LIFE CHANGES and VORTEX IMMERSION

Durning the Coronavirus times, there have been more positives than one can count, and each has been special and important to one person, to many, to millions. Though arguably, positive things are happening all the time, all over the world, being that the recent focus has been on so many of the obvious and maybe not so obvious negatives, a spotlight on some of the highlights that have come to our attention at LIFE CHANGES and have been brought forward by the Vortex Immersion Team, is our show tonight.

It is our trust that they will inspire, and support our faith in individuals and humanity not only in this crisis, but potentially from here on forward. May we never forget the kindness of others we are experiencing at this time and always, and pass it on, and share it in our stories for generations to come.

LIFE CHANGES

When it comes to changes, LIFE CHANGES is setting new trends and ushering in a new paradigm, featuring conversations with experts who have either changed their lives, changed the lives of others, or are changing the world in their own little or big way.  From activist celebrities to people who have achieved extraordinary things; from spiritual leaders, futurists,  to book smart, degreed and/or doctored scientists, physicians, and scholars, hear what they have to say and be part of a conversation that matters on ways to become the new “cool,” be in the know, in the now, and flow with life’s changes.

VIN ADINOLFI, a.k.a. VIN A

Vin Adinolfi, a.k.a. Vin A, was born in NYC in 1988.  His father, Vin Adinolfi Jr., was a record executive/producer for Lifesong Records for 30+ years and produced many notable artists such as Jim Croce, The Partridge Family and Dion, to name a few.  The label’s bosses came in one day and said they had been bought out by Sony, so his father was out of work and had nowhere to turn. Why does Vin A’s story start here you ask?  Since the age of 7, Vin had been learning to play piano and guitar by ear.  When his father lost his job, Vin was 14 years old and was asked by him to start a band with his younger brother, Nick (who started playing drums at age 6).  The band would be a retrospective of his father’s career and they would perform songs his dad had either produced, sung back up on, or worked with over the years.   The band they formed would forever be known as  “The Bronx Wanderers.”

The Bronx Wanderers started touring all over the NY tri-state area playing small clubs and catering halls.  After two years of performing and amassing a small, loyal following, the band started playing 200-255 shows a year across the country.  First, they were getting asked to open oldies shows for renowned artists such as Peter Noone (Herman’s Hermits), Tony Orlando, The Turtles, The Drifters, The Shirelles, Gary Puckett, and more.  After a few years of hard work and honing their craft, they were headlining those same oldies shows along with major festivals, casinos and PACs across the country. 

At this same time, Vin was studying to get a Bachelors of Science degree in Business Management at Stockton University in New Jersey.  Vin had to tour on the weekends to help support his family and career and attend college during the week for 4 years.  He graduated with honors in 2010.  In his senior year, he and his brother had won a battle of the bands contest and got the opportunity to open for “Brand New” at his college in front of 5,000 screaming peers and fans.  It was only his second solo gig, the first being the contest.  By the age of 27, Vin had produced 5 full-length studio albums (Bronx Wanderers and Vin A albums) under his then newly-created record label, Whichway Records.  He plays 6+ instruments including guitar, piano, drums, bass, banjo, violin, and even the 3 and 4 string cigar box slide guitar (all taught by ear).

Vin A currently lives in Las Vegas and The Bronx Wanderers have secured a residency with Caesar’s Entertainment since 2016.  They’ve been performing at Bally’s 7 nights a week in the Windows Showroom (which they share with Wayne Newton), they’ve won 4 Best Of Las Vegas awards, a 5-Star Yelp award, a Top Ten Trip Advisor award (#8 out of 184 shows in Las Vegas), and still manage to have time to perform for charitable organizations such as Win Win Charity, St. Jude’s Ranch for Children, Neurofibrosis, and multiple veteran’s associations. 

With Bronx Wanderers raging on 7 nights/week, how Vin still finds time to pursue a solo career is baffling, but he does.  In 2018, Vin won another contest by submitting his original material to 96.3 KKLZ and got voted to open for Bon Jovi at T-Mobile Arena to perform his originals in front of 18,000+ people.  He also headlined the Motley Brews Downtown Brewfest performing for 3,000 people in October.  He’s a regular performer at the prominent “Composer’s Showcase” which features original artists once a month at the Smith Center (Las Vegas’ version of Lincoln Center.)  

Between The Bronx Wanderers and his solo accomplishments, Vin has sung the national anthem at Madison Square Garden for the NY Rangers along with the NBA summer league in Las Vegas at Thomas and Mack Center, has filled in for Frankie Valli in the United Arab Emirates, Dubai, has sold over 50,000 records, and continues to make hundreds of thousands of people smile each year with his family act and personal music.  Vin A is a performer for the ages for ALL ages and his talent is only overshadowed by his humble nature.

JESSICA BAUM, LMHC

Jessica Baum, LMHC is the founder of Relationship Institute of Palm Beach and creator of the Self-Full® method — a therapeutic path to personal wellness and freedom from codependence. Jessica holds an undergraduate degree from Fordham University and a master’s degree in mental health counseling from South University.

As a certified addiction specialist, her focuses are chemical abuse, codependency, and anxiety. She is also a certified Imago Therapist, bringing her compassionate and effective relationship counseling experience to families, couples, and family programs within addiction treatment centers. Jessica has extensive training in psychodrama and experiential therapy, and is additionally skilled in cognitive and dialectical behavior therapy. Her training also includes EMDR and Post Induction Therapy, and she has a wealth of experience supporting trauma patients.

Jessica’s own personal core belief is centered around the importance of connection, both to oneself and the outside world. She believes the crux of most personal struggles can be attributed to a lack of true understanding and personal connection, and that it is this sense of disconnection that ultimately leads to pain. Jessica founded the Relationship Institute of Palm Beach to help heal, foster happine

DPAK aka THE OTHER DEEPAK, from “ROBOT NATURE”

Lead Singer, Violinist, Multi-Instrumentalist, Producer/Writer for Pop/Rock – Eclectic Synthesis of Modern Pop and Synth Rock band: Robot Nature

Burning Man. Black Rock Desert…



Four humanoids dressed in all-silver appeared in the Nevada Desert and introduced the Robot Nature sound to over 12,000 hyperactive burners, becoming one of the most talked-about acts of the week.



What happened next was insane…

Bookings started flying in and venues started selling out in Los Angeles and beyond, as well as the group picking up numerous awards like “Band of the Year” and “Music Video of the Year”.



The Robots have brought their hyper-catchy sound to a party so big it almost got shut down at SXSW, festival dates in Europe, and are now ready to go coast-to-coast to become America’s next big electronic live act.



Although they have been described as the new Muse, Maroon 5, or Imagine Dragons… their extraterrestrial electronic sounds, catchy pop melodies, woven with lead Robot DPAK’s tenor vocals, electrified violin and acoustic guitar give Robot Nature its own futuristic sound.

DR. ANITA SANCHEZ

Anita Sanchez, Ph.D., Aztec and Mexican-American, is a transformational leadership consultant, speaker, coach and author of the international bestselling book, “The Four Sacred Gifts: Indigenous Wisdom for Modern Times,” available in paperback, hardcover, e-book, and audiobook from Simon & Schuster.

She bridges indigenous teachings with the latest science to inspire and equip women and men to enjoy meaningful, empowered lives and careers. With four decades of experience coaching and training executives and their teams in dozens of Fortune 500 companies, governmental groups and non-governmental agencies, Anita is an established leader in global organizational change initiatives.

She is a member of the Transformational Leadership Council with luminaries such as Jack Canfield, Marianne Williamson and John Gray, as well as the Association of Transformational Leaders, the Evolutionary Business Council, and serves on the Boards of the Bioneers organization and the Pachamama Alliance. Anita holds a Ph.D. in Organizational Development from the University of Colorado, Denver. She resides in the mountains outside of Boulder, CO with her husband and youngest son.

Whether you’re drawn to her soulful, powerhouse vocals, raw, heartfelt lyrics, or infectious grooves, one thing is for sure—Alex Nester is an artist you will remember. You can’t help but be drawn to her when she sings from such a deep and genuine place. Her music doesn’t just reach your ears, it reaches your heart. Channeling the retro artists of the 60’s and 70’s, Alex blends soul, funk, and r&b and delivers her songs with honesty and meaning.

Alex believes in the great power and beauty of music, and she felt it firsthand through her battle with cancer at 16 years-old. Along with excellent treatment, the love of family and friends, and the grace of God, Alex credits music with helping save her life.

With a grateful heart she went on to release two critically acclaimed solo albums, and opened as a solo artist for such acts as Earth Wind & Fire, Chicago, Rachel Platten, Evelyn “Champagne” King, and Dave Mason. Through the years she has also worked with Stevie Wonder, The Four Tops, The Fifth Dimension, Tito Jackson (of Jackson 5 fame), and Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, most recently touring as a guest artist with Carlos Santana.

Alex has made a promise to her listeners that her music will always be sincere and real. She believes that music-making is an art, and will always give her songs the time, attention, and love they need to be something special.

Alex’s bout with cancer has helped shape her unique sound filled with messages of love, faith, positivity, and healing while channeling the retro soul artists of the 60’s and 70’s… Which only makes sense as she is currently touring with Salvador Santana, recently toured with Tito Jackson (of Jackson 5 fame), and has opened as a solo artist for such acts as Earth Wind & Fire, Chicago, The Rascals, Evelyn “Champagne” King, The Stylistics, and Dave Mason. Most recently she has added multi-platinum selling artist Rachel Platten to that list as well. Her resume already includes 12 albums, countless jingles, and over 25 theatrical productions, as well as working with established musicians such as Carlos Santana, Stevie Wonder, The Four Tops, The Fifth Dimension, Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, Desi Arnaz, Jr., Alphonse Mouzon, Brandon Fields, and Eric Marienthal.

As the music industry settles for what’s “safe”, Alex will continue to push the boundaries of music making. Her songs are a musical testament of loss and hope, failure and triumph. It is a promise to the listeners that her music will never be anything less than sincere and honest. And most importantly, it’s 100% Alex Nester groove!

DEBBIE LOVE

Debbie Love did not set out to become a Karate instructor or a martial artist out of sheer interest, it was out of necessity; she was compelled to learn everything she could about the subject because of a personal family tragedy that had a profound effect and would eventually change the course of her life.  

Her close cousin Julie Love, near identical in size, was the victim of a violent crime in Atlanta in the summer of 1988 which was the subject of headline news. It took over a year for Julie’s remains to be found after her disappearance. Once the facts came out of what happened to Julie, it was clear she lost her life because of a simple mistake, she ran out of gas. And, even though it happened in Atlanta’s wealthiest neighborhood, it was a fatal mistake.  

Debbie knew if it could happen to Julie, it could happen to her.  So she began a quest to learn self-defense but nothing seemed to work.  Knowing there had to be a better way, she enrolled in martial arts to learn from the ground up. That was almost 20 years ago.  

After earning her first Black Belt, Debbie began sharing basic self-defense and escape techniques to family and friends, and quite frankly, to anyone who would listen. As her experience and skills increased so did her audience. In 2009, while working in downtown San Diego, Debbie convinced management to put on a series of six 1-one hour lunch and learn classes for the female employees working in the building.  It was a success and a huge confidence boost for those women who commute to and from work everyday.

In December 2015, Debbie returned to Atlanta where her cousin was murdered to teach a special class for family and friends.

Since then, Debbie left her 40 year career as a paralegal to devote herself full time to educating women about their safety and continues to find innovative ways to provide valuable self-defense information and instruction to women of all ages, from young girls to seniors citizens, high school and college bound girls and women who work outside the home. Each class and workshop is distinctively tailored to the audience. 

Today, after almost 20 years of training, Debbie is a 4th Degree Black Belt and Certified Instructor in Karate and an advocate for women’s safety.  At under 5’ and barely 100 pounds, don’t let her small size fool you; she can stop a larger opponent with relative ease. 

As a frequent speaker and self-defense instructor, Debbie wants women to know that  self-defense is much more than simply learning techniques. Self-defense is not about being strong, it’s about being smart!

Ami was born January 8, 1969 at 7:05 am, in Burbank California. Her parents brought her home the next day. Micky's mother, Janelle Scott, was there to help the new parents.

When Ami was five months old, Samantha took her to England. Samantha was still a British subject - but Ami was an American citizen, so she had her own passport. Samantha and Ami stayed in England for nearly a month, then returned to California. Ami's grandparents, Lesley and Phyllis Slater, returned with them.

Ami was an active baby. She crawled at seven months, and was running by ten months. Samantha had to put bells on her shoes, so she could find her!

Ami's grandparents adored her, and were a great help to her parents. Lesley and Micky were always building something. Phyllis help Samantha with her shop "One of a Kind." They had planned to buy a house, but Micky insisted they stay with them.

Ami lived with her parents and grandparents in their converted mountain lodge home in Laurel Canyon until 1975. Ami's parents separated at that time, and Ami moved to a large town house with her mother and grandparents. They lived there for a year, then moved to Acapulco, Mexico, where they lived for four years. Ami's grandfather passed away while they were living in Mexico. She was 12 at the time. Micky was visiting them when it happened, so he was able to comfort his daughter during this sad time.

In 1980, Ami, her mother and grandmother moved back to their townhouse. Ami attended a private school nearby, and made lots of friends, many of them remain her friends today.

Ami visited her dad each summer in England, where he was living with his second wife and their babies. ( Ami has three younger sisters: Charlotte, Emily, and Georgia). Ami usually brought a friend with her. Micky arranged his work schedule around Ami's visits, so they could spend as much time together as possible.

When Ami was 15, she told her parents she needed to have a lunch date - all three of them together - because she had something very important to discuss with them. They didn't know what to expect!

During lunch, Ami announced that she had decided to become an actress. Her parents were not thrilled. It can be a very hard life, with lots of rejection. Micky told Ami that she would have to do it on her own. Her parents agreed that if she could get an agent, she could give it a try.

Her parents arranged for Ami to talk about acting with a friend of theirs, who was in the business. The friend spent two hours with Ami, talking to her about how difficult it is to get an agent, how hard it is just to get an appointment, and how many she would have to see, with no guarantee she would be signed-up by anyone. Ami left with a list of agents to contact.

She prepared her monologue, She had been working on this in her acting classes at school. She called the first agent on the list, and was granted an interview.

Samantha took Ami to the appointment, thinking this would probably be the end of it. Ami went in to meet the agent, and preformed her monologue. She came out five minutes later, saying, "He needs to talk to you, Mom. He wants me!". From that moment on, Ami's life would never be the same.

Ami's agent taped her performing her monologue, and submitted it to "Junior Star Search." There were over 1,000 tapes submitted, and Ami's was one of the very few accepted for the competition. Ami won the competition, and went on to win in the junior actress division for the year. This helped launch her career.

Ami's early acting days were spent as a guest star on many sitcoms, such as: Growing pains, saved by the bell, and Murder She Wrote. She had a feature role on General Hospital when she was only 17. At that time she made a decision she now regrets - she dropped out of high school. She wanted to focus on her career, and there are many pages of dialog to memorize for a soap character. (She is now working with a tutor to complete her high school education. She recommends staying in school rather than finishing up later, it is much easier to do it while you are there!). It was like she was on General Hospital that she landed her first major role - "She's Out of Control."

She was also a co-star in many other films, including: "Can't buy me love", "Faith", Rescue Me", and several horror films, such as: "Children of the night", Ticks", Witchboard II", and Pumpkinhead II". On the lighter side, is "Stepmonster", a very cute movie about a kid that is sure his stepmother is a monster.

"Miracle Beach" is the movie most often mentioned by her fans as their favorite. She still has the genie costume from the movie.