
Hosted by Patricia Raskin · EN

DESCRIPTION In a world where the "main character" mindset dominates social media, are we losing touch with who we really are? In this episode, Jeffrey B. Rubin explores how the pressure to constantly perform online is reshaping our sense of self and why relying on external validation can leave us feeling more disconnected than fulfilled. Drawing from his work in The Art of Flourishing and A Psychoanalysis for Our Time, he breaks down the psychological difference between healthy self-worth and a fragile, audience-dependent identity. Together, we unpack the shift from internal satisfaction to curated performance, why social validation is an unstable foundation for confidence, and how our digital personas can drift away from our private realities. Dr. Rubin also shares practical, grounded strategies to help you reconnect with an authentic sense of selfone that isn't dependent on likes, views, or constant visibility. This conversation offers a thoughtful and timely perspective for anyone navigating identity, self-worth, and mental well-being in the digital age. GUEST BIO Jeffrey B. Rubin is a clinical analyst, psychotherapist, and author known for his work on the intersection of psychotherapy and modern life. He is the author of several influential books, including The Art of Flourishing and A Psychoanalysis for Our Time, where he explores how individuals can cultivate genuine well-being in an increasingly complex and high-pressure world. Through his clinical practice and writing, Dr. Rubin offers practical and deeply insightful guidance on building resilience, authenticity, and psychological balance. His work helps individuals move beyond surface-level validation to develop a more grounded, meaningful sense of self. Website/s: https://DrJeffreyRubin.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100060243771997 X: @DrJeffreyRubin

DESCRIPTION In this episode, Susan explores a historic milestone in honoring the unsung heroes of American service the animals who have stood side by side with their human partners in moments of danger, sacrifice, and lifesaving service. The National Service Animals Monument (NSAM) has just received a transformational $1 million donation, accelerating efforts to build the nation's first federally authorized monument dedicated to service animals and their handlers in Washington, DC. Renowned sculptor and NSAM founder, Susan Bahary, will discuss the vision behind this landmark tribute and why it's long overdue. From military working dogs to guide dogs and assistance animals, this conversation highlights the extraordinary human-animal bond that has shaped countless lives across generations. Listeners will gain insight into the bipartisan effort that made this monument possible, the ambitious $25 million campaign to bring it to life, and the powerful stories that underscore its importance. Susan also shares her deeply personal belief in the healing power of art and animals, offering moving examples that illustrate how these partnerships embody the very best of American values service, sacrifice, courage, and unity. GUEST BIO Susan Bahary is an internationally acclaimed sculptor, author, and animal welfare advocate, best known for her monumental bronze sculptures honoring military working dogs, service animals, and their handlers. As the founder and chair of the National Service Animals Monument (NSAM), she is leading a historic effort to establish the first federally authorized monument in the United States dedicated to recognizing the service and sacrifice of animals and their human partners across the military, law enforcement, and assistance sectors. Susan's work is driven by a profound respect for the human-animal bond and a lifelong commitment to telling the stories of courage, loyalty, and service that often go unrecognized. Her sculptures are featured in prominent public and private collections and serve as lasting tributes to the vital roles animals play in society. A passionate advocate for the healing power of both art and animals, Susan brings a deeply personal perspective to her work, drawing on real-life stories of veterans, first responders, and individuals whose lives have been transformed by service animals. Through her leadership at NSAM, she continues to champion a national movement to ensure these extraordinary partnerships are permanently honored and remembered. LINKS https://baharystudios.com/art/

DESCRIPTION We are all aging, from the moment we are born, but we are steeped in a culture that tells a very limited story about aging. In this conversation, we'll explore how those messages shape how we think, feel and act, and how implicit bias shows up in everyday language, interactions and systems. The Reframing Aging movement offers a different lens, one that reflects the full picture of growing older: building momentum, sharing experience and connection, and contributing to community. Shifting how we think and talk about aging isn't just a communications exercise, it can open the door to stronger communities and broader support for the kinds of policies and practices that benefit all of us as we age. GUEST BIO Alrie McNiff Daniels is a certified Reframing Aging facilitator and seasoned social impact leader who advocates to shift the way people think and talk about aging and older people. With more than three decades of experience advancing public health and social change through strategic communications, she is well-positioned to help community leaders, nonprofit organizations, businesses and government agencies apply reframing principles to communicate more effectively on issues important to older people and create communities that work for everyone. Alrie's interactive workshops and presentations encourage participants to challenge ageist assumptions and promote more inclusive narratives. She draws on FrameWorks Institute research and her nine years leading communications at Point32Health and Tufts Health Plan Foundations. Recent engagements include presentations for Age Friendly Rhode Island, Aldersbridge Communities, Hebrew SeniorLife, the City of Boston's Age Strong Commission and students at Brown University. She is a facilitator for the Maine Council on Aging's Leadership Exchange on Ageism and the National Center to Reframe Aging. Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alriemcniffdaniels/

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