When we see a veteran in uniform, we often say two simple words:  Thank you.  These two words, although heartfelt, only scratch the surface of the sacrifices our military men and women have made.  This episode of Real Life isn’t about politics or war.  It’s about people, it’s about what happens when they come home.  Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.) Jay Ostrich, Director of Berks County Veterans Affairs and Chief Warrant Officer 2 (Ret.) Will Tobin, Deputy Director, Berks County Veterans Affairs, join us on Real Life for a two-part interview.  This first hour is about the invisible winds of military service and the crisis facing veterans.

The Fourth of July is one of America’s favorite holidays.  It’s a time for family, backyard barbecues, parades and of course fireworks.  Understanding the law, respecting the power of fireworks, and knowing what to do in an emergency can help protect your family, your neighbors, and first responders.  In this episode of Real Life, we are joined by Reading Fire Marshal Jeremy Searfoss and Lieutenant Nick Epolito, Commander of the Bomb Squad.  They are here to separate fact from fiction, explain Pennsylvania’s fireworks laws and share simple steps every family can take to enjoy a safe Independence Day.

Sometimes a rumor spreads faster than the facts.  This episode of Real Life sets the record straight about the Meals on Wheels program.  The mission remains the same, making sure older adults receive nutritious meals, remain independent, and continue living safely in their own homes.  LuAnn Oatman, President and CEO of Berks Encore and Jessica Jones, Director of Berks County Area Agency on Aging, provide updates, resources and information that help older adults remain healthy, independent, connected, and supported.

When most people think about agriculture, they picture fields, tractors, and barns.  What they do not see are the families who have spent generations adapting to changing times while working to preserve a way of life.  Dan Brown is a third generation farmer, the owner of Deerfoot Vineyards and Winery, and the President of B.A.R.N. (Berks Agricultural Resource Network).  His family experienced firsthand how agriculture has evolved from diary farming to vineyards, tourism, and new ways of connecting consumers with local agriculture.

Our guest today believes second chances don’t simply change lives, they create opportunities to help others.  Ryan Bradley is the Clean City Coordinator for the City of Reading.  Every day he works alongside residents, churches, schools, businesses, and volunteers to make Reading cleaner, safer and stronger through the Adopt-a-Block program.  But before Ryan helped restore neighborhoods, he had to rebuild his own life!  Ryan talks about what it takes to make a community strong, vibrant, collaborative and safe!

America 250 PA is upon us!!  Commissioner Christian Leinbach joins us in studio to talk about all the events that are happening in Berks County, PA to help celebrate this milestone.  However, the story of this episode is not just talking about the events, but magic, inspiration, and passion took over this episode right in the middle of it.  Commissioner Leinbach spoke so passionately and eloquently about the Declaration of Independence, and what it means to live by that document.  This episode is a must listen to episode - Commissioner Leinbach talks about freedom and unity and how he fights for both not only for those of us today but for generations to come.  

Rosa Parra is the founder and CEO of Palo Magazine, a publication dedicated to celebrating culture, community, business, and the stories that connect us.  However, long before she launched a magazine, Rosa was a little girl growing up in public housing, raised by a single mother of five children.  Her mother could not read or write.  Resources were limited and opportunities were scarce.  Survival often came before self-confidence.  In this episode of Real Life, Rosa talks about how she made a decision; she would not allow her circumstances to define her future.

Lisa Ashcroft, Vice President, Wealth Trust Advisor and Thomas Miller, Director of Investment Strategy, Senior Vice President both of Girard, a Univest Wealth Division talk about the Mid-Year Market Check.  What’s working, what’s not and what investors should do next!

Real Life’s guest today believes every family has stories waiting to be discovered, not just names on a family tree, but ordinary people who lived extraordinary lives.  Laurel Miller is the Director of the Womelsdorf Community Library, and the founding President and current librarian of the Berks County Genealogical Society and someone who has spent decades uncovering the remarkable stories hidden within family histories.  

We live in a world that goes incredibly fast.  We scroll, we skim, we react.  Yet stories still have the power to slow us down, challenge us, comfort us, and help us understand each other.  Marian Wolbers is the guest today on Real Life.  Marian is an author, playwright, teacher, editor, and the founder and publisher of Pretzel City Press.  She has written novels, poetry, nonfiction, and drama, but perhaps one of her greatest accomplishments is helping other writers find their voice.