Creating the Future of Live Theater—Together: Inside the iStage Movement
The Debbie Nigro Show
Live Theater Is Having a Wonderful Resurgence - Wait Till You Hear About Its Next Act! On a recent episode of The Debbie Nigro Show, I caught up with longtime pal, producer and innovator Paul Lambert about an exciting new chapter in entertainment: iStage. What makes iStage so unique? It’s the first community-first approach to building musicals—blending digital engagement with the magic of live performance. Instead of starting with a script and hoping people show up, iStage builds a community around a topic first, then creates a...
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“The Future of Entrepreneurship Is Female, 50+, and AI-Powered”
The Debbie Nigro Show
Kathy McShane is Empowering Women Entrepreneurs 50+ to Embrace the Future On a recent episode of The Debbie Nigro Show, I was thrilled to welcome back longtime friend and unstoppable force in women’s entrepreneurship, Kathy McShane. Kathy is the founder of Ladies Launch with AI, a three-time business founder, and the former head of the U.S. SBA Office of Women’s Business Ownership. These days, she’s on a mission to help women—especially over 50—leverage AI to start and scale businesses faster, smarter, and with more confidence. “AI doesn’t have emotions,” Kathy...
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Ever heard of Shareapy? It's like therapy but with people going through the same thing
The Debbie Nigro Show
As heard on The Debbie Nigro Show Sometimes it really helps to just talk to other caring people about whatever you’re going through. Now there’s a place where you can. I had a talk with Scott Kelsey, the incredibly resilient Founder & CEO of Shareapy—about his groundbreaking wellness platform born from personal tragedy and built to foster connection, healing, and personal growth. After a life-altering fall down a staircase left him with a traumatic brain injury, Scott found himself forced to hit pause—and reflect. "I had to isolate, be in a dark room, and let my brain...
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TREND ALERT: The Rise of the “Halfbacks”
The Debbie Nigro Show
As heard on The Debbie Nigro Show There's a hot new real estate migration trend picking up steam among Northeasterners and former Floridians: they’re becoming “Halfbacks”—people who moved to Florida, found it a little too much (too hot, too humid, too everything), and are now settling halfway back up the East Coast. Their happy medium? Coastal North Carolina. On The Debbie Nigro Show, I got the inside scoop from Jason Faulkner, General Manager of Kingfish Bay Development in Calabash, NC—one of the fastest-growing destinations for these lifestyle-minded movers that's just minutes...
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From Paralyzed Performer to Superhuman CEO: Meet Global Wellness Pioneer Dan Metcalf
The Debbie Nigro Show
This story of mind-blowing resilience is a wake-up call for anyone feeling stuck, sidelined, or afraid to bounce back. On a recent episode of The Debbie Nigro Show, I had the joy of speaking with global wellness pioneer Dan Metcalf—international performer turned brain-injury survivor, Olympic coach, and now CEO of Total Balance Company and Born Superhuman. Hard to believe this superhuman got in touch with me to see if I was interested in uncovering how we could inspire listeners together. Here’s what I read when I opened his blind email to me. Hey Debbie. “I've...
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Lobster Rolls, Lobster Pajamas & Lobster Pop-Ups: Andrea Anthony Is the Queen of Crustacean Cool
The Debbie Nigro Show
If you thought lobster rolls were just food, think again. They're fashion now, too! On The Debbie Nigro Show, Debbie caught up with her “sister from another mother,” Andrea Anthony — the iconic entrepreneur behind Lunch Lobster Roll in Amagansett and Southampton — to talk lobster love, restaurant buzz, and lobster pajamas (yes, really). I try and track the latest trends and surprisingly discovered ‘Lobster Fashion’ was trending? Wow, I was seriously behind the lobster claw curve on this one! Then I searched online to see what I could find out and came upon endless items of...
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Stephen Caldwell Reinvented the Tater Tot – And Fed the Homeless Doing It. A Great Risk It! or Regret It! Comeback Story.
The Debbie Nigro Show
As heard on The Debbie Nigro Show – Wellness Wednesday Edition Move over French fries, there's a new crispy craving in town — and it’s doing more than just satisfying your snack attack. It’s feeding schoolkids, shaking up convenience stores, and making waves nationwide. Meet Stephen Caldwell, founder of , the world’s first patented stuffed shredded potato bite. These aren’t your average tots. Think crispy outside, gooey inside — filled with real Wisconsin cheese, veggies, or meats — all under 60 calories, gluten-free, non-GMO, and made with just five clean ingredients. ...
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Getting Back in the Game! Preventing Pain, Healing Injuries & Staying Active Without Surgery
The Debbie Nigro Show
From The Debbie Nigro Show Podcast Let’s face it—we all want to keep doing the things we love. But one unexpected twist, fall, or awkward step (looking at you, pickleball!) and suddenly we’re dealing with pain that lingers longer than our last relationship. On this episode of The Debbie Nigro Show, Dr. Alan Siegel, co-founder of ProClinix, brings 30+ years of insight on how to recover from injuries, manage chronic pain, and keep your body moving—without relying on surgery or medications. Here are the key takeaways anyone—anywhere—can benefit from: Injury Prevention...
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Shoppers Are Elevating 'Secondhand' Into 1st Position
The Debbie Nigro Show
Thrift Shops & Online Hustles Are Booming On this week’s Trending Tuesday on The Debbie Nigro Show, we talked tariffs, thrift shops, and thriving through turbulence. Whether you’re bargain hunting or business-minded, there’s never been a better time to think secondhand—or second income! According to the 2024 Thrift Industry Report by Savers Value Village 16-18% of Americans shop at thrift stores each year: 12 to 15% shop at consignment or resale stores. Nearly 90% of consumers have shopped or donated at a Thrift Store up from 83% in 2022. It’s The Ultimate...
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Out of Fame and Pain Came Purpose and a Book: A Believer's Perspective
The Debbie Nigro Show
From the Stage to the Soul: Robin Lloyd’s A Believer’s Perspective on Life, Legacy & Faith On the latest episode of The Debbie Nigro Show, I had the real honor of talking with Robin Lloyd—a man whose life journey reads like a Hollywood script… but with a whole lot more heart. Robin started his career as a singer, sharing stages with Marvin Gaye, Tina Turner, James Brown, The Supremes, and more. He was part of the legendary Dick Clark Caravan of Stars, toured with iconic names, and was even managed by Shelly Berger (yep, the longtime manager of The Temptations). But...
info_outlineI'm passionate about showing people how to connect better and how to create realtionships. Realtionships matter.
In a recent episode of The Debbie Nigro Show, I welcomed Donald Weber, a renowned communications coach, to dive deep into the art of empathy and how it helps us create meaningful relationships both personally and professionally.
Donald Weber, who started off as a shy introvert, shared his inspiring journey from being bullied in school to coaching some of the world's most elite leaders, including members of European royalty and Fortune 100 CEOs. His message is clear: empathy and strong communication skills can transform how we connect with others, whether in business or life.
Fostering Empathy and Meaningful Connections
One of the main topics we discussed was empathy—understanding and connecting with others by identifying their emotions. Donald stressed the importance of being self-aware and recognizing your own emotions before trying to connect with others. He emphasized that listening and showing genuine interest are key soft skills in building trust and fostering lasting relationships.
As a fellow communication expert and author of “How to Talk to Strangers / Advice from a Professional Stranger Talker”, I agree whole heartedly that empathy plays a critical role in real conversations and successful collaborations.
Donald and I also both highlighted the importance of self-control, and I threw in mention of my “24-hour rule” for managing emotions before reacting. Ah the things that come with wisdom!
Learning from the Greats
Donald Weber attributed much of his success to influences like Dale Carnegie, author of *How to Win Friends and Influence People*, as well as personal mentors like Tony Robbins and Deepak Chopra. His message to listeners was clear: continuous learning and self-improvement are critical to becoming a better communicator and leader.
Who Donald Weber Helps
Donald Weber’s clients range from high-profile individuals to top-tier organizations, all seeking to improve their communication skills. Whether in one-on-one sessions or private workshops, he provides custom training to help leaders develop empathy, emotional intelligence, and effective communication strategies. Often he dioes this very privately.
Some Key Takeaways ….
Empathy and Emotional Intelligence: Understanding others’ emotions is key to forming meaningful connections.
Active Listening: Show genuine interest in others and listen intently—communication isn’t just about talking.
Self-Awareness: Being mindful of your emotions helps you better control interactions.
The Power of Patience: Waiting to respond when agitated can improve outcomes.
Learning from the Best Books like Dale Carnegie’s “How to Win Friends and Influence People” offer valuable lessons.
Want to learn more about fostering empathy and becoming a better communicator? You can find Donald Weber online by searching "Donald Weber Communications Coach."
Want to learn how to better connect with people in person? You might want to grab a copy of my book, “How to Talk to Strangers / Advice From a Professional Stranger Talker” by Debbie Nigro. It’s only 66 pages. You can start communicating better in about an hour. LOL
Meanwhile enjoy this podcast our live conversation on The Debbie Nigro Show – airing weekdays 11-12 noon EST live out of WGCH Radio studios In Greenwich, CT and airing live online at WGCH.com.
Follow me on Instargram for more of everything upbeat: @therealdebbienigro