Journey Of The Rhode Runner

On this episode, we would love to introduce you to Phil Januszewski. Phil is a high-energy chemistry/physics teaching keynote speaker and coach that is on a mission to create and spread happiness through education, motivation, and entertainment. He empowers the givers in the world to completely flourish in their personal lives first, in order to ignite passion and purpose in their professional lives as well. Phil is a nationally known dynamic speaker of 10+ years and a public school educator since 2005.  We discuss the challenges and the incredible rewards of teaching high school students over the past couple of decades. Phil also gives some strategies for the givers of the world to stay inspired and motivated. We also talk about the importance of networking, and Phil's Positive Growth Lounge. And Phil also talks about his appearance on the Netflix baking competition show, Nailed It! Enjoy this fun, high energy episode! ----------------------------------------------------------- This episode is dedicated to 2

On this episode of Inspiring journeys, I present to you Episode 2 of the GenX Journeys series. This is a very special episode to me. My heart has been heavy as it was my late cousin Cecelia's birthday this week.  Cecelia and her husband John were Paranormal Investigators, and were pretty well known in that community. They had a YouTube channel, which is still up, called Crazy Cat Paranormal. It features episodes of some of their investigations as well as podcast interviews with some big names among the Paranormal Community, including stars from the show Ghost Hunters. We tried for a very long time to have a crossover podcast episode, and we finally made it happen! We had been shooting for Halloween season in 2021, but our schedules wouldn't allow it until December. This episode was originally posted on December 10, 2021. This was such a blast! I was just listening back to this and I busted out laughing several times! Cecelia had such a great sense of humor. My Return to the '80s cohost, Del Roehling and I joi

On this episode, I’m honored to welcome an incredibly resilient and inspiring guest, Joanica Santos. Joanica has faced more challenges in a short time than many do in a lifetime, from surviving an abusive marriage to enduring the tragic loss of her cousin, and overcoming personal injury. Despite these hardships, she remains a beacon of positivity, faith, and strength. A devoted Christian and fitness enthusiast, Joanica continues to inspire others through her perseverance.  We discuss the adversities that Joanica has been through, and how her faith has helped come out stronger than ever. In addition to her Christian journey, we discuss Joanica embracing the personal development community, and her love of the gym.   This episode is dedicated to 22 Too Many Veteran: Heather Bass Heather Renea Bass, Oklahoma City resident, passed away Tuesday, January 12, 2016 at her residence at the age of 42. She was born October 13, 1973 in Tahlequah, OK. Heather enlisted in the United States Army and serve

You're in for a treat on this episode as we welcome the inspiring Adria Gross to the show! Adria’s transformational journey is nothing short of remarkable. After battling epilepsy at a young age and undergoing life-altering brain surgery, she reclaimed her life and now dedicates herself to helping others navigate the complex world of medical insurance. With over 30 years of experience, Adria is the President and CEO of MedWise Insurance Advocacy, where she advocates for those struggling with the confusing healthcare system. She’s the co-author of "Solved! Curing Your Medical Insurance Problems" and "Multi Payer Medicine Nightmare Made in the USA", endorsed by Ralph Nader. Her most recent book, "Apparently DIFFERENT," was released in June 2024, and we dive into the insights and lessons from her powerful story. In this episode, Adria shares her deeply personal journey, how she turned her challenges into a lifelong mission, and the invaluable lessons she’s learned along the way. We also talk about the transforma

One thing I love about doing this podcast is hearing the stories of people who have gone through major adversities, and came out shining and thriving on the other side. That's why I'm excited to introduce you to today's guest!  Gary Hults discusses his journey which led him to start Northman Coaching, which specializes in guiding men who are either in a troubled relationship, going through a divorce, or already divorced. And they help guide you to not only love your best life, but to help you create happier and healthier relationships along the way. Not only does Gary have this coaching business, but he created this unique and amazing set of cards, called Oak Value that helps you discover and enrich your life by exploring your values. And if that isn't enough, Gary hosts a podcast along with Rob Burton, called Living by Oak Values. Through this podcast, they do a deep dive into each these values to help you identify what is important to you and how to use those values to guide your thoughts, words, and behav

You're in for a treat this episode! We welcome my crazy, fun, electric and beautiful friend, Elise Morgan to the show! Elise hosts the podcast, The Elise Morgan Experience. She is also a Life Improvement coach, Healer, Author, and Transformational Speaker. She guides you through all your challenges and dreams with expertise, unfiltered truth, contagious confidence, and a sprinkle of humor.  We cover many topics from focusing inward instead of relying on outside forces, the 9 (formerly 8) A's of Happiness, taking inspired action, PTSD, and NLP.   This episode is dedicated to 22 Too Many Veteran: TJ Jones Six deployments. SIX ! He served our country bravely. He returned from war – he suffered from severe PTSD. He was in the middle of a flashback and thought he was being attacked by the Iraqi Guard. He was waving a gun but shot or hurt no one. He was shot and killed by the police. This is tragically referred to as “suicide by cop.” His family seeks to raise awareness of combat PTSD and the imp

We welcome the amazing Kate DeCosta back to the show! You can check out Episode 3 if you missed her the first time around. Kate struggled with major health issues for years and years, and nobody could figure out the cause. These ranged from digestive issues to being incorrectly being diagnosed as bipolar for 10 years. So Kate took charge and did a lot of research for years to discover that the issues stemmed from food sensitivities.  Not only is she now thriving, but she is helping others do the same (including yours truly) through her health coaching service, Integrate with Kate. And not only that, Kate has just published her eBook, Gut Feelings.  We talk about elimination diets, food allergies, intolerances, and food sensitivities. We also discuss the connection between gut health and brain health. Finally, we talk about Kate's amazing coaching business, Integrate With Kate as well as her Reiki practice.   This episode is dedicated to 22 Too Many Veteran: Courtney Rush “SSgt Courtney Jo Rush, USAF, was

Welcome back to another episode of Inspiring Journeys! Today, I’m thrilled to have the truly remarkable Mitzi Campbell join me.    Mitzi is a teacher, speaker, writer, and the host of the inspiring podcast, Blessons, where she invites guests to share their collected experiences, lessons, and blessings.  In addition to her podcast, Mitzi, along with Renee Vee, is co-hosting the Rich Thinking 2024 conference - Unlocking the Wealth of Wisdom. It will be held in Philadelphia, PA on September 6.    We discuss the importance of coming into alignment with yourself to live your life's purpose. All you have to do is take that first step, and you will see amazing things unfold. We also discuss the upcoming Rich Thinking Conference and the perks of networking and connecting. This episode is dedicated to 22 Too Many Veteran: Brandy Hanla August 1, 1985 – June 29, 2023 It’s so hard to sum up a person’s life into a few paragraphs – especially someone like Brandy. Brandy Alexandra Hanla (Chierici) She was born August 1st,

Welcome, everyone, to a very special episode of Inspiring Journeys! We've been on a little summer hiatus as I am working on some backend work for the show. One of the projects I'm working on is moving my original podcast Return to the '80s into the Inspiring Journeys feed, and branding this branch to GenX Journeys. I'll eventually move all the return to the '80s episodes that you will enjoy, and we will also include our monthly GenX Book Club. If there is interest, I will continue to record new GenX Journeys episodes.  And we will return to our flagship Inspiring Journeys episodes next month as we have some awesome guests lined up!  On this episode, we're taking a nostalgic detour under our new branch, GenX Journeys.  To kick off this exciting transition, we're reintroducing my very first podcast episode, originally recorded on Apr 22, 2016, where I had the pleasure of co-hosting with Robert Mishou. Together, we take a deep dive into the legendary band, Journey. My co-host Robert and I give some background

On this episode of Inspiring Journeys, Paul defies Ghostbuster Dr. Egon Spengler's advice about not crossing the streams as we welcome Suzanne Mattaboni, co-host of Paul's other show, The GenX Book Club, to this show. Suzanne is an award-winning writer and the author of the coming-of-age novel Once in a Lifetime, which is set in the 1980s. She recently released a 2nd edition of this book, and it is the June Book of the Month for The GenX Book Club   We talk about 70s and 80s pop culture, the writing and publishing process, and the necessity to be resilient and positive in order to survive and thrive in the publishing industry.   This episode is dedicated to 22 Too Many Veteran: Daniel LaBella Cpl Daniel James LaBella USMC January 16, 1987 – January 1, 2008 My brother and I grew up in Coram, NY. Ever since we were little, my older brother, Danny, always wanted to be in the Marines and go to war and have a family. We have three other brothers: Christopher, Jacob, and Patrick. My brother love

On this episode we are thrilled to welcome Angie Leitnaker. Angie’s journey through personal growth and overcoming grief has made her a passionate advocate for human potential. With 13 years of teaching experience and extensive work hosting global retreats, she has dedicated herself to helping others discover their inner greatness. Angie believes everyone wants to be seen, heard, and valued, and she emphasizes practical tools to not just survive, but truly thrive. Founder of C.A.P.E. Global, she empowers children and adults to break through barriers and achieve lasting fulfillment. Join us as we explore Angie’s inspiring journey and insights, and how can discover or rediscover your own inner greatness!   This episode is dedicsted to 22 Too Many veteran Andrew Saunders Andrew Jonathan Saunders, 25, passed away Wednesday, September 2, 2015. He was born in Asheville, NC on April 27, 1990 to Susan and William Saunders. Andrew went to school in Ridgecrest, CA where he found a love for playing mu

Today, we have a truly special guest with us: Molly Smith. Often described as the female “Ted Lasso,” Molly brings an infectious blend of grit and positivity to everything she does, earning her the endearing moniker #mollypositivepants. Molly is deeply committed to personal growth, the potential of those around her, and the success of the companies she leads. In March 2019, she made a life-altering decision to prioritize her health, a journey that not only transformed her own life but also inspired her to help others overcome similar obstacles. With her unique, self-deprecating humor and unwavering positivity, Molly has touched the lives of thousands. As the founder and Chief Positivity Officer of Next Best Step LLC, Molly is dedicated to helping people take their next best step in health, mindset, and purpose. A sought-after speaker for women’s groups and various podcasts, she is also working on her first book, "What the Funk?! How to Get Out of the Funk You Are In by Creating Alignment in Your Life." So,

Paul has signed up for his very first marathon! He will be running the Marine Corps Marathon on October 27 this year (2024).   Paul discusses his decision with Kerri, and talks about what led to this decision and they talk about the road ahead.   This episode is dedicated to 22 Too Many veteran:   Pamela Dowling US Marine Corporal Pamela K Dowling, born 1987, in Vermillion, South Dakota, beloved daughter of Kelli Dowling and Robert Hanson, beloved sister of Paige Dowling. Pamela was raised in Portland and Estacada, Oregon. She was a graduate of Estacada High School, and a graduate from the University of Phoenix with a Bachelors degree. Pamela recently left her job as a Social Worker to a Sales Counselor. Pamela joined the United States Marine Corps and was based at Camp Pendleton, in San Diego County, California. She deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan in support of the Global War on Terror. Cpl Dowling earned numerous awards and commendations during her honorable service, she attained the rank

Today we welcome Terry Yoffe to the show! Terry's journey is one of transformation and empowerment. After years in the corporate world, she broke those golden handcuffs and seamlessly transitioned into a role as an executive business coach. For the past 2 decades, Terry has been guiding her clients towards realizing their full potential. But Terry's impact doesn't stop there! As host of her own podcast, Extraordinary Work: Conversations about Creating Change, she shines a spotlight on those individuals who are making waves in their own spheres, driving positive change and innovation. Come listen to how Terry has constantly reinvented herself, taking herself to the next level each time, and be inspired knowing you have the ability to do the same thing! As this episode was recorded on May 5 - National Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day, this episode is dedicated to: Hanna Harris Hanna Harris was born on May 5, 1992, a citizen of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe. She was only 21 on July 4, 2013 whe

Inspiring Journeys' own Kerri Nelson, and Chris Marino, whose incredible story can be heard on Episode 8 of Inspiring Journeys, completed the 2024 Boston Marathon! We get to live vicariously through them on Marathon Monday as give their experiences from the Marathon Expo to the trip to the starting line, to the race itself. And a little potty talk in between.  This is a great episode for runners to either relive the historic marathon, or inspire them to want to run it. It is also great for non runners to go behind the scenes of a run.  This annual event is also the pinnacle of inspiration, which lives up to this podcast's name! By the time Kerri and Chris take the left on to Boylston, you'll be ready to lace up some running shoes yourself!   Also, this episode's 22 Too Many veteran is Dirk Dastrup March 22, 1999 – July 29, 2021 Dirk was an active-duty airman, stationed at Hurlburt Field in the Florida Panhandle. Dirk Anthony Dastrup, was born and raised in Benson, AZ. Dirk had a heart of go

On this episode, we welcome the incredible Russ Rogers to the show!  Russ is the author of a children's 5-book series, Today... He is also the founder of the movement called Movetoday365. He encourages everybody to get some movement in and get outside.  As a part of Movetoday365, on the second Saturday of every month, friends and family gather together with Russ and go for a 2 mile walk . This is done in Santa Cruz, Ca, but can be done virtually as well. In addition to discussing the origins and process of Russ writing the Today series, we talk about being active every day, and the importance of getting off devices and connecting in a real way.   This episode's 22 Too Many veteran is Daniel McCoy In Memory of PVT Daniel McCoy, US Army April 13, 1993 – July 10, 2022 Ft. Campbell, Kentucky “Daniel was unlike any human I’ve ever known. Smart, funny, loving, kind, and edgy! He was a sponge and soaked up information – he was smarter than most. He did life his way, and we respected that so much.  He loved hanging

The 128th Boston Marathon took place on April 15, 2024. Your host, Paul Stroessner was in attendance for both the marathon and the expo, and this is his report. This week's 22 Too Many veteran is David Simpson “My Cousin David took his own life. A few nights ago, he became one of the 22 US veterans that commit suicide daily. I know it was not always this way but it is this way now. This happens 22 times a day-people feel like I do starting 22 times a day. He was either the first or the last of the day. He said goodbye on the last day of May in the last hour in his time zone. The outcry of support was overwhelming. People know. This happens too much. He knew it happened too much. David became medically disabled. He had PTSD and had also contracted Lyme disease during his many years in service. When he returned from service, work within his community and with his fellow veterans became his service. Many also remember him from the video below. He fought for the rights of those four legged sold

On this episode, we welcome the incredible and inspirational Maurice Lowman, also known as the Marathon Panda.  Maurice had gone from hitting rock bottom on the streets of Rhode Island to living the life of High fives and positive vibes, being sober since March 12, 2015, and continuing an outdoor run streak since January 1, 2016! The 2024 Boston Marathon will be Maurice's 42nd marathon! He also runs half marathons and ultra marathons, and every other race you can think of! Maurice now lives an incredible life of positivity, gratitude, and hope. So come check out his story and be inspired! Maurice can be found on Instagram at @marathonpandamaurice You may also support Maurice's charity for the Marathon - The Herron Project This episode is also dedicated to the 22 Too Many veteran: James Balmonte January 17, 1998 – January 26, 2022 Load Master 21AS assigned to the 60th Air Mobility Wing, Travis AFB SSgt James L. Balmonte was an instructor loadmaster in the 21st Airlift Squadron assigned to t

The Inspiring Journeys podcast is off to a hot start, featuring all incredible guests. On this episode, Kerri and Paul reflect on the resilience, power, and inspiration of each guest.   Let us know if you had any takeaways from anybody on the show so far.   Ret. NYPD Detective Andrew Liakos and SBA Member, Ret. Sgt. Edward Scali, have teamed up with their company Midnight Platoon to create a thoughtful tribute in honor of Police Officer Jonathan Diller. All profits from the shirt sales will go direct to the Diller family.   In the past Midnight Platoon has raised considerable funds for the families of fallen NYPD officers. You can see the new shirts and sweatshirts created in honor of P.O. DIller at the following link: https://midnight-platoon.com/search?q=diller&options%5Bprefix%5D=last   Episode 1: Defeating Anxiety with Misty Johnson Misty can be found at: https://growwithmisty.com/ Facebook - Grow With Misty   Episode 2: Be Genuine with Jenn Gray Jenn can also be found on: Instagram: @imjenngray

We welcome Chris Marino back to the show! Chris was on episodes 51 and 52 of Journey of the Rhode Runner when he ran his first Boston Marathon in 2021. Then on December 3, 2022, while out on a run, Chris survived a widowmaker heart attack (which has a 10-20% survival rate). Not only has Chris survived, but is thriving. On April 15, 2024, Chris will be running his first Boston Marathon since his heart attack! In addition to his heart attack, we discuss Chris' son Braden and his rare disease, Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD), which prompted Chris to run the Boston Marathon to begin with. And if this was not enough to take in, 3 weeks before Chris' heart attack, his wife Katie suffered a seizure! In this epic-sode, we dive deep into each of these events. You will be truly inspired by this incredible Marino family! While many people would buckle under any of these events, the Marino family has not only survived, but are thriving!  This episode is also dedicated to the 22 Too Many hero: Ellis Weems “Ellis was born in