And Then Suddenly

14: Becky Curran on changing the world with her story

December 4, 2018 by angelansantillo

While sailing in August of 1999, disability advocate Becky Curran felt numbness in her legs. It was the first sign of a progressive condition that could take away her ability to walk. After a successful back surgery, she encountered social changes as her friends in high school started excluding her because of her size. We talk about her life as a little person, misconceptions about the disabled community, and her mission to change the world for the next generation through […]

Categories: Activism, Disability Rights, Medical Event, Trauma

13: Elizabeth Nelson on working in animal welfare

November 27, 2018 by angelansantillo

Elizabeth Nelson was living in New York City and pursuing a career in the performing arts when one night on her couch she had an epiphany. Now the Marketing and Communications Manager for Berkshire Humane Society, we talk about how she changed careers, the world of animal welfare, and her future full of chickens. Additional Resources Elizabeth Nelson: Little E Design Berkshire Humane Society ASPCA Kitten Nursery in NYC

Categories: Activism, Career, The Arts

12: Anthony Mancinelli (the world’s oldest barber) on his wife

November 19, 2018 by angelansantillo

At 107 years old, Anthony Mancinelli holds the Guinness World record for being the oldest working barber in the world. We talk about his wife Carmella, the 69 years they were together, and how he got into the barber business. The new year is almost here! Share one unexpected moment that happened to you in 2018. Fill out the survey here: https://goo.gl/forms/elxAg8NSEf4KWj7I3 Additional Resources New York Times: “The World’s Oldest Barber Is 107 and Still Cutting Hair Full Time” Guinness […]

Categories: Career, Family, Love

11: Stephan Wolfert on rewiring the brain with Shakespeare and science

November 12, 2018 by angelansantillo

Veteran Stephan Wolfert was working with the famous choreographer Twyla Tharp when she said something that clarified everything. We talk about his time in the Army, how he became an actor, his work with veterans through DE-CRUIT, and the scientific proof that Shakespeare and theater are the keys to healing trauma. Part Two of my special Brain Double Header. Listen to Part One: Bill Monroe on getting better (and not getting best) Additional Resources DE-CRUIT DE-CRUIT: science publications Cry Havoc, solo performance […]

Categories: Mental Health, Military Veteran, Most Listened To, Science, The Arts, The Mind, Trauma, Veteran Issues

10: Bill Monroe on getting better (and not getting best)

November 6, 2018 by angelansantillo

READ THE TRANSCRIPT FOR EPISODE 10 Bill Monroe (Strokecast podcast) is a Generation X stroke survivor. He talks about what on June 4, 2017, his ongoing recovery, and how he has become a marketing guy who knows way too much about neurology and neuroplasticity. Part One of my special Brain Double Header. Listen to Part Two: Stephan Wolfert on rewiring the brain with Shakespeare and science Additional Resources Bill Monroe: Strokecast Strokecast Episode 28: The Slow Road to Better Ted Talk: Jill Bolte Taylor, […]

Categories: Career, Disability Rights, Illness, Medical Event, Mental Health, Podcasting, Science, The Mind, Trauma

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09: Ciaran Blumenfeld on meeting the supernatural during a bus ride

October 29, 2018 by angelansantillo

While on vacation in the late 80s, Ciaran Blumenfeld got on a bus in Israel in order to catch a boat to the Greek islands. The stranger who sat next to her on that ride began to say and do things that could be described as other worldly. We talk about travel, supernatural events, and what happens when you believe in the unseen. Additional Resources Supernatural Travel Tales: Episode 1, The Universe Says, Joke’s on You! Annie Jacobson: Phenomena: The Secret History of […]

Categories: Podcasting, The Unknown, Travel

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08: Duncan Payne on being in the belly of the whale

October 23, 2018 by angelansantillo

Thirteen years ago, former teacher and lawyer Duncan Payne had a heart attack. We talk about strange responses to emergencies, how things forever change, and the fears that emerge and vanish after being in the belly of the whale. Additional Resources The Poetry Society: Jonah’s prayer by Aviva Dautch Smithsonian Magazine: “Could a Whale Accidentally Swallow You? It Is Possible” Joseph Campbell: A Hero with a Thousand Faces

Categories: Career, Family, Illness, Medical Event, Trauma

07: Megan Bryan on being a mom who puts out many fires

October 16, 2018 by angelansantillo

Megan Bryan was loving the firefighter life when she decided to be a single mother by choice. She found a sperm donor and after numerous rounds of fertility treatments, her daughter was born and she suddenly had to confront the worst biases about herself and our society. We talk about parenthood, racism, sexism, and her partner and their growing family. Additional Resources San Francisco Chronicle: “Black firefighter on inspection duty in Oakland hills gets videotaped, reported to police”

Categories: Activism, Career, Family, LGBTQIA, Mental Health, Parenthood, Race, Trauma, Women's Issues

06: Debórah Eliezer Adabachi on the movement that shifted everything

October 9, 2018 by angelansantillo

During her divorce, Debórah Eliezer Adabachi (theater artist, voiceover professional, Co-Artistic Director foolsFURY Theater, owner of Venado Retreat) did a theater workshop with Stephen Wangh. One physical exercise led to a breakthrough that changed everything. We talk about somatics, losing your voice, moving on, and learning how to finally say no. Additional Resources Dr. Martha Eddy: Five College Dance Department Lecture (Hampshire College) Dr. Martha Eddy: A brief history of somatic practices and dance (Journal of Dance and Somatic Practices) Stephen Wangh: Acrobat […]

Categories: Family, Love, Mental Health, The Arts, Women's Issues

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05: Brian on drawdown and life after the Marines

October 2, 2018 by angelansantillo

During President Obama’s second term, the military was scaled back. Brian talks about being impacted by the drawdown and what life is like after serving twelve and a half years in the Marines. Additional resources Center for Strategic & International Studies, “What Has the Budget Control Act of 2011 Meant for Defense?” The Washington Post, “Obama announces new, leaner military approach” The New York Times, “Is It Wise to Cut Military Spending?” PBS News Hour, “Fact-checking GOP candidate claims on […]

Categories: Career, Grief & Loss, Military Veteran, Politics, Veteran Issues

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04: Piri Miller on making orgasms her business

September 18, 2018 by angelansantillo

Entrepreneur Piri Miller (Come Play) wants to revolutionize sex. She talks about the sextech industry, the orgasm gap, and how pitching a hands free vibrator has changed everything. After our conversation, we head to the You Porn x Future of Sex Sextech Hackathon. Additional Resources YouPorn x Future of Sex Sextech Hackathon Bryony Cole, Future of Sex Journal of Sexual Medicine: “What We Don’t Talk about When We Don’t Talk about Sex: Results of a National Survey of U.S. Obstetrician/Gynecologists” Peggy […]

Categories: Career, Entrepreneurship, Politics, Women's Issues • Tags: Episode

03: Dr. Justyna Zapolska on discovering the unconscious mind

September 18, 2018 by angelansantillo

What if something big happens and you don’t realize it but your unconscious mind does? Dr. Justyna Zapolska talks about the lecture that unexpectedly changed her career, psychoanalysis, and what happens when we tell untrue stories about ourselves. Additional Resources Dr. Zapolska’s Psychology Today profile American Psychoanalytic Associate: What is psychoanalysis?

Categories: Career, Mental Health, The Mind • Tags: Episode

02: Sarah Bracey White on her mother, segregation, and freedom

September 18, 2018 by angelansantillo

When Sarah Bracey White (author of Primary Lessons) was seventeen her mother died. She talks about growing up in the Jim Crow South, the impact segregation had on her family in South Carolina, and the independence she gained from unexpected loss.

Categories: Career, Family, Grief & Loss, Most Listened To, Parenthood, Race, Women's Issues • Tags: Episode

01: Angela Santillo on changing stories and making a podcast

September 17, 2018 by angelansantillo

Meet your host as she introduces the show’s content and format. A writer and produced playwright, she talks about the moment a serious medical emergency disrupted her life and led her to pursue a different kind of story.

Categories: Career, Illness, Medical Event, Podcasting, The Arts, Trauma, Writing

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