Podcast
The Patricia Raskin Show
Hosted by Patricia Raskin · EN
Relationships, health, spirituality, finances and community concerns, reclaim control of all areas of your life with the power of positive thinking. Patricia Raskin and her guests will bring you practical, positive solutions for a happy, empowered and successful life. www.patriciaraskin.com
21episodes
Episodes
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Don Weber - HUMINT and Behavioral expert
3d ago00:42:41Tap to summarizeDESCRIPTION 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
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Leisa Reid - Get Speaking Gigs Now
1w ago00:48:11Tap to summarizeDESCRIPTION In this episode of Patricia Raskin's show, Patricia interviews speaker mentor Leisa Reid on the powerful theme of "Share Your Brilliance." Drawing from her experience delivering more than 500 speaking engagements, Leisa shares proven speaking strategies and insider secrets to help entrepreneurs turn the stage into a consistent client-attraction tool. Leisa explores why so many talented people hold back their voice and how speaking up can open doors both personally and professionally. She offers practical insights on building confidence, turning your message into meaningful impact, and using your story as a force for connection and growth. If you've ever felt called to step forward but weren't sure how, this conversation will inspire you to claim your voice, share your message, and let your brilliance be seen. GUEST BIO Leisa Reid is known as The Speaking Strategy Mentor and is the Founder of Get Speaking Gigs Now™ and the CEO of the International Speaker Network™. Having delivered over 600 talks and authored 9 books, Leisa has helped business owners scale their impact beyond 1:1, through the power of speaking. She believes speaking isn't just about giving a talk; it's about creating a consistent strategy to get booked, stay booked, and attract clients for the lifetime of your business. Leisa is passionate about showing experts how to use speaking as a serious revenue pathway, without the pressure of being perfect or "salesy." Her down-to-earth approach and proven system empower business owners to confidently share their message, grow their business, and make the impact they were born to create. When she's not mentoring speakers, you'll find Leisa enjoying 80's music, live concerts, and her life in Southern California with her family. https://GetSpeakingGigsNow.com https://GetSpeakingGigsNow.com/tips Facebook: https://facebook.com/getspeakinggigsnow/ https://www.facebook.com/leisa.reid.2/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leisareid/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/getspeakinggigsnow/ https://www.instagram.com/leisareid Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/LeisaReid
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Michelle Girasole - The Daughters of Liberty
2w ago00:53:00Tap to summarizeDESCRIPTION: Michelle Girasole will explore the influential roles and personal stories of generals' wives during the American Revolution, shedding light on their essential contributions and the realities of their daily lives. She will highlight the relevance of these women as the nation approaches America's 250th anniversary, reflect on the legacy of the 1976 Bicentennial, and connect their experiences to ongoing conversations about women's empowerment and leadership today. GUEST BIO: Michelle is a passionate innovator, entrepreneur, and founder of Fresh, LLC and FreshMaps, specializing in digital learning maps and customizable scavenger hunts for tourism, education, and fundraising. With 25+ years in marketing and sales, she has led creative campaigns for national brands and startups, including Constant Contact. Michelle partners with Barcelona-based software developer Mooveteam to bring GPS-enabled game technology to Rhode Island and beyond, helping organizations create unique digital experiences. An award-winning author and mentor to over 100 students, she is also a recognized expert in online marketing and a champion for women in business. Ask her about "The Daughters of Liberty"! Website/s: https://freshmaps.us/ (coming soon RI250Quest.com and myFreshAdventures.com) Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61561536141210 Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellegirasole/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/fresh.maps/ Youtube: https://youtube.com/@freshmaps?si=V9XFYfmPzilwTutt
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Dr D. Ivan Young - Leading From The Heart
3w ago00:51:13Tap to summarizeDESCRIPTION: In his new book LEADING FROM THE HEART: The Essential Guide to Self-Empathy & Self-Compassion (April 28; Post Hill Press), Dr. D. Ivan Young, renowned behavioral neural science expert & ICF Mastered Certified Coach, elevates the concept of "Empathy" beyond a corporate buzzword to an essential part of humanity, unpacking it so we all can better navigate what makes us deeply human: pain, trauma, loss, triumph, regret, failure, love, and everything in between. Despite widespread overuse, many people don't understand empathy's true power consists of two areas: Internal Mastery: The discipline of seeing yourself clearly, extending mercy inward, and calibrating your motives before you act. External Influence: The strategic art of reading a room, diagnosing quiet pain points, and delivering exactly what moves people to trust, decide, and change. To help people see empathy as a core part of our humanity that can be honed and mastered, Dr. Ivan distills it down to several key areas of use and understanding. Among other tactics, readers will learn: 'Omniscient Self' vs 'Obnoxious Self': The choice we all have every day in embracing our own mortality, fragility and humanity. Building Sustainable Presence: Capacity to show up, fully, each day, without burning out, checking out or numbing out. Self-Compassion; Not Self-Sabotage: Pour into your own cup without drowning in self-absorption. The Relationship Rescue Kit: A step-by-step method to repair strained partnerships before they fracture for good - whether it be a best friend, romantic partner, spouse, sibling, or co-worker. In a tech-dominated world where human pain & struggle are only exacerbated by our failure to understand it, Dr. Young's methodology is redefining the standard for executive and behavioral coaching by translating behavioral science into scripts, micro-habits, and drills readers can apply immediately. LEADING FROM THE HEART is a much-needed lighthouse for anyone, in any life stage, to better navigate the inevitable challenges that human life brings. LEADING FROM THE HEART will help readers persevere through any obstacle while helping people connect more deeply with what they need most: other people. GUEST BIO: Dr. D. Ivan Young is a globally recognized authority in human behavior, leadership psychology, and emotional mastery, renowned for helping high achievers transform complexity into clarity. His credentials reflect not only elite professional achievement but also a science-backed, evidence-based approach that produces measurable, lasting change. Holding the prestigious ICF Master Certified Coach (MCC) designation, awarded to fewer than one percent of coaches worldwide, Dr. Young embodies the highest standards of professional excellence, ethical integrity, and coaching mastery. As a keynote speaker, consultant, and mentor, he empowers individuals and organizations alike to lead with clarity, courage, and compassion, transforming potential into purpose at every level. His TEDx talks have garnered over 5 million views, and he is regularly sought out by high-net-worth individuals, Fortune 100 executives, public figures, and global institutions. In fact, his thought leadership has been featured across leading national and international media platforms, including CNN, MSNBC, Forbes, The European, Essence Magazine, and others. In addition to his coaching and consulting work, Dr. Young is the bestselling author of Another Chance, as well as the upcoming Break Up, Don't Break Down – Expanded Edition (Post Hill Press, Fall 2025) and Leading From the Heart (Post Hill Press, Spring 2026).
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Ellen Shapiro - The Secret Buttons
Apr 1300:47:22Tap to summarizeDESCRIPTION Ellen M. Shapiro explores thoroughly researched, well-documented WWII history and experiences, and her mother's mysterious recollection, through the eyes of a resourceful tween heroine, Anni Blum. We first meet Anni, at age twelve, in March 1939 as she boards a train with her seven-year-old sister, Rosie, to escape Vienna, her home until Hitler's armies invaded. Traveling alone, the two girls are headed for Dover, England, to help their distant cousins take care of the country house they will be staying in as the nation prepares for war. With their dark, curly hair pulled back tightly, the girls are dressed to blend in with the "Aryan" holiday travelers. Aside from their forged passports and real Domestic Worker Visas, Anni is traveling with her valuables: a German-English pocket dictionary, a copy of The Traveler's Phrase-book for Visitors to England, and balls of yarn, a crochet hook, and other precious supplies for her designs. "Crafty girl," says the conductor upon inspecting the contents of her knapsack. That offhand comment, given with a friendly wink, proves prescient. On top of loneliness, homesickness, and worries about what is happening back home, Anni grapples with navigating a new language and being misunderstood. At first, the local boys in the fictional English village of Tuppinshire tease her for speaking German and accuse her of being a Nazi spy. Her aunt Vivian scornfully treats her and Rosie like maids. And she yearns to return to school. To aggravate matters, Anni suffers flashbacks to painful moments in Vienna—from being forbidden to play in the neighborhood park to discovering that her favorite needlework shop was smashed and looted on Kristallnacht to watching in horror as the Nazis take her Papa away. She also relives her anger over being renamed "Sarah"—like all Jewish girls and women—to identify her as a Jew, and the comfort of bonding with other girls in the same "club." Yet gradually, over the years of blackouts and bombings, Anni and Rosie find their place among family, make new friends, forge boldly ahead, and use their talents and creativity to make an incredible difference for others. GUEST BIO Ellen Shapiro is a graphic designer and writer. A graduate of UCLA's College of Fine Arts, she has headed a graphic communications firm for over 20 years and taught at leading design schools, including the Designer as Author MFA program at New York's School of Visual Arts. A contributing editor for Print Magazine and writer for Printmag she has published hundreds of articles and posts and two nonfiction books about visual culture around the world. Inspired by her mother's memories of the Holocaust in Vienna and life in wartime England, The Secret Buttons is her first novel. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellen-m-shapiro-833a037/
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Paula Marshall - CEO of Bama Companies
Apr 600:49:58Tap to summarizeDESCRIPTION: 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/
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Jennifer Wren Tolo - Healing Journeys
Mar 3000:43:20Tap to summarizeDESCRIPTION: Jennifer Wren Tolo will speak on the themes of Healing Journeys where she will share powerful personal stories from navigating life-threatening health challenges with both her children and herself. She explores how self-awareness, advocacy, and education become essential tools for healing, especially when supporting children facing medical, educational, and mental health challenges. She will unpack the hidden stressors that disconnect us from happiness, offering practical strategies to recognize, manage, and release them. Jennifer emphasizes the foundations of self-care, self-regulation, and resilience, showing why caring for ourselves is essential to effectively support others. She also introduces the Power of the P's—Presence, Perspective, and Purpose which guide audiences toward sustainable wellness, balance, and a more fulfilled, purpose-driven life. GUEST BIO: Jennifer Wren Tolo, known as The Soul Connector, is a former critical care nurse, award-winning health and wellness educator, renowned speaker, and transformational life coach. She empowers individuals to reclaim their health, happiness, and inner authority. After navigating life-threatening illnesses with two of her four sons, Jennifer developed her signature method, the ABC's of Stress Management, to help others leave survival mode and reconnect with the wisdom of their soul. Jennifer is a bestselling author and an Adjunct Professor at Endicott College School of Nursing, where she teaches Holistic and Complementary Approaches to Health and Healing. She holds a Master's degree in Nursing and certifications as a Whole Health Educator and Patient Advocate, Personal Trainer, Reiki Master, and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction practitioner. She hosts the Simple Awakenings Podcast, was an executive contributor to BRAINZ Magazine, and has been featured on FOX and ABC News. Website: https://jenniferwrentolo.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jenniferwren.tolo/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenwrentolo/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-wren-tolo-rn-ma-44a5935a/
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Val Walker - Healing Through Wonder
Mar 2300:54:43Tap to summarizeDESCRIPTION: Val Walker is hold a background in rehabilitation counseling, greif support, and cousneling. All of these helped Val write her new book Healing Through Wonder: How Awe Restores Us After Trauma and Loss. Val was once homeless, running from a violent partner, and battling suicidal depression, she found herself sitting by a river holding a bottle of pills in one hand and a bottle of red wine to wash them down in the other. Out of the twilight sky a majestic blue heron circled and landed just a few feet away. Something in the heron's piercing eyes caused her to stop swallowing the pills. In that moment, she realized that there was just too much beauty and magic in the world to give up. Thus began a decades-long quest to understand how wondrous encounters can spark healing from trauma and grief. This inspiring guide shares stories of profound, transformational experiences from four profiles alongside her own, and unpacks the neuroscience that explains how wonder helps our brains and bodies heal. GUEST BIO: Val believes deeply in the power of shared moments of wonder even brief, unexpected ones to break through isolation and foster healing. She holds a Master of Science in rehabilitation counseling from Virginia Commonwealth University and has led support groups for over thirty years for people living with illness, grief, and trauma. She speaks nationwide on building connection after loss and major life changes. As well as this she is a contributing blogger for Psychology Today and the Health Story Collaborative. Val's work has been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, TIME, The Boston Globe, AARP Bulletin, Good Housekeeping, and more. Based in Boston, Val also teaches "Words Galore" programs for seniors and draws inspiration from her years living in Maine's Midcoast region. Website: https://HealingThroughWonder.com
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Shelly Grimm - The Story of a Life Long Caregiver
Mar 1600:49:17Tap to summarizeDESCRIPTION: From the moment five-year-old Shelly Grimm was told her mother might not come home from the hospital, she became the family's emotional anchor. What followed was a lifetime of caregiving: for a chronically ill parent, an emotionally abusive husband, and later, as a special-needs parent herself. She did all of this without any type of recognition. Some Asses Just Need Wiping is a brutally honest memoir that pulls back the curtain on the rarely acknowledged side of chronic illness: the caregivers left behind to hold the chaos together. Shelly reveals what happens when children are forced to become parents and how those roles quietly shape our adult lives. You'll see the unseen emotional and financial costs of long-term caregiving, learn what caregivers wish others understood, and discover practical ways to protect the next generation from becoming invisible helpers. GUEST BIO: Shelly Grimm is a Financial Consultant, Author, and Founder of The Perpetual Caregiver, where she empowers families navigating chronic illness to plan with dignity and confidence. Shelly brings twenty seven years of financial expertise and a personal understanding of caregiving to her work, including innovative tools like the Family Love Letter. Shelly's journey began as the lifelong caregiver for her mother who was the first woman diagnosed with Crohn's disease in the United States in 1956. Her path included legal emancipation at age thirteen and at seventeen, she was put under controcat formcing her out of her home. Through decades of experience, Shelly has developed a powerful, practical approach to helping caregivers and families build resilience, clarity, and strong support systems. Her work inspires others to transform their "broken bricks" into a foundation for a more secure, prepared future. Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shellygrimm/ Website/s: https://www.theperpetualcaregiver.com/
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Deepika Chopra - The Power Of Optimism
Mar 900:52:56Tap to summarizeDESCRIPTION: Dr. Deepika Chopra explores why the brain clings to grudges not out of spite, but as a natural form of threat prevention, a way of remembering harm to protect ourselves in the future. She explains why the common advice to "just forgive" often backfires, paradoxically increasing stress by asking the nervous system to let go before it's ready. Dr. Chopra also examines how unresolved conflict keeps the body in a state of high alert, subtly impacting mood, sleep, and overall well-being long after the event has passed. She clarifies the important difference between emotional suppression, which buries pain, and genuine resolution, which allows feelings to be processed and released. Most importantly, she offers insight into what truly helps the body stand down, techniques rooted in awareness and physiological safety, rather than forced positivity or premature forgiveness. To purchase the book:https://www.amazon.com/Power-Real-Optimism-Practical-Science-Based/dp/1668081121 GUEST BIO: Dr. Deepika Chopra is a professional psychologist, visual imagery expert, and founder of Things Are Looking Up®️, a consultancy devoted to the intersection of science and soul. She specializes in what she has coined "evidence-based manifestation," which draws from behavioral science, emotional fitness, neuroscience, and ancient wisdom to build modern tools for resilience and joy. Dr. Chopra holds a doctorate in clinical health psychology and completed a double postdoctoral fellowship at both the University of California at Los Angeles and Cedars Sinai Medical Center. She completed her formal dissertation on the topic of optimism, positive sensory visualization, and the connection to optimal well-being. She is a recurring guest on the TODAY Show, and her work has also been featured in Forbes, Harper's Bazaar, VOGUE, GOOP, Variety, E!, and more. She has led workshops for companies like Google, Amazon, and Amex, and has delivered keynotes at events including the Aspen Ideas Festival andThe Atlantic's In Pursuit of Happiness. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband and three young children. Website: https://www.drdeepikachopra.com/get-to-know-the-optimism-doctor Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdeepikachopra/?hl=en https://www.facebook.com/theoptimismdoctor/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdeepikachopra/
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