Monologues

Jim Burns is a retired school administrator with over forty years in education. Being raised over a bar had certain advantages. Jim has often said that his upbringing taught him how to run a school at the age of ten Listen in as Jim shares stories of the past and helps the listener to understand the the past doesn't forget who we are and where we came from.

Chris M. Sprague is the International Transformation and Empowerment Ambassador, keynote speaker, best-selling author and a pioneer in the study of how people are wired. His purpose in life is to inspire and empower people to understand how they are wired and, in turn, transform their life. Through research, personal experience and working with countless clients, Chris has discovered that once you understand how you are wired, you will be able to eliminate many frustrations and transform your life and business. Chris is also a thought leader and accomplished professional speaker delivering a message of transformation and hope for the future. He speaks to audiences from 10 to over 10,000 and empowers people to transform their future by transforming their thoughts using an open, honest, straight-forward approach to change.

Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta has been writing professionally since 1995. She’s a self-employed award-winning writer and public speaker. Her work has appeared in The Paterson Press, Westfield Alternative Press, Millburn-Short Hills Alternative Press, South Orange Alternative Press, Maplewood Alternative Press, Suburban Essex, The Patch, The Montclair Times, The Jersey City Independent, The Aquarian Arts Weekly (which was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, April 2012), The West Sider, The Chelsea Clinton News, music.com, Tattoo Review, Punk Magazine, and Exit, to name a few.

Her first book “On the Guest List: Adventures of a Music Journalist” is available on Amazon.

Maryanne lives in Union County, New Jersey, with her husband and cat, Derick. Other interests include: music, health/fitness and public speaking.

Her website is: www.peartreeenterprises.com

Thomas Cirignano has been a contributing writer and also served as an advisory member on The New Bedford Standard-Times Editorial Board. He served two terms on The Freetown-Lakeville Regional School Committee, and has served on several other town committees and commissions. He is a certified scuba diver, ultra-light aircraft pilot, has owned several motorcycles, and loves boating. A spinal fracture, Scoliosis, and Harrington Rod surgery have now limited his ability to enjoy most of those activities.

     Tom's autobiography, titled, The Constant Outsider: Memoirs of a South Boston Mechanic, offers readers a chilling look at what went on in Southie during the 1970s and '80s; "Whitey Bulger's" reign of terror," as Tom calls it. Due to its time and place in Boston's tumultuous history, along with the situations and people Tom encountered, The Constant Outsider is an exciting story in its own right. But, in his second book, 67 Cents: Creation of a Killer,  the author explores an even more bizarre existence. 67 Cents is Tom's fictional, "what if I took that alternate path of crime and violence," adaptation of his memoir. In 67 Cents, the fictional character, named Nick, says "Yes" to each and every offer that was actually made to the author by the Mob in real life. Those offers were significant, and even included an offer to kill a man for Tom. The hit-man's fee for the murder was very reasonable; just the cost of the bullet. For further information, visit www.TheConstantOutsider.com.

George Lizos is a London-based Spiritual Life Coach, originally from the Mediterranean island of Cyprus. Following a painful childhood marked by bullying, self-denial and victimization, George found the courage to accept his uniqueness and rise from the ashes. Inspired by the fabled world of magic and spirituality, he ventured on a journey of transformation and self-discovery. Starting with the Chinese art of Feng Shui, his spiritual path led him to explore a variety of spiritual modalities ranging from Reiki, Tarotmancy, angel healing as well as mediumship.  George’s primary aim with this work is to be a clear channel for Source, to share a message of love, happiness and self-empowerment. To learn more about George visit www.metalizos.com

This Show Was Pre-Recorded

When is a joke a joke? When both parties are laughing. Sometimes kids don’t know the difference between being laughed at and laughing with someone. Confront a bully about using a victim as the brunt of his jokes and his response might be “I was just joking.”

Diana E. Ruiz, M.A is an accomplished author, professional speaker, and entertainer/singer-songwriter. She is a certified practitioner of EFT, a disarmingly simple technique that relieves stress in the workplace and at home. She used this powerful technique to eliminate her own intense social phobia and other fears. She is now a professional entertainer, author, and speaker. Named “Businesswoman of the Year 2012” for Western Washington by the National Association of Professional Women, Diana uses her Master’s in Communication and her life experiences to offer powerful words and give powerful performances to large audiences. She has toured internationally and makes regular guest appearances with Bobby Medina (former trumpet player for Ray Charles) and his show band.

Reverse Order was a producer’s pick for Season 7 of America’s Got Talent. After performing live on America’s Got Talent, Reverse Order had many doors open up for them. They toured multiple times with the program High School Nation performing to students during the school day. While at these schools, Reverse Order realized how common bullying was. Students would talk to the members in private or online seeking not just advice, but a friend to share with. Because of this Reverse Order decided to start “Reverse The Trend”, an anti-bullying program consisting of both a positive, uplifting concert, but also a presentation where the members speak from personal experience about how they were bullied, and how they overcame it. Since starting the program, Reverse Order has had an extremely rewarding experience making a positive impact on peoples  lives.

No one likes to change. It’s too tough to do. If you have any bad habits (you know, smoking, or excessive drinking, eating, or spending) then you know what I’m talking about. You wake up in the morning realizing that you have sworn off cigarettes and are on a diet and almost feel depressed knowing that you can’t have your coffee and a Marlboro this morning.

Nick Theophilou resides in Melbourne, Australia, and has seen that in recent years men that have made great strides and have become better fathers, husbands, and communicators.They are prepared to take risks, ask for help, are determined to live longer.

He has been  an individual and Couples therapist, and a Group Facilitator for 30 years, written for daily newspapers, hosted the Radio Program ‘The Full Monty’ for two years, a Program devoted to Men's Issues, produced the DVD  ‘Inside a Mens Group”: see www.fathersandsons.com.au and has written an eBook;  ’10 Stories about what men are doing Well.’ The book is available on  Amazon.   10 Stories about what men are doing Well