On Mic Podcast

Meet Dr. Kedar Gupta and his wife Renu, immigrants originally from India who are a true American success story. Dr. Gupta is the author of “Carving My Destiny: Lessons From My Entrepreneurial Ventures.” Kedar shares valuable business and life lessons he’s learned while developing many successful companies. He and his colleagues are credited with playing a major role in sparking the solar energy revolution.

We welcome Dr. Letise Lafeir, The New England Aquarium’s first Chief Conservation and Stewardship Officer. An expert on ocean issues and ocean policy with aquarium experience, Dr. LaFeir comes to the Aquarium from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), where she served as Senior Advisor. Join us for a discussion about sea life and the need to safeguard a most precious resource -our oceans. Learn about the vital ongoing conservation work by the dedicated team at the New England Aquarium!

The Escape Room phenomenon is sweeping the country. And it is certainly popular here in our stomping grounds Boston. Today we feature Jason Loeb, one of the founders of Trapology Boston. The concept of solving puzzles to “escape” from any number of clever and entertaining scenarios brings people together for device-free entertainment, giving groups of friends an immersive, interactive, and FUN activity to do together!

On this episode meet The Tea Maestro, Bruce Richardson, Founder of Elmwood Inn Fine Teas of Kentucky. Bruce is a contributing editor to TEATIME Magazine, has written several books on the subject of tea and serves as the Tea Master for the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum. He is undoubtedly one of the top authorities when it comes to tea. Bruce and I have brewed up quite an interesting conversation for you about the world’s most popular beverage. Now, did you want one lump or two?

Happy New Year to all! One of the smartest resolutions we can all make this time of year is to stop procrastinating. Today’s guest has fine advice as to how we can take command of our financial wellness and plan effectively for retirement. Financial advisor Aviva Sapers, along with co-author Andrew MacDougall, has written, “Someday Is Not a Day of the Week: Unlock Your Financial Potential Today.” Aviva explains in easy to understand language how to develop financial confidence and create a safer, more sustainable path to your future!

Anxiety. It is a seminal part of the human condition. We need it to survive and grow. But for millions of us anxiety takes a heavy toll. What if there was another way to think about anxiety, to actually experience anxiety in a way that can change your life for the better? Our guest is Dr. David H. Rosmarin, author of “Thriving with Anxiety: 9 Tools to Make Your Anxiety Work for You.” Listen to this episode and you just might come away with a whole new perspective on anxiety and a whole lot more!

Today we welcome Dr. Anna Yusim, author of an inspiring and well-researched new book entitled, “Fulfilled: How the Science of Spirituality Can Help You Live a Happier, More Meaningful Life.” Anna integrates the best of Western medicine with universal spiritual principles to help us discover more meaning and joy in life!

She’s an award winning creative force on Madison Avenue. Micki Pagano is also a New Yorker who was deeply affected by the terror attacks on 9-11. Her inspiring book about the afterlife, redemption and hope in the wake of what happened on that fateful day is moving and imaginative. Join us as we introduce you to “The Road to Beyond,” a beautiful parable for our time.

Bar Tips is a wonderful book of life and business lessons by Neil Rogers. Neil currently runs a successful marketing firm. He recalls the skill sets learned when he tended bar in Boston years ago and shares them in this very readable book. There are valuable tips for anyone interested in improving their careers, building sales and understanding and communicating with people!

Meet Diane Pienta, author of a wonderful new book called, “Be the Magic: Bite-Sized Nuggets of Wisdom to Feed your Joy, Nourish you Soul, and Open your Heart.” Diane is a writer, mentor and forest therapy guide who loves to help others see and be their own magic!

We welcome back to the podcast author Landon Beach, a fine friend and a master at penning exciting thrillers. Not only are we thrilled to have him join us to talk about his new book “The Blue Hour Sanction,” but he was kind enough to bring along one of the nation’s top audiobook narrators Suzanne Elise Freeman. She is the reader of this fast-paced novel and you’re about to hear a unique tale of a writer and voice-actor creatively collaborating. It’s a look behind the scenes at how great stories come to life! Here is a link for you Amazon.com: The Blue Hour Sanction (Audible Audio Edition): Landon Beach, Suzanne Elise Freeman, Landon Beach Books: Books

Well, we’ve arrived at a milestone. On Mic Podcast 400! I’ve chosen to feature a lifelong friend as my guest, Mr. Ray Fournier. Ray has been a pioneer in the audio recording industry for well over a half century. Blind since birth, Ray has inspired so many with his dedication to professionalism and artistry. And he’s quite the namedropper and storyteller. Thanks to all of you for coming along for the podcast ride for all 400 episodes. There is so much more to come!

Meet Christy Cashman, a woman who wears many hats! She’s a writer, actress, philanthropist and equestrian who has written her first novel called, “The Truth About Horses.” It’s a wonderful story of a young girl coming to terms with loss and the incredible impact rising horses has on her life.

Meet Janet Seckel-Cerrotti who heads up an outstanding organization that addresses the serious problem of loneliness among older Americans. About to celebrate a special anniversary, FriendshipWorks links volunteers with elder citizens in a variety of programs, all of which lead to happier lives. We are proud to salute FriendshipWorks on today’s episode of On Mic!

Join me as take a tour of jazz in the middle of the last century as award-winning broadcast journalist Carmen Fields shares the story of her Dad Ernie Fields in a well-researched and entertaining book!

Meet a long time friend Lon Davis who has captured the history of old Hollywood in several wonderful books (do check out LON DAVIS on Amazon for the complete list). Today we focus on his special friendship with a comedy legend, Larry Fine of The Three Stooges. The two became pals when Lon was just a teen and the relationship had a lovely and lasting impact on Lon’s life.

Meet Andy Kelley, also known as “The Boston Buddha.” Andy is a husband, father, sports fan and all around regular guy who discovered for himself the benefits of meditation. Now it’s his life mission to share theses benefits with others, people of all ages and backgrounds. Meditation doesn’t have to be a grind, Andy explains why and how it works to make lives better!

JB Harris captures the historical essence and poignancy of the early immigrant experience in her gripping novel “The Immigrant’s Wife.” Prepare for a story of joy in the wake of hardship, love in an era of uncertainty. And much is based on our guest’s own family history.

Barbara Becker has dedicated more than twenty-five years to partnering with human-rights advocates around the world in pursuit of peace and interreligious understanding. She has worked with the United Nations, Human Rights First, the Ms. Foundation for Women, and the Grameen Bank of Bangladesh, and has participated in a delegation of Zen Peacemakers and Lakota elders in the Black Hills of South Dakota. she began a 365-day blog when my earliest childhood friend was diagnosed with breast cancer and was living out the last year of her life. During that time, she was completely absorbed by the question Can we live our lives more fully knowing some day we will die? That resulted in a beautiful book, “Heartwood: The Art of Living with the End in Mind.” Join us in conversation about a key facet of the human experience!

Talk about a “dream job.” Kari McBride, who has worked behind the scenes in show business for such big companies as Disney, was gifted her first ever Lego set during the COVID-19 pandemic. She finished building a 7000 piece model of the Millennium Falcon from Star Wars in just four days. From then on she was obsessed. Now she shares her story about how the obsession led to her ascension as a Lego Master!

In our latest live-audience event held at the beautiful Millennium Tower in downtown Boston, Curator of the New England Sports Museum Richard Johnson regaled us all with tales of local sports legends, their fascinating back stories, and the unique tradition that New England holds when it comes to sports! Learn more about Jordan Rich HERE.

“Mr. Las Vegas” Wayne Newton stops by for a chat about show business, his amazing career and those special entertainers he’s known and loved along the way. A remarkable performer, Wayne has entertained millions and he shows no signs of slowing down!

Doug McIntyre is the long-time columnist for the Southern California News Group which includes the Los Angeles Daily News and Orange County Register, as well as the creator of Red Eye Radio heard nationally on hundreds of radio stations. He also hosted a successful show on WABC in New York City and the long-running McIntyre in the Morning on KABC in Los Angeles. A television and film writer/producer, McIntyre has written for all the major networks, including the hit series, Married… With Children, WKRP in Cincinnati, Full House, Mike Hammer and the award-winning PBS series, Liberty’s Kid. His debut novel is entitled “Frank’s Shadow,” a fresh, humorous, riveting story of discovering one’s legacy while challenged by ghosts, including that of ‘old blue eyes.’ A terrific book from a quality storyteller!

Long time Boston Globe reporter and columnist Scot Lehigh has just authored his first novel and it’s a winner.”Just East of Nowhere,” Scot Lehigh’s debut novel, is a gritty coming-of-age story that explores the often hidden pockets of Maine and features a poignant and troubled cast of characters who are caught in the undercurrents of a struggling coastal town. A fine work of exciting fiction from one of the region’s top journalists!

While on a visit to Israel, we meet up with several proud U.S. veterans on a 10-day trip of healing in the Holy Land. Learn about Heroes to Heroes, an organization that prevents veteran suicide by healing souls through forgiveness and peace . Hear from the founder and several of the men about the 12-month peer support, curriculum-based program that includes values exploration, goal-setting, 10 days in Israel, and community reintegration support and planning, giving our combat veterans who suffer from moral injury, the direction they need to choose life.

Meet Sara DiVello, true crime novelist and the founder and host of the popular author interview series, Mystery and Thriller Mavens. She is out with a new book entitled “Broadway Butterfly,” a true crime thriller about the unsolved murder of a Manhattan It Girl in 1923. Real life characters come alive in a case with shocking ramifications that ripple from the gangster underworld all the way to the White House!

Today’s guest has quite the inspiring story. La’Que Duren was heading down a dangerous life threatening path, but a group of adults saw value in her that she didn’t know she had. “How The Mafia Saved My Life” is a story about a young girl encountering tough men from the shadows who reached out to protect her. She ultimately forgave her abusers and rose from the ashes, and hers is a story for anyone looking for a way out.

Meet the man behind the mayhem who is making people very happy. Norm Laviolette heads up the smash hit Boston comedy troupe Improv Asylum. He tells of its origin and growth along with the fun and vibrancy that defines improvisation. We also talk about the group’s extensive training opportunities in performance and stand-up for professionals and non-actors alike!

Joe Lamonica is part of a hard working Italian family. proud of the restaurant named for their grandfather. Vuolo’s in Winthrop Massachusetts has won raves from food critics and diners. Joe plies his trade coming up with creative concoctions behind the bar, when he’ snot collecting and selling iconic custom rock T-Shirts and memorabilia. There is passion in everything he does and Joe is about to share his story!

We welcome a return visit from NY Times bestselling author Lynn Hightower, here to talk up her latest book, “The Beautiful Risk,” a thriller set in France.

Attorney A.X. Foster has prosecuted and defended complex homicide cases for over 30 years. His debut legal thriller “Gavel to Gavel” transports us to a tense trial where the case seems open and shut. But is it? Foster has penned a terrific legal adventure with intriguing characters and situations. Today we take you deep behind the scenes of a murder one trial, where nothing is as it seems.

Meet Gianni Russo, one of the stars of “The Godfather,” a monumental first film role for a guy who never acted before!The author of his best selling memoir “Hollywood Godfather,” shares incredible personal stories about Brando, Sinatra, Marilyn Monroe and the biggest names in the actual Mafia, names you will instantly recognize. From the movie (he’s produced and acted in close to fifty) to the JFK assassination, Gianni tells all. He’s appearing locally at the Regent Theatre in Arlington with a popular one-man show at the time of our taping.

Let me introduce you to someone who is the very definition of Grace. She’s Sister Bridget Haase, the author of many spiritually uplifting books such as Generous Faith and Doors to the Sacred, both of which share stories of family and times in Sudan, Senegal, Mexico and Appalachia. Recipient of several awards, she has led retreats and parish missions nationwide and has ministered to everyone from paraplegics at the Boston Home to 3 and 4 year-olds in her role as “St. Storyteller.“ We are such close friends, her life energy has blessed me along with so many others. Enjoy a conversation with this remarkable new Orleans native!

Today I welcome artist, educator and marine advocate, Cindy Pease Roe, whose inspiration comes from her deep, abiding kinship with the sea to craft her unforgettable paintings and sculptures. Cindy incorporates a variety of media to capture the depth of her subjects. She deftly paints historic, and often endangered working waterfronts. But most importantly, she has garnered the interest of art lovers and environmentalists alike by collecting plastic debris and flotsam she finds along the shoreline and transforming them into thought-provoking, visually stimulating three-dimensional forms.

There is a national crisis of drug abuse and mental illness affecting our adolescent and young adult population. Meet two representatives from a new agency that is meeting the challenges head on. We present Clinical Director Brenna Fichter LISCW and Business Development Manager Caitlin Axelrod-McLeod with the recently opened Kiwi Recovery Center in Concord, Massachusetts. The focus is on the groundbreaking work done by these practitioners in empowering our kids, offering them a healthier pass to success.

Dr. Gary Simonds is a neurosurgeon who has spent decades savings lives in Level 1 trauma centers. He shares stories of what happens when doctors are pressured to make life saving decisions with no time to spare. His terrific new novel, “Death’s Pale Flag,” tells the story of an intrepid doctor, a brain surgeon and unlikely war hero , who in the midst of pushing himself to the extreme to help his patients, encounters what appear to be ghostly figures. Are they real or the result of his intense burnout. Strap in for a scintillating tale of medicine and the supernatural!

As founder and Chief Storyteller at GoZen!, Renee Jain is recognized as a pioneer in marrying technology and child psychology in a unique approach that nurtures the hearts and minds of kids. Through her writing, product invention and development, masterclasses for parents, and children’s advocacy, she works to build the emotional intelligence of kids. Tens of thousands of families and professionals testify to the unparalleled success of GoZen!’s programs. I’m honored to share details with you on this episode!

From “The Finest Hours,” to “A Storm Too Soon” best-selling author Michael J. Tougias has established himself as an expert on deep survival. He chronicles what he has learned from those who have challenged danger and death in his brilliant new book “Extreme Survival: Lessons from Those Who Have Triumphed Against All Odds.” Michael’s reporting and storytelling will motivate and inspire anyone facing a struggle.

Today, we talk with one of the top leadership consultants in the U.S. Jenna Fisher is committed to finding transformational leaders who can guide companies forward in a changing world. She has just authored a book entitled, “To The Top:How Women in Corporate Leadership Are Rewriting the Rules of Success.” Jenna points how the work world is changing and what skillsets people need to move forward!

Newly inducted into the Massachusetts Broadcasters Hall of Fame, Donna Halper is pioneer in the industry. She has done it all from working as a popular on-air disc jockey to programming and consulting with top major market radio groups. She is also a broadcast historian, published author and college professor teaching communications to the next generation of broadcasters. Oh, as if that’s not enough, Donna was the host who spotted talent in a little rock band known as “Rush.” She helped launch thtem to super stardom map and they’ve remained close riends since the 1970’s.

Stona Fitch is a first-rate novelist with the kind of edge and wicked cool sense of humor that readers love. We’ll explore his latest book, “Death Watch,” a gripping satire about materialist culture and more. Dennis Lehane calls Fitch , “A terrific writer who knows how to spin a yarn with grit and confidence.” I have a strong feeling you’ll agree!

Meet a daring creative woman with an incredible story, Natasha Lance Rogoff. She is the author of “Muppets In Moscow: The Unexpected Crazy True Story of Making Sesame Street in Russia. “ Natasha was the American TV producer tasked with launching the public television show in the former Soviet Union. Amidst bombings, assassinations and a military takeover of the production office, she and the talented Moscow team of artists, writers, musicians, filmmakers and puppeteers remained determined to bring laughter, learning and a new way of seeing the world to the children of Russia,, Ukraine and across the former Soviet empire.

Welcome to a conversation with novelist Katherine Sherbrooke whose new book “The Hidden Life of Aster Kelly,” rekindles the Golden Age of Hollywood in a stunning way. When a runway model in 1940s Hollywood makes a split-second decision intended to protect those she loves, she triggers a cascade of secrets that threatens to upend her daughter’s life decades later. Kathy based the book on a personal family story that has all the makings of a Hollywood melodrama. Great fun for fans of movies, Broadway and fine writing!

Carolyn Buck Luce is living a life filled with adventure and purpose and she is happy to share her good fortune with others! She is the author of “Epic: The Women’s Power Play Book” and is the creator of The Decade Game, a highly popular exercise puts the focus on what truly matters in our lives and how people can achieve happiness, fulfillment and success. Her most recent endeavor is as the co-designer and co-leader of the Remarkable Women’s Journey, a six-month intensive coaching program for some of the most remarkable women today in business, civic society and philanthropy.

Dr. Erica Muhl recently assumed the presidency of one of the world’s premier music schools, The Berklee College of Music in Boston. Erica is an accomplished conductor, composer, scholar, educator and administrator. In our conversation, hear her insights on music education, the need for music in all of our lives and the challenges facing students and all of us in the art community. Join us for an inside look at a world class institution of higher learning with the person now leading Berklee!

Meryl Frank is a highly respected diplomat and international leader on women’s issues and concerns of the world-wide Jewish community. Her new book is quite personable and impactful. It’s entitled “Unearthed: A Lost Actress, a Forbidden Book, and a Search for Life in the Shadow of the Holocaust.” It is a thrilling mystery woven into a beautifully constructed family memoir: Meryl Frank’s journey to seek the truth about a beloved and revolutionary cousin, a celebrated actress in Vilna before World War II, and to answer the question of how the next generation should honor the memory of the Holocaust.

Conversation is on today with one of America’s most celebrated playwrights and authors. Meet Ernest Thompson, Academy Award winner for his poignant work “On Golden Pond”. We talk with this celebrated actor, director and lyricist about his latest novel “The Book of Maps,” a brilliantly written tale of a father and son rediscovering their relationship on a cross country adventure. The book is sure to become a classic!

Check out today’s guest Steph Palermo, the hot blooded Sicilian with a heart of gold! Steph is the author of “It’s Not Personal, Sonny, It’s Business: How To Run Your Family, Life and Business Like a Sicilian”. Oh sure, delicious food and plenty of it is vital, but Steph shares her wisdom and understanding of life growing up in a Sicilian-American family, lessons on living happier, richer and more successful lives. And smiling all the way. All from the lady who put the “F.U.” back in fun!

Meet a charming woman who mentors many as a multi-faceted life coach. Bernadette Ridge hails from Ireland and now makes her home just outside of Boston. She is the co-author of several books in the Jan Fraser Inspired Life Series “The Book on Gratitude,” The Book on Joy,” and “The Book on Transformation.” She is all about empowering others with new -found energy and on today’s podcast with Bernadette’s help, you might just discover another pathway to happiness!

Meet a guy who has never been busier. Tom Furrier has had a lifelong love affair with the typewriter ( as had your affable host). He owns Cambridge Typewriter and spends his days fixing and restoring old classics while serving as a “typewriter matchmaker” for those who yearn for the clickety clack sound of the good old days. Key in on this one and you’re guaranteed to be entertained while learning a lot!