The Next Chapter

Eric Gregory, author of, "All My Tomorrows" discusses the sudden, tragic death of his son, Christopher, and how it gave five people a second chance at life. Eric explains both the sorrow and the journey he has been on since that day when he received a phone call, just three days after seeing his 19-year-old son for the last time. Christopher had been rushed to the hospital with a brain aneurism. Shortly, Eric would be faced with the difficult question of whether to donate his son's organs. Fortunately, Christopher had told his family he was an organ donor, so Eric, through the fog and sorrow, did just that. "All My Tomorrows" was written as an effort to not only highlight Christopher's memory, but to also reveal the importance of organ donation. The story was turned into a book and will soon be a movie.

Eric Gregory discusses the two things he prayed for while Christopher was laying in the hospital: One was that Christopher would be taken to heaven and two, he would be able to meet some of the people whose lives were impacted by Christopher's organ donation. Eric takes us through what it was like to finally sit down with the people who were saved by his son and hear each of their stories. On that day, the man who received Christopher's lungs, Jorge Bicardi, had been getting ready to go on a fishing trip thinking he was at the end. Earlier in the day he had been second on the recipient list and had missed a set of lungs that went to another recipient. Then came the unbelievable 11:45 p.m. call from his doctor that there was another set of lungs for him, Christopher's lungs. Nick Whittaker, who received Christopher's kidney and pancreas, had been sent home that day to die. He and his wife were at home calling family and friends when they got their call. Mack Jackson received Christopher's heart. Eric finally met Mack in 2015 and says, "When Mack took off his hat to pray, I was humbled… There's an interconnectedness between all of humanity, and we need to spend more time recognizing what we have in common. Love matters, life matters".

"All My Tomorrows" is a novel that tells the different stories of the five lives that were saved by his son's organ donation, and Eric states that, "this is a story about something good and decent." Eric hopes his novel will inspire people to recognize the importance of organ donation and he goes on to state, "it comes down to how we treat each other as human beings, that we have a shared humanity. We have the same hearts the same blood you know, we have so much in common with each other that if we just take a minute we can recognize that it's easier to love people than it is to hate them." Eric wants his son, Christopher, to be remembered as a good man, a good human being and hopes the movie does justice bringing recognition to all the doctors, the nurses, the organ donors and the whole organ donor community everywhere.

The post An Act of Kindness That Saved Five Lives with Eric Gregory appeared first on Inspired Media 360 TV - Inform | Inspire | Engage.

Former TV personality of KUSI in San Diego, Brad Perry, tosses in the towel and begins a new chapter in his journey to happiness. He discusses the power of living in the present, not in the past and not in the future, and what opened his eyes to walk away from a successful career. Being a well-known broadcaster was not all that it seemed for Brad Perry. He explains how easy it became for him to dwell on the past and stress about the future. Brad believes that the biggest problem for most people is looking too much at what those around us have and stressing when we lack it. Brad Perry believes that the power of living in the now is a significant key to happiness.

Brad believed that working hard, going to church, being nice to others, and eating healthy were the right things to do and that by doing them, he was serving as a good role model to his children. After reading a book that his daughter gifted him his journey was set in motion. Then when his son pointed out some of Brad's personal actions, he decided to do better for his kids, and do some real soul searching. According to Brad, people often struggle with focusing on the past and not living in the present. He states that people walk through many doors in life and that, "when they're bad doors, we blame it on somebody else, and when they're good doors, we say it's, 'oh I'm lucky'… these doors are meant to be open for you." He speaks about the life and career he had successfully chosen, but how it was taking him to become a bitter Brad. The negative news he was reporting in his profession began to take a toll on his soul until he decided enough was enough. Brad made a decision to take responsibility for his life, and not knowing what lie ahead, he walked through a new door to a new journey.

Brad quit KUSI and decided to focus on the power of the present. He did not have another career lined up or savings tucked away, but in doing so, he began to do things that made him happy. Brad now dedicates his days to working out, staying healthy, and he continues to read. He discusses three books that were significant in this transition and how they taught him to live in the present, and stop being his own worst enemy. The books Brad owes his new knowledge to are: "The Power of Now," "The Voice of Knowledge," and "Broadcasting Happiness."

In this new journey, Brad Perry hopes to inspire other men to focus on the power of the present. He believes that men need more positivity in their lives, and that it is crucial they learn to take responsibility for themselves. Brad's biggest emotional impact from this journey has been taking responsibility for his own actions. He now wakes up every day being thankful, being a better person, and having love for himself.

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Radio personality of KTAR Mac and Gaydos Show, Mac Watson, discusses his decision to adopt two children, a decision that transformed his life.

"When you think you can't, you can". That comment by someone at Child Crisis Arizona changed his perception on having a family. After partnering with Child Crisis Arizona in Phoenix, Mac explains how his previous view on having children of his own shifted.

According to Mac, he had all the excuses why not to have children, but it was his wife who said, "why not".

He discusses the difficulties he and his wife had with having children. Mac explains how their decision to adopt came from realizing just how much the 18,000 foster children here in Arizona were in need, and for him, it was simply the right thing to do.

Mac and his wife were foster parents for a year before they received a call giving them just two hours to be placement for two siblings, a brother and a sister, looking for 'Forever Parents'. He goes on to explain that this process typically takes years to complete, but in their case it only took three months. Mac remembers saying and thinking, "this is eerie…this is just too odd… From the beginning, it did not happen the way it was supposed to happen, but it was as though some pre-ordained or divined providence was at work that these kids were going to be our kids."

In that three months, Mac and his wife made their decision to adopt.

Mac Watson cannot express enough how grateful he is that he was given this opportunity to not only change his children's lives, but also his own. With his wife's help, Mac discovered how much more he could be.

He goes on to say, "I am a full person now." Mac always felt that something was missing in his life, and now that he has a family of his own, he feels whole. He is humbled knowing he can affect 'sister' and 'brother's' life in this very same way.

Having children has made Mac happy. Before adopting he had the job, had the career, had the station, had a beautiful wife, but now he says, "I have won the lottery."

Mac can now say, "I'm a Dad".

The post How adoption worked for me with Mac Watson KTAR appeared first on Inspired Media 360 TV - Inform | Inspire | Engage.

Scott and Marla Berger, founders of Addison Taylor Fine Jewelry, did not expect to create the movement but they did. By designing the Tree of Life Intention Stick in an effort to unify humankind and allow people to heal themselves, the Tree of Life Movement was born. The Tree of Life Intention Stick is said to be more than just a necklace. Scott and Marla Berger believe it to be a healing tool.

Scott describes the necklace being used as a way to open people's hearts and allow the carefully chosen words placed in the necklace to inspire. He explains the intentions, once placed inside the necklace and worn close to your heart, are designed to help you heal yourself and perfect those words in real life. Allowing one's heart to open up and letting the intentions in will allow for an effect to take place. Scott and Marla describe intentions as having causes and effects. The Tree of Life Intention Stick serves as a purpose to remind one's self what intention he or she decides to perfect to help us heal and become unified.

When stories from those who wore the Intention Stick started coming to them, Scott and Marla began to realize just how special the necklace was that they had designed. One story in specific that Scott touches on was that of a man named Tony who had been suffering from Lyme Disease. Tony, a self-proclaimed skeptic and believer in all things scientific, listened as Scott began to explain The Tree of Life Movement and the purpose of the Tree of Life Intention Stick. Scott then placed the necklace around Tony's neck. Tony was overwhelmed with emotion as his pain dissipated with the placement of the Tree of Life Intention Stick, bringing both men to tears.

According to Scott and Marla, the goal in creating the Tree of Life Intention Stick was originally a way for them to give back in a healing way. Marla explains how they believe healing oneself and loving oneself is the hardest thing for people to do. Both Scott and Marla have faith that this Tree of Life Movement will not only help people heal themselves, but that it will also help those who have been healed, reach out to heal those around them joining in Tree of Life Movement.

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"Every 25 minutes, a baby is born addicted to opioids." Staggering numbers for sure. Tara Sundem, co-founder of Hushabye Nursery, says she is on a mission to provide new ways to care for this fragile and explosive population which is rapidly increasing due to the Opioid Epidemic. She believes compassionate, professional care could change the course of their entire lives.

Tara has been a neonatal nurse and caregiver for 24 years. She goes on to state that, "between the years 2008-2013, there has been a 235% increase in babies that are diagnosed with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome", and she feels the numbers are more likely even greater since 2013. Babies born with NAS suffer from a range of withdrawal symptoms that can include tremors, vomiting, loose stools, modeling of the skin, inability to sleep, inconsolable crying, sneezing, excessive yawning, and in some cases seizures, and need to be cared for differently. It is not uncommon for NAS babies to be given morphine to aid in their withdrawal.

Because she has experienced the Opioid Epidemic as a caregiver to NAS babies, Tara discusses the importance of controlling Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome, how the drug withdrawals can be dangerous, and why the neonatal intensive care unit is not the right environment. According to Tara, babies with NAS are extremely hypersensitive, and when dealing with withdrawals, they need to be contained, not just rocked or cuddled. She created Hushabye Nursery, a recovery center that specializes in newborns withdrawing from substances that the mother has taken during the pregnancy, babies that will need to be medicated. It is staffed with both highly skilled professionals and volunteers that are trained to handle the drug withdrawals these babies are suffering from in a calming environment, away from all the lights and alarms of a neonatal unit.

As her answer to the Opioid Epidemic, Tara Sundem, believes Hushabye Nursery will make the difference in these babies' lives, lowering seizures and allowing for attachment between the babies and caregivers. Tara remains positive and inspired through the knowledge that this is the right thing to do – fighting for this fragile population, providing the right care, and hoping to make a difference in their future.

The post Saving Babies From The Opioid Epidemic appeared first on Inspired Media 360 TV - Inform | Inspire | Engage.

Kelly Woyan, Hollywood filmmaker, successful cookbook author and blogger, did something unexpected, and she says it saved her life. After going through a divorce and suddenly becoming a single mother of five, Woyan was at her lowest. She felt worthless and that she had nothing to offer.

She was invited to volunteer and help others but didn't know it would save her too.

From childhood, Woyan always wanted to be a foreign correspondent. She married young and had her first daughter shortly thereafter. Her dreams in becoming a writer and telling other's stories was postponed as she embraced her new role as mother, Woyan's voice was again "sparked" when her son was diagnosed with life threatening food allergies at age 1. She became a food allergy advocate and started her own blog, even though she believed no one would really listen to her.

A million followers later, in the role thrust upon her as food allergy advocate, Woyan felt her need to protect other children, just like she protected her son.

With the support of her followers, Woyan went on to write successful cookbooks, "The Food Allergy Momma's Baking Book" and "Vegan Baking Classics", even though she says she can't really cook.

Woyan had gone from being a preschool advocate to having an online, national presence with a voice that was being heard.

Kelly Woyan has appeared on the Today Show and Martha Stewart, and written for several national publications including Women's Day and Wall Street journal, yet she says none of this was planned. Her roles were all accidental. Even with a successful career as blogger and cookbook author, Woyan explains she still felt something was missing. She wasn't "using her voice in the way she should anymore".

A self-described endless learner, Woyan decided to move to Los Angeles so she could attend USC grad school. She wanted to pursue her dream in journalism and documentary filmmaking. This move proved to be life changing.

In grad school, she felt her "creativity just burst open".

Although Woyan was living her dream as a filmmaker in Los Angeles, her personal life began to crash. Her marriage of nearly 2 decades was crumbling. Woyan says she wasn't prepared to handle this life trauma and loss.

She found herself a single mom of five with a demanding Hollywood career. But in this, her darkest time she found her light.

Through a close friend, Woyan was introduced to Global Family Philanthropy, an organization committed to helping the children, the sick and the elderly of Haiti and Arizona living in extreme poverty. She was invited to go with them to Haiti as a volunteer.

It was in Haiti that Woyan found herself. She also found her meaning in life.

"So for me, the idea to go there, to remember who I really was which is, I was just like them. The people I was helping all of a sudden I felt, Oh my gosh, they're helping me."

By volunteering with Global Family Philanthropy, going to another country and giving to others, she was able find a new meaning, a new purpose.

This moment made Woyan a lifelong volunteer.

It took the people of Haiti to remind Woyan that "she is a woman who is stronger than she gave herself credit to be." Kelly Woyan believes that giving to others not only saved her, it changed her life in every possible way.

The post How to Find More Meaning In Your Life With Filmmaker Kelly Woyan appeared first on Inspired Media 360 TV - Inform | Inspire | Engage.

If there is a door, walk through it. Otherwise it is just a wall.

This bit of encouragement comes from a life coach I interviewed on my podcast. She encourages people to embrace change and push past their fear of the unknown. In other words, walk through the door.

Valley mom Paula Wichterman walked through the door and it changed her life.

Wichterman is well-known in philanthropy circles. She is on the Phoenix Heart Ball committee and takes part in many other charitable causes. Formerly a bank executive, Wichterman left her full-time career to spend more time with her husband and children and explore entrepreneurial endeavors (including a jewelry line called Sugar Mama Jewels). She had a full life. A successful life. A life she was able to control.

But a door was about to open for her in a most unexpected way.

Forty-four years ago, Wichterman was born in South Carolina but given up for adoption as an infant. Hers was a closed adoption, so no details about her biological parents were known. She was adopted by a loving couple in Greenville, South Carolina. Her father was a minister and her mother was a nurse. Wichterman had a great childhood.

Fast-forward to last year, when Wichterman and her children were watching TV and saw a commercial for ancestry.com. Her boys encouraged her to take a chance and find out more about her roots. She had no idea that this simple test would open a door to finding her biological parents. "This was like careening down a highway with no steering wheel," Wichterman said. "It's like being out of control, and I don't like that feeling."

The test at ancestry.com provided a piece of a puzzle about her DNA, and the opportunity to see if any others were a match. She posted in a closed Facebook group called "DNA Detectives" and received a message from a so-called search angel named Maria who was willing to help. Maria, by the way, does all of this in her spare time — for free.

Apparently she is good at what she does. Maria quickly narrowed down the search and found Wichterman's biological parents.

As this story took several emotional twists and turns, Wichterman would find out that her biological father, Terry, never knew she existed. He had no idea that his girlfriend from so many years ago had been pregnant. And that the baby — their baby — was given up for adoption.

All of this came as a shock. Still, he welcomed a meeting with open arms.

Wichterman and her husband traveled to South Carolina to meet her biological father. As they anxiously rode down the escalator in the airport, not knowing what to expect, they got a glimpse of something truly special. Terry and his big extended family stood there waiting with a bundle of pink balloons and signs that read, "It's a Girl!"

The moment was captured on a video that later went viral.

Wichterman who is, in her words, "not much of a crier," broke down in tears. The reception was one of true acceptance and love. Quickly she would learn a lot about the father she never knew. He builds custom Harleys. And he had no children — that is, until this moment.

At 62, Terry is celebrating Father's Day for the first time. Not only did he find out that he's a father, but he is also a grandfather. (Paula has two boys, and there is a striking resemblance.) In one of their many long phone conversations, he shared with his daughter, "I feel like a piece of me was broken off and I've just gotten it back."

Her journey would not have happened without the love and encouragement of her adoptive parents, without help from Maria, the selfless search angel, and without the willingness to walk through an open door.

I invited Wichterman on my podcast, Carey Peña Reports, to share the story, because to me it represents all that can happen when we overcome our fears and take chances. If we allow ourselves to be vulnerable and to explore possibilities, life can become so much more rewarding.

For Paula Wichterman, this was a journey to find out more about her life. She opened up — on our podcast and on social media — to share the hope and courage that her story represents.

"Raising kids is hard, marriage is great and hard. There were so many opportunities for me to quit, and I really, sometimes, wanted to," she said of her search for answers. "Sometimes you don't get the story you want. Sometimes you don't get the pink balloons. But you can get that inner peace."

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Dave Cooke, a Valley business coach and founder of 100Pedals, discusses how 100 days totally changed his life, and ultimately helped his son.

"Some people choose to embrace the darkness. I choose to look for the light"

Over six years ago, Dave Cooke had hit rock bottom while trying to save his youngest son from addiction, and in doing so, Dave's own life was out of control. Dave thought and prayed, "God just give me a heart attack so I can escape this"

Life had become just too much. Dave Cooke found it hard just to get out of bed.

One night while sitting on the porch, which he did often, he realized things had to change. Dave also knew nothing would change unless he did something about it, so he challenged himself to ride his bike one hour a day for 100 consecutive days. He wanted to start each day with something positive.

His 100-day challenge was not immediate. It took him a couple of days to get started, but finally Dave got his bike out of garage and just rode. One hour and 8 minutes later he finished day one feeling inspired and energized. Dave wrote some notes and waited for the next day.

Every day he rode and every day he journaled. Dave Cooke found himself becoming more confident, stronger. The more he pedaled and journaled, the more momentum he had.

Dave recalls how his son Brandon's journey to addiction started by smoking pot in 8 th grade. Brandon then began struggling in school, couldn't play soccer any longer because of his grades, chose different friends, and over the years, became a heroin addict. Brandon stole from his family, lived on the streets and was arrested.

According to Dave Cooke, more than 23 million people struggle with addiction, and the saying 'My kid would never do drugs' is just not true. He goes on to say that Brandon knew he was loved by his family, but like other addicts, his addiction was his coping mechanism he chose for his pain. Dave believes it can happen to anyone.

Dave felt like a failure. He earned his living as a business coach and yet he couldn't change or coach his own son. It was devastating. He felt broken. He was not himself. He was failing to allow his love to show through.

Through the 100 Day Challenge, Dave was able to create healthy boundaries for his relationship with his son. It took him out of 'rescue mode' and gave him clarity. Dave was able to stop bringing his fears and doubts into his son's situation. His mindset shifted. He became healthier.

Dave made his son responsible for his own recovery. Brandon is now 8 months clean and is doing the work to stay sober.

When Dave launched his non-profit, 100Pedals, he biked from Santa Monica to Detroit along legendary Route 66. An amazing journey with a mission. This ride allowed Dave to experience life in slow motion. The purpose was to show his healing, and to connect with others. While on his trip, people came up and shared their own stories of addiction. Soon Dave will be doing a second ride from Charleston to New Orleans.

Through this, Dave Cooke wants us to remember, "Love trumps everything…love trumps fear". He reminds us all to surrender to love… allow yourself to love and to be loved.

The post From Heartache to Hope: A Father's Crusade Against Addiction appeared first on Inspired Media 360 TV - Inform | Inspire | Engage.

Today Kevin Cherilla, co-founder of K2 Adventures, shares with us an amazing journey to the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro, inspired by a young man, a star athlete and cancer survivor, who is blind.

Kevin is on a mission to help others. Recently, he celebrated his own 10 th anniversary of climbing Mt. Everest, a goal he had set for himself when he was just 8 years old. Kevin talks about how it felt 10 years ago when he reached the summit and stood "on top of this world", as he put it. At that moment he thought about his past and all the great people that have supported him. "If you listen to the naysayers all the time you will never survive in this industry". Kevin believes in surrounding yourself with supportive and positive people.

K2 Adventure Travel focuses on helping those in need through their adventures. Their expertise and guidance also allows people with special challenges an opportunity to experience international expeditions.

Tim Connors came to Kevin and K2 Adventures for their help. He wanted to learn how to raise money for the people, and the organizations, who had helped him through his cancer battle and years of hospital visits. He also wanted to hire K2 Adventures to help him climb Mt. Kilimanjaro.

Tim had been a star athlete, who at just 15 was diagnosed with cancer, a tumor in his chest. Cancer cost him a lot. Tim has no gland function in his body, his muscles are atrophied, he has neuropathy of the feet and he lost his sight. Even with all these health challenges, Kevin recognized Tim's intense drive to succeed. K2 Adventures decided to help.

Early on, Kevin Cherilla knew this climb would have to be about Tim. A team was formed to prepare for his climb. Tim's father lost 60 pounds and his 60-year old Uncle, an internal medical doctor, agreed to be Tim's medical support. Both men had to learn how to climb. Two of Tim's best friends, age 24 were there for support, as always. This trip was all about Tim and this small team working together, overcoming the challenges.

Tim was determined. He felt a need to raise awareness for other adolescents who have gone through, or are going through, the same challenges he has been through.

Because Tim is blind, his team helped him experience the climb by describing what it looked like, felt like. The way the mountain looked, the clouds. The mist he was feeling. A buddy system was used to help Tim navigate the terrain more efficiently. When he was tired they rested. When he was exhausted and having problems with his legs, they encouraged him to keep going. Kevin explains that the final push to the top of Kilimanjaro was probably the roughest since Tim only has about 75% lung capacity, and it was hard to breathe.

Kevin says watching Tim, his dad and his uncle get to the top was overwhelming. Both father and son broke down. After a 7-year cancer battle, including 100 days in ICU where he had been given his last rites, Tim Connors proved his mental strength and drive while on that mountain – and just days after graduating summa cum laude from college.

The post Former star athlete climbs Mt Kilimanjaro after fight with cancer and blindness appeared first on Inspired Media 360 TV - Inform | Inspire | Engage.

In studio with us today we have model, spokesperson and MS advocate, Camerone Parker, who just recently started talking about her Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis and her career comeback against the odds.

Camerone's journey with MS started the day she and four other models became seriously ill. They were rushed to the hospital with meningitis. Camerone was treated for weeks for spinal meningitis, an extremely painful illness. Several tests were run and during this time, she found out she had Multiple Sclerosis.

With the help of her family she started looking at what that meant. At age 32, she told her doctor, "You just signed my death warrant".

Together, she and her family decided to fight.

Camerone chose to keep the diagnosis a secret. She had no insurance. She didn't want her modelling career ruined.

Over the years, her illness and the side effects became harder to keep secret. She got married in 2002 and started to slow down in her career. Camerone was also coming out of remission. It was getting harder to attend her charity events and she never wanted anyone to see her and think she was drunk.

In 2009, Camerone Parker finally trusted a journalist with her story. She says, "You have to be in the right place and right mind and space." She was ready.

Telling her story was both freeing and frightening. The journalist was following Camerone through her treatment, showing her side effects. Camerone was exposed but determined to show her courage in battling MS. Especially since she says, "75% of all new MS diagnosis are women".

When the magazine came out, Camerone received international support through cards, letters, emails, and text messages. She no longer lived in fear of someone finding out her secret or of being judged.

Camerone says, "It was awesome to have that support and it kept going". She was approached by the National MS Society to tell her incredible story, which she tells through her laughter and tears.

The hardest thing, the most painful part of having MS is having your diagnosis questioned. Camerone goes on to say that no two patients with MS are the same and with MS you don't look sick. People don't see her the day after she walks the runway and she can't get out of bed, or the cataract surgeries, or the side effects of the medication. People don't know that with MS you can go blind.

In April 2011, Camerone spoke at the Women Against MS event. This was going to be the last time she would be seen in public for a very long time. Her marriage had come apart. Her illness was spinning out of control, both mentally and physically. She says she felt at the bottom edge of death.

Camerone now had to fight for her life. In January 2012, she was admitted to the hospital. "I didn't want to die," she says. Camerone didn't know how she would do it, but she says she knew it was "get up or give up."

Broken, she had to get back to the top. Camerone surrounded herself with a great team of doctors, her family and her friends. Through their encouragement and challenges, she came back, slowly. She received positive feedback and affirmations from the fashion industry. She set goals, and even though it took her several years, she struggled her way back.

Camerone Parker is now living her dream. She will be getting married soon but she says, "My dream came true when I said, I don't want to die". She feels her work on this planet is not done.

The post Living with MS: Model Camerone Parker Shares Private Journey appeared first on Inspired Media 360 TV - Inform | Inspire | Engage.