Positive Solutions with Dr. Gordon

Sally A. Camacho, Bianca Stevens, Peggy Binoniemi, Beverly Pryor, and Rameek Croskey share their experiences and tips working 100% virtually during the pandemic.  Listen to them share the benefits of working virtually and those areas for continued growth as they support and empower students to work at their fullest potential online.

Elizabeth Oleksa (Liz) shares her experience of an early diagnosis of highly resistant Brittle Type I Insulin Diabetes at 6 years of age which culminated in complete vision loss at 27 years of age due to Diabetic Retinopathy.  Her loss of vision became the beginning of the best years of her life, according to Liz.  "My physical sight may have gone, but I now had the clearest vision I had ever had" says Liz.  "When I lost my sight, I gained the world in return."  Listen to Elizabeth Oleksa's incredible journey and enjoy her vivacious personality and smile as she encourages everyone to truly get a clearer vision for 2021.

Stacy Johnson Stanley is a Creative Writer and Author living in Knoxville, Tennessee.  She is the author of the book, "Seasons:  Thoughts from My Hammock" which is "a collection of essays and poems inspired by the seasons of both nature and life.  These selections have been Stacy's reader and listener favorites through the years."  Stacy's goal is "to inspire and encourage people in their daily lives."  Listen to her honest and transparent portrayal of racism in America from another perspective in her poem, "Letter to a Church Member."

This week's episode focuses on the first Christmas and its purpose in the lives of humanity.  Finding and sustaining peace, love, unity, and harmony are discussed and relevant examples are shared to help everyone to live a life that is harmonious with ourselves and with others.

Humorist and Inspirational Speaker Mary Hammond Lilley-Thompson aka Mary Starshine shares tips of how we can find humor and laugh again during the Christmas Holidays and for the new year.  Mary shares the benefit of laughter and its medicinal strength and value.  "It draws people together in ways that trigger healthy physical and emotional changes in the body.  Laughter strengthens your immune system, boosts mood, diminishes pain, and protects you from the damaging effects of stress" (Robinsion, L., Smith, M., and Segal, J. 2020.  Laughter is the best medicine. Help Guide:  Well-being and Happiness. USA.).

Rev. Jeremy Francis, pastor of the Friedensberg Moravian Church in St. Croix, U. S. Virgin Islands, shares insights on "Healing as a Nation."  He asks the pertinent question, "What is in the common good of everyone?" in response to the challenging times in which many are experiencing in the nation due to the election results in the United States, pandemic, political divisiveness, social unrest, and economic uncertainty.   Tolerance, respect, and listening to understand each other are key characteristics that he states are needed to help individuals to navigate these tumultuous times of opportunity for continued growth. 

"The U. S. Virgin Islands was rewarded with a Community Resiliency Program (CRP) grant which is a short-term disaster relief grant for states, U.S territories, and federally recognized tribes. In the case of the USVI, because we are going through the COVID-19 pandemic, Island Therapy was granted the funding to begin this program. The funding supports community-based outreach, counseling, and other mental health services to survivors of natural and human-caused disasters. CRP counselors do virtual counseling services as well as presentations and public education. The counselors are trained to focus on stress management, problem solving, relaxation and other positive techniques."

Listen to Renae Elwood and Khefren Sackey share some coping strategies to help navigate challenging moments that arise occasionally in life.

This episode covers the topic of Restorative Justice.  Pastor Peter TeWinkle shares information on the different kinds of justice and why Restorative Justice is more effective at including everyone who may be negatively affected by the action(s) of others.  Listen to how individuals could benefit positively from learning about Restorative Justice and use its principles to help to heal society. 

"Not a Woman’s Job is the memoir of M. Rosaria Piomelli, a female architect who entered the male-dominated profession in 1960, pushing it to change towards equality, acceptance, and recognition of women’s achievements.

 Piomelli’s story begins during World War II, where, as a little girl growing up in Naples, Italy, she and her family escape with their lives on several heart-stopping occasions. From Naples, she moves on to graduate from MIT in Cambridge, Massachusetts, to work at leading private firms in New York City, and to become the first female Dean of Architecture in the United States at City College of New York. Her spellbinding, adventurous life takes the reader through a whirlwind of relationships, disappointments, survival, and accomplishments—demonstrating a fierce strength of will to excel against any and all challenges and doubters. In 2019, the Carnegie Corporation of New York named her a Great Immigrant/Great American for her 'notable contributions to the progress of American society.'”

Her memoir may be accessed through Amazon.

Kindle version $4.99

Paperback version $18.00

Barbara Jean Hicks is an award winning author, storyteller, speaker and educator.  Known also as Barbara Jean the Story Queen, Ms. Hicks has written a dozen novels for adult readers in addition to her writing stories for young children.  Some of her well known published books include:  "Once Upon A Parsnip," "Monsters Don't Eat Broccoli," "Jitterbug Jam," and "The Secret Life Of Walter Kitty."  Her talent in writing children's stories attracted the attention of Disney who commissioned her to write a children's storybook from Disney's animation movie, Frozen.  The title of the Disney book is "A Sister More Like Me."   

Listen to Barbara Jean Hicks share how her love for writing developed at an early age when she was in the 4th Grade, and how her love for writing and eventually telling children's stories continued into adulthood.  Ms. Hicks is available for speaking at schools to faculty/staff, students, and parents.  You may check out her work on her website at www.barbarajeanhicks.com; and you may contact her at [email protected] to book a presentation at your school.   Due to the pandemic, please contact Ms. Hicks to inquire how her services may be utilized virtually.