Step Right Up! A Story of Circus Legends, Resilience, and Six Minutes of Perfection
Release Date: 11/30/2024
“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...
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Why I’m Clapping for Collagen (Yes, Really!)
The Debbie Nigro Show
Hey friends, Debbie Nigro here—and yes, I was literally clapping for collagen on the air. I’ve officially joined the collagen revolution thanks to NativePath, and I feel GOOD about it. So good, I invited their brilliant co-founder, Dr. Chad Walding, on The Debbie Nigro Show to spill the truth about this stuff that’s got my knees, skin, hair, and even my outlook bouncing back. Here’s the scoop from our chat… Collagen Is the Missing Link According to Dr. Chad, our ancestors used to get collagen naturally from eating “nose to tail.” But today? We’re...
info_outlineEver find yourself enchanted by the sparkle of a circus? Not just the outfits (which I’ve always admired)—but the incredible dedication behind the scenes? Well, today’s podcast is a must-listen as I delve into the fascinating world of the Circus Ring of Fame in Sarasota, Florida, with my brilliant guest, Bill Powell.
Funny story: this whole conversation started because I stumbled upon an old photo of myself doing one of my first celebrity interviews—with a monkey from the Royal Hanneford Circus! (Yes, a monkey. It was as hilarious as you can imagine.) That quirky blast from the past sent me spiraling down an acrobatic rabbit hole of circus research, and, wow, did I uncover some incredible stuff!
Bill, who’s the Chairman and CEO of the Circus Ring of Fame Foundation and a circus industry veteran, joined me to share insights into Sarasota’s vibrant circus history and the resilience of this amazing community. Sarasota, as it turns out, isn’t just another sunny Florida spot—it’s the Circus Capital of America, a place where legends have performed and lived since the Ringling Brothers made it their winter home.
Bill’s expertise runs deep. Before leading the Circus Ring of Fame Foundation, he built an impressive career at Feld Entertainment, the company behind iconic productions like Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, Disney on Ice, and Monster Jam. His background gave him a unique understanding of the art, business, and enduring legacy of the circus world.
But not everything has been bright lights and applause. The Circus Ring of Fame was recently devastated by hurricanes that tore through the area, leaving their iconic home in St. Armand’s Circle Park in need of major repairs. The damage was so extensive that the much-anticipated 2025 Circus Ring of Fame Global Awards Show has sadly been postponed to 2026. Bill shared how this setback has fueled the community’s determination to rebuild. As he put it, “This isn’t our first rodeo hurricane.”
Despite the challenges, the Circus Ring of Fame under Bill’s leadership is finding innovative ways to keep its magic alive. They’ve incorporated QR codes into their legendary plaques, so visitors can scan and dive into the incredible stories, photos, and videos of circus legends who’ve shaped the art form.
Bill also gave me an insider's view of what makes circus performers so special. He described the circus world as a place where people dedicate their entire lives to creating “six minutes of perfection.” Think about that! From trapeze acts to being shot out of cannons, these performers are the ultimate pros, bringing joy to audiences through unmatched artistry and effort.
If you’re ever in Sarasota, visiting the Circus Ring of Fame should be on your list—especially once the community’s hard work restores it to its former glory. In the meantime, you can support their mission and learn more about these incredible artists.
Listen to the full episode of The Debbie Nigro Show and get inspired by the magic of circus legends.