Epiphany

Vanessa Denha-Garmo introduces today’s show and teases the upcoming interview with Melanie Duquesnel, the President/CEO of the United Community Family Services/Chaldean American Ladies of Charity.

A majority of this segment is her “Coach’s Commentary,” which focuses on truth, opinion and the ‘Christian call to discernment.’

Journey through sacred spaces and fascinating places in Umbria with Tomeo to Francis’ beloved Assisi, his hometown and burial place. Then, travel with her to Rivotorto and Spoleto, key places in Francis’ conversion, where he embraced his call to humility, mercy, and his love for the poor take root. Travel to Laverna in the Tuscany Region, where the mountain that St. Francis received the Stigmata is located, then venture to Greccio in the Lazio Region, the birthplace of the first Nativity scene where you learn about Francis’ deep love for the Incarnation.

As a part-time resident of Italy who lives only a 40-minute drive from Assisi, Tomeo provides practical and local insider tips on how to fully embrace these faith and culture gems in the life of St. Francis. She walks you through the must-sees, the must-dos, and how to best navigate both-whether visiting them spiritually, or traveling there in person, all while helping you to soak in the beauty of Italy’s rich culture and be renewed in your faith.

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Teresa Tomeo is an author, syndicated Catholic talk show host, and motivational speaker with more than 40 years of experience in TV, radio, and newspaper. In the year 2000, Teresa left the secular media to start her own speaking and communications company, Teresa Tomeo Communications, LLC. Her weekday morning radio program, Catholic Connection, is produced by EWTN. Her latest book is “Italy’s Shrines and Wonders Volume II - Discovering Sacred Spaces and Fascinating Places in the Life of St. Francis of Assisi.”

Joe Sheena says: I am an average Joe that is in the 3rd chapter of life. I’ve recently become a grandad and want desperately to live a fully functional life and refuse to be a health burden on my family. Mindset has to do with the meaning of life and an attitude on your outlook and values. I’ve dedicated most of my adult life to satisfying the needs of others, while abandoning personal needs.

His book: Mindset - 12 Steps to Health Happiness and Longevity

Marian Names Dunya Atisha, MD, FACS ’94 as 2026 Distinguished Alumna

Dr. Dunya Atisha is a double boarded plastic and reconstructive surgeon with a special interest in restoring wholeness to cancer patients and improving quality of life in those seeking aesthetic improvements. She has been the director of microsurgery and breast reconstruction at Henry Ford Health for the past 9 years and is she is responsible for teaching and training medical students, surgical residents in all subspecialities and plastic surgery fellows in reconstruction, microsurgery, and aesthetic surgery.

With training from Duke and previous experience as an assistant professor of plastic surgery at the University of South Florida and the Moffitt Cancer Center, Dr. Atisha has a proven track record of the high-level care and commitment she provides to her patients and those she educates. Finally, in her academic nature, she is well published in the area of health services and outcomes research and continues to help her trainees develop and expand their research experience as she directs the plastics surgery research efforts at Henry Ford Health.