This is My Silver Lining

Through their work, husband and wife, Jorge Bica and Marta Passerini, have a front row seat to the never ending resilience of the human spirit.  They are grateful to be “custodians of the most important moments in people’s lives.” 

Marta and Jorge were both in Haiti after the devastating earthquake in 2010 and although their paths were definitely meant to cross, they didn’t meet until some time later while working for Save the Children assisting Rohingya refugees in Myanmar.  Today, Marta is a Child Protection Specialist who works for UNICEF.  It’s her job to create and implement programs to care for the needs of migrant and refugee children in places like Haiti, Kenya, Tunisia, Myanmar, and Lebanon.  Jorge is an Emergency Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Specialist for UNICEF.  Jorge ensures that the victims of disaster, both natural and manmade - have access to clean water, the most critical requirement for our survival, as well as basic sanitation infrastructure.

From 2013 through the end of 2020, Marta and Jorge were stationed together in Beirut, Lebanon.  During this time, Lebanon faced long-standing political instability, an influx of millions of Syrian refugees fleeing civil war, a severe economic crisis, and a global pandemic.  Despite these realities, Marta and Jorge know Lebanon as a place of incredible beauty and culture, whose people are generous to a fault.  

On August 4, 2020 in the midst of the pandemic, a massive explosion ripped through the Port of Beirut, killing over 200, injuring 77,000, and decimating thousands of homes and buildings nearby.  The blast was felt in Syria, Turkey, Israel, Jordan and as far away as parts of Europe.  It’s considered one of the most powerful accidental, non-nuclear explosions in history.  Among those killed and injured were many that Marta and Jorge counted as friends and colleagues.  They themselves became displaced and dispossessed.  

Today we speak with Marta and Jorge about what inspired them to dedicate their lives to humanitarian aid work, and what their experiences have taught them about grace, gratitude, community, and how we can all help. 

Episode Links and Resources:
UNICEF
Save the Children
International Committee of the Red Cross

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Music is considered “royalty-free” and discovered on Audio Blocks.
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© 2023 Silver Linings Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Support this podcast by subscribing and reviewing.

Music is considered “royalty-free” and discovered on Audio Blocks.

Technical Podcast Support by: Jon Keur at Wayfare Recording Co.

© 2025 Silver Linings Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Olamide Michelle, the founder of The Boho Business Guide, speaks with us about the BOHO Method, which weaves together our personality, passions, and professional training to find successful and fulfilling careers.  

Olamide is an intellectual property lawyer, brand expert, business coach, mentor, podcaster, and yoga instructor.  If you ever find yourself hitting a low energy point during the day, please listen to Olamide’s podcast, The Boho Business Guide, or replay this episode for an instant lift!  Olamide exudes positive energy and joie de vivre.  She grew up in Atlanta, the eldest of three and the only daughter of her parents, who emigrated to the U.S. from Nigeria.  After getting her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Georgia in PR and Fashion, Olamide went to law school at Mercer University and earned her LLM in IP from George Washington University.  

In the first years of her career, she worked hard to follow a traditional legal path.  Unfulfilled and frustrated, she confronted that she was not living the life she wanted.  She realized that the path to personal and professional success lay in embracing and aligning her many passions.  Today, Olamide works with creatives, entrepreneurs, and influencers to do the same.  

Episode Links and Resources:
The Boho Business Guide
The Boho Business Guide Podcast - Subscribe, Listen, and Review today!
OMI Legal - Protecting Your Brand and Your Business
The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles, Steven Pressfield and Shawn Coyne
Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia, Elizabeth Gilbert
Big Magic, Elizabeth Gilbert

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Music is considered “royalty-free” and discovered on Audio Blocks.
Technical Podcast Support by: Jon Keur at Wayfare Recording Co.
© 2023 Silver Linings Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Support this podcast by subscribing and reviewing.

Music is considered “royalty-free” and discovered on Audio Blocks.

Technical Podcast Support by: Jon Keur at Wayfare Recording Co.

© 2025 Silver Linings Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.

This is the last episode in our 3-part series.  If you haven’t listened to our conversation with Roy DiNicola or our conversation with Maria Stewart, hit the pause button and go back and listen to those last two episodes (links below!).  

Roy spoke with us about his experience of losing his wife, Holly, to cancer in 2015.  We talked about the outpouring of love from his community and how that kept him and his kids afloat during that time.  

Maria’s husband, Kevin, passed away in October 2011 after a 20-month battle with brain cancer.  She told us about how she got through this incredibly difficult time with the help of friends and family and being laser-focused on maintaining what she and her kids came to call their family “power unit” to help them get through.  

As they went through these experiences, neither Roy nor Maria ever expected to find love again.  After what they had gone through, it just wasn’t even imaginable.  

And yet. . . 

In this episode, Roy and Maria have joined us –together– to tell us about the next chapter of their stories.  One that they have written together.  And one that they have generously agreed to share with us.  

Episode Links and Resources:

TIMSL Episode 28:  Letting Go:  Roy DiNicola on Losing His First Wife and Learning to Lean on Community
TIMSL Episode 29:  Blame Lewbert:  Maria Stewart on How She and Her Husband Parented Their Children Through His Battle with Brain Cancer using Love, Honesty, and Humor

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Music is considered “royalty-free” and discovered on Audio Blocks.
Technical Podcast Support by: Jon Keur at Wayfare Recording Co.
© 2022 Silver Linings Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Support this podcast by subscribing and reviewing.

Music is considered “royalty-free” and discovered on Audio Blocks.

Technical Podcast Support by: Jon Keur at Wayfare Recording Co.

© 2025 Silver Linings Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.

In Part Two of this three-episode series (listen to Part One here), we speak with Maria Stewart about finding the strength to support her husband as he lost his battle with brain cancer, embracing the help being offered by friends and family, and ensuring that her children could rely on their family “Power Unit” throughout this incredibly difficult chapter in their lives.       

In 2010, Maria’s husband, Kevin Stewart, who was then 48 years old, was diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer. Maria and Kevin had three children, ages 10 and 8 year old twins.   Maria shares the good advice she received:  the children are part of this story. She involved them in making decisions about hospice so they understood that they were part of the process. This empowered them to come through the experience with the knowledge that they could trust her to tell them the truth.  

The outpouring of support from friends and family was incredible, but somewhat overwhelming. Maria tells us that asking for help was made easier by a few close friends who could coordinate efforts and make sure their family got what they needed.  

Going through this experience, Maria recognized that without resources, it would have been nearly impossible to care for her husband and navigate the complexities of the healthcare system while also caring for her children and trying to fulfill obligations to her full-time job. 

Suppose you have listened to Part One of this series, where we speak with Roy DiNicola about the experience of losing his wife to cancer. In that case, you might have gathered that eventually, Roy and Maria find their way to one another. But that is a story for another day.

Episode Links and Resources:
Big Tree is Sick: A Story to Help Children Cope with the Serious Illness of a Loved One, Nathalie Slosse (Author), Rocio Del Moral (Illustrator)
The List of Things that Will Not Change, Rebecca Stead
Glioblastoma - Mayo Clinic Overview
Glioblastoma Multiforme - American Association of Neurological Surgeons
Who is Lewbert from iCarly?

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Music is considered “royalty-free” and discovered on Audio Blocks.
Technical Podcast Support by: Jon Keur at Wayfare Recording Co.
© 2022 Silver Linings Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Support this podcast by subscribing and reviewing.

Music is considered “royalty-free” and discovered on Audio Blocks.

Technical Podcast Support by: Jon Keur at Wayfare Recording Co.

© 2025 Silver Linings Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.

It was during one of the most difficult times in his life that Roy DiNicola learned about the importance of community, and the importance of letting go of those things we cannot control.  

In the spring of 2008, Roy and Holly DiNicola had been happily married for 14 years and were raising their three young boys, Ryan, Casey, and Owen, in Hopkinton, MA, just outside of Boston.  When Holly received a cancer diagnosis, their community rallied around them and stepped in with kindness, large and small.  

As Roy and Holly became overnight experts on the range of treatment options for Holly’s metastatic breast cancer, their community sprang into action:  cooking meals, shuttling the boys to school and sports practices, managing home renovations, and sending positive thoughts and prayers.  In order to share updates on Holly’s progress, Roy created an online journal called “The Fight of the Irish.”  It also became a place for Roy to express his love and admiration for his wife’s courage and dogged determination.  

Holly’s initial prognosis was good.  After just over a year of surgeries, treatments, and medications, Holly persevered.  In July 2009, she was declared cancer free and back to living her life at full speed.  Roy shut down the online journal.

Two years later, in November 2011, Holly developed a cough that she just couldn’t shake and her speech became impaired.  The cancer was back.  It had metastasized to her brain, lungs, and bones.  Over the next 3 ½ years, Holly fought valiantly.  In October 2014, having exhausted all available FDA-approved and experimental drug trials, Holly made the difficult decision to forgo further medical treatment.  On February 10, 2015, with family by her side, Holly passed away.  

Several months later, on the occasion of spreading Holly’s ashes in Ossipee Lake in New Hampshire, Roy sent one last post, poignantly writing, "In dying, she showed me how to live.”  

This is a heartfelt and beautiful conversation; we are beyond grateful to Roy for sharing with us.  We know you will feel the same.

Support this podcast by subscribing and reviewing!

Music is considered “royalty-free” and discovered on Audio Blocks.
Technical Podcast Support by: Jon Keur at Wayfare Recording Co.

© 2022 Silver Linings Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Support this podcast by subscribing and reviewing.

Music is considered “royalty-free” and discovered on Audio Blocks.

Technical Podcast Support by: Jon Keur at Wayfare Recording Co.

© 2025 Silver Linings Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.

We are excited to kick off a new season of This is My Silver Lining with Executive Coach, Cindy Wolpert.  Cindy is the founder of Results-Based Coaching (RBC) Associates.  She works with business leaders across all levels of seniority to maximize their leadership potential, manage successful transitions, and realize their professional goals. She is a creative and thoughtful innovator who is known for bringing calm to the chaos.  

Cindy tells us about starting her entrepreneurial journey during the lockdown in March 2020 - moving beyond the fear, building her reputation as an independent coach - there is so much power in being really honest with yourself and pushing yourself into uncomfortable positions.  

Prior to founding RBC Associates, Cindy held various product development, operational and HR roles in the Fortune 100.  She has first hand experience with the challenges of managing through business and budget cycles, navigating office politics, and harnessing the opportunities that her clients face.  This gives her a real edge and makes her an invaluable asset to their advancement.  

Cindy found her passion for coaching and leadership development as a client herself.  In one of those, “you can make money doing this?” moments, Cindy realized that nurturing the personal and professional development of other leaders would give her the greatest career satisfaction.  She threw herself into the deep end of the pool and learned all that she could about coaching, created opportunities to coach at work, and got certified. Prior to leaving corporate America, she led an internal executive coaching practice at Fidelity Investments where she served as the lead executive coach for executives and had responsibility for the certification and development of over 175 internal coaches globally.

As many of you enter the annual review cycle, consider career changes or pound the pavement for a new job, grab a pen and a notebook and prepare to be inspired.  We know you’ll come away from this conversation with practical tools and perspectives to consider the career adventures that lie ahead.  

Episode Links and Resources:
Cindy Wolpert
The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business

Support this podcast by subscribing and reviewing!
Music is considered “royalty-free” and discovered on Audio Blocks.
Technical Podcast Support by: Jon Keur at Wayfare Recording Co.
© 2022 Silver Linings Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Support this podcast by subscribing and reviewing.

Music is considered “royalty-free” and discovered on Audio Blocks.

Technical Podcast Support by: Jon Keur at Wayfare Recording Co.

© 2025 Silver Linings Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Life is busy and there just never seems to be enough time in the day to do all the things we need and want to do.  Nobody knows this better than a chef during the holidays!  TODAY Show food contributor, Elizabeth Heiskell, also known as the Debutante Farmer, generously made time to speak with us on the Monday after Thanksgiving.  

She founded her company, Elizabeth Heiskell Catering, over 22 years ago, turning her love of food, entertainment, and hard work into a thriving business in Oxford, Mississippi.  She is the author of three cookbooks, including her most recent, titled, “Come on Over.”  She has produced a line of home-grown gourmet products, including her popular Debutante Farmer Bloody Mary mix.  She has also appeared on the Food Network’s “The Kitchen,” and served as a judge on Chopped.  Many years ago, Elizabeth had a dream to be on the iconic morning program, the TODAY Show.  She had no idea how she would make it happen, but she knew she wanted to bring some of the magic from the Mississippi Delta into homes across America.   

With the kind of schedule, Elizabeth keeps, being sick was never on her radar.  When she discovered a lump in her breast a few months ago, she was forced to figure out how this bump in the road would fit into the huge plans she has for her life. Elizabeth talks with us about her experience with breast cancer and gives us some insight into how she has found the strength to fight this battle.  She also tells us about how she has built her business and made her own big dreams come true.

Episode Links and Resources:
Elizabeth Heiskell 
@elizabethheiskellofficial on Instagram
Elizabeth Heiskell’s Breast Cancer Journey - Today Show Video
Come On Over!: Southern Delicious for Every Day and Every Occasion
What Can I Bring?: Southern Food for Any Occasion Life Serves Up
The Southern Living Party Cookbook: A Modern Guide to Gathering
Debutante Farmer Bloody Mary Mix

Support this podcast by subscribing and reviewing!
Music is considered “royalty-free” and discovered on Audio Blocks.
Technical Podcast Support by: Jon Keur at Wayfare Recording Co.
© 2022 Silver Linings Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Support this podcast by subscribing and reviewing.

Music is considered “royalty-free” and discovered on Audio Blocks.

Technical Podcast Support by: Jon Keur at Wayfare Recording Co.

© 2025 Silver Linings Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.

In Part 2 of this two-part series, we continue our conversation with Dr. William Stixrud and Ned Johnson, authors of parenting books The Self Driven Child and What Do You Say?  We talk with Bill and Ned about the importance of giving our kids autonomy,  helping them learn how to manage technology (the dreaded phones and video games), and the importance of a good night’s SLEEP.  And we talk about the all-important pursuit of happiness.  Bill and Ned set us straight by reminding us that by the time they graduate from high school, most kids have already spent 90% of the time they will ever spend with us.  

Episode Links and Resources:
The Self Driven Child
What Do You Say
Ned Johnson 
PrepMatters
Stixrud Group: A Lifespan Neuropsychology Practice
Lori Santos Happiness Lab

Support this podcast by subscribing and reviewing it!
Music is considered “royalty-free” and discovered on Audio Blocks.
Technical Podcast Support by: Jon Keur at Wayfare Recording Co.
© 2022 Silver Linings Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Support this podcast by subscribing and reviewing.

Music is considered “royalty-free” and discovered on Audio Blocks.

Technical Podcast Support by: Jon Keur at Wayfare Recording Co.

© 2025 Silver Linings Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Any parent with a teenager at home knows that each day can be a struggle.  We want to enjoy these years before they fly from the nest, but we live with the drama and pushback that comes from enforcing the house rules while they still live under our roof.  Couple that with the pressures and anxiety teenagers face today– including those we unknowingly place on our kids– and we have a recipe for anxious and stressed-out kids and parents.  

Dr. William Stixrud and Ned Johnson, authors of parenting books The Self Driven Child and What Do You Say? are here to tell us that if we, as parents, are stuck in this cycle and find ourselves doing 90% of the worrying about our kids’ futures (with them doing only 10% of the worrying and work), then we need to change the energy.  Stop fighting, stop nagging, and let your kids find their way to happiness and success.  This, Bill and Ned tell us, is how our kids will become self-motivated, resilient, and successful humans.  

Episode Links and Resources:
The Self Driven Child
What Do You Say
Ned Johnson 
PrepMatters
Stixrud Group: A Lifespan Neuropsychology Practice
Lori Santos Happiness Lab

Support this podcast by subscribing and reviewing it!
Music is considered “royalty-free” and discovered on Audio Blocks.
Technical Podcast Support by: Jon Keur at Wayfare Recording Co.
© 2022 Silver Linings Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Support this podcast by subscribing and reviewing.

Music is considered “royalty-free” and discovered on Audio Blocks.

Technical Podcast Support by: Jon Keur at Wayfare Recording Co.

© 2025 Silver Linings Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.

In celebration of Thanksgiving, this week we hope you will listen –or re-listen– to one of our first episodes:  an interview with Chanda Brodnax-Nino, someone who is committed to giving.  She gives that extra degree to her students, she gives lifesaving care to her patients, and she gives kindness a priority position on the syllabus for her EMT training classes.  Chanda reminds us how important it is to give a little something extra and to be thankful for those who return the favor.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Link to Original Episode Shownotes

Support this podcast by subscribing and reviewing it!

Music is considered “royalty-free” and discovered on Audio Blocks.
Technical Podcast Support by: Jon Keur at Wayfare Recording Co.

© 2022 Silver Linings Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Support this podcast by subscribing and reviewing.

Music is considered “royalty-free” and discovered on Audio Blocks.

Technical Podcast Support by: Jon Keur at Wayfare Recording Co.

© 2025 Silver Linings Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.