More Parts Than a Chicken Nugget—and Still Rocking Life
The Debbie Nigro Show
Some conversations stop you in your tracks—in the very best way. This Wellness Wednesday on The Debbie Nigro Show, I met a man whose story is the definition of still in the game. Meet B.J. Odom—radio veteran, comedian, podcaster, author, and a living, breathing miracle. B.J. has survived two transplants (a heart and a kidney), multiple surgeries, radiation treatments, and a lifetime of medical curveballs that started before he was even two years old. Doctors once told his parents he likely wouldn’t live past his teens. He’s now 70 years young… and funnier than ever. His...
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“Leave It to Norwegians in Florida to Convince Me Cold Weather Is Good for Me”
The Debbie Nigro Show
Some of the best radio & podcast conversations start exactly where you don’t expect them to…like poolside in Florida—in bathing suits, no makeup, and not a business card in sight. That’s how I met Kari Berit—in what I call a “Random Run-In.” Kari and her hubby were on two lounge chairs in the sun at a hotel pool in Florida. The only other slice of sun not being blocked by our mutual hotel building was hitting a lounge chair right next to them. This cold, pale New Yorker wanted that only other sunny spot, but I didn’t want to be a too-close lounger (kinda the same as a...
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Time to Spread Joy (and Maybe Some Deductible Dollars): Who You Givin’ To?
The Debbie Nigro Show
Year-End Giving Reminder: The last few weeks of the year are when most charitable giving happens — people feel more generous, tax benefits kick in for those who itemize, and many folks use year-end bonuses or appreciated stock to support causes they believe in. It’s the perfect moment to make a meaningful impact, especially with an organization that stretches every donor dollar farther than you ever could on your own. Why United Way Might Be One of the Smartest Ways to Give Back To Business Monday You know how I like to start a Monday: a little caffeine, a little...
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Fun, Fast “Wellness Wednesday” highlights from The Debbie Nigro Show aka 'Keeping the Live in Alive!'
The Debbie Nigro Show
Once a week I do my best to share information that I come across that might benefit others like me trying harder at "Keeping the Live in Alive!" I've posted the entire live Wellness Wednesday radio show here but in case youre in a hurry, I've summed up this week’s show highlights. #CrepeConfession: My only use of the word 'crepe' used to be in combination with the word 'paper' as in 'crepe paper' until father time starting beating the tar out of my good looks. I didn't realize what a big problem crepe had become for the world. Now I'm doing my part to try and correct...
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Fun, fast “Wellness Wednesday” highlights from The Debbie Nigro Show—aka 'Keeping the Live in Alive!'
The Debbie Nigro Show
Once a week I do my best to share information that I come across that might benefit others like me trying harder at "Keeping the Live in Alive!" I've posted the entire live Wellness Wednesday radio show here but in case youre in a hurry, I've summed up this weeks show highlights. #CrepeConfession: My only use of the word 'crepe' used to be in combination with the word 'paper' as in 'crepe paper' until father time starting beating the tar out of my good looks. I didn't realize what a big problem crepe had become for the world. Now I'm doing my part to try and...
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Human Connection Is Medicine. Celebrate “Talk to a Stranger Week” with Pete Bombaci of GenWell
The Debbie Nigro Show
Every once in a while, the universe taps you on the shoulder and says, “Here ya go … this one’s one of yours.” That’s exactly what happened when I discovered Pete Bombaci, Founder & CEO of GenWell, Canada’s Human Connection Movement — and the man behind Talk To A Stranger Week, happening November 24–30 in Canada. As many of you know, I’m the author of How To Talk To Strangers: Advice From a Professional Stranger Talker, so when I found out about Pete’s work, I thought, “Yup. This is my kinda guy. He won't be a stranger for long! "...
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Human Connection Is Medicine. Celebrate “Talk to a Stranger Week” with Pete Bombaci of GenWell.
The Debbie Nigro Show
Every once in a while, the universe taps you on the shoulder and says, “Here ya go … this one’s one of yours.” That’s exactly what happened when I discovered Pete Bombaci, Founder & CEO of GenWell, Canada’s Human Connection Movement — and the man behind Talk To A Stranger Week, happening November 24–30 in Canada. As many of you know, I’m the author of How To Talk To Strangers: Advice From a Professional Stranger Talker, so when I found out about Pete’s work, I thought, “Yup. This is my kinda guy. He won't be a stranger for long! " LOL Pete and I are...
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Why a Virtual Assistant Might Be the Best Business Decision You Haven’t Made Yet
The Debbie Nigro Show
Are you overwhelmed, overextended, and still thinking “Eh, I’ll just do it myself—it’s faster”? Yes? Well the right answer should be NO. That’s entrepreneur delusion talking. I know I am one and I'm not the best dekgator and yes I too try and do far too many things myself. On The Debbie Nigro Show, I linked up with the fabulous Jenna Eichholtz, partner at VA Growth Solutions, who popped in from Pennsylvania to drop some serious wisdom about delegating like a boss—without actually becoming a bossy boss. Here’s the big takeaway: You don’t need a full team… you...
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From Courtroom to Bagel Boss: How Beth George Is Training a New Wave of Bagel Entrepreneurs
The Debbie Nigro Show
I always try and bring the sunshine and some good energy and often I like to bring some good bagels. Today if you use your 'smellavision' link ( only kidding there is none - yet lol ) it smells like fresh bagels! I want you to meet Beth George, former attorney turned bagel whisperer and owner of Bagel-ish in Beacon, NY, and wow… this woman is rising dough and raising entrepreneurs. Beth’s origin story is pure heart: in 2006 she started baking to help her son manage health and behavioral issues—researching the gut–brain connection long before it was trendy. That journey led her...
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Sometimes a Simple Act of Kindness Is the Miracle Someone Needs to Move Forward
The Debbie Nigro Show
On this week’s Keeping the “Live” in Alive segment of The Debbie Nigro Show, I was joined by my longtime gal pal (though we’ve never actually met in person!) Linda Arroz, who’s on an inspiring new mission in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Linda is helping raise funds for a short social impact film called Awakening Georgie — a powerful narrative about the hidden struggles of traumatic brain injury (TBI) survivors and the miracles that can come from compassion. “Thirty percent of injury-related deaths in the U.S. are caused by a traumatic brain injury. That’s a lot. We need to...
info_outlineMatt Vossler Co-Founder 'Swim Across America' joins me to celebrate 35 years of making waves fighting cancer. And we're talkin big kahuna waves!
This year there will be 24 events across the country expected to raise 10M which will bring the total dollars raised by this charity for cancer research rockstars close to 120M! Matt says, it's been incredibly impactful and effective fund raising.
Swim Across America is a national organization with 24 open water swims from Boston Harbor to under the Golden Gate Bridge, and more than 100 pool swim fundraisers across the country. It's roots are firmly anchored in Connecticut and along the shores of Long Island Sound. The 16th annual Swim Across America Fairfield County open water swim is scheduled for Saturday, June 25, 2022.
Matt Vossler is from Darien, CT. and he and his lifelong friend and college roommate Jeff Keith, who lost part of his leg to bone cancer as a teen, founded Swim Across America in 1987.
These two guys along with their other buddy Hugh Curran, graduated college, put their careers on hold, and physically 'ran' clear across the country fundraising for cancer. The 'swim' version of their efforts was only sparked when they got to the California Coast and ran out of 'land' Matt said.
'Swim Across America' didn't exactly start out as smooth sailing. Matt shared that at their very first event in 1987 on the Long Island Sound in NY during a fundraising swim from Port Jefferson to Fairfeld Beach, their boat actually sank. OMG. If that didnt stop them...it didn't.
Swim Across America is built on a fundamental value that money raised in a community, stays in that community. This value creates a grassroots community feel for each of our charity swims,” said Matt Vossler. “Each charity swim is partnered with an academic or research hospital within the community that serves as the beneficiary.
Stamford-based Alliance for Cancer Gene Therapy is the local beneficiary in Fairfield County, CT.
What isn’t limited to geography is the innovation and collaboration to fighting cancer.
Swim Across America has already granted $100M and been a major funder in the advancement of immunotherapy, personalized medicine, gene sequencing, detection and patient programs such as adolescent and youth survivorship.”
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On Saturday, April 23rd, Elizabeth Beisel, a four-time Olympic gold and bronze medalist, 2016 Team USA captain, and world record holder for the first woman to successfully swim from mainland Rhode Island to Block Island, along with Craig Beardsley, a world record holder in the 200-meter butterfly and a former member of the U.S. Olympic Swim Team, will be visiting the Darien, CT YMCA. They will hold a swim clinic with the Darien Y’s Piranha swim team from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., and then participate in a Meet-and-Greet with the public from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. The Meet-and-Greet is free and open to the public.
Something tells me after you listen to this podcast conversation with Swim Across America Co-Founder Matt Vossler, you'll want to jump in and help. Incredibly inspiring.