Venerable Voices

I met Rich Barrows nearly twenty years ago when he and I were working together to open the doors to the Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club in Montbello, northeast Denver.  Rich has been with Boys & Girls Clubs of America for over 40 years . . . . .his impact on young people all over our country is second to none.  He believes that opportunities are the currency needed to help children thrive and that "every child is exceptional . . you just need to help them find what they are exceptional at."  Words to live by indeed . . . . .

Bojinka Bishop, a fellow "Fellow" in last year's Experience Engaged fellowship program stops by Venerable Voices to share her reflections, which include her passion for corporate social responsibility on her terms, the "art" of communication and its value in building relationships with the public, the need for authentic, relevant discourse to earn people's trust, and how a curious mind can uncover gifts in everyday people.

This one was personal for me, plain and simple.  I had the gift of having my only child, Andrew, stop by Venerable Voices and join his dear friend from childhood, Jalen, along with my dear friend, Jalen's mom Lin, as we reflected on two awesome collegiate basketball careers coming to a close as seen through our four different lenses.  How did we get here?  Andrew and I were on a mother-son date night while my husband was travelling for work over a decade ago when we ventured into the lounge at local hibachi heaven, Benihana.  While dining, we struck up a wonderful conversation with a family of three: Brian, Lin and Jalen Meeks.  Each an only child, Andrew and Jalen uncovered their mutual passion for basketball that night.  We wished each other well and went our separate ways.  Fast forward two years, and as fate would have it, Andrew and Jalen reconnect in middle school and a lifelong family friendship begins that carries all of us through high school and most recently, college basketball journeys.  The reflections that we two moms and our sons shared this week were a gift. For any of you parents out there, it is indeed common ground on which we walk celebrating the special milestones in our children's lives.  Though a deeply personal conversation for me on this episode, I hope that you will identify with the magic life gives us through shared connection with our families and with our dear friends. Enjoy!  

I sat down with Otis Greene, a certified recovery counselor, certified denial management specialist, and basic relapse prevention specialist who found his true calling after spending decades in the California Department State of Corrections system. Otis IS transformation personified.  Since his release for inside-out, genuine rehabilitation in 2020, he continues to apply his certified counseling services to the world outside, helping inmates, those souls on destructive paths, and hurting humans transform and evolve to lives of meaning, purpose, and inner-value. This is an incredibly moving conversation about the power of owning your journey and creating your own hope. You won't want to miss it.

I sat down with Cake4Kids Colorado Ambassador, Amy Klein, today, and our conversation delivered so much more than a slice of decadent, festive chocolate birthday cake, more than frosting too. Join our conversation for a reminder of how much the small things matter . . . as long as they are done with great love.

I recently had the opportunity to tour the Aurora History Museum's newest exhibit, "Without a Home in Aurora," that provided the oral histories of over twenty of our neighbors experiencing housing insecurity. This exhibit humanized these struggling souls in the most dignified of ways. I wanted to learn more, and I was lucky enough to be joined by the Exhibit's curator, Chris Shackelford, and the project's photographer, Amy Forestieri, on Venerable Voices to take us through their incredible journey.

My husband and I travelled last week from our home in Colorado to Grinnell College in Iowa to watch our son compete in one of his last collegiate basketball games for Beloit College on the road. We were severely outnumbered in the stands (in fact, we were the only Beloit fans in the stands) and Grinnell College handed us a stinging defeat.  After the game, a warm and gracious man introduced himself as the Grinnell College equipment manager--Roger Bauman.  Hear Roger's story of farming to college equipment room and everything in between while he conveys ever important life lessons in the process.

Kristin Battenfield, a supreme human connector and founder of KBat Communications, stops by Venerable Voices to share some of her philosophies on leading a positive life, betting on yourself, making others happy through surprise random acts of kindness, and choosing happiness. She is a community gem, and you can bet you will leave this conversation with a jump start towards more humanity.

Lissa Muhammad, a recently widowed proud mother of five, becomes the 2021 Women's Masters State Criterium Champion for California (40-44 category), while also charting a competitive course as a fierce gravel cyclist representing the Ride for Racial Justice team. Her inspiring journey to overcome adversity and be the face of strength and perseverance for her children is nothing short of the symbolic salve our collective soul needs heading into the new year.

Introducing Venerable Voices 2.0, heading into its second year and now a production of Cinderella Impact Publishing and Consulting.  Stay with us!

Colorado House District 30's Dafna Michaelson Jenet stops by Venerable Voices to talk about her incredible legislative work around mental wellness. She courageously shares her own mental wellness journey, while also explaining the priority to secure Colorado's recently signed House Bill 21-1068, which is first-of- its kind in the nation and now gives Coloradans access to annual mental wellness checks covered by insurance. This is the final episode in a multi-part series around collective mental wellness in our 50+ community.  It is important here to note that guests appearing on this podcast series around mental health and wellness are not experts or licensed practitioners in the areas of mental health, but are connected to mental health programs, research, or legislation respectively. It is through their journeys, that they will share observations with us on ways in which we might approach improving our well being.  If you are struggling with mental wellness issues, please know there are resources available: the following is a 24/7, 365-day-a-year national help line, which serves as a referral and information service:  1-800-662-HELP (4357).  It is part of SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration).

Dr. Julie Silver Seidle, a community-based occupational therapist out of Ft. Collins, stops by Venerable Voices to discuss the work that she and her fellow neighbors comprising the first-of-its-kind Partnership for Age Friendly Communities in Larimer County (PAFC), are doing to mitigate loneliness and social isolation amongst their older adult residents by identifying their critical needs and meeting them. This is the third in a multi-part series around collective mental wellness in our 50+ community.  It is important here to note that guests appearing on this podcast series around mental health and wellness are not experts or licensed practitioners in the areas of mental health, but are connected to mental health programs, research, or legislation respectively. It is through their journeys, that they will share observations with us on ways in which we might approach improving our well being.  If you are struggling with mental wellness issues, please know there are resources available: the following is a 24/7, 365-day-a-year national help line, which serves as a referral and information service:  1-800-662-HELP (4357).  It is part of SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration).

Kelly Groen and Laura Kinder of Colorado's Spark the Change stop by Venerable Voices to talk about the important relationship between human connection and mental wellness and what their organization is focused on to strengthen this relationship. Spark the Change Colorado, a partner of Experience Engaged, is focused on "empowering changemakers" and "igniting services," through focused, impactive volunteerism.  And, one of those primary services is mental wellness. This is the second in a multi-part series around collective mental wellness in our 50+ community.  It is important here to note that guests appearing on this podcast series around mental health and wellness are not experts or licensed practitioners in the areas of mental health, but are connected to mental health programs, research, or legislation respectively. It is through their journeys, that they will share observations with us on ways in which we might approach improving our well being.  If you are struggling with mental wellness issues, please know there are resources available: the following is a 24/7, 365-day-a-year national help line, which serves as a referral and information service:  1-800-662-HELP (4357).  It is part of SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration). 

Experience Engaged Friend Andrew Steward, PhD candidate in social work at DU, stops by Venerable Voices to discuss his research findings on the benefits of volunteering for older adults, specifically in them finding renewed purpose and value. This is the first in a multi-part series around collective mental wellness in our 50+ community.  It is important here to note that guests appearing on this podcast series around mental health and wellness are not experts or licensed practitioners in the areas of mental health, but are connected to mental health programs, research, or legislation respectively. It is through their journeys, that they will share observations with us on ways in which we might approach improving our well being.  If you are struggling with mental wellness issues, please know there are resources available: the following is a 24/7, 365-day-a-year national help line, which serves as a referral and information service:  1-800-662-HELP (4357).  It is part of SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration).

Marcus Robinson, a self proclaimed proud member of AARP and admittedly in the "twilight" of his professional career, takes today's world by storm as he launches Ride for Racial Justice. Not your normal bike race, this new 501(c)(3) nonprofit serves as the umbrella under which the "Bikes are Freedom" charter is growing and fostering much needed authentic conversations about race and building human connections from the seats of ones' bicycles. You don't want to miss this conversation . . you don't want to miss out on Marcus's wisdoms. It is a critical conversation to hear for today's times.

Fall is in the air and so is football . . . . .one of the greatest defensive backs in the history of the Denver Broncos, Billy Thompson, stops by Venerable Voices to share some reflections about his career, about our community, and about life. 

In this week's episode of Venerable Voices, Boomers give their reflections on the Millennials in their lives.

This conversation fosters shared reflections about the pandemic year, lessons learned and anticipations about new experiences in the year ahead.

A group of Millennials and near Millennials shares reflections on their journeys with Baby Boomers and what they think needs to happen moving forward for inter-generational interaction to thrive. 

Lisa Mackenzie, an Experience Engaged Fellow with Boomers Leading Change, shares her journey and her thoughts on what this time in our lives can be . . . .the possibilities are limitless.

A conversation with Therese Ellery of the Rose Community Foundation

A more personal conversation with Dr. Ben and Jean Galloway, my own parents, who celebrated their 56th wedding anniversary milestone on June 12th.

A conversation with Boomers Leading Change fellow Ken Tisdale