
Hosted by Patricia Raskin · EN

A veteran surgeon looks back on his seven decades in medicine, with insights into how the healthcare system has changed, as well as how he has changed, including in his eighth decade learning to live with the diagnosis of mild Alzheimer's disease From the age of eleven in 1951, Anthony Goodman, MD, knew he wanted to be a doctor—specifically, a surgeon. He never wavered from his calling, even as he worked his way through challenging medical school and residency programs. After almost three decades in a thriving surgical practice, realizing how much he and medicine had changed, he took off in a new direction, to focus on teaching the next generation of doctors. Now in his eighties, Dr. Goodman is dedicated to raising awareness of how the practice of medicine has dramatically changed from the 20th century while also making the most of his life, with renewed purpose, after an unexpected diagnosis of mild Alzheimer's disease. In GREAT SAVES AND TERRIBLE LOSSES: The Journeys of a Surgeon Dr. Goodman recounts memorable events from his career as a surgeon from 1967 to 1993, before miracles such as CAT scans, MRIs, and minimally invasive surgery. This riveting memoir follows Dr. Goodman through a career that took him around the world, through his retirement from the practice of surgery and into his second career as a professor and author. He reveals his approach to coping with his mild Alzheimer's diagnosis, as not only a patient but now as a well-educated MD with a steep curve learning about the ever-changing nature of this disease, its impact as well as pathology, and options for management. Fans of TV dramas such as The Pitt and The Resident will be gripped by Dr. Goodman's accounts of grueling and daunting surgical procedures. These include stanching the bleeding of a woman who had sustained more than thirty stab wounds at the hands of her husband, during an assault Dr. Goodman witnessed in the dimly lit tunnel beneath Boston City Hospital on his way to work, to successfully removing a steel antenna, from a car radio, lodged through the eye and into the brain of a seven-year-old girl. Between describing harrowing moments in the ER and OR, Dr. Goodman captures what it was like to be a young doctor during his heyday. Along with acknowledging radical improvements in diagnostic tools and surgical technologies over the decades, he sheds light on how the medical system continues to undermine doctors and all healthcare providers, prioritizing corporate profits over patient care. Dr. Goodman discusses: · How, in the 1980s and '90s, an emphasis on following the efficiency protocols of hospital administrators and avoiding malpractice lawsuits led to alienating and separating doctors from the very people they were trying to heal—and what today's doctors can do to restore the trust of their patients and protect their own capacity to feel compassion for the suffering of others. · How standard medical school and residency practices—from requiring grueling work schedules, with little time off to get adequate sleep let alone spend time with family, and teaching through humiliation—can do significant harm to future doctors, physically, mentally, and emotionally. Unfortunately, this is a practice that continues today well into the 21st century. · The value of treating the whole patient—body, mind, and spirit—and exploring ways to include traditional medicine, partly based on Dr. Goodman's experience working for the US Public Health Service at the Navajo Nation Indian Reservation. · The real threats to the very lives of doctors and all healthcare providers during the late 20th century from contact with a new breed of emerging deadly viruses, including hepatitis, Ebola, AIDS, and most recently, COVID-19—and what the healthcare system can do to educate and empower the public on how to protect themselves without escalating fears. In addition, Dr. Goodman, along with his wife, talks about his personal experience with mild Alzheimer's disease—from the shock of receiving the dreaded diagnosis to his everyday coping strategies, care and drug regimen with a respected specialist, and hope for living out his life with meaning and joy. ABOUT THE AUTHOR ANTHONY A. GOODMAN, MD, FACS, graduated from Harvard, earned his medical degree from Cornell Medical College, and trained as a surgical intern and resident at the University of Michigan Medical Center in Ann Arbor. He completed his surgical training and served as chief resident at the Harvard Surgical Service of Boston City Hospital, New England Deaconess Hospital, the Lahey Clinic, and Cambridge Hospital. For twenty years, he worked as a general surgeon in South Florida and served as a clinical associate professor of surgery at the University of Miami School of Medicine. In addition, he served as a surgeon with the US Army Medical Corps during the Vietnam War and on Project HOPE's hospital ship in Jamaica. He was also a visiting professor of surgery at the Christchurch Clinical School of Medicine in New Zealand, an adjunct professor of medicine in the WWAMI Medical Sciences Program of Montana State University, an affiliate professor in the Department of Biological Structure at the University of Washington School of Medicine, and a lecturer for the Great Courses. His previous books include None but the Brave: A Novel of the Surgeons of World War II, The Shadow of God: A Novel of War and Faith, and Never Say Die: A Doctor and Patient Talk about Breast Cancer.

DESCRIPTION In this episode, Thomas Attig will expalin what it truly means to live in the aftermath of loss. Drawing from his latest book, Seeking Wisdom in Death's Shadows, Tom shares profound insights into how the death of a loved one can feel disorienting, overwhelming, and all-consuming like losing the very breath that sustains us. Together, we examine what it means to be in the "grip of suffering," why grief is more than something that simply happens to us, and how it becomes a process of relearning how to live in a changed world. Thomas introduces his powerful philosophy of grief as an active, deeply human journey one that calls us to engage with pain, mystery, and transformation rather than avoid them. Listeners will also discover how emotions can guide us toward our deepest needs, the importance of "sorrow-friendly practices," and why presence, compassion, and wisdom-based caregiving matter so much during times of loss. With warmth and clarity, Thomas offers both comfort and perspective for anyone navigating grief or supporting others through it. GUEST BIO Thomas Attig is an applied philosopher, author, and internationally respected leader in the field of grief and bereavement. Widely known for his groundbreaking work on grief as a process of "relearning the world," Tom has spent decades helping mourners, caregivers, and counselors better understand the complexities of loss and healing. He is the author of several influential books, including How We Grieve: Relearning the World, The Heart of Grief, Catching Your Breath in Grief, and his most recent collection, Seeking Wisdom in Death's Shadows. His work blends philosophy, compassion, and practical wisdom to support those navigating the profound challenges of loss. Thomas has been featured in podcasts, hospice and bereavement programs, and international conversations on resilience and healing. Known for his clear, warm, and deeply human approach, he continues to guide individuals and communities in finding meaning, strength, and wisdom in the face of grief. LINKS: https://griefsheart.com/?i=1

DESCRIPTION Yemi Sekoni will join the podcast to share insights from her decades of experience in the fashion, entertainment, and creative industries. As the owner and director of Donahue Models & Talent and the founder of Rhode Island Fashion Week, she will discuss the evolution of the modeling industry, what it takes to build and sustain a creative business, and how emerging talent can break into fashion and entertainment today. She will also talk about mentorship, entrepreneurship, and the importance of creating platforms that uplift diverse voices and emerging designers. Drawing from her extensive community involvement and volunteer work, Yemi would share how fashion and the arts can be powerful tools for community engagement, youth empowerment, and economic opportunity. Listeners will gain practical advice, behind-the-scenes industry perspectives, and inspiration from her journey as a creative leader and advocate for the arts. GUEST BIO Yemi Sekoni is a fashion industry leader, talent developer, and creative entrepreneur with more than 40 years of experience in modeling, entertainment, and event production. She is the owner and director of Donahue Models & Talent, where she develops and represents models, actors, and creatives across New England. Yemi is also the founder and executive producer of Rhode Island Fashion Week, a platform that highlights emerging designers and celebrates creativity, diversity, and innovation in fashion. A dedicated community advocate, Yemi actively volunteers her time mentoring young creatives, supporting local nonprofits, and contributing to arts and cultural initiatives throughout Rhode Island. She frequently partners with community organizations, participates in panels and educational programs, and uses fashion and creative events as platforms to raise awareness, create opportunities for youth, and give back to the community. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sekoni/ Instagra: https://www.instagram.com/yemi.sekoni/?hl=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sekoni/

DESCRIPTION *]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" tabindex="-1" data-turn-id= "request-WEB:c603fe0b-a46a-4c82-a8c3-a96c1aebc9a2-0" data-testid= "conversation-turn-2" data-scroll-anchor="true" data-turn= "assistant"> Jeff Weiss will share insights into the opportunity and power of the 55+ market, addressing why older adults are often overlooked or misrepresented in traditional marketing and what brands are missing by ignoring this demographic. He'll unpack findings from Age of Majority's research, including how stereotypes about aging distort consumer strategies and how businesses can better design products, campaigns, and experiences that resonate with active agers, people who are living longer, more vibrant lives and hold significant buying power. Jeff will also discuss practical approaches to influencer and persona-based marketing for older audiences, the evolving behaviors and preferences of people 55+, and how companies can innovate to capitalize on unmet needs and shift outdated perceptions. His talk is both strategic and inspiring, aimed at reframing aging as an opportunity rather than a challenge. GUEST BIO Jeff Weiss is the President and CEO and Chief EvAGElist Officer of Age of Majority, a research-driven marketing consultancy dedicated to helping brands and organizations better understand and engage with the 55+ consumer market one of the largest and most economically powerful demographic segments today. With over 30 years of experience in marketing on both the client and agency sides, Jeff has worked with major global brands including Pepsi, Gillette, Dannon, Unilever and Whirlpool. Early in his career, he recognized a blind spot in how older adults were perceived and marketed to, which led him to found Age of Majority to break myths, stereotypes and stigmas around aging in the older consumer landscape. Jeff's work combines research, practical insights, and strategic consulting to drive real business impact and change outdated assumptions about aging in society and commerce. Website: https://www.ageofmajority.com/

DESCRIPTION: Paula Marshall, author of Finding the Soul of Big Business, is the CEO of Bama Companies, a family-owned business founded in 1927. Her vision serves as a guiding light for Bama team members, inspiring the company to live out its mission: "People Helping People Be Successful." Paula stepped into the role of CEO in 1984 and has led Bama through years of growth while staying true to its people-first roots. Today, Bama is a global organization that includes Bama Pie, Bama Foods, Bama Frozen Dough, Beijing Bama, and Bama Europa. Paula is known for blending strong business leadership with heart, focusing on servant leadership, meaningful work, and creating lasting impact for employees, customers, and communities. GUEST BIO As CEO of Bama Companies, Paula provides strategic direction and leadership across the organization. Her vision guides Bama team members and inspires the company to live out its mission, "People Helping People Be Successful." Paula took on the role of CEO in 1984, leading a company that has since grown to include Bama Pie, Bama Foods, Bama Frozen Dough, Beijing Bama, and Bama Europa. Under her leadership, Bama has expanded its reach, offering a wide range of frozen desserts and baked goods to fast-food chains as well as casual and family dining restaurants. Paula earned her Bachelor of Science in business from Oklahoma City University in 1982 and later completed her PhD in commercial science there in 1993. She is the author of four books and believes that successful business leaders must embrace both entrepreneurship and strong management to truly thrive. https://thepaulamarshall.com/story/ https://paulamarshallfoundation.org/

DESCRIPTION Debra Parent, PHR, SHRM-CP, CHHR can expand upon a wide range of recruitment topics including How to improve the Candidate Experience, Make the boss apply and see for himself Top Four Unique Job Search Tactics for Your Job Search in 2026, From a Highly Successful Recruiter Recruitment Playbook, 20 Plays to Attract Great Employees to Your Business Top Tips to Improve Your Careers Page Cash is King, How to Insure You are Able to Attract Top Talent Differentiation is the Key, How to Improve Your Employer Brand Why Would You Ever Consider Using a Professional Recruiter Top Recommendations to Hang onto that New Hire For Small Businesses, How to Make Recruiting Easier DYI Recruiter, How to Effectively Recruit on Your Own How is Recruiting Different Today Than Year's Past The New Recruiting Paradigm Business's Must Adopt What Candidates Want Today How To Write a Compelling Job Post Who In Your Company is Working on Improving Candidate Experience. GUEST BIO Debra J. Parent, PHR, SHRM-CP, CHHR, is a highly credentialed human resources professional with an MBA from Husson University and a BS in Human Resources from UMass Dartmouth. She holds six national certifications, including Professional in Human Resources (PHR), SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP), Certified in Healthcare Human Resources (CHHR) through the American Hospital Association, SHRM Talent Acquisition Specialty Certification, HRCI Talent Acquisition Certification, and a Certified Coaching Certification. Debra serves as a member of the UMass Dartmouth Charlton College of Business Advisory Board and is a former Human Resources Management Professor at UMass Dartmouth and Bristol Community College. She is actively involved in several professional organizations, including NEHRA, SHRM, Provisors, My Pinnacle, and Worthy Circles. Debra's work is guided by her core company values: Respect, Integrity, Creativity, and Passion. Outside of her professional life, she enjoys spending time with family, hiking, and biking. Website: www.rightfitrecruitingservices.com LinkedIn personal page - https://www.linkedin.com/in/debra-j-parent-phr-shrm-cp-chhr-11941b163/ LinkedIn company page - https://www.linkedin.com/company/djp-right-fit-recruiting-llc/ Facebook company page - https://www.facebook.com/rightfitrecruitingofmass/ YouTube page - https://www.youtube.com/@DJPrightfitrecruiting Website - www.rightfitrecruitingservices.com

DESCRIPTION You will be inspired by listening to a successful time management expert, college professor, mother, wife, grandmother, friend, and extended family member as she shares how to achieve a more fulfilling life with work and relationships a priority. As the author of 70+ award-winning books, translated into 36 languages, Dr. Jan Yager, the daughter of workaholics, and a recovered workaholic herself, there is hope and help for all through her latest contribution, TIME MASTERS. GUEST BIO Dr. Jan Yager is an Adjunct Associate Professor in the Sociology Department at John Jay College of Criminal Justice/CUNY. Since Fall 2014, Dr. Yager has taught criminology, victimology, and sociology courses at John Jay. Previously she taught at U of Connecticut, Penn State, St. John's U, Temple U, and other colleges and universities. Dr. Yager has a Ph.D. in sociology from CUNY Graduate Center, an M.A. in criminal justice from Goddard College Graduate Program, and she did a year of graduate work in art therapy at Hahnemann Medical College. Author of 70+ award-winning books, with translations into 35 languages, including Victims, the textbook Essentials of Victimology (Aspen Publishing, 2022; 2 nd edition, 2025), When Friendship Hurts (Simon & Schuster), Productive Relationships; Work Less, Do More; How to Finish Everything You Start, several novels and children's books, Dr. Yager has been interviewed on Good Morning America, Oprah, Today Show, The View, CBS The Early Show, NPR, and other major shows. LINKS Website: https://www.drjanyager.com Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjanyager X - @drjanyager

DESCRIPTION Bill Hanney will discuss the four-show subscription series at both theatres, including well-known titles like Titanic and Grease. He will share insights into the artistic choices, creative challenges, and teamwork required to bring large-scale productions to the stage. The program offers an engaging look at the creativity and business of professional theatre. GUEST BIO Bill Hanney is an award-winning theatre producer and business owner who will speak about the upcoming seasons at Theatre By The Sea and North Shore Music Theatre. With decades of experience in live entertainment, Hanney will give audiences a behind-the-scenes look at how professional productions are created, from choosing shows and building creative teams to staging, design, and production. In 2006, Hanney purchased and revitalized Theatre By The Sea, the historic 500-seat summer theatre and restaurant in Matunuck, Rhode Island. His leadership restored the venue and re-established it as a popular destination for high-quality performances. Hanney is also the Owner and Producer of North Shore Music Theatre, one of New England's leading regional theatres. He led its successful re-opening in 2010, helping return it to prominence with its innovative staging and Broadway-caliber productions. Website: https://www.nsmt.org Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialnsmt/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/officialnsmt/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/officialnsmt X: https://x.com/OfficialNSMT

DESCRIPTION Set against the backdrop of London in the early 1960s, The Model Patient explores a world in which social freedoms appear to be expanding, yet women's lives remain tightly controlled. The novel follows Evelyn Westbrook, a young model who enters psychoanalysis seeking stability amid a troubled marriage, reproductive pressures, and the newly complicated promise of the contraceptive pill. As Evelyn's therapy progresses, the relationship intended to provide clarity instead becomes a source of confusion and destabilization. The erosion of boundaries, the fragility of trust, and the question of who holds power within the therapeutic space drive a psychological narrative that is as intimate as it is unsettling. Drawing on Lucy Ashe's own experience as a therapy patient, the conversation will examine the novel's deeper themes: the ethical complexities of psychotherapy, the silencing of women's instincts, and the unsettling ease with which authority can reshape personal reality. Though rooted in the 1960s, the story resonates strongly with contemporary discussions about consent, autonomy, and institutional power. GUEST BIO Lucy Ashe trained at the Royal Ballet School before changing course to study English Literature at Oxford University, graduating in 2010. She later qualified as an English and Drama teacher. Her first two novels, The Dance of the Dolls and The Sleeping Beauties, were inspired by her years immersed in the world of classical dance. The Model Patient marks a striking evolution in her work, drawing on her personal experience as a therapy patient to explore the psychology of power, trust, and self-erasure. Ashe now turns to psychological suspense with her debut thriller, an atmospheric and deeply unsettling novel set in the world of psychotherapy that asks: Who truly holds power in the therapeutic relationship and what happens when that power is abused? Website: https://lucyashe.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lucyashe_author/ X: https://x.com/LSAshe1/

DESCRIPTION In this episode Don Weber, a former U.S. government field operative turned global communication strategist ,whose career in human intelligence (HUMINT) spanned more than 90 countries across South America, Africa, and Europe will discuss operating under multiple identities during the George Bush administration. Don navigated high-risk environments, worked alongside organized crime figures, foreign agents, and volatile political networks, and even embedded himself in Antwerp's diamond trade circles as part of a covert cover. Today, Don applies those insights to the executive boardroom. Now one of Europe's most respected executive communication coaches, he trains royalty, EU diplomats, ambassadors, senior politicians, and Fortune 500 leaders on the art of ethical influence, authentic presence, and leadership under pressure. Don shares how to read body language and decode power dynamics in any room, offering insight into the signals most people miss. He discusses why empathy is the most powerful form of influence, especially for leaders who want lasting impact. The conversation dives into what leadership looks like in high-stakes environments where pressure is constant and decisions carry consequences. Finally, Don shows how mindfulness and martial discipline shape authentic communication, blending presence, awareness, and control into a grounded leadership style. GUEST BIO Don Weber is a global communication strategist, human intelligence (HUMINT) expert, and executive coach whose life tells a story of survival, reinvention, and mastery. For more than 15 years, Don worked in international intelligence operations across 90+ countries as a U.S. government field operative. Operating under multiple identities during the George Bush administration, he gathered intelligence throughout South America, Africa, and Europe, often working in proximity to organized crime figures, foreign agents, and politically volatile networks. One of his covers placed him inside Antwerp's diamond trade, a uniquely complex world that sharpened his ability to build rapport across cultural, economic, and ideological divides.After leaving intelligence work, Don redirected his life toward helping leaders communicate with authenticity and awareness. Over the past decade, he has become one of Europe's most respected executive communication coaches, advising royalty, EU diplomats, ambassadors, senior politicians, and Fortune 500 executives across major European capitals. Trained in martial arts for real-world application and grounded in a lifelong meditation practice, Don blends combat discipline with mindful presence. The result is a powerful, grounded approach to ethical influence, leadership under pressure, and mastering the unspoken signals that define human connection. Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/drwebercoaching LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/don-weber/ Website: https://drwebercoaching.com