Episode #50 on The Growth and Resilience Network® podcast channel examines core issues associated with adoption. Our guest, John Longbottom, shares his experiences as an adopted child, his ups and downs, and his takeaways regarding adoption. He helps us examine the triad of adoption: The Adoptee, The Adopted Parents, and the Birth Parents. While th…

Episode #49 on The Growth and Resilience Network® podcast channel, dives into the emotional, wrenching, jolting, transformative subject of how a parent deals with the death of a child. Does one ever "deal" with it? If so, how? If not, why not? Abby and Michael Steele will help the listening audience understand how they navigated these uncharted wat…

This episode on The Growth and Resilience Network® podcast channel explores the connection between a community’s vitality and access to sustainable homeownership. Beaches Habitat for Humanity President and CEO Curtis Ford and Mary Anne Christensen, Development Director, help us examine how Beaches Habitat helps build communities within a community,…

This episode on The Growth and Resilience Network® podcast channel explores the DNA of bands—from the perspective of the women in the band. Beyond the musical talent, what is the "x" factor that keeps the bands together, making music, and connecting with their audiences. In short, what is the "It" of successful bands. And, are there gender dynamics…

This episode on The Growth and Resilience Network® podcast channel explores the DNA of bands. Beyond the musical talent, what is the "x" factor that keeps the bands together, making music, and connecting with their audiences. In short, what is the "It" of successful bands. Seasoned musicians and band members/leaders Brother John Mortensen, The Lege…

Community transformation does not just appear. It requires vision, thought, communication, respect, difficult questioning, and attentive listening. Transformational leaders help orchestrate that communal dance. They recognize that establishing a “shared vision” requires tough conversations. Everyone around the table typically sees his or her agenda…

This episode explores how a beach community (Atlantic Beach, Florida) came together to create a venue for musical dreams that in turn helps create pathways for other rainbows. And when that happens, hope lives. When people take time to listen to and give gratitude for the gifts of others, community strengthens. As Izzy sings in one of her original …

Episode #43: Trust as a Core Value takes us inside The Clara White Mission (www.theclarawhitemission.org) in Jacksonville, Florida. Today the Clara White Mission feeds, houses, educates, and ministers to the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of the homeless and low-income. Regardless of the service provided, the goal is to provide relevant t…

This SPECIAL podcast episode complements my latest book "Community as a Safe Place to Land." The book builds on 7 core values for purpose and growth—7 core values that can help communities grow: relationships, relevance, resources, rainbows, responsibility, reflection, and resilience. They all inter-connect and support one another. As followers of …

Episode #42 looks at one community's challenges and hope. When people move toward their collective rainbows—their dreams—the community can see all manner of hope and possibility. Whether they seem impossibly distant or close at hand, they need to marshal strength, energy, and resources to move forward. The community members step up and take respons…

his episode of The Growth and Resilience Network® podcast channel focuses on the power of resources for community building and sustainability. If you look for the best resource in a community, look to the people. A community is more than bricks, mortar, stores, streets, and parks. Those, to be sure are important resources…but it’s the people who re…

Episode #40 of The Growth and Resilience Network® podcast channel explores the importance of relationships to building and sustain a community. This is part of The 7Rs for Purpose and Growth. The Reverend Billy Hester of Savannah's Asbury Memorial United Methodist Church, along with Lay Leader, Preston Hodges, Jr., explain how a congregation not on…

Episode #39 of The Growth and Resilience Network® podcast channel explores the interconnections of community, resilience, relationships, and breast cancer. You will hear from two Jacksonville, Florida community activists who have been voices for the countless women facing a breast cancer diagnosis. One as a survivor, and one as an organizer for sur…

Episode #38 of The Growth and Resilience Network podcast channel explores the world of improv comedy. What is it? Why do it? How does it benefit our world and the people who perform it? Co-founders of the Mad Cowford Improv Comedy troupe (http://www.madcowford.com/) Rachel Stromberg and Johnny K break it down for us. Music ("T2D") by ©Billy Bowers …

Welcome to the Third Anniversary Celebration of The Growth and Resilience Network® podcast channel. Here, in 30 minutes, you will be able to grab the best of the best. The best my conversation guests had to share during the past 12 months. Twenty guests offered insights about 4 themes: 1. Importance of being true to yourself; 2. Power of relationsh…

Episode #36. "How Can You Help Heal The World?" examines the topic of animal-assisted intervention. Reverend Elizabeth Teal help us understand pet therapy/service dogs/working dogs help people access their life, liberty, and happiness. She share insights about the qualities of therapy dogs, basic skills, and, her basic message that we all have the …

Episode #35. "Confidence from the Inside Out While Hanging Upside Down: The Power of Pole Dancing" examines the attraction, challenge, and transformation pole dancing has for its adherents. Shannon Burbridge (www.auraaerialandyoga.com), Carol Cullen, and Chrisite Loesch help us understand a form of fitness they say addresses the whole person (physc…

Episode #34: "Promoting Original Music, Local Musicians, and Touring Performers." Concert Presenter Ray Lewis and Performing Songwriter Mike Shackelford speak about the importance of quality venues for our performing artists. ©Steve Piscitelli. www.stevepiscitelli.com The Growth and Resilience Network® Music by Billy Bowers (www.billybowersjax.com)…

In Episode #33 on The Growth and Resilience Network® podcast channel, Attorneys Camille Wilson and Fernando Dutra (www.wilsondutra.com) share ideas, strategies, and insights about protecting intellectual property. Topics include: performing due diligence when contracting with an attorney, reasons to protect your intellectual property, a mistake cre…

Former teaching colleague and current Director of Development for The Arc of Alachua County, Mark Johnson stopped by The GRN studio to guest host this episode. His guest? Me. Yes, we turned the tables and he interviewed me about the promises and challenges of public education. Our topics ranged from the power of a good teaching, to the importance o…

For Episode #31 we visit with visual artist, Gary Mack. He shares his views and experiences when it comes to the interplay between art, community, passion, drive, connections, influence, and resilience. For more about Gary and his creations from the heart, go to www.garymackart.com. The Growth and Resilience Network® ©2017. Steve Piscitelli. All ri…

This episode follows up on a topic we explored in our April 2017 podcast titled “Enhancing Life Through Sports and Recreation" (https://youtu.be/imSNwj8aEsE). We had a specific focus at that time on people with disabilities. In addition to the usual work-life demands, our friends, family members, co-workers, and neighbors with disabilities have a f…

This episode looks into the connection between growth, resilience and accommodations for our students. While there are laws/mandates that guide accommodation requests and approval, what happens if a student does not get what he/she needs? How can students advocate for themselves—and how can parents advocate for their children? Sometimes the process…

My guests for Episode #28 take a look at leadership as it relates to elementary school students. And their perspective is that of student leaders. Listen to four 5th grade students who lead their 1st-5th grade classmates at Atlantic Beach Elementary School (Florida). How do they help themselves and their classmates reflect and grow when it comes to…

June 2017 marks the second anniversary of The Growth and Resilience Network(TM) podcast channel. Join me for this retrospective of the guests who took time to share insights about growth and resilience. I have grouped the clips into categories (with a few guests to each category). Here are the approximate points at which each category starts: *It's…

Episode guest and experienced middle school teacher John Louis Meeks, Jr. helps us examine resilience as it relates to middle school students. 6th, 7th and 8th grade students. How do we help them reflect and grow when it comes to experiences with failure, for instance? Or bullying? Or simply the trials and tribulation of early adolescences? And wha…

Occupational Therapist and Program Manager Alice Krauss gives us an inside look at a free, community-based multi-sport program that serves individuals living with physical and/or visual disability. She tells us how Brooks Adaptive Sports and Recreation nurtures a higher quality of life with its holistic focus on Fun, Fitness, and Friendship! You ca…

This month's podcast episode explores the topic of women and and their involvement (or lack of involvement) with community development. Guest speaker, Chris Hoffman (City Council Member, Business Owner, Executive Director) reflects on why more women are not involved in community development--and what needed resources they can bring to the conversat…

Songwriter, guitar player, and entertainer Neil Dixon joins us for this episode. Neil shares his insights about the art of songwriting. "Listen to your heart," Neil advises. Along the way, Neil will share insights about writing, connecting with an audience, and being true to one's self on this journey. Music by Billy Bowers (www.billybowersjax.com)…

For this episode, we take a different perspective as we look at resilience and it’s relationship to climate. Scientist and environmental consultant Adam Hoyles. www.onsiteec.com helps us move through the rhetoric. Among other topics, Adam will help us understand why we should care about climate change, why it's so controversial, and the human impac…

Public radio host, reporter and producer Melissa Ross helps us examine resilience and the media. The various forms of mass media are often piled on for real or perceived shortcomings and failings. The reality is that “it” is not some disembodied entity. Our media is made up of people….the reporters, the journalists, anchors, directors, producers, h…

A wonderfully instructive and illuminating conversation with centenarian, Dr. Frances Bartlett Kinne. This young-at-heart woman has known and worked with celebrities and leaders from around the world. Uplifting and positive with practical wisdom. Among her numerous achievements, Dr. Kinne was the first woman to serve as dean of a fine arts college,…

The GRN October podcast takes a look into the connection between growth, resilience and life with physical impairments. Specifically, we will hear from a young woman who is Dual Sensory Impaired (both visually and auditory-wise; sometimes this is referred to as “deafblindness.”) And while setbacks present themselves, she is thriving--an inspiring e…

This podcast presents a powerful series of stories from the Children's Program at The Sulzbacher Center in Jacksonville, Florida.Program Manager, Maxine Engram guides us through the challenges and successes that homeless children have. It truly does take a village. The Growth and Resilience Network (TM). Podcast (c) 2016. Steve Piscitelli. All righ…

If we want to change anything, we have to notice what we are doing. We have to have an awareness—we have to shine a spotlight on that thing. In the studio to help us sort through how to become aware, question assumptions and create actions are two award-winning Associate Professors from Wake Technical Community College in Raleigh, NC: Emily Moore a…

This episode focuses on the connection of music to wellbeing, community, creativity, and resilience. It's a bit longer than my other episodes due to the nature of the recording and the number of guests who volunteered to participate on this particular evening. Recorded live at Brucci's Pizza (Jacksonville, FL) during a music event in May of 2016. V…

For this episode we look into growth and resilience for ex-offenders. How do they “bounce back” and become an integral and functioning member of their communities and for their families? In fact, we will see how it is impossible to separate the offender from the community when it comes to resilience. To help us sort through some of this is Mr. Kevi…

GRN took to the road to bring you the powerful story of an organization whose mission is to serve and advocate for an under-served population in north-central Florida. We traveled to Gainesville, Florida, to have a conversation with representatives of The Arc of Alachua County (www.arcalachua.org). The Arc has two basic functions. First and foremos…

Kirk Farber, Executive Director of F.A.C.E. (www.face4kids.org), stopped by the GRN Studio to share how he and his organization makes a difference in the lives of school children. He shares insights about how he helps students tap into fitness and character development. Music by Billy Bowers. Used with permission. (c) Billy Bowers. www.billybowersj…

Pepper Lindsey, CEO of Lindsey Films, stopped by the GRN Studio to share her experiences as an entrepreneur and film producer. She shares insights about her early influences, working with her soulmate, and how to stay relevant and resilient in a very competitive field. She also challenges the listeners with "How do you define success? What is succe…

Join us for a wide-ranging conversation about priorities that include: family first, meaningful communication, trust, the wise use of technological resources, and maintaining balance. My guest, Brian Crawford (a businessman), will share his insights and practical strategies for working parents. "Follow your heart," Brian advises. Music (c) Billy Bo…

Join us for this inspiring conversation about attitude, behavior and personal drive. Eileen Crawford shares heart-warming personal stories and professional insights about growing up and thriving with vision impairment. For more information on Eileen, a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, please visit: http://counselingforfamilyhealth.com/ACFH/Eileen.…

Physical fitness is part of life fitness. Why do many of us "fall off the fitness wagon"? Personal trainer (and competitive power lifter) Charles Bailey provides insights from nearly 30 years working with people on their life fitness goals. As Charles points out, we were born with this body--shouldn't we learn it, know it, take care of it? He also …

A conversation with award-winning writer Matt Soergel about how all of us can find inspiration in what we do. Curiosity, integrity, trust and discipline are a few of the topics we discuss. The takeaway: We all have the potential to make a difference in our community. Podcast (c) 2015. Steve Piscitelli. Music by Billy Bowers. For more information go…

Listen in as our episode guest, the Reverend Don R. Lynn, provides insights on resilience and how to find our own thin places. A few of our topics on the way to resilience and thin places include: making meaning, reflecting on our actions, understanding boundaries, and recognizing assumptions. Music by Billy Bowers. All rights reserved (c). Used wi…

Steve Piscitelli has a conversation with Katie Mahan, a working mother with insights to share on well-being and balance. With humor and analysis, Katie helps us scratch the surface on some fundamental questions about work-life balance for working parents--from the mother's perspective. Soundtrack (T2D) by Billy Bowers(c), all rights reserved; used …

Steve Piscitelli has a conversation with songwriter and visual artist Shawn Eager in this concluding episode of the Creativity podcast. Topics in this episode include: inspiration; completing the process; importance of story; confidence; persistence; criticism and feedback. Shawn finishes with a 3 step Call-to-Action. For more on Shawn, please visi…

Steve Piscitelli has a conversation with songwriter and visual artist Shawn Eager. Topics in this episode include: defining creativity; creative spark and spirit; importance of teachers; connection of art and creativity; listening to the internal dialogue; and mental locks and schooling. For more on Shawn, please visit www.reverbnation.com/shawneag…

In this second part of a two-part podcast, Dr. John Wall and I examine the characteristics of effective leadership. Be sure to click on Episode#2: Transformational Leadership (Part 1) to hear the beginning of this podcast on leadership. Thanks for tuning in! Make it a great day.

In this first part of a two-part podcast, educator Dr. John Wall and I examine the characteristics of effective leadership. The conclusion of this conversation will be aired in Episode#3: Transformational Leadership (Part 2). Music ("T2D") by (c) Billy Bowers.