Fashionista and all-around girl boss Karen Buscemi joins Danialle Karmanos to chat about her new book, All That We Hide, and her passion for serving the community through her various business ventures, including the Detroit Garment Group and Detroit Sewn. Then, Metro Detroiter Kanu Mehta shares the emotional journey of becoming the full-time caregiver for his wife, Sumi, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease six years ago.

Karen Buscemi

Karen Buscemi is the founder and president of Detroit Garment Group, a 501(c)(3) public charity dedicated to educating Southeast Michigan's fashion community. She also serves as CEO of Detroit Sewn, a full-service sewing and dye sublimation shop in downtown Pontiac. But wait, there's more! Buscemi is also an accomplished author — her new book, All That We Hide, is available now. In this episode, she discusses her passion for serving the community, as well as her writing process.

Follow Karen Buscemi on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

Follow the Detroit Garment Group on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

Follow Detroit Sewn on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

Kanu Mehta

Next, you'll want to grab a tissue for the story of Kanu "KC" Mehta. KC is the full time caregiver for his wife Sumi, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease six years ago. He tells the heartwarming story of meeting his wife in India and the life they built together here in Michigan before everything changed. An engineer by trade, KC’s role as a husband evolved along with the disease. He talks about his journey of personal growth.

On this episode of Karma Has Spoken, Danialle gets cozy in her igloo with Amanda Fisher and Jennifer Granger, the powerhouse duo behind Fashion x Philanthropy, to explore their organization and the stylish ways they're giving back to the community. Then, Dr. James Blessman — or, as Danialle calls him, "the real most interesting man in the world" — shares his impressive medical background and explains what it means to "honor your design."

Fashion x Philanthropy

Powerhouse duo Amanda Fisher and Jennifer Granger talk about Fashion x Philanthropy (that's pronounced Fashion BY Philanthropy), their "friend blind date," City Year, and the amazing things their organization is doing for the community.

Follow Fashion x Philanthropy on Facebook and Instagram. For more information visit, fashionxphilanthropy.com.

Dr. James Blessman

Next, the man Danialle calls "the real most interesting man in the world,"  Dr. James Blessman, explains what it means to "honor your design." Dr. Blessman has quite the resume: He's a graduate of Detroit's Cass Tech High School, the University of Michigan and Michigan State University, and he's board-certified in both Internal Medicine and Occupational Medicine. He's practiced preventive medicine for more than 25 years and is currently an assistant professor in the Department of Family Medicine Public Health Sciences at Wayne State University, as well as the assistant chief medical officer for the Michigan Department of Corrections. Hear what he as to say about all these roles, and more.

Follow Dr. James Blessman on Facebook. To learn more visit, betterme.us.

Danialle gets to know Detroit beatboxer Stevie Soul and hears the story of how he transformed a childhood weakness into an incredible strength. Then, Bird Box author Josh Malerman spills details on the hit movie's upcoming sequel, Malorie, and shares insight into the man behind the Netflix phenomenon.

Beatboxer Stevie Soul

Stevie Soul spent his childhood struggling with a stuttering problem. By high school, he discovered beat boxing, and turned his limitation into a strength. He stops by Lucy to share his story with Danialle.

Follow Stevie Soul on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

Bird Box Author Josh Malerman

Next, you may know Josh Malerman from Bird Box, his book-turned-Netflix-phenomenon. But in this wide-ranging conversation, he and Danialle step outside the, well, box to cover everything from Malerman's band crashing the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to how he met his fiance (hint: there was a Sharpie involved). The pair also discusses Bird Box and its upcoming sequel, Malorie.

Follow Josh Malerman on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

Read more about Josh and the upcoming Bird Box sequel "Malorie" on SEEN.

Good shoes take you good places — at least according to renowned shoe designer Aki Choklat. In this episode, Danialle learns about Aki's experience in the fashion industry as well as his involvement in the Detroit community. Plus: She gets to know the inspiring men behind Pingree Detroit, a manufacturing company that employs U.S. veterans to create upcycled leather goods from auto materials.

Aki Choklat

Today world-renowned shoe designer Aki Choklat tells Danialle about his experience in the fashion industry, his work at the College for Creative Studies and shares what surprised him the most about Detroit, the city he calls home. (Spoiler: He wasn't planning on staying long.) For more about Aki, visit akichoklat.com.

Follow Aki Choklat on Instagram and Facebook.

Jarret Schlaff and Nathaniel Crawford II of Pingree Detroit

Next, meet Jarret Schlaff and Nathaniel Crawford II, two of the inspiring men behind Pingree Detroit, where U.S. veterans are paid a living wage to craft bags, urban utility footwear, and accessories using luxury-grade car seat leather upcycled from the American auto industry. The worker-owned, community based manufacturing company, which operates out of its workshop on Woodward and Milwaukee, was co-founded in January 2015. Hear how Jarret's public policy and non-profit background meshed with Nate's military service to form Pingree, which strives to improve the lives of people in our community. For more information visit, pingreedetroit.com.

Follow Pingree Detroit on Instagram and Facebook.

Read more about Pingree Detroit on SEEN.

Danialle sits down with Nancy Sovran, executive director of Wish Upon a Teen, to find out what sparked her desire to become involved with the nonprofit, which helps improve the lives of sick kids. Then, University of Michigan neurologist Dr. Eva Feldman — one of the world's foremost experts on the human brain — shares exciting new developments in her field.

Nancy Sovran founder of Wish Upon a Teen

When Nancy Sovran's daughter Hope needed a bone marrow transplant, her hospital room looked like most others — dark, dreary and depressing. So Nancy decided to spruce it up. The result: Hope's spirits were lifted. That experience led her to create Wish Upon a Teen, a nonprofit that helps make the lives of sick kids better — and, in many cases, "normal." Nancy tells Danialle about all the amazing work her organization is doing.

For more information visit, www.wishuponateen.org

Follow Wish Upon a Teen on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Dr. Eva Feldman

Not far from Hope's Ann Arbor hospital room, we find University of Michigan doctor Eva Feldman, one of the world's leading experts on the human brain. Dr. Feldman has done extensive research in the fields of Alzheimer's disease, ALS and even diabetes. She dives into recent developments in neurological research that will blow your mind (pun intended).

To learn more about Dr. Eva Feldman visit, medicine.umich.edu

Danialle chats with Amy Haimerl, of Shady Ladies Literary Society, about her organization that revolves around really good books, then gets to know blind artist and musician Cordelia Grimm, as she shares her fascinating story.

Amy Haimerl of Shady Ladies Literary Society

Who doesn't enjoy curling up with a good book? Why not make that a social event with some of your best (and new) girlfriends? Amy Haimerl's Shady Ladies Literary Society does just that, putting on huge events (with cocktails, of course) around new book releases. Amy takes us inside the organization.

Follow Shady Ladies Literary Society on Facebook and Instagram.

Cordelia Grimm

 

Cordelia Grimm, formerly Brendan Patrick, is an inspiring story of perseverance. Born with cystic fibrosis, Brendan overcame many medical issues to become a renowned artist and is now transitioning to become Cordelia Grimm. Cordelia's enthusiasm and positive energy are contagious as she takes Danialle through the various stages of her life, including her punk band The Wretched Sights, and her art. Oh, and did we mention she's blind? Find out how a blind artist creates masterpieces that she can't see in this fascinating interview.

Follow Cordelia Grimm on Facebook.

Danialle gets together with Emily T Gail to discuss "nice things about Detroit," and Patricia Mooradian to discover what it's like to be the first female CEO of The Henry Ford Museum.

Emily T Gail

Chances are, you've seen those yellow "Say Nice Things About Detroit" stickers. We welcome the woman who started this decades-long movement — back when people were not saying nice things about our city. Emily T Gail visits "Lucy" and tells Danialle her story.

To learn more about Emily vist, emilys.org.

Patricia Mooradian, CEO of The Henry Ford Museum

Next, Patricia Mooradian is the first female CEO of The Henry Ford Museum in its 90-year history. But she and Danialle talk about more than just the museum. They discuss the myriad educational opportunities the organization runs, their television shows that have won Emmy Awards and upcoming holiday events. Oh, and yes, they do give a sneak peak into the "archives."

Follow The Henry Ford on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Danialle takes a trip around Detroit with Kerry Doman who connects youngs professionals and families with everything happening around the city, and with Mary Pat Rosen of Impact100, who with her organization helps fund worthy causes in the area.

Kerry Doman

Kerry Doman is "in the know" with everything happening in and around Detroit.  She explains how she connects young professionals, and now families, together through After5 Detroit and LittleGuide Detroit.

Follow After 5 Detroit on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Follow LittleGuide Detroit on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Mary Pat Rosen of Impact100

Mary Pat Rosen is an accomplished attorney who is representing several victims in the Larry Nassar case. In addition to sharing those details, Mary Pat tells Danialle about Impact100. Impact100 Oakland County collects $1,000 donations from each member and selects worthy causes in the area to fund. Learn how to get involved with the organization and the amazing groups it has donated to.

Follow Impact100 Oakland County on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

When four friends discovered a mobile bar while traveling, they thought, "Why doesn't Detroit have one of these?" So began the quest of Lauryn Laszczak and Kim Warner (and their husbands) to find a suitable vehicle for their venture. The end product was "The Llama," a mobile bar that can be booked for events. Lauryn and Kim stop by to tell Danialle their story — and serve delicious cocktails.

Next, Jen Guarino, the former vice president of manufacturing for Shinola stops by.  She is now the president of ISAIC, Detroit's Industrial Sewing and Innovation Center. ISAIC will be located inside Carhartt, and it will teach Detroiters sewing skills, emerging technologies in the fashion industry and offer fair and equitable job opportunities.  It's the latest avenue to help community members in need to get back on their feet.

Detroit Mobile Bar

To book or find out more information head to detroitmobilebar.com.

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Industrial Sewing and Innovation Center

The ISAIC's mission is to create a sustainable community empowered ecosystem for apparel manufacturing with an innovative approach to facility design, application of technology and advanced career path development. For more information, head to their website at isaic.org.

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In episode 5 of Karma Has Spoken, Danialle explores how beauty is in the eye of the beholder...and while the eyes may be the windows to the soul, they are also the windows to your overall health and well being.

First up is our expert, Dr. Bill Koppin of Shades Optical in Birmingham. Dr. Bill explains how an eye exam can reveal signs of diabetes, high blood pressure and auto immune diseases. Of course we touch on eyewear fashion as well.

Next, Danialle's longtime friend Elliot Broom joins the podcast for a wide-ranging conversation. Danialle and Elliot's shared experience working at the Ritz Carlton taught them about pride in their work and attention to detail, including the "trash pocket." Elliot explains his role as VP of Operations for the Detroit Institute of Arts, what the museum is up to and how art appreciation really is in the eye of beholder. Elliot also describes some of the more unusual pieces that now adorn his living space.

 

 

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ABOUT DR. BILL KOPPIN

For three decades, Michigan optometrist, Dr. Bill Koppin, has been changing the standard of eye care in Metro Detroit. His practice, Shades Optical located in Birmingham, Michigan is celebrating their 30th year and remains committed to delivering an extraordinary level of personalized service and attention to detail for their patients that come from all over the globe. Dr. Bill believes, the eyes are the window to whole body wellness. A Shades Optical exam serves as more than just a standard eye exam, it’s a combination of the best innovation and personalized attention to detail that provides a preventative measure and a deeper window into a patient’s health. This eye-body connection is at the core of Dr. Bill Koppin’s overall philosophy about integrative care that Shades Optical refers to as the Line of Sight.

ABOUT ELLIOT BROOM - VP of Detroit Institute of Arts Museum Operations

Elliott Broom joined the Detroit Institute of Arts in August 2008 as Vice President of Museum Operations. Prior to the DIA, Broom worked in the hospitality industry for eighteen years, working for companies such as Kimpton, Peninsula, Four Seasons and The Ritz-Carlton hotels.

Since returning to Detroit, Broom became an active member of the Ruth Ellis Center Board of Directors and was Board Chair from 2015 to 2017. He also currently holds volunteer positions on the boards of Midtown Detroit Inc. and Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit.

Mr. Broom is a graduate of the University of Detroit Jesuit High School and has a Bachelor of Arts degree in art history from the University of Michigan Dearborn.