Warrior's Day Off

A great conversation with award-winning writer and producer Bill Wrubel, known for Ted Lasso, Modern Family, Will and Grace, Ugly Betty, Sports Night and more. 

Bill has won multiple awards- at least 20 wins and 17 nominations- including 7 Primetime Emmys for Outstanding Comedy Series, Outstanding Producer from PGA, 5 WGA Awards, Hollywood Critics Association for Best Writing in a Streaming Series, and the list goes on. 

He shares his personal story and how streaming has changed writing for TV, whether comedy can be learned, social impact, character and storyline arcs,  and of course,  "football is life!" 

At thirty-six years old, Mike Abrashoff was the most junior officer in the Pacific Fleet when he took command of the near-worst performing ship. Twelve months later, using the same crew,  USS Benfold was the best ship in the entire Navy. His story is legendary.

Captain Mike Abrashoff is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy. Prior to commanding USS Benfold, Mike served as the Military Assistant to Secretary of Defense William J. Perry. He has  authored  four books. His first,  "It’s Your Ship: Management Techniques from the Best Damn Ship in the Navy," sold more than 1.4 million copies. 

This inspiring Episode is for every individual and organization looking for practical and usable ways to take performance to new heights. In Mike’s case, he realized that before the ship’s performance could change, he had to change his leadership style. 

Twenty-five years ago, I read about the polar bears of Churchill, Manitoba in Departures Magazine and saved the article for nearly 15 years. Occasionally I would gently unfold the page to gaze at the mesmerizing photograph of a polar bear standing on its hind legs, leaning against a tundra rover.  I finally went. 

The best word to describe this incredible immersive experience is "awe." The vast landscape, seeing the expanding sea ice form overnight, watching polar bears in their natural habitat, the resilience of the people I met along the way, and how we are all interconnected with the universe. 

This Episode features an inspiring conversation with Krista Wright, Executive Director, Polar Bears International. 

Krista began  volunteering  with PBI in 2008 and became the Executive Director in 2013.  In the 10 years since taking the helm, Polar Bears International has grown from a small nonprofit with a budget of less than $500,000, to a global leader in polar bear conservation, and a budget of more than $4.5 million. She is a passionate conservationist who is deeply concerned about the effects of global warming on polar bears, the Arctic, and the planet. 

We discuss how polar bears are uniquely suited to survive in their environment, how communities co-exist with polar bears, climate warming,  groundbreaking research, and why protecting their future saves ours. 

In this Episode, Christina Helena and I talk about resilience, trusting your intuition, the human experience, and how the veil of truth is lifted when forced to confront our own mortality.  We laugh and we go deep.  She is redefining and modernizing the stigma behind trauma and pain with one simple thought: Your scar is the sexiest thing about you.  She is truly an inspirational force.  

At nineteen years old, Christina became one of the youngest pancreatic cancer survivors. She was told she had 6 months to live. Four months later, she graduated with her bachelor’s degree in Communication Arts, and then went on to train at The London Academy of Music & Drama where she earned a Master of Fine Arts in Classical Performance. She also studied philosophy and theology earning a Master of Science in Consciousness Studies. 

With a thirteen-inch scar across her abdomen, Christina knows the physical and emotional toll that our scars have on our self-worth and ability to love ourselves. 

Her talk, “My SCAR is Sexy” was featured on Goalcast receiving over 10 million views.  

A conversation with Lieutenant Colonel Scott Grotbo, USAF, Retired, & Susan Grotbo about PTSD, the stigma surrounding mental health, a path to wellness, and finding a new chapter of service by helping others. 

Lieutenant Colonel, Scott Grotbo, USAF, Retired, is a veteran with over 27 years as an Air Force Special Warfare Operator. He served three tours of combat duty---two in Afghanistan, one in Kuwait. He became Commander of the 182nd Air Support Operations Group (ASOG) in Peoria, Illinois before retiring. 
 
Scott is now the Founder and Executive Director of Moraine View R&R Veterans' Retreat where he provides individualized stays devoted to physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual strengthening for our nation’s veterans. 
 
Susan Grotbo is an Engineering Program Manager at Google. She has worked on various global projects ranging from building Google’s first employee donation and volunteer platform to providing lifesaving information on Google Search for early detection and warning of major natural disasters with the use of AI and Machine Learning.  Susan has more than 10 years of experience working in the philanthropic and social impact space including supporting Moraine View R&R Veterans' Retreat in Central Illinois with her brother Scott. 

This Episode is a heartfelt story of resilience and hope. 

Nutritionist Judy Palken discusses healthy food choices that can help us maintain our cardiovascular and cognitive health, keep our bones strong, and preserve muscle strength as we get older.  She provides tips for making healthy food choices every day as well as during the holiday season.  

Judy Palken is a registered dietitian with a master's degree in Clinical Nutrition from Cornell University. She has spent many years working in Boston hospitals, with a specialty in cardiac nutrition. She worked in nutrition research in the Division of Preventive and Behavioral Medicine at UMass Medical School in Worcester. She  teaches classes in community settings, promoting healthy eating and activity for good health.  Judy was a guest speaker on the panel at eternalHealth’s “Big Papi Intentional Walk” at the Natick Mall in Natick, Massachusetts along with eternalHealth’s CEO Pooja Ika, and Baseball Hall of Famer David Ortiz. The "Big Papi Intentional Walk" is an eternalHealth community health and wellness initiative, created by Integrated Sports Media, where they inspire participants to  “Get Fit & Stay Active.”  eternalHealth, is a Boston based, Medicare Advantage Plan Company.  

An enlightening conversation with Ashish Kothari, executive coach, author and founder of Happiness Squad, a company focused on helping individuals and organizations unleash the power of happiness and well-being to achieve their full potential.  Prior to starting Happiness Squad, Ashish was a partner in McKinsey's Leadership Practice. He combines over two decades of consulting experience and formal training as an ontological coach and has helped thousands of leaders and their organizations succeed by building new mindsets and capabilities. 

In his book “Hardwired for Happiness,” Ashish Kothari gives you a simple set of practices to unlock more joy, connection, and meaning in your life. If you feel there’s more to life than the constant grind of your “to-do list” , then this is one you need to check out. "Hardwired for Happiness" will take you on a journey inwards to live your best life! It has already helped me.  

This Episode features the inspiring story of Donna Lee, trauma survivor, entrepreneur and inventor. By day, Donna works in transportation systems management for MassDOT. But in her free time, she began building a yoga-mat business that has gained national attention from celebrities.

Donna considers herself more of a problem solver than an inventor.  So when she wanted a sustainable, machine washable yoga mat instead of the ones at the gym which never felt clean enough and were environmentally unfriendly…she found a solution. Create one.

At 58 years old, Donna launched her company, Remember You Only Live Once LLC (R-Yolo), after taking an online manifesting class with Gabrielle Bernstein. Two years later, she was invited to a pre-Academy Awards party, where she presented her yoga mat to  Viola Davis and other celebrities as part of their luxury swag bag. She has since been included GBK Brand Bar’s Gift Guide for the Traveler in GQ, on Chronicle, WCVB Channel 5 in Massachusetts and now on Warrior’s Day Off. 

Listen to learn more about R-YOLO and Donna Lee. “Remember, You Only Live Once.”

Bobbi Gibb is a three-time winner of the Boston Marathon Women’s Division in the pre-sanctioned era, 1966, 1967 and 1968. She was the first woman ever to run and complete the Boston Marathon in 1966 at a time when it was believed that women were not physically able to run marathon distances and were not allowed to compete  in events longer than one and a half miles.  In 1966, Roberta (“Bobbi”) Gibb finished the Boston Marathon in 3 hours, 21 minutes, and 40 seconds. 

On the 100th anniversary of the Boston Marathon and the 30th anniversary of her first run, Bobbi was awarded a medal for her three wins and her name was inscribed with the other winners on the Boston Marathon Memorial in Copley Square.  She was inducted into the Road Runners of America Hall of Fame in 1982 and into the TD Garden Sports Hall of Fame in 2011.

More than a trailblazer, Bobbi Gibb is a “Modern Renaissance Woman” in her intellect, pursuit of knowledge, interests, talent and accomplishments. 

This episode is part of a Hall of Fame Series sponsored by eternalHealth, a woman-owned, run, and built Medicare Advantage health plan currently available to Massachusetts residents in Suffolk, Worcester and Middlesex counties.  eternalHealth is a proud sponsor of the Boston Red Sox and the presenting sponsor for the David Ortiz Hall of Fame Day at Fenway Park.

In celebration of David Ortiz being inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, eternalHealth is sponsoring the Warrior’s Day Off Hall of Fame Series beginning with Massachusetts legend Bobbi Gibb.

Lynch syndrome is a common and often under-diagnosed inherited condition that increases one's risk for a variety of cancers, including colon, rectal, uterine, ovarian, urinary tract, and others. Many individuals with a Lynch mutation develop related cancers at a much younger age than the general population. 

According to the National Cancer Institute, “It is estimated that 1 in every 280 Americans are living with Lynch Syndrome." Most people living. with this inherited condition are unaware of it, or are diagnosed only after they have developed cancer.

Dave Dubin, Founder of “Alive and Kickn”and three-time Lynch Syndrome cancer survivor shares his personal story and talks about the inspiring work his organization is doing through research, advocacy, education and screening. 

This Episode features three experts uniquely qualified to speak about the gambling industry, addiction, and recovery:  Dr. Timothy Fong, Jack O'Donnell, and Arnie Wexler.

In 2018 the Supreme Court overturned a federal law that had blocked sports gambling, putting legalization in the hands of each state. Currently, 30 states and Washington, D.C. have made it legal. About 100 million people can now make wagers from their homes and on their phones. The landscape is changing quickly.

For many, gambling offers a harmless and entertaining diversion from everyday life. For others, the simple act of placing a bet is a very different experience. When does gambling become problematic for a person? Who is at risk?  Three guests share their insights as we talk about the changing terrain of sports betting, the proliferation of advertising, gambling addiction, suicide, integrity in sports, and finding resources for help. 

Dr. Fong is a Professor of Psychiatry, board-certified in Addiction Psychiatry, at the Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior at UCLA.   He is the director of the UCLA Addiction Psychiatry Fellowship, a one-year program that provides clinical training in the management of addictive disorders, and the co-director of the UCLA Gambling Studies Program.  

Jack O’Donnell is the CEO of C4 Recovery Foundation. C4 is a non-profit that advocates and develops policy, treatment systems, and educates on addiction and behavioral health issues throughout the world. Prior to joining C4 he was CEO of two private treatment facilities.

For 26 years prior to entering the addiction field, Jack was a successful executive in the casino gaming industry. He was President and COO for Merv Griffin and Donald Trump in Atlantic City. He also developed 5 casino projects for his own company in four states and Greece.

Arnie Wexler is a Certified Compulsive Gambling Counselor and was the Executive Director of the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey for eight years. His book,  "All Bets Are Off. Losers, Liars and Recovery," provides a revealing picture of how compulsive gambling ravages the lives of both the addict and those around him or her. It is also an inspiring story of hope and healing for anyone affected by problem gambling. Arnie placed his last bet on April 10, 1968. 

“Soul of the Hurricane: The Perfect Storm and an Accidental Sailor” is a true story that begins with an unexpected invitation to transport a Norwegian schooner from Brooklyn to Bermuda but ends with a Coast Guard helicopter rescue in the dead of night. 

It was October 1991 and the ship was Anne Kristine, the oldest continuously sailing vessel in the world. What awaited them was Hurricane Grace, the southern end of what came to be known as the “Perfect Storm.”

This Episode features Nelson Simon, survivor and author of the book, “Soul of the Hurricane: The Perfect Storm and an Accidental Sailor.”

S2 E9 features The Lantern Network, a nonprofit organization assisting underrepresented, high-potential youth of color as they pursue their career goals.  Students are coached academically and professionally, with access to a dedicated team of trainers, mentors, and recruiters, all of whom are there to connect the student with their greatest tools for success. Their vision is a bold and strong America where all people are valued by the content of their character and not by the color of their skin.  

Tracy Davis, Co-Founder and Executive Director of The Lantern Network shares her personal journey and talks about the inspiration drawn from The Underground Railroad. Tracy describes the significance of their logo design, reminiscent of the quilts used to convey paths to freedom and the light from the lanterns that led slaves toward safe houses.  She talks about the parallels and how today, The  Lantern Network provides virtual safe houses that inspire, develop and propel Black youth toward economic freedom.  

About Tracy Davis
Tracy is an accomplished trainer, coach, speaker, and consultant with more than 20 years of experience driving change and performance improvement across multiple industries. She holds an incredible catalogue of experience, certifications and degrees. Collaborating with start-ups to Fortune 500 companies, she has worked with a number of household names such as Chevrolet, Ernst & Young, GE, McDonald’s, Toyota and more.

A great conversation with Tracy Davis about The Lantern Network.  

Joining us for S2 E8 is Mitch Gordon, Founder of Verto Education, and college student Mariana Steiner. Verto is a first semester (or year) abroad program founded on the premise that not all students need to take the same linear path to earning their college degree. Verto courses earn transferable college credits, keeping students on their original 4-year graduation timeline. Admission to Verto includes a guaranteed acceptance to at least one of their 60+ partner universities. 

Mitch Gordon is the former Entrepreneur in Residence at the UC Berkeley Haas School of Business. He has started a number of companies in travel and education including Go Overseas which has been described as "the most trusted resource for researching international education programs around the world."

Mariana Steiner is rising sophomore who just completed her first year of college with Verto and will be piloting their second-year program in Costa Rica this fall. She shares stories from her Verto experience in Hawaii and transformative year including connecting to the land, swimming with sharks, and learning about herself. On Verto's  Student Blog, Mariana wrote, "As I spend more time learning about Hawaiian culture and values, I become more passionate about carrying the values of aloha (love), kuleana (respect) and malama (care) wherever I go, even after I leave Hawaii."

For years, Miraval has received awards such as “Best of the Best for Wellness Retreat”, “Best Wellness Program”, “Best All-Inclusive Resorts” from publications like Conde Nast Traveler, Virtuoso, US. News and World Report, Travel & Leisure, The Robb Report and more. Simon Marxer and Luke Bloom are two members of the Miraval team responsible for curating these award-winning experiences and services. They bring imagination, authenticity, and meaning to wellness. In this Episode, we talk about many interesting topics including the latest experiential trends, men and vulnerability, and post traumatic growth.

Simon Marxer brings over 20 years of experience to the Miraval Group as Director of Spa and Wellbeing. He oversees all spas and creates new and innovative treatments and services that continue to uphold Miraval’s longstanding position as a pioneer in the spa world. In his previous position as Spa Director at Miraval Arizona, Simon conceptualized the design and launch of over 40 signature Miraval-branded services. He has served as the Spa Director at other places as well including The Boulders Waldorf Astoria Collection, The Cornelia Day Resort and Canyon Ranch.  Prior to his homecoming to Miraval, Simon was the Vice President of Business Development at Red Flower. He has a Bachelor of Arts from University of Vermont.

Luke Bloom is the Director of Integrated Wellness at Miraval Berkshires Resort & Spa in Lenox, Massachusetts. He uses nature immersion and principles of experiential education to help guests find their individual peak experiences.  Luke grew up in the Berkshire hills of Massachusetts and lives in Lenox with his wife and two children where they raise a variety of animals and crops on their small farm and can be found enjoying everything outdoors. 

"Inspiring Wellness" features two of the visionaries behind the NAMI-Miraval groundbreaking new partnership. Katrina Gay, NAMI’s Chief Development Officer for Strategic Alliances and Development and Dina Fenili Director of Brand and Marketing for Miraval Resorts talk about the genesis of their alliance, the new videos curated by Miraval's award winning specialists and complementary tools available for the first time online.

Together in 2021, the Miraval and NAMI teams will be launching a series of events and programs to promote the intersection of mindfulness and mental wellbeing. Great discussions around coping during unpredictable times, healing from the unprecedented events experienced by so many,  and the available resources.  Katrina and Dina share their vision where anyone affected by mental illness can get the appropriate support and quality of care to live healthy, fulfilling lives — "a nation where no one feels alone in their struggle."

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and families affected by mental illness. The organization provides advocacy and public awareness, no-cost support and education programs online and in more than 650 communities across the country. 

Miraval Resorts, part of Hyatt’s portfolio of brands, support individuals on their journey to creating a life in balance. As a leading mission in 2021, Miraval Resorts are committed to offering guests the necessary tools to re-center their minds and souls, ground them in nature, and elevate their spirits.  It’s where I went on my road to healing. 

"A Meaningful Life" features an interview with David Rothenberg. From the glamour of Broadway as a press agent and producer to prison riots, civil rights sit-ins, politics, and criminal justice reform, David has led a multi-faceted life. 

He has been involved with over 200 Broadway and off- Broadway productions and represented some of the most successful works in theatre including the original production of Hair, Richard Burton’s Hamlet, Beyond the Fringe, Tony and Tina’s Wedding and Blue Man Group. David worked with Alvin Ailey, Bette Davis, Peggy Lee, Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, and many others. He co-created, wrote, and produced the play The Castle, which has been performed Off-Broadway, on college campuses, and in prisons throughout the country.  David is a former member of the New York City Human Rights Commission and was appointed as Advisory Counsel to the New York State Commission on Human Rights in 1984. 

The letter David wrote to his mother on being gay was so beautiful that it was included in Andrew Carroll’s NY TIMES Bestseller, Letters of a Nation, a collection of extraordinary American letters spanning more than 350 years.  

In this Episode I ask David about many topics including his production of John Herbert’s prison drama called Fortune and Men’s Eyes that led to his life's work with  the non-profit advocacy and re-entry organization called The Fortune Society. For more than 50 years, Fortune has helped tens of thousands of formerly incarcerated people through a wide range of holistic services for successful reentry into the community.  

Now in his late-80s, David continues to highlight the issues and needs of the formerly incarcerated and social injustice. He has two radio shows on WBAI and volunteers at Fortune.  His memoir, "Fortune in My Eyes," was published in 2012. 

Elizabeth Taylor, once said of him, “David can lift the chains from your soul.”

Chris Nowinski, Ph.D., is co-founder and CEO of the Concussion Legacy Foundation, a non-profit organization leading the fight against concussions and chronic encephalopathy (CTE) and dedicated to improving the lives of those impacted.  He is the author of the investigative book, "Head Games: Football's Concussion Crisis" which is also a documentary. Dr. Nowinski earned his doctorate in Behavioral Neuroscience from Boston University School of Medicine and has authored more than 30 scientific publications. 

Chris Nowinski was an All-Ivy Harvard football player before becoming a WWE professional wrestler. His athletic career ended after a kick to the chin in a WWE match caused Post-Concussion Syndrome. The lessons he learned while being treated by Dr. Cantu inspired him to commit his life to serving patients and families affected by brain trauma. 
 
Chris shares his inspiring story, clarifies the differences between Concussions and CTE, and discusses the Concussion Legacy Foundation’s Project Enlist Research Initiative focusing on CTE, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in military Veterans.  We talk about the tragic high-profile incidents involving former athletes, death by suicide, available support for those who are suffering with brain injuries, the alliance with the Wounded Warrior Project, and a new Brain Health Initiative about to be released. Also, I pledged my brain. 

Kindness Over Hatred features a conversation with Holocaust survivor Mark Schonwetter and his daughter Ann Arnold. The strength of a mother's love and the incredible courage of good people during the worst of times inspires hope in kindness over hatred.

As a young Jewish boy during WWII, Mark Schonwetter, his mother and younger sister survived the Holocaust hiding in the forest of Poland and in the homes of families who were willing to risk their lives to help others. Mark and his daughters Ann Arnold and Isabella Fiske established the Mark Schonwetter Holocaust Education Foundation to help spread the message of kindness over hatred through education.  Ann writes about her family's story in her book: Together A Journey for Survival. 

Dr. Dale Bredesen talks about his most recent New York Times bestselling book: The End of Alzheimer’s Program and his protocol for preventing and reversing cognitive decline. He discusses the steps to enhancing cognitive ability at any age. We will also hear an inspiring story from someone who followed Dr. Bredesen’s protocol and experienced life altering results.

Dale Bredesen is a neuroscientist who has researched neurodegenerative diseases for over thirty years. His career has been guided by a simple idea: that Alzheimer’s as we know it is not just preventable, but reversible. 

Dr. Bredesen earned his MD from Duke University Medical Center and served as Chief Resident in Neurology at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), before joining Nobel laureate Stanley Prusiner’s laboratory at UCSF as an NIH Postdoctoral Fellow. He held faculty positions at UCSF, UCLA, and the University of California, San Diego. Dr. Bredesen also directed the Program on Aging at the Burnham Institute before joining the Buck Institute in 1998 as founding President and CEO. He is currently on the faculty in the Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology at the University of California, Los Angeles and is Chief Science Officer at Apollo Health.