Episode guest and experienced middle school teacher John Louis Meeks, Jr. helps us examine resilience as it relates to middle school students. 6th, 7th and 8th grade students. How do we help them reflect and grow when it comes to experiences with failure, for instance? Or bullying? Or simply the trials and tribulation of early adolescences? And what role do parents and teachers play?

All photos of John in a school setting provided and cleared by John Louis Meeks, Jr.--and used here with his permission.

You can also download this podcast episode by going to Libsyn.com (http://piscitellipodcasts.libsyn.com/...) or to iTunes (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/g...).

Thank you for sharing. A kind review on iTunes would help this podcast channel as well.

Music soundtrack (used with permission) provided by (c) Billy Bowers (www.billybowersjax.com).

Podcast (c) 2017 Steve Piscitelli. All rights reserved.
The Growth and Resilience Network(TM)

Occupational Therapist and Program Manager Alice Krauss gives us an inside look at a free, community-based multi-sport program that serves individuals living with physical and/or visual disability. She tells us how Brooks Adaptive Sports and Recreation nurtures a higher quality of life with its holistic focus on Fun, Fitness, and Friendship!

You can also download this podcast episode by going to iTunes (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/g...). Thank you for sharing. A kind review on iTunes would help this podcast channel as well.

Music soundtrack (used with permission) provided by (c) Billy Bowers (www.billybowersjax.com).

Podcast (c) 2017 Steve Piscitelli. All rights reserved.
The Growth and Resilience Network(TM)

This month's podcast episode explores the topic of women and and their involvement (or lack of involvement) with community development. Guest speaker, Chris Hoffman (City Council Member, Business Owner, Executive Director) reflects on why more women are not involved in community development--and what needed resources they can bring to the conversations in their communities. See http://stevepiscitelli.com/media-broadcast/podcast for more details.
Music by Billy Bowers (www.billybowersjax.com). Used with persmission.
(c)Steve Piscitelli, 2017. The Growth and Resilience Network(TM)

For this episode, we take a different perspective as we look at resilience and it’s relationship to climate. Scientist and environmental consultant Adam Hoyles. www.onsiteec.com helps us move through the rhetoric. Among other topics, Adam will help us understand why we should care about climate change, why it's so controversial, and the human impact.

(C)2016. Steve Piscitelli. The Growth and Resilience Network(TM). All rights reserved.

Music by Billy Bowers. Used with permission. www.billybowersjax.com

Public radio host, reporter and producer Melissa Ross helps us examine resilience and the media. The various forms of mass media are often piled on for real or perceived shortcomings and failings. The reality is that “it” is not some disembodied entity. Our media is made up of people….the reporters, the journalists, anchors, directors, producers, hosts, personalities, on-camera and off-camera workers. Real people.

How do they do what they do? From the process of what they do, to the stamina—physically, emotionally, and spiritually—and how do they stay resilient?

(c) 2016. Steve Piscitelli. The Growth and Resilience Network(TM). All rights reserved.
Music by Billy Bowers (www.billybowersjax.com). Used with permission.

A wonderfully instructive and illuminating conversation with centenarian, Dr. Frances Bartlett Kinne. This young-at-heart woman has known and worked with celebrities and leaders from around the world.  Uplifting and positive with practical wisdom.

Among her numerous achievements, Dr. Kinne was the first woman to serve as dean of a fine arts college, the first woman to serve as president of a Florida university, and the first woman to join the Rotary Club of Jacksonville and serve as its president. She is the Chancellor Emeritus of Jacksonville University.  And so much more...

Sit back, listen, learn, and enjoy.  A true delight.

(c) Steve Piscitelli. 2016. The Growth and Resilience Network(TM). Music by Billy Bowers (C) www.billybowersjax.com. Used by permission.

The GRN October podcast takes a look into the connection between growth, resilience and life with physical impairments. Specifically, we will hear from a young woman who is Dual Sensory Impaired (both visually and auditory-wise; sometimes this is referred to as “deafblindness.”) And while setbacks present themselves, she is thriving--an inspiring example of resilience.

The Growth and Resilience Network (TM). Podcast (c) 2016. Steve Piscitelli. All rights reserved. www.stevepiscitelli.com

Music by Billy Bowers. Used with permission. All rights reserved. www.billybowersjax.com

This podcast presents a powerful series of stories from the Children's Program at The Sulzbacher Center in Jacksonville, Florida.Program Manager, Maxine Engram guides us through the challenges and successes that homeless children have. It truly does take a village.
The Growth and Resilience Network (TM). Podcast (c) 2016. Steve Piscitelli. All rights reserved. www.stevepiscitelli.com. Music by Billy Bowers (www.billybowersjax.com)-used with permission. All rights reserved.

If we want to change anything, we have to notice what we are doing. We have to have an awareness—we have to shine a spotlight on that thing.

In the studio to help us sort through how to become aware, question assumptions and create actions are two award-winning Associate Professors from Wake Technical Community College in Raleigh, NC: Emily Moore and Lori Dees. They will share how they and their Wake Tech colleagues engage in mindful reflective practice with their PRO Project (https://www.coursesites.com/s/_PROProject)

Thank you for sharing and leaving a review.

(c)2016 by Steve Piscitelli. The Growth and Resilience Network(TM). All rights reserved. www.stevepiscitelli.com. Music by Billy Bowers. Used with permission. www.billybowersjax.com 

This episode focuses on the connection of music to wellbeing, community, creativity, and resilience. It's a bit longer than my other episodes due to the nature of the recording and the number of guests who volunteered to participate on this particular evening.

Recorded live at Brucci's Pizza (Jacksonville, FL) during a music event in May of 2016.

Video (c)2016 by Steve Piscitelli. The Growth and Resilience Network(TM). All rights reserved. www.stevepiscitelli.com

Music by Billy Bowers. Used with permission. www.billybowersjax.com

For this episode we look into growth and resilience for ex-offenders. How do they “bounce back” and become an integral and functioning member of their communities and for their families? In fact, we will see how it is impossible to separate the offender from the community when it comes to resilience. 

To help us sort through some of this is Mr. Kevin Gay, President and CEO of Operation New Hope, a community development corporation in Jacksonville, Florida. In a little less than two decades, ONH has restored in that area of Jacksonville more than 80 homes and initiated the Ready4Work program for ex-offenders working with over 5000 people during this time. He and his team are on their way to replicate their “model to provide faltering communities and people in struggling situations a renewed chance at life, a renewed sense of being and a restored sense of purpose.” And his work has captured the attention of not one, not two but, three US presidents. You will want to set aside time for this powerful conversation. Thank you for sharing with family, friends, and community leaders.

The music ("T2D") for this episode was written, performed, and recorded by Billy Bowers (www.billybowersjax.com). (c) Billy Bowers. All rights reserved. This podcast is (c) 2016 by Steve Piscitelli. All rights reserved.

GRN took to the road to bring you the powerful story of an organization whose mission is to serve and advocate for an under-served population in north-central Florida. We traveled to Gainesville, Florida, to have a conversation with representatives of The Arc of Alachua County (www.arcalachua.org).

The Arc has two basic functions. First and foremost, they are a direct service provider in Alachua County (FL) to almost 300 adults and children whose needs range from intellectual disabilities, spina bifida, autism, cerebral palsy, and Prader-Willi Syndrome. Services include residential settings, transitional living, supported independent living, sheltered employment, mobile work crews, supported employment, adult day training, community inclusion, and behavioral support.

The Arc's other main function is to serve as an advocate for all persons with developmental disabilities regardless of where they may live or who may provide support to them.

This is a powerful story about resilience, listening, community, dedication, love and intentionality.

The music ("T2D") for this episode was written and performed by Bill Bowers (http://billybowersjax.com/) (c) and all rights reserved by Billy Bowers. Used with permission for this episode.

Kirk Farber, Executive Director of F.A.C.E. (www.face4kids.org), stopped by the GRN Studio to share how he and his organization makes a difference in the lives of school children. He shares insights about how he helps students tap into fitness and character development.   Music by Billy Bowers. Used with permission. (c) Billy Bowers. www.billybowersjax.com.  Podcast (c) 2016 by Steve Piscitelli. All rights reserved. www.stevepiscitelli.com. 

Pepper Lindsey, CEO of Lindsey Films, stopped by the GRN Studio to share her experiences as an entrepreneur and film producer. She shares insights about her early influences, working with her soulmate, and how to stay relevant and resilient in a very competitive field. She also challenges the listeners with "How do you define success? What is success to you?" More about Pepper can be found at www.lindseyfilms.com.
Music by Billy Bowers. Used with permission. (c) Billy Bowers. ww.billybowersjax.com.
Podcast (c) 2016 by Steve Piscitelli. All rights reserved.

Join us for a wide-ranging conversation about priorities that include: family first, meaningful communication, trust, the wise use of technological resources, and maintaining balance. My guest, Brian Crawford (a businessman), will share his insights and practical strategies for working parents. "Follow your heart," Brian advises.

Music (c) Billy Bowers. www.billybowersjax.com.
Podcast (c) 2016. Steve Piscitelli. All rights reserved.

Join us for this inspiring conversation about attitude, behavior and personal drive. Eileen Crawford shares heart-warming personal stories and professional insights about growing up and thriving with vision impairment. For more information on Eileen, a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, please visit: http://counselingforfamilyhealth.com/ACFH/Eileen.html.
Music by Billy Bowers. www.billybowersjax.com. Used with permission.
Podcast (c) 2016. Steve Piscitelli. www.stevepiscitelli.com

Physical fitness is part of life fitness. Why do many of us "fall off the fitness wagon"? Personal trainer (and competitive power lifter) Charles Bailey provides insights from nearly 30 years working with people on their life fitness goals. As Charles points out, we were born with this body--shouldn't we learn it, know it, take care of it? He also reminds us to work smartly, check with a doctor, choose a trainer wisely, be mindful about diet--among other strategies.
    Soundtrack by Billy Bowers (used with permission). See www.billybowersjax.com for more information about Billy's music.

www.stevepiscitelli.com
(c)2015. Steve Piscitelli

A conversation with award-winning writer Matt Soergel about how all of us can find inspiration in what we do. Curiosity, integrity, trust and discipline are a few of the topics we discuss. The takeaway: We all have the potential to make a difference in our community.

Podcast (c) 2015. Steve Piscitelli. Music by Billy Bowers. For more information go to www.stevepiscitelli.com.

Listen in as our episode guest, the Reverend Don R. Lynn, provides insights on resilience and how to find our own thin places. A few of our topics on the way to resilience and thin places include: making meaning, reflecting on our actions, understanding boundaries, and recognizing assumptions.

Music by Billy Bowers. All rights reserved (c). Used with permission.
Podcast (c) 2015 Steve Piscitelli. All rights reserved. www.stevepiscitelli.com

Steve Piscitelli has a conversation with Katie Mahan, a working mother with insights to share on well-being and balance.  With humor and analysis, Katie helps us scratch the surface on some fundamental questions about work-life balance for working parents--from the mother's perspective. Soundtrack (T2D) by Billy Bowers(c), all rights reserved; used with permission.  Podcast by Steve Piscitelli (c) 2015. All rights reserved.

Steve Piscitelli has a conversation with songwriter and visual artist Shawn Eager in this concluding episode of the Creativity podcast. Topics in this episode include: inspiration; completing the process; importance of story; confidence; persistence; criticism and feedback. Shawn finishes with a 3 step Call-to-Action. For more on Shawn, please visit www.reverbnation.com/shawneager.  Music "T2D" by Billy Bowers; used with permission. Podcast (c) 2015 Steve Piscitelli.

Steve Piscitelli has a conversation with songwriter and visual artist Shawn Eager. Topics in this episode include: defining creativity; creative spark and spirit; importance of teachers; connection of art and creativity; listening to the internal dialogue; and mental locks and schooling. For more on Shawn, please visit www.reverbnation.com/shawneager. For the conclusion of Steve's conversation with Shawn, click on Episode #5: Creativity (Part 2): Seeking Inspiration & the Road to Your Heart. Music "T2D" by Billy Bowers (used with permission).

In this second part of a two-part podcast, Dr. John Wall and I examine the characteristics of effective leadership. Be sure to click on Episode#2: Transformational Leadership (Part 1) to hear the beginning of this podcast on leadership. Thanks for tuning in! Make it a great day.

In this first part of a two-part podcast, educator Dr. John Wall and I examine the characteristics of effective leadership. The conclusion of this conversation will be aired in Episode#3: Transformational Leadership (Part 2). Music ("T2D") by (c) Billy Bowers.