The devastating Southern California wildfires in early 2025 destroyed hundreds of residences and businesses.  Lives were upended with the rebuilding for some  still underway.  Today’s guest is Rabbi Daniel Sher, who along with his fellow clergy and congregants at Kehillat Israel in Pacific Palisades saw his family destroyed by the flames.  Miraculously, the synagogue was spared any damage and has served as an oasis for those in need, both materially and spiritually.  Rabbi Sher shares with us the impact of traumatic loss and how resilience and hope is helping his family and so many others cope.

Carl Stevens is an award winning radio journalist and a colleague of mine at WBZ, Boston’s top rated news station.  Carl has covered stories small and large, local and international and always with professionalism, integrity and empathy.   Carl is also a talented poet whose works are frequently part of his  broadcasts, poems that are witty, moving and always in perfect rhyme scheme.   Meet a veteran radio personality, a true man of letters,  who ranks as one of my favorite storytellers!

Meet Dr. Missy Lahren an environmental lawyer and activist for the past three decades.  She now proudly refers to herself and her colleagues as “Earth Lawyers.”  All of her education and training in law, philosophy and science has prepared her for the important work she is doing to protect the environment.  She is currently chair of the board of an NGO called The Earth Law Center based in Durango, Colorado.   Missy is determined to do what she can to defend nature.  She brings insight and passion to her mission!

Time for some laughter and insight into the world of standup comedy! Today’s guest is Tom Cotter who took the comedy scene by storm since becoming a breakout star on Season 7 of America’s Got Talent.  Tom hails from New England and is constantly on the road entertaining large crowds in clubs and corporate events.  Known for his rapid fire delivery and exceptional timing, he is a master craftsman who lets us in on what life is like these days for a top flight comic!

Meet Dr. Kris Verburgh, internationally renowned expert on longevity and the future of medicine. He is a medical doctor, researcher and author of many important books including, “The Longevity Code.” Join us as Dr. Verburgh tackles issues such as why we grow old and offers practical tips on slowing down the biological clock while maximizing wellness.

On today’s episode we take a virtual trip to the moon!   Created by Lightroom and Paquin Entertainment Group, The Moonwalkers is debuting in Boston this summer.  It is a thrilling an video experience brought to life using rare NASA archival footage, cutting-edge spatial audio, and moving storytelling by the one and only Tom Hanks who also co-wrote the piece.  My conversation with CEO Richard Slaney of Lightroom will whet your appetite for adventure!  Find out more at www.lightroomexperiences.com.

Meet Stephen Dalton, an accomplished actor and voice-over artist who also happens to be a gifted Irish storyteller.  I discovered Stephen quite by accident, while looking for the perfect  guided meditation to help me sleep.  Finding Stephen Dalton’s  “Sleep Stories” on YouTube did the trick!  His series has helped me and thousands around the world achieve a more restorative and restful sleep.  Stephen modestly states that  his goal is to send joy and peace out into the world.  Stephen’s podcasts and YouTube channel continue to attract a larger international audience. When you check out his work you will know why. His writing, vocal styling and sincerity shine through every story, making listeners feel safe and relaxed as they drift to sleep.  Learn more about this talented artist who uses the power of gentle storytelling to help so many!

For more than twenty-five years, Quantum Health has been defining the field now known as healthcare navigation.  Our guest today is Kara Trott, whose goal was to ensure that no patient go through the difficult healthcare journey alone.  So she rose to the challenge, established a billion dollar plus business that is now an established leader in the healthcare space.  She writes about it in her memoir, “No One Alone: Humanizing Healthcare as an Outsider.”  Quantum Health has certainly made a difference in the lives of countless people, with dynamic leader Kara Trott at the helm!

Marschall S. Runge, M.D., Ph.D., is the executive vice president for Medical Affairs at the University of Michigan, dean of the Medical School, and CEO of Michigan Medicine. He earned his doctorate in molecular biology at Vanderbilt University and his medical degree from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, where he also completed a residency in internal medicine. He is the author of more than 250 publications and holds five patents for novel approaches to healthcare.  Today we talk about his new novel, “Coded to Kill: A Techno Medical Thriller.”  It is a supercharged fictional story about  how advancing technology in medicine is exploited with by a power hungry cabal and the offbeat cybersecurity team out to stop them.  A tough book to put down!

Today we honor a cultural film icon. We present  the story of actor Robert Shaw. His nephew Christopher Shaw Myers shares much about the British artist’s family upbringing, his talents as a novelist and playwright and Robert Shaw’s impact on screen in such films as “Dr. No,” “A Man for All Seasons,” and of course the classic summer blockbuster “Jaws” premiering fifty years ago. Shaw was a complex, often troubled man whose brilliance in limited screen appearances was evident. Learn more about this devoted family man from his nephew who offers up an endearing and fascinating biography!