Jay's Reel World

In this intimate and emotionally layered conversation, Jay Gittleson sits down with Dina — the woman who stood beside Billy, a beloved figure in both the kidney and TikTok communities.

Through her honest reflections, Dina opens up about love, loss, and what it means to walk beside someone through every season — especially as a caregiver.

Jay shares how his own kidney transplant led him to a new kind of service, helping others navigate their health journeys and find emotional support through community and connection.

Together, they explore the quiet resilience it takes to care for someone you love, the personal growth that often comes from grief, and the role of social media in carrying Billy’s story into something greater — a legacy that still ripples outward.

This isn’t just a tribute. It’s a story of devotion, humanity, and what it means to be “the right one” in a world that doesn’t always give us perfect timing — but sometimes gives us the right people.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Personal Connection

02:52 The Journey of Friendship

06:09 Dina's Background and Career

08:58 Reconnecting with Billy

11:47 The Meaning Behind the Painting

14:38 Building a Deeper Connection

17:55 Navigating Challenges Together

20:46 The Impact of Caregiving

23:34 Reflections on Loss and Legacy

26:37 Intuitive Connections and Purpose

36:37 Destiny and Manifestation: Understanding Billy's Philosophy

39:08 The Beauty of Caregiving: A Conscious Choice

42:25 The Emotional Journey of Caregiving

48:07 The Role of Social Media in Billy's Life

54:15 The Depth of Connection: Beyond Social Media

59:54 The Reciprocal Nature of Caregiving

01:08:46 Legacy of Forgiveness and Selflessness

🔁 Follow Jay’s Reel World Podcast New episodes, real stories, and sacred conversations — wherever you get your podcasts.

💌 Stay connected with Jay
Whether you’ve walked a similar path, have a story to share, or just want to follow along — everything lives here:

https://linktr.ee/jaysreelworld

Reach out to Jay at [email protected]

📝 Episode Description:

In this intimate and emotionally layered conversation, Jay Gittleson sits down with Dina — the woman who stood beside Billy, a beloved figure in both the kidney and TikTok communities.

Through her honest reflections, Dina opens up about love, loss, and what it means to walk beside someone through every season — even when the path is uncertain.

Jay shares how his own kidney transplant journey became a gateway to helping others, and how Billy’s story — amplified by Dina’s quiet strength — reached hearts far beyond what either of them expected.

Together, they explore the emotional toll of caregiving, the sacred work of showing up, and the legacy of a love that doesn’t fade.

This isn’t just a tribute. It’s a story of devotion, resilience, and what it means to be “the right one” in a world that rarely gives us perfect timing — but sometimes gives us the right people.

🗝️ Keywords

caregiving, kidney transplant, friendship, social media, emotional support, legacy, personal growth, art, connection, health journey

🎧 Key Takeaways from “DINA – The Right One”

• Jay’s kidney transplant inspired a lifelong mission to help others.

• Dina’s unexpected relationship with Billy profoundly changed her life.

• Caregiving is a sacred exchange — a relationship of both giving and receiving.

• Dina’s background in aesthetics shaped the depth and gentleness of her care.

• Billy’s artwork and story resonated deeply with a wide community.

• The emotional toll of caregiving is real — but often leads to spiritual reward.

• Forgiveness became a central part of Billy’s healing and legacy.

• Social media allowed Billy’s story to reach thousands and create impact.

• Through caregiving, Dina found not just pain — but purpose.

• Self-care is not optional for caregivers — it’s essential to sustaining love.

⏱️ Chapters – DINA: “The Right One"

00:00 – The Journey Begins: A Call to Help

02:52 – Unexpected Connections: Meeting Dina

06:08 – Dina's Background: A Life of Service

08:57 – Reconnecting with Billy: A Shared Past

11:49 – The Art of Connection: Billy's Story

14:40 – The Meaning Behind the Painting

17:57 – Navigating Caregiving: Lessons Learned

20:46 – The Emotional Toll of Caregiving

23:34 – Building a Friendship: More Than Caregiving

26:38 – The Impact of Social Media on Billy's Journey

29:22 – The Legacy of Forgiveness

32:14 – Finding Purpose in Caregiving

35:43 – The Right One: A Tribute to Billy

38:23 – Reflections on Life and Loss

41:01 – Continuing the Legacy: A New Mission

🔁 Follow Jay’s Reel World Podcast
New episodes, real stories, and sacred conversations — wherever you get your podcasts.

In this episode we are joined by Tanaja. She is role model, especially for young women. She shares her daily doses of inspiration on Tik Tok. In her late 20s, she exudes a unique maturity and sensitivity. Tanaja took the time to read my book and shared some thoughts and insights with me.

Ever meet someone who is optimistic, has incredible curiosity, and is also very accepting of people?

Well, I would like to introduce you to one such person. His name is Jamie Polson, aka "Jamie the Optimist."

Jamie is a musician, writer, content creator, producer, and life adventurer.

I reached out to him after seeing a video he made about being "free" as he danced to one of his favorite songs.

Jamie did some research a couple of years ago to try and better understand himself. He discovered the umbrella word "Neurodivergent."

In this episode we talk about Jamie's personal revelations and insights.

Jamie's contact points:

Click on the link below to find all of Jamie's social media links, his music, and his Youtube channel.

https://linktr.ee/jamietheoptimistofficial

Today's guest is Jenn who founded an organization called Hope is a Survival Skill which is dedicated to sharing stories of hope after a lived (suicide) attempt or after the death of a loved one to suicide.

Jenn, an award-winning journalist, lost her huband to suicide in 2021. Through the processing of her own pain, Jenn was "called" to make a positive impact on the community and world.

Her website is: hopeisasurvivalskill.com

The following information was taken from the organization's website:

Social Media Contacts:

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/HopeIsASurvivalSkill

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/hopeisasurvivalskill/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hopeisasurvivalskill

This episode consists of a never before heard interview with Cornelius Lee Barker recorded on September 28, 2017 from my dialysis chair.

It was part of my series called "Dialing From Dialysis." I had reached out to some of the people in my life who had been through major adversity and came out the other side to do great things and help others. What had they been through? How had they overcome their challeges?

Cornelius Barker suffered from the lack of parental love. He joined a gang to gain acceptance and experienced more than his share of physical and mental abuse. The horrific treatment by the adults in his life played a large part in the bad life choices made. His gang membership alienated many adults in his life. They misunderstood and often punished him unfairly. He tried repeatedly to prove his intelligence and natural gifted talents, but met with disapproval and discouragement. For the most part, his life was one of searching for acceptance, recognition and respect.

Cornelius served as a classroom teacher and as administrator in both elementary and secondary schools. He has spoken to groups acrross the country and has visibly touched the hearts and minds of students, parents, teachers, PTAs and more.

In his retirement, he works with juveniles and young adults in an urban prison system using his extensive experience in research and lecture with that population to reach, teach and motivate his students to embrace education as a catalyst for restored hope and adoption of an altered perspective, and hopefully, a changed life.

Our guest on this episode is Rich Ruffalo. 

Rich is a dynamic motivator, author, educator, and internationally recognized athlete who inspires a wide range of

At age 32, Ruffalo lost his eyesight but never lost his“vision.” At the Walt Disney Company/McDonald’s American

Ruffalo continues motivating every audience to a high level of inspiration while speaking to Fortune 500 companies,

In addition, Ruffalo has won numerous honors and awards for his athletic ability. He is the winner of four different world

Rich is the author of  "Ruff Road to Glory" and "The Seven P's to Positively Enhance Performance."

In this episode we meet three amazing people in Marrissa Kooser, David Scroggins and Bryce Finkeldei.  

Marrissa Kooser donated a kidney to her friend David Scroggins in August 2019. Tragically, they were only able to celebrate for one day after surgery. David had major complications, lost his gift of life and was soon fighting for his life. 

David is a double amputee and wheelchair-bound. However, he isn't letting that obstacle stop him from pursuing his dream. He needs your help to fund a custom wheelchair-accessible food trailer to allow David to serve you his best creations! Find out ways you can help on his website, www.scroggies.wixsite.com/scroggies.

GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-scroggies-open-a-food-truck

David has partnered with Bryce Finkeldei to create Scroggie's, and is ready to "Bring a little Southern comfort" to Topeka! With over 20 years of experience in the kitchen, chef David has perfected the flavors of your favorite Southern food dishes. From Jambalaya and Gumbo to a Scroggie's special, fried collard rolls, his menu will have your taste buds wanting more!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/scroggiessoutherncomfort

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scroggies_southern_comfort/

This episode is a conversation with Dr. Rob Gilbert. He is a distinguished professor of Sports Psychology at Montclair State University in New Jersey.

Dr. Gilbert is also a renowned motivational speaker and author. 

His "Success Hotline" has been going strong for thirty years. Each day he records a new motivational or inspirational message for his thousands of loyal listeners. Call (973) 743-4690 to reach the Success Hotline.

I have known Dr. Gilbert for twenty years. He is a legend.

Success Hotline is also available as a podcast on Apple: 

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/success-hotline-with-dr-rob-gilbert/id1532154557

This is Part 2 of "The Original Thief of Hearts" Episode recorded in November, 2021.

Vasilios Bill Sotiropoulos is still in need of a kidney transplant, but he continues to stay positive.

Bill has been sharing his creativity and love with the world through his paintings, jewelry designs and lipstick collection. 

In this Part 2 episode we learn about how Bill made a transition from the performance world to the corporate world. We also 

get to briefly meet his 21 year old son who was the brainchild for the his dad's social media launch which has reconnected him with 10's of thousands of fans and supporters.

Thank you for supporting Jay's Reel World Podcast.