “There is no bad gig!” “All roads lead to Carvel” “Build it and they will come!” “The real sign of success is a dental plan.” “If you can’t chill there is no gig” “I have an acute case of wanderlust.” “I want to get to the finish line with peace and honor.” "(Broadway is) like a recording session where you never get a take but keep trying over and over again." Enjoy the podcast! Links: Internet Broadway Database All Music Facebook

My guest today is Jemma Lampkin. Jemma is a “Global Market Segment Manager”, living in the Netherlands. She initially moved to Rotterdam for her job, with the expectation to stay 2 years and has now been there for nearly 5 years. As much as she misses her NY roots, family and friends, this ex-pat embraces the quality of life she experiences abroad, the regular access to travel, and the strong morale at her company (she clarifies that working for a corporation in the Netherlands is markedly different than a corporation in the U.S.) Throughout her childhood and into her teens, Jemma was a devoted ballet dancer, but was then happily introduced to yoga, which offered a healthier mindset and balance; she became a certified yoga teacher 13 years ago. Jemma had a strong following from her yoga students in the NY area and has built the same in Rotterdam. Her precise verbal cues, understanding of body mechanics and challenging classes, explains why she is a sought-after yoga teacher! Unlike most yoga teachers, Jemma has incorporated ‘cross fit’ into her workout routine and in the last 5 years has been a disciplined and passionate weight lifter. I personally can’t imagine lifting weights, I’m talking those huge barbell types, but I am intrigued by a form of exercise so foreign to me and certainly inspired by Jemma’s devotion to it! Enjoy the podcast!   Links: Instagram

My guest today is Dr. Victor Goodyer. Vic is a maxillofacial surgeon, who cares deeply about people, has an adventurous spirit, has beaten many odds, and sees “old age” as a career in itself. Vic lives on the quaint Isle d’Orleans, just outside the old city of Quebec, Canada and despite our geographical distance, has been a dear friend for over 30 years. He recounts the impact his tall, meticulous, British father and short, loving Italian mother had on his life, his attraction to challenge, sports and eventually medicine. Vic has enjoyed adventures on water, land and sky; he sailed across the Atlantic Ocean, motorcycled throughout the States and Canada, as well as built and flown his own plane. In anticipating for and now embracing retirement, Vic has become more curious about spirituality, has learned to listen to the wisdom of his body, has taken time to reflect on lessons learned, and has let this chapter in his life be lived with intention and meaning, even if that means slowing down this active pace. He appreciates his 27 year loving relationship with his partner, Renee, grateful that she has been with him in the canoe on this life journey. Enjoy the podcast!

My guest today is Susan Wortman. Susan is a psychotherapist, ceramicist, and my personal wing woman! Although Susan and I only met about 3 years ago, we had an instantaneous, deep connection, speaking the same heart language. She was honored to have a long career as a therapist, what she describes as her “calling”, for it felt effortless to facilitate a healing process for others. When she brought her psychotherapy practice to a close last year, she admitted that it was bittersweet. “It was really hard to say goodbye and really right to say goodbye.” Susan now devotes herself to working in clay, traveling and exercise. She has done an art residency in France, traveled through Croatia, lived in an ashram in the Czech Republic and will be attending another art residency in Italy this fall. The titles of her clay work reflect her inner landscape with each project: “Winged Women”, “Beauty On the Inside” and “Do You”.  We joked about calling her next project “Hell YES!!!” Inspired by Shonda Rhimes book “The Year of Saying Yes”, Susan is challenging her instinct to say no, which keeps thing simple and small. She references the improv exercise: “If you say yes, the story goes on; if you say no, the scene ends!” Susan’s beloved husband, Bill died 6 1/2 years ago, after a fluke accident of being hit by a car. She describes how blessed she feels to have known true love and created such a wonderful marriage. I am moved by Susan’s honesty and authenticity; as well as her openness to the presence of angels. She is humbled by all that we can not see or fully understand, yet is intrigued by such mystery and wonder. Enjoy the podcast! Links: Instagram Website Clay Art Center

My guest today is Jeffrey Lee Campbell. Jeff is a guitarist, composer, producer and most recently, a published author! Jeffrey’s honest, engaging book, “Do Stand So Close”, recounts his year as Sting’s guitarist on the “Nothing Like the Sun” world tour. To quote the publisher’s summary: “Do Stand So Close” follows Jeffrey’s amazing odyssey-from relocating to NYC and miraculously landing the high-profile gig, to life on the road with one of the planet’s biggest rock stars, to his humbling crash-and-burn after the tour.” Or as Jeff would summarize his book: “Young knucklehead learns his way through life, making lots of mistakes, while given the opportunity of a lifetime.” Jeffrey reminds me that he first met my husband, Paul on a Nite Sprite gig and then on an Ed Palermo gig, before they shared the Broadway musical pits of Saturday Night Fever, Seussical and then the 14 year run of Mamma Mia! Jeff now plays guitar for Broadway’s School of Rock, grateful for his 19 year and counting run on Broadway. He talks about mystery and meaning in people and places that later reveal as significant milestones in his life. Jeff reflects on his journey of soul searching, and sobriety that coincided with connecting to his his soul mate, the love of his life, Patty Murray. Jeff admits that artists are sensitive people so tooting their own horn, is often incompatible to their personality. So I enthusiastically toot the horn for him: do yourself a favor and read “Do Stand So Close”; its not just a great read for musicians, Jeff authentically writes a universal story of dreams, fame, humility, fears, and healing that everyone can relate to! Check out our show notes for links to purchase his book. Enjoy the podcast! Links: "Do Stand So Close" on Amazon Instagram Facebook Web Site