The Debbie Nigro Show

Debbie was the winner of the prestigious ‘Best Nationally Syndicated Talk Show of The Year’ – three years in a row, from American Women in Radio & Television. Nobody sees the glass of Cabernet half full like Debbie. She is fresh air with a magnetic flare.

The Moke —The Coolest Ride You Didn’t Know You Needed! 12/20/2024

'Coquito' Magic from the $10M Cocktail Creator! 12/20/2024

'Coquito' Magic from the $10M Cocktail Creator! Looking for the perfect holiday drink? Meet Coquito, Puerto Rico’s creamy, coconut-infused answer to eggnog—and the recipe comes straight from Nick Mautone, the mixology mastermind behind the $10 million Honey Deuce cocktail at the U.S. Open. When asked what makes the Coquito so special, Nick said, “You almost can’t screw it up. It’s rich, indulgent, and full of those sweet holiday spices that make everything feel festive.” Nick’s take on Coquito skips the evaporated milk for more coconut richness, blending coconut milk, sweetened condensed milk, dark rum, and a dash of warm spices. Shake it up in a cocktail shaker, serve it chilled, and garnish with nutmeg or a cinnamon stick for the perfect holiday toast. Whether you sip it in a martini glass or over ice, it’s a little taste of the tropics with a festive twist. This recipe is easy-peasy, even for the directionally challenged (yes, I’ve been known to rescue instructions from the trash one too many times). So grab a shaker, channel your inner Tom Cruise, and toast to the holiday season! Here’s Nick Mautone’s Holiday Coquito Recipe! Holiday Coquito By Nick Mautone Coquito is an eggnog-like alcoholic beverage, but without eggs! A traditional Puerto Rican holiday drink it is creamy, decadent and filled with sweet spices like cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, allspice and ginger. The key ingredients are coconut milk or cream of coconut and condensed milk. Many home recipes include evaporated milk, I skip that in favor of more coconut milk and its exotic flavor. If you want to go completely dairy free (I often do!) there is sweetened condensed coconut milk available online and in specialty markets, or use coconut cream instead of condensed milk – just be sure to mix it well. 2 oz coconut milk 1 ½ oz Dark rum 1 oz sweetened condensed milk Generous Dash of apple or pumpkin pie spice or your favorite blend of sweet spices like cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, allspice and ginger Garnish: Grated Nutmeg and/or Cinnamon Sticks and/or Coconut Glassware: Shot Glass, Martini up or Rocks glass over ice Pour all ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously, strain into preferred glass or rocks glass filled with ice. Garnish Pro tip 1 Adding a dash of another brown spirit such as bourbon, brandy or a sweet sherry will add a real depth of flavor and complexity. Pro tip 2 Multiply this recipe by 10 or more and stash in the fridge. It will last a week or so, ready for all your holiday entertainment. Pro tip 3 Add a tablespoon of pumpkin purée to the recipe for a very decadent pumpkin pie “nog” Pro tip 4 Add a tablespoon of apple butter to the recipe for a very decadent apple pie “nog” Pro tip 5 Add a ½ ounce of peppermint schnapps or white crème de menthe to the original recipe for a very decadent peppermint bark like version. Enjoy this podcast of my warm conversation with childhood neighbor and cocktail star Nick Mautone live on The Debbie Nigro Show. /episode/index/show/thedebbienigroshow/id/34554145

Behind the Magic of Drone Light Shows: With Pixis Drones’ Pres. Bernard Ozarowski 11/30/2024

Behind the Magic of Drone Light Shows: With Pixis Drones’ Pres. Bernard Ozarowski Have you ever looked up at the night sky and seen a dazzling display of synchronized drones creating art in mid-air? I stumbled upon this awe-inspiring technology while walking in my neighborhood park. What I thought was going to be an epic video of hovering drones ton my iPhone turned out to be a great shot… of my foot. But that didn’t stop me from diving into the world of drone light shows, thanks to my recent guest, Bernard Ozarowski, President of Pixis Drones. Bernard’s journey into the drone world is as fascinating as the shows themselves. “I was a white-collar criminal defense lawyer for 13 years,” Bernard shared. “But when I saw an NBA logo made out of drones at Liberty State Park, I knew this was something that could bring joy and magic to people, including myself. Now, I get to do work that makes me feel like a kid again.” Pixis Drones collaborates with major brands like Warner Bros., McDonald’s, and even the NFL to create jaw-dropping aerial displays. From shaping logos to telling entire stories in the sky, the process begins with detailed storyboarding and animation, which eventually transforms into precise drone flight paths. “Each drone is programmed with a path file that tells it where to go, what color to display, and when to return safely,” Bernard explained. As for the technology itself? Bernard broke it down simply: “Think of each drone as a pixel in a moving image. Our software calculates how every drone needs to move and light up to create a seamless visual. It’s like choreographing a dance, but with hundreds of performers in the sky.” The possibilities are endless, whether for halftime shows, weddings, or product launches. And while smaller shows start at $40,000, premium productions can climb into six figures. Despite the cost, the safety protocols are what truly impressed me. “Our drones are surrounded by geofences that act like an invisible safety net,” Bernard said, “and we’re always prepared with a second pilot monitoring every flight.” It’s hard not to admire Bernard’s passion. His team is composed of people from wildly different backgrounds—lawyers, special forces, and marketing experts—all united by their love for pushing creative boundaries. “I even get cool dad points,” Bernard joked, recounting how he recently put Minecraft in the sky for his son. Drone light shows aren’t just the future of entertainment—they’re a testament to the magic of technology and human creativity. Thank you, Bernard, for sharing this inspiring glimpse into Pixis Drones. I’m officially a new fan and can’t wait to catch their next dazzling display. Learn about the behind the scenes magic of creating syncronized drone light shows in this fascinating podcast of my live conversation with Pixis Drones President Bernard Ozarowski on The Debbie Nigro Show. /episode/index/show/thedebbienigroshow/id/34209690

Step Right Up! A Story of Circus Legends, Resilience, and Six Minutes of Perfection 11/30/2024

Step Right Up! A Story of Circus Legends, Resilience, and Six Minutes of Perfection Ever 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. /episode/index/show/thedebbienigroshow/id/34209440

Amazon E-Commerce Secrets with Neil Twa: How to Make Passive Income Online 11/21/2024

Unlike 'Billions' Brian Rathjen's Veteran Run Wall Street Firm 'Gives' vs 'Takes' 11/14/2024

Unlike 'Billions' Brian Rathjen's Veteran Run Wall Street Firm 'Gives' vs 'Takes' Celebrating True Heroes: Brian Rathjen & Roberts and Ryan's Mission to Serve Veterans In honor of Veterans Day, I turned the spotlight on someone who embodies selfless service: Brian Rathjen of Roberts and Ryan, America’s first service-disabled veteran-owned broker-dealer. If there was a show about this Wall Street firm, it would be the opposite of the show “Billions”—highlighting generosity and patriotism instead of greed. Brian, a proud Navy veteran and the non-executive chairman of Roberts and Ryan, has made it his mission to give back. His firm has grown impressively since we first connected, now boasting 42 employees, many of whom are military and Wall Street veterans. The most inspiring part? Roberts and Ryan donates a significant portion of its financial transaction profits to support veteran organizations and youth programs. To date, they’ve donated $2.3 million to over 50 initiatives, covering everything from health and wellness to career transitions for veterans. We discussed their support for Boulder Crest Retreat, an incredible place helping veterans overcome PTSD (or PTS, as Brian prefers—removing the "D" for disorder). With serene properties and life-changing programs, they promote post-traumatic growth and empower heroes to reclaim joy and purpose. Roberts and Ryan also partners with the Robert Irvine Foundation, funding high-tech I-Bot wheelchairs that restore independence to veterans who’ve lost mobility. Each chair is a $40,000 game-changer, and so far, they’ve donated ten! Beyond veterans, Brian and his team invest in uplifting underserved youth, like their recent internships and support initiatives in Harlem. Roberts and Ryan is a stellar example of business excellence fused with heart and integrity. Here’s a company checking all the boxes: world-class financial service, diversity and inclusion, and an unwavering commitment to giving back. So, to all the companies out there: consider joining forces with Roberts and Ryan and be part of a mission that truly changes lives. As Brian says, “What we do for ourselves dies with us, but what we do for others, lives forever.” Thank you, Brian, for your service and heart. And Thank You Always and Forever to All Our Veterans. Let’s keep serving those who served! /episode/index/show/thedebbienigroshow/id/33933932

Meet Destiny Bella Kinsey: The 10-Year-Old Filmmaker Making Waves Against Bullying! 11/14/2024

Meet Destiny Bella Kinsey: The 10-Year-Old Filmmaker Making Waves Against Bullying! Recently on The Debbie Nigro Show, we had a very special young guest: the fabulous Destiny Bella Kinsey, a talented 10-year-old from Yonkers, NY who is making a powerful impact with her anti-bullying video, “Rise and Stop Bullies”. Destiny may be one of the youngest stars we’ve ever featured, but her story and vision are as impactful as they come! Bullied herself in elementary school, Destiny took a difficult experience and turned it into a message of strength and hope for others. While no one was there to help her at first, once she was able to admit to her Mom what was troubling her so much, she decided to make a difference so that no other child would have to feel alone. With the support of her film teacher, school friends, and her wonderful mom, Larnez Kinsey, Destiny crafted a moving short film showcasing how stepping up as a bystander can stop bullying in its tracks. Her mom, Larnez, an inspiring powerhouse herself, has raised five daughters while working in New York State Corrections and running Black Gate Consulting Group, where she helps people access critical grants. Talk about a family of change-makers! As Destiny confidently shared her vision in our studio, I couldn’t help but recognize her as a future superstar. She’s already got the spark, talent, and ambition to influence the world. Her filmmaking club at school is just the beginning! So, whether you have kids in school or know someone who does, this video is a must-watch. "Rise and Stop Bullies" is a heartfelt call for action, urging us all to step in and support one another. Sharing it could help spread awareness and, hopefully, make every school a safer place. And hey, Destiny might be helping me out with TikTok soon—this girl knows how to keep things fresh! Let’s amplify Destiny's voice and celebrate her mission. More power to young heroes like her! And more power to everyone who supports the mission to 'Rise and Stop Bullies!' Enjoy this podcast of our live in studio conversation and stay tuned for more uplifting stories on The Debbie Nigro Show! /episode/index/show/thedebbienigroshow/id/33933067

What To Do When Your 'Birds of a Feather' Crew Have Different Political Views 11/05/2024

Is TGI Fridays Running Out of Fridays? The Scoop on Their Surprising Chapter 11 Filing 11/05/2024

Is TGI Fridays Running Out of Fridays? The Scoop on Their Surprising Chapter 11 Filing With its roots as one of the first singles bars in Manhattan, TGI Fridays was the place to be back in the day, known for training Tom Cruise for his bartending role in Cocktail and introducing the world to Happy Hour! Now TGI Fridays, the once-vibrant go to restaurant chain has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. I did notice that a few of my local TGI Fridays had gone missing and knew something was up, but not all of them. Sure hard to miss that iconic logo in a drive by. And sure hard to forget how much good commotion went on at those happy hours back in the day. If you don't know the whole entrpreneurial backstory of TGI Fridays, its surely worth your time to check it out on Wikipedia. Business expert Parag Amin joined The Debbie Nigro Show to discuss the news and dig into what’s going wrong—and what might come next for the beloved brand. Here’s a quick summary of our fascinating conversation. The Rise and Fall of TGI Fridays In the beginning, TGI Fridays was a hot spot for singles in New York City. It was all thanks to founder Alan Stillman, who opened the first location with hopes of meeting the local ladies. From its humble beginnings, Fridays became a national phenomenon, famous for its fun atmosphere and flair bartenders. Over time, however, the brand shifted to family dining, and the unique vibe that once set it apart started to fade. Why the Struggle? The Changing Face of Casual Dining Parag Amin explained how the casual dining landscape has evolved. With more competitors entering the market, restaurants need a clear draw. TGI Fridays seemed to lose its sense of “destination dining”—the “I need to go there” factor that keeps people coming back. While other spots like Yard House have found new ways to attract both socializers and families, TGI Fridays struggled to find its footing. Can TGI Fridays Make a Comeback? So, what’s next? According to Parag, this could be the perfect opportunity for TGI Fridays to rebrand and bring in a fresh vision. Maybe Tuesday is the new Friday, I joked hinting that new “TGIT” or “TGITuesday” specials could be a fun twist on their original concept. Whatever happens, Parag says they’ll need to rediscover the magic that made Fridays a destination in the first place. Not All Fridays Are Closing Before you mourn your favorite neighborhood Fridays, don’t worry—not all locations are shutting down. While corporate-owned locations are restructuring, franchise-owned restaurants remain open and are not part of the filing. So, you may still be able to snag those famous potato skins or a signature cocktail at your local Fridays. TGI Fridays Will Be Spending Many Days on Their What’s Next If there’s a silver lining here, it’s that Chapter 11 gives TGI Fridays a chance to regroup and possibly reinvent itself. With the right strategy and perhaps a new CEO, this iconic brand could still find its way back to relevance—and maybe even reclaim some of its original “cool factor.” Enjoy this podcast of my live conversation with business expert Parag Amin on The Debbie Nigro Show. Parag Amin is the founder of the ‘Law Office of Parag Amin’. He is a business expert and an attorney who represents public figures, small business owners, and individuals in a variety of business matters. Tune in weekdays 11-12noon EST to The Debbie Nigro Show on WGCH Radio for more business insights and more lively conversations! /episode/index/show/thedebbienigroshow/id/33788542

Help! I’m Drowning in Photos: How Visual Story Media Rescues Your Memories (and Sanity) 11/05/2024

Help! I’m Drowning in Photos: How Visual Story Media Rescues Your Memories (and Sanity) Is your life cluttered with mountains of family photos, both digital and physical, that you've been meaning to organize but can’t find the time or know where to start? Meet Kimberly Melton, founder of Visual Story Media and a rising star in the world of photo organizing. Recently featured on The Debbie Nigro Show, Kimberly shared her passion for helping people bring order to their chaotic photo collections. Who Is Kimberly Melton? Kimberly, based in Charlotte, NC, has a background in marketing and project management. In 2020, she discovered the art of photo management and hasn’t looked back. Recognized by the National Association of Women Business Owners as a “Rising Star,” Kimberly has become a go-to expert for organizing both digital and paper photos. Why Organize Your Photos? Kimberly explains that sorting through years of photos can be overwhelming—especially when memories, both joyful and bittersweet, resurface. Visual Story Media offers a range of services to help you organize and share your treasured photos. Whether you want guidance on how to do it yourself or prefer to hand over boxes of photos and let Kimberly’s team handle it all, there’s a solution for everyone. Services Offered by Visual Story Media Visual Story Media provides: 1. Digital organization for smartphone photos. 2. Physical-to-digital conversion for old photos. 3. VHS and DVD conversion for videos and slideshows. 4. Customized photo books, perfect for sharing memories with family during holidays. For those facing unique situations, like dividing family photos after a divorce, Kimberly offers solutions to ensure everyone gets fair access to memories. With Visual Story Media, preserving and sharing your family’s legacy has never been easier. As Kimberly says, "Delete is not a dirty word"—sometimes the first step in organizing is simply letting go of what’s unnecessary. For anyone ready to dive into organizing their photo collection, Visual Story Media can make it a manageable and even enjoyable journey. Meet Kimberly and get some great photo organizing motivation in this podcast of our live conversation on The Debbie Nigro Show. Visit VisualStoryMedia.co to learn more about Kimberly’s services and get started on creating organized, shareable memories that last. /episode/index/show/thedebbienigroshow/id/33787567

Breast Surgical Oncologist Invents BAT Shield Radiation Protection Specifically For Women in Healthcare 11/01/2024

Adults Can Rewire Their Brain with a Manifestation Coloring Book 11/01/2024

Adults Can Rewire Their Brain with a Manifestation Coloring Book Hey there, it’s Debbie Nigro! On a recent episode of The Debbie Nigro Show, I had fun chatting about something that's really taking off lately—'adult play’ and reconnecting with the joy we felt as kids. More and more adults are leaning into activities that bring them back to that pure, playful state. And guess what? Coloring books are one of those trends making another big comeback. But this time in a more personalized way. My guest, Madison Malloy, really gets this. Madison is a mindset coach, bestselling author, and the host of the podcast Next to Madison. She’s put together a truly unique coloring book called “Color Your Way to Abundance: A 21-Day Manifestation Guide for Wealth, Health, and Love”. But this isn’t just any coloring book. Madison combines powerful affirmations with the meditative act of coloring, helping people rewire their minds for success and abundance in a totally new way. In our conversation, Madison shared her own journey from a high-powered job on Wall Street to becoming a coach and comedian, and now an author helping people unlock their potential. With her book, she’s taken three of the most important areas of life—health, wealth, and love—and created a 21-day process that’s both calming and transformative. Imagine coloring in the affirmation “Wealth is my birthright” and feeling that message truly sink in. By focusing on these affirmations in a relaxed state, Madison’s approach makes it easier for people to reprogram their subconscious and build new beliefs. Madison also hosts her own podcast, *Next to Madison*, where she helps listeners get happier, healthier, and wealthier, and I love how she blends heart, humor, and smarts in everything she does. If you’re interested in starting your own journey to abundance, check out her coloring book on Amazon. And if you want to learn more about Madison, head to MadisonMalloy.com Catch the full interview on The Debbie Nigro Show and get ready to start manifesting abundance in your life—one color at a time! /episode/index/show/thedebbienigroshow/id/33736112

Entrepreneurs Biggest Challenge? Getting Stuck in the Setbacks! 10/23/2024

Entrepreneurs Biggest Challenge? Getting Stuck in the Setbacks! Entrepreneurs know things don’t always go as planned. (Understatement) Setbacks are common for those who risk new ideas and ventures but how you deal with those setbacks is critical. There are 33 million or so small businesses in the U.S. and that includes a lot of entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurs are out there driving innovation and creating jobs and economic growth across all kinds of industries. A lot of people have been encouraged now, seeing great successes out there in the media to pursue entrepreneurship. But it isn’t always simple! On a recent episode of The Debbie Nigro Show, dynamic entrepreneur Kasey D’Amato offered invaluable insights into leadership and business acumen, particularly for those aiming to grow their small businesses and navigate the challenges of entrepreneurship. As a business consultant and coach, Kasey shared personal stories and expert advice on achieving business growth while maintaining a healthy balance between personal life and professional responsibilities. Overcoming Setbacks as an Entrepreneur Kasey D’Amato’s entrepreneurial journey is filled with valuable lessons for anyone looking to succeed in business. She spoke candidly about how setbacks are inevitable but emphasized that it's the ability to overcome these obstacles that separates successful entrepreneurs from the rest. Kasey’s leadership philosophy revolves around remaining adaptable and focusing on solutions. She encourages entrepreneurs to embrace failures as learning opportunities and to continue pushing forward. “The biggest challenge entrepreneurs face is getting stuck in the setbacks," Kasey shared during the show. "The ability to keep moving forward, no matter what, is what ultimately leads to success." Mastering Business Acumen for Small Business Growth Kasey’s expertise in business acumen and her focus on the strategic growth of small businesses are the abilities she uses to help others. She explained how important it is for entrepreneurs to understand their market and continually refine their strategies. Her advice to small business owners? Focus on what makes your business unique and leverage that to outpace your competition. "To scale your small business, you must be adaptable and always look for new ways to add value to your customers," Kasey explained. She advocates for entrepreneurs to build a strong foundation in business leadership and continually work on improving their processes. Empowering Entrepreneurs As a successful business consultant and coach, Kasey also discussed the importance of mentorship and leadership in business. She believes in empowering others through coaching, sharing how she helps clients harness their strengths to unlock their full potential. "Leadership isn't about having all the answers; it's about empowering your team to find solutions," Kasey said, offering advice to small business owners looking to lead their teams to success. Kasey also touched on the significance of time and energy management, an area where many entrepreneurs struggle. She emphasized that leaders should be mindful of how they allocate their resources, ensuring that they are focusing on the most critical tasks for business growth. If you’re looking for some expert advice on entrepreneurship and small business leadership, check out this podcast of Kasey D’Amato’s full interview on The Debbie Nigro Show and discover how you can lead your business to success. /episode/index/show/thedebbienigroshow/id/33582517

"Empathy" Is The Secret To Lasting Connections 10/23/2024

"Empathy" Is The Secret To Lasting Connections I'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 /episode/index/show/thedebbienigroshow/id/33581497

Fighting Breast Cancer Is Expensive: Judy Israel Ran 5K During Chemo To Support Free Services 10/18/2024

Fighting Breast Cancer Is Expensive: Judy Israel Ran 5K During Chemo To Support Free Services “Cancer can be financially toxic to patients”. Read that powerful line in “The Roslyn News” story about SJJCC’s Stronger Than Cancer 5K to benefit the Nancy Marx Cancer Wellness Center which took place Sept 29th in Long Island, NY. That why, against all odds, Judy Israel who’s fighting stage 4 metastatic breast cancer found the strength to run again in that race this year. Judy who’s going through chemo for the third time in her life, has run the 5K for the last 8 years to raise money to help keep all the centers programs and services free! #WPIXNews in NY and the TODAY Show were among the many outlets that featured her story. The Nancy Marx Cancer Wellness Center center has been a lifeline for Judy through her 3 trips through cancer hell, offering a community of individuals who could relate to her experience, and offering programs, support groups and exercise classes tailored to cancer patients and survivors. Most important their services are free and will remain free as long as their donations continue. Judy said,  “It’s important because before I found the Nancy Marks Cancer Wellness Center, I had been for a place where I could find people who are going through a similar situation that I was going through where I wouldn't be the only one standing out. It is a safe place. It's a place where you can go and your needs are met.  “There are groups, there are exercise classes, there are walking groups, there are breast cancer groups, there are family support groups, and it's remote and in person. So there's something for everyone. a broader audience because so many people are affected by cancer whether it's the family as a unit or just an individual so we are trying to reach as many people as we can to bring them in and help them you know what are your needs?” The Nancy Marx Cancer Wellness Center in Long Island also offers remote services that are remote. I asked Judy if they allowed people from other places in the country to access this helpful cancer support community? Judy said,  “They have to register with in the center, which there's a and which involves making a phone call and registering, and then you will be able to access through the website to navigate to different, you know, there's a schedule available of exercise classes, of different groups at different times.There are caregivers groups, there's men cancer groups, what different needs for different people.” All cancer patients need emotional and physical support. Trust me I know. I’ve been through cancer twice. I am a grateful survivor and grateful to all who helped me through it. But I’d be lying if I said it didn’t take an emotional and financial toll on my life. Staying alive ain’t cheap. Judy Israel who I came to know and adore because her sister Ellen Israel is one of my besties from Ithaca College, continues to fight her own cancer battle, while also serving as an ambassador to the center’s advisory board. Truly gritty of her to be using her experience to support and inspire others while dealing with yet another cancer fight of her own! AMAZING WOMAN. Lots of emotional personal sharing also went on during this live on air conversation with Judy who’s in chemo again for metastatic breast cancer and for whom chemo will be ongoing this time. People who’ve been through cancer can speak to each other on a different level of understanding and humor about cancer experiences. Humor is acceptable when it comes from a deeper level of caring because it’s a coping mechanism. (Her sister Ellen and I have both been through breast cancer) Which is why our conversation took a turn to naming wigs and nailing bucket list items. On Judy’s Bucket List is a trip up in a Hot Air Balloon (which scares the crap out of me); Driving cross country ( I had some good RV suggestions); and seeing Las Vegas! (I'm game for taking her there. LOL ) I invited Judy to join The Debbie Nigro Show so I can support her and her efforts to support the Nancy Marx Cancer Wellness Center organization which is so important to her and many others. I hope you’ll take the time to listen to this podcast of our live conversation on The Debbie Nigro Show and shre it with anyone who could benefdit from hearing Judy and from knowing about The Nancy Marx Cancer Wellness Center in Long Island, N.Y. --- The Debbie Nigro Show airs live weekdays 11-12 noon EST on #WGCH Radio in the NY/CT. OR You can listen from wherever you are in the world on the digital livestream on WGCH.com. Just hit the Listen Live button. Visit DebbieNigro.com for more informaton or to get in touch. /episode/index/show/thedebbienigroshow/id/33513362

How Do You Know When You Need a Psychotherapist? 10/15/2024

How Do You Know When You Need a Psychotherapist? A billion people around the world have a mental health disorder. That's a true number and research says one in two people are going to have a mental health disorder at some point in their life. Wendy Chaite is a psychotherapist who brings a world of wisdom and compassion to the table. In honor of World Mental Health Day I felt it was a good time to talk about mental wellness and loss and the importance of asking for help. Wendy is not your everyday psychotherapist. She’s a former attorney, a career counselor for law students, and a national advocate for those living with chronic or terminal illnesses. Her work spans from helping the legal community manage stress and anxiety to guiding those dealing with grief and bereavement. Did You Know That A Disproportionate Number of Lawyers and Law Students Suffer from Mental Illness? Wendy said, “Fortunately, there's been a trend in the legal profession itself, recognizing the disproportionate number of lawyers and law students that suffer from mental illness, primarily depression, anxiety, and substance use disorder. And given the stress and the pressures of the field, that's understandable and there's also those that believe that also certain type personalities are attracted to the field. For example, people that are perfectionists or overachievers and that could also add to the stress of an individual experiences.” “There's are also the demands depending on the environment in which you work. If you work in a big law firm like I had, you have the expectations of very demanding hours where you're working till 2 o'clock in the morning, your time is not your own. Also, just very often in different areas of law, there can be secondary trauma, let's say you're dealing with domestic violence clients, or other, you know, criminal related matters, that can be very traumatic, even for the attorney or the law student that's experiencing that. “ "And there's also quite a bit of competitiveness within, certainly during law school, I saw this as a big issue when I was working, I worked for a decade at a law school and the pressures of being able to compete. And very often, law students define themselves through external validation, whether that's getting accepted onto law review or getting a big prestigious job.” I asked Wendy the Big Question: *How Do You Know When You Need a Psychotherapist? Her answer was simple but loud. “I would say it's when your private suffering impacts your life, whether it be at work or your personal life, and it's interrupting your ability to function. And it does not have to be a severe dysfunction. It could even be a mild dysfunction, but where it interferes and you're finding yourself suffering.” Wendy also shared her journey through personal loss, particularly the tragic passing of her daughter, Melanie Rose at 26, who battled a rare lymphatic disease. Wendy didn’t just face this tragedy—she transformed it into action by founding the Lymphatic Research Foundation which has had extraordinary worldwide impact. This is a testament to her resilience, and her choosing to lean into the difficult parts of life rather than shy away from them. Many of us have a long tail of pain from those we've lost on this planet. Bereavement and grief are such heavy issues, and some people just can't get past the pain. Often a Psychotherapist like Wendy Can Help. Wendy said, "Well, I've been very successful working with my clients and not only just clients, but just people also that I meet in my day-to-day life that aren't clients. I too am part of a bereavement group of other mothers that have lost their children. You had mentioned that I created the foundation because my daughter passed away. I created it during her lifetime, not after she passed so that hopefully she could benefit from the medical discoveries and millions of others as well.” “it's not uncommon for people to put their head in the sand, you know, because these are difficult things and you want to avoid it, you don't want to deal with it. Instead, I recognized the importance of leaning into it, and not being afraid. And so, I educated myself on the death and dying process so that I could be of support to her. And I became a trained death and dying doula. I even took her to conferences and workshops on death and dying. And so, for a young woman facing mortality, we were able to journey through that in a very profound and beautiful way.” I think Wendy’s message of embracing life’s challenges is powerful. Her personal experiences were profound. Whether it’s the pressures of being a lawyer or law student or the struggles of grieving a lost loved one – it’s important to know it’s healthy to ask for help. Wendy’s work is a beacon for anyone in need of support. She’s proof that even in the darkest of times, there’s always a way forward. If you or someone you know could benefit from her expertise, please get in touch with her. Her website at WendyChaite.com /episode/index/show/thedebbienigroshow/id/33463487

Gold Rush! Miner Jared Lazerson & North Bay Resources Are Busy! 10/15/2024

Gold Rush! Miner Jared Lazerson & North Bay Resources Are Busy! You’re probably wishing you had more gold right now because gold prices are going crazy. Should you buy gold now? Who's got the gold? With gold prices hitting historic highs, all eyes are on the companies driving this surge. Jared Lazerson is the CEO of North Bay Resources. He has 25 years in the resource game and a passion for mining. From his early days playing with core samples in Vancouver to overseeing gold mines today, Jared’s journey is nothing short of fascinating. North Bay Resources is a gold mining powerhouse with two active mines: one in Canada and another in California’s historic Sierra County, home to the original 1849 Gold Rush. Jared shared exciting news about North Bay’s latest developments—production is ramping up, with gold yields that are nothing short of impressive. With a production cost of about $500 per ton, they’re poised to see strong returns given gold’s $3,000 per ounce milestone. Obviously sparked by the recent gold frenzy Jared the gold miner has had to step up whatever he’s been doing to keep up! So what’s he been doing? Jared said, “About a year and a half ago. I started to get re-energized on gold. I've controlled gold projects for, well, way back to the beginning of my career, more than 20 years ago. This one up in Canada that we've taken control over, that one was, for example, something I've been involved with for 20 years, probably $20 million spent on it, 100-plus holes developed, so an advanced project." "But in terms of what's going on globally, domestically with price of gold, as you mentioned, it's a dangerous world. So gold has always been safe haven asset, but the interesting part is that now it is because of the returns, kind of a growth asset. So I think everybody kind of knows about that. The main factors, geopolitical, a lot of folks internationally and also domestically, you know, getting off the US dollars. So, internationally, for obvious reasons, people, you know, maybe not so friendly countries want to get out of US dollar or just generally diversify. But also domestically, there's a lot of people in the US that feel there's just too many dollars out there. “ And It’s not just gold that North Bay has its eye on—Jared also mentioned the presence of platinum at their California site. The energy in the industry is electric, and with retail buyers snapping up precious metals from unexpected places like Costco, the demand is clear. Jared’s mining journey includes a groundbreaking venture in lithium extraction, an industry innovation that helped revolutionize battery production. Now, he’s taking his expertise and passion into the world of gold, and it’s paying off in a big way. With North Bay Resources' projects underway and the price of gold soaring, Jared Lazerson’s leadership could very well define this new era of the gold rush. Enjoy these golden nuggets of gold education in this podcast of my live conversation with Jared Lazerson on The Debbie Nigro Show. /episode/index/show/thedebbienigroshow/id/33462417

Social Media Tips From Celebrity Social Media Mgr. Gary Frayter 10/10/2024

Social Media Tips From Celebrity Social Media Mgr. Gary Frayter We all know the power of social media is huge. We all know it, but it's something that continues to morph and it’s hard to keep up. It affects us every single day in everything we do, so it's not a light topic. It's reshaping relationships and sparking debates on cultural shifts. I invited an interesting guy to weigh in on this topic on my radio show. A spitfire celebrity, social media manager named Gary Frayter, who shared some things you should know. Gary’s expertise goes beyond relationships. He has some solid social media insights that you can learn from, because of his experience managing the online brands of renowned figures like Mike Tyson whose followers he grew to a million. Gary who's worked with a lot of celebrities and CEOs, has positioned himself with his Instagram handle @socialmediafortherich but I got him to share some valuable tips for free. (You’re welcome) I was curious about the social media strategy he used for Mike Tyson who has had a bit of a checkered past, especially since Gary impresses upon people who use social media to be sure to use use the power of authenticity. What did he do for Mike Tyson that got that kind of social media growth? Gary said, “For Mike Tyson, I was managing all of the social media for his podcast called Hot Boxing with Mike Tyson. We would have guests on from Kevin Hart to different rappers to different football players. Basically, they would sit down and have genuine conversations, real, raw and authentic. What I would do is package the best moments, take that out, and make sure that that got into the hands of all the viewers. We saw substantial growth from that, and that's what I do for basically everybody else too.” What I heard Gary suggest was key to a great social media strategy is to be able to capture the best moments say of a podcast and repackage those moments as short bits to put out in other places on social media. I can assure you nobody has time to listen to everybody's everything. Gary said, “Absolutely, especially when it's an hour-long, hour-and-a-half-long podcast. Sometimes people just want the bite-sized pieces. They want the cliff notes. What are some of the best moments from that entire episode, and how do we make sure to package that with either a good caption or make it visually appealing and put that out on all platforms? That's exactly what I do.” Well, that's what I should be doing better and many people out there who are trying to keep up with all the social media expectations. Gary said, “What I do think is that you will always find your audience and you don't always need a big audience, right? You just need a few people that really gravitate towards your message, really believe in what it is that you have to say and it's kind of like finding a community, right? In person. But this just online just opens up a wider landscape so that you can kind of cast your net a little bit wider and this is exactly kind of, you know, comes into the conversation about dating as well. In person, back in the day, it was a little bit harder to meet somebody that's maybe in a different city. Now it's a little bit easier.” I asked Gary about the current state of online dating because I look at the dating landscape in social media and the whole relationship thing and I feel sad for so many people who are trying to figure it out and can't meet somebody nice. How would he suggest people use social media to connect with somebody that they might want to connect with in real life for a dating relationship? Gary said, “Well, one of the things, one of my passions as well as social media is actually helping young men in all aspects of life. And one of the ways that basically I help guys is basically telling them that they need to be as well-rounded as possible, right? But you also need to market yourself because it's never been more important to market yourself even on the dating scene, right? So for example, you could be the best person on the planet, you've got the best product, you could be the whole package, but if nobody knows about you, then what good does it do, you know? Or at least you won't get to everybody that you want. And so that is basically the key, is basically becoming as well-rounded of a man, I'm a man, so I speak for guys, and of how they need to get in shape, they need to be well-educated, they need to make money, provide some sort of value to the world, and then also just package that and show off their life on social media. And so that last part is extremely important, how you market yourself, especially in the dating pool. I know for sure when a person meets someone they’re attracted to they will definitely go check out their online presence or profile.” Because the dating apps have presented challenges for a lot of people, does Gary recommend that you contact somebody you might be interested in romantically on say, Instagram or LinkedIn, just to start a conversation? “Maybe not LinkedIn, but absolutely Instagram I mean Instagram has become the best dating site on the planet for you know, I'm 28 years old so it's become the best dating site at least in my generation and You know a lot of the hundreds of men that I've talked to yes, absolutely Because you could oh you could always say who it is that you are in person a little bit on a first date, but ultimately, your resume, so to say, is your social media, right? So it's going to be a lot easier for people to kind of differentiate, or at least dissect a little bit more of who it is that you actually are when it comes to social media, when it comes to Facebook, Instagram, all of these things, they can see your hobbies, they can see when's the last, okay, he hasn't posted a picture since 2013. Why is that?” In our new world order on the subject of ‘influencers’ I happen to catch a lot of people out there hawking stuff because they're getting paid to hawk stuff, simple because they have enough followers to get paid, which brings up the subject… who on social media should you trust? Gary said, “Well, who you trust, it's usually about following somebody. So the way that I look at influencers is like getting an inside scoop into the life of somebody that you found on social media that intrigues you, right? And so how that usually takes place is you have to build trust with that person, right? You slowly start to trust them. And the way that that influencer gets trust from you is by sharing their life with you. They share their life, they share in-depth moments, insights, and then you slowly be, you start to trust them. And then that is when you buy something. “Usually, the people that you don't trust and that maybe you just saw pop on the scene right away with a hundred thousand followers out of nowhere, you, you start to get some sort of skepticism from them because they haven't built that trust with you.” So I think people will ultimately buy from people that they trust and I think that that probably will bring down the saturation a little bit in terms of buying actual products from these influencers because you can't trust everybody.” As for creating trust that’s what Gary does for his clients as a social media manager. He handles all of their content creation, from which he says most will see a return from inbound leads of people messaging on LinkedIn etc. and and saying, hey, I would love you for you to speak at this event or I would love for you to do XYZ for me.” How Long Does the ROI on a Social Media investment Take? Gary said, “You know, the opportunities are genuinely endless, but you have to realize that it's not going to happen overnight. And this is a chip away, chip away every single day type of thing. And then you will see a result within the next few months for sure.” Gary Frayter does social media for Celebrities, Executives & CEO’s and guides them to becoming thought leaders. He Specializes in: TikTok/YouTube/ Instagram/ Facebook/ Twitter / LinkedIn/ Brand Building & Content Creation /Influencer Marketing / Paid Facebook, Instagram & Google Ads / SEO. His website is: GaryFrayter.com Gary’s who’s originally from Greenwich, CT home of this radio show checked in from his current digs in Dallas, Texas. Enjoy this podcast of our live conversation on The Debbie Nigro Show /episode/index/show/thedebbienigroshow/id/33409122

NYC Real Estate Agent "Annie' Lenane Captivates Captive Audiences on 'Taxi TV' 10/01/2024

NYC Real Estate Agent "Annie' Lenane Captivates Captive Audiences on 'Taxi TV' When I first saw Ann Cutbill Lenane’s real estate ad on the screen in the back of a NYC taxi - I thought it was genius! Turns out it was. Taxi TV! Wow. Talk about a captive audience! Ann Cutbill Lenane is the ‘OG’ of creative real estate marketing in NYC. She was the first real estate person to take advantage of movie theater ad screens. Ann created ads for her luxury NYC properties to entertain movie goers while they waited in their seats for the movie to start in the days before movie seat reservations were a ‘thing’. She did that for 14 years before taking her “Annie Gets It Done” commercial highlighting her exclusive real estate listings and placing it onto the screens in the back seats of NYC’s yellow cabs. So, it was no surprise that Ann who advertises on Taxi TV in NYC was featured in a recent Sunday New York Times Real Estate Section article called “Valuable Real Estate in the Back Seat “. Those back seat taxi ads not only showcase some of New York’s most luxurious properties but they’re also ‘geo-targeted’, meaning real estate agents can restrict their ‘ads’ to only be shown while the taxi is traveling in certain areas or on certain streets where they have listings. Ann, who’s an agent with Douglas Elliman, says buyers like to aspire and they want to see ‘into’ these apartments and this marketing strategy has translated into property sales. Ann will tell you herself that NYC is a tough real estate market right now for sellers to get the prices they had been hoping for. But after 38 years of doing real estate in NYC, Annie prides herself on knowing just how to price an apartment and how to interpret market data with insider knowledge. Even so, having just read that NY is #1 in the U.S. for people with marketing mindsets, I figured there must be a lot of competition for buyers these days? Does Ann worry about that? “No, I'm always pushing it. I was the first one to advertise in the movie theater. I was the first one to advertise real estate in the taxis and I'm gonna be first to do something next. So, you know, I'm not worried about it, as you said, OG. So, I'm always gonna be out there and thinking creatively.” Speaking of being creative… Annie typically makes 30-second slide shows of her listings, but along the way this single Mom of 2 daughters decided to risk throwing into her ad, that she was also looking for a Mr. Right! “That ad went viral and over 15 million people saw it around the world. I was on Good Morning America, they took it and put it on the teleprompter in Times Square, I mean there were articles in China and Russia. I was getting phone calls from men in jail. I have not found the perfect man, but yes, I sure got a lot of attention from all over the globe." Ann didn’t find “Mr. Right” (yet) but she did find 2000 women who were rooting for her to find Mr. Right! And Ann turned those champions into followers and friends, by creating women’s empowerment events to bring them all together under the group name “Wise and Wonderful Women”. That’s actually how I met Ann in person as well as other wise and wonderful women at an event she threw a few years ago at the Neuberger Museum in Westchester County. “Well, it's so funny because what actually came out of the Man for Anne Taxi ad was all of these men were reaching out, but almost an equal amount of women reached out and wrote to me, because in the ad it says, “ if you love your mother but you still don't live with her and have a kind and generous soul and can appreciate a 56-year-old, fit and fabulous woman, give me a call.” Women were writing me, and they would come up to me and they still do, it's five years later. And they said it was so brave. And I said, tell me why it was brave. Was it because I said I was looking for love? And it was like a kind of a knowing glance, and I said, or was it because I said I was 56?” “And they said, yes.” “So, I said, that's got to stop. “ Ann was inspired to do something that would lift women. She founded “Wise and Wonderful Women to educate and empower women 50 and older. All her events are free. “I didn't get the man but I got 2,000 women so I have 2,000 women that are part of the wise and wonderful women, and we do monthly events that are free and empower and educate women focusing mostly on women that are over 50. But I'm finding that my 23 and my 24-year-old daughters need our wisdom too and need to hear the topics that we are also interested in. We did one on heart health, we're doing one on launching financial grown-ups, on estate planning, all kinds of things and I learn, and these women learn as well, and many friendships come out of these events. “ “So, wow the ad worked all right. It didn't end up with what I thought was the prize, the gold ring, right? But the Wise and Wonderful Women came out of it. And that to me, when somebody tells me that it changed their life or it saved their life, which is what happened recently with some information that we shared during a heart health dinner, how cool is that?” Very Cool! Known as “Annie Gets It Done”, Ann is ranked as Elliman’s #1 Manhattan Broker for Transactions. She has been voted the Real Estate Board of New York’s Broker of The Year and transacted billions of dollars in sales in Manhattan over her career. She also gives back. In 2020, in response to the sanitation department budget cuts, she co-founded and still runs “One Block”. This very successful non-profit fills 1000 bags of trash on the Upper West Side EACH WEEK with the help of volunteers and paid workers who were formally homeless! She also founded a literacy initialed in the Bahamas where she has a rental property and is a proactive member of the community there as well. Interested in Taxi TV ? I read in the NY Times article that NYC has two service providers for anyone interested in knowing more about how to advertise on the screens in the back seat of taxis: Curb and Creative Mobile Technologies. To advertise on Curb Taxi TV, agents can purchase ad space directly from Curb or through its sales partners like Firefly. Enjoy this podcast of my live Interview with Ann Cutbill Lenane on The Debbie Nigro Show. /episode/index/show/thedebbienigroshow/id/33289637

What is a Modern Husband? Find Out and Have a Happier Couple Life! 09/19/2024

What is a Modern Husband? Find Out and Have a Happier Couple Life! My greatest joy is discovering somebody I wasn’t aware of who's doing something uniquely meaningful. That brings me to Brian Page. He is a Modern Husband. What does that even mean? Brian Page spent his career improving lives through personal finance education and he has now founded a platform called ‘Modern Husbands’ to help couples navigate their home as a team. He and his wife have been married for over 20 years and have 3 kids. He says they’re an everyday dual income American family. For the early part of their marriage, Brian was the one working out of the house and working long hours. His wife was home managing their life and taking care of their kids. Then one day things changed. His wife got a great job opportunity that paid more than he was making, and they made the decision to swap roles. Brian’s new job was much harder than he ever realized. When he and his wife switched working roles, he was seriously blown away by his new work responsibilities as a stay-at-home Dad! He recently posted something on LinkedIn that caught my attention. It was a list called ‘The Mental Load’. In it Brian listed all the things that go on in somebody's day who's at home managing a family household. Wow - It really gives respect and insight to the day-to-day responsibilities of the stay-at-home spouse! Brian said, “For much of our marriage, I was the 60-80-hour-a-week breadwinner who did very little to manage the home. Early in our marriage, I probably would’ve rolled my eyes at a conversation about the mental load. You just don’t know what you don’t know, and that’s not necessarily anyone’s fault. “ “Many men rightfully feel defensive when we hear we need to do more at home. Most of us simply slip into doing certain tasks without understanding the invisible labor that goes with them.” “I created a mental load list with just a few examples to provide some context of what it takes to run a home. However, as much as we would like our homes to be run by checklists, it’s just not that simple.” “It’s been my experience that men desperately want to be great for their spouses. What often stands in the way is an understanding of the mental load that accompanies the tasks needed for a home to run, which is why I wrote this extensive post.” Marriage is a partnership built on trust, love, and mutual respect. Brian says he’s trying to show couples how to navigate life as a couple better. I personally thought Brian’s ‘mental load’ list was LOUD and worth sharing for any stay-at-home parent who’s been frustrated trying to explain to their spouse what the heck they’ve been doing all day ‘at home’! Find it on his website: ModernHusbands.com BTW: Brian who spent 15 years as a personal finance and economics educator was recognized as a National Educator of the Year by the Milken Foundation and Ohio Department of Education. He was a CNN Money Hero, a CEE Forbes Award winner, and a former Working Group Member of the U.S. President's Advisory Council on Financial Capability. He says, life and family change, and his priorities now are to support his wife's career ambitions and his children's needs Enjoy meeting this modern husband Brian Page in this podcast of our live conversation on The Debbie Nigro Show. /episode/index/show/thedebbienigroshow/id/33125252

My childhood neighbor invented that $10M ‘Honey Deuce’ cocktail that starred in the U.S. Open 09/19/2024

My childhood neighbor invented that $10M ‘Honey Deuce’ cocktail that starred in the U.S. Open It really made me smile to see Nick Mautone from the old Mt. Vernon, N.Y. neighborhood all over the news during the U.S. Open. Not for playing tennis. Nick invented that now infamous signature U.S. Open "Honey Deuce" cocktail that took the media by storm this year. At $23 a drink, it generated about 10M dollars at The U.S. Open this year alone! Nick Mautone invented the drink back in 2007 when Grey Goose hired him as a consultant to create a signature cocktail for the event. Talk about a never-ending drink! Even Nick couldn’t believe the cocktail commotion he's caused. (Do people get royalties from inventing drinks?) I thought it would be fun to contact Nick and invite him on my show to take another bow, and give him some old-time love and find out! Nick said, “Because I was a brand ambassador and a hospitality consultant to Great Goose Vodka, which I started with in 2005. As a consultant, it was the single best consistent gig I ever had in my life. I loved it and without going into details, they paid me well. I had a great expense account. They flew me all over the world to talk about Grey Goose, train teams, distributors, do great events like the US Open, and I played golf with celebrities!” Nick’s a warm and wonderful guy and he's written all kinds of books to teach people how to be great mixologists. Books that both professionals and those interested in being great mixologists at home will benefit from. Nicks a dad, a futurist, and the brother of one of my best childhood pals Carol Mautone. The Mautone house was chock full of kids (seven I think? LOL) and commotion and their house always smelled like great Italian food! Their Dad had a specialty food business, and their sweet mom Adele was constantly shopping and making food. Never knew how she kept up with them all, but she always had a smile and always welcomed me and others into her home with open arms. It’s probably where her kids learned about the true meaning of ‘hospitality’. Carol became a chef and moved to Italy but now teaches English to foreigners and I’ve been threatening for years to fly over and visit her. Soon! Meanwhile, I stay in touch with her lightly on Facebook and I’ve connected with lovely Nick too a few times over the years. Nick and his family moved out to Washington State, to Mercer Island, near Seattle. I followed Nicks career in the restaurant industry. He started out bussing tables, backing bars, and then he and his brothers and sisters opened a place called American Pie on the Upper West Side of New York. Nick Mautone now has 40 years of hospitality industry experience. He believes in the power of mentorship, leadership, collaboration, and possibility. Nick is the architect of an inventive process called “Hospitality Sabermetrics” — think Moneyball for Hospitality he says, and has a sixth sense when it comes to foreseeing trends. He is known for nurturing sustained success, streamlining operations, and aligning core values in every sort of hospitality business. Since his start, Nick has worked with some of the most iconic and influential restaurants in the world including Gotham Bar & Grill, Hudson River Club, and most notably, Gramercy Tavern where he was managing partner alongside Danny Meyer and Tom Colicchio for seven years, and helped define and nurture a fledgling idea Danny and the group coined called “Enlightened Hospitality.” So, what is Enlightened Hospitality? Nick explained, “Enlightened Hospitality’ is the core values of how you operate your business, and you hear that term a lot in business leadership programs where a company will say these are our core values and these are the way we want to operate our business, and these are the non-negotiables that we will not forsake any amount of money. And so, they are the guiding principles, if you will, that you want to live by, that we wanted our business to operate by, and we wanted, as people, to live by.” And I think it really made sense. I think that's why I enjoyed it, that's why I took the job. Danny had core values; Tom Colicchio had core values. At some point during the first few years that I was there, we actually took those core values and encapsulated them into our manuals and then we used them as part of our review process. And it really became a great way to manage people, and everyone knew their expectations. Everyone screws up, bear that in mind, but if you screw up and you forsake one of those core values, we’d sit you down and say, hey, you know, it just didn't work for us the way you handled this particular situation. Look at how we want to operate. Here's the way and the waterfall of progression of how you should handle these situations. And people get it. And then, you know, nine out of 10 times, they understand what they did wrong, they correct the problem, and they move forward. If not, they understand and they choose to move on because they can't live in those core values, and both are acceptable outcomes.” Nick's spent a lifetime trying to keep integrity in all he does. I wanted to know his thoughts about the current state of the restaurant business. So many restaurants have struggled after COVID. Some reopened, some did not reopen. Getting and retaining good help is the #1 problem I hear from most in the restaurant business I've spoken to. Nick said, “So, the pandemic forced this change to happen five or 10 years earlier than it needed to.” One, people need to get paid appropriately, plain and simple. Tips notwithstanding, yes, tips count for your income, but you need to be paid appropriately. Most importantly, people need to be treated appropriately. And what I found, you know, in my career, and I don't speak for Danny Meyer, but I will say in our organization during that time, and I know it carries to today, our number one goal was to treat our employees well and take care of them to the best of our ability. And if we do that, then we can honestly live with honor and hold ourselves to a high standard as being good about the business. A lot of people didn't operate that way, so the pandemic forced that change. And now you see this, people leaving the industry, going on to do other endeavors. It will come back because everyone needs to eat and everyone needs human companionship and the connectivity that comes with sitting in a restaurant or a bar or a movie theater or whatever it is and seeing other people. So, I think it'll come back. It's just going to take a little time.” Nick is the founder of Mautone Enterprises. Whether you’re a first time first-time restaurateur, or turning around a big ship on the wrong course, Nick’s your guy to help guide you and your staff to profitable collaboration. Here’s his website: nickmautone.com Enjoy this podcast my warm conversation with Nick Mautone on The Debbie Nigro Show. /episode/index/show/thedebbienigroshow/id/33123067

Could An Accidental Find in The Amazon Be The Holy Grail Solution to Acne & Anti Aging ? 09/09/2024

Could An Accidental Find in The Amazon Be The Holy Grail Solution to Acne & Anti Aging ? Has Matty Schirle Really Created Self Esteem In a Bottle? If you read the reviews of Matty Schirles’ SkinKick line of skincare you might think they actually have created self esteem in a bottle. And You Likely Be Intrigued by an accidental finding in in Amazon by a scientist who went there for another reason People are amazed at how quickly these Skinkick products clear their skin problems. We’re talking blemishes, acne, acne scars and rosacea. Pretty much any skin condition that might make a person not feel so thrilled about their looks. Matty Schirle said, “When we got into the acne or the blemish category, the very first 14-year-old woman who used it stood up and said, we changed her life and she said you need to call it self-esteem in a bottle. That's basically because we deliver clear, healthy, glowing skin and the confidence that comes with that. And the beautiful thing is because we're natural, we can do that for problem skin and aging skin at the same time. “ Matty who is the Founder and CEO of SkinKick was a former Chemical Engineer. He and his SkinKick Chief Science Officer Dr. Bill Provance developed effective, simple and safe, Naturally Smart(R) formulas that are cruelty free and dermatologist approved clean and natural ingredients, from the nutrient rich Amazon Rainforest! It's an Incredible story of SKIN CARE discovery FINDING BEAUTY IN THE BEAST The Amazon is beautiful, but it’s also dangerous. When SkinKick Chief Science Officer Dr. Bill Provance traveled to Brazil, he learned about a growing epidemic of parasitic diseases that plagued the native people. Not only did these parasites make people sick, but they also aggravated and inflamed the skin. Armed with years of studying skin cell biology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center Dr. Provance began searching for a way to create a natural “second skin” that would prevent rainforest parasites from penetrating the skin and entering the body. THE A-HA MOMENT Dr. Provance carefully tested a variety of botanicals on the skin of Brazil’s native people. What he didn’t expect to find was that all of the formulations he tested had a common result: overall improvement and appearance of the skin. He soon discovered that these formulations were leaving the skin smooth, hydrated, and clear. That’s when Dr. Provance had an ah-ha moment. If this “second skin” could clear and beautify the skin of native Brazilians, perhaps it could do the same for others? That got Matty Shirle’s attention, and he then applied his knowledge and know-how to the findings from his 20+ years in the high technology semiconductor industry (computer chips). His mission was to figure out how to eliminate man-made chemicals including harsh acids that destroy the natural skin microbiome. Dr. Provance and the SkinKick team began working on developing a skincare line that used the same natural ingredients to clear blemishes and renew the skin And SkinKick was born. Matty said, "Well Dr. Bill studied at UT Southwest Med Center here in Dallas and he took a job at the Viacruz Institute which is like the Harvard of Brazil. And so he, even though I'm a chemical engineer, you can move his IQs a few decimal points over from mine. He's just absolutely brilliant." "They had an issue with parasites entering the skin. And the fundamental start of this is when they thought he was going to come up with a vaccine. And what he did is identified a botanical that if you rub it on your arm, it keeps the parasites, like a mosquito or whatever it is, you know, small things from entering your skin." "Well, he flew back to Dallas and told the story of how he blocked the parasites, but he said, oh, by the way, that film that I rubbed on, you know, on your skin, it holds moisture under it." And right off the bat, the lights go off, because the number one issue with aging, regardless of what you've been told, is that the skin cell can no longer hold as much moisture as it did when you were younger. And therefore, less moisture, once it goes down, then the collagen protein has a hard time surviving and it snaps and breaks and it loses its rigidity which is holding the cell up and that's what starts aging. We started as an anti-aging company but it's a skin renewal company and now we have clinical trials with all our key ingredients right out of the Amazon rainforest.” "These natural nutrients somehow clear, renew and protect the skin at the same time! “ Matty says Skinkick’s naturally smart formulas are designed for all ages, genders and skin types even those with sensitive skin so everyone can have clear healthy and glowing skin. Their high-performance skincare clears, renews, and protects your skin without the use of harsh man-made chemicals typically found in popular brands. The secret is in their exclusive patent-protected technologies made with blends of supercharged botanicals. SkinKick even offers a ‘Happiness Guarantee’ so that if you don’t love your SkinKick order it’s on them! So why aren’t they everywhere? They started to be, but Covid slammed them because Matty will admit he initially spent most of the money getting the brand into retail vs digital. A decision that’s held them up. All entrepreneurial stories have their ups and downs… “I'm the chemical engineer that I can understand what Dr. Bill creates. But I'm not the creator I'm the guy that wrapped a P&L around this technology and brought it to market.” “We had an issue with driving the customer into the store. Well, didn't a lot of people have that issue during COVID? Yes. But anyhow, I take full responsibility with the digital marketing issue. Yep. I did not have the money to turn on both digital and retail. I focused on retail because Target Corporation incubated us right out of the gate in the Target takeoff incubator.” The brand landed on the shelves in Target and in CVS and Ulta beauty but without the marketing dollars nobody knew 'why' they should buy SkinKick among the giant number of skincare offerings. Everybody Loves a Comeback Story “We had some snafu's and we're actually back in the gate getting funding. COVID literally knocked our wind out of us and almost knocked us over and almost killed us. But we're back, we're going to get funded and we're teed up ready to go." Matty gets amazing testimonials every day in his email. He’s driven to give everyone he can…self-esteem in a bottle of his SkinKick. I WAS DRIVEN to tell his story. Thought some of you would like to know more about Matty Schirle and his SkinKick brand so I invited him to join The Debbie Nigro Show. Enjoy this podcast of our live conversation. PS I just ordered some to see for myself. /episode/index/show/thedebbienigroshow/id/32970512

Debbie Saviano Can Help You Maximize LinkedIn® For Your Business - Why YOU? 08/28/2024

Debbie Saviano Can Help You Maximize LinkedIn® For Your Business - Why YOU? LinkedIn® is the only professional social media platform and the largest professional networking platform in the world. They have over 1 billion members many of whom are decision makers. Most of their users are in North America, followed by Asia-Pacific, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa. I love it! I connect with so many interesting people there like Debbie Saviano who’s a LinkedIn® pro. I want to learn how to maximize my LinkedIn® potential and thought some of you might want to as well. I’m always better at telling other people’s stories than my own. Maybe you feel the same? I’m convinced Debbie Saviano’s valuable knowledge of social media can help many professionals, especially those who over 50, who want to learn how to best showcase their value and experience as they pursue their second and third acts. Debbie calls LinkedIn a ‘Virtual Golden Rolodex’. And She Says…Your Headline is like Gold! “LinkedIn gives you 220 characters to do a headline. That headline should speak to who it is you want to talk to. Is it someone to hire you?" "Is it someone to buy a product? Are you for a service? Who are you speaking to? That's what that headline should say. And this is probably the goal to the whole thing I'm sharing. When you comment, engage on someone's page on their feed, the first line of your headline shows up." "And I will tell you, probably 70% of my employment, if you will, comes from people reaching out because they saw me somewhere. Because what you want to do is you want people to come to you. They see you comment, they see your picture, they see the first part of your headline, and mine is about LinkedIn, and it says that you want them to click back on your profile. From there, that's where you can sell them. That's why you're the best person for them." "So that headline is like gold. It's gold.” As soon as Debbie Saviano and I spoke on the phone I could feel her similar upbeat good energy (and loved her similar name LOL) I invited her to come join my radio show and share some knowledge. Debbie feels strongly that each person has unique abilities and in today's disruptive environment the playing field has expanded - affording countless opportunities for the assertive professional AND that there are a multitude of avenues on how to accomplish this. She is a seasoned wordsmith and content strategist who can help you clearly show WHY YOU! Especially if you believe that what you do can truly help others, but you are stuck on how best to do that. Her background is in Education, with a minor in Psychology and along with a deep understanding of the digital landscape she offers a unique perspective. HER SPECIALITIES ARE: • Digital Space • LinkedIn • Books In Bites Newsletter (LinkedIn) • LinkedIn LIVE • Let's Talk • Course Creation • Leadership • Entrepreneurship • E-Commerce • Mentor • Business • TV - Media • Education • Career Professionals • Entrepreneurs • Product Development • Communities • Non-Profits You’ll get some good professional social media advice in this podcast of my live conversation with Debbie Saviano on The Debbie Nigro Show. The Debbie Nigro Show airs 11-12noon EST on WGCH. Tune in live from anywhere on WGCH.com. If you’re in the NY/CT area turn the dial to AM1490. Podcasts after on DebbieNigro.com /episode/index/show/thedebbienigroshow/id/32775277

Long Time Greenwich, CT Real Estate Guy Weighs in on 1st Realtors Commission Shakeup in 100 Years 08/23/2024

Long Time Greenwich, CT Real Estate Guy Weighs in on 1st Realtors Commission Shakeup in 100 Years On August 17th, new rules rolled out that overhaul the way Realtors get paid to help people buy and sell their homes. The changes are part of a $418 million settlement announced in March by the National Association of Realtors. The changes end the ‘informal’ rules of a typical agent commission payout. Now real estate agents across the country must sign upfront with prospective homebuyers what they’re willing to pay. Historically the ‘sellers’ paid commission fees for both their own agent and the home ‘buyer’s’ agent. The typical commission has been 5 to 6 percent split between the two brokers. That structure was pretty much enforced by The National Association of Realtors which has roughly 1.5 million members who pay dues. If a seller didn’t agree to those terms their listing wasn’t shown ion the multiple listing services that drive most home sales. This latest decision basically makes commission sharing optional so that sellers’ agents who don’t want to pay buyers’ fees can still list on databases. Real Estate agents across the country have been attending trainings and learning the details of new contracts they must sign with prospective homebuyers. Gideon Fountain is one of those agents and he’s also one of the owners of WGCH Radio in Greenwich, CT where I broadcast my weekday radio show. He grew up in Greenwich and has been selling real estate in the Greenwich CT area since 1986. He’s now an agent for Houlihan Lawrence. I asked Gideon Fountain to join me in the studio to give me his take on the new real estate broker commission laws that just went into effect. He said; “With these new rules if you’re a Real Estate Broker or Agent you have to tell your home buyers ‘up front’ that that they have to decide on the amount they're going to pay in commission whether you bring on somebody else to help you or not." "There are two places on this new contract, and it says, here's our service fee. And we might say our service fee is 2.5%. Let's just say we write that. Two and a half percent. Then we also have another paragraph that says, you authorize us to accept compensation from the seller." "If a buyer wants to look at a property and the seller is offering nothing, and that would be a very foolish move by the seller, I would say, then yes, you would say to the buyer, look, I'm happy to help you with this transaction, but I got to make money. I'm not, this is not charity. So here's my contract." "Pay me two and a half percent. For some buyers, that's entirely possible. They might think, well, what do I need you for? You know, I don't, but they have no idea." "But the buyer agent, it's amazing. You should hear the conversations between the soliciting agent and the buyer agent when the listing agent says my client won't go down one more penny. Can you make your guys go up a little bit and the buyer broker says? All right, I'll try whatever we're at a million five. What's it? What's your guy want? He wants a million 550 not a penny less So then the buyer broker goes back to the buyer says come on you guys are gonna lose this I mean we have there's very few choices right now You really believe you've lost out on six bidding words. You really want to hold out for $50,000, and the buyer says yes. So, then you go back to the listing agent. Sorry, they're not budging either. And then, you know, everybody sits still for a while. But this is the kind of give and take that exists and should not be interfered with by government action." "It's negotiation. “ Gideon believes real estate agents have remained viable because they accumulate an array of local market knowledge that is hard to duplicate. “Going out each day and seeing properties noting their eventual selling prices and hearing customer reactions to those properties is an invaluable experience that a Zillow search will never match.” For Home Buyers and Home Sellers there’s good recap of these new rules and what it means for them on Bankrate.com in an article called; “Realtors commissions changes are here: What they mean for homebuyers and sellers.” Meanwhile enjoy this podcast of the rest of my live conversation with long time realtor Gideon Fountain on The Debbie Nigro Show. /episode/index/show/thedebbienigroshow/id/32713522

Gary Who Hired Me For My 1st Radio Job Came To Talk About The Importance Of Talking To Strangers 08/17/2024

Gary Who Hired Me For My 1st Radio Job Came To Talk About The Importance Of Talking To Strangers Everybody Knows My Show Theme is "Risk It or Regret It!" Whatever IT is for YOU! So, I thought it would be fun to share how I risked getting my first paying radio job after college. It’s a memorable story of driving in a thunderstorm at 11 o’clock at night after working all day at another job, to a radio station in an old house in Briarcliff Manor, NY where Howard Stern had worked, to audition for an immediate opening for a news reporter. I invited the guy who called me the next morning to tell me I got the job as the news reporter for WRNW Radio, to come join me in the studio to co-host a show. Ol' pal Gary Axelbank was the then Program Director of WRNW Radio. He's now the host of BronxTalk and Bronx Buzz on BronxNet and he also hosts The Bronx Music Podcast -with Gary Axelbank. He got in touch with me recently, sparked by the theme of my new book out to say he was totally on board with the point of "How to Talk to Strangers Advice From A Professional Stranger Talker". I wrote it to try and spark people to try to have more meaningful conversations 'in person' versus the virtual conversations we've become accustomed to having by texting and email. Even making an actual phone call is becoming a lost art. (These days when I make a phone call and a human answers, I actually get excited!) Gary said, “You know among many reasons that I responded to the point of your book is that I'm a communications professional like you are, and communication is so important, yet people don't talk to each other. I talk to people who I work with and I'm like, you know, we've got to get this guest booked or whatever. I'll tell them, do me a favor, just pick up the phone and find out if they can do it or they can't do it. They say OK I'll send them an email. Send an email? If you send them an email we're going to wait forever. Then you get an email chain where there's a whole discussion about, well, I can't do 12.30, I'll do 1.30 and I've lost track of what's going on. If we picked up the phone, we could get to somebody.” Gary and I are alike in that we intentionally put good energy into engaging people to converse ‘in person’ pretty much every day. We both feel it matters a lot, wanted to talk more about why it matters. So we did… in this podcast of my entire show which airs weekdays 11-12noon EST on WGCH Radio in the NY/CT area and airs live globally on the digital livestream on WGCH.com I rarely post a whole show but decided to post this one because we both tell some good stories…. like the day I arrived to work at my usual 5:30am and found a drunk guy sitting on my typewriter. LOL And the day Famous Amos of Famous Amos cookies just walked in to introduce himself with a big box of his ‘new’ cookies he was trying to promote. Gary tells a story about when Howard Stern worked there and what happened when he tried to kill a bee in the studio. Ha. We also talked about all the famous people who came from the Bronx. People like Jennifer Lopez (who has my same birthday) and Chazz Palminteri who’s stopped by the show in the past and told me I reminded him of his mother Ha! Gary also teaches a course in TV performance and teaches his students that to conduct a great interview they need to ‘listen’. “Well, this is a cool thing that I do. One of the things that we talk about is like when you do an interview, how do you get good depth? You get good depth because you ask a question based on what I say. And then I demonstrate to them, and I do it with them. I ask, you know, where were you born? What are your parents like? To do this, you must be a good listener. I could walk into the pharmacy and talk to the pharmacist, and I could do a half hour right on the spot with that. And why? Because when I ask well, what medication do you sell a lot of? They’ll say, we sell diabetes meds. And I'll say, oh, what are the options? And then he'll say, well, these are the options. Why would somebody choose one, and why would somebody choose the other? And I could stand there forever. And it doesn't matter.” We both could talk forever but that’s what we do professionally. We both ust want to encourage the rest to you to talk a little more, listen a little more, and make a little more an effort to engage your fellow humans in authentic conversations. Enjoy this podcast of our live conversation on The Debbie Nigro Show. If you’d rather read than listen the audio transcript is below. /episode/index/show/thedebbienigroshow/id/32620117

GOAT Necklace Designer Janet Heller Got the GOAT Free Global Commercial from Simone Biles 08/08/2024

GOAT Necklace Designer Janet Heller Got the GOAT Free Global Commercial from Simone Biles Janet Heller made that now infamous GOAT necklace for Superstar Olympic Gymnast Simone Biles and the whole world went GOAT Crazy! This year’s global commercial for a single piece of jewelry may in itself be the GOAT! The Greatest Of All Time! I got caught up in GOAT fever myself, and after watching the intricate making of Simone Biles 3D Diamond Goat Necklace on Janet Heller Fine Jewelry's Instagram, I took a shot and sent a warm private Instagram invite to Janet Heller to join me on The Debbie Nigro Show. It made me smile and shake my head in a good way, that the whole world was now paying attention to this talented female entrepreneur. Wow. Talk about a public relations opportunity! LOL I somehow just felt compelled (woman to woman) to congratulate her and tell her how happy I was for her for this stupendous attention for her and her company because first she deserved the recognition for her talent and integrity, and second because I know how much harder it is, for women entrepreneurs who are also mothers, to succeed in business. And in my usual spirit of “Risk it! or Regret it! I invited Janet to come take a bow on my show even though I was sure there were much bigger networks who’d be clamoring for her attention. I was pleasantly surprised when she messaged me back and took me up on the offer. Told her was I was very proud to have her on my show and that somehow, she must have trusted me to tell her story. (Like her I try to bring peoples stories to life in a unique and meaningful way.) Janet said, “Thank you so much Debbie. I really am so excited to be on your show today. Yes, that's right. I mean, we've got thousands and thousands of requests. It's overwhelming. I cannot even keep up with it. My social media team can't keep up with it. But for some reason, I just, I don't know, I was drawn to you and your message and here we are.” Every hard-working entrepreneur knows getting good PR for their business is incredibly valuable and rewarding. But the Global free PR Janet got in the 2024 Olympics is the most extraordinary free PR I’ve ever seen. Olympic Gymnast Simone Biles commissioned her exquisite GOAT piece she showed off during the 2024 Olympics, from Janet Heller Fine Jewelry in Calabasas, CA. to commemorate her remarkable achievements and undeniable legacy. She sure does have a legacy as the GOAT, and Janet said she was a joy to work with. NBC reported, “Simone Biles says she knew people would ‘go crazy’ over her Goat Necklace.” Janet’s legacy is that she and her company, Janet Heller Fine Jewelry have been crafting exquisite, personalized pieces for discerning clients for 15 years.They’re a premier custom jeweler in Calabasas, renowned for their meticulous attention to detail and an unwavering commitment to quality. Janet Heller has become the go-to choice for those seeking unique, meaningful jewelry. BTW: That stunning 3D GOAT necklace (Greatest Of All Time) has 546 diamonds! Also, no small feat! How did she do that? Janet said, “Well, so a lot of jewelry can be made where when you make the wax of the piece, once you've done the CAD image and you've done the rendering and then you go and you make the wax, a lot of times you can have the little holes for the diamonds in the wax. So when you print the wax, it already has a hole for the diamond. But I don't like to do that. I like to have my diamond setters drill each and every hole by hand. Just, you know, these are master artisans, master craftsmen, and that will enable the necklace to last so much longer. I mean, we want it to last forever, basically. And it's just an incredible art that they do. They have to wear those, you know, almost binocular glasses type things. They do it by hand. It takes a very long time and we pick the diamonds out beforehand so we have them all laid out. We know the size and then you have to look at each stone, drill each hole so that it fits that stone and it's just the craftsmanship and the quality is just unmatched in my humble I think that's the most important thing.” Janet has come a long way over her 15 years in business and I wondered now that she was having this amazing global moment of acknowledgement, what she remembered from when she first started out? "When I first started out, my first necklace that I feel about jewelry and about selling jewelry. I want to share the love. I love jewelry. I want to bring the love to everybody. I want to make it accessible to everybody. I started with one piece, a love necklace. Somebody bought that from me and then somebody else thought on them. They asked where she got it from and then in turn came to me. Really, that's how my business has grown, very organically and mostly word of mouth, which to me is the biggest compliment any jeweler or artist or entrepreneur can have." Word of mouth is sure very loud right now for Janet Heller Fine Jewelry and that 3D Diamond GOAT necklace, and people have been asking her to make one for them. Will she? “I'm not gonna replicate that particular iteration of the goat necklace that is exclusively for Simone. It's so representative of her accomplishments, her achievements, and so I do not want to replicate that because I feel that Simone is one of a kind and I want that necklace to be one of a kind as well." "So I will not be making any other piece of jewelry that is an exact replica of that goat And I feel that if somebody wants something custom, that we should make it about them, about their story, their milestones and not about somebody else's. Although I'm so flattered that people would want me to replicate it, but I feel like it's such a personal representation of somebody's story." Janet also was commissioned to create the Olympic rings necklace, symbolizing Simone Biles’ journey through multiple Olympic Games. Jordan Chiles, another gymnastic powerhouse wears several Janet Heller pieces that celebrate both her athletic achievements and personal milestones. Her collection includes a 14KT Gold & Diamond Olympic Rings Necklace, a custom diamond tennis bracelet and a diamond necklace bearing her nickname “Baby Jo,” Janet said, “Yes, and it all started with Tara Davis Woodhall, who is an Olympic long jumper. And Tara went to school with my daughter. They went to middle school and high school together. Wow. And Tara reached out right before the Tokyo Olympics for us to make her an Olympic diamond rings necklace and Simone saw the necklace on Tara and Jordan child thought on Tara as well, and they both reached out to me to make them a diamond Olympic rings necklace as well. “ Janet Heller’s company originally was called The Foundry and only recently changed it’s name to Janet Heller Fine Jewelry. “Yes, it was named something else and we felt that it just wasn't personal enough and my daughter actually encouraged me to change the name of the company to my name, and honestly, I think it's crazy how we changed our name and then all of this happened. I feel like we were manifesting when we did that”. Janet grew up in South Africa and I wondered when she was a little girl did she want jewelry instead of dolls? “Funny thing is I played with dolls a lot, Barbie dolls, until I was a much older age than most other girls and I kind of used to play with one of my best girlfriends and we used to kind of hide the fact that we played with dolls. But my mom is an incredible artist too. She's a knitter and a crocheter and she used to make us these most incredible outfits for the dolls and then we would also make like with beads, we would make jewelry. I always wanted them to be adorned with jewelry. My mom loved jewelry too, albeit costume jewelry and my grandmother too, but I just always had beads on and necklaces and bracelets and just always wanted to make something and create something out of beads to make jewelry. So ever since I can remember, that's been my passion.” Janet is a mom of 4 who for 10 years was a full time Mom. She shared how she started out in the jewelry business. “I have I have three sons and one daughter. I started working in the California Mart when I was about 20 No actually when I was about 19 and I worked there for five years I worked in an accessory showroom, and we would have we would represent jewelers and other entrepreneurs who made accessories and stores would come to the showroom to buy them. I just remember being so involved mostly with the jewelry companies, helping them with their designs and trends and just being so invested into the jewelry part of it. So even then I was doing that. And then I kind of wanted to start my own jewelry company at that point, but I met and married my husband and we had four kids so for the first I would say maybe ten years I was just a full-time mom and then I just couldn't stay away and got back into it. “ I feel Janet’s story sends a loud message out there to a lot of mothers out there in the world, who while raising children might be feeling like they're missing out on their business or entrepreneurial dreams, because they just can't do both things right now. Point is, maybe ‘right now’ is just not the right time to do both. The message is to them from Janet? “There’s a season for everyone”. This is surely Janet Hellers season and I’m happy for her. You can see the fascinating making of the symbolic GOAT necklace on their Instagram account. And you can see all the other beautiful Janet Heller Creations on their website. And you can meet the lovely and talented Janet Heller here in this podcast of our live conversation on The Debbie Nigro Show. If you’d rather read than listen the transcript of the audio is included. /episode/index/show/thedebbienigroshow/id/32502317

Openly Gray? Play on Words Caught my Attention. The Size & $ This Demos Holding Should Catch Yours. 08/02/2024

Openly Gray? Play on Words Caught my Attention. The Size & $ This Demos Holding Should Catch Yours. I was curious where OpenlyGray.com was going when I saw a social media post about it from a business gal pal. Was it a site for older people with Gray Hair? Nope! I ‘got it’ and smiled. It’s way cooler than that! It’s a movement. It’s an attitude adjustment about aging! Lord knows we need one. Thanks to the longevity revolution we are in a unique time and place in history. Until now many in their 50's 60's, 70’s, and beyond believed it was time to stop. That isn’t the thinking of older adults today at all! I Invited Lee St. James and gal pal Brooke Stachyra of Openly Gray, to join my show to share their purpose with Openly Gray and their big disruptive plan! Lee St. James is the Co-Founder /Creative Director of Openly Gray Lee is a Cannes award-winning, multidisciplinary CD who has led major brand content development for over 20 years. From strategy to conception through execution Lee believes in partnering cross-functionally to build consensus and ensure projects meet all milestones, deadlines, budget, and business results requirements. Accustomed to fast-paced and start-up environments. He is constantly onboarding new technologies and innovative processes while ensuring compliance with corporate and client standards. Brooke Stachyra handles Partner/Client Success for Openly Gray Brooke is a social media consumer specialist. Proud former NBC Page, longtime (recovering) journalist-writer, and storyteller with a million tales! NBC News, Time Inc/People Magazine veteran. Former content creator for Church and Dwight brands Arm & Hammer, OxiClean, and Trojan. Social media contributor for the American Cancer Society and CUNY. Grown X woman, lover of all things 80s. Name that tune champion! Foodie and travel enthusiast, bougie barganista, and expert in anything about Bravo's Real Housewives. They are on a Mission to Loudly Call Attention To These Facts: The Gray Market has $8,000,000,000,000 (that's trillion) waiting to be seen For the next 30 years, 10,000+ people will turn 65. Every. Single. Day. In our conversation Lee said, “When you turn 50, this is something that we observed years ago. We being the royal we, we observed years ago that you turn 50 and all of a sudden you become invisible. You become invisible to the opposite sex. You become invisible to your friends, sometimes even your family, but definitely to the marketing world. Marketers are taught from day one that you go after the 17 to, say, 45. Sometimes people switch it to 17- to 54-year-old market, but then after that, you stop. “ “Well, times have changed, and as you mentioned, there's $8 trillion in assets at play that are controlled by what we call the gray market, which is 50-plus. To put that in context, we saw a great little snippet about if you put this in context, this would be if the gray market in the U.S. was a country. It would be the third largest GDP in the world.” “There's so much more to this audience and that's why we are Openly Gray. And there are two sides of the organization. One is called OpenlyGray.com. We are marketers. That's our goal. We want to get clients to start recognizing this audience and not leave all that money on the table.” “On the other side of the coin though, we're advocates. So openlygrey.org is an advocacy organization, anti-ageism, pro-helping people grow older and grow into the next phases of life. And even there's an offshoot called Cozy Homes Community where we're trying to help build communities for 50 plus folks.” It’s a big mission for Openly Gray who feels their biggest hurdle is to get relatively young brand managers and clients who are still in their 30s and maybe 45 to recognize that this is an audience that they are missing out on. Brooke said, “It's unfortunate, but what Lee is saying is absolutely true, that you have the people that are in the power that are making the decisions that are creating the content aren't seeing us. We are invisible and we have to make them see the dollar sign. There is expendable income. There's money.” I'm personally passionate about encouraging people to transform how they think, feel and act, to embrace and enjoy and celebrate whatever stage of life they're at. And like the folks at Openly Gray says, it doesn't matter how much hair you have on your head or what color it is or whether you have any of it all, it's the mindset and the attitude! Enjoy learning more about Openly Gray and their growing movement that’s not stopping anytime soon in this podcast of our live conversation on The Debbie Nigro Show. /episode/index/show/thedebbienigroshow/id/32398647

Is Dr. Roni a Magical Healer? A Modern Day ‘Mother Teresa’? 08/01/2024

Is Dr. Roni a Magical Healer? A Modern Day ‘Mother Teresa’? People from all over the world with different chronic illnesses seek out Dr. Roni DeLuz, RN, ND, PhD. Dr. Roni founded the Martha’s Vineyard Holistic Retreat in 1997 to help others discover the path to wellness that she herself achieved after years of debilitating chronic illness. You may know her from her NY Times Best-Selling book 21 lbs. in 21 days. Here’s how I got to know her and now share her story with you. My buddy Tim and I were talking on the phone while I was driving when he asked, “So what are you doing today?” I told him I was heading to the radio station to do my Wellness Wednesday show. He asked, “Who's your guest today?” I said, “I don't have a guest today, did my homework and I’m just gonna talk myself which I often do”. He said, “No, no, no, you gotta have Dr. Roni” and he patched her into our call while I was driving before we even had a chance to discuss it. I remembered Tim saying, “There's a woman, she saved my life, you don't understand, I lost 80 pounds, she moved in, she's a healer, she's like Mother Teresa, I never met a woman like her, it's not just me, she's done it for many people.” So lucky me and lucky you, because of that random phone introduction, we now get to spend time with the amazing Dr. Roni, healer to the masses and to many lucky people who will forever be grateful that she’s kept them alive. Dr. Roni is a Naturopathic Doctor, has a PhD in Natural Health, is a Registered Nurse, a Certified Colon Therapist and is a certified Hypnotherapist who’s been practicing in all these areas for over 40 years. She is the founder of The Martha’s Vineyard Holistic Retreat and is the New York Times Bestselling Author of “21 Pounds in 21 Days: The Martha’s Vineyard Diet Detox” and “1 Pound a Day”. People fly into Martha's Vineyard, take a boat or do whatever they have to do to get there, in order to get to her to get her help. How did this all happen? Dr. Roni said, “Well, it sort of grew into this. I have this very large house on Martha's Vineyard and I built it because people would come and stay with me and wouldn't leave. So, I kept building sections on and sections on. It finally opened up. I'm not kidding you, they’d come from California, my friends when I lived out there, they would come like, you know, for like a weekend or something or a week, and then I started doing treatments on them, then they wouldn't leave.“ “Then one day I met a man named James Tester and he said, well, can you help me? He said, I hire chefs and cooks all the time, and I still can't lose this weight. I gained it all back. And he told me this large story about him and I just looked at him and I go, that's so easy. And you're going to lose 21 pounds in 21 days. “ “He said, lady, he’d just met me. He said, if I lose 21 pounds in 21 days, the world will know about you. He said, I'm not kidding you. And he was absolutely right!” “I had no idea that that he was important because remember all I cared about was healing people. All I cared about was these chronic illnesses. That was my background. But when I did these 21 pounds in 21 days book that this publisher and James talked me into, they were right. “ “Now people come to me from all over the world, and all over the country for different chronic illnesses. And I have a protocol for each and every one of them, but it's always going to start with who you are. See, it's customized. It's integrated. It's for who you are.” Dr. Roni believes she was born to heal people. “Well, you know, I've been doing this for over 40 years. I literally believe I was born healing people. That's why my father told me to go into nursing. I mean, he knew this. He saw it in me. So all my life, I've been a healer. “ “And half of my life, I just went to school, getting certifications and certification. I started as a nurse and I became a naturopath and now I became a healer to the stars and politicians and now I live on this island called Martha's Vineyard. I love it. People fly in to see me privately most of the time.” I wondered if this now ‘healer to the stars’, who says she was born a healer ever tried to heal anyone as a kid? Animals? Her dolls? Dr. Roni said, “I mean, when the little babies would cry, I was just a little girl. And I would just go over to them and for some reason, my energy, I would rock them and I would rub their foreheads. And I was so passionate. And so people saw that in me. I just did what my father told me to do, you know, become a healer, become a nurse. That’s just who I am. That's who I'll always be.” The quote on Dr. Roni’s website sums it all up. “IF YOU GIVE YOUR BODY WHAT IT NEEDS IT WILL WORK MIRACLES FOR YOU” -Rr. Roni Based on somebody's condition, whether it's cancer or weight loss, Dr. Roni knows exactly what their body needs. But how does she figure that out? “We live in a world of plenty, but we're starving. I learned that from my grandmother, because my grandmother wouldn't open up a can, a bag, or a bottle. She wouldn't own a can opener. Everything came from nature. “Everything was pure. Everything was basically if you couldn't grow it yourself, you shouldn't eat it. You can't open up a can of preservatives and dyes, you know, red dye, yellow dye, all kinds of stuff that you get when you eat your food. And you want to repair your cellular space. You want to repair your body, your organs. It just doesn't happen like that.” “We kill our own bodies by doing processed food. Now it's ultra processed food. So, we're not getting better, we're getting worse.” People in the know with the means, go to see Dr. Roni when something goes wrong with their body. But she cares deeply about the average person who cannot get to her, which is why she shared her knowledge in a book that was a New York Times bestseller, 21 Pounds in 21 Days, Now she’s got a new book coming called ‘High Five’ and it's about the five things that kill 80% of men over 50. “I've watched people die from things that are unnecessary. The high fives are high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high sugar, high weight and high stress and we see it every day.” “But when you teach people from nature on how to eat the right things and how to eat according to not just their body type, but what their blood level says, who they are, then you can cure these things, right? And I think a lot of people don't understand that. I mean, they hear me say that, but they don't understand the process. And I talk about going back to nature and living a cleaner life, but they don't know what that means anymore.” How does Dr. Roni handle the emotions of all these people needing her help? “Oh, oh my goodness, Debbie, I'm not just a healer, I'm an empath and this is so hard for me.” “I told my friend the other day, and she was there, she said, you're going to have to calm down, because I run up and down the stairs and I've got all this energy. I said, listen, if you ever see me just sitting down doing nothing for more than 10 minutes call 9-1-1.” What a fabulous woman! Please listen to the amazing wisdom of Dr. Roni in this podcast of our live conversation on The Debbie Nigro Show. /episode/index/show/thedebbienigroshow/id/32384202

I Had ‘Hydrangea Envy’ This Year: Best in 20 Years Says Queen Of Hydrangeas 07/26/2024

I Had ‘Hydrangea Envy’ This Year: Best in 20 Years Says Queen Of Hydrangeas I’ve always admired hydrangea flowers but this year I was obsessed! I was slamming on my brakes and jumping out of my car just to take pictures of ‘other people’s hydrangeas’! It’s not like I'd never seen hydrangeas before. It’s just that this year for some reason they just seemed more beautiful than I ever remember. I wanted to share in the hydrangea joy, so I went and bought a pretty blue hydrangea plant at Home Depot. I think it died in the car on the way home. I planted other pretty flowers that actually lived, but sadly not that one. I was bummed. Apparently my dead hydrangea sparked my very severe case of “hydrangea envy’. Every time I’d spot a house with gorgeous hydrangeas I’d somehow on foot or by car, get up close or back up close, and whip out my phone to take a picture. I now have a ridiuculous number of ‘other people’s hydrangeas’ photos in my phone. I thought it was just me until I had lunch with a business pal and mentioned my 'Hydrangea Envy Problem’ and he whipped out his phone with the same number of Hydrangea photos! That was a really good belly laugh. We both really wanted to know ‘why’ suddenly, this year, were these plants so much more amazing? We decided we needed to find a ‘hydrangea expert’! So, I went and found ‘the best’ and invited her to join my radio show. Her name is Lorraine Ballato, and she’s truly ‘The Queen of Hydrangeas’. Lorraine is an award-winning writer, speaker, horticulturist, photographer and confirmed plantaholic. She’s written a book called “Success with Hydrangeas’ A Gardeners Guide. She has tips for knowledgeable and novice gardeners alike on how to grow this favorite garden shrub. Success with Hydrangeas in an international best seller. It’s packed with valuable information like; when and how to prune; when and how to fertilize; when to transplant; how to propagate; and when to water -- or not. I knew Lorraine would have the answer to 'WHY' the Hydrangeas were so extra gorgeous this year. Was it all the wild weather? Lorraine said, “Well, not this year. Wild weather from one year to the next could be the culprit, but we didn't have any wild weather. The temperatures were fairly even over the course of the spring. We had a nice, kind of mild winter. We had good rain both in the fall and the winter and the spring, and that's a trifecta to create exactly what we're all enjoying." “I can tell you from a very weakened memory bank that this is the best year I've ever seen in over 20.” “Even if you get mild winters and even if you get a decent amount of rain, we invariably have those crazy spring temperature swings, you know? And we get those freezes in May or we get a freak late season snowstorm. And so even if you make it through with all the other factors, one of those, all you need is a couple days like that and your buds are gone, absolutely gone.” “So to have all three happen in the same growing year is rare to say the least.” Enjoy learning more about the 'Diva' hydrangeas and enjoy meeting Lorraine Ballato in this podcast of our live conversation on The Debbie Nigro Show. Meanwhile, there’s no need for you to zone out and become envious of ‘other peoples plants’ like I did. You can have your own fabulous plants if you just look into what plant hardiness zone you’re in. Just type your zip code into the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. /episode/index/show/thedebbienigroshow/id/32308377

My Blind Summer College Intern Does ‘Live’ Reports on Technology Helping Those with Disabilities 07/18/2024

My Blind Summer College Intern Does ‘Live’ Reports on Technology Helping Those with Disabilities Kathleen Masciana is my summer college intern. She’s a sweet and smart college gal with an impressive list of credits. She insists on calling me Miss Nigro. I keep telling her to call me Debbie. Kathleen who is blind, aspires to be a radio and podcast talk show host. She posted her first attempt at hosting a talk show on YouTube on ‘BTGS Radio’ on Stationhead.com. 'BTGS Radio' stands for Blind Techie Geek Speaks. Kathleen’s a self-proclaimed technology geek. That’s what she loves reading about, thinking about, learning about. So I gave Kathleen an important job to fulfill her internship. I told her to go do research and contribute each week live on my ‘Trending Tuesday’ show, a report on the trending technologies that are helping make life easier and more interesting for those with disabilities. This way I help her get real time experience on the air and she helps me stay informed and educates my listeners. Kathleen is also a beta tester for Apple, and she tests pre-release software to see if there are bugs or issues before a software debuts. “So, what I do for Apple, I test pre-release software before it's out in the public. And I want to make sure all the bugs are out of it. So, the software's untested. And I have to check everything, like what new features are in it. Like, for example, in iOS 17, there was a feature called Personal Voice. There was a feature called Personal Voice that was released back with iOS 17. And now with iOS 18, there's a twist. This feature is now integrated with voiceover and spoken content. Really? Yes. Mainly, Personal Voice is designed for people that are at risk of losing their ability to speak. For example, Stephen Hawking was diagnosed with ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease. He had to use a synthesized voice from a computer program. But if this feature was released in his time, he could have created a voice that sounds like him with 15 minutes of training, and you have to read 150 phrases to complete the process. And it takes about one night for everything to process, all the voice recordings that you make.” Fascinating! Kathleen uses a Braille computer, an iPhone, an iPad and other devices with voiceover. She and I communicate by texts which on her end are read out loud to her through a voice over screen reader. As for her live debut, she did great, however I did tell her I wanted her to sound a little ‘peppier’ when she talks on the air because good energy attracts other good energy! Her second report on my show was on the latest ‘apps for the deaf’. Because Kathleen videos our audio interviews on ‘her end’ you can hear her doing my show on her own You Tube station. Hope you feel the good energy of this collaboration in reading this post. Here’s the podcast of Kathleen Masciana's first live segment reporting in on The Debbie Nigro Show. The Debbie Nigro Show Airs Weekdays 11-12 Noon EST in the NY/CT area on 1490 WGCH Radio. You can ‘Listen Live’ from anywhere in the world on WGCH.com /episode/index/show/thedebbienigroshow/id/32203892

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