Christian Ray Flores – Live to Give
The Journey of My Mother's Son
In this episode of the Journey of My Mother’s Son podcast, I talk with Christian Ray Flores. Christian was born in Moscow, Russia to a Chilean father and a Russian mother. The family moved to Chile when Christian was nine months old. During the 1973 military coup of Augusto Pinochet, Christian's father, Americo Flores, was arrested along with thousands of others and spent time in one of the infamous concentration camps. His mother Larisa and two children went into hiding under an assumed name and with a fake Argentinian passport. After Americo's release, the family spent some...
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Santo D. Marabella – Il Mio Posto a Tavola
The Journey of My Mother's Son
In this episode of the Journey of My Mother’s Son podcast, I talk with Santo Marabella. I was honored to have the opportunity to have my old friend from Berks County, Santo, on my show. We have been friends for over fifteen years now. We first got to know each other when we both served on the board of the Berks County Visitors Bureau and through volunteering with the Reading Filmfest. However, I never really knew Santo’s story of how he arrived in the United States until recently. It is an incredible story, and again, I feel honored to be able to give Santo a place...
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Vince Padilla – Just a Dude Trying to Help
The Journey of My Mother's Son
In this episode of the Journey of My Mother’s Son podcast, I talk with another fellow full-time RVer and good friend, Vince Padilla. Vince is a full time RVer, leather worker, photographer, and retired soccer coach. He and his wife Amy have been on the road for six years. We first met Vince and Amy on volunteer project through at Sam Houston Jones State Park in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Vince has long been an advocate for mental health care and discussion and has been very public about his own struggles with depression and anxiety disorders. His photo series "Dreams" exploring aspects of...
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Eric McHugh – Serenity Amongst Technology
The Journey of My Mother's Son
In this episode of the Journey of My Mother’s Son podcast, I talk with Eric McHugh. Eric is a 31-year-old entrepreneur whose philosophy emphasizes the importance of simplicity, adaptability, and a clear mind, which has translated well into the world of web3 entrepreneurship. Eric specializes in leveraging his strategic thinking and adaptability to create innovative and effective solutions to the challenges facing this cutting industry. Eric’s fierce independence and commitment to self-mastery made him a natural leader and role model for those seeking to live a life of purpose and freedom...
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Brian Hite – The Science of Motivation
The Journey of My Mother's Son
In this episode of the Journey of My Mother’s Son podcast, I talk with Brian Hite, Ph.D. Brian is "The High-Stakes Performance Whisperer," an expert in transforming how individuals and organizations perceive and navigate high-stakes environments. With over 30 years of experience as a professional stuntman and a decade coaching elite military personnel, Brian has dedicated his life to helping people see through the illusions of stress and pressure, unlocking clarity and achieving extraordinary results. Blending real-world expertise with academic rigor—including a Ph.D. in Organizational...
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Dr. Fred Moss – Welcome to Humanity
The Journey of My Mother's Son
In this episode of the Journey of My Mother’s Son podcast, I talk with Dr. Fred Moss. A college dropout who found a job at a state mental health facility for adolescent boys. However, he didn't like how these kids were treated and decided to do something about it. So, he returned to college, and the rest is history. Dr. Fred Moss, MD, is a pioneering psychiatrist and the founder of Welcome to Humanity. With nearly four decades of experience in the field, Dr. Moss has dedicated his career to transforming the conversation around mental health and well-being. Educated at Northwestern University...
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Dr. Sharneal – Quantum Wholeness
The Journey of My Mother's Son
In this episode of the Journey of My Mother’s Son podcast, I talk with Dr. Sharnael Wolverton Sehon. Better known as just Dr. Sharnael, she is a captivating multidisciplinary expert who seamlessly blends naturopathic medicine, spirituality, and quantum science to empower individuals on their journey to wholeness. As the founder of True TV and author of five groundbreaking books, including her international best seller "The Science of Miracles: RE-Membering the Frequency of Love," Dr. Sharnael offers a unique perspective on achieving optimal health and unlocking human potential. Her global...
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Jeff Patterson – The Yielding Warrior Method
The Journey of My Mother's Son
In this episode of the Journey of My Mother’s Son podcast, I talk with Jeff Patterson. What sets Jeff Patterson apart from other meditation practitioners is his unique approach known as "The Yielding Warrior Method." Jeff teaches the five basic regulations that are fundamental to any meditative practice. He goes beyond traditional methods by incorporating ritual, active, and philosophical techniques to help individuals build a personalized, evolving meditation program that seamlessly fits their lifestyle. Jeff's expertise is reflected in his three published books, including his latest, "The...
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Kim Giarraputo – Building Relationships
The Journey of My Mother's Son
In this episode of the Journey of My Mother’s Son podcast, I talk with Kim Giarraputo. Kim is a trusted real estate agent in Larchmont, NY. With over 20 years of experience in the area, Kim's roots run deep in the vibrant community. Having made Larchmont her home more than two decades ago, she understands the unique charm and allure that draws people to its beautiful location. Passionate about real estate, Kim's client-focused approach and innate kindness set her apart. She finds great joy in helping people navigate the intricate world of real estate, ensuring their dreams become a reality....
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Bryan Driscoll – The Goodness Game
The Journey of My Mother's Son
In this episode of the Journey of My Mother’s Son podcast, I talk with Bryan Driscoll. Bryan is a first-time author with a passion for inspiring kindness and creating positive change in the world. Twenty years ago, a stranger literally picked him up off the street and gave him a plate of spaghetti and a bedroom he had to share with an oversized cat. This small act of kindness sparked an unending desire to pay it forward, ultimately leading to the goodness game. That one small act of kindness left an indelible mark on Bryan’s life and set off a ripple effect that lasted over twenty years...
info_outlineIn this episode of the Journey of My Mother’s Son podcast, I talk with Santo Marabella.
I was honored to have the opportunity to have my old friend from Berks County, Santo, on my show. We have been friends for over fifteen years now. We first got to know each other when we both served on the board of the Berks County Visitors Bureau and through volunteering with the Reading Filmfest. However, I never really knew Santo’s story of how he arrived in the United States until recently. It is an incredible story, and again, I feel honored to be able to give Santo a place at my table, and help tell a little bit of his story on my show.
Santo D. Marabella, MBA, DSW, The Practical Prof® is an author, playwright, filmmaker, speaker and educator with writing, directing and producing credits for books, television pilots, a musical, short films and plays. He is the co-founder ReadingFilmFEST and the ReadingFilm Office, for which he served as ReadingFilm Commissioner (2006-2018). Recent projects include writer/director of the play Rocky Road Ain’t Always Sweet, (2024). producer, AVA (2023); producer, FLASHLIGHT (2023); director/co-producer, workshop for Love Is Afoot!, an original musical (2023); writer/producer/director, THE CAREGIVER (2022). Marabella, Professor Emeritus of Management, Moravian University, is a member of The Lambs®, The Dramatists Guild of America and Theatre Communications Group.
His newest film, Il Mio Posto a Tavola (My Place at the Table) is a first-person documentary which examines our universal need to belong, as seen through the heart of the filmmaker. Born in a Catholic orphanage in Aosta, Italy, and flown to the United States just one week shy of his first birthday, Santo D. Marabella was one of over 3700 Italian born children adopted by Italian American parents between 1951 and 1969. Known as the “Baby Scoop” era, tens of thousands of Italian unwed mothers were forced to give their children up for adoption, leaving behind generations of children devastated by their perceived abandonment.
Though he was the treasured only child of his adoptive parents, Santo was bullied by his peers and struggled from an early age to fit in and connect with others. Growing up, the realization that he was gay further deepened this isolation, straining his relationship with the Church to which he was so dedicated and the parents he so loved. Despite self-doubt and fear, he refused to be stopped. He tried harder and achieved more, carving out a life as a caregiver, educator, writer and artist. But he was still on the outside. In this journey to belonging, Santo returns to Italy to find his place at the table (posto a tavola)
To find out more about the film, check out its website at https://ilmiopostofilm.com/.