I'm Frickin' Lonely...Tell Me Your Story! (Staying Connected Through Conversation)

In this episode, I spoke with Paula Flory, an amazing woman who parlayed a huge shock…her Stage III breast cancer diagnosis…into a catalyst for creating a joy-focused method of care. Recognizing her own un-filled needs during treatment and recovery, Paula’s wheels (literally) started turning. This led to her creation of Move Over Breast Cancer, (MOBC) a fully mobile breast cancer support organization, complete with a beautiful van, fit out to provide breast cancer services in a spa-like setting.  But that’s not all!  We’ll hear about all the breadth of supportive programs Paula has created to help those facing what she faced.  She considers MOBC “the face of hope” for her family of women fighting breast cancer.  

Paula shares with us the story of her upbringing in New Jersey and her path through university, focusing on psychology and counseling. Give a listen as she tells us about her study abroad run-in with her ex-boyfriend. And her experience when serving as a counselor during grad school at NYU will pluck your heart strings.  But there is a clear link between the skills and experience she developed during those years to her current mission. 

After Paula’s diagnosis, the treatment and staying strong for her family took all the strength she had. But her experiences planted the seed that ultimately led to creating of Move Over Breast Cancer. She tells us how the idea came to her, how she found funding (during the pandemic no less!), how she found the van, and ultimately how MOBC’s services blossomed into something so much more.  Her fellow survivors and current fighters have truly become a family!  What an inspiration! 

Make sure to watch her interview on The View.  It’s available on YouTube and the link is at her website. There you can hear more of her story, see the van, and meet some of the women she has helped. 

 We had such a fun time recording this episode.  Please enjoy our conversation!

Paula encourages anyone in our region with breast cancer or a with loved one with breast cancer to reach out.  Information can be found at her website:

In this episode, we welcome Joan Bartl, a woman who doesn’t sit back (although she does “sit-in”…you’ll get the reference when you listen) when she sees something wrong in the world…she acts.  Joan’s stories demonstrate what you can achieve when you have a clear sense of purpose and can inspire others to share that passion! 

Joan’s story follows her path from growing up in Philly as a “normal kid”, to her first awareness of inexplicable gender role assignments, to her early adulthood in the 70’s when these stereotypes became ever more apparent.

It was then, as a young mother, she was inspired to band together with like-minded women to rail against ingrained (and to be honest, offensive) gender role models in educational materials, TV and beyond. They created a group called WOWI, “Women on Words and Images” and gained national acclaim as they fought for change.  It is a great story about seeing an issue and taking action.  Happily, it is a true success story and all those who have come after have benefited from these herculean efforts.  I personally was amazed at what they were able to achieve…especially in a time before anything was digital or there was such a thing as the internet!

After this successful campaign, Joan continued to be driven by the desire to make things better wherever she focused her attention.  Along with being a member of NOW, the League of Women Voters, Coalition for Peace Action, and the ACLU, Joan has been on the board of Womanspace for the past 18 years. 

 Along with all this, Joan is president of Payment Management, a national credit card processing company where she has been a trailblazer for providing payment services for small and medium sized businesses for almost 30 years. She is also Co-Director of Banking On New Jersey and serves on Governor Murphy’s Implementation Board to bring a Public Bank to New Jersey.

 As you can see, Joan is a force to be reckoned with!  Please enjoy our conversation!

In today’s episode, we enter the world of books, history, journalism, and celebrity!  My guest, Landon Jones, is a renowned author and journalist.  He served as Managing Editor of both People and Money magazines, and has authored four critically acclaimed books.

Lanny’s most recent book, Celebrity Nation: How America Evolved into a Culture of Fans and Followers is a cautionary tale about our nation’s shift from hero worship to celebrity/influencer worship.  Timely and telling!

 Lanny shares with us how his early childhood hearing loss fed his love of reading.  Libraries were his haven and feature prominently throughout his life and our conversation!  He tells us about how observing his younger brothers led to his interest in Baby Boomers (a term he coined I might add!) and led to his writing Great Expectations: America and the Baby Boom Generation.  And how his midwestern roots fostered his interest in the expeditions of Lewis & Clark.  (It sounds like he’s coming back to those roots in his next project!)

 We learn what brought Lanny to Princeton University (teachers saying, “Go East young man!”) where (including graduating with honors) he was editor of the Princeton Alumni Weekly and met many of his “big brother and sister” writing mentors including John McPhee, Mike Keeley, Jerry Goodman (Adam Smith) Joyce Carol Oates and Brock Brower.  He went on to Time-Life and the creation of People magazine, where the things he learned and famous people he met as Managing Editor certainly informed his research into celebrity culture.

Celebrity Nation: How America Evolved into a Culture of Fans and Followers has (as do all of his books) a grand theme, is meticulously detailed and thoroughly researched. 

I hope you’ll enjoy listening to this episode as much as I enjoyed recording it! Lanny has great stories to tell and was fun to talk with!

Today’s guest, Carol Golden, is yet another involved and engaged individual, constantly looking for ways to improve the world.  You’ll want to hear her story about how she came up with the term “community activist” as a response to the question “what do you do?” It’s a fun one!

Carol explains how her sense of the importance of community goes back to her roots.  Her parents, both “civil servants”, instilled the spirit of “tikkun olam” into their lives and hers. If you don’t know what that means, you’ll have to listen to find out!  Suffice it to say, it’s a wonderful tradition to live by. 

Exposure to diversity and wonderful teachers during her formative years also informed Carol’s world view.  The slogan “it can be done, but it’s up to you” still rings true to her today. (Good small-world story here as well.)

Later, recognizing that “our lives are (relatively) easy, but others’ aren’t”, Carol sought out ways to have her work to be useful and impactful.  This drive carried her to serve on the board of Planned Parenthood, the 101:Fund (Need based scholarships.  Oddly she found this inspiration at the fish store!), and Greenwood House (exemplary senior nursing care), among others.   

Carol's desire to be more “hands-on” and directly in touch with people led to her current involvement with Housing Initiatives of Princeton (H.I.P). A wonderful organization, helping to break the cycle of homelessness. 

The Dobbs decision also spurred her and fellow activists to create a group to support women’s reproductive rights by shepherding people through the difficulties thrown in their paths as they seek reproductive care. 

Carol never runs out of new sources of motivation!  So much to do, so little time!

Please listen in to our conversation!

Links to some of the organizations mentioned in our conversation:

In this episode of “I’m Frickin’ Lonely”, our conversation returns to the world of art, but a very different medium from what we’ve previously covered.  Today we’re talking about cinema…and specifically community cinema.

Our guest is Chris Collier, the Executive Director of Renew Theaters, a nonprofit management company that operates four member-supported theaters in the Greater Philadelphia Region, both in PA and NJ. Each of the theaters is a saved historic theater that now operates to share great films and events, educate the community about the film and media arts, engender a lifelong love of the arts, and to preserve cultural resources of the communities they serve. 

Chris tells us about how an early introduction to cinematic music (specifically the Pink Panther theme) led him to trombone as his instrument of choice.  It’s fascinating to hear how his combined passion for this music genre, along with his community-minded upbringing led him on a path that took him through environmental planning, to conducting, to degrees in Musicology from Dartmouth College and the University of Oxford, with a focus on film music. And then full circle back to his home community to focus on the local cinema experience. 

After speaking with Chris, I now understand the key role that community theaters such as those in Renew’s family of cinemas play in revitalizing neighborhoods and fostering community.  I feel lucky to live in a community that enjoys one of Chris’s babies…the 100-year-old Princeton Garden Theater.  A true gem! 

And they have wonderful films and programs in store…hopefully for the next 100 years!  Thank you Chris!

I hope you will tune in to listen! 

Check out these sites for Renew and its theaters:

In this episode of “I’m Frickin’ Lonely”, my conversation is with Claudia Toby,  tireless entrepreneur, community advocate and agent for change, addressing issues such as homelessness, mental illness, food insecurity and youth mentoring. 

Join us to hear about how Claudia’s 20-year background in nursing led her to her ultimate calling to serve the community.  Even during times of adversity, Claudia heeded the call to serve others and find her purpose.  As Claudia says, “it’s not about you”, it’s about caring for those in greater need. 

 Claudia tells us about programs she, along with her husband, started including Magnificent Men, providing developmental workshops for men in Brooklyn and then Breakfast with Our Boys Series, teaching and mentoring young men in life skills in New Jersey.

 Claudia came to the realization that in order to be able to nurture others, one needs to first replenish oneself.  This, along with her entrepreneurial spirit,  led her to develop Zenfully Living, which guides women in self-care through workshops and products.  She is also working to bring an “I’m Worth It” program to girls, teaching them self-love, and personal strength.  Both programs focus on four core connections: physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. 

Her current focus is “Breathing Space”, where she and her husband plan and officiate unique and beautiful micro-weddings, and guide couples in understanding the importance of joining together in a shared purpose and shared spiritual journey. 

Please join in the conversation! 

Make sure to check out these sites:

In this episode, I was delighted to speak with Earnest James, family man, minister, mentor, speaker, and author. He is also the host of the popular podcast “Deal to Heal with E. James Podcast”, the thrust of which is to help people heal by connecting them with experts in therapy, mentoring and guidance… from suicide to self-love to domestic violence… you name it, he’s covering it.

Earnest tells us how early failure taught him to always strive for achievement. (How many of us have been on the receiving end of that parental “I’m disappointed in you” look? Ouch!) He advises us to “Fail fast, fail first and rebound”.

Earnest’s inspiration for his community support work comes from his own life experiences. He developed a campaign called Friend 2 Fatherless Daughters and also mentors dads and sons with his M.A.N.U.P. (Men Activating Newly Untapped Potential) male mentoring program. He has also developed a series of workshops on forgiveness; forgiveness of one’s self to allow forgiveness of others, as well as workshops on bereavement.

We also learn of Earnest’s love of acronyms! Listen in to find out the meaning of S.E.L.F. and F.U.N. (I spilled the beans on M.A.N.U.P. already.)

To learn more about Earnest or to hear his podcast go to the following:

Today’s episode is one helluva story! Glenn Morton, the founder of “Father to the Fatherless Generation” shares the colorful and heart-rending story of his own troubled, very difficult childhood and how a single act of kindness totally changed his life.

What was lacking in his “upbringing” inspired him to create his organization, dedicated to helping boys and young men develop into productive and fulfilled adults. “Where fathers lack, we pick up the pace, and we make the relationship personal.” Glenn’s program focuses on teaching these 7 key principles, which if you listen, you’ll learn about!

1. Be Resourceful
2. Break the Cycle
3. Create Character
4. Have Faith
5. Learn Discipline
6. Correct the Brotherhood
7.  Raise Sons

Glenn is also a musician, (we learn how he picked his rap name of “Prevail” and that he opened for Destiny’s Child & Nelly!), an author and a business owner….a true renaissance man and entrepreneur!

Glenn advises each of us to have faith in yourself, that pain can make you great if you let it, and to give all you can during your life so that when you leave this world you are empty.

Please tune in to hear my conversation with yet another amazing human being!

Visit the following sites to learn more about Glenn .

In this episode of “I’m Frickin’ Lonely”, I welcome Leslie Maxie, a U.S. Olympian, keynote speaker and media professional. And she’s just an all-around cool person to boot!  She even has a Wikipedia entry!

Leslie tells us the story of her background and how that led her to the Olympics. Having strong family support and great coaching didn’t hurt! We also talk about her subsequent media career and her current focus on public speaking (both doing and teaching) and her exciting newest project, “Not Your Mama’s 50” movement. It’s a great concept you’ll want to hear about! (And she also got to be involved in a project with Oprah! So, there’s that!)

Leslie shares how her successes have been the result of a combination of great mentors, nurturers, and guides along the way; an internal drive and willingness to do the work; and a belief in listening to and responding to a divine appointment.

Leslie advises us that we all exist in relationships and that as spiritual beings we are connected to one another and that we need to not only be reflective but also proactive in those relationships. That falls right in line with the theme of this podcast!

Please tune in to hear my conversation with this exceptional human being!

Visit the following site to learn more about Leslie.

In this episode of “I’m Frickin’ Lonely”, I’m returning to the world of creative performance art; exploring how the creators were able to keep their juices flowing while in physical isolation. This week’s guest, Samantha Spriggs, a dancer, choreographer and dance educator, shares some unique insights into doing something so very physical while not physically present! Talk about creative work arounds!

Samantha shares how her choreography and teaching work emphasize the intersections between performing arts and social justice; and how dance and arts education cultivates strength, confidence, empathy and provides the tools necessary to be a good human.

She definitely infuses these tenets into the life-learning of her three kiddos. She describes the balancing act of her creative work and family life as “controlled chaos”, but that she actually functions better when handling multi-faceted challenges.

During our conversation, I had promised, but then forgot, to ask Sammy to provide a definition of “Bautanzt Here”, a dance organization in Atlanta. So I provide it here:

Bautanzt Here (translates to “building dances here”) is a site-specific dance performance company. Drawing inspiration from architecture and the ways in which humans interact with and live  their lives within the structures around them, Bautanzt Here creates multidisciplinary performances in non-traditional settings, and makes Dance accessible to audiences who otherwise might not experience live performances.

Visit the following sites for more information:

As we continue Season 2 of “I’m Frickin’ Lonely”, I’m wondering if it’s time to change the title…I’ve had such great guests, I’m definitely not lonely anymore! Yet while COVID’s no longer engraved in our thoughts, the focus of our conversations hasn’t changed. We continue to share people’s stories about their passions, drivers, evolution, resilience and of course…connections.

Today we’re talking with Elyse Pivnick, who’s focused her expertise in city planning on a 30+ year career in community service. Her role as Senior Director of Environmental Health at Isles, Inc. a community development organization based in Trenton, gives her the perfect platform to act on her love of “gritty cities”.

We hear how a stint working in communities in Africa inspired Elyse to apply city planning strategies she learned while there, here in New Jersey. She describes the myriad programs provided by Isles to support and revitalize Trenton communities, including an alternative high school, over 70 community gardens, training programs, and her specialty: healthy homes. And the bonus is getting to work toward a common goal with “kindred spirits”!

Elyse shares her personal story of loss, becoming a widow in 2019 after 38 years of a happy marriage, and how that impacted her navigation of the pandemic. (She also tells us how she bravely started dating again!)

Elyse advises us to nurture our relationships, go deep with our interests and find a way to contribute to our communities. Great advice!

Visit the following sites for more information:

After a bit of a break, here comes Season 2 of “I’m Frickin’ Lonely”. No…the pandemic isn't over…new variants abound! And while it’s become the new normal, it continues to have long term impact on most everyone’s lives.

This episode features a conversation with photographer Sandy Stolzman. After working her tail off for decades in providing products and resources to the design industry, Sandy was able to rekindle her creative fire by returning to her early love of photography. (As too often happens, artistic passions take a back seat to the need to make a living!)

And while her previous career had required her to be “on” all the time, her photography has allowed her to reconnect with herself and with nature. From landscapes to people to macro photography of flowers, insects and reptiles (to name just a few of her subjects) Sandy has found her new muse. She also shares with us how photography has connected her with wonderful volunteers and committed staff members at places such as Andalusia House, Morris Arboretum, Fort Mifflin and Chanticleer.

Sandy also tells us of how her close work with nature has strengthened her commitment to the environment. This led her to connect with OnlyOne, an organization committed to saving our oceans…one coral and one mangrove at a time. (I was inspired to join as well!)

As a child of Holocaust survivors, Sandy knows all too well about how to survive under the worst circumstances. While we may feel despair right now, she advises us all to hope for a better future!

See Sandy’s work at:

Instagram – SandyStolzmanPhotography

Website – Murals.Design -

   Here you can see installations of Sandy’s wonderful photographic murals. Projects include:

    · Weill Cornell OBGYN and Pediatrics

    · Inspira Health

    · St. Mary’s Children’s Hospital

    · Jefferson Health

    · Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center

Organizations mentioned:

This week’s guest, Carol Markowitz is yet another remarkable person to share her stories with me! (Wow…have I been lucky to meet all these great people!!) Carol tells how as a student she discovered a passion that lead to a decades-long career in autism services (Spoiler alert…she helped a 7 year old girl to learn to speak!)

We also learn how finding packets of old letters between her mother and soldiers in WWII led to her post-retirement fulfillment…. researching and writing a book of historical stories about the war.  Her knowledge of the subject is astounding. (It helps that her husband is also a writer, leading to home-environment synergy.)

But that’s not all. Carol has also become involved in an organization that helps shelter girls in Kenya who are in danger of being sold off for early marriage. It is yet another passion project!

Carol advises us all to find our passion and pursue it in whatever way is available to us. I hope you’ll listen and be inspired to pursue your own passions.

Books:

By Carol Markowitz: “Autism Spectrum Disorders in Adolescents and Adults” Guildford Press 2014

“Yours for the Asking; a Soldier’s Letters Home” (yet to be published)

By Jeff Markowitz: “Hit or Miss” and “Motive for Murder”

Organizations of note:

This week we're talking with Tawanda McCrae, a multifaceted and socially pro-active person, veteran, Vegan and a Vegan business owner, founder of the charity Red Queen Foundation, animal activist, a cannabis advocate. and architectural designer and instructor.  Tawanda is driven by the desire to help others through mentoring and charitable work.  We talk about looking for those "light bulb moments" and how to perhaps ease into a vegan lifestyle to help our health and the environment.  Hand made vegan chocolates might just do the trick!   She advises to "let your body be a garden, not a graveyard". 

Links to Tawanda's foundation:

This week’s guest is Ira Stanley, accomplished rock and blues guitarist, musician, and song writer. Currently Ira is the lead guitarist for the bands Checker’d Past and Blues Power. I was eager to learn how Ira kept his music going through the pandemic. (Here Social Media once again features front and center…in this case in a positive way…)

As the owner of businesses that provided on call nursing and doctor’s services, Ira had an up-close vantage point of the demands on medical professionals created by the pandemic.  And his own bout with pre-vaccine COVID made it all the more personal.

Ira also shares the clever way he and his wife were still able to “dine out” while restaurants were closed down and how he believes people have learned that working from home has not turned out to be all it was cracked up to be.

Check out Ira’s bands on their Face Book pages:

This week’s guest is Alan Maimon, Pulitzer Prize finalist author of Twilight in Hazard – An Appalachian Reckoning and an investigator for Centurion, the nation’s oldest innocence organization. Alan shares with us the difficulties of pursuing freedom for wrongly incarcerated people, most of whom are on death row, even in the best of times…much less during a pandemic!

As an investigative reporter for the Louisville Courier Journal, he also had a first-hand view of the environmental, identity and Oxycontin crises in the coal mining town of Hazard Kentucky, the subject of his book. He tells how when reporting from there he felt every bit the “foreign correspondent” he was when with the New York Times in Berlin, Germany.  Get yourself a copy of the book and prepare for a “harrowing, angering, but most importantly true”* read!  

(*Wiley Cash, New York Times bestselling author of A Land More Kind Than Home)

This week’s conversation is with Lauren Krause-Malave who is blessed with a wonderfully tight knit multicultural family (African-American, German, Puerto Rican, Colombian, Japanese….! Oh and her dog comes from Harlem!) and she tells us how that finds its way into shared traditions, particularly cuisine! (Lauren throws in some Italian for good measure.) She shares with us their techniques for staying tight knit even during the pandemic.

Like many people, Lauren suffered the “pandemic postponement” of launching her new business but is excited to bring it to fruition this spring! So, if you need your home organized or a refreshed decor…she’s the one to call!

Lauren (and her husband) are heavily involved in “giving back”. One way they do this is through coaching young people’s sports teams, teaching teamwork and character along the way. And Lauren’s “all-girl’s” flag football team proudly “beats the boys”! And don’t ever call them “sweetie”!

Lauren advises us all to live in the moment and be a part of the conversation.

Organizations supported by Lauren that are mentioned in this podcast include: