I'm Frickin' Lonely...Tell Me Your Story! (Staying Connected Through Conversation)

My conversation with Sandra Toussaint, President and CEO of The United Way of Greater Mercer County, is full of great stories as she recounts her family’s emigration from Haiti, her youth in Brooklyn and Queens, and what led her to a career in non-profit leadership. 

Her upbringing included life lessons of hard work, perseverance, education, and most of all, service to others.  Introduced to politics at an early age by her attorney father, Sandra became aware of the broad impact effective policy can have on people’s lives.

Passionate about her views, Sandra became a formidable member of her high school debate team, presenting her positions with clarity and factual backup. This talent hasserved her well in all her capacities over the years, and I can say with confidence that I do not want to get in an argument with Sandra!  (And this capability is one of many“transferable skills” I learned about in the conversation.) 

While in college, her time volunteering in homeless shelters in Harlem really opened her eyes to life’s disparities; understanding that so many people are one health crisis, one job loss, or one broken down car away from homelessness. 

This experience, along with her lifelong passion for service, led to Sandra’s shift from corporate work to not-for-profits; the shift from helping shareholders to transforming people's lives.

 Listen in while we talk about her move to New Jersey, her life-altering epiphany, and her finding her home as a leader at the United Way of Greater Mercer County.

 Please join us!

What an honor it was to host my state senator Andrew Zwicker for this episode.   Knowing how jam-packed the senator’s schedule is (I see him attending community eventsand visiting constituents non-stop!) I was amazed that he found time for our conversation.   

I had always been proud to say my congressman was a rocket scientist, back when Rush Holt was the U.S. House Representative from New Jersey.  And I can still brag on my local legislator because Andrew, too, is a physicist/rocket scientist!  Not only is he our State Senator, but he’s also Head of Science Education at the Princeton Plasma Physics Lab. (I love it when my legislators are smarter than I am!)

We talk about the exciting world of fusion, the decades of research invested in it and its potential to solve our energy problems, (albeit not necessarily in the near term).  And of course, we talk about politics. 

I wondered how Andrew made the shift from science to politics, and the issues he’s passionate about.  Being in a very purple district, he uses data and facts (what are those?) to find common ground with constituents from both ends of the political spectrum.   From protecting our communities from federal overreach to defending the “right to read”, we had a lot to talk about!  Not to mention grape “Pop Rocks”!

I came away feeling optimistic about the positive impact of state and local politics on people’s lives, and how good works on the local level will be our salvation in these crazy times!

Please join us!

What an honor it was to host my state senator Andrew Zwicker for this episode.   Knowing how jam-packed the senator’s schedule is (I see him attending community events and visiting constituents non-stop!) I was amazed that he found time for our conversation. 

I had always been proud to say my congressman was a rocket scientist, back when Rush Holt was our U.S. House Representative for New Jersey.  And I can still brag on my local legislator because Andrew, too, is a physicist/rocket scientist!  Not only is he our State Senator, but he’s also Head of Science Education at the Princeton Plasma Physics Lab. (I love itwhen my legislators are smarter than I am!) 

We talk about the exciting world of fusion, the decades of research invested in it and its potential to solve our energy problems, (albeit not necessarily in the near term).  And of course, we talk about politics.  I wondered how Andrew made the shift from science to politics, and the issues he’s passionate about.  Being in a very purple district, he uses dataand facts (what are those?) to find common ground with constituents from both ends of the political spectrum.   

From protecting our communities from federal overreach to defending the “right to read”, we had a lot to talk about!  Not to mention grape “Pop Rocks”!

I came away feeling optimistic about the positive impact of state and local politics on people’s lives, and how good works on the local level will be our salvation in these crazy times!

Please join us!

Today I was thrilled to host my fellow YWCA Board member Altagracia Montilla.  Observing Altagracia’s amazing inspirational and energetic positivity first hand as she shepherded the YWCA’s board and staff in team building and conflict resolution left me wanting to learn more about her.  Where did this talent, well-honed skill set, and positive outlook come from? 

As it turns out, Altagracia’s renowned leadership in the fields of organizational facilitation, strategy development, leadership training, and culture transformation is a seemingly inevitable result of her passions growing up.  

Altagracia’s positivity and optimism was pretty much self-taught.  During our conversation, she describes how, through voracious reading and a love of learning, she was able to "dream it forward” and create her own alternate lived reality.  Growing up in the South Bronx, experiencing scarcity, the library provided her with infinite new worlds.  She also describes the concept of “Chosen Ancestry”, in which you can choose people who are kindred spirits and exemplify your beliefs to be your ancestors.  I love that idea!

 We hear about how Altagracia’s empathy for others and passion for education set her on a path to helping others achieve their greatest potential.  From helping students prepare for college, to guiding organizations through culture change, conflict resolution, and forward-thinking, to providing space for creativity, imagination and self-realization,Altagracia’s optimism and drive have made her an unstoppable force.  

 I found our conversation uplifting and hopeful.  I hope you do too! 

Please join us!

And learn more about Altagracia at her website:

https://altagraciamontilla.com/

Or just Google her! Good stuff! The concept of "Architecting Community" is great, and we didn't even get to that in our conversation!

My guest today will be very familiar to my Princeton audience.  Pam Hersh is Jersey through and through and has been a part of the fabric of this town for over 50 years.  She probably is best known for her writing, both for the Princeton Packet and now for TAPinto Princeton.  Her column, Loose Ends, is essential reading for anyone wanting to feel truly connected to this town!     

But of course, there is much more to Pam than what we’ve grown to appreciate through her writing or her penchant for walking everywhere, i.e., that she is colorful both in her writing and in her personal style. 

Pam shared that she wasn’t a natural born writer in the Hemingway sense, but rather as a story teller who can take her readers from point A to point B, while keeping them intrigued along the way. 

Luckily, she survived a potentially debilitating hand injury (learning to type with her left hand during recovery) and, counter-intuitively, used that setback to kickstart her writing career. 

We hear about how as a child, Nakita Khrushchev gave Pam nightmares, inspiring her to learn Russian.  And how later, as a writer, her investigations into cancer-causing water contamination led to a nationwide exposé. (And of course, a lot of stuff in between!)

One of the main take aways from our conversation is Pam’s concern for the future of local journalism.  She wishes more people would recognize its value and its importance in keeping communities educated, connected, engaged and aware. 

With all the negativity bombarding us every day, it’s Pam’s goal to focus on the positive, writing about people who are making good and constructive contributions to their community. (And to do it while they’re still alive!)

Please join us in our conversation!

Today we are once again talking with Hiram L. Smith, PhD, Associate Professor of Spanish and Linguistics at Bucknell University.  My last podcast with Hiram felt like a cliffhanger…we barely scratched the surface of the language subject matter! Fortunately, Hiram was willing to come back for more.

Before I get into the description however, I want to provide any potential listeners with a warning.  We cover some aspects of language that some people may find triggering.  In the latter part of our conversation, we are discussing Hiram’s upcoming book: an academic analysis of the history and usage of the “N” word.  I emphasize that we talk aboutthe word in an analytical and historic way; its linguistic origins and the evolution of its usage over time.  If you find this troubling, do not listen to this episode and try any of my others.   

With that PSA out of the way, other things we talk about include Hiram’s brief (and sadly very frustrating) stint working as an expert lexicographer on the Oxford Dictionary of African American English (ODAAE) which is intended to be an in-depth resource for defining terms unique to African American English. We hear about his frustrations, but he also shares a few of those terms, their history and usage.  

We also continue our discussion, started in our first episode, about the misuse, misunderstanding and misappropriation of some of these uniquely AAE words and phrases. 

Hiram also discusses “semantic bleaching”, the “recency illusion” and many other linguistic concepts that were certainly new to me!  

 It was really funny to learn that language “purists” have been complaining about how young people are ruining the language since the time of Plato!  But as Hiram told me, the evolution of language is neither good nor bad, it is merely inevitable.

 Once again, I felt like I’d attended a free (and very fun) “Master Class” in linguistics!    

 Please join us in our conversation!

 Note: I dedicate this episode to my recently deceased brother Steve. He was a wonderful man, a best friend, a great supporter of my podcast, and is missed terribly. More on that in the recording.

Today’s guest is Hiram L. Smith, PhD, Associate Professor of Spanish and Linguistics at Bucknell University.  I met Hiram in a most unusual way (you’ll have to listen to hear the story) but I am so glad I did!

Our conversation covered Hiram’s childhood and youth as a black boy/young man in racist Oklahoma.  Some of his tales are hair-raising.  But coming from a loving family with an emphasis on learning, and his being a smart kid, the groundwork was laid for a bright future.

Turns out, it was a hard-fought battle, with some setbacks along the way.  But Hiram persevered with some help frommentors and ultimately from friends who said, “Why is a smart guy like you hanging out with the likes of us?”. (Sounds like a movie plot, right?)

Hiram’s interest in language started at an early age, and it carried him to Penn State where his dissertation focused on Creole languages.  I learned a lot from this part of our discussion!

Now an Associate Professor at Bucknell, Hiram shared with me insights about languages; how they evolve over time and place and continue to evolve.  We also talk about the origins of dialects and current misconceptions about dialects and what they mean. 

 Once we were done talking, I felt like I’d attended a free “Master Class” session!  Plus, we had a lot of fun. 

Please join us in our conversation! I'm certain you too will learn something new!

When we first meet a person, or even after we have become familiar with them as they currently “are”, we usually have no idea what came before.  How did they get to where they aretoday?  What other experiences played a role in their current selves?   That’s what is so fun for me in doing these podcasts; hearing the life experiences that build the people around us. 

 Today’s guest is a good example of this. Everyone in Princeton certainly knows who Michelle Pirone Lambros “is”;she’s one of our Council Members.  We know what she strives for: strong businesses, better transit and accessibility,creating a more livable community, and on and on.  And we see her at countless events, supporting local organizations.  But that is her public persona.  I was delighted to learn about the historic Michelle, and an impressive history it is!

From her Italian roots, growing up in Princeton, to building political connections and businesses in California and Florida, and creating unbelievable entrepreneurial endeavors (food festivals anyone?) in Mexico and Kuwait; her story is one of energy, ideas and purpose! Very inspiring!  

 I am so glad Michelle went full circle, ending up back here in Princeton, and using that “Type A” energy to tirelessly serve our community!    

Please join us in our conversation!

I am very excited to share my latest conversation with all of you!  Today’s guest is Marc Uys, Executive Director of the Princeton Symphony Orchestra.  To be honest, I am a music appreciator, but one with zero musical talent myself.  So, talking with Marc was a bit intimidating! 

But we had a wonderful conversation, and I could have talked with him for hours!  (I think perhaps I did…) I learned of Marc’s origins in South Africa and his passion for the violin from the age of three!  My listeners will learn, as I did, of Marc’s fascinating and “dogged” (you’ll get the reference when you listen) musical path through university.  Marc tells us of the importance of his time with the South African Youth Orchestra, and later his formation of the Sontonga Quartet.  You need to check out some of their recordings at Soundcloud.com.  Beautiful! (Google it)

Marc shares how he ultimately ended up in the States, not only performing as a violinist, but as a sought after “harp hauler”!  Through joining Symphony in C, a high caliber training orchestra in Philadelphia, Marc met Rossen Milanov, PSO's Music Director, which is how he ended up at the Princeton Symphony Orchestra.  We are so glad he did! 

Of course, you’ll have to listen to hear the rest of the story...so please join us in our conversation!

To find out more about the Princeton Symphony Orchestra and its programs, go to www.princetonsymphony.org.

 Along with listening to the Sontonga Quartet as mentioned above, I also recommend you look for Buskaid.  This is a music school dedicated to teaching less privileged musicians in South Africa.  During COVID, Marc and the PSO introduced the Princeton community to this wonderful organization through a series of remote concerts.  Brilliant! You can find information at www.buskaid.org.za.  You can find performances on YouTube.

Once again, my connections have come through with a wonderful guest!  A previous guest, Carol Golden, and friend

I discovered that, of course, there is so much more to Liz’s story than her stint (albeit great for Princeton!) as Mayor.  Liz

 Liz says she’s been so fortunate over the years as each step of her journey seemed to lead to something amazing.  I imagine she has lots of bruises because she often said she needed to “pinch herself” to make sure she wasn’t dreaming!

But you’ll have to listen to hear the rest of the story...so please join us in our conversation!