You Matter!

On this episode, Karen speaks with Phoenix Carnevale, an actress, media personality, fitness trainer, martial arts and self-defense expert; she has been featured on MTV, CNN, and ESPN and in Shape, Self, and Latina magazines as a health and fitness expert. Phoenix is here to talk about women's self-defense, its relevance and importance regardless of age, and to share tips for women of all ages to keep them safe.

On this episode, Karen welcomes Season 5 returning guest Carla Tardif, CEO of Family Reach, a nonprofit organization dedicated to removing the financial barriers standing between a cancer patient and their treatment, and Rifka Coleman, a patient advocate who relied upon Family Reach after her own cancer diagnosis at the age of 37 during the Covid-19 pandemic.

On this episode, Karen speaks with Sheri Kurdakul, CEO and Founder of VictimsVoiceApp, a web-based app, the only legally admissible documentation tool that allows victims to store evidence that satisfies the evidence rules of each state.

On this episode, Guy Felicella shares his experience with a twenty-year addiction and homelessness; on six occasions he overdosed, died and was brought back to life. Today, Guy is an advocate for those who suffer from Substance Use Disorder and all that accompanies it, in an effort to remove the shame and stigma associated with addiction.

In this episode, Karen speaks with Jay Rosenblatt, a San Francisco filmmaker who hails from Brooklyn, New York. Jay is a filmmaker responsible for the Oscar-nominated documentary "When We Were Bullies," wherein Jay tracks down his fifth-grade class, and teacher, to examine their memories of a bullying incident that occurred over 50 years ago. Jay is here to share the story behind his film.

On this episode, Karen welcomes Kate Brookes. Kate is writer, producer, political junkie, LGBTQ ally and proud mom of twins- one of whom is transgender. Kate is here to share her daughter's story, as well as her own as the mother of a transgender child.

On this episode, Karen speaks with Bethann Mercanti, the Director of Clinical Operations for the Neurological Institute at Cooper University Healthcare in Camden, New Jersey. She has practiced in neurology as a PA for 10 years, specializing in stroke and cerebrovascular disease. She developed the Comprehensive Stroke Program at Cooper University Healthcare, achieving Joint Commission Comprehensive Stroke Certification status, the first in South Jersey. She also began the Cooper Telestroke program with local healthcare systems to provide critical access to acute stroke services. Bethann completed her Doctor of Science in 2021, focusing on health care research and organizational leadership. She is dedicated to improving access to care for all patients through the use of innovative technology to advance health care delivery in today's world. And she is also an advocate for the advancement of PA practice both locally and nationally.

On this episode, Karen speaks with NYU alums Stephanie Wittels Wachs and Jackie Danziger. Stephanie is a voice actress, activist, and author, and the co-founder and Chief Creative Officer of the podcast network Lemonada Media. Jackie Danziger is the Vice President of Content and Production at Lemonada Media, a writer and voice over artist. Stephanie and Jackie are here to talk about Lemonada Media, "an award winning, women-run podcast network that shares the unfiltered version of the human experience" that is normalizing difficult conversations, including the conversation that was the catalyst for Lemonada's creation: addiction.

On this episode, Karen speaks with Patti McSteen, Senior Associate Vice President and Deputy, Global Campus Safety, and a new member of Campus Safety leadership. A main objective of this podcast is to highlight resources available to the NYU community; Patti is exactly that. At the end of this conversation, you will have an understanding of the value that Patti brings to Campus Safety based upon on her education and professional experience, and the resource that her role provides the members of our community.

Today I welcome Clara Kim, Vice President of Consulting Services at RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest Network), the nation's largest anti-sexual violence organization. RAINN created and operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline (800.656.HOPE) in partnership with more than 1,000 local sexual assault service providers across the country and operates the DoD Safe Helpline for the Department of Defense. RAINN also carries out programs to prevent sexual violence, help survivors, and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice.