Karen received her Masters’ Degree in Social Work from Columbia University and has worked in the areas of family therapy, eldercare and PTSD.

Acclaimed talk show host of Spouting Off

As a performer, she has toured the country in musical comedies, entertained on cruise ships and appeared in television and film. Her broadcast experience includes turns as a classical music radio announcer, news-caster, voice-over artist and of course, talk radio host. She lends her operatic voice to a variety of fundraisers and community events and has sung the National Anthem and God Bless America in numerous venues from State Legislatures to the New Jersey Nets.

Karen has trained people of all ages in public speaking, voice and diction, assertiveness and interpersonal communication. She taught communications at a Manhattan corporate training firm, the New School for Social Research, Parsons School of Design in New York, New Jersey’s Montclair State College, and Fairleigh Dickenson University, among others.

In politics, Karen has written numerous editorials and run for public office. She is passionate about freedom, equal justice and personal responsibility. You might have trouble pigeonholing her.

She enjoys encouraging people to think for themselves and to question everything.

Karen is the author of the awarding winning memoir, FATLASH! Food Police & the Fear of Thin, a memoir about her "stage mother on steroids" and her participation in child beauty pageants.

Pragito Dove M.A., is a global authority on Expressive Meditation and founder of the #1 Expressive Meditation Training School in N.America. An internationally recognized Author, Hypnotherapist, Coach and Speaker with over 20 years experience, Pragito helps spiritually-conscious entrepreneurs, leaders, CEO’s, teachers and healers align their mindset to allow more peace, time and financial freedom. 

Featured in media including TV Shows, Telesummits and top-level Podcasts, Pragito shares powerful tools for wellness, meditation and personal growth. Her new book  is #1 Amazon bestseller “LUNCHTIME ENLIGHTENMENT: Expressive Meditations for Manifesting Peace, Prosperity and Passion”.

This episode features a conversation about spiritual wisdom on Spirit Animals.  My guest is Dr. Steven Farmer is a licensed psychotherapist, soul healer, and author of several best-selling books and oracle cards, including Animal Spirit Guides, Earth Magic, Earth Magic Oracle Cards, Children’s Spirit Animal Cards, Healing Ancestral Karma and the recently released book Animals: Personal Tales of Encounters with Spirit Animals and the oracle cards Shaman’s Path.

For over 25 years Melissa, a well-respected, former world champion athlete, hall of fame inductee, exercise physiologist, and single digit handicap golfer has built her practice around helping athletes improve their game, health and sense of well being.  



In her private practice she coaches a select group of elite athletes (players from the Bears, Blackhawks, Bulls and Cubs) and seven touring golf professionals.  Power Break Fitness Edge is a program that incorporates key elements of her training and brings it to facilities in the chicagoland area. 



Melissa holds the following certifications:

• TPI Fitness Certified (levels 1,2 and 3)
• TPI Junior Certified (levels 2 and 3)
• TPI certified golf coach (level 2)
• TPI Speaker (level 2)
• TRX Certified
• Power Plate Certified ( Levels 1 and 2)
• Spin Certified
• K-Vest Certified
• Russian Kettle Certified (RKC)
• Has held certifications in (Zumba,  and Wellness Coaching)

In 1978, Melissa Orth was in the process of training to make the Olympic gymnastics team when a knee injury side-lined her. To strengthen that knee she began weight training with the former Mr. Universe (Mr. Olympia and Mr. America!), Bob Gadja. Under his guidance, Melissa discovered she had talent and in 1980, at the age of 17, Melissa became the World Champion Power Lifter in her division!



In 1982, she earned the body building title "Miss Collegiate America."Along with her athletic accomplishments, Melissa graduated from George Williams college in 1985 with her Bachelor in Science. She went on to achieve her MBA in 1987 from Aurora University proving that not all MBAs wear a 3 piece suit! After graduation, Melissa decided to try something new and different and for two years worked in sales for a large software company becoming their #1 sales person in her division.