Raising the Bar: Recent Episodes
Amy Braido
Imagine if we all listened to the inner voice that tells us that we can do great things? What if you could take your negative life experience and turn it into a positive for others? Maybe these actions would impact the world, the community, or change the life of a single person. What if you were chosen to take a risk that seemed too big, ridiculously scary, or incredibly uncomfortable? What would you do with that prompting? Would you ignore it and believe it to be impossible or step up and attack the challenge? Listen to others as they teach us how to apply the proper skills to move forward in action, who accepted that tug on their heart, despite personal gain in some instances, and learn ways you can RAISE THE BAR for yourself and those around you, in order to create positive change and outcome. This show is about empowering ourselves to be our best while developing this belief in others for the common good of people.
Meet Maddie Black, the beautiful daughter of Ashley Black Guru! This girl isn't riding on any coat tails! She is a truly beautiful soul. You'll hear profound and wise words from this 17 year old high school senior. She's got such a discerning perspective on her passion to impact the world! Her strong faith and desire to learn as much as possible about being a servant, is so refreshing!
Please help me welcome Kapil Chaudhary to the show! He's a driven venture capitalist, philanthropist, and brilliant business man all around! His clear vision, passionate heart, and consistent effort are a pleasure to share! Hear how this kind hearted spirit founded an organization that provides business world mentors to high performing, under-resourced, high school students in the Chicagoland area, in order to guide them to success in getting into college and to graduation! Aside from that, Kapil's resume speaks for itself as far as success in the business world and he just keeps getting better! You'll love to begin using the recommendme app with all of your friends too! Be sure to tune in and hear more!
So excited for you to meet Janice Goldwater, founder of Adoptions Together! Learn about this great organization that takes all the guess work and much of the fear about the adoption journey! Adoptions Together offers support, hope, and learning for all involved, including the birth parents. They are such an amazing organization and a valuable resource to many families in the Maryland area and beyond! We share our personal experience with adopting older children, as well as the success that's been found to those blessed enough to work with this fine organization.
So excited for today's show! Meet Dick Anderson, Executive Director at Orphanetwork. Hear about how they are changing lives in Nicaragua! Not only are they interceding with care to families and children in order to prevent children from becoming an orphan statistic, they are engaging the church, and making a huge difference with their 'hand-up versus hand-out' efforts. Learn how this organization was started by a group of high school teens after a mission trip in the early 90's, and why they were so moved to serve in this area! Don't miss this!
Join me Thursday, September 1, as I welcome Jodi Jackson Tucker! She'll share her story about how her heart was pierced to not only serve orphans, expand her family through adoption, but to share a message of hope and encourage all people to help this cause. Her goal? To see the orphan crisis abolished within her lifetime. I have goosebumps just writing this!! We will be raw and candid in our thoughts, the stories we share, but also give directions on what can be done to begin the healing of this worldwide wound!
Please join me today as I welcome Joyce Moffit, Northern Chicago Area Chapter Director for Safe Families for Children. We will discuss the start of this organization and how you can participate. Some in helping todays at risk children and their parents! There are stressful times for every family. At times parents just need help to get on their feet and a reliable, safe place for their children while they do so. So what are parents to do if they have no family or friends to help in severely desperate times? We are here to answer those questions! There are alternatives to our children getting caught up in the system and becoming a statistic of abuse and jail time served. I look so forward to bringing you this great information and sharing how you can support this great cause!
Join me as I share with 2008 Olympic Alternate for women's wrestling, Founder of Wrestle Like A Girl -non profit-, and proudly serving in the US Army, Sally Roberts. Hear Sally's story of triumph over troubles and how getting involved in wrestling, literally saved her life! She's an amazing inspiration to young women and men alike! She shares of how a pattern of poor choices in a circumstance of low opportunity was not going to hold her back! This episode introduces many of you to the growing field of female wrestlers and you can't help but fall in love with the idea of getting involved! Don't miss it!
Plagued and embarrassed by her name, made worse by a nomadic childhood that made it impossible to build lasting relationships, Shenandoah Chefalo developed a tough skin at an early age. Along the way she learned to deal with disappointment, push through discomfort, overcome adversity and accurately gauge people, qualities that have helped her to succeed. After spending nearly 20 years as a Law Office Administrator, Shenandoah became unsettled by the ever revolving door of people into the criminal justice system and set out to find a way to change it. Please join me as she speaks about how she's taking action to change the lives of foster care children!
Jerrold Benford, is a father, teacher, graphic artist, social media phenom, and is slightly charismatic. (insert sarcasm here) His character and humor are an immediate draw to want to get to know him! He shares his journey of teachable moments, family life, and how he uses his stand up comedy adventure as an amazing opportunity to serve! Learn about how he and a friend developed an organization called, Comics That Give A Damn, using their stand up as a means to raise money for breast cancer and more! You'll enjoy this episode as I continue the theme of what I like to see...humor for healing! You'll want to tune in for sure!
I'm so excited for you to meet Pat Tomasulo! You may know him as the quick witted, morning sports anchor from the WGN News in Chicago or you've been lucky enough to see him do stand up! I've been a fan for years as his joking nature and sarcasm line right up with mine! What you may not know, is that through his gift of humor, he partners up with a great foundation to serve a cause very close to his heart. His heart being his wife, Amy. Together they partner their own organization, Laugh Your Face Off, with The Facial Pain Research Foundation, where they help raise funds and awareness for pain issues such as Trigeminal Neuralgia. Hear about how they rally crowds, host events, and bring laughs and smiles to many for such a great cause! You'll also laugh A LOT along the way!
What is Feed 60? What is this all about! Meet my business partner and teammate Nick Jongebloed. Through our simultaneous journey of self improvement in health, mindset, and careers, Nick has really gone that extra mile to set an example for us all! Hear how he took a 16 week health and fitness challenge and took his winnings and was able to bless the community! Taking note of some of the before, during, and afterschool meal programs available to the under resourced, Nick wanted to find a way to contribute. Fast forward, this has started a movement within an entire company to share over 30,000 meals to children in need all over the country this year alone! Hear how you can get fit and get kids fed! Paying it forward has never felt so good!
Get ready to be inspired to make a change for your body and your heart! Hear the real history of what caused this intelligent, strong, savvy woman, to conceptualize and create the Fasciablaster and build a company that would change the lives of over 100,000 people! Through her own journey of pain, diligent studying, and a never ending desire to learn, Ashley has been able to work with such clients as Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire, and billionaire CEO's, and bring them to a place of balance and pain free living! In parallel to all of her corporate endeavors, her heart for serving is the true motivator for all she does. It's with absolute joy to bring you this episode!
Meet Joe DeSena, founder of the amazing Spartan Race and Spartan Inc. Joe is a true example of mental and physical strength, with a drive to help and serve others. The catch? You better want to push yourself! There's no time to be soft when life that's given as a gift! Hear about his upbringing, his work ethic, and his open door policy and his no BS lifestyle! Do you have what it takes?
Listen in, as my guest Ashley Johns shares about her breakdown turned breakthrough moment, that truly changed her life! Living for someone else's dream and dollar, she found herself stuck in the fake it til you make it rat race. Learn how to really look deep into yourself, and set yourself free from life on the hamster wheel and rid yourself of the lies you tell yourself! You'll be equipped with the tools to start NOW, and let go of the anxiety of living an unfulfilled life. Join us this episode and learn how you can band together with a great community of women, discover what armor you need, and get ready to start living life FIERCE FORWARD!
We had tremendous response to our first episode with Randi Fine and her expertise on Narcissistic Abuse Disorder! After sifting through many emails, I found one that really grabbed my attention and one that I thought many could relate to. Please tune in as Randi and I dissect the experience of one victim and share with you the steps we can take as victims to stop the abuse! Looking so forward to sharing more with you! You will not want to miss this!
Find a quiet space and please join me in talking to Abadir Seid Fantahun. Also known as son to my husband and I, as we adopted him in our hearts years ago. Though not legally adopted, we talk about how our relationship began, how it's grown, and how Abadir has taught us that no matter what the circumstance, there's always a reason to serve those with less than we have. Hear about Abadir's journey, as he was abandoned as a young child, and left ill and for dead on the streets of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Only to be saved by authorities, treated for his illness, and raised in the Kolfe Boys Home, moved forward with his education, and is now counseling young boys and girls to grow into amazing citizens. These details are just the tip of the ice berg! Cannot wait to share this with you!
Meet Scot Pollard, taller than average guy, family man, and funnier than many of his old hairstyles! Oh! He was also just voted off of Survivor and had a great stint in the NBA. You may have heard of him? (sarcasm) br There's a lot that makes him tick, and he's not too shy to talk about anything. You'll be inspired by his acts of paying it forward and relieved to know that, SURPRISE SURPRISE, he's human and deals with a lot of the same things that all of us normal folks do! Join in on the fun & get yourself moving to do something to better those around you!
Imagine a world where people wake up inspired to go to work. Imagine a world in which trust and loyalty are the rule rather than the exception. br Please join me, as I have the pleasure of sharing in humble conversation with the one and only, Mr. Simon Sinek! Hear him speak from the heart about his joy in sharing the gift of WHY. As we speak, he challenges me on my own why and where I should be setting expectations for my own goals. In turn, he uses those examples as a lesson to all of our listeners. What an amazing learning experience for all of us! You can't help but be inspired and called to take action! This is a life changing episode!
Were you abused in the past or currently being abused by a Narcissist? How do you identify a narcissist in your relationship? Tune in and meet Randi Fine, a Life Issues Counselor, and expert on Narcissistic Abuse Disorder. The facts are astounding and the victims are far too many. Learn how to break free from abuse, coping skills toward healing, and live a life of freedom and hope! You will not want to miss this incredible, informative episode!
Tune in and meet Shannon Elizabeth! A multi talented actress, entrepreneur, and animal activist. She'll grab your attention with mind blowing facts about how wild animal trafficking affects all of us. Hear how her passion for saving animal lives with her organization, Animal Avengers, has evolved from a shelter in L.A. to a flourishing organization serving in Africa! br What she has experienced in her travels will rock you to the core, probably change your perspective about crime against wild animals and poaching, and motivate you to get involved! You do NOT want to miss this!
Allow me to introduce Andrew Gordon, Northwestern grad, structural engineer, and creator of Barebones Choppers. Hear how self challenge, a constant desire for learning, and executing vision through talent and creativity, have stretched and grown this self-made man. Sometimes questioning everything, pushing the envelope, and breaking the mold, can lead to successes and opportunities far greater than doing what most expect of you!
Today I get to introduce you to the full hearted, Valencia Breckenridge, Major Gifts Officer at Feed My Starving Children. She introduces us to this 28 year old organization that is making such a major impact on world hunger! Hear how you can get involved and make a difference!!
Carol Fruin is a mother, speaker, and author. After she and her husband lost their son Grant to suicide in 2009, they found their family and community in a state of shock and despair. However, the despair did not remain.
Please tune in to hear how Carol, her family, and their community came together in such a painful circumstance, only to be able to bless so many through this loss. Hear how this tragic event brought hundreds to faith, friendship, and left them with a lesson to live joyfully, abundantly, and faithfully.
Please tune in today, as we get real about the plague of anxiety and depression in today's youth. I welcome expert Sandra Reich, Founder of the Montreal Center for Anxiety and Depression, and my son Joseph Braido. Joey shares his experience with anxiety, depression, and his story of climbing out of sadness after a suicide attempt. This hour of heartfelt, raw, conversation on the battles faced by many of our children today, could bring you or someone you know a message of reachable hope! Join us in learning that there is light in this dark time of being overly connected, in a world that lacks human interaction.
Stepping out of your comfort zone isn't always easy! So many aren't brave enough to do so. Today, we'll talk about listening to the promptings that stir your soul and being ready to respond to what's being asked of you. The fact is, some of us are never ready for the challenge, but tackle the obstacles anyway! Today, we'll talk about getting out of our comfort zone and hear how Kristin Choitz and her family are about to change all that they know by trading life in the U.S. for a chance to serve the impoverished in Zambia.
When the unthinkable happens to parents and their children are lost through illness or tragedy, finding hope can seem impossible. Today, I have the absolute honor of introducing you to Rick and Beth Olsen. They lost both of their children tragically and want to share with you how they not only survived, but how they find hope in each new day! Learn about the journey they took across the country and across the globe to find healing, peace, and a renewed sense of joyful living. If you've ever experienced loss of a loved one, you will NOT want to miss this!
Please join me in meeting Mr. Silouan Green, speaker, father, veteran, and survivor of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Listen as Silouan captures your attention by taking you on his journey of recovery. From injury and trauma, addiction to pain pills, and suicidal thoughts, to finding his path of healing, faith, and personal exploration, this now married, father of 8, shares his struggles and triumphs and gives you the tools you need to overcome your own battles as well!
Today, your sarcastic, serious, humorous, and heartfelt questions will be answered by the experts! Well, the only experts I could find that I knew would be an entertaining edition to the show! Meet up with me, Executive Producer Jeremy Bornman and Ryan Treasure, Vice President of Broadcast Operations. We will put these two on the hot seat to finally get the brain of men figured out! Their bio's describe their day jobs, but we are going to dive deep and get to the heart of what makes these two men tick. This light-hearted episode is sure to bring a smile to your face, possibly make you shake your head, but never keep you guessing! Well, you might still be guessing...
Join me today as I have the pleasure of dishing about random acts of kindness, the importance of laughter, and a whole lot of HAPPY!! My guests today are William Geheren and Kate Cutin Hein, the talent of their own local radio show here in the Chicago suburbs, these two have really made their mark locally and I can't wait for you to connect with them as I have!
Today we talk to Aimee Suyko about how to see light amidst breast cancer diagnosis, treatment, and beyond! Listen in as two friends chat away about the process from the patient/friend point of view and how through it all... You truly can choose to Live Life Sunny Side Up!
Join us as Joe Kettner and Michelle Domino from CKMC (Cancer Kiss My Cooley) share their personal experiences in dealing with family and friends enduring childhood cancer. Hear how the Kettner family, after the loss of their son Carter, found strength, humor, and hope through making other people's wishes come true. They made it their mission, along with Michelle and volunteers from Carter's Crew to create lasting memories for other affected families. Such an amazing, inspiring story! You won't want to miss it!
We all set goals, have dreams, and want to make positive changes. Then why is it that so many times we fall short? Do obstacles appear or do we get in our own way? Tune in to hear what Dr. Alok Trivedi has to say about the way we think, what we are using as motivation, and learn about some of the keys to aligning our beliefs and desires in order to reach our goals!
Join me, as I invite you to meet the beautiful Lori Harder! We will discuss what we have in common as women, friends, and in business. Listen as we share about necessary, life changing mind shift and how it will allow you to find your Bliss! Learn how ridding yourself of limiting self belief can change the scope greatness and gratitude in your life, it's impact on others, and the world around you!