Headlined Guests
Headlined Guests that have appeared on BBS Radio TV
Will O’Brien, CEO and Co-Founder of Provenonce, Inc. (spelled PROVEN ONCE), stands out in the tech industry for leading a company that innovates in AI, Metaverse, and Web3 with Provenonce Professional. Provenonce also operates Provenonce Studios, a creative services business, and has empowered over 1,000 artists through the Provenonce Creator Alliance. Will’s exceptional leadership was recognized when he was named “CEO of the Year” in the Bitcoin industry at BitGo, a unicorn in blockchain infrastructure. His executive role at Big Fish Games, another unicorn in casual and social games, underscores his ability to scale high-potential companies.
A Harvard and MIT Sloan alumnus, Will’s expertise spans fintech, healthtech, data analytics, blockchain, and cloud services. He has influenced over 70 early-stage startups and blockchain projects in Silicon Valley, Europe, and Korea. His insights and achievements have been featured in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Forbes, Fortune, and BusinessWeek, and he is a regular speaker at industry conferences.
In addition to his professional pursuits, Will is a passionate musician with three albums, including the solo piano album “IĀNUAE.” He is also a devoted father to two boys and a world traveler. Holding dual citizenship in the US and Ireland, Will combines a global perspective with his innovative approach to technology and business.
MY NEXT GUEST on Tuesday on the Words Women And Wisdom Radio Show is Ralitza Spassova, MD - Transformational Coach & Life Alchemist, sharing her tragedy to triumph story!
From burnout to abundance, Ralitza has embraced authenticity as a path to creating mind, body, spirit balance. Combining her education in Medicine, experience in education and Coaching Certification, she has created her Signature P3 Alchemy Mastery Method.
As an MD graduate, she has evolved into an intuitive, heart-centered transformational coach with a wealth of teaching, coaching, and mentorship experience. Her path has led her to collaborate closely with individuals, groups, and organizations, all with the shared objective of amplifying authenticity and fostering personal growth.
To receive her special Listeners Gift, click here: https://forms.wix.com/f/7005805640752824335
Bruce Gilley is a Professor of Political Science. His research centers on democracy, legitimacy, climate change, and global politics, and he is a specialist on the comparative politics of China and Asia. He is the author of four university-press books, including The Right to Rule: How States Win and Lose Legitimacy (2009) and China's Democratic Future (2004) in addition to several co-edited volumes. His articles have appeared in Foreign Affairs, Comparative Political Studies, environmental politics, Politics and Policy, Democratization, and the European Journal of Political Research. A member of the editorial boards of the Journal of Democracy and the Journal of Contemporary China, Professor Gilley has received grants from the Smith-Richardson Foundation and the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy. He was a Commonwealth Scholar at Oxford University from 1989 to 1991 and a Woodrow Wilson Scholar at Princeton University from 2004 to 2006.
I am currently a 911 Call Taker /Law Dispatcher for the last 13 years for the Broward Sheriff's Office. I also started my own business Latinas of 911 to help promote diversity, equity and inclusion under emergency services. I would also like to bring awareness of mental health for 911 call taker/Dispatchers.
Simon Gidney is the founder of A Mind to Care.
After a successful entrepreneurial career, in 2019 Simon Gidney sold the last business he founded and sought out a new business venture that would allow him to not only experience more quality of life, but also contribute more quality of life to others.
During his pursuit of this vision, Simon crossed paths with Scott, a man who, deeply moved by his father’s early-onset Parkinson’s diagnosis, left a high-powered role in the oil industry. Returning home, Scott witnessed the tremendous strain on his mother, after dedicating two decades to caring for his ailing father. Motivated by empathy and a desire to alleviate such challenges, Scott developed and patented an innovative activity therapy system in 2014, comprising games and entertainment designed to engage his father. This provided valuable respite for family members.
Unfortunately, in 2017 Scott was diagnosed with bladder cancer and suspended his new business. Fortunately, Scott is now cancer free. But the illness took its toll and he decided not to revive his business.
Recognizing the potential of Scott’s activity system to positively impact many lives – both those with disabilities and their caregivers — Simon approached Scott. With Scott’s approval, Simon took on the task of redesigning and marketing the system, rebranded as A Mind to Care.
Beyond their entertainment value, puzzles and games possess therapeutic qualities that enhance memory and overall brain function, particularly in the realm of short-term memory. For individuals grappling with dementia or Alzheimer’s, puzzles offer relief from symptoms, providing a comforting and stimulating experience that instills a sense of control.
A Mind to Care’s versatile game and activity therapy system facilitates social interaction, engagement, and evoke positive emotions. The activity system is tailored to address cognitive challenges and motor skill limitations. And since the system operates without the need for a power source, it can be readily used in nearly every environment.
A Mind to Care’s commitment to enhancing the lives of individuals facing cognitive challenges propels us to expand our offerings. We invite your thoughts and suggestions as we strive to incorporate more games, puzzles, and caring aids into A Mind to Care, fostering a community dedicated to improved well-being.
Taylor Matter is the Founder of Hurdle Apparel.
Taylor is an experienced strategy and management consultant for various Fortune 500 Corporations, specializing in corporate reputation. He founded Hurdle to overcome an overuse injury he developed in his left foot.
Kaya Rhee is fifteen years old and is debuting as a singer-songwriter with the live performance of “One Day at a Time”, a song she was inspired to write during a magical music course at Coherence Education.
When apart from her guitar, Kaya can be found maneuvering a catamaran, revising another version of her novel, giving a hand to her sparring partner, or kneading sourdough.
Doris M. Ellis was born in her Maternal Grandfather’s farmhouse in Surry County, Virginia. She is the youngest of four children born to Lawrence L. Ellis and Grace L. Flowers Ellis. Doris was educated in the public schools of Surry County, where she met and fell in love with Joe Ellis, their relationship began because they both played varsity basketball for Luther P. Jackson High School, they were both Ellis’, and they both wore uniform #24.
Doris received a BS Degree from Virginia State University in Petersburg, Virginia, and completed The School of Bank Management at The University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Virginia.
After serving the community for almost 35 years, Doris retired from SonaBank, formerly The Bank of Waverly, as Vice President/Branch Manager. Because of her love for the children of her beloved Surry County, Doris began to work as a Substitute Teacher for Surry County Public Schools, and she currently remains in that position.
Doris has three (3) children; Kimberly, Keisha, and Joseph, Jr. (Joey). She also has six (6) grandchildren; Keion, Keionna, Joseph, III (Tre), Keivon, Joelle, and Jaedan.
“Going Out a Champion: The Coach Joe Ellis Story”, the biography of her late husband, Joseph A. Ellis, is Doris’ first published work.
Richard Lyntton was born (Richard Bramford) in Highgate, London. He is of English descent. Lyntton was brought up in Kentish Town & Primrose Hill, North London. He attended William Ellis grammar school, Exeter University, Moscow State Linguistic University (formerly Maurice Thorez Moscow State Pedagogical Institute of Foreign Languages), and RMAS (Sandhurst). Richard served as a Captain and tank commander in the British Army in Gulf War 1; European Community Task Force Humanitarian Liaison in Russia; UNHCR Officer and United Nations Military Observer in Sarajevo, Bosnia; and was a United Nations Television Producer in Former Yugoslavia. He was called to testify at the International War Crimes Tribunal in the Hague after witnessing and filming human rights atrocities and abuses in Bosnia. His films are archived at the Imperial War Museum, London. North Korea Deception is Lyntton’s first novel and Book 1 in The Deception Series. Don’t miss Hyde Park Deception and Leningrad Deception Books 2 and 3 in The Deception Series.
Languages: Russian, German, French & Bosnian/Serbian/Croatian
When he’s not writing, Richard is a professional actor. In 1998, he graduated from Mountview Academy of Theater Arts, London, and has made numerous appearances in theater, film, and television including Blue Bloods; Law & Order: SVU; Creed I (Ringside Doctor); The Blacklist: Redemption; Mr. Robot; Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan; The Plot Against America, The Equalizer, We Crashed and Daredevil: Born Again.
https://pro.imdb.com/name/nm1334788?ref_=hm_nv_usr_prof
Richard is also a British royals watcher and commentator. He published “From Cottage to Palace” the story of his great aunt Florence who lived, worked and travelled the world with two Queen Elizabeths for 30 years.
https://www.amazon.com/Cottage-Palace-Worcestershire-Malvern-History-ebook/dp/B09WB2LQHM
Actor, narrator (audible.com), Richard Lyntton was born (Richard Bramford) in Whittington Hospital, Highgate, London. He is of English descent. Lyntton was brought up in Primrose Hill, North London. He attended William Ellis Grammar School and Exeter University. Richard served as a Captain and tank commander in the British Army in Gulf War 1, Bosnia and Russia. He graduated from Mountview Theater School (Mountview Academy of Theater Arts) in 1998. Lyntton's theatre appearances include A Midsummer Night's Dream (1998), Techno-Frantic Love (1999), Men Without Shadows (2000), Inherit the Wind (1999), Bless the Bride (1999), Indian Ink (2002). Film & Television roles began in 1997, Welcome to Sarajevo, The Knock (1999), Ruth Ellis: A Life for a Life (1999), and in USA 2002, My Father's Gun, Law & Order: SVU (2004 & 2011), The Answer Man (2009), One Life to Live (2010), Blue Bloods (2011), Royal Pains (2011), Creed (2015), Career Opportunities in Organized Crime (2016), The Blacklist: Redemption (2017), Mr. Robot (2017), Redcoats (2017), The Break With Michelle Wolf (2018), Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan (2019), The Plot Against America (2020), The Equalizer (2021), WeCrashed (2022), and numerous shorts and Independent Features.
Ina Naveyah Lanara is a Multidimensional Healing Practitioner, Gridworker, Light Language Channel, and Spiritual Coach who works with Lightworkers, Starseeds, and Creatives who are boots-on-the-ground emissaries for the shift in Consciousness.
Awakening to her purpose in 2012, Ina has been exploring the relationship between the Human and Cosmic for the last 10 years.
As a 30 year Educator, Mentor, and Visionary for the collective awakening, her energy fuels others to see themselves as powerful, singular Creators of their own Reality.
Her clients include professionals and service providers who are serving Humanity in the workplace and home, and who are ready to go to the next level as a Spiritual entrepreneur and leader.
She assists them in retrieving, clearing and healing aspects of the Creator Self so they can fully embody their missions and live with alignment and joy.
Connect with Ina Lanara on Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and Patreon, as well as via her website.
Email: Inanaveyahlanara88@gmail.com
Website: https://www.inalanara.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@quantumalchemyina
Patreon: www.patreon.com/sherriina
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100003968650785
Samantha's career in emergency communications began in 2015; since then, she has taught regionally and nationally on topics ranging from effective customer service skills in 911 to leadership development. She is a PSAP Professional and Trainer with Moetivations, Inc., a company that delivers crucial support services to communications centers all over the country, and she is a "Traveling Dispatcher" as part of their Dispatch On Demand program. Her passion is training newer generations of emergency telecommunicators to be both purpose and mission-driven and equipping them for a long, effective career beneath the headset.
Dr. Armstrong is Professor of Surgery with Tenure at the University of Southern California. Dr. Armstrong holds a Master of Science in Tissue Repair and Wound Healing from the University of Wales College of Medicine and a PhD from the University of Manchester College of Medicine, where he was appointed Visiting Professor of Medicine. He is founder and co-Director of the Southwestern Academic Limb Salvage Alliance (SALSA).
Dr. Armstrong has produced more than 650 peer-reviewed research papers in dozens of scholarly medical journals as well as over 110 books or book chapters. He is founding co- Editor of the American Diabetes Association’s Clinical Care of the Diabetic Foot, now entering its fourth edition.
Armstrong is Director of USC’s National Science Foundation (NSF) funded Center to Stream Healthcare in Place (C2SHiP.org) which places him at the nexus of the merger of consumer electronics, wearables and medical devices in an effort to maximize hospital-free and activity-rich days.
Dr. Armstrong was selected as one of the first six International Wound Care Ambassadors and is the recipient of numerous awards and degrees by universities and international medical organizations including the inaugural Georgetown Distinguished Award for Diabetic Limb Salvage. In 2008, he was the 25th and youngest-ever member elected into the Podiatric Medicine Hall of Fame. He was the first surgeon to be appointed University Distinguished Outreach Professor at the University of Arizona. He was the first podiatric surgeon to become a member of the Society of Vascular Surgery and the first US podiatric surgeon named fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons, Glasgow. He is the 2010 and youngest ever recipient of the ADA’s Roger Pecoraro Award, the highest award given in the field.
Dr. Armstrong is past Chair of Scientific Sessions for the ADA’s Foot Care Council, and a past member of the National Board of Directors of the American Diabetes Association. He sits on the Infectious Disease Society of America’s (IDSA) Diabetic Foot Infection Advisory Committee and is the US appointed delegate to the International Working Group on the Diabetic Foot. Dr. Armstrong is the founder and co-chair of the International Diabetic Foot Conference (DF-Con), the largest annual international symposium on the diabetic foot in the world. He is also the Founding President of the American Limb Preservation Society (ALPS), a medical and surgical society dedicated to building interdisciplinary teams to eliminate preventable amputation in the USA and worldwide.
As a former army paratrooper and rigger, I furthered my skills by successfully completing the police academy and embarking on a fulfilling career as a full-time police officer. I am proudly serving in the police department of my hometown, where I grew up and attended school. Alongside my law enforcement duties, I have also ventured into various creative endeavors. I have authored five books. Furthermore, I host a captivating weekly live broadcast, Black & Blue, where I engage with my audience and share motivational messages.
Dr. Tobias Consmüller is the Chief Scientific Officer at Betterguards Technology, overseeing all product validation, regulatory, and scientific affairs. He has a background in mechanical and medical engineering and a Ph.D. in biomechanics and worked for over a decade in the medical device industry, focusing on clinical research and product management.
Betterguards is a next-generation sports technology company designed to provide athletes with responsive ankle stabilization with a full range of motion. The company's technology protects against sudden ankle twisting or rolling without sacrificing freedom of movement to deliver innovative solutions to protect athletes, thereby enabling customers to enhance performance and reduce the risk of injuries with its intelligent ankle brace.
Dr James Stoxen DC., FSSEMM (hon) is the president of Team Doctors® Treatment and Training Center Chicago, one of the most recognized treatment centers in the world.
Dr Stoxen is a #1 International Bestselling Author of the book, The Human Spring Approach to Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. He has lectured at more than 15 medical conferences on his Human Spring Approach to Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, 7 lectures where he was the keynote speaker. Editors from over 30 peer review medical journals have asked Dr Stoxen to publish his research on The Human Spring Approach to thoracic outlet syndrome specifically. Dr Stoxen’s publishing company, Masters Academy Publishing published the book which is a #1 best seller in 8 countries.
He has been asked to submit his other research on the human spring approach to treatment, training and prevention in over 250 peer review medical journals. (6) He serves as the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Orthopedic Science and Research (7) and the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Dermatology and Aging. He is the Executive Editor or the Journal of Trauma and Acute Care, (8) Chief Editor, Advances in Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Journal (9) and editorial board for over 40 peer review medical journals.
He is a much sought-after speaker both to the general public and at CME credentialed medical conferences. He has given over 1000 live presentations and lectured at over 70 medical conferences to over 50,000 doctors in more than 20 countries. He has been invited to speak at over 400 medical conferences in over 50 international cities in 30 countries. He has been invited as the keynote speaker at over 60 medical conferences.
After his groundbreaking lecture on the Integrated Spring-Mass Model at the World Congress of Sports and Exercise Medicine he was presented with an Honorary Fellowship Award by a member of the royal family, the Sultan of Pahang. This honorary fellowship was awarded for his distinguished research and contributions to the advancement of Sports and Exercise Medicine on an International level. He was awarded a second honorary fellowship in 2017 by the formation of the Society of Sports and Exercise Medicine.
In 1986 he was appointed the team physician for the American Powerlifting Association National Team, treating these world class athletes at every national and world championship until 1992. In 1987 he served as the doctor to the US national team in the first competitions against the Soviet Union USSR. In 1988 he organized the first sports medicine course in the former Soviet Union USSR at the famed National Institute of Physical Culture and Sports Medicine in Moscow.
Dr Stoxen won the state title in Armwrestling in Arizona and Nevada. In 1987 he was appointed the team doctor for all national and world championships for the American Armwrestling Association. In 1988 Introduced Armwrestling to Eastern Europe and USSR through negotiations with the USSR Ministry of Sport. He then organized the first competitions between the US and eastern block countries in the former Soviet Union USSR. From 1986 to 1992 he was official team doctor at over 60 national and world championships treating close to 1000 national and world champions athletes in many amateur and professional sports.
He was inducted into the National Fitness Hall of Fame in 2008 and the Personal Trainers Hall of Fame in 2012. In 2012 he was appointed to serve on Appointed to the Advisory Board for the American Board of Anti-Aging Health Practitioners (ABAAHP) and The American Board of Anti-Aging /Regenerative Medicine (ABAARM). He has also been appointed to the Advisory Board for the International Sports Hall of Fame. In 2021 he was presented with a certificate of appreciation and an Honorary Membership in the Libyan Society for Hand Surgery.
Dr Stoxen has a big reputation in the entertainment industry working as a doctor for over 150 tours of elite entertainers, caring for over 1000 top celebrity entertainers and their handlers. He has been hired to work for some of the biggest concert tours such as the Michael Buble World Tour in 2006 and 2019, the Iron Maiden Tour in 2006 and, 2012 and 2017, The Bette Midler Tour in 2015, The New Kids On The Block Tour in 2006 and 2015, the Dancing With the Stars Tour 2007 and 2015, the Leonard Cohen Tour in 2009, the Brittney Spears Tour in 2009, the Steely Dan tours of 2008 and 2009, the Beyonce & Robin Thicke Tour in 2007, the Hannah Montana and Jonas Brothers Tour in 2007, the Kenny Chesney and Sugarland Tour in 2007, the Faith Hill/Tim McGraw & Taylor Swift Tour in 2007, the Tony Hawk Tours of 2006 and 2007, three tours with the American Idols in 2006, 2007 and 2008, the Cirque Du Soleil, Delirium Tour in 2007, The Aerosmith/Motley Crue Tour in 2006, again the The Aerosmith/Lenny Kravitz Tour in 2006, the Alicia Keys Tour/John Legend Tour in 2005, the Kanye West/Fantasia Tour in 2005 and the Kanye West Glow in the Dark Tour in 2008, the So You Think You Can Dance? Tour in 2006, the Mariah Carey/Sean Paul Tour in 2006, the Dolly Parton Tour in 2005, the Michael Flately’s Celtic Tiger Tour in 2005, the Justin Timberlake Tour in 2006, the John Fogerty/Willie Nelson Tour in 2006, the Ringling Brothers Barnam and Baily Circus Tour in 2006 ten tours with the Wiggles Tours in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2997, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013 and over 100 more tours not on this list.
Anthony Field or the popular children’s entertainment group, The Wiggles, wrote a book, How I Got My Wiggle Back which was published by Wiley and Harper Collins Publishing. The book detailed Anthony’s struggles with the chronic pain and clinical depression he struggled with for years until he was treated by Dr Stoxen. At that time Anthony stated he was suicidal and thanked Dr Stoxen for saving his career and his life.
Dr Stoxen’s interests are in working in materials science, advanced biological/biomedical materials, polymer and metallic biomaterials, materials synthesis for “active” medical, i.e. therapeutic and sports applications. He recently accepted an invitation to speak at the 2nd International Meet on Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering will be held in Valencia, Spain during April 17-19, 2023.
Physicians Medical Technologies does business as Team Doctors®, a medical device company that provides high end vibration massage tools. In 2012, the Massage Assist Pro was cleared by the FDA. Today the Massage Assist® is sold in 13 countries. In late 2019, Team Doctors launched the Vibeassage® which was cleared by the FDA in 2019 and has sold thousands of units around the world.
Dr Stoxen is the CEO and founder of Physicians Medical Technologies. During the Covid 19 pandemic Dr Stoxen was instrumental in providing sourcing 4.5 tons or over 1,000,000 NIOSH approved, nitrile gloves, over 250,000 NIOSH approved N95 masks hospitals, healthcare providers and the public through his contacts in medicine internationally during the PPE shortage.
Dr Stoxen was interviewed on CNN, ABC, CBS, NBC, and many other media outlets around the world about the Integrated Spring-Mass Model and Human Spring Approach to how to examine, treat and train the human body as an integrated spring.
Dr Stoxen can be reached directly at teamdoctors@aol.com
“Uniting people through the art form of Jazz” – Rick DellaRatta and Jazz for Peace™
Jazz for Peace™ rose from the ashes of the horrifying tragedy of 9/11 starting with a poem written by acclaimed Jazz Pianist, Vocalist, Composer and Founder Rick DellaRatta that was written witnessing those very events on a rooftop less than a quarter of a mile away from Ground Zero on that fateful morning.
Six Unprecedented Achievements in Jazz
UNITED NATIONS CONCERT – For the first time in Music history, a single musical event plays a prominent role in World history. In 2002 Rick DellaRatta and Jazz for Peace performed at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City leading a band consisting of Middle Eastern (both Arab and Israeli), European, Asian, and American jazz musicians in concert for an international audience. This exceptional contribution to the advancement of Jazz has now also become a memorable part of World History as detailed below.
UNITING WORLD LEADERS – This event and Benefit Concert Series has united more world leaders and prestigious supporters than any other previous musical event including Woodstock and Live Aid combined making this another exceptional contribution to the advancement of Jazz.
UNPRECEDENTED FUNDING FOR OVER 850 OUTSTANDING CAUSES worldwide through a Benefit Concert Series that is now considered The Most Significant Cultural Event of Our Time! While “Uniting people through the art form of Jazz”, another first in both Jazz and Music History making this an exceptional contribution for the advancement of Jazz.
HELPING CHILDREN – His dedication to helping children (“our future”) via his Education Series & Instrument Donation Program is truly an exceptional contribution through the advancement of Jazz as detailed in the links below while at the same time using this platform to promoting musicians rights via his partnership with the Local 802 and other musicians unions.
UNPRECEDENTED MUSICAL PERFORMANCE – Achieving each of these goals because the most unprecedented quality of all: THE MUSIC! (Click on videos for the Music!) This Unique Combination of Vocals in both English and Portuguese along with Virtuoso Piano Playing and Outstanding Compositions featuring both Latin and Brazilian rhythms makes Rick DellaRatta ”one of the most unique and exciting live performances in music today!” Through his worldwide performances which have included taking Jazz both figuratively and literally where it has never been before, Rick is widely considered one of only a handful of Jazz Artists who can make a successful musical presentation to a large audience without having to abandon the true art form of Jazz.
SUCCESSFULLY BRINGING THE ART FORM OF JAZZ TO PEOPLE FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME.
In addition to his Jazz for Peace CD which features this unique artist at Birdland and Troy Music Hall with the worlds finest Jazz Musicians (Eddie Gomez, Lenny White, and Paquito D’Rivera) along with The London Symphony Orchestra.
Having performed with everyone from Dizzy Gillespie to Paquito D’ Rivera, Rick DellaRatta is now considered by many to be one of the finest Singer/Pianists performing today and one of only a handful of Jazz Artists who can make a successful musical presentation to a large audience without having to abandon the true art form of Jazz. His unique and original piano playing and composing has been compared in print to Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Bill Evans, McCoy Tyner, Keith Jarrett, Joe Zawinul, Horace Silver, Oscar Peterson and Thelonius Monk while his signature vocal sound and style has been likened to Chet Baker, Billie Holiday, Joao Gilberto, Ivan Lins, Michael Franks and Antonio Carlos Jobim.
His current “Rick DellaRatta and Jazz for Peace World Tour” has included historic performances in the US, Europe, Africa and Brazil and his landmark Jazz for Peace concert at the United Nations in New York in 2002 uniting Israeli, Palestinian and American musicians in concert is now considered one of the most significant cultural events of our time! This U.N. Concert has led to a benefit concert series that has gone on to raise funds, publicity and awareness for over 700 non-profit organizations, garnered support and praise from distinguished Americans such as President Barack Obama, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Senator John McCain, Congressman Dennis Kucinich, activist Noam Chomsky, actor Ed Begley Jr., New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and many more; and attended and enjoyed by ambassadors, celebrities, humanitarians, and music lovers worldwide! Jazz pianist, vocalist and composer Rick DellaRatta was included by The Foundation Center in their list of the top musician philanthropists of our time along with Bono (U2), Elton John, Peter Gabriel and Sting.
Brigitte Mars is an herbalist and nutritional consultant of Natural Health with over fifty years of experience. She teaches Herbal Medicine at Naropa University and has taught at Omega Institute, Esalen, Kripalu, Sivananda Yoga Ashram, Envision, Tribal Visions, Unify, Sister Winds, Arise Festivals, and even The Mayo Clinic. She is a founding and professional member of the American Herbalist Guild.
Brigitte is the author of many books and DVDs, including The Natural First Aid Handbook, Natural Remedies for Mental and Emotional Health, The Country Almanac of Home Remedies, The Desktop Guide to Herbal Medicine, Beauty by Nature, Addiction Free Naturally, The Sexual Herbal, Healing Herbal Teas, Rawsome! and co-author of The HempNut Cookbook. Her latest project is a phone app called IPlant and an online Herbal Healing Course through https://sevenroots.com/herbal Brigitte is also a psychedelic sitter and end-of-life doula.
The early 20th century was unforgiving on many women. Writer Celia Ryker’s grandmother was one such woman who had more than her fair share of a hard life. Ryker has written a powerful, insightful novel (Augusta) based on the exploits and overwhelming challenges her grandmother faced during the Depression.
Raised on a hard-knock farm in Arkansas and married off to the father of one of her classmates at the age of 13, lead-character Augusta was not set up for a life of bliss. Then, abandoned by her second husband in 1920s Detroit, with four children to provide for and only an eighth-grade education, she is forced into a decision that will haunt her forever.
From the author of Walking Home: Trail Stories, Ryker's Augusta is gripping historical fiction based on the true, against-the-odds story of her grandmother, a woman who fled the hardships of the Ozarks at the turn of the 20th century for a new city, and a chance at a better life. She had to confront the kind of poverty that you can almost smell, the kind that is in the background of the Neapolitan novels by Elena Ferrante and The Grapes of Wrath. All three novels tell us that poverty has to do with a lot more than money. Self-worth is measured differently by the poor, so are luxury, duty, comfort, and success. The poor are snared by forces outside their control.
Some readers might find this a heroic story, but there were millions of farm folk like Augusta at the beginning of the 20th century. They did what they needed to do to survive. Men were sheared of their dignity when they lost the farm or lost a job, and couldn’t support their families. Like Augusta’s two husbands, they often turned to alcohol in their shame. The women made do, taking responsibility for the children.
Her particular struggle was common in the early 1900s: Marriage at 13, children born as they came, a move from the farm to the grinding, dirty, dangerous city, and meeting new immigrants who had fled similar hardships.
Details carry the story and are constantly surprising. The reader learns how the first washing machines worked, how unwelcome a hospital birth was after knowing the intimacy and convenience of having your baby at home, and what tenements were like.
Historical novels require strong characters with heart -- and Augusta’s heart shines through a life filled with adversity. Augusta puts her head down and does what must be done to provide for her children. Her unshrinking strength is an inspiration.
Ryker's previous book, Walking Home: Trail Stories, is about more than mud, sweat, and blisters while distance hiking the Long Trail. Reminiscent of Cheryl Strayed's Wild, Ryker's mind wanders as her legs carry her forward, beyond a woodland path, to places and people she thought she had forgotten. Her grandmother's spirit appears on Mount Baker. A lost cousin waits for her at the bottom of every ladder. Her late father's words reverberate among the calls of barred owls. There were days when she didn't see another hiker, but she was never alone. Ryker began writing about a difficult hike and ended up writing about the people who inspired her throughout her life. These are her "trail stories."
“Augusta shows women everywhere that no matter how hard one’s journey is, the key is to keep moving, and to not let one’s past or rough start dictate their life’s outcome,” concludes Ryker.