The Debbie Nigro Show

I wrote a 'little' book and just recently got it up for sale on Amazon. I even recorded it myself as an audio book for Audible which syncs the book on Amazon.

It's called:

"How To Talk To Strangers Advice from a Professional Stranger Talker"

(And I'm a roll with 5 star reviews! Good reviews mean everything to an author)

I could not have done it without the help of Donna Kozik, a book coach gal pal out in San Diego,CA who I've been featuring for years on my radio show because I love her style and how she shows people how to get a book done.

Meanwhile even though it sounded doable, and even though I do know how to write - Donna knows that I tried for a few years but kept not getting it done. I kept backing off. Why? I don't know. I didn't think what I wrote was good enough. I didn't think it was compelling enough. I had imposter syndrome. Then came the pandemic and the totally wrong timing for the topic. And of course, then there were the never ending barrage of life distractions. Finally, with Donna's help and unwavering encouragement, I did it! Whew! Feels Good!

I knew nothing about the process of publishing an ebook or soft cover book, but Donna helped me get it into the right format, helped me with the proofreading, helped me get the cover art done, educated me about Kindle and how to upload it on Amazon and was always available for my zillion email questions.

I had no idea how to set the right price (learned an eBook sweet spot price is $2.99), or the importance of getting reviews, or how to navigate Amazon's Kindle Direct Publishing system for the first time.

I'm just deciding how I am going to market the book now that the audio I recorded separately with fabulous Al Hemberger at The Loft Recording Studios in Bronxville, N.Y., was approved by Audible. (Who knew they reserve the right to set the price based on the length of the audio?) That was another thing that took way longer than I had anticipated but, finally got that done too! Whew! Personal accomplishment!

I'm hoping my new 'little' book will be as Donna calls it "My Big Business Card".

Utilizing a Book as a Business Tool

Donna Kozik book coach extraordinaire, says, a book IS a "Big Business Card" and there are various ways to leverage it for building credibility, obtaining speaking engagements, and promoting one's expertise.

'Short books' she says are the way to go, especially in today's information-saturated world. A short book can be easily read and can still carry a powerful message, making it a good option for authors and readers alike.

My book, "How To Talk To Strangers Advice from a Professional Stranger Talker" is 62 pages, and the audio book is 47 minutes. It's a little book with a big message. You'll get my point, get some laughs and get some tips in under an hour.

I'd love my book to lead to some speaking engagements about teaching people how to connect and communicate better in person. I really do think I have some sage knowledge to share in a fun way. I will now be looking to share it with some event planners, etc. who might be looking for someone like me to speak about this.

Encouragement for Aspiring Authors

I invited Donna Kozik back to join me on my radio show so we could discuss the self-publishing process now that I've been through it, so we could share information with those of you who might have a book in you too!

Donna says many potential authors face the same challenges as I mentioned I had above, and that procrastination or life events should not discourage them. She said, once a book is published, people do not focus on how long it took. (Did I mention I started this book idea 5 years ago? LOL)

Besides her great advice for listeners who may want to write a book, Donna offers a step-by-step approach to getting started, including making the decision, taking action, creating a structure. Her program "Write a Book in a Weekend," her group coaching, and her Business Authors Association, offer support and promotion for new authors. She suggests aspiring writers start with her FreeBookPlanner.com.

Oh and she made a big point about avoiding talking about the book you haven't finished writing yet too much, to prevent creating an emotional payoff for yourself without making any progress. (Oh boy, I did this 1000X.)

Enjoy this podcast of our live conversation about how to really get a book done on The Debbie Nigro Show.

Tune in to The Debbie Nigro Show 11-12 EST weekdays in the NY/CT area on 1490 WGCH or Listen from Anywhere on WGCH.com Just hit the 'listen live' button.

Women in midlife who still need or want to work often find themsleves stuck in limbo and confusion trying to figure our their next career move.

Enter ..."EvolveMe". A fabulous options to help you relaunch, pivot or level up your career whether you're in your 40s. 50s, 60s or beyond.

Founders Judy Schoenberg and Linda Lautenberg have been there, done that, and realized through their own experiences that many others in the same boat must need help. They created the community, structure, and tools to help you make whatever is next for you ... happen!

They can help with professional resumes and LinkedIn profiles, and even teach you transferable skills.

These gals are the real deal. They help make midlife career reinvention fun enjoyable and REWARDING.

They and others involved with EvolveMe provide a much-needed resource to women in midlife, who are underrepresented in leadership roles in the workforce and often face barriers due to ageism, gender discrimination, racism, pay inequity and as mothers and caregivers.

Linda who re-invented her career after 3 kids and a 16 year break and knows how isolating reviving your professional career can feel. Before founding EvolveMe, she was the Director of Outreach at Inspiring Capital, supporting women transitioning back to the workforce. She's a founding member and Regional Facilitator Lead for Harvard Business School Alumni Circles and a leader of Impact 100 Jersey Coast, a women's philanthropic investment nonprofit. Before that she had a successful finance career at the Prudential Investment Corporation and Nomura Securities. She's a Chartered Financial Analyst and earned an MBA from Harvard Business School.

Judy Schoenberg has another big Harvard brain. She left her role as Chief Research Executive at Girl Scouts of the USA after a fifteen-year tenure to pivot and start her own next chapter. She honed her skills at national organizations like Girl Scouts of the USA and the Ms. Foundation for Women as well as at Pace University's women's leadership initiative and community-based and start-up ventures. Her work has been featured at the White House, MAKERS, npr.com, USA Today, The Chicago Tribune and The Washington Post. She holds leadership roles at several nonprofit educational institutions and a Master of Education in human development and psychology from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

Both Judy and Linda emphasize the importance of helping women regain confidence, reassess their skills, and understand their value in the marketplace. The impact of the pandemic on women was loud, with many leaving the workforce, and how their company coincided with this time, offering support for women returning to work.

EvolveMe also work with companies invested in attracting and retaining top female talent. At the heart of EvolveMe is a belief that when companies understand women's needs, they're better able to attract and retain them.

Consumers Crave AI with Shopping But Want More Control Over How Companies Use Their Data!

The IBM Institute for Business Value, decided to survey 20,000 consumers across 26 countries on their digital habits, their use of AI and generative AI, and their expectations for brands. So what were the results of the survey?

I invited the big IBM retail guy, Joe Dittmar, to join me to share what they found out.

Let's just say, most consumers want to receive information, advertisements, and offerings from stores that are relevant to their specific interests, but a whole bunch say they really really want more control over how companies use their data.

Joe Dittmar leads IBM's Retail Industry across the company's portfolio which includes Grocery, Department, Warehouse, Specialty, Discount, Convenience, Restaurants, and Online Retailers.

He shared that consumers are unsatisfied with both in-store (9% satisfaction) and online (14% satisfaction) experiences.

As a consumer I'm obviously not alone being uncomfortable with a 100 follow up marketing emails from a company I've bought just one pair of pants from and had to return because they didn't fit right.

Joe said, AI's making an effort to tailor communication more effectively to individual preferences. He also explained that retailers are currently managing inventory conservatively, leading to less variety in stores—a strategy resulting from the need to reduce inventory post-COVID.

The opportunity for retailers he said, is to improve customer experience by integrating online options when in-store selections are limited.

IBM has been a longstanding participant in the retail industry, inventing the cash register and credit card in case you didn't know that. Now they are helping iconic brands leverage AI to improve operational efficiencies.

The survey showed that consumers are more open to adopting AI than expected, including interacting with virtual agents that can fast-track customers to human agents based on their tone and urgency. ( Wow, now I don't feel so bad about occasionally losing it and yelling… 'Give Me a Human!' LOL)

Good insight by Joe and IBM! Aspiring retail talent can learn from their expertise.

About Joe Dittmar: Joe is known for helping retail and consumer product clients worldwide to transform their business models and consumer-facing activities. He is a leader in implementing complex business and technology solutions that drive improved performance.In 2022, Joe was honored with IBM's highest industry designation, Distinguished Industry Leader, for his contributions to innovation in the industry and impact on IBM's clients throughout his career. Joe serves on various industry advisory boards including the National Retail Federation Board of Directors. He actively mentors aspiring retail talent around the world.

Social Media has created a SNOOPY craze.

GenZ is obsessed with him and Snoopy merchandise is selling out.

I read about the latest Snoopy obsession in article on on NPR. He's so hot, people have given blood just to get a Snoopy T-shirt. (The Red Cross gave out 400,000 shirts in 3 weeks) The Charles Schultz Museum has just had its highest attendance in 21 years and the official Snoopy Tik Tok account just garnered 198,000 new followers.

Snoopy is 350 years old in dog years but he's apparently timeless (like me) and timely. He communicates only in gestures and thought bubbles, shares his emotions easily, and is trying to live his best life! Gotta love him. I'm fascinated but why the surge in interest again now?

I invited Melissa Menta, Senior Vice President, Marketing and Communications Peanuts Worldwide to join me live on The Debbie Nigro Show to get the scoop about out what's going on.

Melissa said, the universal and timeless appeal of Snoopy is attributed to the character's relatability and expression of human emotions. Snoopy, she said, has been incredibly popular across all generations. Snoopy who is a book lover and writer, has always had an unstoppable imagination.

As the Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications at Peanuts Worldwide, Melissa handles global marketing which includes handling the brands social media, and creative aspects. She travels the world to promote the brand. And the world can't seem to get enough of Snoopy these days.

It was amazing enough that the late Charles Schulz who created the Peanuts comic strip, did it uninterrupted (except for one vacation for his 75th birthday) for 50 years! He created nearly 18,000 comic strips. But just as amazing, is how his work continues to resonate today due to its simplicity and again, it's focus on 'human emotions'.

The four-panel comic strips are particularly well-suited to the format of modern social media which of course did not exist back when the comic strips were published the old-fashioned way, in newspapers. Social media has everything to do with Snoopy reaching a global audience of new fans and the new demand for Snoopy merchandise.

The Current Snoopy Merchandise Craze

Melissa says Snoopy merchandise is currently available across a broad range of retailers, from Pottery Barn to Uniqlo and H&M. There have also been high-end collaborations with designers like Gucci and Marc Jacobs. Not only with Snoopy, but also other characters too like Woodstock, Charlie Brown, and Franklin who are also popular.

Peanuts Worldwide receives numerous partnership requests involving Snoopy and the Peanuts characters. Snoopy is a global icon with a particularly strong following in places like Japan, said Melissa.

There's also the 'Take Care with Peanuts' campaign, which promotes taking care of oneself, others, and the Earth, with partnerships like the Arbor Day Foundation for planting trees, and the installation of Peanuts murals in hospitals globally.

Melissa says the brand's even working with NASA. Snoopy was used as a zero-gravity indicator on Artemis 1! She also shared how the brand is creating new content for platforms like Apple TV+.

The Peanuts marketing team, led by Melissa, continually seeks new ways to keep the brand relevant and engaged with current issues and audiences, reflecting the brand's adaptability and enduring appeal.

Peanuts Worldwide is passionate about maintaining the brand's legacy while simultaneously innovating and connecting with new audiences.

I think you'll enjoy the terrific insight about why Snoopy so hot right now in this podcast of a warm conversation on The Debbie Nigro Show with Melissa Menta, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications at Peanuts Worldwide.

PS: Bet you didn't know I owned a Snoopy watch. Had it since I was a kid.

Brandon Copeland is on a mission to educate and protect the futures of the next generation of sports stars.

This Ex. NFL linebacker and Ivy League Professor, is also the Executive Director and Co-Founder of an organization called Athletes.org.,a Players Assoc. For College Athletes.

Brandon who played pro football or the Baltimore Ravens, and New York Jets, among others also got a terrific education at Wharton and is in his sixth year an adjunct professor at the University of Pennsylvania.

He's passionate about creating a legacy beyond his football career is is dedicating his time and knowledge to help others unlock their potential. Brandon is fully dedicated to helping the next generation of athletes and children in need. 

His non-profit Athletes.org, focuses on providing financial literacy to college athletes, helping them handle their finances as they potentially deal with lucrative deals. College athletics have changed, and college athletes are essentially going pro earlier due to TV deals and other revenue streams. The NCAA has recently been discussing proposals about compensating those athletes. But Brandon knows too well how unprepared most young athletes when interest and money comes their way. Athletes.org, essentially acts as a players association for college athletes, providing services such as legal and mental health support, sometimes pro bono.

Financial literacy for athletes is what Brandon Copeland thinks is critical. He's well aware just how many athletes have gone broke and spent all their money without consideration for their futures, Which is why, he and athletes.org aim to provide solutions so that doesn't happen.

But that's not all Brandon Copeland is working on. Did you know he and a slew of other NFL Players bought Christmas presents for hundreds of unsuspecting children in need this year? (The kids thought they were showing up for community service. )

 Beyond the Basics, Inc., is Brandon Copeland's family foundation he started with his wife. The foundation began by holding football camps and then organized "A December to Remember," where NFL players provide Christmas shopping sprees for children.

 Future Goals? Copeland hopes to expand the holiday initiative nationwide and encourage community involvement in every state, regardless of the presence of an NFL team.

 What a wonderful conversation we had on The Debbie Nigro Show. It was myto showcase Brandon Copeland's commitment to using his platform and experiences to positively impact the lives of young athletes and children, with a strong focus on financial education and community service.

 BTW: He credits his grandfather, Roy Hilton, who played in the NFL for 11 years, for his inspiration and for giving him perspective on life after football.

It’s the most dangerous time of the year for some people. Yes, it is. And though we love to laugh at the song ‘Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer’ it wouldn’t be so funny if it was your own Grandma who got run over on Christmas Eve now would it? (Spiked egg nog and some medications don’t mix well)

Just making you all aware of a couple of serious things that land people in the emergency rooms this time of year.

Adults 65 and older who are already at risk of falls, have an increased chance of falling and hurting themselves during the holiday season because there are more obstacles to navigate. People unexpectedly stumble over wrapping paper, decorations, light cords, and toys etc., both in their own homes and in homes they visit.

Trust me I know. I bought my little granddaughter a blue bouncing ball for Christmas year before last. It was Christmas morning at my house, and ripped up wrapping paper from all the toys was everywhere. I turned around and boom tripped over the ball that wasn’t there a second ago, and fell straight down on my face. Thought I killed myself. Good thing Grandma didn't die on Christmas Day. It would have ruined everything. I seriously was afraid to move. I thought I broke my neck. I did manage to get up, but wow that was a shocker. Ended up with three months of a sprained neck that still aggravates me years later.

It’s the ‘unexpected things’ that trip people up this time of year says, Dr. Imran Ali who adds many of the emergency room visits and accidents seem to happen to older adults.

Dr. Imran Ali is an Assistant Clinical Professor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital in NYC. He is a Board-Certified Medicine/Internal Medicine Supportive Care specializing in Geriatric Oncology Rehabilitation at The New Jewish Home. He is a regular contributor to several TV stations.

“A lot of my patients who I take care of, they have their own routine, they're in their homes, they can navigate their way around their home because they know the layout. They have poor vision or they're using a walker or a cane. I mean, they know their layout in their home, but when they go to another home, another person's house, if there's a loose rug or there's something in the way they're not expecting, those can cause significant trips. And toys, you know a lot of these toys have parts that come flying off that you don't see.”

Dr. Imran Ali says there are other reasons too seniors may unexpectedly land in the emergency room this time of year. Drinking alcohol may interact with some drugs they might be taking.

“Drinking too much alcohol, alcohol acts like a diuretic, it makes your blood pressure go lower. So, when your blood pressure goes lower, you get dizzy and you can fall, you can pass out, you can get what we call orthostatic hypotension and that can be really dangerous for somebody who's on a blood thinners. “

And let’s not forget to discuss that unfortunate champagne cork in the eyeball thing.

Yes, getting hit by a champagne cork lands many people in the emergency room, say Dr Ali. “Believe it or not, a flying champagne cork can travel up to 50 miles per hour as it leaves the bottle fast enough to shatter glass. And that's according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology. If this hits somebody in the eye, you can get corneal abrasions and serious eye injury. So, the best thing to do is to point the bottle away from other people, of course, place a napkin or towel over the top, firmly hold the cork while gently twisting the base of the bottle.”

Another big thing to watch out for? People who get hurt and don't want to destroy the family get-together and decide they’ll go to the emergency department tomorrow or the day after.

Dr Ali says, “People can fall and get what we call an epidural hematoma. I don't know if you remember Bob Saget, who fell in his hotel room. He had a period of where he was fine and okay. Then later on he had the injury. So the epidural hematoma is when you hit your head and you affect one of the arteries and for a moment people can get up, walk around and everything's fine and then later they have the actual big bleed. People shouldn't delay evaluation if they're on a blood thinner especially if they did fall they hit their head you know don't just poo-poo it till afterwards because it could get worse later.”

“I think people just need to be reminded that you can't be lax. If you're walking around somebody else's house, take your time. If you're having people over who are older and there's a lot of kids running around or animals, you know, just beware animals. Excited dogs and cats. I mean a lot of people, you know fall because of that.”

One last mention about what else Dr. Ali has seen in emergency rooms. Sadly, little kids who swallowed batteries.

“I think about young kids swallowing the batteries. Super, super important. These lithium coin batteries, they're small, they're shiny, they look nice. I mean now the newer ones have some kind of covering so it tastes bitter. But you know I have a young one at home and I just I think I think that scares me because once these batteries go into your system the lithium especially it can cause a lot of havoc. It can be really scary. “

Sharing serious information does not have to be dull as you’ll hear in this upbeat informative podcast with Dr. Imran Ali from our live chat on The Debbie Nigro Show. We just want you all to have a safe and warm holiday.

 James (Jim) Keyes, former CEO of 7-Eleven and Blockbuster has written a book titled "Education is Freedom."

Jim passionately believes in the transformative power of education and its role in overcoming adversity and achieving success and candidly shares his own story about how education helped him rise out of poverty.

It’s a powerful book about why you need to learn as much as you can on this planet because nobody can take away what you learn, and what you understand.

Jim says, in many respects, knowledge is the only true wealth that we all have while on this earth. You can turn that knowledge into material benefits and enjoy a life of however you want it to go or help others however you want to help them. But the choice is yours. The simple truth is that education provides more options. Everybody should have access to those choices and to the freedom that comes with it. No matter what stage of life you’re at, everybody has a chance to change it up and still get whatever is in their heart, with the right knowledge. 

Jim's life journey was surely not simple. As a kid he grew up poor in a factory town with no running water. His mom left his dad when he was five lured by another man who lived large in a trailer park. His dad who he adored, passed when he was 12 and he had to go live with his mom and her abusive boyfriend, who he literally feared would kill him when he was sleeping.

It was a faraway visit one day to his uncle’s house that changed things for Jim. There he spotted what looked like a huge library of books that excited him. It was only a couple of shelves. But his uncle, a teacher, with running water who took trips to see the world, seemed to have it all - and those books symbolized success and sparked Jim’s lifelong love for learning. 

Jim shared, “Literally, we grew up with no running water, right? And a pump outside the house and an outhouse and the whole thing.  Kids have a hard time relating to that kind of poverty today. It's very different and very challenging, but the common theme is that adversity of any type, whatever you grow up with, it's a challenge. You can grow up in a very wealthy family with a totally dysfunctional environment and that adversity can actually make you stronger if you look at it that way and give you an advantage and cause you to turn to things like education as a way to escape your reality, whatever it is, poverty or abuse or whatever. Education can be that path to a better life.”

I was always amused that I had a friendship with a globally powerful guy like Jim Keyes that just kind of stuck all these years. I realized after reading his book, it was because of a crazy book thing I did myself. I held my ‘Working Mom on the Run’ book tour back a thousand years ago at 7-Elevens. Totally crazy idea I had that hey went for. I had important knowledge I wanted to share with the moms of America and I chose 7 Eleven as my vehicle.  

7 Eleven was then pitching fresh food to busy Moms on the go for the very first time and I knew I’d find an audience for my book of busy moms running in and out of their stores. I was right. I got a kick out of the fact that Jim thought the book tour was a riot and was honored he personally congratulated me on its huge success. I guess I thought I must have just stuck out in his head for being out of the box. Over the years I’d occasionally reach out to say hello and he was always quick to connect back. I never realized until I read his book, that Jim was such a passionate education guy, was so much about knowledge, so much about books, so much about curiosity and taking shots. Obviously, I resonated with him because of that. And now I am thrilled to be able to help him promote his book, "Education Is Freedom".

Getting people's attention for an important subject, to educate them about anything is really Jim’s thing, and he’s taken great pains to share his story and I think his message is very loud.

The more you learn, the more you can do at pretty much every stage in life. Whatever your journey is, there's more to it, as long as you keep feeding your mind and understanding that you can control the next act.

He said it so well in his book.

 ‘I’ll quote Jefferson in saying that the fundamental basis of a working democracy is an educated populace. It's a critical time right now, and my message to the world, to individuals first, is education is important. It's your lifeblood. And to society, we've got to focus on education collectively and to help everyone succeed to make this world a better place.

“I've wanted to write this book forever. But right now, it's so critically important. We're hearing every time you turn on the news you hear you know teachers being you know challenged for what they're teaching, and universities are under sort of attack right now. They're right in the crosshairs of a lot of cultural war issues and for a whole host of reasons the concern with The United States is falling behind the rest of the world in college graduations. Our individuals in school are falling behind and not even graduating from high school. A shocking number of students don't even graduate from high school. And where does that leave us if you dial forward 20 or 30 years? Where does that leave us individually if we're one of those kids, or where does it leave society if we have so many people that are not equipped to go forward?

Jim thinks a big part of the answer is going to be technology. The ability to harness AI and be able to modify the way we teach to the way people learn. Today there's really no excuse not to find a way to learn with the technology that's available. And he wants corporations to step up.

Jim said, “My challenge to my peers in the corporate world is step up especially with the availability of technology to invest in the technologies that can be then brought to the education process and allow everyone to benefit from it. The ultimate beneficiary being the corporation with an educated workforce coming up. Their investment isn't a gift, it's not charity. I think they can look at it as a return on investment which is what I'm encouraging.”

Enjoy the podcast of this live warm conversation with Jim Keyes author of ‘Education is Freedom’ on The Debbie Nigro Show.  

 I’ve been seriously thinking about taking up golf. I’ve played a little and whacked a few balls pretty far at the driving range but I’m not what you would call a golfer. Probably because it usually takes 4 hours to play, and I usually don’t have an extra 4 hours. But I’m rethinking the whole idea. Why don’t I have 4 hours to do something I might like? I waste just as much time walking around my house. LOL

 No doubt the sport of golf is growing and certainly there are many like me who have the desire, but not the knowledge or the time or the outfits, but there are some good pretty good reasons to rethink it.  

 My recent introduction to PXG (Parsons Xtreme Golf), founded by GoDaddy's Bob Parsons, has piqued my interest. PXG is known known for its innovative approach to golf and its support for veterans' causes. They have 22 locations nationwide, where you can buy clubs and apparel and get a golf club fitting, and they even offer a mobile golf club fitting service for country clubs.

 Their newest location and first in the Northeast, their PXG Superstore just opened in New Rochelle, NY. Not far from where I live. So, I went to go see it. It’s a wow.  

 When I met Jason Tomlinson who runs the new PXG location, I invited him to come talk about the company, the store, the game and what they’re doing to encourage new players.  

We both agreed:

·         Golf's has a positive impact on fitness.

·        Golf has a challenging mental aspect to the game.

·        Golf allows you to enjoy nature which is therapeutic.

·        Golf is a networking tool: a wonderful way for businesspeople to create relationships and the growing inclusion of women in the sport is refreshing.

 Jason and PXG want to help you all learn to play golf without feeling awkward. One upcoming event at their N.Y. location on December 9th in partnership with Westfair Communications is called "Demystifying Golf - Learn to Swing and Network”. It’s from 10am -12:30 at PXG Golf, 100 Nardozzi Place New Rochelle, NY. LPGA Pro Anya Alverez will lead the clinic. The event is free but space is limited and reservations must be made in advance.

 Sounds like a fun way to learn about golf and network with other enthusiasts. They'll also be having a series of ongoing free clinics over the next few weeks.

 At PXG's huge new Rochelle facility, Jason says one of the unique things they offer are personalized golf club fittings using Trackman technology. He really emphasized the importance of a proper club fitting for improving one's golf game and said investing in quality golf clubs is an investment in one's golfing future.

 I think a ‘Golf Club Fitting’ is a perfect gift idea for any golf enthusiast or anyone starting out. And from what I saw of the incredibly stylish PXG golf apparel around the store, anyone wearing that stuff could look like a pro whether they play the game or not. LOL

 But if you know you me you know I prefer ‘authentic’, which is why I really like the PXG company values a lot. They’re commited to supporting veterans and supporting the professional players on tour who have values that resonate. PXG's Heroes program, also offers discounts to the military and first responders. Bob Parsons and his wife have generously given away nearly $300 million to charities since 2012.

 Enjoy this lighthearted and informative podcast of the live radio conversation with Jason Tomlinson of PXG Golf on The Debbie Nigro Show. 

The holiday season is a wonderful time to reconnect with important people in our lives we don't see often. It’s always fun when you’ve been thinking about one of those people, and they connect with you first.

 One of those people in my life is ‘Monty’ Delaney and I kept writing his name down on my things to do list to call him. “Monty’ (short for Montgomery) is an all-around great guy with a heart as big as his 6 ’6’ frame. Besides being a warm wonderful person I've known for many years, he was also once an attorney who never failed to show up on the dime whenever I needed him. Often to help me handle my former ongoing ‘parking ticket problem’. The ‘problem’ was, I’d forget to pay the damn tickets and they’d add up and then I’d land in ‘negotiations'. Oh and he'd also show up for that speeding ticket problem. LOL. Happy to report I’ve learned my lesson and now I don’t get parking tickets anymore and I drive like an old lady… but I still love seeing Monty. Just not in court.

 Last I saw him actually, I had some fun on his radio show. He’s got a lot to talk about. Monty served as a police officer in the South Bronx for nearly nine years until a back injury led to his retirement from the police force. He spent a significant amount of time in traction and swimming pools for rehabilitation. During this time, he was also in law school, which he had to pause and later return to. he did, and after years of practicing law, a heart issue arose and Monty decided it was time to close his practice and focus on his more creative endeavors. 

 Monty is a talented singer-songwriter. He became involved in the music scene, playing at coffee houses back when, and has made some great albums. His 1996 album "Walking in the Light" was inspired by various societal and personal reflections and continues to be played across the country and he takes pride in its lasting appeal. It was produced by Rex Fowler of Aztec Two-Step, which was oddly the first musical group I saw perform in person when I arrived as a freshman at Ithaca College. 

Monty had given me one of those CD’s and somehow it landed lodged inside the back sleeve of my cars front seat. No clue why. I accidentally found it last week when I went to the car wash and was cleaning out my car. I don’t have a CD player in my car, so I just put it on my front seat to remind me to call Monty. Then after the car wash, I made a cemetery stop to get out of the car to say a holiday hello to my immediate family in the family plot. (It's what Italian girls do.)

 What are the chances that when I got back in the car, there on my phone sitting on the car seat next to the “Walking In The Light” CD was a text from… MONTY!  Really? What are the chances?

Naturally I called him immediately to report the serendipity, and we had some laughs as his lovely wife listened in, and we caught up about lots of things and he told me about his new book of poetry out now called "A Musings”. It’s a collection of poems he wrote over the years while waiting in courtrooms. 

 I invited Monty to stop by the radio studio this week to bring his new book and bring his lovely wife Connie, but sadly he woke up sick the day we planned it and so he called in to the show instead. 

 I think you’ll enjoy the podcast of our live lighthearted and authentic conversation of two friends catching up on The Debbie Nigro Show. The show is filled with laughter, personal anecdotes, and our shared history that underscores my point about of the importance of connections and the value of personal relationships. We will get together 'in person' when he feels better.

 I hope I’ve sparked you to reconnect with someone important to you, that you haven’t seen or spoken to in awhile this holiday season. Let me know.

If you want to meet a guy with an inspiring life and attitude, meet James Flaherty.

 'Jim’ who’s 88, gets my weekly newsletter which happened to land in his email while he was sitting in the airport in Cabo San Lucas. He wrote me back while waiting for a plane back home to N.Y. and told me he'd just spent a week at the 'Modern Elder Academy'. 

 Sounded interesting so I wrote him back I wanted him to come on my show and report on what went on there.

 I had featured Jim Flaherty on my show earlier in the year after chancing upon a book he wrote that I spotted on an old wooden table in an old wooden General Store in Amenia, N.Y.

 I was sparked that day by the cover of “Dear Old Friends” but what really cracked me up and made me buy the book, is that while quickly scanning it I read he had started writing it in his 40s and finally finished it in his 80s. My kinda procrastinator!

 Jim has a big fun brain. Before becoming a writer, he worked in advertising, and his life, he says, was just like to the TV series "Mad Men”. Jim also built and ran a successful country inn and conference center called Troutbeck in Amenia NY for 30 years. It’s spectacular in case you’re ever headed in that direction.

 Why is Jim my ‘America idol’? Because at 88 he’s vibrant and positive, with no regrets and a belief that every day is a miracle. And because he wrote to me while I was sitting home pathetically with a heating pad on my lower back, while his spunky 88 year old self flew his butt to Baja, Mexico to attend a curious midlife wisdom school. I seriously need to learn from whatever he's doing. 

Jim's second book out now, "Embrace Your Age," is getting attention for its empowering message too, especially the importance of waking up with ‘purpose’. Jim wakes up every day doing some deep breathing exercises and thinking of ways to help others.

 So what was Jim’s ‘Modern Elder Academy Experience’ all about? He describes it as a place for navigating transitions and cultivating purpose in midlife and beyond. The age range of attendees at the Academy varied he said, with most being in their 60s and some in their 50s and 70s. Jim says midlife crises can occur between ages 40 and 70 and pointed out being 88, that he was the oldest person there that week. The highlight he said, was the comradery and the sense of community and connection formed there. He felt he left with having formed a whole new group of friends.

 Jim says, it's a place for navigating transitions and cultivating purpose in midlife and beyond. By the way, Forbes did a story on the Modern Elder Academy a few years ago and called it ‘The Cool School For Midlifers’. I read that it's the world’s first midlife wisdom school where you can unlock old hopes and discover new dreams in person beachside in Baja or in the creative corridor Santa Fe, or online from home in your pajamas. Sounds cool to me.

 Ya gotta love Jim Flaherty's energy and spirit. As for his future at 88? Well, he may teach a workshop at the Modern Elder Academy, but he’s also looking for an agent to sell his TV series, screenplay, and two novels. 

 Oh, and he wants me to come visit him back up in Amenia and take a swim in his indoor swimming pool. LOL .OK fine, fine, Jim, whatever youre doing I want to do  too. 

 Enjoy this podcast of our live radio conversation on The Debbie Nigro Show. It’s truly an uplifting and motivational discussion on aging gracefully, finding purpose, and staying active and engaged in life's later years. It's about the cool way to get old.