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Following the events of October 7, 2023, I feared that all of the work I had done to become a cycle-breaker would become derailed. The propaganda filled images and messages seemed like they were unleashed concurrent with the atrocities upon my Homeland. I worried I would lean into the devastation, my very real and growing fear, and perhaps the fury that was simmering beneath the confusion at all the noise. 

So before I scorched the Earth, I knew I had to recalibrate my "why." 

Dr. Elliot tRosenbaum, a seasoned clinical psychologist, joins me for an intimate chat that might just shift the way you engage with the world. Together, we're unveiling insights on why cultivating compassionate connections through listening is more than just a therapeutic tool—it's a transformative life strategy. 

Have you ever wondered about the power lying dormant within the simple act of listening? By embracing the rules for  "Listening 101," we enter a space where empathy flourishes and intersubjectivity reigns, opening doors to deeper connections. Through these conversations, we lay the foundations for fostering positive environments that nurture empathy, resilience, and the emergence of Level Five Leaders in our communities.

But the exploration doesn't stop there; This is the longest episode ever, because
we also dive into the essence of spirituality and meditation, and how these practices can bolster growth, resilience, and present-mindedness. It's more than a podcast episode—it's an open invitation to engage with yourself and the world in a way that fosters a robust, authentic sense of self.

Dr. Elliott B. Rosenbaum is a board certified clinical psychologist with years of experience in the court room.   As chief of mental health at Naval Hospital, Jacksonville Florida, Dr. Rosenbaum ran the largest military mental health clinic in the U.S. southeast region where he supervised a team of 28 psychiatrists, psychologists, clinical social workers and mental health technicians.  He was responsible for the mental health care of 50,000 active duty Marines and Sailors and their families.  Dr. Rosenbaum also served as chief forensic naval psychologist where he conducted and oversaw over 1,000 mental health evaluations including fitness for duty  evaluations, secret clearance evaluations, fitness to stand trial, and assisted in all NCIS related inquiries.  He is an experienced expert witness and has routinely been found by courts to be a highly qualified expert in the field of clinical psychology in both criminal and civil cases.  Trained at Johns Hopkins University and The George Washington University, Dr. Rosenbaum completed his internship at Bethesda Naval Hospital and served at the NSA conducting mental health evaluations on new agents.  He is a recognized authority on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and currently serves as Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Naval Reserves as a reservist clinical psychologist. Dr. Rosenbaum is currently in private practice in Jacksonville, FL where he specializes in forensic mental health evaluations.

He is the author of two books, The Valued Self: Five Steps To Healthy Self-Esteem and The Essential Self: The Key to a Life of Passion, Lasting Joy and Fulfillment. He is the founder of a transformational workshops that can be found at https://www.emunahmeditation.com/.

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I can remember the first person I blocked on social media.

She unabashedly took to my comments to give unsolicited feedback, judgment and suggestions. She wrote that I was sharing too much personal information and I would never find a husband if I kept this up. She complained that I should show a better version of myself online “like everyone else.”

And I remember calling my sister to complain about it. 
“Mommy is being so mean to me.”
“You know you can block her,” said my much younger sister. 

No, I hadn’t known.

So when did the generational divide stop affecting how we show up- in real life and online?  
And that’s what we’re going to tackle today…

Ever had to hit the block button? On a family member? Yeah, me too.
When do well-meaning, and even mean-meaning, comments that clash with your self-expression. But it's all part of a larger conversation about generational divides in online communication, which we tackle head-on in this episode. And speaking of authenticity, 'Imperfect Taylor' joins us, shining a light on the beauty of embracing our personal flaws for the world to see.

Navigating the choppy waters of our online personas, this episode dives into how social media has evolved from a highlight reel to a platform for genuine self-expression. We look at how gender norms and societal expectations can skew our online behavior, and why breaking free from those constraints is liberating. Taylor's candid talk on money matters is a breath of fresh air, stressing the importance of financial literacy and transparency - something we could all benefit from.

Rounding out our chat, we discuss the delicate dance of juggling a day job with the pursuit of personal passions and the cultivation of an online brand. It's not all smooth sailing, but the lessons learned in authenticity and personal growth are invaluable.

Connect with Taylor directly at https://imperfecttaylor.myshopify.com/

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Back in the 1900s, as a child of immigrants to the United States, I remember always having to learn it on my own. My parents weren't familiar with American cultural norms and my world was pretty narrow. If I wanted to understand how private school girls acted, I watched "The Facts of Life." When it was time for high school, thankfully, "Beverly Hills 90210" launched. 

But when college came around, well, there wasn't a show that showed you how to apply, what picking a major meant, or how not to get overwhelmed and spiral... And how to recover if you did.

So what happens when you can only follow society’s script for so long? 
And that’s what we’re going to tackle today...

Straddling the line between two cultures can feel like juggling fire. 
My latest conversation with Allishia Bauman, who gets to proudly serve as the Executive Director and Senior Vice President for City Year Jacksonville, is a glimpse into how her decade with an organization that creates a cycle of opportunity for young people between the ages of 18 to 25 to be student success coaches as mentors and tutors while also receiving a professional development experience.
 
https://www.cityyear.org/jacksonville/

Allishia's journey from student to community leader is nothing short of inspiring, showcasing the life-altering power of community. In our heartfelt discussion, we untangle the importance of emotional and spiritual belonging in reaching self-actualization. We open up about the hard-earned lessons in financial literacy and boundary setting. The episode is a treasure trove of insights on how to cultivate a growth mindset and the courage to break free from labels and expectations that hold us back.

We're on a mission to build a world where each person is seen and valued, and this episode is a clarion call to join us in nurturing the potential within us all.
Find your #Ubuntu and #Ikigai as I talk about relaunching #WithLoveJax with a Woman of Influence.

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Back in the 1900s there was a period of time that you could not safely stroll the streets of Manhattan for fear. 

I’m not talking about the high profile cases that made the news. Those weren’t the things that scared me. Violence that had statistics meant there were people following and tracking those crimes and those criminals. Also, money was invested into researching ways to avoid becoming a statistic.  

But for me, the real stories that didn’t make the big news, was people being hit in the head by a brick, or a random jumping in the park. A sudden suffering subjected to an innocent by a stranger. It could be someone mentally ill or high on drugs… Or teens daring each other. And it was a more common occurrence. (And by the way, that story could be repeated about what has become the "Baked Apple" of today.)

So, who can we put our faith into during times like those? Like these?
What is Faith? And that’s what we’re going to tackle today…

What comes to mind when you hear the word FAITH?
Can you have FAITH and TRADITION but not RELIGION?
Is FAITH-TRADITION the same as RELIGION?
Can you have FAITH but not a FAITH-TRADITION?
Does INTERFAITH cover all RELIGIONS or all FAITH possibilities?

Elizabeth Andersen, CEO of OneJax, shares there is a world of insights waiting to be uncovered in strategic planning and the honest self-assessment required to push boundaries and bridge gaps- all in an effort to meet our Jacksonville community where they are, with the needs they have.
 
OneJax, a nonprofit organization that promotes diversity as the foundation for a strong community through respect and understanding among people from different backgrounds, faiths, races, cultures and identities. Through advocacy, community engagement and education, OneJax believes that we can accomplish anything we put our minds to when we are Different Together. Find out more, and become part of this journey of community, empathy, and understanding at https://onejax.org/

Each year since 1970, OneJax hosts a Humanitarian Awards Event to honor outstanding individuals who have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to our community.

This year it will take place on Thursday, May 9, 2024 at 5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
at the Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts.
I look forward to seeing you there!

To purchase sponsorship or tickets, go to https://onejax.app.neoncrm.com/forms/10

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Growing up in New York City meant I was exposed to all kinds of ethnicities, cultures and religions. Except Baptist- I don't think I ever met a Baptist.

And the more I knew about every other- because I studied them relentlessly with curiosity, along with my Catholic best friend Mary Beth- the more knowledgeable I felt. The interfaith world was an easy one. But my own...?
The confusion was tough, the judgment was worse. But ultimately, while religion is one matter, what about faith?

Do you find faith or does it find you?
And that's what we're going to tackle today...

Growing up in New York's eclectic cultural hub set the stage for my life's narrative, where the spiritual mingles with the communal, shaping my story.
The transition from the pulsating energy of the Northeast United States to the Northeast of Florida heralded a chapter of discovery and connection. I share my thoughts and learn from my esteemed guest Hazzan Jesse Merlin Holzer of the Jacksonville Jewish Center.
https://www.jaxjewishcenter.org/

Together, we carve out a space where the sacred harmonizes with the beats of the everyday, revealing the responsibilities and joys that come with leadership in the Jewish community. Jesse's anecdotes of adapting to life in Jacksonville, forging ties beyond the synagogue, and the importance of camaraderie among colleagues underscore the theme of community that transcends geography. It's a narrative that invites you to reflect on your own journey of life  and the unexpected turns that define us.

The essence of our conversation stretches beyond the confines of religion, delving into the realms of social justice, interfaith dialogue, and the very human experience of grief and empathy.  Join us for stories that promise to uplift, challenge, and inspire you to weave your own narrative into the colorful fabric of community life.

We conclude with a heartfelt tribute to Jesse's parents, Marjorie and Aaron Holzer, whose embodiment of menschlichkeit*  has left an indelible mark on their community. 

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For as far back as I can remember charity has been ingrained in me, like challah braided into my DNA.  From my very first nursery school classroom, at my very first circle time, I recall proudly clutching my shiny copper penny and eagerly waiting that tzedaka box to get to me.

Whether it’s passing the plate or the pushka, the value of giving is part of our foundation, so why does giving it to a "Foundation" sound scary to someone like me? 

And that’s what we’re going to tackle today…

This episode is a deep exploration of philanthropy's heart with my guest, Isaiah Oliver, who leads the Community Foundation of Northeast Florida. Together, we unravel the threads that connect family values to community involvement, revealing how personal narratives weave into the larger philanthropic fabric.

The Community Foundation of Northeast Florida https://www.jaxcf.org/

The stories shared in this episode, including a lively family debate over education, demonstrate the profound influence our loved ones have on our journey towards social responsibility. Isaiah and I also ponder the powerful impact that intentionally engaging in varying viewpoints can have, particularly within the realm of public service and global citizenship.

Isaiah shares his WHO (society), WHAT (social impact), WHEN (if not now...?), WHERE (local, global) and WHY listening and engaging helps us get to HOW together.

Whether you're a seasoned donor or just starting to find your footing in the world of giving, join us as we celebrate the stories that shape our communities and inspire us to leave lasting legacies of our own.

Fairy Tales, Anita Baker https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7vrDThlryU

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Growing up in 1970s, New York City, I felt like I was always living under construction. Things that got built for people to live in, single or multi-family- were filled instantly with residents, as quickly as their various family members were able to sponsor them, and shops too.

Some stayed open and some didn't make it, but for every business that closed down, something quickly took its place. Nothing stayed vacant. People were hustling to make work for their families and communities. The cycle of residential and commercial... or commercial and residential... was constant, and we didn't notice which came first.
They developed concurrently, or so it seemed to me.

So who are the people in your neighborhood that think about what fits where in cities and, most importantly, for whom and why?
And that's what we're going to tackle today...

Zoom out a little... No, a little more.
There, do you see it? You might need binoculars.
Not that landscape. Not just the tall buildings...
(Especially not them... yet...)

If you squint just right, you'll catch the silhouette of a city that's changing over the years. Block by block... Neighborhood by neighborhood...
Lower your binoculars and walk around in a circle.

It's not the architecture that whispers, 'I'm new'; It's a whole village- or 'ville- of thought, strategy, and vision folded into the landscape. 

Who knits this urban quilt of tall buildings, working streets, and bustling squares into the tapestry we call Jacksonville? It's time to unveil the unsung wizards of our urban wonderlands—the urban planners- who mastermind a mere metropolis and forge it into a beacon of progress and community.

Today, my guest is Sondra Fetner, an experienced land use lawyer and urbanist. She joined the Jessie Ball DuPont Fund after running an urban development consulting firm for three years. Sondra realized, working as an attorney, her impact was only as great as her client's desire. She decided it was time to work for beliefs and ideals, that would lead to community for her kids.

Mensch is the Yiddish word for a person of integrity- who makes the world better, just by being in it. 

This week's Honorable Mensch is Darnell Smith.
Darnell has used his deep, earnest and compassionate relationship with the business, health and safety, philanthropic, spiritual and political community- to navigate his way, first and foremost, as a trusted stakeholder and custodian of care for this city. 

As the executive on loan through a contract with the City of Jacksonville and Florida Blue, he is accepting a call to serve us- and for that we are exceptionally fortunate. 

#SchmoozeWithSuze #BorrowMyBinoculars #ViewsWithSuze #Downtown #Urbanist #UrbanPlanning #UrbanDevelopment #Jacksonville #Community  #Neighborhoods #DowntownJax 

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Back in the olden days, before taking the Myers-Briggs, Big Five and any Enneagram to assess personality, there was the Teacher's Comments section of a handwritten report card. 

So if people are telling us who we present as from the time we are little, should we believe them? 
And that's what we're going to tackle today. 

This latest episode of Schmooze with Suze is a rummage through the attic of identity and culture, where I am joined by the wondrous Yanira 'Yaya' Cardona. A "navy brat" turned Jacksonville dynamo, she shares her kaleidoscopic journey and how embracing her nickname, 'Yaya,' became a passport to navigating professional realms with ease.

The story of this radio station worker's search for healing leads her to the shores of Puerto Rico, where stories of unyielding tenacity are as common as the ocean's waves. It's a testament to the power of ancestral strength and the solidarity that stitches the fabric of a vibrant culture together, even when nature unleashes its fury.

We cap off our exploration with a fiesta of empowerment, celebrating how cultural pride can galvanize a community. Tune in as we marvel at the embrace of triumph, regardless of scale, and the role of public events in kindling a collective sense of belonging within Jacksonville's diverse populace.

As founder of  https://yayaproductions.com/ and the voice of https://www.instagram.com/cre8jax/ on https://news.wjct.org/show/first-coast-connect, if you aren't a fan yet... You will be. #VIVALAYAYA
https://www.instagram.com/yayalovejax/

Mensch is the Yiddish word for a person of honor and integrity who makes the world better by being in it.

This week's Honorable Mensch is Barbara 'Babs' Colaciello, founder of Babs Lab, storyslam and Untold Stories.

Babs is a multifaceted artist and educator who teaches the art of improvisation, guiding students to discover their voices, tell their stories, create collaboratively and grow as leaders. Barbara began her career working with Andy Warhol at the factory in New York City as the advertising director of Interview Magazine. During this time, barbara continued to pursue her passion for acting and studied with legends while navigating culturally impactful projects in New York City. In 1993, Babs, just like Yaya and me, was relocated to the first coast by someone else's gig and went to work making magic happen.
https://www.barbaracolaciello.com/

Where some find time to complain about what isn't, Babs literally pours her heart and soul into creating what was, what is and what will continue to be, and what we wish to see in our communities- stories that connect us through the art of empathy, crafting compassion, through the power of the collective and a captive audience, Babs shows us that we are not far apart- in fact, never more than 20 to 30 minutes away from any part of Jacksonville.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend. Your support helps more people discover these conversations and the remarkable people helping shape our communities and our future.
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This episode I introduce new music in the INTRO and OUTRO.
The piece, and the composer, are special- Dance With Me.
It's the title- but also my invitation to this season.
I've asked you to borrow my binoculars. We got interested... curious...
We got funky. (Note the previous season's music. I choose with intention.)

Now I am challenging you to trust me as we dance through the imaginary boundaries that tether us away from each other.
I want to twirl toward tenacity...

The composer, INBAL COHEN-RASNER,  is the CLASSICAL COMPOSITION WINNER  of the 2022 Marvin Hamlisch International Music Awards,
Inbal was born and raised in Haifa, Israel, but currently share dual United States citizenship. She is a board certified and fellowship trained Radiologist specializing in adult Neuroradiology and Pediatric Radiology. She is also a music Composer and concert Pianist. She gained her formal classical music education in piano and music composition at the Music Conservatory school in Haifa, Israel. She received her medical degree from The Technion Institute. After completing her Radiology residency in 2004, she moved from Israel to the United States to further pursue specialized Radiology Fellowship training in Pediatric Radiology and Neuroradiology.

Throughout her medical career, she continued to write original music scores and perform at local music events. Around 2019, she started to expand her interest in composing music for films. She was the grand winner in the Oticons Faculty International Film Scoring competition 2021 and was nominated as the Top Finalist in the Film Scoring Academy of Europe contest 2022.

She has been practicing medicine her entire adult life, and thoroughly enjoys her career as a physician, but at this point, she wishes to pursue her true passion as a music composer.

Inbal is a woman who is INSPIRED AND INSPIRING! 

She propels me to believe- over and over- that our transferrable skills can be as far away from where we began... We only need to follow the music that we hear.

Dance With Me, original music
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZITPP5fj0Gs
Composed by Inbal Cohen-Rasner
Arranged by Amit Poznansky
Harmonica by Yael Feldheim
Flute by Lia Schondorf
Additional violins by Yael Shachar
© All Rights Reserved

Mensch is the Yiddish word for a person of integrity, who makes the world a better place- just by being in it.

This week's Honorable Mensch is Toni Smailagic, (SMAH-ee-lah-gitch) the eyes behind the lens that captures the Vision of my 'Ville Values... What I hear in my new music, is what I see in your images, Toni- the desire to pursue passion! Out there, back here and all over the Globe of citizenship. 

Follow @Cre8Jax on social media, and for resources in the Non-Profit and Creative environment.

https://www.tonismailagic.com/
https://cre8jax.com/ 

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The best way to explain parenting is, you don’t know what you don’t know. 

I remember my parents saying, "this didn’t come with a manual."

Then I remember there being a manual... In fact, so many manuals on how to raise the exact kind of kid you want to raise. The formulas... the exercises... People had spent so much time absorbed in the psychology of the child, that for a while, we forgot the mom. But in a society where the people who raise us are losing their rights and their voice... How can we raise them up? 
And that’s what we are going to tackle today...

The journey of motherhood is both deeply fulfilling and relentlessly challenging. On my show today, I have the pleasure of engaging with Natalie and Megan from Baby Boldly. Through their brand, they're doing phenomenal work in addressing the gap in resources and support for new mothers, presenting a more authentic vision of motherhood. They also shared the insight behind starting their company, and how it is helping to disrupt the postpartum experience by providing accessibility, education, and inclusivity. 

This discussion led to a deeper exploration into women's rights, racism, and the stigmas surrounding female anatomy. Navigating through these intricate issues, we highlighted the importance of open discussions and the need to educate the next generation.

www.BabyBoldly.com

So, grab a cup of coffee, and join us on Schmooze with Suze as we celebrate the beauty of motherhood, what a YONI* is, address societal issues head-on, and honor individuals who truly make a difference- #MOMS.

* YONI, (Sanskrit: “abode,” “source,” “womb,” or “vagina”) in Hinduism, the symbol of the goddess Shakti, the feminine generative power and, as a goddess, the consort of Shiva. In Shaivism, the branch of Hinduism devoted to worship of the god Shiva, the yoni is often associated with the lingam, which is Shiva's symbol.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend. Your support helps more people discover these conversations and the remarkable people helping shape our communities and our future.
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Subscribe to the Schmooze with Suze Podcast for your dose of #Culture, #Values and #GlobalCitizenship... with a side of #chutzpah... 

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