Episode Guide
Season 1
Episode 1: Michael Hingson Interview
I interview New York Times' Best Selling Author of "Thunder Dog," Michael Hingson. He is a blind man who defies all odds and his disability was truly challenged on September 11, 2001. He was going into an everyday business meeting when the North Tower was attacked. He and his guide dog quickly headed towards the stairs and started their 1,463 stair descent. We followed him stair by stair down the 78 floors, while also discussing his guide dogs through the years. It was truly a motivational interview via Skype.
Episode 2: Dr. Terrence Roberts and Boston Strong
We sit down with Dr. Terrence Roberts live in the studio. He is one of The Little Rock Nine, the first black students integrated into an all white high school in Little Rock, Arkansas. He discusses his story of survival, and discusses step by step his first day of school. His story is truly an inspiration and shows the discrimination in a vivid first-hand experience. Later, we travel to Boston and talk to witnesses of the Boston Marathon Bombings, and capture the footage of the location of the first bomb, and all the memorials dedicated to the victims of the terrorists attacks.
Episode 3: Jane Elliott Interview
I sit down with Jane Elliott, America's foremost diversity educator. She created the blue eyed brown eyed exercise, in which she told her 3rd grade class that the blue eyes were smarter and better than those with brown eyes, and instantly the students started feeling superior and inferior. She was teaching them and the world that racial discrimination is in everyone and it was being taught in the United States' School System. She did this exercise in the late 1960s and since then she has appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show four times, and has done this with adults and students across the country. She sits down with me discussing her experience doing the exercise, and some of the scariest moments she encountered. She is one brave woman, who defied what society told her to do and fought for those who weren't given a voice. And then later we discuss what we can do to change the problems in today's world, and yes there are problems (some of which are absolutely shocking.)
Episode 4: Discussing Weight with Maria Caprigno
I sit down with Maria Capringo, a recent high school graduate, to discuss her battle with weight. By the age of 14, Maria reached 443 pounds. Quickly, she and her family realized that something needed to be done... Maria shares her hectic journey with us, while also informing us on what it truly means to be a fighter. In the last three years Maria has lost 137 pounds, but the fighting hasn't ended yet.
It is a conversation that made me go into tears. She is the meaning of the word inspiration, and her story will encouarge anyone to lose that five, ten, fifty, or even three hundred pounds. |
Episode 5: Fernando Morales on Cancer
I sit down with rediagnosed Cancer patient, Fernando Morales. He is a recent Norwood High School Graduate who is fighting Ewing's Sarcoma again. He discusses his fight while also talking about everything in between. We discuss school, Chemo, family, and friends. He also talks about how Make-A-Wish sent him to... While having some laughs over our shared front page on the "Norwood Transcript." His outlook on life is one that I admire, and his positivity about his situation is one that I cherish.
Episode 6: At Fenway with Ed Weiss
My team and I sat down with Fenway Sports Group Executive Vice President and General Counsel, Ed Weiss. We traveled through his life story from Harvard to Time Warner to his current position under John Henry of the Boston Red Sox. From luck to loss I talked about everything from the Boston Marathon Bombings to his incredibly "lucky" life.
Episode 7: Fight for a Cause with Rhonda Julian
I sat down with Breast Cancer patient, Rhonda Julian, to discuss her battle with cancer. She shows such a positive energy and her attitude is something we all can learn from. She has built up a reputation of being the "tough girl," by being the first female football player at Norwood High School.
All in all she's dedicated to finding a cure to make sure others don't have to suffer through this cancer, and she's continuously supported by her family, friends, and community. It was my honor to sit down with this woman and also sit down with several members of the community who have learned from and admire Rhonda. She teaches us all to love life a little more, learn from every experience, and keep a positive attitude no matter the situation.
All in all she's dedicated to finding a cure to make sure others don't have to suffer through this cancer, and she's continuously supported by her family, friends, and community. It was my honor to sit down with this woman and also sit down with several members of the community who have learned from and admire Rhonda. She teaches us all to love life a little more, learn from every experience, and keep a positive attitude no matter the situation.
Episode 8: One on One with William Landay
I traveled to Bestselling Author, William Landay's home, to discuss his life and career leading up to "Defending Jacob," a New York Times Bestseller. We talk about his childhood and school years that lead up to his aspirations to becoming an author. He allows us into his beautiful Newton home to talk about being a lawyer, which led to his writing career. He wrote "Mission Flats," "The Strangler," and "Defending Jacob." It is a discussion filled with laughs and topics that will make anyone interested in wanting to learn more. It was a conversation I will not forget.