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Chance meetings are never by chance.  Lavana Wilson and Tashiann Yasmine are two strong and spirited women who empower their community in all the positive ways possible.  Together they create to change the face of empowerment in the face of adversity through love and life’s purpose.

Lavana (Slayer V) Wilson is a Mom, YouTube Podcaster, creative director, lifestyle blogger, influencer, community activist, motivational speaker, life coach and fashion expert whom was born and raised in the city of Paterson, NJ. 

Although growing up in an impoverished environment, Lavana states that the love and care provided by both her parents and her faith in God has enabled her to overcome all obstacles.
Present day, Lavana shares that by leading in LOVE and using the power of her voice to entertain, educate, and elevate the masses (one city at a time) she will be fulfilling her life’s mission to create “Generational Wealth and World Peace”.
Tashiann Yasmine is a Paterson, NJ raised (Jamaican descendant) visionary creative. She’s a multitalented artist whom refers to herself as one of God's employees.
Her niche is the ability, in art form, to display forward-thinking creativity across all social media platforms whilst her passion is to inspire and encourage all people to be their true, authentic selves and to seek out their true LIFE PURPOSE.
Tashiann’s company "Girl Strike" stands as a staple through the teachings of hand beading. She shares that each custom made piece worn is a reminder to celebrate individuality through fashion and culture.
Find Lavana and Tashiann
Lavana
Website: WWW.SLAYERV.COM
YouTube: Slayer V Podcast / Slayer V TV
IG: @slayerv_
FB: Laana Wilson
Tiktok: @slayerv
Tashiann
IG: @tashyasmine
YouTube:  Tashiann Yasmine
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Bobby Crudele comes from a family that has deep roots in Jersey City and Belleville and as a kid moved to North Arlington. After living in Jersey City for a decade as an adult, Bobby met his wife Kara and eventually bought a house in North Arlington where he currently resides and raises his 3 children. Bobby has served honorably as a Sergeant in the North Arlington Police department and will finish his career with distinction this year.   His deep love of sports rose out of I growing up on the playground, spending most of his entire youth playing some sport every day continuing into adulthood.   It didn’t matter if it's Football, Basketball, or Softball, if there was an adult league Bobby played and did it like it was his job all because his love for the games. 

At some point that love turned into a passion to coach. Bobby started coaching baseball in Belleville in the 1990s, followed by some basketball in the early 2000s. But over the past 15 years Bobby became the president of boys recreation and travel basketball and the VP of The junior Vikings football program as well as a defensive backs coach , running backs coach and later defensive coordinator for the senior level team. Currently he holds the position of president of the junior Vikings football program. Bobby has collaborated with some of the best coaches in North Jersey HS football and attended multiple coaching clinics. 

Bobby’s motto has always been, “ I may not be the most knowledgeable coach out there but I’ll never be out worked” that attitude has defined his coaching style and served his players well.

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Part 2

Mike Arena began his law enforcement career in 2011 at 19 years of age starting out as a Special Law Enforcement Officer with the Point Pleasant Beach Police Department. He was then hired by The New Jersey Department of Corrections and became a Corrections Officer and worked in multiple prisons throughout the state. After a few years of working in corrections, Mike became a police officer with Prince George’s County Police Department located in Maryland. In 2017, he transferred back to New Jersey where he worked as a Police Officer with the Stockton University Police Department. During that time, Mike was elected to Join the Atlantic County New Jersey Regional S.W.A.T Team. After seeking advancement, Mike made his final transfer over to the Ventnor City Police Department. 

While serving the citizens of Ventnor City, Mike was unfortunately involved in a fatal officer-involved shooting. Over his 10-year career, Mike has received multiple awards and commendations including The New Jersey Meritorious Service Valor Award, Life Saving award, and several letters of recognition and of appreciation from several law enforcement organizations. After being involved in numerous critical incidents over his 10 plus year career, Mike has now made it his mission to help officers struggling with Trauma/PTSD get the help they need and deserve. 

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Part 1

Mike Arena began his law enforcement career in 2011 at 19 years of age starting out as a Special Law Enforcement Officer with the Point Pleasant Beach Police Department. He was then hired by The New Jersey Department of Corrections and became a Corrections Officer and worked in multiple prisons throughout the state. After a few years of working in corrections, Mike became a police officer with Prince George’s County Police Department located in Maryland. In 2017, he transferred back to New Jersey where he worked as a Police Officer with the Stockton University Police Department. During that time, Mike was elected to Join the Atlantic County New Jersey Regional S.W.A.T Team. After seeking advancement, Mike made his final transfer over to the Ventnor City Police Department. 

While serving the citizens of Ventnor City, Mike was unfortunately involved in a fatal officer-involved shooting. Over his 10-year career, Mike has received multiple awards and commendations including The New Jersey Meritorious Service Valor Award, Life Saving award, and several letters of recognition and of appreciation from several law enforcement organizations. After being involved in numerous critical incidents over his 10 plus year career, Mike has now made it his mission to help officers struggling with Trauma/PTSD get the help they need and deserve. 

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Jose L. Medina is currently a 27-year veteran and leader of Law Enforcement and 20 year owner of Awareness Protective consultants, doing business as Team APC-Medina Tactical Dynamics. Jose has an extensive background in training and consulting for various groups such as Law Enforcement, Military, School Educators, and Corporate Industries. Jose Medina started his consulting firm when he saw the need for both the Police and Civilian side organizations requiring more advanced education in the field of tactical and situational awareness. Months after the 1999 Columbine shooting, he was deemed the task of forming and creating his departments Emergency Services Unit. The focus was primarily geared towards active shooter response and eventually led into area of high risk warrant service operations conducting investigations with local, county, state and federal authorities in vanous areas such as intelligence gathering for homeland attacks on our country, weapons and drug trafficking, gang investigations and threat assessment work with the private industry. One of his many important projects was his development of the first ever Active Shooter Emergency Response Plan (ASERP) for the Port Authority POlice Y/. focusing on threat assessment and responses to the tri-state international airport 

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Tammie Starnes has taken a journey with multiple traumas and found a new direction on healing.  Finding an avenue of healing through the Harmonic Egg therapy.  When hope was waining for her 11 year old daughter to come out of her shell, Tammie was out of options and sought help in any place that was offered.  Almost non-verbal, a new therapy method was found in the Harmonic Egg Vibration healing.  The results were staggering and almost immediate leading a new path in Tammies life showing the possibilities.

Through her Abundant healing center, Tammie take these holistic healing to a new level to bring peace to her clients.  Either through Massage, Reiki, Salt therapy, Yoga and others, this center is dedicated to bringing peace to a life out of options.

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Abundant Healing

https://www.abundanthealingnj.com/

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https://www.facebook.com/AbundantHealingNJ

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/abundanthealingnj/

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Episode 129: The Suffering of Bullying with Jay Aponte

We welcome back Jay Aponte to The Suffering Podcast. Jay gave a second chance to Kevin in Episode 12 (original air date 3/7/21). 

(Original show notes)

We get a second chance to right a wrong in the episode of The Suffering Podcast.  We talk with Jay Aponte who 34 years ago I put through hell.  Jay gets the opportunity to confront his childhood bully -- Me.  We sit down and hash it out to reach an understanding about events that have shaped my life and made me who I am today.  This is a heartwarming episode that brings tears to my eyes and gives me redemption even when I didn't earn it.

What we find is that a great friendship was put on pause for 35 years. Since our reunion, Jay and Kevin have maintained a genuine mutual love and respect. If we can heal and forgive, there is hope for us all. 

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Nick Ricciotti attended Chestnut Hill College to play Division 2 baseball and received my BA in Criminal Justice. Nick worked as a cop in Morris County NJ for 6 years before losing my job due to substance and alcohol abuse. Prior to losing his job Nick’s mental health was at a decline which got worse during the process of losing the job he loved. Eventually the initiative was taken to start therapy and recovery. 

Nick is currently 2.5 years sober, attending Rutgers University to receive a Masters Degree in mental health. The goal moving forward is to work in the field and substance abuse, trauma, and PTSD to be a resource for first responders. Nick has found a home working with a non profit organization called Reps for Responders whose goal is to improve the physical and mental health of first responders.

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Reps for Responders

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Mary Sciarrone (née Valastro) is one of the owners of the world famous Carlos Bakery and featured on the reality show Cake Boss alongside her family and brother Buddy Valestro. 
Her unique personality shines through and has become a fan favorite for her insight and savvy business skills.  
Mary has been able to keep a business running for such a long time after taking it over from her parents and has performed at the highest level.
In this episode, we will go through her climb to the top, her struggles along the way, and enduring suffering of being a Cake Boss. 

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Carlo’s Bakery

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Part 2 of this amazing story
Mike's life was on the fast track to success. As a proud Marine and College student in his Senior year, Mike's life came to an abrupt halt one cold winter night in 2005. Mike was celebrating with his friends and decided to get behind the wheel of his car after having too much to drink. His vehicle slipped on a patch of black ice and violently crashed. The accident killed his friend and left Mike in a coma suffering multiple life-threatening injuries. After years of rehabilitation, Mike still struggles with the physical and psychological scars caused by the tragic event. Instead of allowing the tragedies in Mike's life to ruin his life, he strives every day to be the best Daddy to his amazing daughter and have a positive impact on as many lives as possible. Showing everyone by example of how Mike lives his life that anything is possible, and life is what you make it. After growing up and never having the unconditional love of his biological Mother Mike finally found what was missing in his life. After working job after job Mike was missing the gratification of making a difference in people's lives. The way that Mike does this is being an inspiration/motivational speaker by sharing his powerful story with the world. Mike's story shows: determination, honor, resiliency, perseverance, integrity, humility, gratitude, and a love for life.
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