Author Dan Valenti joins Cara & John Krol on The Blend Podcast to discuss a true labor of love and a book that is the result of work and interviews that spanned nearly four decades. The book reveals previously untold details of how iconic characters in Kubrick's masterpiece Full Metal Jacket were chosen and molded through the eyes of the actors who portrayed the epic roles.

UNVEILING THE TRUTH BEHIND AN ICONIC FILM-Step behind the curtain of one of cinema's most unforgettable films and performances.In Stanley Kubrick's Full Mental Straight Jacket, author Dan Valenti takes readers on an unprecedented journey into the making of a masterpiece. This revelatory work explores the genius, methods, and controversial practices that haveelevated Stanley Kubrick to legendary status among film directors.

THE UNTOLD STORY For decades, the full story of this film, notably the creation of Gunnery Sergeant Hartmann—one of cinema's most compelling, blistering, and quoted characters—remained shrouded in mystery. Until now.Drawing from exclusive interviews conducted over two years with actor Lee Ermey (Hartman) shortly after Full Metal Jacket was released, Valenti delivers insightsthat only a trusted confidant could access. From 2022 to 2024, Valenti also conducted over a dozen in-depth interviews with the film's supporting cast—including Tim Colceri, Kubrick’s original choice for Hartman. The unsparing probe uncovers the exhilarating but nightmarish realities of working in "Kubrick country.”

FROM THE AUTHOR WHO KNEW THE TRUTH As the collaborator on a novel screenplay project with Ermey himself, Valenti gained unprecedented access to fresh insights about Kubrick and the film that have never before been shared with the public. For film historians, Kubrick enthusiasts, and anyone fascinated by the dark corners of filmmaking, this book provides the definitive account of how one of cinema's most memorable characters came to life—and the personal cost.

Dan is an author whose books have made him a “six-decade man” — his titles have been published in the 1970s (1979), ’80s, ’90s, ’00s, tens (2010, 11), and 20s. He has written 25 books and edited eight more. His works have been widely quoted, cited, and anthologized. He has also written for the stage and for films.

It is an incredible challenge navigating the world of finances and services as our loved ones age. Deb Allen is one of the very best in the business in helping families manage through the challenges to understand how to provide the very best services for our aging parents, grandparents, other family, friends and loved ones. A registered nurse case manager, Deb is the admissions director of Mount Carmel Care Center, and has more than two decades working in all levels of care, including elder law. We encourage you to join the conversation during the live show to ask questions and share your own stories.Mount Carmel Care Center, Inc. is a member of the Carmelite System, exclusively comprised of nursing and rehabilitation, independent living and assisted living facilities that span the Northeast and the Midwest, as well as a facility in Dublin, Ireland.The Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm is a Congregation founded in New York City by Mother Mary Angeline Teresa McCrory and six companions on September 3, 1929. Mother Angeline recognized a great and growing need to provide care and comfort for the aging and infirm population in the United States. Acting in faith and with the assistance of Patrick Cardinal Hayes of New York, Mother Angeline made her vision a reality by establishing a new Congregation dedicated exclusively to the care and services of the elderly in the American tradition. In 1999, the Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm formed a non-profit corporation known as The Carmelite System, Inc. in order to perpetuate the healing ministry of Christ in long-term health care. The Congregation also sponsors the Avila Institute of Gerontology, which provides ongoing education and study in the field of aging services.

Links: Mount Carmel Care Center

Cara Krol, Balance & Bliss Wellness

#medicare #longtermcare #shorttermrehab #understandingmedicare #seniorcare #financingseniorcare

The inspiration for The Enchanted Altar was born from a myriad of muses. Learn more about the journey when you take an in-person workshop or online class. The vibe is simple… creating and offering quality products and experiences for quality people who are looking to explore and evolve themselves.The Enchanted Altar is meant to empower and enhance the strength, beauty, and magic that already exists within you. Bringing the sacred lifestyle back to its roots… literally and figuratively through metaphysical products and experiences for the modern-day individual, fusing ancient wisdom with a new-age twist that helps bring your true self out of the shadows. Sharing and supporting Fair Trade, Female Owned, and BIPOC Businesses through awareness and education.A goal of The Enchanted Altar to source products near and far that are free from toxins + cruelty, work with suppliers that treat the materials with respect and honor, while inspiring organic, nature illuminated, peaceful living.

Nicole Irene is the owner of Enchanted Altar, as well as an artist and licensed teacher. She joins Cara & John Krol on the Blend Podcast to share the story of her venture, her passion for her work and this community.

Cara Krol is a life transition coach, Reiki Master, author, licensed teacher and owner of Balance & Bliss Wellness.John Krol is the owner of One Eighty Media and has hosted and produced radio, television and podcast series' for more than two decades.

Shay Barnes is the owner of Hiking Hounds, a unique dog walking and hiking business, where she aims to connect with exceptional dog friends to share hiking experiences, promoting physical fitness and enjoyment. Their services are primarily concentrated in the Richmond area, with the flexibility to accommodate West Pittsfield and West Stockbridge, supplemented by pickup options if needed Shay started getting the bug when she was looking for somebody to let her dog out and was having a hard time, so she thought maybe she'll just do it herself!

Cara Krol is a life transition coach, Reiki Master, author, licensed teacher and owner of Balance & Bliss Wellness.

John Krol is the owner of One Eighty Media, and has hosted and produced radio, television and podcast series' for more than two decades.

Making national news a couple decades ago, and being labeled the "baseball billionaire" is a legacy that many will remember former major leaguer Matt White for. But, it's the rest of the story that's even more intriguing and inspiring. Hitting rock bottom, going through bankruptcy, and being forced to sell the quarry that made him world-known, Matt has made a comeback inspired by his faith and family. Matt shares his story with Cara and John with raw honesty and humility. He has the quarry back through seemingly divine intervention, has a wonderful partner in his wife, Andrea, who are raising their young daughter in the Berkshires. We hope you enjoy our conversation with Matt White.

Cara Krol is the author of Fairy Slippers and Molly Saves the Bees: https://www.fairyslippers.info/books

Matt White's links:

website: https://mwbbillionaire.webflow.io/

Swift River Stone: https://www.swiftriverstone.com/

We welcome Jerrid Burdick - the founder of the Berkshire Wedding Expo. The Expo is January 25 & 26 at the Stationary Factory in Dalton, Mass. Register by logging onto theberkshireweddingexpo.com. Win over $12,000 in wedding service giveaways. Additional cash prizes of $1000 toward your wedding, plus $500 toward any event.The Berkshire Wedding Expo represents OVER 130 Berkshire County wedding professionals who are all eager to help you make your wedding day one of the most amazing days in your life! Some of our professionals have been in business for MANY years and others are still gaining experience but offer unbelievable talents and ideas!

Nadia Milleron is a powerful independent voice who has earned hard fought wins in Washington and elsewhere holding Boeing accountable after her daughter Samya was killed in one of the tragic crashes of the Boeing 737. She is now running as an underdog to the powerful Richard Neal, the epitome of the political establishment in western Massachusetts and DC. Recently bolstered by a ⁠powerful piece in the New York Times⁠, Nadia's campaign has been inspiring people across the district, and hell, maybe she has a puncher's chance in this David vs. Goliath contest. Nadia challenges Neal on his lack of accessibility to the district, his campaign finance practices and how he spends his campaign money, not following through on securing social security reform, not holding pharmaceutical companies accountable for price gouging and more. Nadia is focused on making change that will bring more badly needed physicians to Western Massachusetts communities, addressing runaway grocery and gas prices from greed-flation and spending more tax dollars in our nation, rather than on international excursions. It is an epic tale of a mother fighting for change so no other family has to face the tragedies brought upon by defective Boeing planes. Featured recently in an brilliant piece in the New York Times, Nadia is an inspiration and has shown unending tenacity to hold Boeing accountable in seeking justice. In 2019, Nadia’s daughter was a passenger on a Boeing 737 MAX that crashed in Ethiopia killing all on board. After 2 deadly crashes, instead of taking Boeing’s and the FAA’s word that nothing was wrong and a crash would not happen again, Nadia got involved to hold all involved groups accountable. Nadia went to Washington and helped lead the unanimous passage of the national bi-partisan Aircraft Certification, Safety, and Accountability Act in 2020 which directed US aircraft and aerospace industry manufacturers to adopt, enforce, and regulate compliance procedures to ensure planes met the proper criteria and specifications before they are commissioned for use. She didn’t stop there. Nadia then went to Boeing’s home in Illinois and spearheaded the overthrow of a state law that protected big corporations over victims. Nadia met with legislators and stakeholders to fix a flawed law that allowed negligent and reckless corporations to get away with murder and not be held responsible. Nadia has never shied away from standing up for everyday people. She began her career practicing law helping children who were facing neglect and abuse. For 5 years, she took cases from the bench and advocated on the child’s behalf in cases of contested divorces, lack of child support, or crime. She also represented people in the state mental hospital in probate court proceedings. As a pro bono volunteer attorney, she worked with patients who had been subjected to dehumanizing conditions and a legal system that was violating their rights.

Health New England Medicare Plan Specialist Lee Jaggi joins us to cover all the basics of Medicare, as those eligible head into open enrollment October 15 to December 7. He covers the difference between Medicare Part A & B, penalties for not signing up for Medicare in some circumstances, fewer private providers in the Berkshires and Western Mass for Medicare products, meaning a number of people will need to switch providers, Medicare Advantage Plans, supplemental plans and more. Lee also covers Point32Health's acquisition of Health New England and HNE's commitment to the community, his incredible involvement in the community, including the amazing cornhole program in all the Berkshire senior centers that Lee spearheaded with the support of Health New England and more!

Sufani Garza joins The Blend with Cara & John Krol for a conversation on her journey into the healing arts, finding Reiki as a way to find peace from stress and her migraine headaches, her journey from student to trainer - with nearly 60,000 enrollments worldwide through her online courses on Udemy.

Sufani Garza is the Director and Founder of Place of Bliss Academy. She’s a practitioner in many healing therapies such as Alternative Healing, Reiki, Channeling, Spiritual Counseling, Soul Care Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Positive Psychology, Shamanism, Guided Image Therapy and many more esoteric practices in cultural studies.

She has owned place of Bliss Academy & Sanctuary for over twenty years teaching live classes, trainings and certifications, and in 2020 converted to the online platform called UDEMY, to reach a global audience. Since that time, she has published over 50 courses, gained over 36K students, with over 59K enrollments, is in 172 countries and 46 languages. She has over 10K reviews ranging on average from 4.7-4.8.

Her unique style of teaching is the shamans way, teaching through storytelling and sharing. Her courses range from Alternative healing, counseling and psychology, writing, marketing, channeling, vodou, witchcraft, meditation, self-love, emotional intelligence, communication, and more.

She is also a published author. In her publishing career, she has been published both traditionally through Austin Macauley Publisher and has self-published many titles. She was a columnist for The Reiki Times (IARP, Dear Reiki) and has been published in many magazines over the years on the topics of healing. She is an avid Horror reader and has published a horror/Thriller series called 1377 Rikoppe Lane, with book 1 & 2 written, and book 3 is on the way! She blends healing and horror in her own prolific style in every single book. She publishes under Sufani Weisman-Garza.

She has three grown children, a husband of 20 years, and is the guardian of two adorable cats.

Links:

Udemy page: www.udemy.com/user/sufani-garza/

Website: https://www.placeofblissacademy.com/

Cara Krol's Balance & Bliss Wellness website: balanceandblisswellness.com/

A woman not afraid to dream and capture the greatness life has to offer! Authentic Creative Warrior - that's Nakeida and we catchup on her passion, her spiritual path, and lifting up others. Nakeida serves as a pastor for Hood Shaw Memorial AME Zion Church in Providence, RI, and is a motivational speaker who effectively utilizes social media to deliver her message. During the pandemic, Motivational Mondays and live sermons on social media was how she reached her congregation and followers. Today, Nakeida is back in person at the church and was in-person in the TJKP studio!