You Matter!

On this episode, Karen speaks with Dr. Adam Hill, a pediatric palliative care physician, author and recovering alcoholic. Dr. Hill openly shares his story of depression, suicidal thoughts and alcoholism while working in the field of medicine; he wrote "Long Walk Out of the Woods" in which he shares his story and lifts the veil of secrecy regarding caregiver mental health.

On this episode, Karen speaks with Sandra Joseph, #1 bestselling author and keynote speaker, and the longest-running leading lady in the longest-running Broadway show of all-time, Christine in The Phantom of the Opera, which spanned ten years and more than 1,300 performances. Sandra has also been seen on numerous national broadcasts, including The Oprah Winfrey Show, CNN, The Today Show, Dateline, and The Early Show. Sandra is the author of Unmasking What Matters: 10 Life Lessons from 10 Years on Broadway and his here to talk about the way in which masks block us from creating the authentic connections we need to thrive.

On this episode, Karen speaks with Chairman of the New Jersey State Parole Board, Samuel J. Plumeri. Chairman Plumeri is here to educate listeners about parole as well as share his professional journey that lead to his current position, heading the state's lead reentry organization, ensuring that formerly incarcerated persons return to society as law abiding citizens.

On this episode, Karen speaks with Kim Alexis, author, actress and supermodel who has appeared on the cover of magazines like Sports Illustrated, Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, Glamour, Self and Cosmopolitan, and in 1983, was the face of Revlon. Kim is here to share her journey to fame that began at the age of 17 when she was discovered by Elite Talent Agency, and how today, Kim's mission at the age of 62 is to serve as a voracious health advocate for women.

On this episode, Karen speaks with Paul Frase, 11-year NFL Super Bowl veteran, and Alison Rockett, CEO and President and Co-Founder of The Joshua Frase Foundation, the parents of Isabella and Joshua. Joshua was born on February 2, 1995, with an ultra-rare and fatal neuromuscular disorder called myotubular myopathy and passed away on December 24, 2010, at the age of 15. Myotubular myopathy claims the lives of 50 percent of its victims before the age of 2. During Joshua's life, Paul and Alison created Joshua's legacy, The Joshua Frase Foundation, a non-profit that raises funds for cutting-edge research in regenerative medicine, gene therapy and genetics. Paul and Alison are here to share the story of their son's life and the impact that The Joshua Frase Foundation has had on finding a cure for myotubular myopathy.

On this episode, Karen speaks with Daniel "Rudy" Reuttiger; 'Rudy' is an American motivational speaker and author who played college football at the University of Notre Dame and is the real-life inspiration for the iconic 1993 film RUDY. Rudy is here to share the story behind the film as well as his life journey since Rudy was released.

On this episode, Karen speaks with Phillip Tyler; Phillip lost his son Devon to suicide in November of 2017 at the age of 22. Phillip is here to share his son's story and how he turned his heartbreak into healing as a mental health advocate and suicide prevention educator.

On this episode, Karen speaks with Michelle Corrao, author of Found, Triumph over Fear with Grace and Gratitude: The Michelle Corrao Story, to share her journey to recovery following her abduction in front of her home in 1996, after which she was sexually assaulted and then forced into the trunk of her car where she was later found by an off-duty police officer, and her life saved.

On the episode, Karen speaks with Daniella DeChristopher, author of Behind Closed Doors A Daughter's Story, the story of a family from Italy that came to America on vacation and never returned to their homeland. When their youngest unwed daughter became pregnant in 1949, her family disowned her; she was seventeen when she gave birth to her daughter. Daniella is her daughter and this is her story.

On this episode, Karen speaks with Bradi Nathan, the mother of Jack who passed away suddenly and accidentally on July 3, 2020, at the age of 19 after consuming a fentanyl-laced pill. Jack struggled with mental illness during his life and as a result, created HappyJacksWorld, an online safe haven for kids who struggle with mental illness. Bradi is here to share Jack's story and to continue Jack's mission to help others who suffer with their mental health.