Inside Lenz Network

As the District Attorney for Alameda County, California, Nancy O'Malley gives much more than lip service to the issues facing citizens across the country. Working within the system in California she has diligently worked on several fronts to enhance the rights of victims of crime.

Shattered Lives Radio is honored to present a small portion of the award winning works of Nancy O'Malley.

Frank's World features guests that include former mobsters and lawmen, entertainers and businessmen and women. Tonight Frank welcomes Mob author and historian Denny Griffin.

When a sudden tragedy occurs, like homicide, many surviving loved ones go on to do great things in memory of the one they lost. Jessalyn Dorsey is one such person. 

Executive Director of Crime Victims Advocacy Council in Atlanta, GA, Jessalyn Dorsey lost her only child in 1999 to a senseless murder during a teen party. Not only was she unprepared for such a loss, as any mother would be, the event was life changing. 

Often we see surviving victims who find the fortitude and courage to stand up and make changes in our system regarding crime victims. Jessalyn, through CVAC has taken the challenge and has given assistance to a growing population of victims who need help. Whether it be emotional support, or guidance through the justice system, CVAC provides much needed resources to community members facing a very uncertain and confusing time.

 "CVAC is dedicated to preventing crime and assisting crime victims and their families and communities in Georgia through quality education, advocacy, counseling, and legislative initiatives," says their mission statement.

Shattered Lives Radio host, Donna R. Gore and Jessalyn Dorsey have much in common in their quest to better the lives of crime victims and upholding their rights.

Jessalyn Dorsey is a Certified Victim Advocate and over the years has served in varied positions in the CVAC organization; Volunteer (2001-2004), Vice-President (2004), President (2005-2008), Advisory Board Member (2009-2012), Support Groups Facilitator/Volunteer Coordinator (2013-present), and most recently was appointed Executive Director. In addition, she facilitates two support groups each week to educate victims on their rights and to help them cope and heal from the grief after a homicide.

Shattered Lives Radio Guest: Marcus "Strider" Dent: 

"Our team can help pull communities together to let them see what we already have and what we still need. Then we go from there. And as Guardian Angels, we always do what we can, where we can to give back. When we get involved and involve the community, the crime rate is going to drop. Drugs, gangs, shootings. It's going to drop. And we're here to help communities make that happen."

In 2009, Strider was awarded the honor of Chapter Commander of the Year by Curtis Sliwa, founder of the Guardian Angels.

Frank's World features guests that include former mobsters and lawmen, entertainers and businessmen and women. Tonight Frank welcomes Lisa Schinelli and Georgia Durante.

Lisa was born in Hartford, Connecticut in 1959. Starting at age 15 she worked at her mother’s well-known costume store, The Doll Factory. In 1986 Lisa married assistant movie director Theodore Masuk and moved to Southern California. Theodore’s died in 1994. In 2004 she became a Classic Car Dealer and began selling her Classics to the movie industry. In 2006, she met and became engaged to former New York mobster Henry Hill. With Henry, Lisa traveled around the country doing Mob events and movie premiers, and was on the TV series Mob Ladies.

Georgia was born in Rochester, New York in 1950. At the age of twelve she began her national modeling career. At seventeen, she became the "Kodak Girl," immortalized with her life-size image displayed in more than 80,000 retail stores throughout the world.

Following a marriage that produced a daughter and ended in failure, Georgia met and married Joe Lamandola, a seemingly successful businessman. However, Joe wasn’t what he appeared to be. In reality, he was an abuser with ties to organized crime.

Georgia is also the author of the best-selling book, The Company She Keeps. It tells the story of her life as a victim and how she overcame it. The Company She Keeps has been recognized by domestic violence prevention and recovery groups, for the inspiration and motivation it provides abused women who are looking to reclaim and rebuild their lives. She has appeared on the TV show I Married A Mobster.

Shattered Lives Radio will talk with Amy Susan Crohn, a survivor of her brother Steve Crohn’s suicide in August, 2013.New York Magazine gives the best description of the full, but often turbulent life of Steve Crohn, a man of many huge talents and best known as “The Man Who Was Immune to AIDS.” Although, like many suicide victims, he had his ups and downs, those closest to him didn’t see it coming.

Returning guest, therapist Duane Bowers, will share with listeners his expertise in grieving and healing, even in these seemingly impossible situations.

Unlike the theme song to M.A.S.H. suicide is painful, especially to those left behind feeling like they’ve been sucker punched and left with questions that take years of searching for answers, and finding none.

The gaping hole in one’s life left by the suicide of a loved one is unique in that commonly there isn’t any warning, at least ones that are easily recognized. Survivors tend to re-live every moment of every day leading up to the event, and question themselves endlessly. Often professional help is needed to assist in moving away from the event itself, and to properly grieve and heal in a healthy manner.

Frank's World features guets that include former mobsters and lawmen, entertainers and businessmen and women. Tonight Frank welcomes author, screenwriter and musician Jon D'Amore.

Bexley, Ohio Police Chief Larry Rhinehart joins Shattered Lives Radio to discuss his role in domestic violence prevention and advocacy. Currently serving as the board president for Choices, a direct service provider to victims of violence in central Ohio, Rhinehart has a personal stake in the prevention of intimate partner violence and homicide after losing his sister. Chief Rinehart was the recipient of the 2004 Choices Peacemaker award for his efforts against domestic and relationship violence.

All across the country law enforcement agencies are called during hostage situations, whether hostages being held for demands, political purposes, or more commonly relationship disputes. None of the described situations tend to end well. Either the perpetrators or the hostages are harmed, physically, mentally and emotionally.

But what about the ripple effect these situations have on not only the immediate victims and family, but the law enforcement and other personal, as well as those who put endless hours negotiating for a safe resolution?

Shattered Lives Radio welcomes hostage negotiators, Derek Gaunt and Sandy Hein.

They will talk about a real life case from Alexandria, Virginia, the set up of the circumstances, how terms were negotiated, and the outcome. Listeners will be taken inside to what goes on during a hostage situation and how if affects so many.

Welcome to the Frank Cullotta Show - Frank's World, where Frank's guests will include former mobsters and lawmen, businessmen and women and entertainers. You can participate in tonight's show through our live interactive chat room.