The James Protin Podcast

Really Big Faces was much more than an exhibition of art. It was a celebration of the diverse stories that make up our amazing city. With this exhibit, artist Tom Mosser celebrates of 83 Pittsburghers and one golden retriever. He celebrates all of us.

Tom creates amazing art using his signature “Flow”, “Funnel Flow” and “Loop” techniques to create the Really Big Faces.  Tom was inspired by the scale of the portrait art of Chuck Close, the drip technique of Jackson Pollock , the color palette of Andy Warhol, and drawing style of Bernie Fuchs.

Nick and I were honored to be asked to share some of those diverse stories in the podcast. This weeks episode is special because of the faces, their powerful stories, and the beginning of new friendships and collaboration. 

The Really Big Faces are not for sale but you can reach out to him to find out how you can rent the display for your event, fundraiser, or your building.  

The visually inclined can watch it all go down on YouTube. As always, the podcast streams on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and your platform of choice. 

Our guest for today’s show, Ep. 22, is my dear friend, Carole DeAngelo. Carole is the Advertising Director for the Observer-Reporter, Herald Standard, The Almanac, the Greene County Messenger and Reimagine Main Street digital agency

Prior to being promoted to Advertising Director, she was the Event Manager for the Observer Publishing Company and their team created numerous regional events, such as the Greater Pittsburgh Food Truck Festival, Corks and Kegs, the Holiday Market, Kids Fest and All for Her

In addition to being a passionate advocate of being nice and drinking coffee…she is the proud partner of Becca Carl, other mom to Christian Rohrer. 

The 2018 Athena Award Winner, and Southpointe CEO Association 2017 Emerging Leader Award Winner, serves on numerous boards in Washington County including, Vice-President of the Leadership Washington County Board of Directors, Junior Achievement Board, and the Bradford House. 

Prior to her career in the media, Carole had a 20 year career in mall management. She managed Washington Crown Center, the Galleria of Mt. Lebanon and the Waterfront. 
She’s passionate about women's rights, and motivating people and doing the right thing. 
Carole’s motto is, “We have one chance to make a difference. Make it count.”

The visually inclined can watch it all go down on YouTube. As always, the podcast streams on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and your platform of choice.

Episode #21 of the Podcast is one I’ve been looking forward to. This week’s show, we dive into vital the role of our community health systems. Joining us are Brook Ward, and Sara Schumacher of the Washington Health System. 

The Washington Health System is a fully integrated health system with nearly 3,000 highly trained medical professionals, WHS provides health care services at more than 40 off-site locations throughout three counties. These include diagnostic centers, outpatient care facilities, the Cameron Wellness Center, Greenbriar Treatment Center, urgent care and a hospice facility. 

Brook Ward assumed the position of President and CEO of Washington Health System (WHS) in Washington County, Pennsylvania in July 2019. From 2010- June of 2019, he served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.

In his role, Mr. Ward provides leadership, direction, and administration across the entire Washington Health System, which includes a large community hospital, a small rural hospital, a 70-provider physician group, a community wellness center, residency and fellowship programs, a school of nursing program and onsite medical simulation center and joint ventures in the areas of hospice, senior living, home health, cancer center and others. Working with the health system’s Board of Directors, he charts the course of the health system in response to the health care needs of the community.

Sara Schumacher is a Certified Fundraising Executive and became the Executive Director of the Washington Health System Foundation in 2018.  She fosters philanthropic relationships to support WHS’s commitment to healthier communities and to carry out their mission of providing Great Patient Care.  

Sara is a graduate of Indiana University of PA and majored in Journalism.  She is currently enrolled in Waynesburg University’s MBA program.  Sara’s experience in writing and event planning led her to an internship at Washington Health System where she found her niche working for non-profit community health systems.

With more than half a million Americans homeless on a given night, Episode #20 is Part 2 of our show  on Human Trafficking, and the Homeless Epidemic in America. 

There are many reasons people find themselves living on the street, one is mental illness…it’s estimated that one quarter of all homeless people were suffering from a serious mental disorder. 

Drug and alcohol use is also often a factor: More than a third of homeless shelter residents struggle with substance-abuse disorders. And economic factors such as job loss or the cost and availability of housing can’t be ignored. 

Our guests for Part 2, Episode #20…are Maggie Novotny, Director of Client Services for Domestic Violence Services of SWPA, and Becky McKenzie, a Survivor and Advocate working with trafficking victims in SWPA. 

As always, the visually inclined can catch this conversation on YouTube, or you can listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or the platform of your choice. 

#podcast #livelovelearnprayinspire
#homelessepidemic
#trafficking
#survivor
#advocate
#streetmedicine

If you’re paying attention…really paying attention, people will cross your path that will change the way you look at life. In this weeks episode of the podcast…Episode #19…we crossed paths with several of those people.

Human trafficking is among the fastest-growing criminal enterprises in the world. It's estimated that human trafficking is a $150 billion industry with more than 40 million victims around the globe. One in five human trafficking victims are children, exploited for begging, child pornography, or child labor. 

How does this impact us here at home in PA? 

Currently, Pennsylvania is ranked ninth among the Top 10 human trafficking states nationally…fueled largely by the effects of opioid addiction.

Joining us for Part 1 of this important topic is Rich Mullen, a Washington County Detective in the Special Victims Investigation & Prosecution Unit, and Joanna Dragan, Supervisor of Sexual Violence Services for The SPHS STTARS Program. 

This is a sensitive topic and our guests are honest and at times graphic. You will be informed and inspired to action by this show. It’s probably our most impactful to date. 

We met some amazing new friends at the Energy Innovation Center in Pittsburgh…AND we were blessed to spend time with a few "Really Big Faces" in the Covestro Brightspace Room at the EIC.

We shared great conversations and heard inspirational stories with Tom Mosser, an internationally recognized Pittsburgh artist and the creative force behind the one-of-a-kind “Really Big Faces” and RBF’s, Chef Claudy M. Pierre, Artist Corey Ochai, Writer/Filmmaker JoAnn Harrap, and future RBF, Photographer Jill Farrar. We weren’t male or female, we weren’t black or white…we were just people sharing a moment in time.

This week, we learned about diversity, inclusion and belonging, the ripple effect of philanthropy’s small splashes, the process of creating amazing art…and the importance of community. 

The “Really Big Faces” closing night is Friday, July 8th at the Energy Innovation Center, 6PM-10PM. The event is free and open to the public. Food and drink will be provided by Chef Claudy M. Pierre and his Team, and the background vibe is courtesy of DJ Blake Kinetik. 

Nick and I were invited back to film a follow up episode of the podcast at the event. 

As always the visually inclined can watch these conversations on YouTube, or you can listen on Spotify, Apple podcasts, or any platform that you choose.

Our guest this week for Episode #17 of the Podcast is Rachel Dayoub. 

Rachel is the Founder and CEO of Whispering Force, a self defense class for all women and children over the age of eight. The WF Team believes that learning the right techniques and education will help protect you and your loved ones in a dangerous situation.

Rachel is mom to two active youngsters…and in her spare time she is also a Cause Entrepreneur at ONEHOPE Wine, and Technician and Owner of Bella Bronze Tanning. 

As always the visually inclined can watch this conversation on YouTube, or you can listen on Spotify, Apple podcasts, or any platform that you choose. 

#podcast #LiveLoveLearnPrayInspire #whisperingforce #entrepreneurship #givingback #selfdefense #inspiration #confidence #empowerment

We have been blessed on the podcast to have the most amazing guests. This week show was no exception. We were joined by consultant, speaker and author, Denise Ann Galloni. 

Denise has come a long way since being named “The Quietest Girl” in her senior class. She has delivered over 500 presentations and keynotes to countless professionals who want to be better communicators and better leader. 

She is the host of the award-winning TV show, Empowering You and she has been a featured guest on several domestic and international podcasts as well as seen in 100+ media outlets.

Denise is the author of Find Your VOICE: 5 Keys to Lead and Empower Others. She and James Malinchak, the most requested, in-demand business and motivational keynote speakers and marketing consultant in the world, are co-authors of Success is a Choice: Inspiring Thoughts to Jumpstart Your Success.
 
Each guest raises the bar a little higher, and this is another one that you don’t want to mess. Like most of us, Denise‘s journey has been rife with obstacles and adversity and she shared some of the “secrets“ that she used to overcome them.

Find out more details at [email protected]
 
As always the visually inclined can watch this conversation on YouTube, or you can listen on Spotify, Apple podcasts, or any platform that you choose. 

#podcast #LiveLoveLearnPrayInspire #FindYourVoice #vision #obstacles #inspiration #confidence #empowerment

Brigadier General (BGen) Dave Papak, US Marine Corps, (RETIRED), is a native of Monongahela, Pa. and a 1971 graduate of Mon Valley Catholic HS. He was commissioned in the US Marine Corps following graduation from the US Naval Academy in 1976. He also earned a Master’s of Science degree from the University of Southern California in 1986. 

BGen. Papak was designated a Naval Aviator and a CH 53 helicopter pilot in 1979. During his 33 years of dedicated and honorable service he has held numerous aviation command and staff assignments, including deployments in support of Operation Desert Storm and the most recent Global War on Terror. Subsequent to his 2009 Marine Corps retirement, he continues to work in the corporate world as a senior level sales and business development executive. 

He also dedicates his energy and time to the Travis Manion Foundation serving as a veteran presenter for the Foundation’s Character Does Matter Program in addition to being an advisor for local community 9/11 Heroes Runs honoring local Veterans and first responders.

After graduating from MVC in 1971 where he earned three letters in basketball and football, Papak played four years for the Midshipmen and lettered in 1973, 1974 and 1975. He was inducted into the Mid Mon Valley All Sports Hall of Fame in 2016, the first Mon Valley Catholic athlete to be so honored. 

He and his wife Kate enjoy 3 children and 6 grandchildren and currently reside in Monongahela, Pa.

Joining us today on the show from Chicco Bachello in Canonsburg, PA, are some of my colleagues from the Water Group at GPI, Diane Altland, Joel Lofstrom, Ashley Reed, and Tyler Watts. 

GPI is a progressive firm that prides itself on diversity and inclusion. Our team represents that diversity. We come from all walks of life, and we’ve all had to overcome some kind of adversity to be here.

At GPI, we look for opportunities to work in communities where we can make a difference and positively impact the lives of people. 

We believe the people come first. Whatever affects one of us directly affects all of us indirectly. We will never throw out our principles to succeed.

I really enjoyed this show and hope you find it both inspiring and useful. As always, you can find us streaming on all the platforms and viewable on YouTube.