The James Protin Podcast

Our guest for Episode 62 of the podcast is Harry Lorusso. Harry is an outlier. I know what you’re thinking…what’s an outlier?

Merriam-Webster defines an outlier this way: a person, thing, or fact that is very different from other people, things, or facts, so that it cannot be used to draw general conclusions. 

Harry is an athlete. He ran in the Ultra Race of Champions, April 29th…finishing as the 7th overall in the mens division. Then Harry followed that up May 1st by running and finishing the Pittsburgh Marathon…his first ever. 

But this isn’t what makes Harry an outlier…

Harry is an outlier because, he did these things despite March 22, 2019. That’s the day he was diagnosed with Glioblastoma, an incurable brain cancer. GBM as it’s known, is a fast-growing and aggressive brain tumor. The prognosis with this disease is generally not good. 

Harry is, among other things, the founder of The Outlier Fund. Now that his treatment is finished, he has created a platform to show others impacted by GBM that despite the grim statistics…there is hope. 

Harry is not only surviving with GBM, he’s thriving. His message resonates with many of us whose lives have been touched by cancer. But the most important takeaway from our conversation is that whatever adversity you’re facing…you too can be an outlier. 

Harry embodies the Five Pillars of Live. Love. Learn. Pray. Inspire. It’s an honor to know him and support his journey. 

As always, the visually inclined can watch it all go down on YouTube, and you can also catch us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Audible, Google Podcasts, iHeart Radio, Stitcher, Castbox, Podchaser, Pandora…you get the picture.

Jumping in the guest chair tor Episode #61 of the podcast is Amanda Filippelli, an internationally recognized editor, writer, book coach, and chief architect and advisor for many women authorpreneurs. 

An award-winning writer herself and publishing industry expert, Amanda specializes in helping writers realize their authentic voice and thrive as working authors. 

She speaks on the importance of storytelling, helping her audiences understand that their stories matter. She helps inspire writers to pursue becoming professional authors, and she teaches entrepreneurs how to use storytelling to better brand themselves. 

Amanda’s work has also been widely published and featured, including in Barzakh Magazine, TEDxWomenPittsburgh, ACA/PCA, Pittsburgh in the Round, and WHIRL Magazine. She was the recipient of Pittsburgh Magazine’s 40Under40 award, and is the co-founder of Pittsburgh’s first premier writers’ conference, Pitch, Publish, Promote. 

Amanda is also the host of Write to Heal workshops, where she helps people connect and heal through the power of storytelling. She is also the author of Blue Rooms (https://amandafilippelli.com/blue-rooms), a book of poetry that was adapted for the stage and received with critical acclaim. 

Amanda believes in creating experiences out of Art, and is currently in progress on her second poetry collection and its supporting experiential event, as well as her literary fiction novel, Lionfish. 

As always, the visually inclined can watch it all go down on YouTube, and you can also catch us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Audible, Google Podcasts, iHeart Radio, Stitcher, Castbox, Podchaser, Pandora…you get the picture.

Our guest for Episode #60 is Joey Pagano. Joey is a husband, father, therapist, licensed social worker, researcher, doctoral candidate, author…and an addict. 

Addiction stripped him of everything. It slammed him down on the curb and showed him the final exit…his end day. But God had other plans for Joey Pagano. 

This episode is raw, emotional…and powerful. It details a life lost, found, lost again…and ultimately saved. 

Joey’s third book, co-written with Scott A. Cook MD, MPH titled “No Addict Left Behind: It’s a recovery medicine state of mind” will release tomorrow, 4/25/23, in stores and online. 

The book is about the clinical, medical and personal experiences of the stigma of addiction and recovery medicine in our country. Joey also speaks professionally about the clinical implications of recovery and social work. 

You will be moved by his triumphant story and mantra…No Addict Left Behind. 

As always, the visually inclined can watch it all go down on YouTube, and you can also catch us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Audible, Google Podcasts, iHeart Radio, Stitcher, Castbox, Podchaser, Pandora…you get the picture.

Our guest for Episode #59 of the podcast us Marvin Williams. There is a national fraternity recognized by the letters, FOM. It’s not affiliated with a particular university, club, or social group. The FOM stands for…Friends of Marvin. 

Marvin is by every measure the best in his field…the GOAT if you will. He has been my most important professional mentor and it’s because of his influence that I’ve become successful in my career. But as long as Marvin is in the game…I will never be better than second. 

Marvin Williams is an educated man having graduated from Wesleyan University and Yale Law School. But that isn’t why he’s at the top if his profession. He has perfected the fine art of people…that is the building and maintenance of relationships with people. 

Coming of age during the height of the Civil Rights Movement, the son of educated and socially involved parents…he learned his life lessons through a unique lens. Pioneers such as Dr. King and Medgar Evers were not strangers to his home. 

Marvin has shared those priceless lessons with all of us, regardless of race, religion, or ethnicity…through stories that will hold you at the edge if your seat. Marvin is more that a lover of life…he is a lover of humanity. 

As always, the visually inclined can watch it all go down on YouTube, and you can also catch us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Audible, Google Podcasts, iHeart Radio, Stitcher, Castbox, Podchaser, Pandora…you get the picture.

Our guest for Episode #58 are Stephanie Ciranni, Executive Director at Cancer Bridges. Stephanie leads a team dedicated to helping individuals and families navigate their cancer journey. 

Cancer Bridges provides a warm and welcoming environment for everyone who has been impacted by cancer. This includes those with a cancer diagnosis, those who have a loved one with cancer, or have experienced the loss of a loved one due to cancer. 

Cancer Caring Center was established in 1988, dedicated to providing free emotional support to cancer survivors, their friends and loved ones. Our Clubhouse was established in 2006 as Gilda’s Club of Western Pennsylvania. 

In 2014, Our Clubhouse became an independent nonprofit in order to remain focused on our mission to offer free social, emotional and wellness support to those in our region touched by cancer. 

In 2021, Cancer Caring Center and Our Clubhouse joined to become Cancer Bridges. The new organization supports those impacted by cancer through a variety of free programs and services. 

The diagnosed, family, friends, and caregivers who support them are welcome to join Cancer Bridges and receive the social, emotional, and informational tools they need.

As always, the visually inclined can watch it all go down on YouTube, and you can also catch us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Audible, Google Podcasts, iHeart Radio, Stitcher, Castbox, Podchaser, Pandora…you get the picture.

Our guests for Episode #57 are Quinton Martin, along with his aunt and uncle…Deanne and Shawn Martin. 

Quinton is a junior football player at Belle Vernon Area high school, in Pennsylvania. He is a well known 5 star athlete who dreams to make it to the NFL. Martin is #1 recruit in Pennsylvania, and in the top 30 players around the nation. 

One of his biggest achievements was leading the Belle Vernon Leopards to winning the state championship. His other achievements include 2024 MaxPreps All American , KDKA Super 7, & being one of the finalist for Mr. PA Football. 

He has been a top recruit since he was a freshman in high school. Offers have came in from Power 5 schools such as Penn State, PITT, Texas, Miami, and Ohio State. 

With the support of his family, Quinton looks forward to the next step of his journey. 

As always, the visually inclined can watch it all go down on YouTube, and you can also catch us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Audible, Google Podcasts, iHeart Radio, Stitcher, Castbox, Podchaser, Pandora…you get the picture.

Hekima Place is a safe, loving and faith-based home for orphaned vulnerable girls in Kenya. 

Joining us for Episode #56 of the podcast is the Founder of the organization, Kate Fletcher, Executive Director, Laura Bright, and Maggie Wambui, a Hekima Place Alum. 

“Every human being deserves compassion, care, and respect.” 

Those words jumped out of the Hekima Place Vision Statement and wrapped themselves around my heart. That’s all I needed to read to make me want to know more.

Kate Fletcher is that person who you meet once and never forget. Hekima Place is the outward realization of her lifelong conviction that every human being is deserving of dignity, love, and the opportunity to lead a full and productive life.

A dedicated team of volunteers, board members, and other supporters has made Hekima Place the thriving, mission-driven organization it is today.

As always, the visually inclined can watch it all go down on YouTube, and you can also catch us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Audible, Google Podcasts, iHeart Radio, Stitcher, Castbox, Podchaser, Pandora…you get the picture.

We shuffled the deck a little for this week’s episode. We received a call from our good friend Tom Mosser regarding an event he is putting together April 1st at the Energy Innovation Center in Pittsburgh. 

We visited 412 Studios in Etna for Episode #55 of the Podcast. You may remember Tom from our show featuring his “Really Big Faces” Exhibit last year. He is organizing an event he calls “Make Your Marc” calling on local artists to create their own artwork about Marc Fogel. 

Marc Fogel, a 1980 Butler Senior High School graduate, was detained in Russia at Moscow's Sheremetyevo International Airport in August 2021 with slightly more than a half-ounce of medical marijuana. After a trial, he was sentenced to 14 years in a Russian prison.

The event calls on over 100 Pittsburgh creatives create their own original work about Fogel that will be on display in the Brightspace Room at the Energy Innovation Center in Pittsburgh. The intent is to draw  attention to Vogel’s plight. 

As always, the visually inclined can watch it all go down on YouTube, and you can also catch us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Audible, Google Podcasts, iHeart Radio, Stitcher, Castbox, Podchaser, Pandora…you get the picture.

Episode #54 of the podcast is a special one. Our guest is the one and only Kelli Robbins. My friend Kelli us everyone’s friend Kelli. She  is a dynamo in the arena of marketing, advertising and branding, serving entrepreneurs of all sizes.

Kelli is an author, speaker, trainer, entrepreneur, and community leader. She manages a firm that delivers business results through better communication. For over 30 years, Kelly has worked nationally, helping thousands of business leaders develop strategic communication management strategies. 

If that doesn’t impress you…Kelli is also the President of Contact One Communications. The firm, founded in 1985, specializes in telephone answering service and custom call-center communications for commercial, medical, e-commerce, and web applications for companies in the Pittsburgh region and across the country. 

Kelli is an engaging storyteller and shares wisdom gleaned from her personal and professional journeys. 

As always, the visually inclined can watch it all go down on YouTube, and you can also catch us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your platform of choice.

Brookline Teen Outreach 

Our podcast is built upon the foundation of Live. Love. Learn. Pray. Inspire. It’s about becoming your authentic self. That’s being better, doing better…and paying it forward. 

Our guests for Episode #53 come to us from Brookline Teen Outreach. BTO is a Pittsburgh nonprofit offering free opportunities and resources for youth ages 10-18. 

All you need to know to see that BTO is a perfect fit for the podcast is to read their mission statement:

To provide quality resources free of charge to youth ages 10-18 in the greater Pittsburgh area to maximize their potential through educational and social programming, life skills workshops, tutoring, community service opportunities, and licensed counseling. 

We’re joined by one of BTO’s founders,  Caitlin McNulty and two of the students served by the program, Rob and Christopher. 

Caitlin and her partner established Brookline Teen Outreach in 2015. BTO partners with other area nonprofits, such as ASWP, 412 Food Rescue, Tickets for Kids, Fine Art Miracles, and many more. 

As always, the visually inclined can watch it all go down on YouTube, and you can also catch us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your platform of choice.