Statistics tell us that African American males who grow up in a single-parent household are nine times more likely to drop out of high school and twenty times more likely to end up in prison than any other demographic. But what would it take for one young man to not only to rise above those statistics but also become a Navy SEAL, actor, entrepreneur, writer, and successful husband and father? In Transformed, Remi Adeleke takes readers back to stories from his childhood as Nigerian royalty, to losing his father early in life and being financially stripped of everything by the Nigerian government. He delves into being raised by a single mother in the Bronx and doesn’t shy away from the illegal activities that threatened to derail his future. How could a person with this past end up where he is now? And to go a step further, how could a person who barely graduated high school, couldn’t swim, act or lead find great success in areas that require such skills? Having gone through times of intense struggle, racism, pressure, and failure, Adeleke answers those questions in his inspiring story of overcoming the odds, even when it didn’t make sense, and ultimately experiencing true personal transformation.

*Remi Adeleke was born in Western Africa, but following the death of his father, he, his mother, and brother relocated permanently to the Bronx, New York. After years of making regrettable decisions, Remi joined the Navy in 2002 and later became a Navy SEAL. Ending his successful naval career in 2016, he was led to pursue careers in writing, speaking, modeling and acting, including the 2017 franchise film Transformers: The Last Knight. Remi also served as the lead technical advisor on the upcoming Netflix blockbuster 6 Underground. And you can see him in current Jockey Ads sporting their latest sportswear and undergarments. Remi holds a BS in organizational leadership and a MS in strategic leadership, both from the University of Charleston West Virginia.

JEAN VANIER

Sept 10, 1928 - May 7, 2019

Philosopher, writer, religious and moral leader, founder of communities for people with and without intellectual disabilities… and above all, a follower of Jesus, a peacemaker…

Author of some 30 books, member of the Order of Canada, winner of the Templeton Prize, member of France’s Legion of Honour, member of the Order of Quebec, Jean Vanier was a widely recognized humanitarian, He was the founder of two international organizations dedicated to people with intellectual disabilities: L’Arche and Faith and Light. The 154 L’Arche communities in 38 countries and 1450 Faith and Light communities in 86 countries are places rich in human transformation. Those who live with people with intellectual disabilities leave transformed by what they have received and by the richness of the human relationships they have experienced. Having lived himself over 50 years with people with intellectual disabilities, Jean Vanier has been an ardent advocate for the most vulnerable and marginalized people in our societies. Jean Vanier regularly intervened in public forums, sharing about what he has witnessed and inviting us to acknowledge the gifts and valuable teachings that people with an intellectual disability can contribute to society once they are welcomed and loved. The message of Jean Vanier goes beyond religious and cultural barriers because it speaks to the basic and universal needs of each human being. The message of Jean Vanier redirects our attention to the importance of “being with” others, and most specifically with the most vulnerable. Each person is invited to go beyond personal ambitions to work for the wellbeing of others, attentive to their desires and needs. Only in this way will we discover the hidden treasures and beauty of each human being. L’Arche and Faith and Light are built on the conviction that people who have been judged to be useless and considered to be a financial burden are in fact sources of life who help us to fully embrace our humanity.

Sister Sue Mosteller - Former L’Arche Director, Member of the Sisters of St. Joseph (Toronto), Author, Friend of Jean Vanier

Dr. Michael W. Higgins, Ph.D. - Distinguished Professor of Catholic Thought at Sacred Heart University, Author of Vanier Biography, Jean Vanier: Logician of the Heart

Allegra Jordyn is an upcoming Canadian singer, songwriter, and musician who released her debut EP “Possibilities” in November 2018. The record showcases Allegra’s songwriting talents, with five tracks, all solo-written about her personal experiences, including first loves & heartbreaks, self-confidence, and determination to pursue what she loves most. At the young age of 17, Allegra has the ability to draw you into her world and let you feel her passion. Whether it’s the beautiful, haunting falsettos of her voice accompanied by just the piano or guitar, or the energy she brings outperforming upbeat arrangements, Allegra’s confidence and versatility is infectious. With strong backgrounds in music theory, composition, and performance, she is equally comfortable in the studio as she is performing in front of audiences of any size. Allegra is inspired by uniqueness and creativity and is always looking to push her own limits and become stronger in all aspects. As a songwriter, she is influenced by some of the greatest storytellers, including John Lennon, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, and Stevie Nicks. Allegra works relentlessly on developing her songwriting abilities, as well as vocal and performance skills in hopes to one day earn a place at their side.

In March 1997, thirty-nine people in Rancho Santa Fe, California, ritually terminated their lives. To outsiders, it was a mass suicide. To insiders, it was a graduation. This act was the culmination of over two decades of spiritual and social development for the members of Heaven\'s Gate, a religious group focused on transcending humanity and the Earth and seeking salvation in the literal heavens on board a UFO. In this fascinating overview, Benjamin Zeller not only explores the question of why the members of Heaven\'s Gate committed ritual suicides, but interrogates the origin and evolution of the religion, its appeal, and its practices. By tracking the development of the history, social structure, and worldview of Heaven\'s Gate, Zeller draws out the ways in which the movement was both a reflection and a microcosm of larger American culture. The group emerged out of engagement with Evangelical Christianity, the New Age movement, science fiction, and UFOs, and conspiracy theories, and it evolved in response to the religious quests of baby boomers, new religions of the counterculture, and the narcissistic pessimism of the 1990s. Thus, Heaven\'s Gate not only reflects the context of its environment but also reveals how those forces interacted in the form of a single religious body. In the only book-length study of Heaven\'s Gate, Zeller traces the roots of the movement, examines its beliefs and practices, and tells the captivating story of the people of Heaven\'s Gate.

Born into Hollywood royalty, Todd Fisher is a veteran of the entertainment industry who has thrived under the media spotlight his entire life. His 2018 book My Girls: A Lifetime With Carrie and Debbie, gave a firsthand account of the years he spent as a companion to the pair of iconic women in his life. It also shed light on the personal sides of fame, addiction, and mental illness that followed the family for decades. Unlike his parents and sister, Todd is best known for his work behind the camera. He produced and co-starred in the 2017 HBO documentary Bright Lights: Starring Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds. He has also served as a producer and director on dozens of prominent films and specials. He has also served as president and archivist for Hollywood Motion Picture Museum. In addition, he is a pilot, an ordained minister, a competitive golfer and an avid collector of classic film equipment. In December 2016, the world was shaken by the sudden deaths of Carrie Fisher and her mother Debbie Reynolds, two unspeakable losses that occurred in less than twenty-four hours. The stunned public turned for solace to Debbie’s only remaining child, Todd Fisher, who somehow retained his grace and composure under the glare of the media spotlight as he struggled with his own overwhelming grief. In his book, MY GIRLS, Todd shares his heart and his memories of Debbie and Carrie with deeply personal stories from his earliest years to those last unfathomable days. His book, part memoir, part homage, celebrates their legacies through a more intimate, poignant, and often hilarious portrait of these two remarkable women than has ever been revealed before.

That\'s right folks, it\'s time for our monthly visit with our favourite Hollywood Correspondent!

We\'re losing a generation. A generation of respect, integrity, and honour. A generation who were not afraid of hard work and sacrifice. Drew\'s father IS that generation. Growing up on the farm taught Grant Marshall more about life than Google. So let’s listen to that generation

They tried 28 years of doing marriage their way, but eventually, it ended. However, after a long separation, Canadian talk show host Drew Marshall and his wife Bev recently renewed their vows on a small deserted island off the coast of Mexico. Now, to make sure he doesn’t screw it up again, Drew has asked renowned psychologist and relationship guru Dr. Sue Johnson to help he and his wife rebuild their love - but this time with new foundational building blocks, using tools they’ve never had before. Dr. Johnson has agreed to personally take Bev and Drew through her Hold Me Tight Program.

THIS WEEK:

HOLD ME TIGHT Conversation #2

“Finding The Raw Spots”

Ryan St. Pierre was working in the trades and waiting tables in the evenings at a local restaurant. On weekends he was working as a fashion and print add model in Toronto, ON. In the early summer of 2001, Ryan received a call from his modelling agency that would surely and definitely change his future in unimaginable ways. They asked if he was musical in any way. Ryan immediately admitted that he was a singer/songwriter and could play several instruments. Ryan went to the audition not knowing what to expect but confidently brought and delivered an original song for the unknown hosts to hear and assess. “There were so many people auditioning for this mysterious musical opportunity, I truly didn’t think that I would receive a call back”. A few days later the phone rang again. Ryan’s agency told him that the label executives at the audition loved his original music and were calling him back for a second audition. At this time, Ryan was informed of the opportunity that he was auditioning for. He learned that several celebrity actors and musicians (Joshua Morrow, Eddie Cibrian, Howie Dorough, and C.J. Huyer) were amalgamating their resources to form Canada’s newest and hottest “Boy Band”. Although this wasn’t the musical direction Ryan had in mind, he didn’t for a moment consider passing up such a lucrative opportunity. The second audition was a success, and Ryan was offered one of two lead spots to front the band. In the Fall of 2001 Ryan officially signed a recording and management deal with EMI/Sextant Records to lead the newly created Boy Band group “Drop4”. In 2003 after two years with the band, Ryan made a difficult but important decision to leave “Drop4” and pursue a different musical direction on his own terms, utilizing his creative ideas and songs. In 2006, two songs that Ryan wrote were nominated for “Rock Song Of The Year”, and “Inspirational Song Of The Year”, at the 27th Annual Covenant Awards. NOW - after a nearly ten-year hiatus, Ryan is back on the music scene debuting a new solo album “Back To You” and ready to make his mark once again.

They tried 28 years of doing marriage their way, but eventually, it ended. However, after a long separation, Canadian talk show host Drew Marshall and his wife Bev recently renewed their vows on a small deserted island off the coast of Mexico. Now, to make sure he doesn’t screw it up again, Drew has asked renowned psychologist and relationship guru Dr. Sue Johnson to help he and his wife rebuild their love - but this time with new foundational building blocks, using tools they’ve never had before. Dr. Johnson has agreed to personally take Bev and Drew through her Hold Me Tight Program.

THIS WEEK:

HOLD ME TIGHT Conversation #1

“Recognizing The Demon Dialogues”