You Matter!

Meet Taylor O'Brien, diagnosed with Stage 3C low-grade ovarian cancer on September 13, 2022. According to the American Cancer Society, this cancer mainly develops in women over 55 or after menopause. On June 24, 2023, Taylor celebrated her 29th birthday; this is her story.

On this episode, Karen speaks with Kit Turner. On November 28, 2021, Kit lost her 20 – year - old son Myles to suicide; Kit is here to share her son's story and how she has turned her heartbreak into advocacy regarding suicide prevention.

On this episode, Karen speaks with two members of the NYU Department of Campus Safety: Anne Marie McLaughlin, Director of Emergency Management and Continuity and Andrew McMahan, Associate Vice President, Global Resiliency and Security. Anne Marie and Andrew are going to talk about preparation, process and response to emergencies at NYU in New York City and at our degree granting locations and Global Academic Sites, as well as the importance of continuity planning and resiliency in a higher education setting.

On this episode, Karen speaks with Brooke Eby; in March 2023, at the age of 33, Brooke was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or Lou Gehrig's disease, a progressive neurodegenerative disease with no cure. Most doctors give a newly diagnosed person 2-5 years to live. With lots of support from family, friends, and co-workers, Brooke turned her fear and grief into laughter by educating followers on her TikTok account that currently has over 75 thousand followers. Brooke explains through her video reels what she is going through without making it heavy; at the same time, she is creating ALS awareness.

On this episode, Karen speaks with Dr. Jason Pina. At the time of this interview, Dr. Pina was Vice President for University Life & Global Programs at New York University; he was recently promoted to Senior Vice President for University Life. Prior to his appointments at NYU, Dr. Pina served as Ohio University's Vice President for Student Affairs. Dr. Pina is here to talk about his journey as a higher education thought leader and his short- and long-term strategic vision for the Office of University Life & Global Programs.

On this episode, Karen speaks with Cindy Liccardo, Esquire. Cindy was diagnosed with lung cancer on June 17, 2021; she had a left upper lobe lung resection surgery in November, completed her treatment in December and in January 2022, the cancer had metastasized to her brain. Following rigorous segmental brain radiation treatment, today, there is no evidence of cancer in her body. Cindy is here to share her medical journey to educate and inspire others.

On this episode, Karen speaks with Michelle Rotella, Assistant United States Attorney and Project Safe Childhood Coordinator responsible for the intake of all child exploitation matters in the 9-county Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Michelle is a subject matter expert in child exploitation and cybercrime and serves on a nationwide committee as Attorney Advisor for national child exploitation and cybercrime-related investigations. Michelle is here to share her experience as a federal prosecutor and to share the resources available should you have concerns regarding children being impacted by exploitation or cybercrime.

On this episode, Karen speaks with Courtney Friel, an anchor and reporter for KTLA in Los Angeles, California, and the author of a memoir, "Tonight At 10: Kicking Booze and Breaking News," which details her ascent in the news business while dealing with alcohol and drug addiction. Courtney is here to share her story and her journey to recovery

On this episode, Karen speaks with a frequent guest of You Matter!, Dr. Gregg McDonald, Chief Deputy Coroner for Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, and the Dean of the School of Health Sciences and Chair of the Department of Forensic Medicine and Pathology at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr. McDonald and I are going to discuss in this educational episode, what DEA Administrator Ann Milgram has characterized as "the single deadliest drug threat our nation has ever encountered," fentanyl.

On this episode, Karen speaks with Diane R. Button. Diane is a founding partner of the Bay Area End-of-Life Doula Alliance in Northern California, and an instructor for the University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine End-of-Life Doula Professional Certificate Program. Her latest book, Dear Death, combines the insights gained from her research on "The Four Pillars of a Meaningful Life," with over a decade working with hospice and doula clients in their final days. Diane is the creator and Director of Dream of Better World, a non-profit founded in 2008 with a two-fold mission: to support disadvantaged children and families around the world, and to inspire everyone to realize, "You're never too young, or too old, to make a difference!"