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PEOPLE MATTER AT WORK: JOSH BLOCK ON LEADERSHIP, CULTURE & PUTTING PEOPLE FIRST What changes when leaders stop treating people like pieces on a chessboard and start building something together? On this episode of Peace, Love, and Bring a Bat, Uncle Dave welcomes Josh Block, president of Block Imaging, business leader, culture builder, and author of People Matter at Work. Josh’s leadership journey changed overnight in 2011. At just 29 years old, while raising two young children, his father unexpectedly stepped away from the family business and named Josh president of a roughly $30 million organization. Over the next 15 years, Josh learned that great leadership is not about having every answer—it is about asking better questions, building trust, and creating a workplace where people genuinely matter. Pasted markdown In this episode, you will discover: • Why being thrown into leadership can become an unexpected advantage • Why humility matters more than pretending to know everything • The million-dollar lesson Josh learned from layoffs • Why difficult business decisions can still be handled with humanity • Josh’s Three Ts: Together, Thoughtful, Transparency • How those Three Ts create the Three Ss: Safe, Seen, Successful • Why healthy organizations move from a me cycle to a we cycle • How one-on-one meetings can develop leaders instead of followers • Why employees should help create their own measures of success • Why transparency reduces fear and wasted energy • How small workplace issues can become big culture problems when ignored • Why asking the right question can matter more than having the right answer • How believing in people changes what they become • Why investing in people can drive stronger business performance THE MILLION-DOLLAR LESSON Before becoming president, Josh helped facilitate a leadership decision that resulted in layoffs. The organization made the cuts quickly—but Josh watched the impact ripple through the remaining team. Fear increased. Security disappeared. Trust was shaken. Years later, Josh asked himself: What if I had asked a better question? The experience taught him that leadership is not only about the final decision. It is also about how you walk people through it. Pasted markdown TOGETHER. THOUGHTFUL. TRANSPARENT. Josh’s culture philosophy centers on three principles: Together — sharpen important decisions with other people. Thoughtful — carefully consider how decisions affect others. Transparent — communicate what is happening as openly as possible. When leaders consistently practice those three behaviors, Josh believes teams become: Safe. Seen. Successful. Pasted markdown MOVE FROM ME TO WE Josh describes unhealthy organizations as living in a me cycle. Bosses protect themselves. Employees respond by protecting themselves. Eventually, work feels like a chess match where everyone is trying to outmaneuver someone else. Healthy cultures shift toward a we cycle. Bosses become leaders. Employees become team members. Everyone begins working toward the same picture—more like assembling a puzzle together than playing against one another. Pasted markdown SAY WHAT’S GOING ON Josh believes leaders often underestimate the power of simply explaining what is happening. Employees want to know: What is going on? Where are we headed? How am I doing? Even when the answer is incomplete, communication can reduce uncertainty. His advice: Say the obvious. Acknowledging the issue often matters almost as much as solving it. Pasted markdown ASK BETTER QUESTIONS One of the biggest lessons Josh wishes he had learned earlier: It is better to know the right question than the right answer. In a world filled with information and AI, leadership is increasingly about curiosity, discernment, and helping people think. The right answer to the wrong question can still send you in the wrong direction. Pasted markdown SEED FOR THE MAGIC GARDEN Josh Block’s seed is: “People are a gift. Work is a privilege. Leadership is the stewardship of those two realities.” Even the person frustrating you has a family, a story, and people who love them. Leadership means remembering the human being while still doing the hard work. CONNECT WITH JOSH BLOCK Book: People Matter at Work Website: peoplematteratwork.com Email: [email protected] Pasted markdown #PeaceLoveAndBringABat #JoshBlock #PeopleMatterAtWork #Leadership #WorkplaceCulture #PeopleFirst #ServantLeadership #Transparency #BusinessLeadership #TeamCulture To support us: https://davidchametzky.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@davidchametzkyNOW https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/peace-love-and-bring-a-bat/id1552738547

RELATIONSHIPS ARE EVERYTHING: JIM PAULK ON SERVICE, LOVE & LEGACY What if the most important thing you build in life is not a title or accomplishment—but the relationships you create along the way? On this episode of Peace, Love, and Bring a Bat, Uncle Dave welcomes Jim Paulk, U.S. Naval Academy graduate, former submarine officer, longtime Procter & Gamble leader, conservation advocate, author, and storyteller. Jim shares a life shaped by service, friendship, love, and the belief that almost nothing meaningful is accomplished alone. Pasted markdown In this episode, you will discover: • Why Jim dreamed of attending the Naval Academy • How his classmates went on to shape history • Stories involving GPS pioneer Brad Parkinson, Apollo 16 astronaut Charlie Duke, and NFL referee Bob McElwee • How Jim helped lead a successful effort to phase out gill nets in California • Why relationships became his central life lesson • Why he began writing books in his 80s • The story behind How I Found Love • What his marriage to Pat taught him about lasting love • Why it is never too late to begin again A LIFE OF SERVICE Jim grew up during the Great Depression and World War II, dreaming of Annapolis. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1957, served as a submarine officer, and later spent 26 years with Procter & Gamble. He then led a fishing conservation organization that supported fish restoration, artificial reefs, and a successful California initiative to phase out gill nets. Pasted markdown SHAKING UP THE WORLD Jim’s book Shaking Up the World grew from admiration for his Naval Academy classmates. Their stories include the architect of GPS, a man who walked on the moon, a legendary NFL official, prisoners of war, and military leaders. The goal: preserve real history through the people who lived it. Pasted markdown RELATIONSHIPS ARE THE ONE THING Jim says he does not believe he ever accomplished anything significant by himself. Every achievement involved other people. Every success involved relationships. His conclusion: There is nothing more important than relationships. Friendship, family, loyalty, mentorship, and love are the foundation of a meaningful life. Pasted markdown HOW I FOUND LOVE Jim’s newest book explores love found in unexpected ways and at different stages of life. One favorite story follows a premature baby born in 1933 who was not expected to survive. Four people poured extraordinary care into that child and helped keep him alive. Decades later, he described their devotion as agape—love given without expecting anything in return. Pasted markdown JIM & PAT Jim also shares the story of meeting his wife, Pat, while at Annapolis. They married the day after his graduation and built a marriage Jim still speaks about with unmistakable joy. He says the keys were: Respect. Loyalty. Admiration. They disagreed, but they never stopped honoring one another. Pasted markdown IT IS NEVER TOO LATE Jim did not begin publishing books until his 80s. His life is proof that a new chapter can begin late, a story can still be told, and a contribution can still be made. SEED FOR THE MAGIC GARDEN Jim’s seed is: Be ready. Love, friendship, opportunity, and purpose do not always arrive when expected. Someone may be right around the corner. Keep living. Keep connecting. Keep loving. And stay ready for what comes next. #PeaceLoveAndBringABat #JimPaulk #Relationships #Love #Leadership #Veteran #NavalAcademy #Legacy #HowIFoundLove #ShakingUpTheWorld To support us: https://davidchametzky.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@davidchametzkyNOW https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/peace-love-and-bring-a-bat/id1552738547

LEADING WHILE HUMAN: RALPH KELLOGG ON VULNERABILITY, MENTAL HEALTH & AUTHENTIC LEADERSHIP What would change if leaders stopped pretending they had everything together and started showing up as human beings? On this episode of Peace, Love, and Bring a Bat, Uncle Dave welcomes Ralph Kellogg, Chief Human Resources Officer, executive coach, TEDx speaker, public speaker, and author of Leading While Human: Notes I Wish Someone Had Given Me. Ralph’s book grew from decades of personal journals documenting defining moments in his life and career. His message is clear: leadership is not about hiding your humanity—it is about creating environments where people feel respected, heard, and safe enough to do their best work. Ralph Kellogg on Peace Love and… In this episode, you will discover: • Why vulnerability can strengthen leadership rather than weaken it • How leaders create permission for others by going first • Why “people are our greatest asset” requires more than benefits and perks • Ralph’s experience living with anxiety and panic disorder • How hiding parts of yourself creates an emotional cost • Why workplace layoffs affect the employees who remain • The importance of compassion-based management • Why transparent communication matters during uncertainty • How organizations can support employees through grief and change • What psychological safety really looks like after someone opens up • Why mental health conversations cannot end with simply handing someone an EAP number • How storytelling creates connection between leaders and teams • Why mental health days can help normalize self-care • Ralph’s advice for anyone who feels isolated, exhausted, or unable to be themselves at work LEADERS HAVE TO GO FIRST Ralph believes authentic workplace cultures begin with leadership. If leaders can acknowledge difficult experiences, admit mistakes, or talk openly about challenges, employees receive an important message: It is safe to be human here. Vulnerability is not about sharing everything. It is about demonstrating enough humanity that people know they do not have to hide everything either. Ralph Kellogg on Peace Love and… THE COST OF HIDING For years, Ralph separated his personal and professional identities and hid important parts of himself. Over time, he learned how exhausting it can be to constantly worry about what people might discover or how they might react. His eventual decision to live more openly became empowering: “This is exactly who I am. This is exactly how I show up.” Ralph Kellogg on Peace Love and… LAYOFFS AFFECT EVERYONE Organizations often focus on employees who leave during reductions. Ralph reminds leaders not to forget those who stay. Remaining employees may be grieving coworkers, carrying additional responsibilities, wondering whether they are next, and trying to remain productive while uncertainty grows. His recommendation: Communicate honestly. Listen. Acknowledge the emotional reality. And invest in helping people process change. Ralph Kellogg on Peace Love and… PSYCHOLOGICAL SAFETY MUST BE REAL A company can say it is psychologically safe all day long. Ralph says the real test comes after an employee shares something vulnerable. Did you protect their confidence? Did you treat them differently? Did you follow up? Did your behavior prove they were actually safe? His message: Stop saying it is safe. Show them it is safe. Ralph Kellogg on Peace Love and… MENTAL HEALTH AT WORK Ralph believes many organizations still avoid meaningful conversations about mental health. Sometimes an employee showing up at 75% may actually be using 100% of their available strength just to get through the day. Managers do not need to become therapists. But they can ask: How are you doing? What do you need? How can I support you? Knowing someone sees you can make an enormous difference. Ralph Kellogg on Peace Love and… LEAD WHILE HUMAN Ralph encourages leaders to remember that employees are not one-dimensional workers. They have families. Relationships. Losses. Anxiety. Responsibilities. Dreams. Fear. And lives that cannot simply be left at the office door. The strongest leaders recognize the entire person. Ralph Kellogg on Peace Love and… SEED FOR THE MAGIC GARDEN Ralph Kellogg’s seed is: Allow yourself—and other people—grace. You are not going to be 100% every day. Neither is anyone else. Sometimes: “The best you can do is the best you can do, and let that be enough.” Ralph Kellogg on Peace Love and… CONNECT WITH RALPH KELLOGG Website: ralphkellogg.com Book: Leading While Human: Notes I Wish Someone Had Given Me LinkedIn: Search Ralph Kellogg #PeaceLoveAndBringABat #RalphKellogg #LeadingWhileHuman #Leadership #Vulnerability #MentalHealth #Authenticity #PsychologicalSafety #WorkplaceCulture #HumanResources #ExecutiveLeadership To support us: https://davidchametzky.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@davidchametzkyNOW https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/peace-love-and-bring-a-bat/id1552738547

SEE MIRACLES IN LIFE EVERY DAY: BARRY SHORE ON JOY, PURPOSE & MAKING A DIFFERENCE Can you live with joy even when life gives you circumstances you never would have chosen? On this episode of Peace, Love, and Bring a Bat, Uncle Dave welcomes Barry Shore, known as the Ambassador of Joy, author, speaker, creator of the Keep Smiling movement, and a man whose life changed dramatically after sudden paralysis. On September 17, 2004, Barry says he woke up healthy and by that evening was completely paralyzed from the neck down due to a rare illness. He spent 144 days in the hospital, two years in a hospital bed at home, and four years using a wheelchair. Today, he remains physically limited but has built his life around purpose, service, gratitude, and joy. Barry Shore on Peace Love and B… In this episode, you will discover: • Why Barry says joy is possible regardless of circumstances • What SMILE means: Seeing Miracles In Life Everyday • Why JOY means Journey Of You • How purpose helps us MAD — Make A Difference • Why “Choice, not chance, determines your destiny” • How prayer, therapy, and love helped Barry move forward • Why he kept challenging physical limitations • How he eventually began swimming after paralysis • Why “motion is lotion” became part of his philosophy • How the Keep Smiling movement reached millions of people • Barry’s practical 94-second breathing practice • What DOGPOOP really means • Why helping other people can change your own perspective • How self-talk shapes the direction of your life • Why Barry believes laughter should be a daily practice SMILE Barry’s philosophy starts with one word: SMILE — Seeing Miracles In Life Everyday. That does not mean ignoring pain or pretending everything is perfect. It means training yourself to recognize what is still good, meaningful, beautiful, and possible. Barry believes that when we intentionally look for good, we begin experiencing life differently. Barry Shore on Peace Love and B… CHOICE, NOT CHANCE At 17, Barry made a decision: “I choose to be happy.” That choice eventually became one of his core messages: “Choice, not chance, determines your destiny.” We cannot control everything that happens. But we can work on how we respond to what happens. Barry Shore on Peace Love and B… PRAYER, THERAPY & LOVE Barry describes his recovery philosophy with three words: Prayer. Therapy. Love. His physical recovery was slow. For two years, his goal was simply sitting up and putting his feet over the side of the bed. Later, aquatic therapy helped him discover movement he had not experienced in years. Eventually, he developed a regular swimming practice despite continuing physical limitations. His message: Keep moving. Keep trying. Keep showing up. Barry Shore on Peace Love and B… BREATHE LIKE A BABY Barry teaches a simple practice he calls BLAB — Breathe Like A Baby. Take four slow, conscious breaths. Breathe through your nose into your abdomen. Slowly breathe out through your mouth. He describes the exercise as a 94-second practice and emphasizes: “Repetition creates transformation.” Barry Shore on Peace Love and B… THE POWER OF ONE PERSON Barry loves acronyms—even unusual ones. DOGPOOP means: Doing Of Good — Power Of One Person. His point is serious. One person serving another can create a ripple. One act of kindness can lead to another. One person can make a difference. And Barry believes everyone has that ability. Barry Shore on Peace Love and B… TALK TO YOURSELF WITH KINDNESS Barry says some of the most powerful words we ever hear are the words we say to ourselves. His definition of SELF-TALK centers on teaching ourselves love and kindness. If you would show patience, compassion, and attention to a struggling friend, why would you deny those same things to yourself? Barry Shore on Peace Love and B… SEED FOR THE MAGIC GARDEN Barry’s seed is wonderfully simple: Laugh out loud. Not eventually. Not when everything is perfect. Today. Move the energy. Smile. Connect. Serve somebody. And remember: Your life has purpose. Go MAD. Make A Difference. Barry Shore on Peace Love and B… CONNECT WITH BARRY SHORE Website: barryshore.com Books include The Joy of Living, Reframing: The Art of Living, and Pocketful of Acronyms. Barry Shore on Peace Love and B… #PeaceLoveAndBringABat #BarryShore #AmbassadorOfJoy #Joy #Purpose #MakeADifference #Resilience #Gratitude #PositiveMindset #SelfTalk #KeepSmiling To support us: https://davidchametzky.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@davidchametzkyNOW https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/peace-love-and-bring-a-bat/id1552738547

UNVEIL THE BEAST: KAITIE ENTRIKIN ON BODY IMAGE, FOOD FREEDOM & BECOMING YOUR TRUE SELF What if the goal is not becoming someone new—but uncovering who you were before the world told you who you were supposed to be? On this episode of Peace, Love, and Bring a Bat, Uncle Dave welcomes Kaitie Entrikin, coach, creator of Beautiful Beast Within, podcast host, musician, and advocate for healing our relationships with food, exercise, body image, and ourselves. Kaitie grew up being bullied about her weight and learned to believe her body was the problem. That led to years of restrictive eating, obsessive exercise, guilt, tracking numbers, and believing health meant constantly trying to make herself smaller. Eventually, education and experience forced her to question many of those beliefs. Kaitie Entrikin on Peace Love a… In this episode, you will discover: • What Kaitie means by “Unveil the Beast” • Why the beast represents your authentic self • How limiting beliefs become layers or “veils” • Why eating less and exercising more is not always healthier • How pregnancy changed Kaitie’s relationship with her body • Why she stopped viewing food as simply “good” or “bad” • How guilt can fuel restriction and binge patterns • Why exercise should not be punishment for eating • The difference between tracking information and obsessing over numbers • Why emotional eating is not automatically bad • How to develop other coping tools besides food • Why noticing without judging is one of the biggest keys to change • What “weight-neutral” coaching means • Why health is about behaviors, not only the number on a scale • How to vet wellness advice before trusting it • Why becoming yourself requires questioning what the world taught you WHAT IS THE BEAST? Kaitie describes the “beast” as your real, authentic self. Over time, we collect veils: Other people’s expectations. Body-image messages. Rules about food. Ideas about what success should look like. Beliefs about who we are allowed to become. Her work is about removing those layers one at a time. Kaitie Entrikin on Peace Love a… GUILT DOESN’T BELONG ON YOUR PLATE One of Kaitie’s strongest messages is that food does not determine your moral value. Instead of labeling everything “good” or “bad,” she encourages a different perspective: Some things may be good for your body. Other things may be good for your soul. A cupcake does not make you a failure. And guilt does not belong on your plate. Kaitie Entrikin on Peace Love a… EXERCISE IS NOT PUNISHMENT Kaitie remembers eating until she felt physically uncomfortable and then spending an hour on an elliptical because she believed she needed to “burn it off.” At the time, she thought that was health. Today, she sees it differently. Movement can be powerful—but when exercise becomes punishment for eating, the relationship with both food and movement can become unhealthy. Kaitie Entrikin on Peace Love a… NOTICE WITHOUT JUDGING Kaitie says one of the biggest tools in her own healing has been: Notice without judging. Notice what you eat. Notice what you say. Notice what you think about yourself. Notice your habits. Notice the rules you are following. You do not have to immediately fix everything. Awareness simply gives you the ability to choose differently. Kaitie Entrikin on Peace Love a… HEALTH IS WHAT YOU DO Kaitie encourages people to look beyond the scale. Weight is one piece of information—not the entire story. Her focus is on behaviors, habits, movement, nourishment, mental health, and the relationship you have with yourself. As she puts it: “Health is what you do, not what the scale says.” Kaitie Entrikin on Peace Love a… SEED FOR THE MAGIC GARDEN Kaitie’s seed is simple: Be you. And if you do not know who you are yet: Go find out. The time is going to pass anyway. Do the work. Remove the veils. Question the rules. And become the version of yourself that actually feels like you. Kaitie Entrikin on Peace Love a… CONNECT WITH KAITIE ENTRIKIN Website: beautifulbeastwithinstudios.com Find her podcast, social channels, and YouTube content through the website. Kaitie Entrikin on Peace Love a… #PeaceLoveAndBringABat #KaitieEntrikin #BeautifulBeastWithin #BodyImage #FoodFreedom #IntuitiveEating #SelfAcceptance #MentalHealth #Wellness #Authenticity #PersonalGrowth To support us: https://davidchametzky.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@davidchametzkyNOW https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/peace-love-and-bring-a-bat/id1552738547

REGAIN YOUR MO-JOY: LINDA JOY BENN ON BURNOUT, ALIGNMENT & COMING BACK TO YOURSELF What happens when you look successful on the outside—but inside you feel exhausted, disconnected, and empty? On this episode of Peace, Love, and Bring a Bat, Uncle Dave welcomes Linda Joy Benn, transformational coach and holistic wellness practitioner who helps high-achieving professionals and leaders reconnect with themselves, reduce burnout, and rediscover purpose. Linda introduces her BEN Method—Balance, Energy, Nurture, and Nourish—which she describes as advanced self-care for the soul. Her work focuses on helping people examine what feels out of alignment, what is draining them, and what may be keeping them disconnected from who they believe they truly are. Linda Joy Benn on Peace Love an… In this episode, you will discover: • Why outward success does not always mean inner fulfillment • Linda’s personal journey after a cancer diagnosis in 1990 • How childhood experiences can shape adult beliefs and patterns • Why self-awareness starts with an honest life assessment • The meaning behind the BEN Method • How people-pleasing and overgiving can contribute to burnout • Why boundaries matter when protecting your energy • How Linda uses breathwork, meditation, reflection, and body awareness • Why she encourages people to notice what expands or drains them • How triggers can become opportunities for reflection • Why nature, quiet time, music, creativity, and water can be forms of self-care • How reconnecting with joy can help people feel more present and fulfilled • Why Linda believes following your bliss is part of finding your purpose THE BEN METHOD Linda’s framework is built around four words: B — Balance Look honestly at the areas of your life that feel out of alignment. E — Energy Notice what strengthens you—and what consistently leaves you depleted. N — Nurture Create space for rest, reflection, boundaries, and self-compassion. N — Nourish Choose practices, relationships, and activities that help you feel more connected and alive. Linda Joy Benn on Peace Love an… WHAT IS DRAINING YOU? Linda says burnout is often deeper than simply having too much work. She encourages people to look at patterns such as: People-pleasing. Overgiving. Seeking approval. Trying to keep everyone happy. Always saying yes. And believing you must constantly prove your worth. Her invitation is to ask: What in my life is expanding me—and what is contracting me? Linda Joy Benn on Peace Love an… TRIGGERS CAN BECOME TEACHERS When someone pushes your buttons, Linda suggests pausing before reacting. Ask yourself: Is there something here for me to learn? Did they touch an insecurity or unresolved issue? Or is this simply their anger or behavior being projected onto me? Sometimes the lesson is self-reflection. Sometimes the lesson is: This is not mine to carry. Linda Joy Benn on Peace Love an… NOURISH YOURSELF Self-care does not have to be complicated or expensive. Linda recommends simple ways to slow down and reconnect: Sit quietly with a cup of tea. Meditate. Walk barefoot on the grass. Spend time in nature. Swim. Listen to uplifting music. Create art. Cook. Dance. Exercise. Or simply do something that brings you into the present moment. The goal is finding what genuinely brings you joy. Linda Joy Benn on Peace Love an… SEED FOR THE MAGIC GARDEN Linda’s seed is: “Follow your bliss.” Do more of what brings you joy. Nurture yourself. Nourish yourself. Pay attention to what makes you feel alive. For Linda, coming back into alignment begins when you stop giving all of yourself away and start reconnecting with the person underneath the expectations, responsibilities, and noise. Linda Joy Benn on Peace Love an… CONNECT WITH LINDA JOY BENN Website: lindabenn.com Linda also invites listeners to explore her Joy Connection community, free resources, energy assessment, programs, and one-to-one support. Linda Joy Benn on Peace Love an… #PeaceLoveAndBringABat #LindaJoyBenn #Burnout #SelfCare #BENMethod #PersonalGrowth #Purpose #Boundaries #MindBodySpirit #Transformation #FollowYourBliss To support us: https://davidchametzky.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@davidchametzkyNOW https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/peace-love-and-bring-a-bat/id1552738547

OBSERVATION AT THE SPEED OF LIFE: ED DOHERTY ON LEADERSHIP, OPTIMISM & CHALLENGING YOURSELF What happens when life moves so fast that you miss the moments that matter most? On this episode of Peace, Love, and Bring a Bat, Uncle Dave welcomes Ed Doherty, leadership consultant, former restaurant executive, nonprofit leader, marathon finisher, mentor, and author of Observation at the Speed of Life. At 75,Ed has led 135 restaurants, served as chief human resource officer for an 11,000-employee company, run a nonprofit, completed a marathon, and turned decades of lessons into a book. Ed Doherty On Peace Love and Br… In this episode, you will discover: • Why Ed chooses positive intent • Why failure can teach more than success • His philosophy: Observe. Act. Stay with it. • Why planning creates a more interesting life • His two-word definition of time management: Controlling events • Why clarity generates action • Why leading by example matters • How effort, progress, and results change over time • Why feedback can be a “glass ceiling buster” • How running a marathon at 70 changed him • Why your biggest challenge should come from inside you OPTIMISM IS A CHOICE Ed believes we move through life assuming either positive or negative intent. His preference is simple: look for the positive. For Ed, optimism is not pretending problems do not exist. It is deciding how quickly you get back up after getting knocked down. Ed Doherty On Peace Love and Br… OBSERVE. ACT. STAY WITH IT. Ed says the speed of life causes us to miss small moments. A teammate loses enthusiasm. A standard slips. Something feels off. Sometimes leadership is simply noticing what others miss. That led Ed to a core philosophy: Observe. Act. Stay with it. Ed Doherty On Peace Love and Br… CLARITY GENERATES ACTION While overseeing 135 restaurants, Ed wanted cleaner stores. Eventually, he made his standard unmistakable: a restaurant should be clean enough to eat off the floor. Then he literally did it. His lesson: Clarity generates action. When expectations are fuzzy, people hesitate. When they are clear, people know where the bar is. Ed Doherty On Peace Love and Br… LEAD BY EXAMPLE Ed’s number one leadership principle is: Never ask someone to do something you have not done—or would not do yourself. Teams respond differently when the boss is willing to do the difficult work first. Ed Doherty On Peace Love and Br… FEEDBACK IS A GIFT Early in his career, a boss told Ed that the thing he did best was getting gas—and unless he improved elsewhere, he was not going to make it. Ed listened. Those meetings became tutorials. Eighteen months later, that same leader chose him to run San Francisco. Ed calls accepting feedback a: “Glass ceiling buster.” Ed Doherty On Peace Love and Br… THE MARATHON AT 70 Ed started walking at 60, then running, then racing. At 70, he completed a marathon by running 47 laps around Fenway Park and raised $13,000 for the Boston Bruins Foundation. He was not running for time. He was running to finish. The discipline changed how he saw himself. Ed Doherty On Peace Love and Br… SEED FOR THE MAGIC GARDEN Ed’s seed is: Challenge yourself. Nobody walked up to him at 70 and told him to run a marathon. That challenge came from inside. Set your own goals. Push yourself. Do not wait for someone else to define your next level. If you want to reach new heights: It has to come from the inside. Ed Doherty On Peace Love and Br… CONNECT WITH ED DOHERTY Book: Observation at the Speed of Life Consulting: ambroselanden.com Ed Doherty On Peace Love and Br… #PeaceLoveAndBringABat #EdDoherty #Leadership #Optimism #Resilience #TimeManagement #Feedback #Legacy #PersonalGrowth To support us: https://davidchametzky.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@davidchametzkyNOW https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/peace-love-and-bring-a-bat/id1552738547

YOUR BRAIN HEALS EVERY DAY: SANDRA LEE ON BRAIN INJURIES, ENERGY, SOUND & THE POWER OF POSSIBILITY What if recovery does not have to end when someone tells you, “This is as good as it gets”? On this episode of Peace, Love, and Bring a Bat, Uncle Dave welcomes Sandra Lee, longtime massage therapist and practitioner who works with people exploring recovery after brain injuries, migraines, strokes, accidents, stress, and other challenges. Sandra shares how decades of bodywork, craniosacral study, sound practices, visualization, and a brain-training arrow chart shaped her approach to helping clients. She describes combining these methods with the belief that physical, emotional, and mental experiences all influence how people feel and function. Sandra Lee On Peace Love and Br… In this episode, you will discover: • Why Sandra became passionate about working with brain-injury recovery • How an arrow-reading exercise became part of her practice • Why she believes sound and bodywork can complement recovery work • How she describes “energy flow” and blockages in the body • What decades of craniosacral and massage work taught her about stress • Why she calls chronic shoulder tension “shoulder boulders” • How thoughts, emotions, beliefs, and physical symptoms can interact • Why hydration and sleep are foundational habits she emphasizes • Why even healers need outside perspective and support • How visualization can help people reconnect with future possibilities • Why Sandra believes the language we use about our bodies matters • Her Spectrum of Anger framework • Why she sees uncomfortable emotions as information rather than failure • The message she wants people facing limitations to remember WHEN THE BODY HOLDS THE PRESSURE Sandra describes seeing stress show up physically in the people she works with. One example is tension across the shoulders—the feeling of carrying the “weight of the world.” She encourages people to notice what they are carrying emotionally instead of viewing every symptom as an isolated physical problem. Sandra Lee On Peace Love and Br… RECOVERY CAN INCLUDE MORE THAN ONE LAYER Sandra often works with people who have already gone through conventional medical treatment but still do not feel like themselves. Her approach is complementary: she describes looking at physical function alongside emotions, thoughts, beliefs, sound-based practices, and other bodywork techniques. For Sandra, the question becomes: What else may be affecting how this person feels and functions? Sandra Lee On Peace Love and Br… START WITH THE BASICS Some of Sandra’s advice is remarkably simple. Drink enough water. Get enough sleep. Ask for help. She says even with decades of experience, she still needs other people to help her see what she cannot see herself. Sometimes we need an “outside of my head perspective” to interrupt an old pattern and create a new possibility. Sandra Lee On Peace Love and Br… SEE WHERE YOU WANT TO GO Sandra and Uncle Dave discuss the importance of visualization. If someone believes, “This is my life now,” it can become difficult to imagine anything different. Sandra encourages people to begin picturing the activities and experiences they want to return to. Her message is not to deny current limitations—but to stop allowing the limitation to become the only future you can imagine. Sandra Lee On Peace Love and Br… REFRAMING ANGER Sandra also introduces her Spectrum of Anger project. She believes anger, worry, fear, uncertainty, and other uncomfortable emotions are not automatically signs that something is wrong with us. They can be information. Instead of immediately suppressing the emotion, she asks: What is this trying to get me to pay attention to? For Sandra, awareness creates more freedom in how we respond. Sandra Lee On Peace Love and Br… SEED FOR THE MAGIC GARDEN Sandra’s seed is: “Your brain heals itself every day of your life.” Whether someone is dealing with a physical injury, a limiting belief, or a story that says they cannot become who they want to be, Sandra wants people to keep believing change is possible. We cannot rewrite the past. But we can keep working on how we respond, adapt, and move forward. Sandra Lee On Peace Love and Br… CONNECT WITH SANDRA LEE Body Symptoms Decoder: shinewithsandra.com/body #PeaceLoveAndBringABat #SandraLee #BrainInjury #BrainHealth #Recovery #SoundHealing #MindBodyConnection #Anger #PersonalGrowth #Resilience #HealingJourney To support us: https://davidchametzky.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@davidchametzkyNOW https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/peace-love-and-bring-a-bat/id1552738547

BOOTS ON THE GROUND: YAIR PINTO ON OCTOBER 7, RESILIENCE, TRUTH & DEFENDING ISRAEL What happens when an ordinary holiday morning becomes the beginning of a war that changes your family, your country, and your life? On this episode of Peace, Love, and Bring a Bat, Uncle Dave welcomes Yair Pinto, Jerusalem-born IDF officer, tank platoon commander, journalist, host of Boots on the Ground, and author of the book by the same name. On October 7, 2023, Yair went from civilian life back into military service. He would spend months deployed near Lebanon and inside Gaza while reporting what he witnessed and documenting the personal impact of the war. Yair Pinto on Peace Love and Br… In this episode, you will discover: • What Yair remembers about the night before October 7 • How his family was celebrating Simchat Torah before the attack • The moment sirens woke him around 6:00 AM • Why his unit initially deployed toward Lebanon • What it was like sleeping outside while preparing for a possible second front • His experience serving inside Gaza for four months • Why he began reporting daily from his phone • How those reports grew into the TBN Israel audience • Why Yair says the information war became almost as important as the battlefield • How his wife protected their children while he was deployed • The emotional toll war has taken on Israeli children • Why his children asked where the bomb shelter was on an airplane • The story behind his book Boots on the Ground • How QR codes in the book connect readers to videos recorded during the events • Why Yair believes people must investigate claims instead of repeating slogans • Why he still believes peace is possible OCTOBER 7 CHANGED EVERYTHING Yair remembers October 6 as a family celebration. His youngest child was only three months old. His family had gathered for dinner. The next morning was supposed to be relaxed. Instead, sirens began. Soon after, Yair received the call to return to duty. His life shifted instantly from husband, father, and civilian back to IDF officer. Yair Pinto on Peace Love and Br… FROM SOLDIER TO REPORTER As the war unfolded, Yair believed reliable firsthand information was missing. He had one tool with him: His phone. So he began reporting what he saw every day—the fear, the separation from his family, the battles, and his conviction that Israel had to defend itself. Those reports eventually reached millions of viewers and became part of his continuing work with TBN Israel. Yair Pinto on Peace Love and Br… BOOTS ON THE GROUND Yair wanted to preserve more than headlines. His book Boots on the Ground tells the personal story behind the reporting. Each chapter includes a QR code that connects readers to footage from the same period, allowing them to see his face, surroundings, and emotions while reading what happened. For Yair, the project is about documenting history while the memories are still raw. Yair Pinto on Peace Love and Br… THE HEROES AT HOME Yair says some of the greatest sacrifices were made by families who stayed home. While he was deployed, his wife cared for three children, rushed them into shelters, secured their home, and created emergency plans in case of an attack. Yair says: “The real heroes of this war are the mothers staying home with the kids.” His wife even contributes a chapter to the book describing her experience. Yair Pinto on Peace Love and Br… A GENERATION LIVING THROUGH TRAUMA One of the episode’s most powerful moments comes when Yair talks about his children. The first time they boarded a plane after October 7, they asked: “Where is the bomb shelter on the plane?” Later, an ice cream truck in New York made them look for shelter because they thought its sound was an alarm. Yair says Israel is not yet dealing with post-traumatic stress. For many families, the trauma is still ongoing. Yair Pinto on Peace Love and Br… TRUTH IS STRONGER THAN LIES Throughout the conversation, Yair presents his perspective on Hamas, Gaza, Israel, antisemitism, and the broader conflict. He urges listeners to research claims carefully, examine firsthand evidence, and avoid allowing social media slogans to replace understanding. Despite everything, Yair says he remains optimistic: “I believe that the truth is stronger than all the lies.” Yair Pinto on Peace Love and Br… SEED FOR THE MAGIC GARDEN Yair’s seed is: Use your voice. Share what you know. Stand for truth—and never take freedom for granted. Peace matters. Love matters. But sometimes protecting both requires the courage to stand up. CONNECT WITH YAIR PINTO Book: Boots on the Ground Website: bootsonthegroundbook.com YouTube: TBN Israel Social Media: Search Yair Pinto Yair Pinto on Peace Love and Br… #PeaceLoveAndBringABat #YairPinto #BootsOnTheGround #Israel #October7 #Resilience #Truth #IDF #TBNIsrael #Leadership #Faith #Peace To support us: https://davidchametzky.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@davidchametzkyNOW https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/peace-love-and-bring-a-bat/id1552738547

TURN ANGER INTO LIGHT: YEHUDA MEITAV ON JEWISH IDENTITY, MUSIC, AI & FINDING YOUR VOICE What happens when anger, grief, identity, creativity, and faith collide—and instead of staying silent, you turn them into music? On this episode of Peace, Love, and Bring a Bat, Uncle Dave welcomes Yehuda Meitav, Israeli artist, songwriter, author, chef, and AI-powered music creator whose work has become a voice of Jewish pride, identity, unity, and resilience. After October 7, Yehuda returned to Israel, where much of his family lives in the south. He lost family and friends and threw himself into volunteering and advocacy. Eventually, he realized that directing his anger toward people who already hated him was accomplishing nothing. He needed another outlet. So he wrote a song. Yehuda Meitav On Peace Love and… In this episode, you will discover: • Why Yehuda refuses to let outsiders define Jewish identity • What Zionism means to him personally • How music can carry history and ideas across generations • Why October 7 changed the direction of his creativity • How his first Jewish-themed song exploded online overnight • Why he uses humor instead of allowing anger to consume him • How AI became a tool for amplifying his creative voice • Why he sees himself as a vessel rather than simply a performer • The meaning of Naaseh v’nishma — “We will do and we will listen” • Why service to others creates purpose and happiness • How forgiveness protects us from carrying someone else’s poison • Why no voice is truly too small • How listeners become the “megaphone” that amplifies a message • Why Yehuda says he is promoting his people—not simply his music DON’T TELL ME WHO I AM Yehuda describes conversations in which people outside the Jewish community attempt to define Judaism, Zionism, and Jewish history for him. His response is simple: “Don’t tell me about my people.” For Yehuda, Israel is inseparable from Jewish identity and safety. He distinguishes that connection from agreeing with every decision made by any particular government. His music allows him to tell that story in his own voice. Yehuda Meitav On Peace Love and… FROM ANGER TO MUSIC After October 7, Yehuda says he carried enormous anger. Then he made a decision: Don’t get angry. Create something. His song “As a Jew” began as satire aimed at ideas he strongly disagreed with. He posted it and went to sleep. By morning, thousands of people had discovered him. More importantly, Jewish listeners around the world began telling him: “You’re saying exactly what we’re thinking.” That response showed Yehuda there was a hunger for pride, unity, humor, and a stronger voice. Yehuda Meitav On Peace Love and… I’M JUST A CANDLE Yehuda describes his role through an image of light. During dark times, you may not be able to see the entire road. Sometimes you only need enough light for the next step. Yehuda says: “I’m just a candle to my Jewish people’s feet.” One step. Then another. Then another. Until people find their way through the darkness together. Yehuda Meitav On Peace Love and… DON’T DRINK THEIR POISON Yehuda also discusses forgiveness. For him, forgiveness does not excuse what another person did. It prevents their anger from becoming yours. His philosophy: “This is your poison, not mine.” He believes releasing that anger allows him to keep creating, serving, and moving forward instead of letting hatred control his emotional life. Yehuda Meitav On Peace Love and… YOUR VOICE IS NEVER TOO SMALL What do you do when you believe your voice is too small to matter? Yehuda says the answer is finding your megaphone. Your voice may begin quietly. But if your words encourage one person, that person can amplify them. Then another can amplify them again. “Your voice is never too small.” Yehuda Meitav On Peace Love and… SEED FOR THE MAGIC GARDEN Yehuda’s seed is about light, service, and purpose. Use what you have. Create. Speak. Serve. Lift someone else. And when the world gives you darkness, find a way to transform it into something that reminds people who they are. As Yehuda puts it: “I’m not promoting my music. I’m promoting my people.” Yehuda Meitav On Peace Love and… #PeaceLoveAndBringABat #YehudaMeitav #JewishIdentity #Israel #JewishMusic #AI #Creativity #Resilience #Faith #Purpose #Unity #MusicWithMeaning #BringTheLight To support us: https://davidchametzky.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@davidchametzkyNOW https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/peace-love-and-bring-a-bat/id1552738547

FILL YOUR OWN CUP: ASHLY BALZA ON SELF-RENEWAL, BOUNDARIES & FINDING YOUR IDENTITY What happens when you spend so much time taking care of everyone else that you forget how to take care of yourself? On this episode of Peace, Love, and Bring a Bat, Uncle Dave welcomes Ashly Balza, known as The Self-Renewal Coach, founder and CEO of Arise & Ascend Coaching, entrepreneur, wife, mother of seven, grandmother of two, and homeschool mom. Ashly’s journey into self-renewal began after the birth of her sixth child, when a life-threatening septic infection landed her in the hospital. That experience forced her to confront a difficult truth: She could not keep putting everyone else ahead of herself. In this episode, you will discover: • Why Ashly stopped chasing “balance” and started seeking harmony • How a medical crisis completely shifted her priorities • Why your value cannot depend on other people • How coaching and community helped rebuild her confidence • Why even coaches need coaches • How to recognize when your resources are depleted • Why boundaries protect your energy • How giving people unlimited access creates burnout • Why “That doesn’t work for me” can be a complete answer • How over-explaining can weaken boundaries • Why self-trust begins with everyday decisions • How Ashly recognizes her physical and emotional limits • Why self-care does not require expensive activities • How faith, friendship, prayer, journaling, and rest help her reset • Why breathing can interrupt stress and emotional reactions • How knowing yourself changes how you show up for others WHEN YOUR BODY MAKES YOU STOP For years, Ashly put everyone else first. Then her body forced her to listen. After developing a severe septic infection, she found herself in the hospital confronting the possibility that she might not be there to watch her children grow up. That changed her perspective. Taking care of herself was no longer optional. It was necessary. FORGET BALANCE—FIND HARMONY Ashly does not believe life needs to be perfectly balanced. With family, homeschooling, businesses, relationships, and coaching, different areas will require more attention at different times. She prefers the word: Harmony. The goal is not giving everything equal time. It is creating alignment without losing yourself. STOP GIVING EVERYONE UNLIMITED ACCESS When you always answer immediately, always say yes, and always make yourself available, people begin expecting constant access. Eventually, your cup runs dry. Ashly learned that boundaries can sound as simple as: “That doesn’t work for me.” You do not always need an excuse. You do not need permission. And you do not need to explain every decision. TRUST YOURSELF Ashly believes self-trust develops through the small decisions we make every day. Every time you make a healthy choice and honor it, you reinforce: I can trust myself. That confidence eventually carries into bigger decisions involving relationships, business, parenting, and purpose. FILL YOUR OWN CUP Self-care does not have to mean a spa day or an expensive vacation. It might be: A hot cup of coffee. Prayer. Worship music. Journaling. A walk outside. Talking with trusted friends. Taking a day off. Or simply stopping long enough to breathe. Ashly’s reminder is simple: You can’t pour from an empty cup. When you are depleted, everyone around you experiences that version of you too. RESPOND INSTEAD OF REACT Stress makes reaction easy. Ashly recommends something incredibly simple: Breathe. Slow down. Reset your nervous system. Then decide how you want to respond. That small pause can change an entire conversation. SEED FOR THE MAGIC GARDEN Ashly Balza’s seed is: Find who you are. Find what you enjoy doing. What lights you up? What could you talk about for hours? What makes you want to serve and help others? Those answers may be pointing toward your purpose. Know yourself. Trust yourself. Renew yourself. And fill your own cup so you can show up fully for the people who matter most. CONNECT WITH ASHLY BALZA Find Ashly Balza — The Self-Renewal Coach on Facebook. Founder & CEO: Arise & Ascend Coaching #PeaceLoveAndBringABat #AshlyBalza #SelfRenewal #FillYourCup #Boundaries #Identity #Burnout #SelfCare #Faith #Purpose #Mindset #PersonalGrowth To support us: https://davidchametzky.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@davidchametzkyNOW https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/peace-love-and-bring-a-bat/id1552738547

DON’T JUST EXIST—LIVE: SAMI STEIGMANN ON SURVIVAL, REMEMBRANCE & STANDING UP TO HATE What does it mean to survive history—and then spend the rest of your life making sure the next generation learns from it? On this episode of Peace, Love, and Bring a Bat, Uncle Dave welcomes Sami Steigmann, Holocaust survivor, Israeli Air Force veteran, motivational speaker, educator, and advocate against Jew hatred. Sami was born in 1939 and, as a young child, was deported with his family to a labor camp in the former Soviet Union. He later learned that he had been subjected to medical experimentation—something he says contributed to lifelong physical pain. But Sami is very clear: “I am not what happened to me.” What defines him is what he does with his life now. In this episode, you will discover: • Why Sami believes Holocaust stories must continue to be told • The difference between concentration, labor, and death camps • How his family survived deportation and displacement • Why he says luck played an important role in survival • How he learned at age 31 about medical experiments performed on him • Why education is central to combating hate • Why Sami prefers the phrase Jew hatred over anti-Semitism • His EMET framework for educating young people • Why he begins speaking to children as early as first grade • Why young people must become upstanders instead of bystanders • His experiences serving in the Israeli Air Force • Why Israel became so important to him after the Holocaust • His perspective on October 7th and defending Jewish life • Why media and communication matter when fighting hate • Why remembrance is about learning from the past—not living as a victim I AM NOT WHAT HAPPENED TO ME Sami’s guiding philosophy is: “I am not what happened to me.” The Holocaust. Homelessness. Pain. Loss. Those experiences are part of his story, but they are not his identity. His identity comes from what he chooses to do now. That mission is captured in EMET, the Hebrew word for truth: E — Educate M — Motivate E — Empower T — Tolerance For Sami, tolerance does not mean accepting harmful behavior. It means respecting other people’s cultures and opinions while refusing to remain silent in the face of hatred. ZACHOR — REMEMBER Sami explains that Jewish life does not simply view the Holocaust as history. The word Zachor means remember. It means bringing the past into the present so future generations understand what happens when hatred grows without consequences. His message is: Learn what happened. Understand how it happened. Recognize the warning signs. EDUCATION, EDUCATION, EDUCATION Sami uses a famous line about getting to Carnegie Hall: Practice, practice, practice. His answer to fighting ignorance is similar: Education, education, education. You cannot force someone to change. But you may be able to change their perspective. And to do that, you must know what you are talking about. FORGIVE YOURSELF Sami also shares how becoming homeless forced him to examine his own decisions. He had trusted the wrong people, given them cash, and failed to put agreements in writing. Eventually, he stopped focusing only on what others had done and asked: “What did I do that brought me here?” That led him to two important lessons: Forgive yourself. And: Be kind to yourself. Learn from the mistake. Then move forward. WORDS MATTER Sami deliberately uses Jew hatred instead of anti-Semitism. Why? Because he believes the language should be direct and impossible to misunderstand. Words shape perception. Clear language creates clearer conversations. SEED FOR THE MAGIC GARDEN Sami Steigmann’s seed is: Don’t just exist. Live. Talk. Ask questions. Educate yourself. Stand up. Become an upstander instead of a bystander. Be proud of who you are. And use your life to help create a more compassionate, loving world. #PeaceLoveAndBringABat #SamiSteigmann #HolocaustSurvivor #NeverAgain #Zachor #JewishHistory #JewHatred #Israel #Education #Upstander #Tolerance #EMET #Resilience To support us: https://davidchametzky.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@davidchametzkyNOW https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/peace-love-and-bring-a-bat/id1552738547

NEVER FORGET MEANS NEVER STOP TELLING THE STORY: GARY MARLON GERE ON 9/11, RECOVERY & RESILIENCE What does “Never Forget” really mean 25 years after September 11, 2001? On this episode of Peace, Love, and Bring a Bat, Uncle Dave welcomes Gary Marlon Gere, New York City playwright, actor, screenwriter, and civilian volunteer who spent seven months working at the World Trade Center site after 9/11. Gary did not arrive as a firefighter, police officer, journalist, or photographer. Like thousands of others, he simply wanted to help. That decision placed him inside one of the most devastating chapters in American history—and ultimately changed the direction of his life. In this episode, you will discover: • Why Gary volunteered at Ground Zero • How he learned to search and sift for human remains • Why photography was heavily restricted at the site • The powerful honor guard ceremonies that moved him • What Gary discovered inside the abandoned PATH subway tunnels • Why one collapsed subway car convinced him never to return underground • How workers emotionally survived what they witnessed • Gary’s experience with PTSD and the World Trade Center Health Program • Why Reverend Myddys de Champlain became a source of strength • How Gary’s journals eventually became the play Recovery • Why authentic Ground Zero equipment was used in the stage production • Gary’s frustrations with the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund • How his experiences inspired the screenplay Below Zero • Why he believes a new generation needs these stories now more than ever SHOWING UP Gary says he was no different from countless people after the attacks. Some donated supplies. Some cooked meals. Some supported firefighters. Gary asked: “How can I help?” Through a friend in the fire department, he was eventually given the opportunity to work alongside recovery crews. What began as volunteering became seven months of digging, searching, witnessing, listening, and learning. FROZEN IN TIME Months after the attacks, Gary was granted access to PATH subway tunnels beneath the site. He describes discovering a train frozen in time from the morning of September 11—newspapers, coffee cups, personal belongings, and signs that passengers had fled suddenly. When Gary returned one night, a train he had previously walked through had been crushed by a structural collapse. His reaction was immediate: “If I was on that train, I’m dead.” That was his final underground visit. YOU LEARN TO COEXIST WITH IT Gary explains that surviving Ground Zero emotionally often required shutting feelings down temporarily. Later came PTSD treatment through Columbia University and the Mount Sinai World Trade Center program. Gary says PTSD no longer controls his life. But it does not simply disappear. You learn how to coexist with it. RECOVERY Gary kept extensive journals during his time at Ground Zero. Those writings eventually inspired Recovery, his off-Broadway play centered on an FDNY lieutenant struggling with survivor’s guilt after losing his brother on 9/11. The production incorporated actual clothing, helmets, and digging tools loaned by people who worked at Ground Zero. For Gary, it was never simply theater. It was preservation. It was testimony. It was memory brought back to life. BELOW ZERO Gary is also developing Below Zero, a feature screenplay about a journalist who enters Ground Zero searching for the story of a lifetime, becomes trapped beneath the site, and suddenly becomes the story himself. The fictional story grew from situations Gary personally witnessed and locations he explored. NEVER FORGET Twenty-five years later, an entire generation knows September 11 primarily through history books, videos, and stories from others. That makes firsthand testimony even more important. Gary believes writers, survivors, recovery workers, families, and witnesses need to continue telling these stories. Because Never Forget cannot simply be something we say once a year. It requires remembering the people. Remembering the sacrifice. And remembering what happened. SEED FOR THE MAGIC GARDEN Gary’s journey leaves us with a powerful message: Show up. Tell the story. Keep the memory alive. You may not consider yourself a hero. You may simply believe you did what needed to be done. But sometimes showing up when people need you most becomes part of history. #PeaceLoveAndBringABat #GaryMarlonGere #September11 #NeverForget #911 #GroundZero #Recovery #PTSD #FirstResponders #NewYorkCity #Resilience #Storytelling To support us: https://davidchametzky.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@davidchametzkyNOW https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/peace-love-and-bring-a-bat/id1552738547

FROM SURVIVING TO THRIVING: JOANNA PIXLEY ON TRAUMA, FORGIVENESS, FAITH & BECOMING WHO YOU WERE MADE TO BE What happens when your earliest memories are filled with abuse, fear, and survival—but you refuse to let those experiences write the ending of your story? On this episode of Peace, Love, and Bring a Bat, Uncle Dave welcomes Joanna Pixley, mother of four, entrepreneur, former ministry leader, wellness coach, author, and speaker whose testimony is rooted in trauma, resilience, forgiveness, healing, and faith. Joanna shares an intensely personal journey that began with severe childhood abuse and eventually led her through addiction, family estrangement, ministry, marriage, divorce, serious illness, single motherhood, homelessness, entrepreneurship, and a completely different understanding of God. In this episode, you will discover: • How childhood abuse shaped Joanna’s ability to trust • Why she left home at only 15 years old • The spiritual experience she says completely shook her worldview • How a call from her sister led her into a church she never expected to enter • The moment Joanna became convinced God knew her personally • Why forgiveness became one of the hardest parts of her healing • How releasing hatred changed her emotionally • Her years as a pastor’s wife and ministry leader • Why religious position did not guarantee a healthy marriage • The medical crisis that nearly took her life • Why facing death made Joanna realize she had been surviving instead of living • How she describes rebuilding her health through nutrition, detox practices, prayer, and lifestyle changes • Why she decided she would no longer allow fear to control her life • How she raised four children through divorce and instability • Why trusting God became a daily decision rather than a religious slogan • The story behind her parenting book Making Disciples • Why she is finally willing to publicly tell the story she once wanted to hide FROM NUMB TO ALIVE Joanna describes becoming emotionally numb as a child after years of violence and abuse. She stopped trusting people. She stopped trusting God. Eventually, she says a spiritual experience forced her to confront questions she had spent years avoiding. Days later, a sister she had barely spoken with invited her to church. That decision became the beginning of a completely different life. THE POWER OF FORGIVENESS One of Joanna’s greatest battles was forgiving the stepfather she says caused enormous trauma in her childhood. She did not pretend the abuse was acceptable. She did not erase what happened. Instead, she describes reaching a point where she could finally release the hatred she had carried. As she prayed: “I forgive him.” Joanna says years of bitterness began giving way to something she had barely experienced before: Joy. I WAS SURVIVING—NOT LIVING Years later, a severe medical crisis sent Joanna into surgery without knowing whether she would survive. She remembers praying: “Whether I live or die, I belong to You.” But she also asked for enough life to raise her children. That moment gave Joanna another realization: She had spent years surviving. She had not truly been living. So she made a decision: Do it scared. Face the fear. Take the step. Stop waiting for life to feel perfectly safe. BUILDING A LIFE AFTER EVERYTHING FALLS APART Marriage ended. Ministry ended. Financial security disappeared. At one point Joanna says she was sleeping in her car while getting hotel rooms when her children were with her. In one of her darkest seasons, she held onto a message she believed God gave her: “Don’t forget in the dark what I told you in the light.” She kept rebuilding. Today, her children are grown, her health has dramatically changed from those crisis years, and Joanna is finally sharing the testimony she once wanted to keep private. SEED FOR THE MAGIC GARDEN Joanna’s seed is about becoming the person you were created to be. Your time is limited. Your story matters. The goal is not pretending your past never happened. It is refusing to let the past keep you from becoming fully you. Let the work happen. Heal. Forgive. Grow. And use the time you have. #PeaceLoveAndBringABat #JoannaPixley #PowerOfTestimony #Faith #TraumaHealing #Forgiveness #Resilience #Survivor #Transformation #SingleMom #Healing #Authenticity To support us: https://davidchametzky.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@davidchametzkyNOW https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/peace-love-and-bring-a-bat/id1552738547

GOD DOESN’T FORGET A PROMISE: OWEN WILSON ON FAITH, LOSS, MIRACLES & SURVIVING THE IMPOSSIBLE What happens when life takes away what you prayed hardest to keep—and then years later gives you a moment that feels impossible to explain? On this episode of Peace, Love, and Bring a Bat, Uncle Dave welcomes Owen Wilson, New Zealand Air Force veteran, aircraft mechanic, pilot, husband, father, and man of deep faith. Owen grew up in the Solomon Islands as the son and grandson of missionaries. His life has been shaped by faith from childhood—but also by devastating loss, answered prayers, miraculous timing, and one terrifying flight that could have ended very differently. In this episode, you will discover: • What it was like growing up in the Solomon Islands • Why Owen made his parents’ faith his own at age seven • The heartbreaking loss of his firstborn son • How grief tested his relationship with God • Why Owen and his wife chose not to pursue legal action after their son’s death • The promise Owen believed God gave him about future children • How his twins were born at only 28 weeks • The extraordinary Northern Lights moment that became deeply personal to him • How a routine microlight flight suddenly became a fight for survival • Why the aircraft engine unexpectedly stopped over mountains and ocean • How Owen and his friend prayed as the plane descended • The airstrip that appeared at exactly the right moment • Why the words “Jesus Is Lord” stopped Owen in his tracks after landing • How “Truth and Grace” became part of an already unbelievable story • What investigators later discovered about the plane’s fuel gauge • Why Owen believes timing—not luck—saved their lives WHEN THE ANSWER ISN’T WHAT YOU WANT Owen and his wife were expecting their first child when complications forced an emergency delivery. Their premature son died shortly after birth. Owen admits he was angry with God. He questioned everything. But eventually, he says he felt challenged to trust God even when the answer was not the one he wanted. Years later, Owen and his wife became pregnant again. Before the first scan, Owen told her: “Don’t be surprised if it’s twins.” It was. Their twins arrived at 28 weeks and became what Owen calls miracle children. I HAVEN’T FORGOTTEN A year later, Owen returned to Canada. While driving the same road where he had once prayed desperately for a sign during his first child’s crisis, he again quietly prayed. Then his father-in-law asked: “Have you ever seen the Northern Lights?” Owen looked outside. The entire sky was alive. For him, the message was unmistakable: “I haven’t forgotten.” WE’RE GOING DOWN Years later, Owen took his friend Grant for a flight in a small microlight aircraft. The engine suddenly stopped. They were over steep mountains and deep water with nowhere safe to land. Owen told Grant: “Pray hard, because we’re going down.” The engine briefly restarted, giving them just enough altitude to clear a ridge. Then it died again. Directly below them was an airstrip Owen says he had never seen despite years of flying the area. They landed safely. Nearby stood a windmill with the words: “Jesus Is Lord.” Then they met a young couple named Truth and Grace. TIMING CHANGES EVERYTHING Investigators later discovered the aircraft’s fuel gauge had been installed incorrectly. The plane contained significantly less fuel than Owen believed. He says if the engine had stopped only a little earlier—or later—they likely would have ended up in the ocean or mountains. For Owen, the miracle was not simply finding land. It was being in exactly the right place at exactly the right time. SEED FOR THE MAGIC GARDEN Owen’s seed is: Get to know your Maker before you desperately need Him. Build the relationship now. Talk. Listen. Trust. Owen’s journey has taught him that God does not always answer the way we want. But he believes: God provides. God remembers. And God does not forget a promise. #PeaceLoveAndBringABat #OwenWilson #Faith #Miracles #Prayer #Testimony #Aviation #NewZealand #Survival #DivineIntervention #TrustGod #Hope To support us: https://davidchametzky.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@davidchametzkyNOW https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/peace-love-and-bring-a-bat/id1552738547