Episode 31: Musings with Milica Jelača Jovanović
Musings On Wellbeing
What does it mean to live a life in tune—with yourself, your passions, and your wellbeing? In this episode of Musings on Wellbeing, host Charlie Bresler and his guest, internationally renowned pianist Milica Jelača Jovanović, explore how the pursuit of excellence can both shape and challenge our inner lives. Raised in a family of classical musicians in Yugoslavia, Milica’s journey spans elite music schools, intense conservatory training in post-Soviet Moscow, and a new chapter of life in Michigan. Their conversation touches on the delicate balance between ambition and self-care, artistry...
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Episode 30: Musings with Richie Goldman
Musings On Wellbeing
What does wellbeing look like in the corporate world—and how can companies truly support the personal growth of their employees? In this episode of Musing on Wellbeing, Charlie Brelser is joined by Richie Goldman, Co-Founder of Men’s Wearhouse, author, marketing strategist, and writer of Curmudg. Together they explore the intersection of career, mindfulness, and meaningful connection. It’s a conversation that reminds us that professional success doesn't have to come at the cost of personal wellbeing. This episode will give listeners powerful takeaways about the value of...
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Episode 29: Musings with Patricia Natalicchio
Musings On Wellbeing
Within the realm of education, what does it mean to support the well-being of both children and adults? In this inspiring episode of Musings on Wellbeing, host Charlie Bresler explores how an intentional approach to learning environments can cultivate academic success, personal growth, and emotional balance. Patricia Natalicchio joins Charlie for this conversation, and she brings over 30 years of educational experience to the table. From her childhood teaching her dolls in Buenos Aires to founding Montessori-inspired schools across Argentina and Italy, Patricia shares a heartfelt...
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Episode 28: Musings with Dara O’Rourke
Musings On Wellbeing
This episode of Musing on Wellbeing examines the intersection of well-being, sustainability, and activism. Our choices as consumers shape the world around us, but how can we ensure those choices align with our values? From ethical labor practices to climate solutions, understanding the impact of our actions is key to creating a healthier planet and a more just society. Host Charlie Bresler is joined by Dara O’Rourke, an activist, academic, and sustainability expert. Dara shares his journey from growing up in Pullman, Washington, to becoming a professor at UC Berkeley, where he has spent...
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Episode 27: Musings with Sarah Matyko
Musings On Wellbeing
What if the secret to lasting wellbeing isn’t discipline, guilt, or fear—but pleasure? In this episode of Musings on Wellbeing, host Charlie Bresler explores how joy, purpose, and connection can be more powerful motivators for healthy behavior than the traditional messages of restriction and willpower. Joining the conversation is Dr. Sarah Matyko, Vice President of Well Being Strategy at Premise Health and Sonic Boom Wellness. With deep expertise in workplace wellness and behavior change, Dr. Matyko sheds light on how societal structures shape our health habits—poorly— and how we...
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Episode 26: Musings with Charlie Bresler
Musings On Wellbeing
Welcome to the new season of Musings. As you've likely noticed from the artwork, Musings is taking a new direction — we're broadening our horizons to consider the idea of "wellbeing" as a whole. What does it mean to be truly "well," physically, mentally, and emotionally? In this first episode, Charlie Bresler swaps his host chair for the guest chair, and long-time friend and colleague Stacey Black is asking the questions. Stacey and Charlie discuss the new direction for Musings — the idea of pursuing wellbeing as a whole — and how what Charlie has termed "effective hedonism"...
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Episode 25: Musings with Shameran Abed & Scott MacMillan Part 2
Musings On Wellbeing
How important is hope and a feeling of agency over your own life? I think we’d say those are crucial to anyone. But if you’re born into a consistent cycle of poverty, if your family and community have struggled for generations, hope and agency can seem as fantastical as unicorns. Welcome to part 2 of Charlie Bresler’s discussion with Shameran Abed, Executive Director of BRAC International, and Scott MacMillan, Director of Learning and Effectiveness and author of Hope Over Fate. In part 1, the show delved into BRAC’s history and the evolving vision of its founder, Sir Fazle Hasan Abed....
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Episode 24: Musings with Shameran Abed & Scott MacMillan Part 1
Musings On Wellbeing
“When people ask me now what BRAC stands for, I like to say that we stand for an idea – an idea of a world where everyone has an equal opportunity to realize their potential." --Sir Fazle Hasan Abed, BRAC Founder For Shameran Abed, BRAC was basically an elder sibling. The organization, formed in 1972, preceded Shameran’s birth by about a decade and was founded by his father, Sir Fazle Hasan Abed. BRAC was born from the devastation that occurred as Bangladesh fought for its independence and also faced a disastrous cyclone. What began as a modest, local relief effort quickly...
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Episode 23: Musings with Rena Greifinger
Musings On Wellbeing
“I was instilled with this idea that I come from a lot of privilege and lot of ease in my own life, and to use that as power to clear the barriers for others to exercise their own privilege and power.” Rena Greifinger has used her power and privilege to help some of the most underrepresented and marginalized people in the world. Director of Individual Philanthropy and Managing Director of the Maverick Collective by Population Services International or PSI, Rena joined PSI twelve years ago with a mission of working for the dignity of people affected by stigmatized issues. Whether that’s...
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Episode 22: Musings with Vincent van der Holst
Musings On Wellbeing
Musings host Charlie Bresler wrote a piece called “You Don’t Have to Be Brave to Save Lives,” () about how us ordinary humans can do good from the comfort of our living rooms. Someone should probably send that URL to Vincent “Vin” van der Holst. Founder of BOAS, a company that both saves denim from landfills and donates profits to charitable organizations, Vin is already doing the hard work to help save lives. But in June of 2024, he decided to do more: on June 7, he undertook to break a world record and cycle at least 130 kilometers (about 81 miles) no-handed. Every kilometer...
info_outlineBorn on a dairy farm in West Sussex, Dr. Wendy Harrison has been around animals and agriculture her entire life. In fact, she stated her desire to be a vet at the ripe old age of six.
While doing post-doc research and study at the University of Georgia, Dr. Harrison took a volunteer position at the non-profit Heifer International. She describes having a “Eureka moment” during this time, when she fully realized the linkage between animals and humans and how the health of all are “woven together.”
One key part of her research has been in the attempt to end schistosomiasis, a waterborne parasite that can cause organ failure and cancer in its host. Because so many diseases such as this occur in neglected areas among marginalized populations, the diseases — and their victims — have been largely ignored by Western society.
To help combat parasitic diseases, Dr. Harrison joined up with the Schistosomiasis Control Initiative (SCI) in 2009. She became CEO of Unlimit Health (formerly SCI Foundation) in 2019.
In this interview, Charlie Bresler hosts Dr. Harrison and Matias Nestore, Senior Associate in Research and Evaluation at The Life You Can Save, in a conversation about tropical diseases, mass treatment and prevention interventions, and how health systems can be strengthened through collaboration.
To support Unlimit Health’s work, you can donate via The Life You Can Save website or directly at unlimithealth.org.
Links:
Heifer International - www.heifer.org
Unlimit Health Ending Parasitic Diseases Together - Strategy 2023-2028
A Road Map for Neglected Tropical Diseases 2021-2030 from World Health Organization